Athletic guidelines for dual sports and student conduct policies were approved by the Karns City Area School District board at its meeting Monday, Oct. 14, at the Karns City Area Jr./Sr. High School.

The athletic guidelines strengthen communication channels among coaches and student-athletes to ensure those participating in multiple sports can balance practice and competition schedules.

“We have quite a few talented athletes who may like to participate in multiple sports at one time,” said high school principal Michael Stimac, who took the lead in updating the policy. “Sometimes the students go ‘all in’ for both, and we don’t want them to feel like they’re being punished for choosing one over the other.”

The guidelines are not a response to the injury of Mason Martin, a Karns City high school football player who was hurt during a game Sept. 1, 2023, Stimac said.

“It was just time to review the guidelines, but due to his injury, there’s certainly a focus on the health of student-athletes,” he said. “Protecting athletes at the high school and youth levels is important here as well as across the country.”

In other action, the board approved updates to district policies that ensure a safe, productive learning environment for students, including policies on hazing, bullying/cyberbullying and dating violence.

“None of these represent significant changes,” superintendent Eric Ritzert said. “They are part of our regular review of policies to be sure they align with state and federal laws.”

The board approved more than $63,000 for increased construction costs associated with the renovation of Karns City Area Elementary School, formerly Chicora Elementary School.

Most of these expenses are related to utility infrastructure updates and asbestos remediation, Ritzert said.

In public comments, Ashley King, a food service worker in the district, expressed her frustration with staffing shortages, asking the board to expedite the hiring process.

“We are physically exhausted, and we’re desperately in need of help,” she said.

King, of Chicora, said four unfilled vacancies in the elementary school cafeteria staff have created an unsustainable workload for the five remaining employees, particularly when someone calls off or calls in sick.

Construction at the elementary school meant the cafeteria was not fully functional when school began in September, exacerbating problems, she said.

Board president Josh Price said new employees must complete background checks and receive board approval before they can start. With board meetings held just once a month, he said, the process can take up to two months.

“We do know there’s an issue,” he said. “I’m hoping we can fill to capacity, plus. It’s been an ongoing struggle.”

Contract negotiations with the Karns City Area Educational Support Personnel Association, representing cafeteria workers and other noninstructional employees of the district, may address wage and benefits for these workers, Ritzert said. The union’s five-year contract expires June 30, 2025.

“And we will consider ways to expedite the hiring process, even the possibility of calling a special meeting of the board,” Ritzert said.