-CARLYNTON-
By Sam Bigham
Members of the Carlynton Little Cougars Football and Cheerleading Association addressed Carlynton school directors Sept. 20 as to unexpected charges for use of the district’s high school field for home games.
Association Secretary Megan Griffin questioned the unexpected charges for using Honus Wagner Stadium in Carnegie to play home games.
According to Griffin, these charges come out to around $1,400 a game for custodial and maintenance work.
While other youth athletic programs are charged to use Carlynton facilities, this is apparently the first time the Little Cougars have been charged.
Nicole Ortiz, the youth organization’s treasurer, said the program cannot afford to cover the expenses.
School Board President Jim Schriver and Superintendent John Kreider agreed to suspend payment so the topic can be discussed further.
Ortiz went on to ask why there is not a better relationship between the school district and the community’s youth athletic programs. She hoped that the charge would be lowered so that the kids can continue to play on their school’s field.
School library Bibles
District resident Marlene Chioda made a return visit to address the board during its public comment session again asking the board of directors why they have not added the Bible or other Christian texts to the school’s libraries.
Schriver responded by explaining that the directors did not feel it was appropriate to pick one religion to “emphasize” when they run a public institution. The decision was also based on advice from the board’s solicitor, William Andrews Esq.
Chioda also questioned the presence of an LGBTQ club at the high school as she claimed it was anti-Christian and therefore inappropriate to have in school.
Kreider explained to Chioda that if students wanted to start a “Bible club” they could apply to create one and the principal would approve it.
Kreider went on to explain that there is interest among students to have an LGBTQ club and that is why Carlynton has one.
In other school news,
• All three schools have been practicing safety drills including “fire, violent intruder lockdowns, evacuations, reverse evacuations, and so on,” said Kreider, who also met with area first responders to review the district’s emergency response plans. Kreider said the goal of this was “to have solid communication with our first responders.”
• Carnegie Elementary is having a “surge” in kindergarten enrollment, according to Kreider. This led to the board’s decision to hire a new kindergarten teacher at Carnegie. District enrollment stands at 1,250 students in grades K through 12.
• Carnegie Elementary will have a new principal, Jenna Mozzocio. She will replace outgoing principal Lauren Baughman and current interim principal John McAdoo.
• Directors agreed to raise the wage of substitute food service, maintenance and custodial workers to $14 an hour to alleviate staff shortages.
• Pennsbury Village will be made “a temporary shelter site in the event of a natural disaster.”
• Carlynton Education Foundation will host its annual golf outing on Oct. 1 at Shadow Lakes Golf Club in Aliquippa.