NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. by: John Gerow (RVO) – The Redbank Valley School Board wrapped up a busy year with a full agenda for their final meeting of the year on Wednesday, December 4. Their December meeting saw the election of new officers, announcements of major grants, recognition for the football team, and a report on a tremendous student service outing.

Donna Oberlander presents citation to Coach Gold and football team captains to recognize their 500th win.

State Representative Donna Oberlander joined the meeting to present a citation from the State Assembly to the Redbank Valley High School football team in recognition of the team’s 500th lifetime win. The team won their first game back in 1927 and reached the 500-win mark on September 20 with their win against Iroquois High School in Eire. The final score of that game was 41 – 6. Coach Blaine Gold and the team captains were present to receive the citation from Mrs. Oberlander. The presentation of the citation at this meeting had special significance, as the football team and their families were in the cafeteria for the post season football banquet at the same time as the School Board meeting.

Outdoor Club advisor Mr. Kody Wolff brought some of the Club members, and local civic club leader, Mr. Tim Rowan, of “Pheasants Forever” to report on their activity this fall. Mr. Rowan talked about how the students helped with the “Veteran Hunt” that his group holds for veterans each year. Mr. Rowan explained the Veteran Hunt and told the Board how the students from the Outdoor Club had assisted in the event. The participating students created a video of the hunt as part of their education experience. The students filmed, edited, and narrated the video. Mr. Rowan asked if “Pheasants Forever” could have a copy of the video to post on the internet. Mr. Wolff and the Outdoor Club students admirably represented the Redbank Valley student body at the Veteran Hunt.

Mr. Tim Rowan, Pheasants Forever,4th from right watches the Veteran Hunt video with members of the Outdoor Club.

Following these presentations, the Board convened a special meeting to swear in the newly elected Board members and to elect officers for the upcoming year. Directors Bell, Barnett, Kopnitsky, and Reddinger, who were all re-elected, were sworn in for their new terms. Members of the Board then elected Mr. Bill Reddinger Board President for 2020 and Mrs. Ann Kopnitsky as Vice-President. Director Dr. Nair will serve again as the Career Center Representative, Mrs. Carrie Adams will continue as the Legislative Rep, and Mrs. Kopnitsky will serve again as the Board’s representative to the Intermediate Unit.

Superintendent Dr. John Mastillo reported that he and the Security Committee intend to have a comprehensive security spending plan in place for approval at the January Board meeting. He also told the Board that the uninvents for the primary school should be arriving next week at that the replacement work should begin soon after.
Director Jason Barnet asked Dr. Mastillo if he had found “biometric” Knox boxes or if they even exist. In the discussion that followed, several directors offered alternatives to a biometric Know box. Director Dr. Shaffer suggested that a code locked small safe might serve the function and would be much less expensive. Director Mr. Bell insisted that Board find something other than a keyed box, stating that “there are good reasons why we don’t want a keyed lock box.”

Mr. Barnett also asked Dr. Mastillo if the District was including any quantitative goals in the Strategic Plan that the District is developing. He said that he would like to see the District adopt as a base goal that performance in the Redbank Valley schools “meet or exceed state average in all benchmarks”. Chad Shaffer asked if the Board should hire an outside consultant to help develop the Strategic Plan.

Dr. Mastillo also reported that the Administration was installing the RAPTPOR management system in all buildings and that it will be fully operational after the Christmas break. The Superintendent also told the Directors that the only work left on the track renovation was the concrete work, which the contractor will do in the spring. He reported that he had been able to negotiate the cost of the concrete work at a savings of $4,000.

RAPTOR driver’s license scanner and name tag printer.

Primary and Intermediate Principal Cheryl McCauley reported that both veterans and students enjoyed the Veteran Day activities at both schools. She said that there the Armstrong Indiana Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission gave a presentation on drug awareness. Mrs. McCauley also reported that the schools had begun the “Family Night” program again, with November having a family movie night and the December “Holiday Story Night” was taking place Wednesday evening as the Board was meeting.

High School Principal Mrs. Amy Rupp told the Board that she has notice that the District will be receiving $155,000 in grants for school security and she waiting on word of others that could bring the total up to nearly $200,000. Some of the grant money is specific for security personnel, but can use the balance for facility and technological upgrades. The District will use some of the grant money RAPTOR system and other of the money for internal and external cameras and metal detectors. The grant money gives the District the opportunity to improve school security without increasing spending.

In other business, the Board approved hiring a new Special Education Supervisor. Mr. Justin Karam will come on board at an annual salary of $71,000.00 with a benefit package totaling $29,679 per year.

In a final bit of business, the Board approved Mr. David Reitz’s proposal to prepare a free “holiday dinner” for all the students in the District. Mr. Reitz would like to have the District’s Cafeterias provide a good, traditional Christmas dinner for students that might otherwise not have one. Providing the meal free to all student’s removes any stigma about receiving free lunches. The members of the Board thought this was an excellent idea.

The Board recessed into an executive session.

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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