ELDRED — Otto-Eldred High School principal, Harley Ramsey announced to the school board Tuesday evening that the online academy that was approved to be established in May of this year, is almost complete.
Currently there are six students enrolled in the online academy and the remaining six seats will be opened to current high school students to take elective courses that are only available online. Seating and space is limited and all interested will be considered. Because the online academy is in its infancy stages, the budget is not very large. Ramsey hopes for a positive outcome this year, in hopes to expand the budget and opportunities to students in the years to come.
Language courses will only be offered online through Rosetta Stone, and will be separate from the online academy. Offering the courses online opens up more opportunity to take other languages besides Spanish.
In new business, Dr. Pam Lenz was a guest during the meeting. Lenz presented a slide show presentation on the Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding Formula. She explains to the board how their districts percentages are calculated using weighted student count and district adjustments. The funding formula became Act 35 on June 2 and is scheduled to be reviewed every five years.
Under personnel matters, Kirsten Perry was approved for the 6th grade long term substitute. Superintendent Matt Splain updated the board on the hiring of a new maintenance director. He hopes to have this position filled by the next board meeting. Until then, a contract for Michael Ogilvie for up to 250 hours was approved to cover the position of certified water systems operator. Also, a resignation from part-time nurse assistant Linda Anderson was submitted. Splain commented that they are still in need of a part-time nurse and a long-term math substitute.
A list of substitute teachers, aides, bus drivers and cafeteria workers were reviewed and approved. Rosie Rodgers was approved as the football cheerleading assistant coach. Amanda Tanner, Tarra Porter and Tina Crowe were approved as volunteers for cheerleading. Taylor Thomas was approved as a volunteer for volleyball. Tom VanScoter and Dahmir Noel were approved as volunteers for the football program. Sarah Wheaton was approved as a band volunteer.
Meanwhile, bids from Meadow Brook Dairy and Schwebel Baking Company to supply products to the cafeteria for the school year were accepted. Forest County Wood Products was the lone bidder for lumber projects for the school year. A contract was accepted through the IU9 for virtual academy services.
The elementary school will implement new dismissal procedures this year. New dismissal times are as follows: 2:40 p.m. first run for buses, 2:45 p.m. walker dismissal, 2:50-3:10 p.m. parent pick-up (parents are encouraged to stay in their vehicles until 2:50 p.m., as they will not be permitted to enter the school unless coming to the office. Parents should see the dismissal coordinator on the sidewalk beginning at 2:50, where they will radio in and have your child sent out for pick up); 3:10 p.m. second run for buses. Parents are to notify the school by 1 p.m. if their child will be picked up at the end of the day. For those on a more consistent schedule, a single letter stating that they will be picked up all-year long can be turned into the office.
School picture dates for high school students will be on Aug. 25 and for elementary students on Aug. 31.
The board met in executive session briefly at the end of meeting regarding a pay scale issue.
