BY STACI WILSON

During Friday’s snow storm, Blue Ridge remained open although several buses of elementary students did not make it to school that day.

Board president Alan Hall said at the Jan. 10 meeting that the district was making an effort to reduce the number of snow delays and cancellations.

Hall said, “The safety of the children is always a concern.”

But Hall added Blue Ridge was trying to move away from being the school with the most cancellations to “more middle of the road” with closings.

By the time the other county schools delayed and then cancelled, Blue Ridge high school buses were already on the road, Hall explained.

The board approved the transfer of $250,000 from the general fund to the capital reserve fund.

The funds will be used to fix the deteriorating condition of the floor in the school’s main gymnasium.

The transfer of $250,000 to the health insurance fund was also approved by the board.

The board accepted letters of intent to retire at the end of the school year from three teachers. Lisa Fisher, 6th grade English; Edward Goff, 4th grade; and Barbara Klim, 8th grade Science.

The resignation of part-time school nurse, Karrie Phelps, was accepted, with regret.

The office is still able to be fully staffed with the full-time school nurse and three part-time nurses.

Shane Decker, New Milford, was approved as the head baseball coach for the upcoming season. Donald Hillard, Susquehanna, was approved as the junior varsity baseball coach.

Charlene Kempa was approved as a boys’ and girls’ jumping coach for Track & Field.

The 2011-12 school calendar was approved by the board. The first day of students is set for Thursday, Sept. 8 and the last day of school for students is scheduled for June 14, 2012. Graduation is scheduled to be held June 16, 2012.

The board also approved a tax index resolution to not increase the rate of tax for the 2011-12 school year by more than two percent. The tax index for the district is set by the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education.

A workshop meeting will be held Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Also on Jan. 24 in the cafeteria, the wellness committee will meet at 3:45 p.m. and the facility and grounds committee will meet at 6:30 p.m.

The next regular business meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.