Tulpehocken Area School District

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.

The Work Session featured several key discussion items initiated by the Superintendent, including acknowledgment of Board Appreciation Month, a presentation on the ACES FFA leadership conference, and an overview of the proposed 2026-2027 school calendar, which is slated for a vote at a later meeting. Discussions also covered the K-12 guidance plan framework and the recommendation to bring back a former principal as Interim Principal for a maternity leave. Significant time was dedicated to discussing elementary class sizes, with citizen concerns raised regarding current second-grade enrollment and future staffing needs. The Board also discussed new, higher-quality flooring options for the middle and high school, requiring further negotiation on cost. Buildings and Grounds featured detailed change orders related to the Middle School/High School Renovation, including electrical work, door relocation, and aesthetic enhancements for various areas. The Finance section involved planning for commitment of fund balances according to GASB 54. Personnel actions included the approval of several retirements and resignations, new employment and transfers, approval of substitute staff, and approval of supplemental contracts for coaching positions, with one coach's approval noted as 8-1. Policy required a second reading for several academic, extracurricular, and administrative policies. Administrative reports covered updates on the high school's PBIS implementation, the use of a virtual driving simulator at the high school, middle school academic averages and event scheduling changes, elementary activities and mentoring programs, science lab creation, and athletic updates. The Chief Financial Officer introduced herself in her new role. Old business involved an inquiry about serving whole milk, and new business included a discussion on whether to continue virtual snow days.

The reorganization meeting commenced with the administration of the oath of office to newly elected board members. Key agenda items included the election of a temporary president, which resulted in Mr. Palmer being elected, and the subsequent election of the President of the Board of School Directors for 2026, resulting in Mr. Batz assuming the chair. Mr. Palmer was then elected as the Vice President for 2026. The board established the schedule for future meetings, setting the first Tuesday as a public work session meeting and the third Tuesday as a public general voting meeting, both commencing at 7:00 p.m., with exceptions for December and July.

The meeting included a presentation of current capital projects, featuring drawings for a proposed Stem campus with a vet tech program and a barn, as well as a second turf field and new tennis courts. There was a discussion about virtual snow day options, with a preference for a blend of virtual learning and traditional snow days. The board approved the Berks County Mushroom Growers Scholarship, change orders for construction, and gave a first reading to policies on federal fiscal compliance, travel reimbursement, and conflict of interest. Additionally, the board approved the resignation of the Chief Financial Officer, the employment of a Coordinator of Student Services and a Technology Support Specialist, salary adjustments for professional staff, tenure for a staff member, and extra-curricular positions and coaches for the upcoming school year. The board also discussed the pig roaster for homecoming.

The board meeting included discussions and actions on various topics. Recognition was given to Trojans of the Quarter. The Superintendent's Report included updates on the sophomore class trip to Washington D.C. and Crabtree water treatment plan. The board discussed and will vote on change orders related to building and grounds. They approved substitute staff and supplemental contracts for coach positions. Volunteers for the school year were also approved. The board discussed the purchase of curriculum for Literacy intervention, and approved an expulsion agreement with a student. Administrative reports covered high school, middle school, and elementary school activities, as well as updates from the Coordinator of Student Services and the Director of Teaching and Learning. The cafeteria's celebration of National School Lunch Week and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday meal were discussed. Old business included an update on the football agreement with Pine Grove School District, and new business addressed concerns about cars passing each other on Route 183.