Administrators and board members strove to come to terms with smoking – specifically vaping – in school buildings for a second public meeting straight Aug. 13.

High school Principal Tamara Gray and middle school Vice Principal Amy Braxmeier provided anecdotal evidence specifically related to the vaping trend sweeping across the country as found in their own schools. According to Gray, vaping policies in particular are difficult to enforce because its use is less conspicuous due to the lack of smoke, scents that can be easily mistaken for those of perfumes and body sprays, and the size of the devices, such as those sold under the brand name Juul, which can be easily hidden in students’ clothing. Board Vice President Shamim Pakzad asked several questions related to statistical use of vapes among students and the effectiveness of diversion programs in place, suggesting year-over-year rates be compiled and studied in the future.

A number of personnel changes were approved with no contention among board members. Among the changes were the appointments of three new professionals: Amanda Holley as third grade teacher, Lauren Moyers as ELD teacher and Michael Vidumsky as high school mathematics teacher. Several support staff hirings as well as a few resignations were also unanimously approved.

While the majority of the motions throughout the meeting were approved with little-to-no dissent, a few topics did raise some concern from board members. Among the items on the agenda which received skepticism were the approval of a new Paranormal Investigation and Research club at the high school, as well as the attendance of board member Sandra Miller at the Pennsylvania School Board Association’s annual conference, to be held over three days at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Board member Bryan Eichfeld expressed his concern over both agenda items. Regarding the Paranormal club, his main concern was that it might not be appropriate for the school district to implicitly endorse activities relating to ghosts and paranormal. “I don’t feel that this is an appropriate student club,” he said. Gray approached the board to defend the creation of this club under the auspices of a school-endorsed extracurricular activity, stating “...it shows their initiative to start, to create, to do, to have an agenda to get things together... that initiative is what they need to develop.” She explained that it was a group of students who approached teacher Mario Marcozzi with this idea at the end of the prior school year. Ultimately, it was approved, with Eichfeld as the sole vote against.

In regards to the PSBA conference, it was the cost of lodging that Eichfeld objected to. “I have some strong feelings on this. The PSBA conference is being held at Hershey Lodge, which is a very fancy hotel... the registration is expensive because it’s a very expensive hotel.” Board member Michael Karabin expressed his agreement

“Just so you know, we would, I think, be the only school district in the entire commonwealth that doesn’t participate,” Miller responded. She then offered to provide the value and a list of services to the board at a future date in defense of their participation. Ultimately, the motion was approved with Eichfeld again the lone vote against.