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County officials begin discussion of Mackey probe options

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NANTICOKE &mdash; Luzerne County Community College President Thomas Leary opened Tuesday&rsquo;s Board of Trustees meeting with a video of himself explaining steps taken to make the campus safe for returning students, noting that a mix of online and in-person learning is available,and stressing masks will be mandatory at all times on campus.
				He also mentioned the college has two potential first days this fall: The traditional start Monday, Aug. 31, and a &ldquo;special session&rdquo; starting Sept. 14.
				Other modifications originally adopted for the end of the disrupted spring semester are being extended to the fall semester, including allowing withdrawal from a course through the end of the semester, the option of getting a passing grade instead of a numeric grade, and flexibility in finishing a class if problems arise during the semester.
				Leary also encouraged students who may have had college plans elsewhere disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic to consider taking classes at LCCC instead of taking a &ldquo;gap year.&rdquo; And he urged high school students to consider the early college option that would allow them to get college experience during their senior year.
				Vice-president of Work Force Development Sue Spry gave an update on the Employment Retraining Opportunities Program begun 11 years ago during the Great Recession. Those who meet requirements are eligible for up to 12 credits of free tuition for one semester.
				Spry said the program, which has served 652 people since its inception, is likely to become important to many now thanks to the job losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted Northeast Pennsylvania has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state and is expected to see the rate near 20% before it levels off.
				Several people talked about the newer AllOne Recovery Educational Institute, funded by the AllOne Foundation to help recovering addicts rebuild their lives through college classes. Director Antoinette Sacco said it is becoming more valuable COVID-19 pandemic drives many into drug and alcohol use or relapse.
				The program has exceeded the goal of helping 49 students so far, instead helping 109, Sacco said. It also exceeded the goal of helping at least 75% of participants sustain their recovery, with 95% sustaining it.
				The voting agenda was very light. Perhaps the biggest item was approving the nomination committee&rsquo;s recommendation for trustee officers in 2020-21. The board approved the recommendation to keep current officers Lynn Distasio as chair, Susan Unvarsky as vice chair, and Bernard Graham as secretary.
				The board also approved the bid awarded for restroom renovations in buildings 4 and 5 at a total cost of $243,146. General construction goes to Champion Builders Inc. at $158,500, and plumbing goes to L.H. Reed and Sons, Inc for $54,946. Another $10,672 is set aside in a contingency fund, while hemmler+camayd architects get $19,028.

LCCC president: School ready to open, with later start option