Board approves policy package, hires and contracts; system administrator position passes 7–2

The North Pocono School District Board of Education on Oct. 14 approved a range of administrative motions including a contested vote to adopt the district’s full policy manual, the creation of a new technology position, and multiple vendor and budgetary actions.

By roll call, the board voted 5–4 to approve all school policies as written and contained in the board policy manual effective Oct. 14, 2025 after public comment urged additional review of several proposed changes. Residents at the meeting specifically named draft policies 235.1 and 207 as items they believe need more public review before adoption; the transcript records speakers asking the board not to approve those items without further consideration.

The board approved an expulsion agreement for student case 1‑2025‑2026 (student identifier 25424); accepted several personnel actions including leaves, the retirement of Donna Carey (Director of Pupil Services) and the resignation of a special‑education paraprofessional; and approved multiple appointments and extracurricular advisor assignments. Those personnel motions passed by voice vote, typically recorded as unanimous (9–0) in the transcript.

On staffing, the board approved the creation of a system administrator position for the technology department as a non‑Act 93 employee. Two board members stated in advance they would vote no; the roll call recorded a 7–2 result in favor. Board members discussing the new position said it was intended to “help support the technological needs of our students K to 12.” The board directed the technology department to post the job and begin the hiring process.

Business‑office actions included approving Constellation New Energy Inc. as the district’s electric generation and transmission supplier for 36 months beginning Jan. 17, 2026 at a rate of $0.08025 per kilowatt hour; awarding snow‑plowing contracts to RLE Enterprises and Malewski Excavating and Landscaping; and awarding a No. 2 heating oil bid to Sunoco LLC at a fixed price of $2.4347 per gallon for the Oct. 9, 2025–June 30, 2026 term. The business manager noted the heating‑fuel fixed price places risk on the vendor rather than the district. All three vendor motions passed on the record as unanimous (9–0).

The board also approved repository tax‑sale attachments from the Lackawanna County Tax Claim Bureau; several agreements and student placements referenced in attachments; out‑of‑state travel for Model UN and Science Olympiad (amounts read into the record); transportation driver approvals; financial reports; payment of general fund bills and capital‑project disbursements. Those items were approved by voice or roll call, almost all recorded as 9–0 in the meeting transcript.

Ending: The board set its next work session for Nov. 3 and the next regular meeting for Nov. 5. Several board members said policies can be reevaluated individually if five members request further review; specific policy items identified by public speakers may return for additional discussion at a future meeting.