COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area School District students enrolled at Northumberland County Career and Technology Center may not be in class due to the strike, but they will not be left behind, according to leadership at both schools.
Students at the district, including those attending the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center (NCCTC), have been told to stay home while teachers continue to strike. Classes have continued, though, with students from Mount Carmel Area and Line Mountain school districts in attendance.
James Monaghan, administrative director at NCCTC, said the instructors at the school are aware the Shamokin students are missing days and will gear the programs to ensure they are caught up when they return.
"One good thing about class at tech - it's task driven so students can work at a different pace," said Monaghan.
In the event of a strike, districts have the option to allow students enrolled in external classes - like vo-tech classes or college courses - to continue attending. But Jim Zack, Shamokin superintendent, said the district opted to keep their vo-tech students home during the strike. Too many factors came into play in arranging a second school calendar for the vo-tech enrollees, said Zack.
"It's not a simple equation as saying, 'OK, show up at school,'" he said.
Students attending vo-tech have the option of enrolling full-time, part-time or completing coursework over multiple years. Zack said it was difficult to align these schedules, especially without knowing the length of the strike.
Additionally, the district would need to organize transportation for the students.
Monaghan said once the number of missed days is known, teachers will work to ensure the Shamokin students are brought up to speed.
Teachers at Line Mountain are scheduled to begin striking Wednesday. The administration has already announced their students will continue attending vo-tech classes, and special transportation is planned.