NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. by: John Gerow (RVO) – Last minute staffing highlighted a quiet, short School Board meeting Tuesday evening at Redbank Valley High School. Six child specific aides have been hired for special needs students for this school year. One mentor was hired, along with a substitute bus driver, a cafeteria aide, and 2 substitute secretary/aides. Compensation for these hires was reported as being $148,391.52. All of the members of the Board were in attendance, excepting Carrie Adams.

Dr. Joe Harmon addressed the Board with a report on his trip to Europe and especially the 5 days that he spent at Concentration Camps in Poland. He said that seeing the Camps was “life-changing.” Dr. Harmon said that he had been given some books by Holocaust survivors from a couple of Holocaust Memorial organizations and that he planned to make these available to students. He is planning a presentation of the photos from his trip next Wednesday.

Elementary Principle Cheryl McCauley told the Board that the “meet the teacher” had been successful. She said that there had been a 95% turnout for the elementary night and 90% for the intermediate school event. Mrs. McCauley reported that “intruder” drills would be taking place.

High School Principal Amy Rupp reported that her initial census of students shows an increase of 30 students in the High School. Twenty of these were “returning” students, that is, having been Redbank Valley students previously and that 10 were new students. She reported that 17 students from last year had withdrawn from Redbank Valley.

Acting Superintendent Dan Hawkins thanked the maintenance staff for the good job they have done getting the buildings and grounds ready for students’ return. Along with their normal work, Mr. Sayer’s crew has had professionals in to check out the backup generators and boilers at all of the buildings. Mr. Hawkins also remarked on how well the field looked for Friday night’s game and then he read a thank you note that the Otto-Eldred Athletic Director had written to RV Athletic Director Roddie Hartle. Mr. Hawkins also said that he had received significant positive feedback about the prayer vigil for Cassie Westover.

Board Committee reports took up most of the remainder of the meeting. Ann Kopnitsky reported that the Bulldog Alliance will be participating in the Peanut Butter Festival parade again this year. She is hoping for a good turn out and for the group to reactivate now that the school year is in progress.

Director Dee Bell reported that the Board’s 6th Grade Committee is moving toward a public “town hall” meeting soon. He offered that there is enough planning and consideration for a productive interaction with the community.

Darren Bain told the Board that the Finance Committee is still working. He said that their emphasis is now on Fiscal 2018 – 2019 rather than on the 5-year plan. The change in emphasis, he explained, was that the committee did not have the right documents to continue with the 5 – year plan.

Mr. Bill Reddinger reported that the Security Committee had not run into any problems, nor had any complaints, with the start of the school year.

Speaking on a motion to establish a dual enrollment agreement with Mount Aloysius College, Acting Superintendent Hawkins reported that he has been in discussions with to make college credits available for Redbank Valley High School students through the college. Mr. Hawkins told the Board that there would be no cost to the district and that the courses would only cost students $55 per credit. If the motion is approved, Mr. Hawkins said that the program could begin with this semester. The motion passed acclamation.

Dr. Donald Nair moved that the Board authorize the Acting Superintendent to investigate the feasibility of establishing a Redbank Valley Blended Cyber “homeschool” program. Such a program would help the district retain some of the “homeschool” and “cyber school” revenue that is currently following Redbank Valley students out of the district. The motion was passed.

—

ABOUT:
Redbank Valley School District provides education services for the 165 square mile area of New Bethlehem and Hawthorn boroughs, and the townships of Mahoning, Madison, Porter, and Redbank of both Clarion and Armstrong counties.

MEETINGS:
The Redbank Valley School Board meetings the first Monday of every month at 7pm at the High School Library.

CONTACT:
For more information about the Redbank Valley School District, please call 814.275.2426 or visit RedbankValley.org/pg/biz/redbank-valley-school-district