Manufacturing is a hot topic in the Bradford Area School District right now and at Monday’s school board meeting, two agenda items were approved in this area.
An overnight field trip for the Fretz Middle School students who won the “What’s so cool about manufacturing?” contest received the go ahead from the Board last night. These students will be on their way to Harrisburg to compete in the state championship May 17-18.
Katy Pude, BASD superintendent, congratulated Katie Green and her middle school students on winning both the videography and viewers’ choice competitions.
Also approved at the meeting was the purchase of a Duramax CNC Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) to be used in the new student-run BAHS Manufacturing program. This equipment will be purchased through Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology LLC, provider of the products and academic program. The equipment cost of $51,439.97 will be paid with funds from the Manufacturing Grant and Rural Low-Income Schools Grant.
Bradford Area High School student Maddie Emerson, a senior, presented a new club she and retiring teacher Karen McCartney started in response to the fallout of the pandemic and the struggles students and staff are facing.
Be Kind To Your Mind began as a way “to bring back the joyful spirit” of school, said Emerson. She approached McCartney about the need she saw and began surveying the staff, then the students. The club has had a major impact on both since its inception.
McCartney said, “It has brought together groups that don’t usually get together, different peer groups are getting together to support each other.”
Emerson, McCartney and the club need something from the community, though. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. They are asking for pictures and selfies with encouraging quotes to be sent in. The club will hold a final event and share the positive messages. Submissions can be sent to 22memerson@bradfordareaschools.org by April 29.
Several board members addressed Emerson directly with praise for starting this much-needed club, and Paul Ridley, vice president of the Board, issued a challenge to staff, “do not let this club disband.”
Seniors and parents take note of coming changes to the award recognition night. It was noted at last night’s meeting there are plans in the works to shorten the sometimes four hour long award ceremony, while still recognizing the significance behind each award, so that all students, parents, and others see what scholarships their child has received. “We are extremely fortunate to have multiple scholarships made available by our community and alumni for our students to go on to postsecondary institutions,” said Pude, but also acknowledged that the length of the ceremony “needs to be shortened because there are so many scholarships.”
Many COVID restrictions had already been relaxed but had not yet been formally approved by the Board. It was approved that any COVID-19 restrictions still in the policy are to be relaxed to allow for school visitation and student field trips.
Judy Bodamer, recommended approval of the general operating budget for 2022-2023. For Bradford the amount is $80,654, an increase of $2,284 over last year, a 2.9 percent increase. The resolution was approved.
Additionally, two bids for school buses were approved and another was rejected, in line with recommendations. The first, a 72-passenger, propane fueled bus for $113,368. Another propane fueled bus, this one a 48-passenger, for $114,588. Both propane fueled buses, which will be awarded to Wolfington Body Company, Inc. were approved. A nine-passenger, single rear wheel, gasoline bus was rejected, as recommended, as the bids came in higher than expected and would not be a good choice at this time.
One other piece of equipment was approved for purchase at the meeting. Funding from the Supplemental Equipment Grant will help offset the $34,355.86 cost for the high school to purchase a Hunter WA684-CM Alignment Machine from Mohawks Lifts LLC, under PA Contract # 4400024053.
Assistant Superintendent, Sam Johnson, recommended and received approval for the Collective Bargaining Agreement, as presented, with an effective date of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026. Shane Oschman, president of the board, thanked him for all the work that was done to get this completed, and Johnson thanked all the teachers for what they do everyday.
Approval to renew the agreement with Cole Memorial Hospital for the provision of an athletic trainer for the 2022-23 school year, or the first day of fall practices through June 30, 2023, at the rate of $31.60 per hour; an increase of $0.80 per hour was reached.
The Board approved the resignation, due to retirement, with regrets and appreciation of Karen McCartney, English teacher at BAHS for 11 years of service to students and the district, effective June 2. The Board also accepted the resignation of the varsity girls’ track and field coach, Brooke McGriff, effective March 30.
The Board approved, on the condition of pending employment paperwork and pre-employment drug testing, the hiring of Lisa Godding for the position of substitute coordinator/caller at the rate of $65 per day, effective August 24, 2022, in accordance with Board policy.
The next meeting will be held Monday, May 9, at 7 p.m., at Floyd C. Fretz Middle School, Large Instruction Room.
