Board of Education Meeting

The April 14, 2014, Moon Area Board of Education meeting opened with a Superintendent's Report celebrating the district's Best Communities for Music Education designation, followed by Tiger Spirit Awards for two students. The board approved the March 10 and March 24 minutes and the April financial reports, then approved the monthly bills across five funds.

The board approved policies on first reading, including new dating violence policies and crisis/suicide intervention revisions, and on third reading revised policies on care of school property and social events. Policy 214 on class rank and decile rank drew the most debate on second reading. Directors discussed whether students should choose how transcripts are reported, with one director raising concerns about college confusion and another noting the national trend away from ranking. The policy passed on a roll call vote, with two directors dissenting.

The board awarded Keystone Purchasing Network bids for art supplies, general supplies, computer supplies, and copy paper. It renewed the food service management contract with Metz Culinary Management, contingent on Pennsylvania Department of Education approval, but tabled the 2014-15 cafeteria meal price increases after a board member questioned the quality of the hikes. The board authorized appraisals on Rhema Christian School and Brooks Elementary School, approved early termination of the School Newsletter Company contract, authorized a purchase for a Pro Infield Groomer, and approved field trips for the French department to Quebec and Odyssey of the Mind to Iowa State University.

Personnel actions approved the retirement of an employee and resignation of an employee, approved leaves for two employees, named an employee acting principal at Allard Elementary, and approved spring and fall coaching staff. The most contentious item was the new COO/CFO position appointing an employee from Roanoke, Virginia. One director moved to table and later to amend the hiring process, citing concerns that only 2 candidates were interviewed in one round and that the candidate was a former colleague of another director. Both failed. The appointment passed on a roll call vote, with one director dissenting. The meeting closed with extensive public comment opposing school closings and board members stating they had not yet made a decision, adjourning at 11:15 p.m.