COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area School District was awarded a state grant to offset the salaries of its armed security staff.
The district received $38,588 from Department of Education for 2013-14, according to Ruby Michetti, curriculum coordinator. The district's match is $26,412.
Shamokin Area is guaranteed 50 percent of the total grant award in 2014-15, she said after a school board meeting Tuesday.
The school board hired three armed guards in 2013, one for each district building.
In other business, the school year was extended to account for snow days. Class will be in session June 5, 6 and 9. The last school day is now June 10, which is an early dismissal. June 3 was originally scheduled as the last day.
The calendar for the 2014-15 school year was approved with the start of school to begin Sept. 2, after the Labor Day holiday, according to Ron McElwee, board president.
A health insurance contract with Capital Blue Cross covering medical and prescriptions for retirees and vision for all insured was renewed for 2014-15 with no rate increase.
Environmental Restoration was contracted at a cost of $16,990 to remove gasoline tanks from Kemp Memorial Stadium.
The rental fee to be charged Salvation Army for use of the gymnasium for its annual holiday basketball tournament was reduced from $475 to $100.
A service agreement with PenTeleData was renewed retroactively for three years, expiring Jan. 28, 2017. Costs are $59.95 monthly for the vehicle service center, $17,256.25 for Internet filter and appliance and $3,835.13 for Point to Point Transport with Internet access and router rental.