NEW BETHLEHEM - At its September 15 meeting, the Redbank Valley School District Board of Directors heard a presentation on potential infrastructure upgrades and celebrated expansion of the dual-enrollment program.

High school principal Roddy Hartle shared an update regarding the district’s new cell phone policy. Students are required to place their cell phones in their homeroom for the duration of the school day. Hartle said some students still carry their phones during the day, but cell phone use has declined from previous years. Hartle said that the policy is working as intended and that adjustments can be made later in the year if needed.

Curriculum director Kyle Hicks celebrated the approval of five new dual-enrollment courses through Seton Hill University. Students can now graduate from Redbank with up to 42 college credits from Seton Hill and Mount Aloysius at roughly half the cost of earning those credits after high school.

Representatives from McLure provided a report on the state of the district’s facilities, identifying critical infrastructure in need of updates or repairs. No action was taken on any projects; the report is intended as a tool to plan for the future. As part of its contract, McLure will also pursue available grants. The representatives also presented a preliminary cost estimate and information about a potential addition to the Intermediate School. A 13,000-square-foot addition would provide additional classroom space and could be used to move some classes from the Primary School. The board took no action, and the figures presented were preliminary.

Other business

• Elementary principal Sandy Shirey shared that all elementary students were invited to walk in Saturday’s Peanut Butter Festival Parade, with a good number of students planning to attend.

• Transportation director Laura Neiswonger shared that a congestion issue related to the new bus schedule at the Primary school has been resolved.

• Superintendent Michael Gudice shared that he is continuing to get information and quotes for converting the football field to artificial turf.

Old business

• The junior high girls wrestling memorandum of understanding (MOU) was approved.

• The head girls wrestling coach pay change MOU was approved.

• The Junior High Student Council MOU was approved.

• Approval of the Coaches Handbook was tabled.

• An agreement with the Southern Clarion County Police Department to add another security guard or police officer died for lack of a motion.

• An addendum to the contract with Bramlet Enterprises was approved.

New Business

• Kristen Landers was approved to attend the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association conference and the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference.

• A field trip for senior students in the music department was approved.

• A project modification request for a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grant was approved.

• A School Safety and Mental Health grant from PCCD was accepted.

• Gudice was approved to fill the vacant special education teacher position before the next board meeting.

Financial Matters

• An agreement with United Valley Soccer failed to pass.

• The IDEA sub-grant agreement was approved.

• A grant for feminine hygiene products was accepted. This grant helps provide free products to students via dispensers in restrooms.

Personnel

• Teena Rupp was approved to join the pool of substitute registered nurses.

• Changes in mentors for several employees were approved.

• A proposal to hire Karen Barrett as a special education teacher died for lack of a motion.

• Nicole Beimel was hired as a full-time, second-shift custodian.

• Hannah Shilling was hired as a substitute custodian.

• The following athletic volunteers were approved: Amanda Carrico (golf), Jamie Jones (cheer), and Kaitlin Shaffer (cheer).

• Liv Dougherty was approved to move to a six-hour cafeteria worker position.

• Lori Garmong was approved to move to the head cook position.

• Kayla Troup was hired as a substitute cafeteria worker.