The Southern York County School District Board of Education on Feb. 20 appointed a school safety and security coordinator, approved a set of academic partnerships and budgets, authorized several technology and one-time purchases and awarded a $2.44 million contract to replace select roofs at the main campus. The board tabled a proposed purchase of a replacement maintenance vehicle after asking staff to gather more repair and used-vehicle options.

The board voted to appoint Matthew Lightzel as the district’s school safety and security coordinator at a salary of $95,000 effective March 17, 2025. Lightzel, who addressed the board after the vote, said the district’s culture made the job feel “right” and called the administrative team’s selection process rigorous. “I truly want to ensure that we are making this place as safe as we possibly can while maintaining a welcoming environment,” Lightzel told the board.

Why it matters: The actions package moves forward staffing and vendor commitments that affect safety, curriculum access and the district capital plan entering the spring budget season. The tabling of the maintenance vehicle signals board caution amid uncertain state budget proposals and ongoing capital/feasibility planning.

What the board approved and discussed: The board approved memoranda of understanding to continue dual-enrollment and clinical placement partnerships, accepted curriculum and textbook adoptions, and approved finance items including the treasurer’s reports, bills for payment, budget transfers and district seats in regional programs. Technology purchases tied to an E-rate mini-bid — including UPS battery backups, firewall licensing and access point licensing — were approved. The board also approved one-time purchases totaling $24,529 and voted to advertise bids for Chromebook replacements for 2025–26.

The board awarded J. M. Young of Belleville, Pa., the base bid of $2,441,400 to replace select roofs at Southern Middle School, Susquehanna High School and Southern Elementary School; alternates 1 and 2 were rejected. The board also approved advertising for bids for HVAC air filters for the 2025–26 year.

The board voted to approve the proposed 2025–26 and 2026–27 district calendars and adopted a resolution endorsing America250PA, the Pennsylvania semi‑quincentennial commission initiative.

Tabled purchase: After extended discussion about the condition of a 2009 district pickup and the availability and cost of replacement vehicles, the board moved to table a $48,525 purchase of a maintenance vehicle from Whitmore Auto Group. Board members asked staff to return with repair estimates, certified pre-owned options and clearer trade-in valuations before any purchase.

Process notes: Many items carried on unanimous voice votes; when the transcript recorded “hearing none, motion carries,” no roll-call split was recorded.

Votes at a glance

- Appoint Matthew Lightzel, school safety and security coordinator, salary $95,000, effective 03/17/2025 — motion passed.
- Memorandum of Understanding with Messiah University for dual enrollment at no cost to the district — motion passed.
- Approve bills for payment (January) — motion passed.
- Budget transfers as presented — motion passed.
- York County School of Technology 2025–26 budget — motion passed.
- Lincoln Intermediate Unit 2025–26 budget — motion passed.
- One-time purchases totaling $24,529 (vision screener, cameras, floor printer, etc.) — motion passed.
- Agreements through E-rate mini-bid: ePlus Technologies ($203,090.88) and Integra1 ($5,916.24) — motions passed.
- Volunteer firefighter and emergency services tax-credit qualifying applications totaling $41,000 — motion passed.
- Advertise bids for Chromebook replacements for 2025–26 — motion passed.
- York Adams Academy 2025–26 budget (one seat) — motion passed.
- Approve district calendars for 2025–26 and 2026–27 — motion passed.
- Resolution supporting America250PA — motion passed.
- Award base bid $2,441,400 to J. M. Young for select roof replacements at main campus — motion passed; alternates 1 and 2 rejected.
- Advertise for bids for HVAC air filters for 2025–26 — motion passed.
- Motion to purchase maintenance vehicle from Whitmore Auto Group ($48,525) — motion tabled pending further information.

What’s next: Finance and budget details will be brought to the board at the March 18 finance meeting, and several information items — including the chapter 339 guidance plan — will return for a vote in March.