Punxsutawney Area SD board approves student handbooks, hires staff and moves on athletics and construction payments

The Punxsutawney Area School District board approved student handbooks, hired multiple staff members, tabled one assistant coaching hire and approved several payments for construction and HVAC work at a previously unscheduled meeting this evening.

Board members placed the most attention on language in the elementary handbook describing whether student iPads may be taken home. The handbook currently says iPads "may also be taken home after regular school hours," and board members discussed changing that wording to make take-home use require principal approval. After discussion, the board left the handbook language as written and then voted to approve the elementary, e-Academy and high school handbooks.

The handbook vote came amid a larger personnel package the board approved. Dr. Krambacher (staff member) presented nominations for five professional staff hires, mentors and a full-time special education instructional assistant and announced three resignations. The board voted unanimously to approve the personnel items.

Athletics items drew separate action. The board moved to table one assistant boys soccer coach nomination (item a2). The rest of the listed coaching hires and an equipment donation — a kicking net from the First and 10 Club — were approved; one board member, Jessica, abstained from the vote because she is serving as a volunteer assistant girls soccer coach.

On facilities, Dr. Krambacher reported that retests of indoor air quality at the central office and the elementary building "came back, stellar, in, excellent condition. So no issues and no follow-up needed." The board approved purchase orders related to building and grounds and authorized payment of construction and HVAC bills, but staff said some payments were held back pending final inspections and completion of specific items (for example, final concrete and accessibility details around playground swing sets). The board asked staff to follow up on the remaining site details and to confirm final inspections before releasing withheld funds.

An informational contract used for services for students with special needs (referred to in the meeting as the "new story" contract) was provided for review; no vote was required.

Votes at a glance: a consolidated list of motions and outcomes recorded during the meeting follows.

- Approve student handbooks (elementary, e-Academy, high school): motion carried. (Discussion focused on iPad take-home language; board left wording as written.) - Table assistant boys soccer coach nomination (item a2): motion to table carried. - Approve remaining coaching hires (items a1, a3, a4, a5) and accept donation of a kicking net from the First and 10 Club (item b): motion carried; Jessica abstained because of a volunteer coaching role. - Approve purchase orders for building and grounds and air-quality follow-up: motion carried. Dr. Krambacher reported air-quality retests were "stellar" with "no issues and no follow-up needed." - Approve personnel hires and mentors, and accept resignations (personnel items a–d): motion carried unanimously. - Approve payment of construction and HVAC bills with partial holds: motion carried. Staff explained some progress payments were withheld until inspectors verify final work and accessibility details are complete.

Board members asked staff to provide follow-up emails on outstanding construction items and inspection status. New business included the informational "new story" contract for special-needs services; no vote or change was recorded.

Kelly Painter, introduced herself during the meeting as the district's reading specialist and was welcomed following the personnel approvals.