Elk Lake makes final roofing payment

BY JEFF HORVATH
Times-Shamrock Writer

The Elk Lake School Board approved on Thursday the final payment on a recently completed re-roofing project at the elementary school.

The board technically voted to make the final payment of $186,579 to TRS Roofing for the project in August, but retained $30,768 pending a final evaluation. On Thursday they voted unanimously to make the truly final $30,768 payment, which suggests that it was satisfied with the re-roofing.

Elk Lake has not released last year’s standardized test scores. According to Superintendent Ken Cuomo, “there are still discrepancies with the scores at the state level.”

The school plans on releasing the data once this issue is resolved. Standardized test scores are lower almost across the board this year, which is a consequence of the more rigorous testing standards that have been implemented to reflect a more rigorous common core.

The Elk Lake PTO will be sponsoring a ‘McTeacher Night’ at the Tunkhannock McDonald’s on Oct. 13.

Elk Lake staff will be on hand at the restaurant during the event, and a portion of the money McDonald’s brings in during that time will be donated to the PTO.

Elementary principal Marc Weisgold also announced during the meeting that the PTO has donated $6,799 to the school, which will be used, in part, to finance the purchase of new basketball backboards and rims for Elk Lake’s eight outdoor hoops. The board voted unanimously to accept the donation, with Cuomo thanking the PTO for doing a “fantastic job.”

Board Member Alice Carr made the motion to renew the school’s bus contracts, which was seconded by Donica McGee. The motion passed unanimously with Chuck Place abstaining. Board Member Matthew Curley was not present at the meeting.

In another transportation-related issue, Superintendent Cuomo suggested that the board vote to reimburse any Elk Lake or SCCTC employed CDL drivers who would like to get a state Department of Transportation physical. The physical costs $120, and drivers have to pay for the physical out of their own pocket.

A DOT physical is demanded of any CDL driver who transports students outside of state lines, and Elk Lake runs several field trips out of state.

The recommendation, which was embraced and approved unanimously, reimburses CDL drivers the $120 cost of the DOT physical.

During both the Elk Lake and SCCTC meetings, the board voted to revise the recently approved compensation plans for both institutions to eliminate redundant language in certain contracts. Aside from the removal of this language, there was no tangible change to the compensation plans.

The board approved Brenda Spadine and Katherine Pierson as ‘New Teacher Mentors’ at a rate of $533.

They also accepted with regret the resignation of Ann Noldy from her leadership team position, and hired Christine Evans for that position at a rate of $1,060.80.

The board also approved Jessica Lunger’s request for maternity leave; and accepted with regret Christopher Rezykowski’s resignation from his position as the Eighth Grade Boys Basketball Coach.

A motion to approve all agenda items except for the bus contracts, which were approved with a separate motion, was made by Donica McGee and seconded by Chuck Place. The motion passed unanimously with Matthew Curley not in attendance.