Scranton board approves cooperative purchasing, content‑filter contract, change orders and several settlements

At its Feb. 5 meeting the Scranton School District board approved a series of budgetary and vendor items including cooperative purchasing participation, contract awards, construction change orders, and legal settlements.

Finance staff explained that Pennsylvania procurement law (Title 62, Chapter 19) permits cooperative purchasing among local public procurement units, and the board voted to approve the district’s participation in such joint purchasing agreements. The board also approved a three‑year contract for a Block C content filter and a teacher dashboard with a financial impact of $117,757.25.

Capital items included approval of a $39,552.63 change order (GCC0006) for HVAC renovations at Veil Armstrong Elementary to cover unforeseen scope and a $29,713.20 change order (GCCO003) for tile repair in the West Scranton Intermediate School natatorium; both motions passed by narrow margins (5–4 reported in the transcript).

The board approved use of district resources for distribution of donated bicycles from the All About the Kids program; the financial impact was reported at $924.36 and the board discussed a miscommunication that required last‑minute transport to avoid losing the donation. Board members thanked community volunteers and vendors who assisted.

Legal counsel summarized tax assessment appeal settlements negotiated through the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas; several parcel assessments were reduced under terms described in the packet, with the board approving the settlements (vote recorded as 6 affirmative, 3 negative). The board also approved a vendor addendum (Addendum No. 1) to the student transportation contract with Pete's Garage with no financial impact to the district as presented.

Several personnel and settlement items were approved as part of personnel and special‑education agendas, including an employee settlement (employee #607) and H5 special‑education settlements; those motions were approved by roll calls recorded in the meeting transcript.