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Parent urges paraprofessional support for band trip as board approves settlement and multiple personnel items
Summary
A parent told the Hopewell board his daughter would be excluded from an upcoming band trip without a consistent paraprofessional; the board acknowledged the request and promised follow‑up. The board also approved a settlement with Rooter Law and several personnel actions by voice vote.
During the visitor portion of the Oct. 14 meeting, Brad Jones told the Hopewell Area School Board that his daughter, who has special needs and participates in the high‑school band, would be unable to attend an upcoming band trip unless the district provided her consistent paraprofessional support.
"By refusing to provide her required support, the district is failing to offer her equal opportunity and is, in effect, segregating her," Jones said, invoking the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act while asking whether the board would follow the solicitor's advice and requesting the solicitor's contact information for his attorney. The chair thanked him and the board indicated it would follow up; Jones said Dr. Belk had promised an email on Oct. 10 and asked that contact information be included.
After public comment, the board moved through several voting items. The board approved a settlement and release agreement between the Hopewell Area School District and Rooter Law concerning compensatory education for student #102049; the motion was presented by Mister Cancilla, seconded and approved by voice vote (the transcript records the approvals but does not show a roll‑call tally). The board also approved a facility‑use request by Daniel Bush Nell for recreational girls soccer on listed dates (contingent on custodial availability) and a sequence of personnel items including the hire of Hannah Go Forth (half‑time art teacher, effective 09/23/2025), substitute hires (Benjamin Hershberger, Joanne Horwatt, Brianne Bergman, Kaleya Kudeeva pending clearances, Joshua McConnell pending clearances), multiple resignations (Donna Metz, Nicole Gruber, Ashley Rose) and a transportation termination entry; each motion was seconded and the chair declared the motions approved.
The transcript does not record individual board members' roll‑call votes or a numerical tally for approvals; motions were pronounced approved by the chair after asking for objections. The board asked staff to follow up with the parent about the paraprofessional request and to provide contact information for the district solicitor if needed.
The meeting concluded with reminders about the next board meeting on Oct. 28, 2025, and a motion to adjourn.
