Jessica Lindsay

The meeting agenda covered several critical areas for the district. The Treasurer's reports included the approval of General Fund and Food Service Financial Reports, associated bill payments, activity accounts, budgetary transfers, and Capital Reserve Expenditures. Under Policy, several policies were approved on their second reading, including revisions concerning Attendance, Weapons, Purchases Subject to Bid/Quotation, Purchases Budgeted, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Relations with Law Enforcement Agencies, and School Security Personnel. Personnel actions included accepting a retroactive resignation and approving substitutes, as well as approving a Settlement Resolution and MOU with the PLEA. The Athletic and Music segment involved hiring an Assistant Track Coach and approving event workers, staff requests for PMEA events, and several staff/student trips including the High School Choral Director's request, Elementary Band Director's request, and an Instructional Assistant's request for a band trip to Cleveland and Detroit. Curriculum actions included approving an agreement for Nonpublic Title I Services and approving the 2026-27 Junior High and High School Curriculum Guides, alongside several staff and class trip approvals for various academic and competitive events. Technology approvals included PEPPM Mini Bids for Wireless, UPS, and Switches categories with various vendors, funded partially by E-Rate. Transportation approvals involved adding additional Tri-County Transportation Drivers. Buildings and Grounds approved a facilities request for adult basketball use of the High School Gymnasium. Finance items included the approval of the Audit Report for the year ending June 30, 2025, the 2026-27 ARIN General Operating Budget, the selection of the District Auditor for the next three years, approval of the Coal Supplier, and approval for a Project Feasibility Study. Legislative updates involved discussion on the Governor's budget proposal, new graduation requirements, a statewide cell ban, public notices in newspapers, and House Bill 2146 regarding open meetings.

The documents contain minutes for two meetings: a Work Session held on January 5, 2026, and a Regular Meeting held on January 12, 2026. Key discussions included a public comment on Policy 816 and an announced executive session for legal and personnel matters during the work session. The Superintendent reported on a PSBA book donation and upcoming alumni nights. Administrator updates covered fundraising efforts benefiting children's hospitals, curriculum reviews for new courses including AI and Journalism & Communications, the completion of the 24-25 audit with no findings, and an update on the Elementary pipe project and High School marquee electrical cable issue. Policy actions involved approving several revised policies on second reading (e.g., Exemption from Instruction, Extracurricular Activities, District Social Media) and considering several new policies on first reading (e.g., Attendance, Weapons, Purchases Subject to Bid/Quotation). Personnel actions included approving leave extensions and new hires for cafeteria staff and coaches. The board also approved various curriculum items, staff requests for professional development and class trips, the acceptance of a donation for basketball equipment, and building use requests from the PTA and Sports Boosters. Financial discussions included approving treasurer's reports, bill payments for the General Fund and Food Service Fund, the Merakey contract, and authorizing funding for the Municipal Capital Reserve Fund.

The Board addressed several items across various areas. Financially, the board approved General Fund and Food Service financial reports, payments of listed bills for both funds, Capital Reserve Expenditures, and a resolution authorizing the funding of the Municipal Capital Reserve Fund for capital and nonrecurring expenditures. In policy matters, several existing policies, including those related to Exemption from Instruction, Extracurricular Activities, and District Social Media, underwent a second reading approval, while several new or revised policies concerning Attendance, Weapons, and Purchases underwent a first reading. Personnel actions included approving an extension request for an unpaid leave of absence and approving a new hire for a Cafeteria Cook. In Athletics and Music, several assistant coaches were hired for the upcoming season, and donations of basketball hoops and pads were accepted. Curriculum changes included approving new Journalism & Communications and Artificial Intelligence Foundations courses for the subsequent school year, authorizing the submission of the Steelers Youth Football Grant Application, and approving several staff requests for class trips and registration events. The Board also approved the repair/replacement of electrical service to the marquee. Merakey and ICTC reports were presented, and the board approved the Merakey Contract for student services.

The Reorganization Meeting focused on establishing the board leadership for the upcoming term, including the election of a President and Vice President. New board members received the Oath of Office. Key organizational items approved included designating the delegate and alternates for the Indiana County Tax Collection Committee, naming the Designated Newspapers of General Circulation, approving School Board Legal Liability Insurance, and setting the schedule for 2026 Work Sessions and Regular Board of Education Meetings. A request to change a board member's title for formal correspondence was noted for correction.

The regular board meeting agenda covered several administrative and operational items. Financial reports and associated bill payments for the General Fund and Food Service were subject to approval, along with Capital Reserve Expenditures. Several existing policies underwent second readings for approval, including revisions related to Exemption from Instruction, Extracurricular Activities, District Social Media, and new policies for Attendance, Weapons, and Purchases were considered for first reading. Personnel actions included the approval of extension requests for unpaid leave and hiring a Cafeteria Cook. The Athletics and Music section included hiring several Assistant Track and Baseball Coaches, approving event workers, and requests for funding trips for Jazz Band and Cheerleading competitions, alongside accepting a significant donation of basketball hoops. Curriculum updates involved approving new Journalism & Communications and Artificial Intelligence Foundations courses, authorizing the submission of a Steelers Youth Football Grant Application, and approving a class trip for 9th-grade students. Building and Grounds items included approving multiple requests from the Purchase Line PTA and Sports Boosters to utilize school facilities, and authorizing repairs to the Electrical Service to the Marquee. Finance items included approving a contract for Student Services and authorizing funding for the Municipal Capital Reserve Fund.