Scranton SD announces $826,636 PDE grant and schedules parent safety meeting

The Scranton School District reported a strong start to the 2024–25 school year and unveiled a new state grant to support facility improvements.

Superintendent (identified in the meeting as the speaker reporting central administration updates) told the board the district is in its third week of school and thanked teachers, support staff and maintenance for a smooth opening. He announced that Scranton SD was one of 109 districts awarded a Pennsylvania Department of Education grant for environmental changes and updates, totaling $826,636. He thanked district staff members Maggie Cosgrove, Joe Ricardo and Pat Laffey for their work on the application.

The superintendent also invited parents, community members and staff to a virtual safety meeting on Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. The session will include the district safety and security supervisor Kevin Carney, mental‑health supervisor Liz Hemphill and the director of leadership and accountability, Rob De Luca. The district said it will post the virtual link on its website and social media channels.

The superintendent said the district will post suicide‑prevention hotline signage (988) at all schools as part of mental‑health supports and noted the district will provide staff with additional training on new policies, including a newly adopted policy addressing generative artificial intelligence in education.

No board action was required to accept the grant in this meeting; administration said further budgetary steps will be taken in upcoming agenda items. The superintendent closed by encouraging community participation in the Sept. 25 virtual meeting and thanking staff for the district's start to the year.

The board did not take further action during this segment; follow‑up materials and event links will be posted to the district website.