Jason Dziedzic presented plans for his Eagle Scout project at the Whitehall-Coplay School District's Education/Student Activities Committee meeting May 28.

Dziedzic plans to protect a rare and endangered plant species known as the Umbrella Magnolia that grows behind the district's bus garage.

"I plan on building a 60 by 60 area closed off by a fence to prevent deer from eating the plant," said Dziedzic, 17, a member of Troop 32 that meets at Faith Lutheran Church.

School board member Wayne Grim asked what kind of materials will be used for the project.

"A steel fence," replied Dziedzic. "The fence will be 8 feet tall with a gate."

The school board approved the project.

"We will put you in touch with those in charge of the grounds," said district Superintendent John Corby.

Dziedzic also needs to get approval from the township before he can begin the project.

"I think I could complete this project in a weekend," he said.

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In other business, teacher Mike Yadush sought the board's approval to take the Whitehall High School Ski and Snowboard Club on a three-day trip to Mount Snow, Vt.

"The trip wouldn't affect school at all," said Yadush.

High school administrators will chaperone the trip with one chaperone for every 10 students.

"Are parents allowed to go on the trip?" asked board member Josef Fragnito.

Yadush said he would like parents to be allowed to attend, but it would require enacting policies regulating their behavior. The committee discussed clearances needed for parents but could not reach a consensus.

"We need to discuss this further," said Fragnito.

In finance and personnel committee matters, the district discussed the fourth draft of its preliminary budget.

Business Manager Robert Strauss discussed the changes made to the budget since the April meeting. Among them are the addition of costs to replacing a dishwasher in Steckel Elementary School, special education costs and reassessed tax appeals.

The draft budget totals $1,009,592, which places the district about $161,000 below the Act One Tax requirements.

"We still have some tweaking to do, until we approve the final budget at our June 24 school board meeting," said Strauss.