C-L teacher talks scheduled tonight

There is a ray of hope in the prolonged contract dispute between Clarion-Limestone Area School District and its teachers.

C-L school board vice president Terry Leadbetter characterized the latest round of talks as a “good negotiation session” as he gave an update during Monday’s school board meeting.

Clarion-Limestone Area Education Association president Andrea Deible said another bargaining session is scheduled tonight.

The teachers have been working without a contract since June 30, 2018.

C-L teacher Rhonda Shook, who is not on the negotiating team, said at Monday’s school board meeting she had attended meetings where negotiations were discussed and it was her understanding there had not been a great deal of progress.

C-L teachers, through their career earnings, rank sixth out of seven school districts in Clarion County.

In other business Monday, school board member Mike Meals provided a report on the progress of the football co-op agreement between the C-L and Clarion Area school districts.

Meals said the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association has approved the agreement. Meals also said coaches Larry Wiser and Davey Eggleton are developing job descriptions for the assistant coaches.

Meals said Wiser and Eggleton are scheduling “mingling” events for the players from both schools.

“They are trying to get things started on a good note,” Meals said.

Meals said the booster clubs from both schools are working on coordinating events. Also being discussed are homecoming events and senior night.

Meals said it was a “general discussion” with nothing decided at this time. He said there was “some discussion” about cheerleading and the band.

Meals said another meeting with Clarion Area is scheduled next week.

In a related issue, the board approved the renewal of the athletic training agreement with Clarion Rehabilitation Services to provide a full-time athletic trainer for the 2019-2020 school year at a total cost of $32,114.95. That is an increase from the current rate of $30,976.25.

Several board members questioned the need for a trainer to attend football games if Clarion Area was also supplying a trainer.

Superintendent Amy Glasl said the trainer would be for the entire district and would attend volleyball games and other events during the football season.

The board unanimously approved the new contract.

The board approved two projects from the capital projects fund – a main gas valve on the high school boiler at a cost of $5,333.98 and 25 LED lights at a cost of $8,372.31.

The panel will also be seeking bids for resurfacing the high school parking lot and expanding the elementary school parking lot.

The board held an executive session during the meeting to discuss personnel issues.