The Bethlehem Area School District school board heard an updated gifted policy, tentative academic and board calendars, and data on the student population at the HR committee meeting on Feb. 10.

Chief Pupil Services Officer Claire Hogan gave the first reading of the new gifted policy, which is being aligned with state law. The new policy defines gifted students as having “outstanding intellectual and creative ability, the development of which requires specially designed programs and support services, or both, not ordinarily provided in the regular education classroom.” The current BASD gifted criterion is an IQ of 130 or above; as Hogan noted at the meeting, state guidelines allow the district to include students testing just below 130, with particularly outstanding aptitude in one or more subject areas.

The tentative academic calendar for 2020–21, which will be voted on at the Feb. 24 board meeting, starts with new teacher orientation on Aug. 24. Students’ first day of class will be Aug. 31 - later than most years, because Labor Day falls late - and the last day of instruction will be June 11, 2021. Board president Mike Faccinetto asked about the three “Act 80” half-days, which will include a half-day of instruction followed by a half-day of professional development. (Pa. Act 80 of 1969 allows for exceptions to the typical school day in instances warranted by a “meritorious educational program.”) Faccinetto noted that arranging a half-day of childcare is challenging for many families; however, both the superintendent and the assistant superintendent noted that by using Act 80 days rather than instructional days, the district does not have to provide substitutes for teachers receiving training.

Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy suggested the board consider modifying its meeting schedule, given that all four committees (curriculum, facilities, finance, and HR) do not always have enough material for a full meeting. The group discussed the possibility of having committee meetings twice a month as a “committee of the whole,” with curriculum, facilities, finance, and HR being allotted portions of the agenda. In August, December, and January, when there are fewer agenda items overall, a new calendar may include only one committee meeting night (in addition to the regular board meeting).

Chief Human Resources Officer Russ Giordano gave an update on strategic initiatives, including fraudulent residency investigations, student teaching assignments, and substitute teacher hiring. This year, BASD referred 38 families (66 students) to its investigator for fraudulent residency; all but four cases have been resolved, either by the students providing appropriate residency documentation or by enrolling in their home district. Student teaching continues to be a great opportunity to scout new talent, Dr. Roy noted; there are 82 student teachers from nine colleges currently at work in BASD. The district is doing “fairly well” with respect to substitute “fill rates” this year, Giordano said; only on two days has the rate been below 70 percent. Fifteen new substitutes were hired at a Jan. recruiting event, with a couple of dozen more still filling out paperwork. Giordano is optimistic that 10 additional hires will be made by the end of the academic year.

At the finance committee meeting, the board reviewed items for the Feb. 24 meeting, including a private transportation contract for a district student placed at Easton Area HS, participation in Northampton County roadway salt purchasing, the rejection of bids for landscape maintenance, and internet service expenses. Chief Financial Officer Stacy Gober explained that BASD received only two bids for district-wide landscaping service, that the bids were disparate, and that the district’s solicitor advised the board to reject them, as determining the fair price was too difficult. Chief Facilities Officer Mark Stein indicated that he will adjust the specifications, likely by breaking the bid request into different components (one or more services, or one or more schools, grouped together) and begin a new bidding process.