Laurel bocce team honored at school board meeting

Feb. 19—No sports team had received Laurel School District's Pride and Promise Award until Wednesday.

The Laurel Super Spartan Bocce Team received the honor during the school board meeting.

The team tied with Mohawk for first place in its section during the regular season and will participate in its first playoff match next week.

The team also raised $880 for Special Olympics Pennsylvania to participate in the annual Pittsburgh Polar Plunge on Feb. 23 at Acrisure Stadium, with Superintendent Leonard Rich to participate as well.

"I'm so happy to be part of this experience," said team co-captain Dylan Rossman. "I'm happy to be a part of this organization."

The bocce team is a mixture of general education and life skills students from the Super Spartan Spirit Club.

Rich said he wanted to honor the players, coaches, officials and parents as he feels the team has changed the culture of the district for the better.

"We can all be one. We all belong," Rich said.

That sentiment was echoed by co-coach Amanda Long, the high school learning support teacher, who said every high school student supports the team and the Spirit Club as a whole.

"The kids love it. It's all great for our whole environment," Long said. "They're already talking about next year."

Rossman didn't know about bocce when he signed up, but gradually learned and fell in love with the game.

As the only senior, Rossman received a letterman jacket for the school's winter senior night. He made the winning move to get his team into the playoffs.

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"It's harder than it looks," Rossman said.

In other district news, the school board approved a five-year contract extension with Business Manager Jennifer Conrad. The contract runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2029. Conrad will make $94,635 in the first year; then $97,000, $99,425, $101,925 and $104,475 in subsequent years. She receives medical benefits.

Conrad said she attended a virtual budget seminar through the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials to discuss the proposed 2024-25 state budget.

In the proposed budget, Gov. Josh Shapiro is looking to spend $200 million more in basic education funding for public schools and continue the state's universal free breakfast program for another year.

In other business, the board:

—Approved an agreement with Grove City College to host pre-student teachers from Feb. 14 through Feb. 13, 2029. This will allow the college's undergraduate and graduate students to come to the district for field observation, practicum experiences, student teaching and internships.

—Accepted the resignation of cafeteria workers Carol Thiel and Michelle Schweikert.

—Appointed Laura Palmer and Jessica Miles co-assistant musical directors at $1,000 each, Patty Miles as the travel club advisor for the remainder of the school year at $1,000, Aiden Breitenbach to the student stream team at $10 an hour, Greg Walzer as stage manager at $950 and Grove City College student Jessica Reynolds as a student teacher observer for the remainder of the school year.

—Hired Cheyenne Chapman as technology tutor at a prorated salary of $21,500. Chapman will continue as a substitute teacher at $95 a day.

—Learned from Director of Pupil Services Nicole Bell that an e-sports club was started. Laurel joins Shenango as county districts with an e-sports club. Bell said all special education staff will be receiving CPR training in the future, while the district will start a new special education curriculum next school year.

—Learned from Assistant Principal Nichole Columbus that January's average daily attendance for both schools was between 94 to 97 percent. Columbus has been sending out truancy letters and scheduling attendance meetings with families.

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