Lunch prices may go up in Weatherly Area schools

by James Hunter

The Weatherly Area School Board is considering raising cafeteria prices for the first time in at least six years. At the board’s caucus meeting Wednesday, April 5, board members were told by district business manager Robert Kachurak that the district would have to ante up a $15,979.19 deficit in the cafeteria fund for the 2023-24 school year. The projected loss for this year will be approximately $5,000. “We deliver 8,875 breakfasts, and 81,361 lunches per year,” he noted.

Board member Matthew vonFrisch said the district’s prices have remained the same during his six years on the board, while surrounding districts have higher prices.

The district charges $1.10 for breakfast, $2.20 for lunch at elementary and middle school, $2.35 for the high school, and $3.10 for adults. “Palmerton is $2.85 for elementary (lunches), $2.95 for secondary and $4 for adults,” vonFrisch said, “Lehighton is $2.50, $2.80, and $4. And Jim Thorpe is $2.30, $2.50, and $4.25. Even if we raised it 20¢, we

Obituaries

DANIEL J. SULLIVAN

Daniel J. Sullivan, 82, of Mountain Top, passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at home.

Born in Hazleton, he was the son of the late Daniel and Frances Gallagher Sullivan and worked as an accountant at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Notre Dame fan. He loved spending time with family and vacationing in North Myrtle Beach.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his twin sister, Mary Beth McCoy in 2017.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 54 years, Sharon Conklin Sullivan; daughter, Shawn Rutkoski would break even.”

Board president April Walters if the prices were raised 10¢ for the kids and 20¢ for the adults, the district would break even and still be less expensive than the other school districts in Carbon County.

Jeanine Snyder, the district’s nutrition director, said the board didn’t have to decide on the issue until June 30. The board moved agenda items regarding the Nutrition Group’s contract, 2023-24 budget and the cafeteria prices were moved to the May board meeting agendas.

Snyder said the district will celebrate ‘Purple Up Day’ by offering a free breakfast for veterans on Friday, April 14.

Get the dirt on the field

New field dirt was not spread on the district’s softball field for several weeks now—and an injury to a softball player that “may or may not have” had to do with the dirt not being spread set vonFrisch into a tirade. The player broke a leg sliding into a base because the field was hard, said vonFrisch, the assistant softball coach for the Lady Wreckers.

Stanley Bruzgulis

District maintenance superintendent Bill Moyer said bad weather and manpower problems have prevented the maintenance staff from spreading the dirt.

“We are one-third of the way through the softball season,” Walters said. Redeploying manpower during different hours was suggested by vonFrisch.

“We have some good options, so I think we can remedy the issue,” said Superintendent Daniel Malloy.

On the agenda

and her husband, Dr. Scott Rutkoski, Corning, NY; son, Daniel Sullivan and his wife, Mary Sullivan of Limerick; four grandchildren, Sydney and Samantha Rutkoski, Madison and Harper Sullivan; brother John Sullivan of Freeland; sister Margie Frame of Texas, nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, April 15, at 11 a.m. from the Desiderio-Lehman Funeral and Cremation, 436 S. Mountain Blvd. Mountain Top. Interment will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Freeland.

Friends are invited to join the family for a visitation on April 15, from 10 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Stanley “Stosh” Bruzgulis, 83, of Freeland, being 39 for the 44th time, passed away Monday, April 3, 2023 with his wife, Susan by his side and his bestest buddy, Bucky, his basset hound, at his feet.

Born in Pittston, he was the son of the late Stanley and Lorraine (Sipler) Bruzgulis. He was a graduate of MMI Preparatory School, Freeland.

He served his country in the United States Air Force, having spent most of his tour throughout Japan. Stanley then accepted a position as part time police officer in White Haven and continued serving his local community until he became a certified electrician. Upon his certification, he opened and operated Green Mountain Construction, as well as working for other construction companies. His extensive knowledge of the trade and his ability to fix or fabricate virtually anything opened up a world of endless opportunities, priceless memories and lifelong cherished friendships with Just Windows, Sky Hook and Lower Toby Sportsman’s Club.

His quick wit earned him the nicknames “Stanley McGyver” and “Santa Claus.”

He was a member of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, White Haven; Freeland American Legion Post 473; Eckley Social and Sports Club; Lower Toby Sportsman’s Club; and a lifelong member of the White Haven Amvets.

Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, was a brother, Ronald Bruzgulis. Surviving are his wife, the former Susan Kapraszewski, at home; sons, Stanley Bruzgulis and wife, Gerise, Hershey, and Michael Bruzgulis, Berwick; a daughter, Kathleen Parry, White Haven; granddaughters, Shelby and Casssidy; great-grandsons, Avery and Hayden; and nephews, Ryan and Eric.

Graveside services were held in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Freeland.

On the agenda for the April 12 regular meeting of the Weatherly Area School Board are:

Student recognitions – Senior of the Month for March – Jonathan Darraugh; 6th Grade Student of the Month – Levi Aneskevich; 7th Grade Student of the Month – Kyle Reiner; 8th Grade Student of the Month – Kassandra Hibbler

In Personnel, the Board acknowledges an FMLA leave for an employee, beginning April 20. These organizations have asked for permission to use facilities: Weatherly Youth Soccer League for use of middle and high school athletic fields from March through June 2023 Sunday through Saturday after school and on weekends for youth athletics; the American Legion Auxiliary cafeteria on April 4 from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. for PURPLE UP! DAY; and Weatherly Faith Church to use of middle school

See WASB AGENDA, page 6

Whc

Continued from page 1 internet service for rural PA. Funds come from Wender’s Capital Projects Fund, from Liebenluft’s Recovery funding – both from ARPA money.

The visit is part of a threeweek listening tour about access to reliable, affordable internet, and how poorquality broadband internet affects the everyday lives of locals, especially students and veterans.

After the presentation, there was a discussion of internet quality in Weatherly (unreliable and slow –slowest when school is out). Weatherly Area Schools vice principal Christopher Kimmel explained how the District would provide

ChromeBooks to students, but some families had poor internet, while others had none. (Weatherly Area Schools went virtual

Tuesday due to the railroad crossing reconstruction in Weatherly that cut off the District’s western-most students from getting to school.)

Congress member Wild spoke about the need for fast and reliable internet for seniors and veterans needing access to tele-health services.

WASB Agenda

Continued from page 5 athletic fields and front of the parking lot for a Mega Sports Camp from June 19th through 23rd, Monday through Friday from 5 – 9 p.m.

Superintendent Daniel Malloy recommends Homebound Instruction for a 9th grade student.

Also on the agenda is the Letter of Agreement between “The Meadows” and the Weatherly Area School District for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school year(s); approving the 2023-2024 CLIU Special Education Facilities Plan; and approving the Class of 2023 Hershey Senior Class Trip on May 19.

After the meeting, Sperling was given a ride in Citizens’ Volunteer Fire Company’s newest fire engine, shown at left with .Citizens Fire Company foreman Paul Bray.

Bills as presented from the General Fund Account total $959,674 March through April 12. The Cafeteria Fund spent $59,739, and Athletic Fund $6,636.