Proposal for New Fitness Center
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Federal stimulus money may mean a new fitness center for the Bradford Area School District.
School District Superintendent Sandra Romanowski explained during Monday's school board meeting that $581,500 in stimulus money is proposed for modernization (construction projects). The shifting of other funding will save the district $382,380 to support capital projects.
Romanowski said the stimulus money "allows us do to many creative things within school district and to assist us with our budget."
She said one of the most exciting things is taking four teachers – one from each building – to become a math coach. The coaches would work with Romanowski and the Intermediate Unit on developing a curriculum for pre-K through grade 12 that would address and better look at accountability where math is concerned in the district.
Long-term substitutes would take the places of the math coaches for one year.
Among the other things the stimulus money would go toward include textbooks, summer school for grades 6 through 8 and create an autistic support class.
She said the $963,880 is a little more than the projected cost of the fitness center.
Romanowski said the district's long-range plans include a fitness center for physical education classes. It would also allow additional space for the wrestling program, and would allow for adaptive PE classes.
"I would ask that the board consider using stimulus money because it's a very expensive project and it would be something that we could use to serve our students that would we not be able to afford to do for quite a few years down the pike," Romanowski said.
Until the state Legislature passes the state budget, and the governor signs it, everything is still a proposal, Romanowski said.
The state budget deadline is June 30, but Romanowski said area school superintendents will be meeting with State Senator Joe Scarnati and State Representative Marty Causer next month and Scarnati hopes to have a clearer picture of the final budget by then.
The public would have limited access to the fitness center, similar to the arrangement with Parkway Field.
The project has to be approved by the state Department of Education before any firm plans are made.
Board member Carla Manion suggested that the board open up the idea to public comment as well.
Romanowski added that looking at the projected budgets for the next three years, even with this project, there are no plans to raise taxes.
Also during Monday's meeting, the board recognized wrestler Mark Havers who finished second in the state wrestling championships this year. (see video below).
Wrestling coach Rob Cosper said it was a "great pleasure" to recognize Havers for the hard work and dedication he puts in year round. As a sophomore, Havers has a record of 65-3. His record this year was 32-1. His only loss was to Marshall Peppelman of Central Dauphin – "one of the best kids in the nation" – in the state final
Cosper said it's "no accident" that Havers is the two-time District 9 champ and two-time regional champ. He "has his goals set real high." He said Havers is "leading the charge" for the wrestling team, which had a winning season (15-10) for the first time "in a while."
Several other student athletes were also recognized Monday night.
The board also recognized athletic director Tim Walter for being named Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association Regional Athletic Director of the Year; and School Street music teacher Mike Grady, whose original composition will be used in a competition at the Quaker Valley School District. He will be the guest conductor at the competition. Grady has also been published in a textbook for music educators.
Business Manager Kathy Kelly presented Barry Bryan and the maintenance shop with plaques in recognition of being named one of the top ten shops in the country. The mechanics are Randy Payne, Fran Doutt and Jason Pierce.
The board's student representative Bethany Russell reported that students are getting ready for the prom on May 15. The theme is Arabian Nights.
She also congratulated the students who placed at the state level in Future Business Leaders of America competition, and who will be traveling to Anaheim, California, to compete in the national competition.
Russell also noted that the school production of "Seussical the Musical" was an "absolute success," and that wiht the talented underclassmen in the show, the community can look forward to more successful shows in the future.
In other matters, the board approved the purchase of two 72-passenger buses and one 54-passenger wheelchair bus from Blue Bird for $240,410.
WESB/WBRR News Director
Federal stimulus money may mean a new fitness center for the Bradford Area School District.
School District Superintendent Sandra Romanowski explained during Monday's school board meeting that $581,500 in stimulus money is proposed for modernization (construction projects). The shifting of other funding will save the district $382,380 to support capital projects.
Romanowski said the stimulus money "allows us do to many creative things within school district and to assist us with our budget."
She said one of the most exciting things is taking four teachers – one from each building – to become a math coach. The coaches would work with Romanowski and the Intermediate Unit on developing a curriculum for pre-K through grade 12 that would address and better look at accountability where math is concerned in the district.
Long-term substitutes would take the places of the math coaches for one year.
Among the other things the stimulus money would go toward include textbooks, summer school for grades 6 through 8 and create an autistic support class.
She said the $963,880 is a little more than the projected cost of the fitness center.
Romanowski said the district's long-range plans include a fitness center for physical education classes. It would also allow additional space for the wrestling program, and would allow for adaptive PE classes.
"I would ask that the board consider using stimulus money because it's a very expensive project and it would be something that we could use to serve our students that would we not be able to afford to do for quite a few years down the pike," Romanowski said.
Until the state Legislature passes the state budget, and the governor signs it, everything is still a proposal, Romanowski said.
The state budget deadline is June 30, but Romanowski said area school superintendents will be meeting with State Senator Joe Scarnati and State Representative Marty Causer next month and Scarnati hopes to have a clearer picture of the final budget by then.
The public would have limited access to the fitness center, similar to the arrangement with Parkway Field.
The project has to be approved by the state Department of Education before any firm plans are made.
Board member Carla Manion suggested that the board open up the idea to public comment as well.
Romanowski added that looking at the projected budgets for the next three years, even with this project, there are no plans to raise taxes.
Also during Monday's meeting, the board recognized wrestler Mark Havers who finished second in the state wrestling championships this year. (see video below).
Wrestling coach Rob Cosper said it was a "great pleasure" to recognize Havers for the hard work and dedication he puts in year round. As a sophomore, Havers has a record of 65-3. His record this year was 32-1. His only loss was to Marshall Peppelman of Central Dauphin – "one of the best kids in the nation" – in the state final
Cosper said it's "no accident" that Havers is the two-time District 9 champ and two-time regional champ. He "has his goals set real high." He said Havers is "leading the charge" for the wrestling team, which had a winning season (15-10) for the first time "in a while."
Several other student athletes were also recognized Monday night.
The board also recognized athletic director Tim Walter for being named Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association Regional Athletic Director of the Year; and School Street music teacher Mike Grady, whose original composition will be used in a competition at the Quaker Valley School District. He will be the guest conductor at the competition. Grady has also been published in a textbook for music educators.
Business Manager Kathy Kelly presented Barry Bryan and the maintenance shop with plaques in recognition of being named one of the top ten shops in the country. The mechanics are Randy Payne, Fran Doutt and Jason Pierce.The board's student representative Bethany Russell reported that students are getting ready for the prom on May 15. The theme is Arabian Nights.
She also congratulated the students who placed at the state level in Future Business Leaders of America competition, and who will be traveling to Anaheim, California, to compete in the national competition.
Russell also noted that the school production of "Seussical the Musical" was an "absolute success," and that wiht the talented underclassmen in the show, the community can look forward to more successful shows in the future.
In other matters, the board approved the purchase of two 72-passenger buses and one 54-passenger wheelchair bus from Blue Bird for $240,410.
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