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Even though Superintendent Timothy S. Bowers characterized this year's school opening as a "great start," he admitted that it was not without a few glitches, delivered courtesy of Mother Nature and the deluge of rain that poured over the area last week, flooding some areas and sending water into Jackson Elementary School, located at 2500 Newberry St.
"The school year has not been without challenges," Bowers said during this month's school board meeting.
"The first week of school, we found flooding...we ended up having a two-hour delay. We've had road closures that we weren't prepared for...but all in all the first week of school was really fantastic," he added.
The board approved a contract between the district and ServPro for water damage mitigation and extraction service, including the associated scope of work resulting from flooding during the heavy rain event last week. It was noted that early detection helped to contain the water and minimize the extent of the damage. An insurance claim has been filed.
Bowers also announced that a ribbon cutting for the new field house at the football stadium will be held the same night as Homecoming, which is scheduled for Sept. 25.
In other actions, the board accepted the retirement of Robert T. Zarzyczny, full-time groundskeeper/ custodian class II after 20 years of service in the district.
The following resignations were approved: Alayne M. Smith, full-time English teacher at the middle school; Karen M. Vankuren, full-time aide at the high school; Samantha N. Duvall, full-time administrative support/library aide at Jackson Primary; and Jessica N. Fuschetti, full-time 7th grade math teacher at the middle school.
Professional and their rates of pay, if applicable, approved by the board included: Eva B. Sichko, full-time 7th grade math teacher at the middle school, $68,997 John M. Francis, full-time CTE welding teacher at the high school, $70,177; and Jessica K. VanGorder, full-time 6th grade teacher at Curtin Intermediate, $64,280.
Support staff approved were: Wyatt K. Fin, full-time custodian floater at the warehouse; Grace L. Wilson, full-time AV computer technician in instructional technology; and Kylie R. Hummer, part-time aide at Jackson Primary. All these positions were hired at the hourly rate and/or annualized salary per the expired WAESPA (Williamsport Area Education Support Professionals Association) contract, which expired at the end of June until the new contract goes into effect.
The board approved the following long term substitutes, all at $60,742: Alayna M. Dake, Lycoming Valley Intermediate; Kelsey E. Hein, 4th grade at Lycoming Valley; Emily P. Huskin, Curtin; and Rachel M. Kilgore, Hepburn-Lycoming.
Lydia R. Krizan was hired as a non-certified substitute at $125 per day.
Several athletic coaches and volunteers for the current school were approved including the following: Derek P. Gehr, assistant boys' soccer coach at the high school, $2,520 stipend; Vanessa A. Slaughter and Cortney J. Parsell, 8th grade girls' basketball head coaches at the middle school, $2,677 stipend each; and Alicia N. Young and Dana L. Smith, 7th grade girls' basketball coaches at the middle school, $3,150 stipend each.
The board approved the new collective bargaining agreement with the Williamsport Area Education Support Professionals, effective July 1 through June 30.
Under bids and contracts, the board approved the purchase of two commercial grade washers and two commercial grade dryers for the high school stadium field house from CILS, Inc, Lebanon, through Costars at a cost of $35,225 to be paid out of the general fund.
The next meeting will be at 6 p.m., Oct. 13, in the District Service Center board room, 2780 W. Fourth St.