Carmichaels board asks for community assistance
CARMICHAELS -The Carmichaels Area School District School Board Thursday asked community members to contact state lawmakers in an effort to encourage an end to the budget impasse. The state currently has $1 million of federal grant money, which was awarded to Carmichaels Area School District.
Distribution of the funds is not permitted until the state passes the budget, said Superintendent Craig Baily.
With the state budget in limbo, Baily said that the district must avoid any unnecessary expenses.
He said the district is financially stable through the end of October, but if the budget is not passed and the funds are not received by that time, the district may be forced to take out a tax-anticipation loan.
Baily added that while lawmakers refuse to agree on a budget, the state is receiving interest from the $1 million allotted to the school district, along with other grant money allotted to all of the school districts across the Commonwealth.
“Rattle cages in Harrisburg,” Baily said.
“This is not just affecting education. I think (the budget situation) is a shame.”
Baily also reported on the district’s Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) reports.
He said that the elementary school met each of its 17 target goals while the junior and senior high met 16 of the 17 target goals.
An eighth grade reading subgroup failed to meet the AYP, he said.
“We still have work to do, and the students will be forced to take remedial classes,” Baily said. He added that the junior and senior high school earned very good scores in science.
Junior-Senior High School Principal John Menhart said the teachers are focusing their instruction on weaknesses and added that scores showed a slight improvement in math.
Baily said he applauds Southeastern Greene and Jefferson-Morgan for scoring in the top 50 most improved Pennsylvania schools.
In a personnel move, the district hired Sara Holaren, a long-term substitute, as an elementary teacher.