California board hires director of safety/security
CALIFORNIA – Starting today, the California Area School District has a director of safety and security. The school board voted Wednesday to hire Ron Calhoun to fill the new position. Calhoun, a state constable, has arrest powers that may be used in the school district.
He will not carry a gun while on school property.
Calhoun will work from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. through June 11, at a salary of $100 a day. His duties include coordinating safety programs to ensure a secure environment for the students and staff, developing emergency plans and creating ongoing safety education programs for the students and staff.
According to the job description approved by the board, Calhoun will establish guidelines for monitoring district properties when they aren’t in use, check the properties and serve as an arresting officer in emergencies. He also will investigate reports of criminal activity on district property and on district busses and vans, and he will coordinate with and assist local police, fire and other emergency departments as needed.
In other matters, the board announced that a special committee of the whole meeting will be held Monday at Phillipsburg School to discuss issues regarding the football stadium. The district’s insurance carrier has stated that improvements are needed at the field, particularly the bleachers, before the stadium can be insured.
Representatives from California Youth Football and various booster associations raised concerns that they would be left out of any arrangements the district is making for an alternate field. School Director John Bayer said the board will discuss Monday whether to improve the current stadium, build a new stadium or make arrangements to play elsewhere, perhaps on California University of Pennsylvania property.
Superintendent, Dr. Marian Stephens, said she has contacted the university but only for preliminary measures to let them know the district might be asking them about using its facilities.
“In the long run, we’re going to get better facilities. We may have to make some sacrifices this year,” said J. Budd Grebb, board president.
All members of the public, especially those involved with youth sports and activities in the district, are invited to attend the 6 p.m. meeting Monday.
In another matter, Stephens reported that the district has received more than $100,000 in grants. The district was one of 82 out of 192 applicants in the state to receive a two-year grant of $30,000 each year under the Enhancing Education Through Technology grant.
The district also received a $44,000 incentive grant from the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment testing program for improved attendance and scores.
The board announced the formal beginning of the superintendent search. The personnel committee and two local consultants will review applications. Once the committee opens the letters of application, they will be available for review by all board members.