AUSTIN NOTE DOESN'T CARRY

The Austin School Board denied a request to use the school's music facilities for private lessons during its regular meeting April 10.

The request was put in front of the board by Ashley Miller, a former AHS student who is attending college, who asked to use the school's music room for lessons when she is home on break from school. Miller's request said she would be charging $10 per hour and donating $2 of that back to the school for a music scholarship.

The board tabled the discussion during the March meeting, pending further information.

Superintendent Matt Hutcheson explained that letters had been sent to other schools to inquire if any similar programs had taken place in the area. One school did have a similar program, but dropped it for reasons that included liability, insurance and clearances.

The liability was one of the main issues the board struggled with during the discussion. Hutcheson pointed out that if someone were to trip and fall, it would come back to Miller and then to the school.

"She is not involved with the school and doesn't fall under our (insurance) umbrella," he explained.

Board member Leona Miller, Ashley's mother, explained that Ashley had also been looking into churches or giving lessons out of her home but wanted to use the school to be on neutral ground and clear of distractions.

Despite the board agreeing that the lessons would help the music program, the liability issue and using the school for an enterprise kept discussion going.

Miller then suggested that the board vote to turn down the request, with the possibility of reconsidering it again after her daughter graduates and becomes a substitute with the district. The suggestion was carried with Miller abstaining because of family.

"There's no doubt in my mind she can help," Miller said. "Being from this school, without private lessons she wouldn't be where she is at today."

The rising cost of fuel has brought about the discussion of Dan Bollhorst, holder of the busing contract, to purchase fuel in bulk and store it on a tank at his property.

"I think for (Bollhorst) to get the tank is a good idea, but we have to have our ducks in a row," said Clint Rees, referring to items such as a hazardous materials license and a DEP approved storage site.

Hutcheson explained that a contract on the fuel would go before the solicitor before being signed.

The price of the fuel was another concern. Hutcheson explained that no matter where the fuel came from the district would be getting reimbursed from the state and federal governments to the tune of $3,000 per year.

Annette Niles and Amber Roeske will be co-junior high volleyball coaches next school year, sharing the $1,164 firstyear salary.

Returning for the 2008-2009 school year will be Dick Logue as girls varsity basketball coach, Jesse Valenti as girls junior varsity basketball coach, Joe Dynda as girls junior high basketball coach, Don Ayers as boys varsity basketball coach, Joe Glover as boys junior varsity basketball coach, Kurt Logue as boys junior high basketball coach and Jennifer Leightley as cheerleading advisor.

Several field trips as well as the senior class trip to New York City were approved during the meeting.

Ray Cope, a teacher in Austin and assistant track coach in Coudersport, was given the approval to transport students to and from track practice. Hutcheson explained that the vote was to cover Cope in case of an unforeseen event and will now allow more students to participate in the track program.

Students participating in the YMCA basketball program were granted permission to practice in the gym from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday nights. The summer youth league had previously practiced in Coudersport but were unable to use the facilities this year.

The girls varsity basketball team was given approval to participate in the summer league basketball program, the American Youth Basketball Association Tournament and attend a three-day team camp at Houghton University in July.

The board also approved a request for the boys basketball team to enter the summer league basketball program.

The school library was host to the first of a series of town meetings organized by the county commissioners April 7. Hutcheson said 48 people attended, including representatives from the townships, school board, borough, dam, museum, ambulance and fire.

"I think it went very well," he said. "We set the bar very high for these other communities."

The school board will next meet at 7:30 p.m. May 1, a change from the usual second Thursday. Hutcheson explained that the change was so the budget could be presented and another meeting could be held the week of May 21, which would allow for the mandatory 20 day review period prior to the June meeting.