L Vol. 115 No. 2 January 11 to January 17, 2004 Dallas girls get a big win. Page 7 i SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF THE DALLAS & LAKE-LEHMAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS Dallas will boost grading scale By ERIN YOUNGMAN Post Staff DALLAS TWP. — Dallas School District administrators said last week a simple change in the grading system could mean more &ornities for graduates to ob- in scholarships and entrance into choice colleges. Assistant Superintendent Michael Speziale said students are being unfairly disadvantaged and urged the board to change the sys- tem as soon as possible. While other districts churn out seniors with 4.0 averages, ex- plained Speziale, Dallas’ grading system makes it nearly impossible for students to achieve the honor. Consequently, Dallas students may lose out on valuable scholar- ships and admittance to the most prestigious schools — not because they are not qualified, but because Dallas has a grading system incon- sistent with those used by univer- sities and colleges. “Generally, at universities and colleges around the country when you get an A, you get a 4.0. We don’t do it that way,” said Speziale. In most districts, students can accumulate a 4.0 average by earn- ing A’s in their courses, typically by scoring in the mid 90s or high- er. To earn a 4.0 average at Dallas, students have to earn not just A’s, but a perfect 100 percent in every course they take from ninth grade on. That is something Speziale said to his knowledge has never occurred at Dallas. He said the district sends an ex- planation of its grading system along with each student’s tran- script. However, after canvassing universities and colleges including the University of Pennsylvania, Villinova, Pennsylvania State Uni- versity, Bucknell, Misericordia and others, he was told including the explanation is not enough. “One admissions counselor told See GRADING, pg 3 Format now makes us look ‘not as smart’ By ERIN YOUNGMAN Post Staff SHAVERTOWN — Had Dr. Debora Miller not moved her family from New Jersey, she believes her daughter who graduated from Dallas High School last year, would have had more college opportuni- ties. Miller's daughter was one of five students to graduate from the school in 2003 having earned all A’s. In the New Jersey district she moved out of, as well as other districts in the Wyoming Valley, her daughter would have had the prestigious honor of See SMART, pg 3 The perils of a student director By CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Post Correspondent It’s not easy being a student director. Just ask Lake-Lehman High School senior Stephen Lunderman, who is‘in charge of “The Night Thoreau Spent In Jail,” which will be present- d next weekend at Lake-Noxen Elementary chool. “It’s fun sitting down at auditions, picking and choosing people, but so far nine people have already dropped out, some because they didn’t like their parts. Some worked so hard on their monologues, and when they weren't picked they thought I was the worst person in the world.” The play is focused on the night Henry David Thoreau, played by Craig Thomas, spent in jail and the memories and dreams that come from his conversations with his cellmate Bailey, played by Jake Davies. Selecting actors presented Lunderman with a quandary. POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK “You have two options casting, either taking Stephen Lunderman showed Mandy Boyle the right way — his way — to hold an owl at a rehearsal for people who have acted in past productions or jinding new talent,” he said. One success was casting Bryan Cardillo, a freshman who had never acted before. Lunderman enjoys “blocking” plays; that is, telling the actors where to move on stage, to make an entrance here or to “do it this way.” And Lunder- man is proud to have changed one lead character from Edward Emerson to Elizabeth Emerson to al- low more women in the cast. Lunderman began acting lessons in grade school, the play that is Lunderman’s senior project at Lake-Lehman High School. and became involved in technical theater while in Texas. He was inspired last year at Lake-Lehman by student director and friend Austin Williams. See DIRECTOR, pg 3 Contentious start for SUPErvisors By RONALD BARTIZEK Post Staff KINGSTON TWP. — Judging by the tone at the January 5 reorganiza- tion meeting of supervisors, a new board lineup wont completely elimi- E—— nate the rancor Meetings that characterized this week township affairs over the last sev- Monday eral months. 6:30 p.m. - Execu- After the meet- tive session to dis- ing was over, the cuss personnel mat- new supervisors ters expressed modest Monday goals for the com- 7 p.m. - Supervisors ing year. The work session most important is Wednesday ‘restoring the 7:30 p.m. - Supervi- Pride and integri- sors regular meeting ty that was Kingston Town- ship,” said Jeff Box. Dave Jenkins wants to “watch car fully over spending” by working with township Manager Eddie O'Neill to postpone expenditures where possible and to make sure spending matches revenue as the year goes on. Chris Yankovich, the new chairman, See KINGSTON, pg 2 Supervisors authorized to seek outside auditing help By VICKI KEIPER Post Correspondent JACKSON TWP. - The township supervisors can go shopping for an outside auditor. The supervisors unanimously ap- proved an ordinance January 5 that would allow the board to seek propos- als for an independent auditor. Elect- ed auditors have been doing the job until now, but they could use some help, said township Solicitor Jeffrey Malak. “Everything’s much more compli- cated,” Malak said Wednesday. “I think we're getting caught up to the 21st century.” Resolution 1 of 2004 states that the board can enter into a contract with a certified or competent public account- ant who will “audit the fiscal affairs of the township independently of elected or appointed auditors.” Malak explained that the resolution allows the board to consider applica- tions and proposals from certified public accountants; a separate: ordi- nance would be needed in order to ac- cept proposals from the independent auditor. Chairman John J. Wilkes, Jr. said the township auditors would oversee the outside auditor’s work and would be responsible for bringing issues to the board. He also said the arrange- ment would make it easier for the au- ditors to double check their numbers. “We're making sure they have the proper tools,” Wilkes said. Three auditors were elected in No- vember, 2003; Todd Paczewski for six years; Andrew Salko for four years, and John Bobersky for two years. The state limits the pay rate for elected auditors to $7 per hour. Town- ship Secretary Joy Bird said a total of about $600 was paid to auditors in 2003. : The board also agreed to renew its agility agreement with the Pennsylva- See JACKSON, pg 2 Ready to take &:harge Greg Skrepenak, who lives in Dallas, shared a laugh with a supporter as he waited to descend the steps at the Luzerne County Courthouse. Skrepe- nak and Todd Von- derheid were sworn in earlier on Janu- ary 5, before host- ing a public party to kick off their terms as majority County Commissioners. POST PHOTO/RON BARTIZEK By M.B. GILLIGAN Post Correspondent Jeff Pace is a man for all sports and seasons Finn was DALLAS — Jeff Pace seems to be everywhere, yet finds time to give individual attention to every- one he comes in contact with. “Our paths have crossed con- stantly over the years,” said Flo- Volunteers a guidance counselor Making our and coach community strong. at Lake- If you know someone Lehman who might make agood = High example, call 970-7157. School un- til her re- rence “Flossy” Finn, Dallas, of Pace. “When I coached softball, he was there. I've seen him coach DYB (Dallas Youth Basketball) and soccer games. When I went to a hockey game recently, he brought me a Coke and a bag of popcorn. Now, he’s my physical therapist, and he is always such a nice guy.” tirement. She first met Jeff there when he held the first athletic trainer position in the Wyoming Valley Conference. She sang his praises in a recent letter to The Post. “I remember one time when I was coaching at the Keystone Games and we had an injured See VOLUNTEER, pg 11 FOR THE POST/PETE G. WILCOX Dol hear ... ? Auctioneer Steve Traver took bids on a piece of art work during the New Year's Day Auction at Traver’s Auction in Dallas. The seventh annual event drew hun- dreds of bidders and buyers with a wide range of antiques, collectibles and other items. Eric Petrow held the item up for all to see. ¥ INSIDE THE Post 12 Pages, 1 Section Calendar Visioning meeting Jan. 15 Dallas Community Visioning group will hold a meeting for general purposes on Thurs- day January 15 at 7 p.m. in the Kennedy Lounge of the Banks Center the campus of College Misericordia. Participants are urged to attend to consider Task Force committee initiatives for 2004, including planning for the 2004 Dallas Harvest Festi- val, traffic projects, master plan projects and downtown revitalization efforts. ¥ How To Reach Us News: 675-5211 thepost@leader.net 15 N. Main St. Wilkes-Barre PA 18711 Advertising: 970-7102 Subscriptions and Delivery: 829-5000
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