In the most recent committee meeting, Chief Facilities and Operations Officer Mark Stein, focused discussion on energy updates and the plans for summer projects. Stein said a mild winter helps reduce the district’s utility/energy use. Solar power has also helped reduce utility costs. Discussion regarding the purchase of electric school buses continued.

Summer construction projects are scheduled to begin Memorial Day week. Students will be accommodated by on-line schooling and end of the year school activities and trips. Projects planned are updating the HVAC system and roofing in specific designated schools.

Marie Bachman informed the committee that the IT firewall will be replaced this coming summer – the existing firewall is almost six years old.

Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jack Silva provided information to the board regarding the annual need to approve a standard agreement for the use of Stabler Arena for high school graduation services scheduled for 2023. The estimated rental fee is $12,730.25 for Liberty HS June 7, and $10,268.45 for Freedom HS June 8.

Silva also examined the new assessment and grading system that began in August 2022, BASD piloted a Multiple Grades Report Card in sixth and ninth grade science and social studies classes. Students in these grades will receive their first report card of this manner in February.

This alternative report card is aimed at improving communications about student achievement and learning goals with parents and students. In addition to the student’s achievement grade, there is a grade for responsibility and another grade for classroom engagement (these are referred to as Academic Support Factors). BASD’s goal is to provide a more accurate and comprehensive picture of what each student is accomplishing in school – and more specific focus on student needs and challenges.

Discussion focused on plans for the 2023-24 school year. BASD will launch the Multiple Grades Report Card with all students in grades 6-12 in all areas of study. Plans are for teachers to receive professional development to prepare them for this shift in reporting and assessment practices. A major focus will be supporting staff, students and parents in the shifts in reporting and assessment practices.

The Finance Committee provided information regarding the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 that requires the state agency every three years to conduct administrative reviews of schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

The objectives of the Administrative review are to determine that the School Food Authority meets program regulations, provide technical assistance, provide a Corrective Action Plan, if applicable, and assess fiscal action, if applicable, to recover improperly paid claims. The administrative review for Bethlehem Area School District took place from Nov. 1-3, 2022.

During this process, five schools (Donegan, Thomas Jefferson and Calypso elementary schools, Northeast MS and Freedom HS) were reviewed to ensure compliance. BASD received nine site corrective and five sponsor corrective action documents. All corrective actions are being treated as an opportunity to improve all sites, rather than just the five schools reviewed.

Lastly, Chief Human Resource and Compliance Officer Russell Giordano proposed an additional agreement for services for the purpose of moving to online employee benefits administration, as was discussed last month, for new hire onboarding, open enrollment, benefit changes through qualifying events, and additional voluntary benefits. By implementing and maintaining this system, there are particulars in the agreement which will significantly subsidize or completely eliminate any potential costs to the district. This new system will greatly streamline the identified aspects of employee benefits administration.

Committee meetings allow the board to gather information as well as tweak established projects and goals. Agenda items are prepared to be voted on at a future regular board meeting by the school directors.