Board of Education Meeting

The Moon Area Board of Education met August 13, 2012, in the high school board meeting room, called to order by the president, with nine directors present and 90 in the audience plus reporters from the Post Gazette and KDKA. After an executive session on personnel, the board approved the July 23 minutes and a suite of financial reports, then approved bills across the general fund, bond funds, and food service.

The board approved change orders on the middle school construction project: general change orders and a contract with Allegheny City Electric for a four-man crew to complete the fire alarm system. It authorized asphalt maintenance through the Capital Reserve Fund—patching and sealcoating at McCormick, patching at Bon Meade, and paving a basketball court at Brooks—and a French drain project at Bon Meade. Six policies received second-reading approval, covering student records, smoking and nicotine, bullying and cyberbullying, electronic systems usage for students and employees, and school organization.

In personnel, the board hired several middle school and high school teachers for 2012-2013, including an English teacher and a technology education teacher, plus multiple long-term substitutes. It approved extensive extra-duty pay lists for the high school and elementary schools, the fall coaching staff, and substitutes, while accepting resignations from several coaches, a cook, and staff.

During public comment, a parent and a union official voiced concerns about furloughs, outsourcing, and paraprofessional cuts. Board members urged the public to contact legislators over the pension crisis and promised IEP compliance. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.