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The Montoursville Area School Board once again took a look at its health and safety plan before deciding to keep what's in place -- for now -- without any changes.
School directors this week discussed a section of the plan regarding contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantining.
The board voted to continue its consideration of the state Department of Health contact tracing requirements and to have the administration immediately notify the public upon any changes to contact tracing and quarantining protocols.
Board member Dale Ulmer, for one, said he felt it was prudent to follow Department of Health guidelines.
At its Feb. 1 meeting, the board tweaked the safety plan regarding quarantining and contact tracing of students who have come into contact with people who have COVID but are asymptomatic.
"I am proud of the way the way the board hashed this over and it’s hard work," board president David Shimmel said.
In other action, the board voted to purchase Zoom equipment at a cost of $12,787 for use at board meetings.
The technology will allow the public to view the meetings live or at a later date. It will also allow for comments from the public during meetings.
"I like the idea of optimizing community participation," board member Susan Beery said.
Board member Ron Snell added, "I fought tooth and nail to get us back to face to face (meetings), but I also think those who don't want to come should be able to watch and contribute to meetings."
The board approved the following retirements:
• Bonnie Bair, remedial teacher.
• Gloria Jean, elementary teacher.
• Tammy Carey, health care aide.
• Jack Hawkins maintenance.
• Debra Taylor, art teacher.
The board voted to hire Vicki Eberhart, Kim Rockwell, and Ashley Stackhouse as part-time paraprofessionals. Each will earn $12.50 per hour.
The board agreed to establish a substitute custodial rate of pay of $15 per hour for those retired as Montoursville custodians.
Marc Guthrie was added to the substitute custodian list.
The following people were approved for extracurricular positions:
• Kirsten Gist, drama director, $4,350.
• Jared Gist, music director and set designer, $2,000.
• Adam Wright, conductor, $500.
• Jordan Miller, technical director, $700.
• Rebecca Ashton-Hall, stage manager, $300.
The board approved Promiseland Bussing rates of $2,256 and $2,345 for January.
The board met in executive session prior to meeting for personnel reasons.