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Board approves therapy-animal policy, personnel items and several athletics requests; rejects two equipment purchases
Summary
The board adopted a therapy-animal policy, accepted a cafeteria retirement, approved a sabbatical and multiple athletic and activity requests, approved an athletic trainer pay increase and payment of bills, and rejected proposed purchases of a Rapsodo machine and a golf simulator.
The Northern Cambria School District board approved multiple routine and personnel items and took several athletics-related votes in its meeting.
Policy and personnel: The board adopted policy 718.1 (therapy animals in school) on its second reading by roll-call (six yes, three no). The board accepted the retirement of cafeteria worker Mrs. Patty Miller, effective Feb. 6, 2026, and approved a sabbatical leave for an employee (employee number 054) through the end of the 2025–2026 school year.
Staff development and students: The board approved Miss Allison Patterson’s attendance at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association conference in April 2026 and approved travel for two sixth-grade students and Miss Lawrence Smith to attend the Pennsylvania invention state competition in Hershey on Feb. 3, 2026.
Athletics and extracurriculars: The board approved a three-year contract renewal for Mr. Sam Shudy as head football coach and approved a slate of assistant softball coaches for the 2025–2026 season. The board also approved a junior-high football cooperative agreement with Harmony School District for 2026–2027 and approved the third annual powerlifting meet scheduled for March 14, 2026.
Equipment purchases and budgets: The board rejected a proposed $5,000 Rapsodo performance analyzer (boosters had pledged $2,500) after members said the purchase was a “want” rather than a need. The board also rejected a proposed $12,249 golf simulator (boosters pledged $5,500; district cost would have been $6,749) amid concerns about current repair needs and the district’s financial position.
Other approvals: The board approved adding vehicles to the Tri-County transportation fleet, added David Pototts to the Tri-County bus driver list, approved staff development travel and fundraisers, and approved increasing pay for Erica Anderson, a certified athletic trainer, to $50 per hour for emergency usage. The board approved payment of bills for December 2025 and January 2026 and then voted to enter an executive session to discuss litigation, contracts, students and personnel.
Votes at a glance: policy 718.1 adopted (6–3); Policy 006 amendment adopted (6–3); Rapsodo purchase rejected (roll-call majority 'no'); golf simulator rejected (roll-call majority 'no'). Several routine personnel and travel motions were approved by voice vote or recorded roll call as noted in minutes.
Next steps: The board will monitor gym remediation work with Site Logic and Fiori, update policy manuals to reflect approved changes, and proceed with the items approved on consent. An executive session followed the public meeting.
