MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Area School Board passed a motion Thursday night to eliminate the kindergarten program next school year before later agreeing to operate the program with federal Title I funds so it won't be a financial burden on the district.
Shamokin Area School Board agreed last week to do the same thing with its kindergarten program.
Shortly after passing a motion to eliminate kindergarten for next year, the board adjourned for a brief executive session before reconvening and voting in favor of operating the kindergarten program with Title I funds instead of general fund money.
After the meeting, Acting Superintendent Bernie Stellar said the district is paying
approximately $420,000 to operate kindergarten, which has an estimated enrollment of 170 students in seven sections.
Stellar said shifting the program's budget was done for financial reasons.
The board voted to increase full-paid lunch ($1.60), adult and Head Start lunch ($2.60) and ala carte items, excluding milk, by 10 cents next school year, while maintaining the same prices for full-paid breakfast ($1), reduced breakfast (30 cents) and reduced lunch (40 cents).
Directors agreed to renew a food service contract with Nutrition Inc., which projects a financial return of $19,400 for the 2012-2013 school year. Summer lunch will be served under the contract.
The board agreed to notify retirees of a decision by the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit to eliminate the Traditional and Keystone Health Plan medical insurance plans for retirees from the district. Financial consultant Charles Mannello said retirees can now only choose Geisinger Health Plan or the PPO option offered by the CSIU.
Directors approved the purchase of a 2000 International 36-passenger school bus at a cost of $1,500 and to use the district's 2000 GMC 16-passenger school bus as a trade-in.
The board accepted the retirement of high school nurse Joyce Cheddar, effective June 6.
Custodians John Matejick of Marion Heights and Gerard Koveleskie of Connorsville were recognized by the board for assisting five teens injured in a March 28 accident along Beaverdale Highway near Mount Carmel Area Elementary School involving a drunk driver.
Stellar said Matejick and Koveleskie did a "great job" comforting the teens until emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene.