rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
CANTON — Mark Jannone and Superintendent Eric Briggs announced Board Appreciation Month at the Canton Area School District board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 14.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Briggs began his report to remind the board and public that January is board appreciation month.
“We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of people leading our school district. I want to thank them for their leadership, their commitment to our students and our community and their support of our mission to continually improve the education system for our students. Thank you for all who have dedicated your personal time to ensure the needs of our community are met by our school,” said Briggs. “Our district is, without a doubt, a better place because we have you on our team.”
He then presented the board members with Warrior bag with the Canton logo as gifts.
Eric Briggs started the discussion with COVID. He spoke about an FAQ update and recommended instruction models from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Currently, there was three recommended models: full in-person, blended hybrid and fully remote. Starting Jan. 5, the department is providing a second recommendation for elementary schools in “substantial level counties.” The recommendation is a hybrid-blend learning model for elementary students.
Fully remote learning remains recommended for middle and high school students in the substantial level counties.
“This update is not going to impact how we move forward,” said Briggs. “We will continue as long as the local data allows us to remain in-person learning five days a week.”
The district is working with Guthrie to begin setting up a vaccination site for staff, bus drivers and school board members.
“All individuals have been sent a survey to determine if they will be interested in receiving the vaccine,” said Briggs.
Guthrie Medical Center is awaiting approval from the Governor’s office to distribute the vaccine, according to Briggs. This will be the “1B” vaccination plan, according to the Department of Health. The full plan can be found on the DOH’s website.
“Our hope is to have that site set up over the next couple of weeks,” said Briggs. “How fast we move in this process is heavily dependant upon state officials and our local medical center.”
Briggs went on to report that wresting and basketball events have picked up for the season. They will continue throughout the months of January and February. He said the first week of sports, the Warrior teams all had victories.
Clubs like FFA and FCCLA and student council have resumed their work in the school. FFA are currently working in virtual competitions for the PA Farm Show.
The drama club is looking to begin work on a spring musical.
High school principal Mr. Jacopetti has already began preparations for graduation this year. A commencement calendar has been provided to seniors and their parents as a template for events to take place. It’s also found on the school website.
On Feb. 4, Mr. Coran will be participating in an early intervention transition meeting, which will involve the early intervention of nine students, their parents and staff with individualized education plans.
Dr. Briggs concluded his report by recognizing two staff members on their retirement: Marianne Manick for 23 years of service and Ernie Turner, who left last month.
Business Manager’s Report
Transportation was discussed in Business Manager Mark Jannone’s report. Last month, Jannone had announced that legislation had passed concerning bus drivers and whether or not they would be paid during remote learning weeks. There are two options for next year for funding.
“One options states that we will receive an equivalent amount of funding for transportation that we received this year,” said Jannone. “The second is that we can literally upload our transportation data, or miles with, miles without, ‘ridership.’ It calculates a rate that would be used for reimbursement.”
Jannone says the rate that would be based on this year’s “ridership” would be significantly less in reimbursement so the school district’s option would be to receive an equivalent amount of funding that they did last year.
“We will continue to pay the contractor as if COVID-19 did not exist,” said Jannone, “Minus variable costs, such as fuel for when they did not run.”
“It comes to about 93% of their daily rates,” said Jannone. “It allows us to get a significant amount more next year.”
The loss of reimbursement that the district will see this year and next year is a concern for Jannone.
“Because of how reimbursements are calculated, we are looking at about $125-250,000 loss.” Jannone states this loss is due partially to children who are currently learning online. “That’s even on a good scenario, as this learning platform is our own (Warrior Cave).”
The second wave of CARES funding should be coming in, at about 1.1 mil dollars. It’s a grant.
“We can utilize that money to pay for existing costs that keep the school running,” said Jannone. “My advice is to do that.”
Jannone says he will keep the board posted on that topic, stating that currently, the state is broke.
To increase reimbursement where they can, Jannone says they are going to start doing Saturday meal distribution for online students and “brick and mortar” students on Fridays eventually.
The next Canton Area School District meeting will be on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 5 p.m.