Nasha Snipes of Rachel's Challenge speaks to an audience at Knoch High School Wednesday night. The program named after Rachel Joy Scott, the first victim of the 1999 Columbine High School mass shooting, is designed to inspire individuals to replace acts of violence, bullying and negativity with acts of respect, kindness and compassion. The South Butler County School District hosted a three-day student workshop as part of the presentation and will continue to implement aspects of the program, including a “high five day,” moving forward.

JEFFERSON TWP — Principals and other administrators were missing from the South Butler County School Board meeting on Wednesday night, as they were busy speaking with parents and district residents about the Rachel's Challenge program being presented in the high school auditorium.

The district offered two Community Nights to apprise parents and residents of the positivity program, which was started several years ago by the father of Rachel Joy Scott, the first student killed at the Columbine High School shooting in 1999.

Superintendent David Foley said about 100 people attended the Community Night presentations, which apprised parents and residents of the program and how it would be carried out at South Butler.

“I'd like to have more, but it was a good amount of people who I hope share the message with the community,” Foley said.

He also hopes high school and middle school students, who were also given presentations during the school day, will share information on the program with their parents.

Also at the meeting, the board voted unanimously to buy two more metal detectors for the high school and middle school entrances.

The cost of the 11 detectors is $38,500.

Many parents in the last school year implored the board to add metal detectors at the secondary school entrances.

Pat Sarnese, the district's director of school police and transportation, said the process of getting the students through the detectors at arrival time is getting easier every day.

“The kids are getting the hang of it,” he said.

The school board also voted 8-1 to approve 60 days each of Family Medical Leave Act for three unnamed employees.

The lone dissenter was board member George Zacherl, who would not discuss the reason for his vote after the meeting because it is a confidential personnel issue.