[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6120949,"mediaKeyId","2705050-08c8f30f6a66360fe8eb3d9f7f01125b","parentId",2705050,"title","Board passes consent agenda items, contracts and budget actions; camera system proposal clears first vote","audioSeconds",3558,"startMs",1662000,"endMs",5220000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2705050-08c8f30f6a66360fe8eb3d9f7f01125b&start=1662&end=5220","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2705050-08c8f30f6a66360fe8eb3d9f7f01125b/thumbnail_1662000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6120949/Pennsylvania/Board-passes-consent-agenda-items-contracts-and-budget-actions-camera-system-proposal-clears-first-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120949-48c558157ba3de6f00fdc3e92720c9b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163579&Signature=AV6ZmjtsoL4uryLsrXNmmK70TTUy7E0FW3U41fIQQxxik~f0F1ANKWgJMCsq4vnG1lMc9M~D93wX9Bo3X4v5OpEE86J7sVFT-aewsqmejrApTt9Zg8p6z9gs-TLB4YQd4DKc2pnX~cCoKzjwD0lT7cf0TenCimXmB192GKk1aYVbyzCF6gMl14T04HfSFBpgdSxrXbhET5OiNh3wcs11xl0z5D8QWdUWdmP9~ToDpo1wjMa-vaG09zw60eXa~yLiagKIYzY3f6aojUU2d3o2Kd63QE-27royao7X9tIbMSykwrw4w~kyycQaoRaYTx-44TjTBuzE~IHR3xiZMPbO5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Scranton School District","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Scranton School District Board of Directors approved a slate of consent, budgetary and operational items at its March meeting, including bill payments and payroll, budget transfers, lease and repair authorizations, construction contracts and personnel actions.

Key outcomes at a glance

- Agenda and minutes: The board approved an amended agenda and approved previous meeting minutes (approval of minutes recorded as passed by roll call; tally noted in meeting record).

- Finance and payroll: The board approved a bill list showing $759,084.38 in payments (tally recorded; one abstention on a payment due to a disclosed lease relationship) and approved the payroll and exception bill lists covering payroll runs and other items with total amounts reported in the board packet (meeting roll calls recorded; tally recorded on the payroll item).

- Budget transfers: The board approved budget transfer requests, including an amended Scranton High School transfer increased from $15,750 to $25,500 to cover scoreboard replacement costs; the overall motion was recorded as passed and the administration will update attachments accordingly.

- Leases and repairs: The board authorized a lease for a rental chiller with Scranton Electric Heating and Cooling Services ($9,550 per month for eight months; $76,400) with a demobilization cap; approval was subject to administrative review.

- Site investigations and rebids: The board authorized CHA to proceed with a geotechnical investigation and design for slab repairs at Neil Armstrong Elementary not to exceed $20,000 and voted to reject and rebid a floor-installation contract at West Scranton Intermediate School due to insufficient competitive bids.

- Construction and security contracts: The board awarded a contract for West Scranton High stairwell fire doors (recommended award $289,000) and authorized the district to proceed with Ricotta phase 2 camera installation to Harris Technology Services; administrators provided a first-shift cost estimate of $3,188,312.13 with an alternative second-shift cost of approximately $3.0 million. Board members asked administrators to confirm whether previously approved intercom licenses and new intercom licenses on the camera proposal overlapped and requested a memo clarifying licensing across projects.

- Personnel and settlements: The personnel report and an employee workers' compensation settlement were approved (all hires contingent on background checks and clearances).

Many motions passed by roll call with recorded tallies in the meeting transcript; a selection of tallies and outcomes is listed below for reference. Where the meeting transcript did not record a named mover or seconder, the minutes show the motion was seconded and a roll call followed.

Votes (selected, tallies as recorded in meeting roll calls)

- Approval of prior minutes (9/09/24, 10/7/24, 11/4/24): motion passed (roll call: 8 yes, 1 no).
- Bill payments ($759,084.38): motion passed (roll-call tally recorded in transcript: 6 yes, 2 no, 1 abstention).
- Payroll/exception bill lists (total amounts reported in packet): motion passed (tally recorded: 7 yes, 1 no, 1 abstention).
- Budget transfers (amended Scranton High attachment): motion passed (9 yes, 0 no).
- Rental chiller lease authorization (total not-to-exceed $83,900 including demobilization): motion passed (9 yes, 0 no).
- CHA geotechnical study for Neil Armstrong (not to exceed $20,000): motion passed (9 yes, 0 no).
- Reject and rebid West Scranton Intermediate floor installation: motion passed (9 yes, 0 no).
- Award West Scranton High stairwell fire doors ($289,000): motion passed (9 yes, 0 no).
- Ricotta phase 2 camera installation (first-shift cost $3,188,312.13): motion passed (8 yes, 0 no; board requested follow-up on intercom license counts and the option to move cameras if facilities are reconfigured).
- Personnel report: motion passed (8 yes, 0 no; one director absent for parts of the meeting).
- Employee workers' compensation settlement: motion passed (8 yes, 0 no).

What happens next

Administrators will update attachments and documentation for budget transfers and circulate memos summarizing next steps. The solicitor and administration will provide a memo clarifying intercom licensing and whether previously approved construction work included intercom hardware or licenses so the board can reconcile differences before authorizing additional licenses or hardware purchases. Several items approved at this meeting require contract execution and administrative review before work begins.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-03-03 Scranton SD Committee Meeting & Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its March meeting the Scranton School District Board approved a range of routine and capital items including bill payments and payroll, budget transfers, lease and repair authorizations, several construction and security contracts and personnel actions; the board directed staff on next steps for several items.","taxTitle","Scranton SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",78422,"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},6120954,"Solicitor advises against broad Project Labor Agreement; board to consider responsible-contractor policy",432,1038000,1470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2705050-08c8f30f6a66360fe8eb3d9f7f01125b&start=1038&end=1470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2705050-08c8f30f6a66360fe8eb3d9f7f01125b/thumbnail_1038000.jpg","/articles/6120954/Pennsylvania/Solicitor-advises-against-broad-Project-Labor-Agreement-board-to-consider-responsible-contractor-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120954-c1867fc1a5a3004eff3360998c226cb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163580&Signature=bq~bMhKKUmkzWxlSLHjgyEA5mm-KHto2mj7E2ll12BRytiHm-on0x4m99hnXdERB8gHNjK1Qj~dWuwylwcKg2aPLF59MhVRiCddug16jlTREhfsOJg3YiYbj3ZOb0S~olSaL-002HEFMBYtkvBgQyrA58lD8~1rSUMzGdz5DiabRHpBuXOpL0kX-zq1UuBtkpmhqbmjrYrrIlHPsUBp6VHCYpx4HBS-AO6cSbJF0GOjhTGtSr6Ruz8DpWNLOECNSjhdfKyCT3yQapGoRN35BiNr2Ju8VqRSMMmIQlYG1QDYlW5FOHxDQ3yhgzpwIcZGA5ISOufCb6tx8Wn6pbVysww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Solicitor Freund told the Scranton School District Board on March 3 that a district-wide Project Labor Agreement (PLA) proposed by labor groups would be legally vulnerable and could reduce competition, and he recommended the board instead adopt a responsible-contractor policy that mirrors the City of Scranton ordinance.

\"PLAs are appropriate where you have an extraordinary circumstance,\" the solicitor said, adding that PLAs \"have a counter‑competitive aspect of procurement\" and that a PLA that applied to all projects could be difficult to defend. Freund said a policy that incorporates responsible-contractor requirements into project specifications and contracts could achieve the board's quality and labor standards goals while better withstanding legal challenge.

Dr. Keating and staff told the board that most of the district's contracting dollars already go to union shops. A district speaker said that of approximately $80,000,000 in contracts awarded, about $56,000,000 went to union contractors and about $24,000,000 went to nonunion contractors.

Board members asked about next steps. Solicitor Freund said he had drafted a policy that incorporates the city's ordinance language and can be amended by the board. Director Casey asked President Holmes to put the draft policy on the April agenda as a first reading; President Holmes and the solicitor said they would do so. Several board members said they had no objection to placing the draft for first reading and asked that copies be circulated to give the public time to review and comment.

No ordinance or PLA was adopted at the March meeting. The board directed administration and the solicitor to prepare the draft policy for a first reading on the April agenda and to circulate the draft to board members and the public for comment before any vote.","Solicitor Freund told the Scranton School District board that a district-wide Project Labor Agreement (PLA) would be legally risky and potentially anti-competitive; he recommended adopting a responsible-contractor policy modeled on the City of Scranton ordinance and asked the board to place a draft policy on the April agenda for a first reading.",{"_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},6120959,"Scranton board opens vendor review and will appoint independent counsel before solicitor interviews",547,381000,928000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2705050-08c8f30f6a66360fe8eb3d9f7f01125b&start=381&end=928","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2705050-08c8f30f6a66360fe8eb3d9f7f01125b/thumbnail_381000.jpg","/articles/6120959/Pennsylvania/Scranton-board-opens-vendor-review-and-will-appoint-independent-counsel-before-solicitor-interviews","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120959-91d35718c251c7e065489d033cea6ec5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163579&Signature=QpLZynCzFlSMdTfuz3FuwRYW7yQWmt6mg-EHEUy9i2M9U3ggTswYpDP~tEe07sRaPYlZhrkvs8JNXJE7kasu9BXNhkarZwT4dgWqqnPmfUHfDsTALQz-B5IOM7ehlQNA80s3B0WkTvIG1WxpkP6HeE81rNCP1LDk5VzgaGq65wLUO0CoWLndsfW3OGy4AsiOA9Ba4fG6uFAHS52UADeSm0n9-KTK7d~7z8bKQVlhOAKPMWpTNBSWMhO3JIIIHenEtmbPMd3xO1H3GWrL7Glr4U2ZzftVrlcEuCXKZLgN7FA8tz-9kB7RUSFdBk7a9B4LhsqOJ2PqEu-n~zlNR2NyFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Scranton School District Board of Directors on March 3 agreed to broaden the vendor-review process for selecting outside legal counsel and to delay interviews until the board appoints an independent attorney to oversee the procurement.

The move, led by Vendor Relations Chair Director Casey, follows an administration-request-for-proposal process that the district said was advertised in the Scranton Times, The Citizen's Voice and on OpenGov. Superintendent Dr. Keating and district administrator Mr. O'Donnell told the board that resumes and fee structures from bidders were included in board packets and that administrators prepared comparison materials for the board's review.

Board members said they wanted the full nine-member board to take part in interviews and that an outside firm should manage the process. \"I'd rather have the entire board participate in an open transparent manner,\" Director Casey said. Dr. Keating said administrators had also solicited, from board suggestions, names for an independent counsel who would guide the district through the interviews and ensure the process is legally sound because the current interim solicitor is among the applicants.

Administrators said two firms applied for general legal services and three firms applied for special-education legal services; that information was described as public and came in through the district's OpenGov solicitation. Director Casey and other board members said interviews should not be scheduled until independent counsel is appointed and available, and that interviews should be scheduled so all nine members can attend. In addition, Director Casey said that discussion of candidate evaluations and the board's deliberations would likely take place in executive session, as is customary for personnel-related vendor interviews.

No final selection or binding vote took place at the March meeting. Instead, the board took consensus to proceed with the process outlined by administrators and to place the appointment of independent counsel and the interview schedule on the next steps list. Dr. Keating said administrators will circulate memos and updates to the full board and will follow independent counsel's guidance before contacting any applicants for missing RFP material or scheduling interviews.

How this will proceed: administrators will await the board's appointment of independent counsel; that counsel will advise on whether vendors who omitted information from their RFP submissions may be given an opportunity to supplement their proposals; the top candidates will be selected for interviews; and the board will vote publicly to select legal counsel and execute an engagement letter defining scope and fees.

The board did not take a formal roll-call vote on hiring counsel at this meeting; members characterized the decision as consensus to move forward with the process and to wait for independent counsel before scheduling interviews.","Board members agreed to an open, districtwide process for selecting outside legal counsel and to wait for independently appointed legal counsel before scheduling candidate interviews; administrators said two firms applied for general counsel and three for special-education counsel.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board passes consent agenda items, contracts and budget actions; camera system proposal clears first vote

Solicitor advises against broad Project Labor Agreement; board to consider responsible-contractor policy

Scranton board opens vendor review and will appoint independent counsel before solicitor interviews