Punxsutawney Area School Board eliminates flexible instruction days for 2025–26, adopts $50.27 million budget and hires superintendent

The Punxsutawney Area School District Board of School Directors voted on a package of major operational items at its recent public meeting, including the elimination of flexible instruction days for the 2025–26 school year, adoption of a $50,270,000 general fund budget and the hire of Dr. Jenna Gaston as superintendent effective July 1.

The board approved a motion to remove flexible instruction days from the district calendar for 2025–26 and to keep two traditional snow makeup days; the motion passed by a roll-call vote (7 yes, 2 no). Board members who spoke during the discussion raised competing concerns: supporters said returning students to in-person instruction before state testing would preserve instructional time, while others and several teachers had previously said flexible instruction days (used this year in the district) provided opportunities for PSSA preparation and remote instruction. The board instructed administration to resend the calendar options that were presented in February, and asked administration to propose additional snow-makeup days for the board to consider and approve; the board also suggested adding the calendar item to an upcoming special public meeting.

The move follows an extended discussion in which district staff and board members said flexible instruction days had been used to the full extent allowed this year (five days) and that reversing that practice could require calendar adjustments and advance notice to families. Administrators and some board members asked that any new calendar be publicized promptly to minimize disruption to family plans.

On the district budget, the board approved the 2025–26 general fund budget of $50,270,000 following public workshops and review. During the discussion a board member noted that neighboring districts have been pursuing tax increases; the board member characterized the budget as avoiding that outcome this year. The board also approved routine financial items including year-end transfers, permission to process purchase orders over $5,000 in July to facilitate fall deliveries, and approval of the district insurance package and related vendor agreements.

Personnel and governance actions approved at the meeting included the hiring of Dr. Jenna Gaston as superintendent effective July 1, and an employment orientation agreement to provide transition time. The board also appointed a treasurer and approved multiple personnel hires and retirements, including acceptance of the retirement of longtime secretary Patty Falero. The personnel slate was approved by unanimous consent.

Separately, the board voted to purchase a replacement pole-vault pit under a $22,000 purchase order from the buildings and maintenance budget and approved rebidding liquid propane gas services after receiving no bids; the board asked staff and the solicitor to review bid specifications to encourage competition. The cafeteria agenda included a reduced-price award for handwriting materials: the district recorded an original line of approximately $12,506 for handwriting books that was revised to $7,353 after vendor discussion; administration said it would review classroom use with teachers in the fall and consider digital/print options and fidelity of implementation before additional purchases.

The board approved membership in the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) at the “full package” service level by a roll-call vote (6 yes, 3 no) and appointed two voting delegates to the PSBA assembly on Oct. 21, 2025. The board also approved routine items including minutes, athletic hires and bid awards, federal programs and curriculum updates, building principal items (changes to National Junior Honor Society bylaws and creation of a Future Educators Club), and payment of bills; the board approved a motion to allow necessary year-end budget transfers and processing of certain purchase orders to prepare for the start of the school year.

Board members said next steps include administration sending updated calendar options to the board and public ahead of any formal calendar change, and placing calendar revisions on an upcoming meeting agenda so families can be notified ahead of the school year.

The board held a brief public meeting followed by a short executive session on personnel matters.