Laurel’s special education department received a state Developing Future Special Educators grant for $18,345.28.
The grant will go for supplies for the new Super Spartan Spirit Coffee Shop, a life skills class for special education students to help them learn employment skills and to assist general education students who wish to go into the special education field.
The board approved the evaluation of Superintendent Len Rich as proficient for the 2023-24 school year. Rich scored proficient in the categories of student growth and achievement, organization leadership, district operations and financial management, communication and community relations, human resource management and professionalism.
Also during Wednesday’s board meeting, test scores for the PSSA (grades three to eight) and Keystone (high schoolers) exams were presented.
Support programs and lessons have been in place throughout the district, including for the third-grade class now in fourth grade, to increase test scores. The fourth- and sixth-grade scores were the highest in school history.
The Keystone scores in algebra, biology and literature for first-time test takers were 42 percent, 61 percent and 64 percent.
The senior class scored 57 percent, 69 percent and 74 percent when they took the test last year.
Repairs
The district’s water system has been upgraded to improve water quality and pressure, which includes a new well pump, bladder tanks, a water softener and a chlorination system. All water fountains and bottle fillers have been equipped with external filters.
The district received a $478,282 Environmental Repairs Grant from the state Department of Education. Conrad said the funding will be used to retroactively pay for the water project and part of the district’s roof replacement project.
The district’s tennis and pickleball courts closed for improvements on Aug. 30, and will be closed until further notice.
In other business, the board voted:
•Hired Ken Locke as junior high girls basketball coach at $4,925, Kayla Brendlinger as assistant girls wrestling coach for $3,175 and Kaycie Konchar, Jodi Beckwith and Dan Bailey as bus monitors at $55.75 a day
•Accepted the resignations of musical accompanist Carol Miller, Lori Hites as sophomore class advisor and musical co-assistant director Laura Palmer, retroactive to Aug. 20, Aug. 26 and Aug. 19, respectively.
•Appointed Kaylin Clingensmith as sophomore class advisor at a $500 stipend.
•Approved the revised school district registered nurse compensation plan from Aug. 21, 2024 through June 30, 2029, and to hire Aimee Bookamer as a second nurse at $36 an hour, retroactive to Aug. 21. Bookamer will work no more than 7.5 hours per day, 22.5 per week, not to exceed 810 hours per school year, with any additional time to be given prior approval from administration.
•Renewed the district’s vehicle insurance policy with Kerr Agency and Erie Insurance Company for $38,243 and a maintenance agreement with Johnson Controls from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2025.
•Reapproved the reinstatement of the elementary Halloween Parade next year after it was determined the motion made during the board’s August meeting was done incorrectly.
•Accepted a $511.16 repository parcel bid on Gardner Lane in Slippery Rock Township.
•Accepted Megan Brewer, a graduate student from Slippery Rock University, to receive her practicum and internship training in the district’s guidance department.