Students may not like it, but it’s for their own good! At least, that was the message conveyed by High School Principal Mark Gerchman as he described the ZAP - “Zeros Aren’t Productive” Program. The program is applicable to seventh and eighth grade students whose parents have signed consent forms which permit the school to retain their child for two hours after school (Tuesdays and Thursdays between September 18, 2012 and March 28, 2013). Students reported by their teachers for failure to complete homework are awarded two hours after school on the next Tuesday or Thursday to give them the opportunity to complete their previously uncompleted homework. In the words of the administration, such students will have been said to have been “zapped.” Parents of students to be zapped will be notified by the administration as soon as their child is scheduled for zapping. Administrators indicated that although students may be somewhat amused by the idea that they’ve been zapped, the two-hour detention for homework make-up after school will quickly disabuse them of any notion that getting zapped is a badge of honor. Truly, zeros aren’t productive in raising one’s GPA, so the second chance to get homework done and thereby raise one’s grade drives home the program’s point.

Before the discussion of zapping students could begin, the regular meeting of the Susquehanna Community School District Directors on Wednesday, September 19, required parliamentarian action to decide who would conduct the meeting. Even before the pledge of allegiance at 7 p.m., it was obvious to all that neither board President Steven Stanford, nor Vice-President Clay Weaver was present. Secretary Evelyn Cottrell arose and asked board members for a motion to nominate a president pro tempore for the evening’s meeting. Motion, second, and unanimous approval determined board member Jason Chamberlain would assume the necessary duty and he shifted to the empty chair at the table’s head. Other board members present for the evening’s meeting were Lori Canfield, Amanda Cook, Carol Jackson, Holly Kubus, and Treasurer Martha Stanford.

The board’s agenda for the meeting was larger than usual and ran to eight pages. Considering the range of issues to be covered, and the largest public attendance at a school board meeting this year, it is noteworthy that Mr. Chamberlain was able to shepherd the board through the agenda to completion in just over 50 minutes.

Public comment brought out the reason for much of the public’s attendance at the meeting. Todd Glover spoke on behalf of the “Nitro Girls” softball team. Apparently there had been a misunderstanding over their intended - but unscheduled - use of the campus softball field. The school’s varsity football team was practicing on the adjacent grounds, and resultingly the “Nitro Girls” were not permitted to use the softball field contemporaneously due to student safety concerns. Mr. Glover, with a contingent of the Nitro Girls present and in support, made inquiries to uncover the incident details and provide direction for the way forward. SCSD’s Athletic Director, as well as Superintendent Bronson Stone, was more than happy to provide information to Mr. Glover, and though there were a few tight-jawed moments, it appears the situation was resolved to the satisfaction - no thanks to Facebook - of all parties.

Another meeting attendee who asked to speak was Pastor David Hansen of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His mission at the meeting was to present in-person invitations to school directors for an October 13 meeting which will outline the Church’s plans for regional economic and historic development. Due to limited seating capacity the meeting is not open to the public, and is by invitation only.

Administrative personnel making reports during the meeting’s course were Superintendent Bronson Stone, Principals Mark Gerchman and Bob Keyes, Business Manager Gary Kiernan, Special Ed Supervisor Joni Miller, Facilities Manager Donnie Norris, and Union Representative Lawrence Tompkins.

Superintendent Stone, as always, presented a concise, but comprehensive, overview of those areas under his purview. Included in his report was announcement of the completion of the Strategic Plan. The focus of the six-year (July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2019) plan is to bring RtII (Response to Instruction & Intervention) to the high school, and to implement effective teacher presentation based on the Charlotte Danielson model. However, because of a system flaw in the state’s software - the lack of a “print” button - only a summary could be provided to board members. Correction of the state’s design flaw should permit printing of the entire strategic plan before the October meeting. That said, Superintendent Stone also pointed out that Act 82, passed in June of this year, repeals the requirement to prepare strategic plans after January 1, 2013. The board unanimously approved the Comprehensive Strategic Plan based on the summary Superintendent Stone provided to them.

In other reports, High School Principal Gerchman noted that the high school would be receiving 24 iPads; that the school’s homecoming would take place on October 5-6; and that the school’s football game on Oct 6 would start later than usual - at 2:30 - due to SATs being held on that date.

Union Representative Lawrence Tompkins ablely represented the Susquehanna Community Educational Association (SCEA). He noted that he was just one of six SCEA representatives who would be cycling through the school board’s meetings over the course of the school year. He shared SCEA’s plans for two fundraisers: a Golf Tournament at Golden Oak Golf Course in Windsor on May 18, 2013; and a Bowling with Teachers Saturday for elementary students. Both fundraisers benefit selected students graduating in the Class of 2013.

Beside the five perfunctory motions for approval of routine reports, the school board approved 17 motions under new business, with some having sweeping significance. Among them were approval for teacher tenure as concerns: Jamie Bollinger, Lisa Carpenter, Kevin Davis, Katherine Edwards, Ingrid Hower, Jami Hyndshaw, Elizabeth Matis, Daniel Mauer, and Megan Piekarski; the hiring of employees for 27 specific functions or positons; approval of six persons to serve in volunteer capacities; approval of four substitutes for the school year; approval of 10 requests for choral and band; and acceptance of the resignations of David Jagger as Special Education Coorderinator, Thomas Marino as Junior High Football Coach, and Joseph Kempa as Varsity Assistant Football Coach, all with effective dates in August 2012.

Also approved by the board was a motion concerning the Fiaschi Testamentary Trust. The motion’s three-step process is projected to take approximately three months to complete, and will have the net effect of terminating the Fiaschi Trust and transferring the balance of the trust funds to the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains. As Superintendent Stone explained, SCSD is in the business of education, not financial investments. The Community Foundation, it is believed - by both the administration and board - can do a better job of getting a healthy return on investment. So much better, in fact, those future scholarships are projected to be about double the current amount, and the Community Foundation’s expertise in investments should provide scholarships into perpetuity.

Finally, one last matter regarding “zapping” came up. This “zapping,” Superintendent Stone explained, involved a subject both parents and students are perhaps a bit more uneasy about: “pediculosis capitis,” a.k.a., head lice. The district currently has a “no-nit policy.” In an addendum to the agenda, the school board granted approval for Elizabeth Matis to attend “Head Louse Infestations: Evidence-Based Strategies and Best Practices for Tackling Head Lice” Webinar on October 4, 2012. The school district currently “zaps” head lice by running an electrified comb through the hair of any student found to have head lice. Superintendent Stone explained that once the lice are zapped, they are dead and there is no point in immediately sending the student home, rather than back to the classroom. The current “no-nit policy” creates a serious transportation issue and loss of educational time. However, before the current policy is changed, the school board will consider the outcome of the October 4 Webinar, and “best policies” recommendations by the state. That the current policy will be changed at October’s meeting is a likelihood.

With zapping discussions wrapped up, the board concurrently wrapped up the entire meeting at 7:51 p.m., and Mr. Kiernan let the good times roll by serving up a bountiful tray of chocolate-chip cookies. The crowd of attendees melted away while Mr. Kiernan and I hung back to discuss weightier issues, including the national debt, QE3, Greek decay, and the looming year-end fiscal cliff. The “Messenger of Gloom & Doom” was more optimistic than I and he prognosticated that any collapse was at least beyond the date of the board’s next meeting on October 17. Let readers keep their fingers crossed that any such economic zapping be avoided or evaded till after next we meet in the pages of “The Transcript.”

A borough representative attended the New Milford Township meeting on September 19th, to discuss a pig problem. Prior to that point however, various other matters of business were conducted.

Two subdivisions were discussed briefly. One was by Robert and Laura Schneider who were selling a piece of property for the gas line. There was no sewer involved, they had received a waiver on it. The other was for William and Benjamin Wood, which was approved with a sewer letter.

A Bluestone Small Non-coal Mining permit had been granted by DEP to the Schneider quarry operation. When someone asked, it was replied that the supervisors thought it was on Osborne Road.

Southwest had applied for a consumptive use of water permit for the Woosman pad #24 on Route 492. It stated, that they could not exceed the standard water allotment, which neared five million gallons of water. The pad hadn’t been constructed yet, but the application was made.

Susquehanna Gathering Company had applied for gas lines to connect well pads, in three separate instances. The first line would connect pads 14, 70, 28 with 2.2 miles of 12’ diameter natural gas gathering line, .75 miles of 8” gas discharge pipe, and 2.96 miles of 16” water line. The second connection would connect well pad 37 to well pad 39 with 12” diameter natural gas gathering line and 16” water line. The final connection would connect well pad 10 to well pad 11.

Ken Bondurant, the township’s volunteer Emergency Management Coordinator was asked if he had any news. He stated that he had responded to two surveys, from PSATS and FEMA. He was planning to attend an Emergency Management Meeting. A draft of the Flood Plan Ordinance had been submitted to the solicitor. Such a draft was required of all municipalities, and would require approval by a government entity.

It was announced the Jack Conroy and Julene Graham were once again going to jail. For yet another year they would be locked up, and need donations to assure their release. The proceeds were to benefit Muscular Dystrophy. The two needed to raise $3,000 to be released.

It was announced that the reorganization meeting was to be scheduled for January 7th at 6 pm, with the regular meeting to follow. Mr. Hunter wanted to ensure that this was announced well in advance.

When the visitors’ section was opened, Kathy Wages spoke up. Ms. Wages was present as a New Milford Borough Council member, and had planned to attend the meeting with another member (who was unable to attend). She came, she said, to just visit and make sure that they were on the same page regarding a situation with the pig and pipe matter. The problem was a house on Montrose St., which had pigs on the property. The property was apparently partially in the township and partially in the borough, and the property owners stated that the pigs were in the township. Ms. Wages stated that there was a pvc pipe, however, draining from the township into the borough. Mr. Conroy said that while he wasn’t defending the property owner the pipe wasn’t draining from the pigs to the borough street. He knew the pipe to which she was referring but he wasn’t sure what it was. Mr. Hunter said that the property owner claimed his property was in the township, and the township had no ordinance against the animals. The borough secretary said that the property owners had spoken with her, and that they did have a survey proving that the property was in the township. Ms. Wages said that she had no problem with them having animals, but she drove by the pipe, it did drain into the borough, and that there was  a problem created. Mr. Hunter said that he would look into the matter. Ms. Graham pointed out that the township had received no complaints on the subject.

Mr. Bevans wished to discuss the 16” water pipe mentioned earlier in the meeting. He asked where the water would come from. It was thought that it might come from Martin’s Creek, or that they might be pulling water from Alford Pond. All of the plastic pipes were to hold water initially and then a low gas flow.

Finally, there was some discussion on what happened to water after it was sent down the well. The question was asked if anyone monitored it. It was responded that DEP handled this process.

The Susquehanna County Commissioners announce the Courthouse will be closed on Monday, Ocotober 8, 2012 in observance of Columbus Day. All court related offices will be available.

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:50 a.m. on September 21, 2012: Jeremy E. Anderson, BillieJean Beemer, Chad C. Chauncey, David J. Fischer, James Gerard, Keith R. Hurd, John J. Jenisky, Jr, Richard E. Kalinowski, Kay L. Knolles, Lee Labor, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Derrick J. Lezinsky, Michael Maryasz, Donald Palmer, Joseph M. Rhodes, Perry Rohan, Bruce A. Schurr, Christie L. Sheptock, Desiree L. Shifler, David J. Shiner, Tina M. Smith, Sinon C Smith Sr, Eric J. Snell, Timothy M. Taylor, Justin S. Thompson, Earl H. Thompson, Jr, Robert J. Twilley, Ryan Warnagiris, Steven G. Warner, Dennis Wisniewski, Kelly Lynn Yarbrough, Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.

The Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center meeting kicked off with three presentations on September 20th, after an executive session. Topics of these ranged from dog houses to energy savings.

The first presentation was made by SCCTC Carpentry instructor Bruce Castelli, and two of his students. The students were foremen on two different projects which the program was working on at that time. Matthew Harvey spoke first, about the construction of a concession stand/press box. The structure, which was to be approximately 8’ by 14’ in size (not counting a deck), would be mobile, thanks to a cart donated by Mr. Squire. It was thought that there might also be collaboration with the electrical program, such that power could be incorporated. The second presentation was made by Colby McCaery, who oversaw the students working on five dog houses. This was a project regularly pursued by the students. The houses were then donated to True Friends Animal Welfare Center, which would sell them to raise funds.

The next presentation was by representatives of the Community Foundation. They spoke to the board about the Elk Lake Foundation, which the Foundation had approached the school about establishing the foundation. It was not a legal entity, just a way for the funds donated to help the district to be channeled to it. Benefits of this system were delineated, including the district not needing to hire an executive director or staff as the Community Foundation already had them. Also, the community Foundation monitored their funds and underwent an audit procedure. One representative reviewed some financial particulars then, explaining the number of scholarship funds and noting two program support funds (one in honor of Leopold the Montrose chocolatier for the culinary program and the other established by a New Milford man for the automotive programs).

The third presentation was from Energy Education and the district’s Energy Coordinator, Kim Guiton. She reviewed with those present the standing of the district’s energy efficiency initiative from its commencement in November 2008 until the recent June. This was 44 months into the districts Energy Program. In that time the district had saved $434,459, which represented 23% savings. She described how the SSCTC was demonstrating its reduction of use. Even with the expansion, the school’s energy usage had been decreasing. The Primary Center had earned the Energy Star designation. This was the mark of superior energy performance that identifies that building as one of the most efficient in the nation. It performed in the top 25% of similar facilities, and met strict ventilation, thermal, lighting, and energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA. Since 2008, the Primary Center had reduced its adjusted energy use by 32% from baseline. Finally, she summed up the environmental impact of the program as being equivalent to 1,900 metric tons of CO2 a year, which was the same as 48,592 tree seedlings planted and grown for 10 years, or 341 passenger cars not driven for one year.

Mr. Kelly from Energy Education then spoke up. He again spoke highly of the program and of the school’s work. He spoke of how the district had entered into a contract with Energy Education and that they would split their savings with the company for four years. After that point they kept all of the savings, and would still receive free support from the company.

There were two tangible acknowledgements which were to be visible soon regarding this program. A label was expected to come for the primary center, acknowledging its Energy Star compliance. Also, Mr. Kelly and Ms. Guiton presented Dr. Davis with a certificate award for the work at the SCCTC.

When the regular meeting convened, Dr. Davis said that there had been 70 people at the culinary program’s opening day buffet.

The Dual Enrollment agreement with Mansfield University was discussed. It was to be basically the same as the agreement with Elk Lake, with the exception of adding all of the sending schools.

There was some discussion regarding the job descriptions of various positions, including an administrative assistant. A visitor asked the board and administration why, in the SCCTC, the staff are called administrative assistants while at the Elk Lake side they were called secretaries. She also questioned why the administrative assistant at the vo-tech had a compensation plan. Dr. Bush said that particular position was a salary position, not an hourly one. The visitor stated that she felt the secretaries at the SCCTC were valued more than those at Elk Lake. Mr. Place spoke up, responding that he took exception to that idea. Dr. Bush said that he didn’t value any one more than others, but that if the job description was considered, the responsibilities of that person were rather extensive.

Another proposed agreement with Mansfield was explained to those present. At the time, Tioga County had no career and technology access. In discussions with Mansfield University about the dual enrollment agreement, the subject had come up regarding that lack, wondering if something could be done with Tioga County. The idea had been run by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and it was replied that there was nothing prohibiting it. It was a beneficial agreement for both sides- it increased enrollment for the SCCTC and gave them additional opportunities. The idea would be for students to video conference, using Mansfield’s facilities, with classes led by SCCTC staff. The program would only be in the health fields at its inception, as students could do their clinical experiences at Robert Packer hospital. It was thought that in time they would add Protective Services. If located, the LPN course was looking at Memorandums of Understanding with three local hospitals and Robert Packer.

Mr. Emmerich spoke of the tour and open house event, stating that he had seen great storage space but wondered if the school had a forklift. Dr. Bush said that he was looking into getting one, but did not have one at that time. They moved some items with a skidsteer, but it was unwieldy.

The Elk Lake meeting began shortly after 9:00 p.m.

During the principal’s reports, Mrs. Staats reported that she had been notified by PDE that they had met the requirements for compliance. Dr. Cuomo spoke of a great start to the school year, noting professional development, and the dual enrollment agreement with Mansfield. The students were also enrolled at Mansfield, and learned from college professors.

Mr. Mallery said that the athletics programs were off and running. Students and staff had complied with cardiac and concussion mandates. Mr. Pirone also said that they were off to a good start, speaking of a mobile dentist visit, parent and grandparent lunches, and the mobile agricultural lab. The parents and grandparents lunch had roughly doubled in number. Grades two through seven were to be attending the ag lab this year, one grade more than the past year. This program had been cut out of the budget this year, but was being added again due to a generous grant from the Farm Bureau and the Friends of Agriculture Foundation

The district had also talked with Head Start about the opportunity to offer a pre-k program. It might begin in the spring.

The district had received good budget news. Some of the Special Education Cost with the Intermediate Unit had been returned, which represented a check for about $20,000. Elk Lake had also been the recipient of a rural and low income schools grant through the state, in the amount of $26,000 in total.

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) agreement with Trehab was approved. The only change with past SAP agreements was that the elementary level had been added due to state mandate.

The question was brought up regarding how long students were on the bus. This was part of a discussion regarding the schedule rearrangement to make up for a 5 bus reduction in fleet over the last few years. Some of the busses were at or near capacity. Dr. Cuomo answered that most of the students were on the bus for under an hour, and that he thought the longest was on the bus for an hour and ten minutes. They were trying to be as efficient as they could.

Mrs. Teel wanted to ask about the changes in the lunch. Mrs. Moore responded that there was a large waste of food. Under new regulations, the cafeteria had to give grades 9-12 1 cup of fruit. They were also required to serve students every color of vegetable, including a specific amount of red and orange vegetables. The cafeteria was going to try a new approach, giving so much fruit and so much juice, to see if this would lead to less waste. The students did not necessarily want the fruits and vegetables they were required to serve, and were thus simply throwing them away.

Dr. Bush asked her to give an update on the discussion of skim versus whole milk. She had heard that one state wasn’t going to follow it. She said that they didn’t want to either, and encouraged Mr. Tewkesbury to speak up in protest. The inspector however had told the district that if they didn’t abide by the regulation they would lose $300,000 plus $28,000 in government commodity and extra breakfast funding.

Mrs. Teel said that she thought they all agreed that they wanted kids to be healthy, but that they also didn’t want to lose money or send kids to drinking sugary drinks because they don’t want skim milk. Mr. Tewkesbury spoke about a study which demonstrated that obesity might be more of a problem if kids didn’t drink whole milk.

Mrs. Moore stated that they had over 50 kids that the cafeteria staff catered to due to dietary needs. The state did not require them to do so unless the child was handicapped, but they honored requests anyway because they did not want to send kids home sick. She also said that the district had cooked from scratch for 28 years, and spoke of how they were ahead of the game in this respect. They had also lowered their sodium levels.

She was asked by Mr. Place to tell those present what she had told him about what she had learned. She replied that the state said that a green banana was a vegetable, but a ripe banana was a fruit. Also, a beet is not considered a red vegetable, it’s considered an other.

The serving trays won’t even hold the portions which are mandated now. The staff would not be able to get deeper trays or the dishwasher wouldn’t clean them. This led to spills.

The question was asked as to whether or not there was a way to monitor waste. It was suggested that perhaps it could be watched, or pictures of garbage taken.

Mr. Emmerich said that the PIAA had started competitive cheerleading in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Place spoke of the widow of a long time board member, Kurt Kipar, who had passed away. He said that they were a great family, and asked people to keep them in mind.

MISC INVESTIGATION: On 08/02/2012, SLTPD was requested by a female living in Forest Lake Township to provide a police escort to get her belongings out of her residence. After an investigation this became a civil matter and the proper procedures were followed.

MVA: On 08/02/2012, SLTPD was notified for a car in a ditch on Progy Road in Silver Lake Township. Upon arrival and after investigation at the scene; it was determined that the owner of the vehicle was trying to get a description of an ATV which had been harassing his residence in NY State. A Broome County NY Sheriff‚s deputy also came on scene. No one was injured and the vehicle was removed from the ditch.

ROAD HAZARD/ROAD BLOCKED/TREES DOWN: On 08/04/2012, SLTPD responded to a tree down on Barney Road in Silver Lake Township. The tree blocked both lanes of the roadway. Silver Lake Fireman and SL Police cut up and removed the tree from the roadway.

FRAUD: On 08/04/2012, a Silver Lake Township resident discovered false claims against his VISA credit card. The false claims were reported and the victim recovered his money credit.

MISC INVESTIGATION: On 08/11/2012, a Tunkhannock resident alleges that a Forest Lake Township resident sold her disabled vehicle for junk without her knowledge or any notification. This incident is still under investigation.

UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A VEHICLE: On 08/13/2012, a Silver Lake Township resident reported that his girlfriend had his vehicle and was not returning with it in the timeframe agreed upon. After an investigation and contact was made by the complainant to the girlfriend; was it determined that only if the friend did not return on time would he call the police again.

FLEEING AND ELUDING: On 08/15/2012, a subject, know to be under driving suspension, fled an attempted traffic stop and went into NY State. He was, at a later date, arrested at his Silver Lake Township residence for multiple felony charges which occurred both currently and previously. He is incarcerated in the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility.

THEFT: On 08/15/2012, a Silver Lake Township resident reported theft of his vehicle by his spouse. This is an on-going domestic situation involving serious civil and felony criminal matters. Charges have been filed.

BURGLARY: On 08/27/2012, a Silver Lake Township resident reported that someone kicked in the front door and entered the residence while the occupants were sleeping. A key was known to some, but the chain bolt had to be torn apart to enter. Nothing was reported missing at this time. It appears the actors were looking for drugs.

SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE: On 08/30/2012, a suspicious vehicle was reported hanging around the Baptist Church on the Forest Lake Road in Forest Lake Township. After investigating and interviewing the caller; it was known that several vehicles had been hanging around late at night. A description of vehicles and a registration plate were obtained. This activity is still under investigation.

MISC INVESTIGATION: On 08/31/2012, a SLT resident reported that oversize trucks were blocking Nassar Road while they were unloading and loading equipment, making it difficult for him to travel back and forth on the road.

** Any information or questions for Silver Lake Township Police, please call 570-278-6818 or e-mail at silverlaketwppd@epix.net. All information will be held strictly confidential. You can look at the Silver Lake Township Website at silverlaketwp.org, to see all of Silver Lake Townships‚ news, profiles and resources, including the police reports.