Bethlehem Area School District

The committee held a first reading for updates to policies regarding student attendance and unlawful harassment for both students and employees. Discussion focused on ensuring compliance with state truancy laws and consolidating multiple existing policies to eliminate repetitive language and overlap. The committee also touched upon Title IX reporting requirements, with plans to present the finalized policy drafts for a second reading at a later date.

The meeting focused on the presentation and discussion of the 2026-2027 preliminary budget, highlighting expenditure and revenue projections, state funding proposals, and potential strategies to address the budget gap such as fund balance utilization, expense reductions, and tax increases. Board members reviewed specific professional and technical service expenditures and discussed the retention of positions created with pandemic relief funds. Additionally, the Board received an overview of the newly established Community Engagement and Communication Plan committee and its orientation progress, and addressed public feedback regarding budget transparency and student nutrition programs.

The board meeting covered a wide range of administrative and operational topics, including the approval of numerous facility projects such as chiller replacements, roof repairs, exterior waterproofing, paving improvements, and audiovisual system upgrades. The Board also discussed the extension of energy management and transportation services, approved several student field trips, and reviewed staff conference attendance. Additionally, financial approvals included budget transfers, the payment of monthly bills, and the adoption of operating budgets for the Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 and the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School. The board also addressed personnel matters, discussed grant applications for literacy and wellness initiatives, and held a public forum concerning the expansion of free lunch programs for students.

The meeting covered several key operational and financial topics. Discussions included hearing updates from student representatives from Freedom High School and Liberty High School regarding their February activities. Financially, the Board approved budgetary transfers, the Treasurer's Reports, and monthly bills. Recommendations of the Administration involved ratifying fuel oil bidders for the upcoming school year, approving participation in the COSTARS Sodium Chloride Contract, approving proposals for gym floor refinishing across multiple schools, approving district vehicles and operators for student transportation, approving staff attendance at upcoming conferences, approving several student trips for music festivals, approving disciplinary actions including a Waiver of Expulsion Hearing, approving a Special Education Settlement Agreement, extending the PowerSchool Naviance Agreement, and approving the submission of a PCCD School Safety and Mental Health Grant application. Finance actions included approving the Northampton Community College General Operating Budget contribution, nominating trustees for Northampton Community College and Colonial Intermediate Unit 20, approving the IDEA Use of Funds Agreement, approving agreements for graduation ceremonies at Stabler Arena, approving district buildings as polling locations, approving Child Care Fees for the next school year, renewing the Incident IQ Service Desk Software license, authorizing the purchase of network closet switch equipment, and approving the purchase of four new school buses and the replacement of one bus engine. Human Resources actions included approving personnel appointments, resignations, and transfers, approving an amendment to a Substitute Teacher Service Agreement, and appointing a Chief Human Resources Officer and approving the employment contract. Committee reports were also briefly given.

The Board Finance Committee Meeting focused on reviewing and discussing several key financial and operational items. Discussions included an overview and detailed presentation of the Northampton Community College General Operating Budget for the 2026-2027 school year, noting a contribution increase from the Bethlehem Area School District. An update was provided regarding the District's financial condition and the governor's budget proposal. Furthermore, potential agenda items for the upcoming February 23, 2026, Regular Board Meeting were reviewed, covering topics such as budget approvals, reappointments, agreement use, graduation ceremonies, polling locations, tuition rates, software renewal, equipment procurement, and the next school year's calendar. One citizen provided information on the CEP incentive program during the Courtesy of the Floor session.