As Bellwood-Antis prepares for the upcoming school year, B-A School Board members met last night to finalize several personnel and busing issues.
Several substitute teachers were approved, including: Matthew Manfred, Peggy Simmons, Emily Neri, Keri Diveglia, Heidi Pheasant, Catherine Smith, Erin Plunket, Kristie Jo Holsey, Beth Misitano, Amanda Cherry, Jaclyn Miller, Ann Estright, Greg Perry, Bethany Mallino, Janet Myers and Joseph Edmiston.
Busing has been a hot topic in the Bellwood-Antis School District in past months as the board decided whether or not to continue providing buses or to contract Raystown Transit to provide transportation for the district.
A decision was finally made and ownership of the vehicles will change this Friday as Raystown Transit takes over transportation duties.
Business manager Ken Swanson said all but one Bellwood-Antis driver signed on with Raystown Transit to continue driving. He also explained, while ownership will change hands, vehicles will continue to be housed with the district until a suitable place is obtained by Raystown Transit.
Board member Dave Worthing raised the question of clearances and information obtained for bus drivers. He said this was a major concern of residents at the public meetings held regarding the issue.
“Are we confident that the information we have on the bus drivers is sufficient?” Worthing asked.
Swanson explained that, although not employed by the district, drivers still are required to have all the same clearances and driving records have been obtained for the past 10 years.
The following bus drivers were approved, pending the completion of all necessary paperwork: Alan Appleman, Donna Baker, Robert Bowser, Richard Butterbaugh, Harold Randall Carper, Pat Daugherty, Barry Davis Sr., Larry Detwiler, Patricia Endress, Bernadine Estep, Melvin Estep, Susan Forshey, Cheryl Franks, Christopher Franks, Verna Garman, Nona George, Carolyn Guidry, Duane Hollen, John Itinger, Terry Lightner, Alberta McCahan, Judy Miller, Linda Miller, Carole Price, Rick Showalter, Ken Swanson, Gwendolyn Tononi, Pamela Tononi, Raymond Tononi Jr., Raymond Tononi Sr., Elizabeth Walk, R. Craig Walker and Andrew Weyant.
This year’s bus routes, stops and times were also approved. One major change to the schedule is the elimination of a van in the morning directly attributed with the change in the starting time at the Middle and High School from 7:40 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
The board said students will be able to ride the CTC or non-public bus and arrive in a timely manner.
Also eliminated was D6P in the afternoon, as a result of some rerouting. Board members anticipate that with the changes, they will still be able to serve the students in a timely manner.
Other personnel issues included:
• the approval of wages and salaries for school district employees for the 2005-06 school year;
• the appointment of Amanda Chamberlain as secretary in the district office at an hourly rate of $9.95 and benefits;
• the approval of Kimber W. Kerns as part-time instructional aide for six hours per day with no benefits at a rate of $8.76 per hour, effective August 25;
• the approval of Travis Martin as a volunteer for the football program during the 2005-06 school year;
• approval of Camie Bickel as an assistant cheerleading coach for the 2005-06 school year at a stipend of $1,582.76 and
• the transfer of aides for special education classes/students – Kathy Nau, Middle/High School and Lori Campbell, Elementary School.
