Board approves Sun Tech operating budget and several personnel items; discusses calendar and foreign‑exchange agreements

At its meeting, the Lewisburg Area SD Board of Education approved multiple business items including the operating budget for Sun Tech, a memorandum of understanding to add compensation for a track‑meet manager into the teacher contract, and a consultant agreement to support onboarding of the district’s new executive assistant and board secretary.

Operating budget and personnel motions

Ms. Krauss moved and Ms. Lyons seconded approval of the operating budget for Sun Tech. A roll call recorded the motion as approved; voting members recorded their support during the meeting.

The board next approved an amendment to the teacher contract to add a compensatory payment for an individual who manages track meets (the district uses meet managers and game managers for athletic events). Ms. Krauss moved the MOU; Dr. Perez seconded. The motion passed on a roll call.

The board also approved a consultant agreement for executive assistant onboarding and training at the recommended rate; the motion was seconded by Dr. Graham and approved by roll call.

Consent agenda and other approvals

The consent agenda was moved by Ms. Krauss and seconded by Ms. Hainos and was approved on a roll call vote. The personnel report noted retirements and other routine personnel actions on the consent agenda.

Calendar, flexible instructional days and testing schedule

Board members reviewed a proposed 180‑day instructional calendar (187 days for contracted staff) presented for information; the board will return the calendar for approval at a future meeting. District staff described calendar variables that affect final dates, including state testing windows (PSSA) and coordination with five sending districts for Sun Tech. The presentation noted that the calendar as drafted is built on 180 instructional days and 187 contracted days.

District staff also explained flexible instructional days (which require an application) and recent state legislation that currently allows districts to use up to five flexible instructional days in lieu of traditional snow‑day makeups. Staff noted advantages and limitations of remote instruction—unequal student access at home remains a concern—and said the district must decide whether to reapply for the flexible‑day option.

Foreign‑exchange student endorsements

Administrators told the board two vetted organizations, Cultural Exchange and International Cultural Exchange Services, have requested district endorsements to place J‑1 visa foreign‑exchange students with host families in the district. Staff said placement uses host families and that, under district policy, tuition is not charged for J‑1 students. The item was informational; the board did not reject the requests.

Next steps

Several items presented were informational and will return for approval at future meetings (calendar approval and any formal endorsement paperwork for exchange programs). Administrators said they will bring the draft calendar back for formal board action at the next meeting.