Schuylkill Valley board ratifies emergency heaters, approves boiler repair and student‑service contracts

The Schuylkill Valley School Board on Feb. 24 ratified an emergency procurement for 24 portable heating units, approved a middle‑school boiler repair and voted to authorize several student‑service contracts, with each recorded motion passing unanimously.

Superintendent Dr. Winters told the board he invoked district emergency spending policy to secure the heating units after an event required immediate action. “I needed to invoke policy 6.12, which allows the superintendent to expend funds in an emergency situation. And so I went ahead and signed that quote…,” he said, explaining the board was asked to ratify a purchase already executed to address the heating emergency.

Why it matters: The board’s ratification formalizes emergency repairs and spending the district’s administration determined necessary for continued operations and student safety.

Votes at a glance - Portable heating units (rental/installation): ratification of superintendent’s emergency procurement; motion carried 8–0. - Landis Bonfido Mechanical Group quote: $2,650.08 to replace a camshaft and low‑water cutoff on the middle‑school boiler; approved (aye recorded, 8–0). - Devereaux contract for student 6304: approved; motion carried 8–0. - Arati Professional Group LLC contract: in‑person school psychologist services for remainder of 2025–26 at $135 per hour for up to 32.5 hours/week; approved 8–0.

Details and context The superintendent described the portable‑unit procurement as time‑sensitive and covered under Policy 6.12 (emergency expenditures), which allows the administration to act and then return to the board for ratification. The boiler repair quote from Landis Bonfido Mechanical Group covers parts and installation necessary to restore the middle‑school boiler’s proper operation.

Two student‑service contracts were voted on and approved. The board authorized a placement contract with Devereaux for an identified student and separately approved a contract with Arati Professional Group LLC to provide in‑person school psychologist services for the rest of the school year at the stated hourly rate and weekly cap.

What’s next The administrative actions are effective as approved; the board recorded unanimous votes. The district will proceed with installation and repairs, and the psychologist contract will be implemented for the remainder of the 2025–26 year.