Board reviews proposed transfers, placements and service contracts to be voted next meeting

Administrators walked trustees through a set of items slated for action at an upcoming meeting, including budget transfers, out-of-district placements, articulation agreements, and service contracts.

Chief Financial and Operations Officer Mrs. Kendigan introduced a proposed transfer of $200,000 from the 2024–25 general fund to the district’s capital reserve fund for future capital projects.

The administration also presented an agreement with Yellow Breeches Education Center for two secondary placements in the 2025–26 school year. The packet lists a tuition rate of $34,144 per student and optional transportation at $7,729 per student; administrators noted this represents a 3.8% increase over last year. The district said it did not utilize transportation last year but expects to need it this year.

The board packet includes a practicum articulation agreement with Liberty University to permit students from that institution to complete practicum hours, including student teaching, in the district. Trustees raised questions about interstate certification reciprocity; a board member and administrators noted students typically must hold certification in the state where they student-teach and said administrators would follow up with more definitive information before the next meeting.

Two contracted-service items with the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit (LIU) were presented: a curriculum-training engagement (math abstract training and vertical K–12 facilitation) at a trainer cost of $3,456, and occupational/physical therapy services for the 2025–26 school year at $170.93 per hour for a student placed in Lancaster where the district’s IU could not provide services.

Finally, administrators presented a renewal with Rupert Detective Agency to provide a uniform, unarmed officer at $29 per hour (minimum four-hour call) on an as‑needed basis; the packet notes this is a $2 hourly increase from last year. Administrators said the district used about 120 hours and spent a little over $3,200 for these services last year when supplemental coverage was required at large events.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the Liberty University practicum (including concerns about transferability of out-of-state certification) and asked staff to provide definitive answers before a final vote. The items on the consent agenda were moved as a block during the meeting and considered approved at that time; the administration asked trustees to be prepared to vote on the listed contracts at the next meeting.