Some DASD school district personnel to receive vaccinations. Submitted by Glenn Schuckers

It was the last item mentioned at the regular meeting of the DuBois Area School Board on January 28, but one that has been a topic of discussion in recent weeks.

DuBois Area School District Superintendent Wendy Benton said that by partnering with DuBois Drug and Wellness Pharmacy, Covid-19 vaccinations will be provided to 160 eligible persons in the district, including cafeteria workers and bus drivers, as well as teachers and support personnel.

The vaccinations will be given on February 12 and 13 after school hours at the Third Ward Fire Hall.

The meeting began by observing School Director Recognition Month. It opened with a virtual presentation by a representative of the Pennsylvania School Board Association (PSBA) listing the accomplishments of school board members, saying that these men and women serve without compensation and perform many hours of service to the schools and communities they serve.

Superintendent Benton followed that with the accomplishments of the local directors and an introduction of the board including the number of years each has served. All members were present except for Robert Wachob and Albert Varacallo. Then student representatives Annie Wingard and AC Deemer read a virtual salute to the local board ending with thanks from the student body for all the board has done for them.

The Board then went on to its agenda and approved an Elementary Summer Skills Enhancement Program for the 2020-2021 school year at a cost of some $51,000.

Directors then deferred two motions concerning the Oklahoma Elementary School addition and renovation project. One of the motions would have submitted PlanCon F to the PA Department of Education and the other would have authorized the firm of Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates to solicit bids for the project.

Board President Larry Salone later explained that the plans had not yet been reviewed by the district solicitor and as soon as that is done the plans will move forward. He said he expects that to happen within a week and would not change the time frame of the project.

As discussed at the work session, the board approved the addition of two courses at the high school. The botany course will be taught in conjunction with the greenhouse that has been constructed at the high school and the other is a course in Technical Design and Production.