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Board approves stadium lights and multiple technology and safety projects; Memorial Park lease tabled for negotiation
Summary
At the committee-of-the-whole meeting the board approved a stadium lights contract, district technology purchases, safety bollards and several other action items; the proposed Memorial Park lease was not approved and the athletic committee was empowered to negotiate.
The Shippensburg Area School District board acted on a package of contracts and purchases at its meeting, approving stadium lighting for the new turf stadium, multiple technology replacements and safety improvements while tabling a proposed Memorial Park lease.
Stadium lights and related stadium equipment: The board approved a lights contract to equip the new stadium and practice area. The low-level summary in the presentation listed a package that included stadium lighting for the football/soccer field, additional fixtures to light field-event areas (long jump, pole vault) and practice-field lighting; the construction-fund purchase was authorized at approximately $321,578 for the lights package and related options. Administration told the board the lights could be ordered in advance and installed once borough approvals and permitting were complete; the district expected that ordering now reduced lead-time risk.
Technology and classroom equipment: The board approved several planned technology purchases that will be paid from the district’s technology fund or fund balance. These approvals included replacement student Chromebooks (revised quote of about $193,000), replacement interactive displays (50 units, approximately $87,133), 220 laptops and docking stations for secondary teachers/administrators ($178,852), and 27 workstations and monitors for the high-school CAD lab (about $46,056 total). The board also approved a ClearResidency verification subscription (software) to help confirm residency for cyber/remote students.
Safety and facilities: The district accepted a bid from Malco Landscaping (Mechanicsburg) to install safety bollards and planters at multiple district buildings; the contract amount is $49,650 and will be funded through a PCCD grant. The board approved a change order for access-control systems on the middle/high school project using construction contingency funds and authorized replacement of a kitchen floor on a food-service building using capital funds due to sanitation concerns.
Other business and personnel: The board appointed Chelsea Sanders as assistant business administrator (effective April 28) by roll-call vote (6 yes, 2 no). The board also approved several administrative items including a new solicitor engagement with Saxton & Stump and approval of a memorandum of understanding with the UPMC Child Advocacy Center.
Memorial Park lease and athletics scheduling: A motion to approve the proposed Memorial Park lease for 2025–26 did not receive a second and therefore failed. The board then voted to empower the athletic committee to meet with Park & Rec and negotiate details; that motion passed. Administration explained that the lease as proposed would increase the district’s cost for six to 18 listed events (depending on counting conventions) and that Park & Rec had asked for a May 1 response. Board members asked administration to seek a dialogue about per-game or limited-term options and to clarify why some sports (for example, soccer and field hockey) were not included in the proposal.
Votes at a glance (action items and outcomes) - 5a Mystery Science (K–5 curricular resource): Approved (voice vote). - 5b MOU with UPMC Child Advocacy Center: Approved (voice vote). - 5c Naming high-school softball field for Frank Kirch: Approved (voice vote). - 5d Appointment of district solicitor (Saxton & Stump): Approved (voice vote). - 5e ClearResidency software subscription: Approved (voice vote). - 5f Student Chromebooks revised quote ($193,000; tech fund balance): Approved by roll call (6 yes, 2 no). - 5g Replacement CAD-lab workstations and monitors: Approved (voice vote). - 5h Replacement interactive displays (50 units): Approved (voice vote). - 5i Replacement computers for secondary teachers/administrators (220 laptops + 70 docks): Approved by roll call (6 yes, 2 no). - 5j Bollard bid (Malco Landscaping, $49,650; PCCD grant): Approved (voice vote). - 5k Stadium lights and related fixtures (construction fund, ~$321,578): Approved (voice vote). - 5l Memorial Park lease (use agreement for Memorial Park, 2025–26): Motion to approve failed for lack of second; subsequent motion to empower the athletic committee to negotiate with Park & Rec passed (voice vote).
What the board authorized next: administration was directed to (a) proceed with procurement and scheduling steps for stadium lights and technology purchases that will come from construction or technology fund balances, and (b) set up an athletic-committee negotiation with Park & Rec to pursue a per-game or limited-term arrangement and to seek clarifications in the proposed lease.
Ending: with the lights and safety work approved and the Memorial Park lease unresolved, the district will continue facility preparations for fall athletics while the athletic committee pursues a negotiated agreement on use of the off-campus park.
