Parents question Jeff-Morgan board about field house use
JEFFERSON — Parents sought answers Monday from the Jefferson-Morgan School Board about the use of the district’s athletic field house.
Several parents wanted to know why the football team had been locked out of the weight room for two days recently, while others asked if the field house could be opened for public use.
Board President Mark Pochron said the board would look into those issues.
Liz Conti of Jefferson blamed the lockout on the mess discovered in the field house as dozens of sunflower seeds were scattered over a section of the floor in the weight room. She also raised the issue of sanitary conditions of the wrestling room because of reports of communicable diseases such as scabies and infantigo.
Conti said her son, Dustin, is a member of the football and wrestling teams, so she is concerned about the sanitary conditions within the field house.
“I think that was why we were locked out of the weight room because we asked about these things,” said Conti, a booster parent for the Jefferson-Morgan football team. “We did clean the field house after we heard about these problems. A week later or so, the boys went into try to use the weight room, but they were locked out.”
Scott Lafferty, district maintenance supervisor, said he didn’t know anything about a lockout. However, Lafferty said, the building was shut down about two weeks ago so that maintenance staff could disinfect the field house.
“We cleaned as a matter of procedure,” he said. “If there is even a chance something like infantigo or scabies could pop up, we completely sanitize so that the students will be safe. That’s what it boils down too — the safety of the students and staff. Thanks to the efforts of our custodial staff, everything is fantastic now.”
Lafferty said the field house will be closed for about a week so it can be cleaned again at the end of football season. Wrestling season starts in early November.
“The building will be completely cleaned and sanitized,” said Lafferty, who started working for the district less than a month ago.
After talking with Lafferty after the meeting, Conti said she was assured everything would be cleaned properly.
“I got the answers I wanted,” she said.
John Wolfe of Mather wanted to know why he wasn’t able to use the weight room while his sons were participating in midget wrestling practice.
“I think the community should be able to use the field house,” he said. “I was told that the school policy meant I couldn’t use the weight room. I can understand their point of view, but I have sons attending school and so I thought I would be able to use the weight room while my little guys were doing midget wrestling, but I wasn’t allowed to do that.”
Superintendent Donna Furnier said the field house is open for public use, but those wanting to use it must fill out the required paperwork so as to get the clearances needed. She said although the field house is open to the public, a volunteer must be present to monitor the building. Furnier said when students are using the field house, the public is not allowed to use it.
Furnier said in the past volunteers have coordinated operations at the field house.
Wolfe said he would sign up and get involved as a volunteer.
“I understand their point of view, but if they want me to volunteer, I’ll do it,” Wolfe said after the meeting.
In other matters, Furnier announced that the district would be participating in the Challenge program, which rewards students for their achievement. The program awards students cash incentives in four categories: most improved student, perfect attendance, community service hours and high academic achievement. Furnier said winners will be awarded $250 for their accomplishments.
Furnier announced that enrollment at the career and technology center has increased from 21 students to 51 students this year. She said more and more students are seeing the value of a vocational-technical training.
In other business, the board:
n Announced that Kirsten Clites, a student at the career and technology center, was elected as secretary of Skills USA leadership conference, which will be held on Oct. 25 in Seven Springs.
n Announced that Gillian Alexander, a sophomore, has advanced to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association’s golf tournament. She captured several tournaments in recent months, including the WPIAL championship.
n Authorized the district’s solicitor to prepare a contract for continued employment for business manager Jennifer Foringer.
n Announced that Ethan Virgili resigned as assistant wrestling coach, but will remain as a volunteer coach.
n Announced that Mariah Hildenbrand and Lisa Moore were appointed as volunteer varsity girls basketball coaches, and Howard Hair was appointed assistant girls basketball coach for the varsity squad.