A city resident voiced their concern over the lack of traffic control in the area commonly referred to as ‘confusion corner,’ during the recent Williamsport Area School Board meeting.

“Cars do not slow down for the children crossing there, the buses, city buses or school buses,” district parent Alex Heminger, of the area where Hepburn and Market streets and Rural Avenue meet, adding that he and his child have nearly been struck there.

“It’s a tough intersection. Just to give you an example, Brandon Park, where we have students getting picked up on and on buses and also traversing on foot, it’s 15 miles an hour,” said Board Member Adam Welteroth.

“My wife and my kids have almost been hit multiple times. I’m a law enforcement officer, in my full gear outside of my house, and I’ve almost been hit in uniform a multitude of times,” he said.

“I feel how you feel about confusion corner, but I would limit expectations, because I think people are just in that go mode and nothing’s going to stop them, until someone gets seriously hurt, and it’s really a shame,” Welteroth said.

A number of options were discussed among the board members, including possible signs and traffic signals.

“I think a cross guard would be the best bet. That way there’s somebody there, and they would have to literally look at them and then decide for themselves not to pay attention, as opposed to a flashing blinking light, that’s not so much enforceable,” Heminger said.

In actions taken up by the board, Brett Leinbach was approved as acting Board Secretary, ensuring actions can be taken in the absence of the Board Secretary.

With regards to school curriculum, the board approved several college-level courses to be considered to be counted as elective graduation credits for the 2025-26 school year, including Latin 101 through Lycoming College, MTH183 – Technical Algebra and Trigonometry through Pennsylvania College of Technology, Bio102 – Ecology and Evolution and Eng241 – British Literature II through Commonwealth University. Costs for these courses will be the responsibility of the students’ family, and the final grade must be reported to the school by Jan. 16, 2026, on an official college transcript to be included in GPA; nine WEA members to participate in the district’s 7-8 Core Series Selection Committee for English Language Arts for the 2025-26 school year. The committee meetings will be held outside of the school day and teachers will be paid up to a maximum of 7 hours at the current curriculum development rate of $35.10 an hour; a letter of agreement with Skills of Central PA for the 2025-26 school year.

In financial matters, the board approved parameter bond resolutions authorizing the School District’s 2025 and 2026 Bonds, respectively, to finance the referenced capital projects; the purchase of licenses and support for PowerSchool SIS from Capital Area Intermediate Unit, Enola, at a cost of $63,063.00; and the purchase of 500 licenses of Adobe Creative Cloud from Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13, Lancaster, at a cost of $13,411.56; a contract with Conrad Siegel Actuaries to complete, file and mail required 2025 IRS employee and employer tax forms to comply with mandated Affordable Care Act regulations, at a cost of $7,900; and the purchase of a Beverage Air Roll-Thru Refrigerator from Hubert Company for Curtin Intermediate School, at a cost of $11,999.00; and agreements for Athletic Training & Medical Services and Services in Lieu of Taxes with UPMC.

High school Automotive Technology teacher Andrew Leigey was given the go ahead to teach a state Vehicle Safety Inspection update course for adult auto technicians during evening hours in April and May 2026. The fee for the course, $235 will cover teacher and material expenses needed for the course, and provide emissions testing for adult automotive technicians. Mr. Leigey will offer this during evening hours throughout the year by appointment, with the fee of $60 for initial certification and recertification covering teacher and material expenses. Leigey will be paid a rate of $35.10 per hour for each class.

In staffing matters, the board approved Marcia McCann, as the Secondary Math Teacher for the Alternative Education Program at the Lycoming County Prison, effective Oct. 15, 2025, at an hourly rate of $35.91; Jennifer Rugh, full-time Reading Specialist at Jackson Elementary School, effective Sept. 22, 2025, at a yearly salary of $81,604; Naki Castro, full-time Class I Custodian Floater, effective Sept. 24, 2025, at an hourly rate of $21.41; Erica Ransom, part-time Class I Custodian Floater, effective Sept. 22, 2025, at an hourly rate of $21.41; HollyLee Snyder, part-time Aide, effective Oct. 17, 2025, at an hourly rate of $18.64; Heather Barker, Saddia Dawkins, Jessica Hulslander and Kathleen Flock, as substitute teachers and aides, effective Oct. 15, 2025, at an hourly rate of $15.25, each; and a number of club advisors and winter sport coaches and volunteers with stipends ranging from $540 to $9,000; and acknowledged the retirements of Lee Grassmyer, C. Lee, part-time custodian, effective Aug. 15, 2025; and Athena G. Leathers full-time custodian, effective Nov. 7, 2025; and the resignations of Kristin Takach, Director of Secondary Curriculum, effective Nov. 21, 2025; Blair Dincher, full-time Special Education Teacher, effective Nov. 21, 2025;

Olivia Erb, full-time School Counselor, effective Nov. 14, 2025; Lindsey Gallagher, Special Education Instructor, effective Sept. 16, 2025; Kathleen Flock, full-time Food Service Production Manager, effective Oct. 10, 2025.

The next school board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025.