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New road to be built at Mars Area Elementary School
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An access road will be built to Mars Area Elementary School, beginning at Three Degree Road, running along the back of the school and connecting with the road in front of the administration building on Route 228.
The school board Tuesday approved a $686,200 contract with Tedesco Construction Co. to build the road.
"It is a public safety issue with one entrance in and out of that school," board President J. Dayle Ferguson said. "Hopefully, this will also alleviate some of the traffic on [Route] 228 in the morning and afternoon."
The contract will be funded from the capital improvement fund. Tedesco was the lowest of 12 bidders.
In other business, the board approved a "digital citizenship program," recommended by middle school principal Richard Cornell, to teach students "how to be good citizens of the new digital society."
The class will meet every other day in seventh grade. In eighth grade, a technology entrepreneur class will be offered during which students will create a fictional company.
"The students are using technology already. We want to make sure they use technology properly, that they are not violating any copyright or downloading laws," Mr. Cornell said.
Another teacher will be needed. Superintendent William Pettigrew said the district received a state grant to pay for the position.
The board also appointed Deborah Adams as special education director, replacing Susan Cunnup, who retired June 30 after 12 years with the district. Ms. Adams had been the assistant director.
The board also approved the wording of an agreement for payment by colleges and universities that provide student teachers to the district.
The payment can be in the form of a fee or a "credit exchange" for classes taken there by district teachers, Mr. Pettigrew said.
It was modeled after an agreement between Mars Area and Youngstown State University.
All items were approved 7-0, with Rebecca Brown and Christine Valenta absent.
First Published July 19, 2012 5:21 am
