The Montoursville Area School Board at its recent meeting hired a football coach and took a step toward improving security in the district.

Reese Holmes was approved as the new head varsity football coach at a stipend of $6,000.

Holmes has served as an assistant football coach in the Williamsport Area School District.

He replaces Joseph Hanna who resigned as Montoursville’s head coach in January.

The board voted to join CurvePoint’s Founder’s Circle, a threat detection system using advanced Artificial Intelligence to decode subtle Wi-Fi signal disruptions caused by people and objects.

The Wi-Fi-based solution interprets how signals interact with the physical environment to detect threats.

Equipment for the system could be installed in March.

Williamsport Area School District reportedly joined CurvePoint’s Founder’s Circle earlier this month.

Business manager Jessica Reich reported to the board that Gov. Josh Shapiro in his annual budget address is calling for an increase in educational funding next year.

For Montoursville, it could mean an increase of about $53,000 in basic education and $32,000 in special education, she noted.

The board approved the following as substitute teachers: Madison Labatch, Emily Huskin, and Lindsey Swanger.

Jessica Cole was approved as an acting head cheerleading coach for the remainder of the season.

School directors approved the transfer of $705,478 from the district’s general fund to the capital fund.

Superintendent Daniel Taormina announced that Amanda Kling has applied for the vacant school board seat.

The seat representing Region 2 of the district – Fairfield and Upper Fairfield townships – was most recently held by Brenda Oberheim who resigned last year.

School directors are expected to decide whether to appoint Reich as the newest board member at their Feb. 24 meeting.

In other matters, the board approved:

• On first reading next year’s school calendar.

• A resolution to endorse AMERICA250PA celebrating and honoring the 250th anniversary of the U.S.

• An agreement between the district and GASB 75 valuation service.