APPROVES EXPENDITURES
Coudersport School Board starts paying for construction projects
By Travis Moshier Endeavor News

Bills are coming due for Coudersport Area School District's $8 million upgrades at the two school buildings and CARP Field.

At Monday's monthly meeting, school board members approved initial payments of $142,016. Payments include $24,660 for Schoonover's Plumbing and Heating, $27,900 to B.K. Electrical, and $89,450 to J.C. Orr, general contractor on all three projects.

Board member David Long pointed out that, with past construction work, financial reports have coincided with the construction schedule. He asked that a running tally be kept on the individual projects.

The school has not received any of the construction schedules, School Superintendent George Nuffer said, but the CARP project and the elementary school addition have begun.

The high school cafeteria renovation will begin the fi- nal week of school and finish prior to the start of classes in the fall, he said.

Nuffer also announced that the district is looking to change independent analysis companies in order to save costs. The independent company performs tests and evaluates the construction process.

The board originally planned to use Hillis Carnes Engineering Associates of State College, at a cost of around $40,000. The company was going to perform more tests than required and charge more than 30 cents per mile.

Hillis Carnes also wanted to pay a worker three weeks to come to Coudersport and perform two days' worth of work, Nuffer said.

Since that time, a company from Cuba, N.Y., that Nuffer left unnamed, has quoted the work at $19,000. The money that could be saved would be added to around $400,000 set aside in case of additional costs.

If the money isn't spent on extra costs, Nuffer said, it could go toward additional renovations at the elementary school, including a new roof and carpeting in the first floor corridors.

Board members agreed to create a capital projects bank account. Nuffer said that the board has "to take the money out of the bonds and put it somewhere, but we can't put them in the general account."

Discussion continued on the busing contract, and especially the insurance "umbrella."

Business Administrator Pam Anderson said that the umbrella was bid at $5 million for the last contract, and some places in the state were up to $10 million.

Board member Bob Benson suggested the transportation committee find out the purpose of the umbrella. Member Al Barry added that it may have been set up eight or nine years ago, but could not recall for what purpose.

"The issue is do we need the coverage?" Benson said. "There may be a valid reason, but we need to question it."

The board agreed to advertise for the superintendent position opening up with Nuffer's retirement after this school year. The ad will be publicized in local newspapers, on the internet and sent out to every school in Pennsylvania. Nuffer said that there are "very strict requirements to get a Pennsylvania cate of superintendent."

Some questions and concerns arose whether the board was being asked to accept a timeline for the hiring process that was given to the members, but Nuffer explained the timeline was only suggested.

Joe Lagrua asked for a count of the number of students who had been randomly tested for drug use. Vice Principal Sean Reams reported unofficially that between 160 and 180 students had been tested.

Lagrua questioned whether any students had failed the test, and Reams declined to answer, pointing out that it had been set that the results would not be released until the school year had ended.

Alanna Huck, high school principal, informed the board of the District 9 basketball playoff games for both the girls and boys teams during the week.

She also pointed out that the production of Fiddler on the Roof will be performed Feb. 29 and March 1 at the high school auditorium, with tickets on sale at the students' service office from 3 to 4 p.m. weekdays.

The second annual Festival of the Arts will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb 23 at the elementary school, said Sherry Cowburn, elementary school principal. The festival is a PTSA-sponsored event, highlighting local artists.

Elementary students are also allowed to enter pieces in the festival, she said.

The board's next meeting will be at 7 p.m. March 10 in the Coudersport High School's large group instructional room.