Lo'Gon Lombard

The meeting agenda covers a wide range of administrative and operational items. Key discussions include the approval of service agreements with Pressley Ridge, authorization to petition the PA House for consideration of House Bill 41, and an agreement for literacy graduate assistants from IUP for the upcoming school year. Personnel actions involve the approval of hiring staff for the Extended School Year program and the acceptance of a support staff resignation. The agenda also addresses facility management, specifically the approval of a letter of intent with Coral Reef for a solar project and revised lease agreements for space at Horace Mann. Financial items include the approval of bills and the adoption of the ARIN Intermediate Unit 28 General Operating Budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

This document outlines the K-12 School Guidance Plan for the Indiana Area School District, focusing on comprehensive developmental school counseling programs. It addresses students' academic, career, and social-emotional needs through structured program delivery, including curriculum action plans and annual goals. The plan details the roles of school counselors, engagement strategies for stakeholders such including parents, educators, business/community members, and postsecondary partners, and initiatives for career pathway awareness and development. Key objectives for the 2025-2026 school year, with some goals extending to the 2028-2029 school year, include fostering positive attitudes and habits, developing career interests, promoting diversity and respect, enhancing communication, and preparing students for postsecondary success.

The Indiana Area School District's Health and Safety Plan outlines policies and strategies for safely operating school facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on prevention and mitigation measures, and continuity of services. Key components include universal masking based on transmission levels, physical distancing, handwashing, facility cleaning and ventilation, contact tracing, diagnostic testing, vaccination efforts, accommodations for students with disabilities, and coordination with health officials, all aimed at ensuring continuous in-person learning for students and staff.

The meeting agenda included committee reports from Academic/Extracurricular, Policy & Personnel, Buildings/Grounds & Transportation, and Audit & Finance committees. Key actions involved approving student disciplinary agreements and several out-of-state field trip requests for student councils and clubs to destinations including Washington D.C. and Montreal/Quebec, Canada. The board also addressed personnel matters, accepting several retirements and approving the employment of new paraeducators and long-term substitutes. In finance, the board directed administration to prepare the Preliminary Budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year under Act 1 requirements and also addressed the approval of bills. An executive session was scheduled.

The Special Meeting Agenda included discussions and potential approvals across several committees. The Academic/Extracurricular Committee addressed revisions to the Attendance, Behavioral Guidelines and Discipline Policy Handbook, approval of an agreement with AVEANNA Healthcare for paraprofessional positions, approval of a proposal for an external review of performing arts programs by IUP, and approval of agreements with the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug & Alcohol Commission and Southwood Psychiatric Hospital. The Policy and Personnel Committee sought approval for several Board policies related to safety and conduct (including Trauma Informed Approach, Weapons, Hazing, Bullying, etc.), approval of the 2021-2022 employee handbook, approval of substitute lists, acceptance of several resignations, and employment/assignment confirmations for professional staff, long-term substitutes, and support staff. The Buildings/Grounds & Transportation Committee addressed approval of a management agreement with Putt Real Estate and approval of the 2021-2022 List of Bus Drivers and Equipment. The Audit & Finance Committee reported its findings.