Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Board Meeting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fleetwood Area School Board unanimously approves BCIU budget share, technology leases and grant application
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting the Fleetwood Area School Board approved the Berks County Intermediate Unit budget (FASD share $32,358.15), authorized leases for Chromebooks and laptops, approved personnel actions and authorized a $549,612 grant application for Willow Creek Elementary repairs.
The Fleetwood Area Board of School Directors met Feb. 17, 2026. Board President Jason E. Valick called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and confirmed attendance; there were no visitors for recognition.
The board voted unanimously to approve the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) mandated services budget for 2026–2027, a regional budget totaling $2,290,940. Fleetwood Area School District’s share of that budget is $32,358.15, a 3% increase from the 2025–2026 year. The motion to adopt the BCIU budget was moved by Adam S. Chernow and seconded by Brandi Brown; the roll-call vote was recorded as unanimous.
Under business and finance, the board ratified presented budget transfers and approved exoneration of elected tax collectors from further collection of unpaid 2025 real estate taxes, directing turnover of remaining uncollected bills to the Berks County Tax Claim Bureau. Both motions passed on unanimous roll-call votes.
On technology procurement, the board approved a five-year lease with Vantage Financial for 380 Lenovo 100e Chromebooks plus replacement screens and keyboards at an annual cost of $37,152. The board also approved a separate Vantage Financial lease for 250 Lenovo E14 laptops for 60 months at an annual cost of $67,420. Both motions were approved unanimously.
The board authorized district administration to request a Public-School Facility Improvement Grant of $549,612 to support the Willow Creek Elementary water heater and building envelope project. The resolution was approved by unanimous roll-call vote after being moved by Adam S. Chernow and seconded by Brandi Brown.
The meeting included a package of personnel actions that the board approved, including new paraprofessional hires (Christine Montes and Mitzi Cote), a transfer making Maryelba Crespo a Willow Creek Elementary Special Education Teacher, the addition of substitute support staff (Megan Gurung, pending paperwork), multiple retirements effective at the end of the 2025–2026 school year (including Elizabeth Wilkie, Karen McGuinness, Margaret Fryzol, Carole LeVan, Stacy Redding and Veronica Hilbert), resignations of two football coaches (Steve Pangburn and Robert Kutzler), and an intermittent FMLA leave request for teacher Dawn Gaugler. These personnel motions passed unanimously.
The board approved the first reading of several policies — 218.1 (Weapons), 317 (Conduct/Disciplinary Procedures), 318 (Attendance and Tardiness, new title), 320 (Freedom of Speech in Non-school Setting), 323 (Tobacco and Vaping Products, new title) and 340 (Responsibility for Student Welfare). The item was recorded as a first reading; no final action was taken.
The board also approved a slate of volunteer appointments for athletics and building volunteers and ratified billable facility-use requests for community groups with listed fees. The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of Jan. 20, 2026 minutes — motion carried (voice vote unanimous). - Treasurer’s report — roll-call vote unanimous. - Payment of monthly bills — roll-call vote unanimous. - Curriculum approvals (courses presented in January) — roll-call vote unanimous. - Personnel actions (hires, transfers, retirements, resignations, leave) — roll-call vote unanimous. - BCIU 2026–2027 mandated services budget ($2,290,940; FASD share $32,358.15) — roll-call vote unanimous. - Ratification of budget transfers — roll-call vote unanimous. - Exoneration of tax collectors and turnover to Tax Claim Bureau — roll-call vote unanimous. - Lease: 380 Lenovo 100e Chromebooks (5 years) — roll-call vote unanimous; annual payment $37,152. - Lease: 250 Lenovo E14 laptops (60 months) — roll-call vote unanimous; annual cost $67,420. - Resolution to request Public-School Facility Improvement Grant ($549,612) — roll-call vote unanimous. - First reading of policies 218.1, 317, 318, 320, 323, 340 — voice vote unanimous (first reading only).
The meeting minutes were prepared and signed by School Board Secretary Michael D. Noll.
