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Board discusses Donovan Group communications contract; hears proposals for clubs, memorial bench and overnight trips
Summary
Trustees reviewed a proposed $4,500/month contract with Donovan Group for communications coaching and community engagement, and considered routine approvals for new student clubs (Curing with Care, DECA, Science Olympiad, Tri‑M), a memorial bench Eagle‑Scout donation, and seven high‑school overnight trips for 2026.
Administrators recommended a contract with Donovan Group, a school‑focused communications firm, to provide strategic communication coaching, community engagement and support for policy and annual‑report work. The proposed contract runs from Nov. 20 through June 30 and carries a monthly cost of $4,500; it can be canceled with 30 days' notice. The superintendent said she will report to the board in April 2026 on progress toward building internal capacity and replacing the need for external services for the annual report (the district previously paid about $14,500 annually for that work).
Trustees asked whether the contract could be tailored as a menu of services to avoid duplication with existing communications staff and whether the firm would train internal employees. Administrators said the contract emphasizes coaching and capacity building so district staff can eventually assume strategic roles. Trustees highlighted multilingual services and suggested monitoring overlap with current staff duties.
Separately, the board reviewed four proposed student clubs at Manheim Township High School — Curing with Care (cancer awareness), DECA (business/marketing; currently about 10 members), Science Olympiad (new competitive team) and Tri‑M (music honor society with advisor Eric Schlosser). Each club requested establishment of a student activity fund; administrators described standard fundraising practices (restaurant fundraisers, sales during lunch) and said fundraisers are generally managed to comply with school policy.
A high‑school student and Eagle‑Scout candidate, Tim Spielman, presented engineered plans for a memorial bench to honor the late middle‑school teacher James Bachand; plans were vetted and the bench would be built and installed in the campus quad after maintenance verification.
Administrator Rolat presented seven proposed overnight, out‑of‑state high‑school trips for 2026 and asked the board to approve planning and continued preparation under policy 121; administrators confirmed funding, chaperones and transportation are in place and that final trip details will be firmed as dates approach.
The transcript records discussion and questions on the Donovan Group contract, club proposals, memorial donation and trip planning; in several cases administrators indicated formal approvals would be taken up in the board's next meeting.
