[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6473898,"mediaKeyId","5742985-c39cc4c5b4d96e7c28ea5c4a1d17ee21","parentId",5742985,"title","Board advances multiple contracts and forwards agenda items to Sept. 23; two immediate staffing agreements approved","audioSeconds",1519,"startMs",3578000,"endMs",5097000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742985-c39cc4c5b4d96e7c28ea5c4a1d17ee21&start=3578&end=5097","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742985-c39cc4c5b4d96e7c28ea5c4a1d17ee21/thumbnail_3578000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6473898/Pennsylvania/Board-advances-multiple-contracts-and-forwards-agenda-items-to-Sept-23-two-immediate-staffing-agreements-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473898-1899a7cb93d0134d3b629a3ae7a8750f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773715752&Signature=hEPQK4K~68Xxq99m6vj0-weeJ4zYWO3ncVElhuHddsg1D~mAeHeJFtpTUQvEHzWny66R7fe7zNNJaXoTKlMnkq7GWdnGW6m1RS77ISicOOPnj2NDToCdo2YWWmMIumSnjBltNyCnL4vcvxmG~Uk2kQ~22gEHBnOOWbNRLkm~RX9P9-RM87kAdQNhyLf8B-u5E0ZIW7Tv5u833IcsZdacwP8FeOXa8oLNYKs7BgpwoP-mYzNIjK5f2lsKaUtL5e5tuJVUIO1JOSO0sTNIaRheDoifSfNltexsoXIYzmvpSj9GzHr3-ZXmNR28wTLxdmm4RrkRdu3OXqvpjA98~ex3tQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Harrisburg City SD","date","2025-09-09T21:58:59Z","article","At its Sept. 9 Committee of the Whole meeting the Harrisburg City School District administration presented multiple contract, MOU, grant and procurement items; most were advanced to the Sept. 23 board meeting for formal approval, and two immediate staffing items were approved by roll call.

Approved by roll call (immediate action items)

- Emeritus Healthcare staffing agreement (immediate action). Motion carried on roll call: 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain. Roll call responses recorded: Miss Anderson (yes); Brian Carter (yes); Miss Copeland (yes); Miss Hughes (yes); Miss Johnson (yes); Miss Ratcliffe (yes); Miss Robinson (yes); Mister Roy (yes); Mister Thompson Leader (yes). The agreement covers temporary school health services and related special education staffing through the 2025–26 school year. The motion was moved and seconded during the meeting and recorded as an immediate action item.

- General Healthcare Resources LLC (GHR Education) addendum to the staffing agreement (immediate action). Motion carried on roll call: 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain. The item was described as an addendum to a prior agreement (07/01/2024) and extends district staffing support and fee schedules for 09/01/2025–06/30/2026 to address paraprofessional vacancies and special‑education coverage across the district.

Items forwarded to Sept. 23 agenda for approval (not final at this meeting)

The administration introduced and the board agreed to forward the following items to the board’s Sept. 23 general meeting for consideration and vote. (Descriptions are taken from the administration’s summary at the Sept. 9 meeting.)

- Agreement with Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf: off‑campus interpreting services for two students, amount $50,000 (transportation costs and interpreting services appear as related items). (Forwarded to 09/23/2025.)

- Transportation agreement with Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf: estimated $9,000 to transport three students. (Forwarded.)

- State Street Academy of Music agreement: music instruction for Saint Stephen (Title funding / equitable services), amount $93.60. (Forwarded.)

- Evolve Youth Trade Academy: pre‑apprenticeship training at $1,800 per student per marking period; attendance capped at 30 students. (Forwarded.)

- MOU with Bridal Future Learning Center to promote early childhood education at no cost to the district. (Forwarded.)

- MOU with Penn State University to participate in basic clinical trial recruiting (no cost to the district). (Forwarded.)

- Navigate360 PBIS subscriptions and PBIS rewards quotes for multiple schools (Ben Franklin, Melrose). (Forwarded.)

- Time‑away professional development requests. (Forwarded.)

- Updated 2025–26 district calendar (updated to remove one professional development day to meet teacher contract requirements). (Forwarded.)

- Personnel agenda items (creation/elimination of positions, job descriptions). (Forwarded.)

- Contract ratification for Emeritus Healthcare and the GHR addendum (these were also the immediate items approved). (Ratified/approved as noted above.)

- Agreement with Transportation Resource Group (TRG) for PennDOT approval and grant documentation for 15 mph flashing school zone lights at multiple schools; total cost shown as not to exceed $660,000 for four schools if grant not awarded. TRG will also assist with PennDOT grant documentation. (Forwarded.)

- Agreement with Don’s Towing to provide towing services at no cost to the district; the district will request tows only after district approvals; signage provided by contractor. (Forwarded.)

- Element Environmental lead water testing for 2025–26 school year: estimated cost $5,775. (Forwarded.)

- Craft bus driver runs and special‑education van runs for 2025–26. (Forwarded.)

- Ratification of participation in Pennsylvania Department of Education Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and acceptance of grants totaling $227,780 across district schools (grant award amounts enumerated in the administration summary). (Forwarded.)

- Diligent board.pro upgrade (board management software) for $11,500 (pending solicitor review). (Forwarded.)

- Software renewals (Delta Math, Securly Classroom) and other subscriptions listed in the administration packet. (Forwarded.)

- Treasurer’s report, check register and payroll ratifications for August 2025. (Forwarded.)

- Exoneration requests for property tax exemptions (Mount Olive Baptist Church; Living Christian Church Ministry) and associated amounts to be struck from delinquent collections due to restored tax‑exempt status. (Forwarded.)

What happened in the meeting

Board members sought operational details on specific items before final approval on Sept. 23: questions included whether interpreters are shared for multiple students (the administration said one interpreter can serve two students in the same location), source of Title and federal funds for nonpublic equitable services, transportation and scheduling for apprenticeship programs, credit and transportation arrangements for pre‑apprenticeship students, and whether towing contracts include safeguards to prevent predatory towing (administration said tows would be performed only after district approval and that signage and an approval list would be provided). Several items were described as pending solicitor review or subject to grant awards.

Ending

Most items presented on Sept. 9 were forwarded to the Sept. 23 meeting for formal votes and final approval. Two staffing‑related contract actions were adopted as immediate actions and approved by roll call at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At the Sept. 9 committee meeting the board approved two immediate staffing contract actions by roll call and moved numerous agreements, MOUs and purchases to the Sept. 23 agenda for formal approval.","taxTitle","Harrisburg City SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",67501,"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},6473903,"School social worker urges board to remember immigrant students after student deported",135,3379000,3514000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742985-c39cc4c5b4d96e7c28ea5c4a1d17ee21&start=3379&end=3514","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742985-c39cc4c5b4d96e7c28ea5c4a1d17ee21/thumbnail_3379000.jpg","/articles/6473903/Pennsylvania/School-social-worker-urges-board-to-remember-immigrant-students-after-student-deported","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473903-786dd0d77e6216d4df16f71c2f6f5848/orig.mp4?Expires=1773715752&Signature=IiaoaDVmeIqjrCSoGWc6Xob1Qa0KdMe~H3IiVRhXH3DTF-Hmb5SM2b-3xkd1uF0VTSuGsq3o66m7DMYodQ9JVH8fKEKvV88vo3WMECS9juzQg1bgs0zAizoj4fJzByTtkfN37ibQq0ka7pSvp3xieIhv8hLseK1J1eIbkGKsI7k4b-buifOjITCSqWpgt9BjTXEx2IEAkmRfdKbFlymcuRL9LcKvcxT24vOyIfjIhE5jKDezWdRlZLgwCkDhotfcuZi5sLh6igLIoDOuHcQdVpp6Ry2AxjmCmKQMZCqQyjqH1VyNFBgaCCrU47xIJqqqWEmh0RLrHs6bN~M3WJEJBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Casey Stokes Rodriguez, a social worker at John Harris High School, told the Harrisburg City School District board that immigrant students continue to face legal and practical hardships and urged trustees to act when district advocacy opportunities arise.

Stokes Rodriguez recounted the case of a student she identified as Oscar, who came alone from Honduras at age 14. She said he lived independently, attended school and worked after classes to pay rent and legal fees. Stokes Rodriguez said Oscar was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in June, held at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center for three months and deported back to Honduras last week despite the district’s attempts to provide legal and community support.

“Oscar’s hands and feet were shackled, and he was put on a plane and deported back to Honduras last week, where he now faces an uncertain future,” Stokes Rodriguez said. She said teachers and staff supported Oscar through hearings and fundraising but could not prevent his removal.

Stokes Rodriguez told the board that many immigrant students are afraid to leave home, go to stores or attend school because of immigration enforcement. She asked trustees to support local measures that would provide protections and resources, and specifically urged board members and the public to contact county commissioners in support of a welcoming‑county resolution scheduled for a vote the next day.

Stokes Rodriguez also asked the board to support teachers and support staff who provide day‑to‑day advocacy for students facing trauma and family instability.

Ending

The board acknowledged the comment; no formal action was taken at this meeting. Stokes Rodriguez’s remarks were delivered during the general public comment portion of the Sept. 9 meeting.","A John Harris High School social worker described the recent deportation of a 14‑year‑old former student and urged the district to support immigrant students and back local welcoming measures.",{"_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},6473908,"Hill Farm, Penn State Extension highlight farm-based education partnership with Harrisburg schools",1482,813000,2295000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742985-c39cc4c5b4d96e7c28ea5c4a1d17ee21&start=813&end=2295","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742985-c39cc4c5b4d96e7c28ea5c4a1d17ee21/thumbnail_813000.jpg","/articles/6473908/Pennsylvania/Hill-Farm-Penn-State-Extension-highlight-farm-based-education-partnership-with-Harrisburg-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473908-2eb9a5821f8116a3636105bdd8c50c8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773715753&Signature=PF5K5Rmx45GZJYyPm2~r6WMBes57vMLfz9chSie544DH6jVyfRkW1eYl75jAV906sUxFjTrr4UARnL20PwTx041TeOrD-S9OjWbw92bHhJOXpc3zmuQ6MYURChkHOuNfLDEkwKvlpiBOrUxUzPM~~~Xdl~nsxqKTdDs~XKyL1tqPFh18tmjNAnwdBKaNyQ9sZoAZjPVKP5e7Yk5jNbCbkFs3p~k~kp6XiVmR8EgXwDZNrcRFQBfuHnYVkfn3QYRT8g59I4UgFRhhcoc-vzxTbORIstBFC4SI0aE8xdQgY0jI84d2cgKfQLspaUTDEZ03nFpooT8Qa~Ty1ULrQio3Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Christina Herman, managing director of the Hill Farm, told the Harrisburg City School District board on Sept. 9 that the farm’s pilot partnership with Penn State Extension and local nonprofits engaged 376 students since January and provided field trips, after‑school programming and summer workshops.

The presenters said the Hill Farm work is aligned with the Harrisburg School District wellness policy, Penn State Health’s 2024 community health needs assessment and Penn State Extension’s strategic plan, and that the goal is to add stable, curriculum‑aligned programming that combines hands‑on agriculture experiences with classroom instruction.

“This is what the Hill Farm is all about,” Christina Herman said, describing students picking and tasting tomatoes and learning “this is how a tomato comes from.” Herman and colleagues showed photographs of students visiting stations on the farm, interacting with chickens and goats, completing a sensory scavenger hunt and planting seeds.

Jennifer Broski, a presenter with the partnership, said the program included K–5 field trips and an after‑school “Empower and Evolve” enrichment collaboration; the summer pilot also offered a six‑week middle‑school workshop. Broski said five separate field trips took place over the summer and that, of the 376 students the farm logged, 347 were confirmed Harrisburg School District students and 17 were from other programs such as CCA.

Penn State biobehavioral health professor Lori Francis described evaluation and long‑term research support Penn State can provide, including measures of academic and behavioral outcomes. “We can provide resources around evaluation, data collection and management,” Francis said, adding that repeated, long‑term exposure is important to measure outcomes.

Presenters discussed how the farm connects to food access. Broski said produce from the farm was distributed at the nearby Hamilton Health Center and that the market accepts SNAP benefits and FMNP vouchers, which the presenters said increases access to fresh produce for families.

Board members asked specific operational questions. Danielle Robinson asked whether all staff who work with students have background clearances; presenters said educators from academic institutions have clearances. Robinson and others also asked whether Harrisburg students would have priority access if the district moved to a longer lease; Dr. Henry and presenters said the parties can include parameters in future agreements to prioritize district students.

Board members and presenters discussed expansion beyond elementary grades. Presenters said the pilot intentionally began with younger students; middle‑school workshops were piloted in summer and the team is designing a garden‑apprenticeship pathway to involve older students as mentors and to create a potential pipeline into Penn State partnerships. Professor Francis suggested a “garden apprenticeship” to develop leadership and workforce skills for older students.

Funding and sustainability were discussed. Presenters said the program relies on grants and is seeking multi‑year funding; Broski said some grants under consideration require five‑year commitments. Board members asked whether donations or market sales offset costs; presenters said sales were small relative to operating costs and that most of the farm’s budget comes from grants.

Board members praised the program and asked for follow‑up documentation: a copy of the field‑trip manual, clarification on student eligibility (address vs. enrollment), and language for any lease that would give Harrisburg students priority access. Presenters said they would supply a farm newsletter, continue grant applications, and return with additional data and program details.

The presentation closed with the board thanking the Hill Farm, Penn State Extension and partner organizations and with an invitation for trustees to visit the farm’s upcoming community harvest party.

Ending

Presenters asked the board to consider continuing and expanding the partnership; trustees asked for clarifying documents and for proposed contract language to ensure district students’ access if the board authorizes a longer lease or formal agreement.","Presenters described a pilot year of farm-based field trips, after-school programming and summer camps that engaged 376 students, outlined curriculum alignment and asked the district to consider lease and access priorities for Harrisburg students.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board advances multiple contracts and forwards agenda items to Sept. 23; two immediate staffing agreements approved

School social worker urges board to remember immigrant students after student deported

Hill Farm, Penn State Extension highlight farm-based education partnership with Harrisburg schools