Clarion Area Approves Co-op Program with C-L Junior High Football; More Forthcoming?

Ron Wilshire

Ron Wilshire

Published September 13, 2018 4:45 am
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CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — The Clarion Area School Board unanimously approved a cooperative sports agreement for Junior High Football, adding Clarion-Limestone, during Tuesday night’s board meeting.

All costs of individual students participating will be paid by the Clarion-Limestone School District. This is the only cooperative junior high football agreement for Clarion; however, the school does have a cooperative agreement for varsity football with North Clarion High School. The cooperative agreement came about after a request was received from the Clarion-Limestone School District because of the low number of players trying out for junior high football at the school. The measure was implemented to ensure C-L students would have junior high football this season.

Asked if Clarion was having any ongoing talks with C-L regarding its varsity program, Clarion Area Superintendent Mike Stahlman said they may be forthcoming.

“Not yet, but I understand that they may be forthcoming,” said Stahlman. “Until it happens, I won’t comment on that. There are certainly some benefits to our student-athletes, their student-athletes, and the school districts for not only football but others sports and programs. You have to get the parties to the table.”

Costs will depend on the number of students on the football team. There are between 14 and 17 students right now from C-L.

According to Stahlman, “Once we get that locked down we will know what the cost per student will be,” noting that C-L decided to pay the cost per student.

“North Clarion is an entirely different type of cooperative agreement where the parents pay for their students,” Stahlman continued. “They never had football and approached us and asked to join us in football in the decision and creating that co-op was the parents would be responsible for the costs. They do get some sponsorship for things like transportation from neighboring businesses — similar to here. The North Clarion parents are an active part of our football boosters and our program. We have that same agreement for wrestling.”

Clarion Area also has a cooperative agreement for wrestling and soccer with Clarion-Limestone with boys’ soccer hosted by C-L and wrestling and girls’ soccer hosted by Clarion.

A few points in the agreement include:

  • That the name of the team shall be the Bobcats and the colors shall be orange and black;
  • Staffing and program changes shall be done by the authority of the Clarion Area Board of Education;
  • Parents of Clarion-Limestone participants may become members of, and participate in, the Clarion Area Boosters Club; and
  • All students who participate shall abide by all rules of eligibility as established by their respective districts.

View Full Clarion/Clarion-Limestone Football Co-op Agreement

In other news, Chris Curry reported fundraising efforts or purchasing a new piano have reached $6,250.00, approximately two-thirds of the amount needed when presented at last month’s school board meeting. The board agreed to match the fundraising efforts.

Field trips for high school  (Field Trips 18-19 High School) and the elementary school (2018-2019 Elem Field Trip Requests) were approved for the 2018-19 school year.  Complete schedules are available via the above links.

The board approved the acceptance of three tuition students for Clarion Area — one 12th grader from Union School District; one 10th grader from Clarion-Limestone School District; and one fourth grader from Keystone School District. The cost of annual tuition is $3,600.00, with a discount for more than one student from the same family.

A building project change order for the Clarion Area Elementary Building was approved to deal with domestic water lines.

A proposal to paint two remaining large doors at the school’s entrance was unanimously rejected. The proposal was to paint two sets of doors at a cost of $6,703.00. The project may be considered for next summer. Stahlman advised board members that there are still corrections that may be needed in the elementary renovation and delaying the painting of the doors would allow the district a cushion in paying additional charges.

In other business, the board:

  • Accepted the resignation of Carol L’Insalata, Paraprofessional for the purpose of retirement effective May 24, 2018.
  • Approved the resignation of Matt Ligett, Jr. High Wrestling Coach.

Approved the following appointments:

  • Jessica Gourley – From 79 percent to 100 percent (for Title I)
  • Rachel Roberts — Food Services Worker $9.80/Hr
  • Noelle Fretts – Part-time Paraprofessional $10.00/Hr
  • Stacy Deemer – Part-time Paraprofessional $10.00/Hr
  • Tiffany Fox — Part-time Paraprofessional $10.00/Hr
  • Grant Traister — Full-Time Custodial $9.50/Hr start date 9/24/18 pending clearances
  • Rosary Pennington — Head Track & Field Coach (Step 3 $3,462)

Approved the following volunteers:

  • FOOTBALL: Seth Nellis, Jacob Selker, Todd Matthews, and Corry Bish
  • BOYS BASKETBALL: Tom Lewis
  • WRESTLING: Matt Liggett
  • SOFTBALL: Matthew Best and Dave Constantino

Attending the meeting were Hugh Henry, President, Melissa Anderson, Vice President, Julie Hartley, Board Treasurer, Dave Estadt, Shane Kriebel, Julie McCormick, Zachary Shekell, and Braxton White.

Scheduled public October meetings include a work session on October 2 and a regular board meeting on October 9.

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