AG requiring students to buy parking permits
Albert Gallatin School District students who drive to school will be required to purchase parking permits beginning this fall. The school board voted 8-1 to begin charging students for parking at a rate of $25 per semester or $50 per school term.
Director Edward Andria opposed the motion at Wednesday’s meeting.
“We don’t charge our employees for parking. I consider our students as our employees,” Andria said.
In a discussion at the work session earlier this week, school police Chief Jim Bielecki noted having the permit-only parking would allow for safer grounds and better monitoring.
Superintendent Carl Bezjak said Wednesday that all money collected from student parking will go to a safe driving program for the schools.
In other business, the board tabled a motion to grant permission to create a sensory room for special needs at a cost of $23,000 paid through Access funds.
Director Ken Plisko requested that the board receive more information about the project before they vote.
The sensory room, if approved, would be located at D. Ferd Swaney Elementary and provide support for autistic students and those with emotional problems or aggressive behavior issues. The board voted 8-1 to table the motion. Director Edward Colebank opposed.
The board also unanimously approved an agreement with Intermediate Unit 1 for a social worker/behavioral specialist at a cost of $23,000.
In a personnel move, the board awarded positions to Sarah Lohr for learning support at Albert Gallatin North and South middle schools and to Jeremy Keefer for physical education at Albert Gallatin North Middle School. The board also granted Amanda Chipps and Kara Pegg voluntary transfers and recalled Tina Muzina Blevins for Spanish and English at the high school.
Other hires included: Kevin Jones as ETT coach at the high school for the 2010-11 school term and approved his leave of absence from his current assignment at Albert Gallatin South; Todd Edwards as ETT coach at Albert Gallatin South for the 2010-11 school term; Eric Sampson as a temporary employee for physical education at Friendship Hill/Smithfield elementary schools; Ann Marie Layhue as a temporary employee for math/Blended E Learning at the high school; and Tricia Torrey for family consumer science at a status to be determined.
Hired as temporary employees for elementary education with placement to be determined were Katie Moscoloni, Jamie Rizer, Julie Beel, Jennifer Guthrie and Stephanie Baker.
Hired as extra-curricular activities directors were Myrna Harvey Whitmarsh as the assistant to the band director at the high school, Diane Lavery as the pep band director, Betty Harvey as the auxiliary band choreographer, and Katrina Whitmarsh as the percussion instructor.
At the meeting, the board also:
n Approved the use of the Albert Gallatin North Middle School and high school for midget football practice and games from July 25 through Nov. 5.
n Approved the purchase of a TimeClock Plus Hybrid Edition 3.0 system with 13 clocks and service agreement for $63,994.20.
n Recognized recent Albert Gallatin graduate Annalee Hancheck for 13 years of perfect attendance.