Bonnie Betler

Key discussions and recommendations included a presentation of a donation from Zion Lutheran representatives and an update on the Brentwood Elementary School project. The Board considered financial items such as approving the January 2026 General Fund statement, bill payments, and budget transfers. In Community Services, approval was sought for entering into executive sales and leasing listing agreements with Fourth River Development, LLC for the sale of Elroy Elementary and Moore Elementary. Buildings and Grounds included ratification of the purchase of a Skutt Kilm for the Brentwood Elementary School project. Curriculum and Technology recommendations involved approving the addition of several new courses for middle high school and disposing of obsolete materials. Personnel items included ratification of FMLA leaves, additions to the substitute list, acceptance of a retirement resignation, approval of summer hours for career planning and curriculum work, and approval for hiring an assistant football coach. The Executive session covered approving attendance at conferences, approving the 2026-2027 school calendar, approving an affiliation agreement with Pennsylvania Western (Penn West) University, and approving an increase in high school musical ticket prices.

The meetings encompassed ratification of a change order decreasing the cost of project #4764. Purchases ratified included Dell laptops for administrators and Chromebooks for students, funded by the Committed Fund Balance. The Board accepted grants from the Grable Foundation to support the Chief Experience Officer (CXO) position and The Tull Family Foundation for athletic programs. Personnel actions included ratifying a contract with Attack Theater for an event funded by a Moonshot Grant, approving an MOU and transfer for Ms. Mara Proie concerning a life skills position, hiring a Middle School Cheerleading Coach, a Social Studies Mentor, and a Play Art Director, and ratifying the substitute list. Financial actions approved included General Fund statements, bill payments, exoneration of the Tax Collector from uncollectible taxes, a resolution stating property taxes will not increase by more than 4.9% for 2026-2027, approval of the Independent Auditor's Report for the year ending June 30, 2025, and authorization to transfer funds to the Capital Reserve Fund. The Board also approved a tax equity supplement resolution, approved change order number FS-1 for project #4393, approved a pilot Into Literature PD, approved quotes for Brentwood Elementary Building project #4393, ratified a transportation contract, accepted a resignation, and approved the marching band's travel to Disney World. Finally, a scope of work contract for the CXO position and an agreement to replace the emergency generator at Brentwood MS/HS were approved.

The Board conducted multiple actions including the approval of resignations and the hiring of coaching staff. A significant portion of the meetings was dedicated to reviewing and revising various district policies covering topics such as meeting procedures, attendance, employment, and finances. Furthermore, the Board authorized several financial and operational items, including the closure of two elementary schools, the purchase of furniture and technology for a new school facility, the renewal of service contracts, and the ratification of agreements regarding electricity supply, Head Start classroom leases, and law enforcement support. The Board also reviewed updates on construction projects and cafeteria operations, and approved travel for professional development.

The Brentwood Borough School District's Comprehensive Plan serves as a strategic roadmap to develop students' critical thinking, lifelong learning skills, and prepare them for success as ethical citizens in college and careers. Key priorities include increasing student, family, and community engagement to mitigate transiency and attendance issues, addressing foundational skill gaps to enhance achievement and growth scores in English Language Arts and Mathematics, and fostering a robust sense of belonging among all students. The plan details measurable goals to achieve these outcomes, focusing on instructional consistency, conceptual understanding, and proactive community partnerships.

The meetings covered several key agenda items across both sessions. The February 9 Agenda Planning Meeting included presentations on changes to the standardized testing schedule, recommended adjustments to Special Education Programming for 2026-2027, curricular changes, and the proposed Comprehensive Plan 2026-2029. Actions taken included accepting proposals for inspection services for Brentwood Elementary, accepting a curriculum project proposal funded by the Ready to Learn Grant, approving a journal purchase, hiring an assistant girls' volleyball coach, and approving staff attendance at a conference. The Board also approved placing the Comprehensive Plan on public inspection. During the February 23 General Purpose Meeting, a $4,000 donation from Zion Lutheran was received, and updates were provided on the Brentwood Elementary School project and the cafeteria. Financial actions included approving statements of cash flow, bill payments, and budget transfers. Furthermore, the Board approved entering an executive sales and leasing listing agreement for Elroy Elementary and Moore Elementary, ratified the purchase of a Skutt Kilm for the Brentwood Elementary project, and approved adding new courses to the middle high school selections, such as Personal Finance and AI Foundations. Other actions included approving the disposal of obsolete books, ratifying a transportation contract for a student, ratifying Intermittent FMLA and FMLA leaves, approving summer hours for specific staff members, hiring a varsity assistant football coach, approving staff conference attendance, approving the 2026-2027 school calendar, approving an affiliation agreement with Pennsylvania Western (Penn West) University, and approving an increase in high school musical ticket prices.