Dustin Dalton

The agenda for the regular meeting included administrative reports from the Elementary, Secondary, and Superintendent offices. Discussion items focused on several policy first readings, including District Social Media, Exemption from Instruction, Extracurricular Activities, and Interscholastic Athletics. The consent agenda featured actions such as ratifying a contract with PediaStaff, amending student handbooks, approving addendums to coach and student handbooks, discarding outdated instructional materials, and selling obsolete cafeteria equipment. Personnel actions included ratifying employment, approving substitutes, accepting resignations, granting paid leave, approving mentor rates, granting tenure, and approving five-year agreements for administrative and police staff. Athletic items involved approving trips and spring coaches. Building and Grounds actions included authorizing professional services for an RFP to repair the high school brick façade and authorizing roofing repairs contingent on grant denial. Finance items included approving the Public-School Facility Improvement Grant Resolution, Treasurer's Reports for January 2026, and payment of February 2026 bills.

Key discussions during the meeting included updates from student representatives concerning the success of the Powder Puff Football game, with proceeds donated to the Penns Valley Youth Center, and announcements regarding upcoming Girls Basketball and Swim Team seasons. The FFA chapter hosted a successful leadership event. Elementary reports highlighted a successful food drive and preparations for clothing closets. Secondary reports included creating a high school Facebook page and reviewing PAYS survey progress. Action items involved adopting the name of the New High School Gymnasium as the Joe Hammaker Gymnasium and authorizing an agreement to add a second unbudgeted athletic trainer. The consent agenda covered approving Policy 918 Title I Parent and Family Engagement, appointing Assistant Board Secretaries, approving expulsion hearing waiver agreements, approving a quote for website transition to ParentSquare Smart Sites, and various personnel actions including employment changes, resignations, and approving mentors. Transportation contracts for 2026-27 through 2030-31 were approved, as was a new bus stop location. In Building & Grounds, the wood fuel bid was rescinded and awarded to the second lowest bidder, Brumbaugh Lumber LLC. Finance actions included authorizing a transfer of General Fund cash reserves to the Food Service Fund, approving Treasurer's Reports and the payment of bills for October 2025.

The committee meeting addressed the completion of the High School Boiler Project, noting that commissioning began in November 2025 and a punch list for balancing and inspections would continue. An emergency replacement of a failed heat detector in the Ag shop classroom at the high school was also completed without requiring a building tour watch. For new business, the Safety Committee received its required annual recertification training from Eastern Alliance Insurance Group. Additionally, the five-year pressure testing for the two high school wheelchair lifts was completed successfully in December 2025, passing without violations or recommendations.

The meeting agenda included a motion to approve minutes from previous meetings, including a Reorganization and Regular Meeting from December 3, 2025, and a work session from January 6, 2026. Executive sessions were announced regarding real estate, contract, and personnel matters. Administrative reports were presented by student representatives and department heads. Key action items involved the disposition of Miles Township Elementary School, with options to reject all bids or approve the donation of the property to Miles Township for public use. The consent agenda covered routine matters such as approving the 2026-2027 Senior High Course Selection Guide, approving facility use, and personnel actions including employment, resignations, and leave requests. Financial items included approving the Act 1 Index Budget Limit Resolution, tax exonerations, and reports and payment of bills for November and December 2025. Discussions also touched upon the Superintendent search, student handbooks, and reviewing performance data.

The Safety Committee addressed several agenda items. Old Business included confirmation that the closing of Miles Township Elementary School was completed with minimal safety concerns, noting weekly monitoring and the installation of silent, motion-sensing alarm systems monitored by Dynamark services. Construction updates at the High School regarding heating system upgrades indicated the project remains on schedule, with new boilers planned for installation in September 2025. New Business involved scheduling the commissioning of the new boiler system for early November and arranging for supplemental heat during that period. Furthermore, a hazardous, hollow-trunked tree near the high school's north parking lot is scheduled for removal on October 17, 2025, during an in-service day. The committee also noted a required three-year state inspection, including a pressure test, scheduled next month for the high school's chair lift.