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PLAINS TWP. — Though the Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technology practical nursing program still has only one confirmed case of COVID-19, all students except the first timers are learning online as a safety precaution, Administrative Director Anthony Guariglia confirmed at Monday’s Joint Operating Committee monthly meeting.

Guariglia said the move was taken because many of the students at higher levels will be heading out to clinics and hospitals for practical experience, and the school did not want to risk them getting the virus and taking it to those sites. The lessons will remain remote-only until 14 days after the clinical work ends.

First year nursing students, who do not have any upcoming clinical work, are still learning in person.

The meeting itself was short and mostly routine payment of bills and renewal of annual contracts. The JOC also approved the purchase of books from MHI, Charlotte, N.C., for the Warehouse Shop at a total of $4,400.

The committee also approved a $5,000 annual salary adjustment for custodian Bruce Knick Jr.. Knick’s father is one of two Pittston Area School Board representatives on the JOC, which is comprised of representatives from the school boards of the five member districts. The elder Knick abstained from the vote for his son’s salary change.

After the meeting Guariglia said the younger Knick had been hired last Oct. with the caveat that he would have to undergo several evaluations before the salary adjustment. Guariglia praised the work by Knick Jr.

Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish