The Tyrone Area School Board of Directors yesterday informed residents that it will hold a one-hour informational session with representatives of Pyramid Healthcare on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. at the elementary school.
Board member James Crawford made the announcement just prior to the public comment portion of the board’s work session meeting.
The session will provide a forum that allows concerned residents, teachers and school officials to ask any questions of the board or Pyramid organization.
Crawford said too many residents are just not properly informed of the district’s involvement.
“What people have to understand is that we had nothing to do with Pyramid establishing in Snyder Township,” said Crawford. “We only hold a contract with them for educating our troubled students.”
Pyramid Healthcare opened the facility for mis-behaved youth in early August, and since that time, concerned residents of Snyder Township have come out in droves to voice their opposition to the facility, making statements that the kids are causing problems in their community and Pyramid itself was secretive when it decided to locate a facility in the township.
Another topic that received attention was where the varsity cheerleaders are holding their practices.
Board member Cindy Whitby told the board that while dropping her daughter off at the school for a function last week, she noticed the cheerleaders practicing in the hallway.
“This is a very dangerous place to be practicing,” said Whitby. “Anything could happen.”
Board members discussed the dangers of the girls performing pyramid formations and tosses in such a small area.
Board President Lee Stover said practicing in the hallway without mats is dangerous, not only because of the hard surface of the floor, but also because of the close proximity of the glass, trophy display cases.
“If we could figure out a way to cover those cases up while they’re practicing, we could prevent injury that way,” said Stover. “But that’s still an iffy solution.”
Board members will speak with the cheerleader’s advisor and Athletic Director Tony Yaniello to see if there is another location the cheerleaders can practice in.
Also, board members discussed approving a donation to the Tyrone YMCA to be used for spring/summer programs that benefit Tyrone Area School District students. Programs noted included: Camp Sun-N-Fun; swim lessons, summer swim team and water aerobics; YMCA/Tyrone Golden Eagle basketball camp; basketball, weight room, gymnastics, dance, dance camp and karate; plus new programs to be initiated.
Members are also scheduled to take action on a request to make available – free of charge – locker rooms and swimming pool facilities to the YMCA. This will be for YMCA-sponsored programs, classes and public swims offered during the 2002-03 school year and 2003 summer months. The schedule is to be determined by the athletic director based upon other interscholastic activities/events.
In other business, routine district committee reports dominated the agenda. At next week’s regular meeting, the board will consider:
• disciplinary action for a ninth grade student for possession and being under the influence of drug on school district property. Recommended disciplinary action includes: a ten-day suspension plus five additional days; upon return to school, the student must participate in the Student Assistance Program; students is not permitted to participate in extra-curricular or interscholastic activities during the suspension/expulsion period; and the student is not to be on school property at any time during the period of suspension/expulsion. Superintendent William Miller said the students was under the influence of OxyContin and Ambien.
• approval for a number of field trips. The board was presented with information from the Tyrone Ski Club director concerning a February skiing trip to Vermont. The trip is tentatively scheduled for the mid-winter break period of Feb. 20-24.
• approval for the hiring of six cafeteria workers in both the high school and elementary school.
• approval for the election of an assistant varsity girls’ basketball coach at an annual fee of $1,657 for the 2002-03 school year with no benefits.
• approval for students to participate in varsity wrestling tournaments in Millersville on Dec. 7 and at Middletown, N.Y. on Jan. 17-18; and a varsity girls’ basketball tournament at Souderton High School in Soudertown on Dec. 27-28. Board member Brian Bressler noted a change in the 2003 football season as Bishop Guilfoyle will replace Pius-X.
• approval for election of part-time middle school guidance counselor. This position carries the assignment of five days per week, 5.5 hours per day, for a total of 720 hours, at a salary of $16 per hour with no benefits.
• approval for election of fell-time special education classroom aide. This Level 2 position with the assignment of five days per week, 6 hours per day, at the salary of $7.44 per hour with benefits of five sick days.
• first readings for three proposed policies. They include the Automated External Defibrillator Policy, English As A Second Language Policy and Integrated Pest Management Policy and Plan.
