C-K Receives Grant for Developing Future Educators

Dr. Brian Helsel, Claysburg-Kimmel School District superintendent, announced at the monthly Board of Directors meeting that the district had been awarded a $20,000 grant for developing future educators.

The two-year grant will focus on getting teachers to become special educators.

The grant will also pay for an advisor. The purchase of a drone is also being considered.

The Intermediate Unit is coming in to support the district with curriculum. There will be a data team with the Intermediate Unit.

Mental health awareness initiatives will be the main focus of the district. Helsel stated that the district is concerned with both the social and academic wellness of its students.

Brannan Raptosh, assistant to the superintendent, announced that elementary enrollment had grown 60% from last year’s numbers. He also said the Claysburg-Kimmel cyber school was up and running smoothly.

A new elementary principal, re-located from Spring Cove School District, Holly Boyles, said there were many new staff this year at the elementary school.

The school itself has had a complete make-over and Boyles is looking to see math scores increase. She said there is a new discipline for teachers giving them new empowerment. 

The new athletic trainer, Superman Berrow, has been working with all fall athletic teams and has been extremely busy. The coaching input on Berrow has been very positive.

“Movement is medicine, but proper movement can be the cure,” he said.

During the announcement and presentation portion of the meeting, Tiffany Tomlinson, volunteer swim coach for her daughter, Alexys, a freshman, who wants to swim for Claysburg-Kimmel, was told the school would not cover any fees.

The school does not have a formal swim team. Tomlinson said her daughter would be swimming for the school and requested that the school cover her costs such as a school swimsuit for $50-$80, and a cap for $20. She said her daughter’s times would now qualify her for district competition and asked the school to cover those fees. Alexys would be allowed to swim at Hollidaysburg High School swim meets for Claysburg-Kimmel. The board agreed to take a vote on covering her costs at the next meeting. 

High school principal and head football coach, Charles Kassick, shared the experience of the football team’s first Midnight Madness team practice that ran from midnight until 3:00 a.m. during the first day of official practice. Kassick shared that the experience was a success, with players loving the event. He also described the elementary football camp run by coaches and varsity players. There were 50 attendees this year. This number had been double that of previous years. 

Several teachers were added for the beginning of the school year: Kayla Musselman and Kyle Nale came on as special education teachers, Kaitlyn Rusnak was hired as an elementary music teacher, Kelsey Eckman as an elementary teacher, and Angela Blanchard as a secondary math teacher. Bonnie Musselman was approved as Dean of Students for the 2024-25 school year. The resignations of elementary teachers Daniel Crane and Robin Dunmire were approved along with that of secondary teacher, Gregory Shaffer. 

The motion to approve the lease agreement with Vantage Financial for new student laptops to be leased for the 2024-25 school year was approved. The district decided to lease them instead of buying them. The motion to approve the agreement with Dr. Elizabeth Winder as evaluator for the 21st Century Learning Center grant was approved. An executive session dealing with personnel was held before the start of the board meeting.