FACTORYVILLE — Superintendent Matthew Rakauskas presented an update of recently-completed renovation projects at a Lackawanna Trail School Board meeting Sept. 14.

“I deeply appreciate this investment,” Rakauskas said. “It was huge. It got done in time, and some of the principals have talked about it. It’s really been worthwhile in every facet.”

The renovations included new ventilation systems, new roofs, and new gym lighting for the elementary and high school buildings.

“On Aug. 31, 2015, students returned to the buildings that are safer, more energy-efficient, well-insulated, and modern. The students of Lackawanna Trail School District will benefit for decades because of this necessary capital improvements investment. And I said this to the faculty that I believe from my heart, the atmosphere for education is perfect,” he said.

In other business, elementary principal Brian Kelly, in his elementary report, thanked director of transportation and maintenance Rick Kordish in helping with the construction of the elementary center.

“He’s still working through some of the kinks,” he said. “But he really was there. He used countless hours, he had all the answers that I was asking.”

Also, Kelly announced that students from grades 4 to 6 now have Google accounts.

“Students are not given e-mail accounts, but they’re given opportunities to edit documents as a group online at this time,” he said. “And teachers can log in and monitor their progress on a project.”

Kelly also mentioned this Friday is the elementary center’s first ROAR (Respectful, Organized, Accepting, and Responsible) reward day, in which all students, who have zero office discipline referrals in the first three weeks of school, will have the opportunity to attend a once-a-month event.

“This month will be an ice cream social at recess,” he said. “And each child will be given a ROAR T-shirt from our PTO (Parent Teacher Organization).

In other business, Dr. Mark Murphy announced the high school is currently looking to hire a certified physics/chemistry teacher for a part-time position.

In other news, the board voted to approve:

• the appointment of Samantha Kelly to the elementary second-grade long-term substitute position for the second marking period of the 2015-16 school year, as stipulated in the collective bargaining agreement.

• the appointment of Melissa Telesk to the elementary paraprofessional position for four and three-quarter hours per day, as scheduled, at the probation rate of $14.38 per hour, as stipulated in the collective bargaining agreement.

• the acceptance of Betty Jo Bergey’s resignation as basketball cheerleading advisor, with regret.

• the appointment of Dina Berrios to the basketball cheerleading advisor position at a stipend of $2,150 as stipulated in the collective bargaining agreement.

By Ben Freda

For Abington Journal

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