Bethlehem Area School District

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.

The meeting involved a discussion regarding an amendment to the Substitute Teacher Service Agreement to compensate an individual for professional services as acting director of human resources. An overview of the BASD District Design Committee was presented, followed by a discussion on the inclusion of this amendment on the February 23, 2026, Regular Board Meeting agenda, which was agreed upon by the members. A board member also noted positive community feedback regarding the district's social media presence.

Key discussions during the meeting included the presentation of the Middle of Year (MOY) Benchmark Report for Reading and Math, which indicated continued growth districtwide. An update on Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) highlighted staff training, an AI tutoring collaboration with Lehigh University, and the progress of the Gemini Pilot in high schools, emphasizing responsible use and critical thinking. The committee reviewed and discussed agenda items slated for the upcoming February 23, 2026, Regular Board Meeting, specifically the PowerSchool Naviance Extension Agreement and the PCCD School Safety and Mental Health Grant. During the open forum, appreciation was expressed for School Counselors Week and recognition was given for Black History Month.

The Board Combined Committee Meeting included discussions on the new Student Communication Internship Program launch, the presentation of the 2024-2025 Local Audit Report which resulted in a clean opinion with no material weaknesses or significant internal control deficiencies, and an update on financing and the second phase of borrowing for the Fountain Hill Elementary School construction. Additionally, three board policies were presented for their first reading: Board Policy 011 (Board Governance Standards/Code of Conduct), Board Policy 317 (Conduct/Disciplinary Procedures), and Board Policy 824 (Maintaining Professional Adult/Student Boundaries). Information items covered building functional capacity and an update on lead in water and radon testing results. The committee also reviewed and discussed agenda items slated for the January 26, 2026, Regular Board Meeting, including various facility, curriculum, and finance matters. Public comments were heard regarding the pre-k program.