Gateway discusses establishment of clay target shooting club

Gateway School Board tabled a request this week to form a student clay target shooting club.

Parent Christine Sterner spoke to the school board this week and was accompanied by her husband, their two sons and one of their friends who are interested in starting a club at the Monroeville school.

The club would use Trafford Sportsmens Club for its activities.

Solicitor Bruce Dice told the board that – as with all school sports – if someone is negligent, the district would be held responsible and insurance coverage would be needed prior to moving forward.

“To date, with the organization, there has been zero accidents,” Sterner said of the Pennsylvania Clay Target League. During the 2023-24 school year, there were 51,866 registered athletes and 1,795 high school and college teams in the state.

Athletic Director Don Holl said he would like to meet the students who are interested to confirm participation before moving forward.

Dice advised Sterner to get in touch with Franklin Regional, Penn-Trafford and Norwin – all of which have clay sporting clubs – and see what their agreements look like.

School board member Donna Burns motioned to table the club proposal until insurance and liabilities issues are addressed. All members voted in favor.

Cellphone use

Superintendent Guy Rossi said he will meet with school principals to discuss cellphone use and policies, as well as organize a committee to ensure everyone is on the same page. Rossi said any possible changes in the policy would not be enforced until January.

Student forecasting

The board approved an agreement with Davis Demographics at a cost of $19,500 for a student enrollment forecast.

Director Cheryl Boise said that that, with the 400-unit housing unit being constructed behind Target, having a forecast of potential students would help “when it comes down to the ninth hour.”

Burns also voted in favor of the agreement, citing that Davis Demographics will do a modeling, proposed at all grade levels and do a projection of enrollment for the next five to 10 years.

Superintendent Guy Rossi said that there will be a “deep dive” into demographics. “It will bring a long range plan for facilities planning and enrollment,” Rossi said.

Bova disagreed.

“We already have professionals who do this,” he said, noting he didn’t feel that an outside company was necessary.

Bus transportation

The board stressed that parents should not take to social media with transportation concerns or questions.

Director Donna Burns reminded parents with transportation issues should contact the bus company at 412-373-5728 or email transportation@gatewayk12.org .