Travis Barta

This Comprehensive Plan outlines the Apollo-Ridge School District's commitment to facilitating student growth and learning to prepare them for post-graduation life, with a vision for continuous improvement. The plan prioritizes increasing student proficiency and growth in mathematics and English Language Arts across all grade levels through evidence-based instructional practices and data-driven interventions. It also focuses on developing career awareness and readiness for students in grades 2-12, ensuring they explore potential career pathways and future options through dedicated programs. Key challenges addressed include managing increasing special education needs, student transiency, and improving early-grade skill levels, while leveraging strengths such as hands-on science curriculum and supportive leadership.

The key discussions and actions included reports from various committees such as Legislative, Personnel, Buildings and Grounds, and Budget, alongside the Superintendent's report. Significant finance resolutions involved the approval of budgetary transfers, payment of district bills for the period covering January 26, 2026, through February 20, 2026, approval of an Oil and Gas Lease Agreement with EQT Artemis Production, LLC, updates to the FMS Management Agreement, approval of educational service agreements (River Rock Academy and ARIN IDEA Funding), approval of a Unified Door Agreement, and acceptance of a signage donation. Personnel actions included ratifying unpaid leave requests, approving substitute personnel, accepting resignations for several coaching positions, approving student teaching assignments, approving supplemental contracts, approving updates to the Administrative Organizational Chart, approving appointments for Deputy Tax Collector and Substitute Custodian, and approving District Drivers. Student activities involved approving field trips and authorizing Middle School fundraising for a future trip. Curriculum items included approving the High School Coursebook for 2026-2027, the 2026-2027 Master Calendar, and submitting the Comprehensive Plan to the PDE. For Facilities, approvals covered the disposal of obsolete equipment and the purchase of protective metal screens and netting systems. Finally, a substantial portion of the meeting was dedicated to the second reading and approval of numerous revised Board Policies covering topics such as Grant Subrecipient Monitoring, Exemption From Instruction, District Social Media, Conflict of Interest, and Hazing, among others. A Student Disciplinary Agreement was also approved.

The meeting included reports from the Lenape Vocational Technical School, ARIN Intermediate Unit #28, Apollo-Ridge Education Foundation, Buildings and Grounds Committee, Personnel Committee, Budget Committee, and the Superintendent. The board approved payment of district bills, a family services agreement with Mars Home Youth/Longmore Academy, and an agreement with Huckestein Mechanical for the auditorium HVAC system. They also approved a maintenance agreement with Gardner Intelligent Services, a District Facility Assessment Study by HHSDR, and a subscription agreement with FMX for the Inventory module. Additionally, the board addressed personnel matters, curriculum resolutions, student activities resolutions, and discussed upcoming meeting dates.

The agenda included reports from various committees such as Buildings and Grounds, Personnel, and Budget, as well as updates from the Lenape Vocational Technical School, ARIN Intermediate Unit #28, and the Apollo-Ridge Education Foundation. Resolutions were addressed concerning finance, personnel, curriculum, student activities and transportation, facilities and property services. The board also discussed legislation and board policy, and there was a hearing for the general public. The meeting concluded with setting the dates for the next meetings and a motion to adjourn.

The meeting included discussions and resolutions on various topics such as finance, personnel, curriculum, student activities, student transportation, facilities and property services, food and nutrition services, and legislation. Key actions involved approving payment of district bills, budgetary transfers, agreements with various organizations for services, insurance renewals, and the final General Fund Budget for 2025-2026. Personnel resolutions included hiring faculty and staff, approving leave requests, supplemental contracts, and staffing charts. The board also addressed handbook changes, middle school courses, fundraising authorizations, and the approval of bowling as a club sport. Additionally, the board discussed a memorial donation and the disposal of obsolete equipment.