Spring Cove School District Sticks With Health, Safety Plan

Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker gave an update of the District Health and Safety Plan at the Monday, Jan. 10, Spring Cove School District Board of Directors Committee of the Whole meeting.

Baker said that the COVID Pandemic Planning Team met last week and reviewed the current Health and Safety Plan, which is on the agenda for the six-month mandated review. She said, “The team ultimately decided that no changes were needed to the plan as it is working well and provides flexibility to adjust to the ever changing directives of the CDC, Pa. Dept. of Health, and Pa. Dept. of Education. We greatly appreciate the students, parents, teachers, nurses, support staff, contractors, and administrators who serve on our COVID Pandemic Planning Team and provide insight from a variety of perspectives.”

Baker was especially pleased that, under the current CDC guidance, quarantine and isolation times have been reduced from 10 days to 5 days with asymptomatic students required to isolate or quarantine at home for only 5 days before they are able to return with a mask for an additional 5 days. These new guidelines get students back to school more quickly.

Additionally, it was noted that winter sports are in full swing now with no spectator restrictions as compared to last year’s gathering limits which significantly limited attendance at all indoor events in particular.

At the onset of the meeting, the Central football team, which ended its season 14-1 in the PIAA 3A semi-final game, was recognized for all accomplishments, both as a team and individually. Baker emphasized the outstanding character of the team and players both on and off the field.

Thanks were also given to Stephanie Thompson, Central High School principal, and Phillip Waite, representing the social studies department, for their presentation regarding the 2022 social studies curricula.

At the two meetings in February, several teachers will be in attendance to present their proposals for new English language arts materials. Over the past few weeks, the board has had the opportunity to review the teachers’ annual updates to the course lists and course descriptions. The final updated documents are on this month’s agenda in preparation for course scheduling for 2022-23.

Kathy Hazenstab and her team in the business office at Spring Cove were recognized for their efforts in assisting Auditors Ritchey, Ritchey and Koontz as they prepared this year’s audit report and for another successful audit with no findings.

During the recognition of visitors section of the meeting, Matt Smouse told the board he was confused by the quarantine rule. Baker reviewed the rule saying it may be different on an individual basis. Some of it is dependent on the physician as to when they will release the child to return to school.

Ashley Smouse informed the board she intended to file a grievance against a faculty member. Smouse alleges the faculty member told her daughter that she completely disgusted her.

Finnley Christine will look to fill the role of head girls basketball coach with a pro rated salary of $2,732. Christine was previously the Junior High School assistant girls’ basketball coach and will now fill the open head coaching position due to the death of Coach Potts.

Mathew Harper will assume the junior high assistant girls basketball coaching spot at a salary of $1,351.

Shelley Claycomb and Jody Seiler have been appointed as the two bocce coaches for the 2021-22 school year. A salary of $500 will be paid to each through funding from the Special Olympics of Pa. A varsity basketball clock operator will also be appointed at $20/person per game.

Retirements at the end of the 2021/22 include the following: Harold Delozier, band/music teacher; Brad Heuston, social studies teacher; Brenda McCloskey, English teacher; and Barry Mellot, social studies teacher.

David Lightner will be hired as a STEM teacher at Spring Cove Middle School at a pro-rated salary of $49,358.

The next Regular Meeting of the Spring Cove School District Board of Directors will be Monday, Feb. 7, at the administration office board room.