Lydia Beck

The Board accepted various financial reports, including the treasurer's report, investment report, and tax collection report. A presentation was provided regarding the state FFA Legislative Leadership Conference. Action items included the approval of the 2026/2027 Berks County Intermediate Unit Mandated Services Budget and the authorization of the purchase of wireless access controllers. The Board also approved multiple construction change orders involving water filtration systems, wall height adjustments, flooring upgrades, and gym paint line revisions. Additionally, the Board approved various personnel actions, including resignations, new appointments, and volunteer recognitions.

The board meeting covered a range of topics, including infrastructure improvements such as a secured entrance for Penn-Bernville Elementary and a discussion on facility usage requests. Financial agenda items included an audit update, the donation of board stipends, and the approval of the Berks County Career and Technology Center operating budget. The board approved several personnel motions, including staff resignations, substitute appointments, supplemental coach contracts, and volunteer approvals. Administrative reports highlighted diverse school activities, such as curriculum reviews, student accomplishments in arts and athletics, transition programs for kindergarten, nutrition service improvements, and initiatives for student dental health. Additionally, the board discussed new business matters concerning photography services, updates on local facility usage, and potential new ceremonies for career and technical education.

The General Board Meeting included administrative reports and several significant actions. The Board reviewed and accepted financial reports for November and December, including Treasurer's, Investment, Tax Collection, and various Bills Payable reports. Key discussions involved a presentation on the proposed STEMAg Educational Center feasibility study, with approval for the next phase tabled until February 2026, and a proposal for new fitness room equipment estimated at $83,000, which the Sports Boosters Club agreed to assist in funding. The Board approved several motions, including the listed appointments and representatives for 2026, the 2026/2027 School Calendar, and a contract for Interim Principal substitutes services. Several change orders for the Middle School/High School Renovation were approved, addressing electrical runs, accessibility improvements, and aesthetic finishing for various areas. Additionally, track edge repair funding was approved. The Board gave final approval to several policies, including Academic Standards, Curriculum, and District Social Media guidelines. Personnel actions included approving new custodian and cafeteria worker employment, a paraeducator transfer, a salary adjustment correction, mentor appointments, and supplemental contracts for various 2025-2026 season coaches. An executive session was held to address personnel and legal matters. A discussion item noted a request for additional lighting at the Penn-Bernville Elementary entrance.

The work session began with recognition for the Trojans of the Quarter for the second quarter across various categories, including Active Collaborator, Resilient Individual, Innovative Problem Solver, Effective Communicator, and Compassionate Citizen. Discussion items included revisiting class size concerns for the next school year, with a preference for utilizing classroom monitors, and a citizen raising concerns about second-grade class sizes. Under Buildings & Grounds/Technology, a motion to approve the purchase of wireless access controllers for $102,380.55 was recognized for a future vote, and a motion to shift cafeteria furniture purchasing from STS Innovative Interiors to AmTab for middle and high schools was carried 7-0. Finance discussions involved motions recognized for a future vote regarding the 2026/2027 Berks County Intermediate Unit Mandated Services Budget, and resolutions authorizing appeals against property assessment decisions were carried 7-0. Personnel actions included the approval of a Classroom Monitor position, approval of childbearing/child-rearing leaves for two employees, and approval of several volunteers. A motion to approve an agreement for Functional Behavioral Assessments was tabled. Curriculum discussions involved a presentation on shifting Kindergarten through 8th Grade to a trimester schedule to allow for longer instructional periods and better alignment with the assessment calendar, and an update on curriculum improvement efforts informed by a SWOT analysis. Additionally, the K-12 Guidance Plan was approved, and a contract with AEM Architects to begin the design phase of the STEMAG Educational Center project was approved despite concerns raised about solar panel placement and the cost of designing the associated barn. The Fitness Room Equipment Proposal was also approved. Administrative reports covered updates on HVAC system work, the high school construction timeline delay, an Autism Awareness Night training, plans for a sensory-friendly Touch-a-Truck event, and updates on student academic performance and extracurricular achievements across high school, middle school, and elementary levels. The CFO reported on her first month and provided an overview of assessment appeals. New Business included discussion regarding recent two-hour delays and a parent survey regarding cold-weather delays.

Key discussions during the meeting included extending appreciation to the Chief Financial Officer upon his retirement at year-end. Action items involved authorizing the administration to pay bills and salaries for December 2025 (to be ratified in January), and approving the Act 1 Resolution preventing a school tax increase above the stated index for the 2026/2027 school year. The Board also gave the first reading for several policies, including Academic Standards and District Social Media, with final approval intended for January 20, 2026. Furthermore, the Board approved a Cooperative Sponsorship Agreement for Football with Pine Grove Area School District, commencing with the 2026-2027 school year, and approved several personnel changes, including new hires, transfers, and volunteer appointments. Discussions covered the issue of bad flooring at the middle/high school requiring replacement, the ongoing construction of a pig roaster, and administrative reports detailing curriculum alignment with the Portrait of a Trojan framework, successes in parent-teacher conferences, and professional development presentations at a regional conference.