Jeff-Morgan announces automatic alert system
JEFFERSON – Jefferson-Morgan School Board announced plans Monday for an automatic alert system that will notify students and parents of emergency situations, school closings, delays and events. Superintendent Donna Furnier said the system cost $1,720 and should be up and running by the end of the week. She said the automatic alert system can send 10,000 calls and texts in one minute, and it costs about the same as two district-wide mailings.
Employees with access to the system will follow six simple steps to contact specific groups, said Adam Swinchock, the district’s technology coordinator. For example, if a practice is cancelled, a coach can access his or her players on the system and alert them through a phone call or text message.
The board also discussed developing a plan to contact interested people in the community if, for example, a wrestling match is cancelled.
Furnier also told the school board that the district is proactive in dealing with H1N1, and the custodians are spending extra time cleaning and sanitizing. She said the state provided extra tissues, sanitizers and additional cleaner. Although principals awarded students with perfect attendance during the first nine weeks, they are considering suspending the awards during the second nine weeks to encourage students to stay home if they are not feeling well.
Furnier said she is “extremely proud” of the student athletes in varsity volleyball, football and golf.
She said the girls volleyball team was the first volleyball team from Greene County to ever compete at the PIAA level. The team lost in the first round to Northern Cambria, who went on to become the state champion.
She added that the varsity football team qualified for the first round of the WPIAL playoffs, and three golfers also qualified to compete in the playoffs.
The board also approved the letters of resignation from the following coaches: Ronald Headlee, varsity girls volleyball head coach; Lisa Olson, middle school girls’ volleyball head coach; and Adam Swinchock, assistant varsity football coach. The board approved a motion to advertise the above positions in addition to the varsity girls volleyball assistant coach and middle school girls volleyball assistant coach positions. The board approved John Curtis as the golf coach for the 2010 to 2011 season.
Furnier also thanked board members Charles Barno, Greg Niverth and John Cantoni for their service to the district. The board members’ terms have ended, and three new members will join the board Dec. 1, during the district’s reorganization meeting. New board members include: Debbie Phillips, Bob Mitchell and John Shaffer III. Director Mark Pochron was re-elected.