The Shamokin Area School District Board of Directors approved a package of administrative items at its regular meeting, including a revised Promotion and Retention policy (Policy 215) for immediate adoption and a slate of personnel actions.

The board voted to waive the second reading and adopt revised Policy 215, Promotion and Retention, after a brief procedural motion. The board also approved payroll and vendor payments, accepted the treasurer’s report, authorized settlement of a tax assessment appeal, approved a veteran’s exemption request, and authorized a student-teacher assignment with Western Governors University. Several motions were approved by roll call with unanimous votes recorded.

Why it matters: The adoption of Policy 215 and the approved personnel actions set district rules on promotion and retention and finalize staffing and administrative arrangements that guide the coming school year. Approvals of contracts, reimbursements and settlements clear routine business and affect district finances and operations.

Most important outcomes
- Revised Policy 215, Promotion and Retention: second reading waived and policy adopted as presented.
- Personnel items 8.01–8.16 approved, with removal of the position language referencing the “strength and conditioning coordinator” from item 8.16.
- Routine fiscal and administrative approvals: payment of bills, treasurer’s report, mileage reimbursement rate revived, contracts and agreements approved.
- Assignment of student teacher from Western Governors University approved.
- Veteran’s tax exemption request approved.
- Authorization to settle a tax assessment appeal approved.

Board members raised no substantive public debate recorded on these items; votes were handled by roll call or voice vote and carried. The meeting record shows prior executive sessions on personnel were held Jan. 13 and Jan. 21, 2025.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Waive second reading and adopt revised Policy 215, Promotion and Retention.
Outcome: Approved (roll call); motion text recorded as: “I move that the second reading is waived and revised policy 215 promotion and retention be adopted as presented.”

- Motion: Approve personnel items 8.01 through 8.16 as listed (with the removal of the portion referencing the strength and conditioning coordinator).
Outcome: Approved (roll call); note: item 8.16 amended by removing the referenced job description portion.

- Motion: Authorize payment of bills.
Outcome: Approved (roll call).

- Motion: Accept treasurer’s report.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote/roll call).

- Motion: Approve curriculum.
Outcome: Approved (roll call).

- Motion: Establish a new student activity club.
Outcome: Approved (roll call).

- Motion: Revive the mileage reimbursement rate.
Outcome: Approved (roll call).

- Motion: Approve all contracts and agreements.
Outcome: Approved (roll call).

- Motion: Approve assignment of student teacher, Western Governors University.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote/roll call).

- Motion: Approve veteran’s exemption request.
Outcome: Approved (roll call).

- Motion: Authorize settlement of a tax assessment appeal.
Outcome: Approved (roll call).

What board members said and how the decisions were reached
Board procedure was largely routine. For the revision of Policy 215 the motion on the record said the second reading should be waived and the revised policy adopted “as presented.” There was a brief clarification in the personnel agenda about removing language referencing the strength and conditioning coordinator from one personnel item before the board voted to approve all personnel items.

Next steps and context
The board noted upcoming meetings and acknowledged that work on personnel and policy matters may continue as necessary. Executive sessions on personnel were held earlier in the month on Jan. 13 and Jan. 21, 2025, per the meeting record. The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Feb. 18, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the board conference room.

Ending: The meeting concluded after the board completed the personnel agenda and other routine business; a motion for adjournment followed the listed items.