TOWER CITY — Williams Valley athletic director Randy Russelavage told the school board Thursday there’s a shortage of athletic trainers in the area right now.
He said Williams Valley’s previous athletic trainer, Lauren Rees, was pursing further education and would not be available for the upcoming school year. Russelavage said he spoke with Jeff Shields, of CPRS Physical Therapy, about the possibility of sharing a trainer with another school district.
There is a possibility that a trainer could be shared with Upper Dauphin Area, perhaps two days a week, Russelavage said. The trainer could assist with athletic training, hydration testing, physicals and concussion impact testing.
He also said if the board wishes, he could contact Garrett Miller, with the Williamstown Area Ambulance Association/EMS, to see if someone from the ambulance service would be able to help, similar to what was done in the past.
Russelavage said he could ask Shields to come to the July meeting to address the board if members had any questions.
Directors Jennifer Kramer and John Mika both commended Rees for her service to the district’s students.
In other business, maintenance supervisor James Heberling said there was a problem with the high school’s wooden stage floor that was installed last summer. He said he spoke with Ron Bamberger Flooring, the company that put in the floor, and the company suggested the district turn off the air conditioning for two months.
The change in the humidity would help the gaps in the floor close up, Heberling said he was told. The board took the information under advisement.
The board took no action on the still pending contract with the Williams Valley Education Association. It was not on the board’s agenda for consideration Thursday.
Superintendent Donald Burk-hardt confirmed, when asked by the media, that the union membership took a vote on an offer May 9. However, there was no indication of what the union vote actually was, and there were no details on the terms of any proposed agreement.
It’s anticipated the board may vote on such a pact within the next several weeks. The current WVEA contract expires June 30.
In other action, the board approved:
• Archery head coach Adam Kravatz to attend the National Archery Finals in Kentucky. No date was listed.
• A request from Amy Lake, a student of Grand Canyon University, to student teach with Carla Wynn, Grade 2, for 16 weeks in the 2016-17 school year. The dates will begin with the first day of school until approximately Dec. 18.
• Hiring John J. Mika III and John J. Mika IV, both of Tower City, as volunteer weight room coaches for the 2016-17 school year.
• Participation in the YES Northeast Program, being implemented by the Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Council for the 2016-17 school year, for the purpose of preparing students for life after graduation. High school upperclassmen may select this course as an elective that requires 120 hours of class time and counts as one credit toward their overall grade-point average.
• Awarding diplomas to members of the Class of 2016 who have met all qualifications for graduation.
• A maintenance service agreement with Siemens Industry Inc. for the elementary school for the 2016-17 school year.
• Participating, at no cost to the district, in the Health Hero Program, a flu immunization clinic, date to be determined during October or November.
• Pennsylvania School Board Association membership for the 2016-17 school year.
• The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit Computer Service Rates for the 2016-17 school year.
• The donation of a Nordic Trek stepper for use in the cardio room. The donation made by Nancy Blackwell, Muir.
• A Designation of Agent Resolution for Business Manager Anthony Aukstakalnis authorizing him to obtain financial assistance for the Williams Valley School District under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief & Emergency Assistance Act.
• Adjustments to Delinquent Personal Taxes for Statewide Tax Recovery Inc. as submitted.
• Advertising for bids for diesel fuel, gasoline and propane for the 2016-17 school year.
Board President Daniel Stroup announced there was an executive session May 4 for personnel matters and an executive session at 6 p.m. Thursday prior to the regular board meeting.
The next regularly scheduled public board meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. May 26 in the board room. An executive session for board members and administrators will begin at 7 p.m.