Bear Creek names school environmental coordinator

JANINE UNGVARSKY Times Leader Correspondent

BEAR CREEK TWP. – In a move designed to step up the school’s emphasis on the environment, the Bear Creek Community Charter School’s Board of Trustees approved the creation of a new coordinator’s position on Thursday.

The trustees unanimously supported the creation of a full-time environmental initiatives coordinator, then immediately appointed Paula Longo to fill the position.

Longo will be paid $39,225 for a 205-day year. Along with approving the full-time position, the board eliminated a part-time environmental education coordinator position.

The key difference between the two positions, according to school Principal Margaret Foster, is that the part-time coordinator spent all her time in the classroom, while Longo will spend half her time in the classroom and half in community outreach on environmental projects.

“This will bring the environmental education focus of our school to life,” Foster said.

The school’s charter was established with an emphasis on environmental education and conservation. Foster said Longo will work to establish partnerships with the community, furthering both the community’s efforts and educational opportunities for students.

Grant funding will pay for a portion of the position, board members were told.

In other business, the board accepted the Wilkes-Barre Area School District’s approval of the renewal of Bear Creek’s charter for an additional five years. It also discussed the $4.89 million budget the trustees expect to approve later this month and approved professional crisis intervention training for staff members.