Spring-Ford Year in Review

The Spring-Ford Area School District board of education met for a work session meeting on Monday night to discuss issues on the , but also said goodbye to the year that was: 2011.

Among the hotter issues is a proposal for a student activity fee that will be voted upon in next week's final meeting before the July break. In an effort to "offer diverse and appropriate co-curricular programs," the board is recommending a pay-to-play incentive that would apply to students in grades 7-12.

The board also adopted a resolution regarding furlough of professional employees and non-renewal of temporary professional employees. The Board of School Directors approved a resolution in March to cut the enviromental education program and to alter the family consumer service program and art program.

In conjunction with those changes, the board has decided to temporarily remove two employees and not renew the jobs of two temporary employees. That elimination will take official effect on June 30.

Student representative Elizabeth Brady also gave her year-end report, saying that it was a busy month for students with stressful finals. She congratulated the excelling athletics programs and valedictorian Taylor Daily and salutatorian Wenyuan Zhou.

Brady also said that the Interact program held its fourth annual Darfur walk-a-thon, which raised $1,000.

Finally, Brady wanted to again pay homage to the senior class, which earned a total of $125,618.25 in scholarships across 150 students. New alumni will be attending colleges like New York University, Boston University and Emereson College to name a few.

"It was a great year," Brady said. "These are the excelent things our students have to offer."

Superintendent Marsha Hurda made note of the retirement of Spring City Elementary principal Leslie Morrill and Spring-Ford assistant business manager Shirely Rhodes, who sat in on her last meeting Monday night.

"Shirley, thank you for your attention to detail," said Hurda. "Enjoy retirement. I know you are looking forward to it."

Hurda made mention of Spring-Ford High School's assistant principal Corey Jones, who will be taking on a new job in 2011-2012 as Wyomissing High School's principal.

However, Hurda was also put in the spotlight by Spring-Ford alumnus and former student representative to the board Dan Suraci of Upper Providence. Hurda's final meeting will be next week. She will be retiring. David Goodin will take her place.

"I'm only home for a few days, but I heard that the board is losing a valuable resource," Suraci said. "I've had the pleasure of working with you and you've been a shining light since you took the position six years ago. People say nothing less than wonderful things about you."