Spring Cove Focuses on Obtaining Grants

The Board of Directors of the Spring Cove School District met as a Committee of the Whole at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, in the Administration Board Room with visitors participating virtually.

Information about grants highlighted the meeting. Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker said that the district had received approval to begin processing purchase orders relative to their Pa. Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) School Safety and Security Grant. Additional staff radios arrived recently and are already in use. Installation of bus radios will begin Wednesday, Oct. 14. It will take several days to complete the installations.

Dr. Baker said she is hopeful that the new radios will improve emergency communications, especially in remote areas. A food service equipment grant was recently submitted by Business Manager Kathy Hazenstab with assistance from Lucas Runk and Denise Lamson. A double-stack combination oven/steamer at a cost of $31,805 was requested through this competitive grant. Grant awards are slated to be announced in January.

Special Education Director Harry Gregg recently completed a special education COVID-19 grant application which totals just over $12,000. This grant, which is assured, will provide technological support for special-education students to help them achieve their individual education plan (IEP) goals and to catch up on any skills which might have faded during the pandemic shutdown.

The school board thanked the anonymous alumnus who recently donated $10,000 to the Dragon Pride Foundation for “coronavirus relief and response.” The foundation is donating the money to the school district to help offset the many expenses relative to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baker stated “deep appreciation” for the donation, which will help maintain the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies and other products to help keep the school district staff and students safe during the pandemic.

The district was recently notified that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be issuing an extension of the free breakfast and lunch program for all students, regardless of income, through June 30, 2021.

Baker offered a “thank you” to Walmart of Duncansville for its recent donation of school supplies, valued at $195, to Central High School. Donated supplies included pencils, folders, binders, sleeve protectors and white boards for students.

Congratulations were given to Head Tennis Coach John Riley for his 100th career win.

It was clarified that “close contact” is defined as being “within six feet of someone with or without a mask.”

The board will also vote at next week’s school board meeting on the hiring of a varsity assistant girls’ basketball coach. Additional game workers for the 2020-21 school year will be considered.

Due to Pa. social distancing requirements, meetings of the Spring Cove School District Board of Directors will be offered virtually until further notice. Anyone wishing to attend a meeting should contact Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker at [email protected] or call 224-3060 by noon the day of the meeting to receive access information.

The next regular school board meeting will be held remotely at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19.