CD School Board, 04.20.09 meeting highlights

* Several athletic teams and students were recognized for their achievements, including Central Dauphin Middle School eighth-grader Daniel Allegar who recently won the Patriot-News Spelling Bee.

* Acting Superintendent Richard K. Miller Jr. made a presentation on a program offered by Capital Area Intermediate Unit that would allow the district to offer online courses. The program would cost the district $36,000 per year, but it could be funded if it helped to bring back 12 of the 265 students attending cyber schools back into classrooms. The district needs to determine how many cyber students would participate prior to deciding whether to join the program.

* The board approved Honeywell Building Solutions to do a guaranteed energy savings project at West Hanover Elementary School that excluded several items included in the $3 million-plus proposal. A.J. Sallusti was the only board member that cast a no vote.

On a second West Hanover building issue, the board voted to apply for $864,900 from the state to help offset costs to replace the school’s boiler system. Sallusti again voted no.

On a related topic, Board President Kathy Stone and member Jay Wenger said they think a district-wide study should be performed to determine where growth is taking place and how to address schools, like West Hanover, that are over capacity.

B² note: I believe West Hanover is the only elementary building in the district that has not been renovated and expanded in recent years. There is a group of parents monitoring the board’s actions on this issue. CLICK HERE for more on West Hanover school renovations from The Patriot News.

* The Board voted to spend $35,112 over the next year to automate the process for finding substitute teachers to cover sick days and other teacher absences. The administration estimates the technology will save the district over $42,000 because it eliminates two staff positions.
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Meeting highlights are based on notes submitted by Melissa Van Eck, an active member of the West Hanover PTO who is running for school board.