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North Allegheny previews testing change, grant applications and contracts ahead of May 22 vote
Summary
At the May 15 work session, administrators previewed a recommended switch to STAR assessment software (citing an estimated first-year savings of over $45,000), a $3 million public-school improvement grant application, and multiple contracts and HR items to be voted on at the May 22 regular meeting.
District administrators used the May 15 work session to preview several items scheduled for board action at the May 22 regular meeting, including recommended assessment software, grants and routine contracts.
Ms. Hardy, presenting the curriculum report, said a review prompted by staff and parent concerns about Exact Path led a committee to recommend switching to STAR Assessment Software because it would take less administration time, produce more usable data for schools and yield “a cost savings for the district of over $45,000 in the 1st year alone.” The curriculum packet also included purchase agreements for Study Island and Nearpod, a renewal for AIMSwebPlus testing, and a student-expulsion agreement for board consideration.
Finance staff previewed 13 items for next week’s agenda, including two monetary donations, the AW Beatty Career Center budget, a bond engagement letter with Meyer Bussel, student athletic insurance coverage and participation fees. They noted a planned application for a public school facility improvement grant of approximately $3,000,000 and reported an April forecast projecting about a $3,500,000 surplus.
Property and supplies briefed the board on four contract items: a food-service management contract (the vendor Metz is the incumbent), school lunch prices (no change), appointment of ADA compliance officers, and a snowplowing and salting services contract (only one bid was received and the price was a modest increase over past years). HR previewed 11 action items, including memoranda of understanding (one placeholder item for a bus-driver incentive program that remains under negotiation) and creation of a manager of grounds and fields position.
What comes next: The board will consider these items at its May 22 regular meeting; several require formal votes and are listed on next week’s consent or action agenda. No formal votes were taken at the May 15 work session.
Ending: District staff emphasized process improvements and cost-saving rationale for the assessment recommendation and asked board members to review the full packets ahead of the vote.
