Freeport Area School District is satisfied after the first use Tuesday of the Alert Now System and is optimistic about its future use.
The system notified about 1,600 households within 10 minutes to announce a two-hour delay via an automated calling system.
When a weather-related announcement or other communication is needed, the information is first posted on the school district's website, then the so-called robo-calls begin.
District spokesman Todd O' Shell and Superintendent Christopher DeVivo both received positive feedback from students and staff, though three households decided to opt out of future phone calls.
In other business
• The board meeting on Jan. 12 will be the only meeting for the month.
• Mark Shoaf was re-elected board president for the next calendar year.
• Board member Meredith Christy was re-appointed to another three-year term as a district representative to the Lenape Vocational-Technical Joint Operating Committee.
His term ends in December 2013. Christy has served in that capacity since 1998.
• Christy said the Lenape board has approved building an on-campus adult education center at a cost of $1.25 million.
The Lenape board hopes to break ground in March.
The learning center will house adult education programs such as the licensed practical nurse program. Lenape's four member school districts pay nearly $100,000 per year to lease a building adjacent to the ACMH Hospital in East Franklin.
• District officials are concerned about reports concerning next year's state budget cutting subsidies to school districts by 5 percent to 10 percent.
For Freeport Area, it would mean between $350,000 and $700,000 less than the current school year.
• The board again approved a measure allowing the district to enter joint purchasing agreements with other school districts or intermediate units to buy general supplies and equipment at a better price.
The district has taken part in the program for more than 20 years.
• Michael Johns was approved as an extended-term substitute for in-school math tutoring at a rate of $130 per day.
His salary will be paid by federal accountability block grant funds.
• Athletic Committee Chairwoman Barbara Toy-Gaydos said the football junior varsity team next year could consist of ninth- and 10th-graders. The ninth-grade football program would be discontinued because of dwindling participation.
"Neighboring school districts where the numbers are down have done this," Toy-Gaydos said.
