North Pocono board approves capital planning, technology contracts, personnel moves and explores solar funding

The North Pocono School District Board of Education on Feb. 12 approved a series of contracts, budget items and personnel actions that the district said will affect capital planning, transportation routing, technology equipment procurement and extracurricular staffing.

Key outcomes: the board approved a capital-planning services proposal for $60,000 plus reimbursable expenses not to exceed $2,000; a three-year Transfinder transportation routing and scheduling system with a three-year total cost of $26,865 (initial implementation and year-one service included) to be paid from a PCCD school safety and security grant; a contract for E-rate consulting services not to exceed $17,000; authorization for a PEPPM mini-bid Category 2 E-rate equipment contract with a post-discount cost not to exceed $300,000 contingent on USAC funding; acceptance of the 2023–24 audit prepared by Murphy, Doherty & Company CPAs; and a resolution directing the administration to explore and apply for funding to install solar arrays at each of the district’s five school buildings.

Why it matters: Several of the approvals affect multi-year contracts, grant-funded purchases, or capital plans that will shape facilities, transportation and technology operations. The PEPPM and E-rate items are tied to federal funding mechanisms and are contingent on external approvals.

Selected votes and actions (as reported in the meeting):

- Approve agenda: motion passed, recorded as 7–0.

- Approve minutes of the Jan. 8, 2025 meeting: motion passed, recorded as 7–0.

- Approve expulsion agreement (as listed on agenda): motion passed, recorded as 7–0.

- Appoint Erin Fota as NEIU director representing North Pocono for a three-year term (07/01/2025–06/30/2028): motion passed, recorded as 7–0.

- Leaves, resignations, retirement acceptances, changes of status, appointments and student placements/out-of-state travel: board approved multiple personnel and placement items (motions and roll calls recorded; most personnel motions passed by recorded votes, typically unanimously unless noted on the record).

- Extracurricular appointments (coaching/staffing): the bulk motion approving listed extracurricular appointments passed, but the meeting recorded dissent and an abstention on specific coach appointments. A board member stated she would vote no on the softball head coach and on the boys volleyball head and assistant coaches. During roll call one member abstained on the softball head coach; the meeting recorded the softball head coach vote as passing with a tally the board stated as 4–2 with one abstention, and recorded boys volleyball head and assistant as passing 5–2 (as stated in the meeting transcript). The transcript shows some confusion during tallying; the board chair announced the final outcomes as passed for the listed appointments.

- Capital planning services (Ruth or Bowen): approved at a cost of $60,000 plus reimbursable expenses not to exceed $2,000. Recorded vote: 6–1 (Mr. Bracey recorded as No; other members Yes).

- Appraisal payment related to North Pocono SD v. Lackawanna County Board of Assessment Appeals and SMGC Realty LP: approved up to $3,000; recorded as passed, 7–0.

- Transfinder transportation routing and scheduling system (three-year proposal): approved; total three-year cost listed as $26,865; funding source: PCCD school safety and security grants program. Recorded vote: 7–0.

- Resolutions to explore and apply for funding to install solar arrays at each of the district’s five buildings (attachments B1–B5): approved; recorded vote: 7–0.

- Authorization to advertise for competitive bids (football stadium electrical infrastructure upgrades, general educational supplies, janitorial supplies and equipment for the 2025–26 school year): approved; recorded vote: 7–0.

- Resolution 2 of 02/2025 pertaining to tax collector compensation (attachment C): approved; recorded vote: 7–0.

- E-rate consulting services agreement for period beginning 07/01/2025 at a cost not to exceed $17,000 (attachment D): approved; recorded vote: 7–0.

- Authorize superintendent to enter into a contract with the winner of the PEPPM mini-bid for Category 2 E-rate equipment, post-discount amount not to exceed $300,000; contract to be valid only if the Category 2 E-rate request is funded by USAC: approved; recorded vote: 7–0.

- Acceptance of audit report for year ending 06/30/2024 as prepared by Murphy, Doherty & Company CPAs: approved; recorded vote: 7–0. The district noted members may view the auditors’ report by contacting the district office or visiting the business office website.

- NEIU number 19 general operating budget: the board approved the NEIU budget item and recorded a North Pocono share on the meeting record. The meeting transcript lists North Pocono’s share as $50,076.90; the total NEIU budget amount in the audio transcript was unclear and is not specified here.

- Approval of financial reports and payment of general fund bills (attachment F): approved; recorded votes: 7–0.

What the board said about funding sources: the Transfinder purchase was identified as fully covered by PCCD’s school safety and security grants program. The PEPPM/Category 2 equipment purchase was explicitly contingent on USAC funding. The district noted that the E-rate consulting fee and Category 2 equipment relate to federal E-rate funding processes.

Next steps and notes: Several decisions require external approvals or funding to take effect (USAC/E-rate funding, grant reimbursements). The board set dates for the March work session (03/10/2025) and the March regular meeting (03/12/2025), and adjourned the meeting after approving the listed items.