The Weatherly Area School Board held its October meetings as a combined meeting on Oct. 11 with the new start time of 6 p.m.

A service agreement with Trane Technologies for the heating and cooling control systems at the district’s buildings was approved on a vote of 6-1.

Trane representatives gave a report to the board before the meeting. The cost is $10,000 for the school year, about half of what was originally proposed.

In other business, the board approved the donation of a freezer by John and Grace McGee, to be available for class fundraising.

The board approved the second reading of the updated policies on meetings; supplemental discipline records; and students experiencing homelessness, foster care and other educational instability.

A contract for Randy Shock to provide transportation services for this school year was approved on a 6-1 vote. The regular bus contractor, Rohrer, is still short two drivers - a new driver is nearly done with training and will begin shortly.

Student representative Isobel Hoffman, in her report, said it was “a great start for the school year.” Among the activities were a “fun spirit week,” a pep rally, homecoming, and a senior sunrise event. Coming up is a semiformal dance.

Kenneth Mehlig, new maintenance supervisor, has had a fast start to his first few weeks on the job. In his first report, he led his team in the installation of the new hot water boiler, saving the district over $10,000 (if done by an outside contractor). He reported that five of the six boilers were working (waiting for a part on the sixth). He’s looking for a part-time cleaning person to join his team. He also wants approval to buy new vacuum cleaners.

Mehlig reported that there is water near the soccer field again. It had stopped after Weatherly Borough had fixed a water main leak on Sixth Street.

Food service director Jeanine Snyder shared that she and her team had celebrated National School Lunch Week with students. The week featured healthy snacks that complemented the meals - protein for muscles, dairy for strong bones, fruits and grains for vitamins for a healthy body. Samples were free. She also said that Nov. 16 will be the Thanksgiving feast.

With the resignation of Erin DeGennaro as junior class adviser, the board unanimously approved Kristin Wilkinson as the new class adviser (pending all clearances) for the 2023-2024 school year.

The board approved the following applications for use of school facilities:

Adult Basketball League use of high school gymnasium Sundays beginning Oct. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m.

The Journal-Herald use of middle school cafeteria on Monday, Oct. 23 from 5:15 to 9:45 p.m. for Candidates Night.

Weatherly Wellness Council use of middle school gymnasium and lobby on Tuesday, Nov. 21 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. for Carbon County Drug and Alcohol Expo.

Weatherly Youth Basketball use of high school gymnasium from Saturday, Nov. 25, to Sunday, March 10, every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday for youth basketball games and practices.

Title I use of middle school cafeteria, kitchen, and gymnasium on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, from 5 to 9 p.m. for snacks and a movie.