[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6476537,"mediaKeyId","5726930-293d8b8d57ec2bd1740a5219cdc77c0d","parentId",5726930,"title","Board pauses $70,000 boardroom AV upgrade, reviews high school change orders and Twin Rivers boiler work","audioSeconds",375,"startMs",385000,"endMs",760000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5726930-293d8b8d57ec2bd1740a5219cdc77c0d&start=385&end=760","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5726930-293d8b8d57ec2bd1740a5219cdc77c0d/thumbnail_385000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6476537/Pennsylvania/Board-pauses-70000-boardroom-AV-upgrade-reviews-high-school-change-orders-and-Twin-Rivers-boiler-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476537-299bf7e6a5183e1b6d3373fda4a54659/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150431&Signature=brmDN1QgOGQd56pGY67ZMyqXrNMT6w~BA4FW2J2XEtne92x6rJnKDgC5OAFNeBkLDQfjqebv~mCeT9QVqAgFLVSw15YD32sva3~MXoZB3ZTvmLynLzTb77GEC1McqFx1c81O0KmcVodhNxn5lksv2juJQGBeIQxU-afSZcr3Cts3VrIo0uHrbbop6kgIB4Fnr4WN43THWb2qXPsR3~i3bE2oiWSsSglUVSyu3TMMMEUgd~G5rnxwliMaKzAvQkqkm7Onz635wr--LNF9fBZSB6Q-NW8EtR62gMuj~4QjQ8eK8JCtoiBMOSbvOBR64ILZjxPmCX0dgMljc7Jd5BZmfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","McKeesport Area School Disctrict","date","2025-09-04T23:48:18Z","article","The McKeesport Area School District Board of Directors on Sept. 4 removed a proposed $70,000 boardroom audio-visual upgrade from the consent agenda and asked staff for a presentation detailing the scope, costs and whether smaller, targeted fixes could address immediate audio and streaming problems.

Why it matters: Board members said the district needs clearer information about what the proposed upgrade would buy — and whether parts of the work could be scaled back — because meeting audio and livestream quality affect public access and transparency.

Board action on the upgrade and requests for more information: A board member asked that agenda item 7.11 (boardroom upgrades) be removed from the consent list so staff could provide a formal presentation outlining specific equipment, functionality and costs. Other board members said problems with microphones (several described as roughly 20 years old), camera coverage and audio quality had hampered remote participation and the ability to produce short video clips for social media. The board agreed to remove the line item pending the requested information.

Facilities work and funding sources: Committee reports covered three change orders at the high school related to demolition and construction of a new vestibule; staff said those change orders are covered by PCCD grants and will not affect general operating funds. The Twin Rivers building will require a boiler replacement to regulate heating; board members said that work will be paid from capital funds. The maintenance building is slated for upgraded access control and video systems to secure tools and supplies kept there.

Construction timeline and delays: Staff reported a tentative project completion date of about Dec. 1 but said unforeseen structural conditions and material shortages are delaying work. Change orders tied to structural components and roofing issues were cited as causes of delay.

Votes and formal actions: The transcript shows the board sought to bundle several facilities agenda items for consent (agenda items 7.2 through 7.14) but the provided record does not include roll-call votes on the bundled consent motions. The specific action to remove item 7.11 from the consent agenda was accepted during discussion; the transcript records agreement from other members that the item should be pulled for further explanation.

Next steps: Staff will prepare a presentation or itemized list for the board that clarifies what the $70,000 would purchase (serial numbers, intended functions, and whether components can be phased), and will provide final figures for the Allied Health project and other pending quotes at the next meeting. Work on the construction projects will continue with the goal of completion around Dec. 1, subject to materials and structural work delays.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 4 2025_MASD School Board Agenda Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board removed a proposed $70,000 boardroom audio-visual upgrade from the consent agenda pending a vendor presentation; members reviewed three high‑school change orders covered by PCCD grants and a Twin Rivers boiler replacement to be paid from capital funds. Construction delays put a completion date around Dec. 1.","taxTitle","McKeesport Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",59799,"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},6476542,"McKeesport Area board questions renewal of PowerSchool contract after years of nonuse",66,254000,320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5726930-293d8b8d57ec2bd1740a5219cdc77c0d&start=254&end=320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5726930-293d8b8d57ec2bd1740a5219cdc77c0d/thumbnail_254000.jpg","/articles/6476542/Pennsylvania/McKeesport-Area-board-questions-renewal-of-PowerSchool-contract-after-years-of-nonuse","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476542-5569e1330a714349e48acf9cd5412d7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150431&Signature=CUvF8HUqwTWfs7rLTHqRujFBTy5epnU-VhW3chsHcwV5TonjdXFjHn25PzG-UHvXPn4lqx7~RvfhTAbgxsDpM513pUVAtPmbBZU~Ux96qrqJPBJs0P6aYNmw7blf-Oy5iAsHYRL1QtqqFNJEPlC3-vohcTYBfFOGYQ8EeJDAHbzQEcthMvIb-z9Wj783~hDNzN~WpXRH8cddtBjBP12BjuF0kUlxneO0pbKMuTLmhZQvdppg4AcRtRj-Wps08QfIZ3uSaBpg7GOz~1BQKQlPH4Rkv~rhNenBySok5qo0KX7L9nk4jEtftPezcwpQ7C~mWqivksmK23KqRULXsQFtTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the McKeesport Area School District Board of Directors discussed a proposed three-year renewal of the district’s contract with PowerSchool at the Sept. 4 board meeting, raising concerns about prior nonuse and the cost schedule under the new offer.

The contract proposal would extend the district’s PowerSchool agreement for three years; according to remarks during the meeting, the vendor offered a free first year under that renewal and the district would pay for years two and three. Board members said the district has been under a contract it did not use for the previous three years and that the new renewal would require additional payments when the free first year ends.

Why it matters: Board members framed the issue as a question of stewardship of taxpayer funds and of ensuring the district receives services it pays for. One board member described the prior period of nonuse as “a complete and total waste of taxpayer dollars,” and asked staff for clearer timing and cost breakdowns.

Board discussion and staff remarks: A speaker estimated the PowerSchool arrangement began roughly nine months earlier, though meeting remarks did not produce a precise contract start date. Board members asked staff to provide a year-by-year cost breakdown showing what the district would owe in each contract year rather than a single lump sum. The board did not record a formal vote on the renewal during the portion of the transcript provided.

Clarifying details discussed included whether the district had paid for prior years of service it did not use and whether the district could avoid future payments by cancelling; staff indicated the district remains under contract and would be obligated to pay if it continued the agreement. The transcript did not include detailed dollar amounts for the PowerSchool contract beyond the description of a free first year under the proposed three-year renewal.

What was not decided: The meeting transcript records questions and requests for further information but does not record a final board decision or vote on the PowerSchool renewal. Board members requested a more detailed financial breakdown and additional staff information before committing to the multi‑year renewal.

Next steps: Board members asked for an itemized explanation of the proposed contract costs and for staff to clarify the contract’s start date and what prior payments, if any, have already been made. A formal motion and vote on the renewal were not captured in the provided transcript.","Board members reviewed a proposed three-year renewal with PowerSchool, noting the district paid for but largely did not use the system in prior years and that the vendor’s offer would make the first year free with payments in years two and three.","actionData","errors"]

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Board pauses $70,000 boardroom AV upgrade, reviews high school change orders and Twin Rivers boiler work

McKeesport Area board questions renewal of PowerSchool contract after years of nonuse