Board adopts 2025–26 budget, approves multiple contracts and agreements; tax appeal stipulations noted

The Easton Area School District Board of Education took multiple routine and substantive votes during the regular meeting, approving the district’s proposed 2025–26 general fund budget, awarding or renewing several contracts and agreements, and authorizing settlement stipulations for tax appeals. Multiple personnel and operational motions were approved as part of the consent agenda.

Key votes and outcomes taken on the record included:

- Adoption of the 2025–26 final general fund budget and attached tax levy resolution. The board approved a final general fund budget listed in the agenda as $214,105,899. During discussion trustees asked for clarification on fund balance lines that were blank in the published budget materials; the CFO said final audit numbers were being completed and offered to present preliminary audit findings to an ad hoc committee for review. (Outcome: approved; no opposition recorded on the record.)

- Approval of stipulations of counsel resolving net tax assessment appeals for several properties. District staff said the gross numbers in the agenda represented approximately $300,000 in past‑due taxes at issue and about $840,000 in new district taxes going forward; a board member asked staff to provide the net effect after legal and recovery costs. (Outcome: approved; no opposition recorded on the record.)

- Contract renewals and new agreements: the board approved listed renewals across academics and student supports, including a contract with SREB for K–12 mathematics support (the presentation described a comprehensive needs assessment, building‑level PD and a coaching plan for grade 6 math). The CIS contract renewal for 25–26 and other listed renewals were approved as presented. (Outcome: approved; no opposition recorded on the record.)

- Bucksmont lease and related affiliation: the board approved a Bucksmont lease agreement for 25 student slots at a discounted rate with an option to increase placements (the contract permits up to 35 slots at the discounted rate if needed); a board member asked for the current contractor rate and the economic details supporting the lease. Later in the meeting the administration noted typical contractor rates and the district’s discounted per‑student rates (district figures presented during discussion: regular education contractor rate ~$40,000 with district paying ~$32,000; special education contractor rate ~$46,000 with district paying about $37,300). (Outcome: approved; at least one board member recorded opposition to the item.)

- Approval of a behavior‑consultant contract (Brett & Novi) not to exceed $200,000 (with ESY services budgeted separately at $36,000). District staff said through April the program had expended about $79,000 to $89,000 and that the not‑to‑exceed amount is covered through Medicaid/access lines; the $36,000 ESY allocation was identified as separate. (Outcome: approved; no opposition recorded on the record.)

- Affiliation and program approvals: the board approved an affiliation agreement for Ohio University, articles of agreement for the Career Institute of Technology (CIT), and a field‑trip approval for a JV/varsity cheer squad trip to Orlando as listed on the agenda. (Outcome: approved; no opposition recorded on the record.)

- Personnel and other consent items: the board approved multiple personnel motions including retirements, resignations, leaves, administrative transfers, support‑staff elections, coach elections and summer employees as listed in the meeting materials. Some individual abstentions and one stated “no” on a personnel item were recorded; board members clarified those were votes against a salary amount and not individuals.

Board members asked for additional financial detail on several items before finalizing related policy or long‑term commitments: a request for a net dollar impact on tax appeal stipulations after legal costs; the current contractor rates and the district’s net position on Bucksmont placements; and a list of contract renewals that were not renewed in the budget process versus those retained. The board also requested that future presentations (particularly data presentations) be distributed before meetings so trustees can review materials in advance.

No litigation or executive‑session outcomes requiring public action were recorded during the open session votes; several settlement agreements and an expulsion hearing waiver were approved on the consent calendar as presented.