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MONTGOMERY -- In her report to the board, Montgomery Area School Board Superintendent Daphne L. Bowers praised a district initiative in its second year to improve the climate and culture in the school district and the community.
"It is incredible for me to see us in school for just a few weeks and see the miraculous transformation that we've seen in our school and our students and in the community, pulling together," she said.
She noted the recent bonfire and parade in the borough was a collaboration of parents, the community and the school.
"Pulling kids together to support each other, that feeds into our day to day work," she continued. "It absolutely improves the climate and climate improves academics and high achievement. It's great to watch, and I'm hoping the community is recognizing the changes that are occurring. It's powerful."
Prior to the business portion of the meeting, Michele Hicklin, food service director with The Nutrition Group, told the board about a new program called NutriSlice, which uses the district's website to keep parents informed about school menus and the nutritional values of the foods available to their children.
Hecklin noted the program makes it easier for parents whose children have special dietary needs to choose foods they can have. It also makes the information available to school nurses. Along with the information online, a cellphone app can be downloaded for free.
In an update on the junior-senior high school's construction project, Brian McGurgan, from contractor Welliver Construction, of Montour Falls, New York, reported the gym will be available for use by Oct. 2 and everything else should be done by Oct. 15.
In regular business, under finance items, the board agreed to pay $28,977 for the proposed purchase of a 2017 Transit-150 low-roof wagon from Sunbury Motor Co.
However, approval to pay $63,270 for additional services projections for the Safe and Secure Schools project by Welliver was tabled to enable more discussion of the matter. The board voted to deny a change order request for $11,178 from Gutelius Excavating Inc.
In personnel matters for the 2017-18 school year, the board approved:
• The guest teacher list.
• The transfer of 8.5 sick days from Dayton Public Schools for Cheyenne Coladonato.
• Marsha Dieffenderfer as an elementary/secondary substitute teacher.
• Zachary Welter as a secondary substitute teacher.
• The appointment of Samanthea Ditzler and Renee Wagner as part-time cafeteria workers at a rate of $9.50 per hour with no benefits.
• The appointment of Marissa Taylor as a part-time para-professional at a rate of $10 per hour with no benefits.
• Cheryl Wilt as a substitute bus aide for Mowery Transportation, pending receipt of clearances.
A student teaching school district agreement between the district and Lycoming College was approved by the board.
An addition of the book "1984" to the previously approved novel list for the current school year was given the nod by the board as was a request from Virtuoso to take its students to New York City in May to see a Broadway show and to tour the city.
The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 in the administrative board room, 120 Penn St.