JM plans to add new classroom
JEFFERSON – The Jefferson-Morgan School Board voted Monday to add an additional second-grade classroom and approved the posting of a second-grade teacher position. Superintendent Donna Furnier said the additional second-grade classroom will accommodate the number of students, with one less first-grade classroom.
She added that the pre-kindergarten classes are full, and pre-kindergarten orientation will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 17.
The board also ratified the decision to advertise the high school principal position. The board accepted the resignation of high school principal Tom Katruska in June. Katruska plans to retire Sept. 7.
In other news, technology coordinator Adam Swinchock said the district received the 150 leased Dell computers, and all but 20 of them have been installed throughout the district. The old computers were placed in storage until they can be properly disposed of, he added.
The board approved $10,300 in funding from Safe and Drug Free Schools, which will be used to contract with Gateway Visions of Washington, Pa.
The company will provide awareness and prevention programs in the elementary and middle school classrooms.
Jefferson-Morgan curriculum coordinator Annette Powelko said this will be the last year for that grant program and there is no future anti-drug funding from the government at this point.
The board also voted to approve a contract with Intermediate Unit 1 for an English-language learning program for three students, at a cost of $31,603.50. Directors also approved the 2010 to 2011 renewal of Study Island online programs for standards of math and reading mastery and Pennsylvania System of School Assessment preparation for grades three through eight and grade eleven. The online programs will cost $2,769.86 and will be funded through a tutoring grant.
The board approved the hiring of a Century Security at a cost of $21 an hour.