-STO-ROX-
During its Aug. 26 meeting, the Sto-Rox school board welcomed a new primary school principal, reinstated a bus stop along Helen Street and approved the exploratory process for adding a full-time cyber school coordinator.
Crafton-native Brooke Stebler is set to take over the primary center following former Bill Schleicher’s recent move to the curriculum director role.
Addressing the board, Stebler told the board she has a passion for teaching literacy and reading which ultimately led her to pursue a doctorate in language, literacy and culture at the University of Pittsburgh.
Prior to joining Sto-Rox, Stebler worked in several other districts, including Baldwin-Whitehall, where she was employed immediately prior.
Superintendent Frank Dalmas said he was particularly impressed by Stebler’s strong background in reading and literacy – areas of high priority for the Sto-Rox district.
“I’m here for the kids, that’s the most important thing,” Stebler said.
In other school news:
• Directors approved the reinstatement of a bus stop location at the intersection of Helen and George streets in the Bottoms neighborhood of McKees Rocks. During the previous school year, the board voted to reduce certain bussing routes as a cost-saving measure while students were spending less time in the classrooms because of the coronavirus. But, hearing complaints from affected parents, directors recently brought it to the attention of the board, which, after review, opted to resume service there.
• After withdrawing for an executive session, the board returned and voted to authorize Dalmas to begin the process of exploring the creation of a cyber school coordinator position to oversee its new cyber platform. Dalmas said after forming Virtual Vikings in the fall of 2020, the program has since arrived at a place where it needs a full-time point of contact to streamline its various operating elements.