The Bethlehem Area School District Finance committee was privy to a presentation from Bob Steckel Ed.D., chief operating officer at Digital Scoreboards LLC, Feb. 10 regarding new digital scoreboards for Liberty and Freedom high schools. The current scoreboards are very outdated, and the new version would be state of the art. The new digital boards would include full video, split screen, instant replay, and would be controlled by an iPad. The scoreboard would also support sponsorship programs and multimedia exposure.

The BASD child care program, available before and after school in all 16 elementary schools, was reviewed. Childcare is provided by the district but paid for by each child’s family. The program has been in existence for over 30 years, and meets DHS requirements and has structured activities. There is also a summer program.

The last cost adjustment for BASD child care was in 2022, and the 2025-26 adjustment would basically be a $25 increase. BASD does not profit monetarily from this program and sees it as a service to families in the district. There is still a waiting list of students wanting to be part of this program. The committee brainstormed ways to keep quality staff, possibly utilizing grants for teaching interns.

The Human Resource committee started discussion with the proposal for an Artificial Intelligence policy #815.3 for the district. The base policy has been suggested by the PSBA group, it was then modified by Mark James and Marie Bachman to fit BASD. Board Directors Dr. Kim Shively and Dr. Karen Beck-Pooley both expressed reservations regarding ethical integrity and resource documentation. Dr. Silagh White expressed concerns regarding how AI is being projected and consumed. All expressed concerns regarding critical analysis of information and referencing of information. There will be more discussion on this topic.