[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6687005,"mediaKeyId","2173722-e7c8277bcc98e6553f1a4fa1d13a386c","parentId",2173722,"title","Regional football schedule reshuffle puts Punxsutawney on tough slate; board seeks alternatives","audioSeconds",234,"startMs",1127000,"endMs",1361000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173722-e7c8277bcc98e6553f1a4fa1d13a386c&start=1127&end=1361","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173722-e7c8277bcc98e6553f1a4fa1d13a386c/thumbnail_1127000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6687005/Pennsylvania/Regional-football-schedule-reshuffle-puts-Punxsutawney-on-tough-slate-board-seeks-alternatives","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687005-69432a68bd980b238ef9a6f98027a804/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160669&Signature=aGJS6AnE6K~BZVs54Qu2iszehYazNpoZTXKUZsQiB~H5Arrqy2TxmAVEwcas~LZJRk2niW0EjKdS672he~bmvmJai64PB26wDlce8NjOiNkWkYYhUID51kFlUjgmmmDdPkSHBFz92KEz-Xv76ExdDjwpm6NhcjYWexAIUmtduB~UoyvTQ~zLsRxsr1Qu~K-5DbHL9wrfB~YlKfPB7blPW7taA5GaPTdgeD0iHKLbhvpESYDkWFghsrV17XIDXEwV3utehy4UoXL9hbnGtOJ81TfdKBv0w4bPLu0kNwi1FMBMvZCtbg5mqjx1xSm1lVCzgb0xzuZ8LjeBgang9I6MPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Punxsutawney Area School District","date","2025-01-03T06:25:23.027Z","article","The school’s athletic staff updated the board on a new District 9 football schedule for the upcoming season that places Punxsutawney in a one-year arrangement where the team would play DuBois and Karns City twice and would not face Brookville; athletic staff said the schedule was drafted by a committee of area athletic directors to protect the smallest programs in region 4.

The athletic director (who distributed the draft schedule) explained the regional committee created a one-year schedule to help smaller schools retain programs after several schools experienced low participation; Elk County had lost its football program last year, he said. Committee members rebalanced regions so the smallest programs have a better chance to keep playing, and the result left Punxsutawney to play DuBois and Karns City twice in the coming cycle. The athletic director said the district was not represented on the scheduling committee last cycle but now has representation and will pursue potential changes; he described efforts to find replacement opponents or to swap games but said scheduling constraints (two-year cycles and regional alignment) make changes difficult.

Board members acknowledged the likely negative reaction from fans to playing the same opponents twice, especially in rivalry games, and raised the possibility of direct outreach to Brookville and other schools or to school board counterparts to explore scheduling swaps. The athletic director said he will continue to search for alternate opponents to reduce repeat matchups and will report back to the board; no vote or formal board action occurred.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Punxsutawney School Board Committee Meeting, January 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Athletic staff reviewed a new District 9 schedule that pairs Punxsutawney with DuBois and Karns City twice in 2025; athletic director said the district had little influence over the one-year schedule intended to preserve smaller programs and will continue searching for alternate opponents.","taxTitle","Punxsutawney Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",70120,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6687010,"District posts flexible-instruction-day resources; board reviews how families will access remote assignments",119,3657000,3776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173722-e7c8277bcc98e6553f1a4fa1d13a386c&start=3657&end=3776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173722-e7c8277bcc98e6553f1a4fa1d13a386c/thumbnail_3657000.jpg","/articles/6687010/Pennsylvania/District-posts-flexible-instruction-day-resources-board-reviews-how-families-will-access-remote-assignments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687010-5d3ee08ea0e94ba7dc3c5f597fdc6d87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160669&Signature=S2~zlAD3KGUtM8U9FCbv0lm6z310Wbvw8~1CMNAdJDm9rtpONbGDYU5i~khckOUPwrCIc0DGTmU5hEUtiSRmMh8hHVaY9KSy5h1kA7hvX3f309IrfP~uMcooRkgHCf6jSLCWUMcQ6AcM7LVrAZ7CxLUaW0b6JM5IvvbpgfWX--w0Q1DWr~wDBVwwp1nWBEgBHRr1-AJXVQ7UBgb7MZ6H5OgVHw~2t5fryWZ7KS2d9i1N6nX~cPprJ0xXx3URyYOzi4Nc9y8IzGun-GrhkQ8-2GSg787QggHm39ljE4wpT--ZInnH4Vktzbpe9cr6pTqVbXRZVmjLsgeiyZgxsDyB5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff presented a new web-based workflow and communications plan for flexible instruction days (FIDs), showing where parents and students will find assignments and how the district will notify families if FIDs are activated.

Staff members said they created landing pages accessible from the district homepage and from elementary and high-school pages. For grades 7–12 the district will use Canvas as the learning-management system for FID assignments; screenshots and sample teacher landing pages were shown. For elementary students the district built a simplified, mobile-friendly pathway: parents can access grade-specific packets online and submit completed work without requiring student logins to Clever or Google, which staff said should reduce barriers for families without home devices. Staff reported they had sent texts and social-media notices to raise awareness before the winter season and will again post front-and-center announcements when a FID is declared.

District staff clarified policy timing: the FID approach is triggered by the third snow day in a season; the district allows up to five flexible instruction days. The communications plan includes text alerts, website banners and social posts; staff said they would keep the FID guidance featured in the \"Latest News\" section and would add an FAQ page. Board members asked staff to track participation and absenteeism during FIDs; staff said principals and teachers will collect completion data and that staff can bring a summary to the board after initial use of the protocol.","District staff showed a new flexible-instruction-day web landing page and explained how elementary and secondary students will access assignments, how parents can complete elementary packet work without logging in, and that FIDs take effect on the district's third snow day.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6687013,"Food service director outlines menu rules, upcoming sugar and sodium limits and constraints from commodity procurement",11,3071000,3082000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173722-e7c8277bcc98e6553f1a4fa1d13a386c&start=3071&end=3082","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173722-e7c8277bcc98e6553f1a4fa1d13a386c/thumbnail_3071000.jpg","/articles/6687013/Pennsylvania/Food-service-director-outlines-menu-rules-upcoming-sugar-and-sodium-limits-and-constraints-from-commodity-procurement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687013-0e3840276b508dec2e78ca8e487326f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160669&Signature=lU7KVi8yK8T7SVZNsk7oHgtgoLY4BKyMuz4KWDjF64RM73MlEMNMh84cF13hIfoHEBI0W0kpNynQCQpS95SUsjp4XS-cfba97ukeTivNjeK3Tb4iuY437WZSv4XOPkZg9QIVeAmXqUcPE4dlXASDiPQbPEhVe4sIQz1-rTC4uMtzvyW1h6q3YSCjNi2ySrp1Q3T0ebVkDrXX9RNOeY2jzw10VIN4nuLMFWxa-NRkeJu5c4HpoxA0ByMLQ~j6QK2LarmDow7mxAPinDoFonVtiTAz7rLTuHhNqbTQufPdsPg~ySGq9VbC9U~LnK37rftPfEekQJUF7U3Sa4BEuUqCrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Punxsutawney Area School District’s food service director presented a detailed briefing on federal school-meal regulations, current menus, commodity-processing constraints, and forthcoming limits on added sugars and sodium that will affect menu planning.

The director (identified in the meeting as Lindsay) explained breakfast and lunch meal-pattern requirements under the National School Lunch Program: schools must meet component- and weekly-serving minimums (grains, fruits, vegetables, milk, and meat/meat alternates at lunch) and satisfy nutrition targets for calories, sodium and saturated fat. She noted some counterintuitive rules — for example, 100% fruit juice counts toward fruit servings — and said menu planning is done starting in January to incorporate commodity allocations received in February.

Lindsay described product sourcing constraints: many K-12 items are produced specifically for school food service and come through state procurement and commodity-processing channels. That limits access to some fresh or raw items; for example, bulk raw ground beef and other raw commodities can be unpredictable in supply so the district often works with precooked or processed commodity items. She said the district’s menu-planning software (PremierEdge) performs nutrient analysis and that updated federal rules will require reporting added sugars and will impose product-based limits (e.g., cereal added-sugar limits) starting next year, with a subsequent year-over-year requirement that added sugars not exceed 10% of weekly calories for breakfast and lunch combined.

Board members raised practical questions and policy preferences. Several members advocated for higher-protein breakfast options (egg sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches) and for sliced apple wedges or pre-wedged oranges to aid younger students; the director said such changes are feasible but would require operational planning (staffing, equipment, line throughput) and commodity budgeting. The director said the elementary program serves several hundred breakfasts per day (she cited an October average of about 557 elementary breakfasts) and that switching to more hot or prepared protein items could slow service or require additional staffing and equipment. She said some items that appear similar to retail products (Pop-Tarts, cereals) are manufactured in school-specific formulations with reduced sugar compared with retail versions and that some items popular with students are not the highest-sugar or highest-calorie products available on the consumer market.

The director confirmed the cafeteria generates modest positive food-cost margins after federal reimbursement when measured against food cost alone, but she did not provide a full food-plus-labor per-meal cost at the meeting. Board members asked the director to continue exploring protein-forward breakfasts and to report back with operational plans, costs and potential effects on participation.","The district’s food service director reviewed federal meal-pattern rules, commodity procurement limits, current breakfast and lunch menus and pending added-sugar and sodium restrictions that will affect future menu planning and operations; board members urged exploring higher-protein breakfast options despite logistical constraints.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6687016,"Contractor TCT briefs board on bus accidents, driver monitoring and camera program",692,1722000,2414000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173722-e7c8277bcc98e6553f1a4fa1d13a386c&start=1722&end=2414","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173722-e7c8277bcc98e6553f1a4fa1d13a386c/thumbnail_1722000.jpg","/articles/6687016/Pennsylvania/Contractor-TCT-briefs-board-on-bus-accidents-driver-monitoring-and-camera-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687016-a2397b48f2535a98606178d0ef928f65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160669&Signature=iF2BEG29FOGCcuF~SjDDNMYabixQ46OwT0znLAAzH8lyKwlBhdeRJO~baKM0Kh5RFV~O44t187-Yi9erJudi2Dy0Ju9AehzsrHj0ByprobGzDw6l32TwJo~YXrgbcTUf-5PZl66tK7~74EJxdtazqAH9O97ghU~TTJVLVPfY9-1vixQluOXoaBiqODE0B-zvWhV6MQPM80zZw1zrCMpOqQqQHAehrK49S8TmK5KEk6w-gj1~502EXBcDDRuvRHH9YyKaFD8jDgJPOlIgIH1XmQW3s3E963QD1lOHYM3PHlfZdoX5EDM1mm5PdP72JvysEIiMb68Vzjn8~sq~-R1ZCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of Tri-County Transportation (TCT), the district’s contracted transportation provider, briefed the school board on accident statistics, safety training and the vendor-supplied driver-monitoring system designed to reduce at-fault incidents.

Amanda Horvath (director of operations for TCT) and other TCT staff described the company’s safety program, including monthly safety meetings for drivers, daily safety messages, and a telematics/AI platform TCT called Lytx that monitors driving behaviors (speeding, hard braking, distracted driving) and generates driver coaching scores. TCT staff said the system issues in-cab alerts and creates a record for progressive coaching; they described a company-wide threshold process that has been lowered over time (earlier threshold 100, then 75; currently 50 with a plan to reduce to 25) to tighten standards and prompt more coaching and retraining.

TCT presented a three-year accident list that it supplied to the board. Board members asked whether accidents were concentrated among repeat drivers; TCT said only three drivers had two accidents each over the three-year span and two of those drivers remain employed. A board member observed that recorded at-fault accidents rose slightly from 11 in 2023 to 12 in 2024, while non-at-fault incidents were roughly steady (8 in 2022, 8 in 2023, 7 in 2024). TCT emphasized that a large share of incidents are collisions with deer and said it instructs drivers to avoid risky swerves that could injure passengers.

TCT outlined how Lytx footage and telematics are used after incidents: the company reviews video with drivers, uses the footage for coaching or retraining, and monitors repeat infractions. An official described the practical challenge of interior hard-drive cameras on buses: temperature and vibration can cause failures; TCT said they inspect cameras during service and will upgrade camera systems as the fleet is replaced (contract requires updated camera tech as 50% of fleet is renewed). TCT staff said every district vehicle is equipped with a camera and the driver’s coaching score “follows” the driver if they switch vehicles.

Board members asked for annual reporting. The board’s representative said the district should receive a yearly summary of accidents and safety metrics; TCT agreed to provide periodic updates and said it typically attends two board meetings annually to review safety information. No disciplinary or contract action was proposed at the meeting.","Tri-County Transportation (TCT), the district's contractor, presented multi-year accident data, explained use of Lytx in-cab monitoring and a driver coaching score, and described camera reliability, training, and monthly safety meetings; the board requested annual reporting.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6687018,"Punxsutawney students seek pool upgrades as board considers bid specifications and costs",901,184000,1085000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173722-e7c8277bcc98e6553f1a4fa1d13a386c&start=184&end=1085","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173722-e7c8277bcc98e6553f1a4fa1d13a386c/thumbnail_184000.jpg","/articles/6687018/Pennsylvania/Punxsutawney-students-seek-pool-upgrades-as-board-considers-bid-specifications-and-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687018-3435d19fb37b5fef3d64b386b0b75f36/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160669&Signature=d~g9-bLr2f-C4HSaH0T7UvcEMzF1zgoeOpzKITD22yDuBBLre-n3TGHHIH10TZToU-Mp-R7~PZum5R4pjVUepZNsETent~ygRE1vcyVtYvsow4er0~2dHodOKitPiVMVJSGip7BVy~jl-nLY2uSknroziXc2OWcgrV~7ELb8csjqGH2us2p0mmj0VAZDvexMDJwtg4NONPGYlmUchT0Hfi7S9v3cyM-5D48gA0pAtVeuNJO7Wh4xTEEeE4I9q4ctiR3dVyeMrYIPdBlvW8mrxIfgiNPL~fXfjUQRfwYmHlRmKNqHZxsI5BP4wIiYVX8IR2-5dAkWmnd9cMMH4JmEWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Students and coaches from the Punxsutawney Area School District told the school board they want new starting blocks, an electronic timing system and a scoreboard to support growing swim teams, and the board debated whether to accept detailed, higher-cost bid specifications prepared by engineering firm HHSDR or to seek lower-cost alternatives.

Coach Zach Kane and several student athletes summarized current needs and offered cost estimates. \"We currently have 15 girls,\" girls team captain Miley said, adding that the team’s bonding and competitiveness have grown since the program began. Kane described equipment options he had researched: newer starting blocks that he estimated at about $5,000 each, a touch-pad timing system with computer interface he said typically costs $17,000–$18,000, and an electronic scoreboard he reported a vendor quoted at about $16,000. Kane also noted lane lines are roughly 23 years old and suggested the district could borrow or rent equipment temporarily; he named Eric Neil, the CEO of a local YMCA, as a contact who has offered assistance.

Board members acknowledged the value of the swim program but pressed on cost and scope. One board member said HHSDR’s bid specifications represented a \"Cadillac\" solution and suggested staff investigate lower-cost installations that expose conduit above-ground or reuse stored starting blocks. Board members asked staff to confirm whether starting blocks already in district storage are structurally sound; a staff member said the stored platforms appear rusted after \"20 some years\" and would require further inspection. The board also raised a safety concern: some existing blocks had been designed for shallow-water placement and the HHSDR design places new blocks at the deep end to allow diving.

The board noted a currently proposed option in the engineering materials is priced at about $200,000, but multiple members said they would prefer to evaluate less expensive alternatives and review the item during budget season. One member asked whether HHSDR could provide an alternate set of bid specifications that reflect the coach’s less-expensive approach; staff agreed to ask HHSDR whether they could provide pricing for both the HHSDR design and the lower-cost conduit-above approach. The board did not take a final vote during the meeting; the pool renovation item was scheduled to return for action or further tabling at the board’s next meeting on Tuesday.

Board and staff next steps include: (1) have staff ask HHSDR for comparative bid specifications and cost estimates for both the current HHSDR design and an alternate, lower-cost approach; (2) inspect starting blocks in district storage and report on condition and safety; and (3) include the item in upcoming budget discussions so the board can weigh capital priorities. No formal procurement decision or contract award was made at the meeting.","Students and coaches presented equipment needs for the district pool — starting blocks, timing system and scoreboard — while the board discussed bid specifications prepared by engineering firm HHSDR and whether to pursue lower-cost options; the pool renovation item returns for possible action Tuesday.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Regional football schedule reshuffle puts Punxsutawney on tough slate; board seeks alternatives

District posts flexible-instruction-day resources; board reviews how families will access remote assignments

Food service director outlines menu rules, upcoming sugar and sodium limits and constraints from commodity procurement

Contractor TCT briefs board on bus accidents, driver monitoring and camera program

Punxsutawney students seek pool upgrades as board considers bid specifications and costs