Jeff Tech ponders how to notify public when meetings are virtual

WINSLOW TWP. — The Jeff Tech Joint Operating Committee held its February meeting virtually on Monday, and members discussed how the school notifies the public when meetings are moved online.

Chairman Dr. Fred Park asked how the public knew Monday’s meeting was going to be held virtually via Zoom.

Dr. Barry Fillman, administrative director, said they didn’t have time to cancel the meeting, and he was on-site with secretary Tracy Giles and JOC members Sam Armagost and Jeff Madinger Sr. to meet any residents who came for the meeting.

“We didn’t have to cancel, and we didn’t have the time to advertise that it was online only,” Fillman said.

During his report, Fillman also said they’ll have an updated calendar next month, but there wasn’t time to have it ready for Monday’s meeting.

In other business, the JOC voted to approve:

• A motion to award the bid for Practical Nursing program simulation equipment to Pocket Nurse at the price of $59,421. Funding for the purchase of the equipment will come from the federal CARES grant.

• An agreement with C.M. Eichenlaub Company to inspect the bleachers at the cost of $1,600. This inspection is required annually.

• A refrigerator land use agreement with Kevin and Erin Plummer, dependent on securing funds for the farm to refrigerator facility.

• A motion for Jeff Tech to participate in the federal General Service Administration Advantage Cooperative Purchasing Program.

• The resignation of Alicia Hawk, health assisting instructor, effective June

30. She will continue as a substitute for Jeff Tech and a part-time employee for Adult Education Practical Nursing.

• The addition of Jane Flohr, CTE and academic, to the substitute list.

• A motion to keep tuition for Adult Integrated classes over 1,250 hours at $6,250 for the 2021-2022 school year.

• A motion to keep Practical Nursing tuition at $16,500 for the 2021-2022 school year.

Reports:

• Park asked about the projected loss of $6,882.49 in the food service program.

“Is this how we’re going to work through the year, with a loss?” Park asked.

Sherry Hasselman, business manager, said they are dealing with not having the usual number of students in the building in November and December.

“We’ve had a lot more students in the building in January and February, and they are in the highest percentage program that’s out there,” Hasselman said.

“I do expect that not to be a problem ... and there’s some stimulus money out there, and we’re hoping we can get some of that stimulus money to help with that, and it’s costing more because of the way we are doing lunch this year,” Hasselman added.

Fillman said they’ve used more paper goods this year than in past years.

Hasselman said she hopes they do a little bit better in the next few months.

Fillman said they are delivering meals to the classrooms.

“When we come to next year, hopefully we’ll be back to having à la carte items,” he said.

• Fillman congratulated the COOP Department as it added three more jobs during the pandemic.

The next JOC meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 22 in the gymnasium.