About 75 Octorara Area High School students currently enrolled in the Delaware-based SmartDrive program should be safer drivers after completing the online safe driving course, high school Principal Scott Rohrer told the school board Feb. 21.
“We want to address the issue of accidents with this age group,“ said Rohrer, adding that he may ask the school board to consider making the SmartDrive course part of the high school’s required curriculum.
Teachers, administrators and the Student Council drummed up enrollment in the six-hour online course, which students must complete between November and March. Students who complete the defensive driving course may also be eligible for discounts with their family’s auto insurance provider, said Rohrer.
School board member Bob Hume brought the course, with a Web page at www.smartdrivede.org, to the attention of the school board last fall.
Board member Nelson Stoltzfus of the district’s Facilities Committee said the high school renovation is progressing despite contractor changes. Stoltzfus said the gym should be finished by June 1, and the auditorium by August.
In personnel issues the school board accepted with regret the retirement resignation of high school Spanish teacher Judy Curiel, who has taught in the district since 1986. The board hired Bridget Marowski as a long-term subsitute Spanish teacher at a pro-rated $46,914 salary.
The school board also terminated an employee who was not named; hired Tammy Anthony as a long-term substitute third grade teacher; approved Matt Walton as a volunteer with the girls basketball program; and approved the removal of tax leins on three mobile home parcels in Chester County since the homes were removed or demolished. The leins totaled $4,901.
-30-