NESHANNOCK High school students enroll in courses for college credits

Drug detection dogs will be used in the schools for the first time.
NESHANNOCK, Pa. -- Neshannock High School students are now earning college credits.
Mark Ferrara, director of curriculum, told the school board Thursday that 34 high school students are enrolled in a college pre-calculus class.
Ferrara explained the program, offered through California University of Pennsylvania, allows a student to earn three college credits for $25 per credit.
He said Neshannock is the only Lawrence County school district enrolled in the program.
Ferrara added that the district also is trying to add physics to the college curriculum this year and is shooting to offer six college courses next year.
In other business, the board authorized the school administration in conjunction with the Neshannock Township police to bring drug detection dogs into the building and on the school campus for random drug tests.
Superintendent Dr. Michael Hink said this it the first time the district has requested drug detection dogs.
"We need to take a proactive approach" to drug prevention, he commented.
Hink said the dogs are provided through a contract with the Intermediate Unit IV, which allows each district to have one free visit a year.
The board also approved a contract with Russell Reed Contracting of Beaver Falls to pave the bus garage floor. The cost is $24,698.