With a bare quorum of five members, the Port Allegany School Board voted Monday night to approve the 2011-12 IU9 General Operating Budget, totaling $1,225,834.

The members present also filled in their paper ballots, which are part of the voting process used by the Intermediate Unit.

Board member and IU9 Board representative Dave Mensch, who is also IU9 board president, undertook to explain the convoluted system of voting on the IU9 budget, at the request of board member Rod Howard.

Also approved was a change in the name of the “vo-tech school” from Seneca Highlands Area Vocational Technical School to Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center.

In answer to a press question as to why the name change was being proposed to the vo-tech consortium schools, Superintendent Tony Flint said this was a recommendation by a consulting group from the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

A number of Kelly Tarbox’s Enrichment Program students presented their projects which had been featured in the recent Invention Convention held in the Port Allegany Elementary School, and had included students from Otto-Eldred and Port Allegany. The board and administration members present, clearly impressed by the innovative product prototypes and the young inventors, applauded each presentation.

Shaylei and Isaac Burr demonstrated an edible dog bowl; Wayne Shelley showed his bean bag toy creation, Mr. Orange; Keely Tarbox displayed her auto-cling-free clothes dryer aid; and Ed Petruzzi’s innovation was a sneaker tying system..

Debbie Parrish, a parent, spoke at some length concerning the school lunch program and changes she would like to see considered.

“My pediatrician looked at the lunch menus and said there are too many carbs put in,” Parish said. She requested that a salad bar be offered, with fresh vegetables and fruit made available. Also, she said her children do not like grilled cheese sandwiches with one slice of bread white, the other whole wheat.

Cafeteria financial manager Judy Bodamer, who is also school district business manager and Wellness Program coordinator, said that a salad bar program as being considered currently, but it would be some time before it could be implemented because the configuration of the cafeteria line would have to be changed.

Parrish said she believes there used to be a salad bar at the high school. Board member Ron Caskey, a former high school teacher, said the salad bar program of many years ago “began to be misused by the students;…some students ruined a good thing.”

Bodamer noted that the cafeteria menus follow the federal and state standards for nutritional content.

Flint pointed out that regulations require that the students be offered all the foods that make up the guidelines’ nutritional balance for that meal, as they go through the line, and approach the check-out station only after completing the selection trip.

After the meeting Bodamer said that when state auditors go over all the school accounts and program records, they include the food service program and its menus. Their reports give cafeteria manager Judy Howard’s menus the highest possible scores.

Board members also approved a two-year agreement for use of Seneca Highlands Wide Area Network technology services.

Erin Moran Jr. was named prom advisor at a supplemental salary of $747, and Sharon Daniels was appointed senior class advisor at a salary of $484.

Nicole Line was granted family medical leave from mid-April through June 30

Terrence Roys was approved as a volunteer softball coach, and Kelli Burgess was appointed a volunteer track coach, subject to appropriate clearances.

Cynthia Baxter and Victoria Borowski was removed from the list of support staff substitutes, at their request. Valerie VanNette was added to that list.

The calendar for the 2011-12 school years was approved. It shows the school term beginning August 29, and ending May 31, 2012. Marking periods will end November 1; January 18, 2012; March 23, 2012; and June 1, 2012. There will be 180 pupil days, including two classified as Act 80 days when there is no instruction. Staff will attend 185 days, including five in-service days.

Members present for the meeting were Mensch, Caskey, Rod Howard, Rikiya Tanaka and board president Melynda Budd. Absent were Gary A. Hardes, Denise Buchanan, Edward Babcock and Daniel F. Kysor.

The board is next scheduled to meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, February 28.

Fire Department Needs - Mark Errick, Port Allegany Fire Department president, front left, filled local government leaders in on department needs for volunteers and financial support, at the borough council meeting. Other municipalities' officials had been invited. Seated beside Errick is Liberty Township Supervisors chairman Gary Turner. Behind them are McKean County Commissioners chairman Joe DeMott, former mayor of Port Allegany, and commissioner Al Pingie, a former member and official of the Bradford City Fire Department.  Martha Knight Photo/Story

January Unsung Heroes -   The first Unsung Heroes for the year 2011 were announced during Sunday's morning worship service at the Port Allegany United Methodist Church.  Making the presentation to Ted and Connie Boyer was Sunday School student Jena Young.  Pictured with the Boyers is UMC Pastor Randy Headley.