HAZING INCIDENTS
One of the first topics brought to the Board’s attention during the Sept. 16 meeting was concerns from parents about the hazing incidents that have taken place within the high school football team. The parents alleged that the upperclassmen have been targeting and tormenting freshmen, and also that there were faculty members that were aware of the hazing and didn’t report it. Concerned parents and curious community members crowded to hear what the School Board members had to say about the topic. One of the parents accused certain members of the board of having a conflict of interest between their duties as a member of the administration and their involvement in other school-related activities.
“We are by law not permitted to respond to the disciplinary actions made in any specific incident,” Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Fuller said.
One parent defended their son, who was one of the accused, claiming that the school blew the incident out of proportion. Opinions varied on whether the high school acted too harshly or too kindly in their disciplinary decisions.
PARENT-TEACHER OPPORTUNITIES
The School Board verified that the elementary and middle school will be hosting open houses on Wednesday, Oct. 7 and Thursday, Oct. 15, respectively. There will also be a district-wide Act 80 day on Wednesday, Nov. 11 to provide an opportunity for parent-teacher conferences.
STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES
A large component of the Sept. 16 board meeting was announcing the elementary, middle and high school’s results on the latest state standardized testing, taken in the spring. The elementary third graders were very slightly below state average.
The middle schoolers endured a newly re-vamped PSSA test, and a new test meant new expectations. The middle schoolers’ scores were significantly lower than years past, but this year proved a learning experience for the teachers and faculty and they will better know what to prepare students for in the future.
The testing scores for the elementary and middle schoolers dropped so significantly statewide because of the newer, more rigorous test, that the Department of Education will not collect a testing profile report on them.
The high school’s Keystone testing scores were, for the most part, equal to the state averages, with a slight decline in test scores from last year.
FENCING/CONSTRUCTION
There was new fencing placed between the elementary school and the football field, and the construction was completed as scheduled in time for the Sept. 18 football game.
Next month’s board meetings will take place on Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. in the middle school library.