Board of Education Meeting

The Moon Area Board of Education met July 23, 2012, in the High School Board Meeting Room, called to order by the president, with nine directors present. The board approved the June 11 and 25 minutes and the July financial reports, then approved the bills across the General Fund, bond funds, activities fund, and food service.

The board authorized a tax-exempt lease purchase with Sun Trust Equipment Finance to fund a technology refresh for Middle School lab computers, and separately authorized the purchase of the computer equipment and peripherals. It accepted a proposal from Hosack, Specht, Muetzel and Wood to audit the 2011-2012 records at a reduced cost. The board approved change orders for the Middle School project, ratified a memorandum of understanding with Travelers Casualty and Surety related to Reginella Construction, and authorized carpeting replacement at Brooks, Bon Meade, and Allard. It also authorized a payment for catastrophic accident insurance across athletics and extracurricular activities.

The board renamed the Moon Area Middle School as Moon Area Upper Middle and Lower Middle Schools, authorized the permanent closure of the old Middle School effective end of 2011-2012 with a new building opening 2012-2013, and approved a revised calendar with an Act 80 day October 12, 2012. It approved field trips for the choral program to Walt Disney World, the cross country team to Hershey, and the German department to central Europe. The board approved first readings of revised policies 216, 218.6, 218.9, 250, 802, and 815, and rescinded Policy 249.1.

On personnel, the board approved department chairpersons, coordinators, grade-level coordinators, substitutes, several new social studies and English teachers, a long-term substitute, and extra-duty pay, plus unpaid leaves and resignations. An amendment to include item XIV—rescinding the furlough and termination of an employee—passed on a divided vote, with two directors voting in disfavor. The superintendent reported on the Middle School construction nearing 95% completion, and board members reassured community members about opening on time and no trailer use.