Shamokin Area, Problems in the Pressbox

School board argues over press-box catering

With overcrowding at the annex the big ticket item, the press-box catering issue grabbed the headline.

Director Tracey Witmer said having the district’s food service provider serve the food was taking funds away from the band and football booster concession stands.

Witmer said she called more than a dozen area schools and said none of those schools provide food in the press box during football games.

As a contract employee of a local radio station, I would suggest that Ms. Witmer call both Southern Columbia and Mount Carmel Area. Southern Columbia's pressbox has been catered for at least a decade while Mount Carmel has been providing catering through a private sponsor for a few years.

As a working member of the electronic media, I would say most of us are coming from other duties and do not have the time to wait in line at the concession stand before the game or at halftime. Once the game starts, I am confined to the box for the remainder of the game. I only get a two minute commercial break.

I would like to thank Shamokin AD Nick Celinscak for the improvement to a great press-box this season.

In the article, Food Service Director Diane Daubilis says a $480 profit was realized.