NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. by: John Gerow (RVO) – It can be awfully easy to become a constant critic of those who we elect to manage various parts of our society. We can get mighty comfortable in our “scorner seats” and find fault with everything our elected representatives do. In a small community like the Redbank Valley, the burden of public policy decision making too often falls on too few people with too few other people offering support and assistance. Some of the hardest decision making comes with elected positions that are volunteer. Even when we disagree with our Borough Council and local School Board, we should appreciate the fact that those folks are in there trying, which is more than most of us are willing to do.

And, sometimes, even in a small community with a pretty good local press, there are things going on behind the scenes. Sometimes, there are people working, striving, trying outside of the spot light, away from the eyes of the public to make improvements, to help resolve problems that we don’t always know about. In that train of thought, there is much more going on in the Redbank Valley School District than meets the eye.

With the school district facing a million-dollar shortfall this school year, some teachers and administrators are stepping up to try to meet the challenge. According to High School Principal Amy Rupp, the district is benefiting from some of that extra effort. Mrs. Rupp told RVO that she had been able to secure a $500 grant from Aldi’s Food Stores. This grant, which is in the form of in store credits dedicated to keeping fundamental cooking items in stock for the Family Consumer Science classes. Maybe a simple thing, but its $500 that doesn’t have to come out of the budget.

High School Social Studies teacher Dr. Joe Harmon has been busy working on grants and funding for the History Department. Dr. Harmon won a $1,000 grant for the school as being the Holocaust Educator of the Year. He has been awarded a library of books related to the Holocaust in Europe. A group of Redbank Valley students will attend a play in Pittsburgh about the Holocaust, starring Ed Asner and 9 Redbank Valley students will be able to attend an anti-Semitism conference in Pittsburgh this winter, all at no cost to the District.

High School English and Broadcast Journalism teacher Mike Fricko has earned his way to the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Exposition and Conference by heading up the state wide volunteer program to put the conference on. Again, maybe not a huge amount of money, but it is less that the District must carry. It also puts Redbank Valley on the map as one of the leaders in the use of technology in curriculum.

The big potential for saving the taxpayers money, though, are the Security Grants that Mrs. Rupp has been working on since mid-summer. The first grant, which Redbank Valley will receive simply for applying, is a $30,000 grant for security officers. The Principal has also applied for 2 other grants. These are not guaranteed, but still could be awarded. The first is a grant for $20,000 for training programs including non-violent crisis intervention training, anti-bullying programs and teacher training for the Student Assistance Program. The second of these is a $60,000 2-year grant, which would be $40,000 the first year and $20,000 the second year for salaries of security persons.

Mrs. Rupp is also awaiting word on a grant that may be worth up to $25,000 for security equipment and technology. The District would use part of this grant to purchase the RAPTOR visitor tracking program. The school board could use the remainder for two-way radios and additional security cameras at all buildings. But, the greatest potential for helping the District with security issues is a grant that could amount to $425,000.00 that the District would use primarily for interior and exterior security cameras. Mrs. Rupp hoped to have notification about some, or all these grants by October 1, but she is still waiting to find out which, if any of these Redbank Valley will receive.

Mrs. Rupp told this reporter, “Student safety and security are among the top priorities at Redbank Valley. The more grant money that we can secure for safety and security, means that there will be more money available for academics.”

A final note: after several years spent in discussion and preliminary organizing, the Redbank Valley Education Foundation is finally ready to work. The Foundation will be a source for donations and scholarships for students in Redbank Valley. On November 4th, there will be an organizational meeting for local persons interested in serving on the Foundations Board.

Informational Meeting Set for Nov. 4 for persons interested in serving on the Foundation Board

Sometimes, it is the unsung heroes who win the day. Thanks to Mrs. Rupp, Mr. Fricko, and Dr. Harmon for you extra effort. It is good to know that there is more than meets the eye at going on at Redbank Valley Schools!

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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