HEGINS - Carrie Bowman, a Hegins resident and mother of four, questioned why Tri-Valley hasn't hired a substitute for the elementary school art teacher.
Bowman posed this question and several others during the school board meeting held March 13 in the high school cafeteria.
"Is this a cost-cutting measure, that no substitute has been hired for the art teacher at Hegins-Hubley?" Bowman asked. "I'm also very concerned as to what's going to happen with the elementary band director position after Mr. Schmaldienst retires at the end of the current school year. Programs such as these shouldn't be cut. You need to do what's best for our kids. It cost me several hundred dollars more in taxes last year and my kids deserve a better education, not less."
Bowman is a teacher in another district and said she would consider sending her children to cyber school if programs are going to be cut in the elementary division. She claims sending her children to cyber school would cost the district about $9,000 per child and that money would add up to far more than hiring a substitute or replacing retiring teachers.
The board or administration gave no comments to Bowman.
Directors Donald Buffington and Diane Dietrich were absent from the meeting.
In other business, the board hired the following coaches: Jason Ney, assistant football, $1,800; Richard Pastuka, assistant football, $2,340; Marty Shade, assistant football, $2,560; Heather Drumheller, head volleyball, $1,490; Kirsten Sandler, assistant volleyball, $1,490; Phillip Barry, head boys' soccer, $2,660; Mark Snyder, Hegins, assistant boys' soccer, $1,580; Kirk Reed, assistant girls' soccer, $1,580; Ricky Otto, assistant junior high girls' basketball, $2,150; Clark Romberger, assistant junior high girls' basketball, $2,240.
The following were appointed as volunteer coaches: Joel Gordon, assistant football; Jason Howard, assistant football; Shawn Masser, assistant football; Scott Bensinger, assistant girls' soccer.
Allison Mowery was appointed to the position of assistant to the school nurse at a rate of $12 per hour, including applicable benefits, effective March 18.
The board approved to engage Barry Isett & Associates Inc. for Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Services in the amount of $3,400.
The board also engaged Alfred Benesch & Co., Pottsville, for land survey services in the amount of $13,400.
The board approved Morrison Geothermal Inc. for geothermal boring and conductivity testing services in the amount of $16,300.
Due to the closing of school on Oct. 29 and 30, 2012, and Jan. 28, the district will be using the weather emergency make-up days scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. School will be in session on those days. In the event of additional closures, the school year will be extending the required number of days in June.