May 20, 2014 2 min read

• Date: May 19

• Action: Heard from several parents regarding changes in the music program at the middle school. The changes take effect with the 2012-15 school year and were instituted when administrators saw a dip in test scores for core subjects such as English, math and science. Currently, students are pulled from the core instruction to attend music classes. Some music programs will be extracurricular activities.

• Approved a tentative agreement between the district and the union representing the cafeteria employees. The agreement will go back to the employees for a vote.

• Authorized the district’s solicitor to investigate the issuance of a $7 million bond to be combined with $6.3 million in the district’s reserve fund to pay for a multitude of projects needed in district buildings. The total cost of the proposed capital fund projects is estimated between $13 million and $16 million.

• Passed the tentative 2014-15 budget at $56,540,958, plus the tentative technology budget of $1,038,552, the tentative curriculum budget of $375,319, and the tentative capital projects budget of $6,747,550. The final budget will be adopted June 30.

• Accepted the retirement of Robert Freado, principal of the middle school, effective June 30, along with the resignation of David Clagett, a social studies teacher at the high school.

• Approved a variety of extra-duty personnel for the coming school year. However, Milton Barney’s name was deleted from the list as high school marching band director and as director of the high school marching band camp. Board member Jamison Hardy made the motion to delete Barney’s name, and when asked following the meeting why he requested the exclusion, Hardy declined to comment, citing personnel issues.

• Accepted donations of numerous technology items at Bower Hill, Pleasant Valley and McMurray elementary schools from the Peters Township PTA Area Council.

• Increased the high school athletics fee from $90 to $100 per sport, with a $250 maximum per year. The other fees remain the same for the upcoming school year.

• Authorized the administration to advertise for bids to replace the high school band uniforms.

• Authorized the administration to solicit proposals for district solicitor services.

• Announced the only regular board meeting in June will be held June 30, when the final budget and a possible tax increase will be approved.