Virtual Board of Education Meeting

The Moon Area Board of Education held its October 26, 2020 virtual workshop meeting, called to order by the president, with nine directors present and the superintendent leading. The board heard an ABM Solutions facilities update, with projects largely on or ahead of schedule, including completed window film, weatherproofing, HVAC refurbishment, boiler replacements, and new roofs at Hyde and Bon Meade, while chiller installation at Bon Meade is set for the Thanksgiving break. A staff member delivered a curriculum review covering student learning, process, demographic, and perceptual data, plus a new K-7 math series. The board also heard extensive COVID-19 protocol explanations, including 14-day quarantine rules and contact tracing.

The board approved the monthly bills for the period October 10 to October 22, 2020, and a progress payment to ABM Solutions. It approved the Allegheny Intermediate Unit Joint Purchasing Resolution for 2021-2022, plus Dollar General and Wipro literacy grants to the Hyde Library. Middle school clubs for 2020-2021 were approved, and eight policies received first-reading approval, including Membership, Meetings, Title I, Student Expression, Tobacco and Vaming Products, Suspension and Expulsion, and Professional Development.

On personnel, the board accepted the resignations of two employees, approved an employee as a long-term substitute 8th grade writing teacher, and approved mentors and inductees. It granted medical and family leaves of absence to five employees, and authorized the superintendent to fill vacant positions before the November 16 meeting. The board approved extra pay for bus monitors and activity sponsors across Allard, Bon Meade, Brooks, Hyde, McCormick, the middle school, and high school, and named winter coaches for basketball, wrestling, swimming, gymnastics, cheerleading, and hockey, contingent on reopening.

During public comment, residents raised concerns about face coverings, communication, senior activities, and virtual learning absences. The superintendent said a website dashboard is being considered and warned that four cases could push the district back to virtual instruction. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.