Kane Area Middle School to launch new STEM Program

Students at the Kane Area Elementary School can look forward to a new STEM program for the 2021/2022 school year. The district is partnering with Woz ED to provide the materials and course content. Woz ED was founded in part by Steve Wozniak, builder of the Apple II computer.

“It’s an incredible program designed to excite kids about opportunities in STEM,” said Kane Superintendent Brock Benson. “I think the students will enjoy it.”

Joel Post will be the first STEM instructor for the program which includes topics such as drone building, coding, and animation.

At their meeting Thursday evening, Benson thanked the Kane Area School Board for their approval of the purchase of the materials for the STEM program.

Benson also thanked UPMC Kane for providing access to the Pfizer COVID vaccine for all KASD staff. Now that all Pennsylvania residents aged 16 and up are eligible to receive the vaccine, the district is working with UPMC Kane to prove on-site access to the vaccine at the high school for students over the age of 16, who have parental permission.

Two weeks after an individual has received their second dose of the vaccine, they are no longer bound by the quarantine rules. As graduation approaches, this has become a priority for many.

At the meeting, the board also approved the budget for 2021-2022 that was presented by Business Manager, Jessica Gabriel at their workshop, April 8th. There is no planned tax increase.

Estimated expenditures, including the $300,000 budgetary reserves are $18,648,629.00. The estimated budget revenue is $18,181,446.00. 71.3% of the district’s funding is from the state. 3.4% is federal, and 25.3% is local. 72% of the total budget goes towards salaries and benefits.

The board accepted resignations from Mike Swartwood, Sr. as high School Wrestling Head Coach; Drew Victory as Paraprofessional Aide; and Robin Lundberg as Head Cook. The Kane Area School Board will next meet for a workshop on Thursday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m.