Wilkes-Barre Area School District

The Board meeting included a comprehensive District Engineer report detailing recent maintenance and repair activities across various facilities, including the administration building, schools, and athletic complexes. Curriculum and administration discussions resulted in the adoption of a revised school calendar, approval for student travel to a state conference, and the purchase of educational software and math program materials. The Budget and Finance committee secured approval for treasurer reports, capital project payments, and the acquisition of a police utility vehicle and school furniture. Policy updates were adopted regarding gifted education, student wellness, and attendance. Personnel actions addressed staff resignations, sabbaticals, and various appointments for professional, secretarial, and maintenance positions, alongside updates to coaching staff. Additionally, the Board passed resolutions confirming that tax rates for the upcoming fiscal year will not exceed the established index, and made new appointments to the Luzerne Intermediate Unit Board of Directors and the Career and Technical Center Joint Operating Committee.

This document outlines the Wilkes-Barre Area School District's comprehensive approach to special education services. Key focus areas include ensuring education in the least restrictive environment, providing oversight for non-resident and incarcerated students, implementing positive behavior supports, and offering robust academic and social-emotional programming. The plan emphasizes continuous improvement through extensive staff development and a commitment to providing a full continuum of services to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities, fostering inclusion and academic success.

The meeting commenced with an Executive Session focusing on employee relations, labor negotiations, and potential litigation. Key discussions included an update on a fire incident at Solomon Complex, requiring a virtual learning day due to water and smoke damage, and commencement of restoration efforts. Extensive commentary and recognition were made for outgoing Board President Joseph Caffrey's leadership, integrity, and commitment to students. The District Engineer's Report detailed facility maintenance across various sites, including boiler activation, ongoing renovations, and addressing post-fire cleanup at Solomon Complex. The Budget Finance Committee recommended approvals for treasurer's reports, large capital project payments to Brewer-Garrett Company and McClure Company, and the purchase of two 2026 Ford F-650 refrigerated trucks. The Curriculum/Administration Committee recommended approval or ratification of agreements for day care services, behavioral health programs, healthcare staffing, home health services, and educational software access. Furthermore, the committee recommended approving agreements for specialized services, including neuropsychological evaluations and day habilitation programs. The Policy Committee adopted a new policy regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education. The Personnel Committee accepted several resignations, approved sabbatical requests for professional staff, and appointed numerous long-term substitutes, professional employees, and support staff, alongside granting incentive raises. The Athletics committee noted accolades for a local quarterback and reappointed spring sports coaches. The Facilities Transition section noted the failure of a property sale. Finally, several committees and members offered concluding remarks honoring President Caffrey's service.

The reorganization meeting involved administering the Oath of Office to newly elected Board Members. Key organizational actions included the election of Warren Faust as Temporary President for the purpose of reorganization, followed by the election of Dr. James Susek as President for the ensuing year and Mark Atherton as Vice President. The Board adopted rules of order for all meetings, set the regular meeting schedule for the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., and authorized officers to draw orders for payroll and bills. Resolutions were adopted appointing Mark Atherton and Arthur Breese to the Joint Operating Committee of the Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center, and appointing Megan Labatch as Assistant Secretary of the Board.

The meeting agenda addressed several committee reports and recommendations. The Curriculum/Administration Committee recommended adopting a revision to the Plains Solomon Complex 2025-2026 School Calendar to meet instructional requirements, which involved converting several inservice/Act 80 days to full instructional days. This committee also sought approval for the WBAHS FBLA to attend the State Conference in Hershey, PA, and for the purchase of additional Power School Perform licensing due to growing enrollment, as well as materials for the math program at Heights Elementary School. The Budget Finance/Materials & Supplies/Contracted Services Committee presented several items, including approval of Treasurer's Reports for September and October 2025, approval for payments related to the Solomon Phase 2 Capital Project, ratification of the purchase of a 2026 Ford Police Utility Vehicle, and approval to purchase conference tables for GAR Middle School. Furthermore, this committee sought approval for General Fund, Food Service Checks, and Federal Fund disbursements made since the prior meeting.