Board of Education Meeting

The Moon Area Board of Education met March 9, 2020, called to order by the president, with seven directors present and one director absent. The board approved the February 10 and 24 minutes and the accompanying financial reports, approved the March bills across the General, Activity, Food Service, and Capital Reserve funds, and approved the 2020-2021 Allegheny Intermediate Unit Program of Services Budget with the district's estimated contribution. The board accepted a donation of Kindergarten Round-Up t-shirts from Clearview Credit Union.

On field trips, the board first tabled the full list of 2019-2020 daily field trips, then amended the agenda to re-add the item, amended it again, and finally approved only the first two daily trips—scheduled for March 12 and March 25, 2020—while tabling the remainder. The high school Speech and Debate trip to the national tournament and the German department trip to Germany were also tabled. Personnel actions approved by roll call included sabbatical leaves for a Grade 4 teacher and an art teacher, acceptance of a retirement, extra pay for an employee at two elementary art shows, a bus-monitor assignment for an employee, a spring track assistant coach, and three STA van drivers.

During public comment, residents raised questions about student laptops and whether field trips would be canceled over the coronavirus. The superintendent and the board cited CDC and WHO guidance and an "abundance of caution," noting the daily trips were tabled pending more information. The board also discussed its Bactronix building-sanitization program, with a district official explaining the ongoing treatment and added hand sanitizers. The president reported on winter and spring sports, including state-bound swimming and bowling, and announced the March 24 All-District concert. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.