EMPORIUM — A new president of the Cameron County School Board was chosen during Thursday’s regular meeting.
Daryl Richardson was voted in unanimously to fill the top spot, and was the only individual nominated for the position. He succeeds Paul Abriatis, who was not nominated to run for president this term.
Kristine Umble earned a majority of votes to serve as vice president. Sylvia Homan was also nominated but earned four votes to Umble’s five.
There was some confusion as to the procedure for filling the positions, but it was quickly straightened out by Business Manager Carl Mitchell.
The meeting schedule was adopted. This year, all meetings will occur on the first and second Thursdays of the month, rather than workshop meetings falling on Mondays.
An audit report was presented by David DiTanna of Buffamante, Whipple, Buttafaro, PC. The district received a clean audit, with notations being made only for administrative issues. DiTanna stated that all purchases, even those approved through the budget, must be signed off by the administration and the authorization recorded.
Accounting changed slightly this year, with districts being required to show their share of pension shortfalls in their annual budget statements. The state’s pension system is greatly underfunded, and the district’s share of that is $15.5 million.
For the past several years, pension contribution rates have been rising in order to try and close the funding gap. Several years ago, the rate was 20.5 percent; in 2015-16, it was 25.84 percent; it will be more than 30 percent for 2017.
Revenue was up by approximately $100,000, which DiTanna attributed to increased local tax receipts through the collection of delinquent taxes.
In other news, members voted to table adoption of policy 354, pertaining to pre-employment drug testing. Superintendent Dr. Keith Wolf is working with the solicitor and is waiting for additional information.
Meanwhile, the board voted to continue pursuing information on Naloxone, a drug designed to combat opioid overdose. Wolf spoke with officials from the Bradford Area School District, which does carry the drug. He stated that administrators and staff are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of overdose, while the nurses are trained on that information and administration of the drug.
Member Rob Aversa contacted Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, and learned that an online training course is available for those considering carrying Naloxone. The training meets all requirements and standards set forth by the Commonwealth.
Four members voted not to research the drug any further. Members Shannon Zuback-Penfield, Umble, Aversa, Abriatis and Richardson voted to seek more information on the drug, and members will do so.
Lastly, the community walking program will begin on Jan. 3. The high school will be open to walkers from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants are asked to sign in at the office and read the posted guidelines before using the facilities.
