Increased Safety Measures Approved at Lenape Tech

 

By Jonathan Weaver

Lenape Tech in Manor Township is now more-secure after school hours or during an emergency.

Joint Operating Committee members unanimously approved the hire of a part-time night watchmen and the acceptance of $18,000 in Pennsylvania Department of Education Safe School Initiative Competitive Targeted Grant funds last night.

The grant funds are to go toward the future purchase of two-way radios and radios to communicate with first responders, according to Administrative Director Dawn Kocher-Taylor.

Special Programs Coordinator Carla Thimons is to have more information regarding the grant award, but was not at last night’s meeting.

The unanimous hire was approved following a personnel executive session. The watchman, Samantha Walker, will receive $9.50 per hour, retroactive to March 7.

Principal Karen Brock said the school used to have night watchmen, but another one needed to be hired to replace that individual.

During a budget committee planning session before the regular meeting, a majority of committee members reviewed individual expenditures expected in the 2014-15 school year budget.

Kocher-Taylor said the estimated-$8.1 million budget is to increase more than $500,000 mainly due to more than $400,000 in increases for employee salary and benefits – specifically including retirement and health care costs.

Salary and benefits make up nearly 70 percent of the school’s cost projection.

An additional $85,000 was set aside for additional transportation for part-time 10th grade students should the need arise. Enrollment applications are due by May 1, but exceptions can be made during the summer months.
Kocher-Taylor praised faculty members as she said they have cut back on individual classroom fieldtrips and supplies.

She advised committee members the numbers seen last night are detailed and accurate.

“I feel that it’s a very conservative budget. I know the salary and benefits increases are out of my control – there’s nothing I can do about that. If you tell me to go back and look for more (savings), I can tell you the recommendation I would bring back to you would affect our programs and staff. I don’t know where else to go,” Kocher-Taylor said.

“It would be dramatic.”

Committee members will review projected income during a budget committee session in April.

Before then, Practical Nursing Coordinator Kimberly Doms hopes have the Lawrence County Career and Technical School satellite campus up-and-running.

Approval hasn’t returned yet from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing regarding the satellite campus, but leaders hope to begin class at that campus April 7.

Culinary Arts Student Michael Slagle was in-attendance at the meeting, but not as a chef.

Slagle, 17 of Kittanning, attended the meeting as a requirement for his Citizenship in the Community merit badge through the Boy Scouts of America.

Kocher-Taylor praised Slagle during the meeting and thanked him for attending.

Troop Leader Laura Sedlack - who brought Slagle to the meeting – has had her four sons all take part in the Boy Scout program. The oldest three earned the Eagle Scout award.

Because of school cancellations during the winter, students will have class Thursday, April 17 and Monday April 21- Friday, April 25.

Kocher-Taylor did receive an emergency closing waiver due to an electrical outage August 28 that canceled classes.

Even though students will not have to make up the day, faculty members will.

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