Octorara Area School Board approves $2.37 million in bills, several contracts, hires and policy updates

The Octorara Area School District Board of School Directors approved payment of $2,374,084.03 in bills and a series of contracts, personnel appointments and policy updates at its May meeting, trustees said.

Business manager Don Watts asked the board to approve the bills, saying, "I'm asking the board to approve the list of bills for payment in the amount of $2,374,084.03." The motion passed on a voice vote.

The board approved a two‑year service order with Effective School Solutions to provide therapeutic mental‑health services at the Octorara Primary Learning Center from May 20, 2025, through June 30, 2027, at a stated cost of $302,000; board discussion noted a $5,000 start‑up fee was included in first‑year costs and that the total first‑year figure discussed could be roughly $307,000. Board member Metzler said she would vote yes because getting support to the Primary Learning Center was a priority.

Trustees also approved facilities and materials purchases including carpet removal and replacement at the Octorara Intermediate School library (Franklin Flooring Inc., $12,600), carpet installation for a second‑floor learning nook at the same school (Franklin Flooring Inc., $3,150), classroom furniture (Corbett Inc., $147,194.40), and a Kubota all‑terrain vehicle for grounds/maintenance (Stalsfuss Farm Service Inc., $26,135.42). The board approved a consultancy contract with Devapar Consulting for a student services and special education review, not to exceed $18,760.

On communications, the board approved a proposal with the Chester County Intermediate Unit to develop a strategic communications plan but amended that item to include a not‑to‑exceed cap of $25,000 for initial work; board members discussed that additional printing or support costs could be determined later depending on needs.

Personnel actions approved included the hiring of Madison Eshbach as a mathematics teacher at Octorara Area High School effective Aug. 12, 2025, with a stated salary of $60,729 (step 15 of the bachelor’s scale); approval of Kyle Gebhardt as an eighth‑grade mathematics teacher at Octorara Middle School effective Aug. 12, 2025, with a stated salary of $60,229 (step 17 of the bachelor’s scale); appointment of Theresa Yoder as a school vehicle driver for Old House Transportation for 2024–25; and acceptance of resignations from Rebecca Lusby (instructional assistant), Casey Nagy (instructional assistant), and Jay Lusby (Region 3 board director). The board also approved a slate of recommended action items A through U, including the election of Brian Norris as board treasurer.

The board completed a first reading of four policy updates recommended by the Policy Committee: Policy 3.17 (conduct and disciplinary procedures), Policy 3.17.1 (educator misconduct), Policy 3.20 (freedom of speech by employees) and Policy 7.18 (service animals in schools). The Policy Committee report noted minor terminology updates to align with Title IX and clarified when employee speech may be considered for legal consultation.

Committee reports noted there was no substantive change to the district’s preliminary budget presentation since the board’s earlier review; the budget has been advertised under Pennsylvania code and the board expects to act on final acceptance in June. The Finance Committee also reported receipt of a $350,000 grant for the district’s solar project and a $9,500 grant for the outdoor classroom space in addition to roughly $10,000 raised by students.

Votes at a glance - Approval: Minutes of the facility committee/work session (4/14/2025), policy committee and finance committee meetings, and regular meetings listed — outcome: passed. - Approval: General fund report for period ending 04/30/2025 — outcome: passed. - Approval: Bills for payment, $2,374,084.03 — outcome: passed (voice vote). (Evidence: Don Watts requested approval of the bills.) - Approval: Recommended action items A–U, including election of Brian Norris as board treasurer — outcome: passed. - Approval (first reading): Policies 3.17, 3.17.1, 3.20 and 7.18 — outcome: passed (first reading). - Approval: Franklin Flooring Inc., carpet removal/replacement (Octorara Intermediate School library), $12,600 — outcome: passed. - Approval: Franklin Flooring Inc., carpet installation (Octorara Intermediate School second‑floor learning nook), $3,150 — outcome: passed. - Approval: Corbett Inc., furniture (Octorara Intermediate School), $147,194.40 — outcome: passed. - Approval: Stalsfuss Farm Service Inc., Kubota all‑terrain vehicle, $26,135.42 — outcome: passed. - Approval: Communications/marketing proposal with Chester County Intermediate Unit — amended to not‑to‑exceed $25,000 for initial work — outcome: amended and passed. - Approval: Effective School Solutions service order (therapeutic mental‑health services at Primary Learning Center), $302,000 for May 20, 2025–June 30, 2027; discussion noted a $5,000 startup fee — outcome: passed. - Approval: Devapar Consulting student services and special education review, not to exceed $18,760 — outcome: passed. - Approval: Theresa Yoder as school vehicle driver for Old House Transportation (2024–25) — outcome: passed. - Approval: Madison Eshbach, mathematics teacher, Octorara Area High School, effective 08/12/2025, salary $60,729 (step 15) — outcome: passed (pending required employee documents). - Approval: Kyle Gebhardt, eighth‑grade mathematics teacher, Octorara Middle School, effective 08/12/2025, salary $60,229 (step 17) — outcome: passed (pending required employee documents). - Acceptance of resignations: Rebecca Lusby (instructional assistant), Casey Nagy (instructional assistant), Jay Lusby (Region 3 board director) — outcome: passed.

Background and next steps Board members said more detailed presentations on Communities in Schools staff and work will be scheduled for the June meeting. The budget was advertised under Pennsylvania code and final acceptance is expected at the June meeting. The board announced several upcoming committee and board meeting dates and scheduled executive sessions for personnel and legal matters.

The meeting adjourned after routine announcements and public comments.