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NORTH MANCHESTER - Manchester Community Schools administrative staff attended the regularly scheduled school board meeting Tuesday, trying to restore some normalcy to what has been a tragic week for teachers, students and staff.
Superintendent Diane Showalter spoke about Kyle Music's funeral, which was held at the high school Tuesday. The funeral for the boy, who died Thursday from complications of bacterial meningitis, was widely attended by students and adults, she said.
High school principal Nancy Alspaugh said they estimate about 1,000 people attended the services.
The students there acted very appropriately, Showalter told the board. "They exemplified the youth we all dream about," she said. "They made us proud."
Showalter went on to address parents' concerns about the disease that has killed two Manchester boys this year. Many parents, she said, have wondered why students are not given the vaccine. To that, she answered, "Because the state board of health said not to."
She also told board members and citizens that despite her request for the health department to check the school for safety, they refuse, saying Manchester High School's building is completely safe.
In other business, Manchester Community Schools named Steve Shumaker business manager for the corporation. Shumaker has been employed at the high school for eight years as the athletic director.
He will start as business manager Dec. 29.
