West Greene OKs cyber school participation
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ROGERSVILLE – West Greene School Board agreed Thursday to renew its participation in a consortium of the Intermediate Unit 1 through which the district offers its cyber school.
The board voted to approve a resolution to continue the district’s participation in the IU’s Cyber Solutions Initiative for the next three years at a cost of $10,000.
The district offers its own cyber school, West Greene Online Academy, in conjunction with the consortium. The consortium provides equipment and software for the operation of the online educational program.
Districts also can take advantage of online curriculum is developed by teachers in participating districts. West Greene teachers also develop curriculum or can tailor curriculum developed by others to meet their needs.
The academy was created about three years ago at a time when outside cyber schools were beginning to attract more students, requiring districts to pay more in tuition costs for those who chose them as a public school alternative.
The district currently has about 10 students in the online academy, said Thelma Szarell, district superintendent. The district previously had about 26 students in the program but was able to persuade a number of them to return to regular classes, she said.
In other business, the board approved a resolution agreeing not to increase taxes this year by more than what is permitted by the state index established under the Taxpayers Relief Act. The maximum the district is permitted to raise property taxes without exceeding the index is 1.7 percent.
Approval of the resolution does not mean the district will raise taxes this year; however, the law requires each district to approve the resolution in case it does intends to raise taxes that exceed the index, solicitor Barbara Graham said.
If the board intended to increase taxes in excess of the index, it would have to prepare an early budget and obtain approval from the state, local court or voters, through a referendum question on the primary ballot.
Several board members questioned the reasons for the resolution. They noted it makes it appear the district will raise taxes even if that is not being contemplated and, at this time, it would be difficult to project what the budget will require, considering the budget is not adopted until June.
The board approved several change orders related to construction of the new elementary center.
It approved three change orders with the general contractor, Liokareas Construction: one reducing costs by $7,194.40, related to a gas line installation; and two increasing costs, one for $18,513.17 for installation of an elevator drain and the other for $1,538.39 for a sewage pump station.
A change order was approved for the mechanical contractor, Wheels Mechanical, for increased costs of $4,410.62 for the gas line relocation.
The board also agreed to pay for additional services from URS, the construction manager on the project, for work through September, not to exceed $48,906; and from the architect, Hayes Design Group, an amount not to exceed $9,000, for additional work regarding drainage from unforeseen soil conditions.
A parent questioned the board about students who attend school in the district, but live in another district. She noted she knows of one family that is sending its children to West Greene but lives in Waynesburg.
Szarell said the district will investigate the matter, but it is often difficult to determine residency because it is defined by where a person sleeps at night. The district doesn’t have personnel to check these circumstances, she said. Graham said she would provide the administration with strategies other districts use to deal with residency issues.
The board accepted with regret the resignation of Ethel Phillips, a longtime cook at the middle-senior high school; and hired Rodney Huffman as a nine-month custodian at the middle-senior high school.
It approved Marcia Sonneborn as head varsity cross country coach; Rick Sonneborn as assistant varsity cross country coach; Stephanie Lampe, as an assistant seventh and eighth grade volleyball coach; Ron Lohr, as an assistant varsity boys baseball coach; and Lenny Lohr as an unpaid volunteer assistant varsity boys baseball coach
The board also accepted the resignation of Amy Smith as a paid assistant seventh and eighth grade girls softball coach and approved her as an unpaid volunteer assistant seventh and eighth grade girls softball coach.