Annual sixth grade trip discussed by Wynford school board

By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

It was business as usual for the Wynford school board Monday night at its final meeting before the beginning of the new school year.

The Wynford board approved all items on the agenda including using the Mohican School in the Out of Doors for the annual sixth grade trip. The trip this year may see a reduction in time.

During the meeting Wynford Elementary Principal Leah Filliater explained that some teachers are ready to scrap the program. Citing time away from families, costs, time away from studies, as well as other needs, explained to the Board that the program may drop from five days to just three days.

“It has been a yearly trip for 34 years so it needs approval every year,” Filliater said. “That way we can secure the funds to go.”

Wynford is currently the only school in Crawford County to use the Mohican School in the Out of Doors.

The Wynford board approved a contract extension with food service provider Sodexo Management for the 2014-2015 school year. Also approved was to make the extension retroactive to July 30, making the final payment to Sodexo for the Fiscal Year 2014 and Fiscal Year 2015, and hiring 10 Sodexo staff members for the 2014-2015 school year.

During the principals’ reports, High School Principal Jeff Holbrook noted that with the absence of former teacher Lee Rowlinson the Wynford recycling program currently does not have a person to head up the operations.

“I don’t want it to stay the same, I would like to improve,” Holbrook said. “Lee did a great job and I want to improve upon it.”

During the discussion, Board President Jeff Schiefer, opined that the school should maintain the recycling program.

“We have got to do everything in our power to continue the program,” Schiefer said.

Holbrook also informed the board that the new school zone markings have been painted, and that the signage should be up by next week. Holbrook said that he has informed the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office about the changes. The Sheriff’s Office is expected to increase its presence in the area.