SMETHPORT — The Smethport Area School Board adopted resolutions Monday authorizing its negotiating committee to explore cost reductions by subcontracting custodial and cafeteria services.
Both resolutions passed unanimously with one director absent. The district’s negotiating committee, in contract talks for a successor agreement with the Smethport Area Educational Support Professional Association, is directed to investigate whether or not there would be any cost savings by outsourcing.
The resolutions further state that any requests for proposals and other related information regarding to subcontracting are to be provided to the association. Additionally, the resolutions state “it is the desire of the board to receive and consider proposals from the association designed to reduce operational costs and maintain both of these services in-house.”
In other news, the board approved the McClure Company of Harrisburg as the energy savings company to perform an investment grade audit for an Act 39 project. At their September meeting, the directors voted to request qualifications from energy service companies that can provide a turnkey energy conservation program that describes those companies’ ability to identify the need for designing, installing, maintaining, monitoring and arranging the financing of the work.
Such work would include cost-reduction projects such as insulation, weather stripping, HVAC and lighting modifications/replacements,
Eric Petrazio, an account specialist with the McClure Company, said he and an engineer will return to the district later to conduct the investment grade audit.
In another unanimous vote, Kristin Zona was appointed the elementary school principal.
Zona, along with several primary grade teachers, are attending the Pennsylvania State Reading Conference in Harrisburg, where they are receiving training in the Guided Reading Method, which the district has adopted, said Superintendent David London.
Prior to the board taking action on the agenda, district resident Marla McKeirnan questioned the directors about hiring an elementary principal, especially in light of the district taking cost-reduction steps. She asked why high school Principal Robert Miller couldn’t handle additional duties.
In his response, London said both and he and the board agree that each school needs its own principal. He also cited certification requirements for the position.
