Michael Carnes

The board meeting agenda covered a wide range of administrative and operational items. Financial discussions included the review and payment of bills across various funds, treasurer reports, budgetary transfers, and the approval of the Capital Area Intermediate Unit operating budget. Personnel actions involved the approval of volunteers and the acknowledgement of transportation staff. Student-related items included the exclusion of students pending discipline proceedings, approval of student trips and activities, and a non-resident tuition waiver request. Facility and operational matters addressed included field utilization requests, the disposal of outdated equipment, the release of bids for school safety equipment, and the approval of grant applications and fundraisers. Additionally, the board reviewed tenure status recommendations, donation acknowledgments, proposed policy updates, and staff leave requests.

The key discussion topics centered on academic performance updates in reading and mathematics for various grade levels, comparing local assessment data against state benchmarks and national norms. Specific attention was given to early literacy skills in kindergarten and first grade, oral reading fluency in second and third grade, and the transition to the Firefly benchmark assessment in middle school to prepare students for the PSSA platform. In mathematics, growth in I Ready scores for elementary grades was detailed, and for older students, proficiency levels on Math PSSA and Keystone Algebra were reviewed, with a focus identified on improving fraction instruction in fifth grade, which is also noted as a predictor for algebra success. The presentation also included updates on high school ELA assessments and the state's policy regarding Keystone score banking for the cohort year.

The regular board meeting included opening remarks, pledge of allegiance, and student/staff recognition, which received no reports. Key discussion points focused on the approval of financial matters, including payments for November and December bills across various funds, and budgetary transfers for December 2025. Under new business, the board approved several action items: personnel actions 9A through 9F, an updated policy on meetings, acknowledgement of additional employees, approval of a capital reserve fund payment to B&H Photo, approval of agreements including the Ship Start Memorandum of Understanding with Shippensburg University and an amendment with ESS support services, approval of several fundraisers, creation of a Girls Flag Football student club, and approval of the 2026-2027 general fund budget for the Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center. Information items included updates on contracted staff, board reports from the Athletic Council noting upcoming events and past achievements such as hosting NCAA and PIAA cross country championships, donation recognition, and updates on open maintenance positions and leave requests.

The meeting included a presentation of the annual financial audit for 2024-2025 by Royer and Ritter. The auditors explained the purpose and scope of the annual audit, noting the district spent $2.5 million in federal money, meeting the threshold for a single audit. The audit resulted in an unmodified (clean) opinion on the financial statements and compliance requirements for the Child Nutrition Cluster. A finding of deficiency was noted regarding the late completion of the prior year's single audit, though this is noted as resolved for the current reporting period. Discussions also covered GASB 101 implementation affecting compensated absences liability, planned financial reporting model improvements (GASB 103), and revisions to Uniform Guidance which increase the single audit threshold from $750,000 to $1 million. Separately, the solicitor raised concerns regarding credit risk, specifically noting the lack of a formal investment policy for credit risk and discussing the amount of uninsured bank balances exposed to custodial creditors.

This document provides an update on capital projects and the state budget for the Big Spring School District. It outlines a multi-year plan for various building, property, and IT infrastructure improvements across its schools, categorized into five priority levels with timelines extending from 2025 to 2034. Key focus areas include facility upgrades, security camera replacements, sound system enhancements, and heating system modernizations, with associated estimated costs. The document also includes a 2025-2026 state budget update.