MAHANOY CITY - Mahanoy Area football games this coming school year will not only include plenty of gridiron action on the field, but from time to time, they will also include learning moments about the dangers of texting while driving.
District Superintendent Joie L. Green explained during Thursday's meeting of the Mahanoy Area school board that a coalition is interested in getting the message out during district football games at Mahanoy Area Alumni Field.
"I was contacted this week by the Schuylkill County Motor Vehicle Safety Coalition, and they requested that we look into having an athletic campaign for our students and families about texting and driving," Green said. "What they want to do is to launch the campaign by coming to our high school football games. They are trying to do this throughout the county."
Green said the football games will be an opportune time to get the message out.
"What they're going to do is express continuously that the number one killer of teens in America is motor vehicle crashes, and sending or receiving texts takes the driver's eyes from the road for an average of four to six seconds, which is the equivalent at 55 miles per hour driving the length of an entire football field. They want to make these announcement throughout the football game and hand out pamphlets to the spectators," Green said.
The coalition also plans to place advertising in the football program, according to Green, who has given the coalition permission for the program in the district.
The school board approved the following agenda items:
- A benefit consulting agreement with the Reschini Group at a monthly cost of $3 per employee.
- A contract with Watkins Architect, Fleetwood, to perform a Chapter 34 building code evaluation on the church property at $4,590.
- The following change orders related to the auditorium project: Cable tension device, $1,158.18; wall mounted operating switch, $117.39.
- An agreement with the 2014 SHINE Summer Camp to provide transportation services for students from the Pottsville Area School District attending the camp from June 23 to 26. The school district will invoice the SHINE Program at the established "store formula rate" following the last day of camp.
- The resignation of John S. Berta, middle school computer teacher, effective Aug. 17. Berta has been with the district for the past eight years and has accepted a position at the Hazleton Area School District.
- Resignation of Janet Gettig and Valerie Kane as Business Club advisers effective at the end of the 2013-14 school year.
- Appointment of Jason Gerber as Business Club adviser at a salary of $331 effective for the 2014-15 school year.
- Appointment of Kris Bet as summer school math teacher from June 12 through July 2, excluding Fridays, at $18 per hour to be paid through a Title I grant.
- Schedule of workshops and meetings for the 2014-15 fiscal year. Workshops will be at 5:30 p.m., followed by regular meetings at 6 p.m., on the last Thursday of the month, except where noted (*): Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 30, *Nov. 20, Dec. 4 (reorganization), *Dec. 18, Jan. 29, Feb. 26, March 26, Apr. 30, May 28 and June 25.
- The 2014-15 ESL Education Service Agreement with the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 at a projected amount of $4,595. Also approved was the school district's English as a Second Language plan.
- The district fields, stadium and middle school gymnasium for Community Day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Also approved is the use of the high school track from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday for the obstacle run as requested by Athletic Director Dave Holmes.
- The softball and baseball fields on July 26, for the "Honk 4 Feet" Memorial Softball Tournament, with the request made by Cheryl Fegley, president of the Mahanoy Area Baseball Boosters.
- The athletic building locker room and shower facilities for the volunteers from Jesus the Divine Word Church, Huntingtown, Maryland, from July 27 to 31. The request was made by the Rev. Lawrence Swink. The volunteers will come to Mahanoy City and do work projects in cooperation with Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church.
- The middle school cafeteria for the weekly football team dinners beginning Aug. 28 and ending about Nov. 13, on Thursday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. The request was mae by Suzanne Merchlinsky, president, Mahanoy Area Football Boosters.
- The use of the district parking lot on July 12 and 13 for a firefighter driver training course, requested by Tony Blackwell of the Citizens Fire Company No. 2, Mahanoy City.
- Resignation of Michael Heater as co-assistant varsity girls track and field coach, effective May 27.
- Appointment of Pete Stanakis, Mahanoy City, as a middle school football volunteer pending receipt of all required clearances, child abuse training and cardiac and concussion training.
- Appointment of Amy Dobeck and Lisa Broomell as high school marching band front coordinators at a salary of $1,286.65 each, which is one half of the total salary of $2,573.30.
- Appointment of Brianna Fallabal, Lansford, as assistant varsity/head JV girls volleyball coach at a salary of $3,089.34, and appointments of Brone Lobichusky and RJ Depouw as volunteers for the girls volleyball team pending receipt of all required clearances and trainings.
The next school board meeting is at 6 p.m. Aug. 28. There is no July meeting.