Policy draft available at Sept. 3 AHSD session

August 27
Policy draft available at Sept. 3 AHSD session

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com

CLARKS SUMMIT - It seems that the Abington Heights school board is closing in on finalizing its alcohol and controlled substance use and abuse policy.

They have a draft of the policy that most of the members said they feel comfortable with, and at their meeting on Wednesday, August 20, the board voted to approve the first reading of the policy.

By approving the first reading, the board will have a second reading during its next work session on September 3, before the policy will be approved at a public meeting on September 17.

Changes can still be made to the draft during this time, and the public can voice concerns or suggestions to the board.

And, the board isn’t stopping there in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse. The topic was brought up at the meeting during Superintendent Michael Mahon’s presentation of the goals for 2008-09 school year.

Mahon presented the board with a broad list of goals he would like to work on with the board to develop and possibly implement during the school year. One of which was a plan to develop a plan that communicates the dangers and consequences of substance abuse, with a focus on community resources.

Other goals discussed were the possibility of adding more online learning resources for students.

“We’ve been hesitant here on online education. I’ve been hesitant, because I’ve always said if I’m believing that, and I do, the teacher is the most critical aspect and gatekeeper of success for our students…so I’ve been skeptical,” said Mahon.

“But, after working with Dr. (Thomas) Quinn and seeing the technology, we want to begin a serious look at how online learning can be used in our school district.”

The board also addressed the concern of a possible problem with the new bus schedule, brought to their attention by a parent.

Due to budget issues, the bus schedule this year has been cut, and the pickup location for students going to Scranton Prep has been moved from Our Lady of Peace to Abington Heights Middle School.

Students will have the choice of taking a bus to or being dropped off at the Middle School, where they will take a bus to Scranton Prep at 7:35 a.m. The concern voiced was that even in the best of traffic conditions, students would still be 10 minutes late for Prep’s 8:10 a.m. start time.

The board said they were unaware about the tardiness problem, and would look into it.