A discussion on district handbooks quickly led to dress code specifics at the Weatherly Area School Board’s caucus meeting last week.

The board at their Aug. 10 meeting discussed plans to approve district 2022-23 handbooks for athletics, Pre-K, elementary school students, middle school students and high school students, as well as for staff and support staff, and WAVE parents.

The discussion on dress code focused on hoods, hats, sunglasses and leggings, though mostly on hoods and leggings.

Board President April Walters looked to clarify the wording - whether it means no hoodies worn with hoods up, or no hoodies at all. Principal Anthony DeSpirito said students cannot put their hoods up in the buildings. It was noted that the handbook says “no hoods.” An agreement seemed to form around a rule that the hoods cannot be up in the building during school hours.

Discussion was a bit more pointed on leggings, with parents divided. The idea formed, with the support of principals DeSpirito and Chris Kimmel, to have rules for the elementary school (leggings allowed), and different ones for the middle and high schools (leggings with long shirt or a dress as an additional covering).

It was also suggested to create an adviser handbook.

In regular business, the board was unanimous in welcoming Janet Gettig and Valerie Kane as Business-Computer-Information Technology K-12 Education teachers effective this coming school year at a salary of $66,008 for Gettig, and $66,604 for Kane, plus benefits per the WEA contract. Teachers Jeanna Genetti and Kayla Field resigned in July, making positions available for Kane and Gettig.

Spanish teacher Gina Dinko offered her letter of resignation, effective Aug. 5. A search has started for her replacement.

In other personnel matters, the board will vote at their meeting tonight to approve the appointments of Helene Bauer as a part-time cafeteria aide; retain Tracy Blackwell as Health Room Assistant full-time; and for Sarah Minnick to serve as mentor for Dana Synoski, Elementary/Middle School Guidance Counselor, during the coming school year at a stipend of $750. Bobbi Ann Kufro, Family & Consumer Science teacher, has reached MS+45 (step 12) and will get a raise, per the WEA contract, to $67,598.

The board will be asked to approve using Jones & Company to perform the annual audit of the district’s final records for the 2021-22 school year, not to exceed $18,900, and the annual audit of the district’s tax collectors final accounts and records for the 2021-22 school year, not to exceed $900 each ($5,400).

The list of advisers for the coming year has vacancies due to changes within the staff. A list of game workers for sports events was also presented.

The water issue around the high school soccer field has gotten worse. The best plan is to play games on the field behind the middle school, after a set of bleachers there is moved back. Dirt will be added to smooth out some spots.