Freeport Area School District

This Special Education Plan for Freeport Area School District details the district's strategies and procedures for providing a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to students with disabilities. Key areas of focus include improving student performance on statewide assessments through appropriate accommodations and data-driven practices, ensuring education in the Least Restrictive Environment by increasing access to general education settings and strengthening collaborative practices, and overseeing non-resident and incarcerated students. The plan also emphasizes comprehensive positive behavior support programs, staff development in inclusive practices and behavior management, robust special education support services, and active parent involvement to enhance outcomes for all students with disabilities.

The board approved various personnel actions, including several resignations and the hiring of new administrative and support staff. Curriculum and technology items included authorization for a Flexible Instruction Day application, new managed internal broadband services, and the approval of updated technology hardware purchases and authentication subscriptions. The board also approved several student field trips, athletic field usage requests, and various agreements with the ARIN Intermediate Unit. Additionally, the board set student meal prices, authorized requests for proposals for cafeteria and custodial services, and accepted grant funding for educational and STEM-related programs.

The meeting included reports on 2026-2027 budget planning, actions by the Lenape Technical School Joint Operating Committee and the ARIN Intermediate Unit board, and updates from the Safety and Legislative Committees. Personnel actions included accepting a resignation, approving a leave extension, and approving the employment of several staff members, including educational assistants and cafeteria workers, as well as granting professional status to one individual and approving paid and volunteer staff for Athletics Programs. Curriculum and Technology actions involved approving a draft Special Education Plan Report, student participation in a Career Exploration Pilot, and accepting proposals for Chromebook purchases and software warranty upgrades. Other business included approving a resolution for a Public School Facility Improvement Grant, accepting proposals for construction manager services for the High School Renovations Project and the replacement of the high school library roof, and approving agreements for various educational services and facility repairs, including water damage restoration. The Board also approved the January 2026 financial reports and the Financial Statements and Audit Report for the year ended June 30, 2025.

The meeting, which immediately followed the Organization Meeting, included a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The primary discussion item addressed personnel matters, specifically the unanimous approval for the employment of Brooke L. Bartell as an Educational Assistant for the 2025-2026 school year, contingent upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment requirements. No public comments were offered on the agenda items, and the meeting was adjourned shortly thereafter.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invitation for public comments on agenda items, none of which were offered. Discussion involved reports on student activities and an update from the ARIN Intermediate Unit board meeting. Personnel actions included accepting a resignation, approving Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, and approving employment for paid and volunteer Athletics Programs staff. Athletics and Activities saw approval for staff attendance and a student field trip to the PMEA District 3 Band Festival, as well as attendance at the PMEA State Conference. Policy revisions were approved for Policy No. 105.2 (Exemption from Instruction) and Policy No. 122 (Extracurricular Activities), and Policy No. 122.1 (Noncurriculum-related, Nonschool-sponsored, Student-initiated Groups) was tentatively approved. Other business included approving agreements for interpretation services, counseling services, and various education services. The Board authorized Capital Expenditure Requests for two Reach-In Refrigerators, approved maintenance services for the fire alarm system, accepted a proposal for a CD Player installation, approved the request for proposal for the High School Library Roof Project, approved the renewal of the Chamber membership, and accepted several grants totaling $9,920.32. Donations were also accepted for cafeteria balances and adaptive equipment. Finally, the November 2025 financial reports, payments, and budgetary transfers were approved.