Odessa-Montour school board 11/17/11

    Meeting:  The Odessa-Montour school board met for one hour and 20 minutes, Thursday, Nov. 17.
    Attendance:  All board members were present.  There were seven members of the public in the audience.
    Action:  The board approved a field trip for the Accelerated College Entrance (ACE) American History I and II classes.
    • A donation of $893.50 was accepted from the school’s cheerleaders to cover the purchase of a new cheerleading mat.
    Discussion without action:  During public comment Frank Gavich asked the board about the photo of the Odessa-Montour 2001 state championship girls basketball team that was taken down over a year ago.  He said it was taken down to be replaced by a better quality version, but a new one hasn’t been put up yet.  Gavich said no one had made comments to him about the quality of the photo and added it shouldn’t have been taken down until a new photo was ready to replace it.  Superintendent Jim Frame said the photo was taken down due to quality, but would discuss it with the board and call him back the next day.
    • History teacher Charles Strobel presented to the board about using the new state mandated education standards in his classroom.  He said Odessa teachers have been incorporating text based answers and vocabulary into lesson plans.  Strobel explained how he did that for a section on the Civil War.  
    • Music teacher Clarice Miles requested the board approve a field trip to Carnegie Science Museum in Pittsburgh, Pa.  She said she does not like doing field trips to music competitions, because the students only spend a short time performing for a trophy and spend the rest of the time at an amusement park.  Miles said she would much rather do an educational trip.
    Upcoming meetings:  The next  school board meeting is Thursday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m.