EMPORIUM — Members of the Cameron County School District board of directors at Thursday’s meeting again discussed a move to ban scheduling of activities on Sundays.
Following a request made by the local Ministerium association for information on Sunday practice and activity polices, the board voted to no longer allow activities and practices to take place on Sundays in order to give students a day off. Five members voted in favor of the move, three members, Shelia Guisto, Sylvia Homan and David McManigle, voted against, and one member, President Christine Umble, abstained.
During this week’s meeting, several issues were brought up, including what would happen on extended field trips meant to occur over the weekend. A number of board members believe the policy indicates that absolutely nothing can occur on a Sunday, including school-sponsored trips. In two months, the high school band will head to Disney World for the better part of a week, and the trip will include a Sunday. As this trip was approved prior to the board adopting such a policy, this trip will not be affected, but it is likely those planned for the future will not be able to include Sunday dates. Banquets and other activities will also not be allowed on Sundays.
Several members voiced concern this week that the move will cause scheduling conflicts, and that it does not uphold the “separation of church and state” mandated in the public-school system. The issues were not resolved during the meeting, and the policy will continue to stand.
Discussion was held on curriculum changes and purchasing of new text books. Restructuring of classes and curriculum is occurring in order to better align with state standards and ensure students are getting the necessary time in their most important classes. Seventh graders now have math labs in addition to traditional math courses, and the practice is likely to be expanded to include students in Math 8 next year. Attempts are being made to schedule similar time for students in middle school grades at Woodland Elementary. Calculus will now be affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. New courses being added at the high school include SAT Prep and Meteorology. Additional remedial classes have been added for students who do not score proficiently on the Keystone assessments.
Several additional sports coaches have tendered letters of resignation that were accepted during the meeting. Nick Keller resigned as assistant football coach. Board members asked if the position will be advertised, and Superintendent Dr. Keith Wolf stated that, typically, a head coach would be hired first to help make coaching staff decisions. At this time, one application has been received by the district for the Head Football Coach position.
The resignation of Jenn Dixon as assistant softball coach was also accepted. Dixon had been offered the head coach’s position but declined that offer. The head softball coach resigned at a previous meeting. Several individuals have inquired about the head coach position, but none have yet applied. Dixon’s position will be advertised.
Tammy Johnson resigned from her position as band front advisor, and that position will be advertised, as well.
David Lyon was rehired as assistant baseball coach, and Kevin Shunk will be retained as assistant track coach.
An advertisement will be placed for sealed bids to replace a heating system boiler in the high school building. The cost of the boiler is thought to be around $54,000, but it is unclear whether that amount would include labor and any necessary accessories. A program was pursued that would either provide grant funding or a low-interest-rate loan for purchase of the unit, but due to its reporting requirements and related interest rates, it would be more cost-effective for the school to purchase the unit with reserve funds.
The next regular meeting of the Cameron County School Board of Directors is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 8. A workshop meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on March 1. All meetings held in the high school library and are open to the public.
