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WILKES-BARRE — The Wilkes-Barre Area School Board called a special meeting on Monday at which they named a new business director, as made appointments to several administrative and athletic posts as well.
Thomas Telesz, who had previously served the district as controller, was named business manager, effective Sept. 1.
James Geiger was appointed acting principal at Dodson Elementary School, and Melissa Myers is now assistant acting principal at Coughlin High School. Their salaries will be determined by the board.
The board also accepted the resignation of GAR assistant football coach John Birmer and appointed James Lavan acting GAR Junior High Athletic Director. Several teaching and coaching positions also were filled.
The district also adopted an anaphylaxis policy entitled “School Guidelines for Managing Students with Food Allergies.”
The accompanying information noted that food allergies can be life-threatening and the risk can be minimized by the provision of a safe educational environment for food-allergic students.
The policy directs school staff to review health records submitted by parents regarding food allergies, and the establishments of a core team that will include the school nurse, teacher, principal, and the school food service and nutrition director to work with students and parents to establish a prevention plan.
The policy also directs that students not share food with others, be proactive in the care and management of food allergies as developmentally appropriate and notify an adult of any concerns about food safety.
The policy also outlines appropriate responses to food allergy-induced anaphylaxis reaction, including putting related medical protocols in place for that response and maintaining emergency medications as allowed by state law.
In another matter, district Solicitor Ray Wendolowski announced the resolution of litigation in which the district agreed to a sum of $17,000 to be put toward “legitimate educational expenses” for a student identified as “V.S.”
Expenses for which payments or reimbursements can be withdrawn from the account include those related to tutoring, remedial instruction and summer programming.
The agreement directs that the district maintain the account until the depletion of the fund, the student’s death or her 18th birthday. It also provides for ongoing reevaluation of the student.
The next meeting of the Wilkes-Barre Area School Board is scheduled for Sept. 12.