Matthew A. Holmes

Key discussions during the regular board meeting included a student celebration presentation regarding a recent NTCC visit by fifth-grade students. Financial actions approved included the bank account summaries and expenditures for November and December 2025, and the update of district depositories. The board approved quarterly reports for the High School and Elementary schools. Financial reports provided informational updates on federal grant monies and the 2025-2026 Revenue vs. Budget and Prior Year report, alongside a breakdown of Repsol Oil & Gas Royalty Revenue for October through December 2025. Superintendent and administrative reports covered topics such as Board Appreciation, Farm Show, grants, copier bids, testing, scheduling, curriculum updates, IEPs, and facility issues including snow removal and air handler work. Personnel actions included the approval of professional staff substitutes, volunteers, and supplemental contracts, along with opening advertisements for open positions. The board approved the agreement for legal representation by Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams, LLP for the 2026-2027 period. Policies presented for first reading covered academic standards, curriculum, conduct, and service animals. The committee meeting schedule for 2026 was approved, and Richard Jones was elected as the NTCC District Representative for 2026. The designated newspaper of general circulation for 2026 public notices was approved, and an overnight trip request for the ACES Leadership Conference was authorized. General board discussion included human resources requirements and committee purpose statements.

The meeting commenced with the election of a Temporary President from the holdover members, resulting in the selection of Richard Jones. Following this, new school directors were sworn into office. The main business involved the election of the President, where Benjamin Laudermilch was elected by a 5 to 4 vote, and the subsequent election of Connie Kuhlman as Vice President. The Board approved the schedule of board meetings for 2026, including a reorganization and general business meeting in December 2026. Personnel actions included the employment of a full-time District Paraprofessional and a District Teacher Substitute, as well as approving a volunteer Swimming Coach. An overnight trip request for the PA Farm Show was also approved. The session concluded with general board discussion and an adjournment into an executive session to discuss negotiations.

The agenda included a student celebration, financial actions such as reviewing the bank account summary and expenditures, and a discussion on the proposed budget for 2023-24. The Superintendent's report was presented along with committee reports. Personnel items were addressed, including retirements, resignations, employments, and supplemental contracts. Contracts and agreements were reviewed, including those with NTIEC, Blessings Daycare, Lackawanna College, and Myers, Patsy & Associates, LLC for auditing services. Programs, curriculum, and policy matters were discussed, including a second reading of Policy 810.3 and textbook recommendation requests. Transportation matters were addressed, and other items included the election of a School Board Treasurer, a leave of absence, an overnight trip for the FFA State Convention, a review of a potential Junior High Soccer recommendation, and an international student exchange.

The agenda included a student celebration, approval of minutes from previous meetings, financial actions such as bank account summaries and expenditure reports, and financial reports including federal grant summaries and revenue versus budget. The superintendent's report was presented along with committee reports, personnel items including retirements, resignations, and employments. The board also discussed contracts/agreements, programs/curriculum/policy, transportation, district calendar revision, graduation date approval, approval of graduates, independent reading novels, and general board discussion.

The district level plan focuses on creating a learning environment that grows thinkers and fosters innovation to solve community-minded solutions to global issues. The plan includes strategies such as fidelity to the MTSS framework and blended learning instructional practices. The plan also focuses on curriculum mapping and universal design for learning. The district aims to ensure consistent implementation of effective instructional practices and standards-aligned curricula across all schools.