HEGINS - The Tri-Valley school board may enter into a health care consortium.
Chris Holuta of the Reschini Group made a presentation about health care funding during last week's board meeting. Holuta said while the district's insurance wouldn't change, the financial mechanism would. He said with the new health care reform, the consortium would educate the employees and help them to get better rates for coverage.
According to Holuta, the Reschini Group would serve as a consultant and would and form a wellness program within the district. The district currently has no adviser or wellness program in place.
The Blue Mountain, Halifax Area, Juniata County, Mahanoy Area and Williams Valley school districts are currently involved in the consortium, Holuta said. Tri-Valley will make a decision about joining it at the March school board meeting.
In other business, Timothy Koppenhaver, Hegins, a member of the Hegins Fire Police who was suspended from the squad earlier this month, addressed the board concerning a registered sex offender involved with the Hegins Fire Company.
Koppenhaver said he wanted the district to be aware that when the various sporting groups hold banquets at the fire company, there is a registered sex offender on the premises.
"I want to bring this to your attention because I can't stomach it any longer," said Koppenhaver. "Our kids deserve better. I have asked the township supervisors to make an ordinance which would require background checks on all fire company and fire police personnel each year, but haven't gotten anywhere with that. I know he has been on the school grounds and I don't know how you can let this continue."
Dan Wagner, school board president and the Hegins Township Emergency Management Agency representative, asked permission to respond to Koppenhaver.
"As the EMA coordinator for the township I am aware of the situation," said Wagner. "I know he has been on the premises to help load a patient on a helicopter, but he is not permitted to respond if we would have an incident here at the school and he is aware of this.
"At this point, I feel this is a non-school issue. If you want we can talk more about this in executive session, but I feel this isn't a school issue. The school personnel and the local fire chiefs discussed this and everyone is aware that he is not to respond if there is an emergency situation in the school."
Richard Pitcavage of Jones and Co. gave a review of the single audit report for year ending June 30, 2012. He said the $1.1 million general fund balance is "a nice amount" to have.
Pitcavage said the cafeteria took an $11,000 loss, but said that is normal with equipment depreciation. He said if the cafeteria would make too much money, the Pennsylvania Department of Education would require prices to be cut or equipment to be updated.
Concerning personnel, the board accepted the resignation of elementary teacher Lucille Eyster for retirement purposes, effective at the end of the 2012-13 school year.
Retroactive approval was needed to accept the resignation of Paula Morgan, assistant to the school nurse, effective Feb. 6. The board took action to allow the administration to advertise and fill the vacant position of assistant to the school nurse.
In elementary school news, Principal Gerald Anderson congratulated four sixth-graders from Mahantongo Elementary School who have been accepted to perform in Junior Schuylkill County Band on April 13 at Mahanoy Area High School. The musicians who were selected to play in the band, and the instruments they play, are Raquel Harring, clarinet; Caitlin Weaver, clarinet; Gabriel Metzinger, trumpet and Summer Varner, French horn.
Anderson announced that the Hegins-Hubley PTO is sponsoring a Read Across America Family Night on March 7. Activities will begin at 6 p.m. and the main show at 7 p.m. All Tri-Valley School District residents are welcome to attend and participate in the activities.
Looking ahead, the school board will hold a work session and special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the high school library.
The board took action to hold committee meetings prior to the monthly board meetings at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library, with the regular meetings beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Superintendent Mark Snyder said the March and April school board meetings will be held in the high school cafeteria.