Track and Field Team Asks District for Some Assistance

Cathy Mock, a teacher at Williamsburg School District and a track & field mom, presented to the Williamsburg School Board during its meeting last Tuesday evening about the district’s lack of financial support for their teams.

Mock presented each School Board member with a packet containing yearbook photos depicting the growth of the track team throughout the years and with a letter and comments from former and current students and parents about the positives of the track team.

In 1999, the cross country team had only two members on it. Fast-forward to 2022-23 school year, the cross country team boasts 26 students with 18 on track and field. Mock said the parents of members on these teams have to raise funds to provide busing. Most of the money garnered from the fundraiser goes to provide transportation for the athletes. Mock read a letter out loud of one student, Macie Norris, who is on the track team saying, “Being on the track team gave me an outlet and a safe space to be myself.”

Currently, the estimated cost of busing/transportation is $1,400 to $1,500 yearly. Track and field mother Kendra Brubaker noted that “there’s also not enough equipment to go around ­— not enough discus, shotput either.”

Parents made note of Jade Carper, who is been successful this year in the high jump, but has to travel to Hollidaysburg to practice.

“These kids are tremendous athletes that can’t reach their full potential due to a lot of these lacks,” parent Dave Ross said.

School Board member Jill Norris said she would like a cost breakdown of transportation, equipment requested and fees to enter track meets and invitationals before further discussion were to be made. Estimates will be given out at the May meeting.

Board Secretary Kalie Zabrosky gave a preliminary budget for board to consider.

“There will be a lot of changes made before the budget,” Zabrosky said. “We don’t know how much money we will be receiving from Pennsylvania yet, and that has a lot to do with it.”

As of right now, the budget looks like $8.1 million in revenue, and $8.8 in expenditures, with an estimated $624,706 budget deficit. Superintendent Lisa Murgas said new school board members will be offered a Line Item Boot Camp to learn about how the school budgets for those members to be more comfortable with the budget process.

Murgas also recommended another sixth grade teacher position be added.

“The staff is spread thin,” Murgas said.

Currently, the library and computer teacher is helping out with the sixth grade classrooms.

“It is something that we want to think about going into next year, and it could be one of those positions that could be temporary and discussed every year,” Murgas said.

During her Superintendent’s Report, Murgas spoke on the recent lockdown incident that occurred in most Blair County schools. EMS Services would like all Blair County schools to get on the same terminology using words like “hard lockdown” and “soft lockdown” instead of using different terminology at each school.

“There was no direct threat to the school,” Murgas said. “Lack of service was a problem.”

Murgas is referring to the lack of cell phone service in and around Williamsburg. Murgas reached out to Senator Judy Ward’s office and Representative Jim Gregory’s office for more help on that issue. Murgas announced there will be representatives from both offices and phone companies on May 15 to discuss issues.

There was a policy review for item number 227 — controlled substances and paraphernalia. Discussions were had about different violations and consequences for those actions. The procedures and rules for this policy will be in the handbook and can be previewed at the school.

Graduation will be held on Friday, May 26, and the school district approved 46 graduates in the class of 2023, provided all requirements are fulfilled.

Natalie Houtz was appointed as the ESL coordinator for the district. Jeana Flaig was appointed junior high girls basketball volunteer and Tina McCall was hired as the new cafeteria cashier.

There was an executive session held between meetings to discuss discipline and personnel issues.