The Panther Valley School Board hired a consultant to provide the district with long-range financial projections for the next five years.

PFM Group Consulting LLC will evaluate the district’s finances for this school, and subsequent school years at a cost of $40,000.

Business Manager Greg Gauronsky explained before the meeting that the firm can provide the district with projected financial data and run different scenarios per the district.

For instance, the firm could look at the district finances relative to building a new school or not building a new school, or project how much the district could provide in raises, he said.

A feasibility study showed the district needed to replace its current elementary school, and put the cost of a new school at $67.5 million a year and half ago when KCBA Architects completed the study.

The board, however, has not moved toward construction, not wanting to further burden taxpayers and this year shot down a proposed millage increase specifically toward building a new school.

Superintendent Dave McAndrew said in an email before the meeting that firm will insure fiscal responsibility.

The board did not discuss the consultant during its brief meeting Wednesday night.

Other business

In other business, the board:

• Paid general fund bills of $1,833,370, and cafeteria fund bills of $25,472.71.

• Approved these booster clubs for the coming school year: football, volleyball, JROTC, and wrestling.

• Awarded a bid for oven equipment and installation to Boelter Foodservice Design, Equipment and Supply at a cost of $42,621.33. This is a cafeteria fund expense.

• Approved the following Act 80 Days in the 2025-26 school calendar: Oct. 13, March 18 and May 1.

• Approved the Panther Valley High School Program of Studies.

• Approved the 2025-26 JSHS Faculty Handbook.

• Appointed Jeanne Knepper as Lehigh Carbon Community College trustee to represent the district from Jul 17 to June 30, 2026, and accepted Paul McArdle Jr.’s resignation as the district’s LCCC trustee representative.

• Approved second reading of policies on federal fiscal compliance, travel reimbursement/federal programs, suicide awareness, and conflict of interest.

• Approved the first reading of a policy on generative artificial intelligence in education.