FRIEDENSBURG - The Blue Mountain School District wants to make money through advertising.
At Thursday's monthly school board meeting, the board held the first reading of a policy that governs the general public's use of school property for the placement of advertising. The policy describes procedures and spells out what is permitted and prohibited.
Superintendent Robert Urzillo said the policy's goal is "to raise money." He did not know how much money could be generated because of the new policy.
"Really, we're just trying to go outside the box to raise revenue sources," board President Heather Gosch said.
Gosch said advertising could go on the stadium and gymnasiums, among other places.
The proposed policy says the superintendent or someone he designates has "the authority and responsibility of negotiating contracts on behalf of the Blue Mountain School District for the posting of commercial messages or advertisements in school facilities or on school property ... ."
Final approval of contracts for advertising must come from the school board, according to the proposed policy.
Anything that promotes alcohol, tobacco, gambling, foul or offensive language, criminal activity, drug use, campaigns or "promotes or proselytizes a particular religious group, affiliation or belief" is not permitted.
All proposed advertising must be approved by the district.
Provisions are also made for the maintenance of signs.
Exclusions to the policy include government identification on district property, public service announcements by the district, anything related to district vending or merchandising.
A second reading and adoption are possible next month.
Board member Marci Kramer was absent for the meeting.
In other news, students will see a new face in the faculties at Blue Mountain Elementary West/Blue Mountain Elementary Cressona and Blue Mountain Elementary West schools.
Kristin Frederick was chosen as the new assistant principal for elementary west and Cressona schools at a salary of $53,500 plus benefits effective the 2014-15 school year.
She had been acting assistant principal at the east school.
The board approved the transfer of Andrea Berger as the assistant principal of elementary west and Cressona schools to the assistant principal of elementary east starting the next school year.
Urzillo recommended the changes because he said the new roles play to the strengths of each person.
Board member Herman Fligge voted "no" on the personnel changes.
The board approved the 2014-15 Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 administrative and program budget in the amount of $2,525,306. The district's cost is zero, according to the agenda.
Urzillo said the amount the district pays through grants was about $100,000. The district must still vote on the budget because it is a member of IU 29.
Board member Scott Reichert abstained because he works for the Schuylkill Technology Center.
By a vote of 5-2 with one abstention, the board voted to approve the 2014-15 Schuylkill Technology Center secondary budget of $6,831,887.
The district is responsible for $797,886. Board members John Granito and David Lafko voted "no." Reichert abstained.
After the meeting, Granito gave his reasons for voting against the budget.
"I think Blue Mountain pays a disproportionate amount of the budget. There are seats that go unused but we still pay for them," he said," he said.
He did not know the exact number of slots paid for that are not used.
Also on Thursday, the board adopted a different mission statement that reads: "The Blue Mountain School District, in partnership with the community, is committed to providing a safe caring environment for all students to reach their full potential in the 21st century."
This version is shorter than the previous mission statement on the website that reads: "The Blue Mountain School District, in partnership with parents, community, faculty and administration, is committed to providing, in a safe caring environment, opportunities for all students to become successful, lifelong learners by encouraging the development of knowledge, skills, technology and experience necessary to meet the Pennsylvania Academic Standards and to be positive, productive and tolerant members of a global society."
The board also adopted a vision statement that reads: "Educating Successfully for Lifelong Excellence."
The board also approved the submission of four Act 80 days to the state Department of Education.
The calendar for the 2014-15 school year was also approved. School will start Aug. 25 for students. The last day of school is scheduled for June 1.
The calendar is subject to revision.