Special Board of Education Meeting

The Moon Area Board of Education held a special meeting on May 5, 2014, called to order at 7:10 p.m. by the president, with 8 directors present and one director absent. The board approved the appointment of a coach for the varsity boys head basketball team for the 2014-2015 fall season, pending clearances, on an unanimous roll call vote. It then voted to deny a second year of childrearing leave of absence for a teacher, with all directors voting against the request except for two directors; administration had recommended denial, citing the workload of bringing teachers up to speed amid curriculum and effectiveness initiatives.

The meeting reconvened at 7:25 p.m. for a General Fund budget presentation by an employee. Discussion centered on the PSERS retirement contribution rate, which three directors called a state-level underfunding problem requiring legislative help rather than blaming teachers. The employee explained position control covering every district position, including new needs for a three-fifths French position and a life skills teacher at the middle school, plus 4 possible new high school positions tied to an expected 100 additional students. The Ready to Learn Block Grant placed the district in tier 4, with potential additional funding through a competitive grant.

The employee presented the music equipment initiative, crossing into six figures and handled through a capital lease, and the All-Steinway School Initiative, recommending the board match a portion of funds raised. Two directors supported pursuing the program, noting the district's 501(c) tax incentive for corporate donations. Major uncertainties included MAESP contract negotiations, an ongoing arbitration finding, and discussions with Questeq regarding IT service levels, with system stability identified as the first priority. The employee acknowledged outdated technology and Promethean boards needing service. The board adjourned at 8:00 p.m., with the employee noting a preliminary final budget review scheduled for the following week.