CLARION, Pa. – The broad spectrums of challenges and issues facing any school board were on full display at the August meeting of the Clarion School Board.
Deciding to advertise for an additional part-time Title 1 teacher, replacing a 51-year-old Steinway Grand Piano, and renewing a contract with Clarion University to use Memorial Stadium were some of the issues dealt with in the two-hour meeting.
Title 1 is a 100 percent federally-funded supplemental education program that provides financial assistance to local school districts to improve educational opportunities for educationally-deprived children.
Kelly Foust and Roger Walter of Clarion’s Title 1 program presented a requested approval for an additional part-time teacher to help better meet the needs of the 51 students participating in Tier 3 of Title 1, the neediest of students.
“We’re getting to the point now where we have 51 students in Tier 3 and they are not getting the services that we would like to give them,” said Walters, Clarion Elementary Principal.
“We’re interested to see if you would consider a part-time title teacher and with the recent move into school-wide title status, it won’t really affect the regular budget.”
Foust explained that in the first two tiers, all students get exactly what they need and are assessed in Tier 3, which is a need for some of them.
“I assess them and group them by life need and some are included in Tier 3,” said Foust. “We had some teachers stay (over) for recess and work with some kids, and that worked for a while. We have used every second of time from every single professional available at the elementary. Really, what we need right now is somebody specifically for the Tier 3 time.”
“We got significantly more money than last year from Title 1 funding than we’ve gotten in the last several years. It can’t be spent on anything paid for the district in the past, and the teacher has to work within the Title program.”
The program has demonstrated success as verified through results in the state-required PSSA tests.
“For example, Math PSAA numbers were in the 30 percent range, and we knew that was unacceptable,” continued Foust. “Just in the second grade, they went from 20 percent to 57 percent proficient. In third grade, they went from 40 to 71 percent, and in fourth grade, they went from 30 to 48 percent proficient. Our numbers show that our program is working.”
The Clarion School District worked to document its need and is now able to receive extra aid to meet the needs of its students.
“The change in demographics has certainly impacted us, and that was one of the things we saw coming through,” said Superintendent Mike Stahlman. “We’ve seen the need through the years, and now we’re seeing some financial help in meeting those needs.”
“We have plenty of ‘stuff,’ but I don’t think there’s any substitute for a good teacher.”
The school board voted to approve advertising for half-time Title 1 teacher and estimated the total cost for that position would be approximately $50,000.00, including benefits.
“All of our students in the elementary benefit from Title 1,” explained Stahlman. “We have 51 who are at Tier 3, our most needy kids, and we want to provide additional assistance.”
“There are two types of classifications. There’s a targeted Title 1 school, and only those students who qualify can receive those services. All monies have to be designated specifically for only those students and only the needs that they qualify for. In a school-wide title program, if you qualify as a school, which is where we’re now at based on our poverty levels and the needs of our students, and when you reach that level, all students are eligible to receive certain services through the use of those funds. You don’t have to have an identified need; you can help all students in multiple ways.”
Approval for advertising was a unanimous vote, including Todd Bauer, Dave Estadt, Hugh Henry, Julie McCormick, Braxton White, and Zachary Shekell.
Grand Piano will be replaced
Clarion’s Steinway Grand Piano arrived sometime in 1967, and little is know about it except that it has served students well on the stage since then, but music teachers Chris Curry and Sarah Maxwell have been investigating a possible replacement because as the song goes, “she ain’t what she used to be.”
Estimates varied, ranging a total rebuild cost of $55,000.00, a formal proposal of $88,000.00 with a trade-in from Steinway NY, an offer for a $20,000.00 trade-in from Modern Piano in Wexford, and a new seven-foot Scheme Grand at $39,687.00. The last dealer visited Valley Piano and Organ in Sharon proposed a refurbished Yamaha 1975 Grand Piano C7 for $18,890.00 with a trade of the current piano.
Curry asked the board to consider the proposal from Valley Piano and Organ and also proposed that half of the money be raised from fundraising and the school district funds the other half. The price of the piano also includes a warranty and delivery.
The Yamaha proposal was approved unanimously, and Curry said he hopes it arrives in time for the holiday concerts.
Football Track contract continues with Clarion University
A contract with Clarion University will allow Clarion Area football and track and field to continue at Memorial Stadium.
The 2018-19 contract is $2,000.00 for six games in 2018 at a total of $12,000.00. There is no additional charge for the use of track facilities for the initial term of this agreement. The facility will be used for home varsity football games, home track and field meets, track and field practices, and one practice using track per week for cross country practice. Click here for clarion football track contract.
