At last Thursday's meeting the Quakertown Community School Board approved the request to proceed with the high school bleacher and track project. This item was discussed at previous board meetings and the cost was considered in the budget.

            D'Huy Engineering, Inc. evaluated the bid submission packages for compliance with the project specifications. In order to maintain the contract timelines set forth in the contract documents, and avoid supply chain issues, the engineering firm requested that the board review the project information at the January facilities and board meetings.

            The combined projects total $736,800, $2,400 under budget. "We have already allotted money to do this. It's already in our budget to do this. This is not an expenditure that wasn't planned for or already set aside money for," said board member Ronald Jackson.

            Degler-Whiting came in as the lowest bidder at $438,100 for the bleacher replacement. Miller Flooring was awarded the bid at $298,700 for the indoor track replacement.

            Another item approved was the 2023-2024 district calendar.

            The drafted calendar begins July 2023 with the first full day of school starting on Monday, August 28. It was decided that the last day of the school year will be on June 7, 2024 instead of Monday, June 10. In addition, emergency makeup days will be used in the order in which they occur in the calendar. If additional makeup days are needed, they will be added to the end of the school year.

            Regular holidays and winter break were included in the final draft.

            Under the human resource consent agenda, the board approved the new hire of psychologist Angela Lysek. She will be working at Strayer Elementary and the sixth-grade center.

            "Strayer has been without a full-time contracted psychologist for three years and it has been very difficult," Dr. Kevin Kelly, the district psychologist who works at the high school, informed the board. Kelly also explained that the district is in need of additional counselors and psychologists and that he appreciates any additional professional staff.  Currently, there are four psychologists working in the district.

            During public comment, Ryan Wieand, President of the Quakertown Community Education Association (QCEA), asked the board if, during the search for a new superintendent, all stakeholders would be included.

            "Hoping that QCEA members, QCEF (Quakertown Community Education Foundation), community members, and students will be involved in that process."

            Wayne Codner, mayor of Richlandtown Borough, expressed his concern about the poor turnout at the job fair held at the high school. "Seven people showed up. Very disappointing. I would like to find out by the next time I visit here, what you all have gone out to find that takes place for people not to come out to a job fair.

            "It was pretty much an automatic lock in for anyone that walked in the door. I am going to do that footwork myself. I think that is pretty disappointing," said Codner.