Dover Area SD board elects leadership, adopts Act 1 tax limit and approves contracts

The Dover Area School District Board of Directors met for an organizational session that included swearing in newly elected members, electing board officers and approving several routine contracts and personnel items.

David Conley was elected board president by a 7–2 vote after nominations from the floor (nominations and voting procedure conducted by the secretary). Director Kindig was elected vice president following a separate roll-call vote. Earlier in the meeting, holdover members elected Rob McKinney as temporary president to chair the organization meeting.

The board adopted an Act 1 resolution stating it will not raise taxes above the Act 1 adjusted index for the 2026–27 budget; the index cited in the meeting was 4.9%. The resolution was approved by voice/roll-call vote and recorded as adopted. "All it simply states is that the board agrees not to raise taxes more than the adjusted index, which for 26–27 is 4.9%," said a board member presenting the item.

On routine business, the board approved a four-year tax-collector agreement and accompanying rate resolution; administration noted the new rate includes a 5¢ increase that will apply each year of the agreement. The board welcomed Rochelle Davis, the new tax collector, who was present and invited to speak briefly.

The board also accepted a donation of DJ services from a provider listed as "DJ Forensic" for middle-school dances scheduled Feb. 13 and May 1, 2026, and awarded the district's waste-removal contract to Penn Waste, which was described in meeting discussion as the lowest bidder by roughly $6,000. "According to the calculation, they are the cheapest, by almost $6,000," a director said during contract deliberations.

Confidential student-discipline matters (a waiver of an expulsion hearing) were noted as executive-session content and not deliberated in public; the board moved and approved the recommended action. The board approved appointments, transfers, leave requests, and resignations as presented in the executive content. The proposed 2026 board meeting calendar, including date adjustments in May and July to preserve required 30-day intervals for preliminary and final budget votes, was approved.

Board members were asked to stay briefly after adjournment to provide input on scheduling a future executive session. The meeting recessed briefly and reconvened before adjourning without opposition. Future meeting dates announced included committee meetings on Jan. 13 and a regular board meeting on Jan. 20.

Votes at a glance: - Temporary president (Rob McKinney): elected by holdover members (voice/roll-call, recorded as 5 for McKinney). - Board president (David Conley): elected, 7–2 (SEG 161–164). - Vice president (Director Kindig): elected (vote recorded, SEG 212–213). - Act 1 resolution (tax-rate index for 2026–27, 4.9%): adopted (9 yes). - Tax collector agreement and rate resolution: adopted (vote recorded as carried). - DJ donation (middle school dances): accepted (9 yes). - Waste-removal contract (Penn Waste): awarded (vote carried).

The board's actions were largely procedural and routine for an organizational meeting; where discussion occurred, it focused on compliance with Act 1 timing requirements, the relative cost of vendor bids, and personnel transitions. The board adjourned after a brief recess.