ELDRED — The Otto-Eldred school board started off it’s evening Monday with reorganization of the school board directors.
After a vote, current president Cynthia Murphy and vice-president, Matthew Windsor were approved to stay in current positions. Murphy was also approved as the PSBA representative.
During administrative reports, Superintendent Matthew Splain shared information about a new, statewide Safe 2 Say Something tip line that will be active Jan. 14. This anonymous tip line will be available to students and the community to submit anonymous tips related to school safety concerns. Students will be trained on the use of the system once it becomes active.
Splain also shared initial estimates on replacing or resurfacing the elementary school’s roof. Both roof systems on the original building and 1980s addition have held up well. However, due to the use of phenolic insulation, the sooner the 1980s addition is replaced, the better. The initial estimate for both projects would be just under $1 million. The board asked Splain to pursue additional pricing options with a goal of seeing the roof work done in 2020.
In old business, a number of policies were presented for a second reading. An updated job description for director of extracurricular activities was approved. With that, the district will be advertising for the position with a goal to appoint a new director by March, so they can start the job in June.
During new business, the board adopted the Act 1 Resolution, which will limit any tax increase to the Act 1 Index. Any decision on a tax increase would be approved in June as part of the spending and revenue plan approval.
Staffing updates included placing Tim Burris as the new physical education/health instructor. Burris, an O-E graduate, will start this position in January. Taylor Palmer was placed as the new aide in the emotional support classroom at the elementary. Epiphany Isaacs was approved as a volunteer choreographer for the show choir. The board also accepted a resignation from Rob Dickinson, who will pursue a new position with the Penn State Cooperative Extension after serving as an elementary teacher for 17 years.
An early dismissal was approved in the school calendar for Dec. 21. Elementary dismissal will begin at 1 p.m. with high school dismissal at 1:25. The board voted to change its meeting times to 6:30 p.m. and the next meeting will be held at the high school library on Jan. 15.
