Meteor-Warrior football alliance approved

BY PAT FARNELLI

The Montrose Area school board approved a cooperative agreement for a joint football team with Elk Lake Monday night.

The decision follows one made by theElkLakeschool board last month, and will be presented to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association District 2 board at its next meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Superintendent Michael F. Ognosky said that when both districts approve such an agreement, it is automatically approved by the PIAA, and will remain in effect until both districts agree to end the cooperative team.

Ognosky said that some things have changed since the dual district team was first discussed several years ago.”

The PIAA wants to encourage cooperative agreements,” Ognosky said. “Rather than counting both district’s eligible students, they only count half, so we don’t have to worry about jumping up a level.”

The school board voted unanimously for the cooperative agreement. Board members agreed that additional athletes would benefit the Montrose team, which provides ample playing time for the relatively few players, but can be taxing on them individually, since they are constantly on the field.

The two districts already have a cooperative swim team, which holds home meets at theElkLakepool. The joint swim team has been a positive experience for both schools, Ognosky said.

He also related feedback from two otherSusquehannaCountyschools which have a cooperative football team. “It’s worked very successfully forBlue Ridgeand Susquehanna, and now they are cooperating with other sports teams,” Ognosky said.

TheElkLakeSchool Districtwill be responsible for transportation of its own student athletes. Uniforms and equipment will be provided by Montrose.

In other business, school board members voted to authorize Empire Insurance to bind coverage with ACE American Insurance Company for student and athletic accident insurance renewal effective for a one year agreement, beginning on Aug. 15, at a cost of $7,587. This is the same coverage as Montrose’s previous insurance plan, but less costly and with a new carrier, explained Michelle Lusk, business manager.

The following coaches were hired: Jeff Fanucci, as assistant football coach for the 2011 fall sports season only, at $2,925; Levi Tiffany, as assistant junior high football coach beginning with the fall sports season at $1,920.

The following resignations were accepted with regret: Jennifer Henry as assistant field hockey coach, effective Aug. 3; and Eric Powers as senior project adviser, effective Aug. 26; Pamela Feeney, part-time food service worker at Choconut Valley Elementary School, effective July 25; and Jennifer Henry, learning support instructional aide at the Junior Senior High School, effective Aug. 3.

Dominick Lucenti was employed as a long-term substitute social studies teacher at the high school for the 2011-12 school year at a daily rate of $147.22 with no benefits.
Johanna Reed was hired as a daily substitute teacher for music K-12, and Cortney Hoffa was hired as a daily substitute for elementary and special education.

Kim Forys, a physical education and health teacher, submitted her resignation effective Aug. 25, which was accepted with regret. She is accepting a position with another school district.

Nicholas Myers placed 35th out of 7,000 archers at the National Archery Championships. The other members of Montrose’s archery team all placed in the top half of their age brackets.

John Giangrieco, Tyler Dovin, Maverick Tims, McCade Callaway, Justin Loomis, Kassidi Ramirez  Blair Pipher, and Benjamin Hayes were congratulated by the school board at the start of Monday’s meeting.

Summer camp participants attended the meeting as well, as did staff and counselors. Supervisor Christine Casey reported on the success of the program, which takes a holistic approach, including life learning skills as well as academics, working on virtues such as etiquette and self regulation daily.

Ognosky noted that for the years the camp has been in effect, campers have had little regression over the summer, and the two elementary schools have met annual yearly progress goals with the PSSA tests.

ThreeMontroseAdultSchooladministrators attended the meeting to report on the program.

Because the program has no overhead, great volunteers, and offers very inexpensive courses, it has been very successful, said Philippa Follert.

The board approved the allocation of additional revenue in the amount of $391,908 received in the final state budget for the 2011-12 state budget. The funds will be used for tutoring programs that had previously been discontinued, and for lighting upgrades at theLathropStreetElementary School.