Concerned mother addresses AG board again
Wednesday night, the Albert Gallatin Area School Board again heard public comments from the mother of a high school student who was attacked last month. Doreen Tanner again complained that the district is not doing enough to ensure student safety, something she thinks should be the board’s primary concern.
“This world is changing, and it is not getting any better, and we have to change with it,” said Tanner. “We have to do more to protect our kids.”
Tanner’s son, 18-year-old Ian Bothroyd, was assaulted Sept. 5 at the high school, an attack that left him with multiple fractures to his face and jaw and with his mouth wired shut.
According to Tanner, her son is healing and will return to school soon, something she wishes he didn’t have to do. She said she is afraid for her son’s safety and that she is not alone. Tanner said she is working on a petition of parents and taxpayers throughout the district who believe the school needs to improve its safety measures to reduce fear in the students.
“Our kids need a peace of mind to be able to learn,” Tanner said. “Everyone agrees with me. They are afraid for their children.”
The board responded to accusations by Tanner that they haven’t taken action to prevent such attacks.
“I empathize with your child and with you,” said director John Gruskowski. “I also have two daughters in that school, and I don’t want the public or anyone else thinking that we live in the wild, wild West in Albert Gallatin, because we don’t. You have given the public an unfair picture of what our schools are like, and my daughters are not scared to death to go to school,” he said.
“I had two kids in that school, and never were my kids in fear of anything,” board member Ken Plisko added.
Superintendent Walter Vicinelly said that he can sympathize with Tanner, but he noted that he and the board were doing everything they could to address the problem.
According to Vicinelly, the district is installing a video door intercom system to protect the entrance to the high school and also starting a Polaroid ID system to identify faculty, staff and eventually the students. Vicinelly said the district also hired an additional security guard.
“We all feel, at least in part, what Mrs. Tanner is feeling The administration is continually taking actions to make the school the best it can be in all ways,” said Vicinelly. “We are continuously reviewing what is in our schools, our staff, our programs, everything. We recognize that prevention is an important part of this.”
The board also conducted the following business:
Heard from Vicinelly that the district has received the results from last April’s Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests, which showed mixed results.
The board also hired the following individuals: Patricia Anderson as principal at Albert Gallatin South Middle School, effective Dec. 30; Denise Sheetz as controller, effective Nov. 1, at a salary of $65,000 a year; Jennifer Jesso as head girls basketball coach at Albert Gallatin South; John Kochis as head wrestling coach for the North/South combined team; and Shawn Clemmer as head basketball coach for Albert Gallatin South.