Peters students joining sports teams this spring will find something new in their traditional 10-page introductory packet of information.
Included will be information about a new form of staph infection, known as community-associated methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or CA-MRSA. The drug-resistant infection gained local attention last year when three Allegheny County school districts reported infections among high school football players.
Board member Allison McClure asked the Peters school board on Monday to approve a proactive approach to educate parents and students about the infection and its symptoms. Often, intensive antibiotic treatment is necessary and fatalities from the infection have been reported in other states.
District Superintendent Dr. Diane Kirk said she would consult with school nurses on the specific information to include in the packets.
Also at Monday's meeting, the board approved a plan to begin submitting information to the state Department of Education for approval of the renovation of Bower Hill Elementary School and the district middle school.
The board awarded bids totaling $25,245 for land surveying and geotechnical investigations at both sites.
In 2004, the district borrowed $15 million for the projects, including a plan to add eight additional classrooms to Bower Hill Elementary School for about $3 million. Estimated at $12.7 million, plans call for the middle school to gain 12 classrooms and for an overall renovation. Board members hope to whittle the middle school project down to about $10 million, so some renovation work also can be done at the high school.
First Published: February 26, 2006, 5:00 a.m.