Albert Gallatin parents urged to get involved
YORK RUN — One parent attended the School Improvement Grant (SIG) meeting prior to the November Albert Gallatin School Board meeting; board member Janet Swaney says that’s unacceptable.
“I’m going to challenge all the parents of Albert Gallatin, but especially those who have students in the high school, to get involved,” Swaney said.
Swaney said parent involvement is crucial to educational improvement.
“When it comes to athletics, band….or cheerleading, the place is full. When it comes to academics, no one shows up,” Swaney said.
The district has received a grant of nearly $3 million over a three-year period to improve the academic climate, instruction and student achievement at the high school, according to Principal Jason Hutchinson.
“We’re looking to get some parents from the high school involved to improve things for the students,” Hutchinson said.
“We want them to be totally aware and involved in their children’s education,” Swaney added.
In other matters, Superintendent Carl Bezak thanked Fairchance Borough officials for assisting the district with a problem with an old sewer line that resulted in the closure of the high school for several days. Secondary education/transportation director Chris Pegg said old blueprints from the 1960s eventually helped the district locate the source of the odor at the high school. Correcting the problem included digging up 160 feet of old sewer line and a section of road, Pegg said.
The board voted to hire 14 coaches under one-year contracts, including bringing Jeff Rush back as the high school football coach. School director Kenneth Plisko voted against that hiring. Also hired were Jacob Magerko, high school assistant varsity basketball; Ron Moore, high school assistant girls’ varsity basketball; Dan Karpency, high school assistant wrestling; Mike Revak, head ninth-grade boys’ basketball; Jared Plisko, high school assistant boys’ basketball and Duane Dupont, high school fall conditioning coach. Also hired were Ashley Dupont, high school volunteer girls’ basketball coach; Eric Palmer, high school volunteer wrestling coach; John Kochis, middle school head wrestling coach; Joe Embacher, middle school assistant wrestling coach and middle school winter athletic director; Larry Haines, middle school head boys’ basketball coach; and Jeff Kopas, middle school assistant boys’ basketball coach.
In other personnel matters, Joyce Kurnot was hired as a positive behavior support specialist, Darlene Swaney was hired as a two-hour cafeteria worker at Smithfield Elementary School and Erika Glover was hired as a high school hall monitor.
The board approved a number of change orders for the renovation project at the George J. Plava Elementary School.
Bezak said the project is moving along well, with construction updates every two weeks.