The Montgomery Area School District approved several measures at its monthly meeting Tuesday night.

Addressing a current teacher shortage, the board approved the district’s participation in the Certified Teacher Registered Apprenticeship grant program. This is a partnership with Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16, BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.

“We are in basically a crisis when it comes to certified teachers, especially in the area of special education,” Superintendent Daphne Bowers said.

“What this grant does is it’s now-working on teachers as apprentices in their process of moving toward being certified as a teacher,” she explained.

“This addresses just special education teachers, and this is a high school diploma to certification as a special education teacher,” Bowers said, calling it a wonderful opportunity for on the job training for those wishing to become teachers.

“We see it as a benefit for possible professionals who are doing a great job within our school district, who may have a high school diploma and are interested in becoming a teacher,” she said.

“After any type of financial aid that they would receive, we would also help with tuition reimbursement,” adding that this would result in a small cost to the district.

“It’s a wonderful program, and it could be the future of teacher preparation,” Bowers said.

In other financial matters, the board approved the referral agreement between the district and Crossroads Counseling Inc.; the dual enrollment agreement with Lycoming College; and the retaining of special counsel-support for permitting, approvals and construction issues related to the new Junior/Senior High School from Stock and Leader, Attorneys at Law.

A prom dress sale will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on March 15, in the elementary school multipurpose room, following board approval.

“Danielle Bryson is an employee of the district, and there are other employees of the district that are supporting her in this effort to collect prom dresses and provide them to students in our community at a very, very low price,” Bowers said, commending them for their efforts.

Bryson is still accepting donations for the sale, Bowers stressed.

In staffing issues, the board approved Jacob Mrochek as an elementary music teacher, at a salary of $62,774; and Logan McHenry as a full time custodial/maintenance employee at a rate of $15.00 an hour, plus benefits.

William Gresh Jr. was given the board’s blessing as a van driver for Mowery Transportation, with Bowers noting that there is also currently a bus driver shortage and encouraging anyone with experience and interest in such a position to apply.

Jesse Newcomer was named as the district’s Esports Advisor.

“Esports is gaining popularity across all schools,” Bowers said.

“It’s actually a gaming team, and they compete with other school teams across the nation, and there’s starting to be scholarships involved,” she added.

“Our room was all grant funded, and it is almost complete. There’s a lot of excitement,” Bowers said.

The resignation of Chris Spangler, board member representing Clinton Township, was accepted by the board.

The position will be advertised on the district’s website, as well as the Sun-Gazette, and is open to anyone who lives in Clinton Township to apply for.

Applicants will be interviewed prior to a board vote.

Asked by board member Roger McRae about the usage of the sensory room, elementary school Principal Karen Snyder said the reception has been overwhelmingly positive.

“It’s a part of their school day at different times throughout the day to meet their sensory needs. It’s just been wonderful,” she said.

“We definitely needed it, so it’s a great addition to our program,” Snyder said.

During public comment, Bowers was asked about the impact on the district’s special needs students that may arise from White House efforts to diminish the federal workforce and possibly dismantle the Department of Education.

“I had read some articles about programs for special needs students being cut, and as a father of a daughter who has special needs, I have to be her advocate whenever any of those programs are threatened,” he said.

“Usually, this is just for public comment, but I do want to reassure you, we are not cutting special education programs,” Bowers said.

“We take a lot of pride in the programs that we’ve developed for our students, both with special education, academic and also behavioral, and those numbers are only increasing. They’re not decreasing,” she stressed.

The next board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18.