[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6608309,"mediaKeyId","2939661-2050f79131ab24322e8ff031400a2fe6","parentId",2939661,"title","Erie board approves routine reports, consent items and bids; schedule of bills approved with one abstention","audioSeconds",2542,"startMs",1364000,"endMs",3906000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939661-2050f79131ab24322e8ff031400a2fe6&start=1364&end=3906","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939661-2050f79131ab24322e8ff031400a2fe6/thumbnail_1364000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6608309/Pennsylvania/Erie-board-approves-routine-reports-consent-items-and-bids-schedule-of-bills-approved-with-one-abstention","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608309-053e855faf869b073180e125ddfdd212/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946034&Signature=H9mDUsB1-ZzXVCiaaiXGbE8yTPDfJ5w~Pa52DQQeGaDv1i8rHTWk9ZFbLa6VkF8u3JLoxg5xeCm8SNyYtmc8oSsBq19~8FV~dN2BPVl5RxEb6gS8oCTUy-YRJuu3eguWHWTFttJWN45Q-a6lcjs1i4l~aNveLkQTL90o2MIpHknpXF5X-8frGPuV6wu11NU53HEQmgI0vUaB4bGTrPFBxsFKk8AYVkqZi6g2STKlxtf0AoKi0NudLQEuvpn8md-zQXsRxVCs8TbrvAbkPSF8O7of3F3pofeA4OgVm6UuYMp-jXlOV3~fSXo1pYSL6IykAVbtklBvVsU3uKijxTgN~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Erie City School District","date","2025-04-09T23:18:36.08Z","article","The School District of the City of Erie Board of Directors took a series of routine approvals and consent votes at its April 9 meeting.

The board voted by roll call to approve the report of the secretary as shown on the agenda. The superintendent’s report was also approved after a motion and voice vote. The board approved the consent items listed under new business and supplemental new business (items 7 and 8 on the agenda) by roll call. Those packages included appointments to the Athletic Facilities Commission and multiple construction and HVAC improvement items for Erie High School.

The board approved the schedule of bills (item 9.01) by roll call with one abstention. Board member Miss Devlin announced she would abstain because “a member of my family works for a company paid by the district.” The motion to authorize district payrolls (item 9.02) passed on roll call. The board also approved awards of bids (item 10) by roll call.

Roll-call tallies read aloud at the meeting showed the following regular voting members and recorded votes (Yes/No/Abstain) on the schedule of bills and other listed items: Miss Graff (Yes), Mister Harkins (Yes), Mister Nichols (Yes), Mister Sharif (Yes), Miss Amatangelo (Yes), Miss Cooley (Yes), Miss Devlin (Abstain on schedule of bills; Yes on other items), Miss Gillespie (Yes), Dr. Brenneman (Yes).

No formal dissent was recorded on the consent agenda items or bid awards. The board completed its business items without further public votes beyond those listed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Directors Meeting April 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 9 meeting, the School District of the City of Erie approved routine reports, a consent package of new business and supplemental business, authorized payrolls, awarded bids and approved the schedule of bills; board member Miss Devlin abstained from the schedule-of-bills vote citing a family conflict.","taxTitle","Erie City SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",14585,"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},6608314,"Parent, former student say detention practice at Eagles Nest prompted investigation; district says probe underway",370,3439000,3809000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939661-2050f79131ab24322e8ff031400a2fe6&start=3439&end=3809","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939661-2050f79131ab24322e8ff031400a2fe6/thumbnail_3439000.jpg","/articles/6608314/Pennsylvania/Parent-former-student-say-detention-practice-at-Eagles-Nest-prompted-investigation-district-says-probe-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608314-d8ef5875ad33195dc75973c40e5791da/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946034&Signature=WQ0IkVLBiZrIlZdHLK-AWr3QVwuGUnrW5pFxBbt55gm3r3b0EbakZn-ILQX2xiJsSA8XIf-22LJq69OeBBKBHulUNWbCURiGtntHxEAaPGNH63f-rx7bvtubGTJp0Rh76xzwNbvCKp1ZmZz4eehZZ6M6lhuCGUQVvP5Vdo05DwLPyQQmMeiKBVR2Q2j1LIkqvDo0m6YMapeeory7CYs7LVT6hNJ2dtNyXvox3eFJD5-xpj9DGzMG02i2IVictosk7VRaqlX028bdR0Kc~OPs7z2H9oi88TLQOv10P9ZKsIEfU8tFXHkKRbzq087zE9l~80RaOuKrqrtFdxLb-PW-vQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A parent and a former student told the School District of the City of Erie Board of Directors on April 9 about an alleged disciplinary practice at Eagles Nest that they said involved students doing extended wall sits while holding books during lunch detention.

A student who identified herself as a former Eagles Nest attendee described the detention: she said staff ordered students to perform wall sits while holding books and that students were made to lower their bodies when instructed; she said the practice caused pain for students in the room. The student said she endured the exercise after finishing her lunch.

The student’s mother said the detention differed from typical practices and described her child being made to “squat against the wall with 9 52‑page books in each hand for about 20 minutes during lunch detention.” She said she was not notified and that the staff supervising were not certified teachers but Eagles Nest staff working under a partnership with the district. She said she made the incident public online and, she said, district administrators subsequently asked her to remove her children from the program.

District officials responded during the meeting. Superintendent Pulido said the matter is “an ongoing investigation. We are actively looking into it.” He said a school advocate, Mr. Brockman, had been asked to attend a meeting with Eagles Nest and district staff as part of the inquiry and that administration would work to “make sure we have a good resolution.” The board did not take formal action on the allegation during the April 9 meeting.

The board and administration declined to provide additional details at the meeting, citing the active investigation. No disciplinary outcomes or personnel actions were announced publicly at the session.","A parent and a former student described an incident at Eagles Nest where students say they were made to do prolonged wall sits holding books during lunch detention; the district said an investigation is ongoing and an advocate is meeting with school officials.",{"_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},6608319,"Former teacher urges Erie board to post library positions, ensure coverage; board members pledge follow-up",324,3094000,3418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939661-2050f79131ab24322e8ff031400a2fe6&start=3094&end=3418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939661-2050f79131ab24322e8ff031400a2fe6/thumbnail_3094000.jpg","/articles/6608319/Pennsylvania/Former-teacher-urges-Erie-board-to-post-library-positions-ensure-coverage-board-members-pledge-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608319-117bada0f27ec39a37935b9863447518/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946034&Signature=cpdaDrppIotBF8n2VIDzKahcG1E7I5WpppK7uubEfIuQaRbLnb8QTiKNxU0u2RaUpXRMabRyZmwCtQWpy-Fh26TkJx4qdl7AY-kWd~cvOZsOUSsh2JO24wfRFbEgqDi-7l9qTcf4tt5bnYRieOaCSPQU9Z3mU6saeEaeTXTkrYaTUV-77YuBrZIE1IlPrwyW969Jg0zugtLzIMGfUKOik5zLR5Cor1JLsUFkSLG3erTObIWmfQWIwg2Ff2HiseukRiunrRGHtRuO5WtkBpKFSRlkZDgkVEWvjmHxzRV7Z534vsWtq-xPZSmVToYBdYakAWiZr28j2H59-IStIxDE7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A retired district teacher told the School District of the City of Erie Board of Directors on April 9 that many school libraries remain unstaffed and unusable, and urged the district to post librarian and library-clerk job openings and to create local hiring pipelines for aide positions.

Barb Zimmer, who said she taught in the district for 32 years, told the board that “libraries can’t function without staff” and that if positions are not posted “it’s really disingenuous to say that the positions can’t be filled.” She asked the board to prioritize posting jobs, suggested creating a student pipeline for teacher‑aide roles, and criticized the removal and disposal of library furniture and shelving at the high schools.

Zimmer said high school libraries had been stripped of shelves and that some books and furniture were discarded. She described earlier curricular library uses — grade-level research projects and other assignments — and said those uses had been diminished. She also raised concern about substitute coverage, saying specialists are being pulled to cover classes and that practice undercuts services for students who rely on special-education and English-language resources.

Board members thanked Zimmer for raising the issue. Board member Mr. Harkins told Zimmer, “you deserve a thank you and a salute from us,” and said the staffing shortfall has been discussed as part of the budget process; he noted the district directed recent state funds toward teacher salaries to stabilize staffing. No new board action was taken at the meeting; board members asked administration to continue work on the issue and to include it in budget discussions.

Zimmer’s remarks came during the public-comment portion of the meeting. The board did not vote on library staffing or new hiring at the April 9 session.","A retired teacher urged the Erie school board to post librarian and aide positions and to stop leaving school libraries locked and unused; board members acknowledged the concern and said the issue has been added to budget discussions.",{"_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},6608323,"Erie schools mark Child Abuse Prevention Month with pinwheels, staff and student programming",332,2338000,2670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939661-2050f79131ab24322e8ff031400a2fe6&start=2338&end=2670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939661-2050f79131ab24322e8ff031400a2fe6/thumbnail_2338000.jpg","/articles/6608323/Pennsylvania/Erie-schools-mark-Child-Abuse-Prevention-Month-with-pinwheels-staff-and-student-programming","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608323-fa52fa10f9dfebfe33b557772aea4118/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946034&Signature=A2YmluC7llcy5t-RpaK70DmPkFjWKrbSBt7Ij3EJXADgKwLKRnd5p5dSW8v-zRepahlACpsRoXoK2jZ7fu4bUdQ5GvPtE5CWHswmbr-Z2nw0BHUdBXz3PVAKhr4eWmi9JGu7Uy3-oG7J5UaP1s7jJkiEtC0dCsMY1g7GcBGkjnF3p5Vpeq3MQvNe7T2~kuOD4zt~MqBNeIZFNBLjVoBKuYB9yvXHrzw9y8jIcGW-z8pg2P8O3qKPS2dYCbM1aQI6eftIuqvi~5qdmBiUQxv3ZlDgsbCteyeBqzsLQQ5MV8jXZC2y8e7WI3D356HIqlewrj7pnGThg6CdsGyArtguMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff described April activities for Child Abuse Prevention Month at the School District of the City of Erie during the April 9 board meeting.

Ms. Pickens, a district staff member, said the district campaign uses the national symbol — a blue pinwheel — and the national theme “Building a hopeful future together.” She told the board the district’s mental health specialists and behavior intervention specialists (BISs) will distribute information to families and staff and place pinwheels and signs at school sites.

Ms. Pickens highlighted three buildings as examples: Grover Cleveland Elementary will encourage staff and students to wear blue on Fridays and display pinwheels; East Middle School held building-wide activities and morning announcement reminders; and Collegiate Academy will host pinwheel displays and a staff presentation, plus a student “lunch and learn” on healthy boundaries led by the Crime Victim Center.

When Board member Ms. Devlin asked whether the Collegiate lunch-and-learn is optional, Ms. Pickens responded, “It is optional for the students so they can get their lunch and then they'll report to Room 119.” She also said mental health staff will provide short announcement-based reminders at some schools about topics such as body safety and boundaries.

Ms. Pickens said the district worked with the Children’s Advocacy Center on building-level outreach and that schools will supply pinwheels to board members before the meeting concluded. She introduced two students who assisted with distribution.

Board members asked clarifying questions about program scope and whether bullying falls under child‑abuse reporting; Ms. Pickens said the district maintains a separate anti-bullying campaign and that students can use the district’s Safe to Say reporting mechanism for safety concerns. No formal board action was taken.

The presentation covered outreach and awareness activities rather than policy changes or new reporting procedures. Ms. Pickens urged building-level staff to use the month’s activities to inform families about reporting channels and available supports.","District staff outlined plans for Child Abuse Prevention Month activities including blue pinwheels at schools, parent resources from mental health specialists, and optional student 'lunch and learn' sessions on healthy boundaries at Collegiate Academy.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6608328,"Erie schools outline autism services as district sees rising special-education caseload",309,1932000,2241000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939661-2050f79131ab24322e8ff031400a2fe6&start=1932&end=2241","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939661-2050f79131ab24322e8ff031400a2fe6/thumbnail_1932000.jpg","/articles/6608328/Pennsylvania/Erie-schools-outline-autism-services-as-district-sees-rising-special-education-caseload","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608328-36b55a9e101de0dd949729b64c1db634/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946034&Signature=onmHQtENcyJF1aWYVKc5n432Ax51FypXCD3oYHUSCbDCmf4cTEJ1FqqmhBzkgYXOKLVPzB85soPJ4Afu8YBMFwdtUyhlexI7IaNDU4Blg~~MPpXK-oesGWzwsgyIojuhfFRasRFDxeLPkaoaVODFi5YXhmBY4fKGZq0V0tEKvuu~yT6kY0YcF6LWfvnLpLy2SRF3gzxnvUR6hR2nGvYbtgRP2AnR16GWt74ziM3kWYN9A0tIAfstf~9hmkFFhmCoDzkxJshubPQkBMmU5MuXjgZKonZkeOEhKN-VdOQ0s~hRgjxOnns9abY54rdS-f1xYrO5SFe53T4DrUMultQvYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff on April 9 told the School District of the City of Erie Board of Directors the district is expanding autism support services as identification rates rise.

A presenter identified autism as “a social disability and it’s a communication disability of really unknown neurological origin,” and emphasized that “what it is not is a mental illness,” during a briefing the board heard after the superintendent’s report.

The presenter said autism is now described across three functional levels — Level 1 (requires support), Level 2 (requires substantial support) and Level 3 (requires very substantial support) — and described classroom interventions the district uses, including applied behavior analysis, functional behavior assessment, positive behavior supports, the Unique Learning System curriculum, community-based instruction and both high- and low-tech communication supports.

The presenter said nationally “1 in 36 children are now identified” on the autism spectrum and reported that “11.6 percent of our special education population is … identified under the autism spectrum.” When asked for a district headcount, the presenter said, “I would say 11.6 maybe about 300-ish.” The presenter also said the district is aware of “about 30 students … coming up from our early intervention program that are very need[ing] very substantial support,” and that the district may need to open additional classrooms to accommodate them.

Board members pressed staff on inclusion and placement. The presenter said the district’s goal is to maximize inclusion where possible and that students often move from more restrictive placements in elementary grades into greater inclusion in middle and high school as they acquire skills. The presenter said community partnerships, transition planning with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and programs such as Project SEARCH are used to support students’ post‑school employment prospects.

Superintendent Pulido introduced the segment and thanked staff for work preparing the briefing. Board member Ms. Graff asked for a numeric count; the presenter repeated the rough estimate of about 300 districtwide. When asked whether mainstreaming occurs frequently, the presenter said it “happens more frequently once you get into middle and high school, not as much in elementary.”

The presentation also included a classroom example: a kindergarten student identified as making notable gains in an autistic-support classroom. Staff described improvements in communication, participation and attention for that student and said the district is working with families and community agencies to plan transitions and supports.

The presentation did not propose specific new budget line items during the public meeting; staff warned that additional classrooms may be needed and raised the issue for near-term planning. No formal board action or vote on new placements or funding occurred during the April 9 meeting.

Board members did not question the specific 300 estimate further at the meeting and the presenter offered to provide a more precise count if the board requested it.","District staff described programming, interventions and rising autism identification in the Erie School District, saying 11.6% of special education students are identified on the autism spectrum and roughly 30 children are coming from early intervention who may need high-support placements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Erie board approves routine reports, consent items and bids; schedule of bills approved with one abstention

Parent, former student say detention practice at Eagles Nest prompted investigation; district says probe underway

Former teacher urges Erie board to post library positions, ensure coverage; board members pledge follow-up

Erie schools mark Child Abuse Prevention Month with pinwheels, staff and student programming

Erie schools outline autism services as district sees rising special-education caseload