CATAWISSA RR - The Southern Columbia Area School District will be opening according to schedule in the midst of the district's multimillion-dollar building project, said the district superintendent Monday night.
"Contrary to community's belief, the students' first day will be Aug. 25," Charles Reh assured the board, while Aug. 22, 23 and 24 will be non-instructional days for teachers.
Reh will also be sending out letters to parents instructing them where to drop off their students when bringing them into the complex. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade will be dropped off at the elementary school gym while students in grades seven through 12 will be dropped off at the weight room entrance.
The only vehicles that will travel to the back of the buildings will be the buses and students who are parking in the lot, Reh said.
To avoid confusion, the district plans to have extra staff and Locust Township Police officers on the grounds on the first day of school, he said.
High school principal James Becker said he will make sure there are signs up to instruct people where to drive.
In other business
Business Manager Dan Rodgers clarified the construction project billing process the district has with the Architectural Studio, Philadelphia.
The district receives two types of bills: First, the district is billed based on the percentage of work done, an amount that is multiplied by the phase of the project. Anything extra is billed separately, accounting for the second type of bill, explained Rodgers.
Vice President Charlie Porter and other members of the board were concerned the district was receiving too many bills from the company.
"It was confusing. We went for a week or two without answers," he said.
Barry Brobst, of Architectural Studio, has no jurisdiction over billing, said Reh, so it was unfair to expect him to explain the situation adequately when he was previously questioned by the board.
The board approved an increase of athletic events admission fees to help cover the cost of athletic facilities improvements: adults, $5; students, $3; senior citizens, $3; fall sports seasons pass, $30; fall sport season pass for a senior citizen, $15; winter sports season pass, $60, and winter sports season pass for a senior citizen, $30.