[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6637296,"mediaKeyId","2586917-c544ebaf1602fa3c648cd8127919bab8","parentId",2586917,"title","Baldwin‑Whitehall joins Allegheny superintendents in urging reform of cyber‑charter tuition rates","audioSeconds",233,"startMs",3787000,"endMs",4020000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586917-c544ebaf1602fa3c648cd8127919bab8&start=3787&end=4020","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586917-c544ebaf1602fa3c648cd8127919bab8/thumbnail_3787000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6637296/Pennsylvania/BaldwinWhitehall-joins-Allegheny-superintendents-in-urging-reform-of-cybercharter-tuition-rates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637296-d90477e12b6acaebe076493ce6dd5a97/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950856&Signature=c4UI3b9ROHwG2RW3Sri2-kHjlFSwgloj5Rp2PzyFK0AFnMi3Qxx~X5QkSz55AJ3E1GmiW62cXLoUKyYKtZhY06LIDnOYCoiocFCq3Y3Af7eKs8tYuK~7Tu5sqYA4dU5mL-GKMUk~f2M45ujAqyRw3pd7q2Twa8O2JrhSxJ~YylRRCJg40gZVMDJEh0tWo9d~vRIvGQQ-iH-Pn1gqZ8d2sAt-Y0HdopPMoQaoxT-TeCCLotN-lZ~jh7JArej8z39zXk8zHjnDcljEsnWQ23nu-yeKv~LoY~bIyPRmN98bQMuIZ7Jh~OcN9PBkWOSvIJDRzzVdQR6GsySHQoTN9w~wWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Baldwin-Whitehall School District","date","2025-03-13T03:16:48.367Z","article","Superintendent Dr. Randy Lutz told the board that Allegheny County superintendents have sent a letter to state legislators urging reform of cyber‑charter tuition and supporting Governor Shapiro’s proposed $8,000 per‑student cap. Lutz said the county letter documented wide variation in the amounts districts pay when students attend cyber‑charter schools.

Lutz said districts now pay an average of roughly $16,000 per non‑special‑education cyber‑charter student and about $32,000 for students with special‑education needs, while the district’s own transfer rate for non‑special‑education cyber students is $13,017 and some districts pay much higher rates. He and other speakers argued that many cyber providers operate at lower per‑student costs than what public districts are charged and that students who enroll in outside cyber programs are, on average, less likely to graduate or persist in postsecondary education.

The superintendent said the letter had been submitted to legislators and that local advocacy groups including the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators were supportive. He urged parity in funding rules so that online providers and brick‑and‑mortar districts operate under the same constraints and accountability standards.

No formal board vote was recorded on new district policy at the meeting; Lutz framed the statement as an update on advocacy work and expressed hope the proposal would gain traction during the state’s budget and legislative process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 12, 2025 - Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent reported a countywide letter to state legislators calling for a cap on cyber‑charter tuition; the district's average per‑student transfer rate and special‑education costs were discussed as part of the advocacy.","taxTitle","Baldwin-Whitehall SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",55548,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6637301,"Parents and residents raise alarm over bus route cancellations as district navigates driver shortages",212,5797000,6009000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586917-c544ebaf1602fa3c648cd8127919bab8&start=5797&end=6009","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586917-c544ebaf1602fa3c648cd8127919bab8/thumbnail_5797000.jpg","/articles/6637301/Pennsylvania/Parents-and-residents-raise-alarm-over-bus-route-cancellations-as-district-navigates-driver-shortages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637301-ff1b5a4d7a62e85af8f14945fa8ed373/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950856&Signature=lZf74rhWXvef6SBadVzL5LHfuEZzAfnQ5N8p5Wmf2FfyHzijzQdpTWym1BDniO4pbuWo2nN01JzDghPBy30GDnAeKyFp3l~un9CT~GMg3UfU1V9Zgwx4gyQKQ7DlfQymWILUD8DLHk7ACsvyM7oV6jeK6xJFDNqxkf~K8e-Kgbq6YCT2EwVHhnu-4dL11KM7Xb0mx9HPsgdnE5RQqwDoDq90oGnfc8Fz7rq1URWIB5EBVqtTsWtUxrGRGBZUe5KIIpgowsCSaNMIw5OD1-ism5Y0X8WRL8Gc0Thhx-OYn6BFLNdl7QtaUJ3hhrm6dYV2oNHFFISt4M0nYOtFyDSMIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Margaret Mahoney urged the Baldwin‑Whitehall School District Board of School Directors to address recurring bus route cancellations and double‑run schedules that have affected student attendance and instructional time.

“While I understand that busing shortages are affecting districts throughout our Commonwealth, I have not heard of another district canceling routes for public school students,” Mahoney said, describing recent cancellations and double runs that caused students to miss instruction or arrive late. She told the board that the district's geographic layout makes family reliance on bus transportation high and that, if reliable busing cannot be assured, some families may reconsider living in the district.

Mahoney thanked transportation staff for their work under difficult conditions but urged the board for a long‑term solution beyond stopgap double runs. She said asynchronous online work and parent‑led improvisations are not equivalent to in‑person instruction and that absences and tardiness force teachers to reteach content, affecting classroom pacing.

The superintendent and transportation staff previously recognized a bus driver at the meeting for an incident in which a driver protected a student at a stop; earlier discussion acknowledged ongoing staffing challenges but did not include a new district‑level service change or timetable in the public transcript. Board members and staff said they have been working on the issue and the district has engaged with state representatives and broader associations to seek legislative and operational remedies.

No immediate policy vote or new operational plan was recorded in the public portion of the meeting; commenters requested that the board view route reliability as essential to delivering the district’s educational program and asked for concrete steps to reduce future cancellations.","Multiple public comments urged the Baldwin‑Whitehall board to address bus route cancellations and double‑run service, with at least one resident warning unreliable busing could prompt families to reconsider residency in the district.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6637305,"Baldwin‑Whitehall details renovation change orders and plans for McAnulty, Wallace site; board approves related finance items",2713,2699000,5412000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586917-c544ebaf1602fa3c648cd8127919bab8&start=2699&end=5412","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586917-c544ebaf1602fa3c648cd8127919bab8/thumbnail_2699000.jpg","/articles/6637305/Pennsylvania/BaldwinWhitehall-details-renovation-change-orders-and-plans-for-McAnulty-Wallace-site-board-approves-related-finance-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637305-c71d3667076131e345d4dd788cf2140f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950856&Signature=SaiekAO~j2x6zl4geDU100xZBMHbdwblVDj9Kwcfa5gp4WwWJYhdfXbkJ1cqzEpzRmlOQaXgU5vP4TC6wO9mJJixH6z29bVxhMBdIG1J2cVK4S6bXXh1O2Jl4bEyiYjNXH6cxIWLI3XMrZorXd3~I4xo-EFRf3GmB5t1mOPWE7ctDSeK-Ax2WD07Z1doF1E2fiVGgLH946CVmVkqRNMD7qGij3C2II346L6LwtVAssdIF937mKDokaZ3SL~r1XfXgrEvU76s~PAbdTdYVP7yQEPmJG4l~7QbQS3l0tqXzVB1JAR2n3Nq3j22TsQvRQfoi~3e60aynZYKIFt0SOZ6eA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Randy Lutz told the Baldwin‑Whitehall School District Board of School Directors the recent elementary and middle‑school renovation work generated a series of owner‑requested changes and contractor quantity allowances that produced multiple change orders. He said some items were owner requests, some were omissions on plans, and others were necessary repairs discovered after demolition and inspection.

Dr. Lutz summarized examples including added exterior and stairwell lighting, installation of additional corner guards and ADA sinks, plumbing repairs to previously hidden leaks, replacement of cast‑iron drain lines that repeatedly clogged, and changes needed after electrical inspections. He said initial project estimates had been as high as $30 million but were pared back to match available funding near $20 million.

At the meeting the board approved multiple consent‑agenda finance items related to construction and operations. Business and finance staff reported these approvals included a $13,108 deduction for unused quantity allowances at Lutz Elementary, an addition to Harrison Middle School to install 11 duct‑mounted smoke detectors, and other change orders to address unforeseen plumbing, drywall and HVAC issues. The board also accepted a bid for high‑school wireless access points from Communication Consulting Inc. totaling $289,003 (subject to E‑Rate funding that would reduce the district share to $260,743) and authorized advertisements for bids for Chromebooks and for food‑service equipment.

Superintendent Lutz said McAnulty Elementary and Whitehall Elementary are next on the district’s facility planning list and that McAnulty appears to have the highest needs; planning would likely target the summer following the current school year and extend over a 13–14 month phased renovation. Lutz also discussed the aging Wallace building and said the district expects it will likely need to be removed and replaced within five years unless major systems are repaired; he described early conversations with Baldwin Borough about a possible joint community center, mixed use of athletic practice space, and long‑term lease or partnership arrangements.

Board finance director and staff said the approved items were part of a regular consent agenda and recorded as passing according to the meeting vote totals. The board was also presented with an updated timeline for budget work this spring, including proposed lines for next year’s revenue assumptions and planned budget book distribution to trustees ahead of April meetings.

No formal vote to start McAnulty construction occurred at this meeting; Lutz said additional planning and financing work with consultants would continue and return to the board for formal approvals.","Superintendent detailed change orders and construction issues from recent renovations, saying original estimates were scaled back to meet a $20 million budget; the board approved multiple consent‑agenda items including change orders, a wireless bid for the high school, and other finance actions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6637310,"Baldwin-Whitehall board approves 15-day suspension for district employee; amendment adds a scrimmage and one game",342,3547000,3889000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586917-c544ebaf1602fa3c648cd8127919bab8&start=3547&end=3889","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586917-c544ebaf1602fa3c648cd8127919bab8/thumbnail_3547000.jpg","/articles/6637310/Pennsylvania/Baldwin-Whitehall-board-approves-15-day-suspension-for-district-employee-amendment-adds-a-scrimmage-and-one-game","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637310-af2963fad7ee7267166633fa9b7e086c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950856&Signature=JUXryBM8KQOQUOlSECI-lBSY6vFJEVXOp~XnXNmD~du8mZ~q42OCjfYtik7~0dfGye3CYTwhP7KWaLjA1KOc3bwIB~SJhR4QSQRHYVqTk2EFuR5zJdh~NXXZfR2WsvSg4YX-VDRTzpt5TeTdkWcBCT-qBBjg4tmStxpvHqgL7XHDQNCCNlsC-arh5dupiCI8d512FhKbcab0xOQnalyPn1PukmzbefPLmunZUQE6G5Na5l7qZex-9grFvzTyeMFUr4fFbnULcGMKIdWev0VdnJVN0h~fwCO4WdiN1MtxrB-rTfsI18LKOazatI0Fjr6cbFakKOOd~vZOwA0FEmF-pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Baldwin‑Whitehall School District Board of School Directors voted 8–0, with one member absent, to approve a 15‑day suspension for a district employee; the board amended the motion to specify the suspension will include a scrimmage and one scheduled game.

The motion to amend the recommended penalty—adding language to cover both a scrimmage and one game—was moved and seconded at the meeting and passed on a roll‑call vote before the board approved the amended suspension. The board president announced the final result as an 8–0 vote with one member absent.

The suspension drew a public comment from a Baldwin High School senior, Brady Kaplan, who addressed the board about the impact on student participants. “Coach Wolf has already had a massive impact on our program,” Kaplan said, asking the board to reconsider the length of the restriction because players had missed practices and early season games.

Board members discussed the amendment prior to the vote. One member said the board had “weighed this very heavily” and noted concern about not punishing students for an adult’s conduct while acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. The board clarified that if a suspended game is postponed (for example for weather), the suspension will move to the next scheduled contest.

The board handled the suspension as an individual personnel matter during the public business meeting; the personnel action was recorded in the meeting minutes and passed by the stated roll‑call tally.

No further details about the allegations that led to the suspension, the district employee’s identity, or any investigatory findings were provided in the public portion of the transcript. The district stated the action as a personnel decision and followed with routine agenda items.","The Baldwin-Whitehall School District Board of School Directors voted 8–0 (one absence) to approve a 15‑day suspension of a district employee, amended to specify that the suspension will include a scrimmage and one game. A senior baseball player urged the board to reconsider during public comment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Baldwin‑Whitehall joins Allegheny superintendents in urging reform of cyber‑charter tuition rates

Parents and residents raise alarm over bus route cancellations as district navigates driver shortages

Baldwin‑Whitehall details renovation change orders and plans for McAnulty, Wallace site; board approves related finance items

Baldwin-Whitehall board approves 15-day suspension for district employee; amendment adds a scrimmage and one game