Shen. Valley applies for grant, loan for mini bus, utility vehicle
By Kaylee Lindenmuth
SHENANDOAH – At the June meeting of the Shenandoah Valley School Board on June 27, the district applied for a grant and loan through the USDA to replace a minibus and acquire a new utility vehicle.
“We have a minibus that’s nearing the end of its run. It’s a 2008,” said district business manager Anthony Demalis after the meeting. “We need to replace that at some point.”
The district is applying for a grant through the United States Department of Agriculture for about $40,600, and a loan of about $33,000, according to Demalis, for the minibus replacement and utility vehicle.
The utility vehicle, if able to be acquired, would be a new vehicle for the district, to be used for general tasks.
Demalis noted that the district isn’t guaranteed to receive the grant, and plans could change.
In other business, the district approved general supply bids for the 2018-2019 school year.
For gasoline and diesel, Central Highway Oil Co., of Frackville, was the low bidder, at $2.342 per gallon, escalating, and $2.55 per gallon non-escalating, respectively. Central Highway was also the low bidder for heating oil, at the same price as diesel fuel.
For motor oil, Jack Rich was the low bidder at $8.34 per gallon, non-escalating.
For coal and hauling, Gazdich Supply of Mount Carmel, Northumberland County, was the low bidder, at a price of $142.64 per ton, non-escalating.
For propane, Koppy’s Propane, of Williamstown, Dauphin County, was low bidder at $1.345 per gallon, non-escalating.
Waste Management submitted the low bid for trash collection and recycling at $11,818.98 per year for three years.
County Security was also retained as the security provider for the district, at a cost of $17.50 per hour.
In other business, the school board:
- Approved professional staff in-services for Math Title I instructors Karen Cicioni and Jessica Fryer, and Elementary instructors Joanne Cieniawa, Angie Brayford, and Kelly Tinari to attend the 2018 Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual conference.
- Approved agreements with Safety Net Counseling, the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, and Step by Step Learning.
- Retroactively approved the 2018 Extended School Year speech therapist and aides: Speech Therapist Services (North Schuylkill): Amanda Pavalko, aides Angela Taylor and Regina Michalik.
- Approved Joan Matta as a Behavior Interventionist at a salary of $41,000.
- Approved election of board members to the IU board of directors.
- Approved the repository sale of properties at West Coal and Race Street to the borough of Shenandoah.
- Approved 2018-2019 Health and Welfare Funding Rates
- Approved 2018-2019 Workers’ Compensation Proposal.
- Approved the following appointments
Anthony Pytko, volunteer cross country coach
Mariah Sands, volleyball assistant coach
Elysha Bolschi, volleyball assistant coach
Ali Semanchik, varsity softball coach
Linda Hixson, yearbook advisor
Dawn Bench, junior high cheerleading coach
Ashley Dudash, junior high cheerleading coach
Alaina Demalis, volunteer assistant basketball coach - Approved the following spring sports bonus pay
Baseball: Jeff Maksimik, $150
Tom Lauta, $100
Mick Jacavage, $100
Track and Field: Rick Werner, $75
Justin Berger, $50
Kevin Keating, $100 - Approved the following band staff appointments:
John Shoener, band director
Joshua Kovich, assistant band director
Jordan Franko, percussion instructor
Lexi Tornatore, band front instructor
Chris Swantek, band assistant
Jacob Shoener, band assistant
Sarah Williams, volunteer
Gabrielle Quandel, band assistant (pending clearances) - Approved the following support staff resignations, and retroactively approved posting/advertising positions, and substitute cafeteria aides:
Kathleen Luciani, part-time paraprofessional
Mary Pesavage, part-time cafeteria aide
Janet Palmet, part-time cafeteria aide - Approved the following appointments:
Jim Keller, permanent bus driver
Eric Benjamin, substitute summer worker
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