Kutztown Area SD board approves personnel, contracts, vehicle purchase and new student club

The Kutztown Area School District Board of School Directors approved a set of routine personnel actions, vendor contracts and extracurricular items at its Oct. 20, 2025 meeting in the high school library and by Zoom.

Why it matters: The approvals affect district staffing, student services and a small capital purchase for facilities operations. The board handled most items by motion and roll-call vote, forwarding policy items for first reading and approving several contracted services needed for student support.

What the board approved - Minutes and routine finance items: The board moved and approved the minutes from its Oct. 6, 2025 meeting and accepted the treasurer’s report and list of bills for payment. The Chair announced “motion carries” after roll-call votes that recorded affirmative responses from present members.

- Personnel: The board approved multiple personnel recommendations (items 1–4 on the agenda). The approvals are contingent on receipt of mandated credentials, per administration presentation; departing staff members were recognized during the discussion.

- Bilingual speech-language services contract: The board approved a contract with Stephanie Ruiz to provide bilingual speech and language services for the 2025–26 school year. Trustees asked about the contractor’s credentials and whether the rate was typical; administration said the service is used for higher-touch student engagement meetings when district bilingual staff or translation options are insufficient.

- Travel accident insurance: The board approved purchase of 24-hour accidental death and dismemberment travel insurance through the PSBA Insurance Trust/Prudential for 2026 at $32 per person annually.

- Maintenance utility vehicle: The facilities committee’s recommendation to purchase a John Deere Gator for district maintenance at a cost of $19,375.91 from Deere Country Farm and Lawn was approved to replace equipment lost with a retiring employee.

- Dungeons & Dragons club: The board approved the creation of a Dungeons & Dragons club for grades 6–12 at no cost to the district. Committee members noted strong student interest and some local business support.

- KASD Education Foundation mini-grants: The board accepted donations to the KASD Education Foundation to fund teacher mini-grants and thanked the foundation for its multi-decade support.

- Employee agreement ratification: The board ratified an employee agreement with an identified employee number (employee 1953) as presented.

Vote mechanics and next steps: Most items were adopted by roll call with affirmative responses recorded on the record; where the agenda listed items for first reading (policy maintenance) the board advanced them for subsequent consideration. The board listed upcoming meetings including a workshop on Nov. 3 and its next monthly meeting on Nov. 17.

The chair closed the business and asked for adjournment.