By Mark Hofmann

Published: Friday, January 18, 2013, 6:12 p.m.
Updated: Friday, January 18, 2013

State Sen. Richard Kasunic and the Falcon Foundation were able to hand over a grant of $25,000 to the Connellsville Area School District on Friday for new electronic tools to further enhance education.

“The Falcon Foundation was the best thing a school could come up with,” said Kasunic. Kasunic was able to secure $25,000 from the state budget office and Department of Education for the Falcon Foundation, whose goal is to provide some extras for students in the Connellsville Area School District.

The grant from Kasunic will go toward the purchase of iPads for the high school science department, keyboards for the high school's music department and a student response system for all eight elementary schools.

According to Dr. Tammy Stern, the district's director of federal programs, the system, which incorporates remote control-like devices known as “e-clickers,” is a way for students to answer a teacher's questions and/or give instant feedback.

“Everybody can participate in the same questions,” Kasunic said.

The purchases received the final approval by both Stern and district superintendant Dr. Dan Lujetic.

“The Falcon Foundation is phenomenal,” Lujetic said, adding that in his short time as superintendent, the feedback he has received concerning the foundation has been incredible. “This will help enhancing education in the district.”

Friday's grant was the second that Kasunic was able to acquire. He previously gave the district another $25,000 used for overhead cameras and white boards.

Ken Jaynes and Paul Harshman, of the Falcon Foundation, thanked Kasunic for his efforts in obtaining the grants that will further enhance the educational process in the school district.

“The Falcon Foundation works together with the school district to enhance education,” Jaynes said.

Since the foundation was organized seven years ago, Harshman said it has put over $200,000 into the school district.

Kasunic said there are similar foundations set up in nearby districts like Brownsville, Laurel Highlands, Frazier and Albert Gallatin that he has acquired funding for various district projects, especially when budget cuts hurt school-district budgets.

“The grant goes to alleviate those things,” Kasunic said.

Mark Hofmann is a staff writer with Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-626-3539 or mhofmann@tribweb.com.

1. Geibel names 2013’s top students
2. DeWitt claims politics played into charges against him
3. City’s financial status under debate
4. Former Mill Run man to be tried for rape
5. Connellsville mayoral candidate Joshua DeWitt held for trial in chop shop case
6. Upper Tyrone family helps pet overcome paralysis
7. Aaron’s Building could get new life
8. Uniontown police investigate shooting injury
9. Woman who allegedly overdosed with kids in car charged with endangerment
10. Historic ferry could become idled
11. 5 vie for 4 open seats on Frazier board

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.