By CHARLOT M. DENMON
Post Correspondent
The recent decision of Dallas
School District administrators to
transfer ecology instructor Wayne
Hughes from the senior to the junior
high school next year brought a
large crowd of protestors to the
board meeting last Monday night.
Approximately 200 students, gradu:
ates, taxpayers and teachers turned
out in support of Hughes.
Statements made by students,
parents and teachers attested to the
fact that Hughes not only teaches
the ecology program but that ‘‘he”
is the program.
Announcement that Hughes was
to be transferred to the junior high
came on the heels of the: district’s
decision to close two elementary
schools and cut several programs to
avoid an increase in tax millage for
the 1983-84 year. Cutbacks were
alleged to be necessary in order to
meet the increase in teachers’ sala-
ries included in the three-year
agreement of the Dallas Education
Association (DEA) passed in April
by the vote of five members of the
board.
Few taxpayers at the meeting
were willing to accept the explana-
tion given by Superintendent of
Schools, Dr. Richard Shipe, and
high school principal, Edgar
Hughes, that the ecology instructor
was not the only one to be evaluated
and taken into consideration for
. transfer.
As one mother stated, ‘‘In today’s
society when ecology is a major
issue throughout our country and in
all parts of the world, it is beyond
comprehension why the Dallas
School District would transfer a
dedicated, experienced ecologist
such as Wayne Hughes from the
Fir
senior high school program where
he has done so much to further its
importance to our students. He is
ecology, his dedication is trans-
ferred to the kids.”
William Helgemo, science depart-
ment chairman, stated that his con-
cern is for the science program. He
requested that the board give con-
sideration to keeping Hughes in his
present position.
In answer to Director Joseph
O'Connell’s query whether Hughes
was the only person qualified to
teach ecology, Helgemo replied that
Hughes was the only one with the
expertise and pizazz to continue the
program. He said his concern is
that without Hughes the ecology
course will die.
Asked what his recommendation
would be, Helgemo suggested that
one ninth grade section be moved to
the senior high for biology and other
science programs at the junior high
be handled by a part-time teacher.
Daniel Poorman, junior high princi-
pal, said he didn’t believe that was
feasible but that he would consider
looking at two part time science
teachers at the junior high, thus
allowing Hughes to remain at senior
high school.
Many students spoke favorably on
Hughes’ dedication and ‘knowledge
of ecology and how he had helped
them. Kirsten Marquart, East
Stroudsburg State College environ-
mental science major, told the
board that “Wayne Hughes is the
ecology program’’ and that her col-
lege advisor thinks highly of
Hughes. Eric. Johnson, Wilkes Col-
lege graduate, said that Hughes is
the ‘driving force” of the ecology
program.
One mother stated that five of her
seven students had been in Hughes’
ecology classes and had only the
highest praise for him:
Fred Templin, instructor in phys-
ics at senior high, reminded the
board that when the jointure was
formed it was for the purpose of
cutting administrative costs and
adding more programs for. the stu-
dents. “Today the district seems to
be going in the opposite direction,”
he said.
John Booth, Pa. Game Commis-
sion, stated that Hughes had to
organize his own format for the
ecology course and has done an
excellent job of teaching a difficult
subject.
Wayne Hughes initiated the ecol-
ogy course in 1974 with 21 students.
In 1975, 50 students signed for the
course and each year since increas-
ing numbers have registered for the
course. This year, an additional 30
students signed up for the 1983-84
Advanced Ecology Class. Under
Hughes’ direction, ecology has been
the largest drawing elective course
in the high school.
Many students who were on the
borderline of deciding whether or
not to attend college decided to do
so after taking ecology and have
become straight academic students.
Former Dallas graduates are now
in marine biology, geology, environ:
mental science, forestry, wild life
management and agriculture as
well as other ecology fields.
Hughes puts in a full day every
school day. He has five classes each
day and, since he teaches chemistry
as well as ecology, he has two
chemistry labs as well two days a
week.
Marine ecology, soil ecology,
water pollution, land pollution, sur-
vival, backpacking, plight of the
bluebird, are only a few of the
projects covered in the ecology
classes.
The instructor recommended to
take. Hughes’ place as ecology
teacher is Jack Jones, former
»
By CHARLOT M. DENMON
Post Correspondent
Michele Eason is a versatile
young lady. A talented artist, horse-
back rider, tennis player, employee
in her dad’s business and business
accounting student at Sweet Valley
Christian Academy, Michele enjoys
each of the above.
The daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
James Eason of Idetown, she is a
junior at Sweet Valley Christian
Academy. She attended Lake-
Lehman schools until she completed
seventh grade, then transferred to
Dallas Christian School for a year
before registering at the Sweet
Valley School.
Recently, Michele placed first in
the state water color art competi-
tion at Camp of the Nations. She
entered a painting she did while
studying the past year under the
direction of Sue Hand, Dallas.
In the first competition held at
Sue Hand's studio, Michele’s work
* decided fo enter the state competi-
tion mentioned above and, as a
result, won first place. Michele then
entered the international competi-
tion at North Texas University,
fifth place. /
The water color is a painting of
the American Flag draped over a
stained glass window and included
is a Bible. The young artist
describes it as a patriotic and Chrjs-
tian painting but has no special ti ‘
for the water color.
Michele first studied art when sie
was seven years old but after ¢ix
months gave it up until this pst
year when she began studying w th
Sue Hand.
“She is terrific,”’ said Michele. ‘I
have learned a lot this year and I
plan to continue studying with her
even as an adult.”
Aad
Much as she enjoys art, however,
Michele’s first love is her Arabian
quarter horse, ‘‘Bonnie Bint’, a
dark chestnut, nearly black Arabian
which she enters in various horse
shows. The horse has won several
times but was ridden by a friend of
Michele's.
“She was well trained when I
bought her,” said Michele. ‘I ride
her but I need to learn more about
riding her in horse shows. I love to
work with her and she is an impor-
tant part of my life.”
Tennis also is a favorite pastime
of Michele’s, but not competitive
tennis. She says she enjoys playing
just for the fun of the sport. ‘I don’t
want to play in competition, that
makes it work not fun,” said the
junior miss.
A great deal of her leisure time
outside of school is spent working
with her father in his hardware
store located in Dallas. Michele
checks in shipments of merchan-
dise, stocks the shelves, does inven-
tories, takes care of customers and
is an excellent public relations rep-
resentative for her dad.
Following graduation from the
Academy, Michele plans to attend
college, preferably Penn State or
Luzerne County Community College
MICHELLE EASON
where she will study commercial
art and business accounting.
Following completion of college,
she plans to enter the business with
her father and, when he retires,
assume ownership. Until that time,
Michele will continue in art, horse-
manship and her other favorite
activities probably adding several
as the next year goes by.
Dallas High School football coach
and a math teacher. Jones also will
be given a biology course to teach in
addition to his math classes.
There is no doubt that Jones has
good rapport with the students but
there is great doubt in the minds of
many whether his physical health
will allow him to undertake many: of
the strenuous projects carried out
by Hughes. Survival courses, back-
packing, trail hiking, stream
wading and other outdoor projects
of the course are strenuous and only
for those in good physical condition.
Without these projects there would
be no interest on the part of the
students is the opinion of other
students, instructors and parents.
Director O’Donnell said that he
personally would support every
effort to Keep the program viable
including keeping . Hughes as
instructor. He received overwhelm-
ing applause from the audience. He
recommended that the education
committee comprised of Shawn
Murphy, Russell Havey and O’Don-
nell explore all alternatives in detail
and make a full recommendation to
the board.
Director Pat Gregory stated she
believed the entire beard should
vote on the decision at the June 30
general meeting. Dr. Shipe said he
did not agree with that idea.
Following adjournment of the
meeting, taxpayers lingering in the
room voiced their opinion that since
they elected the board members to
represent them and make decisions
they should be the ones to do so, not
the superintendent nor his assist-
ants. Some of them were not aware
of how many administrators were
employed by the district, who they
were or where they resided. They
questioned whether the district
needed so many since there is
reported to be a decline in enroll-
ment.
By CHARLOT M. DENMON
Post Correspondent
Several hundred irate taxpayers
attended the Lake-Lehman School
Board meeting Tuesday, June 14, to
protest “the proposed tax increase
announced by the board in May.
The increase proposed by the board
at that time was 18 mills over the
present 98 mills paid by the district
taxpayers.
Finance chairman Thomas Wil-
liams told the audience that board
members had spent many hours at
meetings and had succeeded in
bringing the millage down from 116
to 106.5. He said the board is contin-
uing to look for additional cuts
wherever possible before the final
budget is submitted for approval by
the June 30 deadline.
Leonard Bolinski told the board
that during the past seven years,
Township
May Get
Lights
By JANE C. BOLGER
Post Correspondent
The rush hour traffic on Route 309
will: be greatly alleviated if Kings-
ton Township receives final
approval on their ECONS grant.
Plans call for an increase in
traffic flow in the Carverton Road
and Harris Hill Road areas by
installing time based coordinated
traffic control units.
Translated, this means that
motorists won't be stopped by two
red lights two minutes apart. The
new traffic lights would be pro-
grammed to operate in a predomi-
nately green light pattern for high-
way traffic southbound during
morning peak hours with north-
bound traffic being given the advan-
tage during the evening rush hour.
The new equipment would also
activate left hand turn signals only
if there were vehicles in the turn
lanes. Traffic loops would also be
installed as part of this project
which is expected to be done at a
cost of $14,000.
The grant request from Kingston
Township has won first place for all
of Luzerne County in’ the Energy
Conservation Congestion Reduction
and Safety Program competition.
The cost effectiveness of the grant
is rated very high, according to
Kingston Township Manager Mark
Kunkle who estimated that the
project is likely to be funded in 1984
subject to winning final approval in
this statewide competition for funds.
Lake Pub.
taxes have increased 100. percent
and that the present board is contin-
uing in the same footsteps. He: told
them that it is the taxpayers who
suffer, not the directors.
The taxpayers questioned how
many of the board members owned
property and were paying taxes
within the district but none of them
answered with the exception of Dr.
David Preston, Superintendent, who
said that he owns property in the
district’ and pays taxes.
Stanley Magalski and John Reed,
on behalf of the taxpayers,
requested the resignation of Dr.
Preston and Raymond Bowersox,
business ‘manager, but the board
refused to take action on the
request.
The vocal audience also protested
the salaries paid to the six adminis-
trators of the district and two per-
sons in the audience, one a candi-
date for director in the primary,
asked Preston why he didn’t take a
cut in his salary of $43,200 if money
was tight.
“In today’s economic erisis I have
to tighten my belt, why can’t you?”
asked the unsuccessful candidate.
Preston refused to answer either
person and board president Allen
Sorchik said that Preston was not
obligated to answer the questioners.
Sorchik was elected president to fill
the position left vacant by the resig-
nation of Kenneth Williams. Wil-
liams recently announced his resig-
nation because he did not believe
his work was appreciated by the
voters.
The board will continue working
on the budget which will be adopted
sometime between June 23 and June
30.
- As reported earlier this month,
Jay Zaleskas, senior high school
assistant principal, was appointed
principal to fill the position of the
late James Nicholas. John Oliver
was appointed assistant principal.
Sr. Therese Marie Marques, RSM,
of Dallas, a Sister of Mercy from
the Province of Scranton, has
received a $7,000 grant from MIVA,
the Missionary Vehicle Association.
MIVA was founded in 1927 and
MIVA-America was established in
1972 to provide grants to American
missionaries throughout the world
to purchase vehicles as diverse as
pickup trucks, motorcycles, automo-
biles and even an oxcart and a team
of oxen. ®
The MIVA grant will be used for a
1
car that will be reliable transporta-
tion for Sr. Therese and her col-
leagues in Georgetown, Guyana,
South America. For 88 years, the
Sisters of Mercy have provided a
variety of services to the people
there, including education, social
work, agriculture and health care.
They presently teach on all levels
from nursery school through univer-
sity, maintain the only Catholic
hospital, an orphanage, as well as
an interior mission among the Indi-
ans.