[{"_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",6558059,"mediaKeyId","3276678-483826f72807f9c770f511bc8b750c74","parentId",3276678,"title","Votes at a glance: board approves personnel items and transportation contracts; other items on the agenda","audioSeconds",4,"startMs",2066000,"endMs",2070000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3276678-483826f72807f9c770f511bc8b750c74&start=2066&end=2070","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3276678-483826f72807f9c770f511bc8b750c74/thumbnail_2066000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6558059/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-board-approves-personnel-items-and-transportation-contracts-other-items-on-the-agenda","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558059-88b9d996c893f352a03b4f111fbd6cf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771049821&Signature=aJ~pJPUfhyag0xkFVeiUwu0fTTW9TaSyjpLFwdlVTV53leqTqpkWVtTwjOQ7J4szlIAFMHEr~Ndihk7z~js07hxMJqTYeiOoNO843mGzLWrczQEkhKwZUzmrWVpbLu9MlP3hTurh3H8VCuIcrb~OaHMbjCfRJ71MMZFom1DkagX--4TEE2HDsja8VdzMWCOug727d4iBitXQpH-h43ht~b7wQ2Z5xFXTHHcX7tgrBziAefQrjEQbSmcP9XChtm4Iea6R-8mbovc~VX120DsnTSPn2B1G9ySJWBZyASiHNKIMhkrs8Eb-QL0Ds0LBX9c0K62pn~2I08LjiNz~xJNyvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Berwick Area School District","date","2025-05-12T23:11:11Z","article","At the meeting the board approved several routine operational items by voice vote, including a block of personnel items and transportation vendor approval.

Personnel items
A motion to approve personnel items numbered 1 through 10 was made and carried by voice vote. The transcript records affirmative responses from multiple members during roll call-style confirmations; no formal roll-call tally was provided in the excerpt.

Transportation and vendor approvals
The board approved Bauer Transportation for transportation services as recorded in the transportation section of the meeting. The transcript records agreement and affirmative responses from board members; a formal roll-call tally was not provided in the excerpt.

Other items on the agenda
The preliminary budget and a proposed renewal of the Salem Township SRO agreement were on the agenda and reported to the board; the transcript excerpt does not show final board action on those items. The board also noted the next meeting date will be June 16, changed from a previously advertised June 9 date to satisfy a 30-day public-availability requirement for the preliminary budget.

Why this matters: personnel and transportation approvals allow the district to proceed with hires and contracted services; other items on the agenda require follow-up.

Ending
The board concluded routine business and moved to adjourn; the transcript records a motion to adjourn at the end of the meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Berwick Area School District Regular Board Meeting 5/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved personnel items and transportation contracts by voice vote; several items, including the preliminary budget and an SRO renewal, were reported on the agenda but final action was not recorded in the transcript excerpt.","taxTitle","Berwick Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",49344,"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},6558063,"Acting superintendent reports renewal of SRO agreement with Salem Township; district cites armed security and police partnership",183,1307000,1490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3276678-483826f72807f9c770f511bc8b750c74&start=1307&end=1490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3276678-483826f72807f9c770f511bc8b750c74/thumbnail_1307000.jpg","/articles/6558063/Pennsylvania/Acting-superintendent-reports-renewal-of-SRO-agreement-with-Salem-Township-district-cites-armed-security-and-police-partnership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558063-6479378817da56cdbff050cc85d4a28b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771049821&Signature=PoOxPP8OZ6LRElAMHc~zefHuWjhiG81uUZ1spUghNnCfzCkNAXQ82HsIk8Z2yy79-ijbYx~OkyHGGmb2of01i1jVOu0UaF-Vln7Kc6aAQwyLSwdPL9yMqT-kIwj9qGd~abd-sxq23LrXvHd--LD-sFJDSFeIFaJeYnT2m4fJ-0VpgBIP5NzAXzmpbxZ4r1xxgvlIaLkb5VrwswJRYjys1yanysquvoO3IRoPiVjl8NF-oyyLpJh6ql1fAmAGWOMEeJ6w7AuzTorHrfhd0-yWCKCriqOys0CPO6XVrjxP~8gAjM07u3zgKOV6n61WD6SI5TVUul6I1UqAenvfPbOTXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Acting Superintendent Dr. Schottwald told the board there was a motion to renew an agreement with Salem Township to provide School Resource Officer services to the district and described the setup as a model some schools use.

Dr. Schottwald said the district has an arrangement that includes an SRO from Salem Township, armed security personnel, and a working relationship with the Burbank Police Department. “We have another year at this model,” she said, describing the parties involved as a “solid security team.”

Why this matters: SRO agreements set the framework for school-police interactions and on-campus security. The transcript records the report that the renewal was on the agenda; it does not record a formal board vote in this meeting on the renewal.

What was not recorded
The transcript records the renewal as an agenda item and a report by the acting superintendent; the board’s final action on the renewal is not recorded in the excerpt provided.

Ending
The board was informed the SRO arrangement would continue under the model described and that the renewal was on the agenda for the meeting.

","Acting Superintendent Dr. Schottwald reported a motion to renew an agreement with Salem Township for School Resource Officer (SRO) services; she described the arrangement as a model that includes armed security and a working relationship with the Burbank Police Department.",{"_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},6558070,"Berwick Area SD awarded $75,000 PA Smart planning grant; board committee proposes new high-school courses",284,676000,960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3276678-483826f72807f9c770f511bc8b750c74&start=676&end=960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3276678-483826f72807f9c770f511bc8b750c74/thumbnail_676000.jpg","/articles/6558070/Pennsylvania/Berwick-Area-SD-awarded-75000-PA-Smart-planning-grant-board-committee-proposes-new-high-school-courses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558070-9db16b7e34f9c628e8c1cb3ca213f24a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771049821&Signature=SwKTbFZU1JkWIvUoOFZOtiynBS4tU9yQ--wuIChg7-GUjxJvMS1vUGWX3BAPRxQmQX7VBsF05zcBT2kw0D7c~~GV-DoM5M-PFOxyoaytmfuxOphwKZbv4BFZBNhLz3~DeG-wmc53jwHSO0CUJoNIqeAkY6lTmST8-jlqHPM49yyBbM2dqc98uRCyCvFvxirIQB3i7DOBD-R7hPJ0F7D4B043UdeUSVIrdd3~fnvUu~1Qf2LOagMDRlJHs8lk3EkyLqfz1KBYaKFaEow8emRO3OQahVscNicUXagI7OZZ6v-khjxQsHoJpFWm2YTI5bFqTEE0hIhuJ2saW-8dXCdHTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff told the board the district received a $75,000 PA Smart planning grant for the school year and that the academic affairs committee considered several curriculum items, including proposals to add three high-school courses: introduction to criminal justice; marketing; and introduction to entrepreneurship.

During the academic affairs update, the committee reported that a possible new marketing textbook is on display in the boardroom for a 30-day review and is not yet on the agenda for purchase. The committee said it is exploring funding options for a potential textbook purchase.

The committee reported robust hiring interest: staff said there were 52 applicants for a single elementary education opening and about 85 applicants across three or four positions. The committee said recruitment has produced an \"overwhelming response,\" and that reviewing applications is taking additional time.

Student recognition and competitions
The academic update also reported student success at a regional media and design competition. Two students were named first-place winners: Angel Perata (grade 11) for animation, and Landon Hess (grade 12) for digital movie work titled “No Disc No Dice.” The first-place winners were invited to the state competition at Elizabethtown College on May 20; the committee said it hopes they will attend.

Why this matters: the PA Smart planning grant provides planning support for curriculum or program work and the new-course proposals would expand high-school offerings; hiring and recruitment patterns affect staffing decisions tied to the budget.

Ending
The board received the academic affairs report and was asked to note the textbook display and the 30-day review period for materials on potential purchase.

","An academic affairs update reported a $75,000 PA Smart planning grant, proposed new courses (intro to criminal justice, marketing, entrepreneurship), a proposed marketing textbook for 30-day review, and a strong recruitment response for open positions.",{"_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},6558075,"Berwick Area School District previews $11.5 million budget; district contribution for Berwick rises about $145,000",378,72000,450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3276678-483826f72807f9c770f511bc8b750c74&start=72&end=450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3276678-483826f72807f9c770f511bc8b750c74/thumbnail_72000.jpg","/articles/6558075/Pennsylvania/Berwick-Area-School-District-previews-115-million-budget-district-contribution-for-Berwick-rises-about-145000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558075-600e87c6058e5d801a131a78c66926a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771049821&Signature=QEp0nPbvwOsUAdgGSlcCM0LGSnO9u6TXtocrhKXk~rjE3EV2YjQP8TREmIqRWJm-erOugP-u7vzphB3VFbkBTG1L~xJBtnsxK7tc89ZQs7r947yKQfyUhxU6gLA0qNTn3b~vjX-6NM6-E6-ElV52HQSymUVt~6VnaTKb-wcWiry8RViWjOAB4AAHFdFEjSE9WlMi6AOM4JzhyoqsoxPsIBQExFtSPiliKudLSRM1v9XaLW8PGClSf8JmHcdeF~vi6IUHlfkpALwSB1uV3EjVRrh~kEznz7TrF2ChHB9eVfmDLDfa28Fc07Z~-fKpDsooTuZlDLVg2BJ3bLlzcoyvMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A preliminary $11.5 million budget for the Berwick Area School District was presented at the board meeting; district contributions are projected to cover about 73% of the plan, or approximately $8.3 million, with the district's share listed at about $2,320,000 — an increase of roughly $145,000 from the prior year, the presenter said.

The budget presenter said 95 students from the district are currently enrolled in the regional program discussed and that the district is using nearly all 96 allotted seats. The presenter added that 85 students from the district applied for freshman slots and that about 22 applicants are currently on a waiting list. “We’re looking at a total budget amount of $11,500,000,” the presenter said.

Why this matters: the preliminary budget factors a maximum 3% tax increase, includes limited discretionary spending and sets a projected year-end general fund balance of about $1.1 million. Acting Superintendent Dr. Schottwald told the board the 3% is the maximum currently factored and that staff have 30 days to continue seeking savings before final adoption.

Key budget drivers and projections
- District contributions: The presenter said districts supply about 73% of the budget (roughly $8.3 million). Berwick’s share was shown as 28.6% of that contribution and presented as about $2,320,000, up roughly $145,000 from the prior year, driven in part by higher enrollment and increased costs.
- Enrollment and formula: The presenter described a four-year formula that uses enrollment levels; because Berwick’s enrollment grew (presenter cited 95 current students), its percentage share of the contribution rose.
- Per-student figures: The presenter showed an illustrative per-student figure of a little over $12,000 per regular student and roughly $25,000 per special education (IEP) student under the presented scenario.
- Fund balance and future contributions: The presenter said the district projects a general fund balance of about $1.1 million at the end of next year and noted that a higher balance could reduce future-year contribution requests.
- Cost categories: Board materials presented salary, taxes, retirement and benefits as the largest cost drivers; the presenter said very little of the budget is discretionary.

Staffing and special education
The budget includes funding for one additional special education teacher to cover a projected increase in IEP caseloads; the presenter said current data suggest an additional 20 to 30 IEP students could join next year, which is factored into staffing plans. The presenter also listed current staffing counts in materials shown to the board: about 22.5 academic teachers and 17 vocational instructors; the special education staffing line in the draft budget includes the additional teacher.

Taxes, timeline and next steps
Dr. Schottwald told the board the budget as presented includes the maximum 3% tax increase and that staff have 30 days from the meeting to work on additional savings. The presenter said future-year contribution increases were modeled at lower rates (1% in the near term, a 0.5% increase in later years) and that those projections reduce the fund balance over time if the modeled increases are applied.

What was not decided
The preliminary budget was on the agenda for approval; the transcript records it as presented for approval but does not record the board’s final vote or formal adoption in this meeting.

Ending
Board members and staff said they will continue to review areas for savings over the 30-day preliminary-budget period before any final vote.

","District staff presented a preliminary $11.5 million budget showing district contributions of roughly $8.3 million; Berwick Area School District's share is listed at about $2.32 million, a roughly $145,000 increase. The plan includes a projected $1.1 million general fund balance and a maximum 3% tax increase factored into the preliminary plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: board approves personnel items and transportation contracts; other items on the agenda

Acting superintendent reports renewal of SRO agreement with Salem Township; district cites armed security and police partnership

Berwick Area SD awarded $75,000 PA Smart planning grant; board committee proposes new high-school courses

Berwick Area School District previews $11.5 million budget; district contribution for Berwick rises about $145,000