Board of Education Meeting

The February 10, 2014, Moon Area Board of Education meeting, called to order by the president with eight directors present and one director absent, approved a series of motions by voice vote. The board adopted the January 13 and 27 minutes and several financial reports, approved the bills across its funds, and approved the preliminary 2014-2015 General Fund Budget, which projected available funds and appropriations. It authorized advertising and posting of intent to file for Act 1 tax millage exceptions, accepted the FY2013 annual financial report from Hosack, Specht, Muetzel and Wood, and approved the district's audit reports.

The board approved policies at three reading stages: third and final reading of ten policies including Student Complaint Process and Dress Code; second reading of six policies including Student Records and Searches; and first reading of seven policies including Student Assistance Program and Hazing. It authorized soliciting bids for 2014-2015 supplies spanning industrial arts, science, art, and athletic supplies, and approved a Gifted Support and Technology field trip to Penn State for substitute pay. The board approved five conferences, four of them the Jazzed Up Mathematics Leadership conference in New Orleans, plus a federal coordinators' conference.

On personnel, the board approved a long-term substitute at Brooks Elementary, accepted two resignations, approved a good cause leave, authorized extra pay for a talent show duty, and approved a list of teacher and custodian substitutes. The meeting's major discussion concerned the Elementary Capital Improvement Program, with a staff member presenting instructional implications and another staff member presenting redistricting options, including capacity analyses and Stantec study variants. Directors expressed hesitation about changing configurations without more research, and administration agreed to contact other districts using the proposed layouts. Public comments followed on the redistricting options, with residents raising concerns about class sizes and consistency. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.