ELDRED — The Otto-Eldred School board Wednesday evening heard concerns from parents regarding student athletes’ transportation after events.

Parents Jolene Schussler, Melissa Clayson, and Amy Raught all shared concerns related to the athletic policy related to students riding home with parents after events. This was a continuation from the concerns shared last month. The parents asked that the policy be revisited due to certain family dynamics, and asked that other relatives be able to transport their children. Currently only a parent or grandparent can transport after sporting events. A motion to review the policy was again not successful.

After the meeting, Schussler expressed her disappointment.

“The current policy does not take into consideration parents who have more than two children, single parents, and those who do not have grandparents able to help with transportation,” she said. “At the meeting, the board was presented with different examples of liability waivers that parents could sign releasing the school of liability.

“I realize that it’s an inconvenience for the school board to revise a policy, but it needs to recognize the needs of families in our community that rely on responsible friends/neighbors/family members,” Schussler said.

Also at the meeting, representatives from Stuck’s Busing were present to share concerns related to student bus behavior and appropriate discipline. A training has already been set up through Intermediate Unit 9 to provide bus drivers better understanding of student behavior and more effective tools to prevent and intervene with disruptive student bus behaviors.

Meanwhile, Lindsay Burns, principal of elementary and special education, and High School Principal Harley Ramsey discussed PSSA results from spring of 2017. Results were mixed across grade levels when compared to the state averages. Burns and Ramsey shared efforts that began in June to better align curriculum in ELA and math as well as use updated assessments to guide instruction.

Superintendent Matthew Splain shared updates related to state and local issues. The state Supreme Court sent the school funding lawsuit back to Commonwealth Court, meaning the case involving the state’s responsibility to provide “for the maintenance and support of thorough and efficient system of public education” will be heard. This is a huge win for Pennsylvania Public Schools. Unfortunately, there is no good news from Harrisburg related to the adoption of a complete state budget.

In new business, the need for new marching band uniforms was shared and discussed with the board. Cost for new uniforms could be as high as $20,000. The board stated the importance of supporting all student activities, but balancing that with their fiscal responsibility. The board will make a final determination in November so that uniforms would be ready for use in fall of 2018.

Revisiting older business,Splain provided an update on the scholarship funds currently managed by the school district. With the improved operations of the Otto-Eldred Education Foundation, the intent was for the district to turn over the held scholarship funds to the foundation.Criteria developed to ensure a smooth transfer were shared with input requested prior to November’s meeting.

Also, an updated building use fee schedule was presented to the board by Splain. The fee schedule was updated to better reflect costs incurred by the district for building/grounds use.  Final consideration will be made in November.