Punxsutawney Area School District board approves routine purchases, personnel actions and facility projects
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Summary
At its regular meeting the Punxsutawney Area School District board approved a series of routine consent items — including a Scholastic purchase, roof work, cafeteria equipment bids, personnel actions and a resolution not to raise real estate taxes — and directed staff to pursue program planning for new clubs.
The Punxsutawney Area School District Board of Education approved multiple consent and business items at its meeting, including contracts, purchases and personnel actions that the board described as routine.
Under unfinished business the board approved a purchase order for Scholastic 'Bingo for Books' after a motion by Katie and a second by Didi; the motion carried. The board also approved minutes from the Dec. 2 reorganization and voting meetings following a motion by Trevor and a second by Didi.
Board members voted to approve athletics items 1–6 (motion by Doug, seconded by Jessica), transportation items including bus drivers and bus stops (motion by Katie, seconded by Didi), and bids for cafeteria equipment (motion by Trevor, seconded by Doug). Buildings and maintenance approvals included a roof project and a school facility improvement grant; the motion to approve was made by Cindy and seconded by Katie.
Under federal programs the board approved a workshop agreement with the Pennsylvania Principles Association. The superintendent presented a consortium agreement with the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit and several board policy revisions; those items were approved on a motion by Doug, seconded by Allen.
The high school report included a budget transfer and donations: a transfer/donation from Dr. Wise’s family to the agriculture club, a donation from McDonald’s, and a donation to the DECA club from the Elk Grove Fire Department; the board approved those items. Personnel actions approved included hiring substitutes, accepting resignations, issuing exploratory RFPs for substitute employee services and supplemental cafeteria services (the board clarified the RFPs are for exploration and do not create an immediate contract), and hiring a speech and language pathologist.
The board reviewed financial summaries and occupational tax exonerations and approved a resolution stating the district does not intend to raise real estate taxes. When a board member asked for clarification that taxes would not be raised above the index, Susan confirmed that was the board’s intent.
Motions on payments of bills from the general fund, cafeteria fund and construction/cafeteria project funds were approved, and the meeting adjourned after a motion by Katie and seconded by Cindy.
What’s next: several agenda items that require additional paperwork or separate action—such as the field-trip authorization for state competition travel and proposed program start-ups—were noted as coming back to the board for formal approval.