Scranton School Board accepts $1.59M state tax equity supplement and approves stadium lighting, data systems and multiple contracts

The Scranton School Board voted Feb. 2 to accept a Ready to Learn Block Grant tax equity supplement totaling $1,587,510.58 and approved a package of facilities and vendor contracts, including a Scranton High stadium‑lighting project and software and scoreboard purchases.

The board moved to accept the grant allocation under Section 1949, Act 14 of the Pennsylvania School Code, with Director Storznick presenting the funding amount and allowable uses. The motion passed on a roll call vote recorded in the meeting as nine affirmative votes.

Why it matters: The district plans to use a portion of the allocation for debt reduction and for eligible capital work; staff said the grant also supports readiness projects such as fire‑alarm replacements and other facility upgrades that are competitive under the recently announced Public School Facility Grant program.

Major votes at the meeting included:

- Tax equity supplement (Ready to Learn Block Grant): motion to accept $1,587,510.58 under Section 1949, Act 14. Vote: recorded as nine affirmative; outcome approved.

- Scranton High School lighting project: approved under a cooperative agreement with a not‑to‑exceed amount of $950,000; staff said the work is intended to restore field lighting that began failing last spring. Vote: roll call recorded in the transcript as affirmative and the motion passed.

- New electrical service for athletic fields: approved at a fixed price of $117,465.04 to provide power to fields without trenching under the state road; staff said the route reduces permitting risk. Vote: affirmative; outcome approved.

- DataViz (Infinite Campus premium) purchase: annual license $27,513 plus a one‑time implementation fee of $7,500 (total $35,013). Staff described the product as a Tableau‑style dashboard integration to surface special education timelines and other academic dashboards and said it could replace some third‑party tools. Vote: recorded as unanimous; outcome approved.

- Travera digital scoreboards (West High gym): $81,549. Staff and a presenter said scoreboard advertising can be revenue‑generating and is offered at no cost to the district under some vendor models; the district expects a 50/50 revenue split with scoreboard media companies. Vote: recorded in the transcript as 8 affirmative, 1 negative; outcome approved.

- Architect retainer and Maple Street initial design authorization: the board approved Studio KLP on retainer with an hourly fee schedule and an initial design fee authorization (up to $345,000, described as an initial amount tied to a potential $6 million project and estimated 35,000 square feet). The board approved the Maple Street design authorization contingent on the district closing on the property. Vote: outcome approved after a friendly amendment.

- Appointment of a Clerk of the Works: Robert Osborne was approved as a contracted construction inspector at $85/hour. Vote: motion passed (vote recorded on the transcript with an affirmative majority).

Board members asked for transparency on vendor selection processes and on upfront costs; staff repeatedly said some contracts are grant funded and will not impact the general fund. Several motions were seconded on the floor and passed by roll call.

What’s next: Staff said budget transfers and vendor contracts that require additional board action will return at a subsequent meeting for formal approval where required; the district is also preparing applications for the state Public School Facility Grant with an anticipated mid‑March deadline.