Students, host families and teachers praise American Exchange Project at public comment

At the board’s public‑comment period, teacher Jerry Skaleski and student Gabriel "Gabe" Williams described their experiences hosting and participating in the American Exchange Project (AEP) and asked the board to allow the program to continue in Scranton.

Skaleski said he has hosted and run AEP for three years and requested the board’s permission to continue. He reported that the program has sent 13 Scranton students around the country over time and, in the most recent cycle, sent seven students from Scranton to locations including West Jordan, Utah; Flowood, Mississippi; Denver, Colorado; Los Angeles, California; Kilgore, Texas; and Foxcroft, Maine. He said Scranton hosted eight students this year from several states and praised the host families who supported the program.

Student Gabe Williams described his week in Maine, listing outdoor activities (kayaking, canoeing, hiking), shared meals and social experiences; both Skaleski and Williams described personal growth and new independence arising from participation. Board members and attendees complimented host families and the program’s benefit to participating students; one board member asked whether visiting students would consider moving to Scranton, and participants said the students enjoyed the visits but generally wanted to return home.

Skaleski said AEP is one of only two towns in the Commonwealth running a program of this type and said there is legislative interest in funding exchange programs more broadly. He requested the board’s permission to continue hosting the program; the board offered thanks and positive comments; no formal vote was required.

Other public commenters later praised district new‑teacher induction and urged renewed emphasis on literacy and library resources.