Should another nationwide lawsuit be filed against social media companies, the Mohawk Area School District will be a part of it.
During its meeting Tuesday, the Mohawk Area School Board approved an agreement to allow the law firms of Frazer PLC, of Nashville, and Knox, McLaughlin, Gornall & Sennett, P.C., of Erie, represent the district if the lawsuit goes through.
The lawsuit would be filed against Facebook and Instagram’s Meta, Snap Inc., TikTok and Alphabet Inc., the conglomerate that owns Google and YouTube.
The lawsuit, if filed, would go after the social media companies for their influence on youth and teenagers for causing mental and emotional health problems, bullying, disorderly behavior and addiction to the services.
Superintendent Dr. Lorree Houk said school districts have to divert their limited resources to address these issues in the classrooms. She added the companies have contributed to the worsening mental health and behavioral disorders of students, forcing schools to hire additional staff and provide training for teachers.
A similar lawsuit against the social media companies was filed in April by San Diego firm Frantz Law Group on behalf of 16 school districts across the country.
In other district news, the board awarded a $40,949 bid from Lawrence County-based West Paw Fencing for fencing for the elementary playground.
The board agreed to transfer $1 million from the district’s general fund to the capital reserve fund.
A school-based mental health outpatient treatment services agreement was approved between the district and the Lawrence County Human Services Center.
An agreement was approved with Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV to have the MIU allocate to the district $224,697.32 for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which helps students with a disability receive Free Appropriate Public Education. A similar agreement with the MIU was approved for $4,390 to help with special education services for kindergarten students.
The board:
•Accepted the resignation of bus driver Shane Staransky;
•Rescinded the employment of LeighAnn Moore as a special education instructional paraprofessional, Craig Riley as a custodian and Robert Lyles as a substitute teacher;
•Hired Braden Stillwagon as a substitute teacher and special education paraprofessional, Adrienne Jefferis as a special education instructional paraprofessional, Cory Brown as a substitute custodian and Craig MacCullough as a substitute teacher, while moving Crista Nativio from a girls varsity assistant coach to volunteer coach.
The district will help purchase championship rings for the girls cross country team with the booster group. The team won the WPIAL 1A championship and was eighth at the PIAA championship.
The district through Tuesday is collecting new and gently used toys for a holiday toy drive, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 2 at Mohawk Elementary School. Proceeds will benefit the Warrior P.R.I.D.E. program. Toys can be dropped off through Tuesday at the front entrance of Mohawk Elementary during school days from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Warrior P.R.I.D.E. program is collecting blankets for a blanket drive through Wednesday. The blankets will be given to the group Cam’s Comfy Covers, which donates to children at Akron Children’s Hospital. Blankets can be dropped off at the elementary school to Leah Suders’ classroom. For more information, email Suders at lsuders@mohawk.k12.pa.us.
The North Beaver Civic Club will host its annual Breakfast with Santa event from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 2 at the elementary school.
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