Dust settles at MASD Sept. meeting

BY STACI WILSON

After the dust up of tempers at the August Montrose Area School Board meeting, the September meeting provided an unexpected calm among school directors and the administrators present.

The meeting, originally slated for Monday, Sept. 10, was rescheduled to Wednesday, Sept. 12. With the change, several district administrators were unable to attend.

Superintendent Chris McComb told the board that state law on “lunch shaming” requires the board to come up with a procedure to deal with negative lunch balances. “It’s a reality we need to come up with a solution for,” McComb said.

Revisions to the district policy on food payment had been discussed at the last policy meeting.

The proposed development of a nearby property for senior housing was also discussed by the board. Earlier this year, the school board was not interested in entertaining a LERTA for the project proposed by Trehab and Earle Wootton on land near the high school.

McComb said Trehab director Dennis Phelps had requested a meeting with him and the district business manager. Board members conducted a sort of straw poll with the majority indicating they were not interested in giving the tax assistance for the project.

Board member Richard Jordan said, “Once (the district) gives a waiver, it runs with the land. Let’s see the agreement with Trehab. If they build, my view would be different.”

The board also discussed re-establishing the bank of Choconut Creek, located near the Choconut Valley Elementary School.

McComb said the district has reached out to the County Conservation District and expedited permits are available. The district is working with their consultant to get the permits done to rework the bank with larger stone and put the creek back to its natural spot.

Technology Director Craig Owens said parents experiencing issues with the website portals can call the helpdesk, 570-278-6243.

Lathrop Street Elementary is looking to introduce the Children’s Produce Market in conjunction with the Weinberg Food Bank. The program sets up a monthly food delivery to the school, and is already in place at Choconut.

McComb said 30-40 families take advantage of the program each month.

In the business meeting, the board approved coaches, along with salaries; as well as event workers.

Ariel McKennas was approved as a long-term substitute physical education teacher at Choconut Valley Elementary.

Torilyn Rezykowski was hired as a full-time guidance counselor at Choconut Valley, effective on or about Sept. 11.

The board also approved department chairs at the high school level; and stipend positions for several club advisors; afterschool detention and tutors were also approved; as were detention and homework club supervisors for the elementary schools.

The school board’s next meeting will be held Monday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Junior-Senior High School.

 

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