BROOKVILLE — With the opening of the 2026-27 school year only a few weeks away, the Brookville Area School Board is busy approving safety, academic and faculty assignments.
At last Monday’s meeting, the board accepted a contract with Bramlet Enterprises of Kittanning to provide school safety officers for the school year.
Under the contract, Bramlet will provide two security officers for eight hours per day, for 183 school days. The security guards will be primarily assigned to the high school and Hickory Grove, but they will also pay visits to Northside and Pinecreek schools.
Their duties will include security checks, internal and external building patrols, assisting with misconduct by a student investigation and promoting positive relationships, working as a team with the school staff and administration.
The hourly rate for the security guards will be $38 per hour, for activities during and after school.
During the meeting the board asked for clarification about a novel which will be added to the syllabus for an AP English class. High school principal Shawn Deemer said the book describes, but does not condone, domestic violence.
Because the class is both an AP course and a course that provides college credit through Pitt Bradford, “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston was added to the curriculum at the recommendation of the College Board.
Superintendent Erich May told the board that Andilynne Kalkbrenner, teacher for the class, always informs families about mature content in any of the reading material. He also pointed out that mature content can be expect in college-level material.
Finance and policy
• The board approved an $8,000 retention bonus for Ben Crawford, contracted athletic trainer, upon completion of the 2026-27 school year and all three sports seasons without a break in service.
• Approved was the purchase of two porcelain toilets for $292 for the restrooms at Northside, replacing toilets which cannot be salvaged.
• The board accepted a $6,000 Highmark Grant for Character Strong, which provides funds to improve student wellness, mental health and classroom culture. May commended business administrator Shawn Arbaugh for “going the extra mile” to apply for the grant.
• Approved as feeders to the district’s athletic programs were:
• Football — Lumberjacks and JC flag league.
• Cheer — Lumberjacks.
• Soccer — Brookville Soccer Association.
• Cross country — YMCA youth program.
• Wrestling — Brookville elementary program.
• Basketball — Brookville elementary program.
• Swimming — YMCA swim program.
• Baseball/softball — Brookville Area Little League.
• Softball — Keystone Crusaders.
• Baseball — Brookville Blue Sox.
• Track — Brookville elementary program.
Personnel
• Marguerite Frank resigned as Title I reading teacher.
• Christina Iraca was transferred from fourth-grade reading to fourth-grade math; Karly Gilbert was transferred from fourth-grade special ed to fourth-grade reading and Sarah Sporrer was transferred from kindergarten special ed to fourth-grade special ed.
• Dan Reed was hired as a long-term substitute position as the ninth-grade English teacher.
• Amy Guth was approved as the federal programs coordinator for the school year.
• Approved as coaches and volunteers for the volleyball program were: Tina Householder, head coach; Ashton Pangallo, assistant coach; Melinda Reitz, Joyce Reitz, Lauren Hergert, Avery Pangallo, Kelly Belfiore and Leigh Reitz, volunteers.
Supplemental contracts were also approved for the music department:
• Kyle Grabigel — Marching band director, senior high and junior high concert bands, jazz band and co-chair for the school musical.
• Laura Grabigel — Assistant band director, marching unit director, elementary concert band.
• Meagan Shaw — Senior high, junior high and elementary concert choirs; Chamber Singers.
• Mathew King — Senior high, junior high and elementary orchestra; stage manager.
The next regular meeting of the Brookville Area School Board will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 in the LGI room at Hickory Grove.
