BELLEFONTE — Cyber charter funding changes, a coaching dispute and new curriculum mandates topped the agenda at the Bellefonte Area School District board’s latest meeting.

Board members reviewed the limited financial benefits of recently enacted cyber charter reforms, heard renewed calls to reinstate former track and field coach Christopher Friedhoff before the upcoming spring season and received updates on cursive instruction and free summer camps at what amounted to a relatively short meeting on Wednesday.

Cyber Charter

Reform

During the board’s regular legislation report, members discussed the financial impact of recently enacted cyber charter reforms.

School Board Member Donna Smith, who monitors education-related legislation for the board, said the district is working to determine how much per-pupil funding must be sent to cyber charter schools under the new reforms signed into law in November.

She explained that the district can currently deduct certain expenses, including activities and facilities maintenance, from the amount it sends. At present, 60 percent of spending in these areas is deductible. That number, as proposed by the governor, is to increase to 80 percent.

“That little bit helps,” Smith said.

Of the more than $4 million BASD typically sent to its cyber charters, the deduction was modest.

“I was disappointed, but happy, with what we have,” Smith said. “Our number ended up being about $125,000 less.”

Though the district will take the savings, Smith said it represents only incremental progress.

“It’s a few steps in the positive direction, but we still have a long way to go,” she said.

Track and Field

With the 2026 spring track and field season set to begin March 2, supporters of former teacher Christopher Friedhoff continue to advocate for his reinstatement as coach.

After resigning as a teacher in August 2025, Friedhoff’s name was not brought before the school board for renewal alongside other appointments in January, prompting athletes and others involved with the team to voice their support for his reinstatement at both of February’s school board meetings.

Junior high track and field head coach Josh Cetnar addressed the board Wednesday night at CPI, urging members to reconsider.

“The track and field program is doing really well, both in terms of wins and losses but also athlete participation, and one of the main reasons for this is the incredible quality and stability of our coaching staff,” Cetnar said.

While acknowledging his colleague’s role in the program’s success, he noted that the team broadly supports Friedhoff’s return.

“I can say that Coach Friedhoff does have our staff’s full support,” said Cetnar, who spoke on behalf of the team, which was competing on Wednesday evening

During his comments, Cetnar highlighted Friedhoff’s role in shaping the program over the past decade, noting improvements in both athlete performance and participation. He said the team relies heavily on the support and expertise of experienced coaches, and Friedhoff’s absence could leave significant gaps.

“As the junior high head coach, I’m growing more concerned about this coming season if coach Friedhoff isn’t able to return,” he said.

The junior high coach emphasized the logistical challenges he faces with the upcoming season. He expects more than 50 seventh- and eighth-grade athletes on the roster, and with only two other coaches available, covering all events will be difficult.

“This really isn’t feasible for me to cover all these things without the help of our varsity coaches,” said Cetnar. “So it’s really important to me personally that we have a good quality coach in place for the season.”

Because the season begins before the board’s next scheduled meeting, Cetnar urged members to act quickly.

“Not having a coach in place at that time is going to start affecting our athletes,” he said.

While recognizing that the decision ultimately rests with the school board, Cetnar encouraged members to consider feedback from students, parents, coaches and alumni as they weigh the appointment.

Board members have not offered any public commentary about the decision not to reinstate Friedhoff as coach.

Cursive mandate

During her report to the board, Jackie Wynkoop, director of curriculum and instruction, discussed the new state law requiring cursive instruction in elementary schools.

For many districts, the law will require changes to curriculum, but at Bellefonte, where cursive has been taught for years, implementation is going smoothly.

“Pennsylvania recently passed legislation requiring instruction in cursive handwriting,” said Wynkoop. “I think a lot of districts are scrambling, but luckily not us because we have been implementing instruction in handwriting for the past two years.”

This is year two of the program, Handwriting Without Tears. In grades K-2, students learn print and handwriting fundamentals before beginning cursive in grade three.

“We have been doing that for a couple of years, things are going really well, our teachers really love the program,” Wynkoop said. “So luckily, with all the new things they bring down, it’s not a new change for us.”

BASD summer camps

Wynkoop also shared information about several summer camp programs scheduled in June:

— STEAM Camp for students in K-5 will run June 15-19. Wynkoop said this camp is always a popular one.

— World Language Camp for students in K-5 will take place June 22-26.

“Last year we had to put that on hiatus because all of our world language teachers were overseas in Europe traveling,” Wynkoop said. “That’s also been a very popular camp.”

— Middle School Math Camp for grades 6-8 will also run June 22-26.

The district is also exploring a STEAM camp for middle school students, with more information to be shared with families soon.

Wynkoop said once the district coordinates with the camp leads registration forms will go out. The camps are entirely free to BASD families.