Franklin's School Board conducted its business Monday, paying some bills, dealing with staffing issues and hearing updates on initiatives from the district's superintendent - among those Honorable Knights and a collaboration with the YMCA.
| The district was hoping to kick off the new Honorable Knights initiative in the New Year, but a snowy day canceled an important planning session. The program includes volunteer mentors helping at the high school. The high school newspaper, the district and the Franklin Area School District Community Engagement Committee describe the program as a "community-driven volunteer program." The goal of the program is to create a support system for all students by having adults from the community very visiblly in the school. The adults, who will be dressed in a black and red top with Honorable Knight written on the chest, will be there in the morning for arrival, they will be in the hallways, the cafeteria, during arrival and dismissal and around offering support and guidance to the students. Thomas hopes this program will "help foster relationships between student and staff to create an environment where students feel supported." |  Excerpt from the "Knighty News" December 2022 edition |
A training session, which volunteers want before officially launching the new initiative, had to be postponed, superintendent Eugene Thomas told the board. This in turn led to the delay of a presentation to the student body that had been planned for Wednesday, he said. So the launch of the program has pushed back to February.
Thomas also introduced a new program that he hopes will increase districtwide wellness and offer something free to the staff. In collaboration with the YMCA, the district will offer memberships to employees who will use it and commit to a wellness regimen.
"Our goal is to build health and wellness, and to build community collaborations," Thomas said.
He hopes it will pay dividends in the long term with fewer sick days and better overall health in the school's community.
Thomas also introduced a new program that he hopes will increase districtwide wellness and offer something free to the staff. In collaboration with the YMCA, the district will offer memberships to employees who will use it and commit to a wellness regimen.
"Our goal is to build health and wellness, and to build community collaborations," Thomas said.
He hopes it will pay dividends in the long term with fewer sick days and better overall health in the school's community.
The two initiatives are part of an overall effort by Thomas to bridge a gap between the community and the school district - an effort that was met with enthusiasm from the board.
Franklin teacher Tracey Hart is one of two high school educators in the state asked to be a part of Governor-elect Josh Shapiro's transition team. Hart said she attended a conference where she was asked her opinion. "For those of you who know me, if you don't want to know the answer, don't ask the question," she told the board. She said what she offered must've been something Shapiro and his team deemed worthy of the honor. She admitted it's been a whirlwind and a lot of work but, she is excited to work with the governor-elect and is hopeful for the future of education in Pennsylvania.
In other business, the board approved the following:
In other business, the board approved the following:
- An agreement with Thiel College to provide an educational experience to the college’s Master of Science in Speech Pathology students.
- An agreement with the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford to offer the dual enrollment program.
- A contract with AB Specialties Inc. of Export for the window replacements at the junior-senior high school at a cost of $1,398,400. It will be funded with an ESSER II grant.
- Payment of $31,390.20 to Fennick Group Inc dba Strongland Roofing Systems for phase 2 of the Sandycreek Elementary School roof replacement. The payment will be made from the capital reserve.
- Staffing changes, including Stephanie Lee, social worker/home visitor (counselor); Haley Lavella, eighth grade English teacher; Cindi Hoffman, custodial floater, second shift; Elizabeth Fyock, driver for Transerve; Mark London, guest teacher; and Rachel Wheller, cafeteria substitute.
- Paid coaching changes, including Cael Ziegler, junior high assistant wrestling coach, $1750 per year; Lenado Fleming Sandycreek boys basketball coach $375 per year; Dalton Lusher, assistant swimming coach, $2275 per year; and Jacob Salsgiver assistant track coach, $2275 per year.
RSS Feed