Brian Ammerman

The rescheduled monthly board meeting covered introductions of new teachers and recognition of the September Students of the Month. Key actions included accepting the Treasurer's Report for September 2025 and authorizing payment of September bills, with a recorded dissent regarding a specific health insurance payment. The board acknowledged numerous student and staff accomplishments, including student council officers. A first reading was held for several new and revised policies and administrative regulations. The board passed a resolution to retain the law firm of Marc J. Bern & Partners, LLP, to represent the district against social media companies to recover costs associated with the social media crisis. Another resolution urged the Pennsylvania General Assembly to immediately pass a complete and responsible state budget to end the 2025-2026 fiscal year impasse. Approvals were granted for various agreements and contracts, including services for mass mailing, health/welfare benefits consulting, and database access for residency verification. The board approved advertising for proposals for a replacement dishwasher and approved a request for Real Estate Tax exemption for a disabled veteran. Personnel actions included accepting resignations, approving medical leave, appointing a tutor, ratifying sports coach appointments, adding personnel to security and substitute lists, and approving positions to be posted.

The Finance Committee meeting covered old business topics, including an update on the budget impasse concerning TRAN and Charter Cyber invoices, as well as other outstanding invoices. New business items discussed the use of facilities, including policy and guidelines, a fund raising report, administration pay including the current 25-26 school year salary listing, the athletics salary scale, and the compensation plan which included a board handout proposal, comp time procedures, and frequently asked questions.

The annual reorganization meeting involved the election of the President Pro-Tem, Attorney Frank Garrigan. New and incumbent board members were welcomed, and a motion was passed to reappoint current officers to their positions for a one-year term. The schedule for regular public meetings for 2026 was established, setting them for the third Tuesday of designated months at 7:30 p.m. Permission was granted to use facsimile signatures for the Board President, Secretary, and Treasurer, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Uniform Facsimile Signature of Public Officials Act. The Board also moved to advertise for proposals or bids for baseball and softball infield renovations, including addressing potential drainage issues for the softball field.

Key discussions during the meeting included acknowledgments of student and staff accomplishments for November and December, including thanking a retiring teacher, Mr. Styer. Financial matters addressed involved accepting the Treasurer's Report for November and December 2025, and authorizing the payment of bills for November and December 2025, with a division of votes regarding a specific health insurance payment. The Board revised the district's 2026 mileage reimbursement rate to $.725 per mile. Approvals were granted for several contracts and agreements, including the standard counsel services agreement, Act 80 Comparison Services, and a retroactive agreement with Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit. The Board also approved the Shamokin Area School District Police Department's handbook of Policies and Procedures. Furthermore, the Board approved depositing a significant refund from the Northumberland County Career and Technical Center into the Capital Reserve. Personnel actions included accepting several retirements and resignations, approving medical leave requests, appointing a new School Police Officer, two part-time Personal Care Assistants (with subsequent termination of one), and various substitutes and event security personnel. The Board also re-ratified a three-year agreement with AFSCME Local 2434 and accepted the resignation of a board member from the NCC&TC Operating Board, followed by the nomination of a replacement.

The regular monthly meeting addressed various administrative and operational items. Key discussions included personnel actions such as the termination of a Personal Care Assistant due to job abandonment, acceptance of resignations for coaching and security positions, and the granting of tenure to two provisional professional employees. The Board approved several coaching appointments for the upcoming year and made several new appointments for part-time Personal Care Assistants and a promotion for a custodian. A service agreement renewal for the Early College Program with Bloomsburg University was approved, as was an addendum to a lease agreement with Behavioral Health Associates (BHA). The Board also authorized the solicitor to petition the Court of Common Pleas for the appointment of Charles Pensyl as a School Police Officer and passed a resolution related to the Act 1 limit for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Furthermore, requests for field trips, including one to Walt Disney World and another abroad to the United Kingdom, were granted. Finally, a resolution was adopted expressing gratitude to the outgoing School Solicitor, Frank W. Garrigan, for his service.