[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,100,111],{"_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",6609988,"mediaKeyId","2905136-2285fc95fa30b34953a7df35da372622","parentId",2905136,"title","Board approves bundled personnel slate, authorizes talks on health-care incentive and adopts early-retirement resolution","audioSeconds",168,"startMs",1337000,"endMs",1505000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905136-2285fc95fa30b34953a7df35da372622&start=1337&end=1505","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905136-2285fc95fa30b34953a7df35da372622/thumbnail_1337000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6609988/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-bundled-personnel-slate-authorizes-talks-on-health-care-incentive-and-adopts-early-retirement-resolution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609988-245dc65ec7e8928be36a72a7b6ff7756/orig.mp4?Expires=1770930871&Signature=OhtiWmnO3ZIwqnqNpaLmlVqwBG7KaZ~~lnDwhgRLJ1GT~HpgmWm6Boi~BOs~8ZnUc~dRXAc1-J0Xw~XVA299h3OV6a2~XiP6lyfrN7LpWTANHGvWOuY7OzSqoh8kJwf6-yGNpFB3-hSfsm0ReD4ZKUzksAmN9yP6QULUWu9jIU22ng3W2M~YkHpLoNQOHy-IUJZ4xq8y0laLiaxoLEWUTXRA1Wm56XGSE57QrHJ3wxLFqdiTmdjvyGo-5841D~gnWDzZNPGZFE5fKTzkwm7BKmjbFTZEztoJ7hYNIOiwAVVpuTjnGSAiJd9FPEhkySsw~gHeVTibVDp7Xfrx5IQyzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Easton Area School District","date","2025-04-09T00:23:38.053Z","article","The Easton Area School District board approved a bundle of personnel actions, authorized exploratory conversations with bargaining units on a potential health-care incentive, and adopted an early-retirement resolution.

At the start of the meeting the board approved a combined personnel motion covering retirements, resignations, leaves of absence, administrative transfers, tenure awards, the election of support staff, volunteer coaches, EPFED stipend changes and after‑school program staff \"as presented.\" The motion carried with the roll-call exchange recorded as \"All in favor\" and multiple vocal \"Aye\" responses; the transcript does not list individual personnel names or vote tallies within the bundle.

The board then approved a motion to \"enter into informal conversations regarding the potential implementation of a healthcare bio incentive with all bargaining units.\" The motion was seconded and passed; district staff described the step as exploratory and not an immediate change to benefit contracts.

The board also approved a resolution outlining an early-retirement option; during that vote one board member stated, “I will abstain.” The transcript does not identify the abstaining member by name.

Other business: the board approved a memorandum of understanding with Wilkes University School of Education regarding certification programs, and it approved a professional services contract with Susquehanna Accounting and Consulting Solutions to provide consulting services for the business office during a transition period.

Why it matters: the personnel approvals implement staffing changes necessary for operations; the healthcare-incentive authorization starts a bargaining‑unit discussion that could lead to future contract proposals; the early-retirement resolution provides an option for eligible employees to consider.

Ending: district staff said the Susquehanna contract is a retainer arrangement for business‑office consulting during a transition and that further implementation steps will follow as needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special Meeting Followed By Standing Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Easton Area School District board approved a bundled personnel motion covering retirements, resignations, leaves, transfers, tenure awards and staffing elections, and authorized informal talks with bargaining units about a possible health-care incentive.","taxTitle","Easton Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",38560,"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},6609994,"Valley Health Partners outlines South Side Easton clinic, seeks partnership with district for student care",618,2820000,3438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905136-2285fc95fa30b34953a7df35da372622&start=2820&end=3438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905136-2285fc95fa30b34953a7df35da372622/thumbnail_2820000.jpg","/articles/6609994/Pennsylvania/Valley-Health-Partners-outlines-South-Side-Easton-clinic-seeks-partnership-with-district-for-student-care","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609994-01a165989bde0562084ce3ff3470d9de/orig.mp4?Expires=1770930871&Signature=U8iVWRINqKjBoJ1VB1t3gXcRhB536kj6BuFGTcl0orVOiQyAEh0ZsR6kPZLEt5qYYarZXazw4FlqRSBxkF6hZpvcl6i7ZHEDr6EvGfompYWD3SfN0G6A2RgyL1FcpsBGFi6C9rmIzvgt6Ph5ewqcMrJWgfWf7ZoIYDPBPTicWksR8KtYQaFKnltx7FBniRnYvZ6Z315c6pornrgPYJLye7foCcSZpzj-zcjPzanqQh7V7cnVmSJIRFsnzGIUpbpJu416tepB5sIdwo7e6y87yiitHEeCn0kFq9tMjlBy~qtfjx8aJ13yns63kx5VjynQLLxPaRP~h9U2DTthnbT0LQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Valley Health Partners, a federally qualified health center (FQHC) look‑alike, told the Easton Area School District board it will open a community clinic on Easton’s South Side in mid-May and sought a memorandum of understanding to coordinate school-based referrals and services.

“We are a federally qualified health center look alike,” the Valley Health Partners representative said, explaining the organization’s model and mission. She added: “We turn no 1 away for care,” and described a patient-centered medical-home approach intended to serve students and families regardless of ability to pay.

Why it matters: the South Side clinic is within walking distance of Cheston Elementary and other neighborhood sites the district cited as priorities. Board members and district staff said dental, vision and behavioral-health access were particular community concerns the clinic might address.

Services planned at the Lincoln Street location include primary care, integrated behavioral health, pediatrics, a Family Health Center and a Center de Salud focused on the Latino/Hispanic community. Valley Health Partners said dental and optometry services will be available at the site; a community pharmacy is planned but awaits Board of Pharmacy approval. The clinic is booking appointments starting in mid-May.

Valley Health Partners described existing community connections — its street medicine program, veteran care coordination and partnerships with local organizations — and said it has signed memoranda with Family Connection of Easton and Easton Neighborhood Centers. The presenter said the organization will work with district nursing staff and administrators to identify student needs, complete required physicals, and coordinate referrals without duplicating existing school services.

The MOU on the board brief was described as a no-cost partnership to the district. Valley Health Partners asked to continue planning over the summer so it can align clinic activities with the school year and district priorities.

Ending: board members welcomed the clinic; district staff said they would bring an updated MOU to a future meeting after small language changes were incorporated and legal review.","Valley Health Partners presented a memorandum of understanding to the Easton Area School District to coordinate primary care, behavioral health, dental and (pending) pharmacy services at a new South Side clinic opening in mid-May.",{"_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},6609998,"Colonial IU 20 seeks 0% contribution increase from Easton as it outlines services and budget drivers",365,1689000,2054000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905136-2285fc95fa30b34953a7df35da372622&start=1689&end=2054","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905136-2285fc95fa30b34953a7df35da372622/thumbnail_1689000.jpg","/articles/6609998/Pennsylvania/Colonial-IU-20-seeks-0-contribution-increase-from-Easton-as-it-outlines-services-and-budget-drivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609998-0f70519cb24e1c200a97f49266035a36/orig.mp4?Expires=1770930871&Signature=hDTGnlrIILG8~YtOEfxRFhPkvgxaoeUZlJ4oMBaQuNDElY0AB3W8VRzSibYj9hOhhTedt0r-639MNjfyWUZFvfgxecQCNOqIHzOkzTmoJdDRxqurVeP2kBn3GQgKGrueVjq1~VeKL6I-fJ2qglfszEvFXZ-6bOUZHUUe3qA2pVcw0ayumqbUI2VT8DSEIm-aAKHMOgqLvySWS0kMUa-O6DrXcNR~p4TClOMUqNaOHVhGDrpmMHPj-ymWiDmUdsY-fCAbcteVvZiyjXvQf6P8a33Vef8G2SwGWZKF-GUJix-iWwXuZeGkFYL6IskU73Fup8fz6g6Ycm39C~9g~oh0Dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 presented its 2025–26 general operating budget to the Easton Area School District board and requested that Easton’s contribution remain unchanged at $63,588, representing a 0% increase from the previous year.

The IU’s assistant executive director and presenter emphasized that the general operating budget is a small portion of IU finances but supports the organization’s core operations. “Based on data that I collected this past year, Colonial IU 20 provides more services to students than any other IU in the Commonwealth of PA,” the presenter said, noting the budget’s proposed 4.1% overall increase in dollars but no increase in district assessments.

Why it matters: the IU supports services used by multiple districts and the general operating budget requires proportionate approval from the districts it serves. Maintaining Easton’s contribution at the current level avoids increased local cost while the IU funds growth from other revenue sources.

Key details: the IU said salary and health-care costs are the primary drivers of expenditure growth and that medical costs in particular may rise more than initially budgeted. The presenter said the IU had budgeted medical at 10% but received updated actuarial advice suggesting medical costs may be closer to 15%.

The IU described how it will offset increases: using a portion of employees’ premium shares, investment income, and additional grant-funded work through the Pennsylvania Department of Education that brings revenue to the IU without charging districts. The presenter also provided a seven-year historical average showing modest increases to the general operating budget.

Program highlights provided to the board included:
- Early intervention services (ages 3–5). The IU said it serves roughly 2,500 children in the region and emphasizes kindergarten readiness, literacy and instructional coaching.
- Teacher-pipeline programs aimed at growing special-education staffing, including paraeducator-to-teacher pathways and partnerships with local colleges to offer certification supports at low or no cost to districts.
- Transition and work-readiness programs for students with disabilities, including job-placement partnerships (Project SEARCH, partnerships with local employers and a campus café run by the IU) and community-based training opportunities.
- An expansive behavioral-health program that includes consultation, licensed providers, and a school-based partial hospital program the IU described as among the first in Pennsylvania.
- Technology and operations supports, including regional cybersecurity collaboration and a district-accessible print shop.

The IU noted it is not requesting an increase in district assessments for 2025–26 and described the next steps: more district approvals, IU board vote, and submission to Harrisburg by May.

Ending: board members asked where to get more detail; the IU offered to take questions and to share the full budget booklet. The IU said its request to Easton is to maintain the district contribution at $63,588 for 2025–26.","Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 presented its general operating budget to the Easton Area School District board, asking Easton to maintain its $63,588 contribution while outlining programs for early intervention, special-education staffing pipelines and behavioral-health services.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6609978,"District to consider Red Cross shelter agreement for middle school; elevator electrical work quote updated",0,6060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905136-2285fc95fa30b34953a7df35da372622&start=6060&end=6060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905136-2285fc95fa30b34953a7df35da372622/thumbnail_6060000.jpg","/articles/6609978/Pennsylvania/District-to-consider-Red-Cross-shelter-agreement-for-middle-school-elevator-electrical-work-quote-updated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609978-006cc39aa5273fa378533f715392b510/orig.mp4?Expires=1770930871&Signature=mW9qlNPjeD33mPsqztTxcz9lOM53MYCQbwDNPx4vDtSScRQqdKTOmtUQRZhHF0ISqHyE1lBjYmuoZ0pNQYsUtEWHruCp-SKtnVTAVjQtkx662DXtykuNRQqxfePf4VMQxzbX-3gOcCqeOwONV7zicPrYkV8LL7qqKwuQ5nG2BtFuOtsWNgq1F9lYtbR-rE9kqE8NpEIXNEFnV-4wcNTzYOEEYULUMfA-~Y0Ukt915ntkQJTr4il9w-Vn55ApP9pD9dReuU2xbCz3ftyML7UVa4DtpEJYMBsI34BEEsIih-v6HwQfPggJgitmgcaNWusI1B-JeGG7u5ZcflgfFslxJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District operations staff announced they will recommend a memorandum of understanding with the American Red Cross that would designate Eastern Middle School as a potential long-term shelter in the event of a major regional disaster and reported an updated elevator service quote for additional electrical and HVAC work.

Operations and police staff described two recent short-term shelter activations at Paxinosa Elementary (for a Ferry Street fire and a Lafayette Hotel fire) and said the middle school’s single‑level layout, cafeteria and shower/restroom facilities make it suitable for longer-term sheltering needs. “Twice within the last 3 years we've been requested to provide shelter to members of our community,” a district official said.

The draft agreement includes a pet addendum to provide an area for residents’ pets (service and guide animals are exempt and would remain with owners). Staff said the Red Cross brings most logistics and resources when it sets up a shelter and that the district’s custodial and security teams have supported recent activations; the draft MOU has been reviewed by the district solicitor and will be recommended for approval at the next board meeting.

On capital work: staff said an earlier board agenda included a quote for additional elevator-related electrical and HVAC work. The vendor updated the price on short notice; the new total is approximately $55,000 (about $10,000 more than the previously published estimate). Staff said the increase is related to supplier and tariff issues and that the revised price remains within the capital-improvement plan budget.

Ending: staff said the Red Cross MOU and the revised elevator quote will be brought forward for formal approval at the board meeting scheduled next month.","The district reviewed a draft agreement with the American Red Cross to use the middle school as a long-term shelter in a large-scale disaster, and operations staff reported an updated elevator electrical/HVAC quote that is about $10,000 higher than the initial estimate.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6609983,"Athletic department unveils new district brand guide, discusses helmet policy and expands junior-high girls wrestling",14,5176000,5190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905136-2285fc95fa30b34953a7df35da372622&start=5176&end=5190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905136-2285fc95fa30b34953a7df35da372622/thumbnail_5176000.jpg","/articles/6609983/Pennsylvania/Athletic-department-unveils-new-district-brand-guide-discusses-helmet-policy-and-expands-junior-high-girls-wrestling","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609983-620fc20cba55c8cf071641feb849bfd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770930871&Signature=WUIPYGJ3JZEeqb25QGJPZTLDl7FDX1-96IywPkuR4Sf0MvDJIYtwT68UiiAzfbmlAs4Nd9kzBkprwFDLjere1L7q2LBp3D48efj4CPpVXCYKK8UZ5c5IO0CQSBSY0MTOfbR-tTlfNUxuSi8JAlSgWC-1h-Fx4RYbagk2NiLXoHq3rfAj8kXOC0jjJBkfQFAxtsg2YLYTjrnxwI~5MqVqMRu9l40vpk3HGqLu2vRHzA6sRs4LMFqgF~Wz01l4JAbF-NblfTxnM8JjWQMRUqjBPsuHOJH7NcI6tvk~wro62JAGhOvVrQGtzC7drTmgHdAQ5Rut4wxJrmr7tHdFVI4PCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Easton Area School District athletic department presented a new branding guide to standardize logos and marks across the district, discussed a proposal to allow parents to purchase football helmets, and described an upcoming change to the junior‑high wrestling structure to create a feeder program for girls.

The athletic director described multiple cleaned-up marks — a new block-E wordmark built from the historic Block E, full and head-only Bulldog marks, and a circular badge that incorporates elements of Easton’s city flag. “The arch with its keystone is built into the jawline of the Bulldog logo,” the athletic director said, explaining design choices meant to tie the mascot to local identity and make the artwork reproducible for modern embroidery and printing.

Board members asked how organizations should obtain files. The athletic director said high-quality files will be provided by the district, and groups should contact the athletic office for official art; the district does not hold a registered trademark on the mark, he said.

Equipment policy: the athletic director said the district will present an agreement allowing parents to purchase football helmets if they choose, under a supervised reconditioning protocol. “The difference being in the end when someone graduates or withdraws from Eastern High School, then they can take that piece of equipment with them,” he said. The agreement has been reviewed by the district solicitor and will be brought for board approval at a future meeting.

Girls wrestling: to accommodate growth in girls wrestling, the junior-high program will convert one of its boys junior-high teams (previously the white team) into an official junior-high girls team. The department said the move preserves opportunities on the boys’ side (varsity, JV, junior high) while aligning girls programs with the same structure.

Ending: the district said finalized logo files and the branding guide will be posted and made available to vendors and booster organizations; the helmet agreement and related athletic items will be on a future board agenda.","Easton’s athletic department presented a new branding guide that modernizes the Bulldog marks, discussed a proposed policy allowing parents to purchase football helmets subject to district procedures, and announced a plan to convert one junior-high wrestling team into an official girls team.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves bundled personnel slate, authorizes talks on health-care incentive and adopts early-retirement resolution

Valley Health Partners outlines South Side Easton clinic, seeks partnership with district for student care

Colonial IU 20 seeks 0% contribution increase from Easton as it outlines services and budget drivers

District to consider Red Cross shelter agreement for middle school; elevator electrical work quote updated

Athletic department unveils new district brand guide, discusses helmet policy and expands junior-high girls wrestling