LCHS board alters transportation policies

[May 20, 2011]  The LCHS board approved changes in transportation policies at its May meeting, in response to the state's reduction in transportation payments to the school district. A payment of $45,596 is expected, of the $181,984 owed. Changes are necessary in order to provide for the maintenance of regular routes and extracurricular transportation.

Board member Marianne Krusz delivered committee recommendations that will eliminate costs and use vehicles and routes more efficiently.

Recommendations for regular routes:

• Consolidate one special education and one regular bus route.

• Continue to discuss consolidation of routes with the Chester-East school district.

For extracurricular trips, the committee recommended:

• Limit payment for trips to the first 90 miles, with additional miles paid for by the traveling organization.

• Use the white activity bus for groups of 14 or fewer students, with the coach or sponsor driving. A First Student driver would be paid to relieve the coach or sponsor if adverse weather conditions were expected.

• The district will not cover the cost of overnight trips unless participants are state finalists in the sport or competition.

The committee also recommended suspending golf due to low numbers. Athletic director Sam Knox asked if an athlete could compete on their own and if they could drive themselves. Knox also questioned the school's obligation and liability if a student attended alone. Discussion continued on the issue of allowing lone students to enter sporting events or competitions. A school sponsor or coach would accompany the athlete, unless parents verified their willingness to do so.

Knox introduced the possibility of an increase in attendance fees at sporting events. The current rate of $4 for adults and $2 for students and seniors has been in place for 17 years. Knox listed several schools that have raised the fee and said it had no negative impact on the number of attendees. The motion to approve was made by Krusz, seconded by Mark Aughton, with Jim Mammen also voting "yes" and Darrell Vermiere voting "no." The increase in attendance fee passed 3-1.

Board member Krusz motioned to accept the transportation recommendations and Vermiere seconded. The board voted 3-1, with Aughton voting "no."

Brenda Hagenbruch, family and consumer science teacher, presented three students with quilts they had created in one of her classes. Skylar Morgan, Samantha Moore and Jackie Boyer displayed the items while explaining the patterns they had chosen to sew. Additional quilts and products from woods classes, ceramics and other artwork were displayed in the hall as examples of student activity in those classes.

Superintendent Bagby reported that Ron Hall Painting will assist district maintenance staff in remodeling restrooms this summer.

Assistant Principal Sloot reported attendance at 819 with 380 referrals.

The board entered closed session to discuss re-employment of extracurricular positions, which they approved. Also on that agenda was the baseball coaching position for the 2011-2012 school year, due to the resignation of former coach Pat Hake.

The next regular board meeting is at 7 p.m. June 20.

[By MARLA BLAIR]