Zellefrow addressed the school district’s board of directors recently, and said her first goal is to reduce the waste created by unused food by looking at the purchasing habits.
She also plans to change food suppliers to ensure the district is saving as much as it can while maintaining quality.
Zellefrow also wants to improve student participation and satisfaction.
After studying a survey given to students and staff in February, Zellefrow spoke to several students.
“A lot of kids gave me good feedback, as well as the staff,” Zellefrow said. “We want to increase our participation, increase our lunch count, get our federal reimbursements up, and get our free and reduced lunches up.”
The free and reduced lunch program from the state allows eligible families to received lunches at a reduced price with free milk.
“I want to make sure we reach out to the community and let them know there is going to be a positive change coming,” Zellefrow said. “Overall, we want to improve our image.”
Zellefrow plans to put more focus on what the students are choosing to eat and take out what is not being eaten.
“There’s no point to us working harder when our kids aren’t satisfied,” Zellefrow said.
Stricter policies
High school principal William Jordan brought attention to several policies which will be reinforced.
The district has a policy banning students from using cellphones during school hours. If caught, they are to have the device taken from them and sent to the office.
Jordan received reports from teachers of students asking for a warning or a second chance if they are caught with their phone out.
“For the upcoming year, the policy will stand as the warning,” Jordan said. “If the students are then caught with their phone out during school hours, the device will be confiscated.”
Students are informed of the policy by Jordan at the beginning of the year as well by the teachers on the first day of every class.
“It is not my intention to go out seeking phones but a lot of the teachers have complained that this is a growing issue and is only getting worse,” Jordan said.
Another issue gaining attention among the staff is students not completing class assignments.
“We had some students with 10 to 15 assignments not completed and the only reason they are failing the course is because they are not doing these assignments,” Jordan said.
“The district administration wants to show their support for the student’s education by enforcing a policy regarding the issue.”
If a student does not complete three assignments, they will be referred to the office where they can be assigned an afternoon detention. This will allow the student to get some of the work done and stay focused on their academics.
Personnel changes
The school board accepted the resignation of elementary school principal and transportation director, John A. Giancola Jr.
Giancola has served the district for the past year and a half. He plans to move to Armstrong County with his family and work for the Armstrong County School District.
“I want to thank the board for this wonderful opportunity,” Giancola said. “They are in it for all the right reasons. (The board) cares about kids and that’s why they are there.”
The other personnel changes made at the meeting were:
n Meghan Dehart was hired as secretary to the high school principal on a 90-day probationary period;
n Edward Lance was hired as an IT technology support specialist with a salary of $30,000;
n Elizabeth Register was hired part time (15 hours per week) as the KtO secretary at an hourly rate of $11.11 contingent on the KtO Grant;
n Ashley Ruth was hired as a child specific aide on a 90-day probationary period at an hourly rate of $11.11.
n Kristen Hurrelbrink was hired as the secondary chemistry teacher at a salary of $49,144.