(File Photo of the Hopewell Area School District and School Board Logo)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Hopewell, PA) The Hopewell School Board approved bids for a partial high school roof at their work session Tuesday. Pennsylvania Roofing Systems, Inc’s bid for the project is $1,877,000. This includes a base bid of $1,517,000 and an additional alternate bid of $360,000. The district is using the competitively awarded Public School Facilities Improvement Grant of $1,150,000 to fund a portion of the project. The board approved the 2025-26 tentative budget of $48,910,316. Appropriations are $49,308,789. The budget is on display in the district office for 20 days before the final adoption. In other business, Doug Biega was hired as the boys varsity basketball coach effective immediately for the 2025-26 season. Three resignations for retirement were also approved. Karen Watts, the special education teacher at Independence Elementary School for 37 years, along with 34 in education, will retire on May 30th, 2025. Susan Burak, an autistic support teacher at the junior high school that has served for 34 years, will retire on May 30th, 2025. Lynn Gartley, a part time library paraprofessional will retire on May 31, 2025. Summer  temporary cleaning staff for non-employees will earn $13 an hour while current employees will earn $15 an hour. Superintendent Dr. Jeff Beltz announced that Thursday, May 29th, 2025 will be a 1/2 day for students. The board’s next meeting is Tuesday, May 27th, 2025 at 7 p.m.