Virtual Special Board of Education Meeting

The Moon Area Board of Education held a virtual special meeting on July 27, 2020, at 6:20 p.m., presided by the president, with nine directors present and the solicitor in attendance. Prior to the meeting, the board met in executive session over personnel and legal matters. The session opened with board comments on the difficult decision of how to begin the 2020-2021 school year, with most directors citing health and safety as the priority and favoring starting the year virtually.

Members of the public, numbering roughly 778 to 800 on the Zoom call, questioned the district extensively. The superintendent addressed virtual learning preparations, including 1-to-1 devices, a new VDI server, Microsoft Teams, and Clever, and clarified that teachers would be present in classrooms teaching live. He confirmed breakfast and lunch would continue, that no property-tax relief would be offered because costs do not decrease meaningfully, and that IEP decisions would be made case by case by each student's team. Board members discussed fall athletics under PIAA and WPIAL guidance, mental health concerns, and the need for a defined re-evaluation plan.

The board voted on the return-to-school plan. A director moved to approve a plan for the 2020-2021 school year, subject to submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Another director amended the motion to specify a virtual plan. A second motion approved the virtual plan for the return to school. Both passed on a roll call vote, with all directors in favor except the president and another director, who voted against. The board adjourned at 12:55 a.m. on a voice vote. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 10.