BY STACI WILSON
Blue Ridge School Board President Laurie Bonner noted some good and some bad news in terms of school funding.
Preliminary federal allocations look to be down about $20,000 in Title 1 funds; and down about $3,000 in Title 2 dollars.
But Bonner noted some charter school reforms, passed Monday in the Pennsylvania House, would work to eliminate the pension double-dip.
Another proposed piece of legislation moving forward would also cap charter school fund balances the same way traditional brick and mortar public school are capped.
Bonner said Blue Ridge could realize $29,000 in savings.
“We’re making headway with this,” she said.
At Monday night’s meeting, the board focused squaring up end-of-year business with the approval of several positions for the extended school year program.
Those approved were: Margot Parsons as the emotional support teacher; Janice Johnson as the Life Skills/Autistic Support teacher and Tanya Haley as the paraeducator in the class; Laurie Klenchik as Learning Support teacher; and Lauren Konik as a substitute paraeducator; Rebecca Upright as PCA; and Tracy Shidagis as a bus aide.
The extended school year program will run 22 days, Monday-Thursday, July 2-Aug. 8.
The board accepted, with regret, the letter of intent to retire from Veronica McNieice, paraeducator, effective at the end of this school year.
Looking ahead to the 2013-14 school year, the board approved a list of instructional substitutes and also approved co-curricular and adviser positions.
The Lackawanna League official pay rates, through 2016, was also approved.
Jaelynne Goff was approved as a long-term substitute for the 2-13-14 school year.
A contribution of $250 will be given to the 6th Annual Fallen Soldiers Memorial Ride.
The board approved two student/teacher teams to attend the PSBA Excellence Fair; and one student delegate team to attend the PSBA conference.
An agreement with PA Treatment & Healing (PATH) for the 2013-14 school year was approved.
PATH, with a school located in Bridgewater Twp., provides alternative education for disruptive youth for the district.
Jaelynne Goff questioned the effectiveness of PATH and asked if any members of the administration had visited the site.
Superintendent Robert McTiernan said he, as well as Principal Matthew Nebzydoski, had been to the alternative school.
The board approved a non-recurring one percent bonus of the 2013-14 base salary for classified employees.
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