HUGHESVILLE — A change in a board policy resulted in a discussion of policy compliance as well as a belief by some East Lycoming School Board members that the superintendent was recommending the elimination of all board committees.

Under regular business, the board was asked to approve changes to the board policy governing the organization of board committees. The change in the policy basically indicated that standing board committees would be replaced with ad hoc committees as determined by need.

Ad hoc refers to committees that are formed when a specific need arises.

Two board members, Craig Dudek and Scott Ritter voted against the measure. Ritter contended that the board was out of compliance with the policy as it stands because no committee chairpersons have been listed. Dudek claimed that it felt like the policy was being eliminated because the board was not following it.

“I was the one who brought this up a couple of months ago that we were violating the policy by not having a goals committee and look, this is where it led,” Dudek said.

When some board members questioned whether the board was voting to do away with all board committees, Superintendent Dr. Mark Stam stressed that was not the case.

“Hear me, I’m not getting rid of any committees. It was never a decision. It was never a board conversation. No one is interested in doing that,” Stamm told the board.

He pointed out that the amended policy took out the old committees and gave the board the option of establishing ad hoc committees as the need arose, including possibly adding more committees. `

Board member Tara Buebendorf said that she felt there were more important things to discuss.

“I feel like there are so many, much more important things that we need to talk about than compliance with this policy,” Buebendorf said.

“Again, not nefarious. You’re looking at a detail that not everyone feels the same way about,” Buebendorf said.

Other items presented to the board for consideration included approval of the Amplify Desmos Math program for math students in grades K-8. The board had heard a presentation by members of the faculty who would be teaching the new curriculum.

During the regular business portion of the meeting, the board approved using a portion of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grant funds and professional development to pay for the Amplified Desmos program.

Under personnel, the board approved the following at the rates of pay listed, if applicable: Samantha Tompkins, part time food service worker at the High School, $13.69 per day; Amy Barto transfer from supervisory aide to an instructional aide at the High School; Amanda Holmes, supervisory aide at Renn Elementary, $13.69 per hour; John Arrigonie, 8th grade girls’ basketball coach, $3,401 extracurricular salary; Haillee King, 7th grade girls’ basketball coach, $1,526 extracurricular salary; and athletic volunteers Tristan Harman for football season and Melinda Temple for junior high girls’ basketball season.

The board also approved the 2024-25 lists for daily substitute teacher/support staff/guest teachers, student activity clubs, and game managers.

An action item to approve furniture for the library was tabled after Stamm suggested that the space could be used for something other than a library. He pointed out that most students do not do research at the library and if they wanted to do that Hughesville has a very “wonderful” library that is available to students. Stamm said that he would discuss the issue with the teachers to make sure the students have access to the resources they need.

On the recommendation of Stamm, the board agreed to explore the possibility of adding another school resource officer utilizing a school safety grant.

The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the high school library. The public should enter through the library vestibule doors.