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JERMYN- A parent in the Lakeland School District recently brought forward to the School Board Oct. 19 that her child, a student there, had become sick after being exposed to possible mold that is allegedly present in the school buildings. The district immediately took action and according to Superintendent Margaret Billings- Jones, Ed.D the district has brought in a company to test the buildings to see if mold is present.
Board member John Uram confirmed that he did receive a call from a parent that stated their student had experienced adverse effects from the mold that is suspected to be in the school, but that has yet to be confirmed. Dr. Billings- Jones stated that upon initial investigation the school has normal air quality levels and there is no cause for alarm at this point, but that testing will continue and that the district will do what has to be done, if anything, to correct a possible issue with mold, once the test results are returned to the district.
The board approved the termination of the 2011-2012 agreement between Sprint Sports Injury Treatment Center and the Lakeland School District for Athletic Training effective October 24, and then approved an agreement with Procare Physical Therapy for the remainder of the school year of 1,250 hours at a cost of $19 per hour for a total of $23,750. The board did not discuss the decision for the change of providers at the meeting.
Board member John Brennan noted at the meeting that he needed to make a clarification in regard to the upcoming school board elections, and announced that he will not be seeking another term, but that his name will still appear on the ballot. Brennan said that his recent change in work schedule will not allow him the proper amount of time as a school board member, “I have a change in work schedule, and I have been missing a lot of workshops and getting here late for some meetings and it is not fair to my co-board members and it is not fair to the district either. I have been on the board for almost 20 years and it was a tough decision but I know it was the right decision and I am very proud of all the accomplishments this board has been able to do,” said Brennan.
With the announcement of Brennan not seeking re-election, the board honored board members who also will not return to the board. Brennan presented Certificates of Appreciation for Service to Edward Lubash, who has been on the board since 1998, Richard Koruszko, who served the board since 1987 and Paul Lemoncelli, who has been on the board since 2002.
The following positions were also appointed and approved by the board: Megan Judge Gagliardi for the 2011-2012 school year as a Special Education Teacher at Step 1 at a salary of $38,557, pending all clearances; Joel Lemoncelli as a Social Studies permanent substitute teacher for 2011- 12 at Step 1 at a salary of $38,557; Assistant Girl’s Basketball Coach Lindsay Kraky, Head Boys Track Coach Art Davis, Head Girls Track Coach Linda Stephens, Three Assistant Girls Track Coaches: Jason Tochelli, Carl Fron , Jim Perry; Mock Trial Advisor Charles Barlow and Volunteer Baseball Coach Dave Doud.
In other business, the board approved the induction of the former Lakeland Students and coaches to the Lakeland Hall of Fame; approved to enter into a agreement with Cost Management at no cost to the district, to audit the district’s telecommunications and utility bills in an effort to save money; approved the transportation of a special needs student to National Health Services in Honesdale at a cost of $134.15 per day, and approved a salary adjustment for the Technology Director Jeff Price from $46,366.06 to $52,000.00 for the 2011-12 school year.
Commendations
The board approved a resolution to commend the Lakeland School Board members and Superintendent of Schools, who have implemented academic, extracurricular programs and addressed the facility to provide a meaningful and a productive education for the students of the district. It was noted that the current board excelled in the following areas: establishment of a full- day kindergarten and completion of a building renovation; high attainment of Annual Academic Yearly Progress as established by the state, for the past nine years; use of technology; increasing computers to more than 900 in the district; attainment of college credits for students through the three- course engineering program through Penn State University and RIT; adoption and purchase of a new Saxton Math series for all students in grades K-6. The motion noted other accomplishments: introduction of Spanish for all students at the Junior High School level; adoption and purchase of a new Prentice Hall Literature Series for all students in grades 7 – 12; introduction of a Mandarin Chinese course through online technology interaction; introduction of a Wellness and Fitness Program; addition of a principal, nurse and guidance counselor in every building; upgrade of facilities which included security cameras in all schools, carpet and locker replacements, replacement of exterior doors; acquisition of $4 million in grants and maintenance of a low rate for taxpayers and fiscal responsibility while building a healthy fund balance to secure quality education for current and future Lakeland students.
The resolution, which featured more than 22 successful additions to the district by the board and superintendent was approved by all 8 members to be placed in the official minutes of the meeting.