Mold remediation at Wyoming Area Intermediate Center successful

EXETER — Remediation efforts to to clean up mold found at the Wyoming Area Intermediate Center on Montgomery Avenue were successful and final test results showed that all areas were cleared for use, Superintendent John Pollard said during Tuesday’s regular school board meeting.

The mold was first discovered toward the end of July, and the school building was closed while initial testing was done.

Treatment of the mold was originally expected to take about two weeks, but the whole process ended up taking a little longer, Pollard said.

A drain clog at the building earlier Tuesday caused water backup in one of the bathrooms, but the superintendent said that issue was being cleaned up, and school is expected to resume on time Wednesday morning.

Following Pollard’s report, the rest of the meeting lasted not quite 20 minutes, as there was little to no discussion of agenda items or public comments.

Of note, the board approved several fundraisers and events for the 2024-2025 school year.

• Jennifer Bonita of the 2025 Senior Class Parent’s Association was approved to sell Boba Tea, other drinks, popcorn and snacks at home football games and host a bingo game on Nov. 17. Kim Gittens at the Wyoming Area Intermediate Center was approved to hold monthly Smencil sales from September to June, as well as a Santa sale from Dec. 9 through 13.

• Kimberlee Powers, Mt. Zion Bicentennial Volunteer Fire Company, was approved to rent the Secondary Center cafeteria for a craft show from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The craft show has been an annual event for the past two years.

• Maureen Thomas of Big Brothers Big Sisters was approved to rent the Secondary Center cafeteria for a purse bingo from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, pending approval by the building principal and food service director.

• Finally, Rachel Leandri of Broadway on the Boulevard was approved to rent the auditorium, lobby, chorus room and band room for their Holiday Show on Saturday, Dec. 21. A matinee show will be held at 11 a.m. and a second show at 4 p.m. A private dress rehearsal will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20.

Several assistant and volunteer coaches for the 2024-2025 Fall sports season were approved as well, including: Nicholas Sciandra Jr. as High Cross Country Coach, John Kearns as a volunteer coach and Corey Mruk as Assistant Strength Coach.

Along with the support personnel substitute list for the new school year and transportation drivers, the board also approved several teacher appointments including Jaqualyn Kasa as a long term substitute, special education teacher, pending their resignation as a paraprofessional, along with Alexandria Arndt as a long-term substitute for first grade.

Also at the meeting, school board member Kirby Kunkle resigned from her position as a board member on the Wyoming Area Foundation and fellow school board member Peter Butera was appointed to fill the vacancy.

The Wyoming Area Foundation was formed earlier this year and is a non-profit organization that, according to the Wyominhg Area’s website, amplifies public dollars with private support in order to fund improvement projects in the district.

The board also:

• Approved Right to Know Request submitted for emails between personnel and scores for cheerleading tryouts.

• Approved the August payment of $69,742.73 to the West Side Career & Technology Center for the 2024-2025 school year.

• Approve the final version of the agreement between the Wyoming Area School Board and the Wyoming Area Education Support Professionals Association/ESPA/PSEA retroactive from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026, pending final review and approval by the district solicitor.

• Approved the Administrator Compensation Plan under Act 93 of 1984, 24 P.S. Sect. 1164 retroactive to July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027, pending final review and approval of the district solicitor.

• Approved the United Way of Wyoming Valley Community Impact Initiatives Memorandum of Understanding for July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

• Approve the Academic Affiliation Agreement for Student Teaching between the Luzerne Intermediate Unit and Wyoming Area School District for Kate Sciandra.

• Approved the Lackawanna College Proposal for Pre-College Agreement.

• Approve Jason Speece as stadium/weight room monitor retroactive for the 2024 Summer Recreation Program.

• Approved Christine Campenni as a gym monitor retroactive for the 2024 Summer Recreation Program.

• Approve the donation of five promethium boards and five projectors to the Wyoming Area Regional Police Department.