Salisbury Township School District Board President Frank Frankenfield opened the Sept. 13 meeting with a moment of silence to recognize the passing of State Rep. Daniel McNeill, D-133rd, Sept. 8. Frankenfield noted the support McNeill showed to the district which was very much appreciated.

Superintendent Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss provided an update on the opening of school, current and upcoming events in the district.

Administrators planto schedule meetings with state and federal policymakers and to create a student social media advisory council.

Salisbury has begun a kindness rock project, #YourSalisburyRocks. The community is encouraged to participate in this kindness project where rocks are painted and hidden for others to find. Vallo’s Bakery was thanked for their participation – for painting and hiding a rock. Finders can turn the rock in for a free cupcake. More information about the kindness rock project can be found at salisburysd.us.

This year’s recipients of placement on the Alumni Wall of Honor will be announced at the Homecoming game Oct. 13.

The community breakfast will be held Nov. 11 at the high school.

With a new school year, student representatives from Salisbury High School were introduced. Seniors Anna Bishop and Vivian Rogers and juniors Rylee Donaldson and Taliah Martinez will report each month on activities at the high school and answer questions from the board.

Isabella Wygand, representing Harry S Truman Elementary School and Marina Atiyeh, representing Western Salisbury Elementary School, updated the board on activities.

P.A.C.K. Week runs through Sept. 22 at both elementary schools where students pack healthy items matching the color of the day.

At HST, Blessings in a Backpack begins Sept. 22. This program sends food home to families for the weekend.

Volunteer clearance night will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 2 at HST.

Gianna Fitzsimmons and Quinn Wittman provided updates on Salisbury Middle School. The seventh grade students will attend the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in Manheim and the eighth grade students will travel to Philadelphia.

At the high school level, students reported the Keystone results are in and look good. The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test will be given Oct. 11. From Oct. 19 through Nov. 5, German students will be at SHS as part of the exchange program.

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test will be given Oct. 6 to any student considering military service.

Following the students, Business Administrator Robert Bruchak said tax collections as of Aug. 31 are not where they were for the same time last year. So far, the district has collected $13.6 million versus $19.7 million last year. The district currently has a $10.1 million outstanding balance.

Bruchak also noted there is no state budget for revenue at this time and Pa. Speaker of the House Mike Turzai, R-28th, has said they will stay in session until a budget is passed. Bruchak said the state will run out of money Sept. 15.

In other business, the board approved an agreement with Community Services for Children, Inc. for a Pre-K Counts program through June 20, 2018.

An agreement was approved with Technology and Information Education Services for math software for the elementary schools.

In personnel news, Kyle Grim resigned as a part-time physical education/health teacher at SHS; Francesca Lausch resigned as a part-time learning support instructional assistant at SMS and Joseph Pacitti resigned as a scholastic scrimmage co-coach.

New hires include Ryan Yurchick as a part-time physical education/health teacher at SHS, Kelly Liggitt as a part-time RTI instructional assistant at HST, Robin Skidmore as a part-time instructional assistant in the office at WSE and Sally Martinez as a full-time 12-month guidance administrative assistant at SHS.

Melissa Holland has been transferred to a part-time instructional assistant in the library at SMS, Doreen Vangeli has been transferred to a part-time instructional assistant at HST, Oksana Hunter has been transferred to SHS as a part-time instructional assistant, Linda Gardus was transferred to SHS as a part-time one-to-one assistant and Barbara Ebner was transferred to WSE as a part-time one-to-one instructional assistant.

Scott Heppenheimer was approved as a game worker for the 2017-2018 school term.

James Moore was approved as the middle school football assistant coach, James Silberman was approved as the middle school assistant field hockey coach, Carly Brown was approved as the assistant twirling coach, Matthew Mirth was approved as the middle school wrestling coach, Kayla Young was approved as a volunteer assistant field hockey coach, John Wagner was approved as a volunteer assistant golf coach and Pasqualino Scarcia was approved as a volunteer assistant middle school football coach for the 2017-2018 school year.