$1 million grant being put to good use

Palmerton Area School District continues to put a grant it procured from the state to good use.

Superintendent Carol Boyce informed the school board on Tuesday that the district plans to purchase various items through its $1 million grant.

A new public announcement system, furniture, and risers are among the items the district will purchase through the grant that it received with assistance from Speaker of the House Keith McCall.

Boyce said the price for the new public announcement system at S.S. Palmer Elementary came in under estimate, while chairs will be replaced in both the high school and junior high school music rooms.

Also, she said new risers will be purchased for Towamensing Elementary, S.S. Palmer Elementary, and the junior high/senior high complex.

In other business, the board:

- Amended the resolution compromising certain real estate taxes for buildings and parcels of real estate property that were formerly part of the "Palmerton Zinc Company" holdings.

- Approved the 2010-11 Facilities Plan Committee Report as unanimously adopted by the CLIU Facilities Plan Committee on Jan. 29, 2010. In addition the board reaffirms its commitment to the original construct of the Facilities Planning, approved Nov. 1, 1989, which consists of a series of prioritized inquiries to be considered in determining future locations of the CLIU and school district special education classes.

- Accepted the irrevocable retirement notice from Ronald D. Debias at the conclusion of the 2012-13 school year.

- Accepted Debias for the position of training adviser for the 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13 school years.

- Accepted the resignation of Donna Boruta as cafeteria worker, effective March 12, 2010.

- Accepted the resignation of Jyneal Kamonka-Green as instructional assistant, effective March 26, 2010.

- Approved the employment of David Kellerman as mentor for Ian Klansek for the second semester of the 2009-10 school year at a rate of $654, and for the first semester of the 2010-11 school year at a rate of $661. His salary is based on the current negotiated contract.

- Approved the employment of Jo Lynn M. Gazo as guest teacher, effective March 22, 2010, at a rate of $70 a day. Her salary is based on the current negotiated contract.

- Approved the employment of Megan Heffelfinger as a guest teacher, effective March 22, 2010, at a rate of $70 a day. Her salary is based on the current negotiated contract.

- Approved the employment of Pamela Kattner as a guest teacher, effective March 22, 2010, at a rate of $70 a day. Her salary is based on the current negotiated contract.

- Approved the employment of Matthew Kosciolek as a guest teacher, effective March 22, 2010, at a rate of $70 a day. His salary is based on the current negotiated contract.

- Approved the employment of Joshua Wuchter as a substitute teacher, effective March 22, 2010, at a rate of $70 a day. His salary is based on the current negotiated contract.

- Accepted Jean G. Calpas, Diane C.J. Morgan, Joan K. Kasko, and Joan Greene for the position of training adviser for 2009-10, 2010-11, and 2011-12 school years.

- Accepted Deborah Hard, Susan M. Nearhood, and Linda Strohl for the position of special training adviser for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years.

- Accepted the irrevocable retirement notice from Calpas, Hard, Morgan, Nearhood, Kasko, Strohl, and Greene at the conclusion of the 2011-12 school year.

- Accepted Jase Patufka, a student teacher from East Stroudsburg University, from March 16 through May 7, 2010, to be assigned with Rodney Strohl, health and physical education.

- Approved the district's joining US Communities, Inc., at no cost to the district for the purpose of purchasing goods and materials at significantly reduced pricing.

- Approved the request of the National Honor Society for a one day field trip to Gettysburg with advisers Michelle Muffley and Audrey Larvey on Thursday, April 29, 2010, expenses paid for by the students and group with the cost to the district of substitutes and van usage.

- Approved the request of the Environmental Club for a one day field trip to the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. with club adviser David Kellerman on Thursday, May 6, 2010, expenses paid for by the students with an approximate cost to the district of $100 for one substitute.

- Approved the adoption of the 7th and 8th grade Language Arts curriculum and the high school art curriculum.

- Appointed Larvey to represent the district as a trustee at Lehigh Carbon Community College for the term from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2016.

- Awarded the 2010-11 janitorial and lighting bids in the amount of $55,590.

- Approved the purchase of an additional Zephyr Proximity Reader and cards from Allied Time USA for $1,361.

- Approved the second reading and adoption of policy 810.2, Employee and Volunteer Driver History Records.

- Approved the first reading of Policy 903, Public Participation in Board Meetings.

- Accepted a gift of books for the elementary schools libraries from Director Michael Ballard.

- Revised the 2009-10 school calendar to adjust for snow make up days.

- Approved the 2010-11 school calendar.

- Approved the graduation date of June 7, 2010.

- Denied grievance #2010-2.

- Approved the request for homebound instruction for student #17110 for medical reasons, effective March 29, 2010 through June 3, 2010.

- Approved several tuition reimbursements.