Mt. View students work on campus improvements

A group of eight Mountain View students have been working on improvements to the school campus was recognized by the school board at the Monday, Oct. 24 meeting.
Student workers include: Michael Daniels, Cameron Heide, Nathan Jones, Austin Spencer, Edward Kiefer, Kevin Oakley, Collin Scott, and Terry Yarbrough.
So far, the group – referred to as the “Chain Gang” – have worked on the courtyard area located near the main office of the high school; fixed up the area near the flagpole, planted daffodil bulbs; installed drainage; and are now laying a new sidewalk using donated stone.
The old stone will be used for a pond. The students also repaired a stone wall. The capstone materials for the wall were donated by Brian Telford.
A letter of resignation for retirement was accepted from Judith Welch from her IT Clerical position, effective Dec. 30. The board approved a motion to advertise for a full-time clerical position with a salary of $11.20 per hour and benefits, with applications due Nov. 15.
A letter of resignation from Anthony Borgia from his Junior Varsity Baseball Coach position was also accepted, effective immediately.
A dual enrollment agreement between the district and the University of Scranton was accepted, effective through June 30, 2017.
Maintenance Director Bob Taylor asked the board to consider replacing the aluminum portable bleachers, because they may not still meet code requirements. They are difficult to move around, and the district’s skid steer would need longer extensions to be able to move them, he told the board. Currently, the bleachers are used during baseball and softball games, and occasionally for soccer.
High School Principal Rob Presley asked if the high school wrestling room could be enlarged to accommodate 20 junior high and 20 varsity high school wrestlers this year. He said that if a partition wall could be removed, the room would be enlarged by 20 feet. Board member Kenneth Decker, who was a wrestler and official, said, “Let’s get them the room.”
Presley noted that wall padding would be the most expensive part of the renovation.
Taylor also discussed several school vehicles which may not be able to pass inspection. A Ford van which is mainly used to bring lunches from the high school to the elementary cafeteria is one of those, as well as an old truck and a PT Cruiser which has more than 100,000 miles on it, used to transport students. There is no money in the budget for vehicles, but the woodchips for the furnace came in cheaper than expected this year, he said.
The board members told Taylor to look to replace the car now, and maybe the truck in the spring.
A dishwasher used in the chemistry lab is now defunct. Prices were checked for a chemical resistant dishwasher, which were found in the $10,000 range.
Board member David Schulte said that for 14 years, a regular dishwasher was used for the chemistry lab, and was much cheaper.
The Marywood String Project is moving forward, and on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m., there will be a demonstration in the music room of violins, violas and cellos by children already involved in the project.
The art department has received a grant which will be used for two slab rollers for clay. Last year, the grant was used to purchase a marimba.
October disbursements were approved, and payments were confirmed of the general fund bill list, cafeteria bill list, employee payroll, transportation contracts, fringe benefit payments and fund transfers in the amount of $3,220,339.56.
The list of bills for the Oct. 24 general fund and cafeteria fund was approved in the amount of $137,604.38.
The following quarterly reports dated Sept. 30 were approved and filed for audits: high school activities account, high school scholarship account, elementary school activities account, and athletic account.
The board also approved establishing a Class of 2019 student activity account.
Stacy Decker of Clifford Township was approved to be added to the paraprofessional substitute list. Kelly Miller of Kingsley was approved to be added to the elementary paraprofessional and hall/cafeteria monitor substitute lists.
The Mountain View School District recently celebrated a 25th anniversary of its elementary school building, and the event was a grand success. In addition to performances by the Chimettes and other music groups, and speakers, a time capsule was installed under a stone slab, donated by Bridget and Marty Evans.
The district also recognized faculty and staff members for years of service on Monday, Oct. 24 during the school board meeting.
Recognized for 30 years of service was Maryann Troanovitch.
Laurie Barlow and Molly Love-Birosak were recognized for 25 years, and Corrine McNabb and Diane Supancik were recognized for 20 years of service.
Dennis Getz, John Arnold, Rebecca Giordano, Robin Phillips, Denise Skurnovich, and Wendy Decker were recognized for 15 years of service.
Brandi Miller, Robyn O’Brien, and Jenifer Pliska were noted for 10 years of service; and Molly Virbitsky was recognized for five years with the district.