Board of Education Meeting

The Moon Area Board of Education met April 27, 2015, with the president presiding and nine directors present. The board heard a superintendent's transportation update confirming no one-way bus rides exceeded 30 minutes, which prompted a heated debate among three directors over the accuracy of the ride-time figures and the impact of school reconfiguration on students.

The board rejected two motions allowing public comment on non-agenda items and adding construction discussion to the agenda, both supported only by two directors. It approved payment of the monthly bills for the period April 12-25, 2015, approved five extra work days for elementary librarians, and authorized the high school marching band's trip to Ohio's Bands of America Regional Competition at an estimated cost.

The most contentious item was a facilities lease with Special Education and Behavioral Connections, LLC, covering six Hyde Elementary classrooms for a parent-paid preschool program running July 1, 2015, through July 30, 2020. Two directors demanded more due diligence, questioning the company's location, financials, and the 20-year renewable provision. After a cease-and-desist request from the teachers' association was discussed, the board called the question and approved the lease, with only the two directors voting against.

The board approved personnel actions including maternity and childbearing leaves for two middle school teachers, two building-based substitutes at a daily rate, spring coaching and event management staff, substitutes, and winter coaching assignments. It affirmed elementary teacher restructuring assignments. A motion by a director to have the solicitor resign was denied. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.