YATESVILLE —Pittston Area School District students will need to go to school in June. During a short monthly meeting, the School Board shifted the last day of the current school year and graduation from May 31 to June 6. The board also designated March 28 as an Act 80 afternoon day, and June 4, 5, and 6 as early release days. Superintendent Kevin Booth explained that this change was necessary because the district did not utilize Flexible Instructional Days, a relatively new state option for making up missed school days due to weather or emergencies.
FIDs are typically days for virtual learning. The state permits up to five of them in a year with a limited number of approved applications.
In the future, the board approved the 2024-25 calendar, with the first day scheduled for Aug. 26 and June 1 as the final day.
On the financial front, the board approved the annual audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, conducted by Brian T. Kelley, CPA & Associates LLC. The audit uncovered no issues and remarked that the general fund balance rose by $623,000, and the capital projects reserve increased by $1.6 million. The strong growth of the capital reserve could be beneficial as the construction of 10 classrooms at the Martin F. Quinn Primary Center approaches completion. Following the meeting, Booth mentioned that the project is progressing swiftly and should be finished sometime in May.
The board also:
• Authorized the appropriate district officers to finalize an independent contract agreement with James Kolojejchick as a school police officer for the current school year. He was appointed last month, and this action secures the details. Booth stated that he is taking the place of another officer.
• Approved a Memorandum Of Understanding with the Pittston Area Federation of Teachers union concerning the relocation of a teacher during restructuring as the Primary Center expands and grade levels are adjusted. Booth explained that the teacher had been moved, without consent, to fifth grade, but a vacancy in another position opened up, and the MOU involves that change.
• Named Diane Zydkos as cafeteria team leader.
