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JERSEY SHORE -- Dr. Jill Wenrich, superintendent at the Jersey Shore Area School District, shared a plan detailing what the district will look like in 2019 and beyond at the district's board meeting Monday night.
Wenrich shared at the meeting how the district at present has two models of education, the more traditional brick and mortar and online learning, which is more computer driven.
"The brick and mortar model or face-to-face model of education has been around since the beginning of the existence of public education," she said. She added that this is when students come to school everyday, attend classes and earn their diploma.
At the opposite end of the education spectrum is online learning or a virtual education, where students use a computer. This is a result of students in the state having a choice of whether they receive their education by coming to school for certain classes while taking other classes online.
"Online learning is typically from an outside source. They are not our students," she said. Wenrich did explain that the district does have an online component, Jersey Shore Online Learning, although the classes are not taught by district's personnel but rather are offered through the Intermediate Unit.
Wenrich said that the district wants to continue with this program, but with making the transition to using district teachers and curriculum conducting the online courses. She noted that it would probably take three to five years to put that in place.
Blended learning is another aspect of education offered to district students. Wenrich said that this type allows students to decide to take most of their coursework during the day in the traditional way, but they also decide to take courses online also.
"It's not a full cyber option and it's not a full traditional option but it can the best of both worlds,' she said.
Another option the district is exploring, Wenrich said, is offering courses in a traditional format on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and student would work virtually on Tuesday and Thursday.
"This particular type of program is not currently offered by the district, but we're working with the teachers' association to hopefully get some of those types of courses started," she added.
Building principals at the high school, middle school and elementary levels also detailed for the board what was planned for students in their areas, such as the creation of new career pathways as well as the expansion of others.
In other business the board approved the following purchases for the Administration Building roof top unit project:
• Purchase of a Trane roof top unit from Trane at a cost of $9,085.
• Rental of a crane from Allison Crane and Rigging at an estimated cost of $1,050.
* An agreement with Automated Logic at a cost of $9,330.
• An agreement with Spencer Mechanical at a cost of $5,930.
The board also approved an inspection of the stormwater pipes at the middle school by the Tiadaghton Valley Municipal Authority at an estimated cost of $1,200.
Funds for all purchases for this project will come from the capital reserve account. Under personnel items, the board approved the resignation of Bradd Williamson as middle school track and field coach and the appointment of Devan Hensler to a part-time food service position at the high school at a rate of $9.00 per hour.
The board approved the proposed 2019-2020 school year calendar and school building secretary and classroom paraprofessional and learning support or special education paraprofessional job descriptions.
Board members present were: Craig Allen, Karen Stover, Merril Sweitzer, Christopher Fravel, Michelle Stemler, Mary Thomas, Harry Brungard, John Pecchia and Kelley Wasson.
The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Administration Building, 175 A&P Drive.