Photo by Amy Cherry SMAHS seniors Heidi Pavlikowski and Janice Bauer spoke about their experience at the PSBA Leadership Conference in Hershey last month.

By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

Superintendent Ann Kearney addressed comments during Monday evening’s St. Marys Area School District Board of Directors workshop.

A School Safety Committee was recently formed in a response to Governor Rendell’s signing of House Bill 1614 on October 9 which includes a provision stating “that each school district will have and maintain a certified safety committee.”

This committee will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 9 a.m. for the first time. It will meet on a monthly basis. The committee must meet each month for six months before applying for certification through the state.

While there is no state funding allocated for the Classrooms for the Future program, the St. Marys Area School District is eligible to receive $30,000 for funding for a technology coach at the high school. Terry Surra is currently appointed to this position.

As part of the Science It’s Elementary grant, 30 teachers were sent for training last year. The teachers passed on their enthusiasm to students through the inquiry method. Director of Curriculum Joe Collins ordered modules for each grade level and is in the process of scheduling teachers for this year’s training. All expenses including $75 per day for substitute teachers is covered.

Kearney acknowledged Kenneth Archer of DuBois for donating a CNC Router to the district. Mark Romain, head of maintenance, was assisted by Steve Agosti of Pepsi in picking up and delivering the device to the high school shop area.

Upcoming presentations scheduled within the district include the Vetearn’s Day Assembly on Monday, Nov. 9 beginning at 1 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Guest speaker is Brigadier General and former SMASD Superintendent Murray Neeper.

SMASD is working together with Cameron County, Johnsonburg and Ridgway school districts along with the IU9 in hosting a “Meet the Agencies” event scheduled for November 16 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Ridgway High School. This is the second year for the event with 23 participating agencies. The purpose is to give parents an opportunity to learn about the agencies which could benefit their children in transitions planning for after high school graduation.

“This is well worth the trip to find out about what help is out there,” Kearney said.

A Parent Survey will be conducted during American Education Week from Nov. 16-20. Those without Internet access are asked to contact their students building principal to make arrangements, by either visiting the school, using computers at the St. Marys Public Library or a relative or friends house to complete the survey. Passwords will be sent out Friday, Nov. 13 and also be communicated on the parent portal of Power School. It should only take a few minutes to complete the survey. The information gathered via the surveys is utilized for refinement of school programs.

At the workshop St. Marys Area High School seniors Janice Bauer and Heidi Pavlikowski spoke briefly about their attendance at the PSBA (Pennsylvania School Boards Association) Leadership Conference in Hershey last month.

In addition to two speakers from PSBA, the students particularly enjoyed the speaker from the Disney Institute. The students also attended dinner with school board member Donald Chiappelli.

Romain updated the board of various projects completed between October 1 and November 4.

Fifteen hours were dedicated to locker and lock repairs, 18 hours to vehicle lock outs, 10 hours to athletic events, 75.25 hours lining athletic fields, 3.5 hours to game setup, six hours to fix bearing on roof units, 7.5 hours to repair conduit on tennis court lighting and 12.5 hours in winterizing the courts and 17 hours repairing lights at the Kelly Gym at South St. Marys Street Elementary.

Additional maintenance done included aerating the Berwind Park field, repairing of seven leaks at the middle school and one leak each at South and Fox Township Elementary Schools, assembling two desks for kitchen staff, removing window air-condition units at Bennetts Valley Elementary and locking windows at Fox and BV.

Romain noted there will be no parking by the pool deck.

During board comments John Healy added that he thought Special Agent Elaine Surma’s recent presentation about drug use and abuse was “very powerful.”

“I’m glad she was here. Hopefully it had a positive effect on keeping students away from drugs and alcohol. I hope we do more presentations like this,” Healy said.

Surma is scheduled to present information about cyber bullying, texting and sexting at Johnsonburg High School on November 23 at 6 p.m.