Student representatives from the elementary, middle and high schools in the Salisbury Township School District reported Pennsylvania System of School Assessment testing began in early April and will continue for the next several weeks. Keystone testing for high school students will begin in May.

During the April 19 board meeting, students from the elementary and middle schools said the first round of the PSSA testing challenged their knowledge in English language arts.

The ELA portion of the tests was given to students in the third to eighth grades and was held April 3 through 7. The next portion of the test will be held April 24 through 28 and will test math skills. Students in fourth to eighth grade will undertake the science portion of the tests May 1 through 5. Makeup sessions for students who missed portions of the tests will be held May 8 through 12.

Following PSSA testing, in appreciation of the student’s work on the tests, Salisbury Middle School representatives reported student council is offering “Fun Days” to give the students an opportunity to go bowling, skating or to remain at the school and gather in the student lounge.

The window for Keystone testing for freshman and sophomore students will begin May 15 and continue throughout the month.

The last day of school for the senior class will be June 1 with graduation to be held June 7. Salisbury High School representatives reported the last day for underclassmen will be June 12.

Following the student’s reports, Salisbury resident Jamie Saye addressed the board to express her concerns regarding Senate Bill 383.

The bill, already passed by the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee, will permit school personnel who have a license to carry a concealed firearm, to do so on school property.

Board President Frank Frankenfield replied the board is redoing its policies and the matter has come up in discussions.

“As a board, our policy is they cannot” carry firearms. Frankenfield went on to say the district is working with the local police department regarding the bill.

Superintendent Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss said, “As I understand, the state education committee is allowing local school boards to create policies to allow the firearms.”

“I would be so upset if something like that would occur,” Saye said.

“If something comes up from our state legislature, it would have to be discussed by our board, and though we cannot say what the outcome would be, we hear you,” Frankenfield said.

Ziegenfuss agreed and said, “We appreciate that a citizen came to the board, engaging us on such an important topic.”

Business Administrator Robert Bruchak said the district’s discussion for the proposed final budget will be held 7 p.m. May 1 at the administration building.

“The biggest issues still hanging out there are what are we getting from the state, and the possibility the Title I funds that bring in approximately $68,000 to the district may be on the chopping block.”

Bruchak also announced 10 a.m. April 19, the district had bid openings generated by the request for proposal for a food management company.

The district is “exploring all options” concerning improvements to the food service department. According to Bruchak, five vendors came to the schools in the district for the walk-through and of those, four submitted bids. After reviewing and analyzing the bids, Bruchak said he “hopes to bring the food service discussion to the next operations meeting May 1.”

Bruchak also publicly congratulated Buildings and Grounds Director Bill Brackett for joining and accepting a position on the Pennsylvania Safety Committee. Brackett joins other committee members in districts throughout the state and, “as a member of the committee, will be vital is researching solutions to potential safety issues at Salisbury.”

An additional item was added to the curriculum and technology committee agenda involving a trip to a national Future Business Leaders of America competition for two of the three students who placed at a state competition for the FBLA.

The national competition will be held June 24 to 27 in Anaheim, Calif. and will challenge the students’ knowledge base through a series of competitions and workshops.

Ziegenfuss said the board is reviewing expenses for the “Blue Plan” for the trip which includes both students, as well as an adult chaperone. The total cost for the plan, including registration fees is $4,957.

“This is the first time, in my recollection, we had students competing at a national level for an activity like this,” Ziegenfuss said. “It is pretty admirable.”

The students’ level of expertise, noted Ziegenfuss, is information systems.

“I think we have to find some way to support this, since this an accolade for the students and the school district,” Director Samuel DeFrank said.

Director Joseph Gnall agreed and said, “It gives other students something to strive for – pushes the bar.”

The board agreed it was a positive venture for the students and the item would come up for a vote during the next board meeting. They will reach out to members of FBLA concerning future fundraising opportunities for the organization.

In other business, the board accepted with regret the resignation due to retirement of Cathy Rae as a Title I reading teacher at Harry S Truman Elementary School effective June 19.

The board approved Laura Nogueira as a full-time eighth grade English teacher at Salisbury Middle School effective Aug. 22 and Jennifer Brinson as acting assistant principal at Salisbury High School.

The board approved Randall Lapp, of Coopersburg, as a 4.75 hours a day part-time evening custodian at Western Salisbury Elementary School effective retroactive to April 10 and accepted the resignation of Adrienne Lombo as a part-time 3.5 hours a day cafeteria worker at SMS effective April 7.

The next regular board meeting will be held 7:30 p.m. May 10 at the administration building.