October 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM - Board of School Directors
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1. Opening Items
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1.1. Call to Order
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1.2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
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1.3. Roll Call
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1.4. Announcement of Executive Session
Speaker(s):
Mr. Guizar
Description:
The Board of School Directors will meet in Executive Session prior to tonight's meeting at 6:45 PM to discuss legal matters.
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1.5. Approval of Agenda
Recommended Motion(s):
It is recommended that the agenda for the October 6, 2026, Board Meeting be approved as presented.
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1.6. Student Board Representatives
Speaker(s):
Brooklyn Garman and Emma Ranio
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2. Comments from the Public
Description:
The Board recognizes the value to school governance of public comment on educational issues and the importance of involving members of the public in Board meetings. The Board also recognizes its responsibility for proper governance of the district and the need to conduct its business in an orderly and efficient manner.
The Board requires that public participants be residents or taxpayers of this district or anyone having registered a legitimate interest in a contemplated action of the Board; anyone representing a group in the community or school district; any representative of a firm eligible to bid on materials or services solicited by the Board; any district employee; or any district student. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to five (5) minutes duration. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic, unless all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer; no participant may address or question Board members individually. From Board Policy 903 - Public Participation in Board Meetings |
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3. Presentations/Discussions
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3.1. Negotiations Update
Speaker(s):
Mr. Guizar
Attachments:
()
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4. Approval of Minutes
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4.1. Approval of Minutes from the September 15, 2026 Meeting
Recommended Motion(s):
It is recommended to approve the minutes from the September 15, 2026 Board of School Directors meeting.
Attachments:
()
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4.2. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes for September 22, 2026
Recommended Motion(s):
It is recommended to approve the minutes from the September 22, 2026 Board of School Directors meeting.
Attachments:
()
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5. Reports
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5.1. Central Intermediate Unit #10
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Barnhart
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5.3. Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Weaver
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5.4. Director of Curriculum and Instruction's Report
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Wynkoop
Attachments:
()
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6. Consent Agenda
Recommended Motion(s):
It is recommended that the Board of Directors approve the items listed under the Consent Agenda as presented.
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6.1. Personnel
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6.1.1. Retirements/Resignations
Attachments:
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6.1.2. New Hires
Attachments:
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6.1.3. Extra Duty/Extra Pay
Attachments:
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6.1.4. Leave Requests
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6.1.4.a. Uncompensated Leave
Attachments:
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6.1.5. Approval of Mentor Teachers
Description:
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6.1.6. Volunteers
Description:
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6.1.7. Salary Column Changes
Description:
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6.1.8. Substitute Positions and Rates
Attachments:
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6.1.9. Compensatory Pay
Description:
Compensatory pay at the rate of $12 per hour, per Article 20, Section B of the Professional Staff Agreement, for supervision of BE TV outside the daily time requirement during the 2026-27 school year at the Bellefonte Elementary School, for the following staff: Lauren Whitman, Rebecca Leitzell, and Michele Litten.
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6.2. Approval of Tenure
Description:
The administration recommends the Board of School Directors approve tenure for the following professional employees who have successfully completed three (3) years of satisfactory service with the Bellefonte Area School District, in accordance with the Pennsylvania Public School Code:
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6.3. Educational and School Activities
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6.3.1. Approval of Salvage Items - Athletics (Swimming)
Speaker(s):
Dr. Besch
Description:
A request from the Athletic Director to salvage the following unused swimming equipment that is no longer needed by the team, as most athletes purchase their own gear:
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6.3.2. Approval of International Trips (Summer 2028) — Belize & Paris to the Pyrenees
Description:
A request for the Board to approve two international student trips scheduled for the summer of 2028:
Attachments:
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7. Action Items
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7.1. Authorization of the retention of counsel for litigation against META Platforms, Inc., et al
Speaker(s):
Dr. Rakszawski
Description:
For the purpose of claiming money damages related to School District costs and expenses related to the use of social media platforms by students.
Recommended Motion(s):
It is recommended to approve the authorization of the retention of counsel for litigation against META Platforms, Inc., et al with Levin Sedran & Berman and Robert Peirce & Associates with Beard Legal Group PC as co-counsel.
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7.2. Change Order #3 - Temporary Digital Sign
Speaker(s):
Mr. Bean
Description:
A request to approve Change Order #3 for the rental and monitoring of a temporary digital sign (Wanco full-size three-line message board) from HRI for 34 days.
Recommended Motion(s):
It is recommended to approve Change Order #3 in the amount of $3,544.50.
Attachments:
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7.3. Facility Use Request — Bellefonte Police Department Training at Benner Elementary
Speaker(s):
Officer Hanlon
Description:
Request from Chief Witmer of the Bellefonte Police Department to use Benner Elementary School on November 9, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM for readiness maneuvers training. The training will include participation from the SERT team, drone operations, and the county TRT team.
Recommended Motion(s):
It is recommended to approve the facility use request from the Bellefonte Police Department to use Benner Elementary on November 9, 2026, as presented.
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7.4. Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with BAEA (Remote Work)
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Long
Description:
The administration recommends the approval of the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Bellefonte Area School District and the Bellefonte Area Education Association (BAEA). This MOU establishes a temporary, intermittent remote work arrangement for a district employee for the first semester of the 2026-2027 school year.
Recommended Motion(s):
It is recommended to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Bellefonte Area School District and the Bellefonte Area Education Association regarding a remote work arrangement, as presented.
Attachments:
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7.5. Transportation
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7.5.1. Field Trip(s) Greater Than 50 Miles
Description:
Recommended Motion(s):
It is recommended to approve the field trips greater than 50 miles as presented.
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7.6. Contingency Plan for CPI Transportation During a Strike
Speaker(s):
Dr. Rakszawski
Description:
In the event of a strike resulting in the closure of Bellefonte Area School District schools, the district is committed to providing transportation for eligible students attending out-of-district placements that remain in regular session. This statutory requirement includes students attending the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (CPI), as well as those attending charter and nonpublic schools. This item is to review and authorize the projected cost of $2,875 per day to continue busing routes for our CPI, charter, and nonpublic school students for the duration of any strike.
Recommended Motion(s):
It is recommended to approve the contingency transportation plan for CPI, charter, and nonpublic school students in the event of a work stoppage, as presented at a projected cost of $2,875 per day.
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7.7. Contingency Plan for Extracurricular and Athletic Busing During a Strike
Speaker(s):
Dr. Rakszawski
Description:
In the event of a work stoppage or strike, certain athletics and extracurricular activities may continue to operate, provided that coaches, advisors, and required staff agree to fulfill their supplemental duties. For those activities that do continue, the district is committed to ensuring safe and reliable transportation to practices, away games, competitions, and scheduled events. This item is to review and authorize the necessary transportation logistics, busing contracts, and funding to support participating students in continuing athletic and extracurricular programs during the duration of any strike.
Recommended Motion(s):
It is recommended to approve the contingency transportation plan for continuing athletics and extracurricular activities in the event of a district work stoppage to the extent that coaches and directors are willing, as presented.
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7.8. Contingency Authorization for Superintendent During a Strike
Speaker(s):
Dr. Rakszawski
Description:
In the event of a teacher strike, time-sensitive operational, safety, and administrative decisions must often be made quickly. This agenda item officially authorizes the Superintendent to take the necessary day-to-day actions to manage district facilities, ensure safety, and address logistical challenges for the duration of the strike. For any decisions or actions that legally require a vote or formal Board approval, the Superintendent is directed to consult with the Board President to determine the appropriate course of action, which may include calling a special meeting of the Board.
Recommended Motion(s):
It is recommended to authorize the Superintendent to make time-sensitive decisions during a strike that would normally require Board action, in consultation with the Board President.
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7.9. Memorandum of Agreement between BASD and BESPA to resolve Grievance #2026-207-002
Speaker(s):
Dr. Rakszawski
Recommended Motion(s):
It is recommended to approve the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Bellefonte Area School District and the Bellefonte Educational Support Personnel Association (BESPA) to resolve Grievance #2026-207-002, as presented.
Attachments:
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8. Donations
Speaker(s):
Mr. Guizar
Description:
Recommended Motion(s):
It is recommended that the Board of School Directors accept the donations as presented, with sincere appreciation and gratitude to the donors.
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9. Items for Future Discussion
Description:
This section of the agenda is related to items Board Members may wish to bring up at a future meeting.
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10. Executive Session
Description:
Student Matter
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11. Adjournment
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11.1. Meeting Adjournment
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommend to approve the meeting be adjourned.
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