i SSE EAR Ne Sunday, December 27, 2009 THEDALLAS POST PAGE 3 LAKE-LEHMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT Parents express concerns about security in schools By REBECCA BRIA rbria@timesleader.com Tammy Evans addressed the Lake-Lehman School Board Monday evening in front of a standing-room only crowd with concerns about security at the ju- nior/senior high school. Evans, a parent from Lehman Township, wanted to know if the district would continue to pro- vide an on-site police officer at the school. She also inquired about metal detectors, unlocked doors and locker accessibility af- ter school hours. Lake-Lehman officials can- celled classes at the junior/se- nior high school on Dec. 10 fol- lowing the murder of Herbert Lee Sr., 80, at his Lake Township home. Herbert Lee was allegedly shot to death by his great-grand- son, Cody Lee, the day before. Cody Lee was a student at the school and his whereabouts were unknown as of late Dec. 9. Superintendent James McGov- ern said the district will continue to provide an on-site resource of- ficer at the junior/senior high school. McGovern said the dis- trict has had Lehman Township Police Officer Charlie Musial at the school daily. According to McGovern, the district plans to apply for funding to hire a police officer through the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools from the U.S. Dept. of Education. McGovern said the district does have a metal detector wand which has been in use since the incident. The district does not have a walk-through metal detec- tor, but the superintendent said he has received offers from other districts to loan their walk- through detectors. “While we have not found weaponry or anything of that na- ture, we have found other things such as tobacco products,” he said. McGovern said the only time a door to the school could possibly be left open is if a member of the faculty or administration props one open to quickly go outside. He said the only way to fix this is- sue is to address it with school personnel and enforce it. Evans said she was also con- cerned about students accessing their lockers after school. The lockers are off limits via a gate; however, students can get around the gate by going through the cafeteria. McGovern and the board made a note of the issue. McGovern added that a recent security audit of the district’s schools showed a problem only at Lehman-Jackson = Elementary School. The school has some classrooms without doors and it was recommended to the district that doors be installed. Ross Elementary project Sam Scarantino, of Quad3 Inc., updated the board on the status of the Ross Elementary Expan- sion Project. Scarantino said the roof is 90 percent complete and the masonry is 100 percent com- plete. The contractor hoped to have the building enclosed by Christmas, Scarantino said. According to Scarantino, the overall completion of the project will be a little later in January be- cause of an equipment issue. Scarantino also notified the board that $1,000 in copper pip- ing and a light post was stolen from the site. Ross Elementary Principal Donald James said a basketball backboard and hoop were also stolen. The board voted to table a vote to disburse payments in the amount of $305,567.85 for the project until a cost report is pro- duced by the contractor for a pump station and moving of dirt. Donation Representatives from the Ross Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization presented the board with a check for $20,000 to be used for the new playground that is part of the school’s expansion project. Personnel Michelle Russo, of Shaver- town, was hired as a professional employee with an initial assign- ment of elementary autism teacher at a salary of $39,179. Alysia Jones, of Edwardsville, and Kathryn Mullins, of Wyom- ing, were appointed as temporary professional employees effective Jan. 4, 2010 and Jan. 22, 2010, re- spectively, with an initial assign- ment of elementary intervention specialist. Jones will have a pro- rated salary at the master’s level and Mullins’ salary will be one- half the bachelor’s plus 24 level. Music positions filled for the current school year include sec- ondary spring musical director, Gina Major; elementary spring musical director, Patrick Stanley; and indoor percussion instructor, Albert DeFrancesco. Also hired were Dawn Vitach, of Harveys Lake, as a part-time custodian at Ross Elementary School for the 3 to 8 p.m. shift ata rate of $9.50 per hour; and Patri- cia Hoover, of Dallas, as a full- time custodian at the junior/se- nior high school for the 2:30 to 11:30 shift at a rate of $9.50 per hour. In addition, the board accepted the resignation of Diane Nevel as a part-time custodian at Ross Ele- mentary School. BACK MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP Members advised of “@ gas drilling in area By REBECCA BRIA rbria@timesleader.com Lehman Township supervi- sor Doug Ide informed mem- bers of the Back Mountain Community Partnership (BMCP) on Dec. 17 at Miser- icordia University about the lat- est natural gas drilling news in the area. The BMCP is an inter-munic- ipal group composed of Dallas, Franklin, Jackson, Kingston and Lehman townships and Dallas Borough. Ide attended a public infor- mation session by EnCana Oil and Gas Tuesday at Lake-Leh- man Junior/Senior High School. He and the other Leh- man Township supervisors have also met with EnCana rep- resentatives. Ide learned WhitMar Explo- ration Company has leased 24,000 acres of property in the northwestern part of Luzerne County, mainly on the north side of Route 118 in Fairmount, Ross, Lake and Lehman town- ships. “The gas drilling is going to be here in the Back Mountain,” said Al Fox, BMCP president. “I thought it was quite alarming to hear the other day that 800 people signed up.” According to Ide, EnCana, which will do the natural gas drilling, hopes to form two ex- ploration wells in the county - one in Fairmount Township and one in Lehman Township —- if it receives the required per- mits. The wells will prove whether or not there is natural gas in the area. Ide says EnCana is willing to bond any road the township re- quests. Road deterioration and traffic from heavy trucks and machinery has been a common concern among the BMCP. “We're going to set some con- ditions on some roads we do not want traveled, specifically Old Route 115, Hillside Road,” vite representatives from EnCa- na to speak at the group’s Janu- ary meeting. In February, the BMCP will invite back Brian Oram, a geol- ogist and Wilkes University professor, to discuss what the municipalities should do to safeguard their drinking water and other issues related to drill- ing. Oram spoke at the BMCP’s September meeting and briefly touched on water’s involve- ment in natural gas drilling. Municipality contributions “'“The'' BMCP approved that each member municipality will contribute $300 to the group’s proposed 2010 operating bud- get. The budget is to cover gen- eral government administra- tion costs. Grant funding Joseph Chacke, of NEPA Alli- ance, said he is making pro- gress with the Department of Environmental Protection En- ergy Conservation Grant. Kingston and Lehman Town- ships and Dallas Borough were approved in November for the full $239,000 they applied for from the grant. The funds will be used for en- ergy-efficiency improvements in the municipalities’ buildings, including lighting, heating and door retrofits and door replace- ments. Chacke expects the projects to be ready to be bid in January or February. BMCP representative leaving Pat Peiffer, of Dallas Bor- ough Council, announced that it was her last BMCP meeting. Peiffer, who served on the bor- ough’s council for 20 years, most recently as president, is leaving council after Dec. 31 when her term expires. Peiffer was the secretary and treasurer for the BMCP. Her po- sition will be filled when the Ide said. BMCP reorganizes at its Janu- BMCP officials decided toin- ary meeting. CIVIC BRIEFS Music Box of “The Warrington Family slates auditions Auditions for “American Stars of Tomorrow,” an origi- nal musical revue written and directed by Debbie Zehner, will be held at 7 p.m. on Mon- day, Dec. 28, and Tuesday, Dec. 29, at the Music Box Dinner Playhouse. All children and young adults ages 7-20 may audition and asked to bring sheet mu- sic of their choice. An accom- panist will be provided. Contra dance planned A New England Contra dance sponsored by the Chico- ry House and the Folklore Society will feature the music Band” and caller Bob Nichol- son at7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2, at the Church of Christ Uniting, Sprague Avenue, Kingston. No partner or previous experience is necessary. Ad- mission to the dance is $9 for adults and $25 for families. For more information, call 333-4007. Alzheimer's Support Group will meet The Dallas Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, in the chapel at the Meadows Nursing Center, 55 W. Center Hill Rd., Dallas. “The Littlest Christmas Tree” came to Gate of Heaven School as kindergarten and first-grade students presented their annual holiday program for friends and family members. Gina Kerrick played the Littlest Christmas Tree while Aidan Mate- os was Santa and Jordyn Dutko played the role of Mrs. Claus. Christmas Trees were played by Marcella Cantando, Claire Dough- erty, Marigrace Huntington, Isabella Locke, Dea Middleton, Lauren Ungvarsky and Emily Williams. Dea Middleton, left, wonders at the costume worn by Emily Wil- liams, center, during the Gate of Heaven School annual kindergar- ten and first-grade holiday performance. Ava Rose Fino, left, and Alex Hajowski play Mary and Joseph in the play. CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK PHOTOS/ FOR THE DALLAS POST Spelling out the word Christmas during the Gate of Heaven holiday program are, from left, Mallory McGeehan, Hunter Wesolowski, Gabriella Randazzo, Jacob Baldrica, Michael Murray, Nicholas Finarelli, Charles Swepston, Lorelei Centrella and John Kuderka. ‘The Littlest Christmas Tree” comes to Gate of Heaven School Playing the roles of Elves were Jacob Baldrica, Lorelei Centrella, Santino Diana, Nicholas Finarelli, Chad Honeywell, Ricky Hynick, John Kuderka, Brooke Martin, Gordan Matusavige, Mallory McGee- han, Michael Murray, Calli Ogurkis, Bryan Osipower, Gabriella Ran- dazzo, Brayden Rogowski, Charles Swepston, Adam Walp and Hun- ter Wesolowski. Janet Ghannam is teacher and Carolyn Suhocki is the classroom aide. Brooke Martin takes time to wonder at trees, stars and candy canes during the Gate of Heaven annual kindergarten and first- grade Christmas play. Playing the part of the Three Kings are, from left, Colin Marshall, Jake Pizzollato and Daniel Drost.
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