Board of Education Meeting

The Moon Area Board of Education held its October 9, 2023, business meeting at 7:10 p.m., called to order by the president. Seven directors were present, with one director absent. Before the meeting, the board held an executive session on legal and personnel matters. The president read a statement addressing the gymnastics inquiry, denying accusations that board members pulled students from class for extended periods or wrote "urgent" on notes, and explaining that administration conducted the inquiry while two board members served as observers. The superintendent clarified that parental notification is not legally required and that an administrator, including the Athletic Director, was present at all meetings.

The board approved the September 11 minutes and October financial reports, and authorized payment of the monthly bills across four funds. It approved a 32-month electricity contract with Direct Energy Business starting May 2024, an agreement with CSI Corporate Security for investigative services, and a grant from Moe's Southwest Grill to buy books for the Battle of the Books. The board approved a student transportation agreement with Assist Services, corrected a typographical error in the Moon Education Association memorandum, set the picnic for June 17, 2024, and approved high school clubs for the year. It approved first and final reading of Policy No. 104 on discrimination and Title IX sexual harassment affecting staff.

The board approved a combined motion for field trips, including the Middle School Wind Ensemble to Erie, eighth-graders to Gettysburg and Hershey Park, and the Honors Choir to Washington, DC, along with a list of daily field trips. In personnel actions, it accepted the retirements of two employees, approved a new custodian, assistant nurse, and library assistant, and granted medical and sabbatical leaves. It approved extra pay, mentors, internal movements, substitutes, student teachers, coaches, and authorized the superintendent to fill cafeteria, custodial, and bus driver positions. Conferences were approved. Community members discussed the gymnastics interviews and the proposed closure of Hyde Elementary School, with the superintendent noting a feasibility study is underway and interviews for an architect are planned. The meeting adjourned at 9:54 p.m.