Mid Valley School District board approves personnel moves, policy updates and accepts $2.5 million RACP award; authorizes $300,000 consultant invoice

The Mid Valley School District Board unanimously approved a slate of routine personnel actions, policy updates and vendor payments during its Nov. 20 regular meeting, and formally accepted a $2,500,000 RACP (Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program) award for district construction work.

The board approved minutes from the Oct. 16, 2024 meeting and accepted resignation notices for several staff members, including Michelle Chang (social studies teacher, resignation effective Jan. 6, 2025 unless released earlier), Richard Hensel (assistant boys soccer coach, effective Oct. 22, 2024), Nora Pope (girls assistant varsity basketball coach, effective Nov. 1, 2024) and Melissa Frain (assistant girls basketball coach, effective Nov. 7, 2024). The board also authorized provisional personnel appointments conditioned on receipt of required clearances and approved volunteer coach appointments contingent on clearances.

In a set of business votes, the board adopted second readings of multiple district policies — including Policy 113.1 (discipline of students with disabilities), Policy 113.2 (behavior support), Policy 202 (eligibility of nonresident students), Policy 236.1 (threat assessment), Policy 254 (educational opportunity for military children) and Policy 805.2 (school security personnel) — and approved a 12-month ReadySign subscription for $3,700 for the 2024–25 year.

The board approved several vendor and construction payments and final pay applications to contractors listed in the meeting packet (Evron Electrical Contractors; Skandal/Scandal Associate Builders and Engineers Limited; Hosler Corporation; O and M Multi Trade Inc., among others). It also approved an agreement with Pinoni for AHARA and LEED compliance services and a district land-survey agreement with GPI.

On the grant and consulting side, the board accepted a $1,500 grant from the Winona Community Foundation to be processed to the Cross Country Booster Club for team support. Separately, the board approved Invoice No. 450140 in the amount of $300,000, described in the meeting as a 12% fee on a $2,500,000 RACP award, payable to GSL Government Consulting LLC for grant application preparation, submission, advocacy, reporting and auditing assistance. "They're hard to get these grants, and I congratulate everybody who did it," one board member said during the vote.

Informational materials presented by Mr. Sheen reported that the district had received $2,500,000 in RACP funds for an addition project and renovations to the secondary center; Sheen also noted a $20,000 donation from People's Security Bank and Trust through the Commonwealth Charitable Foundation for AP and dual-enrollment materials and Project Lead The Way STEM resources.

Votes at a glance - Minutes (Oct. 16, 2024): approved (voice vote). - Resignations (Chang, Hensel, Pope, Frain): accepted (voice vote). - Provisional appointments and related personnel actions: authorized (one abstention recorded for the first appointment as noted in the minutes). - Volunteer coaches (Abby Merrifield, Katie Pignatti): approved (contingent on clearances). - Scranton Counseling Center (CSBBH) provider agreement: approved. - Student adjudication and settlement agreements (agenda identifiers as listed): approved. - Cooperative School Nurse affiliation with Eastern School of Nursing (2024–25): approved. - Pinoni AHARA and LEED compliance services agreement and GPI land-survey agreement: approved. - Bus/van driver rosters (24–25): approved (conditional on certifications/clearances). - Policy revisions (multiple policies listed): adopted (second reading). - ReadySign subscription (12 months/$3,700): approved. - Winona Community Foundation grant ($1,500): accepted and check to Cross Country Booster Club authorized. - Multiple construction pay applications and final pay requests: approved (amounts and contractors listed in packet). - Invoice 450140 to GSL Government Consulting LLC ($300,000): approved; described on record as a 12% fee tied to a $2,500,000 RACP award. - Homestead mailer printing contract (government software services) for 25–26: approved. - Payables (Oct.–11/20/2024), treasurer’s report, activity fund and cafeteria reports: approved and to be attached to minutes.

What it means The approvals move forward a set of near-term construction and facilities payments and lock in several operational services and policy updates for the coming school year. Acceptance of the RACP award signals a major capital funding source for the district’s addition and renovation projects; the board also authorized payment to a consulting firm that supported the district’s grant efforts.

Next steps and oversight Mr. Sheen and district staff will continue procurement and contracting work tied to the approved pay applications and the RACP-funded projects. Board members asked that routine follow-up and documentation be attached to the minutes as noted; one board member recorded an abstention on a personnel appointment and that detail will be reflected in the formal minutes.