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BELLEFONTE -- In spite of COVID-19, school closures and snow days, the Bellefonte READS program continues to grow. At Tuesday night's Bellefonte school board meeting, interim superintendent Tammie Burnaford highlighted the success of the reading program.
"We did Bellefonte READS the week before we shut down (in 2020)," Burnaford reminded the board.
According to Burnaford, the Pennsylvania State Education Association came to the school last year to do a story about the program. However, due to the closure, the story was never finished.
"PSEA came last year, interviewed Jackie Wynkoop and Nicole Kohlhepp for Bellefonte READS … they came and they interviewed and they did all kinds of cool stuff. Then we shut down, so they never got the story written," Burnaford said.
But that changed in 2021.
When Bellefonte READS did its drive-thru book giveaway a few weeks ago, PSEA was back to finish the story it started almost a year ago.
"It talks about this 'One Book, One Bellefonte' community project that has been going on," Burnaford said.
The program has grown leaps and bounds since its inception.
This week, Bellefonte READS will welcome Lindsey Stoddard, author of "Brave Like That," this year's "One Book, One Bellefonte" feature title. Lindsey is also the author of several other books for upper elementary/middle grade readers. The meeting will be held via Zoom at 7 p.m., tonight. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3dtVdU.
In other business Tuesday, the board:
-- Accepted the resignation of head football coach Shanon Manning as well as assistants Tony Confer, Terry Bumgardner, Shawn Hale and Todd West. Manning recently accepted the head coaching position at Central Mountain High School.
"With the resignations of our football coaches, I just wanted to acknowledge what they've done with the program," said board member Julie Fitzgerald. "… I know it's something that has been a source of pride for our community and has brought the community together. Having a son that is a senior this year and having graduated through the program, he learned a heck of a lot more than just football. I really appreciate the dedication the coaches brought to the program."
Board president Jon Guizar agreed.
"We wish them all the best in their future endeavors," Guizar said, "and appreciate the spirit they've given our school and our kids. Hopefully, we can move the program forward."
-- Announced a resolution calling for charter school legislation reform by the board of directors of Centre County, Clearfield County and Clinton County school districts. The resolution will be signed by school board presidents from Bald Eagle Area, Bellefonte, Clearfield, Curwensville, Harmony, Keystone Central, Moshannon Valley, Penns Valley, Philipsburg-Osceola, State College and West Branch.
The Bellefonte school board will meet again at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9. The meeting is closed to the public, but will air live on C-NET.