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The Montoursville Area School Board will take up the matter of the Loyalsock Valley Elementary School at its Feb. 27 meeting.
School directors at their most recent session briefly discussed the fate of the school, which requires renovations and has been considered for closing.
Loyalsock Valley and Lyter are the only two elementary schools in the district.
"We need direction about what we are going to do," board member Daniel Albert said.
District Superintendent Daniel Taormina agreed, noting that the board must first decide whether keeping two elementary schools open is feasible.
He noted that grant money could be secured for addressing environmental issues. In addition, the district could draw from capital funds and perhaps secure a loan for other upgrades.
However, addressing all the school's needs might be too costly for the district, he said.
Albert said he can see good reasons for either closing or keeping Loyalsock Valley open.
He noted that three generations of his family attended the school.
"It's going to be a rough decision for all of us," he said.
Board member Brenda Oberheim said, "It's not a decision I will ever make lightly."
In other matters, the board approved the job description for curriculum director.
Taormina noted that the hope is to have a person hired for the position by the start of the upcoming fiscal year in July.
The curriculum director will be responsible for the curriculum and instruction of all students. The job requires planning, organizing, coordinating, evaluating and directing curriculum development.
The board approved the school calendar for 2024-2025.
The board approved the retirement of Kevin Carl, building security, and the resignation of paraprofessional Aurora Beagle.
In other matters, the board approved personnel for the following positions:
• Caleb Petrin, physical education/technical education substitute teacher.
• Robert Reichold and Neil Barbour, long-term substitutes.
• Kacee Reitz, volunteer softball coach, and Colin Gorini, volunteer junior high soccer coach.
The board met in executive session prior to the meeting to consider safety and security matters.