Hazleton Area SD board approves grouped consent items and teacher contract; dissent voiced on bilingual recognition and enrollment concerns

The Hazleton Area School District Board of Directors approved a series of grouped consent items and a new teacher contract at its meeting. Most grouped agenda blocks passed by voice vote; several items drew recorded opposition.

The board approved grouped curriculum, special education, security, nutrition and transportation, facilities, athletics and multiple personnel items in roll-call blocks. Routine approvals were moved and seconded in grouped motions; board members generally supported the blocks without extended discussion.

On finance items 28–41, Board member Dr. Childs announced a recorded “no” on item 30, saying she opposed “bringing more students into the district with no room to put them” and objected to additional forgiveness that she said would exacerbate capacity problems.

The board then considered superintendent items 92–95, including a new teacher contract (agenda item 94). The motion to approve items 92–95 was moved by Mr. Chapman and seconded by Mrs. McBride; the motion passed by voice vote. Dr. Childs explained her opposition on item 94: “I won't vote for any contract that… does not recognize competency in 2 languages as a valuable asset to the Hazleton Area School District, and this… contract is not.” Her “no” on the contract was recorded; the contract nonetheless passed.

Michelle Planudes, president of the Teachers Association, spoke in support of the negotiated contract. “It was passed overwhelmingly by our teachers, and I'm so proud of our teachers. Over 650 came out in the middle of this snowstorm,” Planudes said, thanking the business office and negotiators for their work.

Board members also offered routine acknowledgments and recognized several retirements and new administrative appointments. The board approved items across curriculum, personnel, nutrition, transportation, capital projects and athletics, generally by grouped motions and voice votes.

Votes at a glance - Curriculum items 1–10: approved (motion by Bonomo, second by McBride). - Special education/English language items 11–13: approved (motion by McBride, second by Kubitz). - Security items 14–18: approved (motion by Chapman, second by Zeller). - Nutrition and transportation items 19–22: approved (motion by DeCosmo, second by McBride). - Facilities/capital project item 23: approved (motion by Bonomo, second by Chapman). - Athletics items 24–27 (including coaching appointments): approved (motion by DeCosmo, second by Buonomo). - Finance items 28–41: approved as a block (motion by Chapman, second by Buonomo); Dr. Childs recorded a “no” on item 30 citing enrollment and space concerns. - Bills (item 42): approved (motion by DeCosmo, second by Bonomo). - Superintendent items 43–47 and 48–64: approved (motions and seconds recorded). - Personnel items 65–81 and 82–91: approved (motions and seconds recorded). - Superintendent items 92–95 (including teacher contract 94): approved (motion by Chapman, second by McBride); Dr. Childs recorded a “no” on item 94.

The board did not provide detailed roll-call tallies for every grouped block beyond the occasional recorded nay. No additional amendments to the listed motions were recorded at the meeting.