Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Northern Cambria board warns state budget delay could force borrowing, approves facilities repairs, hires and contracts
Summary
At its Aug. 19, 2020 meeting the Northern Cambria School Board heard Superintendent Johnson warn that a stalled Pennsylvania budget could force the district to borrow and approved a rooftop HVAC change order, security services, a dust collector purchase and multiple personnel hires and renewals.
The Northern Cambria School Board on Aug. 19, 2020 heard a warning from Superintendent Mr. Johnson that a continued impasse over the Pennsylvania state budget could force the district to seek short‑term borrowing to continue operations and reduce the district’s liquid reserves to under $1,000,000 by mid‑to‑late September if a deal is not reached.
"There’s still, at this point in time, is not a state budget deal in place," Mr. Johnson said during the superintendent’s report, adding that without the state subsidy "we are operating on a very thin margin" and the district could be forced to look at "structured borrowing of some kind in order to maintain the operations of the school district." The superintendent urged anyone who could to contact members of the Pennsylvania House or Senate about the need for a budget agreement.
The board moved quickly through a number of business items after the report. On facilities, the board approved Amendment No. 1 to the GISA/SiteLogic contract to complete work on the new gymnasium rooftop unit — including installation of a new compressor, controls and refrigerant — at a cost not to exceed $19,780. Mr. Johnson told the board these funds will come from the district’s contingency fund and confirmed the work will carry a warranty after SiteLogic took over the prior contract. Board members corrected an error on Appendix 1 (which listed $17,250) before voting to approve the change order.
Mr. Johnson also described ongoing water infiltration in the new gym and said restoration crews and dehumidifiers deployed by Hakko’s Restoration have been removing moisture. "The dehumidifiers are pulling up between 40 to 60 gallons of water a day," he said, and staff expect the floors to return to near‑normal condition with continued work. The superintendent said SiteLogic will propose an amendment to the HVAC/EISA agreement to install a new compressor and other parts to provide a more permanent drying and cooling solution.
The board approved a security contract with Giddings Protective Services for the 2025–26 school year at a rate of $39.19 per hour (eight‑hour day) for 177 school days — a contract totaling $55,492.04 as shown in appendix materials — and approved a dust collector purchase not to exceed $75,000; the superintendent agreed to provide a full cost breakdown to members.
On personnel and programs, the board hired Brandon Ashurst as business manager for a three‑year term beginning Sept. 2, 2025, with a starting salary of $65,000. The board approved the appointment of Madison Harkins as a special education teacher (elementary assignment) at step 3 ($59,590), reappointed Jim Yager through United Education Solutions for the 2025–26 year, approved the school aide substitute list, and named Ruby Sally a long‑term substitute for an approved sabbatical. The board also approved renewal of the IXL learning subscription (replacing Study Island) and approved the district’s drug and alcohol curriculum program.
During discussion of cameras for the new high school wing, facilities staff reported there are slots for 18 cameras (8 internal, 10 external) and suggested moving existing cameras from the old high school into the occupied building rather than buying all new units; the board agreed to redistribute cameras to ensure the occupied building has coverage.
Chair Dr. Cooley announced a Pennsylvania Department of Education hearing required to meet PDE notice timelines for the master schedule; the board set that hearing for Monday at 7:30 a.m. The board also scheduled an executive session (entered at 6:23 p.m.) to discuss several items that were held for private consideration, including some personnel matters. The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Votes at a glance: the board approved minutes and financial reports; approved the SiteLogic amendment (not to exceed $19,780); approved the Giddings Protective Services security contract ($55,492.04); approved the dust collector purchase (not to exceed $75,000); approved hires and appointments noted above; approved the IXL renewal and the drug and alcohol curriculum. Several personnel items were discussed in executive session or tabled to that session for privacy or paperwork review.
