The Warren County School District board approved creation of a new position, an agreement for student teachers and bids for food service equipment at its meeting Monday.

The agreement with the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford would provide for college students to work within the district gaining experience as student teachers. The affiliation agreement spans five years beginning in January.

The new position would act as a secretary to a director and be located at district central administrative offices in Russell.

The accepted bids for food service equipment were split between three providers – Birmingham Restaurant Supply, Singer Equipment Company and TriMark SS Kemp – and totaled $133,048.43. A total of six bids were received for all or part of the purchase contract.

Superintendent Amy Stewart gave brief comments welcoming new board members who were elected in November. She noted the district is working to arrange building walkthroughs and meetings with administration for them. Meetings will include separate sessions with elementary and secondary principals, and a meeting with district directors.

New board member John Wortman asked that teacher certification shortages be put on the agenda for future board committee review. He requested a breakdown of the issue by school and through the district’s virtual academy. He also requested information on virtual academy population by area.

OTHER BUSINESS

The board approved Roger Billings Rescue Grants for all elementary, middle and high schools within the district. The grants provide $10,000 per school to be used toward purchase of Acellus Gold Edition software licenses. The software is used in special education, special needs and independent studies programs,

Approved application for a Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh Science Equipment Grant of up to $600 for purchase of equipment for science instruction for grades six through eight at Eisenhower Middle High School, changed the classification code for computer instruction at the Warren County Career Center.