The Bradford Area School Board voted to approve the resignation of board member Dave Feely Monday evening.
Board President Shane Oschman explained that, while a formal letter of resignation was not received, Feely had made known to all board members and officials his intent to resign. Oschman explained that Feely has found it difficult to participate as a member of the board, which fueled his decision to resign.
Oschman thanked Feely for his 11 years of service to the board, noting that Feely had a passion for the kids and doing what was right, and his opinion was valued for that reason. The board voted 5-0, with three absences, to accept the resignation. Feely was also absent from Monday’s meeting.
Board member Carla Manion asked if it would be appropriate to appoint a new board member to “help make the board whole once again,” which Oschman agreed was within the board’s rights. Nominations were opened, and Manion nominated Helen Schuster, who previously served on the board and had left due to relocating out of the area. Schuster has moved back into the district and expressed interest in once again serving with the board, which Oschman reiterated. She was the only one nominated, and the board approved the nomination unanimously. Schuster will serve until the end of the year and, if interested, will have to run for election to the seat.
Oschman stated this move filled a small gap for a board struggling to serve the district while holding meetings virtually and following all COVID-19 protocols.
He also reminded area residents that anyone who is interested in running for the seats on the Bradford School Board should turn in petitions today in order to be listed on the Primary Ballot in May.
Board members also voted to accept the quote for the ninth grade wing roofing project at Bradford Area High School, which will cost $283,562 and to approve the purchase of 2 72-passenger school buses for the 2021-22 school year. Each bus will cost $99,124 for a total of $198,248.
Athletic Director Mike Erickson reported during the meeting that the first practices for spring sports were held Monday. This includes baseball, softball, high school track & field and tennis. Junior High track & field also begins this week.
Currently, the area is at moderate risk for transmission of COVID-19. This means spring sports will move forward without a plan to play in the bubble, as winter sports were required to do. This plan may change if there is an increase in cases of COVID-19 in the area. Any further decisions on attendance at sporting events will be delayed until closer to the start of competition, which will be in early April.
In response to a parent’s question, Erickson explained that, per guidelines from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, baseball will be permitted to have spectators on the Pitt-Bradford campus.
Superintendent Katy Pude also announced that, based on the fact Gov. Tom Wolf has issued new guidelines for outdoor events, the district is permitted 20% capacity, or around 750 people, in the stadium for outdoor sporting events. That will increase or decrease based on any changes to the governor’s guidelines.
Pude explained that, at this time, plans are moving forward for an outdoor graduation. She stated that the students have had a difficult year and efforts will be made to make their senior year a memorable experience.
She stated that the district is considering purchasing yard signs for this year’s graduating seniors, as that was popular last year. Regarding a parade similar to the one held last year that wound through Bradford, Pude explained that was parent-led and “not advisable at the time it was held” due to transmission rates. Also, the district has not organized a parade for graduating classes in the past and has no plans to do so.
However, district administrators are looking into holding a special event for seniors that may or may not be similar to prom while following all COVID-19 protocols.
Pude also announced that all administrators and staff have been offered the opportunity to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for COVID-19. For those interested, appointments will be scheduled this week and the hope is to have everyone that shows interest vaccinated by the end of next weekend, according to Pude.
The board approved the academic calendar for 2021-22, approved the application for a waiver for the NOCTI examinations, which require in-person evaluation by officials from outside the school and approval of support for the Seneca Highlands IU-9 Education Leading to Employment and Career Training (ELECT) program — all of which were approved unanimously.
