Bethlehem Area SD board unanimously approves finance, facilities, curriculum and human-resources blocks; names new middle-school principal

The Bethlehem Area School District board unanimously approved multiple bundled finance, facilities, curriculum and human-resources items and confirmed a new middle-school principal at its May 19, 2025 meeting.

The approvals covered a set of grouped agenda items that the board handled by roll-call polling rather than extended debate. The board voted 6–0 to approve minutes and a series of finance, facilities and curriculum blocks; a subsequent human-resources package that included the principal appointment also passed 6–0.

The bundled actions included: approval of minutes for previous committee meetings; finance items 7.01–7.04; facilities item 11.01; curriculum items 12.01–12.07; a larger finance package 13.01–13.16; and human-resources items 14.01–14.05. The motions were made and seconded on the record as follows: minutes (moved by Dr. White, seconded by Dr. Shively; motion passed), finance 7.01–7.04 (moved by Dr. Shively, seconded by Dr. White; motion carries 6–0), facilities 11.01 (moved by Dr. Beck, seconded by Mr. O'Lozzi; motion carries 6–0), curriculum 12.01–12.07 (moved by Dr. Shively, seconded by Dr. White; motion carries 6–0), finance 13.01–13.16 (moved by Dr. White, seconded by Dr. Shively; motion carries 6–0), and human-resources 14.01–14.05 (moved by Dr. Schaible, seconded by Dr. Bechtoli; motion carries 6–0).

With the human-resources vote the board approved a new principal for the district middle school identified in the meeting record as Bridal Middle School. The board then recognized the appointee on the record as Dr. Britney Reese.

The board also accepted retirement notices for long-serving district staff. The meeting record identified Barbara Clymer as the district communications coordinator whose retirement the board accepted; the board additionally recognized Claire Hogan and said there would be further recognition in the coming month.

All roll-call polls recorded six members present voting in favor (the meeting record lists responses from board members recorded as yes). The board opened and closed the business portion of the agenda with no public controversy recorded during those votes.

Board chair Missus Patrick presided over the meeting; Dr. Silva, the superintendent, was present and led routine reports. The board said it will reconvene for committee meetings on June 2 at the Ed Center.

Votes at a glance: all motions noted above carried unanimously (6–0) on May 19, 2025.