EL faculty to raise funds for flood victims

BY PAT FARNELLI

At least 17 families of students attending the Elk Lake School District were rendered homeless by the Sept. 8-9 flooding, and many others were affected, Superintendant William Bush said Thursday at the school board meeting.

The teachers responded by holding a “Dress Down Day” fundraiser, paying a donation to dress casually, and were able to contribute more than $1,700 to flood victims.

In addition, the schools
have set aside a room for the collection of food, clothing and
supplies being donated by students, faculty, staff, and the community.

Bush noted that a number of the ElkLakestaff members have lost a family member recently.
The new driveway and traffic pattern for elementary student dropoffs has been a great success, reported principal Charles Pirone.

Broome Bituminous Products was the contractor for the paving project, which allows cars and vans to drop off students on the right side of the elementary school, then proceed out of the parking lot, around the new pavilion, and out via the Cabot gas well road on the other side of the playground.

The resulting situation has proved to be much safer, and drivers are handling the change smoothly.

Board president Chuck Place, asked if the Cabot gate can be moved, and whether the district has a key to its lock.

Bush said yes to both questions.

Two resignations were received and accepted with regret: Raymond Stone of the maintanance staff, and Wes Warner, wrestling coach.

A Curriculum Night will be held on Sept. 28 at6 p.m., with a time for parents to meet the teachers.

Sean Ecker was hired as a student worker, and the lifeguard list for the Elk Lake Aquatic Center had two changes: Sean Carney was promoted, and Sonia Griffis was hired as a new lifeguard.

Construction bills approved totaled more than $775,000, with about $3 million spent on the Susquehanna County Career andTechnologyCenterexpansion so far.

The August gas well royalty payment to the district by Cabot Oil & Gas was for $65,119.80.

The total of royalty payments for the past fiscal year (7/23/10 to 6/24/11) was $131,561.99.

Homecoming will be held the last Friday in September, and will include a dance and fireworks.

Grandparents Day was so successful last year, that the elementary school will begin holding Parents Day as well, with grades doing their grandparent and parent programs separately.

An agriculture education trailer that had been at the Harford Fair was to be brought toElkLakefrom the fairgrounds, so that the elementary students can enjoy its hands-on experiences.

A discipline/expulsion was approved for student 17181, it was announced. A number ofCDLand non-CDLdrivers were hired, as well as some staff members and a guidance counselor.

The board approved advertising its change in Earned Income Tax Collector, to the county Central Tax  Bureau (Centax).

Several exonerations were also approved for senior citizens.

The next school board meeting, scheduled for Oct. 20, is being re-scheduled due to a conflict with the Pennsylvania School Board Conference. It will be held on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.