SCSD looks at immunization requirements

Andrea Sanders, Special Education teacher, and Kyle Cook, instructional aide received the Lauretta Woodson Awards for an educator and a support staff member at the Susquehanna Community School District school board meeting on April 19. From left: Bob McNamara PASR; Woodson recipients, Kyle Cook, Andrea Sanders; Ellen Holdredge, PASR. Back row: John Manchester PASR.

Susquehanna Community Superintendent Bronson Stone spoke to the school board at the Wednesday, April 19 meeting, regarding the implications of the state’s new immunization regulations.
Stone said the nine children in the district do not meet the requirements in place for April 28.
But, he said, 168 children do not meet the requirements that go into effect by the fifth day of the coming school year.
Stone said parents and guardians of children who do not or will not meet the requirement have been contacted by the district. The school nurse has been working on the matter, he said, and is attempting to schedule an immunization clinic to be held in the summer.
Unless there are unforeseen changes between now and the May meeting, taxes will likely hold steady in the district for the coming year.
Stone said the district plans to utilize a portion of its fund balance to cover the $200,000 deficit in the budget.
There will be a dramatic change in this year’s summer program due to low turnout in prior years.
The program will be conducted for one week in July, and run 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Students who are not able to attend will receive packets to work on over the break. The program is voluntary for students.
The district will contract with Kelly Services for substitutes for the 2017-18 school year.
Stone said “Subs are hard to come by,” and noted that a person who holds a four-year degree can work as a substitute teacher in Pennsylvania.
He also said the district is looking for nursing staff substitutes – both RN and LPN – especially for field trips.