District to seek repair money

UNION TWP. – The Northwest Area School board agreed Wednesday to borrow $250,000 for various building repairs – including $160,000 to refurbish the high school science labs, Superintendent Nancy Tkatch said. The board also voted to spend $39,912 over three years for new student information computer program, with a first-year payment of $5,000.

The board voted to borrow the $250,000 from PNC Bank at an interest rate to be negotiated. The Harris Tenex deal is being made in conjunction with several other districts to keep costs down and is the first step in meeting new state mandates in tracking student information.

The board agreed to spend about $6,725 to repair fencing around the softball field, and awarded a $5,800 contract to PDG Inc. for asbestos abatement at the high school.

Coaches were hired: Steve Gonzales as varsity assistant football coach at an annual salary of $3,274, and John McDaniel and Curt Ryder as assistant volunteer varsity football coaches. The board appointed James Martin as long-term special education substitute at Garrison Elementary at $16,713.

After some debate on tabling the matter – and urgent pleas from administrators not to – the board approved the 2008-09 course selection guide for middle and high school students but did not approve a proposed addendum that Tkatch conceded needed more work. The addendum is intended to offer students more electives, expand math and reading requirements for graduates beginning in 2011, and widen the options for students struggling with algebra, Tkatch said.

The meeting began with high school students unveiling a new Web site designed by and for students in each grade. The site, dubbed “The Range,” will provide information those students feel most sought after by their peers. Seniors, for example, can learn of community volunteer options and athletic information including team schedules. Freshmen plan to post articles by students, conduct online polls to see what students want and lobby the school to more actively recycle.

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Northwest Area to borrow $250,000 for various building projects.

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