Board declines policy change
CARMICHAELS – The Carmichaels Area School Board declined to change school policy to allow a group of seniors to go on their desired senior class trip to Florida, instead directing them to rethink their options for this year’s destination. Senior class President Jarrod Miller asked the school board for a four-day/four night extension on the trip, thus a change in the school policy, which permits no more than a two-day one-night excursion.
Miller presented the school board with an itinerary of the six-day/five night trip to Florida, which included two days spent at Universal Studios for the theme park’s “Grad Night” and two days spent driving.
Miller clarified that he was not asking the board for any financial support; instead, the trip would be paid for from money raised and what was not raised would be taken out of the pockets of the students that chose to go.
Still the majority of school board directors declined the request, instead deciding to continue to adhere to the longstanding school policy.
Lyn Shlosky, junior/senior high principal, said from what she understands the board decided to make the policy two days and one night because it was difficult to find teachers who wanted to take on the responsibility.
“Because we have such a litigious society. We had trouble finding chaperones, parents. No one wanted that responsibility,” she said.
Senior class sponsor Jared Rastoka, who accompanied Miller to the podium, said he has spoken to teachers who were interested in going on the trip and acting as chaperones of the students if they can take personal days to do so. They would consider their duties as chaperones as counting as workdays, Rastoka told the board.
“And will they be asking for $18 an hour?” Shlosky asked.
Assistant Junior/Senior High Principal John Menhart questioned students’ participation in the trip.
“We’re already dealing with baseball, softball, etc. …A lot of kids will be excluded,” Menhart said. “Some won’t lend themselves to it.”
Rastoka said the trip appealed to him because of its structured timeframe.
School Board President J.L. Lechner said, “I think six days and five nights is too long.”
In other business, the board voted to hold pep rallies each time a district sports team makes it to the playoffs.
Director Ken Ganocy made the motion to hold the rallies, noting that he coached for 10 years and pep rallies are good for the community and good for the kids.
“There should be some recognition for coaches and players before they enter the game,” Ganocy said.
Lechner and Shlosky were against the idea. Lechner said whether or not to hold a pep rally should be at the discretion of the coach.
Shlosky said, “I don’t think you should take it out of my hands.
“I’m the principal,” she said. “If the coach comes to me, then I consider it. …Some kids don’t want it.
“Some coaches don’t want it. It’s a situation that can get out of hand.”
The board also conducted the following business:
– Approved payment of $9,594 to buy 60 football jerseys at $60 a piece.
Superintendent James Zalar said jerseys for both away and home games will be purchased.
– Voted to purchase ProSoft and MMS upgraded software for the district’s student accounting system.
The upgrade will be paid for through E-Rate, a federal fund to make telecommunications affordable to the schools. The cost to the district will be nearly $20,000.
– Hired Terri L. Cutwright as a paraprofessional in the elementary school. Cutwright is currently employed at the school as an aid for Intermediate Unit 1.
– Will soon announce the date and time of a countywide meeting to be held in the auditorium at the Central Greene High School for the public and elected officials to discuss the Homeowner Tax Relief Act or Act 72.
Zalar said a date and time will be set at a March 3 business meeting.
– Scheduled a budget meeting for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the high school conference room.
– Announced a ceremony to dedicate the high school’s newly refurbished auditorium will be held on March 13 at 3 p.m. in the newly renovated auditorium.