SMETHPORT — The Smethport Area School Board approved a resolution Monday recognizing and supporting the technical degree programs and offerings of the Rural Regional College of Northern Pennsylvania.
In supporting the resolution, the district’s directors recognize that programs and educational opportunities to be offered by the Rural Regional College are not currently available in this area of the state.
According to the resolution, “The Smethport Area School District hereby signifies its support for the concept of the RRCNPA and agrees to engage in discussions regarding an agreement with the RRCNPA which would permit the college to use school district facilities nights, weekends and summers, including the use of school district-owned equipment needed to successfully conduct classes. All such usage would be subject to prior approval of the school district before such time that any class would be scheduled and/or advertised.”
In his report to the directors, Superintendent David London said as the district complies with the Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal statute that includes the minimum wage and overtime regulations, “the central office will also determine the impact of overtime to keep costs low and work quality high.”
London also spoke briefly about the work of the Task Force of the Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9 Health Care Insurance Consortium that studied the current status of health care for the consortium, a self-funded and shared-risk plan that covers the IU9 staff, Career and Technical Center and the IU’s 14 school districts in McKean, Elk, Potter and Cameron counties.
The task force plans to present three recommendations to the consortium for consensus on Wednesday. Those would allocate surplus resources to districts with positive claim histories, put in a system of variable and renewable pricing and provide flexibility of the plan design.
Any changes or recommendations would be sent to the IU9 board of directors.
Business Manager Sue Jordan announced the district will realize a higher savings than originally anticipated with its agreement with Vineyard Oil and Gas to lock in a price for natural gas for the winter. On the day the district’s contract was processed, the rate per dekatherm dropped even lower, enabling the district to increase its annual savings from about $6,700 to $8,400.
Board president Larry Dennis said the public meeting was late in starting since the directors discussed personnel matters. An executive session may be held between this meeting and the December meeting, Dennis added.
