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JSSD receives venture grant

By PAT CROSSLEY

For The Express

JERSEY SHORE — The Jersey Shore Area School District has received notice from the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania that it has been approved for a $17,100 venture grant, superintendent Jill Wenrich reported to the board at their meeting Monday night.

Wenrich told the board the grant was able to offset the cost of the FOSS Next Generation equipment to enhance the science curriculum in grades K through 5.

Under personnel items, the board approved:

– Samantha Chapman as a paid auxiliary staff member for the sports program, effective March 26.

– David Bellomo as a volunteer varsity boys and girls track and field coach.

– Bonnie Mitcheltree as afternoon crossing guard at $12.74 per hour.

– Cynthia Bennett as a substitute crossing guard at $12.11 per hour.

∫Nathaniel Quick as a sound engineer for the 2018-19 high school musical at a $625 stipend per contract.

– Eric Pap La Rin as a part-time custodian at the Middle School at a rate of $11.53 per hour.

During the courtesy of the floor portion of the meeting, several residents commented on bills being introduced in the state legislature that would change the way that cyber charter schools are financed in the state. Under state Senate Bill 34, schools that offer a cyber-based program equivalent to cyber charter schools would not have to pay for students in their district to utilize the cyber charter school programs. This particular bill would not affect brick and mortar charter school funding at this time.

District resident Justin Wall urged residents to contact state legislators to encourage them to pass the bill.

Wenrich told the residents at the meeting that the board is “very aware” of the bills.

“Approximately a week and a half ago, all the superintendents met with Dr. (Pedro) Rivera at PDE and he informed us that the reason these bills have come to fruition is because of all of the efforts all of us have put in, specifically in our area to address the cyberschool issue. She said he was hopeful that it would pass, but really couldn’t make any guarantees. But he said it has absolutely made a dent, so to say, and we will continue to fight the fight.” She added that she has appointments with local legislators to reiterate the district’s position.

Dr. Wenrich reminded the audience of the hearing on the closure of the Avis Elementary school, which was rescheduled to March 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Middle School, 601 Thompson St.

The next regular meeting of the board will be at 7 p.m. April 8 at the District Building, 175 A & P Drive.

Board members at the meeting were: Craig Allen, Karen Stover, Merrill Sweitzer, Christopher Fravel, Michelle Stemler, Mary Thomas, Harry Brungard, John Pecchia and Kelley Wasson.

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