SMETHPORT — Smethport Area School District Superintendent David London reported Monday the renovations at both the elementary and secondary buildings are mostly completed and the opening of school for students is on schedule for Aug. 22.
An in-service for staff is slated for Friday.
Some of the unfinished work, such as finishing and punch list items, can be done during after-school hours, London added in his report to the school board.
Prior to any action on the meeting’s agenda, London introduce Erica Ziegler, the district’s new food service director, who replaces Toni Morris, who has retired. A native of Erie who resides in Port Allegany, Ziegler holds a bachelor’s degree from Slippery Rock University. She formerly worked with a wellness program for cardiology patients in Erie.
The directors approved several personnel matters. Audrianna Delacour was hired as a high school English teacher and Diane Nannen was approved as her mentor. Delacour was also named prom director. Cindy Rees was hired as a full-time elementary emotional support aide for the 2018-19 school year.
Elise Rosenswie was OKd as a mentor for a newly-hired elementary teacher, and Katie Freer will be the mentor for the new instrumental music teacher.
Eric Lutz’s resignation as girls’ basketball coach was accepted with regret.
The following coaches were rehired: Colby Austin baseball; Jon Peterson, softball; and Rick Woodring, track and field. No recommendations were made at this time for a girls’ basketball coach or Varsity “S” advisor.
In another vote, the directors approved five additional contract days for high school choral teacher Matt Bailey for work on the Pennsylvania Information Management System, the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s statewide data system that assists school districts in student-level data reporting.
Smethport will again participate in the Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9 Virtual Academy, a cyber-educational program, after this move gained board approval.
According to IU9, the academy provides virtual learning for school districts. IU9 partners with Allegheny IU 3s Waterfront Learning program to offer schools the ability to provide online courses in which students can participate on a full-time or part-time basis.
Directors accepted a proposal from Muccio Transportation to provide student transportation for practices and games for the co-op sports program with the Port Allegany School District for cross country, golf and soccer for the 2018-19 school year.
In other matters, the directors approved:
a German IV class for 2018-19;
the superintendent’s goals for the next school year;
a letter of agreement with Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services Inc., for the Student Assistance Program for 2018-19;
an agreement with Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems that establishes the tuition rates for Alternative Education and special education students for 2018-19;
an additional two hours per day for Kathleen Pearson per the Memorandum of Understanding with the Smethport Area Educational Support Personnel Association beginning with the new school year; and
a Memorandum of Understanding with the Smethport Area Education Association to trade time to allow the teachers to participate the Back-to-School evening event program slated for Aug. 22.
