COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area School Board unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday night to obtain an interest-free $4.068 million federal loan through the State Public School Building Authority to pay for the elementary school renovation project.
District business manager Steve Curran said the elementary school renovation project, which is scheduled to begin in the spring, includes replacing the roof (approximately $1 million) replacing a water heater, installing a new road at the front entrance of the school, cafeteria improvements, air conditioning, heating and ventilation work, new doors and hardware, tile work and a new clock system.
Voting to approve the six-page resolution were Directors Charles Carpenter, Todd Hockenbroch, Daniel Venn, Barry Rebuck, Mark Anonia, Brian Persing and Edward Griffiths. LaRue Beck and Tracey Witmer voted against the resolution.
In other business
The board renewed its agreement with Coal Township police for a school resource officer (Patrolman Chris Lapotsky) to be stationed in the school district on a month-to-month basis, effective Oct. 1.
The school district will be responsible for 70 percent of his annual salary and benefits that total $81,840. The district's tentative share per month will be $4,774. Coal Township will be responsible for any non-district related hours.
The board approved an agreement with Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit to provide special education programs and services for the 2011-2012 school year in the amount of $681,855.
Directors also approved an agreement with Northumberland County Mental Health/Mental Retardation Department to provide a mental health school social worker to the district from Aug. 23, 2011, to June 30, 2012, at a cost of $30,000. The district will be reimbursed with Title I and Pre-K Counts grant money.
The board approved a field experience agreement with Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) in which students from LCCC will complete their early childhood education practicum with a coordinating teacher at Shamokin Area.
The board entered into a contract with Dawn Stickler to provide certified sign language interpreter services three days per week as needed for a district student during the 2011-2012 school at a cost of $45 per hour and $34 per day travel time.
Janna Walsh was hired to provide sign language interpreter services two days per week as needed at a cost of $45 per hour and $180 per day travel time.
The board approved the purchase of a 2011 Ford F-350 truck from Sunbury Motor Co. at a total cost of $38,497 as per state contract. The truck will be paid for with proceeds from the sale of district vehicles and equipment through Municibid.com, which were deposited in the capital reserve account.
Susan Fletcher was reappointed math tutor/coordinator for grades nine through 12 with compensation at $5,000 for the position of coordinator plus $18.50 per hour for tutoring.
Amy Zartman was appointed reading tutor/coordinator for grades seven and eight with compensation of $5,000 for the position of coordinator and $18.50 per hour for tutoring.
Directors established the Jean Stellfox Memorial Award in memory of the former longtime English teacher at Shamokin Area High School who was killed in an unsolved hit-and-run accident in Mount Carmel in 2003.
Under personnel, the board accepted the resignations of teacher aide Lynn Wallish and boys' varsity basketball cheerleading adviser Lauren Zimmerman.
Megan Ciborowski, Courtney Kashner, Hilary Feudale and Samantha Schiccatano were appointed lifeguards for the Community Swim Program at a rate of $7.25 per hour.
Chris Sosnoskie was added to the event security list with compensation at $8.15 per hour ($25 minimum per event).
The board furloughed one groundskeeper.