M A I NLI NE newspapers
Vol. 122 No. 4
USPS 326-480
Cresson, Pa.
of Mainline Newspapers
Alyse and Deb Wessel make snowman crafts and eat snow cones at the Cresson Public Library Jan. 20. Photo by Kristin Baudoux.
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The acceptance of board member Terry Krug’s resignation in December left a vacancy on the Penn Cambria School Board. Krug had announced his resignation at the board’s reorganization meeting Dec. 5, and the resignation was effective Dec. 22. The board members succeeded in filling that vacancy at their regular meeting Jan. 16. During the board’s committee of the whole meeting Jan. 11, the board announced that it had received 12 letters of interest to fill the vacancy. At that meeting, the board members agreed to select whom they believed were the top six candidates. These candidates were then invited to attend the Jan. 16 meeting and provide a 5 minute speech on why they believed they would be a good fit for the school board. The six candidates selected were Kasey Bradley, Russell Driskel, Anthony Tomaselli, Dr. Jennifer Gmuca, Chris Marana and David Myers. Board president Michael Sheehan said he was pleased with the interest in the vacancy from the community. “The interest for this position was very, very exciting to see that many people from the community that want to be involved,” Sheehan said. During their speeches, the candidates highlighted strengths that would make them good board members. For example, Bradley said she works with adults with special needs and would be an asset to help special needs students jump to the next part of their lives after high school. Driskel has a background in engineering and said he has skills in
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budgeting, planning and resource management. Tomaselli is a former teacher in the district, as well as a coach and a parent. Gmuca is a professor at Mount Aloysius College who is experienced in research and grant proposals. Marana cited his work as a board member in his professional life and at his church. Finally, Myers said he is a licensed psychologist and professor at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania who wants to put a focus on improving mental health among students. After all six candidates spoke, the board held a brief discussion, where some of the board members announced who they felt left the best impression. Based on the names selected, the top two candidates were determined to be Gmuca and Tomaselli. At this point, board member Anthony Dziabo made a motion to appoint Gmuca to the vacant school board seat. The motion received a second from board member Caleb Drenning, and the board voted 5-1 in favor of Gmuca. After the vote, Gmuca was sworn in by notary public Louann Hoffman and took her seat on the board. During her speech, Gmuca, who is also a mother of two children, cited three areas she wanted to focus on during her tenure on the board. “I, like many of you, am here to do my part to ensure that when my kids get on the bus every day they’re going somewhere safe, they’re getting a quality education and they’re getting a nutritious meal,” she said. In addition, Gmuca said she is on the diversity, equity and inclusion committee at Mount Aloysius
Vo-Tech’s teacher prep course to partner with St. Francis University
By Julie Pittman
Karsyn and Kassie King spend a cold Jan. 20 exploring what the Cresson Public Library has to offer. Photo by Kristin Baudoux.
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Penn Cambria board fills vacancy Thursday, January 25, 2024
By Kristin Baudoux
Snow much fun
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The Admiral Peary Vocational-Technical School’s joint operating committee held its regular meeting on Jan. 18 where they discussed updates on potentially adding a teacher prep course at Central Cambria High School. Chief school administrator Jason Moore announced that he had a meeting with the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center, which recently added a K-12 teacher prep program to their curriculum at Mount Pleasant High School. This is the first year CTC has implemented this program with about a dozen students taking the course, and so far, according to Moore, it has been successful. “[CTC] gave us a lot of great tips and suggestions,” Moore said. “We also had a meeting with the folks from St. Francis [University]. They’re anxious and eager to partner with us.” The details for this program are not finalized yet. However,
Moore said that students will likely get 15 credits in the field of education that will definitely transfer to St. Francis and hopefully all other colleges as well. This program would take place in students’ junior and senior years, and they could potentially start at St. Francis and other colleges as juniors, greatly reducing tuition. Moore also believes that reduced tuition is an incentive for students to take the program and could help solve the teacher shortage. There is also no startup cost for the program. “Probably the most exciting thing that I’m looking forward to is going out to the schools, talking to the 10th graders and encouraging potential teachers, whether they’re considering being an elementary teacher, music teacher, art teacher or secondary chemistry teacher that this program is for them,” Moore said. After talking with the students and starting the scheduling process for next year, they hope to begin either a morning or afternoon session for the first year and possibly offering two
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sessions the following year, depending on interest in the program.