Huntingdon School Board Learns Schools’ Needs, Wants

HUNTINGDON (December 3) — Members of the Huntingdon School Board spent a day in the schools, visiting with administrators, teachers, and students to better understand the needs and wants at each of the three school sites.

Convening at 7 a.m., board members first conducted their monthly business session, which included a required public notice to discuss the renewal of Jonathan Kee’s contract in January. Kee is the director of schools.

In other business, the board approved several personnel changes. Rebecca Anderson was hired as a Primary School Educational Assistant, while Jeri Shands and Rachelle Baldwin joined Primary School Food Service.

Emily Cole and Jennifer Briscoe resigned from food service, and Katie White stepped down as an HMS Educational Assistant.

Dr. Kee, board members, and two student representatives — Madison Dill and Paige Costello — toured each of the three school buildings.

The group learned about innovative programs in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), the JAG program, a student-run concession area, and agriculture initiatives including local livestock and greenhouse operations at the high school. After visiting all three schools, the group returned to the central office to discuss needs and wants before evaluating the institution’s progress.

Among the top infrastructure priorities identified were tennis and pickleball courts, an additional HHS greenhouse, inclusive playground equipment for HPS and HMS, and renovation of the HPS old gym.

Items for future consideration included baseball and softball field lighting, additional school transportation, and additional storage and STEM workspace at HHS.