# Schuylkill Valley fieldhouse: research file

Published by BerksConnect News with its article on the Schuylkill Valley School District fieldhouse. One file, so that anyone can check the article's figures and quotations against the material they came from. Research was done September 19 and 20, 2026, using AI research agents directed by the newsroom, with every figure re-verified against a primary document.

Contents, in order:

1. The verified source text the article was written from.
2. The speaker attribution table: for every quotation from a meeting video, who said it and the evidence.
3. The fact-check records, six passes.
4. The transcript manifest and a note on caption fidelity.
5. Text of the district's board minutes and the Act 34 resolution, converted from the district's scanned PDFs (OCR; names and digits can be garbled; every figure used in the article was confirmed on the page image).
6. Transcripts: YouTube's automatic captions for 17 board meetings and hearings as pulled on September 19 and 20, 2026, then the captions YouTube served on September 20 for the eight meetings the article quotes. Captions are machine-generated and carry no speaker names; a change of speaker is marked with `>>` in the first set.

Sources for the article itself are listed in the article. The district's documents are at schuylkillvalley.org and its meeting videos on its YouTube channel.

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# The verified record behind the fieldhouse story

Wording narrowed on September 20, 2026 after the prepublication review (pass 6), where absence claims were stated more broadly than the search supported; the same changes were made in the article.

This is the text the fact-check passes (`fact-check-01.md` through `fact-check-04.md`) checked claim by claim, kept word for word after the article was rewritten for readability on September 20, 2026 (`fact-check-05.md`). The published article contains no number, quotation or name that is not in this text. Sources are the article's frontmatter list.

## Did the fieldhouse raise my taxes?

On June 8, 2026, the board adopted a 2026-27 budget with a 0.85 mill increase, to 28.67 mills. The rate had stood at 27.82 mills since 2019-20, when it rose from 27.07, according to the district's audits; this is the first increase in seven budget years. [We reported the budget in July](/meetings/schuylkill-valley-school-tax-increase-2026) and said then that the rate had been unchanged since 2021; the audits show 2019-20. The minutes now show the vote: 6 to 2, with Brown and Moll opposed and Steinke absent. The meeting ran 11 minutes by the minutes' clock, and the budget passed with no discussion and no public comment. The vote on the proposed final budget on April 27 was 7 to 2, with Brown opposed and Daniel Weyandt opposed because, according to the minutes, he supported a 1.00 mill increase instead.

Board members said in April that the increase was for operations. Daniel Weyandt said "any increase would support operating costs and not the Fieldhouse Project," and Ammarell said "bond funds designated for the Fieldhouse Project were restricted to capital use," according to the minutes. The March 23 minutes put the projected deficit at about $1.05 million, "primarily due to reduced state funding projections," with a $350,000 increase in charter school costs, a $200,000 increase in special education costs, and about $630,000 a year in unreimbursed costs at the Schuylkill Valley Education Center, the district's program at the Berks County Youth Center, "partially offset by about $200,000 in tuition from other districts." Lash cited "unreimbursed expenses related to the Schuylkill Valley Education Center," and Steinke urged "engagement with county officials regarding cost responsibilities."

The August 25, 2025 minutes, from the meeting where the board authorized the bond, record the board's approval of an invoice to the county for that program, and then this sentence: "It was further noted that the County's costs for the Youth Center would essentially equate to the debt service increase associated with the Field House project."

The board has said the increase and the project are separate. Both statements are in the record as written; we will add the district's response if it provides one.

The fieldhouse's own cost reaches taxpayers in a different way, and later. The interest due on the new bond in its first year was borrowed inside the bond itself, the district's underwriter told the January hearing, projecting about $942,000 (figures read aloud at the April 27 meeting put the capitalized interest for the full-borrowing option at $816,333), so the district's 2026-27 budget carries no payment on it: the budget's debt service line, $3,166,324, is within about $500 of the payment due on the district's older 2020 notes alone. Those older notes are paid off in 2035. The new bond's principal payments, beyond token amounts of $5,000 a year, begin in 2036 and run to 2042. Our arithmetic from the two published schedules, set out in "How the money works" below, puts the district's combined debt payment at about $3.38 million a year from fiscal 2028 through 2041. The underwriter's own description at the hearing was that the financing adds "approximately $180,000 annually over and above your existing budget for debt service," and Rossi called it "a minimal increase"; our arithmetic is consistent with that. The yearly payment stays about where it is. What changes is that a payment which would have ended in 2035 continues at that level for six more years, with a smaller seventh payment in 2042. (The audit gives the 2031 to 2035 payments on the old notes as a five-year total, which we spread evenly.) At the district's assessed value, one mill of real estate tax is worth about $1.13 million, according to the budget filing, so $3.38 million is about three of the 28.67 mills now levied.

Acting Superintendent Winters told the board on February 2, citing the Berks County Planning Commission, that 72.9 percent of households in the district have no children under 18. He offered the figure "for budget context." The district enrolled 2,127 students in October 2025.

## Why didn't residents hear about this?

Pennsylvania's Act 34 requires a school district to hold a public hearing before building a new school building or a substantial addition, and requires a voter referendum only if the project's maximum building construction cost exceeds a state expenditure standard. The district's resolution set that maximum at $16,819,564, and the board was told at the hearing that because the figure was under the state's aggregate, "there would be no referendum. The board can act on the project without a referendum, long as we stay within those expenditures." The hearing was held January 7, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the high school's auxiliary cafeteria. Eleven people spoke. The district recorded it on video and engaged a court reporter, which the resolution authorized. Copies of the Act 34 program booklet were available on a table at the hearing, the solicitor said. The district has not posted minutes of the hearing. Its website's minutes page, the only place it publishes minutes (its BoardDocs agenda system carries agendas only), has no January 2026 entry, and BoardDocs has no entry for the hearing. On February 2 the acting superintendent told the board the transcript had been received. It has not been posted.

At that same February 2 meeting, according to the minutes, he said "an FAQ document will be posted on the website" and that "if the fieldhouse project proceeds, a dedicated webpage section will provide project updates." The project proceeded on April 6. As of September 20, the district's Projects page lists two HVAC projects and no fieldhouse. The district's Resolutions page carries the December 2025 resolution under the name "New Athletic Facility," with the two cost ceilings; outside the meeting minutes, it is the only document about the project on the site. The site's own search, which does not index PDFs, returns nothing for "fieldhouse." We found no rendering, floor plan or post-bid cost figure published by the district or by any of the firms working on it.

The vote to build it came at a special meeting on April 6, which the solicitor confirmed on the record had been advertised under the Sunshine Act. Board president Carol E. Weyandt opened that meeting by saying, "we need to do a better job communicating especially like special meetings like this and we will discuss better practices that we can use at tomorrow night's meeting." At the next committee meeting, on April 20, the presiding officer raised the subject unprompted, saying the district had posted notice of the special meeting on its website and had corrected the notice to add the fieldhouse to the agenda, "but unless you check our district website daily, you might miss it." The same speaker said the board was "looking at ways to improve communication," that "we're not making decisions in a vacuum," that the board was "having open committee meetings several times a month," and that "there's no reporters coming to the meetings and there's not even local school board or township meetings in the news anymore."

The decision to borrow the full amount rather than use reserves was made at that April 20 committee meeting, by a poll of members by first name, with no roll call. The board took roll-call votes on other business that night, including the election of the new superintendent, 9 to 0; the April 27 minutes record those actions under a heading for the April 20 meeting. The financing consensus is not among them, and the district has not posted separate minutes of the April 20 meeting on its minutes page; its BoardDocs entry for that night offers the agenda only. The May 26 minutes likewise record the votes taken at the May 18 committee meeting, but no minutes of that meeting's discussion, including the report of the bond sale, are posted. The district's minutes, where they exist, record the names and topics of residents who speak but never what they say. The only public record of the hearing, the financing decision, the sale and every resident's remarks is the district's YouTube channel, which had 862 subscribers when we checked on September 20.

Residents said as much at the microphone. At the hearing, a retired educator from Ontelaunee Township asked the board to "tell us the whole story." On April 27, three weeks after the vote, Jeff Golden of Leesport said the project had been "barely promoted." On December 2, 2025, the night three new members were sworn in and the Act 34 resolution was adopted, new member Joseph M. Brown asked that the new members be given background on the project before the hearing, according to the minutes.

Every executive session the board disclosed during this period was for personnel, legal, safety, security or student matters, according to the minutes. None cited the fieldhouse. The October 27, 2025 minutes also disclose two budget retreats, on October 8 and October 23, listed under the executive session heading; nothing about what was discussed at them is posted.

## The school's academics and staff turnover

Several speakers set the building against the district's academic results. The Pennsylvania Department of Education's 2024-25 assessment files show where Schuylkill Valley stands. In grade 5, 20.8 percent of students scored proficient or advanced in math against 43.9 percent statewide, and 27.6 percent in English language arts against 44.7 percent. In grade 8 math the figures were 19.8 percent against 30.5. In grades 6 through 8 English language arts the district scored above the state. On the Keystone exams, 47.2 percent of eleventh graders scored proficient or above in Algebra I against 44.3 statewide, 41.5 percent in Biology against 49.4, and 57.9 percent in Literature against 62.1. The district's own presentation to the board on February 2, which used a different state measure, the Future Ready PA Index, put Literature at 56.8 percent and showed it declining from 78.2 percent in 2020. The November 24, 2025 minutes report that 162 students took Advanced Placement exams in May 2025 and that 128 of them, 79 percent, scored 3 or higher. The middle school is on the state's 2025 list of Targeted Support and Improvement schools for the results of its English learner subgroup, one of 24 Berks County schools on that list.

Staff turnover has been raised at meetings and in the 2025 election. Brown's campaign statement put the loss at "more than 100 staff members" over five years. We found no district or state figure; the numbers in circulation come from residents' own counts. Board president David Moll said at a board meeting in August 2023, according to the Reading Eagle, "As far as staff turnover, we can't say that we're happy with it, but every district in the county has experienced this," and noted the district had five superintendents in nine years. On February 2, 2026, an administrator presenting the test results told the board that the high school's English decline reflected "a lot of turnover in that department in the high school. We've had a lot of retirements and a lot of newer teachers."

## What the board says the building is for, and what residents said

The board's stated case, as recorded in the April 6 minutes, is space and use. Rossi said discussions "date back over a decade" and that "ongoing space constraints for both student and youth athletics have continued to drive the need for additional facilities." On the video he also said "50% of our student population participates in athletics at the high school and middle school levels," and that "this is going to give us space." Carol Weyandt said reserves "would need to be utilized for district needs regardless of this project," that the bond "is designated specifically for the Fieldhouse Project," and that the board "does not intend to move forward with the project at the expense of curriculum and instruction." Ammarell said "current facility usage and space limitations are not sustainable" and that the facility could host marching band, tournaments and graduation. Moll said the design "includes features, such as large garage doors, that could allow the facility to serve as a community shelter or adaptable event space." Lash said "the condition of locker rooms has been an ongoing concern and previously deferred in anticipation of a fieldhouse." Steinke cited "a clear need for additional space for student athletes." Matthews asked how capital reserves would be replenished.

Eleven people spoke at the January 7 hearing. Eight supported the project, most of them reading statements on behalf of youth sports organizations: SV Youth Soccer, SV Youth Baseball, the SV Youth Girls Softball Association, the SV Youth Football and Cheerleading Association and the SV Wrestling Club, whose representative said the club rents space monthly and had spent over $10,000 on mats for about 80 children. Bruce Harbach, the head football coach, said the existing "locker room facilities are unsafe, unfunctional, and out of date, dating back into the 60s." A parent and youth coach from Centre Township told the board that "roughly 45% of the middle school students and 38% of high school students play at least one sport."

Three speakers raised concerns. Roxanne McMurtry of Centre Township said the district's auditor had reported about $8 million in capital reserve and capital projects funds, that about half a million dollars had since been spent from them, and that after the $6 million allocated to the project about $1.5 million would remain, or about $1 million if the October site contracts came from the same funds, which she called "an extremely low balance to carry in a capital reserve fund for capital needs for the district." She said the auditor had put the district's fund balance for the general fund and capital reserve "at a total of 15% compared to an average about 31% for other districts." An Ontelaunee Township resident said there was "a lot of stuff that does seem to be broke around here that's not getting fixed." A retired educator from Ontelaunee Township asked what would happen to the spaces the new building would vacate, and whether she would "be able to afford to stay in my house."

Rossi, the board's Buildings and Grounds chair, asked to respond. He said the 2020 bond had funded roofs and mechanical systems, that the district had "invested that $20 million over the last five years," and that with the new borrowing the district would be "continuing that payment through to about 2041." He said "that $3.3 million debt payment per year represents less than 10% of our overall budget," about 8 percent.

At a November 17, 2025 committee meeting, a resident who said she had lived in the district three years asked the board "to re-evaluate a decision to spend taxpayers money on the proposed building or buildings," saying she understood the appeal of holding sports events "uninterrupted" by weather but did not see it "as a valid reason." McMurtry returned on February 2 to address the general fund balance, according to the minutes.

On April 6, Harbach asked for more coach involvement in the design: "We don't need 90 lockers in there. We need four locker rooms," he said, adding there had been only two coaches' meetings. The track coach asked that coaches be brought together on the design. Bryan O'Donnell, the former board member, spoke in support.

On April 27, three weeks after the vote, a high school student told the board that the middle school girls' locker room had "serious hygiene and cleanliness issues," that the girls' wrestling team "hasn't been able to afford new uniforms or warm-ups," and that "when we hear about $30 million for a new field house, but we can't get basic cleanliness in our locker rooms, a truly safe building, or fair support for our sports teams," it is "baffling and honestly frustrating." We are not naming the student, who is a minor. Jeff Golden of Leesport, a youth soccer coach, said the board had "voted to build a monument to yourselves," said the project had been "barely promoted," and noted that the middle school carries a state improvement designation. It does: the Pennsylvania Department of Education's 2025 list of Targeted Support and Improvement schools includes Schuylkill Valley Middle School for its English learner subgroup, one of 24 Berks County schools on the list. Golden also said the project was going to cost $30 million over the coming years, a figure he later described as the new borrowing plus the district's existing debt. A $30 million figure had been used at the April 6 meeting by Brown, who said the district would be paying back $30 million on an $18 million loan. Board members disputed it during the exchange; the minutes do not record the discussion.

The board's April 27 minutes record the speakers' names and topics only. The district's minutes never record the content of public comment.

## How it was decided

The nine-member board's recorded votes on the project from March 2025 through May 2026 were unanimous, with the exception of the votes taken on April 6.

| Vote | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Hire SCHRADERGROUP as architect | March 24, 2025 | unanimous |
| Hire Fidevia as owner's representative | May 19, 2025, recorded in the May 27 minutes | unanimous |
| Bond resolution, up to $23.5 million | Aug. 25, 2025 | 9-0 |
| Site work contracts, $492,025 | Oct. 8, 2025 | 9-0 |
| Act 34 resolution and hearing notice | Dec. 2, 2025 | 9-0 |
| Option A, both buildings | April 6, 2026 | 8-1 |
| Four construction contracts | April 6, 2026 | 8-1 each |
| Township agreements, testing, commissioning | May 18, 2026, recorded in the May 26 minutes | 9-0 |

On April 6 the yeas were Franklin M. Ammarell, Linda R. Lash, Lauren J. Matthews, David E. Moll, Alfonso F. Rossi, Kelly J. Steinke, Carol E. Weyandt and Daniel B. Weyandt. The nay was Joseph M. Brown.

Three of the members who voted in April were not on the board when it authorized the borrowing in August 2025. Carol E. Weyandt, Brown and Matthews were sworn in December 2, 2025, replacing Paul Bendigo, Nicoleen Kleffel and Bryan J. O'Donnell. O'Donnell chaired the Buildings and Grounds Committee and voted for the bond resolution; he lost the Region 2 seat to Weyandt in the May 2025 primary on both party ballots, 327 to 56 among Democrats and 405 to 101 among Republicans, according to the county's official results. Weyandt was unopposed in November. On the night she was sworn in, the board elected her president, and she presided over the April 6 vote.

Brown, 60, a regional security investigator, told the Reading Eagle before the election that the district had lost "more than 100 staff members" in five years and that he would work to hire a leader who "values transparency, collaboration and respect." The April 6 minutes record that he "expressed concerns regarding financing options, debt service and the district's current financial position." On the video, his statement runs about two and a half minutes. He said the district had "like three million in our capital reserve, another three million in our general fund, which isn't a lot of money to begin with," that borrowing the full amount meant "our kids that are in kindergarten now are going to be paying that debt off after they get out of high school," that the district faced a tax increase this year to cover a deficit "somewhere in the neighborhood of a million dollars," and that he expected "three years of tax increases." Another member questioned his figures during the exchange. He closed: "I'm asking 80% of the residents in this district to pay for something that they have no benefit for." Later in the discussion he said the district would be paying back $30 million on an $18 million loan, and that "maybe if we would have raised taxes 10 years ago and invested that money, we'd have plenty of money to do this project."

Dr. Denis P. Quirk is the district's superintendent, elected by the board April 20, 2026 and in office since June 8. He was not on the board and did not vote on the project. His predecessor, Dr. Cathy Taschner, resigned effective November 12, 2025; Dr. Patrick Winters served as acting superintendent in between and presented the project to the board on April 6.

## Every step, in order

| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| April 15, 2024 | EI Associates scheduled to "provide an update on the Field House" to the Buildings and Grounds Committee. First appearance in the board record. | Committee agenda (BoardDocs) |
| March 24, 2025 | Board hires SCHRADERGROUP, unanimously. | Minutes |
| April 28, 2025 | Architect presents two concepts: 38,970 square feet at $18.7 million, or 42,880 square feet at $20.4 million. | Minutes |
| May 19, 2025 | Board hires Fidevia as owner's representative, unanimously; recorded in the May 27 minutes. | Minutes |
| Aug. 25, 2025 | Board authorizes up to $23.5 million in general obligation bonds, 9-0. Same meeting: board accepts Superintendent Cathy Taschner's resignation effective Nov. 12, and approves billing Berks County for the district's program at the county Youth Center (see "Did the fieldhouse raise my taxes?" above). | Minutes |
| Oct. 8, 2025 | Site work awarded: Schlouch Inc. $413,380, Schipsi Electric $78,645.15. | Minutes |
| Oct. 27, 2025 | Architect presents design development: two buildings, about 43,000 square feet, $550,000 for soil stabilization. Dr. Patrick Winters named acting superintendent effective Nov. 12. | Minutes |
| Dec. 2, 2025 | New board seated; Weyandt elected president. Act 34 resolution adopted 9-0 with a maximum project cost of $24,877,416, after the architect advised that the figure had been understated by $94,200 for omitted capitalized interest. Rossi says the vote is "solely to approve the advertisement and scheduling of a public Act 34 hearing for transparency and public input and was not to approve the project or authorize any expenditures." | Minutes, resolution |
| Jan. 7, 2026 | Act 34 public hearing, high school auxiliary cafeteria, 6 p.m. Presentations by the architect, the solicitor and the underwriter; 11 people speak; a court reporter records it. No minutes are posted; the district's video runs 1 hour 29 minutes. Written comments accepted through Feb. 6. | Video |
| Feb. 2, 2026 | Acting superintendent reports the hearing transcript has been received and "an FAQ document will be posted on the website." | Minutes |
| March 2026 | Bids received and under review. | March 23 minutes |
| April 6, 2026 | Special meeting. Option A approved 8-1; four contracts awarded 8-1. | Minutes, video |
| April 20, 2026 | Committee meeting. Consensus to finance the full amount. Board elects Dr. Denis P. Quirk superintendent. | Video, April 27 minutes |
| April 27, 2026 | Proposed final budget with a 0.85 mill tax increase, 7-2. Graduation staging moved "due to construction related to the Fieldhouse." | Minutes |
| May 12, 2026 | Bonds sold, $18,220,000. | The Bond Buyer |
| May 18, 2026 | Committee told the district will receive $18.6 million at settlement. | Video |
| May 26, 2026 | Minutes record the May 18 approval, 9-0, of a Phase 2 improvements agreement and a stormwater agreement with Ontelaunee Township and of testing and commissioning contracts. | Minutes |
| June 8, 2026 | 2026-27 budget adopted with the tax increase, 6-2. Quirk's first meeting as superintendent. | Minutes |
| June 9, 2026 | Bond settles; the dated date in The Bond Buyer, the settlement date given to the committee May 18. | The Bond Buyer; May 18 video |
| Aug. 25, 2026 | New facility fee schedule takes effect. | Policy 707 attachment |

## How the money works

Several figures have circulated for this project. Each is a different thing.

| Figure | What it is | Source |
|---|---|---|
| $24,877,416 | The "Maximum Project Cost" in the Act 34 resolution adopted December 2, 2025, the figure advertised for the public hearing. The acting superintendent described it on April 6 as the pre-bid "total estimated project cost, including financing." | Act 34 resolution; April 6 minutes |
| $16,819,564 | The "Maximum Building Construction Cost" in the same resolution. | Act 34 resolution |
| $23.5 million | The borrowing authority the board approved August 25, 2025. The minutes note "this does not mean that the full amount will be withdrawn." | Aug. 25, 2025 minutes |
| $14,934,600 | The four construction contracts awarded April 6, 2026. | April 6 minutes |
| $492,025.15 | Site work awarded October 8, 2025: Schlouch Inc., $413,380, including a new six-foot fence and a sod softball field; Schipsi Electric, $78,645.15, including scoreboard electric and added field power. | Oct. 8, 2025 minutes |
| About $2.5 million | The soft-cost figure discussed at the hearing, before bids: "architect/engineering fees, construction management, testing and inspections, commissioning, permits, weight room equipment, furniture and fixtures, athletic and concession equipment, miscellaneous items, and builders' risk." | Feb. 2, 2026 minutes |
| $18,626,952 | The total projected project cost after bids, in a comparison prepared by Fidevia. | April 6 minutes |
| $18,220,000 | The bond's face value. | The Bond Buyer |
| $18.6 million | What the district said it would receive at settlement. The bonds' 5 percent coupons were sold at yields under 4 percent, which prices them above face value; the district has not published the sale's sources and uses. | May 18 committee video; The Bond Buyer |

Board member Alfonso F. Rossi, who moved the April 6 motion to approve the project, told the meeting that bids came in "approximately $5 million lower than initial projections," according to the minutes.

The board authorized the borrowing on August 25, 2025, in a resolution "authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds to provide financing for the planning, designing, constructing, equipping and furnishing of a new athletic facility to be utilized as a field house." The vote was 9 to 0. A general obligation bond pledges the district's "full faith, credit, and taxing power," as the minutes put it.

The bonds sold May 12, 2026. The Bond Buyer, the municipal bond industry's trade paper, recorded the sale: General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2026, $18,220,000, dated June 9, 2026, due April 1, 2028 through 2042, sold through Raymond James & Associates, with PFM Financial Advisors as financial adviser and McNees Wallace & Nurick and Fox Rothschild as bond counsel. Every maturity carries a 5 percent coupon and was sold at yields between 2.90 and 3.99 percent. The bonds are insured by Build America Mutual. The 2034 through 2042 maturities are callable at par from October 1, 2033, meaning the district may pay them off or refinance them from that date.

The repayment schedule is the part of this financing we found in no district document. The maturities for 2028 through 2035 are $5,000 each. Principal repayment in earnest starts in 2036: $2,470,000 that year, rising each year to $3,155,000 in 2041, with $1,370,000 in 2042. The district's existing debt, $21,395,000 of general obligation notes at June 30, 2025, most of it a 2020 series with $19,025,000 outstanding and a smaller 2020 note that matured in April 2026, is paid off in 2035, according to the district's audit. The new bond is structured to begin its principal payments the year after the old debt ends.

The district's underwriter described the plan to the public at the January 7 hearing. Lauren Stadel of Raymond James told residents that if the debt were amortized "on a level basis, much like your home mortgage, the anticipated impact would be about $1.7 million per year, which would equate to approximately 1.24 mills," but that because the new payments would begin as the existing debt was retired, "the actual impact of the financing is approximately $180,000 annually over and above your existing budget for debt service," or about 0.12 mills. She said the district's "new annual level run rate for debt service is approximately 3.3 million." The interest due in fiscal 2027, about $942,000, is borrowed inside the bond, she said, adding that the IRS allows interest to be borrowed for up to two years; the August 2025 minutes describe capitalized interest for the first two years. The new bond's payments therefore do not appear in the district's 2026-27 budget, whose debt service line of $3,166,324 is within about $500 of the payment due on the 2020 notes alone.

Stadel also told the hearing that the district "has set aside approximately $6 million which will be used to downsize the ultimate borrowing for the project. So the district is using some of its cash reserves to fund the project."

The board later chose differently. On April 6, the board was presented three financing options, according to the minutes: contribute $6,000,000 of district funds and borrow about $12.5 million; contribute $3,000,000 and borrow about $15.5 million; or borrow the full amount, about $18.6 million, "with no district funds applied." The minutes do not record a choice. On April 20, at a committee meeting for which the district has posted no minutes but which is on video, the presiding officer polled members by first name on the question. The arguments on the tape ran both ways. One member said the $6 million option should come off the table because "if you take the six million funding, then you are draining all the capital reserve" needed for other projects. Another, discussing the roughly $3 million left over from the 2020 borrowing, said that applying it to the fieldhouse "would save us about $5 million in interest over the life of the loan" but would leave the projects on the district's five-year plan to be paid from capital reserves. The committee was told the difference in yearly debt service between borrowing the full amount and contributing $3 million was roughly $150,000 to $180,000. At the end of the poll the presiding officer said there was a consensus to fund the full amount. No roll call was taken. On May 18, the committee was told the district would receive "$18.6 million which was the full ask to fund the fieldhouse" at the June 9 settlement, at a rate "a little under 4%," about $600,000 better than projected.

Applying the bond's published maturity schedule to its 5 percent coupon, and setting it beside the audit's schedule for the 2020 notes, the district's combined debt service runs at about $3.38 million a year in the fiscal years ending June 2028 through June 2041, then falls to about $1.4 million in fiscal 2042. That is our arithmetic, not a district figure; the district has not published an annual debt service schedule for the new bond. Under the plan described at the hearing, the payments on the 2020 notes would have ended in 2035. Under the bond as sold, payments at roughly the same level continue to 2042 unless the district exercises the 2033 call. Total repayment on the new bond, principal and interest, is about $29.8 million before accounting for the premium received at sale. Board member Brown said on April 6 that full borrowing meant "a repayment of almost $56 million"; he did not say what the figure covered, but the audit's schedule for the existing notes as of June 30, 2025 and the new bond's schedule together add to about that.

The district's budget for 2026-27 is $50,735,730. One mill of real estate tax is worth about $1.13 million on the district's assessed value, according to the budget filing. The district expects no state reimbursement: the state has not accepted new PlanCon applications since 2016, according to the Department of Education, and Stadel told the hearing that "the district is not anticipating the receipt of any reimbursement for the project through the PlanCon subsidy."

## Will it pay for itself?

In the minutes and videos of every meeting where the project was discussed, no board member or administrator projected revenue from the building. The case made for it was use: youth programs, band, tournaments, graduation, a possible community shelter.

The district's income from renting its facilities was $22,897 in 2024-25, according to its annual financial report to the state, and $27,977 in 2025-26 through May 18, the committee was told that day. The district budgets $25,000 for rentals in 2026-27, against total revenue of $50.7 million.

A new fee schedule, adopted under Policy 707 and effective August 25, 2026, sets what outside groups pay to use district facilities. School functions, booster organizations and "Schuylkill Valley community youth groups and civic organizations" pay no facility charge on any line; the cost of lifeguards at the pool is charged to all groups, and custodial fees "may be assessed for tournaments or special events." The schedule states that "no facility use fees will be assessed for youth camps held for school district residents by Schuylkill Valley School District employed coaches as long as all associated coaches receive no salary compensation for working the camp" and none "for tournaments held by Schuylkill Valley sports teams during PIAA regular season." Out-of-district nonprofits and commercial users pay $65 to $100 an hour for a gymnasium and $140 to $235 an hour for the stadium. The schedule contains no line for the fieldhouse, an indoor turf field or a weight room. At the August 17 committee meeting, the board was told of the youth groups, "We do not intend in this facility usage schedule fees to charge them for use of any of our facilities."

The district's policy on naming facilities, Policy 701.1, adopted in 2013 and never revised, provides that "facilities may be named for major contributors to the district." The same policy provides that "entire school buildings shall not be named for individuals" and bars naming for current employees and officeholders. No naming of the fieldhouse appears in the minutes of any meeting from July 2025 through July 2026.

Governor Mifflin School District's center, 68,310 square feet according to its architect, cost $27,407,895 as of November 16, 2023, according to the district, which said then that a third phase of the project was out to bid. Governor Mifflin's total facility rental income, all buildings combined, was $170,331 in 2018-19, $94,193 in 2022-23, the last full year before the center opened, $83,645 in 2023-24 and $101,819 in 2024-25, according to its annual financial reports. Its 2024-25 budget presentation answers the question "Are tax dollars used for day-to-day operations at the GMACC?" with "Yes. Tax dollars are used for staffing and utilities at all buildings," and answers "Are our taxes increasing as a result of constructing the GMACC?" with "No."

## What is being built, and who is building it

The district calls it the SVSD Fieldhouse Project; its December 2025 resolution calls it a "New Athletic Facility." According to the architect's design presentation recorded in the October 27, 2025 minutes, it is "two pre-engineered buildings with a total area of approximately 43,000 square feet, including a 3,000 square foot mezzanine designated for mechanical and electrical systems." The April 6 minutes describe the approved option as a "Multi-Purpose Building and Turf Building" that "includes a three (3) lane track, weight room, trainer's room, concession stand, team rooms, storage, and a separate turf building." Heating and ventilation for the two buildings were budgeted separately so that each could operate on its own. The concept the architect presented in April 2025 enlarged the indoor turf field from 40 yards to 50 yards; the design-development and bid documents in the minutes do not state the field's final dimensions.

Soil testing found loose fill and karst limestone under the site. Grout injection to stabilize the foundation, estimated at $550,000, was included in the project cost, according to the October 27 minutes.

The architect is SCHRADERGROUP of Conshohocken, hired March 24, 2025, the same firm that designed Governor Mifflin's Athletic Community Center. Fidevia LLC is the owner's representative. The four construction contracts went to eciConstruction LLC of Dillsburg (general construction, $11,004,600), Leibold Inc. (mechanical, $1,305,000, and plumbing, $860,000) and Hirneisen Electric Inc. (electrical, $1,765,000). Under Pennsylvania's separations law the district bid four separate prime contracts; there is no single general contractor. The general contractor's bid form shows the turf building could have been dropped for a deduction of $2,705,000 on that contract alone; the minutes record deductions across all four contracts totaling $3,238,400. The board chose to keep it.

Governor Mifflin's center, opened in December 2023, has a "turf room," its assistant athletic director told WFMZ at the opening; its dimensions are not published. We found no other public school district in Berks County with indoor turf. No district document claims the fieldhouse is the first of its kind in the county, and we do not make that claim.

The schedule presented in 2025 ran construction from March 2026 to May 2027. The district has not published a later schedule.

---

# Speaker attribution table (confirmed rows)

**Why this exists.** The transcripts in `transcripts/` are YouTube auto-captions. They mark a change of speaker with `>>` and never name anyone. A quotation is unusable in a story until the speaker is established. This table records, for every passage worth quoting, who said it, the evidence, and a grade.

**Grades.** Only rows graded CONFIRMED are reproduced here; the article quotes no passage graded lower.

**Grades**

- **CONFIRMED**: the speaker states their own name; or the chair calls them by name immediately before they speak; or the district's official minutes attribute that specific statement to that person; or a reply addresses them by name in a way that leaves no ambiguity.
- **PROBABLE**: the minutes' paraphrase of a named person aligns with the passage, or a biographical detail fits one person only, but no explicit naming. Do not print as a direct quote without checking the video at the timestamp.
- **UNATTRIBUTED**: no evidence beyond voice. Must be identified from the video by someone who knows the board, or dropped.

**Two corrections this table forced.** (1) An earlier draft said Carol Weyandt is a returning board member because a speaker said "when I was on the board before"; the cue was the word "Carol" one second earlier, which is a member asking the chair for the floor, not the chair speaking. Withdrawn; unattributed. (2) The line "It is not a $30 million facility" was attributed to the board president by the AI summaries and repeated in an earlier internal draft. The minutes do not record it. In the transcript it is spoken by Jeff Golden as a question to the board. See April 27 below.

---

## Public commenters

All CONFIRMED unless noted: each states their name and township, and most are called by name by the chair.

### January 7, 2026, Act 34 hearing (video z-bJ2GudTyk)

| Time | Speaker | Role, township | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:20:53 | Alfonso Rossi | same statement, continuing | "continuing that payment through to about 2041... it'll bump up to 3.297 or something like that. So, it's a minimal increase. That $3.3 million debt payment per year represents less than 10% of our overall budget... around 8% now" | CONFIRMED (uninterrupted continuation of the self-identified statement) |

Tally: eight in favor (five reading letters from youth sports organizations), three raising financial or maintenance objections. Five written testimonies were submitted in advance (Winters, 0:08:03); Harbach also submitted a letter.

### April 6, 2026, special meeting (video zM12g571i9s)

| Time | Speaker | Evidence | Note |
|---|---|---|---|

### April 27, 2026, regular meeting (video dG-i8BpJBYU)

| Time | Speaker | Evidence | Note |
|---|---|---|---|

---

## Board members and officials

Where the official minutes attribute a statement, the minutes govern. Where they don't, the grade is PROBABLE or UNATTRIBUTED.

### April 6, 2026 (video zM12g571i9s; minutes read from page images)

| Time | Passage | Attribution | Grade | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0:03:12 | Roll call, presiding | Carol E. Weyandt | CONFIRMED | Minutes: "called to order... by the Board President, Carol E. Weyandt" |
| 0:05:36 to ~0:15:00 | Renderings, three options, bid results, three financing options | Dr. Patrick Winters | CONFIRMED | Minutes: "Presented by: Dr. Patrick Winters, Acting Superintendent" |
| 0:19:30 to 0:20:04 | Maintenance history; "hope that maybe we could be sitting here today looking at the potential for a field house" | Alfonso Rossi | CONFIRMED | Chair immediately after: "additional questions for Al?" |
| 0:20:23 to 0:23:39 | Insulation and panel Q&A | Questioner: UNATTRIBUTED board member ("I actually have a pole building"). Answers: Harry Pettoni | Pettoni CONFIRMED (chair: "Harry, could you speak to that?") | |
| 0:27:45 to 0:30:15 | "Where I'm struggling on this is... 3 million in our capital reserve, another 3 million in our general fund... repayment of almost $56 million... kids that are in kindergarten now are going to be paying that debt off... three years of tax increases... I'm asking 80% of the residents in this district to pay for something that they have no benefit for" | Joseph M. Brown | CONFIRMED | Reply at 0:30:18: "Uh Joe, where did you see that..."; minutes: "Mr. Brown expressed concerns regarding financing options, debt service and the district's current financial position" |
| 0:37:49 | "maybe if we would have raised taxes 10 years ago and invested that money we'd have plenty of money to do this project but we kept pushing this" | Joseph M. Brown | CONFIRMED | Same passage as 0:37:20 ("you're still paying $30 million back on an $18 million loan") and closes "Again, there's eight other members" (0:38:14), the dissenter's own framing, repeated from 0:37:07 |
| 0:55:13 to 0:55:33 | "I am a little apprehensive about the capital reserve... when will that get replenished?" | Lauren J. Matthews | CONFIRMED | Minutes: "Mrs. Matthews inquired whether additional funds would be allocated to capital reserves and how and when those reserves would be replenished" |
| 0:57:14 to 0:57:30 | "we've passed a parameters resolution which sets like a ceiling... we're not locked into a bond at this point in time" | Alicia Luke | CONFIRMED | Minutes: "Mrs. Luke clarified that the Board previously approved a parameters resolution, which establishes a maximum borrowing limit but does not obligate the district to proceed" |
| 1:08:49 to 1:09:25 | "Since I've been on the board we have talked about doing the locker rooms... over the last 20 years, we'd say... we need a field house... visiting teams" | Linda R. Lash | CONFIRMED | Minutes: "Mrs. Lash stated that the condition of locker rooms has been an ongoing concern and previously deferred in anticipation of a fieldhouse... visiting teams" |
| not extracted | Space limitations "not sustainable"; marching band, tournaments, graduation | Franklin M. Ammarell | CONFIRMED by minutes | Locate in video before quoting verbatim |
| not extracted | Large garage doors; community shelter or adaptable event space | David E. Moll | CONFIRMED by minutes | Same |
| not extracted | "a clear need for additional space for student athletes" | Kelly J. Steinke | CONFIRMED by minutes | Same |

### April 20, 2026, committee (video lYh2j2darD0; no minutes exist)

| Time | Passage | Attribution | Grade | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|

### April 27, 2026, regular (video dG-i8BpJBYU)

| Time | Passage | Attribution | Grade | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| minutes | "any increase would support operating costs and not the Fieldhouse Project" | Daniel B. Weyandt | CONFIRMED by minutes (the sentence follows "Mr. Weyandt stated he supported a 1.00 mill increase...") | |
| minutes | "the district has not raised taxes in 11 of the past 13 years" and "bond funds designated for the Fieldhouse Project were restricted to capital use" | Franklin M. Ammarell | CONFIRMED by minutes | |
| minutes | "unreimbursed expenses related to the Schuylkill Valley Education Center" | Linda R. Lash | CONFIRMED by minutes | |
| minutes | urged "engagement with county officials regarding cost responsibilities" | Kelly J. Steinke | CONFIRMED by minutes | |

### May 18, 2026, committee (video rs2_Z0vky3w; no minutes exist)

| Time | Passage | Attribution | Grade | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|

### June 8, 2026, special (video nTlaG4ZkycM; minutes exist)

| Time | Passage | Attribution | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0:05:12 to 0:06:19 | Call to order, executive session announcement, "welcome Dr. [Quirk]... his first official board meeting" (captions render the name "Clark") | Carol E. Weyandt | CONFIRMED (presiding per minutes) |
| 0:06:19 to 0:11:01 | "As I wrap up my first official day... recognize Dr. Winters for his leadership while serving as interim superintendent over the last 7 months" | Dr. Denis P. Quirk | CONFIRMED (introduced as the new superintendent immediately before; the June 8 minutes name Dr. Quirk; the captions garble his name as "Clark") |
| 0:14:56 to 0:15:18 | Roll call: "Mr. Moore? No... Mr. Brown? No" | Moll and Brown | CONFIRMED by minutes (captions garble names) |

### August 17 and 24, 2026 (videos BPoyZqlcmdE, BEcKfaImnc0)

| Time | Passage | Attribution | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 0:33:25 | Stipend "for Dr. Patrick Winter, assistant superintendent compensation for serving as acting superintendent... from November 12th, 2025 through June 7th, 2026" | Chair reading the agenda item | CONFIRMED as an agenda item; amount garbled in captions, check the agenda |
| Aug 24, 0:17:30 | "Turn it over to Dr. [Quirk]" then the superintendent's report | Dr. Denis P. Quirk | CONFIRMED (superintendent since June 8, 2026 per minutes; captions say "Clark") |

---


## Live caption check, September 20, 2026

The captions YouTube served on September 20 were copied for eight meetings (April 6, April 20, April 27, May 18, June 8, February 2, November 17, August 17) from the transcript panel into `transcripts/live-2026-09-20/`. Every quotation in the story from those meetings was checked against them. Two wording differences were found and applied: April 20, 0:03:09, the folder's "we got to correct it" reads "we got it corrected" live (the story paraphrases it); April 20, 1:33:36, "6 million" reads "six million" live (story now spells it). Rows added from the live April 6 captions:

| Time | Passage | Attribution | Grade | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 6, 0:03:52 | "we need to do a better job communicating especially like special meetings like this and we will discuss better practices that we can use at tomorrow night's meeting" | Carol E. Weyandt | CONFIRMED | Presiding per minutes; Winters replies "Thank you, Mrs. Weyandt" at 0:04:42 |
| Apr 6, 0:16:33 | "50% of our student population participates in athletics at the high school and middle school levels" | Alfonso Rossi | CONFIRMED | Chair: "I'm going to have Al speak" at 0:12:53; continuous statement |
| Apr 6, 0:37:20 | "you're still paying $30 million back on an $18 million loan" | Joseph M. Brown | CONFIRMED | See 0:37:49 |

---

# Fact-check pass 1 on the story draft

Run September 20, 2026 by an independent Claude Opus 5 agent that saw only `story-draft.md` (the version committed as 5460ee3f) and its cited sources, with instructions to refute claims. The findings below are the agent's, condensed; verdicts are SUPPORTED, UNSUPPORTED, CONTRADICTED or NOT-CHECKABLE. The column "Applied" records what was changed in the draft in response. Every fix was made in the same session; the corrected draft is the version that follows this file in git history.

## Mechanical

Em dashes: 0. Rhetorical questions: none. Internal link `/meetings/schuylkill-valley-school-tax-increase-2026` resolves. Municipality tag correct.

## Contradicted or unsupported, and what was done

| # | Claim in draft | Verdict | Finding | Applied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brown told the Reading Eagle his priorities included "financial priorities and administrative spending" | CONTRADICTED | The phrase is not in the article. His answers cite "greater transparency and accountability," the loss of "more than 100 staff members," and a leader who "values transparency, collaboration and respect." The "priorities" sentence nearby belongs to candidate Thomas Egan. | Replaced with the two quotations that are in the article. Origin of the error: an agent summary in an earlier internal draft, never checked against the article. |
| 2 | One mill raises about $1.17 million | CONTRADICTED | Assessed value $1,132,500,000, so one mill is $1,132,500 gross ($1,109,850 at 98% collection). $1,167,102 is the levy divided by the old 27.82 rate. | Changed to "about $1.13 million on the district's assessed value." Same correction applied to the internal working files. |
| 3 | SV Middle School is "one of 41 Berks County schools" on the TSI list | CONTRADICTED | PDE's file has 42 Berks rows but 24 unique schools (rows are per subgroup). The 41 figure was a district administrator's statement on May 18. | Changed to 24 in both places. Internal working files corrected. |
| 4 | Rossi "moved every fieldhouse motion" | CONTRADICTED | Aug 25 bond resolution moved by Kleffel; Oct 8 site contracts moved by Kleffel; Apr 6 electrical contract moved by Ammarell; May 26 township agreement moved by Moll. | Changed to "moved the April 6 motion to approve the project." Internal working files corrected. |
| 5 | Recorded votes "at eight meetings" | CONTRADICTED | Seven distinct meetings in the table; other project votes exist outside it. | Rewritten without a count. |
| 6 | Youth and civic groups "pay no charge on every line"; quoted phrase not verbatim | CONTRADICTED | Pool lifeguard costs are charged to all groups; custodial fees "may be assessed for tournaments or special events." Schedule reads "Schuylkill Valley community youth groups and civic organizations." | Both fixed. |
| 7 | "Every dollar is borrowed; no district cash was used" | UNSUPPORTED | The $492,025 of 2025 site work was paid from the capital projects fund before the bond settled. | Rewritten: financed entirely by borrowing; board declined to contribute reserves; site work paid from the capital projects fund. Short-version bullet rewritten. |
| 8 | "Construction is under way" | UNSUPPORTED by cited documents | No minutes or transcript after May says Phase 2 has started. | Re-sourced to the desk's own site visit on September 18, stated as such. |
| 13 | Bond terms | SUPPORTED, with an omission | The 2034 to 2042 maturities are callable at par from October 1, 2033. | Call provision added in the financing section, the short version, and the "continue to 2042" sentence. |
| 14 | $18.6 million received "because the bonds sold above face value" | Partly UNSUPPORTED | Causal clause is inference; no source states it. | Rewritten to state the yields and that pricing above par follows, and that sources and uses are unpublished. |
| 15 | "First two years of interest are borrowed inside the bond, a practice she said the IRS permits" | UNSUPPORTED as attributed | Stadel described one year ($942,000 for fiscal 2027) and said the IRS allows up to two; the two-year plan is in the Aug 25, 2025 minutes. | Rewritten to attribute each part correctly. |
| 17 | Budget debt-service line "matches" the 2020 notes | SUPPORTED (note) | $524 apart. | "within about $500." |
| 18 | Existing debt described as the 2020 series only | Incomplete | Total notes were $21,395,000 including a 2020A note that matured April 2026. | Added. |
| 22 | Third financing option "with no district funds" | Minor | Minutes read "with no district funds applied." | Quote completed. |
| 26 | March 24 and May 27, 2025 votes "9-0"; April 15, 2024 row | NOT-CHECKABLE | Those minutes are not on the district's minutes page (which begins July 28, 2025) or in the draft's sources. | Tallies removed; rows re-sourced to BoardDocs agendas; sentence added explaining why no tally is given. |
| 28 | June 8 "16-minute meeting" | CONTRADICTED | Minutes: 6:32 to 6:43 p.m., 11 minutes; video ends at 15:44. | "ran 11 minutes by the minutes' clock." |
| 29 | April 27 preliminary vote, D. Weyandt opposed | Incomplete | He voted no because he supported a 1.00 mill increase. | Added. |
| 31 | Buildings "have separate heating and ventilation" | Minor | Minutes say budgeted separately. | Fixed. |
| 32, 33 | "43,000-square-foot" in the description; "50-yard" turf field in the lede | UNSUPPORTED as flat fact | 43,000 is the October 2025 "approximately" figure (bid documents say 47,035); 50 yards appears only in the April 2025 concept. | Description rewritten without square footage; lede says "an indoor artificial turf field"; body explains the 40-to-50-yard concept change and that later documents give no dimension. |
| 35 | Site work described as "relocating the softball field and jump pits" | UNSUPPORTED | Minutes describe a fence, a sod softball field, scoreboard electric and field power. | Rewritten from the minutes. |
| 36 | $24,877,416 is "the legal ceiling, not the cost" | Leans | Winters called it the pre-bid "total estimated project cost, including financing." | Row rewritten to carry both descriptions. |
| 37 | $2.5 million soft costs set against the post-bid total | Arithmetic fails | The $2.5 million is the pre-bid figure from the hearing; 14,934,600 + 492,025 + 2,500,000 leaves $700,327 unexplained against $18,626,952. | Removed from the "Where it stands" bullet; table row labeled as the pre-bid figure. |
| 41 | Naming policy raised "September 23, 2025" | NOT-CHECKABLE | September regular meeting was September 22; the minutes are not in the sources. | Sentence removed; the policy's text and non-revision retained. |
| 42 | "a staff member told," "staff told," "staff said" | UNSUPPORTED as attributed | The attribution table grades those voices unidentified. | All three changed to "the committee was told" or "the board was told." |
| 43 | Governor Mifflin "athletic director" | CONTRADICTED | John Guiseppe is assistant athletic director. | Fixed here and in the internal working files. |
| 44, 45, 46 | Governor Mifflin cost, size, rental comparison, budget deck | UNSOURCED / selective | $27,407,895 and 68,310 sf come from gmsd.org and sgarc.com, not WFMZ; the rental series omitted $83,645 (2023-24) and $170,331 (2018-19); the budget deck was not cited. | Sources added to the frontmatter; the full rental series printed; the deck quoted directly. |
| 47 | Wrestling club "$10,000"; McMurtry "15 percent of budget" | Minor | "over $10,000"; "at a total of 15%." | Both fixed. |
| 49 | Golden "asked whether" it would cost $30 million | Framing | He asserted it with a tag question and defended it. | "said the project was 'going to cost $30 million over the next 7 years.'" |
| 50 | Notice "had to be corrected" | Tense ambiguous | Captions: "we got to correct it." | Quoted directly. |
| 52 | "That is not what happened." | Verdict sentence | | "The board later chose differently." |
| Housekeeping | "no single general contractor or construction manager"; research file "published alongside" | | Soft costs include construction management; the folder is not yet in the site tree. | "construction manager" dropped; "available with this story." |

## Supported

The maturity schedule, the three "our arithmetic" claims (combined service about $3.38M a year FY2028 to FY2041; about $29.8M total repayment; Brown's "almost $56 million"), every Stadel quotation, the April 6 minutes and roll calls, the contract and deduction sums, the bid form, Brown's quotations and their attribution, the Act 34 figures and the $94,200 correction, the February 2 promises, the election figures, Policy 701.1's text and adoption date, the district rental figures, every hearing quotation and speaker, the student's and Golden's quotations, the April 20 unnamed quotations, the executive-session review, and the absence of coverage and of a project page.


## Open after this pass

- The 40-to-50-yard turf field: the final dimension is in the bid drawings, which are not public. The story now says so.
- The April 15, 2024 and the March 24 and May 27, 2025 items rest on BoardDocs agendas that block automated access and are not linked. They remain in the timeline, sourced to BoardDocs, without tallies.
- A second pass should be run on the changed sentences before publication, per the routine (two-round ceiling).

---

# Fact-check pass 2 on the story draft (the restructured version)

Run September 20, 2026 by a second independent Claude Opus 5 agent, on the draft committed as ae8b643d, covering only the material that was new or rewritten in the reordering: the lede, "Did the fieldhouse raise my taxes?", "Why didn't residents hear about this?", the superintendent paragraph, and every cross-reference. Verdicts as in pass 1. "Applied" records what was changed.

## Contradicted or unsupported, and what was done

| Claim in draft | Verdict | Finding | Applied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tax increase is "the first since 2020-21" (three places) | CONTRADICTED | The 2018-19 audit gives the rate as 27.07 mills; the 2019-20 audit gives 27.82; the 2020-21 budget filing shows no change. The last increase was 2019-20, seven budget years ago. Our July 7 story carries the same error ("since 2021"). | All three changed to 2019-20 with the audits cited; the story now corrects the July piece in-line. The July story is to be corrected when this publishes. |
| Act 34 "requires either a public hearing or a referendum before building a project of this size. Schuylkill Valley chose the hearing." | CONTRADICTED | Section 701.1 requires a hearing in all cases, has no size threshold, and compels a referendum only if the maximum building construction cost exceeds the aggregate building expenditure standard. | Rewritten to state the law correctly and to report what the board was told at the hearing: the $16,819,564 maximum was under the standard, so "there would be no referendum." |
| Bond "that finances the whole project" (lede) | CONTRADICTED | Reintroduced pass 1's finding #7 in the reorder; the 2025 site work was paid from the capital projects fund. | Lede and short-version bullet rewritten. |
| "beside its high school stadium" | UNSUPPORTED | No document says so; October 27 minutes place it on the former softball field. | Changed. |
| "locker rooms" in the lede | Inconsistent with the approved option's "team rooms" | | Changed to team rooms. |
| "in Leesport" and "in Ontelaunee Township" in one paragraph | Inconsistent | Leesport is the mailing address; the campus is in Ontelaunee Township. | Stated as such. |
| Payments "do not reach the district's budget for years" | OVERSTATED | Capitalized interest covers fiscal 2027 only; the first payment lands in 2027-28. | Changed. |
| "has not posted... a cost summary"; "no rendering, floor plan or cost summary has been published" | PARTLY UNSUPPORTED | The Resolutions page posts the Act 34 resolution with both cost ceilings under "New Athletic Facility"; the Act 34 program booklet was available at the hearing. | Both sentences rewritten to say what is posted and what is not. |
| "We found no news coverage" | QUALIFIED | CitizenPortal.ai AI summaries and bid databases exist. | Disclosed in the lede. |
| "$942,000 was borrowed inside the bond" as fact | UNSUPPORTED as worded | $942,000 was the underwriter's January projection; on the bond as sold, first-year interest computes to about $739,000. | Attributed to the underwriter as a projection. |
| "principal payments begin in 2036" (short version and taxes section) | IMPRECISE | $5,000 token maturities 2028 to 2035. | "beyond token amounts of $5,000 a year." |
| "The preliminary vote on April 27" | WRONG LABEL | The minutes call it the proposed final budget. | Changed in both places. |
| Court reporter "as the Act 34 resolution required" | WRONG | The resolution authorized one. | Changed. |
| "The meeting has no minutes" (April 20) | OVERSTATED | The April 27 minutes record April 20's formal actions with roll calls, including the superintendent's election 9-0; the financing consensus is not among them. | Rewritten to say exactly that, which is the sharper fact. |
| Internet Archive sentence | Near-vacuous | The Archive holds 14 URLs from the domain across two years. | Removed from both places. |
| Site-search sentence | Weak as evidence | The search does not index PDFs, and the resolution is filed under "New Athletic Facility." | Qualified. |
| April 20 notice quotation lifted from a longer self-criticism | SELECTIVE | The same speaker said the board was "looking at ways to improve communication," "we're not making decisions in a vacuum," and "there's no reporters coming to the meetings and there's not even local school board or township meetings in the news anymore." | All three added. |
| March 24 and May 27, 2025 minutes "no longer on the district's minutes page" | CONTRADICTED | The live index lists both and runs back to 2020. Pass 1's note that the index begins July 28, 2025 was wrong. | Sentence corrected; timeline rows re-sourced to those minutes; tallies still not stated because those documents were not reviewed for this story. |
| Timeline "(see below)" for the Youth Center | BROKEN by the reorder | | Now points to the taxes section above. |
| "Weyandt said" in the rationale paragraph | AMBIGUOUS | Two Weyandts on the board. | "Carol Weyandt." |
| Short version "50-yard turf field" | SELF-CONTRADICTION with the body | | Removed. |
| Short version "$23,000" and "$3.3 million" | Inconsistent with body figures | | $22,897 and about $28,000 this year; "near $3.4 million, by our arithmetic." |
| Duplicated passages (Sunshine Act sentence twice; "What is not on the record" bullets repeating the publicity section) | | | Duplicate removed; bullets shortened to pointers. |
| Enrollment 2,127 unsourced | | | District "About" page added to sources. |
| Internal link `/meetings/...` "broken" | Checker was wrong for the source form | The Berks Beat sync rewrites `](/meetings/` to `](/news/meetings/` on publish (`scripts/sync-berksconnect.mjs`, `rewriteLinks`); the house convention is the site-relative form. | No change. |

## Supported

The April 6 roll call and contract sum; the June 8 and April 27 votes, absences and the 1.00-mill reason; the Youth Center sentence verbatim; the Weyandt, Ammarell, Lash and Steinke quotations; the 72.9 percent figure; the combined debt service arithmetic (recomputed: $3,385,600 in fiscal 2028, $3.379 to $3.382 million in 2036 to 2041, $1.44 million in 2042); the mill value ($1,132,500 gross); the hearing date, place and 11 speakers; the FAQ and transcript promises verbatim; the Projects page; the April 6 Sunshine Act confirmation; the April 20 poll; the minutes' practice on public comment; the 862-subscriber count; the "tell us the whole story" and "barely promoted" attributions; Brown's December 2 request; the Quirk, Taschner and Winters facts; the 2025 construction schedule.


## Open after this pass

- The aggregate building expenditure standard figure the district's maximum was measured against is not in the story; the hearing tape gives "$18,165,129" as the ceiling the construction cost could not exceed without a second hearing. Not printed, because the speaker is graded PROBABLE.
- The March 24 and May 27, 2025 minutes exist on the district's site and could supply tallies for the architect and owner's-representative votes; not reviewed.
- Any sentence changed in this pass has not been checked by a third pass.

---

# Fact-check pass 3 on the story draft: two independent full checks against live sources

Run September 20, 2026, on the draft committed as 47e85c06 (and, for 3B, as edited through 78de5179). Two Claude Opus 5 agents worked independently with no sight of each other's work:

- **3A** re-checked every claim in the article from scratch against the live documents: it fetched every URL in the sources list, downloaded and OCR'd eighteen scanned minutes PDFs, parsed The Bond Buyer's data embed, read PDE's Excel files, the county's election PDFs, the district's audits for 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2024-25, every PDE-2028 filing from 2020-21 on, Governor Mifflin's four annual financial reports and budget deck, and the text of Act 34 (24 P.S. 7-701.1).
- **3B** checked every quotation, every number and every name: each quoted passage against the captions and the page images, each figure recomputed, each name against the minutes and the firms' own sites, and the folder's transcripts against the captions YouTube was serving that day.

## The finding that matters most (3B)

The folder's transcripts for the April 6, April 20 and April 27 videos no longer match the captions YouTube serves. YouTube re-ran its speech recognition after the September 19 pull. Spot check of 25 random spans per video: January 7 matched 25 of 25; April 6, 19 of 25; April 20 and April 27, 13 of 25 each. Most differences are a word ("three" for "3," "we're" for "We are," a dropped "uh"); one changes the sense: the April 20 notice line reads "we got to correct it" in the folder and "we got it corrected" live. Both runs are machine output. Applied: every quotation from the three April videos was cut back to wording both runs share or turned into paraphrase; the notice line is now paraphrased (the notice was posted and was corrected to add the fieldhouse) with only the clause both runs agree on quoted; the "150 and maybe 180,000," "consensus to fund the full amount" and "$30 million over the next 7 years" quotations were paraphrased; the student's "[million]" bracket was removed (live captions say "$30 million") and her sentence split so the quoted words are common to both runs. The sourcing note now discloses the caption drift. The manifest records it. A fresh pull was attempted and refused by YouTube's rate limit; it should be repeated and both versions kept.

## Numbers: all held (3A and 3B, independently)

Both agents recomputed the maturity schedule (sums to $18,220,000), the combined debt service (FY2028 $3,385,600; FY2036 to FY2041 $3.379 to $3.382 million; FY2042 $1,438,500), the total repayment ($29,780,922), Brown's "almost $56 million" ($55,857,639 on the June 30, 2025 audit baseline), the $524 gap on the budget's debt service line, the mill value ($1,132,500), the contract and deduction sums, the four Governor Mifflin rental figures to the cent, every PSSA and Keystone percentage, the election tallies, and the tax-rate history (27.07 in 2018-19, 27.82 from 2019-20). One grade-8 math figure was school-level (19.9) where the sentence's other figures were district-level (19.8); changed to 19.8.

## Attribution errors found (3A) and applied

| Claim | Finding | Applied |
|---|---|---|
| "special programs over budget by $1.47 million" as a March 2026 budget driver | It is a November 10, 2025 audit variance on 2024-25 actuals. The March 23 minutes list a $350,000 charter increase and a $200,000 special education increase, and attribute the deficit "primarily" to reduced state funding projections. | Paragraph rewritten from the March 23 minutes, quoting the primary cause; $1.47 million dropped. |
| "$630,000 net cost... after a reduction in county reimbursement" | Minutes: about $630,000 a year unreimbursed, "partially offset by about $200,000 in tuition from other districts." | Stated as gross with the offset. |
| "79 percent of the 162 Advanced Placement exams" from the February 2 presentation | From the November 24, 2025 minutes; 162 students, 128 scoring 3 or higher. | Re-sourced and re-worded. |
| "March 12, 2026, bids opened, March 23 minutes" | The minutes give no date; March 12 is from a bid database and a bid-form date stamp. | Row now "March 2026, bids received and under review." |
| "The board's statement that the project requires no tax increase" | No board member said it. The underwriter said about $180,000 a year, 0.12 mills; Rossi called it "a minimal increase." | Replaced with what was said, in both places. |
| "Moll told the Reading Eagle" | He said it at a board meeting; the paper reported it. | Changed. |
| "Eleven residents spoke" | Harbach said on the record he is not a resident. | "Eleven people." |
| "Rossi answered the hearing's questions on the board's behalf" | He asked the chair for the floor as Buildings and Grounds chair. | Changed. |
| "the acting superintendent corrected the figure" (Dec. 2) | The architect advised the correction. | Changed. |
| Site work "from the capital projects fund" | No cited document names the fund. | "awarded and paid before the bond settled." |
| June 9 sourced to The Bond Buyer as settlement | The Bond Buyer gives the dated date; settlement was stated May 18. | Both cited. |
| PlanCon "under a moratorium since 2016" | Imprecise. | "the state has not accepted new PlanCon applications since 2016," PDE cited. |
| Nine documents used but not cited | | Added to the sources list with the district's URLs. |
| March 24 and May 27, 2025 minutes "no longer on the minutes page" | They are there; both hires were unanimous; Fidevia was approved May 19 and recorded May 27. | Sentence removed; vote table and timeline updated. |
| May 26, 2026 votes | Taken May 18, recorded in the May 26 minutes; "land development" is not the minutes' wording. | Table, timeline and the minutes passage corrected. |

## Fairness items found (3A and 3B) and applied

"Tie" replaced with "record, in the same item, that"; the 72.9 percent figure given with its context in the short version; "Another member questioned his figures during the exchange" added to Brown's statement; "The district has not commented publicly on the relationship" removed in favor of "we will add the district's response"; Governor Mifflin's budget answers quoted in full, including "Are our taxes increasing as a result of constructing the GMACC?" "No."; the naming policy's limits added; the youth-camp exemption's condition added; the referendum quotation completed with its condition ("long as we stay within those expenditures"); Rossi's December 2 sentence completed ("for transparency and public input and was not to approve the project or authorize any expenditures"); McMurtry's arithmetic given as she gave it; Keystone "proficient or above" and the district's use of the Future Ready PA Index noted; the $942,000 projection paired with the $816,333 figure read on April 27; "six more years" qualified with the smaller seventh payment; the October 2025 budget retreats disclosed; Leibold's city dropped (the firm's site says Pottsville).

## Not applied, and why

- 3B flagged the internal link `/meetings/...` in pass 2 terms; it is the source-repo convention and the sync rewrites it. No change.
- 3A's observation that the district's own capitalized-interest figure for the chosen option ($816,333) supersedes the January projection is now in the text; the exact FY2027 interest on the bond as sold is in the official statement, not yet obtained.

## Open after this pass

1. **The official statement** on EMMA: contains the annual debt service schedule, the sources and uses, and the true interest cost. Not readable by automation; a person can download it. The draft says its figures will be added.
2. **Caption re-pull.** Refused by YouTube's rate limit on September 20. Repeat; keep both runs; for the load-bearing April quotations, a person listening to the timestamps is the only authoritative check.
3. **BoardDocs.** Checked in a browser on September 20 after this pass. For this district BoardDocs carries agendas only: the entries for April 27 and June 8, 2026, whose minutes are on the district's website, offer "View the Agenda," "Download Agenda as PDF" and "Print the Agenda" and no minutes; the April 20 and May 18 committee entries offer the same; there is no BoardDocs entry for the January 7 hearing at all (the 2026 list runs Jan 19, Feb 2, Feb 17, Feb 23, Mar 3, Mar 16, Mar 23, Apr 6, Apr 20, Apr 27, May 18, May 26, Jun 8, Jun 15, Jun 22, Jul 20, Jul 27, Aug 17, Aug 24, Sep 21). The story now says the minutes page is the only place the district publishes minutes and that BoardDocs carries agendas only. Closed.
4. A fourth pass on the sentences changed in this pass has not been run.

---

# Verification pass 4: every video quotation against the live captions

September 20, 2026. Pass 3B found that YouTube had re-run its speech recognition on the April videos after the September 19 caption pull, and YouTube then rate-limited further automated pulls from this address. The current captions for all eight quoted meetings were copied from YouTube's transcript panel into `transcripts/live-2026-09-20/`. This pass compared them.

## Drift of the September 19 pull against the September 20 live run

Forty random twelve-word spans from each old transcript, tested for verbatim presence in the live one: November 17, 2025, February 2, May 18 and August 17, 2026: 40 of 40 (unchanged). April 6: 26 of 40. April 20: 22 of 40. April 27: 21 of 40. June 8: 20 of 40. January 7 was not re-copied; the independent checker compared it in a browser the same day, 25 of 25.

## Every quotation in the story from those eight meetings

Twenty distinct quoted passages checked by exact match (case, punctuation and spacing ignored) against the live text. Eighteen matched as written. Two differed by one word:

| Draft | Live captions | Applied |
|---|---|---|
| "if you take the 6 million funding, then you are draining all the capital reserve" (April 20) | "six million" | Spelled out. |
| "we got to correct it to include that the field house was one of the items on the agenda" (April 20; already paraphrased after pass 3B) | "we got it corrected to include that the fieldhouse was one of the items on the agenda" | Remains paraphrased; both runs agree the notice was corrected to add the fieldhouse, and only the clause both share is quoted. |

"school board" in the April 20 quotation appears as "schoolboard" in the live run; treated as the same words.

Other spot checks against the live text: the student's "$30 million" (live has the word "million," so the earlier bracket was right to remove), "is baffling and honestly frustrating" (story quotes "baffling and honestly frustrating," common to both), Golden's "$30 million over the next years" (story paraphrases; live has no "7"), the May 18 rental and settlement figures (match), the August 17 fee-schedule sentence (match), the November 17 "re-evaluate" (match), the February 2 turnover sentence and 72.9 percent (match).

## Added from the live April 6 captions

Four passages that were in both caption runs and strengthen the record, attributed per the rules:

- Board president Carol E. Weyandt, opening the April 6 meeting (0:03:52): "we need to do a better job communicating especially like special meetings like this and we will discuss better practices that we can use at tomorrow night's meeting." Attribution: she presided per the minutes, and the acting superintendent replies "Thank you, Mrs. Weyandt" at 0:04:42. Added to the publicity section.
- Rossi (0:16:33): "50% of our student population participates in athletics at the high school and middle school levels." Added to the board's case.
- Brown (0:37:20 and 0:37:50): the district would be paying back $30 million on an $18 million loan (paraphrased; the old run's wording differs), and "maybe if we would have raised taxes 10 years ago and invested that money, we'd have plenty of money to do this project." Attribution: the passage closes "Again, there's eight other members," the dissenter's own framing, repeated from 0:37:07. Added to Brown's paragraph, and the $30 million origin noted in the April 27 paragraph. The attribution table's 0:37:49 row, previously UNATTRIBUTED, is now CONFIRMED.

## State of the draft after this pass

Every quotation from a meeting video now rests on wording present in both caption runs and on a CONFIRMED attribution. The sourcing note says so. Remaining open items are unchanged from pass 3: the bond's official statement on EMMA, and the publisher's review.

---

# Pass 5: the readability restructure, checked mechanically

September 20, 2026. The verified draft was too dense to read: paragraphs of 150 to 250 words, sentences carrying three or four figures and an inline citation each, the accumulated result of four fact-check passes adding qualifiers and attributions in place.

## What was done

The page was split into two layers.

- **The story** (the top of the page, through "What is not on the record"): the same facts in short sentences and short paragraphs, one idea each, with the inline citation clutter removed. It was built by editing the verified text, not by drafting new sentences: paragraphs were split at sentence boundaries, clauses such as "according to the March 23 minutes" were dropped where the record carries them, quotations were copied unchanged, and one list of nine cost figures was replaced by a four-figure summary pointing to the record.
- **The record** (under the heading "The record," followed by "How we reported this"): every section of the verified draft, word for word, with its headings demoted one level. Nothing was deleted from the page.

## The check

A script extracted from the story every dollar figure, percentage, year, comma-separated number, decimal, quotation of twelve or more characters, and capitalized two- or three-word name, and confirmed each one appears in the record (or in the lede, the short version, or the "not on the record" list, which are themselves verified text). Result: zero failures. The story therefore contains no number, quotation or name that the verified record does not contain.

What the script cannot judge is whether a verified fact has been restated in a misleading shape. The sentences the earlier passes flagged for framing ("tie," "not the cost," "chose the hearing," "requires no tax increase") were carried into the story in their corrected form, unchanged.

## Numbers

Story: about 5,600 words. Record: about 7,300 words. Page: about 13,000 words. Sentences in the story: 283, of which 32 exceed 40 words; nearly all of those are sentences containing a full quotation.

## Not re-run

No fact-checker agent and no web fetch were used in this pass; the facts did not change. The open items are unchanged: the official statement on EMMA, and the publisher's review.

---

# Pass 6: prepublication review, wording

September 20, 2026. An independent prepublication review of the article (a read-only legal-issue-spotting pass by a separate AI system, requested by the publisher) raised six points. Dispositions:

1. **Absence claims stated too broadly.** Accepted. "The only project document on its website" became "outside its meeting minutes, the only document about the project on its website"; "no district or state figure exists" became "we found no district or state figure"; "no district document describes" the repayment schedule became "we found in no district document"; "no rendering, floor plan or post-bid cost figure has been published" became "we found no..."; the missing FAQ is now dated "as of September 20."
2. **Quotations verified against captions, not audio.** Accepted as a description of the method. The publisher declined an audio check, so this remains an outstanding limitation: the caption comparison does not establish that the quotations reproduce the audio. The sourcing note discloses the method. Where the article quotes the minutes' paraphrase of a board member, it now says "according to the minutes."
3. **The transparency section could imply concealment.** Partially accepted. Added that the Sunshine Act requires minutes to record commenters' names and subjects, not their words. A first revision added "no vote was required that night," which the reviewer correctly identified as a legal conclusion the record does not establish; replaced with the factual context: "The board had previously authorized borrowing of up to $23.5 million in August 2025, by a 9 to 0 vote." Whether the overall selection and juxtaposition in this section and in the Youth Center passage create a misleading impression is a judgment for counsel, not a factual finding, and is recorded here as open.
4. **The official statement listed as "not on the record."** Accepted as a wording fix: now "which we have not obtained." The source-verification part of the finding remains outstanding: the recomputed schedule is the article's arithmetic and has not been reconciled to the final bond documents' terms and assumptions.
5. **Seeking comment.** A risk-reduction recommendation, not a legal requirement, as the review says. Recorded as declined by the publisher; the article states that no comment was sought and how the district can respond.
6. **The student's name in the research file.** Accepted. The article withholds her name; the public research file now withholds it in the minutes text, the transcripts and the attribution table. Four hearing speakers whose surnames rest only on captions are identified by role and township in the public file, as in the article. The fact-check records in the public file omit the checkers' closing commentary and keep the claim tables and dispositions.

---

# Transcript manifest

YouTube auto-captions pulled September 20, 2026 with youtube-transcript-api. Speakers are not labeled; every quotation used in a story must be checked against the video at the timestamp.

| Date | Meeting | Video | Status | Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-22 | regular; Terraworx geotech approved | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eIOQsf_vzg | ok | 15717 |
| 2025-10-27 | regular; Schrader design development, karst | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSfdHHlaoKA | ok | 18673 |
| 2025-11-17 | committee; resident Langan objects | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXPqDGiVY10 | ok | 7041 |
| 2025-12-02 | reorganization; Act 34 resolution 9-0 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W8dPK2HJfo | ok | 15486 |
| 2026-01-07 | ACT 34 PUBLIC HEARING | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-bJ2GudTyk | ok | 13124 |
| 2026-02-02 | regular; post-hearing answers, FAQ promised | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhV_iHocxxY | ok | 37562 |
| 2026-03-23 | regular; bids received | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcx7nplB5ic | ok | 9507 |
| 2026-04-06 | SPECIAL; project approved 8-1 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM12g571i9s | ok | 14253 |
| 2026-04-20 | committee; financing consensus (no minutes) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYh2j2darD0 | ok | 23604 |
| 2026-04-27 | regular; student/resident comment, prelim tax 7-2 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG-i8BpJBYU | ok | 22072 |
| 2026-05-18 | committee; bond sale reported (no minutes) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs2_Z0vky3w | ok | 15293 |
| 2026-05-26 | regular; Phase 2 agreements | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae8YYsSxoCQ | ok | 14114 |
| 2026-06-08 | special; budget + tax 6-2 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTlaG4ZkycM | ok | 1603 |
| 2026-06-22 | regular | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP0dr6elt2Y | ok | 5744 |
| 2026-07-27 | regular | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIxUARABYFA | ok | 8781 |
| 2026-08-17 | committee | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPoyZqlcmdE | ok | 8710 |
| 2026-08-24 | regular | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEcKfaImnc0 | ok | 10129 |

## Fidelity note, September 20, 2026

These files were pulled on September 19 and 20, 2026. On September 20 an independent fact-check compared 25 random twelve-word spans from four of them against the captions YouTube was serving that day, read in a browser. January 7 (z-bJ2GudTyk) matched 25 of 25. April 6 (zM12g571i9s) matched 19 of 25, April 20 (lYh2j2darD0) 13 of 25, April 27 (dG-i8BpJBYU) 13 of 25: YouTube had re-run its speech recognition on those three videos and the wording differs by a word or two at many points (for example, "we got to correct it" here against "we got it corrected" live at April 20, 0:03:09). Both versions are machine output and neither is authoritative. The story quotes from these three videos only where both runs agree, and the attribution table's timestamps still locate the passages. A fresh pull was attempted the same day and was refused by YouTube (rate limit); re-pull when possible and keep both versions.

## Live copies, September 20, 2026

`live-2026-09-20/` holds the captions YouTube served on September 20 for eight meetings, copied from the transcript panel (raw paste plus a `.normalized.txt` version with `[h:mm:ss]` timestamps). Drift of the September 19 pull against the live run, measured on 40 random twelve-word spans each: November 17, February 2, May 18 and August 17 unchanged (40 of 40); April 6, 26 of 40; April 20, 22 of 40; April 27, 21 of 40; June 8, 20 of 40. January 7 was compared by an independent checker the same day (25 of 25). Where the story quotes a video, the wording appears in both runs.

---

# Board minutes and resolution, OCR text

## Minutes text: act34_resolution.txt

```
RESOLUTION OF THE
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

New Athletic Facility

WHEREAS, the Board of School Directors of this School District (“Board of School Directors")
has determined that an Athletic Facility is required for the use of the students of this School
District and has authorized preliminary steps to be taken with regard to this school project,
consisting of planning, designing, constructing, and furnishing a new Athletic Facility
(herein “Project”); and

WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949, as amended (the “School
Code"), including amendments made pursuant to Act 34 of the Session of 1973 of the
General Assembly ("Act 34”), requires, inter alia, that a public hearing be held prior to the
construction, the entering into a contract to construct, or the entering into a contract to
lease a new school building or a substantial addition to an existing school building; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with the requirements of Act 34 and the School Code, a public
hearing is required to be held in conjunction with the Project; and

WHEREAS, the School Code requires that a notice of such public hearing under Act 34 be
advertised at least twenty (20) days prior to such hearing and that certain information be
made available to persons in attendance at such hearing and that certain financial
information be available for inspection be interested citizens during the period of such
advertisement; and

WHEREAS, the Board of School Directors desires to authorize its Solicitor, Superintendent,
Director of Finance, Architect, Financial Consultant, and others to take certain actions with
respect to the Project; and

WHEREAS, the School District wishes to take certain action with respect to the Project and
to comply with Act 34 and the School Code.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of School Directors of the Schuylkill Valley
School District, Berks County, Pennsylvania, as follows:

1. The School District hereby authorizes a public hearing to be held in accordance
with and in compliance with the requirements of Act 34 and the School Code,
in the Schuylkill Valley School District Administration Board Room in the High
School Auxiliary Cafeteria located at 929 Lakeshore Drive, Leesport, PA 19533
on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM, prevailing time.

2. The Secretary of the Board of School Directors is hereby authorized and
directed to advertise the Notice of Public Hearing set forth in Exhibit “A”,

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
which is attached hereto and made a part hereof in accordance with the
requirements hereof and of Act 34 and the School Code.

This School District hereby authorizes the maximum project cost and maximum
building construction cost for the Project as follows:

Maximum Project Cost Act 34 Maximum Building Construction Cost

$ 24,877,416 $ 16,819,564

The Board of School Directors hereby authorizes and directs that project descriptions of the
Project be prepared and hereby directs the Superintendent of the School District to make
copies of such descriptions of the Project available to interested citizens requesting the
same at the place and during the reasonable hours stated in the Notice of Public Hearing,
after approval thereof by the Solicitor of this School District, and also to make such project
descriptions available to the public media as required by Act 34, the School Code, and
the regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

4.

This School District hereby authorizes Alicia Luke, Esquire, and the law firm of Fox
Rothschild LLP, PA, Solicitor for the School District, to perform such acts on
behalf of this School District as may be necessary in connection with the Project.
This School District hereby authorizes the architectural firm known as
SCHRADERGROUP: A Hord Coplan Macht Studio, Conshohocken, PA, Project
Architects for the designated Project, to perform such acts on behalf of the
School District as may be necessary in connection with the Project.

his School District hereby authorizes the firm of Raymond James Financial
Advisors, lnc. of Lancaster, PA, as financial consultant to perform such acts on
behalf of the School District as may be necessary in conjunction with the
Project.
This School District further authorizes the engagement of a court stenographer
o transcribe the Act 34 proceedings, consistent with the intent of this
Resolution.
his School District further authorizes its Officers, Administration, Solicitor,
Financial Consultant, and Project Architect to take any and all necessary
actions in order to effectuate the intent and purpose of this Resolution.

DULY ADOPTED, by the Board of School Directors of this School District, this 2.4 day of
December 2025.

Attest:

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Berks County, Pennsylvania

tah Sch mm Cae ittapndt

rg. Linda R. Lash, Board Secretary Mrs. Carol E. Weyandt, Beard President

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
```

## Minutes text: apr27_2026_pushback.txt

```
1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

April 27, 2026
SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
929 Lakeshore Drive
Leesport, PA 19533-8631
MINUTES
April 27, 2026

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by the Board President, Carol E.
Weyandt, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Franklin M. Ammarell, Joseph M. Brown, Linda R. Lash, Lauren J. Matthews,
David E. Moll, Alfonso F. Rossi, Kelly J. Steinke, Carol E. Weyandt, Daniel B. Weyandt
Secretary: Linda R. Lash

Recording Secretary: Azucena Macedo

Administrative Staff Present: Dr. Patrick Winters, Matt Ammons, Dr. Jennifer Gabryluk, Jennifer
Godtfring, Jason Hansen, Jenny Rexrode, Jackie Rivas, Louisa Trumbore, Kristin Wallace,

Solicitor: Alicia Luke, Esq., Fox Rothschild LLP

Board President Carol Weyandt began the meeting by informing the public that although the
agenda was posted on April 26, 2026, due to a BoardDocs issue the agenda was not viewable for
portions of the 24 hours leading up to the meeting. Therefore, the motion to amend the agenda by
adopting and incorporating the version of the agenda available at the meeting was necessary to
ensure compliance with the Sunshine Act.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
amendment to the agenda by approving in full the agenda as made available at the meeting.

Mrs. Weyandt opened the floor to the public for comment on the amendment of the agenda as
presented.

There was no public comment on this item.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Moved by Lauren Matthews and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve the minutes of the
regular meeting of March 23, 2026, and the special meeting of April 6, 2026, as presented.
Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Weyandt reported that the Board met in executive session on April 20, 2026, following the
Committee meeting, for legal, personnel and safety matters.
1.5

1.6

April 27, 2026

RECOGNITION OF STUDENTS AND STAFF
There are no student or staff recognitions this evening.

PRESENTATIONS
This time is reserved for presentations:

1.

SVHS April Student Council Presentation

Presented by Kate Bass & David Johnson, SVHS Student Council Representatives
Students from Student Council discussed events happening in Schuylkill Valley including
Goggle Works 2026 BCIU’s 44" Annual Secondary Art Exhibition, Junior County Festival held
on April 11'*. They invited board members to the FFA annual banquet on Sunday May 17%
beginning at 6:00 p.m. and noted the keynote speaker would be Alexis Butler, the Pennsylvania
FFA State Treasurer. Tractor Day this year will be held on Thursday May 21. PYEA will be
sponsoring the annual Power Puff Football Game on May 18. SV TSA Competed in the State
Leadership Conference form April 15-18, 2026. Mrs. Alderfer’s 9" grade German 1 students
have a e-Partner Project with a school in Minden, Germany. Students connect with mutual
friends via email. The JH Track met at Muhlenberg High School on April 24" for the 69" Annual
Boys County Meet. 8" Grade Lincoln Miller broke the previous meet record for the discus by 42
feet with a throw of 197 feet six (6) inches. They discussed Mackenna Holben’s book.

Mackenna Holben gave an overview of her children’s book coauthored with author Holly Garner
and illustrator Stephanie Miller titled “Super Pups: Georgie, the Brave Giraffe.” It taught children
how to handle big emotions through social-emotional learning. She also discussed her many
first-hand experiences and insights while working on this book.

Northern Berks Regional Police Department — Chief of Police Introduction:
Chief Wayne Holben, Northern Berks Regional Police Department

Chief Holben formally introduced himself to the board. He noted the safety of the student was a
top priority to the Northern Berks Regional Police Department. The officers have an outstanding
working relationship with students and staff at Schuylkill Valley School District. He thanked the
board for the partnership, support and the opportunity to speak at the board meeting.

YMCA Summer Program:

Mr. Ken Borkey, President & CEO, YMCA of Reading & Berks County

Mr. Borkey provided an overview of the existing three (3) year partnership for the school-age
program at the elementary school and shared enrollment data, noting it is the fourth largest
program in their system. He stated enrollment has begun for the 2026-27 school year and that
families had expressed interest in a summer program. He presented a proposal for the YMCA
to operate a summer camp at the elementary school for ten (10) weeks, running five (5) days
per week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the optional before and after-care available. The
program is intended to complement the district's existing four (4) week summer program by
providing full day coverage, including wrap-around services when the district program
concludes each day. Mr. Borkey noted the potential to pilot expanded meal services in
collaboration with the district's Food Service Department. He also shared that the YMCA would
provide a 3% revenue share to the district for use of the facility, excluding refunds,
scholarships, state subsidies, and donations. The YMCA proposed launching the program as a
pilot with 24 student slots with current interest from 15 families. If approved, communication
would be sent to interested families followed by broader district outreach. The program is
scheduled to run from June 8 through August 14, and the YMCA indicated flexibility in
accommodating any scheduling conflicts by utilizing alternative locations if needed.

PDE DATA Summit

Presented by Jenny Rexrode, Director of Curriculum & Learning

Mrs. Rexrode thanked the Board for the opportunity to attend the PDE Data Summit held March
30 through April 1. She noted this was her second year attending and highlighted a variety of
sessions focused on administration leadership, curriculum and special education. She shared
that the sessions emphasized the effective use of data for decision-making. She attended
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April 27, 2026

presentations by the Souderton Area School District on literacy data and early assessment
practices, as well as a PIMS session on critical reporting. Hamish Brewer served as a keynote
speaker and participated in a Q&A session. She also attended multiple sessions on
Pennsylvania Valued-Added Assessment System (PVAAS), including how the state measures
student growth and its connection to Act 13 teacher evaluations.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARD REPRESENTATIVES

PRESIDENT - Carol E. Weyandt

Mrs. Weyandt reminded the public that the Board holds five (5) Committee Work Sessions during
the first two (2) weeks of each month and that the meeting schedule is available on the district
website. She added that reminders for these meetings would be posted on the district's Facebook
page to improve communication. She clarified that the recent donation to the POP program was
verified and that funds were received by the middle and high school productions through a
fundraiser. As such, the donation did not require separate Board acceptance. Mrs. Weyandt also
discussed the district's club account structure, noting there were 54 account codes. She
emphasized that many student groups raise funds through donations and fundraisers, which
support student activities and reflect strong community involvement from families, businesses, and
the district. She noted that anyone seeking additional information regarding fundraising should bring
the topic forward for discussion at a Policy and Personnel Committee Workshop meeting.

SECRETARY - Linda R. Lash
No report.

BERKS COUNTY I.U. BOARD - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash reported that the Annie Sullivan Award winner was Peter Suppa, Building Trades
Instructor at the Reading Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center. She thanked the Schuylkill
Valley School District nominee Jennfier Vroman, gifted ed teacher and to the IU representative Amy
Slovick. She discussed a Regional STEM Design Challenge that was held at UGI Training Center.
There were 45 teams from 12 school systems in attendance. She attended the COLA Meeting, and
the budget should be finalized at the beginning of July due to the election year. There was a Career
Ready Berks Night that connected students with local employers in partnership with the Reading
Royals. They recognized the retiring Chief Financial Officer, Mrs. Lucille Gallace, along with the
retirement of Dan Richards, school professional, in the late summer. She attended a headstart
meeting for an annual review of the Head Start Program at the IU. She added that Camp Connect
would be held again this year. This was a bereavement camp for children ages six (6) to 16 who
had experienced the death of someone close.

BERKS CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER - David E. Moll

Mr. Moll reported that enrollment procedures have been revised to better track students exiting
program and to allow for backfilling of vacancies. Current enrollment exceeds 2,100 students. He
noted that the center is pursuing several grants, including support for a precision machining
program, and has been collaborating with NASA for the past two (2) years. He added that
demand remains high, with a waitlist of approximately 300 to 400 students, and programs
continue to fill quickly.

TAX COLLECTION COMMITTEE — Joseph M. Brown
Mr. Brown reported that the most recent reports received were sent out for distribution for review.

PA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION LIAISON - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash shared that Leon Smith, a social studies teacher at Haverford High School was named
the 2026 National Teacher of the Year. She reported that during a recent Liaison Zoom meeting,
there was an emphasis on completing a Board self-assessment aligned with board principles.
She also noted an upcoming Al workshop for school leaders and three (3) sessions offered
through the PSBA Institute in partnership with Millersville University, with the first session
beginning in August through September. Mrs. Lash reminded Board members to complete the
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April 27, 2026

required State School Board training and noted that two (2) online courses would be available in
May through the PSBA website.

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash reported that she received an update from Courtnie Clay regarding the recent Red and
Black Event, which raised nearly $10,000.00 to support grant opportunities across the district.
She noted that the event serves as the Foundation’s primary fundraiser and continues to
strengthen its mission. She shared that the Foundation is exploring a smaller fall fundraiser to
expand its impact And support innovative educational opportunities. Several projects are already
being funded, with additional grants anticipated next school year in increments of $500.00 to
support classroom innovation, student enrichment, and educational experiences. Mrs. Lash
thanked all individuals and organizations involved in the donations, sponsorships, volunteering
and overall support of the event. She also noted that businesses are encouraged to learn more
about the EITC program and consider contributing directly to the Foundation for specific
initiatives.

PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

[Name withheld; a minor], Schuylkill Valley Student - Student perspective on the Athletic Fieldhouse
Jeff Golden, Leesport Borough — Fieldhouse/District Communication

Tania Salaneck, Leesport Borough — District Performance/Facility Concerns

Kelly Picclioni, Bern Township — Donations

Fred Harrison, Ontelaunee Township — Fieldhouse Project Communication/District Building
Maintenance

BOARD
There were no items for Board approval.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

Mrs. Luke noted that the agenda includes an agreement with the Leesport Borough for the Ashley
Way waterline installation. It included some provisions requested for Borough Council to include
which they did, and included some drawings that Mr. Rossi assisted in reviewing.

SUPERINTENDENT

Monthly Reports

The following monthly reports have been provided to the Board:

5.1.1. Enrollment Year-To-Date
5.1.2 Principals’ Dashboard Reports

Superintendent's Updates:

Dr. Winters shared district highlights from the past month, including Schuylkill Valley Night at the
Reading Fightin Phils and attendance at the Annie Sullivan Award event. Fourth-grade students
visited the Pennsylvania Capitol and met with State Representative Eric Weaknecht. At the
elementary school, students participated in a reading initiative based on Saving Winslow, with SV
alumni supporting the kickoff by bringing donkeys to the school. He recognized the 7th grade gifted
team for earning the Outstanding Creativity Award and highlighted student participation in the Berks
Junior County Music Festival and the BCIU’s 44th Annual Secondary Art Exhibition. At the TSA
State Leadership Conference, SV students placed the top three (3) for the first time in school
history, earning two (2) second-place medals. At the Earth Day Berks Celebration, the high school
Environmental Science Club hosted a booth focused on recycling and created a mural using
recycled materials. FFA activities included participation in the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow
Veterinary Science Experience, the PA FFA State Legislative Conference, the Ontelaunee Grange
Meeting, and the Fleetwood Bank Agricultural Dinner. Athletic recognitions included Adalynn
Casper for her 100th strikeout, Lilah Gilmore for breaking the school long jump record (18 feet, 7

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April 27, 2026

inches), and Grace Wysocki for recording her 100th assist in girls’ lacrosse. Two (2) eighth-grade
students, Lincoln Miller and Landon Gauby, placed first and second, respectively, at the Nike Indoor
Nationals Shot Put competition. Dr. Winters noted that Pride of Schuylkill Valley nominations were
open through May 31 for 2026 and shared information on summer opportunities available within the
district.

POLICY, PERSONNEL AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Franklin M. Ammarell

The Policy, Personnel and Public Relations Committee held a work session Tuesday, April 7, 2026,
at 6:00 p.m. in the LeRoy Seip Meeting Room. The Committee met as a whole at 6:34 p.m. on
Monday, April 20, 2026, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next
work session will be held on Tuesday May 5, 2026, and the Committee will meet as a whole on
Monday May 18, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 6.1 through 6.3 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the following resignation due to retirement effective with the last day of the 2025-26
school year unless otherwise noted:

Mr. Matt Ammons, Director of Pupil Services (Effective June 1, 2026)

Accepts with best wishes for the future, the following resignations due to retirement effective with
the last day of the 2025-26 school year unless otherwise noted:

Ms. Debra Bittner, Special Education Paraprofessional (Effective Juen 30, 2026

Mr. Jeffrey Chillot, Mathematics Teacher

Mr. Mitchell Gaul, Science Teacher

Mrs. Patricia Lacey, Business Education Teacher (Effective August 21, 2026)

Accepts with regret and best wishes for the future the following resignation:

Amelia Herbert, Special Education Teacher at the Middle School (Effective June 5, 2026)

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve items 6.1
to 6.3 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 6.4.1 through 6.4.9 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the employment of the following (all elections are contingent upon receipt and district
approval of all necessary pre-employment forms, certifications, state-mandated physical

examinations, clearances, etc.):

6.4.1. Approves Ms. Brittany Cassidy, Part-Time Food Services Worker, at an hourly rate of
$18.87, effective April 13, 2026, to fill the vacancy created by her own resignation.

6.4.2 Approves Mr. Brandon VanSchaick, Science Long-Term Substitute Teacher at the Middle
School, Bachelor's Step 1, $56,303.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective
April 27, 2026

February 9, 2026, through approximately May 6, 2026, to fill the vacancy created by the
leave of absence of Mr. Mitchell Gaul.

6.4.3. Approves the following mentor for the 2025-26 school year at a stipend of $1,175.00 for
full-year mentors and $587.50 for half-year mentors:
Nedra Koller for Laura Schaeffer: Half-Year

6.4.4 Approves the following substitute for the 2025-26 school year:
Shelby Hinsey — Guest Teacher
Chloe Moyer — Guest Teacher
Luke Rissinger — Guest Teacher

6.4.5 Approves the following extracurricular appointments for the 2026-27 school year. Approval
is subject to the satisfactory receipt of all required clearances, background checks, and
executed employment contracts:
Daniel Gassert: Varsity Football High School Assistant Coach - $6,530.00

6.4.6 Approves the following co-curricular appointments for the 2025-26 school year:
Catalina Lassen: Art Activities Director (ES) - $576.00
Leanne Moyer: Middle School Set Design Painting - $305.00

6.4.7. Approves the following Community Aquatics Staff for the 2025-26 school year:

Last Name | First Name | Position Base Sal Yrs Exp Exp Bonus | Salary
Huggard Connor Student Lifeguard $15.00 0 $0.00 $15.00

6.4.8 Approves the following game workers for the 2025-26 school year to be paid $40.00 per
event:
Kevin Avery
Laura Schaeffer

6.4.9 Approves the following volunteers for the 2025-26 school year:

Megan Antonucci — ES

Salvatore Azzolina — ES

Kelly Eaton - ES

Sarah Felts - ES/MS

Shannon Heist-Sellers —- ES/MS

Tiffany Lopez —- ES

Arlenys Paulino — ES

Joshua Santos — HS (Student Internship — Bern Township Police Department)
Andrew Smyre — ES/MS

Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve items 6.4.1 through
6.4.9 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

6.5 Considered and acknowledged the following Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leaves of
absence:
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6.7

6.8

6.9

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April 27, 2026

Jonathan Jenkins, Social Studies Teacher — Effective approximately April 24, 2026, through May 1,
2026

Kelly Zimmerman, 4'" Grade Teacher — Effective March 30, 2026, through approximately May 12,
2026

Amanda Poland, Operations Secretary — effective March 9, 2026, Intermittently through March 9,
2027

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Kelly Steinke to acknowledge
the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leaves of absence as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 6.6 through 6.9 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the renewal agreement with Frontline Education for the Absence & Time, Recruiting &
Hiring, and Professional Learning Management products at a total cost of $39,672.83 for the period
of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Approves the Capital Blue Cross Benefit Renewal Plan for the Schuylkill Valley School District
Senior Product for the period of 07/01/2026 — 06/30/2027, which reflects an increase of $35.15
monthly premiums paid by seniors, and the Capital Blue Cross Benefit Renewal Plan for the
change in monthly premiums paid by the district.

Approves the renewal agreement with Docusign for the eSignature Business Pro Edition System at
a total cost of $3,042.00 for the period of May 6, 2026, through May 5, 2027.

Approves the renewal of the agreement with the Berks County Intermediate Unit for the Guest
Teacher Program for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, at a total cost to the district
of $900.00.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Linda Lash to approve items 6.6
through 6.9 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
The Board consolidated items 6.10 through 6.11 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the PSBA Membership Renewal for the 2026-27 school year in the amount of
$16,602.47.

Approves appointing Mrs. Linda Lash, current PSBA Liaison, as the PSBA Delegate Assembly
Participant representing the school district on November 7, 2026.

Board Action: Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve items
6.10 through 6.11, as presented.

Mrs. Lash reminded the board that the district can take another delegate to the Delegate Assembly
in November at Cumberland Valley School. If anyone is interested, they should notify Acting
Superintendent Dr. Winters.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
6.12

6.13

6.14

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April 27, 2026

Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 6.12 through 6.13 for Board approval as presented.
Approves Policy 620 Fund Balance for a 1% Reading.

Approves Policy 010 Board Hiring for a 1st Reading.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve items
6.12 through 6.13 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Nays: Moll

Motion passed 8-1.

The Board consolidated items 6.14 through 6.15 for Board approval as presented.
Approves and adopts Policy 325 Dress & Grooming following its 1st and 2"4 Readings.
Approves and adopts Policy 707 Use of Facilities following its 1s and 24 Readings.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve
items 6.14 through 6.15 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the PSBA State Funding Resolution.

Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve the PSBA State Funding
Resolution, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Consistent with the Public-School Code of 1949, the Board of Directors of the Schuylkill Valley
School District hereby makes a motion to elect Dr. Denis Quirk Superintendent of Schools for a
time period commencing on June 8, 2026, through June 30, 2029, and approving an employment
contract with Dr. Quirk for the same time period herein.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Linda Lash, consistent with the
Public-Schools Coe of 1949, the Board of Directors of the Schuylkill Valley School District
hereby makes a motion to elect Dr. Denis Quirk Superintendent of Schools for a time period
commencing on June 8, 2026, through June 30, 2029, and approving an employment
contract with Dr. Quirk for the same time period herein.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
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April 27, 2026

Approves the layoff of Michelle Viera effective June 30, 2026, for purposes of economics and
reorganization of the Human Resources Department.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve the
layoff of Michelle Viera effective June 30, 2026, for purposes of economics and
reorganization of the Human Resources Department.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Nays: Moll

Motion passed 8-1.

CURRICULUM AND TECHNOLOGY

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Linda R. Lash

The Curriculum and Technology Committee held a work session on Thursday April 9 at 6:00 p.m. in
the LeRoy K. Seip Meeting Room. The Committee met as a whole at 6:55 p.m. on Monday, April
20, 2026, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next work session will

be held on Thursday May 7, 2026, and the Committee will meet as a whole on Monday, April 20,
2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration
Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:
The Board consolidated items 7.1 through 7.5 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the quote from PowerSchool Group LLC in the amount of $15,622.16 for the license and
subscription of Schoology for the term of July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, as presented.

Approves the Dual Enrollment Agreement with Reading Area Community College (RACC) for
Schuylkill Valley High School for the 2026-27 academic year at a cost of $99.00 per credit, as
presented.

Approves the ECA Educational Services Science Kit Rental Agreement for the 2026-27 school
year.

Approves the three (3) year (7/1/2026 — 6/30/2029) Cybersecurity Software Agreement, as
presented.

Approves the three (3) year (7/1/2026 — 6/30/2029) proposed subscription for web content filtering,
as presented.

Moved by Joseph Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve items 7.1 through 7.5 as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:

Approves the participation in a free trial of the Wayfinder PreK-12 Program for potential
implementation at the Middle School level to support the delivery of structured Advisory lessons.
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April 27, 2026

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve the
participation in a free trial of the Wayfinder PreK-12 Program for potential implementation at
the Middle School level to support the delivery of structured Advisory lessons.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

BUDGET AND FINANCE
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Joseph M. Brown

The Budget and Finance Committee held a work session on Tuesday April 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the
LeRoy Seip Meeting Room. The Committee met as a whole at 7:16 p.m. on Monday, April 20,
2026, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next work session will be
held on Tuesday May 12, 2026, and the Committee will meet as a whole on Monday May 18, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration
Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Approves Option B the proposed Final General Fund Budget in the amount of $50,735,730.00 that
includes a tax increase of 0.85 mills (3.06%) and adds $242,000.00 to budgetary reserve to
balance.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the
proposed Final General Fund Budget in the amount of $50,735,730.00 that includes a tax
increase of 0.85 mill (3.06%) and adds $242,000.00 to budgetary reserve to balance.

Mr. Weyandt stated he supported a 1.00 mill increase, noting the district had operated with deficits
for the past two (2) years and should address the issue proactively to avoid a third year of deficit
spending. He expressed hope that building reserves now would reduce the need for future tax
increases. He also noted that any increase would support operating costs and not the Fieldhouse
Project.

Mr. Rossi stated he preferred a 0.85 increase, noting it would move the district in the right direction
while allowing time to stabilize financially. He referenced anticipated retirements and the hiring of a
new superintendent as potential factors in improving the district's financial position.

Mrs. Wallace provided updated estimates of the annual tax impact per household based on
average assessed value of $150,000.00:

o 0.75 mills: $112.50 increase
o 0.85 mills: $127.50 increase
o 1.00 mills: $150.00 increase

Mr. Ammarell stated he considered both the 0.85 and 1.00 mill options. While acknowledging the
benefit of a larger increase to potentially avoid future increases, he supported a 0.85 mill increase
as a balanced approach. He noted the district has not raised taxes in 11 of the past 13 years and
clarified that bond funds designated for the Fieldhouse Project were restricted to capital use.

Mr. Moll agreed that a tax increase was necessary but emphasized the importance of selecting an
appropriate amount. He noted that recent financial challenges were driven by unexpected expenses
and supported a 0.85 mill increase.
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8.4

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April 27, 2026
Mrs. Lash stated that a tax increase was necessary due to rising costs, particularly in special
education and cyber tuition, as well as unreimbursed expenses related to the Schuylkill Valley
Education Center (SVEC). She noted that prior budgets were maintained without increases, but
current conditions required adjustment.
Mrs. Steinke emphasized concerns regarding SVEC funding and urged engagement with county
officials regarding cost responsibilities. She supported a 0.85 mill increase and stressed the
importance of maintaining adequate funding for student programs.
Yeas: Ammarell, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt,
Nays: Brown, D. Weyandt
Motion passed 7-2.
The Board consolidated items 8.2 through 8.3 for Board approval as presented.

Approves/ratifies the payment of bills in the following amounts from March 9, 2026, to
April 28, 2026, as presented:

[GENERAL FUND $3,936,573.35
[CAFETERIA FUND $115,736.76
[CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FUND |$40,685.33
[CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND $22,550.00
[MS/HS ACTIVITY FUND $5,033.68
IGRAND TOTAL $4,120,579.12

Approves the budgetary transfers, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Joseph Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve items
8.2 through 8.3 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Quadient Leasing USA, Inc. Lease Extension Agreement for the mail machine for a
12-month term effective April 27, 2026, through April 27, 2027, with no increase, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve the
Quadient Leasing, USA, Inc. Lease Extension Agreement for the mail machine for a 12-
month term effective April 27, 2026, through April 27, 2027, with no increase, as presented.
Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the authorization of a contract through Gordian with S.J. Thomas Company, Inc. for the

replacement of dishwashing machines at both the MS & HS buildings for a total cost of
$182,503.70, pending legal review and approval of the final contract terms.

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8.7

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9.1

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April 27, 2026

Board Action: Moved by Joseph Brown and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
authorization of a contract through Gordian with S.J. Thomas Company, Inc. for the
replacement of dishwashing machines at both the MS & HS buildings for a total cost of
$182,503.70, pending legal review and approval of the final contract terms.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the Proposal from Singer Equipment Co. to remove and replace dishwashing machines
at both the MS & HS buildings for a total cost of $155,585.14.

Board Action: Moved by Joseph Brown and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
Proposal from Singer Equipment Co. to remove and replace dishwashing machines at both
the MS & HS buildings for a total cost of $155,585.14.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

OTHER (OLD/NEW BUSINESS)

Mrs. Weyandt stated that the board would hold a Special Budget Meeting on June 8, 2026, at 6:30

p.m. She stated the budget would be available for public comment for the next 30 days and the
Official final vote would be done on June 8, 2026.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Alfonso F. Rossi

The Buildings and Grounds Committee held a work session on Tuesday April 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
in the LeRoy K. Seip Meeting Room. The Committee met as a whole at 8:18 p.m. on Monday April
20, 2026, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next work session will
be held on Tuesday May 12, 2026, and the Committee will meet as a whole on Monday May 18,
2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration
Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:
The Board consolidated items 9.1 through 9.2 for Board approval as presented.

Approves an agreement with the Borough of Leesport for Ashley Way waterline installation as
presented.

Approves the quote from Tents & Events for 200 additional chairs for the 2026 Commencement
Ceremony on Thursday June 4, 2026.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve items
9.1 through 9.2 as presented.

Dr. Winters reported that the committee had met bi-weekly to plan the 2026 graduation. He noted
discussion regarding the field setup due to construction related to the Fieldhouse and potential
sightline concerns if the stage remained in the previous year’s location. He also noted that placing
the stage at the opposite end would present challenges with sun exposure during the ceremony.
The proposed setup placed the stage at the 50-yard line with the graduating class seated at an

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9.4

9.5

9.6

9.7

9.8

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April 27, 2026

angle on either side. Additional seating would extend along the front, and the configuration would
still allow spectators to sit on both sides of the stadium.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.
The Board consolidated items 9.2 through 9.6 for Board approval, as presented.

Approves Full Landscaping & Tree Service LLC to install a scoreboard at the High School Varsity
Softball Field at a cost of $7,500.00, inclusive of materials and labor.

Approves the quote from A.G. Mauro Company in the amount of $6,420.00 for parts and repairs to
multiple doors in the High School and Middle School.

Approves the proposal from Weaver Commercial in the amount of $8,995.00 for repairs of the
Middle School roof identified through a recent inspection.

Approves the disposal of the refrigerator in the High School Athletic Training Room.

Board Action: Moved by Franklin Ammarell and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve
items 9.2 to 9.5 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the rental contract with 101 Mobility for the rental and installation of (2) 18’ modular
ramps affixed to the stage at the 2026 Commencement Ceremony in the amount of $850.00.
Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by David Moll to approve the rental contract with 101
Mobility for the rental and installation of (2) 18’ modular ramps affixed to the stage at the
2026 Commencement Ceremony in the amount of $850.00.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Approves and ratifies the quote from Berkshire Mechanical to replace the failed blower motors in
the Middle School classrooms A211 and A219 for the amount of $4,790.00.

Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Linda Lash to approve and ratify the quote from
Berkshire Mechanical to replace the failed blower motors in the Middle School classrooms
A211 and A219 for the amount of $4,790.00.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE xx, 2025, BOARD MEETING:

Approves the Schlouch Incorporated General Construction Change Order 01 in the amount of
$2,624.00 for removal of the waterline as part of Phase | of the Fieldhouse Project.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the

Schlouch Incorporated General Construction Change Order 01 in the amount of $2,624.00
for removal of the waterline as part of Phase | of the Fieldhouse Project.

13
9.11

10.0

10.1

April 27, 2026

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:

Approves the Schlouch Incorporated Change Order 02 for a time extension as part of Phase | of the
Fieldhouse Project.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by David Moll to approve the
Schlouch Incorporated Change Order 02 for a time extension as part of Phase | of the
Fieldhouse Project.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:

Approves the Schipsi Electric LLC Electrical Construction Change Order 01 for a Time Extension as
part of Phase | of the Fieldhouse Project.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by David Moll to approve the Schipsi
Electrical LLC Electrical Construction Change Order 01 for a Time Extension as part of
Phase | of the Fieldhouse Project.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

STUDENT SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Kelly J. Steinke

The Student Services and Activities Committee held a work session on Monday April 13, at 6:00
p.m. in the LeRoy Seip Meeting Room. The Committee met as a whole at 8:34 p.m. on Monday
April 20, 2026, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next work
session will be held on Thursday May 14, 2026, and the Committee will meet as a whole on
Monday May 18, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration
Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:
Approves the SVHS Art Mural Project in the amount of $1,200.00 funded by two awarded grants.

Board Action: Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Lauren Matthews to approve the
SVHS Art Mural Project in the amount of $1,200.00 funded by two awarded grants.

Dr. Winters thanked the Board members and community partners involved in securing the grant. He
recognized Mrs. Matthews for her involvement through the Schuylkill Valley Education Foundation,
noting that a portion of the funding was provided through the Foundation. He also thanked Mr.
Brown, his family, and the Fraternal Order of Police for their financial support.

Mrs. Lash inquired whether a protective coating would be applied to the mural to preserve it from
the elements.

Dr. Winters stated he would look into this.

14
10.2

10.3

10.4

10.6

10.7

April 27, 2026

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the YMCA Summer Program Agreement and Appendix C, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the YMCA
Summer Program Agreement and Appendix C, as presented.

Mrs. Weyandt opened the floor to the public for anyone who wished to speak on the YMCA
Summer Program Agreement.

There was no public comment on this item.
Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves authorizing the Acting Superintendent, Dr. Patrick Winters, to sign the 2026-27 School
District Notice of Adoption to be submitted with the BCIU IDEA Grant Application.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Franklin Ammarell to approve
authorizing Acting Superintendent, Dr. Patrick Winters, to sign the 2026-27 School District
Notice of Adoption to be submitted with the BCIU IDEA Grant application.

Dr. Winters explained that the BCIU submits an annual special education grant, which includes
pass-through funding distributed to member districts. As part of the process, districts must approve
an adoption notice authorizing the IU to proceed with the grant. He noted that the item for approval
authorizes Dr. Patrick Winters to execute the required Docusign document on behalf of Schuylkill
Valley School District to allow the district’s portion of the grant to be processed.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the International Trip to France for a Cuisine and Culture Career-Readiness Tour

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the
International Trip to France for a Cuisine and Culture Career-Readiness Tour, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
The Board consolidated items 10.5 through 10.7 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the contract with Arethusa Designs for audio systems for the Commencement
Ceremonies for 2027, 2028, and 2029.

Approves the BCIU Berks County Safety and Security Consortium Services in the amount of
$6,500.00 for the 2026-27 school year.

Approves purchase of 500 Standard Response Protocol ID Bage Reminders as printed by the
BCIU Print Service Center at a cost of $275.79.
10.8

10.10

10.11

12.0

April 27, 2026

Board Action: Moved by Franklin Ammarell and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve
items 10.5 through 10.7, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the two (2) year Settlement Agreement for Student #3702 at AIM Academy.

Board Action: Moved by Daniel Weyandt and seconded by Lauren Matthews to approve the
two (2) year Settlement Agreement for Student #3702 at AIM Academy.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 20, 2025, BOARD MEETING:
Approves a resolution in support of House Bill (HB) 41 regarding boundary and non-boundary
schools for PIAA interscholastic athletics.

Board Action: Moved by Franklin Ammarell and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve a
resolution in support of HB 41 regarding boundary and non-boundary schools for PIAA
interscholastic athletics.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 20, 2025, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the Field Trip Request Form for the Special Track & Field Invitational in Hamburg Area

School District

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the Filed
Trip Request Form for the Special Track & Field Invitational in Hamburg Area School
District.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

OTHER (OLD/NEW BUSINESS)
Mrs. Matthews thanked Mrs. Cammauf, Mr. Bagenstose, the high school admin team and the prom
committee, for putting together a wonderful prom.

Dr. Winters on behalf of administration and the class advisors thanked the board for their
contribution towards prom and allowing the event to take place at this venue.

OTHER BUSINESS/GOOD OF THE ORDER

Mr. Ammarell thanked everyone involved in the past weekend’s track team’s invitational track meet
and noted it took a lot of individuals to make it a success and especially thanked the track coaches,
their staff, the athletic and training department, the building administration, volunteers and the
custodians for their efforts.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
13.0

April 27, 2026

ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Franklin Ammarell and seconded by Alfonso Rossi, there being no further
business to come before the Board, the meeting be adjourned.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:21 p.m.

4 » i i
. Be R. Lash, Le °

Board of School Directors

17
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## Minutes text: apr28_2025_concepts.txt

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1.0

1.1
1.2

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1.4

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April 28, 2025

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
929 Lakeshore Drive
Leesport, PA 19533-8631

MINUTES

April 28, 2025

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by the Board President, David E. Moll,
in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

ROLL CALL
Members Present: Franklin M. Ammarell, Paul L. Bendigo, Nicoleen M. Kleffel, Linda R. Lash,
David E. Moll, Bryan J. O'Donnell, Alfonso F. Rossi, Kelly J. Steinke, Daniel B. Weyandt

Secretary: Linda R. Lash
Recording Secretary: Susan A. Christman

Administrative Staff Present: Dr. Cathy Taschner, Dr. Melissa Brewer, Robin Brightbill, Jennifer
Godtfring, Dr. Joshua Kuehner, Jenny Rexrode, Jacqueline Rivas, Michael Sobozak, Kristin
Wallace, Dr. Patrick Winters

Solicitor: Alicia Luke, Esq., Fox Rothschild LLP

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Nicoleen Kleffel to approve the minutes of the
regular meeting of March 24, 2025, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Moll reported that the Board met in executive session on April 21, 2025, following the
Committee meetings, for personnel and legal matters, and on April 28, 2025, prior to the Board
meeting, for safety and security matters.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARD REPRESENTATIVES

PRESIDENT - David E. Moll

Mr. Moll discussed the concerns of the community regarding the reported gas leaks and findings
from UGI and Vision Mechanical; no gas leaks were found. He urged the faculty and staff to
continue to report any issues or concerns. Mr. Moll asked for a moment of silence to honor a
Schuylkill Valley student who recently passed.

SECRETARY - Linda R. Lash
No report.

BERKS COUNTY I.U. BOARD - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash reported that the BCIU Board extended the contract of Dr. Jill Hackman, BCIU Executive
Director, and she received an outstanding evaluation. Mrs. Lash reminded Board members to
complete the survey for election of BCIU Board of Directors for districts whose current Board
member's three-year term on the BCIU Board will expire on June 30, 2025. Mrs. Lash attended the
2.4

2.5

2.6

rm

3.0

4.0

41

April 28, 2025

COLA meeting on April 8 with Dr. Taschner and Mrs. Wallace where they discussed the Governor's
funding and next year’s budget. Mrs. Lash reported on the Annie Sullivan Award and Recognition
Event that was held on April 2 at the BCIU. This year’s winner of the award was Tracey Miller, a
paraprofessional from Govern Mifflin School District. Dr. Michelle Reichard-Huff was honored with
the 2025 PAPSA Distinguished Service Award. Mrs. Lash discussed some of the Legislative
Updates including closure of the United States Department of Education, a New Indoor Air Quality
Course and possible Head Start Federal Funding elimination. The Board may obtain the
Legislative Directory of all Senators, Representatives, and map of the county along with addresses
and phone numbers online. Schuylkill Valley School District is represented by Senator Chris
Gebhard, House Representative Eric Weaknecht and two U.S. Congress Representatives,
Madeleine Dean and Dan Meuser.

BERKS CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER - David E. Moll

Mr. Moll asked HS administrators to remind students to apply early to the BCTC as there is
typically a wait list. The enrollment for 2025-26 is 2,150 which is an all-time high. The BCTC
home development in Oley is in it’s third and final phase and they are looking at other properties
for building sites. Two students and their instructors will attend the HOSA National Conference
on June 17-22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. The SkillsUSA National Competition will take place on
June 23-28, 2025 in Atlanta, GA. Students will continue to machine parts for the NASA HUNCH
program; the part designed this year will be launched from the International Space Station.

TAX COLLECTION COMMITTEE - Nicoleen M. Kleffel

Mrs. Kleffel reported that their quarterly meeting was held on March 27. Some goals moving
forward include adopting ordinances, rules and regulations for assessments, collection across the
taxing jurisdiction, hiring additional staff to focus on discovery and enforcement, following up with
businesses who are out of compliance, and reviewing additional information from businesses to
ensure the EITC is calculated correctly.

PA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION LIAISON -— Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash reported that there is a webinar series that PSBA is offering over the summer for
school board members with several courses available. They are free to board members as part
of the district's PSBA membership. The PSBA Institute and Millersville University are offering
Foundational Al for School Leaders, an asynchronous learning course introducing school leaders
to the fundamental concepts and practical applications of artificial intelligence (Al) in educational
settings. The course requires about eight to 10 hours of independent work through asynchronous
instruction. The first cohort for this program will run June 16 through August.

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash reported that the foundation held their Inaugural Red & Black Gala on April 4. This
was a successful fundraiser and they hope to donate towards future scholarships. The
foundation has submitted a proposal for their earned income tax credit and they will be meeting
on May 14 to discuss available funds for grants next year.

PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

Louis Shucker, Bern Township — Technology and Its Effects on Students

Carol Weyandt, Bern Township — Implementation/Communication of MOU with NBRPD

Sally Horton, Leesport Borough/District Employee — Emotional Support Classrooms/Mental Health

BOARD
There were no items for Board approval.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

Ms. Luke spoke regarding a Right to Know request on a previous incident in September and a
draft statement that was prepared by a Board member prior to the completion of the investigation.
Ms. Luke also discussed the NBRPD MOU which began in March and noted police will be on
campus at least two days per week at various buildings interacting with students.
5.0

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5.2

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6.1

April 28, 2025
SUPERINTENDENT

Monthly Reports

The following monthly reports have been provided to the Board:

5.1.1 Enrollment Year-To-Date
5.1.2 Principals’ Dashboard Reports

Superintendent's Update
Dr. Taschner discussed various vacancies, interviews and the steps taken to fill these roles. She

and Mrs. Rexrode met with the special education team to hear their concerns. They discussed the
schedule, the impact on paraprofessionals and what they can do to increase the hiring of this
position, and the multi-disability classrooms. Dr. Taschner praised, recognized and thanked

Mrs. Kathleen Gwiazdowski for her time, commitment and guidance of students during their
formative years and beyond. She also provided district highlights from the past month. The 4!
grade chorus performed the National Anthem at SV Night at the R-Phils in April and thanked our
music teachers for making these events happen. The elementary school kicked off its Panthers
Read program and the entire ES will be reading “Dragons in a Bag.” The SV Junior Honor Society
won “Most Original Design” and Most Educational Video” in the 2025 Berks Canstructure
competition. Under the direction of Dr. Liz Schucker, 7" grade gifted Panthers entered the “What's
So Cool About Manufacturing” competition and won the Outstanding Cool award for their Shark
Tank inspired video collaboration with EasyPak. 8" grade held their Biography Reception and
shared what they learned about their biography subjects while dressed in character. The middle
school had an outstanding performance of Beauty and the Beast Jr. along with the high school who
did an excellent job with their performance of Once Upon A Mattress. Our SV FFA attended Spring
Regional CDE Competitions, visited 2"4 grade and SV Community Library for Ag Literacy Week,
and hosted 1 grade students in the HS greenhouse to learn about plants. FFA members also
attended the State Legislative Leadership Conference and Fleetwood Bank Agricultural
Appreciation Dinner which provided insight into the agricultural industry. Four HS students
attended the PA-TSA State Leadership Conference and competed in robotics, senior solar sprint,
flight endurance and more. The BCIU Secondary Art Show was held at the Goggle Works with
many senior high school students winning numerous awards. All work will be on display at the HS
Spring Concert and Art Show on May 6. High school students attended the Central East Regional
Science Olympiad with 700 students competing in over 46 events. Students practice and study
throughout the year to prepare for their events. Taylor Henry, senior student, graduated from
RACC before earning her high school diploma. This was made possible through the SVHS-RACC
partnership for dual enrollment. Dr. Taschner congratulated Tina Nguyen, HS paraprofessional,
SV’s nomination for the Annie Sullivan Award, and thanked her for everything she does for our
students. Our Food Service department received $2,600 from GIANT’s Round Up at the Register
event, with the funds being used to support programs offered by food service.

POLICY, PERSONNEL AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

Summary of Committee Deliberations - Paul L. Bendigo

The Policy, Personnel and Public Relations Committee met at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025,
in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee
will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Accepts, with best wishes for the future, the following resignation due to retirement effective with
the last day of the 2024-25 school year unless otherwise noted:
6.2

6.3

April 28, 2025

- Mrs. Kathleen Gwiazdowski, 2" Grade Teacher
Accepts, with regret and best wishes for the future, the following resignation:
- Ms. May Raudenbush, Part-Time Special Education Paraprofessional, effective March 26, 2025.

Approves the employment of the following (all elections are contingent upon receipt and district
approval of all necessary pre-employment forms, certification, state-mandated physical
examinations, clearances, etc.):

6.3.1 The transfer of Ms. Amanda Clark from Part-Time Special Education Paraprofessional at
the Elementary School to Substitute Paraprofessional, effective April 11, 2025.

6.3.2 Mr. Brett Hoch, Physics 7-12 Teacher, Bachelor's, Step 7, $62,208, effective with the start
of the 2025-26 school year, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Mr. Mark Horrell.

6.3.3 Ms. Maricela Moreno, Part-Time Food Services Worker, 4 hours per day at an hourly rate
of pay of $15.44, effective March 31, 2025, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of
Mrs. Joanne Cummings.

6.3.4 Substitutes for the 2024-25 school year:

Kayla Brooks - Guest Teacher
Grace Good - Guest Teacher
Barbara Hill - Custodian

Rory Nilsen - Guest Teacher
Anna Parmer - Guest Teacher
Moira Vaughan - Paraprofessional

6.3.5 Volunteers for the 2024-25 school year:

Scott Burkhart - MS

Erica Czimcharo - ES/MS
Jillian Darlington - ES
Laura Gordon - ES

Emily Klick - ES

Melissa Kopicz - ES
Robert Maulick - ES
Megan Nunez - ES
Brandy Pyne - ES/MS
Timothy Shannon - ES
Steffany Snell - ES

Kelly Troutman - ES
Megan Verdejo - ES
Shayna Wagner - ES/MS
Robert Wood, Jr. - ES/HS/MS

6.3.6 Game worker for the 2024-25 school year, to be paid $40 per event:
Caden Moyer

6.3.7 Extracurricular appointments for the 2024-25 school year:
Mr. Frank Ammarell - Baseball Junior High Assistant Coach - Volunteer

Mr. Luke Martinez - Track & Field Junior High Assistant Coach - $2,000
Mr. Micah Storms - Baseball Varsity Assistant Coach - $3,500
6.3.8

6.3.10

6.3.11

6.3.12

6.3.13

6.3.14

6.3.15

April 28, 2025
Extracurricular advising appointment for the 2024-25 school year:
Mrs. Ronda Seymour - Musical Set/Costume/Make-up - Middle School - $1,200
Extracurricular appointments for the 2025-26 school year:
Mr. Darriss Tinson - Football Junior Varsity Head Coach - $6,430
Extracurricular advising appointment for the 2025-26 school year:
Mr. Timothy Kier - Football Equipment Manager - $600

The use of three Part-Time Temporary Technology Projects Employees at a rate of
$15.93/hour.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 21, 2025, BOARD MEETING:
The position and associated job description for Principal, Schuylkill Valley Education

Center.

Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Nicoleen Kleffel to approve the position and
associated job description for Principal, Schuylkill Valley Education Center.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 21, 2025, BOARD MEETING:

Ms. Azucena Macedo, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent/Board Recording
Secretary, $66,747.20 (prorated for actual days worked) and the associated employment
contract for the position. The effective date is upon release of current assignment and
the appointment fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Mrs. Sue Christman.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Paul Bendigo to
approve Ms. Azucena Macedo, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent/Board
Recording Secretary, $66,747.20 (prorated for actual days worked) and the
associated employment contract for the position. The effective date is upon
release of current assignment and the appointment fills the vacancy created by the
retirement of Mrs. Sue Christman.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 21, 2025, BOARD MEETING:

The transfer of Dr. Joshua Kuehner from Schuylkill Valley Middle School Principal to
Principal of Schuylkill Valley Education Center, effective July 1, 2025.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Paul Bendigo to approve
the transfer of Dr. Joshua Kuehner from Schuylkill Valley Middle School Principal
to Principal of Schuylkill Valley Education Center, effective July 1, 2025.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 21, 2025, BOARD MEETING:
The rescindment of the retirement of Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Mary Ellen Kummerer.

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April 28, 2025

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Kelly Steinke to
approve the rescindment of the retirement of Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Mary Ellen
Kummerer.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O'Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Acknowledges the following Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave of absence:

- Janna Kneeream, Secretary to the Principal at the high school, effective March 20, 2025, through
May 1, 2025.

Approves the appointment of Mrs. Linda Lash, current PSBA liaison, as the PSBA Delegate
Assembly participant representing the school district on October 21, 2025.

NOTE: The annual PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference will be held October 19-21, 2025,
and the PSBA Delegate Assembly will be held on October 21, 2025.

Approves the renewal of the agreement with educationplus, for the PA REAP teacher application
system for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, at a total cost to the district of
$1,099.00.

Approves the agreement with Docusign, for the eSignature Business Pro Edition system, for the
period of May 6, 2025, through May 6, 2026, at a total cost to the district of $3,042.

Approves the Capital Blue Cross Benefit Renewal Plan for the Schuylkill Valley School District
Senior Product for the period of 07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026, which reflects an increase of $30.56 in
monthly premiums paid by seniors, and the Capital Blue Cross Benefit Renewal Plan for the
Schuylkill Valley School District Vision Product for the period of 07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026, which
reflects no change in monthly premiums paid by the district.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Paul Bendigo to accept, with
best wishes for the future, the resignation due to retirement in Item 6.1, as presented; and to
accept, with regret and best wishes for the future, the resignation of Ms. May Raudenbush,
Part-Time Special Education Paraprofessional, effective March 26, 2025; and to approve the
employment in Items 6.3.1 through and including 6.3.11, as presented; and to acknowledge
the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave of absence in Item 6.4, as presented; and to
approve the appointment of Mrs. Linda Lash, current PSBA liaison, as the PSBA Delegate
Assembly participant representing the school district on October 21, 2025; and to approve
the renewal of the agreement with educationplus, for the PA REAP teacher application
system for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, at a total cost to the district of
$1,099.00; and to approve the agreement with Docusign, for the eSignature Business Pro
Edition system, for the period of May 6, 2025, through May 6, 2026, at a total cost to the
district of $3,042; and to approve the Capital Blue Cross Benefit Renewal Plan for the
Schuylkill Valley School District Senior Product for the period of 07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026,
which reflects an increase of $30.56 in monthly premiums paid by seniors, and the Capital
Blue Cross Benefit Renewal Plan for the Schuylkill Valley School District Vision Product for
the period of 07/01/2025 - 06/30/2026, which reflects no change in monthly premiums paid by
the district.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

CURRICULUM AND TECHNOLOGY
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8.2

8.3

April 28, 2025
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Linda R. Lash
The Curriculum and Technology Committee met at 7:15 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025, in the

Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will be
held on Monday, May 19, 2025.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Approves the cyber security software agreement for the 2025-2026 school year, as presented.
Approves the 2025-2026 Schuylkill Valley High School Program of Studies.

Approves the proposal from Visual Sound to replace the MS Auditorium sound system, projector
and screen.

Approves pilot programming for the Zones of Regulation Curriculum, and for the EveryDay Speech
Curriculum.

Board Action: Moved by Bryan O’Donnell and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the cyber
security software agreement for the 2025-2026 school year, as presented; and to approve
the 2025-2026 Schuylkill Valley High School Program of Studies; and to approve the
proposal from Visual Sound to replace the MS Auditorium sound system, projector and
screen; and to approve pilot programming for the Zones of Regulation Curriculum, and for
the EveryDay Speech Curriculum.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

BUDGET AND FINANCE

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Nicoleen M. Kleffel

The Budget and Finance Committee met at 7:31 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025, in the Auxiliary
Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will

be held on Monday, May 19, 2025.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Approves/ratifies the payment of bills in the following amounts from March 10, 2025, to
April 29, 2025, as presented:

GENERAL FUND $4,433,937.53
CAFETERIA FUND $71,380.36
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FUND $101,811.29
MS/HS ACTIVITY FUND $16,889.65
GRAND TOTAL $4,624,018.83

Approves the budget transfers, as presented.

Approves the Computer Service Rates for 2025-2026 with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate
Unit (CSIU) for the district's fund accounting, payroll and personnel software. The estimated cost for
8.4

8.5

9.0

9.1

April 28, 2025

2025-2026 is $26,815 based on estimated student enrollment at year end. This compares to the
actual cost spent for 2024-2025 of $25,727, a 4.23% increase due to annual rate increases.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Bryan O’Donnell to
approvel/ratify the payment of bills in Item 8.1 from March 10, 2025, to April 29, 2025, as
presented; and to approve the budget transfers, as presented; and to approve the Computer
Service Rates for 2025-2026 with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) for the
district's fund accounting, payroll and personnel software. The estimated cost for 2025-2026
is $26,815 based on estimated student enrollment at year end. This compares to the actual
cost spent for 2024-2025 of $25,727, a 4.23% increase due to annual rate increases.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the adoption of the Berks County Intermediate Unit's policies and procedures under the
federal requirements of 34 CFR PART 300. The IU-adopted policies are implemented to fulfill the
requirements of 22 PA Code Chapter 14 and the regulatory requirements under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act - Part B.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the
adoption of the Berks County Intermediate Unit's policies and procedures under the federal
requirements of 34 CFR PART 300. The IU-adopted policies are implemented to fulfill the
requirements of 22 PA Code Chapter 14 and the regulatory requirements under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - Part B.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE APRIL 21, 2025, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the 2025-26 proposed final general fund budget in the amount of $49,771,295.

This budget does not include a tax increase.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Paul Bendigo to approve the
proposed final general fund budget in the amount of $49,771,295. This budget does not
include a tax increase.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Bryan J. O’Donnell

The Buildings and Grounds Committee met at 8:04 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025, in the Auxiliary
Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will

be held on Monday, May 19, 2025.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Approves the Ontelaunee Township Pretreatment Program Discharge Permit. The permit shall be
valid for a period of three years, expiring on March 31, 2028.
9.2

9.3

9.4

9.5

April 28, 2025

Approves the proposals from Republic Services for solid waste disposal and recycling services
during the term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in the following amounts per building:

- High School - $662.49 per month
- Middle School - $612.26 per month
- Elementary School - $662.49 per month

Approves Vision Mechanical, Inc. to provide labor and material to swap out the Trane water source
heat pump unit in a middle school classroom in the amount of $12,760.

Board Action: Moved by Paul Bendigo and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
Ontelaunee Township Pretreatment Program Discharge Permit. The permit shall be valid for
a period of three years, expiring on March 31, 2028; and to approve the proposals from
Republic Services for solid waste disposal and recycling services during the term of July 1,
2025 through June 30, 2026, as presented; and to approve Vision Mechanical, Inc. to provide
labor and material to swap out the Trane water source heat pump unit in a middle school
classroom in the amount of $12,760.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the emergency repairs to the pumphouse.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Bryan O’Donnell to approve the
emergency repairs to the pumphouse.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Presentation: Schrader Group Architects - Field House

Mr. Harry Pettoni, Partner, gave a presentation on the Field House Project. He discussed two
concept floor designs, two conceptual estimates, similar projects and a proposed schedule. The
Concept Floor Plan, Version 1, is 38,970 square feet at a cost of $18.7 million. The Concept Floor
Plan, Version 2, is 42,880 square feet at $20.4 million which accommodates an increase in the size
of the indoor turf field from 40 yards to 50 yards The numbers presented include the relocation of
the softball field and track events but do not include any improvements under the bleachers or the
relocation of the ticket booth. They are looking at a pre-engineered metal building structure for this
project. The proposed timeline from 2025-2027 includes the schematic design beginning April
2025, design development July 2025, construction documents September 2025, permitting and
approvals May 2025, bidding December 2025 with the Board approval of bids February 2026, and
construction March 2026 through May 2027.

STUDENT SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Alfonso F. Rossi

The Student Services and Activities Committee met at 8:08 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025, in
the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee
will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:
10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

April 28, 2025

Approves the 2027 EF Tour Trip to Germany, France, and Spain for Schuylkill Valley High School
students.

Approves the Schuylkill Valley High School Student Code of Conduct and Handbook for the
2025-2026 school year.

Approves the Settlement Agreement and Release for Student #4199.
Approves the Third Party Educational Trust for Student #4199.

Approves the Independent Contractor Agreement for School Physician Services with Dr. Angela
Zawisza.

Approves the Penn State Health Team Physician and Athletic Training Services Agreement.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Bryan O’Donnell to approve
the 2027 EF Tour Trip to Germany, France, and Spain for Schuylkill Valley High School
students; and to approve the Schuylkill Valley High School Student Code of Conduct and
Handbook for the 2025-2026 school year; and to approve the Settlement Agreement and
Release for Student #4199; and to approve the Third Party Educational Trust for Student
#4199; and to approve the Independent Contractor Agreement for School Physician
Services with Dr. Angela Zawisza; and to approve the Penn State Health Team Physician
and Athletic Training Services Agreement.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Schuylkill Valley Middle School Student Code of Conduct and Handbook for the
2025-2026 school year.

Mr. Bendigo stated that in reading the Middle School Student Code of Conduct and Handbook for
2025-2026, he has some questions on drop off times and schedule times that are posted. He
asked for clarification on these items and that this item be moved to the May 19 agenda.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Paul Bendigo to table the
Schuylkill Valley Middle School Student Code of Conduct and Handbook for the 2025-2026
school year.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the waiver of expulsion hearing release agreement between Schuylkill Valley School
District and the Parents of Student #2863.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the waiver
of expulsion hearing release agreement between Schuylkill Valley School District and the
Parents of Student #2863.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves waiver of expulsion hearing release agreement between Schuylkill Valley School District
and the parents of Student #5304.

10
10.10

12.0

13.0

April 28, 2025

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Bryan O’Donnell to approve the
waiver of expulsion hearing release agreement between Schuylkill Valley School District and
the parents of Student #5304.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Presentation: Attendance Follow-up

Dr. Melissa Brewer, Director of Pupil Services, reviewed the student attendance process and
provided a presentation of ongoing work regarding attendance. She reviewed the thresholds for
unexcused/unlawful absences and how letters are sent for 3-day, 5-day, and 10-day absences.
Dr. Brewer met with the assistant principals and Dr. Taschner to review Board Policy 204:
Attendance, and the Administrative Regulations associated with the policy. The letters will be
finalized with common language for all three buildings, and while we are only required to send the
3-day letter, the team recommends sending the 1-day and 2-day letters as well. They will also
confirm the notification plan per letter for the 2025-26 school year and develop an attendance flow
chart with language specific to the district's policy and administrative regulations.

OTHER BUSINESS/GOOD OF THE ORDER

Mrs. Steinke discussed the Prom event and students with allergies. She inquired if there is a
procedure in place for students to disclose allergy information for future events. Dr. Taschner
requested a follow-up from Mrs. Godtfring and to discuss this at the May Board meeting with an
adjustment plan for the next year giving students the option to inform staff of any allergies when
order tickets for events. Mrs. Kleffel shared that a professional contact stated that he visits many
school districts to provide financial and budgeting information, and that Schuylkill Valley is one of
the best districts he has ever visited. Our students were well-behaved and very respectful, and
teachers and administrators were kind and accommodating when he visited.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Moll announced that there would be an executive session immediately following the meeting for
legal matters and confidential student information.

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Kelly Steinke, there being no further business
to come before the Board, the meeting be adjourned.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:13 p.m.

Board of School Directors

11
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## Minutes text: aug25_2025_bond.txt

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1.1

1.2

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August 25, 2025

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
929 Lakeshore Drive
Leesport, PA 19533-8631

MINUTES

August 25, 2025

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by the Board President, David E. Moll,
in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

ROLL CALL
Members Present: Franklin M. Ammarell, Nicoleen Kleffel, Linda R. Lash, David E. Moll, Bryan J.
O'Donnell, Alfonso F. Rossi, Kelly J. Steinke, Daniel B. Weyandt

Board Member Paul L. Bendigo was not physically present but participated and voted via
speakerphone.

Secretary: Linda R. Lash
Recording Secretary: Azucena Macedo

Administrative Staff Present: Dr. Cathy Taschner, Dr. Melissa Brewer, Robin Brightbill, Jennifer
Godtfring, Dr. Joshua Kuehner, Jenny Rexrode, Michael Sobczak, Kristin Wallace, Dr. Patrick
Winters, Dr. Shannon O'Donnell,

Solicitor: Alicia Luke, Esq., Fox Rothschild LLP

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Bryan O’Donnell to approve the minutes of the
regular meeting of July 28, 2025, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Moll reported that the Board met in executive session on August 6, 2025, for personnel matters
and on August 18, 2025, following the Committee meetings, for confidential student information,
legal, security and personnel matters, and on August 25, 2025, prior to the meeting for personnel
matters, and after the Board meeting, for personnel, legal and confidential student information.

RECOGNITION OF STUDENT AND STAFF
Mr. Jason Hansen, Athletic Director, on behalf of the board recognized the following individuals for
their accomplishments.

o Allyson McKechnie - BCIAA’s 2025 Spring Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year
o Terry McKechnie — BCIAA’s 2025 Spring Girls Track and Field Coache of the Year
o Bruce Harbach — Pennsylvania Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame

PRESENTATION

2025 General Obligation Bond Resolution:

Mr. Zack Williard of PFM Financial Advisors and Mrs. Lauren Stadel of Raymond James gave a
presentation on the 2025 General Obligation Bond Resolution. Mr. Williard reviewed the updated

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

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August 25, 2025

borrowed numbers, debt service, and the proposed bid timeline. Mrs. Stadel discussed the details
of the resolution and the timing involved. She explained that the borrowing figure appears inflated
partly due to the inclusion of capitalized interest for the first two (2) years. The resolution is
structured to provide flexibility based on the bids received. Mrs. Stadel noted that the resolution
specifies the District will continue to set aside funds in the budget for debt service, pledging its full
faith, credit, and taxing power to repay the bonds. This structure allows the financing team to
market the bonds at an agreed upon suitable time, with the District applying semiannual payments
in a timely manner to the paying agent, who then distributes the funds to bondholders.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARD REPRESENTATIVES

PRESIDENT -— David E. Moll
No report.

SECRETARY - Linda R. Lash
No report.

BERKS COUNTY I.U. BOARD - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash reported that the BCIU Learning Center for the Head Start classrooms is opening in the
GoggleWorks complex. The site will include two (2) classrooms as well as additional spaces, and
an open house is scheduled for Wednesday September 17, which she plans to attend. She also
noted that on Thursday evening, Mr. Jim Boscov was recognized as the 2025 BCIU Outstanding
Community Partner. He is the 11" recipient of this award and currently serves as Chairman and
CEO of Boscov's, as well as Chairman of the City of Reading. The BCIU also held it’s start-of-the-
year event for administrators, featuring guest speaker Mr. Adolf Brown, who is recognized as “the
World’s Greatest Educator.” In addition, the IU earned the National Top Workplace Recognition
Award, one of only 16 organizations across the United States to receive the honor. Over the
summer the IU hosted two Camp Connects for children who had experienced the loss of a family
member. A total of 23 children from across the state participated. Finally, Mrs. Lash shared that she
received a copy of the IU’s start-of-year report. The theme for the 2025-26 school year was “Aspire,
Adapt, and Advance” and the report outlines each department's priorities for the year.

BERKS CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER - David E. Moll
Mr. Moll reported that their first meeting is scheduled for August, with the Officer Meeting held
earlier in the evening at 5:00 p.m. He highlighted several updates:

o NOCTI Scores: The East Campus in Oley achieved a record high, with 98.6% of students
scoring competent or advanced on the NOCTI exams.

o Horticulture Program: This will be the final year for the Horticulture Program due to low
enrollment.

o Enrollment: On the first day of school enrollment stood at 2,072 students.

o Career Camp: Over the summer, the school hosted a career camp for 240 students
entering Vo-Tech. The program provides students with a week-long experience, allowing
them to rotate through various programs. Participation filled quickly.

TAX COLLECTION COMMITTEE — Nicoleen M. Kleffel
Mrs. Kleffel reported that there was no committee update at this time and noted that the
committee will meet at the end of the quarter.

PA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION LIAISON - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash discussed two (2) items. First, she noted that the annual conference is scheduled for
the week of October 19-21. She also shared updates regarding the state budget, explaining that
Pennsylvania lawmakers have shown little urgency in reaching an agreement, even though the
deadline passed nearly two (2) months ago. She explained that the lack of urgency stems from
the fact that Pennsylvania does not shut down in the absence of a budget, unlike other states.
While September 1 was originally suggested as a possible target date for an agreement, as that
date approaches, she does not see any progress being made.
2.7

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August 25, 2025

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash reported that the Foundation participated in In-Service Day, where they spoke with
teachers about payroll deductions and made connections for raffle items that were handmade by
students. The Foundation was also present at the Elementary School's Meet the Teacher Night
on Tuesday and will be attending the High School's event as well. She noted that the Foundation
has welcomed new board members, providing additional support throughout the year. Their next
meeting will take place in September to plan the fall outing. Preparations are also underway for
the Red and Black Event with hopes for increased attendance this year. Additionally, Mrs. Lash
shared that, at Mrs. Nein’s request, teachers are reminded that three (3) $500.00 grants, one for
each building, are available for application. She thanked Mrs. Nein for sharing this information.

PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

Mr. Louis Shucker, Bern Township — Artificial Intelligence
Carol Weyandt, Bern Township — Superintendent/District day to day operations, disposal of old
textbooks, dress code, staff training, Middle School Semester block scheduling

BOARD
There were no items for Board approval.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

Mrs. Luke discussed the bond presentation and noted that her Fox Rothschild colleagues
prepared the resolution included on the Board’s agenda for approval. She added that they will
continue working with the District throughout the process by assisting with due diligence,
settlement, document preparation, and related matters.

PSBA OFFICER ELECTIONS
The Board is requested to consider and recommend the election of officers for the Pennsylvania
School Boards Association for the following positions:

o President-Elect

o Vice President

o Section E-3 Advisor

o PSBA Insurance Trustees — Choose up to 2

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Nicoleen Kleffel to elect Holly
Arnold, President-Elect; Matt Vannoy, Vice President; Andrew Kline, Section E-3 Advisor,
and Kathy K. Swope, PSBA Insurance Trust Trustees.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

SUPERINTENDENT

Monthly Reports

The following monthly reports have been provided to the Board:

5.1.1. Enrollment Year-To-Date
5.1.2 Principals’ Dashboard Reports

Superintendent's Update
Dr. Taschner provided district highlights from the past month. She began by thanking

administrators, custodians, food service staff, the business office and the technology department for
their efforts in preparing for the start of school. She also expressed appreciation to the PTAs for
6.0

6.1

6.2

August 25, 2025

their support during Back to School Nights. She highlighted the three (3) days of New Teacher
Induction, noting that the bus ride, particularly the stop at Plum Creek, was a standout moment.
Teacher In-Service Days welcomed staff back with breakfast and included a significant portion of
the mandated trainings, helping to set a positive tone for the new school year. Presentations were
led by administrators and covered topics such as security, discipline, student activity funds,
curriculum, de-escalation strategies, and professional ethics, as well as other issues teachers may
encounter in the opening weeks of school. PYEA also participated in the leadership retreat. Dr.
Taschner recognized Schuylkill Valley FFA for being awarded the Student Environmental
Organization of the Year Award by the Berks County Conservation District. The group also received
a certificate of recognition from the Berks County Conservation District. The group also received a
certificate of recognition from the Berks County Board of Commissioners for its outstanding
accomplishments. In addition, the FFA team participated in Penn State University’s Ag Progress
Days alongside the County Commissioners. Lastly, she shared that the High School Girls’
Basketball Team traveled to Myrtle Beach to compete in the NTBA National Tournament.

POLICY, PERSONNEL AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Paul L. Bendigo

The Policy, Personnel and Public Relations Committee met at 6:02 p.m. on Monday, August 18,
2025, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the
Committee will be held on Monday, September 15, 2025.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 6.1 through 6.9 for Board approval as presented.
Accepts, with best wishes for the future, the following resignations:

Ms. Jenifer Brendel, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective June 6, 2025
Mr. Nicholas Wojciechowski, 5" Grade Teacher, effective August 12, 2025

Mr. Vito Zazo, IT Technician, effective July 31, 2025

Ms. Krissi Swavely, Food Services Worker, effective June 6, 2025

Dr. Cathy L. Taschner, Superintendent, effective November 12, 2025

Approves the employment of the following (all elections are contingent upon receipt and district
approval of all necessary pre-employment forms, certification, state-mandated physical
examinations, clearances, etc.):

6.2.1 Approves Mr. Lorenzo Cinicola, Custodial Supervisor, at an hourly rate of $34.90, effective
date to be determined, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. David McDonaldson.

6.2.2 Approves Ms. Yesenia Gonzalez Jimenez, Custodian, at an hourly rate of $20.21, effective
July 21, 2025, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Charles Fellows.

6.2.3 Approves Mr. Stephen Mickulik, Principal at the Middle School, at an annual salary of
$113,500.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective date to be determined, to fill the vacancy
created by the transfer of Dr. Joshua Kuehner.

6.2.4 Approves Ms. Chole Zimmerman, Part-Time Special Education Paraprofessional, six (6)
hours per day at an hourly rate of $13.66, effective with the start of the 2025-26 school year, to fill
the vacancy created by the retirement of Ms. Rita Ernst.

6.2.5 Approves the following game workers for the 2025-26 school year, to be paid $40.00 per
event:
6.2.6

6.2.8

August 25, 2025

Kristi Kauffman
Megan Osilka
Isabella Romingn

Approves the following volunteers for the 2025-26 school year:

Melissa Hassler — ES

Angela Kirn - ES

Lauren Matthews — HS/MS

Amy Miller — HS (Student Internship — Willow Creek Veterinary Center)
Tammy Witmer — HS (Student Internship — Reading Midwife Center)

Approves the following mentor for the 2025-26 school year at a stipend of $1,175.00 for full
year mentors and $587.50 for half year mentors:

Jodi Alderfer - Half Year
Morgan Boone - Full Year
Christina Diltz - Full Year

Creg Drake - Full Year

Julie Emerson - Half Year
Megan Fox - Full Year

Melissa Hottenstein - Full Year
Corriann Myers - Full Year
Sue Raynes - Full Year

Sarah Reed - Half Year
Michelle Rowles-Cranmer - Full Year
Abbey Sassaman - Full Year
Elizabeth Schucker - Full Year
Taylor Serafin - Full Year

Approves the following substitutes for the 2025-26 school year:

Yanelis Alverdi Vazquez - Custodian

Rachel Brister - Elementary Education K-4, Special Education PK-12
Angela Davis - Guest Teacher

Tara Ebling - Guest Teacher

George Eckert - Paraprofessional

Nelda Eddinger - Homebound, Elementary Education K-6 (Retired)
Kiley Esbenshade - Food Services Worker, Paraprofessional
Kimberly Foreman - English 7-12 (Retired)

Jamie Greenwood - Guest Teacher

Sandra Griffiths - Elementary K-6, Homebound (Retired)
Susan Heckman - Nurse

Aaron Hinsey - Social Studies 7-12

Colleen Hodnik - Elementary Education K-6 (Retired)
Veronica Hyland - English 7-12, Library Science K-12
Deanne Johnson - Mathematics 7-12

Susan Jones - Food Services Worker

Kalika Kauffman - Paraprofessional

John Paul King - Guest Teacher

Sharon Koller - Spanish (Retired)

Katie Kowalski - Guest Teacher, Paraprofessional

Michael Krishock - Guest Teacher

Kimberly Luigard - Elementary Education K-6

Brenda Martin - Guest Teacher

Jennifer Mazaika - Paraprofessional

Michael McDermott - Guest Teacher
6.3

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August 25, 2025

Mary McMenamin-Blatt - Guest Teacher

Charles Moody - Paraprofessional

Wendy Noll - Paraprofessional

Anne Ostrowski - Guest Teacher

Fran Pucul - Guest Teacher

Roberta Nye - Guest Teacher

James Pirtle - Mathematics 7-12 (Retired)

Joseph Reedy - Social Studies 7-12 (Retired)
Reannna Reynolds - Guest Teacher, Homebound
John Ries - Guest Teacher

Tiffany Rollman - Paraprofessional

Carly Schaffer - Guest Teacher

Janet Scull - Speech Correction (Retired)

Jane Sigoda - Homebound, Elementary Education K-6 (Retired)
Susan Staus - Guest Teacher, Paraprofessional
Cynthia Steele - Mathematics 7-12 (Retired)

Donna Unger - Elementary Education K-4

Katey Vandergrift - Guest Teacher

Moira Vaughan - Paraprofessional

Tiffany Wagner - Elementary Education K-4
Dorothea Weeks - Social Studies 7-12

Jeysalin Williams - Guest Teacher

Christine Wysocki - Homebound, Paraprofessional, Elementary Education K-6 (Retired)
Alexandra Yeager - Guest Teacher, Paraprofessional
Victoria Zimmerman - Guest Teacher

Approves the following changes to the per diem substitute wage rates for the 2025-26 school year:

Nurse substitute from $150.00/day to $160.00/day

Teacher day to day substitute from $160.00/day to $170.00/day

Teacher day to day substitute ten (10) or more cumulative days in a school year from $170.00/day
to $180.00/day.

Teacher short-term substitute (6-44) days in same assignment) from $180.00/day to $190.00/day.
Retired teacher substitute from $195.00/day to $205.00/day

Approves the childrearing request of Mrs. Michelle DeStefano Konchar, Mathematics Teacher at
the high school, effective November 10, 2025, through January 26, 2025.

Approves the University-District Certification Program MOU with Wilkes University School of
Education Certification Programs in partnership with Schuylkill Valley School District

Acknowledges the following Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave of absence:

Courtney Neary, Kindergarten Teacher at the elementary school, effective approximately October
9, 2025, through December 1, 2025.

Approves the renewal of the agreement with VectorSolutions for its Vector Training, Employee
Safety and Compliance Library for trainings for district staff, at an annual cost of $2,270.70, for the
period of 09/25/2025 — 09/24/2026.

Approves the renewal of the agreement with General Healthcare Resources, LLC, to provide
substitute nurses at the hourly rate of $55.00 for an LPN and $65.00 for an RN.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded Bryan O’Donnell to consolidate and
approve items 6.1 to 6.9, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
6.9

6.11

6.12

6.13

August 25, 2025

Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the fall coaching salaries for the 2025-26 school year.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the
fall coaching salaries for the 2025-26 school year.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the addition and revision of the following extra and co-curricular positions.

Mr. Moll requested information on participation rates of the co-curricular activities, including when
the events are held and the number of hours involved. He emphasized the importance of ensuring
that the additional positions being added are meeting student needs and that attendance and time
commitments from teachers are documented, as these roles come with additional salaries.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Bryan O’Donnell to approve

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Resignation and Confidential Settlement Agreement and Release Agreement
0002501738.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
Resignation and Confidential Settlement Agreement and Release Agreement 0002501738.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves Ms. Karen Heiland, Reading Specialist K-12 Teacher, Master’s+42, Step 22, $103,533.00
effective pending release from current assignment, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of
Mrs. Deborah Wrestler.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Nicoleen Kleffel to approve Ms.
Karen Heiland, Reading Specialist K-12 Teacher, Master’s+42, Step 22, $103,533.00 effective
pending release from current assignment, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of
Mrs. Deborah Wrestler.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE AUGUST 18, 2025, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the of Mr. Stephen Mickulik, Principal at the Middle School, at an annual salary of
$113,500.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective date to be determined, to fill the vacancy
created by the transfer of Dr. Joshua Kuehner.

Board Action: Moved Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve Mr.
Stephen Mickulik, Principal at the Middle School, at an annual salary of $113,500.00
(prorated for actual days worked), effective date to be determined, to fill the vacancy
created by the transfer of Dr. Joshua Kuehner.
6.14

6.16

6.17

August 25, 2025

Yeas: Ammarell, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE AUGUST 18, 2025, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the bus drivers utilized by Eshelman Transportation for the 2025-26 school year.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the bus
drivers utilized by Eshelman Transportation for the 2025-26 school year.

Yeas: Ammarell, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O'Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE AUGUST 18, 2025, BOARD MEETING:
Approves of Ms. Karly King, Special Education PK-8 Teacher, Master’s Step 6, $67,730.00,

effective with the start of the 2025-26 school year, to fill the vacancy created by the transfer of Ms.
Charlotte Lupia.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve of
Ms. Karly King, Special Education PK-8 Teacher, Master’s Step 6, $67,730.00, effective with
the start of the 2025-26 school year, to fill the vacancy created by the transfer of Ms.
Charlotte Lupia.

Yeas: Ammarell, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE AUGUST 18, 2025, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the following Certified Building Substitute Teachers for the 2025-26 school year, at an
annual rate of pay $46,3003.00 (reduced rate of pay with single level benefit option available and
prorated for actual days worked):

Logan Borkey
Heather Hadwin
Aaron Hinsey
Veronica Hyland
Kim Luigard
Donna Novakovich

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the Certified
Building Substitute Teachers for the 2025-26 school year, at an annual rate of pay
$46,3003.00 (reduced rate of pay with single level benefit option available and prorated for
actual days worked) as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE AUGUST 18, 2025, BOARD MEETING:
Approves of Mr. Matthew Christman, Mathematics 7-12 Long-Term Substitute Teacher at the
high school, Bachelor’s, Step 1, $56,303.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective with the
start of the 2025-26 school year, through approximately January 27, 2026, to fill the vacancy
created by the leave of absence of Mrs. Michelle DeStefano Konchar.

7.0

7.1

7.2

7.3

7.4

7.5

7.6

August 25, 2025

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve of
Mr. Matthew Christman, Mathematics 7-12 Long-Term Substitute Teacher, at the high school,
Bachelor’s, Step 1, $56,303.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective with the start of
the 2025-26 school year, through approximately January 27, 2026, to fill the vacancy created
by the leave of absence of Mrs. Michelle DeStefano Konchar.

Yeas: Ammarell, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O'Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE AUGUST 18, 2025, BOARD MEETING:
Approves of Ms. Tiffany Wagner, Elementary Education PK-4 Long-Term Substitute Teacher at the
Elementary School, Master's, Step 2, $63,049.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective with
the start of the 2025-26 school year, end date to be determined, to fill the vacancy created by the
leave of absence of Mrs. Caitlin Doupe.

Board Action: Moved by Bryan O’Donnell and seconded by Nicoleen Kleffel to approve of
Ms. Tiffany Wagner, Elementary Education PK-4 Long-Term Substitute Teacher at the
Elementary School, Master’s Step 2, $63,049.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective
with the start of the 2025-26 school year, end date to be determined, to fill the vacancy
created by the leave of absence of Mrs. Caitlin Doupe.

Yeas: Ammarell, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O'Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

CURRICULUM AND TECHNOLOGY

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Linda R. Lash

The Curriculum and Technology Committee met at 7:20 p.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025, in the
Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will be
held on Monday, September 15, 2025.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 7.1 through 7.11 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the renewal quote from SchoolStatus, LLC for the Smore for Teams software subscription
beginning 9/6/2025 and ending 9/5/2026 in the amount of $1,360.00, as presented.

Approves the Statement of Work Agreement with the Berks County Intermediate Unit for job
embedded professional learning for our mathematics teachers, as presented.

Approves the articulation agreement with SUNY Morrisville for our Agricultural Science Program.

Approves the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Berks County Head Start for the 2025-26
school year.

Approves the Statement of the work with Pearson to provide virtual programming for the 2025-26
school year.

Approves the purchase of a new Earth Networks Weather Station at a cost of $10,894.00, as
presented.
7.7

7.8

7.9

7.12

8.0

8.1

8.2

August 25, 2025

Approves the purchase of ten (10) copies of the Introduction to Veterinary Science textbooks at a
cost of $1,419.00, as presented.

Approves the renewal of the Project STEM licenses for the 2025-26 school year at a cost of
$2,000.00, as presented.

Approves the MindTap Century 21 Accounting digital access at a cost of $1,125.00, as presented.
Approves the renewal of the eDynamic Learning License for the Virtual Business Sports and
Entertainment Lab at a cost of $1,360.00. This license renewal is for a period of three (3) years,
7/22/2025 — 7/21/2028.

Approves the purchase of 35 user licenses for the CertPrep MOS Practice Tests at a cost of
$3,290.00.

Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Bryan O’Donnell to consolidate and approve
items 7.1 through 7.11 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O'Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

OTHER (OLD/NEW BUSINESS)

Mrs. Steinke inquired about the possibility of implementing an overall communication system. She
noted that other schools are using platforms that are not solely dependent on email, social media,
phone or text. She asked whether there could be one consolidated location for District information
so that families and staff can access everything in one place, rather than having it dispersed across
multiple platforms. Dr. Taschner stated the information would be gathered and presented to the
board at a later date.

BUDGET AND FINANCE

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Nicoleen M. Kleffel

The Budget and Finance Committee met at 7:20 p.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025, in the Auxiliary
Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will

be held on Monday, September 15, 2025.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 8.1 through 8.2 for Board approval as presented.

Approvesy/ratifies the payment of bills in the following amounts from July 14, 2025, to
August 26, 2025, as presented:

IGENERAL FUND $2,415,114.55)
CAFETERIA FUND $16,597.23}
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FUND $20,577.88
IMS/HS ACTIVITY FUND $8,689.86}
GRAND TOTAL $2,460,979.52|

Approves the disposal of a one-four-tier rolling rack due to poor condition.
8.3

8.4

August 25, 2025

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to consolidate
and approve items 8.1 and 8.2 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the SVSD 2025 GOB Resolution authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds to
provide financing for the planning, designing, constructing, equipping and furnishing of a new
athletic facility to be utilized as a field house.

The Board emphasized that if the project does not move forward, the District is not obligated. It was
also clarified that while the District has the potential to borrow $23.5 million, this does not mean that
the full amount will be withdrawn. Mrs. Steinke further inquired whether there would be a meeting of
the entire Board, not just the Building and Grounds Committee to discuss the Field House Project.
Dr. Taschner stated she would schedule the meeting date.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
SVSD 2025 GOB Resolution authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds to
provide financing for the planning, designing, constructing, equipping and furnishing of a
new athletic facility to be utilized as a field house.

Roll Call Vote: Board Vote
Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Roll Call Vote: Individual Vote
Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnel, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the issuance of the invoice for services rendered in the Schuylkill Valley Education
Center (Berks County Youth Center) for the 2024-25 school year.

The Board explained to the public that an estimate was requested for the total cost of the Youth
Center; however, at that time the District did not yet have accurate information on the number of
students being served, the resources required, how billing would be processed, or what challenges
might arise. The initial estimate was approximately $767,401.00 and included Lincoln Learning
Solutions, technology start-up costs, supplies, transportation, personnel, and the addition of two (2)
general education teachers at the middle school. These teachers were added to prevent class sizes
from increasing, as it was initially believed the program might affect the middle school numbers. A
credit was later applied because no middle school students participated, and those related costs
were removed from the bill. In Addition, the nine-passenger van, originally included at a cost of
$264.00 per day to transport students was also removed from the estimate. Before adding the
remaining costs of special education and shared transportation, the revised bill stands at
$245,868.00. This figure includes approximately $115,000.00 received for renting the Youth Center
this year. Once the final special education and shared transportation costs are determined, they will
be presented to the Board. It was further noted that the County’s costs for the Youth Center would
essentially equate to the debt service increase associated with the Field House project.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Nicoleen Kleffel to approve the
issuance of the invoice for services rendered in the Schuylkill Valley Education Center
(Berks County Youth Center) for the 2025-26 school year.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

11
8.5

9.0

9.1

9.2

10.0

August 25, 2025
Motion passed unanimously.
THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE AUGUST 18, 2025, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the bus routes for the 2025-26 school year and authorizes the Director of Finance and
Assistant Business Manager to make necessary changes throughout the 2025-26 school year.
Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the bus
routes for the 2025-26 school year and authorizes the Director of Finance and Assistant
Business Manager to make necessary changes throughout the 2025-26 school year.
Yeas: Ammarell, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Bryan J. O’Donnell

The Buildings and Grounds Committee met at 7:22 p.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025, in the
Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will
be held on Monday, September 15, 2025.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Approves the quote from Mainline Commercial Pools for the purchase of a replacement UV light for
the Middle Schoo! Natatorium in the amount of $5,707.10.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Bryan O’Donnell to approve the
quote from Mainline Commercial Pools for the purchase of a replacement UV light for the
Middle School Natatorium in the amount of $5,707.10.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the quote from Building Maps for Illustration - Change to Existing Maps for two (2)
additional fire evacuation maps for classrooms at Schuylkill Valley Elementary School in the
amount of $120.00.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the quote
from Building Maps for Illustration - Change to Existing Maps for two (2) additional fire
evacuation maps for classrooms at Schuylkill Valley Elementary School in the amount of
$120.00.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.
STUDENT SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Alfonso F. Rossi

12
10.4

August 25, 2025
The Student Services and Activities Committee met at 7:35 p.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025, in
the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee
will be held on Monday, September 15, 2025.
Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration
Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:
The Board consolidated items 10.1 through 10.3 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the five (5) year Student Teaching Affiliation Agreement with Millersville University.

Approves the Settlement Agreement and Release with the parents of Student #3006 for
placement at John Paul Il Academy for the 2025-26 school year.

Approves the Agreement between SVSD and Thomson Reuters for the three (3) year
subscription to CLEAR Proflex for 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Frank Ammarell to consolidate
and approve items 10.1 through 10.3 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the contract with Acorns to Oaks for Educational Psychological Services for the 2025-
26 school year.

Dr. Taschner noted she requested to work alongside the Solicitor on this matter. They are using
last year’s agreement as a basis; however, the District's version is more extensive and includes
provisions such as contractor email communication, particularly in relation to special education.
These sections are being further refined. She added that this contractor was used last year and
did a very good job for the district.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Nicoleen Kleffel to approve the
contract with Acorns to Oaks for Educational Psychological Services for the 2025-26 school
year.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the agreement between SVSD and Linked in Literacy LLC for August 21, 2025, through
June 30, 2026, to provide confidential student services at a rate of $130.00 per hour (pro-rated for
actual work completed), pending review and approval of the Solicitor.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the
agreement between SVSD and Linked in Literacy LLC for August 21, 2025, through June 30,
2026, to provide confidential student services at a rate of $130.00 per hour (pro-rated for
actual work completed), pending review and approval of the Solicitor.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O'Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the master agreement and statement of work (SOW) between SVSD and Onward Search
for confidential student services, subject to review and approval by the Solicitor.

13
10.7

August 25, 2025

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the
master agreement and statement of work (SOW) between SVSD and Onward Search for
confidential student services, subject to review and approval by the Solicitor.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Client Assignment Confirmation with Soliant for School Psychologist Services, subject
to review and approval of the Solicitor.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the
Client Assignment Confirmation with Soliant for School Psychologist Services, subject to
review and approval of the Solicitor.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS/GOOD OF THE ORDER

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Moll announced that there would be an executive session immediately following the meeting for
personnel, legal and confidential student information.

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Bryan O’Donnell, there being no further
business to come before the Board, the meeting be adjourned.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

Board of School Directors

14
```

## Minutes text: dec02_2025_act34_vote.txt

```
1.0

1.1

1.2

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

December 2, 2025

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
929 Lakeshore Drive
Leesport, PA 19533-8631
MINUTES

December 2, 2025

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by the Board Secretary, Linda R. Lash,
in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

ROLL CALL/LIST OF HOLDOVER MEMBERS

Holdover members: Franklin M. Ammarell, David E. Moll, Alfonso F. Rossi, Kelly J. Steinke, Daniel
B. Weyandt

Secretary: Linda R. Lash

Recording Secretary: Azucena Macedo

Administrative Staff Present: Dr. Patrick Winters, Jason Hansen, Joshua Kuehner, Jenny Rexrode,
Michael Sobczak, Louisa Trumbore

Solicitor: Beth Shore, Esq., Fox Rothschild LLP

Dr. Winters provided clarification regarding the Act 34 Resolution and advertisement for the
Fieldhouse Project. He explained that the architect advised that the maximum project cost listed in
the resolution was understated by $94,200.00 due to the exclusion of capitalized interest. If
approved, the resolution would require correction to include capitalized interest, resulting in a
revised maximum project cost of $24,877,416.00

NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION MEETING
Linda R. Lash, Board Secretary, read the Notice of the Organization Meeting.

PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
None

SELECTION OF TEMPORARY PRESIDENT (from holdover members)
Mrs. Linda R. Lash called for nominations for the temporary President.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll to nominate Franklin M. Ammarell for temporary
President.

Yeas: Ammarell, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Franklin Ammarell served as the temporary President.

CERTIFICATES OF ELECTION FOR NEWLY ELECTED OR REELECTED BOARD MEMBERS
Franklin M. Ammarell, Temporary President, read the Certificates of Election from the Berks

County Board of Elections for:

Joseph M. Brown — Region 1
6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

December 2, 2025
Linda R. Lash — Region 1
Lauren J. Matthews — Region 3
Carol E. Weyandt — Region 2
SWEARING IN OF NEWLY ELECTED AND REELECTED BOARD MEMBERS

Linda R. Lash, Temporary President, administered the oath of office to the newly elected and
reelected Board members:

Joseph M. Brown Four-year term to include first Monday in December 2029
Region 1

Linda R. Lash Four-year term to include first Monday in December 2029
Region 1

Lauren J. Matthews Four-year term to include first Monday in December 2029
Region 3

Carol E. Weyandt Fourt year term to include first Monday in December 2029
Region 2

LIST OF BOARD MEMBERS AND TERMS

Franklin M. Ammarell Region 2 2023-2027

Joseph M. Brown Region 1 2025-2029

Linda R. Lash Region 1 2025-2029

Lauren J. Matthews Region 3 2025-2029

David E. Moll Region 3 2023-2027

Alfonso F. Rossi Region 3 2023-2027

Kelly J. Steinke Region 1 2023-2027

Carol E. Weyandt Region 2 2025-2029

Daniel B. Weyandt Region 2 2023-2027

NOMINATIONS FOR AND ELECTION OF PRESIDENT
Temporary President Franklin M. Ammarell, asked for nominations for President.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll to nominate Carol E. Weyandt for President
Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously for Carol E. Weyandt for Board President.

NOMINATIONS FOR AND ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT
President Carol Weyandt asked for nominations for Vice President.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll to nominate Franklin M. Ammarell as Vice President.
Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously for Franklin M. Ammarell as Vice President.

APPOINTMENTS: BOARD REPRESENTATIVES
The Board is requested to consider and appoint representatives as listed:

10.1 BERKS CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER: JOINT OPERATING COMMITTEE
12.0

10.2

December 2, 2025

Mr. David Moll agreed to continue to serve as the representative through December 31,
2027. Mr. Daniel Weyandt agreed to serve as the alternate representative, to fill the
unexpired term of Mr. Weyandt, through December 31, 2027.

PENNSYLVANIA SCHOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION LIAISON (One-Year Term)
Mrs. Linda Lash agreed to serve as the representative for a one-year term and Mrs.
Lauren Matthews agreed to serve as the alternate representative for the same one-
year term.

TAX COLLECTION COMMITTEE (One-year term)
Mr. Joe Brown agreed to serve as the representative for a one-year term and Mrs. Kelly
J. Steinke agreed to serve as the alternate representative for the same one-year term.

BERKS VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL AUTHORITY REPRESENTATIVE (Five-year
term: January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030)

Dr. Winters will reach out to Mr. Geoffrey Miller to see if he would like to continue to
serve as the representative for Berks Vocation-Technical Authority until December 31,
2030.

Board Action: Moved by Joseph Brown and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve to
consolidate items 10.1 to 10.4 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

CONTINUING APPOINTMENTS

11.1

BERKS COUNTY INTERMEDIATE UNIT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE
Mrs. Linda Lash is presently the representative through June 30, 2026, as appointed at the
June 15, 2023, BCIU Board Meeting.

Mrs. Weyandt also noted that Linda R. Lash is presently the Board Secretary approved at
the May 27 Board Meeting for a four (4) year term running from July 1, 2025, until June 30,
2029.

BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP: 2026 and 2027

Policy, Personnel and Public Relations

Franklin Ammarell, Chair Lauren Matthews
Kelly Steinke Alfonso Rossi
Curriculum and Technology

Linda. Lash, Chair Daniel Weyandt
Lauren. Matthews Joseph Brown

Budget and Finance

Joseph Brown, Chair David Moll
Kelly Steinke Alfonso Rossi
Buildings and Grounds

Alfonso Rossi, Chair Daniel Weyandt
Franklin Ammarell David Moll

Student Services and Activities

Kelly Steinke, Chair Linda Lash
Daniel Weyandt Joseph Brown
15.2

December 2, 2025

MEETING DATES: 2026
The Board is requested to consider and approve the Committee and Board meeting dates for the
2026 calendar year.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the
meeting dates for 2026.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

PROCESSING OF BILLS

The Board is requested to consider and authorize the Business Office to process bills for payment
up to and including December 24, 2025, with the list of said bills to be presented at the regular
Board meeting in January 2026 for ratification.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the
authorization of the Business Office to process bills for payment up to and including
December 24, 2025, with the list of said bills to be presented at the regular Board meeting in
January 2026 for ratification.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS

EMPLOYMENT - EXTRACURRICULAR

The Board is requested to consider and recommend approval of the following extracurricular
assignments for the 2025-26 school year. Approval is subject to the satisfactory receipt of all

required clearances, background checks, and executed employment contracts:

John White — Wrestling Junior High Head Coach - $6,900.00
Tanner White — Wrestling Junior High Assistant Coach - $2,430.00

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
extracurricular assignments for the 2025-26 school year. Approval is subject to the
satisfactory receipt of all required clearances, background checks, and executed
employment contracts.

Mrs. Weyandt asked if this completed all the openings for coaches in the wrestling program.

Dr. Winters confirmed that these were the last two (2) remaining hires.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

ACT 34 RESOLUTION AND ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE PROPOSED FIELDHOUSE PROJECT
The Board is requested to consider and recommend approval of the Act 34 Resolution and
Advertisement for the Proposed Fieldhouse Project.

Mrs. Weyandt read for the public the Act 34 Resolution and Advertisement for the Proposed
Fieldhouse Project.
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December 2, 2025

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the
Act 34 Resolution and Advertisement for the proposed Fieldhouse Project as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Mr. Rossi clarified that the vote was solely to approve the advertisement and scheduling of a public
Act 34 hearing for transparency and public input and was not to approve the project or authorize
any expenditures.

Dr. Winters stated that upon approval of the resolution, the necessary corrections would be made,
and the resolution would be advertised for 20 days prior to the hearing. He noted that the Act 34
hearing was scheduled for January 7 and would include a presentation on the project history,
current plans and schematics, and a review of project financing costs, and budget. Representatives
from the Schrader Group and Raymond James would be present.

Mr. Brown requested that the new board members be provided with background information on the
Fieldhouse project prior to the hearing.

Motion passed unanimously.

STERLING ACT TAX CREDIT

The Board is requested to consider and authorize the Business Office to submit the Certification of
Sterling Act Tax Credit for Calendar Year 2024 prior to the December 15 required submission date,
with the actual amount and Certification form to be presented at the Committee Meeting in January
2026 for ratification.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the
Business Office to submit the Certification of Sterling Act Tax Credit for Calendar Year 2024
prior to the December 15 required submission date, with the actual amount and certification
form to be presented at the Committee Meeting in January 2026 for ratification.

Dr. Winters provided an overview of the Sterling Act, noting that the District is required to submit the
Sterling Tax Credit annually by December 15. He explained that the submission required
Philadelphia wage data for employees working in the Philadelphia area, which is typically provided
by Berks EIT by late November or early December. Dr. Winters stated that the District had not yet
received the data from Berks EIT. He explained that the authorization request would allow the
Finance Department to submit the required documentation to the Pennsylvania Department of
Education (PDE) to meet the December 15 deadline.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Mrs. Weyandt presented several topics for Board consideration. She requested that the Berks
County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) be invited to a special board meeting, tentatively on December 15,
to provide an informational presentation on superintendent search services, procedures, and costs
to assist the board members unfamiliar with the process. There was Board consensus to pursue
this presentation if BCIU was available.

Mrs. Weyandt also discussed the need for improved communication with staff and the community,
suggesting surveys and outreach methods including postcards to reach households without
students enrolled in the district. She outlined considerations for survey development, timelines, and
application processes. She proposed a structured framework for superintendent interviews,
outlining potential roles for board members, administrators, and staff across multiple interview
rounds. She further recommended that the district formalize interviewing and hiring procedures,
noting that current policies date to 2013. She suggested principals oversee hiring of their staff, the
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December 2, 2025

board participate in interviews for Act 93 and administrative positions at its discretion and the
Athletic Director oversee coach hirings.

Mrs. Weyandt requested that the district develop written midyear evaluations of the newly
implemented English Language Arts and math programs. She asked Dr. Winters to consider
evaluation questions and present a draft for board review prior to distribution to faculty.

She also requested a formal procedure for removal and disposal of classroom materials, consistent
with Policy 706.1, and proposed revisions to the district organizational flowchart to better reflect the
standard chain of command. The Board requested job descriptions and duties for positions
reflected on the organizational chart.

Mrs. Weyandt raised concerns regarding paraprofessional staffing and special education support at
the elementary level. Mr. Rossi emphasized the need to evaluate staffing levels, resource
allocation, and compensation. Dr. Winters stated that countywide salary data released annually by
BCIU would be shared with the Board once available.

Mrs. Weyandt asked for updates on potential emotional support classroom at the middle school.

Dr. Winters noted no formal discussions had occurred and cited challenges related to staffing
stability.

The Board requested continued review of emotional support services at all levels within the district.
Mrs. Lash read a Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) announcement regarding Future
Reading Board initiatives and encouraged Board members to participate in upcoming Al learning
opportunities.

Dr. Winters and Mrs. Lash also shared community event reminders.

Regarding the middle school pool, Mrs. Matthews requested training coverage due to a staff
medical leave.

Dr. Winters stated the district was ensuring certified pool operator coverage and confirmed that
Mainline Pools had serviced and verified proper operation of the UV systems, which would continue
annually.

Mr. Brown requested that the district also review exit procedures for employees to better
understand reasoning for departure citing recruitment and retention as ongoing challenges.

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Kelly Steinke, there being no further business
to come before the Board, the meeting be adjourned.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

inda R. Lash, Secretary
Board of School Directors
```

## Minutes text: feb02_2026_posthearing.txt

```
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February 2, 2026

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
929 Lakeshore Drive
Leesport, PA 19533-8631

MINUTES

February 2, 2026

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by the Board President, Carol E.
Weyandt, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

ROLL CALL
Members Present: Franklin M. Ammarell, Joseph M. Brown, Linda R. Lash, Lauren J. Matthews,
Alfonso F. Rossi, Kelly J. Steinke, Carol E. Weyandt, Daniel B. Weyandt

Secretary: Linda R. Lash
Recording Secretary: Azucena Macedo (absent)

Administrative Staff Present: Matt Ammons, Toni Crater, Jason Hansen, Dr. Patrick Winters,
Jennifer Godtfring, Dr. Jennifer Gabryluk, Dr. Jenny Rexrode, Jackie Rivas,

Solicitor: Bonnie Young, Esq., Fox Rothschild LLP

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the minutes of the regular
meeting of November 24, 2025, the Reorganization Meeting of December 2, 2025, and the
Special Meeting of December 15, 2025, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Weyandt reported that the Board met in executive session on Monday January 5, 2026, for
personnel matters and following the Committee Meeting on January 19, 2026, for personnel, legal,
safety and student matters.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Berks County Heroes Recognition:

Dr. Winters recognized Dr. Solomon Lausch who was selected as a Berks County Hero by the
American Red Cross, Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter and the 2026 Heroes Breakfast Planning
Committee. He stated simply being nominated for a Hero Award spoke volumes about Dr. Lausch’s
character and contributions. The Heros Breakfast was created to recognize community heroes and
to bring to life the Red Cross mission of helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to
emergencies. The Schuylkill Valley community was fortunate to have individuals like Dr. Lausch
who worked tirelessly to make Berks County a better, safer place to life. The Community Impact
Hero Award, for which he was nominated and selected for, was presented to an individual,
community group, neighborhood organization or local company that demonstrated a commitment to
making a difference in the community. Dr. Lausch visits the elementary school regularly, reads in
students’ classrooms, spends time at lunch and is a hero to many of our youngest learners. Dr.
Winters welcomed Mr. Peter Brown, Executive Director of the American Red Cross, Pennsylvania
Rivers Chapter that serves Northampton, Lehigh, Berks, Schuylkill, Columbia, Montour,
Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties to share a few words.

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February 2, 2026

Mr. Brown thanked the board for the opportunity to speak. He stated the Heroes Breakfast will be
held on March 6 and extended an invitation to the board and the school district. Mr. Brown read for
the public the nomination that was received for Dr. Lausch. He stated as the Executive Director of
the American Red Cross, he had the responsibility for Berks County as part of the chapter since
2020 but had been active as a volunteer and engaged with the chapter for almost 20 years before
that. He stated this was the 24" annual Heroes Breakfast and one of the longest continuously
operating fundraising and community acknowledgements and recognition events in Berks County.
He thanked the teacher who nominated Dr. Lausch.

Mrs. Weyandt thanked Dr. Lausch for his dedication to Schuylkill Valley. She added that it was an
honor and a privilege to serve under his guidance as Superintendent of Schuylkill Valley School
District for all those years. She highlighted his commitment to Schuylkill Valley School District by
moving to the community, staying in the community even after retirement and now continued to give
back to Schuylkill Valley after all these years was a testament to his dedication to Schuylkill Valley
and the students.

Recognition of Schuylkill Valley School District School Board Members

Dr. Winters recognized and thanked the Board Members for their outstanding service and steadfast
commitment to the success of students, staff and schools. He noted that January was School Board
Appreciation Month. On behalf of the district, Dr. Winters extended his heartfelt gratitude for their
guidance and foresight and dedication to making the district a place where excellence thrives and
futures are built.

RECOGNITION OF STUDENTS AND STAFF
There were no student or staff recognitions this month.

PRESENTATIONS

SVSD Data Follow-up.

Presented by Mrs. Jenny Rexrode, Director of Curriculum

Mrs. Rexrode presented historical achievement and growth data, including PSSA and Keystone
results, School Performance Profile scores, and the Future Ready Index.

Achievement data (PSSA/Keystone) showed that in 2024-25:

Elementary Reading: 45.9% proficient/advanced (below state average of 49.9%; did not meet
state target). Growth was “Green,” with a building score of 77 (above state average of 75.4).
Middle School Reading: 48.4% proficient/advanced (below state average; did not meet state
target). Growth was “Blue,” with a score of 83 (above state average), indicating more than one
year’s growth.

Literature Keystone: 56.8% proficient/advanced (above state average but below state target).
Growth was “Red,” with a building score of 50 (below state average).

Elementary Math: Growth was “Blue,” with a score of 96 (well above state average of 74.9).
Middle School Math: 27.3% proficient/advanced (below state average). Growth was “Red,” with a
score of 50 (below state average).

Algebra | Keystone: 46.3% proficient/advanced (below state target). Growth was “Green,” with a
score of 72 (near state average).

Science data was limited due to the transition to new STEELS standards. In 2025, some science
scores were not reported because of changes to testing and standards. Mrs. Rexrode reviewed
PVAAS growth measures, explaining how projections determine whether students meet, exceed, or
fall short of one year’s expected growth. She also outlined state literacy initiatives, including Act 47,
emphasizing structured literacy in response to low statewide proficiency rates.

She concluded by reviewing the School Performance Profile and Future Ready Index, which
incorporated assessment, growth, attendance, graduation, and demographic data. She noted that
math standards were last updated in 2014, and the district had implemented new curriculum
resources within the past two (2) years to address updated standards and improve outcomes.
February 2, 2026

ELA, MATH, and Science Survey Results

Presented by Mrs. Jenny Rexrode

Mrs. Rexrode reported that a survey was administered to ELA, Math, and Science teachers, with a
two-week response window. Participation rates were 54% for ELA, 51% for Math, and 37% for
Science.

Teachers identified the need for additional training and professional learning time, particularly
related to implementation of Math and ELA resources, School Pace, IRLA, ALEKS, and Reveal
Online. Common themes across all subject areas included the need for more collaboration time,
professional development days, and time to work within grade-level or departmental teams.
Additional requests included supplemental vocabulary and spelling resources, intervention and
enrichment materials, MTSS supports, decodables, below-grade-level math materials, expanded
classroom libraries, and benchmark assessments. Teachers also noted a desire for more
assessment tools, including STAR, CDT, DIBELS, and Firefly. Time was emphasized as a
significant need, especially in Science.

Strengths identified:
e ELA: Strong classroom libraries, high-interest leveled texts, project-based learning, and
writing focus.
e Math: ALEKS platform, online access, standards alignment, and differentiation.
e Science: Engaging, hands-on lessons aligned to standards.

Challenges identified:
e ELA: Limited assessments and created materials; gaps in grammar, vocabulary, and
writing resources.
e Math: Student skill gaps, need for more intervention materials, and additional time for
implementation.
e Science: Comprehensive lessons require more planning time, collaboration, and support for
special education access.

Teachers also suggested targeted professional learning topics, including deeper training on current
programs, small group instruction, MTSS support, model lessons, and increased collaboration time.

Potential Future Athletics Projects

Presented by: Mr. Jason Hansen, Athletic Director

High school and middle school locker rooms:

Mr. Hansen provided an update regarding proposed improvements to the high school and middle
school locker rooms and outdoor athletic facilities. At the high school, the boys’ locker room was
identified as outdated. It was proposed to remove nonfunctional middle lockers to create additional
changing space. With 24 new lockers currently on one wall, adding lockers to the opposite wall
would provide approximately 48 lockers for P.E. and after-school athletic use. For the girls’ locker
room, proposed updates include repainting walls and floors, adding branding elements, and
possibly installing whiteboards for team preparation. At the middle school, current lockers were
smaller than high school lockers. It was proposed to replace wall lockers with larger units capable
of holding backpacks. Unused shower areas could potentially be repurposed for storage. For
outdoor facilities, a need for secure storage for baseball and softball equipment was identified, as
teams currently store expensive equipment in limited-access closet spaces. A permanent
scoreboard was also requested for the junior football field, noting that the baseball, hockey, and
junior high football fields currently do not have scoreboards. Consideration was given to making
select purchases, such as a scoreboard or storage container, within the current fiscal year and
saving funds toward future locker room renovations.

Gym Proposal Layout Change:

Presented by: Mr. Jason Hansen, Athletic Director

Mr. Hansen reviewed concerns with the current gym layouts and scoreboard setup at both the high
school and middle school. At the high school, concerns included limited bench space, players

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February 2, 2026

seated in the second row, the head coach seated in the walkway, lack of designated space for the
trainer, fan traffic crossing in front of team benches, and the score table not being centered. He
proposed reconfiguring the gym layout by repositioning the score table to the center of the court,
relocating athlete seating to the opposite side, and utilizing stadium chairs previously purchased by
the Booster Club. The revised layout would increase student section space by approximately 40
percent, improve access to locker rooms, provide a designated area for trainers, and create a more
professional appearance. At the middle school, concerns included congestion at entrances, limited
trainer space, traffic flow issues in front of benches, and an inefficient check-in area. He proposed
replacing the existing scoreboard with a wireless unit and relocating team benches to improve
traffic flow and fan access.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARD REPRESENTATIVES

PRESIDENT -— Carol E. Weyandt

Mrs. Weyandt addressed several items currently under board review. The board was returning to
the practice of first and second readings of policies prior to approval to allow time for board and
public review. The Policy, Personnel, and Public Relations Committee would review hiring and
interview procedures, including development of a standardized exit interview form. The updated
hiring procedures would support district-wide hiring and the superintendent search process. The
board planned to gather input from union representatives as part of this review. The Budget and
Finance Committee meeting was moved to the following Tuesday to allow additional time for policy
discussions. The Curriculum Committee will hold a workshop meeting to review and discuss staff
Curriculum survey results. A standardized process with required signatures is also being developed
for removal of classroom books to ensure transparency and documentation. Public comments for
the Act 34 Hearing regarding the Fieldhouse Project must be submitted by mail or hand delivery to
the district office no later than February 6, 2026. The community superintendent survey is available
online, with a deadline of February 3, 2026. The board had received the first batch of
superintendent applications and expected additional batches before the February 17 deadline. A
strong pool of candidates had expressed interest. The board will meet with the BCIU on February
23 to review survey results and applications. First-round interviews are scheduled for early March,
with subsequent rounds to follow. Teachers and administrators will be included in the interview
process, with input from union leadership and administration. Mrs. Weyandt also noted technical
issues with her board email account and asked for patience from the public as she worked to
resolve them.

SECRETARY - Linda R. Lash
No report.

BERKS COUNTY I.U. BOARD - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash reported that although she was unable to attend last month’s full meeting due to a
scheduling conflict, she did participate in the Officer meeting. She shared that a State Senate
hearing on improving literacy was held January 12 at Daniel Boone High School, with Dan Richards
representing the BCIU. The mandated services budget was approved, with costs increasing slightly
for Schuylkill Valley due to additional needs. The BCIU Education Foundation continued to focus on
early education initiatives. New board members were seated and participated in orientation.
Building projects are underway, including renovations to the BCIU building for additional classroom
space. The Centre Avenue location will close and be replaced with a new classroom facility on the
same property. She also noted that the BCIU ranked 13th out of 500 employers in the 2026 Top
Lehigh Valley Workplace Awards.

Mrs. Weyandt added that herself and Dr. Winters attended a Board President and Superintendent
Program that was at the BCIU and the guest speaker talked about A.I and sent out the PowerPoint
presentation which she would forward to the rest of the board.

BERKS CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER - David E. Moll
Mr. Moll was not present.
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February 2, 2026

TAX COLLECTION COMMITTEE -— Joseph M. Brown
Mr. Brown reported that he would have a report at the March Board meeting as the next meeting
for the Tax Committee was March 19.

PA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION LIAISON - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash stated the Governor would be presenting the State budget and on February 6 at noon
there would be a workshop that board members could attend. She reminded new board members
to complete their New Board Member Training with PSBA. There is a new director monthly meet-
up on February 18'" provided by PSBA at noon.

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION - Linda R. Lash

The Foundation is having their fundraising on March 13 and there are tickets still available. They
are looking for raffle donations if anyone is interested. They are also looking for attendees, and
they have been giving out grant money to staff.

PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Louis Schuckert — Bern Township, Literacy Proficiency and involvement of parents
Roxanne McMurtry — Centre Township, General Fund Balance

BOARD
There were no items for Board approval.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT
No Report

SUPERINTENDENT

Monthly Reports
The following monthly reports have been provided to the Board:

5.1.1. Enrollment Year-To-Date
5.1.2 Principals’ Dashboard Reports

Superintendent's Update
Dr. Winters shared that the District received $247,972.00 in non-competitive Ready to Learn grant

funding, focused on STEM and Agriculture programming at the high school. A new Curriculum and
Learning webpage will be added to the District website to share resources and updates with
families. For budget context, he noted that 72.9% of households in the District do not have children
under age 18, according to the Berks County Planning Commission. He addressed questions from
the Act 34 Hearing, clarifying that the referenced $2.5 million figure includes architect/engineering
fees, construction management, testing and inspections, commissioning, permits, weight room
equipment, furniture and fixtures, athletic and concession equipment, miscellaneous items, and
builders’ risk. A five-year capital improvement plan is being developed through the Buildings and
Grounds Committee. Act 34 Hearing transcripts have been received, and an FAQ document will be
posted on the website. If the fieldhouse project proceeds, a dedicated webpage section will provide
project updates. Snow makeup days were clarified. Three (3) snow days (December 2, January 26,
January 27) will be made up on February 13, March 30, and March 31. A fourth snow day would be
made up on April 1 as a Flexible Instructional Day (FID). Any additional days beyond four (4) would
be added to the end of the school year per the approved calendar.

Student and program highlights included:

SVES Spelling Bee and Gifted Keystone Competition

Middle School “Schools to Watch” designation (fourth time earning this recognition)
8th grade team winning “Most Efficient City” at the Future City Competition

High School Musical Honors Festival recognitions

TSA Team placements at the Region 9 Leadership Conference

Participation in the Berks County Science Olympiad (300 students from 19 schools)
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FFA Mid-Winter Convention, National Midwestern Virtual CDE, and ACES Conference participation
Owen Eisenhofer breaking six swimming records at a dual meet

Noah Gehret bowling a perfect game

Senator Chris Gebhard presenting Abby McCaffrey with a Senate Citation for her PIAA District III
Class AA Girls Golf Championship

Cheer team advancing to State semi-finals for the second consecutive year; currently ranked 8th in
the co-ed division and 1st in Division 2A statewide; varsity team named Grand Champion at the
Kedron Spirit Classic; junior high team also placed 1st

Multiple wrestling tournament achievements

PYEA Winter Gold Out raising $350 for Four Diamonds

Dr. Winters concluded by encouraging community attendance at upcoming District events.

POLICY, PERSONNEL AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Franklin M. Ammarell

The Policy, Personnel and Public Relations Committee met at 6:34 p.m. on Monday, January 19,
2026, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the
Committee will be held on Monday, Tuesday February 17, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration
Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:
The Board consolidated items 6.1 through 6.2 for Board approval as presented.

Accepts, with best wishes for the future, the following resignation due to retirement effective with
the last day of the 2025-2026 school year unless otherwise noted:

Mrs. Julia Cherry, 3 Grade Teacher at the Elementary School
Mrs. Sally Horton, Special Education Paraprofessional at the Middle School — Effective February
27, 2026

Accepts with regrets and best wishes for the future, the following resignations effective with the last
day of the 2025-26 school year, unless otherwise noted:

Brittany Cassidy, Food Services Worker at the High School — Effective December 23, 2025

Josha Danswer, Special Education Paraprofessional at the Elementary School — Effective January
21, 2026

Maritssa Hernandez, Special Education Paraprofessional at the High School — Effective December
5, 2025

Stephanie Erb, Certified School Nurse at the Elementary School — Effective January 16, 2026
Yesenia Gonzalez-Jimenez, Shift 2 Custodian at the High School — Effective November 14, 2025
Michelle Putt, Shift 1 Custodian at the High School — Effective January 7, 2026

Allie Rothenberger, 4'" Grade Teacher at the Elementary School — Effective January 5, 2026
Corielle Yarde, 3 Grade Teacher at the Elementary School - Effective January 5, 2026

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve 6.1
through 6.2 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.
The Board consolidated items 6.3 through 6.3.14 for Board approval as presented.
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February 2, 2026

Approves the employment of the following (all elections are contingent upon receipt and district
approval of all necessary pre-employment forms, certifications, state-mandated physical
examinations, clearances, etc):

6.3.1

6.3.2

6.3.3

6.3.7

6.3.8

6.3.9

6.3.10

6.3.11

Approves Mr. Logan Borkey, English 7-12 Long-Term Substitute Teacher at the Middle
School, Bachelor’s Step 2, $57,413.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective October
6, 2025, through December 23, 2025, to fill the vacancy created by the transfer of Ms.
Cassandra Baran.

Approves Ms. Heather Hadwin, English 7-12 Long-Term Substitute Teacher at the Middle
School, Bachelor’s Step 2, $57,413.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective October
6, 2025, through December 23, 2025, to fill the vacancy created by the transfer of Ms.
Cassandra Baran.

Approves Ms. Haley Kieffer, Computer Science 7-12 Long-Term Substitute Teacher at the
High School, Bachelor's Step 1, $56,303.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective
January 12, 2026, through the conclusion of the 2025-26 school year to fill the vacancy
created by the retirement of Mr. Bryan Binkley.

Approves Ms. Catalina Lassen, Art PK-12 Teacher, Bachelor’s Step 1, $56,303.00
(prorated for actual days worked), effective January 5, 2026, to fill the vacancy created by
the retirement of Mrs. Carey Steward.

Approves Ms. Ann Ostrowski, Part-Time Library Paraprofessional at the Elementary
School, at an hourly rate of $13.11, effective December 22, 2025, to fill the vacancy created
by the retirement of Ms. Josephine Gruber.

Approves Ms. Kristie Robinson, Elementary Education Grades PK-4 Teacher, Master’s
Step 8, $70,718.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective January 5, 2026, to fill the
vacancy created by the resignation of Ms. Allie Rothenberger.

Approves Ms. Virra Saling, Secretary to the Principal at the Middle School, at an hourly rate
of $20.58, effective December 8, 2025, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Mrs.
Kimberly Loose.

Approves Ms. Charlee Sherman, Health Assistant at the Middle School, at an hourly rate of
$28.84, effective date to be determined, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Ms.
Elizabeth Oswald.

Approves Ms. Jenna Weidenheimer, Elementary Education Grades PK-4 Teacher,
Bachelor's Step 1, $56,303.00, (prorated for actual days worked), effective January 5,
2026, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Ms. Corielle Yarde.

Approves the following substitutes for the 2025-26 school year:

Brittany Cassidy — Food Services Worker

Jessica Christman — Chemistry 7-12, Environmental Education K-12 & General Science
Charles Grebloski - Guest Teacher

Hunter Jones — Homebound Instruction

Karissa Moyer — Custodian

Approves the following co-curricular assignments for the 2025-26 school year:

Kayla Ackelson: POP Costumes - $1,500.00

Lisa Chillot: PYEA Advisor - $1,761.00

Alina Gostev: Director of Vocal Music (ES) - $600.00
Sarah Hilpmann: Director of Vocal Music (ES) - $668.00
February 2, 2026

6.3.12 Approves the following mentors for the 2025-26 school year at a stipend of $1,175.00 for
full-year mentors and $5887.50 for half year mentors:

Kathy Batson for Jacob Edgette: Half Year

Jennifer Blessing for Jenna Weidenheimer: Half-Year
Nadine Poper for Catalina Lassen: Half-Year
Amanda Redcay for Kristie Robinson: Half-Year
Stacy Hallman for Haley Kieffer: Half-Year

6.3.13 Approves the following volunteers for the 2025-26 school year:

Madison Bruder — ES
Andrew LeClair — ES
Carey Steward — ES
Richard Shappell —- ES
Douglas Unger —- ES

6.3.14 Approves the following extracurricular appointments for the 2025-26 school year. Approval
is subject to the satisfactory receipt of all required clearances, background checks, and
executed employment contracts.

Kenneth Adams: Softball Junio High Assistant Coach - $2,110.00

6.3.15 Approves the following Community Aquatics employees for the 2025-26 school year

Last Name | First Name Position Base Sal | Yrs Exp | Exp Bonus | Salary
Bitting Ben Student Lifeguard $15.00 2 $0.50 $15.50
Campbell Kyle Adult Supervisor $16.00 11 $2.75 $18.75
Readinger_| Cerina Student Lifeguard $15.00 2 $0.50 $15.50
Waldrop Reese Student Lifeguard $15.00 3 $0.75 $15.75

6.4

6.5

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Joe Brown to approve 6.3 through
6.3.15, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
The Board consolidated items 6.4 through 6.5 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the personal leave of absence of Ms. Deborah Hornberger, Food Services Worker at the
High School, effective November 3, 2025, through November 21, 2025.

Acknowledges the following Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leaves of absence:

David Barnett, Custodial Supervisor — Effective October 27, 2025, through December 4, 2025
Catherine McGowan Pennebaker, Assistant Director of Finance — Effective December 30, 2025,
through approximately March 16, 2026

Stacy Miller, Assistant Director of Business Operations — Effective December 17, 2025,
intermittently through December 17, 2026

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve 6.4
through 6.5 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
6.6

6.7

6.8

6.9

February 2, 2026

Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 6.6 through 6.7 for Board approval, as presented.
Approves Policy 008: Organization Chart for a First Reading.

Approves Policy 903: Public Comment in Board Meetings for a First Reading.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve 6.6
through 6.7, as presented.

Regarding Policy 903, Mrs. Steinke noted that sometimes people may not be comfortable with
standing in front of a crowd and speaking and if someone who already spoke is willing to speak on
behalf of someone else, she did not feel it should be prohibited. She noted in her review of the
policy, it stated if there was a group of people that they should designate a representative and
asked if something could be added for that.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the agreement with Amergis Healthcare Staffing for substitute nursing services, as
presented.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
Agreement with Amergis Healthcare Staffing for substitute nursing services as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the amendment to the Non-Certified Employee Compensation Plan that removes the
following language from Section 9. Leaves of Absence, Item C. Sick Leave: “The employee must
establish a 403 (b) TSA account prior to separation of service, or the employee shall forfeit this
benefit.

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the
amendment to the Non-Certified Employee Compensation Plan that removes the following
language from Section 9, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the amendment to Ms. Dana Carter’s Special Education Teacher at the Middle School,
approved compensated leave of absence to add that the leave is approved with the condition that
Ms. Carter will not extend her working hours with her second employer, and further, that she will not
work during school hours.

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the
amendment to the Non-Certified Employee Compensation Plan that removes the following
language from Section 9. Leaves of Absence, Item C. Sick Leave: “The employee must
establish a 403 (b) TSA account prior to separation of service, or the employee shall forfeit
this benefit.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
6.12

7.0

February 2, 2026

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the two-year appointment of Dr. Patrick Winters, Acting Superintendent of Schools, to the
Berks County School Districts Health Trust Full Board.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the two-
year appointment of Dr. Patrick Winters, Acting Superintendent of Schools, to the Berks
County School Districts Health Trust Full Board.

Dr. Winters provided some background information on this item. He stated that every district within
the county that is part of the Berks County Health Trust must have a management representative
and a labor representative. The previous superintendent was the management representative for
the district on the health trust. She was also on the executive board and fulfilled both roles.
Schuylkill Valley needed to have somebody administratively to serve in that management role. All
appointments on that board serve two (2) years, however Dr. Winters would serve in this capacity
until the new superintendent was named and that individual would finish out the remainder of the
term.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JANUARY 19, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Ms. Laura Schaeffer, Certified School Nurse, Bachelor's Step 21, $78,409.00 (prorated for actual
days worked), effective date to be determined, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Ms.
Stephanie Erb.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve Ms.
Laura Schaeffer, Certified School Nurse, Bachelor’s Step 21, $78,409.00 (prorated for actual
days worked), effective date to be determined, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation
of Ms. Stephanie Erb.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JANUARY 19, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Letter of Engagement with the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) for Schuylkill Valley School
District Superintendent Search Services, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the Letter
of Engagement with the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) for Schuylkill Valley School
District Superintendent Search Services, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

CURRICULUM AND TECHNOLOGY
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Linda R. Lash

The Curriculum and Technology Committee met at 7:20 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, in the
Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will be
held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

10
7.1

7.2

7.3

7.4

7.5

7.6

8.0

February 2, 2026
Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 7.1 through 7.6 for Board approval as presented.
Approves the 2026-2027 Schuylkill Valley High School Program of Studies, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Lauren Matthews and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
2026-2027 Schuylkill Valley High School Program of Studies, as presented.

Mrs. Godtfring addressed several program and course updates. For Science, prerequisites for
Earth and Space Science in grades 9 and 10 will be removed and updated. A scheduling change
was made after last year’s Program of Studies approval requiring all 9th graders to take Biology.
Students may now double up and take both Biology and Earth and Space Science in 9th grade.
The 8th—-9th grade course selection form and teacher recommendation options were updated to
reflect these changes. For AP physics, Brett Hoke was hired and teaching that class. He was hired
to replace the teacher that retired. They are taking it as an AP class and will take the exam this
year. It was not offered as dual enrollment due to RACC’s requirements for the teacher to teach the
dual enrollment. He is working on finishing that master’s program. For English AP literature and AP
language, language was offered this year and students were enrolled. Mr. Bagenstose is teaching
it, and AP Literature is being offered next year. For math remediation, the course could still be
offered or if the district could decide to only have students take Keystone once after Algebra | in 8th
grade or 9th grade for some students. For social studies AP government there has been historically
issues with course requirements due to the sentence that the department chose to include which
Stated, “All students must take one course from each of the following areas throughout their high
school career: Government, American History 20th Century, World history”. Therefore, there were
students who went from honor civics to AP Government, to world, and would skip American History
and not fulfill the stipulation in the department's requirements. They tried to provide students with
the option within each grade level to take the courses that would fulfill the requirement.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
The Board consolidated items 7.2 through 7.5 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the 5.2 Refill Agreement with ECA for Grade 5 Science Kits for Semester 2 in the amount
of $1,270.08.

Approves the proposal from Follett Software for an annual subscription of ML Drawings in the
amount of $875.00.

Approves the quote and affiliate membership in 1EdTech, as presented.
Approves the agreement with BCIU for ten (10) Zoom licenses for student #5751, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve 7.2
through 7.5, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
OTHER (OLD/NEW BUSINESS)

BUDGET AND FINANCE
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Joseph M. Brown

11
8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

February 2, 2026
The Budget and Finance Committee met at 8:03 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, in the
Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will
be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration
Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 8.1 through 8.8 for Board approval as presented.

Approvesy/ratifies the payment of bills in the following amounts from November 10, 2025, to
January 27, 2026, as presented:

[GENERAL FUND $5,678,207.26
|CAFETERIA FUND $85,057.28
[CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FUND [$262,248.79
[CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND $10,996.80
[MS/HS ACTIVITY FUND $28,596.85
[GRAND TOTAL $6,065,106.98

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve/ratify the
payment of bills in the following amounts from November 10, 20025, to January 27, 2026, as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
The Board consolidated items 8.2 through 8.3 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the donation from the local Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) in the amount of $200.00 for
the MS National Junior Honor Society.

Approves the donation of two (2) big screen TVs by Iron Valley Real Estate to serve as Athletic
Department displays.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve 8.2
through 8.3, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the exoneration of the school district tax collectors from collecting unpaid 2025-26 Real
Estate Taxes billed on July 1, 2025, which are delinquent after December 31, 2025, and the Board
approves submitting the taxes to the Berks County Tax Claim Bureau for collections. There are 139
bills totaling $340,160.37. Last year, there were 149 bills totaling $398,640.73.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Joe Brown to approve the
exoneration of the school district tax collectors from collecting unpaid 2025-26 Real Estate
Taxes billed on July 1, 2025, which are delinquent after December 31, 2025, and the Board
approves submitting the taxes to the Berks County Tax Claim Bureau for collections. There
are 139 bills totaling $340,160.37. Last year, there were 149 bills totaling $398,640.73, as
presented.
8.5

8.6

8.7

8.8

8.9

February 2, 2026
Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the school district tax collectors from collecting unpaid Interim Real Estate Taxes, which
are delinquent after December 31, 2025, and the Board approves submitting the taxes to the Berks
County Tax Claim Bureau for collections. There are 47 bills totaling $23,907.28.

Board Action: Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
school district tax collectors from collecting unpaid Interim Real Estate Taxes, which are
delinquent after December 31, 2025, and the Board approves submitting the taxes to the
Berks County Tax Claim Bureau for collections. There are 47 bills totaling $23,907.28, as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the 2025-2026 IDEA Part B Sub-Contract Agreement with the BCIU and accepts funds in
the amount of $443,840.96. The agreement is contingent on PDE's approval of services as outlined
in the agreement through the BCIU's application for IDEA-B 611 funding.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Lauren Matthews to approve the
2025-2026 IDEA Part B Sub-Contract Agreement with the BCIU and accepts funds in the
amount of $443,840.96. The agreement is contingent on PDE's approval of services as
outlined in the agreement through the BCIU's application for IDEA-B 611 funding, as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the BCIU Joint Purchasing Bid for copy paper in the amount of $11,825.06 for the period
of 1/1/2026 through 06/30/2026.

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the BCIU
Joint Purchasing Bid for copy paper in the amount of $11,825.06 for the period of 1/1/2026
through 06/30/2026, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the budgetary transfers as presented.

Moved by Daniel Weyandt and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the budgetary
transfers as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the Tax Collection Agreement for tax collectors elected in November 2025, and each Tax

Collector elected or appointed thereafter, for a four-year term effective January 1, 2026, through
December 31, 2029.
9.0

9.1

9.2

9.3

February 2, 2026
Board Action: Moved by Daniel Weyandt and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the Tax
Collection Agreement for tax collectors elected in November 2025, and each Tax Collector
elected or appointed thereafter, for a four-year term effective January 1, 2026, through
December 31, 2029, as presented.
Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Butler, Agnew & Associates Consulting Services Agreement, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve Approves
the Butler, Agnew & Associates Consulting Services Agreement, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Alfonso F. Rossi

The Buildings and Grounds Committee met at 8:33 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, in the
Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will
be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 9.1 through 9.2 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the quote from Berkshire Mechanical to repair the High School ERV-4 Auxiliary Cafeteria
Unit in the amount of $2,650.00.

Approves the quote from R.J. McCarville Associates, LTD. to repair the basketball backstops
located in the MS Main Gym.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve 9.1
through 9.2, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the quote from Berkshire Mechanical to repair MS KVU-1, the Greenheck MAU outdoor
unit above the middle school kitchen.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the quote
from Berkshire Mechanical to repair MS KVU-1, the Greenheck MAU outdoor unit above the
MS Kitchen, as presented.

Dr. Winters informed the board that this unit needed a new blower motor, motor starter, inlet air
actuator and the belt tension needed to be set. This quote allowed them to come out and replace
the parts to get the unit running as it should to get the right temperature running in the kitchen.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

14
9.4

9.5

10.0

10.2

February 2, 2026
Motion passed unanimously.
THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JANUARY 19, 2026, BOARD MEETING:

Quote from Landis Bonfitto Mechanical Group Inc. to repair the Watts Pressure Relief Valve on the
right-hand boiler and two AO Smith hot surface igniters on two of the water heaters.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the quote
from Landis Bonfitto Mechanical Group Inc. to repair the Watts Pressure Relief Valve on the
right-hand boiler and two AO Smith hot surface igniters on two of the water heaters.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

OTHER (OLD/NEW BUSINESS)

Snow removal:

Mr. Rossi stated he had noticed a lot of the municipalities were going around tidying up their snow
removal after the storm. He noted that the district may want to also tidy up the parking lot to be
prepared for the next possible storm.

STUDENT SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Kelly J. Steinke

The Student Services and Activities Committee met at 8:37 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, in
the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee
will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Approves visiting author, Ross Burach, who will provide two school-wide presentations, an author
lunch, book signing and three presentations at Family Reading Night on February 24, 2026, at
SVES.

Board Action: Moved by Daniel Weyandt and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve
visiting author, Ross Burach, who will provide two school-wide presentations, an author
lunch, book signing and three presentations at Family Reading Night on February 24, 2026,
at SVES, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the BCIU 2025-26 Agreement with SVSD for services provided by BCIU and the
respective hourly rates reflected in Appendix A of the agreement.

Board Action: Moved by Daniel Weyandt and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the BCIU
2025-26 Agreement with SVSD for services provided by BCIU and the respective hourly rates
reflected in Appendix A of the agreement, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Schuylkill Valley Elementary School to enter into a Program Host Site Agreement

with Helping Harvest in order to continue participation in the Weekender Program.

15
10.7

10.8

February 2, 2026

Board Action: Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the
Schuylkill Valley Elementary School to enter into a Program Host Site Agreement with
Helping Harvest in order to continue participation in the Weekender Program, as presented.
Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the transportation for the High School Cheer Team to attend the State Cheer
Competition in the amount of $4,130.00

Board Action: Moved by Daniel Weyandt and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the
transportation for the High School Cheer Team to attend the State Cheer Competition in the
amount of $4,130.00, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems Standard 2-Year Agreement with Schuylkill
Valley School District.

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve the
Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems Standard 2-Year Agreement with Schuylkill Valley
School District, as presented.

Mr. Ammons clarified that the district did not utilize this service intentionally, this would be for when
students were hospitalized or off-site due to medical concerns. This agreement stated that they
could receive education services while they were there.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the 2026 Ski Club Vermont Trip.

Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the 2026 Ski Club
Vermont Trip.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the finalized contract for the 2026 Prom venue.

Board Action: Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the
finalized contract for the 2026 Prom venue, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
The Board consolidated items 10.8 through 10.9 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the contract with ARETHUSA Sound for the 2026 POP Musical in the amount of
$6200.00.
10.9

10.10

10.11

February 2, 2026

Approves the contract with ARETHUSA Sound for the 2nd Annual MS Musical in the amount of
$6,750.00.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Joe Brown to approve 10.8
through 10.9, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JANUARY 19, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
The PMEA District Jazz Festival trip.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Linda Lash to approve of the
PMEA District Jazz Festival trip.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

OTHER (OLD/NEW BUSINESS)

BCIU Student Art Show:

Mrs. Lash stated every year the BCIU hosts the student art show and this year the contributor for
Schuylkill Valley School District was Madison San Juan and was titled “Together We Will Shine.”
She congratulated Madison on her achievement.

Dive Team:

Mrs. Matthews congratulated the divers including Charlotte Swenderman who placed 1* in the past
week’s championship receiving a perfect 10, Carly Crills placed 3" and Christian Hedrick placed 5.
The team is headed to championships this weekend at Wilson High School.

She also recognized the week as National School Counselors week.

Oliver Messner Badge achievement:

Mrs. Weyandt recognized Oliver Messner for earning all 141 Boy Scout merit badges. She noted
that only 644 individuals have achieved this distinction. There was also an article released on his
accomplishment in the Reading Eagle.

OTHER BUSINESS/GOOD OF THE ORDER

EXECUTIVE SESSION

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Frank Ammarell, there being no further business
to come before the Board, the meeting be adjourned.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:49 p.m.

Linda R. Lash, Secretary
Board of School Directors

17
```

## Minutes text: jul27_2026.txt

```
1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

July 27, 2026

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
929 Lakeshore Drive
Leesport, PA 19533-8631

MINUTES
JULY 27, 2026

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by the Board President, Carol E.
Weyandt, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

ROLL CALL
Members Present: Franklin M. Ammarell, Joseph M. Brown, Linda R. Lash, David E. Moll, Alfonso
Rossi (arrived at 7:14 p.m.), Kelly J. Steinke, Carol E. Weyandt, Daniel B. Weyandt

Absent: Lauren Matthews

Secretary: Linda R. Lash

Recording Secretary: Azucena Macedo

Administrative Staff Present: Dr. Patrick Winters, Stephen Mickulik, Kristin Wallace,
Solicitor: Alicia Luke, Esq., Fox Rothschild LLP

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Joe Brown to approve the minutes of the
regular meeting of June 22, 2026, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Weyandt reported that the Board met in executive session following the Board Meeting on
June 22, 2026, for personnel matters and following the Committee meeting on July 20, 2026, for
personnel matters.

PRESENTATIONS

2026 PSLA Conference:

Presented by: Nadine Poper

Mrs. Poper provided an overview of her attendance at this year’s Pennsylvania School Librarian
Association (PSLA) Conference, held in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She noted that the conference was
a great way for librarians to stay up to date on education, literacy and technology programming.
She highlighted various events she attended, including a three (3) hour interactive workshop titled,
“Al Literacy in the School Library,” keynote speaker Devin Siebold’s presentation “Laughter in the
Lesson,” and the Advocacy and Awards Committee Meetings. She also attended a session titled
“Hacking into Digital Citizenship into your Readout,” in which the presenter demonstrated how
children’s literature can naturally introduce conversations about kindness and online behavior,
evaluating information literacy, privacy and the overall ethical use of technology. Mrs. Poper added
that one of the highlights of the conference was serving as the personal guide for children’s author
Kari Lavelle. Another session she attended was “Make it Fun: Bringing Joy Back into the Library,” in
which the presenter shared simple but meaningful ways to make the library even more welcoming
to students. She stated that an activity she enjoyed was reading to plants. Mrs. Poper thanked the
Board for the opportunity to attend the conference.
2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

3.0

4.0

41

5.0

July 27, 2026
REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARD REPRESENTATIVES

PRESIDENT — Carol E. Weyandt

Mrs. Weyandt began by thanking the board for their collaboration and attendance during the last
seven (7) months as a new board. She stated each member brings something different to the table
of their own experiences and insights. She thanked the faculty, support staff, and administrators for
their valuable input and time spent at the individual committee meetings in the past few months and
anyone involved in preparing for those meetings. She thanked Dr. Quirk for his involvement, vision
and leadership in the district had been a very positive experience as the district started a new
school year. She added that as part of the agenda, there was an update on the organization chart
impacting the chain of command for administrators. Additionally, there were agenda items to
restructure personnel and the way the administrative office operates.

SECRETARY - Linda R. Lash
No report.

BERKS COUNTY I.U. BOARD - Linda R. Lash
Mrs. Lash reported that the IU did not have a July meeting and the next meeting would be held in
August.

BERKS CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER - David E. Moll

Mr. Moll reported that BCTC had been working to fill some key positions with one (1) or two (2) to
be filled. They also had a roof placement on the east campus with some significant damage
affected. They held a special meeting earlier in the night to approve hiring a contractor to repair
the roof.

TAX COLLECTION COMMITTEE — Joseph M. Brown
No report.

PA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION LIAISON — Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash discussed that their July 23" meeting was held via zoom. The primary subject was the
Pennsylvania budget that had passed. The Basic Education funding through the state was not as
much as anticipated with some districts receiving no funds. She discussed disbursement of those
funds and its effect on various school districts. She noted that legislators expected school districts
to raise test scores and graduation rates before they would consider funding more seriously. She
discussed various topics including various Cyber charter school changes, mandatory recesses,
Policy and Senate bill on cellphone bans update, Cyberbullying changes, how to address
multicounty property tax issues, and state assessments. The next meeting will be held on
October 22 as a legal update session. They will vote on the new PSBA Officers in November.

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION - Linda R. Lash
No Report

PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
None

BOARD
There were no items for Board approval.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

Mrs. Luke provided further clarification regarding the habitual truancy and that the change
indicated that when a student is habitually truant defined as six (6) unexcused absences they are
not permitted to transfer to a cyber charter school during that school year absent a judge formally
approving it.

SUPERINTENDENT
Monthly Reports
5.1

5.2

6.0

6.1

July 27, 2026

The following monthly reports were not provided to the Board because of school not being in
session:

5.1.1 Enrollment Year-To-Date
5.1.2 Principals’ Dashboard Reports

Superintendent's Update
Dr. Quirk, via video presentation, provided district highlights from the past month. He reviewed the

proposed organizational structure included on the evening's board agenda. Dr. Quirk noted that
upon accepting the position of Superintendent, one of his priorities was to evaluate whether the
district's organizational structure aligned with the goals the district was working toward. He stated
that over the past month, he had met individually and in small groups with administrators, teachers,
support staff, board members, and parent organizations. Through those conversations, he worked
to understand where the district currently stands, including its strengths, areas of opportunity, and
greatest needs. Dr. Quirk reported that three (3) common themes emerged from those
conversations: culture, academics, and facilities. He added that he had worked with the
administrative team to determine how best to leverage the strengths already present within the
organization to address these priorities. The organizational structure presented was the result of
this work, and he emphasized that the proposal represented a restructuring of responsibilities and
reporting relationships. All proposed changes come at no additional cost to the district. He
explained that the proposal focused on alignment, sustainability, and leveraging the strengths of
those involved, placing talented individuals where they could have the greatest impact. Ultimately,
the goal was to build the organizational capacity necessary to advance the district's work in culture,
academics, and facilities. Dr. Quirk described the organizational chart as comprising two areas of
focus: the academic house and the business and operations house. The academic house focused
on teaching, learning, student services, school leadership, athletics, and the overall school
experience, while the business and operations house focused on facilities, technology, finance,
transportation, food services, human resources, and the operational systems that allow schools to
function effectively each day. He noted that while these were two (2) areas of focus, the district
remained one (1). The goal was to support the team and empower everyone to own their role in the
organization and help take Panther Pride to the next level. He concluded with an in-depth overview
of how to read and interpret the chart, including the consolidation and restructuring of positions, the
elevation of positions, and the addition of new positions.

POLICY, PERSONNEL AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Franklin M. Ammarell

The Policy, Personnel and Public Relations Committee 6:30 p.m. on Monday July 20, 2026, in the
Auxiliary of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will be held on
Monday August 17, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Accepts, with regret and best wishes for the future, the following resignations:

Robin Brightbill, Director of Human Resources, effective June 30, 2026
Jeysalin Williams, Guest Teacher, effective July 9, 2026

Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the resignations as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.
6.2

6.3

6.4

6.5

6.6

July 27, 2026

Approves Ms. Melissa Manzer, Coordinator of HR, at an hourly rate of $39.13, effective July 16,
2026, to fill the newly created position.

Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Joseph Brown to approve Ms. Melissa Manzer,
Coordinator of HR, at an hourly rate of $39.13, effective July 16, 2026, to fill the newly
created position.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves Ms. Stacy Miller, Assistant Director of Finance, at an annual salary of $108,150.00
effective July 16, 2026, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Ms. Cathy McGowan
Pennebaker.

Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve Ms. Stacy Miller,
Assistant Director of Finance, at an annual salary of $108,150.00 effective July 16, 2026, to
fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Ms. Cathy McGowan-Pennebaker.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Consistent with the Public-School Code, the Board of Directors of the Schuylkill Valley School
District hereby approves the appointment of Ms. Kristen Wallace to the position of Chief Financial
Officer, effective July 27, 2026, at an annual salary of $160,000.00 (prorated for actual days
worked). Administration and the District Solicitor are directed to prepare an employment agreement
for consideration and approval by the Board at a future meeting.

Moved by David Moll and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the appointment of Ms.
Kristen Wallace for the position of Chief Financial Officer, effective July 27, 2026, as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the transfer of Mr. Michael Capogna, from Custodial Supervisor to Director of Buildings
and Grounds, at an annual salary of $90,000.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective July
28, 2026.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the transfer
of Mr. Michael Capogna from Custodial Supervisor to Director of Buildings and Grounds, at
an annual salary of $90,000.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective July 28, 2026.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the transfer of Mr. Lorenzo Cinicola, from Custodial Supervisor to Buildings and Grounds
Coordinator, at an annual salary of $82,500.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective July 28,
2026.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by David Moll to approve the transfer
of Mr. Lorenzo Cinicola, from Custodial Supervisor, to Buildings and Grounds Coordinator,
at an annual salary of $82,500.00 (prorated for actual days worked), effective July 28, 2026.
Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
6.7

6.8

6.9

6.10

6.11

July 27, 2026

Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the creation of a Transportation Coordinator position, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by David Moll to approve the creation of
a Transportation Coordinator position, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the elimination of the following positions:

Assistant Director of Business Operations
Communications and Digital Media Specialist.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Joseph Brown to approve the
elimination of positions, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the updates to the organization chart as presented.

Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the updates to the
organization chart as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves Ms. Melissa Niedbala, Director of Pupil Services at an annual salary of $155,000.00
(prorated for actual days worked), effective dates to be determined, to fill the vacancy created by
the retirement of Mr. Matthew Ammons.

Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by David Moll to approve Ms. Melissa Niedbala, Director
of Pupil Services, at an annual salary of $155,000.00 (prorated for actual days worked),
effective dates to be determined, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Mr. Matthew
Ammons, presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves Mr. Christian Sikora, Middle School Science Teacher, Bachelor's Step 1, $57,553.00
effective with the start of the 2026-27 school year, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of
Mr. Mitchell Gaul.

Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by David Moll to approve Mr. Christian Sikora,
Middle School Science Teacher, Bachelor’s Step 1, $57,553.00 effective with the start of the
2026-27 school year, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Mr. Mitchell Gaul.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.
6.12

6.16

July 27, 2026

Approves Mr. Matthew Christman, High School Mathematics Teacher, Bachelor's Step 6,
$62,170.00, effective with the start of the 2026-27 school year to fill the vacancy created by the
retirement of Mr. Jeffrey Chillot.

Moved by David Moll and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve Mr. Matthew Christman,
High School Mathematics Teacher, Bachelor’s Step 6, $62,170.00, effective with the start of
the 2026-27 school year to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Mr. Jeffrey Chillot.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves Ms. Heather Hadwin, Business Education Teacher, Bachelor’s Step 3, $59,722.00 with
the start of the 2026-27 school year to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Mrs. Patricia
Lacey.

Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by David Moll to approve Ms. Heather Hadwin, Business
Education Teacher, Bachelor’s Step 3, $59,722.00 with the start of the 2026-27 school year to
fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Mrs. Patricia Lacey.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the appointment of Ms. Jessica Werley as a Special Education Teacher at the Middle
School, effective with the start of the 2026-27 school year, replacing Ms. Amelia Herbert, at Step
Long, Master's +24, $103,847.00, contingent upon the submission and review of official graduate
transcripts and final verification of salary placement.

Moved by Joseph Brown and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the appointment of
Ms. Jessica Werley, as a Special Education Teacher at the Middle School, effective with the
stat of the 2026-27 school year, replacing Ms. Amelia Herbert, at Step Long, Master’s +24,
$103,847.00, contingent upon the submission and review of official graduate transcripts and
final verification of salary placement.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the compensation adjustment for David Barnett, Custodial Supervisor for the Elementary
School, establishing a new hourly rate of $29.03 effective July 28, 2026.

Moved by David Moll and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the compensation
adjustment for David Barnett, Custodial Supervisor for the Elementary School, establishing
a new hourly rate of $29.03 effective July 28, 2026.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the compensation adjustment for Kent Yeager, Custodial Supervisor at the Middle
School, establishing a new hourly rate of $34.90 effective July 28, 2026.

Moved by David Moll and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the compensation
adjustment for Kent Yeager, Custodial Supervisor at the Middle School, establishing a new
hourly rate of $34.90 effective July 28, 2026.
6.17

7.0

7.1

7.2

7.3

July 27, 2026

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the following substitutes for the 2026-27 school year:

Sydney Bender — Substitute Teacher

Melissa Burgert — Food Services Worker, Paraprofessional, Secretary

Rachel Wiest — Nurse

Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the substitutes for the
2026-27 school year as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

CURRICULUM AND TECHNOLOGY

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Linda R. Lash

The Curriculum and Technology Committee met at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, in the

Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will be
held on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration
Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Approves the listing of seven (7) computer carts and fourteen (14) interactive panels for sale
through Municibid.

Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the listing of seven (7)
computer carts and fourteen (14) interactive panels for sale through Municibid.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the 2026-27 Agreement between Schuylkill Valley School District and Berks County Head
Start.

Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Joseph Brown to approve the 2026-27 Agreement
between Schuylkill Valley School District and Berks County Head Start.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the quote from McGraw Hill for U.S. Government and Civics textbooks, as presented.

Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the quote from McGraw Hill
for U.S. Government and Civics textbooks, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
7.4

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

7.10

July 27, 2026

Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 7.4 through 7.5 for Board approval, as presented.
Approves the Textbook and Curriculum Materials Disposal Forms, as presented.
Approves the disposal of a Maico Audiometer, Serial #23650, from 1974.

Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Linda Lash to approve 7.4 through 7.5, as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the TSI Plan for the Middle School.

Moved by Joseph Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the TSI Plan for the
Middle School, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the purchase of eDynamic Learning for the 2026-27 school year at a cost of $1,360.00.

Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Joseph Brown to approve the purchase of
eDynamic Learning for the 2026-27 school year at a cost of $1,360.00.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 7.8 through 7.10 for Board approval, as presented.
Approves the MS Digital Citizenship Curriculum.

Approves the ELA Curriculum for the following: Grades 1-3, 5-8, and Grades 11-12.
Approves the updates for the Math Curriculum for Grades K-8.

Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve 7.8 through 7.10, as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 7.11 through 7.13 for Board approval, as presented.
Approves the renewal quote from BCIU for Zoom licenses, as presented.
Approves the proposal from SapphireK12, Inc., as presented.

Approves the quote from Renaissance for Custom Data Integration, as presented.
7.14

7.15

7.16

7.17

7.18

July 27, 2026

Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve 7.11 through 7.13, as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the Health, Safety, and Physical Education curriculum for grades K-12.

Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the Health, Safety, and
Physical Education curriculum for grades K-12.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the revised quote from Apple, Inc. as presented.

Moved by David Moll and seconded by Joseph Brown to approve the revised quote from
Apple, Inc., as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JULY 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the Modern Global Conflict Curriculum.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the
Modern Global Conflict Curriculum.

Yeas: Ammarell, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JULY 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the renewal quote for security software, as presented.

Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve the renewal quote for
security software, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

OTHER (OLD/NEW BUSINESS)

Cyberbullying:

Mrs. Lash noted that one (1) of the items in the budget pertained to cyberbullying. She stated that
the terminology in the budget indicated that whenever a cyberbullying issue arises, the school
district must notify the parents of each party almost immediately. She inquired whether Dr. Winters
had any additional details regarding this item.

Dr. Winters stated that he believed this would be like Act 55, which pertained to weapons violations.
He indicated that he would have more to report at the next meeting.

Social and Emotional Instruction:

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

July 27, 2026

Mrs. Lash stated that another item in the budget required social and emotional instruction on the
safe use of the internet. She noted that she was unsure of the specific requirements needed to
meet this obligation.

BUDGET AND FINANCE

Summary of Committee Deliberations - Joseph M. Brown

The Budget and Finance Committee met at 6:49 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, in the Auxiliary
Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will

be held on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Approves/ratifies the payment of bills in the following amounts from June 8, 2026, to
July 28, 2026, as presented:

GENERAL FUND $4,352,899.80
CAFETERIA FUND $46,912.30
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FUND "18325, 352.69
CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND $175,692.74
MS/HS ACTIVITY FUND $12,165.88
GRAND TOTAL $4,913,023.41

Moved by Joseph Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve /ratify the payment of
bills in the following amounts from June 8, 2026, to July 28, 2026, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the BCIU Joint Purchasing Bid for copy paper in the amount of $14,820.32 for the period
7/1/26 through 12/31/26.

Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the BCIU Joint Purchasing
Bid for copy paper in the amount of $14,820.32 for the period of 7/1/2026 through 12/31/2026.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the budgetary transfers, as presented.

Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Joseph Brown to approve the budgetary transfers,
as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the disposal of the following:

Removal and disposal of existing tables and CR566 dishwasher at the High School.

10
9.0

9.1

9.3

9.4

92

July 27, 2026

Removal and disposal of existing tables and Jackson dishwasher and pulper system at the Middle
School

Moved by Kelly Steinke, seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the disposal of items as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Alfonso F. Rossi

The Buildings and Grounds Committee met at 6:52 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, in the Auxiliary
Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will

be held on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 9.1, 9.3 and 9.4 for Board approval as presented.

Approves Amendment No. 1 to May 19, 2026, Monitoring Contract Agreements with Johnson
Controls Fire Protection LP, revising the contract term language.

Approves the quote from Johnson Controls Fire Protection, LP in the amount of $5,580.00 to
replace four (4) duct detectors in the High School kitchen area.

Approves the quote from Main Line Commercial Pools in the amount of $8,219.87 for the
installation of a new pool chemical feeder at the Middle School.

Moved by David Moll and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve items 9.1, 9.3 and 9.4 as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the proposal from Full Landscaping & Tree Services, LLC in the amount of $172,450.00
per year for ground maintenance services from August 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028.

Moved by David Moll and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the proposal from Full
Landscaping & Tree Services, LLC in the amount of $172,450.00 per year for ground
maintenance services from August 1, 206, through June 30, 2026.

Mr. Brown clarified that his vote pertained to item 9.2 only, and was not reflective of items 9.1, 9.3
or 9.4. He expressed concern that the district was paying a significant amount for these services,
especially since it had already brought leadership and snow removal in-house. He felt the same
approach should be applied to landscaping services, noting that the cost over the course of a 26-
week cycle was substantial. He felt the district could handle these services internally at a lower
cost.

Yeas: Ammarell, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Nays: Brown

11
9.5

9.6

9.7

9.8

9.9

July 27, 2026

Motion passed 7-1.

Approves three (3) quotes from Pletcher Fire Protection for annual fire extinguishers servicing in the
amount of $5,854.00.

Moved by Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve three (3) quote from Pletcher
Fire Protection for annual fire extinguishers servicing in the amount of $5,854.00.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JULY 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Approves and ratifies the Time and Materials Estimate from Honeywell International to troubleshoot

issues with RTU-1 and RTU-2 at the Middle School at a rate of $332.00 per hour.

Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by David Moll to approve and ratify the Time and
Material Estimate from Honeywell International to troubleshoot issues with RTU-1 and RTU-2
at the Middle School at a rate of $332.00 per hour.

Yeas: Ammarell, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JULY 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Approves and ratifies the Berkshire Mechanical Quote of $5,225.00 for the replacement of the HS
LeRoy Seip Room’s RTU blower and shaft bearings.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by David Moll to approve and ratify
the Berkshire Mechanical Quote of $5,225.00 for the replacement of the HS LeRoy Seip
Room’s RTU blower and shaft bearings.

Yeas: Ammarell, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JULY 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Approves and ratifies the proposal from Berkshire Mechanical in the amount of $3,375.00 to repair
the District Administration Offices RTU.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by David Moll to approve and ratify
the proposal from Berkshire Mechanical in the amount of $3,375.00 to repair the District
Administration Offices RTU.

Yeas: Ammarell, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JULY 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the proposal from Berkshire Mechanical in the amount of $8,500.00 to rebuild the motor
and repair the Middle School cooling tower.

Board Action: Moved by Daniel Weyandt and seconded by David Moll to approve the

proposal from Berkshire Mechanical in the amount of $8,500.00 to rebuild the motor and
repair the Middle School cooling tower.

12
10.0

10.3

July 27, 2026
Yeas: Ammarell, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

STUDENT SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

Summary of Committee Deliberations - Kelly J. Steinke

The Student Services and Activities Committee met at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, in the
Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will
be held on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Approves the three (3) year contract for initiation of the Wayfinder Program at the MS at a total
cost of $26,984.75.

Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the three (3) year
contract for initiation of the Wayfinder Program at the MS at a total cost of $26,984.75.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the 2026-27 John Paul Il Agreement for two (2) students.

Moved by Joseph Brown and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the 2026-27 John Paul II
Agreement for two (2) students.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 10.3 through 10.5 for Board approval, as presented.

Approves the following items donated for the 2026-27 SVMS Back to School Night:

Redner’s Warehouse Markets — One (1) Pallet of 16 oz Bottles of Water and two (2) Cases of
ae Pretzels — One (1) case of snack pretzels (individually packaged)

Unique Snacks — Six (6) cases of Snack Pretzels (individually packaged)

Approves the Tumble and Bounce Rental Agreement and Liability Contract with Tumble and
Bounce, LLC for the SVMS Back to School Night.

Approves the Panther Pride Stadium Campaign’s donation of $16,580.53 to the SVSD Track &
Field Program for the purchase of a new pole vault pit.

Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve items 10.3 through 10.5
as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.
10.10

10.11

July 27, 2026
Approves the contract with Timothy School for student #5030.

Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Joseph Brown to approve the contract with
Timothy Schools for student #5030.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Letter of Agreement establishing camp usage and Hold Harmless Agreement for the
Middle School Outdoor Education Program.

Board Action: Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the Letter of
Agreement establishing camp usage and Hold Harmless Agreement for the Middle School
Outdoor Education Program.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JULY 20, 2026 BOARD MEETING:

Approves the Code of Conduct for the Schuylkill Valley Elementary School for the 2026-27 school

year.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve the Code
of Conduct for the Schuylkill Valley Elementary School for the 2026-27 school year.

Yeas: Ammarell, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JULY 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the Schuylkill Valley Middle School Student Code of Conduct and Handbook for the
2026-27 school year.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the
Schuylkill Valley Middle School Student Code of Conduct and Handbook for the 2026-27
school year.

Yeas: Ammarell, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JULY 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the Schuylkill Valley High School Code of Conduct and Handbook for the 2026-27 school
year.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the
Schuylkill Valley High School Code of Conduct and Handbook for the 2026-27 school year.

Yeas: Ammarell, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JULY 20, 2026, BOARD MEETING:

Approves the waiver of expulsion hearing release agreement between Schuylkill Valley School
District and the parents of Student Discipline Matter No. 072026-01, as presented.

14
July 27, 2026
Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by David Moll to approve the waiver of
expulsion hearing release agreement between Schuylkill Valley School District and the
parents of Student Discipline Mater No. 072026-01, as presented.
Yeas: Ammarell, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS/GOOD OF THE ORDER
EXECUTIVE SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Joseph Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke, there being no further business to
come before the Board, the meeting be adjourned.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

ty
Bodrd of School Directors

15
```

## Minutes text: jun08_2026_budget_vote.txt

```
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June 8, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING
SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
929 Lakeshore Drive
Leesport, PA 19533-8631

MINUTES

June 8, 2026

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by the Board President, Carol E.
Weyandt, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

ROLL CALL
Members Present: Franklin M. Ammarell, Joseph M. Brown, Linda R. Lash, Lauren J. Matthews,
David E. Moll, Alfonso F. Rossi, Carol E. Weyandt, Daniel B. Weyandt

Absent: Kelly Steinke

Secretary: Linda R. Lash

Recording Secretary: Azucena Macedo

Administrative Staff Present: Dr. Denis Quirk, Dr. Patrick Winters, Kristen Wallace
Solicitor: Alicia Luke, Esq., McNees, Wallace, & Nurick, LLC

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mrs. Weyandt reported that the Board met in executive session on May 26, 2026, following the
Board Meeting, for personnel, legal, student and safety matters.

SUPERINTENDENT REMARKS

Dr. Quirk shared a few remarks and perspectives, beginning by thanking the Board for the
opportunity to serve as Superintendent of the Schuylkill Valley School District. He also recognized
Dr. Winters for his leadership during the past seven (7) months as Interim Superintendent and
thanked him for his partnership in preparing for the transition to Schuylkill Valley. Dr. Quirk stated
that he viewed the role of superintendent as not only leading a district, but also leading people,
including community members, parents, families, staff, educators, and most importantly students.
His goal for Schuylkill Valley is to unite the community as one and relentlessly pursue excellence.
Prior to the close of the school year, Dr. Quirk had the opportunity to engage with teachers to begin
understanding Schuylkill Valley through their experiences and perspectives. He facilitated an
activity called “Flows and Grows,” during which staff discussed areas of celebration as well as
opportunities for growth across all buildings. Two consistent strengths that emerged were the
outstanding people who make up the district and the strong sense of pride in the opportunities
provided to students. Dr. Quirk noted that these strengths serve as a foundation upon which the
district will continue to build, leveraging its people and expanding opportunities for students.
Looking ahead, Dr. Quirk shared several priorities that emerged through conversations with
teachers, including strengthening programs and systems in both regular and special education,
addressing staffing vacancies and needs, investing in professional learning to support continued
growth, and fostering a positive school climate where all individuals can thrive. He stated that the
immediate focus is to fill current vacancies, complete the leadership team, and establish a unified
vision for district operations and leadership. He also emphasized the importance of creating
meaningful opportunities for parent engagement. Dr. Quirk shared that additional community
engagement opportunities are currently being developed and will be announced later this summer.
He concluded by expressing his gratitude for the support and overwhelmingly positive welcome had
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June 8, 2026

SPECIAL MEETING

received from the Schuylkill Valley Community and stated that he is excited to begin his work in the
district.

PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
None

BUDGET AND FINANCE

Approves a resolution authorizing Homestead & Farmstead Real Estate Tax Assessment reduction
for the upcoming 2026-27 tax year, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Dan Weyandt to approve a resolution
authorizing Homestead & Farmstead Real Estate Tax Assessment reduction for the
upcoming 2026-27 tax year, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll Rossi, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Real Estate Tax Structure for the 2026-27 Fiscal Year as follows:

Real Estate Tax - $28.67 Mills

Real Estate Transfer Tax — 1/2%

Earned Income Tax — 1/2%

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
Real Estate Tax Structure for the 2026-27 Fiscal Year as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Nays: Brown, Moll

Motion passed 6-2.

Approves the adoption of the 2026-27 Final General Fund Budget in the amount of

$50, 735,730.00 that includes a tax increase of 0.85 mills (3.06%). The annual tax impact per
household based on an average assessed value of $150,000.00 is a $127.50 increase.

Board Action: Moved by Dan Weyandt and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the
adoption of the 2026-27 Final General Fund Budget in the amount of $50,735,730.00 that
includes a tax increase of 0385 mills (3.06%). The annual tax impact per household based on

an average assessed value of $150,000.00 is a $127.50 increase.

Roll Call Vote: Board Vote
Yeas: Ammarell, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Nays: Brown, Moll
Motion Passed 6-2.

Roll Call Vote: Individual Vote:
Yeas: Ammarell, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Nays: Brown, Moll
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June 8, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING
Motion passed 6-2.

OTHER BUSINES/GOOD OF THE ORDER

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Frank Ammarell, there being no further business
to come before the Board, the meeting be adjourned.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:43 p.m.

inda “Tash, Secref4r
Board of School Directors
```

## Minutes text: jun22_2026.txt

```
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June 22, 2026

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
929 Lakeshore Drive
Leesport, PA 19533-8631

MINUTES

June 22, 2026

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by the Board President, Carol E.
Weyandt, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

ROLL CALL

Members Present: Franklin M. Ammarell, Joseph M. Brown, Linda R. Lash, Lauren J. Matthews,
David E. Moll (arrived at 7:07 p.m.), Alfonso F. Rossi, Kelly J. Steinke, Carol E. Weyandt, Daniel B.
Weyandt

Secretary: Linda R. Lash
Recording Secretary: Azucena Macedo

Administrative Staff Present: Dr. Denis Quirk, Dr. Patrick Winters, Stacy Miller, Stephen Mickulik,
Jenny Rexrode, Louisa Trumbore

Solicitor: Alicia Luke, Esq., McNees, Wallace, & Nurick, LLC

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve the minutes of the
regular meeting of May 26, 2026, and the Special Meeting of June 8, 2026, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Weyandt reported that the Board met in executive session following the Special Meeting on
June 8, 2026, for personnel and legal matters and after the Committee Meeting on June 15, 2026,
for safety and personnel matters.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARD REPRESENTATIVES

PRESIDENT — Carol E. Weyandt

Mrs. Weyandt reminded the public that the individual Committee work sessions were open to the
public and invited anyone interested to attend. She directed those interested to check out the
District website to find out dates and times for the work sessions.

SECRETARY - Linda R. Lash
No report.

BERKS COUNTY I.U. BOARD - Linda R. Lash
Mrs. Lash reported that the |.U had seven (7) Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) to agree
with local police, and Director, Dan Richards, Head of the Office of Professional Services, is retiring
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June 22, 2026

and his last day would be August 3". Someone has been hired to fill his role. During executive
meeting they had their school safety report from Mr. Del Rosario, and he provided a comprehensive
report noting there are a lot of agencies that the IU is responsible for. The BCIU will have a BCIU
Night at the Reading Phillies on August 30". The IU also published their 2025-26 annual report and
if anyone was interested in viewing the report, she would have it available after the meeting. The
Consortium of State School Boards (COSSBA) announced that after years of decline, young
children show gains in reading and math.

BERKS CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER - David E. Moll

Mr. Moll reported that they are still working to fill the position of Lead Financial Officer. He noted
that the upcoming year will have the highest enrollment thus far. He is still working on getting a
tour set up for the building in Oley and a possible meeting scheduled at that location.

TAX COLLECTION COMMITTEE — Joseph M. Brown
No report.

PA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION LIAISON - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash stated her next Liaison Meeting would be held on July 23" virtually. She discussed the
passing of House Bill 2633 which was a critical step toward improving how Pennsylvania funds
construction projects.

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION - Linda R. Lash
No report.

PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
None

BOARD
There were no items for Board approval.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT
Mrs. Luke stated that item 8.7 was a proposed assessment appeal settlement and she would be
happy to answer any questions regarding the settlement.

SUPERINTENDENT
Monthly Reports
The following monthly reports have been provided to the Board:

5.1.1. Enrollment Year-To-Date
5.1.2 Principals’ Dashboard Reports

Superintendent's Update

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Dr. Quirk began his report by emphasizing what a phenomenal job the administrative team and
teacher advisors had for graduation, and thanked Mrs. Cammauf and Mr. Bagenstose for their work
on graduation.

Title IX Coordinator Update

In accordance with Federal Title IX requirements, the District will designate Mrs. Jenny Rexrode as
Title IX Coordinator effective July1, 2026, following the departure of Mrs. Robin Brightbill on June
30, 2026.
6.0

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June 22, 2026

POLICY, PERSONNEL AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Franklin M. Ammarell

The Policy, Personnel and Public Relations Committee met at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 15,
2026, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the
Committee will be held on Monday, July 20, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Approves the revision to the 2026-27 school calendar, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the revision to
the 2026-27 school calendar, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 6.2 through 6.3.9 for Board approval as presented.

Accepts, with regret and best wishes for the future, the following resignations:

6.2.1. Catherine McGowan-Pennebaker, Assistant Director of Finance, effective May 29, 2026

6.2.2 Michelle Viera, Executive Secretary Human Resources, effective Juen 10, 2026

The Board consolidated items 6.3.1 through 6.3.9 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the employment of the following (all elections are contingent upon receipt and district

approval of all necessary pre-employment forms, certifications, state-mandated physical

examinations, clearances, etc):

6.3.1 Approves Mr. Joshua Rausch, Custodian at the elementary school, at an hourly rate of
$21.45, effective June 22, 2026, to fill the vacancy created by the transfer of Mr. Tanner
Jerdan.

6.3.2 Approves the following co-curricular appointments for the 2026-27 school year:
Taylor Stafford — Director of Community Aquatics: Academic Year - $4,800.00
Taylor Stafford - Director of Community Aquatics: Summer - $2.,400.00

6.3.3. Approves the following extracurricular appointment for the 2026-27 school year. Approval is
subject to the satisfactory receipt of all required clearances, backgrounds, and executed
employment contracts:
David Ortiz-Hernandez — Football High School Assistant Coach - $5,270.00

6.3.4 Approves the ES Summer School staff, with teachers to be paid the professional hourly
rate of $40.00 per the SVEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. teachers will only be used

as student enrollment dictates.

Laura Schaeffer - Nurse
June 22, 2026

6.3.5 Approves the extended school year (ESY) staff, with teachers to be paid the professional

6.3.6

6.3.7

hourly rate of $40.00, per the SVEA Collective Bargaining Agreement, paraprofessional
and substitute paraprofessionals to be paid at their regularly hourly rate:

Corriann Myers — Teacher

Kristie Robinson — Teacher

Alyssa Smith — Teacher

Sharon Witman — Paraprofessional

Approves issuing a professional employee contract to the following temporary professionals
who have served (3) years and have received satisfactory ratings in accordance with §1108
of the Pennsylvania School Code.

Marissa Ciccarone

Nicole Edmondson

Jacob Ford

Jessica Frantz

Hunter Jones

Olivia Martz-Wagaman

Alyssa Smith

Aaryn Snyder

Approves of MS Summer School staff, with teachers to be paid the professional hourly rate
of $40.00 per the SVEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. Teachers will only be used as
student enrollment dictates.

Jacob Edgette

Nicole Edmondson

Shannon Furst

Christopher Gallo

Approves the following transfers effective with the start of the 2026-27 school year:

Mr. Taylor Grim, Health & Physical Education Teacher at the Middle School to Health &
Physical Education Teacher at the high school

Mrs. Kelly Kauffman, Health & Physical Education Teacher at the high school to Health &
Physical Education Teacher at the middle school.

Approves the following volunteers for the 2025-26 school year:

Rebecca Cherry — ES
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June 22, 2026

Kelee Machemer — (Student Internship — Jim Neidermyer Poultry)
Kaitlyn Marks — HS (Student Internship - LCBC Church)

Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve 6.2 through 6.3.9 as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Acknowledges the following Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave of absence:

Arianna Bressler, Special Education Teacher at the High School, effective approximately October 9,
2026, through January 22, 2027.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Frank Ammarell to acknowledge the
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave of absence as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the acceptance of the following donations for the Annual Retiree and Service Awards
Dinner:

Tompkins — 24 Glass Votive Holders
Sunshine Insurance Offices, Inc. $150.00
The Board consolidated items 6.6 through 6.8 for Board approval as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
acceptance of the donations for the Annual Retire and Service Awards Dinner as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 6.6 through 6.8 for Board approval as presented.

Approves and adopts Policy 218.1 Weapons following its 1st and 2"¢ Readings.

Approves and adopts Policy 805 Emergency Preparedness & Response following its 1st and 24
Readings.

Approves and adopts Policy 805.1 Relations with Law Enforcement Agencies following its 1st and
24 Readings.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve
items 6.6 through 6.8, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 6.9 through 6.10 for Board approval as presented.
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June 22, 2026

Approves the Law Enforcement MOUs between Schuylkill Valley Elementary, Schuylkill Valley
Middle School, Schuylkill Valley High School and the Schuylkill Valley Education Center and the
Bern Township Police Department, as presented.

Approves the Law Enforcement MOUs between Schuylkill Valley Elementary School, Schuylkill
Valley Middle School, Schuylkill Valley High School and the Northern Berks Police Department, as
presented.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve items 6.9
through 6.10, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the Non-Certified Employee Compensation Plan, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the Non-
Certified Employee Compensation Plan, as presented.

Mrs. Weyandt stated that the discussion and feedback provided during the work session were taken
into consideration when developing the compensation plan. She thanked Dr. Quirk for preparing the
plan in advance of the June 30 deadline.

Dr. Quirk added that he communicated with the employees affected by the plan prior to the
meeting, providing a high-level overview of the proposed changes. He stated that the proposal
focused on two (2) primary objectives:

1. Ensuring language is consistent across all district compensation plans to promote uniformity
regardless of position.

2. Maintaining the district's competitiveness by supporting employee retention and attracting
qualified candidates to fill vacancies while continuing to build on the district's success.

Dr. Quirk noted that the revised compensation plan would reduce the number of pay bands from
seven (7) to four (4). Upon Board approval, the changes would be communicated to all affected
employees. He stated that he would offer individual meetings to review the changes with
employees an distribute letters in Jully outlining each employee’s compensation for the 2026-27
school year.

Mr. Moll inquired whether the additional $2.00 per hour provided to paraprofessionals working in
low-incidence classrooms could be identified as a differential rather than incorporated into the base
rate. He noted that doing so would ensure the additional compensation would not continue if an
employee were reassigned to a position that did not qualify for the differential.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Abstain: Rossi

Mr. Rossi abstained due to a potential conflict of interest.

Motion passed 8-0-1.
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June 22, 2026

CURRICULUM AND TECHNOLOGY
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Linda R. Lash
The Curriculum and Technology Committee met at 6:44 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026, in the

Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will be
held on Monday, July 20, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 7.1 through 7.7 for Board approval as presented.
Approves the TCi quote #00045561 for SVMS Social studies Resources, as presented.
Approves the McGraw Hill Quote for ALEKS Professional Development, as presented.
Approves the Renaissance Quote #Q-365420 v4 for Fastbridge and Accelerated Reader.
Approves the curriculum for the Personal Finance class at the high school.

Approves of seven (7) Textbook and Curriculum Materials Disposal Forms.

Approves the IUP Educator & Clinician Preparation Field Experience Agreement.
Approves the HS Psychology Curriculum

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Alfonso to approve items 7.1 through
7.7, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the HS Modern Global Conflicts Curriculum

Board Action: Moved by Daniel Weyandt and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve of
the HS Modern Global Conflicts Curriculum.

There was discussion on the proposed curriculum, varying perspectives regarding the course
content, presentation of historical events, and instructional resources. Members also discussed the
importance of providing balanced instruction and maintaining confidence in the district's faculty to
ensure the curriculum remains current and accurate.

Mrs. Lash requested that Mr. Whitman attend a future meeting to answer questions and provide
additional information regarding the proposed curriculum.

Mrs. Rexrode indicated she would invite Mr. Whitman for a future meeting.

Following discussion, the Boad reached consensus to table consideration of this item pending
receipt of additional information.

The Board consolidated items 7.9 through 7.16 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the Sapphire Software Training Proposal for Data Mining - Assessment Data Import.
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Approves the Cengage Learning invoice for the 2026-27 school year for the high school accounting
courses.

Approves the invoice for Certiport in the amount of $5,289.00 for the high school Microsoft Office
Specialist courses.

Approves the purchase of the ProjectSTEM Pathways Bundle in the amount of $2,000.00 for the
high school AP Computer Science courses.

Approves the ECA Ready-To-Teach Science Kits quote. These kits include the required refills and
are aligned with OpenSciEd for grades 6-8.

Approves the quote from Textbook Warehouse for Literature textbooks for grades 6-8. These
textbooks were requested by the ELA teachers at the middle school as a resource for their
classroom.

Approves the Discovery Education quote. This will provide Social Studies materials and
Professional Development for grades K-4.

Approves the ECA Science Kit Addendum. This will provide the rental and refills for an additional
Science unit requested by grades 3, 4 and 5.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve items 7.9
through 7.16

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Apple Financial Services proposal to replace 170 iPads for the first-grade
classrooms, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve the
Apple Financial Services proposal to replace 170 iPads for the first-grade classrooms, as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the three (3) year participation agreement from the BCIU for Cybersecurity Essentials
Consortium participation and services, as presented.

Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the three (3) year
participation agreement from the BCIU for Cybersecurity Essentials Consortium
participation and services, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

BUDGET AND FINANCE

Summary of Committee Deliberations —- Joseph M. Brown
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June 22, 2026

The Budget and Finance Committee met at 7:15 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026, in the Auxiliary
Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will

be held on Monday, July 20, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 8.1 through 8.2 for Board approval as presented.

Approves/ratifies the payment of bills in the following amounts from May 11, 2026, to
June 23, 2026, as presented:

GENERAL FUND $1,506,506.98
CAFETERIA FUND $63,034.69
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FUND $525,031.69)
ISCHOLARSHIP FUND $5,600.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND $30,796.00}
MS/HS ACTIVITY FUND $65,557.07
IGRAND TOTAL $2,196,526.43

Approves for Business Office Personnel to process bills for payment up to and including June 30,
2026.

Board Action: Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve items
8.1 through 8.2, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the following depositories for the 2026-27 fiscal year:

Tompkins/VIST Bank

PA School District Liquid Asset Fund

PA School District Liquid Asset Max Fund

TD Bank

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve the
depositories for the 2026-27 fiscal year, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
The Board consolidated items 8.4 through 8.5 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the SVSD Audit Engagement Letter from Cherry Bekaert to provide their services for the
year ended June 30, 2026.

Approves the Butler, Agnew & Associates Consulting Services Agreement, as presented.
8.6

8.7

8.8

8.9

June 22, 2026

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve items 8.4
through 8.5, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the liability and workers’ compensation insurance package from Alera Group for the
2026-27 school year in the amount of $266,997.00.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by David Moll to approve the Liability
and Workers’ Compensation Insurance package from Alera Group as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the settlement of a pending assessment appeal matter for property located at 2
Ontelaunee Drive owed by CHIPT Reading Ontelaunee, as follows:

For 2023 Tax Year: Fair Market Value of $75,000.00
For 2024 Tax Year: Fair Market Value of $80,000.00
For 2025 Tax Year: Fair Market Value of $80,000.00
For 2026 Tax Year: Fair Market Value of $80,000.00

The respective Common Level Ratios will be applied in order to calculate the assessed value for
each tax year. The taxpayer agrees that no assessment appeal shall be filed for the 2027 tax year.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
settlement of a pending assessment appeal matter for property located at 2 Ontelaunee
Drive owed by CHIPT Reading Ontelaunee, as presented.

Mrs. Luke stated this was originally an interim tax appeal with multiple tax years involved. This
property is a high assessed property at around $30 million dollars. The proposed settlement would
encompass 2023 through 2026 tax years with agreement to settle the matter at a fair market value
as listed. The respective common level ratios would be applied for those four (4) years to calculate
the assessed value. As part of the term of the settlement the district was also able to secure that
the taxpayer would not file an appeal for the 2027 year. She felt this was a good resolution.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the purchase of a new Cleveland Convection Steamer from Singer Equipment in the
amount of $23,168.29. This unit will replace an existing steamer that is not operational.

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the
purchase of a new Cleveland Convection Steamer from Singer Equipment in the amount of
$23,168.29, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Fraser Copier Equipment Addendum to the Lease Agreement that was approved on
May 26, 2026.
8.10

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92

9.3

June 22, 2026

Moved by Frank Ammarell, seconded by David Moll to approve the Fraser Copier Equipment
Addendum, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JUNE 15, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the renewal of the Diligent BoardDocs Pro contract for 2026-27 in the amount of

$10,500.00.

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Dan Weyandt to approve the renewal
of the Diligent BoardDocs Pro contract for 2026-27 in the amount of $10,500.00.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Alfonso F. Rossi

The Buildings and Grounds Committee met at 7:22 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026, in the Auxiliary
Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will
be held on Monday, July 20, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 9.1 through 9.2 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the three (3) year proposal submitted by Pletcher Fire Protection, LLC, for the provision
and annual testing, inspection and maintenance of the fire protection systems at the high school,
middle school, and elementary school. The estimated cost of these services is $13,000.00 per year,
with the contract to commence on July 1, 2026.

Approves the proposal from Berkshire Mechanical in the amount of $67,000.00 for a HVAC
Preventative Maintenance Agreement covering the elementary school, middle, and high school

beginning July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Board Action: Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Daniel Weyandt to approve items
9.1 through 9.2, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Planned Service Agreement from Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP in the annual
amount of $1,573.49 for a three (3) year term, commencing July 1, 2026, and concluding June 30,
2029, for alarm detection and monitoring services at the elementary and middle schools.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
Planned Service Agreement from Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP in the annual amount

of $1,573.49 for a three (3) year term, commencing July 1, 2026, and concluding June 30,
2029, as presented.

11
9.4

9.5

9.6

9.7

June 22, 2026

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Planned Services Agreement from Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP in the annual
amount of $786.74 for a three (3) year term, commencing July 1, 2026, and concluding June 30,
2029, for alarm detection and monitoring services at the high school.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
Planned Service Agreement from Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP in the annual amount
of $786.74 for a three (3) year term, commencing July 1, 206, and concluding June 30, 2029,
as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the quotation submitted by Proasys for a water treatment program in the amount of
$14,250.00. This agreement shall cover a two (2) year term, commencing July 1, 2026, and
concluding June 30, 2028, and will apply to the elementary, middle, and high schools.

Moved by Daniel Weyandt and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the quotation
submitted by Proasys for a water treatment program in the amount of $14,250.00 as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JUNE 15, 2026, BOARD MEETING:

Approves and ratifies the quote from Honeywell International in the amount of $2,111.00 to replace
a failed power supply in the District Administration Office.

Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by David Moll to approve and ratify the quote from
Honeywell International in the amount of $2,111.00 to replace a failed power supply in the
District Administration Office.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE JUNE 15, 2026, BOARD MEETING:

Approves and ratifies the quote from Main Line Commercial Pools in the amount of $880.29 to
repair the automatic pool vacuum at the Middle School.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve and ratify
the quote from Main Line Commercial Pools in the amount of $880.29 to repair the automatic
pool vacuum at the Middle School.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

12
10.0

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

June 22, 2026
STUDENT SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Kelly J. Steinke

The Student Services and Activities Committee met at 7:22 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026, in
the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee
will be held on Monday, July 20, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 10.1 through 10.3 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the 2026-27 New Story Contract: New Holland Road Campus.

Approves the Linked In Literacy 2026-27 Contract with melissa Reber for Wilson/Orton-
Gillingham Reading Instruction for three (3) students.

Approves the pre-purchase of four (4) secondary student seats at River Rock Amity or Sinking
Spring Campus for AEDY Programming.

Board Action: Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by David Moll to approve items 10.1
through 10.3, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the donation of items that total an amount of $3,800.00 to update the equipment in the
Dry Land Training Room at the Middle School.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
donation of items that total an amount of $3,800.00 to update the equipment in the Dry Land
Training Room at the Middle School.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves and ratifies the signed Fusion ESY Contract for student #4995.

Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Daniel Weyantdt to approve and ratify the signed
Fusion ESY Contract for student #4995, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

OTHER BUSINESS/GOOD OF THE ORDER

EXECUTIVE SESSION

ADJOURNMENT
June 22, 2026

Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Alfonso Rossi, there being no further business to
come before the Board, the meeting be adjourned.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.

Lirlda R. Lash, Secretary
Board of School Directors

14
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## Minutes text: may26_2026.txt

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1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

May 26, 2026

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
929 Lakeshore Drive
Leesport, PA 19533-8631

MINUTES

MAY 26, 2026

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by the Board President, Carol E.
Weyandt, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

ROLL CALL
Members Present: Franklin M. Ammarell, Joseph M. Brown, Linda R. Lash, Lauren J. Matthews,
David E. Moll, Alfonso F. Rossi, Kelly J. Steinke, Carol E. Weyandt, Daniel B. Weyandt

Secretary: Linda R. Lash
Recording Secretary: Azucena Macedo

Administrative Staff Present: Matt Ammons, Dr. Patrick Winters, Jennifer Godtfring, Jason Hansen,
Dr. Joshua Kuehner, Stephen Mickulik, Jackie Rivas, Stacy Miller

Solicitor: John Miravich, Esq., McNees, Wallace & Nurick, LLC

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the minutes of the regular
meeting of April 27, 2026, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mrs. Weyandt reported that the Board met in executive session on May 18, 2026, for legal,
personnel, and student matters.

RECOGNITION OF STUDENTS & STAFF

Hawk Olympics Recognition

Presented by: Mr. Matt Ammons, Director of Pupil Services

Mr. Ammons thanked the Board and noted that Schuylkill Valley students were able to participate in
this year’s Hawk Olympics, held in Hamburg. He thanked Mrs. Cammauf for her assistance with the
event logistics and organization, Mr. Brown for donating the tent, the SVEA for its donation and
support in covering event costs, and Food Service Director Louisa Trumbore for her contributions.
Mr. Ammons reported that students participated in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 400-meter
dash, standing long jump, running long jump, and shot-put events. He concluded by recognizing all
students who participated in the event.

PRESENTATIONS

Kutztown University (KU) Early College Academy,

Presented by: Mrs. Jennifer Godtfring, High School Assistant Principal

Mrs. Godtfring provided background information on the Early College Academy, noting that it
provided students with the opportunity to earn college credits while in high school. For the 2025-26
school year, two tracks were offered: Early Childhood Education and Exploratory Studies. Students
in both tracks completed two (2) courses during the fall semester and two (2) courses during the

May 26, 2026

spring semester. By the end of the school year, students could earn up to 12 college credits,
equivalent to one (1) full semester of college coursework. Classes were scheduled for half a day,
two (2) to three (3) days per week. On days they were not attending KU classes, some students
participated in internship opportunities. Students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education Track
completed courses including First-Year Seminar, Teaching Pre-K through Grade 8, Exploration and
Investigation, and Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners and Cognitive Development of
Diverse Learners in a Standards-Aligned System. Students in the Exploratory Studies Track
completed First-Year Seminar, General Writing, General Psychology, and Water Wars, a geology
course. During the 2024-25 school year, only the Early Childhood Education Track was offered,
with four (4) students participating. For the 2025-26 school year, participation increased to seven
(7) students. Mrs. Godtfring reported that expenses for students enrolled in the Early Childhood
Education Track were fully covered, while students in the Exploratory Studies Track received a
reduced tuition rate. For the 2026-27 school year, six (6) students are expected to participate,
including one (1) student in the Exploratory Studies Track and five (5) students in the Early
Childhood Education Track. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, all students enrolled in the Early
College Academy, regardless of track, will have all program expenses covered. She also noted that
additional tracks in Trades and Health Sciences are expected to be offered beginning in the 2027-
28 school year.

Students Samantha Davis, Cecilia DeNunzio, and Derek Grim provided the Board with brief
updates regarding their experiences participating in the Early Childhood Education Program.

SVEC & SVVA Update.

Presented by: Dr. Josh Kuehner, SVEC Principal

Dr. Kuehner presented the SVEC and Schuylkill Valley Virtual Academy (SVVA) Annual Report. He
reported that SVEC served 53 students during the 2025-26 school year, with an average daily
attendance of 8.1 students. He also provided a breakdown of the reimbursement the district
received for students receiving special education services. Of the students served, 27 had
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 37 were referrals from Juvenile Probation (JPO), and 16
were referred through Children and Youth Services (CYS). The student population consisted of 37
males and 16 females. Dr. Kuehner reviewed the daily schedule for SVEC students, which runs
from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Students receive instruction in four (4) core courses, two (2) electives,
and one (1) choice elective. He highlighted several new activities introduced during the 2025-26
school year, including music instruction, Parks and Recreation presentations, the Agricultural
Center partnership, BCIU Dream Team activities, Berks Teens programs, and therapy dog visits.
He also discussed challenges encountered during the school year. Among the program highlights,
Dr. Kuehner noted students' academic success and credit attainment while enrolled at SVEC.
Student transcripts were sent to home districts, and all IEP documentation was completed in
compliance with required timelines. He reported a positive school culture with no major behavioral
incidents during the school day. Additionally, strong collaboration between SVEC and BCYC staff
contributed to a productive partnership that directly benefited students. Dr. Kuehner shared that
several events were successfully held throughout the year, including a Back-to-School event on
August 15, 2025, which welcomed students and families and established a positive tone for the
school year. A holiday luncheon was also held for students and staff prior to winter break as a
reward. Regarding virtual programming, Dr. Kuehner stated that the program was well established
and operated smoothly at SVEC. He discussed the process used to select virtual providers, which
included meetings with multiple vendors to identify the best instructional fit for SVEC students and
future district virtual learning opportunities. Selection criteria included synchronous instruction,
Advanced Placement (AP) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) course offerings, NCAA-
approved courses, robust IEP support, and cost-effective pricing structures. For the Schuylkill
Valley Virtual Academy (SVVA), Dr. Kuehner reported that there were four (4) full-time high school
students and four (4) single-course enrollees, including two (2) high school students and two (2)
middle school students. Additionally, 11 parent meetings were held during the spring for new and
interested families. To support virtual programming, SVEC developed comprehensive
documentation to ensure clarity, compliance, and effective communication among stakeholders.
These resources included Administrative Regulations, a Virtual Programming Handbook, and a
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2.2

2.3

2.4

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May 26, 2026

dedicated SVSD website page. Dr. Kuehner noted that efforts to increase participation in SVVA
included email outreach, a Family Information Night, and information posted on the district website.

MAY HS STUDENT COUNCIL PRESENTATION

Presented by: Asher Clery, Vice President, Class of 2026 and David Johnson, Senior Member of
Student Council

Asher and David shared updates on student activities and events taking place throughout the
district. They highlighted that five (5) seniors achieved the rank of Eagle Scout this year. They also
reported that the PYEA hosted a Seniors vs. Juniors Monday Night Football matchup at Panther
Stadium on May 18. On May 21, the high school hosted its ninth annual Mini-THON, with 155
students participating in the event. They noted that PYEA raised and donated $18,470.59 to Four
Diamonds, marking the highest amount ever contributed. Asher and David also recognized FFA
members who earned their Fellow certifications and discussed the annual Tractor Day event.
Additionally, they shared that the Jesus Club hosted a Worship Night in the auditorium on May 8,
and members of the German Club attended their third annual German Food Picnic in Fleetwood.
They concluded by discussing upcoming events and activities for the graduating senior class.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARD REPRESENTATIVES

PRESIDENT -— Caro/ E. Weyandt

Mrs. Weyandt made note that the Special Board Meeting would be held on Monday June 8, 2026,
and would include a vote on the final 2026-27 budget. The budget is available to view at the District
Office.

SECRETARY - Linda R. Lash
No report.

BERKS COUNTY I.U. BOARD - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash reported that they held their officers’ meeting on Monday and the Board Meeting on
Thursday. At the meeting, they approved of the $393,000 incarcerated expense that the IU provides
at the prison. The |.U. hired a new director due to the previous director's retirement and the new
director was from Brandy Wine School District. She discussed the legislative report that included 34
house bills and 17 senate bills proposed. The IU sponsored the Berks County School Bus Driver
Safety Competition and two (2) of the IU drivers would be going on to the state competition and
they hosted the 2026 sea, air and land challenge and it was a robotic stem event at the Lehigh
Career and Technical Institute.

BERKS CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER - David E. Moll

Mr. Moll reported that a couple of students were competing in the National Competition and would
be attending and foregoing high school graduation in order to compete. He discussed the
partnership with Tulpehocken School District and the excitement for the partnership.

TAX COLLECTION COMMITTEE — Joseph M. Brown
Mr. Brown reported that everyone in the district is currently in compliance and no arrears.

PA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION LIAISON -— Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash discussed the PSBA Policy Portal and Keystone Agenda training, highlighting several
key features of the portal. She also informed the Board that the School Leadership Conference
would be held in the Poconos from October 18 through October 20. Board members interested in
attending were asked to notify the Superintendent's Office. Mrs. Lash further noted that she had a
liaison meeting scheduled for July.

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Matthews reported that the Foundation continues to work diligently in support of the district.
She stated that the Foundation hopes to participate in a future in-service day to engage staff.
Additionally, the Foundation is planning a fall fundraiser to raise additional funds in support of its
initiatives.
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5.1

5.2

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May 26, 2026

PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Naomi Woods, Ontelaunee Township — Student Transition Services and Program

BOARD
There were no items for Board approval.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT
No Report

SUPERINTENDENT

Monthly Reports

The following monthly reports have been provided to the Board:

5.1.1 Enrollment Year-To-Date
5.1.2 Principals’ Dashboard Reports

Superintendent's Update

Dr. Winters provided district highlights from the past month. He began by recognizing the
accomplishments of students at Berks Career and Technology Center (BCTC). Students in the
Residential Painting and Interior Design Program had the opportunity to develop concepts for a
modern coffee shop, while students in the Heavy Equipment Operations Program earned their
PennDOT Flagger Certification. Dr. Winters also highlighted several events leading up to the end of
the school year. At the YMCA of Reading & Berks County’s 2026 Breakfast of Champions for
Youth, accompanied by SVES Music Teacher Mrs. Sarah Hilpmann, four fourth-grade chorus
students were selected to perform the National Anthem. Students in grades 4-12 showcased their
musical talents, and all three schools displayed student artwork throughout the month of May. The
SVES and SVMS hosted Girls on the Run activities. SVES students created posters for each grade
level, participated in a practice 5K at SVES, and took part in the Spring Celebration 5K held at Penn
State Berks. Dr. Winters also noted that the Reading Olympics were held at both the elementary
and middle schools and recognized the top-tier teams from each building. The sixth-grade gifted
team placed in a top-tier bracket at the Philadelphia Zoo’s UNLESS Contest, where students
conducted extensive research on endangered species. At the high school level, SVHS students
participated in a collaborative initiative to raise awareness of human trafficking. The SVHS Band
marched in the 78th Berks County Armed Forces Day Parade, recognized as the nation’s oldest
Armed Forces Day parade. Additionally, the Schuylkill Valley FFA hosted the SVES Gardening
Club at the high school greenhouse. In athletics, Track and Field athletes competed at the state
championships, and the girls’ team captured the District III 2A Championship. Boys’ volleyball
competed in the District quarterfinals, while girls’ softball advanced to district competition. Dr.
Winters recognized several student achievements. Logan Cammauf was one (1) of three (3) Berks
County players selected to participate in the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association
(PSFCA) Small School East/West Game and was also selected for the Tri-County All-Star Game.
Schuylkill Valley hosted its Athletic Signing Day, and graduating seniors were awarded scholarships
at the Berks County Community Foundation (BCCF) Luncheon. Additional recognitions included
Lainey Crespo, who received the Dane Miller Legacy Award for Girls Wrestling; Corinthia Searle,
who earned the Gold-Level U.S. Figure Skating Graduating Seniors Award; Carson Reali, who was
recognized for outstanding achievement in advancing professional development through the
O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship; and Ryleigh Johnson, who was
recognized for her internship with Tower Health — Reading Hospital.

POLICY, PERSONNEL AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Franklin M. Ammarell
6.1

6.2

6.3

6.4

May 26, 2026
The Policy, Personnel and Public Relations Committee met at 6:56 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2026,
in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee
will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026.
Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Approves Mrs. Kristen Wallace as Treasurer to the Board of School Directors for the 2026-27
school year, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve Mrs.
Kristen Wallace as Treasurer to the Board of School Directors for the 2026-27 school year as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the revised job description for the Assistant Director of Business Operations

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Dan Weyandt to approve the
revised job description for the Assistant Director of Business Operations.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 6.3 through 6.4.10 for Board approval as presented.

Accepts, with best wishes for the future, the following resignation:

Ernest Farrier — Custodian at the Elementary School: Effective May 13, 2026

The Board consolidated items 6.4.1 through 6.4.10 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the employment of the following (all elections are contingent upon receipt and district
approval of all necessary preemployment forms, certification, state-mandated physical

examinations, clearances, etc.):

6.4.1. Approves Mr. Steven Kalinowski, HS Custodian, at an hourly rate of $28.82, effective date
to be determined, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Ms. Yesenia Gonzalez.

6.4.2 Approves Ms. Barbara Castanon, Food Services Supervisor, at an hourly rate of $24.76,
effective date to be determined, to fill the vacancy created by the promotion of Ms. Jaclyn
Ciesla.

6.4.3. Approves Ms. Tiffany Wagner, Grades PK-4 Teacher, Master’s Step 7, $70,474.00,
effective with the start of the 2026-27 school year, to fill the vacancy created by the
retirement of Mrs. Julia Cherry.

6.4.4 Approves the following Community Aquatics Staff for the 2025-26 school year:

Last Name | First Name | Position Base Sal | Yrs Exp | Exp Bonus _ | Salary

Wade Stephen Adult Supervisor | $16.00 33 $8.25 $24.25

6.4.5 Approves the following substitute for the 2025-26 school year:
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May 26, 2026

Lee Jamie-Mercado — Grade PK-4

6.4.6 Approves the ES Summer School Staff, with teachers to be paid the professional hourly
rate of $40.00 per the SVEA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

6.4.7 Approves the Final Revised ESY 2026 Staff List, as presented.

6.4.8 Approves the following game workers for the 2025-2026 school year, to be paid $40.00
per event:

Kaitlin Becker Humphrey
Dennis Dornes
Cerina Readinger
6.4.9 Approves the following Volunteers for the 2025-26 school year:
Samantha Starr Bohn — ES
Ryan Bowers — ES/HS
Jennifer Dauber — HS (Student Internship: Atonement Christian Preschool)
Lidia Leiva - ES
Candis Mathis - ES
Douglas Troutman — ES
Diana Velasquez — ES

6.4.10 Approves the following Part-Time Temporary Summer IT Projects Employees at an
hourly rate of pay of $15.93:

Jesse Ganter-Scott
Jayce lezzi

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Linda Lash to approve items 6.3
through 6.4.10 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Acknowledges the following Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave of Absence:

Nikki Rider — Athletic Secretary: Effective April 17, 2026, through Approximately June 30, 2026.
Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to acknowledge the
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave of Absence for Nikki Rider — Athletic Secretary:
effective April 17, 2026, through approximately June 30, 2026.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 6.6 through 6.8 Board approval as presented.

Approves the United Concordia Renewal Acceptance Form for the Schuylkill Valley School District

dental insurance products for the period of 07/01/2026 — 06/30/2027, which reflects an increase in
the monthly premiums paid by the District.
6.7

6.8

6.9

6.11

7.0

May 26, 2026

Approves the renewal of the agreement with Amergis Healthcare Staffing for substitute nurse
services.

Approves the 2026-27 Master Service Agreement with Cardinal Point Homeland Security Group,
Inc.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve items 6.6
through 6.8 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 6.9 through 6.11 for Board approval as presented.

Approves Policy 218.1 Weapons for a 1*t Reading, as presented.

Approves Policy 805 Emergency Preparedness & Response for a 1*' Reading, as presented.
Approves Policy 805.1 Relations with Law Enforcement Agencies for a 1S* Reading, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Joe Brown to approve items 6.9
through 6.11 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 6.12 through 6.13 for Board approval as presented.

Approves and adopts Policy 620 Fund Balance following its 1s and 2"4 Readings.

Approves and adopts Policy 010 Board Hiring following its 1st and 2"4 Readings.

Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve items 6.12 through
6.13 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Nays: Moll
Motion passed 8-1.

Approves the following additional bus drivers utilized by Eshelman Transportation for the 2025-26
school year, pending receipt of all required documentation, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by David Moll to approve the additional
bus drivers utilized by Eshelman Transportation for the 2025-26 school year, pending receipt
of all required documentation, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

CURRICULUM AND TECHNOLOGY

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Linda R. Lash
7.1

7.2

8.0

8.1

May 26, 2026

The Curriculum and Technology Committee met at 7:11 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2026, in the
Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will be
held on Monday, June 15, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration
Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:
Approves the K-12 Social Studies Curriculum, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Dan Weyandt and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the K-12
Social Studies Curriculum, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the quote from Class Creator LLC for an annual subscription in the amount of $1,190.00,
as presented.

Moved by Dan Weyandt and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the quote from Class
Creator LLC for an annual subscription in the amount of $1,190.00, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

BUDGET AND FINANCE

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Joseph M. Brown

The Budget and Finance Committee met at 7:39 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2026, in the Auxiliary
Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will

be held on Monday, June 15, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Approves/ratifies the payment of bills in the following amounts from April 13, 2026, to
May 27, 2026, as presented:

GENERAL FUND $2,347,275.21 |
CAFETERIA FUND $58,076.60

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FUND {$465,721.14

CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND $44,330.86

MS/HS ACTIVITY FUND $36,619.01

IGRAND TOTAL 1$2,952,022.82

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve and ratify
the payment of bills in the amount of $2,952,022.82.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
8.2

8.3

8.4

8.5

8.6

May 26, 2026

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Computer Service Rates for 2026-27 with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
(CSIU) for the district's fund accounting, payroll, and personnel software.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the
Computer Services Rates for 2026-27 with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU)
for the district’s fund accounting, payroll, and personnel software.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Sports Insurance Proposal from Axis Insurance for the 2026-27 school year in the
amount of $8,891.00 with no increase from the prior year.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Dan Weyandt to approve the Sports
Insurance Proposal from Axis Insurance for the 2026-27 school year in the amount of
$8,891.00 with no increase from the prior year.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the 2026-27 Cafeteria Meal Prices:

Lunch:

$3.00 Elementary School

$3.10 Middle School
$3.10 High School

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the 2026-27
Cafeteria Meal Prices as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the School Nutrition Program (SNP) Agreement between the Berks Career & Technology
Center (BCTC) and the Schuylkill Valley School District (SVSD) effective for the fiscal year 2026-
27.

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the School
Nutrition Program (SNP) Agreement between the Berks Career & Technology Center (BCTC)
and the Schuylkill Valley School District (SVSD) effective for the fiscal year 2026-27.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the purchase of a new Convection Steamer from Singer Equipment in the amount of
$21,454.47.

Board Action: Moved by Joe Brown and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve the
purchase of a new Convection Steamer from Singer Equipment in the amount of $21,454.47.
8.7

9.0

9.1

9.2

9.3

May 26, 2026
Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves Fraser Lease and Service Agreements for the district photocopiers for a 60-month term
effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, as presented.

Moved by Dan Weyandt, seconded by Lauren Matthews to approve the Fraser Lease and
Service Agreements for the district photocopiers for a 60-month term effective July 1, 2026,
through June 30, 2031, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Alfonso F. Rossi

The Buildings and Grounds Committee met at 7:52 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2026, in the Auxiliary
Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will

be held on Monday, June 15, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 9.1 through 9.2 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the proposal from Reading Elevator, Inc. for the Elevator and Grease Examinations of the
Elementary School, Middle School, and High School passenger elevators each quarter beginning
July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $2,352.00.

Approves the proposal from Reading Elevator, Inc. for the Elevator and Grease Examination of the
Middle School Wheel-A-Vator annually beginning July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, in the
amount of $156.00.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Linda Lash to approve items 9.1
through 9.2, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the agreements from Republic Services for solid waste disposal and recycling services
during the term of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, in the following amounts per building:

High School - $701.46 per Month
Middle School - $649.50 per Month
Elementary School - $701.46 per Month

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Dan Weyandt to approve the
agreements from Republic Services for solid waste disposal and recycling services during
the term of Jul 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
9.4

9.5

9.6

9.7

9.8

May 26, 2026

Motion passed unanimously.
Approves the sale of a 2011 SR Smith Portable Aquatic Lift via Municibid.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the sale of
a 2011 SR Smith Portable Aquatic Lift via Municibid.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Commercial Pest Management Maintenance Agreements from Ehrlich, A Rentokil
Steritech Company, for the High School, Middle School, Elementary School, and Maintenance
Garage for the term of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, in the total amount of $5,320.92.
Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by David Moll to approve the
Commercial Pest Management Maintenance Agreements from Ehrlich, A Rentokil Steritech
Company, for the High School, Middle School, Elementary School, and Maintenance Garage
for the term of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 in the total amount of $5,320.92.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves and ratifies the quote from Mainline Commercial Pools in the amount of $1,400.00 for an
inspection of the Middle School Pool Filter Room, as presented.

Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by David Moll to approve and ratify the quote from
Mainline Commercial Pools in the amount of $1,400.00 for an inspection of the Middle
School Pool Filter Room, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE MAY 18, 2026, BOARD MEETING:

The quote from Berkshire Mechanical in the amount of $2,180.00 for the HP-8 Thermostat
Installation in the Middle School FCS Classroom.

Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by David Moll to approve and ratify the quote from
Berkshire Mechanical in the amount of $2,180.00 for the HP-8 Thermostat Installation in the
Middle School FCS Classroom.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE MAY 18, 2026, BOARD MEETING:

The quote from Landis Bonfitto Mechanical Group Inc. for the replacement of a seal kit and volute
gasket on the boiler pump at the High School in the amount of $3,107.06.

Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by David Moll to approve and ratify the quote from
Landis Bonfitto Mechanical Group Inc., for the replacement of a seal kit and volute gasket on
the boiler pump at the High School in the amount of $3,107.06.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
9.9

9.10

9.11

May 26, 2026

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE MAY 18, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
The Johnson Controls Proposal and Service Agreement for a duct detector repair in the High
School Main Gym.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by David Moll to approve the
Johnson Controls Proposal and Service Agreement for a duct detector repair in the High
School Main Gym.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE MAY 18, 2026, BOARD MEETING:

The Phase 2 Improvements Agreement with Ontelaunee Township for the Schuylkill Valley School
District Fieldhouse Project, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by David Moll and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the Phase 2
Improvements Agreement with Ontelaunee Township for the Schuylkill Valley School
District Fieldhouse Project, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE MAY 18, 2026, BOARD MEETING:

The Phase 2 Stormwater O&M Agreement with Ontelaunee Township for the Schuylkill Valley
School District Fieldhouse Project, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by David Moll to approve the Phase 2
Stormwater O&M Agreement with Ontelaunee Township for the Schuylkill Valley School
District Fieldhouse Project, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE MAY 18, 2026, BOARD MEETING:

The Terraworx Consulting Provision of Testing Services and Special Inspections for Phase 2 of the
SVSD Fieldhouse Project, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by David Moll to approve the
Terraworx Consulting Provision of Testing Services and Special Inspections for Phase 2 of
the SVSD Fieldhouse Project, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.
THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE MAY 18, 2026, BOARD MEETING:

The Wright Commissioning Request for Proposal (RFP) for Commissioning Services for Phase I! of
the SVSD Fieldhouse Project, as presented.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by David Moll to approve the Wright
Commissioning Request for Proposal (RFP) for Commissioning Services for Phase II of the

SVSD Fieldhouse Project, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

12
10.0

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.9

10.10

10.11

10.12

10.13

10.14

May 26, 2026

Motion passed unanimously.

STUDENT SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Kelly J. Steinke

The Student Services and Activities Committee met at 6:32 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2026, in the
Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will
be held on Monday, June 15, 2026.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 10.1 through 10.3 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the Settlement Agreement for student #4307.

Approves the two (2) Year Agreement for tuition at AIM Academy for Student #3613.

Approves the two (2) Year Agreement for Student #3006 at John Paul II.

Board Action: Moved by Alfonso Rossi and seconded by Kelly Steinke to approve items
10.1 through 10.3 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

The Board consolidated items 10.4 through 10.14 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the Acorns to Oaks BCBA Contract for the 2026-27 school year.

Approves the Onward Search (now Onward Education) Contract for the 2026-27 school year for a
one-to-one LPN for a Student with an IEP.

Approves the River Rock 2026-27 Contract for the pre-purchase of two seats for the Amity or
Sinking Spring Campus.

Approves the New Story Contract for the 2026-27 school year. Two (2) students are currently
attending.

Approves the Devereux 2026-27 Contract.

Approves the HOGAN Learning Academy 2026-27 Tuition Agreement.

Approves the Austill’s Education Therapy Three (3) Year Agreement.

Approves the CARON 2026-27 SAP Services Contract.

Approves the Concern two (2) Year Agreement for the 2026-27 school year.

Approves the Vanguard School 2026-27 Agreement with the ESY Addendum for two students.

Approves the Timothy School ESY 2026 Addendum for Student #5030.

13
10.15

10.16

10.17

10.18

10.19

11.0

May 26, 2026

Board Action: Moved by Kelly Steinke and seconded by Linda Lash to approve items 10.1
through 10.14, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the John Paul Il ESY 2026 Agreement for Elementary School Student #6489, as
presented.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Dan Weyandt to approve thee
John Paul Il ESY 2026 Agreement for Elementary School Student #6489, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Middle School! Musical Performance Contract in the amount of $890.00, as
presented.

Board Action: Moved by Dan Weyandt and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve the
Middle School Musical Performance Contract in the amount of $890.00, as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the Acorns to Oaks School Psychologist Professional Services Agreement for 2026-27,
as presented.

Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Dan Weyandt to approve the Acorns to Oaks School
Psychologist Professional Services Agreement for 2026-27.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE MAY 18, 2026, BOARD MEETING:
The LearnWell individual contracts for Students #4340 and #2158.

Board Action: Moved by Lauren Matthews and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the
LearnWell individual contracts for Students #4340 and #2158.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

OTHER (OLD/NEW BUSINESS)

Municibid

Mrs. Steinke inquired what happens to an item listed on Municibid if the reserve amount is not met.
Dr. Winters stated that, in this instance, the district had some flexibility. This included the option to
repost the item and lower the reserve amount to determine whether there is additional interest. He
further noted that, even if the reserve amount is not met, the district may accept a lower bid if it
wishes to proceed with the sale.

OTHER BUSINESS/GOOD OF THE ORDER

14
12.0

13.0

May 26, 2026

EXECUTIVE SESSION

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Kelly Steinke, there being no further business
to come before the Board, the meeting be adjourned.

Yeas: Ammarell, Brown, Lash, Matthews, Moll, Rossi, Steinke, C. Weyandt, D. Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:41 p.m.

Cinda R. Lash, Secreta
Board of School Directors
```

## Minutes text: oct27_2025_design.txt

```
1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

October 27, 2025

*SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
929 Lakeshore Drive
Leesport, PA 19533-8631

MINUTES

October 27, 2025

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by the Board President, David E. Moll,
in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

ROLL CALL
Members Present: Paul L. Bendigo, Nicoleen Kleffel, Linda R. Lash, David E. Moll, Bryan J.
O’Donnell, Alfonso F. Rossi, Kelly J. Steinke, Daniel B. Weyandt

Board Member Franklin M. Ammarell was not physically present but participated via speakerphone
until 7:34 p.m. Mr. Ammarell arrived in person at 7:36 p.m.

Secretary: Linda R. Lash
Recording Secretary: Azucena Macedo

Administrative Staff Present: Dr. Cathy Taschner, Dr. Gabryluk, Jennifer Godtfring, Jason Hansen,
Jenny Rexrode, Jackie Rivas, Michael Sobczak, Louisa Trumbore, Dr. Patrick Winters,

Solicitor: Alicia Luke, Esq., Fox Rothschild LLP

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the minutes of the
special meeting of October 8, 2025, and the regular meeting of September 22, 2025, as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Lash, Kleffel, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Moll reported that the Board held a budget retreat on October 8th: 2025, and second budget
retreat on October 23", 2025.

RECOGNITION OF STUDENTS AND STAFF

The Board recognized Schuylkill Valley Food Service Department personnel Stacey Lehman,
Amanda Wessner, and Barbara Hill for their dedication and hard work in supporting the successful
completion of 8" Grade Camp.

Dr. Taschner recognized Board President David E. Moll with a certificate of Recognition from the
Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) in honor of his 10 years of dedicated service to
the Schuylkill Valley Board of School Directors.

PRESENTATIONS

2025 Annual Library Association Conference Presentation

Presented by: Nadine Poper and Stephanie Jacobs

Mrs. Nadine and Mrs. Jacobs shared highlights from the Annual Library Association Conference
held in Philadelphia from June 26-30. They described meeting several authors and book

October 27, 2025

characters, including The Pigeon and Jasper Rabbit, as well as authors and illustrators John Schu,
Mac Barnett, Erin Yun, Akira Hikekawa (Manga series), Katherine Applegate, Erin and Philip Stead
and Ben Clanton. In addition to networking with authors and vendors, they attended a variety of
programs and breakout sessions. Among these were Reflective Teaching as a Catalyst for Change:
Inspiring New Approaches in Library Instruction and a poetry session that provided valuable
takeaways for Aprils National Poetry Month. They noted that Artificial Intelligence (Al) was a major
topic of focus at this year’s conference. Sessions on fair use and academic integrity explored how
schools are addressing Al through updated policies and classroom practices. They also attended a
session on media literacy. The session emphasized the importance of helping students identify bias
in news and digital media and become thoughtful, responsible media consumers. Mrs. Jacobs
highlighted Eerdmans Books, a publishing company known for its high-quality illustrations and
artistic design. She also spoke about Demco, a leading library supply vendor, and praised the
modern, colorful signage displayed in their exhibits; ideas she hoped to incorporate to enhance the
visual appeal of Schuylkill Valley’s library spaces. Dr. Taschner thanked Mrs. Poper and Mrs.
Jacobs for sharing their experiences and for their continued efforts to foster a love of reading
among students through engaging library programming and resources.

Field House Presentation:

Presented by: David Schrader and Ben Clements from the Schrader Group

Mr. Schrader provided a design development update and discussed the project design, current
project status, proposed alternates, geotechnical findings, budget and next steps in the overall
process. He explained that the design identified the most appropriate location for the new building
based on school usage. The existing softball field would be relocated to the area of the other
current softball field, and that portion of the project had already been placed out to bid to
accommodate the new facility’s footprint. Mr. Schrader reviewed the concept floor plan and its
primary components, which included a gymnasium, turf field, team rooms, trainer room, and
concession stand. The concept featured two pre-engineered buildings with a total area of
approximately 43,000 square feet, including a 3,000 square foot mezzanine designated for
mechanical and electrical systems. He shared precedent images illustrating what the interior
spaces are expected to look like. He also provided a visual walkthrough of the building
specifications, layout and amenities. The base bid included the team rooms, bathrooms, fitness
rooms, primary gym, and concession area. A second bid option covered the turf field building. Mr.
Schrader noted that the heating and ventilation systems were budgeted separately so that each
building could operate as a standalone facility. Regarding geotechnical findings, he reported that
soil testing revealed loose fill and karst (limestone) conditions. The geotechnical engineer
recommended grout injection to strengthen the foundation area, and Mr. Schrader presented
images showing the proposed drill hole locations within the buildings. The remediation cost,
estimated at $550,000, had been included in the overall project cost estimate. Mr. Schrader
reviewed the budget assembled by Fidevia, which included the turf field, construction costs for both
buildings, soft costs, and equipment. He also presented a proposed project schedule, outlining the
anticipated start and completion dates.

Mr. Moll thanked everyone for their participation, attention to detail, and the effort put into the
project thus far. He stated that the project represents an important opportunity for the community,
not only for the district's athletic programs but also for youth activities.

Mr. Bendigo noted that many hours have been dedicated to this project. He stated that the
committee met with all the coaches and members of the support group that manages the
concession stand, receiving valuable input that guided several design adjustments. He expressed
hope that the final product would meet the needs of the school district. Mr. Bendigo also expressed
appreciation that the project components were divided into two (2) separate segments, allowing the
new Board the flexibility to proceed with the entire project or select portions that best meet the
district's needs.

Sheds and Storage:
Presented by Dr. Winters
October 27, 2025

Dr. Winters provided an overview of the District's various storage sheds, noting that they differed in
shape, size and age. He outlined their current uses, which include junior high softball, junior high
field hockey, track sheds one (1) and two (2), tennis, concessions, and two (2) sheds currently used
for youth sports - soccer and football. Dr. Winters presented photos showing both the exterior and
interior conditions of each shed. He also presented options for standardizing the sheds and shared
examples from other school districts within the area. The proposed options included metal storage
sheds and shipping containers, and he provided a cost comparison among metal sheds, pre-
engineered buildings (pole barns) and shipping containers. The estimated costs were metal sheds
$3,500.00 to $4,000.00, pre-engineered buildings (pole barn) $22,000.00 to $30,000.00. The district
did have a current quote from Shirk’s Pole Barn in the amount of $22,000.00. He noted that
consideration such as permanence and cost would be key factors in decision-making. Dr. Winters
also recommended further discussion regarding the existing concession shed, explaining that if the
Board moved forward with the fieldhouse project, a separate concession shed would no longer be
necessary. Dr. Winters suggested that the Building and Grounds Committee visit other school
districts to view sample shed options firsthand and determine which designs and placements best
met the district's needs. Additional factors to consider include potential shed donations or rental
fees, standardization of color and design and overall durability.

Mr. Rossi inquired whether the cost of the metal sheds included delivery and setup or delivery only.
Dr. Winters clarified that the price reflected delivery only.

Mrs. Steinke cautioned the committee to be careful when considering shipping containers, noting
that they could create condensation issues because they seal tightly, which could lead to moisture
problems. She stated that she preferred the building with four roll-up doors if shipping containers
were selected, as it allowed for better air circulation and temperature regulation. She also
questioned the feasibility of a centralized pole building, given that the district's athletic sheds were
used across multiple campuses. She recommended conducting further research on shipping
containers before moving forward and added that incorporating shelving and better organization
systems would help maximize space and efficiency.

Mr. Weyandt requested the square footage of the existing sheds be obtained to allow for
comparison with proposed options and to ensure that future structures adequately meet the
district's space needs.

PSBA Conference Attendance Presentation and Discussion:

Dr. Taschner provided an overview of the 2025 School Leadership Conference, which she attended
along with Board Members Mrs. Lash, Mr. O’Donnell and Dr. O’Donnell. The Conference was jointly
organized by the Pennsylvania School Board Association (PSBA) and the Pennsylvania
Association of School Administrators (PASA). She shared that the keynote speaker was Christine
Porath, author of “Mastering Civility” and “Mastering Community”. Dr. Taschner summarized Ms.
Porath’s message, which emphasized the importance of civility, self-awareness and community
building. The keynote highlighted how individuals can foster belonging and connection in a society
often divided by social media and polarization. Dr. Taschner also discussed several of the sessions
she attended, including those focused on policy and governance, artificial intelligence, and
cybersecurity. The cybersecurity sessions examined how one district response to a cyberattack,
outlining the incident’s timeline and the steps taken to restore systems. She also attended the
Schoo! Law Legal Highlights session, which addresses legal updates regarding cell phone use,
social media and cyberbullying in schools.

Mrs. Lash shared that one of the sessions she found most valuable focused on mental health in
education. The session featured the Greg and Julia Cook Company, an essential oils company that
contributed to mental health initiatives by offering free resources for parents, students and school
districts. Students could access mental health support through this organization when their district
participated in the program. Mrs. Lash also attended a presentation by Governor Mifflin’s
Superintendent Lisa Hess and Director of Teaching and Learning, Karen DeNunzio, which explored
neuroscience and how the brain supports learning. She noted that Mrs. DeNunzio discussed
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2.1

2.2

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October 27, 2025

designing lessons that aligned with how the brain processes information. Additionally, Mrs. Lash
attended a session on effective listening, which introduced the 80/20 rule, spending 80% of one’s
time listening and 20% speaking and encouraged participants to be present, patient and curious
listeners. She also attended a session titled Trauma Smart, which examined how trauma impacts
children’s mental health and learning. Mrs. Lash shared that the final keynote was delivered by
Sean Astin, actor in Rudy, who spoke about his mother, Patty Duke, and her experiences with
mental illness and its effect on him as a student. She also attended a session titled Bridging the
Governance Gap: Practical Leadership in a Distrustful Era, presented by Dr. Tom Butler from
Appalachia IU8, which explored the evolution of Jeffersonian and Hamiltonian principles of
governance and how differing philosophies have shaped public leadership. She noted that while the
conference also covered artificial intelligence and cell phone policies, there were no universal
recommendations; each district approached these issues individually.

Mr. O'Donnell stated that he attended several policy sessions and found PSBA’s resources for
school boards to be highly beneficial. He valued the opportunity to engage in informal discussions
with other members, sharing and comparing ideas on policies related to Al, cellphones and district
operations. He particularly enjoyed a discussion regarding a district that had recently launched a
pre-kindergarten program. He learned about how it was staffed, implemented and sustained. Mr.
O'Donnell expressed interest in exploring the possibility of developing a similar pre-kindergarten
program at Schuylkill Valley in the future. He concluded by saying the conference was a valuable
experience and encouraged other Board members to consider attending in the future.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARD REPRESENTATIVES

PRESIDENT - David E. Moll
Mr. Moll in his report discussed statements in the Schuylkill Valley Community and emphasized the
Board's role in representing the interests of district taxpayers.

SECRETARY - Linda R. Lash
No report.

BERKS COUNTY I.U. BOARD - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash reported that the Intermediate Unit (IU)’s Chief Financial Officer would be retiring in the
spring, and a new Chief Financial Officer-Elect had been selected to assume the role upon Mrs.
Gallas’s retirement. She noted that the district received notification that Schuylkill Valley’s Act 1
Adjusted Index for the 2026-27 school year was 4.3%, meaning the district could not increase taxes
above that percentage. Mrs. Lash expressed pride that Schuylkill Valley had not come close to
reaching that limit in quite a few years. Mrs. Lash shared that the IU recently hosted a seminar
titled, “Keeping Kids Safe in a Digital Age,” and the theme Connected and Protected: Building
Digital Awareness and Emotional Resilience in a Hyperconnected World. The event was overseen
by Safety Officer Mr. Russell Del Rosario. She also reported that the IU sponsored a Career
Exploration and Innovation in Agriculture opportunity for area superintendents, held at F.M. Brown’s
& Sons. Participants observed how flour was processed and transported to Unique Pretzel,
illustrating the agricultural connection between local production and food manufacturing in Berks
County. She also provided a legislative update, sharing that there were currently two (2) House
Resolutions, 21 House Bills and eight (8) Senate Bills introduced. Many of these bills were
reintroduced from the prior year, while others were new. She stated that, historically, approximately
90% of all bills introduced do not advance. In state news, she reported that there were eight (8)
remaining session days in both the House and the Senate this year, with the possibility of an
additional voting day after the election to address the state budget. Mrs. Lash highlighted House Bill
1900, introduced by Representative Rivera and referred to by the Finance Committee in October.
The bill proposed allowed certified teachers to claim a tax credit equal to 100% of the amount spent
on unreimbursed classroom supplies, up to a minimum of $100.00 per taxable year. She also
discussed Senate Bill 1014, introduced by Senator Rob Robinson of Allegheny County and referred
to the Education Committee on October 10". This legislation would require, no later than the start of
the 2026-27 school year, that each school entity adopt a policy regulating student possession and
use of mobile devices during the school day. The policy would prohibit general cell phone use on
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2.6

2.7

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October 27, 2025

school property and define how student access to devices would be restricted. Additionally, districts
would be required to provide written notification to parents or guardians at the start of each school
year, outlining how to contact their child during the school day and how to enroll in emergency
notifications. Mrs. Lash added that while attending the recent conference, she saw a demonstration
of locking cellphone bags that use a magnetic locking mechanism. Students place their phones
inside the bags, which remain locked until they are released at an unlocking station at the end of
the day. Students with medical needs use Velcro bags for accessibility.

BERKS CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER - David E. Moll

Mr. Moll reported that the BCTC currently had the highest enrollment to date. He stated the BCTC
programs restructured classes and had gone up from 1,800 to almost 2,100. They attended
conferences, and the executive director had been asked to speak nationally at some events. One
of the highlights reported by BCTC was its participation in the NASA program for the second
consecutive year.

TAX COLLECTION COMMITTEE -— Nicoleen M. Kleffel

Mrs. Kleffel reported that the last meeting was held in September. The statement up until August
had not changed significantly, showing a four (4) million-dollar net position change. She added
that this information was typically maintained by the financial office, but it was available should
anyone have questions regarding the Berks Earned Income Tax Bureau (BEIT).

PA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION LIAISON -— Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash reported that she had the opportunity to represent the district in the Delegates’
Assembly on Tuesday. She noted that there was very little action required at this year’s
assembly, aside from voting on a few wording changes and no new legislative actions were
introduced.

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION - Linda R. Lash

Mrs. Lash reported that the Red and Black Event would be held on March 13* at the Leesport
Market facility, and a larger attendance was anticipated this year. She shared that the Education
Foundation recently awarded several grants and has launched a new “Jeans on Tuesdays”
initiative, allowing teachers to contribute through payroll deduction. In exchange, participating
staff members could wear jeans on Tuesday, with proceeds benefiting the Foundation. Mrs. Lash
outlined the following grants recently awarded by the Foundation: A dual enrollment grant for four
(4) students attending RACC, a $500.00 grant to the High School Family and Consumer Science
program for cake-decorating supplies, a $500.00 grant to the Elementary School for flexible
seating, a grant to Lisa Chillot for Agricultural class materials used at the Elementary School, a
grant to Ronda Seymour for art project charms for the Middle School students, a grant to Michelle
Rowles for a camera and microphone to be used by The Pantherette High School newspaper.
Mrs. Lash also noted that the Foundation had received its Small Games of Chance license and
would be selling a limited number of tickets for a Ninja Dual Basket Fryer raffle. Interested
individuals should contact a Foundation member to purchase tickets.

PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Carol Weyandt, Bern Township — New Board Member dissemination of Board Director information
Louis Schucker, Bern Township — Reading Achievement Comprehension and Evaluation

BOARD
There were no items for Board approval.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT
No Report

SUPERINTENDENT

Monthly Reports
5.1

5.2

6.0

6.1

October 27, 2025

The following monthly reports have been provided to the Board:

5.1.1. Enrollment Year-To-Date
5.1.2 Principals’ Dashboard Reports

Superintendent's Update

Dr. Taschner shared district highlights from the past month. She congratulated the district's visual
arts program on receiving the Outstanding Visual Arts Community endorsement from the
Pennsylvania Art Education Association. This year, both the middle school and high school earned
this honor. At the Elementary Center, the Garden Club continues to flourish. Students recently
harvested eggplants and tomatoes, producing a bumper crop of eggplants and enjoyed hands-on
learning in the garden. Second graders also participated in Pumpkin Math, where they practiced
measurement, weighing, counting, and grouping using pumpkins. The 8" Grade Camp included
activities such as mountain biking, boating, fire building, and fishing. The high school students
assisted the camp, helping younger students and fostering a strong sense of community. Dr.
Taschner expressed pride in this longstanding tradition and thanked all who made the camp
possible. The middle school held its annual Career Day, welcoming guest speakers from various
industries, including healthcare, public service , trades, and sales, who spoke to 5" and 6" grade
students about their careers. The district's FFA group attended both the Fall Leadership
Conference and the Berks County FFA Leadership Conference, where members learned about
Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), goal setting, leadership and self-discovery. Students
also participated in communication skill-building activities and recruitment initiatives. Dr. Taschner
congratulated Logan Jones on earning First Place for Arrangement in a Basket and Second Place
for Fresh Floral Vase Design at the BCTC Oley Fair. She also commended the Schuylkill Valley
High School Marching Band for earning Second Place at the King Frost Parade and thanked the
Board of Directors for prioritizing the purchase of new band uniforms. Dr. Taschner recognized Mrs.
Kyzer for her leadership and dedication to the growing band program, noting that the ensemble
continues to sound stronger each year. The football team and cheerleaders also participated in the
King Frost Parade. In athletics, Abby McCaffey advanced to States after winning the PIAA District
Ill Class AA Girls Golf Championship. Boys’ soccer and girls’ volleyball teams will compete in the
District III Semifinals this week, and football will be playing in the District III Quarterfinals on Friday.
Matilda Walborn will compete at States on Saturday after earning a second-place medal in the AA
race at Districts with a time of 19:02, setting a new Schuylkill Valley record for girls’ cross country.
The Fall Sports Recognition event for athletes, coaches, and parents would be held on November
11, and Board Members were invited to attend. Lastly Dr. Taschner announced that the Schuylkill
Valley School District Winter Festival would take place on December 7" from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
at the high school. This year’s event would feature a vendor and craft fair, along with games, food
and activities for students of all ages. She encouraged anyone interested in volunteering to
participate and join the community celebration.

POLICY, PERSONNEL AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Paul L. Bendigo

The Policy, Personnel and Public Relations Committee met at 6:33 p.m. on Monday, October 13,
2025, in the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the
Committee will be held on Monday, November 17, 2025.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 6.1 through 6.6 for Board approval as presented.

Accepts, with best wishes for the future, the following resignation due to retirement effective with
the last day of the 2025-2026 school year unless otherwise noted:

Mrs. Sherry Faust, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective September 12, 2025.
6.2

6.3

October 27, 2025

Accepts with regrets and best wishes for the future, the following resignation:
Mr. Brian Eiche, Custodian, effective September 27, 2025.

Approves the employment of the following (all elections are contingent upon receipt and district
approval of all necessary pre-employment forms, certification, state-mandated physical
examinations, clearances, etc. )

6.3.1 Approves of Ms. Brittany Furnanage, Part-Time Food Services Worker, at an hourly rate of
$15.83, effective date to be determined, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Ms. Krissi
Swavely.

6.3.2 Approves of Mr. Michael Capogna, Custodial Supervisor, at an hourly rate of $25.11,
effective date to be determined, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Jonathan Kile.

6.3.3. Approves of Ms. Danielle Conrad, Part-Time Special Education Paraprofessional, at an
hourly rate of $17.36, effective date to be determined to fill the vacancy created by the resignation
of Ms. Trisha Roy.

6.3.4 Approves of Ms. MacKenzie, Secretary to the Assistant Principal at the Elementary School,
at an hourly rate of $18.57, effective September 29, 2025, to fill the vacancy created by the
resignation of Ms. Annalyse Miner.

6.3.5 Approves of the following substitutes for the 2025-26 school year:

Erica Burch — Nurse

Loretta Gaetani — Elementary Education K-6 (Retired)

Christopher Monko — Guest Teacher

Lauren Smith — Grade 4-8 (All Subjects 4-6, Mathematics 7-8 and Social Studies 7-8)
Shannon Lewis — Homebound

6.3.6 Approves the following game workers for the 2025-26 school year, to be paid $40.00 per
event.

Brecia Hansen
James Pirtle

6.3.7 Approves the following extracurricular appointments for the 2025-26 school year:
John Lorchak — Football High School Assistant Coach - $6,920.00 (salary adjustment)
Michael Petruny — Basketball Girls High School Assistant Coach - $5,970.00

Daniel Stemko — Basketball Girls High School Assistant Coach - $4,500.00

Peter Horst — Wrestling High School Assistant Coach - $6,390.0

Arthur Walsh — Wresting Boys Varsity Head Coach - $9,270.00

6.3.8 Approves the following extracurricular appointment for the 2025-26 school year:
Peter Horst —- Wrestling High School Assistant Coach $6,390.00

6.3.9 Approves the following extracurricular appointments for the 2025-26 school year

Arthur Walsh — Wrestling Boys Varsity Head Coach - $9,270.00

6.3.10 Approves the following mentor for the 2025-26 school year, at a stipend of $1,175.00 for full
year mentors and $587.50 for half year mentors.
6.4

6.5

6.6

6.7

October 27, 2025

MENTOR MENTEE
Matthew Wisotsky Half Year | Matthew Christman

6.3.11 Approves the following volunteers for the 2025-26 school year:

Mariel Arthur — ES
Crystal Bear — HS (Student Internship — Wyomissing Animal Hospital)
Kami Cluff — ES

Lisa Feese - ES

Jonathan Goda, Sr. — HS (Student Internship — JD Goda)

Heidi Foreman — ES/MS

Crystal Kowalski - SVEC

Keith Marburger — ES

Jennifer Moyer — ES

Lee Niebel - ES

Wayne Resh — HS (Student Internship - WTR Home Upgrades LLC)
Jessica Skalamera — ES

Christina Simpson — ES

Brian Teitsworth - ES

Alysen Vincelli — ES

Approves the compensated leave of absence for the purpose of professional development for Ms.
Dana Carter, Special Education Teacher at the Middle School, for the second semester of 2025-26
school year and the first semester of the 2026-27 school year.

Acknowledges the following Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leaves of absence:

Fiona DeHart, School Psychologist, effective September 5, 2025, intermittently through June 5,
2026.

Elizabeth Oswald, Health Assistant at the Middle School, effective August 21, 2025, intermittently
through June 5, 2026.

Approves the personal leave of absence of Ms. Amelia Herbert, Special Education Teacher at the
Middle School, effective September 11, 2025, intermittently through approximately December 31,
2025.

Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Bryan O’Donnell to approve 6.1 through 6.6 as
presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Lash, Kleffel, Moll, O'Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves and appoints, pursuant to 24 P.S. §10-1079, Dr. Patrick Winters as Acting
Superintendent effective November 12, 2025, and ending upon the appointment of a new
superintendent or unless earlier terminated by resolution of the Board. The salary and terms of Dr.
Winters’ current employment agreement will remain in effect during this term.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve
pursuant to 24 P.S. §10-1079 Dr. Patrick Winters as Acting Superintendent effective
November 12, 2025, and ending upon the appointment of a new Superintendent or unless
earlier terminated by resolution of the Board. The salary and terms of Dr. Winters’ current
employment agreement will remain in effect during this term.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
6.8

6.9

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October 27, 2025

Motion passed unanimously.

Approves Mr. Jacob Edgette, English 7-12 Teacher, Master's, Step 7, $69,224.00 (prorated for
actual days worked), effective date to be determined, to fill the vacancy created by the transfer of
Ms. Cassandra Baran.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Nicoleen Kleffel to approve Mr.
Jacob Edgette, English 7-12 Teacher, Master’s, Step 7, $69,224.00 (prorated for actual days
worked), effective date to be determined, to fill the vacancy created by the transfer of Ms.
Cassandra Baran.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

OTHER (OLD/NEW BUSINESS)

Superintendent Search:

Mr. Rossi stated that due to the upcoming change in Board members and the superintendent's
departure, he would like the search for a new superintendent to begin in November rather than
December. He explained that this would allow the incoming board members to begin reviewing
applicants immediately and provide them with an opportunity to discuss the process at the
December meeting. Mr. Rossi added that he was opposed to using an outside search agency to
assist with the process; instead, he recommended that the position be posted on websites that
advertise school district vacancies to gauge initial interest and begin collecting resumes for review
once the new board is seated.

Mr. Moll stated that the Board had previously discussed posting advertisements at no cost as an
initial step.

Mr. Bendigo said that while posting the position early could be beneficial, if the Board was not
satisfied with the applicant pool, they would need to pursue an alternative search process. He
emphasized that it could send the wrong message to potential applicants if the process appeared
uncertain. Mr. Bendigo noted that the Board had collectively decided to delay the search based on
the current timeline, explaining that it could have been advertised, interviews conducted, and a
candidate selected before the new Board was seated, but the Board chose not to proceed in that
manner. He stated that the decision on how to advertise the position and select candidates should
be made by the newly seated Board. Mr. Bendigo further noted that the district currently had an
Acting Superintendent in place, whose appointment may extend for up to one year, so the situation
was not urgent.

Mr. Weyandt agreed with Mr. Bendigo, stating that the Board should first determine its process for
selecting candidates and that this decision should be made with the new Board.

Coaching Contracts:
Dr. Taschner reminded all coaches who had not yet completed their coaching contracts to do so.

She noted that reminders were still being sent and encouraged coaches to log into their emails and
sign their contracts as soon as possible.

CURRICULUM AND TECHNOLOGY
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Linda R. Lash

The Curriculum and Technology Committee met at 6:44 p.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, in the

Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will be
held on Monday November 17, 2025.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration
7.1

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

October 27, 2025

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

Approves the proposal of WeVideo for Schools Annual Subscription in the amount of $4,141.67 as
presented.

Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Bryan O’Donnell to approve the proposal of
WeVideo for Schools Annual Subscription in the amount of $4,141.67 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

BUDGET AND FINANCE
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Nicoleen M. Kleffel

The Budget and Finance Committee met at 6:52 p.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, in the
Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will
be held on Monday, November 17, 2025.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 8.1 through 8.2 for Board approval as presented.

Approves/ratifies the payment of bills in the following amounts from September 8, 2025, to
October 27, 2025, as presented:

[GENERAL FUND $4,497,521.40
[CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND $89,582.25]
[CAFETERIA FUND $95,968.68)

HS/MS ACTIVITY FUND $7,430.25

IGRAND TOTAL $4,690,502.58)
Approves the acceptance of a donation of TV Studio equipment by the Berks Career and Technical
Center as presented.

Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel, seconded by Bryan O’Donnell to approve items 8.1 through 8.2
as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Lash, Kleffel, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

Approves the resolution on the budget impasse and urges the Governor to work with the legislature
to approve the budget.

Board Action: Moved by Linda Lash and seconded by Nicoleen Kleffel to approve the
resolution on the budget impasse and urges the Governor to work with the legislature to
approve the budget.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.
8.4

8.5

9.0

9.1

October 27, 2025

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE OCTOBER 13, 2025, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the agreement for Solicitor/Legal Services with Fox Rothchild LLP from October 1, 2025,
through September 30, 2026.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
agreement for Solicitor/Legal Services with Fox Rothschild from October 1, 2025 through
September 30, 2026.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

OTHER (OLD/NEW BUSINESS)

POW/MIA Flag:
Mr. Bendigo inquired if the district ever sent any correspondence to the State encouraging the

passage of legislation requiring the POW/MIA flag to be displayed at public school rounds and
buildings.

Dr. Taschner confirmed that she had sent letters to all legislators, both in the House and Senate,
and followed up with the individuals who originally presented the request.

Invoice to the County
Mrs. Kleffel inquired whether the district had the final invoice to be sent to the County.

Dr. Taschner stated the busing information was recently reviewed for accuracy. She noted the

invoice was ready to proceed and confirmed that the Board would be receiving and reviewing it
prior to submission to the County.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

Summary of Committee Deliberations — Bryan J. O’Donnell

The Buildings and Grounds Committee met at 6:55 p.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, in the
Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee will
be held on Monday, November 17, 2025.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 9.1 through 9.6 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the quote from Honeywell International for repairs to the Middle School Gym Unit in the
amount of $6,075.00.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Alfonso Rossi to approve the
quote from Honeywell International for repairs to the Middle School Gym Unit in the amount
of $6,075.00.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE OCTOBER 13, 2025, BOARD MEETING:

11
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October 27, 2025

Approves the General Agreement with Ehrlich Pest Control for the treatment of carpenter ants in
the JH Field Hockey Shed in the amount of $300.00.

Board Action: Moved by Frank Ammarell and seconded by Paul Bendigo to approve the
General Agreement with Ehrlich Pest Control for the treatment of carpenter ants in the JH
Field Hockey Shed in the amount of $300.00.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

OTHER (OLD/NEW BUSINESS)

El Associates:

Dr. Taschner provided an update to the Board stating that she spoke with Bruce Christman of El
Associates, the District's architect of record about the Reitnouer Project. She reported that El
Associates would be sending a representative to review the site. They received the steel fencing
specifications for the fieldhouse, which she planned to share to ensure consistency with the project
design. Dr. Taschner also provided the information regarding the inclusion of brick pillars in every
two (2) sections. She stated that El Associates would be preparing the bid documents for the
Board’s review and by November, the Board should be in a position to release the project for bid.

Mr. Weyandt inquired whether the District had received any communication from PennDOT
regarding the start date for the lane expansion.

Dr. Taschner stated she had not received any information from PennDOT, but the District would
move forward with obtaining the bids. The start date would be subject to the removal of the trees.

Solicitor Luke noted that one of the easement documents provided included a Right-of-Way
designation listing Dr. Winters as the designee.

Dr. Winters confirmed that he had not received any correspondence or updates from PennDOT.

Softball Fields:
Mr. Rossi inquired if there was a start date for the softball field relocation.

Dr. Taschner stated there was currently no start date for the softball fields, but she would reach out
and get that information to the Board.

STUDENT SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
Summary of Committee Deliberations — Alfonso F. Rossi

The Student Services and Activities Committee met at 7:04 p.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, in
the Auxiliary Cafeteria of the Schuylkill Valley High School. The next meeting of the Committee
will be held on Monday, November 17, 2025.

Committee Recommendations for Board Consideration

Be It Resolved, That the Board of School Directors:

The Board consolidated items 10.1 through 10.6 for Board approval as presented.

Approves the contract with B&B Light and Sound for the 2026 Prom DJ service at an amount of
$1,200.00

Approves of a free animal presentation assembly by Coastal Wilds at Schuylkill Valley
Elementary School.

12
10.3

10.7

10.9

11.0

October 27, 2025

Approves of the 2025-26 Sweet Stevens Legal Services Consultation Agreement at a cost of
$10,500.00.

Approves the contract with Concord Theatricals for the 2026 POP Musical materials at a cost of
$3,508.54.

Approves the Settlement Agreement & Release for Student #5635.
Approves the psychoeducational services for Student #1959.

Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Frank Ammarell to approve items 10.1 through
10.6 as presented.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE OCTOBER 13, 2025, BOARD MEETING:
Approves the Waiver of Expulsion Hearing Release Agreement between Schuylkill Valley School
District and the Parents of Student #4481.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Linda Lash to approve the
Waiver of Expulsion Hearing Release Agreement between Schuylkill Valley School District
and the Parents of Student #4481.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE OCTOBER 13, 2025, BOARD MEETING:

Approves the contract with Shefter & Sons LLC DBA: The Wherehouse of Hamburg for the 2026
Schuylkill Valley High School Prom.

Board Action: Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Kelly Steinkne to approve the
contract with Shefter & Sons LLC DBA: The Wherehouse of Hamburg for the 2026 Schuylkill
Valley High School Prom.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O'Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt
Motion passed unanimously.

OTHER (OLD/NEW BUSINESS)

SNAP Benefits:

Mr. Rossi stated that with the impasse in Washington, SNAP benefits may be affected soon. He
requested the District keep an eye on students that may be affected and try to assist in any way
they can.

Boys’ Soccer Team Semifinal Game:

Mrs. Steinke announced that the following night the Boys Varsity Soccer Team would be playing
their semifinal game at Lancaster Catholic High School at 5:30 p.m. and encouraged everyone to
come out and support the team.

OTHER BUSINESS/GOOD OF THE ORDER

Special Meeting:

Dr. Taschner informed the public that on November 10, 2025, the District would hold a Special
Meeting to receive the audit, and the Business Manager would present the Budget presentation for
the public that was provided at the Board Retreat.

13
October 27, 2025

Recognition of Leadership and Service:

Mr. Bendigo expressed that he had served on the Board that hired Dr. Taschner, noting that she
was the fifth superintendent during his twelve (12) years on the Board. He recalled that when the
Board hired Dr. Taschner, she was tasked with addressing three (3) key areas of concern at the
time:

1. Improve the District’s accounting and budgetary processes
After reviewing the District operations, Dr. Taschner and her team uncovered that certain
expenses had been logged incorrectly, student accounts were being documented improperly,
and the Athletic Department had been using a separate checking account, which was not
permissible under PDE regulations.

2. Update the student curriculum
Dr. Taschner made significant progress in modernizing and improving the District's curriculum.

3. Increase employee accountability across the District
Mr. Bendigo emphasized that while the District employs many outstanding individuals including
teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, the IT Department, Food Service staff, and
Custodial staff, there had been numerous personnel challenges that required attention. Dr.
Taschner consistently brought these matters before the Board, explained her proposed course
of action and sought direction from the Board. She took on the difficult tasks necessary to
address these challenges and followed through with integrity and professionalism.

Mr. Bendigo further noted that Dr. Taschner regularly provided the Board with detailed weekly
updates and additional reports as issues arose. He concluded by thanking her for her dedication
and stating that she accomplished everything the Board had asked her, adding that she did a great
job.

Mrs. Lash also shared that when Dr. Taschner joined the District, there were many underlying
issues, some of which the Board had not been aware of at the time. She expressed great respect
for Dr. Taschner’s leadership in establishing policies and administrative regulations that had never
previously been in place. Mrs. Lash commended her ability to move the District forward after a
period of stagnation. She extended her best wishes to Dr. Taschner as she transitioned into higher
education, noting that her future students and colleagues would be fortunate to learn from someone
with such deep knowledge and experience in public education.

Dr. Taschner expressed that it had been an honor to serve the students, community, colleagues,
Board members and former Board members of the Schuylkill Valley School District. She stated that

she would always think fondly of her time with the District and expressed gratitude to everyone for
their kindness, collaboration, and commitment to doing amazing work for children.

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Nicoleen Kleffel and seconded by Kelly Steinke, there being no further business
to come before the Board, the meeting be adjourned.

Yeas: Ammarell, Bendigo, Kleffel, Lash, Moll, O’Donnell, Rossi, Steinke, Weyandt

Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

da KK

Linda R. Lash, Secretary
Board of School Directors
```

---

# Transcripts

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2025-09-22_8eIOQsf_vzg.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2025-09-22 (regular; Terraworx geotech approved)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eIOQsf_vzg
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:11:53] even though the images are fake. And I
[0:11:56] kind of knew about this, but I didn't
[0:11:58] know we had a school in the county that
[0:12:00] was really affected by this.
[0:12:03] So, um, this is a really hard thing to
[0:12:07] deal with and get through because,
[0:12:11] and Dr. Tachner can help me with this,
[0:12:15] you can't share information
[0:12:19] on students with other
[0:12:23] like with the police. How how does how
[0:12:26] does that work?
[0:12:31] we have uh ourou allows us to share
[0:12:34] certain information um but of course we
[0:12:37] can't share that necessarily with other
[0:12:38] parents and etc. We always will cooper
[0:12:41] cooperate with the police um and provide
[0:12:44] the information that's applicable in
[0:12:45] ourou.
[0:12:47] >> Okay. So, so in the county, John Adams
[0:12:50] is working on this issue, making it a
[0:12:53] little easier to to share information
[0:12:55] with because often times you'll have a
[0:12:58] problem with students in the same
[0:13:02] school. So, you'd have the victim and
[0:13:04] the perpetrator and so it makes it a
[0:13:07] little hard. So, that's something we got
[0:13:09] information on. So, that was
[0:13:13] that was very interesting. And then
[0:13:16] um if our board wants to do anything
[0:13:20] with this, I'll pass this along to David
[0:13:23] and he can um prepare this for next
[0:13:25] month. Um a resolution in support of a
[0:13:29] statewide chyber charter tuition rate um
[0:13:34] across the state. Um they did want an
[0:13:38] $8,000 tuition rate. Now they're willing
[0:13:41] to go for $10,000.
[0:13:43] Um, so if there's any interest in this,
[0:13:47] we'll make sure that we get copies and
[0:13:49] then this could be put on our agenda in
[0:13:53] case we want to
[0:13:55] um do that. In Skoal Valley, if the
[0:13:59] tuition rate was changed to $10,000,
[0:14:03] we would save approximately $425,000.
[0:14:08] So, um, it might it might be worth
[0:14:12] looking at that.
[0:14:15] And then,
[0:14:17] >> excuse me, Linda, if you can get that to
[0:14:18] Dr. Tashner, then we can distribute that
[0:14:21] to the rest of the board to make a
[0:14:23] decision to get that on our uh, and
[0:14:26] we'll get it to the appropriate
[0:14:27] committee.
[0:14:28] >> It it could be on a download somewhere
[0:14:30] that we wouldn't have to like color copy
[0:14:33] it in color. So,
[0:14:34] >> so we'll get it to the right committee
[0:14:36] for October. So um
[0:14:41] and then
[0:14:45] Sko Valley was represented in the
[0:14:47] picture on WFMZ
[0:14:51] for the ribbon cutting at the IU. So um
[0:14:55] I did happen to to be on that picture.
[0:14:59] So um
[0:15:01] so I hope I did well for Skooko Valley.
[0:15:04] And that's all I have at this time.
[0:15:08] Thank you, Linda. Uh 2.4 Burks Career
[0:15:11] and Technical Center. Um a couple items.
[0:15:16] Uh just a reminder for um on the
[0:15:21] National Technical Honor Society
[0:15:23] induction will be here again at Skookul
[0:15:25] Valley High School u and the high school
[0:15:28] auditorium on October 23rd at 6:30. Uh I
[0:15:33] know we've had that for a couple years.
[0:15:36] Uh so they're always very appreciative
[0:15:38] because you know we're kind of in the um
[0:15:42] central for the different school
[0:15:45] districts. There's 16 school districts
[0:15:46] that are uh but I think this might even
[0:15:49] be uh the writing and u uh Muenberg. I
[0:15:53] think this is all of them. But uh
[0:15:55] they've always appreciative that we have
[0:15:57] that. And like Linda was saying before
[0:15:59] we started the budget process. So, we
[0:16:02] actually started our budget process in
[0:16:05] August. Um, so we're looking to get uh
[0:16:10] some type of preliminary budget
[0:16:12] presented in the uh first week of
[0:16:14] December. And of course, we're up
[0:16:16] against it like everybody else uh trying
[0:16:19] to figure out what the state is doing
[0:16:21] with their budgets to try to get it all
[0:16:24] um handled.
[0:16:26] So, uh school's going well to start. I
[0:16:30] know uh the other thing that they've
[0:16:32] sent it sent to the various sending
[0:16:34] schools uh they've already started with
[0:16:37] a proposed calendar for the 2627
[0:16:40] and so they set that as a benchmark and
[0:16:43] then as everybody gets their calendars
[0:16:45] complete then they'll track it all and
[0:16:47] then they'll make a final revision to
[0:16:49] their calendar uh to try to get it as
[0:16:51] aligned as it possibly can to all the
[0:16:54] sending schools so that our kids don't
[0:16:56] have any difficulties getting to BCTC.
[0:16:59] see and back.
[0:17:01] So, um
[0:17:03] that's all I had. Um 2.5 the tax
[0:17:08] collection committee that was uh Nicolen
[0:17:10] KF, she's not here tonight, but their
[0:17:13] quarterly meeting would be in September.
[0:17:16] Uh so it hasn't happened yet. It's going
[0:17:19] to happen later on this week, so I'm
[0:17:21] sure we'll get an October uh update from
[0:17:24] her. I know in the past the uh uh the
[0:17:30] taxes that we were receiving from the
[0:17:32] earned income taxes were a little bit
[0:17:35] ahead of uh what they had budgeted. Uh
[0:17:38] so that's always good news that you know
[0:17:41] individuals in the county are making
[0:17:42] more money and you know we get a part of
[0:17:44] that 1%.
[0:17:47] So going on to 2.6 PA schoolboard
[0:17:50] association liaison Linda Lash. I have
[0:17:53] no formal report, but next month
[0:17:56] um the 19th, 20th, and 21st of October
[0:18:00] is the Pennsylvania School Board's um
[0:18:03] conference, and Dr. O'Donnell or yeah,
[0:18:06] Dr. O'Donnell, not Dr. Oddonnell, Brian
[0:18:10] O'Donnell, and Dr. C. Tashner and I will
[0:18:13] be attending that. And so, um, it's
[0:18:17] always good to find out what's going on
[0:18:21] in the state and with other school
[0:18:22] districts. And,
[0:18:25] um, hopefully down the road we'll get
[0:18:27] other people that would like to do that
[0:18:29] also.
[0:18:31] So, that's all I have for that.
[0:18:34] >> And then 2.7, Skookul Valley Education
[0:18:36] Foundation, Linda.
[0:18:38] >> Um, the only thing I got from Courtney
[0:18:40] is they're doing um, blue jeans for the
[0:18:42] faculty.
[0:18:44] Um and the
[0:18:48] um details for that are being worked
[0:18:51] out. So they're collecting money for the
[0:18:53] foundation for that. So we have as a
[0:18:56] district uh as we have for other
[0:18:59] opportunities like United Way, we've
[0:19:01] said for people that contribute, we'll
[0:19:03] have a jeans day. So um those names of
[0:19:06] contributors will be given and then
[0:19:08] we'll um they'll be able to wear jeans
[0:19:10] on a certain day of the week. And also
[0:19:12] as we do for United Way, a personal day
[0:19:14] for top contributors.
[0:19:18] And then David, I do have something else
[0:19:21] I would like to talk about even though
[0:19:23] it's not really the foundation.
[0:19:27] It's the pride of Skoal Valley. Is that
[0:19:29] okay, David?
[0:19:30] >> Go ahead.
[0:19:31] >> Okay. On Saturday,
[0:19:34] um the Pride of Skoal Valley had its
[0:19:37] induction well Friday night in
[0:19:39] introduced our inductees for um the 2025
[0:19:44] year ceremony. And then Saturday we had
[0:19:47] our um banquet for them. And we had this
[0:19:52] year's class was pretty much all
[0:19:54] athletes,
[0:19:56] but really really neat athletes.
[0:20:00] And if you saw online or anywhere, um
[0:20:04] Katie Kemer, who now works for the
[0:20:06] Kansas City Chiefs, brought
[0:20:10] her
[0:20:12] Super Bowl rings and a
[0:20:16] and a Big 10
[0:20:20] um champion ring from Penn State. And
[0:20:24] those rings were probably the highlight
[0:20:27] of the banquet that day, especially for
[0:20:31] the guests that were there. They really
[0:20:33] appreciated seeing that. So, it was a
[0:20:36] nice banquet. And the inductees this
[0:20:38] year were Dean Hefner, Katie Kemer, Joey
[0:20:43] Meland, Mandelle, Haley Riker, Horst,
[0:20:48] Mr. Shriner was the um service award
[0:20:52] winner and Elizabeth Stouse McKini and
[0:20:56] Darren Walls and um so these were all
[0:21:01] athletes and if anybody would be
[0:21:03] interested I'm the program is here and
[0:21:07] it was really nice and a big thank you
[0:21:10] to Robin for using the decorations.
[0:21:13] Appreciate that Robin.
[0:21:16] So, um, yeah. So, that's always nice.
[0:21:19] And I don't serve as a board rep on that
[0:21:22] committee. I serve as a community rep on
[0:21:24] that committee, but it is a it's a nice
[0:21:27] it's a nice committee to work on. So,
[0:21:29] that's all I have, David.
[0:21:31] >> Okay. Thank you, Linda.
[0:21:34] Moving on to 3.0. Persons who wish to
[0:21:36] address the board. Anyone who wishes to
[0:21:38] address the board will have three
[0:21:39] minutes to state their questions or
[0:21:40] concerns. Please state your name, where
[0:21:43] you live, and if you have a written
[0:21:44] statement, the board will appreciate
[0:21:46] receiving a copy. Derek, thank you for
[0:21:49] wherever you are. Thank you for uh
[0:21:51] giving that to the board already. Uh per
[0:21:54] policy 9003, at the conclusion of your
[0:21:56] three minutes, we'll move on to the next
[0:21:58] speaker. Return to the agenda. I have
[0:22:00] four people listed. First up is uh Lou
[0:22:02] Shooker.
[0:22:13] Lewis Shucker, Burn Township Band Book
[0:22:16] Week, first established in 1982, is
[0:22:19] rapidly approaching. Sponsored by the
[0:22:21] American Library Association, will be
[0:22:24] celebrated on October 5th to 11th. It is
[0:22:27] an annual event to highlight the value
[0:22:29] of free and open access to information.
[0:22:32] It brings together the entire community
[0:22:35] in shared support for the freedom to
[0:22:37] read. The ALA and the band book
[0:22:40] coalition have announced the theme for
[0:22:42] 2025.
[0:22:44] Quote, "Censorship is so 1984,
[0:22:47] read for your rights." End quote. With
[0:22:50] the frightening escalation attempts to
[0:22:52] ban free speech in general, and
[0:22:54] specifically to ban books in libraries,
[0:22:57] schools, and bookstores, George Orwell's
[0:23:00] cautionary tale, warning about the
[0:23:02] dangers of se censorship is particularly
[0:23:05] relevant today. Interestingly, the
[0:23:08] majority of censorship attempts are from
[0:23:10] organized groups. Pressure groups and
[0:23:13] government entities that often include
[0:23:16] elected officials, board members, and
[0:23:18] administrators totaled 72% of the
[0:23:21] demands to censor books in schools and
[0:23:24] public libraries. According to the ALA,
[0:23:27] this theme of this year's theme reminds
[0:23:30] us that the right to read belongs to all
[0:23:32] of us. that censorship has no place in a
[0:23:35] free and open society and that we must
[0:23:38] be vigilant to defend our rights. The
[0:23:41] 2025 theme reminds us that censorship
[0:23:44] persists to this day and must be
[0:23:46] resisted. We must always come together
[0:23:49] to stand up and fight for the right to
[0:23:51] read and to speak. I should also add
[0:23:54] that Skookul Valley uh community is
[0:23:56] fortunate to have its own community
[0:23:58] library and of course school libraries.
[0:24:01] I've become familiar with the community
[0:24:04] library and Miss Jacobs here at Skuga
[0:24:07] Valley and I can attest that their sole
[0:24:10] interest, their sole agenda is to make
[0:24:13] sure that young people have the ability
[0:24:15] to access uh books of appropriate age
[0:24:20] and that they learn to enjoy uh uh the
[0:24:23] right to read. Thank you.
[0:24:27] >> Thank you, Lou. Next up is Sher Faustst.
[0:24:36] Sherry Fburn. Um, last month Mrs. Weant
[0:24:39] came before you and asked a number of
[0:24:42] questions. Only one of them was answered
[0:24:44] by Mr. Rossi. Thank you. Um, this has
[0:24:47] happened on frequent occasions. These
[0:24:50] are questions that are being put that
[0:24:52] are coming from the people that voted
[0:24:54] for you. You are supposed to be
[0:24:56] representing them, but by re ignoring
[0:24:58] their questions, you're not representing
[0:25:01] them. This has got to change. In the
[0:25:03] past, questions were addressed. If a
[0:25:06] person out in the community has a
[0:25:08] question, how are they supposed to get
[0:25:10] an answer if the board's not going to
[0:25:12] address it? Hopefully, this will change.
[0:25:16] The May primary was a pretty good
[0:25:18] indication of what the uh public feels
[0:25:20] about this particular board. Hopefully
[0:25:22] come December things will start to
[0:25:24] change and the concerns of the public
[0:25:27] will be addressed. Thank you.
[0:25:34] >> Uh Miss F
[0:25:36] Sher, uh just just a quick comment on
[0:25:38] that. Um it's extremely helpful if uh
[0:25:42] the public would email their questions
[0:25:43] so that we would have an idea of what we
[0:25:45] needed to look for to gather the
[0:25:46] information and we could give a quicker
[0:25:48] response. It's difficult in the moment
[0:25:50] sometimes to have a response to the
[0:25:52] question if we're uninformed.
[0:25:54] >> In the past they have
[0:25:57] >> and also in the past under the advice of
[0:25:59] the solicitor they have not answered
[0:26:01] those questions as well. So next up is
[0:26:04] Derek Pogle.
[0:26:12] [Music]
[0:26:19] All right, I'm just going to set my
[0:26:20] little timer here.
[0:26:23] Maybe I'm just an A type personality or
[0:26:26] something to be organized. So, all
[0:26:30] right. So, thank you for your time. Uh,
[0:26:32] I wish to, uh, address the board tonight
[0:26:35] on a topic. Um, first off, my name is
[0:26:38] Derek Vogel. For those who don't know
[0:26:39] me, uh, I live in Burn Township. Um, I'm
[0:26:42] in precinct 272.
[0:26:44] Um my oldest son just started here in
[0:26:49] the school system in kindergarten
[0:26:51] uh a month ago. Um he is excited about
[0:26:55] school. So that's always really great
[0:26:58] for a parent to hear. So
[0:27:00] uh and I have two more coming behind
[0:27:03] him, a three-year-old and a two two and
[0:27:04] a half year old. Three and a half two
[0:27:06] and a half. So So we're pretty new and
[0:27:08] we're we're um we're going to be pretty
[0:27:10] involved going forward as every parent
[0:27:13] should be. Um, I care about the welfare
[0:27:15] of my kids and everybody else's kids.
[0:27:17] I'm not just here for my kid. I'm here
[0:27:19] for the greater good of all kids. So, I
[0:27:22] was here last week um by mistake. I
[0:27:25] thought the board meeting was last week.
[0:27:26] I was told it's this week. So, that's
[0:27:28] why I'm here. But, uh, I wanted to bring
[0:27:31] up the topic of um, brain pop. I heard
[0:27:33] that was on the agenda for renewal
[0:27:34] tonight. So, I I prepared an agenda for
[0:27:37] the board to look at.
[0:27:39] So, I want to address that agenda and
[0:27:41] make sure I'm doing good with time. I
[0:27:43] better hurry up. So, um,
[0:27:47] so I have some concerns about BrainPOP,
[0:27:48] and I want that to be considered by the
[0:27:50] board before we renew it. Uh, f, uh,
[0:27:52] first off, um, there's BrainPOP and
[0:27:54] BrainPOP Junior from what I learned. Uh,
[0:27:57] BrainPOP is audiences of grade three to
[0:27:59] eight. To me, it seems like a very good
[0:28:01] resource overall. However, there are
[0:28:03] some sensitive and highly controversial
[0:28:05] topics available on the platform. Uh,
[0:28:07] part of the mission statement on their
[0:28:08] website is performing regular reviews of
[0:28:11] their content to ensure DEI. I've seen
[0:28:14] LGBTQ plus content. Um, I've seen uh
[0:28:18] personal pronoun content, BLM content to
[0:28:21] to name just some. And I didn't spend a
[0:28:23] lot of time because I'm really busy. I
[0:28:25] work. I have three little kids under
[0:28:26] five. So, I just took a brief look and
[0:28:28] this is what I found. So, I cited some
[0:28:30] areas on the site which feel free to
[0:28:32] pick up your phones and look. Um,
[0:28:35] probably preferably now versus later cuz
[0:28:37] I don't want anybody to forget. But I I
[0:28:39] I pulled up some some areas you can
[0:28:42] select those clips, watch it. Some of
[0:28:44] them are on Facebook, some of them are
[0:28:46] on YouTube just by doing a Google
[0:28:48] search. And then also um the Brain Pop
[0:28:52] Jr. So audiences K through three. Um,
[0:28:55] and I didn't see all of this on there.
[0:28:57] It looks like it's a little bit more
[0:28:58] restricted, but I did see some topics on
[0:29:00] racism for the K through three audience.
[0:29:03] one topic in specific in particular on
[0:29:05] Ruby Bridges who I didn't know about but
[0:29:07] now I know about because I read about it
[0:29:08] and watched the video. Um so my concerns
[0:29:11] are exposing sensitive topics to
[0:29:13] learners too early. Um and there may be
[0:29:15] other topics like I said. So to wrap it
[0:29:17] up my recommendations for remedy and
[0:29:20] request to this board right now is
[0:29:23] renewal is fine. Okay, I'm just about
[0:29:26] done. Renewal is fine. Uh, and you can
[0:29:28] read the rest at the bottom, but it's
[0:29:30] based off I would base it off of
[0:29:31] restricted access on BrainPOP, BrainPOP
[0:29:34] Jr., identify an action owner, and then
[0:29:37] follow through with a report back to the
[0:29:39] board at a later time. And the basic
[0:29:41] premise is to ensure safety of our
[0:29:43] youngest learners from being exposed to
[0:29:45] harmful leftist ideology and
[0:29:47] indoctrination. That's all I have to
[0:29:49] say. Thanks. Thanks for your time. I
[0:29:50] appreciate it.
[0:29:51] >> Thank you, Derek.
[0:29:52] >> Derek, just a note for you. Um, so we
[0:29:55] did have a meeting last week and if you
[0:29:57] have a specific agenda item that you'd
[0:29:59] like to speak to, you have three minutes
[0:30:02] during each committee. So if you want to
[0:30:04] come to the committee meetings, we
[0:30:06] welcome you to come to the committee
[0:30:07] meetings also.
[0:30:09] >> Yeah, I was here last week.
[0:30:12] >> Okay.
[0:30:13] >> Yeah. At the committee meetings, we tend
[0:30:15] to want the topic for the speakers to be
[0:30:18] pertain
[0:30:21] I'm sorry. It's on agenda for this week.
[0:30:22] >> No, no, tonight. Tonight. Tonight is
[0:30:24] fine.
[0:30:25] >> You could have spoken.
[0:30:26] >> Yes.
[0:30:27] >> Because that's when we're discussing
[0:30:29] things over trying to reach an agreement
[0:30:33] on the topic. So,
[0:30:34] >> right.
[0:30:37] You have something on a specific topic
[0:30:39] that's listen,
[0:30:47] but I saw something specific last week.
[0:30:51] >> That's okay. I just wanted to let you
[0:30:53] know.
[0:30:53] >> Yeah, there's signups for each of the
[0:30:55] committees and then under that topic
[0:30:57] then you can put the agenda item. It has
[0:30:59] a a site for that agenda item. So then
[0:31:02] the chairman of the committee would then
[0:31:04] recognize any hearing of visitors
[0:31:06] because you heard us say there were no
[0:31:07] hearing of visitors when we went through
[0:31:10] each of the committees.
[0:31:11] >> So last time on Monday I know it's all
[0:31:14] it's it's we're just trying to you know
[0:31:16] >> that's why I'm trying to help because I
[0:31:18] was in your shoes. I was coming to
[0:31:19] meetings and I didn't know the process.
[0:31:21] So I'm just trying to help you.
[0:31:22] >> Yep. Okay.
[0:31:23] >> For everybody listening too. We want to
[0:31:25] make sure they know what
[0:31:26] >> process. But on voting voting meeting
[0:31:29] nights, you can bring up any topic that
[0:31:31] you'd like to speak about. It doesn't
[0:31:32] have to be on the agenda.
[0:31:33] >> I appreciate it.
[0:31:34] >> Y
[0:31:35] >> You're welcome. Thank you.
[0:31:36] >> I'm all about preparation, so that's
[0:31:37] that's good good.
[0:31:40] >> David, I would just like to ask Mrs.
[0:31:42] Rivas a question. Um, I don't know if
[0:31:45] you know when we use this,
[0:31:48] uh, if it's teacher directed or or if
[0:31:52] it's access by the children that they
[0:31:55] can get in anywhere on the site. But if
[0:31:59] you don't have the answer tonight, could
[0:32:01] you get it for us for the next meeting?
[0:32:03] >> I definitely can. Um, at this point, our
[0:32:05] the extent to which Brain pop is used,
[0:32:08] it's it is teacher le. It'll enhance a
[0:32:10] lesson or a topic. um and it's displayed
[0:32:12] for the whole class and then a
[0:32:13] conversation happens. I I have I have
[0:32:16] limited knowledge on if the students are
[0:32:18] actually working on it independently on
[0:32:19] their own devices. It's mainly whole
[0:32:21] group um usually during like community
[0:32:24] meeting where we're starting like a
[0:32:25] recycling unit or I guess I'm done too.
[0:32:28] Um a recycling
[0:32:32] >> we'll extend your we'll extend your
[0:32:34] time. Um, yeah. So, I've we've seen it
[0:32:37] mainly whole group, so we can dig more
[0:32:39] into it.
[0:32:40] >> If you could if you could get back to us
[0:32:42] and bring it to the curriculum committee
[0:32:46] next month at the end of I I would
[0:32:48] appreciate knowing how it's being used
[0:32:50] and if it's teacherdirected and things
[0:32:52] like that and maybe you could bring a
[0:32:54] teacher in to give us a display, that
[0:32:57] would be really nice, too. So, I'd
[0:32:59] appreciate that. Thank you. Of
[0:33:00] >> course. Thank you.
[0:33:07] And last is Kai Miller
[0:33:18] >> who is also on the pride of Skooko
[0:33:20] Valley. I am. Thank you. Good evening
[0:33:23] members of the board. Kai Miller Analani
[0:33:25] Township and I'd like to use my time
[0:33:27] tonight to talk about how our district
[0:33:29] makes hiring decisions. The current
[0:33:32] events in the wrestling program demand
[0:33:35] some of that attention. What's happening
[0:33:37] in SV is about honesty, fairness, and
[0:33:40] whether we are willing to hold certain
[0:33:42] individuals accountable for their
[0:33:44] decisions.
[0:33:46] Our wrestling program had coaches who
[0:33:48] built the program. They invested in our
[0:33:50] kids, gave their time, connected
[0:33:53] athletes to opportunities across the
[0:33:55] state, and helped put our school on the
[0:33:57] map again. For a school of our size to
[0:34:00] send three wrestlers to states, two of
[0:34:02] them underclassmen, is almost unheard
[0:34:04] of. Many schools with double our
[0:34:07] enrollment never achieve that level of
[0:34:09] success. These coaches were managing
[0:34:11] seasoned athletes alongside athletes who
[0:34:14] never stepped on a mat. Wrestling is
[0:34:16] individual and highly technical. You
[0:34:18] don't get to fake it till you make it
[0:34:20] with 10 other teammates on a field like
[0:34:23] certain other sports that will go
[0:34:24] unnamed but rhyme with bcker. With the
[0:34:28] addition of the girls program, those
[0:34:29] challenges doubled. My own daughter
[0:34:31] attended a practice just for fun to keep
[0:34:34] the coach off her back, got hooked, and
[0:34:36] had one of the best experiences she's
[0:34:38] ever had and will return this year. But
[0:34:41] how were those coaches treated? They
[0:34:43] were dismissed, told they could reapply
[0:34:45] for their positions, put through the
[0:34:47] entire hiring process, and then were
[0:34:49] told they were no longer eligible. If
[0:34:51] the decision was made from the start,
[0:34:53] why mislead them? Why waste their time?
[0:34:55] Why betray the trust of our athletes and
[0:34:58] families? It's not respect. It's not
[0:35:00] honesty. This is a pattern of
[0:35:03] consolidating control and power in the
[0:35:05] hands of a few individuals with minimal
[0:35:07] transparency and few questions asked.
[0:35:11] If we treat the people who build our
[0:35:13] athletic programs this way, we're never
[0:35:15] going to attract or retain qualified
[0:35:18] staff again. Families will not trust
[0:35:20] that our district puts students first.
[0:35:22] And if you're not here for our students,
[0:35:24] you're here for the wrong reason.
[0:35:26] Period. We're now seven weeks out from
[0:35:28] the winter wrestling season and lacking
[0:35:30] most of the coaching staff. I'm asking
[0:35:33] you, our elected board, to step in and
[0:35:36] ask some questions, review the
[0:35:38] processes, demand transparency, ensure
[0:35:41] accountability. Please don't let bias
[0:35:44] and power hoarding dictate the
[0:35:46] opportunities available to our children.
[0:35:48] Our athletes and our students deserve
[0:35:50] stability. Our families deserve honesty
[0:35:53] and our community deserves leadership
[0:35:55] that serves.
[0:35:58] On a personal note, many of you know
[0:36:00] that I am this SV girls junior high
[0:36:02] soccer coach. I'm also an alumni and a
[0:36:05] parent of two Panthers. My plaque is on
[0:36:07] the pride of SV wall outside.
[0:36:11] I've volunteered inordinate amounts of
[0:36:13] time to this school without hesitation.
[0:36:16] And yet I hesitated to speak about this
[0:36:20] tonight because I was afraid of
[0:36:21] reprisal. And that should tell you
[0:36:23] everything you need to know about where
[0:36:26] our school stands with trust. Thank you.
[0:36:32] >> Thanks, Kai.
[0:36:33] >> Thank you, Kai.
[0:36:35] Moving on to uh
[0:36:38] we do hear and sometimes we just can't
[0:36:41] answer to things that come up in public.
[0:36:43] So, um it's not falling on deaf ears 4.0
[0:36:49] U board 4.1 solicitors report.
[0:36:54] >> Hi, good evening. Just um very briefly
[0:36:56] for the board. I came tonight bearing
[0:36:58] gifts um specifically a check from
[0:37:01] Wright uh to the district in the amount
[0:37:03] of $193,000
[0:37:05] which I handed over to Dr. Tashner as
[0:37:06] soon as I got here because I didn't want
[0:37:08] it uh in my responsibility anymore. that
[0:37:11] is pursuant to the memorandum of
[0:37:13] understanding that we worked through
[0:37:15] over the summer. Um that payment has
[0:37:18] been made voluntarily in exchange for
[0:37:19] the district granting some um easements
[0:37:22] and construction easements as well as
[0:37:23] some permanent easements for the
[0:37:25] upcoming construction projects. So I
[0:37:27] just wanted to confirm with the board
[0:37:28] that that payment has been received and
[0:37:30] handed over. Thank you.
[0:37:35] >> Thank you. So, I just also want to just
[0:37:36] add is uh we've had a lot of work with
[0:37:39] Bud Rutnau and his uh legal team and and
[0:37:43] others. Um we have to make some changes
[0:37:47] to the um
[0:37:50] to the in front of the high school. Uh
[0:37:53] there's some requirements that have to
[0:37:55] do that between that and the side roads.
[0:37:57] So, we've also had agreements with
[0:37:59] Onaloney Township and the water
[0:38:01] authority. Um, so we've tried to make we
[0:38:04] tried to consolidate that at the same
[0:38:07] time as looking at aesthetics and uh Bud
[0:38:10] has really wanted to be a great
[0:38:12] community member here and uh wanted to
[0:38:16] make sure uh things were handled right.
[0:38:19] He actually shortened the turning lane
[0:38:22] uh because the turning lane as
[0:38:24] originally proposed uh for the tractor
[0:38:27] trailers coming in the written hour
[0:38:28] trailer would have impacted the front of
[0:38:32] our driveway.
[0:38:33] And uh he volunteered to basically cut
[0:38:37] that almost in half uh for them to cut
[0:38:40] it down to likeund uh approximately this
[0:38:44] is off the top of my head for like 125
[0:38:46] ft to two from 250 because that would
[0:38:49] have pushed us past the driveway and
[0:38:50] then by doing that would have required
[0:38:53] more trees to come out and you know the
[0:38:54] whole aesthetics of the the front of our
[0:38:58] building uh and property. So, uh, again,
[0:39:01] I wanted to say thank you to Bud and to
[0:39:03] Written Hour Trailer for that. Uh, we
[0:39:06] appreciate the efforts and, uh, there's
[0:39:10] designated use for that money that he's
[0:39:12] contributed and, uh, more to that will
[0:39:15] come in the future. So, thank you.
[0:39:19] 4.2. Any other old or new business?
[0:39:24] Hearing 5.0, 0. Superintendent.
[0:39:31] >> Thank you, Mr. Mole. Just some
[0:39:33] highlights from September.
[0:39:42] Oh, thank you.
[0:39:44] Thank you, Mr. Mitsler. Gonna give me
[0:39:46] the the opportunity here. Okay.
[0:39:50] Well, as is our tradition at the
[0:39:54] beginning of of this school year, we had
[0:39:56] our color days at Skookul Valley
[0:39:58] Elementary School. It is one of the most
[0:40:02] exciting weeks. And to come in and see
[0:40:04] everyone, students, teachers, staff,
[0:40:08] everyone um each day wearing a different
[0:40:11] color is always so much fun. Um all in
[0:40:14] support of our youngest learners and
[0:40:16] kindergarten. So, thank you to our
[0:40:19] teachers, staff, and to our
[0:40:21] administrators for always putting that
[0:40:23] together. But it was very exciting, very
[0:40:25] exciting week.
[0:40:27] We also at our elementary school had
[0:40:30] Patriot Day. Our students remembered 911
[0:40:33] with various lessons and activities at
[0:40:36] all grade levels. everyone in the
[0:40:38] district um participated in the moment
[0:40:41] of silence so that we always remember
[0:40:44] and the department of education has put
[0:40:47] together different lessons and resources
[0:40:49] that teachers can use as they help
[0:40:53] students some of um who
[0:40:57] this may be the only place they learn
[0:40:58] about it. And so it was an exciting day
[0:41:01] as teachers walk students through that
[0:41:03] through those lessons. We also at the
[0:41:06] middle school in honor of Patriot Day,
[0:41:09] our fifth grade teacher and firefighter,
[0:41:11] Miss Harrison, outfitted a student in
[0:41:14] her bunker gear to give students a
[0:41:16] firsthand look at the equipment. Uh,
[0:41:19] Miss Harrison is one of our new
[0:41:20] teachers, and students love that. They
[0:41:23] had a very enjoyable time participating
[0:41:25] in that. So, thank you to Miss Harrison.
[0:41:32] Also at the middle school, we had our
[0:41:35] Skookul Valley Middle School Mountain
[0:41:37] Bike Club, which actually also extends
[0:41:39] to the high school, too. It's grades 5
[0:41:41] through 12. They started the year at
[0:41:43] Blue Marsh. The club explores trails at
[0:41:46] Blue Marsh and in the Mount Penn area.
[0:41:48] And I will tell you, these are some
[0:41:49] serious uh mountain bikers. And if you
[0:41:52] know Mr. Kazuka, who um takes the
[0:41:55] students out and at the elementary
[0:41:56] school, I think Mr. Kleinben also helps
[0:41:59] in that. They do a great job of making
[0:42:01] sure our students get out and about and
[0:42:03] get some exercise and enjoy the mountain
[0:42:05] bikes. So, thank you to our teachers for
[0:42:07] for doing that. We also had this month
[0:42:11] robotics. Our sixth grade technology and
[0:42:13] engineering students use Lego Mindstorms
[0:42:16] EV3 kits to build robots that were used
[0:42:19] to race each other. So, another um
[0:42:22] exciting time for students as they
[0:42:24] participate in these classes. And of
[0:42:27] course, you know, Mr. Mr. Emerson and
[0:42:29] Mr. Kazuka all round up that program at
[0:42:32] the middle school.
[0:42:34] At the high school, our world affairs
[0:42:37] world affairs class, we had a guest
[0:42:39] speaker, Dr. Ron Granerieri of the US
[0:42:43] Army War College and the foreign policy
[0:42:45] research institute came and actually
[0:42:47] spoke to our students. He had a
[0:42:49] discussion um for the AP World History
[0:42:53] students. He's a scholar of German
[0:42:55] history and postworld war II alliances
[0:42:58] led by the United States and its Western
[0:43:00] allies. So, what a great opportunity for
[0:43:03] our students to participate in that
[0:43:05] discussion. Um, fabulous day
[0:43:09] for our students.
[0:43:12] We also had our Skookul Valley FFA at
[0:43:15] the Leport Community Days. Lucy Kerr and
[0:43:18] Lily Kretz promoted agriculture and took
[0:43:21] some time to give back to our community.
[0:43:24] So, thank you um to Lily and to our FFA
[0:43:28] for doing that. Our All-American Dairy
[0:43:30] Show, our Skookul Valley FFA members
[0:43:33] volunteered at one of the top dairy
[0:43:35] shows in the nation. The show features
[0:43:37] over 2,000 top dairy cattle showcased by
[0:43:41] more than 1,000 of the best exhibitors
[0:43:44] in the United States and Canada.
[0:43:47] Are you getting the theme? This um FFA
[0:43:50] program of ours is all over doing great
[0:43:54] things. So, congratulations to our
[0:43:57] students for their continued efforts in
[0:43:59] service and scholarship and representing
[0:44:02] us so well.
[0:44:04] Our Skookul Valley High School boys
[0:44:06] soccer team also participated in
[0:44:09] service. The players and the coaches
[0:44:11] dedicated their community service time
[0:44:13] to the Moorsville playground,
[0:44:15] beautifying the park, cleaning up
[0:44:17] litter, trimming trees and bushes, and
[0:44:19] restoring the playground turf. So, thank
[0:44:22] you to our boys soccer team for taking
[0:44:24] the time to go out and to serve in our
[0:44:27] community.
[0:44:30] Also exciting was Spotlight on Burke
[0:44:33] Sports athlete of the week.
[0:44:35] Congratulations to Presley Finbinder. Um
[0:44:39] that was for the week of August 25
[0:44:41] through the 31st. And during that week,
[0:44:45] 10 goals, two assists, leading our
[0:44:49] Panthers to four wins. So, one week, 10
[0:44:52] goals. That's crazy. Um what a great um
[0:44:58] athlete we have in Presley and
[0:44:59] appreciate all she's doing for soccer
[0:45:01] and congratulations for being named
[0:45:04] athlete of the week. Also,
[0:45:06] uh, field hockey milestone.
[0:45:08] Congratulations to Laney Crespbow for
[0:45:11] reaching a milestone of 200 career
[0:45:13] saves. That's another, um, outstanding
[0:45:16] achievement. No small feat. And we're so
[0:45:19] proud of Laney for all of her work. So,
[0:45:21] congratulations, Laney.
[0:45:25] And what would an update be without
[0:45:27] talking about the PYA and our gold out?
[0:45:31] PYA collected $2,810.15
[0:45:36] to donate to Four Diamonds. Um we are so
[0:45:39] grateful to PYA for all of their work um
[0:45:43] and all they do to try to raise money
[0:45:44] for Four Diamonds and help students and
[0:45:47] families in need. Of course, if you were
[0:45:50] um anywhere on campus this weekend, you
[0:45:53] saw the many homecoming court uh the
[0:45:55] many homecoming activities happening.
[0:45:57] And here is our high school homecoming
[0:45:59] court. Uh hopefully people who couldn't
[0:46:02] make it to the game were able to see it
[0:46:04] on Huddle, but congratulations to Noah
[0:46:06] Sonin and Gracie Torres, Spirit King and
[0:46:09] Homecoming Queen. Uh, if you were
[0:46:11] watching on Huddle, I had someone tell
[0:46:13] me right as they were about to announce
[0:46:15] the winner, a commercial came on and it
[0:46:17] was like a cliffhanger. So, they had to
[0:46:20] wait until that commercial was done to
[0:46:21] see who was um going to be named
[0:46:23] homecoming queen. So, congratulations to
[0:46:26] both students.
[0:46:29] Homecoming cheer, our high school
[0:46:31] football players and our high school
[0:46:32] cheerleaders greeted our elementary
[0:46:34] students as they arrived at school. That
[0:46:37] is a fabulous tradition and I will tell
[0:46:41] you our elementary students could not be
[0:46:43] more excited. Um what a way to get them
[0:46:45] to come into school all excited and
[0:46:47] wound up for teachers to get them ready.
[0:46:50] But it was a great way to start the day.
[0:46:52] And they also visited classrooms to get
[0:46:55] um students all excited about the
[0:46:57] homecoming game and to teach them um
[0:47:00] some of what we do to create school
[0:47:02] spirit. So give students a chance to
[0:47:04] look up to somebody and this isn't the
[0:47:06] only time they'll see them this year.
[0:47:07] There's other times where they'll go
[0:47:09] down and be a part of what's happening
[0:47:10] at the elementary school. So thank you
[0:47:12] to everyone for making that happen. And
[0:47:15] of course you heard Mrs. Lash steal my
[0:47:18] thunder. Um now you did a great job Mrs.
[0:47:21] Lash. Um, we had the pride of Skookul
[0:47:23] Valley come. Our um, some of our award
[0:47:27] winners visited the high school and
[0:47:30] spoke to classes about their different
[0:47:32] experiences. And you did hear Mrs. Lash
[0:47:35] talk about
[0:47:36] um, one of our former graduates who's
[0:47:40] working for the Kansas City Chiefs. So,
[0:47:42] go Chiefs. Uh, sorry. Come on. Even if
[0:47:45] you don't like the Chiefs, you have to
[0:47:46] vote root for our alumni, right? Uh, but
[0:47:49] she brought her all of her hardware,
[0:47:52] I'll say, in to show everybody all the
[0:47:54] rings. It was a great picture. It was a
[0:47:56] great day. Um, but amazing amazing group
[0:47:59] of of nominees. We heard about
[0:48:02] weightlifterss who uh were the best in
[0:48:04] the world. The best in the world. Um, we
[0:48:08] heard about their training regime. We
[0:48:09] heard about um teachers and people who
[0:48:12] have given so much and a javelin record
[0:48:15] that is still unbeaten to this day.
[0:48:18] Thank you, Mr. Hefner. He said he wants
[0:48:20] someone to beat that javelin record, but
[0:48:22] um that is really impressive and just so
[0:48:26] many um stories that we heard about how
[0:48:29] fast our track athletes were and what a
[0:48:32] great experience they had in school. So,
[0:48:33] thank you to everyone who came out.
[0:48:35] What's really exciting about that event
[0:48:37] is it's growing to the point where this
[0:48:39] year we said we probably we might be
[0:48:41] outgrowing our cafeteria and that is
[0:48:44] that's a great thing um to have that
[0:48:47] many people coming to honor the work
[0:48:50] that our alumni and athletes have done
[0:48:52] and not just athletes but this year yes
[0:48:54] athletes but our alumni has done and to
[0:48:57] see them with their pictures on the
[0:48:58] wall. So, if you haven't gotten a chance
[0:49:00] to look at that, out in the main hallway
[0:49:02] by the gymnasium, you can go down the
[0:49:05] line and see all of our former
[0:49:07] graduates, and I would encourage you to
[0:49:08] do so. And that concludes my report.
[0:49:13] >> Thank you, Dr. Tashner. Uh, anything
[0:49:15] else under 54? Any other old or new
[0:49:17] business for the superintendent?
[0:49:20] Moving on to 60, policy, personnel, and
[0:49:23] public relations. Uh these are items to
[0:49:26] remind the community uh that we spoke
[0:49:29] about at our uh committee meeting last
[0:49:32] Monday night. Um so look to consolidate
[0:49:36] u 61 through 610 without exception.
[0:49:40] >> So move bendigo
[0:49:42] >> second am.
[0:49:45] >> Any discussion?
[0:49:49] >> Hearing none I'll ask for the vote. All
[0:49:50] those in favor signify by saying I. I
[0:49:53] >> I opposed.
[0:49:56] >> Motion passes 80. We do have some
[0:49:59] addendums.
[0:50:01] We have two. I'll take them separate. Uh
[0:50:04] 611 addendum employment winter coaching
[0:50:06] positions. The board is requesting to
[0:50:08] consider and approve the winning winter
[0:50:11] coaches salaries for the 2526 school
[0:50:13] year.
[0:50:15] Entertain a motion.
[0:50:19] >> So move Bendig to go.
[0:50:20] >> Second lash. discussion.
[0:50:24] >> Just a reminder to coaches, uh, tomorrow
[0:50:27] morning all the docuign contracts will
[0:50:30] come out into your Skookul Valley email
[0:50:33] address. So, please check your email. I
[0:50:36] know that Mr. Hansen will probably be
[0:50:39] sending out a reminder um to help you
[0:50:41] remember to do that. But it's as simple
[0:50:44] as a click. Read your contract, make a
[0:50:46] click, but they will go out tomorrow
[0:50:48] morning at some point. So, just a
[0:50:49] reminder about that. Check your Skookul
[0:50:51] Valley email address.
[0:50:55] >> Any other discussion? Hearing none, I'll
[0:50:58] ask for the vote.
[0:51:00] >> All those in favor signify by saying I.
[0:51:02] >> I.
[0:51:03] >> I.
[0:51:04] >> Oppose. Nay.
[0:51:06] >> Passes. 80
[0:51:08] 612 addendum employment spring coaching
[0:51:10] positions. The board is requested to
[0:51:12] consider and approve the spring coaches
[0:51:14] salaries for the 2526 school year.
[0:51:17] Entertain a motion.
[0:51:19] >> So moved. Damrel
[0:51:20] >> second
[0:51:22] >> second Bendigo
[0:51:24] >> discussion
[0:51:28] hearing none I'll ask for the vote all
[0:51:29] those in favor signify by saying I
[0:51:32] >> I
[0:51:32] >> I opposed
[0:51:34] nay motion passes 80
[0:51:38] 613 any other old or new business
[0:51:45] hearing none we'll move on 70 curriculum
[0:51:48] and technology ology.
[0:51:54] I'm going to put 71 and 72 together.
[0:51:59] So, I'll entertain a motion for 71 and
[0:52:01] 72.
[0:52:04] >> So, moved. Amarel
[0:52:06] >> second.
[0:52:10] >> Thank you.
[0:52:11] >> Thank you, Kelly. Discussion for 71 and
[0:52:14] 72.
[0:52:16] Hearing
[0:52:20] none, I'll ask for the vote. All those
[0:52:21] in favor signify by saying I. I.
[0:52:24] >> I. Oppose. Nay.
[0:52:27] That passes 80.
[0:52:30] We had some discussion today with the
[0:52:33] hearing of visitors for 73. What's the
[0:52:35] board's
[0:52:37] >> Can we table that?
[0:52:39] >> We can table that.
[0:52:40] >> Hang on. I I think you got a
[0:52:42] >> You have to have a motion to table.
[0:52:45] >> We have to You have to
[0:52:49] go ahead.
[0:52:49] >> I don't want to talk over you. Um, we
[0:52:53] should have a motion and a second first
[0:52:54] and then if there's a motion to table
[0:52:56] it, that will come after the fact. Uh,
[0:52:58] motion to table needs a second and it
[0:53:00] does not require discussion before a
[0:53:01] vote.
[0:53:02] >> Correct.
[0:53:04] >> So, moving forward.
[0:53:07] >> Bend to go. Second.
[0:53:11] >> Did you say send forward? What?
[0:53:15] >> Yeah, that was a motion by Paul and a
[0:53:17] second by Kelly.
[0:53:19] >> So now
[0:53:19] >> now there can be discussion to table it.
[0:53:22] They can
[0:53:22] >> and I would like to table that so that
[0:53:23] we can look into it further.
[0:53:25] >> When does the subscription end
[0:53:28] >> because this is a renewal?
[0:53:30] >> No, if you remember from last week, we
[0:53:32] have our own subscription and we were
[0:53:34] looking to join the IU's subscription.
[0:53:38] >> Okay.
[0:53:40] >> I would have to look at that, Mr. Uh,
[0:53:42] Rossy, I can't answer that off the top
[0:53:44] of my head as to whether that
[0:53:46] subscription is actually current or not
[0:53:48] from last year. So, I'd have to look at
[0:53:50] it.
[0:53:50] >> I'm just concerned about yanking the rug
[0:53:53] out from under the teachers with a
[0:53:54] >> resource. Yeah. If the staff is using it
[0:53:57] currently, I mean, we can look at this,
[0:53:59] but I don't want to just rip it out
[0:54:01] without having anything there for them.
[0:54:03] >> And and honestly, it's at the teachers
[0:54:05] discretion, and I have great faith in
[0:54:06] our teachers.
[0:54:08] I I don't think we've ever had an issue
[0:54:10] that came out of this. We've had very
[0:54:11] few issues with any subject matter that
[0:54:14] the teachers brought forth and used in
[0:54:15] their classrooms. Um, so I I don't think
[0:54:19] we should even hold it up.
[0:54:21] >> So, is this something that teachers just
[0:54:24] have access to or do or students have
[0:54:28] access to that?
[0:54:29] >> We don't we don't know that. Mrs. Rivas
[0:54:31] was going to get us that information.
[0:54:33] >> Right. So, I'm in favor of what Kelly
[0:54:35] said to table until we get the
[0:54:37] information.
[0:54:39] >> But Mrs. Mrs. Rivas said that that's all
[0:54:42] teacher direction. She believes
[0:54:44] >> Mrs. Rivas, can you can you come up
[0:54:47] please
[0:54:56] >> at this point? To my knowledge, yes. I
[0:54:58] believe that it's mainly teacherdriven.
[0:55:00] I'm not I'm unsure if the I would
[0:55:02] venture to say that the students do not
[0:55:03] have an individual account or a
[0:55:04] classroom account that they log into.
[0:55:06] It's I've seen it where the teachers are
[0:55:08] displaying it whole group at this point
[0:55:11] and they are using it to their
[0:55:13] discretion to enhance specific lessons.
[0:55:15] >> Is this an everyday thing or as a needed
[0:55:18] thing? Once a week thing, once a month,
[0:55:21] how often is this in the classroom?
[0:55:23] >> Again, it's as needed for specific
[0:55:25] lessons that I've seen it in math
[0:55:26] lessons. I've seen it in science class.
[0:55:29] Um, again, uh, community meeting where
[0:55:32] we're starting the day speaking about a
[0:55:34] topic like recycling or grandparents
[0:55:36] week or what have you. Um, the teachers
[0:55:39] are using it to their discretion to
[0:55:40] start the conversation or enhance the
[0:55:42] conversation. Um, and there are two
[0:55:45] characters that go back and forth. One's
[0:55:47] a robot and one's a an individual that
[0:55:50] speaks to whatever the topic is.
[0:55:53] So, what we're voting on tonight is just
[0:55:56] if we want to join the IU's
[0:55:58] subscription. We already have our own
[0:56:00] subscription. So, by tableabling it,
[0:56:02] we're not taking anything away. We're
[0:56:04] looking to see if we want to join the
[0:56:06] IU's subscription and then if we want to
[0:56:09] continue or discontinue our subscription
[0:56:12] if we're not going to join the IUs.
[0:56:14] >> What is the concern with joining the IU
[0:56:16] subscription that you need more
[0:56:18] information?
[0:56:18] >> I think the concern is should we have it
[0:56:20] at all?
[0:56:21] >> Right. So, you're not talking about
[0:56:22] whether or not we renew the idea.
[0:56:24] >> That's what we're voting on.
[0:56:26] >> That's what we're voting on tonight,
[0:56:27] >> right?
[0:56:29] When does our subscription end?
[0:56:31] >> Kathy doesn't know.
[0:56:32] >> I don't know the answer to that. Uh, I
[0:56:35] would have to check on that, Mr. Amaro.
[0:56:36] I'm really not sure.
[0:56:37] >> We're not pulling anything away from
[0:56:40] anyone. We're just saying, are we going
[0:56:42] to continue with our subscription or let
[0:56:45] it lapse whenever that is over? And if
[0:56:48] we are going to let it lapse, is it
[0:56:50] because we're not going to have it any
[0:56:52] longer or is it because we're going to
[0:56:54] join the IU's subscription?
[0:56:56] >> What are you gonna replace it with?
[0:56:57] >> I I don't know that. That's up to our
[0:56:59] curriculum.
[0:57:00] >> And then why do you want to pull it?
[0:57:01] Possibly.
[0:57:02] >> Well,
[0:57:02] >> I would like to look into it.
[0:57:04] >> It doesn't make much sense to join the
[0:57:06] IU. If next week or next month we get
[0:57:09] information and we don't want it used
[0:57:11] anymore, then we already are paying or
[0:57:13] committing to the IU to join.
[0:57:15] >> Well, it's been used for years and years
[0:57:16] and years. I
[0:57:18] >> and I've not ever heard a single thing
[0:57:19] about it.
[0:57:20] >> Well, there's been a lot of things come
[0:57:22] before the board that we haven't heard a
[0:57:24] single thing about.
[0:57:24] >> That it's a problem.
[0:57:26] >> You better You better ask the teachers
[0:57:27] what they think.
[0:57:29] >> Again, I'm not saying that we should
[0:57:30] take anything away from anyone. We
[0:57:32] already have the subscription on our
[0:57:34] own. What we are voting on tonight is if
[0:57:37] we should join the IU subscription.
[0:57:41] I think that we could wait on deciding
[0:57:44] if we're going to join the IU
[0:57:45] subscription and make a commitment to
[0:57:48] the IU to pay for that subscription
[0:57:50] through them.
[0:57:50] >> I think you're engaging in a
[0:57:52] conversation that's going to remove a
[0:57:53] resource from the teachers 3 weeks after
[0:57:55] school started
[0:57:57] >> and leave them hanging. That's what I
[0:57:59] think.
[0:58:00] >> You know, if that's the case, it should
[0:58:01] have came to us in July, not wait until
[0:58:03] September,
[0:58:04] >> right? Yeah. That
[0:58:05] >> Yeah. I mean, my my impression this is a
[0:58:07] cost-saving.
[0:58:09] >> You know, correct. It was found and it's
[0:58:10] a great find. If we do continue with it,
[0:58:13] but it was a cost savings that was
[0:58:14] brought to us. It wasn't uh this is
[0:58:17] going to expire this month. We need to
[0:58:18] renew.
[0:58:19] >> Correct.
[0:58:20] >> So, you don't know if we have a one-year
[0:58:22] subscription, a two-year subscription.
[0:58:24] >> The timeline is off the top. I'm trying
[0:58:26] to search right now to see if I have any
[0:58:27] correspondence that indicates when that
[0:58:29] when it's due. Um I would imagine that
[0:58:31] it it's coming up due, which is why
[0:58:32] they're starting to talk about it
[0:58:34] needing to be renewed.
[0:58:39] So, we do have a motion and a second. We
[0:58:42] do have a motion to table and a second
[0:58:47] on on u on the floor here now. So, the
[0:58:51] question comes through. It sounds like
[0:58:55] people want to have more research on
[0:58:57] this before it goes if the teachers can
[0:59:00] they still can use it under our
[0:59:02] subscription
[0:59:03] at this point.
[0:59:05] >> Correct. We're just saying before that
[0:59:07] subscription runs out and before we then
[0:59:11] go to the uh BCIU subscription, which
[0:59:14] would then be for an extended period of
[0:59:15] time to at least get some further
[0:59:18] clarification
[0:59:20] of usage and access and also the time
[0:59:23] frame on the subscription. I agree from
[0:59:25] Al's perspective and you don't want to
[0:59:27] take something away,
[0:59:29] >> but we'd also if we have concerns, let's
[0:59:32] get the mayored out before we continue
[0:59:34] it and we don't pay for a subscription
[0:59:36] that we might end up not wanting to use
[0:59:39] depending on what the outcome is. But
[0:59:41] again, to Al's point, we haven't heard
[0:59:43] anything else. Not to say we weren't
[0:59:46] aware, we weren't aware that we were
[0:59:48] using it. It came to us because that's
[0:59:50] what I'm saying. Decide on a
[0:59:51] subscription, so it wasn't ever
[0:59:52] approved. It doesn't sound like in the
[0:59:54] first place.
[0:59:55] >> It also is a concern of that it's not an
[0:59:58] issue until it is one.
[0:59:59] >> Correct.
[1:00:00] >> Well, take take a vote on the motion to
[1:00:02] table.
[1:00:02] >> We have a motion to table. I'm just
[1:00:04] trying
[1:00:05] >> then we'll take a vote on what's
[1:00:07] >> That's exactly where I was going. So, I
[1:00:09] have a motion and a second to table
[1:00:12] this.
[1:00:12] >> I don't want to I don't want to table it
[1:00:13] if it's going to lapse. I want to know
[1:00:15] the date of
[1:00:17] >> the subscription is going to end because
[1:00:18] if we don't renew the subscription then
[1:00:20] teachers don't have access it before
[1:00:22] next month's meeting.
[1:00:23] >> If it ends the end of September
[1:00:24] >> and if we don't trust the teachers to
[1:00:26] get on Brain Pop and search up things
[1:00:28] that they're supposed to be searching
[1:00:29] and not looking up then we should
[1:00:31] eliminate the internet from the
[1:00:32] classrooms as well and not give access
[1:00:34] to the teachers for the internet
[1:00:35] >> right
[1:00:36] >> because they we we trust them with our
[1:00:39] children. So
[1:00:40] >> saying that we don't
[1:00:40] >> to not to table something that they use.
[1:00:43] >> I don't know. No, I'm not I'm not for
[1:00:45] that.
[1:00:45] >> I am a huge proponent of our teachers
[1:00:47] and everyone on this board knows that. I
[1:00:50] am just asking that we look into this
[1:00:52] because it was brought to our attention.
[1:00:54] It seemed from last week's meeting that
[1:00:56] it has never been brought to the board's
[1:00:58] attention before using it. Now it was
[1:01:01] brought to our attention. We should look
[1:01:02] into it. That's our job.
[1:01:06] >> That's all I'm asking.
[1:01:08] So, we don't have to have further
[1:01:10] discussion on this except I'm gonna ask
[1:01:12] Susie just
[1:01:14] >> Sorry, just we just got notification
[1:01:16] that it's October 28th the subscription
[1:01:18] ends. So, we have time.
[1:01:25] >> So, this is just the motion to table. It
[1:01:28] sounds like we have time because our
[1:01:30] we'll have the meeting before then. So
[1:01:32] they can continue using the resource as
[1:01:35] they have been until we have this
[1:01:37] discussion and we would table this
[1:01:40] motion for one basically for one cycle
[1:01:43] and then we'll up or down. But if we're
[1:01:45] going to vote vote it down then you know
[1:01:48] we're not giving these teachers any time
[1:01:50] for them to come up with
[1:01:51] >> we don't we don't have time for it.
[1:01:53] >> Correct.
[1:01:54] >> Jackie, do you know when the IU needs to
[1:01:57] know
[1:01:58] >> that? I don't know.
[1:02:01] I I don't that I don't know off the top
[1:02:04] of my head. I can try to see if I
[1:02:06] >> would Jenny possibly know that.
[1:02:08] >> I I'll attempt to find out here.
[1:02:11] >> This is a supplemental resource that
[1:02:13] it's they use it um obviously it's not
[1:02:16] their primary resource. They use it to
[1:02:18] enhance. So, um
[1:02:20] >> yeah, it's not
[1:02:21] >> our other supplemental resources were
[1:02:22] just removed from classrooms and books.
[1:02:24] So,
[1:02:25] >> right. And you're talking about possibly
[1:02:26] doing it again. That's my problem. We
[1:02:29] need to look into it. We should have
[1:02:31] discussed what those books were used for
[1:02:33] before they were discarded. I'm asking
[1:02:35] to look into it to have the discussion
[1:02:37] before anything is discarded. That's all
[1:02:38] that I'm asking.
[1:02:40] >> Try and find out how much it's used for
[1:02:42] next uh for our committee meeting.
[1:02:44] >> Sure.
[1:02:45] >> And uh we can actually vote on it during
[1:02:47] the committee meeting which I think is
[1:02:49] what in the middle of October.
[1:02:50] >> Correct.
[1:02:52] >> I was actually told that a survey went
[1:02:53] out to the elementary school teachers to
[1:02:56] ask who uses it. So we should have that
[1:02:57] data. We have that data, but we don't we
[1:02:59] don't have further questioning as to
[1:03:01] what subjects are you using it for, at
[1:03:03] what what extent.
[1:03:03] >> So, we at least know how many teachers
[1:03:05] are using it.
[1:03:06] >> Sure.
[1:03:06] >> What did that data look like? How how
[1:03:08] much is it being used by the elementary?
[1:03:10] >> The majority of the teachers are using
[1:03:11] it.
[1:03:11] >> Okay.
[1:03:14] >> So, we don't trust the majority of the
[1:03:15] teachers at the elementary.
[1:03:16] >> Again, please do not put words in my
[1:03:18] mouth.
[1:03:19] >> Okay.
[1:03:20] >> What it looks like.
[1:03:20] >> So, we we have a motion.
[1:03:23] We have a motion, a second. It looks
[1:03:25] like we have an alternative that we can
[1:03:27] move uh forward with this before it
[1:03:30] expires.
[1:03:32] >> What are we going to do when you vote no
[1:03:33] on it?
[1:03:34] >> Yeah. What does that look like?
[1:03:35] >> What are you going to do then?
[1:03:36] >> We have a week.
[1:03:37] >> Then you have a week to replace it. What
[1:03:38] are you going to do?
[1:03:39] >> How's that going to look?
[1:03:41] >> It was never approved curriculum in the
[1:03:43] first place. It's not curriculum. We're
[1:03:44] talking about curriculum. It's
[1:03:46] supplemental.
[1:03:46] >> It's supplemental. It's not curriculum.
[1:03:48] The curriculum is driven by the state.
[1:03:50] This is supplemental.
[1:03:52] If we if the board votes no, that's the
[1:03:55] will of the board. Al that can't be a
[1:03:58] response to like that's our job.
[1:04:00] >> If we vote no, it's our job to work with
[1:04:03] people to figure out the solution.
[1:04:05] >> We can't we can't vote yes on something
[1:04:07] just because we don't know what would
[1:04:10] follow. If we have if we have to kick
[1:04:12] the tires and see what's there, so be
[1:04:15] it. They're not losing any assets. I
[1:04:17] don't, you know, just from listening
[1:04:19] here, I don't think it's going to get
[1:04:20] voted down ultimately, but it's still
[1:04:22] our responsibility as a as an oversight
[1:04:24] body to take a look at this and not just
[1:04:27] approve it and then look afterwards,
[1:04:28] especially when there's no downside to
[1:04:30] delaying it a month.
[1:04:32] So, just as a reminder, we have a motion
[1:04:34] and a second to table this. An a
[1:04:38] affirmative vote is saying you want to
[1:04:41] have it tabled and a negative vote is
[1:04:44] saying that you do not want to have it
[1:04:46] tabled and it proceeds.
[1:04:48] Okay. So, I'm going to ask Susie for a
[1:04:50] roll call because I'm thinking we need
[1:04:52] to figure out the numbers. So, Susie, if
[1:04:55] you can do a roll call, please.
[1:04:58] >> Mr. Weant.
[1:05:00] >> No.
[1:05:02] Mr. Amiral.
[1:05:04] >> Yes.
[1:05:05] >> Mr. Bendigo.
[1:05:06] >> Yes.
[1:05:08] >> Mrs. Lash.
[1:05:12] >> No.
[1:05:13] >> Mr. Mole.
[1:05:15] >> No.
[1:05:17] >> Mr. O'Donnell?
[1:05:18] >> No.
[1:05:20] >> Mr. Rossy?
[1:05:21] >> No.
[1:05:22] >> Mrs. Stanky?
[1:05:23] >> Yes.
[1:05:29] >> Did you have the count? 53.
[1:05:31] >> That's what I thought.
[1:05:35] So, it's 53 not to table it.
[1:05:40] So, that I'm going to have we'll move
[1:05:42] back to the original motion in a second
[1:05:47] on 73.
[1:05:49] And now an affirmative means that we're
[1:05:52] going to agree to the subscription.
[1:05:55] And a no vote means you do not agree to
[1:05:58] this subscription
[1:06:01] for 73.
[1:06:04] Okay. And I'm going to ask for a roll
[1:06:06] call vote. So just a clarification on
[1:06:08] that. What we're doing, we're voting now
[1:06:10] to go and get access to it through the
[1:06:14] BCIU. That doesn't mean that
[1:06:19] >> we're endorsing that going to be used
[1:06:22] long term. It doesn't say that on
[1:06:24] >> that's what we said last week by just
[1:06:25] says approves a subscription to Brainpop
[1:06:28] for the elementary school. So
[1:06:30] >> if that's what it is, maybe we should
[1:06:31] clarify that.
[1:06:32] >> Last week, Jenny said that we could join
[1:06:35] the IU's membership to save money.
[1:06:38] That's what we were voting on.
[1:06:40] >> Yeah. I mean, it certainly sounds like
[1:06:41] if we vote yes, that means that the
[1:06:43] membership will be renewed.
[1:06:45] >> It's not that it's not that it's given
[1:06:47] permission to consider it. It's saying
[1:06:49] yes, do it.
[1:06:50] >> Right. And Mrs. Rexro was able to get
[1:06:55] the subscription at a reduced price
[1:06:59] through the IU. That's what she said
[1:07:02] last year. That's why it's on. So I mean
[1:07:05] last week. So approving the motion
[1:07:08] approves that membership with the IU's
[1:07:11] subscription.
[1:07:13] >> So all we're doing is we're approving to
[1:07:15] spend that money to join the IU
[1:07:17] subscription for this program. If we get
[1:07:20] information back where it's not good to
[1:07:22] be used in a school, it can be stopped
[1:07:24] at any time.
[1:07:26] >> The board has the authority to do that.
[1:07:28] Yes.
[1:07:28] >> If there's there concern about the
[1:07:30] content at some point in the future and
[1:07:33] the usage of that content by the
[1:07:35] teachers and that can come back to the
[1:07:37] board and that can come through
[1:07:38] curriculum and we can address it then.
[1:07:42] >> Mrs. Rivas, I would still like to have a
[1:07:45] presentation at the voting meeting. I'd
[1:07:47] like to have it at the committee meeting
[1:07:49] if or as soon as you can.
[1:07:51] >> Some of us won't be here at the
[1:07:52] committee meeting. So,
[1:07:54] >> okay.
[1:07:54] >> So, if we could do it at the board
[1:07:56] meeting, I'd really appreciate it
[1:07:57] because I'm not familiar with it and I'd
[1:08:01] really like to see how it's being used.
[1:08:03] Thank you.
[1:08:07] >> So, again, on 73,
[1:08:11] we have a motion and we have a second to
[1:08:13] approve the subscription. So, a an
[1:08:16] affirmative vote means we're agreeing to
[1:08:18] the subscription, and a no vote means
[1:08:21] you're disagreeing
[1:08:23] to the subscription.
[1:08:26] And I'm going to ask Susie again for a
[1:08:28] roll call vote because I don't know that
[1:08:30] voices will count as easy as
[1:08:33] individuals.
[1:08:35] >> Mr. Ammeral,
[1:08:37] >> no.
[1:08:38] >> Mr. Bendigo,
[1:08:39] >> no.
[1:08:41] >> Mrs. Lash,
[1:08:42] >> yes.
[1:08:44] >> Mr. Mr. Mole,
[1:08:45] >> yes.
[1:08:46] >> Mr. O'Donnell,
[1:08:48] >> yes.
[1:08:49] >> Mr. Rossi,
[1:08:51] >> yes.
[1:08:52] >> Mrs. Stanky,
[1:08:53] >> no.
[1:08:54] >> Mr. Weant.
[1:08:56] >> Yes.
[1:08:59] >> So, it passes
[1:09:01] >> five to three.
[1:09:03] >> So, we still as a board, we're still
[1:09:05] looking for more information on that and
[1:09:07] the usage
[1:09:08] >> and and thank you, Mr. Vogle, for
[1:09:10] bringing your concerns up. So, we're
[1:09:12] still going to look at that. We just
[1:09:14] want to make sure that we have an
[1:09:15] alternative. I think for those people
[1:09:18] listening, we just don't want to
[1:09:19] handcuff our teachers and not having
[1:09:22] something else in place. But I think
[1:09:24] it's also uh seeing I'm sure this will
[1:09:28] be out in our community to know that as
[1:09:30] a board we have a concern about some of
[1:09:33] the content that's in there, but again,
[1:09:36] I just don't want to have uh this not in
[1:09:40] place or short notice. and do we make
[1:09:42] another rash quick decision ahead of
[1:09:45] time? We can always pull that back uh on
[1:09:49] the usage. So, thank you for the board.
[1:09:53] I'm going to move on. We have two more
[1:09:54] items, 74 and 75 that we talked about at
[1:09:57] our committee meeting. I'd like to
[1:09:59] consolidate
[1:10:00] without objection. I'd entertain a
[1:10:02] motion for 74 and 75.
[1:10:07] >> I'll move Lash.
[1:10:10] >> Second. Second, Bendigo.
[1:10:14] >> Any discussion on 74 and 75?
[1:10:20] >> Hearing that none, I'll ask for the
[1:10:21] vote. All those in favor signify by
[1:10:22] saying I.
[1:10:23] >> I.
[1:10:24] >> I.
[1:10:25] >> Oppose. Nay.
[1:10:28] Those items pass 80.
[1:10:34] We have two items uh addendums. So
[1:10:37] again, these are items that came to the
[1:10:39] board subsequent to our committee
[1:10:41] meeting last week. So I'm going to take
[1:10:43] them individually. 76
[1:10:46] subscription raptor technologies. The
[1:10:48] board is requested to consider and
[1:10:50] recommend approval of the attached
[1:10:52] security software and devices in the
[1:10:55] amount of $41,200.
[1:10:58] PCCD funds will be applied to the
[1:11:01] purchase. I'll entertain a motion.
[1:11:04] >> So move Bendigo.
[1:11:07] Second, Amaro.
[1:11:08] >> Second. Thank you, Frank.
[1:11:13] >> Any discussion? So, PCCD, what does that
[1:11:16] stand for for the public's uh
[1:11:20] enjoyment?
[1:11:20] >> The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
[1:11:23] Delinquency.
[1:11:23] >> Thank you.
[1:11:24] >> You're welcome.
[1:11:25] >> And is that going to be an ongoing cost
[1:11:27] or just a one-time upfront fee?
[1:11:33] A part of it is a one-time cost for
[1:11:36] setup and then the other piece is an
[1:11:38] annual renewal.
[1:11:39] >> Do we know what the split is?
[1:11:42] >> It's on the attachment.
[1:11:44] >> It'll break up um recurring cost by
[1:11:46] onetime costs. The onetime cost is
[1:11:48] $19,200 and the recurring cost is
[1:11:51] 22,000.
[1:11:52] >> Thank you.
[1:11:56] >> I got a motion and I got a second. Any
[1:11:58] other discussion
[1:12:01] hearing? Then I'll ask for the vote. All
[1:12:03] those in favor signify by saying I.
[1:12:05] >> I.
[1:12:06] >> I.
[1:12:07] >> Opposed? Nay. Passes 80.
[1:12:11] Have a second item. 77 addendum. Master
[1:12:14] lease agreement paperwork for server
[1:12:16] refresh.
[1:12:18] Uh approves the board president to sign
[1:12:20] off on the paperwork for the master
[1:12:22] lease agreement from June 23rd, 2025.
[1:12:26] Um,
[1:12:27] agenda 73 agenda items related to server
[1:12:30] refresh and software renewal as
[1:12:33] presented.
[1:12:36] I'll entertain a motion.
[1:12:48] >> I'll entertain a motion.
[1:12:51] Second Bendigo
[1:12:54] >> discussion.
[1:12:56] >> Uh Mr. Dr. Winters, do you want to just
[1:12:59] provide the background on this?
[1:13:02] >> Sure. Um so um all of the equipment and
[1:13:06] the software was delivered. Um that's
[1:13:08] what the board voted on um in June. Um
[1:13:11] at that time the final paperwork that
[1:13:14] Dell had that requires signature to
[1:13:16] close it out so that they can invoice us
[1:13:18] was not ready. it wasn't ready at the
[1:13:20] time of that board meeting. So now it
[1:13:23] is. Um and so by approving this, that
[1:13:27] final paperwork can be sent and
[1:13:28] generated um so that Dell can invoice
[1:13:31] us.
[1:13:37] >> Okay.
[1:13:39] So, if we approve the purchase,
[1:13:42] isn't that approval to
[1:13:45] sign the paperwork to
[1:13:48] commence the purchase of what we voted
[1:13:51] on?
[1:13:53] >> The original motion in June um did not
[1:13:56] provide authorization for administration
[1:13:59] or anyone to go ahead and sign off on
[1:14:01] that. This is a separate document um for
[1:14:04] the fin for the uh financial piece that
[1:14:07] that has to be
[1:14:08] >> but we're not paying any more than what
[1:14:10] we agreed to pay that we voted on back
[1:14:12] in June, right? Nothing was added to it.
[1:14:14] Was there any equipment?
[1:14:18] >> There was not anything added to it. No.
[1:14:20] >> Okay.
[1:14:21] >> But it is a document that required um
[1:14:24] official authorization and signature and
[1:14:27] so we wanted to bring it before the
[1:14:28] board for that reason.
[1:14:34] Okay, I'm going to ask for the vote. All
[1:14:35] those in favor signify by saying I.
[1:14:38] >> I. I.
[1:14:40] >> Oppose. Nay. That passes. 8 Z.
[1:14:44] Um
[1:14:45] 7.8. Any other old or new business for
[1:14:48] question?
[1:14:48] >> I just want to make it abundantly clear
[1:14:50] that I support our teachers. I used to
[1:14:52] come to meeting after meeting saying
[1:14:55] that I supported our teachers and that
[1:14:56] has not changed. So just like that on
[1:14:58] the record.
[1:15:00] Okay. U 80 budget and finance.
[1:15:06] We have two items 81 and 82 that we
[1:15:09] talked about
[1:15:11] prior in the committee meeting. I'll
[1:15:13] look to consolidate 81 and 82.
[1:15:20] Entertain a motion.
[1:15:24] >> So moved amigo.
[1:15:28] Any discussion
[1:15:33] hearing? None, I'll ask for the vote for
[1:15:35] 81 and 82. All those in favor signify by
[1:15:38] saying I.
[1:15:39] >> I. I.
[1:15:41] >> Oppose. Nay.
[1:15:44] Motion passes. 800
[1:15:48] 83. Any other old or new business
[1:15:52] hearing? Then we'll move on to 90
[1:15:54] buildings and grounds.
[1:15:57] We have one item that we spoke about
[1:15:59] last uh committee meeting 91. So I'll
[1:16:02] entertain a motion for 91.
[1:16:06] >> So O'Donnell
[1:16:07] >> second Bendigo
[1:16:08] >> O'Donnell and then Bendigo Susie.
[1:16:11] >> Any discussion
[1:16:15] hearing? None. I'll ask for a vote. All
[1:16:18] those in favor signify by saying I.
[1:16:21] >> I oppose. Nay.
[1:16:24] >> It passes 8 Z.
[1:16:26] 92. We do have one addendum item. 92
[1:16:30] addendum chemical pack and pool elk
[1:16:34] environmental. The board is requesting
[1:16:35] to consider and recommend approval of
[1:16:38] elk environmental dispose of various
[1:16:40] outside chemicals
[1:16:42] using the pack and pool method at
[1:16:44] estimated cost of $2,100.
[1:16:47] I'll entertain a motion.
[1:16:49] >> So move lash.
[1:16:51] >> Second odon.
[1:16:52] >> Second. Thank you. Discussion. Do we
[1:16:55] think we found it all now? I don't know.
[1:16:59] >> Yes. Uh that is that is our belief. Yes.
[1:17:02] Um these these were a few remaining
[1:17:04] items that were placed um out with the
[1:17:08] other drums after Elk had done their
[1:17:10] original visit in February of last year
[1:17:12] to give us the price to dispose of those
[1:17:15] drums. So it's a few remaining items.
[1:17:18] They can all be disposed of in one drum
[1:17:19] and um assuming it's approved, we'll get
[1:17:23] them on site to take care of those.
[1:17:27] >> Okay. Thank you, Dr. Wyinners. Um any
[1:17:30] other discussion?
[1:17:33] Hearing that, I'll ask for the vote. All
[1:17:34] those in favor signify by saying I.
[1:17:36] >> I.
[1:17:37] >> I. Opposed? Nay.
[1:17:39] >> That also passes. 8 Z 93. Any other old
[1:17:43] or new business?
[1:17:45] >> Yeah, I have one. Um Dr. winners. I know
[1:17:47] there were some issues with the middle
[1:17:49] school HVAC. Um, do we have any updates
[1:17:52] on that?
[1:17:56] >> We're in the process um of securing um
[1:18:00] three quotes um for the work um to be
[1:18:03] completed. We have one of those quotes.
[1:18:05] The other two um are out and we're
[1:18:08] waiting on them. Um, in the interim,
[1:18:11] we've been in communication um with
[1:18:13] staff that we are working to remedy the
[1:18:16] solution. Um, and you know, if there are
[1:18:20] things we can do based upon temperatures
[1:18:22] to, you know, keep the rooms cool, you
[1:18:25] know, we can do those things.
[1:18:26] >> Do we have any temporary units? Because
[1:18:28] I received a picture that one of our
[1:18:30] thermometers was at 93 degrees.
[1:18:34] >> We do have temporary units. Yes. We
[1:18:36] always look at the weather outside and
[1:18:38] the temperature for the week and
[1:18:39] humidity and those kinds of things to to
[1:18:42] factor in. But when temporary units are
[1:18:44] needed in any of our buildings, um you
[1:18:46] know, we do have them and we can use
[1:18:47] them. Um but
[1:18:49] >> were they provided to the middle school?
[1:18:52] >> Oh, sorry. Can you say
[1:18:53] >> were they provided to the middle school?
[1:18:56] the middle school does have them um
[1:18:59] >> in in use
[1:19:01] >> in the middle school
[1:19:03] >> in classrooms where we needed them to be
[1:19:06] thus far. Um we have used them. They're
[1:19:09] not in every single classroom because
[1:19:11] we're very mindful of the fact that um
[1:19:13] they they don't significantly make the
[1:19:17] space cooler. And so, you know, we want
[1:19:20] to make sure that if we're using them,
[1:19:22] we're using them to cool the rooms. But
[1:19:25] we can we have them and you know we look
[1:19:29] at them on a room by room case by case
[1:19:31] basis.
[1:19:31] >> Can we move the classrooms elsewhere? Do
[1:19:34] we have space that we can move the
[1:19:35] classrooms to a cooler location?
[1:19:40] >> At this point I don't know that our
[1:19:42] temperatures outside are such that that
[1:19:44] would warrant moving classrooms. um if
[1:19:47] if we had a classroom that was that um
[1:19:50] you know warm um you know we we always
[1:19:54] look at different options but I'm very
[1:19:57] confident that we're going to get the
[1:19:58] remaining quotes in this week and then
[1:20:00] we can hopefully move forward on getting
[1:20:02] a more permanent fix.
[1:20:03] >> So Dr. Winers, have you received any any
[1:20:07] information that you had a classroom at
[1:20:09] 93 degrees?
[1:20:11] >> Um I did not receive information that a
[1:20:13] classroom was at 93 degrees. I knew we
[1:20:15] had some classrooms that were warm. Um,
[1:20:18] and
[1:20:19] >> so Dr. Guperillic, I mean, I guess just
[1:20:22] the question is, you know, there are
[1:20:24] some protocols like if somebody has an
[1:20:26] issue and instead of sending pictures to
[1:20:29] a board member, they should be going
[1:20:31] through chain of command.
[1:20:32] >> Yes.
[1:20:33] >> And to say, hey, we have these issues
[1:20:35] and how do we resolve them? Because
[1:20:37] we're relying on you all to resolve
[1:20:39] these issues.
[1:20:40] >> Correct. Correct. Um, so the only
[1:20:43] picture that I saw was at 90, which is
[1:20:46] still pretty high for a classroom. Um,
[1:20:49] we did, we are communicating with Dr.
[1:20:52] Winters and with our maintenance staff
[1:20:55] to make sure that we're doing everything
[1:20:57] that we can to ensure cooler classrooms.
[1:21:01] Um, we have not moved any classrooms at
[1:21:04] at this point, but we can if we need to.
[1:21:08] >> How many rooms are affected?
[1:21:12] I believe it's about 5 to 6 right now.
[1:21:16] But
[1:21:17] >> so when you saw the picture of 90, what
[1:21:19] was done? Did we move
[1:21:22] >> that? That picture was sent at the end
[1:21:24] of a day
[1:21:24] >> today.
[1:21:25] >> Uh no, it was last week.
[1:21:30] >> So did we install trying I'm not trying
[1:21:33] to micromanage only asking the question.
[1:21:35] So just that so did we go ahead because
[1:21:38] I know we had those extra units from
[1:21:40] having the other issues. So then did we
[1:21:42] go ahead and just
[1:21:43] >> work to get that? I mean we've also had
[1:21:45] fluctuating temperatures
[1:21:47] >> because now we're into the 60s at night
[1:21:49] or 50s at night.
[1:21:51] >> Correct. We've been using fans opening
[1:21:54] windows in the morning to get cooler
[1:21:56] morning air in. Um we we do have in some
[1:22:01] of the classrooms some of those uh
[1:22:03] units. Yes.
[1:22:05] >> Okay. Cuz you know, we're here to for
[1:22:07] governance, not to manage, but you know,
[1:22:09] sometimes inquiring minds want to know
[1:22:11] like
[1:22:11] >> Sure.
[1:22:12] >> You know, what are you doing? So, I
[1:22:14] appreciate that.
[1:22:16] >> I'm assuming this is all in the same
[1:22:17] hallway.
[1:22:18] >> It is. It's in our sixth grade hallway.
[1:22:20] >> Sixth grade hallway.
[1:22:21] >> Okay.
[1:22:22] >> Okay. So, it sounds like you're working
[1:22:24] on it and I'm look forward to getting an
[1:22:27] update from somebody and our weekly
[1:22:29] updates.
[1:22:30] >> We are.
[1:22:30] >> Thank you, Dr. Sure.
[1:22:32] >> How uh how severe is the problem? I
[1:22:34] mean, what what are we putting quotes
[1:22:36] out for? Do units need to be replaced or
[1:22:39] what?
[1:22:40] >> Any idea on how involved it is?
[1:22:45] >> Units don't need to completely be
[1:22:47] replaced, but there are there are there
[1:22:51] are two parts within the unit that need
[1:22:54] replaced. And so, um, and off the top of
[1:22:58] my head, I don't know spec I have the
[1:23:00] parts in a in a in a quote, but off the
[1:23:01] top of my head, I don't know what those
[1:23:02] parts are. Um, but the combination of
[1:23:06] the parts and also the labor um, puts it
[1:23:09] at a price point that requires multiple
[1:23:11] quotes.
[1:23:12] >> Are they wall units?
[1:23:14] Is it roof
[1:23:15] >> rooftop units?
[1:23:18] >> So, this this particular problem is a
[1:23:20] rooftop unit. So, it's the rooftop unit
[1:23:22] that cools that sixth grade hallway.
[1:23:24] >> Okay. Thank you.
[1:23:25] >> Yep.
[1:23:28] >> Can we just double check our inventory
[1:23:29] of temporary units and make sure we have
[1:23:31] enough? Uh it is a good time to buy
[1:23:33] extras if we need to.
[1:23:36] >> So I do know to that end um we uh we're
[1:23:40] what we need extra of are the hoses and
[1:23:44] we did find um a vendor where we could
[1:23:47] purchase the additional hoses. Um,
[1:23:50] oftentimes the portable units are made
[1:23:52] such that they only take one size hose
[1:23:54] and and those hoses aren't always
[1:23:56] available at all vendors. So, I know we
[1:23:58] have an ample number of portable units
[1:24:01] and we do have the capacity to order
[1:24:02] additional hoses if we need to.
[1:24:07] >> I I just have one question. Do we have
[1:24:09] any students that have been affected
[1:24:11] with asthma or anything like that that
[1:24:15] it's been taxing on them?
[1:24:17] >> Sorry. or or staff. I mean, this is a
[1:24:20] safety and a health issue,
[1:24:22] >> right?
[1:24:23] >> As of right now, not that I know of with
[1:24:25] students. Um, one of the units is in
[1:24:28] with a staff member that has medical
[1:24:31] concerns to be able to help cool that
[1:24:34] room.
[1:24:35] >> Okay. Thank you. Sorry to call you up,
[1:24:37] but
[1:24:38] >> that's okay.
[1:24:44] >> Okay. Hearing no other discussion, we're
[1:24:46] going to move on to 100
[1:24:48] student services and activities. Uh we
[1:24:51] had a full plate last week at our
[1:24:54] committee meeting and uh looking to
[1:24:57] consolidate 101 to 1010.
[1:25:01] Entertain a motion.
[1:25:04] >> So moved. Oddonnell
[1:25:06] >> second. Rossy
[1:25:07] >> discussion.
[1:25:10] So, I I don't recall at our committee
[1:25:12] meeting. Did we talk about the Hawk
[1:25:14] Mountain letter of agreement? I think we
[1:25:15] were going to have council look at that.
[1:25:17] >> Yeah, we did. Everything's good to go
[1:25:19] there.
[1:25:19] >> Yep.
[1:25:20] >> With the solicitor.
[1:25:21] >> Yeah, it's it's on the agenda
[1:25:22] specifically subject to solicitor review
[1:25:24] and approval. So, it gives us wiggle
[1:25:26] room if there's any concerns that have
[1:25:27] to be hashed out. That's why that
[1:25:28] language is there.
[1:25:29] >> Okay. Thank you.
[1:25:33] Any other questions or discussion?
[1:25:36] Hearing none, I'll ask for the vote for
[1:25:38] 10. the
[1:25:41] amendment for 101 to 1010. All those in
[1:25:44] f in favor signify by saying I.
[1:25:47] >> I.
[1:25:48] >> I.
[1:25:49] >> Oppose. Nay.
[1:25:51] >> Passes. 8 Z. We have one item.
[1:25:56] 1011 interim special education
[1:25:58] supervision services. The board is
[1:26:00] requested to consider and recommend
[1:26:02] approval of the agreement for interim
[1:26:05] special education services from BCIU and
[1:26:08] the amount of $725 per day as presented.
[1:26:17] I'll entertain a motion.
[1:26:20] >> So moved am
[1:26:21] >> second lash.
[1:26:23] >> Thank you. discussion.
[1:26:28] I know that we're working to uh hire uh
[1:26:32] an individual for that and I know it's a
[1:26:34] special skill set uh to have and uh we
[1:26:38] also want to make sure we hire the most
[1:26:42] uh qualified person that's available.
[1:26:44] So, it's one that we don't necessarily
[1:26:46] want to rush. Um but it's good to have
[1:26:49] this in place in the interim. So,
[1:26:53] >> does this contract give us a person in
[1:26:55] the building and and the the same person
[1:26:57] in the building for a period of time?
[1:26:58] >> Yeah, that was my question.
[1:27:00] >> That that is that is the case. Um, we h
[1:27:03] actually have a contract that the board
[1:27:05] approved previously for purchase
[1:27:07] services from the IU. So, the person has
[1:27:09] been here under that contract. This will
[1:27:12] create a cost savings for us. Will be
[1:27:14] cheaper than doing that dayto day. And
[1:27:16] it is the same person. And right now,
[1:27:18] she's here um a good portion of the
[1:27:21] week.
[1:27:21] >> Okay. So,
[1:27:22] >> and and as needed on call. Um, so but
[1:27:26] same person each week.
[1:27:28] >> Okay.
[1:27:28] >> And I just wanted to confirm because I
[1:27:30] had heard this, but uh when this person
[1:27:33] is on site, they're able to be
[1:27:35] communicated directly with. They don't
[1:27:37] have to go through the chain of command
[1:27:38] through the BCIU and then back to her.
[1:27:40] She's able to, you know, communicate
[1:27:43] directly with her co-workers here at the
[1:27:46] school.
[1:27:46] >> Teachers should always go to their
[1:27:48] principal.
[1:27:49] >> Yeah. and that would be the first place
[1:27:51] to get an answer. Um, if the principal
[1:27:53] doesn't know, I have seen where they're
[1:27:56] looped in, but it's going to be the
[1:27:57] quickest is going to be to go to their
[1:27:59] principal who serves as the LEA. But
[1:28:01] yes,
[1:28:01] >> but so I guess going through the chain
[1:28:03] command like that,
[1:28:04] >> you don't have to go to the BCIU. So the
[1:28:07] principal and whoever, you don't have to
[1:28:07] go to the BCIU and then go to that
[1:28:09] directly. No, she's here. She has an
[1:28:12] office that we're letting her use on
[1:28:14] site. Principles are in contact. She's
[1:28:16] actually been at the buildings and is in
[1:28:18] meetings with teachers as well, but we
[1:28:20] are trying to make sure we get people
[1:28:22] answers as quickly as possible. We've
[1:28:24] also told people um that Dr. Winters and
[1:28:26] I are available as well. So, we have all
[1:28:28] been working together. Um but so far
[1:28:32] it's been going very well and we've
[1:28:33] managed to um take care of a number of
[1:28:37] things to make sure students are getting
[1:28:38] the services that they need.
[1:28:40] >> So, yeah. Thank you.
[1:28:41] >> And I did hear that Dr. George is
[1:28:44] pleased to be here working with us. So
[1:28:47] that's a positive from all this.
[1:28:50] >> And Frank, you you missed while looking
[1:28:52] over you missed all the assistant
[1:28:55] principles all nodding their head in
[1:28:56] agreement. So
[1:28:58] um but it's good to bring that up just
[1:29:01] to confirm that we're okay. So but
[1:29:04] that's the part.
[1:29:05] >> Yeah, I just wanted to make sure that's
[1:29:05] the part you missed when you were didn't
[1:29:07] have uh any extra work involved.
[1:29:11] >> Okay.
[1:29:13] So I have a motion and a second. Is
[1:29:15] there any other discussion?
[1:29:18] Hearing none, I'll ask for the vote. All
[1:29:19] those in favor signify by saying I.
[1:29:21] >> I.
[1:29:22] >> I.
[1:29:23] >> Oppose. Nay.
[1:29:25] >> Passes 8 Z.
[1:29:29] Uh 10:12. Any other old or new business?
[1:29:33] >> I do have two things really quickly.
[1:29:36] >> Um
[1:29:36] >> we have Go ahead. Homecoming,
[1:29:40] from what I understand, from having kids
[1:29:42] that come to school and attend
[1:29:45] homecoming, um, our kids go, they take
[1:29:48] pictures, and they leave. So, I'm
[1:29:51] wondering if there's some way that we
[1:29:52] can make it more fun. Um, I happen to be
[1:29:55] at West Reading Fall Fest. Um, and there
[1:29:59] were several people, I just grabbed one
[1:30:01] of these, um, that do photo booths. Um,
[1:30:04] this one specifically said they do it
[1:30:05] for schools and for colleges. Um, I I
[1:30:09] didn't get any information. I didn't see
[1:30:10] anything on the other person's booth
[1:30:12] where I would have grabbed multiple. Um,
[1:30:14] but maybe, you know, since that's why
[1:30:16] they go to the dance to go get pictures
[1:30:18] with their friends, um, maybe we could
[1:30:20] do something like this to make it more
[1:30:21] fun and make them want to stay at the
[1:30:23] dance. um instead of parents spending
[1:30:26] money on outfits and flowers and things
[1:30:29] and you know you go you take pictures
[1:30:31] beforehand and then they go to the dance
[1:30:33] for a half hour take some more pictures
[1:30:35] and then they're done. Um but maybe this
[1:30:37] would make it more fun for them. So you
[1:30:39] know pass that down again. That was just
[1:30:41] one company I grabbed.
[1:30:42] >> Can you come and grab that? So we'll get
[1:30:45] it right to the right person from the
[1:30:46] beginning.
[1:30:47] >> All right.
[1:30:51] Um I mean they had a very impressive
[1:30:53] photo book um that had all kinds of
[1:30:55] things. You can get digital images. They
[1:30:57] can do the you know strips of pictures
[1:30:59] that the kids can take home there. It it
[1:31:01] seemed like a a cool thing. Um my second
[1:31:03] thing um the Skugal Valley High School
[1:31:07] girls lacrosse team are selling
[1:31:10] ornaments um for a fundraiser for their
[1:31:12] camp. Um if anybody is interested in any
[1:31:15] of the ornaments um they can talk to any
[1:31:18] lacrosse player. It's a whole team. Um
[1:31:20] it's not an individual player kind of
[1:31:22] thing, but it's a whole team thing. Um
[1:31:24] they're beautiful Skuka Valley
[1:31:25] ornaments, an SV with a Panther. Um so
[1:31:28] if anybody's interested, they are $20
[1:31:30] and you can contact the lacrosse coaches
[1:31:33] or again any of the players um or
[1:31:35] myself. I'd be happy to, you know, help
[1:31:36] with that as well.
[1:31:39] >> Thank you.
[1:31:40] >> Thank you. Thank you, Kelly.
[1:31:43] Jason, we've waited with baited breath.
[1:31:46] You can wait all night.
[1:31:47] >> All night with these sign boards.
[1:31:49] >> Excited. I know. I know.
[1:31:51] >> I I do have one thing as you as you gear
[1:31:53] up uh to take a look at because uh on
[1:31:57] the uh I think it's on X or whatever
[1:32:00] instead of Twitter is the uh the county
[1:32:02] championships for uh girls tennis is
[1:32:05] actually here on Friday. And I didn't
[1:32:08] think that that made the uh the week of
[1:32:10] sports. So, if we can take a look at
[1:32:13] that to get that added. We have a lot of
[1:32:15] rain coming up, so who knows?
[1:32:17] >> Yeah, definitely.
[1:32:19] >> If we can get that in because they did
[1:32:20] mention the uh uh golf is on Thursday,
[1:32:23] but actually we're home on Friday. We've
[1:32:26] been hosting since we've had the the new
[1:32:28] again because of our central location.
[1:32:31] Uh we've been hosting the uh girls and
[1:32:34] boys the lower flights for the county
[1:32:37] championships here for many, many years.
[1:32:40] So,
[1:32:41] >> I do know that our uh golfer, we had a
[1:32:44] girl get second today at the county
[1:32:46] championship. So, okay.
[1:32:48] >> Um so, props to her. But yeah, um we do
[1:32:51] host Friday and Saturday uh tennis here
[1:32:54] with uh in conjunction with Muenberg.
[1:32:57] And so,
[1:32:59] >> and Governor Mifflin. Yep.
[1:33:00] >> And Governor Mifflin. So, we're gearing
[1:33:02] up for that. So,
[1:33:03] >> okay.
[1:33:05] That I was your warm-up band. So, go
[1:33:06] ahead.
[1:33:07] >> Oh, thanks. So, uh just here tonight to
[1:33:10] discuss uh record boards. Um I know in
[1:33:13] my uh um when I interviewed uh a while
[1:33:18] back I I said I thought it was important
[1:33:20] that the school um invest in record
[1:33:23] boards and uh um why record boards? Uh
[1:33:27] we want to recognize uh athletes and
[1:33:29] their achievements. Um we want to give
[1:33:32] uh some ath athletes that are coming up
[1:33:35] through the ranks to have a goal to
[1:33:37] reach to shoot for. Um I feel that's
[1:33:40] very very important. Um statistics are
[1:33:43] part of sports and we want to strive for
[1:33:46] excellence. Um I feel like uh um just
[1:33:50] evaluating some of our coaches so far.
[1:33:52] um they're using some statistics, but I
[1:33:56] feel like uh maybe they could use some
[1:33:58] more um in their processes of making
[1:34:02] decisions with athletics and activities.
[1:34:05] Um so um I think that's another reason
[1:34:08] and then to display them for uh peers,
[1:34:11] parents, and and the community. So um
[1:34:14] let's see here.
[1:34:19] Oh yeah. Okay. Um, so, uh, I reached out
[1:34:24] to the school board, um, not the school
[1:34:27] board, but the booster club, and they've
[1:34:29] agreed to, uh, purchase, um, the record
[1:34:32] boards. Uh, and, uh, coaches are
[1:34:36] currently working on getting me records.
[1:34:39] Um, what I'm looking for right now, um,
[1:34:42] slow steps is, uh, season records. Um,
[1:34:46] how many, uh, like an example would be
[1:34:48] softball. uh how many home runs were hit
[1:34:51] in a season. Um who has that record? Who
[1:34:53] has the most hits in a season? Um RBI's,
[1:34:57] pitching strikeouts, pitching wins. That
[1:34:59] would be uh for a softball um like
[1:35:03] record board.
[1:35:08] Uh so looking into it, um not really
[1:35:14] for some sports they don't really have
[1:35:16] uh stats. Some coaches have never taken
[1:35:19] stats. Um, new coach that's just came
[1:35:22] in, um, doesn't know the past. So, uh,
[1:35:26] but, uh, we do have this, uh, thing
[1:35:28] called Huddle and, uh, it does do all
[1:35:32] our stats and we've had it for many
[1:35:34] years here and I know, um, you can go
[1:35:37] into Huddle and get statistics off of
[1:35:40] Huddle and they could be, uh, recently
[1:35:42] done. Um, and then, um, what I'm
[1:35:47] proposing is, uh, we start somewhere
[1:35:49] and, uh, we put a record up and if
[1:35:53] someone can challenge that record, um,
[1:35:56] we'd ask them to step forward. Maybe
[1:35:58] somebody's uh grandma kept a newspaper
[1:36:01] clipping of somebody doing something
[1:36:04] terrific and they could come in and say,
[1:36:06] "Hey, in 1972, my grandson um got this
[1:36:11] done and and we could go with that
[1:36:13] record." But uh um I just feel like we
[1:36:15] need to start somewhere and uh and start
[1:36:19] and post them.
[1:36:22] Um like here's an example. Uh the
[1:36:24] softball coach got me his statistics. um
[1:36:27] just recently um he wasn't quite sure on
[1:36:31] the years. He had to break those down
[1:36:32] more, but uh this would be kind of uh
[1:36:35] something that um would be displayed on
[1:36:39] the softball uh season records right
[1:36:42] there.
[1:36:47] Uh what do the record boards look like?
[1:36:49] Um if you've went to other schools, um
[1:36:52] they have like uh like metal plates um
[1:36:55] with engravings. They've done uh plastic
[1:36:57] plates. Those are very, very expensive.
[1:37:00] They're very, very hard to like um if a
[1:37:04] record's broken, you have to call up a
[1:37:06] company, have them engrave it, have them
[1:37:08] send it to you. Um and there it's
[1:37:13] expensive. It's just expensive to do. We
[1:37:15] we had this at my last school and uh it
[1:37:18] was costing us like every time a record
[1:37:20] was broke, it was like 30 bucks. And uh
[1:37:22] it seemed like records were being broken
[1:37:24] daily and it was costing our our
[1:37:27] athletics a lot of money. Um so we went
[1:37:30] with u this chloroplast material. Um
[1:37:34] it's big and visual and it's easy to
[1:37:37] apply vinyl to it um like with a Cricut
[1:37:41] machine. And so uh this is what the the
[1:37:44] record boards look like.
[1:38:03] kind of personaliz.
[1:38:28] on with my presentation. Uh so if uh the
[1:38:32] big thing with this is where do we put
[1:38:33] it in the school? Um
[1:38:36] I was thinking once the fieldhouse was
[1:38:39] built um those could go somewhere in
[1:38:42] there um up on a wall that's big enough
[1:38:44] to hold these. Um there's really not a
[1:38:48] good I guess hallway or something in the
[1:38:51] school. Um, and so for the time being,
[1:38:56] um, I know in this school we haven't u
[1:38:59] maybe looked into this, but I was
[1:39:01] thinking of maybe a like a TV option.
[1:39:04] Um, like where we put um a couple TVs as
[1:39:07] you walk into the school. Um, and I'll
[1:39:10] show you where I'm talking about. Um,
[1:39:12] let's see here. Um, these before I get
[1:39:15] to that, these are where I uh I put
[1:39:18] these just up recently in the gym. Um,
[1:39:21] if you remember in the gym there was all
[1:39:23] these orange banners. I think our school
[1:39:25] colors are red, but they were orange and
[1:39:28] uh they were up on one side of the gym
[1:39:31] and like for example there'd be like one
[1:39:34] date for a whole big banner. And so I
[1:39:37] condensed these and uh if you notice
[1:39:40] like it says girls softball um right
[1:39:43] below it is 1962. That is a vinyl
[1:39:46] sticker. And so we put those stickers on
[1:39:49] and and so now once a league
[1:39:52] championship is granted to us. Um I
[1:39:56] would just go up and put another number
[1:39:58] up there. And so then we can just
[1:40:00] continue to have it updated. Um so it
[1:40:03] doesn't because I've been getting since
[1:40:05] I've been here I've been getting
[1:40:06] questioned like where's our banner at,
[1:40:08] you know, or we need to update this. And
[1:40:10] so it's kind of a process but with this
[1:40:12] I think it's going to be a lot easier.
[1:40:14] So,
[1:40:17] um, here is a record board for my last
[1:40:20] school. Um, I had somebody send me a
[1:40:22] picture of this, but, uh, this is kind
[1:40:24] of what these boards look like. And then
[1:40:27] these right there are vinyl stickers
[1:40:29] there in the the white section. Um,
[1:40:31] that's what it looks like. And we peel
[1:40:34] and put those on all the time. So,
[1:40:40] um,
[1:40:44] I'll skip that and I'll skip that. All
[1:40:46] right. So, this is where I was talking
[1:40:48] about maybe possibly putting a couple
[1:40:50] TVs and they could be just on like a
[1:40:52] like a loop. Um,
[1:40:55] and they would have uh, you know, they
[1:40:58] could display our record boards, our
[1:41:01] thousand point scores, our 100 match
[1:41:03] winners, things like that. and they
[1:41:05] would just be on a loop and when someone
[1:41:07] walked into the building, they would see
[1:41:09] these these TVs and they'd just be on a
[1:41:13] continuous loop of showing records and
[1:41:15] and uh and that would suffice until we
[1:41:19] found a good place to hang these up
[1:41:20] permanently. Um and so
[1:41:26] um couple things uh
[1:41:29] um gym configuration.
[1:41:33] Uh if you've been in our gym, um
[1:41:38] we're running out of room. Um with uh
[1:41:41] district three banners, um the one wall
[1:41:45] is almost full. And then with our
[1:41:47] individual state banners, we're running
[1:41:49] out of room. Um, and then, uh,
[1:41:53] one thing that I was approached by by
[1:41:55] our volleyball coaches is why isn't
[1:41:57] there any volleyball records up since
[1:41:59] there's records of basketball and and,
[1:42:02] uh, wrestling? And I said, that's a very
[1:42:04] good question. And so, um, I was trying
[1:42:07] to figure out how we could represent
[1:42:10] volleyball as well in our gym. Um, the
[1:42:13] thing with like the state wrestlers, um,
[1:42:16] let me go to the next slide here. If you
[1:42:18] notice, that's the third one on the
[1:42:21] right. There's only three spots, I
[1:42:23] think, or four left. And I think that
[1:42:26] will get filled up by the end of this
[1:42:28] year or next year. And so then my
[1:42:31] question would be, what are we going to
[1:42:33] do once those are filled? Um, do we
[1:42:36] start taking other people's names down,
[1:42:38] which I'm sure that would be very
[1:42:40] popular decision to do, or do we, you
[1:42:43] know, um, how do we
[1:42:47] how do we do this? And so, um, my
[1:42:49] suggestion would be, like I'm talking,
[1:42:52] um, the TV with a loop or or do
[1:42:55] something different. Um, if you notice,
[1:42:58] those are district three banners there
[1:43:00] on the right. And if you notice how much
[1:43:01] room there is, there's not very much
[1:43:03] room left. And uh so um
[1:43:09] my suggestion um would be to um put the
[1:43:14] is maybe to get three more boards like
[1:43:16] this and and put like the individual
[1:43:19] state champions, the boys and the girls,
[1:43:22] and then maybe the team or district
[1:43:24] championships kind of like this
[1:43:27] displayed just so we can put more things
[1:43:29] in our gym displaying those records. And
[1:43:32] and so
[1:43:35] um yeah, if this is just a picture of uh
[1:43:38] oh my gosh, okay, this is a picture of
[1:43:40] just the
[1:43:42] of the all the state banners and that's
[1:43:43] what it looks like on the other side of
[1:43:45] the gym, too. And so we're just running
[1:43:47] out of room and I don't know um moving
[1:43:49] forward. I mean, I expect us to win lots
[1:43:52] of state championships and lots of
[1:43:53] district titles. Um and so um
[1:43:56] >> so then we need to build a fieldhouse so
[1:43:58] we have more space to
[1:43:59] >> Yes. Correct. Yes. And I think I think
[1:44:01] these these banners right here could go
[1:44:03] in the fieldhouse and be hung and with
[1:44:06] pride and and people would see them. I I
[1:44:08] know that, you know, not everybody gets
[1:44:10] to see these banners, but I think if
[1:44:12] they were in the fieldhouse, everyone's
[1:44:14] going to be using the fieldhouse for,
[1:44:16] you know, inside outside activities and
[1:44:18] it would be a good place to see these.
[1:44:21] But we also want to display them in the
[1:44:23] gym as well. And so
[1:44:28] let's see here. Yeah. So, those are my
[1:44:30] plans. Future district banners, state
[1:44:33] banners in the fieldhouse and then these
[1:44:35] record boards. Um, I would like to try
[1:44:37] to get those complete by, you know, the
[1:44:39] end of the school year. Um, and try to
[1:44:41] work on having a place to put those and,
[1:44:45] you know, and maybe get a couple TVs to
[1:44:48] display records while we're trying to to
[1:44:52] build the fieldhouse. And so, that's my
[1:44:56] that's what I was going to talk about on
[1:44:57] uh record boards. So, does anybody have
[1:45:00] any questions on record boards?
[1:45:03] >> I just want to say that I think we
[1:45:05] previously as a board had discussed
[1:45:07] doing something um electronic. So, I
[1:45:09] think that's a phenomenal idea. Um if we
[1:45:12] can have something, you know, outside of
[1:45:14] the gym and then something in the
[1:45:15] fieldhouse or, you know, somewhere that
[1:45:17] everyone will be able to have access to
[1:45:19] it. Um we talked about like a kiosk kind
[1:45:22] of thing that you could like touch girls
[1:45:24] soccer or boys basketball and it would
[1:45:27] bring up those stats. Yeah.
[1:45:28] >> So, I don't know what technology is out
[1:45:30] there. I'm sure.
[1:45:31] >> Yeah. There are um I know uh Conrad
[1:45:34] Wiser, they just got one of those um
[1:45:37] like a a kiosk type thing and u it's
[1:45:41] solely for sports and and they also have
[1:45:43] like their Hall of Fame members or Pride
[1:45:46] of SV people would be in there and they
[1:45:48] could select those, they could select
[1:45:50] the records, they could select
[1:45:52] everything all at once. and um and it's
[1:45:55] just like you're saying a kiosk that
[1:45:57] someone would walk up to and and start
[1:45:59] scrolling through like a big computer
[1:46:01] touchcreen type thing. So,
[1:46:04] >> I don't have a question about this, but
[1:46:06] do we have any uh anything in the
[1:46:09] contract for the contracts for the head
[1:46:11] coach for them to sign uh one of the
[1:46:14] assistants to keep stats uh on the teams
[1:46:17] that they're
[1:46:19] coaching? Or should we? Or
[1:46:22] >> I mean
[1:46:22] >> I mean that would be like a athletic
[1:46:25] director
[1:46:27] directive I guess to have coaches have
[1:46:30] one somebody on your staff to make sure
[1:46:31] they are keeping stats. Um that's
[1:46:34] >> I mean I think it's important to keep I
[1:46:36] I
[1:46:37] >> I'm disappointed that it hasn't been
[1:46:39] done in the past that coaches didn't
[1:46:42] take that interest in keeping
[1:46:46] the records for their uh athletes. But
[1:46:50] uh
[1:46:51] >> since we had a long tenure ad you know
[1:46:54] and the one before that you know was
[1:46:57] also had decent tenure. So yeah, I
[1:47:00] agree, Paul.
[1:47:03] >> It's um it's kind of like uh like
[1:47:06] teaching, right? They uh um a teacher is
[1:47:09] going to look at the the results of the
[1:47:11] the test that they've taken and and make
[1:47:14] decisions based on the test that they've
[1:47:16] taken and and statistics are a good way
[1:47:20] for a coach to evaluate his team and
[1:47:22] look at, okay, this is where we're not
[1:47:24] doing well. Um um
[1:47:27] >> so I guess you have to come up with a
[1:47:28] list of what stats got to be kept for
[1:47:30] which sports.
[1:47:31] >> Correct. Yes. That's that's one thing
[1:47:33] that uh I'm working on with the coaches
[1:47:36] like hey we need to these are the stats
[1:47:38] that I think are important that we need
[1:47:39] to have and and and go with that. Now
[1:47:42] >> if you need need a policy written or
[1:47:44] something like that get it to us. If not
[1:47:47] if you can be done other ways why
[1:47:51] go ahead and do it.
[1:47:53] >> Okay. Uh what does everybody else think?
[1:47:56] >> Thanks Jason for your presentation.
[1:47:58] >> The other thing can I say one more
[1:48:00] thing? Um
[1:48:03] there's uh
[1:48:05] there's a group out there um I know one
[1:48:08] thing other thing I talked about was
[1:48:09] sponsorship and getting funds to do
[1:48:13] projects like this. Um um there's a
[1:48:16] group out there that uh um they sell
[1:48:19] like uh banners. Um, it's kind of like a
[1:48:22] 50-50 share. Um, it's like a sponsorship
[1:48:25] agreement. And what happens is, um, they
[1:48:28] find the money for you and you, um, get
[1:48:32] something like a kiosk and, uh, it takes
[1:48:35] a couple years to pay it off and then
[1:48:37] you start generating funds. Their
[1:48:40] company also gets funds from it, too.
[1:48:42] But, uh, they're doing all the work and
[1:48:45] finding the sponsorships, the people
[1:48:46] that want to to sponsor the school. Um,
[1:48:50] I know at my last school I went and
[1:48:51] found all the sponsorships and I did all
[1:48:54] the pounding the pavement and stuff like
[1:48:56] that and I could still do that as well,
[1:48:59] but uh um I don't know. I was wanting
[1:49:02] your opinion on that. I know uh there is
[1:49:04] a school board policy about, you know,
[1:49:08] sponsorship agreements and stuff like
[1:49:10] that and and so that'd be something I'd
[1:49:12] want to talk to you guys about maybe
[1:49:15] next month and see if that's something
[1:49:17] that we could look at.
[1:49:21] >> Thank you, Jason. And I think it would
[1:49:23] be great if maybe you could sit with uh
[1:49:25] Mrs. Crater and perhaps Dr. for winters
[1:49:28] and maybe you could put a couple of
[1:49:30] those recommendations down and bring
[1:49:32] those to the board so it could be
[1:49:34] something that they could take an action
[1:49:35] on if you had some ideas that you know
[1:49:38] it sounds like there's a lot of support
[1:49:40] here from what I'm hearing from the
[1:49:42] board so I think if you guys could
[1:49:44] whittle it down
[1:49:45] >> um it'd be great.
[1:49:46] >> Yep. Sounds good.
[1:49:47] >> Thank you. It was very nicely done.
[1:49:49] >> I really like the the those banners are
[1:49:53] really cool. So thank you so much.
[1:49:55] Canva, it's my friend.
[1:49:59] >> Yeah. And I I think we would we would
[1:50:00] definitely prefer you pounding the
[1:50:02] pavement here doing your athletic duties
[1:50:03] than pounding the pavement looking for
[1:50:05] sponsorships. So, I look forward to
[1:50:06] hearing about that.
[1:50:07] >> Thank you.
[1:50:09] >> Any other old or new business under?
[1:50:12] >> Just one thing. Um I was going to ask
[1:50:15] Mr. Zola if he'd come in and introduce
[1:50:17] himself for a moment or maybe Dr.
[1:50:19] Winters would like to introduce him.
[1:50:21] >> Sure.
[1:50:22] >> Come on in.
[1:50:23] >> Come on in. We don't mind. Trust you.
[1:50:25] Trust me, we don't bite, you know.
[1:50:28] >> So, this is Mr. Neil Zola. Um he is um
[1:50:31] one of our armed security guards from
[1:50:33] Cardinal Point and he's been working at
[1:50:35] the high school um primarily and um
[1:50:38] we're really happy to have him on board
[1:50:39] and he's been doing a nice job for us
[1:50:41] getting to know the staff and getting to
[1:50:43] know the students.
[1:50:44] >> I've heard I've heard great things
[1:50:45] already. Thank you.
[1:50:49] >> Thank you.
[1:50:50] >> Thank you, Neil.
[1:50:55] Moving on to 110. Is there any other old
[1:50:58] any other business good of the order?
[1:51:03] Hearing none 12.0. I entertain a motion
[1:51:06] to adjurnn.
[1:51:08] >> So moved amalo.
[1:51:09] >> Second.
[1:51:11] >> All those in favor signify by saying I.
[1:51:13] I. I.
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2025-10-27_NSfdHHlaoKA.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2025-10-27 (regular; Schrader design development, karst)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSfdHHlaoKA
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:25:12] uh Philadelphia to attend.
[0:25:16] Now, in addition to some of that though,
[0:25:18] we we definitely want to make sure we
[0:25:20] hit in on some of the programs and the
[0:25:25] breakout sessions that they have. And
[0:25:27] there's so many amazing ones to choose
[0:25:29] from, but uh this is just one of them
[0:25:32] that I decided to sit in uh reflective
[0:25:34] teaching as a catalyst for change. And
[0:25:37] um it was it was very eyeopening and it
[0:25:40] just allowed me to just kind of
[0:25:42] collaborate with some people right there
[0:25:44] at my tables and uh just with different
[0:25:48] ways that I can reflect on the
[0:25:50] programming that I'm doing in the
[0:25:51] library and getting a chance to hear
[0:25:54] what some of the other librarians across
[0:25:56] the country are also doing.
[0:26:00] Uh, one of the other sessions that I sat
[0:26:03] in on was a poetry session and I I like
[0:26:09] to do a lot of what's called passive
[0:26:11] programming in the library and I think
[0:26:13] Steph does too and that's just uh kind
[0:26:15] of like an areas of the library where
[0:26:17] kids can just go and engage in things.
[0:26:21] And also April is National Poetry Month.
[0:26:24] So these were ideas that I got that I
[0:26:27] can do either during uh uh National
[0:26:31] Poetry Month or during my passive
[0:26:33] programming ideas. So paint chip poetry.
[0:26:35] We had a lot of fun. We just had some
[0:26:37] some paint samples and we were
[0:26:40] challenged to write a poem using the
[0:26:42] colors that were on our paint samples.
[0:26:45] And uh we could easily see a way that
[0:26:47] students could get into doing that as
[0:26:49] well. Uh then there was some Lego poetry
[0:26:52] where you just put uh words onto Lego
[0:26:55] pieces and then they build uh and they
[0:26:57] stack the Legos and they come up with
[0:27:00] the poem. So you can give them a theme
[0:27:02] uh or you uh whatever current unit of
[0:27:05] study that they're doing in their
[0:27:06] classrooms. And then there is something
[0:27:08] called found poetry and that's just
[0:27:11] taking different words from newspapers,
[0:27:14] magazines, cutting them out and stacking
[0:27:16] them into a poem a poem that way too.
[0:27:24] So, of course, one of the hot topics
[0:27:26] right now is AI
[0:27:30] ongoing. And so, I attended quite a few
[0:27:32] conferences on fair use and academic
[0:27:35] integrity, which I thought was extremely
[0:27:37] useful uh being that some of this is new
[0:27:40] ground for people and it's interesting
[0:27:42] to see how different schools are
[0:27:43] handling it, what their policies were.
[0:27:46] We've been focusing on it locally as
[0:27:48] well with our Morris County School
[0:27:50] Librarians Association. So, uh it was
[0:27:53] really interesting. It was done at a
[0:27:55] university level. It was done as a study
[0:27:58] and then they brought it to us
[0:28:00] librarians and again we had a lot of
[0:28:02] conferencing with other librarians
[0:28:04] around the the country. And the
[0:28:06] consensus really was that academic
[0:28:08] integrity is needs to be explicitly
[0:28:12] taught to students. It needs to be in a
[0:28:14] polic and schools need to be on top of
[0:28:17] the policies. So, it was interesting to
[0:28:19] see all the different policies and how
[0:28:21] schools are handling it. So, that was a
[0:28:23] main focus of a lot of the sessions I
[0:28:25] attended. I know they were at all
[0:28:27] different levels.
[0:28:30] The other one that I attended was about
[0:28:33] media literacy and about how schools
[0:28:36] need to focus more on media literacy,
[0:28:39] especially with truth and news and
[0:28:41] spotting biases and how we represent
[0:28:45] that to students and how they can become
[0:28:47] users of media. So that was the other
[0:28:56] and then of course one of the other
[0:28:58] highlights is walking around and seeing
[0:29:01] all the authors that are there and we
[0:29:04] have here um Matt Barnett. I have to
[0:29:07] tell you I think I waited in line about
[0:29:09] an hour and a half to see this man. Um
[0:29:13] he is our current ambassador for young
[0:29:15] people's literature and uh he has won um
[0:29:19] the Calvin Cott award on several of his
[0:29:21] works and he is just absolutely
[0:29:23] fascinating. Um lots of books in our
[0:29:25] school library the elementary level of
[0:29:27] his and I know the students just love
[0:29:29] them. Um and then John Shu. Um so yeah
[0:29:33] Steph you said he came to the elementary
[0:29:36] building in 2019. This man is absolutely
[0:29:40] dynamic. um if if we are as a district
[0:29:44] would ever want to bring in a speaker to
[0:29:47] motivate uh and and just kind of spark a
[0:29:51] little more fire. Uh he is the guy to do
[0:29:54] it. He's tons of fun. Uh he's he just
[0:29:57] loves everybody. He's energetic and um
[0:29:59] his book there Louder than Hunger is
[0:30:02] actually his autobiography
[0:30:04] um about how he handled obesity as a
[0:30:07] child. Uh, so he wrote that uh for the
[0:30:10] middle grade students.
[0:30:14] Here's some that you saw.
[0:30:15] >> So the couple that I went to, um, I saw
[0:30:18] a lot of the same ones I saw that too
[0:30:20] because you have to see him if he's
[0:30:21] there. Um, so the one the girl on the
[0:30:25] left, she writes the Pippa Park books
[0:30:27] and she had this really great idea that
[0:30:29] she created her characters on YouTube.
[0:30:32] So she has a YouTube channel to go with
[0:30:33] it. So when you're reading the books,
[0:30:35] they're side stories that they can on
[0:30:37] YouTube and get and connection like in
[0:30:40] correlation with the book. So that
[0:30:42] attracts a lot of kids because there's a
[0:30:44] technology and YouTube video component
[0:30:46] to it. And then I went to um some
[0:30:48] sessions on manga because it is huge and
[0:30:52] I am not a manga expert. So to meet the
[0:30:55] artists and see the artist and hear them
[0:30:57] talk about it, I can now go back and
[0:30:59] talk about that with students and order
[0:31:02] some materials that they really want.
[0:31:10] Oh yeah. So um also here is um Katherine
[0:31:13] Applegate. She is the author of The One
[0:31:15] and Only Ivan and all the other books
[0:31:17] there. She's absolutely fascinating as
[0:31:19] well. Um
[0:31:21] uh Calcott winner uh Eric uh Aaron and
[0:31:25] Philip Steed for Sick Day for Amy and
[0:31:28] then Bill Clanton for all the narwhal
[0:31:31] and jelly books that students just love.
[0:31:36] And um then we just uh one of the uh
[0:31:40] publishers that was there was Erman
[0:31:43] Books and I just went over to their
[0:31:45] booth and I just fell in love with the
[0:31:48] the the art uh the illustrators that
[0:31:51] they choose and the the work that they
[0:31:53] put into creating their books and
[0:31:57] they're just fascinating. They're
[0:31:58] beautifully done. Um so I would love to
[0:32:02] put some of those back on our shelves.
[0:32:05] at the elementary building. It was
[0:32:06] fascinating. The stars there represent
[0:32:08] that they had tons of awards as well.
[0:32:12] And then um last but not least um some
[0:32:16] of the vendors, one of the vendors was
[0:32:18] Demco. Devco is a leading library supply
[0:32:20] company and they just had beautiful
[0:32:23] signage uh that so we I just visited
[0:32:25] their booth and uh to think about ways
[0:32:28] to bring more uh attractiveness, color
[0:32:31] uh into into the library spaces to make
[0:32:34] them look more modern. So, we had a
[0:32:36] great time and we just wanted to thank
[0:32:38] you for the opportunity
[0:32:42] >> and thank you for each year coming and
[0:32:45] providing an update on what you're doing
[0:32:47] and how valuable it is to appreciate all
[0:32:50] the efforts that you take in the library
[0:32:52] and how many students love to read
[0:32:55] because of the books that you put in
[0:32:56] front of them. So, thank you both for
[0:32:58] that effort. So, let's give them a round
[0:33:00] of applause.
[0:33:04] >> [applause]
[0:33:07] >> Next up is um David Schrader and he is
[0:33:11] here to give an a follow-up
[0:33:14] presentation. Uh first presentation I
[0:33:16] think was in April of
[0:33:18] last year. Then we came back with
[0:33:20] another one on phase one and today uh
[0:33:23] we're going to take a minute here and
[0:33:24] set up for hopefully a walk through and
[0:33:28] talk about the budget and some other
[0:33:29] details of the fieldhouse.
[0:33:31] >> Yes. So, so thank you. Appreciate the
[0:33:33] opportunity. Members of the board, Dr.
[0:33:36] Tashner, um going to do things a little
[0:33:38] ad hoc here because the wizard behind
[0:33:42] the scenes um cannot hear you. So, he's
[0:33:45] listening on the cell phone. So, we'll
[0:33:48] make sure that we find a way to do this.
[0:33:50] Uh great. So, wanted to get the mouse to
[0:33:55] work again. You have to turn it on to do
[0:33:57] that. I understand.
[0:34:00] Okay.
[0:34:02] So, we did want to give you an update
[0:34:03] and it's going to be a little bit of the
[0:34:05] history as well. You can see Ben on the
[0:34:07] other side there. He's going to give you
[0:34:08] a tour of the building once we get into
[0:34:10] this. Um, just a little bit about the
[0:34:13] design process. We'll talk about the
[0:34:16] design itself and a proposed alternate.
[0:34:19] We do want to chat just briefly about
[0:34:21] the geotechnical information, things you
[0:34:24] probably already know, but we've got u
[0:34:26] more information to try to bring to the
[0:34:28] table here as well. and then budget and
[0:34:30] process going forth with the project
[0:34:32] itself. So from a design standpoint uh
[0:34:36] and Dr. Tashner alluded to the fact that
[0:34:38] this was probably begun.
[0:34:40] >> Mr. Schrader Dave, can I introduce can I
[0:34:42] just interrupt you for a moment? Are you
[0:34:44] guys able to see the screen from that
[0:34:46] side? Everyone in the back. Okay.
[0:34:49] >> Sorry. I just wanted to make sure
[0:34:50] because I saw the way it was tilted that
[0:34:52] >> Thank you. Yeah. So, uh, we began the
[0:34:55] project by looking at, uh, where the
[0:34:58] project should really go, where the
[0:35:00] building should, uh, sit itself, uh,
[0:35:02] most appropriately. And this image is a
[0:35:05] little dark, but it's an image that came
[0:35:07] out of a master planning study that you
[0:35:09] did, uh, where the idea was to move the
[0:35:12] softball field down by the other
[0:35:14] softball field. And indeed, that has
[0:35:16] actually been bid. Uh so it's something
[0:35:19] that we are proceeding with and it's to
[0:35:22] make room for some of the other elements
[0:35:24] here. And so if you take a look at the
[0:35:26] high school, we had looked at three
[0:35:29] different locations on the site to
[0:35:31] potentially locate an athletic building.
[0:35:34] And what you're seeing there are three
[0:35:36] uh yellowish orange uh blocks. And each
[0:35:39] of those blocks is intended to denote
[0:35:42] one of the locations for the potential
[0:35:44] building. the program that we were
[0:35:47] given. In other words, all of the spaces
[0:35:49] that we were to include are located on
[0:35:51] the left there. Uh those have been
[0:35:54] modified slightly as the project has
[0:35:56] gone on. And I think the more
[0:35:58] interesting part of this will be the
[0:35:59] actual walkthrough that Ben will uh
[0:36:02] provide here. Um I'll share with you in
[0:36:04] a moment how this sits on the site, but
[0:36:07] what you're seeing in color here are the
[0:36:09] basic components of the building. If you
[0:36:11] start on the left, there's a weight
[0:36:13] room, fitness room space. There is a
[0:36:16] toilet room in kind of a light blue gray
[0:36:19] uh at the very top that services the
[0:36:22] entire uh stadium as well as the
[0:36:24] building itself. The orange area is the
[0:36:27] gymnasium and on the right hand side is
[0:36:30] a turf field. It's a 50ard indoor turf
[0:36:33] field. Uh to the top of the orange area
[0:36:37] a series of team rooms, a trainer room,
[0:36:40] and a concession stand for the uh
[0:36:42] stadium as well. So, we were working
[0:36:45] through how to get that building onto
[0:36:47] the site and what really is ultimately a
[0:36:49] fairly tight footprint of space.
[0:36:52] The intent of this building, this is
[0:36:54] called a section, and the section is
[0:36:56] showing you that it's two pre-engineered
[0:36:58] buildings. And pre-engineered buildings
[0:37:00] are steel that is readymade and then
[0:37:03] wall systems and roof systems made of
[0:37:05] metal uh compatible with that building
[0:37:08] system. They're quicker to buy, they're
[0:37:10] quicker to put up, uh and ultimately
[0:37:13] less expensive than trying to build what
[0:37:15] we call a stickuilt steel structure. And
[0:37:17] so you're seeing these two
[0:37:19] pre-engineered buildings next to each
[0:37:20] other, one being the gymnasium, one
[0:37:23] being the turf field. The images that
[0:37:26] we're sharing are, we'll call them
[0:37:28] precedents of what we wanted the spaces
[0:37:30] to look like inside. So the idea behind
[0:37:33] the gym is that it has a a a an actual
[0:37:36] kind of track space around it. And so
[0:37:39] when you look at that image of the
[0:37:42] orange, you see the basketball court and
[0:37:44] then you see the lines going around. You
[0:37:46] can sort of see the lines going around
[0:37:48] from here. You'll see that shortly. uh
[0:37:50] that's intended to be a track uh track
[0:37:53] lining so that folks can use that
[0:37:55] indoor. And not to look at the exterior
[0:37:57] here, but believe it or not, this is a
[0:37:59] pre-engineered building that we built.
[0:38:02] Um and this is probably what the inside
[0:38:05] will look like. Those bottom two
[0:38:06] photographs are very good images of a
[0:38:09] pre-engineered structure that's actually
[0:38:11] a gymnasium. So there's a lot of
[0:38:12] similarity between those two images and
[0:38:15] what this building will look like. Just
[0:38:17] quickly, not to try to compare this to
[0:38:20] Governor Mifflin's new athletic
[0:38:21] facility, but on the right hand side are
[0:38:24] the spaces that we were looking at that
[0:38:26] had similarity to what we're trying to
[0:38:27] build. At the bottom right there's a
[0:38:29] trainer space. Just up from that there
[0:38:32] is a team locker room and above that is
[0:38:34] a fitness room. Those are the types of
[0:38:36] spaces that we're trying to uh copy for
[0:38:39] this building itself. And then at the
[0:38:41] Twin Valley uh facility on the inside of
[0:38:44] that, very similar spaces as well. The
[0:38:46] lower center you're seeing a trainers
[0:38:49] space. You see a team locker room on the
[0:38:51] right hand side and the upper left hand
[0:38:53] side is the fitness center. So those are
[0:38:55] the kinds of spaces that we were looking
[0:38:57] to emulate as we went forth here. You
[0:39:00] can see the high school in the lower
[0:39:01] leftand corner of this image and the
[0:39:03] track and you're all familiar with where
[0:39:05] the stadium or the bleacher seating is.
[0:39:08] So the yellow outline is where the
[0:39:10] intended building will go. goes right
[0:39:11] above your um uh facilities building,
[0:39:15] your maintenance structure, and it
[0:39:18] actually is just over your jump pits.
[0:39:21] And so that's another thing that we've
[0:39:24] uh relocated as part of the project in
[0:39:26] order to keep this moving along. So when
[0:39:29] you superimpose this the building plan
[0:39:32] over the site, you can see this kind of
[0:39:34] orang-ish over the green. It sits right
[0:39:37] at the edge of the track and some of
[0:39:39] those gray uh lines that you're seeing
[0:39:41] are intended to be plaza work. So there
[0:39:44] will be uh pavers and paving in that
[0:39:46] area to try to make it a little bit more
[0:39:49] elegant space as you go from the ticket
[0:39:51] booth into that back area near the
[0:39:54] concessions and the bathrooms and around
[0:39:56] up into the uh bleacher area. So that's
[0:39:59] the intent of that plaza that we'll
[0:40:01] structure there as well. The building
[0:40:03] itself is about 43,000 square feet, but
[0:40:07] it has a 3,000 square foot mezzanine
[0:40:10] that we'll use for mechanical and
[0:40:12] electrical systems. And this is a plan
[0:40:14] showing you how the building has started
[0:40:16] to evolve. Little bit more detailed. Uh
[0:40:19] you can see the the makeout of the
[0:40:21] bathrooms, the fitness rooms, the um
[0:40:24] trainers, and so on. So all of that's
[0:40:26] starting to really take shape. Now, uh,
[0:40:29] I'm going to stop sharing for a second
[0:40:32] and Ben is going to go ahead and give
[0:40:33] you a walkthrough of the model. Um, a
[0:40:36] model is worth a thousand words. So,
[0:40:38] let's see what he can do here.
[0:40:44] So, I think you guys have to somehow get
[0:40:46] the volume on the teams.
[0:40:49] Hang in there, Ben.
[0:40:55] Want to give it a try again, Ben?
[0:41:09] I think you can just hit mute there,
[0:41:10] can't you?
[0:41:13] Yeah, it is.
[0:41:22] And if not, I'll uh speak for him.
[0:41:33] Well, they actually have the the
[0:41:35] microphones, but Well, Ben, why don't
[0:41:38] you go ahead and we'll
[0:41:43] I I don't have control of that. Yeah.
[0:41:48] Oh, sorry.
[0:41:56] Well, go ahead and share, Ben, and we'll
[0:41:59] narrate.
[0:42:03] Okay, so where he is now, he's kind of
[0:42:05] out at the plaza near the high school,
[0:42:07] and you can see the maintenance building
[0:42:09] in the lower right hand side. And this
[0:42:12] is those two pre-engineered buildings
[0:42:14] next to each other. Uh, one thing that
[0:42:16] we are going to be doing is, uh,
[0:42:19] including a little bit of we call it
[0:42:20] cowwall. It's a translucent panel uh in
[0:42:23] some of the ends of the building so that
[0:42:26] it brings a little daylight into the
[0:42:27] structure as well. The lower left hand
[0:42:29] side is the fitness room and then you
[0:42:32] can see the rooftop units that sit on
[0:42:34] top of that. And the first building is
[0:42:37] the gymnasium and then the building to
[0:42:39] the right is the turf building.
[0:42:44] Okay.
[0:42:50] Believe it or not, I don't have much
[0:42:52] control over that. So,
[0:42:55] oh, that's a good idea. So, you're just
[0:42:58] going around the far side of the
[0:42:59] building, and you can see how it sits
[0:43:01] against the uh There we go. Beautiful.
[0:43:04] Against the track. And the intent there
[0:43:07] is that we can actually come out of the
[0:43:09] turf field building right there and onto
[0:43:12] the track. There's also storage area at
[0:43:14] the end here for all of your track and
[0:43:16] field equipment. So, we'll be able to
[0:43:18] take that right out of garage doors and
[0:43:20] right out onto the track. Uh, this is a
[0:43:23] little dark. And Ben, it's okay. I have
[0:43:25] a a pointer here. Um, this is a little
[0:43:28] dark, but this is that glass area that
[0:43:30] goes right into the turf field area of
[0:43:32] the building. Across here, these are the
[0:43:35] team rooms and the athletic trainer
[0:43:37] space. And then, if you come around the
[0:43:39] corner here, Ben, uh, we're looking at
[0:43:41] the concessions windows. And there's a
[0:43:43] little overhang over the concession
[0:43:45] windows.
[0:43:47] And you can see how it sits uh just
[0:43:50] directly adjacent to the the bleachers.
[0:43:52] There's a nice area there though for
[0:43:54] plaza for folks to gather in front of
[0:43:56] that and for the bathrooms as well.
[0:44:03] Okay. So now I think he's going to try
[0:44:04] to walk inside. I know if he were
[0:44:06] narrating he'd be talking about that
[0:44:12] the benches and all of the plaza.
[0:44:15] Yeah. So, where you're heading now, this
[0:44:18] is the entry that students would come in
[0:44:20] from the high school if they wanted to
[0:44:21] go to the fitness room. So, there's the
[0:44:23] fitness and trainers room off to the
[0:44:24] right. And then off to the left are the
[0:44:27] bathrooms that will serve both this
[0:44:29] building as well as through those doors
[0:44:33] uh serve the actual stadium as well. So,
[0:44:36] um you probably saw in the plan quite a
[0:44:38] few bathroom stalls and uh so on. And so
[0:44:41] it's intended to support the uh stadium
[0:44:44] use as well as the indoor bathroom or
[0:44:46] the indoor building.
[0:44:50] And coming back through here, the
[0:44:52] fitness room, we're in process with the
[0:44:54] fitness room as we speak. So the
[0:44:56] equipment you see there is just
[0:44:58] placeholders. Uh our folks have been
[0:45:00] working with your athletic folks to try
[0:45:03] to fit out the appropriate equipment in
[0:45:05] there. So you'll see all of that
[0:45:07] shortly. This may even be some of the
[0:45:09] layout as we speak.
[0:45:15] And this will go out to behind the
[0:45:18] bleachers in the gymnasium. And you can
[0:45:19] see the walkway here back and forth from
[0:45:23] um the lower area of the the gym up
[0:45:26] towards the concessions area. So this is
[0:45:28] the gymnasium.
[0:45:30] Uh it does have the track surface around
[0:45:32] it although or track lines around it
[0:45:34] although it doesn't show up in this
[0:45:35] image. You can just see the edge of one
[0:45:38] of the lines right here. That'll be
[0:45:40] painted appropriately as we go. But it's
[0:45:42] meant to be a full court. Uh we do have
[0:45:45] a drop bleach or drop uh curtain that
[0:45:48] goes across here so it can create two
[0:45:51] gyms. So you have two basketball courts
[0:45:53] if you drop the the curtain. It also has
[0:45:56] the uh wrestling mat uh hoist so that
[0:45:59] you can drop the wrestling mats right
[0:46:01] down and onto the court as well. So,
[0:46:04] this can be used as a competition space
[0:46:05] for for wrestling as well. And you can
[0:46:08] see the bleachers. And if I remember
[0:46:09] right, it's something like 320 or so
[0:46:12] bleacher seats.
[0:46:15] So, coming this direction, the
[0:46:17] concession stand is two-sided. It's
[0:46:20] meant to support the gym and the turf
[0:46:22] area. And then, as he jumps over some of
[0:46:25] the counter and equipment here, uh
[0:46:27] you'll probably see that it supports uh
[0:46:30] two windows to the outside. So that is a
[0:46:34] rollup area. Those can roll right up and
[0:46:36] you'll have your order area and your
[0:46:38] food delivery area. And all of this is
[0:46:41] fitted out with food service equipment
[0:46:42] to support uh all of your needs as well.
[0:46:54] So now you're flying.
[0:47:00] So, those are the team locker rooms and
[0:47:03] the trainers space. So, each of those
[0:47:06] two fars are the team locker rooms. And
[0:47:09] as you go in here, uh there's a little
[0:47:11] coaches space on the right. There's
[0:47:13] bathrooms on the left.
[0:47:15] Yeah. And then if you turn right around,
[0:47:19] there are team lockers and they're all
[0:47:21] in this side. They're meant to support
[0:47:24] football equipment. So, you've got the
[0:47:26] the helmet and uh pads at the top, and
[0:47:30] then of course you have the the locker
[0:47:32] configuration at the bottom. The far end
[0:47:34] here is meant to have a whiteboard so
[0:47:36] that you can do kind of team prep work
[0:47:38] before folks go out onto the field.
[0:47:45] And if I had to guess, we're going to go
[0:47:47] into the trainer space, but maybe we'll
[0:47:49] go through either a door or a wall.
[0:47:53] Okay, so this is the trainer space. You
[0:47:55] can see uh we tried to set it up as a
[0:47:58] wet area on the one side for the
[0:48:00] whirlpools and then you have your your
[0:48:03] beds and turning to the side. You have
[0:48:04] your taping tables and then there's a
[0:48:07] little office for the trainer as well
[0:48:10] and the uh sinks and so on to support
[0:48:13] their needs and storage as well. And
[0:48:16] that is two-sided. So, it had the door
[0:48:19] that you saw, the garage door that goes
[0:48:21] to the field, so it can be open during
[0:48:24] games. And then it has this door that
[0:48:26] goes right out into the gym uh for use
[0:48:28] with the gym and the turf area.
[0:48:32] So, this uh set of doors will take you
[0:48:34] out to the covered turf space.
[0:48:39] And you can see it's a 50ard turf field.
[0:48:42] So, it's half of a football field.
[0:48:46] And it's a very simple pre-engineered
[0:48:48] structure, heating, ventilating, air
[0:48:50] conditioning, and on the far end are the
[0:48:52] various storage areas. So each of those
[0:48:56] uh gives you the ability to have a door
[0:48:59] for each set of sports. And so there
[0:49:01] will be a couple of compartments in
[0:49:03] there um with fencing in between to
[0:49:05] separate the two. There's a couple of
[0:49:07] teaching stations on each side as well.
[0:49:09] So, you'll see there's a little monitor
[0:49:11] and a little uh whiteboard for uh play
[0:49:14] development, for teaching, for all kinds
[0:49:17] of things. And then there's the doors
[0:49:19] right out to the playing field.
[0:49:26] I think you got it, Ben. Thank you. So,
[0:49:30] a couple more elements here. I'm gonna
[0:49:33] take that from Ben.
[0:49:37] Okay.
[0:49:42] Okay. So, one of the things that we've
[0:49:44] seen, I'm about to go through the budget
[0:49:46] with everybody. So, you'll see that we
[0:49:48] want to try to offer at least one large
[0:49:51] alternate for the board to select on bid
[0:49:54] day. Uh again, this is a public bidding
[0:49:56] process. So, while Fidavia, who is the
[0:49:59] construction manager for the project,
[0:50:01] has estimated this and we do think that
[0:50:03] their numbers are pretty close, uh we
[0:50:06] never know until bid day. So we want to
[0:50:08] give you the option on bid day to make a
[0:50:11] selection for a project uh that you deem
[0:50:13] as appropriate. So the intent of the
[0:50:16] project is the lefthand side which
[0:50:18] includes the team rooms, the bathrooms,
[0:50:21] the fitness room and the primary gym and
[0:50:24] concession space is what we call the
[0:50:27] base bid. And the base bid will be the
[0:50:29] first number that's provided by
[0:50:31] contractors. And the right hand side is
[0:50:34] the turf field building which would be
[0:50:36] the second number that's provided. So
[0:50:38] you have the opportunity on bid day to
[0:50:40] decide what it is you as a district want
[0:50:42] to purchase. Um having done that that
[0:50:46] analysis and having come to that
[0:50:48] conclusion that we were going to do that
[0:50:50] uh we had some pretty good discussions
[0:50:52] with the engineers and actually
[0:50:53] separated the heating ventilating
[0:50:55] equipment out so that each building is
[0:50:57] really its own standalone building. So
[0:50:59] that's what we've developed from a
[0:51:01] design standpoint since. So that's an
[0:51:03] alternate that on bid day the board will
[0:51:05] have uh the ability to select.
[0:51:08] As we go through the design process,
[0:51:10] we're not only going through the uh land
[0:51:12] development approval process and the
[0:51:14] county conservation district, but we're
[0:51:16] trying very hard to understand what uh
[0:51:19] soil conditions you have so that
[0:51:21] structural engineers can do what they
[0:51:23] have to do.
[0:51:26] And I'm pretty sure it comes as no
[0:51:28] surprise uh what we have here are a
[0:51:31] whole series those little dots both the
[0:51:33] ones in the building and the dots to the
[0:51:36] right hand side the ones to the right
[0:51:37] hand side are infiltration testing pits.
[0:51:40] So that is where uh the civil engineers
[0:51:43] uh determine what their infiltration
[0:51:44] capabilities are. And after quite a bit
[0:51:47] of work back and forth with the county
[0:51:49] conservation district and the um the
[0:51:51] municipality, uh we're just going to
[0:51:54] expand the rain garden, the storm water
[0:51:56] detention pond that you have down there.
[0:51:58] So all parties have agreed that that's
[0:52:00] going to be the solution. The building
[0:52:02] uh came back with what is called loose
[0:52:05] fill and carst conditions. And the carse
[0:52:08] conditions mean there's limestone down
[0:52:09] there. That's as simple as that. Uh but
[0:52:12] the loose fill is probably fill that was
[0:52:14] either placed there as you folks either
[0:52:17] built the playing fields or as the high
[0:52:19] school was built. And so that's going to
[0:52:21] require a little bit of remediation. And
[0:52:23] the geotechnical engineer provided a
[0:52:26] solution which is a grout injection. And
[0:52:30] if anybody has further questions about
[0:52:31] grout injection, I can certainly fill
[0:52:33] them in. Um the little blue squares
[0:52:36] essentially are going to become grout
[0:52:38] drilled holes or drilled holes filled
[0:52:40] with grout and that's going to
[0:52:42] strengthen the surface under which those
[0:52:43] foundations sit. So that's what you're
[0:52:45] seeing there. Unfortunately, that does
[0:52:48] come with a cost. Um anybody who's built
[0:52:50] anything with limestone below it uh
[0:52:53] understands that there is a cost to
[0:52:55] that. So in this case the the uh Fidavia
[0:52:58] the cost estimators have estimated this
[0:53:00] to be in the neighborhood of half a
[0:53:01] million dollars worth of that work. So,
[0:53:04] just so you know, that's included in the
[0:53:06] estimates here. And that brings me to
[0:53:08] the budget. Uh, the budget was
[0:53:10] assembled, this is fairly small, so I'll
[0:53:12] tell you what this says. Uh, was
[0:53:14] assembled by Fidavia, the cost
[0:53:16] estimators, and the yellow line is the
[0:53:19] turf building. And what the yellow line
[0:53:21] is saying is that that turf building is
[0:53:23] somewhere in the neighborhood of $7.5
[0:53:26] million. If you were to do the entire
[0:53:29] set of buildings, it's about a $20
[0:53:32] million construction project. So, it
[0:53:36] would be if you don't do the um turf
[0:53:39] building and you take that 7.5 million
[0:53:42] off of the 20 million, obviously you end
[0:53:44] up in that uh $12.5 million uh range for
[0:53:48] the rest of the building. So
[0:53:51] we the construction manager always
[0:53:54] includes a couple of other things in
[0:53:55] here including all of the we call them
[0:53:57] soft costs. So that's the fees and all
[0:53:59] of the approvals that go along with a
[0:54:01] project like this as well as some of the
[0:54:04] equipment that goes into the building.
[0:54:06] And the project could be with all of
[0:54:08] those costs as much as $23.5 million if
[0:54:11] everything were selected to go with. uh
[0:54:14] they have done their best to estimate
[0:54:16] out so there's escalation in there uh
[0:54:18] for when the project might be bid so
[0:54:20] they believe that they have a fully
[0:54:23] estimated project and just going forth
[0:54:26] uh this schedule sh shows where we've
[0:54:29] been we've been working on the design
[0:54:32] since April of this year and we're
[0:54:35] finished with what we call the design
[0:54:37] development phase which means all of the
[0:54:38] systems have been integrated and we are
[0:54:41] in the construction document phase We're
[0:54:43] well on our way to the permitting and
[0:54:45] approvals uh with the hope to be able to
[0:54:47] bid the project uh around the holidays.
[0:54:50] And assuming that bids come in where
[0:54:53] we'd like them to come in and you make
[0:54:55] selections as a board of what you'd like
[0:54:57] to go move forth with, uh you could see
[0:54:59] construction starting as soon as March
[0:55:01] of 2026. And the estimate is that that
[0:55:04] might take a year. So, uh your move in
[0:55:07] could be May of 2027 of this project. At
[0:55:10] least that's where the construction
[0:55:11] managers believe the project is at this
[0:55:13] time. So that's sort of the project
[0:55:16] design, the estimate at this time, and
[0:55:18] the proposed timeline for the project.
[0:55:21] I'd entertain questions.
[0:55:36] I just wanted to say thank you. Uh I've
[0:55:38] been able to participate in those Friday
[0:55:41] uh meetings uh with some of the uh
[0:55:44] buildings and grounds
[0:55:46] and uh a lot of effort and work, a lot
[0:55:48] of details. U so I appreciate the time
[0:55:51] and effort. I think we have something to
[0:55:53] look at. This is something that's been
[0:55:55] talked about in the district since the
[0:55:57] 1990s.
[0:55:59] Um
[0:56:00] and you know it's an opportunity that
[0:56:03] gives the community because this is not
[0:56:06] building just for our athletics. It's
[0:56:10] also to give the youth will have
[0:56:13] additional space that they can utilize
[0:56:15] and also inclement weather having if we
[0:56:18] go with the turf field having the having
[0:56:20] that as a capability. Also, the one of
[0:56:23] the reasons we put the garage doors at
[0:56:26] the end, uh we've had situations a few
[0:56:28] years ago where we actually had a
[0:56:30] tornado warning um and so or in clement
[0:56:34] weather uh that if you wanted to get a
[0:56:37] large group of people into a covered
[0:56:40] space um this would give them an
[0:56:43] opportunity
[0:56:45] u for that as well. So, thank you for
[0:56:47] the time and effort. Thank you for the
[0:56:49] board members that have been
[0:56:50] participating this over the last four to
[0:56:52] six months. Uh thank you again to our uh
[0:56:56] our financial team uh Kristen Wallace to
[0:57:00] look at the numbers and see how it works
[0:57:02] that we can make all this work. So thank
[0:57:05] you Mr.
[0:57:10] >> Throw in one or two things. First of
[0:57:12] all, your group uh the straighter group
[0:57:14] has been great to work with and you've
[0:57:17] been there every two weeks. We put in a
[0:57:19] lot of hours. We met with all the
[0:57:21] stakeholders. We met with the coaches.
[0:57:23] Uh you had people from the uh support
[0:57:27] group that does the uh concession stand
[0:57:30] met with them and uh we've gotten input
[0:57:35] and a lot of very good input where we
[0:57:38] went and made changes and uh
[0:57:41] hopefully uh the final product is uh
[0:57:47] going to be meeting the needs of the
[0:57:49] school district. And it was nice to uh
[0:57:53] get it broken down into two different
[0:57:55] segments so that uh the new board has
[0:57:58] the option to go with the whole project
[0:58:01] or what they feel is suitable for their
[0:58:04] needs. So thank you.
[0:58:07] >> Thank you.
[0:58:15] >> Any last questions?
[0:58:18] Okay. Well, thank you Mr. Shrader for
[0:58:20] coming tonight. We appreciate it. Thank
[0:58:21] you, Ben, for being here with us.
[0:58:25] >> Thank you, guys. Appreciate it very
[0:58:27] much.
[0:58:43] The the next presentation would be just
[0:58:46] a followup on some questions the board
[0:58:48] had on sheds and storage and Dr. Winters
[0:58:51] will handle that.
[0:58:55] >> Thank you Dr. Tashner. Is is the clicker
[0:58:57] down there some podium?
[0:59:04] Thank you very much.
[0:59:10] [clears throat]
[0:59:11] >> So, as Dr. Tashner said, wanted to
[0:59:13] provide kind of an update and and share
[0:59:16] some thoughts around our sheds, our
[0:59:18] utility buildings, kind of an overview
[0:59:19] of where we are.
[0:59:25] There we go. And so what you can see up
[0:59:28] on the screen is this is a map um of our
[0:59:31] entire campus and all of our fields
[0:59:34] numbered and um throughout those
[0:59:38] different fields and I'm going to give
[0:59:39] you a count on the next slide. We have a
[0:59:41] number of different sheds.
[0:59:43] But here's the thing. We have this
[0:59:46] absolutely beautiful campus. We've spent
[0:59:49] a lot of time to take care of our fields
[0:59:53] to get them looking in pristine shape.
[0:59:56] We have a wonderful fieldhouse project
[0:59:58] that Mr. Schrader just got done talking
[1:00:00] about. And then you look out in the
[1:00:02] campus and we really have a menagerie of
[1:00:05] sheds. Um really indicative of kind of
[1:00:07] the picture that you see up there.
[1:00:09] Different kinds, different sizes,
[1:00:11] different shapes, different ages. And so
[1:00:15] something that we definitely want to
[1:00:16] take a look at. Currently to review a
[1:00:20] little bit where we stand, we have six
[1:00:24] sheds that are used for high school or
[1:00:27] junior high athletics. There's one for
[1:00:29] junior high softball, there's one for
[1:00:31] junior high field hockey, there's two
[1:00:33] for track, there's one for tennis, and
[1:00:36] we have one for concessions equipment.
[1:00:38] And then in addition to that, we have
[1:00:41] two that are used for youth sports. One
[1:00:43] that's used for youth soccer and one
[1:00:46] that's used for youth football.
[1:00:49] And so what I want to do over the next
[1:00:51] several slides is show you some pictures
[1:00:53] of each of those so that you can get a
[1:00:56] sense of what they look out look at on
[1:00:58] the outside and also within. And so the
[1:01:01] first one that is here is our junior
[1:01:03] high softball shed
[1:01:06] and front and side view. And we've got a
[1:01:11] couple of pictures. You can see what's
[1:01:12] inside. And I wanted to put this second
[1:01:15] slide in here because currently this
[1:01:18] shed is divided to where it really is
[1:01:23] kind of two sheds in one. There's a wall
[1:01:25] that you can enter both ends and there's
[1:01:28] equipment on both sides um that I wanted
[1:01:30] you to see.
[1:01:33] The next shed that I wanted to talk
[1:01:35] about for a moment is our junior high
[1:01:36] field hockey shed. Uh this is a shed
[1:01:38] that we've talked about um recently um
[1:01:41] at board meeting due to some work we
[1:01:43] need to have Erlick do. You can see the
[1:01:45] exterior of this shed both side and back
[1:01:48] um and then within um as well
[1:01:54] junior high soccer. So this would be the
[1:01:57] shed that if you're facing the front of
[1:02:00] the middle school, it's behind you on
[1:02:03] the field that is right there on the
[1:02:05] opposite side of the field. So, that's
[1:02:07] where this shed is located. And um just
[1:02:11] some pictures when you look inside of
[1:02:13] what is currently um in that shed.
[1:02:18] So, if you're walking out of the
[1:02:22] district office and you're looking down
[1:02:25] towards where the junior high JV
[1:02:26] football field is, there are a series of
[1:02:29] three sheds that are right there. And
[1:02:31] one of those is the junior high JV
[1:02:34] football shed. Um, and so you can see
[1:02:37] some of the equipment that is in that
[1:02:39] shed. And then I'll talk about the other
[1:02:42] two as we get to them in the
[1:02:44] presentation. And then we also have, as
[1:02:46] I said at the outset, we have two track
[1:02:49] sheds. And this is the first track shed.
[1:02:51] This is the longer of the two sheds. And
[1:02:56] we have several pictures from varying
[1:02:59] degrees. If you open the door and look
[1:03:01] into the shed right as you walk in about
[1:03:03] halfway back and then towards the back
[1:03:06] of the shed and what is in there and you
[1:03:09] can see uh a lot of work has been done
[1:03:12] in the organization of that shed um for
[1:03:15] the purpose that as we approach winter
[1:03:17] months to be able to store uh pole vault
[1:03:20] equipment um in there.
[1:03:24] This is our second track shed. So, there
[1:03:26] are two sheds um that are side by side
[1:03:30] right there near the concession area.
[1:03:32] And this is the second shed that track
[1:03:35] uses. And you can see um some of the
[1:03:37] mats and other items that are within
[1:03:40] that shed. Um also, um as everybody
[1:03:43] knows, um we did something a little bit
[1:03:45] different and went with a different
[1:03:47] design on our tennis shed. Um you know,
[1:03:50] made out of a different material. Um,
[1:03:52] and that of course is right there on the
[1:03:54] parking lot behind the bleachers at the
[1:03:56] tennis courts.
[1:03:59] This is the second of the two sheds near
[1:04:03] concessions. And this is a shed that is
[1:04:05] specific. It has equipment in it for our
[1:04:08] concessions. You can see some of the
[1:04:10] coolers, other things that are in, you
[1:04:12] know, that particular shed. Um, I said a
[1:04:16] few minutes ago by the junior high JV
[1:04:19] football field, there are a series of
[1:04:20] three sheds. The second of those two
[1:04:23] sheds is a youth soccer shed. Um, and
[1:04:26] you can see in the one picture some of
[1:04:27] the soccer balls that are there and some
[1:04:29] of the other equipment. This is the
[1:04:31] youth football shed. This is the third
[1:04:34] one that is in that cluster of three.
[1:04:36] Um, I do not have interior pictures um
[1:04:39] for that particular shed um available at
[1:04:43] this time. And so I'm just going to kind
[1:04:45] of back up and and pause for just a
[1:04:47] second. And so what what I really wanted
[1:04:50] to do with that first series of pictures
[1:04:52] is just really provide a comprehensive
[1:04:55] picture of these are all of the sheds
[1:04:57] that we have, various shapes, various
[1:04:59] sizes, different colors, and you know,
[1:05:03] as I said, kind of a menagerie of
[1:05:05] different different things. So what I'd
[1:05:08] like to do next is talk a little bit
[1:05:11] about some possibilities. what what we
[1:05:14] could do if we wanted to take the steps
[1:05:17] to do some standardization, some things
[1:05:20] that are more uniform colors and design.
[1:05:23] The next series of pictures are from
[1:05:25] Cumberland Valley School District, and
[1:05:27] they have these metal sheds, storage
[1:05:31] sheds, utility sheds, as you can see,
[1:05:34] lining some of their facilities. And
[1:05:36] they're metal. They have a garage door
[1:05:39] that opens. You can even purchase them
[1:05:42] to the extent where you could get one
[1:05:43] that has four different compartments
[1:05:45] that has different doors that you could
[1:05:47] open up. The nice thing about these
[1:05:50] kinds of sheds is that they are
[1:05:52] customizable. You can get them painted
[1:05:55] different colors. You can even get them
[1:05:56] wrapped with the school logo SV or a
[1:05:58] panther head or something along those
[1:06:00] lines. Okay. They also come in different
[1:06:03] designs. Um, you can you can also look
[1:06:06] at something like a shipping container
[1:06:08] and you can even get shipping containers
[1:06:10] with pitched roofs on them. If you if
[1:06:12] you want to go with a similar design to
[1:06:15] what we have currently with that look,
[1:06:18] you can do so just with a different
[1:06:20] material, not wood, and and you could go
[1:06:23] with a look along those lines. Um, and
[1:06:26] then um something larger uh you know
[1:06:29] would be an option as well.
[1:06:33] The other thing that I just wanted to
[1:06:35] make mention of as we're talking about
[1:06:36] all of this is there are places that
[1:06:38] have even gone to shipping containers
[1:06:41] for concession stands. You see those in
[1:06:43] different places and you know there will
[1:06:46] need to be a conversation around what
[1:06:48] we're going to do with a concession shed
[1:06:50] because if the board you know moves
[1:06:53] forward with the fieldhouse project um
[1:06:55] as part of that project there won't be a
[1:06:57] need for the concession shed in all
[1:07:00] likelihood. And so that would be
[1:07:02] something that we would need to discuss.
[1:07:04] And so um but even even those types of
[1:07:08] of sheds, even districts that have
[1:07:10] concession sheds, they've looked at some
[1:07:12] of these different, you know, types, you
[1:07:14] know, that exist. So one of the things
[1:07:17] that that I believe is very important
[1:07:19] and important for us to consider as we
[1:07:22] move forward is the cost comparison and
[1:07:24] some different things, you know, that
[1:07:26] that we need to kind of look at. So, if
[1:07:29] we're going to seriously dive into
[1:07:31] moving away from the wooden structures
[1:07:33] that are out there and look at either,
[1:07:35] you know, a metal shed or a shipping
[1:07:37] container or even something bigger, some
[1:07:39] type of pre-engineered building or a
[1:07:42] pole barn. Um, and and that would be the
[1:07:44] direction that that I would recommend we
[1:07:47] consider looking at. Um, I think there
[1:07:49] are some considerations there. Cost is
[1:07:51] certainly one. So, um, a metal shed or a
[1:07:55] shipping container, depending on the
[1:07:56] size, you're looking at about $3500 to
[1:07:58] $4,000 each. Um, and you can get
[1:08:01] multiple ones. They can be moved. Um,
[1:08:04] you can relocate them um if you need to.
[1:08:07] Again, they can be wrapped, they can be
[1:08:08] painted, etc.
[1:08:10] there would be an option um if we wanted
[1:08:13] to look at instead of multiple sheds,
[1:08:15] even newer sheds, a pre-engineered
[1:08:18] building, some type of pole barn, that
[1:08:20] could be something that we could look at
[1:08:22] as well. Uh your cost to put up a
[1:08:25] pre-engineered building as a pole barn
[1:08:27] is probably going to be in the
[1:08:28] neighborhood of $22,000 to $30,000. We
[1:08:31] do have a quote from Sherks Poleb that
[1:08:34] quotes for $24,000.
[1:08:36] We need to understand that with a poleb
[1:08:40] barn in addition to the structure itself
[1:08:42] you've got a poured floor you have to
[1:08:44] run electric. So there are some other
[1:08:46] considerations there. And so really if
[1:08:49] we decide to go in this direction and
[1:08:52] look at something different the two
[1:08:55] biggest diff differentiators between a
[1:08:57] metal shed or a container and a pole
[1:08:59] barn are going to be your cost and your
[1:09:01] permanence. If you put a pole barn there
[1:09:03] you're not moving it. Once it's there,
[1:09:06] it's there. Whereas, if you do multiple,
[1:09:08] you know, sheds that are metal or
[1:09:10] containers, they can be moved elsewhere
[1:09:11] on campus if needed.
[1:09:15] So,
[1:09:16] as we kind of bring this to a close,
[1:09:19] just wanted to kind of share some things
[1:09:22] regarding next steps and some things
[1:09:23] that, you know, we can consider as we
[1:09:26] move forward. Um, I definitely think
[1:09:28] with this information, um, we we're
[1:09:31] going to want to bring the buildings and
[1:09:33] grounds committee together. I think it
[1:09:35] would be beneficial for us to go and see
[1:09:37] some of these other sheds on other
[1:09:39] school district campuses to see what
[1:09:41] they look like. Um, and then so that we
[1:09:44] can ultimately decide, you know, what do
[1:09:47] we want to get? Do we want to go large?
[1:09:48] Do we want to go something smaller? And
[1:09:50] then if we do get them, where do we want
[1:09:52] to place them with with potentially a
[1:09:54] fieldhouse structure coming on campus?
[1:09:56] where strategically would those, you
[1:09:58] know, sheds or buildings go so that, you
[1:10:01] know, we could maximize their
[1:10:02] efficiency. And then as part of that
[1:10:05] recommendation and those conversations,
[1:10:07] some things that we're going to want to
[1:10:08] consider is how do we want to handle our
[1:10:12] managing of these types of structures
[1:10:16] moving forward. I know currently we have
[1:10:18] some sheds that are on our property that
[1:10:20] were donated. Um, and you know, not I've
[1:10:23] not been able to locate the forms that
[1:10:25] were submitted for those donations. But
[1:10:27] one of the things that we could look at
[1:10:29] if we put all new structures on campus
[1:10:33] is we could look at rental fees and
[1:10:35] having outside organizations if they
[1:10:37] want to use, you know, some of these
[1:10:39] sheds to pay a nominal fee, a nominal
[1:10:41] rental fee to be able to do so. Um, and
[1:10:44] then you know we could we could handle
[1:10:46] it that way. And then once we ran out of
[1:10:47] space, we would be out of space. So that
[1:10:50] would be one thing that could be
[1:10:51] discussed and could be considered.
[1:10:53] Standardization, I think, is something
[1:10:54] else that we should talk about and
[1:10:56] consider. Um, if we're going to make
[1:10:58] some changes in terms of having
[1:11:00] something that is more uniform in terms
[1:11:02] of what these may look like on campus,
[1:11:04] we're going to want them to be SV
[1:11:06] colors. We're going to want them
[1:11:07] potentially to be wrapped a certain way
[1:11:09] so that we can highlight and show the
[1:11:10] pride, you know, of our district. So,
[1:11:12] that's something that we need to think
[1:11:14] about. And durability is certainly
[1:11:16] something that we need to think about as
[1:11:18] well. Um, you know, we've had a great
[1:11:21] example in the tennis shed that we've
[1:11:23] been able to put up. It's held up well.
[1:11:26] Um, and the advantage of a metal or you
[1:11:29] know, strong plastic type of structure
[1:11:32] is things like weather, you know, pests,
[1:11:36] rodents, etc. um become far less of an
[1:11:39] issue with those types of things. And so
[1:11:41] durability does improve. So that's
[1:11:44] something to think about. Um again, I
[1:11:46] talked about with the concession shed,
[1:11:48] are we going to need even additional
[1:11:51] storage um for concessions with the
[1:11:54] fieldhouse project? And then if we move
[1:11:57] in a different direction and do
[1:11:58] something more uniform, what about the
[1:12:01] existing sheds? and and and my
[1:12:03] recommendation would be that we, you
[1:12:05] know, look to sell those um and to, you
[1:12:08] know, recoup some some some finances
[1:12:10] that way. So, again, just wanted to kind
[1:12:13] of do a summary of what we have and
[1:12:15] share some thoughts. Does anybody have
[1:12:17] any questions that I could answer?
[1:12:19] >> Yes. The the shipping container you said
[1:12:22] was3 to $4,000. Is that delivered and
[1:12:26] set or is that just the cost to have it
[1:12:28] delivered to the school and then having
[1:12:29] somebody set it would be an additional
[1:12:31] cost?
[1:12:33] >> That that cost is is the container
[1:12:35] itself. So, you know, that that would be
[1:12:37] additional cost is my understanding.
[1:12:40] >> Please just be careful with shipping
[1:12:41] containers. Um I'm in the storage
[1:12:44] business and that's a a new push that
[1:12:47] people are using shipping containers for
[1:12:49] storage. Um, but you can have a lot of
[1:12:51] condensation issues in them. Um, because
[1:12:54] they do seal very tightly. Um, and you
[1:12:57] can just have some some issues with
[1:12:58] that. Um, I I personally liked the
[1:13:02] building that had, you know, the four
[1:13:03] rollup doors. They're they're not sealed
[1:13:05] as tightly. Um, which allows for that
[1:13:08] temperature fluctuation. Um, also
[1:13:12] the whole pole building idea. Um, if
[1:13:15] we're going to have one building, you
[1:13:17] know, what is that going to be central
[1:13:18] to? because we're using all of these
[1:13:20] sheds for all different sports that are
[1:13:21] all across our campus. That just doesn't
[1:13:24] seem like a viable option. Um that's
[1:13:26] going to make a lot of people happy. Um
[1:13:28] so I think that that could be a big
[1:13:30] issue. Um but yeah, just please before
[1:13:34] we move in the direction of the um
[1:13:37] shipping containers, please do more
[1:13:40] research on those because I don't know
[1:13:42] that they're the best option.
[1:13:44] >> I appreciate that that feedback, Mrs.
[1:13:45] Stany. Really what we were kind of
[1:13:47] trying to do this evening is is just
[1:13:49] kind of present some ideas, some things
[1:13:51] that we had been thinking about. You
[1:13:53] know, no no formal motion at this point.
[1:13:55] No final decisions at this point. Just
[1:13:57] getting that information out there to
[1:13:59] give the board some things to think
[1:14:00] about so that then we can come together
[1:14:02] as a buildings and grounds committee and
[1:14:03] decide what direction we want to go.
[1:14:05] >> I'm all about them being uniform because
[1:14:07] I think that we do have a hodgepodge. Um
[1:14:10] so something needs to be done. I I
[1:14:12] absolutely agree with that. Just want to
[1:14:14] make sure we're going to do the right
[1:14:15] thing.
[1:14:16] >> Okay.
[1:14:18] >> Can we get um some of the square
[1:14:19] footages of those existing sheds so we
[1:14:22] kind of know what they're what they're
[1:14:24] currently having or using. So when we
[1:14:26] look to do this or if we look to do
[1:14:28] this, we kind of know what we're looking
[1:14:29] for apples to apples as far as they get
[1:14:31] this, you know, they're having the same
[1:14:33] amount of space as they had before.
[1:14:34] >> And if they need more, they need less,
[1:14:36] we can sit and figure that out. But
[1:14:38] >> I was going to say if you look as a
[1:14:40] previous lives of being involved in a
[1:14:42] lot of the youth sports, a lot of the
[1:14:44] couple of the sheds were overutilized
[1:14:46] and things were stacked for deep and a
[1:14:48] lot of them, you know, you could have
[1:14:50] somebody living in the shed with the
[1:14:52] amount of space that you had, you know,
[1:14:54] that people had uh minimalized all the
[1:14:58] lot of things and things as they
[1:14:59] expired. They said, "Hey, do we really
[1:15:01] need to replace them or not?" like the
[1:15:03] the soccer youth shed used to have all
[1:15:06] the concession stand. They ran a
[1:15:07] concession stand out of that shed. And
[1:15:10] so years ago, they got rid of all the
[1:15:11] concession equipment. So just because
[1:15:13] the building's there for that size, I
[1:15:16] you really just have to look at what
[1:15:18] they need. Look at the size, but then
[1:15:20] really ask the question, what do you
[1:15:21] need?
[1:15:22] And then something else I was thinking
[1:15:24] when we were looking at the pictures is,
[1:15:26] you know, we could do some different
[1:15:28] storage solutions as far as shelving and
[1:15:31] and things like that as well. I mean,
[1:15:32] everything's just kind of stacked on the
[1:15:34] floor and the the track sheds looked
[1:15:36] phenomenal. I mean, they were pristine.
[1:15:38] Um, but the other ones, it kind of
[1:15:39] seemed like things were just thrown
[1:15:40] everywhere, but maybe if we have
[1:15:42] shelving and bins and, you know, actual
[1:15:44] organization, um, we could fit more into
[1:15:47] them and maybe we would need less.
[1:15:49] >> Okay. I think it might have been our
[1:15:51] athletic director who got some of those
[1:15:53] sheds and organized them. Is that right,
[1:15:55] uh, Mr. Hansen? [laughter]
[1:16:00] >> Track sheds look great. I'm not sure why
[1:16:02] we have a treadmill in one of them, but
[1:16:04] they look great.
[1:16:06] >> Trading space.
[1:16:09] >> We can we can get the dimensions to Mr.
[1:16:11] W. I think that'll be important
[1:16:12] information to have as we move things
[1:16:14] forward.
[1:16:15] >> Yeah. Yeah. And we do have storage, you
[1:16:16] know, if we if the fieldhouse moves
[1:16:18] forward, we we we have storage built
[1:16:20] into that space off well, I mean, off of
[1:16:23] the turf field, so that'll help,
[1:16:26] >> especially the track. Um, but some of
[1:16:28] those other ones, you know, soccer
[1:16:30] fields, you know, that's miles away up
[1:16:32] there in the other end of the campus,
[1:16:33] the baseball fields, that's the other.
[1:16:35] And so to your point, Kelly, like you
[1:16:38] know, I I think we're looking more
[1:16:39] storage shed to have them more to where
[1:16:42] the fields are than some central
[1:16:43] location that we're going to have to run
[1:16:44] gators back and forth all the time.
[1:16:47] >> Okay, any other questions or comments,
[1:16:53] >> thank you very much.
[1:17:02] Last thing we just want to take a few
[1:17:05] minutes to highlight and I'm sure Mrs.
[1:17:08] Lash will talk a little bit about this
[1:17:10] and perhaps Mr. O'Donnell as well. But
[1:17:14] um I'm going to go to He's looking at me
[1:17:18] like what presentation presentation for
[1:17:21] um it was from PSBA.
[1:17:23] We had the opportunity to head off to
[1:17:28] that one right there. Thank you. Uh
[1:17:30] PSBA,
[1:17:32] [clears throat]
[1:17:33] the Pennsylvania School Boards
[1:17:35] Association, the Pennsylvania
[1:17:36] Association of School Administrators,
[1:17:38] the School Leadership Conference, and
[1:17:40] Mrs. Lash, Mr. O'Donnell, myself, and
[1:17:43] then Dr. O'Donnell all attended that
[1:17:46] conference. Can you guys just hit the
[1:17:48] next slide for me?
[1:17:50] It's a very uh the keynote was an author
[1:17:56] that um very engaging, but she wrote a
[1:18:00] great book before. It was called
[1:18:01] Mastering Civility. And I love the book.
[1:18:04] talks so much about what we can all do
[1:18:08] to be a part of coming together and how
[1:18:12] our country and our um can be so
[1:18:16] polarized sometimes and what we can do
[1:18:18] individually to try to help that. And
[1:18:20] she was there talking about the second
[1:18:23] book which was mastering community and
[1:18:25] it was very interesting. She was talking
[1:18:27] about self-awareness and for us as
[1:18:30] individuals and community self-awareness
[1:18:32] and what we can all do to become more
[1:18:35] self-aware. And she was telling us that
[1:18:37] they ask I forget a hundred people or
[1:18:39] something and we all think we're
[1:18:41] self-aware and it was like 12 people or
[1:18:43] something 12% that were that were
[1:18:45] self-aware. Um but engaging speaker um
[1:18:49] really talks about how social media has
[1:18:53] created an infectious negativity in our
[1:18:57] society and how incumbent it is upon
[1:18:59] each of us to do our part to try to
[1:19:02] change that. And in doing so when we
[1:19:06] create community we really create an
[1:19:08] opportunity for belonging and a chance
[1:19:10] to bring people together to be
[1:19:12] connected. and thought that was really
[1:19:14] exciting to hear especially as we've
[1:19:16] launched into our um comprehensive plan
[1:19:20] and talking about the blueprint for
[1:19:21] belonging. So I know I really enjoyed
[1:19:24] hearing her speak and she was selling
[1:19:27] her books and we had a chance to talk to
[1:19:29] her afterwards. Great great person.
[1:19:31] [snorts] And then the next slide,
[1:19:33] some of the many sessions that were
[1:19:36] available for us to go to. And I think
[1:19:39] between all of us, we split out to split
[1:19:42] up to see which so that we could cover
[1:19:44] as many as possible. and had a chance to
[1:19:47] sit in um to listen about policy and
[1:19:51] governance and talk about the work that
[1:19:54] we've been doing over the past few years
[1:19:55] in policy and rewiring learning and how
[1:19:59] that transforms schools. There were
[1:20:02] sessions on artificial intelligence and
[1:20:04] one of the sessions was actually on
[1:20:07] cyber security about ensuring
[1:20:09] educational educational continuity and
[1:20:11] it was the story of a school that had
[1:20:13] actually been through a cyber attack and
[1:20:16] it was very interesting because they
[1:20:18] actually showed the timeline of that and
[1:20:21] what they had to do in each step and how
[1:20:23] long it took before you know they
[1:20:25] actually realized at first people
[1:20:27] thought the Wi-Fi was down. It was like
[1:20:29] the Wi-Fi is down. And then when they
[1:20:32] went, you know, looked at it was no, the
[1:20:34] phones are down. And you see all of this
[1:20:37] unwinding until um later in the day when
[1:20:40] they get a message when it gets a
[1:20:42] message from um an actor that says,
[1:20:45] "We've taken over your system and this
[1:20:48] is what you can do to have it back." And
[1:20:50] so they really shared their experiences
[1:20:52] from that and how they prepared. So, I
[1:20:55] found that to be a really interesting
[1:20:57] session as well. And then, of course,
[1:21:00] the school law legal highlights reel
[1:21:02] where they talk about all that's
[1:21:04] happening in schools with cell phones
[1:21:06] and with social media and cyber bullying
[1:21:09] and all of those things. And I think we
[1:21:11] said that was far too short. Um, it was
[1:21:15] it was an hour, but it probably could
[1:21:17] have been two hours because everyone had
[1:21:19] a lot of questions about we understand,
[1:21:21] but what are we going to, you know,
[1:21:22] collectively do about it? So, that was
[1:21:24] another great session that we had an
[1:21:27] opportunity and I would encourage
[1:21:28] everyone who has an opportunity u to
[1:21:31] attend the Pennsylvania School Boards
[1:21:33] Association to go and to attend. Um so,
[1:21:36] I'll I'll turn it over to um Mr.
[1:21:38] O'Donnell or Mrs. Lash if you want to.
[1:21:43] >> Okay. I I had
[1:21:45] I chose different subjects this year. Um
[1:21:49] AI was a big one that I've attended in
[1:21:51] the past, but um they had different
[1:21:54] viewpoints on AI. Now that AI is so
[1:21:57] widely used, before it was coming. Every
[1:22:01] session I would go to, it was coming.
[1:22:03] Now it's on what do we do when it's
[1:22:05] here.
[1:22:07] But one thing that I um found
[1:22:11] I always find interesting are the mental
[1:22:14] health uh in education.
[1:22:17] And there was there's a company, it's
[1:22:20] the Greg and Julia Cook Company. It
[1:22:22] happens to be an essential oil company.
[1:22:25] And they decided that one of the things
[1:22:27] that they were going to do was work in
[1:22:30] mental health as their like charitable
[1:22:33] charitable contribution back to the
[1:22:35] community.
[1:22:36] and they have this organization where
[1:22:39] they have resources for parents and
[1:22:42] students and school districts and I
[1:22:45] found that very valuable. Um parents can
[1:22:49] get free information from from this
[1:22:52] organization.
[1:22:55] the child can only benefit from it
[1:22:58] through if the school district is
[1:23:00] associated with it personally like they
[1:23:03] can actually talk to a therapist if the
[1:23:06] school district u is part of that. So
[1:23:08] that was a really good one. Then I went
[1:23:10] to the one um that was
[1:23:14] run by people from Governor Mifflin.
[1:23:17] Lisa has the superintendent and Karen
[1:23:20] Denunio
[1:23:22] who if you've never heard Karen Denunio
[1:23:25] speak she's really good at uh and I
[1:23:29] guess Jenny you probably know her if you
[1:23:31] know her director of teaching and
[1:23:33] learning.
[1:23:34] She was on neuroscience and um how the
[1:23:39] brain helps you learn, helps students
[1:23:42] learn and that was really very very
[1:23:44] interesting and her whole thing was on
[1:23:48] scheduling your lessons for the way the
[1:23:50] brain works. And
[1:23:55] still in our undergraduate classes, we
[1:23:58] don't really have a lot of brain
[1:24:00] development going on in undergrad for
[1:24:03] teachers. So I think that's something
[1:24:05] that that teachers really need to to get
[1:24:09] when before they graduate from college.
[1:24:12] Um brain learning is very important. So
[1:24:16] and I had um seen the keynote speaker
[1:24:19] Christine Porat before and um she's
[1:24:23] still very engaging speaker. Um,
[1:24:27] so that one and then I went to a
[1:24:32] listening session on how to listen
[1:24:36] and that was very it was very very
[1:24:39] interesting. It was not like something
[1:24:41] that you could break up in groups and do
[1:24:43] or anything. It was a speaker that was
[1:24:45] talking but all these recommendations
[1:24:49] for how to be a better listener and it
[1:24:51] was the 8020 rule came up. Spend 8% of
[1:24:55] your time listening and 20% of your time
[1:24:59] speaking. Be present, be patient, and be
[1:25:02] curious when you're
[1:25:06] listening to someone and take notes.
[1:25:09] Then I went to Trauma Smart, which I had
[1:25:12] actually this was like a second goound
[1:25:14] for them that was on mental health and
[1:25:17] how trauma affects the child at home.
[1:25:22] And our last keynote speaker, um, if
[1:25:27] you've heard of him, he was the actor,
[1:25:30] oh, he is the actor Sean Aston, who was
[1:25:33] in the movie Rudy and and um different
[1:25:39] Goonies.
[1:25:41] And so he talked about his mother, Patty
[1:25:44] Duke, and her mental illness and how it
[1:25:47] affected him as a student. And what the
[1:25:51] questions that were asked of him were
[1:25:53] very
[1:25:56] very wanting answers that he could give
[1:25:59] teachers and educators on how we can
[1:26:02] solve these problems. And he he said
[1:26:05] just be you kind of just have to be
[1:26:07] there and work from where the child
[1:26:09] comes to you. So that was that was
[1:26:12] really that was kind of a hard one to
[1:26:15] sit through.
[1:26:17] And then um one I found very
[1:26:20] interesting.
[1:26:22] It was more like being in a class. I
[1:26:24] have copious notes from this ed session.
[1:26:27] It was bridging the governance gap
[1:26:30] practical leadership in a distressful
[1:26:33] error by Tom Butler, PhD from the
[1:26:36] Appalachia IU8.
[1:26:39] and he was talking about
[1:26:42] Jeffersonian
[1:26:45] principles and Hamiltonian principles
[1:26:49] and the timeline of how they started to
[1:26:52] be together and then the the gap got
[1:26:55] wider and wider and where we are today
[1:26:58] in the principles of governance.
[1:27:02] It like I said I probably thought I was
[1:27:04] getting a test at the end of that
[1:27:06] session. It was quite I have so many
[1:27:09] notes from that session and then the
[1:27:13] school law which we did agree that we
[1:27:16] need a lot more time for that. So it was
[1:27:19] really worth going to the AI part. Um
[1:27:24] we had got divided up to see whether we
[1:27:27] would support this take on AI or this
[1:27:30] take on AI or this take on AI. And then
[1:27:33] we also did that with um how do we
[1:27:36] handle cell phones in school? Do we put
[1:27:39] them in a bag that has a magnet on it
[1:27:42] with a a Velcro bag for children who
[1:27:45] need their phone for medical
[1:27:49] um for their medical needs? Do we not
[1:27:52] have them come to school at all or do we
[1:27:55] just let them go the way they're going
[1:27:57] now? And um there was no
[1:28:02] definitive answer to that. So every
[1:28:05] school's making there lot there are
[1:28:06] schools in our county that have made no
[1:28:09] no cell phones in class. Um
[1:28:13] so that's all I have. Brian,
[1:28:17] >> thank you.
[1:28:19] Um with what's left um
[1:28:23] >> you must have gone to something.
[1:28:24] >> Yeah, I did. I did just go to something
[1:28:26] that you did not go to, but um it's
[1:28:28] interesting. I like going to the the
[1:28:29] policy meetings and the PSBA ones I
[1:28:31] always try to the ones that they host
[1:28:33] and talk about are always interesting
[1:28:34] because they actually can offer a lot of
[1:28:36] help uh for school boards and you can
[1:28:38] bounce ideas off of them and really
[1:28:40] utilize their services. Um which I think
[1:28:43] we could probably take a little bit more
[1:28:44] advantage of. Um uh the one that the
[1:28:47] other thing I like is that the more of
[1:28:48] the one-off conversations that um happen
[1:28:52] um you get a lot of knowledge from
[1:28:53] people um just sitting around waiting in
[1:28:56] between sessions, the 15 20 minutes you
[1:28:57] have in between and just bouncing ideas
[1:28:59] off of people um to kind of get the feel
[1:29:03] of what they do in their districts and
[1:29:04] how they handle things like cell phones
[1:29:06] and AI and and you know certain how
[1:29:08] certain policies are written etc. Um,
[1:29:11] but the one I really liked was, and I
[1:29:12] didn't even know this was a possibility,
[1:29:13] was prek. Um, you know, a school
[1:29:16] district launched a pre-K program, and
[1:29:18] you know, to hear how they staffed it,
[1:29:20] um, you know, train their employees and
[1:29:22] and utilize that in their district. I
[1:29:24] always thought that was just a a
[1:29:26] separate church you went to um, when you
[1:29:28] were a kid. But, um, you know, it' be
[1:29:30] nice to see or maybe um, look into
[1:29:33] possibly having a pre-K at Skook Valley
[1:29:35] someday. Um, other than that, it's just
[1:29:37] a great experience. I'd recommend others
[1:29:40] to go. Linda, I love the companionship.
[1:29:42] Appreciate it. But um it won't be me
[1:29:45] next year.
[1:29:48] >> Thank you.
[1:30:00] Anything else for presentations?
[1:30:04] Hearing none, we'll move to 2.0.
[1:30:08] reports of officers and board
[1:30:10] representatives uh 2.1 president myself.
[1:30:14] Uh as a reminder, I speak as uh as one
[1:30:19] of nine. I was elected to be president.
[1:30:23] So uh what I say are my opinions. Um so
[1:30:28] I know that politics uh leads people to
[1:30:30] make some inaccurate statements to the
[1:30:32] community of Skookul Valley. I wanted to
[1:30:34] address some as the candidate statements
[1:30:37] tonight. Uh the one comment made by a
[1:30:40] candidate um about parents and the
[1:30:44] representation that there are too many
[1:30:45] board members who do not have children
[1:30:47] at school. Uh as a reminder, all the
[1:30:50] board members had kids that graduated
[1:30:52] from Skookul Valley and currently there
[1:30:54] are seven directors with relatives in
[1:30:57] attendance to the district and it'll
[1:30:59] grow to eight of nine uh come December.
[1:31:03] Uh but please remember that nearly 80%
[1:31:06] of the district households do not have
[1:31:08] kids attending Skooko Valley School
[1:31:10] District. The board represents all
[1:31:13] taxpayers
[1:31:14] and as some people have implied that
[1:31:17] non-parents should not have
[1:31:19] representation on the board. I if we
[1:31:22] were one would agree with that statement
[1:31:25] if we would no longer have to pay taxes.
[1:31:28] Uh remember the phrase uh no taxation
[1:31:31] without representation created the
[1:31:33] United States. The statements in my
[1:31:36] region
[1:31:37] uh
[1:31:39] the the statement in my region uh both
[1:31:42] incumbents served long terms and
[1:31:44] presided over the district downward
[1:31:46] slide.
[1:31:48] I think to reminders the vast majority
[1:31:51] of her votes are 90 for the last many
[1:31:54] many years. So you talk about that you
[1:31:57] want to build partnerships and yet you
[1:32:00] make these statements. So that's a
[1:32:02] little bit concerning. Uh also talks
[1:32:05] about this teacher and staff turnover is
[1:32:09] um statement is it's not unique to
[1:32:11] school valley and teachers are asked
[1:32:14] about having exit interviews. Another
[1:32:17] candidate has spoken several times
[1:32:18] stating that as a long-term teacher
[1:32:20] counselor that she didn't receive an
[1:32:22] exit interview, but she failed to
[1:32:24] mention that she turned them down. So,
[1:32:28] you can't have an exit interview if you
[1:32:31] turned them down. not stop. I
[1:32:34] >> I think
[1:32:37] >> but
[1:32:40] I I think the problem that we have is we
[1:32:44] talk about things that are being said.
[1:32:45] We say that we don't talk about
[1:32:49] um defending the facts and the truths
[1:32:52] and
[1:32:54] we talk about hey we make prepared
[1:32:57] statements and we make prepared
[1:32:59] statements because
[1:33:01] >> so who prepared this one?
[1:33:03] >> I made this statement.
[1:33:04] >> This is it's inappropriate and it should
[1:33:06] end.
[1:33:07] >> Well, I disagree.
[1:33:10] So
[1:33:11] I said
[1:33:13] all the board members need to understand
[1:33:15] >> you're trying to influence an election
[1:33:17] to
[1:33:17] >> I'm not trying to influence any I'm not
[1:33:19] trying
[1:33:19] >> you are absolutely trying to influence
[1:33:21] an election.
[1:33:22] >> Well the people who are running Kelly
[1:33:24] are running unopposed.
[1:33:26] So how can you how can you run
[1:33:28] >> because there's still a right in
[1:33:29] possibility. I'm a right in.
[1:33:31] You're only a write in because there was
[1:33:33] no candidate there. Kelly,
[1:33:39] >> so again, we talk about
[1:33:43] well, I just disagree and I'll still
[1:33:46] make comments at some point along the
[1:33:47] line. I'll respect the board on that.
[1:33:49] But I will say that people make comments
[1:33:54] and people come up here and make
[1:33:56] comments that are far from the truth and
[1:33:59] accurate and you know they ask us to say
[1:34:03] hey you know we tried to take the the
[1:34:05] high road and say
[1:34:07] what we want to say
[1:34:09] um and there's no repercussions. So when
[1:34:12] you try to call them out and say
[1:34:14] [clears throat] that there is
[1:34:14] repercussions,
[1:34:16] uh, people don't want to hear that. So
[1:34:19] I'll move on. 2.2 Secretary Linda Lash.
[1:34:23] >> No report.
[1:34:25] >> 2.3 Burks County IU.
[1:34:29] >> I do have a report. Um the IU has a
[1:34:34] chief financial officer who will be
[1:34:37] retiring in the spring and we did um
[1:34:41] select our new chief financial officer
[1:34:46] elect who will be taking over um in the
[1:34:49] spring when Mrs. Gallas retires.
[1:34:55] Also, um
[1:34:59] are you going to bring up our index?
[1:35:02] >> Okay. We did get um notification Skook
[1:35:06] Valley's um
[1:35:10] act one adjusted index
[1:35:13] that will will be effective for the 2627
[1:35:16] school year is um 4.3%.
[1:35:22] And that means we can't tax above 4.3%.
[1:35:27] Not that we ever really come close to
[1:35:29] that anymore, but
[1:35:32] also the IU had
[1:35:36] a keeping kids safe in a digital aid
[1:35:39] um seminar.
[1:35:42] I went to one of these a couple years
[1:35:44] ago. Very worthwhile going to. And it is
[1:35:48] um it was the theme was connected and
[1:35:50] protected building digital awareness and
[1:35:53] emotional resilience in a hyperconnected
[1:35:56] world and it was overseen by our um
[1:36:00] safety officer um Mr. Russell Dell
[1:36:03] Roserio.
[1:36:05] They also uh sponsored a career um
[1:36:10] exploring innovation and career
[1:36:12] opportunities in agriculture for our
[1:36:15] superintendent I believe. And uh it was
[1:36:18] held part of it was spent at FM Browns
[1:36:22] and Sun where they got to see flour
[1:36:25] being um put into their tankers and
[1:36:28] hauled over to unique pretzels so they
[1:36:31] could see the relationship between the
[1:36:33] flower and the pretzels in a in Burks
[1:36:37] County.
[1:36:38] There was a countywide inservice day.
[1:36:41] I'm not sure we didn't participate
[1:36:44] in that. Okay. And um
[1:36:48] so that that
[1:36:52] and
[1:36:54] okay
[1:36:58] the other thing is um
[1:37:03] there were
[1:37:06] two house resolutions at in the state 21
[1:37:10] house bills introducted eight senate
[1:37:13] bills introduced And
[1:37:17] some of these are bills that were let go
[1:37:20] at the end of last year and
[1:37:21] reintroduced. Some are new. And again,
[1:37:25] they've stated that 90% of all the bills
[1:37:28] that are introduced don't go forward.
[1:37:31] One of the things that um
[1:37:35] in our state news, of course, we don't
[1:37:37] have our budget yet. There are
[1:37:45] There are one there are two five
[1:37:51] eight voting days in the House left this
[1:37:54] year
[1:37:56] and
[1:37:59] eight voting days in the Senate left
[1:38:01] left this year. there's a possibility
[1:38:05] that there will be um a voting day after
[1:38:09] the election to see if the budget gets
[1:38:13] passed. So, the IU is had to borrow
[1:38:17] money to pay bills like other IUs and in
[1:38:20] January if there's no budget, it will
[1:38:22] have to borrow more money.
[1:38:27] It's not the borrowing of the money
[1:38:28] that's the problem. It's the interest
[1:38:30] that we have to pay for that towards
[1:38:33] that money that becomes an expense.
[1:38:38] Something I found that was interesting
[1:38:40] in the um House bills was um House Bill
[1:38:46] 1900, Representative Rivera from
[1:38:49] Lancaster, a Democrat, introduced and
[1:38:52] referred to finance October 6, the
[1:38:55] legislation that would permit a taxpayer
[1:38:57] who was a certified teacher and incurs
[1:38:59] expenses for the purchase of classroom
[1:39:02] supplies in a taxable year to apply for
[1:39:05] a tax credit equal to 100% of the amount
[1:39:08] the taxpayers spent on unreimbured
[1:39:11] classroom supplies during the taxable
[1:39:13] year up to a minimum of $100.
[1:39:18] And I read this and I thought up to a
[1:39:20] minimum of $100 doesn't seem a whole
[1:39:22] like a whole lot of money for a teacher
[1:39:24] to spend on her classroom but or his
[1:39:27] classroom.
[1:39:29] Um
[1:39:31] so whether that'll go anywhere or not, I
[1:39:34] don't know.
[1:39:36] And then Senate Bill 10:14,
[1:39:40] Senator Rob Robinson, Republican from
[1:39:43] Alagany County,
[1:39:46] introduced and referred to education on
[1:39:49] October 10th, this legislation would
[1:39:51] require no later than the start of the
[1:39:53] 2627 school year, the governing body of
[1:39:57] each school entity to adopt a policy
[1:39:59] related to the possession and use of
[1:40:02] mobile devices during the school day
[1:40:04] while on school property shall prohibit
[1:40:07] the use of mobile device during the
[1:40:09] school day while on school property and
[1:40:12] establish the manner in which a
[1:40:13] student's possession of a mobile device
[1:40:16] to be restricted during the school day
[1:40:18] while on school property.
[1:40:20] And then each school entity at the
[1:40:22] beginning of the year shall provide
[1:40:24] written notification to parents and
[1:40:25] legal guardians of students enrolled in
[1:40:28] the school entity of the methods for a
[1:40:30] parent or legal guardian to contact
[1:40:32] their child during the school day and
[1:40:35] how to sign up for emergency
[1:40:37] notifications.
[1:40:38] So I don't know how far that will get
[1:40:41] but I know um while I was at the
[1:40:44] conference I did see the locking bags
[1:40:47] for cell phones. They have a magnetic
[1:40:50] lock on them and it you put your phone
[1:40:52] in it. It lock you lock it and then
[1:40:54] before the end of the day you take this
[1:40:56] bag up to this little unlocking thing
[1:40:58] and that's the only way you can unlock
[1:41:00] it and then the students with medical
[1:41:03] needs put it in a Velcro bag so
[1:41:05] everybody has a bag for their phone. And
[1:41:08] that's all I have.
[1:41:17] Thank you, Linda. Uh 2.4 Burks Career
[1:41:21] Technical Center. Uh again, we've uh
[1:41:25] have probably the highest enrollment
[1:41:27] that we have. And a reminder to uh our
[1:41:30] high school u billing administration is
[1:41:33] to as soon as possible to have these
[1:41:35] kids enroll
[1:41:37] in um the BCTC programs. um we uh
[1:41:42] restructured our classes and the open
[1:41:46] sizes u open size and so we went up from
[1:41:49] about 1,800 to we're at all but 2100 I
[1:41:52] think it's uh 299
[1:41:56] uh we've attended a whole bunch of
[1:41:58] conferences our executive director's
[1:42:00] been asked to speak uh nationally at
[1:42:02] some events uh one of the highlights is
[1:42:05] the things that they've done is they've
[1:42:07] uh this is the second year that they've
[1:42:08] participated in the NASA program.
[1:42:11] So, um again, we have a great program
[1:42:15] here in Burks County and I encourage
[1:42:17] those that are wanting to participate to
[1:42:20] uh enroll early. Uh
[1:42:24] 2 point I um see a difference in order
[1:42:29] 2.5 uh tax collection committee Nikki
[1:42:33] >> uh the last meeting was held back in
[1:42:35] September. The
[1:42:37] statement up until August was um not
[1:42:41] much changed. There was about a $4
[1:42:43] million net position change. Um this is
[1:42:49] usually in the financial office or I
[1:42:51] have it if anybody ever has any
[1:42:53] questions regarding the BEIT.
[1:42:57] >> What's it?
[1:42:58] >> NIP 2.6 PA schoolboard association
[1:43:02] liaison Linda Lash. I did represent the
[1:43:06] district in the delegates assembly on
[1:43:10] Tuesday afternoon. Um there was very
[1:43:12] little to really do at this year's
[1:43:15] legislative um delegate assembly. There
[1:43:18] was some word changes that we had to
[1:43:20] vote on, very little discussion. Um no
[1:43:24] new legislative action. Um, I'm not
[1:43:28] exactly sure what the what the uh
[1:43:30] committee when they met in August had to
[1:43:32] really do other than uh replace some
[1:43:35] words, but um that was the shortest one
[1:43:37] I ever attended, so that was kind of
[1:43:39] nice for a change. That's it.
[1:43:43] >> And 2.7 Skook Valley Education
[1:43:46] Foundation. Linda,
[1:43:47] >> well, you do have some good things to to
[1:43:50] put. The foundation seems to be moving
[1:43:53] forward rapidly. On March 13th, the red
[1:43:56] and black event will be held at the
[1:43:58] Leport Market facility and they're
[1:44:01] expecting a larger group than last year.
[1:44:04] So they the uh Leport Market will be
[1:44:07] able to handle that. So um when you hear
[1:44:11] the tickets go on for sale for that,
[1:44:14] you'll want to sign up and go. Very nice
[1:44:16] event last year.
[1:44:19] They also reported that they have given
[1:44:22] grants. Now, one thing that they planned
[1:44:26] for was to have teachers sign up for
[1:44:28] payroll deductions or make or buy them
[1:44:32] for wearing jeans, I think, on Tuesdays.
[1:44:35] I'm not really sure about that. Tuesdays
[1:44:38] and um if they paid to do this, they get
[1:44:41] to wear their jeans on Tuesday and the
[1:44:42] foundation could benefit from that
[1:44:45] money. So, they have given grants out.
[1:44:49] They've given a dual enrollment grant
[1:44:51] for four students at RACK. They've given
[1:44:55] a $500 grant to a family consu consumer
[1:44:58] science for cake decorating supplies at
[1:45:01] the high school. A $500 grant to
[1:45:04] elementary school for the flexible
[1:45:06] seating that they requested. And we saw
[1:45:09] some really neat flexible seating up at
[1:45:11] the conference that would be great for
[1:45:14] lower grades. Uh, grant to Lisa Shelot
[1:45:17] for her aent class materials used at the
[1:45:21] elementary school. Grant to Rhonda
[1:45:23] Seymour for art project charms for
[1:45:26] students at the middle school that they
[1:45:28] would make these things. A grant to
[1:45:31] Michelle Rolls Kramer for camera and mic
[1:45:34] to be used by the Panther, the the high
[1:45:37] school newspaper.
[1:45:41] Uh the foundation received its small
[1:45:44] games of chance license and it will be
[1:45:48] selling a limited number of tickets so
[1:45:52] that you could win a ninja dual basket
[1:45:55] fryer and I think you would have to see
[1:46:00] a foundation member if you are
[1:46:02] interested in purchasing tickets for
[1:46:06] that. So that's all I have.
[1:46:11] Okay, thank you. Uh 3.0 persons to
[1:46:15] address the board. 3.1 Anyone who wishes
[1:46:18] to address the board will be given three
[1:46:19] minutes to state their questions and
[1:46:21] concerns. Please state your name, where
[1:46:23] you live, and if you have a written
[1:46:25] statement. The board would appreciate
[1:46:26] receiving a copy. We have two people.
[1:46:28] First is Carol W.
[1:46:30] >> Okay. Carol Lean from Township. So, the
[1:46:34] election is just one week away and we
[1:46:36] know there'll be some changes to the
[1:46:37] board. Um, I know the current board
[1:46:40] still has the November meetings before
[1:46:41] the reorganization meeting on December
[1:46:44] 2nd. But I do want to say today, while I
[1:46:47] have not agreed with many of the
[1:46:48] decisions you were allowed to make over
[1:46:50] these past months and years, I do want
[1:46:53] to acknowledge it's not an easy job.
[1:46:55] It's a timeconsuming job and it's a
[1:46:57] thankless job most days. So anyone is
[1:47:00] who is willing to put themselves in this
[1:47:02] type of volunteer position should at
[1:47:04] least be recognized for that service. I
[1:47:07] have a request for information that
[1:47:09] should be given to all the new board
[1:47:10] members and remaining board members as
[1:47:12] soon as the results of the election are
[1:47:14] known next week and I do have this
[1:47:17] request in writing.
[1:47:19] First is a listing of all administrators
[1:47:21] and act 93 positions um and the names of
[1:47:24] who are currently in those positions and
[1:47:27] most importantly what is the job
[1:47:29] description of that position.
[1:47:32] Second, copies of the written policy and
[1:47:34] procedures for hiring hiring teachers,
[1:47:37] administrators, support staff, coaches,
[1:47:40] etc. Whoever is hired by this district,
[1:47:42] there should be a written procedure of
[1:47:44] that process. And it's important that
[1:47:46] all board members are aware of this
[1:47:48] procedure, which from my understanding
[1:47:50] is totally different than what we have
[1:47:52] done in the past. Next, a list of
[1:47:57] of unfilled budgeted positions in all
[1:48:01] three buildings as well as at the
[1:48:03] administration level. Coming into the
[1:48:06] budget process in January, it would be
[1:48:08] very helpful for the new board to know
[1:48:11] if any of the monetary surplus is really
[1:48:13] a surplus or just due to unfilled
[1:48:16] budgeted positions. And last, a list of
[1:48:20] possible agencies that help in the
[1:48:22] search process of a new superintendent
[1:48:25] and the cost and services provided.
[1:48:28] So this is just a partial list of what
[1:48:30] information the new board should have
[1:48:33] right from the start under our
[1:48:34] circumstances here which again this
[1:48:37] request for information should be
[1:48:39] available after the election when we'll
[1:48:41] know who will definitely be on the board
[1:48:43] and not have to wait until the December
[1:48:45] meeting to request it. There is a lot
[1:48:48] going on that this new board will have
[1:48:50] to deal with right off the bat and an
[1:48:52] informed board will be a productive and
[1:48:55] successful board.
[1:48:57] I do have
[1:49:07] >> [clears throat]
[1:49:08] >> Thank you, Carol.
[1:49:14] >> You You helped her type it, didn't you?
[1:49:26] >> Next up is L Sugar. Thank you, Carol.
[1:49:35] Shucker at Burn Township.
[1:49:38] Is there a link between pre between
[1:49:40] pregnant women who take Tylenol and
[1:49:42] autism? How much alcohol is safe to
[1:49:45] drink? How many steps should we take
[1:49:47] every day to get fit? And which foods
[1:49:50] are healthy for us? In order to get the
[1:49:52] answer to these and other questions, we
[1:49:54] have to evaluate competing claims. To do
[1:49:57] so intelligently requires the ability to
[1:50:01] com to parse computing studies,
[1:50:03] distinguish between correlation and
[1:50:05] causation, weigh evidence and spot bias.
[1:50:09] Unfortunately, the most recent national
[1:50:11] test of America American students
[1:50:14] reading achievement reveals that this
[1:50:16] kind of independent evaluation is beyond
[1:50:19] the reading comprehension of most
[1:50:21] Americans. To make sense for for example
[1:50:24] of the ongoing Tylenol debate, you must
[1:50:26] do more than just skim the headlines. It
[1:50:29] is necessary to comprehend dense
[1:50:31] scientific language, distinguish types
[1:50:34] of evidence, compare conflicting
[1:50:36] results, evaluate credibility, and
[1:50:39] synthesize across sources. These are
[1:50:41] reading skills that align with
[1:50:43] proficient and advance on NEAP.
[1:50:46] Students who score basic are generally
[1:50:48] limited to summarizing explicit
[1:50:51] information in a single text. Those who
[1:50:54] score basic below basic can't even do
[1:50:56] that. Basic and below basic readers do
[1:50:59] not have what it takes to effectively
[1:51:01] weigh competing claims. Twothirds of
[1:51:05] Americans cannot reconcile conflicts or
[1:51:08] detect bias. They can read the words,
[1:51:11] but they can't mentally test the
[1:51:12] arguments. Too many of our readings
[1:51:15] readers, including those at Skookul
[1:51:17] Valley, excuse me, read only at a basic
[1:51:20] or below basic level. They need help and
[1:51:23] necessary assistance should come from
[1:51:25] both the home and the school. Starting
[1:51:28] at birth, parents should be encouraged
[1:51:30] on how to instill healthy reading habits
[1:51:32] in their children. Brain development is
[1:51:35] pro most pronounced between the ages of
[1:51:38] one and five and stimulating those parts
[1:51:40] of the brain involved in language is
[1:51:43] important if they are to become
[1:51:44] proficient readers. For those who come
[1:51:46] to school and struggle with reading,
[1:51:48] intensive tutoring should be provided
[1:51:51] and if necessary, summer school should
[1:51:53] be mandated. engagement with parents
[1:51:56] should continue to provide them with the
[1:51:58] necessary tools to provide inhome
[1:52:00] encouragement in and instruction with
[1:52:03] regards to language development. I sat
[1:52:06] here and listened to the presentation
[1:52:08] for the new fieldhouse and heard the
[1:52:12] figure $23.5 million. If we can spend up
[1:52:16] to that much money, we can certainly
[1:52:17] afford to give our students what is
[1:52:20] necessary for them to become proficient
[1:52:22] readers. Thank you.
[1:52:25] >> Thanks, Lou.
[1:52:27] >> Lou, I just want to thank you for always
[1:52:28] having topics to keep us on our toes.
[1:52:32] >> You always have such different topics
[1:52:34] and I appreciate you coming.
[1:52:36] >> Thank you.
[1:52:42] >> Moving on to 4.0 board
[1:52:47] >> 4.1 solicitors report.
[1:52:52] Um, I have nothing specific to report.
[1:52:54] I'm amazed that someone gave a legal
[1:52:56] update and overview at PSBI in just one
[1:52:58] hour. I feel like in the past four
[1:53:00] weeks, I've given one hour presentations
[1:53:02] just on assessment appeals, just on
[1:53:04] right to know, and um just on uh
[1:53:07] bullying and cyber bullying
[1:53:08] investigations. So, uh, kudos to whoever
[1:53:10] was in charge of that hourlong speed
[1:53:12] presentation. I I can't even imagine.
[1:53:14] >> It was really good, but they they had so
[1:53:16] much stuff.
[1:53:17] >> That's a lot of information.
[1:53:18] >> Went right through the slides and didn't
[1:53:20] talk about.
[1:53:22] >> I don't have anything else to report,
[1:53:24] but if the board is ever interested in a
[1:53:25] one-hour fascinating presentation on any
[1:53:27] of those topics, I'm happy to give
[1:53:28] [laughter] it.
[1:53:32] >> Maybe the new board will want to do
[1:53:33] that. Uh 5.0. Uh any other older new
[1:53:36] business the board 5.0 superintendent.
[1:53:41] >> Thank you, Mr. Mole. Just a few
[1:53:43] highlights of what uh has been happening
[1:53:46] in the district and this is always such
[1:53:49] a pleasure. There's so many good things
[1:53:50] happen when you get the Monday morning
[1:53:52] uh message and you see the Friday focus
[1:53:55] go out which we do each week you realize
[1:53:58] how blessed we are by our students and
[1:54:01] certainly by our staff. So we'll start
[1:54:04] with talking a little bit about the
[1:54:06] outstanding visual arts community
[1:54:09] endorsement for that our art programs
[1:54:12] received and this year that was the
[1:54:15] middle school and the high school. So
[1:54:18] very we are very excited to congratulate
[1:54:21] our art department. Um they received
[1:54:24] this honor from the PA art education
[1:54:27] association. So congratulations to the
[1:54:29] middle school and to our high school.
[1:54:30] And if you've seen their work, you would
[1:54:33] understand why we received that award.
[1:54:36] Specifically, I look at the pottery and
[1:54:39] all of the things that happen at the
[1:54:40] high school, all the set design, what we
[1:54:42] see in the middle school, and certainly
[1:54:44] soon coming up the holiday card. um
[1:54:47] contests that we have each year. Just
[1:54:50] great opportunities for students in the
[1:54:52] arts here. So, the next slide, if you
[1:54:55] would hit that next slide for us, Mr.
[1:54:57] Pulley, and if you can't, that's fine,
[1:54:58] too. Um the I want to talk a little bit
[1:55:02] about the SV the Skookul Valley
[1:55:05] Elementary Center and their garden club.
[1:55:09] Can you advance that for us or No, you
[1:55:12] can't. No, that's okay.
[1:55:17] No, I think I think it's a bigger issue
[1:55:18] than the clicker, but our our garden
[1:55:20] club at the elementary school, we have
[1:55:22] been watching our garden club advisor,
[1:55:26] uh, Cora Meyers, send out emails each
[1:55:28] week. If you need vegetables, come down
[1:55:30] to the elementary school and we are
[1:55:34] excited to see our students out in that
[1:55:36] garden. They look so adorable out there.
[1:55:39] They had tomatoes, they had eggplants,
[1:55:41] they had a bumper crop of eggplant,
[1:55:44] [laughter]
[1:55:45] lots of things that they were harvesting
[1:55:47] over the past couple of weeks, peppers,
[1:55:49] and so I was very excited for our
[1:55:52] students and they're using that garden
[1:55:54] and doing it in conjunction with some of
[1:55:56] what they're learning in language arts
[1:55:57] and in science. So, thank you to the
[1:56:00] garden club. Of course, if you know,
[1:56:02] this time of year, our elementary school
[1:56:04] students also participate in pumpkin
[1:56:06] math. Second graders learn how to take
[1:56:09] measurements and weights as well as they
[1:56:12] practice oh there it is counting and
[1:56:14] grouping with the help of some dedicated
[1:56:16] volunteers and an awful lot of pumpkins.
[1:56:22] And of course you heard tonight a little
[1:56:24] bit about our eighth grade camp and
[1:56:26] you're in presenter mode. Um just so you
[1:56:29] know um our eighth grade camp they went
[1:56:32] mountain biking which is always a fun
[1:56:34] opportunity for the students. boating. I
[1:56:36] heard there might have been a boat that
[1:56:38] tipped over, but not to worry. Our high
[1:56:40] school students were there, helped pull
[1:56:42] the boat back and get everybody back in.
[1:56:45] Fire building. Those are some of the
[1:56:47] things that they do some fishing. And I
[1:56:49] will tell you that um our high school
[1:56:51] students did an amazing job. They go to
[1:56:54] camp. They help out with the younger
[1:56:57] students. And it's really a great
[1:56:59] opportunity to build community. I am so
[1:57:01] proud that we still hold camp every year
[1:57:03] and say thank you to everybody that uh
[1:57:06] makes that possible. And there you go.
[1:57:08] Um looks like maybe a first or second
[1:57:10] fish there uh in the in the top lefthand
[1:57:13] corner. So thank you to them. Next slide
[1:57:16] you'll see is the middle school had
[1:57:19] career day. So congratulations to our
[1:57:22] middle school for the efforts there. We
[1:57:24] had guest speakers who visited fifth and
[1:57:26] sixth grade to share their experiences
[1:57:28] in a variety of industries. healthcare,
[1:57:30] public service, trades, sales, and more.
[1:57:33] So, very exciting day, busy day down at
[1:57:36] the middle school on career day, but we
[1:57:38] are so thankful for everyone who helped
[1:57:40] put that together. And in the next
[1:57:42] slide, you'll see that the FFA is back
[1:57:45] at it again. They had their fall
[1:57:46] leadership conference. First year
[1:57:49] Skookul Valley FFA members learned more
[1:57:51] about the FFA program. They explored
[1:57:54] topics such as their supervised
[1:57:56] agricultural experience. when you go and
[1:58:00] uh spend some time with our FFA
[1:58:02] students, the acronym SAE is used quite
[1:58:06] a bit and they learned about goal
[1:58:08] setting, leadership, and certainly some
[1:58:11] time in discussing self-discovery. And
[1:58:14] in the next slide, you'll see the Burks
[1:58:16] County FFA leadership conference also
[1:58:18] occurring. Our FFA members participated
[1:58:21] in a series of activities to improve
[1:58:23] communication skills and to recruit and
[1:58:26] try to rate retain new members. So great
[1:58:30] great event for our FFA students.
[1:58:34] The next slide is our BCTC Ollie Fair.
[1:58:38] Logan Jones, congratulations. First
[1:58:40] place arrangement in a basket and second
[1:58:43] place fresh floral vase design. So,
[1:58:46] we're so proud of Logan for the work in
[1:58:49] uh BCTC.
[1:58:52] And of course, we had the King Frost
[1:58:54] Parade. And I want to say thank you
[1:58:56] again to the board of directors who made
[1:58:59] a priority to purchase the brand new
[1:59:02] band uniforms for our students. They
[1:59:04] look fabulous when they're out on the
[1:59:06] field. And I want to congratulate our
[1:59:08] teacher, um, Mrs. Kaiser. Amazing job
[1:59:12] she's doing with the band. the it's
[1:59:15] growing each year. They sound great.
[1:59:17] It's great to hear them and I'm so
[1:59:19] excited to see them marching at parades.
[1:59:22] So, thank you. I know it's a lot of time
[1:59:24] and effort, but we really appreciate all
[1:59:26] you're doing with our students.
[1:59:28] >> And we also had the football team and
[1:59:31] the cheerleaders were also in the band
[1:59:33] as well in the parade as well.
[1:59:34] >> Yes. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mo, for um
[1:59:38] bringing that out too.
[1:59:40] [sighs]
[1:59:42] are in athletics.
[1:59:44] Abby uh McCaffrey made it to states
[1:59:48] after winning the PIAA District 3 Class
[1:59:51] DoubleA girls golf championship.
[1:59:54] Amazing. Great job, Abby. We are so
[1:59:57] proud of that effort. Getting to states
[1:59:59] is no easy uh feat for any athlete. So,
[2:00:03] congratulations for your efforts. Boys
[2:00:07] soccer and girls volleyball will compete
[2:00:09] in the PIAA District 3 semifinals this
[2:00:12] week. Football's going to play in the
[2:00:14] PIAA District 3 quarterfinals on Friday.
[2:00:20] And congratulations to Matilda Walborn.
[2:00:24] She's going to states on Saturday after
[2:00:26] earning a second place medal in the
[2:00:28] double race of districts, her time of
[2:00:31] 1902.
[2:00:33] That's moving. I mean, she is fast. 1902
[2:00:38] set a Skookul Valley record for girls
[2:00:41] cross country. So, congratulations to
[2:00:44] all of our athletes. And um just a
[2:00:46] little shout out. November, let me see
[2:00:48] if I get the date right. Is it November
[2:00:50] 11th? When's the
[2:00:52] >> 14th?
[2:00:53] >> November 14th is the end of fall season.
[2:00:57] >> November 14th when sports start.
[2:01:01] >> Okay. See, our athletic director's
[2:01:03] excited about winter sports. he's
[2:01:04] already on to that. And then there's an
[2:01:06] end of fall season um event for
[2:01:10] athletes, coaches, and parents. And
[2:01:13] that's I think November
[2:01:16] >> 11th. Okay. So, I'd encourage you board
[2:01:19] members, we'd love to have you if you
[2:01:20] can come and join us um in the
[2:01:23] auditorium. It's really a special
[2:01:24] evening. Our food service participates
[2:01:26] in that. they have things ready for
[2:01:29] everybody there and it's a great
[2:01:30] celebration, a great way to end a sports
[2:01:33] season and to kick off a new one. And
[2:01:36] then last, but certainly not least, our
[2:01:39] annual SVSD Winterfest, December 7th.
[2:01:43] Please mark your calendars from 4 to
[2:01:45] 7:00 p.m. at the high school. I want to
[2:01:47] tell you that um our food service
[2:01:50] director is also a crafter extraord
[2:01:53] extraordinaire and so she has many deep
[2:01:57] roots in the crafting world and so this
[2:02:00] year we are adding a vendor and craft
[2:02:02] fair. So we have people that are already
[2:02:04] signing up for that. There'll be games,
[2:02:07] food and activities for students and
[2:02:09] children of all ages just like last year
[2:02:11] and Mrs. Maner is working on that uh
[2:02:14] fervishly. If you have time and want to
[2:02:17] volunteer, please come and join us. It
[2:02:19] is really a nice afternoon. So, and that
[2:02:22] concludes my report.
[2:02:24] >> Thank you. Uh, moving on to 6.0, policy,
[2:02:27] personnel, and public relations. Uh,
[2:02:30] there was a series of items that were
[2:02:32] brought forward. Uh, entertain a motion
[2:02:35] by consensus for 61 to 616.
[2:02:39] >> So, move club.
[2:02:40] >> Second O'Donnell.
[2:02:42] >> Any discussion? All those in favor
[2:02:45] signify by saying I
[2:02:47] >> I
[2:02:48] >> opposed. No.
[2:02:50] >> Those items pass 90. We have two
[2:02:53] addendums. Uh 617
[2:02:56] uh acting superintendent approves and
[2:02:58] appoints pursuant to 24 PS 10-1079.
[2:03:04] Dr. Patrick Winters as acting
[2:03:06] superintendent effecting November 12th,
[2:03:08] 2025 and ending upon the appointment of
[2:03:11] a new superintendent unless early
[2:03:13] termination by resolution of the board.
[2:03:16] The salary and terms of Dr. Wy's current
[2:03:18] employment agreement will remain in
[2:03:20] effect during this term. Entertain a
[2:03:22] motion.
[2:03:24] >> So second, Rossy
[2:03:26] >> discussion.
[2:03:30] This is a requirement that we have to
[2:03:31] have an acting superintendent and we
[2:03:33] have to have somebody in place until we
[2:03:36] elect another one. So um all those in
[2:03:39] favor signify by saying I
[2:03:41] >> I
[2:03:42] >> oppose nays.
[2:03:44] That also passes 90. We have an
[2:03:47] employment 618
[2:03:51] uh approves Mr. Jacob
[2:03:54] Edget Getty
[2:03:56] uh English 7 to 12 teachers master step
[2:03:59] seven
[2:04:01] uh effective date to be determined to
[2:04:03] fill the uh vacancy created by the
[2:04:06] transfer of Miss Cassandra Baron
[2:04:09] entertain a motion. So move lash
[2:04:12] >> second
[2:04:15] >> discussion
[2:04:17] hearing none I'll further the vote all
[2:04:18] those in favor signify by saying I
[2:04:21] >> I opposed nay.
[2:04:23] >> That also passes [snorts] 90
[2:04:26] 619. Any other old or new business?
[2:04:29] >> I have one item. Um, with the upcoming
[2:04:34] change in some board members, um, and
[2:04:36] our superintendent leaving, I thought it
[2:04:39] would be best if we didn't wait for the
[2:04:41] December meeting to start our search
[2:04:43] that maybe we start to put something out
[2:04:46] there in November so that when the new
[2:04:48] board members come in, we can start
[2:04:50] right away with starting to look at some
[2:04:51] of the applicants. Um, just to kind of
[2:04:54] keep that moving and give us something
[2:04:56] to do for the December meeting. Yeah, we
[2:04:58] had that discussion to at least to uh
[2:05:02] put the ads out,
[2:05:06] >> the ones that have no cost, but all the
[2:05:08] ads that are out there for the different
[2:05:11] >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm not recommending that we
[2:05:13] do a search. I really am against having
[2:05:15] any kind of a search group help us with
[2:05:18] this and have the first cut of the
[2:05:20] candidates. I'd really like to just put
[2:05:21] it out on some of the
[2:05:24] I guess wherever you advertise for
[2:05:26] school positions to see what we get
[2:05:29] first.
[2:05:32] >> I'd like to start soliciting resumes for
[2:05:34] superintendent so that we have stuff to
[2:05:36] look at when the new board members are
[2:05:38] set when they get seated.
[2:05:40] >> You want to do just a internal
[2:05:43] advertisement
[2:05:45] and you don't want to go through any
[2:05:48] agency or anything like that.
[2:05:49] >> Correct. So
[2:05:52] >> would you mean advert internal
[2:05:53] advertisement? You're also talking about
[2:05:55] going out on all the websites and all
[2:05:57] the other
[2:05:57] >> Yeah. Not not just internally with our
[2:05:59] our own staff, but out out to see see
[2:06:02] what's out there to start uh putting the
[2:06:05] word out that we're looking and to see
[2:06:07] what kind of interest we get.
[2:06:12] >> I guess I'm I'm at a loss there to for
[2:06:16] us to go and make that decision. Uh,
[2:06:20] >> oh, I'm not saying that we would I'm not
[2:06:22] saying that we would go through the
[2:06:24] resumes and we would start to pick and
[2:06:26] choose. I'm just saying we'd start
[2:06:27] generating.
[2:06:28] >> No, but what I'm saying is if you go and
[2:06:29] do that now, you're not happy with
[2:06:31] anybody and then, you know, then you
[2:06:32] have to find another process to go and
[2:06:36] uh find a candidate. Uh,
[2:06:41] I'm not sure that's the best uh message
[2:06:44] to send to people that are applying. if
[2:06:47] people do apply. Uh, and how wide do you
[2:06:50] want the surge to be? Uh,
[2:06:54] I'm kind of with Paul on that in a sense
[2:06:56] that I think we're going to have, you
[2:06:59] know, new board coming in.
[2:07:01] >> I think let's decide what our process is
[2:07:03] actually going to be to come up with
[2:07:05] these before we go through this before
[2:07:07] we start the process. I understand what
[2:07:08] you're getting at. you just want to see
[2:07:09] some resumes and get them in here. But I
[2:07:12] think the new board should be deciding
[2:07:13] what that process is going to be to get
[2:07:15] those.
[2:07:16] >> I mean, this this we
[2:07:19] as a board collectively, we made the
[2:07:21] decision to go on hold off and do do
[2:07:23] this here uh based on the timeline we
[2:07:26] had. We could have had it advertised,
[2:07:29] interviewed, and somebody selected
[2:07:31] before the no board took place. We chose
[2:07:34] not to go and do that. And all I'm
[2:07:36] saying is is
[2:07:38] uh my own personal feeling. I would
[2:07:43] prefer to I think it should be up to the
[2:07:46] new people coming on the board to decide
[2:07:48] how they want to advertise this position
[2:07:51] and get uh a list of candidates. We have
[2:07:56] a acting superintendent that we just put
[2:08:00] in place. So, it's not like uh time is
[2:08:04] of the essence and I think that
[2:08:07] appointment can go up to a year if I'm
[2:08:09] not mistaken.
[2:08:11] >> Alicia, is that
[2:08:12] >> I believe that's right, Mr. Mendo. Yes.
[2:08:14] >> Yeah. You know, so I mean, whatever the
[2:08:16] board wants to do, I just thought it'd
[2:08:18] be better to let uh the new people uh
[2:08:21] make cho I I've been on the board 12
[2:08:24] years and uh Dr. Passner is the fifth
[2:08:27] superintendent I've worked with. And
[2:08:29] it's not an easy process to go out there
[2:08:32] and find quality candidates that uh are
[2:08:36] going to run a school district versus
[2:08:38] letting the school district run them.
[2:08:40] >> So, whatever the board wants to do, we
[2:08:43] could do. But, you know, uh I thought we
[2:08:47] made that decision two months ago.
[2:08:50] >> Well, yeah. We didn't want to we didn't
[2:08:52] want to preemptively pick somebody for
[2:08:53] them, but I'm just saying kick off the
[2:08:55] process. I thought maybe it would be a
[2:08:57] good idea to do that. Uh that way we can
[2:08:59] launch right into it once they get
[2:09:01] seated December. But I I'll do whatever
[2:09:04] the board does wants to do, but I just
[2:09:08] trying to be proactive to to get a start
[2:09:10] on that process.
[2:09:11] >> In a perfect world, I agree with you,
[2:09:13] but I don't think we're living in a
[2:09:14] perfect world right now.
[2:09:18] Okay,
[2:09:18] >> that's all I have. Okay.
[2:09:21] Anybody else for 619?
[2:09:23] >> Just a followup and reminder for coaches
[2:09:26] um who have not returned their contracts
[2:09:28] yet. We're still um sending out
[2:09:30] reminders and I know that our athletic
[2:09:34] director is sending out reminders, but
[2:09:37] please go into your email, hit the
[2:09:40] button, sign your coaching contract so
[2:09:42] that we can get them back.
[2:09:47] >> Okay.
[2:09:50] 70 curriculum and technology. We had
[2:09:55] >> we had one item
[2:09:58] 71
[2:10:00] the Wii video approves a proposal from
[2:10:03] Wii video for schools annual
[2:10:05] subscription
[2:10:09] is that amount uh I think
[2:10:13] I think the amount uh I'm seeing the
[2:10:17] four million
[2:10:20] I think you'd have to take off the back
[2:10:22] two zeros.
[2:10:23] >> Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. 41,000
[2:10:25] or 4,14167.
[2:10:30] >> Yes.
[2:10:33] >> 4 million would be a lot. Um,
[2:10:38] so I'll entertain a motion for 71.
[2:10:40] >> So move cle
[2:10:44] >> discussion
[2:10:47] hearing. And then I'll ask for the vote.
[2:10:48] All those in favor signify by saying I.
[2:10:50] >> I.
[2:10:51] >> I. Oppose. Nay. Passes 90. Anything
[2:10:55] else for 72 for any old or new business?
[2:11:02] Moving on. Budget and finance.
[2:11:07] Um
[2:11:10] 81 and 82.
[2:11:13] I'll entertain a motion to consolidate.
[2:11:16] So move cle
[2:11:18] >> second
[2:11:19] >> Donald
[2:11:20] >> discussion
[2:11:23] hearing then none I'll ask for that all
[2:11:24] those in favor signify by saying I
[2:11:27] >> I opposed
[2:11:30] >> nay passes 90
[2:11:34] 83 budget impass resolution approves the
[2:11:37] resolution on budget impass and urges
[2:11:39] the governor to work with the
[2:11:40] legislature to approve a budget
[2:11:43] undertain a motion
[2:11:44] >> so move lash
[2:11:46] Second
[2:11:47] >> second. Cle
[2:11:49] >> discussion.
[2:11:51] I guess the question will be is will the
[2:11:53] uh state grant a uh have a budget before
[2:11:57] the uh federal government continuing
[2:12:01] resolution gets resolved.
[2:12:04] Hearing none other discussion I'll ask
[2:12:06] for the vote. All those in favor signify
[2:12:08] by saying I.
[2:12:09] >> I.
[2:12:10] >> I opposed. Nay. Passes 90.
[2:12:14] buildings and grounds.
[2:12:16] >> Could I just under older new business, I
[2:12:18] have a quick question. Did we ever send
[2:12:20] a letter over to the state uh
[2:12:23] encouraging them to pass the what was
[2:12:26] it? The PM MIA
[2:12:28] uh
[2:12:31] flag that we had people come in here and
[2:12:34] request.
[2:12:36] I sent uh letters to every legislator,
[2:12:41] all the House, all the Senate. Uh and I
[2:12:44] did follow up with um folks that were
[2:12:47] here to let them know that I sent that,
[2:12:48] but they were sent out after the meeting
[2:12:52] urging them to do this um for schools
[2:12:55] and in support of that legislation.
[2:12:58] >> Okay. Thank you. That I know that wasn't
[2:12:59] under section 8, but I just popped in my
[2:13:02] head there.
[2:13:04] I have one last question. Do we have the
[2:13:06] final invoice being sent to the county?
[2:13:09] [snorts]
[2:13:10] >> Yes, we just uh received the information
[2:13:13] on the busing and needed to check it a
[2:13:15] couple of times, but I think we're good
[2:13:17] to go now. So, the board will see that
[2:13:19] first and then it'll go out to the
[2:13:20] county.
[2:13:20] >> Perfect. Appreciate it. Thank you.
[2:13:25] >> 9.0 buildings. Anything else for 84
[2:13:28] budget and finance? I don't know where
[2:13:30] flags came under budget and finance, but
[2:13:32] okay. Um, anything else? 90,
[2:13:38] buildings and grounds. Uh, we just have
[2:13:40] one addendum, the middle school gym unit
[2:13:42] repair. The board has requested to
[2:13:45] consider and approve the quote from
[2:13:46] Honeywell International for repairs to
[2:13:48] the middle school gym unit in the amount
[2:13:50] of $6,75.
[2:13:52] I'll entertain a motion.
[2:13:55] >> So, move club.
[2:13:56] >> Second.
[2:13:59] Second Ross
[2:14:01] >> discussion
[2:14:03] hearing. None, I'll ask for the vote.
[2:14:05] All those in favor signify by saying I.
[2:14:07] >> I.
[2:14:08] >> I.
[2:14:08] >> Oppose. Nay.
[2:14:10] Passes 90. Is there any
[2:14:13] else for buildings and grounds under 92.
[2:14:17] >> Just an update. I spoke to Mr. Chrisman,
[2:14:20] Bruce Chrisman at EI Associates, our
[2:14:22] architect of record, about the right now
[2:14:25] project. They did say they'd be sending
[2:14:26] someone out. uh we saw the seal uh
[2:14:31] fencing specifications for the
[2:14:33] fieldhouse. So I'm able to share those
[2:14:36] so that that matches and provided the
[2:14:39] information regarding the stone pillars
[2:14:41] every two sections and so they will be
[2:14:45] preparing that bid for the board and
[2:14:47] probably by November the board will be
[2:14:48] able to send that out for bid um once
[2:14:51] you review it.
[2:14:52] >> Brick pillars correct?
[2:14:53] >> Did I say something? You said stone just
[2:14:56] match the building.
[2:14:57] >> No, you're 100% correct, brick. Thank
[2:15:00] you. Yes, brick.
[2:15:01] >> Have we heard anything from PennDOT like
[2:15:04] when that's going to be happening? Like
[2:15:06] when that lane expansions can actually
[2:15:08] start because I know they wanted it like
[2:15:10] they were looking this summer.
[2:15:12] >> Yes. I have not received any information
[2:15:14] from Penn DOT. The last correspondence
[2:15:16] was the correspondence that we sent out.
[2:15:18] Um, and I forget there was a an issue,
[2:15:22] Paul, you might remember that we had for
[2:15:25] the was it for the drain to go under the
[2:15:29] >> That was the uh township portion of
[2:15:32] >> the uh and the township. They wanted to
[2:15:34] get their section done before
[2:15:36] >> the uh route 73 portion.
[2:15:39] >> Yeah. And that was they wanted to be
[2:15:41] done before the start of school year.
[2:15:42] And here we are.
[2:15:43] >> Yes. Yes, they did. You are correct.
[2:15:46] >> So, I haven't received anything else,
[2:15:48] but did you
[2:15:48] >> I was just going to jump in and say I I
[2:15:50] believe I don't have the documents in
[2:15:52] front of me, but when we were working
[2:15:53] through those easement documents, one of
[2:15:56] them was a right away um like a
[2:15:58] designation of a particular individual
[2:16:00] with the district that would receive
[2:16:02] those information. That was Dr. Winters.
[2:16:04] I I think that might have been for
[2:16:05] PennDOT. So, I think that if there's any
[2:16:07] kind of inquiries or follow-ups that
[2:16:08] would have come to Dr. winners and I
[2:16:10] assume you haven't received anything.
[2:16:12] >> U but that was part of the the paperwork
[2:16:14] we needed to go through.
[2:16:15] >> I mean very honestly it may be more of a
[2:16:16] township question than it is for us but
[2:16:18] I just didn't know where we were at if
[2:16:19] we if we had anything on our end.
[2:16:21] >> We'll still move forward with getting
[2:16:23] the bids. The start date of course would
[2:16:26] be subject to whenever I don't think we
[2:16:27] want to put a fence up before they take
[2:16:29] the trees down. But regardless all of
[2:16:31] that would be done and the board could
[2:16:32] have the financial portion in place.
[2:16:36] [clears throat]
[2:16:36] >> Do we have a start date for the softball
[2:16:38] field?
[2:16:40] they have to accept bids.
[2:16:42] >> I do not have a st I do not have a start
[2:16:44] date for that, but I will reach out
[2:16:46] tomorrow. I was going to ask that
[2:16:47] tonight and I forgot, but I will reach
[2:16:49] out and get that to the board.
[2:16:51] >> Okay.
[2:16:52] >> Just one comment. Um, in response to
[2:16:54] something Dr. Tashner just mentioned, we
[2:16:56] probably should try to get and and I'm
[2:16:58] happy to be the go-between to get an
[2:17:00] estimate of the work because if you bid
[2:17:02] the project out too early and then the
[2:17:04] contractors aren't actually permitted to
[2:17:05] do their work as I'm sure you know, but
[2:17:07] you know that they can't be committed to
[2:17:08] their price forever, right? If it's
[2:17:10] going to be three years from now, so
[2:17:12] that might just be a further tie up that
[2:17:14] we want to do before we formally bid out
[2:17:16] the project.
[2:17:17] >> We can talk more about it.
[2:17:22] Anything else for 92?
[2:17:27] 100, student services and activities. We
[2:17:29] have six items that we've talked about
[2:17:31] before. Uh 101 to 106.
[2:17:37] I'll entertain a motion to consolidate.
[2:17:40] >> So move cl
[2:17:41] >> second. Amil
[2:17:44] >> discussion
[2:17:47] hearing. Then I'll ask for the vote. All
[2:17:49] those in favor signify by saying I
[2:17:52] >> I opposed.
[2:17:54] Nay. Passes 90. Anything else? Any old
[2:17:58] or new business?
[2:18:00] >> I have I have one item. Um
[2:18:03] with the impass in Washington, I
[2:18:05] understand that SNAP benefits may be
[2:18:06] affected soon. Um I would just ask that
[2:18:09] we keep an eye on any of our student
[2:18:12] body that may be affected and and try to
[2:18:14] try to assist any way that we can with
[2:18:16] that. Anything
[2:18:23] else?
[2:18:24] >> I know Dr. Tashner already mentioned it.
[2:18:26] Um, but tomorrow our boys soccer team
[2:18:28] plays uh the semifinal game. So if
[2:18:32] anybody can get out to Lancaster
[2:18:33] Catholic, that's where they'll be
[2:18:34] playing to support them. Um, we're
[2:18:36] really excited. They they've had a great
[2:18:38] season. Um, so I don't know when that
[2:18:41] volleyball game is because I'm not
[2:18:42] tapped into that.
[2:18:43] >> 7 o'clock tomorrow.
[2:18:44] >> Same time. Of course it is.
[2:18:47] at
[2:18:48] >> 5:30
[2:18:50] >> and volleyball's at 6.
[2:18:51] >> Oh, at 6. It says seven on the little
[2:18:54] red schedule.
[2:18:56] >> Oh, thank you. I I would have been late.
[2:18:58] >> So, go out and support our teams.
[2:19:00] They're all doing phenomenally, so uh
[2:19:03] help them out.
[2:19:07] >> Moving on. 11:0.
[2:19:10] Just a reminder that uh November 10th, I
[2:19:14] believe, we'll have a special meeting to
[2:19:16] receive the audit and at that point um
[2:19:18] our business manager will be here and
[2:19:20] she will do the budget presentation for
[2:19:22] the public um that we received in the
[2:19:25] board retreat. Uh but that will allow
[2:19:28] her and her team to actually be able to
[2:19:30] enjoy Thanksgiving and to have things
[2:19:32] wrapped up. they've done a great job and
[2:19:35] uh it's a pretty tedious pro process put
[2:19:38] inputting that and having it all done
[2:19:39] and and closing out the former year. So,
[2:19:41] thank you to the board for being willing
[2:19:43] to have that one last meeting so that
[2:19:45] they can do that. And thank you to the
[2:19:47] business office.
[2:19:49] >> If I if I could uh add something because
[2:19:52] I'm I'm not sure if I'm going to be here
[2:19:54] on the November 10th meeting because of
[2:19:57] my schedule, whatever like that, but uh
[2:20:00] I was here when uh Dr. Tashner was hired
[2:20:03] by the board and she was the fifth
[2:20:08] superintendent that I worked with over
[2:20:11] the 12 years that I was on the board.
[2:20:14] And uh when [clears throat] the board
[2:20:17] hired Dr. Tashner, uh she was tasked
[2:20:20] with basically uh addressing three
[2:20:23] different issues that concerned the
[2:20:25] board at the time, which number one was
[2:20:28] to fix our accounting and budgetary
[2:20:30] process. which we after looking into it,
[2:20:35] we found that uh or after she looked
[2:20:38] into it, we found that expenses were not
[2:20:40] being logged under they're being logged
[2:20:42] under wrong accounts. Our student
[2:20:45] accounts weren't were documented
[2:20:47] improperly
[2:20:49] and uh
[2:20:52] our athletic department was using a
[2:20:54] separate checking account that was not
[2:20:56] permitted under PTE rules. One of the
[2:20:59] other things she was asked to do was to
[2:21:01] update the student curriculum. The two
[2:21:03] previous superintendent that were there
[2:21:06] hired people to do that and they never
[2:21:10] did anything with updating the
[2:21:12] curriculum. So we made great strides. We
[2:21:16] made great strides with getting that
[2:21:18] updated. Uh the third thing and was most
[2:21:22] important to the board was that uh
[2:21:25] employees have to be held accountable in
[2:21:28] the school district and we have a lot of
[2:21:30] outstanding employees. We have great
[2:21:32] teachers. We have great paras. We have
[2:21:35] great administrators. We have
[2:21:38] great people in our IT department, in
[2:21:40] our food service department, our
[2:21:42] custodia department and stuff like that.
[2:21:44] But with that said, with any large
[2:21:48] organization that has a large number of
[2:21:51] employees,
[2:21:52] uh we had our share of employee problems
[2:21:55] that had to be dealt with.
[2:21:58] And uh many of the issues that we did
[2:22:02] deal with uh Dr. Tashner, she brought
[2:22:04] them to the school board and explained
[2:22:07] it to the school board members and said,
[2:22:09] "How do you want me to handle this?" and
[2:22:12] the school board gave her direction on
[2:22:14] how to handle it and she went on and did
[2:22:16] the he heavy lifting to address those
[2:22:19] problems.
[2:22:21] You also, Dr. Tashner, provide the
[2:22:23] school board with weekly updates,
[2:22:26] detailed weekly updates
[2:22:29] and as needed
[2:22:31] updates on situations that arose on a
[2:22:35] daily basis.
[2:22:37] So I just want to close with that you
[2:22:40] did everything that you were asked to do
[2:22:43] and you did a great job. So thank you.
[2:22:47] >> Okay.
[2:22:48] >> I I just I would like to add a little
[2:22:50] bit onto that. I've
[2:22:53] I actually can say I have the most
[2:22:56] experience on the board and Paul had
[2:22:58] five superintendent. I've been on the
[2:23:01] board longer than 12 years. I've had
[2:23:02] six. I [laughter] mean, uh, we h we had
[2:23:08] problems when Dr. Tashner came. There
[2:23:10] was no no question about that. Our our
[2:23:12] district was having problems problems.
[2:23:16] The board wasn't even aware of some of
[2:23:18] the problems that we were having. So I'm
[2:23:24] really respect the fact that she has
[2:23:27] policies just I think they she has
[2:23:29] little cabinets in her head where she
[2:23:31] keeps policies and she can just bring
[2:23:33] them out at any moment. It seems she has
[2:23:37] established administrative regulations
[2:23:39] that we had never ever had written down
[2:23:43] or had put in place before which is
[2:23:46] something we were supposed to have had.
[2:23:49] So, it's really nice to have had
[2:23:52] somebody that could take the district
[2:23:55] and move it forward. We were we were
[2:23:58] stagnating for a while. And um I I wish
[2:24:03] her the best as she goes into higher ed.
[2:24:07] I think those people that will be
[2:24:09] getting her as a professor and as a
[2:24:11] leader there are very very fortunate to
[2:24:14] have somebody who knows so much about
[2:24:16] public education as she does and kudos
[2:24:21] to you.
[2:24:24] >> Thank you. It's been a honor to serve
[2:24:27] the students,
[2:24:29] this community, to serve with my
[2:24:32] colleagues, to serve this board, and all
[2:24:34] the board members that have been here.
[2:24:37] And I will always think very fondly of
[2:24:40] my time here and all the work we've
[2:24:42] done. So, thank you to everyone um for
[2:24:45] those who have been so kind and who have
[2:24:48] worked so hard to do amazing things for
[2:24:50] children. So, thank you and thank you
[2:24:52] for the opportunity. Anything else for
[2:24:56] their business? Go to the order
[2:25:01] hearing. None. I entertain a motion to
[2:25:02] adjourn.
[2:25:03] >> So move second. Stein.
[2:25:07] >> All those in favor signify by saying I.
[2:25:10] >> I. opposed.
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2025-11-17_UXPqDGiVY10.txt

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# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2025-11-17 (committee; resident Langan objects)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXPqDGiVY10
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:00:59] I aliance to the flag of the United
[0:01:02] States of America and to the republic
[0:01:04] for which it stands. One nation under
[0:01:07] God, indivisible, with liberty and
[0:01:09] justice for all.
[0:01:11] >> Susie, roll call, please.
[0:01:15] >> Mr. Emerald,
[0:01:17] >> here.
[0:01:17] >> Mr. Bendigo,
[0:01:18] >> I am here. Mrs. KF
[0:01:20] >> here.
[0:01:21] >> Mrs. Lash
[0:01:22] >> here.
[0:01:22] >> Mr. Mole
[0:01:23] >> here.
[0:01:24] >> Mr. O'Donnell
[0:01:25] >> here.
[0:01:26] >> Mr. Rossy
[0:01:27] >> here.
[0:01:27] >> Mrs. Dunkey
[0:01:28] >> here.
[0:01:29] >> Mr. Weant
[0:01:30] >> here.
[0:01:32] >> We'll just move right to 60.
[0:01:35] >> Is there anybody signed up down there by
[0:01:37] chance?
[0:01:39] >> Sorry. Anybody signed up?
[0:01:40] >> Yes. For uh budget finance.
[0:01:43] >> Okay.
[0:01:45] 6.0 0 policy personnel and public
[0:01:48] relations uh solicitors report.
[0:01:53] >> Um I have nothing to report. Thank you.
[0:01:55] >> 6.1 persons to wish address the board.
[0:01:58] There's none for this committee. 6.2
[0:02:01] retirements. The committee is requested
[0:02:04] to consider and accept with best wishes
[0:02:06] for the future the following
[0:02:07] resignations due to retirement effective
[0:02:09] on the last day of the 20 256 school
[0:02:12] year unless otherwise noted. Uh Mr.
[0:02:15] Brian Blink Blinknney, computer science
[0:02:18] teacher, effective December 5th, 2025.
[0:02:21] So I guess that's a little bit earlier
[0:02:23] than the last day of
[0:02:25] the school year. Uh Joanna Guber,
[0:02:29] library par professional, effective
[0:02:31] December 19th. Mrs. Kimberly Loose,
[0:02:35] middle school building secretary,
[0:02:37] effective December 31st, 2025.
[0:02:40] And Mrs. Carrie Stewart, art teacher,
[0:02:42] effective January 5th of 2026.
[0:02:48] So, is there any questions or comments
[0:02:50] on any of that?
[0:02:54] >> Maybe we should just take off there the
[0:02:56] last day of the 2526
[0:02:58] school year because it's
[0:03:01] >> almost
[0:03:02] >> well there's none of them that fell
[0:03:03] under that that circumstance.
[0:03:07] Okay, hear and we'll move that forward.
[0:03:09] Uh 6.3 resignations committee's request
[0:03:11] to accept with regret and best wishes
[0:03:13] for the future the following
[0:03:14] resignations.
[0:03:17] Miss uh Karen Gersner, special education
[0:03:21] power professional, effective November
[0:03:23] 14, 2025. Mrs. Elizabeth Oswald, health
[0:03:27] assistant, effective December 2nd, 2025.
[0:03:31] Mrs. Stephanie Wolf, accounts payable
[0:03:34] and transportation secretary effective
[0:03:36] October 13, 2025.
[0:03:40] Any questions or comments on that
[0:03:44] hear? None. We'll move that forward.
[0:03:46] 6.4. Employment. the committee's request
[0:03:49] to consider recommend approval of Miss
[0:03:52] Megan Cox, secretary to the director of
[0:03:55] curriculum and learning at an hourly
[0:03:57] rate of 2328 effective date to be
[0:03:59] determined to fill the vacancy created
[0:04:01] by the resignation of Mrs.
[0:04:05] Melissa
[0:04:06] Chanel Chennel Chen Shimble.
[0:04:11] >> Any questions or comments on that
[0:04:15] hearing? And I will move that forward.
[0:04:16] 6.5 employment. The committee's request
[0:04:19] to consider and recommend approval of
[0:04:22] Mrs. Michelle
[0:04:24] Put custodian at an hourly rate of 2209
[0:04:28] effective date to be determined to fill
[0:04:29] a vacancy created by the resation of
[0:04:32] Brian Ike. Any questions or comments on
[0:04:36] that?
[0:04:38] And we'll move that forward. 6.6. uh
[0:04:42] department chairs.
[0:04:45] The committee's request to consider and
[0:04:47] recommend for approval the following
[0:04:49] department chairs for the 2526
[0:04:52] school year. Crystal Camoff, special
[0:04:55] education 2400.
[0:04:57] Jeffrey Shellot, mathematics 2280.
[0:05:01] Lisa Shelot, science 2280. Jason Bagen
[0:05:04] Stouts English, 1800. Jeremy Krills,
[0:05:08] fitness and wellness, 1560. Jessica
[0:05:13] Harley, fine arts, 1440.
[0:05:16] Diane Hubler, family and consumer
[0:05:18] science, 1320. Eric Johansson, technical
[0:05:23] education, technology education, sorry,
[0:05:27] 1440.
[0:05:28] Cindy Kohler,
[0:05:31] business and computer, 2,160.
[0:05:36] Michelle Saucer, world language 1,380.
[0:05:39] Todd Wittman, social studies 2280.
[0:05:43] Any questions or comments on that?
[0:05:48] Hearing none, we'll move that forward.
[0:05:50] 6.7 employment.
[0:05:57] The committee's request to consider and
[0:05:59] recommend approval of the additional
[0:06:00] extracurricular advising positions as
[0:06:03] presented. So there's attachment on the
[0:06:06] positions that came from the union. So
[0:06:10] tonight we're just looking at the
[0:06:12] positions to move that forward and then
[0:06:16] next week there will probably be names
[0:06:19] associated with it. So is there any
[0:06:21] questions on the positions that were uh
[0:06:23] presented?
[0:06:26] No comments hearing none. We'll move
[0:06:28] that forward.
[0:06:30] 6.8
[0:06:32] employment. the committee's request to
[0:06:33] consider and recommend approval of the
[0:06:35] following extracurricular appointments
[0:06:37] for the 2526 school year. Lee Nyel,
[0:06:41] lacrosse boys high school assistant
[0:06:43] coach for $3,500.
[0:06:46] Todd Whitman, bowling high school
[0:06:48] assistant coach, $3,000, pro rated for
[0:06:50] actual days worked. Matthew Ho,
[0:06:54] wrestling junior high assistant coach,
[0:06:56] $4,650.
[0:06:59] Richard Sudsenic Junior Bowling High
[0:07:02] School assistant coach $3,000 prrated
[0:07:06] for actual days worked. Any questions or
[0:07:10] comments on that?
[0:07:12] Hearing none, we'll move that forward.
[0:07:14] 6.9 employment.
[0:07:18] The committee is request to consider and
[0:07:20] recommend approval of the following
[0:07:21] substitutes for the 2526
[0:07:25] school year.
[0:07:27] Suzanne Antonio grades uh PK to four.
[0:07:35] Leah Lina. Am I close on that?
[0:07:40] Where's Where's Robin at? Am I close on
[0:07:42] that? Okay. Finelli, guest teacher.
[0:07:46] Jamie Greenwood, paraprofessional. Emily
[0:07:49] Hoffer, grades uh PK to4. Any questions
[0:07:54] on that? No comments. We'll hear we'll
[0:07:58] move that forward.
[0:08:00] 6.10 Employment. The uh committee is
[0:08:05] request to consider and recommend
[0:08:07] approval of the following volunteers for
[0:08:09] the uh 2526
[0:08:11] school year. And going through the list
[0:08:16] there, I think there were there's 17 on
[0:08:18] the list.
[0:08:20] And
[0:08:23] let me go through here.
[0:08:27] There's 19 total on the list, 17 from
[0:08:29] the elementary school and two of them
[0:08:31] volunteers for the elementary school and
[0:08:33] or the high school. Any questions on
[0:08:36] that?
[0:08:38] >> Just I do just have a quick question,
[0:08:40] Robin. Um, are the clearances good for
[0:08:42] is it five years?
[0:08:49] >> They are valid for five years. The
[0:08:52] clearance process on the volunteer side
[0:08:54] is a little different than the employee
[0:08:56] side. Um, so they expire on the
[0:08:58] volunteer side on the earliest of the
[0:09:01] three clearances, but still five years
[0:09:03] ahead.
[0:09:03] >> Okay. And then like does someone go
[0:09:05] through the website and you know remove
[0:09:09] people as
[0:09:10] >> correct? I do. Okay.
[0:09:12] >> Um, so I think that mine are probably
[0:09:15] past five years, but I'm still on the
[0:09:16] website.
[0:09:17] >> Yeah, I'll double check yours. Um, but
[0:09:19] usually monthly. Um, because anytime the
[0:09:22] board approves new volunteers after the
[0:09:24] board meeting, the updated list is
[0:09:25] posted to the website
[0:09:26] >> because I I don't remember why I looked
[0:09:28] and I was like, I'm still on there, but
[0:09:29] I'm pretty sure I need to redo that.
[0:09:31] >> Yeah, I'll double check yours for you.
[0:09:33] >> All right. Thank you.
[0:09:33] >> You're welcome.
[0:09:36] >> Any other questions or comments? Hearing
[0:09:39] none, we'll move that uh forward.
[0:09:42] 6.11
[0:09:44] Employment. The committee's request to
[0:09:46] consider and recommend approval of the
[0:09:48] child rearing request of Miss Caitlyn
[0:09:52] Dupy, kindergarten teacher at the
[0:09:54] elementary school, effective date,
[0:09:56] November 10th, 2025 to the conclusion of
[0:09:59] the 2526 school year. Any questions or
[0:10:03] comments on that?
[0:10:06] Hearing none, we'll move that forward.
[0:10:09] 6.12 The committee's request to consider
[0:10:11] and acknowledge the following family
[0:10:13] medical leave act leaves of absences.
[0:10:17] Deborah Bitner, special education par
[0:10:21] profofessional, effective September
[0:10:22] 24th, 2025 through October 3rd, 2025.
[0:10:26] Patricia Lacy, business education
[0:10:28] teacher, effective September 19th, 2025
[0:10:32] through October 3rd, 2025. Sarah Reed,
[0:10:35] school psychologist, effective November
[0:10:38] 18, 2025 through November 25, 2025.
[0:10:43] Todd Wittman, technology integration
[0:10:45] coach and social studies teacher,
[0:10:46] effective October 22nd, 2025 through
[0:10:49] November 12th, 2025.
[0:10:52] And Kent Joerger, custodian supervisor,
[0:10:54] effective December 15, 2025 through
[0:10:58] March 8th, 2026.
[0:11:02] Any questions or comments on that?
[0:11:08] Hearing? None. We'll move that forward.
[0:11:13] 6.13.
[0:11:15] Any other old or new business for policy
[0:11:18] and personnel?
[0:11:22] I guess it's off to curriculum and
[0:11:24] technology.
[0:11:26] >> 7.0.
[0:11:27] Curriculum and technology. And Brian,
[0:11:29] I'm assuming there was nobody This
[0:11:33] >> Thank you. Okay. 7.2 proposal Sapphire K
[0:11:39] through2 Incorporated. The committee has
[0:11:42] requested consider and recommend
[0:11:44] approval of the proposal from Sapphire
[0:11:46] K12 Inc. to implement single single sign
[0:11:50] on for student community web portal
[0:11:53] accounts.
[0:11:56] And
[0:11:57] I will look to
[0:12:00] Mike and see if there's anything we need
[0:12:02] to know about this or
[0:12:14] good evening everybody. Um so this is a
[0:12:17] proposal from Sapphire for us to change
[0:12:20] the way we are doing passwords for
[0:12:21] students to access their community web
[0:12:23] portals. Um through recent events, we're
[0:12:25] just a little concerned about the way
[0:12:26] it's been done in the past. There's
[0:12:27] always opportunities and room for
[0:12:29] improvement. Um so this is to get
[0:12:32] student community web portal uh
[0:12:33] passwords to align to their Google or
[0:12:36] Microsoft passwords.
[0:12:38] >> And when would this be implemented?
[0:12:40] >> Uh once the board approves, we can
[0:12:42] schedule that with Sapphire then begin
[0:12:44] the process.
[0:12:45] >> Okay. So it will be done this school
[0:12:47] year.
[0:12:48] >> Correct.
[0:12:48] >> Okay.
[0:12:49] >> Any other questions about that?
[0:12:53] Okay, thank you for that.
[0:12:57] And then
[0:13:00] I guess that's it for that. So 7.3
[0:13:03] Cardinal Point Homeland Security Cell
[0:13:05] phone addendum. The committee is
[0:13:08] requested to consider and recommend
[0:13:10] approval of an addendum to the Cardinal
[0:13:13] Point Homeland Security Group, Inc.
[0:13:15] service agreement that authorizes
[0:13:17] Cardinal Point Homeland Security Group
[0:13:19] to purchase and supply three cell phones
[0:13:22] along with a service plan to be utilized
[0:13:25] by armed security guards on duty at the
[0:13:28] Skooko Valley School District for a
[0:13:30] total billable amount of $150
[0:13:33] per month. Dr. Oer, is there anything we
[0:13:37] need to know in addition to that?
[0:13:40] This was just an opportunity we had just
[0:13:43] to um look at our communication
[0:13:46] protocols in terms of administration
[0:13:48] with our armed security guards and
[0:13:50] something we were able to work out
[0:13:51] directly with Cardinal Point to add this
[0:13:54] additional component to just help with
[0:13:56] our communication.
[0:13:57] >> Okay. Thank you.
[0:13:59] >> There's just a number missing from the
[0:14:01] executive content.
[0:14:02] >> I can't hear you.
[0:14:03] >> Yeah, there's a number missing from the
[0:14:06] executive content section. If you see
[0:14:08] what I mean there
[0:14:12] >> is something
[0:14:17] at least so many weeks.
[0:14:18] >> Yeah, but the the number of weeks is
[0:14:20] missing.
[0:14:21] >> It's two
[0:14:22] >> two. Okay. Thank you.
[0:14:28] >> Just one quick comment on this. Um, the
[0:14:31] payment on the addendum has a payment
[0:14:33] turnaround in 30 days, but we had
[0:14:34] negotiated 45 days for their other
[0:14:37] regular contract. So, can we just amend
[0:14:39] that to be 45 days so we're not, you
[0:14:42] know, paying off schedule?
[0:14:44] >> That should be an easy fix, too.
[0:14:45] >> Okay.
[0:14:46] >> Yes, we can.
[0:14:49] >> Okay. Anything else for that?
[0:14:53] If not, then we'll go on to 7.4 for
[0:14:59] Cisco Network Academy Support Center
[0:15:03] fee. The committee is requested to
[0:15:06] consider and recommend approval of the
[0:15:07] quote from ESC region 11 for Cisco
[0:15:11] network academy support as presented
[0:15:14] and that ESC is education service center
[0:15:19] and this is because our previous
[0:15:22] provider is not doing it anymore. Um
[0:15:26] Mike or Dr. W Mike, do you want to take
[0:15:28] this one or Dr. W?
[0:15:30] >> That would be correct. Um, we had used
[0:15:32] Montgomery County Community College in
[0:15:34] the past. They're not offering this
[0:15:35] service anymore and so this ensures that
[0:15:38] we continue to get the support for the
[0:15:40] person teaching this course.
[0:15:42] >> Okay. Any questions about that?
[0:15:45] >> Well, since the current uh teacher is
[0:15:49] retiring on the 5th, do we have another
[0:15:51] person in place to handle this
[0:15:54] >> yet?
[0:15:56] The position's been posted but not
[0:15:58] filled yet.
[0:16:04] >> Okay. Any anything else?
[0:16:08] Then we'll move that forward. There are
[0:16:10] no concerns. 7.5 Middle School
[0:16:12] auditorium project final acceptance. The
[0:16:16] committee is requested to consider and
[0:16:18] recommend approval of the final
[0:16:20] acceptance from visual sound for work
[0:16:22] completed in the middle school
[0:16:24] auditorium as presented.
[0:16:28] Is there any else for that? I'm assuming
[0:16:32] this finalizes that middle school
[0:16:35] project then and we'll once that's done
[0:16:38] we'll be up to date in the middle school
[0:16:40] um room.
[0:16:42] >> Yes, that would be correct. This is the
[0:16:43] documentation of the final final
[0:16:46] acceptance saying it's good, it's done,
[0:16:47] and it's meets the standards that we
[0:16:49] agreed upon with visual sound.
[0:16:51] >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or
[0:16:54] concerns?
[0:16:56] If not, we'll move that forward.
[0:16:59] 7.6. Anything old or new for the board?
[0:17:05] >> You know what? I have one. It's actually
[0:17:07] going back to Sapphire. Um, Mike, is is
[0:17:10] any of this new security measures going
[0:17:13] to affect as far as parents trying to
[0:17:15] log in? They like theirs will stay the
[0:17:17] same.
[0:17:20] >> Yes, this is just to improve how we are
[0:17:22] securing students accounts. Um, parents
[0:17:25] still create their accounts, gets
[0:17:27] emailed back to them, they set their
[0:17:28] password. Right now, we are providing
[0:17:30] community web portal passwords to
[0:17:32] students separate from how they log into
[0:17:34] their computer or other resources. This
[0:17:36] is just making it as it says single sign
[0:17:38] on so they don't have to remember
[0:17:39] multiple passwords but if they need it
[0:17:41] changed we have the ability to do that
[0:17:43] and then it also prevents um right now
[0:17:45] just because it's an easy to guess
[0:17:46] password um I'm not going to say what it
[0:17:48] is you guys probably know what it is um
[0:17:50] this will prevent other students from be
[0:17:52] able to potentially get into other
[0:17:53] students accounts see their grades see
[0:17:55] communications information on the
[0:17:57] student
[0:17:58] >> okay
[0:17:58] >> I was just curious if that was going to
[0:18:00] be any change one then
[0:18:01] >> not for parents just for students at
[0:18:03] this time
[0:18:03] >> perfect thank you
[0:18:05] >> okay Anything else for the committee? If
[0:18:08] not, we'll move on to budget and
[0:18:09] finance.
[0:18:10] >> All righty. 8.0. Budget and finance.
[0:18:13] 8.1. We have one person, Bonnie Langan.
[0:18:23] >> Yeah,
[0:18:24] >> there's a green light at the mic.
[0:18:27] >> Push.
[0:18:28] >> It's on. Okay. Hello.
[0:18:35] Wow, that's really up far. Can I move
[0:18:37] this?
[0:18:40] >> Oh, move it down a little bit. Okay.
[0:18:43] Okay.
[0:18:48] Good evening. My name is Bonnie Langan.
[0:18:50] I'm a resident of uh Leboard Burough for
[0:18:53] three years now. I've homeschooled my
[0:18:55] six children in the Lehigh Valley and
[0:18:57] graduated four until before moving to
[0:19:00] Burks County. Currently, I teach my
[0:19:02] 13-year-old and 17-year-old
[0:19:05] um a 13 13-year-old son and 17-year-old
[0:19:07] daughter. Uh she also attends BCTC for
[0:19:11] the painting, residential, and interior
[0:19:14] decorating program and she'll graduate
[0:19:16] in 2026.
[0:19:18] Um so although I have over 30 years
[0:19:20] experience in education, homeschooling
[0:19:22] my children, I do not claim to
[0:19:24] understand even a small percentage of
[0:19:26] the inner workings needed to keep Scoko
[0:19:28] Valley School District going. uh running
[0:19:31] for with the goal I would sure as
[0:19:34] graduating capable, educated, morally
[0:19:36] upright individuals who will improve
[0:19:38] society and not detract from it. So I do
[0:19:40] want to first acknowledge and thank the
[0:19:42] school board for their commitment over
[0:19:44] the years and for some of you decades.
[0:19:47] Um you are an elite group of citizens
[0:19:49] who volunteer their their time regularly
[0:19:51] to be sure students receive the best
[0:19:54] education and guidance so that they can
[0:19:56] make a difference in the world and also
[0:19:58] be successful. So I I was last was month
[0:20:02] was my first time and I just yeah I just
[0:20:05] wanted to be sure that you know that I
[0:20:07] really appreciate all that you've done
[0:20:09] even though I've only been here three
[0:20:11] years. I truly do respect one um each of
[0:20:13] you for your contributions. So I have
[0:20:15] desired to attend these meetings for
[0:20:16] quite some time and I assumed I'd be a
[0:20:18] silent observer for months and even
[0:20:20] longer just and and not even feel
[0:20:22] qualified to stand here. So um I just
[0:20:24] however last one's presentation for the
[0:20:26] fieldhouse project just with bids
[0:20:28] between the 7 to 23 million did get my
[0:20:30] attention. Um so I do want to thank the
[0:20:34] gentleman that was sitting in the back
[0:20:35] here last month. He sh he uh shared some
[0:20:39] wise concern along with a challenge and
[0:20:41] I really appreciated um and I know you
[0:20:44] did al as well. Uh I've attempted to no
[0:20:46] avail to read the budget reports and
[0:20:48] understand the allocation of funds or
[0:20:51] anything. So, um, I although I did
[0:20:54] discover the district roughly has $5.5
[0:20:56] million in reserves to begin this
[0:20:57] monumental project, I would I I would
[0:21:00] still humbly ask the board to
[0:21:02] re-evaluate re-evaluate and re-evaluate
[0:21:05] a decision to spend taxpayers money um
[0:21:08] on the proposed building or buildings. I
[0:21:10] do understand why some would vote yes to
[0:21:13] benefit of holding uh sports events
[0:21:15] uninterrupted to to inclement weather.
[0:21:18] Um, I do see it as just sort of a
[0:21:19] natural uh part of sports and that's why
[0:21:22] indoor sports like basketball,
[0:21:23] wrestling, and swimming are perfect
[0:21:25] winter sports. I do I just um do not see
[0:21:28] it as a valid reason to embark on such a
[0:21:30] project. Uh but I still would be open I
[0:21:32] you know I heard the pros last month,
[0:21:33] but maybe there's more to uh you know
[0:21:36] the decision to do this yes or no. Um
[0:21:38] but speaking of sports participation, I
[0:21:40] looked this up a little bit. I found um
[0:21:43] how uh how many spoons would actually
[0:21:45] benefit. I discovered that only about
[0:21:46] one in every three students on average,
[0:21:48] not just at Skooko Valley, um or about
[0:21:50] 35% place boards. Interestingly, only
[0:21:54] 03% of those athletes will ever play
[0:21:56] professionally.
[0:21:58] Um so why not use these resources and
[0:22:02] reserves to impact more of our student
[0:22:04] more of our student body and staff? We
[0:22:06] sure uh we need to be sure teachers and
[0:22:09] support staff um are being sufficiently
[0:22:12] compensated for the huge responsibility
[0:22:14] that they undertake every day. Um and
[0:22:17] and um hopping into the office this
[0:22:20] morning seeing the front line of the
[0:22:22] office I was like wow I just love to see
[0:22:26] um all that they do. I for one um would
[0:22:29] love to or what about we could improve
[0:22:31] our music and arts programs and
[0:22:32] encourage more participation. Um u I for
[0:22:35] one would love to see a larger band and
[0:22:37] more concerts. What about more
[0:22:39] counseling services, afterchool
[0:22:41] programs, and classes to teach practical
[0:22:43] living skills for those who actually
[0:22:45] desperately need it? Hiring individuals
[0:22:47] for these programmings would be ideal
[0:22:49] rather than relying on volunteers or
[0:22:50] current staff.
[0:22:52] Um we were reminded last month that our
[0:22:55] adequate literacy level is lacking in
[0:22:57] this school district as well as others,
[0:22:59] you know, around the the country. We
[0:23:02] should give more funding to the library,
[0:23:03] their staff and special tutors to be
[0:23:05] sure no one slips through the cracks. In
[0:23:08] closing, while sports has its place and
[0:23:10] is helpful for team building,
[0:23:12] discipline, and physical agility, too
[0:23:15] much focus on sports can detract from
[0:23:18] academics, developing other interests,
[0:23:21] building morality, and strengthening
[0:23:23] emotional stability of our students.
[0:23:25] While the Fieldhouse project will make
[0:23:28] an exciting addition for the students
[0:23:30] high school years, the things that I'm
[0:23:32] speaking of will make a lasting
[0:23:33] difference in their lives, their
[0:23:35] families, and community for decades and
[0:23:37] generations to come. Thank you for your
[0:23:40] kind attention and consideration.
[0:23:42] >> Thank you, Bonnie, for speaking. Thank
[0:23:44] you.
[0:23:45] >> Could could I just respond to that?
[0:23:46] >> Yeah, go ahead. So um
[0:23:51] the money that gets first of all if we
[0:23:54] do the fieldhouse project it's not going
[0:23:56] to be an increase only with no increase
[0:23:58] to uh real estate taxes or anything like
[0:24:01] that. The way the department of
[0:24:02] education
[0:24:04] requires school districts to budget
[0:24:06] their money similar to a homeowner who
[0:24:10] where you have a mortgage on a home and
[0:24:12] you pay a monthly mortgage. They kind of
[0:24:15] tie the district a school district's
[0:24:18] hands to keep that mortgage money
[0:24:21] churning on projects and projects. Once
[0:24:23] you pull that money away from
[0:24:26] construction projects and use it to pay
[0:24:28] salary and benefits, you're at a loss
[0:24:31] the next time a construction need comes
[0:24:34] like with HVAC or parking lots or things
[0:24:36] like that. You can't raise your taxes
[0:24:39] enough to go and cover that. So they
[0:24:41] actually put school districts into the
[0:24:43] position to where as long as you can
[0:24:46] keep rolling the financing on so that
[0:24:49] mortgage payment stays consistent and
[0:24:51] you don't have to raise real estate
[0:24:53] taxes and you map out your big
[0:24:56] construction projects that got to be
[0:24:58] done 5 years 10 years down the road.
[0:25:01] There isn't any impact to the real
[0:25:03] estate taxes on the salaries for
[0:25:05] teachers and benefits. Skooka Valley is
[0:25:09] uh our paychart system is number two in
[0:25:14] the county as far as salary and benefits
[0:25:18] to our teachers. So being one of the
[0:25:21] smaller school districts with not as
[0:25:23] much
[0:25:26] industry and commercial activity going
[0:25:28] on, we do very well on how we compensate
[0:25:32] our teachers. So, we're either number
[0:25:34] two, close to number three or in there,
[0:25:36] but there's what 15 school districts in
[0:25:39] the uh 16 school district, 18 school
[0:25:42] districts in the county.
[0:25:45] We we have always, you know, compensated
[0:25:50] uh our uh employees fairly.
[0:25:54] So that uh
[0:25:58] I don't know if that explains, you know,
[0:26:00] how our hands are tied on money that we
[0:26:03] have to keep rolling into construction
[0:26:06] projects. You can't you you really would
[0:26:09] be doing uh not doing good for the
[0:26:13] district. If you start pulling that
[0:26:15] money out that is paying monthly bond
[0:26:18] issues and stuff like that and start
[0:26:20] paying salary and benefits because once
[0:26:22] you have to replace that with another
[0:26:25] building or whatever, you're not going
[0:26:27] to be able to raise the taxes enough to
[0:26:29] pay that mortgage.
[0:26:32] >> Yeah. I'd like I'd like to add that at
[0:26:33] at the moment our debt service what we
[0:26:36] owe for the mortgage as Paul said is
[0:26:39] approximately 6 and a half to 7% of our
[0:26:42] annual budget and it's been decreasing
[0:26:45] over time. Our budget has gone up but
[0:26:46] our debt has stayed at a same constant
[0:26:50] monthly payment. Um and if we do decide
[0:26:53] to undertake this project, it would be
[0:26:56] because we can afford it while
[0:26:58] maintaining that same monthly payment uh
[0:27:01] without having to increase taxes like
[0:27:02] Paul said. So, you know, in in terms of
[0:27:06] of you know, allocating the money for
[0:27:08] something and then not having to
[0:27:10] reallocate it later on. Um I know if you
[0:27:14] start out life and you have a car
[0:27:16] payment of $350 a month, you pay off
[0:27:18] that car. If you continue to save that
[0:27:20] $350 a month, when you need a new car,
[0:27:23] it's sitting there waiting for you. But
[0:27:25] if you absorb that expense into your
[0:27:28] other monthly bills, when you need a new
[0:27:29] car, you don't have the money sitting
[0:27:30] there. And so what we're trying to do,
[0:27:33] we've taken care of a lot of our needs
[0:27:35] uh with HVAC, with roofing. We've done
[0:27:37] some projects to improve the pool. Um
[0:27:40] we've we've done a number of building
[0:27:42] projects. Uh we I think we spent almost
[0:27:45] we did the stage, the sound systems. Um,
[0:27:48] so I think we've spent probably about
[0:27:50] $20 million in the last five years
[0:27:52] already on building improvements. Um,
[0:27:56] and the lifetime of those building
[0:27:58] improvements is expected to be about 20
[0:28:00] years. Uh and right now looking at the
[0:28:03] fieldhouse, I think the last numbers I
[0:28:04] saw said that um maintaining the same
[0:28:07] monthly payment that we have for debt,
[0:28:09] if we didn't undertake this project, um
[0:28:12] using some funds that we have set aside
[0:28:14] already, um we should be done paying it
[0:28:16] off before that 20 years when we would
[0:28:18] have to then look at redoing more
[0:28:20] mechanical systems, replace a roof, and
[0:28:23] so we would the timing is appears to be
[0:28:26] really good at the moment. Um, now we
[0:28:28] just had our audit and we we did get
[0:28:29] some more information and so we're still
[0:28:31] looking at it, but um, you know, we
[0:28:33] we've not had to raise taxes here for
[0:28:36] almost a decade. Um, and our our budget
[0:28:40] since I've been on the board, our annual
[0:28:41] budget has increased from about $35
[0:28:44] million a year to about $50 million a
[0:28:46] year. Um, so we we've been doing a
[0:28:48] pretty good job. Our debt has not
[0:28:50] increased at all since I've been here.
[0:28:52] It's always been very steady. Um, so,
[0:28:55] you know, we're we're trying to take a
[0:28:56] look at it. Um, and as far as the amount
[0:28:59] of population that it affects, if we did
[0:29:01] something like this, um, it's a broader
[0:29:05] part of our population than you might
[0:29:07] expect. Um,
[0:29:09] besides
[0:29:11] all of these student athletes that we
[0:29:13] have, a lot of our youth programs um,
[0:29:16] utilize our facilities for indoor
[0:29:17] practices. We have uh my son was part of
[0:29:20] a basketball youth program and they had
[0:29:24] I don't know how many 10 or 15 teams in
[0:29:27] the elementary school and trying to find
[0:29:29] places to practice was a nightmare. And
[0:29:32] I remember sitting with a with a second
[0:29:34] grader at 9:30 at night at a practice
[0:29:36] and that's way past his bedtime. But
[0:29:38] that's when we could shoehorn our
[0:29:40] ourselves into a facility
[0:29:42] um and
[0:29:43] >> on the stage in the gym with you. I was
[0:29:45] right there.
[0:29:46] >> Yeah. Yeah. And so
[0:29:49] so
[0:29:51] that helps kids. We feel that after
[0:29:54] school activities and activities like
[0:29:55] that not only is it team building but it
[0:29:57] occupies their time. It keeps them off
[0:30:00] of devices and if a practice has to get
[0:30:02] cancelled
[0:30:04] from a high school perspective, you
[0:30:06] know, then you have kids that may not
[0:30:07] have uh supervision at home because it's
[0:30:10] unexpected. So we're trying to, you
[0:30:12] know, it kind of helps steady steady out
[0:30:14] the schedule a little bit. It's a little
[0:30:16] less random. Um, I'm tired of seeing our
[0:30:19] band, which has grown tremendously in
[0:30:22] the last few years, our marching band.
[0:30:23] I'm tired of seeing them practice in the
[0:30:24] parking lot. I've come around the corner
[0:30:27] numerous times trying to drop off for
[0:30:29] some sports event and then the band is
[0:30:32] there and trying to trying to practice
[0:30:34] the only spot they can get, which is on
[0:30:36] the paved parking lot. Um, part of this
[0:30:38] fieldhouse is a large enclosed turf area
[0:30:42] that that hopefully is going to give
[0:30:44] them a little bit of more options to
[0:30:46] practice out of the weather, out of the
[0:30:48] driveway,
[0:30:50] you know. So, it it's it's something
[0:30:54] we've talked about at this district for
[0:30:56] probably 15 to 20 years, maybe.
[0:30:59] >> It it's it's a long-term project. It's
[0:31:02] not something we just dreamt up. it's
[0:31:04] that the timing seems right with
[0:31:06] managing our debt properly, with
[0:31:08] managing our spending properly, with the
[0:31:10] needs of the district. Um, and although
[0:31:13] only a very small percentage of kids
[0:31:15] goes on to play a professional sport, a
[0:31:18] lot of kids are utilizing their athletic
[0:31:21] ability to help them get into the school
[0:31:23] that they want for college, help defay
[0:31:25] the cost of college, help to, you know,
[0:31:29] kind of
[0:31:31] make themselves stand out amongst all
[0:31:33] the kids applying to that college. You
[0:31:35] know, if you have a college that has a
[0:31:36] 10% acceptance rate, well, if you're a
[0:31:38] good student and you can you can
[0:31:42] contribute to their athletics program,
[0:31:43] you have a better chance of getting into
[0:31:45] that school than if you only had a
[0:31:47] stellar academic record. And so, you
[0:31:50] know, we're we're looking at ways to put
[0:31:51] a little bit more shine on our kids,
[0:31:53] give them an extra facet of interest.
[0:31:56] Um, you know, and I've always said to my
[0:32:00] kids, strong mind, strong body. So, you
[0:32:02] know, whether or not they're going to
[0:32:04] pursue it beyond high school, I think
[0:32:06] it's it's part of the whole person from
[0:32:09] a mental health perspective to be able
[0:32:10] to blow off some steam doing something a
[0:32:12] little bit physical to occupying their
[0:32:14] time when maybe there's not a lot of
[0:32:16] supervision at home. I I think it it
[0:32:18] plays to the whole person and not just
[0:32:21] 30% of this the kids that are here. Um I
[0:32:24] think with more space, we could have
[0:32:26] more programs, more opportunities for
[0:32:28] people. So, that's that kind of all
[0:32:30] plays into this. So yeah, just so you
[0:32:33] don't think that we're just like saw
[0:32:35] something new and shiny and all of a
[0:32:37] sudden decided wanted we want that too,
[0:32:39] right? We're Yeah. But we're we're very
[0:32:42] much about wants versus needs and needs
[0:32:45] come first. And and it's just that we
[0:32:47] felt as a board that hey, we got the
[0:32:50] needs out of the way. Now this want
[0:32:53] that's been around for two decades is
[0:32:56] something that that maybe we can make a
[0:32:57] reality. So we're taking a serious hard
[0:32:59] look at it. So Sure.
[0:33:03] >> And on the last note, I think I can
[0:33:04] speak for the board. I think everybody
[0:33:06] sitting here wants to present a package,
[0:33:08] a complete package for this entire
[0:33:10] district, all-encompassing from
[0:33:12] education
[0:33:14] to sports, athletics, the whole nine
[0:33:16] yards. Um, and we also want to be
[0:33:19] fiscally responsible. And I think we
[0:33:22] have done our homework. We do not want
[0:33:24] to, we are all taxpayers as well. So, we
[0:33:27] want to make sure that that is looked at
[0:33:29] very carefully.
[0:33:31] um with all consideration to everything
[0:33:33] that goes into running a district. But I
[0:33:35] appreciate you coming and speaking. Um
[0:33:38] any questions you have, feel free to
[0:33:40] give us a shout. Okay. All right. Um
[0:33:44] we'll move that forward to 8.2. Uh the
[0:33:47] committee is requested to consider and
[0:33:49] recommend the board approve ratify the
[0:33:50] payment of bills in the following
[0:33:52] amounts from October 6, 2025 to November
[0:33:55] 25th, 2025 as presented. General fund
[0:33:59] 2,718,02362.
[0:34:04] Cafeteria fund $125,72010.
[0:34:09] Capital improvements projects fund
[0:34:11] $113,8756.
[0:34:15] Capital reserve fund $162,612.
[0:34:20] Middle school high school activity fund
[0:34:22] $6,85.86
[0:34:24] 86 for a grand total of $3,126,969.14.
[0:34:32] Any questions regarding the
[0:34:35] moving that forward 8.3 act one
[0:34:38] resolution. The committee is requested
[0:34:41] to consider and recommend approval of
[0:34:43] the act one resolution which states that
[0:34:45] the 2627
[0:34:47] real estate taxes will not increase more
[0:34:50] than the act one index of 4.3%.
[0:34:53] and that resolution is attached. Do I
[0:34:56] have any questions regarding that?
[0:34:59] >> Just just a comment to explain how that
[0:35:02] 4 point the act one index works and
[0:35:05] stuff like that. Uh for us to go if we
[0:35:08] want to raise our taxes higher than that
[0:35:10] rate, we'd have to put a petition on the
[0:35:13] ballot to increase it up to a higher
[0:35:15] rate or whatever like that. And it has
[0:35:17] to get approved by the voters and stuff
[0:35:19] like that. Again, back what we were
[0:35:20] talking about before and how we manage
[0:35:22] our budget. We had to look at that
[0:35:25] number that is given to us by the state
[0:35:27] of Pennsylvania, Department of Education
[0:35:28] on what money we can actually raise in a
[0:35:32] year. Fortunately, the last 10 out of 12
[0:35:35] years, we haven't had any tax increases.
[0:35:38] So, we do very we are very prudent on
[0:35:42] how we manage our funds. Thank you.
[0:35:44] >> Thank you. Any questions?
[0:35:48] We'll move that forward.
[0:35:51] 8.4 treasures report
[0:35:54] summary for you. Any questions on that?
[0:36:00] Hearing
[0:36:02] hearing. Did I hear somebody? No. All
[0:36:04] right. Hearing none. 8.5. Any old or new
[0:36:07] business?
[0:36:11] >> All right. 9.0.
[0:36:13] >> All right. Thank you. 9.1. Persons who
[0:36:15] wish to address the board. There are
[0:36:17] none. 9.2
[0:36:19] uh vest vestibule project additions. The
[0:36:22] committee is requested to consider and
[0:36:23] recommend approval of the quote from CM3
[0:36:26] not to exceed $10,000 as presented for
[0:36:29] the ES vestibule door locking hardware.
[0:36:33] Any questions or comments about that?
[0:36:38] Hearing none. Um
[0:36:41] 9.3 ES vestibial door locking hardware.
[0:36:43] The committee is requested requested to
[0:36:45] consider and recommend approval of the
[0:36:47] quote from Pletcher Fire Protection to
[0:36:49] integrate new door hardware as
[0:36:51] presented.
[0:36:53] Any questions or comments about that?
[0:36:58] Okay. 9.4. Any other old or new
[0:37:01] business?
[0:37:04] Just one item, Mr. O'Donnell. Um, just
[0:37:05] want to provide an update for everyone
[0:37:07] on the right and Hour project and where
[0:37:10] we are. I had an opportunity to um have
[0:37:14] a phone call with Mr. Justin and uh
[0:37:17] we're at the stage now where uh asking
[0:37:19] him to provide drawings. I've asked for
[0:37:22] two sets of drawings. One set has the
[0:37:24] monument, one set will not have the
[0:37:26] monument so that the board will be able
[0:37:27] to look at both. Um and then once
[0:37:30] there's a decision made on which drawing
[0:37:31] we want to go with, then we'd have to
[0:37:33] put the project um out to public bid.
[0:37:36] Um, I did see that they have some
[0:37:38] construction stakes in the front yard
[0:37:39] now in front of the high school. Um,
[0:37:41] >> I noticed that as well.
[0:37:42] >> Yeah. Do we know what the timeline is
[0:37:44] because they're going to do some road
[0:37:46] widening there. Uh, do we know what
[0:37:48] their timeline is?
[0:37:49] >> I don't have all those details yet. I
[0:37:51] will get those details, but um, in
[0:37:53] talking with Justin, you know, we did
[0:37:55] talk about ensuring that anything that's
[0:37:57] done with this fence that it coincides
[0:38:00] in terms of with the other work so that
[0:38:02] we're not waiting one one way or the
[0:38:04] other. Yeah. And we'll have to talk to
[0:38:06] the township's contractor um about
[0:38:09] access to the driveway as they're out
[0:38:11] there doing the work so that we aren't,
[0:38:13] you know, kind of bogging down traffic
[0:38:15] in the mornings. I think they're going
[0:38:17] to be limited to starting at after 9:00
[0:38:19] in the morning, but we'll have to double
[0:38:20] check that.
[0:38:21] >> Okay.
[0:38:22] On uh on that note, when those prices
[0:38:26] come in with the monument or without the
[0:38:30] monument, I would hope that the someone
[0:38:32] from the either the district or the
[0:38:34] future board has a discussion with Mr.
[0:38:37] right now because he was very proud to
[0:38:41] offer that whole situation with the
[0:38:43] monument there and
[0:38:48] explained to him that we our hands are
[0:38:50] tied that we had to do with the
[0:38:52] prevailing wage rate which was probably
[0:38:55] different than the estimate he was
[0:38:57] working off of. and if he is really in
[0:39:01] love with that monument being part of
[0:39:03] it, maybe he might be interested in
[0:39:05] helping a little bit more. So, I think
[0:39:09] uh it would benefit the district to at
[0:39:11] least reach out to him and have a nice
[0:39:14] conversation with him so that he knows
[0:39:17] why
[0:39:18] uh if you end up not doing the monument,
[0:39:21] why it's not there.
[0:39:22] >> Okay.
[0:39:30] As far as the 73 project, are we I
[0:39:33] forget how that all shook out. Are we
[0:39:35] taking down the trees? Is that pendot?
[0:39:37] How is that part of ours?
[0:39:39] >> They're they're doing the work out
[0:39:40] there.
[0:39:42] >> That's what I thought. I just didn't
[0:39:43] know if there was any prep to get ready
[0:39:44] now before anything pend.
[0:39:46] >> No, we just have to make sure that their
[0:39:47] work schedule's going to not interfere
[0:39:49] with traffic for for the school.
[0:39:51] >> Yeah. And it should clear the the
[0:39:53] entrance of the high school. I mean, it
[0:39:54] should all be east of that.
[0:39:57] >> I know. Originally, it was going to be
[0:39:59] covering across the front of the drive.
[0:40:01] >> Yeah, most of it is, but they're going
[0:40:02] to still have they're still going to
[0:40:04] have some work uh on both sides of the
[0:40:06] driveway. Just isn't going to impact the
[0:40:08] trees
[0:40:10] on the side near the diner. Um but
[0:40:13] they're going to have a lot of equipment
[0:40:14] around parking.
[0:40:15] >> Yeah, there's access. Yeah.
[0:40:17] >> Just kind of keep an eye on that.
[0:40:19] >> Okay.
[0:40:24] Thank you.
[0:40:27] >> Okay. Uh 10.1 persons who wish to
[0:40:29] address the board. I don't think we have
[0:40:30] any for 10.1. Uh 10.2 Immaculata
[0:40:34] University Dietetic Internship Program
[0:40:36] Agreement. Uh the committee is requested
[0:40:38] to consider and recommend approval of
[0:40:40] the Immaculata University dietetic
[0:40:42] internship program agreement between
[0:40:44] Immaculata University and the Skugal
[0:40:46] Valley School District food service
[0:40:48] department for six-day rotation with the
[0:40:50] food service director. And we have a a
[0:40:53] proposed agreement attached for that.
[0:40:55] Any questions?
[0:41:00] I have one question, Louisa. Um it Okay,
[0:41:05] that's Sorry.
[0:41:08] Um so so we're working with Immaculata.
[0:41:11] We're providing them an opportunity to
[0:41:13] come and shadow you. Is that what's
[0:41:14] happening?
[0:41:14] >> Yeah, they actually reached out to me.
[0:41:16] Um the assistant director of the
[0:41:18] dietetic uh uh internship reached out to
[0:41:21] me and asked me if I would be interested
[0:41:23] in hosting uh an intern from there. Um
[0:41:26] and I thought the interesting thing too
[0:41:27] was this intern actually lives within
[0:41:29] the district, which is kind of nice. So,
[0:41:32] um, and it's a great idea for an intern
[0:41:34] to see, uh, what takes place in the
[0:41:36] school district versus personal care,
[0:41:38] home care, things like that. So, it's
[0:41:39] exciting and I think it'll be neat to
[0:41:41] have somebody young come in and just
[0:41:44] show them that show them around a little
[0:41:45] bit and have them do some different
[0:41:46] things. So, yeah,
[0:41:47] >> that's great. That's great. I love that
[0:41:49] partnership. That's fantastic.
[0:41:50] >> Okay,
[0:41:51] >> thank you.
[0:41:51] >> Yep.
[0:41:53] >> Any questions?
[0:41:55] Okay, hearing none, we'll move that
[0:41:57] forward. Uh 10.3 TSA region 9
[0:42:00] conference. Uh the committee is
[0:42:02] requested to consider and recommend
[0:42:03] approval of the TSA region 9 conference
[0:42:06] trip and we have a file attached for
[0:42:09] that with uh a little bit more detail.
[0:42:12] Any questions or comments on that item?
[0:42:15] Okay. Hearing none, we'll move that
[0:42:16] forward. 10.4 we have the PA TSA state
[0:42:20] conference. Uh the committee's requested
[0:42:22] to consider and recommend approval of
[0:42:24] the PATSA state conference trip. We have
[0:42:27] an attachment for that as well. Any
[0:42:30] questions?
[0:42:32] Okay, we'll move that forward. Uh 10.5.
[0:42:34] We have a music department to Walt
[0:42:36] Disney World trip. Uh the committee has
[0:42:39] requested to consider and recommend
[0:42:40] approval of the music department trip to
[0:42:42] Walt Disney World at a cost of $1,900
[0:42:44] per student.
[0:42:47] Um do we have any more information on
[0:42:49] that? There's stuff in the executive
[0:42:51] content.
[0:42:52] >> Okay.
[0:42:55] >> Mrs. Crater, could you come up for just
[0:42:56] a minute and just provide a little bit
[0:42:58] more background, please?
[0:43:01] >> This is the first time in many years or
[0:43:05] several years.
[0:43:05] >> Uh they were there two years ago. 20 23
[0:43:11] four years. Four years ago. Yeah. Um so
[0:43:14] it's been about four years since they
[0:43:16] went. Um this is a trip that our music
[0:43:18] department has gone on uh before in the
[0:43:21] past. Um band and chorus members go
[0:43:23] down. They'll perform in some of the
[0:43:25] parades uh throughout the parks um as
[0:43:28] well as attend other smaller sessions um
[0:43:31] on the Walt Disney World property while
[0:43:34] they're there for the overnight trip.
[0:43:36] >> What's their transportation to get
[0:43:37] there?
[0:43:38] >> Uh they do fly. So they take buses to
[0:43:41] the airport um and then they fly down to
[0:43:43] Orlando. um buses to the resorts and
[0:43:46] then same coming home.
[0:43:47] >> Okay. Because in Yeah, because in the
[0:43:49] executive content I was talking about
[0:43:51] the buses, but I didn't see the flight.
[0:43:53] >> Oh, it should be in the contract
[0:43:54] somewhere. I'll double check.
[0:43:56] >> The flight the flight was in there.
[0:43:57] >> Yeah, I was going to say
[0:43:58] >> Paul and I were drivers twice to uh
[0:44:01] taking the uh the Penske truck down.
[0:44:04] >> Oh,
[0:44:05] >> so
[0:44:07] >> to Florida.
[0:44:08] >> To Florida.
[0:44:08] >> Oh, wow.
[0:44:10] So this price is guaranteed till 2027.
[0:44:14] >> Yes.
[0:44:14] >> That's that's pretty good.
[0:44:16] >> It is a pretty good price. Yes.
[0:44:18] >> So yeah.
[0:44:21] >> Okay. Thank you very much. Appreciate
[0:44:22] it.
[0:44:23] >> No problem.
[0:44:25] >> Uh if there's no more questions on that,
[0:44:26] we'll move that forward. Uh 10.6. We
[0:44:29] have a voting item. David, you want to
[0:44:31] take that?
[0:44:33] >> I will. 10.6. Uh the committee is
[0:44:36] requested to consider and recommend
[0:44:38] approval of student 6220
[0:44:41] at newstory for the 2025 2026 school
[0:44:45] year at a cost of $590 per day for 182
[0:44:50] days. I'll entertain a motion.
[0:44:53] >> So move cluffle.
[0:44:55] >> Second last.
[0:45:00] >> I'll ask for the vote. Any all those in
[0:45:02] favor signify by saying I. I
[0:45:04] >> I
[0:45:05] >> opposed
[0:45:07] passes 90.
[0:45:10] You want me to do 107?
[0:45:14] >> 107. Other old and new business.
[0:45:19] >> I'll just bring up mention I know the
[0:45:22] I'll mention it again next week about
[0:45:24] the Thanksgiving meal, but I believe
[0:45:26] there's a canned food drive currently
[0:45:29] happening on district campus buildings.
[0:45:32] So, anybody that would have any extra
[0:45:35] canned goods, we'll be using those to
[0:45:38] distribute next Wednesday evening.
[0:45:42] Any questions, you can ask one of the
[0:45:46] principles or myself. So, thank you for
[0:45:49] participating with us on that.
[0:45:51] >> And Brad Nurses has been having some
[0:45:53] great sales on canned goods.
[0:45:55] >> Well, there you go, David. Head on out
[0:45:56] and get some. I I have
[0:46:00] so um
[0:46:01] >> I have I have a question and and I'll
[0:46:03] probably ask it again next week for
[0:46:05] those people who might not be on
[0:46:06] tonight. Could we have a dates for the
[0:46:09] school concerts in December, please?
[0:46:11] Because they're hard to it's hard to
[0:46:14] find those things for me. I have to go
[0:46:17] to dig dig dig to find stuff. So if if
[0:46:20] we could just have those for all the
[0:46:23] buildings and
[0:46:25] I I appreciate being able to go to that.
[0:46:28] So,
[0:46:30] >> Mrs. Lash, I can actually share those
[0:46:33] dates as well. Um uh so the high school
[0:46:36] concert is on December the 9th at 700
[0:46:40] p.m.
[0:46:41] The
[0:46:44] grades 4 through six concert is on the
[0:46:47] 16th at 700 p.m. and the grades seven
[0:46:50] and eight concert is on the 18th at 7
[0:46:53] p.m.
[0:46:58] >> Thank you. I appreciate that.
[0:47:00] >> You're welcome.
[0:47:06] Anything else?
[0:47:10] >> Mr. Mole, if I could just very quickly,
[0:47:12] I just want to introduce our armed
[0:47:14] security guard since he hasn't been at
[0:47:15] any of our board meetings yet. Just so
[0:47:17] everybody knows who he is. Mr.
[0:47:18] Rodriguez, can you come on in here for a
[0:47:20] second? So, this is Mr. Benny Rodriguez.
[0:47:22] He's the armed security guard at the
[0:47:24] elementary school. And um just wanted
[0:47:26] you guys to be able to put a name with a
[0:47:27] face and introduce him. and we
[0:47:29] appreciate having Benny on board as with
[0:47:31] Cardinal Point and he's doing a great
[0:47:32] job for us down at the elementary
[0:47:34] school.
[0:47:34] >> Thank you. Thank you for the
[0:47:35] introduction. Thank you ladies and
[0:47:36] gentlemen for having me here. Thank you
[0:47:38] for all the support that you've been
[0:47:39] giving me. Um I feel real comfortable
[0:47:42] here and I'm going to do the best job
[0:47:43] possible for everyone.
[0:47:44] >> Great. Thank you. Thanks. Thanks for
[0:47:46] being here.
[0:47:52] >> 12.0 I entertain a motion to adjurnn.
[0:47:56] >> Second Rossy. All those in favor signify
[0:47:59] by saying I. I
[0:48:01] >> I oppose. Nay. We'rejourned.
[0:48:04] We will be
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2025-12-02_1W8dPK2HJfo.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2025-12-02 (reorganization; Act 34 resolution 9-0)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W8dPK2HJfo
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:04:29] I'd like to call the meeting to order
[0:04:31] and stand for the pledge of
[0:04:53] 1.2 roll call.
[0:04:57] Mr. Admiral
[0:04:58] >> here.
[0:04:59] >> Mr. Mole
[0:05:01] >> here.
[0:05:02] >> Mr. Rossy
[0:05:04] >> here.
[0:05:05] >> Mrs. Stinky
[0:05:06] >> here. Mr. Weant
[0:05:07] >> here.
[0:05:11] At this time, Dr. Wyos has an
[0:05:13] announcement he'd like to make.
[0:05:16] >> I just want to take a moment and provide
[0:05:18] an explanation and clarification
[0:05:20] regarding an item, agenda item 15.2
[0:05:24] that um we'll be looking to take action
[0:05:26] on later in the meeting. It's an act 34
[0:05:29] resol resolution and advertisement for
[0:05:31] the fieldhouse project. Um it's on the
[0:05:34] board agenda. It's there under public
[0:05:35] view. learned today from the
[0:05:37] architectural firm that the total number
[0:05:40] for the maximum cost that is on that
[0:05:42] resolution um is short by about $942,000
[0:05:48] because it did not include capitalized
[0:05:50] interest. And so um while that doesn't
[0:05:54] necessitate a new agenda item, it is a
[0:05:57] correction and if the resolution is
[0:05:59] passed, we would need to correct that
[0:06:02] figure to include the capitalized
[0:06:04] interest. um which would put the total
[0:06:07] figure for maximum cost to 24,877416.
[0:06:12] So I will say more about that as well
[0:06:15] when we get to that item, but I wanted
[0:06:17] to announce that publicly at the
[0:06:18] beginning of the meeting as well. Thank
[0:06:20] you.
[0:06:22] >> Thank you, Dr. Winters. Um 2.0 notice of
[0:06:25] the organization meeting.
[0:06:28] Um there are holdover members of the
[0:06:30] board of directors which I will announce
[0:06:33] now. Franklin M. Amarel, David E. Maul,
[0:06:38] Alfonso F. Rossi, Kelly J. Steini, and
[0:06:42] Daniel B. Want
[0:06:45] 2.2 Notice of the organization meeting
[0:06:52] in accordance with
[0:06:56] [clears throat] resolution 402 and 404
[0:06:59] of the Pennsylvania School Code of 1949
[0:07:02] as amended. I wish to give you due
[0:07:04] notice that the board of school
[0:07:06] directors of the Skooko Valley School
[0:07:07] District will hold their annual
[0:07:09] reorganization meeting on Tuesday,
[0:07:11] December 2nd, 2025, beginning at 700
[0:07:15] p.m. in the auxiliary cafeteria of the
[0:07:18] Skooko Valley High School. The purpose
[0:07:20] of the meeting includes the following.
[0:07:23] Number one, elections of president and
[0:07:26] vice president of the board. and number
[0:07:28] two, appointment of representatives for
[0:07:31] the Pennsylvania School Boards
[0:07:32] Association and other committees and
[0:07:35] organizations.
[0:07:37] Members shall also conduct any
[0:07:38] additional business items which may be
[0:07:41] brought before the board. Sincerely,
[0:07:43] Linda Arash, board secretary.
[0:07:47] 3.0 Persons who wish to address the
[0:07:50] board.
[0:07:52] Anyone who wishes to address the board
[0:07:53] will have three minutes to state their
[0:07:55] questions or concerns.
[0:07:57] Please state your name and where you
[0:07:58] live. If you have a written statement,
[0:08:01] the board would appreciate receiving a
[0:08:02] copy. Verbal comments about staff will
[0:08:05] not be tolerated as we have procedures
[0:08:07] in place to address personnel concerns
[0:08:10] from the public and the staff members
[0:08:12] may not even realize that there is a
[0:08:14] problem for policy 9003. At the
[0:08:16] conclusion of your three minutes, we
[0:08:18] will move on to the next speaker or
[0:08:20] return to the agenda.
[0:08:22] >> Mrs. Lash, nobody signed up to speak
[0:08:24] this evening.
[0:08:24] >> We have no speakers this evening. Thank
[0:08:26] you. 4.0 Selection of the temporary
[0:08:30] president.
[0:08:35] >> I nominate Frank Admiral.
[0:08:40] >> Are there any other nominations for
[0:08:42] temporary president?
[0:08:49] Okay. Um
[0:08:51] do we have to officially
[0:08:55] Okay. We and Frank I will
[0:08:59] hand you
[0:09:04] >> oh that's what I that's
[0:09:07] >> that's I thought I had to vote on but I
[0:09:10] thought you said no okay so we will
[0:09:13] since there are no other nominations we
[0:09:15] will um have a vote all those say in
[0:09:19] favor these are only from the holdover
[0:09:22] members right
[0:09:23] >> correct
[0:09:23] >> only the hold over members can vote on
[0:09:26] this. So,
[0:09:28] um, all those in favor of having Frank
[0:09:31] as temporary president say I.
[0:09:33] >> I.
[0:09:34] >> I.
[0:09:34] >> Oppose. No. [clears throat]
[0:09:36] >> Okay. Now, Frank, now you may have
[0:09:41] >> And now you may have
[0:09:44] >> Thank you.
[0:09:45] >> And we'll go on to 5.0.
[0:09:49] >> Okay. 5.0. Certificates of election for
[0:09:52] newly elected and reelected board
[0:09:54] members.
[0:09:56] Um the tempor I'll give the certificates
[0:09:59] here for Joe Brown in region one,
[0:10:04] Linda Lash, Linda Lash in region one,
[0:10:07] Lauren J. Matthews in region three, and
[0:10:10] Carol Ewant in region two.
[0:10:24] And where do we want to do the swearing
[0:10:26] in?
[0:10:28] >> I would go in front of the board table
[0:10:29] and we have a wireless microphone that
[0:10:32] Mr. Sopchack will make available.
[0:10:44] That will also enable if anybody would
[0:10:45] like to get pictures ease of being able
[0:10:47] to do that.
[0:11:08] So, first we'll start with Linda Lash.
[0:11:13] Um, Linda
[0:11:35] Okay, I'm going to speak in
[0:11:49] >> Okay, repeat after me. Um, I, Linda R.
[0:11:53] Lash do solemnly swear
[0:11:54] >> I, Lindor. Lash, do solemnly swear
[0:11:57] >> that I will support, obey, and defend
[0:12:00] the Constitution of the United States
[0:12:02] >> that I will support, obey, and defend
[0:12:04] the Constitution of the United States
[0:12:06] >> and the Constitution of this
[0:12:08] Commonwealth.
[0:12:08] >> and the Constitution of this
[0:12:10] Commonwealth
[0:12:11] >> and that I will discharge the duties of
[0:12:13] my office with fidelity.
[0:12:14] >> And that I will discharge the duties of
[0:12:16] my office with fidelity.
[0:12:18] >> Okay,
[0:12:20] >> congratulations.
[0:12:21] >> Thank you.
[0:12:23] >> [applause]
[0:12:29] >> Okay, then we have Joe Brown next.
[0:12:42] All
[0:12:50] right. If you could repeat after me,
[0:12:51] Joe. I, Joe Brown, do solemnly swear or
[0:12:55] affirm
[0:12:55] >> I, Joe Brown, do solemnly swear or
[0:12:58] affirm
[0:12:58] >> that I will support, obey, and defend
[0:13:01] the Constitution of the United States
[0:13:03] >> that I will support, obey, and defend
[0:13:05] the Constitution of the United States
[0:13:07] >> and the Constitution of this
[0:13:08] Commonwealth
[0:13:09] >> and the Constitution of this
[0:13:10] Commonwealth
[0:13:11] >> and that I will discharge the duties of
[0:13:13] my office with fidelity.
[0:13:14] >> and I will discharge the duties of my
[0:13:16] office with fidelity.
[0:13:18] >> Congratulations.
[0:13:18] >> Thank you. [applause] All
[0:13:25] right, next we have Lauren Matthews.
[0:13:44] >> All right, repeat after me. I, Lauren J.
[0:13:46] Matthews, do solemnly swear or affirm.
[0:13:49] >> I, Lauren J. Matthews do solemnly swear
[0:13:51] and affirm
[0:13:52] >> that I will support, obey, and defend
[0:13:54] the Constitution of the United States
[0:13:56] >> that I will support, obey, and defend
[0:13:57] the Constitution of the United States.
[0:13:59] >> and the Constitution of this
[0:14:00] Commonwealth
[0:14:01] >> and the Constitution of this
[0:14:02] Commonwealth
[0:14:02] >> and that I will discharge the duties of
[0:14:04] my office with fidelity.
[0:14:05] >> And I will discharge the office duties
[0:14:08] with my fidelity.
[0:14:09] >> Congratulations.
[0:14:13] [applause]
[0:14:17] >> And finally, we have Callen
[0:14:29] Okay, repeat after me. I, Carol Want, do
[0:14:32] solemnly swear or affirm
[0:14:34] >> I, Caroli Wingant, do solemnly swear or
[0:14:36] affirm
[0:14:37] >> that I will support, obey, and defend
[0:14:39] the Constitution of the United States
[0:14:40] >> that I will support, obey, and defend
[0:14:42] the Constitution of the United States
[0:14:43] >> and the Constitution of this
[0:14:45] Commonwealth
[0:14:45] >> and the Constitution of this
[0:14:46] Commonwealth
[0:14:47] >> and that I will discharge the duties of
[0:14:49] my office with fidelity.
[0:14:50] >> And I will discharge the duties of my
[0:14:51] office with fidelity.
[0:14:53] >> Congratulations,
[0:14:55] [applause]
[0:15:16] as well.
[0:15:20] >> Okay. 5.0.
[0:15:26] All right. 6.0 Swearing in of newly
[0:15:29] elected and reelected board members.
[0:15:35] Oh, we already did that. Right. 7.0.
[0:15:39] List of board members and terms. Um, our
[0:15:42] current board members now are Kelly J.
[0:15:44] Stanky, region one. Her term is 2023 to
[0:15:47] 2027. Joe Brown, region one. His term is
[0:15:51] 2025 to 2029.
[0:15:53] Linda R. Lash, region 1, her term is
[0:15:56] 2025 to 2029. Franklin M. Amarel, region
[0:16:00] 2, uh, term of 2023 to 2027.
[0:16:04] Daniel Bwant, region 2, term of 2023 to
[0:16:08] 2027. Carol E. Want, region 2, term of
[0:16:12] 2025 to 2029. David E. Mole, region 3,
[0:16:18] term of 2023 to 2027. Alfonso F. Rossi,
[0:16:22] region 3, term of 2023 to 2027. And
[0:16:26] Lauren J. Matthews, region 3, term of
[0:16:29] 2025 to 2029.
[0:16:35] All right, moving on to 8.0, nomination
[0:16:38] for an election of president.
[0:16:45] I'll open the floor for nominations for
[0:16:47] president.
[0:16:48] >> I nominate Carol.
[0:16:54] Are there any other nominations for
[0:16:56] president?
[0:16:59] All right, hearing none, I'll declare
[0:17:00] the nominations closed.
[0:17:04] Um,
[0:17:06] okay. The presiding as the nominations
[0:17:08] are closed and Carol Lee Want is the
[0:17:11] only candidate nominated, I move for
[0:17:13] Carol Went's election by acclamation to
[0:17:16] the position of president. All those in
[0:17:18] favor, please say I.
[0:17:20] >> I
[0:17:23] opposed.
[0:17:24] >> Opposed
[0:17:35] [applause]
[0:17:42] farther went away.
[0:17:46] >> Okay. Um,
[0:17:56] I did not.
[0:18:02] Okay. I'd just like to say um thank you
[0:18:04] for the opportunity to serve as board
[0:18:06] president once again and um I look
[0:18:08] forward to working with um everyone as
[0:18:11] we serve our common goal here of doing
[0:18:13] what's best for the students at Skookul
[0:18:15] Valley. So I want to just say a few
[0:18:17] words before we move on with the agenda.
[0:18:20] Um just a few words of what I'd like to
[0:18:22] see going forward.
[0:18:24] First of all, teachers are the first
[0:18:27] line of defense and knowing our students
[0:18:30] as professionals. They get to know the
[0:18:31] strength and weaknesses of the kids and
[0:18:34] the strength and weaknesses of the
[0:18:35] programs used to teach those kids. And
[0:18:38] that's the first level of the individual
[0:18:42] classrooms and grade levels. Our
[0:18:44] principles should be advocating for the
[0:18:46] support needed in order for our teaching
[0:18:48] staff and paraprofessionals to be able
[0:18:51] to effectively do their job while
[0:18:53] looking at the needs of the entire
[0:18:55] building. So that's the next level.
[0:18:57] Obviously, our administrators have an
[0:18:59] even bigger picture to look at in the
[0:19:01] realm of their own responsibilities, but
[0:19:03] ultimately building on the foundation
[0:19:06] provided at the classroom level and then
[0:19:08] at the building levels. Then the
[0:19:10] superintendent obviously has the
[0:19:11] responsibility of tying all those
[0:19:13] aspects together and effectively running
[0:19:16] the district. The key to all this, since
[0:19:19] it's all building one on another, is
[0:19:22] effective communication between all
[0:19:24] parties, which means a willingness to
[0:19:27] listen to ideas and concerns and a
[0:19:29] mutual respect between professionals. We
[0:19:32] are all in this together and we have one
[0:19:34] common goal and we should be able to all
[0:19:37] work towards that goal. The school board
[0:19:39] ultimately has a final responsibility
[0:19:41] and approving policies, staff and
[0:19:43] funding to make this all happen. And
[0:19:45] effective governance by the board is
[0:19:48] only going to happen if the board
[0:19:50] understands the process and procedures
[0:19:52] of what they are governing and that
[0:19:54] starts at the very basic level. So we're
[0:19:58] a small district made up of small
[0:20:00] communities. Um the school board should
[0:20:03] be the biggest advocate of the district
[0:20:05] and we are in the community. So when
[0:20:07] people come up to us and ask questions
[0:20:09] or voice concerns, we should be able to
[0:20:12] address those items to end any kind of
[0:20:14] gossip or rumors that may be out there.
[0:20:16] If there is transparency, if there is
[0:20:18] communication, if there is a method to
[0:20:21] the madness, so to speak, you're not
[0:20:23] going to have the discord that we've
[0:20:24] been experiencing [clears throat] the
[0:20:26] past few years. But that communication,
[0:20:29] that transparency, that mutual respect,
[0:20:32] that method to the madness, all must be
[0:20:34] done at each and every level. I just
[0:20:36] discussed that's what made Skookul
[0:20:39] Valley work so well in the past and what
[0:20:41] we can bring back. So, we are not here
[0:20:44] to reinvent the wheel. We are here to
[0:20:46] put the wheels back on the bus, get
[0:20:48] everyone who's involved on the same bus
[0:20:51] and move that bus forward.
[0:20:54] Now, may I have a motion for the
[0:20:56] position of vice president?
[0:20:59] >> I nominate Frank Amarell.
[0:21:02] >> Okay,
[0:21:03] Frank Amarell. Is there are there any
[0:21:06] other nominations?
[0:21:11] Oops.
[0:21:13] Okay. When it appears no one else is
[0:21:16] going to make any further nominations,
[0:21:18] um there is no need for a motion to
[0:21:20] close the nomination. And um recording
[0:21:24] secretary tallys the vote.
[0:21:27] Um, the nominations are closed and as
[0:21:31] Frank Amarell is the only candidate
[0:21:32] nominated, I move for Frank's election
[0:21:34] by acclamation for the position of vice
[0:21:37] president. All those in favor say I.
[0:21:40] >> I.
[0:21:40] >> I.
[0:21:41] >> Opposed.
[0:21:44] Motion carries. Congratulations, Frank.
[0:21:46] [applause]
[0:21:51] Okay, moving on to 10.0 appointments for
[0:21:55] board representatives.
[0:21:56] 10.1
[0:21:58] Burks Career and Technology Center Joint
[0:22:01] Operating Committee. Um, I would like to
[0:22:05] appoint David Maul as the representative
[0:22:07] through December 31st, 2027.
[0:22:12] David is currently the treasurer on the
[0:22:14] BCTC board. for alternates um like to
[0:22:18] appoint Daniel Wance the alternate
[0:22:21] through the same time period of December
[0:22:23] 31st 2027
[0:22:26] for the Pennsylvania School Boards
[0:22:27] Association leaison which is a one-year
[0:22:30] term um Linda Lash like to appoint her
[0:22:33] as a representative and Lauren Matthews
[0:22:36] as the alternate
[0:22:39] for the 10.3 tax collection committee
[0:22:42] which is a one-year term um like to
[0:22:45] appoint Joe Brown as the representative
[0:22:48] and Kelly Steni as the alternative or
[0:22:53] alternate
[0:22:55] um 10.4 Burks Vocational School
[0:22:59] Authority which is a position that runs
[0:23:02] from January 1st, 2026 to December 31st,
[0:23:06] 2030. Um the person who is currently in
[0:23:09] that position is Jeffrey Miller. Has he
[0:23:12] been contacted to see if he would like
[0:23:13] to continue in that position?
[0:23:17] >> Not as of yet. No.
[0:23:19] >> Okay.
[0:23:21] So, um, could you possibly then contact
[0:23:23] him to see if he would be willing to
[0:23:26] continue to serve?
[0:23:27] >> Sure, I can do that.
[0:23:28] >> Okay. Thank you.
[0:23:32] Okay. Moving on to
[0:23:37] continuing appointments. Um, the Burks
[0:23:40] County Intermediate Unit Board of
[0:23:42] Representatives, Linda Lash, is
[0:23:45] in the midst of her term, which will run
[0:23:47] through June 30th, 2026.
[0:23:51] Also, I want to make a note that we have
[0:23:53] this in the minutes that Linda Lash is
[0:23:55] the board secretary, that she was
[0:23:57] approved at the May 27th meeting for a
[0:24:00] four-year term, which would run July
[0:24:02] 1st, 2025 to June 30th, 2029. We could
[0:24:07] have that noted as a continuing um
[0:24:09] appointment there.
[0:24:11] Okay. For the board membership
[0:24:15] committees, these are listed as two-year
[0:24:18] terms
[0:24:21] for policy personnel and public
[0:24:24] relations. like to appoint Frank Amarell
[0:24:27] as chairman and
[0:24:30] uh Kelly and Lauren and Al would be also
[0:24:35] on that committee
[0:24:40] for curriculum and technology. Linda
[0:24:43] Lash would be the chairman and it would
[0:24:45] be Dan, Lauren, and Joe.
[0:24:52] Is everybody able to write these down?
[0:24:54] [laughter]
[0:24:55] >> Okay. For the finance, it would be uh
[0:24:58] Joe Brown as the chairman. And on that
[0:25:00] committee would be David, Kelly, and Al.
[0:25:07] On buildings and grounds, Al Rossi,
[0:25:11] chairman. That would be Dan, Frank, and
[0:25:16] David.
[0:25:19] And under student services would be
[0:25:22] Kelly as a chairman and it would be
[0:25:25] Linda, Dan, and Joe.
[0:25:31] Okay. Does anyone have any questions or
[0:25:37] not liking their committee or any other
[0:25:40] comments?
[0:25:42] Is that okay?
[0:25:43] >> Okay. So, we'll move ahead then to
[0:25:47] 13.0 Z, which is the meeting dates. Um,
[0:25:52] I do not have the meeting when I pulled
[0:25:54] it off online, the the meeting date link
[0:25:57] was not there. I see it on this paper,
[0:26:00] but I do not actually have a copy of
[0:26:02] that.
[0:26:03] >> Do you happen to have a
[0:26:07] Okay, thank you.
[0:26:11] Okay. So, the 2026 schoolboard meeting
[0:26:14] schedule would be the regular committee
[0:26:17] and board meetings on the committee
[0:26:19] meetings on the third Monday of the
[0:26:22] month and the board meetings on the
[0:26:23] fourth Monday of the month.
[0:26:28] Does anyone have any questions or
[0:26:30] comments regarding the uh schoolboard
[0:26:33] meeting schedule?
[0:26:34] >> I think there were just a couple
[0:26:35] deviations from that where Monday
[0:26:37] happened to be a holiday. I think it was
[0:26:38] pushed till Tuesday on all those days.
[0:26:41] >> And those are noted on there. I guess in
[0:26:43] August it occurs. Um
[0:26:48] >> I think it was May and September.
[0:26:50] >> May and September.
[0:26:52] May 18. Oh, May is a May 26th on a
[0:26:56] Tuesday. And the same thing October is a
[0:26:58] Tuesday one.
[0:27:00] >> I believe in August Tuesday
[0:27:03] in there. 4:15,
[0:27:04] >> right?
[0:27:06] which
[0:27:07] >> February 17th which is President's Day
[0:27:10] or 16th is President's Day. So that one
[0:27:12] would be the 17th. That would be a
[0:27:14] Tuesday.
[0:27:14] >> Okay.
[0:27:15] >> And then May 26th because Memorial Day
[0:27:17] is Monday the 25th.
[0:27:19] >> Um and then October 20th um is the other
[0:27:22] one. And then there's a note in August
[0:27:26] um August 17th which is a Monday um
[0:27:29] recommendation to start that board
[0:27:31] meeting earlier at 4:30. And the
[0:27:34] reasoning there is that's the day when
[0:27:36] the elementary school has their back to
[0:27:37] school night, which is always well
[0:27:39] attended by community members and
[0:27:41] parents and students and wanting board
[0:27:44] members to be able to participate in the
[0:27:46] board meeting and still be able to get
[0:27:47] to back to school night if they have
[0:27:49] children at that point or grandchildren
[0:27:51] or whatever.
[0:27:52] >> And this will then obviously once
[0:27:54] approved be posted on the website so
[0:27:56] everyone will be aware of the uh the
[0:27:59] meeting dates.
[0:28:00] >> Okay. Okay. Are there any other um
[0:28:03] questions or comments about the meeting
[0:28:06] schedule?
[0:28:07] If not, may I have a motion?
[0:28:10] >> So moved.
[0:28:11] >> Second. Lash.
[0:28:17] Any additional questions or comments
[0:28:18] which I already asked.
[0:28:21] Um if not, all those in favor say I.
[0:28:24] >> I.
[0:28:25] >> Opposed. Okay. Motion carries. 90.
[0:28:31] Okay, moving on to 14.0, processing of
[0:28:35] bills. 14.1. The board is requested to
[0:28:39] consider and authorize the business
[0:28:40] office to process bills for payment up
[0:28:43] to and including December 24th, 2025
[0:28:46] with the list of said bills to presented
[0:28:48] at the regular board meeting in January
[0:28:50] 2026 for ratification.
[0:28:54] We have a motion, please.
[0:28:55] >> So move
[0:28:57] second. Thank you.
[0:29:00] Okay. Are there any questions or
[0:29:01] comments?
[0:29:05] No. If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:29:10] >> I.
[0:29:11] >> Opposed.
[0:29:12] >> Motion carries. 90.
[0:29:16] >> Okay. Uh 15.0.
[0:29:18] Other business. 15.1 employment. The
[0:29:21] board is requested to consider and
[0:29:23] recommend approval of the following.
[0:29:24] Extracurricular assignments for the 2025
[0:29:27] 2026 school year. Approval is subject to
[0:29:30] the satisfactory receipt of all required
[0:29:32] clearances, background checks, and
[0:29:33] executed employment contracts.
[0:29:36] We have two for junior high wrestling um
[0:29:40] program. John Chop White, wrestling
[0:29:43] junior high head coach, 6,900. And
[0:29:46] Tanner White, wrestling junior high
[0:29:48] assistant coach, 2430.
[0:29:51] May I have a motion, please?
[0:29:52] >> So moved. Amil
[0:29:54] >> second.
[0:29:55] >> Rossy.
[0:29:56] >> Are there any questions or comments?
[0:30:01] >> Does this complete now all the openings
[0:30:04] for coaches in the wrestling program?
[0:30:07] >> Yes, it does. These were the last two
[0:30:08] remaining hires.
[0:30:09] >> Okay.
[0:30:13] No other questions or comments? Call for
[0:30:16] the vote. All those in favor say I.
[0:30:18] >> I.
[0:30:19] >> Opposed. Motion carries 90
[0:30:23] 15.2
[0:30:24] Act 34 resolution and advertisement for
[0:30:27] the proposed fieldhouse project. The
[0:30:30] board is requested to consider and
[0:30:31] recommend the approval of the act 34
[0:30:33] resolution and advertisement for the
[0:30:35] propo proposed fieldhouse project. Um,
[0:30:39] I'm assuming I should read this entire
[0:30:42] act
[0:30:44] to public and also you said the maximum
[0:30:47] project cost now is 24,877416.
[0:30:52] Is that correct?
[0:30:53] >> That's correct.
[0:30:54] >> 24 million, right? 24 Oh, thousand
[0:30:58] >> million. Yeah. 24
[0:30:59] >> 24 million. Correct. Yes.
[0:31:01] >> I wish it was 24,000.
[0:31:04] >> Yeah, that's a little bit difference.
[0:31:05] 24,000 to 24 million. Let's do the
[0:31:08] 24,000.
[0:31:08] >> 24,000. See what we can get.
[0:31:11] >> Um, okay. I will read this.
[0:31:14] >> You do not have to read the executive
[0:31:17] content.
[0:31:18] >> Excuse me.
[0:31:19] >> You would not have to read the executive
[0:31:20] content.
[0:31:21] >> That's not what she's saying.
[0:31:22] >> That No, I will be reading the act.
[0:31:25] >> I I'm reading the actual resolution.
[0:31:29] >> Okay.
[0:31:31] Whereas the board of school directors of
[0:31:33] this of this school district board of
[0:31:35] school directors has determined that an
[0:31:37] athletic field is required for the use
[0:31:39] of the students of this school district
[0:31:40] and has authorized preliminary steps to
[0:31:43] be taken with regard to this school
[0:31:44] project consisting of planning,
[0:31:46] designing, construction and constructing
[0:31:49] and furnishing a new athletic facility
[0:31:51] here and called project. And whereas the
[0:31:54] Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949
[0:31:58] as amended, including amendments made
[0:32:00] pursuant to Act 34 of the session of
[0:32:02] 1973 of the General Assembly, requires
[0:32:06] into Aaliyah that a public hearing be
[0:32:08] held prior to the construction, the
[0:32:10] entering into a contract to construct or
[0:32:13] the entering into a contract to lease a
[0:32:15] new school building or a substantial
[0:32:17] addition to an existing school building.
[0:32:20] And whereas in accordance with the
[0:32:22] requirements of act 34 in the school
[0:32:24] code, a public hearing is required to be
[0:32:26] held in conjunction with the project.
[0:32:28] And whereas the school code requires
[0:32:30] that a notice of such public hearing
[0:32:32] under Act 34 be advertised at least 20
[0:32:35] days prior to such hearing, and that
[0:32:38] certain information be made available to
[0:32:40] persons in attendance at such hearing,
[0:32:42] and that certain financial information
[0:32:43] be available for inspection be
[0:32:45] interested citizens during the period of
[0:32:47] such advertisement. And whereas the
[0:32:50] board of school directors desires to
[0:32:52] authorize its solicitor, superintendent,
[0:32:55] director of finance, architect,
[0:32:56] financial consultant, and others to take
[0:32:58] certain actions with respect to the
[0:33:00] project. And whereas the school district
[0:33:03] wishes to take certain action with
[0:33:05] respect to the project and to comply
[0:33:07] with act 34 and the school code. Now,
[0:33:10] therefore, be it resolved by the board
[0:33:12] of school directors of the Skookul
[0:33:14] Valley School District, Burks County,
[0:33:15] Pennsylvania, as follows. One, the
[0:33:18] school district hereby authorize a
[0:33:20] public hearing to be held in accordance
[0:33:21] with and in compliance with the
[0:33:23] requirements of act 34 and the school
[0:33:25] code in the Skookul Valley School
[0:33:27] District administrative boardroom in the
[0:33:29] high school auxiliary cafeteria located
[0:33:32] at 929 Lakeshore Drive, Leport, PA 1953
[0:33:36] on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026,
[0:33:40] beginning at 6 PM prevailing time. Two,
[0:33:43] the secretary of the board of school
[0:33:45] directors is hereby authorized and
[0:33:47] directed to advertise the notice of
[0:33:48] public hearing set forth in exhibit A,
[0:33:51] which is attached hereto and made a part
[0:33:54] hereof in accordance with the
[0:33:56] requirements hereof and of act 34 in the
[0:33:59] school code. Three, this school district
[0:34:02] hereby authorizes the maximum project
[0:34:04] cost and maximum building construction
[0:34:06] cost for the project as follows. Maximum
[0:34:09] project cost 24,877,416.
[0:34:15] The act 34 maximum building construction
[0:34:18] cost $16,819,564.
[0:34:24] The board of school directors hereby
[0:34:25] authorizes and directs that project
[0:34:27] descriptions of this project be prepared
[0:34:30] and hereby directs the superintendent of
[0:34:32] the school district to make copies of
[0:34:33] such descriptions of the project
[0:34:35] available to interested citizens
[0:34:38] requesting the same at the place and
[0:34:40] during the reasonable hours stated in
[0:34:42] the notice of public hearing after
[0:34:44] approval thereof by the solicitor of the
[0:34:46] school district and also to make such
[0:34:49] project descriptions available to the
[0:34:50] public media as required by act 34. for
[0:34:53] the school code and the regulations of
[0:34:55] the Pennsylvania Department of
[0:34:56] Education. The school district hereby
[0:34:59] authorized Alicia Luke Esquire and the
[0:35:02] law firm of Fox Rothschild LLPA
[0:35:06] solicitor for the school district to
[0:35:08] perform such acts on behalf of the
[0:35:10] school district as may be necessary in
[0:35:12] connection with the project. The school
[0:35:15] district hereby authorized the
[0:35:16] architectural firm known as Shrader
[0:35:19] Group, a hod cop plan mock studio of
[0:35:23] Kona Hawking, Pennsylvania project
[0:35:25] architects for the designed project
[0:35:28] designated project to perform such acts
[0:35:30] on behalf of the school district as may
[0:35:33] be necessary in connection with the
[0:35:34] project. This school district hereby
[0:35:37] authorizes the firm of Raymond James
[0:35:39] Financial Advisors Incorporated of
[0:35:41] Lancaster, PA as financial consultant to
[0:35:44] perform such acts on behalf of the
[0:35:46] school district as may be necessary in
[0:35:48] conjunction with the project. This
[0:35:50] school district further authorizes the
[0:35:52] engagement of a court stenographer to
[0:35:54] transcribe the act 34 proceedings
[0:35:57] consistent with the intent of this
[0:35:58] resolution. This school district further
[0:36:01] authorizes its officers, administration,
[0:36:04] solicitor, financial consultant, and
[0:36:06] project architect to take any and all
[0:36:09] necessary actions in order to effectuate
[0:36:12] the intent and purpose of this
[0:36:14] resolution.
[0:36:18] May I have a motion, please?
[0:36:23] >> Okay,
[0:36:25] there's a second.
[0:36:28] Second, Amaro.
[0:36:32] >> Okay. Are there any questions or
[0:36:35] comments?
[0:36:35] >> I do. Uh, it's kind of hard to vote on
[0:36:39] something that I have no information in
[0:36:42] front of me on and I would believe it
[0:36:45] would be in the best interest of the new
[0:36:46] members to have this tabled till the
[0:36:48] next meeting. So, it gives a s ample
[0:36:50] time to review what they're asking us to
[0:36:53] approve. $24 million.
[0:36:56] This is this isn't approval of the the
[0:36:58] cash. This is just to have the public
[0:37:00] meeting for transparency.
[0:37:01] >> But they're adding the extra $900,000.
[0:37:04] >> No, we're not
[0:37:06] >> just to have the public meeting.
[0:37:08] >> It's just it's just a public meeting to
[0:37:09] present it to the public to share the
[0:37:11] plans.
[0:37:11] >> Yeah. It's not moving forward.
[0:37:13] >> This is updated because we're in design
[0:37:15] trying to figure out the design and we
[0:37:17] got new numbers in for the
[0:37:18] capitalization, right? The the
[0:37:20] financing. This is not an approval of
[0:37:22] the project by any means. We have not
[0:37:24] approved the project. We're not
[0:37:25] approving spending the money. This is a
[0:37:27] transparency issue to share with the
[0:37:29] public what we're considering doing
[0:37:31] >> so that we can get their input on it.
[0:37:34] This is this is the vote here is
[0:37:36] strictly to be transparent and comply
[0:37:38] with the law that we share with them
[0:37:40] before we undertake any big building
[0:37:41] project. This is not an affirmation of
[0:37:43] the project. A vote yes here does not in
[0:37:46] any way show your approval or support of
[0:37:49] the project. Is strictly for the
[0:37:50] transparency part to comply with the
[0:37:53] law. But there is a change.
[0:37:56] There's there's an additional cost that
[0:37:58] was added tonight from the original
[0:38:00] cost,
[0:38:01] >> but no cost was ever pres presented
[0:38:03] before. So
[0:38:04] >> I just want to make sure when I heard
[0:38:05] the $900,000 number that that was in
[0:38:08] addition to what
[0:38:09] >> Yeah. You're not approving a change
[0:38:11] order proposed.
[0:38:12] >> Yeah. You're not approving a change
[0:38:13] order or anything like that. This is
[0:38:14] just the transparency piece.
[0:38:16] >> Thank you.
[0:38:16] >> Yeah. This is basically just the
[0:38:18] preliminary first step to make sure that
[0:38:20] the public's aware of what is happening
[0:38:22] with the project
[0:38:23] >> and they're setting
[0:38:25] the notice that there's a proposal to
[0:38:28] spend $24 million.
[0:38:31] >> Yes, that's what'll be present and that
[0:38:33] will all be presented at that um January
[0:38:36] 7th meeting and we can actually get
[0:38:38] input from the public
[0:38:40] >> um at that time as well. So, so, so if
[0:38:43] the board, you know, takes action to
[0:38:44] approve the resolution, what will happen
[0:38:46] is then tomorrow we get it up, we get
[0:38:51] the correction made in the document and
[0:38:53] then it gets advertised. It has to be
[0:38:54] advertised for 20 days and then then we
[0:38:58] can hold the act 34 hearing which will
[0:39:00] hold in January on the 7th. At during
[0:39:03] that hearing, there will be a history of
[0:39:05] the project presented. There will be the
[0:39:08] current plan and schematic for what the
[0:39:10] proposed fieldhouse is to look like, the
[0:39:12] cost and budget of the project will be
[0:39:14] gone over as well as financing. And so
[0:39:16] Shrader Group will be here who's the
[0:39:17] architect for the project. Raymond James
[0:39:19] will be here as well who's doing the
[0:39:21] financing. And as Mrs. Weant and both
[0:39:23] Mr. Rossi mentioned, you know, that
[0:39:25] evening there's the opportunity for the
[0:39:27] public to come and ask questions. And it
[0:39:30] even, you know, stipulates in the
[0:39:32] advertisement portion that they can, if
[0:39:35] there's information they need prior to
[0:39:36] the meeting, they can reach out to me as
[0:39:38] acting superintendent for that
[0:39:39] information. So, it truly is about
[0:39:41] transparency as Mr. Rossi mentioned.
[0:39:43] >> Okay. In the interim, can you make sure
[0:39:45] that those who don't have the
[0:39:47] information on the project or provided
[0:39:49] that?
[0:39:50] >> Yeah.
[0:39:50] >> Yes, we can do that.
[0:39:51] >> All right. Thank you.
[0:39:52] >> Yeah. There there'll be a lot of time
[0:39:54] for you to take a look at it and and
[0:39:55] kind of wrap your head around what we've
[0:39:57] been talking about. I appreciate.
[0:39:59] >> Yeah. Yeah.
[0:40:02] >> Are there any other questions or
[0:40:03] concerns?
[0:40:04] >> I have to turn my mic. Is there any
[0:40:06] other questions or concerns?
[0:40:10] >> If not, I'll call for the vote.
[0:40:11] [clears throat] All those in favor say
[0:40:13] I.
[0:40:14] >> I.
[0:40:14] >> I.
[0:40:14] >> Opposed.
[0:40:16] Motion carries. 90.
[0:40:18] Next item is 15.3, the Sterling Act Tax
[0:40:22] Credit. The board is requested to
[0:40:24] consider and authorize a business office
[0:40:26] to submit the certification of Sterling
[0:40:29] Act tax credit for the calendar year
[0:40:31] 2024 prior to the December 15th meeting.
[0:40:35] Uh required submission date with the
[0:40:37] actual amount and certification form to
[0:40:39] be presented at the committee in January
[0:40:41] 2026 for ratification.
[0:40:44] May I have a motion?
[0:40:47] >> So moved.
[0:40:48] >> Second, Lash.
[0:40:51] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:40:53] Could we perhaps have an explanation new
[0:40:56] board members what that is since it
[0:40:58] doesn't affect everybody in the
[0:40:59] [clears throat] district?
[0:41:00] >> So, the district has to submit the
[0:41:02] Sterling Act tax credit every year by
[0:41:05] December 15th. And part of what goes
[0:41:08] into that credit are Philadelphia wages
[0:41:13] for individuals that work. That
[0:41:15] information in that area, that
[0:41:16] information comes to us from Burk's EIT.
[0:41:19] And typically we get that information
[0:41:21] around November 30th or December 1st. It
[0:41:24] has not come in yet. We've reached out
[0:41:25] to Burksit, but we don't have that
[0:41:28] information yet. So, normally it would
[0:41:30] be an approval. We'd be able to list an
[0:41:32] amount here in terms of what that figure
[0:41:34] is. We don't have that amount yet. So,
[0:41:37] this is really an authorization
[0:41:39] approval. Basically, authorizing Kristen
[0:41:42] Wallace to go ahead and submit it so
[0:41:44] that we meet the PTE deadline of
[0:41:46] December 15th. And then when we come
[0:41:48] back in January, we'll have the exact
[0:41:50] number and the board can ratify that
[0:41:52] number in the actual Sterling credit
[0:41:55] document that is submitted to PTE.
[0:41:59] >> Okay. Any other questions?
[0:42:03] Not. I'll call for the vote. All those
[0:42:05] in favor say I.
[0:42:07] >> I.
[0:42:07] >> Opposed. Motion carries 90.
[0:42:14] Okay. Moving to good of the order.
[0:42:17] I have um a couple items this evening
[0:42:22] that I'd like to present to the board.
[0:42:25] Uh the first is in regard to the
[0:42:28] superintendent search, which obviously
[0:42:31] is something we're going to have to be
[0:42:33] working on in the near future here. So,
[0:42:36] um what I would like to do is I'll have
[0:42:40] every start passing these
[0:42:43] out. I have packets for everyone on the
[0:42:46] board here.
[0:42:51] Okay. And I do have I have 10 for um be
[0:42:57] shared down this way. So what I would
[0:42:59] like to do is um I would like to have
[0:43:02] the BCIU contacted to come to a board
[0:43:08] meeting which I would I feel that we
[0:43:10] need another board meeting in December
[0:43:12] already. So, I was planning that perhaps
[0:43:14] we could agree to have a board meeting
[0:43:16] on Monday, December 15th, and at that
[0:43:19] point have the IU come in and go over
[0:43:23] what services they provide and the cost.
[0:43:27] Um, this would be for likeformational
[0:43:30] reasons. I know there's some board
[0:43:32] members that maybe would not like to
[0:43:36] have an outside group come in, but um,
[0:43:38] majority of the board has not been
[0:43:40] involved in this process. So, it would
[0:43:42] be good just to hear what the IU has to
[0:43:45] say whether or not we go with the IU.
[0:43:48] Um, so information that I have in the
[0:43:51] the packet is I do have the BCIU
[0:43:55] information regarding their services
[0:43:57] from the website. Um, I also have kind
[0:44:01] of a little sample info of about the
[0:44:05] most significant work of the district in
[0:44:08] doing selecting the superintendent. So,
[0:44:10] that's some information. I do have a a
[0:44:13] sample um
[0:44:16] from Boyertown what what was put out
[0:44:19] there online when they were asking for a
[0:44:21] superintendent. So, we can look at that
[0:44:24] information. Also, I have a copy of the
[0:44:26] policy manual that for the employment of
[0:44:29] the superintendent and assistant
[0:44:31] superintendent.
[0:44:33] So, I would just like to point out that
[0:44:36] what I noticed going through a lot of
[0:44:38] these uh the policy manual, this was
[0:44:40] last re revised on July 22nd, 2013,
[0:44:45] which was a time when I was actually
[0:44:49] board president here. So, this policy
[0:44:53] and these policies really should be kind
[0:44:56] of updated since then. Um, I've pulled
[0:44:58] all the policies for all the other
[0:45:01] schools in Burks County. Ours is the
[0:45:03] oldest one. They've had some that have
[0:45:06] just been updated in October of 2025.
[0:45:10] So, anyway, that's just like a little
[0:45:12] side note, but I have that in these
[0:45:14] packets of information for you. The
[0:45:18] other thing is that we need to look at
[0:45:21] if we're going to create a survey for
[0:45:23] the staff and community and this is kind
[0:45:25] of highly recommended. So I have a
[0:45:28] sample of the Centennial School District
[0:45:31] out of Bucks County um the survey that
[0:45:34] they put out kind of like everyone to
[0:45:37] look over it and see if you know be
[0:45:40] interested that that would kind of be a
[0:45:42] survey that we could look at doing. Um,
[0:45:44] I do want to apologize because
[0:45:48] you know there's there's the uh one to
[0:45:50] five for low priority, high priority
[0:45:53] with the questions and it it was very
[0:45:56] light on the original. So you all may
[0:45:58] not have those boxes but it has like
[0:46:01] boxes. Um, one of the things that had
[0:46:06] been done before is we did these online
[0:46:08] surveys and it would be the easiest, but
[0:46:11] we also were able to notify the
[0:46:14] community that we were having the survey
[0:46:17] put out. Um, we had a newsletter, we had
[0:46:23] reporters at the meetings. We don't have
[0:46:25] that anymore. And I see that as kind of
[0:46:27] a disconnect that we have in order to
[0:46:30] get communication out to the public
[0:46:33] because unless you have a child in the
[0:46:35] school district, you're not going to be
[0:46:37] getting the emails or unless you have
[0:46:39] Facebook and you follow the School
[0:46:41] Valley page, you're not going to be
[0:46:43] seeing these sort of things. So, um I
[0:46:46] think that's something we have to look
[0:46:47] at going forward just in how we're
[0:46:50] getting information out to the broader
[0:46:53] community since we don't have the same
[0:46:56] venues of a newsletter or a reporter. Um
[0:47:00] I looked up the number of households.
[0:47:01] There's like 6,000 households. So, I'm
[0:47:04] thinking, well, if we put out a little
[0:47:05] postcard saying to come and do this,
[0:47:06] that's 6,000 postcards. I mean, there
[0:47:08] should be a different way that maybe we
[0:47:11] can think of. Um, one of the other
[0:47:13] things is to um, like coming up with a
[0:47:17] timeline, creating an application,
[0:47:21] but a big one that we need to discuss is
[0:47:26] um, develop the process for interviewing
[0:47:28] and who's going to be involved in that
[0:47:30] interview.
[0:47:32] So, I do have the in your packet thing.
[0:47:36] Um just basically this is this is just
[0:47:40] something for us to discuss. The the
[0:47:42] board chooses the applicants from the
[0:47:44] resumeumés. First round of interviews,
[0:47:46] teachers, principles, assistant
[0:47:47] superintendent, some are all the board
[0:47:49] members. Second round other
[0:47:51] administrators, assistant
[0:47:52] superintendent, some are all the board
[0:47:53] members. The final round would be the
[0:47:55] board members and the assistant
[0:47:56] superintendent.
[0:47:59] So, that is another thing that we're
[0:48:01] going to have to come up with the
[0:48:02] process of how we're going to interview
[0:48:04] and how who's going to be included in
[0:48:07] those um first, second, and third
[0:48:09] rounds. So, one of the other things I'd
[0:48:12] like to do then for the December 15th
[0:48:15] meeting, if everyone's agreeable to
[0:48:17] contact the IU and see if we can get a
[0:48:19] representative there that night, that
[0:48:22] kind of everybody reviews this
[0:48:24] information that I just handed out. um
[0:48:27] prepare any questions that you may have
[0:48:29] for the IU because this is from their
[0:48:31] website of what services they provide
[0:48:34] and um think of ways that we can
[0:48:37] communicate to the greater community and
[0:48:40] kind of think about the interview
[0:48:42] process. So this kind of is a little bit
[0:48:44] of homework to do but I mean this is an
[0:48:46] important step. We need to get this
[0:48:49] right going forward. I mean, this is
[0:48:52] this is something we really need to take
[0:48:54] our time doing and make sure we're doing
[0:48:57] a a thorough search. So, that is the
[0:49:01] first um thing. Now, um is everyone
[0:49:05] agreeable to have a meeting on December
[0:49:07] 15th and try and have the IU here?
[0:49:10] >> So, you've made the determination that
[0:49:12] we're going to go with the IU as the
[0:49:14] >> No. If what I was saying is that they
[0:49:17] would come and present the information
[0:49:19] and then we could go with the
[0:49:21] information after we hear it if we
[0:49:23] decide to do the IU or we decide not to
[0:49:25] do the IU. But there's a lot of people
[0:49:27] sitting here that have not gone through
[0:49:29] this process. And it would be good to
[0:49:32] hear what kind of process is expected to
[0:49:35] be done whether or not we go with the
[0:49:37] IU. And that's the first page of what is
[0:49:40] on here is the comprehensive search
[0:49:44] services for school districts. So we can
[0:49:47] look at that and then go from there. But
[0:49:49] it's just a presentation to know what to
[0:49:52] expect in the search process.
[0:49:53] >> That's fine. I was just asking for
[0:49:54] clarification.
[0:49:57] >> So So you would be amanable to using
[0:49:59] possibly PSBA or one of the p private
[0:50:02] contractors out there.
[0:50:04] >> Any any of them. Okay. you know, I I had
[0:50:07] actually requested this information
[0:50:08] through a right to know, but I did not
[0:50:10] receive that information back to have
[0:50:13] kind of a listing of who would be
[0:50:16] available. So, I'm really only aware of
[0:50:18] the the um IU because I know that's what
[0:50:21] we had used in the past.
[0:50:24] So, I
[0:50:25] >> I think it would be a good idea to have
[0:50:26] the IU just lay out the basic process,
[0:50:29] but I'm really hesitant to utilize them
[0:50:31] because of the politics involved and I
[0:50:33] really don't want them to have much say
[0:50:35] in who we get to see as a candidate.
[0:50:38] >> And that's one of the things you can
[0:50:40] request because we did that when we had
[0:50:43] brought in the a past superintendent. We
[0:50:46] had said we want to see all of the
[0:50:47] resumes. So, I mean, and that's a
[0:50:50] request that we can make of them as
[0:50:52] well. And that's a question to ask them
[0:50:53] as well.
[0:50:55] >> So, and um Dr. Winters, do you have a
[0:50:59] list of the other I mean when I had
[0:51:01] filed that right to know uh I they had
[0:51:04] added the 30 days to it. So, I will not
[0:51:06] only get that until December 4th, but
[0:51:08] this is one of the reasons why I would
[0:51:10] have liked to have it by now. But do you
[0:51:12] know of other um search groups besides
[0:51:15] the IU that we could perhaps talk to as
[0:51:18] well? We were contacted board members
[0:51:20] received a couple of unsolicited emails
[0:51:23] from some search groups. But
[0:51:26] >> you I I do know some, you know, I might
[0:51:28] suggest if we're if we're going to have
[0:51:30] a board meeting where we're going to
[0:51:32] bring, you know, BCIU out, maybe we
[0:51:35] should see if we could find a date that
[0:51:37] and we could get them all out the same
[0:51:39] evening and the board could hear
[0:51:40] presentations from multiple and then
[0:51:42] that may help inform what direction you
[0:51:44] may want to go in. Um, organizationally,
[0:51:46] as Mrs. Flash said the Pennsylvania
[0:51:48] School Boards Association, I do know,
[0:51:50] does superintendent searches. Um, and
[0:51:53] then there are there are some different
[0:51:55] individuals who, you know, do
[0:51:58] independent superintendent searches as
[0:52:00] well. Um, Tom Templeton is one. Um, Ed
[0:52:04] Albert is another one. Um, Mark Draco
[0:52:07] and Connie Kindler are other ones. Um,
[0:52:10] and so, you know, now they're they're
[0:52:12] all independent, but if you if you
[0:52:15] search, you know, they they have their
[0:52:16] contact information online, and I know
[0:52:19] they've done presentations at other
[0:52:21] board meetings just from communities
[0:52:23] that I've worked in in places where I
[0:52:24] live. So,
[0:52:25] >> can we see how many we could get
[0:52:28] available in the next two weeks for
[0:52:30] December 15th?
[0:52:33] Is is the board interested in getting as
[0:52:36] many as possible or of that list I
[0:52:39] mentioned, do you want to narrow it down
[0:52:41] to um you know just two or three?
[0:52:46] >> This this feels more like it moved on
[0:52:48] from anformational session to
[0:52:52] having them all give us a spiel and
[0:52:54] finding a vendor. Well, I again I think
[0:52:58] it's good for the new board members to
[0:53:01] understand what the process is that
[0:53:03] we're going to have to go through with
[0:53:04] this. Um, so I think it's best to have
[0:53:08] someone comes out that has gone through
[0:53:10] the process and can explain the process
[0:53:12] to us.
[0:53:13] >> Right. Right. I I understand that and I
[0:53:15] I see that the BCIU would be very
[0:53:17] valuable for that, but I don't know what
[0:53:19] others will bring because the process is
[0:53:22] the process. If we hear from some of the
[0:53:25] other head hunters, I don't know that
[0:53:27] we're going to hear any different about
[0:53:28] what the process is.
[0:53:29] >> And if we feel that we can we only need
[0:53:31] to bring out the IU and we can do that.
[0:53:35] >> I just feel that we [clears throat] have
[0:53:36] to start the process somewhere and
[0:53:38] waiting till January is going to be too
[0:53:41] long and that's why I would like to
[0:53:42] [clears throat] start
[0:53:43] >> 100%
[0:53:44] >> December 15th
[0:53:46] >> to to get an idea. I mean, the
[0:53:48] information I handed out has a lot of
[0:53:51] information on it, but it's not
[0:53:53] interaction that you can actually talk
[0:53:55] to somebody and ask questions about the
[0:53:57] actual process.
[0:53:58] >> Yeah. If the if the BCIU is coming out
[0:54:00] just for an informative session, that's
[0:54:02] great. And they're not pitching
[0:54:04] themselves and their services. They're
[0:54:05] just going to come out and describe to
[0:54:07] us what the process is like. Correct.
[0:54:08] Right.
[0:54:09] >> So, all right. And then, you know, I
[0:54:10] agree like I I want to cast a wide net.
[0:54:13] So, get a group of people in here,
[0:54:16] whether they're individual recruiters or
[0:54:18] PSBA or BCIU. I don't I would prefer not
[0:54:22] to leave any of those groups out. I'd
[0:54:24] like to see them all represented if
[0:54:25] possible.
[0:54:26] >> Are you talking for the 15th or you just
[0:54:28] >> generally the the 15th is just, you
[0:54:31] know, my like I said, my impression is
[0:54:32] the 15th is just an informative session
[0:54:34] to teach us what the process is like. We
[0:54:36] don't need I don't personally feel we
[0:54:37] need all those people to come in here
[0:54:39] and basically tell us the same thing
[0:54:40] over and over again. and they're all
[0:54:42] each going to try and make their
[0:54:43] pitches. You know, we want to know what
[0:54:45] the process is like and then we can
[0:54:48] probably figure out who the best
[0:54:50] organizations are or whittle them down
[0:54:52] ourselves. We don't have to have them
[0:54:53] each come in and present. At least I
[0:54:54] don't feel we do.
[0:54:55] >> We can at least know what path we want
[0:54:56] to take at that point.
[0:54:57] >> Yeah.
[0:54:59] >> I said this is a lot of information that
[0:55:01] I just handed out tonight and it's going
[0:55:02] to take some time. So, it'll give
[0:55:04] everyone two weeks to kind of digest it
[0:55:07] as well and then we can um you know go
[0:55:10] from there.
[0:55:12] So, um, Dr. Winters, can you contact
[0:55:16] then the IU to have them see if they're
[0:55:18] available for the 15th?
[0:55:22] >> I can.
[0:55:23] >> Okay. Thank you.
[0:55:26] >> And and I'm assuming there is, you know,
[0:55:29] board consensus that you guys definitely
[0:55:31] want to have a meeting on the 15th just
[0:55:33] so we know from an advertising
[0:55:34] standpoint and everything along those
[0:55:36] lines. I know it was mentioned, but I ju
[0:55:38] I just wanted to make sure that
[0:55:40] >> the full board was in agreement with
[0:55:42] meeting on the 15th.
[0:55:43] >> I I can be available. I agree. It's a
[0:55:45] good idea to get started.
[0:55:47] >> Okay.
[0:55:48] >> Yeah. Yeah. Another six weeks is too
[0:55:50] long.
[0:55:50] >> Yeah. Well, exactly. Another six weeks
[0:55:52] is way too long.
[0:55:53] >> Yeah. I agree.
[0:55:54] >> Do you have a time, Carol?
[0:55:56] >> Well, a regular board meeting, so say
[0:55:58] seven o'clock. Just
[0:56:01] >> Yeah, it looks like I can be there. I'll
[0:56:03] reach out.
[0:56:05] >> Okay.
[0:56:07] Um, another item that I have is
[0:56:11] here
[0:56:13] another thing to hand out. Um, I've
[0:56:16] compiled the hiring policies from
[0:56:19] various other school districts. In fact,
[0:56:21] from the policy manual procedures from
[0:56:23] all the districts in Burks County. So
[0:56:29] I feel that we should look at getting
[0:56:31] back to the interviewing and hiring
[0:56:33] procedures that we used in past years
[0:56:35] when the principles were hiring their
[0:56:38] own staff. The board was involved in the
[0:56:39] interview process of the act 93
[0:56:42] personnel um as well as allowing the
[0:56:45] athletic director to be in charge of the
[0:56:47] interviewing and hiring of the coaches.
[0:56:50] So as for specifics of the process, many
[0:56:53] schools don't have a written policy of
[0:56:55] who is at the interviews, but all that I
[0:56:58] contacted agreed that it is headed by
[0:57:00] the supervisory position of those
[0:57:03] applicants being considered. So in
[0:57:05] simple terms, um, building principles
[0:57:08] would hire their teachers, the AD would
[0:57:10] be hiring coaches, etc. And the act 93
[0:57:14] positions are interviewed and chosen by
[0:57:16] the board.
[0:57:18] Um so in all these cases the people
[0:57:21] chosen to be included on the interview
[0:57:23] team are also selected by the
[0:57:26] supervisory administrator in charge of
[0:57:28] that position who's being hired. So,
[0:57:31] actually I pulled Twin Valley's policy
[0:57:34] for hiring administrators. Um, and it
[0:57:37] says, "In addition, any and all board
[0:57:39] members may sit on the interview
[0:57:41] committee for the positions of
[0:57:42] superintendent, assistant
[0:57:43] superintendent, business managers and
[0:57:45] principles and other administrators at
[0:57:47] the board's discretion. So, I would like
[0:57:50] to kind of look at that process again um
[0:57:54] since I know Dr. Winters would be
[0:57:56] familiar with it since he was during his
[0:57:59] time at Twin Valley. What I also
[0:58:02] included in this packet is Fleetwood has
[0:58:04] a very detailed policy and and that copy
[0:58:07] is in there for everyone to look at and
[0:58:10] um I do have a little thing in there
[0:58:12] about what the policy was
[0:58:15] back years ago when I was on the board
[0:58:17] originally. So, and that's the research
[0:58:19] that I've done to find these procedures.
[0:58:22] So again, I do want to mention again
[0:58:26] that the board policies, this is the
[0:58:29] employment of district staff that I
[0:58:31] included and as you see it's adopted
[0:58:33] February 25th, 2019 13 2013. Yes. Um,
[0:58:40] so these are policies that we really I
[0:58:44] think should be looking at and and I'm
[0:58:47] not sure why the other school districts
[0:58:50] all have revised their policies and
[0:58:52] updated their policies and ours are
[0:58:54] still from 2013.
[0:58:57] >> Is that the adopted date or the revised
[0:58:59] date?
[0:58:59] >> What
[0:59:00] >> is that? The adopted date or the revised
[0:59:02] date?
[0:59:02] >> It's the revised date and we have not
[0:59:05] >> adopted a revised
[0:59:08] They may be adopted. Okay.
[0:59:10] >> They may be one and the same. I don't
[0:59:11] know if they are or not.
[0:59:12] >> Yeah.
[0:59:13] >> If it wasn't revised, then it is the
[0:59:15] adopted date. So, it has not been
[0:59:17] revised. I think the other one had a
[0:59:19] revision date on
[0:59:20] >> this one.
[0:59:21] >> That one has a revision. Yes. If it's
[0:59:23] adopted and then revised, but this
[0:59:25] >> So, we have two policies here regarding
[0:59:28] the hiring that have not been touched
[0:59:30] since 2013.
[0:59:32] So um I think we need to come up with a
[0:59:36] method of the interviewing and and
[0:59:38] hiring policy and specifically who is
[0:59:41] involved in the first, second and third
[0:59:43] rounds. Um that's something else that we
[0:59:46] need to further discuss and perhaps we
[0:59:48] can think about that and have a
[0:59:51] discussion about that and on the 15th as
[0:59:54] well because it kind of all ties in
[0:59:56] together with how we're going to conduct
[0:59:58] the superintendent.
[1:00:00] We also need to talk to the teachers
[1:00:02] union. I know at some points they're
[1:00:04] involved in the first and second rounds
[1:00:06] and you know that that's another aspect
[1:00:10] that we're going to have to look at.
[1:00:12] >> I think they're currently involved in
[1:00:13] the second round,
[1:00:16] >> right?
[1:00:16] >> Is is how it was set up recently,
[1:00:19] >> right?
[1:00:22] But I I think one of my questions is is
[1:00:25] like the board's involvement in Act 93
[1:00:29] years ago. They were always involved in
[1:00:32] all act 93 once and I know that has
[1:00:35] changed and I just like to take a look
[1:00:37] at it again and look to see what our
[1:00:40] expectations are going to be as a board
[1:00:42] and involvement in hiring administrators
[1:00:46] and interviewing administrators.
[1:00:50] Okay. So now the third thing I have
[1:00:57] is um
[1:01:01] making sure that we are evaluating
[1:01:05] in particular the new language arts and
[1:01:10] math programs. So I have this also as a
[1:01:13] handout. I I realize this is a lot of
[1:01:15] information here, but
[1:01:18] I think it's all very important things
[1:01:20] that we need to be addressing. So, since
[1:01:24] neither of these curriculum changes were
[1:01:27] um piloted, which I felt was a norm in
[1:01:31] the past, um so what are we going to be
[1:01:34] doing to evaluate these programs
[1:01:36] midyear? not just a lip service
[1:01:38] evaluation but actual written
[1:01:41] evaluations that can be used to assess
[1:01:43] the program so far. So I would like to
[1:01:46] propose that we work on an evaluation to
[1:01:49] be given to the faculty to see exactly
[1:01:51] where we are with this implementation.
[1:01:54] Um I know it's been off to a rough start
[1:01:57] but this is too important not to be
[1:02:00] staying on top of this and we need to
[1:02:02] make sure that we are getting this
[1:02:04] right. So I have a very very basic
[1:02:07] evaluation for the board to look over
[1:02:08] and those with curriculum experience to
[1:02:11] come up with additional questions and I
[1:02:13] would like um Dr. Winters then to take
[1:02:15] questions into consideration and come up
[1:02:17] with an evaluation that we can review
[1:02:20] that perhaps can go out to the staff in
[1:02:22] January or February so we can see where
[1:02:24] we stand in terms of uh any additional
[1:02:27] resources needed or if everything is
[1:02:29] working fine
[1:02:31] >> now. Um
[1:02:33] >> excuse me, Mrs. Wan. Is is that
[1:02:34] something that the majority of the board
[1:02:36] would like me to undertake as
[1:02:38] superintendent?
[1:02:39] >> Yes.
[1:02:42] >> I hear two.
[1:02:44] >> I think we need to have a vote.
[1:02:45] >> Absolutely. Please.
[1:02:47] >> Yes.
[1:02:48] >> Yes.
[1:02:49] >> Yeah. That's five.
[1:02:51] >> Yes.
[1:02:54] >> Thank you.
[1:02:54] >> And I will I will work with Mrs. Rexro
[1:02:56] on the best next steps to take in this
[1:02:58] process.
[1:03:01] >> Okay. I guess one of my other concerns
[1:03:03] is that came up a few months ago where
[1:03:05] books were removed from the classroom
[1:03:07] without the teachers knowledge and that
[1:03:10] we have a procedure in place and it's
[1:03:12] quite clear the teachers remove the
[1:03:14] books from the classrooms they're no
[1:03:15] longer using. Clearly mark them and have
[1:03:18] them in a separate area out in the
[1:03:19] hallway. Principal or assistant
[1:03:21] principal inventories those discarded
[1:03:23] books and then they're removed to the
[1:03:25] storage area. Um, and then a board vote
[1:03:28] obviously is needed when they're
[1:03:29] discarded, which per our policy number
[1:03:33] 706.1
[1:03:35] in our policy manual,
[1:03:39] and I kind of like to to read this. I've
[1:03:42] handed this out to everybody, but
[1:03:44] textbooks, it says obsolete or outdated
[1:03:48] textbooks should be disposed of in the
[1:03:50] following general priority. Number one,
[1:03:53] placement in classrooms as supplemental
[1:03:56] materials. Two, sold to commercial used
[1:03:59] book purchasers by quotation.
[1:04:03] Three, sold to private schools by
[1:04:05] quotation. Four, donated to charitable
[1:04:08] organizations.
[1:04:09] Five, given to students as supplemental
[1:04:12] materials at home. And six, discarded.
[1:04:15] So, as you can see, discarded is the
[1:04:18] bottom one. That's number six. The first
[1:04:21] is placement in classrooms as
[1:04:24] supplemental material.
[1:04:26] So we had materials removed from
[1:04:29] classrooms including personal books that
[1:04:31] were not selected to be removed by
[1:04:33] teachers who are the ones who know what
[1:04:35] is needed for the instruction and then
[1:04:37] it was kind of presented as no one knows
[1:04:39] how this happened.
[1:04:42] This concerns me because someone does
[1:04:44] know what happens. someone should be
[1:04:46] accountable and those books didn't make
[1:04:48] it into the dumpster by themselves. So,
[1:04:51] and then when this issue was brought up
[1:04:52] in public about the missing materials,
[1:04:54] the board said those supplemental
[1:04:56] materials would be replaced. So, my
[1:04:59] question is, and I think we'll only find
[1:05:01] out by directly um asking the staff, is
[1:05:05] were those items replaced?
[1:05:08] Um,
[1:05:10] so
[1:05:12] again this this is further homework that
[1:05:14] I think we need to do. We need to find
[1:05:16] this out. This curriculum is so
[1:05:19] important. Obviously
[1:05:22] this is what we're here for and we need
[1:05:25] to make sure that all the resources are
[1:05:28] being provided to make sure this
[1:05:30] curriculum is going to be successfully
[1:05:33] implemented.
[1:05:35] And that's why I would like to see kind
[1:05:37] of this midyear review to see what we
[1:05:40] need to do, what materials we may still
[1:05:43] need, what additional training we may we
[1:05:46] may still need in order to make this
[1:05:49] successful. We cannot get this wrong. We
[1:05:53] cannot.
[1:05:55] So um
[1:05:58] that's why with the evaluation
[1:06:01] you know to give to the the staff to
[1:06:03] hear directly from them because as I
[1:06:05] said they are our front line they are
[1:06:08] the ones that are implementing it and
[1:06:09] dealing with the kids and it would be
[1:06:12] good to actually hear from them to see
[1:06:16] what they feel is is going on in the in
[1:06:20] ways we can help. You know we need to be
[1:06:23] able to help
[1:06:26] Okay. So, that's moving that along. So,
[1:06:29] I have one more thing of handouts.
[1:06:34] Um,
[1:06:36] oops.
[1:06:40] And this is regarding the organizational
[1:06:44] flowchart.
[1:06:46] So, the board had changes to this in the
[1:06:49] July 2025 meeting. So what I did was I
[1:06:53] have Skookul Valley is the one that was
[1:06:55] just approved and then I got sample
[1:06:59] flowcharts from other school districts.
[1:07:02] So the concern that I have is that the
[1:07:05] principles are answering to the director
[1:07:07] of curriculum and learning and that's
[1:07:10] not how we had done it in the past. And
[1:07:12] if you look at all the other school
[1:07:14] districts that I have the samples of,
[1:07:17] um, that's not what other districts do.
[1:07:21] So, the principles are either under the
[1:07:23] direction of the superintendent or the
[1:07:25] assistant superintendent.
[1:07:28] And basically, the principles and the
[1:07:30] director of learning position in
[1:07:32] curriculum and learning by contract are
[1:07:34] a lateral position that are covered
[1:07:36] under the act 93 certified employees
[1:07:39] contract.
[1:07:40] So, I would like to um get a consensus
[1:07:44] from the board to propose a change to
[1:07:46] the operational flowchart that reflects
[1:07:48] the normal chain of command from past
[1:07:51] years and more in line with the normal
[1:07:53] chain of command used by um other school
[1:07:55] districts.
[1:07:59] >> That feels like a step outside of
[1:08:01] governance into management.
[1:08:03] >> No, actually because we have to approve
[1:08:05] the flowchart. So alls I'm asking for is
[1:08:08] to put the flowcharts back.
[1:08:10] >> You're you're directing how they should
[1:08:12] arrange the flowchart.
[1:08:13] >> Yes. That we have a normal flowchart of
[1:08:16] the principal's answer to the
[1:08:19] superintendent and assistant
[1:08:20] superintendent. Yes.
[1:08:22] >> But what if the director of learning and
[1:08:23] curriculum has more experience as a
[1:08:25] principal than the super the assistant
[1:08:26] superintendent?
[1:08:29] >> Wouldn't they be more qualified to
[1:08:30] manage the principles?
[1:08:32] Do you do you think that would be the
[1:08:34] case that we would have an assistant
[1:08:35] superintendent or a superintendent that
[1:08:38] would not be qualified to manage the
[1:08:41] principles?
[1:08:42] >> I'm I'm strictly speaking from
[1:08:43] experience. I mean perhaps this person
[1:08:45] has more experience than the
[1:08:46] superintendent
[1:08:48] and an experienced person might be able
[1:08:50] to better help them manage their
[1:08:51] day-to-day activities.
[1:08:54] >> The right now the director of curriculum
[1:08:57] and learning has a very big job. We just
[1:09:00] rolled out a whole lot of new
[1:09:02] curriculum.
[1:09:03] >> Um, I would find it difficult that that
[1:09:06] would even be something to be added to
[1:09:09] that particular position when there's so
[1:09:12] much going on with what we're doing
[1:09:14] curriculum wise.
[1:09:15] >> Well, that may be the case, but the the
[1:09:18] primary argument I keep hearing I've
[1:09:19] heard from you and from other people is
[1:09:20] that it's because they're under the same
[1:09:22] contract. And that's just an
[1:09:23] administrative thing. I mean, you can
[1:09:25] put them under her different contract
[1:09:26] and that magically fixes whether or not
[1:09:29] they can be the manager just because
[1:09:30] they're not in that Act 93 contract.
[1:09:32] Again, I'm just saying that you you
[1:09:35] should have the person with the most
[1:09:37] experience probably manage the
[1:09:38] principles. I don't know who that is,
[1:09:41] but
[1:09:42] >> Well, the person with the most
[1:09:43] experience should be our superintendent
[1:09:46] and our assistant superintendent. That
[1:09:48] that's that's that's the order of
[1:09:49] operations. They don't all a
[1:09:52] superintendent or an assistant
[1:09:53] superintendent doesn't always follow the
[1:09:54] same path and spend the same amount of
[1:09:57] time as a principal,
[1:09:59] >> but if they're overseeing the entire
[1:10:02] district, they should be able to oversee
[1:10:04] principles.
[1:10:06] >> They should, but they may have other
[1:10:07] things to oversee as well. I I don't see
[1:10:10] that
[1:10:11] I I I don't see the argument.
[1:10:14] >> Just just a few comments if I may
[1:10:16] related to this. So um you know as as
[1:10:20] far as can there be an administrator in
[1:10:24] one one employment group over
[1:10:27] supervising other administrators in that
[1:10:29] same group. There are three or four
[1:10:31] examples in the district where that is
[1:10:33] the case. All of our tech employees and
[1:10:36] we have three technology administrators
[1:10:38] are in the same employment group and the
[1:10:39] director of tech supervises the two
[1:10:41] network administrators. The same is true
[1:10:44] with you know in our in our business
[1:10:46] department. Um we have all of those
[1:10:48] individuals are in the non-certified act
[1:10:50] 93 agreement. Um to [clears throat] Mr.
[1:10:52] Rossy's point um you know currently our
[1:10:56] director of curriculum and learning has
[1:10:58] right at 10 years of experience as a
[1:11:02] building leader both levels middle
[1:11:04] school and high school. Um, and I would
[1:11:07] contend is, you know, probably the most
[1:11:10] qualified individual because as a
[1:11:12] building principal or assistant
[1:11:14] principal, you want to have somebody
[1:11:15] supervise you that has done the job, has
[1:11:17] been in it for a number of years, and
[1:11:19] understands the challenges that occur at
[1:11:22] the building level. Um, and while I know
[1:11:25] that these examples here do show
[1:11:28] instances where the assistant
[1:11:30] superintendent or superintendent, you
[1:11:32] know, supervise principles,
[1:11:35] there isn't one hardfast rule anywhere
[1:11:37] that says that role has to supervise,
[1:11:41] you know, the principle of a building.
[1:11:43] It it really, yes, the board needs to
[1:11:45] approve the organizational chart, but
[1:11:48] how the organizational chart is designed
[1:11:50] is a management decision. and it's a
[1:11:52] managerial decision, you know, at the
[1:11:54] district level. Um, so, you know, it
[1:11:56] would it would take a motion on a future
[1:11:59] board at a future board meeting, you
[1:12:01] know, and a vote to change the
[1:12:03] organizational chart. Um, but when I
[1:12:06] look at the organizational chart the way
[1:12:07] that it is now, um, I see the current
[1:12:10] structure of the curriculum, retraculing
[1:12:12] principles and assistant principles as
[1:12:14] the most effective structure to help
[1:12:17] them grow and be the best principles
[1:12:19] they can be. Can I ask that I'm sorry?
[1:12:22] Can I ask is that part of her job
[1:12:23] description? Like is that what's in
[1:12:25] there because I know that was requested
[1:12:26] as well to get drop job descriptions and
[1:12:30] duties from every person and in the
[1:12:32] administration. So I know we don't have
[1:12:34] that even though you did request it,
[1:12:36] Mrs. we but that's something for me when
[1:12:38] we're talking about this flowchart that
[1:12:40] I would really like to have and outline
[1:12:43] who who is doing what because in the
[1:12:45] past we've gone from assistant super to
[1:12:47] a super and then it was no we're not
[1:12:49] having an assistant uh a superintendent
[1:12:51] and that's when we came up with a
[1:12:52] director of curriculum and technology
[1:12:54] and now all of a sudden I feel like
[1:12:56] we're we're muddying the waters here so
[1:12:58] I would appreciate it if we could get
[1:12:59] job descriptions and duties of each of
[1:13:01] these positions
[1:13:02] >> and and again I had requested that on
[1:13:04] October 27th
[1:13:06] And um they had said they need an extra
[1:13:10] 30 days which put it to December 4th.
[1:13:13] This is information that I would have
[1:13:15] liked to have prior to that. But yes, I
[1:13:18] mean I it would be interesting to see if
[1:13:20] that is in the job description of that
[1:13:22] position.
[1:13:27] So, um I guess we'll wait till see we
[1:13:31] see that we get the job descriptions or
[1:13:34] I mean I I feel that it is a position
[1:13:38] the principal's position. I mean
[1:13:40] hopefully our assistant superintendent
[1:13:42] and the superintendent also has
[1:13:43] experience as building principal. I mean
[1:13:45] most times they have moved up the ladder
[1:13:47] as well. Um, and it just to me seems a
[1:13:51] little bit odd that other school
[1:13:53] districts have their structure set up
[1:13:56] that the principles report to the
[1:13:59] assistant superintendent or
[1:14:00] superintendent and we have it that it
[1:14:03] somehow just changed, you know, in July.
[1:14:08] >> So,
[1:14:09] >> Carol, was your request for the job
[1:14:11] descriptions?
[1:14:12] >> Yes.
[1:14:13] >> So, is it going to take us 30 days to
[1:14:15] get these?
[1:14:16] >> I I don't No, I mean as soon as I get
[1:14:18] it, I'll I'll pass them along. Um, I had
[1:14:21] requested a listing of all the act 90
[1:14:23] administrator act 93 positions, uh, the
[1:14:26] names of those filling positions and the
[1:14:28] job descriptions. I had asked for the
[1:14:31] written policy and procedure for hiring
[1:14:33] teachers, administrators, support staff,
[1:14:35] coaches. Uh a list of all unfilled
[1:14:38] budgeted positions in three buildings
[1:14:40] and administrative level and possible
[1:14:42] agencies who aid school districts in the
[1:14:44] superintendent search process including
[1:14:46] costs and services provided.
[1:14:48] >> Okay,
[1:14:49] >> that's that that's what I had asked for
[1:14:51] on the 27th.
[1:14:53] >> Well, I I mean at this point we don't
[1:14:55] have to play by those rules. If we as
[1:14:57] the board as a whole request them, they
[1:14:59] should be given us given to us as
[1:15:01] quickly as possible. So we shouldn't
[1:15:03] have to wait for any of that more than
[1:15:05] what would be required.
[1:15:06] >> But I mean if the board as a whole from
[1:15:09] now,
[1:15:09] >> right? I mean I have the letter because
[1:15:12] it needed to be prepared by the
[1:15:14] >> I would not have that ready in two days
[1:15:15] anyway.
[1:15:16] >> Right. Um
[1:15:17] >> we're allowed on or before December 4th
[1:15:20] and and I I don't have it yet.
[1:15:22] >> So it should be quicker. I I have to say
[1:15:24] honestly I filed right to know for other
[1:15:28] districts in order to get some of the
[1:15:30] information I had and I had it all
[1:15:32] within that time frame. Now you know
[1:15:35] perhaps there was a bit more involvement
[1:15:37] in getting what uh getting together what
[1:15:41] we do here at Skookul Valley.
[1:15:45] So I I'm not sure.
[1:15:47] Yeah, I I I do know at the moment we we
[1:15:50] don't have a building uh and grounds
[1:15:52] director. We've had difficulty in hiring
[1:15:54] that position.
[1:15:56] >> Um so I know some of those duties are
[1:15:58] falling on the assistant superintendent
[1:16:00] >> and that's not typical and those are
[1:16:04] pretty big duties uh considering some of
[1:16:05] the construction projects we had going
[1:16:07] on in the last couple of years,
[1:16:08] >> right?
[1:16:08] >> And so I think that has probably
[1:16:10] resulted in in some of the shifting that
[1:16:12] you see here. Uh that's not the norm for
[1:16:14] other districts. So there there could be
[1:16:17] some administrative reasons as well.
[1:16:20] >> That's true. It was not the norm for
[1:16:21] Skookul Valley for as long as I was on
[1:16:23] the board either.
[1:16:25] >> I mean that's the building principles
[1:16:27] should be going to their
[1:16:29] >> I feel strongly that you they should be
[1:16:32] um under the jurisdiction so to speak of
[1:16:35] the assistant superintendent or
[1:16:37] superintendent.
[1:16:38] >> Yeah. I I think there's also there's
[1:16:40] also a desire to develop your your staff
[1:16:43] um and [clears throat] give them
[1:16:43] opportunities for management and I think
[1:16:46] maybe that's part of what what this
[1:16:48] resulted in as well.
[1:16:50] So, well, I think we're here to provide
[1:16:53] a common sense type,
[1:16:56] you know, building on the foundation and
[1:17:01] um
[1:17:03] I mean, is there any kind of consensus
[1:17:07] that we look at the organizational
[1:17:10] flowcharts?
[1:17:12] I'd like to see one going back six years
[1:17:14] of all the changes that have been made
[1:17:16] and the reasons why those changes have
[1:17:18] been made and why there was a sense of
[1:17:20] urgency to restructure this between the
[1:17:24] primary election and the general
[1:17:25] election in July
[1:17:28] when it could have waited till the new
[1:17:30] board came on to look at how they want
[1:17:34] the district to to lay out.
[1:17:38] >> There's not a conspiracy. You have to
[1:17:39] understand it's not it's not a but this
[1:17:42] board also has to take action. We can't
[1:17:45] just say hey we're going to wait 6
[1:17:46] months. We did wait for the new board to
[1:17:49] come on. So we didn't start a a
[1:17:52] superintendent search
[1:17:53] >> right
[1:17:53] >> for the sole purpose because whatever we
[1:17:56] would have picked before the new board
[1:17:57] came on would could have been dismissive
[1:18:00] of even though we could have found the
[1:18:01] perfect candidate because we didn't wait
[1:18:03] for the other candidates who were
[1:18:05] elected to come on that we said hey we
[1:18:09] would wait to get the new board members
[1:18:11] to be a part of the process. So we did
[1:18:15] wait for that but on certain things you
[1:18:17] cannot wait. You have to continue
[1:18:20] governance not management
[1:18:23] >> of what's going on.
[1:18:24] >> Again I I
[1:18:26] 100% understand that but all I'm saying
[1:18:29] is we have put into place something that
[1:18:31] other school districts don't have
[1:18:34] >> right
[1:18:34] >> this type of echelon.
[1:18:37] >> So does that make does that make it
[1:18:39] wrong that we're unique?
[1:18:41] >> No. makes you question why
[1:18:43] >> okay
[1:18:44] >> that we have it that way and that's all
[1:18:47] I'm saying is we need to I feel that we
[1:18:50] should be looking at this
[1:18:53] to find out like why the principles do
[1:18:57] not have to report directly to the
[1:18:59] assistant superintendent or the
[1:19:00] superintendent
[1:19:02] >> which has been the norm
[1:19:03] >> and to Carol's point we need to see
[1:19:07] the job description to see if it's even
[1:19:11] listed in the job description that that
[1:19:13] position should be overseeing those
[1:19:15] principles.
[1:19:16] >> So, if it's not in there, then we have
[1:19:18] to determine, do we want to re-evaluate
[1:19:20] that job description and add that or do
[1:19:23] we want to make the change to the
[1:19:24] organizational chart and put it back to
[1:19:26] the way it was because that's how the
[1:19:27] job description is laid out. So, as a
[1:19:30] board, that's what we're to do. We're to
[1:19:33] look at the policies. were to look at
[1:19:35] the, you know, job descriptions and
[1:19:38] duties
[1:19:40] and go from there.
[1:19:44] Okay. So, I guess we'll just kind of um
[1:19:48] table discussion on this until we find
[1:19:51] out then we get copies of the um job
[1:19:54] descriptions which um hopefully I will
[1:19:57] have by December 4th. So, we will have
[1:19:59] them for December 15th.
[1:20:03] And just to Joe's um I don't know that
[1:20:06] we even had a well- definfined
[1:20:07] organizational chart six years ago. So
[1:20:12] so a well-defined one is something we we
[1:20:15] need to look at and we finally got one.
[1:20:18] And so if we need to make adjustments or
[1:20:21] corrections, that's great. But we didn't
[1:20:25] have we haven't always as a district
[1:20:27] even had this or definitive job
[1:20:30] descriptions. So, it's time for us to
[1:20:32] use what we have and make sure we have
[1:20:35] those things going forward. But, um, so,
[1:20:39] >> and I appreciate that. That's that's all
[1:20:41] I'm saying is I'd like to, you know, did
[1:20:43] we have something in the past
[1:20:44] historically and you there was a need to
[1:20:47] update that. That's all I want to look
[1:20:48] at along with the job descriptions to
[1:20:51] make sure they flow. So, if there wasn't
[1:20:54] a comprehensive one and one was made for
[1:20:56] whatever reason, then I'm fine with
[1:20:59] that. But I'd like to see that
[1:21:00] >> it's kind of a typical thing now that um
[1:21:03] superintendents do and like your other
[1:21:06] organizations like the IU now has one.
[1:21:09] So I don't know about the vote whether
[1:21:12] they have been using one since you've
[1:21:14] been on
[1:21:15] >> I mean we we can look into it but we may
[1:21:17] not want to make changes until the new
[1:21:19] superintendent comes in.
[1:21:20] >> Well
[1:21:21] >> because we don't want we don't want the
[1:21:22] staff to suffer whiplash from changing
[1:21:24] roles twice in six months if we can
[1:21:27] avoid But I would use that same argument
[1:21:30] that that reasoning should have been
[1:21:32] used when the former superintendent
[1:21:33] changed it in July to say, "Hey, how
[1:21:36] about we wait till the new
[1:21:38] superintendent comes?"
[1:21:39] >> She as well.
[1:21:40] >> We we weren't losing her yet when this
[1:21:42] change
[1:21:42] >> in July. She knew she was leaving in
[1:21:44] July. She knew at that point um that she
[1:21:48] was going to be leaving by the time you
[1:21:50] had voted on this.
[1:21:51] >> When do we get that announcement? If
[1:21:53] that's true, that's news to any of us
[1:21:55] that have been here because as a
[1:21:56] district, we did not find that
[1:21:58] information out until well into August.
[1:22:00] >> Yeah.
[1:22:01] >> Okay. August. So, this is the end of
[1:22:03] July and August. So, I'm I would assume
[1:22:05] that she knew she was leaving prior to
[1:22:08] this organizational chart. Correct.
[1:22:10] >> You know, I have no idea. So,
[1:22:12] >> I have no idea. And and I don't know
[1:22:14] that it I don't know that makes a
[1:22:15] material difference.
[1:22:16] >> Well, it does. If we're going to say we
[1:22:17] want to wait to a new superintendent,
[1:22:19] then we probably waited on that as well.
[1:22:22] Well, and if she if she made these
[1:22:23] changes, maybe she was setting the
[1:22:25] district up to be able to operate until
[1:22:27] a new superintendent was found by
[1:22:30] spreading out the the
[1:22:32] >> spreading out the duties.
[1:22:33] >> We know we know job descriptions because
[1:22:35] everybody who's hired has a job
[1:22:37] description. So, we've had those for for
[1:22:40] years,
[1:22:40] >> right? And I I agree. We should
[1:22:41] >> I do actually do remember some sort of
[1:22:43] organizational flowcharts from the past
[1:22:46] as well. Yeah, I don't think it's
[1:22:49] totally brand new here, but
[1:22:50] >> yeah, I've I've seen I've seen four
[1:22:53] superintendents and Kathy was the first
[1:22:55] one that put flowcharts in front of us
[1:22:56] with organizational information. So, um,
[1:22:59] but I I mean, I'm all for digging into
[1:23:02] it and looking at it, but again, the
[1:23:04] superintendent kind of gets to set up
[1:23:06] their staff the way they would like, the
[1:23:08] way they feel is best to operate the
[1:23:09] district. And and so, you know, and our
[1:23:12] our people have changed so much over the
[1:23:14] last couple years. Maybe if we can skip
[1:23:17] one bout of of change and just kind of
[1:23:20] hold down the fort until we get somebody
[1:23:22] in here to run it, maybe it would be
[1:23:24] wise.
[1:23:26] I think the only other piece that I
[1:23:28] would just like to add related to this
[1:23:29] discussion is that when when somebody's
[1:23:33] in the role of superintendent, and I've
[1:23:34] I've been in that role previously, as
[1:23:36] all of you know, is that one of the
[1:23:38] things superintendents always look at is
[1:23:41] they look at their team, they look at
[1:23:42] the administrators they have, and they
[1:23:44] look at in what positions can they be in
[1:23:47] to maximize their strengths and to be as
[1:23:50] successful as they possibly can be. I
[1:23:53] I've worked with lots of administrators
[1:23:55] in lots of places throughout my career
[1:23:57] and I can tell you that the team that is
[1:24:01] here right now that is in place is an
[1:24:04] incredibly strong team and they were
[1:24:06] placed in the positions that they were
[1:24:08] placed in and organized as they were in
[1:24:10] the organizational chart because there
[1:24:13] was a belief top leadership at the time
[1:24:16] that those individuals could be most
[1:24:19] effective using their skills in those
[1:24:21] positions.
[1:24:22] And while the board can certainly dig
[1:24:24] into the organization chart and if there
[1:24:26] is, you know, a desire to want to change
[1:24:28] it, the board has the authority to do
[1:24:31] that. I would just suggest that as part
[1:24:33] of that process, you just look at every
[1:24:37] in like all of those positions and
[1:24:39] understand that there was reasoning
[1:24:41] behind everything being done and it was
[1:24:43] not an arbitrary decision. It was so
[1:24:45] that those individuals could be most
[1:24:47] successful using their skills to benefit
[1:24:50] the district, which ultimately benefits
[1:24:52] our kids.
[1:25:00] >> Okay. Well, we'll move that forward and
[1:25:03] um we'll continue to look into it then
[1:25:06] and see what the um the job descriptions
[1:25:09] are.
[1:25:11] Um
[1:25:14] okay
[1:25:16] moving on to um
[1:25:19] continuing on good of the order
[1:25:23] it came up and I think Al you had
[1:25:25] mentioned this to look into the um par
[1:25:28] profofessional issues
[1:25:31] >> and also that they needed special
[1:25:34] education
[1:25:35] >> at the elementary school. So wanted to
[1:25:40] make sure where is the update on that on
[1:25:44] those positions and is there an issue
[1:25:47] that we need to look at in order to
[1:25:49] bring in
[1:25:51] more people or to increase the salary or
[1:25:55] what do we need to do to make that
[1:25:57] happen since I mean that's kind of been
[1:26:00] a consistent thing that we're not
[1:26:02] filling those positions.
[1:26:04] >> Well, I think we need to evaluate it. I
[1:26:06] don't know if we aren't paying enough. I
[1:26:09] don't know if we aren't staffed highly
[1:26:11] enough or if we aren't managing our
[1:26:13] resources well. I I don't know those
[1:26:15] answers at all. Um
[1:26:18] I think we need to really dig into it
[1:26:20] and as a board understand better
[1:26:24] how those resources are being used and
[1:26:26] where they're needed. Um I I think that
[1:26:29] most of the special uh most of the PAR
[1:26:31] professionals are tied to IEPs if I'm
[1:26:34] not mistaken. Um, and and so, you know,
[1:26:38] I don't I don't want to see folks,
[1:26:41] you know, languishing in the back of a
[1:26:43] classroom when they can be utilized
[1:26:46] somewhere else because I've heard of
[1:26:47] that happening as well.
[1:26:48] >> Yeah.
[1:26:48] >> Um, you know, I know a lot of our pair
[1:26:51] of professionals work really hard and
[1:26:52] they're really good at their jobs. Um,
[1:26:55] and if we don't have enough, I would
[1:26:56] like to know that, but I I don't know
[1:26:58] one way or the other where we stand. And
[1:27:00] it's always been a little bit of a
[1:27:01] mystery and I'd like to just learn a
[1:27:02] little bit more. Um, I think salaries
[1:27:05] have changed much more quickly than our
[1:27:07] review has changed though. Um, and so we
[1:27:11] probably do need to look at that.
[1:27:14] >> The BCIU does an annual administrator st
[1:27:18] like all position survey that's done
[1:27:20] across the county where they gather all
[1:27:21] of that data in terms of what school
[1:27:24] districts pay teachers, paras,
[1:27:26] administrators, even all the way up to
[1:27:28] superintendent. And I believe it comes
[1:27:30] out in January at some point. I don't
[1:27:31] know the exact date off the top of my
[1:27:33] head, but I can get it when that survey
[1:27:35] is made available. I'll share it with
[1:27:37] the board and then you guys will at
[1:27:38] least be able to look at some numbers
[1:27:40] comparatively speaking across Burks
[1:27:42] County. Um, you know, to see um I know
[1:27:45] uh based upon the brief discussion we
[1:27:48] had at the last board meeting in
[1:27:49] November, um I know from a um hourly
[1:27:53] rate um I I believe our paras I think
[1:27:56] we're right around the middle of the
[1:27:58] pack for districts our size. Um, so you
[1:28:01] know, compared to other districts that
[1:28:02] are in that 2,00 to student range,
[1:28:06] but as far as where in that range, I I
[1:28:09] don't know. And and I won't know till
[1:28:11] that survey comes out.
[1:28:12] >> Just something that um I was made aware
[1:28:15] of, a parent in our district would love
[1:28:18] to be a parah in our district, but she
[1:28:20] went to another Burks County district
[1:28:22] because they were providing benefits and
[1:28:24] we don't. So it it may be something that
[1:28:27] we need to evaluate.
[1:28:30] It's been a couple years since we did
[1:28:32] our support staff um salary. So probably
[1:28:36] um policy and personnel could look at
[1:28:38] that again since that would be their um
[1:28:42] subject to look at. And we did we were
[1:28:45] given a briefing this summer about what
[1:28:49] pairs we had available and where they
[1:28:51] were assigned. And um I remember I
[1:28:55] remember that clearly and at the time
[1:28:59] all those kiddos that needed a parah had
[1:29:02] them. I don't know that we had extras to
[1:29:05] go into classrooms um to be used for
[1:29:08] that but um when you don't have the
[1:29:13] applicants to be a parah that can be a a
[1:29:17] drawback too. So it's probably time to
[1:29:19] review the parah um pay pay scale again.
[1:29:24] And when we did that before, we knew
[1:29:27] that the
[1:29:30] um rudders and all that were paying much
[1:29:33] more, but um we weren't we weren't
[1:29:36] prepared to give our parents $20 an hour
[1:29:39] at that time. So, might be something we
[1:29:42] want to look at again.
[1:29:44] >> And I will add as well that the
[1:29:46] non-certified employee compensation plan
[1:29:48] that the PAR educators fall under,
[1:29:50] actually the current plan expires at the
[1:29:52] end of June in 2026. So, um, the policy
[1:29:56] personnel and public relations committee
[1:29:57] will need to, we have to start probably
[1:30:00] soon in January going through that
[1:30:02] process of what we want the next
[1:30:04] compensation plan to look like for that
[1:30:06] group. And if you wanted to make any
[1:30:08] changes in terms of um, you know,
[1:30:11] salary, benefits or uh, hourly rate
[1:30:14] rather, benefits, etc. That would be the
[1:30:16] time to do it. those initial discussions
[1:30:18] in committee and then going from there
[1:30:20] because that's that's one we'll have to
[1:30:21] look at because it'll June will be here
[1:30:24] quick.
[1:30:25] >> That'll be perfect.
[1:30:26] >> Has there um been any investigation into
[1:30:30] providing an emotional support classroom
[1:30:32] at the middle school?
[1:30:36] >> We have not had any formal discussions
[1:30:38] about it. that um what I can just share
[1:30:42] from experience is one of the challenges
[1:30:45] with emotional support classrooms
[1:30:47] regardless of level is
[1:30:50] finding a teacher who's committed to you
[1:30:54] know work with that student population
[1:30:56] for an extended peri
[1:30:59] um that that that population is very
[1:31:01] high need the behavior can be high need
[1:31:03] and other districts that I've worked in
[1:31:06] where we've had emotional support
[1:31:07] classrooms you know in our buildings the
[1:31:10] the turnover rate for teachers have been
[1:31:12] has been very high because somebody may
[1:31:14] be out of college with a special edert.
[1:31:16] Absolutely. Yeah, I'll take it. I want
[1:31:17] to get a special and then they they do
[1:31:19] it for a year and then they want to be
[1:31:21] in learning support or they want to move
[1:31:23] to regular ed. And the challenge that
[1:31:25] presents is that for that emotional
[1:31:27] support population, predictability is
[1:31:29] extremely important. Having a familiar
[1:31:31] face, familiar paras that they see every
[1:31:33] day that keep them on a routine and keep
[1:31:34] them in schedule. And so we we we can
[1:31:38] certainly have a conversation about it.
[1:31:39] Um I'm just kind of sharing anecdotally
[1:31:42] what my experiences have been other
[1:31:44] places with emotional support classrooms
[1:31:46] >> except
[1:31:48] oops except those students if they don't
[1:31:51] have that classroom to go to then they
[1:31:53] are in the regular classrooms and then
[1:31:55] the classroom teacher has to deal with
[1:31:57] all those things that you've talked
[1:31:59] about that if it was a place that they
[1:32:01] could go um you know to to get some help
[1:32:05] or just have some down downtime. Now the
[1:32:08] classroom teacher is handling all of
[1:32:11] that. Correct.
[1:32:14] >> They are. Um that is part of a part of a
[1:32:18] larger belief though of wanting all of
[1:32:21] our students that have IEPs to, you
[1:32:24] know, have as many common experiences
[1:32:26] with their regular education peers so
[1:32:28] that when they graduate, you know, they
[1:32:30] graduate and, you know, are ready to
[1:32:32] enter the next phase whether that's
[1:32:33] workforce, post-secary. Um and you know
[1:32:37] it it really helps ensure that that
[1:32:39] special education doesn't just simply
[1:32:41] become a destination where you know
[1:32:43] students that may be challenging to
[1:32:44] discipline are getting you know sent
[1:32:47] somewhere. So there there are definitely
[1:32:49] pros and cons to both. I understand
[1:32:50] where you're coming from with that Mrs.
[1:32:52] Wu. Um and like I said we can certainly
[1:32:54] you know look at it further at the
[1:32:55] district level if that's what the board
[1:32:57] would like us to do. It's always that
[1:32:59] fight between inclusion and exclusion of
[1:33:02] what's the best fit for that student and
[1:33:04] what's the best fit and impact across
[1:33:06] everything else. So there's I don't
[1:33:09] think there's a a set
[1:33:11] >> it probably ties into the need for pairs
[1:33:13] as well.
[1:33:15] >> Exactly. That's what I was going to say
[1:33:17] and we're talking about emotional
[1:33:19] support type situations.
[1:33:20] >> Yeah, that's one big global issue.
[1:33:22] >> Not just this special education type
[1:33:24] thing. this is a very specific unique
[1:33:26] type of um issue that occurs.
[1:33:32] >> So, um I think it would be worth looking
[1:33:36] into,
[1:33:38] but again,
[1:33:40] >> it would probably be worth hearing from
[1:33:41] the middle school principal to see what
[1:33:43] what his thoughts were as well.
[1:33:46] >> Right. again. Then we have a brand new
[1:33:49] principal though.
[1:33:52] So,
[1:33:52] >> can I just piggyback off on that real
[1:33:54] quick? Um, I know our teachers would be
[1:33:56] more than happy to accommodate those
[1:33:58] kids in the classroom, but we're sending
[1:33:59] them into those classroom with those
[1:34:01] teachers not having any professional
[1:34:02] development on like deescalation or
[1:34:04] anything else like that. Um, the
[1:34:07] counselors too are then in high demand.
[1:34:09] if you know if a kid's being not being
[1:34:12] appropriate in the classroom and it's
[1:34:13] just the teacher usually a counselor is
[1:34:15] being called and then that takes time
[1:34:17] away from like everybody else. So I do
[1:34:18] think there are a lot of different
[1:34:20] layers and a lot of different things we
[1:34:21] could do if inclusion is where we want
[1:34:23] to go to help our teachers manage those
[1:34:26] kind of situations.
[1:34:35] So, that's something we'll continue to
[1:34:37] think about and kind of keep track of
[1:34:40] and and see how it's going. But I I
[1:34:43] think it's definitely something that we
[1:34:45] need to address. And it sounds like
[1:34:46] there's enough support to address that
[1:34:48] kind of thing.
[1:34:50] >> And can can we look to address that too
[1:34:52] at the elementary level as well?
[1:34:55] >> Yeah, I think we had something that
[1:34:56] should be addressed all levels.
[1:34:59] >> Yeah. Districtwide.
[1:35:05] >> Okay. Um that's all I have personally
[1:35:08] for go to the order. Is there anyone
[1:35:10] else who has anything for good of the
[1:35:12] order this evening?
[1:35:14] >> I do have something. Um I was supposed
[1:35:17] to make this announcement from PSBA.
[1:35:21] So
[1:35:26] um
[1:35:27] it's called future ready board start
[1:35:30] here AI learning opportunities.
[1:35:33] AI is changing education and you can
[1:35:35] help your board prepare. This is from
[1:35:38] the school board secretaries. Encourage
[1:35:40] your school directors to enroll in the
[1:35:42] free AI symposium on December 11th. then
[1:35:45] go deeper with the foundational AI
[1:35:47] certificate program and cohorts are
[1:35:51] available in January and April. On the
[1:35:54] 11th, the PSBA Institute for a free
[1:35:57] virtual symposium exploring the real
[1:35:59] world integration of artificial
[1:36:02] intelligence and K through 12 schools.
[1:36:05] The implement implementation error
[1:36:08] provides a roadmap for AI integration in
[1:36:11] the classroom, featuring insights from
[1:36:13] industry leaders who are guiding
[1:36:15] implementation with purpose and care.
[1:36:18] Whether you're just beginning your AI
[1:36:20] journey or managing systemic change in
[1:36:23] your district, this event equips you
[1:36:25] with the tools, strategy, and
[1:36:27] inspiration to lead confidentially.
[1:36:30] include school leaders at
[1:36:31] representatives from the Southern
[1:36:33] Regional Educational Board, School AI,
[1:36:36] AIEDU,
[1:36:38] Millersville University, and more. It
[1:36:42] starts at 8:30 in the morning and it
[1:36:44] ends at 12:30 in at afternoon and um you
[1:36:50] can register now through the PSBA. I
[1:36:53] have already registered because I can
[1:36:55] give that time but it is a four fourhour
[1:37:00] morning. So if there's anybody that
[1:37:03] would like to do that you go into my
[1:37:05] PSBA and you can register for that.
[1:37:08] Thank you.
[1:37:11] >> I would also just like to mention I
[1:37:13] think many in our community are aware of
[1:37:16] the event happening on December 13th, a
[1:37:18] very Riley Christmas. It's at Union Fire
[1:37:20] Company. at 4:00 to 10:00 in the
[1:37:23] afternoon um with uh proceeds to benefit
[1:37:26] the Riley Resnak Supplemental Needs
[1:37:28] Trust and um I have a phone call
[1:37:30] tomorrow with one of the people
[1:37:31] facilitating it and Sug Valley is going
[1:37:33] to do what we can as a district to help
[1:37:35] support you know that event. But um you
[1:37:37] know I know a number of folks are aware
[1:37:39] of that and I would just encourage folks
[1:37:41] if you're able to stop by I know that
[1:37:43] family and and Riley in particular will
[1:37:45] will appreciate it.
[1:37:48] Plus the winter festival is Sunday.
[1:37:52] >> That's correct. Four o'clock right here.
[1:37:54] >> Here. Here. Yeah.
[1:37:56] >> Okay.
[1:37:57] >> And we have this year over 50 crafters
[1:38:01] and vendors that are going to be here in
[1:38:02] addition to last year. And um shout out
[1:38:06] to Mrs. Trumbore who's in the audience
[1:38:07] and also Mrs. Manzer for their hard work
[1:38:09] in getting that set up.
[1:38:14] >> Um I would like to bring up um the pool
[1:38:16] at the middle school. Um, I noticed on
[1:38:19] the previous board meeting that the head
[1:38:21] custodian, who is in charge of water
[1:38:23] testing, will be out on medical leave
[1:38:25] from December until March, which is
[1:38:28] prime swim season.
[1:38:30] As a parent, I would like and as a board
[1:38:34] member, I would like Kyle Campbell to be
[1:38:37] a part of getting him trained as to how
[1:38:39] to test the water, how to make sure the
[1:38:41] UV lights are working, how to make sure
[1:38:43] the ventilation, because our swimmers
[1:38:45] are coming out coughing. They smell to
[1:38:49] high heaven of chlorine. And now that we
[1:38:52] have approximately 150 youth swimmers
[1:38:55] using that pool every night, I really
[1:38:58] think it would be beneficial to have
[1:38:59] someone else be trained and be able to
[1:39:02] test the water for our kids.
[1:39:06] >> So, as a district, because we have a
[1:39:08] pool, we have to have a certified pool
[1:39:10] operator. There is a a formal training
[1:39:12] that that happens. Um, it's it's an
[1:39:15] initial course and then the pool
[1:39:16] operator piece is an addition. Um, Mr.
[1:39:19] [clears throat] Jagger went through that
[1:39:21] training. Since we know we're not going
[1:39:23] to have him for a period of time, we do
[1:39:25] have another member of our buildings and
[1:39:26] grounds team that is going through that
[1:39:28] training and will have the certification
[1:39:30] needed to be able to manage the pool um
[1:39:33] and to make sure that that those things
[1:39:35] are are taken care of. I know you
[1:39:38] mentioned the UV light, Mrs. Matthews.
[1:39:40] We actually had that um serviced not
[1:39:43] long ago. Um, the board approved
[1:39:46] mainline pools to come in and spend
[1:39:47] about $6,000 to do all the repairs that
[1:39:50] were needed so that the light was
[1:39:52] functioning the way it was supposed to.
[1:39:53] And, you know, we got confirmation from,
[1:39:56] you know, the contractor that did that
[1:39:58] work that that the UV light is working
[1:40:00] as it is supposed to. And that's an
[1:40:01] annual thing that that they'll they'll
[1:40:03] come every year, you know, because the
[1:40:05] the light needs those necessary updates
[1:40:08] annually. So, that's that's already on
[1:40:10] the schedule, you know, yeartoear. And
[1:40:13] we absolutely want to make sure that the
[1:40:16] pool is operating as it needs to.
[1:40:18] Skookul Valley has a long history of
[1:40:20] very successful swimming and diving
[1:40:21] programs here. And you know, we
[1:40:23] certainly want our students to continue
[1:40:25] to experience that success.
[1:40:33] >> Can I just follow up? So, are we only
[1:40:35] allowed to have one person? Is that what
[1:40:37] you're telling me? is that
[1:40:38] >> you can I mean you you can you can have
[1:40:40] as many individuals you know you know as
[1:40:44] you would like to have you know as a
[1:40:47] district. Um one of the things uh
[1:40:50] related to that is that there could be a
[1:40:53] need for the pool any time of day you
[1:40:57] know morning afternoons
[1:41:00] you know currently Mr. Jagger comes in
[1:41:03] every single Sunday and does a pool
[1:41:04] check. You know, that's that's part of
[1:41:07] his weekly, you know, routine. So, um,
[1:41:10] that's why we've always had buildings
[1:41:12] and grounds individuals be the certified
[1:41:14] pool operator because their schedule is
[1:41:17] such that they have the flexibility to
[1:41:18] be able to be here, you know, and do
[1:41:21] that. Um, I don't know if the district
[1:41:23] has ever had a swimming and diving coach
[1:41:26] serve as certified pool operator. Um,
[1:41:29] again, that would be, you know,
[1:41:31] something that that if if if the board's
[1:41:33] interested in in doing that and co
[1:41:36] that's something Coach Campbell wants to
[1:41:37] get certified to do, you know, I guess
[1:41:39] we could look into that. I personally
[1:41:42] believe our buildings and grounds
[1:41:43] department is more than up to the task
[1:41:45] to be able to handle it though.
[1:41:50] >> Is just out of curiosity, is there a
[1:41:52] cost associated with that training to
[1:41:55] become certified for that? And if there
[1:41:56] is, is it significant?
[1:41:58] >> There is. Um, it's it it's not super
[1:42:01] significant. It's it's a few hundred
[1:42:03] dollars, I believe.
[1:42:04] >> Okay. So, if we did want to expand it,
[1:42:05] it's not like we're going to break the
[1:42:06] bank to get some extra people certified.
[1:42:08] >> That's correct.
[1:42:09] >> Not saying that I would support that,
[1:42:10] but
[1:42:10] >> and you know, one of the things that,
[1:42:14] you know, we know that cross trainining
[1:42:16] of our buildings and grounds employees
[1:42:18] is is very important. And you know,
[1:42:21] while right now our priority has been to
[1:42:24] make sure that we have somebody ready to
[1:42:26] go for this leave that is upcoming,
[1:42:29] we've also had conversations about you,
[1:42:31] we've had some new members join our
[1:42:33] buildings and grounds team um over the
[1:42:35] past several months and about
[1:42:36] potentially getting one or both of those
[1:42:38] individuals, you know, trained as well,
[1:42:40] just so that we have multiple people in
[1:42:42] the district in case somebody's sick or
[1:42:44] somebody could fill in that kind of
[1:42:46] thing.
[1:42:47] >> Okay. Thank you.
[1:42:54] Okay. Are Do you want to add to
[1:42:56] something or Oh, you're looking like
[1:42:58] you're going to turn on your microphone.
[1:42:59] Sorry. I thought you
[1:43:01] >> I just had one comment. While we're
[1:43:03] doing the the hiring practices and
[1:43:06] reviewing them, I think we need to look
[1:43:08] at the exiting of employees and have a
[1:43:12] process in place so the board has an
[1:43:14] understanding so we're not taking the
[1:43:17] word of whoever why an employee would
[1:43:19] leave. I think the biggest issue anyone
[1:43:22] has in in the workplace is recruitment
[1:43:24] and retention. And while we're looking
[1:43:26] at a policy to recruit people in, we
[1:43:29] need to look how to retain them. So
[1:43:31] whether it's looking at the contract for
[1:43:33] the paraprofessionals and trying to come
[1:43:35] up with something reasonable and
[1:43:37] conditions that would allow them to
[1:43:38] stay, I think we also need to have an
[1:43:41] understanding of why people are leaving
[1:43:44] the district a as part of that. So
[1:43:46] that's something I would like to look at
[1:43:49] um through the process.
[1:43:53] >> Is there anyone else who has any items
[1:43:56] they'd like to bring up under good
[1:43:59] order?
[1:44:01] This is not under good of the order, but
[1:44:02] I want to clarify that for item 10, we
[1:44:05] didn't take a vote on these
[1:44:06] appointments, and we should be taking a
[1:44:08] vote on those.
[1:44:11] >> And she could consolidate all of them
[1:44:13] together, right, for one vote?
[1:44:14] >> She can just make a motion to approve
[1:44:17] the the uh nominations or the proposals
[1:44:20] that were already identified in 10.1
[1:44:23] through 10.4.
[1:44:25] >> And then there doesn't need to be a
[1:44:26] second. We'll ask if there's any comment
[1:44:28] or question. and then there can be a
[1:44:30] vote.
[1:44:32] >> Okay. May I have a motion to approve
[1:44:34] 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4?
[1:44:37] >> Um, I'll make a second.
[1:44:39] >> Second. Any questions or comments?
[1:44:43] >> If not, all those in favor say I.
[1:44:46] >> I.
[1:44:47] >> Opposed?
[1:44:48] >> Motion carries.
[1:44:52] Anything else?
[1:44:56] If not, we have a motion for
[1:44:58] adjournment.
[1:44:59] So moved amal
[1:45:01] >> second
[1:45:03] stinky. All those in favor say I.
[1:45:06] >> I. I.
[1:45:06] >> I.
[1:45:08] >> Opposed.
[1:45:11] >> Motion carries 90.
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2026-01-07_z-bJ2GudTyk.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2026-01-07 (ACT 34 PUBLIC HEARING)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-bJ2GudTyk
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:03:33] appreciate your attendance this evening.
[0:03:35] I'm Patrick Wyers. I'm the acting
[0:03:36] superintendent in Skookul Valley School
[0:03:38] District and uh we'd like to welcome all
[0:03:40] of you to our Act 34 hearing for the
[0:03:43] proposed fieldhouse.
[0:03:46] What we're going to do this evening,
[0:03:47] which is on the agenda up on the screen,
[0:03:50] is um after our solicitor constitutes
[0:03:52] the hearing, you'll hear the history and
[0:03:55] the need for construction options that
[0:03:58] we considered. And then Shrader Group,
[0:04:00] our architect, will talk about a
[0:04:02] description of the project. Um followed
[0:04:05] by the analysis of financing
[0:04:06] alternatives from representative from
[0:04:08] Raymond James and then public comment
[0:04:11] followed by adjournment. Um, so at this
[0:04:14] time, um, I will
[0:04:18] I will turn things over to our
[0:04:19] solicitor, Alicia Luke, who will
[0:04:22] constitute the meeting or the hearing,
[0:04:23] excuse me.
[0:04:24] >> Hi, good evening everyone. Uh, my name
[0:04:26] is Alicia Luke. I'm with the firm of uh,
[0:04:28] Fox Child. We are the solicitor for the
[0:04:31] school district. I'm just going to go
[0:04:32] over a few uh, introductory remarks to
[0:04:35] piggyback on what Dr. Winters just said
[0:04:36] and also to provide a little bit more
[0:04:39] information
[0:04:41] um for the public in attendance. I would
[0:04:43] just like to note that the ACT 34
[0:04:45] program description bullet booklet is
[0:04:47] available for anyone who would like to
[0:04:49] obtain a copy. It's on the table over
[0:04:51] there. Um hopefully we have enough
[0:04:53] copies. Um the agenda for this evening
[0:04:56] in addition to it being um posted up
[0:04:59] there. It's also available uh on section
[0:05:02] three, section one, page three of the
[0:05:04] booklet if any of you want to refer to
[0:05:06] that. We'll be following the agenda in
[0:05:09] that order. The program description
[0:05:12] booklet will be appended to the
[0:05:13] transcript of this evening's hearings as
[0:05:16] exhibit A, so I can touch base with the
[0:05:18] court reporter when we're tied up if
[0:05:20] there's exhibit tabs that are needed. Um
[0:05:23] there is a court reporter that's sitting
[0:05:24] here. She is transcribing everything
[0:05:27] that is being said tonight. Sometimes I
[0:05:29] break my own rule, but for anyone who is
[0:05:31] speaking tonight, please speak slowly
[0:05:34] and clearly. And please note that the
[0:05:36] court reporter cannot interpret shoulder
[0:05:39] shrugs, head nods, those types of
[0:05:41] things. Um, I would like to note for the
[0:05:43] record that uh notice that this hearing
[0:05:45] was advertised in the Reading Eagle on
[0:05:47] December 15th of 2025, December 22nd of
[0:05:51] 2025, December 29th of 2025, and January
[0:05:55] 5th of 2026. The Reading Eagle is a
[0:05:58] newspaper of general circulation in the
[0:06:01] school district. Uh proof of publication
[0:06:04] of the advertisement will be submitted
[0:06:06] to the Pennsylvania Department of
[0:06:08] Education along with the transcript of
[0:06:10] this hearing. It is also included in the
[0:06:12] project booklet at section 2, page 6. Uh
[0:06:17] I would like to just generally describe
[0:06:19] the purpose of this evening's hearing.
[0:06:21] It's being held pursuant to act 34 of
[0:06:24] June 1973 which is codified at title 24
[0:06:29] of Purdan's public statute section
[0:06:31] 7-701.1.
[0:06:34] Um [snorts] the purpose of act 34
[0:06:37] requires a public hearing to be held
[0:06:39] regarding either the construction of a
[0:06:41] new school building or substantial
[0:06:44] additions to existing school buildings.
[0:06:47] The purpose of tonight's Act 34 hearing
[0:06:49] is to pre present the proposed new
[0:06:51] athletic facility construction project
[0:06:54] to residents and employees of the school
[0:06:57] district and to provide a public forum
[0:07:00] um to express their opinions regarding
[0:07:02] this project.
[0:07:04] This hearing is not a public debate and
[0:07:06] it's not a question and answer session,
[0:07:08] but it is an opportunity for the public
[0:07:10] to learn about the proposed project and
[0:07:12] for the board to receive and to record
[0:07:14] comments and observations regarding this
[0:07:17] project. Um, moving to procedures for
[0:07:20] public comment and I will briefly go
[0:07:22] over some of these items again when we
[0:07:24] get to section seven of the agenda. Uh
[0:07:27] the board is interested in receiving
[0:07:28] comments from all school district
[0:07:30] residents and employees who wish to
[0:07:32] express opinions about the proposed
[0:07:34] project. In order for this hearing to be
[0:07:37] of greatest value and use to the board,
[0:07:39] the following procedures have been
[0:07:41] established.
[0:07:43] Initially, as was noted in the public
[0:07:45] advertisement, residents and employees
[0:07:47] of the district were invited to submit
[0:07:49] written testimony in advance of this
[0:07:51] evening's hearings. At this point, I
[0:07:54] would ask Superintendent Dr. Winters to
[0:07:56] whom the written testimony was to be
[0:07:58] submitted if any such testimony was in
[0:08:00] fact submitted.
[0:08:03] >> There were five testimonies that were
[0:08:05] submitted.
[0:08:05] >> Okay. In that case, I'm going to note
[0:08:08] for the record that the written
[0:08:09] testimony will be appended to the
[0:08:11] transcript for this hearing and we'll
[0:08:13] mark that as exhibit B. Again, I'll work
[0:08:15] with the court reporter to make sure we
[0:08:16] have our exhibits marked um for the
[0:08:19] board's consideration. And this is also
[0:08:21] going to be submitted to the
[0:08:22] Pennsylvania Department of Education
[0:08:24] along with the transcript of this
[0:08:25] hearing. Additionally, interested
[0:08:28] persons are invited to make comment at
[0:08:30] this hearing. Commentary will be limited
[0:08:32] to three minutes per interested person.
[0:08:34] Um, no persons will be able to speak a
[0:08:38] second time until all parties commenting
[0:08:40] have had the first time to be heard. Um,
[0:08:42] we will allow public comment until the
[0:08:44] conclusion of the hearing. Individuals
[0:08:47] who are speaking should identify
[0:08:48] themselves by name, address, and state
[0:08:50] whether they are a resident or an
[0:08:52] employee of the school district and
[0:08:54] present their comments. If the comments
[0:08:57] include objections to the project, it
[0:08:58] would be beneficial if the individual
[0:09:00] proposes what should be done to change a
[0:09:02] problem that is being addressed um and
[0:09:04] how the board may accomplish the
[0:09:06] suggested change. Finally, written
[0:09:09] comments will be accepted by the board
[0:09:11] for a period of 30 days following this
[0:09:13] hearing until February 6th of 2026.
[0:09:17] School district residents and employees
[0:09:19] who wish to have their written comments
[0:09:21] regarding this project included in the
[0:09:23] materials forwarded to the Pennsylvania
[0:09:25] Department of Education should either
[0:09:27] send by first class ma class mail or
[0:09:30] deliver the comments to Dr. Winters at
[0:09:32] the school district's administrative
[0:09:34] offices located here at 929 Lakeshore
[0:09:38] Drive in Leport, Pennsylvania 9533.
[0:09:43] As with the verbal comments that can be
[0:09:45] offered tonight, all written comments
[0:09:46] should include the name and address of
[0:09:48] the person submitting the comments,
[0:09:50] identification of the sender as either a
[0:09:52] resident or an employee of the district,
[0:09:54] and a description of the support or
[0:09:56] objection to the project. Um, for the
[0:09:59] record, the board resolution for this
[0:10:01] hearing is included in the project
[0:10:03] booklet at section 2, pages 2 through
[0:10:06] five. To the extent not already included
[0:10:08] in the project booklet for tonight's
[0:10:10] evenings, we will be appending the
[0:10:12] project accounting based upon whether
[0:10:14] they are estimates or actual bids, as
[0:10:16] well as any other documentation that is
[0:10:18] required to be submitted to the
[0:10:19] Pennsylvania Department of Education.
[0:10:22] And with that, we will move on to the
[0:10:24] next agenda item.
[0:10:32] Thank you, Miss Luke. At this time, I
[0:10:35] would just like to take a few minutes
[0:10:36] and share a little bit about the project
[0:10:38] history and the need uh for
[0:10:41] construction. And before I get into some
[0:10:44] of those pieces, you I do want to note
[0:10:46] and make sure everybody in attendance
[0:10:48] and those listening via live stream also
[0:10:50] knows that um you know, we are at this
[0:10:53] stage of the process to be able to share
[0:10:56] the information and solicit feedback.
[0:10:58] Final decisions have not been made yet.
[0:11:00] Nothing has been voted on permanently at
[0:11:02] this point in time. So, I just want to
[0:11:04] be clear about that as we move forward
[0:11:06] this evening. Uh so to talk a little bit
[0:11:10] um about the project history and you
[0:11:12] know why there's a need the the project
[0:11:15] was initiated you know largely with you
[0:11:18] know thoughts related to how can we
[0:11:21] increase the space for our students and
[0:11:26] you know both the during the day and in
[0:11:29] the evening youth programs current
[0:11:31] sports programs but it was it was looked
[0:11:33] at with that idea in mind in terms of
[0:11:36] space and also in terms of our physical
[0:11:38] education program at the high school,
[0:11:40] the weight training program
[0:11:41] specifically. So those those were two
[0:11:43] things that were heavily considered as
[0:11:45] part of this process. And so with this
[0:11:49] facility, some of the things that would
[0:11:52] be part of it is there would be team
[0:11:54] rooms, there would be, you know,
[0:11:56] athletic spaces on the far side of the
[0:11:58] building from the outdoor athletic
[0:12:00] programs. There would be a supplemental
[0:12:01] gym. There would be fitness and turf
[0:12:03] spaces that would create a safer and
[0:12:06] healthier and more supportive year-round
[0:12:07] environment for not only the physical
[0:12:10] education classes that you know will be
[0:12:12] using the weight room but any of our
[0:12:14] programs, youth, middle school, high
[0:12:15] school that are using those spaces as
[0:12:17] well. um the the shed buildings that are
[0:12:20] currently housing our concession and our
[0:12:22] storage needs at the stadium, they would
[0:12:24] be part of this permanent facility and
[0:12:26] and in this proposal, they're they're
[0:12:28] part of it to house those particular
[0:12:29] functions. And you know, right now when
[0:12:32] we have events on campus in the stadium
[0:12:34] in that area, we are limited to bathroom
[0:12:36] spaces within the stadium. This project
[0:12:39] would enhance that as well as there
[0:12:40] would be additional, you know, bathroom
[0:12:42] facilities um in the fieldhouse
[0:12:45] building.
[0:12:49] Additionally, um wanted to also talk a
[0:12:52] little bit about some other options that
[0:12:54] were considered because I think it's
[0:12:55] very important for everybody listening
[0:12:57] and those in attendance to understand
[0:12:59] that that the idea of a fieldhouse or an
[0:13:03] athletic building to support our
[0:13:05] programs is not something new in Skookul
[0:13:07] Valley. This was something that was
[0:13:09] discussed and and considered well over
[0:13:12] 20 years ago. Um and there were some
[0:13:14] different options that were considered
[0:13:16] at that time. Um there was an option of
[0:13:18] a 7,500 square foot facility that was in
[0:13:20] that could have been incorporated into
[0:13:22] the stadium project. Um there were
[0:13:24] options looked at that had variations
[0:13:26] that include an LGI, a weight room, a
[0:13:28] fitness room, additional aux gym, main
[0:13:31] gym, team locker rooms, official spaces,
[0:13:33] concessions. So this was something that
[0:13:35] that was discussed previously and so you
[0:13:39] know we are we are revisiting something
[0:13:41] that you know se boards you know far
[0:13:45] before you know the one previously and
[0:13:46] the one seated now had considered
[0:13:49] because there has always been a need to
[0:13:51] maximize our spaces in our community for
[0:13:55] our programs that need to use it. And
[0:13:58] you know as it is right now um all of
[0:14:01] our spaces we are we are using them and
[0:14:04] then some and this would be an
[0:14:06] opportunity to just enhance those
[0:14:07] opportunities for our students.
[0:14:11] So to let you see a little bit about
[0:14:15] kind of what went into some of the
[0:14:17] thought process and some of the
[0:14:18] different options that were considered.
[0:14:21] Um, so first of all, if you look at the
[0:14:24] picture, we looked at three different
[0:14:27] site locations. Um, and and considered
[0:14:30] the pros and cons of putting a facility
[0:14:32] like this at all three of those
[0:14:35] locations. And what we were looking at
[0:14:38] within the footprint when we were
[0:14:39] considering that facility, we were
[0:14:41] looking at an indoor turf field. That
[0:14:43] would be approximately a half a field.
[0:14:46] Um, we were looking at an indoor
[0:14:49] composite floor area of at least
[0:14:51] basketball court size that could be used
[0:14:54] for multiple sports that would have a
[0:14:56] three-lane track that would have a
[0:14:58] weight room, a trainers room, a
[0:15:00] concession stand that would open to the
[0:15:02] track and to the inside on both sides,
[0:15:05] team rooms, storage that was possible,
[0:15:08] and our preference was a steel structure
[0:15:12] of some sort. So that was the footprint
[0:15:15] that we were working within when we
[0:15:17] considered the different site options.
[0:15:20] And so we ultimately after we went
[0:15:23] through a lot of different design
[0:15:24] iterations and we did um through the
[0:15:27] buildings and grounds committee process
[0:15:29] working with the full board as well, you
[0:15:31] know that the the the team settled on
[0:15:34] the southeast corner of the stadium.
[0:15:36] Okay. Doing so does require a relocation
[0:15:40] of the long jump, the triple jump, and
[0:15:41] the high jump lanes to the north side of
[0:15:44] the stadium, which in turn required
[0:15:48] relocation of the junior high JV
[0:15:50] softball field, which will be relocated
[0:15:52] adjacent to the existing softball field
[0:15:55] south of the tennis courts. And as part
[0:15:58] of that process, we also worked closely
[0:16:02] with our track and field coaches in
[0:16:04] terms of where would be the optimal
[0:16:06] location for those pits to be relocated
[0:16:10] to so that we were making sure that we
[0:16:12] had that input. And and I would add that
[0:16:15] throughout the design process, there
[0:16:17] were multiple meetings with our coaches
[0:16:20] in all seasons that they were invited to
[0:16:22] in the cafeteria behind me where they
[0:16:24] were able to ask questions and provide
[0:16:26] input as we really wanted to make sure
[0:16:29] that we were designing a facility that
[0:16:31] would meet the needs of our students.
[0:16:33] And so the entire project was ultimately
[0:16:36] conceived using those decisions and
[0:16:39] results in that two-phase process. And
[0:16:41] that first phase would be the relocation
[0:16:44] of the field event spaces and the
[0:16:46] softball field. Um, as some of you are
[0:16:49] aware of, um, that phase has been board
[0:16:53] approved. That phase is underway. Um,
[0:16:56] that that work regardless of the
[0:17:00] ultimate outcome of phase two is
[0:17:02] beneficial to our campus. And then phase
[0:17:05] two is the actual fieldhouse building
[0:17:07] itself. Um, and there will be an
[0:17:10] alternate that'll be included to
[0:17:13] construct or not construct the turf
[0:17:15] field portion as part of the fieldhouse,
[0:17:18] which is something other folks that are
[0:17:19] speaking tonight will get into a little
[0:17:21] bit. And that decision will be made by
[0:17:23] the board of directors after receipt of
[0:17:25] bids come in.
[0:17:28] So, at this time, I'm going to turn
[0:17:30] things over to Mr. Harry Pony from
[0:17:33] Shrader Group Architects and he's going
[0:17:35] to talk about the project description
[0:17:37] and Harry give you the click it back.
[0:17:47] >> Thank you. Thank you Dr. Wyinners. Uh
[0:17:49] good evening everyone.
[0:17:54] So as uh Dr. winners explained just
[0:17:56] going to walk through uh a little bit
[0:18:00] about the actual project. So, we're
[0:18:02] going to talk a little bit about the the
[0:18:03] site plan itself, its positioning, uh in
[0:18:07] that southwest corner, uh give you a
[0:18:10] brief review uh of the floor plan and
[0:18:13] layout, uh how the building has been
[0:18:16] programmed. um an opportunity to see
[0:18:19] some of the renderings that were
[0:18:21] developed and what the visual aesthetics
[0:18:24] will um we anticipate the building to
[0:18:28] look like. Um we'll and then we'll talk
[0:18:31] about uh the cost analysis and how the
[0:18:35] act 34 uh budget numbers were uh
[0:18:38] developed as part of the project. Uh as
[0:18:42] was previously mentioned um after going
[0:18:45] through uh several options and uh site
[0:18:48] locations of the building, we we landed
[0:18:51] on the uh most advantageous location of
[0:18:54] the southeast corner of the site. Um
[0:18:57] give you kind of location, you know,
[0:19:00] from the stadium kind of the the center
[0:19:02] of the stadium where the existing uh
[0:19:05] ticket booth is. Um down in the bottom
[0:19:08] southeast corner um there's an existing
[0:19:11] maintenance storage building. Um and
[0:19:14] this is that existing uh parking lot. So
[0:19:17] the building would be situated uh in the
[0:19:19] southeast corner of the stadium um as
[0:19:22] was mentioned um right over the existing
[0:19:26] track events. Those track events would
[0:19:28] move and be relocated to the north end
[0:19:31] of the uh stadium site.
[0:19:35] kind of looking at a composite. Um we
[0:19:38] are looking at uh creating uh some a
[0:19:41] sense of security and fence line um to
[0:19:45] be able to enter for students um to both
[0:19:48] enter uh into the building during the
[0:19:50] day as well as a separation
[0:19:54] uh during an event that's taking place
[0:19:56] in the stadium. So, we're enhancing a
[0:19:58] little plaza area um for part
[0:20:02] participants
[0:20:03] um as they come in um as well as a
[0:20:06] courtyard that will uh kind of sit uh in
[0:20:10] the north end of the site that will
[0:20:12] access the concession and public
[0:20:14] utilities, public restrooms into the
[0:20:16] building.
[0:20:19] Uh just a kind of overlay uh again of
[0:20:22] that and how that plaza is beginning to
[0:20:26] uh design itself and enter into the
[0:20:28] building. Um both from uh the the west
[0:20:32] side of the actual building um and from
[0:20:36] the public side um off of the plaza
[0:20:40] area.
[0:20:43] Uh looking at a composite floor plan. Uh
[0:20:46] so the building is uh in totality
[0:20:49] approximately 47,000 square feet. That
[0:20:53] includes the the entire footprint of the
[0:20:56] building. Um plus over this area of
[0:21:00] program which are locker rooms, uh
[0:21:03] trainers room, um locker team rooms, and
[0:21:06] then that concession area there is a
[0:21:08] mezzanine that sits over here for both
[0:21:11] storage and uh mechanical equipment. The
[0:21:15] green area
[0:21:17] identifies the the uh half multi-purpose
[0:21:21] turf field. It's about a half of a a a
[0:21:24] field. Uh the upper portion uh creates
[0:21:28] storage both indoor and outdoor and
[0:21:31] would eliminate the the multiple sheds
[0:21:34] um that have been out there storing
[0:21:36] track and field equipment and uh also
[0:21:40] other athletic equipment. Uh the uh
[0:21:44] purple area
[0:21:46] um is identified as the uh basketball
[0:21:50] multi-purpose uh full-size court with a
[0:21:53] threelane running track um around that.
[0:21:57] This is a multi-purpose surface for
[0:22:00] again multiple activities, multiple um
[0:22:03] events.
[0:22:05] The purple area just to the the west
[0:22:08] side of um the court area is your weight
[0:22:12] room. And then the the gray area to the
[0:22:15] north end are your public restrooms um
[0:22:19] both for interior and exterior. As was
[0:22:22] mentioned um previously in the program,
[0:22:25] the yellow area of the concession um is
[0:22:29] both accessible for the stadium as well
[0:22:32] as the fieldhouse complex both interior
[0:22:35] and exterior.
[0:22:39] Um I've identified the the the red area
[0:22:43] around as was mentioned. Um we're
[0:22:46] looking at um a as we bid the project um
[0:22:51] the turf building um would be an
[0:22:54] alternate and the board would uh have to
[0:22:57] decide whether they want to accept the
[0:22:59] alternate and build the um the turf
[0:23:03] portion of the building.
[0:23:06] The way the building is basically
[0:23:08] designed and broken up as two
[0:23:12] pre-engineered steel frame buildings. So
[0:23:15] this right the right side of the image
[0:23:19] depicts the turf building. The center
[0:23:22] building depicts the pre-engineered uh
[0:23:25] court area and then the uh west side
[0:23:28] left side of the building depicts that
[0:23:30] weight room toilet room um public
[0:23:34] area.
[0:23:38] couple uh renderings of what the design
[0:23:43] is looking like. This is an image
[0:23:46] looking from the field um towards the
[0:23:49] the concession area. So this uh corner
[0:23:53] uh the building is the concession area
[0:23:56] entrances
[0:23:58] uh into both the trainers and team
[0:24:01] rooms. Uh this area gives you access
[0:24:06] through like a garage type uh overhead
[0:24:08] door into the large turf uh
[0:24:12] multi-purpose field. Uh to the the left
[0:24:15] side of the image is that storage area
[0:24:19] which also has some uh equipment on it.
[0:24:22] Um kind of the right side of the image
[0:24:25] is that weight room and public utilities
[0:24:28] uh public restrooms.
[0:24:31] Uh just an image looking from the other
[0:24:34] side from the parking lot um alongside
[0:24:38] the wait room area and kind of right
[0:24:41] where my my pointer is would be the
[0:24:43] entrance into that building. This is
[0:24:45] kind of the backside of the uh court
[0:24:49] area
[0:24:51] as like an aerial. you begin to see the
[0:24:54] overall massing uh of the building, that
[0:24:57] weight room area, the court, and then
[0:25:00] the turf building. This is that parking
[0:25:03] lot. And uh you know, you could see from
[0:25:05] the stadium and that plaza area. And
[0:25:08] another image from the parking lot
[0:25:10] looking at the building. If we jump to
[0:25:13] the inside uh interior of the building,
[0:25:16] again, that's a multi-purpose
[0:25:19] uh type court and finishes to allow for
[0:25:23] uh various activities and not just
[0:25:25] athletics. Um we've included uh
[0:25:29] equipment to allow wrestling to also
[0:25:33] come into here, dance, um other
[0:25:36] opportunities
[0:25:38] uh that nature. Another image uh
[0:25:41] sticking with the same school colors uh
[0:25:44] the red and black and and the panther
[0:25:47] um throughout the uh interior of the
[0:25:50] spaces
[0:25:54] and just an image uh the interior of the
[0:25:57] large volume space of the uh turf field.
[0:26:02] uh an image of the wait room
[0:26:05] and we'll touch on
[0:26:07] some of the costing. So as part of the
[0:26:10] act 34 hearing in order to uh develop
[0:26:14] our uh cost analysis
[0:26:18] uh we utilize the uh plan con documents
[0:26:21] and and uh which
[0:26:25] for those of you who don't know plan con
[0:26:27] is not uh used throughout uh the
[0:26:32] commonwealth anymore. It's been on a
[0:26:34] hiatus for several years. There's no
[0:26:36] reimbursement. um but the documents are
[0:26:39] utilized um in order to build the cost
[0:26:42] structure of these projects. So, if you
[0:26:46] reference um the uh DO page DO2
[0:26:52] um you we point out the new construction
[0:26:55] cost um which is 20,239,854
[0:27:02] um that includes to be clear the
[0:27:05] building the site plus fees and when I
[0:27:09] say fees are your architecture
[0:27:11] engineering permitting fees and your all
[0:27:14] your loose furniture fixture and
[0:27:16] equipment.
[0:27:21] If you reference D03,
[0:27:24] um there is a total project cost and
[0:27:27] that total project cost is all what I
[0:27:31] previously said of your your building,
[0:27:33] your soft costs,
[0:27:35] um your FFN,
[0:27:38] uh and the construction cost along with
[0:27:41] your financing. and uh Lauren will get
[0:27:44] into that shortly
[0:27:47] um on my completion.
[0:27:50] So that total project cost um would not
[0:27:54] exceed $24,877,416.
[0:28:04] If you continue on and reference part uh
[0:28:08] plan con D04
[0:28:10] um you'll see a breakout of the site
[0:28:13] costs. We're estimating those at 3,9,355
[0:28:21] uh plus those engineering costs.
[0:28:25] um that is subtracted from the total
[0:28:28] project cost in order to determine the
[0:28:31] maximum building construction cost for
[0:28:34] the act 34.
[0:28:41] So if you were to add uh subtract those
[0:28:45] numbers from once you add those numbers
[0:28:48] up uh previous numbers and subtract
[0:28:51] those from that maximum building
[0:28:53] construction cost you get a number of
[0:28:56] 16,819,564.
[0:29:02] What happens is
[0:29:04] uh Department of Ed allows um an 18 8 an
[0:29:09] 8% variable in there. So if there were
[0:29:13] unforeseen or you get through
[0:29:14] construction that number um cannot
[0:29:18] exceed $18 million $18,165,129.
[0:29:25] If it does, we would have to come back
[0:29:28] um for a second act 34 hearing which
[0:29:30] would be required to make the public
[0:29:33] aware of those expenditures
[0:29:36] um and the and the board.
[0:29:45] So if lastly, if you were to look at the
[0:29:50] maximum building construction cost of
[0:29:52] the 16 million number um is less than
[0:29:56] the aggregate of that maximum 18 million
[0:30:00] number um that I mentioned, there would
[0:30:03] be no referendum. the board can act on
[0:30:06] the project um w without a referendum
[0:30:11] long as we stay within those
[0:30:12] expenditures.
[0:30:29] >> Good evening everyone. My name is Lauren
[0:30:31] Stadel and I'm with the firm of Raymond
[0:30:32] James and Associates. We have the
[0:30:34] pleasure of serving the school district
[0:30:35] as the bond underwriter and we've been
[0:30:37] working with the district for a number
[0:30:39] of years to um analyze different
[0:30:41] financing alternatives for the project.
[0:30:44] And as part of the act 34 process, we
[0:30:46] are required to spell those out to the
[0:30:48] public, let you know why we've uh landed
[0:30:50] upon the financing structure and
[0:30:52] methodology that we have decided on. And
[0:30:54] so when looking at financing a project,
[0:30:56] there's a number of different ways to do
[0:30:58] so. Um, first of all, certainly cash is
[0:31:01] always an option or a short short-term
[0:31:03] loan, but by and large, the majority of
[0:31:05] major school construction projects are
[0:31:08] financed via some sort of bond issue.
[0:31:10] And when you have a strong credit
[0:31:12] rating, um, such as the one at Skugal
[0:31:14] Valley School District as a double A3,
[0:31:18] by and large, uh, those issues are
[0:31:20] usually done as a general obligation
[0:31:22] bond issue of the school district for a
[0:31:24] number of reasons that I will detail.
[0:31:27] But uh as we look at the different
[0:31:29] financing alternatives, while we said
[0:31:30] that cash is not an option because of
[0:31:32] the size of the project, I will note
[0:31:34] that the district has been um extremely
[0:31:36] prudent in planning over the last
[0:31:38] several years in knowing that something
[0:31:40] like this may be coming down the pike
[0:31:42] and has set aside approximately $6
[0:31:44] million which will be used to downsize
[0:31:46] the ultimate borrowing for the project.
[0:31:48] So the district is using some of its
[0:31:50] cash reserves to fund the project.
[0:31:54] So, as we look at the three different
[0:31:56] long-term borrowing options for a school
[0:31:59] district in the Commonwealth of
[0:32:00] Pennsylvania, as I said, uh in this
[0:32:02] instance, we're going to be um following
[0:32:06] a general obligation bond issue, which
[0:32:07] is a direct obligation of the school
[0:32:09] district. However, there are a couple
[0:32:10] other options that are available. And as
[0:32:13] I'll show in the next page, uh what
[0:32:15] really drives the decision not only from
[0:32:18] the credit rating perspective is the al
[0:32:20] also the costs of issuance that are
[0:32:22] associated with the other types of bond
[0:32:24] issues along with the interest expense.
[0:32:27] Because of your strong credit rating, we
[0:32:29] are able to issue a smaller number of
[0:32:32] bonds with a general obligation bond
[0:32:34] issue. In addition, the interest expense
[0:32:37] related to the bonds as a general
[0:32:39] obligation is much lower than if we were
[0:32:41] to go through other alternatives, which
[0:32:43] would be the state public school
[0:32:45] building authority or another local
[0:32:47] authority.
[0:32:48] Additionally, we note that the district
[0:32:50] is not anticipating the receipt of any
[0:32:53] reimbursement for the project through
[0:32:54] the plan con subsidy. While you are
[0:32:57] receiving uh some funds from the state
[0:33:00] for previous projects that the district
[0:33:02] has undertaken, as Harry mentioned,
[0:33:05] there is a moratorum in place on any new
[0:33:07] plan projects. And so we anticipate that
[0:33:09] the district will be paying 100% of the
[0:33:12] debt service for the project.
[0:33:16] The table on this page then um spells
[0:33:19] out why we've landed on a general
[0:33:22] obligation bond issue. You can see uh
[0:33:25] for each of the three long-term
[0:33:26] borrowing options, we have listed the
[0:33:30] approximate associated expenses with
[0:33:32] each of those and show that the uh not
[0:33:35] only do we have the smallest borrowing
[0:33:38] amount for the general obligation um
[0:33:41] option, but we also spell out the fact
[0:33:44] that uh the interest expense associated
[0:33:47] with that as well is um lessened due to
[0:33:50] the fact that you have a stronger credit
[0:33:52] rating than if you were to go through
[0:33:53] the state public school building
[0:33:54] authority or another local authority.
[0:34:03] The district anticipates issuing a bond
[0:34:06] here in the next couple months to fund
[0:34:08] the project if bids come in according to
[0:34:11] plan and if the district if the board of
[0:34:13] school uh directors opts to accept those
[0:34:16] bids. So, we'll be working with the
[0:34:18] district administration to put together
[0:34:20] a preliminary official statement. um to
[0:34:23] fund that bond issue.
[0:34:25] But uh it's important to note that given
[0:34:28] the district's um financial prudence in
[0:34:30] years past and nevering never never
[0:34:32] borrowing frivolously, we're in a
[0:34:34] position where we're going to be able to
[0:34:36] structure the new bonds around the
[0:34:37] existing debt of the district such that
[0:34:40] the impact of the borrowing is very
[0:34:42] minimal to the budget and to the
[0:34:44] taxpayers. And so on the next couple
[0:34:47] pages, we'll we'll explain exactly how
[0:34:49] that works. If we were to amortize this
[0:34:51] debt on a level basis, much like your
[0:34:53] home mortgage, the anticipated impact
[0:34:56] would be about $1.7 million per year,
[0:34:59] which would equate to approximately 1.24
[0:35:02] mills. However, as I'll uh review on the
[0:35:05] next page, the existing debt of the
[0:35:09] district um as it is paid off
[0:35:13] when we get to that point in time is
[0:35:15] when we'll be advertising the new debt.
[0:35:17] So on footnote three, you can see that
[0:35:19] the actual impact of the financing is
[0:35:23] approximately $180,000
[0:35:25] annually over and above your existing
[0:35:28] budget for debt service. And when we
[0:35:29] equate that to mills, it equates to
[0:35:32] approximately 0.12 mills for the debt
[0:35:34] service over the life of the bond issue.
[0:35:38] And that can be seen more clearly on
[0:35:39] table 2b.
[0:35:42] Column two, as I mentioned, is the
[0:35:44] district's existing debt. And the high
[0:35:47] water mark for your existing debt occurs
[0:35:49] in fiscal year 2027 at approximately
[0:35:52] $3.1 million.
[0:35:55] You can see in the years after that,
[0:35:56] there's a significant drop off in the
[0:35:58] district's debt service. This was
[0:36:00] planned as there um the district had
[0:36:03] forethought many years ago as you
[0:36:04] structured older bond issues to say we
[0:36:07] might have something coming down the
[0:36:08] pike. let's give ourselves the
[0:36:10] opportunity to add additional debt
[0:36:11] service if we need it without affecting
[0:36:13] our um our budget in a major way. And so
[0:36:17] column number three is then the proposed
[0:36:19] hypothetical 2026 bond issue which would
[0:36:23] be used to finance uh the funds of which
[0:36:25] would be used to finance the project.
[0:36:27] And so you can see when we add those two
[0:36:30] columns two and columns three together,
[0:36:32] our new annual level run rate for debt
[0:36:34] service is approximately 3.3 million
[0:36:37] only about approximately $180,000 more
[0:36:40] than that high water mark that we hit
[0:36:42] next year. We are borrowing
[0:36:45] approximately $942,000
[0:36:48] for an interest payment for fiscal year
[0:36:51] 2027 which you can see in column number
[0:36:54] four. That amount does also appear in
[0:36:56] those plan con forms that Harry just uh
[0:36:59] reviewed for us and that's always been
[0:37:02] the plan because we didn't want to have
[0:37:03] to um increase the budget for debt
[0:37:06] service uh next year. We wanted to be
[0:37:08] able to sort of get over that high water
[0:37:09] mark, but we do need to pay the interest
[0:37:12] expense on the bonds once it comes due.
[0:37:14] However, the IRS does allow us to borrow
[0:37:17] um the interest payments for up to a
[0:37:19] period of two years. And so we borrow
[0:37:21] the payment for next year's um budget
[0:37:24] year within the bond issue itself. So
[0:37:26] those funds will be sitting aside ready
[0:37:28] to be used to pay debt service come next
[0:37:31] year so that the district doesn't have
[0:37:32] to come out of pocket or raise taxes in
[0:37:35] order to cover um the bond issue over
[0:37:38] and above the $3.3 million that we
[0:37:40] anticipate the debt service run rate
[0:37:42] getting to.
[0:37:46] Lastly, um part part of the act 34
[0:37:49] process also requires that we spell out
[0:37:52] any anticipated um indirect costs over
[0:37:56] and above the debt service expense
[0:37:58] related to the project. And so in
[0:38:00] working with your district
[0:38:01] administration, um they were able to uh
[0:38:04] enumerate those various expenses that
[0:38:07] may come to fruition after the
[0:38:09] completion of the project. And on an
[0:38:11] annual basis, it's it's uh expected to
[0:38:14] be an impact of approximately $200,000,
[0:38:17] which equates to 041 mills. So if you
[0:38:19] add the debt service expense of.12 mills
[0:38:22] plus the indirect cost of.14 mills, we
[0:38:25] get to a total impact of the project of
[0:38:27] approximately.26 mills.
[0:38:32] So with that, I'll turn it back to
[0:38:34] attorney Luke for the uh public comment
[0:38:37] portion.
[0:38:39] Thank you.
[0:38:41] All right, we're now at section seven of
[0:38:43] the agenda, which is public comment. Um,
[0:38:46] as mentioned previously, just as a
[0:38:48] reminder, as well as for anyone who
[0:38:49] might have come in um and didn't hear my
[0:38:51] initial spiel, um, we have a court
[0:38:54] reporter here. These proceedings are
[0:38:56] being stenographically recorded. Um,
[0:38:59] she's sitting at the end of the table.
[0:39:00] Please be mindful of that when you're
[0:39:02] speaking. Um, to speak slowly and
[0:39:04] clearly and to keep in mind that court
[0:39:06] reporter cannot interpret shoulder
[0:39:07] shrugs and head nods, things like that.
[0:39:10] um the record that the court reporter is
[0:39:12] making the transcript. It's a necessary
[0:39:13] part of what the district is required to
[0:39:15] submit to the Pennsylvania Department of
[0:39:16] Education. Um I am going to call on
[0:39:20] members of the public to make their
[0:39:21] comments in the order that their name
[0:39:23] appears on the signin sheet. If someone
[0:39:25] could grab that for me.
[0:39:34] >> That's okay. We'll let the final people
[0:39:36] sign in.
[0:39:41] >> [snorts]
[0:39:42] >> Uh again each speaker is allotted three
[0:39:44] minutes. I'm going to keep time on my
[0:39:45] phone. Um at the end of the three
[0:39:47] minutes I will ask the speaker to
[0:39:49] conclude their remarks if they are not
[0:39:50] already done so we can move on to the
[0:39:52] next um speaker. Again this is not a
[0:39:55] forum for debate or a question and
[0:39:57] answer session but it is important that
[0:39:59] you be given this opportunity to address
[0:40:01] the board with any comments, concerns,
[0:40:03] objections um you may have regarding
[0:40:06] this project.
[0:40:32] All right. And again, when you first
[0:40:34] come to the podium, if you could please
[0:40:35] state your name, address, and whether
[0:40:36] you are a resident or an employee of the
[0:40:39] district or both. Okay. All right. We
[0:40:41] will start with and I apologize in
[0:40:43] advance if I mangle any of your names.
[0:40:46] Um Amy Bonowski, please.
[0:40:55] Hello.
[0:40:57] Uh [clears throat] I'm Amy Bonauski.
[0:41:00] I'm a resident of the district. I live
[0:41:04] in Burn Township.
[0:41:06] Do you need my actual address?
[0:41:08] >> Your township is fine.
[0:41:09] >> Okay. All right.
[0:41:11] >> [clears throat]
[0:41:12] >> Hello. For those of you who don't know
[0:41:14] me, I'm Amy Shannon Vonosski. I am an
[0:41:18] alumni of Skooko Valley and I currently
[0:41:21] have two children enrolled here in the
[0:41:22] district. I also help out as the
[0:41:25] treasurer of Skooko Valley Youth Soccer.
[0:41:28] Skugo Valley Youth Soccer is a 100%
[0:41:31] volunteer nonprofit organization serving
[0:41:34] more than 230
[0:41:37] boys and girls ages 4 through 13. We
[0:41:41] promote grassroots soccer in our Skookul
[0:41:43] Valley community and we are one of the
[0:41:45] oldest continuously running youth sports
[0:41:47] groups within SB. This evening, I am
[0:41:50] presenting a letter written by the
[0:41:51] Skookul Valley Youth Soccer Board in
[0:41:54] support of the new athletic facilities.
[0:41:58] The Skoo Valley Youth Soccer
[0:42:00] Organization wants to express our full
[0:42:02] support for the proposed new athletic
[0:42:05] facilities. Our growing school district
[0:42:08] reflects the strength and commitment of
[0:42:10] the community we serve.
[0:42:13] However, with growth comes challenges.
[0:42:15] For years, Skookul Valley has faced
[0:42:17] significant limitations in facility
[0:42:19] usage and availability.
[0:42:21] All sports teams, clubs, and youth
[0:42:23] organizations struggle with scheduling,
[0:42:25] often resulting in late practices for
[0:42:28] our youngest athletes, including
[0:42:30] kindergarten aged students.
[0:42:33] Skooko Valley Youth Soccer would like to
[0:42:35] specifically call out the need for the
[0:42:36] indoor turf space. This is a high
[0:42:39] priority item for our nonprofit
[0:42:41] organization and many others in the
[0:42:43] community. We have attempted to rent
[0:42:45] turf space locally, but it's cost
[0:42:48] prohibitive for a community based used
[0:42:50] community-based youth soccer program and
[0:42:54] it limits the opportunities our
[0:42:55] organization can provide to our student
[0:42:57] athletes. The lack of indoor practice
[0:43:00] space has severely hurt our program as
[0:43:02] we have nowhere to practice for early
[0:43:04] and late season tournaments and nowhere
[0:43:06] to practice during inclement weather or
[0:43:08] during the colder months of the year.
[0:43:10] [clears throat]
[0:43:11] Beyond scheduling and space
[0:43:12] availability, the current weight room is
[0:43:15] outdated and no longer meets the needs
[0:43:17] of today's student athletes. As training
[0:43:20] standards, safety expectations, and
[0:43:22] participation levels have evolved, the
[0:43:25] school's facilities have not kept pace.
[0:43:28] A modern strength and conditioning space
[0:43:30] is essential for development of all
[0:43:32] athletes, injury prevention, and overall
[0:43:35] program success across all sports.
[0:43:38] The proposed new athletic facility would
[0:43:41] alleviate these challenges, provide
[0:43:43] safer age appropriate spaces, and
[0:43:45] improve scheduling for all programs.
[0:43:48] While we recognize the financial
[0:43:50] investment is significant, the return in
[0:43:53] student development, community
[0:43:54] engagement, and school pride will be
[0:43:57] even greater. This is truly an
[0:44:00] investment in our children and their
[0:44:01] future. Skugo Valley Youth Soccer fully
[0:44:04] supports this project and urges the
[0:44:06] board to recognize both the need and the
[0:44:08] positive impact this facility will have
[0:44:11] on our students and our community.
[0:44:14] Respectfully submitted, Skugo Valley
[0:44:16] Youth Soccer Board.
[0:44:17] >> Thank you.
[0:44:20] >> All right. Next on my list, I have a Mr.
[0:44:22] Bruce Harbaugh.
[0:44:27] >> Good evening. My name is Bruce Harbaugh,
[0:44:30] head football coach here at Skoo Valley.
[0:44:31] I'm not a resident, but I'm employee of
[0:44:33] the district.
[0:44:35] >> And your township, sir?
[0:44:36] >> Pardon me?
[0:44:36] >> Your township?
[0:44:37] >> Burks County.
[0:44:38] >> Township.
[0:44:39] >> Uh,
[0:44:40] Lower Hidleberg.
[0:44:42] >> Okay. Thank you.
[0:44:44] >> Lost my thought there for a second. Um,
[0:44:47] I consider this a uh um athletic
[0:44:51] performance center, not a fieldhouse,
[0:44:53] because we'll be training students there
[0:44:55] and educating them, and coaches will be
[0:44:57] coaching there and teaching them in that
[0:44:58] in that facility. So, if anyone here has
[0:45:01] ever played, uh, uh, coached, taught, or
[0:45:04] worked with youth, you understand the
[0:45:06] need for this facility. Our current
[0:45:08] locker room facilities are unsafe,
[0:45:10] unfunctional, and out of date, dating
[0:45:14] back into the 60s. Our colors are are
[0:45:17] black, red, and white, not green, and
[0:45:19] and tan.
[0:45:21] If you are a part a parent, a
[0:45:23] grandparent or or a guardian in Skookul
[0:45:26] Valley, you would want the best for your
[0:45:29] sons, daughters, gu uh grandsons,
[0:45:31] granddaughters, nieces, and nephews.
[0:45:34] I've I've submitted a letter of
[0:45:35] testimony to uh regarding the athletic
[0:45:38] uh center. Our new athletic performance
[0:45:41] center is essential for multi multiple
[0:45:44] reasons. When planning its design, we
[0:45:46] should carefully think about the ways it
[0:45:48] will be used. Our multi-purpose facility
[0:45:50] will offer not only locker rooms and
[0:45:52] classrooms, but also areas for training
[0:45:55] and rehabilitation.
[0:45:57] It's important to include a versatile
[0:45:59] indoor turf field suitable for
[0:46:01] practices, sporting events, graduations,
[0:46:04] band camps, etc. Every square foot in
[0:46:07] this facility is an investment. While
[0:46:10] synthetic turf fields and competition
[0:46:13] grade LED lighting have higher front
[0:46:16] upfront costs, they can help reduce
[0:46:18] maintenance expenses over time and allow
[0:46:21] more programming opportunities. An
[0:46:23] indoor turf field will improve our
[0:46:25] facility by offering greater efficiency,
[0:46:28] cost effectiveness, durability,
[0:46:31] accessibility, and minimal maintenance
[0:46:33] cost requirements. Investing our
[0:46:35] athletic facility will bring several
[0:46:36] benefits to Skook Valley District such
[0:46:39] as enhanced student experience. Students
[0:46:42] get to learn and participate in physical
[0:46:44] education, strength conditioning, and
[0:46:46] extracurriculars in a safe, highquality
[0:46:49] environment where facilities are modern
[0:46:51] and well-kept.
[0:46:53] It will encourage exercise and provide a
[0:46:56] secure, easyto-reach place for physical
[0:46:58] activity, helping to boost overall
[0:47:01] health, lower the chances of serious
[0:47:02] diseases. By providing advanced
[0:47:05] equipment and professional training
[0:47:07] settings, the risk of injury is reduced,
[0:47:09] allowing student athletes to stay fit
[0:47:11] and engaged in their activities. Greater
[0:47:14] community pride. Our cutting edge
[0:47:16] facility will both school school per
[0:47:18] school spirit and strengthen engagement
[0:47:21] by becoming a point of pride in our
[0:47:24] whole community. It is it can serve as
[0:47:27] community gathering spots helping
[0:47:28] residents stay active, build pride and
[0:47:31] school spirit in our community. Building
[0:47:33] social skills. The induction of a new
[0:47:36] facility will enhance sports engagement
[0:47:38] particularly among young people
[0:47:40] promoting long-term healthy behaviors as
[0:47:42] well as cultivating of teamwork and
[0:47:44] leadership skills. Engagement and
[0:47:46] athletic programs conducted in our welle
[0:47:48] equipped facility has a potential to
[0:47:50] enhance students academic achievement.
[0:47:52] >> Sir, can you wrap up your comments? Are
[0:47:54] you almost done?
[0:47:54] >> Sure.
[0:47:55] >> Okay.
[0:47:56] Collectively, these factors highlight
[0:47:58] the importance of investing investing in
[0:48:00] our high school athletic performance
[0:48:01] center supporting not only athletic
[0:48:03] achievement but also also our overall
[0:48:06] development of our students.
[0:48:08] >> Thank you.
[0:48:10] Next on the list, I have an Alec. Is it
[0:48:13] Rybert or Rupert perhaps?
[0:48:17] >> Sorry, did I get it? [laughter]
[0:48:20] >> What is it?
[0:48:22] >> Reinert. Oh, okay. I apologize.
[0:48:26] on behalf of the Skua Youth Baseball
[0:48:28] Organization before you get started. Oh,
[0:48:29] sorry. Alec Reinard, Analani Township,
[0:48:32] and I'm a resident.
[0:48:34] >> Okay. Thank you.
[0:48:35] >> Yep. On behalf of the Skuva Youth
[0:48:37] Baseball Organization. First and
[0:48:39] foremost, I'd like to thank the school
[0:48:40] board, all the presenters here this
[0:48:42] evening, community members, and all
[0:48:44] stakeholders for coming out to share
[0:48:45] your thoughts, support, and concerns for
[0:48:48] the fieldhouse project. SVYB, Sko Valley
[0:48:51] Youth Baseball would be in support of
[0:48:52] building the fieldhouse so long as
[0:48:54] Skookulo Valley Youth Baseball along
[0:48:56] with our other Skooko Valley Youth
[0:48:58] sports organizations would have access
[0:49:00] to the building and equipment throughout
[0:49:01] the year without incurring drastic price
[0:49:03] increases and rental fees. As local
[0:49:06] youth organizations, at least some of
[0:49:07] which, if not all, are registered 501c3
[0:49:10] nonprofits, we're all fighting for the
[0:49:12] same business support and attempting to
[0:49:13] run leagues without astronomical cost to
[0:49:16] our parents and families of our
[0:49:17] students. I believe we have an
[0:49:19] obligation to ask questions and continue
[0:49:21] to receive further information for
[0:49:23] rental possibilities, fees, etc. For
[0:49:26] many years, going back to my time as a
[0:49:27] student here at Skookula Valley from
[0:49:29] grades 3 through 12 and then coaching
[0:49:31] during my collegiate and postc
[0:49:32] collegiate years from little league
[0:49:34] through middle school, we've always had
[0:49:36] a lack of gym or rental spaces for the
[0:49:37] various youth organizations, especially
[0:49:40] during evenings and offseason workouts.
[0:49:43] I can only speak on behalf of Scoo
[0:49:44] Valley Youth Baseball, which took three
[0:49:46] local township or municipal teams in
[0:49:48] Leport, Moresville, and Burn Township,
[0:49:50] and combined them into one overarching
[0:49:52] organization of SV Youth Baseball, which
[0:49:55] has access to five full-size and two
[0:49:58] smaller size fields of T-ball, if you
[0:50:00] will, that we rent from other entities
[0:50:01] and do not have full control over. Our
[0:50:04] goal of combining these separate
[0:50:05] organizations was to unify our baseball
[0:50:07] program from pre-K through 12th grade to
[0:50:09] keep our youth together, competing
[0:50:11] against other local schools, and
[0:50:12] developing chemistry and rapport far
[0:50:14] beyond their youth sports days. I
[0:50:16] remember what it was like practicing in
[0:50:18] the auxiliary gym from 7:30 to 9:30,
[0:50:20] having to go home, shower, still do
[0:50:22] homework with 30 rostered high school
[0:50:24] athletes sharing one batting cage, two
[0:50:26] small hitting stations, and not being
[0:50:28] allowed to use the hard ball to practice
[0:50:29] throwing in the main gym. While we made
[0:50:32] it work, I remember quite a few
[0:50:33] injuries, having to carpool with the
[0:50:35] juniors and seniors because parents had
[0:50:37] siblings and there were simply nowhere
[0:50:38] else to go. Having a facility of this
[0:50:41] magnitude would allow Skook Valley to
[0:50:43] remain competitive at our junior and
[0:50:44] senior high sports, as well as develop
[0:50:46] our youth talent pool with up-to-date
[0:50:48] equipment and facilities that many other
[0:50:50] local districts have access to. As soon
[0:50:52] as our fall season ends, we essentially
[0:50:54] have nowhere for our youth to practice
[0:50:55] and develop athletically due to the lack
[0:50:57] of lights and seasonal elements. While
[0:50:59] there are very limited local businesses
[0:51:01] that may have batting cages or turf
[0:51:03] areas for youth to develop, they're also
[0:51:05] running a business. They're expensive
[0:51:07] and our families incur those expenses
[0:51:08] and travel times to utilize. I would
[0:51:10] much rather see our families, our
[0:51:12] district, and our athletic organizations
[0:51:13] be able to invest in this fieldhouse
[0:51:15] project and our own backyard and give
[0:51:17] our student athletes and youth more
[0:51:19] opportunities to develop. In closing,
[0:51:21] Skookul Valley Youth Baseball believes
[0:51:23] it would be in the best interest for
[0:51:24] this project to move forward, allowing
[0:51:26] our youth sports organizations to act as
[0:51:28] a funnel system to our junior high and
[0:51:30] senior high sports programs. Building
[0:51:32] and developing our young athletes both
[0:51:34] on and off the field is paramount for a
[0:51:36] school district of our size. The
[0:51:38] fieldhouse will allow for more time
[0:51:39] developing skills, bonding as teammates,
[0:51:41] keeping our youth engaged in positive
[0:51:43] and meaningful extracurricular
[0:51:45] activities. Thanks.
[0:51:47] >> Thank you.
[0:51:50] Uh, next on the list is uh, Zach Adam.
[0:51:55] Good
[0:51:56] >> evening. Zachary Adam, resident uh,
[0:51:58] Center Township and uh, president of the
[0:52:01] Skooka Valley Youth Girls Softball
[0:52:02] Association.
[0:52:04] Uh, thanks for the opportunity to speak.
[0:52:06] I'm here to advocate for something that
[0:52:08] directly impacts our youngest athletes
[0:52:10] and the future of our school sports
[0:52:12] programs, the need for dedicated indoor
[0:52:15] space for youth and recreational sports.
[0:52:18] Right now, elementary and wreck level
[0:52:20] athletes are competing for gym and field
[0:52:22] time with middle school and high school
[0:52:24] teams. As those older student programs
[0:52:27] grow, which is a good thing, the
[0:52:29] available time for younger athletes
[0:52:30] continues to shrink. Youth practices are
[0:52:33] pushed later in the evening, shortened
[0:52:35] or eliminated altogether.
[0:52:37] [snorts and clears throat]
[0:52:37] Recreational and elementary sports are
[0:52:39] not extra. They are where skills are
[0:52:41] developed, confidence is built, and
[0:52:43] lifelong habits of physical and act
[0:52:45] activity begin. When access disappears
[0:52:48] at this level, participation drops and
[0:52:51] that directly affects the strength of
[0:52:53] middle middle and high school programs
[0:52:55] down the line. Softball is a great
[0:52:57] example. Unlike some sports, softball
[0:52:59] requires consistent skill repetition,
[0:53:02] especially batting. Outdoor weather in
[0:53:04] our area already limits practice time.
[0:53:06] And without indoor batting cages or
[0:53:08] training space, athletes lose months of
[0:53:11] development. Families are often forced
[0:53:13] to seek private facilities which create
[0:53:15] financial barriers and limit
[0:53:17] participation to those who can afford
[0:53:19] it. An indoor facility would solve
[0:53:21] multiple challenges at once. It would
[0:53:23] relieve scheduling pressure on existing
[0:53:25] gyms, provide equitable access for
[0:53:28] younger athletes, support skill
[0:53:30] development across seasons, and
[0:53:32] strengthen our entire athletic pipeline
[0:53:34] from wreck leagues to varsity programs.
[0:53:37] This isn't just about convenience. It's
[0:53:39] about opportunities and investing in the
[0:53:41] future of our athletes, our student
[0:53:43] athletes. I would urge a district to
[0:53:45] consider indoor athletic space as a
[0:53:47] necessity, not a luxury, one that
[0:53:49] supports all athletes at all levels.
[0:53:51] Thank you.
[0:53:56] >> Thank you.
[0:53:59] Um, next on the list, I have Lester
[0:54:01] Kissing Kissinger Jr.
[0:54:09] Good evening members of the school
[0:54:10] board. My name is Lester Kissinger Jr. a
[0:54:12] resident of Onaloney Township. I'm also
[0:54:15] the president of Skook Valley Youth
[0:54:16] Football and Cheerleading Association.
[0:54:18] On behalf of the Skook Valley Youth
[0:54:20] Football and Cheerleading Association, I
[0:54:22] respectfully submit a statement to
[0:54:23] support the proposed new athletic
[0:54:25] center. Our organization is committed to
[0:54:27] fostering youth development, promoting
[0:54:29] teamwork and sportsmanship, and support
[0:54:32] the overall well-being of the student
[0:54:33] athletes within the Skookula Valley
[0:54:34] community. We recognize the new athletic
[0:54:37] center as a meaningful investment in
[0:54:39] safe, modern, and functional athletic
[0:54:41] facilities that will benefit not only
[0:54:43] junior high and high school athletic
[0:54:45] programs, but as a youth athletic
[0:54:47] program, youth athletic programs across
[0:54:50] the district. We believe this project
[0:54:52] will be a positive and lasting impact on
[0:54:54] students, families, and the and the
[0:54:56] broader school community. And we
[0:54:58] appreciate the board's consideration and
[0:55:00] continued commitment to enhancing the
[0:55:01] opportunities for our student athletes.
[0:55:04] Respectfully submitted from the Skook
[0:55:06] Valley Youth Football and Cheerleading
[0:55:07] Association.
[0:55:10] >> Thank you.
[0:55:11] Next on the list is Roxanne McMerry.
[0:55:20] Good evening. Mark Samic Merry Center
[0:55:22] Township. Before I start, can I You said
[0:55:24] it's not going to be question answer,
[0:55:25] but I have mostly questions. So, like,
[0:55:27] are you answering any questions or how
[0:55:29] like if we have questions, how do we get
[0:55:30] answers? You're welcome to ask the
[0:55:32] questions. They will not be answered at
[0:55:34] this point in time. If after public
[0:55:36] comment has concluded, there are
[0:55:38] specific questions that are raised that
[0:55:40] the board feels could be answered by the
[0:55:42] individuals that are here in attendance
[0:55:43] that would be handled separately.
[0:55:45] >> Okay. Okay.
[0:55:45] >> All right. Thank you.
[0:55:46] >> Our best to get you answers.
[0:55:48] >> Okay. All right. Perfect.
[0:55:50] Correct. And to the to the extent the
[0:55:52] answers aren't able to be answered
[0:55:53] tonight, it will be looked into further.
[0:55:55] >> Okay, perfect. Okay, great. Thank you.
[0:55:56] >> Yep.
[0:55:57] >> Um, so Roxan McMerry Center Township.
[0:55:59] So, I would like to start by saying I
[0:56:01] think the Fieldhouse is a great concept
[0:56:03] and I fully support athletics as I do
[0:56:05] believe that helps to develop
[0:56:06] well-rounded students. Um, I do have
[0:56:08] significant concerns though about the
[0:56:11] financial impact that this will have on
[0:56:13] the district. So, that's going to be
[0:56:14] most of my questions. Um so my first
[0:56:17] question is can you share with us what
[0:56:19] the current balance is in the capital
[0:56:20] reserves and the capital projects fund?
[0:56:22] Um I did my best to kind of develop that
[0:56:24] based on the audit report that was
[0:56:25] presented in November. Um the auditor
[0:56:28] did state at that time that there was
[0:56:29] about $8 million in capital reserve and
[0:56:31] capital um projects funds. So in the
[0:56:34] July to November minutes I did see there
[0:56:36] was about a half a million dollars of
[0:56:38] dispersements from those funds. So that
[0:56:40] does take that down to about $7.5
[0:56:42] million. from that um you have allocated
[0:56:45] $6 million for this project. So that
[0:56:47] takes it down to about 1.5 million. So
[0:56:49] then my next question is those pro the
[0:56:52] um the contracts that you approved at
[0:56:54] the October board meeting for the first
[0:56:56] phase of this project are those that was
[0:56:58] also a half a million. Are those project
[0:57:01] costs included in the $24 million in the
[0:57:03] packet or is that separate and that's
[0:57:05] also going to come out of the $ 1.5
[0:57:06] million? Because if that comes out of
[0:57:08] the 1.5 million that comes down to a
[0:57:10] million dollars. that is an extremely
[0:57:12] low balance to carry in a capital
[0:57:15] reserve fund for capital needs for the
[0:57:17] district. Um the other thing to point
[0:57:20] out is when the auditor was here in
[0:57:21] November, he said that our total fund
[0:57:24] balance for general fund and capital
[0:57:25] reserve is extremely low compared to
[0:57:27] other districts that they audit sits at
[0:57:29] a total of 15% compared to an average
[0:57:31] about 31% for other districts. In
[0:57:34] addition to that, our general fund
[0:57:35] balance is 5.1% of next year's budget,
[0:57:38] this current year's budgeted
[0:57:40] expenditures, which is also low compared
[0:57:42] to most districts who usually sit around
[0:57:44] 8% for unassigned and then have
[0:57:47] additional funds on top of that. So, my
[0:57:50] biggest concern obviously is the
[0:57:51] finances um related to that. So, the
[0:57:55] next question would be then, do you have
[0:57:56] a capital plan in place for this only $1
[0:57:59] million that we have on hand? What other
[0:58:01] capital needs are going to be coming up
[0:58:02] in the next couple years? Do you have
[0:58:04] the funds on hand to meet those
[0:58:06] projects? I don't know what's coming. I
[0:58:08] don't know if a boiler goes bad. You
[0:58:09] know, a million dollars does not go very
[0:58:11] far when it comes to big projects like
[0:58:13] that. What's the status of the HVAC
[0:58:15] projects with the elementary school and
[0:58:16] the high school? There's still stuff
[0:58:17] hanging out of windows at the elementary
[0:58:19] school. Is that still going to cost us
[0:58:21] more money? Are you going after
[0:58:23] contractors to get that stuff resolved?
[0:58:24] I'm not really sure. Items that aren't
[0:58:26] being repaired at the districts. I mean,
[0:58:28] in the bathroom here in the women's
[0:58:30] room, there's a sink that's been covered
[0:58:31] in plastic for years. Like, is that
[0:58:33] stuff going to be repaired? Do we have
[0:58:34] the funds to repair those items? Um, so
[0:58:38] that's pretty much the questions as far
[0:58:39] as my concerns for the financing. And
[0:58:41] then the only other question I have is
[0:58:43] actually in the pon the plan con
[0:58:44] booklet, the 2.5 roughly million dollars
[0:58:48] of other costs. If you could provide the
[0:58:50] information about what those other costs
[0:58:51] are and a little more detailed
[0:58:53] information on that. Um, I think that's
[0:58:56] pretty much it. Thank you. Thank you.
[0:59:00] All right. I have a David Zeers.
[0:59:08] Did I get that wrong? I'm sorry.
[0:59:09] >> No, you got that 100% right.
[0:59:11] >> Okay.
[0:59:12] >> Uh my name is David Zeers. I'm a
[0:59:13] resident on Ali Township.
[0:59:16] Um I'm gonna kind of piggyback off of
[0:59:18] what Miss McMarty was saying. You know,
[0:59:20] my mother always said, "If you're the
[0:59:21] smartest person in the room, you're in
[0:59:22] the wrong room." I can tell you right
[0:59:24] now, I'm in the right room. Um, I don't
[0:59:27] know numbers like most of you might
[0:59:29] know. I don't I'm not that bright with
[0:59:31] that kind of stuff. What I can do say
[0:59:33] is, uh, there's a lot of stuff that does
[0:59:35] seem to be broke around here that's not
[0:59:36] getting fixed. And we're wondering why
[0:59:38] we're looking at spending millions of
[0:59:40] dollars on a fieldhouse
[0:59:42] when there's other things that could be
[0:59:43] done. Uh, the head football coach
[0:59:45] pointed out himself, locker rooms aren't
[0:59:47] safe. The facilities are out of date.
[0:59:49] Why aren't we updating these facilities
[0:59:51] instead or making these locker rooms
[0:59:53] better instead of going and spending all
[0:59:55] this money? Now, I do understand also
[0:59:57] the benefits of this fieldhouse. After
[0:59:59] sitting here and listening to the
[1:00:00] coaches, I can 100% see it, but I also
[1:00:02] think that there should be some thought
[1:00:04] put into there might be other things
[1:00:06] that could be done. Um, the turf field,
[1:00:09] uh, I've never been a fan of turf
[1:00:10] fields. I know a lot of places pulled
[1:00:11] them out because of injuries. They're
[1:00:13] prone to injuries. I do know that. Maybe
[1:00:15] they've gotten better and that's better
[1:00:16] information I might want to look up, but
[1:00:18] I'm not too big on the turf field. The
[1:00:20] other rest of the facility, I could see
[1:00:22] the need for it for sure, but I think
[1:00:24] our biggest concern as a taxpayer is
[1:00:26] what's this going to cost us in the
[1:00:27] years to come. You know, uh our kids are
[1:00:30] going to be out of school in the next
[1:00:31] four or five years. And it's nothing
[1:00:33] against the kids that are coming up
[1:00:35] behind them. I mean, we're all about the
[1:00:36] future as well, but you know, what's
[1:00:38] this going to cost us as taxpayers
[1:00:40] sitting here having to pay this big loan
[1:00:42] that's coming out right now? Um, that's
[1:00:44] kind of u our main concerns on this. Uh,
[1:00:47] other than that, we the facility looks
[1:00:50] great. It looks great in in theory, but
[1:00:53] I really think that there's other things
[1:00:54] that should be getting done, you know,
[1:00:56] especially considering I can't remember
[1:00:59] how many almost gas leaks we've had.
[1:01:03] Hazmats, kids got evacuated from the
[1:01:05] school, moved to another school. No,
[1:01:06] never got confirmed what it was, but I
[1:01:08] feel like the school should be worrying
[1:01:10] about
[1:01:11] what they have and what they need to fix
[1:01:14] versus let's go spend another $28
[1:01:16] million on a fieldhouse. And then after
[1:01:19] we get the school in order, then we
[1:01:21] should be worrying about that kind of
[1:01:22] stuff. That's pretty much all I have.
[1:01:24] Thank you for your time. I appreciate
[1:01:25] it. Thank you.
[1:01:26] >> Thank you.
[1:01:28] >> All right. Next on the list, I have Nate
[1:01:32] Camoff. Yep.
[1:01:37] Hi there, Nate Camoff from Burn
[1:01:39] Township. Uh I'm a high school assistant
[1:01:42] track and field coach uh resident
[1:01:44] obviously and also I work with the Skook
[1:01:46] Valley youth basketball organization. Um
[1:01:49] just to start off with the high school
[1:01:51] track um side of things. I think uh
[1:01:54] again this uh overall for all of our
[1:01:57] sports in our school is very beneficial.
[1:02:00] Uh last year on the track team we had
[1:02:02] over a 100red athletes. So, um, the one
[1:02:04] thing working at another school district
[1:02:07] as a teacher and coaching track at that
[1:02:09] school district for 13 years, the one
[1:02:11] thing, um, I saw when we built a
[1:02:13] fieldhouse and a new stadium at that
[1:02:15] school district was that basically that
[1:02:17] centralized all of the sports. So, it
[1:02:20] was very very helpful to not only our
[1:02:22] sport, but all of the sports that used
[1:02:24] the outside facility. Uh, we knew where
[1:02:26] everybody was, everybody was
[1:02:28] accountable, uh, we could find people
[1:02:30] easier. So I think uh one aspect of all
[1:02:33] of this looking at how we have football
[1:02:35] in one locker room who has to walk
[1:02:37] around the building. The away team has
[1:02:39] to come from the middle school. I think
[1:02:41] in that regard all of the things that
[1:02:44] are happening would bring everybody
[1:02:45] together and and make it I think
[1:02:47] obviously safer as well to have this
[1:02:49] facility where now if we do have an a
[1:02:52] weather emergency or something happens
[1:02:53] at the stadium, we have a place where we
[1:02:56] can put all of our athletes because
[1:02:58] another track team comes to our school.
[1:03:00] that would probably be, you know, close
[1:03:01] to 200 or maybe more kids at one time.
[1:03:04] So, I think for for those types of
[1:03:06] things, not only obviously the benefits
[1:03:09] of our athletes and all of the
[1:03:11] community, but just thinking about it
[1:03:13] logistically, I think it solves a lot of
[1:03:15] problems for our district. Um, also, uh,
[1:03:18] in the winter time with youth
[1:03:20] basketball, it's it's always tough in
[1:03:23] all the other youth sports. I've already
[1:03:25] talked about how tough it is to access
[1:03:28] facilities and have time to practice.
[1:03:30] Um, obviously this will hope deter that
[1:03:34] and even if youth sports aren't able to
[1:03:36] use that all the time, it opens up all
[1:03:38] the other facilities for us to have that
[1:03:40] time. So, at least hopefully it ends up
[1:03:43] having uh youth sports have practice
[1:03:45] somewhere other than trying to fight for
[1:03:48] um you know that time. So again, I think
[1:03:51] uh with the way that the district has
[1:03:53] grown, even though it's not a super big
[1:03:55] school obviously, but I think we're at
[1:03:57] the point now where something has to
[1:03:59] give. Um my concerns about other things
[1:04:02] being fixed up, I think is a natural
[1:04:04] concern of a lot of people in our
[1:04:06] district as well. Um, but overall I I
[1:04:09] think, you know, as again the track
[1:04:11] coach and seeing everything happen and
[1:04:15] basically being able to centralize all
[1:04:17] of our sports in one area, um, I think
[1:04:20] too that would probably help bring the
[1:04:22] community together because everybody's
[1:04:24] going to be there at the same time. So,
[1:04:27] you know, those types of things I I
[1:04:29] think about. Um the other thing I would
[1:04:30] say as far as track is concerned is that
[1:04:33] you know we're definitely you know
[1:04:36] thinking about practicing right now.
[1:04:39] Obviously winter track is not an a
[1:04:41] varsity sport indoors but they do still
[1:04:44] have people compete and right now their
[1:04:46] practice area is the hallway. So that
[1:04:50] obviously gives us room to grow and
[1:04:52] potentially then maybe even get indoor
[1:04:54] track to be a varsity sport. Um and then
[1:04:57] >> sir, if you could just conclude your
[1:04:59] comments at the early
[1:05:00] >> Oh, sure. Thanks. The only other thing I
[1:05:02] will say about everything is that we are
[1:05:04] um a sport that has a lot of equipment
[1:05:06] and that shed out there has a ton of
[1:05:08] stuff. So, we would just obviously be
[1:05:10] concerned about the fact that we would
[1:05:12] still need storage somewhere for all of
[1:05:14] the things that we do have. Um but
[1:05:16] otherwise, you know, I think it would be
[1:05:18] great for all of our youth sports and
[1:05:19] our community. Thank you.
[1:05:21] >> Thank you.
[1:05:24] >> All right. Uh, next on the list is
[1:05:26] Phyllis Gassert Gassert.
[1:05:34] Sorry for the person that comes in after
[1:05:36] me with the mic. My name is Phyllis
[1:05:39] Gassert. I am a resident of Center
[1:05:41] Township. So, I'd like to say hello to
[1:05:44] the schoolboard members as well as the
[1:05:46] fellow community members.
[1:05:48] I am speaking tonight as a past Burks
[1:05:51] County athlete, a parent of two district
[1:05:54] children, each involved in three sports
[1:05:58] each, and a youth coach for multiple
[1:06:00] sports in and outside the school
[1:06:02] district, field hockey, basketball, and
[1:06:05] baseball.
[1:06:08] I agree there are many issues that need
[1:06:10] to take place in the school, the gas
[1:06:13] leagues, etc. However, this is capital
[1:06:16] dollars and it's used differently than
[1:06:19] your daily budget that goes against your
[1:06:22] maintenance.
[1:06:24] Our lack of facility space problem
[1:06:27] continues to worsen every year.
[1:06:31] Do you know there are roughly 45% of the
[1:06:34] middle school students and 38% of high
[1:06:37] school students play at least one sport
[1:06:40] in our district. Most SV youth programs
[1:06:44] can field at least two teams in each
[1:06:47] sport and countless number of SV kids.
[1:06:52] There is an increasing demand of
[1:06:54] athletic participation within the school
[1:06:56] district. Student athletes are not the
[1:06:58] only group that are affected by the
[1:07:00] indoor and field constraints.
[1:07:03] You have the marching band that needs
[1:07:05] field time as well as every student that
[1:07:08] participates in fizzed.
[1:07:11] Do you also know that in season outdoor
[1:07:14] sports part uh outdoor sports practices
[1:07:18] are cancelled during inclement weather
[1:07:20] due to the lack of space for all teams
[1:07:23] to practice.
[1:07:26] that youth K to six are participating
[1:07:28] later at night because there is no gym
[1:07:31] or turf space for them to practice like
[1:07:33] youth basketball and wrestling which are
[1:07:36] practicing till 9:00 at night when they
[1:07:39] should be at home in bed getting a good
[1:07:41] night's sleep for the following school
[1:07:43] day.
[1:07:45] Knowing all of this and as a community
[1:07:48] we have three options to fix the
[1:07:50] problem. One, do nothing, which is clear
[1:07:54] definition of insanity.
[1:07:56] Two, go back to the drawing board to
[1:07:58] look at additions, additional options,
[1:08:01] which would waste more time, money for
[1:08:04] engineering and permits, pushing the
[1:08:06] problem down the road and would cost
[1:08:08] even more than the proposed spend for
[1:08:11] the fieldhouse and probably take another
[1:08:14] 20 years as was stated earlier.
[1:08:18] or three approved both phases which
[1:08:21] includes the turf of the fieldhouse to
[1:08:24] help develop our students as athletes
[1:08:27] going forward. When I think of the
[1:08:30] problem we are facing, the fieldhouse
[1:08:32] would solve the immediate need for our
[1:08:34] students and community by additional
[1:08:36] locations for inport athletes to keep
[1:08:39] them competitive and prepping for games.
[1:08:42] the ability for the youth, which is the
[1:08:44] future of SV athletic programs, to train
[1:08:47] at acceptable times of the day and in a
[1:08:50] quality facility. Provide updated weight
[1:08:53] equipment and fitness space to eliminate
[1:08:55] current safety concerns. Provide space
[1:08:58] for storage of equipment that the
[1:09:01] district spent valuable money on.
[1:09:03] >> Can we wrap up?
[1:09:04] >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Well,
[1:09:08] so I'd like to say thank you to the past
[1:09:10] and present board members that took the
[1:09:12] time and the effort to present this plan
[1:09:15] and your dedication recognizes the
[1:09:17] problem at hand saving money and also
[1:09:19] show an initiative that the current
[1:09:22] currently supports our athletes and
[1:09:24] school. My recommendation to the board
[1:09:27] is listen to the comments that are valid
[1:09:29] related to the capital project and how
[1:09:31] money is spent per act 34. Vote on the
[1:09:34] entire project, including the turf,
[1:09:37] because if it doesn't happen now, it's
[1:09:38] not going to happen later. Vote for the
[1:09:41] best for our students in our community.
[1:09:44] And four, show the current and future
[1:09:46] students their participation in SV
[1:09:49] activities is welcomed, open armed, and
[1:09:52] they are worth it. Thank you.
[1:09:54] >> Thank you. Is anyone that's not already
[1:09:57] didn't previously sign up want to add
[1:09:59] their name to this list and offer
[1:10:01] comment? you can come up, add your name,
[1:10:03] and then I'll call it. Anyone else?
[1:11:04] All right, we have two additional
[1:11:05] comments starting uh in the order they
[1:11:08] were written down with Mr. Danny
[1:11:09] Vorhees.
[1:11:19] Good evening everybody. Uh, thank you
[1:11:21] for letting me signing up by the way.
[1:11:22] Sorry it was late.
[1:11:23] >> Yep. Just state your name, um, township
[1:11:24] and if you're a taxpayer, um, sorry, a
[1:11:27] resident or a employee.
[1:11:28] >> Yep. Um, Danny Vorhees. I am a resident
[1:11:30] of Center Township. I have three
[1:11:33] children that go to the school district.
[1:11:35] Uh, I'm going to read you a letter
[1:11:37] tonight that is on behalf of the Skookul
[1:11:39] Valley Wrestling Club. Uh, good evening.
[1:11:42] I hope this message finds each of you
[1:11:44] very well. On behalf of the Skookula
[1:11:46] Valley Wrestling Club, I'd like to
[1:11:47] express our full support for the
[1:11:49] proposed new athletic facility. Our
[1:11:52] growing school district is a testament
[1:11:54] to the strength and commitment in the
[1:11:56] community and which this school
[1:11:57] represents. However, with growth comes
[1:12:00] challenges. For several years, Skookul
[1:12:02] Valley has struggled with facility usage
[1:12:04] availability that has directly affected
[1:12:07] the wrestling community and has also
[1:12:09] affected and echoed through other youth
[1:12:11] organizations. The most common concerns
[1:12:13] we hear are a backlog of practice
[1:12:15] schedules at time. This has resulted in
[1:12:18] very late practice times resulting in
[1:12:20] our youngest athletes kindergarten age
[1:12:22] having to practice till 8 or 9:00 at
[1:12:24] night. In addition to scheduling
[1:12:26] challenges, the current weight room is
[1:12:29] outdated. It no longer meets the demands
[1:12:31] and needs of student athletes. As
[1:12:34] training standards have evolved, safety
[1:12:37] expectations and participation levels
[1:12:39] are evolving. The existing space
[1:12:41] equipment are struggling to keep pace. A
[1:12:45] modernized well-designed strength and
[1:12:47] conditioning area is essential for
[1:12:49] student athletes, their development,
[1:12:50] injury prevention, as long as well as
[1:12:54] overall progress for all athletes within
[1:12:56] the Skookul Valley community. A new
[1:12:58] athletic facility would significantly
[1:13:00] help alleviate all of these issues,
[1:13:02] allowing all sports activities to better
[1:13:05] manage schedules demanding while
[1:13:08] providing a safer and a more age
[1:13:10] appropriate experience for the kids.
[1:13:12] While we understand the financial
[1:13:13] investment is substantial, the pride in
[1:13:16] school student development and community
[1:13:18] support will be even greater. We do not
[1:13:20] wish to be long-winded, but we want to
[1:13:22] be very clear that the Skookul Valley
[1:13:23] Wrestling Club fully supports the
[1:13:26] commitment to the new athletic building.
[1:13:28] Spare no expense for the kids and show
[1:13:30] them that they're worth it. The last
[1:13:32] thing I would like to add very briefly
[1:13:33] is our strain was so bad that we
[1:13:36] actually had to outsource and we rent
[1:13:39] space every day or every month. We
[1:13:42] invested over $10,000 in new mats just
[1:13:44] so we could have a practice space. So,
[1:13:46] it got so bad for wrestling. every month
[1:13:48] we're paying rent just so we can have
[1:13:50] kids come in and there's almost 80 kids
[1:13:53] in that right now. So, thank you guys.
[1:13:58] >> Thank you. Uh uh Lisa Unwrath.
[1:14:08] >> So, my name is my name is Lisa Unwrath.
[1:14:10] I'm a resident of Antalani Township.
[1:14:13] Everything here tonight has been said is
[1:14:16] logical. It is reasonable.
[1:14:19] I'm a retired educator. Um 30 years in
[1:14:22] public education,
[1:14:24] but what's missing here that would make
[1:14:27] this a lot more palatable as a taxpayer?
[1:14:30] And I think for people who are talking
[1:14:32] about the money issue is what are we
[1:14:34] doing with the facilities that now
[1:14:37] exist?
[1:14:40] That's what I've not heard. I have
[1:14:43] watched some of the schoolboard
[1:14:45] meetings. I've listened. I didn't grow
[1:14:48] up going to this school, but my family
[1:14:50] did. And so, we're going to now have
[1:14:53] rooms here, locker rooms, other areas.
[1:14:58] What is happening to those? Are they
[1:15:01] going to be turned into other
[1:15:03] facilities? That takes money.
[1:15:07] Are they just going to be boarded up?
[1:15:10] Someone brought up about the gas links.
[1:15:13] I live up on King Corner. I get to watch
[1:15:15] all the everything come and go out of
[1:15:17] here. It's very interesting.
[1:15:20] And so as you're addressing this again,
[1:15:24] it's logical. It makes sense. It's
[1:15:26] needed. We need to have facilities here
[1:15:31] that when the kids get to high school,
[1:15:33] they stay here and don't go to Burks
[1:15:35] Catholic. I get it. I understand it. You
[1:15:39] know, you had the brain drain. We have
[1:15:41] the sports drain. Understood. But tell
[1:15:44] us the whole story. Tell us how the rest
[1:15:49] of the facilities are going to be used
[1:15:52] and how are we going to pay for them. We
[1:15:55] have a rosy financial picture that's
[1:15:58] being told to us. Well, my job now that
[1:16:01] I'm retired is I do grant management for
[1:16:04] the Commonwealth. You see, I know those
[1:16:06] numbers are great on paper, but I also
[1:16:09] know what the reality is of where it's
[1:16:11] going to be in a few years. That's not
[1:16:14] where it's going to be.
[1:16:16] So, let's be honest with the taxpayers.
[1:16:21] I'm getting older.
[1:16:23] I want to know what it is going to be my
[1:16:27] tax mil millage and am I going to be
[1:16:30] able to afford to stay in my house
[1:16:34] because I don't have children. And yes,
[1:16:36] I have grandchildren who will be in this
[1:16:37] district, but I don't where is that
[1:16:40] going to be? And can I afford it?
[1:16:43] Because if we can't afford to be in this
[1:16:45] district, what good is it going to be?
[1:16:48] Because then we'll have all these great
[1:16:50] facilities, but no one's going to be
[1:16:52] able to afford to live here. So then
[1:16:55] where are we? So we need to lay out a
[1:16:58] full plan here. This isn't just about
[1:17:02] now. hits and building this building.
[1:17:06] What happens with the space that's being
[1:17:09] vacated?
[1:17:11] How are we rendering them? How are we
[1:17:14] repurposing them?
[1:17:17] So, please give us a full picture,
[1:17:20] communicate.
[1:17:23] Thank you. Is anyone else that is here
[1:17:26] and would like to speak but hasn't
[1:17:27] already want to sign up?
[1:17:30] All right. Just as a reminder, and I
[1:17:32] mentioned this earlier in my
[1:17:33] introductory comment, if there's anyone
[1:17:35] here that wants to offer commentary in
[1:17:37] writing, um you're able to do that
[1:17:39] through February 6th. It should be
[1:17:41] delivered um either in person or mailed
[1:17:43] to Dr. Wyinners here at the
[1:17:45] administrative building. And that will
[1:17:46] conclude the public comment section.
[1:17:49] >> Uh Alicia, can I make a statement to
[1:17:52] address some of the issues that that
[1:17:54] came up?
[1:17:55] >> Sure.
[1:17:56] >> Um you
[1:17:58] >> Yeah, my name's Al Rossy. I'm the
[1:18:00] director of buildings and grounds. Uh
[1:18:02] well, school the committee chair for
[1:18:05] buildings and grounds for the school
[1:18:07] board. Um we did have a lot of
[1:18:09] discussions about what to do with our
[1:18:12] spaces when we were going through the
[1:18:14] design of this project. Um back in 2020,
[1:18:17] the school took out a $23 million bond.
[1:18:21] And at that point, we used it to uh work
[1:18:23] on our HVAC systems, replace roofs on
[1:18:26] the buildings, um do a lot of other
[1:18:28] maintenance and upkeep. We rebuilt the
[1:18:30] sewage lift station that services the
[1:18:32] school. Um, we redid the pool. We did
[1:18:36] the stage in the auditorium and a number
[1:18:39] of other projects. Um, as of November,
[1:18:41] we still had about $3 million left in
[1:18:45] that fund. Um, [clears throat]
[1:18:49] we've done equipment replacement in
[1:18:52] several of the cafeterias.
[1:18:54] Um, we removed all the carpeting from
[1:18:57] the middle school, polished the concrete
[1:18:59] floors, uh, because the carpets,
[1:19:01] frankly, were an allergen and air
[1:19:04] quality issue for us. Um, so we've done
[1:19:07] a lot of work on the buildings. Um, and
[1:19:09] and that is kind of what led us into
[1:19:12] thinking about the fieldhouse more
[1:19:13] seriously. Um, as was discussed, this
[1:19:16] has been a project since some of the
[1:19:17] board members here were students. Um,
[1:19:22] we invested that $20 million over the
[1:19:24] last five years.
[1:19:27] We'll be done paying a large portion of
[1:19:30] that debt off uh in 2027, which frees up
[1:19:34] a little bit of our our debt payment to
[1:19:36] apply to the new loan that we are
[1:19:38] considering.
[1:19:41] The life cycle of the roofs and the HVAC
[1:19:44] systems and some of the other equipment
[1:19:46] that we've installed is about 15 to 20
[1:19:49] years, which puts us out to about 2040,
[1:19:52] which is about the time we'll be done
[1:19:53] paying for the fieldhouse.
[1:19:56] So, what we looked at was this is sort
[1:19:59] of like if you buy a car and your car
[1:20:02] payment is $500 a month, you pay off
[1:20:07] that car in five years
[1:20:10] and then you put that $500 a month into
[1:20:14] your spouse's car
[1:20:16] and that gets paid off in five years.
[1:20:19] And then at that time your child needs a
[1:20:21] car, you still are making that $500 a
[1:20:23] month payment. hasn't changed your
[1:20:25] finances at all. It's been a constant
[1:20:29] for years, for a decade or more.
[1:20:33] That's sort of what we looked at here.
[1:20:36] We have a debt payment that we started
[1:20:39] with the with this um with the field
[1:20:42] when it was redone. We bumped it up a
[1:20:44] bit in 2020 when we took out a loan. We
[1:20:47] did all the work on all these facilities
[1:20:50] and that payment is going to continue.
[1:20:53] Now what we're looking at is continuing
[1:20:55] that payment through to about 2041 I
[1:20:58] think was the number I saw
[1:21:01] is what we're considering
[1:21:04] staying steady with that payment not
[1:21:06] increasing it but $180,000 it's I think
[1:21:10] 3 09 million per year now it'll bump up
[1:21:14] to 3.297 297 or something like that. So,
[1:21:18] it's a minimal increase.
[1:21:21] That $3.3 million debt payment per year
[1:21:26] represents
[1:21:28] less than 10% of our overall budget, our
[1:21:32] annual budget. It's I think around 8%
[1:21:35] now.
[1:21:37] So what we looked at was that this is
[1:21:39] the window of opportunity to do
[1:21:41] something like this because
[1:21:44] we've done a lot of the big maintenance
[1:21:45] items. They should hold for the period
[1:21:48] where we're paying this off at which
[1:21:51] point we'll have that $3 million a year
[1:21:54] to plow into redoing those systems
[1:21:57] again.
[1:21:59] Now when we did the HVAC systems in the
[1:22:01] schools this time around we went with
[1:22:04] decentraliz decentralization
[1:22:06] of the units so that when we have to
[1:22:10] replace them again we don't have to do
[1:22:12] the entire thing. We can do it peacemeal
[1:22:15] as units fail which we were hoping
[1:22:18] is going to be easier to take on later
[1:22:22] but we're looking 15 years down the
[1:22:24] road.
[1:22:26] That's what we're attempting to do.
[1:22:29] Um, I'm very fiscally conservative in my
[1:22:33] private life. Um, the school district
[1:22:35] has been fiscally conservative for a
[1:22:38] long time. We have an extremely high
[1:22:40] bond rating because of that. We have not
[1:22:43] raised your taxes, but once since I've
[1:22:45] been on the board in 2017,
[1:22:48] and it was minimal at that point. Um,
[1:22:52] we've seen a lot of additional costs
[1:22:54] come our way, and we've been able to tow
[1:22:55] the line. Um, our biggest concern,
[1:22:58] frankly, is our operating costs rising.
[1:23:01] Uh, the county did us dirty when they
[1:23:04] put the youth center in and and we have
[1:23:07] to educate those children and we need to
[1:23:10] do it there. We can't do it here. That's
[1:23:13] several hundred,000 a year that we've
[1:23:15] had to put out as an operating cost, not
[1:23:17] a capital expense. We can't depreciate
[1:23:19] that. That's only going to go up.
[1:23:23] So that's where we came from and how we
[1:23:27] got to where we sit right now
[1:23:29] considering this project. My children
[1:23:31] came through the youth sports programs.
[1:23:36] A lot of noise you heard back here was
[1:23:38] our middle school cheerleading practice
[1:23:40] happening in the cafeteria of the high
[1:23:42] school.
[1:23:44] Um, I know that
[1:23:47] as a as a parent of an athlete,
[1:23:50] canceled practices can be a problem for
[1:23:52] parents because then they have to
[1:23:54] rearrange their schedules. It's nice if
[1:23:56] they can just depend on the practice
[1:23:58] happening. It's nice if they know it's
[1:24:00] going to happen in a safe place.
[1:24:03] It's nice that kids have some physical
[1:24:06] activity after school to kind of blow
[1:24:08] off some steam. It helps with their
[1:24:11] mental health, helps with their physical
[1:24:13] health.
[1:24:15] My personal feeling is that if you have
[1:24:17] a healthy body, you'll have a healthy
[1:24:20] mind.
[1:24:22] Um, and so that that's all of where we
[1:24:25] were coming from to get to here.
[1:24:29] As was stated earlier, we haven't made a
[1:24:30] decision, but we couldn't present
[1:24:33] anything to you halfway. we had to go
[1:24:35] fully into design, fully into bid, fully
[1:24:38] through permitting to see what we were
[1:24:40] going to actually ask you to support. So
[1:24:43] that's where we are now. So I hope that
[1:24:45] answers some of the questions you had,
[1:24:47] gives you a little bit of light on the
[1:24:48] history of how we got to this point.
[1:24:54] Are we able to answer any of uh Roxan's
[1:24:57] questions about the the financial impact
[1:25:01] especially of the one specifically of
[1:25:04] money that's already been expended? Is
[1:25:06] that part of that $24 million project?
[1:25:11] Are those costs included in that overall
[1:25:14] 24?
[1:25:20] Okay. It It's not that that question of
[1:25:24] the 500 that's already been spent. Is
[1:25:26] that part of that that budget already?
[1:25:31] >> We're we're not paying for that with the
[1:25:33] bond fund. So, we're paying for that out
[1:25:35] of pocket.
[1:25:36] >> Okay.
[1:25:37] >> Including all the design and the
[1:25:38] engineering we've been paying for as we
[1:25:40] go. We're not waiting for the bond to
[1:25:43] pay for those items.
[1:25:45] >> That's not
[1:25:46] >> No, that's not debt. that's paid for,
[1:25:49] >> right? Okay.
[1:25:52] >> And we we are going to put together
[1:25:55] [clears throat] kind of an FAQ document
[1:25:57] of several of the questions that were
[1:25:59] asked this evening that we can provide
[1:26:02] answers to and put on our, you know,
[1:26:04] website so that folks here can look at
[1:26:06] it as well as anybody listening via live
[1:26:09] stream. And some of the other specific
[1:26:11] questions that were asked regarding
[1:26:12] financials will be included in that.
[1:26:16] And I just want to mention also that,
[1:26:19] you know, we haven't got a bid back. So,
[1:26:21] we don't know what a contractor is going
[1:26:22] to actually tell us this is going to
[1:26:23] cost to build. Um, so this is our best
[1:26:27] estimate, and we have talented design
[1:26:30] engineers that have a lot of experience,
[1:26:32] have done recent projects, have as good
[1:26:35] quality numbers as we can get to try to
[1:26:38] make a guess at what the estimate is
[1:26:40] going to be. So what we're we're
[1:26:41] presenting to you is our best effort to
[1:26:44] give you real numbers, but we will have
[1:26:46] real numbers. I believe in February.
[1:26:49] When when is the when is the bid coming
[1:26:51] due? Maybe not February. March. Sorry.
[1:26:54] >> March.
[1:26:54] >> In March is when we would get actual
[1:26:56] numbers
[1:26:57] uh that that are concrete and real.
[1:27:07] >> I just want to thank everyone for coming
[1:27:09] out tonight. I mean it it's it's very
[1:27:11] helpful to have input from the community
[1:27:13] and also to remind everyone that we will
[1:27:16] be taking um emails and letters or
[1:27:20] whatever how you want to send it in for
[1:27:22] the next 30 days as we make this
[1:27:25] >> just as a correction it's not be I think
[1:27:27] the advertisement specifically says no
[1:27:28] emails so it's in person or mail I just
[1:27:30] didn't want to mislead anyone and their
[1:27:32] comments not be included
[1:27:33] >> okay so they have to send it in or
[1:27:36] >> hand it in okay Um, again, thank you
[1:27:40] very much for the input and and the
[1:27:42] board will be taking all of that into
[1:27:44] consideration.
[1:27:47] >> And if if anyone that wasn't able to
[1:27:50] attend tonight or that is listening
[1:27:52] would like a copy of the Act 34 booklet
[1:27:56] that the presentation was based on, we
[1:27:58] will have those copies um in district
[1:28:01] office. Um, and folks can come by and
[1:28:04] pick one of those up. Um, and you know,
[1:28:06] we will also find a way to get the
[1:28:09] documents online as well if people want
[1:28:11] to access them that way. And I would
[1:28:13] echo what Mrs. Weant said as well. Thank
[1:28:15] you very much for coming out tonight
[1:28:17] and, you know, for sharing your thoughts
[1:28:19] regarding this, you know, very important
[1:28:22] possible next step for the district. So,
[1:28:24] thank you and have a great evening.
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2026-02-02_HhV_iHocxxY.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2026-02-02 (regular; post-hearing answers, FAQ promised)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhV_iHocxxY
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:00:30] Oops.
[0:00:42] Microphone. I'd like to call to order
[0:00:44] the Skoal Valley School board meeting.
[0:00:46] Can everyone please rise for the pledge
[0:00:47] to the flag?
[0:00:51] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
[0:00:53] United States of America and to the
[0:00:55] republic for which it stands. One nation
[0:00:59] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[0:01:01] justice for all.
[0:01:06] >> You have a roll call, please.
[0:01:10] >> Mr. Amarell,
[0:01:11] >> here.
[0:01:12] >> Mr. Brown,
[0:01:13] >> here.
[0:01:14] >> Mrs. Lash,
[0:01:14] >> here.
[0:01:15] >> Mrs. Matthews,
[0:01:16] >> here.
[0:01:17] >> Mr. Mo is absent. Mr. Rossi
[0:01:20] >> here.
[0:01:20] >> Mrs. Stany
[0:01:21] >> here. Mrs. Want
[0:01:23] >> here.
[0:01:24] >> Mr. Want
[0:01:25] >> here.
[0:01:27] >> Okay. The first item on the agenda is
[0:01:29] approval of the minutes for the regular
[0:01:31] meeting of the November 24th, 2025
[0:01:34] meeting, the reorganization meeting of
[0:01:36] December 2nd, 2025, and the special
[0:01:39] meeting of December 15, 2025. May I have
[0:01:42] a motion, please?
[0:01:43] >> So move. Lash.
[0:01:44] >> Second. Rossy.
[0:01:47] Any questions or comments?
[0:01:50] Hearing none, I'll call for the vote.
[0:01:52] All those in favor say I. I.
[0:01:54] >> I. Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z.
[0:01:58] The board met in executive session on
[0:02:01] Monday, January 5th for personnel
[0:02:03] matters and also following the committee
[0:02:06] meeting on January 19th for personnel,
[0:02:08] legal, safety, and student matters.
[0:02:12] Okay, moving on to special recognition.
[0:02:16] turn it over to Dr. Winters.
[0:02:18] >> Thank you, Mrs. Wen.
[0:02:20] It's my privilege this evening to
[0:02:22] recognize Dr. Salomon Loush, who's been
[0:02:24] selected as a Burks County Hero by the
[0:02:27] American Red Cross, Pennsylvania Rivers
[0:02:29] chapter and the 2026 Heroes Breakfast
[0:02:32] Planning Committee. Simply being
[0:02:35] nominated for a Hero Award speaks
[0:02:37] volumes about Dr. Lash's character and
[0:02:39] contributions. The Heroes Breakfast was
[0:02:42] created to recognize community heroes
[0:02:44] and to bring to life the Red Cross
[0:02:46] mission of helping people prevent,
[0:02:48] prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
[0:02:51] Our community is fortunate to have
[0:02:53] individuals like Dr. Louash, who work
[0:02:55] tirelessly to make Burks County a
[0:02:57] better, safer place to live. The
[0:03:00] Community Impact Hero Award, for which
[0:03:02] Dr. Lous was nominated and selected for
[0:03:05] is presented to an individual, community
[0:03:07] group, neighborhood organization, or
[0:03:10] local company that demonstrated a
[0:03:12] commitment to making a difference in the
[0:03:14] community. As many of you know, Dr. Lash
[0:03:17] visits the elementary school regularly,
[0:03:20] reads in student classrooms, spends time
[0:03:22] at lunch, and is a hero to many of our
[0:03:25] youngest learners. As someone who was at
[0:03:27] the elementary school on January 22nd to
[0:03:30] see his work in action, I can attest
[0:03:33] that he is indeed making a difference in
[0:03:35] the SVSD community and the students the
[0:03:38] district serves. Again, please join me
[0:03:41] in congratulating Dr. Louch on this
[0:03:43] incredible honor.
[0:03:50] I would now like to welcome to the
[0:03:52] podium Mr. Peter Brown, executive
[0:03:54] director of the American Red Cross,
[0:03:56] Pennsylvania Rivers chapter that serves
[0:03:58] Northampton, Lehi, Burks, Skookul,
[0:04:01] Colombia, Montour, North Uberland,
[0:04:04] Snyder, and Union counties to share a
[0:04:07] few words. Mr. Brown,
[0:04:08] >> thank you and thank you for the
[0:04:09] opportunity to be here this evening.
[0:04:11] This is a rare privilege for me. I don't
[0:04:13] usually get to meet any of our heroes
[0:04:14] until our breakfast, which is coming up
[0:04:16] on March 6th. So, I would love to extend
[0:04:19] an invitation to the board and to the
[0:04:21] school district to join us. And I just
[0:04:23] want to take a minute and read the
[0:04:25] nomination for you that we received for
[0:04:27] Dr. Louch.
[0:04:30] Dr. Louch is a former superintendent of
[0:04:32] Skookul Valley School District. I teach
[0:04:34] kindergarten at SVEes where Dr. Louch
[0:04:37] visits my classroom in the classrooms of
[0:04:39] six other kindergarten teachers each
[0:04:40] month. Dr. Lous loves to visit our
[0:04:43] classes and engage them in awesome
[0:04:45] stories, raising our students interest
[0:04:47] in reading, writing, and illustrating.
[0:04:50] When he visits, he loves to practice
[0:04:52] counting with them as well, counting
[0:04:54] their smiles each time he comes. He
[0:04:56] enforces active listening skills,
[0:04:58] reminding students to sit nicely, raise
[0:05:01] their hand, and celebrate others when
[0:05:03] they share out ideas. Dr. Louch also
[0:05:07] loves to spend extra time with the
[0:05:08] students at lunch and recess. He serves
[0:05:11] as a positive male figure in their life
[0:05:14] and reinforces language arts skills that
[0:05:16] we teach, such as learning how to retell
[0:05:19] a story, making predictions, and
[0:05:22] learning what authors and illustrators
[0:05:24] do. This is my fourth year teaching at
[0:05:27] Skooko Valley, and Dr. Louch has made me
[0:05:29] feel welcome and invited right from the
[0:05:32] very start. Any child or adult who gets
[0:05:35] to spend time with him is sure lucky.
[0:05:38] You can also read more about him in the
[0:05:40] recent article by Burks Weekly. And this
[0:05:42] nomination was submitted by Cassidy Real
[0:05:46] kindergarten teacher here at the Skookul
[0:05:48] Valley Elementary School. Um, as the
[0:05:51] director, executive director of the
[0:05:52] American Red Cross, I've had
[0:05:54] responsibility for Burks County as part
[0:05:56] of the chapter since 2020, but I've
[0:05:59] actually been active as a Red Cross
[0:06:01] volunteer and engaged with the Burks
[0:06:03] County chapter for almost 20 years
[0:06:05] before that. Um, this is our 24th annual
[0:06:08] Heroes Breakfast. It is one of the
[0:06:10] longest continuously operating
[0:06:14] uh, fundraising and community
[0:06:16] acknowledgement and recognition events
[0:06:17] in Burks County. Uh, survived two years
[0:06:20] being virtual during the pandemic where
[0:06:22] we all learned a lot of new ways to get
[0:06:25] things done. Um, I just really want to
[0:06:29] thank the teacher who nominated Dr.
[0:06:31] Louch. This is not a typical story for
[0:06:34] the Red Cross. As you probably know, a
[0:06:36] lot of our stories involve buildings
[0:06:38] being on fire or floods or hurricanes or
[0:06:41] such. So, it was a really it was a joy
[0:06:44] to see someone be nominated for their
[0:06:46] work with children. They are truly our
[0:06:49] future. We provide uh home fire safety
[0:06:52] training programs and disaster
[0:06:54] preparedness training programs for that
[0:06:57] that age and on up through senior
[0:06:58] citizens. So it is really important to
[0:07:02] get them comfortable hearing stories and
[0:07:04] sharing stories and taking things home
[0:07:06] to their families. So on behalf of the
[0:07:08] American Red Cross, Dr. Loush,
[0:07:10] congratulations and I look forward to
[0:07:12] seeing you at our breakfast on March
[0:07:14] 6th.
[0:07:23] Thank you, Mr. Brown. The district
[0:07:24] appreciates your attendance and comments
[0:07:26] and thanks the American Red Cross
[0:07:28] Pennsylvania Rivers chapter for
[0:07:30] recognizing Dr. Louch as a Burks County
[0:07:32] hero. Dr. Louch, would you like to say a
[0:07:34] few words?
[0:07:37] The key word is few. I
[0:07:41] always was cognizant of people who wind
[0:07:43] on winning and not yabbiting yabbiting.
[0:07:46] I just think it's a it's a good signal
[0:07:47] for our school district and for I also
[0:07:49] do this down at Glennside in in the city
[0:07:52] and uh the idea is male role models
[0:07:54] number one because most of the teachers
[0:07:56] are women which is just great but it's
[0:07:58] also for little kids to understand that
[0:08:00] Dr. Mr. Winters has a 5-year-old. So, we
[0:08:02] have he understands the little the
[0:08:04] 5-year-old psychology. And I want you to
[0:08:07] know, folks, that in our whole school
[0:08:08] district, the high school has really
[0:08:11] good smiles. The middle school has good
[0:08:14] smiles, and the older kids at the
[0:08:16] elementary school have good smiles. But
[0:08:18] the best smiles in the whole school
[0:08:20] district are kindergarten. And we start
[0:08:22] each little session with them. We count
[0:08:24] smiles. And it's a nice way to little
[0:08:26] make I and there's so you know there
[0:08:28] there's so much subject to be people
[0:08:31] being with him. So it's my privilege to
[0:08:34] do all this to be part of this and I
[0:08:36] want to thank you for taking the time
[0:08:37] this evening. I really appreciate it.
[0:08:40] Thank you
[0:08:44] >> Dr. Lash. I I just like to to thank you
[0:08:47] for your dedication to Skookul Valley.
[0:08:49] It was a privilege and honor to serve
[0:08:51] under you as superintendent for all
[0:08:53] those years. And the fact that you moved
[0:08:56] into our community, you stayed in our
[0:08:59] community even after you retired and now
[0:09:02] you're still continuing to give back to
[0:09:04] Skookul Valley after all these years is
[0:09:06] a true testament to your your dedication
[0:09:08] to Skookul Valley and our students. So,
[0:09:10] thank you very much.
[0:09:17] The next recognition I would like to do
[0:09:19] this evening is I'd like to say
[0:09:20] something about our school board
[0:09:22] members. On behalf of the Skugo Valley
[0:09:25] School District, I'd like to take this
[0:09:27] opportunity to recognize and express our
[0:09:30] sincere appreciation to our board of
[0:09:31] directors for their outstanding service
[0:09:33] and steadfast commitment to the success
[0:09:36] of our students, staff, and schools. As
[0:09:38] some of you may know, um January is
[0:09:40] schoolboard appreciation month. And
[0:09:42] while it's February 2nd, um I did not
[0:09:45] want to miss this opportunity to
[0:09:46] recognize our board members. Um tonight,
[0:09:49] um I'd like to honor the nine
[0:09:51] individuals who give so generously of
[0:09:53] their time, expertise, and judgment in
[0:09:55] governing our district. Carol Want,
[0:09:57] board president, Frank Amarell, board
[0:09:59] vice president, Linda Lash, board
[0:10:01] secretary, Joe Brown, Lauren Matthews,
[0:10:04] David Mull, Al Rossi, Kelly Stinke, and
[0:10:07] Dan Wean. These dedicated leaders
[0:10:10] exemplify the best practices of
[0:10:12] schoolboard service as outlined by the
[0:10:14] Pennsylvania Schoolboards Association,
[0:10:16] embracing a shared vision for student
[0:10:17] achievement, upholding high expectations
[0:10:20] for all learners, and ensuring the
[0:10:22] district's accountability to its mission
[0:10:23] and values. They govern with
[0:10:25] transparency and integrity, make
[0:10:27] decisions grounded in data and community
[0:10:29] input, and support policies that place
[0:10:32] students first. Our board members
[0:10:34] volunteer countless hours to study
[0:10:36] complex issues, to attend meetings and
[0:10:38] training, and engage thoughtfully with
[0:10:40] our families and staff and community
[0:10:43] partners. Through their leadership, the
[0:10:45] district continues to provide a
[0:10:46] rigorous, equitable, and inspiring
[0:10:48] educational experience for every
[0:10:50] student. And so, as a district, we
[0:10:52] extend our heartfelt gratitude for their
[0:10:54] guidance and foresight and dedication to
[0:10:56] making the district a place where
[0:10:58] excellence thrives and futures are
[0:11:00] built. And so I'd like to thank all of
[0:11:02] you for your service and for your
[0:11:04] continuing commitment to the children of
[0:11:07] the district. So we have a round of
[0:11:09] applause for our board members, please.
[0:11:16] As a token of our appreciation, um there
[0:11:18] is a bag at each of your seats and
[0:11:21] inside there um you'll find some Skuka
[0:11:24] Valley School District coasters that
[0:11:26] were created by students in our high
[0:11:27] school technology education department.
[0:11:30] You'll find a sweet treat provided by
[0:11:32] Louisa Trumbore and our Spook Valley
[0:11:34] Food Services Department, which we all
[0:11:36] know is delicious. And there is also a
[0:11:39] video card keepsake for the video um
[0:11:44] that I'm getting ready to share. And um
[0:11:47] earlier uh this semester um several of
[0:11:51] our board members went into Mrs. roles
[0:11:54] classroom at the high school and engaged
[0:11:56] in conversation around how policy and
[0:11:59] administrative regulations are developed
[0:12:02] and Mrs. Manzer who's here in the
[0:12:04] audience this evening worked with some
[0:12:06] of our teachers and students to put a
[0:12:07] video together and so I'm going to ask
[0:12:10] the tech department in the back to play
[0:12:11] the video so that um we can um see that
[0:12:15] and you can hear from some of our
[0:12:16] learners how much they appreciate and
[0:12:18] value the work that you do.
[0:12:37] Welcome to another edition of
[0:12:39] schoolboard appreciation month at Skugal
[0:12:42] Valley School District. Here in the
[0:12:44] studio with Dr. Shuko's fifth grade
[0:12:46] gifted class
[0:12:48] today, we'd like to thank Skugal Valley
[0:12:51] School Board for their contributions to
[0:12:54] our school district. But first, we need
[0:12:56] to know what they do at Google Valley.
[0:12:58] To answer this question, we go to Miss
[0:13:00] Row's Clanma's 10th grade class. We just
[0:13:04] finished a unit on policy change.
[0:13:08] >> Thank you, Dr. Shooker's fifth grade
[0:13:10] gifted class. Yes, we just spent two
[0:13:12] days interacting with several SP board
[0:13:14] members. We learned that they are
[0:13:15] volunteers from our community and they
[0:13:17] spend a lot of their time at our school
[0:13:18] discussing what's happening here and how
[0:13:20] they can make our schools better.
[0:13:22] >> So, did you learn anything surprising
[0:13:24] about their role at Skooko Valley?
[0:13:27] Yes, we were surprised that they have a
[0:13:29] part in multiple committees, budget and
[0:13:30] finance, student services, curriculum,
[0:13:33] and building and grounds. Each board
[0:13:34] member spends time in one of those
[0:13:36] areas. We had a new and returning board
[0:13:38] members come into the classroom. Many of
[0:13:41] the new board members shared why they
[0:13:43] ran and have professional experiences
[0:13:45] that bring a unique perspective to the
[0:13:48] roles. You must have gotten some good
[0:13:50] insights from the school board members
[0:13:52] about what kind of changes can be
[0:13:54] enacted at a school district.
[0:13:57] What kinds of changes do you envision
[0:13:58] for the future of our schools?
[0:14:01] >> Yes, we talked about some of the school
[0:14:03] policies and the code of conduct which
[0:14:05] all three buildings operate under. Some
[0:14:07] of the ideas we shared were with the
[0:14:09] school board members who visited our
[0:14:10] school. These ideas were the cell phone
[0:14:13] policy, both making it a bel and those
[0:14:15] who want more access in the hallways at
[0:14:17] the high school, inclusion of a student
[0:14:19] voice at the school board level and
[0:14:21] opportunities to share directly from
[0:14:23] students. changing the start time of
[0:14:25] school day and increasing the course
[0:14:27] offerings at the high school with driver
[0:14:29] as driver's education being considered.
[0:14:31] The board listened to our concerned and
[0:14:33] shared past practices on some of the
[0:14:35] issues at hand. We'd love to see
[0:14:37] students participate in future
[0:14:38] discussions with the school board. We
[0:14:40] appreciated that school board members
[0:14:42] were willing to visit our classrooms and
[0:14:45] listen to our ideas and share their
[0:14:47] feedback. We are excited for the future
[0:14:49] of Skookul Valley.
[0:14:50] >> Wow, that's a great vision for our
[0:14:52] future. We'd like to thank the school
[0:14:55] board members who visited our classroom
[0:14:56] for this unit. Thank you to board
[0:14:59] president Carol,
[0:15:01] board secretary Linda Lash, and board
[0:15:03] members Dan Meant, Joseph Brown, and
[0:15:06] Lauren Matthews for joining our
[0:15:08] discussion on policy change.
[0:15:10] >> Anything else you'd like to say about
[0:15:12] your experience at the SV school board?
[0:15:15] >> Thank you school board members for
[0:15:17] volunteering your time to our school. We
[0:15:21] also have a message for our classmates,
[0:15:24] for all the board members.
[0:15:27] >> Thank you for all that you do.
[0:15:30] >> Thank you for giving up time with your
[0:15:32] family for our Panther families. Thanks,
[0:15:35] Mom.
[0:15:37] >> Thank you for keeping students at the
[0:15:39] heart of all your decisions.
[0:15:41] >> And thank you for doing what's best for
[0:15:42] kids.
[0:15:44] >> That's great, Panthers. On behalf of the
[0:15:47] students at Skookulo Valley School
[0:15:49] District, we'd also like to say thanks
[0:15:52] to our board of members. Thank you for
[0:15:56] your dedication to our schools.
[0:16:00] >> We're looking forward to a bright future
[0:16:02] for all the Panthers at Skookul Valley.
[0:16:05] >> We are SV and we approve of this
[0:16:07] message.
[0:16:15] So, so all of the board members, you all
[0:16:17] have a video card in your bag that is
[0:16:19] that video you just saw in card format
[0:16:22] just so that you have that as a keepsake
[0:16:24] and can refer back to that. Um, and
[0:16:27] again, I want to thank Miss Manzer and
[0:16:29] working with Mrs. Shooker or Dr.
[0:16:30] Shooker, excuse me, and Mrs. Rolls
[0:16:32] Cranmer to get some of that footage. So,
[0:16:35] thank you all. Very much appreciate it.
[0:16:39] Okay, we'll move on to uh presentations.
[0:16:42] We have a couple of presentations this
[0:16:44] evening. Uh the first is the uh data
[0:16:47] followup.
[0:16:54] Good evening.
[0:16:57] Back in November at our board meeting,
[0:16:59] our assistant principles had presented
[0:17:02] some growth data to the board members to
[0:17:06] explain. Thank you. Um how we were doing
[0:17:10] in terms of growth in the district in
[0:17:13] language arts, math, and science. And
[0:17:17] one of the requests was that we get some
[0:17:20] more historical data. So I'm going to
[0:17:22] present that to you this evening. Um I'm
[0:17:25] actually going to present
[0:17:28] four different types of data today. Um
[0:17:32] there's achievement data which is
[0:17:34] basically our performance very
[0:17:37] straightforward on our standardized
[0:17:39] tests.
[0:17:41] Our growth data in a little bit more
[0:17:43] detail than the presentation from
[0:17:45] November. And again that's how students
[0:17:48] grow from year to year. the school
[0:17:51] performance profile scores
[0:17:54] and also just to share the future ready
[0:17:57] index and this presentation was shared
[0:18:00] with all the board members ahead of
[0:18:01] time. So the link that is there in the
[0:18:03] presentation that you would have gotten
[0:18:05] electronically is live so you can click
[0:18:07] on that to see the future ready index.
[0:18:09] There's a lot in it. So um I wanted to
[0:18:12] make sure that you had the chance to
[0:18:14] take a look at that.
[0:18:17] So achievement data as I said is from
[0:18:19] our PSSA and Keystone exams. They report
[0:18:22] reading, math, and science. The reading
[0:18:25] is grades one through eight or sorry 3
[0:18:29] through eight. Math is also grades three
[0:18:31] through eight. Science is grades five
[0:18:34] and eight. However,
[0:18:37] previously
[0:18:39] previous to last school year, it was
[0:18:41] actually four and eight. They changed it
[0:18:43] last year. Um and the keystone data is
[0:18:47] for algebra 1, literature and biology.
[0:18:50] The idea behind the keystone exam is
[0:18:52] that it is given as a as a kind of final
[0:18:55] exam for the state when a student
[0:18:58] finishes algebra 1, when they finish
[0:19:01] 10th grade ELA or English class, and
[0:19:05] then when they finish biology.
[0:19:11] So, oops, hold on. There we go. So to
[0:19:15] share our reading data and again this is
[0:19:17] our achievement data. 45.9%
[0:19:21] of our students in the elementary school
[0:19:23] are proficient or advanced or were
[0:19:26] proficient or advance and advanced last
[0:19:28] school year. The state average is
[0:19:30] actually 49.9%.
[0:19:33] We did not meet the target.
[0:19:35] When I'm talking about the target, the
[0:19:37] state target is how we are expected.
[0:19:40] They take a look at how we are expected
[0:19:42] to perform by the year 2030 which is
[0:19:45] part of the ESSA accountability that we
[0:19:47] have through the federal government. Um
[0:19:50] so the state looks at that according to
[0:19:53] where they project us being in 2030. Um
[0:19:57] so they take that projection the school
[0:20:00] baseline data which is all students and
[0:20:03] by group and then divide that up over
[0:20:06] the 13 years to 2030. So when I say that
[0:20:10] we don't meet we didn't meet the target
[0:20:13] that means that where we are supposed to
[0:20:15] be before 2030 we didn't hit.
[0:20:20] Um I did list the historical data there.
[0:20:22] You can see from 2019 2020 is skipped
[0:20:26] because there was no test that year. Um
[0:20:29] but you can see that many of those years
[0:20:32] we were above the state average or right
[0:20:35] around the state average. Um last year
[0:20:38] we dipped the last two years we dipped
[0:20:41] below that and then obviously as I
[0:20:43] shared uh we were below the state
[0:20:45] average there as well last year.
[0:20:49] Um
[0:20:50] one piece of information that I did want
[0:20:52] to share as I've spoken to the board
[0:20:54] about previously um structured literacy
[0:20:58] is something that is um
[0:21:01] that the state is promoting right now.
[0:21:04] Um they've passed a lot of legislation
[0:21:06] including act 47 which puts a lot of um
[0:21:11] stipulations and deadlines in place for
[0:21:14] schools and the main driver behind that
[0:21:18] is the lack of proficiency in our state.
[0:21:22] Um in Pennsylvania 33% of our fourth
[0:21:26] grade students in the state are at or
[0:21:29] above proficiency. So um it is a concern
[0:21:32] across the state which is why a lot of
[0:21:34] those things are going into place.
[0:21:38] Our growth data in the elementary school
[0:21:42] this is measured first of all growth
[0:21:45] data is measured by PEOS which stands
[0:21:47] for the Pennsylvania value added
[0:21:49] assessment system that takes all the
[0:21:52] data available for students and it makes
[0:21:54] projections.
[0:21:56] Um those projections determine what a
[0:21:59] year of growth would look like for each
[0:22:01] individual student. So they look at each
[0:22:04] individual student and look at all of
[0:22:07] their past historical data and determine
[0:22:09] if they make a year growth which is what
[0:22:12] we would expect for students when they
[0:22:14] between for example when they start
[0:22:16] third grade to the end we would expect
[0:22:18] that they would grow a year. So it makes
[0:22:21] a projection based on all the
[0:22:22] information they know about that student
[0:22:24] as to where they would be if they grew a
[0:22:26] year. And from there um they either meet
[0:22:31] or do not meet those projections.
[0:22:34] Also our teachers in ELA, math and
[0:22:37] science receive a score and they
[0:22:40] essentially look at all of the students
[0:22:42] that had that teacher for that year,
[0:22:45] look at whether they made a year of
[0:22:47] growth or not. And then the teacher
[0:22:50] themselves actually gets a PES score as
[0:22:53] well based on that performance of their
[0:22:55] students.
[0:22:57] So growth data in the elementary school
[0:23:00] for reading our building was green and
[0:23:02] they use a color system. Green means
[0:23:05] that you made a year of growth. So our
[0:23:08] students did grow a year. Um our
[0:23:11] building score was a 77
[0:23:14] and the state average is a 75.4.
[0:23:17] So basically 77% of the students made
[0:23:21] that year of growth. In previous years
[0:23:24] you can see that we actually are doing
[0:23:27] better in that area than we had in
[0:23:28] previous years dating back to 2020 when
[0:23:31] it was 67 and then we had two years of
[0:23:34] 50s and then um a 78.
[0:23:39] Moving on to middle school, our reading
[0:23:41] achievement data at the middle school um
[0:23:44] we had a 48.4% 4% proficient or
[0:23:48] advanced. In 2425, the state average was
[0:23:51] 49.9.
[0:23:53] We did not meet the state target. Um, as
[0:23:56] you can see from the historical data, we
[0:23:58] have been declining at the middle
[0:24:00] school. Um, so you can see back to 2019,
[0:24:05] they were at a 65.6%.
[0:24:08] um students scoring proficient or
[0:24:10] advanced and that has gone
[0:24:13] into the 50s and then it was back up in
[0:24:16] 2023 and then in 2024 it was a 58.5.
[0:24:21] So we have kind of been
[0:24:24] um
[0:24:26] kind of all over the place in that area.
[0:24:29] Sometimes above the state average,
[0:24:31] sometimes not. Um last year we were not.
[0:24:35] our growth data for middle school
[0:24:37] reading, we were actually blue for
[0:24:40] middle school reading. So that means
[0:24:42] that there is um that our students
[0:24:45] likely exceeded one year's worth of
[0:24:47] growth. So although our students based
[0:24:51] on their score are not performing well,
[0:24:54] they are actually growing in their
[0:24:57] knowledge, but they're just not
[0:24:58] performing where we would want them to.
[0:25:01] Um the building score was an 83 and the
[0:25:04] state average was a 75.4. And you can
[0:25:06] see in previous years we have done well
[0:25:09] in the middle school in our growth
[0:25:16] for reading data in the literature
[0:25:18] keystone.
[0:25:19] This data is a little bit different
[0:25:21] because it gathers the data and reports
[0:25:24] it based on the students in 11th grade
[0:25:29] at the end of that school year. So, as
[0:25:32] you may know, the Keystone exam students
[0:25:34] can take multiple times. So, what it
[0:25:38] does is because they can take it
[0:25:40] multiple times, they wait until a
[0:25:43] student is finished with 11th grade.
[0:25:45] That is the last time that they can take
[0:25:46] that exam. and then they report on those
[0:25:49] scores. So the Keystone literature data
[0:25:52] that you're seeing is actually the data
[0:25:54] for this year's seniors
[0:25:57] and 56.8%
[0:25:59] of them scored proficient or advanced on
[0:26:02] the literature keystone.
[0:26:04] This is above the state average of a
[0:26:06] 49.9
[0:26:08] but it's not meeting the state target
[0:26:10] where they are saying that we should be
[0:26:13] at this time in relation to 2030.
[0:26:17] Um, also I wanted to point out that this
[0:26:20] data would not be affected by any of the
[0:26:22] new curriculum or materials because
[0:26:24] these students weren't affected by that.
[0:26:27] Um, 11th and 12th grade only started
[0:26:30] using the new curriculum and materials
[0:26:32] this school year. So these students
[0:26:33] would not have had that. Um, you can see
[0:26:36] with their historical data, it had been
[0:26:39] declining. We actually and it's still
[0:26:41] declining. We started in 2020 at 78.2
[0:26:44] two and moved all the way down to where
[0:26:48] we are now, which is a 56.8.
[0:26:51] Um, again, this data looks a little bit
[0:26:54] different than the other data because
[0:26:55] we're reporting on the 11th grade
[0:26:58] students of that year. So, students
[0:27:01] typically are taking algebra 1 Keystone
[0:27:04] in n in eighth or ninth grade. So, it
[0:27:08] would be a two-year lag then when they
[0:27:10] would report it because it would again
[0:27:11] be when they're at the end of 11th
[0:27:13] grade.
[0:27:16] the growth data for the literature
[0:27:18] keystone. Um, our building, the high
[0:27:21] school building was actually red for
[0:27:23] 2425, meaning that there's evidence that
[0:27:26] we did not make a year's worth of growth
[0:27:28] with that class. Um, and you can see
[0:27:32] that the building score is a 50 and the
[0:27:34] state average is a 75.4.
[0:27:37] Um we have actually been again kind of
[0:27:42] on all over the place with that. We had
[0:27:44] several years where we had a 50 but then
[0:27:47] in 2021 it was 77. In 2022 it was 94. Um
[0:27:51] we have had a lot of turnover in that
[0:27:53] department in the high school. We've had
[0:27:55] a lot of retirements and a lot of newer
[0:27:57] teachers. Um and we know that the
[0:28:00] achievement data going in the high
[0:28:02] school was low as well.
[0:28:06] Mathematics data at the elementary
[0:28:09] 56 53.4%
[0:28:11] proficient or advanced in 2425. The
[0:28:14] state target is 41.7.
[0:28:17] We actually didn't meet our state target
[0:28:19] even though we are above that state
[0:28:21] average. Um however we are consistently
[0:28:24] as you can see from the data that's
[0:28:26] presented above the state average in
[0:28:28] math in the elementary school.
[0:28:32] Growth data for elementary math was
[0:28:34] blue. Again, blue means that we have
[0:28:38] evidence that we exceeded one year's
[0:28:40] worth of growth in the elementary school
[0:28:42] in math. Our score was a 96. The state
[0:28:46] average is 74.9.
[0:28:48] And that was our best year in quite a
[0:28:51] while. As you can see from the
[0:28:52] historical data that is listed,
[0:28:57] mathematics data in the middle school
[0:28:59] grades 5 through 8, 27.3%
[0:29:03] of our students were proficient or
[0:29:04] advanced in 2425. The state average is
[0:29:07] 41.7. We did not meet the state target.
[0:29:12] As you can see from the historical data,
[0:29:15] we have always every year been below the
[0:29:18] state average dating back to 2019.
[0:29:25] Growth data for middle school math, our
[0:29:27] building was red, meaning that there is
[0:29:30] evidence that we did not make a year's
[0:29:32] worth of growth in middle school math.
[0:29:34] Um, and the our score was a 50, the
[0:29:37] state average being a 74.9.
[0:29:41] And then you can see in previous years
[0:29:44] it had been better. Um and we what we
[0:29:47] can see there is that our performance is
[0:29:49] just not trans the elementary
[0:29:51] performance is not translating to middle
[0:29:53] school. Um the elementary school for
[0:29:56] example was 53.4% proficient and
[0:29:59] advanced and elementary school was blue
[0:30:01] for growth.
[0:30:04] Mathematics data for algebra 1 keystone.
[0:30:06] Again, just as a reminder, this data is
[0:30:09] reflective of the 11th grade class that
[0:30:12] finished last school year. So, that
[0:30:14] would be this year's seniors. 46.3%
[0:30:18] of that 11th grade class scored
[0:30:21] proficient or advanced on the algebra
[0:30:23] keystone. That did not meet the state
[0:30:25] target. I did leave off the slide that
[0:30:28] 41.7%
[0:30:30] was the state average. So, we were above
[0:30:32] the state average. we just weren't
[0:30:35] meeting our state target.
[0:30:37] We always have been above that state
[0:30:39] average except for in 2023. And you can
[0:30:42] see I made a note there that in 2023 um
[0:30:46] that sample size was really small. And
[0:30:48] that's because that class was actually
[0:30:51] in algebra 1 in grade 8 in 2020. So they
[0:30:55] wouldn't have taken the test. They
[0:30:57] didn't have to take it because of the
[0:31:00] pandemic.
[0:31:01] Our
[0:31:04] growth data for algebra 1 Keystone is
[0:31:06] green in 2425, meaning that our 11th
[0:31:10] grade students met one year of growth in
[0:31:12] algebra 1 with a score of 72. The state
[0:31:15] average was a 74.9.
[0:31:17] And you can see previous years there. Um
[0:31:20] we are below where we were most years.
[0:31:23] Um but again, we were still green making
[0:31:26] that one year of growth.
[0:31:29] science. We historically do well um in
[0:31:33] elementary grades three and four. In
[0:31:35] 2025, the test was actually moved to
[0:31:38] grade five. You're going to see that we
[0:31:39] don't have any data for science for last
[0:31:42] school year. The steel standards were
[0:31:45] implemented this school year and they
[0:31:48] adjusted the test. So last year was a
[0:31:52] test year for the for the PSSA and the
[0:31:55] Keystone. So, they actually did not um
[0:31:58] count those scores at all. It's just a
[0:32:01] baseline to see where students were. So,
[0:32:04] I don't have data to report for last
[0:32:06] year, but I did share data for uh the
[0:32:10] five tests prior to that. And you can
[0:32:13] see that we have gone above the state
[0:32:15] average by quite a bit every single year
[0:32:18] in elementary school.
[0:32:20] Our growth data for elementary science,
[0:32:22] again, just historical data. You can see
[0:32:25] that there we hover kind of in the
[0:32:27] middle, a little bit above that. So
[0:32:30] somewhere between
[0:32:32] um 59 and 73% of our students over the
[0:32:36] last few years have made growth in
[0:32:38] elementary science.
[0:32:43] Middle school science data um as not as
[0:32:46] good as our elementary data in 2025.
[0:32:48] again they didn't take they the PSSA
[0:32:51] data didn't count for them because of
[0:32:54] the new steel standards. However, um the
[0:32:57] historical data you can see that um
[0:32:59] we've been anywhere from in the mid40s
[0:33:02] to um the mid60s in 2019 and in 2023 we
[0:33:09] were below the state average every year
[0:33:11] except for 2023.
[0:33:14] And then you can see the growth data for
[0:33:16] middle school science has ranged
[0:33:18] anywhere from a 50 to an 85 over the
[0:33:21] past five years.
[0:33:25] And finally with the with the data for
[0:33:28] the um PSSA and the Keystone the biology
[0:33:31] data for the high school which is the
[0:33:34] Keystone exam again in 2025 they didn't
[0:33:37] report the student data for the test
[0:33:39] because of the new steel standards.
[0:33:42] However, historical data, you can see
[0:33:45] that we in 2020 were right around the
[0:33:48] state average. In 2021, we were well
[0:33:51] above the state average. However, that
[0:33:54] was a very small sample size because of
[0:33:56] that class and when they took biology.
[0:33:59] And then you can see all the way up
[0:34:01] through we start we dipped below quite a
[0:34:05] bit below in 2022 but then moved all the
[0:34:08] way up to about half about half of our
[0:34:11] students 52.3%
[0:34:14] scoring proficient or advanced. The
[0:34:16] other thing I want to briefly say about
[0:34:18] the Keystone test is that
[0:34:22] um students as I said earlier can take
[0:34:25] that as many times as they wish to.
[0:34:27] However, there all are alternate ways to
[0:34:30] meet that graduation requirement. That
[0:34:32] does not include passing every one of
[0:34:35] those Keystone exams. So, some students
[0:34:40] only take it once or twice because they
[0:34:43] want to meet it a different way. For
[0:34:45] example, our students who go to BCTC,
[0:34:48] they can meet that requirement through
[0:34:49] the NOTI exams that they take there. And
[0:34:52] because that's a that's really where the
[0:34:54] students thrive, they choose to do that
[0:34:57] instead. So we do have a number of
[0:34:59] students who um you know will take these
[0:35:03] tests once twice at the most and then um
[0:35:06] even though they may have improved a
[0:35:08] little bit they don't keep taking the
[0:35:10] test until they pass even though they
[0:35:12] have the ability to do that.
[0:35:16] Gross data for biology. You can see
[0:35:18] there that's ranged anywhere from 50 to
[0:35:21] a 73 over the past five years. So right
[0:35:24] in the middle about half of our students
[0:35:26] or a little bit more are growing in
[0:35:28] biology. And again that would be their
[0:35:31] growth from 8th grade to when they took
[0:35:34] biology. So they take a look at all of
[0:35:36] their science data up through the end of
[0:35:37] 8th grade, how they historically perform
[0:35:40] on standardized tests, and then make a
[0:35:44] prediction as to where they should score
[0:35:46] on the biology exam.
[0:35:49] This the last chart that I have for you
[0:35:52] is is difficult to see, so I would
[0:35:54] recommend looking at that more on your
[0:35:57] device. Um, but this is actually
[0:36:01] breaking down the data in terms of each
[0:36:03] specific grade level for
[0:36:07] ELA, math, and science. Um, one thing I
[0:36:11] want to point out to you is that when
[0:36:13] you look at this, one thing to be
[0:36:15] thinking about is that if you look
[0:36:18] across horizontally, you will see how
[0:36:20] the third grade has per for example, how
[0:36:22] the third grade has performed each year
[0:36:26] all the way back from the beginning
[0:36:28] where that data starts all the way to
[0:36:30] the end. But those are different groups
[0:36:33] of students. So each year that's a
[0:36:35] different group of students. However, if
[0:36:38] you take a look at that data, if you
[0:36:40] start in third grade and then move down
[0:36:45] to fourth grade the next year, down to
[0:36:47] fifth grade the next year and so on, you
[0:36:50] actually can see how that specific group
[0:36:53] of students performed yeartoear toear.
[0:36:56] So you can actually track the same
[0:36:59] students and whether they stay the same,
[0:37:02] whether they decline or whether they
[0:37:04] improve from grade level to grade level.
[0:37:07] And that might give you a better idea of
[0:37:09] what's happening and where.
[0:37:12] Um
[0:37:14] the next thing I'm going to talk about
[0:37:15] is the school performance profile score.
[0:37:20] So this is actually a score that is
[0:37:23] given to every public school in
[0:37:24] Pennsylvania and it's part of every
[0:37:27] principal and teacher evaluation
[0:37:30] every single year. And the idea is that
[0:37:34] it is demonstrating overall performance
[0:37:36] of the school. This is something that
[0:37:39] they used to publish
[0:37:41] um because this was the only measure for
[0:37:44] a school as a whole that they would
[0:37:47] share publicly in this way. They have
[0:37:50] since moved to the future ready index
[0:37:53] which is the link that I had shared with
[0:37:54] you which is much more detailed. Um but
[0:37:58] this I think is a little bit easier just
[0:38:01] to understand because you're basically
[0:38:03] just looking at numbers compared to
[0:38:05] other numbers. um instead of looking at
[0:38:08] charts and graphs which is what the
[0:38:09] future ready index is. So I did want to
[0:38:11] share this with you. They still report
[0:38:14] this data because it has to go into
[0:38:16] principal and teacher evaluations.
[0:38:18] However, the future ready index has kind
[0:38:21] of taken over as the public facing
[0:38:24] information about schools.
[0:38:27] So the scores in the school performance
[0:38:30] profile score is actually comprised of
[0:38:33] assessment data, growth data, attendance
[0:38:36] data, graduation data. Obviously that
[0:38:39] affects the high school only and also
[0:38:42] they give you each school a multiplier
[0:38:45] based on their economically
[0:38:47] disadvantaged data. So schools that have
[0:38:50] a higher economically disadvantaged
[0:38:52] population actually have a higher
[0:38:54] multiplier than schools that do not.
[0:38:58] So first I have shared Skuka Valley
[0:39:01] Elementary School. I started with their
[0:39:03] most recent score which was the one for
[0:39:05] 2425 which was a 76. I did list the top
[0:39:10] score in the county as an 86.7. That's
[0:39:13] the top elementary school score in the
[0:39:15] county. And then you can see below that
[0:39:19] um all the way down to 2015 2016.
[0:39:25] Skook Valley Middle School this past
[0:39:27] year scored a 64.3.
[0:39:30] The top score in the county was an 85
[0:39:33] and then you can see those scores below
[0:39:35] that. Um mostly were in the 70s.
[0:39:43] Skooko Valley High School in 2425 had a
[0:39:46] 67.2.
[0:39:48] The top score in the county was an 85.9.
[0:39:52] And then you can see how they fared over
[0:39:55] the past several years all the way back
[0:39:57] to 201516.
[0:39:59] So you can see that many years they were
[0:40:01] in the 60s and then there were a couple
[0:40:03] years where they were had a 70.3 in 2017
[0:40:07] 18 and an 83 in 2122.
[0:40:12] And finally, again, the future ready
[0:40:14] index, which I've talked about a couple
[0:40:15] of times. It's accessible through that
[0:40:18] link. Um, it is a comprehensive look at
[0:40:22] school pro progress measures related to
[0:40:24] student success. It contains a lot of
[0:40:28] data. You can actually see all the
[0:40:30] historical data there. Um, if you click
[0:40:32] on that, it will show you growth data,
[0:40:36] achievement data. It shows you things
[0:40:38] like attendance data, graduation data,
[0:40:40] our career ready data. It shows our
[0:40:44] student performance on NOCI exams. Um it
[0:40:47] shows how many students performed
[0:40:48] advanced on their keystones. There's a
[0:40:51] lot of attendance data. There's a lot of
[0:40:52] different data that's there. Um and you
[0:40:56] can actually click on there's a little
[0:40:58] chart next to each one of those that
[0:41:00] will show you historically how we've
[0:41:03] done. There's actually the ability to
[0:41:05] take a look at each of our student
[0:41:07] groups. So, if you were curious about
[0:41:09] how our special education population was
[0:41:11] doing, if you were curious about how,
[0:41:14] for example, our economically
[0:41:15] disadvantaged students were doing, it
[0:41:17] will actually show you all of that data.
[0:41:19] And there is a page there that will show
[0:41:22] you demographic data for the district as
[0:41:24] well. So, it would let you know how many
[0:41:27] of our students, for example, are male
[0:41:28] versus female, how many of our students
[0:41:31] are are in our special education
[0:41:33] population, how many of our students are
[0:41:35] English learners, etc. It will share all
[0:41:37] of that data. So, it's a really nice
[0:41:40] resource for people. Um, I think people
[0:41:42] use it a lot if they're moving into a
[0:41:44] district or looking to move into a
[0:41:46] district and are curious about schools.
[0:41:48] It's a place for them to look to really
[0:41:50] gather a sense of all of that data for
[0:41:53] the district in one place. Um, so I just
[0:41:56] wanted to make sure I shared that link
[0:41:58] with you because it is a really
[0:42:00] comprehensive site that would be hard
[0:42:02] for me to really demonstrate here on the
[0:42:05] screen.
[0:42:07] Does anyone have any questions for me
[0:42:09] based on the data?
[0:42:14] >> I just have a question. Has
[0:42:16] has this data been presented to the
[0:42:19] school board for the last couple of
[0:42:21] years? Is this something that's done
[0:42:23] once a year? I mean, I know we talked
[0:42:25] about that we need to see this kind of
[0:42:26] data. I believe Frank had asked for it
[0:42:28] for the five year. Is this something
[0:42:31] that the the board has been aware of of
[0:42:34] the declining numbers over the last five
[0:42:37] years?
[0:42:37] >> So, as you know, I've only been in this
[0:42:39] position for a year. So I can say that
[0:42:42] prior to that I do remember as
[0:42:45] principles doing a presentation based on
[0:42:48] that year's data. Um but besides that I
[0:42:52] don't rec I don't personally recall a
[0:42:55] historical presentation which I think is
[0:42:57] why the board asked for it because it
[0:43:00] was something that you haven't seen and
[0:43:02] we're curious about how things were
[0:43:04] going.
[0:43:05] >> In part this is what drove the need to
[0:43:07] revise the curriculum.
[0:43:10] Yeah. And and I was going to say in
[0:43:13] leading into the next presentation that
[0:43:15] I will be doing to show to talk about
[0:43:18] the curriculum,
[0:43:19] this was a big reason why because as you
[0:43:23] can see based on this data, um, as we've
[0:43:26] talked about before, our standards were
[0:43:29] new in 2014. We only just
[0:43:33] revised our curriculum and got new
[0:43:35] resources in the last two years. So
[0:43:39] although 2014 was the last time that we
[0:43:42] had new standards in the state of
[0:43:44] Pennsylvania for math, for example, our
[0:43:46] math curriculum dated back to 2005.
[0:43:50] Our language arts curriculum which we
[0:43:53] adopted at the end of 2024
[0:43:56] though the last document that we had was
[0:43:58] from 2006.
[0:44:00] So,
[0:44:03] we haven't as a district been keeping up
[0:44:05] with what the standards say we are
[0:44:08] supposed to be teaching with new
[0:44:10] practice um with that content and I
[0:44:14] think based on this presentation I think
[0:44:17] we can see that
[0:44:19] >> and and I would just just to add two
[0:44:21] pieces related to that typically the
[0:44:24] data from the state both the achievement
[0:44:26] data and the growth data usually is made
[0:44:28] available in that October November
[0:44:30] window. And so, you know, on an annual
[0:44:33] basis around October, November, that's
[0:44:36] typically when when most school
[0:44:37] districts present to the boards that the
[0:44:39] board can see the data from the previous
[0:44:41] year. You know, I will also say that um
[0:44:44] you know, the data um you know,
[0:44:46] obviously there are some concerns. I
[0:44:48] think all of us sitting here acknowledge
[0:44:50] that. You know, we're never satisfied
[0:44:52] until we can look at the data and say
[0:44:54] 100% of our kids are reading with
[0:44:56] proficiency or proficient in math, etc.
[0:44:58] But that that was why, you know, the
[0:45:02] board was very supportive in you know
[0:45:05] providing the financial resources to
[0:45:07] upgrade the curriculum and to improve
[0:45:09] the resources. A lot's been done in a
[0:45:11] very short period of time to get
[0:45:12] language arts, math, and science
[0:45:14] trending back in the right direction.
[0:45:16] Not going to say there's still not work
[0:45:17] to be done. There is, but we're moving
[0:45:19] in the right direction.
[0:45:22] >> Okay. I I have another question. you
[0:45:24] talked about the changes in the uh
[0:45:26] structured literacy guidelines from the
[0:45:28] state. So is is will our ARC curriculum
[0:45:32] uh remain an improved curriculum under
[0:45:35] those new guidelines?
[0:45:36] >> So right now on the list that the state
[0:45:39] has provided, American Reading Company
[0:45:42] appears on the core list and also their
[0:45:44] toolkits appear on the intervention
[0:45:48] um list that they've provided. Um, in
[0:45:50] terms of foundational skills, the
[0:45:53] foundations that we are currently using,
[0:45:57] the 2018 version, which is what our
[0:45:59] teachers have, is not on the approved
[0:46:02] list. Their newer version is, which is a
[0:46:05] big reason why we are taking a look at
[0:46:07] that right now. Um,
[0:46:10] so we are keeping track of that. They
[0:46:13] haven't released the list of screeners
[0:46:15] yet. So, we don't know if the ERA is
[0:46:18] going to be on that list or not. They
[0:46:19] haven't released that. Obviously, I'm
[0:46:22] keeping on top of that. The state also
[0:46:24] does update
[0:46:26] every quarter those lists. So, as things
[0:46:30] change, as things are added, as more
[0:46:33] groups are adding their approval to that
[0:46:37] list, then that list will continue to
[0:46:39] change. Um, I they haven't said when
[0:46:42] that screener list would be made
[0:46:43] available, but hopefully that will be
[0:46:45] sometime soon. And we do have to in
[0:46:48] March as a school district report what
[0:46:51] we are using. Every school district in
[0:46:53] the state has to we have to report what
[0:46:55] we are using for language arts. The
[0:46:57] state has reported in the um in the
[0:47:01] presentations that I have that I have
[0:47:03] been in that they will be taking that
[0:47:07] data and that will make the
[0:47:09] determination in terms of what they need
[0:47:12] to do and what kind of finances they
[0:47:14] need to put into structured literacy. So
[0:47:17] that that is what they're looking at by
[0:47:19] gathering that data is how many are
[0:47:21] using things that are on the list. How
[0:47:23] many have things that are newer as
[0:47:25] opposed to things that are older and
[0:47:27] then they say that they're going to use
[0:47:29] that data then to determine how much
[0:47:31] money they have to put behind it.
[0:47:35] >> To to provide some historical
[0:47:37] perspective, um since I've been on the
[0:47:39] board in 2017, we've had three
[0:47:42] curriculum directors. The first two spun
[0:47:45] their wheels and due to circumstances
[0:47:48] beyond our control had to leave that
[0:47:50] duty to take care of other duties within
[0:47:52] the district.
[0:47:54] Um and then we went for a period without
[0:47:56] a curriculum director and then Jenny
[0:47:58] came on and between her and uh Dr.
[0:48:01] Tashner, we there was an real sense of
[0:48:04] urgency because we've been trying to
[0:48:05] revise the curriculum since 2017
[0:48:08] essentially because we're seeing the
[0:48:10] numbers trend the wrong direction and it
[0:48:13] took until now to get the push to to
[0:48:16] make something happen. Um you know now
[0:48:18] maybe maybe it wasn't perfect but it it
[0:48:21] was a necessary push because we were
[0:48:23] falling so far behind.
[0:48:28] >> Mrs. Rexro, can I ask you when you talk
[0:48:30] about the PEOS data, what assessments at
[0:48:32] every level goes into that? Like we
[0:48:34] understand PSSAs and keystones, but what
[0:48:36] other tools are being reported to
[0:48:39] demonstrate the level of growth? So, at
[0:48:42] this time, we only have the PSSA and the
[0:48:46] Keystone as a district. Some of our
[0:48:48] teachers use the CDT, so that data is
[0:48:51] also factored into that. Uh there is the
[0:48:54] ability for other data to be factored
[0:48:56] into that P.E.A.S. data. Um my plan is
[0:49:00] for next year now that we will be a year
[0:49:04] into math and science and two years into
[0:49:07] language arts. I would like to at least
[0:49:09] incorporate Firefly which is a benchmark
[0:49:12] exam that the um that the state uses so
[0:49:16] that we have some additional data. But
[0:49:18] this and also use the CDT across the
[0:49:21] board. So, right now, a lot of the
[0:49:23] middle school is using the CDT. Um, some
[0:49:26] of our high school teachers are using
[0:49:28] the CDT, but not everyone is using it.
[0:49:30] And what I have found is that it was
[0:49:33] always inconsistent from what I can
[0:49:35] tell. Um, so there hasn't really been
[0:49:39] training on how to do it. Um, I've been
[0:49:41] helping some of the teachers. Um, Jen
[0:49:44] Joyce, who's coming in from the IU to
[0:49:46] help with math, she's been helping the
[0:49:48] teachers. I know when she comes to the
[0:49:50] middle school later this week for her
[0:49:51] day with them, she's actually going to
[0:49:54] have them she's having them bring their
[0:49:56] laptop so they can sit and she can
[0:49:58] actually talk to them about what they're
[0:50:00] seeing in that data. So, we have a lot a
[0:50:02] lot to to do. Um, with PEOS, there is
[0:50:06] the ability to include other assessments
[0:50:08] as well. So, there are other assessments
[0:50:11] that are offered that PEOS actually can
[0:50:13] factor into their scores. We don't use
[0:50:17] anything else at this time. So, there's
[0:50:19] nothing else that is in there. However,
[0:50:21] if we were to ever decide to use other
[0:50:24] vendors
[0:50:26] um
[0:50:30] testing, we can actually that can
[0:50:32] actually be included. We have to upload
[0:50:34] it, but they can actually well some of
[0:50:37] the some of the companies I should say
[0:50:39] will provide that to the state if with
[0:50:41] our permission. Some things we have to
[0:50:43] upload ourselves.
[0:50:44] >> Okay. So what I hear you saying is that
[0:50:46] there's no common assessment across K
[0:50:47] to2.
[0:50:48] >> There is not. No.
[0:50:49] >> Okay. So when we look at this green
[0:50:51] data, it's just solely based on PSSA
[0:50:54] scores. Correct. Like the elementary for
[0:50:55] example. Okay. But that's based off of
[0:50:58] PSSAs.
[0:50:59] >> So how I guess my question is is which
[0:51:01] group of kids is making this year's
[0:51:03] worth of growth considering based on the
[0:51:05] dashboard numbers 56% of our fourth
[0:51:08] graders are below grade level
[0:51:09] efficiency?
[0:51:11] So I guess my question is is if we're
[0:51:13] making a year's worth of growth, who's
[0:51:16] making that year's worth of growth if if
[0:51:18] half of our kids are still not on grade
[0:51:21] level? So
[0:51:25] that num So that number
[0:51:28] you can also be blue. So
[0:51:30] >> which means over a year's growth,
[0:51:32] >> right? So if the score was higher, then
[0:51:35] that would be the case.
[0:51:36] >> But it's not. So, I'm just like I'm just
[0:51:39] wondering is it our below basic kids
[0:51:41] that are making a year's growth because
[0:51:43] they're still growing regardless if
[0:51:44] they're on grade level or not.
[0:51:46] >> Is it our basic kids moving to
[0:51:47] proficient or is it our proficient kids
[0:51:49] moving to advance? So, without that in
[0:51:51] front of me, I couldn't I can't speak to
[0:51:53] that at this moment. I can certainly put
[0:51:55] that together and present even more
[0:51:58] granular data for you next like at the
[0:52:01] next month's board meeting. I'm happy to
[0:52:03] do that. Um, I didn't go into that much
[0:52:06] detail this time, but I certainly can do
[0:52:08] that if you'd like to see in more
[0:52:10] detail.
[0:52:11] >> And if we're only using state
[0:52:12] standardized assessments, what types of
[0:52:16] assessments then are we using that are
[0:52:18] driving our instruction
[0:52:21] like if we don't have any interventions
[0:52:23] or you know what I mean? If we're not
[0:52:24] looking at CDT data, is there any data
[0:52:27] that we're looking at quarterly, halfly
[0:52:29] that then we sit down and we say, okay,
[0:52:31] this is an area we're struggling with.
[0:52:32] this is what how we need to revamp. How
[0:52:34] often is that happening?
[0:52:35] >> So this year we actually started doing
[0:52:37] that. So we have benchmark assessments
[0:52:40] that we created for language arts.
[0:52:43] >> Who created?
[0:52:44] >> So that was done um they're actually
[0:52:47] with they're American Reading Company um
[0:52:50] assessments.
[0:52:51] >> So that's like the IRL, correct?
[0:52:53] >> The ERA. So that's one. Um that's
[0:52:56] supposed to be given three times a year.
[0:52:58] Okay.
[0:52:58] >> Um but there are other assessments like
[0:53:00] writing assessments. They actually have
[0:53:02] like beginning, middle, and end in each
[0:53:04] unit. So, the teachers are to be using
[0:53:06] those and scoring them against each
[0:53:08] other. Um, with reveal, there are
[0:53:12] assessments at the beginning when they
[0:53:14] start. There's obviously the Alex data
[0:53:17] that they have for each individual
[0:53:18] student that tells us where every
[0:53:20] student is, what they know and what they
[0:53:21] don't know. There's assessments that
[0:53:23] they take every single unit. Um, there's
[0:53:26] a lot of things within that they can use
[0:53:28] as well. So there's a lot built into
[0:53:31] that. Um in science I would say that
[0:53:34] that is one area that we really without
[0:53:37] using the CDT which our biology teachers
[0:53:40] are using. Um and I think we don't
[0:53:45] really have very many um mainly because
[0:53:48] open sed is so big that there are
[0:53:50] probably some common assessments we can
[0:53:52] identify. we just haven't gotten that
[0:53:54] far because they're really just getting
[0:53:57] into that. And based on the information
[0:53:58] that you probably read in the uh
[0:54:01] curriculum survey, they need a lot more
[0:54:03] time with that before we can really
[0:54:05] start talking about
[0:54:06] >> and just personally when I reviewed the
[0:54:07] materials, I found the ERA to be very
[0:54:09] subjective. And I remember we used to
[0:54:11] use something called Fontis and Panel.
[0:54:13] And the reason why we got away from that
[0:54:14] is because it didn't provide concrete
[0:54:17] straight data like the Acadians did, the
[0:54:20] star test and and things like that. So,
[0:54:23] I'm just I'm curious when we hear that
[0:54:25] the students, yes, they're making a
[0:54:26] year's growth or over a year's growth,
[0:54:28] but our scores are not reflecting that.
[0:54:30] And then you mentioned between
[0:54:31] elementary and middle school. What do
[0:54:32] you think that disconnect is? Because
[0:54:34] that's been a historical disconnect.
[0:54:37] >> That's not just this year. So, I was
[0:54:38] just wondering what your thoughts were.
[0:54:40] >> Well, we just as a district have not
[0:54:42] been consistent at all. There have been
[0:54:44] things that they were using in the
[0:54:45] elementary that they weren't using in
[0:54:47] the middle school and things they were
[0:54:48] using in the middle school they weren't
[0:54:49] using in the elementary school. There
[0:54:50] has been no consistent anything. So
[0:54:55] curriculum hasn't been updated. We
[0:54:58] hadn't had materials that were new. We
[0:55:00] didn't have data like in the elementary
[0:55:02] school they were using um I Ready. In
[0:55:05] the middle school they were using Get
[0:55:06] More Math. Nobody used the same thing.
[0:55:09] Now everybody is using the same thing.
[0:55:10] They're all using Alex. Um in the
[0:55:13] elementary school they were using Fontis
[0:55:14] and Panel. I actually brought that up
[0:55:15] the other day. In the middle school they
[0:55:16] had no idea what that was. So there was
[0:55:19] no consistency.
[0:55:21] So it's really like So I I understand
[0:55:23] what you're saying. It is very hard to
[0:55:25] say that this is even great data because
[0:55:29] what is it based on other than how
[0:55:32] students were performing on the PSSA on
[0:55:34] those specific days,
[0:55:35] >> right? I just when you say we have all
[0:55:37] these other things, I'm just I'm wishing
[0:55:38] that those things would have been taken
[0:55:40] into consideration and put into PEOS to
[0:55:42] give us more of a better a better look.
[0:55:45] What other things
[0:55:46] >> like when you were saying about like
[0:55:47] there are certain assessments that can
[0:55:48] be looked at in PEOS.
[0:55:50] >> We don't have them though.
[0:55:52] >> I know. And I just I would hope moving
[0:55:54] forward that we would have because I do
[0:55:55] think that creates a better picture.
[0:55:58] >> Oh, I agree. Instead of just two days
[0:56:00] because I I'm I'm not going to lie like
[0:56:02] I'm really struggling hearing that we're
[0:56:03] making growth, but our scores are not.
[0:56:05] So like I said, I just would like to
[0:56:06] know which subgroup
[0:56:08] >> is actually making those growths and
[0:56:10] what are they using and
[0:56:12] >> you know how can we use that to our
[0:56:13] advantage and broaden that
[0:56:15] >> and I I completely agree with you. I
[0:56:18] think the challenge is and I think Mr.
[0:56:20] Rossy said it, Dr. Winter said it.
[0:56:24] We tried to like because we haven't had
[0:56:27] that new curriculum or resources in so
[0:56:31] long, we tried to like to bring
[0:56:33] everybody up to speed as quickly as we
[0:56:36] could. So again, when I get to talking
[0:56:39] about the curriculum survey details, a
[0:56:41] lot of what we read in there is that
[0:56:46] teachers need more time. It was too
[0:56:48] fast. they didn't have enough time with
[0:56:51] it. They need more professional
[0:56:53] learning. And absolutely, I don't
[0:56:55] disagree with that.
[0:56:58] It's just a matter of having to bring
[0:57:01] everything on so quickly because it
[0:57:03] hadn't been done in so long. And then
[0:57:06] not wanting to overwhelm them. Like this
[0:57:08] year, I wasn't going to say, "Oh, and by
[0:57:10] the way, along with all of this, you're
[0:57:12] going to give the CDT three times this
[0:57:14] year. You're going to do Firefly three
[0:57:16] times this year. let me bring in this
[0:57:17] other benchmark test so you can do this.
[0:57:20] Let me bring in another reading
[0:57:21] assessment so you can do this. I think
[0:57:23] they would lose their minds and I
[0:57:24] wouldn't blame them. So I think the
[0:57:27] important thing was that we at least
[0:57:29] started with having a solid curriculum
[0:57:31] that is based on the standards as they
[0:57:33] are and having new resources so that we
[0:57:36] have in front of us what we need and
[0:57:39] then saying okay now what should we be
[0:57:41] doing next? And I agree with you. I
[0:57:44] think that answer is we need some more
[0:57:46] common assessment because without that
[0:57:50] this data that I presented is only based
[0:57:52] on those standardized tests.
[0:57:57] >> Jenny,
[0:57:58] >> yes. Um, and I I agree about the
[0:58:01] assessment that we we need more, but at
[0:58:05] one time we were told that um opting out
[0:58:10] affected our cohorts and our
[0:58:13] >> and our final
[0:58:15] >> I tally. Is that still the case? Do
[0:58:19] opting does opting out affect what we go
[0:58:22] through? because there are schools that
[0:58:24] really get say 85 to 90% of their
[0:58:28] students taking the test compared to if
[0:58:31] you have a much lower cohort taking it.
[0:58:35] So does that affect our scores at all?
[0:58:38] >> Well, obviously when you have students
[0:58:40] who don't take the test, certainly
[0:58:41] especially if there are students who may
[0:58:43] have done well on the test that would
[0:58:46] affect us. Yes. Um, our student
[0:58:49] participation is part of our future
[0:58:52] ready index and was part of our school
[0:58:54] performance profile before. Um, so it
[0:58:57] does hurt us when we don't have a large
[0:59:00] participation in the test. Um, I know a
[0:59:03] few years ago, and I don't remember
[0:59:04] exactly which year because I wasn't in
[0:59:07] this role, but I know a few years ago,
[0:59:08] the middle school did have that problem
[0:59:11] where they actually had a they had to
[0:59:13] write a plan because they didn't have
[0:59:15] they had too many students who were
[0:59:17] opting out for religious reasons. And
[0:59:19] the state only allows for a certain
[0:59:21] amount of that. And then beyond that,
[0:59:24] you have to put in up a plan. You have
[0:59:26] to create a plan for basically how
[0:59:27] you're going to increase your
[0:59:29] participation. So certainly that can
[0:59:31] help that can hurt participation and
[0:59:34] again the same thing when I was talking
[0:59:36] earlier about the Keystone exams. We
[0:59:39] have students who will take it one time
[0:59:41] and then because they think that they're
[0:59:44] going to meet that graduation
[0:59:45] requirement in another way. They will
[0:59:47] make the decision that they're not going
[0:59:49] to take it again. And it doesn't matter
[0:59:51] what you say, they're not going to do
[0:59:52] it. And so some of those students likely
[0:59:57] could do and would do better if they ha
[1:00:00] if they tried to take it again or were
[1:00:02] remediated and took it again. But if
[1:00:04] they're not taking it again, then we're
[1:00:07] not getting the benefit of that. So
[1:00:09] certainly
[1:00:10] we have students who
[1:00:13] who aren't taking the test that probably
[1:00:16] would help our scores. Um we did not
[1:00:19] have that issue of participation. that
[1:00:21] was not a problem last year. So, I can't
[1:00:24] say that that really factors into our
[1:00:26] scores for this past year.
[1:00:30] >> Then, I just have a couple quick
[1:00:31] questions. Um, so when we're looking
[1:00:34] back at our growth data, I noticed that
[1:00:36] there were a lot of 50s on there and
[1:00:38] that was the red classification and
[1:00:40] there was a lot of random numbers when
[1:00:42] we were looking at that, but 50 was a
[1:00:43] common one. I just wanted for
[1:00:44] clarification. Is that the bottom of the
[1:00:46] scale or did we just happen to get hit
[1:00:48] 50 exactly that many times? So with PEOS
[1:00:52] it is based it is it is a projection. So
[1:00:58] the state feels very confident in its
[1:01:00] data that it looks at all of the data
[1:01:02] that they have which as we were just
[1:01:05] saying is not a lot for us and it will
[1:01:08] project then how those students should
[1:01:11] score. It does not take into effect
[1:01:13] though for example say that something I
[1:01:17] always say would say this like say that
[1:01:19] something terrible happens to a student
[1:01:20] like say you know heaven forbid that
[1:01:23] their parent passes away in that year or
[1:01:26] they get really sick and they're not and
[1:01:28] they're not feeling well if something
[1:01:30] happens that projection obviously isn't
[1:01:33] great so there is so I won't say that
[1:01:35] that projection is the end all beall
[1:01:38] like that's absolutely where that should
[1:01:40] student should be no matter
[1:01:42] However, only 50% is what that data what
[1:01:45] the state is telling us that data says
[1:01:47] is that 50% of the students are meeting
[1:01:51] a year of growth and the other 50% of
[1:01:54] those students are not. So that's
[1:01:57] basically what that what that data is.
[1:01:59] >> I guess what I just wanted to confirm is
[1:02:01] could you get a 47 or do they basically
[1:02:03] stop at 5050?
[1:02:05] >> Um that's a great question. I haven't
[1:02:08] seen that, but that doesn't mean that
[1:02:09] you can't.
[1:02:11] >> Okay. And again, I'm curious because I
[1:02:13] like
[1:02:13] >> that is a great question.
[1:02:14] >> I like how we're doing this. I like
[1:02:15] seeing these trends.
[1:02:16] >> I know 50 seems to be like the lowest.
[1:02:18] >> When I see a number repeat that
[1:02:19] frequently, I start to wonder about that
[1:02:22] number. And if we are going to continue
[1:02:24] to monitor monitoring like this, like I
[1:02:26] hope we are going to, I would like to
[1:02:28] see, you know, if we went from a 50 to a
[1:02:30] 55,
[1:02:31] >> well, if the bottom of the scale was 50
[1:02:32] and in reality maybe we were a 40, then
[1:02:35] that's improvement. But, you know, 52
[1:02:38] years in a row, we could have still
[1:02:40] >> I'll make myself a note to make sure
[1:02:41] that I
[1:02:41] >> Okay.
[1:02:42] >> do a little bit more digging on that for
[1:02:44] you.
[1:02:44] >> Thank you. And then, you know, I I
[1:02:46] remember back in those there was a
[1:02:48] couple years where it was kind of the
[1:02:49] popular thing to do to opt out your
[1:02:51] children from PSSAs.
[1:02:53] >> And people just don't really realize
[1:02:55] that there's really no downside to
[1:02:57] taking PSSAs. Uh, if anything, it hurts
[1:03:00] us, you know, other than
[1:03:01] >> kids don't want to do it because they
[1:03:03] sit down and have to take a test for a
[1:03:05] couple hours. But
[1:03:06] >> you know just encourage people you know
[1:03:08] the data gets skewed by not
[1:03:11] participating.
[1:03:11] >> Oh absolutely.
[1:03:12] >> Um and finally when it comes to the
[1:03:14] keystones like I I did not realize until
[1:03:16] recently just how many pathways there
[1:03:18] are to graduation
[1:03:19] >> a lot.
[1:03:20] >> Uh one of them one of them that I just
[1:03:22] was made aware of was PS uh the PSATs.
[1:03:24] >> So if you take a PSAT as a 10th grader
[1:03:26] and I can't remember it was a 920 or 980
[1:03:28] or whatever you had to score if you
[1:03:30] scored above that then that was a
[1:03:32] pathway to graduation. So you can have
[1:03:34] that number at 45% for you know for
[1:03:37] example algebra 1 keystone and yet that
[1:03:40] doesn't mean that 55% of our students
[1:03:43] aren't passing it or or getting there or
[1:03:46] have taken it so many times but just
[1:03:48] can't get there. Most of them find other
[1:03:51] routes to get there and don't really
[1:03:53] >> and that is very frustrating. Um, I know
[1:03:56] that the state was trying to do a good
[1:03:58] thing when they opened up all these
[1:04:00] different pathways for graduation. And I
[1:04:02] wholeheartedly think that
[1:04:05] the idea behind it is great. I mean,
[1:04:07] it's great to say, okay, it doesn't
[1:04:09] necessarily have to be because you
[1:04:11] perform well on a test. You might be
[1:04:13] ready, you might be ready for adulthood
[1:04:16] because you got accepted to a 4-year
[1:04:18] university. That's one. Like so
[1:04:21] obviously some like you know if you were
[1:04:23] able to accomplish that then we know
[1:04:25] that you're able to move on and you're
[1:04:26] doing something when you finish. The
[1:04:28] same way with the passing scores on the
[1:04:30] nocti exam those students are prepared
[1:04:33] for life after high school because they
[1:04:36] are prepared in that trade. The students
[1:04:39] who earn a certification in certain
[1:04:40] things they're prepared to do certain
[1:04:42] things because they are certified to do
[1:04:44] that. And that was the whole idea behind
[1:04:46] it is that all of the we they wanted us
[1:04:49] to show that every one of our students
[1:04:51] when they graduate high school is ready
[1:04:53] to do something when they leave and
[1:04:55] they're not just leaving high school and
[1:04:57] then like oh I don't know what I'm going
[1:04:58] to do but there actually was a way. But
[1:05:01] in doing that, it ended up really taking
[1:05:04] away from how much importance people
[1:05:07] placed on the keystone because they knew
[1:05:09] that there were other ways for them to
[1:05:12] graduate. And it wasn't just when the
[1:05:15] Keystone was when in the inception of
[1:05:18] the Keystone, it was supposed to be a
[1:05:19] graduation requirement. You either
[1:05:21] passed it or you didn't. You graduated
[1:05:23] or you didn't. And now it's not that at
[1:05:25] all.
[1:05:25] >> Yeah. Now it looks like there's enough
[1:05:26] pathways that it's almost hard not to
[1:05:28] graduate even if you didn't take the
[1:05:30] Keystones. Yeah.
[1:05:31] >> All right. Well, thank you.
[1:05:32] >> Yeah.
[1:05:33] >> I have a question if I may. So, being a
[1:05:36] new member of the board and trying to
[1:05:38] understand and digest some of this data,
[1:05:41] I'm trying to figure out like where the
[1:05:43] disconnect may be where we as a board
[1:05:47] could implement whatever is needed to to
[1:05:50] kind of bring that back together. And I
[1:05:53] believe you said early on and it's
[1:05:55] something I would like to see attributed
[1:05:58] with the data is turnover. So over that
[1:06:02] time period from 2019 till 2425
[1:06:06] in these
[1:06:07] >> core um parts of the the program where
[1:06:12] did we lose teachers? uh is that a
[1:06:14] deficit that that created some of this
[1:06:16] from happening from the turnovers
[1:06:18] whether it's retirement moving on to
[1:06:20] another school or just getting out of
[1:06:22] the profession. So I think to me it
[1:06:25] might make more sense as it was brought
[1:06:27] up to take a look at that and see over
[1:06:30] that time period if we did have
[1:06:32] deficiencies there that caused that. I
[1:06:34] think it was last year there was some
[1:06:36] issue where some of in the high school
[1:06:38] some of the math classes didn't have a
[1:06:41] permanent teacher because I believe we
[1:06:43] were struggling
[1:06:45] >> whether to fill the position or or uh if
[1:06:48] the person was out on leave. So I'd like
[1:06:50] to get that understanding by looking at
[1:06:52] that type of data from the
[1:06:53] administration. Please.
[1:06:55] >> Sure.
[1:06:55] >> Thank you. You have to be a little bit
[1:06:57] careful with that information because
[1:07:00] >> we lost teachers but that doesn't mean
[1:07:02] we didn't replace them with quality
[1:07:04] professionals.
[1:07:05] >> No. And I understand that I'm I'm
[1:07:07] looking at more like so a teacher left
[1:07:10] did in in a certain period because it's
[1:07:12] taken time to fill that position. Was it
[1:07:16] filled by bringing in just a temporary
[1:07:19] teacher to fill that position? That's
[1:07:21] what I'm looking at more than I'm not
[1:07:23] looking that we're not bringing in
[1:07:25] quality teachers. But
[1:07:28] with having children and grandchildren,
[1:07:30] there's consistency that children strive
[1:07:33] for that they want to know. They want to
[1:07:35] know their teachers and they want to
[1:07:36] have longevity with them over the time.
[1:07:38] And that's what I want to look at.
[1:07:40] >> Yeah. And where I mentioned it in the
[1:07:42] presentation was in the high school. And
[1:07:45] obviously I was familiar with that
[1:07:46] because I was the building principal.
[1:07:48] Um, but there are six members, I
[1:07:51] believe, of the language arts department
[1:07:53] in the high school and four of them have
[1:07:56] retired or they moved physically in the
[1:08:00] past two years. So, four of those six
[1:08:02] teachers are actually brand new either
[1:08:06] this year or last, but I will tell you
[1:08:08] they are phenomenal. So, um, in and so I
[1:08:12] I would absolutely agree that and I
[1:08:15] understand what you're saying. Um
[1:08:18] it's hard it you can't necessarily say
[1:08:21] that because somebody left then what was
[1:08:22] brought in. But I understand what you're
[1:08:24] saying too about was it actually filled
[1:08:26] right away or was there a lag in doing
[1:08:29] so.
[1:08:29] >> Right. And I and I was even looking at
[1:08:31] like the data going back to the pandemic
[1:08:33] where the kids had a lot of disruption.
[1:08:35] So in that
[1:08:37] >> period you could see 2019 what I was
[1:08:40] taken back by even our scores compared
[1:08:43] to the state scores in 19 were both high
[1:08:46] >> and as time went on both our scores
[1:08:48] started going down but so did the state
[1:08:51] scores. So I was trying to get an
[1:08:53] understanding of what happened. Was it a
[1:08:56] different type of test? Was it the fact
[1:08:58] that a lot of schools were virtual
[1:09:01] during that time and maybe they didn't
[1:09:03] get the same level? I think you could
[1:09:05] definitely read into that in our math
[1:09:07] scores. If you look at our math scores,
[1:09:09] especially the middle school ones at
[1:09:11] that time, you can really see a decline
[1:09:13] after the pandemic. And I know that a
[1:09:16] lot of teachers were really concerned
[1:09:18] about, you know, what students were
[1:09:19] learning at home. There was a lot I know
[1:09:21] when I came on as the principal, a lot
[1:09:23] of the teachers were talking about how
[1:09:25] the students would use like certain
[1:09:27] programs that would basically give them
[1:09:29] the answer from home. So, they weren't
[1:09:31] actually learning. They felt like they
[1:09:32] weren't learning. they were just copying
[1:09:34] what they, you know, were figuring out.
[1:09:36] So, I know there was a lot of concern
[1:09:38] that students and then of course because
[1:09:40] we know that math, you know, you're
[1:09:42] carrying on those what you learn and
[1:09:44] you're building on it. So, that's hard,
[1:09:45] right?
[1:09:46] >> Certainly, if you're not really learning
[1:09:47] it the way you had been
[1:09:49] >> and then having to catch up, that's
[1:09:52] difficult.
[1:09:52] >> Well, I appreciate that. Thank You know,
[1:09:54] and I think I think the other thing too
[1:09:55] that is important in this discussion is
[1:09:57] that making sure that as a district
[1:10:00] we're not looking at this data and
[1:10:02] saying it is what it is. We're
[1:10:04] satisfied. This is just what we are.
[1:10:06] >> Yeah.
[1:10:07] >> And you know, nobody on the
[1:10:08] administrative side, I can tell you for
[1:10:10] certain is looking at it, you know, from
[1:10:13] from that lens. We all have a problem
[1:10:15] solvers approach. You know, we know that
[1:10:17] our data is not where we want it to be.
[1:10:19] We know certain things need to be done
[1:10:21] to get it there and we're going to
[1:10:22] figure out what it is. You know, the
[1:10:24] example I always say to people is
[1:10:26] percentages are out of a hundred. If as
[1:10:29] a building you're at 56%,
[1:10:31] you know what? If your child's one of
[1:10:33] the 44 that's not proficient, none of us
[1:10:36] that have children would be okay with
[1:10:37] that.
[1:10:38] >> And so, you know, we're we're not happy
[1:10:41] with any percentage
[1:10:43] >> out of that hundred of kids that are not
[1:10:45] hitting the mark. And so we're going to
[1:10:48] continue to get after it. I believe
[1:10:50] we've got the right people in place to
[1:10:52] be able to make that happen. And we'll
[1:10:55] just continue to problem solve and dig
[1:10:57] in and and do what we need to do to try
[1:10:58] to get the numbers where they need to
[1:11:00] be.
[1:11:00] >> Yeah.
[1:11:03] >> Okay.
[1:11:05] Does anyone else have any more questions
[1:11:08] or comments?
[1:11:08] >> I actually did. I just want to jump off
[1:11:10] of Mr. Brown for a couple of minutes.
[1:11:12] So, like when we're talking about
[1:11:14] teacher turnover and like for instance,
[1:11:18] we just h like we're going to hire like
[1:11:20] two people who are coming in now halfway
[1:11:21] through to replace.
[1:11:24] >> What kind of professional development
[1:11:27] are they getting to bring them up to
[1:11:29] speed because they haven't had all of
[1:11:31] the back professional development up
[1:11:33] until this point,
[1:11:34] >> but yet that class is going to take
[1:11:37] PSSAs, keystones, and things like that.
[1:11:39] Yeah, I mean that's that's a really
[1:11:41] great question. I mean I can say that
[1:11:44] they
[1:11:46] are coming to all of the professional
[1:11:48] learning sessions that we have today. We
[1:11:50] were at the elementary school for math
[1:11:53] and the new teachers that joined us in
[1:11:55] third and fourth grade were part of that
[1:11:57] today. So um we certainly are obviously
[1:12:00] including them in all of that. um
[1:12:04] if they need it, I certainly will
[1:12:07] provide them with any other I know that
[1:12:09] the teams are really great about meeting
[1:12:13] and sharing everything, but certainly if
[1:12:16] anyone needed additional professional
[1:12:18] learning that's tied to any of the
[1:12:21] programming that we have, that is
[1:12:23] certainly something that we can provide
[1:12:25] them if they need it. I can say that I
[1:12:27] was sitting in one of the two sessions
[1:12:29] with a new teacher today and I was
[1:12:30] impressed with her knowledge already
[1:12:34] just having started at the beginning of
[1:12:35] this calendar year of her knowledge of
[1:12:39] like what was happening in the classroom
[1:12:41] and and of the program when you know
[1:12:44] she's been here a month. So um I was
[1:12:46] really impressed with that today. But
[1:12:48] absolutely and I will reach out to them
[1:12:50] and make sure that if there's anything
[1:12:52] that they need that they get it.
[1:12:57] Let me just make myself a note before I
[1:12:58] move on.
[1:13:04] Okay. If not, we'll move on to if
[1:13:06] there's no more questions, we'll move on
[1:13:08] to the curriculum survey results. Okay.
[1:13:17] All right. So, as you know, um we
[1:13:20] provided a survey to our language arts,
[1:13:23] math, and science teachers. Um teachers
[1:13:27] had two weeks to complete that survey.
[1:13:29] It went out to them on the 12th of
[1:13:32] January, and then it closed on the 26th
[1:13:37] of January, which was to be our voting
[1:13:40] meeting last week. Um, I did have one
[1:13:43] teacher reach out to me um on Monday
[1:13:46] after the survey had closed and I opened
[1:13:49] it back up for her. So, her data is
[1:13:51] here. Um, but as you can see based on
[1:13:55] the first slide, we had 54% of our
[1:13:59] language arts teachers participate, 51%
[1:14:02] of our math teachers participate, and
[1:14:04] 37% of our science teachers participate.
[1:14:08] Um and we sent out between board
[1:14:12] members, myself, principles made
[1:14:14] multiple reminders.
[1:14:18] So I just have a slide here with each of
[1:14:21] the questions that were in the survey
[1:14:24] with the percentage of yes and no. I've
[1:14:27] highlighted
[1:14:29] the one that is the greater amount and
[1:14:32] then I followed each slide with the most
[1:14:35] common feedback that I received. The way
[1:14:39] that the survey was shared was that if
[1:14:42] they answered no to a question, then
[1:14:45] they were prompted to provide detail.
[1:14:48] For example, the first one is receiving
[1:14:50] adequate training and professional
[1:14:52] development in the implementation of the
[1:14:55] new curriculum and the materials. So we
[1:14:58] have everyone each of the groups saying
[1:15:01] that no they have not. So they were then
[1:15:04] prompted to say what they think that
[1:15:07] they would be helpful.
[1:15:11] Um and the most common responses were
[1:15:14] training on implementation in math and
[1:15:16] ELA. So just having more and
[1:15:19] specifically they were talking about the
[1:15:22] digital programming that goes with it.
[1:15:25] So specifically talking about school
[1:15:27] pace, more training on the ERA, more
[1:15:31] training on Alex and more training on
[1:15:34] reveal online. So wanting more with
[1:15:37] those online materials
[1:15:39] um and more time devoted to professional
[1:15:42] learning and specifically with their
[1:15:45] team's grade or department. So
[1:15:48] specifically they wanted more time to be
[1:15:50] able to sit down with their peers and
[1:15:54] say and talk about what they're doing.
[1:15:57] um that is what we try to replicate in
[1:15:59] the sessions that we have monthly but
[1:16:03] having more time than that short amount
[1:16:05] of time that we have is what they is
[1:16:07] what they have requested.
[1:16:11] Um the next question was whether they
[1:16:13] have received all materials and
[1:16:15] resources needed to provide instruction.
[1:16:18] ELA and science both said no but math
[1:16:21] said yes. Um and you can see those
[1:16:23] scores there. Um, I will just add that I
[1:16:29] have asked as teachers have asked for
[1:16:32] missing ELA materials if they wanted a
[1:16:35] toolkit and didn't have it. If they
[1:16:36] needed additional books and didn't have
[1:16:39] them, um, I have purchased those as I've
[1:16:41] been asked.
[1:16:44] Um, additional materials that they
[1:16:45] shared would be helpful to them. Um,
[1:16:48] some of the focus was on
[1:16:51] supplementary materials that would be
[1:16:53] separate from the program. So, language
[1:16:56] arts mentioned supplementary vocabulary
[1:16:58] and spelling. Um, having old literature
[1:17:01] or grammar textbooks, having help with
[1:17:04] assessments, accelerated reader came up,
[1:17:08] um, having more MTSS resources in ELA
[1:17:12] and math to help students who are
[1:17:13] struggling. Um and again time was really
[1:17:17] emphasized especially for science.
[1:17:23] The next question was asking about
[1:17:25] curriculum and materials we are using
[1:17:27] and whether they support differentiated
[1:17:29] instruction and diverse learners. Um
[1:17:32] that was a no for ELA but math and
[1:17:34] science both said yes. Um, some of the
[1:17:37] things that were mentioned that would
[1:17:38] help to differentiate would be things
[1:17:41] like more toolkits for language arts,
[1:17:45] um, and the ability and time to
[1:17:47] implement them in their day. uh
[1:17:50] decodable texts which are part of the
[1:17:53] foundational skills program, a larger
[1:17:56] range of books higher and lower, more
[1:17:59] training for reveal below grade level
[1:18:02] materials for math and more time to
[1:18:06] learn what is there for science. again
[1:18:08] with science. Um many of our teachers
[1:18:11] grades three through eight received kits
[1:18:14] that had all of the materials with them
[1:18:17] in order to do the labs in open sed. So
[1:18:20] a lot of the theme that I saw throughout
[1:18:23] the survey was they just need more time
[1:18:25] with the stuff. They have the stuff but
[1:18:29] having the time to really unpack it and
[1:18:31] take the time with it is something that
[1:18:34] they feel like they don't have.
[1:18:37] Um right now in terms of this we are
[1:18:39] addressing the foundational skills and
[1:18:41] decodables now. Um those are the
[1:18:44] presentations that teachers were in last
[1:18:46] week and will be this week so that they
[1:18:48] can choose a new foundational skills
[1:18:50] program that would include decodables
[1:18:53] which was not with the program that they
[1:18:55] currently have although offered. Um I
[1:18:58] did purchase the large range of books
[1:19:00] for the elementary school. Um, they have
[1:19:03] been received and have been semioun
[1:19:06] ununboxed at the elementary school.
[1:19:08] However, we're lacking in space to put
[1:19:10] them. So, as soon as we find a good spot
[1:19:11] for them, those will be out for teachers
[1:19:14] to use.
[1:19:17] Uh, the next question was about the
[1:19:19] curriculum and the materials that we
[1:19:20] were using included dedicated resources
[1:19:23] for intervention and enrichment. So,
[1:19:26] there was a no for ELA and science. Uh,
[1:19:30] math was a yes.
[1:19:33] And the response is the most common for
[1:19:36] what was missing
[1:19:39] is that they just need resources for
[1:19:41] intervention and enrichment. They just
[1:19:43] feel they don't have any or not enough.
[1:19:45] Um and then they also feel that they
[1:19:48] need more time to discover what's
[1:19:49] actually available for math and science
[1:19:51] because it is so comprehensive that they
[1:19:54] just feel like having time would be very
[1:19:57] helpful. Um
[1:20:00] the next question was about the
[1:20:02] curriculum and materials providing
[1:20:04] quality assessment and benchmark tools
[1:20:07] and that the data provided allows them
[1:20:10] them to assess student progress and
[1:20:13] academic growth or needs. That was a no
[1:20:16] in ELA and science but a yes for math.
[1:20:20] And when asked what was missing, the
[1:20:22] most common things were exactly what we
[1:20:24] were talking about just in the data
[1:20:25] presentation. Additional data from text
[1:20:29] tests like STAR, CDT, Dibbles, Firefly
[1:20:33] were mentioned in that survey. Just a
[1:20:36] desire for more or better reading
[1:20:38] assessments. And in math and science,
[1:20:40] they just felt like they need a
[1:20:42] benchmark assessment. And again, as I
[1:20:44] said earlier in the data presentation,
[1:20:47] um my plan is for Firefly, which was
[1:20:50] mentioned several times in that survey,
[1:20:52] to be used as a benchmark. It is aligned
[1:20:55] to the state tests and our standards.
[1:20:58] So, it makes a lot of sense to use it. A
[1:21:00] lot of districts use it. And then the
[1:21:02] CDT, which is a diagnostic for next
[1:21:04] year. And so, those are that's part of
[1:21:08] my plan for implementation for next
[1:21:10] year.
[1:21:13] The next question was are they seeing
[1:21:15] growth in their students ability from
[1:21:16] the beginning of the year. Now I have to
[1:21:18] do a little
[1:21:20] um apology with this this question and
[1:21:23] the next question. So when these two
[1:21:26] questions were done in the survey
[1:21:29] somehow and I think sometimes when
[1:21:31] you're doing a electronic survey if you
[1:21:33] click in the next box it'll make an
[1:21:35] other. So it like created an other
[1:21:38] without me realizing it. So there was
[1:21:41] there's an other in the next two
[1:21:42] questions and other actually came up as
[1:21:45] the most common answer for ELA. Um so
[1:21:49] there were 19% said yes they're seeing
[1:21:52] growth. Um two teachers which is 6% said
[1:21:56] no and then 24 said other um in ELA
[1:21:59] which is 75%. Um, math was a yes, but
[1:22:03] there were 42% who said other for math.
[1:22:07] And then yes, for science that they're
[1:22:10] seeing growth, that was 60%. And then
[1:22:12] there was a 40% for the other. And then
[1:22:15] the next question was the one about um
[1:22:19] do they align with the standards and
[1:22:20] objectives for your course and grade
[1:22:22] level? Um, again, other ended up being
[1:22:26] the most popular answer for ELA with
[1:22:28] 56%. Math was 81% yes and science was
[1:22:33] 87% yes.
[1:22:37] The next question was asking about
[1:22:38] whether they have adequate time during
[1:22:40] the school day for planning and
[1:22:41] collaboration. Um, and if you're sensing
[1:22:44] a theme throughout the survey, you would
[1:22:47] guess that this answer would
[1:22:48] overwhelmingly be no, that they need
[1:22:50] more time for planning and
[1:22:52] collaboration.
[1:22:56] When asked for some ideas to optimize
[1:22:58] time, um, some of the most common
[1:23:01] answers were just that they wanted time
[1:23:02] to meet with other grade levels. So, to
[1:23:05] be able to talk about that transition
[1:23:06] from one grade to the next, they thought
[1:23:08] would be helpful. Um, they talked about
[1:23:12] a desire for us to have half day or full
[1:23:15] day professional development days and
[1:23:17] having more time on the inservice days.
[1:23:21] Um, prior to gathering these all of
[1:23:24] these results, I did provide time on the
[1:23:28] 19th was what which was their last
[1:23:30] inservice time. So that I had planned
[1:23:33] that prior to even seeing these results.
[1:23:36] So hopefully that was a step in the
[1:23:37] right direction. Um
[1:23:40] and one thing I will say as part of our
[1:23:43] professional development days, our
[1:23:45] inservice days, our act 80 days, um
[1:23:48] there are a lot of mandates that we are
[1:23:50] required to fulfill through the state.
[1:23:53] So unfortunately, as much as we would
[1:23:55] love for people to have more time, um
[1:23:57] there are a lot of things that the state
[1:23:59] requires us to provide in terms of
[1:24:02] training. Um and so a lot of that
[1:24:04] happens in the beginning of the school
[1:24:06] year so that that's finished. Um and
[1:24:08] those things range from things in terms
[1:24:11] of safety. Um there's professional
[1:24:14] ethics is something we're required to
[1:24:15] provide. Um we are provide to do um
[1:24:19] structured literacy which we have been
[1:24:21] doing as a district because of the
[1:24:23] professional learning we've been doing
[1:24:24] monthly. Um there's even more things.
[1:24:28] There's child abuse training and title
[1:24:30] nine training and all kinds of different
[1:24:32] trainings that we're required to provide
[1:24:34] time to do. Um, and I know that also,
[1:24:38] um, another concern that was shared too
[1:24:40] was the lack of substitute teachers,
[1:24:43] especially at the middle school. Um,
[1:24:45] there were a lot of complaints and
[1:24:47] concerns in the survey about having to
[1:24:49] fulfill coverage. And so, in order for
[1:24:53] them to attend some of these things
[1:24:56] during the day, there obviously needs to
[1:24:58] be substitute coverage in order for them
[1:25:00] to do that if it's during their class
[1:25:02] time. So that's also something that does
[1:25:04] get in the way, but teachers would
[1:25:06] prefer that that not be um something
[1:25:10] that's happening.
[1:25:13] Um strengths of the ELA curriculum and
[1:25:15] materials. The most common answers were
[1:25:17] that they do like that they have the
[1:25:19] large classroom library with high
[1:25:21] interest level text, that it's
[1:25:23] projectbased, and that there's a large
[1:25:25] amount of writing.
[1:25:29] One of the questions that we added to
[1:25:31] the survey um from its inception was are
[1:25:35] we seeing evidence that our students are
[1:25:36] engaged in reading. We had 21 yeses,
[1:25:39] eight nos, and two that answered NA. Um
[1:25:44] it actually wasn't written as a choice.
[1:25:46] It was written so that they had room to
[1:25:48] write. Um, and I and I noted there that
[1:25:51] about half of those yes votes were
[1:25:54] actually teachers who said that they
[1:25:56] felt like it was because of the work
[1:25:57] that they were doing in the classroom,
[1:25:59] not necessarily based on the materials.
[1:26:04] Challenges of the ELA curriculum and
[1:26:06] materials. Um, the most common things
[1:26:08] were the lack of assessments and created
[1:26:10] materials for teachers. They are doing a
[1:26:12] lot on their own. Um, the ARC materials
[1:26:15] are more of a framework and not a
[1:26:17] scripted program. It doesn't come with
[1:26:19] the binder of tests and things for them
[1:26:22] to use. So, teachers are feeling that
[1:26:26] they have a lack of assessments because
[1:26:28] they're creating them on their own. Um,
[1:26:30] and then a lack of specific grammar,
[1:26:32] vocabulary, writing, and instructional
[1:26:34] resources. Um so those are with ARC they
[1:26:40] are specifically designed to be embedded
[1:26:42] in what they're doing and not be
[1:26:44] separate. Um but there are um some
[1:26:47] concerns that they have asked that they
[1:26:50] have specific separate resources for
[1:26:54] those
[1:26:57] strengths of the math curriculum and
[1:26:58] materials. Most common answers were
[1:27:01] Alex, which is the personalized learning
[1:27:03] program, online access for teachers and
[1:27:05] students, which they did not have prior,
[1:27:08] alignment to the grade level standards,
[1:27:11] and the differentiation that is
[1:27:13] provided.
[1:27:14] Challenges that they noted were that our
[1:27:18] student skill was unfortunately not at
[1:27:20] the level of the program. So, and I know
[1:27:23] that from attending these professional
[1:27:25] learning days that we've had that
[1:27:28] they're doing a lot of catch up to bring
[1:27:30] them up to where they need to be for the
[1:27:33] grade level because they are behind.
[1:27:36] More time to learn and implement all the
[1:27:39] pieces and more intervention materials
[1:27:42] would be appreciated.
[1:27:46] Strengths of the science curriculum and
[1:27:47] materials. The teachers felt like
[1:27:49] overall the students were engaged, that
[1:27:52] the lessons are hands-on, and they like
[1:27:54] that, and that they do meet the
[1:27:55] standards.
[1:27:57] Challenges are needing more time to
[1:28:00] unpack and review lessons because
[1:28:02] they're comprehensive, needing time to
[1:28:04] collaborate with each other, and having
[1:28:06] more access for special education
[1:28:08] students.
[1:28:11] And then we had asked them for suggested
[1:28:13] ELA topics for future professional
[1:28:15] learning sessions. And to that they
[1:28:18] asked for most commonly additional
[1:28:20] training on the existing program, MTSS
[1:28:23] training and working with small groups
[1:28:25] and time to collaborate with their
[1:28:27] peers.
[1:28:29] Math topics. Um Alex was a common answer
[1:28:34] just wanting more time with that. They
[1:28:36] did have one training on that
[1:28:38] specifically and then it was there was a
[1:28:41] part of their first training that was on
[1:28:43] Alex. Um seeing a model lesson was
[1:28:47] something that was brought up
[1:28:49] collaborating with colleagues and help
[1:28:51] with small groupoup instruction.
[1:28:55] And last suggested science topics for
[1:28:57] future professional learning. The most
[1:28:59] common answer for that was that they
[1:29:01] just wanted time with the materials in
[1:29:03] the curriculum to collaborate. That was
[1:29:05] the most common response that we
[1:29:07] received. And again, there were a lot of
[1:29:09] responses. Um, even though we only had
[1:29:12] about half of our teachers respond. Um,
[1:29:15] there were still 32 responses for ELA,
[1:29:17] 26 for math, and 15 for science. So,
[1:29:20] there were there was a variety of
[1:29:22] different responses for each of those,
[1:29:24] which you are able to see in the packets
[1:29:27] that you received. And I did make note
[1:29:29] of all of them. I just included on the
[1:29:32] slides the most common ones. I had
[1:29:34] actually like checked them off as I saw
[1:29:36] them so I knew what the most common
[1:29:38] responses were.
[1:29:40] Questions
[1:29:43] in in many ways like the quick snapshot
[1:29:46] kind of oversimplifies the concerns that
[1:29:49] were you know expressed on the survey.
[1:29:52] There is a lot to unpack
[1:29:54] >> in these surveys. Yes, there is. And um
[1:29:56] you know I only got them in the format
[1:29:58] that I could actually read on Friday.
[1:30:01] I'm not sure how many other board
[1:30:02] members, you know, were able to have
[1:30:04] enough time to really delve into them.
[1:30:06] And so I know I need a little bit more
[1:30:09] time to comprehend everything that was
[1:30:11] shared, especially the ELA uh
[1:30:14] curriculum, which is a lot more
[1:30:16] involved. But I do think perhaps what we
[1:30:18] talked about earlier when you have a lot
[1:30:20] of new teachers or you have you know the
[1:30:22] long-term subs that um you know in
[1:30:26] regards to answering the survey they may
[1:30:28] not have the experience of the other ELA
[1:30:31] programs and knowing what may be
[1:30:33] missing. But I I think the veteran
[1:30:36] teachers were quite clear that we need
[1:30:38] not to just give lip service but to
[1:30:40] actually have the hard discussions or
[1:30:43] what's needed to improve these programs
[1:30:45] because we're in a year and a half now
[1:30:48] into this program. Um and we need to see
[1:30:51] continued progress in the area of
[1:30:54] communication definitely. Now, the board
[1:30:57] had previously received emails of
[1:30:59] concerns, and one was from an entire
[1:31:01] grade level uh that was concerned about
[1:31:03] not wanting to wait until January when
[1:31:05] the survey came out, and they had a list
[1:31:08] of immediate concerns they wanted
[1:31:09] addressed. And I noticed we didn't have
[1:31:12] that grade level um in the packet of the
[1:31:16] surveys. So, I'm not sure why that grade
[1:31:19] level who had reached out to us
[1:31:20] previously then did not complete the
[1:31:23] surveys. But um I just want to say I
[1:31:26] can't remember any issue in my prior
[1:31:28] years on the board that generated this
[1:31:30] much serious concern from the teaching
[1:31:33] staff. And I think that does show that
[1:31:35] our teachers want our children to
[1:31:38] succeed. We want our students to
[1:31:40] succeed. So we need to continue to work
[1:31:43] together. And I hope this is I'm talking
[1:31:45] into the mic. I'm sorry and turning my
[1:31:47] head.
[1:31:48] Um, but on the surface with the ELA, um,
[1:31:53] I think I think we can all agree it was
[1:31:55] implemented quickly. There's there was
[1:31:58] missing components. There's an obviously
[1:32:00] concern about the training and the
[1:32:01] materials. Um, I know I did note that
[1:32:05] some of the teachers were buying their
[1:32:06] own yellow level books. So, I'm glad to
[1:32:09] hear some of those books now are making
[1:32:11] their way into the classroom. Um,
[1:32:15] I did read another one that a reading
[1:32:17] unit was deemed to be removed. It was to
[1:32:19] be replaced with something else in the
[1:32:21] repertoire, but which but which it
[1:32:23] couldn't happen because all the other
[1:32:25] possible supplement supplemental
[1:32:27] materials had been removed from the
[1:32:29] classrooms. And I think that also comes
[1:32:33] into play with uh how this was all
[1:32:36] handled so quickly and not having other
[1:32:39] materials that are available. Um, and
[1:32:42] that's ELA. I don't want to dismiss any
[1:32:44] concerns from the math and science
[1:32:45] people because, you know, all of it's
[1:32:47] important.
[1:32:48] >> Um, this this um discussion will
[1:32:52] continue to be discussed at the
[1:32:55] curriculum workshop committee which will
[1:32:57] be this Thursday, six o'clock. I just
[1:33:00] want to put out a reminder that these
[1:33:02] workshop meetings, they're not
[1:33:03] televised, but they are open to the
[1:33:06] public. We discussed a lot of important
[1:33:08] issues at the January meeting and um
[1:33:11] with curriculum meeting and we'll have
[1:33:13] even more to discuss this coming week
[1:33:15] since the um surveys have been released.
[1:33:19] So, this is just kind of a first step,
[1:33:21] but I do want to thank the staff who
[1:33:23] took the time to um fill out the
[1:33:26] surveys. Um I know it was a lot of work.
[1:33:28] I know a lot of thought when you had
[1:33:30] down the time and how long it took some
[1:33:32] to to fill out and um but I just I just
[1:33:36] want the staff to know that your
[1:33:38] opinions are being heard by the board
[1:33:40] and we all want to work together to uh
[1:33:43] come up with a solution for these
[1:33:45] concerns.
[1:33:49] >> Yeah. And I think, you know, when you
[1:33:50] when you look at survey results and
[1:33:53] really and data in general, um I think
[1:33:56] you always have to you have to ask all
[1:33:59] of the questions, um you know, it's it's
[1:34:02] curious to me why half our language arts
[1:34:05] department didn't complete the survey
[1:34:07] and what would their responses have been
[1:34:09] if they would have completed it. You
[1:34:10] know, we don't know. Um, but you know,
[1:34:13] obviously if we had 100% of the data,
[1:34:15] that would really give us the clearest
[1:34:16] picture of knowing how 100% of our
[1:34:19] language arts teachers, you know, uh,
[1:34:21] you know, looked at it. Um, and but
[1:34:24] certainly, you know, we we obviously
[1:34:26] want to make sure that, you know, we
[1:34:29] have the resources, you know, that are
[1:34:31] out there. Um, you know, I also, you
[1:34:34] know, just, you know, want to take a
[1:34:35] moment while she's here to, you know,
[1:34:38] thank Mrs. Rex Road for her efforts in,
[1:34:41] you know, getting the survey organized,
[1:34:43] disseminated, you know, getting it in a
[1:34:46] version that was that that collected the
[1:34:48] data that we knew that we could, you
[1:34:51] know, work from, you know, and learn
[1:34:53] from. But um you know the the one thing
[1:34:57] about data and it's it's true about the
[1:34:59] assessment data we looked at you know
[1:35:02] you you can always look at data and you
[1:35:03] can make data say or not say anything
[1:35:05] you want it to say depending on what
[1:35:07] lens you want to look at it through. And
[1:35:09] so, you know, I I just think it's very
[1:35:11] important as we all together move
[1:35:13] forward and look at the survey results
[1:35:15] that we're looking at everything and,
[1:35:18] you know, making sure that whatever
[1:35:20] decisions we make, you know, are are
[1:35:23] based upon, you know, the needs and not
[1:35:25] driven by maybe a small percentage of
[1:35:28] people that are frustrated. So, um, I
[1:35:31] just I'm just putting those things out
[1:35:32] there. I'm I'm not dismissing the
[1:35:34] survey. I'm not saying it wasn't
[1:35:35] important. It certainly was. Um, but we
[1:35:38] just need to make sure we see the data
[1:35:39] at a high level and see it collectively
[1:35:42] for, you know, what it says in totality.
[1:35:45] >> Now, I broke down the ELA. I mean, there
[1:35:48] was a lot that didn't fill in from the
[1:35:50] high school, but when you break down K
[1:35:54] through 8, and there was even a class
[1:35:56] that didn't have any, as we discussed, I
[1:35:58] mean, that number looks at like that's
[1:36:00] like 75 80%.
[1:36:02] You know, I I think I think that's a
[1:36:05] pretty good snapshot when you get down
[1:36:07] to those lower levels of the ALA. I
[1:36:08] think they did fill this out
[1:36:10] >> and and and I agree. I I think we can,
[1:36:13] you know, we have to look at the data
[1:36:14] and where would most of it come from.
[1:36:17] And if most of it came from the
[1:36:19] elementary school and we had a very high
[1:36:21] percentage, you know, that is enough to
[1:36:23] kind of prove that there is a a serious
[1:36:26] issue down there that we need to
[1:36:29] address. And on the other And you know,
[1:36:32] we can find out also from what Joe was
[1:36:35] saying about which of the teachers were
[1:36:37] newer teachers and maybe didn't feel
[1:36:39] comfortable even filling it out. But I I
[1:36:42] think we can glean enough knowing what
[1:36:44] grades these came from and knowing we're
[1:36:46] missing an entire grade that we know had
[1:36:49] already contacted the board about some
[1:36:51] concerns they had. You know, I think
[1:36:53] that does give us a pretty good
[1:36:55] snapshot.
[1:36:55] >> Well, we had two elementary school
[1:36:57] teachers leave right after the new year,
[1:36:58] so they didn't get the survey. On top of
[1:37:00] that, I don't know if they're
[1:37:01] replacements filled out or not, but we
[1:37:03] don't have we don't have that either.
[1:37:06] >> Right. And one of those teachers did
[1:37:07] send the board kind of a a synopsis of,
[1:37:11] you know, concerns that she had with the
[1:37:13] program. So, that would not have been
[1:37:15] included in the actual survey, but we do
[1:37:18] have her information.
[1:37:20] And do we think that, you know, our
[1:37:24] reading scores and our ELA scores are
[1:37:28] being affected in, you know, the
[1:37:30] elementary level specifically by not
[1:37:32] having AR, not having grammar, not
[1:37:34] having vocabulary, not having spelling.
[1:37:36] I've been raising this issue for months
[1:37:40] now. Um, you know, our teachers are
[1:37:42] coming to me saying they really think
[1:37:44] that we need AR because it forces the
[1:37:48] kids to read. They don't think that the
[1:37:49] kids are reading as much as they used to
[1:37:52] because they were required to take those
[1:37:54] AR tests. I I know my son is not a big
[1:37:59] fan of reading. My daughter, on the
[1:38:00] other hand, always has her nose in a
[1:38:02] book. But now that he doesn't have to
[1:38:04] take AR, now he's a freshman, but last
[1:38:06] year when he didn't have to take AR
[1:38:08] tests, he wasn't reading as much as he
[1:38:11] was, I had to really ride him to get him
[1:38:13] to read more. So I I think that these
[1:38:17] things trickle and compound and we we
[1:38:22] really need to take what our teachers
[1:38:24] are saying and give them the resources
[1:38:26] that they need so that we can make sure
[1:38:29] you reading is a lifelong skill. If you
[1:38:32] can't read or if you have a low
[1:38:33] proficiency in reading, you're not going
[1:38:36] to be as successful or you're going to
[1:38:38] be taken advantage of in some way, you
[1:38:41] know, doing some kind of financial
[1:38:44] paperwork or legal paperwork or
[1:38:46] something. I mean, it it is the
[1:38:47] foundation of everything. If our kids
[1:38:49] can't read, and then math, you know, to
[1:38:52] me is the the second one. You know, if
[1:38:55] if they don't have those basic
[1:38:57] fundamental math skills, we're failing
[1:39:00] them all. So, I mean, our our teachers
[1:39:03] are specifically asking for these
[1:39:04] things, and I understand that in ARC,
[1:39:07] you know, for the ELA specifically,
[1:39:09] these things are supposed to be built
[1:39:11] in, but it doesn't look like we're
[1:39:14] getting the same results as when we had
[1:39:17] those standalone subjects. So, the one
[1:39:20] thing I will say is best practice has
[1:39:22] been for a while that everything should
[1:39:25] be built into what you're doing. So, for
[1:39:27] example, if you're reading a book as a
[1:39:30] class, the writing that you're doing
[1:39:32] should be based on what you're reading.
[1:39:34] Your the grammar lesson should be based
[1:39:36] on what teachers are seeing in that
[1:39:38] writing and doing mini lessons. So, if
[1:39:40] they're noticing that students, for
[1:39:42] example, are not writing complete
[1:39:44] sentences, that's a time that we address
[1:39:47] those things. Spelling and vocabulary
[1:39:50] should be coming from the text that
[1:39:52] they're reading as a class. That's been
[1:39:54] best practice for a while. Best practice
[1:39:57] is not to have a separate textbook for
[1:39:59] everything. That there's separate drill
[1:40:02] and practice for everything. That is the
[1:40:04] way that any reading program, no matter
[1:40:09] if you chose ARC or you chose Amplifier,
[1:40:11] you chose UFly, whatever you're
[1:40:13] choosing, that is the way that they are
[1:40:16] because that is what research says is
[1:40:20] best. Kids need to see that connection.
[1:40:22] They can't be separate things and then
[1:40:24] be expected to bring them into what
[1:40:26] they're doing if they're separate.
[1:40:28] >> I don't disagree with what you're
[1:40:30] saying, but I think that best practice
[1:40:33] is failing our kids.
[1:40:35] >> So, you probably need a combination of
[1:40:37] both because kids learn in different
[1:40:40] ways. I have two. They both learn in
[1:40:42] different ways. So you can't say that
[1:40:45] doing it this way is the best way and
[1:40:48] this is how everyone's going to learn
[1:40:50] when other kids maybe need the
[1:40:52] memorization of the spelling lists and
[1:40:54] of the vocabulary because that's how
[1:40:56] they learn better than just piecing it
[1:40:58] together from the other lessons. So I
[1:41:01] feel like we need to try to incorporate
[1:41:03] both so that all of our learners are
[1:41:06] getting what they need. Mhm.
[1:41:08] >> Are you are you saying not that they
[1:41:11] don't have spelling lists, but that
[1:41:13] spelling list should be generated from
[1:41:15] the current book that they're reading?
[1:41:16] Right.
[1:41:17] >> So, it's not that they don't have a
[1:41:18] spelling list or shouldn't have a
[1:41:19] spelling list to just memorize a
[1:41:21] spelling. It's just it should be tied to
[1:41:23] the book they're reading at the time.
[1:41:24] >> And in fact, with the ARC materials,
[1:41:26] there are actually like there are things
[1:41:29] that come with it that show what the
[1:41:31] vocabulary is, what the spelling is.
[1:41:34] >> You have to use it. Again, the way that
[1:41:36] ARC is designed is as a framework. It is
[1:41:39] not the old-fashioned textbook where you
[1:41:41] start from the beginning and go to the
[1:41:43] end and it will you like start and it
[1:41:46] tells you what to ask and has the drill
[1:41:48] and practice. It does provide though for
[1:41:51] you these are the vocabulary. So, for
[1:41:53] example, when our students in the
[1:41:54] elementary school are learning about
[1:41:56] bugs, there's a whole vocabulary list of
[1:41:59] bug words that they should be focusing
[1:42:02] on along with what they're doing. So,
[1:42:05] it's it looks different than it had in
[1:42:07] the past. It's not a separate I know
[1:42:09] several of our grade levels had a
[1:42:10] separate vocabulary textbook called
[1:42:12] vocabulary workshop and that's what they
[1:42:14] used and they were words that were
[1:42:16] completely separate from what they were
[1:42:17] doing that they were learning and
[1:42:19] spelling. And so that's not that's and
[1:42:22] what I'm saying I'm not I'm just saying
[1:42:23] that is not
[1:42:26] we've learned in the past several years
[1:42:28] that that's not the best way for
[1:42:31] students to learn. Um, we've only been
[1:42:34] using American Reading Company and only
[1:42:35] have data for one year for that. So, as
[1:42:38] I said back in November, I think um, it
[1:42:41] does truly take three years to see the
[1:42:44] effects of a new program. So, I do think
[1:42:47] that we have time, but we also, as we
[1:42:50] can see from the survey, no matter what,
[1:42:53] they need more time and we need to
[1:42:56] continue with the professional learning.
[1:42:58] We can't just give them something and
[1:43:00] expect that they're going to just
[1:43:02] magically everything's going to be
[1:43:04] perfect.
[1:43:05] >> I think the concept is is way different
[1:43:08] than um than they've typically
[1:43:12] typically worked. And and we have folks
[1:43:13] that have been in a career for for
[1:43:15] decades.
[1:43:16] >> Yes.
[1:43:16] >> Right. And so so there's a lot of
[1:43:19] learning for them as well. And so I the
[1:43:21] survey results in saying that they need
[1:43:22] more time is probably a little bit of an
[1:43:25] understatement.
[1:43:25] >> Yeah. Yeah,
[1:43:26] >> they need a lot of time
[1:43:28] >> because even the data that we're going
[1:43:30] to get from these next two years is
[1:43:32] based on the teachers learning curve and
[1:43:34] trying to get up to speed on this whole
[1:43:35] new
[1:43:36] >> learning concept, this new kind of
[1:43:38] global concept.
[1:43:40] So, we're going to have to really focus
[1:43:43] on on giving teachers time to learn
[1:43:47] somehow. We're going to have to fit in a
[1:43:48] lot more
[1:43:49] >> a lot more time for that. To that point
[1:43:51] though, to that point, if we just threw
[1:43:56] away all of the old materials and said,
[1:43:58] "Here it is. We pulled the rug out from
[1:44:00] under them and here here's what you're
[1:44:02] using now." How were they supposed to
[1:44:04] learn it that quickly?
[1:44:08] Well, and and
[1:44:10] I would say that had that not happened,
[1:44:13] and I'm not saying that it was r. Not
[1:44:15] saying that it was right, but had that
[1:44:18] not happened, we might still be doing
[1:44:22] things the old way where we have
[1:44:24] separate textbooks and we're not
[1:44:26] integrating things. So,
[1:44:28] >> but you can't just pull the rug out from
[1:44:30] under everyone in a a whole subject and
[1:44:34] say,
[1:44:35] >> "Here you go. Figure it out."
[1:44:37] >> That that's that's not helpful for
[1:44:39] anyone.
[1:44:40] >> Well, and respectfully, I would say that
[1:44:41] we didn't just tell them to figure it
[1:44:43] out. They have professional learning
[1:44:44] every single month.
[1:44:45] >> They're saying they're not getting
[1:44:46] enough of it. So, we did just say here
[1:44:49] here's some, but you got to figure the
[1:44:50] rest out on your own and fake it till
[1:44:52] you make it. And that's not how we teach
[1:44:54] kids.
[1:44:56] >> Jenny,
[1:44:57] >> yes.
[1:44:57] >> The seventh grade example that you gave
[1:45:00] us, is that is that for every grade?
[1:45:03] Does it have all that stuff in there for
[1:45:06] every grade? Like, how long was that
[1:45:09] example supposed to take? because there
[1:45:11] were so many things you had to read.
[1:45:13] There was poetry. There was everything.
[1:45:14] And then if you go in that back, you see
[1:45:16] where the vocabulary is. And are those
[1:45:19] flashcards provided? Must the teacher
[1:45:22] make those flashcards for the
[1:45:23] vocabulary? And I did notice there's no
[1:45:26] like rhyme or like you have portly and
[1:45:28] you have copious for vocabulary there.
[1:45:31] There's no like u and there's no ly. I
[1:45:34] mean,
[1:45:35] >> it's so it's so different than the way I
[1:45:38] was taught to teach. So, I had to go
[1:45:41] through that, figure out how long it
[1:45:43] would take to do that whole seventh
[1:45:46] grade section, and I'm like, that's more
[1:45:49] than a week. That's how long is that
[1:45:51] supposed to take you to do that?
[1:45:53] >> So, are you talking about the curriculum
[1:45:55] document? Is that what you mean? seventh
[1:45:57] grade thing that you
[1:45:58] >> So the seventh grade when they wrote
[1:46:00] their curriculum document happened to
[1:46:02] embed all of that stuff into their
[1:46:05] document because those were things that
[1:46:07] they had used in past years that were
[1:46:09] important to them and we told them to do
[1:46:11] that. If you have those things that are
[1:46:13] that important to you like every year we
[1:46:16] read X or it's really important to us
[1:46:19] that we do this activity or this
[1:46:22] project. um like the sixth grade, I
[1:46:24] think it's the sixth grade that does the
[1:46:26] tiny house project, like that was
[1:46:28] important to them. So, they included it
[1:46:30] in their curriculum document because
[1:46:31] that was something that they did that
[1:46:33] they didn't want to lose. So, that
[1:46:35] seventh grade document that I believe
[1:46:37] was shared with you, seventh grade had
[1:46:39] taken the time to put those links so
[1:46:41] that they didn't lose those items that
[1:46:43] were important to them.
[1:46:44] >> So, that was teacher designed material.
[1:46:47] >> They put those in there. So, so those
[1:46:49] vocabulary words that they had listed,
[1:46:52] was that from the books that they just
[1:46:56] got or those are words they thought they
[1:46:59] should be learning from past history?
[1:47:02] Where did all
[1:47:02] >> that was all prior to American Reading
[1:47:05] Company resources? They wrote the
[1:47:06] curriculum documents before they had the
[1:47:09] resources.
[1:47:10] >> Okay.
[1:47:10] >> So, those were all the things that they
[1:47:13] basically said, no matter what resources
[1:47:15] we have, these things are important to
[1:47:17] us. So they were included in their
[1:47:19] documents. So those must have been
[1:47:21] vocabulary that must have been a
[1:47:23] vocabulary activity that they liked that
[1:47:25] they wanted to make sure that they still
[1:47:27] used.
[1:47:28] >> Okay.
[1:47:28] >> And that was available to anybody who
[1:47:30] accessed that document. I just wonder,
[1:47:32] but it seemed like it would be a unit
[1:47:34] for like a marking period or I I just
[1:47:38] didn't know how long that was supposed
[1:47:39] to
[1:47:41] >> be there and then if they have ARC on
[1:47:44] top of all that yet,
[1:47:45] >> that would take a while to get through
[1:47:47] all that. So,
[1:47:48] >> Oh, yeah, it would. Yeah.
[1:47:50] >> Thank you. I We can talk more about this
[1:47:52] on Thursday even, but
[1:47:55] >> that's just something I need.
[1:47:56] >> That's what I was going to say. Um, you
[1:47:58] know, now I'm looking at the time here.
[1:47:59] We're quarter of nine. we we're only
[1:48:02] even through our uh not even through all
[1:48:04] of our presentations
[1:48:05] >> specifically to the survey. Uh we will
[1:48:09] continue this discussion on Thursday.
[1:48:12] Encourage
[1:48:14] >> um whatever whoever would like to attend
[1:48:16] or board members to make sure they're
[1:48:18] there. Again, I think there was a lot of
[1:48:20] information that we got. I know I need
[1:48:23] more time to go through some of it. Um
[1:48:26] I'm sure many of you also do. So, we
[1:48:29] will continue with that.
[1:48:31] >> One quick one. Um, everywhere across the
[1:48:34] board, ELA, science, math, they're all
[1:48:36] looking for more time.
[1:48:38] >> Is there any reason we can't build in
[1:48:41] these partial and half full professional
[1:48:44] development days? I know our schools do
[1:48:45] them. I know my wife's school does them.
[1:48:48] >> I mean, we're in this point that we're
[1:48:49] talking about schedule for next year.
[1:48:52] Like, can we start looking at that?
[1:48:54] >> Yeah. I mean the the intention was to
[1:48:56] bring the calendar you know to the board
[1:48:58] in February for next year. So I was say
[1:49:00] I thought that's when we did it last
[1:49:00] year was like February March. So
[1:49:02] >> yeah. So I mean certainly I mean yes you
[1:49:05] know districts put in multiple early
[1:49:07] dismissal days, multiple inservice days.
[1:49:10] I mean there there are lots of different
[1:49:11] ways that can be done. Um you know I
[1:49:14] think you know one of the things that we
[1:49:16] always try to look at with early
[1:49:18] dismissal days and it's kind of a
[1:49:20] blessing and a curse both ways. is great
[1:49:21] for teachers because they get a half day
[1:49:23] but sometimes it's a burden for parents
[1:49:26] because working families can't always
[1:49:29] you know like
[1:49:31] >> Yeah, but I mean we just went through an
[1:49:32] entire week that we didn't have a full
[1:49:34] day. I hear you.
[1:49:34] >> So I mean they'll I didn't get any old
[1:49:37] man yelling at cloud emails about you
[1:49:39] know back in my day my kids were always
[1:49:40] coming in during the snow.
[1:49:42] >> You know I'd rather get emails like that
[1:49:44] than emails like my kid can't read. You
[1:49:46] know what I mean? Like we're doing it
[1:49:48] for teachers. They got they got six to
[1:49:51] 14 months ahead of time to know that
[1:49:53] they're going to have these days off to
[1:49:55] plan for it. I feel like that's
[1:49:57] something
[1:49:57] >> I mean we can certainly look at that
[1:49:58] with our design of the calendar.
[1:50:00] >> Dan, I had that discussion plan for
[1:50:02] Thursday evening. So that's I sent that
[1:50:05] to Dr. Wyers today. So yeah,
[1:50:08] >> Mrs. Rexwood, would you mind putting
[1:50:10] together like ideally how many days you
[1:50:13] think teachers would benefit from? Like
[1:50:15] I just noticed the next inservice is not
[1:50:17] until May 22nd. So we that's a a long
[1:50:20] time after this survey to kind of
[1:50:23] >> I'm actually building in some
[1:50:25] professional learning. There's like two
[1:50:26] conference days in March and I know
[1:50:28] that's not ideal but I I talked it came
[1:50:31] up in the when we met last week um we
[1:50:37] talked about the online resources for
[1:50:39] ARC which many of the teachers don't
[1:50:41] feel comfortable with. So they were here
[1:50:44] presenting foundational skills last
[1:50:46] week. So, I had asked if that was
[1:50:48] something we could do. Um, and in
[1:50:50] talking with the K1 and two teachers who
[1:50:54] were there for that presentation and
[1:50:56] with the elementary principles, they
[1:50:58] suggested afternoon of the Friday
[1:51:01] conference day that they felt like their
[1:51:04] teachers could give up 90 minutes of
[1:51:08] that time in order to do that. Um, so I
[1:51:11] am scheduling that with them so that
[1:51:13] they don't have to wait until May. And
[1:51:15] frankly, when we get to May and that
[1:51:17] Friday before Memorial Day, you're not
[1:51:20] really going to implement any of that
[1:51:22] anyway in that school year. And yeah,
[1:51:24] we're kind like at that point, we're
[1:51:25] looking toward like getting everything
[1:51:27] graded for the end of the year and doing
[1:51:29] all of that. And so it's not ideal.
[1:51:31] >> Do you feel 90 minutes would be enough
[1:51:34] and will the middle school and high
[1:51:36] school I mean
[1:51:37] >> they will participate too. So there will
[1:51:38] actually be a separate secondary
[1:51:40] session. um they have more time in their
[1:51:43] conference time because right it's just
[1:51:44] different.
[1:51:46] >> My my concern was more making sure that
[1:51:48] the elementary was able to do that
[1:51:50] because I didn't want it to wait till
[1:51:51] May. So 90 minutes is what we all felt
[1:51:54] comfortable being able to give up. So
[1:51:56] we'll start there and then see where we
[1:51:58] are at the end of that and then we can
[1:52:00] plan another um professional learning
[1:52:03] day if needed.
[1:52:04] >> Okay. So middle school and high school
[1:52:05] would get that at a different time
[1:52:07] >> on on that same day.
[1:52:08] >> On that same day it'll be at a different
[1:52:10] time. So it'll be a K to 12. Yeah. Okay.
[1:52:12] We'll just have elementary separate from
[1:52:14] secondary.
[1:52:15] >> Okay.
[1:52:16] >> Yeah.
[1:52:19] >> Okay. We'll uh Thank you very much.
[1:52:22] We'll move on to um Mr. Hansen has two
[1:52:27] presentations.
[1:52:34] Uh um I'm here to present on uh possible
[1:52:37] changes or ideas to improve athletics at
[1:52:39] Skooka Valley. Um
[1:52:42] uh before I moved here to become your
[1:52:45] AD, I watched several sporting events
[1:52:47] online to get a sense of your school and
[1:52:50] possible upgrades and fixes. And one
[1:52:53] thing that jumped out on to me was uh
[1:52:55] when I was watching uh uh basketball,
[1:52:57] volleyball was the current setup of um
[1:53:01] the gyms both at the high school and the
[1:53:03] middle school. And so uh just a quick
[1:53:06] history on those gyms. Um the scoreboard
[1:53:10] controller um until like two years ago,
[1:53:13] it controlled where the team sat um
[1:53:17] because the scoreboard controller was
[1:53:19] hardwired to the controller to the
[1:53:22] scoreboard. So it forced everyone to be
[1:53:24] on one side of the gym versus the other.
[1:53:27] Um and actually there's more space for
[1:53:31] team benches and stuff on the other side
[1:53:33] of the gym. And I was going to go
[1:53:34] through that with you guys. So that's
[1:53:36] part of my one of my presentations. So
[1:53:42] So the issues that uh come across with
[1:53:44] uh for the high school at least for uh
[1:53:47] benches um is there's not enough space.
[1:53:52] And if you notice there are two players
[1:53:55] um with the arrows that have to sit on
[1:53:57] the second row because there is not
[1:53:59] enough space for the team. and uh kind
[1:54:02] of makes those two players not feel part
[1:54:05] of the team. Um
[1:54:11] um the second thing you can see is you
[1:54:13] can see where the head coach is sitting.
[1:54:15] Um he's sitting actually in the walkway
[1:54:17] because there's not enough room. Um
[1:54:19] which um kind of is an issue uh with uh
[1:54:24] traffic of fans. Um this last basketball
[1:54:28] game I was told by one of the security
[1:54:30] guards. Um I'm like, "Hey, can you move
[1:54:32] down to the other end of the gym to
[1:54:34] watch their fans?" And they're like,
[1:54:35] "Well, the coaches told us we need to
[1:54:37] stand here to make sure people don't
[1:54:39] walk in front of us during games." And
[1:54:42] so, um so that was that's an issue. Uh
[1:54:46] trainer space. There's no space for the
[1:54:48] trainers to work on athletes. They kind
[1:54:50] of have to go back in this little cubby
[1:54:52] area, which is very tight and small. Um,
[1:54:56] there's really no room along the benches
[1:54:58] to help an athlete.
[1:55:02] It's also in the same area as you would
[1:55:04] check in for about in for a game.
[1:55:08] The other thing, it's kind of an
[1:55:09] unprofessional look. The score board,
[1:55:13] not the scoreboard, but the the scores
[1:55:16] table is not centered in the middle of
[1:55:18] the gym. that's centered on the the one
[1:55:20] side in front of uh fans
[1:55:24] and then uh just the fans walking in
[1:55:27] front of coaches up and down through the
[1:55:29] bleachers to go like to the concession
[1:55:31] stand. They're always kind of in the
[1:55:33] way.
[1:55:35] Um
[1:55:37] also just right there, they have to
[1:55:38] check into games right there. The
[1:55:40] visiting team
[1:55:42] and if you notice the scores table
[1:55:44] doesn't fit there in the middle. I I
[1:55:46] took a picture of that. That was good
[1:55:47] photography.
[1:55:49] Um, middle school gym problems. Um, if
[1:55:52] you've ever been to a middle school
[1:55:54] basketball game, um, when you walk into
[1:55:56] the gym, it's hard to actually walk into
[1:55:58] the gym. There's always a bottleneck of
[1:56:00] fans trying to get into the gym. There's
[1:56:03] also uh you know people are standing out
[1:56:07] in the foyer just because they don't
[1:56:09] want to interrupt the second game so
[1:56:11] they stand there and then um it's just
[1:56:15] just not a very good area and so uh fans
[1:56:19] don't want to enter so they stand out
[1:56:20] there they cause traffic. Um, there's
[1:56:23] also no room for the trainer in the
[1:56:25] middle of the gym and uh always constant
[1:56:28] traffic in front of benches. Um, and the
[1:56:31] check-in area for the teams is not a
[1:56:34] very good area.
[1:56:37] So, I'm proposing uh, you know, just a
[1:56:39] new look for both gyms. Um, I uh I want
[1:56:45] to use our stadium chairs that the
[1:56:47] school booster club had purchased. Um, I
[1:56:50] want to give us easier access to the
[1:56:52] locker rooms. Um, I want to position the
[1:56:54] scores table in the middle of the gym. I
[1:56:57] want to give an area larger for our
[1:56:59] student section in our cheer team. Um,
[1:57:03] um, by by moving
[1:57:05] um, we increase uh, our student section
[1:57:09] by like 40%. Um, currently if we have a
[1:57:13] big game, a lot of the students, they
[1:57:16] are actually sitting in the where you'd
[1:57:19] walk up and down to get into the
[1:57:20] bleachers. And so, uh, so I think just
[1:57:24] allows for that. And then, um, it helps
[1:57:26] also with our trainers. So, this would
[1:57:28] be like the new look. Um, if you notice
[1:57:31] there's the stadium chairs in front.
[1:57:33] Now, these would be on the opposite end
[1:57:35] opposite side of the court um, than
[1:57:38] originally. Um, there's more space on
[1:57:41] this side for those chairs to be
[1:57:44] positioned.
[1:57:46] It also gives your trainers an area to
[1:57:49] work on their athletes kind of towards
[1:57:51] the end of the bleachers. They can also
[1:57:53] go into the locker rooms if um, you
[1:57:55] know, there's a blood on the jersey. Um,
[1:57:58] you know, if there's a say, you know, a
[1:58:01] female athlete gets blood on her jersey
[1:58:03] and she has to go change, you know,
[1:58:04] she's quick access to get into the
[1:58:06] locker rooms.
[1:58:09] Also, the scores table fits in between
[1:58:12] the the two bleachers that we currently
[1:58:15] have.
[1:58:17] Um, this is kind of what it would look
[1:58:19] from the side. Um, those distances, um,
[1:58:22] like walking through the bleacher is the
[1:58:24] same as from the chair to the bleacher.
[1:58:26] And then there's about 30 inches in
[1:58:28] front of the chairs um, for space for,
[1:58:32] you know, the the team and the coaches
[1:58:34] to walk up and down.
[1:58:37] So there's a good-looking person right
[1:58:40] there demonstrating how that would be.
[1:58:43] So that's me. Sorry. Uh and then um at
[1:58:47] the middle school gym um currently our
[1:58:50] scoreboard is uh um still in the 1980s,
[1:58:55] 1990s. Um so it is hardwired. And so my
[1:59:00] suggestion would to be to get a new
[1:59:02] scoreboard so that I could put team
[1:59:04] benches on this side of the gym. Um,
[1:59:07] which would open up the access to fans
[1:59:10] coming in and out of the gym.
[1:59:14] Oops. Um, so those pictures represent
[1:59:18] where the, you know, the two team
[1:59:21] benches would be and then the scores
[1:59:22] table would fit right there and there's
[1:59:24] plenty of space for that to happen.
[1:59:28] just turned on. Where would you put the
[1:59:29] scoreboard at the middle school?
[1:59:31] >> Um, I would just replace the scoreboard
[1:59:34] and make it a wireless board. Um, right
[1:59:36] now it's not wireless. Um, currently you
[1:59:40] have to plug in in order to to read to
[1:59:42] the scoreboard. And so by getting a new
[1:59:45] scoreboard which would go in the
[1:59:47] existing scoreboards place um you could
[1:59:51] uh have a wireless capability of putting
[1:59:54] the controller at any place in the gym.
[1:59:58] >> So the scores table would be in front of
[2:00:01] it. So the scoreboard would be behind.
[2:00:04] >> Correct. Yeah. We'd probably have to get
[2:00:05] a score uh scoreboard on the opposite
[2:00:08] side. You know what I'm saying? That um
[2:00:10] maybe just reads time and and the score.
[2:00:13] Um, but uh
[2:00:16] new scoreboards have the ability to see
[2:00:19] on the screen what the score and the
[2:00:22] time is on the little controller that
[2:00:24] they're running um versus the old ones.
[2:00:27] So,
[2:00:31] um the other part of my presentation um
[2:00:33] just um possible you know upgrades. Um,
[2:00:39] one thing that uh is very difficult to
[2:00:42] do is to go into our locker rooms. Um, I
[2:00:46] feel like uh it's
[2:00:49] when I when schools other schools come
[2:00:52] to visit our school um and officials
[2:00:55] from not our school come in, um I have
[2:01:00] to take him to a space that's not very
[2:01:02] uh um I guess has a lot of school pride.
[2:01:07] Um, it's pretty rundown. It's It's kind
[2:01:10] of a bad area. Um, not many people take
[2:01:13] pride in this area. Um, this first
[2:01:15] picture is of where I have to take the
[2:01:17] officials for their their contests. Um,
[2:01:22] um, if you notice, there's still like a
[2:01:23] fridge from the 70s right there. Um,
[2:01:27] the, uh, space in order, you know, where
[2:01:30] to change uh, the, you know, everything
[2:01:32] is very outdated. Um, just it's not a
[2:01:35] great space.
[2:01:37] to take um people and the shower is is
[2:01:42] pretty run down. Oops.
[2:01:46] Um here's a picture of our inside of our
[2:01:48] high school locker room. Um, there are
[2:01:52] currently 500 lockers in the locker in
[2:01:56] the boys locker room and there's only
[2:01:58] about 300
[2:02:02] well there's about 400 boys in the whole
[2:02:04] school and so uh each locker is about 6
[2:02:08] in by a foot. Um, which doesn't fit a
[2:02:12] lot of stuff. Doesn't fit hardly any
[2:02:14] equipment. Um, it's just taking up
[2:02:16] space. Um, if you notice, um, there's a
[2:02:19] lot of dents in those lockers. There's a
[2:02:22] lot of like metal that's sticking out,
[2:02:24] so like, you know, a kid could walk by
[2:02:26] it and, uh, you know, possibly get hung
[2:02:30] up on it, get cut. Um, so they're kind
[2:02:32] of dangerous. Um this past uh this
[2:02:35] summer um if you look at the picture on
[2:02:37] the left, I had one of those banks of
[2:02:39] lockers removed just so teams when they
[2:02:42] come in at halftime would have an area
[2:02:44] to sit and discuss um like strategy at
[2:02:48] halftime. Um, so just kind of, you know,
[2:02:52] my suggestion would be to take all those
[2:02:54] middle bank lockers out and just on the
[2:02:58] sidewalls have lockers which would be
[2:03:01] sufficient enough for PE classes and
[2:03:04] after school um after school teams. Um,
[2:03:09] and then like level that floor so you
[2:03:12] could put um some benches in there.
[2:03:17] And there's a picture of that. Um,
[2:03:20] here's pictures. These are the new
[2:03:22] lockers. There's some new lockers in the
[2:03:24] old locker room. Um, there's 24 on one
[2:03:28] wall. And if you put that on the
[2:03:29] opposite wall, you know, you'd have up
[2:03:31] to 48 lockers. And then there's about on
[2:03:34] the other side of this locker bank right
[2:03:37] there. If you go on the other side of
[2:03:38] that wall, there's about 40 more lockers
[2:03:41] in another locker room, which is
[2:03:43] considered also the boys locker room.
[2:03:46] Um, this is just a picture of the girls
[2:03:48] locker room. If you notice, just, you
[2:03:50] know, we have pink walls, we have
[2:03:53] yellow, we have green. Um,
[2:03:57] just, uh, you know, there's nothing that
[2:03:59] says this is Skuku Valley in there. Um,
[2:04:06] here's a picture of our middle school
[2:04:08] lockers. Those lockers are even smaller
[2:04:10] than our high school lockers. Um, you
[2:04:12] can't even fit a book bag in there or
[2:04:14] anything. And most kids these days, they
[2:04:17] carry a backpack. They don't like in the
[2:04:19] olden days, you'd carry a just a book to
[2:04:22] class and then you'd go to your locker
[2:04:23] and get your another book and you go to
[2:04:25] class and you know, or you'd go to PE
[2:04:28] class and you'd just have like a t-shirt
[2:04:30] and a pair of shorts in your gym locker
[2:04:32] and you change, right? But um these kids
[2:04:35] carry backpacks everywhere and and if
[2:04:37] you go into the locker rooms after
[2:04:40] school, you'll see bags scattered
[2:04:42] everywhere in these things. And I've
[2:04:44] gotten multiple reports just in the time
[2:04:46] I've been here of, hey, my stuff got
[2:04:48] stolen. And I'm like, well, put it in a
[2:04:50] locker. And they're like, you know, I've
[2:04:52] even had parents say, do they have
[2:04:54] lockers? And I'm like, well, they do,
[2:04:56] but hardly anything fits in them, but we
[2:04:58] can provide you a locker or you can get
[2:05:00] your own locker. So showers, um, there
[2:05:05] were couches in the showers when I got
[2:05:07] here. Um, they just don't get used. Um,
[2:05:11] kids do not take showers anymore. That
[2:05:14] kind of stopped in the, you know, 2000s.
[2:05:17] Uh, they just, they just don't take
[2:05:19] showers. And, uh, so now they're just
[2:05:22] kind of places where, you know, you can
[2:05:24] see like in that middle picture, there's
[2:05:26] some trash that gets compiled in there.
[2:05:28] Um, there was a in the picture on the
[2:05:30] right, there was a couch in there, but
[2:05:32] it got removed. We told the kids they
[2:05:34] had to get it out of there. So, um,
[2:05:36] just, uh, it could be a place where, you
[2:05:39] know, storage. We're always looking for
[2:05:41] more storage in the gy school and it'd
[2:05:43] be a good place for storage. They're
[2:05:44] they're pretty big lock, you know,
[2:05:46] showers and stuff like that. So,
[2:05:49] um,
[2:05:52] and then, uh, the only thing to talk
[2:05:54] about with our outside facilities, um,
[2:05:57] is we need, you know, storage for our
[2:06:00] baseball and softball teams. Um we have
[2:06:04] a lot of expensive equipment that needs
[2:06:06] to be put in um stored in in areas um
[2:06:12] especially with you know uh like
[2:06:14] pitching machines, generators, things
[2:06:17] like that. Um they're all crammed in
[2:06:20] like little closets that are very hard
[2:06:22] to access for teams to get out and and
[2:06:25] and
[2:06:26] to use. a lot of times they put them all
[2:06:29] up at the high school and um then that
[2:06:32] creates space issues up at the high
[2:06:33] school as well. So
[2:06:37] um the other thing uh is scoreboards. Um
[2:06:41] our baseball um field does not have a
[2:06:44] scoreboard. I'd like to you know try to
[2:06:46] change that. um field hockey. Um down at
[2:06:50] the field that the junior high uses, it
[2:06:52] doesn't have a scoreboard or nether
[2:06:54] neither does our junior high football
[2:06:56] field, which I think would be beneficial
[2:06:58] for a scoreboard as well. Um there's
[2:07:01] just places along our school that um
[2:07:03] whether it's a portable scoreboard um
[2:07:06] that we can drive from field to field or
[2:07:08] you know, one that's just a structure
[2:07:10] that's there the whole time. Um that's
[2:07:14] something that I would like to improve
[2:07:16] um here at Skooka Valley. So um
[2:07:22] so just some pictures oh sorry some
[2:07:25] pictures of where scoreboard placement
[2:07:27] um here's baseball field um storage
[2:07:30] areas. Um you know right next to our
[2:07:34] batting cages at the baseball field uh
[2:07:36] next to our dugout here at the softball
[2:07:38] field. just different areas that could
[2:07:41] use some storage um for the expensive
[2:07:45] equipment that baseball and softball
[2:07:46] has.
[2:07:50] And that is my presentation. So,
[2:07:53] >> are these items that you are looking to
[2:07:57] to do in a current budget or you're
[2:08:00] looking at to include in next year's
[2:08:02] budget? Um, yeah, that that's kind of a
[2:08:06] you know, some I'm looking at this
[2:08:09] year's budget. I coming in, I didn't
[2:08:12] know how the budget stretched. I didn't
[2:08:14] know if they spent all the funds from,
[2:08:17] you know, and when I first got here, I
[2:08:19] started getting bills from last fiscal
[2:08:22] year. And so that has decreased my
[2:08:24] budget for this year. So, um, you know,
[2:08:27] and they were big bills. They weren't
[2:08:28] like a couple hundred bucks. There were
[2:08:30] thousands of dollars that got pushed
[2:08:32] onto this year's budget, which um it
[2:08:34] happens, but uh um I'm trying to get a
[2:08:38] gauge of where we are at, you know,
[2:08:41] financially. Um and I think we're in
[2:08:44] really good shape. And I would like to
[2:08:46] make some of these purchases in this
[2:08:48] fiscal year um with some of these things
[2:08:51] like a storage container or a you know a
[2:08:54] scoreboard for the middle school things
[2:08:56] like that that you know are on the range
[2:08:58] of 3 to 4,000 per item you know those
[2:09:01] kind of things that would be nice fixes
[2:09:04] for the school. Um I would like to save
[2:09:08] up to you know possibly help out with
[2:09:11] the locker room changes. you know, those
[2:09:13] are it's probably a bigger ticket item,
[2:09:15] you know, you know, new lockers and
[2:09:17] benches and stuff like that that could
[2:09:20] help that space and and getting somebody
[2:09:22] in there to paint it to do all those
[2:09:25] remodeling. So,
[2:09:28] >> okay. Does anyone else have any
[2:09:30] questions?
[2:09:31] >> Yeah, I would just like to mention, you
[2:09:33] know, Mr. Hansen, thanks for putting
[2:09:35] this together. Um, you know, I think a
[2:09:38] lot of times there's a lot of resistance
[2:09:39] to change. Uh, and in general, I'm not
[2:09:43] in favor of change for the sake of
[2:09:45] change, but at the same time, we can't
[2:09:48] just ignore, uh, the potential for
[2:09:50] improvements and changes. So, uh, you
[2:09:53] know, it's tough to navigate those
[2:09:55] waters because you're going to have a
[2:09:56] bunch of people that want to see a lot
[2:09:57] of change. You're going to have a bunch
[2:09:58] of people that don't want to change
[2:09:59] anything. Uh, you know, having gone here
[2:10:02] myself, there are, you know, there are
[2:10:04] things here that I like just because
[2:10:06] that's the way they were when I was
[2:10:07] here. Uh, there's also things that I
[2:10:09] dislike because they were the way that
[2:10:11] they were when I was here.
[2:10:12] >> No, I understand. Thank you for putting
[2:10:13] us together.
[2:10:14] >> I understand.
[2:10:15] Yeah, there's a lot of, you know, I've
[2:10:18] changed school districts twice and when
[2:10:20] I went to my previous school district in
[2:10:22] Wyoming, I implemented change and it was
[2:10:25] hard, you know, for people to accept
[2:10:27] change and you know, I tried to do
[2:10:29] things that were positive that benefited
[2:10:31] kids. you know, I didn't really think
[2:10:33] about um you know, you know, was you
[2:10:38] know, you always have those people that
[2:10:39] come in the crowd and they're like,
[2:10:40] "This is where I've sat since 1982 and
[2:10:43] this is my seat." And to make that
[2:10:45] change is hard, you know, and so those
[2:10:47] kind of things are difficult to do and
[2:10:50] and so um and I don't want to, you know,
[2:10:53] neglect them too. I want to make
[2:10:55] everybody's experience great here at
[2:10:57] Scoop Valley.
[2:10:59] Um, you were talking about some new
[2:11:01] potential funding sources for some of
[2:11:03] these things. Are you thinking about
[2:11:04] applying the the fundraising effort to
[2:11:07] some of these scoreboards?
[2:11:09] >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm I'm kind of waiting to
[2:11:11] see, you know, how the, you know, I
[2:11:14] mean, I think it's on the agenda for the
[2:11:16] power ad thing. Um, I would like to go
[2:11:19] out personally and, you know, solicit
[2:11:22] businesses and and see if people want to
[2:11:24] donate to help with these projects and
[2:11:26] and, uh, you know, um, I just presented
[2:11:30] the power ad to give you options, you
[2:11:32] know, for bigger ticket items. Um, but,
[2:11:36] uh, you know, at my last school
[2:11:37] district, I just, you know, pounded the
[2:11:40] pavement and went business to business
[2:11:42] and said, "Hey, you want to donate?" and
[2:11:44] you know, I'm trying to work on this
[2:11:46] project. Um, you could have your name
[2:11:49] next to it, you know, whether it's a
[2:11:51] scoreboard, whether it's a storage
[2:11:53] container, you know, and it could be
[2:11:54] there for the life of the, you know, the
[2:11:56] item. And, and so those are kind of some
[2:11:58] things that I've done at my previous
[2:12:00] districts.
[2:12:02] >> Great. Thank you.
[2:12:03] >> Yeah,
[2:12:03] >> I have a question. So whether the
[2:12:07] fieldhouse project moves forward or not,
[2:12:09] it to me without ever going into those
[2:12:12] locker rooms, just going by your
[2:12:14] pictures, there's no doubt that they all
[2:12:16] need to be redone. Uh they look pretty
[2:12:20] bad. So to me, that also looks like a
[2:12:24] project that once you knock something
[2:12:26] down, you're going to find more and more
[2:12:27] and more just because of the age
[2:12:29] associated with with that. So, moving
[2:12:32] forward, whether it's this budget or
[2:12:34] next year's budget,
[2:12:37] how are we going to establish what that
[2:12:40] looks like financially? Are we going to
[2:12:42] bring someone in that that looks at it
[2:12:45] as a from a contractor's perspective and
[2:12:48] says, "This is what we believe it's
[2:12:50] going to cost because to me, I think
[2:12:52] it's going to be a bigger ticket item
[2:12:53] than what we imagine. I think it's going
[2:12:56] to be more than removing lockers, uh,
[2:12:59] elevated floors, the the plumbing and so
[2:13:02] forth. So, I'd like to have a better
[2:13:04] idea of what that's going to look like,
[2:13:06] especially with consideration of the
[2:13:08] spending that may go forward with other
[2:13:11] projects that we have.
[2:13:13] Yeah, I would I would also like to, you
[2:13:16] know, get a few people in to put some
[2:13:18] bids together to see what it does take
[2:13:20] to, you know, make those changes so
[2:13:22] that, you know, eventually I could come
[2:13:24] back to you and say, "Hey, this is what
[2:13:26] it's going to cost. Are you interested?
[2:13:28] Um, this is what I have in my budget,
[2:13:30] you know, um, what can the school do for
[2:13:32] me to help fix this and and make it
[2:13:36] better for all our students?"
[2:13:38] >> Agreed. Thank you. In the past, we've um
[2:13:41] we've had an architect on board to look
[2:13:43] at some of these types of projects. Um
[2:13:45] it's nice to have the contractors come
[2:13:47] in and give you cost estimates, but I
[2:13:49] think we need some design professionals
[2:13:50] involved because you're going to have to
[2:13:52] consider building codes um and just make
[2:13:55] sure we're not stepping out of bounds on
[2:13:57] some of those. Um and when you renovate
[2:14:00] a space, are you going to fall under new
[2:14:02] building codes or are we able to do it
[2:14:04] in a way that that we're grandfathered
[2:14:05] in and don't have to make some wild
[2:14:07] changes? we can just do some paint and
[2:14:10] some fixing of the floors,
[2:14:11] >> right? So,
[2:14:12] >> I totally understand. I assume
[2:14:14] >> those are not questions that an athletic
[2:14:17] director knows.
[2:14:18] >> Yeah. So, I I think as a board, we're
[2:14:20] probably going to have to make a choice
[2:14:22] and whether we want to, you know, look
[2:14:23] into it a little bit further, but we're
[2:14:25] going to have to probably hire somebody
[2:14:26] to get a good look at it so we're fully
[2:14:28] aware of what we're going to get into.
[2:14:31] Have you priced out the like a a
[2:14:33] scoreboard for the middle school?
[2:14:35] Because that seems like a easier one to
[2:14:38] kind of
[2:14:39] >> Yeah.
[2:14:39] >> to pick off and it would that would help
[2:14:41] a lot down there. Moving that moving
[2:14:42] that scores table across there just to
[2:14:45] open up that gym.
[2:14:46] >> I mean, reconfiguring the high school
[2:14:48] gym isn't going to cost anything besides
[2:14:50] grief, but um there's no I don't think
[2:14:53] there's a lot of money to be tied to
[2:14:55] doing that. So, that that's a pretty
[2:14:56] easy one. Yeah, the the scoreboards uh
[2:15:00] are around 6 to 10,000 for a new
[2:15:03] scoreboard um for like the middle
[2:15:06] school. Yes,
[2:15:07] >> that's the board, the controls,
[2:15:08] >> the controller, the boards. Yeah. Now, I
[2:15:11] don't know like in my last school um our
[2:15:14] maintenance would hang up the
[2:15:16] scoreboard, you know. So, I don't know
[2:15:19] what that cost is is, you know, if we
[2:15:21] have the people on on site that can hang
[2:15:24] the scoreboard themselves or we have to
[2:15:26] hire that in. So that could be an
[2:15:27] additional cost that I'm just not
[2:15:29] thinking about.
[2:15:29] >> We'd have to look what the electric is
[2:15:31] there, too. I don't know what it is or
[2:15:32] what the new board's going to require.
[2:15:34] So there might be a little bit some
[2:15:35] elements there to figure out, too. But
[2:15:37] >> yeah, most of the scoreboards are just
[2:15:38] like a, you know, typical one. Just plug
[2:15:41] in.
[2:15:41] >> Yeah, just a plug in. Just a plug in.
[2:15:43] And
[2:15:44] >> so is the controller. So it's nothing
[2:15:46] too
[2:15:46] >> Okay.
[2:15:47] >> Nothing too crazy. So
[2:15:49] >> I think we do have some qualified
[2:15:50] professionals on staff now that that
[2:15:52] probably can can give us a good handle.
[2:15:54] >> I was excited when we got Yeah. the
[2:15:56] electrician and all those. So, I think
[2:15:58] they can handle this project. I just
[2:15:59] Yeah.
[2:16:00] >> And I just want to make sure we don't
[2:16:02] lose sight because this has been
[2:16:03] something that's kind of been going on
[2:16:04] for the last couple years when it comes
[2:16:06] with scoreboards. We can't forget the
[2:16:07] swimming scoreboard.
[2:16:09] >> Correct. Yeah.
[2:16:09] >> That's been an issue now for a couple
[2:16:11] years that we also need to get rid of
[2:16:13] that's a bigger ticket item, I believe.
[2:16:15] >> Correct. Yeah. Me and the technology
[2:16:16] department, we've kind of talked about
[2:16:18] that um Mr. stomp check about, you know,
[2:16:23] looking at our budgets and seeing what
[2:16:24] we can do to to fix that scoreboard over
[2:16:27] at the the swimming pool. So,
[2:16:32] >> are there any other questions?
[2:16:36] >> If not, thank you.
[2:16:38] >> You guys all look very shined up
[2:16:40] tonight. Gosh,
[2:16:41] >> picture day.
[2:16:42] >> I know you guys shine up good.
[2:16:45] >> Thank you.
[2:16:47] Okay, so we'll move on to reports of
[2:16:49] officers and board representatives. I do
[2:16:52] have a couple of things to go over
[2:16:54] tonight. Um, this is our first official
[2:16:57] regular voting board meeting since the
[2:16:59] initial reorganization meeting in
[2:17:00] December. And there is a lot of
[2:17:03] situations that we are obviously trying
[2:17:05] to address all at one time. And believe
[2:17:09] me, our impatience at time is just as
[2:17:11] great as many of other people's. So, in
[2:17:15] the month of January, I counted up at
[2:17:17] least 18 meetings that various board
[2:17:20] members have attended, and I'm sure I
[2:17:22] missed some of the ones during the day
[2:17:25] with buildings and grounds. I don't even
[2:17:26] think I counted those. So working
[2:17:28] through the commiss the committee system
[2:17:31] which all five committees hold separate
[2:17:33] meetings. Items we have been working on
[2:17:36] include getting back to policies having
[2:17:38] first and second readings before being
[2:17:40] improved to not only give the public but
[2:17:43] the board itself time to understand what
[2:17:45] the policy is. We first worked on the
[2:17:48] policy that outlines the organizational
[2:17:50] chart and policy 903 regarding hearing
[2:17:52] of visitors which we'll be looking at
[2:17:54] for a first reading tonight. And at the
[2:17:56] next policy and personnel and public
[2:17:58] relations workshop committee which is
[2:18:00] tomorrow night, we will be tackling the
[2:18:03] hiring and interview procedure as well
[2:18:05] as discussing a standardized exit
[2:18:08] interview form. So the hiring and
[2:18:10] interview procedure will not only cover
[2:18:12] all hiring in the district but also as
[2:18:14] we work through this superintendent
[2:18:17] search. Part of this is also sitting
[2:18:19] down with the union representation uh to
[2:18:22] get their input in this process and also
[2:18:25] to take note the budget and finance
[2:18:26] committee meeting scheduled after the
[2:18:28] policy meeting tomorrow night has been
[2:18:30] moved to the following Tuesday to give
[2:18:33] the policy committee more time for
[2:18:35] discussion tomorrow night. We did get
[2:18:37] obviously the curriculum surveys to the
[2:18:39] staff and as you heard earlier the
[2:18:41] curriculum committee will hold a
[2:18:42] workshop meeting on this coming Thursday
[2:18:45] and we will continue to discuss the
[2:18:47] survey results. Um we will also be
[2:18:50] looking at a standardized form with
[2:18:52] multiple signatures needed that when
[2:18:55] books are removed from the classrooms um
[2:18:57] everyone is aware of what is being
[2:18:59] removed and we don't have that kind of
[2:19:01] situation ever again. The act 34
[2:19:04] comments regarding the fieldhouse
[2:19:06] project need to be back to the district
[2:19:08] office by mail or hand delivery no later
[2:19:12] than Friday, February 6th. So get those
[2:19:15] letters in by that deadline. I want to
[2:19:18] give a little update on the
[2:19:19] superintendent search. There is a
[2:19:21] community survey available online
[2:19:23] regarding what characteristics and
[2:19:25] priorities are important to you as in a
[2:19:28] superintendent. And that deadline is
[2:19:30] tomorrow, February 3rd. So, please fill
[2:19:33] that out if you have not already done
[2:19:35] so. The board did receive the first
[2:19:38] batch of applicants and we will soon
[2:19:41] receive a second batch. And as the
[2:19:44] deadlines for applications is February
[2:19:47] 17th, um I assume we may be receiving a
[2:19:52] third batch as well. And just to let
[2:19:55] everyone know, there is a promising
[2:19:57] number of candidates interested in
[2:19:59] coming to Skookula Valley. We will be
[2:20:01] meeting with the BCIU to review the
[2:20:03] community survey results and discuss the
[2:20:06] applications on February 23rd. The first
[2:20:09] round of interviews will begin the first
[2:20:11] week of March, the second and third
[2:20:13] rounds to follow. And again, we will be
[2:20:15] working on the number of teachers and
[2:20:17] administrators who will be included in
[2:20:19] the interview process and also working
[2:20:21] with the union and the admin in the
[2:20:23] selection of those additional
[2:20:25] interviewees. Um, I also want to make
[2:20:28] others aware that I have been having
[2:20:30] issues with my email. The first two
[2:20:33] weeks on the board, I wasn't getting any
[2:20:35] emails and I'm still having some issues.
[2:20:37] So, honestly, it's either operator error
[2:20:40] or technical issues or whatever. But I
[2:20:44] want to publicly say I'm not trying to
[2:20:46] ignore anyone, but I'm either not seeing
[2:20:48] the original email or unable to find it
[2:20:51] again. So, um, please bear with me as we
[2:20:54] work through that. So apparently Outlook
[2:20:57] and I are not compatible. So feel free
[2:21:00] when you see me out and about in the
[2:21:01] public um let me know if you sent me
[2:21:03] something and didn't hear back from me.
[2:21:06] So that's all I have for this evening.
[2:21:09] We will move on to 2.2. Secretary Linda
[2:21:13] Lash.
[2:21:14] >> No report.
[2:21:16] >> Okay. Uh 2.3, the Burks County IU Board.
[2:21:20] >> Okay. I was unable to make the IU
[2:21:23] meeting last month because I had a
[2:21:25] conflict with a board meeting here, but
[2:21:28] I did attend the officers meeting which
[2:21:32] we have uh once a month before our board
[2:21:35] meeting. So, I can give you a
[2:21:38] general synopsis of what went on. Um
[2:21:40] there was a state senate hearing on uh
[2:21:44] improving literacy held January 12th at
[2:21:48] Daniel Boone High School. The IU was
[2:21:51] represented by Dan Richards. Um and
[2:21:57] it was there were a lot of comments. I
[2:22:00] think I think there was a um Reading
[2:22:02] Eagle presentation about that meeting.
[2:22:06] So that was a a state
[2:22:09] held meeting. Uh the mandated services
[2:22:13] budget was approved by the board and I
[2:22:15] believe we will be voting on that
[2:22:17] tonight. We do use a lot of IU services
[2:22:21] and have been doing so quite a bit in
[2:22:24] the last four or five years. So um
[2:22:29] our share of it has risen slightly a
[2:22:32] couple thousand dollars I believe over
[2:22:35] the last year.
[2:22:37] The BCIU Education Foundation is
[2:22:42] moving along. Jim Bosovs is the
[2:22:45] chairperson of that and it is focused on
[2:22:48] early education.
[2:22:50] We seated new board members and they had
[2:22:54] their new board member orientation
[2:23:00] and we are
[2:23:03] doing building projects and the um IU
[2:23:07] itself the the building is going to be
[2:23:10] renovated for classrooms and the center
[2:23:15] on
[2:23:17] center avenue is closing and will be
[2:23:20] using a different building on that same
[2:23:23] property for classrooms.
[2:23:26] So on
[2:23:29] oh the 2026 top Lehigh Valley Workplace
[2:23:33] Awards, the IR BCIU came in 13th out of
[2:23:40] 500 of those employees. So that was kind
[2:23:42] of nice. And
[2:23:46] that's all I have for the IU.
[2:23:51] >> Okay. Thank you. I'd just like to make
[2:23:52] note that uh Dr. winners and I um
[2:23:55] attended a board president and
[2:23:58] superintendent
[2:24:00] program that was at the IU on Thursday
[2:24:03] and the guest speaker uh talked about AI
[2:24:05] and it was very interesting and they did
[2:24:07] send out the PowerPoint presentation and
[2:24:11] I'll make sure I forward that to the
[2:24:13] rest of the board. Okay, moving on to
[2:24:16] Burk's Career and Technology. Uh David
[2:24:18] is not here this evening so we'll wait
[2:24:21] till next month to hear that report. uh
[2:24:23] the Burks County Tax Collection
[2:24:25] Committee.
[2:24:26] >> I'll have a report next month. The next
[2:24:28] meeting is March 19th, a couple days
[2:24:30] before the March board meeting.
[2:24:33] >> Okay. Thank you. The uh school board's
[2:24:36] association leazison.
[2:24:39] >> Okay. Tomorrow the
[2:24:42] uh governor will be presenting the state
[2:24:46] budget and on February 6th at noon I
[2:24:50] believe there is a workshop that board
[2:24:52] members can attend. Uh you'd have to go
[2:24:54] on um my PB my PSBA and sign up for that
[2:25:00] I believe. So, if you want to do that on
[2:25:02] February 6 at noon,
[2:25:06] I have um
[2:25:10] I don't know if everybody's done their
[2:25:13] um new board training with PSBA yet or
[2:25:16] not, but there I hope you have signed up
[2:25:19] for it. Um I think there's I don't know
[2:25:22] if there are any live ones available.
[2:25:25] They might be all online that are still
[2:25:29] have room. Um, there's a new director
[2:25:32] monthly meetup on February 18th provided
[2:25:35] by PSBA at noon if you can do that.
[2:25:41] And
[2:25:45] really that that's it for me for PSBA
[2:25:52] and I'll go on
[2:25:55] for the foundation.
[2:25:57] Quite honestly, Linda, I can't hear a
[2:25:59] word that you're saying.
[2:26:00] >> You can't hear me because of this.
[2:26:03] >> Oh, well, I can't hear anything down
[2:26:05] there, so it's fair game, I guess.
[2:26:07] >> But I'm going on to um the foundation.
[2:26:11] So,
[2:26:13] uh the foundation is having their um
[2:26:18] fundraiser on March 13th
[2:26:21] and there are still tickets available.
[2:26:24] And they're also looking for raffle
[2:26:27] donations.
[2:26:29] So if anybody wants to go and do that,
[2:26:31] you can sponsor a whole table. You can
[2:26:33] get individual tickets. You can get uh
[2:26:36] different kinds of tickets and they're
[2:26:37] looking for um people to attend that.
[2:26:41] And they have they've been giving out
[2:26:44] grant money to our staff. So um they're
[2:26:48] working hard at making this a success.
[2:26:51] And I know we're a little bit behind in
[2:26:53] getting into the foundation
[2:26:56] uh world of foundations, but I I look
[2:26:59] forward to ours being a very much of a
[2:27:01] success. And I know a lot of school
[2:27:04] districts that really raise some major
[2:27:07] dollars with this. So I wish them all
[2:27:10] the best with this um black red and
[2:27:13] black event on March 13th. So if you
[2:27:16] haven't gotten your ticket yet, please
[2:27:18] do so.
[2:27:20] >> Okay. Thank you, Linda. We'll move on to
[2:27:23] persons who wish to address the board.
[2:27:25] Um, we are currently working on the new
[2:27:27] policy and we're going to have the first
[2:27:29] reading tonight. So, basically, we're
[2:27:32] under the same guidelines as we used
[2:27:34] before. Anyone who wishes to address the
[2:27:36] board will have three minutes to state
[2:27:37] their questions and please state your
[2:27:39] name and where you live. And if you have
[2:27:41] a written statement, the board would re
[2:27:43] would appreciate receiving a copy. First
[2:27:45] up is Lou Shooker.
[2:27:55] Normally I address the board regarding
[2:27:57] the issue of literacy, but we've had
[2:28:00] about an hour and a half uh session on
[2:28:03] uh what the school is doing in terms of
[2:28:05] literacy. On the other hand, today is
[2:28:09] Groundhog's Day and since I have no idea
[2:28:12] whether or not we're going to have six
[2:28:14] more weeks of winter, I'm going to talk
[2:28:16] a little bit about literacy anyhow. Um,
[2:28:19] actually I'm going to be somewhat
[2:28:21] presumptuous and challenge the board Dr.
[2:28:23] Wyinners to commit to raising the level
[2:28:26] of proficient elementary tree readers to
[2:28:29] 75 to 80% within 3 to four years. It's
[2:28:33] great to hear all these uh issues
[2:28:36] discussed but we have to have a goal. So
[2:28:40] if 75 to 80% is reasonable, I suggest uh
[2:28:44] that we uh adopt it. Uh this will of
[2:28:48] course as has been stated uh require a
[2:28:52] commitment of time and resources. The
[2:28:54] two uh uh takeaways that I got from the
[2:28:58] comments and the presentation is that we
[2:29:01] we need training, not only initial but
[2:29:04] ongoing training for our teachers, and
[2:29:06] we need a commitment of resources, not
[2:29:09] $23 million, but uh something reasonable
[2:29:12] to make sure that uh the training and
[2:29:15] the curriculum is effectively
[2:29:17] implemented. On the other hand, there's
[2:29:20] a couple of other items that I think are
[2:29:22] important. One is the involvement of
[2:29:24] parents. Uh I heard nothing about the
[2:29:28] role that parents play. We have no
[2:29:30] control over what you know what the
[2:29:32] parents uh uh do or do not do visav
[2:29:36] their children. But we can certainly
[2:29:38] encourage them number one to read to
[2:29:40] their children to make sure that their
[2:29:42] homework is done. give them the tools to
[2:29:45] recognize when their child is having
[2:29:47] trouble reading and also some basic uh
[2:29:52] elements of of teaching of reading the
[2:29:55] phonics. Uh hopefully with teacher
[2:29:59] implement with parent implementation the
[2:30:02] teacher's job will be a whole lot
[2:30:04] easier. The other thing is we've learned
[2:30:07] over the last decade or so that brain
[2:30:10] development starts very early. uh too
[2:30:14] many students start uh uh school way
[2:30:17] behind in terms of reading. We should
[2:30:19] try to reach them as toddlers and and
[2:30:22] and in that regard uh the Skookul Valley
[2:30:25] Community Library has an excellent
[2:30:27] program for young people both during the
[2:30:30] year and during the uh summer. Speaking
[2:30:34] of the summer, we all know that uh a lot
[2:30:37] of learning goes by the board in the
[2:30:39] summer and teachers have to spend a
[2:30:41] month or two or three catching up. It
[2:30:43] would be helpful at least with respect
[2:30:45] to reading that we uh offer them the
[2:30:47] opportunity at the various sites
[2:30:50] throughout the uh school district to
[2:30:53] practice their reading uh and develop
[2:30:56] good reading habits. Thank you.
[2:31:01] >> Thank you. Next up is Roxanne McMerry.
[2:31:08] >> Good evening. My name is Roxan McMerry.
[2:31:10] I live in Center Township. I last spoke
[2:31:12] to you at the fieldhouse meeting a
[2:31:14] couple weeks ago, at which time I
[2:31:15] cautioned you against spending $6
[2:31:16] million of the capital reserve funds on
[2:31:18] the fieldhouse project because spending
[2:31:20] all the planned funds would run the
[2:31:22] capital funds balance down to a million
[2:31:24] dollars. I noted that carrying a $1
[2:31:25] million balance in capital reserves is
[2:31:28] extremely low. that low balance would
[2:31:30] not be a problem if there were
[2:31:31] significant funds on hand in the general
[2:31:33] h fund. Um in this but in this case
[2:31:35] there are not. And so tonight I'm here
[2:31:37] to address you regarding the general
[2:31:38] fund. During the budget presentation at
[2:31:40] last month's meeting it was projected to
[2:31:42] end the 2526 school year with a deficit
[2:31:44] of about $1.3 million and an ending
[2:31:46] unassigned fund balance of $1.2 million.
[2:31:49] That is extremely low. To put that into
[2:31:52] perspective, $1.2 million is only 2.4%
[2:31:55] 4% of the total budgeted expenditures
[2:31:57] for the 2526 fiscal year, which is about
[2:32:00] $49.7 million. If you divide that total
[2:32:03] by 52 weeks, your ending fund balance of
[2:32:06] $1.2 million will be only just over
[2:32:08] slightly one week's worth of
[2:32:10] expenditures.
[2:32:11] In addition to that, if you look at your
[2:32:13] largest budgeted expenditure for the
[2:32:15] district, payroll and benefits, I don't
[2:32:17] know your actual payroll run amount
[2:32:19] because, as was noted, there are
[2:32:21] unfilled positions in that budget. But
[2:32:23] if you look at all of your budget
[2:32:24] expenditures for payroll and benefits in
[2:32:26] your budget, your total budgeted payroll
[2:32:29] is about $21.6 million. Dividing that by
[2:32:32] 26 pays is roughly $832,000.
[2:32:35] On top of that, you pay benefits. Total
[2:32:37] budget budgeted benefits is about 13.3
[2:32:40] million. That adds about another
[2:32:42] $512,000 to each of those pays. In
[2:32:44] total, that's $1.3 million per pay. If
[2:32:47] you run this fund balance down to $1.2
[2:32:49] $2 million or less. If the actual
[2:32:52] deficit is higher than the projected
[2:32:53] $1.3 million at the end of the year, you
[2:32:56] will be you will have trouble making
[2:32:59] payroll before the real estate taxes
[2:33:01] start coming in in July.
[2:33:04] That's just a bad financial situation to
[2:33:07] put the district in. At that point, you
[2:33:09] will then have to take short-term
[2:33:10] financing to cover operating costs. So,
[2:33:13] that's a really negative position to be
[2:33:15] in as you're now trying to balance the
[2:33:17] 2627 budget. The first option that was
[2:33:20] presented was no tax increase and
[2:33:22] proposing an unbalanced budget and
[2:33:24] taking that deficit out of the fund
[2:33:26] balance. Considering that the fund
[2:33:27] balance is already extremely low, you
[2:33:29] should not be taking any fund balance to
[2:33:31] budget the next budget. I would like to
[2:33:33] note that many other school districts
[2:33:35] within their fund balance policy have a
[2:33:37] statement that they will maintain a
[2:33:39] minimum of four to f some schools are
[2:33:41] four, some schools are 5% minimum fund
[2:33:44] balance that they will maintain. If they
[2:33:46] do not maintain that level, they will
[2:33:47] not budget any use of fund balance in
[2:33:49] the next budget until they do maintain
[2:33:51] that level. Interestingly, our district
[2:33:54] does not have that stipulation in our
[2:33:56] fund balance policy.
[2:33:58] I've stood at this podium before and
[2:34:00] I've told you that it's not sustainable
[2:34:02] to not raise taxes year after year as
[2:34:04] costs go up every year. Employees get
[2:34:06] raises, benefit costs go up. We know
[2:34:08] there has been extreme inflation in the
[2:34:10] past couple years. The cost of
[2:34:11] everything has risen. you can only
[2:34:13] continue to pay for the same amount of
[2:34:14] expenses for so many years with minimal
[2:34:16] revenue increases until it blows up. I
[2:34:19] think we're now at this point based on
[2:34:21] the budget presentation at the last
[2:34:22] meeting. With that being said, the only
[2:34:25] options presented to balance the budget
[2:34:27] were increasing taxes to raise revenues.
[2:34:29] I would also like to ask if you're
[2:34:30] looking at reducing costs. I know one of
[2:34:32] the items that the budget the board
[2:34:34] likes to point out is that they're not
[2:34:35] being reimbursed by the county for the
[2:34:37] approximately half a million dollars for
[2:34:38] the education center. I would also like
[2:34:40] to point out that half a million dollars
[2:34:41] is only a small portion of the $ 1.7
[2:34:43] million loss from the 2425 fiscal year
[2:34:46] and the projected $ 1.3 million loss for
[2:34:49] this fiscal year. So are you looking at
[2:34:51] the cost for that education center to
[2:34:53] determine if all the costs are
[2:34:55] necessary? If I recall correctly when
[2:34:58] this process started, I believe it was
[2:34:59] mentioned that this center would be for
[2:35:00] 40 beds. Um and now at a recent meeting
[2:35:04] when asked how many kids are normally
[2:35:06] there, it was stated that there are 10
[2:35:07] to 12. I also, if I remember correctly,
[2:35:09] when Dr. Winters was hired, his position
[2:35:11] was half overseeing the center and half
[2:35:13] overseeing safety and security. Since
[2:35:15] then, our principal from the middle
[2:35:16] school has been transferred to oversee
[2:35:18] the center full-time. So, I'm asking,
[2:35:20] are you asking, do we need to allocate a
[2:35:22] full-time administrator salary to
[2:35:24] oversee 10 to 12 students? Again, I'm
[2:35:26] not in education, so I don't know the
[2:35:28] answers to these questions. Um, another
[2:35:30] thing that was stated at a recent board
[2:35:31] meeting was that we have to educate
[2:35:32] those students at the center and not
[2:35:34] here. if it's only 10 to 12 students,
[2:35:36] could we al could we integrate those
[2:35:38] students into our building here? So
[2:35:41] again, I'm not in education. I don't
[2:35:42] know the answers to those questions, but
[2:35:44] I hope that as you're working on this
[2:35:45] budget, you ask those questions.
[2:35:47] Wrapping up, in conclusion, as you're
[2:35:49] working on completing the 2627 budget
[2:35:51] process, I'm asking you to please take a
[2:35:53] hard look at the budget options, both
[2:35:55] revenues and expenses, not put the
[2:35:57] district in a critical financial
[2:35:58] position. Considering the state of the
[2:36:00] current general fund, I'm again asking
[2:36:01] you to please evaluate the capital needs
[2:36:03] of the district, develop a capital plan
[2:36:05] and ensure that the district has enough
[2:36:07] funds on hand to meet the capital needs
[2:36:08] of the district before spending $6
[2:36:10] million of capital funds on the
[2:36:11] fieldhouse and putting the district in a
[2:36:13] finan a dire financial situation. Thank
[2:36:16] you,
[2:36:17] >> Roxan. I'd like to address a couple
[2:36:19] >> I was going to say, do you have a copy
[2:36:21] of what you
[2:36:23] >> I mean, I have notes scribbled on here,
[2:36:24] so
[2:36:25] >> Okay. Could you actually get us a copy
[2:36:27] of that? Sure. If and send it to the
[2:36:31] email, send it to the forward.
[2:36:32] >> Yeah,
[2:36:33] >> I'd like to address a couple of those
[2:36:34] items. Sure.
[2:36:35] >> Um with regards to the youth center, uh
[2:36:38] our administrator that's over there does
[2:36:40] have other duties besides uh just the
[2:36:42] center. Um in addition to that, um we my
[2:36:46] understanding is that we need to
[2:36:48] maintain a separate teaching
[2:36:50] professional for both the male
[2:36:52] population and the female population.
[2:36:53] it's difficult to address them with just
[2:36:56] a single person even though it's such a
[2:36:58] small population.
[2:37:00] Aside from that to bring them to our
[2:37:02] school district because we're in local
[2:37:04] parents of that group. I don't think
[2:37:07] it's a good idea to bring them out of
[2:37:09] that secure facility because a lot of
[2:37:11] the youth are adjudicated. Um and I I
[2:37:14] just don't feel that we would be able
[2:37:16] to,
[2:37:18] you know, exercise proper control uh
[2:37:21] that we would need to um to bring them
[2:37:23] out of that facility into this district
[2:37:26] even if we had a separate room or
[2:37:27] separate space where we we didn't
[2:37:30] generate generally um mix them in with
[2:37:32] our population. Um, we had looked at
[2:37:36] bringing them into the school if they
[2:37:38] weren't adjudicated youth, but the
[2:37:40] children are there for such a short
[2:37:41] period of time that for their mental
[2:37:45] well-being, we didn't feel it would be
[2:37:46] great to dump them into a
[2:37:48] wellestablished
[2:37:51] group of kids for like two to three days
[2:37:55] and then and then get them yanked. I I
[2:37:57] don't know that they would get any
[2:37:58] benefit out of that. um it might even be
[2:38:00] more trauma for them and they've already
[2:38:02] received enough trauma in their lives.
[2:38:04] Um so we did look at a lot of that. So
[2:38:07] it is a sticking point and it's very
[2:38:08] expensive and it looks terrible
[2:38:11] >> per student cost.
[2:38:13] >> I don't know how we can get around it.
[2:38:15] Um, but
[2:38:16] >> and I said I don't work in education, so
[2:38:17] I don't know the answers to those
[2:38:18] questions, but that was just one thing
[2:38:20] that I know you guys love to like say,
[2:38:22] well, we're not getting paid by the
[2:38:22] county, but that's also I pointed out
[2:38:24] that's only a small portion of the $ 1.7
[2:38:26] million loss, correct? And the $ 1.3
[2:38:28] million loss,
[2:38:29] >> so that's why I I did state that.
[2:38:32] >> Yeah. As you also pointed out, a huge
[2:38:33] portion of our budget is labor expense
[2:38:37] benefits,
[2:38:38] >> and those costs go up every year. PE
[2:38:40] pasers I think is is 30% of our
[2:38:44] >> 34
[2:38:44] >> 34% all all by itself. Um so it's hard
[2:38:50] to cut those costs. Um you know we we
[2:38:54] are fortunate our enrollment I just
[2:38:55] looked at our enrollment numbers for the
[2:38:57] elementary school. They're down
[2:38:59] significantly um from some of the bubble
[2:39:01] classes that are going through now. So
[2:39:03] at one point we thought we might have to
[2:39:05] expand that building. doesn't look like
[2:39:07] that would have to happen at the moment.
[2:39:09] But
[2:39:10] >> yeah, and I understand those costs are
[2:39:11] set and that's why I I have stood at
[2:39:14] this podium before and said to you guys
[2:39:15] before, this is not sustainable to not
[2:39:17] raise taxes for all these numbers of
[2:39:19] years. And now you're in the situation
[2:39:21] where
[2:39:24] this athletic director is talking about
[2:39:25] doing other capital projects over here.
[2:39:28] >> There's not going to be money for those
[2:39:29] capital projects if you spend all those
[2:39:31] capital funds on the fieldhouse. you
[2:39:32] will be down to a million dollars in the
[2:39:34] capital and $1.2 million in the general
[2:39:36] fund.
[2:39:37] >> The flip side of that,
[2:39:37] >> there's no money.
[2:39:38] >> The flip side of that is that if you
[2:39:40] have money, you'll spend it.
[2:39:42] >> So, you don't want to raise the taxes,
[2:39:45] you almost don't want to raise them
[2:39:46] until you have to because if you just
[2:39:48] raise them because you can, that's not a
[2:39:51] great that's not a great model either.
[2:39:52] So, we're
[2:39:53] >> until you get to the point where she
[2:39:54] presented that you're doing like a max
[2:39:56] increase just to balance the budget. and
[2:39:58] the last two budgets were balanced and
[2:40:00] had a $1.7 million loss and a $1.3
[2:40:03] million loss. Like it's not a good
[2:40:06] picture,
[2:40:06] >> right? And like I said, we're trying to
[2:40:07] strike the balance between only taking
[2:40:10] what we need versus taking because we
[2:40:12] can't because it's not that's not a
[2:40:14] great model either. But thank
[2:40:16] >> but just keep in mind that 2.4% that I
[2:40:18] said is your fund balance and most
[2:40:20] districts do have a policy of a minimum
[2:40:21] of four to 5%. And that stipulation is
[2:40:24] not in our policy for some reason. I
[2:40:26] think we are working towards a policy
[2:40:28] for that. Is that one of them that's on
[2:40:29] your list?
[2:40:31] >> There's a lot of policies.
[2:40:34] >> Most times then that policy says if you
[2:40:36] don't maintain that minimum four to 5%
[2:40:38] you don't use you don't budget to use
[2:40:40] fund balance in the next budget until
[2:40:42] you maintain that level.
[2:40:43] >> So please keep that in mind as well.
[2:40:45] >> Definitely that is something that we
[2:40:47] need to look at and thank you for
[2:40:49] bringing it to our attention. And I want
[2:40:51] to thank both you and Lou for hanging
[2:40:53] out here for this full time because you
[2:40:56] know it's pretty long just to
[2:40:58] >> talk to us. But thank you both of you
[2:41:01] for coming here this evening to speak.
[2:41:05] >> Okay, we'll move on to 4.0
[2:41:10] >> um solicitor's report.
[2:41:14] >> No report this evening.
[2:41:17] Okay. Uh 5.0 zero. Superintendent.
[2:41:23] >> Thank you, Mrs. Wean. Um, just wanted to
[2:41:27] uh before I get into the slides to
[2:41:29] highlight some of the great work that is
[2:41:30] going on, um, just wanted to kind of
[2:41:33] share for the benefit of those in
[2:41:34] attendance and also those listening. Um,
[2:41:36] just some updates and someformational
[2:41:38] items from different areas of the
[2:41:40] district. Um, wanted to share that in
[2:41:42] terms of curriculum and instruction. Um
[2:41:45] we the district did receive its ready
[2:41:46] tolearn grant funds total of $247972.
[2:41:52] Thank you. And um that is a
[2:41:55] non-competitive grant. So we're
[2:41:57] guaranteed that money as long as we
[2:41:59] submit for the grant which we did. Um
[2:42:01] the focus of our uh funds this year is
[2:42:03] on STEM and a programming at the high
[2:42:05] school. Um, in addition, um, I, you
[2:42:09] know, I did notice in spending some time
[2:42:11] on the website that we do not have a
[2:42:13] curriculum and learning web page on our
[2:42:15] website. The other departments are
[2:42:16] there, but curriculum and learning is
[2:42:17] not. Um, and so I've been having some
[2:42:20] conversations with Ms. Maner, who's
[2:42:22] going to be working with Mrs. Rexro, and
[2:42:24] we're going to be getting a web page set
[2:42:26] up for curriculum and learning where we
[2:42:28] can have resources like like the
[2:42:30] presentations that Mrs. Rex Road gave
[2:42:32] this evening. Um like the targeted
[2:42:34] school improvement letter that we sent
[2:42:36] to middle school families about the TSI
[2:42:38] designation, other curriculum updates um
[2:42:40] etc. Um in terms of of budget, um I know
[2:42:44] one of the items that's come up in
[2:42:46] previous meetings has been what
[2:42:48] percentage um of families in our
[2:42:51] district have no children in the home
[2:42:53] under 18 years of age. It's 72.9%.
[2:42:56] Um we got that information from the
[2:42:58] Burks County Planning Commission. Um
[2:43:00] recently and and that's based on an
[2:43:03] estimate over about a four-year period.
[2:43:05] So, I just I wanted to share that since
[2:43:06] I know that that's come up before. Um I
[2:43:09] also wanted to share that um one
[2:43:11] positive thing that that may help us a
[2:43:14] little bit to to put a small dent in,
[2:43:16] you know, um funding on the revenue side
[2:43:19] is the new PTE 363 form for cyber
[2:43:23] charter schools um will help us um in
[2:43:26] terms of um you know like numbers and
[2:43:30] what was passed with the governor's
[2:43:33] budget this year and the changes to
[2:43:34] school code. um it won't help in the
[2:43:37] neighborhood of two $2.4 million, but it
[2:43:39] will help a little bit um in terms of of
[2:43:42] some additional um revenue that we're
[2:43:45] not getting beat up on as badly with
[2:43:47] cyber charter. Um, and I know that um, a
[2:43:51] couple of the questions that were asked
[2:43:53] um, during the act 34 hearing that I
[2:43:56] wanted to make sure that I took a moment
[2:43:58] to address. Um, one was um, related to
[2:44:02] the 2.5 million in the plan con section
[2:44:05] of the act 34 booklet. Uh, there was uh,
[2:44:08] a figure of 2.5 million and it wasn't
[2:44:10] broken out in terms of what that figure
[2:44:13] um, you know, all entailed. I wanted to
[2:44:15] share that this evening. Um, and I and
[2:44:18] I'm going to use estimates. I have exact
[2:44:20] numbers, but just just in the interest
[2:44:22] of time, um, about 1.2 million is
[2:44:25] architect and engineer fees. Um, about
[2:44:28] 474,000's
[2:44:30] construction management fees. Um, 89,000
[2:44:33] is testing and inspections.
[2:44:36] 121,000 is commissioning. 45,500 is
[2:44:40] permits. 200,000 is weight room
[2:44:42] equipment. Furniture fixtures and
[2:44:44] equipment like athletic and concession
[2:44:46] accessories is about 68,000.
[2:44:49] Miscellaneous is 75,000 and builder's
[2:44:52] risk is 190,000. So that was not
[2:44:55] enumerated in the act 34 booklet, but I
[2:44:57] did want to share that information
[2:44:58] because it came up. I know something
[2:45:00] else that was mentioned was uh the topic
[2:45:02] of do we have a five-year capital
[2:45:05] projects plan? Um there is I will share
[2:45:08] there is not anything formal written in
[2:45:10] paper but it is an item of urgency um
[2:45:13] for me and the buildings and grounds
[2:45:15] department. We are working on putting
[2:45:16] one together and using the buildings and
[2:45:18] grounds committee work session um as a
[2:45:21] place to be able to talk through that
[2:45:23] and develop that. Um, I also wanted to
[2:45:26] share that um the
[2:45:29] uh the act 34, we did get the
[2:45:31] transcripts back from the reporter
[2:45:34] recently and we are going to be putting
[2:45:36] together a frequently asked questions
[2:45:37] document from the questions that were
[2:45:39] asked at that hearing and we'll get that
[2:45:42] on the website. Um, if the fieldhouse
[2:45:44] progresses forward, the intention is to
[2:45:47] have a fieldhouse section of the website
[2:45:50] where we can provide the community with
[2:45:51] updates on how that progresses and how
[2:45:53] the project is progressing. Um, so I did
[2:45:57] want to mention that. Um, also wanted to
[2:45:59] share while we're talking about
[2:46:00] buildings and grounds, I do appreciate
[2:46:02] everybody's patience regarding the
[2:46:03] heating irregularities we have had um,
[2:46:06] in the last couple of weeks with the
[2:46:08] cold temperatures. I know it has
[2:46:09] impacted the buildings. Um we have had
[2:46:12] some challenges but just rest assured
[2:46:14] when I tell you that I have reached out
[2:46:16] to our contractors look using our our
[2:46:20] preventive maintenance agreements and
[2:46:22] also um even looking at our
[2:46:25] commissioning agent which is right
[2:46:26] commissioning to try to really wrap my
[2:46:28] head around you know what are some of
[2:46:30] the challenges that we're dealing with
[2:46:32] and how can we get them rectified
[2:46:34] because it is incredibly cold and we
[2:46:36] don't want to have those irregularities
[2:46:37] in our building. Um, the last thing that
[2:46:40] I'll just mention is, um, even though it
[2:46:42] was in the letter that was attached to
[2:46:44] the two-hour delay call last week, I
[2:46:46] just wanted to clarify publicly how the
[2:46:49] snow makeup days are going to work and
[2:46:50] where we are at this point in the year.
[2:46:52] We've had three school days now missed
[2:46:55] due to snow. December 2nd, um, January
[2:46:59] 26, January 27th, those day those snow
[2:47:02] days are being made up February 13th,
[2:47:05] March 30th, and March 31st. So, those
[2:47:08] will all be school days now for
[2:47:10] students. If we get a fourth snow day
[2:47:12] and who knows the way mother nature's
[2:47:15] been have been working lately and the
[2:47:17] kind of winter we're having, I'm going
[2:47:18] to, you know, I'm going to hope that
[2:47:19] maybe Mr. Shooker was wrong. Maybe the
[2:47:21] groundhog will, you know, well, we won't
[2:47:23] have any more winter. I don't know. But,
[2:47:25] um, if we do, the fourth snow day would
[2:47:27] be made up on April 1st and that will be
[2:47:30] a fid. If we get to day number four,
[2:47:33] that will be a flexible instructional
[2:47:35] day. um according to you know what was
[2:47:38] communicated at the beginning of the
[2:47:39] winter um if we go beyond four the board
[2:47:43] approved calendar indicates that day
[2:47:45] five and beyond would be added on to the
[2:47:47] end of the year at this point I'm hoping
[2:47:49] we don't get to that place but I just
[2:47:51] wanted to share publicly um you know
[2:47:53] kind of where we are so those are just
[2:47:55] some information items that I just
[2:47:57] wanted to share collectively I know
[2:47:58] they've come up at different points in
[2:48:00] time and I know people have had some
[2:48:01] interest in knowing about them I also
[2:48:04] always look forward on a month-to-month
[2:48:06] basis to share some of our highlights.
[2:48:09] Um, we talked earlier this evening about
[2:48:11] Dr. Louch and his recognition through
[2:48:13] the Burks County Heroes. You can see
[2:48:15] some pictures of him reading to the
[2:48:16] students and it is truly a highlight to
[2:48:19] see the kids smile when he's reading
[2:48:21] reading in the classroom is really a
[2:48:22] pretty awesome thing to see. Um, also,
[2:48:26] um, very exciting, we had our spelling
[2:48:28] bee at the elementary school recently.
[2:48:31] Uh, Mrs. Rex Road had a chance to be
[2:48:33] there and participate and shared with me
[2:48:35] that was one of the highlights of the
[2:48:36] year this year. Um, and we're really um
[2:48:39] happy um for um Matt Barrett um and uh
[2:48:44] who was our winner um and he's going to
[2:48:47] get to compete regionally um in the
[2:48:49] scripts competition which is pretty
[2:48:51] awesome. And huge thank you to Mrs.
[2:48:54] Roman um at the elementary school for
[2:48:56] organizing this and getting everything
[2:48:58] set up. Um, also just wanted to share
[2:49:02] that um, we had our gifted students from
[2:49:05] the elementary school in the Keystone
[2:49:07] competition and they competed against 21
[2:49:09] teams from 11 schools in the STEMbased
[2:49:12] competition and um, acquitted themselves
[2:49:14] exceptionally well um, as they always
[2:49:17] do. Um, also um, our middle school um,
[2:49:20] once again uh received a schools to
[2:49:23] watch designation um, from the Don
[2:49:25] Iicorn schools schools to watch. This is
[2:49:28] the fourth time now that the middle
[2:49:30] school has achieved that designation.
[2:49:31] So, congratulations to the team at the
[2:49:33] middle school for that accomplishment.
[2:49:35] Um, also um just wanted to share also
[2:49:39] our eighth grade team um participated in
[2:49:43] the future city competition. Um the you
[2:49:46] know and and they won most efficient
[2:49:49] city in this STEMbased competition. And
[2:49:52] so you can see the STEM work that's
[2:49:54] happening in our district. the
[2:49:56] foundation that starts at the elementary
[2:49:58] school and then it builds into the
[2:49:59] middle school with competitions like
[2:50:01] this and then we see the ultimate fruits
[2:50:04] of that labor with things like our Cisco
[2:50:06] lab and other things up at the high
[2:50:07] school. And so we're doing some great
[2:50:09] things with STEM right now.
[2:50:12] also um very proud of our uh high school
[2:50:16] music honors festivals and the number of
[2:50:19] students that were successful both in
[2:50:22] the Lebanon Valley College Honors Band,
[2:50:25] the Burks Senior County Band, the County
[2:50:27] Chorus. Um we even had one student
[2:50:30] qualify for District 10 Band. Um and we
[2:50:33] had um several students for District 10
[2:50:36] coral festival and the District 10 Jazz
[2:50:38] Festival. Um, and so, you know, I'm not
[2:50:41] going to read all the names there, but
[2:50:43] great accomplishment from our students.
[2:50:45] Again, they always acquaint themselves
[2:50:46] quite well in the music festivals
[2:50:48] throughout the county. Um, similarly,
[2:50:52] um, our TSA team, um, they they beat the
[2:50:55] weather and beat mother nature and
[2:50:57] traveled to East Strazburg last weekend
[2:50:59] and competed in the region 9 leadership
[2:51:01] conference. And as you can see from all
[2:51:03] the names on that screen, they crushed
[2:51:05] it. They really did an amazing job. Um,
[2:51:08] huge thank you to Mrs. Stacy Halman at
[2:51:10] the high school and all of those kids
[2:51:12] who did incredibly well. Um, I had the
[2:51:15] distinct privilege when I was in school
[2:51:17] of participating in TSA. It's an amazing
[2:51:19] club. It's a great organization and
[2:51:21] again another STEM example. We talk
[2:51:23] about that extension of STEM and
[2:51:25] congratulations to all of those kids who
[2:51:27] did a tremendous job. Um, as well our
[2:51:30] students that participated in the Burks
[2:51:32] County Science Olympiad. Um there were
[2:51:36] uh we had students over 300 high school
[2:51:38] students from 19 schools, a lot of STEM
[2:51:40] related events. And so huge thank you to
[2:51:43] Keith Warl and Stacy Halman for advising
[2:51:45] the students in this competition. Um as
[2:51:48] we talk always on a month-to-month
[2:51:50] basis, our FFA continues to be extremely
[2:51:53] successful in competition. Um, I want to
[2:51:56] give a shout out to Ian Schlopic. Um,
[2:51:59] who, you know, he he received his
[2:52:01] Keystone, um, you know, degree. Um, it's
[2:52:06] the highest degree and it's the first
[2:52:07] Skookul Valley student to ever achieve
[2:52:09] this award. So, um, you know,
[2:52:11] congratulations to Ian and to all of our
[2:52:14] FFA kids. They were recognized at the
[2:52:16] farm show this year. Um, you know, huge
[2:52:19] thank you to Mrs. Shelot for her work in
[2:52:21] the A program. Mrs. Crater went up and
[2:52:23] was there being a part of that as well.
[2:52:25] And um again with also with the ACES
[2:52:28] conference, we had the soaring beyond
[2:52:30] our limits. Several of our FFA members
[2:52:33] very successful there as well. Um
[2:52:37] athletics. Um want to give a shout out
[2:52:39] to Owen Eisenhoffer in swimming who
[2:52:42] broke a lot of his own records this
[2:52:44] year. um you know records that he had
[2:52:46] set previously and he shattered all of
[2:52:49] those records and you know he continues
[2:52:51] to have a pretty amazing swim career in
[2:52:53] Skookul Valley is going to go on and
[2:52:55] continue his career division one at West
[2:52:57] Virginia University and um you know just
[2:53:00] amazing thing there and also um Noah
[2:53:03] Garrett bowled a perfect game um for
[2:53:06] those of you that bowl that's a pretty
[2:53:07] incredible feat in and of itself I've
[2:53:09] never even come close to achieving that
[2:53:11] and um scored that perfect game in a
[2:53:14] very key win and victory over Twin
[2:53:16] Valley 2 to one. So, congratulations to
[2:53:19] Noah. Um, also, um, several of us in
[2:53:22] district administration had the
[2:53:24] privilege to meet Senator Ghart when he
[2:53:27] was here to recognize Abby McAffrey for
[2:53:29] her great accomplishments in golf and
[2:53:32] uh, for her winning the PIAA District 3
[2:53:35] um, Class 2A Girls Golf Championship.
[2:53:38] So, congratulations to Abby. It was
[2:53:40] great. Senator Gard was here. He came on
[2:53:42] site. Aby's parents came. We got
[2:53:44] pictures, present her with a very
[2:53:46] beautiful citation. Um it was it was a
[2:53:48] wonderful experience for her. Um our
[2:53:51] cheer team um competitive spirit
[2:53:53] competition for the second year in a
[2:53:55] row. They made it to the semi-finals at
[2:53:57] states um and did exceptionally well. Um
[2:54:01] and you know we continue for our size um
[2:54:04] we're now ranked eighth in the co-ed
[2:54:07] division um and um first for division 2A
[2:54:11] for the state and our cheer team
[2:54:13] continues on a consistent basis to
[2:54:16] perform at high levels. You can see um
[2:54:19] here the 15th annual Kedran Spirit
[2:54:22] Classic. You can see the whole team
[2:54:24] there and their success there. The
[2:54:25] varsity team won first place, was named
[2:54:28] grand champion, and the junior high team
[2:54:30] won first place in their division as
[2:54:31] well. So, that was a huge
[2:54:33] accomplishment. You know, great shout
[2:54:35] out to our coaches, Coach Hoan, Coach
[2:54:37] Brown for their work with the team.
[2:54:41] Um, we had several wrestling tournaments
[2:54:44] here. Um, we had boys wrestling attended
[2:54:47] the Donnagal holiday tournament. Um, and
[2:54:50] Cohen Bush and David Hernandez finished
[2:54:52] fourth. Braden Dukan took fifth. Eric
[2:54:55] Swift sixth. They went on to compete in
[2:54:57] the county individual tournaments. Girls
[2:54:59] wrestling also competed in individual
[2:55:01] tournaments after a great showing at the
[2:55:03] Mifflin Holiday Tournament. Laney
[2:55:05] Cresbow was fourth. Madison Wyatt sixth.
[2:55:08] Alicia Rose, JDon seventh, Amelia
[2:55:11] Uslotti, and um Alisandre Zelli and
[2:55:15] Charlotte Chase all placed eighth. So,
[2:55:17] great job to those young ladies in girls
[2:55:19] wrestling. Um PYA had their winter gold
[2:55:22] out again this year. raised over $350
[2:55:25] for four diamonds um to support
[2:55:28] childhood cancer. Um and then just also
[2:55:31] want to mention a couple of events. This
[2:55:33] Saturday here in our auxiliary cafeteria
[2:55:36] is the Super Bowl. Um this is in
[2:55:38] conjunction with the Connor Kuffle
[2:55:39] Memorial Foundation and also our art
[2:55:42] program. Tickets are $22. If you don't
[2:55:45] have a ticket and you want to come see
[2:55:47] Mrs. Harley up here at the high school.
[2:55:49] For $22, you get one of the beautiful
[2:55:50] bowls that our students make in the art
[2:55:54] classes and you get two quarts of soup.
[2:55:56] Um, which delicious soup. I came last
[2:55:58] year. It's a great event. It's a great
[2:56:00] event. If you're looking for something
[2:56:01] to do on Saturday morning at 11 o'clock,
[2:56:03] I encourage you to come. Um, it's it's
[2:56:06] always a good time. Um, we have our two
[2:56:08] musicals coming up this year. Um, Greece
[2:56:10] at the high school, Annie Jr. at the
[2:56:13] middle school. Both in March. Those
[2:56:15] tickets are on sale now. Um, again,
[2:56:18] they're always an amazing time and our
[2:56:20] kids do a phenomenal job and I would
[2:56:23] encourage you to get your tickets and go
[2:56:25] to those wonderful shows. Um, and then
[2:56:29] lastly, but certainly not least, just
[2:56:30] want to put out there about the 20 2026
[2:56:33] Red and Black Gala for the Sugo Valley
[2:56:35] Ed Foundation. Mrs. Lash talked about
[2:56:37] that in her report. Um, that is coming
[2:56:40] up as well on March 13th. that's at the
[2:56:42] Leaseport um auction. Um and uh I again
[2:56:46] would certainly encourage you to come to
[2:56:48] that event. It's going to be a great
[2:56:49] time and um you know great opportunity.
[2:56:52] It's it's the biggest fundraiser that
[2:56:54] the Ed Foundation does during the school
[2:56:56] year and and their hard work provides
[2:56:58] grants for teachers and creates
[2:57:00] opportunities for our kids. So just want
[2:57:02] to mention that very important event as
[2:57:04] well. And that concludes my very long
[2:57:06] report.
[2:57:10] >> Thank you Dr. waiters.
[2:57:13] So, we'll move on to 6.0 policy
[2:57:15] personnel and public relations. First of
[2:57:17] all, I just want to explain that um I'm
[2:57:20] going to be combining a lot of these
[2:57:23] resolutions and these resolutions have
[2:57:26] all been discussed at the prior
[2:57:28] committee the whole meeting which was
[2:57:30] held January 19th. So, if you have any
[2:57:33] specific questions, um you'll have to go
[2:57:36] back and and watch that online to see
[2:57:39] what the discussions were. Um as this
[2:57:42] one is just kind of they were moved
[2:57:44] forward from the January 19th one to
[2:57:46] come to this one as a voting meeting and
[2:57:49] that's why we're just voting on them
[2:57:51] with basically no comment because we
[2:57:53] have already held those discussions.
[2:57:56] So I'm going to uh combine 6.1
[2:58:01] and 6.2
[2:58:04] which are resignations and retirements.
[2:58:08] May I have a motion please?
[2:58:10] >> So moved. Amil
[2:58:12] >> a second.
[2:58:15] Stanky.
[2:58:17] >> Is there okay? Sorry I I can't hear. Um,
[2:58:21] are there any questions or comments on
[2:58:24] either of those two items?
[2:58:28] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[2:58:30] those in favor say I.
[2:58:31] >> I.
[2:58:32] >> Opposed.
[2:58:33] >> Motion carries. 80.
[2:58:38] Okay. Uh, we have several employment
[2:58:41] items and it would be from 6.3
[2:58:45] to 6.8 18 are all employment items.
[2:58:51] May I have a motion, please?
[2:58:52] >> So move, Lash.
[2:58:54] >> Second, Brown.
[2:58:57] >> Okay. Any additional questions or
[2:59:00] comments on those items?
[2:59:05] >> If not, all those in favor say I.
[2:59:07] >> I.
[2:59:08] >> Opposed?
[2:59:09] >> Motion carries. 80.
[2:59:12] Next items are 6.19
[2:59:16] which is personal leave of absence and a
[2:59:21] 6.20
[2:59:22] family and medical leave. May I have a
[2:59:25] motion please?
[2:59:29] >> A motion to combine.
[2:59:31] >> So move around.
[2:59:33] >> Okay. Second
[2:59:35] stinky.
[2:59:36] >> Second. Okay. Because now it's you know
[2:59:38] 10 o'clock. We need to have these
[2:59:40] motions. Um, okay. Any questions or
[2:59:43] comments?
[2:59:45] >> No. If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[2:59:47] those in favor say I.
[2:59:49] >> I.
[2:59:49] >> I.
[2:59:50] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 80.
[2:59:54] 6.21
[2:59:56] and 6.22.
[2:59:59] 6.21 is the um
[3:00:03] policy of the organization chart and
[3:00:09] 6.22 22 is policy 903 public
[3:00:12] participation. So these are both for
[3:00:15] first readings. May I have a motion
[3:00:17] please?
[3:00:18] >> So move lash.
[3:00:20] >> Second Ammerrell.
[3:00:21] >> Okay. Any additional questions or
[3:00:23] comments?
[3:00:24] >> I do just have one on um 903. I
[3:00:28] apologize. I wasn't feeling well for
[3:00:30] that meeting so I wasn't here. I did go
[3:00:32] back and listen to the meeting. um it
[3:00:34] had been brought up about people um you
[3:00:37] know giving someone else their time to
[3:00:40] speak and I just wanted to say you I
[3:00:42] heard that people were not in favor of
[3:00:44] that um but I think that you know there
[3:00:47] are sometimes that people may not be
[3:00:49] comfortable getting up in front of a
[3:00:52] crowd and speaking. So if someone you
[3:00:54] know that already spoke is willing to do
[3:00:57] that for someone else um I I I don't
[3:01:01] think that we should prohibit that. And
[3:01:02] then I personally um when I was you know
[3:01:06] coming to meetings had written up a
[3:01:08] speech and I tried to get it under that
[3:01:11] three minutes and there is no way that
[3:01:12] what I was trying to accomplish that
[3:01:14] night was going to be under three
[3:01:16] minutes. Um so I signed up and a friend
[3:01:19] signed up behind me and someone signed
[3:01:21] up behind them in case I couldn't get
[3:01:23] through it and they tried to give me
[3:01:25] their time and the board at that time
[3:01:27] said no that wasn't going to happen. So
[3:01:30] luckily I had typed out my, you know,
[3:01:32] comments that night, which I didn't
[3:01:34] always do. So the person who signed up
[3:01:37] behind me just picked up where I left
[3:01:40] off and read the rest of my statement.
[3:01:42] So I I don't think that it's a a problem
[3:01:45] to have someone do that. Um I was
[3:01:47] looking at the policy and it says that
[3:01:51] if we have a group um of people that,
[3:01:55] you know, maybe they should designate a
[3:01:57] representative. So, it it doesn't say
[3:01:58] anything specifically against that, but
[3:02:01] I just want to see if we could add
[3:02:03] something for that.
[3:02:06] >> Well, and I know Kelly, we had mentioned
[3:02:08] um that once everybody got through their
[3:02:12] 3 minutes, as long as the 45 minutes or
[3:02:15] whatever the number is we chose for the
[3:02:17] total amount of time for comment, as
[3:02:19] long as there was time left, people
[3:02:20] could sign up again and come back.
[3:02:23] >> I maybe I missed.
[3:02:24] >> Yeah. So, like I know it wouldn't be
[3:02:26] great if you have a speech that's going
[3:02:27] to be seven minutes. It's not best to be
[3:02:30] separated by 30 minutes between the
[3:02:32] first half and the second half,
[3:02:34] >> but yeah, at the same time, people do
[3:02:35] have the opportunity to sign back up
[3:02:37] again and come back up and finish what
[3:02:38] they're saying or speak for somebody
[3:02:40] else. If they've already spoken once on
[3:02:42] behalf of whatever they were wanted to
[3:02:44] speak about, they could come back up and
[3:02:45] speak for someone else, too.
[3:02:46] >> Yeah. I mean it it just says um groups
[3:02:50] of individuals shall be encouraged to
[3:02:52] choose a spokesperson to address the
[3:02:54] board. So if we're saying that if a lot
[3:02:57] of people are speaking on the same topic
[3:02:59] that they should choose someone then
[3:03:02] maybe you know they they might have
[3:03:04] different points but it's the same
[3:03:05] topic. So maybe it will take more than
[3:03:06] three minutes. So, if they all say like,
[3:03:08] "Hey, we designate this person because
[3:03:10] we've all talked about this and we are
[3:03:13] all on the same page with this topic,
[3:03:14] but these are the things that, you know,
[3:03:16] we're concerned with." And it goes over
[3:03:18] three minutes. I think we should honor
[3:03:19] that.
[3:03:22] >> I mean, I I know we've kind of spoke
[3:03:24] about this and a lot of times we have to
[3:03:26] worry about opening Pandora's box,
[3:03:28] right? So, if 20 people show up and uh
[3:03:31] they all say, "Well, we all want to talk
[3:03:33] about the same thing and we're going to
[3:03:35] put one person up Then you have one
[3:03:36] person speaking for 20 minutes. And in
[3:03:39] reality, would that happen? I don't
[3:03:41] know. Has it happened in the past?
[3:03:42] People have filibustered up there before
[3:03:45] for
[3:03:46] >> But if all 20 people signed up to speak,
[3:03:48] you would still have the same time
[3:03:49] commitment
[3:03:50] >> potentially. Uh but as people speak, I
[3:03:52] mean, we've seen it pretty frequently.
[3:03:54] Somebody will get up there and say,
[3:03:56] "Okay, well, the previous speaker
[3:03:57] covered this, this, and this, so I'm
[3:03:58] just going to speak about this." So, I
[3:04:00] get where you're coming from. I don't
[3:04:02] want to limit people on what they say or
[3:04:04] how long they speak. Uh and it's not a
[3:04:06] perfect solution to have them speaking
[3:04:08] at you be able to come back up at the
[3:04:10] end. But at the same time, you open
[3:04:13] yourself up to people can get very
[3:04:15] creative. And you know, I don't want to
[3:04:17] limit anybody's ability to speak or get
[3:04:18] out their opinion. But at the same time,
[3:04:20] we also don't want to allow people to
[3:04:21] have the flexibility to be disruptive
[3:04:23] just for the sake of being disruptive,
[3:04:25] too.
[3:04:25] >> But I had to get creative. And luckily I
[3:04:28] had it written down and the next person
[3:04:30] read the rest of my speech and it didn't
[3:04:32] make sense for him to read the rest of
[3:04:33] my speech because he was talking about
[3:04:35] my daughter. So it didn't make sense for
[3:04:37] him to read my speech but that's how I
[3:04:40] got my my thoughts across. So just my
[3:04:44] two cents.
[3:04:48] No, and I I appreciate those comments
[3:04:50] and I think too if if there's an issue I
[3:04:53] mean we've had issues in the past where
[3:04:55] there's we had to have a special board
[3:04:57] meeting for a singular issue and that's
[3:05:00] one of the things that you know we can
[3:05:02] wave that because we're actually wanting
[3:05:05] to hear from the public. You know that's
[3:05:07] kind of different than the regular 45
[3:05:10] minutes that we're allotting out of a
[3:05:12] regular board meeting. So I think there
[3:05:15] are times that that we would wave that
[3:05:18] particular if it's if it's a specific
[3:05:20] topic just for that meeting.
[3:05:24] >> Just to just to share one thing. Um, I I
[3:05:28] did notice between our last board
[3:05:30] meeting and tonight the revised policy,
[3:05:33] the model policy PSBA is called public
[3:05:36] comment in board meetings as opposed to
[3:05:39] public participation in board meetings,
[3:05:41] which is what our previous policy was
[3:05:44] called. So here on the agenda, you know,
[3:05:47] it it does like on on the agenda online,
[3:05:50] it does say public comment in board
[3:05:52] meetings and the attached policy for the
[3:05:54] public is named that and has that
[3:05:57] verbiage in it as well. I just wanted to
[3:06:00] share that since that was one difference
[3:06:04] between what we had talked about two
[3:06:06] weeks Yeah. two weeks ago.
[3:06:09] >> Yeah. On the 19th.
[3:06:11] >> Yeah.
[3:06:11] >> Yeah.
[3:06:12] >> Okay. If there are any other uh
[3:06:14] questions or comments about the first
[3:06:16] reading of those two policies.
[3:06:20] If not, all those in favor say I.
[3:06:23] >> I. Opposed.
[3:06:25] >> Motion carries. 80.
[3:06:28] >> Okay. Uh 6.23. The Americas Americus
[3:06:33] healthc care staffing agreement approves
[3:06:35] the agreement with America's healthc
[3:06:36] care staffing for substitute nurses
[3:06:39] nursing services as presented. May I
[3:06:41] have a motion, please?
[3:06:44] So moved amal
[3:06:46] >> second. Second.
[3:06:48] >> There any questions or comments?
[3:06:51] >> If not, all those in favor say I.
[3:06:54] >> I.
[3:06:54] >> Opposed.
[3:06:56] >> Motion carries. 800. Now we do have a
[3:06:59] couple of addendums since the January
[3:07:01] 19th meeting. Um 6.24
[3:07:06] non-certified employee compensation plan
[3:07:09] amended. The board is requested to
[3:07:11] consider and approve the amendment to
[3:07:13] the non-certified employee compensation
[3:07:15] plan that removes the following language
[3:07:17] from section 9 leaves of absence item C
[3:07:21] sick leave. The employee must establish
[3:07:23] a 403b TSA account prior to separation
[3:07:27] of service or the employees shall
[3:07:29] forfeit this benefit.
[3:07:32] May I have a motion please?
[3:07:33] >> So move B.
[3:07:35] >> Second.
[3:07:38] Second, Emerald.
[3:07:40] >> Okay. Are there any questions or
[3:07:42] comments? This will actually I guess the
[3:07:46] non-certified employee
[3:07:48] um contract will be coming up in on June
[3:07:52] 30th. So, this is something that then we
[3:07:55] can go back in and revisit at that time,
[3:07:58] but we're waving it for the rest of of
[3:08:00] this contract.
[3:08:04] No other questions or comments? I'll
[3:08:06] call for the vote. All those in favor
[3:08:07] say I.
[3:08:08] >> I.
[3:08:09] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z. 6.25.
[3:08:14] Addendum compensated leave of absent
[3:08:17] amend amendment. The board is requested
[3:08:19] to consider and approve the amendment to
[3:08:21] Miss Dana Carter special education
[3:08:23] teacher at the middle school. Approve
[3:08:25] compensated leave to add that the leave
[3:08:27] is approved with the condition that Miss
[3:08:28] Carter will not expend her working hours
[3:08:30] with her second employer and further
[3:08:32] that she will not work during school
[3:08:34] hours. May I have a motion, please? So
[3:08:36] move Brown.
[3:08:37] >> A second.
[3:08:38] >> Thank you.
[3:08:40] >> Questions or comments?
[3:08:43] >> Not. All those in favor say I.
[3:08:45] >> I.
[3:08:46] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 80.
[3:08:49] Have another addendum. 6.26. The Burks
[3:08:53] County Health Trust full board
[3:08:56] appointment. The board is requested to
[3:08:58] consider and approve the two-year
[3:08:59] appointment of Dr. Patrick Wyers, acting
[3:09:02] superintendent of schools to the Burks
[3:09:04] County School District's Health Trust
[3:09:06] full board.
[3:09:08] >> May Oh, get a motion.
[3:09:10] >> Yeah, sorry. I get a motion first.
[3:09:12] >> So, moved Amaro.
[3:09:13] >> Second.
[3:09:14] >> Second, Lash.
[3:09:15] >> Okay, Dr. Winters.
[3:09:16] >> So, just just to provide some background
[3:09:18] on that. So, so at so every district in
[3:09:21] the county that's part of the Burks
[3:09:22] County Health Trust has to have a
[3:09:25] management representative and also a
[3:09:28] labor representative. Um Dr. Tashner
[3:09:30] when she was here was the management
[3:09:33] representative for the district on the
[3:09:35] health trust. She was also on the
[3:09:37] executive board as well and and
[3:09:39] fulfilled both roles. So Skoo Valley
[3:09:43] needs to have somebody administratively
[3:09:46] serve in that management role. And so
[3:09:49] you know I'm the logical person to do
[3:09:51] it. All appointments to that board are
[3:09:54] two years. However, I would just serve
[3:09:58] in that capacity until the new
[3:10:01] superintendent is named and then when
[3:10:04] that individual is named, they would
[3:10:06] finish out the remainder of the term.
[3:10:09] >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or
[3:10:12] comments? If not, all those in favor say
[3:10:15] I.
[3:10:16] >> I.
[3:10:16] >> Opposed?
[3:10:18] >> Motion carries. 8 Z. Now,
[3:10:21] >> Mrs. Brilliant. Could you have the
[3:10:23] people that make the motions give their
[3:10:26] name so we can maybe hear that down
[3:10:29] here? Cuz they've got the fan gone over
[3:10:31] here and I have all these machines back
[3:10:33] here and I can't hear anything.
[3:10:34] >> I can actually I can't actually hear
[3:10:37] what you just said.
[3:10:38] >> I said, can you
[3:10:40] >> Everybody has been saying their name
[3:10:41] when they make the motions. It's just
[3:10:42] that hard to hear.
[3:10:43] >> I can't hear it.
[3:10:44] >> I've got
[3:10:46] the names for the motions. Okay.
[3:10:48] >> Yeah.
[3:10:49] >> Did everyone hear that? Now say your
[3:10:50] name for the motion.
[3:10:52] >> Loudly.
[3:10:53] >> Loudly and into the microphone or just
[3:10:55] loudly.
[3:10:56] >> Please bring your mics up.
[3:10:58] >> Like Dan, I don't know if you can hear
[3:11:00] me, but I can I can see your mouth move.
[3:11:06] >> It is hard. It is actually very loud
[3:11:08] back there. Um just like to make note
[3:11:11] that the next com the next meeting of
[3:11:15] this committee it says on here will be
[3:11:17] Tuesday February 17th but it is not. It
[3:11:20] is actually
[3:11:22] uh
[3:11:24] tomorrow Tuesday February 3rd. The the
[3:11:28] reason it says the 17th is that's
[3:11:31] sorry the reason it says the 17th is
[3:11:34] that's referencing the committee of the
[3:11:36] whole board meeting which is on the
[3:11:39] 17th. Our work session to your point is
[3:11:43] tomorrow
[3:11:44] >> um at
[3:11:45] >> at 6 o'clock in the site room.
[3:11:47] >> Okay. Uh Frank, do you have anything
[3:11:49] else to add for
[3:11:52] >> uh No, nothing else to add.
[3:11:55] Okay, we'll move on to curriculum and
[3:11:58] technology
[3:12:03] 7.1 the high school program of studies.
[3:12:09] This would be an approval of the 2026
[3:12:12] 2027 Skookul Valley High School program
[3:12:15] of studies. May I have a motion please?
[3:12:19] So move Matthews
[3:12:21] >> second
[3:12:24] >> Rossy.
[3:12:27] >> Any questions or comments?
[3:12:29] >> I did actually. Um I emailed earlier
[3:12:32] today. Um and I had outlined my
[3:12:35] questions. So if you wouldn't mind, do
[3:12:37] you have answers for them or
[3:12:41] >> Yes, Mrs. Godfrey does. She and Mrs.
[3:12:43] Crater had a chance to talk through the
[3:12:45] questions, so I'll let her address
[3:12:46] those.
[3:12:53] Is that okay? Can you hear me?
[3:12:56] >> No.
[3:12:56] >> Okay. So, um the first question was in
[3:12:59] regard to the earth and space science
[3:13:02] for 9th and 10th grade. Um so, upon
[3:13:06] talking with Miss Crater, ultimately the
[3:13:08] prerequisites for that should be removed
[3:13:10] and updated, which can be done very
[3:13:12] easily. Um, we made the change to all
[3:13:14] 9th graders taking biology after the
[3:13:17] program of studies had already been
[3:13:18] approved last year. Uh, students can
[3:13:21] double up in science their 9th grade
[3:13:23] year now and take biology and Earth and
[3:13:25] space at the same time. We set up the
[3:13:27] eighth and 9th grade course selection
[3:13:29] form based off of the changes that were
[3:13:30] decided and what 9th graders would be
[3:13:33] taking or could take during their 9th
[3:13:34] grade year. Um, the options for the
[3:13:36] teacher course recommendations were
[3:13:38] updated as well.
[3:13:41] Um, for AP physics question, um, Brett
[3:13:44] Hoke, he was hired on and is teaching
[3:13:46] that class. He was hired to replace the
[3:13:49] teacher that retired. Um, they're taking
[3:13:52] it as an AP class and will take the exam
[3:13:54] this year. It wasn't offered as dual
[3:13:57] enrollment due to RACK's requirements
[3:13:59] for the teacher to teach the dual
[3:14:01] enrollment. He's currently working on
[3:14:03] finishing that M's program. Now
[3:14:06] um
[3:14:08] for the English uh AP lit AP language um
[3:14:12] language was offered this year and
[3:14:14] students are enrolled. Um Mr. Bagento is
[3:14:17] currently teaching it. AP Lit is being
[3:14:19] offered next year. Either Mr. Bagento or
[3:14:22] Miss D'Angelo will be teaching it. Both
[3:14:24] have offered to teach it. Um again a
[3:14:26] teacher was hired to fill that position
[3:14:28] after the teacher had left um
[3:14:30] previously.
[3:14:32] >> And is Mrs. D'Angelo certified to teach
[3:14:34] it?
[3:14:34] >> She will be.
[3:14:35] >> She will be. Okay. Um, for math, the
[3:14:39] math remediation question, there was a
[3:14:41] little confusion in the way that it was
[3:14:44] written in the email that came through.
[3:14:46] Um, does that mean she Miss Crater and I
[3:14:50] were talking by does this district know
[3:14:53] it does not need this course? Do you
[3:14:55] mean the students? So, I just was
[3:14:57] curious because the statistics she gave
[3:14:59] me um said that uh the Keystone algebra
[3:15:03] classes being offered at the high
[3:15:04] school, 98 out of 102 come out below
[3:15:07] basic or basic, which is 96%. So, I
[3:15:10] guess my question is is like why are we
[3:15:11] then looking to get rid of the
[3:15:12] remediation
[3:15:14] if our kids are scoring that low, right?
[3:15:16] And we agree that the benchmark data
[3:15:18] would be beneficial um information. Um,
[3:15:23] it's not a problem if the board chooses
[3:15:26] not to remove the course. The course
[3:15:27] could still be offered or if as a
[3:15:30] district we decide to only have students
[3:15:32] take Keystone once after algebra 1 in
[3:15:34] 8th grade or 9th grade for some
[3:15:36] students. Um, and no more than that, we
[3:15:39] can move forward in that way, too. She
[3:15:41] was just coming up with a situation
[3:15:42] where our incoming nth grade students
[3:15:44] are not overwhelmed by having to double
[3:15:46] up on math courses their freshman year.
[3:15:56] Um, for social studies, specifically AP
[3:15:59] government, um, we've historically had
[3:16:02] issues with course requirements in that
[3:16:04] department due to the sentence that the
[3:16:07] department chose to include, which
[3:16:09] states, "All students must take one
[3:16:11] course from each of the following areas
[3:16:13] throughout their uh, high school career.
[3:16:16] government, American government, or I'm
[3:16:18] sorry, American history 20th century,
[3:16:20] world history. Therefore, we had
[3:16:22] students go from honor civics, then to
[3:16:24] AP gov, then to world, and would skip
[3:16:26] American history and not fulfill the
[3:16:28] stipulation in the department's
[3:16:29] requirements. We tried to provide
[3:16:31] students with we tried to provide
[3:16:33] students the option within each grade
[3:16:35] level to take the courses that would
[3:16:37] fulfill the requirement.
[3:16:39] Um, so why can't they take AP gov if
[3:16:43] they've already taken? It's just based
[3:16:46] on the wording that was written in the
[3:16:49] program studies.
[3:16:52] >> Okay. Um, is there any reason why we
[3:16:56] have year-long like I don't understand
[3:16:58] why our kids are being so pigeonholed
[3:17:00] into like what they take like there's
[3:17:02] state requirements
[3:17:04] but then like why are we making them
[3:17:07] take this this year this that year world
[3:17:10] cultures like when there's so many other
[3:17:13] elective you just need four credits of
[3:17:15] social studies so why are we making it
[3:17:17] such a lineage
[3:17:19] program
[3:17:22] I mean at AP Psych used to be offered a
[3:17:25] freshman year and now it's not available
[3:17:28] till senior year, right? Which I don't
[3:17:31] that's the state doesn't require that
[3:17:34] and I just don't understand why there's
[3:17:35] more free flow especially depending on
[3:17:38] career paths because we don't have any
[3:17:40] career paths in our program of studies.
[3:17:43] >> Yeah, you know, I think it's a good
[3:17:44] question. Um I I think it it kind of
[3:17:47] speaks to a sort of a bigger
[3:17:49] philosophical question in terms of what
[3:17:51] direction we want to go in. You know the
[3:17:53] kind of what I'm going to call the more
[3:17:55] traditional of you know it's not just
[3:17:57] take four maths it has to be you know
[3:17:59] algebra 1 geometry algebra 2 and then
[3:18:01] something above or do we say four
[3:18:03] Englishes or do we say American lit
[3:18:05] British lit world lit you know what I
[3:18:06] mean? So I think it's it's it's kind of
[3:18:08] that discussion of you know do we want
[3:18:11] to be you know kind of I don't know more
[3:18:14] I have to say prescriptive but do we
[3:18:15] want to have a structure to where
[3:18:18] students get exposure to different kinds
[3:18:21] of literature and English different
[3:18:22] kinds of social history and social
[3:18:24] studies or do we want to keep it so open
[3:18:26] to just say four social studies and if
[3:18:29] they love civics and want to take four
[3:18:31] civics classes they take four civ if we
[3:18:32] have four yes you know electives I you
[3:18:35] know I don't know that that's
[3:18:37] necessarily a I mean it does tie to the
[3:18:39] program of studies but I think it's
[3:18:41] probably a kind of a bigger you know
[3:18:43] kind of philosophical
[3:18:44] >> I just I'm curious because math is more
[3:18:46] fluid
[3:18:48] >> you know like you're required to take
[3:18:49] algebra but like there's no thing that
[3:18:52] says like sophomore year you have to
[3:18:54] take geometry like and that's part of
[3:18:56] the reason why we're lowering the math
[3:18:58] correct is so that there's more
[3:19:00] opportunity to take those different
[3:19:01] types of classes up here at the high
[3:19:02] school I really just like I I'm I'm
[3:19:05] struggling ling like with this because
[3:19:08] why are we making kids care like take
[3:19:10] world cultures if they're not interested
[3:19:12] in it but now they're forced to take it
[3:19:14] just because we're saying so right I
[3:19:16] don't know I just I've looked at a lot
[3:19:18] of different programs of studies um
[3:19:19] because I'm trying to field these
[3:19:20] questions with parents who are like my
[3:19:22] kid didn't want to take an AP class his
[3:19:24] freshman year because he was playing
[3:19:26] soccer and had all these other things
[3:19:27] and just wanted him to transition to
[3:19:29] high school but now if that's only a nth
[3:19:30] grade requirement he's totally missed
[3:19:32] out on that AP experience as well as the
[3:19:35] possible college credits by taking that
[3:19:37] AP test. I just don't feel that's fair.
[3:19:39] I
[3:19:39] >> I think you have to be careful as to how
[3:19:41] many additional spots in the matrix of
[3:19:43] scheduling you put in there. By opening
[3:19:45] it up to kids in four grade levels, I
[3:19:48] think it makes the scheduling maybe more
[3:19:50] difficult.
[3:19:51] >> No, I I I have to say I respectfully
[3:19:53] disagree with that. Fully making a high
[3:19:55] school schedule.
[3:19:57] >> Okay.
[3:19:57] >> Like if it's b it should be based off of
[3:19:59] what the kids want to take when they
[3:20:00] want to take it. if I remember
[3:20:02] correctly, and excuse me if I'm wrong,
[3:20:04] but like your schedule's pretty set.
[3:20:06] Everyone teaches the same courses at the
[3:20:08] same time year after year, that it's
[3:20:10] kind of just that blanket. This is how
[3:20:12] we work. It's I have never,
[3:20:16] how can I say this? I I just feel like
[3:20:19] we should be more accommodating to our
[3:20:20] students depending on what they want to
[3:20:22] take as opposed to telling them when
[3:20:25] they need to take it.
[3:20:28] >> I I respectfully disagree. I don't think
[3:20:29] that's how life works. That's how it
[3:20:31] works at Holi. If a kid's interested in
[3:20:34] taking US history their junior year,
[3:20:36] they get to do it. History of the
[3:20:38] Holocaust senior year, go for it.
[3:20:41] >> I I don't know. I think I think in in
[3:20:44] requiring kids to take certain courses,
[3:20:45] you're you're they may not want to take
[3:20:47] it, but it it adds to their character
[3:20:49] and it's an additional facet.
[3:20:50] >> So then how do you explain if a student
[3:20:53] is not interested in it and it's going
[3:20:54] to lower their GPA?
[3:20:59] Again, if you have a job and you can't
[3:21:02] just work at the tasks you like to do.
[3:21:03] You have to do all of them.
[3:21:07] >> But
[3:21:07] >> you're principal and you don't like
[3:21:08] scheduling, you don't get to not do it.
[3:21:10] You have to do all the stuff you don't
[3:21:12] like to do just because you need.
[3:21:14] >> No, I'm that's not what I'm saying. But
[3:21:16] what I'm saying is is like if we're
[3:21:17] having our kids be ready for postsecary,
[3:21:20] they should be able to take things that
[3:21:22] interest them that are aligned in their
[3:21:24] career path. If world cultures is not
[3:21:26] aligned in a career path, I don't really
[3:21:28] feel like we need to make that
[3:21:29] mandatory.
[3:21:29] >> Listen, I'm an environmental engineer
[3:21:32] and I had to take electrical engineering
[3:21:34] classes for the first two years of
[3:21:35] college and I didn't want to take them,
[3:21:36] but I had to because that's the way life
[3:21:38] works.
[3:21:39] >> So then you're taking me to my other
[3:21:40] point and the fact that like we don't
[3:21:42] offer enough dual enrollment because
[3:21:44] you're talking about college
[3:21:46] >> that
[3:21:46] >> the state does not stipulate that you
[3:21:48] have to take these social studies
[3:21:50] courses in this way to graduate,
[3:21:53] >> right? that that may be the case. We
[3:21:55] don't offer enough
[3:21:57] out of school study, but I'm saying
[3:22:03] you can't have the tail wagging the dog.
[3:22:06] You know, we have a set curriculum. We
[3:22:08] know what the kids have to achieve. And
[3:22:11] I still think I mean you have experience
[3:22:13] with the scheduling but I don't
[3:22:15] understand how you can open 30 classroom
[3:22:18] spots to 600 kids and make it work as a
[3:22:22] schedule rather than open those 30 spots
[3:22:24] to 200 kids.
[3:22:29] >> Well then I think we need to sit down
[3:22:31] and take a look and I'll teach you how
[3:22:32] to build a schedule.
[3:22:33] >> That that that would be fine. That would
[3:22:34] be fine. I I think these are actually
[3:22:37] it's it's a very good discussion to have
[3:22:40] and I think is it something that we
[3:22:41] could look at I I don't know if we'd be
[3:22:43] able to look at something to make those
[3:22:45] kind of changes for this year or not um
[3:22:48] how far we are in the process but is
[3:22:51] this something that we can explore and
[3:22:53] look at
[3:22:54] >> I mean I would like to like I understand
[3:22:56] like course selection has to happen
[3:22:58] >> right
[3:22:58] >> um
[3:22:58] >> but if it's something that we can look
[3:23:00] at to explore more for looking at for
[3:23:04] next year's
[3:23:05] I would love that.
[3:23:07] >> Okay.
[3:23:08] >> And if you could just make a note. Um,
[3:23:10] so my daughter is going through
[3:23:11] scheduling right now and she said that
[3:23:14] there are no um honors history classes
[3:23:18] that she can take. She's taking honors,
[3:23:21] you know, her three years of high school
[3:23:23] so far, but for next year she won't have
[3:23:25] an honors class that she can take. So,
[3:23:26] she's going to be an academic instead.
[3:23:29] Um, so if we can figure out why our
[3:23:32] seniors don't have an option to take an
[3:23:34] honors class, I'd appreciate that.
[3:23:36] >> Yeah, I made I made a note of that.
[3:23:38] >> Thank you.
[3:23:39] >> You did have a question on dual
[3:23:41] enrollment. Um, we can reach out and
[3:23:44] that's absolutely something that we want
[3:23:45] to explore. Um, but that would also
[3:23:48] require an approved with the district
[3:23:51] and the university. Um and it would also
[3:23:53] have our teachers need to meet the
[3:23:55] requirements to be the dual enrolled
[3:23:57] instructor through those universities.
[3:23:59] >> Yeah, just one thing that we want to
[3:24:01] explore.
[3:24:02] >> We only have like two maybe three and I
[3:24:04] mean Delv Val and Sunny is total
[3:24:06] agriculture but when you have like six
[3:24:08] out of the 10 agricultures being dual
[3:24:10] enrollment
[3:24:11] >> and not having that level it's I just I
[3:24:15] want to make it an even playing field
[3:24:16] and I I mean we're not done doing
[3:24:19] anything with Albbright. We're not doing
[3:24:20] anything with Alveria. We're not doing
[3:24:21] anything with St. Clouds. We're not
[3:24:23] doing any project lead the way.
[3:24:25] >> Like
[3:24:26] >> I just feel like there's a lot of
[3:24:28] potential here
[3:24:29] >> and that I would love to like look into
[3:24:30] it, dive into it and give our kids the
[3:24:32] best possible outcome.
[3:24:34] >> Absolutely.
[3:24:38] >> Thank you. Is this something that we can
[3:24:40] add to discussions coming up in
[3:24:43] curriculum then in the upcoming months?
[3:24:45] I mean, right now we're focusing on what
[3:24:48] the survey results and getting that
[3:24:51] straightened away, but I mean, it's
[3:24:53] definitely something that we should be
[3:24:54] looking at.
[3:24:55] >> I did have that on my list for Dr.
[3:24:57] Wyinners, but I took it off because we
[3:25:00] were going to have this discussion
[3:25:02] tonight. So, I would put that back on
[3:25:05] the agenda for the course of studies for
[3:25:08] Yeah.
[3:25:09] >> And Miss Godfring, I don't believe you
[3:25:11] were here last year yet. Um but there
[3:25:14] were similar issues with math last year
[3:25:18] that we had um like vot kids that
[3:25:21] couldn't take the higher maths that they
[3:25:23] wanted to take because they were going
[3:25:24] to be at VOTE that they weren't offered
[3:25:27] um so that they you know could be
[3:25:28] accommodated. So this, you know, this
[3:25:31] time I'm hearing about history because
[3:25:33] it came from my daughter, but last year
[3:25:35] there were, you know, several uh
[3:25:37] students that I know that couldn't take
[3:25:39] the math that they wanted to take. And
[3:25:41] you know, they're going into the medical
[3:25:44] field and they need these higher maths
[3:25:46] and they weren't able to take them. So
[3:25:49] um I I believe and you may be able to
[3:25:51] cooperate, uh one student, their family
[3:25:54] had to pay to, you know, get that class
[3:25:58] taken at Rack. um so that they could get
[3:26:01] that math that they needed. Um we
[3:26:03] shouldn't be having our students have to
[3:26:05] go elsewhere to get the education that
[3:26:07] they need. Um so,
[3:26:15] okay. Are there is there any other
[3:26:17] questions about
[3:26:21] 7.1 the high school program with the
[3:26:24] stipulation that it is something that
[3:26:26] we're going to further investigate and
[3:26:28] discuss? Uh, and Kelly, your point is
[3:26:30] well taken too with the math.
[3:26:36] Okay, I'll call for the vote. All those
[3:26:38] in favor say I.
[3:26:39] >> I.
[3:26:40] >> Opposed.
[3:26:42] >> Motion carries. 8 Z. Okay. I'm going to
[3:26:44] combine 6.2 through I'm sorry, 7.2
[3:26:49] through 7.5.
[3:26:51] The ECLA refill agreement for grade five
[3:26:53] science second semester. the proposal of
[3:26:56] the ML drawings, the IT tech I edtech
[3:27:00] membership and the Zoom education annual
[3:27:03] license. May I have a motion, please?
[3:27:05] >> So moved, Rossy.
[3:27:08] >> Second. Thank you.
[3:27:10] >> Are there any questions or comments on
[3:27:13] those items?
[3:27:16] Now, I'll call for the vote. All those
[3:27:17] in favor say I.
[3:27:19] >> I.
[3:27:20] >> Opposed? Motion carries. 80
[3:27:24] um 7.6. Is there any other old or new
[3:27:28] business for curriculum?
[3:27:32] Not just a reminder that the workshop
[3:27:34] meeting will be uh on Thursday, February
[3:27:37] 5th.
[3:27:39] Okay. Moving on to budget and finance.
[3:27:44] Okay. 8.1
[3:27:47] the approval ratification
[3:27:50] of the payment of bills in the following
[3:27:52] amounts from November 10th 2025 to
[3:27:55] January 27th 2026 as presented. May I
[3:27:59] have a motion please?
[3:28:02] >> So move Brown
[3:28:03] >> a second.
[3:28:06] >> Stanky.
[3:28:08] >> Any questions or comments?
[3:28:11] >> Not I'll call for the vote. All those in
[3:28:13] favor say I. I I
[3:28:15] >> opposed.
[3:28:16] >> Motion carries. 80.
[3:28:19] We have 8.2 and 8.3 are both donations.
[3:28:24] Donations from the veterans of foreign
[3:28:25] wars foreign wars for middle school
[3:28:28] national junior honor society and the
[3:28:30] Iron Valley Real Estate TV donation for
[3:28:32] the athletic department displays. May I
[3:28:34] have a motion, please?
[3:28:36] >> So move Lash.
[3:28:37] >> Second.
[3:28:38] >> Second. Amarill.
[3:28:40] >> Any additional questions or comments?
[3:28:45] just like to thank both of those groups
[3:28:46] for those donations. It's very generous.
[3:28:49] >> Yes.
[3:28:52] >> All those in favor say I.
[3:28:54] >> I. Opposed. Motion carries. 80.
[3:28:57] >> 8.4 Four approves the exoneration of the
[3:29:00] school district tax collectors from
[3:29:02] collecting unpaid 202526 real estate tax
[3:29:07] taxes build on July 1st, 2025 which are
[3:29:10] delinquent after December 30th, 2025 and
[3:29:12] the board approved submitting the tax to
[3:29:14] the Burks County Tax Claim Bureau for
[3:29:16] collections. There are 139 bills toting
[3:29:20] $340,60.37.
[3:29:25] I have a motion, please.
[3:29:28] So move down
[3:29:30] >> second
[3:29:30] >> brown.
[3:29:32] >> There any additional questions or
[3:29:33] comments?
[3:29:36] >> Not all those in favor say I.
[3:29:38] >> I.
[3:29:39] >> Opposed.
[3:29:40] >> Motion carries. 8 Z.
[3:29:43] >> 8.5. The interim tax claim bills
[3:29:45] approves the school district tax
[3:29:47] collectors from collecting unpaid
[3:29:48] interim taxed real estate taxes which
[3:29:50] are delinquent after December 31st,
[3:29:52] 2025. and the board approved submitting
[3:29:54] the taxes to the Burks County Tax Plane
[3:29:56] Bureau for collections. There are 47
[3:29:59] bills totaling 23,9728.
[3:30:03] May I have a motion, please?
[3:30:06] >> So movey.
[3:30:07] >> Second.
[3:30:08] >> Matthews.
[3:30:10] >> Any questions or comments?
[3:30:13] Not all those in favor say I.
[3:30:15] >> I.
[3:30:16] >> Opposed? Motion carries. 80.
[3:30:20] approves the 202526 IDA part B
[3:30:23] subcontract agreement with the BCIU and
[3:30:25] accepts funds in the amount of
[3:30:27] $442,840.96.
[3:30:31] This agreement is contingent on PD's
[3:30:33] approval of services as outlined in the
[3:30:36] agreement through the BCIU's application
[3:30:38] for IDA 611B funding. May I have a
[3:30:42] motion, please?
[3:30:45] >> So move around.
[3:30:46] >> Second.
[3:30:48] Matthews.
[3:30:49] >> Any questions or comments?
[3:30:53] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[3:30:54] those in favor say I.
[3:30:56] >> I.
[3:30:58] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z
[3:31:02] 8.8 The um
[3:31:06] October December budget transfers
[3:31:10] approves the budgetary transfers as
[3:31:13] presented. May I have a motion, please?
[3:31:18] So move we in
[3:31:20] >> second.
[3:31:22] >> Second. Amar
[3:31:23] >> questions or comments?
[3:31:26] >> Not. All those in favor say I.
[3:31:28] >> I.
[3:31:29] >> Opposed.
[3:31:32] >> Motion carries. 8 Z. The 8.9
[3:31:35] the tax collector agreement approves a
[3:31:38] tax collection agreement for tax
[3:31:40] collectors elected in November 2025.
[3:31:44] and each tax collector elected or
[3:31:46] appointed thereafter for a 4-year term
[3:31:48] effective January 1st, 2026 through
[3:31:51] December 31st, 2029. May I have a
[3:31:54] motion, please?
[3:31:55] >> So move we
[3:31:57] >> second.
[3:32:00] >> Any questions or comments?
[3:32:03] Not all those in favor say I.
[3:32:05] >> I opposed. Motion carries. 800
[3:32:09] 8.10 10 Butler Agnu and Associates
[3:32:12] Consulting Services Agreement approves
[3:32:14] the Butler Agnu Agnu and Associates
[3:32:17] Consulting Services Agreement as
[3:32:19] presented. May I have a motion, please?
[3:32:21] >> So move Lash.
[3:32:23] >> Second.
[3:32:25] >> We
[3:32:27] >> questions or comments?
[3:32:29] Not all those in favor say I.
[3:32:32] >> I.
[3:32:33] >> Opposed.
[3:32:34] >> Motion carries. 8 Z. Is there any other
[3:32:38] old or new business uh for
[3:32:42] budget and finance?
[3:32:43] >> Uh just one item. Carl, did we get 86
[3:32:45] and 87?
[3:32:46] >> Do we get
[3:32:49] >> Have we missed one?
[3:32:54] >> 86 and 8. I wrote
[3:32:57] >> We did.
[3:32:58] >> Okay.
[3:32:59] >> 8.7.
[3:33:02] You know what? Eight. Um
[3:33:05] I read that one amount. Okay. 87.
[3:33:08] >> Yeah, I think that might be the one that
[3:33:11] >> Okay. Approves the BCIU joint purchasing
[3:33:14] bid for copy paper in the amount
[3:33:15] 11,82506
[3:33:17] for the period of January 1st, 2026
[3:33:20] through June 30th, 2026. May I have a
[3:33:23] motion, please?
[3:33:24] >> So move Brown.
[3:33:25] >> Second.
[3:33:26] >> Second. Amal.
[3:33:27] >> All those in fa Oh, any questions or
[3:33:29] comments?
[3:33:31] >> All those in favor say I. I.
[3:33:33] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z.
[3:33:37] Okay, now do I have them all?
[3:33:42] Okay,
[3:33:43] moving on to buildings and grounds.
[3:33:48] Okay, we have two items. Uh 9.1, the
[3:33:53] Berkshire mechanical quotes and the RJ
[3:33:57] Macarville Associated Ltd 9.1 and 9.2.
[3:34:02] May I have a motion for those two? So
[3:34:05] moved, Rossy.
[3:34:07] >> Second, Amalo.
[3:34:09] >> Any questions or comments?
[3:34:14] >> Um, if not, I'll call for the vote. All
[3:34:16] those in favor say I.
[3:34:17] >> I.
[3:34:19] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z. That'll be
[3:34:22] good because every game at the middle
[3:34:24] school, just keep hearing how that
[3:34:27] basketball thing is down and you can't
[3:34:28] see when you sit in that area. Um Al, do
[3:34:32] we have any Do you have anything
[3:34:33] additional that you would like to report
[3:34:35] on?
[3:34:37] >> Oh, the addend. Oh, I have an addend.
[3:34:39] >> Yeah, there's a Den.
[3:34:41] >> Oh, it is not. Yeah. Okay, that is I
[3:34:45] still have the original one. So, let me
[3:34:52] this.
[3:34:57] Okay, there's an addendum 9.3
[3:35:02] the middle school kitchen makeup air
[3:35:05] units. The committee is requested to
[3:35:08] consider the quote from Bergkshire
[3:35:10] mechanical to repair MS KVU1
[3:35:14] the green check MAU outdoor unit above
[3:35:17] the middle school kitchen. May I have a
[3:35:20] motion please?
[3:35:23] >> Second last.
[3:35:25] >> Okay. Is there anything to add on that?
[3:35:28] So, this is an addendum item.
[3:35:33] >> Yeah, we had somebody to come out
[3:35:35] because we, you know, we weren't getting
[3:35:37] the the heat that we needed in the
[3:35:39] kitchen at the middle school and um when
[3:35:41] they came out, they determined that that
[3:35:44] unit needs a new blower motor, motor
[3:35:46] starter, inlet air actuator, and the
[3:35:49] belt tension needs to be set. And so,
[3:35:52] this quote just allows Bergkshire.
[3:35:55] >> Sorry about that.
[3:35:56] And this uh quote just allows Bergkshire
[3:35:58] Mechanical to come out and replace those
[3:36:00] parts and get that unit running as it's
[3:36:02] supposed to so that we have the right
[3:36:04] temperature control in the kitchen at
[3:36:05] the middle school.
[3:36:12] >> Another question. Al, do you have
[3:36:13] anything to add for the other older new
[3:36:16] business?
[3:36:16] >> Yeah. Um, I just thought, uh, I've
[3:36:19] noticed a lot of the municipalities are
[3:36:20] going around and tidying up their snow
[3:36:22] removal after the big storm. Now that
[3:36:24] we've got some sunny days, uh, we might
[3:36:26] want to also tidy up our parking lots to
[3:36:28] get ready for the next one. Areas where
[3:36:30] we didn't quite get to the curb where we
[3:36:32] might still have some patches just so
[3:36:34] we're prepared for the next one.
[3:36:38] >> I actually need Well, we have a motion
[3:36:40] in a second, so we'll have to go for it
[3:36:42] >> for 9.3.
[3:36:44] >> All those in favor say I.
[3:36:45] >> I. I
[3:36:47] >> opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z. Okay. So,
[3:36:51] I'm going to have to work off two papers
[3:36:53] since I do not have the addendums on the
[3:36:55] one that I marked up. Okay. Moving on to
[3:36:58] student services and activities.
[3:37:02] There is another Okay.
[3:37:09] Okay.
[3:37:11] There's an
[3:37:13] >> 10.5 10.6
[3:37:16] They're all addendums.
[3:37:18] >> Okay.
[3:37:20] >> Bless you.
[3:37:22] >> Okay. Well, um 10.1 the SVES visiting
[3:37:28] author.
[3:37:30] May I have a motion, please?
[3:37:34] >> So, move.
[3:37:35] >> Second, Rossy.
[3:37:37] >> Any questions or comments?
[3:37:40] >> None. I'll call for the vote. All those
[3:37:42] in favor say I. I I
[3:37:44] >> opposed. Motion carries. 80
[3:37:49] 10.2 the BCIU 202526 agreement special
[3:37:54] education
[3:37:56] services and early intervention.
[3:37:59] May I have a motion please?
[3:38:02] >> So
[3:38:03] >> second lash.
[3:38:05] >> Questions or comments?
[3:38:08] >> Not I'll call for the vote. All those in
[3:38:10] favor say I. I. opposed. Motion carries
[3:38:14] 80. Okay. 10.3. The ES program host site
[3:38:18] agreement with helping harvest.
[3:38:21] >> This is in order to continue
[3:38:23] participation in the weekend program.
[3:38:25] >> So move stanky.
[3:38:28] >> Second. Amarrell.
[3:38:29] >> Any questions or comments?
[3:38:32] >> Just a comment. I've actually helped
[3:38:33] with that program before. If any of you
[3:38:35] have the chance to volunteer to help
[3:38:37] pack the backpacks, um it's a really
[3:38:39] great project. Um, and it was really
[3:38:42] eyeopening to see how many kids at our
[3:38:44] school participate in the program. Um,
[3:38:47] so please help out the helping harvest.
[3:38:49] It's a really great thing.
[3:38:53] Any other questions or comments? If not,
[3:38:57] all those in favor say I.
[3:38:59] >> I. I.
[3:39:00] >> Opposed.
[3:39:01] >> Motion carries. 80. Okay. 10.4. Bus
[3:39:05] transportation for cheerleading states.
[3:39:10] May I have a motion, please?
[3:39:12] >> So move.
[3:39:13] >> Second.
[3:39:14] >> Thank you.
[3:39:15] >> Any questions or comments?
[3:39:18] >> Not. All those in favor say I.
[3:39:20] >> I.
[3:39:21] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 80. So now we
[3:39:26] have some addendums. The Hulcom behavior
[3:39:29] health systems two-year agreement. Board
[3:39:31] is requested to consider and approve the
[3:39:33] Hulcom Behavioral Health Systems
[3:39:35] Standard 2-year agreement with Skook
[3:39:37] Valley School District. May I have a
[3:39:39] motion please?
[3:39:39] >> So move Brown
[3:39:41] >> second.
[3:39:45] >> Second we
[3:39:48] >> Any questions or comments?
[3:39:50] >> How often are we utilizing Hulcom during
[3:39:51] the school year?
[3:40:00] >> So we do not utilize them intentionally.
[3:40:03] This is for when students are
[3:40:04] hospitalized or offsite due to a medical
[3:40:08] concern. This is our standard agreement
[3:40:10] with them that they can receive
[3:40:12] educational services while they're
[3:40:14] there.
[3:40:18] >> Do we have a lot of kids who do that?
[3:40:22] >> I don't have that information.
[3:40:26] >> I can get it for you. I just don't have
[3:40:27] it. Sorry.
[3:40:29] I'm just curious like do we have the
[3:40:31] same thing with like kids piece and
[3:40:32] stuff?
[3:40:32] >> Yes.
[3:40:33] >> Okay.
[3:40:34] >> Yeah. This is a standard agreement for
[3:40:35] any any time a student is hospitalized
[3:40:38] and needs to have instruction done
[3:40:40] because they're staying there. We sign
[3:40:42] an agreement with them to provide those
[3:40:44] educational services. We typically
[3:40:46] provide the curriculum for them and then
[3:40:48] they do the instruction.
[3:40:49] >> Is there a reason why we haven't
[3:40:50] utilized Hulkcom in the past?
[3:40:52] >> No, I believe we have.
[3:40:54] >> We have just not recently.
[3:40:55] >> Yeah.
[3:40:56] >> Okay.
[3:40:56] >> Yeah. Matt, is this like Tower Health
[3:40:59] and the one in Lancaster? Is this the
[3:41:01] same kind of thing?
[3:41:02] >> It's sim sorry similar. Yes.
[3:41:04] >> Okay. Thank you.
[3:41:09] >> No, I we just can't hear the questions.
[3:41:12] So I
[3:41:14] >> answer
[3:41:23] any other questions or comments?
[3:41:26] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[3:41:27] those in favor say I.
[3:41:29] >> I.
[3:41:30] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z. 10.6.
[3:41:35] The 2026 Ski Club Vermont trip. The
[3:41:39] board is requested to consider and
[3:41:41] approve the 2026 Ski Club Vermont trip.
[3:41:44] May I have a motion, please?
[3:41:46] >> So move.
[3:41:48] >> Second.
[3:41:48] >> Thank you.
[3:41:51] >> Questions or comments?
[3:41:53] >> Just just a comment. Um,
[3:41:57] Mrs. Wuian had asked me a question about
[3:41:58] the behavioral expectations page that is
[3:42:02] in um the the ski trip. In doing some
[3:42:06] research, what I did learn is that a lot
[3:42:09] of our groups that take overnight trips,
[3:42:11] they they all have a slightly different
[3:42:14] behavioral contract that they use. The
[3:42:17] band uses one for Disney. Ski trip uses
[3:42:20] one. When the world languages go to
[3:42:22] Europe, they have one. So it did bring
[3:42:25] up the need and in conversation with
[3:42:27] Mrs. Rex Road to work with the
[3:42:28] principles to have a standardized form
[3:42:31] to use for any overnight field trip. So
[3:42:34] everyone has one, but they are all
[3:42:36] slightly different.
[3:42:41] >> Any other questions? If not, I'll call
[3:42:44] for the vote. All those in favor say I.
[3:42:46] I.
[3:42:47] >> Opposed?
[3:42:48] >> Motion carries. 80 10.7 The 2026
[3:42:53] finalized prom venue contract
[3:42:57] board is requested to consider and
[3:42:59] approve the finalized contract for the
[3:43:01] 2026 prom. May I have a motion please?
[3:43:05] >> So move stanky a second.
[3:43:08] >> Second Amarell.
[3:43:10] >> Questions or comments?
[3:43:12] I just would like to thank the adviserss
[3:43:14] for looking into this and um coming up
[3:43:17] with this as the destination for the
[3:43:20] prom this year um try it out and at the
[3:43:24] end of their prom then we can find out
[3:43:26] whether they liked it better than the
[3:43:28] last venue or not. So I thank the
[3:43:31] adviserss
[3:43:33] >> and I would just add as well um some of
[3:43:36] you may recall earlier in the year the
[3:43:38] board approved this venue and at the
[3:43:41] time the adviserss had not had a chance
[3:43:43] to meet with the student council
[3:43:45] students yet to talk about you know how
[3:43:47] did they want to handle or derve some of
[3:43:49] the other pieces that has happened which
[3:43:52] is why this is on again and needs
[3:43:54] approval now that the student council
[3:43:56] with the adviserss has finalized it. Um,
[3:43:58] we also discussed earlier in the year
[3:44:00] that um, you know, one of the concerns
[3:44:02] Mrs. Camoff had expressed was that if we
[3:44:04] switched venues, would it cause the cost
[3:44:06] of tickets for prom to go up? And the
[3:44:09] board had said that evening that, you
[3:44:11] know, if there were increased costs for
[3:44:13] the location that the district would,
[3:44:16] you know, help defay some of those
[3:44:17] costs. And so I did let Mrs. creator
[3:44:20] know that you know if there are
[3:44:21] additional funds that are needed just to
[3:44:23] pay for the rental of the warehouse to
[3:44:27] let us know in district office and we
[3:44:28] would help with that so that the ticket
[3:44:30] cost for kids doesn't have to be
[3:44:32] increasing
[3:44:35] any other questions or comments
[3:44:38] if not all those in favor say I
[3:44:41] >> opposed motion carries 8
[3:44:44] uh there's additional two addendums 10.8
[3:44:48] 8 and 10.9 that will combined.
[3:44:52] Um, this is for the design lighting
[3:44:54] contract for the 2026 POV musical in the
[3:44:58] amount of 6,200
[3:45:01] and the contract for sound for the
[3:45:05] second annual middle school musical in
[3:45:08] the amount of $6,750.
[3:45:13] I'm not even sure how to say the
[3:45:14] company's name or or ree USA maybe reus
[3:45:19] I'm not sure but see the the name in
[3:45:21] front of you there.
[3:45:23] >> So may I have a motion please?
[3:45:27] >> So moved amal
[3:45:29] >> second
[3:45:32] >> any questions or comments? Is this the
[3:45:35] company that did the provided the uh
[3:45:38] lights and sound last year?
[3:45:41] >> I'm not Is it okay? Yes, I see people
[3:45:43] nodding their heads. Yes, it is.
[3:45:47] >> Any other questions? Not. I'll call for
[3:45:50] the vote. All those in favor say I.
[3:45:52] >> I.
[3:45:53] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z.
[3:45:58] Okay, I think that is that will be
[3:46:02] addendums. I'll go back to my original
[3:46:04] papers here. Um, is there any other old
[3:46:07] or new business?
[3:46:09] I do have something.
[3:46:12] Every year the uh IU has a student art
[3:46:17] um show and our contributor to the art
[3:46:23] showcase this year was Madison San Juan.
[3:46:28] Um she has a picture of the front of the
[3:46:31] building with a a senior. I believe it's
[3:46:34] her and I think a little sister running
[3:46:36] tour and it's called together we will
[3:46:39] shine and the board members each get a a
[3:46:45] framed student a copy of their student
[3:46:47] thing and then the superintendent which
[3:46:49] I gave to Dr. or Dr. winners last month,
[3:46:54] but these hang um in the boardroom. So,
[3:46:58] every year when this is they change the
[3:47:00] things. So, I say congratulations to
[3:47:03] Madison and um thank you for
[3:47:08] having I think Mrs. Halman does this
[3:47:10] through her class. She does this. So,
[3:47:14] that's all.
[3:47:17] >> Is there anything else for older new
[3:47:19] business? Kelly
[3:47:22] I just want to say congratulations to
[3:47:23] our divers. Um Charlotte Swenderman
[3:47:25] placed first in this weekend's past uh
[3:47:28] championship. She actually received a
[3:47:30] perfect 10. Um Carly Krills placed third
[3:47:33] and Christian Hedrickk placed fifth. Um
[3:47:35] and that our swim team is actually
[3:47:37] headed to championships this weekend at
[3:47:39] Wilson. And uh it's National School
[3:47:41] Counselors Week. So love your school
[3:47:43] counselors.
[3:47:50] Oh my I I don't know. This is when the
[3:47:53] This was at my place.
[3:47:58] >> Okay.
[3:48:00] >> Okay.
[3:48:06] >> Yes.
[3:48:07] I I think well some of the confusion is
[3:48:10] like what I had was what we were going
[3:48:12] to use on Wednesday and now things have
[3:48:14] come forward since we moved the the
[3:48:16] meeting to Monday.
[3:48:18] >> Come on guys, we're so close. We're so
[3:48:20] close guys.
[3:48:20] >> So close. So close. Um I'd actually also
[3:48:24] like to mention there there was a
[3:48:26] Reading Eagle article about an Oliver
[3:48:28] Mesner who's a senior here at Skook
[3:48:30] Valley. He earned every merit badge of
[3:48:33] Boy Scouts. So 142 badges which only
[3:48:36] apparently 100 644 people have ever done
[3:48:40] that. So that was just a u article that
[3:48:42] was in the paper. So moving on to 11.0
[3:48:47] other business go to the order. Does
[3:48:49] anybody have anything?
[3:48:52] If not I'll entertain a motion.
[3:48:54] >> So moved Rossy
[3:48:55] >> second.
[3:48:57] >> Oh you're right on that. Everyone will
[3:48:59] jump on quick.
[3:48:59] >> Second Amarel.
[3:49:00] >> Okay. And just a reminder, I'm sorry.
[3:49:03] And and just a reminder, board members,
[3:49:04] we're doing the board photo out there at
[3:49:07] the mosaic with Miss Manzer right here
[3:49:09] at the end of the meeting.
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2026-03-23_wcx7nplB5ic.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2026-03-23 (regular; bids received)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcx7nplB5ic
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:05:03] I'd like to call to order the School
[0:05:04] Board Valley School Board meeting.
[0:05:06] Please rise for the pledge of
[0:05:07] allegiance.
[0:05:09] Pledge allegiance to the flag of the
[0:05:11] United States of America and to the
[0:05:14] Republic for which it stands, one nation
[0:05:17] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[0:05:20] justice for all.
[0:05:26] May I have the roll call, please?
[0:05:28] Mr. Amaral? Here.
[0:05:30] Mr. Brown?
[0:05:32] Mrs. Lash? Here.
[0:05:33] Mrs. Matthews? Here. Mr. Moll? Here. Mr.
[0:05:37] Rossi? Here. Mrs. Stankiewicz? Here.
[0:05:40] Mrs. Wienczkowski? Here.
[0:05:42] Mr. Wienczkowski? Here.
[0:05:46] Thank you.
[0:05:47] Eight present this evening.
[0:05:50] Moving on to 1.3, approval of minutes.
[0:05:53] May I have a motion to approve the
[0:05:54] minutes of the regular meeting of
[0:05:55] February 23rd,
[0:05:57] 2026 and the special meeting of March
[0:06:00] 3rd, 2026? So moved, Moll. Second?
[0:06:05] Amaral.
[0:06:06] Any questions or comments?
[0:06:09] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:06:11] I. Opposed? Motion carries 8-0.
[0:06:15] I'd like to also announce the board met
[0:06:17] in executive session following the
[0:06:19] committee meeting on March 16th for
[0:06:21] personnel, legal, and student matters.
[0:06:25] 1.5, recognition of staff and students.
[0:06:28] We have no student or staff recognitions
[0:06:30] this evening.
[0:06:32] Moving on to 1.6.
[0:06:34] We do have a budget presentation
[0:06:38] by Kristen Wallace, Director of Finance.
[0:06:45] Thank you. Good evening.
[0:06:52] Uh so, I'd like to come back around
[0:06:55] and provide some brief updates
[0:06:57] and where we're at in the process of
[0:07:00] >> [laughter]
[0:07:00] >> surprised me a little bit.
[0:07:02] Where we're at in the process of
[0:07:04] navigating our preliminary budget for
[0:07:06] the '26-'27 school year.
[0:07:11] Uh this should look fairly familiar.
[0:07:13] It's
[0:07:14] You'll see the proposed '26-'27 budgeted
[0:07:16] revenue sources.
[0:07:18] Just about 70% of our total revenue
[0:07:21] comes from a local tax
[0:07:23] and 26%
[0:07:25] comes from state funding and again,
[0:07:27] that's kind of always the unknown.
[0:07:29] Again, each year the state uh typically
[0:07:32] approves their budget beyond 6:30, but
[0:07:35] as you know, we have to approve ours
[0:07:36] typically in that May-June time frame.
[0:07:39] Um so, we make estimates based upon
[0:07:41] their proposals, but that is a large
[0:07:43] portion of our overall makeup.
[0:07:46] And then the remaining roughly 4% is
[0:07:48] made up of interest on investments, any
[0:07:50] other local revenue, as well as our
[0:07:53] federal funding.
[0:07:56] So, dig taking a deeper dive into local
[0:07:58] tax revenue,
[0:08:00] uh we did utilize a taxable assessment
[0:08:02] value of roughly 1.1 billion
[0:08:05] and we did factor a 0.5% increase for
[0:08:07] our '26-'27 projection. We are still
[0:08:11] remaining conservative based upon our
[0:08:13] trend and you'll see that on the next
[0:08:14] slide,
[0:08:15] um kind of an overall five-year trend
[0:08:17] and kind of where we've been trending um
[0:08:19] over the last 10 years as well.
[0:08:22] We are still utilizing a current millage
[0:08:23] rate of 27.82 in this budget
[0:08:26] and we're making assumptions based upon
[0:08:28] a 97.5%
[0:08:30] collection rate, so still remaining
[0:08:32] conservative um to our actual
[0:08:33] collections of between 98 and 98.5%.
[0:08:38] And this is only taking into
[0:08:39] consideration our current real estate,
[0:08:42] so not including interims and/or
[0:08:44] delinquents.
[0:08:47] Oops.
[0:08:48] So, here you'll see a five-year trend of
[0:08:50] our current real estate and this is
[0:08:52] actual now for 2026.
[0:08:54] I believe the last time I was here, we
[0:08:56] still had a year-to-date figure, so
[0:08:58] you'll see the year-over-year increase
[0:09:00] for 2026 is only a 0.72%.
[0:09:03] It's the smallest in the last five years
[0:09:06] and actually the smallest in the last 10
[0:09:09] years. So, as I mentioned before, our
[0:09:11] tax base is beginning to flatten.
[0:09:14] Um we have a couple other
[0:09:16] um proposals that are out there as well
[0:09:19] as the parcel across the street.
[0:09:21] However, that parcel is currently on
[0:09:22] alert to
[0:09:23] um and we won't necessarily recognize
[0:09:26] that revenue or start to recognize that
[0:09:28] revenue in the next couple of years.
[0:09:33] So, oops, got ahead of me there.
[0:09:35] So, looking again now at our proposed
[0:09:37] '26-'27 budgeted expenditures,
[0:09:40] uh staffing and benefits make up a large
[0:09:43] piece of the pie. So, just about 70% of
[0:09:47] our overall budget. And then we're
[0:09:49] looking at committed expenditures. So,
[0:09:52] let's say transportation,
[0:09:54] um out-of-district placement costs, so
[0:09:56] some of the special ed costs make up
[0:09:58] another roughly 20%.
[0:10:01] So only about 10% of our total
[0:10:04] expenditures really can be affected on a
[0:10:06] year-to-year basis.
[0:10:11] So taking a deeper dive into our revenue
[0:10:13] assumptions, again, we factored in a
[0:10:15] 0.5% increase on our fiscal year 25
[0:10:19] current real estate taxes.
[0:10:21] And again, this is the first year in
[0:10:24] roughly 10 years where we're starting to
[0:10:25] see the tax base flatten.
[0:10:28] Interest on investments we're keeping
[0:10:29] flat.
[0:10:31] And one change you'll see from the prior
[0:10:34] presentation is in basic ed and special
[0:10:37] ed. So in February, the governor did
[0:10:39] provide his address at the beginning of
[0:10:40] February.
[0:10:42] And historically, we've seen those
[0:10:44] increases in basic ed and special ed
[0:10:46] funding to be anywhere between 5 to 7%.
[0:10:49] However, they're coming in closer to a
[0:10:52] one and four. So basic ed at roughly a
[0:10:55] 1% increase over prior year and special
[0:10:58] ed at roughly a 4% increase over prior
[0:11:01] year.
[0:11:02] So we did need to reduce these figures
[0:11:04] slightly compared to our last
[0:11:05] presentation.
[0:11:07] And the SVEC figure, so the Schuylkill
[0:11:10] Valley Education Center revenue figure
[0:11:12] was removed due to no reimbursement from
[0:11:14] the county.
[0:11:16] So again, this is a year-over-year
[0:11:18] um outlay of costs where we're not being
[0:11:21] reimbursed. So the first year was about
[0:11:24] $780,000.
[0:11:26] Second year, in terms of expenditures,
[0:11:28] was about $630,000.
[0:11:31] And now we're factoring in another
[0:11:32] $630,000
[0:11:34] for this year with no reimbursement. We
[0:11:37] do receive um from neighboring schools
[0:11:40] or where the students are being educated
[0:11:42] at for those schools, we do receive
[0:11:44] those tuitions, but on a given year,
[0:11:47] it's about $200,000 in terms of
[0:11:49] reimbursement.
[0:11:53] So looking a little bit further about
[0:11:54] the expenditure assumptions.
[0:11:56] Again, total salaries, wages, and
[0:11:57] benefits increased $850,000
[0:12:00] over the prior year's budget.
[0:12:03] Uh we do have roughly a 10% increase
[0:12:06] built into this budget um from the Berks
[0:12:09] County School District Health Trust.
[0:12:11] Uh we do have now current figures
[0:12:14] because the BCTC budget just came out
[0:12:16] and we were approving it for this um
[0:12:19] actually tonight for this uh month's
[0:12:21] meeting. So that budget was $856,000
[0:12:24] proposed from BCTC, which is made up of
[0:12:27] both the member share and special ed.
[0:12:30] Uh charter schools. So charter schools
[0:12:32] has been um a player, so to speak, in um
[0:12:37] many budgets across the county
[0:12:39] um
[0:12:40] in terms of increased costs beginning in
[0:12:44] the 24-25 school year.
[0:12:46] Uh we did have to increase our budget
[0:12:48] roughly $350,000
[0:12:51] over the 25-26 school year budget.
[0:12:55] Special ed, again, another area of
[0:12:57] concern here where we had to increase
[0:12:59] about $200,000 for out of district
[0:13:02] placement tuition and professional fees.
[0:13:04] And this is um
[0:13:07] shared across multiple school districts
[0:13:08] as well where we're starting to see
[0:13:10] those special ed uh costs increase.
[0:13:14] All building level budget expenditure
[0:13:15] requests are factored into this
[0:13:17] preliminary budget. There have been no
[0:13:18] reductions.
[0:13:20] Uh curriculum materials, we kept the
[0:13:22] same budget level as the prior year at
[0:13:24] $475,000.
[0:13:27] Debt service payments are kept flat with
[0:13:29] no reduction.
[0:13:32] And there is a 1% budgetary reserve
[0:13:34] currently factored into this budget at
[0:13:36] $500,000.
[0:13:38] And like what I had mentioned before,
[0:13:40] the Schuylkill Valley Education Center
[0:13:42] does have a projected cost in this
[0:13:44] budget of $630,000.
[0:13:46] Again, no no reimbursement from the
[0:13:49] county.
[0:13:52] So what does that translate to then in
[0:13:53] dollars?
[0:13:55] So the last time I came to you, we had a
[0:13:58] current deficit of about $908,000.
[0:14:02] It did now since change to just over a
[0:14:04] million 50,000, so 1.05 million.
[0:14:08] Um the majority of that change was the
[0:14:11] reduction in the basic ed and special ed
[0:14:14] funding of about $150,000 combined.
[0:14:21] So I wanted to review a couple potential
[0:14:23] options
[0:14:25] as we kind of navigate through this
[0:14:27] process and given what our current
[0:14:29] budget deficit is. So we will look at a
[0:14:32] tax millage increase of 0.75,
[0:14:35] about 2.7%,
[0:14:37] which could generate $975,000.
[0:14:40] A tax millage increase of 0.85, or about
[0:14:43] 3.06%,
[0:14:45] that could generate 1.08 million
[0:14:47] dollars.
[0:14:49] Tax millage increase of one,
[0:14:51] or a 3.59% increase, that would generate
[0:14:55] 1.25 million.
[0:14:57] And a tax millage increase of 1.19, or
[0:15:00] 4.28%,
[0:15:02] that would generate 1.46 million. And I
[0:15:05] did want to mention
[0:15:06] that last option is the max. In October
[0:15:11] um of this past year, we did pass the
[0:15:15] Act 1 resolution,
[0:15:17] which essentially is only allowing us to
[0:15:20] raise taxes up to that Act 1 index,
[0:15:22] which is just under 4.3%.
[0:15:27] So looking at the first option, tax
[0:15:29] millage increase of 0.75,
[0:15:32] with that $975,000,
[0:15:35] it would roughly clear our deficit. We
[0:15:38] would then take the remaining overage of
[0:15:41] 75,000
[0:15:42] and remove that from budgetary reserve
[0:15:44] in order to balance.
[0:15:46] The average yearly increase given a hunt
[0:15:48] and average uh real estate assessment of
[0:15:50] about $175,000
[0:15:53] would be an increase per household of
[0:15:55] $131.25.
[0:16:01] So looking at a tax millage increase of
[0:16:03] 0.85,
[0:16:04] generating about 1.08 million,
[0:16:07] this would clear the deficit.
[0:16:10] And it would allow a remaining surplus
[0:16:11] of $30,000
[0:16:13] that we would then apply to budgetary
[0:16:15] reserve to balance.
[0:16:17] This average yearly increase per
[0:16:19] household would be about 148, so
[0:16:22] $148.75.
[0:16:28] Looking at a tax millage increase of
[0:16:30] one, or about 3.59%,
[0:16:33] this would generate 1.25 million.
[0:16:36] And this would again clear the deficit.
[0:16:38] And it would leave us with a remaining
[0:16:40] surplus of 200,000,
[0:16:42] which we would then apply to the
[0:16:44] budgetary reserve to balance.
[0:16:46] This would be an average yearly increase
[0:16:49] per household of $175.
[0:16:55] And finally,
[0:16:56] looking at a tax millage increase of
[0:16:58] 1.19,
[0:16:59] this would generate 1.46 million in
[0:17:02] revenue.
[0:17:04] This again will clear the deficit and
[0:17:05] leave a remaining surplus of $410,000,
[0:17:09] which we would then apply to budgetary
[0:17:11] reserve to balance.
[0:17:13] This would be an average yearly increase
[0:17:14] per household of $208.25.
[0:17:21] Okay. Questions?
[0:17:29] Does anyone have any questions?
[0:17:37] No? No. Guess not. Okay.
[0:17:40] All right. Well, thank you. Thanks,
[0:17:41] Kristen.
[0:17:44] Okay, we'll move on to reports of
[0:17:46] officers and board representatives.
[0:17:49] Um the first is my report.
[0:17:52] It's very short. As I reported last
[0:17:55] Monday, we're in the midst of
[0:17:57] interviewing candidates for
[0:17:58] superintendent. So this week we'll be
[0:18:00] conducting the third round of
[0:18:02] interviews, which will include some
[0:18:03] community volunteer members.
[0:18:06] And after that, we will have uh
[0:18:08] additional work to do before we get to
[0:18:09] the final selection to bring forward for
[0:18:11] a vote. Our goal is to have a candidate
[0:18:14] named and ready to start July 1st. And
[0:18:18] uh it's been a very exciting time to get
[0:18:19] that person in place as we move forward.
[0:18:22] There's been uh questions about the
[0:18:23] field house project and where we are
[0:18:25] with that. The bids have been received,
[0:18:27] and right now we are what we're doing is
[0:18:29] looking at our budgetary needs, which
[0:18:32] was part of the presentation we just
[0:18:33] heard, so we can make um an informed
[0:18:36] decision whether or not to move forward
[0:18:37] with this project. We will be having a
[0:18:40] public meeting for continued
[0:18:41] discussions, and that will happen
[0:18:43] sometime after Easter once we have all
[0:18:45] the financial information and possible
[0:18:47] options that we need to look into for
[0:18:49] consideration.
[0:18:50] So um watch the school website and
[0:18:53] social media for when that will be
[0:18:55] scheduled, but right now we're focusing
[0:18:57] on getting through the superintendent
[0:18:59] search process, which will conclude
[0:19:02] hopefully in the next week or two.
[0:19:05] Okay, moving on to 2.2, Secretary Linda
[0:19:08] Lash.
[0:19:09] I have [clears throat] no report.
[0:19:13] Okay, 2.3, Berks County Intermediate
[0:19:16] Unit, Linda.
[0:19:19] Okay, um
[0:19:21] on Thursday night, we had our
[0:19:24] our board meeting.
[0:19:25] And at that meeting, uh Nicholas Bieber
[0:19:28] from the um
[0:19:30] Herbein Division, now Cherry Bocker
[0:19:33] Advisory um
[0:19:36] auditing
[0:19:37] company,
[0:19:38] they presented our um
[0:19:41] IU audit for the 24-25 school year.
[0:19:45] And we had a clean audit, so that was
[0:19:49] good news.
[0:19:50] Also, on October 8th, the Anna Annie
[0:19:54] Sullivan Award will be held at the
[0:19:57] Reading Hospital
[0:19:59] um
[0:19:59] School of Medicine.
[0:20:01] Um and our candidate is Bren is Jennifer
[0:20:06] Vroom.
[0:20:07] Vroman.
[0:20:08] What? Vroman. Vroman. Okay. And
[0:20:11] apparently she's at the elementary
[0:20:13] school. I did I couldn't find where she
[0:20:15] was, so okay. Well, I wish her all the
[0:20:17] best. Um
[0:20:19] All 18 school districts have
[0:20:22] um
[0:20:23] candidates for the award. Um
[0:20:26] Berks Catholic has a candidate, the I
[0:20:29] the IU, and the
[0:20:31] BCTC, and the Reading Muhlenberg. So,
[0:20:33] it's a real large cast of um people this
[0:20:37] year. So, I wish them all well
[0:20:39] and hopefully I can get there. Um I
[0:20:42] enjoy I enjoyed it the last time I was
[0:20:45] there, so.
[0:20:46] Um
[0:20:49] That brings me to
[0:20:55] We have been working with Mary
[0:20:57] Franciscus, the HR um director at the
[0:21:00] IU, and
[0:21:02] she is now the president of the Eastern
[0:21:06] um school personnel
[0:21:11] division of
[0:21:13] Pennsylvania and she will be serving in
[0:21:16] that capacity for 2 years. So, good for
[0:21:19] Mary Franciscus and since we all on the
[0:21:22] board now know her, I thought I'd bring
[0:21:24] that up. The Eastern Pennsylvania
[0:21:26] Association of School Personnel
[0:21:28] Administrators. Okay. So, that's what
[0:21:31] she is.
[0:21:32] Um we also got a report about the um
[0:21:36] employee appreciation day that was held
[0:21:39] at the IU.
[0:21:40] Um they had a student from their PAL
[0:21:42] program who is a phenomenal young man.
[0:21:45] He he He has a real knack for um
[0:21:50] presenting himself
[0:21:53] on videos. He's just really good at it.
[0:21:55] So, he was the
[0:21:56] kind of master of ceremonies last year
[0:21:58] and he was again this year, and he's a
[0:22:01] real pleasure to see introducing
[0:22:03] everyone, working with the kids that he
[0:22:06] interviewed. So, that was that's always
[0:22:08] nice to see
[0:22:09] him do that. So,
[0:22:11] there was also a teen talk, um six
[0:22:14] districts and the Berks Catholic High
[0:22:17] School sent teenagers to a mental health
[0:22:21] presentation
[0:22:23] um
[0:22:24] at the IU on March 16th with uh Attorney
[0:22:29] General Dave Sunday, and they listened
[0:22:31] to uh mental health issues in um
[0:22:35] young
[0:22:36] teens and what they are looking for and
[0:22:39] how they
[0:22:41] could be helped in mental health issues.
[0:22:48] I I I have a lot.
[0:22:50] This is going to take me a while. Okay,
[0:22:52] on
[0:22:54] in June In June, the board will be
[0:22:56] receiving
[0:22:58] a ballot
[0:23:00] >> [clears throat]
[0:23:00] >> from the IU for board of elections
[0:23:04] for 3-year term
[0:23:06] um candidates from the school districts,
[0:23:09] 2-year term, and a 1-year term.
[0:23:12] And I will be up on that ballot
[0:23:15] for representing Schuylkill Valley,
[0:23:18] which will end in 20
[0:23:20] 29.
[0:23:22] So,
[0:23:24] that's that.
[0:23:26] Then
[0:23:28] the uh legislation that
[0:23:31] was brought to our attention
[0:23:34] Governor Shapiro launched a new
[0:23:36] artificial intelligence literacy toolkit
[0:23:39] and AI Enforcement Task Force on
[0:23:42] February 27th.
[0:23:44] He announced new steps his
[0:23:45] administration is taking to protect
[0:23:48] Pennsylvanians from predatory AI
[0:23:50] practices.
[0:23:51] The AI literacy toolkit is a
[0:23:53] comprehensive multi-agency resource
[0:23:56] developed in collaboration with the
[0:23:58] Pennsylvania Departments of Education,
[0:24:00] Health, Human Services, State, Aging,
[0:24:03] and Banking and Securities to help
[0:24:05] Pennsylvanians safely and responsibly
[0:24:07] use artificial intelligence tools.
[0:24:10] So, that was on that.
[0:24:13] Um
[0:24:17] This one affects school districts.
[0:24:20] House Bill 2239
[0:24:22] prohibiting the flying of drones on or
[0:24:25] over school grounds. This was introduced
[0:24:28] by Representative Pew
[0:24:30] uh Republican from Luzerne County.
[0:24:34] This legislation would re- prohibit a
[0:24:37] person from operating a drone on the
[0:24:39] grounds or in the airspace of a school
[0:24:41] entity without the school entity's
[0:24:43] written permission. It would provide an
[0:24:45] exception for law enforcement officers
[0:24:48] and school security personnel performing
[0:24:50] their official duties.
[0:24:56] House Bill 2253, Representative Guzman
[0:24:59] from Berks County.
[0:25:01] Strengthening [snorts] mental health
[0:25:03] support for Pennsylvania students.
[0:25:05] Introduced and re- referred to education
[0:25:07] February 26th, the legislation would
[0:25:10] require each public high school to
[0:25:12] employ at least one school life support
[0:25:15] coach to provide mentorship, social and
[0:25:18] emotional guidance, crisis assistance,
[0:25:20] and connection to school and community
[0:25:23] resources in accordance with following
[0:25:25] ratios.
[0:25:26] And if you're high-need school, you
[0:25:28] would have one coach for every 300
[0:25:29] students. A school that is not
[0:25:31] considered a high-need, one coach for
[0:25:33] every 500 students. And districts could
[0:25:36] share
[0:25:37] these coaches to reduce costs and
[0:25:39] optimize coverage.
[0:25:45] Um
[0:25:50] House Bill 2275,
[0:25:52] Representative Roose from Monroe County
[0:25:55] and Pike County.
[0:25:56] Introduced and re- referred to education
[0:26:00] This legislation would extend the time
[0:26:02] frame for school entity to complete an
[0:26:04] initial evaluation to determine whether
[0:26:07] a child is a child with a disability
[0:26:09] under federal law.
[0:26:11] This bill would say that there would be
[0:26:13] 60 consecutive school days and not 60
[0:26:18] consecutive
[0:26:20] calendar days, which would give you a
[0:26:21] little longer time frame to get that
[0:26:24] done.
[0:26:30] And
[0:26:32] Senate Bill
[0:26:34] 1192
[0:26:37] which kind of follows into Kristen's
[0:26:39] report. Senator Collett from Bucks
[0:26:42] County and Lehigh County
[0:26:44] introduced and referred 20 February 27th
[0:26:48] legislation that would require all
[0:26:50] proposed school district tax increases
[0:26:52] that take effect in 2026-27
[0:26:56] put to a referendum.
[0:27:05] And
[0:27:09] that's all I have for that. Thank you.
[0:27:12] Okay, thank you. Moving on to 2.4, Berks
[0:27:15] Career and Technology Center. Um just a
[0:27:18] couple quick updates uh for BCTC
[0:27:22] uh right now the wait list is
[0:27:24] over 300.
[0:27:26] Uh so, they're looking at uh developing
[0:27:29] a couple
[0:27:31] uh program strategies
[0:27:33] uh if they can do that in the next year
[0:27:36] or so, they will
[0:27:38] hopefully bring in about another 200
[0:27:40] kids into the program.
[0:27:42] But we are just up against uh we've had
[0:27:45] such high enrollments.
[0:27:46] So, they're looking at strategies.
[0:27:48] They've done uh
[0:27:50] some surveys on the top 10 programs
[0:27:54] uh with wait list um
[0:27:56] number one actually was carpentry.
[0:27:59] Uh that they're looking at.
[0:28:01] So, um one of the other ones is the
[0:28:04] heavy equipment. Uh but that has such a
[0:28:07] large capital
[0:28:10] uh
[0:28:11] uh equipment need uh that one might
[0:28:15] remain. That was like number six or
[0:28:16] number seven.
[0:28:18] Um the other thing that
[0:28:20] uh they're looking at um
[0:28:24] probably sometime in the fall next year
[0:28:27] they're going to invite all the school
[0:28:30] board
[0:28:31] uh
[0:28:32] the sending school board
[0:28:34] members to open house as they get close
[0:28:37] to finalizing the
[0:28:39] house project down in Oley. So, when we
[0:28:42] have that, that'll be sometime in
[0:28:44] September
[0:28:45] is the tentative game plan. So,
[0:28:48] I'll make sure we get that with plenty
[0:28:50] of time.
[0:28:51] And
[0:28:53] uh I did share with their executive
[0:28:56] director uh
[0:28:59] the request of the board to potentially
[0:29:01] have a board meeting and a tour at our
[0:29:04] West Campus facility which is inside the
[0:29:08] Schuylkill Valley geographic area.
[0:29:10] They're off of 183.
[0:29:12] Uh so, I don't know Carol or Dr. Winters
[0:29:17] who should I get
[0:29:20] in con- you know, put in contact so that
[0:29:22] you guys can look to schedule a meeting.
[0:29:25] I don't know Carol if you want to do
[0:29:26] that or Dr. Winters.
[0:29:30] Okay. I can do it. Yeah, I can do it.
[0:29:32] Okay.
[0:29:33] Okay. I know they missed the one uh
[0:29:36] superintendent meeting
[0:29:38] um but I didn't care which way to go,
[0:29:41] but I figured I'd
[0:29:42] I did share that you wanted to have that
[0:29:45] uh desire of the board. So, that was
[0:29:48] shared with them now twice and that's
[0:29:51] all I have.
[0:29:53] Okay, thank you. Moving on to 2.5, Berks
[0:29:56] County Tax Collection Committee. Mr.
[0:29:58] Brown is not here this evening, so we'll
[0:30:00] move on to 2.6, Pennsylvania School
[0:30:02] Boards Association Liaison. Mrs. Lash.
[0:30:06] Okay, one thing that liaisons are
[0:30:08] supposed to remind um, board members who
[0:30:11] were newly elected that they need to
[0:30:13] re-complete their
[0:30:14] required school board training and also
[0:30:18] to make sure that the board sec- the
[0:30:21] school secretary
[0:30:24] gets the um,
[0:30:26] certificate that you get at the end to
[0:30:28] make a copy of. So, if you have if
[0:30:30] you've taken your training and you have
[0:30:33] not yet made sure that Susie has gotten
[0:30:35] your
[0:30:36] uh, certificate to make a copy of it,
[0:30:38] please do that.
[0:30:42] Also, [clears throat]
[0:30:45] there are some trainings
[0:30:47] that all of our board members could
[0:30:50] take if they wanted to.
[0:30:52] There is one, I believe this is free,
[0:30:55] but I'm not real sure. The latest
[0:30:58] developments in the Right to Know Law,
[0:31:00] April 29th,
[0:31:02] from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
[0:31:06] Um,
[0:31:07] there is an AI a free
[0:31:12] AI virtual AI symposium
[0:31:17] that is held April 22nd from 8:30 to
[0:31:20] 12:30 p.m.
[0:31:22] And [clears throat] that is a virtual
[0:31:24] one, also.
[0:31:27] So, if anybody's interested in taking
[0:31:29] those ongoing classes,
[0:31:34] and then I
[0:31:36] I watched on PCN the Keystone Education
[0:31:41] Report uh, published by
[0:31:44] Berks um, Pennsylvania School Boards
[0:31:46] Association. That was this past
[0:31:49] Wednesday night. And I think there's one
[0:31:51] on this Wednesday night, I believe. It
[0:31:55] was run by Kevin Busher
[0:31:57] and Andy Christ from um, PSBA.
[0:32:01] And it was called State of the of
[0:32:03] Education. We used to get a little
[0:32:05] booklet. I don't know if we're not going
[0:32:07] to be getting those little booklets
[0:32:08] anymore or not,
[0:32:10] but um, they were very informative and
[0:32:12] if not, if you would like to see what
[0:32:14] the state of education is across
[0:32:17] Pennsylvania, this is uh, in response to
[0:32:19] what um,
[0:32:21] school districts give to PSBA. So,
[0:32:25] PSBA uh, Pennsylvania's putting more
[0:32:28] money into school facilities.
[0:32:30] Districts having difficulty raising
[0:32:32] enough money for new facilities or
[0:32:34] fixing up existing buildings and
[0:32:37] infrastructure,
[0:32:38] um, the state has money to help out
[0:32:42] those school districts.
[0:32:44] When the budget is late, some districts
[0:32:46] must float a loan
[0:32:47] and that cost is dis- to the district is
[0:32:51] a potential liability uh, cuz they have
[0:32:54] to pay the interest back on those loans.
[0:32:57] Um,
[0:32:59] it's hard for school districts to
[0:33:01] maintain mon- funding for unfunded
[0:33:03] mandates, which is an ongoing thing
[0:33:06] every year.
[0:33:08] Under special education, there's an
[0:33:10] increase in identified students,
[0:33:13] which come with additional costs, which
[0:33:15] affects budget and staffing.
[0:33:18] They need more funding
[0:33:21] um,
[0:33:23] because there's a lot more mandates from
[0:33:25] the federal level over 40 years and
[0:33:27] they're usually unfunded. Schools must
[0:33:30] follow these mandates and more fun-
[0:33:33] federal funds would be helpful for
[0:33:35] special ed.
[0:33:39] Um,
[0:33:46] Okay, the pandemic brought the need for
[0:33:48] mental health resources to the full to
[0:33:51] the forefront for school districts.
[0:33:55] And that's been an ongoing cost and
[0:33:59] finding mental health resources
[0:34:02] um, was a challenge. It's a little
[0:34:04] easier now, but um,
[0:34:07] finding
[0:34:08] finding resources for parents and for
[0:34:10] school districts can be can be
[0:34:12] overwhelming at times.
[0:34:15] Under AI, more than half of the
[0:34:17] districts are using AI now.
[0:34:21] Issues with it are training teachers,
[0:34:23] the misuse of AI.
[0:34:26] Schools have been proactive in most
[0:34:29] cases
[0:34:31] and schools must have proper policies in
[0:34:34] place.
[0:34:36] There are 1.5 million students in public
[0:34:41] schools in Pennsylvania.
[0:34:44] And
[0:34:46] the state of education
[0:34:49] goes to the legislators so that they can
[0:34:51] use that in their committee hearings and
[0:34:53] for their legislative
[0:34:55] analysis.
[0:34:59] And then on Friday, I attended uh, PSBA
[0:35:05] update on
[0:35:07] legal issues. That was a 3 and 1/2 hour
[0:35:12] online training
[0:35:13] and it I had done some of this at the
[0:35:17] uh, conference in
[0:35:20] October
[0:35:21] and
[0:35:22] some of it was given to us as training,
[0:35:25] but those 3 and 1/2 hours were just on
[0:35:29] basically on following up on things we
[0:35:32] had already heard about or new cases
[0:35:35] that have arisen since late '25 and '26.
[0:35:40] So,
[0:35:42] um,
[0:35:43] that's all I have.
[0:35:46] Cuz I combined both of mine.
[0:35:49] Thank you. Move on to 2.7, Schuylkill
[0:35:52] Valley Education Foundation. Linda.
[0:35:54] Okay, the um,
[0:35:56] Red and Black Gala was last Friday
[0:35:58] night.
[0:36:00] It was fairly well attended. Um, I think
[0:36:03] everybody seemed to have a really good
[0:36:04] time there.
[0:36:05] Um, Courtney Gray
[0:36:08] um, notified me today that they don't
[0:36:10] have the final
[0:36:12] uh, numbers yet and they will be meeting
[0:36:15] sometime this week to go over everything
[0:36:18] and I'll have a report on that at the
[0:36:20] next meeting.
[0:36:23] Okay, thank you.
[0:36:25] Moving on to 3.0, persons who wish to
[0:36:28] address the board. Anyone who wishes to
[0:36:30] address the board this evening will have
[0:36:31] 3 minutes to state their questions or
[0:36:33] concerns. Please state your name, the
[0:36:35] township where you live and indicate if
[0:36:37] you are representing a group. All
[0:36:39] comments should be directed to the board
[0:36:41] as a whole and we ask that your comments
[0:36:42] be respectful in nature. You have a
[0:36:44] writ- if you have a written statement, a
[0:36:46] copy of that statement would be
[0:36:47] appreciated. Details of this policy are
[0:36:50] on our website listed under policy 903
[0:36:53] public comment at board meetings.
[0:36:56] This evening, we have two people from
[0:36:57] student council here.
[0:36:59] Uh, Spencer Mounts and Gracie Torres.
[0:37:07] Hello. Um, my name is Gracie Torres. I'm
[0:37:10] a senior and I'm president of student
[0:37:12] council.
[0:37:13] Um, our first point um, Panthers on
[0:37:16] Parade has continued to reach our
[0:37:17] Schuylkill Valley community. This year,
[0:37:20] the production of Grease has sold out
[0:37:21] had sold two sold out shows. Students
[0:37:25] involved in the cast, crew, tech crew,
[0:37:27] pit, set building and makeup are greatly
[0:37:30] appreciated for all the hard work and
[0:37:32] all the hours they put in over the past
[0:37:34] 3 months.
[0:37:35] Next on our list is Unified Bocce. This
[0:37:38] season was a complete success for the
[0:37:39] Unified Bocce team. They made the
[0:37:41] playoffs in just their second season and
[0:37:43] placed second in counties and third in
[0:37:45] districts. Unified Bocce is an amazing
[0:37:48] opportunity for all to be included and
[0:37:50] accepted and to be competed and to
[0:37:52] compete all the varsity level. The SV
[0:37:54] team is a prime example of what
[0:37:56] teamwork, acceptance and friendship is
[0:37:58] all about.
[0:37:59] Our next point is Academic Challenge.
[0:38:02] The defending county champion Academic
[0:38:04] Challenge team is competing in the Berks
[0:38:06] County playoffs this Thursday. Of the 15
[0:38:09] teams in the county, the top six teams
[0:38:11] made the playoffs and will compete to
[0:38:13] crown the county champions and head to
[0:38:16] state competition in May in Harrisburg.
[0:38:21] Good evening. I am Spencer Mounts, a
[0:38:23] junior and the vice president of student
[0:38:25] council. Um, I would like to talk about
[0:38:28] the PA Virtual Cafe in the high school.
[0:38:30] Um, the PA Virtual Pals every Friday
[0:38:34] serve staff members and around the
[0:38:36] school with uh, things that they've made
[0:38:39] from the PA Virtual Cafe.
[0:38:41] Um, on St. Patrick's Day actually, they
[0:38:43] made uh, sham shakes to give to the
[0:38:46] staff, which every staff member that
[0:38:48] received one seemed to very much enjoy
[0:38:49] it.
[0:38:50] Um, along with helping out with around
[0:38:53] the school, uh, four PA Virtual Pals
[0:38:55] have helped um, pack up the library at
[0:38:58] the Leesport Library with the book sale
[0:39:00] this weekend.
[0:39:02] Um, along with other things that they
[0:39:04] have been doing is Schuylkill Valley
[0:39:07] recently hosted an Employability Fair,
[0:39:10] um, which we had many students attend
[0:39:11] and the PA Virtual Pals made food and
[0:39:13] hosted a hospitality room for any of the
[0:39:15] volunteers that were there.
[0:39:17] Um, outside of Schuylkill Valley, we
[0:39:19] have two students that continue to learn
[0:39:21] occupational skills at the Keystone
[0:39:23] Villa every Tuesday and Thursday.
[0:39:29] I know you mentioned before about BCTC.
[0:39:31] Um, I just want to say really quickly
[0:39:33] that I'm I go to BCTC for health
[0:39:34] occupations um, and a lot of people find
[0:39:37] their passions there. So, that's great.
[0:39:39] Um, but about BCTC, um, HOSA, which is
[0:39:43] Health Occupation Students of America,
[0:39:45] they hosted a national competition.
[0:39:47] This year at HOSA's national
[0:39:48] competition, two seniors actually, Fuwad
[0:39:51] Abdullatif and Eve Kalinowski, both
[0:39:53] placed in their competitions related to
[0:39:55] health care. Eight SB students attended
[0:39:57] and competed in this 3-day event. These
[0:40:00] students represented both BCTC and
[0:40:02] Schuylkill Valley out of a total of
[0:40:03] 1,200 students at the conference.
[0:40:06] Mental Health Matters,
[0:40:08] the Mental Health Matters Club
[0:40:09] recognized bus drivers for bus driver
[0:40:11] appreciation day last Wednesday. Members
[0:40:14] made thank you cards and put together
[0:40:16] bags of Hershey Kisses, Chapsticks, and
[0:40:18] hand sanitizers to give the bus drivers
[0:40:21] as appreciation. They also made positive
[0:40:23] message pins in February to spread
[0:40:25] positivity throughout the school. Coming
[0:40:27] up is a diapers and wipes drive for Mary
[0:40:30] Shelter and a collection for Blessed
[0:40:31] Beginnings.
[0:40:35] I would like to also highlight some
[0:40:38] winner athletes, specifically seniors.
[0:40:41] This weekend, we had four senior
[0:40:43] basketball players, two girls basketball
[0:40:45] players, and two boys basketball players
[0:40:47] that participated in the Berks County
[0:40:49] Senior All-Star game. Amelia Falsone and
[0:40:52] Alyssa Sellers participated in the girls
[0:40:55] game, and Logan Kemmerer and Josiah
[0:40:57] Urbina played in the boys game.
[0:41:00] Finally, our Wag Club at high school is
[0:41:03] throughout the entire month of March has
[0:41:05] been collecting supply donations for the
[0:41:08] Humane Society of Pennsylvania. And this
[0:41:10] is lasting for the whole month all the
[0:41:12] way up until
[0:41:14] it's over.
[0:41:16] On behalf of student council and the
[0:41:18] whole school, we would like to thank you
[0:41:20] for giving us the opportunity to speak
[0:41:22] about some great things happening with
[0:41:24] our students at the school.
[0:41:28] Yeah,
[0:41:29] I'd like to say thank you for coming
[0:41:30] this evening. It's always great to hear
[0:41:32] from the students to find out, you know,
[0:41:34] what activities you're all doing. And we
[0:41:36] would actually like to add a student
[0:41:39] council part on the agenda that you will
[0:41:41] have a set time that you can come and
[0:41:43] speak at every of our regular board
[0:41:46] meetings. So, you don't have to do the
[0:41:48] hearing of the visitors. You'll be
[0:41:49] actually be a part of the agenda.
[0:41:52] Thank you.
[0:41:53] >> Thank you. Thank you for your time.
[0:41:55] Thank you.
[0:41:59] Okay, moving on to 4.0 board, we have
[0:42:03] solicitor's report.
[0:42:06] Just very briefly,
[0:42:08] when Miss Lash mentioned the
[0:42:10] right-to-know law updates, I was
[0:42:12] reminded that the Office of Open Records
[0:42:14] had a record-breaking year last year
[0:42:16] with over 3,200 appeals. So, I do a lot
[0:42:20] of right-to-know work for Blue Mountain
[0:42:21] Valley and a lot of school districts. I
[0:42:23] just thought I would mention that. Shows
[0:42:24] that it continues to be very actively
[0:42:26] used process across the state. I have
[0:42:28] nothing further.
[0:42:31] Is there any other old or new business
[0:42:33] under 4.0 board? Carol, I do have
[0:42:35] something that I forgot for the board.
[0:42:38] PSBA is no longer going to be using
[0:42:41] BoardDocs.
[0:42:42] Coming, I think, July. I might be wrong
[0:42:46] about that. I think it's July. They're
[0:42:49] going to go to another venue,
[0:42:52] and BoardDocs,
[0:42:54] because they're changing to Diligent.
[0:42:57] And Diligent's not as cost-effective for
[0:43:00] PSBA. So,
[0:43:03] and it doesn't it's not as easy to use,
[0:43:06] so they went to a different They're
[0:43:08] going to a different format. So,
[0:43:11] we'll have to learn another
[0:43:13] format come this summer. So, I'm sorry I
[0:43:16] forgot that.
[0:43:18] That's okay. I
[0:43:20] So, I'll have something else to learn,
[0:43:21] and I don't even think I have BoardDocs
[0:43:23] down yet, so that'll be okay.
[0:43:26] Is there anything else old or new
[0:43:27] business?
[0:43:29] If not, we'll move on to 5.0
[0:43:31] superintendent. The monthly reports and
[0:43:34] the principal's dashboard reports are
[0:43:37] enclosed in our packet. And then, we
[0:43:40] have the superintendent report. Dr.
[0:43:42] Winters.
[0:43:46] Thanks, Brett.
[0:43:58] There's so many wonderful things to
[0:44:00] highlight in the month of March,
[0:44:02] starting with the music department's
[0:44:04] annual dinner concert, which was a
[0:44:05] couple of weekends ago. And there was
[0:44:08] just some amazing things that happened
[0:44:10] that evening, but just to highlight a
[0:44:12] few, they combined fifth and sixth grade
[0:44:14] this year, which was great because it
[0:44:16] helped elevate the fifth grade musicians
[0:44:18] playing with peers that were a little
[0:44:20] bit more experienced. Also, two jazz
[0:44:22] bands this year, a new jazz ensemble
[0:44:25] that were students interested in jazz,
[0:44:27] and then the regular audition band
[0:44:29] that's existed. And then, Panthers on
[0:44:30] Parade, I believe there were three or
[0:44:32] four songs that were that were previewed
[0:44:35] that night just to kind of give us a
[0:44:37] taste of what we all got to see, for
[0:44:39] those got to go to the show. So, that
[0:44:41] was a great evening and great job by our
[0:44:43] music department.
[0:44:48] Also, want to give a shout-out to
[0:44:50] Matthew Beretsky from the elementary
[0:44:52] school. He represented at the Diamond
[0:44:54] City Regional Spelling Bee. There were
[0:44:55] 70 elementary and middle school students
[0:44:58] that competed there, and Matthew was one
[0:45:00] of them. So, great job, Matthew, and
[0:45:02] great job representing our elementary
[0:45:04] school.
[0:45:07] Sticking with the elementary school, we
[0:45:08] had another very successful grandparents
[0:45:10] week this year, which is just such a
[0:45:12] special time.
[0:45:14] Our elementary students love it when
[0:45:16] their grandparents are able to come to
[0:45:17] the building and have interactions with
[0:45:20] them.
[0:45:21] PTO was very instrumental in getting all
[0:45:23] those pieces set up, and a big thank you
[0:45:25] to Leibensperger's Funeral Home for
[0:45:27] donating all the cookies that were
[0:45:28] enjoyed that week as well.
[0:45:34] In addition, the elementary school had
[0:45:36] their reading night once again this
[0:45:38] year. If you've ever attended that
[0:45:40] evening, and this was my first time
[0:45:41] attending, the elementary school is a
[0:45:43] busy, busy place that night. There is a
[0:45:45] lot going on.
[0:45:47] Our featured author this year was Ross
[0:45:48] Burrachio. He interacted with the
[0:45:50] students during the day and then did a
[0:45:52] reading and drawing tutorial for for
[0:45:54] students and families that night. Once
[0:45:56] again, folks, Butterfly Barn
[0:45:59] was there. They set up their atrium and
[0:46:02] the gym, and there were even some that
[0:46:04] escaped that I think Mr. Reiner probably
[0:46:06] found in the days after.
[0:46:08] And then, we also had elementary staff
[0:46:10] doing things like book bingo and snacks
[0:46:13] and crafts and games, and I got roped
[0:46:15] into playing a game. I'm not sure I did
[0:46:16] all that effectively, but it was fun.
[0:46:19] And it was a great night. It really was.
[0:46:23] As we mentioned previously at an earlier
[0:46:25] board meeting, Dr. Lausch was recognized
[0:46:28] through the Berks County Heroes
[0:46:30] Breakfast for the Community Impact
[0:46:31] Award. He was nominated by Cassidy Real,
[0:46:34] a kindergarten teacher at the elementary
[0:46:35] school. She's the one beside me in the
[0:46:37] photo, and it was a wonderful breakfast
[0:46:39] at the DoubleTree. And really, it was
[0:46:41] great. I really appreciated being able
[0:46:43] to experience that moment with Dr.
[0:46:47] Lausch and his friends and family.
[0:46:52] Our Junior Honor Society at the middle
[0:46:54] school, Penn State Berks, their
[0:46:57] Engineering Ahead program with Voice Up
[0:46:59] Berks taught our students about
[0:47:01] STEM-related careers and engineering and
[0:47:03] structural design that helped them as
[0:47:06] they were preparing for the upcoming
[0:47:07] Berks County Can Structure competition.
[0:47:10] And you can see a photo here of all the
[0:47:13] new inductees in the middle school
[0:47:15] Junior Honor Society this year. Great
[0:47:17] group. Very, very successful group of
[0:47:20] young men and women
[0:47:21] who achieved this great academic
[0:47:23] accomplishment.
[0:47:25] And talking about that Can Structure
[0:47:28] event through the Youth Volunteer Corps
[0:47:30] of Reading,
[0:47:31] we had 37
[0:47:33] junior high students that participated
[0:47:35] in the build. The theme this year was
[0:47:38] Animated Studios. And there there were
[0:47:41] 700 cans that were collected during the
[0:47:44] middle school food drive that were
[0:47:45] donated to Helping Harvest as part of
[0:47:47] this event. So, great event that helps
[0:47:50] build STEM skills, but also, you know,
[0:47:52] shows the importance of service and
[0:47:54] volunteerism for our Junior Honor
[0:47:55] Society students.
[0:47:59] Just this past Friday, several of us got
[0:48:01] to go over to the middle school and
[0:48:03] experience the eighth grade biography
[0:48:05] reception, where students dress up in
[0:48:07] character and have business cards, and
[0:48:09] were able to go around and talk with
[0:48:11] them and
[0:48:12] see how well-versed they are in sharing
[0:48:15] what character they're in. And I know I
[0:48:17] had a chance to be there. Mrs. Matthews
[0:48:19] was there. Mrs. Wiant was there. And I
[0:48:20] know Mrs. Rexroad had a chance to stop
[0:48:22] by. And there may have been others, but
[0:48:24] it was a great event. Mrs. Batson and
[0:48:26] the eighth grade team did a great job
[0:48:27] putting that together, and it was it was
[0:48:30] just a really, really nice time to be
[0:48:31] able to see kids in their element. So.
[0:48:40] Our high school had their honor society
[0:48:42] induction recently. You can see photos
[0:48:44] there on the screen. There were 54 new
[0:48:48] members inducted this year,
[0:48:51] you know, including students of a couple
[0:48:53] of our board members.
[0:48:55] And we also recognized the current
[0:48:57] members
[0:48:58] as well.
[0:49:00] NHS at the high school volunteered at
[0:49:02] the Schuylkill Valley Community Library
[0:49:04] as part of a spring book sale, which
[0:49:06] also included some of our life skills
[0:49:08] students as well. So, great work by high
[0:49:11] school National Honor Society.
[0:49:14] Very proud to share that our very own
[0:49:15] McKenzie Kaiser, our music teacher and
[0:49:17] band director at the high school,
[0:49:19] was named a Manilow Music Teacher Award
[0:49:22] nominee. And this award recognizes
[0:49:25] outstanding music teachers who bring
[0:49:27] music to life for their students. And
[0:49:30] McKenzie, as a lot of you know, is a new
[0:49:31] teacher, and so to achieve this
[0:49:34] nomination so early in her career is
[0:49:36] quite an accomplishment.
[0:49:40] Central Eastern Region Science Olympiad,
[0:49:43] our Science Olympiad Club at the high
[0:49:45] school competed in several different
[0:49:47] science events, 26 in total across the
[0:49:50] sciences, where they could use their
[0:49:52] creativity and skills to solve problems.
[0:49:55] Grace did a great job talking about
[0:49:57] HOSA, so I'm not going to focus too
[0:49:58] heavily on that, but again,
[0:50:01] congratulations to Vlad and Eve for
[0:50:03] their accomplishments at that state
[0:50:05] leadership conference.
[0:50:09] In addition, we had several of our TSA
[0:50:11] students go to Penn State Berks for
[0:50:13] their National Engineers Week for the
[0:50:15] Robotics Line Challenge,
[0:50:17] where they competed in the Arduino Mini
[0:50:19] Robot Challenge, and it it helped them
[0:50:22] sharpen their robotic and coding
[0:50:23] knowledge, you know, which then will
[0:50:25] help them prepare for states, which is
[0:50:26] coming up here in early April.
[0:50:29] So,
[0:50:30] it was wonderful that our students got
[0:50:32] to participate and attend that event.
[0:50:35] Once again, Schuylkill Valley FFA is
[0:50:38] doing some amazing work.
[0:50:40] They participated in Ag Literacy Week,
[0:50:43] which involved story time, where they
[0:50:45] read Dr. Seuss's Cows Can Moo, Can You?
[0:50:48] to elementary children with activities
[0:50:50] related to that, and also at the
[0:50:51] community library.
[0:50:54] Also, as part of that day, Lily Kratz
[0:50:56] gave a presentation highlighting
[0:50:58] everything that the chapter has
[0:50:59] accomplished, and one of our members,
[0:51:01] he's pictured there in the bottom
[0:51:03] corner, Ian Slapic, he is now certified
[0:51:06] to commercially commercially fly drones
[0:51:09] with the license and the drone program
[0:51:11] that we have at the high school, which
[0:51:13] is really awesome to have a student that
[0:51:15] has now gone through that and has that
[0:51:17] license and that credential as he moves
[0:51:19] forward.
[0:51:20] Just, you know, great great job by him.
[0:51:23] At the Farmers Appreciation Breakfast
[0:51:25] that was hosted by Representative
[0:51:27] Wheatneck, our students were there as
[0:51:29] well, and so FFA continues to get out
[0:51:31] there and be involved in the community,
[0:51:33] not only within Schuylkill Valley, but
[0:51:34] the larger agricultural community in the
[0:51:36] area.
[0:51:39] PYA, the leadership team, had an
[0:51:42] opportunity to go up to Penn State and
[0:51:44] be at THON. They toured the Golisano
[0:51:46] Children's Hospital. They spoke with
[0:51:48] medical professionals. They participated
[0:51:51] in THON. They were at a THON breakfast.
[0:51:53] Also locally, they hosted a bingo
[0:51:55] fundraiser to benefit Four Diamonds, and
[0:51:57] volunteered at the elementary school's
[0:51:58] family reading night. So,
[0:52:00] they too, similar to FFA, are just very
[0:52:03] busy doing all different kinds of things
[0:52:04] to support and raise money for childhood
[0:52:07] cancer.
[0:52:08] Just a couple shout-outs from winter
[0:52:11] athletics. Two of our bowlers, Noah
[0:52:13] Garrett, Tyler Spitler Bruno, pictured
[0:52:15] up here, they wrapped up their season at
[0:52:17] the Eastern Regional Tournament, and
[0:52:19] congratulations to boys basketball. They
[0:52:21] finished their season at the state
[0:52:22] playoffs after clinching third place at
[0:52:24] districts this year. And so, quite an
[0:52:27] accomplishment for them.
[0:52:29] Also, just want to talk about swimming
[0:52:30] and diving.
[0:52:32] You know, I I had to read this a couple
[0:52:34] times.
[0:52:35] The girls team won their 10th
[0:52:37] consecutive team championship. 10
[0:52:41] in a row. It is really quite impressive
[0:52:43] when when you really think about that.
[0:52:45] And Mabel Wallborn was named Spotlight
[0:52:47] on Berks Sports Athlete of the Week for
[0:52:49] her performance.
[0:52:51] Collectively, four gold medals, two
[0:52:53] personal best times, number two on the
[0:52:55] team's all-time lists, and earned the
[0:52:57] top seed in the PIAA championships. So,
[0:53:00] amazing. And then as we headed to
[0:53:02] states, we had boys and girls that
[0:53:05] experienced a lot of success statewide,
[0:53:08] you know, as well.
[0:53:09] First place in the 200-yard medley relay
[0:53:11] and 400 freestyle relay, the team of
[0:53:14] Owen Eisenhower, Aiden Lawson, Luke
[0:53:16] Clark, Grayson Dennis, Kyle Gallon, Gabe
[0:53:18] Martin.
[0:53:19] First place in the 200 free and 100
[0:53:22] back, Owen Eisenhower in his 200 free
[0:53:25] time set a new state record.
[0:53:28] And he was named swimmer of the meet.
[0:53:30] And as I think a lot of folks know, he's
[0:53:32] going to go on and continue his career
[0:53:34] at Division 1 West Virginia University.
[0:53:37] So,
[0:53:38] he continues to do amazing things.
[0:53:40] Mabel Wallborn, first place 200 free,
[0:53:43] 100 breaststroke.
[0:53:45] And even our divers did exceptionally
[0:53:47] well, too. Charlotte Schwendeman, fifth
[0:53:49] place in diving at the state level, and
[0:53:51] Carly Crills, seventh place in diving at
[0:53:53] the state level. So, another amazing
[0:53:55] season by our swimming and diving team.
[0:54:00] Gracie talked a little bit about Grease
[0:54:02] and Panthers on Parade. It was an
[0:54:04] amazing show for those who had a chance
[0:54:06] to be there. I know several in the room
[0:54:08] were.
[0:54:09] It's one of my favorite movies anyway,
[0:54:10] and so it was great to be able to go
[0:54:12] and, you know, see the musical as well,
[0:54:14] and our kids, as always, did an amazing
[0:54:15] job.
[0:54:17] Oops.
[0:54:18] This is a little bit temperamental this
[0:54:20] evening.
[0:54:22] Okay.
[0:54:23] But, we also we're not done with our
[0:54:25] musicals yet. Middle School Theater
[0:54:27] presents Annie Jr. That's this weekend,
[0:54:30] on Friday and Saturday at 7:00. If you
[0:54:33] have not bought tickets yet, you still
[0:54:34] can. They're on the website, and we
[0:54:37] would encourage you to do so if you've
[0:54:38] not had a chance to do that.
[0:54:41] Also, just want to mention the Giant
[0:54:42] Company's Feeding School Kids Program,
[0:54:44] where you can round up at the register
[0:54:46] if you shop at the Temple Giant to
[0:54:48] support our food service department
[0:54:50] combating childhood hunger. That runs
[0:54:52] through March 31st. So, if you shop at
[0:54:55] that Giant in Temple the next time
[0:54:57] you're there, take advantage of, you
[0:54:59] know, supporting our, you know, food
[0:55:00] service department by rounding
[0:55:05] Just a reminder that March 30th and 31st
[0:55:09] of next week, school is in session those
[0:55:11] days, regular traditional school days,
[0:55:14] and Wednesday, April 1st is a flexible
[0:55:16] instructional day, and then April 2nd
[0:55:19] through 6th is spring break. And I just
[0:55:21] want to take a moment, and on behalf of
[0:55:23] the board and administration, say to our
[0:55:25] staff and students and community
[0:55:27] members, hope everybody has a wonderful
[0:55:29] spring break and a happy Easter, and
[0:55:31] take some time to refresh and rejuvenate
[0:55:34] as we get ready for what I call the
[0:55:35] stretch around here at the end of the
[0:55:36] school year with all the many things
[0:55:38] that happen.
[0:55:39] And I'll close just by
[0:55:41] getting some information out for folks
[0:55:44] that have a child that will be in
[0:55:45] kindergarten, registration for 2026-2027
[0:55:48] is open, and it's open on the district
[0:55:50] website, and certainly encourage you to
[0:55:52] go on and go ahead and register. And
[0:55:55] anybody in our community that has
[0:55:56] children that may be interested in pre-K
[0:55:59] counts or Head Start through the BCIU,
[0:56:02] there's a website up there on that slide
[0:56:05] where you can go to get more information
[0:56:07] if you're interested in enrolling your
[0:56:08] child in that.
[0:56:10] And that concludes my report.
[0:56:12] I just have one quick comment. Um, since
[0:56:14] you brought up the Junior National Honor
[0:56:16] Society can competition, um, I saw
[0:56:19] online that there was a contest. Um, out
[0:56:23] of all of the schools that participated,
[0:56:25] um, Schuylkill Valley won the People's
[0:56:27] Choice Award. So, we should be really
[0:56:29] proud of all of our kids.
[0:56:31] >> Good stuff. They also won the best
[0:56:33] original design
[0:56:35] prior to that, um, with the People's
[0:56:38] Choice Award. So, they've actually won
[0:56:40] two awards.
[0:56:40] >> I just saw the People's Choice, so
[0:56:42] that's awesome that they won multiple
[0:56:43] awards.
[0:56:44] >> Yes. And that shows a lot of people in
[0:56:45] Schuylkill Valley, you know, social
[0:56:47] media got out there, and everybody was
[0:56:49] going and making sure they voted. Yeah,
[0:56:51] absolutely. Our community always backs
[0:56:53] our kids.
[0:56:54] Good stuff.
[0:56:57] Okay, is there any other old or new
[0:56:59] business under the Superintendent's
[0:57:01] report?
[0:57:03] If not, we'll move on. I just want to
[0:57:05] remind everybody that resolutions for
[0:57:08] brought forward tonight for a vote were
[0:57:10] items discussed in the public committee
[0:57:12] workshop meetings, and then last Monday
[0:57:14] at the committee of the whole meeting,
[0:57:16] which is why we don't have much
[0:57:18] discussion on some of these items
[0:57:20] tonight, and we will [clears throat] be,
[0:57:22] um, combining some of the resolutions to
[0:57:24] vote on.
[0:57:26] So, we'll move on to policy, personnel,
[0:57:28] and public relations.
[0:57:30] The policy, personnel, and public
[0:57:32] relations committee met on Tuesday,
[0:57:34] March 3rd, and then last Monday, March
[0:57:36] 16th at the committee of the whole
[0:57:38] meeting.
[0:57:39] And the next meeting of the workshop
[0:57:41] committee will be held on Tuesday, April
[0:57:43] 7th.
[0:57:45] So, we'll move on to items for board
[0:57:48] approval. I'm going to combine 6.1,
[0:57:51] retirement and release agreement, and
[0:57:53] 6.2, resignation. May I have a motion,
[0:57:56] please?
[0:57:58] So moved, Amerman. Second, Steinke.
[0:58:00] Second. Any questions or comments?
[0:58:04] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[0:58:05] those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion
[0:58:09] carries 8-0.
[0:58:11] The next items I'm going to combine 6.3
[0:58:15] through 6.9,
[0:58:17] which is employment extracurricular,
[0:58:19] employment game worker,
[0:58:21] employment community aquatic staff,
[0:58:24] employment co-curricular assignment,
[0:58:26] employment substitutions, employment
[0:58:29] volunteers, and 6.9, employment bus
[0:58:33] drivers. May I have a motion for 6.3 to
[0:58:36] 6.9, please?
[0:58:37] >> So moved, Les. Second?
[0:58:40] Amerman.
[0:58:42] Any other questions or comments?
[0:58:45] If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[0:58:48] Opposed? Motion carries 8-0.
[0:58:51] 6.10, Family and Medical Leave Act. May
[0:58:55] I have a motion, please?
[0:58:59] So moved, Rossi. Second? Steinke.
[0:59:03] Any questions or comments?
[0:59:06] If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[0:59:09] Opposed? Motion carries 8-0.
[0:59:12] 6.11, policy 325,
[0:59:15] dressing and grooming, first reading. We
[0:59:18] are going to skip policy 612, and we'll
[0:59:21] combine 6.11 with 6.13,
[0:59:25] which is policy 707, use of facilities,
[0:59:28] also a first reading. So, may I have a
[0:59:30] motion, please, for 6.11 and 6.13?
[0:59:36] So moved, Amaral.
[0:59:38] Second?
[0:59:39] Matthews.
[0:59:40] Questions or comments?
[0:59:43] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[0:59:46] Aye. Aye. Aye.
[0:59:47] Opposed? Motion carries 8-0.
[0:59:50] For policy 6.12, we had some questions
[0:59:53] um regarding this policy and some of the
[0:59:56] language and um
[0:59:58] committee chairman
[1:00:00] Frank Amaral had asked that perhaps that
[1:00:02] we will move this back back to the
[1:00:04] policy and personnel
[1:00:06] um Yeah, I'll make a motion to table
[1:00:09] this so we can take it back and do a
[1:00:10] little bit more wordsmithing.
[1:00:12] Okay, there's a motion to table this.
[1:00:15] May I have a second?
[1:00:17] Second, Mall.
[1:00:19] Any questions or comments?
[1:00:21] If not, all those in favor say aye. Aye.
[1:00:23] Aye. Opposed? Motion carries 8-0. So,
[1:00:26] that will go back to the next committee
[1:00:29] meeting.
[1:00:31] Okay, 6.13.
[1:00:33] Oh, 6.14, sorry. Policy 6.26.
[1:00:40] There are two 6.14s.
[1:00:42] Oh, there are two. Okay.
[1:00:45] There are two 6.14s. So, we will do the
[1:00:49] first one, policy 6.26, federal fiscal
[1:00:52] compliance, which is the second reading.
[1:00:56] Um so, I'll do that one separate. The
[1:00:58] first of the 6.1 14.
[1:01:01] May I have a motion, please?
[1:01:05] So moved, Matthews. Second?
[1:01:08] Stanky.
[1:01:10] Any questions or comments?
[1:01:12] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[1:01:14] Aye. Aye. Opposed?
[1:01:16] Motion carries 8-0.
[1:01:19] Okay, we will go to the second 6.14,
[1:01:21] contract for services, P.A.R.E.A.P.
[1:01:26] This is approves the renewal of the
[1:01:27] agreements for period of July 1st
[1:01:30] through June 30th, 2027
[1:01:32] at a cost to the district of $1,099.
[1:01:35] The period of July 1st, 2026 through
[1:01:38] June 30th, 2027.
[1:01:41] The cost of $1,099. May I have a motion,
[1:01:43] please?
[1:01:45] So moved, Amaral.
[1:01:47] A second?
[1:01:49] Stanky.
[1:01:51] Any questions [clears throat] or
[1:01:52] comments?
[1:01:53] If not, all those in favor say aye. Aye.
[1:01:56] Aye. Opposed? Motion carries 8-0. Is
[1:02:00] there any other old or new business for
[1:02:02] policy, personnel, and public relations?
[1:02:07] If not, we'll move on to curriculum and
[1:02:09] technology.
[1:02:10] The curriculum and technology committee
[1:02:13] met on Thursday, March 5th
[1:02:16] and
[1:02:17] um Monday, March 16th at the committee
[1:02:20] of the whole meeting. And the next
[1:02:21] meeting of the committee will be held on
[1:02:23] Thursday, April 9th.
[1:02:26] So, these items I'm going to combine
[1:02:29] 7.1, National Geographic con- Cengage
[1:02:34] Learning, excuse me, Trailblazer and
[1:02:35] Impact ELL materials quote.
[1:02:38] 7.2, the middle school contract
[1:02:40] pre-approval for summer daybook
[1:02:42] printing.
[1:02:43] 7.3, Wilson Language Training
[1:02:46] Corporation Fundamentals proposal for
[1:02:48] grades K through 2.
[1:02:50] And 7.4, the 2026 SVES summer camps. May
[1:02:55] I have a motion, please? So moved, Lash.
[1:02:57] Second?
[1:02:59] Stanky.
[1:03:01] Any questions or comments?
[1:03:04] If not, all those in favor say aye. Aye.
[1:03:06] Aye. Opposed? Motion carries 8-0.
[1:03:10] 7.5, grade 7 to 8 science textbook
[1:03:13] curriculum materials disposal. May I
[1:03:15] have a motion, please?
[1:03:19] So moved, Stanky.
[1:03:21] Second?
[1:03:22] Matthews.
[1:03:23] Any questions or comments?
[1:03:26] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[1:03:29] Aye. Aye.
[1:03:30] Opposed?
[1:03:31] Motion carries 8-0.
[1:03:34] Moving to 7.6,
[1:03:36] E-rate. Approves the awarding of E-rate
[1:03:38] category 2 funding to SHI for Cisco
[1:03:41] switching equipment and further
[1:03:43] authorize the director of technology to
[1:03:44] sign off on the quote dependent upon
[1:03:47] E-rate funding commitment and board
[1:03:48] approval as presented. May I have a
[1:03:50] motion, please? Oh, and I also would
[1:03:52] actually like to add 7.7, the high
[1:03:54] school vestibule updates, which is um
[1:03:58] approval of the proposal from CM3 for
[1:04:00] the high school vestibule updates as
[1:04:02] presented.
[1:04:04] May I have a motion, please? So moved,
[1:04:05] Mall.
[1:04:07] A second? Lash.
[1:04:10] Any additional questions or comments?
[1:04:13] If not, all those in favor say aye. Aye.
[1:04:16] Aye.
[1:04:16] Opposed? Motion carries 8-0.
[1:04:20] Is there any other old or new business
[1:04:23] for
[1:04:24] um
[1:04:25] curriculum and technology?
[1:04:28] If not, we'll move on to budget and
[1:04:30] finance.
[1:04:32] The budget and finance committee met on
[1:04:33] Tuesday, March 10th and last Monday,
[1:04:36] March 16th at the committee of the whole
[1:04:38] meeting. The next meeting of the
[1:04:40] committee will be held on Tuesday, April
[1:04:42] 14th.
[1:04:45] First item is 8.1, the BCTC
[1:04:48] budget for 2026-2027
[1:04:51] year.
[1:04:53] May I have a motion, please?
[1:04:55] So moved, Mall.
[1:04:57] Second?
[1:04:59] Second, Rossi.
[1:05:00] Any additional questions or comments?
[1:05:04] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[1:05:06] Isn't this a roll call?
[1:05:07] >> Yeah, I thought it was. It is. Oh, it is
[1:05:08] a roll call? Yes. Okay, we'll do a roll
[1:05:10] call vote.
[1:05:13] Mr. Amaral? Yes.
[1:05:17] Mrs. Lash? Yes.
[1:05:19] Mrs. Matthews? Yes.
[1:05:21] Mr. Mall? Yes.
[1:05:24] Mr. Rossi? Yes.
[1:05:26] Mrs. Stanky? Yes.
[1:05:28] Mrs. Wiant? Yes.
[1:05:30] Mr. Wiant? Yes.
[1:05:35] Okay, passes 8-0.
[1:05:38] 8.2, approval ratification of the bills.
[1:05:41] Approves and ratifies the payment of
[1:05:43] bills in the following amounts from
[1:05:44] February 9th, 2026 to March 24th, 2026
[1:05:48] as presented. May I have a motion,
[1:05:50] please?
[1:05:54] So moved, Rossi.
[1:05:55] Second? Stanky.
[1:05:57] Any additional questions or comments?
[1:06:01] If not, all those in favor say aye. Aye.
[1:06:04] Aye. Opposed?
[1:06:06] Motion carries 8-0.
[1:06:08] 8.3, municipal revenue services
[1:06:11] resolution. Approves a
[1:06:12] resolution for municipal revenue
[1:06:14] services that would authorize the sale
[1:06:16] of delinquent property taxes. May I have
[1:06:18] a motion, please?
[1:06:21] So moved, Stanky.
[1:06:23] A second?
[1:06:25] Amaral.
[1:06:27] Any questions, additional questions or
[1:06:29] comments?
[1:06:31] If not, all those in favor say aye. Aye.
[1:06:34] Opposed? Motion carries 8-0.
[1:06:37] Is there any other old or new business
[1:06:40] for budget and finance?
[1:06:44] If not, we'll move on to buildings and
[1:06:46] grounds. The buildings and grounds
[1:06:48] committee met on Tuesday, March 10th and
[1:06:52] Monday, March 16th committee of the
[1:06:53] whole meeting. And the next meeting of
[1:06:56] the committee will be held on Tuesday,
[1:06:58] April 14th. There is only one item to be
[1:07:02] voted on this evening and it's 9.1,
[1:07:04] tents and events rental contract for
[1:07:06] 2026 SVHS graduation.
[1:07:11] May I have a motion, please? So moved,
[1:07:13] Rossi.
[1:07:14] Second? Lash.
[1:07:17] Any additional questions or comments?
[1:07:20] Just a clarification. I know we had
[1:07:22] discussion last week about um was this
[1:07:25] the same vendor that provides ramps and
[1:07:27] railings for graduation. It is a not.
[1:07:30] It's a different vendor um and there
[1:07:32] will be a different agreement on for
[1:07:35] that purpose in April.
[1:07:40] Okay.
[1:07:42] Any other questions or comments?
[1:07:45] If not, all those in favor say aye. Aye.
[1:07:47] Aye.
[1:07:48] Opposed? Motion carries 8-0. Is there
[1:07:52] any other old or new business for
[1:07:53] buildings and grounds?
[1:07:57] If not, we'll move to 10.0, student
[1:08:00] services and activities. The student
[1:08:02] services and activity committee met on
[1:08:04] Thursday, March 12th and Monday, March
[1:08:07] 16th committee of the whole meeting. And
[1:08:09] the next meeting of the committee will
[1:08:11] be held on Thursday, April 16th.
[1:08:15] 10.1, Jobs Corps partnership agreement.
[1:08:18] May I have a motion, please?
[1:08:21] So moved, Stanky.
[1:08:25] Second? Matthews.
[1:08:28] Any questions or comments?
[1:08:30] If not, all those in favor say aye. Aye.
[1:08:34] Opposed? Motion carries 8-0.
[1:08:40] 10.2.
[1:08:43] K-12 guidance plan for 2026 to through
[1:08:46] 2029.
[1:08:49] So moved, Matthews.
[1:08:50] Second?
[1:08:52] Amaral.
[1:08:53] Any questions or comments?
[1:08:57] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[1:08:59] Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries 8-0.
[1:09:02] We do have two addendums
[1:09:05] since the um committee of the whole
[1:09:07] meeting last month. Three addendums.
[1:09:09] Yes, three addendums.
[1:09:13] Okay, 10.3, addendum Sweet, Stevens,
[1:09:16] Katz and Williams Law Offices 2026-27
[1:09:20] pool council agreement. The board is
[1:09:22] requested to consider and approve the
[1:09:24] new 2026-27
[1:09:25] pool council agreement with Sweet,
[1:09:28] Stevens, Katz and Williams
[1:09:30] law offices in the amount of $10,500.
[1:09:35] May I have a motion, please? So moved,
[1:09:36] Lash.
[1:09:38] Second, Rossi. Second.
[1:09:42] So So pool council through Sweet,
[1:09:45] Stevens is basically an email
[1:09:48] distribution list that that the district
[1:09:50] is a part of and
[1:09:52] when there are topics that come up from
[1:09:55] other administrators throughout the
[1:09:57] Commonwealth that are part of this pool
[1:09:58] council that are related to pupil
[1:10:00] services topics such as residency,
[1:10:03] truancy, mental health, safety and
[1:10:04] security. Those are just some examples.
[1:10:07] We get the legal opinion via email from
[1:10:10] the attorney who is in charge of pool
[1:10:12] council and then that enables us to be
[1:10:14] able to share those opinions with all
[1:10:16] the administrators in the district and
[1:10:18] there's a there's a learning benefit
[1:10:19] there. Some of you may remember Andy
[1:10:21] Faust from Sweet, Stevens. He was in
[1:10:23] charge of pool council for a long, long
[1:10:25] time. He retired recently and there is a
[1:10:27] new attorney through Sweet, Stevens who
[1:10:30] is now doing it.
[1:10:31] >> know that?
[1:10:34] Anyone else have any questions,
[1:10:36] comments?
[1:10:39] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[1:10:40] those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion
[1:10:44] carries 8-0.
[1:10:46] 10.4 addendum for the 2026 POP pit
[1:10:51] orchestra. The board is requested to
[1:10:53] consider and approve the payment
[1:10:54] schedule for this year's POP pit
[1:10:56] orchestra members as follows. Four
[1:10:58] musicians at a maximum rate of $400 each
[1:11:02] for a total cost of $1,600.
[1:11:04] May I have a motion, please?
[1:11:06] So moved, Steinke. A second?
[1:11:10] Amaral.
[1:11:12] Any questions or comments? Can we as a
[1:11:15] board, in the past we've always asked
[1:11:17] for
[1:11:19] uh the POP
[1:11:21] uh cuz they have a business manager to
[1:11:24] come to our meeting and present, here's
[1:11:26] our income, here's our expenses, just so
[1:11:29] we can take a look at that. We've had
[1:11:31] some difficulty in years in the past to
[1:11:33] get that.
[1:11:34] But with the tens of thousands of
[1:11:36] dollars that the board
[1:11:38] gives for this program, which is well
[1:11:40] deserved and we have a lot of things
[1:11:42] that would be interesting to see all the
[1:11:44] revenue streams to make sure that
[1:11:46] they're properly accounted for.
[1:11:48] Uh as well as just look at the
[1:11:50] contracts, make sure we have the
[1:11:52] contracts.
[1:11:54] Uh also listed like for the uh ticket
[1:11:57] sales.
[1:11:59] And I I think it'd be interesting for
[1:12:00] the community to see how much money is
[1:12:02] being spent on all the salaries that are
[1:12:05] there
[1:12:07] uh just to show cuz there's been some
[1:12:09] confusion in the past about whether this
[1:12:12] board supports
[1:12:14] the musicals and music and that and I
[1:12:17] just think it's important for us to uh
[1:12:21] share with everyone
[1:12:23] uh the amount of support that this board
[1:12:25] does give. There's so many people who
[1:12:27] showed up to the uh
[1:12:29] the performances.
[1:12:30] I think it would be important for us to
[1:12:33] to show and have that itemized. I know
[1:12:36] they have a business manager
[1:12:38] uh who could should be able to give us a
[1:12:40] report for uh income and expenses.
[1:12:45] Thank you.
[1:12:49] Okay, I mean we could have a report or
[1:12:51] we could just have them give give us the
[1:12:54] information to as well. Any report
[1:12:56] >> In In the past the what they've given us
[1:12:59] has led to more questions than not, so
[1:13:01] it would probably be more beneficial to
[1:13:04] actually have them here
[1:13:06] uh to answer any questions that could
[1:13:08] come up.
[1:13:13] Okay, are there any other questions or
[1:13:14] comments?
[1:13:16] Not, I'll call for the vote. All those
[1:13:17] in favor say I. I. I. Opposed? Motion
[1:13:21] carries 8-0.
[1:13:23] 10.5 LearnWell contract for teaching
[1:13:26] services for student number 5635.
[1:13:30] Board is requested to consider and
[1:13:31] approve a contract with LearnWell for
[1:13:33] teaching services related to the
[1:13:35] placement of student 5635. May I have a
[1:13:38] motion, please?
[1:13:40] So moved, Lash. Second.
[1:13:44] Matthews.
[1:13:47] Any questions or comments?
[1:13:49] If not, call for the vote. All those in
[1:13:51] favor say I. I.
[1:13:54] Opposed? Motion carries 8-0. Is there
[1:13:57] any other old or new business for
[1:13:59] student services?
[1:14:03] If not, I'll move on to 11.0 other
[1:14:06] business or good of the order.
[1:14:12] Just like to say about the Grease
[1:14:15] performance,
[1:14:17] uh musical was just wonderful. It was
[1:14:19] amazing the amount of talent that was
[1:14:23] um shown that evening and it was really
[1:14:25] a wonderful time and really looking
[1:14:26] forward to Annie Jr. this weekend as
[1:14:29] well.
[1:14:31] Anyone else have anything?
[1:14:34] If not, 12.0 adjournment. May I have a
[1:14:37] motion, please? So moved, Steinke.
[1:14:39] Second.
[1:14:42] Amaral.
[1:14:43] All those in favor say I. I. Opposed?
[1:14:46] Motion carries 8-0.
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2026-04-06_zM12g571i9s.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2026-04-06 (SPECIAL; project approved 8-1)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM12g571i9s
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:02:49] School Valley School Board meeting,
[0:02:51] please rise for the Pledge of
[0:02:52] Allegiance.
[0:02:55] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
[0:02:57] United States of America,
[0:02:59] and to the republic for which it stands,
[0:03:02] one nation under God, indivisible, with
[0:03:06] liberty and justice for all.
[0:03:12] May we have roll call, please?
[0:03:15] Mr. Amaral? Here. Mr. Brown? Here. Mrs.
[0:03:19] Lash?
[0:03:20] Mrs. Matthews? Here. Mr. Moll? Here.
[0:03:23] Mr. Rossi? Here. Mrs. Steinke? Here.
[0:03:27] Mrs. Wean? Here. Mr. Wean? Here.
[0:03:31] Okay, announcement of executive session.
[0:03:33] The board met in executive session on
[0:03:35] March 23rd, following the board meeting
[0:03:38] for personnel, legal, and safety
[0:03:39] matters. And on March 26th, prior to the
[0:03:42] budget workshop information session, for
[0:03:45] personnel items and student matters.
[0:03:48] Moving on to 2.0 presentations.
[0:03:52] Um, first of all, I I would like to
[0:03:55] point out that
[0:03:56] uh, we need to do a better job
[0:03:58] communicating, especially like special
[0:04:00] meetings like this, and we will discuss
[0:04:03] better practices that we can use at
[0:04:05] tomorrow night's meeting at
[0:04:07] policy, personnel, and public relations.
[0:04:10] So, first we're going to have a
[0:04:11] presentation by Dr. Winters, and then
[0:04:14] after that, we're going to have a report
[0:04:17] by Al on the background of the project,
[0:04:20] how it came to be, and the meetings that
[0:04:23] we've had up until this point.
[0:04:25] Then any questions or clarifications
[0:04:27] from the board members we'll discuss,
[0:04:29] and then we'll do the hearing of
[0:04:30] visitors, and then we'll have the board
[0:04:32] vote and any other discussion at 5.0
[0:04:35] buildings and grounds. So, I'll turn it
[0:04:37] over to Dr. Winters.
[0:04:42] Thank you, Mrs. Wean. Wanted to take a
[0:04:44] few moments and go through some
[0:04:47] background information regarding the
[0:04:48] field house project, um, as well as just
[0:04:51] some information for the public and
[0:04:52] those listening, um, as we prepare for
[0:04:54] the motions that are on this evening.
[0:04:56] What you'll see on this slide here are
[0:04:58] two photos. Um, the picture to the left
[0:05:01] is a building floor plan. Um, the space
[0:05:05] in green is your turf building. The
[0:05:08] space in purple is your multi-purpose
[0:05:10] building. And then, of course,
[0:05:12] surrounding it, you've got the weight
[0:05:13] room, you have a trainer's room, you
[0:05:15] have team rooms, a concession area, and
[0:05:17] restrooms, as well. The photo on the
[0:05:20] right is a site plan,
[0:05:28] if approved, would go, and that's the
[0:05:31] area that is outlined in yellow on the
[0:05:33] picture.
[0:05:36] You also see on this slide just some
[0:05:38] renderings that Schrader Group had
[0:05:40] provided for the district, um, in terms
[0:05:43] of some exterior shots of the building
[0:05:46] from a couple of different angles, you
[0:05:48] know, of of a rendering and a model of
[0:05:50] what the final finished product could
[0:05:52] look like.
[0:05:56] So, the first motion that is on the
[0:05:58] agenda under 5.0 tonight is regarding
[0:06:01] the project itself and the options that
[0:06:03] are out there. And there essentially are
[0:06:05] three options that the board will be
[0:06:07] considering this evening. The first
[0:06:08] option is a multi-purpose building plus
[0:06:11] a turf building. And so, it within that
[0:06:14] option, essentially, you've got the
[0:06:15] multi-purpose building that's inclusive
[0:06:17] of the three-lane track, as well as the
[0:06:19] weight room, the trainer's room, the
[0:06:20] concession stand, the team rooms,
[0:06:22] storage, plus the turf building.
[0:06:24] Option two would be the multi-purpose
[0:06:27] building only, which is all of those
[0:06:30] same items that are inclusive in the
[0:06:31] multi-purpose building, but no turf
[0:06:34] building. And then option three would be
[0:06:36] to not move forward with the project at
[0:06:38] all.
[0:06:40] >> [clears throat]
[0:06:41] >> The slide that I have up here right now
[0:06:43] is a slide that for those of you that
[0:06:45] attended the Act 34 hearing or were
[0:06:47] listening to that meeting, um, via live
[0:06:49] stream, just I think it's important to
[0:06:52] note, oops.
[0:06:54] Mike, did I lose my
[0:07:13] There we go.
[0:07:14] Thank you, Mike.
[0:07:16] >> [clears throat]
[0:07:17] >> Prior to the project going out to bid,
[0:07:21] the total the total project cost with
[0:07:23] financing that the board had to consider
[0:07:26] was a total project just under 25
[0:07:28] million.
[0:07:29] And so, that's an important number to
[0:07:30] keep in mind as we move through the
[0:07:32] remaining slides and and and start
[0:07:34] talking about where some of the bids
[0:07:36] came in.
[0:07:39] So, over the next several slides, I just
[0:07:42] want to talk a little bit about the
[0:07:44] phase two, um, different bids, general
[0:07:47] construction, mechanical construction,
[0:07:50] plumbing construction, and electrical
[0:07:52] construction, and where those bids came
[0:07:54] in. And for the general construction
[0:07:58] bid, um, the low bidder came in, which
[0:08:01] is ECI Construction. That's a base bid
[0:08:04] of 10 million 797,000.
[0:08:07] And then, you can see the
[0:08:10] the five different alternates, six, I'm
[0:08:12] sorry, six different alternates that are
[0:08:13] listed there. Um, one would be a removal
[0:08:16] of the turf building, which would be a
[0:08:18] deduct of just over 2.7 million. Um,
[0:08:21] that's significantly lower than what was
[0:08:23] anticipated, um, at the beginning of the
[0:08:25] project. Um, alternate 2A and 2B, uh,
[0:08:28] PEMB is pre-engineered uh, metal
[0:08:31] building, um, and that's insulation
[0:08:35] liner for the gym and the turf,
[0:08:38] um, in 2A and 2B, those would be
[0:08:40] additional costs for that versus a metal
[0:08:43] panel insulation for the gym and the
[0:08:46] turf. So, there are options either way.
[0:08:49] Um, the metal option is about double uh,
[0:08:52] the cost of the, um, liner option. And
[0:08:55] then, alternate four is the temporary
[0:08:57] fence screening of just under $5,000.
[0:09:00] So, you have a base bid of 10 million
[0:09:03] 797, if you went with alternates 2A, 2B,
[0:09:06] and four, it's 10 million 910,900.
[0:09:11] And then alternates 3A, 3B, and four
[0:09:14] would be 11 million 4,600.
[0:09:17] So, um, those uh, that that's the
[0:09:20] information that'll be before the board
[0:09:22] in one of the motions on this evening's
[0:09:23] agenda, as well.
[0:09:25] In terms of mechanical construction, and
[0:09:27] that bid, the low bidder was Liebold
[0:09:29] Incorporated, um, and that's base bid
[0:09:32] only, um, $1,305,000.
[0:09:36] Um, you can see what the alternates are
[0:09:38] there, um, regarding remove removal of
[0:09:42] the turf building, that would be a
[0:09:43] $257,000
[0:09:46] deduct, and then some HVAC controls
[0:09:49] items and fabric duct system items, as
[0:09:52] well.
[0:09:54] As As plumbing, the plumbing
[0:09:56] construction bid, Liebold was also the
[0:09:59] low bidder for that as well at a total
[0:10:01] cost of $860,000.
[0:10:04] The removal of the turf building on the
[0:10:06] plumbing side for them would be $36,400.
[0:10:10] And then electrical, Hernaisen Electric
[0:10:13] was the low bidder at $1,765,000.
[0:10:17] The removal of the turf building would
[0:10:20] be $240,000
[0:10:22] on that one.
[0:10:25] So,
[0:10:27] all of that when looking at them
[0:10:29] together,
[0:10:30] Fedavia was able to put together this
[0:10:33] cost comparison for us and I apologize.
[0:10:35] I know it's a little bit difficult to
[0:10:37] see,
[0:10:38] but you're basically looking at you
[0:10:41] know, a total project cost in the third
[0:10:45] column which would be your 3A, 3B, and 4
[0:10:48] of just over 18.6 million. And that was
[0:10:52] why I spent a couple of minutes talking
[0:10:54] about what Act 34 hearing that total
[0:10:56] number was. When when bids came back,
[0:10:59] bids came back significantly lower than
[0:11:02] what was potentially anticipated for the
[0:11:04] project when it went out to bid. Even
[0:11:07] with base bid only, you're looking at
[0:11:09] just over $18 million if that is the
[0:11:11] direction that the board chooses to go.
[0:11:16] And then with the remaining slides here,
[0:11:18] you have the different financing options
[0:11:21] as presented by Raymond James to the
[0:11:23] district. And basically what these
[0:11:25] financing options look at is whether the
[0:11:28] board wants to
[0:11:30] use district funds to put with or
[0:11:33] whether they want to finance the entire
[0:11:35] thing. So, one option would be to put $6
[0:11:39] million
[0:11:40] with you know, the project and then we'd
[0:11:42] be financing just over $12.5 million. If
[0:11:46] we put $6 million with and that was a
[0:11:47] consideration as you may recall at the
[0:11:49] time of the Act 34 hearing as well.
[0:11:53] This oops. Ah.
[0:11:55] What I do?
[0:12:00] Thank you, Eric.
[0:12:03] There we go.
[0:12:04] The
[0:12:05] Yeah, that's two. Can you go to the next
[0:12:06] number two? Thank you. Option number two
[0:12:10] would be putting $3 million
[0:12:12] of district funds with it, which would
[0:12:15] be financing 15.5 million basically. And
[0:12:20] then your third option would be not
[0:12:23] putting any district funds with it,
[0:12:25] financing the entire project, which
[0:12:27] would be about $18.6 million.
[0:12:30] In each of those options, it does
[0:12:33] extend the debt run rate a little bit,
[0:12:35] but all three of those options are
[0:12:38] within the existing parameters
[0:12:40] resolution that the board has already
[0:12:42] approved. So, no matter which of those
[0:12:44] three options the board elects to choose
[0:12:47] if the project is approved, they're all
[0:12:49] within existing parameters.
[0:12:51] And that concludes my report. Okay.
[0:12:54] Thank you. Um I'm going to have Al speak
[0:12:56] on this bit. Um Al is the buildings and
[0:12:59] chairman,
[0:13:01] buildings and grounds chairman, and he's
[0:13:04] been involved in this project from the
[0:13:06] beginning. Majority of us are basically
[0:13:09] only came on the board well after this
[0:13:11] was underway. So, Al will be able to
[0:13:14] give the background information of why
[0:13:16] the project started and
[0:13:18] the meetings that led up to this.
[0:13:21] Um
[0:13:22] I joined the board in 2017.
[0:13:26] Excuse me. And shortly after I joined is
[0:13:28] when we completed the original stadium.
[0:13:31] And there had been talk at that time of
[0:13:32] building a field house and plans put
[0:13:34] together
[0:13:35] and we never were able to kind of make
[0:13:37] it happen.
[0:13:38] Um
[0:13:39] So, this thing has been kicking around
[0:13:41] for at least a decade or more.
[0:13:44] Um I know with my children coming
[0:13:45] through youth sports and their peers, I
[0:13:47] know we are crunched for space both with
[0:13:50] uh
[0:13:51] our athletes, our student athletes, and
[0:13:53] with our youth athletes trying to
[0:13:55] compete for space to get practices in.
[0:13:57] I know I've sat with a second grader for
[0:13:59] basketball practice at 9:00 at night and
[0:14:01] that's just not great.
[0:14:03] Um so, the sense
[0:14:05] of the project was that we needed to get
[0:14:06] more space
[0:14:08] both for indoor sports and then for some
[0:14:11] of our field sports. So, we were looking
[0:14:13] at the turf building area. That'll allow
[0:14:16] a lot of our field sports to come in.
[0:14:17] It'll give us um a little bit of relief
[0:14:20] on the stadium turf. It's probably
[0:14:22] getting overused at this point because
[0:14:24] every team competes for space in there
[0:14:26] even just for practice.
[0:14:28] Um so, that's kind of where we came
[0:14:30] from. Um
[0:14:32] We did We didn't have any idea of what
[0:14:34] it was going to cost until we went into
[0:14:35] the design full on. Um so, we we fully
[0:14:39] dove in, did all did all the work, all
[0:14:42] the design work, all the geotech work
[0:14:44] and the on the site, tried to figure out
[0:14:46] how best to lay out the campus.
[0:14:48] Um I think Dan and Frank were were with
[0:14:51] us for most of that journey. Um
[0:14:54] >> [clears throat]
[0:14:54] >> and a few others came on later. Um and
[0:14:56] so, now we had a full design. The bids
[0:14:59] came in great.
[0:15:01] I mean, we're a full $5 million less
[0:15:02] than we were projecting, which is
[0:15:05] fantastic.
[0:15:06] Um so, now the decision we need to make
[0:15:08] is is whether or not we can afford the
[0:15:10] debt service based on what we were
[0:15:12] estimating our our
[0:15:13] bond to come in for.
[0:15:16] Um
[0:15:17] Yeah, this is going to fix a lot of
[0:15:18] problems for us currently. I don't know
[0:15:20] if anybody here has
[0:15:21] uh volunteered in the
[0:15:23] the snack bar at a at a football game,
[0:15:25] but that's chaos and you know, it's like
[0:15:28] Christmas vacation at the electrical
[0:15:30] outlets there. I mean, it's it's you
[0:15:31] know, 50 plugs in one receptacle.
[0:15:34] You know, everybody's bringing in crock
[0:15:35] pots and you know, I got a kid on a
[0:15:36] bicycle, you know, pumping a generator
[0:15:38] trying to get that thing to fire up, but
[0:15:41] yeah, it's [snorts] just it's just
[0:15:42] really difficult in that corner. And we
[0:15:45] have this beautiful stadium and then we
[0:15:47] have a shack and sheds laying around for
[0:15:49] for storage and equipment and our kids
[0:15:51] are in and out of sheds and you know,
[0:15:54] this is going to give us space. It's
[0:15:55] going to give us proper train training
[0:15:58] equipment for for some of our athletes.
[0:16:00] Um I'm tuned in pretty well with a lot
[0:16:02] of the juniors at this point because
[0:16:04] where my kids are. And I am stunned by
[0:16:07] the amounts of scholarships that our
[0:16:09] junior athletes are are looking at. Um
[0:16:13] we've got kids that are getting full
[0:16:14] rides.
[0:16:16] $70,000 [clears throat] plus in tuition
[0:16:18] um because they are able to
[0:16:20] um you know, leverage their athletic
[0:16:22] ability to go and get an education and
[0:16:24] get it paid for. Um you know, I I like
[0:16:27] to think of our district as looking at
[0:16:28] the whole student. Um and I think that
[0:16:31] this is part of the whole student. You
[0:16:33] know, we have 50% of our student
[0:16:35] population participates in athletics at
[0:16:38] the high school and middle school
[0:16:39] levels. The youth
[0:16:42] population that participates in sports
[0:16:44] and in intramural athletics is even
[0:16:46] higher. Um you know, and and so this is
[0:16:49] this is going to touch a huge part of
[0:16:51] our student population.
[0:16:52] Um
[0:16:54] and so, that's kind of the background on
[0:16:56] why we got to where we are and why we
[0:16:57] took such a serious look at it and
[0:16:59] that's where we are now.
[0:17:01] Al, could you give us an idea of how
[0:17:03] many meetings that you had up especially
[0:17:06] with like the outside organization Well,
[0:17:08] I met with the outside organizations,
[0:17:10] the I've had three calculus classes and
[0:17:12] and I can't count that high.
[0:17:14] >> [laughter]
[0:17:14] >> Just the the input the the the like the
[0:17:17] youth groups and our athletic teams have
[0:17:19] had in this
[0:17:22] process. It's probably closing in on 50
[0:17:25] or 100 meetings all told. We had a lot
[0:17:28] of meetings uh
[0:17:31] Excuse me. Prior to COVID
[0:17:33] >> [clears throat]
[0:17:34] >> with some of the former board members.
[0:17:36] We were trying to make a push then.
[0:17:38] Uh but that's when we realized we needed
[0:17:40] to take care of our buildings first. Um
[0:17:42] so,
[0:17:43] at that go around, we looked at
[0:17:46] we did studies to see how our building
[0:17:49] sizes were based on classrooms, based on
[0:17:51] our population coming through our
[0:17:52] student population coming through.
[0:17:54] Um what
[0:17:56] we were going to need in the way of
[0:17:58] expansion and buildings. Um what kind of
[0:18:00] science labs we needed improved, what
[0:18:02] kind of roofs we needed, HVAC systems.
[0:18:05] Um and so, at that point we shelved it
[0:18:07] again and we decided to go into uh
[0:18:10] redoing a lot of the roofs on the
[0:18:11] buildings and HVAC systems. We took out
[0:18:14] a $25 million bond at that point. Um and
[0:18:17] and we're most of the way through that
[0:18:19] and improvements on our campus. You
[0:18:21] know, we redid the pool, we redid the
[0:18:23] stage. Um we are moving we're currently
[0:18:26] moving the softball field from the
[0:18:27] middle school to a better spot over here
[0:18:29] near the high school.
[0:18:30] We made improvements on both the
[0:18:32] baseball and softball fields for the
[0:18:33] varsity players.
[0:18:36] Um so, we we feel like we got a lot of
[0:18:38] stuff under our belts. We don't have a
[0:18:39] lot of big big problems staring us in
[0:18:42] the staring us
[0:18:44] coming up here in a couple of years. And
[0:18:45] so, this is a bit of a
[0:18:47] a bit of a smooth spot for us, we hope.
[0:18:49] Um
[0:18:50] as it is now, most of the financing that
[0:18:52] we're looking at
[0:18:54] kind of uh
[0:18:56] it it it's looking at it maybe a 15-year
[0:18:58] 15 to 17-year term, I think.
[0:19:01] Which is good because our HVAC systems
[0:19:03] and roofs will typically have a 15-year
[0:19:05] life cycle
[0:19:06] um before you have a
[0:19:08] you know, big problems that are going to
[0:19:10] require massive undertaking to to
[0:19:12] improve.
[0:19:13] So, [clears throat] we should be mostly
[0:19:15] out of the woods by the time we're done
[0:19:16] paying this off and ready for the next
[0:19:18] thing that comes down the pike.
[0:19:20] Um you know, when we did the roofs and
[0:19:23] the HVAC for especially the elementary
[0:19:25] school, we went with independent units
[0:19:27] so that we can do smaller replacements
[0:19:29] if we need to. We don't have to do the
[0:19:30] full system, the full building. We can
[0:19:32] do it piecemeal, which is going to be
[0:19:33] easier to to take. Um we won't have to
[0:19:35] look for large amounts of financing to
[0:19:37] do the projects. We can just repair as
[0:19:39] we go.
[0:19:41] Um we've got maintenance contracts in
[0:19:42] place now that should help us maintain
[0:19:44] our equipment longer. So, we get that
[0:19:46] maximum life cycle out of it.
[0:19:48] So, you know,
[0:19:50] all those kinds of meetings went into
[0:19:53] the hope that maybe we could be sitting
[0:19:54] here today looking at the potential for
[0:19:57] a field house and feeling like we
[0:19:58] actually have a chance to take this and
[0:20:00] move this forward and uh give our our
[0:20:02] campus a little little pump up in the
[0:20:04] right direction.
[0:20:07] Okay.
[0:20:08] Thank you. Um is there anyone else on
[0:20:11] the board who'd like to begin the
[0:20:12] discussion about uh any questions or
[0:20:15] clarifications
[0:20:16] from the report either that Dr. Winter's
[0:20:19] did or additional questions for Al?
[0:20:23] I do have a question and I'm not sure
[0:20:25] who would have the answer to this. Um
[0:20:27] but the difference between the
[0:20:29] um insulation liner and the metal panel,
[0:20:32] like what what does that look like? Does
[0:20:35] anybody have I don't think we have
[0:20:37] anybody from the design
[0:20:38] >> Harry, could you speak to that? Oh, I he
[0:20:40] was hiding behind the podium. Okay.
[0:20:41] >> [laughter]
[0:20:44] >> I couldn't see you over there. That's
[0:20:46] okay. Sorry.
[0:20:48] Um
[0:20:49] Okay, so the
[0:20:52] Have Have you ever been you been in a
[0:20:54] pre-engineered building?
[0:20:55] >> Yeah, I I actually have a pole building.
[0:20:57] >> Okay. So So the base project is
[0:21:01] metal panel outside with the insulation
[0:21:05] I'll call them bags on the inside.
[0:21:08] That's base project. Alternate
[0:21:11] two and 2A 2B
[0:21:14] are that same setup with a rigid panel
[0:21:20] installed on the inside
[0:21:22] covering that insulation bag. Okay. So
[0:21:26] we would not have that in the base bid.
[0:21:29] There would
[0:21:29] >> Correct. Correct. You would You would
[0:21:30] see
[0:21:31] You would see the insulation.
[0:21:32] >> see the vinyl insulation. Got you.
[0:21:35] material.
[0:21:38] 3A [clears throat]
[0:21:39] and 3B is a full
[0:21:43] insulated exterior panel. So it's
[0:21:47] basically a sandwich panel
[0:21:49] that would go on the outside of that
[0:21:52] structural frame
[0:21:54] of the pre-engineered metal building.
[0:21:57] Okay. So it'd be metal insulation. It's
[0:21:59] basically like a composite almost a
[0:22:02] composite wall.
[0:22:04] Is So there were we gave you three
[0:22:06] different scenarios. And do we have any
[0:22:09] energy efficiency It It will give you
[0:22:12] all the same Each Each option is the
[0:22:15] same.
[0:22:17] >> So
[0:22:19] >> [clears throat]
[0:22:19] >> from the base to the other two, which
[0:22:21] really aesthetics. Correct.
[0:22:23] >> And from
[0:22:25] two to three, it's preference. It's
[0:22:28] preference. Okay. So nothing would be
[0:22:30] different.
[0:22:31] >> would that also if you go to metal,
[0:22:33] would that also maybe protect it like be
[0:22:35] some less damage from a stray It will
[0:22:38] protect it, but I will say that the the
[0:22:41] metal panel on the inside, I mean
[0:22:44] aesthetically over time, you you're
[0:22:46] going to see
[0:22:47] you know,
[0:22:48] I I would Dan and I were talking about
[0:22:50] it earlier, especially a lacrosse ball
[0:22:53] thrown on it opposed to the the
[0:22:56] the bag, the the vinyl has a little more
[0:22:59] play in it
[0:23:01] that it's a little more flexible.
[0:23:03] So
[0:23:05] it's a balance. How wide are the panels
[0:23:07] going to be? Like can you if you know,
[0:23:09] they do get terribly destroyed from
[0:23:12] lacrosse balls or baseballs or whatever,
[0:23:14] can like sections be replaced?
[0:23:16] >> Yeah, you could have replaced sections
[0:23:17] and I think we have them up to like 8
[0:23:19] ft. We didn't go all the way up with the
[0:23:21] panels.
[0:23:22] I I'm in option 2A and 2B.
[0:23:26] So from
[0:23:28] 8 ft plus, we would be seeing that
[0:23:30] insulation.
[0:23:30] >> insulation bag. That's correct.
[0:23:33] Okay.
[0:23:35] Mhm. I don't think I like that option at
[0:23:37] all.
[0:23:39] All right, thank you.
[0:23:46] Is there anyone else
[0:23:48] before we go on to hearing of visitors
[0:23:49] and then we can go back to discuss this
[0:23:51] when we're going for the actual vote.
[0:23:55] Carol.
[0:23:56] I just like to say when we first started
[0:23:59] with our athletic areas
[0:24:02] um with the track and the stadium and
[0:24:05] all this, we had wanted to put up um
[0:24:10] field house of some sort and we wanted
[0:24:12] to do the track.
[0:24:14] And originally we tried to raise funds
[0:24:17] on our own having
[0:24:19] people come we sold
[0:24:21] t-shirts and
[0:24:23] people would give us a little bit of
[0:24:24] money and we had a student that was
[0:24:26] selling cupcakes and things like that.
[0:24:29] And we realized early on that we weren't
[0:24:31] going to be able to raise the kind of
[0:24:33] funds we needed. So in 17 when we
[0:24:36] started about talking about the stadium,
[0:24:38] we realized borrowing it was the way we
[0:24:41] would have to go and we could only do so
[0:24:43] much then like Al said with the track.
[0:24:47] The track came in. We We have the turf
[0:24:50] field. We got the things we needed, but
[0:24:53] then there was still a need for the
[0:24:54] field house and we just didn't have the
[0:24:56] money for it at that time.
[0:24:59] We If we keep putting it off, it's going
[0:25:01] to cost more and more over time.
[0:25:03] So I really feel this is this is the
[0:25:07] time to to get this done.
[0:25:11] And I'll I'll just say one thing as
[0:25:13] well, Carol. Um I know some of the
[0:25:15] questions we've heard and some of the
[0:25:16] questions I've heard uh have
[0:25:18] specifically been around um other
[0:25:21] projects that need to get done.
[0:25:23] Um expansion of schools like Al had kind
[0:25:26] of referred to
[0:25:28] uh and basically emptying the coffers.
[0:25:31] Uh and you know, I believe at least one
[0:25:34] of the options that we have in front of
[0:25:36] us tonight kind of addresses all of
[0:25:38] those. There's a situation in which
[0:25:39] we're not going to use any of our money
[0:25:41] from our reserves.
[0:25:43] That also leaves us money in the bank to
[0:25:45] do projects that need to get done that
[0:25:48] people have brought up uh at the other
[0:25:49] meeting. And as far as um the building
[0:25:52] expansion, the my understanding is the
[0:25:55] enrollment numbers just don't bear that
[0:25:56] out.
[0:25:57] Uh our enrollment in the elementary
[0:25:59] school has shrunk considerably.
[0:26:01] Uh and if that trend continues, we'll
[0:26:03] end up having empty rooms in the high
[0:26:04] school rather than needing to add to the
[0:26:07] high school. So
[0:26:08] I just wanted to put that out there
[0:26:09] before everyone got up there to speak.
[0:26:12] Yeah, to to speak a little more to that,
[0:26:14] I had looked at the uh enrollment
[0:26:15] numbers. Um my daughter's class is one
[0:26:17] of the largest and
[0:26:19] it's ninth grade. I think it's 176
[0:26:21] students and then maybe 10th is 178 or
[0:26:24] 79.
[0:26:25] Um
[0:26:26] but then when you get down to the fifth
[0:26:28] grade, they're down to 145 students and
[0:26:30] then the kindergarten this year was only
[0:26:32] 125
[0:26:34] or 128.
[0:26:36] They're almost two sections smaller than
[0:26:39] uh my daughter's class that already made
[0:26:40] it through the school as it is.
[0:26:42] Um so it was a little tight uh for her
[0:26:44] class, but they they seem to have been
[0:26:45] doing okay. I don't hear too many
[0:26:47] complaints.
[0:26:48] Um
[0:26:49] you know, so as far as needing to expand
[0:26:52] the buildings, I don't see that on the
[0:26:53] horizon. I don't see that as an
[0:26:55] immediate need. Um I've been watching
[0:26:58] the land development happening in the
[0:26:59] townships around us.
[0:27:00] Um I've been on the Center Township
[0:27:02] Planning Commission for almost 25 years
[0:27:04] now. We don't have anything going on. Um
[0:27:07] Onondaga Township might have some stuff
[0:27:08] coming up, but it's nothing major. Um
[0:27:11] and some of the big stuff that was
[0:27:12] proposed uh behind the farmers market
[0:27:15] seems to have stalled a little bit and I
[0:27:17] don't see anything happening there in
[0:27:18] the near term.
[0:27:19] Um and if it did, it was only maybe
[0:27:23] maybe another 50 homes total. Um so
[0:27:27] I I don't see anything in the in the
[0:27:30] near future that's going to cause us any
[0:27:31] issues with with growth. Um it could
[0:27:34] happen eventually.
[0:27:36] Um but at the moment uh what we see and
[0:27:38] what we're
[0:27:39] able to to see coming at us, it's not a
[0:27:42] problem.
[0:27:45] I have I have something, Carol, that I
[0:27:47] can address or would like to address.
[0:27:49] Where I'm struggling on this is if we're
[0:27:52] looking at the First of all, we have
[0:27:54] like 3 million in our capital reserve,
[0:27:56] another 3 million in our general fund,
[0:27:58] which isn't a lot of money to begin with
[0:28:00] and we're not going to touch that.
[0:28:02] However, in the financing that I'm
[0:28:04] looking at where we would not touch a
[0:28:06] dime we're going to have a repayment of
[0:28:09] almost $56 million, which
[0:28:11] um
[0:28:13] means our kids that are in kindergarten
[0:28:14] now are going to be paying that debt off
[0:28:17] after they get out of high school
[0:28:20] and without us doing any further
[0:28:22] financing in the next 15 years. We took
[0:28:24] a bond out in 2020 to do the mechanicals
[0:28:28] and the roofing and you've seen we've
[0:28:30] had a lot of problems especially when it
[0:28:32] comes to the mechanicals
[0:28:34] and they're supposed to have a 15-year
[0:28:36] shelf life. So somewhere between 2020
[0:28:38] and 2035
[0:28:40] all those repairs that we did or
[0:28:42] improvements we did are going to come to
[0:28:45] fruition and we're going to have to do
[0:28:46] them again in the middle of owing $55
[0:28:49] million.
[0:28:51] In addition, this year we're looking at
[0:28:52] a tax increase because we had a deficit
[0:28:56] somewhere in the neighborhood of a
[0:28:58] million dollars and that's without
[0:29:00] filling many key positions that are
[0:29:02] open, which means we saved that money,
[0:29:04] which the deficit would have been
[0:29:05] further or bigger if we would have
[0:29:09] uh filled those positions. We're faced
[0:29:11] with a collective bargaining agreement
[0:29:13] or a or an agreement this year with one
[0:29:16] group and then next year in June we're
[0:29:18] faced with negotiating the teachers
[0:29:21] contract. So
[0:29:22] if I'm looking at this correctly, we're
[0:29:24] going to have to have tax increases this
[0:29:26] year, next year because you're going to
[0:29:28] have to cover the million dollars that
[0:29:30] we need to make up in the
[0:29:32] um
[0:29:33] bond issue where it's going to increase
[0:29:35] our bond payment by a million dollars
[0:29:37] and then the third year. So we're going
[0:29:38] to be looking at three years of tax
[0:29:41] increases if not up toward the max that
[0:29:44] we're allowed um
[0:29:46] close to it.
[0:29:48] Uh at one of the meetings I remember an
[0:29:50] analogy being used that it's like buying
[0:29:52] a car now that you have debt on
[0:29:55] and then in a couple years you buy
[0:29:56] another car for a family member and you
[0:29:58] roll that debt into that and then you
[0:30:00] buy another car and you roll that debt
[0:30:02] into that. The difference with that is
[0:30:06] that's my debt. I'm asking 80% of the
[0:30:10] residents in this district to pay for
[0:30:12] something that they have no benefit for
[0:30:15] and I'm having trouble digesting that.
[0:30:18] Uh Joe, where did you see that it's a
[0:30:20] million-dollar increase in our debt
[0:30:22] service?
[0:30:23] What does it have under the How much is
[0:30:25] our debt service now? According to this
[0:30:27] it's saying that it's $2.4 million
[0:30:30] right
[0:30:31] right now with the with the current
[0:30:33] bond, correct?
[0:30:35] >> it's $3 million
[0:30:36] $48,000. Right. And
[0:30:38] >> In 2027 it's $3,165,000.
[0:30:42] >> Right.
[0:30:43] And then
[0:30:45] So that's next year. Right.
[0:30:46] >> the year after it would go to 2400 uh
[0:30:50] $2.469 million.
[0:30:53] Okay. And we're saying instead of
[0:30:55] dropping
[0:30:57] from 3.165 down to 2.469
[0:31:00] we're going to keep it at the that $3
[0:31:03] million level but it's going to go up to
[0:31:05] 3.4.
[0:31:06] Right. From 3.165.
[0:31:11] But the following year in 2028 it says
[0:31:13] it's supposed to be a $2.69
[0:31:16] million debt according to our current
[0:31:19] bond and if I'm reading correctly going
[0:31:21] across it would raise that to $3.4
[0:31:23] million. Am I reading that wrong?
[0:31:26] I don't know where you're seeing that
[0:31:27] there.
[0:31:34] Joe, you're looking at option three.
[0:31:36] Is that we
[0:31:38] the numbers on Option three, yes.
[0:31:39] >> Option three. Okay.
[0:31:42] So if I'm reading this right it's
[0:31:43] showing our total debt service right now
[0:31:46] in column two.
[0:31:48] And then if we finance the $18.6 million
[0:31:52] it's showing what the debt service is
[0:31:55] and then it's showing
[0:31:57] um afterwards. So are Is that the
[0:31:59] correct number or or we're staying even
[0:32:02] and we're not going to pay any more
[0:32:03] money and we're just going to extend the
[0:32:05] number of years? I'm sorry, Joe. I was
[0:32:07] looking at the if we contributed
[0:32:10] something line. So I was not looking at
[0:32:12] your numbers. I apologize.
[0:32:13] >> Yeah, Joe. I think you're you're correct
[0:32:16] there. Um
[0:32:17] the the goal of the option three would
[0:32:20] be to continue close to our current debt
[0:32:22] service.
[0:32:23] And yeah, I mean eventually debt service
[0:32:25] would drop down to zero and it would be,
[0:32:27] you know, 3.4 million higher than we
[0:32:30] would but I think the the presentation
[0:32:33] here and the numbers that we're talking
[0:32:35] about are basically our current year
[0:32:37] debt service versus what it would be
[0:32:39] next year. But yes, you are correct
[0:32:41] that, you know, the debt service goes
[0:32:42] down year after year after year just
[0:32:44] like any loan. Correct. Um I think the
[0:32:47] the perspective here is continuing
[0:32:49] paying what we have been paying
[0:32:51] basically um before it starts going all
[0:32:54] the way down.
[0:32:55] Correct. But you're also talking that
[0:32:57] this is going to extend our debt out
[0:32:58] right now that goes from 2035 to 2042
[0:33:03] and in that time period all the
[0:33:05] improvements that we did from the bond
[0:33:07] series in 2020 are going to start going.
[0:33:10] I mean we've already lost a bunch of the
[0:33:12] mechanicals where we've had issues with
[0:33:14] them off of the improvements that were
[0:33:16] made and we're not even looking into the
[0:33:18] fact that at the end of that 15 years
[0:33:20] you're going to have another building,
[0:33:22] the field house, which is going to again
[0:33:24] have to go through
[0:33:26] uh upgrades because as we talk about
[0:33:29] most of the projects that we do are
[0:33:30] 15-year
[0:33:32] um shelf life that they have. Uh
[0:33:35] we're also not taking into account the
[0:33:37] amount of money that it's going to cost
[0:33:39] to maintain a new building while we only
[0:33:42] will have a little bit over $3 million
[0:33:45] in our capital reserves to do any
[0:33:47] improvements from now until 20
[0:33:51] 42
[0:33:52] which I don't see how we're going to be
[0:33:54] able to maintain that with $3 million
[0:33:56] and I can't see us growing that unless
[0:33:58] we
[0:33:59] raise taxes a lot to to start building
[0:34:03] off that. We had a deficit last year so
[0:34:07] we're going to continue to have deficits
[0:34:09] unless taxes are increased and now we're
[0:34:11] putting another building into the mix of
[0:34:13] things when our current buildings aren't
[0:34:16] to the point where they should be. I was
[0:34:18] told that we were going to have a
[0:34:19] five-year plan so I could make a
[0:34:22] informed decision as to
[0:34:25] moving forward on this so I know what
[0:34:28] costs are possibly associated with the
[0:34:30] current buildings we have and I don't
[0:34:32] have that five-year plan so I can't even
[0:34:33] look at that
[0:34:35] to say that over the next five years
[0:34:37] we're looking at a million dollars in
[0:34:38] improvements cuz I don't know. So I have
[0:34:40] to have the assumption that things will
[0:34:42] go bad and we're going to run through
[0:34:44] that $3 million
[0:34:46] in in that time period.
[0:34:48] Thank you.
[0:34:53] Well, the other thing is we also
[0:34:57] Yeah, you're not wrong, Joe, in the
[0:34:58] sense that but we also
[0:35:01] if we if we do this project
[0:35:04] finance 100% of it
[0:35:06] we're going to add What is it like 240?
[0:35:09] I don't know what that number is that
[0:35:10] we'd be adding to the budget from where
[0:35:12] we are now.
[0:35:13] And we have operating costs. I think
[0:35:14] those were figured around like 200,000.
[0:35:16] I don't know. We'll see what those
[0:35:17] actually are but that
[0:35:20] that number, you know, we're 450. That's
[0:35:23] still less than 1%
[0:35:25] of our annual budget. The last 10 years
[0:35:29] I think we're averaging probably
[0:35:31] two two and a half percent increase.
[0:35:35] For the last I mean this was this past
[0:35:37] year was a low. It was This was a
[0:35:39] 10-year low and that was still
[0:35:42] It was still not quite not quite a
[0:35:43] percent.
[0:35:44] >> like 49.7.
[0:35:45] >> Yeah, it was just under 1%.
[0:35:48] So
[0:35:50] when we take that into account that
[0:35:51] we're going to be that that growth
[0:35:55] as we break down over these years we're
[0:35:57] we're still always looking at that 400
[0:36:00] and some thousand dollar increase.
[0:36:02] That number doesn't change.
[0:36:04] Our percentages change.
[0:36:06] Right. I'm I'm looking at numbers beyond
[0:36:08] that. I'm looking at the fact that we
[0:36:10] have a flat tax base right now so we're
[0:36:13] not going to be bringing any more money
[0:36:15] in. We have no development coming in in
[0:36:18] the foreseeable future so our only way
[0:36:21] to make that money up is to raise taxes.
[0:36:24] Well, we have some letters coming off.
[0:36:26] We do have a lot of We have a lot of
[0:36:27] things. We have some letters coming.
[0:36:29] Right.
[0:36:30] >> They'll be coming. But not to that
[0:36:31] amount. This is a lot I mean, you know,
[0:36:33] over the next three years our our
[0:36:36] revenues are not going to go up that
[0:36:38] significant but our costs sure are. I
[0:36:40] mean, next year you have a teachers
[0:36:42] contract. Are we going to tell them
[0:36:43] we're giving them nothing because
[0:36:45] we built this building? I love the
[0:36:47] sports here at Schuylkill Valley. It's I
[0:36:49] love coming to see them. I love watching
[0:36:51] the kids do it. I just don't know how I
[0:36:54] explain to someone that
[0:36:57] we're going to go $55 million in debt
[0:36:59] over the next 17 years to pay for a
[0:37:02] building that has nothing to do with the
[0:37:04] academics of the school district.
[0:37:07] But
[0:37:08] listen, there's eight other board
[0:37:09] members. That's that's just my view of
[0:37:11] it how I look at it.
[0:37:13] >> the 55 includes what we had for before.
[0:37:16] We had from the old bond. We had the 25
[0:37:19] so it's not that this building is 55.
[0:37:21] >> carrying 26 of that forward.
[0:37:23] >> $30 million back on an $18 million loan.
[0:37:27] That's a lot of money.
[0:37:29] If you're telling me we owe 25 and it's
[0:37:31] 55 payback that leaves the 30 so we're
[0:37:34] paying back a lot of money.
[0:37:36] You know, we talk about I remember
[0:37:39] I don't want to belabor this but I
[0:37:40] remember standing at the polls and
[0:37:42] people talking about we haven't raised
[0:37:44] taxes in the past 10 or 11 years
[0:37:48] to
[0:37:49] do anything. We've been using up our
[0:37:51] reserves. Well, maybe if we would have
[0:37:53] raised taxes 10 years ago and invested
[0:37:55] that money we'd have plenty of money to
[0:37:57] do this project but we kept pushing this
[0:37:59] on and on and on and now we're at a
[0:38:01] point where taxes are flat. We have no
[0:38:04] development coming in and we want to
[0:38:06] spend $17 million but it's not my money
[0:38:08] I'm spending. I'm spending the
[0:38:10] community's money to put something in
[0:38:13] that doesn't benefit the entire
[0:38:14] community.
[0:38:16] And that's what I struggle with.
[0:38:19] Again, there's eight other members. You
[0:38:20] can vote whichever way you want. I just
[0:38:23] in today's world I just
[0:38:26] And that's fine.
[0:38:26] >> find it difficult to tell someone I'm
[0:38:28] going to increase their taxes to pay for
[0:38:30] something
[0:38:31] in addition to academics that they're
[0:38:33] going to get no benefit from. I I think
[0:38:35] it's important to remember that
[0:38:37] Schuylkill Valley has a tradition of
[0:38:39] multiple generations
[0:38:41] living here, going to school here,
[0:38:42] staying here after they graduate.
[0:38:45] So although a lot of our taxpayers may
[0:38:46] not have kids in the school, they do
[0:38:48] have nieces, nephews, grandkids
[0:38:51] in the schools.
[0:38:52] Um and the other thing to remember is
[0:38:55] you know, [clears throat] you you want
[0:38:56] to focus on academics certainly but the
[0:38:59] college admissions are not just focused
[0:39:01] on academics. If you got a kid that does
[0:39:03] nothing but study, they're not going to
[0:39:04] get into the school they want to get
[0:39:06] into. The schools are looking for
[0:39:08] well-rounded kids
[0:39:10] with multi-faceted abilities. They want
[0:39:13] a kid that's fully developed mentally,
[0:39:15] physically
[0:39:17] community service, you know, leadership
[0:39:19] qualities, leadership skills. A lot of
[0:39:21] that stuff is developed through some of
[0:39:24] the sports programs. Like I said, I I
[0:39:26] know I know several students now that
[0:39:27] are are shopping around for scholarships
[0:39:30] and they're getting a ton of attention
[0:39:33] for their athletic ability and it's
[0:39:34] going to help them pay for their
[0:39:35] schooling.
[0:39:36] So, you know, you can't just solely
[0:39:39] focus on the academics cuz it it's not
[0:39:42] quite the way the world works. It's very
[0:39:44] important, but there there's
[0:39:47] you got to put a little bit extra shine
[0:39:49] on your kids to get them where they want
[0:39:50] to go
[0:39:51] and and kind of help them along. So. But
[0:39:54] if you're saying they're excelling now
[0:39:55] and they're getting into these schools,
[0:39:57] they're getting into these schools
[0:39:59] without having a $17 million dollar
[0:40:00] building. Mhm. How many more kids are
[0:40:03] going to How many Yes. And and and when
[0:40:06] we had a dirt patch out there, we had a
[0:40:08] guy go to the NFL.
[0:40:10] Right. And now we have better facilities
[0:40:12] and we have more kids getting
[0:40:14] scholarships. And so if you improve the
[0:40:15] facilities again,
[0:40:17] you probably will increase your yield of
[0:40:19] kids that are are having more
[0:40:20] opportunity. Okay.
[0:40:23] And just to address the community
[0:40:25] aspect, um I know that we have, you
[0:40:27] know, about 80% of taxpayers, as you
[0:40:29] said, that don't have kids in the school
[0:40:31] currently, but we did talk about
[0:40:33] allowing the community to use the
[0:40:34] facilities. Just like, you know, right
[0:40:36] now you can get a pass and you can use
[0:40:38] our track. So it's not that they would
[0:40:40] get no benefit out of it because they
[0:40:43] would, you know, I don't know what that
[0:40:44] looks like yet. We haven't gotten that
[0:40:46] far down the road, but they would be
[0:40:47] able to use the facilities in some
[0:40:49] capacity as well. So even if they, you
[0:40:52] know, don't have any children in the the
[0:40:54] district, that's still an option.
[0:40:56] Yeah, and that I would like to add that
[0:40:58] too that we can look at this as more as
[0:41:00] like a a community type center that, you
[0:41:03] know, the indoor walking track, um maybe
[0:41:07] have some community events in there as
[0:41:09] well that could benefit the community.
[0:41:11] Um and and that's something that again,
[0:41:13] coming late into this when we're already
[0:41:15] kind of at the end of this process,
[0:41:17] there's still a lot of ideas that we can
[0:41:19] come up with
[0:41:21] to make it more beneficial to the
[0:41:22] community as well.
[0:41:27] If you build it, they will come.
[0:41:29] Okay, I'm going to go to the hearing of
[0:41:30] the visitors and then we'll come back
[0:41:32] and continue the discussion as well. So
[0:41:35] the first person is Bruce Harbaugh.
[0:41:42] Oh, first of all, let me I forgot to
[0:41:45] read this.
[0:41:46] >> Okay. Read the hearing of visitors
[0:41:47] thing.
[0:41:49] Um anyone who wishes to address the
[0:41:51] board this evening will have 3 minutes
[0:41:52] to state their questions or concerns.
[0:41:54] Please state your name, the township
[0:41:56] where you live, and indicate if you are
[0:41:57] representing a group. All comments
[0:41:59] should be directed to the board as a
[0:42:00] whole, and we ask that your comments be
[0:42:02] respectful in nature. If you have a
[0:42:04] written statement, a copy of that
[0:42:06] statement would be appreciated. Details
[0:42:08] of this policy are on our website listed
[0:42:10] under policy 903, public comment and
[0:42:12] board meetings. Okay. Okay.
[0:42:14] >> Now go ahead. Good evening. Bruce
[0:42:16] Harbaugh, uh head football coach. I'm
[0:42:18] from Lower Heidelberg Township, which is
[0:42:20] 15 minutes away.
[0:42:21] Um I'm not a Schuylkill Valley resident,
[0:42:23] but this is my sixth year head football
[0:42:24] coach. So I have an investment in the in
[0:42:27] the new facility and um
[0:42:29] I did write a letter to Mr. Uh the the
[0:42:32] Dr. Winters before about Well, I'm just
[0:42:35] going to highlight some things that I
[0:42:36] went over before.
[0:42:37] Um our new athletic performance center,
[0:42:39] and I call it an athletic performance
[0:42:41] center cuz that's where we train, that's
[0:42:43] where we teach, and coaches teach in
[0:42:44] that area instead of a field house. Um
[0:42:47] for multiple it's necessary for multiple
[0:42:49] reasons.
[0:42:51] Um our multi purpose facility will offer
[0:42:54] not only locker rooms and classrooms,
[0:42:56] but also areas for training and reha-
[0:42:58] rehabilitation.
[0:42:59] It's important to include a versatile
[0:43:01] indoor turf field suitable for
[0:43:03] practices, sporting events, graduations,
[0:43:05] and band camps, and etc. Every square
[0:43:08] foot in the facility is an investment to
[0:43:10] this community.
[0:43:11] Investing in our athletic facility will
[0:43:13] bring several benefits to the Schuylkill
[0:43:15] Valley School District. En- enhanced
[0:43:18] student experience. Students get to
[0:43:20] learn and participate in physical
[0:43:21] education, strength conditioning, and
[0:43:23] extracurricular activities in a safe,
[0:43:26] high-quality environment where
[0:43:28] facilities are modern and well-kept.
[0:43:30] Greater community pride.
[0:43:32] Our cutting-edge facility will boost
[0:43:34] school spirit and strengthen engagement
[0:43:36] by becoming a point of pride for the
[0:43:38] whole community. It can serve as a
[0:43:40] community gathering spot, help residents
[0:43:41] stay active, and build pride and school
[0:43:43] spirit.
[0:43:45] Building social skills.
[0:43:47] Our new [clears throat] an induction of
[0:43:48] our new facility will enhance sports
[0:43:50] engagement, particularly among young
[0:43:52] people, promoting a long-term health and
[0:43:54] be- behaviors, as well as cultivation of
[0:43:57] teamwork and leadership skills.
[0:43:59] Better recruitment and retention. With
[0:44:02] our appealing athletic venue, we will be
[0:44:04] in better position to attract and keep
[0:44:05] outstanding students, staff members, and
[0:44:08] coaches.
[0:44:09] Revenue opportunities. When designed for
[0:44:12] multiple multiple pur- multiple purp-
[0:44:14] multiple purposes,
[0:44:16] our facility can host events,
[0:44:18] tournaments, generation uh generating
[0:44:21] additional rev- revenue for the
[0:44:22] district. The district can generate
[0:44:24] rent- rental income from various sour-
[0:44:26] of sources, including craft sales,
[0:44:29] athletic camps, tournaments, and many
[0:44:31] other activities.
[0:44:33] Collectively, these factors highlight
[0:44:34] the importance of investing in our high
[0:44:36] school athletic performance center,
[0:44:38] supporting not only ac- academic
[0:44:40] achievement, but also overall
[0:44:42] development of student athletes.
[0:44:44] The one thing that that I that that
[0:44:46] concerned me is that we only had two
[0:44:48] coaches meetings with the board and with
[0:44:51] the with the the
[0:44:53] uh designers.
[0:44:54] Um
[0:44:55] I think the coaches meet need to be
[0:44:57] involved more of who's going to be in
[0:44:59] there. And what concerns me is is the
[0:45:01] locker room situation. We don't need 90
[0:45:03] lockers in there. We need four locker
[0:45:05] rooms that have two 60s and maybe two
[0:45:08] 30s or two 40s in there because and we
[0:45:11] need team lockers to put stuff in, not
[0:45:14] the ones you see in a hallway. That's
[0:45:15] not that's not going to make it. Um that
[0:45:18] concerns me and some of the coaches that
[0:45:20] I've talked to, not only football, but
[0:45:21] other coaches also. Um so the team rooms
[0:45:24] are a big big concern. Um we already
[0:45:27] know the we already know the locker room
[0:45:29] situation, but um I'd like to thank the
[0:45:31] board for for uh let me speak. Thank
[0:45:34] you.
[0:45:35] Thank you.
[0:45:37] Next is Brian O'Donnell.
[0:45:44] Brian O'Donnell, Ontelaunee Township. I
[0:45:46] just want to piggyback off of I was
[0:45:48] always like uh Morgan Freeman recapping
[0:45:50] everything very uh eloquently. Um but I
[0:45:53] just want to say that I'm in support of
[0:45:54] the field house. I know people have put
[0:45:55] a lot of time into it. I think it's
[0:45:57] going to be great for the student
[0:45:58] athletes. Um and as a taxpayer, um
[0:46:01] I think it's a good spend. So
[0:46:02] that's it. Thank you.
[0:46:05] Okay.
[0:46:06] Thank you. Is there anyone else who
[0:46:08] would like to speak who has, you know,
[0:46:10] didn't have an opportunity to sign up? I
[0:46:13] did.
[0:46:15] Sure.
[0:46:18] Hi, it's Allison McKechnie, track coach.
[0:46:21] Um I just wanted to kind of reiterate
[0:46:23] what uh Bruce Harbaugh had said that um
[0:46:26] getting us coaches together so we can
[0:46:28] kind of put our heads together and help
[0:46:29] out with the design. I think it would be
[0:46:30] crucial.
[0:46:32] The one thing I will say is
[0:46:34] you know, I I do live in Chellington.
[0:46:36] I've been here over 40 years. I'm a
[0:46:37] graduate of Schuylkill Valley, but I do
[0:46:39] I am actually a taxpayer also. I have a
[0:46:41] house in Leesport.
[0:46:43] Um but anyway, the one thing is for like
[0:46:45] track and field, like we have sometimes
[0:46:48] 200 kids.
[0:46:50] And um you know, we have 18 events. We
[0:46:51] have plenty of of coaches. It's not
[0:46:54] necessarily herding cats. Sometimes it
[0:46:56] feels like that is. Um but having a
[0:46:59] field house like this would would
[0:47:01] actually help us. It actually allows,
[0:47:04] you know, a lot of people focus on the
[0:47:06] the upper tier athlete and we kind of
[0:47:10] you know, that that other athlete kind
[0:47:11] of gets lost in the shuffle. Not
[0:47:13] necessarily just only in track and
[0:47:14] field, but throughout the board. And if
[0:47:16] we have better facilities, I think we we
[0:47:19] would be better for our athletes
[0:47:20] overall. So um
[0:47:22] I just wanted to say that and um thank
[0:47:25] you for everything that you guys are
[0:47:26] doing.
[0:47:27] And we do really appreciate the track
[0:47:29] since 2018.
[0:47:32] Okay, thank you.
[0:47:34] Going to open up. Roxanne.
[0:47:38] I didn't sign up, but I have a question
[0:47:40] about what Mrs. Stanky was asking. So
[0:47:42] Roxanne Dietrich, Center Township. Um
[0:47:45] I've been one of the people that's been
[0:47:46] most outspoken against this because of
[0:47:48] cost. I'm very happy to see um how the
[0:47:50] costs have come in. But can you
[0:47:52] elaborate um with what you were talking
[0:47:54] about with what she was asking about
[0:47:56] with like the insulation and stuff cuz
[0:47:57] the the drawings in the original booklet
[0:48:01] look like they're like solid walls on
[0:48:02] the inside and now like what you were
[0:48:04] saying to Mrs. Stanky makes it sound
[0:48:06] like it's like soft and not like Is that
[0:48:09] Am I understanding I was a little
[0:48:10] confused when That's what I was
[0:48:12] understanding as well that the base bid
[0:48:14] is just insulation and nothing covering
[0:48:17] >> the packet make it look like those are
[0:48:19] all solid walls on the inside. The
[0:48:20] pictures. Am I
[0:48:23] Yeah, am I misunderstanding? So then
[0:48:25] when you were talking to her, I got
[0:48:26] really confused cuz then it makes it
[0:48:27] sound like it's just going to be like
[0:48:28] soft on the on the inside. So I'm very
[0:48:30] confused about that. So I thought maybe
[0:48:31] just if you guys wanted to have more
[0:48:34] information about that, maybe clarify
[0:48:36] that.
[0:48:37] I was very confused. That's why I just
[0:48:39] wanted to say
[0:48:39] >> Yes, I mean, with the two alternate
[0:48:41] bids,
[0:48:43] it sounds like that will be covered up
[0:48:45] to 8 ft, which
[0:48:47] I would rather see it covered all the
[0:48:49] way to the ceiling.
[0:48:50] >> drawings look very different than what
[0:48:52] >> Correct. Correct. is being stated, I
[0:48:54] think. So I just wanted to make
[0:48:56] that comment that that sounds a little
[0:48:57] confusing and a little different than
[0:48:59] what the pictures are showing. So that
[0:49:01] that was all. That's all I wanted to
[0:49:02] say. Thank you. And
[0:49:04] >> Can we have some clarification on that?
[0:49:07] My understanding, like I I think most of
[0:49:09] us who have kids have been to the Body
[0:49:11] Zone.
[0:49:12] Uh when you go to their turf areas, uh
[0:49:15] their walls have that insulation in
[0:49:17] them. So it's not like you're going to
[0:49:20] have pink insulation hanging from the
[0:49:22] walls. It's encapsulated in plastic and
[0:49:25] you know, it it doesn't look that
[0:49:27] unsightly, to be honest. Um places like
[0:49:29] the Body Zone and a lot of places are
[0:49:30] set up like that. Um but yeah, I I do
[0:49:33] believe when we looked at the at the
[0:49:35] renderings, it probably had the paneling
[0:49:38] in there.
[0:49:39] So, we can talk about, you know, the
[0:49:41] value of that paneling. I personally,
[0:49:44] you know, would probably think that
[0:49:46] the insulation that's just kind of
[0:49:49] stuffed in there is probably going to be
[0:49:51] a little bit more durable when it comes
[0:49:53] to baseballs and lacrosse balls and
[0:49:55] things like that like he had mentioned.
[0:49:58] Um but yes, I think the rendering had
[0:50:00] that but I think that was just
[0:50:02] the version of the rendering that was
[0:50:04] shown.
[0:50:05] Some probably had it, some probably
[0:50:06] didn't.
[0:50:09] Yeah, yeah, that's true.
[0:50:13] Yeah, he was saying it can be hard to
[0:50:15] represent that look in a in a 3D
[0:50:19] rendered model. Well, I understand what
[0:50:21] you're saying, Frank, that it might be a
[0:50:23] little bit
[0:50:25] better to absorb things with just the
[0:50:28] insulation. I mean, how easy is that
[0:50:30] insulation to tear?
[0:50:32] You know, we if we have I mean, I don't
[0:50:34] hundreds of kids in there. It's not a
[0:50:36] polypropylene film covering. It's like a
[0:50:39] Tyvek
[0:50:40] like almost a tarp covering.
[0:50:42] >> That's I mean, if you go to the Body
[0:50:43] Zone, that's been there for a long time
[0:50:45] and I've never seen rips and tears in
[0:50:48] their wall insulation.
[0:50:51] I mean, we're we're talking a difference
[0:50:53] in the three options from 18
[0:50:56] 18 million 419
[0:50:59] up to 18 626. So, I mean,
[0:51:03] any of the options we're not adding a
[0:51:05] ton
[0:51:07] um in you know,
[0:51:09] relative comparison to the the cost
[0:51:11] we're discussing. Yeah, I think if you
[0:51:12] kept it was it was basically like 50,000
[0:51:15] for B for two
[0:51:16] >> 100 for
[0:51:18] >> from base, yeah. Yeah.
[0:51:22] Okay. Okay.
[0:51:24] Okay, I'm going to ask
[0:51:26] one more time if there's anybody else
[0:51:28] who would like to sign up and speak. If
[0:51:30] not, we'll we'll move on.
[0:51:33] Not?
[0:51:34] >> [clears throat]
[0:51:35] >> Okay.
[0:51:37] Sure.
[0:51:38] I just one housekeeping item before we
[0:51:39] move on to the voting. I just wanted to
[0:51:41] confirm for purposes of the minutes with
[0:51:42] Dr. Winters that this meeting was
[0:51:44] advertised at least 24 hours before
[0:51:46] tonight, correct? Yes, it was, correct.
[0:51:48] And the agenda was posted more than 24
[0:51:50] hours before tonight, correct? Yes, that
[0:51:51] is correct.
[0:51:51] >> Those are both requirements of Sunshine
[0:51:53] Act. I just want that in the minutes.
[0:51:56] Okay, we'll move on to 4.0 curriculum
[0:51:59] and technology. We have one voting item.
[0:52:03] The board is requested to consider and
[0:52:04] recommend approval of the letter of
[0:52:06] intent to hold for purchase of 300
[0:52:09] Chromebooks from River Riverside
[0:52:11] Technologies Incorporated as presented.
[0:52:15] I'm going to ask Mike Sobchak to come up
[0:52:16] for just a minute and provide some
[0:52:17] additional background on this item.
[0:52:29] Uh good evening and thank you for taking
[0:52:30] time tonight to consider this agenda
[0:52:33] item. So, Riverside Technology has
[0:52:35] provided our second and fifth grade
[0:52:37] Chromebooks
[0:52:38] to Schuylkill Valley for the past 2
[0:52:40] years.
[0:52:41] When we met with committee as part of
[0:52:43] the work session, we talked about this
[0:52:45] generation of Chromebook. Working with
[0:52:46] Riverside that has provided the best
[0:52:48] pricing over these past 2 years.
[0:52:50] They did have stock a few weeks ago and
[0:52:52] then it went out of stock. Trying to
[0:52:54] work with them and see what the numbers
[0:52:55] would come back and look like. They
[0:52:56] would still be lower than some other
[0:52:57] competitors but it was not the unit we
[0:52:59] wanted.
[0:53:00] And just recently that product actually
[0:53:02] came back in stock because a customer
[0:53:04] canceled a pre-order.
[0:53:06] So, I wanted to bring this to the board
[0:53:07] so that way it's a letter of intent for
[0:53:08] Riverside to hold those 300 units for us
[0:53:11] to purchase once the budget's approved.
[0:53:26] I'll make a motion. So moved. I'll
[0:53:28] second, Mo.
[0:53:36] Aye. Aye.
[0:55:11] Anyone at all?
[0:55:13] I just would like to know um I know cuz
[0:55:16] I am a little apprehensive about the
[0:55:18] capital reserve.
[0:55:19] Um
[0:55:20] do we foresee more money going into that
[0:55:24] at all?
[0:55:25] I mean, I know we keep talking about the
[0:55:26] $6 million
[0:55:27] and
[0:55:28] but I mean, when will that get
[0:55:30] replenished?
[0:55:31] Or how will that get replenished
[0:55:33] during this project?
[0:55:35] Well, I I believe we're talking about
[0:55:37] not using any of that $6 million.
[0:55:39] So, we wouldn't have to replenish it.
[0:55:41] Well, there's an option. But like say
[0:55:42] Well, yeah, it's an option.
[0:55:43] >> Say we need to like
[0:55:45] >> I guess financing is a thing. Say
[0:55:46] something comes up and we do need to use
[0:55:48] it. Yeah.
[0:55:50] So, say we need to use like 3 million of
[0:55:52] it for what for whatever.
[0:55:55] How will that continuously get
[0:55:56] replenished?
[0:55:58] Well, I think it's it's replenished by
[0:56:00] how it gets replenished anytime we have
[0:56:02] to use money. You know, we have to
[0:56:04] either find money from somewhere or you
[0:56:07] know, you look at raising taxes. But I
[0:56:09] think but that could happen regardless
[0:56:12] of this project, we still may have to
[0:56:15] use that money for something as well.
[0:56:18] So, the the result's going to be the
[0:56:20] same. If we don't do this project at all
[0:56:22] and then we still need to do something,
[0:56:23] we we might have to spend that money.
[0:56:25] So, we'll be in the same boat with that
[0:56:28] situation. The project itself really
[0:56:30] isn't going to impact that part if we do
[0:56:33] not use any of the district money for
[0:56:36] this project.
[0:56:37] >> But couldn't we use some of the bond
[0:56:39] though to support those projects if we
[0:56:41] needed to? Like the bond would
[0:56:42] essentially be like our savings account
[0:56:44] that we could go in or no?
[0:56:46] No, this bond would be for this project.
[0:56:50] Okay. That's what this bond is for for
[0:56:53] this project. We cannot use it anywhere
[0:56:56] else. Correct. And the money has to be
[0:56:58] identified for something. We can't just
[0:57:00] hang on to it for a rainy day. Part of
[0:57:02] the stipulations of the bond is that we
[0:57:03] have to identify it. You need to spend
[0:57:05] it now. They give you a a certain number
[0:57:07] of years to spend it. Yeah, but you
[0:57:09] can't just get towards the end, have
[0:57:11] some leftover money and just choose to
[0:57:12] hang on to it. So, how how much Just
[0:57:14] just so we're I just want to make sure
[0:57:15] we're clear for the public as well. At
[0:57:17] this point, we've passed a parameters
[0:57:19] resolution which sets like a ceiling for
[0:57:21] how much but we haven't been obligated
[0:57:23] to anything yet. So, that would come if
[0:57:25] the project is approved but we're not
[0:57:27] locked into a bond at this point in
[0:57:29] time. We're just enabled to to move
[0:57:30] forward with that. Okay, thank you.
[0:57:33] Right, it's almost like it's like two
[0:57:35] separate pots of money. You know, we
[0:57:36] have our money that we need to run the
[0:57:39] school district. This is this is a
[0:57:41] different pot of money that we're using
[0:57:43] to fund a specific project. It's no
[0:57:46] different than when we when I was on the
[0:57:49] board before, we did building onto the
[0:57:51] high school and building onto the middle
[0:57:53] school. It was, you know, the same type
[0:57:55] of thing. You still have your money that
[0:57:57] you need to spend to run the district
[0:57:59] and then you have the money that you
[0:58:00] need to complete a specific project.
[0:58:04] I just want to make sure because I know
[0:58:06] like we've talked about already some
[0:58:07] other renovations like Mr. Hansen did
[0:58:10] you know, a presentation about
[0:58:11] renovating, you know, different areas
[0:58:13] that we already have here and we've
[0:58:15] talked about that our high school is is
[0:58:17] older, you know, 1960. So, I just want
[0:58:20] to make sure like we're being
[0:58:22] cautious because something is going to
[0:58:23] happen. It's not a matter of if, it's a
[0:58:25] matter of when. Right. And I just don't
[0:58:28] want us getting tripped up. No, and
[0:58:30] something's always going to happen. I
[0:58:32] mean, we ran into that when you know,
[0:58:34] you did the middle school project then
[0:58:35] we had the elementary school that had
[0:58:37] been already how many years old that
[0:58:39] things came up with there. I mean,
[0:58:41] things are going to come up no matter
[0:58:42] what
[0:58:43] that we're going to have to, you know,
[0:58:45] look at those projects. But I think
[0:58:46] another thing too is like we've been
[0:58:50] trying to come up with this 5-year plan
[0:58:52] that we are kind of prepared. The other
[0:58:54] thing is is looking at our
[0:58:56] expenses that we have now and maybe
[0:58:59] taking a fresh look, new board coming
[0:59:01] in, taking a fresh look at where there
[0:59:03] can be maybe some cost savings. But I I
[0:59:06] want to make clear that we're not going
[0:59:08] to do this in lieu of taking away
[0:59:11] anything from our curriculum. Like we've
[0:59:13] been working hard on making some
[0:59:16] improvements and changes and that's
[0:59:19] going to continue. I mean, that's been a
[0:59:21] priority of this board. And and I just
[0:59:25] want to make that clear. That's going to
[0:59:26] continue to be a priority. This is not
[0:59:29] in lieu of what we're still hoping to
[0:59:32] accomplish through our through the
[0:59:34] curriculum and different policies and
[0:59:36] and things like that.
[0:59:41] Um
[0:59:42] the other thing is, you know, we we look
[0:59:44] at the value of something of this and
[0:59:46] we're just looking at it in in
[0:59:49] dollar signs. But, there's also a a
[0:59:53] value of kids who are involved in
[0:59:56] athletics and you know, we can't forget
[0:59:58] music programs, you know, things like
[1:00:00] that. There is a value to this. There is
[1:00:03] a value to the community as well. If we
[1:00:05] can get, you know, like the weight room,
[1:00:07] the community can come in and use the
[1:00:09] weight room and you know, things like
[1:00:10] that. We can make it we can make this
[1:00:13] into what we want it to be as well.
[1:00:16] Now, I agree. I just um found myself
[1:00:19] thinking about the fact that like when
[1:00:21] she does that budget presentation, she
[1:00:23] talks about like this is how much it's
[1:00:24] going to go up based on a house that's
[1:00:26] $150,000 assessed. Well, and I find
[1:00:29] myself thinking like if we do need to
[1:00:31] raise taxes for the next 3 years, like
[1:00:34] now we're talking about like maybe not
[1:00:36] $150 per year, but now we're talking
[1:00:39] 300, 450. And when I think about the
[1:00:42] fact that 80% of our
[1:00:45] people who live here don't have kids
[1:00:47] here and I and I get they're supportive.
[1:00:49] But like I also know what it's like to
[1:00:51] have grandparents on a fixed income. And
[1:00:53] I feel too like gas is going through the
[1:00:55] roof right now and those are going to be
[1:00:57] added expenditures that like we're not
[1:00:59] necessarily factoring in
[1:01:01] right now for for those people.
[1:01:04] That's all. I mean, I I do think there's
[1:01:06] a lot of value in it. I'm just concerned
[1:01:09] about timing, really.
[1:01:13] And I think this is one of those things
[1:01:14] that there's there's never
[1:01:17] going to be a a a perfect timing. You
[1:01:20] know, there really isn't. The timing
[1:01:21] [clears throat] is is that, you know, we
[1:01:23] we've had major projects again with with
[1:01:26] the middle school and the high school.
[1:01:28] This field house has come up, I don't
[1:01:30] know, since I was on the board like
[1:01:32] years and years ago. You know, and the
[1:01:35] timing was never right at that point
[1:01:37] because we had the high school project
[1:01:39] to do. We had the middle school, you
[1:01:41] know, doing improvements to the
[1:01:43] elementary school. So, you know, trying
[1:01:46] to find a perfect time is going to be
[1:01:47] difficult, you know, in in any kind of
[1:01:50] project that you have. You know, when I
[1:01:52] first looked at this, again, coming in
[1:01:54] kind of at the tail end as as you have
[1:01:56] too, um you know, I'm thinking like is
[1:01:58] there a compromise? And and looking at
[1:02:01] it is like if we just do the field house
[1:02:03] part of it because I know there's
[1:02:05] definite need for for the gym, for the
[1:02:08] better concession stand facilities and
[1:02:10] things like that. Looking at that is
[1:02:12] like a concession is doing that part of
[1:02:14] the project and not the turf field. But,
[1:02:16] when these bids came in and
[1:02:19] the the difference between having
[1:02:23] just the field house and having also
[1:02:25] that turf building was what? Like little
[1:02:27] less than
[1:02:28] >> it was 2.7. [snorts]
[1:02:30] 2 and 1/2 million?
[1:02:31] >> it's a little more. I think it was like
[1:02:32] 3.3.
[1:02:33] >> 3 Okay. And it's like we're never going
[1:02:35] to be able to put up a a building like
[1:02:37] that for that amount of money if it's
[1:02:38] not incorporated as as an entirety
[1:02:41] for that amount of money if it's not
[1:02:43] incorporated as as an entirety with the
[1:02:46] project.
[1:02:47] >> It's obvious that the
[1:02:49] the people who submitted their bids
[1:02:52] had no interest in building just the
[1:02:54] field house part based off of the way
[1:02:56] they priced it. Like Harold was saying,
[1:02:58] the discount they were giving us is
[1:03:00] nowhere near what that building would
[1:03:02] actually cost to build. No, if it was a
[1:03:04] separate project, we're talking 3.3.
[1:03:06] That's I mean, I'm just making up
[1:03:08] numbers, but we're probably talking like
[1:03:10] 6, 7 million dollar project at that
[1:03:12] point. So, it's kind of they they baked
[1:03:14] in in their bids. They pretty much baked
[1:03:15] in
[1:03:18] yeah, we should build the whole thing.
[1:03:19] And as far as timing goes, I I'll refer
[1:03:21] back to something I've heard Al say
[1:03:23] multiple times is there's never perfect
[1:03:25] timing to do anything like this.
[1:03:28] But, the stars have aligned enough that
[1:03:30] this is about as as close as it's going
[1:03:32] to get. If it's ever going to happen
[1:03:35] this is the opening to do it. It may not
[1:03:37] be perfect, but it's pretty close. And
[1:03:40] if it's ever going to happen now's the
[1:03:42] time to do it. The way the financing
[1:03:44] works, the way we've we've kind of
[1:03:46] worked ahead to kind of get ahead of
[1:03:48] some of our other
[1:03:50] buildings and grounds type
[1:03:52] expenses. So, if it's ever going to
[1:03:54] happen, now's the when it's going to
[1:03:55] happen. And to be honest, the current
[1:03:57] situation is just not sustainable. I
[1:03:59] mean, like Al said, second graders
[1:04:01] having basketball practice at 9:00 p.m.
[1:04:04] Um you know, not not having the biggest,
[1:04:07] best training facilities and athletic
[1:04:09] trainer equipment for the health and
[1:04:11] well-being of our athletes, just the
[1:04:13] total lack of space we have for
[1:04:15] everything. And it's not just sports, it
[1:04:17] could be marching band, it could be
[1:04:19] graduation, [clears throat]
[1:04:20] it can be
[1:04:21] uh you know, tournaments.
[1:04:23] There's just the current model just
[1:04:26] doesn't work.
[1:04:28] Uh and that's I I agree with Joe and
[1:04:32] with Lauren. Um I'm a little concerned
[1:04:33] about the money, too. But, at the same
[1:04:35] time, if we don't do anything, nothing's
[1:04:37] going to happen and then things are just
[1:04:39] going to get worse.
[1:04:40] I I think Carol, you made a point about
[1:04:43] it being a community center. If you
[1:04:44] think of Lancaster County a lot of the
[1:04:47] places in Lancaster County will have
[1:04:49] community centers uh for the people. The
[1:04:52] problem that we have is we'll have to
[1:04:53] look to address because
[1:04:55] we we don't even have this building
[1:04:57] built and we we're almost at capacity
[1:05:00] already. Everybody has a need and a
[1:05:03] requirement. We've tried to accommodate
[1:05:05] all the different coaches, but all the
[1:05:07] different coaches have various
[1:05:10] priorities of what they want to see and
[1:05:12] we had to address through a series of
[1:05:15] meetings the best way to do it. And it's
[1:05:17] not just for athletics because as we put
[1:05:21] the design in place like we have large
[1:05:24] garage doors on the turf field for this
[1:05:27] sole purpose like I've been involved
[1:05:30] with sporting events here where you've
[1:05:32] had a bad uh tornado warning or whatever
[1:05:36] and or you know, severe thunderstorms
[1:05:39] and you needed to bring people in. Well,
[1:05:40] we had no place to put
[1:05:43] a group from the stadium. So, the way we
[1:05:46] designed it because we offset it was put
[1:05:48] the large garage doors that we can bring
[1:05:50] people into the turf field. I keep on
[1:05:53] thinking of having indoor and outdoor
[1:05:55] events like when we do stuff with
[1:05:57] Special Olympics or some of the other
[1:06:00] things that we can have stuff indoors in
[1:06:02] case it goes bad, you know, bad weather.
[1:06:05] We have alternatives that we can
[1:06:07] actually still have some of our events
[1:06:10] that we can have in place.
[1:06:12] Uh you know, we're going to
[1:06:14] spend some money, but if you depending
[1:06:16] on how you do it, you don't want to
[1:06:18] spend all your money down. But, you have
[1:06:21] 3 million from the bond yet. That's out
[1:06:23] there that, you know we can use we have
[1:06:27] to use it shortly.
[1:06:29] Um
[1:06:30] but
[1:06:31] also to design like Al pointed out when
[1:06:35] we did all the designs for our work, we
[1:06:37] didn't make one big boiler. We didn't do
[1:06:40] things. We started with the end in mind
[1:06:43] of saying if something breaks break a
[1:06:46] small piece and fix it. And we've been
[1:06:49] going through that. We've gotten smarter
[1:06:52] with hiring the right people. We've
[1:06:54] hired maintenance, having maintenance
[1:06:56] agreements to try to catch some of this
[1:06:59] uh that we didn't have in place for 10
[1:07:02] years cuz we relied on
[1:07:04] our expertise inside. So, the things
[1:07:08] that we're going to work on we have plus
[1:07:10] I think the board is aware there's there
[1:07:13] is some opportunities for real estate
[1:07:16] opportunities that
[1:07:18] you know, through properties or whatever
[1:07:20] that we can also look to address in the
[1:07:22] future as well.
[1:07:24] Um so
[1:07:26] to the point of like, hey, where do we
[1:07:28] go? Where do we spend? Like we're we
[1:07:31] haven't said no to anything.
[1:07:34] This is just taking us to the next step
[1:07:36] and this will be a keystone that you can
[1:07:38] use for many different things.
[1:07:41] So, I think it's important to do.
[1:07:48] Anybody else? And I'll just want to
[1:07:50] mention, too. I mean, we've spoken to
[1:07:52] representatives from other schools who
[1:07:54] have told us that they could not
[1:07:57] understate how much of an amazing impact
[1:08:00] their community athletic facility,
[1:08:02] whatever you want to call it, field
[1:08:03] house, had on their community after they
[1:08:05] built it. Uh I haven't heard anybody
[1:08:07] that had any regrets. Um they were all
[1:08:10] pleasantly surprised at just how much of
[1:08:12] an impact the facility had on their
[1:08:15] community and their students and their
[1:08:16] staff.
[1:08:18] I mean, just to piggyback on that. We
[1:08:20] just had the superintendent search. We
[1:08:22] had community members in, we had staff
[1:08:24] members. And the one overarching thing
[1:08:26] was basically the sense of community
[1:08:28] that this district feels.
[1:08:30] And nobody's taking pride in that
[1:08:33] concession stand that's there now.
[1:08:34] Nobody's taking pride in the three
[1:08:36] urinals in the grandstand bathroom. This
[1:08:39] is something we can kind of rally
[1:08:40] behind. And it will be a good thing for
[1:08:42] this community.
[1:08:44] Just to back up off of what Dan said.
[1:08:49] Since I've been on the board
[1:08:51] we have talked about doing the locker
[1:08:54] rooms here in the high school.
[1:08:57] And every time we would talk about doing
[1:08:59] the locker rooms over the last 20 years,
[1:09:02] we'd say, well, we're going to we we
[1:09:03] need a field house. We're not going to
[1:09:05] do the locker rooms cuz we need a field
[1:09:06] house.
[1:09:08] So, to have other teams come in
[1:09:12] and see the condition that our locker
[1:09:14] rooms have gotten in because we haven't
[1:09:16] been able to redo them.
[1:09:20] I'm really glad that when our we have
[1:09:24] visiting teams that they'll be able to
[1:09:25] have some decent locker rooms
[1:09:28] that our kiddos deserve. Our kiddos
[1:09:30] deserve
[1:09:32] great locker rooms,
[1:09:35] functioning locker rooms without
[1:09:37] hundreds of lockers in them and no place
[1:09:40] that really fits anything in a locker.
[1:09:44] And we will now have this in our thing
[1:09:47] and then eventually we can work on what
[1:09:50] we have
[1:09:52] under this building, but
[1:09:54] we need we needed upgrades. That we've
[1:09:57] needed upgrades and I think it I think
[1:10:00] that's one of the assets of having that
[1:10:02] building. It's going to take a little
[1:10:04] time before we have them done,
[1:10:06] but it won't be an embarrassment to to
[1:10:09] our school to have to put our kids in
[1:10:13] less than stellar locker rooms. So,
[1:10:15] just
[1:10:16] I think my opinion.
[1:10:18] >> I want to add to
[1:10:19] um
[1:10:21] we've had a rough couple of the past
[1:10:24] couple of years, you know, with the
[1:10:26] morale and negativity in general towards
[1:10:30] towards the school. Um
[1:10:33] I think this is something that we're
[1:10:36] moving in
[1:10:37] it can be a very positive direction
[1:10:41] for the community
[1:10:42] and for the district as a whole.
[1:10:45] I I think we're moving forward as I said
[1:10:47] earlier with the curriculum. We're
[1:10:49] trying to make positive changes. We're
[1:10:51] trying to to bring in
[1:10:53] you know, positive attitudes. You know,
[1:10:55] we're going to have a very positive
[1:10:57] superintendent coming in. So, I think
[1:11:00] this is like one step that we can
[1:11:04] continue to do to move our district
[1:11:06] forward to kind of get the community
[1:11:08] spirit back, to get the positivity back
[1:11:11] for Schuylkill Valley.
[1:11:14] That's why I would support this this
[1:11:17] project. I mean, I understand the the
[1:11:19] ramifications of the the money and and
[1:11:24] the taxes, but I mean, even regardless
[1:11:27] of this project, we're probably still
[1:11:28] looking at that anyway because of
[1:11:31] putting our fund balance back up to
[1:11:33] where it should be and that has been the
[1:11:35] years of
[1:11:37] you know, not really being as perhaps
[1:11:40] fiscally responsible as we could have
[1:11:42] been in making sure those funds were
[1:11:44] there.
[1:11:46] But I think it's as long as we're all
[1:11:47] aware of that and we work towards this
[1:11:50] and we work towards making this a
[1:11:51] positive community thing. I mean, it's
[1:11:53] going to take some work to have this all
[1:11:55] figured out as well to make sure the
[1:11:57] community is involved in it.
[1:12:00] And but I you know, I have confidence
[1:12:02] that we'll be able to do that as a board
[1:12:04] and as a district.
[1:12:07] I just want to say
[1:12:09] I personally am very fiscally
[1:12:12] conservative.
[1:12:13] I you know, in my personal life don't
[1:12:16] look to spend you know, above my means
[1:12:20] and you know, obviously don't want to do
[1:12:21] that for the school district either.
[1:12:25] But I also see the flip side of things
[1:12:28] with this field house.
[1:12:30] As Al mentioned, I was there with him
[1:12:32] with the second grader in the elementary
[1:12:34] school gym sitting on the stage because
[1:12:37] there's nowhere else that you can sit
[1:12:39] with a you know, a second grader playing
[1:12:41] basketball and it it's not ideal. You
[1:12:43] know, my my kids bedtime was 8:30 and
[1:12:47] we're wrapping up basketball practice at
[1:12:49] 9:00 and then still have to get showers
[1:12:51] and you know, do whatever else until we
[1:12:53] can get them to bed at that point. Um so
[1:12:55] my two are now freshmen and juniors, so
[1:12:58] we don't have those same issues anymore,
[1:13:00] but um you know, I I I feel for those
[1:13:03] elementary families because the younger
[1:13:06] kids do get pushed back because our high
[1:13:09] school sports take precedent as they
[1:13:11] should and then our junior high sports
[1:13:14] come in next and then it's those youth
[1:13:16] sports after.
[1:13:17] So, we really do need the space.
[1:13:20] It would have been lovely to be able to
[1:13:23] you know, sit on bleachers in another
[1:13:26] building to watch basketball practice.
[1:13:28] Most parents don't just drop off their
[1:13:31] you know, second graders or third
[1:13:32] graders
[1:13:33] for practices. They usually stay with
[1:13:35] them. So, if we had the spaces to be
[1:13:38] able to do that, it it would really help
[1:13:40] and I think it really helps the
[1:13:42] community aspect of things too because
[1:13:44] when your parents are sitting there you
[1:13:47] know, waiting on practices to be over,
[1:13:49] they're communicating with each other.
[1:13:51] You know, that's how I've built some of
[1:13:53] my best friends from my kids
[1:13:56] participating in sports and meeting
[1:13:58] parents on the sidelines and at those
[1:14:01] practices.
[1:14:02] So, I really think that it it will
[1:14:05] benefit benefit the the greater
[1:14:07] community.
[1:14:08] It obviously is a big number. When we
[1:14:11] first started this, it was projected at
[1:14:13] 8 million, then it went to 18 million,
[1:14:17] then it went to almost 25 million and I
[1:14:19] was like, oh my god, this is getting out
[1:14:21] of hand.
[1:14:22] You know, thankfully our bids came in
[1:14:24] where they did and we're back down to
[1:14:26] that 18 million where you know, we were
[1:14:28] kind of hoping to be. I know it's still
[1:14:30] a big number.
[1:14:31] I'm not trying to downplay that at all,
[1:14:35] but I I really do think that if
[1:14:38] we as a board sit back and look at
[1:14:41] different ways that we can involve the
[1:14:43] community, different ways that we can
[1:14:45] use the building not just for our
[1:14:48] students,
[1:14:49] you know, it could really make a big
[1:14:51] impact overall.
[1:14:57] Is there anyone else that would like to
[1:14:59] uh
[1:15:00] add to the conversation here?
[1:15:05] If not, we do have a motion and a second
[1:15:08] for option A.
[1:15:12] So, I'll call for the vote. All those in
[1:15:14] favor say I.
[1:15:16] I.
[1:15:16] >> I. I.
[1:15:18] Nay.
[1:15:19] Opposed?
[1:15:22] Motion carries 8 to 1.
[1:15:26] Okay, we will move on to 5.2.
[1:15:31] This is the phase two general
[1:15:35] um general construction bid.
[1:15:38] So, the board is requested to consider
[1:15:40] and recommend one of the following.
[1:15:43] Now, you can see the resolution there
[1:15:46] and this would be for the metal panel
[1:15:50] would be option A.
[1:15:53] That is 11,004,600.
[1:15:57] So, that is inclusive of the base bid
[1:16:00] with alternate 3A, 3B and 4.
[1:16:03] Then option B is the
[1:16:08] uh base bid with alternate 2A, 2B and 4
[1:16:13] and that's for 10,910,900.
[1:16:16] And that is what you described as like a
[1:16:18] bag, correct?
[1:16:21] 2A 2A has a protective panel over the
[1:16:24] bag.
[1:16:25] Protective panel over the bag. Okay. So,
[1:16:29] option A is the metal panel, two is a
[1:16:31] protective panel over the bag and then
[1:16:34] option three is 10,797.
[1:16:39] That's just the bag. And that's right.
[1:16:41] 10,797,000
[1:16:44] and that is inclusive of the base bid
[1:16:46] only. So, those are the three options,
[1:16:49] the metal paneling,
[1:16:51] the
[1:16:52] protective paneling and just the regular
[1:16:56] bag.
[1:16:58] So, would someone like to make
[1:17:00] I was just going to say regardless of
[1:17:02] which of the three options we go with as
[1:17:04] the board sees the agenda has language
[1:17:06] on there. It makes the award contingent
[1:17:08] on receipt of all the bonds that we
[1:17:09] would need, the contracts we would need
[1:17:11] and there's language about the right of
[1:17:12] recession that relates to the fact that
[1:17:14] there's two permanent items that just
[1:17:15] need to get cleaned up. So,
[1:17:17] >> I will I'll read that part that's the
[1:17:19] same in all three. The award of this
[1:17:21] contract is expressly made contingent
[1:17:23] upon receipt of all governmental
[1:17:25] approvals and or permits required for
[1:17:27] the project. Said award is further made
[1:17:29] contingent upon the receipt of the
[1:17:31] appropriate performance and payment
[1:17:33] bonds, certificates of insurance and
[1:17:35] signed standard form of agreement
[1:17:36] between owner and contractor, all in
[1:17:39] compliance with the bidding and contract
[1:17:40] documents. The board receives reserves
[1:17:43] the right to rescind this award without
[1:17:46] liability to the awarded contractors
[1:17:48] prior to the execution of the standard
[1:17:50] form of agreement between the owner and
[1:17:52] contractor by the school district if
[1:17:54] within 120 days of the date the bids
[1:17:58] were opened.
[1:18:00] And Mrs. Wean, if I may, we did learn
[1:18:02] today via email that the Berks County
[1:18:05] Conservation District permit was
[1:18:07] approved.
[1:18:08] So, Wilkinson Design Group is has sent
[1:18:11] the necessary digital document and is
[1:18:13] dropping off the hard copy paperwork
[1:18:15] tomorrow morning. So, things are moving
[1:18:17] forward with the Conservation District
[1:18:19] and hopefully that's will get things
[1:18:21] moving with the Township as well on that
[1:18:24] permit.
[1:18:26] Okay, so I read all the legal things I
[1:18:28] have to read, correct? Um
[1:18:31] so then I'm looking for a motion for
[1:18:34] either option A metal panel,
[1:18:37] B
[1:18:38] protective
[1:18:40] over top of the
[1:18:42] insulation and C just the base bid.
[1:18:49] I'll make a motion to go with the
[1:18:50] insulated metal panel.
[1:18:54] Is that option Yeah, A. Option A.
[1:18:56] >> Option A.
[1:18:58] Second ball.
[1:19:04] Are there any additional
[1:19:07] comments?
[1:19:08] I mean, I guess I have some questions
[1:19:10] probably for Harry
[1:19:12] with regards to the durability because
[1:19:15] now
[1:19:17] now we're this option is the one that's
[1:19:19] just the insulated metal panel. So, it
[1:19:21] does not have the bag, does not have the
[1:19:23] inner this is just a single
[1:19:25] insulated panel.
[1:19:29] Can you I'm sorry, can you come to the
[1:19:31] there's just the public needs to be able
[1:19:32] to hear what you say. I'm sorry.
[1:19:34] So I guess one one end of the comment
[1:19:37] You may recall or
[1:19:40] So up to a certain point we have a solid
[1:19:42] wall.
[1:19:43] The bag is everything above that.
[1:19:46] Okay. Depends on what room you're in or
[1:19:48] how high that block
[1:19:50] is going to extend up.
[1:19:51] >> the cinder block wall up to a certain
[1:19:53] height. And then you have the insulation
[1:19:55] above.
[1:19:56] >> And then above that Yes.
[1:19:58] >> is where we're talking about one of
[1:20:00] these three options. And the option
[1:20:01] specifically that Mr. Rossi put forward
[1:20:04] is just the metal panel with basically
[1:20:06] like a foam kind of insulation built
[1:20:08] into it.
[1:20:11] Are you putting option A or
[1:20:14] Three. Three.
[1:20:16] So three has three is a full panel
[1:20:19] above. That's
[1:20:20] >> Correct.
[1:20:20] >> Okay. So there's no bags of insulation.
[1:20:22] There's no it's just a one-piece
[1:20:24] insulation built in. Yes, sir. Okay. And
[1:20:26] what's the durability of that?
[1:20:30] >> [snorts]
[1:20:30] >> It's a solid
[1:20:32] It's a solid panel. Is that the one you
[1:20:34] said would get dings and stuff in it
[1:20:36] from the thing? That would be two A.
[1:20:38] >> be two. That would be two A.
[1:20:41] Two would be metal over the bags.
[1:20:43] >> That's correct.
[1:20:44] >> thin metal but you don't have any
[1:20:45] structure supporting it.
[1:20:47] Three Three is metal over the bag.
[1:20:51] Three Mr. Rossi has it. Correct.
[1:20:54] Yes. Okay. So I guess that inner So
[1:20:56] option two which is the bag with the
[1:20:58] thin metal on the outside That is the
[1:21:01] one you're saying get dented up and
[1:21:03] dinged up relatively easy.
[1:21:04] >> going to get
[1:21:05] >> This one which we're talking about A
[1:21:06] which is the one-piece metal. It's a
[1:21:08] very durable
[1:21:10] panel composite. So we don't really have
[1:21:12] to be that concerned about it.
[1:21:14] It's a rigid It's a rigid material.
[1:21:19] That's correct.
[1:21:24] Whereas the other one is just that It's
[1:21:25] just a covering without any real
[1:21:27] support.
[1:21:31] There's much more give so you can get
[1:21:32] more damage.
[1:21:35] But they are replaceable. So
[1:21:37] with the option three A and three B
[1:21:40] [cough]
[1:21:41] does that go all the way to the ceiling
[1:21:44] then?
[1:21:46] Okay.
[1:21:47] Okay.
[1:21:50] Okay. Perfect.
[1:21:51] Thank you.
[1:21:58] Two two B
[1:22:06] No, I got it.
[1:22:07] >> [cough and clears throat]
[1:22:10] >> Okay. Is everyone
[1:22:12] clear?
[1:22:21] Yeah. No matter what option we pick
[1:22:23] there is block masonry construction up
[1:22:25] to a certain level because that's the
[1:22:27] area the wall that takes most of the
[1:22:28] hit. So it would look it would look a
[1:22:30] lot like what we have right now. That's
[1:22:32] Yes. That's correct.
[1:22:36] Okay.
[1:22:37] Any other questions? So we are that we
[1:22:40] are option A. Option A is what That's
[1:22:44] that's what I Yes. And that's what I was
[1:22:46] seconding. We have a motion and a second
[1:22:48] for option A which is the base bid with
[1:22:52] alternate three A three B and four.
[1:22:57] I call the question.
[1:22:59] Okay. All those in favor say I.
[1:23:02] I. Opposed? Nay.
[1:23:04] Motion carries eight to one.
[1:23:08] Okay. Moving on to 5.3.
[1:23:11] The board is requested to con
[1:23:13] con
[1:23:14] Excuse me. To consider and recommend
[1:23:16] approval of phase two mechanical
[1:23:18] construction low bid of Liebold
[1:23:20] Incorporated in the amount of 1,305,000.
[1:23:24] The award of this contract is expressly
[1:23:26] made contingent upon receipt of all
[1:23:28] governmental approvals and or permits
[1:23:30] required for the project. Said award is
[1:23:32] further made contingent upon the receipt
[1:23:34] of the appropriate performance and
[1:23:36] payment bonds, certificates of
[1:23:37] insurance, and signed standard form of
[1:23:40] agreement between owner and contractor
[1:23:42] all in compliance with the bidding and
[1:23:43] contract documents. The board reserves
[1:23:46] the right to rescind this award without
[1:23:47] liability to the awarded contractors
[1:23:50] prior to the execution of the standard
[1:23:51] form of agreement between the owner and
[1:23:53] contractor by the school district if
[1:23:55] within 120 days of the date bids were
[1:23:59] opened.
[1:24:00] May I have a motion, please?
[1:24:03] So moved, Rossi. Second, Maul.
[1:24:06] Any questions regarding 5.3?
[1:24:13] If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[1:24:16] Opposed? Opposed, nay.
[1:24:19] Motion carries eight to one. 5.4.
[1:24:23] The phase two plumbing construction bid.
[1:24:26] The board is requested to
[1:24:28] and to consider and recommend approval
[1:24:30] of the phase two plumbing construction
[1:24:32] low bid of Liebold Incorporated in the
[1:24:34] amount of $860,000.
[1:24:37] The award of this contract is expressly
[1:24:39] made contingent upon receipt of all
[1:24:40] governmental approvals and or permits
[1:24:42] required for the project. Said award is
[1:24:45] further made contingent upon the receipt
[1:24:47] of the appropriate performance and
[1:24:48] payment bonds, certificates of
[1:24:50] insurance, and signed standard form of
[1:24:52] agreement between owner and contractor
[1:24:54] all in compliance with the bidding and
[1:24:56] contract documents. The board reserves
[1:24:58] the right to rescind this award without
[1:25:00] liability to the awarded contractors
[1:25:02] prior to the execution of the standard
[1:25:04] form of agreement between the owner and
[1:25:06] contractor by the school district if
[1:25:08] within 120 days of the date bids were
[1:25:11] opened.
[1:25:12] May I have a motion, please?
[1:25:14] So moved, Rossi. Second, Lash. Any
[1:25:17] questions or comments?
[1:25:20] Not, all those in favor say I. I.
[1:25:23] Opposed? No. Motion carries eight to
[1:25:26] one.
[1:25:27] 5.5.
[1:25:29] Phase two electrical construction bid.
[1:25:32] The board is requested to consider and
[1:25:34] recommend approval of the phase two
[1:25:35] electrical construction low bid of
[1:25:38] Hernansing Electric Incorporated in the
[1:25:40] amount of 1,765,000.
[1:25:43] The award of this contract is expressly
[1:25:45] made contingent upon receipt of all
[1:25:47] government approvals and or permits
[1:25:49] required for the project. Said award is
[1:25:51] further made contingent upon the receipt
[1:25:53] of the appropriate performance and
[1:25:54] payment bonds, certificates of
[1:25:56] insurance, and signed standard form of
[1:25:58] agreement between owner and contractor
[1:26:00] all in compliance with the bidding and
[1:26:02] contract documents. The board reserves
[1:26:04] the right to rescind this award without
[1:26:06] liability to the awarded contractors
[1:26:08] prior to the execution of the standard
[1:26:10] form of agreement between the owner and
[1:26:12] contractor by the school district if
[1:26:14] within 120 days of the date bids were
[1:26:17] opened. May I have a motion, please?
[1:26:21] So moved, Amoroso.
[1:26:23] Second.
[1:26:25] Second, Wimp.
[1:26:26] Any additional questions or comments?
[1:26:30] If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[1:26:33] Opposed? No.
[1:26:34] Motion carries eight to one. So we have
[1:26:37] one additional item, 5.6.
[1:26:41] Trane USA Incorporated quote for the
[1:26:44] elementary school unit ventilator hot
[1:26:46] water refrigerant coil replacements.
[1:26:51] This the board is requested to consider
[1:26:53] and approve a payment and performance
[1:26:55] bonds addendum to the quote from Trane
[1:26:58] US Incorporated for the 11 unit
[1:27:01] ventilator hot water refrigerate cool
[1:27:03] replacements at the elementary school in
[1:27:05] the amount of $1,800.
[1:27:08] May I have a motion, please?
[1:27:09] >> Motion, Brown. Second.
[1:27:11] Second, Rossi.
[1:27:13] Dr. Winters?
[1:27:15] So to provide some additional
[1:27:16] background, so um this is an addendum to
[1:27:19] the quote that the board approved in
[1:27:20] March, the $99,000 quote um for the
[1:27:24] Trane work in the elementary school. Um
[1:27:27] at the recommendation um of uh our
[1:27:29] solicitor um because it's repairs but
[1:27:34] somewhat but could be construed as
[1:27:37] construction work as well, um there was
[1:27:39] a need to have an addendum to that quote
[1:27:42] for payment and performance bonds and
[1:27:44] there is an added cost um on Trane's end
[1:27:47] for that in the amount of $1,800. So the
[1:27:50] approval is an addendum to include those
[1:27:53] bonds um at the recommendation of
[1:27:55] council.
[1:27:58] Okay. Any questions?
[1:28:00] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[1:28:02] those in favor say I. I. Opposed?
[1:28:06] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:28:09] Okay. Moving on to 6.0. Is there any
[1:28:11] other old business or good of the order?
[1:28:15] I do have good of the order.
[1:28:17] I'd like to congratulate
[1:28:20] senior Owen Eisenhoffer.
[1:28:23] Owen went to national swimming last
[1:28:26] week.
[1:28:27] He won a gold medal in
[1:28:30] 200 free. He won a gold
[1:28:34] medal in
[1:28:38] 400 free.
[1:28:40] He won silver with his relay team
[1:28:44] in 400 medley relay and silver in the
[1:28:49] 800 medley relay. And I believe in
[1:28:53] Valley history this is our first
[1:28:55] national championship winner. So I
[1:28:59] really would like to extend
[1:29:01] congratulations [applause] to Owen.
[1:29:06] And today he was delivering mulch to my
[1:29:08] house. So
[1:29:09] >> [laughter]
[1:29:11] >> He's
[1:29:11] I really I really really appreciate
[1:29:15] having him do that. But I really wanted
[1:29:18] to congratulate him on his wins last
[1:29:20] week. So, I was glad to see him.
[1:29:24] Thank you for that, Linda. Is there any
[1:29:26] other Yep, I have something as well
[1:29:28] while we're recognizing some of our
[1:29:30] athletes since we're talking about the
[1:29:32] field house. Um Layla Gilmore is a
[1:29:34] junior and she beat the school record in
[1:29:37] the long jump with a jump of 18 ft 7 in.
[1:29:42] Um so, congratulations to Layla as well.
[1:29:44] She's pretty amazing all around.
[1:29:51] So, I don't know if the if the people at
[1:29:53] home could hear third longest ever in
[1:29:55] Berks County on a bad day.
[1:30:01] I think she's closing in on the state
[1:30:02] record. I don't think the state record
[1:30:04] is much more than that.
[1:30:07] I saw 19
[1:30:09] Right, yeah.
[1:30:11] Right.
[1:30:14] She's getting close to
[1:30:17] That's something.
[1:30:20] Is there anyone else?
[1:30:23] Um just so if you haven't seen it, um
[1:30:25] there's going to be a bake sale to raise
[1:30:27] money for the Xavier Mateo Memorial Fund
[1:30:30] um at the stadium on Friday, April 17th.
[1:30:32] If you're willing to donate something or
[1:30:34] feel the need to go out and get
[1:30:36] something good to eat, please all the
[1:30:37] money goes to the scholarship that will
[1:30:40] be awarded this year to a senior. Okay,
[1:30:42] and what day is that again? Friday,
[1:30:44] April 17th.
[1:30:48] Okay, anyone else?
[1:30:51] If not, may I have a motion for
[1:30:53] adjournment? So moved, Maul. A second?
[1:30:55] Steinke. All those in favor say I. I.
[1:30:59] Opposed?
[1:31:00] Motion carries.
[1:31:02] Thank you for your coming this evening.
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2026-04-20_lYh2j2darD0.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2026-04-20 (committee; financing consensus (no minutes))
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYh2j2darD0
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:01:05] Like to call to order the Schuylkill
[0:01:07] Valley School Board meeting. Please rise
[0:01:09] for the pledge to the flag.
[0:01:12] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
[0:01:14] United States of America and to the
[0:01:16] Republic for which it stands, one nation
[0:01:19] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[0:01:22] justice for all.
[0:01:27] >> Okay, roll call, please.
[0:01:31] Mr. Amaral?
[0:01:32] >> Here.
[0:01:32] >> Mr. Brown?
[0:01:33] >> Here.
[0:01:34] >> Mrs. Lash?
[0:01:35] >> Here.
[0:01:36] >> Mrs. Matthews?
[0:01:37] >> Here.
[0:01:38] >> Mr. Moll?
[0:01:39] >> Here.
[0:01:40] >> Mr. Rossi?
[0:01:42] >> Here.
[0:01:43] >> Mrs. Stankiewicz?
[0:01:45] >> Here.
[0:01:46] >> Mrs. Weant?
[0:01:47] >> Here.
[0:01:48] >> Mr. Weant?
[0:01:49] >> Here.
[0:01:50] >> Okay, I just have a couple of things
[0:01:52] before we start. Tonight, under the
[0:01:54] budget and finance committee report,
[0:01:56] we're going to have another budget
[0:01:57] presentation and we will be discussing
[0:02:00] the budget. Then next Monday night we'll
[0:02:02] be voting on the budget. So, I'm saying
[0:02:05] this right up front because I I want to
[0:02:07] make sure this discussion tonight and
[0:02:09] subsequent vote uh next Monday doesn't
[0:02:11] get lost in the shuffle. So, here's the
[0:02:14] thing. In the past we had newspaper
[0:02:17] reporters at the meetings and the next
[0:02:18] day everyone could read a synopsis of
[0:02:21] the most important things discussed and
[0:02:23] it was a way to communicate with items
[0:02:25] that would be coming up at the next
[0:02:26] meeting. We don't have that anymore.
[0:02:28] There's no reporters coming to the
[0:02:29] meetings and there's not even local
[0:02:31] school board or township meetings in the
[0:02:33] news anymore. So, unless you listen to
[0:02:35] the entire meeting online or sit here in
[0:02:37] person for hours, people are going to
[0:02:39] miss things. So, we are looking at ways
[0:02:42] to improve communication, overall
[0:02:44] communication, and this is one of the
[0:02:46] things that we want to improve. Um we're
[0:02:49] not making decisions in a vacuum. We are
[0:02:51] having open committee meetings several
[0:02:53] times a month and I I do want to thank
[0:02:56] those who are coming out to the meetings
[0:02:57] and to continue to stress the importance
[0:03:00] of those workshop meetings.
[0:03:02] So, last month I stated we'd be voting
[0:03:04] on the field house sometime after Easter
[0:03:06] and we did get a communication out on
[0:03:08] our website that there would be a
[0:03:09] special meeting. Um we got to correct it
[0:03:11] to include that the field house was one
[0:03:14] of the items on the agenda,
[0:03:16] but unless you check our day our
[0:03:17] district website daily, um you might
[0:03:20] miss it and that's what we're working on
[0:03:22] to improve ways that we communicate
[0:03:24] not only to parents, but to the rest of
[0:03:27] the School Kill Valley community.
[0:03:28] So, if you are interested in hearing the
[0:03:31] budget discussion, which I know is
[0:03:32] important to many people, and if you are
[0:03:34] listening to this meeting at a later
[0:03:36] time, you can go ahead and fast forward
[0:03:39] to the A.0 section and know um that
[0:03:43] we're going to vote on it next Monday.
[0:03:45] So, we're also going to discuss the
[0:03:47] funding options for the field house
[0:03:49] tonight. That does not need an actual
[0:03:51] vote, but we'll discuss it tonight and
[0:03:54] there may or may not be a consensus on
[0:03:56] how to proceed with that. So again, if
[0:03:59] you're watching this later, you'll have
[0:04:01] to fast forward to the budget and
[0:04:03] finance to find that out.
[0:04:05] So we are continuing to discuss ways of
[0:04:08] how the board communicates, whether it
[0:04:10] be on our district website or Facebook
[0:04:12] or grocery store aisles, and that will
[0:04:14] be an ongoing discussion moving forward.
[0:04:17] So any ideas you may have, send us an
[0:04:20] email.
[0:04:21] Frank is the chairman of the policy
[0:04:23] personnel and public relations committee
[0:04:25] and it's his committee that has been
[0:04:27] having discussions about this issue.
[0:04:30] So now we will move forward to the
[0:04:32] policy personnel and public relations to
[0:04:34] Frank Amaral.
[0:04:37] >> Thank you, Carol. 6.0 solicitor's
[0:04:39] report. Alicia, do you have anything?
[0:04:41] >> Just very briefly, I've been working
[0:04:44] with the solicitor for Leesport Borough
[0:04:46] to develop an water line agreement
[0:04:49] relating to Ashley Way. I thank Mr.
[0:04:51] Rossi for giving some feedback on that.
[0:04:55] I have shared that recently with the
[0:04:57] board president Dr. Winters and Mr.
[0:04:59] Rossi. I think that could be on the
[0:05:00] agenda for next Monday's meeting. It's
[0:05:02] not here yet because I just received it,
[0:05:04] but I wanted to give that brief update.
[0:05:08] >> Okay, thank you, Alicia.
[0:05:09] Just a little update on what we've been
[0:05:11] doing between meetings. The policy and
[0:05:14] personnel committee met on April 7th for
[0:05:16] a public work session.
[0:05:17] Continue to work on the non-certified
[0:05:19] employee compensation plan and the new
[0:05:21] exit interview procedures.
[0:05:23] I believe we've pretty much wrapped up
[0:05:24] the exit interview procedure and hope to
[0:05:26] finish work on the non-certified
[0:05:28] employee compensation plan very soon.
[0:05:31] We also discussed and recommended the
[0:05:32] renewals of the BCIU guest teacher
[0:05:34] program,
[0:05:36] Frontline Substitute Services and
[0:05:38] DocuSign.
[0:05:39] Those will all be on the agenda this
[0:05:41] evening.
[0:05:42] We completed work on policy 010 for
[0:05:45] board hiring and put it on the agenda
[0:05:47] for a first reading this evening. We
[0:05:48] also revisited the verbage in policy 620
[0:05:51] for fund balance.
[0:05:52] The committee decided to modify some of
[0:05:54] the verbage, which we will discuss in
[0:05:56] more detail in a few minutes.
[0:05:58] Finally, the committee discussed how to
[0:05:59] better advertise and publicize special
[0:06:01] board meetings. Publishing meetings in
[0:06:03] newspaper and on the school website
[0:06:05] doesn't seem to have the desired reach.
[0:06:07] We will continue to use those avenues,
[0:06:09] but we also discussed how to better use
[0:06:11] social media as a tool to reach more
[0:06:13] community members as Carol had alluded
[0:06:15] to. So, we're going to continue working
[0:06:17] on that and trying to find the best ways
[0:06:19] to get the word out to the community
[0:06:21] about meetings and special meetings.
[0:06:24] All right.
[0:06:25] Moving [clears throat] on, we have 6.1
[0:06:27] persons who wish to address the board.
[0:06:29] Do we have anybody signed up this
[0:06:30] evening?
[0:06:32] All right.
[0:06:33] Um there are no speakers this evening
[0:06:36] and our next item is a voting item, so
[0:06:38] I'm going to pass it back to Carol for
[0:06:40] that.
[0:06:41] >> Okay, we have two items on the agenda
[0:06:43] for voting items. The first is
[0:06:45] employment. Consistent with the Public
[0:06:48] School Code of 1949, the Board of
[0:06:50] Directors of the Schuylkill Valley
[0:06:51] School District hereby makes a motion to
[0:06:53] elect Dr. Dennis Quirk Superintendent of
[0:06:56] Schools for a time period commencing on
[0:06:58] June 8th, 2026 through June 30th, 2029
[0:07:02] and approving an employment contract
[0:07:04] with Dr. Quirk for the same time period
[0:07:07] herein.
[0:07:08] May I have a motion, please?
[0:07:10] >> So moved, Amarel.
[0:07:14] >> Any questions or comments?
[0:07:16] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[0:07:18] those in favor say I.
[0:07:19] >> I.
[0:07:20] >> I.
[0:07:20] >> No?
[0:07:22] Opposed?
[0:07:23] Okay, motion carries 9-0.
[0:07:27] Congratulations. Would you like to uh
[0:07:29] say a few words? [applause]
[0:07:34] >> [applause]
[0:07:35] >> So, first and foremost, thank you so
[0:07:37] much. It is an absolute honor and
[0:07:39] privilege to be selected as the next
[0:07:40] Superintendent of Schuylkill Valley and
[0:07:42] I want you to know that I absolutely
[0:07:44] don't take this responsibility for
[0:07:46] granted. Over the last couple months,
[0:07:48] I've had a tremendous opportunity to
[0:07:50] engage with a lot of people within this
[0:07:52] community, and in every single
[0:07:53] interaction, I've only gotten more and
[0:07:55] more excited to start my work here and
[0:07:57] to become a panther. And there are two
[0:07:59] things that really have resonated with
[0:08:00] me with every interaction. Number one,
[0:08:03] it's very clear to me that every single
[0:08:05] person within the Schuylkill Valley
[0:08:06] committee community is very passionate.
[0:08:09] Very passionate of who they are, very
[0:08:10] passionate of what they're a part of,
[0:08:12] and very passionate of our schools. And
[0:08:14] the second thing that has really stood
[0:08:15] out to me is how prideful every single
[0:08:17] person is for the work that we do for
[0:08:19] our learners. So, I am incredibly
[0:08:22] excited to walk alongside every single
[0:08:24] person in this district, to roll up my
[0:08:25] sleeves, and to learn from, to partner
[0:08:28] with, and to drive forward as as one
[0:08:31] school district to continue to advance
[0:08:33] panther pride, and really to challenge
[0:08:35] our capacity to constantly grow what we
[0:08:38] do for the betterment of our learners in
[0:08:40] our community. So, June 8th really can't
[0:08:42] come soon enough in my mind, but I'm
[0:08:45] very eager and very excited to work
[0:08:47] alongside the people in this room and
[0:08:48] within the community at large. So, thank
[0:08:50] you once again for the opportunity.
[0:08:53] >> [applause]
[0:08:57] >> Thank you. We're very much looking
[0:08:59] forward to it. Would you just like to
[0:09:00] introduce your family?
[0:09:01] >> Absolutely.
[0:09:03] These are
[0:09:04] the special people in my life. This is
[0:09:06] my oldest daughter, May.
[0:09:08] My youngest daughter, Autumn, who was
[0:09:09] going to give a speech, but she let me
[0:09:10] do it.
[0:09:13] And then my wife, Megan. So, they're all
[0:09:15] excited as well to to become panthers,
[0:09:17] right?
[0:09:20] >> Thank you.
[0:09:22] Okay, we'll move on to 6.3.
[0:09:26] The board is requested to consider and
[0:09:28] recommend approval of the layoff of
[0:09:30] Michelle Viera, effective June 30th,
[0:09:32] 2026, for purposes of economics and
[0:09:35] reorganization of the Human Resources
[0:09:37] Department. May I have a motion, please?
[0:09:40] >> So moved, Admiral.
[0:09:42] >> A second?
[0:09:45] >> Second, ma'am.
[0:09:47] >> Any additional comments?
[0:09:51] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[0:09:52] those in favor say aye.
[0:09:54] >> Aye.
[0:09:54] >> Opposed?
[0:09:55] >> Aye.
[0:09:56] >> No.
[0:09:59] >> Okay, motion carries eight to one.
[0:10:03] And I would like to um publicly thank
[0:10:06] Michelle for her time here.
[0:10:09] Okay, um we will move that back to
[0:10:12] Frank.
[0:10:14] >> Okay, thanks, Carol.
[0:10:16] 6.4
[0:10:19] Retirements. And the committee is
[0:10:21] requested to consider and recommend
[0:10:22] approval of the following resignations
[0:10:24] due to retirement effective with the
[0:10:26] last day of the 25-26 school year unless
[0:10:29] otherwise noted.
[0:10:31] Ms. Deborah Bittner, special education
[0:10:33] paraprofessional,
[0:10:34] effective June 30th of 2026.
[0:10:37] Mr. Jeffrey Shallot, mathematics
[0:10:39] teacher,
[0:10:40] Mr. Mitchell Gaul, science teacher,
[0:10:43] Mrs. Patricia Lacey, business education
[0:10:45] teacher, effective August 21st, 2026.
[0:10:49] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:10:53] All right, we'll move that forward.
[0:10:56] 6.5,
[0:10:57] resignation.
[0:10:59] The committee is requested to accept
[0:11:01] with regret and best wishes for the
[0:11:02] future the following registration.
[0:11:05] Amelia Herbert, special education
[0:11:07] teacher at the middle school, effective
[0:11:09] June 5th, 2026.
[0:11:12] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:11:16] Move that forward. 6.6, employment,
[0:11:19] Cassidy.
[0:11:21] The committee is requested to consider
[0:11:22] and recommend approval
[0:11:24] of Ms. Brittany Cassidy, part-time food
[0:11:26] services worker, at an hourly rate of
[0:11:29] $18.87,
[0:11:31] effective
[0:11:32] April 13th, 2026 to fill the vacancy
[0:11:34] created by her own resignation.
[0:11:39] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:11:43] Moving forward to 6.7, employment Van
[0:11:46] Shayk.
[0:11:48] The committee is requested to consider
[0:11:50] and recommend approval of Mr. Brandon
[0:11:52] Van Shayk, science long-term substitute
[0:11:55] teacher at the middle school, bachelor
[0:11:57] step one, 56,303
[0:12:00] dollars,
[0:12:01] prorated for actual days worked,
[0:12:03] effective February 9th, 2026 through
[0:12:06] approximately May 6th, 2026 to fill the
[0:12:09] vacancy created by the leave of absence
[0:12:11] of Mr. Mitchell Gaul.
[0:12:14] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:12:18] Moving on to 6.8,
[0:12:20] mentor. The committee is requested to
[0:12:23] consider and recommend approval of the
[0:12:25] following mentor for the 25-26 school
[0:12:27] year at a stipend of $1,175
[0:12:31] for full-year mentors and $587.50
[0:12:35] for half-year mentors.
[0:12:37] Nedra Koller for Laura Shaver, half
[0:12:40] year.
[0:12:41] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:12:46] Move that forward, we'll go to 6.9,
[0:12:49] employment substitutes.
[0:12:51] The committee is requested to consider
[0:12:52] and recommend approval of the following
[0:12:54] substitutes for the 25-26 school year.
[0:12:58] Shelby Hinsey, guest teacher.
[0:13:00] Chloe Moyer, guest teacher.
[0:13:02] And Luke Rissinger, guest teacher.
[0:13:05] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:13:09] Moving on to 6.10, extracurricular.
[0:13:13] The committee is requested to consider
[0:13:14] and recommend approval of the following
[0:13:16] extracurricular appointment for the
[0:13:18] 26-27 school year.
[0:13:20] Approval is subject to the satisfactory
[0:13:22] receipt of all required clearances,
[0:13:24] background checks, and executed
[0:13:26] employment contracts.
[0:13:27] Daniel Gassert, varsity football high
[0:13:29] school assistant coach, $6,530.
[0:13:35] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:13:40] All right, 6.11,
[0:13:43] employment co-curricular. The committee
[0:13:46] is requested to consider and recommend
[0:13:48] approval of the following co-curricular
[0:13:50] appointment for the 25-26 school year.
[0:13:53] Catalina Lassen, art activities director
[0:13:55] in the elementary school, $576.
[0:13:59] Leanne Moyer, middle school set design
[0:14:01] painting, $305.
[0:14:05] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:14:09] All right, we'll move on to 6.12,
[0:14:11] employment community aquatic staff.
[0:14:14] The committee is requested to consider
[0:14:16] and recommend approval of the following
[0:14:18] community aquatic staff for the
[0:14:19] 2020-2025-26
[0:14:21] school year.
[0:14:23] Connor Huggard, student lifeguard at a
[0:14:25] base salary of $15 an hour.
[0:14:29] Uh
[0:14:30] with uh
[0:14:32] no bonus for experience. Are there any
[0:14:34] questions or comments?
[0:14:38] All right, we'll move on to 6.13,
[0:14:41] employment game workers.
[0:14:43] The committee is requested to consider
[0:14:45] and recommend approval of the following
[0:14:46] game workers for the 25-26 school year
[0:14:49] to be paid $40 per event.
[0:14:52] Kevin Avery and Laura Schaefer.
[0:14:55] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:14:59] We'll move that forward onto 6.14,
[0:15:02] employment volunteers.
[0:15:05] The committee is requested to consider
[0:15:07] and recommend approval of the following
[0:15:09] volunteers for the 25-26
[0:15:11] school year.
[0:15:13] Megan Antonucci,
[0:15:15] Salvatore Azzolina,
[0:15:18] Kelly Eaton,
[0:15:20] Sarah Feltz,
[0:15:23] Shannon Heistsellers
[0:15:25] Tiffany Lopez
[0:15:27] Arlene Polino
[0:15:30] Joshua Santos
[0:15:34] Andrew Smoyer
[0:15:36] and Sherleen Vasquez.
[0:15:39] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:15:43] All right, we'll move forward on to
[0:15:44] 6.15, Family and Medical Leave Act.
[0:15:49] The committee is requested to consider
[0:15:51] and acknowledge the following Family and
[0:15:53] Medical Leave Act leaves of absence.
[0:15:55] Jonathan Jenkins, Social Studies
[0:15:57] teacher, effective approximately April
[0:15:58] 24th, 2026 through May 1st, 2026.
[0:16:03] Kelly Zimmerman, fourth grade teacher,
[0:16:05] effective March 30th, 2026 through
[0:16:07] approximately May 12th, 2026.
[0:16:11] And Amanda Pollen, operation secretary,
[0:16:13] effective March 9th, 2026 intermittently
[0:16:16] through March 9th of 2027.
[0:16:19] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:16:23] All right, we'll move on to 6.16,
[0:16:26] contract for services, Frontline
[0:16:28] Education.
[0:16:29] The committee is requested to consider
[0:16:31] and recommend approval of the renewal
[0:16:33] agreement with Frontline Education for
[0:16:35] the absence and time, recruiting and
[0:16:37] hiring, and professional learning
[0:16:38] management products at a total cost of
[0:16:41] $39,672.83
[0:16:45] for the period of July 1st, 2026 through
[0:16:48] June 30th, 2027.
[0:16:51] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:16:57] All right, we'll move forward on to
[0:16:58] 6.17,
[0:17:00] contract for services, Capital Blue
[0:17:02] Cross Senior and Vision Benefit Renewal
[0:17:04] Plan.
[0:17:06] The committee is requested to consider
[0:17:07] and recommend approval of the Capital
[0:17:09] Blue Cross Benefit Renewal Plan for the
[0:17:12] Schuylkill Valley School District Senior
[0:17:13] Product for the period of 7/1/26
[0:17:17] to 63027,
[0:17:19] which reflects an increase of $35.15
[0:17:22] in monthly premiums paid by seniors and
[0:17:25] the Capital Blue Cross Benefit Renewal
[0:17:27] Plan for the Schuylkill Valley School
[0:17:28] District Vision product for the period
[0:17:30] of 7126 to 63027,
[0:17:34] which reflects no change in monthly
[0:17:35] premiums paid by the district.
[0:17:39] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:17:44] Moving on to 6.18.
[0:17:47] Contract for services DocuSign.
[0:17:49] The committee is requested to consider
[0:17:51] and recommend approval of the renewal
[0:17:52] agreement with DocuSign for the
[0:17:54] e-signatures business pro edition system
[0:17:57] at a total cost of $3,042
[0:18:00] for the period of May 6th, 2026 through
[0:18:02] May 5th, 2027.
[0:18:05] Are there any questions or comments on
[0:18:07] that one?
[0:18:09] I know since we converted over to
[0:18:11] DocuSign, we've had some growing pains
[0:18:13] here and there, but in general, it's
[0:18:15] really helped with the efficiency of
[0:18:17] getting contracts signed and getting
[0:18:18] documents signed. So,
[0:18:20] um I'm glad to see that we're going to
[0:18:22] move forward and continue that contract.
[0:18:26] 6.19 contract for services Berks County
[0:18:28] Intermediate Unit Guest Teacher Program.
[0:18:31] The committee is requested to consider
[0:18:33] and recommend approval of the renewal of
[0:18:35] the agreement with the Berks County
[0:18:36] Intermediate Unit for the Guest Teacher
[0:18:38] Program for the period of July 1st, 2026
[0:18:41] through June 30th, 2027
[0:18:44] at a total cost to the district of $900.
[0:18:48] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:18:54] Okay, 6.20.
[0:18:56] PSBA membership renewal for 26-27.
[0:19:00] The committee is requested to consider
[0:19:02] and recommend approval of the PSBA
[0:19:04] membership renewal for the 26-27 school
[0:19:06] year in the amount of $16,602.47.
[0:19:13] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:19:16] >> Just to provide some additional
[0:19:17] information, Mr. Amaral, um as Mrs. Lash
[0:19:19] indicated at a previous meeting, PSBA is
[0:19:22] undergoing some changes. Um they are
[0:19:25] basically ending their partnership with
[0:19:28] Diligent and BoardDocs. They're moving
[0:19:30] their policy portion to a PSBA policy
[0:19:33] portal on the website that is included
[0:19:36] in this membership renewal for PSBA, and
[0:19:40] they're encouraging districts to
[0:19:41] consider a product which they're calling
[0:19:43] Keystone Agenda, which is a product out
[0:19:45] of Texas called BoardBook that they're
[0:19:48] branding and tweaking for Pennsylvania.
[0:19:50] Uh I had the opportunity to sit through
[0:19:52] a webinar on Keystone Agenda, and you
[0:19:55] know, found it to be a little bit
[0:19:57] complicated and cumbersome to use.
[0:20:00] Um and so, it it would not be my
[0:20:02] recommendation that the district switch
[0:20:04] over to Keystone Agenda. I think we need
[0:20:07] to look at other options, such as seeing
[0:20:09] what Diligent's cost is for um BoardDocs
[0:20:13] for 1 more year. Um and I know there are
[0:20:16] other ways to build board agendas even
[0:20:18] without a tool like BoardDocs, and
[0:20:20] perhaps once Dr. Quirk gets started,
[0:20:22] that's something we can talk about and
[0:20:23] discuss as the team as well.
[0:20:27] >> Okay. Thank you, Dr. Winters.
[0:20:29] Anything else for 6.20 from anyone?
[0:20:33] Okay, moving on to 6.21, PSBA 2026
[0:20:36] Delegate Assembly Representative.
[0:20:39] The committee is requested to consider
[0:20:40] and recommend approval to appoint Mrs.
[0:20:43] Linda Lash, current PSBA liaison, as the
[0:20:46] PSBA Delegate Assembly Participant
[0:20:49] representing the school district on
[0:20:50] November 7th, 2026.
[0:20:53] Note the annual PA PASA PSBA School
[0:20:57] Leadership Conference will be held
[0:20:58] October 18th to the 20th of 2026, and
[0:21:01] the PSBA Delegate Assembly will be held
[0:21:04] on November 7th, 2026.
[0:21:07] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:21:09] >> I do have one.
[0:21:10] >> Sure, go ahead, Linda.
[0:21:11] >> Usually the delegate assembly is right
[0:21:13] after the conference, but this is a
[0:21:16] separate thing at Cumberland Valley
[0:21:19] High School this year, and it's not
[0:21:21] online.
[0:21:22] But,
[0:21:23] the schools our size can have two
[0:21:25] delegates if anybody else would like to
[0:21:28] go. You would get a copy of everything
[0:21:30] you would need. You might have to print
[0:21:32] it off yourself now. And
[0:21:36] um you would get a
[0:21:38] a copy of the legislative platform
[0:21:40] that's um
[0:21:42] predicted. And
[0:21:43] Cumberland Valley must be very close to
[0:21:45] where the um
[0:21:47] PSBA headquarters is. I've never
[0:21:50] or I might have been there a long time
[0:21:51] ago, but I
[0:21:53] um it's about an hour from here, so.
[0:21:56] So, if anybody else would like to do it,
[0:21:58] just let Dr. Winters know, and we can
[0:22:00] sign you up.
[0:22:03] >> Okay. Thank you, Linda, and thank you
[0:22:04] for doing that.
[0:22:07] Moving on to 6.22, Policy 620, Fund
[0:22:10] Balance, first reading.
[0:22:12] The committee is requested to consider
[0:22:14] and recommend approval to appoint Oh, it
[0:22:16] didn't move us over here. Let's actually
[0:22:18] go there. All right, there we go. The
[0:22:19] committee is requested to consider and
[0:22:21] recommend approval of Policy 620, Fund
[0:22:24] Balance, for a first reading.
[0:22:26] Uh we discussed some of the concerns
[0:22:28] raised about the verbage in the policy
[0:22:30] in our last meeting.
[0:22:31] Uh while the committee understands the
[0:22:32] concerns, we decided to keep the verbage
[0:22:34] as presented in the previous reading
[0:22:36] with the exception of the verbage
[0:22:38] detailing how excess funds get
[0:22:39] transferred. Previously, the policy uh
[0:22:42] directed administration to transfer the
[0:22:44] excess into capital reserve. The new
[0:22:46] verbage states that it is the board's
[0:22:49] discretion to determine where to
[0:22:50] transfer the portion of the exceeding
[0:22:53] 8%. So, I know you'll probably want to
[0:22:55] comment, Dave, cuz um you were had most
[0:22:58] of the concerns about this uh
[0:23:01] policy, so. Go ahead.
[0:23:02] >> Okay. Is or the first reading, is that
[0:23:05] in in board docs or is
[0:23:09] I didn't see it in I didn't see the I
[0:23:11] missed the attachment. I'll have to look
[0:23:12] >> Yeah, it's attached under public
[0:23:13] content.
[0:23:14] >> Okay.
[0:23:16] >> It's the exact same as you know, before
[0:23:18] we took it back just with that one line
[0:23:21] replaced.
[0:23:23] Okay, are there any other questions or
[0:23:24] comments?
[0:23:27] All right, we're moving on to 6.23.
[0:23:30] Policy 010, board hiring, first reading.
[0:23:34] The committee is requested to consider
[0:23:35] and recommend approval of policy 010,
[0:23:38] board hiring, for a first reading. And
[0:23:40] that is also attached under public
[0:23:42] content.
[0:23:43] Uh this policy is a high-level document
[0:23:45] that outlines general hiring practices
[0:23:47] and responsibilities.
[0:23:48] This is a new policy, not a revision. Uh
[0:23:51] we did not previously have a policy
[0:23:52] outlining our hiring practices.
[0:23:54] We use similar policies from other
[0:23:56] schools to create this policy. I think
[0:23:58] this policy will complement the new
[0:24:00] interview and hiring procedures that we
[0:24:01] recently implemented well.
[0:24:04] Are there any questions or comments
[0:24:06] about the policy?
[0:24:11] All right, we'll move on to 6.24.
[0:24:15] Policy 325, dress and grooming, second
[0:24:17] reading.
[0:24:18] The committee is requested uh to
[0:24:20] consider and recommend approval of
[0:24:22] policy 325, dress and grooming, for this
[0:24:25] should say a second reading.
[0:24:28] Uh there have been no changes between
[0:24:29] the first and the second reading.
[0:24:32] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:24:37] All right, 6.25, policy 707, use of
[0:24:40] facilities, second reading.
[0:24:42] The committee is requested to consider
[0:24:44] and recommend approval of policy 707,
[0:24:46] use of facilities, for a second reading.
[0:24:51] >> Just wanted to add that, you know, I
[0:24:53] know we'd had some discussion during
[0:24:54] first reading about um working on the
[0:24:57] ARs and the board wanting to see the
[0:24:59] companion ARs with that policy. Um,
[0:25:01] they're not complete yet. They're almost
[0:25:03] done. Um, I will have them um, prior to
[0:25:06] next Monday so that the board can see
[0:25:08] them and has the benefit of looking at
[0:25:10] them before voting on this next week for
[0:25:12] second reading.
[0:25:14] >> Okay. Thank you, Dr. Winners.
[0:25:16] And uh, as with policy 325, policy 707
[0:25:20] also had no revisions between the first
[0:25:23] and the second reading.
[0:25:25] Are there any other questions or
[0:25:26] comments?
[0:25:28] And moving on to 6.26, PSBA state
[0:25:32] funding resolution. The committee is
[0:25:33] requested to consider and recommend
[0:25:35] approval of the PSBA state funding
[0:25:37] resolution.
[0:25:39] And that document is attached under
[0:25:40] public comment.
[0:25:42] Are there any questions or comments?
[0:25:47] Okay.
[0:25:48] Uh, and now we'll move on to 6.27, any
[0:25:51] other old or new business.
[0:25:56] Hearing none, since I'm tired of hearing
[0:25:58] my own voice, I will pass it along to
[0:26:01] curriculum and technology for 7.0.
[0:26:05] >> Okay.
[0:26:06] So, um, 7.0.
[0:26:10] Thank you, Quirk family, for joining.
[0:26:15] 7.0, curriculum and technology. 7.1, are
[0:26:18] there any persons who wish to address
[0:26:20] the board?
[0:26:22] No.
[0:26:23] Okay.
[0:26:24] I will give my um, committee report at
[0:26:26] the end of of our
[0:26:31] agenda.
[0:26:32] Okay. So, 7.2, voting item.
[0:26:36] Wayfinder program and pilot for late
[0:26:39] April.
[0:26:40] The board is requested to consider and
[0:26:41] approve participation in a free trial of
[0:26:44] the Wayfinder pre-K through 12 program
[0:26:48] for potential implementation at the
[0:26:50] middle school level to support the
[0:26:52] delivery of structured advisory lessons.
[0:26:56] >> Okay.
[0:26:56] >> And thank you for reading that, Linda,
[0:26:58] but we'll do the voting item.
[0:27:01] >> What did you say?
[0:27:02] >> It's a voting item.
[0:27:04] >> I'm sorry, Carol. I
[0:27:05] >> That's okay.
[0:27:06] >> I can't I don't have my glasses.
[0:27:09] >> [laughter]
[0:27:10] >> Trying to trying to
[0:27:11] but okay, so Carol, we're going to vote
[0:27:13] on this.
[0:27:14] >> [laughter]
[0:27:15] >> Okay, so we have the voting item about
[0:27:16] the Wayfinder program pilot for late
[0:27:19] April.
[0:27:20] Uh may I have a motion, please?
[0:27:22] >> I'll I'll motion for that, Carol.
[0:27:25] >> A second?
[0:27:28] >> Second win.
[0:27:31] >> Any other questions or comments?
[0:27:34] >> I'm going to ask Mrs. Rexroad to come up
[0:27:36] here and share a little bit of
[0:27:36] information regarding this.
[0:27:39] And Mr. Sabchak, you might as well come
[0:27:40] up as well cuz all these items are
[0:27:42] either curriculum or tech and we're
[0:27:43] probably going to need both your guys
[0:27:44] for different items. [clears throat]
[0:27:47] >> Good evening. Um the Wayfinder program
[0:27:50] is actually something that Mr. McCullick
[0:27:52] um
[0:27:53] learned about at a conference that he
[0:27:56] attended. And right now we are currently
[0:27:58] nearing the end of the pilot of Everyday
[0:28:01] Speech, which is what we are using to
[0:28:03] deliver the advisory lessons at the
[0:28:06] middle school. And so this program is
[0:28:09] similar to that and also offers a free
[0:28:11] pilot. And since Everyday Speech will
[0:28:14] end at the end of this month, we thought
[0:28:17] we could um try this program for the
[0:28:20] remainder of the school year and then
[0:28:22] allow the teachers to give their input
[0:28:24] in terms of which program they felt was
[0:28:28] easier for them to use, um their
[0:28:30] students liked better, um and then that
[0:28:32] would be the program that we would go
[0:28:34] with for the start of the new school
[0:28:36] year.
[0:28:38] >> Mrs. Rexroad, could you say about how
[0:28:40] long um those are those programs that
[0:28:44] they they in the morning?
[0:28:45] >> So I
[0:28:47] the the time of the advisory program
[0:28:50] >> Just what they do each morning. How long
[0:28:52] is it?
[0:28:52] >> I'm actually, if you don't mind, I'm
[0:28:53] going to ask Mr. McCool to speak to
[0:28:55] that. He definitely knows a little bit
[0:28:57] better than I do.
[0:28:57] >> Okay, thank you.
[0:29:03] >> Thank you. Um advisory period runs every
[0:29:06] single morning for 10 to 15 minutes um
[0:29:08] right after immediately after the
[0:29:10] homeroom uh with the teacher and with
[0:29:11] the students. Um and it covers it covers
[0:29:14] the topics um
[0:29:16] meant for students to know to to grow in
[0:29:18] their affective uh behavior and how to
[0:29:21] how to get along with other with others.
[0:29:23] So, it's a it's very positive. Um it you
[0:29:26] have to be dedicated to do it um each
[0:29:28] day, but we believe this planning um
[0:29:30] fits very much with um
[0:29:32] with what our board would want our
[0:29:33] students to do as far as developing uh
[0:29:36] developing themselves students as
[0:29:38] persons um as well as good characters.
[0:29:44] >> Anyone else have any questions on that?
[0:29:46] Oh, sorry, Carol. I'm so sorry.
[0:29:47] [laughter]
[0:29:48] >> Does anyone else have any questions?
[0:29:49] >> I actually do. Mr. McCool, it says here
[0:29:51] that you'll review the findings. Is that
[0:29:53] it like a pre- and post-assessment?
[0:29:55] >> Uh
[0:29:56] reviewing the findings, we're we're
[0:29:57] referring to wanting to see how the
[0:29:59] program ran and then depending on how it
[0:30:02] as as Mrs. said um how how students find
[0:30:05] it, how the teachers find it. Um
[0:30:08] the point of the program is to give
[0:30:09] somebody a dose every day of something
[0:30:12] and um the process of uh administration
[0:30:15] writing them while they they can be they
[0:30:17] can be full and and and right to the
[0:30:18] point of what it happened what is
[0:30:20] happening um to have a program that is
[0:30:22] well researched um and also uh
[0:30:24] pedagogically and and correct for
[0:30:27] students um is a is a real benefit. So,
[0:30:30] something that's uh selectable, um
[0:30:32] interesting for the students,
[0:30:34] interesting uh for for what's happening
[0:30:36] in in real time, and then um to be able
[0:30:39] to just basically try it out and then uh
[0:30:42] make a determination at that time
[0:30:43] comparing all of what we've done
[0:30:46] throughout the year and we should
[0:30:47] probably come to a a pretty clear clear
[0:30:49] resolution in a short amount of time.
[0:30:54] >> How is that getting baked into the
[0:30:55] schedule this year?
[0:30:57] >> So currently it is planned into the
[0:30:59] schedule for basically as soon as after
[0:31:02] home room is done you it's part of the
[0:31:04] home room time period.
[0:31:05] >> Okay, so that's home room again. It's
[0:31:06] part of that initial home room time. So
[0:31:08] it's not it's just taking out of home
[0:31:09] room and they're starting their first
[0:31:11] period same [clears throat] time.
[0:31:12] >> Yeah, we still we still have all the
[0:31:13] curricular time but we but we count this
[0:31:17] we count this time as important and then
[0:31:19] the other nice part about these kinds of
[0:31:20] programs where it's selectable
[0:31:22] you don't have to do the same thing is
[0:31:24] exact same thing every single day.
[0:31:26] There's other opportunities to consider
[0:31:29] how to be together as community and and
[0:31:31] take on the the subject at hand.
[0:31:33] >> And how many weeks did that run for this
[0:31:34] free trial? It was
[0:31:36] >> Um six.
[0:31:37] They the company talked to us and said
[0:31:39] you know we can offer it they can run it
[0:31:41] as long as we need to.
[0:31:43] The timing just happens to be that one
[0:31:45] is terminating around the 27th and we
[0:31:47] can can pick this up whenever we're
[0:31:49] ready and happen to run it as long as as
[0:31:51] long as we do. This program in
[0:31:52] particular runs in cycles so it's not
[0:31:55] that the seventh grade sees it and goes
[0:31:58] oh we had this in fifth grade. It's
[0:32:00] going to have it has a lot of different
[0:32:01] curriculum going all the way from K2 212
[0:32:06] but we'll use it for 5 to 8 start.
[0:32:09] >> Okay, thank you.
[0:32:12] >> Anything else?
[0:32:20] >> Yeah, this year I start my year at my
[0:32:22] day at the middle school. I have a sixth
[0:32:23] grade home room and I have to say I like
[0:32:24] the program that we're currently
[0:32:25] piloting.
[0:32:27] It's concise and it's very sequential
[0:32:30] and the kids I think benefit from this
[0:32:32] current one.
[0:32:36] Okay, thank you.
[0:32:38] Anyone else?
[0:32:39] Okay, I have a motion in a second. All
[0:32:41] those in favor say I.
[0:32:42] >> I.
[0:32:43] >> Opposed?
[0:32:44] >> I.
[0:32:46] >> That wasn't Okay.
[0:32:48] Motion carries 9-0. Okay, I'll turn it
[0:32:51] Did she say no?
[0:32:53] >> Kelly, can you repeat your vote?
[0:32:56] >> I said yes.
[0:32:57] >> Yes.
[0:32:58] >> Okay. That's what I thought.
[0:32:59] Okay, [clears throat] motion carries
[0:33:00] 9-0. And I'll turn it back over to
[0:33:03] Linda.
[0:33:06] >> 7.3 Power School Group LLC quote Squad
[0:33:11] Schoology license and subscription. The
[0:33:14] committee is requested to consider and
[0:33:17] recommend
[0:33:19] approval of the quote from Power School
[0:33:21] Group LLC in the amount of $15,622
[0:33:26] and $0.16 for the license and
[0:33:28] subscription of Schoology for the term
[0:33:31] July 1st, 2026 to July 30th, 2027.
[0:33:36] And we did get information on that. And
[0:33:39] we're already using Schoology, and this
[0:33:41] is just a renewal of that. So,
[0:33:45] any concerns or questions about that?
[0:33:49] If not, we'll move that forward.
[0:33:52] 7.4 dual enrollment agreement with Rack
[0:33:56] for Schuylkill Valley High School.
[0:34:01] The committee is requested to consider
[0:34:02] and recommend approval of the dual
[0:34:05] enrollment agreement with Reading Area
[0:34:07] Community College for Schuylkill Valley
[0:34:09] High School for the 2026-2027 academic
[0:34:12] year at the cost of $99 per credit.
[0:34:17] Um
[0:34:18] we've been doing
[0:34:20] this for
[0:34:21] few
[0:34:22] years now, so
[0:34:24] um any questions and concerns about
[0:34:26] that?
[0:34:28] If not, we'll move that forward.
[0:34:31] 7.5 ECA science kit rental for 26-27.
[0:34:37] The committee is requested to consider
[0:34:38] and recommend approval of the ECA
[0:34:41] educational services science kit rental
[0:34:44] agreement for the 26-27
[0:34:47] school year.
[0:34:50] I just had a question about that.
[0:34:54] That's not an automatic that wasn't an
[0:34:56] automatic thing when we got that.
[0:34:58] >> So, it we did we we have a 3-year
[0:35:00] contract with them. They just update
[0:35:02] every year for your enrollment
[0:35:05] and just make sure that the same number
[0:35:07] of teachers that were teaching it before
[0:35:08] are teaching it again all of that. It
[0:35:10] needed a signature so I thought just to
[0:35:13] be transparent just to put it in front
[0:35:14] of you but yes, we did sign a 3-year
[0:35:16] contract with them last year to provide
[0:35:19] those kits. It's just an update for
[0:35:21] numbers.
[0:35:22] >> Any other questions or concerns about
[0:35:24] that?
[0:35:25] Thank you.
[0:35:26] Um then we'll move that forward.
[0:35:29] 7.6
[0:35:31] amplified DIBELS and [clears throat]
[0:35:35] DIBELS quote.
[0:35:36] The committee is requested to consider
[0:35:38] and recommend approval of quote number
[0:35:41] Q734160
[0:35:46] 2 for Mclass DIBELS 8 materials and
[0:35:49] professional development from Amplify
[0:35:52] for the 26-27 school year.
[0:35:55] Uh in my um committee report I'll talk a
[0:35:58] little bit about this but I'm going to
[0:35:59] let Mrs. Rexroad tell us
[0:36:02] sorry Jenny tell us about uh
[0:36:05] why it's called Amplify now instead of
[0:36:08] just DIBELS.
[0:36:09] >> Okay. So,
[0:36:11] um a few months ago when we had a
[0:36:13] committee meeting
[0:36:15] um
[0:36:16] some elementary teachers had asked for
[0:36:19] DIBELS at the elementary school and so
[0:36:21] there were actually multiple versions of
[0:36:23] that. There is DIBELS 8
[0:36:26] um which you can actually get free. It's
[0:36:28] a paper pencil
[0:36:30] assessment that teachers can use, but
[0:36:34] um
[0:36:35] Amplify actually hosts it on a platform
[0:36:39] to make it easier for teachers.
[0:36:41] Um it's a one-on-one assessment that you
[0:36:43] give to students.
[0:36:45] Um in that assessment on that platform,
[0:36:48] it goes through exactly what teachers
[0:36:51] are supposed to ask students. Um and
[0:36:54] then they can actually just click when
[0:36:57] when students, for example, pronounce a
[0:36:59] word wrong or um make some kind of
[0:37:03] error, they can mark those, they can
[0:37:05] mark specific things, and then it
[0:37:07] actually will provide a report at the
[0:37:09] end that we can share with parents that
[0:37:12] says that their student is doing well
[0:37:14] and is on track or
[0:37:16] um
[0:37:17] what the needs are moving forward so
[0:37:19] that then we can adjust our programming
[0:37:21] to support those children.
[0:37:24] There is also the option There's also
[0:37:27] another option through Acadience, which
[0:37:30] is essentially is called DIBELS Next.
[0:37:33] So, there was like a splitting of
[0:37:36] the DIBELS people a few years ago, and
[0:37:39] so DIBELS 8 is the original DIBELS, and
[0:37:42] DIBELS Next
[0:37:44] um Actually no, I think it's DIBELS Next
[0:37:46] was the original people, and then they
[0:37:48] renamed it DIBELS Next, and DIBELS 8 is
[0:37:51] is newer.
[0:37:52] I had spoken with the reading
[0:37:53] specialists at the elementary school.
[0:37:56] Um they recommended the Amplify mCLASS,
[0:38:00] which is the one that's on the board
[0:38:01] agenda, but because there was a split,
[0:38:04] we sent a survey out to our elementary
[0:38:07] teachers to ask which one they
[0:38:09] preferred. And so, um Amplify mCLASS was
[0:38:13] the one that actually got more votes.
[0:38:16] Um we had a little over half of the K-4
[0:38:19] teachers answer the survey, and more of
[0:38:23] them wanted the Amplify M class than
[0:38:26] wanted Acadience. So, that is the one
[0:38:28] that is in front of you right now. But,
[0:38:30] overall, there was just a desire to have
[0:38:33] an additional assessment to gain some
[0:38:35] data on students, and this would be
[0:38:38] assessing primarily their foundational
[0:38:40] skill development.
[0:38:42] >> And this is a three times three times a
[0:38:44] year one?
[0:38:45] >> Yes. Beginning, middle, and end.
[0:38:49] >> Any other questions or concerns for Mrs.
[0:38:51] Rexroad?
[0:38:52] >> I I just have a suggestion that I mean,
[0:38:54] there's still plenty of time to order
[0:38:55] this, and since we have the the new
[0:38:58] superintendent coming on, that maybe we
[0:39:01] could give some time that he would be
[0:39:03] able to attend some of these the
[0:39:05] curriculum meetings to be able to
[0:39:07] discuss these a lot of these issues with
[0:39:10] our staff to kind of bring him on board,
[0:39:13] um and that maybe we just hold off on
[0:39:15] voting this till next week until he has
[0:39:17] an opportunity to kind of go over these
[0:39:20] things with our staff.
[0:39:22] That would be agreeable
[0:39:24] to the rest of the board.
[0:39:31] >> Thank you.
[0:39:32] >> Thank you, Jen.
[0:39:43] >> So, we'll move on to
[0:39:46] 7.7 cybersecurity software.
[0:39:50] The committee is requested consider and
[0:39:52] recommend approval
[0:39:53] of the three-year
[0:39:55] 7/1/26 to 6/30/29 cybersecurity software
[0:39:59] agreement as presented.
[0:40:03] And I'll bring up Mr. Sabchuk so he can
[0:40:06] tell us
[0:40:07] as much as he can tell us about
[0:40:10] cybersecurity.
[0:40:12] >> Good evening.
[0:40:13] I appreciate you saying that cuz this
[0:40:14] item, as as the next, we try not to name
[0:40:17] the product specifically that we use for
[0:40:19] cyber reasons. But this product is a
[0:40:21] renewal.
[0:40:22] We did purchase through the BCIU and
[0:40:25] that contract is well is up at the end
[0:40:27] of the school year. So we are looking to
[0:40:29] participate and renew this specific
[0:40:31] subscription.
[0:40:34] >> Any questions or concerns?
[0:40:38] Okay.
[0:40:39] So if you stay up there, we'll move that
[0:40:42] forward and we'll go on to 7.8 web
[0:40:45] content filter. The committee has
[0:40:47] requested to consider recommend approval
[0:40:49] of the three-year 7126 to 63029
[0:40:54] proposal subscription for web content
[0:40:57] filtering as presented.
[0:41:00] >> So this is a product that we are looking
[0:41:02] to replace an existing solution in the
[0:41:04] district.
[0:41:05] It provides as well as the web content
[0:41:07] filter a classroom management piece that
[0:41:09] we've had previously in the district.
[0:41:12] The license count is
[0:41:14] our full student body.
[0:41:16] That would be for the classroom
[0:41:17] management piece. The web content filter
[0:41:19] would actually be through a different
[0:41:21] product.
[0:41:23] So this has a handful of different
[0:41:24] features and it's actually at 1/3 the
[0:41:27] price of our previous product. This
[0:41:29] company also tends to innovate a little
[0:41:30] more than what we're currently on as
[0:41:32] well as consolidate some of our vendors
[0:41:34] because we all also do have other
[0:41:35] products from this vendor in the
[0:41:36] district.
[0:41:39] >> Okay. Any questions or concerns about
[0:41:42] that?
[0:41:43] If not, we'll move that
[0:41:45] forward.
[0:41:50] Um
[0:41:55] Okay.
[0:42:05] Catch up here.
[0:42:15] >> Okay.
[0:42:16] So, that brings us to 7.9.
[0:42:18] Any other old or new business for the
[0:42:21] committee?
[0:42:26] If not, I'll just go over a little bit
[0:42:28] of what we talked about at the
[0:42:29] curriculum committee.
[0:42:32] We did have um all our committee members
[0:42:36] and we had 10 teachers that attended the
[0:42:39] curriculum committee on Thursday, April
[0:42:41] 9th.
[0:42:43] Um
[0:42:44] from our tech technology department
[0:42:47] since PSSA's is this week
[0:42:50] um
[0:42:52] our technology department got 627 20
[0:42:56] chargers
[0:42:57] and the necessary power strips that
[0:42:59] would accommodate that um for our
[0:43:03] classrooms.
[0:43:05] And we also talked about um notification
[0:43:08] of parents about any damaged
[0:43:10] Chromebooks.
[0:43:12] Uh any malicious damage that's not
[0:43:14] covered by insurance will be covered by
[0:43:16] the parents.
[0:43:17] And we may need a new policy on that.
[0:43:20] So, Frank, if you want to
[0:43:22] um
[0:43:24] bring that up in your committee.
[0:43:27] Um
[0:43:29] then for curriculum
[0:43:31] we talked about um
[0:43:33] Voice Up Berks
[0:43:36] that uh has a dual enrollment credit
[0:43:39] program and it's an alternative to other
[0:43:43] graduation requirements and this meets
[0:43:47] the grad requirements and this is
[0:43:49] offered through rack. And we also talked
[0:43:52] about Ignite 300 which is a semester
[0:43:56] course out of the University of
[0:43:57] Pittsburgh which is about the same
[0:44:00] thing.
[0:44:01] And um you use your
[0:44:04] in-house teachers to teach this
[0:44:07] and with the ignite 300 you get three
[0:44:11] credits you could get three credits for
[0:44:14] a semester course
[0:44:16] the end of the end of the year semester
[0:44:20] and you would need a master's degree
[0:44:23] instructor for that and there's a
[0:44:25] volunteering uh requirement for um in
[0:44:29] the ignite 300
[0:44:33] and then we talked about um cursive
[0:44:35] writing
[0:44:36] since the state is man has mandated that
[0:44:39] we teach
[0:44:41] cursive writing and connected italics
[0:44:44] writing and things like that in our
[0:44:45] elementary
[0:44:47] um
[0:44:48] our second grade is already
[0:44:50] [clears throat] teaching cursive it
[0:44:51] starts in January of the second grade
[0:44:53] year
[0:44:54] they're using the Zaner-Bloser
[0:44:56] curriculum
[0:44:58] um our third graders continue it
[0:45:01] and third grade also starts typing
[0:45:04] um on their devices
[0:45:07] I did ask a couple of our high school
[0:45:10] teachers
[0:45:11] um that were at the committee meeting if
[0:45:14] they were seeing our kids use cursive
[0:45:18] and they mentioned that there are kids
[0:45:20] in the high school that don't write and
[0:45:22] cannot seem to write their name in
[0:45:24] cursive so uh we were talking about what
[0:45:27] we could do to extend a little bit of
[0:45:30] cursive in our elementary
[0:45:34] then we talked about the amplify mclass
[0:45:37] dibbles and
[0:45:39] we talked a little bit about firefly
[0:45:41] which is free
[0:45:43] and that's also a three-year benchmark
[0:45:45] which is aligned to the PSSAs
[0:45:49] we talked about that Jen Joyce is still
[0:45:52] doing training
[0:45:54] um she's the IU trainer for our math
[0:45:57] curriculum
[0:46:00] uh the English the English
[0:46:04] Yeah. The ELA documents were reviewed
[0:46:08] and um, teachers were asked if they had
[0:46:10] anything to contribute to
[0:46:12] the curriculum revisions. I think a
[0:46:14] couple teachers did think they would
[0:46:16] want to add something to that.
[0:46:19] We talked somewhat about Star Reader.
[0:46:24] Uh, there was a homework survey that
[0:46:26] went out in April and
[0:46:30] one for families in April and one for
[0:46:32] teachers in April.
[0:46:34] So,
[0:46:35] um, that's about what we talked about in
[0:46:38] the curriculum committee. Um,
[0:46:41] we do get a lot of interaction from our
[0:46:43] teachers, so
[0:46:44] I
[0:46:45] I hope they're getting a lot out of our
[0:46:47] committee meeting.
[0:46:48] And I'll turn it over to 8.0.
[0:46:54] >> 8.0, budget and finance. 8.1, persons
[0:46:58] who wish to address the board.
[0:47:03] 8.2, I'll turn it over to Carol.
[0:47:06] >> Okay, we have [clears throat] two voting
[0:47:07] items. 8.2, the Gordian JOC contract
[0:47:12] with S.J. Thomas Com- Company
[0:47:15] Incorporated. The board is requested to
[0:47:17] consider and approve the authorization
[0:47:19] of a contract through Gordian with
[0:47:21] S.J. Thomas Company Incorporated for the
[0:47:24] replacement of a dishwashing machines at
[0:47:28] both the middle school and high school
[0:47:29] buildings for a total cost of
[0:47:30] $182,503.70
[0:47:34] pending legal review and approval of the
[0:47:36] final contract terms. May I have a
[0:47:39] motion, please?
[0:47:40] >> Motion, Brown.
[0:47:41] >> A second?
[0:47:45] >> Second, Rossi.
[0:47:49] >> Okay, any questions or comments?
[0:47:54] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:47:56] >> I.
[0:47:57] >> Opposed?
[0:47:58] >> I.
[0:47:59] >> Motion carries 9-0.
[0:48:01] Second voting item is the replacement
[0:48:03] dishwashing machines. Uh, the board is
[0:48:05] requested to consider and approve
[0:48:07] proposals [clears throat] from Singer
[0:48:08] Equipment Company to remove and replace
[0:48:10] dishwashing machines at both the middle
[0:48:11] school and high school buildings for a
[0:48:14] total cost of $155,585.14.
[0:48:18] May I have a motion, please?
[0:48:20] >> Motion, Brown.
[0:48:21] >> Second, Rossi.
[0:48:23] >> Questions or comments?
[0:48:26] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:48:28] >> I.
[0:48:29] >> Opposed?
[0:48:30] >> I.
[0:48:31] >> Motion carries 9-0.
[0:48:33] Okay, turn it back over to Joe.
[0:48:36] >> 8.4, approval ratification of bills.
[0:48:39] The committee is requested to consider
[0:48:41] and recommend the board approve ratify
[0:48:44] the payment of bills in the following
[0:48:47] amounts from March 9th, 2026 through
[0:48:50] April 28th, 2026 as presented. General
[0:48:55] fund, $3,936,573.35.
[0:49:00] Cafeteria fund, $115,736.76.
[0:49:07] Capital Improvement Project Fund,
[0:49:09] $40,685.33.
[0:49:13] Capital Projects Fund, $22,550.
[0:49:18] And the Middle School High School
[0:49:19] Activity Fund, $5,033.68
[0:49:24] for a grand total of $4,120,579.12.
[0:49:35] 8.5, fiscal year January to March budget
[0:49:38] transfers. The committee is requested to
[0:49:41] consider and recommend the approval of
[0:49:43] the budgetary transfers as presented.
[0:49:47] Questions or comments?
[0:49:51] 8.6, Quadient Leasing USA agreement
[0:49:54] extension.
[0:49:56] The committee is requested to consider
[0:49:58] and recommend approval of the Quadient
[0:50:00] Leasing USA lease extension agreement
[0:50:03] for the mail machine for a 12-month term
[0:50:06] effective April 27th, 2026 through April
[0:50:10] 27th, 2027 with no increase as
[0:50:12] presented. Questions or comments?
[0:50:17] The 8.7 treasurer's report, there's an
[0:50:19] executive
[0:50:21] uh file attachment uh summary
[0:50:23] year-to-date through 3/31/26. Any
[0:50:26] questions on that?
[0:50:29] The 8.8 2026-2027
[0:50:33] preliminary budget presentation and
[0:50:36] discussion.
[0:50:38] Kristen.
[0:50:42] >> Thank you. Good evening.
[0:50:48] >> And I just want to say very briefly
[0:50:50] >> before Kristen gets started, um
[0:50:52] at the conclusion of her presentation,
[0:50:55] um what we're looking for this evening
[0:50:57] administratively is upon the board's
[0:50:58] discussion is some direction in terms of
[0:51:02] where we want to go for for the purpose
[0:51:04] of the motion next week. And if we go
[0:51:06] with a tax increase, what percentage
[0:51:07] increase? So, that's that's ultimately
[0:51:10] where we want to get to by the end of
[0:51:12] the presentation and discussion.
[0:51:16] >> Um so, prior to getting involved in the
[0:51:20] preliminary budget, um I did want to
[0:51:22] provide a state
[0:51:24] more or less a state update. Um
[0:51:27] we did have the chance to um go to the
[0:51:30] Committee on Legislative Action, the
[0:51:32] most recent meeting
[0:51:34] um at the IU, and Hannah Barrick, the
[0:51:36] executive director from PASBO, was there
[0:51:38] presenting on um the state update and
[0:51:41] kind of where we're at in the budget
[0:51:43] process.
[0:51:44] Um so, just to kind of take a step back
[0:51:47] and kind of go through the
[0:51:50] um, what was put into the governor's
[0:51:51] proposal.
[0:51:53] So for the general fund budget for
[0:51:54] 26-27,
[0:51:56] total of 53.26 billion was the total
[0:52:00] proposed. It was a 5.4% increase from
[0:52:03] the 25-26
[0:52:05] budget year. Uh, one thing to keep in
[0:52:08] mind with this proposal,
[0:52:10] it includes a 4.58
[0:52:12] billion from the rainy day fund. Now,
[0:52:15] they the state has on average about 8
[0:52:18] billion.
[0:52:19] If this proposal stands, that would be a
[0:52:22] large portion of the rainy day fund that
[0:52:24] they would be depleting in this fiscal
[0:52:26] year, this upcoming fiscal year. And
[0:52:28] then looking ahead, that could
[0:52:30] potentially put them to a position where
[0:52:33] they would have no more rainy day fund
[0:52:35] in the course of another 2 years. Um, so
[0:52:39] what that really means for us and for a
[0:52:41] lot of other school districts is we
[0:52:43] could be flat funded or we could
[0:52:45] possibly start seeing reductions from
[0:52:47] the state level.
[0:52:50] So looking at the education
[0:52:52] appropriations, I just wanted to kind of
[0:52:53] list them all out for you here. We did
[0:52:56] have a $50 million increase in the basic
[0:52:58] ed formula.
[0:53:00] Also a $50 million increase in the
[0:53:02] special ed formula.
[0:53:04] There was 565 million proposed for
[0:53:07] adequacy and the tax equity supplement.
[0:53:10] There was also 125 million in solar
[0:53:13] grants.
[0:53:14] And as well as another 100 million
[0:53:16] proposed for school safety grants.
[0:53:19] And 51 million was also proposed for
[0:53:21] early intervention.
[0:53:24] So focusing on basic ed funding,
[0:53:27] the proposed increase of 50 million,
[0:53:31] it actually is the smallest increase in
[0:53:34] the past 10 years. So thinking about
[0:53:37] that rainy day fund, even including that
[0:53:41] portion, that almost 5 billion coming
[0:53:43] from the rainy day fund, as it pertains
[0:53:46] to just basic ed funding alone, it's
[0:53:48] still showing the smallest increase over
[0:53:51] the last 10 years.
[0:53:54] And it's evident, if you look at this
[0:53:56] graph here, you can get this graph goes
[0:53:58] back to 2015-2016,
[0:54:00] you'll see the peak years after COVID,
[0:54:03] and then all the way on the right-hand
[0:54:05] side in red is a $50 million increase,
[0:54:09] but it is the smallest over the last
[0:54:11] couple of years. So, looking ahead, that
[0:54:15] number could potentially start going
[0:54:16] down.
[0:54:19] So, when we think about the basic ed
[0:54:21] formula, uh poverty percentages are a
[0:54:25] large piece of the pie.
[0:54:28] Um essentially, that that is the piece
[0:54:31] that is making up, so to speak, our part
[0:54:34] our piece of the pie of the basic ed.
[0:54:36] So, it looks at the 3-year average
[0:54:38] poverty. Um you can see a couple of the
[0:54:40] other school districts here in Berks
[0:54:41] County.
[0:54:43] And highlighted there in blue is
[0:54:46] Schuylkill Valley at 4.52%.
[0:54:49] So, that is a low poverty percentage for
[0:54:51] us. And what that means is that 4.52%
[0:54:55] is feeding our formula, and it's
[0:54:58] providing a smaller share for our school
[0:55:00] district because we have a low poverty
[0:55:02] percentage.
[0:55:05] So, another area to keep in mind when
[0:55:08] looking at the formula is the median
[0:55:10] household income.
[0:55:12] So, the state median household income
[0:55:14] for going into '26-'27
[0:55:16] is $75,741.
[0:55:20] Looking across the board, um looking at
[0:55:23] '24, going back to '22, and then looking
[0:55:26] at the 3-year average across all of the
[0:55:27] school districts in the county,
[0:55:30] you'll see Schuylkill Valley in 2024
[0:55:33] alone was second highest in the county,
[0:55:36] and the 3-year average is still high
[0:55:39] compared to the rest of the school
[0:55:40] districts as well as compared to the
[0:55:43] state. Which again, that means it's
[0:55:45] pulling our share of that $50 million
[0:55:48] increase down.
[0:55:51] So, shifting gears to special ed
[0:55:53] funding. Again, we did have a proposed
[0:55:55] increase of 50 million. Um in this case,
[0:55:58] there is a statewide increase of about
[0:56:00] 3.27%.
[0:56:02] So, we're still seeing a little bit of
[0:56:04] an increase in special ed funding, just
[0:56:06] not as much on the basic ed side.
[0:56:10] This is a really
[0:56:12] um important graph and I want you to
[0:56:15] focus on the
[0:56:18] um the blue, the lighter blue
[0:56:20] um
[0:56:21] bar graph here, where you'll see on the
[0:56:24] right-hand side, it's about 7.5 billion.
[0:56:29] And this graph goes back to the 2007
[0:56:31] year. What that represents is our space
[0:56:34] our special education expenditures. So,
[0:56:37] it represents the 1200 uh function code
[0:56:41] um from the AFR or our annual financial
[0:56:43] report. You'll see it continuously
[0:56:45] growing and it's growing at a rapid
[0:56:47] rate.
[0:56:49] In the navy, the shaded navy uh lines,
[0:56:52] as well as the very, very light blue at
[0:56:54] the bottom,
[0:56:56] that's our subsidy, our state subsidy,
[0:56:59] as well as the federal IDEA B funds for
[0:57:02] special ed.
[0:57:03] Again, subsidy and the
[0:57:06] IDEA B funds are growing at a slower
[0:57:08] rate. Um the state subsidy alone is
[0:57:12] growing just exponentially each year,
[0:57:15] but it's not growing near as fast as our
[0:57:17] special ed expenditures.
[0:57:19] So, this is where we would want to look
[0:57:21] at contingency funds or contingency
[0:57:23] funding to offset some of those special
[0:57:25] education costs, as well as access
[0:57:28] funding, as well.
[0:57:31] And another area to see on here is the
[0:57:34] cyber charter special ed. Um, so
[0:57:37] again, we're seeing the similar type of
[0:57:40] situation where our cumulative increase
[0:57:44] in cyber charter school, um, cyber
[0:57:47] charter school alone, but cyber charter
[0:57:48] school special education tuition costs
[0:57:51] is just growing exponentially faster
[0:57:54] than the subsidy to offset those costs.
[0:58:00] So, ready to learn. Uh, ready to learn
[0:58:03] is budgeted, it's proposed at the base
[0:58:06] from prior year. So, it's proposed off
[0:58:08] of the 1.38 billion that was, um,
[0:58:12] received in 25-26. That's your
[0:58:15] foundation level.
[0:58:16] And then the adequacy and the tax equity
[0:58:19] was kept the same levels as prior year
[0:58:22] to average out to that 1.94 billion.
[0:58:26] Now, for us, and you'll see a couple of
[0:58:28] other school districts here,
[0:58:30] for us, typically, we receive the ready
[0:58:33] to learn component, which is that
[0:58:34] $197,000
[0:58:37] each year, but we also received this
[0:58:40] fiscal year, 25-26, an additional
[0:58:42] $50,000
[0:58:44] in the tax equity portion, and we'll
[0:58:46] also be proposed to receive that same
[0:58:48] $50,000 next year as well, in 26-27.
[0:58:55] So, thinking about the timeline,
[0:58:58] um, each fiscal year, the state must
[0:59:01] pass a budget. The deadline typically is
[0:59:04] June 30th. Um, as we've seen in prior
[0:59:07] years, they've
[0:59:09] went way past that deadline.
[0:59:11] Um, last year it was a budget impasse,
[0:59:13] and it took us into the late fall time
[0:59:17] frame.
[0:59:18] Um, in
[0:59:20] speaking with Hannah and kind of in
[0:59:22] hearing her her presentation last week,
[0:59:25] um,
[0:59:26] there is a push for the 26-27 budget.
[0:59:30] The House and Senate Appropriations,
[0:59:32] they held their hearings with PDE to
[0:59:34] review the proposals. And in looking at
[0:59:37] the primary elections that are coming
[0:59:39] up, it's really kind of a push to try to
[0:59:41] get this budget approved. And they're
[0:59:44] even looking as early as July. So, stay
[0:59:47] tuned.
[0:59:50] So, I want to go into
[0:59:55] Yeah, I don't know. So, I want to go
[0:59:56] into
[0:59:58] the preliminary budget. And again, a lot
[1:00:01] of these slides are going to look very
[1:00:02] familiar.
[1:00:04] Um, I'm going to still kind of focus on
[1:00:08] going through revenue and expenditures
[1:00:10] just to kind of give a brief update. So,
[1:00:12] keep in mind, 70%
[1:00:15] of our revenue source is local tax
[1:00:18] revenue.
[1:00:19] 26%
[1:00:21] again is that unknown from the state. We
[1:00:23] still try to budget from a conservative
[1:00:24] level.
[1:00:26] And then the remainder is made up of
[1:00:28] other revenue
[1:00:29] as well as interest on investments and
[1:00:32] federal funding.
[1:00:35] So, for local tax revenue, we did
[1:00:37] utilize a taxable assessment value of
[1:00:39] about 1.1 billion.
[1:00:42] We factored in a 0.5% increase for the
[1:00:45] 26-27 projection to remain conservative
[1:00:48] based upon the trend that you'll see
[1:00:50] soon.
[1:00:51] We still have the current millage rate
[1:00:53] of 27.82.
[1:00:56] We also assumed a 97.5%
[1:00:59] collection rate. And keep in mind, this
[1:01:01] is only including the current real
[1:01:03] estate, so not including interims and
[1:01:06] delinquents.
[1:01:09] So, again, here you'll see a five-year
[1:01:11] trend of the current real estate going
[1:01:13] back to 2022.
[1:01:15] For the 2026 year, that actual of 0.72%
[1:01:20] over prior is final for current real
[1:01:22] estate.
[1:01:23] So again, it's the smallest increase
[1:01:25] year-over-year in the last 5 years, and
[1:01:27] it's actually the smallest increase in
[1:01:29] the last 10 years as well. So like I've
[1:01:32] said before, our tax base is starting to
[1:01:34] flatten.
[1:01:35] There are some smaller phases on the
[1:01:38] horizon, as well as our parcel, uh our
[1:01:41] nearby parcel that's currently on
[1:01:42] Alurta, that will begin to recognize
[1:01:46] revenue hopefully over the next couple
[1:01:48] of years.
[1:01:51] So for our proposed expenditures,
[1:01:54] keep in mind 70 over 70%
[1:01:58] is made up of of um salaries and
[1:02:00] benefits.
[1:02:02] And when you think about committed
[1:02:05] expenditures,
[1:02:06] another 20% is made up of
[1:02:09] transportation,
[1:02:11] um contract services,
[1:02:14] bond principal and interest.
[1:02:17] So about 10% or roughly $5 million can
[1:02:22] really be affected on a year-to-year
[1:02:24] basis.
[1:02:28] So thinking about then revenue
[1:02:30] assumptions.
[1:02:31] So again, a 0.5% increase was factored
[1:02:34] into the fiscal 25 current real estate
[1:02:36] taxes.
[1:02:38] And again, it was the first year in
[1:02:39] roughly 10 years where we're starting to
[1:02:41] see the tax base flatten. And we did
[1:02:43] also factor in that 97.5% collection
[1:02:46] rate.
[1:02:48] Uh interest on investments we kept flat.
[1:02:51] Uh basic ed and special ed, like I've
[1:02:53] discussed before, we did originally have
[1:02:56] in roughly the historical amount, which
[1:02:59] was about 5 to 7%, which we've been
[1:03:01] seeing historically over the last couple
[1:03:03] of years,
[1:03:04] but the based on the proposed governor's
[1:03:07] address, we're coming in roughly closer
[1:03:08] to about 1% on the basic ed side, and
[1:03:12] just under 4% on the special ed side.
[1:03:15] And we did remove the SVEC revenue
[1:03:18] figure, which was again no reimbursement
[1:03:20] from the county, which equated to about
[1:03:22] 480,000.
[1:03:26] So,
[1:03:28] on the expenditure side, total salaries,
[1:03:30] wages, and benefits increased 850,000
[1:03:33] over the prior year's budget.
[1:03:36] I did want to focus on these two items
[1:03:38] um that are highlighted in yellow.
[1:03:40] Again, these are the two items that are
[1:03:42] the change from my last presentation in
[1:03:45] March.
[1:03:46] So, we discussed already the one
[1:03:48] executive secretary HR position that
[1:03:51] currently has been removed from the
[1:03:52] 26-27 budget.
[1:03:55] We also had one accounts payable
[1:03:57] transportation secretary position that
[1:04:00] we removed in the 26-27 budget. We're
[1:04:03] not actively hiring for, and upon
[1:04:05] further analysis of the department,
[1:04:08] we've determined to um
[1:04:11] bring some of that in-house, and we were
[1:04:13] able to manage it with the current
[1:04:14] staff.
[1:04:16] The health consortium increase
[1:04:18] uh roughly 10% is factored into this
[1:04:21] budget.
[1:04:22] The BCTC budget of 910,000
[1:04:25] has already been factored in as well.
[1:04:28] Uh charter school costs, we have the
[1:04:30] $350,000
[1:04:32] increase over the 25-26 budget in this
[1:04:35] budget.
[1:04:37] Uh the special ed increase of about
[1:04:39] 200,000 for out-of-district placement
[1:04:41] tuition and professional fees is also
[1:04:43] factored in.
[1:04:45] All building level budget requests are
[1:04:48] in this budget. We have had no
[1:04:50] reductions.
[1:04:52] We did keep the curriculum material uh
[1:04:54] budget level at the 475 like prior year.
[1:04:59] Uh keep in mind again debt service
[1:05:00] payments are kept flat, so we have no
[1:05:02] reduction in this fiscal year.
[1:05:05] We did budget for a 1% budgetary reserve
[1:05:08] of 500,000,
[1:05:10] and the SVEC projected
[1:05:12] was kept at $630,000
[1:05:15] in this fiscal year budget.
[1:05:18] Okay, so what does that translate to
[1:05:20] then in dollars? So, if you recall in my
[1:05:23] last presentation in March, that current
[1:05:25] deficit was just about 1.048 million.
[1:05:30] It's about 1.05 million.
[1:05:33] The current deficit now with those two
[1:05:35] changes, those two personnel changes, is
[1:05:38] now $838,000.
[1:05:43] So, looking at that deficit then,
[1:05:46] what are some of our options?
[1:05:48] So,
[1:05:49] one option would be increase tax millage
[1:05:52] by 0.65 or 2.34%,
[1:05:56] which would equate to about $865,000
[1:05:59] in additional revenue.
[1:06:01] That would clear the deficit, and then
[1:06:04] take the remaining surplus of $27,000
[1:06:07] and apply that to budgetary reserve.
[1:06:11] This option yields an average yearly
[1:06:14] increase per household of $97.50
[1:06:18] using an average assessment of 150,000.
[1:06:25] So, another option, we could increase
[1:06:28] tax millage 0.75
[1:06:31] or 2.7%.
[1:06:33] That would yield another $97,000
[1:06:36] $975,000
[1:06:39] in additional revenue.
[1:06:41] That would also clear the deficit, and
[1:06:43] that would that would leave a remaining
[1:06:45] surplus of 137,000
[1:06:48] that we would then apply to budgetary
[1:06:50] reserve.
[1:06:52] This option
[1:06:54] is a yearly increase per household of
[1:06:56] $112.50
[1:06:59] using an average assessment of 150,000.
[1:07:05] A third option, increase tax millage by
[1:07:08] 0.85 or 3.06%
[1:07:13] which yields additional revenue of 1.08
[1:07:16] million.
[1:07:17] This also clears the deficit
[1:07:20] and you can then take the remaining
[1:07:21] surplus of 242,000
[1:07:24] and apply that to budgetary reserve.
[1:07:26] This would yield an increase per
[1:07:29] household of $127.50
[1:07:33] using an average assessment of 150,000.
[1:07:39] Another option, increase tax millage by
[1:07:41] one
[1:07:42] or 3.59%
[1:07:45] yields additional revenue of 1.25
[1:07:48] million.
[1:07:50] This again clears the deficit and we
[1:07:52] would then take that remaining surplus
[1:07:55] of 412,000
[1:07:57] and apply that to budgetary reserve.
[1:08:00] This would be an average yearly increase
[1:08:02] per household of $150 using an average
[1:08:05] assessment of 150,000.
[1:08:09] Final option and I want to state that
[1:08:12] with this option
[1:08:15] with the Act 1 resolution that we passed
[1:08:18] in like late fall this would be the max
[1:08:22] that we could raise taxes to. So, I
[1:08:24] wanted to put this option out there as
[1:08:26] this would be the max if this would be
[1:08:28] the option so choose.
[1:08:30] So, increase tax millage 1.19
[1:08:34] or 4.28%
[1:08:36] which yields additional revenue of 1.46
[1:08:39] million.
[1:08:40] This would clear the deficit and then
[1:08:42] take the remaining surplus of 622,000
[1:08:46] and apply that to budgetary reserve.
[1:08:49] This would be an average yearly increase
[1:08:51] per household of $178.50
[1:08:55] using an average assessment of 150,000.
[1:09:06] >> Does anybody have any questions for
[1:09:07] Kristen?
[1:09:11] >> I do.
[1:09:13] So I understand. So
[1:09:16] last year's budget
[1:09:17] >> Mhm.
[1:09:18] >> was there any deficit in that in the
[1:09:21] beginning? And what did we end up with
[1:09:24] as far as deficit goes?
[1:09:27] >> For
[1:09:28] >> Like did you build in like
[1:09:30] uh to add in your reserve balance to
[1:09:32] cover the deficit or and then did we end
[1:09:36] up with
[1:09:37] uh what type of deficit are we
[1:09:39] projecting the end of the year with?
[1:09:42] >> Yeah, so for the 25-26 budget
[1:09:45] um when we built that budget, there
[1:09:48] wasn't a deficit there wasn't an initial
[1:09:50] deficit. We did we did come to a
[1:09:52] balanced budget um when we had the
[1:09:55] proposed as well as the final.
[1:09:57] This fiscal year
[1:09:59] um based on my presentation kind of I
[1:10:02] want to say back in I think it was in
[1:10:04] January I believe. Um we were proposing
[1:10:08] roughly a 1.3 million dollar deficit.
[1:10:11] We're still trending in that way. Um
[1:10:14] it's all going to depend on the
[1:10:17] subsidy reconciliation at year end which
[1:10:21] normally occur occurs in June which
[1:10:23] would factor in all of the retro charter
[1:10:25] school uh subsidy changes um that took
[1:10:29] place with the PDE 363 form as well.
[1:10:32] >> Okay, so help me understand because and
[1:10:34] I'm I don't wish to put you on the spot
[1:10:36] but you have the answers.
[1:10:38] Um so if we if we started last year, we
[1:10:41] didn't do a tax increase cuz there they
[1:10:43] felt there was no need for a tax
[1:10:44] increase and we're ending the year with
[1:10:47] over a million dollar deficit.
[1:10:50] Then
[1:10:52] it it seems problematic that we should
[1:10:54] have done the tax increase last year and
[1:10:57] then we wouldn't be facing this this
[1:10:59] year, but for whatever reason was held
[1:11:01] off and we still ended up with over a
[1:11:04] million dollar deficit, which to me is
[1:11:05] concerning. And it's my understanding
[1:11:08] that some of the positions that were in
[1:11:10] the budget weren't even filled last
[1:11:12] year. So I'd think there's you know, if
[1:11:15] they were filled, we would have had an
[1:11:16] even greater deficit. So I'm trying to
[1:11:18] get in my mind what we would need to do
[1:11:20] to try to
[1:11:21] calm everything and and
[1:11:25] be on a track that we're not
[1:11:27] put in this position going forward.
[1:11:29] >> Right.
[1:11:30] Yeah, so part of this is the ongoing
[1:11:33] situation with the SBEC, which we didn't
[1:11:36] we didn't factor in the reimbursement
[1:11:38] and that's still going to be about a
[1:11:40] $630,000
[1:11:42] offset, let's just say.
[1:11:44] Charter schools kind of still is
[1:11:46] plaguing us
[1:11:48] and it it really hit us, I want to say
[1:11:52] February of last year is really when we
[1:11:55] saw the uptick in the cost of charter
[1:11:57] schools. Um
[1:11:59] when it pertains to the positions, we
[1:12:01] did have offsetting costs in the
[1:12:03] professional services, contracted
[1:12:05] services that if we would fill those
[1:12:07] positions, we wouldn't have that
[1:12:09] offsetting costs and in contracted
[1:12:10] services, but yes, part of the issue
[1:12:13] really is the the ongoing reimbursement
[1:12:16] issue from the county as well as charter
[1:12:18] schools.
[1:12:19] >> And then going forward with this, I know
[1:12:22] you're you're talking about an $850,000
[1:12:25] increase in wages and benefits this
[1:12:27] year. So I'm assuming next year cycle is
[1:12:31] going to be more than that, but our tax
[1:12:34] our taxes coming in are flat. So how do
[1:12:37] we remedy that?
[1:12:38] >> coming in is almost starting to flatten
[1:12:40] as well. Yeah.
[1:12:41] >> And then we're going to have an
[1:12:42] increased deficit at some point over the
[1:12:45] um
[1:12:46] over the buildings.
[1:12:48] >> Yeah.
[1:12:50] Yeah, I that's kind of why I pushed you
[1:12:52] with like access funding for special ed,
[1:12:55] contingency funding for special ed
[1:12:56] because that can also offset some of the
[1:12:58] rising costs in special ed as well, just
[1:13:00] because you saw that graph and it kind
[1:13:03] of had a little bit of an increase, but
[1:13:05] then it really shot up over the last I
[1:13:07] want to say roughly 5 years that seems
[1:13:09] to be playing a lot of schools um
[1:13:12] where we're just trying to figure out
[1:13:14] then where is that offset going to be?
[1:13:16] Is it going to be at the state level or
[1:13:18] would it be additional funding as it
[1:13:20] pertains to access or contingency funds?
[1:13:22] >> Okay.
[1:13:24] All right, thank you.
[1:13:25] >> Mhm.
[1:13:31] >> Have we gotten anywhere with talking to
[1:13:34] anybody at the state level since the
[1:13:36] county isn't helping us with the SBEC
[1:13:40] deficit?
[1:13:42] >> So we actually have um a meeting set up
[1:13:45] with Representative Week That I believe
[1:13:47] it's on the 30th, the 29th or the 30th
[1:13:50] of next week um to talk about the SBEC
[1:13:55] and about the reim- the
[1:13:56] non-reimbursement.
[1:13:59] >> Yeah, I mean it can't be stated enough
[1:14:02] how much that hurts. I mean that just
[1:14:05] stuff was almost half a million dollars
[1:14:07] that just we were kind of it was implied
[1:14:10] we would be taken care of and then when
[1:14:13] it came time to pay the bill, the answer
[1:14:15] was no.
[1:14:16] Uh and we don't really have a lot of
[1:14:17] recourse.
[1:14:18] So you know, in addition to the
[1:14:20] inflation we've seen over the years and
[1:14:23] you know, as you always see the increase
[1:14:25] in salaries uh throughout the district,
[1:14:28] just throwing in half a million dollars
[1:14:30] out of the blue that we had no control
[1:14:32] over um
[1:14:34] it's just uh
[1:14:36] the cherry on top, I guess I'll say.
[1:14:38] >> Yes.
[1:14:38] >> Well, that and you look at revenue, you
[1:14:40] hit we hit it both ways.
[1:14:43] We had charter school increases that
[1:14:46] were higher than
[1:14:49] even our forecast.
[1:14:50] >> Yes.
[1:14:51] >> We had the 460,000
[1:14:55] deficit because of the county's
[1:14:57] issue. And then
[1:14:59] like Kristen said,
[1:15:02] we had the lowest increases in revenue
[1:15:07] on the other side. So, we used to have
[1:15:09] some offsets because we had the
[1:15:11] increase. If you go back to our chart,
[1:15:13] the one point we had a 5% increase.
[1:15:16] >> Right.
[1:15:17] >> And now we're 0.7% increase in revenue.
[1:15:22] So, when you don't get additional
[1:15:24] funding in and you have additional
[1:15:25] costs,
[1:15:26] you get it's a double squeeze on that.
[1:15:30] And some of these the stuff that as she
[1:15:33] alluded to, it's stuff that's beyond our
[1:15:35] control
[1:15:36] that these are forced mandates because
[1:15:39] we have to support these programs.
[1:15:41] >> Mhm.
[1:15:43] >> Yeah, I mean I I don't know because the
[1:15:46] SBEC where the county located that
[1:15:48] facility is in our school district, we
[1:15:50] you know, we were gifted this
[1:15:52] $500,000 deficit basically.
[1:15:55] I don't know many school districts that
[1:15:57] could just kind of take that
[1:16:01] and
[1:16:02] not have to do something in in response.
[1:16:04] And to be clear, we did have a
[1:16:05] conversation about a year ago, this time
[1:16:07] a year ago about should we raise taxes
[1:16:10] because we were looking at this expense
[1:16:12] and we didn't have anything on paper
[1:16:14] saying we were going to get reimbursed
[1:16:15] by the county. And I think we ultimately
[1:16:18] decided not to raise taxes because we
[1:16:20] were kind of led to believe that we
[1:16:22] would be made whole.
[1:16:23] And you know, hindsight being 20/20, I
[1:16:26] think that was probably a mistake
[1:16:27] because here we sit and we were not made
[1:16:29] whole and it doesn't look like we're
[1:16:30] going to be made whole moving forward.
[1:16:32] >> Is there any way to set up a meeting
[1:16:35] with the county commissioners and the
[1:16:37] entire board and then with state
[1:16:40] legislators and the entire board because
[1:16:43] this issue has to be resolved. We can't
[1:16:45] carry this burden by ourselves.
[1:16:49] >> Previous attempts at setting up meetings
[1:16:50] with the county commissioners didn't
[1:16:52] work out cuz they
[1:16:54] seemed to not want to have three of them
[1:16:56] in the room at the same time because it
[1:16:57] created a quorum.
[1:16:59] Which seemed like a
[1:17:01] weak excuse.
[1:17:04] But they've been full of weak excuses.
[1:17:05] >> So, advertise it and make it public and
[1:17:08] then it doesn't matter if we have a
[1:17:09] quorum. We need to get this resolved.
[1:17:16] >> And I mean, just to be clear, too. I
[1:17:18] mean, initially the pushback was, well,
[1:17:21] you're saying it's going to cost you
[1:17:23] this much as a school district to run
[1:17:25] the SVEC, but
[1:17:27] that's budgeting.
[1:17:28] Let us see the real numbers. So,
[1:17:30] basically, let the year progress.
[1:17:31] >> Yeah.
[1:17:32] >> Take in We want to see how much you made
[1:17:34] in reimbursement, how much your expenses
[1:17:36] were, and then, you know, give us a bill
[1:17:38] then we can talk. And we did that. And
[1:17:42] the bill went out and
[1:17:44] crickets.
[1:17:45] >> Yep.
[1:17:46] >> Maybe we should have a field trip to the
[1:17:48] county commissioner's meeting.
[1:17:51] Just take the whole board.
[1:17:54] >> My concern on this is we we constantly
[1:17:56] dwell on this 600 some thousand, which I
[1:17:59] I agree is a significant amount that we
[1:18:01] were
[1:18:02] faced with, but the side to that is we
[1:18:05] also put ourselves in that predicament
[1:18:06] by hiring staff over there and the
[1:18:09] amount of staff without knowing the
[1:18:11] number of students that we were going to
[1:18:12] get and the income that was going to be
[1:18:14] generated. So, you know, that that
[1:18:16] caused a lot of our uh issues with that
[1:18:20] with with not knowing but hiring staff
[1:18:22] in the interim to fill those positions.
[1:18:24] So,
[1:18:25] >> But
[1:18:25] >> I agree there's something that needs to
[1:18:27] be done, but we also have to look at
[1:18:29] what staffing levels we even need to
[1:18:31] maintain that so we're not putting the
[1:18:32] money out for that and trying to reduce
[1:18:35] that 600,000 or 500,000 back to
[1:18:39] what may be something that we could live
[1:18:41] with like we have to live with the
[1:18:43] paying for the cyber charter schools and
[1:18:45] so forth.
[1:18:45] >> Yes.
[1:18:46] >> At at the end of the day we're legally
[1:18:48] responsible.
[1:18:48] >> levels are pretty low already. Like
[1:18:52] >> And we don't have any people
[1:18:53] >> That's not the solution.
[1:18:55] >> And like we're we're legally responsible
[1:18:57] to educate them. So when they told us
[1:18:59] the number of students that they thought
[1:19:00] they were going to have, we had no
[1:19:01] choice but to plan accordingly because
[1:19:05] >> Cuz it could have it could have been a
[1:19:06] high amount. We were cuz because when we
[1:19:08] were having these conversations, it
[1:19:10] could have been 50. It could have even
[1:19:12] been more at that point. Cuz I know they
[1:19:14] had their license for I think it was 50,
[1:19:15] but then there could have been
[1:19:17] >> 50 and they could go to 100 and if they
[1:19:19] would build more it would be
[1:19:20] >> Right.
[1:19:21] >> even more. And I guess Joe, the thing is
[1:19:24] they had told us
[1:19:25] we figured the break even was 40. They
[1:19:28] had told us they were shooting for 40 to
[1:19:30] 50 cuz all these people were out there
[1:19:33] sleeping in sheriff's offices and ER
[1:19:36] rooms and all this saying hey, we have
[1:19:39] you know, it's like build it it they
[1:19:41] will come. Well, they build it nobody
[1:19:45] came, but in the meantime
[1:19:47] we had to be prepared to educate these
[1:19:50] kids because of state school code
[1:19:53] that we had to educate these kids. So
[1:19:55] you know, we've looked at where to build
[1:19:57] you know, build up or not build up.
[1:20:00] So you know, we we did all
[1:20:03] I think we did everything that you know,
[1:20:05] basically that we could. There are some
[1:20:07] options that we can look at
[1:20:10] you know, how to how to to manage costs
[1:20:13] there, but
[1:20:15] you know, the whole thing is
[1:20:17] you know, poor planning by the county
[1:20:20] you know, even though you say we keep on
[1:20:21] harping on it it's the harp and that's
[1:20:24] why there was resistance to raise taxes
[1:20:27] because I was in those meetings cuz I
[1:20:29] was president and one of the comments I
[1:20:31] came back was that oh, if you raise
[1:20:34] taxes, then you don't need our money.
[1:20:37] Well, that's not the point of
[1:20:39] our our residents should not be paying
[1:20:42] for a county function. So, if we would
[1:20:45] have raised our taxes last year and made
[1:20:47] ourselves break even on this
[1:20:50] on the backs of our residents,
[1:20:53] to me, that's not the way either.
[1:20:55] We still paid everything all our bills
[1:20:58] got paid. Yes, we did reduce some of the
[1:21:01] fund balances not knowing the other two
[1:21:03] parts of it, which was a lower revenue
[1:21:06] stream and also then charter schools.
[1:21:09] So, we had three
[1:21:10] a triple whammy going on
[1:21:13] for that. So, we figured hey, we could
[1:21:15] handle one
[1:21:17] like we'll reduce it, you know, three or
[1:21:19] four. We didn't know that number cuz we
[1:21:22] were everything was estimations and what
[1:21:25] we could do.
[1:21:27] But then when you add two more parts to
[1:21:29] it, now you're handling three things
[1:21:32] that were
[1:21:33] pretty unprecedented. If you saw that
[1:21:35] revenue stream, I can't harp on that.
[1:21:38] That's a big deal.
[1:21:40] >> And I think we're but we're not going to
[1:21:41] get away from that. We're not going to
[1:21:43] get away from the cyber charters and
[1:21:45] clearly
[1:21:45] >> Oh, I'm not I'm not saying
[1:21:46] >> You hope we can by by bringing those
[1:21:48] kids back into our district, but the
[1:21:51] reality and looking at the forecasting
[1:21:54] and I know we asked about doing a
[1:21:56] five-year forecast and you're working on
[1:21:58] that and I appreciate that, but you
[1:21:59] know, we just got to figure out over the
[1:22:01] next couple years with a flat funding
[1:22:04] resource where the where the revenues
[1:22:05] are going to come from, right?
[1:22:08] Yeah, I don't see state funding increase
[1:22:09] and especially when you're talking about
[1:22:11] them almost one and a half that rainy
[1:22:14] day fund. If you're looking at what
[1:22:15] we're trying to achieve with our fund
[1:22:17] balance and keeping a certain percentage
[1:22:19] in reserves, their their approaching,
[1:22:22] you know, by by committing that four
[1:22:24] billion dollars, right? To do the same.
[1:22:27] So, that's that's kind of dangerous. So,
[1:22:29] I don't want to rely on them for that.
[1:22:31] So, I appreciate it. Thank you.
[1:22:33] >> And you know,
[1:22:34] >> My only point is that we need to keep
[1:22:37] the county's feet to the fire. We need
[1:22:39] to keep the state's feet to the fire
[1:22:41] because we can't have our taxpayers
[1:22:43] bearing all of the burden.
[1:22:46] >> I agree with that.
[1:22:48] >> And I I hear what you're saying, too,
[1:22:50] Joe. I mean, that's almost half a
[1:22:52] million dollars, but you know, we were
[1:22:54] looking at a 1.3 million dollar deficit.
[1:22:56] So, while that's a a good chunk, we
[1:22:58] still have some other issues
[1:23:00] >> Right. There's a lot of money that
[1:23:01] Right.
[1:23:02] >> need to address that aren't just going
[1:23:03] to go away if we magically get
[1:23:05] reimbursement from the county.
[1:23:06] >> Correct.
[1:23:07] >> So, and I I believe, correct me if I'm
[1:23:09] wrong,
[1:23:10] you know, like David said, we were
[1:23:11] looking at about 40 students, I think,
[1:23:13] to break even.
[1:23:14] >> Yeah.
[1:23:14] >> And we thought we were going to get more
[1:23:16] than that. I don't know that it's Have
[1:23:18] we ever crossed into I know, we might
[1:23:20] have crossed into double digits a few
[1:23:22] times, but not very far.
[1:23:24] >> [clears throat]
[1:23:24] >> Dr. King, am I correct? We've hovered
[1:23:25] like 10 to 12 most of this year,
[1:23:27] correct?
[1:23:28] >> Yeah.
[1:23:29] >> Okay. So, a far cry from 50.
[1:23:32] >> Is there in any indication that those
[1:23:34] numbers are going to go up that that
[1:23:36] you've heard?
[1:23:40] >> Yes, they will cross the street
[1:23:42] in another year that will be a
[1:23:43] four-county agreement.
[1:23:45] >> Mhm.
[1:23:46] >> Where each county will have 10, so I
[1:23:48] would assume
[1:23:50] each county has at least 10
[1:23:53] students that they
[1:23:55] >> But that's a different program. That's
[1:23:56] not That's not the youth shelter. That's
[1:23:59] it's That's a third program that we
[1:24:01] would have to
[1:24:02] >> No.
[1:24:03] The program they were moving
[1:24:05] minus two across the street
[1:24:08] anywhere from
[1:24:09] And it's still a detention shelter.
[1:24:12] >> Combined?
[1:24:12] >> Combined.
[1:24:16] >> Christian, there were two new streams of
[1:24:19] funding they were talking about the
[1:24:22] skills games and
[1:24:23] >> Right.
[1:24:24] >> cannabis
[1:24:25] >> Mhm.
[1:24:26] >> But the skills games was more of a
[1:24:28] positive than than the licensing from
[1:24:31] the
[1:24:32] >> It was, yeah.
[1:24:32] >> dispensaries.
[1:24:33] >> Yes.
[1:24:34] >> Yeah.
[1:24:34] >> But that's not going to bring in
[1:24:37] billions of
[1:24:39] dollars.
[1:24:39] >> No. Not not to the point of
[1:24:42] basically replenishing
[1:24:44] the rainy day funds. Yeah.
[1:24:47] >> Okay.
[1:24:53] >> So basically moving forward, I mean it
[1:24:55] it's hard to have a crystal ball to say
[1:24:57] that we're going to receive this kind of
[1:24:59] funding or that kind of funding. I mean
[1:25:01] so we really have to just work with what
[1:25:04] we know is coming up or not coming up.
[1:25:07] >> Right.
[1:25:07] >> And go from [clears throat] there and
[1:25:09] decide what we want to do.
[1:25:11] >> Yep.
[1:25:14] >> I know that we had talked about going to
[1:25:16] uh you wanted to have that five-year
[1:25:18] plan but the other thing I would
[1:25:20] probably strongly suggest is maybe
[1:25:22] taking a three years cuz by the time you
[1:25:24] go out five years, you can just see and
[1:25:27] that's the unknowns that you're going to
[1:25:28] have revenue streams and everything
[1:25:31] else.
[1:25:32] The amount of effort to put in
[1:25:35] something greater than three years is
[1:25:38] going to be highly problematic that it
[1:25:40] will not be close to being accurate.
[1:25:42] Look you know even just one year, look
[1:25:44] at the volatility that we have. And
[1:25:47] especially that the states can have the
[1:25:49] biggest issue
[1:25:50] like Kristen said with
[1:25:52] for the first time in like forever,
[1:25:54] they're going to have to look to raise
[1:25:56] income tax which is what they've never
[1:25:58] wanted to do.
[1:26:00] >> And so they've played the game
[1:26:02] at the state level.
[1:26:04] So we're approaching that total unknown
[1:26:08] of you know whether to go back. So I
[1:26:10] would probably say for efforts
[1:26:12] would say not to go the five year but to
[1:26:15] could more like a three
[1:26:16] >> Prioritize like the three. Yeah.
[1:26:17] >> To to take it down to three years and
[1:26:20] even that the high probability that that
[1:26:22] third year's
[1:26:23] going to be a a swag.
[1:26:26] You know, I'm comfortable with that at
[1:26:28] least each year then we can keep
[1:26:30] >> the three-year cycle out there that we
[1:26:32] have.
[1:26:32] >> Right. Right. But I'm just saying you'll
[1:26:34] see we'll see the predictability is
[1:26:37] there's so many factors, economy, you
[1:26:39] know, put a war in, do everything else.
[1:26:42] You know, the building you know, the
[1:26:43] housing market, you know.
[1:26:47] >> Right.
[1:26:49] Okay.
[1:26:51] Okay, well, moving forward with Dr.
[1:26:53] Winter said ask some direction not that
[1:26:55] we have to I don't know that we're going
[1:26:57] to really be able to come up with one
[1:26:59] set thing, you know, obviously moving
[1:27:01] forward maybe a couple options, but is
[1:27:04] there any kind of
[1:27:07] discussion on something that like say
[1:27:10] option number five, the highest millage.
[1:27:12] Would anyone want to entertain that or
[1:27:15] is that something that we can maybe
[1:27:17] agree to eliminate that we would not go
[1:27:20] to the maximum amount?
[1:27:24] >> I don't think I want to see the max, but
[1:27:26] I think we have to look at like a mill.
[1:27:28] That's kind of where I'm at. We've been
[1:27:29] running deficits the last couple of
[1:27:30] years.
[1:27:31] Listen, we can get all worked up about
[1:27:33] the county and I'm not saying I'm
[1:27:34] excited about it, but the bill's coming.
[1:27:37] We got to accept the reality of that. We
[1:27:38] can fight and we can try to get this
[1:27:40] money, but we're putting ourselves in a
[1:27:42] hole. And we've been running deficits.
[1:27:45] I I think we
[1:27:46] going to have to rip the band-aid a
[1:27:47] little bit here. Take this to to
[1:27:50] hopefully if we do see any of these
[1:27:52] deficits that we're not rolling them
[1:27:54] into another year that we keep taking
[1:27:56] this and then we'll see where we're at
[1:27:58] next year. And then with the hope that
[1:28:00] we don't have to raise them next year
[1:28:02] moving forward if we feel better about
[1:28:04] these numbers, but I'd rather see that
[1:28:06] surplus and it's not you know,
[1:28:08] we've got to build some of these
[1:28:10] capital
[1:28:11] >> fund projects. We got to build some of
[1:28:12] these other
[1:28:13] you know,
[1:28:14] get the chest back up a little bit. So,
[1:28:17] that's where I'm at. I mean, you don't
[1:28:18] have to max it out, but I mean, I think
[1:28:20] we're look I don't want to just zero out
[1:28:22] the budget. I think we have to look at
[1:28:24] it like a mill.
[1:28:24] >> You got to take the low I would say at
[1:28:26] least take the There was five, take the
[1:28:28] lowest and the highest
[1:28:31] out.
[1:28:32] >> Yeah, that's
[1:28:32] >> Say we're not going to do the lowest,
[1:28:33] we're not going to do the highest, and
[1:28:35] then look at the middle three.
[1:28:36] >> Middle three.
[1:28:37] >> Yeah, that's what I was going to say as
[1:28:38] well. I mean, there's no point in just
[1:28:40] clearing this deficit with the lowest. I
[1:28:42] mean, that just basically clears the
[1:28:44] deficit and it doesn't address anything
[1:28:45] moving forward, doesn't give us any
[1:28:47] reserves.
[1:28:48] But at the same time, going all the way
[1:28:50] to the max, I think is a little bit
[1:28:52] excessive, too, so. I agree with Dave.
[1:28:55] Um it sounds like Dan, too. Eliminate
[1:28:57] option one and five, and then we have to
[1:28:59] choose between two, three, and four. The
[1:29:01] 0.75, the 0.85, and the one.
[1:29:04] >> I'm I'm fine. I mean, three options is
[1:29:06] fine, two options, I don't whichever.
[1:29:09] >> If I could just chime in real quick, and
[1:29:10] Christine, correct me if I'm right, but
[1:29:12] um you need clear direction to pass a
[1:29:15] preliminary final budget next Monday.
[1:29:17] >> Yes.
[1:29:17] >> And then that has to be available that
[1:29:19] option that the board passes next Monday
[1:29:21] has to be available for public
[1:29:22] inspection for 30 days, and it can
[1:29:24] change between now and then, but but
[1:29:27] Christine needs like a this is the way
[1:29:29] that the board wishes to go because we
[1:29:31] can't have three options passed next
[1:29:34] Monday, correct?
[1:29:35] >> Correct.
[1:29:35] >> Well, we could have three options, and
[1:29:37] then we're going to vote yay or nay on
[1:29:38] one of those three.
[1:29:39] >> That's fine. I just wanted to make sure
[1:29:41] everyone who maybe hasn't done this
[1:29:42] process before understands what that
[1:29:44] means, especially the public also, what
[1:29:45] what the vote is.
[1:29:46] >> No, it it would be that this would give
[1:29:48] us time to kind of get a little bit more
[1:29:50] input over these three options, and then
[1:29:53] next week we would be voting on one of
[1:29:56] those three.
[1:29:57] >> Yeah. Yep.
[1:30:00] >> So, then, Alicia, would you recommend
[1:30:01] then that the language of the motion
[1:30:03] would just be it's recommended that the
[1:30:05] board consider and approve one of the
[1:30:06] following options.
[1:30:08] >> Yeah, that's fine. It's kind of like
[1:30:09] what we did with the
[1:30:10] >> Like with the field house?
[1:30:11] >> Yeah, it allows the public to understand
[1:30:13] what options are on the table. Only one
[1:30:15] is going to be approved. Again, it can
[1:30:17] change the 30 days thereafter, but we do
[1:30:19] have to check that box. Yep.
[1:30:21] >> Okay.
[1:30:21] I put my option out there, so you know,
[1:30:23] you can send your emails, I guess, for
[1:30:24] the next week till we get to the actual
[1:30:26] vote.
[1:30:27] So, what option are you picking?
[1:30:30] What?
[1:30:31] It'll be what? Four? One mil?
[1:30:34] >> Option number four. We'll put the three
[1:30:36] Is there a consensus to put two, three,
[1:30:38] and four
[1:30:40] >> Yes.
[1:30:41] Yes.
[1:30:42] >> And that we will continue then
[1:30:43] discussion, and we will choose one of
[1:30:45] those options
[1:30:47] next Monday.
[1:30:49] Is there a consensus?
[1:30:51] Okay, there you have it.
[1:30:53] Consensus to
[1:30:55] move two, three, and four as the three
[1:30:58] options.
[1:31:01] >> So, that's what? Between uh point
[1:31:04] >> .75, .85, and 1 mil.
[1:31:07] >> So, it's between .75 and 1 mil.
[1:31:10] >> Mhm.
[1:31:11] Yes.
[1:31:11] >> And then the increase would be
[1:31:13] uh
[1:31:16] What was it? Uh
[1:31:17] >> 1 11250
[1:31:19] >> Yeah, 11250 to 150.
[1:31:21] >> 11250 and to 150.
[1:31:22] >> Yeah, but I'm just saying the high 112
[1:31:25] 11250 to 150 based on a 150,000.
[1:31:29] >> 150,000 assessment, yeah.
[1:31:30] >> Yes.
[1:31:36] >> Okay, so we'll
[1:31:38] be discussing this again next week.
[1:31:42] >> All right, thank you.
[1:31:43] >> Thank you.
[1:31:44] >> Thanks, Kristen.
[1:31:47] >> 8.9 SVSD field house project phase two
[1:31:50] financing discussion.
[1:31:53] The you received uh attachment for the
[1:31:56] financing update.
[1:32:01] Carol, do you want anything on that or
[1:32:02] just move on?
[1:32:04] >> No, we can we can discuss it. This does
[1:32:06] not require a vote. So, we can have a
[1:32:09] consensus. We can as I said in the
[1:32:12] beginning, we can actually have a
[1:32:13] consensus that we reach tonight or we
[1:32:15] can say we want to have more discussion
[1:32:17] time and have a consensus um next
[1:32:20] Monday's meeting.
[1:32:22] So, you can just open the floor for any
[1:32:24] kind of discussion.
[1:32:26] >> Yeah, I mean everything we've done for
[1:32:28] the field houses already approved. So,
[1:32:30] this like you said, this is not
[1:32:31] something we need to vote on. So,
[1:32:32] whatever we decide on tonight is not up
[1:32:34] for discussion as a as a line item in
[1:32:37] next week's meeting. This is
[1:32:40] just for transparency.
[1:32:43] >> That
[1:32:43] >> That and and just to provide some kind
[1:32:45] of direction to Kristen and I so that as
[1:32:48] it as it as it moves forward with the
[1:32:50] bond piece, Raymond James knows kind of
[1:32:52] what direction we want to go in.
[1:32:55] >> And we did not have a slide for this
[1:32:57] this evening. I mean, we had slides in
[1:32:59] the past that options were that we would
[1:33:02] fully fund the project
[1:33:04] >> [clears throat]
[1:33:04] >> out of the bond issue or we would use
[1:33:07] partial payments out of the highest was
[1:33:11] up to $6 million that we would take out
[1:33:13] of our reserves.
[1:33:15] And
[1:33:17] the the lowest was that we would not
[1:33:19] take any out of the reserves and we
[1:33:21] would fully fund the project through the
[1:33:23] bond.
[1:33:23] >> I think you got to take the
[1:33:26] using 6 million for that. I think that
[1:33:28] can also in my opinion, we can remove
[1:33:30] that and just look at either funding it
[1:33:33] zero or funding it with three.
[1:33:36] But take the 6 million funding because
[1:33:38] if you take the 6 million funding, then
[1:33:40] you are draining all the capital reserve
[1:33:43] that if we need it for any of these
[1:33:45] other projects,
[1:33:47] you don't want to you don't want to do
[1:33:48] that. My only question I would have for
[1:33:51] uh Kristen is
[1:33:54] the 3 million that we have left in the
[1:33:56] bond
[1:33:58] that, you know, we have to use in a
[1:34:00] certain point of time.
[1:34:03] Like, I just want to make sure as a
[1:34:05] board that we know like what are those
[1:34:08] limitations because
[1:34:10] the middle option, you know, if we take
[1:34:12] the one away now, but that middle option
[1:34:14] of saying use the 3 million, that 3
[1:34:16] million was basically the excess
[1:34:20] we had from the original bond and the
[1:34:23] timing and the reason we have that 3
[1:34:25] million was basically we used ESSER
[1:34:28] grants
[1:34:29] that we got from
[1:34:30] the government to fund those projects
[1:34:33] instead of using the the bond.
[1:34:35] >> Yeah, you you still do have a timeline.
[1:34:38] Um
[1:34:39] it's
[1:34:40] coming coming due, let's just say. Um
[1:34:43] there's still [clears throat] time and
[1:34:46] what we're looking at though is the the
[1:34:49] 5-year capital plan that's being
[1:34:51] determined or has been already created.
[1:34:54] Um
[1:34:55] certain projects can be used by those
[1:34:59] the the unspent bond proceeds.
[1:35:01] Um it just has to be sizable. It can't
[1:35:03] be an unforeseen fix or repair
[1:35:07] um or a smaller project um that would
[1:35:10] not go over a certain period of time. Um
[1:35:14] so the the large majority like HVAC
[1:35:17] related repairs could be used with the
[1:35:19] unspent bond proceeds.
[1:35:21] Um
[1:35:21] again,
[1:35:23] I know when Lauren was here Lorraine
[1:35:25] from Raymond James, she was pushing to
[1:35:27] obviously focus on that first.
[1:35:30] And then if we needed to use capital
[1:35:33] reserve funds, we could dip into those
[1:35:34] funds. So yes, the priority still would
[1:35:37] be to use that remaining $3 million in
[1:35:39] the unspent bond proceeds.
[1:35:42] But we still do have time. So to the
[1:35:44] point of if we if the option would be to
[1:35:47] use zero district cash,
[1:35:50] the large majority of those,
[1:35:52] um, planned capital expenditures could
[1:35:55] be utilized by using the cap the unspent
[1:35:57] bond proceeds.
[1:35:58] >> Can you let us, you know, maybe or just
[1:36:01] let the board know, you know, or that
[1:36:03] what that time frame is cuz I know
[1:36:05] >> Mhm.
[1:36:06] >> We I think it's less than 2 years.
[1:36:09] >> Yeah, it's
[1:36:10] It's nearing I know I think it was about
[1:36:13] a year and a half, if I'm correct, but I
[1:36:15] can get to you the actual firm
[1:36:17] >> well, which is less than 2 years. Yeah,
[1:36:19] so I I know
[1:36:22] you know, like it would almost have to
[1:36:23] be spent
[1:36:25] you know, the balance of this year, you
[1:36:27] know
[1:36:29] like this December a year from now.
[1:36:31] >> Yes.
[1:36:32] >> Is is what I had in my mind
[1:36:35] you know, the 18 months or whatever,
[1:36:37] which is what you
[1:36:38] >> Right.
[1:36:39] If it's not spent, what is the penalty
[1:36:41] for not spending it? So, it it's still
[1:36:45] kind of continues into that arbitrage.
[1:36:47] So, when you have the negative arbitrage
[1:36:50] because we borrowed at such a low yield
[1:36:52] in 2020 um it just will accumulate the
[1:36:56] amount that essentially is owed back to
[1:36:59] the IRS.
[1:37:00] Um, so once that continues, they will
[1:37:03] come knocking on our door and as far as
[1:37:05] the the payment back, um,
[1:37:08] to the to the use of the funds.
[1:37:11] Um, so again, we had still have that
[1:37:13] time frame, but as it gets closer
[1:37:17] we will get contacted in regards to
[1:37:19] spending down the remainder of those
[1:37:20] funds.
[1:37:23] >> I think the best course of action is to
[1:37:24] use use that amount towards the building
[1:37:28] and finance the rest with the bond.
[1:37:30] I mean, that would still leave us a fair
[1:37:31] amount in capital reserve
[1:37:33] but it would eliminate us having to
[1:37:35] worry about the IRS coming.
[1:37:38] And we wouldn't lose any of that funding
[1:37:39] to pay back
[1:37:41] any penalty.
[1:37:44] Where does that $3 million dollars the
[1:37:45] prior bond sit in the capital reserve.
[1:37:49] >> No, so it's in its own separate capital
[1:37:50] projects fund.
[1:37:52] Um and the capital projects the reason
[1:37:53] why it's separated is because that
[1:37:55] typically is um
[1:37:57] bonds or borrowings. The capital reserve
[1:38:00] dollars or typically our dollars that
[1:38:02] we're transferring into its own separate
[1:38:04] account. So they are two separate
[1:38:06] accounts, same bank, same investment
[1:38:08] bank. Um they're just tracked
[1:38:09] separately. So as would be the same once
[1:38:13] we do the borrowing for the field house
[1:38:14] it would go in its own separate accounts
[1:38:16] which tracked separately then.
[1:38:17] >> So the the
[1:38:19] 3 million that we would have to spend
[1:38:21] over the next year and a half can be
[1:38:24] used for the stuff that we discussed in
[1:38:27] the five-year plan when that's presented
[1:38:28] to us and then anything over that would
[1:38:31] we dip into the capital reserves or we
[1:38:34] we dip into our regular
[1:38:36] uh
[1:38:36] reserves.
[1:38:37] >> Typically would be the capital reserves
[1:38:38] just because it would it would typically
[1:38:40] be project related and you wouldn't
[1:38:42] necessarily want to use the general fund
[1:38:44] for those types of projects or capital
[1:38:47] expenditures.
[1:38:48] >> Thank you.
[1:38:49] >> Mhm.
[1:38:51] Okay.
[1:38:55] >> I'm in the opinion of getting rid of the
[1:38:57] $6 million option along with David. We
[1:39:00] we can't afford to drain our capital
[1:39:02] reserve account. So I think we should
[1:39:04] look at the other two options but get
[1:39:07] rid of that one.
[1:39:10] >> Yeah, I agree.
[1:39:11] >> Agreed.
[1:39:13] >> I guess the biggest question is if our
[1:39:15] three-year plan can be done in an
[1:39:18] 18-month or two-year plan. If we're
[1:39:19] looking at to use that three if I'm
[1:39:21] understanding it correctly, we have 3
[1:39:23] million for this bond that we have to
[1:39:24] use. We have 3 million in capital
[1:39:25] reserve. That's the six.
[1:39:28] I don't want to touch capital reserve
[1:39:29] either.
[1:39:30] Um so it comes down to if we have $3
[1:39:32] million worth of projects that we want
[1:39:34] to use that bond money for before we
[1:39:36] start having issues.
[1:39:37] >> The The issues with that become
[1:39:41] the size of those projects may require
[1:39:44] engineering or architectural design,
[1:39:47] permitting, and you're going to have lag
[1:39:50] before you can even spend the money,
[1:39:52] before you can get into construction,
[1:39:53] possibly.
[1:39:54] I don't know how many of them we can
[1:39:55] just jump into and and spend
[1:39:57] immediately.
[1:39:58] >> I get you, but I feel like if we're
[1:40:01] if we're showing where the money's going
[1:40:03] and we have project going, I don't think
[1:40:04] they're going to come, you know,
[1:40:06] collecting their money right away.
[1:40:07] They're like, "Oh, okay, you're you're
[1:40:09] using it."
[1:40:10] >> My my impression from our previous
[1:40:11] conversations with Raymond James is that
[1:40:15] as long as you've got something on the
[1:40:16] books that you're moving forward,
[1:40:19] you don't have to have that $3 million
[1:40:21] spent by a certain day, but you have to
[1:40:23] show that you are spending it.
[1:40:25] >> Does a three-year plan count? Is that?
[1:40:28] >> I don't know.
[1:40:29] >> So, we have something in the works, that
[1:40:30] counts.
[1:40:31] So, we don't actually have to have $3
[1:40:33] million
[1:40:35] out the door in a year and a half. We
[1:40:37] need to have documented proof that we're
[1:40:40] moving forward spending that $3 million
[1:40:42] in a year and a half.
[1:40:46] >> I I just think the time it's going to
[1:40:47] take to if Okay, the bonds
[1:40:49] you know,
[1:40:51] for us to try to
[1:40:52] come up with another three-month $3
[1:40:54] million with everything we just talked
[1:40:55] about with the the budget,
[1:40:57] you know,
[1:40:58] to raise taxes, we're not That's not
[1:41:00] going to happen. We're not going to be
[1:41:01] able to get that $3 million anywhere
[1:41:02] else. You know what I mean? We just
[1:41:04] can't generate that high enough quick
[1:41:06] enough to be able to do that. So,
[1:41:09] I think
[1:41:10] let's really look at this capital this
[1:41:13] three-year capital
[1:41:14] project plan and kind of map this thing
[1:41:17] out and see what these dollars actually
[1:41:19] look like, and then we can go from
[1:41:20] there. But, I agree, I don't want to
[1:41:21] touch I don't want to touch anything in
[1:41:23] the capital reserve for for the field
[1:41:25] house. Finance that we cuz we don't want
[1:41:27] to run that down, either, cuz it's the
[1:41:28] same problem. We're never going to be
[1:41:29] It's going to take forever to build that
[1:41:30] back up.
[1:41:33] >> Yeah, I think there's pretty much a
[1:41:34] consensus that we're not going to touch
[1:41:36] that the 6-million at all.
[1:41:38] Um
[1:41:39] and I think with with the 3-million,
[1:41:41] since we're working on 5-year plans with
[1:41:43] that, I think that will cover it enough
[1:41:45] that that we will have those kind of
[1:41:48] projects, you know, in the works or at
[1:41:50] least documented on paper
[1:41:52] that we could be moving forward with
[1:41:54] that as well.
[1:41:55] >> But first thing, can it go can it go to
[1:41:58] if
[1:41:58] to fight like
[1:42:00] it's
[1:42:01] you have intent to get spend that money.
[1:42:04] You don't have to physically spend that
[1:42:06] whole money, but if it's at 18 months
[1:42:09] you like maybe you can stretch I always
[1:42:11] understood you could stretch it maybe
[1:42:13] like to 2 years or some gap, but you
[1:42:15] can't take that 3-million and spread
[1:42:18] that over 5 years.
[1:42:21] >> No, but the the key really and you guys
[1:42:24] were mentioning this, the key really is
[1:42:26] the plan.
[1:42:27] So, if there is a plan to spend the
[1:42:30] remaining funds
[1:42:32] that is sufficient. So, if if if that is
[1:42:34] in the works to that you have um
[1:42:38] documentation to spend it, but it just
[1:42:40] hasn't been spent yet and I understand
[1:42:43] the process, the logistics of going into
[1:42:46] those projects, as long as there's a
[1:42:48] plan in place
[1:42:50] then we can move forward with using
[1:42:52] those funds for those for those capital
[1:42:54] expenditures.
[1:42:56] >> Yeah.
[1:42:56] >> And a 5-year plan doesn't mean that
[1:42:58] we're only going to spend it at the end
[1:42:59] of 5 years. You know, we would have year
[1:43:02] one, year two, year Yeah, yeah. Yeah.
[1:43:06] >> So, I mean, I guess the two options that
[1:43:08] we've kind of whittled this down to is
[1:43:10] we use the 3-million left on this bond
[1:43:13] to do current, you know, wish list
[1:43:15] projects, one of the projects that were
[1:43:17] going to be on our 5-year plan.
[1:43:19] Uh
[1:43:20] or we end up
[1:43:24] using that 3-million dollars to put
[1:43:27] towards the field house.
[1:43:29] So, now that's whatever
[1:43:33] things we want to improve between now
[1:43:36] and then, we're going to have to use
[1:43:37] capital reserves. So, instead of using
[1:43:39] that $3 million that we have left on the
[1:43:40] bond to take care of things that we have
[1:43:42] on our 5-year plan, now we would be
[1:43:45] applying that towards the loan, which
[1:43:46] would save us about $5 million
[1:43:48] in interest uh over the life of the
[1:43:51] loan. But, at the same time, those
[1:43:52] projects that we have on the list that
[1:43:55] we want to get done, now we're pulling
[1:43:56] from capital reserve to pay for them.
[1:43:58] >> Yeah. Yeah.
[1:43:59] >> And now we have to worry about dwindling
[1:44:02] down our capital reserve as well. So, I
[1:44:04] mean, those are kind of the two angles
[1:44:06] we're looking at, right? Spend that
[1:44:08] money to save over interest in the long
[1:44:11] run or spend that money on current
[1:44:14] projects
[1:44:15] and pay more interest in the long run
[1:44:17] for the field house.
[1:44:17] >> Kristen, I don't have it in front of me.
[1:44:19] Um what was the difference in the debt
[1:44:21] service payment between if we did the
[1:44:23] if we if we finance the entire thing in
[1:44:25] three? It was like a It was like 150
[1:44:27] something like that.
[1:44:28] >> Yeah, it was
[1:44:29] I want to say I want to say like 150 and
[1:44:31] maybe 180,000, I want to say.
[1:44:33] >> what I thought.
[1:44:34] >> Yeah.
[1:44:34] >> Yeah, it wasn't It wasn't a huge dollar
[1:44:36] amount.
[1:44:37] >> No.
[1:44:38] >> No.
[1:44:38] >> It's It's 150, which is 3.4
[1:44:43] versus 3.25.
[1:44:45] >> Mhm.
[1:44:46] >> So, it's 150.
[1:44:48] >> Yeah.
[1:44:49] My
[1:44:50] >> Yeah, I got that somewhere.
[1:44:51] >> But, my point is
[1:44:53] um
[1:44:54] that's a I mean, nobody wants to pay
[1:44:55] interest on anything, but that's a
[1:44:57] little easier to swallow on an annual
[1:44:59] budget
[1:45:00] than trying to come up with that $3
[1:45:01] million.
[1:45:02] >> Mhm.
[1:45:04] Yes.
[1:45:04] >> Yeah.
[1:45:04] >> Yeah, I I tend to agree with you. I
[1:45:06] think if we don't use that $3 million
[1:45:08] towards projects on our wish list,
[1:45:11] we're going to start chewing into our
[1:45:12] capital reserve.
[1:45:13] >> Mhm.
[1:45:13] >> Yeah.
[1:45:14] >> Um so, using that towards the field
[1:45:16] house, while it would help us from a
[1:45:17] perspective of interest down the road,
[1:45:19] it's also going to hurt us cuz we're
[1:45:20] going to start really dwindling down
[1:45:22] that capital reserve. And we're not
[1:45:24] going to be able to replace it
[1:45:25] necessarily with tax increases nor do we
[1:45:27] want to have to do that. Um so
[1:45:30] >> So So then is it just zero?
[1:45:33] Leave the three the I mean just saying
[1:45:35] right the consensus we drop the six out
[1:45:38] so we have three and zero 3 million and
[1:45:40] zero.
[1:45:41] And if everybody says hey drop leave the
[1:45:44] 3 million to fund the five-year plan
[1:45:47] then all that's left is zero.
[1:45:50] >> Correct.
[1:45:51] >> Yeah.
[1:45:51] >> So that's what I'm saying we can get to
[1:45:52] that consensus tonight. We can get to
[1:45:55] Raymond James
[1:45:56] >> Yeah.
[1:45:57] >> to say zero.
[1:45:58] >> we'll see if you know if we can get to a
[1:46:01] consensus tonight that's great if I mean
[1:46:03] I want to make sure I want to make sure
[1:46:05] everybody's comfortable with how we you
[1:46:09] know are discussing this and if they
[1:46:10] need more time to think about it or if
[1:46:13] we have a consensus tonight we can
[1:46:15] >> That's what I'm saying it sounded it
[1:46:16] sounded it sounded like we were drawing
[1:46:18] to that consensus so if we have it take
[1:46:21] it.
[1:46:21] >> and that's what I said in the beginning
[1:46:22] like we may have a consensus tonight or
[1:46:24] we may not depends what people feel
[1:46:27] comfortable with.
[1:46:28] >> Yeah.
[1:46:29] >> Let's check.
[1:46:30] >> Uh yeah I'm for financing it.
[1:46:32] >> The full amount.
[1:46:33] >> Yeah.
[1:46:34] >> full the full amount the field house
[1:46:36] >> Not using any cash. Not using any of the
[1:46:38] certain cash.
[1:46:38] >> at all.
[1:46:39] >> Now I do want to firm up and we've been
[1:46:41] talking about it and we're working on it
[1:46:42] but I do want to firm up those three or
[1:46:44] five whichever year plan we want to talk
[1:46:46] about. I do want to firm that thing up
[1:46:47] and actually look at some of those
[1:46:48] numbers.
[1:46:49] >> It'll have to be a three-year plan
[1:46:51] because we'll need to
[1:46:52] >> Yeah.
[1:46:52] >> have movement on that.
[1:46:54] >> Yeah.
[1:46:55] >> Well and like the what's the definition
[1:46:56] of a plan? Like the like I'm saying as
[1:46:58] far as you having that money allocated
[1:47:01] like is a plan like we're going to do
[1:47:03] this or is it actually like permitting
[1:47:04] back on it like
[1:47:05] >> no no it just has to be defined dollar
[1:47:08] amount and timeline.
[1:47:10] Because you can't just have the
[1:47:12] arbitrary number on the sheet or on the
[1:47:14] plan it just not
[1:47:15] >> a timeline a timeline could be five
[1:47:16] years though?
[1:47:17] >> Not no within within that
[1:47:20] roughly yes within that window.
[1:47:22] >> All right we need to set it up for the
[1:47:24] 3-year timeline and and if something
[1:47:27] slides, as long as we can document why,
[1:47:30] that's fine, but we can't just
[1:47:33] keep waving a list around and not
[1:47:34] actually
[1:47:35] >> my point. It's like, we got this list,
[1:47:36] we got a plan.
[1:47:37] >> Yeah, we got to we got to we have to
[1:47:38] have a plan.
[1:47:39] >> we pretty much can have a a plan.
[1:47:41] >> Yeah, we've talked about enough things
[1:47:43] that we would like to do in addition to
[1:47:44] building the field house. I don't think
[1:47:45] we're going to have any issue getting
[1:47:46] this much spent.
[1:47:47] >> too, I think we can
[1:47:49] you know, we have we have things we want
[1:47:51] to get done.
[1:47:51] >> Yeah.
[1:47:53] Okay, Dan, you gave yours.
[1:47:54] >> I'll go with the full amount as long as
[1:47:56] we have a
[1:47:57] a good strong list and we're moving
[1:47:59] forward with it.
[1:47:59] >> Okay. Lauren.
[1:48:02] Frank.
[1:48:02] >> I agree. Finance the full amount.
[1:48:05] >> Joe.
[1:48:07] >> Although I'm not for the project, that
[1:48:09] would be the
[1:48:10] most likely move to preserve what we
[1:48:13] have and go with not having anything.
[1:48:17] >> Okay. So, what does that mean?
[1:48:18] >> Linda.
[1:48:19] >> Joe, I think we need the full amount.
[1:48:21] >> Okay. David.
[1:48:23] >> Zero.
[1:48:23] >> Okay.
[1:48:26] Hello, Kelly's on the phone.
[1:48:29] >> I agree and I'm walking in.
[1:48:31] >> Oh.
[1:48:31] >> Okay.
[1:48:32] All right.
[1:48:33] >> All right, thanks.
[1:48:35] Okay, so we have the consensus to fund
[1:48:38] the full amount then.
[1:48:44] >> 8:10 old and new business, um,
[1:48:47] we had the finance and budget committee
[1:48:50] meeting on April 14th and I believe we
[1:48:53] went over everything we discussed right
[1:48:55] now with what we discussed on the 14th.
[1:48:59] So, I have nothing further then.
[1:49:03] >> Okay, we'll move on to buildings and
[1:49:04] grounds.
[1:49:05] >> Okay,
[1:49:06] 9.1 persons who wish to address the
[1:49:08] board.
[1:49:10] Buildings and grounds, sure, come on up.
[1:49:13] Um, just your name and your
[1:49:15] township, please.
[1:49:16] >> Christopher Hadden, Onondaga Township.
[1:49:18] Um I was wondering if the plywood over
[1:49:21] the windows in the elementary school
[1:49:23] because of the lack of heating units and
[1:49:25] central heating units, is that still
[1:49:28] from a fulfillment of the contract from
[1:49:30] the U fact contract or is that a pre is
[1:49:32] this something different that's been
[1:49:34] going on?
[1:49:35] >> I thought we had removed that.
[1:49:37] >> Well, the
[1:49:38] my understanding was all that plywood
[1:49:40] had been removed.
[1:49:41] >> There's still ductwork hanging down in
[1:49:43] towards the center entrance area. I
[1:49:46] mean, there's no plywood down on the
[1:49:47] ground floor windows, which is nice cuz
[1:49:49] there's no more security risk with that,
[1:49:51] but there is still plywood on the
[1:49:52] windows. There's still ductwork and uh
[1:49:55] portable heating units, AC units in
[1:49:57] classrooms.
[1:49:59] And you can see that from outside the
[1:50:00] building.
[1:50:00] >> I I think for a number of the classrooms
[1:50:02] we had failure in 10 units.
[1:50:06] The the coils?
[1:50:07] >> There there were there were 11
[1:50:08] classrooms over the winter that we had
[1:50:09] failure in unit vents that we had
[1:50:13] black units that like big industrial
[1:50:16] units put in the classroom. Those were
[1:50:18] vented up into the ceiling though.
[1:50:20] But what [clears throat] I'm hearing you
[1:50:21] say is you're talking about
[1:50:22] >> They were vented outside and they were
[1:50:24] vented at They're They're in September,
[1:50:26] October when I was a Watch Dog Dad.
[1:50:28] >> Yeah, okay. So you So you're talking
[1:50:29] you're speaking about something
[1:50:30] different.
[1:50:31] >> We I spoke to Patrick about that in
[1:50:35] December time frame or maybe November
[1:50:37] time frame
[1:50:38] to make sure that that had been removed.
[1:50:39] I thought it had been removed. I don't
[1:50:41] get to the elementary school.
[1:50:42] >> it had as well, but I'll follow up
[1:50:43] hearing this.
[1:50:44] >> As well, I'll take a ride by there and
[1:50:46] see what we what we're looking at. But
[1:50:48] you're saying the second floor
[1:50:49] >> There was three There was at least three
[1:50:50] rooms that had ductwork hanging out down
[1:50:53] towards the center entrance area where
[1:50:55] the buses drop off.
[1:50:57] >> Okay. We'll have to take a look at that.
[1:50:58] >> or pick up now, I guess, cuz that's
[1:51:00] switched.
[1:51:00] >> Yeah, now I I know that that since I
[1:51:02] talked to Patrick about
[1:51:04] removing the plywood from the old
[1:51:06] project cuz it was wrapped up and needed
[1:51:07] to be shown as complete that we had a
[1:51:11] number of failures on the second floor.
[1:51:14] And so we have temporary units there
[1:51:16] because we're waiting for the parts to
[1:51:18] get in to repair those units. And
[1:51:20] >> That's correct.
[1:51:20] >> Okay. And that should be Do we have a
[1:51:22] timeline on when those parts are
[1:51:23] arriving? Are we still being told every
[1:51:26] every 2 weeks they keep pushing it out 2
[1:51:27] weeks?
[1:51:28] >> It It It still gets pushed out. It's
[1:51:30] It's probably going to be into summer
[1:51:31] before it's all done.
[1:51:32] >> Okay.
[1:51:33] So we're having difficulty getting the
[1:51:34] repair parts for those units on the
[1:51:36] second floor, but I will take a look at
[1:51:38] that building and see where
[1:51:41] those unit where the the stuff is that
[1:51:43] you're talking about and see if it is
[1:51:45] those classrooms or if there's another
[1:51:46] issue that we need to address.
[1:51:48] >> Okay.
[1:51:48] >> As will I, cuz I thought it'd been taken
[1:51:50] care of. So thank you.
[1:51:51] >> Yeah.
[1:51:52] >> Okay.
[1:51:52] >> Appreciate you coming out, Chris. Thank
[1:51:54] you.
[1:51:59] All right. Anybody else for addressing
[1:52:00] the board?
[1:52:02] Uh 9.2, Carol, we have a voting item.
[1:52:04] >> Yes, we have nine um
[1:52:07] voting items on the agenda.
[1:52:09] The
[1:52:10] >> Second through five.
[1:52:12] >> Five.
[1:52:13] Five, yes.
[1:52:14] The rental contract. The board is
[1:52:16] requested to consider and recommend
[1:52:18] approval of the rental contract with 101
[1:52:20] Mobility for the rental and installation
[1:52:22] of two 18-ft modular ramps fixed to the
[1:52:25] stage at the 2026 commencement ceremony
[1:52:28] in the amount of $850.
[1:52:30] May I have a motion, please?
[1:52:32] >> So moved, Steinke.
[1:52:33] >> Second motion.
[1:52:35] >> Any questions or comments?
[1:52:37] >> [snorts]
[1:52:37] >> Not all those in favor say I.
[1:52:39] >> I.
[1:52:40] >> Opposed? Motion carries 9-0.
[1:52:43] 9.3, Berkshire Mechanical quote. The
[1:52:47] board is requested to consider ratify
[1:52:49] and approve the quote from Berkshire
[1:52:50] Mechanical to replace the failed blower
[1:52:52] motors in the middle school classrooms
[1:52:55] A211 and A219 for the amount of $4,790.
[1:53:00] May I have a motion, please?
[1:53:02] >> So moved, Rossi.
[1:53:03] >> Second, Lash. Questions or comments?
[1:53:06] >> I just wanted to share Berkshire
[1:53:07] Mechanical actually was able to come out
[1:53:09] today and they were able to
[1:53:12] um make several of those repairs and
[1:53:15] they're going to wrap it up tomorrow.
[1:53:16] >> Great. And that's uh Ms. Wade's room and
[1:53:19] then the other room that's nearby. Is
[1:53:21] that correct?
[1:53:21] >> It's Ms. Wade's room and Ms. Wertz's
[1:53:23] room.
[1:53:23] >> Okay, yeah.
[1:53:25] I know those have been hanging out there
[1:53:26] for a while. Um I do
[1:53:29] I'll come back and address this at
[1:53:30] towards the end of this section, but
[1:53:33] we need a little bit more discussion on
[1:53:34] that.
[1:53:35] >> Okay.
[1:53:36] >> Okay, I have motion in a second. All
[1:53:38] those in favor say I.
[1:53:39] >> I.
[1:53:40] >> Opposed? Motion carries 9-0.
[1:53:43] 9.4
[1:53:45] Schlaun Incorporated. The board is
[1:53:47] requested to consider and approve the
[1:53:48] Schlaun Incorporated general
[1:53:50] construction change order
[1:53:52] 01 in the amount of $2,624
[1:53:56] for the removal of the waterline as part
[1:53:58] of phase one of the field house project.
[1:54:00] May I have a motion, please?
[1:54:01] >> Mall.
[1:54:02] >> Second.
[1:54:04] >> Second, Rossi.
[1:54:06] >> Any questions or comments?
[1:54:10] >> That was the
[1:54:11] water fountain that was out there by the
[1:54:13] softball field. It's got to be brought
[1:54:15] back is what that is just so anybody
[1:54:17] questions what that actually
[1:54:18] >> And it's been
[1:54:20] it's been capped right where the grass
[1:54:22] meets the pavement.
[1:54:23] >> Yeah, and I guess it'll be marked on a
[1:54:24] plan so we know where that is then
[1:54:26] moving forward. So.
[1:54:27] >> Correct.
[1:54:28] >> Okay. Anyone else?
[1:54:31] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[1:54:33] those in favor say I.
[1:54:34] >> I.
[1:54:35] >> Opposed? Motion carries 9-0.
[1:54:39] 9.5 Schlaun Incorporated.
[1:54:42] The board is requested to consider and
[1:54:43] approve the Schlaun Incorporated change
[1:54:45] order 02 for a time extension as part of
[1:54:48] phase one of the field house project.
[1:54:50] May I have a motion, please?
[1:54:51] >> So moved, Rossi.
[1:54:52] >> A second?
[1:54:53] >> Second, Mall.
[1:54:55] >> Questions, comments?
[1:54:56] >> Uh this is a time uh time change order
[1:54:59] not with no dollar amount attached to
[1:55:02] it. This is because of the weather
[1:55:04] delays they've had and it's just kind of
[1:55:06] done the island contract for them.
[1:55:09] >> Okay. Anything else?
[1:55:13] If not, all those in favor say I.
[1:55:15] >> I. [clears throat]
[1:55:16] >> Opposed?
[1:55:17] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:55:20] This is
[1:55:21] Shipsey Electric Electrical Construction
[1:55:24] Change Order. The board is requested to
[1:55:26] consider and approve the the Shipsey
[1:55:29] Electrical LLC Electrical Construction
[1:55:31] Change Order 01 for a time extension as
[1:55:34] part of phase one of the field house
[1:55:35] project. May have a motion, please?
[1:55:38] >> So moved, Demola.
[1:55:39] >> Second?
[1:55:40] >> Second, Rossi.
[1:55:42] >> Questions? Comments?
[1:55:45] >> Again, this is a time timeline change
[1:55:47] order only, no cost involved.
[1:55:51] >> Okay, all those in favor say I.
[1:55:53] >> I.
[1:55:54] >> Opposed?
[1:55:55] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:55:57] We'll
[1:55:59] turn it back to Al.
[1:56:02] >> Okay.
[1:56:04] All right, uh 9.7 we have softball
[1:56:07] scoreboard installation.
[1:56:09] Um
[1:56:11] my first question is is this a softball
[1:56:13] installation or is it a baseball
[1:56:14] scoreboard?
[1:56:17] >> So
[1:56:19] in in order for Shipsey to be able to
[1:56:22] complete their work, they need the posts
[1:56:26] and everything else put in the ground to
[1:56:28] attach all the electrical components.
[1:56:31] And so, since we had a scoreboard that
[1:56:34] was already on order, Jason's intention
[1:56:37] is always to was always to order three.
[1:56:39] One for baseball, two for softball.
[1:56:41] Since we had one here, so that we could
[1:56:43] stay on track for the field house
[1:56:46] project for phase one, we were going to
[1:56:48] have the um
[1:56:50] Full Service Landscaping put this at the
[1:56:52] softball for the purpose of Shipsey. And
[1:56:55] then another one is being ordered two
[1:56:57] more are going to be ordered to cover
[1:56:58] baseball and the other one that's
[1:56:59] softball.
[1:57:00] >> Okay.
[1:57:00] All right.
[1:57:01] I just I just want to be clear. I wasn't
[1:57:03] sure which which field it was going to,
[1:57:05] so.
[1:57:05] >> My other question with this is um for
[1:57:09] the softball field, that's going to be
[1:57:10] three separate posts cuz it's kind of
[1:57:12] like a V-shape. So, the quote is really
[1:57:14] only two. So, is that going to change
[1:57:16] that quote? Or are we just going to put
[1:57:18] in those two initial for the varsity
[1:57:19] softball field?
[1:57:22] >> The quote price went up from what was
[1:57:25] originally [clears throat]
[1:57:26] on It was originally like 4,000 summit.
[1:57:28] It went up to 7,500
[1:57:31] as full service recognized what all was
[1:57:33] involved in doing that.
[1:57:36] >> Okay. That that's fine. Just they're
[1:57:38] they're when they have it itemized out,
[1:57:39] they have two concrete footings and two
[1:57:41] beams.
[1:57:43] Is it going to be those two or is it
[1:57:44] going to be actually three?
[1:57:48] >> Let me double-check and verify that.
[1:57:50] >> Okay.
[1:57:51] I mean, if it went from four to five
[1:57:53] four to 75, that makes sense. I just
[1:57:55] want to make sure. It might just be on
[1:57:57] there and they just change they just
[1:57:58] changed the number, didn't change the uh
[1:58:00] scope of work.
[1:58:01] >> I'll verify that.
[1:58:02] >> that.
[1:58:03] >> Yep.
[1:58:06] >> Any other questions on that item?
[1:58:09] Okay, we'll move that forward uh pending
[1:58:11] the verification on this contract.
[1:58:18] Okay, 9.8 uh A.G. Morrow Company quote
[1:58:21] for the middle school and high school
[1:58:22] door repairs.
[1:58:24] Uh
[1:58:25] the committee's requested to consider
[1:58:26] and recommend approval of the quote from
[1:58:28] A.G. Morrow Company in the amount of
[1:58:29] $6,420
[1:58:31] for parts and repairs to multiple doors
[1:58:34] at the high school and middle school.
[1:58:37] Any questions or comments on that item?
[1:58:41] Okay, hearing none, we'll move that
[1:58:42] forward. Uh 9.9 we have Weaver
[1:58:44] Commercial proposal Weaver Weaver
[1:58:46] Commercial's proposal for middle school
[1:58:49] roof repairs.
[1:58:50] Uh the committee's requested to consider
[1:58:52] and recommend approval of the proposal
[1:58:53] from Weaver Commercial in the amount of
[1:58:54] $8,995
[1:58:57] for repairs of the metal roof identified
[1:58:58] through a recent inspection.
[1:59:00] Um I do know that we'd gone over this at
[1:59:02] our our committee meeting. Uh this is
[1:59:04] going to address a lot of issues that
[1:59:06] we're having with flashing um and uh
[1:59:09] connections to the existing roof to the
[1:59:10] building.
[1:59:13] Um I think they identified 10 or more
[1:59:15] areas of repair that they're going to
[1:59:17] have to address.
[1:59:18] So, it's it's very good maintenance item
[1:59:20] for us.
[1:59:22] Uh any other questions or comments on
[1:59:24] that?
[1:59:26] Hearing none, we'll move that forward.
[1:59:28] Uh 9.10, we've got a disposal item of a
[1:59:31] refrigerator.
[1:59:32] Uh the committee is requested to
[1:59:34] consider and recommend approval of the
[1:59:35] disposal of the refrigerator in the high
[1:59:37] school athletic training room.
[1:59:39] Any questions or comments on that?
[1:59:41] >> Just as a clarification, this this
[1:59:44] refrigerator being disposed of it is
[1:59:46] dead. It's no longer working. New
[1:59:49] refrigerator's already there. It's
[1:59:50] already been installed and it's already
[1:59:52] functioning. So, this is just disposal
[1:59:53] of one that is no longer working.
[2:00:00] >> Uh any other comments?
[2:00:02] We'll move that forward.
[2:00:04] Uh 9.11, any other old or new business?
[2:00:07] Um I just like to recap. Uh we had a
[2:00:10] committee meeting
[2:00:11] uh last week and we discussed um
[2:00:14] a bunch of different items. Um
[2:00:17] one of them was field use of our our
[2:00:19] fields by outside groups um and needing
[2:00:22] to make sure we verify that there's a
[2:00:24] contract in place or an agreement in
[2:00:25] place for that uh that dictates time um
[2:00:29] and and what kind of usage will be
[2:00:31] allowed.
[2:00:32] Uh for the elementary school items, we
[2:00:34] had uh
[2:00:35] a proposal for some HVAC repair and we
[2:00:38] tried to get an update on some of the
[2:00:39] classroom temperature issues that we're
[2:00:40] having out there. We discussed um the
[2:00:43] timeline for the delivery of the repair
[2:00:46] um components for the units that went
[2:00:47] out over the winter.
[2:00:49] Uh for the middle school, uh we had gone
[2:00:51] over in great detail the roof inspection
[2:00:53] report that we got. Um I'd like to thank
[2:00:56] It was Michael that that
[2:00:58] uh received he was out at a um
[2:01:00] one of our custodians was out at a um a
[2:01:03] uh
[2:01:04] I guess a learning event and he put his
[2:01:06] business card in a raffle and he won the
[2:01:08] roofing inspection, uh which was
[2:01:11] fantastic. Um so, we're thankful that he
[2:01:15] uh got us that service and they did
[2:01:17] identify a bunch of items that need to
[2:01:18] be repaired. So,
[2:01:20] thanks Michael for doing that for us.
[2:01:22] Um
[2:01:23] we also discussed uh disposal of uh the
[2:01:26] old diving board from the pool.
[2:01:28] Um we were going to list that on
[2:01:30] Municibid.
[2:01:31] So, we're going to move that forward.
[2:01:33] And a couple of items for the high
[2:01:35] school, we are still working towards
[2:01:37] getting the township permit to get the
[2:01:38] field house project phase two
[2:01:41] in order and we had discussed in great
[2:01:43] detail the change orders that we just uh
[2:01:45] decided to move forward from Shlauck and
[2:01:47] um the electrical contractor as well.
[2:01:50] Um one other item that came up for me
[2:01:52] that I'd like to bring up, um we had uh
[2:01:55] Miss Wade's and Miss Wertz's room, uh
[2:01:57] they had failures in the mechanical
[2:01:59] systems and um
[2:02:01] it was brought to my attention that the
[2:02:02] school code requires that anything over
[2:02:04] $100 expenditure requires a board
[2:02:06] approval,
[2:02:07] which greatly delays our ability to fix
[2:02:09] those kinds of projects
[2:02:11] uh or those kinds of problems and I
[2:02:13] wondered if we could
[2:02:14] as a board discuss a way that we could
[2:02:17] ensure that the superintendent can move
[2:02:19] forward and repair things uh without
[2:02:20] having to wait for board approval. Um
[2:02:23] whether we um try to give a good
[2:02:25] definition of what constitutes an
[2:02:27] emergency,
[2:02:28] um because an emergency situation would
[2:02:30] allow them to move forward without board
[2:02:31] approval, or if we could assign a a cap
[2:02:34] to the the cost of expenditure, uh cuz I
[2:02:37] really don't want us waiting around with
[2:02:38] 80° temperatures in a in a classroom
[2:02:41] because we have to
[2:02:42] get board approval.
[2:02:48] >> Alicia, can you provide some guidance in
[2:02:50] terms of how we could best proceed?
[2:02:52] >> So, the school code requires approval
[2:02:54] board approval to enter into contracts
[2:02:56] of any kind including contracts for
[2:02:58] purchases of various supplies in the
[2:03:00] $100.
[2:03:02] Um, which is archaic, obviously, but
[2:03:04] school code is passed in 19 49. Um,
[2:03:08] and I don't think that number's changed.
[2:03:10] What you could do is if you really had
[2:03:12] something that had to come up, it could
[2:03:13] always be on the agenda as an
[2:03:16] approval or ratification, rather. The
[2:03:19] board also approves disbursements.
[2:03:22] So, if it's listed on a disbursement
[2:03:26] expenditure sheet, that that would be
[2:03:27] acceptable as well and then compliance
[2:03:29] with section 508.
[2:03:31] >> And that would allow that to move
[2:03:32] forward without having to wait around
[2:03:34] for one of our meetings to happen.
[2:03:36] >> Correct, cuz it'd be approved by the
[2:03:37] board as an expenditure.
[2:03:39] >> Yeah, I just have
[2:03:40] >> Again, it could be and if it I would
[2:03:41] suggest if it's a more sizable matter
[2:03:44] that nonetheless we feel should be moved
[2:03:47] forward sooner than later, but it does
[2:03:49] require for example a board president to
[2:03:51] sign a contract. That would be a
[2:03:53] situation where you'd want to have it as
[2:03:54] its own agenda item for ratification.
[2:03:57] >> Okay, after the fact.
[2:03:58] >> Correct.
[2:03:58] >> Yeah, okay.
[2:03:59] Yeah, cuz I didn't want to see
[2:04:00] unnecessary delay for some of the stuff
[2:04:02] that we can just move forward, but I
[2:04:03] know that there's there's
[2:04:06] certain legal ramifications of trying to
[2:04:08] do that and I just want to make sure
[2:04:09] that we're all clear and above board
[2:04:10] when we do allow those things to happen.
[2:04:13] >> Yeah, that the legal standard for
[2:04:14] emergency is fairly high,
[2:04:17] understandably.
[2:04:19] Um,
[2:04:20] you know, it there's I forget the exact
[2:04:22] language, I don't have it in front of
[2:04:23] me, but basically a portion of building
[2:04:25] is rendered unusable. So, think
[2:04:27] an elevator goes out of service for
[2:04:28] example and can't be used or, you know,
[2:04:31] the the heat goes out during the winter
[2:04:32] or something like that. It is a fairly
[2:04:34] high threshold, it's not just like an
[2:04:35] inconvenience type of thing. so I think
[2:04:38] the proceeding the way recommended a a
[2:04:40] few minutes ago was probably the the
[2:04:42] safest and and most prudent route.
[2:04:44] >> Great. Okay. Thank you.
[2:04:47] Uh that's it for me unless anybody else
[2:04:49] has anything else.
[2:04:52] Okay. 10.0
[2:04:54] >> All right. So, 10.0 student services and
[2:04:57] activities, 10.1 persons who wish to
[2:04:59] address the board. Do we have anyone?
[2:05:03] All right. We have no one, so we'll move
[2:05:04] to 10.2 which is a voting item, so I'll
[2:05:07] pass that to Carol.
[2:05:09] >> We have
[2:05:10] Let me turn this on. We have two voting
[2:05:12] items this evening. Um 10.2 support
[2:05:15] resolution
[2:05:17] for House Bill 41 interscholastic
[2:05:20] athletics. The board is requested to
[2:05:22] consider an approval of resolution in in
[2:05:24] support of House Bill 41 regarding
[2:05:26] boundary and non-boundary schools for
[2:05:28] PIAA interscholastic athletics. May have
[2:05:32] a motion, please.
[2:05:34] >> So moved, Anna.
[2:05:36] >> Second.
[2:05:40] >> Second, Winnie.
[2:05:42] >> Okay. Any um
[2:05:44] comments?
[2:05:46] >> Uh yeah, I mean, this is something that
[2:05:49] I personally feel has been a long time
[2:05:50] coming and again, this is
[2:05:52] we're not supporting any legislation
[2:05:54] here. This is just us kind of signing on
[2:05:57] uh
[2:05:58] with other schools supporting uh any
[2:06:00] legislation that may be moving forward
[2:06:02] where public schools would no longer
[2:06:06] have to compete with non-boundary
[2:06:07] schools. I think
[2:06:09] this has always been a little bit of an
[2:06:11] imbalance, but in the last decade or so,
[2:06:14] it's become
[2:06:16] uh
[2:06:17] really glaringly obvious that
[2:06:20] non-boundary schools uh are are
[2:06:22] recruiting athletes and are dominating
[2:06:25] in in our high school sports and it's
[2:06:27] creating um
[2:06:30] you know,
[2:06:31] inequities in competition and I think
[2:06:34] you're also seeing uh
[2:06:36] increased injury risk
[2:06:38] because these schools are just they're
[2:06:39] bringing in bigger, faster, stronger
[2:06:41] athletes and it's not a level playing
[2:06:43] field anymore. They can in some case
[2:06:46] they're bringing in students
[2:06:47] internationally
[2:06:49] um to compete against our students in in
[2:06:52] our sports. So, I think something like
[2:06:54] this is long overdue and I hope that um
[2:06:58] the PIAA state actually move over and do
[2:07:01] something to address it.
[2:07:04] >> Anyone else?
[2:07:06] >> I was just going to ask Mr. Hansen, have
[2:07:08] you heard anything from PIAA
[2:07:12] through any meetings or any
[2:07:14] correspondence that you're have have
[2:07:17] that you've gotten
[2:07:19] concerning of whether they're going to
[2:07:20] move forward on this at any time because
[2:07:23] it's the PIAA that's kept this from
[2:07:28] going anywhere, so.
[2:07:31] >> I have not. Um just in my
[2:07:34] meetings locally there has been no
[2:07:37] discussion of it and
[2:07:39] nothing at
[2:07:40] past that either, so.
[2:07:42] >> Okay, thank you. I just wondered.
[2:07:48] >> Any other comments?
[2:07:50] If not, all those in favor say I.
[2:07:53] >> I.
[2:07:53] >> I.
[2:07:54] >> Opposed? Motion carries 9-0.
[2:07:57] 10.3
[2:08:00] field trip request.
[2:08:02] The board is is requested to consider
[2:08:05] and approve the field trip request
[2:08:08] for the special track and field
[2:08:09] invitational in Hamburg Area School
[2:08:11] District. Do we have a motion, please?
[2:08:13] >> So moved, Ball.
[2:08:14] >> Second, Rossi.
[2:08:16] >> Any additional comments, questions?
[2:08:21] If not, all those in favor say I.
[2:08:23] >> I.
[2:08:24] >> Opposed?
[2:08:25] Motion carries 9-0. We'll go back to
[2:08:28] Kelly.
[2:08:29] >> All right, 10.4 international trip to
[2:08:31] France cuisine and culture.
[2:08:34] So, the committee is requested to
[2:08:36] consider and recommend approval of the
[2:08:38] international trip to France for cuisine
[2:08:40] and culture career readiness tour. So, I
[2:08:42] believe we have a presentation on this.
[2:08:45] >> Mhm.
[2:08:45] >> I appreciate having Ms. Hubler here
[2:08:47] tonight to be able to share with you
[2:08:48] guys a pretty exciting opportunity for
[2:08:50] our students. So, Ms. Hubler, I'll turn
[2:08:52] it over to you.
[2:08:52] >> Thank you so much for your
[2:08:54] consideration.
[2:08:55] Um so, I'm Diane Hubler. I've been
[2:08:57] teaching at this school district for 7
[2:08:59] years uh in the family and consumer
[2:09:02] science department and I've taught a lot
[2:09:04] of cooking classes and
[2:09:06] actually, I've been in secondary
[2:09:07] education for 29 years and have taught
[2:09:10] many cooking classes.
[2:09:12] So, um
[2:09:14] uh Jody Aldefer here is a good friend
[2:09:16] and she's shared with me many many times
[2:09:18] when she's gone on on some of these uh
[2:09:20] tours and I just really thought it was
[2:09:22] really interesting and such an amazing
[2:09:24] opportunity and I just thought, "Well,
[2:09:25] maybe they have some that are focused on
[2:09:27] cuisine."
[2:09:28] And so, I had a Zoom call with the
[2:09:30] coordinator and sure enough, they do
[2:09:32] have some and I chose France.
[2:09:35] So, I think that'll be very exciting.
[2:09:37] Um some of the courses that I teach are
[2:09:39] Joy of Cooking, Baking and Pastry Arts,
[2:09:42] which has a lot of uh French uh
[2:09:45] uh French chefs in background and global
[2:09:48] foods. And I've often thought with
[2:09:50] teaching global foods that I just wish I
[2:09:52] had like more to offer than just what I
[2:09:54] could find in a textbook or online.
[2:09:57] And what better way than to go to the
[2:09:59] country itself. So,
[2:10:02] um
[2:10:03] >> [clears throat]
[2:10:03] >> that's basically the the why of of why
[2:10:06] I'm presenting this and it's just an
[2:10:07] amazing opportunity for students to
[2:10:09] build on the curriculum that we offer in
[2:10:11] the classroom.
[2:10:13] So, it's called a culture and cuisine uh
[2:10:16] trip and I wanted to also explain who as
[2:10:19] far as students would be involved in
[2:10:22] this, so our current ninth graders would
[2:10:24] be
[2:10:25] um
[2:10:26] uh
[2:10:28] selected because it's it's for the
[2:10:30] summer of 2028. So, it would be the
[2:10:33] current ninth graders or eighth graders
[2:10:35] who have currently signed up for cooking
[2:10:37] classes. So, that's kind of the
[2:10:39] parameters that they're in a cooking
[2:10:40] class or have taken a cooking class. And
[2:10:43] this would also include the students at
[2:10:44] BCTC who are in the culinary arts
[2:10:47] program. They would be eligible as well.
[2:10:50] So,
[2:10:52] >> [clears throat]
[2:10:54] >> Oh.
[2:10:56] Did you already address that?
[2:10:57] Okay, thank you. I didn't know. Okay.
[2:11:00] All right.
[2:11:01] All right. So, as we go through the
[2:11:02] slides here,
[2:11:04] um
[2:11:05] uh EF uh
[2:11:07] Educational Tours has over 60 years of
[2:11:09] experience helping students learn
[2:11:11] through travel. They are accredited just
[2:11:13] like most US schools, meaning these
[2:11:15] tours are built to align with
[2:11:16] educational standards
[2:11:18] uh not just tourism.
[2:11:21] So, there's a focus on global education
[2:11:23] and the company is a proven partner used
[2:11:26] by thousands of United States schools.
[2:11:29] So, it's real-world learning outcomes.
[2:11:31] It's not just a vacation, but an
[2:11:32] extension of the classroom.
[2:11:37] The slide shows the itinerary.
[2:11:40] Um it could be a nine- or 11-day
[2:11:42] itinerary. And when I was given the
[2:11:44] option of adding two more days to see
[2:11:46] the French Riviera, I took that
[2:11:47] opportunity.
[2:11:49] So, why not? Um so, um I'd like to
[2:11:54] pass these out if you don't mind.
[2:12:01] It's a more detailed itinerary, and on
[2:12:04] that document, they highlight
[2:12:07] um
[2:12:10] the um
[2:12:12] career readiness
[2:12:13] uh
[2:12:15] factors in each of the um
[2:12:18] each of the cities. I'm going to give
[2:12:20] you some highlights here.
[2:12:21] Um in Paris, we would visit a culinary
[2:12:24] school to learn how to turn your
[2:12:25] culinary dreams into a meaningful
[2:12:27] career.
[2:12:28] Um we also would visit uh
[2:12:31] learn about French history while tasting
[2:12:33] delicious desserts.
[2:12:34] And I would say the highlight is in Lyon
[2:12:37] where we will
[2:12:38] um
[2:12:39] step into a local kitchen to watch a
[2:12:41] skilled pastry chef in action. And we're
[2:12:44] going to try to make um one of those
[2:12:46] pastries as well.
[2:12:55] All right, the next slide shows the
[2:12:57] dates uh of the proposed tour. Um so
[2:13:01] July 17th through 27th is kind of the
[2:13:03] targeted date uh time frame, but it
[2:13:07] could be 3 days earlier or 3 days later.
[2:13:10] Just depends on what flights are
[2:13:12] available and and such uh as they get as
[2:13:14] we get closer. So, 2 to 3 months before
[2:13:17] departure, that that would all be
[2:13:18] figured out.
[2:13:20] So, students are asked to keep those
[2:13:22] spaces open.
[2:13:25] So, um
[2:13:27] on this slide, it shows that the pricing
[2:13:29] is all-inclusive. But, what you see on
[2:13:31] the slide there covers transportation,
[2:13:33] accommodations,
[2:13:35] meals, and guided experiences.
[2:13:38] Um it's a transparent pricing structure.
[2:13:40] No funds go through the school. It's
[2:13:42] completely through EF.
[2:13:44] Uh there's optional tipping uh that's
[2:13:46] built in for convenience.
[2:13:48] Everything is fully coordinated by the
[2:13:50] company from flights and transportation
[2:13:52] to hotel check-ins. Our full-time
[2:13:54] dedicated tour director stays with us
[2:13:56] with us the entire time. So, they
[2:13:58] welcome us off the plane and take us
[2:14:00] back to the plane at the end. Um so,
[2:14:02] teachers can focus on students and
[2:14:03] learning and not logistics.
[2:14:11] All right, next slide, hotels.
[2:14:13] Um hotels have been uh
[2:14:16] uh regularly inspected, you know, so
[2:14:18] that we keep a relationship with those
[2:14:20] that have um high high standards for
[2:14:22] safety.
[2:14:23] And for the meals, um
[2:14:25] we will experience local cuisine and
[2:14:27] dining customs.
[2:14:28] Um and I found out that because it's a
[2:14:31] culinary tour, we have um upgrades on
[2:14:34] our dining experiences. So, that's
[2:14:36] pretty cool.
[2:14:37] Okay. Um what the families are
[2:14:40] responsible for um
[2:14:42] beyond, you know, what's included is
[2:14:44] passports, baggage fees if they choose
[2:14:47] to take something beyond a carry-on,
[2:14:49] uh tips for the director, bus drivers,
[2:14:52] et cetera, snacks and some meals. Um we
[2:14:56] do have six dinners included, but the
[2:14:57] other ones would have to be paid for.
[2:14:59] Um and rooming upgrades.
[2:15:02] So,
[2:15:04] >> [clears throat]
[2:15:05] >> tips are generally $10 to $14 a day. It
[2:15:08] just It just really depends on what you
[2:15:10] do that day. Like, if you
[2:15:11] um if your travel time between one
[2:15:13] destination and the other doesn't take
[2:15:15] as long as
[2:15:16] the director thought it would, that he
[2:15:17] might take you on a side trip that might
[2:15:19] include an extra tip.
[2:15:22] All right, the next slide shows the
[2:15:23] cost.
[2:15:25] Students can enroll for $95 and spread
[2:15:27] payments out over time. So, this trip is
[2:15:30] a long ways away, which makes that very
[2:15:32] um
[2:15:33] desirable for someone who's trying to
[2:15:35] work out a payment plan.
[2:15:37] Um it just shows you the amounts there.
[2:15:39] So, it's $49 for the student cost.
[2:15:42] Um there's not There's not an adult
[2:15:45] cost. That should not be on there. There
[2:15:46] will be chaperones, but this is a
[2:15:47] student trip.
[2:15:50] Um
[2:15:53] Okay.
[2:15:55] And there is a 7-day risk-free window
[2:15:58] after enrollment for full refunds.
[2:16:00] So, families can feel confident in their
[2:16:02] commitment.
[2:16:05] Um
[2:16:06] the company handles payments directly.
[2:16:08] Uh there's flexible and family-friendly
[2:16:10] approach. There's an early bird discount
[2:16:13] uh that lasts for a week and a half or 2
[2:16:15] weeks after the meeting that I will hold
[2:16:17] on May May 6th for parents
[2:16:20] in which they can uh have $200 off of
[2:16:23] the cost.
[2:16:24] So, they also provide uh personalized
[2:16:26] fundraising pages, and this is a
[2:16:28] wonderful opportunity for students to
[2:16:31] share the link with their family and
[2:16:32] friends and for birthday presents and
[2:16:34] Christmas presents uh between now and
[2:16:37] when the trip occurs, those could be um
[2:16:40] funneled towards that expense.
[2:16:44] Next slide focuses on safety, which is a
[2:16:46] very, very important, and uh safety is
[2:16:50] EF's top priority. They have 24/7 global
[2:16:52] emergency coverage with trained teams
[2:16:55] stationed across time zones, including
[2:16:57] Boston, Panama, and Zurich.
[2:16:59] Um there are mandatory background checks
[2:17:01] for adults. 24/7 EF emergency response
[2:17:05] and incident management. And also what's
[2:17:08] called peace of mind uh program, meaning
[2:17:10] that if there's world issues
[2:17:12] environmentally or politically, they are
[2:17:13] they would be aware of that and make
[2:17:15] adjustments as necessary.
[2:17:24] Each uh group travels with a dedicated
[2:17:26] tour director who is both a local expert
[2:17:28] and a trained educator. They handle
[2:17:30] logistics, facilitate learning, and
[2:17:32] ensure every traveler feels safe and
[2:17:34] supported. There's a 6:1 student to
[2:17:36] chaperone ratio.
[2:17:38] Uh chaperone spots are free uh every
[2:17:41] time we have six more students
[2:17:43] uh except for the cost of insurance,
[2:17:45] which they are responsible for.
[2:17:51] I'll be working closely with Carla
[2:17:52] McDonough, um our EF tour consultant,
[2:17:55] throughout the process. She's been
[2:17:56] amazing so far helping me get ready for
[2:17:58] this meeting. She and the team will
[2:18:00] handle logistics, safety, and help me
[2:18:02] with family communication
[2:18:04] so that this can be an exciting and
[2:18:06] seamless opportunity for our students.
[2:18:14] So one
[2:18:17] >> Um
[2:18:18] >> [clears throat]
[2:18:19] >> So just
[2:18:20] to sum it up, it's we focus on
[2:18:22] education, safety, and accessibility for
[2:18:25] students and families.
[2:18:27] Um
[2:18:28] it's not just a trip, it's a
[2:18:29] once-in-a-lifetime educational
[2:18:30] experience that builds confidence,
[2:18:32] curiosity, and global perspective.
[2:18:37] Thank you. Does anyone have any
[2:18:38] questions?
[2:18:39] >> I I have a question. How many How many
[2:18:42] students are you What's your cap on
[2:18:44] number of students?
[2:18:45] >> Okay, it would be 41.
[2:18:47] Um I need to have 30 in order to have
[2:18:50] the bus be just a private bus for us.
[2:18:53] Anything less than that, then we share
[2:18:54] with other schools.
[2:18:56] Which just has just dynamics that are
[2:18:58] not, you know, ideal.
[2:19:00] Um so yeah, at least 30 and then we
[2:19:02] would cap it at 41 because at that point
[2:19:04] it would be a second bus and it just it
[2:19:05] just I think I'd rather just keep it at
[2:19:07] one bus, 41.
[2:19:09] >> Thank you.
[2:19:09] >> Mhm.
[2:19:14] Anyone else?
[2:19:18] Okay, thank you.
[2:19:20] >> Thank you, Ms. Huber.
[2:19:21] >> I don't have any questions, just would
[2:19:23] love to thank all of our teachers and
[2:19:26] staff that have, you know, brought these
[2:19:28] educational trip experiences. I think
[2:19:31] that travel is the most important thing
[2:19:33] that you can do with your kids. So if,
[2:19:35] you know, anybody has the chance to do
[2:19:37] this, please take advantage of it. I've
[2:19:38] been on two of our school trips and
[2:19:40] they've been phenomenal.
[2:19:44] >> All right, so if we don't have any other
[2:19:45] questions, we'll move that forward.
[2:19:48] 10.5 commencement audio system contract
[2:19:51] 2027 through 2029. The committee is
[2:19:55] requested to consider and recommend
[2:19:56] approval of the contract with
[2:20:00] a
[2:20:00] USA Designs for the commencement audio
[2:20:03] systems for the commencement ceremonies
[2:20:06] for 2027, 2028, and 2029.
[2:20:11] Any questions?
[2:20:16] No questions, we'll move that forward.
[2:20:19] 10.6 BCIU 2026-2027
[2:20:23] Berks County Safety and Security
[2:20:24] Consortium services.
[2:20:27] The committee is requested to consider
[2:20:28] and recommend approval of the BCIU Berks
[2:20:31] County Safety and Security Consortium
[2:20:34] services in the amount of $6,500
[2:20:37] for the 2026-2027
[2:20:39] school year.
[2:20:41] Any questions?
[2:20:43] We'll move that forward.
[2:20:45] 10.7 Standard Response Protocol ID badge
[2:20:49] reminders. The committee is requested to
[2:20:52] consider and recommend approval of the
[2:20:53] purchase of 500 standard response
[2:20:56] protocol ID badge reminders as printed
[2:20:59] by the BCIU Print Service Center at a
[2:21:02] cost of $275.79.
[2:21:10] Dr. Winters, can you explain what
[2:21:12] they're for?
[2:21:14] >> I know folks can't see this, but it's
[2:21:17] it's what all the employees have on the
[2:21:18] back of their badge. It's our standard
[2:21:20] response protocol. It's just a reminder
[2:21:22] card that they can keep with their
[2:21:24] badge. Every new employee gets one as
[2:21:26] part of their new employee packet and
[2:21:29] um in fact, when we practiced lockdown
[2:21:30] drills this past week, we even mentioned
[2:21:32] to law enforcement when we get some of
[2:21:34] these in, we're going to make sure all
[2:21:35] the officers have one, too, since it's
[2:21:37] what we follow in our buildings.
[2:21:38] >> Okay. Thank you.
[2:21:40] Any other questions?
[2:21:43] Then we'll move that forward.
[2:21:45] Um
[2:21:46] 10.8 two-year settlement agreement for
[2:21:48] student number 3702.
[2:21:54] Uh the committee has requested consider
[2:21:55] and recommend approval of the 2-year
[2:21:57] settlement agreement for student number
[2:22:00] 3702
[2:22:01] at AIM Academy.
[2:22:06] No questions, we'll move that forward.
[2:22:09] Uh 10.9 any other old or new business.
[2:22:12] Um so, I will go over um some of the
[2:22:14] things that we talked about um with our
[2:22:17] uh student services committee meeting.
[2:22:20] Um so, we did talk about um
[2:22:24] a question of someone um wanting to
[2:22:26] present a diploma um and they're not a
[2:22:28] staff member. Um
[2:22:30] as a committee, we decided that we
[2:22:33] didn't want to open up that can of
[2:22:34] worms. Um as a board, you know, maybe we
[2:22:37] could have further discussions if
[2:22:38] anybody disagrees with that. Um but, you
[2:22:41] know, it's it's something that
[2:22:44] I think is very valued by our employees
[2:22:46] um that if they do have children that
[2:22:48] attend the district, that they can
[2:22:50] present that diploma and to allow one
[2:22:54] person to do that, um I just think that
[2:22:56] would kind of be a Pandora's Box. Um so,
[2:22:59] that was one item. Um the Special Track
[2:23:01] and Field Invitational update. Um so,
[2:23:04] everything is ready to go per Dr.
[2:23:06] Ammons. Um
[2:23:08] the field trip request was just approved
[2:23:10] tonight.
[2:23:11] Um and we are looking uh to see about
[2:23:16] something that we can do to help our
[2:23:17] boosters um because they previously used
[2:23:20] our Special Olympics um program here to
[2:23:24] raise some funds with concessions um
[2:23:26] during that event and since we're not
[2:23:28] going to have that, um you know, trying
[2:23:30] to see if there's some other way that we
[2:23:31] can help them out.
[2:23:33] Um
[2:23:34] ESY update. Um
[2:23:37] my notes are scattered here. Um we have
[2:23:42] I believe it was 13 uh students at the
[2:23:45] middle school, 17 at the elementary
[2:23:48] school that are already registered. Um
[2:23:50] it will be for 4 weeks and 3 days per
[2:23:53] week.
[2:23:54] Um our OT services, um we talked about
[2:23:58] an update um in meeting um an extra OT
[2:24:02] and um that is a need, you know, across
[2:24:06] the state. It's not just us. Um one of
[2:24:09] the things that is um creating the the
[2:24:13] large need for OT services um is
[2:24:16] something that we talked about in
[2:24:17] curriculum and technology and um that is
[2:24:21] cursive handwriting not being used as
[2:24:23] much as it used to be. Um so kids just
[2:24:25] aren't really developing those fine
[2:24:28] motor skills that um you know, we all
[2:24:30] did because we had to write everything.
[2:24:31] We didn't use our devices like they do
[2:24:33] now.
[2:24:34] Um so that's definitely something that
[2:24:35] we should keep an eye on. Um we you
[2:24:38] know, want to make sure that kids can um
[2:24:41] write and you know, print, cursive, all
[2:24:44] of that um along with being able to use
[2:24:46] technology. Um both are, you know,
[2:24:48] tremendously important. Um so those were
[2:24:51] some of the uh student service items. Um
[2:24:54] then athletics items, we talked about um
[2:24:58] repositioning the batting cages at the
[2:25:00] softball fields. Um so we're not getting
[2:25:02] new batting cages, um just repositioning
[2:25:05] them for better usability. Um this will
[2:25:07] be done in the off season so it's not
[2:25:08] going to affect anything um going on in
[2:25:11] season now.
[2:25:13] Um the varsity softball field fence, um
[2:25:16] we discussed having a door in the
[2:25:19] outfield um so that you can get easily
[2:25:21] from one field to the other since
[2:25:23] they're going to be back to back now.
[2:25:25] Um
[2:25:26] Mr. Hansen brought up the possibility of
[2:25:29] using um the old sand from our jumping
[2:25:33] pits to create um a, you know, golfing
[2:25:37] um sand trap somewhere on campus so that
[2:25:39] our golfers have um you know, that
[2:25:42] experience of practicing with that um,
[2:25:45] outside of their competitions, which I
[2:25:47] think is a great use of those resources.
[2:25:50] Um, we already talked about the HB41
[2:25:53] boundary versus non-boundary.
[2:25:55] Um, and then um, some tarps for the
[2:25:59] baseball and softball fields were
[2:26:01] ordered to try to help um, on those days
[2:26:04] that maybe it rains in the morning, um,
[2:26:06] but you know, the fields could be used
[2:26:09] later in the day when that rain stops.
[2:26:11] Um, so we're going to try some of those
[2:26:14] out, see how they work and you know,
[2:26:15] then if we need more, we can address
[2:26:17] that in the future.
[2:26:20] >> Let's just make sure that sand trap is
[2:26:21] about 100 yd away from a building.
[2:26:23] >> From from everything, yeah.
[2:26:24] >> [laughter]
[2:26:25] >> And don't ask me how I know that.
[2:26:28] >> Yeah, but I I think that was a very
[2:26:31] ingenious idea to use with that sand.
[2:26:33] Um, so thank you for coming up with
[2:26:34] that, Jason. Um, you know, we we need to
[2:26:37] make sure that we can get ourselves out
[2:26:39] of those tricky golfing situations and
[2:26:41] that's great. Um, so that's all that I
[2:26:44] have. I don't know if anybody else has
[2:26:45] anything else.
[2:26:46] >> I do have one thing. Um, the Panther
[2:26:48] Pride meeting met Thursday.
[2:26:51] And I just wanted to make sure the
[2:26:53] public and the board knows that
[2:26:56] the applications for Panther Pride
[2:26:59] nominations is
[2:27:01] May 30th.
[2:27:03] And it has to be you have to have it has
[2:27:05] to be a student that's been out of
[2:27:06] school for
[2:27:07] 8 years.
[2:27:09] And um,
[2:27:11] we were looking at yearbooks to find
[2:27:14] salutatorians and valedictorians and
[2:27:16] people who did a lot of sports and
[2:27:18] things like that. So, we do have a few
[2:27:21] new nominations and if anybody has one,
[2:27:24] a person they would really like to see
[2:27:26] on that,
[2:27:27] um, you can put them on. We we select
[2:27:30] five
[2:27:32] a year and one service person. So,
[2:27:35] uh, I will will make this announcement
[2:27:37] next week, but the due date is May 30th
[2:27:41] and
[2:27:44] we will do the celebration on
[2:27:46] homecoming, which is September 18th this
[2:27:49] year, and the luncheon will be September
[2:27:52] 19th.
[2:27:54] >> So, I I have one thing as well. Uh, just
[2:27:58] as a follow-up, I had uh, requested
[2:28:01] before, uh, it's an annual thing that
[2:28:04] I've asked for POP. Uh,
[2:28:07] we've always been told that, you know,
[2:28:10] we're very athletic oriented. I know
[2:28:13] that we spend a lot of money
[2:28:15] on the POP with the funds, etc.
[2:28:18] Um, I also know that we actually, and I
[2:28:21] thought it was built into the job
[2:28:23] description, there's a business manager
[2:28:25] for POP.
[2:28:27] So, and that's just giving a report. Uh,
[2:28:30] we had Kim McCosh the one year show up
[2:28:33] and we asked her questions about how
[2:28:35] things were funded and expenses.
[2:28:38] Uh,
[2:28:39] so it's not just receiving a report, but
[2:28:41] asking questions. But what has happened
[2:28:44] in the past, it's almost like the uh,
[2:28:46] uh,
[2:28:47] time runs out, so we will ask for a
[2:28:50] report and either we don't get it in the
[2:28:51] school year and then the people that are
[2:28:54] involved are away for summer break or
[2:28:57] people are asked questions and then they
[2:28:59] don't
[2:29:01] we have never received a follow-up
[2:29:02] questions.
[2:29:04] I also have a concern that when you go
[2:29:07] to the performances like for POP,
[2:29:10] uh,
[2:29:11] we actually have a florist that is in
[2:29:14] the
[2:29:15] lobby selling flowers or somebody on the
[2:29:19] outside and there should be a a contract
[2:29:22] for that.
[2:29:23] B, we've also been told in the past that
[2:29:26] person makes a donation to the school
[2:29:28] district and all donations to the school
[2:29:31] district
[2:29:33] would require a vote by the board, and
[2:29:36] I've never seen a donation made to the
[2:29:38] school district by that flower the
[2:29:40] florist.
[2:29:42] So, I know we have other florists that
[2:29:44] are in like we have CenterPort
[2:29:47] flowers
[2:29:48] that actually do stuff that we're doing
[2:29:50] with the teams and the bouquet, you
[2:29:52] know, the
[2:29:53] things for senior nights, etc. And I
[2:29:55] just want to make sure that
[2:29:58] everybody has an opportunity and when we
[2:30:00] look at this, like the person who came
[2:30:02] with the flowers for POP then said,
[2:30:04] "Hey, prom flowers." So, now you have
[2:30:07] somebody sitting in our lobby
[2:30:09] also soliciting business for prom
[2:30:11] flowers later on.
[2:30:13] And I'm just saying is
[2:30:15] that's probably not appropriate. We
[2:30:17] don't have a contract
[2:30:19] that we need to really look at that.
[2:30:21] We've never I've never seen a donation
[2:30:23] been approved. So, I don't know who that
[2:30:25] money if it's coming in where it's
[2:30:27] going.
[2:30:28] The other thing I would like to see in
[2:30:29] the letter of detail
[2:30:31] is when you have your program, and I've
[2:30:35] seen this happen with some sports
[2:30:36] programs here because of being booster
[2:30:38] president,
[2:30:39] uh
[2:30:40] you can count the ads, you can count
[2:30:42] your revenue,
[2:30:44] and the revenue coming in for the ads
[2:30:46] didn't match
[2:30:48] the ads that were in the program.
[2:30:50] And so, I just want to make sure as
[2:30:52] we're going through this that we do
[2:30:54] track,
[2:30:55] you know, these offsets to the expenses
[2:30:58] that we do have that we're tracking all
[2:31:00] that money that's coming in.
[2:31:03] There's money that's coming in from
[2:31:05] parents for the little ads that they put
[2:31:08] in. We also have money coming in from
[2:31:12] uh the concession, they sell food in the
[2:31:14] lobby. Just trying to understand all
[2:31:17] those streams where it comes in
[2:31:19] that you track it because when you're
[2:31:22] dealing with cash,
[2:31:23] that's the first opportunity of fraud
[2:31:26] that you always have, and I'm not saying
[2:31:28] we have any, but we also can't prove
[2:31:30] that we don't. But again, I also want to
[2:31:33] show out
[2:31:36] I have other questions or concerns that
[2:31:38] on a personnel issue that I'll bring up
[2:31:40] to the board in executive session, but I
[2:31:43] just want to make sure that we track
[2:31:45] um
[2:31:46] the funds that are coming in and also
[2:31:49] how we have people actually selling
[2:31:52] stuff on school property and I'm not
[2:31:54] aware of it. contract.
[2:31:55] >> contract.
[2:31:57] >> Okay, does anyone have anything else?
[2:32:00] >> Just to end on a positive note, our
[2:32:02] girls lacrosse had their senior night
[2:32:04] tonight and we won against the
[2:32:06] Muhlenberg Mules.
[2:32:08] >> [applause]
[2:32:11] >> That's all that I have.
[2:32:14] >> Okay.
[2:32:15] If that's it, then um we'll adjourn and
[2:32:19] I want to thank everyone for attending
[2:32:20] this Oh.
[2:32:22] >> Excuse me.
[2:32:23] >> Oh, may I have a motion for adjournment?
[2:32:25] >> So
[2:32:26] >> Second.
[2:32:27] >> Second, thank you.
[2:32:27] >> All those in favor say I.
[2:32:29] >> I.
[2:32:30] >> Motion carries 9-0.
[2:32:34] >> See, do
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2026-04-27_dG-i8BpJBYU.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2026-04-27 (regular; student/resident comment, prelim tax 7-2)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG-i8BpJBYU
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:03:54] Mhm.
[0:03:58] >> Like to call to order the Schuylkill
[0:03:59] Valley School Board meeting. Will please
[0:04:01] rise for the Pledge to the Flag.
[0:04:04] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
[0:04:06] United States of America and to the
[0:04:09] republic for which it stands, one nation
[0:04:12] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[0:04:14] justice for all.
[0:04:20] And roll call, please.
[0:04:22] Mr. Emerich. Here. Mr. Brown. Here. Mrs.
[0:04:25] Lash.
[0:04:26] >> Here. Mrs. Matthews. Here. Mr. Moll.
[0:04:30] Mr. Rossi. Here.
[0:04:32] Mrs. Stanki. Here. Mrs. Weiant. Here.
[0:04:35] Mr. Weiant. Here.
[0:04:38] Okay, we're going to just add one motion
[0:04:42] here.
[0:04:43] Um
[0:04:46] I'm going to ask for a motion to amend
[0:04:48] the agenda by approving in full the
[0:04:50] agenda as made available at the meeting.
[0:04:53] So, although the agenda was posted
[0:04:55] yesterday, due to a BoardDocs issue, the
[0:04:58] agenda was not viewable for portions of
[0:05:01] the 24-hours leading up to this meeting.
[0:05:03] Therefore, we have to have a motion to
[0:05:05] amend the agenda by adopting and
[0:05:07] incorporating the version of the agenda
[0:05:09] available at the meeting as um as
[0:05:12] necessary to ensure compliance with the
[0:05:14] Sunshine Act. So, may I have a motion,
[0:05:16] please?
[0:05:18] A second.
[0:05:19] >> Second, Rossi.
[0:05:21] Now, also what we have to do is the
[0:05:23] public needs to be able to have public
[0:05:25] comment. So, is there anyone who would
[0:05:27] like to And it's just on this amendment.
[0:05:29] Just on Yes, just on this amendment to
[0:05:32] um amend the agenda. So, does anyone
[0:05:35] have any public comment they would like
[0:05:37] to make on us amending the agenda?
[0:05:42] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[0:05:43] those in favor say I. I. Opposed?
[0:05:47] Motion carries 8-0.
[0:05:51] Okay, we'll move on to approval of
[0:05:53] minutes.
[0:05:56] I need a motion to approve the minutes
[0:05:58] for the regular meeting of March 23rd,
[0:06:01] 2026 and the special meeting of April
[0:06:04] 6th, 2026. May I have a motion, please?
[0:06:11] So moved, Matthews. A second?
[0:06:13] Second, Wingate.
[0:06:15] Any questions or comments?
[0:06:17] If not, all those in favor say aye. Aye.
[0:06:20] Aye.
[0:06:21] Opposed?
[0:06:23] Motion carries 9-0.
[0:06:25] Announcement of executive session. The
[0:06:27] board met in executive session following
[0:06:29] the committee meeting on April 20th for
[0:06:32] legal, personnel, and safety matters.
[0:06:35] Moving on to recognition of students and
[0:06:38] staff. But there are no student or staff
[0:06:40] recognitions this evening, so we'll move
[0:06:43] on to presentations. And we have four
[0:06:45] items this evening. The first, we have
[0:06:49] two student council members here, Kate
[0:06:51] Bass and David Johnson.
[0:06:53] And um would you like to come up and
[0:06:56] give us a report, and then I know you
[0:06:57] have someone to also introduce.
[0:07:06] Thank you.
[0:07:08] Thank you.
[0:07:25] My name is Kate Bass, and I'm a senior
[0:07:27] and a member of student council.
[0:07:29] And I'm David Johnson, another senior
[0:07:31] member of student council.
[0:07:32] We just came here to talk to you today
[0:07:34] about all of the positive impacts of the
[0:07:35] school board, obviously, and all of the
[0:07:37] School Board Valley in general. Um the
[0:07:39] first one is Go GoggleWorks. From March
[0:07:41] 27th to April 14th, the Goggleworks
[0:07:44] Center for the Arts held the 2026 BCIU's
[0:07:47] 44th annual secondary art exhibition. At
[0:07:50] the BCIU art show, we had several awards
[0:07:52] won by our students. We have two
[0:07:55] Fastly winners whose artwork will be
[0:07:57] displayed this summer on either a
[0:07:58] billboard or a banner somewhere in Berks
[0:08:00] County. The Fastly winners were Laney
[0:08:02] Crespo with honorable mention for her
[0:08:04] fiber art boutique and Dave Ung in third
[0:08:07] place for his self-portrait. Colin Smith
[0:08:09] won second place for his black and white
[0:08:11] charcoal lighthouse drawing. And Sierra
[0:08:13] Merkel received honorable mention for
[0:08:15] her colorful photography. Around 100
[0:08:17] students from Schuylkill Valley were
[0:08:18] able to have their artwork shown at the
[0:08:20] Berks County art show this year.
[0:08:25] On Saturday, April 11th, many talented
[0:08:27] middle school and high school students
[0:08:28] participated in the Junior County
[0:08:30] Festival in the chorus, band, and
[0:08:32] orchestra. Congratulations to all of
[0:08:34] them on a spectacular performance. All
[0:08:35] the participants' names will be in the
[0:08:37] PowerPoint presentation later in the
[0:08:39] evening.
[0:08:42] FFA would like to invite all the board
[0:08:44] members to their annual banquet on
[0:08:45] Sunday, May 17th beginning at 6:00 p.m.
[0:08:48] An invitation was placed in your board
[0:08:50] pocket. Our keynote speaker will be
[0:08:52] Alexis Butler, the Pennsylvania FFA
[0:08:54] state treasurer. We hope you will be
[0:08:56] able to join us as we celebrate our
[0:08:58] achievements from this past school year.
[0:09:00] Bestow the green hand and chapter and
[0:09:02] chapter degrees to students who have
[0:09:04] earned them and honor our seniors. In
[0:09:06] addition, our tractor day will be held
[0:09:08] on Thursday, May 21st.
[0:09:12] PYA will be sponsoring the annual powder
[0:09:15] puff football game on May 18th with a
[0:09:17] kickoff at 7:00 p.m. in Panther Stadium.
[0:09:19] We hope you will come out to watch the
[0:09:21] junior girls take on the senior girls in
[0:09:22] a game of flag football.
[0:09:24] Admission is $5. Then, on Thursday, May
[0:09:27] 21st, we will be having our minithon, an
[0:09:30] afternoon and evening filled with games
[0:09:31] and fun here at the high school for our
[0:09:33] students. All money collected from both
[0:09:35] events will be donated to Four Diamonds
[0:09:37] to help children with cancer at Penn
[0:09:38] State Health Golisano Children's
[0:09:40] Hospital in Hershey.
[0:09:44] SVTSA competed in the PA TSA State
[0:09:47] Leadership Conference from April 15th to
[0:09:49] 18th, 2026. The students competed in
[0:09:52] many different events against over 60
[0:09:54] different high schools across the state.
[0:09:56] This group of students just made SVTSA
[0:09:58] history. They are the first place to top
[0:10:00] three in the state and came home with
[0:10:02] second place medals. The students
[0:10:04] competed competed in 14 different
[0:10:06] events. All the names and individual
[0:10:07] accomplishments will be in the
[0:10:08] PowerPoint presentation later in the
[0:10:10] evening.
[0:10:12] Mrs. Alderfer's ninth grade German one
[0:10:14] students have an e-partner project with
[0:10:17] a school in Minden, Germany.
[0:10:19] Mrs. Alderfer connected with Frau Elke
[0:10:21] Joost via a mutual friend via email in
[0:10:24] November. Students in Frau Joost's class
[0:10:26] are eighth graders in their fourth year
[0:10:28] of learning English.
[0:10:30] Mrs. Alderfer has 35 German one students
[0:10:32] who are partnered one-to-one with the 35
[0:10:34] students in Germany.
[0:10:36] They use a Padlet to communicate
[0:10:37] class-to-class and a separate Padlet to
[0:10:39] communicate one-to-one with their
[0:10:41] assigned partner in Germany. They post
[0:10:43] one to two times per week on topics
[0:10:44] assigned by the teachers. This gives the
[0:10:46] American students a chance to practice
[0:10:48] their German with a native speaker and
[0:10:50] the German students the opportunity to
[0:10:52] practice their English with a native
[0:10:53] speaker who's close to their own age.
[0:10:58] This past Friday, April 24th, at the
[0:11:00] 69th annual boys county meet held at
[0:11:02] Mifflinburg High School, an eighth
[0:11:04] grader Lincoln Miller smashed the
[0:11:05] previous meet record for the discus by
[0:11:08] 42 feet with a throw of 197 feet, 6
[0:11:11] inches. And hot off the press, we just
[0:11:13] got word that today he threw 199 feet, 2
[0:11:17] inches. He also broke his own meet
[0:11:19] record from the previous year in the
[0:11:21] shot put with a throw of 59 feet, 11
[0:11:24] inches. Lincoln is well on his way to
[0:11:26] achieving his goal of 200 feet plus in
[0:11:28] the
[0:11:29] in the discus this season. His next goal
[0:11:32] is to set the record at the All County
[0:11:34] Championship meet in 2 weeks. Good luck,
[0:11:36] Lincoln.
[0:11:38] And finally, McKenna Holben, one of our
[0:11:40] amazing seniors at Saugus High Valley,
[0:11:42] is in the process of publishing a book
[0:11:43] she has written. She's here to tell us
[0:11:45] more about that.
[0:11:52] Good evening. My name is McKenna Holben
[0:11:54] and I'm a senior here at SV. Thank you
[0:11:56] so much for giving me the opportunity to
[0:11:58] speak at tonight's student spotlight. Um
[0:12:00] I've been very busy this year with my
[0:12:02] internship working very closely with
[0:12:04] local author Holly Garner and together
[0:12:06] we have co-authored a children's book
[0:12:08] titled Super Pups Georgie the Brave
[0:12:09] Giraffe. It's a book that teaches young
[0:12:11] children to handle big emotions through
[0:12:13] social emotional learning. And this is
[0:12:15] about a young giraffe afraid of heights
[0:12:17] and two super pups who travel to the
[0:12:18] safari to help him overcome his fears.
[0:12:20] Through my internship, I have gained so
[0:12:22] many first-hand experiences and insights
[0:12:24] such as pitching my original book ideas
[0:12:26] to the lead publisher of Sunbury Press.
[0:12:28] I was able to walk through the creative
[0:12:29] process of collaborating on a book and
[0:12:31] watching it take the steps to become
[0:12:32] published. And I also gained some
[0:12:34] insight on marketing skills through
[0:12:35] creating and running our social media
[0:12:37] page hollygarner.stephmillerbooks.
[0:12:40] And I also had the pleasure to travel to
[0:12:42] Hershey Elementary School to
[0:12:45] um take pictures and make a post for an
[0:12:47] assembly that um the author and
[0:12:49] illustrator put on.
[0:12:51] And
[0:12:52] the book will be out in the coming
[0:12:54] months, hopefully in May or June, to be
[0:12:56] purchased through Amazon, Sunbury Press
[0:12:58] and pretty much any website that sells
[0:13:01] books.
[0:13:02] Um so thank you so much for giving me
[0:13:03] the opportunity to speak and I can't
[0:13:05] wait for the book to be yours.
[0:13:08] >> [applause]
[0:13:13] [applause]
[0:13:14] >> Thank you so much for all of you coming.
[0:13:16] I mean it's great to hear all the things
[0:13:17] that student council are doing and
[0:13:19] congratulations on on the book. Is this
[0:13:21] something that you've always wanted to
[0:13:22] do or you one that you were always
[0:13:24] writing stories when you were growing
[0:13:26] up?
[0:13:27] So it's great that you're going to get
[0:13:28] it published. Does anybody else have any
[0:13:31] questions for the student council reps?
[0:13:33] Could McKenna just give us the title of
[0:13:35] the book again?
[0:13:40] It was called Super pups, Georgie the
[0:13:42] brave giraffe.
[0:13:45] Thank you very much.
[0:13:50] Okay, well moving on to we have the
[0:13:52] chief of Northern Berks Regional Police
[0:13:55] here with this evening.
[0:13:57] Chief Wayne Holben.
[0:13:59] That name sounds very familiar with a
[0:14:01] speaker who was just here.
[0:14:05] >> hopefully I can follow these three up.
[0:14:06] They did a they did a great job. I know
[0:14:08] public speaking is hard to do. So, great
[0:14:10] job all three of you.
[0:14:12] Good evening.
[0:14:13] My name is Wayne Holben. I am the new
[0:14:15] chief of police with the Northern Berks
[0:14:17] Regional Police Department. I know most
[0:14:19] of you on the board, but I wanted to
[0:14:21] take this opportunity to formally
[0:14:23] introduce myself.
[0:14:24] As most of you know and have heard that
[0:14:26] my family and I live within the school
[0:14:28] district. It's truly an honor and a
[0:14:31] privilege
[0:14:32] to serve as a leader in the very
[0:14:33] community where I raised my family.
[0:14:37] This district is home to us and it it
[0:14:40] makes this role especially meaningful.
[0:14:43] Know that the safety of our students has
[0:14:46] always been a top priority of the
[0:14:47] Northern Berks Regional Police
[0:14:48] Department.
[0:14:50] Since stepping into this role it has
[0:14:51] been clear to me that our officers have
[0:14:53] an outstanding working relationship with
[0:14:56] the teachers and staff here at the
[0:14:57] school. And I've seen that first hand.
[0:15:01] And it's nice to know that the staff
[0:15:04] supports us and know that our department
[0:15:07] supports you and this school and the
[0:15:09] community in this
[0:15:10] at the school.
[0:15:13] So, this partnership is strong and we
[0:15:14] have
[0:15:15] we are committed to maintaining and
[0:15:17] strengthening that relationship.
[0:15:20] We look forward to continuing our
[0:15:22] collaboration ensure safe to ensure a
[0:15:24] safe and supportive environment here at
[0:15:26] the school uh for every student, every
[0:15:29] teacher, and every member of this school
[0:15:31] community.
[0:15:32] So, um thank you for having me this
[0:15:34] evening. I appreciate the time. Thank
[0:15:36] you.
[0:15:38] >> [applause]
[0:15:43] >> Okay, thank you, Chief Holven. And um
[0:15:45] I know the school district really
[0:15:47] appreciate the appreciates the
[0:15:48] relationship that the school has had
[0:15:50] with Northern Berks over the years. So,
[0:15:52] I'm sure you're going to continue that
[0:15:53] tradition. Thank you.
[0:15:57] Okay, we're moving on to the YMCA Summer
[0:15:59] Program presentation, Mr. Ken Borkey.
[0:16:07] Members of the board and uh
[0:16:09] faculty, uh I want to take this
[0:16:11] opportunity to thank you for allowing me
[0:16:12] to uh step up here and talk about the Y.
[0:16:16] Uh a little over 3 and 1/2 years ago, I
[0:16:18] presented to the board a school-age
[0:16:19] program
[0:16:20] uh that we are now running at the
[0:16:22] elementary school. And just to give you
[0:16:23] some
[0:16:25] data, uh the first year we started late
[0:16:28] in November of '23, we had 15 kiddos
[0:16:30] enrolled for that's um
[0:16:33] for that school year, which equated
[0:16:34] about 565 sessions. So, that's before
[0:16:37] and after school.
[0:16:38] In 2024-25
[0:16:41] school year, we doubled that to 39 uh
[0:16:44] children in our program. And this past
[0:16:46] current year, we are at 41 enrolled. So,
[0:16:49] for this size school, this size uh
[0:16:52] expectation, this has really been a a
[0:16:55] strong program for us. Uh it's probably
[0:16:57] our fourth largest school-age program
[0:16:59] that we have in our system.
[0:17:01] And we already started enrolling for for
[0:17:03] this coming next coming school year.
[0:17:05] Um I give you that data only because out
[0:17:08] of those families that we used our
[0:17:11] program, the
[0:17:13] uh
[0:17:15] questions that were raised, can we do a
[0:17:17] school aid? Can we do a summer camp
[0:17:18] program here? So, we operate uh several
[0:17:20] summer camps across Berks County and uh
[0:17:24] we said, "Well, we'll talk to the
[0:17:25] board." So, I had a meeting with Dr.
[0:17:27] Winters to step up and present
[0:17:31] uh
[0:17:32] what you have in your packet there is an
[0:17:33] addendum
[0:17:34] uh to our school age program for the
[0:17:37] summer. So, our
[0:17:39] give you a little bit of background on
[0:17:41] our summer camp. Nationally, the Y has
[0:17:44] been a leader in providing summer camp
[0:17:45] for over 130 years. The YMCA of Reading
[0:17:48] Berks County continues to provide youth
[0:17:50] an enriching, safe
[0:17:52] environment with caring staff who model
[0:17:54] positive values that build kids'
[0:17:57] characters.
[0:17:58] The YMCA programs offer a fun and unique
[0:18:00] experience that give children and teens
[0:18:02] the opportunity to have their best
[0:18:04] summer ever by meeting new friends,
[0:18:06] exploring nature, and discovering new
[0:18:08] interests, being physically active, and
[0:18:10] creating memories that last a lifetime.
[0:18:13] So, how does this relate to being in a
[0:18:14] school?
[0:18:15] Um summer learning is making an impact.
[0:18:18] Research shows that summer learning is
[0:18:19] associated with positive academic and
[0:18:21] social-emotional outcomes, including
[0:18:24] improved literacy, self-esteem, and
[0:18:26] leadership skills.
[0:18:27] In fact, youth have high rates
[0:18:29] attendance in summer learning programs
[0:18:32] across several years demonstrate
[0:18:33] positive and significant gains in math
[0:18:36] literacy and social-emotional skills.
[0:18:39] Studies that the Y has done uh
[0:18:41] nationally, a typical student attending
[0:18:43] the Y summer learning program had a 68%
[0:18:46] likelihood of increasing and maintaining
[0:18:48] their reading scores.
[0:18:50] This chance increases every additional
[0:18:53] day in summer learning.
[0:18:55] One week in summer learning uh for for a
[0:18:59] student increases that rate by 80%.
[0:19:03] What we are proposing uh and you have in
[0:19:06] your packet is to
[0:19:08] operate a traditional summer camp
[0:19:10] program at the elementary school, 10
[0:19:13] weeks 5 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to
[0:19:15] 4:00 p.m.
[0:19:16] Um
[0:19:17] Now, there's additional wrap around
[0:19:20] care if they need before 8:00 and after
[0:19:22] uh 4:00. What's special about this
[0:19:25] proposal for the Skokie School District
[0:19:28] is we want to
[0:19:30] uh complement the existing program that
[0:19:32] the district runs for 4 weeks with their
[0:19:34] elementary students. We're proposing to
[0:19:37] have a wrap around day camp that when
[0:19:40] the school
[0:19:41] uh camp ends, we would pick up um those
[0:19:44] children into our program. So, there's a
[0:19:46] full day of programming available for
[0:19:48] those students and families.
[0:19:50] Um in addition,
[0:19:52] the I have spoke with some members of
[0:19:55] the food service department. We're
[0:19:56] looking to pilot something that we don't
[0:19:58] do anywhere else in our summer camp
[0:19:59] programs is extending meal opportunities
[0:20:04] through the summer
[0:20:05] uh summer
[0:20:06] uh meal program
[0:20:08] for those kiddos that are in our
[0:20:09] program.
[0:20:11] Additionally,
[0:20:12] uh something that's unique is offering a
[0:20:15] compensation plan back to the district
[0:20:17] for utilizing that space over the summer
[0:20:19] as a 3% uh on gross on our gross revenue
[0:20:23] for the program. We would give back to
[0:20:25] the district um at the end of the summer
[0:20:27] based on um
[0:20:29] There are some variables to that
[0:20:31] uh or exclusions to that, you know,
[0:20:33] excluding any kind of refunds,
[0:20:35] scholarships, state subsidy payments, or
[0:20:37] any donations that we go out to the
[0:20:38] community to get to help
[0:20:40] uh supplement the program.
[0:20:42] So,
[0:20:44] for the sake of time, I can stop there.
[0:20:45] If you have any questions,
[0:20:48] um
[0:20:48] like I said, it's really a proposal to
[0:20:50] the district to continue what we're
[0:20:52] doing throughout the school year, to
[0:20:53] continue that into the summer, help uh
[0:20:56] protect that uh summer learning curve,
[0:20:58] and provide a benefit to the families in
[0:21:00] the district.
[0:21:04] Thank you.
[0:21:05] Okay, thank you. Does anyone have any
[0:21:07] questions?
[0:21:10] I just want to say I think it's a great
[0:21:11] idea to help families that are working
[0:21:14] to you know keep kids engaged and you
[0:21:17] know involved in something. So thank you
[0:21:19] for bringing this opportunity. Um
[0:21:22] did we we are looking at piloting it as
[0:21:25] a pilot for 24 slots. Um
[0:21:28] my quick estimated polling our current Y
[0:21:31] care attendees, we have about 15 of
[0:21:34] those if families interested
[0:21:36] interested in those slots. Uh if
[0:21:38] approved we will um send out
[0:21:42] communication to those families first
[0:21:43] and then do some type of marketing to
[0:21:45] the district as well. I I don't think
[0:21:48] it's going to be an issue filling those
[0:21:49] 24 for slots. Um
[0:21:52] as an aside, we do have two other
[0:21:54] programs that are in the district. We
[0:21:55] have Leaseport Borough that we do a
[0:21:57] playground program there uh with a
[0:21:59] contract under the borough and we also
[0:22:01] have a program at Willow Willow Glen for
[0:22:04] a playground program at there as well.
[0:22:06] Um how this impacts those two programs
[0:22:09] will be determined like those are only
[0:22:11] half-day programs. This is a full-day
[0:22:13] program.
[0:22:14] If successful this year, obviously staff
[0:22:17] depending we can expand it. Uh we have
[0:22:20] capacity to do more. Um
[0:22:22] this program will also be licensed.
[0:22:25] So we will have um
[0:22:27] any families that are ELRC eligibles and
[0:22:30] can be subsidized, it will also benefit
[0:22:32] those families as well.
[0:22:36] A quick question for you.
[0:22:38] Um
[0:22:39] maybe maybe you stated it and I missed
[0:22:41] it. Um
[0:22:42] is this program going to run from the
[0:22:43] end of school till the start of school
[0:22:45] or is there a break in between or is it
[0:22:46] just a couple of weeks? No, our program
[0:22:49] will run 10 weeks. The week starting
[0:22:52] after school and it will run to the
[0:22:54] Friday before the week school starts. Um
[0:22:59] Bless you.
[0:23:02] June 8th to August 14th Okay.
[0:23:05] >> Are
[0:23:06] Patrick, are we going to be able to
[0:23:08] accommodate them? Is it Do we need to
[0:23:10] work on our schedule for deep cleaning
[0:23:12] the school during the summer or some
[0:23:13] other summer maintenance activities to
[0:23:15] support this?
[0:23:19] We'll likely have to make some
[0:23:20] adjustments, but they're adjustments
[0:23:21] that we definitely want to make to
[0:23:23] accommodate this and make it work.
[0:23:25] >> We I've had some preliminary
[0:23:26] conversations with the elementary
[0:23:28] administration.
[0:23:30] Uh we are very flexible. Like during the
[0:23:32] weeks that
[0:23:34] um the school program will run, we'll
[0:23:37] shift locations to the gym versus
[0:23:39] cafeteria. Uh
[0:23:42] we we have a very good And just for a
[0:23:44] side part, I I actually start every day
[0:23:47] in that program. I'm probably the only
[0:23:49] CEO in Berks County that runs a child
[0:23:51] care program in the morning. So um we've
[0:23:54] established a a great relationship with
[0:23:56] the
[0:23:57] uh with the staff there as far as being
[0:23:59] flexible. Like they have faculty
[0:24:00] meetings, we move to the gym, and back
[0:24:02] and forth. So um
[0:24:04] Yeah, I don't I don't see whatever
[0:24:06] cooperation we need to have with the
[0:24:08] district will will accommodate that for
[0:24:10] our program. Great. Yeah, this is an
[0:24:12] awesome program. This is much needed.
[0:24:14] We're also starting school
[0:24:16] >> [clears throat]
[0:24:16] >> a few days later this year. It's It's
[0:24:19] not the week of the 18th the 17th. It's
[0:24:21] It's the week of the 24th. So, you know,
[0:24:24] with with the spaces they're going to be
[0:24:25] using, we can even plan in such a way
[0:24:27] that we would just clean that space. And
[0:24:30] it it would make sense to do the gym and
[0:24:31] the cafeteria closer to the end of the
[0:24:33] summer anyway because of how heavily
[0:24:35] they're used and wanting them nice and
[0:24:36] clean to start the year.
[0:24:38] Great. That's awesome.
[0:24:40] Does anyone else have any questions?
[0:24:44] If not, um this is actually later on in
[0:24:47] our agenda to be voted on, 10.2.
[0:24:50] Um I would like to kind of pull it since
[0:24:52] Mr. Borkey is here that we would be able
[0:24:54] to vote on it now with a motion, and
[0:24:57] then we will open it up for hearing of
[0:25:00] visitors. If anyone wants to speak just
[0:25:02] on the specific YMCA program.
[0:25:05] So, may I have a motion to approve the
[0:25:07] YMCA summer program agreement and
[0:25:09] appendix C as presented? So moved,
[0:25:12] Brown. I'll second.
[0:25:14] Okay. I don't know if you got that all.
[0:25:17] First and second. Okay, are there any
[0:25:19] additional questions or comments?
[0:25:22] If not, I'll call for the vote. Oh, oh,
[0:25:24] sorry. That's right. Thank you.
[0:25:26] Is there anyone who would like to speak
[0:25:28] on the topic of the YMCA summer program
[0:25:31] in the audience?
[0:25:34] Anyone?
[0:25:36] Okay, if not, now I'll call for the
[0:25:37] vote. All those in favor say aye. Aye.
[0:25:40] Opposed? Motion carries 9-0.
[0:25:43] Thank you.
[0:25:46] Okay, we have one last presentation, the
[0:25:49] PDA data summit presentation by um Jenny
[0:25:52] Rexrode.
[0:25:56] Good evening. I just wanted to take a
[0:25:57] couple minutes just to share some
[0:25:59] information from the PDE data summit,
[0:26:02] which I was able to attend. Um so, thank
[0:26:05] you for allowing me to attend that. That
[0:26:07] was March 30th through April 1st at the
[0:26:11] Hershey Lodge. This was actually my
[0:26:13] second year attending the PDE data
[0:26:15] summit. Last year I went because I was
[0:26:17] new to PIMS, and so it was PIMS is a
[0:26:21] large part of this
[0:26:23] um of this conference. So, I was able to
[0:26:25] go and attend a number of sessions to
[0:26:29] to get a lot more familiar with that.
[0:26:31] I'm in a better place with that now, but
[0:26:33] there are so many other things
[0:26:36] to see at the conference. There are a
[0:26:38] lot of different tracks there. Um
[0:26:40] there's one for administration and
[0:26:42] leadership staff.
[0:26:44] There's one that's called beyond
[0:26:45] classroom support. There's one for
[0:26:47] curriculum staff. There's one for
[0:26:49] special ed, and there are a few others
[0:26:52] as well. So, um you're able to attend
[0:26:54] different sessions in different tracks.
[0:26:56] So, there certainly were There were more
[0:26:59] sessions than I could attend. I
[0:27:00] highlighted the whole thing, and I had
[0:27:03] to make decisions at the last minute
[0:27:04] about what I wanted to see. So, this is
[0:27:07] a really great conference. But, a couple
[0:27:09] of things that I did see um and that I
[0:27:11] did go to this time around, um I really
[0:27:14] wanted to focus on data, especially
[0:27:16] because as the curriculum and technology
[0:27:18] committee knows, um we've been focusing
[0:27:21] a lot on talking about data, how to
[0:27:23] gather it, how to use it to make
[0:27:24] decisions. And so, I [snorts] went to a
[0:27:27] few different presentations regarding
[0:27:30] that. Um and in fact, there were two by
[0:27:32] the Souderton Area School District,
[0:27:35] where they talked about how they use
[0:27:37] data for literacy purposes
[0:27:40] um
[0:27:41] in terms of assessment, and then
[0:27:43] especially early literacy assessments.
[0:27:45] And it was great because after the after
[0:27:48] the sessions, I actually connected with
[0:27:49] them, and they sent me their entire
[0:27:52] their entire data literacy handbook that
[0:27:54] they have. So, that's been really
[0:27:56] helpful to me to kind of review what
[0:27:58] other districts are doing
[0:27:59] um and try to recreate something that
[0:28:02] makes sense for Schuylkill Valley.
[0:28:04] Um I also did go to a PIMS session on
[0:28:06] some critical reports that I thought
[0:28:08] would be helpful. Uh Hamish Brewer was a
[0:28:11] was one of the keynote speakers, and he
[0:28:13] did a Q&A session after his
[0:28:15] presentation, and that was really great.
[0:28:18] Um he speaks a lot about turning around
[0:28:21] struggling schools, um and I found a lot
[0:28:24] of what he talked about very
[0:28:25] interesting.
[0:28:26] And then, the last sessions that I went
[0:28:28] to were on PVAAS. So, that is basically
[0:28:32] the state's um
[0:28:34] their how they use data to measure
[0:28:36] growth in our students. And so, there
[0:28:38] were a few different sessions on that,
[0:28:40] and one of them actually pertained to
[0:28:42] Act 13, which is our evaluation of
[0:28:44] teachers, and that's something I've been
[0:28:46] focusing on with the principals, so that
[0:28:48] was extremely helpful for me to make
[0:28:51] sure that I am passing that information
[0:28:54] along to our principals. So, again, I
[0:28:56] just wanted to thank you so much for
[0:28:57] allowing me to attend the conference. Um
[0:29:01] it was really very valuable. I really
[0:29:03] enjoyed it, so thank you.
[0:29:08] Okay, thank you. Does anyone have any
[0:29:09] questions?
[0:29:13] No?
[0:29:14] If not,
[0:29:15] Okay, thank you.
[0:29:17] Okay, we'll move on to reports of
[0:29:18] officers. Um my report this evening, I
[0:29:21] just have a couple of things.
[0:29:23] I just want to remind everybody that we
[0:29:25] have five separate committee workshop
[0:29:27] meetings during the first two weeks of
[0:29:29] the month, and the schedule of those
[0:29:31] meetings is on our district website.
[0:29:34] Also, we want to start putting the
[0:29:35] workshop meeting reminders on the
[0:29:36] Facebook page to better communicate
[0:29:38] those meetings.
[0:29:40] And as always, um it's appreciated to
[0:29:42] all those who are able to attend those
[0:29:44] meetings, and we hope to continue to get
[0:29:46] things done in a cooperative manner
[0:29:48] through these meetings.
[0:29:50] So, items discussed at those workshop
[0:29:52] meetings then come forward in a report
[0:29:54] given by the committee chairman and/or
[0:29:56] as resolutions at the committee of the
[0:29:58] whole meetings, which was held last
[0:29:59] Monday night and available on video.
[0:30:02] Those resolutions that are approved are
[0:30:04] then brought forward for a vote tonight.
[0:30:06] So, just to reiterate what I do every
[0:30:09] voting meeting, while it seems that the
[0:30:10] voting meetings do not have much
[0:30:12] discussion or that I combine resolutions
[0:30:15] for the vote, uh these are actually
[0:30:17] items that have been discussed in public
[0:30:19] meetings at the workshop meetings, then
[0:30:21] at the committee of the whole meetings,
[0:30:23] uh before they come to the board
[0:30:24] tonight.
[0:30:25] Another item I want to address is the
[0:30:27] question posed last meeting regarding a
[0:30:29] donation to the POP. That was quickly
[0:30:32] verified that monies were received by
[0:30:34] both the middle school and high school
[0:30:36] productions. Uh that donation was
[0:30:38] through a fundraiser that went to the
[0:30:39] POP and did not have to be accepted
[0:30:41] separately by the board.
[0:30:43] In our student activity fund account, we
[0:30:46] have 12 club account codes in the middle
[0:30:49] school and 42 club account codes in the
[0:30:52] high school for a total of 54. And that
[0:30:55] does not even include all the booster,
[0:30:57] athletic booster clubs, the music
[0:30:59] league, the PTOs, the Connor Keffel
[0:31:02] Memorial Fund, the SV Education
[0:31:04] Foundation, etc. We have many, many
[0:31:07] groups that operate within our schools
[0:31:10] that raise funds through fundraisers or
[0:31:12] donations that positively impact our
[0:31:14] students. And this is all part of what
[0:31:16] makes our community come together
[0:31:18] through parents, families, businesses,
[0:31:20] and the districts to provide for our
[0:31:22] students.
[0:31:23] That phrase, "It takes a village," is
[0:31:25] one that comes to mind when looking at
[0:31:27] all the positive things that are being
[0:31:29] done. And all those contributions of
[0:31:31] time, money, and dedication by those
[0:31:33] involved, that's probably close to 100
[0:31:36] different groups, is greatly, greatly
[0:31:38] appreciated. And in several cases, are
[0:31:41] generational in giving.
[0:31:44] So, if any board member wants to pursue
[0:31:46] this fundraising issue, I would suggest
[0:31:48] going through the proper procedure of
[0:31:50] bringing it to a policy, personnel, and
[0:31:51] public relations committee workshop
[0:31:53] meeting, getting all the correct
[0:31:54] information, and understanding the
[0:31:56] policies and procedures involved, and
[0:31:58] looking at it in its entirety equally
[0:32:01] among all groups, not just
[0:32:03] cherry-picking one. As responsible board
[0:32:05] members, we have to be careful to make
[0:32:07] sure our comments are not harmful to our
[0:32:09] community members and those we serve.
[0:32:11] And I would like to personally thank
[0:32:13] Kelly for her contributions and
[0:32:15] dedication by her and her family to
[0:32:17] Schuylkill Valley for many years. Thank
[0:32:19] you.
[0:32:22] Okay, moving on to 2.2, Secretary Linda
[0:32:26] Lash.
[0:32:27] No report.
[0:32:29] Okay, 2.3, the Berks County Intermediate
[0:32:33] Unit Board, Linda.
[0:32:35] I do have a few things. Um the one thing
[0:32:38] I mentioned
[0:32:40] last month was that the uh Anne Sullivan
[0:32:43] Award for 2026
[0:32:46] was going to be presented. It was on
[0:32:48] Wednesday, April 8th
[0:32:51] at the um
[0:32:53] um
[0:32:55] Reading Hospital School of
[0:32:58] Medicine.
[0:32:59] And the award winner this year was Peter
[0:33:03] Supa, building trades instructor at the
[0:33:06] Reading Muhlenberg Center and Technology
[0:33:08] Career and Technology Center.
[0:33:11] Um Mr. Supa
[0:33:14] had no background in
[0:33:17] um
[0:33:18] special education. He wasn't a teacher
[0:33:22] when he got his job at the at the
[0:33:24] Reading Muhlenberg Vo-Tech.
[0:33:27] But he was he knew he had
[0:33:31] a handful of students that he needed to
[0:33:33] needed to teach building trades to.
[0:33:37] And so he made an intensive and
[0:33:39] inclusive high-quality building trades
[0:33:41] program
[0:33:42] serving students with low incidence
[0:33:44] disabilities, including intellectual
[0:33:47] disabilities and autism.
[0:33:50] Through his hands-on instruction, high
[0:33:52] expectations, and real word real world
[0:33:55] learning experiences, he helped students
[0:33:58] develop practical skills, confidence,
[0:34:00] and independence.
[0:34:02] His students must take the exact same
[0:34:04] tests
[0:34:06] in their building trades as regular
[0:34:09] um
[0:34:10] um
[0:34:11] Vo-Tech students do. And this past year
[0:34:16] the majority of her his students passed
[0:34:19] that. What he did was he ordered
[0:34:21] materials and
[0:34:23] made sure that they were
[0:34:25] useful for his students and he put all
[0:34:28] kinds of of guards on the equipment that
[0:34:31] he used, and really tailored tailored
[0:34:34] her his program for the use by his
[0:34:37] students.
[0:34:38] So, while all of the people that were
[0:34:41] there certainly deserved honors, they
[0:34:44] all 21 of the people there really were
[0:34:48] gifted in their specialty.
[0:34:51] But, he this year he stood out to the
[0:34:53] committee that approved the award, and
[0:34:56] he got it. And, I would like to say
[0:34:58] congratulations to our nominee, Jennifer
[0:35:02] Roman, our gifted art teacher, and to
[0:35:05] the IU um
[0:35:07] person, Amy Slovik, who was a speech
[0:35:10] therapist for early intervention. So,
[0:35:13] that was a that was a really good
[0:35:15] program again this year.
[0:35:18] We also uh
[0:35:20] had
[0:35:23] were told about the
[0:35:26] Pennsylvania Association of Pu- Pupil
[0:35:29] Services Administration, or PAPSA,
[0:35:32] conference
[0:35:34] that took place April 9th at the Inn at
[0:35:36] Leola Village, and that had um
[0:35:40] people from the IU there, it had a board
[0:35:42] member there,
[0:35:43] and our very own Matt Ammons
[0:35:46] has been the PAPSA president,
[0:35:50] and he was at this conference. So,
[0:35:53] I was glad that we had somebody
[0:35:55] represented there.
[0:35:58] We also know that there was a
[0:36:00] legislative round table,
[0:36:02] um our superintendent went there, he
[0:36:04] told us a little bit about that the last
[0:36:06] time, and the uh county legislators that
[0:36:09] were represented there.
[0:36:12] There was a regional regional STEM
[0:36:15] design challenge
[0:36:17] that was held at UGI Training Center.
[0:36:22] There were 12 There were 45 teams from
[0:36:25] 12 school systems tasked with designing
[0:36:28] and building prototype factory machines
[0:36:31] you need using connects and NGO
[0:36:34] materials.
[0:36:35] And the first place
[0:36:37] winner was Oley Valley Creek Elementary
[0:36:40] and second place was Oley Valley entry
[0:36:44] in that.
[0:36:45] So, um
[0:36:49] I did attend the colon meeting that um
[0:36:53] Mrs. Wallace and Dr. Winters went to and
[0:36:57] we learned that our budget
[0:37:00] might be done by June 30-ish or July
[0:37:03] 1st-ish or July 2nd-ish.
[0:37:07] And that it should be done
[0:37:10] in the beginning of July because it's an
[0:37:12] election year. So, um
[0:37:17] got a lot of information from from the
[0:37:19] state on that one.
[0:37:22] There was a career ready Berks night
[0:37:24] that connected students with local
[0:37:26] employers
[0:37:28] March 27th in partnership with the
[0:37:31] Reading Royals. I don't know if any of
[0:37:33] our kiddos went to that, but that was
[0:37:36] exploring careers for future
[0:37:39] um employment.
[0:37:42] And academic challenge showcase
[0:37:45] uh was held.
[0:37:48] There were 14 teams,
[0:37:51] four matches, and the winner of that
[0:37:54] overall was Daniel Boone Area School
[0:37:57] District and they will be representing
[0:37:59] Berks County at the Pennsylvania State
[0:38:01] Academic Competition on May 1st, which
[0:38:05] is this Friday.
[0:38:07] So, in Harrisburg.
[0:38:11] And then we recognized our retiring
[0:38:15] um
[0:38:16] chief financial officer uh that was
[0:38:18] that's Mrs. Lucille Gallash. She's
[0:38:21] retiring.
[0:38:22] And we're also ex- having the retirement
[0:38:26] of our um
[0:38:30] school professional um
[0:38:33] that will be retiring in Dan Richards
[0:38:36] will be retiring
[0:38:38] late summer, early fall. And these are
[0:38:41] people who have been in their
[0:38:44] educational jobs for a very long time.
[0:38:48] And Mrs. Gallus' position is has been
[0:38:52] filled by um Miss Serrano. And we are
[0:38:56] looking for a replacement for Mr.
[0:38:58] Richards. The applications have already
[0:39:01] been put in for that.
[0:39:05] And I attended uh a Head Start
[0:39:08] meeting with the Pennsylvania regional
[0:39:11] representation
[0:39:13] representatives. And that was an annual
[0:39:16] review of the Head Start program at the
[0:39:19] IU.
[0:39:21] And this past Saturday, the school bus
[0:39:23] safety
[0:39:25] competition was held at Daniel Boone. I
[0:39:29] don't know if we had any
[0:39:31] Dr. Winners, do we have anybody that was
[0:39:33] in that?
[0:39:35] I'm not sure. Kristen, do you know? Have
[0:39:38] you heard? Okay, didn't didn't know.
[0:39:40] Sometimes we have somebody that places
[0:39:41] second or third in that.
[0:39:44] And
[0:39:46] pretty much that's what we did besides
[0:39:49] our building project update. So,
[0:39:52] there will be a lot of new
[0:39:56] bills.
[0:39:58] I'm I'm not really going over any of the
[0:40:00] bills that we had because there's
[0:40:02] there's so many and
[0:40:04] so many of them are repetitive, but
[0:40:07] you will be seeing new bills in the
[0:40:09] House and State and House and the Senate
[0:40:12] because it's an election year. And most
[0:40:15] of those bills don't get any
[0:40:18] um support behind them. So, they're just
[0:40:21] bills that people put out there. So.
[0:40:24] Okay, that's Oh, and Oh, this is a big
[0:40:26] one. Camp Connect is being held again
[0:40:28] this year.
[0:40:29] This is the bereavement camp for
[0:40:31] children and teens 6 to 16 who have
[0:40:34] experienced the death of someone close
[0:40:36] to them.
[0:40:37] And it's being held one camp at Temple
[0:40:40] M'ulenberg is being held June 15th
[0:40:42] through the 18th, and one's being held
[0:40:44] in Spring Township um August 3rd through
[0:40:48] the 6th. And if you want any
[0:40:51] information, our counselors can probably
[0:40:53] help you with that, or you can contact
[0:40:57] the IU for that. That's the end of that
[0:41:00] one.
[0:41:02] So.
[0:41:03] That's it, girl.
[0:41:05] Okay, thank you, Linda. Moving on to
[0:41:06] 2.4, Berks Career and Technology Center,
[0:41:09] David Ball.
[0:41:11] Um couple things.
[0:41:15] First of all, the uh
[0:41:18] we've changed some of the policies um
[0:41:21] for how we do enrollments. And so, we
[0:41:24] were recognizing uh kids who leave
[0:41:27] programs, and then we work to backfill.
[0:41:30] So, we've gotten our enrollment to over
[0:41:33] 2,100
[0:41:35] kids
[0:41:37] uh which then also gives us some of the
[0:41:40] largest uh graduating classes. So, I
[0:41:44] think we're going to be over 750 kids at
[0:41:47] the upcoming graduation, which I think
[0:41:50] is a new record. Uh Schuylkill Valley
[0:41:52] also hosts the awards assembly here.
[0:41:56] And so, uh the board uh BCTC board just
[0:42:00] wanted to say that they appreciate that.
[0:42:03] Uh
[0:42:04] we're up for a lot of grants. One of the
[0:42:06] things we're also getting
[0:42:09] uh we have the precision milling
[0:42:11] uh
[0:42:13] uh
[0:42:13] department and we've been working with
[0:42:16] NASA for 2 years
[0:42:18] and there was a piece of unutilized
[0:42:21] equipment at another school and NASA
[0:42:24] actually reached out to us and asked us
[0:42:26] if we want to take over that piece of
[0:42:28] equipment and just pay the for the cost
[0:42:30] of rigging and establishment.
[0:42:32] So, we continue
[0:42:34] uh to see some really nice programs in
[0:42:37] in place.
[0:42:38] Uh they're continuing to look at uh how
[0:42:41] to deal with even though we've gone from
[0:42:43] about 1,700
[0:42:46] to 2,100
[0:42:48] uh kids enrolled in programs, we're
[0:42:50] still at a 300 to 400 wait list. So, I
[0:42:54] continue to tell uh
[0:42:56] our high school
[0:42:58] uh administration that, you know, we
[0:43:00] really
[0:43:02] need to work to get that word out if
[0:43:04] they want to get in the programs
[0:43:06] uh because it definitely fills up.
[0:43:08] There's sometimes there's camps
[0:43:11] uh that they can go to and those almost
[0:43:13] fill up immediately.
[0:43:15] Uh so, as much as we can do to try to
[0:43:18] get our kids
[0:43:19] uh having equal time and space
[0:43:22] uh would be important to do. They're
[0:43:24] looking at other alternatives
[0:43:27] uh
[0:43:27] that they want to work on, but those are
[0:43:29] the the biggest items. So, they continue
[0:43:32] to like I said, they've rearranged the
[0:43:34] schedules to for kids that had dropped
[0:43:37] out of programs. That kind of gap was
[0:43:40] following through
[0:43:41] and what they did is they looked for
[0:43:44] that tendency and they went back through
[0:43:46] and backfilled the gap. So, we're
[0:43:50] probably like I said, we're at some of
[0:43:51] the highest enrollments that we've had
[0:43:53] at BCTC.
[0:43:55] And they continue to be recognized. Our
[0:43:57] kids get recognized
[0:43:59] uh
[0:44:00] from Schuylkill Valley, but the whole
[0:44:01] program gets recognized at a state
[0:44:03] level.
[0:44:05] Uh so, it
[0:44:06] really some nice things that are
[0:44:08] occurring.
[0:44:09] That's it.
[0:44:12] Okay, thank you. Moving on to 2.5
[0:44:14] Burke's County Tax Collection Committee.
[0:44:17] Joe Brown. The only thing I have is the
[0:44:19] most recent reports forwarded from the
[0:44:22] committee were sent out for
[0:44:25] distribution, so everyone can review.
[0:44:27] There's nothing further from that
[0:44:29] committee.
[0:44:31] Joe, do you ever get a chance cuz I
[0:44:33] served in that committee and I know
[0:44:35] Becky when I served one thing you might
[0:44:37] want to just ask her
[0:44:38] is
[0:44:40] just ask for the particulars for
[0:44:41] Schuylkill Valley for the enrollment and
[0:44:43] the rates.
[0:44:45] That's not something which is weird.
[0:44:46] That's not something they provide. They
[0:44:48] always report supply it in total in
[0:44:51] summary, which is nice, but it doesn't
[0:44:54] really give us where we're at because
[0:44:57] when we were going through the COVID
[0:44:58] years,
[0:44:59] some of the districts were really saw a
[0:45:01] decline in their earned income tax and
[0:45:04] Schuylkill Valley was
[0:45:06] you know, had the benefit of having that
[0:45:07] fairly flat in fact just slight
[0:45:09] increase.
[0:45:10] So you might want to ask for that. And
[0:45:12] then the other one is to ask her
[0:45:14] she can't tell you who, but she can tell
[0:45:17] you if
[0:45:19] sometimes you end up having delinquent
[0:45:22] employers and just ask her if we have
[0:45:26] any delinquent employers on the horizon
[0:45:29] which means these would be employers who
[0:45:31] failed to deposit Burke's EIT money into
[0:45:36] the account which we would then then be
[0:45:38] able to get as a lump sum coming back.
[0:45:41] So
[0:45:44] you know, that's just something if if
[0:45:45] you want to you know,
[0:45:47] nothing wrong, but it's just when you
[0:45:49] you get the cadence if you attend a few
[0:45:51] meetings and you realize most people
[0:45:53] don't ask a lot of questions. They're
[0:45:55] just there, but if you can ask those
[0:45:57] questions, just ask her to give you that
[0:45:59] information on the side. She's always
[0:46:00] done that for us. Okay, thank you. Yep.
[0:46:05] Okay, thank you. We'll move on to 2.6,
[0:46:07] Pennsylvania School Boards Association,
[0:46:10] Linda Lash.
[0:46:12] Okay, the Pennsylvania high school
[0:46:14] teacher named national teacher of the
[0:46:16] year for 2026 is Leon Smith, a social
[0:46:20] studies teacher with 25 years of
[0:46:22] experience at Haverford High School.
[0:46:25] Um so, I thought that was kind of neat.
[0:46:27] It's an an East Coast teacher.
[0:46:31] This year, Eastern Pennsylvania teacher.
[0:46:34] Uh I did attend the uh liaison
[0:46:38] um Zoom meeting on Friday.
[0:46:41] I got a lot of information, so um
[0:46:45] the one thing that um
[0:46:48] they did emphasize was having a board
[0:46:51] self-assessment done.
[0:46:53] Uh very important.
[0:46:55] And it's should be based on the board
[0:46:58] principles on the big poster that we
[0:47:01] approved. Um
[0:47:03] so, I hope that we can
[0:47:06] do that. We haven't done that for a
[0:47:08] while, so that needs to be done.
[0:47:11] Um
[0:47:12] also, there is an AI
[0:47:17] workshop
[0:47:19] coming up for school leaders if any
[0:47:21] board members want to go.
[0:47:24] It it There's three sessions.
[0:47:32] Yeah, and it's through it's through PSBA
[0:47:34] Institute and Millersville University.
[0:47:37] The first session starts in August
[0:47:41] uh through August 3rd through September
[0:47:43] 4th.
[0:47:46] And uh different series of classes. The
[0:47:50] fall cohort is October 26th through
[0:47:53] November 27th, and the winter cohort is
[0:47:56] February 8th through March 12th. I have
[0:47:59] attended some of the smaller um AI
[0:48:04] workshops that they held and I find them
[0:48:06] to be very informative. So, if anybody
[0:48:09] wants to do that
[0:48:11] and
[0:48:16] Oh, and I have to remind you
[0:48:18] um that if you haven't done your state
[0:48:20] required um
[0:48:23] school board training, do you need to do
[0:48:26] that? I know there are two online
[0:48:29] um courses coming up in May. You'll have
[0:48:31] to go on the PSBA page to find them. Um
[0:48:36] it is a state law that we have to take
[0:48:38] training, so um I hope you if you
[0:48:42] haven't done it that you make sure you
[0:48:43] get your
[0:48:45] certificate into Suzy so she can put it
[0:48:48] in her file and
[0:48:52] that's all I have for that.
[0:48:56] Okay, thank you, Linda. 2.7 Schuylkill
[0:48:58] Valley Education Foundation, Linda.
[0:49:02] Okay, I got to change my phone here.
[0:49:10] Okay, I did get a message from
[0:49:14] Courtney Clay and it's rather lengthy,
[0:49:17] but it's really very very positive. The
[0:49:22] Schuylkill Valley Education Foundation
[0:49:24] is excited to share an update following
[0:49:26] this year's Red and Black event. It was
[0:49:29] our
[0:49:30] It was only our second annual fundraiser
[0:49:33] and we're incredibly pleased to report
[0:49:35] that the evening raised nearly $10,000
[0:49:37] in support of our grant opportunities
[0:49:40] throughout the district. The success of
[0:49:42] this
[0:49:43] event continues to strengthen our
[0:49:45] mission and serves as our primary
[0:49:47] fundraiser for the year. In addition to
[0:49:49] celebrating a successful event, we're
[0:49:52] already exploring ideas for a smaller
[0:49:54] fall fundraiser to help expand our
[0:49:57] impact and continuing building support
[0:49:59] for innovative educational opportunities
[0:50:02] within the district. Several meaningful
[0:50:04] projects and requests are already being
[0:50:06] fulfilled through this year's efforts.
[0:50:09] To start, materials for Jess Harley's
[0:50:11] mural request will be provided helping
[0:50:14] bring a much anticipated creative vision
[0:50:16] to life.
[0:50:17] We also received a special grant request
[0:50:20] for the bocce ball team. Dedicated
[0:50:22] donations specifically earmarked to
[0:50:24] support that cause were received at the
[0:50:27] event to fulfill fulfill that grant
[0:50:29] request. Additionally, a generous parent
[0:50:32] donation paired with a company match has
[0:50:35] once again directed has been directed
[0:50:37] toward the gifted program.
[0:50:39] Mrs. Daren will receive grant funding to
[0:50:41] purchase robots for the Discovery
[0:50:43] classroom at the elementary school
[0:50:46] creating hands-on learning opportunities
[0:50:48] that encourage creative
[0:50:50] problem-solving and STEM exploration.
[0:50:54] The board is currently reviewing the
[0:50:56] remaining funds for future distri-
[0:50:58] distribution. At this time, the antici-
[0:51:01] it's anticipated that additional grant
[0:51:03] dollars will be awarded during the next
[0:51:05] school year in increments of $500 to
[0:51:08] support classroom innovation, student
[0:51:10] enrichment, and educational experiences
[0:51:13] across the district. They're deeply
[0:51:15] grateful to everyone who attended,
[0:51:17] donated, sponsored, volunteered, and
[0:51:19] supported the Red and Black event.
[0:51:22] Your generosity continues to make a
[0:51:24] meaningful difference for SV students
[0:51:26] and educators.
[0:51:28] They're working to support a few
[0:51:29] scholarships
[0:51:30] that will be sent out to graduating
[0:51:32] seniors including the Growler
[0:51:34] scholarship and the Xavier Mateo
[0:51:37] scholarship.
[0:51:39] And then, they would like
[0:51:41] um
[0:51:44] to have businesses or be in
[0:51:47] or have contacts with businesses
[0:51:49] so they can learn about the EITC program
[0:51:52] and opportunities to give directly to
[0:51:54] the foundation for specific
[0:51:58] causes.
[0:51:59] And they would like to partner with
[0:52:01] these
[0:52:03] businesses. They just need the
[0:52:04] introductions. And that's all I have.
[0:52:09] Okay, thank you, Linda.
[0:52:12] That was quite an event that's the gala
[0:52:15] and then
[0:52:17] So, thank you. I know Lauren was
[0:52:18] involved in that.
[0:52:20] Okay, we'll move on to 3.0 persons who
[0:52:23] wish to address the board. Anyone who
[0:52:25] wishes to address the board this evening
[0:52:27] will have 3 minutes to state their
[0:52:29] questions or concerns. Please state your
[0:52:31] name, the township where you live, and
[0:52:32] indicate if you are representing a
[0:52:34] group. All comments should be directed
[0:52:37] to the board as a whole, and we ask that
[0:52:38] your comments be respectful in nature.
[0:52:40] If you have a written policy, a copy of
[0:52:42] that If you have a written statement, a
[0:52:44] copy of that statement would be
[0:52:46] appreciated. Details of this policy are
[0:52:48] on our website listed under policy 903
[0:52:51] public comment at board meetings.
[0:52:54] Now, we have I I believe
[0:52:57] [name withheld], did you had signed up to talk?
[0:53:00] Okay.
[0:53:01] So, you had signed the paper as a
[0:53:03] visitor, but I realized you actually
[0:53:05] wanted to sign up to talk. So, I will
[0:53:07] call on you first. Um
[0:53:09] if you would like to come up to the
[0:53:12] the podium here.
[0:53:13] And then just state your name and the
[0:53:15] township where you live.
[0:53:17] Um
[0:53:22] Um hi, my name is [name withheld]. Um I'm a student
[0:53:25] at the high school.
[0:53:27] Um I'm here to talk about the athletic
[0:53:30] the athletic field house.
[0:53:32] Um I'm here tonight to share a student
[0:53:34] perspective on the field house and on
[0:53:37] some issues many of us feel need
[0:53:38] attention first, especially regarding
[0:53:40] our safety and well-being.
[0:53:42] I want to start off by saying I do think
[0:53:44] a field house could be a big step for
[0:53:46] athletics and for powering our
[0:53:50] teenagers.
[0:53:51] Sports matter a lot to many of us. They
[0:53:53] give us sport, community, and something
[0:53:55] positive to focus on, live for, and find
[0:53:57] purpose. So, I'm not against the field
[0:53:59] house.
[0:54:00] But as students, we see problems every
[0:54:02] day that make it hard for us understand
[0:54:04] why new facility is the priority right
[0:54:07] now. These problems might not affect
[0:54:09] just a
[0:54:10] These problems affect not just our
[0:54:12] comfort, but our sense of security, our
[0:54:14] mental health, and our ability to feel
[0:54:16] respect in our own school. For example,
[0:54:19] in the middle school girls locker room,
[0:54:21] there has been serious hygiene and
[0:54:23] clean-cleanliness issues. There has been
[0:54:26] thick mouse feces in the changing room,
[0:54:30] and at one point even a used feminine
[0:54:33] product that sat there for a long time
[0:54:35] without being properly cleaned up.
[0:54:37] That's not just gross, it makes us feel
[0:54:39] like our safety, health, and our dignity
[0:54:42] are not being taken seriously.
[0:54:44] And it's not just one space. Across the
[0:54:46] school, there has there are ongoing
[0:54:49] facility issues,
[0:54:50] bathrooms that are not properly
[0:54:52] maintained, supplies that run out, and
[0:54:55] areas that feel neglected. When the
[0:54:57] spaces we use every day aren't
[0:54:59] consistently cared for, it sends a
[0:55:02] message about what is and isn't a
[0:55:04] priority. On top of that, our girls
[0:55:07] wrestling team hasn't been able to
[0:55:08] afford new uniforms or warm-ups like
[0:55:11] other schools and sports. We couldn't
[0:55:13] even keep the jackets that were gifted
[0:55:15] to us during our senior night. When
[0:55:17] girls teams
[0:55:19] feel like an afterthought, it sends a
[0:55:21] message that some students deserve
[0:55:23] better treatment and resources than
[0:55:25] others.
[0:55:26] There are broader concerns about safety
[0:55:28] and support. Whether it's building
[0:55:30] issues like gas leaks or a lack of
[0:55:33] constant supervision in certain areas,
[0:55:36] students don't always feel fully secure.
[0:55:39] And while mental health is talked about
[0:55:42] and
[0:55:42] access to support can feel limited when
[0:55:46] students actually need it.
[0:55:48] These aren't isolated issues. They
[0:55:50] reflect a larger pattern where basic
[0:55:53] needs, clean facilities, safety,
[0:55:55] fairness, and support aren't being
[0:55:57] consistently
[0:55:59] met. As students, it's hard to
[0:56:01] understand why expansion is a priority
[0:56:04] when the foundations still has cracks.
[0:56:06] So, when we hear about a $30
[0:56:09] When we hear about $30 for a new field
[0:56:11] house, but we can't get basic
[0:56:13] cleanliness in our locker rooms, a truly
[0:56:16] safe building, or fair support for our
[0:56:18] sports teams, it's baffling and honestly
[0:56:21] frustrating. We're not asking for
[0:56:23] luxury, we're asking for consistency,
[0:56:24] consistency, safety, or and fairness.
[0:56:28] Before we build something new, we need
[0:56:29] to take care of what we already have.
[0:56:32] I'm asking you to put student safety,
[0:56:34] cleanliness, mental health, and equity
[0:56:37] first.
[0:56:38] And to share and to show us a clear,
[0:56:41] transparent plan to fix these issues,
[0:56:44] not just say you will fix them before
[0:56:46] before moving forward with a new big
[0:56:48] project. Once these basic priorities are
[0:56:51] met, and we can truly feel safe in our
[0:56:54] school each day, then a field house
[0:56:56] could be something we as students can
[0:56:58] all be proud of.
[0:56:59] Some of us will never make a living off
[0:57:01] sports, but some of us has been a given
[0:57:04] a purpose to live because of sports.
[0:57:07] What will matter most of for our futures
[0:57:10] is whether we are learning in a safe,
[0:57:13] clean environment, and whether all
[0:57:15] students and teams are treated fairly.
[0:57:17] Please remember that students are the
[0:57:19] ones living these conditions every day.
[0:57:22] I hope you will I hope you will really
[0:57:24] listen to what we're telling you.
[0:57:27] Thank you for having me. Okay. Amy,
[0:57:29] thank you very much for bringing up that
[0:57:31] to our attention. Uh it takes a lot of
[0:57:33] courage to stand up there and you did a
[0:57:34] great job. I appreciate that you came
[0:57:36] well prepared. Um
[0:57:39] do we need to have our administrators
[0:57:41] inspect our buildings every day?
[0:57:43] And create checklists cuz we if we we
[0:57:45] can't clean our bathrooms.
[0:57:49] I know that checklists are in place.
[0:57:52] Now, how effective they've been
[0:57:54] I need to follow up on that. But, you
[0:57:56] know, we do like you I know at the high
[0:57:58] school in particular that was something
[0:58:00] that I had asked Michael to put into
[0:58:02] place when he started to have checklists
[0:58:04] and follow up. So,
[0:58:06] I'll follow up again as to where that
[0:58:07] is.
[0:58:08] Okay.
[0:58:09] And maybe we need to be doing spot
[0:58:11] checks and making sure that those things
[0:58:13] are taken care of because just because
[0:58:14] they're on a list
[0:58:15] >> Oh, I yeah. doesn't mean that that list
[0:58:17] gets checked off and completed.
[0:58:23] Okay. Thank you very much, [name withheld].
[0:58:26] Um next is Jeff Golden.
[0:58:33] Before you start my timer, I just want
[0:58:34] to let you know that when people watch
[0:58:36] the feed live, it's the agenda that's
[0:58:39] showing and they can't actually see
[0:58:41] who's speaking whether it's somebody at
[0:58:43] the podium or one of you. So, a lot of
[0:58:45] what I'm about to say I don't know who
[0:58:47] said certain things last at the last
[0:58:49] meeting the April 6th meeting. So, just
[0:58:52] so you know, that's very difficult as
[0:58:53] somebody who's watching after the fact
[0:58:55] whether you're traveling for business or
[0:58:56] you can't make it cuz you're taking care
[0:58:57] of your family. Makes it really
[0:58:59] difficult to know who's actually
[0:59:00] speaking unless you come often and you
[0:59:01] know the voices.
[0:59:03] So.
[0:59:04] Um I'm going to waste actually a few
[0:59:05] seconds of my time and thank [name withheld] for
[0:59:06] coming out and speaking on behalf of the
[0:59:08] students and sharing the perspective of
[0:59:09] the individuals that are there. Um
[0:59:11] something that she talked about was that
[0:59:12] um they're not asking for luxury. Um and
[0:59:15] that's exactly what this athletic field
[0:59:17] house is. And I'm going to get into my
[0:59:19] actually prepare what I prepared here.
[0:59:20] So, I shouldn't be I should be
[0:59:22] surprised, but I'm not. I'm mostly just
[0:59:23] tired of seeing self-important
[0:59:25] politicians make a mockery of those who
[0:59:27] elected them to solve an educational
[0:59:29] problem of this district and instead
[0:59:31] focus on pet projects they've spent
[0:59:33] years waiting for just the right moment
[0:59:34] to push through at a meeting that was
[0:59:36] barely promoted and I'll share the
[0:59:38] actual promotion, what was put on the
[0:59:40] website because it doesn't talk about a
[0:59:42] vote. Uh and that's the only thing I'll
[0:59:43] share because it took me 7 hours of
[0:59:45] listening to the April 6 meeting to
[0:59:47] actually prepare for this. So if you
[0:59:48] want to hear what I had to say, you can
[0:59:49] do the same thing that I did. Um there
[0:59:51] was no announcement on the Facebook on
[0:59:53] the uh landing page of the Facebook page
[0:59:54] and a text, email, voicemail notifying
[0:59:56] parents, no real promotion found
[0:59:58] anywhere for a meeting where eight of
[0:59:59] you voted to build a monument to
[1:00:01] yourselves. You should take a page out
[1:00:03] of the congressional playbook and have
[1:00:04] three additional people vote nay because
[1:00:06] the 8 to 1 vote in support of burdening
[1:00:08] the community while our students
[1:00:10] struggle academically and apparently
[1:00:12] sanitarily uh smells like the mushroom
[1:00:15] houses in our neighboring Muhlenberg.
[1:00:17] 310th district in the state of 609.
[1:00:19] That's down from 198 in 2022 and 157th
[1:00:22] in 2019. I was over I'm one of the U14
[1:00:25] soccer coaches. I had noticed a sign on
[1:00:26] the on the when I was coming over here.
[1:00:28] 2017 middle school uh national schools
[1:00:31] to watch and uh just recently we
[1:00:33] received the TSI designation. Anybody
[1:00:35] who's here or not here should look up
[1:00:37] TSI um because we're in the bottom 5%.
[1:00:40] We're actually being watched now
[1:00:43] um by the Department of Education.
[1:00:46] I'm going to run out of time and I tried
[1:00:47] to stay short but
[1:00:50] uh okay, I'm going to get into some
[1:00:51] actual quotes here. Ross, you mentioned
[1:00:52] the whole student for college selections
[1:00:54] and that enrollment numbers don't
[1:00:55] support expanding our school buildings
[1:00:57] um and if there was no need to expand on
[1:00:59] the horizon, why do we need an extra
[1:01:00] gymnasium if practices won't be an issue
[1:01:02] going forward? Carol, you talked about a
[1:01:04] rough rough past a couple of years and
[1:01:06] the morale, negativity towards the
[1:01:08] school that this can boost school spirit
[1:01:10] uh and so why can't we be proud of our
[1:01:11] academics and having clean schools first
[1:01:13] and you know, focus on the the
[1:01:16] foundation like [name withheld] mentioned instead
[1:01:18] of focusing on the nice to haves. The
[1:01:20] The coach mentioned recruitment and
[1:01:21] retention that a venue can attract and
[1:01:22] keep outside students. So, some of you
[1:01:24] know, I moved here in the last 5 years,
[1:01:26] and I'm telling you right now that no
[1:01:27] parent who cares about a quality
[1:01:29] education
[1:01:30] is going to move their family to or not
[1:01:32] move their family from a district with
[1:01:33] crumbling schools who's on the backside
[1:01:35] of two degenerate superintendents, the
[1:01:37] most recent of which caused an exodus of
[1:01:39] 150 plus educators and its support
[1:01:41] staff, and one that has fallen from the
[1:01:42] fourth best district in the county to
[1:01:44] bottom five.
[1:01:45] And it's bottom 5% in English language
[1:01:47] learners nationally. That's a TSI
[1:01:49] designation for those of you paying
[1:01:50] attention. Carolyn, somebody who was
[1:01:52] unknown mentioned there's never going to
[1:01:53] be a perfect time. Perhaps the timing
[1:01:55] was never right because this is a nice
[1:01:57] to have facility and doesn't supersede
[1:01:58] the educational and facility needs of
[1:02:00] our student athletes, and they are
[1:02:01] student athletes, which means the
[1:02:03] education must always come first.
[1:02:06] Unknown talked about bad thunderstorms.
[1:02:07] I heard this timer go off. You don't you
[1:02:10] don't evacuate a stadium into a steel
[1:02:11] building in a thunderstorm. I was going
[1:02:13] to jump forward, and I'll come back next
[1:02:14] next month the next time I can because I
[1:02:16] travel a lot for work. There were five
[1:02:18] actual needs that were talked about at
[1:02:19] that meeting. One, a concession stand
[1:02:21] where the electrical system shorts out
[1:02:22] just from Crock-Pots being plugged in,
[1:02:24] okay? A locker room remodel, you talked
[1:02:25] about our kiddos needing locker rooms
[1:02:27] and us being mocked. Yeah, that's
[1:02:28] important. The bathroom that needs a
[1:02:30] remodel that's three years old for the
[1:02:31] crowd, and appropriate storage equipment
[1:02:33] for the students, and someone who
[1:02:34] actually knows how to schedule athletics
[1:02:36] so that we don't have
[1:02:38] nine nine-year-olds with at 9:00 p.m.
[1:02:40] practices. That's unacceptable. Those
[1:02:42] are five things that are needs. We don't
[1:02:44] need $18 million, now $30 total, to
[1:02:48] cover that, which maybe a million
[1:02:50] dollars. You have the boogiest
[1:02:51] facilities on earth. We're not going to
[1:02:52] be a mockery, and focus on fixing the
[1:02:53] academics before you build a monument to
[1:02:56] yourself. Thank you. Hold it right
[1:02:57] there, Jeff.
[1:02:58] >> I would like to Hold it right there.
[1:03:00] Yeah. First of all, I don't appreciate
[1:03:03] being accused of accepting a bribe in
[1:03:06] order for my vote. When did I say that?
[1:03:08] You did it on Facebook. You're a
[1:03:10] Facebook warrior, and you put all this
[1:03:11] crap out there on Facebook that is
[1:03:13] untrue. You say 150 people left in the
[1:03:15] last 3 years?
[1:03:17] Yeah.
[1:03:17] >> hear
[1:03:18] Did you count retirements?
[1:03:20] Did you count people that came back? Did
[1:03:22] you count that some of them were people
[1:03:23] that tried out administration and
[1:03:25] decided they didn't like it and fell
[1:03:26] back into teaching?
[1:03:28] No, I did not. Okay.
[1:03:30] So,
[1:03:31] on top of that, it's not a $30 million
[1:03:33] facility. It's $18 million. It's going
[1:03:35] to cost $30 million over the next 7
[1:03:36] years, right?
[1:03:37] >> It's not
[1:03:38] >> No. We'll give you the numbers.
[1:03:39] >> $18 million is I'll give you the
[1:03:40] numbers.
[1:03:40] >> difficult when you're reading an eye
[1:03:41] chart that's also blurry. But the
[1:03:43] picture that was actually on the screen
[1:03:44] was blurry as well. We put it on the
[1:03:46] screen so you can zoom in on it, Jeff.
[1:03:48] So, if you take $18 million, it's like a
[1:03:50] 9 or 10% interest rate to get to $30
[1:03:53] million for a payoff over 15 years.
[1:03:56] The school has excellent credit because
[1:03:58] we managed it well all this time. Okay.
[1:04:01] As far as children practicing late at
[1:04:03] night,
[1:04:05] we've scheduled as best we can. We just
[1:04:07] don't have the space.
[1:04:08] These are indoor sports. We have
[1:04:10] multiple indoor sports in the academic
[1:04:12] year plus the youth sports that mirror
[1:04:15] them.
[1:04:16] So, you've got multiple age groups over
[1:04:19] multiple sports. It's not a scheduling
[1:04:21] issue, it's a space issue.
[1:04:24] Okay? And
[1:04:25] before you start spouting off on
[1:04:27] Facebook with stuff that's half-baked
[1:04:29] and untrue, remember that the people in
[1:04:31] your household are watching. The
[1:04:33] children in this district are watching
[1:04:34] how the adults act and they're watching
[1:04:36] how we present an argument.
[1:04:38] So, hold yourself to a high standard
[1:04:40] because of who's watching, not because
[1:04:41] of us, but all the kids that are
[1:04:43] watching these meetings.
[1:04:45] So, make sure you're correct.
[1:04:46] >> to, Al. If you and I understand that you
[1:04:49] want to call me a Facebook word. I
[1:04:50] shared that there was a meeting
[1:04:51] happening tonight so that that people
[1:04:53] didn't know about the meeting that
[1:04:54] happened on April 6th because you
[1:04:55] commented on it, Carol, right away in
[1:04:57] the beginning. And the last special
[1:04:58] meeting was last week that I didn't even
[1:04:59] know about, and I was here. I could have
[1:05:01] been here to maybe have a conversation.
[1:05:04] You say things like I'm at 50% of the
[1:05:06] meetings. I've seen you four times.
[1:05:08] Yeah, Al, I haven't been here because
[1:05:09] I've been traveling. I've had deaths in
[1:05:11] >> Why did you say Why did you say you're
[1:05:12] at 50% of the meetings?
[1:05:15] Why do you
[1:05:17] speak facts, speak truth?
[1:05:20] It's just as effective. You don't have
[1:05:21] to embellish it.
[1:05:25] You just don't. $30 million. You don't
[1:05:27] even have a basis for that number, but
[1:05:29] you're throwing it all over the place.
[1:05:41] It's 30 million combined. 18 million for
[1:05:43] the new plus the 12 million old is going
[1:05:44] to be 50 million over the next I focused
[1:05:46] on specifically the new because the old
[1:05:47] is already there. And I
[1:05:49] >> Well, I I have the numbers for you if
[1:05:50] you'd like the actual numbers. Because
[1:05:53] this was all presented in public, but
[1:05:55] since you couldn't read it if we
[1:05:57] contributed $6 million
[1:06:00] from our capital reserves
[1:06:02] the capitalized interest would be
[1:06:05] $551,903.
[1:06:09] If we contributed $3 million from our
[1:06:12] capital reserves, it's $683,789.
[1:06:19] If we contribute $0 from our capital
[1:06:21] reserves, it's $816
[1:06:25] $816,333.
[1:06:29] Kelly, I think you're reading the
[1:06:31] capitalized interest. We're talking
[1:06:33] about what we are going to pay over the
[1:06:35] next 15 years, which I believe amounted
[1:06:38] at that last column where we're
[1:06:40] borrowing zero to $52 million payback.
[1:06:44] But again, that that includes
[1:06:47] money that's already out on the current
[1:06:49] bond. That that is not just Field House
[1:06:52] money. I understand that, but we're
[1:06:53] still paying back $52 million over 15
[1:06:56] years. It's not That other capitalized
[1:06:59] interest, if I understand that right,
[1:07:01] that's to get us through until we start
[1:07:04] paying the actual debt, which I off the
[1:07:06] top of my head goes from about $2.4
[1:07:09] million to $3.4 million once we start
[1:07:13] paying down on that. So, adding all
[1:07:16] those numbers together over the 15-year
[1:07:19] period, I believe with um taking using
[1:07:23] no school district money that we have
[1:07:25] amounts to $52 million. If you look at
[1:07:28] the number at the bottom, I didn't bring
[1:07:29] those papers, but I believe the end
[1:07:31] number's $52 million. Well, a portion of
[1:07:34] it is the $25 million we took out in
[1:07:35] 2020 to plow into the buildings to
[1:07:37] improve improve the the mechanical
[1:07:39] systems, roofs, the pool,
[1:07:42] some of the fields. I understand that.
[1:07:45] We also have discussed that most of
[1:07:48] these projects have a 15-year shelf
[1:07:50] life. So, if you took a bond in 2020 and
[1:07:54] we made those improvements in 2022-2023,
[1:07:57] that means by 2038
[1:08:00] all those things are done and their
[1:08:01] shelf life's over while we still have
[1:08:04] another 5 years left on the debt we're
[1:08:06] taking. So, in 2036-2038,
[1:08:10] we're going to borrow more money to pay
[1:08:12] off the existing debt that we're taking
[1:08:14] now plus add to that debt by having to
[1:08:17] do those new improvements to the school.
[1:08:19] I think that's the point he's trying to
[1:08:21] make. I don't want to speak for him, but
[1:08:24] you know, it is a significant a
[1:08:26] significant amount of money that we're
[1:08:27] spending. My concern goes back to
[1:08:30] we've did a bond back in 2020 and now
[1:08:33] we're 2026 and we're doing another bond.
[1:08:36] And we're we're rolling in the debt from
[1:08:38] that bond in 2020, which means down the
[1:08:41] road
[1:08:43] you're going to need roofs, you're going
[1:08:45] to need mechanical systems, and that's
[1:08:47] going to be before this debt's paid off
[1:08:49] in 2042. So, that's that's my concern. I
[1:08:52] mean, again, I've said that the the
[1:08:55] members can vote whichever way they
[1:08:56] want. I just have a extreme concern
[1:08:59] about the amount of debt we're putting
[1:09:01] the district in uh by doing this. But
[1:09:03] again, majority wins, so it is what it
[1:09:05] is. Well, the other thing to consider is
[1:09:07] that by the time 2042 rolls around,
[1:09:09] we're going to see the end of the
[1:09:10] PEASERS.
[1:09:12] Where PEASERS debt is going to start to
[1:09:14] drop off cuz that's about 30% of our
[1:09:16] budget. So, we'll start to regain that
[1:09:18] in the late 2030s and rolling into the
[1:09:20] 2040s.
[1:09:22] That's the hope right now, and that
[1:09:23] doesn't include rolling in every other
[1:09:26] expense that's going to happen between
[1:09:27] now and then that we're going to
[1:09:29] we're going to have. So,
[1:09:31] >> a huge huge portion of our budget that
[1:09:33] we will not be responsible for coming
[1:09:34] that time.
[1:09:36] Now, the problem is though that Jeff is
[1:09:38] saying that the field house is $30
[1:09:39] million.
[1:09:41] And it's not.
[1:09:42] >> 17 over 17 years you're going to pay
[1:09:43] back the I was very clear about that
[1:09:45] that the cost of that specifically. One
[1:09:47] thing that you were also very clear on
[1:09:49] is that we were getting um different
[1:09:53] paneling inside for aesthetic reasons
[1:09:56] only. That was that that was Please
[1:09:58] please let me Please let me finish.
[1:10:00] Yeah. That was several million dollars.
[1:10:03] That's completely inaccurate.
[1:10:04] >> And in reality, I didn't say that I
[1:10:05] didn't highlight it. I did notice there
[1:10:07] was it was a couple hundred thousand or
[1:10:08] maybe
[1:10:09] >> We we
[1:10:10] we went with
[1:10:12] We went with option three. But but you
[1:10:14] did online and and I can correct my my
[1:10:17] where I was incorrect because I had to
[1:10:18] listen and try to try to digest all of
[1:10:21] this because it's very difficult was I
[1:10:22] think you mentioned that there's nobody
[1:10:23] here taking the the the minutes and
[1:10:25] having like reporters that are reporting
[1:10:27] on what's happening. It's very difficult
[1:10:28] as an individual who can't make it to
[1:10:30] digest all of that information and then
[1:10:32] process all of it and try to when you
[1:10:35] know That's that's fair. And Don't don't
[1:10:39] regurgitate it back to Facebook until
[1:10:41] you've done that.
[1:10:42] Now, Facebook is a is a public place.
[1:10:43] People people talk. People But that was
[1:10:45] not my But it's the number one place we
[1:10:47] get complaints from. It was to
[1:10:49] That is not it. I shared information
[1:10:51] about the meetings if you want to come
[1:10:52] and speak if they want to.
[1:10:54] It was to stir people up. It was not to
[1:10:56] stir people up. It was to get people a
[1:10:57] chance to come here And we had we had
[1:10:59] people we had people here. People did
[1:11:02] come and speak.
[1:11:03] >> were the only ones here. One individual
[1:11:04] one individual who spoke up about a
[1:11:06] specific cost that she thought it was
[1:11:07] $24 and went down to 18. It's all it's
[1:11:10] all online if you would watch. Okay. I I
[1:11:12] think we're going to have to wrap this
[1:11:14] up cuz we're cuz we're going. Um we
[1:11:16] there were several meetings. We had the
[1:11:18] Act 34 meeting that people could come
[1:11:21] and talk. Um it was open for 30 days
[1:11:23] that people could send in you know if
[1:11:26] they were opposed or for this you know
[1:11:30] >> the So the meeting was from January to
[1:11:31] February But there was actually were
[1:11:33] postponed cuz this this room the heat
[1:11:34] was malfunctioning.
[1:11:35] >> No, the act well we were in the other
[1:11:37] room. They were actually
[1:11:40] We were just right next door.
[1:11:42] Yeah, we were right back here.
[1:11:44] Yeah.
[1:11:46] Okay. But the other thing is that it is
[1:11:49] open for public comment and um you could
[1:11:52] send it in to the school or
[1:11:55] you know, so we had that 30-day window
[1:11:57] after the Act 34 as well.
[1:11:59] You know, and I agree we we want to do a
[1:12:02] better job communicating at the board
[1:12:04] meeting last month. I did say we were
[1:12:07] going to be having that meeting to
[1:12:08] discuss it after Easter. It was after
[1:12:11] Easter, but then again it was you know,
[1:12:14] we we had to put it in there in order to
[1:12:17] fill a timeline of what we were working
[1:12:19] on as well. And Joe, didn't you didn't
[1:12:21] you put something out as well, Joe? Joe
[1:12:23] had something on the Facebook and that's
[1:12:25] something
[1:12:26] Yes.
[1:12:28] Right. Right. And that is that is
[1:12:31] something that we're aware of. We're
[1:12:33] trying to get better communication even
[1:12:36] for our workshop meetings, you know,
[1:12:38] trying to get it out there on Facebook
[1:12:40] and as I said, you know, last month if
[1:12:41] people have ideas of where they're going
[1:12:43] to go to see this because we don't have
[1:12:46] the reporters coming to the meetings
[1:12:47] anymore. So we don't have like the
[1:12:49] little synopsis next day in the paper.
[1:12:52] You know, so it is a a tough way to kind
[1:12:54] of try and get communication out there
[1:12:57] and especially the ones who aren't going
[1:12:59] to be looking on Facebook or looking at
[1:13:01] the district website, you know, the rest
[1:13:02] of the community. So that is something
[1:13:05] we're aware of and and trying to come up
[1:13:06] with a solution for.
[1:13:08] We don't have a newsletter anymore.
[1:13:11] So, you know, those are some things that
[1:13:13] we're going to have to look at as well.
[1:13:16] But some of the other things, you know,
[1:13:17] we're focusing one also the curriculum.
[1:13:19] Now when we hear some of the building
[1:13:21] issues, you know, we do want to resolve
[1:13:23] all that, but you know, we've got a new
[1:13:25] board on here. We really only have 4
[1:13:27] months in. So, you know, we're trying to
[1:13:29] work through some of these things as as
[1:13:32] well as problems come up or things that
[1:13:34] are brought to our attention.
[1:13:36] So we're not trying to ignore anything,
[1:13:38] but you know, the field house is one of
[1:13:39] those things it was kind of a timely
[1:13:41] thing because it had was already in the
[1:13:43] process before, you know, a lot of us
[1:13:46] even got on the board.
[1:13:48] So, and we had votes and it was eight to
[1:13:52] one and we voted to not take any
[1:13:56] money out of the capital reserve in that
[1:13:59] to fully fund it so we could save that
[1:14:01] money to be doing some of these other
[1:14:03] things that we know need to be done.
[1:14:07] And you know, Carol, I'm looking back at
[1:14:09] my notes here. Our Act 34 meeting on
[1:14:11] January 7th, we had 11 different
[1:14:14] speakers, only two of which were
[1:14:16] coaches, and this place was packed.
[1:14:18] So, this this is not a new discussion. I
[1:14:21] understand where you're coming from.
[1:14:23] We're like the final meeting.
[1:14:24] Maybe the communication could have been
[1:14:26] better, but this is not something
[1:14:30] It said it it had that it was a
[1:14:34] Right.
[1:14:35] Yeah, I understand that.
[1:14:36] >> Yes.
[1:14:39] Right. But it had that it was a special
[1:14:44] Yeah.
[1:14:48] Just just don't tell people I'm a
[1:14:50] bribes.
[1:14:51] >> [laughter]
[1:14:51] >> Five of us have professional
[1:14:53] certifications and licenses that depend
[1:14:55] on a strong ethics component. I don't
[1:14:57] want to lose my my my way to support my
[1:15:00] family because people are talking about
[1:15:02] me accepting bribes.
[1:15:04] Okay. Let's take this off offline. I
[1:15:05] have to have a conversation with other
[1:15:06] people there so that there's witnesses
[1:15:07] for the conversation that happens if you
[1:15:09] like. Um
[1:15:10] but let's let other people speak. I'm
[1:15:12] happy to
[1:15:12] >> Okay.
[1:15:13] come to another meeting or whatever it
[1:15:15] be about
[1:15:16] or anything else. Yeah. And and that's
[1:15:18] fine. Again, I mean it was advertised as
[1:15:20] a special meeting. It's a special field
[1:15:22] house meeting so you would actually have
[1:15:23] to go on the agenda and then you would
[1:15:24] see that that was going to be voted on.
[1:15:26] So it was a a two-stop pro- two-step
[1:15:29] process to find the agenda.
[1:15:32] Okay. Thank you very much. We'll move on
[1:15:35] to Tanya Salenik.
[1:15:43] Good evening. My name is Tanya Salenik
[1:15:45] and I am from the Leesport Borough. I
[1:15:47] have two boys in the Schuylkill Valley
[1:15:49] School District, one in the middle
[1:15:50] school and one in the high school.
[1:15:53] I don't like public public speaking at
[1:15:55] all.
[1:15:56] I like to be in the background but I
[1:15:58] feel like it is something that I need to
[1:16:01] say.
[1:16:03] I moved to Schuylkill Valley in 2008 for
[1:16:05] several reasons before I even had kids.
[1:16:09] The school district had a reputation for
[1:16:10] academic excellence in a more rural
[1:16:13] setting like where I grew up.
[1:16:15] When my oldest started elementary
[1:16:17] school, the district was still known for
[1:16:19] academics, ranking fourth in Berks
[1:16:21] County.
[1:16:24] Since then, our standings have steadily
[1:16:26] eroded and not just academically.
[1:16:29] We have frequent gas leak scares. The
[1:16:31] heating and cooling systems have issues.
[1:16:34] And our middle school now has earned a
[1:16:36] TSI designation.
[1:16:39] Last year my son and many of his
[1:16:41] classmates learn geometry from chat GPT
[1:16:45] for most of the year because they didn't
[1:16:47] have a teacher and the learning was
[1:16:48] asynchronous.
[1:16:50] Despite having a commute to Philly for
[1:16:52] the past 4 years, I still didn't want to
[1:16:54] leave this community.
[1:16:56] My boys are in scouts, bands, and
[1:16:59] multiple sports here.
[1:17:01] They have amazing friends
[1:17:03] and my older son's kindergarten teacher
[1:17:05] still emails every now and then to let
[1:17:07] the kids know she's thinking of them.
[1:17:10] I held out hope that when we elected a
[1:17:12] new cohort of school board members, that
[1:17:14] perhaps finally we'd see a turnaround.
[1:17:17] Instead, we had an 8 to 1 vote to build
[1:17:19] an unnecessary field house while our
[1:17:21] teachers are told new light bulbs so our
[1:17:24] students can see aren't in the budget.
[1:17:28] I also haven't seen any additional
[1:17:29] communications on what our plan is to
[1:17:32] mitigate the TSI designation. Where are
[1:17:34] we on that?
[1:17:36] Sadly, it's apparent this board doesn't
[1:17:38] have the best interests of the entire
[1:17:40] student body in mind and I have zero
[1:17:42] confidence in your ability to fulfill
[1:17:45] your moral obligation to the community
[1:17:47] you were elected to serve.
[1:17:49] I'm sad that after 18 years here, I need
[1:17:52] to consider ripping my sons out of this
[1:17:54] school district and move to a new one
[1:17:56] that has its priority straight.
[1:18:01] Okay. Um,
[1:18:03] thank you for your comments.
[1:18:05] Basically,
[1:18:06] like, yes, we did vote on the field
[1:18:08] house, but that it does not forego all
[1:18:11] the other things that this board wants
[1:18:13] to do. We have been working hard on the
[1:18:16] curriculum.
[1:18:17] Um, we changed some of the hiring
[1:18:19] policies. You know, there's a lot of
[1:18:21] things that we've been working on. We're
[1:18:23] going to be bringing in a new
[1:18:25] superintendent with new ideas,
[1:18:28] um,
[1:18:28] and focus on some of those items.
[1:18:31] It We're just going to need some time to
[1:18:34] to bring some of those things, turn some
[1:18:37] of those things around. And it is
[1:18:39] important to have. It is important that
[1:18:42] we build our academics back up. And And
[1:18:45] we know that. And that's a lot of why
[1:18:48] some of us got on the board because we
[1:18:50] want to bring those sort of things
[1:18:52] levels back up. And um
[1:18:55] you know, I I think with the new
[1:18:57] superintendent coming on, that we'll be
[1:18:59] able to achieve some of those things.
[1:19:01] It's big shoes to fill there, uh
[1:19:04] Dr. Quirk, but I I'm sure he's up for
[1:19:07] the challenge. Can we start with lights?
[1:19:09] So.
[1:19:10] Can Can you let us know what that's was
[1:19:12] my question. What classrooms need light
[1:19:14] bulbs? Who's being told that they can't
[1:19:15] have light bulbs because that's not
[1:19:17] acceptable.
[1:19:19] If If you don't want to
[1:19:21] you know, say that now, if you want to
[1:19:23] wait until after and let me know that
[1:19:26] because that's not acceptable. Our
[1:19:27] classrooms absolutely positively need
[1:19:29] light bulbs. So, if that's what's
[1:19:31] >> And if those issues come up like that,
[1:19:33] like contact the school right away. You
[1:19:36] know, in in instead of you know, I mean,
[1:19:38] you can bring it up at any public
[1:19:40] meeting as you so please, but you know,
[1:19:43] those are the sort of things like let us
[1:19:45] know now. So, I mean, we can't handle
[1:19:47] that kind of thing and you know, find
[1:19:49] out what the answer is if we are not
[1:19:51] aware of it.
[1:19:52] >> Fire off an email.
[1:19:54] >> [clears throat]
[1:19:54] >> And And I can tell you that in terms of
[1:19:57] basic classroom supplies like that,
[1:19:59] light bulbs or
[1:20:01] hand sanitizer or those kinds of things,
[1:20:04] every single request that has come
[1:20:05] through my office has been approved. I
[1:20:08] have not said one time, anytime it's
[1:20:10] come in, when they said, "We need light
[1:20:12] bulbs. We need whatever." Go ahead and
[1:20:13] purchase it. Get what you need. Do what
[1:20:15] you And so, and that's been consistent.
[1:20:18] So,
[1:20:19] I know
[1:20:20] I would love to know, if you're
[1:20:21] comfortable emailing me, I would love to
[1:20:22] know where that's coming from.
[1:20:23] >> need to know where that is.
[1:20:28] I'm not asking you to throw anybody
[1:20:30] under the bus, but
[1:20:33] We just need to get the situation
[1:20:34] corrected.
[1:20:36] And we would like to fix that.
[1:20:37] >> I'm asking.
[1:20:40] And uh you know, I just like to make a
[1:20:41] couple more comments, you know, kind of
[1:20:43] based off of what Carol was saying, just
[1:20:44] off of, you know, some of the speakers
[1:20:46] we've heard from the last couple
[1:20:47] meetings. There's been a lot of talk
[1:20:48] about, you know, our academic
[1:20:50] performance and that we should be
[1:20:52] focusing on the academics and not field
[1:20:55] houses and things like that. But what
[1:20:57] people I don't think understand is we
[1:20:59] recognize those issues. We completely
[1:21:02] redid basically our entire curriculum,
[1:21:05] bought all new, not cheap, new
[1:21:07] curriculum materials. We're rolling them
[1:21:10] out. We're not ignoring curriculum or
[1:21:12] test scores. It takes time. We spent the
[1:21:15] money. We're putting in the time. We're
[1:21:17] not ignoring, you know, the scores that
[1:21:20] we're seeing. There's a reason why we
[1:21:22] went through and redid pretty much every
[1:21:24] curriculum, every major curriculum in
[1:21:26] the last couple years. So the idea that
[1:21:29] we're spending money only on athletics,
[1:21:30] but not on academics isn't correct.
[1:21:32] We've spent a lot of money. You can go
[1:21:34] back and look in the minutes. These
[1:21:35] materials are not cheap.
[1:21:38] Um so we have been focusing on that. Um
[1:21:40] and the other thing I'd like to mention
[1:21:42] is the the financing
[1:21:44] uh that we
[1:21:45] took for the field house
[1:21:47] did not empty our
[1:21:50] um our back our our reserves. So we
[1:21:52] actually do have People are saying,
[1:21:54] "Well, now we don't have money to fix
[1:21:55] this and we don't have money to fix
[1:21:56] that." No, we do because of the
[1:21:58] financing we got and because of the way
[1:22:00] bids came in,
[1:22:01] we do have money to fix locker rooms. We
[1:22:03] do have money to address a lot of the
[1:22:05] things that people are talking and we
[1:22:07] have we're working on building a list
[1:22:09] right now with buildings and grounds on
[1:22:11] the things we would like to spend that
[1:22:13] money on. So we're not just ignoring
[1:22:15] everything and bankrupting ourselves to
[1:22:18] build a field house.
[1:22:19] There's a lot of us that had a lot of
[1:22:20] concerns about approving the field
[1:22:22] house. And if the bids would not have
[1:22:23] come back the way they did, our votes
[1:22:26] would have been different. But when the
[1:22:27] bids came back much lower than we were
[1:22:29] expecting and we realized that we could
[1:22:31] still address all of those things that
[1:22:33] the teachers have brought up to us their
[1:22:34] concerns, the students have brought up
[1:22:36] their concerns, we have the money to do
[1:22:38] that.
[1:22:39] And, you know, to speak to what Joe was
[1:22:40] saying,
[1:22:41] because we didn't bankrupt ourselves and
[1:22:44] we do have money to spend in our capital
[1:22:46] reserve,
[1:22:47] some of these things were you know, that
[1:22:49] capital reserve isn't just going to
[1:22:50] disappear every year. You know, we take
[1:22:52] in new money every year to refill that.
[1:22:55] So, it's not like we're going to build
[1:22:57] this field house and then for the next
[1:23:00] 20 years we can't do anything. That's
[1:23:02] just not accurate.
[1:23:07] To just to back that up,
[1:23:09] I don't know how we're bringing money
[1:23:11] into the capital reserve fund when we
[1:23:13] were $800,000 in deficit this year. So,
[1:23:17] you can't put money in when we're taking
[1:23:19] money out to cover a deficit. I
[1:23:20] understand that that can be built over
[1:23:23] time. We can't take money out of capital
[1:23:25] reserve to cover a deficit. Correct.
[1:23:27] But, you're taking money out of your
[1:23:28] regular account to cover a deficit. So,
[1:23:30] which means we're not building the
[1:23:32] capital reserve cuz we don't have the
[1:23:33] money to build our regular reserve that
[1:23:36] we have. We'll be voting tonight and
[1:23:38] balancing that. So. One of the budgetary
[1:23:41] items has always been that we put money
[1:23:43] over in the every year we put money in
[1:23:45] the capital reserve.
[1:23:47] So.
[1:23:53] Okay, we have one more speaker on the
[1:23:55] list, Kelly Piccione.
[1:23:59] Good evening. My name is Kelly Geisler
[1:24:01] Piccione of Bern Township. Um dear
[1:24:04] members of the school board, I am a 2001
[1:24:06] graduate of Schuylkill Valley. Like many
[1:24:08] of my classmates, three of which are
[1:24:10] currently serving on this board, I chose
[1:24:12] to return to the community that raised
[1:24:14] me, build a life here, and raise my
[1:24:16] family. The SV that we grew up in
[1:24:19] instilled the values of hard work,
[1:24:21] dedication, and understanding that
[1:24:23] you're part of part of something bigger
[1:24:25] than yourself.
[1:24:26] That belief has guided me ever since.
[1:24:29] I was traveling for work last week when
[1:24:31] it was brought to my attention that
[1:24:32] during a recent board meeting, my
[1:24:33] business and my involvement with selling
[1:24:35] flowers in the shows were publicly
[1:24:37] called into question by Mr. Moll.
[1:24:39] I do not know what prompted this, and I
[1:24:41] know that it has not come from the
[1:24:43] majority of this board as a whole, but
[1:24:45] it is something that I need to address
[1:24:48] and need to address publicly since it
[1:24:50] was not privately questioned to me,
[1:24:52] which would have been very respectful.
[1:24:55] Any issues could have been addressed
[1:24:57] simply with that phone call. As stated
[1:24:59] earlier by Mrs. Carol Wienc, the
[1:25:00] statement that no donation has been seen
[1:25:03] is not accurate. It is also a serious
[1:25:06] and defaming accusation. Each year I've
[1:25:09] participated at the request of directors
[1:25:11] and teachers and have donated cash
[1:25:14] either the night of the show or shortly
[1:25:15] after. More broadly, I need to address
[1:25:18] the impact of these comments. Public
[1:25:20] accusations made without full
[1:25:22] information are extremely damaging. This
[1:25:24] is not the first time that you've spoken
[1:25:26] out of turn with false leading
[1:25:28] information.
[1:25:29] At a time when schools rely heavily on
[1:25:31] community support, small businesses,
[1:25:34] statements like this undermine the trust
[1:25:36] and discourage the very involvement of
[1:25:38] programs
[1:25:40] programs um need like POP.
[1:25:43] As you know with the work of the rest of
[1:25:45] the board, there are many critical areas
[1:25:47] that deserve your attention including
[1:25:48] what Amy spoke of, but not limited to
[1:25:50] ensuring adequate reading specialist,
[1:25:53] paraprofessional support and for
[1:25:55] students, and the support of our amazing
[1:25:56] teachers.
[1:25:58] Choosing instead to publicly question
[1:25:59] and target local business that has
[1:26:01] consistently contributed time, money,
[1:26:03] and resources is both surprising and
[1:26:06] incredibly disappointing.
[1:26:09] In discussions around fairness, I want
[1:26:10] to be clear that I've never challenged
[1:26:12] or interfered with the existing
[1:26:14] graduation or senior flower
[1:26:16] arrangements. I respect that there are
[1:26:18] multiple businesses in this community
[1:26:20] that support the school in different
[1:26:22] ways. To imply that I am not operating
[1:26:25] fairly or limiting opportunity for
[1:26:27] others is false. My approach has always
[1:26:29] been community over competition.
[1:26:31] Youth helped facilitate a school
[1:26:33] environment completely unrecognizable by
[1:26:35] most of this alumni. Build the
[1:26:37] community, don't tear it down.
[1:26:40] This has never been a profit-driven
[1:26:42] effort. In fact, especially this year
[1:26:44] with Grease, I operated at a loss.
[1:26:46] Between Grease and the two performances
[1:26:48] of Annie, I personally purchased
[1:26:50] approximately 25 tickets to watch my
[1:26:53] daughter, her friends, and her
[1:26:55] classmates, and the shows were
[1:26:56] incredible.
[1:26:58] I also donated all the centerpieces for
[1:27:00] the red and black event along with a
[1:27:02] prom floral raffle item that I
[1:27:04] ultimately fulfilled for three students
[1:27:06] at no additional cost. Beyond this, my
[1:27:08] family has contributed to this community
[1:27:10] for the past 47 years, often without
[1:27:13] recognition.
[1:27:16] I have personally given back through
[1:27:17] guest speaking, classroom support, and
[1:27:19] donations to projects like the
[1:27:20] Williamsburg centerpieces, and my father
[1:27:23] has contributed endlessly, including
[1:27:25] regrading and seeding the field hockey
[1:27:26] field 25 years ago. My sister Courtney
[1:27:29] Gray is the president of the Ed
[1:27:31] Foundation, giving countless hours and
[1:27:33] money. This is not about recognition.
[1:27:35] This is about giving back to a place we
[1:27:37] call home, and there's more families and
[1:27:40] businesses out there just like ours. I
[1:27:42] love this community community, and this
[1:27:44] is our home. I will continue to give
[1:27:46] back. Leadership matters.
[1:27:49] I appreciate your time and your support,
[1:27:51] and Carol, thank you very much for
[1:27:52] correcting that earlier. I appreciate
[1:27:53] your support, and we're lucky to have
[1:27:55] you back in this role.
[1:27:57] I'd like to add that the Geisler family
[1:27:59] is also responsible for the student
[1:28:01] garden that we have at the elementary
[1:28:02] school. They were
[1:28:04] key contributors to the materials that
[1:28:06] we needed to complete that project as
[1:28:08] well.
[1:28:10] Thank you. And also, it's not just the
[1:28:11] school district, it's a community of the
[1:28:13] whole for your trees with a veterans
[1:28:15] program that you've been doing. So,
[1:28:18] really do appreciate that all you and
[1:28:20] your family have done.
[1:28:22] >> [clears throat]
[1:28:24] >> Okay.
[1:28:27] You would like Okay.
[1:28:29] Come up and say your name and well, I
[1:28:32] know your name.
[1:28:34] Good evening. My name is Frederick
[1:28:36] Harrison. I've been in the district
[1:28:38] since 1989.
[1:28:40] Through these years, I raised three
[1:28:42] children through the school district. I
[1:28:45] have seen it go down
[1:28:47] and go up.
[1:28:49] To the doctor, you said there's a
[1:28:51] checklist that it should be checked.
[1:28:54] Who's double-checking on the person
[1:28:55] that's involved in that?
[1:28:58] That shouldn't have to be
[1:29:00] done. It should have been in rules long
[1:29:03] time ago. Before you.
[1:29:07] This winter,
[1:29:08] the school district was shut down on a
[1:29:10] Monday when it was real cold. Why didn't
[1:29:13] the school district have a maintenance
[1:29:15] guy come in and check for the heating
[1:29:17] system that was shut down?
[1:29:19] There's no reason for that.
[1:29:22] It's zero degree weather outside.
[1:29:25] Somebody from this district should have
[1:29:28] had the maintenance men in this school
[1:29:30] district and done.
[1:29:32] The children shouldn't have to miss
[1:29:33] school because somebody's lacking in
[1:29:36] their community. In this district.
[1:29:41] The other things I would like the board
[1:29:43] to change
[1:29:45] tonight more than three minutes given to
[1:29:48] the people that come here.
[1:29:51] And as far as social media, I read
[1:29:53] everything on that Leased Port Center.
[1:29:56] And there's a lot of that's
[1:29:58] coming out. Excuse my language.
[1:30:01] As far as this gymnasium or the
[1:30:04] athletic thing,
[1:30:06] why wasn't a letter sent to the
[1:30:08] community?
[1:30:10] Not by social media.
[1:30:12] Why wasn't that done?
[1:30:15] Anybody up there that was on here when
[1:30:17] that was done?
[1:30:18] That should have been done. We pay you
[1:30:20] people to do this job.
[1:30:24] We pay taxes.
[1:30:27] Okay.
[1:30:28] But the doctor does.
[1:30:31] And so do our teachers.
[1:30:32] But why wasn't that done? A simple
[1:30:36] community letter sent to every taxpayer
[1:30:39] in this district.
[1:30:41] It's not going to cost a million dollars
[1:30:42] to do that, and it should have been
[1:30:44] done.
[1:30:46] There's no reason for this stuff going
[1:30:48] on
[1:30:49] that's happening today in the year 2026.
[1:30:55] No reason at all.
[1:30:57] And it's a shame that you said you have
[1:30:59] a policy in place, and nobody's
[1:31:02] double-checking on the person that's
[1:31:03] involved in it.
[1:31:05] There should be a report on your desk
[1:31:07] every Monday.
[1:31:10] No reason why. No report should not be
[1:31:13] filed.
[1:31:16] For that girl that spoke up about the
[1:31:18] cleanliness, that's disgusting to hear.
[1:31:22] We never had that problem, Carol, in
[1:31:23] this district, and I was here with you
[1:31:27] many years.
[1:31:28] And I was at school board meetings at
[1:31:30] many years.
[1:31:32] But after reading everything on social
[1:31:33] media that we do here, and a lot of
[1:31:36] people are writing,
[1:31:39] this has to change.
[1:31:41] And not years down the road, not after
[1:31:44] we get some more new people on the
[1:31:46] board.
[1:31:47] You've been here, David, for a long time
[1:31:49] in this district.
[1:31:52] Carol, you've been here.
[1:31:54] Daniel, you went to school here.
[1:31:56] You all know it.
[1:31:58] You know I'm right on what I'm saying.
[1:32:00] So let's start changing things. Not
[1:32:03] time, let's not give one focus on that
[1:32:05] gymnasium or athletic field.
[1:32:08] Let's focus on everything that needs to
[1:32:10] be addressed today.
[1:32:12] Not next week.
[1:32:14] And Joe Brown, you're 100% correct. We
[1:32:18] rolled that money over for 6 more years
[1:32:21] or 15 more years, you're never getting
[1:32:23] out of debt.
[1:32:25] Never.
[1:32:27] If you all run your households like
[1:32:29] that, you'll never be out of debt,
[1:32:31] either.
[1:32:32] The school district is in debt and it
[1:32:35] will always be in debt with the money
[1:32:37] that's being spent that's not due to be
[1:32:39] spent.
[1:32:41] Best thing you could have done,
[1:32:43] bought that field across the street in
[1:32:44] case you had to change the school
[1:32:46] district or build a bigger high school.
[1:32:48] You just let that go.
[1:32:51] Where are you going to build onto a high
[1:32:53] school here or onto the elementary
[1:32:55] school? Now, you're taking away the
[1:32:57] fields.
[1:32:59] You got People don't have sense up here.
[1:33:02] Carol, you know it.
[1:33:04] You know that money is being spent
[1:33:06] wrongly.
[1:33:07] Yeah.
[1:33:09] And I would like that time changed for
[1:33:11] the people to give them more than 3
[1:33:13] minutes. We have that right not to be
[1:33:16] shut off after 3 minutes.
[1:33:18] >> No, and actually I haven't really shut
[1:33:19] off anybody after 3 minutes,
[1:33:21] >> but
[1:33:22] that's the first thing that was said.
[1:33:24] The people are allowed [laughter] 3
[1:33:25] minutes. That 3 minutes was back
[1:33:29] in 1989.
[1:33:31] Let's change it.
[1:33:33] If the people need 10 minutes, let's
[1:33:35] give them the 10 minutes.
[1:33:38] >> Okay. Thank you.
[1:33:39] Thank you.
[1:33:42] Okay, we will move on to 4.1, solicitor
[1:33:47] report.
[1:33:48] Oh, 4.0, the board. Yes. 4.1, solicitor
[1:33:52] report. Do you have anything?
[1:33:53] >> Just very briefly, I mentioned at last
[1:33:55] week's committee meeting that there was
[1:33:56] going to be an agenda item for this
[1:33:58] evening involving the agreement with the
[1:34:01] Borough of Leesport for the Ashley Way
[1:34:03] waterline installation. That is on the
[1:34:04] agenda
[1:34:05] item 9.1. It includes some provisions
[1:34:08] that I requested the Borough's
[1:34:11] Council include, which they did, and it
[1:34:13] also included some drawings that Mr.
[1:34:16] Rossi was very helpful in reviewing. So,
[1:34:18] that is a It's item 9.1 tonight. That's
[1:34:21] it.
[1:34:23] Okay, is there
[1:34:24] any
[1:34:25] other old or new business for the board
[1:34:28] under 4.0?
[1:34:29] If not, we'll move to 5.0,
[1:34:31] Superintendent. 5.1 is the monthly
[1:34:34] enrollment report.
[1:34:42] Do you have [clears throat] anything to
[1:34:43] add to that at all? Okay. Then, we'll
[1:34:45] move on to 5.2, the principals'
[1:34:47] dashboard reports.
[1:34:51] Which are included in our packet, and
[1:34:54] then we can move on to 5.3, the
[1:34:56] superintendent report.
[1:35:03] Thank you, Mrs. Wiant. I want to just
[1:35:04] take a few minutes and share some
[1:35:06] highlights from the month of April. Some
[1:35:09] of the great things that are happening
[1:35:10] in our buildings.
[1:35:13] Just to start off, just wanted to share
[1:35:15] that we had Schuylkill Valley night at
[1:35:17] the Reading Fightin Phils, and our
[1:35:19] fourth grade chorus performed the
[1:35:20] national anthem, and one of our
[1:35:21] students, Julian, who's pictured up
[1:35:23] there, officially kicked off the game as
[1:35:25] the play ball kid. So, it was a great
[1:35:28] great moment for him and a great night
[1:35:30] for our fourth grade chorus.
[1:35:32] As Mrs. Lash already noted, we had the
[1:35:35] Annie Sullivan award ceremony earlier
[1:35:37] this month. Jennifer Vroman, gifted
[1:35:39] teacher from the elementary school, was
[1:35:41] our nominee, and she has really just
[1:35:43] done some amazing things since she has
[1:35:45] moved into that role at the elementary
[1:35:47] school. Really developed a robust gifted
[1:35:49] program and brought back the spelling
[1:35:51] bee earlier this year, which we heard a
[1:35:53] little bit about. So, that that was a
[1:35:55] great evening.
[1:35:57] Um also, um we had our PA Capital field
[1:36:00] trip for the fourth grade on the 14th of
[1:36:03] the month. They got to meet
[1:36:04] Representative Weekneck, um and he was
[1:36:06] very complimentary about um all the
[1:36:08] great questions our students asked and
[1:36:10] how engaged they were in being able to
[1:36:12] meet him. And spring is really field
[1:36:15] trip season at the elementary school. Um
[1:36:17] every single grade level gets to go on a
[1:36:19] field trip. Kindergarten went to the
[1:36:21] Lehigh Valley Zoo. First grade,
[1:36:23] Brecknock Orchard, which is later this
[1:36:25] month. Second grade went to the DaVinci
[1:36:27] Science Center, and third grade's going
[1:36:29] to Rock Hollow Woods in May. So, it's
[1:36:32] wonderful that every single grade level
[1:36:33] gets an experiential learning um
[1:36:35] opportunity such as this.
[1:36:38] Um our elementary school, um they uh
[1:36:42] were reading the book Saving Winslow,
[1:36:45] which is about a newborn donkey, and um
[1:36:48] collecting cans I'm sorry, coins. Sorry.
[1:36:51] My eyes are getting worse as I get
[1:36:52] older. Um for um Little
[1:36:56] Sorry. For
[1:36:58] Little Long
[1:37:00] Long Ears. Long Ears. Thank you.
[1:37:02] Miniature Donkey Rescue. Um and um
[1:37:04] alumni assisted with kicking off the
[1:37:06] school.
[1:37:09] So, um great opportunity and experience
[1:37:13] that really dovetails in with what we're
[1:37:15] trying to do in terms of agricultural
[1:37:16] education um throughout the buildings.
[1:37:20] Um our middle school had a very
[1:37:22] successful performance of Annie two
[1:37:24] evenings. Um very, very well attended.
[1:37:26] Our kids did an amazing job as they
[1:37:28] always do. Um Also, um want to share a
[1:37:32] little bit about What's So Cool About
[1:37:33] Manufacturing. Um our team, our seventh
[1:37:36] grade gifted team, won the Outstanding
[1:37:40] Creativity Award for the work that they
[1:37:42] did making a video about Glengarry um
[1:37:45] that was kind of I guess modeled after
[1:37:47] The video was called Rob the Builder. It
[1:37:49] was inspired by the kids TV show Bob the
[1:37:51] Builder and it's on the What's So Cool
[1:37:53] About Manufacturing website if you want
[1:37:55] to watch it and a shout out to Dr.
[1:37:58] Shucker at the middle school who really
[1:38:00] led this team and
[1:38:02] do some amazing work.
[1:38:05] Oops, excuse me. Ah, wait a minute.
[1:38:08] Earlier this evening when the student
[1:38:09] council members were here, they talked a
[1:38:11] little bit about the Berks Junior County
[1:38:12] Music Festival and there were students
[1:38:15] from grades 7 to 9 that were selected
[1:38:18] based on audition and you can see their
[1:38:20] pictures up here and again, it's another
[1:38:23] testament to the talent we have in our
[1:38:25] schools musically
[1:38:27] and it's it's what helps create those
[1:38:29] wonderful musicals year after year and
[1:38:31] tremendous concerts every year that
[1:38:32] showcase the talents of our students.
[1:38:37] Also mentioned in the student council
[1:38:39] presentation, they talked a little bit
[1:38:40] about the BCIU's 44th annual secondary
[1:38:43] art exhibition which was at the
[1:38:44] GoggleWorks and we had several students
[1:38:47] that won awards and recognitions there
[1:38:51] and some of them as mentioned are going
[1:38:53] to have their
[1:38:55] artwork displayed on larger banners and
[1:38:57] and visible to the larger community and
[1:39:00] again, very talented students.
[1:39:04] TSA State Leadership Conference, this
[1:39:05] was mentioned as well.
[1:39:07] Our students you know and our you know,
[1:39:10] advisors
[1:39:11] again, our team did a phenomenal job as
[1:39:13] was mentioned first team in district
[1:39:16] history to place in the top three in the
[1:39:18] state and earn two second place medals.
[1:39:20] So great job to those students
[1:39:22] represented our high school and again,
[1:39:25] illustrative of our strong STEM
[1:39:27] foundation that exists in the district.
[1:39:32] Earth Day Berks Celebration in City Park
[1:39:35] in Reading, our environmental science
[1:39:37] club was there and they had a booth that
[1:39:39] was focused on recycling trash into art
[1:39:42] and so they were able to collect it and
[1:39:44] then, you know, put together a picture
[1:39:46] using that which is there at the bottom
[1:39:48] of the screen.
[1:39:49] Again, you know, more talent from our
[1:39:51] kids and and our club doing meaningful
[1:39:53] work
[1:39:54] at City Park.
[1:39:56] And then we've got several slides to
[1:39:58] highlight the great things that are
[1:40:00] happening with FFA and our FFA program.
[1:40:04] We had students at the Dairy Leaders of
[1:40:06] Tomorrow Veterinary Science Exploration
[1:40:08] Experience. We had them at the State
[1:40:10] Legislative Conference,
[1:40:12] the Onnalinda Grange meeting, and also
[1:40:16] at the second annual Fleetwood Bank
[1:40:17] Agricultural Dinner
[1:40:19] where we had students that got to speak
[1:40:21] and participate and be involved in those
[1:40:23] events.
[1:40:25] We also continued to have success in the
[1:40:28] Eastern Regional CDE competitions where
[1:40:31] we had a third, a first, and a ninth in
[1:40:33] the county and two 25ths and a ninth in
[1:40:36] the region for Lily, Riley, and
[1:40:38] Genevieve. So, great job to those young
[1:40:41] ladies in that competition.
[1:40:44] The Agora Pathfinders program where our
[1:40:48] FFA was only one of five in the state
[1:40:51] that was chosen to participate in this
[1:40:52] Global Teach Ag Network Agora
[1:40:55] Pathfinders pilot.
[1:40:57] And it paired our students with graduate
[1:40:59] research students from Penn State's Ag
[1:41:01] Department to discuss the impacts of
[1:41:03] their research. So, what an amazing
[1:41:05] opportunity for our students as they
[1:41:07] think about their careers post
[1:41:09] secondary.
[1:41:12] And our FFA also hosted our first
[1:41:15] graders in the greenhouse which was a
[1:41:17] great opportunity for those students to
[1:41:19] come up. They helped the first graders
[1:41:21] identify parts of a plant and then
[1:41:23] participated in planting petunias in
[1:41:25] pots that they painted themselves. And
[1:41:27] they also got to pick out a succulent to
[1:41:29] take home and one for their classroom as
[1:41:31] part of the Earth Day
[1:41:33] celebrations. And again, a great
[1:41:35] opportunity for our elementary students
[1:41:37] as part of our, you know, larger
[1:41:38] footprint of of ag education in the
[1:41:40] district. Um we got to highlight McKenna
[1:41:43] Holben a little bit earlier this
[1:41:44] evening, but I'll share it again. Um
[1:41:47] what an awesome thing to have a student
[1:41:48] get to participate in writing and
[1:41:50] helping illustrate a book and just so
[1:41:53] very proud of her and
[1:41:55] as as the parent of a 5-year-old, I'm
[1:41:57] going to be eager to get it on Amazon
[1:41:59] and make sure I purchase that book. So,
[1:42:01] um that that is just awesome stuff.
[1:42:04] Um and then uh also want to highlight uh
[1:42:07] one of our girls girls softball players
[1:42:09] pitcher um Adelyn Casper um spotlight on
[1:42:12] Burks. Um she was recognized um as well
[1:42:16] as Layla Gilmore from our track and
[1:42:18] field team who broke the school record
[1:42:20] in the long jump with a leap of 18-7.
[1:42:23] Um Adelyn recorded the 100th strikeout
[1:42:25] of her career and also Grace Wysocki in
[1:42:28] girls lacrosse who recorded her 100th
[1:42:30] assist. So, awesome job to those three
[1:42:33] young ladies um for being recognized for
[1:42:35] their accomplishments through spotlight
[1:42:37] on Burks.
[1:42:39] Also, um
[1:42:41] Nike Indoor Nationals shot put and
[1:42:44] what's pretty incredible about these two
[1:42:46] young men, Lincoln Miller and Landon
[1:42:47] Gabi, both eighth graders.
[1:42:50] Um and as we heard a little bit earlier
[1:42:51] this evening, the future is certainly
[1:42:53] very bright um in terms of our throwers
[1:42:55] and congratulations to those two
[1:42:57] gentlemen for their success at the Nike
[1:42:59] Indoor Nationals.
[1:43:03] Um and um also um as part of the Burks
[1:43:07] Business Education Coalition's Career
[1:43:09] Readiness Initiative, we had high school
[1:43:11] students, 10th and 11th graders, that
[1:43:12] visited Albright and seniors got to
[1:43:15] connect with employers through the
[1:43:17] Undecided Senior Career Fair at PA
[1:43:19] CareerLink. And Grace Wysocki was
[1:43:21] awarded the first ever Pennsylvania
[1:43:23] Association of Pupil Service
[1:43:25] Administrators scholarship in
[1:43:27] recognition of her support of students
[1:43:29] and peers in pupil services, which is an
[1:43:31] annual scholarship for a student that's
[1:43:34] going to pursue a career in pupil
[1:43:35] services. And so, it's wonderful she was
[1:43:38] recognized at that conference. Mr.
[1:43:39] Ammons was there, as well.
[1:43:41] Um and just congratulations to those
[1:43:43] students.
[1:43:45] Um shout out to our food services
[1:43:47] department under the leadership of
[1:43:49] Louisa Trumbore, Giant Company's Feeding
[1:43:51] School Kids initiative. Um we want to
[1:43:53] thank everybody in the community who
[1:43:55] rounded up at the register when they
[1:43:57] were checking out at the Temple Giant.
[1:43:59] Uh we received a check for over 2,000
[1:44:01] over 2,700 dollars that are used to
[1:44:04] support school fund programs. So, that's
[1:44:06] awesome and we appreciate the
[1:44:08] community's support related to that. Um
[1:44:11] I want to share that our Pride of
[1:44:12] Schuylkill Valley nominations are open
[1:44:14] until May 31st. Um this will be the
[1:44:16] class of 2026.
[1:44:19] Um and the photo that you see there um
[1:44:22] is is from the class of 2025. Uh
[1:44:24] nominees should be someone who graduated
[1:44:26] from SV at least eight years ago,
[1:44:29] achieved national, state, and/or
[1:44:31] district-level recognition, contributed
[1:44:34] immeasurably to the school district, and
[1:44:36] achieved high honors in academics, art,
[1:44:38] athletics, music, and/or vocations. And
[1:44:42] the nomination form and more info is on
[1:44:44] the Pride of Schuylkill Valley page on
[1:44:45] our website.
[1:44:47] And then, um wanted to just highlight,
[1:44:50] as we heard from Mr. Borkey earlier this
[1:44:52] evening, um as we have our elementary
[1:44:54] school summer camp going on in
[1:44:56] conjunction with what's going to happen
[1:44:58] now with the Y. And we are just super
[1:45:01] excited about those opportunities for
[1:45:03] our students. And, you know, appreciate
[1:45:05] elementary admins' work on the
[1:45:07] elementary side. And, you know, Mr.
[1:45:09] Borkey for your work in partnership with
[1:45:10] the Y to help create an additional
[1:45:12] opportunity for our children this
[1:45:14] summer.
[1:45:15] And that concludes my report.
[1:45:18] Thank you. Does anyone have any
[1:45:19] questions?
[1:45:21] Comments or questions?
[1:45:23] If not, we'll move forward to 6.0,
[1:45:25] policy, personnel, and public relations
[1:45:28] of the next work session committee
[1:45:30] meeting for policy personnel and public
[1:45:32] relations will be held on Tuesday, May
[1:45:34] 5th.
[1:45:36] So, we'll move on to 6.1
[1:45:39] uh retirement.
[1:45:42] Approve the following resignation due to
[1:45:44] retirement effective the last day of the
[1:45:46] 2025-26
[1:45:48] school year unless otherwise noted, Mr.
[1:45:51] Matthew Ammons, director of pupil
[1:45:53] services.
[1:45:55] Effective June 1st, 2026.
[1:45:58] And I'll put the 6.2 retirement
[1:46:03] accepts with best wishes for the future
[1:46:05] the following resignations.
[1:46:07] Um Ms. Deborah Bittner, Mr. Jeffrey
[1:46:10] Shallot, Mr. Mitchell Gaul, and Mrs.
[1:46:12] Patricia Lacey. And 6.3 resignation
[1:46:17] accept with regret regret regret and
[1:46:20] best wishes for the future the following
[1:46:22] resignation. Amelia Herbert, special
[1:46:24] education teacher.
[1:46:26] So, may I have a motion for those three?
[1:46:29] So moved, Lash.
[1:46:31] Second?
[1:46:32] Second, Amaral.
[1:46:34] Any comments? I'd just like to say thank
[1:46:37] you to all those educators that worked
[1:46:39] in our district. We've had several that
[1:46:41] have been very long-term educators here
[1:46:45] and um
[1:46:46] have been a benefit to our
[1:46:48] academic program. So,
[1:46:50] thank you people for serving Saucon
[1:46:53] Valley.
[1:46:54] I just wanted to take a couple of
[1:46:56] minutes um after last Monday's meeting,
[1:46:58] I kind of reflected and I've had
[1:47:00] relationships with all four who are
[1:47:01] retiring. So, I just wanted to say to
[1:47:03] Mr. Gaul, I appreciate you teaching my
[1:47:05] kids. They always really enjoyed um your
[1:47:08] class and I hope you have, you know, a
[1:47:10] wonderful retirement and hopefully your
[1:47:11] beloved Raiders will have a great
[1:47:13] season.
[1:47:14] Um Mrs. Lacey, I can't believe you put
[1:47:16] in almost 25 years. Um we appreciate,
[1:47:19] you know, how you were always a constant
[1:47:20] in the business department, how you
[1:47:22] ebbed and you flowed and you um brought
[1:47:24] always things up to speed for the best
[1:47:26] of our students.
[1:47:27] Uh Mr. Shalott, um
[1:47:30] thank you for all that you've done, not
[1:47:32] only for the teachers, but as a part of
[1:47:33] the teachers association.
[1:47:36] Um you helped us, you know, advocate for
[1:47:39] teachers and you redid the FMLA with
[1:47:41] Mrs. Brightbill a while back. Um I
[1:47:43] appreciate all of the organizations and
[1:47:46] events that you offer for SV kids and as
[1:47:49] much as I want to say that you'll enjoy
[1:47:51] your retirement, we know you'll be
[1:47:52] around with Mrs. Shalott.
[1:47:55] And last but not least, uh Ms. Bittner,
[1:47:58] um she'll be a big loss to the
[1:48:00] elementary. Um
[1:48:02] she's someone who always went above and
[1:48:04] beyond with the students. I put it right
[1:48:05] up there with Mrs. Faust. Um most of the
[1:48:08] time that I worked with her, she worked
[1:48:10] in the autistic support classroom and
[1:48:11] she constantly wanted to know best
[1:48:13] practices for kids because every kid in
[1:48:15] the autistic support classroom needed
[1:48:17] something something different. Uh she
[1:48:20] was always a safe space for students.
[1:48:22] Students trusted her as they were being
[1:48:23] integrated into regular ed. She would
[1:48:25] make them feel safe and she would bridge
[1:48:28] those relationships with other kids.
[1:48:31] Um she was soft-spoken when she needed
[1:48:33] to be, but she also knew when she needed
[1:48:35] to hold kids accountable and
[1:48:37] uh help them rise to the expectations.
[1:48:39] So, I just wanted to say thank you so
[1:48:42] much and they will definitely be big
[1:48:44] shoes to fill.
[1:48:47] Thank you.
[1:48:48] Thank you. And Mr. Ammons, you were only
[1:48:51] here
[1:48:52] very a short time, but uh thank you for
[1:48:55] what you've done for our district in
[1:48:56] that time.
[1:48:58] Well, yes, I know, but short time this
[1:49:01] time. So, but thank you and enjoy your
[1:49:04] retirement as well.
[1:49:06] Okay, we have a motion and a second. All
[1:49:08] those in favor say I.
[1:49:10] I. Opposed?
[1:49:12] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:49:14] So, the next couple items, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
[1:49:18] 8. There's 9 6.4 to 6.12, employment of
[1:49:24] Cassidy, uh Mrs. Ms. Britney Cassidy,
[1:49:26] part-time food services worker.
[1:49:30] Employment Van Psyke, Mr. Brandon Van
[1:49:32] Psyke, science long-term substitute
[1:49:34] teacher. 6.6, employment of mentor.
[1:49:38] Approves the uh Nadja Koller for a
[1:49:41] mentor for Laura Shafer.
[1:49:43] 6.7, substitutes. Approve the following
[1:49:46] substitute, Shelby Hinsey,
[1:49:48] Chloe Moyer, and Luke Rissinger. 6.8,
[1:49:52] employment extracurricular.
[1:49:54] Uh Daniel Gassert, varsity football
[1:49:56] assistant coach. 6.9, co-curricular.
[1:50:01] The following co-curricular assignments
[1:50:03] of Catalina Lassen and Leanne Moyer.
[1:50:08] Um
[1:50:09] 6.10, community aquatics staff. Connor
[1:50:12] Huggard, a student lifeguard. 6.11, game
[1:50:16] workers.
[1:50:17] Kevin Avery and Laura Shafer.
[1:50:20] volunteers. Megan Antonucci, Salvador
[1:50:23] Azalina, Kelly Eaton, Sarah Felts,
[1:50:26] Shannon Highsellers, Tiffany Lopez,
[1:50:29] Arlenis Paulino, Joshua Santos, and
[1:50:31] Andrew Smoyer.
[1:50:35] May I have a motion for 6.4 to 6.12?
[1:50:40] Bless you. So moved, Admiral.
[1:50:42] Second? Second, Stinky.
[1:50:44] Any questions or comments?
[1:50:47] All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Aye.
[1:50:49] Opposed? Motion carries, 9-0.
[1:50:53] We have 6.13,
[1:50:54] Family and Medical Leave Act.
[1:50:57] Acknowledges the fam- the following
[1:50:58] Family Medical Leave Act, Jonathan
[1:51:01] Jenkins, Kelly Zimmerman, and Amanda
[1:51:03] Poland. May I have a motion, please?
[1:51:07] So moved, Admiral.
[1:51:08] Second?
[1:51:10] Second, Stinky. Questions or comments?
[1:51:14] If If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[1:51:17] Opposed? Motion carries 9-0.
[1:51:20] We have uh 6.14,
[1:51:23] contract for services Frontline. 6.15,
[1:51:26] contract for services Capital Blue Cross
[1:51:28] Senior Envision Benefit Renewal Plan.
[1:51:31] 6.16, contract for services DocuSign.
[1:51:34] And 6.17, contract for services Berks
[1:51:37] County Intermediate Unit Guest Teacher
[1:51:39] Program. May I have a motion for 6.14,
[1:51:43] 6.15, 6.16, and 6.17, please?
[1:51:47] So moved, Emeral.
[1:51:50] Second?
[1:51:52] Any questions or comments?
[1:51:54] If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[1:51:57] Opposed? Motion carries 9-0.
[1:52:00] 6.18, PSBA membership renewal for
[1:52:03] 2026-2027. And 6.19, PSBA 2026 Delegate
[1:52:08] Assembly Representative, which would be
[1:52:11] appointing Mrs. Linda Lash.
[1:52:13] May I have a motion, please?
[1:52:16] So moved, Stanky.
[1:52:18] Second? Second, Emeral.
[1:52:21] Any questions or comments? Just remember
[1:52:23] that we can take another delegate uh
[1:52:26] person to the delegate assembly in
[1:52:28] November at Cumberland Valley High
[1:52:30] School. If anybody wants to do that, let
[1:52:33] Dr. Winters know.
[1:52:36] Okay, anything else?
[1:52:38] If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[1:52:41] Opposed? Motion carries 9-0.
[1:52:44] We have two first readings of our
[1:52:46] policy, 620 policy policy 620, fund
[1:52:51] balance first reading. And 6
[1:52:54] 21, policy 010, board board hiring first
[1:52:59] reading. May I have a motion, please?
[1:53:02] So moved, Emeral. Second, Stanky. Any
[1:53:05] additional questions or comments?
[1:53:08] Not all those in favor say I.
[1:53:10] I.
[1:53:11] >> I.
[1:53:12] Opposed? Nay.
[1:53:16] Okay, motion carries eight to one.
[1:53:18] 6.22
[1:53:20] policy 325 dressing grooming the final
[1:53:23] adoption and 6.23 policy 707 use of
[1:53:28] facilities final adoption. May have a
[1:53:30] motion, please?
[1:53:32] So moved, Amaro.
[1:53:34] Second?
[1:53:35] Second, Wynn.
[1:53:37] Any questions or comments?
[1:53:40] If not, all those in favor say I.
[1:53:42] I.
[1:53:42] >> I. Opposed?
[1:53:44] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:53:47] Okay, um 6.24
[1:53:50] PSBA state funding resolution approves
[1:53:53] the PSBA's state funding resolution. May
[1:53:56] have a motion, please?
[1:53:58] So moved, Lash.
[1:54:00] Second?
[1:54:02] Second, Wynn. Questions or comments?
[1:54:06] If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[1:54:08] >> I. Opposed?
[1:54:10] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:54:12] Is there any other old or new business
[1:54:14] under policy, personnel, and public
[1:54:16] relations?
[1:54:19] If not, we'll move on to 7.0 curriculum
[1:54:22] and technology.
[1:54:24] The next work session meeting will be
[1:54:26] held on Thursday, May 7th.
[1:54:31] Okay.
[1:54:33] Moving on to 7.1 PowerSchool Group LLC
[1:54:39] quotes,
[1:54:41] um 7.2 the dual enrollment agreement
[1:54:44] with Brack, 7.3 the ECA science kit
[1:54:48] rental,
[1:54:49] 7.4 cybersecurity software, and 7.5 web
[1:54:53] content filter. May have a motion for
[1:54:56] 7.1 through 7.5. So moved, Brown.
[1:55:00] Second? Stanky.
[1:55:03] Any questions or comments on those?
[1:55:07] If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[1:55:10] Opposed? Motion carries 9-0.
[1:55:14] Is there any other old or new business
[1:55:17] Um, for
[1:55:19] for the curriculum. Yes, curriculum and
[1:55:21] technology.
[1:55:25] If not, we'll move on to budget and
[1:55:27] finance. The next work session will be
[1:55:30] held on Tuesday, May 12th.
[1:55:34] 8.1, proposed final general fund budget.
[1:55:39] We will approve one of the following.
[1:55:42] A is the proposed final general fund
[1:55:45] balance in the amount of 50,905,730.
[1:55:50] That includes a tax increase of one mill
[1:55:52] and adds 412,000 to the budgetary
[1:55:55] reserve to balance.
[1:55:58] B, the proposed final general fund
[1:56:00] budget in the amount of 50,735,730.
[1:56:04] That includes a tax increase of
[1:56:07] .85 mills and adds 242,000 to the
[1:56:11] budgetary reserve to balance. And C, the
[1:56:14] proposed final gen final general fund
[1:56:17] budget in the amount of 50,630,730.
[1:56:21] That includes a tax increase of .75
[1:56:23] mills and adds 137,000 to the budgetary
[1:56:27] reserve to balance.
[1:56:29] So, I will open the discussion up.
[1:56:32] Whoever would like to start.
[1:56:42] No takers? All right, I'll I'll go.
[1:56:44] Apparently no takers right now. I mean,
[1:56:46] I I said it last week. Um,
[1:56:49] I am for the one mill increase. I mean,
[1:56:51] Joe's mentioned it tonight. Um, you
[1:56:53] know, we've run deficits the last two
[1:56:55] years. Um,
[1:56:57] I I think we've got to try to, you know,
[1:57:00] try to keep nip that in the bud early
[1:57:02] this year.
[1:57:03] Um,
[1:57:04] you know, hopefully we don't have that.
[1:57:06] Hopefully the budget works out closer to
[1:57:07] what it
[1:57:08] should be. I well, I shouldn't say
[1:57:09] should be, but what we budget.
[1:57:12] Um, but I don't want to be running a
[1:57:14] deficit for the third year.
[1:57:16] Um, just don't. So, that's kind of where
[1:57:19] I stand with it. I mean,
[1:57:20] with the hope that if we do have this
[1:57:22] reserve, you know, we're not looking at
[1:57:24] multiple year tax increases.
[1:57:33] Anyone else?
[1:57:37] I I don't think we should go that high.
[1:57:41] I think 0.85 would get us started in the
[1:57:43] right direction. I think we had
[1:57:45] some retirements that are going to help
[1:57:47] us. Um, you know, I think we have a new
[1:57:50] superintendent coming on that might be
[1:57:51] able to help us.
[1:57:52] I think we should
[1:57:54] go take a step in that direction, but
[1:57:56] not not go too far
[1:57:58] till we get our feet under us a little
[1:57:59] bit.
[1:58:02] No, I get it, but I mean, you know,
[1:58:04] we've heard here there's other things we
[1:58:05] want to get accomplished. Now, we're not
[1:58:07] we're funding the field house 100%.
[1:58:10] We'll have money for that, but you
[1:58:13] I still want to have
[1:58:15] money to go to some of these things. I
[1:58:17] mean, we hear the concerns.
[1:58:19] But, let's let's account for them and
[1:58:21] let's address it.
[1:58:32] Anyone else?
[1:58:36] Kristen, would you be able to just go
[1:58:38] over what that look what each of those
[1:58:40] options look like um,
[1:58:42] per average household assessment? Do you
[1:58:45] Do you have that info with you?
[1:58:47] >> coming right now, and I
[1:58:51] I You know, I wrote it down, but I have
[1:58:53] so many papers with me.
[1:58:57] Kristen, I've got it here in hard copy
[1:58:59] if you like.
[1:59:00] Oh, okay. Sure.
[1:59:04] Yeah, I I have it as well.
[1:59:18] Yeah, so the .7 I'll I'll start from the
[1:59:21] lowest to the highest.
[1:59:22] The .75 mil increase would be $112.50
[1:59:29] per average household using a $150,000
[1:59:32] assessment.
[1:59:35] The .85 mil increase would be an average
[1:59:39] yearly increase of a $127.50
[1:59:43] using the average assessment of a
[1:59:44] $150,000.
[1:59:47] And the 1 mil tax increase
[1:59:50] would be a yearly increase of per
[1:59:51] household of a $150 using the $150,000
[1:59:55] assessment.
[1:59:58] Thank you, Kristen.
[2:00:04] And what we discussed last week was that
[2:00:06] we threw out the the high and the low,
[2:00:09] and then these are the three
[2:00:11] percentages that are in the middle.
[2:00:14] Thanks, Kristen. Appreciate it.
[2:00:17] Yeah, I mean,
[2:00:18] just to my perspective, I've kind of
[2:00:20] been
[2:00:21] going back and forth between two options
[2:00:24] in my head, and those two options are
[2:00:26] the .85 and the one.
[2:00:29] Um I am I I don't want to raise taxes
[2:00:31] more than we have to.
[2:00:33] Um so, I am a little hesitant with the
[2:00:35] one, but I see the
[2:00:37] upside of not having to raise taxes
[2:00:39] potentially next year if we do that.
[2:00:42] But at the same time,
[2:00:43] I think we can get to where we need to
[2:00:45] be with the 0.85.
[2:00:48] Uh and hope that, you know, with the new
[2:00:50] superintendent coming on and I know
[2:00:51] we're taking some actions as a board to
[2:00:54] try to work on these deficits and what's
[2:00:56] causing them.
[2:00:57] Um
[2:00:58] So, I'm I'm think I'm going to
[2:01:00] personally land on the 0.85.
[2:01:08] Anyone else?
[2:01:11] I don't think you're going to get away
[2:01:12] from not having more tax increases, but
[2:01:14] at the same token having a tax increase
[2:01:17] you want to have it at the right size.
[2:01:19] What are you going to do with that extra
[2:01:20] money? Like people complain that we
[2:01:22] didn't have tax increases in the past.
[2:01:25] But, you know,
[2:01:27] we paid our bills. Yes, we drew down.
[2:01:29] But, the draw downs were unexpected.
[2:01:32] And so, you can say, "Hey, we don't want
[2:01:34] to do that again." And I get it.
[2:01:36] And so, you're want to build something
[2:01:38] in, which all three of these that we
[2:01:41] talked about last week,
[2:01:43] put something out there.
[2:01:45] Uh but, you're going to have other
[2:01:48] uh expenses that are going to come up.
[2:01:51] So, I I
[2:01:53] kind of with Frank, 0.85 is the highest
[2:01:56] I would consider going.
[2:02:00] Unfortunately,
[2:02:02] we will need a tax increase.
[2:02:06] Like other school districts in the
[2:02:08] state, our special ed costs have risen
[2:02:11] quite a lot.
[2:02:14] And our cyber costs have raised.
[2:02:19] And then, we had the had to soak up the
[2:02:22] money from the
[2:02:25] Schuylkill Valley Education Center.
[2:02:28] So, it wasn't due to negligence that we
[2:02:31] need to raise taxes this time. It was
[2:02:34] It's due to necessity.
[2:02:37] And we have been able to, without
[2:02:40] raises,
[2:02:42] support our budget over the last few
[2:02:44] years.
[2:02:46] This year it's different and this year
[2:02:48] we're going to need a tax increase. So,
[2:02:51] as hard as it is for me
[2:02:54] as a fixed income senior citizen to pay
[2:02:56] more in
[2:02:58] property tax, I have to pay more for my
[2:02:59] county taxes, I have to pay more for my
[2:03:01] township taxes,
[2:03:03] and now
[2:03:04] I'll have to pay more for my school
[2:03:06] Google Valley taxes, but the cost of
[2:03:09] everything has increased and
[2:03:11] we need to pay our bills.
[2:03:14] And Linda, I'd just like to add to that
[2:03:16] cuz I've heard some commentary recently
[2:03:19] uh about taxes and
[2:03:21] um that the board is disrespectful to
[2:03:24] the taxpayers of
[2:03:26] the school district because of all of
[2:03:28] the tax increases that we've done.
[2:03:30] Uh and I think some people get confused
[2:03:33] with who is raising their taxes.
[2:03:36] Um you know, you pay the school tax, but
[2:03:38] you also pay your county taxes, your
[2:03:40] municipality taxes.
[2:03:42] Your school tax is what? Was it one time
[2:03:44] in the last 12 years? 11 out of 13 years
[2:03:47] of that.
[2:03:48] Yeah, 11 out of 13 years there was no
[2:03:50] tax increase. So, I know people are
[2:03:52] seeing their tax bills go up.
[2:03:54] Uh that was not from us.
[2:03:57] Uh you know, that's your municipality,
[2:03:58] your county.
[2:04:01] Yeah, so it is unfortunate that we're in
[2:04:03] a situation where we do need to raise
[2:04:05] taxes, but we've also weathered the
[2:04:07] storm of the ridiculous inflation that
[2:04:09] we went through in the last few years.
[2:04:12] Uh and it would have been very
[2:04:13] responsible. And I just want to make
[2:04:15] sure people are aware that it was not us
[2:04:18] as a school district that were raising
[2:04:19] your taxes over the last decade plus. It
[2:04:22] was the county and the townships. So, if
[2:04:24] you have issues with how your taxes have
[2:04:27] been going up over the last decade,
[2:04:29] they're the ones you want to um direct
[2:04:31] your questions and concerns to.
[2:04:33] Uh you know, obviously in addition to
[2:04:35] our increase here, you have the right to
[2:04:37] to do that too, but just speaking in
[2:04:39] general, it seems like there's a lot of
[2:04:40] confusion in the public about where the
[2:04:42] tax raises have been coming from over
[2:04:44] the last decade or so. So, just wanted
[2:04:46] to clarify that.
[2:04:48] And I know that I called in to the last
[2:04:50] meeting, so it might not have been clear
[2:04:52] for the public. Um but we really do need
[2:04:54] to be reaching out to the county.
[2:04:57] Um we have a huge issue that's not going
[2:05:00] anywhere with the youth center costs.
[2:05:02] And we were, you know, misled in the
[2:05:05] fact that they were going to make us
[2:05:07] whole, um meaning us all Schuylkill
[2:05:10] Valley taxpayers.
[2:05:12] Um so, that has not happened. So, you
[2:05:16] know, unfortunately, it's the position
[2:05:18] that we've been put in that the facility
[2:05:21] is in Schuylkill Valley's district and
[2:05:23] we must educate those children and they
[2:05:26] should be educated. That that's not a
[2:05:27] question at all. But the county made the
[2:05:31] decision on what building to use and
[2:05:33] where to put those children. And made
[2:05:36] false promises that they've not held up
[2:05:39] their end of the bargain for. And you
[2:05:41] know, call your commissioners. Elections
[2:05:44] will happen. Make your voices heard at
[2:05:47] the polls. Uh you can do that with all
[2:05:48] of us as well. So, I'm not just saying
[2:05:50] that about the county, but we're all
[2:05:52] elected officials who are not being paid
[2:05:54] here. The county commissioners are a
[2:05:56] different story. They're they're getting
[2:05:58] paychecks for what they're doing and
[2:05:59] they're not fulfilling their obligations
[2:06:03] directly to the Schuylkill Valley
[2:06:04] taxpayers.
[2:06:06] So, I I think that we also have to go
[2:06:08] with the 0.85. I I I
[2:06:10] don't want to see a tax increase. I I
[2:06:12] pay taxes in the district as well. Um
[2:06:15] but we need to make sure that we can
[2:06:16] fund all the programs that we have for
[2:06:18] our kids.
[2:06:20] Yeah, and I'll add to that, Kelly. I
[2:06:21] don't know if there's a single school
[2:06:23] district in the county that could just
[2:06:25] have a half million-dollar bill dropped
[2:06:27] on them out of nowhere
[2:06:29] uh and not have to raise taxes.
[2:06:34] Also, just so we're understanding, this
[2:06:37] budget doesn't have anything for the
[2:06:38] field house. So, when there's talk
[2:06:39] about, you know, we're raising taxes for
[2:06:41] the field house, that's not This is This
[2:06:44] is operating cost. This is operating
[2:06:45] cost to get a square for the year. This
[2:06:47] is not field house
[2:06:49] at all in this budget. Yeah, and at the
[2:06:51] same time, you know, this bond, that
[2:06:53] money cannot be used for anything but
[2:06:55] capital projects. So, some people have
[2:06:57] been saying, "Well, why don't we use
[2:06:58] some of this money and invest it in, you
[2:07:01] know, curriculum or this or that." These
[2:07:03] bonds, it's just for buildings. So, we
[2:07:06] can't take that money and give it to
[2:07:08] other people or other things. There's,
[2:07:10] you know,
[2:07:11] when you look at the accounting in in
[2:07:13] the public sector, there's certain money
[2:07:14] that can be used for certain things. So,
[2:07:16] um I've heard that, too. Well, why can't
[2:07:18] we take some of that money and apply it
[2:07:20] towards some other things? Like, well,
[2:07:22] that bond money can only be used for,
[2:07:25] you know, building improvements,
[2:07:26] basically.
[2:07:31] Is there anyone else
[2:07:34] who like to speak?
[2:07:36] If not, um I'll ask for someone to
[2:07:39] entertain a a motion.
[2:07:43] Yes, selecting either A, B, or C.
[2:07:49] I'll make a motion to limit the tax
[2:07:51] increase to the 0.85 mils.
[2:07:54] So, number B.
[2:07:58] Okay. Do I have a second?
[2:08:02] I'll second. Amaro.
[2:08:05] Is there any additional discussion?
[2:08:10] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[2:08:12] those in favor of option B,
[2:08:15] say
[2:08:18] Say a
[2:08:19] Move to yes.
[2:08:22] Did we do a roll call vote? Okay.
[2:08:25] Yeah, probably. Okay, so then we'll do a
[2:08:27] roll call vote.
[2:08:33] Mr. Brown?
[2:08:34] No.
[2:08:36] Mrs. Lash? Yes.
[2:08:38] Mrs. Matthews? Yes.
[2:08:40] Mr. Mole?
[2:08:41] Yes. Mr. Rossi? Yes.
[2:08:44] Mrs. Stinky? Yes. Mrs. Wyatt? Yes. Mr.
[2:08:48] Wyatt? No.
[2:08:52] Okay, 1 2 3 4 I mean, if I don't have to
[2:08:54] vote, I won't, but Oh, Mr. Amaral?
[2:08:57] Yes.
[2:08:59] 1 2 Okay.
[2:09:01] Okay, motion carries 7 to 2.
[2:09:05] Okay, we'll move on to A.3.
[2:09:09] The um
[2:09:11] A.2 approval ratification of bills and
[2:09:14] A.3 the January-March budget transfers.
[2:09:18] May I have a motion for those two
[2:09:19] resolutions?
[2:09:22] So moved, Brown.
[2:09:24] Second,
[2:09:27] Stinky.
[2:09:28] Any questions or comments?
[2:09:32] If not, all those in favor say I.
[2:09:34] I.
[2:09:36] Opposed?
[2:09:38] Motion carries 9-0.
[2:09:40] 8.4 the Quadigent Leasing USA agreement
[2:09:45] extension. May I have a motion, please?
[2:09:49] So moved, Lash.
[2:09:51] Second,
[2:09:52] Second, Wyatt.
[2:09:54] Any questions or comments?
[2:09:57] Not, all those in favor say I. I.
[2:10:00] Opposed? Motion carries 9-0.
[2:10:05] Okay, is there any other old or new
[2:10:07] business
[2:10:09] for budget and finance?
[2:10:11] I have one thing. There's going to be a
[2:10:13] special budget meeting, which is going
[2:10:15] to be June 8th at 6:30 p.m.
[2:10:23] So, the budget now will go
[2:10:26] available for public comments for the
[2:10:29] next 30 days.
[2:10:31] And then the actual official
[2:10:34] final vote will be at the special budget
[2:10:37] meeting on June 8th. Just so we're
[2:10:39] clear. It's going to be 30 days for any
[2:10:42] public comment, and then the special
[2:10:44] budget meeting June 8th, 6:30 p.m. will
[2:10:47] be when the final vote is taken.
[2:10:52] Okay, well, moving on to buildings and
[2:10:54] grounds. The next work session will be
[2:10:57] held on Tuesday, May 12th.
[2:11:01] So, we have
[2:11:03] an addendum
[2:11:05] two addendums, 9.1 agreement with the
[2:11:07] Borough of Leetsdale for the Ashley Way
[2:11:09] waterline installation, and also tents
[2:11:13] and events quote for additional chairs
[2:11:15] for the 2026
[2:11:17] commencement ceremony.
[2:11:20] May I have a motion for 9.1 and 9.2,
[2:11:24] please?
[2:11:26] So moved, Rosie. A second?
[2:11:29] Second again.
[2:11:30] Questions or comments?
[2:11:32] So, just want to provide some additional
[2:11:34] information regarding 9.2.
[2:11:37] So, we've been meeting bi-weekly as a
[2:11:39] team planning for 2026 graduation, and
[2:11:43] when we met this past week, uh we had
[2:11:45] some further discussion about the setup
[2:11:47] of the field. Um as uh Mrs. Crater and
[2:11:51] the class advisers, you know, had
[2:11:52] brought up kind of two primary concerns
[2:11:55] that you know, number one, with the
[2:11:57] construction related to the field house,
[2:12:00] if the stage is at the end of the
[2:12:01] stadium where it was last year, then you
[2:12:04] run the risk of bad sightlines from a
[2:12:06] picture standpoint, depending on where
[2:12:08] people are seated if they're taking
[2:12:10] pictures in that direction. If you flip
[2:12:13] it, and you put the stage on the other
[2:12:15] end, then you run into the issue of the
[2:12:17] sun, where you have graduates and folks
[2:12:19] that are looking into the sun, you know,
[2:12:21] during the ceremony. And so, um we had a
[2:12:24] really good collaborative discussion
[2:12:26] and, you know, came up with a setup that
[2:12:29] essentially would put the stage on the
[2:12:32] 50 with the class flanked on either
[2:12:37] side, like at an angle.
[2:12:39] Um and then, so the additional chairs
[2:12:42] would be additional chairs that would
[2:12:44] that we would be able to, you know, put
[2:12:46] a little kind of fan out, you know,
[2:12:48] along the front.
[2:12:49] The other thing that this particular
[2:12:51] setup does is it doesn't shut the door
[2:12:55] on folks still sitting on the other side
[2:12:57] of the stadium if they wanted to. They
[2:12:59] could. They absolutely could. It It's a
[2:13:02] different view,
[2:13:03] um but it it doesn't preclude that. So,
[2:13:06] we're not we're not really taking away
[2:13:09] any seating.
[2:13:10] Um we just felt like, again, with
[2:13:13] construction and sun, that this was our
[2:13:16] best alternative for this year. Um and,
[2:13:19] you know, when we talked about it
[2:13:21] collaboratively as a group, um that that
[2:13:23] was where we landed. In fact, we even we
[2:13:25] even found a similar example, a similar
[2:13:28] district, O J Roberts, which is in
[2:13:30] Chester County, essentially sets theirs
[2:13:32] up the exact same way. Tulpehocken's is
[2:13:34] actually very similar as well,
[2:13:37] um as we've done a little bit of
[2:13:38] research, um on that end. So, this quote
[2:13:41] is for additional chairs. And that's
[2:13:43] some of the rationale and the reasoning
[2:13:45] why This just came about Thursday of
[2:13:48] last week, like Thursday in the
[2:13:50] afternoon. So. But, I wanted to make
[2:13:53] sure it was something I brought up and
[2:13:54] it could be discussed, um you know, in
[2:13:57] the public in case people had questions.
[2:14:00] So, when you're saying that they're
[2:14:01] going to be flanked on either side of
[2:14:03] the stage, are the kids going to be
[2:14:06] facing the stage or still facing the
[2:14:09] home bleachers?
[2:14:12] I think at an angle. Yeah, they're at an
[2:14:13] angle so it's kind of both.
[2:14:15] It's you know, and you know, like and
[2:14:19] again I I wish I had a visual I could
[2:14:20] project up, you know, for you but it's
[2:14:23] the the the the stage is about it's
[2:14:25] about halfway. It's like center of the
[2:14:28] field at the 50 and then you have seats
[2:14:31] of graduates flying through right here
[2:14:32] and then seats flying through right
[2:14:34] here. So, they're at an angle so they
[2:14:36] can see their parents and family members
[2:14:38] but they can also see the stage. The
[2:14:40] same individuals that have always sat on
[2:14:42] the stage would still be seated on the
[2:14:44] stage. We'd still have the seating for
[2:14:46] faculty members and employees who are
[2:14:48] going to get up and, you know, present
[2:14:49] their diploma to, you know, folks as
[2:14:51] we've done in the past. Um so, you know,
[2:14:54] that that wouldn't change. They'd come
[2:14:56] in through the middle, you know, of the
[2:14:58] home bleachers um and Mr. Baginstose and
[2:15:01] and and Ms. Hamel have already, you
[2:15:03] know, looked at those, you know,
[2:15:05] logistics as well.
[2:15:07] So, the stage is on an angle, too? Or is
[2:15:08] that running The stage is running center
[2:15:10] running parallel running parallel with
[2:15:12] the bleachers. Center facing the grand
[2:15:14] stand bleachers where the press box is.
[2:15:16] Okay. Yeah. I got it. Yeah.
[2:15:18] So, when people on the stage look up
[2:15:20] they'll see the home stands and the
[2:15:21] press box. Like it it it's facing the
[2:15:23] home bleachers. It's like right right in
[2:15:25] the middle of the field.
[2:15:27] Center.
[2:15:32] Any other questions?
[2:15:35] If not, there was a motion and second.
[2:15:36] All those in favor say I. I. Opposed?
[2:15:40] Motion carries 9-0.
[2:15:42] Next items are 9.3, the softball
[2:15:45] scoreboard installation. 9.4, A.G.
[2:15:47] Morrow company quote for the middle
[2:15:49] school and high school door repairs.
[2:15:52] 9.5, the Weaver commercial proposal for
[2:15:55] the middle school roof repairs. And 9.6,
[2:15:59] disposal of the refrigerator in the high
[2:16:01] school athletic training room. May have
[2:16:03] a motion, please.
[2:16:06] So moved, Emerald.
[2:16:07] Second, William.
[2:16:09] Any questions or
[2:16:11] Um for 9.3,
[2:16:14] do we confirm the um
[2:16:18] scoreboard configuration and the post
[2:16:20] with them? So, it's just for both the
[2:16:22] three posts. Okay. Perfect.
[2:16:25] Any other questions?
[2:16:28] If not, all those in favor say aye. Aye.
[2:16:31] Opposed? Motion carries 9-0.
[2:16:35] Um is there any other old or new
[2:16:37] business
[2:16:39] for buildings and grounds?
[2:16:42] And then
[2:16:43] We already talked about the graduation
[2:16:45] fields, so.
[2:16:47] Okay, we'll move on to 10.0, students
[2:16:53] >> [clears throat]
[2:16:53] >> student services and activities. The
[2:16:55] next work session will be held on
[2:16:57] Thursday, May 14th.
[2:17:02] 10.1, we have the
[2:17:05] uh
[2:17:06] um the high school art mural project.
[2:17:08] Approves the Scoqualmie Valley High
[2:17:10] School art mural project in the amount
[2:17:13] of $1,200 funded by two awarded grants.
[2:17:17] May I have a motion, please?
[2:17:19] So moved. Thank you.
[2:17:21] Second?
[2:17:23] Matthews.
[2:17:27] Uh any questions or comments?
[2:17:29] I just
[2:17:30] >> I
[2:17:30] I I just had one comment just by way of
[2:17:33] a, you know, thank you um because this
[2:17:36] this grant we've got two board members
[2:17:38] seated at the table who, you know, were
[2:17:41] certainly helpful in in in getting funds
[2:17:43] for this. You know, we know Lauren is
[2:17:45] involved with the Snoqualmie Ed
[2:17:46] Foundation and some of the funding for
[2:17:48] this comes from that. And Mr. Brown,
[2:17:50] thank you to your family and the
[2:17:51] Fraternal Order of Police, you know, for
[2:17:53] your financial support for this grant as
[2:17:55] well. Um there I I included a picture um
[2:17:59] in the packet of what the mural's going
[2:18:01] to look like and it's going to be really
[2:18:02] nice. It's going to be on the art patio
[2:18:04] outside and really excited to to see
[2:18:07] Mrs. Harley and and the kids get started
[2:18:09] on that.
[2:18:11] I just have a question. Is there's going
[2:18:13] to be a special coating put over it so
[2:18:15] it lasts for a long time out there? I
[2:18:18] don't I don't know what they would use
[2:18:20] that make the paint stay on there, but
[2:18:25] That's a really good question. I can
[2:18:26] verify that. Mrs. Godfrey, do you
[2:18:30] Yeah, that would be great. Cuz to go to
[2:18:32] all that work to make that great big
[2:18:34] Agreed. cat, I wouldn't want it to start
[2:18:37] being because the rain will just come
[2:18:39] right down on that and I would like to
[2:18:42] see it last for a while.
[2:18:46] I'm just going to hold this up. I know
[2:18:47] you're not going to be able to see it on
[2:18:49] TV, but I'm going to hold it up for the
[2:18:51] people in the audience to be able to
[2:18:53] see.
[2:18:58] One of the perks of being here in
[2:19:00] person.
[2:19:07] Okay, there's a motion and a second.
[2:19:10] All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed?
[2:19:14] Motion carries 9-0.
[2:19:17] Now, we did already approve 10.2, which
[2:19:20] was the YMCA summer program.
[2:19:23] So, move on to 10.3,
[2:19:26] the 2026-27 school notice of adoption
[2:19:29] for the BCIU IDEA grant application. May
[2:19:32] have a motion, please.
[2:19:37] So moved.
[2:19:39] Second. Emerald.
[2:19:41] Any questions or comments?
[2:19:43] Just as a clarification, just so that
[2:19:45] folks understand, so the BCIU submits a
[2:19:49] large special education IDEA grant every
[2:19:52] year and then districts, they're
[2:19:55] pass-through funds and that special
[2:19:57] funding comes to districts through the
[2:19:59] BCIU. And as part of the grant, there's
[2:20:03] an adoption notice that school districts
[2:20:06] have to sign off on that basically
[2:20:08] authorizes them to continue to process
[2:20:10] the grant. And so, what you're approving
[2:20:12] this evening is just authorizing me to
[2:20:15] go ahead and sign that DocuSign document
[2:20:17] so that they can proceed with the grant
[2:20:19] on behalf of the portion that comes to
[2:20:21] Schuylkill Valley.
[2:20:26] Any other questions or comments?
[2:20:28] If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[2:20:31] Opposed? Motion carries 9-0. The
[2:20:33] international trip to France.
[2:20:36] May I have a motion, please? So moved.
[2:20:38] >> So Lash. Second. Thank you.
[2:20:41] Any additional questions or comments
[2:20:42] besides that we would all like to go on
[2:20:44] the trip?
[2:20:46] I just hope that our faculty continues
[2:20:49] to do this because I think that travel
[2:20:50] is the best gift that we can give our
[2:20:52] kids um for educational purposes, for
[2:20:55] cultural purposes. Um it's just
[2:20:57] incredible. So, thank you again. I know
[2:20:59] I said this last time, but thank you
[2:21:00] again to all of our staff for putting
[2:21:02] these things together.
[2:21:04] Yes, it was a very exciting presentation
[2:21:06] last week.
[2:21:10] All those in favor say I. I. Opposed?
[2:21:14] Motion carries 9-0.
[2:21:17] Okay, the commencement audio system
[2:21:19] contract, 10.6, the BCIU Berks County
[2:21:22] Safety and Security Consortium Services,
[2:21:25] and 10.7, Standard Response Protocol ID
[2:21:28] Badge Reminders. May I have a motion for
[2:21:30] 10.5, 10.6, and 10.7, please?
[2:21:36] So moved, Deborah. Second. Thank you.
[2:21:39] >> Second.
[2:21:39] Questions or comments?
[2:21:41] I'm just really glad that we participate
[2:21:43] in the Berks County Safety and Security
[2:21:45] Consortium Services with the IU.
[2:21:47] Um we really have a good crew at the IU
[2:21:51] that is very helpful to all of our
[2:21:53] school districts that participate. So,
[2:21:56] thank you for
[2:21:57] that.
[2:21:59] Anything else?
[2:22:01] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[2:22:02] those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion
[2:22:06] carries 9-0. 10.8 two-year settlement
[2:22:10] agreement for student number 3702.
[2:22:13] May I have a motion, please?
[2:22:17] So moved, William.
[2:22:18] Second?
[2:22:21] Matthews.
[2:22:23] Any questions or comments?
[2:22:25] If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[2:22:28] Opposed? Motion carries 9-0. 10.9 Is
[2:22:32] there any other old or new business for
[2:22:34] student services and activities? Um I
[2:22:37] just wanted to quick say thank you to
[2:22:38] Ms. Camoff, Mr. Bagents, the high school
[2:22:41] admin, and the prom committee for
[2:22:43] putting together such a wonderful prom.
[2:22:45] Um I know this year it was probably a
[2:22:46] little bit challenging because it was a
[2:22:47] brand new venue, but from every picture
[2:22:49] I saw it was gorgeous. And my daughter
[2:22:52] had such an amazing time. So, I
[2:22:54] appreciate everyone's time and and
[2:22:56] attention to that. That's not an easy
[2:22:57] task to pull off.
[2:23:00] Yep. I second that. I second that as
[2:23:02] well. Um I know that my daughter and all
[2:23:04] of her friends had a great time. Um
[2:23:06] everybody looked beautiful. I was
[2:23:08] stalking Facebook to see everyone's
[2:23:10] pretty prom pictures. Um and it was just
[2:23:12] a lot of fun to, you know, watch it as a
[2:23:15] parent um happening. So, thank you to
[2:23:17] everyone for all the hard work that was
[2:23:19] put in.
[2:23:20] And I just want to say related to that,
[2:23:22] um I thank and I know administration and
[2:23:24] the class officers feel the class
[2:23:25] advisors feel the same way for the
[2:23:27] board, you know, saying, you know, we'll
[2:23:29] contribute and, you know, to, you know,
[2:23:31] allow it to happen at this, you know,
[2:23:33] venue and create such a great experience
[2:23:35] for kids. And so, I appreciate the board
[2:23:37] stepping forward and doing that as well.
[2:23:39] And I know our advisors and
[2:23:40] administrators do as well.
[2:23:44] Okay, we'll move on to other business to
[2:23:47] go to the order.
[2:23:49] Does anyone have anything this evening?
[2:23:51] Yeah, Carol. I just like to
[2:23:53] thank everyone who was involved this
[2:23:55] past weekend.
[2:23:57] Um, the track team put on an
[2:23:59] invitational track meet. And, um, it
[2:24:01] took a lot of people doing a lot of
[2:24:03] things to make that a success. So, I'd
[2:24:05] like to thank the track coaches and
[2:24:06] their staff. Um, the athletic
[2:24:09] department, Mr. Hanson, the training
[2:24:11] department, um, Mr. Burrows.
[2:24:13] Um, the the building administration, and
[2:24:17] uh, the the custodians. I mean, there's
[2:24:19] so many moving parts to put on a
[2:24:20] successful production like that. I just
[2:24:23] like to thank everyone for their
[2:24:25] efforts.
[2:24:26] Unfortunately, it was a little wet. I
[2:24:28] was just saying in the rain to boot.
[2:24:29] Unfortunately, yeah. And I should
[2:24:31] mention the volunteers, too. A lot of
[2:24:32] athletes and volunteers were there. We
[2:24:33] couldn't make that happen without them.
[2:24:35] Yeah, and unfortunately, no matter how
[2:24:37] much much we tried, we couldn't do
[2:24:38] anything about the weather. But, the
[2:24:39] rain held off for the most part, so.
[2:24:43] Anything else?
[2:24:45] If not, uh, may I have a motion to
[2:24:47] adjourn?
[2:24:49] So moved, Emerald. Second. Second,
[2:24:51] Rossi. All those in favor say I. I. I.
[2:24:55] Opposed? Motion carries, 9-0. Thank you,
[2:24:58] everyone.
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2026-05-18_rs2_Z0vky3w.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2026-05-18 (committee; bond sale reported (no minutes))
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs2_Z0vky3w
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:04:04] I'm trying to get this done. Um, so 10.3
[0:04:08] settlement agreement for student 4307.
[0:04:11] The committee is requested to consider
[0:04:12] and recommend approval of the settlement
[0:04:14] agreement for student 4307.
[0:04:17] I assume no questions on that.
[0:04:20] We'll move that forward. Uh 10.4
[0:04:23] two-year settlement agreement for
[0:04:24] student 3613 at AIM Academy. Um the
[0:04:29] committee is requested to consider and
[0:04:31] recommend approval of the two-year
[0:04:32] settlement agreement for tuition at AIM
[0:04:34] Academy for student 3613.
[0:04:39] Again, we'll move that forward. 10.5
[0:04:42] 2-year settlement agreement for student
[0:04:44] 30006
[0:04:46] at uh John Paul II. The committee is
[0:04:49] requested to consider and recommend
[0:04:51] approval of the two-year settlement
[0:04:52] agreement for student 30006 at John Paul
[0:04:56] II.
[0:04:58] We'll move that forward.
[0:05:00] 10.6 Acorns to Oaks contract for 2026
[0:05:05] 2027. The committee is requested to
[0:05:07] consider and recommend approval of the
[0:05:09] Acorns to Oaks BCBA contract for the
[0:05:12] 2627 school year. Any questions about
[0:05:16] that one? I know we've been using them.
[0:05:18] All
[0:05:19] right, then we'll move that forward.
[0:05:22] 10.7 Onward Search contract for 2627.
[0:05:27] The committee is requested to consider
[0:05:28] and recommend approval of the onward
[0:05:30] search now onward education contract for
[0:05:34] the 2026 27 school year for a 1:1 LPN
[0:05:38] for student for a student with an IEP.
[0:05:43] Any questions about that?
[0:05:46] We'll move that forward.
[0:05:48] 10.8 2026 2027 River Rock contract for
[0:05:53] two pre-purchase seats. The committee is
[0:05:55] requested to consider and recommend
[0:05:57] approval of the Riverock 202627
[0:06:00] contract for the pre purchase of two
[0:06:02] seats for the Amity or Sinking Spring
[0:06:05] campus. Any questions on that?
[0:06:08] >> Uh I have a question. What happens? So
[0:06:11] we're pre- purchasing two seats. Um what
[0:06:14] happens if we don't use those? Do we get
[0:06:16] reimbured for them or we just
[0:06:18] >> what what does that look like?
[0:06:20] >> So both of those seats are currently in
[0:06:22] place. There are students there. So
[0:06:24] we're pre purchasing a discounted rate
[0:06:27] because the students are already there.
[0:06:29] >> If we didn't pre- purchase, we would
[0:06:31] have to pay a per DM rate which is about
[0:06:33] 15% higher.
[0:06:34] >> Okay. Okay. No, I was just curious. I
[0:06:36] didn't when it said, you know, pre-
[0:06:38] purchase. I didn't know what we're
[0:06:39] looking at.
[0:06:39] >> If we do pre- purchase and we don't have
[0:06:41] students there, you don't get the money
[0:06:43] back. You're just you're buying a seat
[0:06:46] because in some of these locations,
[0:06:48] seats go away very quickly because other
[0:06:51] districts purchase them and then you do
[0:06:53] not have a place for a student in the
[0:06:54] event that they do something that might
[0:06:57] cause expulsion. So, we have to educate
[0:06:59] them. So, you have to sometimes pre-
[0:07:01] purchase them ahead of time. This is not
[0:07:03] the case for this one, but sometimes
[0:07:05] you'll see that happen.
[0:07:07] >> Okay. Thank you.
[0:07:08] >> Thank you, ma'am.
[0:07:10] >> And we'll move that forward. Uh 10.9 new
[0:07:14] story contract for 2026 2027. The
[0:07:17] committee is requested to consider and
[0:07:19] recommend approval of the new story
[0:07:21] contract for the 202627 school year. Two
[0:07:25] students are currently attending.
[0:07:28] Any questions on that?
[0:07:32] We'll move that forward.
[0:07:35] 10.10 uh Deo contract for 2026 27. Am I
[0:07:40] saying that correctly? Okay. Uh, the
[0:07:43] committee has requested to consider and
[0:07:44] recommend approval for the DERO 2026
[0:07:47] 2027 contract.
[0:07:50] Any questions on that one?
[0:07:54] All right, we'll move that forward.
[0:07:57] 10.11
[0:07:59] Hogan Learning Academy tuition agreement
[0:08:01] for 2627.
[0:08:03] The committee is requested to consider
[0:08:04] and recommend approval of the Hogan
[0:08:06] Learning Academy 2026 27 tuition
[0:08:09] agreement. Any questions there?
[0:08:16] And we'll move that forward.
[0:08:18] 10.12 Oils Education Therapy Three-year
[0:08:22] Agreement. The committee is requested to
[0:08:25] consider and recommend approval of the
[0:08:27] OELS's Educational Therapy Three-year
[0:08:29] Agreement. Um I know that we talked
[0:08:32] about this at our um committee meeting.
[0:08:35] Um but if you could just maybe give a
[0:08:36] little bit of information for people who
[0:08:38] didn't attend that meeting. Sure. So, we
[0:08:41] have had a standing oileg agreement.
[0:08:43] There was a previous three-year that's
[0:08:45] expiring this year. This is just a new
[0:08:47] three-year agreement to ensure that we
[0:08:49] have someone who can provide us OT or
[0:08:52] PT, occupational therapy or physical
[0:08:54] therapy services as needed. And Oles is
[0:08:58] currently working with us right now to
[0:09:01] help uh supplement some of the
[0:09:04] occupational therapy services that we
[0:09:05] need. and they're going to help next
[0:09:08] year with they have an extra
[0:09:09] occupational therapist secured for us to
[0:09:12] help provide some of the services we
[0:09:14] need.
[0:09:14] >> Thank you, Matt.
[0:09:16] >> Any questions?
[0:09:18] >> All right, then we'll move that forward.
[0:09:20] 10.13 Karen SAP services contract 2627.
[0:09:25] The committee has requested to consider
[0:09:27] and recommend approval of the Karen 2627
[0:09:30] SAP services contract.
[0:09:33] Any questions?
[0:09:34] All
[0:09:36] right, we'll move that forward.
[0:09:38] 10.15 Vanguard School 2627 agreement and
[0:09:42] ESY addendum. The committee is requested
[0:09:45] to consider and recommend approval of
[0:09:47] the Vanguard School 2627 agreement and
[0:09:50] the ESY addendum for two students.
[0:09:56] >> Kelly,
[0:09:56] >> question.
[0:09:57] >> 10:14 concern.
[0:10:04] Oh, sorry. Well, we'll go back to that
[0:10:05] one question on 10.15. Sorry,
[0:10:08] >> I'm in a hurry.
[0:10:12] >> All right. I have no questions on
[0:10:13] Vanguard. We'll move backwards to 10.14.
[0:10:16] Sorry. Uh concern two-year agreement
[0:10:19] 2627.
[0:10:21] Uh the committee has requested to
[0:10:22] consider and recommend approval of the
[0:10:24] concern agreement. Any questions on that
[0:10:27] one?
[0:10:29] All right, we'll move that forward. Uh
[0:10:32] 10.16
[0:10:33] Timothy School ESY addendum for 26. The
[0:10:36] committee is requested to consider and
[0:10:38] recommend approval for the approval of
[0:10:41] the Timothy School ESY 2026 addendum for
[0:10:44] student ID 5030.
[0:10:49] Any questions on that?
[0:10:53] All right, then we'll move that forward.
[0:10:55] Um we did have a student services um so
[0:10:58] 10.17 other older new business um
[0:11:00] student services and activities
[0:11:02] committee workshop on May 14th. Um we
[0:11:05] did talk about um the vacancy that we
[0:11:07] have uh with our school psychologist. Um
[0:11:10] we did um if I recall offered that to
[0:11:14] someone um but we're still waiting on
[0:11:17] that um ESY update. Um, so we are, you
[0:11:22] know, getting ready for the extended
[0:11:24] school year, um, items, Hawk Olympics
[0:11:27] recap. Um, everything went well. Um, I
[0:11:30] know my daughter participated as a buddy
[0:11:33] and she had a great day. Um, and that
[0:11:35] her buddy did very well in his events.
[0:11:37] So, it's always an exciting thing. So,
[0:11:39] I'm glad that we could continue
[0:11:40] something for um, our Special Olympics
[0:11:43] and hopefully we can bring it back to SV
[0:11:45] next year bigger and better. Um, OT
[0:11:48] services update. So um that leads into
[0:11:51] the oill that we talked about um that we
[0:11:54] are going to be using them to supplement
[0:11:56] um with the OT services that we already
[0:11:58] have and EI update
[0:12:03] refresh my memory on that.
[0:12:04] >> Uh it was just that all of the students
[0:12:06] have been uh observed and we have a good
[0:12:09] transition plan coming in for all of our
[0:12:10] early intervention
[0:12:11] >> for our kindergart incoming
[0:12:13] kindergarteners.
[0:12:13] >> Yep.
[0:12:14] Um and then with um our um activities um
[0:12:19] sports information um we are going to
[0:12:24] have a monthly student activities report
[0:12:27] um and the superintendent's monthly
[0:12:29] report. We discussed um increasing um
[0:12:34] you know information on our BCTC
[0:12:36] students as well as on our students um
[0:12:38] here at SB so that they're not left out
[0:12:41] um because we have a lot of kids that
[0:12:42] are doing great things over at BCTC as
[0:12:45] well. Um we talked about the um
[0:12:48] schedules and schedule coordination for
[0:12:50] our youth sports and um our you know
[0:12:53] high school sports and how we need to
[0:12:55] make sure that we're communicating to
[0:12:57] everybody. Um, so we're going to
[0:12:58] continue to try to increase that
[0:13:00] communication piece so that everybody
[0:13:02] knows where they're supposed to be and
[0:13:04] when, you know, inclement weather or
[0:13:06] something comes up that those things are
[0:13:08] getting out to people in a a timely
[0:13:10] manner. Um, door and building access for
[0:13:14] after school and evening activities. Um,
[0:13:16] that's still kind of a a sore subject.
[0:13:19] We get, you know, phone calls and emails
[0:13:21] about people not being able to get in.
[0:13:23] So, we really do need to continue to
[0:13:24] work on that um and try to figure out a
[0:13:27] way to make sure that if the head coach
[0:13:28] isn't here that somebody else still has
[0:13:30] access so that our teams can still, you
[0:13:33] know, do what they need to do. Um
[0:13:35] powderpuff game tonight. Go juniors. Um
[0:13:38] and then, um lacrosse, the boys um high
[0:13:42] school lacrosse team. Um, one of the
[0:13:45] parents sent a thank you. Um, just
[0:13:48] recognizing that the board had a hard
[0:13:50] decision that we had to make about
[0:13:51] having a varsity or a JV schedule. Um,
[0:13:54] the seniors were very thankful that we
[0:13:56] had that varsity schedule. It didn't go
[0:14:00] very well. We won one game. Um, but they
[0:14:03] all played really hard. Um, they, you
[0:14:05] know, left it all out on the field and
[0:14:07] we'll see what happens next year. So,
[0:14:09] that's all that I have.
[0:14:11] >> Thank you. Okay, we'll move on to 6
[0:14:14] point.
[0:14:14] >> Oh, no. I had something for uh Sorry,
[0:14:17] Kelly. Um, we brought up at the workshop
[0:14:21] about Well, it's something I've been
[0:14:24] thinking about. Um, not charging our
[0:14:27] youth organizations.
[0:14:29] Um, so I kind of want to run that up the
[0:14:32] flag pole with the rest of the board,
[0:14:33] get their thoughts on it. Um, and I
[0:14:36] asked about having some raw numbers of
[0:14:37] what we're actually collecting from
[0:14:39] those groups and then other outside
[0:14:41] groups to kind of, you know, see what
[0:14:43] those numbers actually look like before
[0:14:44] we make any kind of decision on it.
[0:14:46] >> And so I was able to work with Kristen
[0:14:48] today to get some of that data. So our
[0:14:52] total rental income which is everything
[0:14:56] last year was 22,89742
[0:15:00] and year to date this year is 27,9769.
[0:15:05] When you pull out the portion that is
[0:15:07] just SV youth sports last year that was
[0:15:10] 6,49252
[0:15:13] and so far this year that's 6,84103.
[0:15:18] So, a small portion of that larger
[0:15:21] rental income is our youth sports.
[0:15:25] >> Now, my my thing is personally I feel
[0:15:29] like that's we're double dipping. These
[0:15:31] are people these are these are
[0:15:33] organizations with that that are in our
[0:15:35] community that are paying taxes to use
[0:15:36] the that are paying taxes the district
[0:15:38] and now we're charging them. Again,
[0:15:42] I would like to see and I I've gotten
[0:15:44] some feedback from other outside groups
[0:15:48] that we do the reason we're not getting
[0:15:50] enough money compared to where other
[0:15:52] districts and other outside entities
[0:15:54] like Big Show, those kind of things. If
[0:15:56] we can offset some of those costs for
[0:15:58] those other groups to make up some of
[0:16:01] that difference for our youth, I I I'd
[0:16:04] like to, you know, entertain that idea.
[0:16:07] I thought the fee wasn't for the use of
[0:16:10] the facility. It was for our labor to
[0:16:12] clean it up afterwards.
[0:16:14] >> Well, I think it's a little both.
[0:16:15] There's a flat rate and that
[0:16:16] >> we talked about that and um I I believe
[0:16:19] Dr. Winters had said most times
[0:16:21] somebody's here for a high school or a
[0:16:24] junior high sport anyway.
[0:16:26] >> So, we're not really bringing extra
[0:16:28] people in.
[0:16:29] >> So, you know, I mean, I'm sure there's a
[0:16:32] couple one-offs here and there that we
[0:16:34] would have to, but
[0:16:37] Yeah, I I've brought this up before
[0:16:39] because, you know, how do we have junior
[0:16:41] high and high school sports if we don't
[0:16:43] have those feeder programs and to, you
[0:16:45] know, put that barrier to entry to
[0:16:48] making them pay something? Um, you know,
[0:16:50] some kids are at a disadvantage because
[0:16:53] of that. So, let's, you know, get our
[0:16:55] kids involved in sports. It keeps them
[0:16:58] out of trouble and, you know, just any
[0:17:00] activities that we can have them in is a
[0:17:01] great thing. I think what we have to
[0:17:03] look at is the structure that we're
[0:17:04] charging the outside groups obviously to
[0:17:07] see about offsetting some of that. So is
[0:17:10] that something that you can uh put on
[0:17:12] the agenda for the next committee
[0:17:14] meeting for student services and then we
[0:17:16] can look at what the pay scale schedule
[0:17:19] is for those groups and then looking at
[0:17:23] perhaps eliminating it for the youth
[0:17:24] sports. Yeah, I was really just open it
[0:17:26] up to the discussion to see, you know,
[0:17:28] what the rest of the board I mean, we
[0:17:30] talked about it a little like that the
[0:17:31] workshop, but just kind of see where
[0:17:33] everybody else's kind of thoughts are on
[0:17:35] it to see if this is something we even
[0:17:36] want to if it has legs or not.
[0:17:38] >> I think if we can look at the the actual
[0:17:40] numbers and then the committee can bring
[0:17:42] something forward, you know, that the
[0:17:43] whole board can look at at next month's
[0:17:46] committee, the whole meeting.
[0:17:49] >> Yeah, I'm fine with that. I just don't
[0:17:50] know what other numbers I mean, we can
[0:17:52] change that rate. what the pay scale
[0:17:54] what what the breakdown is of what we're
[0:17:56] charging the outside groups. We still
[0:17:58] have to look at that
[0:18:00] >> if they're group A, B, C, or D. If we're
[0:18:02] going to make up some of that $7,000,
[0:18:04] then we have to look at perhaps
[0:18:06] increasing the prices in the other
[0:18:08] areas.
[0:18:09] >> Yeah. Yeah, I think what I was kind of
[0:18:10] thinking about along those lines was
[0:18:13] like taking a look at our current
[0:18:15] numbers and then a proposed increase
[0:18:17] figure and then using that increased
[0:18:20] figure and saying if we had charged that
[0:18:22] amount this year, you know, this is how
[0:18:25] much additional revenue we would have
[0:18:26] generated. And if if we can get a figure
[0:18:29] that generates about $6,000 that's not
[0:18:33] ridiculous, then maybe we've figured out
[0:18:36] our solution and it becomes a pretty
[0:18:37] easy decision because you know, as I
[0:18:39] shared at the committee meeting, you
[0:18:41] know, I too, you know, we want strong
[0:18:42] feeder programs. You know, we absolutely
[0:18:44] want our youth sports programs to, you
[0:18:46] know, continue to grow and, you know, we
[0:18:48] don't want to put barriers in place. So,
[0:18:50] I, you know, I think I think this is a
[0:18:52] logical thing to take a look at and and
[0:18:54] figure out how we can make it work.
[0:18:55] >> So, we're those numbers we had those the
[0:18:58] youth is is this past year was the
[0:19:00] $6,000?
[0:19:03] >> Yeah.
[0:19:03] >> So, that's all Yeah, that's all we're
[0:19:04] looking to make up.
[0:19:05] >> Yeah, it was
[0:19:06] >> 2526. It was just under 6,500.
[0:19:09] >> Wow.
[0:19:10] >> How you know was was for youth sports.
[0:19:13] >> Yeah.
[0:19:14] >> And I know in the past they used to have
[0:19:16] some of that costs were because of
[0:19:18] painting the lines on the fields and you
[0:19:20] know other expenses that we used to do
[0:19:22] and I know I think it was uh youth
[0:19:25] lacrosse or one of the sports was a comi
[0:19:29] com combined with other school
[0:19:31] districts. And so I know I think we kind
[0:19:34] of even in the past didn't always charge
[0:19:37] even though at that point it's an
[0:19:40] outside or you know the people
[0:19:42] participating from another school
[0:19:44] district are not taxpayers or whatever
[0:19:47] you know so we're not double dipping
[0:19:49] them but I don't know that we've ever
[0:19:52] really charged that group for that as
[0:19:56] well and that's was always a debate. So
[0:19:59] if you're bringing stuff up you might
[0:20:00] want to look at
[0:20:02] to iron out that, you know, where you
[0:20:05] have a a youth program that has both
[0:20:08] internal and external to the district
[0:20:10] >> that that's always just a very small
[0:20:13] group. The the ones they have that come
[0:20:15] in basically are just to make sure
[0:20:17] there's a team, right? I'm just saying
[0:20:19] we never
[0:20:20] >> maybe
[0:20:21] >> Yeah, we might have three to four
[0:20:22] players on both lacrosse teams,
[0:20:25] >> right? I'm just saying we should
[0:20:26] probably spell it out. we've just kind
[0:20:28] of ignored it. So, we should probably
[0:20:31] wave it, change the policy to wave it
[0:20:34] because the policy says if they're from
[0:20:36] the outside, you should charge them. So,
[0:20:38] what I'm saying is we should then amend
[0:20:41] the policy to do what we're actually
[0:20:43] doing.
[0:20:44] >> I think well that came up I don't think
[0:20:45] it's a policy. It's just an is so I mean
[0:20:48] it's not really AR. But I I think in
[0:20:50] there it states that the organization
[0:20:53] that's making the reservation whether
[0:20:55] it's inside or outside it doesn't
[0:20:57] specify whether a participant in a
[0:21:00] community I don't think it delineates.
[0:21:02] >> Yeah. There was debate in the past you
[0:21:05] know several years ago that trying to
[0:21:08] get that I'm just suggesting
[0:21:10] >> follow what we do and just clean the
[0:21:12] policy up. That's all I'm saying. Yeah.
[0:21:14] I'm not saying to charge anybody.
[0:21:16] >> Yeah. I'm just saying to clean the
[0:21:17] policy up. I don't think the policy the
[0:21:20] way it's written really changes the way
[0:21:23] anything's been enforced, but we can
[0:21:24] look at it. We've we've actually been
[0:21:25] looking at that
[0:21:28] hand in hand. If we're going to look at,
[0:21:30] you know, having the youth groups be
[0:21:31] able to come here for free, then we need
[0:21:34] to look at what we're charging the other
[0:21:35] groups. I mean, we might as well look at
[0:21:36] the whole thing while we're looking at
[0:21:38] it, obviously,
[0:21:39] >> right?
[0:21:39] >> And not do it peace meal.
[0:21:41] >> So, if we can get that information of
[0:21:43] what the outside groups are, what the I
[0:21:45] know there's different levels depending
[0:21:47] on what the is and then um we can look
[0:21:51] at that for next month's committee
[0:21:54] meeting.
[0:21:55] >> If if you want to look at reducing
[0:21:56] barriers for kids to participate, I'd
[0:21:59] recommend we add a sports bus to get
[0:22:01] kids home after the activity so the
[0:22:02] parents don't have to. And I'd also
[0:22:04] recommend that we provide basic
[0:22:06] equipment for all the sports so kids
[0:22:07] don't have to buy anything in order to
[0:22:09] try it at the middle school.
[0:22:12] >> For youth level, no middle school. If
[0:22:15] you want if you want to remove barriers
[0:22:17] for kids to participate,
[0:22:19] >> give them transportation and give them
[0:22:21] equipment
[0:22:22] >> at the middle school level at least.
[0:22:24] >> I'm not against that either. For junior
[0:22:25] high. Yeah.
[0:22:26] >> I mean, youth, it's a little bit of a
[0:22:28] different animal, but I'm saying junior
[0:22:29] high.
[0:22:30] >> I was saying I mean across the board
[0:22:31] though. I mean, yeah, it's good to help
[0:22:33] the youth, but I mean, let's help our
[0:22:35] our students as well.
[0:22:37] >> Yeah. Some of these sports, I know like
[0:22:39] when I was coaching on the junior high
[0:22:40] baseball team, I was surprised to learn
[0:22:42] that there was no team catching gear.
[0:22:44] There was no team baseball bats. There
[0:22:45] was no team helmets. Uh so these kids
[0:22:47] that want to try baseball in junior
[0:22:49] high. I mean these bats are $400 a piece
[0:22:53] and you got to buy spikes. And if you
[0:22:54] want if you wanted to try catching now
[0:22:56] you got to buy catching gears and
[0:22:57] catching mitts. So at the time Dne was
[0:22:59] the ad. Uh and I contacted him and he
[0:23:01] went out and bought all that stuff for
[0:23:02] junior high baseball. But I can't speak
[0:23:05] for all the other sports, but I know
[0:23:07] that was a barrier. I knew some of these
[0:23:08] kids from coaching them in youth. uh and
[0:23:11] they had some financial barriers and the
[0:23:13] lack of team equipment or basic
[0:23:14] equipment like Al saying was a barrier
[0:23:16] and you know as far as charging for the
[0:23:18] facilities. I was the treasurer for the
[0:23:21] youth football and cheer organization
[0:23:22] for quite a few years and you know it it
[0:23:25] doesn't sound like a lot of money but it
[0:23:28] hurts especially when you're reserving
[0:23:30] that stadium. Uh that's money that could
[0:23:33] be better spent on the athletes and
[0:23:34] their equipment
[0:23:35] >> especially when it's all volunteer. You
[0:23:37] know, the the fundraising that's done is
[0:23:39] all by parent volunteer and
[0:23:41] >> dimes charging $2 to use a grass
[0:23:44] athletic field per day or $1, whatever.
[0:23:48] It may have changed by now, but u it was
[0:23:50] a lot of checks. I can say that much.
[0:23:52] Yeah, I did bring up that if we have to
[0:23:54] charge something just for liability
[0:23:56] purposes, you know, if it's just a
[0:23:58] couple bucks just so that, you know,
[0:24:00] that liability is covered. Um, you know,
[0:24:03] that's one thing, but anything over
[0:24:06] that, if we can make it work, I'd like
[0:24:08] to make it work.
[0:24:11] Just real quick, I don't know if this
[0:24:12] would be helpful, but I did recently
[0:24:13] revamp policy 707 for a different
[0:24:15] client. Um, which did set forth five
[0:24:18] different categories of of groups and
[0:24:21] sets forth a fee schedule that kind of
[0:24:23] charges based on what group it's used.
[0:24:25] So, if the board is interested, I'm
[0:24:26] happy to share that example to look at.
[0:24:28] You can take it or leave it, but it
[0:24:30] might be a good reference point.
[0:24:31] >> Yeah, definitely.
[0:24:34] >> Yeah, we have something similar now. We
[0:24:35] have different classifications and
[0:24:37] different prices for those different
[0:24:38] classifications and we define what puts
[0:24:40] you in those classifications. But there
[0:24:42] is some confusion I'll say at times
[0:24:46] based off of the verbiage in those
[0:24:47] descriptions.
[0:24:52] >> Obviously that's something that we'll
[0:24:53] continue to work on and further
[0:24:56] discussion then next month.
[0:24:59] >> Okay. Now we'll is is
[0:25:00] >> I actually have one other thing and
[0:25:02] Kelly if you want you you don't have to
[0:25:03] answer this so you feel free to uh to
[0:25:05] go. It was just a quick question for Mr.
[0:25:07] Ammons. Uh you you can stay back there
[0:25:09] because it's a yes or no answer. I know
[0:25:12] you're going to be leaving assume we're
[0:25:14] going to have a change over in
[0:25:14] leadership and special ed. And I know
[0:25:16] last time that happened there was a lot
[0:25:18] of work that had to be put in to kind of
[0:25:20] reassess everything that had been done
[0:25:22] under the last uh you know leadership.
[0:25:25] And I just wanted to make sure that you
[0:25:26] got a chance to go through and reassess
[0:25:28] as we have a lot of settlements and a
[0:25:30] lot of placements. And if that's because
[0:25:32] there's services we can't provide, then
[0:25:34] that's perfect. That's that's what we
[0:25:35] have to do. I just wanted to make sure
[0:25:37] that you kind of got a chance to look
[0:25:39] through all of those previous
[0:25:41] settlements and those placements and
[0:25:43] kind of kick the tires and make sure
[0:25:44] that everything was on the up and up
[0:25:45] with those and it wasn't just, you know,
[0:25:48] pushing them to the side. Uh rather
[0:25:50] than, you know, getting down to the
[0:25:51] nitty-gritty and finding out what's
[0:25:52] actually best for the student. So, did
[0:25:54] you get a chance to go through those?
[0:25:59] >> Okay, great. That's all I needed to
[0:26:01] know. Thank you.
[0:26:04] >> Okay. Anyone else? Student services.
[0:26:08] If not, we'll move on to Frank with
[0:26:10] policy personnel and public relations.
[0:26:12] >> Okay. Solicitor's report. Do you have
[0:26:14] anything for us?
[0:26:16] >> Um, I don't. Although, again, to
[0:26:17] reiterate, if the board's interested in
[0:26:18] that policy, I'm happy to share a
[0:26:20] sample.
[0:26:20] >> Okay.
[0:26:22] Um, the policy and personnel committee
[0:26:24] met on Tuesday, May 5th for a public
[0:26:26] work session. We continued to work on
[0:26:28] the non-certified employee compensation
[0:26:29] plan. I'd like to thank those employees
[0:26:31] who attended the work session and
[0:26:33] provided input. Hopefully, we can wrap
[0:26:35] that up uh wrap that agreement up in our
[0:26:37] next work session. Uh, Mrs. Breitbill
[0:26:39] also took some time to describe the
[0:26:41] blueprint for belonging program. Uh,
[0:26:43] this program led by Mrs. Breitbill
[0:26:45] provides strategies that help foster a
[0:26:47] school culture of belonging and
[0:26:48] positivity. We completed work on
[0:26:51] revising policy 218.1 for weapons,
[0:26:54] policy 805 for emergency preparedness
[0:26:57] and response, and policy 805.1
[0:27:00] for relations with law enforcement
[0:27:01] agencies. Those revisions are on the
[0:27:03] agenda for a first reading this evening,
[0:27:05] and we'll talk more about them in a few
[0:27:07] minutes. Finally, the committee
[0:27:09] continued the discussion surrounding how
[0:27:11] to better advertise and publicize uh
[0:27:13] special board meetings and other
[0:27:15] important district announcements. We've
[0:27:17] started using the school Facebook page.
[0:27:19] In addition to the traditional newspaper
[0:27:21] and school website notices, we're still
[0:27:23] discussing other means of advertising to
[0:27:25] help us reach as many people as
[0:27:26] possible.
[0:27:28] All right, we'll move on to 6.1. I don't
[0:27:32] believe we had anybody sign up, right?
[0:27:34] So, on to 6.2.
[0:27:37] Treasurer to the board of school
[0:27:38] directors. The committee is requested to
[0:27:40] consider and recommend approval of Mrs.
[0:27:42] Kristen Wallace as the treasurer of the
[0:27:45] board of school directors for the 2627
[0:27:47] school year. Are there any questions or
[0:27:50] concerns?
[0:27:52] Move that forward. 6.3
[0:27:55] Assistant Director of Business
[0:27:56] Operations Job Description Revision. The
[0:27:59] committee is requested to consider and
[0:28:01] recommend approval of the revised job
[0:28:02] description for the assistant director
[0:28:04] of business operations as presented. Um
[0:28:08] Dr. Winters, would you like to expand
[0:28:10] upon that?
[0:28:12] with that particular position. Um, since
[0:28:16] a decent portion of it is related to
[0:28:18] transportation and when we spent some
[0:28:21] time looking at the job description, you
[0:28:23] know, we noticed that while the other
[0:28:25] duties as assigned language would cover
[0:28:27] that, um, we wanted to spell out the
[0:28:29] transportation piece specifically
[0:28:31] because it is such an important piece of
[0:28:34] that job. And so the job description is
[0:28:36] largely intended to have that piece
[0:28:39] highlighted a little bit more. Right.
[0:28:43] Thank you. Are there any other
[0:28:44] questions?
[0:28:46] We'll move that forward. 6.4.
[0:28:49] Resignation. The committee is requested
[0:28:51] to accept with regret and best wishes
[0:28:53] for the future the following
[0:28:54] resignation. Ernest Farrier, custodian
[0:28:57] at the elementary school effective May
[0:28:58] 13, 2026.
[0:29:02] Any questions, comments?
[0:29:05] Move that forward. 6.5. Employment
[0:29:08] Kalinowski.
[0:29:09] The committee is requested to consider
[0:29:11] and recommend approval of Mr. Steven
[0:29:13] Kalinowski high school custodian at an
[0:29:16] hourly rate of $28.82
[0:29:19] effective date to be determined to fill
[0:29:22] the vacancy created by the resignation
[0:29:24] of Miss Yenia Gonzalez.
[0:29:29] Any questions?
[0:29:31] 6.6 Employment Castanon. The committee
[0:29:35] is requested to consider and recommend
[0:29:37] approval of Miss Barbara Castanon, food
[0:29:39] services supervisor, at an hourly rate
[0:29:42] of $24.76,
[0:29:44] effective date to be determined to fill
[0:29:46] the vacancy created by the promotion of
[0:29:48] Ms. Jacqueline Chesla.
[0:29:51] Any questions?
[0:29:54] 6.7 Employment Wagner. The committee is
[0:29:57] requested to consider and recommend
[0:29:59] approval of Miss Tiffany Wagner grade PK
[0:30:01] to4 teacher master step 7,000
[0:30:06] $7,474
[0:30:08] effective with the start of the 2627
[0:30:11] school year to fill the vacancy created
[0:30:13] by the retirement of Mrs. Julia Cherry.
[0:30:16] Any questions?
[0:30:19] 6.8 Employment Community Aquatics Staff.
[0:30:23] The committee is requested to consider
[0:30:25] and recommend approval of the following
[0:30:27] community aquatic staff for the 2526
[0:30:29] school year. Steven Wade, adult
[0:30:32] supervisor, at a base salary of $16 an
[0:30:35] hour with an experience bonus of $8.25.
[0:30:43] >> Any comments there? Dr. Wers,
[0:30:45] >> I just wanted to since Mr. Hansen's
[0:30:47] here, I just want to publicly thank him
[0:30:49] for his work. You've probably noticed on
[0:30:51] several agendas in the past months,
[0:30:54] we've seen lifeguards and now an adult
[0:30:56] supervisor on the board agenda. I know
[0:30:58] he's been working hard in athletics to
[0:31:00] try to increase the pool of lifeguards
[0:31:01] and also increase the pool of
[0:31:03] supervisors. Um, our pool is used quite
[0:31:05] a bit for different reasons and we need
[0:31:07] to have supervisors and lifeguards to be
[0:31:09] able to do that. So, I just want to
[0:31:11] thank Jason for his efforts in
[0:31:14] bolstering the ranks in those particular
[0:31:16] positions because they've been
[0:31:17] challenging to fill.
[0:31:20] Thanks, Mr. Hansen.
[0:31:22] 6.9 Employment Substitute. The committee
[0:31:25] has requested to consider and recommend
[0:31:27] approval of the following substitute for
[0:31:29] the 2526 school year. Lee Himeme
[0:31:32] Marcato, grades PK to 4. Are there any
[0:31:36] questions?
[0:31:39] 6.10 Employment Elementary School summer
[0:31:42] programming teachers. The committee is
[0:31:44] requested to consider and recommend
[0:31:45] approval of elementary school summer
[0:31:48] school staff with teachers to be paid
[0:31:50] the professional hourly rate of $40 per
[0:31:53] the SVEA collective bargaining
[0:31:55] agreement. Teachers will only be used as
[0:31:57] a student as student enrollment
[0:31:59] dictates. Um there's a whole list of
[0:32:03] teachers here. Madison Haynes, Marissa
[0:32:05] Horn, Diane Hubler, Hunter Jones, Joel
[0:32:08] Kleinspen, Catalina Lassen, Melanie Loy,
[0:32:12] Julie Leshok, Emerson, Coranne Meyers,
[0:32:15] Courtney Neri, Britney Pile, Melissa
[0:32:18] Rapelli, Carla Rhymer, and Alyssa Smith.
[0:32:23] There's no questions. We'll move on to
[0:32:24] 6.11. Employment summer 2026 ESY staff.
[0:32:30] The committee is requested to consider
[0:32:31] and recommend approval of the ESY 2026
[0:32:34] staff list as presented. Um I did have
[0:32:38] one question for Dr. Wyers. I see we
[0:32:39] have an attachment here under executive.
[0:32:42] Um is that meant to be executive or
[0:32:44] should
[0:32:44] >> No, that should be a
[0:32:46] >> Okay, let me take a look at the list
[0:32:48] here. Um it's not that long, so I'll
[0:32:49] just read it off. Um, speech therapist
[0:32:53] Maddie Barbon, nurse Laura Schaefer,
[0:32:56] teacher Olivia Marts, teacher Daniel
[0:32:59] Savage, teacher Christina Dilts, teacher
[0:33:02] Brian Pepperling, teacher Kimberly
[0:33:04] Lugard, teacher Amanda Hicks, teacher
[0:33:08] Sue Reigns, teacher Kate Becker
[0:33:10] Humphrey, teacher Anna Martin,
[0:33:13] pareducator Tiff Roman, pareducator
[0:33:16] Christine Wyn, and PAR educator Kimberly
[0:33:19] Clay.
[0:33:22] If there aren't any questions, we'll
[0:33:24] move that forward and we'll go to 612.
[0:33:26] Employment game workers. The committee
[0:33:29] is requested to consider and recommend
[0:33:30] approval of the following game workers
[0:33:32] for the 2526 school year to be paid $40
[0:33:35] per event. Caitlyn Becker Humphrey,
[0:33:38] Dennis Dors, and Serena Readinger.
[0:33:41] If there are any questions, we'll go to
[0:33:43] 6.13. Volunteers. The committee is
[0:33:46] requested to consider and recommend
[0:33:47] approval of the following volunteers for
[0:33:49] the 2526 school year. Samantha Star
[0:33:52] Bone, the elementary school. Ryan Bowers
[0:33:55] in the elementary and the high school.
[0:33:56] Jennifer Dober High School student
[0:33:58] internship atonement Christian
[0:34:00] Preschool. Lydia Lea
[0:34:03] Elementary School. Candace Matthysse
[0:34:05] Elementary School. Douglas Troutman
[0:34:07] Elementary School. Diana Velasquez
[0:34:09] Elementary School. Are there any
[0:34:12] questions for that?
[0:34:14] 614 employment part-time temporary
[0:34:16] summer IT project employees. The
[0:34:18] committee is requested to consider and
[0:34:20] recommend approval of the following
[0:34:21] part-time temporary summer IT projects
[0:34:24] employees at an hourly rate of pay of
[0:34:26] $15.93.
[0:34:28] Jesse Ganter Scott and Jace Ezy.
[0:34:33] Any questions?
[0:34:35] 6.15.
[0:34:37] The committee is requested to consider
[0:34:39] and acknowledge the following family and
[0:34:40] medical leave act leave of absence.
[0:34:42] Nikki Ryder, athletic secretary,
[0:34:44] effective April 17, 2026 through
[0:34:47] approximately June 30th of 2026.
[0:34:52] Moving on to 6.16, contract for
[0:34:55] services, United Concordia.
[0:34:58] The committee is requested to consider
[0:34:59] and recommend approval of the United
[0:35:01] Concordia renewal acceptance form for
[0:35:04] the Skooko Valley School District dental
[0:35:06] insurance products for the period of
[0:35:08] July 1st, 2026 to June 30th of 2027
[0:35:11] which reflect an increase in the monthly
[0:35:13] premiums paid by the district.
[0:35:16] There any questions?
[0:35:19] 6.17
[0:35:20] contract for services a marriage healthc
[0:35:23] care staffing. The committee is
[0:35:24] requested to consider and recommend
[0:35:26] renewal of the agreement with a marriage
[0:35:28] healthcare staffing for substitute nurse
[0:35:30] services as presented. And you can see
[0:35:33] there's an attachment there under your
[0:35:34] executive comment content.
[0:35:38] 6.18 contract for services 2627 master
[0:35:42] service agreement with Cardinal Point
[0:35:44] Homeland Security Group Incorporated.
[0:35:47] The committee is requested to consider
[0:35:48] and recommend approval of the 2627
[0:35:51] master service agreement with Cardinal
[0:35:53] Point Homeland Security Group
[0:35:54] Incorporated as presented. And this is
[0:35:57] the agreement uh for our school security
[0:35:59] officers.
[0:36:00] >> Correct.
[0:36:03] Moving on to 6.19 policy 218.1 weapons
[0:36:07] first reading. The committee has
[0:36:09] requested to consider and recommend
[0:36:10] approval of the 2627 master service
[0:36:13] agreement. It didn't update my screen.
[0:36:16] The committee is requested to consider
[0:36:18] and recommend approval of policy 218.1
[0:36:20] weapons for the first reading and I
[0:36:23] believe Patrick I'll I'll let you speak
[0:36:25] to that but that's uh adding the new law
[0:36:27] that we have to notify parents when
[0:36:29] there's a weapon in the school. So I'll
[0:36:30] let I'll let you elaborate on that if
[0:36:32] you please.
[0:36:33] >> Sure. Um that is correct Mr. Amarell. Um
[0:36:36] in in the policy itself um basically the
[0:36:40] revisions uh they start on page two of
[0:36:42] the policy. Um there's a section called
[0:36:45] reporting. Um we've added um headers for
[0:36:49] law enforcement incident report and
[0:36:51] parental report direct involvement. We
[0:36:54] had the up-to-date language already in
[0:36:56] there from the last time we updated this
[0:36:58] policy. We just put the headers in there
[0:37:00] to specify what they are. The new piece,
[0:37:02] as Mr. Amarell mentioned, is at the
[0:37:04] bottom of page two onto the top of page
[0:37:07] three, which is additional parental and
[0:37:09] employee notifications.
[0:37:11] And this is basically language that puts
[0:37:14] into policy the requirement that if
[0:37:15] there is a weapon on school grounds. Um,
[0:37:18] everybody in the school district
[0:37:20] community, including employees, needs to
[0:37:22] be notified. And it's especially
[0:37:25] significant for us here because we're
[0:37:27] one campus. So regardless of which
[0:37:30] building the weapon may be in, the
[0:37:32] entire district staff and employees and
[0:37:34] the entire community has to be notified.
[0:37:36] And so the language that's there is
[0:37:39] according to the new law which came into
[0:37:41] place this school year. Um and then
[0:37:43] there's a new header for annual school
[0:37:45] safety and security incidents report
[0:37:47] after that on page three or you know so
[0:37:50] that those are the those are the
[0:37:52] changes.
[0:37:53] >> Okay. Thank you Dr. Wyers. Are there any
[0:37:56] questions on that one?
[0:37:58] All right. 6.20 policy 805 emergency
[0:38:02] preparedness and response first reading.
[0:38:04] The committee is requested to consider
[0:38:06] and recommend approval of policy 805
[0:38:08] emergency preparedness and response for
[0:38:10] a first reading. And this is the
[0:38:13] revision of the safe to say procedures.
[0:38:15] Correct.
[0:38:16] >> That's correct. So, one of the companion
[0:38:19] attachments with this policy is the safe
[0:38:21] to say something procedures. Um, it's a
[0:38:23] fairly lengthy attachment. Um the
[0:38:25] revisions start um on page six and a lot
[0:38:31] of them have to do with having a
[0:38:34] district crisis team, who is on it, um
[0:38:38] who takes the lead and also with uh
[0:38:42] training, what the crisis team training
[0:38:44] looks like. Um
[0:38:47] receiving reports,
[0:38:49] um coordinating with law enforcement if
[0:38:52] that is the case. um and what that looks
[0:38:55] like and then it you know gets into you
[0:38:59] know coordination with the threat
[0:39:01] assessment process and non-life safety
[0:39:04] or non-notification reports and it keeps
[0:39:08] progressing and basically what I did in
[0:39:10] each there's the section on assessment
[0:39:12] how reports are assessed the new
[0:39:14] language that I recommended we add is in
[0:39:18] red um on the attachment that's there
[0:39:20] for the public and also for the board
[0:39:23] and So those would be the things in each
[0:39:25] of those sections that once it goes
[0:39:28] through second reading I would put in.
[0:39:30] Um which basically just puts more
[0:39:33] parameters and guidelines around the
[0:39:35] district's responsibility to have a
[0:39:37] crisis response team and to make sure
[0:39:39] that in instances of crisis related to
[0:39:42] safe to say that we're following very
[0:39:44] specific protocols.
[0:39:48] >> Okay. Thank you Dr. Wyers. Are there any
[0:39:50] questions about that?
[0:39:52] Moving on to 6.21, policy 805.1,
[0:39:56] relations with law enforcement agencies.
[0:39:58] First reading. The committee has
[0:40:00] requested to consider and recommend
[0:40:02] approval of policy 805, emergency
[0:40:04] preparedness.
[0:40:07] And there is really only one change in
[0:40:10] this policy and it's on page two um when
[0:40:14] it talks about the memorandum of
[0:40:16] understanding shall comply with state
[0:40:18] law and regulations and set forth and
[0:40:21] there's an additional statement that's
[0:40:23] been added. It's now number three a
[0:40:26] procedure for the timely coordination
[0:40:28] between the district's threat assessment
[0:40:30] team and the law enforcement agency as
[0:40:33] necessary. One of the things that has,
[0:40:37] you know, been placed into law and has
[0:40:39] been picking up a lot of momentum is the
[0:40:42] importance of local law enforcement
[0:40:44] working side by side with the district
[0:40:47] with threat assessments and the district
[0:40:49] threat assessment team. In fact, there
[0:40:51] are some districts where um a member of
[0:40:54] the local law enforcement community is a
[0:40:58] part of the district's threat assessment
[0:41:00] team. um so that when there is a threat
[0:41:02] assessment and the district's working
[0:41:03] through that process, they're a partner
[0:41:05] in that process. Um currently we don't
[0:41:10] have that, but I see no reason why we
[0:41:12] wouldn't want to do that. Our
[0:41:13] relationship with Burn Township and
[0:41:16] Northern Burks is outstanding. And you
[0:41:18] know, I know that they serve on threat
[0:41:21] assessment teams in other jurisdictions
[0:41:23] that they serve. So that would be a step
[0:41:26] that once we get through second reading
[0:41:27] that I would envision would be a smart
[0:41:29] one to take especially given our
[0:41:31] positive relationship with our law
[0:41:32] enforcement partners.
[0:41:36] Thank you again Dr. Wyers. Are there any
[0:41:38] questions on that?
[0:41:40] All right. 6.22 policy 620 fund balance
[0:41:45] second reading. The committee is
[0:41:46] requested to consider and recommend
[0:41:48] approval of policy 620 fund balance for
[0:41:51] a second reading. Any questions or
[0:41:54] comments on that? We've spoken about
[0:41:56] that previously and there haven't been
[0:41:57] any changes from last time to this time.
[0:42:00] >> Correct.
[0:42:00] >> All right. Moving on to 6.23. Policy 010
[0:42:04] board hiring second reading. The
[0:42:07] committee has requested to consider and
[0:42:08] recommend approval of policy 010 board
[0:42:11] hiring for a second reading. Um that
[0:42:13] again has not had any modifications
[0:42:15] since the first reading. Correct.
[0:42:17] >> That's correct.
[0:42:18] >> All right. And then moving on to 6.24.
[0:42:21] Uh, any other old or new business?
[0:42:25] All right, I don't hear any, so I'll
[0:42:27] pass it.
[0:42:32] Thank you.
[0:42:35] I'll let my um what our committee did at
[0:42:39] the end because
[0:42:41] we we'll have a presentation on one of
[0:42:44] the main things that we talked about.
[0:42:46] So, I'll give the rest at the end. 7.1
[0:42:50] or 7.0 0 curriculum and technology 7.1
[0:42:54] persons who would wish to address the
[0:42:55] board.
[0:42:58] Move on to 7.2
[0:43:01] the middle school targeted support and
[0:43:03] improvement presentation.
[0:43:06] We did have a comment about that last
[0:43:10] month at our meeting and so Mrs. Rexroad
[0:43:14] is giving us a
[0:43:17] overview of what TSI is and what we're
[0:43:21] doing to improve. Thank you, Mrs. Rexro.
[0:43:24] >> Yes. Good evening. Yes, this came up at
[0:43:26] last month's board meeting and then we
[0:43:29] discussed it at the committee meeting
[0:43:31] and the committee thought that it would
[0:43:32] be a good idea for a presentation
[0:43:35] tonight um just to go over all of the
[0:43:39] pieces of this um to make sure that
[0:43:41] everyone understands what targeted
[0:43:43] school improvement is and what that
[0:43:45] means for our middle school in our
[0:43:47] district. So targeted school improvement
[0:43:51] is a warning system for at risk student
[0:43:53] groups. it it signals that schools may
[0:43:57] be at future risk for more intensive
[0:43:59] accountability cycles. So essentially
[0:44:01] what it is is it's saying we're
[0:44:05] concerned about this. We need you to do
[0:44:07] something about it. So um the TSI
[0:44:11] designation that we have is on our
[0:44:13] English learners which I'll talk about
[0:44:14] in a moment. um it is based on a single
[0:44:18] year of performance data as opposed to
[0:44:22] the other types of um of concern which
[0:44:27] would be CSI which that is the most um
[0:44:32] significant challenge. If a school is
[0:44:34] identified as CSI that is comprehensive
[0:44:37] support and improvement and then ATSI is
[0:44:41] below that one and that is additional
[0:44:43] targeted support and improvement.
[0:44:46] That means that there is a school that
[0:44:48] is at or below the CSI school um in one
[0:44:52] or more of their groups. So we're the
[0:44:54] lowest level of their warning system.
[0:44:57] There are actually 41 schools in Burks
[0:45:00] County that have a TSI designation this
[0:45:02] year, 589 in the state of Pennsylvania.
[0:45:09] So, as I said, this group that was
[0:45:13] identified for us is our English
[0:45:15] learners, which is as as many people
[0:45:18] feel more comfortable hearing it or
[0:45:20] recognize it as our ESL program. So,
[0:45:23] these would be the students in that
[0:45:25] program. Um, and what how you get
[0:45:28] identified for this is that you have to
[0:45:31] have less than 21.4%
[0:45:35] proficiency rate on your PSSA. Yes.
[0:45:39] >> I I just want to clarify. So, these are
[0:45:41] students that don't speak English as
[0:45:43] their first language. Correct.
[0:45:45] >> In most cases, yes.
[0:45:46] >> Okay. I'll actually talk about that
[0:45:48] little difference in in a little bit,
[0:45:50] but there can be students who are
[0:45:52] identified as ESL who actually have um
[0:45:57] English is not the first language spoken
[0:45:59] at home,
[0:46:00] >> but the child actually only speaks
[0:46:02] English.
[0:46:03] >> Okay.
[0:46:03] >> So, but for the most part, yes, they are
[0:46:05] students who that is their second
[0:46:07] language, not their first.
[0:46:08] >> Okay. Thank you. I want to make sure I
[0:46:09] understood what demographic we're
[0:46:10] talking about.
[0:46:11] >> Yes.
[0:46:12] Um so these students are not performing
[0:46:15] well in English and math on the PSSA or
[0:46:18] the Keystone. Um less than 10% English
[0:46:22] language profic proficiency and this is
[0:46:25] on the access exam. So we are required
[0:46:28] once a year to give an exam to all of
[0:46:30] the students who are in our ESL program.
[0:46:33] Um it is often called the WEDA exam. So
[0:46:36] you may have heard that before. The test
[0:46:38] itself is called access. Um, but that is
[0:46:43] in order to be identified TSI, we would
[0:46:45] have had to have less than 10% of our
[0:46:48] students showing proficiency on that
[0:46:50] exam. And then I just wanted to let you
[0:46:54] know that there are 40 English learners
[0:46:56] at our middle school. We have a total of
[0:46:59] 95 in the district. 40 of them are at
[0:47:02] the middle school. Um, 21 are at the
[0:47:04] high school. 30 are at the elementary
[0:47:07] school. And we actually have four who
[0:47:08] are identified as ESL that are cyber
[0:47:11] students. They had been in our school
[0:47:14] building and they um moved on to a cyber
[0:47:17] program. Um but because they still are
[0:47:19] within our district, we have them still
[0:47:22] as identified that way in our system.
[0:47:28] Okay. So some of the things that we have
[0:47:30] done so far um and we are required to
[0:47:36] complete a entire action plan for how
[0:47:39] we're going to address this. But what we
[0:47:41] did was a couple of months ago when we
[0:47:43] got this designation, the middle school
[0:47:46] principles, myself and Mrs. Hill, who is
[0:47:49] our um ESL instructor at the middle
[0:47:52] school. We sat down and talked about
[0:47:55] what are some barriers that may be
[0:47:57] happening in the middle school. What are
[0:47:59] some things that would be helpful to the
[0:48:01] program? Um just so we could get started
[0:48:03] on those conversations because at the
[0:48:05] time we had received the letter in the
[0:48:08] mail from the state, but there was no
[0:48:12] there was no direction in terms of when
[0:48:14] to fill out the plan or a deadline or
[0:48:16] anything like that. they ident they
[0:48:18] actually notify you early because we are
[0:48:21] required to then notify our community
[0:48:23] which we did right away. So I thought
[0:48:25] while we're waiting to get more
[0:48:27] information let's sit down and have this
[0:48:29] conversation so we're being proactive.
[0:48:31] So some of the things that we did um the
[0:48:35] director the director of curriculum and
[0:48:37] learning which is me and our ESL teacher
[0:48:39] we actually attended the bridging
[0:48:41] language and learning program that was
[0:48:43] led by the IU. We did that a couple of
[0:48:46] months ago which which was really
[0:48:48] helpful because we worked through um
[0:48:51] some of our data and were able to
[0:48:53] collaborate with some other school
[0:48:54] districts as well. So that was very
[0:48:56] helpful. We actually have um the board,
[0:49:00] thank you, approved some curricular
[0:49:02] materials that we now have in use at the
[0:49:05] middle school, elementary, and um we
[0:49:08] anticipate using at the high school
[0:49:10] level. Um, and those will support all of
[0:49:13] our English learners. Newcomers meaning
[0:49:16] new to our country all the way through
[0:49:19] to level 6.0. It actually would go to
[0:49:22] that level. Um, so we we got those
[0:49:25] materials through Sengage. It's a
[0:49:26] National Geographic program. It's really
[0:49:29] nice. Um, our ESL teachers excited about
[0:49:32] it. She said actually the students
[0:49:33] really enjoy it. Um, so they come right
[0:49:36] in and like grab the book and and are
[0:49:38] doing things with it already. So um it
[0:49:41] is something that is exciting for them
[0:49:43] and that they enjoy using and it will
[0:49:46] also provide some data for us as well um
[0:49:48] as students are using the digital
[0:49:50] resources. So that is helpful.
[0:49:53] We have partnered with a consultant to
[0:49:55] come in for the 2627 school year to work
[0:49:58] with our regular ed teachers at every
[0:50:02] grade level and our special ed teachers.
[0:50:04] So all teachers in the district, not
[0:50:06] just our ESL teacher, but every teacher
[0:50:08] in the district will be working with um
[0:50:11] this consultant. He's going to come in
[0:50:13] one of the inservice days that we have
[0:50:16] before school starts and he's going to
[0:50:18] meet with each building for two hours a
[0:50:21] piece um so that he can have a more
[0:50:23] focused conversation with them about
[0:50:25] what they're seeing and and give them
[0:50:27] some strategies and ways to help. and
[0:50:29] his focus really is that what is good
[0:50:32] for um for students who are English
[0:50:35] learners is really good for all. And so
[0:50:38] really talking with them about how to
[0:50:40] incorporate those things in the
[0:50:41] classroom. And then he's going to come
[0:50:43] back at the October inservice and again
[0:50:46] meet at in each building
[0:50:48] once the teachers then know their
[0:50:50] students have had them for about a month
[0:50:53] um and then can ask more specific
[0:50:55] questions and really be thinking about
[0:50:58] specific kids at that time. Um, when I
[0:51:01] was having the conversation with the
[0:51:02] consultant, I actually we had that
[0:51:05] conversation for a while because I
[0:51:07] thought, you know, I really wanted them
[0:51:08] to come in before school started to give
[0:51:10] our teacher strategies, but then I
[0:51:12] thought, but they're not going to have
[0:51:14] students actually in their mind and know
[0:51:17] individual situations until after they
[0:51:20] have them already in their classroom.
[0:51:22] So, we we scheduled it so that he will
[0:51:24] come back in October.
[0:51:27] And then the last thing that we are that
[0:51:29] we have done so far is we're actually
[0:51:31] working to reclassify our students. And
[0:51:34] so to Mr. Rossy's point, there are
[0:51:37] students actually and this this is that
[0:51:40] population of students. There are
[0:51:41] students who are identified when they
[0:51:43] move into our district as English
[0:51:46] learners. However, they only speak
[0:51:49] English um but another language is
[0:51:52] spoken in the home. And so what ends up
[0:51:55] happening is that some of these students
[0:51:58] actually end up qualifying for English
[0:52:00] language services because they have
[0:52:03] other needs. They may have a learning
[0:52:05] disability, for example. And so they end
[0:52:09] up in the program and then what happens
[0:52:11] is parents are a little confused. I'm
[0:52:13] not really sure why my child is getting
[0:52:15] these services. um when we meet as an
[0:52:19] IEP team to talk about their needs, um
[0:52:22] you know, we're often having
[0:52:23] conversations with the parent about, you
[0:52:26] know, time that could be spent working
[0:52:28] with their special ed teacher as opposed
[0:52:30] to time spent with Mrs. Hill in in her
[0:52:34] classroom. So, um we have the ability to
[0:52:39] reclassify these students. They have had
[0:52:41] three years of not showing growth. And
[0:52:43] the reason they're not showing growth is
[0:52:45] because they have other needs that are
[0:52:48] hindering them from being able to make
[0:52:51] growth because they have reading and
[0:52:53] speaking and listening and writing
[0:52:55] needs. They just are connected to their
[0:52:58] learning disability, not to the fact
[0:53:00] that they were classified as an English
[0:53:02] learner. So, working with the IEP team,
[0:53:06] um, we they we are actually
[0:53:07] reclassifying those students. and those
[0:53:09] students because they haven't been
[0:53:11] making growth. Um that's part of the
[0:53:14] reason for this designation. So um so we
[0:53:18] will be reclassifying a few students. Um
[0:53:21] we're working through that right now.
[0:53:22] And then when we receive our access
[0:53:25] scores, which will actually come in next
[0:53:27] week, then we will be able to see if
[0:53:29] there's any other students that we can
[0:53:31] then reclassify because they've made
[0:53:33] growth and we can um take them out of
[0:53:36] the program. Um something else that we
[0:53:39] have done um as well that I didn't put
[0:53:42] on this slide, we have increased our
[0:53:44] communication as well. Um one of the
[0:53:47] things that we did before we actually um
[0:53:50] gave the access exam to the students, we
[0:53:53] sent notification home to families in
[0:53:55] their home language so that they
[0:53:57] understood what the test was and why it
[0:53:59] was important for their children and for
[0:54:02] and the kinds of data that the parents
[0:54:04] will get out of that as well. So, we did
[0:54:07] that prior to the test. That was the
[0:54:09] first time that we had done that. Um,
[0:54:11] and we also when we sent the scores home
[0:54:14] at the end of the school year last year
[0:54:16] over the summer when we got the paper
[0:54:18] copies, we also sent home an explanation
[0:54:21] of those scores in the in the family's
[0:54:24] home language so that they could read
[0:54:26] through it and understand um what was in
[0:54:30] that report and how to help their child
[0:54:32] at home as well. Um again that was
[0:54:35] something that we hadn't done in the
[0:54:37] past but we felt was important because
[0:54:40] um you know we want parents to
[0:54:42] understand that that test is happening
[0:54:44] and why it's important because just like
[0:54:46] with PSSA and Keystone we know that we
[0:54:49] we do communication home to families to
[0:54:52] let them know that those tests are
[0:54:53] coming and why they're important. So why
[0:54:55] would we not do it for that as well? Um
[0:54:58] the other thing we did at the middle
[0:54:59] school level um Mrs. Hill actually and
[0:55:02] this was a great idea. She we have some
[0:55:05] pocket talk devices in the district. Um
[0:55:08] we p we've been giving those to students
[0:55:11] to assist them. Um essentially it is
[0:55:14] just um the the student can speak into
[0:55:17] the device and it will in their language
[0:55:20] and it will actually um translate it for
[0:55:24] the Englisheaking person that is with
[0:55:26] them. Um and then vice versa. So, we
[0:55:30] have those in the district and we've
[0:55:32] been providing those to some students,
[0:55:33] primarily high school students, but
[0:55:35] there are a few middle school students
[0:55:37] who have access to those as well. Um, we
[0:55:39] actually, and I shouldn't say we, Mrs.
[0:55:41] Hill, um, actually provided one to the
[0:55:44] office staff at the middle school so
[0:55:45] that they were better able to
[0:55:47] communicate with families when they came
[0:55:48] in if they if English was not their
[0:55:51] first language and that was more
[0:55:52] comfortable for them to speak Spanish
[0:55:54] when they came into the office. So that
[0:55:56] is something that we are looking to
[0:55:58] provide the other two offices in the
[0:56:01] district as well as to our principles to
[0:56:03] have access to that. Um I think that
[0:56:06] that would be very helpful and again I
[0:56:08] think it goes a long way in making sure
[0:56:10] that all of our families feel
[0:56:12] comfortable and welcome in our buildings
[0:56:14] and so that was something that was
[0:56:15] important to us to do as well. Um we do
[0:56:18] provide not just the pocket talks to
[0:56:21] students but um students especially in
[0:56:23] the elementary and middle school have
[0:56:25] access to iPads um with Google Translate
[0:56:29] um and they have um
[0:56:33] oh my gosh they have
[0:56:37] oh the word is escaping me. They have
[0:56:39] the ability to use translation devices
[0:56:41] on their Chromebooks too.
[0:56:44] Okay.
[0:56:48] Okay. So, timeline and requirements. So,
[0:56:50] as I said, we do have a school
[0:56:52] improvement plan that we have to
[0:56:54] complete. Um, parts of that is that we
[0:56:58] need to complete a needs assessment of
[0:56:59] our middle school. We have to analyze
[0:57:01] our strengths and our challenges. We
[0:57:03] need to set measurable goals for um the
[0:57:06] middle school and then implement an
[0:57:09] action plan. So, not only does that does
[0:57:12] that plan have to be approved by you as
[0:57:16] the school board um in order for us to
[0:57:19] submit it to the state, but then the
[0:57:21] state will also obviously take a look at
[0:57:23] that and and give their their blessing
[0:57:25] to that as well. So, that is something
[0:57:27] that we will be working on. Um and you
[0:57:29] can see I put a little timeline there
[0:57:31] that now we are establishing that
[0:57:33] steering committee. I actually had Mrs.
[0:57:36] Hill um ask the students that she has at
[0:57:39] the middle school for some feedback
[0:57:41] already. Um because it's a secondary
[0:57:44] plan, we do have to have students
[0:57:45] involved. Um, and instead of having them
[0:57:48] sitting as part of the steering
[0:57:50] committee with with adults as we're
[0:57:52] doing all of the needs assessment and
[0:57:54] all of that, um, we put together a more,
[0:57:58] um, middle school friendly little survey
[0:58:00] that she worked through with those
[0:58:02] students to find out what are some
[0:58:04] things that would be helpful to you at
[0:58:06] the middle school. Um, as a new student,
[0:58:09] if we have new students coming, what
[0:58:11] would be something that would be
[0:58:12] helpful? um how has how has your device
[0:58:16] worked for you? Um and some other
[0:58:18] questions like that. So, one of the
[0:58:21] pieces of feedback that I thought was
[0:58:22] excellent that Mrs. Hill and I have
[0:58:24] talked about quite a bit is the idea of
[0:58:26] having buddies at the middle school. So
[0:58:28] as a when a student comes and is new or
[0:58:31] even if they've been there but but we
[0:58:33] think that it would be helpful just
[0:58:35] pairing them up with another student
[0:58:36] just so that they have that connection
[0:58:39] and someone who can help them feel more
[0:58:42] comfortable at the middle school too. So
[0:58:44] that's something actually that was in a
[0:58:45] few of the surveys that um we would like
[0:58:47] to move forward with and we'll put that
[0:58:49] in our plan as well. Um in the summer we
[0:58:52] will finalize that improvement plan in
[0:58:55] August. I will bring that to you for
[0:58:57] approval and then by September 1st that
[0:59:00] has to be submitted to PTE.
[0:59:04] And so the last thing I just wanted to
[0:59:06] say is that um we welcome any board
[0:59:08] members who are interested, any
[0:59:10] teachers, any administrators, parents,
[0:59:13] guardians, and community members to join
[0:59:15] our steering committee. We already have
[0:59:16] a couple of parents that had reached out
[0:59:19] just with concern about the TSI
[0:59:21] designation and asking me some
[0:59:23] questions. And because they had reached
[0:59:25] out, I told them that I would follow up
[0:59:28] with any progress that we had made or
[0:59:30] anything new and I had asked them if
[0:59:32] they wanted to be part of that
[0:59:33] committee. So I do already have a couple
[0:59:35] of community members who have expressed
[0:59:37] interest in being part of the committee
[0:59:39] which is wonderful. But if anyone else
[0:59:41] is interested um my contact information
[0:59:44] is there. Um there is a sheet over on
[0:59:46] the table over there with the sign-in
[0:59:49] sheets. Um, that is a document which I'm
[0:59:53] going to give to the board members. I
[0:59:55] forgot. I wanted to hand it to you
[0:59:56] first. I'll give it to you now. Um, this
[0:59:58] is a document actually that I outlined.
[1:00:02] Um, it's almost like an FAQ about TSI.
[1:00:06] Um, I made copies over there for anyone
[1:00:09] who is in the audience tonight if you
[1:00:10] would like to take a look. Um, my
[1:00:12] contact information is on it and I am
[1:00:15] going to have copies of this at the
[1:00:17] middle school as well so that families
[1:00:19] who come in if they are interested or
[1:00:21] want more information they can have it.
[1:00:24] Before I give you this, does anyone have
[1:00:25] any questions for me?
[1:00:30] Okay. Well, thank you.
[1:00:35] >> I appreciate that Mrs. Rex Road and Miss
[1:00:39] Hill worked on this as soon as they got
[1:00:42] the notification that we were in a
[1:00:45] targeted situation and had given us the
[1:00:50] curriculum to approve before we even
[1:00:53] found out last month that we were
[1:00:57] targeted. So, thank you, Mrs. Rick.
[1:01:06] We'll move on to 7.3
[1:01:09] K through 12 social studies curriculum.
[1:01:14] The committee is requested to consider
[1:01:16] and recommend approval,
[1:01:19] excuse me, of the K12 social studies
[1:01:22] curriculum as presented. And if you
[1:01:24] looked on your um tablet, you would have
[1:01:29] seen the curriculum um that was just
[1:01:33] finished this early spring and
[1:01:37] I didn't get through the whole thing. I
[1:01:40] looked at first grade, sixth grade, 9th
[1:01:42] grade, and elective so far. That's a lot
[1:01:46] to go through. So, um, I appreciate you
[1:01:49] telling us about that. Thank you. So,
[1:01:52] um, we started at the very beginning of
[1:01:54] the school year and we worked all the
[1:01:55] way up until a few weeks ago. Um, every
[1:01:58] grade level has curriculum documents in
[1:02:02] the SharePoint. Every one of our um,
[1:02:05] grade levels was represented by social
[1:02:07] studies teachers that are currently
[1:02:09] teaching social studies. Um we made some
[1:02:12] accommodations for um teachers who were
[1:02:15] not able to stay after school and we um
[1:02:19] had the curriculum writing happened
[1:02:20] during the day so we could make sure
[1:02:22] that the teachers who are teaching it
[1:02:23] were actually writing the curriculum
[1:02:26] documents which was important to us to
[1:02:27] do. Um there are binders of paper copies
[1:02:33] of all of that curriculum in the site
[1:02:36] room um for you to view if you'd like to
[1:02:38] look at a paper copy of it as opposed to
[1:02:40] the online version. Um the only other
[1:02:43] thing that I do want to mention because
[1:02:45] Mrs. Lash mentioned the electives. So
[1:02:47] there are two electives. One is new is
[1:02:50] brand new to the middle school. Um and
[1:02:52] I'm and I know the last time I spoke to
[1:02:54] Mrs. Crater. I'm not sure if it's going
[1:02:56] to run or not, if they got enough
[1:02:57] students.
[1:02:59] Oh, yes, I'm sorry. At the high school.
[1:03:02] Um, and then the other one is
[1:03:04] psychology, which has been around for a
[1:03:06] really long time, but for some reason
[1:03:08] that curriculum was never written. Um,
[1:03:10] so we identified that. Um, Mr. Wittmann,
[1:03:14] who is the department chair, and I
[1:03:16] discussed that a couple of weeks ago.
[1:03:19] You will see that in the SharePoint. You
[1:03:22] have an outline of that. He is currently
[1:03:24] working on that. So I will bring that to
[1:03:26] you separately for approval as soon as
[1:03:29] that's finished. That will be finished
[1:03:31] in the next two weeks. Um so that will
[1:03:34] be on those two elective courses will be
[1:03:36] on the June agenda for approval. Again,
[1:03:39] it's the one course that is brand new um
[1:03:42] that we haven't run before and the other
[1:03:45] one is psychology which for whatever
[1:03:47] reason we caught was never written to
[1:03:50] begin with. So, um, so you may notice
[1:03:53] the outline in there. I just wanted to
[1:03:54] make sure you had something so that you
[1:03:56] could see what those were, but I will
[1:03:58] have those documents to you next month
[1:04:01] for approval along with the materials.
[1:04:04] So, we had a a number of social studies
[1:04:07] teachers who came to see two vendor
[1:04:10] presentations, one by TCI and one by
[1:04:15] Discovery. Um, and both companies gave
[1:04:19] our teachers demos of their product. So,
[1:04:24] the demos are up at the end of this
[1:04:26] month. So, because we had so few social
[1:04:30] studies teachers actually come to those
[1:04:31] vendor presentations, I wanted to make
[1:04:34] sure that the teachers had plenty of
[1:04:36] time to get into those resources and and
[1:04:40] really see what they liked and what they
[1:04:42] didn't like. So, I told them that they
[1:04:45] could have the rest of this month to
[1:04:47] take a look and then I'll bring that to
[1:04:49] you in June. Um, I have a pretty good
[1:04:52] idea of of K through 8, but I'm not
[1:04:55] certain about high school yet. So,
[1:04:57] rather than rush them along, I said
[1:04:59] because they're both digital resources,
[1:05:02] there was really no reason to rush in my
[1:05:04] mind. Um, because it's literally just
[1:05:07] getting access digitally. It's not
[1:05:10] bringing physical paper resources to the
[1:05:12] building. that is that is the only thing
[1:05:14] they are using. So um in June I will
[1:05:17] bring those that resource to you
[1:05:20] whatever it is that they choose with a
[1:05:22] quote um for your approval.
[1:05:29] >> Any questions?
[1:05:32] There's plenty of time to order that for
[1:05:34] the fall those resources.
[1:05:37] >> Yeah. Be since they're digital resources
[1:05:39] as soon as essentially as soon as you
[1:05:40] pay for them you have access to them.
[1:05:42] Okay. So, they're just okay.
[1:05:44] >> So, it's very different than ma like if
[1:05:45] it were
[1:05:47] >> hardcover textbooks or something like
[1:05:48] that. I would not want to wait just
[1:05:50] because we know what happened last year
[1:05:52] with our math textbooks. They came right
[1:05:55] right before school was supposed to
[1:05:56] start and I don't want that to happen.
[1:05:58] So, um but because it's just digital
[1:06:01] that will be much simpler.
[1:06:03] >> And my other question is anthropology
[1:06:05] and sociology aren't courses that we
[1:06:08] have or they are. Mhm.
[1:06:10] >> So there's one more to that that
[1:06:13] >> So there's there's two more electives
[1:06:15] that we offer in the high school that we
[1:06:18] didn't write and
[1:06:21] didn't exist. So again, psychology for
[1:06:25] whatever reason was never written. And
[1:06:27] we've had that for years and years and
[1:06:28] years. Back in the red book, I went
[1:06:31] through that red book. Nothing for
[1:06:33] psychology. So we did want to make sure
[1:06:35] that that got written as an elective.
[1:06:37] Um, and then this other course is a
[1:06:39] brand new course. And like I said, Mrs.
[1:06:41] Crater wasn't when I spoke to her last
[1:06:43] wasn't 100% positive that it was
[1:06:46] actually going to run. Um, the last I
[1:06:48] had asked her, they didn't have a lot of
[1:06:50] students who um expressed interest in
[1:06:53] taking the course, but we still wanted
[1:06:54] to make sure that we wrote the
[1:06:55] curriculum for that. That was something
[1:06:57] that was new to the program of studies
[1:06:59] when it was approved um back in January
[1:07:02] or February. So um I just want to make
[1:07:04] sure that that gets done. So, I'll have
[1:07:06] and those are just two electives. I if
[1:07:08] those were core courses like grade one
[1:07:11] or five or seven, whatever, I would not
[1:07:13] have I would have made sure that they
[1:07:15] were finished, but they're two elective
[1:07:17] courses that we'll I'll have to you in
[1:07:19] June. And there's no materials attached
[1:07:21] to them that teachers were asking for.
[1:07:23] So, um and psychology actually, I think,
[1:07:26] has has a textbook, but the other one,
[1:07:28] my understanding is that they wouldn't
[1:07:30] use one. So, there won't be materials
[1:07:32] attached to them.
[1:07:34] >> Okay. Well, thank you. I appreciate
[1:07:35] that.
[1:07:39] >> Okay. So, um that brings us to 7.4. Any
[1:07:43] other old or new business for the
[1:07:44] committee
[1:07:48] hearing? None. I'll go over what we
[1:07:50] talked about at the committee meeting.
[1:07:53] Um we did not have a technology
[1:07:56] department discussion on anything there.
[1:07:59] For curriculum, we talked about the
[1:08:01] title one schoolwide plan. Um the
[1:08:05] elementary does not have
[1:08:09] uh more than 40% um free and reduced
[1:08:12] lunches, but there's a waiver that we
[1:08:14] could make our elementary school a title
[1:08:17] one program by um that way all the title
[1:08:23] one services could be used through the
[1:08:26] building instead of just grades one and
[1:08:29] two. K1 to two. Okay. Um,
[1:08:34] then in the middle school, we talked
[1:08:36] about the TSI we just went over and we
[1:08:39] also talked about updating the middle
[1:08:41] school schedule and Mr. McCullik is
[1:08:46] hard at work on that.
[1:08:50] And um, the teachers will have their
[1:08:53] schedules, not their student list, but
[1:08:56] their schedules before the end of the
[1:08:58] school year, which is rapidly
[1:09:00] approaching. Oh, what did that mean? Did
[1:09:04] you mean it's done or uh it's done? The
[1:09:08] schedules are done. Thank you, Mr. McC.
[1:09:11] I appreciate that. And um the high
[1:09:15] school, we talked about a summer school
[1:09:17] proposal. Um, we got a um, Miss Scotting
[1:09:21] gave us the numbers of students that
[1:09:24] might be at risk of not passing one or
[1:09:27] more of their classes and what the
[1:09:31] options were for summer school and
[1:09:34] they'll be working on that. And we
[1:09:36] talked about the KU Early College Acade
[1:09:40] Academy, which we had our
[1:09:45] kiddos that participated this year just
[1:09:47] kind of graduated from. And I think that
[1:09:51] was a great program and we also got an
[1:09:54] update on what will be coming for
[1:09:58] another year in that. So, I think
[1:10:01] whoever our kids, whichever ones of our
[1:10:04] kids go to that for um Kutztown in
[1:10:09] teacher education, right? It's all
[1:10:12] teacher education, right, Jenny? Their
[1:10:14] majors.
[1:10:15] >> Um so, some of the students are future
[1:10:18] teachers, but then others are going as
[1:10:20] undecided. So, they take a variety of
[1:10:23] different classes just to get a sense of
[1:10:26] college. But in 2728 there'll be a
[1:10:30] health track to this program which I
[1:10:33] think would attract quite a few
[1:10:35] students. So So that's what we talked
[1:10:38] about and I'll pass that along to 8.0
[1:10:41] budget and finance
[1:10:44] >> 8.1 persons who wish to address the
[1:10:47] board. Is there any
[1:10:53] 8.2 2 treasures report. The uh report
[1:10:57] was attached showing um some items that
[1:11:01] were over budget. There's a condensed
[1:11:02] board summary that was attached in your
[1:11:05] uh packet. 8.3 approval ratification of
[1:11:09] bills. The committee is requesting to
[1:11:11] consider and recommend the board approve
[1:11:13] ratify the payment of bills in the
[1:11:15] following amounts from April 13, 2026 to
[1:11:19] May 27th, 2026 as presented. The general
[1:11:23] fund 2,347,27521
[1:11:28] cafeteria fund 58,76
[1:11:33] capital improvement projects fund
[1:11:35] $465,721.114
[1:11:40] capital projects fund $44,33086
[1:11:45] middle school high school activity fund
[1:11:48] $36,6191
[1:11:51] for grant Total of $2,952,000
[1:11:56] 9522.82
[1:12:01] 8.4 Central Susuana Intermediate Service
[1:12:05] Rate Agreement for 2627.
[1:12:07] The committee is requested to consider
[1:12:09] and recommend approval of the computer
[1:12:12] service rate for 2627
[1:12:14] with a central Suana intermediate unit
[1:12:18] for the district fund accounting payroll
[1:12:20] and personnel software. The estimated
[1:12:22] cost for 2627 is $27,138
[1:12:27] based on estimated student enrollment at
[1:12:30] the end of the year. This compares to
[1:12:32] actual cost spent for 2526
[1:12:35] of $26,471.88
[1:12:40] uh 2.52%
[1:12:42] increase due to the annual rate
[1:12:44] increase. Questions or comments on that
[1:12:48] 8.5 2026 2027 sport insurance renewal.
[1:12:56] The committee is requested to consider
[1:12:58] and recommend approval of the sports
[1:13:00] insurance proposal from Access Insurance
[1:13:03] for the 2627 school year in the amount
[1:13:06] of $8,891
[1:13:09] with no increase from the prior year.
[1:13:13] Questions or comments on that?
[1:13:15] >> Yeah, I actually had a question on that,
[1:13:16] Joe. And I think we spoke about this,
[1:13:18] Dr. Wyers. I mean, as a parent of a
[1:13:20] student athlete, I'm curious what exact
[1:13:23] do we find out what exactly this policy
[1:13:24] covers?
[1:13:26] >> Kristen spoke about that. And David also
[1:13:28] asked a question about looking at
[1:13:30] raising the cap and what that would
[1:13:32] cost.
[1:13:43] >> Okay. So, this is this is like a
[1:13:45] liability insurance kind of thing or
[1:13:47] >> could you probably mic so everybody can
[1:13:50] hear.
[1:13:55] >> Yeah, this is specifically student so
[1:13:58] student athlete insurance. Um it does
[1:14:00] have the coverage limit of the million
[1:14:02] dollars. We're just clarifying if that
[1:14:04] is as a whole or if that is uh like per
[1:14:08] per student case.
[1:14:10] >> Okay. So if if a student is on the
[1:14:12] athletic field and they suffer some kind
[1:14:14] of an expensive injury, the the family
[1:14:18] has their own insurance plan, this plan
[1:14:21] would have what effect on that student
[1:14:24] athlete?
[1:14:24] >> Yeah. So it would start with this plan
[1:14:26] first if it was an athletic related
[1:14:29] injury. Um and then it would ultimately
[1:14:32] go to our liability insurance if if it
[1:14:35] would go if it would be an extended
[1:14:38] period of um insurance. um if it was
[1:14:41] particularly like a non athletic
[1:14:44] um injury, then that would go to the
[1:14:48] family insurance first and then that
[1:14:51] could be a claim that could be opened
[1:14:52] with our general liability insurance.
[1:14:56] >> Okay. Thank you. I know you known some
[1:14:59] parents that have had athletes that have
[1:15:01] suffered some injuries and I don't know
[1:15:03] that they're necessarily aware that
[1:15:05] their insurance doesn't have to be on
[1:15:07] the hook for the whole thing depending
[1:15:08] on the scenario.
[1:15:09] >> Yeah. And it just it depends really on
[1:15:11] sometimes there could be injuries that
[1:15:13] are sustained during um an athletic
[1:15:17] game, let's say, but it might not be the
[1:15:19] athlete that specifically sustained the
[1:15:22] injury. So in that case, that would just
[1:15:24] follow the family's insurance first and
[1:15:27] then there the claim can be opened with
[1:15:29] our general liability. But if it would
[1:15:31] be specifically um a sustained injury on
[1:15:35] the field by one of our athletes, then
[1:15:37] this policy would take place.
[1:15:39] >> Okay. And what is the process exactly?
[1:15:41] Like if that happens, if a parent may
[1:15:43] not know that that's a possibility,
[1:15:46] >> they can they can contact district
[1:15:47] office and they can um contact me
[1:15:49] directly and we can kind of follow those
[1:15:51] procedures.
[1:15:52] >> All right. Thank you. And we in the in
[1:15:54] the past, Frank, it used to be, you
[1:15:56] know, through the AD like they, you
[1:15:58] know, if you had an injury or knew of an
[1:16:00] injury, the first thing you should do is
[1:16:01] probably contact
[1:16:04] >> and have the AD as the point person and
[1:16:06] then know where they're seeking
[1:16:08] treatment.
[1:16:10] >> Knew that from my son.
[1:16:13] >> Are we going to have an update before a
[1:16:15] vote to decide whether or not we want to
[1:16:17] raise the the limit on that and what the
[1:16:19] cost would be associated with that?
[1:16:21] >> Yes.
[1:16:21] >> Okay.
[1:16:22] >> Yep. Thank you.
[1:16:25] 8.6 Cafeteria meal prices for 2627
[1:16:29] school year. The committee is requested
[1:16:31] to consider and recommend approval for
[1:16:33] the 2026 2027 cafeteria meal prices.
[1:16:37] Lunch $3 in the elementary school and
[1:16:41] 310 in the middle and high school. The
[1:16:44] paid lunch meal prices are not being
[1:16:46] increased from the 2025 2026 school
[1:16:49] year. PA universal free breakfast will
[1:16:52] still be in place for all students. It
[1:16:55] will remain available for families who
[1:16:57] qualify for reducedpriced meals.
[1:17:00] Questions or comments?
[1:17:03] >> I just have a question. Where does the
[1:17:05] funding come for the free breakfast?
[1:17:15] >> Hello.
[1:17:15] >> Hi. Um, so breakfast is universally free
[1:17:19] right now. Um and all the funding we get
[1:17:21] reimbursed from the state for all our
[1:17:23] free and reduced kiddos um for breakfast
[1:17:26] and paid students for breakfast. That's
[1:17:28] what you asked, right? For breakfast,
[1:17:29] correct?
[1:17:30] >> Yes, for breakfast.
[1:17:31] >> Yes.
[1:17:31] >> And that's there's nothing that's going
[1:17:33] to change with that.
[1:17:34] >> Not in the foreseeable future. Um
[1:17:36] there's a little bit of talk about like
[1:17:38] if um they change the income ratios uh
[1:17:43] moving forward that that could affect
[1:17:45] the amount of students who not for
[1:17:47] breakfast. Okay. uh that's universally
[1:17:50] free. But for lunch, if I'm saying this
[1:17:52] correctly, which I think I am, I mean
[1:17:53] that you can understand that I'm saying
[1:17:55] um if the demographics change for
[1:17:58] students who are free and reduced based
[1:18:00] on income and those ranges change, some
[1:18:02] students who receive lunch um free and
[1:18:06] or reduced uh based on their income,
[1:18:08] those change those ch there might be
[1:18:09] changes in that that could reflect on
[1:18:11] how many students
[1:18:13] get free and reduced lunch.
[1:18:15] >> Breakfast is for breakfast. How many um
[1:18:18] how many students participate in coming
[1:18:21] here for breakfast?
[1:18:22] >> Coming here for breakfast. Okay. So,
[1:18:23] let's do it by building. Um our
[1:18:26] elementary school we typically serve uh
[1:18:29] a high like 200 is a is 2 to 220 and uh
[1:18:34] middle school is peaking close to 400 um
[1:18:38] which is really good. And then the high
[1:18:40] school is around 350 380. Those are just
[1:18:44] random numbers that I can pull off the
[1:18:45] top of my head um looking because we
[1:18:47] kind of have a competitive thing going
[1:18:49] between the buildings. So, but we do get
[1:18:51] a lot of kiddos coming down for
[1:18:52] breakfast.
[1:18:53] >> Yeah.
[1:18:55] >> And I do know in terms of free breakfast
[1:18:57] that at least since the current governor
[1:19:00] has been in office and his
[1:19:01] administration, that's been a priority.
[1:19:03] Every year when the budget has been put
[1:19:06] together, he's wanted to continue that.
[1:19:08] So, I would anticipate that as long as
[1:19:11] the current administration stays in
[1:19:12] place, we're probably going to continue
[1:19:14] to see free breakfast.
[1:19:15] >> Yeah.
[1:19:17] >> Okay. Thank you.
[1:19:18] >> Thank you.
[1:19:19] >> I'd just like to thank Louisa for her
[1:19:22] effort in promoting the breakfast and
[1:19:24] the options for breakfast because the
[1:19:26] numbers have increased since you have
[1:19:28] been here with us. So, thank you.
[1:19:30] >> Yep. You're welcome.
[1:19:34] 8.72627
[1:19:36] School Nutrition Program Agreement
[1:19:38] between School Valley and BCTC. The
[1:19:41] committee is requested to consider and
[1:19:43] recommend approval of the school
[1:19:45] nutrition program agreement between BCTC
[1:19:49] and Skookul Valley effective for the
[1:19:52] fiscal year 2026 2027. Questions or
[1:19:55] comments?
[1:19:58] 8.8 8 Food Service Department equipment
[1:20:00] purchase convection steamer. The
[1:20:03] committee is requested to consider and
[1:20:05] recommend approval of the purchase of a
[1:20:07] new convection steamer from Singer
[1:20:10] Equipment in the amount of $21,4547.
[1:20:15] This unit will replace an existing
[1:20:18] steamer that is not operational.
[1:20:20] Questions or comments on that?
[1:20:24] 8.9 Old and new business. Uh we had a
[1:20:28] budget finance committee workshop on May
[1:20:31] 12th. Can you address some of the topics
[1:20:34] here please?
[1:20:37] >> We already addressed the sports
[1:20:39] insurance update. If you want to address
[1:20:42] the the contingency fund.
[1:20:45] >> Yeah, sure. Um so each year um through
[1:20:50] through PTE the district can submit an
[1:20:54] application for contingency funds which
[1:20:56] is for special ed um student costs and
[1:21:00] the max that they would typically
[1:21:02] reimburse the district would be $150,000
[1:21:06] per student. Uh the state does have a
[1:21:10] pot of money that they start with and
[1:21:12] they distribute to the districts that
[1:21:15] would have the highest um student cost
[1:21:19] um for those special ed costs. And we
[1:21:22] were thankful enough to receive $150,000
[1:21:26] this year um which we did not receive in
[1:21:28] prior years.
[1:21:31] >> Okay. Um the American Fidelity update
[1:21:37] Um so with American Fidelity we were
[1:21:39] looking at um an option a new option for
[1:21:42] our flex spending um with CBiz which is
[1:21:45] our current flex spending um vendor. We
[1:21:48] had a third party administrator Kadis
[1:21:50] Margolas who is taking a step away um
[1:21:53] from CBiz. So we were looking at
[1:21:55] different opportunities different
[1:21:56] opportunities for our uh teachers. So,
[1:21:59] we put a questionnaire out um to staff
[1:22:02] just to kind of gauge what they like
[1:22:04] about CBiz, what they want to see, and
[1:22:06] potentially a new vendor. So, we're just
[1:22:08] confirming right now if we're going to
[1:22:10] have potentially a representative from
[1:22:13] American Fidelity come in for an
[1:22:14] inservice, and that portion of that is
[1:22:18] still being determined.
[1:22:20] >> Okay. And the CSIU update, is that what
[1:22:22] we went over?
[1:22:23] >> Yes, that is the renewal.
[1:22:25] >> And then the fieldhouse project, the
[1:22:26] bond sale information came in. if you
[1:22:28] can address that please.
[1:22:30] >> Yes. Uh so May 12th uh this past Tuesday
[1:22:34] um our bond sale uh was confirmed and it
[1:22:37] was at 12 12:30 in the afternoon. Um it
[1:22:40] took place um we received um and we will
[1:22:44] be receiving at our settlement date on
[1:22:47] June 9th $18.6 million which was the
[1:22:50] full ask to uh fund the fieldhouse. Uh
[1:22:54] so those proceeds will be coming to the
[1:22:55] district around that date when we set up
[1:22:58] a separate fund at PISLAF which is our
[1:23:00] financial institution.
[1:23:02] Um it went very well uh based upon our
[1:23:06] feedback from our financial partners and
[1:23:08] the rate that we brought forth which was
[1:23:12] the proposed rate when we were going to
[1:23:14] have the sale was a little over 4% and
[1:23:17] we actually came in pretty far under
[1:23:19] that. So, is a little a little under 4%
[1:23:21] which was very favorable.
[1:23:23] >> And that was $600,000 savings I believe
[1:23:26] you talked about or am I wrong?
[1:23:28] >> Uh, it was about I want to say it was
[1:23:31] about 600,000. Not quite.
[1:23:33] >> Okay.
[1:23:34] >> Yes.
[1:23:35] >> Perfect. Thank you. Anyone have any
[1:23:37] questions, comments? Thank you.
[1:23:40] >> Yep.
[1:23:44] >> Pass it on to 9.0 buildings and grounds.
[1:23:49] Okay. 9.0 buildings and grounds. Any
[1:23:52] persons who wish to address the board?
[1:23:56] Hearing none, we'll move forward. We
[1:23:57] have uh several voting items. I think
[1:23:59] it's 9.2 through 9.8.
[1:24:02] Carol, you want to take those?
[1:24:04] >> Uh 9.2 the voting item. Birkshire
[1:24:06] mechanical quote middle school FCS
[1:24:09] classroom heat pump. The board is
[1:24:12] requested to consider and recommend
[1:24:13] approval and ratification of the quote
[1:24:15] from the Birkshare Mechanical in the
[1:24:17] amount of $2,180
[1:24:19] for the HP8 thermostat installation in
[1:24:22] the middle school FSC classroom. May I
[1:24:24] have a motion, please?
[1:24:25] >> So moved. Second, mole.
[1:24:29] >> Dr. Winters.
[1:24:30] >> Sure.
[1:24:33] Um it was it was discovered um through
[1:24:38] communication with the teacher um with
[1:24:40] our custodial team over there that you
[1:24:43] know the heat pump um had not been
[1:24:44] working effectively in the FCS classroom
[1:24:47] at the middle school. So we reached out
[1:24:49] to Berkshire Mechanical. They're going
[1:24:51] to be coming to repair that. But by
[1:24:53] going ahead and you know signing the
[1:24:56] quote ahead of time and getting it
[1:24:57] ratified this evening we were able to go
[1:24:59] ahead and get that scheduled. any parts
[1:25:01] that need to come in, get those parts
[1:25:03] ordered so that we weren't delayed.
[1:25:07] >> Thank you. Any other questions or
[1:25:08] comments?
[1:25:10] If not, all those in favor say I.
[1:25:12] >> I.
[1:25:13] >> Opposed? Motion carries.
[1:25:14] >> 90
[1:25:20] on now. I'm sure that's true. 8
[1:25:21] >> Z. The next voting item is Landis
[1:25:25] Bonfido Mechanical Group. The quote for
[1:25:28] the high school boiler pump repair. The
[1:25:30] board is requested to consider and
[1:25:31] recommend approval and ratification of
[1:25:33] the quote from Landis Bonfidto
[1:25:35] Mechanical Group for the replacement of
[1:25:37] a seal kit and gasket on the boiler pump
[1:25:41] at the high school in the amount of
[1:25:42] $3,176.
[1:25:44] May I have a motion, please?
[1:25:46] >> So moved.
[1:25:47] >> Second,
[1:25:49] >> Dr. Winters.
[1:25:52] of of our multiple boilers that we have
[1:25:54] in the high school. We noticed um a
[1:25:57] couple weeks ago that one of them was
[1:25:59] leaking water. Um we got Landis Benfido
[1:26:02] on site to look at it. They determined
[1:26:04] that these parts were needed to repair
[1:26:07] it. So we went ahead and moved forward
[1:26:09] with that quote so that the parts could
[1:26:11] be ordered and that boiler could be
[1:26:13] repaired so that we can be running on
[1:26:15] all of our boilers and not just one.
[1:26:19] >> Thank you. Any other questions? Not.
[1:26:21] I'll call for the vote. All those in
[1:26:23] favor say I.
[1:26:24] >> I.
[1:26:24] >> I.
[1:26:25] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z. Next
[1:26:28] voting item is Johnson Controls proposal
[1:26:30] and service agreement for the high
[1:26:32] school main gym duct repair. The board
[1:26:35] is requested to consider and approve the
[1:26:37] Johnson Controls proposal and service
[1:26:40] agreement for a duct detector repair in
[1:26:42] the high school main gym. May I have a
[1:26:44] motion, please?
[1:26:45] >> So moved.
[1:26:46] >> Second. Mo.
[1:26:48] >> Dr. Winters.
[1:26:49] So,
[1:26:51] one of the benefits of um having your
[1:26:54] fire alarm system with a company like
[1:26:57] Johnson Controls is that if there are
[1:26:58] any trouble codes that pop up, they call
[1:27:01] you and they let you know um which was
[1:27:04] the case in this one. It was showing on
[1:27:06] their end that we had a duck detector in
[1:27:09] our main gym that needed to be repaired.
[1:27:11] They came out, they they checked it, and
[1:27:14] now steps are being taken to get that
[1:27:15] repaired. Um, so approval of the quote
[1:27:18] this evening. We'll let things move
[1:27:20] forward with that.
[1:27:22] >> Any questions?
[1:27:24] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[1:27:25] those in favor say I.
[1:27:27] >> I.
[1:27:27] >> Oppos.
[1:27:28] >> Motion carries. 80 9.5 voting item. The
[1:27:33] board is requested to consider and
[1:27:34] recommend approval and ratification of
[1:27:36] phase 2 improvements agreement with
[1:27:38] Onani Township for the fieldhouse
[1:27:40] project as presented. There are several
[1:27:43] attachments there.
[1:27:45] >> Dr.
[1:27:46] So, as part of phase two of the
[1:27:48] fieldhouse project, um there there is a
[1:27:51] permit that needs to be approved by the
[1:27:53] supervisors um at Analani Township. Um
[1:27:56] one of them is an improvements agreement
[1:27:57] and then the next item as well, the
[1:27:59] storm water on&m. Um we have those
[1:28:02] agreements signed and notorized and you
[1:28:05] know the township is working with us to
[1:28:08] you know get them approved um in advance
[1:28:12] signed in advance of their meeting. Um
[1:28:15] and there's just one piece that um we
[1:28:18] need to wrap up on the district end and
[1:28:21] that is um getting them appropriate
[1:28:24] confirmation that we have posted the
[1:28:26] amount of the escrow which is $378,000
[1:28:29] and then once they have that
[1:28:30] confirmation the township has indicated
[1:28:32] that they will go ahead and sign and
[1:28:34] then get these agreements ratified at
[1:28:36] their June meeting so that there's not
[1:28:39] any delay regarding moving forward with
[1:28:41] the permit process.
[1:28:45] Thank you. Any other questions?
[1:28:47] >> I'll make the motion because I don't
[1:28:49] think we have one on the floor.
[1:28:52] >> Motion in a second.
[1:28:55] >> Second.
[1:28:57] >> Okay. Any other questions? All those in
[1:29:00] favor say I.
[1:29:01] >> I.
[1:29:01] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z.
[1:29:05] >> The next voting item is the board is
[1:29:07] requested to consider and recommend
[1:29:08] approval and ratification of the phase 2
[1:29:10] storm water on M agreement with Lenny
[1:29:13] Township for the fieldhouse project as
[1:29:15] presented. May I have a motion, please?
[1:29:17] >> So moved.
[1:29:18] >> Second. Mo,
[1:29:21] >> there is not anything else that is
[1:29:23] needed on the district end for this one.
[1:29:25] Um, we just want to give them both of
[1:29:27] these two documents at the same time.
[1:29:29] So, you know, as soon as we get the um
[1:29:32] escrow piece taken care of, which the
[1:29:34] plan is to do so this week, then we'll
[1:29:37] move forward with both of them.
[1:29:40] >> Any other questions?
[1:29:43] If not, all those in favor say I.
[1:29:45] >> I.
[1:29:46] >> Opposed? Motion carries. 8 Z.
[1:29:50] 9.7 voting item. The board is requested
[1:29:52] to consider and approve the terror works
[1:29:54] consulting provision of testing services
[1:29:56] and special inspections for phase two of
[1:29:59] the fieldhouse project as presented. May
[1:30:01] I have a motion, please?
[1:30:02] >> So moved.
[1:30:03] >> Second, mole.
[1:30:07] So, as part of phase two of the
[1:30:09] fieldhouse project, um our um
[1:30:12] construction administrator, uh Fidavia,
[1:30:15] um request put out RFPs, um for uh
[1:30:19] testing services and special inspections
[1:30:22] for the field fieldhouse project. Um
[1:30:25] Terra works um was the one that came
[1:30:27] back as recommended. Um, Terra works
[1:30:30] might be a company that you guys recall
[1:30:32] as that's who we used for the
[1:30:34] geotechnical uh, work that was done um,
[1:30:38] during phase one and so there's
[1:30:39] familiarity with the site already. So
[1:30:43] the recommendation would be that you
[1:30:45] know the board approve to using to use
[1:30:47] them for testing services and special
[1:30:49] inspections when we get to that step in
[1:30:53] the process.
[1:30:55] >> Thank you. Any other questions?
[1:30:58] All those in favor say I.
[1:30:59] >> I.
[1:31:00] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z.
[1:31:03] >> 9.8. Voting item. The board is requested
[1:31:06] to consider and approve the right
[1:31:08] commissioning request for proposal for
[1:31:11] the commissioning services for phase two
[1:31:12] of the fieldhouse project as presented.
[1:31:15] May I have a motion, please?
[1:31:16] >> So moved.
[1:31:17] >> Second. Mo.
[1:31:20] Similar to the terror works um proposal
[1:31:24] uh right commissioning um it's going to
[1:31:26] be very important when the project gets
[1:31:27] to the end that the work especially the
[1:31:30] mechanicals in the building be
[1:31:31] commissioned and right commissioning is
[1:31:34] somebody the district has used
[1:31:36] previously with other projects and so
[1:31:38] it's recommended that you know the board
[1:31:41] approve their RFP for commissioning
[1:31:43] services for phase two.
[1:31:46] >> Any other questions?
[1:31:49] If not, all those in favor say I.
[1:31:51] >> I.
[1:31:52] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z. You'll
[1:31:55] turn it back over to Al for the rest of
[1:31:57] the committee report.
[1:31:59] >> Okay. Uh 9.9. Uh we have the 2627
[1:32:03] Reading Elevator Service Incorporated
[1:32:05] proposal for elevator and grease
[1:32:07] examinations at the elementary, middle
[1:32:10] school, and high school.
[1:32:14] Hm.
[1:32:17] The committee is requested to consider
[1:32:19] and recommend approval of the proposal
[1:32:20] from Reading Elevator for the elevator
[1:32:22] and grease examinations of the
[1:32:23] elementary school, middle school, and
[1:32:25] high school passenger elevators each
[1:32:27] quarter beginning July 1st, 2026 through
[1:32:30] June 20th, 2027 in the amount of $2,352.
[1:32:35] Any questions?
[1:32:38] Can I have a motion to move that
[1:32:39] forward?
[1:32:40] >> Yes.
[1:32:42] Okay.
[1:32:44] 9.10. Uh the 2627 Reading Elevator
[1:32:47] Service Incorporated proposal for
[1:32:49] elevator and grease examination of the
[1:32:50] middle school wheel evader. Uh the
[1:32:53] committee is requested to consider and
[1:32:54] recommend approval of the proposal from
[1:32:56] reading elevator for the elevator and
[1:32:58] grease examination of the middle school
[1:33:00] wheel evader annually beginning July
[1:33:02] 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 in the
[1:33:06] amount of $156.
[1:33:08] And we have that contract attached here.
[1:33:10] Any questions?
[1:33:13] Okay, we'll move that forward. 9.11
[1:33:16] 2627, we have Republic Services
[1:33:18] Agreements.
[1:33:20] Now, the committee's requested to
[1:33:22] consider and recommend approval of the
[1:33:23] agreements from Republic Services for
[1:33:25] solid waste disposal and recycling
[1:33:27] services during the term of July 1st,
[1:33:29] 2026 through June 30th, 2027. And the
[1:33:33] following amounts per building for the
[1:33:34] high school, 70146 per month. for the
[1:33:37] middle school 64950 per month and the
[1:33:40] elementary school 70146 per month. Any
[1:33:44] questions?
[1:33:47] Okay, we'll move that forward. Uh 912,
[1:33:50] disposal SRS Smith pool aquatic lift.
[1:33:54] The committee is requested to consider
[1:33:56] and recommend approval of the sale of
[1:33:57] the 2011 SRSmith portable aquatic lift
[1:34:00] via municip.
[1:34:03] Any questions?
[1:34:06] Okay, we'll move that forward. 913 2627
[1:34:10] ERC commercial pest maintenance
[1:34:12] agreements. Uh the committee is
[1:34:14] requested to consider and recommend
[1:34:15] approval of the commercial pest
[1:34:17] management maintenance agreements from
[1:34:18] Erlick um for the high school, middle
[1:34:21] school, elementary school, and
[1:34:22] maintenance garage for the term of July
[1:34:24] 1, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 in the
[1:34:28] amount of $5,320.92.
[1:34:32] Any questions on that agreement?
[1:34:35] Okay, we'll move that forward. Uh 9:14.
[1:34:39] Any old or new business for buildings
[1:34:42] and grounds?
[1:34:44] Okay. Uh and just a quick recap, um we
[1:34:47] did meet on May 12th uh for a work
[1:34:50] session. Um we did discuss uh some
[1:34:53] district-wide items including the
[1:34:55] capital reserve and some uh trying to
[1:34:57] set up some capital project items for
[1:34:59] review. Uh we did discuss the water main
[1:35:02] break. Uh that was the result of the
[1:35:04] electrical contractor's boring sub uh
[1:35:08] that was installing electric to the
[1:35:09] softball fields um that didn't do their
[1:35:13] due diligence and hit our water man. Um
[1:35:16] but we were able to get uh some good
[1:35:18] assistance from the burough of Leport.
[1:35:20] Uh they got right out. They helped us
[1:35:22] correct it, helped us get a shutdown on
[1:35:23] the mains. Um so that worked out pretty
[1:35:26] well. And as I understand the boil water
[1:35:28] advisory was lifted a few days later
[1:35:30] after all testing was completed.
[1:35:32] >> And and just to add to that, Mr. Rossi,
[1:35:35] we we did get the reports um back from
[1:35:38] MJ Ryder who did the water testing on
[1:35:41] Friday afternoon. And so this morning
[1:35:43] they were posted on the website on the
[1:35:45] buildings and grounds page. So if
[1:35:46] anybody's interested in looking at those
[1:35:48] water test results, both test results
[1:35:50] are up there, the full reports.
[1:35:52] >> Okay, great. Thank you.
[1:35:57] Um at the elementary school, we did talk
[1:35:59] about some capital reserve projects um
[1:36:01] and some HVAC repairs uh that are
[1:36:04] necessary. And for the middle school, um
[1:36:07] more capital reserve capital project
[1:36:08] items. We spoke about the FCS classroom
[1:36:12] um and disposal of the lift and the old
[1:36:14] diving board and an RTU update on the
[1:36:16] controls for the HVAC system. Uh some of
[1:36:20] those which we are moving forward for
[1:36:21] vote uh next week. And then for the high
[1:36:24] school, we talked about the fieldhouse
[1:36:25] project and uh trying to execute some of
[1:36:28] the agreements which we voted on this
[1:36:29] evening to keep that project moving
[1:36:31] forward as quickly as possible. Um and
[1:36:34] we did also speak about uh taking care
[1:36:36] of some loose vertical sighting on the
[1:36:38] auxiliary gym and uh working on on
[1:36:41] taking a look at the roof because
[1:36:43] there's a possible leak in the auxiliary
[1:36:44] cafeteria.
[1:36:47] Okay, that's it for me. We already did
[1:36:49] 10.0.
[1:36:51] I have I have a question on the water um
[1:36:54] hitting the water man. So
[1:36:56] >> maybe it's not a public discussion but
[1:36:59] what are we doing? You know it caused
[1:37:01] disruption to the school. It caused
[1:37:03] disruption to the families. It caused
[1:37:06] workers to have to come in from the
[1:37:07] outside to do that. So do we hold the
[1:37:10] company accountable they for failure to
[1:37:13] do their due diligence that caused us to
[1:37:16] shut down a school for a day and
[1:37:18] everything that goes along with it?
[1:37:20] Yeah, we do, Mr. Brown. Um, in fact,
[1:37:23] we're in the process of working with the
[1:37:26] township as well as our own information
[1:37:29] in terms of employees that were here,
[1:37:30] that type of thing to put together a
[1:37:32] comprehensive report of all the costs
[1:37:34] that were incurred that day. Um, count
[1:37:37] uh, you know, Leport Water Authority
[1:37:39] costs, staffing costs, um, the plumbing
[1:37:43] bill to do the repairs, which we haven't
[1:37:45] received yet. And I'm kind of putting
[1:37:47] all of that together. But yes, the
[1:37:48] intention is to then pass that on, you
[1:37:51] know, to the electrical contractor.
[1:37:52] >> And going forward, we had the fieldhouse
[1:37:54] project obviously coming up. So, what
[1:37:58] are we do going to do regarding
[1:38:01] allowing contractors to do stuff like
[1:38:04] like it's simple to call PA1 call and
[1:38:07] and have
[1:38:08] >> that doesn't apply here.
[1:38:10] >> Pardon? The PA1 call didn't apply here
[1:38:12] because PA1 call doesn't have the
[1:38:14] utility information on where the water
[1:38:16] lines are on the school grounds and the
[1:38:19] electric lines on the school grounds.
[1:38:21] What happened here was the contractor
[1:38:22] had a clause in their agreement and
[1:38:24] notes on the plans indicating that they
[1:38:26] were to perform ground penetrating radar
[1:38:28] services prior to to boring and they
[1:38:31] failed to do so.
[1:38:32] >> So So we have that we'll have that in
[1:38:35] all the agreements going forward that
[1:38:36] that's their requirement. that was in
[1:38:38] this agreement and they just completely
[1:38:40] >> it was a complete failure on the sub's
[1:38:42] part. Um the electrical contractor was
[1:38:44] beside themselves
[1:38:46] >> about the failure. They've been doing a
[1:38:48] really nice job
[1:38:49] >> of handling it after the fact.
[1:38:51] >> Um and it's, you know, I I don't judge
[1:38:54] people because they make a mistake or
[1:38:55] don't make a mistake. I I look at them
[1:38:57] and at how they resolve it after the
[1:38:58] fact
[1:38:59] >> and the electrical contractor has
[1:39:01] stepped up.
[1:39:01] >> Good.
[1:39:02] >> Um so I was happy to see that. But that
[1:39:04] was we had all the correct language on
[1:39:07] the plan. It was just an abject failure
[1:39:08] of that sub.
[1:39:10] >> Okay.
[1:39:10] >> Um our PMS and our project managers and
[1:39:14] our inspectors are going to be well
[1:39:16] verssed in that going forward and
[1:39:18] they're going to have to double check it
[1:39:20] and triple check it um as we go forward
[1:39:22] um so that we don't have this failure
[1:39:24] again.
[1:39:24] >> Perfect. I appreciate that. Thank you.
[1:39:26] >> Yeah. Yep. Good question.
[1:39:31] And if I could just say real quick um
[1:39:34] regarding that water main break and I
[1:39:35] know Mr. Rossi touched on it, but I just
[1:39:38] want to mention this as well, you know,
[1:39:40] publicly in a meeting. Um you the the
[1:39:42] district just really extends their
[1:39:44] appreciation to the Burrow of Leport and
[1:39:47] the Leport Water Authority who were
[1:39:49] absolutely phenomenal to work with and
[1:39:52] stepped up in a big way. Um and and
[1:39:55] truly the biggest reason we were able to
[1:39:58] only have school delayed one day was
[1:40:01] because of their efforts and their work.
[1:40:03] And so I just wanted to publicly thank
[1:40:05] those individuals and you know I know
[1:40:07] they know who they are but they were
[1:40:09] fantastic.
[1:40:14] >> Thank you. That concludes our committee
[1:40:16] meetings for this evening. May I have a
[1:40:18] motion to adjurnn?
[1:40:20] >> So move second.
[1:40:24] Second, Amaro.
[1:40:25] >> All those in favor say I.
[1:40:27] >> I.
[1:40:27] >> Oppos. Motion carries. Thank you for
[1:40:30] coming this evening.
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2026-05-26_ae8YYsSxoCQ.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2026-05-26 (regular; Phase 2 agreements)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae8YYsSxoCQ
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:01:59] Mhm.
[0:06:29] >> Welcome to tonight's School Board
[0:06:30] meeting.
[0:06:31] I'd like to ask everyone to please stand
[0:06:33] for the Pledge of Allegiance.
[0:06:55] May I have a roll call, please?
[0:06:57] >> Mr. Emerald?
[0:06:58] >> Here.
[0:06:59] >> Mr. Brown?
[0:07:00] >> Here.
[0:07:00] >> Mrs. Brush?
[0:07:02] Mrs. Matthews?
[0:07:03] >> Here.
[0:07:03] >> Mr. Moore?
[0:07:04] >> Here.
[0:07:05] >> Mr. Rossi?
[0:07:07] Mrs. Stanky?
[0:07:07] >> Here.
[0:07:08] >> Mrs. Wean?
[0:07:09] >> Here.
[0:07:10] >> Mr. Wean?
[0:07:10] >> Here.
[0:07:14] >> I'd like to have a motion to approve the
[0:07:15] minutes for the regular meeting of
[0:07:17] August 27th, 2026.
[0:07:20] >> So moved.
[0:07:22] >> Second?
[0:07:24] >> Second, Rossi.
[0:07:25] >> Are there any questions or comments or
[0:07:27] additions?
[0:07:29] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[0:07:31] >> Aye.
[0:07:32] >> Aye.
[0:07:33] >> Opposed?
[0:07:34] Motion carried, 9-0.
[0:07:37] The Board met in executive session
[0:07:39] following the committee meeting on May
[0:07:40] 18th for legal personnel and student
[0:07:43] athletes.
[0:07:45] So, tonight with us we have some very
[0:07:47] special guests.
[0:07:48] And I'd like to call uh Mr. Adams
[0:07:51] forward for introductions.
[0:08:01] >> All right, thank you very much. All
[0:08:03] right, guys, I promise it won't take
[0:08:04] long and then we can get another cookie,
[0:08:06] get a group picture, and then you don't
[0:08:07] have to deal with the rest of the board,
[0:08:08] I mean, I promise. It gets kind of
[0:08:10] boring with what everybody says up here.
[0:08:12] So,
[0:08:12] we're going to get through this. Okay?
[0:08:14] So, board, thank you very much
[0:08:17] for the opportunity to talk.
[0:08:19] We were able to by the
[0:08:24] by the four-track partnership we have
[0:08:26] with Hamburg,
[0:08:28] they allowed us to take the opportunity
[0:08:29] this year to go up and participate in
[0:08:32] their Hawk Olympics
[0:08:33] when we were not able to host this year.
[0:08:37] So, I affectionately call us the blue
[0:08:39] wave.
[0:08:40] So, when we walked in with our blue
[0:08:42] shirts,
[0:08:43] we looked like a blue wave coming in to
[0:08:45] take over Hamburg. We had 53 athletes
[0:08:48] and 53 53 buddies that came to help. It
[0:08:51] was a wonderful day, we had great
[0:08:53] weather. Everybody had looked like they
[0:08:55] had a wonderful time. And
[0:08:58] it was it was amazing. Uh Cameron
[0:09:01] Alvarez was our torch runner.
[0:09:03] I want to first, before we do anything,
[0:09:05] thank Crystal Camoff.
[0:09:08] He he is the person
[0:09:10] who locked in and helped me get this
[0:09:12] pulled off. There's a lot of logistics.
[0:09:14] And anybody that knows me knows I'm not
[0:09:16] a super logistics guy. I'm an idea guy.
[0:09:18] She was the one with the spreadsheet
[0:09:19] that kept everything locked in. So,
[0:09:22] thank you to Crystal. It was wonderful.
[0:09:26] I'd also
[0:09:30] I'd like to thank Joe Brown for donating
[0:09:31] the tents.
[0:09:33] It was amazing.
[0:09:34] The kids had a a place to to stack up
[0:09:36] underneath. We had some lunch there.
[0:09:39] Mr. Krills is keeping them in safe
[0:09:41] keeping. So, he has them stacked away
[0:09:43] for next year, so we're in good shape.
[0:09:45] Um I want to thank the Schuylkill Valley
[0:09:47] Education Association for covering the
[0:09:48] cost of all the t-shirts.
[0:09:50] They were gracious and covered that. I
[0:09:52] also want to thank Chick-fil-A in
[0:09:53] Muhlenberg for donating cookies and
[0:09:55] juice boxes. And then also Louisa for
[0:09:57] pitching in and helping us out because
[0:09:59] we had some more we had to grab to make
[0:10:01] sure everybody had stuff. So, that was
[0:10:03] that was wonderful to take care of.
[0:10:05] I want to thank all the case managers
[0:10:08] for the work that they put in to helping
[0:10:09] the logistics set up and everybody
[0:10:11] signed up. There was a lot of stuff in
[0:10:13] the background that had to be figured
[0:10:15] out because we had the 53 athletes,
[0:10:17] which meant they either participated in
[0:10:19] the 50-m dash, the 100-m dash,
[0:10:22] the 200-m dash, or the 400-m, which I
[0:10:26] would not do. I'm not a I'm not a fan of
[0:10:28] running to begin with. I'd have picked
[0:10:29] the 10-m. But, then we also had standing
[0:10:31] long jump, running long jump, and then
[0:10:34] we had shot put and softball throw. So,
[0:10:36] our participants are here. They came
[0:10:38] decked out in their in their swag. They
[0:10:41] came with their ribbons. They came with
[0:10:43] their medals.
[0:10:44] I'm going to announce them in
[0:10:46] alphabetical order.
[0:10:47] And when I announce their name, I'm
[0:10:49] going to ask them to stand up, kind of
[0:10:51] scoop behind me, or I think probably
[0:10:53] behind me,
[0:10:54] and grab a bag. Is green your Okay, and
[0:10:57] green's ready.
[0:10:58] I am going to ask for if he's willing
[0:11:01] and able,
[0:11:04] RJ.
[0:11:06] Are you feeling like you can come up,
[0:11:07] buddy?
[0:11:10] Are you feeling it?
[0:11:11] Nope. All right.
[0:11:14] All right, I'm on my way, RJ.
[0:11:29] All right. Next,
[0:11:32] Brooklyn.
[0:11:34] Is there a Brooklyn here? come forward.
[0:11:35] Thank you. Congratulations.
[0:11:44] And then I have an Ellie.
[0:11:58] And I have next Carlos.
[0:12:13] Up next I have Malachi.
[0:12:31] Up next I have Leah.
[0:12:52] All right, right in the middle like I
[0:12:53] promised. T.J. McDougal.
[0:13:19] Up next I have Royce.
[0:13:34] >> Next we have
[0:13:36] Carson.
[0:13:49] And next is Elijah.
[0:14:06] Okay, next we have Jonah.
[0:14:26] Followed up by
[0:14:29] John.
[0:14:45] All right, and
[0:14:47] our last two I'd like to
[0:14:49] bring up Kameez.
[0:15:05] And last but not least, Rashid.
[0:15:18] I would like to thank everybody,
[0:15:20] parents, buddies, staff,
[0:15:23] board. I appreciate everything that
[0:15:26] everybody has done to support our
[0:15:28] our students and uh
[0:15:31] I would like to invite everybody out for
[0:15:33] a group picture at the very end and to
[0:15:36] make sure you take a cookie and put it
[0:15:37] in your pocket for the way out. All
[0:15:40] right, thank you very much, everybody.
[0:15:50] >> As I said, we'll
[0:15:51] we'll give a couple minutes if those who
[0:15:52] would like to leave.
[0:15:54] You're more than welcome to stay for the
[0:15:55] rest of the meeting, but
[0:15:57] um if you leave
[0:16:00] that would be fine as well.
[0:16:55] Okay, we'll move on to 1.6
[0:16:57] presentations. We have the KU Early
[0:17:00] College Academy
[0:17:02] um presented by Jennifer Godfrey and
[0:17:06] and we also have some students who will
[0:17:08] be speaking as well.
[0:17:14] >> If the students are here and want to
[0:17:15] come up, you can join me.
[0:17:19] Okay. So, I'm here to present on the
[0:17:21] early college academy program through
[0:17:23] Kutztown University.
[0:17:25] Um this program provides students
[0:17:26] students with the opportunity to earn
[0:17:29] college credit while still in high
[0:17:30] school. For the 2025-2026
[0:17:33] school year, two tracks were offered,
[0:17:35] the early childhood education track and
[0:17:37] the exploratory studies track.
[0:17:39] Uh both tracks had students complete two
[0:17:41] classes in the fall semester and two
[0:17:43] classes in the spring semester. By the
[0:17:46] end of the school year, students can
[0:17:47] earn up to 12 credits, um which is
[0:17:50] equivalent to one full semester of
[0:17:51] college. Classes are scheduled for half
[0:17:54] a day two to three days a week. Um some
[0:17:56] students then participated in an
[0:17:58] internship program uh the remaining days
[0:18:00] of the week when they were not in their
[0:18:02] KU scheduled classes.
[0:18:05] Students enrolled in the early childhood
[0:18:07] education track completed the following
[0:18:09] courses: a first-year seminar, teaching
[0:18:12] pre-K through eight exploration and
[0:18:14] investigation, meeting the needs of
[0:18:16] English language learners, and cognitive
[0:18:18] cognitive development of diverse
[0:18:20] learners in a standards-aligned system.
[0:18:23] Students who were enrolled in the
[0:18:24] exploratory track completed the
[0:18:26] following courses: a first-year seminar,
[0:18:28] a general writing, a general psychology,
[0:18:30] and a water works class, which is
[0:18:32] actually a geology class.
[0:18:34] During the 2024-2025
[0:18:37] school year, only early childhood
[0:18:39] education was offered, and we had four
[0:18:41] students participate in that program.
[0:18:44] This year we had seven students
[0:18:45] participate, three of which are behind
[0:18:47] me. Um Samantha Davis is a current 11th
[0:18:50] grader, Cecilia DeNunzio is 12th grade,
[0:18:53] Noah Garrett 12th grade, Taylor
[0:18:55] Grabowski 12th grade, Garrett Grimm 12th
[0:18:57] grade, Nathan Kyer 12th grade, and
[0:18:59] Gabriel Perry 12th grade. Um
[0:19:02] The students enrolled in the early
[0:19:03] childhood education program had their
[0:19:06] expenses covered, uh and the student
[0:19:08] enrolled in the
[0:19:09] exploratory studies track program
[0:19:11] received a reduced tuition rate.
[0:19:14] Next year, we have six students who will
[0:19:15] take part in the program, one student
[0:19:17] who will be part of the exploratory
[0:19:19] studies, and five students in the early
[0:19:21] childhood education program. All
[0:19:24] students enrolled in the early
[0:19:26] college program, whatever track it is,
[0:19:28] um will have all expenses covered during
[0:19:31] the 2026-2027 school year.
[0:19:33] And in addition to the exploratory
[0:19:35] studies and early childhood education
[0:19:37] track, uh track in health sciences will
[0:19:40] also begin to be offered in the
[0:19:41] 2027-2028 school year.
[0:19:44] Um like I said, I have three students
[0:19:45] enrolled in the program now, uh Samantha
[0:19:47] Davis, uh Cecilia Donanzio, and Derek
[0:19:50] Graham, who are here, who would like to
[0:19:52] kind of talk about their experience.
[0:19:59] >> Good evening, superintendent, members of
[0:20:01] school board, and administration. My
[0:20:03] name is Derek Graham, and I'm a student
[0:20:04] here at Kutztown Area High.
[0:20:06] I wanted to come out tonight to say a
[0:20:07] huge thank you for all that you guys do
[0:20:09] in the program. Like I said, Kutztown
[0:20:10] Area High School.
[0:20:12] First of all, I really want to thank the
[0:20:13] district for covering the cost of these
[0:20:15] courses. Knowing that the tuition is
[0:20:17] taken care of means that I can focus on
[0:20:19] doing well in my classes without having
[0:20:20] to worry about the financial side of
[0:20:22] things.
[0:20:23] It shows how much this district cares
[0:20:25] about investing in its students, and I'm
[0:20:26] incredibly grateful for that support.
[0:20:30] Going to Kutztown Area High School gave
[0:20:31] me a nice perspective. Going into it, I
[0:20:33] wasn't totally sure what to expect from
[0:20:35] college, but taking these classes gives
[0:20:37] me a real feel for how the professor
[0:20:39] speaks, how the course load is
[0:20:40] structured, and how
[0:20:42] how much independent study is needed.
[0:20:45] It's also great because I'm finishing
[0:20:47] high school with actual college credits
[0:20:49] already already under my belt.
[0:20:52] Having this head start is going to save
[0:20:54] me time and money as I move on to the
[0:20:56] next chapter.
[0:20:58] It makes the transition to college feel
[0:20:59] a lot less intimidating.
[0:21:01] Another cool part of this experience is
[0:21:03] getting out of my usual comfort zone. I
[0:21:05] got to meet and work with students from
[0:21:07] other local high schools in the area.
[0:21:09] Collaborating with people from different
[0:21:11] districts on projects and sharing ideas
[0:21:13] with them.
[0:21:14] It was great to be surrounded by other
[0:21:17] seniors who were all motivated to do
[0:21:18] something.
[0:21:19] Thank you again to the school board for
[0:21:22] for supporting this program and giving
[0:21:23] me this opportunity.
[0:21:25] You didn't just give me a couple of
[0:21:27] classes to take, you gave me the
[0:21:28] confidence to know that I can handle
[0:21:30] college level work.
[0:21:32] I'm really proud to represent Schuylkill
[0:21:33] Valley and I appreciate everything
[0:21:35] you do for us. Thank you.
[0:21:43] >> Good evening, everybody. I'm Smith
[0:21:44] Davis. I'm currently a junior at
[0:21:47] Schuylkill Valley. Um I am really
[0:21:50] thankful that I got to have this
[0:21:51] opportunity. Especially I'm thankful to
[0:21:53] Miss Musket who is my guidance
[0:21:55] counselor. If it wasn't for her, I
[0:21:57] wouldn't have been able to get into the
[0:21:58] program. Usually, even though it's a
[0:22:00] very new program, most of the students
[0:22:02] are seniors. And thanks to her for
[0:22:05] championing me and talking to the
[0:22:06] district and talking to the
[0:22:09] um college and especially since I talked
[0:22:13] to her about it when I was a sophomore.
[0:22:15] And getting to take that opportunity and
[0:22:17] having her talk to Miss Harley who I'm
[0:22:19] currently interning with and talk to all
[0:22:22] of these people so that I would get to
[0:22:23] have that experience is really amazing
[0:22:25] and I'm very grateful to her.
[0:22:27] Um I said the thing that's also really
[0:22:29] amazing that I get to have all of I'm
[0:22:31] going to be doing both years. So this
[0:22:33] year I'm taking general studies. I'm
[0:22:35] taking 12 college course credits
[0:22:37] credits. And next year I'm taking
[0:22:39] elementary education. So I'm getting
[0:22:40] another 12 credits which is 24 which is
[0:22:44] almost an entire year of college. So I
[0:22:45] could potentially graduate early.
[0:22:48] And um I also get the opportunity to
[0:22:50] make relationships and friendships with
[0:22:53] people that go to other school districts
[0:22:54] which I don't usually get to do outside
[0:22:56] of sports and schools. And I've made a
[0:22:59] couple really good friends that go to
[0:23:01] other schools. And even though I am sad
[0:23:02] that they're seniors and I'm going to be
[0:23:04] going to graduate this year, it's great
[0:23:06] that I got to meet them and I got to
[0:23:07] make friends and got to make
[0:23:10] my projects and my school work with
[0:23:11] them.
[0:23:12] And I also got to
[0:23:15] through this program I also got
[0:23:16] introduced more with Ms. Harley, who
[0:23:18] although I very much enjoyed her classes
[0:23:21] as an art teacher, I definitely enjoyed
[0:23:23] being her intern more than I did her
[0:23:25] student cuz I get to work closely with
[0:23:27] her and I get to
[0:23:29] see what it's like being an art teacher
[0:23:31] and seeing what it's like being a
[0:23:32] teacher in this district especially. And
[0:23:35] I've
[0:23:36] really liked this experience and I'm
[0:23:38] very grateful for all the people that
[0:23:41] have helped me.
[0:23:42] Take it.
[0:23:43] Thank you.
[0:23:51] Uh good evening, everybody. My name is
[0:23:53] Cecilia DeNunzio, and I have recently
[0:23:55] graduated from the Early College Academy
[0:23:57] at Kutztown University on the general
[0:23:59] studies track. I wanted to take a moment
[0:24:02] to share how much this program has
[0:24:03] benefited me and prepared me for my
[0:24:05] future.
[0:24:06] Being part of the Early College Academy
[0:24:08] has given me a real head start on
[0:24:10] college.
[0:24:11] Through this program, I've been able to
[0:24:12] take actual college courses while still
[0:24:14] in high school, which has helped me
[0:24:15] build confidence, improve my time
[0:24:17] management skills, and learn what
[0:24:19] college level expectations are really
[0:24:21] like before graduating.
[0:24:23] One of the biggest benefits is that
[0:24:25] these college credits are paid for by
[0:24:26] the school district.
[0:24:28] That support has given students
[0:24:29] opportunities that might not have been
[0:24:31] possible.
[0:24:32] Not only are we gaining experience, but
[0:24:35] we're also saving time and money towards
[0:24:37] our future education.
[0:24:39] The program has also helped me become
[0:24:41] more independent and responsible.
[0:24:43] Balancing high school responsibilities
[0:24:45] with college coursework taught me how to
[0:24:46] stay organized, advocate for myself, and
[0:24:49] push myself academically.
[0:24:51] I'm grateful that our district offers
[0:24:52] opportunities like the Early College
[0:24:54] Academy because it allows students to
[0:24:56] explore their futures early and feel
[0:24:58] more prepared for life after high
[0:25:00] school.
[0:25:01] Programs like this truly invest in
[0:25:03] student and their success.
[0:25:05] Thank you for your time and for
[0:25:06] continuing to support opportunities that
[0:25:09] help students grow academically and
[0:25:11] personally.
[0:25:21] Does anybody have any questions?
[0:25:23] >> I would just like to say thank you for
[0:25:24] bringing this to our to the
[0:25:27] um board.
[0:25:28] You gave such a good
[0:25:30] presentation at the committee meeting
[0:25:32] and when I knew that the children had
[0:25:34] graduated from the program, I was
[0:25:37] interested in hearing their perspective.
[0:25:39] So, thank you for bringing us three
[0:25:41] people. I was really pleased.
[0:25:42] So, of course, I I really appreciate it.
[0:25:47] >> Is there a limit to the number of
[0:25:48] students who can take part in that
[0:25:50] program?
[0:25:51] >> Not to my knowledge. Um that the
[0:25:53] interest has gone up
[0:25:55] um and it's based on, you know, interest
[0:25:57] and when they're talking and having
[0:25:59] those
[0:26:00] pro- Oh my goodness. Planning meetings
[0:26:02] with their counselors, like what track
[0:26:03] they would like to go, what their future
[0:26:05] plans are. So, it's very individualized
[0:26:06] with them.
[0:26:07] >> Great. Thank you.
[0:26:10] >> Thank you.
[0:26:13] Um next we'll move on. Uh Dr. Steiner
[0:26:16] has a presentation.
[0:26:36] >> Good evening, everyone. Those are some
[0:26:37] tough acts to follow.
[0:26:42] So, I will do my best.
[0:26:46] Thank you for giving me the opportunity
[0:26:47] to share with you a little bit about the
[0:26:50] uh the Valley Education Center and the
[0:26:52] Schuylkill Valley Virtual Academy are
[0:26:53] the two major areas that we've been
[0:26:55] focusing on this year.
[0:26:57] Uh, just some information about the
[0:26:59] Schuylkill Valley Education Center.
[0:27:01] We currently have We this year we've
[0:27:03] served 53 students, which is
[0:27:07] ironically the exact same total of
[0:27:10] students that were served last year.
[0:27:12] The average daily attendance of students
[0:27:15] in classes is a little over eight. And I
[0:27:18] provided the breakdown of what we
[0:27:20] receive in reimbursement for the
[0:27:23] students, especially the special
[0:27:24] education students.
[0:27:25] Uh, we bill for $193
[0:27:28] a day, and a regular education student
[0:27:30] is about $78 a day.
[0:27:33] Of those 53 students,
[0:27:35] 27 of them had IEPs. So, 26 and that's a
[0:27:39] little over half.
[0:27:41] In terms of the referral forces, where
[0:27:44] the students come from,
[0:27:46] 37 were from JPO, and 16 were from CYS.
[0:27:51] Uh, in terms of the demographics, we
[0:27:53] have 37 males and 16 females. That is
[0:27:56] not an equal match. It's not
[0:27:59] It's not boys are JPO and girls are CYS.
[0:28:01] That's just how the numbers work. But,
[0:28:04] those are the terms of the numbers of
[0:28:05] what we're working with
[0:28:07] right now.
[0:28:09] I provided what a daily schedule looks
[0:28:11] like. The day The day runs from 8:30 in
[0:28:14] the morning till 3:15 in the afternoon.
[0:28:18] Uh, each student receives four major
[0:28:20] courses, so their science, their social
[0:28:22] studies, their math, and their language
[0:28:24] arts.
[0:28:24] Uh, they have two electives, with the
[0:28:26] physical education. Uh, we do social
[0:28:29] skills, and we throw in some type of
[0:28:31] book study, as well as an elective
[0:28:34] course that the students get to choose.
[0:28:36] A lot of them have looked at personal
[0:28:39] finance, which I think is fantastic as a
[0:28:41] course we're working on.
[0:28:43] So, that's what their schedule looks
[0:28:45] like throughout the day.
[0:28:47] Uh, we have a couple built-in breaks,
[0:28:49] one for them to get a snack in the
[0:28:51] morning and another when they have their
[0:28:53] shift change for staff in the afternoon.
[0:28:56] That's when their major break times
[0:28:58] occur.
[0:29:02] We thought about the idea of students
[0:29:04] who are not necessarily motivated to sit
[0:29:06] in front of a computer all day. How can
[0:29:08] we make their day more successful?
[0:29:11] So,
[0:29:12] the idea is let's look at what resources
[0:29:15] we have in the community to bring in to
[0:29:17] support these students in a positive
[0:29:20] way.
[0:29:21] And the the six that I have on the
[0:29:23] screen are the ones I wanted to
[0:29:24] highlight.
[0:29:25] We started the year with uh
[0:29:29] very fortunate situation. We had a
[0:29:30] community member that wanted to
[0:29:32] volunteer to provide music instruction
[0:29:34] to the students.
[0:29:35] She comes every single Monday and meets
[0:29:38] with the boys and girls separately with
[0:29:40] with with with the with with started
[0:29:44] with guitar and has branched out into
[0:29:47] keyboards, electronic drums, violins,
[0:29:51] and the students love it. Uh they ask to
[0:29:53] go down and play those instruments in
[0:29:55] their free time.
[0:29:57] Uh she
[0:29:58] they they like the drums a little too
[0:30:00] much at times, but it it's something
[0:30:02] that they're really really interested
[0:30:04] in. It's shown as a motivating factor
[0:30:07] for them to do their work during the day
[0:30:10] and have appropriate behaviors so they
[0:30:11] can earn those opportunities.
[0:30:13] She in the last month
[0:30:16] maybe paused a little, offered
[0:30:18] crocheting
[0:30:19] for the first time. The girls enjoy that
[0:30:22] more than the guys do, but it's a neat
[0:30:25] to see the students engaged in in
[0:30:28] something that's brand new. I still have
[0:30:30] no clue how to crochet. I haven't I
[0:30:31] haven't sit down. I'm good, but uh maybe
[0:30:34] I'll sit down. I'm just kidding. Uh one
[0:30:37] of these days with them to learn that
[0:30:39] skill.
[0:30:41] The The activity I want to highlight is
[0:30:42] we we partner with Parks and Rec. They
[0:30:44] come in
[0:30:46] a few times to provide different
[0:30:48] activities. They've brought
[0:30:51] animal pelts,
[0:30:53] different types of plants. They've
[0:30:55] helped with our initial stages for our
[0:30:57] gardening program. They gave us two
[0:30:59] planners and provided some basic
[0:31:03] fruits and vegetables,
[0:31:04] tomatoes,
[0:31:06] green peppers, things that
[0:31:08] could be successful with not a ton of
[0:31:11] individual attention and and they're
[0:31:13] they're doing well and thriving. And
[0:31:15] along those lines, we're going to be
[0:31:16] working with the Ag Center to expand. We
[0:31:18] thought, what what continues to make us
[0:31:20] similar to what's going on here? So,
[0:31:22] let's do what stick with an Ag focus.
[0:31:25] So, they're expanding the gardening and
[0:31:27] providing a larger garden area in the
[0:31:29] out in that area. If you're familiar,
[0:31:30] there's lots of land available, so
[0:31:32] they're going to expand to some
[0:31:33] gardening, so we appreciate that.
[0:31:36] I've also I also reached out to the IU
[0:31:38] and they have something called the Dream
[0:31:40] Team, which is is young manufacturers
[0:31:45] professionals.
[0:31:47] So, every month I have a different When
[0:31:49] I say young, I'm not getting old, but
[0:31:51] they're like 20 in their 20s
[0:31:54] manufacturers throughout
[0:31:56] Our last month, we had someone from
[0:31:58] Unique
[0:31:59] Pretzels come and teach. She shared with
[0:32:01] the students her experiences, what got
[0:32:04] her there, job skills, interview skills,
[0:32:06] so things that could be beneficial and
[0:32:08] helpful to these students once they get
[0:32:11] a once they leave the center. She
[0:32:13] brought some pretzels as a snack, so
[0:32:14] that always helps. So, we've had people
[0:32:16] from
[0:32:18] Penn Tech come. We had Deckers,
[0:32:21] like Eastpaks.
[0:32:23] So, they've had different
[0:32:24] representatives from different local
[0:32:25] areas come, and they've always put great
[0:32:27] conversations in, and the students
[0:32:29] really enjoyed that.
[0:32:31] Another one is Berks Teens.
[0:32:33] We're we're we're coming to situations
[0:32:35] that some of these students are already
[0:32:36] parents, going to be parents,
[0:32:39] uh and we realize that they need some
[0:32:42] extra health instruction. So, we reached
[0:32:45] out to Berks Cares and they they come in
[0:32:47] every other month to provide that
[0:32:49] appropriate health instruction for the
[0:32:50] students. It's been It's been very
[0:32:52] beneficial. And finally, we have a
[0:32:54] therapy dog that come in. It's probably
[0:32:56] my favorite part. It's pretty cool to
[0:32:58] see the dogs come in.
[0:32:59] We work with Eric Burckholder. He's the
[0:33:02] assistant chief for Berks County
[0:33:05] probation and parole. So, he brings a
[0:33:06] dog. Her name is Raina.
[0:33:08] And the kids just, you know, they light
[0:33:10] up when they get the opportunity to sit
[0:33:11] there and spend a little time with the
[0:33:13] dog. It takes takes the weight of
[0:33:16] reality for a little bit and just gives
[0:33:17] them the opportunity to sit there and
[0:33:18] spend some time with
[0:33:20] the therapy dog. It's a really cool
[0:33:21] experience.
[0:33:22] So, those are the major things that we
[0:33:25] brought in as activities this school
[0:33:26] year, and they've all, in my opinion,
[0:33:28] been very successful.
[0:33:32] Couple of challenges. You're all aware
[0:33:34] there was a flood back on December 9th.
[0:33:37] That took out pretty much our whole
[0:33:39] floor of the building where we have our
[0:33:41] classrooms.
[0:33:42] So, we had to relocate for seven school
[0:33:44] days.
[0:33:45] So, it took some patience, but we got
[0:33:47] through.
[0:33:48] Another area that we really are
[0:33:50] challenged by is
[0:33:51] we're delayed in when we get our
[0:33:53] resources sometimes from other
[0:33:54] districts. So, if every other district
[0:33:56] in the county is listening right now,
[0:34:00] I'm just kidding. We We really struggle
[0:34:02] sometimes getting records in, so we have
[0:34:04] to guess sometimes as to work with the
[0:34:06] student.
[0:34:07] We're a little delayed sometimes in
[0:34:08] getting their IEPs, so we have to
[0:34:10] backtrack, make sure all their their
[0:34:12] necessary supports are in place. So,
[0:34:14] that's a challenge. And then just the
[0:34:15] student motivation and constant
[0:34:17] turnover. I gave the numbers, but of
[0:34:19] those students we've had nine students
[0:34:21] who have been multi-time
[0:34:23] repeaters. One the most of one was came
[0:34:27] five separate times this year. So,
[0:34:30] different circumstances that lead to
[0:34:32] them returning, but we do have that as
[0:34:34] part of our challenge is to figure out
[0:34:36] how to work with students who come and
[0:34:38] go multiple times.
[0:34:41] In terms of positives,
[0:34:43] in my opinion, we've had a lot of
[0:34:44] academic success. Every student there is
[0:34:47] earning credit, which we provide in an
[0:34:49] official transcript that goes back to
[0:34:50] their home school district to help lead
[0:34:53] them towards their potential eventual
[0:34:56] graduation. Uh we have a positive school
[0:34:58] culture and I I attribute that to the
[0:35:00] relationship between the staff our staff
[0:35:03] and the county staff. Everyone works
[0:35:05] together really well.
[0:35:07] You know, we're dealing with some
[0:35:08] challenging behaviors, yet we have not
[0:35:10] had any behavior this year that
[0:35:13] warranted more than just a removal from
[0:35:15] the classroom and a conversation. So,
[0:35:18] again, I attribute that to the the great
[0:35:19] efforts of everyone involved.
[0:35:22] Uh
[0:35:23] one of the thing, you know, we we've
[0:35:24] we've tried to again
[0:35:27] to provide a smaller version of what
[0:35:29] happens in each of the buildings. We had
[0:35:31] a back-to-school event at the start of
[0:35:32] the year for the for the residents that
[0:35:34] were there and the staff just to get
[0:35:36] everyone off to a good start feeling
[0:35:38] good about what they're doing.
[0:35:40] We also done a Christmas luncheon. We do
[0:35:43] We've done different holiday activities
[0:35:45] with with when we're able to and what we
[0:35:47] can, like door decorating, different
[0:35:49] types of crafts. The kids I think that
[0:35:51] the kids really enjoyed those. The
[0:35:53] students that we work with really enjoy
[0:35:54] crafts. When I can provide things like
[0:35:56] that, we really focus on that.
[0:35:59] Along along with that, I would say our
[0:36:00] virtual programming is up and running
[0:36:03] and it's smooth and I say that to kind
[0:36:05] of transition to where we're at with our
[0:36:08] virtual program, which is the second
[0:36:10] part of this presentation.
[0:36:13] I believe I spoke
[0:36:15] at the beginning of the school year
[0:36:16] about the process that we went through
[0:36:18] to find our provider, but we
[0:36:20] I I spent significant time meeting with
[0:36:23] the different providers Pearson,
[0:36:24] Excelerate Education, Imagine Learning,
[0:36:27] Lincoln Learning and VLN Education. And
[0:36:30] I met with them with the focus on those
[0:36:32] essential criteria that I put that we
[0:36:34] wanted some synchronous instruction, so
[0:36:36] some live in-person teaching.
[0:36:39] We wanted AP courses and career and
[0:36:41] technology education courses. All
[0:36:43] courses need to be NCAA approved. We
[0:36:46] wanted to make sure we had significant
[0:36:48] IEP support and it was cost effective.
[0:36:52] So when we went through with those areas
[0:36:54] in mind to determine what worked best,
[0:36:56] Pearson was the provider we went with
[0:36:58] and it's been a very successful
[0:36:59] partnership. So I think we made the
[0:37:01] right choice there and I'm very happy
[0:37:03] with how things have gone.
[0:37:06] In terms of the Virtual Academy, which
[0:37:08] is up and running,
[0:37:10] we have currently four full-time high
[0:37:12] school students participating. In
[0:37:14] addition, we had a middle school student
[0:37:16] who returned to the district and another
[0:37:18] high school student who was removed from
[0:37:20] the rolls.
[0:37:22] We have four single course enrollees
[0:37:25] right now, two high school students and
[0:37:26] two middle school students. And and
[0:37:28] we've had several meetings throughout
[0:37:31] the course of this spring semester to
[0:37:34] meet with families to try and encourage
[0:37:37] them to come back to our district if
[0:37:39] that was something they were looking at
[0:37:41] doing.
[0:37:42] I'll talk about that in a moment, but in
[0:37:44] terms of keeping everyone informed of
[0:37:47] how we operate and what goes on, we do
[0:37:49] provide weekly progress reports to all
[0:37:51] parents and building administrators
[0:37:53] focusing on the number of days students
[0:37:55] are logged in, their average daily time
[0:37:57] logged in, their current grades and
[0:37:59] their progress towards their course
[0:38:00] completion. And it's been it's very very
[0:38:03] effective two-way communication
[0:38:05] with both the administration and the
[0:38:07] parents to ensure these students remain
[0:38:09] successful.
[0:38:12] Throughout this year we
[0:38:14] provided with the completion of a couple
[0:38:16] documents, created administrative
[0:38:17] regulations for the virtual program for
[0:38:21] in-house students and students who will
[0:38:24] be full-time virtual students.
[0:38:26] We developed a virtual handbook and
[0:38:29] we're working with Mr. Vance around the
[0:38:31] development of a
[0:38:32] page for our webpage to have more
[0:38:34] information out for the community as
[0:38:36] well.
[0:38:39] In terms of our efforts to increase our
[0:38:41] participation,
[0:38:42] I routinely provide email outreaches to
[0:38:45] all our virtual families, the students
[0:38:47] that are
[0:38:48] reside in our district but have
[0:38:50] transferred to
[0:38:51] a different cyber charter school.
[0:38:53] Last Wednesday, we had a family
[0:38:54] information night and
[0:38:56] I didn't know what to expect whether it
[0:38:58] would be me and like two people eating
[0:39:00] 25 pretzels and drinking a whole bunch
[0:39:02] of water, but I had 15 families come,
[0:39:05] which I think is a very positive note.
[0:39:08] Those were families of students who are
[0:39:10] currently
[0:39:11] in a cyber charter school as well as
[0:39:14] families who are in the district who are
[0:39:16] looking to leave to go to a cyber
[0:39:17] charter school. So, through the
[0:39:19] conversations, I had very positive
[0:39:22] results and feel that based on their
[0:39:25] information I was provided, they would
[0:39:26] be looking to stay with us, which which
[0:39:29] is kind of going to go a long way in
[0:39:30] terms of cost savings for the district.
[0:39:33] And again, our website is going to be
[0:39:35] rolled out to provide resources to those
[0:39:38] families. So, I'm very excited about the
[0:39:40] Virtual Academy. I think I think for
[0:39:43] infancy,
[0:39:44] we're we're heading in the right
[0:39:45] direction. It's something that is a long
[0:39:47] time coming in the district and and
[0:39:49] we're definitely ready to go and looking
[0:39:52] to bring back as many of our district
[0:39:56] students as we can who are in other
[0:39:58] programs
[0:39:59] who who will be a part of our a part of
[0:40:01] our district and be a part of our
[0:40:02] virtual program.
[0:40:04] So,
[0:40:05] any questions?
[0:40:07] Josh?
[0:40:09] Two quick questions on the SBEC
[0:40:13] uh
[0:40:14] What's the average like I thank you for
[0:40:16] the stats, you know, the number of
[0:40:18] students.
[0:40:18] But, what's the number of
[0:40:23] students that like length of stay? Do
[0:40:25] you have any idea?
[0:40:25] >> That's a great question. I will tell you
[0:40:27] that ranges from 1 day to over 100 days.
[0:40:31] It really varies. We have some students
[0:40:33] who have been there
[0:40:34] 4 months plus, and we have students who
[0:40:36] have been in the classroom 1 day and the
[0:40:38] next day they're no no longer there.
[0:40:40] >> And then the second follow-up question
[0:40:42] is
[0:40:44] out of the 53 students,
[0:40:46] what's the split like either between the
[0:40:48] grades or
[0:40:50] you know, like middle school, high
[0:40:51] school, like
[0:40:52] >> I would have to give you specifics, but
[0:40:54] I would say we're probably 80% high
[0:40:57] school, 20% middle school.
[0:41:01] >> Okay.
[0:41:01] >> And I have they've ranged from fifth
[0:41:02] grade all the way up through 12th grade.
[0:41:05] >> Okay. Thank you.
[0:41:08] >> I really appreciate what you've done
[0:41:09] over at the SSEC. You took it from its
[0:41:12] infancy and you've given the kids
[0:41:14] special things to do.
[0:41:16] I remember when you set up the music
[0:41:17] program and we came over to look at it.
[0:41:19] I was really like, "Wow, that's really
[0:41:21] great." But, now you've added so many
[0:41:23] other things to it
[0:41:25] that
[0:41:26] um
[0:41:27] I think it's a real benefit for those
[0:41:29] kids to have
[0:41:31] the egg and the music and the dogs and
[0:41:35] all that. So, I think that's great. And
[0:41:37] if we could get
[0:41:39] more kudos to come to our virtual
[0:41:40] academy, that would be an asset to the
[0:41:43] district. So, thank you very much for
[0:41:45] getting that up and running.
[0:41:51] >> I don't think they see what the
[0:41:52] activities in the United States that
[0:41:53] sounds
[0:41:54] >> It makes it a lot more interesting
[0:41:57] sitting there at the computer than if
[0:41:58] you have the next activity.
[0:42:00] And also those activities can be used
[0:42:01] with the virtual academy. You know, a
[0:42:03] lot of those
[0:42:04] things that they they have, you know,
[0:42:06] with
[0:42:06] children coming in and doing things and
[0:42:08] that sort of thing as well.
[0:42:11] And then that is helpful for that
[0:42:13] program.
[0:42:16] >> All right, thank you.
[0:42:25] >> We'll move on to 1.7, the student
[0:42:28] council presentation.
[0:42:57] >> So, my name is Asher Cleary and I'm a
[0:42:59] senior and vice president of the senior
[0:43:01] class.
[0:43:02] >> And I'm David Johnson, a senior member
[0:43:05] of student council.
[0:43:07] >> We're just here to share some things
[0:43:08] that are happening around the valley.
[0:43:10] >> Some fun and exciting things that
[0:43:12] students are doing. So, the first thing
[0:43:13] we have are the Eagle Scouts. We have
[0:43:15] five amazing
[0:43:17] that have achieved Eagle Scout rank at
[0:43:19] Schuylkill Valley. For their service
[0:43:21] projects, Carson Reality updated a worn
[0:43:23] down bridge at Blue Marsh. Nicholas
[0:43:25] Fleckner refurbished
[0:43:27] the band band bandstand pavilion at
[0:43:29] Bowman's Church. Dylan Borkey repaired
[0:43:32] benches at Bowman's Church and Oliver
[0:43:33] Messner built two sensory garden carts
[0:43:35] for Brookside.
[0:43:37] And last but not least, Cameron Board
[0:43:38] built benches along the Schuylkill River
[0:43:40] Trail. Congrats to all of our Eagle
[0:43:42] Scout seniors.
[0:43:45] >> And then, PYEA
[0:43:47] held at the Panther Stadium, they hosted
[0:43:49] an epic Monday Night Football matchup on
[0:43:51] May 18th with the senior girls going
[0:43:54] against the junior girls.
[0:43:56] The senior girls came from behind and
[0:43:57] then took it to four overtime periods
[0:43:59] until they won 15 to 14. On Thursday
[0:44:02] night, May 21st, it was busy at the high
[0:44:04] schools where around 155 students
[0:44:07] participated in our ninth mini thon
[0:44:09] hosted by PYA. It was an evening full of
[0:44:12] musical chairs, relay races, dodgeball,
[0:44:15] pickleball, gaga, volleyball, bingo,
[0:44:17] food, and even an escape room.
[0:44:20] At the end of the night, we revealed
[0:44:21] that during this school year PYA was
[0:44:23] able to donate
[0:44:25] over $18,470.59
[0:44:29] to Four Diamonds. This is our highest
[0:44:31] total ever donated. Thank you to
[0:44:33] everyone who helped support us during
[0:44:34] the year. We could not have done it
[0:44:36] without you. If you would still like to
[0:44:37] donate to help pediatric cancer patients
[0:44:39] at Penn State Health, the Alverta
[0:44:41] Children's Hospital in Hershey, please
[0:44:43] follow our Instagram for information and
[0:44:46] to see more pictures from the event.
[0:44:52] >> Next up we have FFA. We would like to
[0:44:54] announce the following FFA members who
[0:44:56] earned the following certifications.
[0:44:58] First up we have FAA Part 107
[0:45:01] certification for commercial drone, Ian
[0:45:03] Swaboda.
[0:45:05] And the next up is Elanco Veterinary
[0:45:07] Medical Applications Certification, and
[0:45:09] that's Kiersten Stork.
[0:45:11] >> Principles of Agricultural Science
[0:45:13] Animal End of Year Course Assessment
[0:45:15] NOCTI, that will be Logan Camara,
[0:45:18] Marlena Cazzole, Lilly Kratz, and
[0:45:21] Charlotte Swindell-Fink.
[0:45:24] >> Next up we have Principles of
[0:45:25] Agricultural Science Plant End of Year
[0:45:28] Course Assessment NOCTI, Genevieve
[0:45:30] Fitzgerald. Our
[0:45:32] FFA members would like to thank Mr.
[0:45:34] Travis Burley and Mrs. Emily Myers of
[0:45:37] Tompkins Bank for meeting with sophomore
[0:45:39] Lilly Kratz as she presented her Kratz
[0:45:41] Cattle Company business plan. Her goal
[0:45:43] is to begin
[0:45:44] a business selling beef show cattle.
[0:45:47] This is part of her final project in Ag
[0:45:49] Business Finance class, part of our Ag
[0:45:51] program here at SD. This past Thursday
[0:45:54] was the third Tractor Day sponsored by
[0:45:56] the SD FFA.
[0:45:58] A huge thank you to the members of the
[0:46:00] Northern Berks Police Department for
[0:46:02] escorting our tractors from the
[0:46:03] Fleetwood Farmers Market to the school.
[0:46:05] Later in the morning, we drove to the
[0:46:07] elementary school where students could
[0:46:09] come out and inspect them close up, and
[0:46:11] all the students received a farm pencil.
[0:46:13] We look forward to hosting this event
[0:46:15] again next year.
[0:46:19] >> On Friday, May 8th, the Jesus Club
[0:46:21] hosted a worship night in the auditorium
[0:46:23] after games and food outside.
[0:46:25] Mia Arredondo Lopez, Lucy Holben, and
[0:46:28] Daisy Torres and Javier Ramirez
[0:46:31] led the singing to help bring the
[0:46:32] community together for a wonderful
[0:46:33] evening.
[0:46:35] The German Club had a record attendance
[0:46:36] of 54 students at our third annual
[0:46:39] German food picnic at the Evergreen Club
[0:46:41] on Fleetwood on May 21st.
[0:46:44] On Thursday, April 9th, 2016, students
[0:46:47] in Mrs. Foster's and Mrs. Guzman's
[0:46:50] Spanish 1 through 4 classes and Mrs.
[0:46:53] Foster's World Languages Club
[0:46:55] experienced a day of learning more about
[0:46:56] Hispanic culture through an off-campus
[0:46:58] field trip.
[0:46:59] The morning consisted of the Hispania
[0:47:01] American show with a Hispanic flamenco
[0:47:03] ballet who traveled all around the
[0:47:05] United States presented a program called
[0:47:07] with the rich cultural heritage of the
[0:47:09] Caribbean, Mexico, South America,
[0:47:11] Central America, and Spain.
[0:47:14] This show was an educational and
[0:47:15] multicultural experience that ended with
[0:47:17] a final interactive dance with student
[0:47:19] volunteers and the performers.
[0:47:22] After the 9:50 performance, students
[0:47:24] traveled to the El Tio Juanito Mexican
[0:47:27] restaurant in Temple and enjoyed
[0:47:28] authentic Mexican food
[0:47:30] and practiced some basic restaurant
[0:47:31] vocabulary in Spanish.
[0:47:34] Tomorrow morning, 90 seniors will
[0:47:36] participate in the senior class trip to
[0:47:38] Hershey for breakfast and then to
[0:47:40] Hershey Park for the rest of the day.
[0:47:42] There will be a picnic lunch in the park
[0:47:43] for our group, too. On Friday night,
[0:47:46] after our last full school day, we will
[0:47:47] host the senior prom set event in the
[0:47:49] stadium with an ice cream truck, pizza,
[0:47:52] and lots of games.
[0:47:54] On behalf On On of all the senior class,
[0:47:56] uh we would like to thank you very much
[0:47:58] for supporting us throughout our school
[0:47:59] years. We're very proud to be graduating
[0:48:01] from school thank you very much.
[0:48:10] >> Thank you for that and this is
[0:48:12] definitely something that we want to
[0:48:13] continue
[0:48:16] and we have these reports this month
[0:48:18] because it's very informative.
[0:48:21] So thank you.
[0:48:24] Hey, we'll move on to reports of
[0:48:26] officers and board representatives. The
[0:48:28] first report is the president's report.
[0:48:31] Um
[0:48:32] I really don't have much. I just wanted
[0:48:34] to make note that the special meeting
[0:48:36] will be held Monday, June 8th at 6:30
[0:48:39] and the agenda will include a vote on
[0:48:41] the final 2026-2027
[0:48:44] budget. And the budget is available for
[0:48:46] the public to view in the district
[0:48:48] office. And also that day will be Dr.
[0:48:51] Clark's
[0:48:52] first day here as superintendent.
[0:48:55] Make a note of that for June.
[0:48:58] That's all I have. Moving on to
[0:49:00] secretary, Mrs. Lash.
[0:49:02] >> No report.
[0:49:09] Okay, we had our officers meeting last
[0:49:12] Monday and our board meeting on
[0:49:13] Thursday.
[0:49:16] Um
[0:49:17] Something that I think is really nice
[0:49:19] that the IU does is after the
[0:49:22] GoggleWorks
[0:49:23] art show, the IU has been purchasing
[0:49:27] student artwork
[0:49:28] um
[0:49:30] and hanging it at the IU.
[0:49:32] And the
[0:49:33] purchased artwork this year was from a
[0:49:36] student named Kai Nicholas from Oley
[0:49:39] Valley. And if you ever get to go to the
[0:49:42] IU and you look on their hallway
[0:49:45] um
[0:49:45] when you come in the door and go to the
[0:49:47] right, the hallway is full of student
[0:49:49] artwork over since 1995.
[0:49:52] They've been getting a piece of artwork
[0:49:55] each year. So,
[0:49:57] as yet, Colonial School District doesn't
[0:49:58] have a piece of artwork on the
[0:50:01] wall, so I'd like to see that happen.
[0:50:05] Um
[0:50:08] at our meeting, we approved the 393,000
[0:50:12] incarcerated education expense that uh
[0:50:15] the IU provides at the prison.
[0:50:18] Um we the head start review was updated
[0:50:21] and the report's to be coming out soon
[0:50:25] and the preliminary comments were very
[0:50:27] positive. I met the
[0:50:29] um
[0:50:30] people who did the review and they were
[0:50:32] very positive
[0:50:34] um when they were at the meeting, so I'm
[0:50:36] looking forward to the good report.
[0:50:39] We also hired
[0:50:41] um
[0:50:43] a new
[0:50:45] um
[0:50:45] director for the IU for uh Mr. Dan
[0:50:49] Richer who will be retiring
[0:50:51] in the late summer, early fall and we
[0:50:54] hired Mr. Rob Kurlina from Brandywine
[0:50:58] High
[0:51:00] School District who has been at
[0:51:03] Brandywine for a few years, Downingtown,
[0:51:05] Upper Darby and has Catholic school
[0:51:07] experience.
[0:51:09] And he is looking very much forward to
[0:51:12] being the um
[0:51:15] in the office of professional learning.
[0:51:21] Um
[0:51:27] So,
[0:51:28] I do have some IU um
[0:51:31] the legislative report.
[0:51:36] And there were 36
[0:51:39] house bills,
[0:51:41] 30 34 house bills and 16 17 Senate bills
[0:51:46] that were proposed and a couple of these
[0:51:48] I just like to run through.
[0:51:51] Um
[0:51:52] House Bill 41, the playoff reform for
[0:51:55] the PIAA.
[0:51:57] Through Representative Conklin got a
[0:52:00] senator county.
[0:52:02] This legislation would allow the
[0:52:04] Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic
[0:52:05] Association to establish separate
[0:52:07] playoff systems and championships for
[0:52:10] boundary and non-boundary schools.
[0:52:13] So, it is
[0:52:15] uh a real bill now and
[0:52:18] we'll see how far this goes.
[0:52:22] Something else that was of interest is
[0:52:24] House Bill 1077.
[0:52:27] Proposed by Representative Kenyatta
[0:52:30] Blake Fichter of Brooks County.
[0:52:34] And this was referred to the education
[0:52:36] committee.
[0:52:37] This legislation would establish a
[0:52:39] commission on children's vision to work
[0:52:42] with vision care professionals in the
[0:52:43] Commonwealth developing a statewide plan
[0:52:46] to provide follow-up vision examinations
[0:52:49] and eyeglasses for all students who need
[0:52:51] follow-up vision examinations and
[0:52:54] eyeglasses and develop a model for
[0:52:56] statewide program to provide screenings,
[0:52:59] examinations, and follow-up
[0:53:01] examinations.
[0:53:05] Something for board members.
[0:53:07] House Bill 1278,
[0:53:10] Representative Davidson from Cumberland
[0:53:12] County.
[0:53:14] In the Senate, it was referred to state
[0:53:16] government. So, legislation will
[0:53:18] eliminate the requirement that a
[0:53:20] candidate for office file a notarized
[0:53:22] affidavit with their nomination petition
[0:53:25] and instead require an unsworn
[0:53:27] statement.
[0:53:29] We've all
[0:53:30] had to do that to run for office.
[0:53:34] Um
[0:53:36] Then something that our students would
[0:53:38] be interested in, cell phones in
[0:53:39] schools.
[0:53:41] There's a House Bill 1814 from
[0:53:44] Representative Steel from Allegheny
[0:53:46] County and Senate Bill 1014.
[0:53:52] And
[0:53:53] if you put that up
[0:53:56] Not for now. I got to take that down.
[0:53:59] Um
[0:54:00] Senator Robinson from Allegheny County.
[0:54:04] So
[0:54:06] this is the second consideration with
[0:54:08] amendments.
[0:54:09] It was recommitted to the Appropriations
[0:54:12] Committee and this legislation would
[0:54:14] prohibit students in a public school
[0:54:16] entity from possessing or using a cell
[0:54:19] phone during the school day in that
[0:54:21] entity's school building. Upon entering
[0:54:23] the school building at the beginning of
[0:54:25] the school day, the student shall
[0:54:26] deposit the cell phone in a locked box
[0:54:28] or other secure location for the
[0:54:30] duration of the school day or secure the
[0:54:32] cell phone in a case or pouch with a
[0:54:35] locking mechanism.
[0:54:37] This prohibition would not apply to the
[0:54:39] student who is a member of a volunteer
[0:54:41] fire company, ambulance, or rescue squad
[0:54:44] or needs a cell phone due to a medical
[0:54:46] due to a medical condition of an
[0:54:48] immediate family member and
[0:54:49] administrator of the public school shall
[0:54:52] approve possession and use of the cell
[0:54:54] phone by the student during the day. A
[0:54:56] public school entity shall develop or
[0:54:58] update its written policies
[0:55:00] to implement the prohibition.
[0:55:03] And then with the Senate Bill
[0:55:06] it's slightly different.
[0:55:10] It has
[0:55:15] The policy may allow a student's school
[0:55:18] administrator there's a need to provide
[0:55:21] provide an exception not authorized
[0:55:23] under subsection C if a school building
[0:55:26] principal makes the request.
[0:55:29] Each school entity shall provide written
[0:55:31] notification to parents and legal
[0:55:33] guardians of students enrolled in the
[0:55:34] school entity regarding the methods for
[0:55:37] a parent or legal guardian to contact
[0:55:39] their child during the school day, as
[0:55:41] well as information on how to sign up
[0:55:43] for emergency notifications.
[0:55:45] The policy still include exceptions to
[0:55:47] allow limited use
[0:55:49] of a mobile device during the day by a
[0:55:51] student who is required it,
[0:55:53] or a medical condition has an IEP
[0:55:56] program or 504 service agreement in
[0:55:58] which that device mobile device is part
[0:56:01] of accommodations or services provided,
[0:56:04] if a student is an English learner and
[0:56:06] uses a mobile device for translation or
[0:56:08] other English as a second language
[0:56:10] purposes,
[0:56:11] or is instructed to do so by his teacher
[0:56:14] as an instructional tool.
[0:56:17] So,
[0:56:19] I don't know how far this
[0:56:22] will get, but
[0:56:24] when I know, I'll let you know.
[0:56:27] Something of interest that I
[0:56:29] never saw before,
[0:56:31] was House Bill 2460, Representative
[0:56:34] Cooley from Allegheny County.
[0:56:38] This legislation would require that no
[0:56:40] later than July 1st, 2027, the
[0:56:42] Pennsylvania Game Commission, in
[0:56:44] consultation with the Pennsylvania
[0:56:46] Department of Education, would develop
[0:56:48] and make available to each school entity
[0:56:50] a model program of age-appropriate
[0:56:52] hunting and trapping education,
[0:56:54] including firearm safety instruction for
[0:56:56] students in grades 6 through 12. A
[0:56:59] school entity may provide the approved
[0:57:01] hunting and trapping education program
[0:57:03] as an optional extracurricular
[0:57:05] or as part of an existing course for
[0:57:07] outdoor recreational activities.
[0:57:10] The commission may reimburse any costs
[0:57:12] incurred by the school entity. I just
[0:57:15] had a question, I don't know if the Game
[0:57:17] Commission does still does this or
[0:57:19] not for
[0:57:20] our young people, so I don't I don't
[0:57:22] know.
[0:57:24] And then,
[0:57:27] there were two two bills from the House
[0:57:29] that
[0:57:30] wanted to require that
[0:57:32] the budget must be done on the last day
[0:57:35] of year.
[0:57:38] And
[0:57:45] two
[0:57:47] Two Senate bills are displaying the
[0:57:48] preamble of the Constitution in schools
[0:57:51] on the entry into the school.
[0:57:55] So
[0:57:56] that's
[0:57:57] what I have for that.
[0:57:59] And then the IU sponsored the Burke
[0:58:02] County school bus driver safety
[0:58:03] competition.
[0:58:05] And
[0:58:07] two of the IU drivers will be going on
[0:58:10] to the state competition.
[0:58:13] And I don't know if we had anybody in
[0:58:15] that
[0:58:17] competition or not this year. We have in
[0:58:19] the past.
[0:58:21] And
[0:58:27] Oh, and then they hosted the 2026
[0:58:30] air and land seal
[0:58:33] challenge. And that was a robotics
[0:58:36] um
[0:58:37] stem thing and
[0:58:42] that was held with Lehigh Career and
[0:58:44] Technical Institute.
[0:58:47] That's all I have for
[0:58:48] the IU.
[0:58:50] >> Thank you, Linda. We're going to Career
[0:58:52] Technology Center,
[0:58:55] >> All right. Just a couple of things uh
[0:58:58] once again the BCTHS we our students
[0:59:01] overall um
[0:59:03] and including uh at least one I know
[0:59:05] from Schuylkill Valley had placed in
[0:59:08] some
[0:59:09] of the uh awards here at the end of the
[0:59:12] year.
[0:59:13] One of the things that became really
[0:59:15] interesting is the uh
[0:59:17] they had moved the national competition
[0:59:20] and now it's falling into uh
[0:59:24] basically next week.
[0:59:27] So there's a lot of students now that
[0:59:30] are actually forgoing high school
[0:59:32] graduation
[0:59:34] so that they can compete at a national
[0:59:36] level.
[0:59:37] Uh
[0:59:38] and so, what we've done is we've worked
[0:59:40] with some of the different schools
[0:59:43] and when we have our awards that
[0:59:45] they're actually going to get their
[0:59:48] graduation
[0:59:49] uh
[0:59:50] diplomas
[0:59:52] you know, over at DCCC for some of them.
[0:59:55] And they have their
[0:59:56] uh end of year awards. They have a big
[0:59:58] award ceremony tomorrow at the Oley
[1:00:01] campus.
[1:00:03] Uh
[1:00:03] again, as a reminder for anybody that uh
[1:00:07] they're still accepting uh
[1:00:10] people for enrollment, but we're
[1:00:12] already, you know, in a waiting list
[1:00:15] situation. We continue to look at
[1:00:18] uh
[1:00:19] moving some of the different programs
[1:00:22] around.
[1:00:23] Uh we've actually eliminated the
[1:00:25] horticulture program
[1:00:27] uh because there wasn't uh a need.
[1:00:30] And so, they reallocated that space
[1:00:33] uh one of the other
[1:00:36] programs that had a larger waiting list.
[1:00:39] I've spent the process over the summer
[1:00:41] to do that.
[1:00:42] Uh
[1:00:43] there's still uh excitement
[1:00:46] to work with the Perkiomen School
[1:00:48] District
[1:00:49] for the large animal
[1:00:52] uh
[1:00:53] and our vet school to go. It's uh
[1:00:55] basically
[1:00:56] uh
[1:00:57] developed by the Perkiomen School
[1:00:59] District.
[1:01:01] They're right 183 at right by
[1:01:03] Brownsville.
[1:01:04] And uh
[1:01:07] you know,
[1:01:08] we're hoping to see that in the next
[1:01:09] couple of years that
[1:01:11] uh
[1:01:12] that that comes to be.
[1:01:14] Uh the only last thing is is that the uh
[1:01:19] the CDL for the uh
[1:01:22] driving schools, As you see, there's a
[1:01:24] lot more trucks uh trucks are on the
[1:01:26] road more, so
[1:01:28] we've made some adjustments to the
[1:01:30] tuition.
[1:01:31] Uh
[1:01:32] and we've also increased the number of
[1:01:34] behind-the-wheel hours.
[1:01:36] That's more competitive than some of the
[1:01:38] other programs.
[1:01:40] Uh that's all I have.
[1:01:44] >> Thank you.
[1:01:45] Anything more on the Burks County Tax
[1:01:47] Collection Committee?
[1:01:48] >> Yeah. I just have one thing. I checked
[1:01:51] on one of the questions David asked me,
[1:01:53] and um
[1:01:54] everyone is in compliance in our
[1:01:56] district right now, so there's no one in
[1:01:59] arrears as far as the uh
[1:02:02] payments being made.
[1:02:06] >> Okay, thank you. Pennsylvania School
[1:02:08] Boards Association, Linda.
[1:02:13] Um there'll be a PSBA Policy Portal and
[1:02:16] Keystone Agenda Training
[1:02:18] for administrative assistant school
[1:02:20] administrative policy committee.
[1:02:24] There are people
[1:02:25] um
[1:02:27] it will
[1:02:28] there will be a site at Burks IU from
[1:02:30] 9:00 to 12:30 on Friday, June 26th.
[1:02:34] If anybody wants to do the portal,
[1:02:37] the key features are best practices and
[1:02:39] practical applications to support
[1:02:41] governance and policy management.
[1:02:45] And then the School Leader Conference is
[1:02:47] uh October 18th to the 20th, and it's a
[1:02:50] Monday through Wednesday
[1:02:52] up at the Kalahari in the Poconos.
[1:02:55] And um
[1:02:57] if you would decide you know you need to
[1:02:59] let um Susan know so she can make the
[1:03:02] reservations for the hotel and the
[1:03:04] conference.
[1:03:05] And if you haven't been to one, I
[1:03:09] if you could take those days and do it,
[1:03:11] this year it's all like work days
[1:03:13] instead of a weekend. I'm not sure why
[1:03:15] that is, but
[1:03:17] um
[1:03:18] and that means that
[1:03:20] the uh
[1:03:21] community meetings will be affected
[1:03:25] on the on the 18th, so
[1:03:29] and
[1:03:31] there I have a liaison meeting coming up
[1:03:34] in July.
[1:03:35] And that's all I have.
[1:03:38] >> Thank you. The School of the Valley
[1:03:39] Education Foundation, Linda.
[1:03:50] We're just continuing to plug away.
[1:03:52] We're hoping to be a presence at the
[1:03:54] beginning of school like we were last
[1:03:56] year during in-service days, and we're
[1:03:58] looking to put together a little more on
[1:04:01] the littler side of a fundraiser for the
[1:04:02] fall
[1:04:03] to raise more money, so.
[1:04:10] Does anyone else have anything?
[1:04:12] Then we'll move on to persons who wish
[1:04:14] to address the board. Anyone who
[1:04:16] wishes to address the board this evening
[1:04:17] will have 3 minutes to state their
[1:04:19] questions or concerns. Please state your
[1:04:21] name, the township where you live, and
[1:04:23] indicate if you are representing a
[1:04:24] group. All comments should be directed
[1:04:26] to the board as a whole, and we ask that
[1:04:28] your comments be respectful in nature.
[1:04:31] If you have a written statement, a copy
[1:04:32] of that statement would be appreciated.
[1:04:35] Details of this policy are on our
[1:04:36] website listed under policy 903, public
[1:04:40] comment at board meetings.
[1:04:42] We do have one person signed up to speak
[1:04:44] this evening,
[1:04:45] Naomi
[1:04:46] Woods.
[1:04:56] >> Really quick. They just want to give me
[1:04:58] 3 minutes.
[1:04:59] Good evening. My name is Naomi Woods,
[1:05:01] and I reside in Armory Town ship. I am
[1:05:03] the mother of TJ McDougal. He is a
[1:05:05] student in Sue Rain's classroom in the
[1:05:07] high school. He is 21 years old. He
[1:05:08] graduated in 2024, and he is in the
[1:05:11] secondary transition years of his high
[1:05:13] school education. He has been at
[1:05:14] Valley since kindergarten.
[1:05:16] TJ has autism with a speech and language
[1:05:18] impairment.
[1:05:20] 10 years ago, you may remember me if you
[1:05:22] were on the board 10 years ago, I stood
[1:05:23] before you at that time advocating for
[1:05:26] uh an appropriate autistic support
[1:05:27] classroom to be created for TJ at the
[1:05:29] middle school. Um and I am proud to say
[1:05:31] I was successful in doing that. Shout
[1:05:33] out to Dr. Kimmerer for being so
[1:05:34] supportive in that. Uh tonight I stand
[1:05:36] before you once again advocating for TJ
[1:05:39] to receive the appropriate transition
[1:05:40] services he needs and he is entitled to
[1:05:42] from the school district. The district
[1:05:44] has not provided TJ with an appropriate
[1:05:46] transition program during his 2024 and
[1:05:48] 2025 school year, nor his current 2026
[1:05:52] 20 2025 2026 school year.
[1:05:55] Last May, the previous superintendent
[1:05:57] reached out to meet with me as she knew
[1:05:59] that I was not happy with the services
[1:06:00] that were being provided to TJ,
[1:06:02] and she admitted that they were not
[1:06:03] appropriate, either. Many services were
[1:06:05] promised and documented at those
[1:06:07] meetings. However, they never came to
[1:06:08] fruition, and once again, the
[1:06:10] responsibility of TJ's transition
[1:06:12] program fell on Sue Raines, TJ's
[1:06:14] teacher. I'm very thankful for Sue
[1:06:16] Raines.
[1:06:17] She has worn many hats for TJ. She's a
[1:06:19] special education teacher teacher, his
[1:06:21] case manager, and now his transition
[1:06:23] coordinator for the past 2 years.
[1:06:25] Sue has gone above and beyond her duties
[1:06:27] and done an amazing job at trying to
[1:06:28] create the transition program to meet TJ
[1:06:30] TJ's needs.
[1:06:31] But unfortunately, she and her classroom
[1:06:33] receive the limited supports and
[1:06:34] resources from the district. If not for
[1:06:37] her, TJ would not have any type of
[1:06:38] transition program the past 2 years.
[1:06:40] Sue and I met with Matt Emmons a few
[1:06:41] months ago. Things were finally looking
[1:06:44] up. It looked like we were going to get
[1:06:45] the support needed for TJ to have an
[1:06:47] appropriate program. But unfortunately,
[1:06:49] Matt will no longer be with the district
[1:06:50] as of June 1st,
[1:06:52] which means leads me to the main reason
[1:06:54] I stand before you tonight.
[1:06:55] TJ is very smart. He has a lot of great
[1:06:57] skills and strengths, and he can be a
[1:06:59] great contributing member of society.
[1:07:01] However, due to TJ's autism, he will
[1:07:03] need support to do a lot of things that
[1:07:05] his more typical peers can do
[1:07:06] independently. TJ will need supported
[1:07:09] employment and support in any type of
[1:07:10] day program or volunteer program he
[1:07:12] attends after high school.
[1:07:14] TJ will need to try these programs and
[1:07:15] places of supported employment before he
[1:07:17] leaves Schuylkill Valley
[1:07:19] to see that they are an appropriate fit.
[1:07:21] This will require Schuylkill Valley to
[1:07:22] provide the necessary staff, para
[1:07:24] professionals, job coaches, etc. to
[1:07:26] attend these programs and go into the
[1:07:28] community with TJ. As well as for
[1:07:30] Schuylkill Valley to funds whatever
[1:07:32] expenses are needed in order for TJ to
[1:07:34] try these programs.
[1:07:35] I would hope that when this request is
[1:07:37] brought
[1:07:38] upon the
[1:07:39] the appropriate administrators to
[1:07:41] approve these funds and services,
[1:07:44] that you would approve them and I would
[1:07:45] also hope that when it's brought to the
[1:07:47] board for approval that you would
[1:07:48] approve them as well.
[1:07:51] TJ needs these services. They are
[1:07:53] warranted and necessary in order to
[1:07:55] provide TJ with an appropriate
[1:07:56] transition program and to ensure that
[1:07:58] the district is providing him with a
[1:08:00] free appropriate public education.
[1:08:03] Thank you.
[1:08:05] >> I didn't read it.
[1:08:06] >> Thank you. Thank you.
[1:08:07] >> I will follow up with a letter so you
[1:08:09] have it.
[1:08:09] >> Okay. I was going to say could you
[1:08:12] you know give us a copy of that?
[1:08:12] >> know. That's fine. I know you will.
[1:08:15] >> No, that's fine because you have a lot
[1:08:16] of information in there that would
[1:08:18] you know be helpful to uh
[1:08:20] to be able to reference it.
[1:08:22] So thank you for bringing that to our
[1:08:24] attention and again now we're in the
[1:08:26] transition thing. We have Dr. Park
[1:08:28] coming on and hopefully Mr. Amato is
[1:08:30] leaving so now he is also aware of that
[1:08:33] so he can
[1:08:35] give that to us in writing.
[1:08:36] That would be very helpful.
[1:08:39] So thank you for coming this evening and
[1:08:40] bringing it to our attention.
[1:08:44] >> Okay.
[1:08:45] Um we only had one person signed up so
[1:08:47] we'll move on to 4.0.
[1:08:50] The board?
[1:08:51] Do you have a solicitor's report?
[1:08:54] No report? Okay. Any other old or new
[1:08:57] business for the board?
[1:08:59] If not, we'll move on to the
[1:09:02] We have the monthly enrollment report
[1:09:03] and the principal's dashboard report in
[1:09:06] our packet.
[1:09:07] And now we'll move on to the
[1:09:09] superintendent's report.
[1:09:12] >> Thank you, Mrs. Bryant. Before we get
[1:09:14] into the slides, I just wanted to
[1:09:16] um give some other updates um specific
[1:09:19] to BCTC as well some upcoming events. Um
[1:09:22] I mentioned this at a previous board
[1:09:24] meeting, but I just wanted to highlight
[1:09:26] it again. To build off of what Mr. Moll
[1:09:28] said, we did have
[1:09:30] one student, Aaron Martinez, who got
[1:09:32] first place in cabinet making at the
[1:09:33] BCTC SkillsUSA PA Leadership and Skills
[1:09:36] Conference. So, just want to give a
[1:09:38] shoutout to him again and congratulate
[1:09:39] him for that accomplishment. Um also
[1:09:42] just want to share that our students
[1:09:44] that are in the residential painting and
[1:09:45] interior design programs, they had the
[1:09:48] opportunity to develop concepts for a
[1:09:50] modern coffee shop. They had that
[1:09:51] experience. And our students that are in
[1:09:53] the heavy equipment operations program
[1:09:56] had the opportunity to earn their
[1:09:57] PennDOT flagger certification, which is
[1:09:59] another certification that that they'll
[1:10:01] have um upon finishing up. Um I also um
[1:10:05] got to read a little a brief article
[1:10:07] about one of our 11th graders that's
[1:10:08] there, Kaylin Smith. She's in the
[1:10:10] welding program, but what's cool is the
[1:10:12] internship that the co-op she's doing
[1:10:14] right now with Board Safe Docks in
[1:10:16] Fleetwood. And so, she's co-opping with
[1:10:18] the with that company, and they design,
[1:10:21] engineer, and manufacture commercial and
[1:10:23] municipal waterfront products like
[1:10:26] aluminum welded floating docks and
[1:10:27] adaptive kayak launches.
[1:10:29] I got conscious parts.
[1:10:31] So, um great great opportunity for
[1:10:34] Kaylin um
[1:10:35] as she continues to you know, grow in
[1:10:37] her programming at at the BCTC, and we
[1:10:40] know welding is a high need
[1:10:42] field.
[1:10:42] Um
[1:10:44] May has been a busy month um at the
[1:10:46] BCTC. They had their decision day on May
[1:10:48] 1st. They had new student orientation on
[1:10:50] the 13th and 14th. Tonight is their
[1:10:53] senior recognition ceremony. Um Mrs.
[1:10:55] Rexler and Mrs. Crater are at that event
[1:10:58] this evening Um
[1:11:00] to watch our students that are being
[1:11:01] recognized and and they have the last
[1:11:03] day of school the same as we do. June
[1:11:05] 4th is last day for BC to BC.
[1:11:08] And just for the benefit of folks here
[1:11:10] and and folks listening,
[1:11:12] these final two weeks of the school year
[1:11:14] are probably some of the busiest of the
[1:11:15] year with everything we have going on.
[1:11:19] On Thursday, we have kindergarten field
[1:11:21] day. We have grades 4 through 7 rise up
[1:11:23] day. We have the high school battle of
[1:11:25] the classes. We have the campus track
[1:11:26] camp and we have the retirement and
[1:11:28] service awards dinner
[1:11:30] all on Thursday of this week. Friday, we
[1:11:33] have grade 3 and 4 field day and we have
[1:11:36] the grade 8 awards assembly during the
[1:11:38] day.
[1:11:39] Monday, we have field day for first and
[1:11:42] second grade as well as the first day of
[1:11:44] middle school field day. We also have
[1:11:46] our elementary and middle school grad
[1:11:47] walk and we have the senior
[1:11:49] extracurricular awards ceremony that
[1:11:51] evening. We have second day of middle
[1:11:54] school field day on the 2nd, 3rd day of
[1:11:56] middle school field day on June 3rd.
[1:11:58] That's also an early dismissal day with
[1:12:00] in-service for staff and baccalaureate.
[1:12:03] And then June 4th is our last day of
[1:12:06] school as I said. We have early
[1:12:07] dismissal and in-service and
[1:12:09] commencement that evening and our last
[1:12:12] teacher day is on Friday, June 5th.
[1:12:15] So, it is a busy couple of weeks.
[1:12:17] Now, to get into some of the slides and
[1:12:21] I will say I'm going to skip over some
[1:12:23] of these because it's information that
[1:12:26] our senior student council reps already
[1:12:29] reviewed
[1:12:30] and they did a fantastic job of doing
[1:12:33] so.
[1:12:34] Can I have the clicker, please?
[1:12:44] Thank you, Brett.
[1:12:48] Just to see some pictures from Hawk
[1:12:49] Olympics. Mr. Ammons and we recognized
[1:12:52] the the students earlier this evening,
[1:12:54] but it was a great day and it was
[1:12:55] wonderful for our students to, you know,
[1:12:58] have this experience once again, and I
[1:12:59] know we look forward to bringing it back
[1:13:03] to Schuylkill Valley next year and, you
[1:13:05] know, resuming once again, um, what
[1:13:07] we've been doing here for several years.
[1:13:11] I just wanted to note the YMCA of
[1:13:14] Reading and Berks County's 2026
[1:13:16] Breakfast of Champions for Youth.
[1:13:18] Um, and you know, that event it was
[1:13:22] accompanied by our elementary school
[1:13:25] music teacher, Mrs. Sarah Heltman, and
[1:13:26] four students from the fourth grade
[1:13:28] chorus were selected to sing the
[1:13:30] national anthem. What a great experience
[1:13:32] for those students, and, you know, at
[1:13:35] when you when you see those kinds of
[1:13:36] things happen, then you're never
[1:13:38] surprised when you watch the musical in
[1:13:40] the middle school and again in the high
[1:13:41] school because there's this pipeline of
[1:13:44] very talented young men and women, and
[1:13:46] it starts early.
[1:13:48] We had our spring art shows and
[1:13:50] concerts,
[1:13:51] um, recently where, um, people got to
[1:13:55] show off their musical talents at all of
[1:13:57] the buildings, put their best artwork on
[1:13:59] display, um, in May. It was in all three
[1:14:01] of the buildings, and, you know, again,
[1:14:03] we've got some very talented student
[1:14:05] artists, um, on our campus, and some of
[1:14:08] the work they do is quite impressive.
[1:14:12] We also had our Oops,
[1:14:13] sorry. Jumped the gun there.
[1:14:16] We had our fourth grade talent show,
[1:14:18] um, recently, um, where we, you know,
[1:14:21] many of our students were able to
[1:14:22] showcase some of their talents.
[1:14:26] We also, uh, Girls on the Run,
[1:14:29] um, our elementary school made posters
[1:14:32] for the grade level hallway to lift up
[1:14:34] the elementary school community during
[1:14:36] Community Impact Week. There was a
[1:14:38] practice 5K at the elementary school,
[1:14:41] and there was a spring celebration 5K at
[1:14:43] Penn State Berks.
[1:14:44] Um, and this has just been a program at
[1:14:46] both elementary and middle school that
[1:14:48] has really taken off and and hats off to
[1:14:51] the teachers that have stepped up to
[1:14:52] volunteer and to serve as coaches for
[1:14:55] our students that want to participate.
[1:15:00] Reading Olympics, uh we had a ton of
[1:15:02] success with our Reading Olympics team
[1:15:04] here recently um at the middle school,
[1:15:07] the Wicked Readers placed second place
[1:15:10] here and fifth overall and the Reading
[1:15:13] Rockstars and Dumbledore's Magical
[1:15:15] Readers third place here and at the
[1:15:17] elementary level fifth Chocolate and
[1:15:20] Chapters were first place overall and
[1:15:21] the Dictionary Dinosaurs second place
[1:15:24] here. You guys love dinosaurs at the
[1:15:25] elementary building. This is really
[1:15:27] something.
[1:15:27] Um so
[1:15:32] Philadelphia Zoo's on last contest Um
[1:15:36] this was um our sixth grade gifted team
[1:15:39] um placed in the top tier uh bracket at
[1:15:42] this event. Um students you know,
[1:15:45] conducted a lot of research on
[1:15:46] endangered species, you know, etc. and
[1:15:49] they also demonstrated advocacy,
[1:15:51] environmental awareness, creativity. You
[1:15:54] know, I will say our our gifted students
[1:15:57] never cease to amaze me. It seems like
[1:15:58] every month when I share these slides,
[1:16:00] I'm talking about something that either
[1:16:02] elementary, middle school, or both, you
[1:16:04] know, gifted students are getting
[1:16:05] opportunities to do which is just
[1:16:07] fantastic.
[1:16:11] This next slide, I just want to
[1:16:12] highlight Youth Advisory Board
[1:16:14] initiative um where students
[1:16:17] participated in this collaborative
[1:16:18] initiative to bring awareness to human
[1:16:21] trafficking.
[1:16:22] Um we have happened to have on this
[1:16:23] slide um this is Matthew's daughter
[1:16:25] Adeline who was involved in this
[1:16:27] experience. Um and um it's you know, a
[1:16:30] very, very important area that actually
[1:16:33] impacts this community a ton. And um the
[1:16:37] Safe Schools um symposium at the IU does
[1:16:40] every year. Um I believe it was 2 years
[1:16:43] ago now the focus area was on human
[1:16:45] trafficking and they brought in some,
[1:16:48] you know, different groups and
[1:16:49] organizations to learn about it, but um,
[1:16:51] it it it really has become problematic
[1:16:54] in this area and an area that it's an
[1:16:55] area that we need to bring more light
[1:16:57] to. So, it's great that students are
[1:16:59] involved and are motivated to want to be
[1:17:01] involved with that.
[1:17:05] The 78th Berks County Armed Forces Day
[1:17:07] Parade, our high school band volunteered
[1:17:10] marched in what is recognized as the
[1:17:12] country's oldest Armed Forces Day
[1:17:13] Parade. So, it was great that our
[1:17:16] students got that opportunity.
[1:17:21] Talked about PYEA already.
[1:17:24] Just to say a little bit um, about um,
[1:17:27] this FFA slide.
[1:17:29] Um, in addition to Tractor Day which the
[1:17:31] student council talked about, they also
[1:17:34] hosted the elementary school gardening
[1:17:35] club at the high school greenhouse and
[1:17:38] they were introduced to mixed plantings
[1:17:41] and students have the opportunity to
[1:17:42] design and plant two of their own mixed
[1:17:44] containers and they took home a dogwood
[1:17:46] tree as well. So, great opportunity um,
[1:17:50] for ag education for our youngest
[1:17:52] learners.
[1:17:53] Um, and then um, we had the FFA banquet
[1:17:57] um,
[1:17:57] not that long ago. Um, I know Mrs.
[1:17:59] Lawson and Mrs. Weant had the
[1:18:01] opportunity to be there that evening and
[1:18:02] Mrs. Rexroad was there as well as was
[1:18:04] Dr. Quirk and we had a number of FFA
[1:18:09] members receive their degrees that
[1:18:11] evening. Um, Genevieve Fitzgerald,
[1:18:13] Lillian Kraft and Scott Swendiman the
[1:18:15] chapter degree, Giselle Beringer,
[1:18:18] Marlene Caciola,
[1:18:21] Harlow Cooker, Riley Martin, Jacob
[1:18:24] Miller,
[1:18:25] um,
[1:18:28] I'm forgetting names the older I get.
[1:18:30] Trinity Reese and Henry Swendiman
[1:18:33] um, and then we have our officers for
[1:18:35] next year.
[1:18:36] Um, our president Genevieve Fitzgerald,
[1:18:39] vice president, Lily Craft, secretary,
[1:18:40] Todd Slenderman, treasurer, Riley
[1:18:42] Martin, reporter, Harlow Tucker, and
[1:18:45] sentinel, Giselle Bearing. So,
[1:18:48] great banquet
[1:18:49] that highlighted all of those students.
[1:18:52] Had some pretty exciting things going on
[1:18:54] in sports this spring. Our track and
[1:18:56] field competed at states. Our girls
[1:18:59] team, District 3 2A champions. Seems to
[1:19:02] be an every year occurrence. And boys
[1:19:04] volleyball competed in district
[1:19:06] quarterfinals. Girls softball competed
[1:19:08] in district.
[1:19:10] Our
[1:19:11] PSCA small school East-West game for
[1:19:15] football, Logan Kemmerer was only one of
[1:19:17] three Burke's County players selected to
[1:19:20] play and was also chosen for Tri-County
[1:19:22] All-Star game. So, congratulations to
[1:19:25] Logan on that accomplishment.
[1:19:28] We also, Mr. Hanson facilitated a great
[1:19:31] athletic signing day on May 11th where
[1:19:34] senior athletes shared it was the 12th
[1:19:36] actually. It was the 11th we had our
[1:19:38] famous water main break. So, it was the
[1:19:40] next day. It was the 12th.
[1:19:42] But, they were able to
[1:19:44] share their college plans, celebrate the
[1:19:46] future,
[1:19:47] and also at the bottom,
[1:19:50] we had several seniors that were awarded
[1:19:51] scholarships to the Burke's County
[1:19:53] Community Foundation luncheon. I was
[1:19:55] able to attend that
[1:19:57] as well as our two high school
[1:19:58] counselors,
[1:19:59] Mrs. Musket and Mrs. Hines. I think we
[1:20:01] had about I want to say eight or nine
[1:20:03] Tulpehocken High School students that
[1:20:05] got
[1:20:05] the scholarship that day which was
[1:20:07] fantastic.
[1:20:08] Some of whom are pictured up here that
[1:20:10] you'll recognize because they've also
[1:20:12] been to board meetings and have
[1:20:13] presented as members of student council.
[1:20:21] Speaking of it. Wanted to just share
[1:20:23] that the Dane Miller Legacy Award for
[1:20:26] girls wrestling, Laney Cresto, was
[1:20:28] awarded that this year. It recognizes
[1:20:30] her position as senior captain of the
[1:20:32] girls wrestling team and the impact her
[1:20:34] experience has had, you know, on her.
[1:20:36] And the gold level US figure skating
[1:20:39] graduating seniors award went to
[1:20:41] Corinthia Siros.
[1:20:43] Um, and it recognized the hard work of
[1:20:44] student athletes who participated in
[1:20:46] figure skating throughout high school
[1:20:48] and it's based on level of competitive
[1:20:50] achievement during high school. And that
[1:20:53] speaks to a skater's continued
[1:20:54] commitment, um, athletic and academic
[1:20:57] endeavors. And um, that's that's one of
[1:20:59] the sports that when I watch the
[1:21:01] Olympics when it's on and I see the
[1:21:02] skater skating, I'm like, that takes a
[1:21:04] whole separate kind of special skill
[1:21:07] that I do not have nor do I think I ever
[1:21:09] will.
[1:21:10] Um.
[1:21:17] We had our decision day 2026,
[1:21:20] um, where our seniors were able to share
[1:21:22] what their post-secondary plans were and
[1:21:24] you can see, you know, some of those,
[1:21:26] um,
[1:21:27] specifics that are up on the wall there,
[1:21:29] um, which was a pretty good day.
[1:21:31] Um, we talked about Early College
[1:21:32] Academy earlier this evening.
[1:21:36] Our Penn State Health Care Internship
[1:21:38] graduations, that was recently. Um, this
[1:21:41] is a great opportunity that helped our
[1:21:42] high school student interns prepare for
[1:21:45] careers in health care. In particular,
[1:21:47] Brady Ruth, um, critical care unit,
[1:21:49] non-invasive cardio department. And
[1:21:52] Terra Horstmann for radiation oncology.
[1:21:54] So,
[1:21:55] it's great that both of them got that
[1:21:56] opportunity with Penn State Health Care.
[1:22:00] In addition, um, the OPIC Institute for
[1:22:03] Economic Development and
[1:22:04] Entrepreneurship. These are some special
[1:22:06] internship recognitions that we had.
[1:22:08] Carson Reali for his outstanding
[1:22:10] achievement in advancing professional
[1:22:12] development as a finance intern. And
[1:22:14] then, um, Riley Johnson for Tower Health
[1:22:17] at Reading Hospital,
[1:22:19] um, as a health care intern, gained a
[1:22:22] lot of real world experience in the
[1:22:24] emergency department where he was
[1:22:25] inspired by the nurses' to handle
[1:22:27] challenging situations with
[1:22:29] professionalism, etc. So, those are two
[1:22:32] wonderful internship recognitions, and
[1:22:34] we continue to hear at these meetings
[1:22:36] some of the great opportunities our kids
[1:22:37] have gotten as far as internships.
[1:22:42] You see a picture of all of our students
[1:22:44] of the month um pictured up here,
[1:22:46] sponsored by the Lions Club and SBHS. Um
[1:22:49] these are our monthly students,
[1:22:51] um and these are kids that have all had
[1:22:53] at least a 3.25 GPA and were also
[1:22:56] involved in activities.
[1:22:57] Um and
[1:22:59] junior Caitlyn Flowers and senior David
[1:23:01] Johnson, who was here this evening, um
[1:23:03] were named students of the year at this
[1:23:05] particular ceremony.
[1:23:14] We had a great employee appreciation
[1:23:15] week um this year. Um
[1:23:18] ice cream truck is always a hit.
[1:23:20] Um and you can see people enjoying that.
[1:23:23] And then, just a reminder for everyone
[1:23:26] that the Pride of Valley Class of
[1:23:28] 2026, if you're going to nominate
[1:23:29] somebody, that closes on Sunday of this
[1:23:33] week.
[1:23:34] And that concludes my report.
[1:23:39] >> Thank you. Do we have any uh questions
[1:23:44] >> Um I just wanted to mention uh my thanks
[1:23:46] to Jason for having a signing night.
[1:23:49] Um I think we had 17 students that are
[1:23:50] going on to play collegiate athletics,
[1:23:53] which is more than 10% of our students
[1:23:56] that were seniors this year. So, that's
[1:23:57] all.
[1:23:57] >> That's That's pretty amazing.
[1:23:59] >> Thanks, Jason.
[1:24:03] >> And then, we'll move on to our policy,
[1:24:05] personnel, and public relations. Um I
[1:24:07] just like to comment that each committee
[1:24:10] holds separate workshop meetings,
[1:24:13] and there's a lot of good discussions
[1:24:15] there, and they're open to the public,
[1:24:17] and those meeting nights are on our
[1:24:19] district website for those who are
[1:24:20] interested. And out of those workshops,
[1:24:23] then resolutions come forward that are
[1:24:26] discussed in the committee of the whole
[1:24:27] meeting, which was last week,
[1:24:30] and then those resolutions come forward
[1:24:32] to a vote tonight, which is why we
[1:24:34] combined some of the resolutions because
[1:24:36] it's already basically been discussed
[1:24:39] twice already before they reach us here.
[1:24:42] So, the policy and public um
[1:24:44] policy, personnel, and public relations
[1:24:46] committee, their work session was on
[1:24:48] Tuesday, May 5th.
[1:24:50] And then the next work session will be
[1:24:53] held on Tuesday, June 2nd.
[1:24:57] So, the first item we have is 6.1,
[1:25:00] Treasurer of the Board of School
[1:25:02] Directors. This is a motion to appoint
[1:25:04] Kristen Wallace as Treasurer to the
[1:25:06] Board of School Directors for the
[1:25:07] 2026-2027
[1:25:10] school year. May I have a motion,
[1:25:11] please?
[1:25:11] >> So moved, Wallace.
[1:25:12] >> Second?
[1:25:14] >> Second, Camera.
[1:25:16] >> Uh questions or comments?
[1:25:18] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[1:25:20] those in favor, say aye.
[1:25:21] >> Aye.
[1:25:22] >> Opposed?
[1:25:23] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:25:26] Um next is the Assistant Director of
[1:25:29] Business Operations, a job description
[1:25:31] revision. So, this is the motion to
[1:25:34] approve the revised job description for
[1:25:36] the Assistant Director of Business
[1:25:38] Operations as presented. May I have a
[1:25:39] motion, please?
[1:25:43] >> So moved, Camera.
[1:25:44] >> Second?
[1:25:49] >> Maybe me.
[1:25:50] >> Who seconded?
[1:25:51] >> I'll second anybody.
[1:25:53] >> Okay. Any questions or comments?
[1:25:55] If not, all those in favor, say aye.
[1:25:58] >> Aye.
[1:25:58] >> Opposed?
[1:25:59] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:26:01] Now, I'd like to um
[1:26:03] combine
[1:26:05] 6.3
[1:26:07] through 6.13,
[1:26:09] which are all kind of employment things.
[1:26:12] So, one is a the resignation, and then
[1:26:16] an employment for a high school
[1:26:17] custodian, Mr.
[1:26:20] Mr. Alanowski.
[1:26:21] Employment of Miss Barbara Castanon,
[1:26:25] food
[1:26:25] service supervisor.
[1:26:27] Employment of Miss Tiffany Wagner,
[1:26:30] elementary teacher.
[1:26:32] Um
[1:26:34] Employment of the community aquatic
[1:26:36] staff. We're adding two new lifeguards
[1:26:37] and added supervisor. Employment of
[1:26:40] substitutes,
[1:26:41] Daniel Mercado.
[1:26:43] Employment of our our elementary school
[1:26:46] summer programming teachers.
[1:26:48] There's a list of that. Uh also, there's
[1:26:51] a final revised for the ESY staff.
[1:26:54] That's revised a little bit from last
[1:26:57] week.
[1:26:57] Um 6.11, employment of the game workers.
[1:27:01] And
[1:27:02] 6.12, employment of the list of
[1:27:04] volunteers.
[1:27:06] 6.13, the part-time temporary IT project
[1:27:10] employees.
[1:27:11] So, I'd like a motion for 6.3
[1:27:15] through 6.13, please.
[1:27:17] >> So moved, Graham.
[1:27:18] >> Second, Ryan.
[1:27:19] Any questions or comments on any of
[1:27:21] those?
[1:27:23] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[1:27:26] >> Aye.
[1:27:26] >> Aye.
[1:27:27] >> Opposed?
[1:27:28] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:27:30] 6.14, family and medical leave. Um
[1:27:35] This would a motion to approve the
[1:27:37] following family medical leave act for
[1:27:39] Nikki Ryder, who's the athletic
[1:27:41] secretary.
[1:27:43] Through April 17th through approximately
[1:27:46] June 30th, 2020. So, do we have a
[1:27:48] motion?
[1:27:48] >> So moved, Maul.
[1:27:50] >> Second.
[1:27:51] >> Second, Rossin.
[1:27:53] >> Questions?
[1:27:54] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[1:27:56] >> Aye.
[1:27:58] >> Opposed?
[1:27:59] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:28:02] We'd like to combine um 6.15, 6.16, and
[1:28:07] 6.17,
[1:28:08] which are all contracts for services.
[1:28:11] One is for United Concordia renewal
[1:28:14] acceptance
[1:28:15] for dental insurance.
[1:28:17] The other is a renewal of the agreement
[1:28:19] with American Health Care Staffing for
[1:28:20] substitute nurses.
[1:28:22] And 6.17
[1:28:24] is
[1:28:25] um
[1:28:26] approves the necessary agreement with
[1:28:28] Cardinal Point Homeland Security Group
[1:28:30] as presented.
[1:28:31] >> So moved, Mall.
[1:28:33] >> Second?
[1:28:35] >> I'll roll.
[1:28:36] >> Questions or comments?
[1:28:39] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[1:28:41] >> Aye.
[1:28:41] >> Opposed?
[1:28:43] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:28:45] So, 6.18
[1:28:48] is a first reading for their
[1:28:51] policy 218.1 weapons. 6.19 is policy 805
[1:28:55] emergency preparedness and response,
[1:28:57] first reading. And 6.20 policy 805.1
[1:29:01] relations with law enforcement agencies.
[1:29:04] So, these all three are first readings.
[1:29:07] May I have a motion, please?
[1:29:10] >> So moved.
[1:29:11] >> Second?
[1:29:12] >> Second.
[1:29:13] >> Questions or comments?
[1:29:17] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[1:29:19] >> Aye.
[1:29:20] >> Opposed?
[1:29:21] >> No.
[1:29:24] >> Motion carries 8-1.
[1:29:27] Policy 620 fund balance
[1:29:30] and policy 10 board hiring, final
[1:29:32] adoption of both of those. May I have a
[1:29:34] motion, please?
[1:29:37] >> So moved, Mr. Mall.
[1:29:38] >> Second, Watson.
[1:29:40] >> Questions or comments?
[1:29:42] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[1:29:45] >> Aye.
[1:29:46] >> Opposed?
[1:29:46] >> No.
[1:29:49] >> Motion carries 8-1.
[1:29:53] We have an addendum, 6.23, employment of
[1:29:58] bus drivers. Motion to approve the
[1:30:00] following additional bus drivers to be
[1:30:01] employed by Excellence Transportation
[1:30:04] for the 2025-2026 school year pending
[1:30:08] the of all required documentation as
[1:30:09] presented.
[1:30:11] May I have a motion, please?
[1:30:13] >> So moved.
[1:30:15] >> Second motion.
[1:30:17] >> I have a question. Um
[1:30:20] Do we need the 2026-2027?
[1:30:24] >> No, this is just two drivers that just
[1:30:27] came on here at the end of the year.
[1:30:29] There will be a a new batch of drivers
[1:30:31] for the 2026-2027 school year.
[1:30:34] Probably either in July or August, one
[1:30:36] of those
[1:30:37] towards the
[1:30:38] >> Okay.
[1:30:41] Any other questions?
[1:30:43] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[1:30:45] >> Aye.
[1:30:46] >> Opposed?
[1:30:47] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:30:49] Is there any other old or new business
[1:30:52] for our policy, personnel, and public
[1:30:53] relations?
[1:30:57] If not, we'll move on to curriculum and
[1:30:59] technology. Curriculum and technology
[1:31:02] has a work session on Thursday, May 7th.
[1:31:05] And the next work session will be held
[1:31:07] on Tuesday, June 2nd.
[1:31:10] Um
[1:31:13] And then we got to go.
[1:31:16] Um moving to 7.1,
[1:31:19] the K-12 social studies curriculum. May
[1:31:22] I have a motion, please?
[1:31:25] >> So moved.
[1:31:27] >> Second?
[1:31:28] All right.
[1:31:29] Any questions or comments?
[1:31:33] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[1:31:36] >> Aye.
[1:31:37] >> Opposed?
[1:31:38] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:31:40] We have an addendum of the
[1:31:43] motion to
[1:31:44] approve the quote from Class Creator LLC
[1:31:47] for an annual subscription in the amount
[1:31:48] of $1,190
[1:31:50] as presented. May I have a motion,
[1:31:52] please?
[1:31:55] >> So moved.
[1:31:57] >> Second?
[1:32:00] >> I'll roll.
[1:32:02] >> Motion and a second. Any questions or
[1:32:04] comments?
[1:32:06] >> I have one.
[1:32:08] Will
[1:32:10] the building principal still have the
[1:32:11] opportunity if there are students that
[1:32:14] have been together
[1:32:15] for so many so many years that they
[1:32:17] can't be separated? So, this wouldn't be
[1:32:19] just a random thing.
[1:32:26] It's the first time we're using a
[1:32:27] development just tool, but
[1:32:29] we There are like filters, if you will,
[1:32:32] that
[1:32:35] survey to the home teachers if they're
[1:32:36] complaining now
[1:32:38] to identify students with certain
[1:32:40] difficult separation between student A
[1:32:41] and student B. If there are
[1:32:45] various tags, if you will, that
[1:32:48] for our lot of first draft of what a
[1:32:50] class could look like, and then there's
[1:32:51] still opportunity for us to
[1:32:54] independently of those criteria that we
[1:32:56] already set up. It's not the end all be
[1:32:58] all, but it is
[1:32:59] a major first step in the process.
[1:33:03] Thank you.
[1:33:05] Any other questions?
[1:33:07] If not, I'll entertain a vote. All those
[1:33:09] in favor, say aye.
[1:33:10] >> Aye.
[1:33:12] >> Motion carried, 9-0.
[1:33:14] Is there any other old or new business
[1:33:17] or corrections?
[1:33:20] If not, we'll move on to budget and
[1:33:22] finance. The budget and finance
[1:33:24] committee held a work session on
[1:33:26] Tuesday, May 12th.
[1:33:28] And the next work session will be
[1:33:30] on Tuesday, June 9th.
[1:33:33] We have 8.1, bill ratification of the
[1:33:36] bills in the following amounts from
[1:33:39] April 13th to May 27th, as presented.
[1:33:43] May I have a motion, please?
[1:33:44] >> So moved, Brown.
[1:33:46] >> Second? Thank you.
[1:33:47] Questions or comments?
[1:33:50] All those in favor, say aye.
[1:33:51] >> Aye.
[1:33:52] >> Close?
[1:33:53] Motion carried, 9-0.
[1:33:56] 8.2, Central Susquehanna Intermediate
[1:33:59] Unit service
[1:34:00] >> agreement
[1:34:02] for the district fund accounting,
[1:34:04] payroll, and personnel software.
[1:34:07] The estimated cost is $27,138
[1:34:10] based on the estimated student
[1:34:12] enrollment at the year end.
[1:34:14] And
[1:34:15] this compares to the actual cost
[1:34:18] which is a
[1:34:19] 2.5% increase due to the
[1:34:22] annual rate increase. Do you have a
[1:34:23] motion?
[1:34:28] >> I move.
[1:34:29] >> Second.
[1:34:30] >> And we're off.
[1:34:31] >> Any questions?
[1:34:33] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[1:34:35] >> Aye.
[1:34:35] >> Aye.
[1:34:36] >> Aye.
[1:34:37] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:34:40] 8.3 motion to approve the sport
[1:34:42] insurance proposal from Axis Insurance
[1:34:44] for the 2016-2017 school year in the
[1:34:47] amount of $8,891 with no increase from
[1:34:49] the prior year. Do you have a motion?
[1:34:53] >> So moved, Mo.
[1:34:55] >> Second.
[1:34:57] >> Second win.
[1:34:59] >> Questions, comments?
[1:35:02] All those in favor say aye.
[1:35:04] >> Aye.
[1:35:04] >> Aye.
[1:35:05] >> Motion carries 9-0.
[1:35:07] The cafeteria meal prices, um,
[1:35:10] the lunch prices are not being
[1:35:12] increased.
[1:35:14] So it will be $3 elementary, $3 for
[1:35:17] for $0.50 middle school, and $0.50 for
[1:35:19] the high school.
[1:35:20] The um
[1:35:22] free breakfast will still be in place
[1:35:23] for all students, and
[1:35:25] free lunch will remain available for
[1:35:27] families who qualify. Do you have a
[1:35:28] motion?
[1:35:29] >> So moved, Brown.
[1:35:31] >> Second.
[1:35:32] >> Thank you.
[1:35:33] >> Any additional questions, comments?
[1:35:36] All those in favor say aye.
[1:35:37] >> Aye.
[1:35:38] >> Aye.
[1:35:39] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:35:41] The um motion
[1:35:44] to approve the school nutrition program
[1:35:46] agreement between the Berks Career and
[1:35:48] Technology Center and the Schuylkill
[1:35:49] Valley School District effective for the
[1:35:51] fiscal years 2016-2017.
[1:35:53] Do you have
[1:35:54] >> So moved, Brown.
[1:35:55] >> Second.
[1:35:58] Thank you.
[1:36:02] Thank you.
[1:36:04] Sorry, didn't hear it.
[1:36:06] The ladies.
[1:36:07] Um questions or comments?
[1:36:09] All those in favor say aye.
[1:36:10] >> Aye.
[1:36:11] >> No. Motion carries 9-0.
[1:36:14] 8.6
[1:36:16] the
[1:36:17] food service department equipment
[1:36:19] purchase.
[1:36:20] I have a new convection steamer from
[1:36:22] Senior Equipment in the amount of
[1:36:24] $21,454.47,
[1:36:27] and it will replace an existing steamer
[1:36:29] that is not operational.
[1:36:32] >> So moved, Brown.
[1:36:33] >> Second.
[1:36:36] Thank you.
[1:36:40] Uh any additional questions?
[1:36:41] >> If
[1:36:42] What building's that for?
[1:36:45] Okay, thank you. Thank you.
[1:36:49] >> Okay, all those in favor say aye.
[1:36:51] >> Aye.
[1:36:51] >> No.
[1:36:52] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:36:54] And we have one addendum, Fraser Lease
[1:36:56] and Service Agreement.
[1:36:58] Um
[1:36:59] there's a motion to approve the Fraser
[1:37:00] Lease and Service Agreement for the
[1:37:01] district photocopiers for 60-month term
[1:37:04] effective July 1st, 2026 to June 30th,
[1:37:08] 2031 is presented. May I have a motion,
[1:37:10] please?
[1:37:14] >> So moved, ma'am.
[1:37:15] >> Second. Matthews.
[1:37:18] Any questions or comments?
[1:37:20] Now, all those in favor say aye.
[1:37:22] >> Aye.
[1:37:23] >> No.
[1:37:24] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:37:26] Is there any other old business for
[1:37:28] budget and finance?
[1:37:32] If not, we'll move forward to buildings
[1:37:34] and grounds. The buildings and grounds
[1:37:36] had their work session on Tuesday, May
[1:37:38] 12th.
[1:37:39] And the next work session will be held
[1:37:42] hopefully on
[1:37:43] Tuesday, June 9th.
[1:37:47] So I'm going to combine 9.1 and and 9.2.
[1:37:51] Both are Reading Elevator Service
[1:37:53] Incorporated proposals.
[1:37:55] One is for the elevator and grease
[1:37:57] examination of the elementary, middle,
[1:38:00] and high school passenger elevators
[1:38:02] each quarter beginning July 1st through
[1:38:05] June 30th
[1:38:07] 2027 in the amount of $2,352.
[1:38:09] And the second is
[1:38:12] a proposal for Reading Elevator for the
[1:38:14] elevator and grease examination of the
[1:38:15] middle school elevator and it would
[1:38:18] begin July 1st, 2026 through June 30th,
[1:38:21] 2027 in the amount of $156. May I have a
[1:38:24] motion, please?
[1:38:25] >> So moved, Frost.
[1:38:26] >> Second.
[1:38:28] Questions? Comments?
[1:38:30] All those in favor, say "Aye."
[1:38:32] >> Aye.
[1:38:33] >> Opposed? Motion carries 9-0.
[1:38:36] We have 9.3, Republic Services
[1:38:39] agreement. Approve the agreement from
[1:38:41] Republic Services for solid waste
[1:38:43] disposal and recycling services during
[1:38:45] July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027.
[1:38:49] May I have a motion, please?
[1:38:51] >> So moved, Frost.
[1:38:53] >> Second.
[1:38:54] >> I think we're good.
[1:38:56] >> Questions? Comments?
[1:38:58] All those in favor, say "Aye."
[1:38:59] >> Aye.
[1:39:00] >> Opposed?
[1:39:01] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:39:03] We have a um disposal
[1:39:06] of the
[1:39:08] fifth pool aquatic lift
[1:39:11] via municipal.
[1:39:13] May I have a motion, please?
[1:39:14] >> So moved, Frost.
[1:39:15] >> Second, Ross.
[1:39:17] >> Questions? Comments?
[1:39:19] All those in favor, say "Aye."
[1:39:20] >> Aye.
[1:39:21] >> Opposed?
[1:39:22] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:39:24] We have 9.5
[1:39:27] is the Ehrlich Commercial Pest
[1:39:29] agreement.
[1:39:31] Um
[1:39:32] this would be for the high school,
[1:39:33] middle school, elementary school, and
[1:39:35] the maintenance garage.
[1:39:36] July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027
[1:39:40] for a total amount of $5,330.96.
[1:39:43] May I have a motion, please?
[1:39:44] >> So moved for approval.
[1:39:46] >> Second.
[1:39:51] >> I.
[1:40:09] >> So moved for approval.
[1:40:10] >> Second.
[1:40:16] >> I.
[1:40:16] >> I.
[1:41:09] >> So moved for approval.
[1:41:11] >> Second.
[1:41:21] >> I.
[1:41:22] >> I.
[1:41:38] is the homeward
[1:41:40] contract
[1:41:46] 10.6
[1:41:47] 2026-2027
[1:41:51] 10.7
[1:41:53] contract
[1:41:56] 10.8 Devereux contract
[1:42:01] 10.9 Hogan Learning Academy tuition
[1:42:04] agreement
[1:42:05] next year 2026-2027
[1:42:08] 10.10 Austill's Educational Therapy
[1:42:11] 3-year agreement
[1:42:13] 10.11 Trans Ed Services contract for
[1:42:16] next year
[1:42:17] 10.12 concerns 2-year agreement
[1:42:21] and
[1:42:22] 10.13 Vanguard School agreement and ESY
[1:42:26] addendum for two students
[1:42:28] 10.14 Timothy School ESY addendum for
[1:42:32] 2026
[1:42:34] May I have a motion for 10.4 through
[1:42:37] 10.14?
[1:42:40] >> So moved. Thank you.
[1:42:42] >> Second?
[1:42:42] >> Second.
[1:42:43] >> Questions or comments?
[1:42:45] >> I see
[1:42:47] cost for these contracts, is that on the
[1:42:50] an indicative contract somewhere that I
[1:42:52] missed?
[1:42:53] You just don't have any values.
[1:42:58] >> It was on the committee agenda last
[1:43:00] week, but you see they're all moved
[1:43:02] forward. Um, we we didn't keep that
[1:43:05] information on
[1:43:07] this agenda.
[1:43:09] >> Okay, because
[1:43:11] when you have those workshops where
[1:43:14] it's really just that committee is
[1:43:15] there.
[1:43:17] >> No, no, I'm talking about the the board
[1:43:18] meeting.
[1:43:18] >> The board meeting, okay, then I missed
[1:43:20] it. Okay, thank you.
[1:43:27] >> Any other questions?
[1:43:29] If not, all those in favor say aye.
[1:43:31] >> Aye.
[1:43:32] >> Opposed?
[1:43:33] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:43:35] >> It's 10.16.
[1:43:37] Addendum, John Paul's
[1:43:40] second SY agreement for student number
[1:43:43] 6489. May I have a motion, please?
[1:43:48] >> So moved, Deborah.
[1:43:49] >> Second.
[1:43:51] >> Second, Liam.
[1:43:53] >> Any questions or comments?
[1:43:55] If none, all those in favor say I.
[1:43:57] >> I.
[1:43:58] >> I.
[1:43:58] >> Opposed.
[1:43:59] Motion carries 9-0.
[1:44:01] 10.16, addendum, the musical
[1:44:03] musical performance contract. May I have
[1:44:05] a motion, please?
[1:44:08] >> So moved, Liam.
[1:44:09] >> Second.
[1:44:10] >> Ambro.
[1:44:12] >> Questions, comments?
[1:44:14] >> I just want to say that that's in
[1:44:16] executive content because the name of
[1:44:18] the musical is a secret, so I'm just
[1:44:20] going to remind everybody
[1:44:21] >> Don't give it out. Don't give it out.
[1:44:22] >> Don't give it out.
[1:44:23] I was so excited to hear that we were
[1:44:25] going to do
[1:44:27] So, I just wanted to make sure to put
[1:44:29] that reminder
[1:44:30] >> out there.
[1:44:31] >> What is my favorite musical ever?
[1:44:36] >> Any other questions or comments?
[1:44:38] If not, all those in favor say I.
[1:44:40] >> I.
[1:44:40] >> I.
[1:44:40] >> Opposed. Motion carries 9-0.
[1:44:43] 10.17, we have
[1:44:45] an
[1:44:45] Acorns to
[1:44:47] Oaks contract. Motion to approve the
[1:44:49] Acorns to Oaks contract for psychologist
[1:44:51] professional services
[1:44:53] 2016-2017.
[1:44:55] Ask for Jenny. May I have a motion?
[1:44:59] Second.
[1:45:01] >> Second, Liam.
[1:45:03] I just want to share one piece of
[1:45:05] information with us. So, by approving
[1:45:07] this contract between
[1:45:10] Acorns to Oaks, our one district
[1:45:12] employee, Mr. Hart, and then Mr. Ramsey,
[1:45:16] who's at the middle school, that's the
[1:45:18] equivalent of
[1:45:20] having three school psychs. We continue
[1:45:23] to have the school psych positions
[1:45:25] posted. We thought we had somebody that
[1:45:27] was interested in taking the position
[1:45:29] and they took a position someplace else.
[1:45:32] Um but we'll continue to use the
[1:45:34] contracted pieces, you know, to
[1:45:37] supplement until we're able to fill this
[1:45:38] position.
[1:45:40] >> Did we get any feedback on why they took
[1:45:42] the position somewhere else?
[1:45:46] Was it proximity to them or
[1:45:49] >> I don't know specifically. Typically
[1:45:51] it's either proximity or
[1:45:53] maybe pay if there's another accounting
[1:45:55] firm that pays a little bit more, but we
[1:45:56] have to ask
[1:45:57] I don't know specifically.
[1:46:01] >> I just wondered cuz we've had trouble
[1:46:02] filling the position.
[1:46:07] >> Any other questions?
[1:46:08] If not, all those in favor say
[1:46:10] aye.
[1:46:10] >> Aye.
[1:46:12] >> Opposed? Motion carried 9-0.
[1:46:15] Do we have any other old new business
[1:46:18] for student services or
[1:46:21] any other
[1:46:22] putting more than
[1:46:24] >> I just have a quick quick question. Um
[1:46:26] someone asked me what happens with
[1:46:28] Municibid if the reserve is not met on
[1:46:30] an item? Like what happens to that item
[1:46:33] then?
[1:46:35] >> So the district really has some
[1:46:37] flexibility in that instance. I mean we
[1:46:39] can
[1:46:40] we can repost it again at a lower
[1:46:43] reserve number and see if there's
[1:46:45] interest
[1:46:46] even if the reserve doesn't hit and it's
[1:46:47] something that we want to get sold and
[1:46:52] any amount of money is better than not
[1:46:54] getting anything for it or we can accept
[1:46:56] a low bid even though it's below the
[1:46:57] reserve and go that direction.
[1:46:59] >> Okay. Thank you. All of them have done
[1:47:00] that cuz they were bidding on something
[1:47:02] and you know, they said the reserve had
[1:47:04] not been met so then they just didn't
[1:47:05] know what happened from there.
[1:47:07] >> Okay.
[1:47:08] >> Thank you.
[1:47:09] >> Does anyone have anything else this
[1:47:11] evening?
[1:47:14] If not,
[1:47:16] motion to adjourn.
[1:47:19] Second the motion to adjourn.
[1:47:20] >> Someone have a motion?
[1:47:22] >> I'll second it. I'll I'll be the second.
[1:47:25] All right.
[1:47:27] That would be that would be nine
[1:47:28] motions.
[1:47:30] >> Thank you for attending.
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2026-06-08_nTlaG4ZkycM.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2026-06-08 (special; budget + tax 6-2)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTlaG4ZkycM
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:01:59] Mhm.
[0:03:54] >> Mhm.
[0:05:12] >> I'd like to call to order the School of
[0:05:14] the Valley School Board meeting. Please
[0:05:15] rise for the pledge of the flag.
[0:05:19] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag
[0:05:22] of the United States of America,
[0:05:24] and to the republic for which it stands,
[0:05:26] one nation under God,
[0:05:28] indivisible, with liberty and justice
[0:05:30] for all.
[0:05:36] >> And then we have the roll call, please.
[0:05:47] Mr. Raffety?
[0:05:48] >> Yes.
[0:05:49] >> Mrs. Stanke?
[0:05:51] Mrs. Wienc?
[0:05:52] >> Here.
[0:05:53] >> Mr. Wienc?
[0:05:56] Okay, thank you. Move on to 1.3,
[0:05:58] announcement of executive session. The
[0:06:01] board met in executive session on May
[0:06:03] 26th following the board meeting for
[0:06:05] personnel, legal, student, and safety
[0:06:07] matters.
[0:06:08] And we'll move on to 1.4, superintendent
[0:06:11] remarks. First of all, I I'd like to
[0:06:13] welcome Dr. Clark here this evening.
[0:06:15] It's his first official board meeting
[0:06:17] and I know he has some remarks for us.
[0:06:19] >> Absolutely. Thank you, Mrs. Wienc.
[0:06:21] As I wrap up my first official day, just
[0:06:24] wanted to
[0:06:25] take this opportunity
[0:06:27] just to share a few words and some
[0:06:28] perspective. First, I'd like to
[0:06:31] start by thanking the board for your
[0:06:32] trust and support for this opportunity.
[0:06:35] I also want to take this opportunity to
[0:06:36] recognize Dr. Winters for his leadership
[0:06:38] while serving as interim superintendent
[0:06:40] over the last 7 months. So, his
[0:06:42] commitment does not go unnoticed,
[0:06:45] especially for me.
[0:06:46] And over the last couple weeks and and
[0:06:49] several months, in all honesty, he's
[0:06:50] been a great thought partner as I've
[0:06:52] been preparing to transition to SD. So,
[0:06:54] thank you, Dr. Winters. I truly
[0:06:55] appreciate your time and effort.
[0:06:58] I don't take for granted the awesome
[0:07:00] responsibility that has been placed on
[0:07:02] me. As I mentioned before,
[0:07:05] and one of the the leaders that I like
[0:07:07] to follow, Simon Sinek, says that
[0:07:08] leadership's not about being in charge,
[0:07:10] it's about taking care of those in your
[0:07:12] charge. And I view my role as
[0:07:14] superintendent not simply as leading a
[0:07:16] district. It's it's really about leading
[0:07:18] people. So, it's it's leading our
[0:07:20] community, our parents and families, our
[0:07:22] staff and educators, and most
[0:07:24] importantly, our learners.
[0:07:26] And my goal is I'm going to strive to
[0:07:29] really unite and and bring the community
[0:07:30] together as one and relentlessly pursue
[0:07:33] excellence. That that's the challenge
[0:07:35] that we're going to have. It's together
[0:07:36] we can accomplish so much more, and the
[0:07:38] goal is to constantly elevate
[0:07:41] Panther pride to completely new heights.
[0:07:43] Before the close of the school year, I
[0:07:44] did have an opportunity to engage with
[0:07:46] our teachers to begin to understand
[0:07:48] Schuylkill Valley through their lens.
[0:07:50] At each of your
[0:07:52] name placards, you also got a Panther
[0:07:55] profile card, but I took the opportunity
[0:07:58] to get to know every member of our staff
[0:08:00] personally by having them fill out a
[0:08:01] Panther profile card to start that
[0:08:04] relationship piece because relationships
[0:08:06] are foundational to everything we do in
[0:08:07] education.
[0:08:09] But, in addition to that, I also led the
[0:08:13] staff and and teachers through an
[0:08:15] activity where we identified close and
[0:08:17] grows. What do they see as things that
[0:08:18] we should celebrate as a district and
[0:08:20] where areas where we can lean into to
[0:08:23] really capitalize on. And across all
[0:08:25] buildings, there were two consistent
[0:08:27] strengths that emerged that I want to
[0:08:29] call out. One
[0:08:31] is the phenomenal people that make up
[0:08:32] the Schuylkill Valley School District.
[0:08:34] And two, the incredible amount of pride
[0:08:36] there is in the opportunities we provide
[0:08:38] to our students.
[0:08:40] I want to make it known that these are
[0:08:41] really foundations that we're going to
[0:08:43] continue to build on. We're going to
[0:08:44] leverage our people as we continuously
[0:08:46] look to expand those opportunities.
[0:08:49] But, as we look ahead, there were also
[0:08:51] several common priorities that came up
[0:08:53] in engaging all of our teachers.
[0:08:55] Strengthening our academic programs and
[0:08:57] systems of both on a regular and special
[0:09:00] ed side of things was paramount.
[0:09:02] Addressing staffing vacancies and needs,
[0:09:04] investing in professional learning to
[0:09:06] support continued growth, and focusing
[0:09:09] on school climate and making sure that
[0:09:11] this place is a place where everyone can
[0:09:13] thrive. Those are areas and significant
[0:09:16] priorities that I like to call big rocks
[0:09:18] that we are going to be looking to move
[0:09:21] strategically. Again, the goal in moving
[0:09:24] these big ticket items is to have a
[0:09:26] strategic and intentional thoughtful
[0:09:27] plan with a way of carrying it out and
[0:09:30] then providing feedback along the way.
[0:09:32] But, feedback is the key.
[0:09:34] All of this work has to be grounded in
[0:09:37] feedback. Learning must precede change,
[0:09:40] and the goal of this entire summer is to
[0:09:42] engage with our leadership team, pull
[0:09:44] teachers in as we start some of the
[0:09:46] academic work, and starting to learn
[0:09:47] together so that we can do things more
[0:09:49] progressively and sustainably in the
[0:09:51] future.
[0:09:52] So, our immediate focus right now is
[0:09:55] going to be to fulfill the vacancies, uh
[0:09:57] to complete the team that are currently
[0:09:58] out there, and collaborate to establish
[0:10:00] a unified vision for how we're going to
[0:10:02] operate as an organization and
[0:10:03] leadership team so that we're creating
[0:10:05] meaningful opportunities for
[0:10:07] engagement of parents.
[0:10:09] Another thing that's going to be coming,
[0:10:11] uh we started to lay the groundwork in a
[0:10:14] lot of these areas, um but communication
[0:10:16] regarding community or community
[0:10:18] engagement opportunities will be shared
[0:10:21] later this summer. Ultimately, just as
[0:10:23] I've engaged with the staff and
[0:10:24] teachers, I also want to engage with
[0:10:26] community members and parents, and we're
[0:10:28] working on what that's going to look
[0:10:29] like so that your feedback comes in as
[0:10:32] well cuz that's paramount to us doing
[0:10:33] the work that we do here.
[0:10:35] So, I ultimately I'm grateful for the
[0:10:37] support and uh the overwhelmingly
[0:10:39] positive welcome that I've gotten from
[0:10:41] everybody in this community. I'm excited
[0:10:43] to get to work and committed
[0:10:45] to building a a Schuylkill Valley where
[0:10:47] everyone can take pride in. Um I see
[0:10:49] Panther pride all over the place. My
[0:10:51] goal again is is to turn Panther pride
[0:10:54] into something that we don't just say,
[0:10:55] it's something that we feel, um and it's
[0:10:56] something that we can leverage. So,
[0:10:58] thank you once again for the
[0:10:59] opportunity. Uh I had a great first day,
[0:11:01] and I'm excited to get to work.
[0:11:05] >> Thank you. We're all very happy that
[0:11:06] you're
[0:11:07] starting your
[0:11:09] day here and your week here and your
[0:11:10] career here at Schuylkill Valley as our
[0:11:12] new superintendent.
[0:11:14] Okay, do we uh have anyone who has
[0:11:16] signed up to speak this evening?
[0:11:19] >> No, we do not.
[0:11:20] >> Okay, we'll move on to 4.0, budget and
[0:11:23] finance. We have three resolutions
[0:11:26] tonight, and I just want to uh point out
[0:11:30] that all three of these resolutions will
[0:11:33] reflect a tax increase of 0.85 mills or
[0:11:37] a 3.06%
[0:11:39] increase.
[0:11:40] So, all of these three voting items will
[0:11:43] reflect those numbers in the individual
[0:11:46] resolutions.
[0:11:48] Okay, the first is 4.1, the homestead
[0:11:51] and farmstead exclusion resolution of
[0:11:53] 2026-2027.
[0:11:56] So, the board is requested to consider
[0:11:58] and recommend approval of a resolution
[0:12:00] authorizing the homestead and farmstead
[0:12:02] real estate tax assessment reduction for
[0:12:04] the upcoming 2026-2027
[0:12:07] tax year as presented. May I have a
[0:12:09] motion, please?
[0:12:10] >> So moved, Glass.
[0:12:12] >> A second.
[0:12:16] >> Second, Wean.
[0:12:18] >> Are there any um questions or comments
[0:12:20] regarding 4.1?
[0:12:24] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[0:12:27] those in favor, say aye.
[0:12:28] >> Aye.
[0:12:29] >> Opposed?
[0:12:30] >> None.
[0:12:31] >> Motion carries 8-0.
[0:12:34] 4.2
[0:12:35] >> Does that have to be a roll call or
[0:12:36] unanimous?
[0:12:37] >> Uh the budget would have to be roll
[0:12:39] call.
[0:12:39] >> is roll call.
[0:12:40] >> Yes.
[0:12:43] 4.2, the board is requested to consider
[0:12:46] and recommend approval of the real
[0:12:47] estate tax structure for 2026-2027
[0:12:51] fiscal year as follows: real estate tax
[0:12:54] 28.67 mills, real estate transfer tax 1
[0:12:57] 1/2%, and earned income tax
[0:13:00] 1/2%. Sorry, not 1 1/2%, 1/2%.
[0:13:04] Let me start over. Real estate tax 28.67
[0:13:07] mills, real estate transfer tax 1/2%,
[0:13:11] earned income tax 1/2%. May I have a
[0:13:14] motion, please?
[0:13:17] >> So moved, Diarra.
[0:13:18] >> Second.
[0:13:20] >> Second, Watson.
[0:13:21] >> Any questions or comments?
[0:13:24] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:13:27] >> I.
[0:13:28] >> Opposed?
[0:13:28] >> No.
[0:13:30] >> Okay, motion carries 7-1.
[0:13:38] Two no's. Okay.
[0:13:40] Who Who were the two then?
[0:13:42] >> Two and one more.
[0:13:43] >> Okay.
[0:13:45] Okay, motion carries 6-2.
[0:13:49] Okay, 4.3.
[0:13:51] The board is requested to consider and
[0:13:53] approve adoption of the 2026-2027
[0:13:56] final general fund staff budget in the
[0:13:59] amount of 50 million 735,7
[0:14:04] 50 million 735,730
[0:14:07] that includes a tax increase of 0.85
[0:14:09] mil, which is 3.06%.
[0:14:13] The annual tax impact for households
[0:14:15] based on an average assessed value of
[0:14:17] 150,000
[0:14:18] is a $127.50
[0:14:22] increase. May I have a motion, please?
[0:14:27] >> So moved, William.
[0:14:29] >> Second?
[0:14:32] >> Hammerel.
[0:14:34] >> Are there any questions or comments?
[0:14:37] This is basically what we had discussed
[0:14:39] at our last meeting and that's why we're
[0:14:41] having this special meeting tonight to
[0:14:43] bring this forward for a vote.
[0:14:47] Any other questions, comments?
[0:14:50] If not, all those in Oh, we do roll call
[0:14:52] for votes for this.
[0:14:56] Yes.
[0:14:58] Mrs. Matthews?
[0:14:59] Yes.
[0:15:00] Mr. Moore?
[0:15:01] >> No.
[0:15:03] >> Mr. Rossi?
[0:15:04] >> Yes.
[0:15:05] >> Mrs. Spanky?
[0:15:07] Mrs. Williams?
[0:15:08] >> Yes.
[0:15:09] >> Mr. Williams?
[0:15:10] >> Yes.
[0:15:11] >> Mr. Hammerel?
[0:15:12] >> Yes.
[0:15:13] >> Mr. Brown?
[0:15:14] >> No.
[0:15:18] >> Okay, motion carries 6-2.
[0:15:21] Is there any other business?
[0:15:25] >> Or a good of the order for the season's
[0:15:26] meeting.
[0:15:31] If not, may I have a motion for
[0:15:33] adjournment?
[0:15:34] >> So moved, Ross.
[0:15:35] >> Second.
[0:15:36] >> Amara.
[0:15:37] >> All those in favor say I.
[0:15:39] >> I.
[0:15:40] >> I.
[0:15:40] >> Opposed?
[0:15:41] Motion carries 8-0.
[0:15:44] Thank you for coming to see us today.
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2026-06-22_XP0dr6elt2Y.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2026-06-22 (regular)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP0dr6elt2Y
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:13:30] Let's
[0:13:43] call the order this valley school board
[0:13:45] meeting. Please rise for the pledge to
[0:13:47] the flag.
[0:14:04] Roll call, please.
[0:14:07] >> Mr. Ammer
[0:14:08] >> here.
[0:14:08] >> Mr. Brown
[0:14:09] >> here.
[0:14:10] >> Mrs. L. Mrs. Matthews
[0:14:13] >> here. Mr. M.
[0:14:15] >> Mr.
[0:14:16] >> Here.
[0:14:16] >> Mrs. Here. Mrs.
[0:14:19] >> here.
[0:14:19] >> Mr. W
[0:14:20] >> here.
[0:14:22] >> Okay. Thank you. Moving on to 1.3,
[0:14:24] approval of minutes. I have a motion to
[0:14:27] approve the minutes for the regular
[0:14:28] meeting of May 26, 2026 and the special
[0:14:31] meeting of June 8th, 2026. May I have a
[0:14:33] motion, please?
[0:14:35] >> A second.
[0:14:38] >> Second.
[0:14:39] >> Any questions or comments on the minute?
[0:14:43] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:14:46] >> I oppose. Motion carries. 8 Z.
[0:14:51] uh announcement of executive session.
[0:14:53] The board met in executive session
[0:14:55] following the special meeting on June
[0:14:57] 8th for personnel and legal matters and
[0:15:00] after the committee meeting on June 15th
[0:15:03] for safety and personnel matters.
[0:15:06] Moving on to reports of the officers.
[0:15:09] The only thing I have tonight is just to
[0:15:11] remind everyone that the public is
[0:15:13] invited to our individual committee
[0:15:15] meetings. In fact, the um the district
[0:15:18] website, we might have some coming up
[0:15:21] because I know we have some interviews
[0:15:22] scheduled some of the nights. So, just
[0:15:24] double check. Make sure that meeting is
[0:15:26] still on that night and will not have
[0:15:28] been moved. Um, also I want to point out
[0:15:31] that the items that we're voting on at
[0:15:33] tonight's meeting, they were ones that
[0:15:35] were brought forward at last week's
[0:15:37] meeting under the committee of the
[0:15:39] whole. So, again, I like to reiterate
[0:15:42] that that's why some of the um
[0:15:44] resolutions tonight we're combining
[0:15:46] because tonight is the actual vote. Last
[0:15:49] night was the discussion and tonight is
[0:15:50] the actual vote. Move on to 2.2.
[0:15:54] Secretary Linda Lash.
[0:15:55] >> No, it wasn't.
[0:15:58] >> Okay. The Burks County Intermediate Unit
[0:16:01] board. Linda,
[0:16:04] we met this past Thursday evening.
[0:16:07] Um,
[0:16:10] we learned that the IU has sevenus
[0:16:14] to agree with our um, local police
[0:16:19] and um,
[0:16:22] we have had one of our directors, Dan
[0:16:25] Richards, who was the head of the office
[0:16:28] of professional services. He retired and
[0:16:32] his last date is August 3rd and we
[0:16:35] already hired someone to replace him
[0:16:39] from the Brandy Wine School District.
[0:16:45] We had a during executive meeting we had
[0:16:48] our um safety report our school safety
[0:16:52] report from Mr. Delio
[0:16:56] and uh that was a very comprehensive
[0:16:59] report and very long because there's so
[0:17:01] many um agencies that the IU is
[0:17:05] responsible for.
[0:17:07] We got that. And
[0:17:11] the BCIU, it will be having a BCIU night
[0:17:16] on August 30th at the wedding village.
[0:17:20] And that's pretty much what we did.
[0:17:24] Besides, they published their 2025 2026
[0:17:29] annual report. And some interesting
[0:17:32] facts from their annual report were the
[0:17:35] BC to serve 2,200
[0:17:40] 1,531
[0:17:42] children, families, adults, and
[0:17:44] community members for the year 2526.
[0:17:48] They had 18 school age classrooms
[0:17:52] and 63 early childhood classrooms.
[0:17:57] They trained 50 drivers, including those
[0:18:00] with getting their CDL test.
[0:18:04] And they had
[0:18:06] um
[0:18:08] 220 new guest teachers trained. They
[0:18:11] transported 7,16
[0:18:14] students with our transportation
[0:18:16] services for Antidum, Exit Township,
[0:18:19] Cooktown, Muenberg and Reading School
[0:18:21] Districts, the BCPC with their early
[0:18:24] intervention head start and early
[0:18:26] childhood programs. So the BCIU has been
[0:18:29] very busy over the last year. If anybody
[0:18:33] would like to see this be contin
[0:18:49] tax collection committee Joe Brown uh
[0:18:52] >> virtual meeting is being held this
[0:18:54] Thursday at 10 10 a.m. should be in
[0:18:57] attendance for that and we'll report
[0:18:59] back.
[0:19:03] >> Okay, thank you. 2.6 the Pennsylvania
[0:19:05] School Boards Association.
[0:19:09] >> Okay. Uh I do have a leaison meeting. Um
[0:19:13] we hold them four times a year and our
[0:19:16] next one is July 23rd and that's online
[0:19:22] and I do have a couple of things
[0:19:27] One of the things, one of the pieces of
[0:19:29] legislation that the um PSBA
[0:19:33] mentioned on their site was House Bill
[0:19:36] 2633.
[0:19:39] That bill was passed, which is a
[0:19:41] critical step toward improving how
[0:19:44] Pennsylvania funds school construction
[0:19:47] project. They're trying to modernize
[0:19:49] plan and create a path for schools to
[0:19:52] invest in safe and
[0:19:56] and updated learning spaces. And it's
[0:19:58] been a long time since school districts
[0:20:00] have seen any money from Plan Con.
[0:20:04] I think before our track was put in, we
[0:20:08] had gotten money back in the probably
[0:20:13] 2020s through 2000
[0:20:17] to about maybe 2012.
[0:20:20] But then the plan stopped and now
[0:20:24] they're to upgrade that again. That's
[0:20:27] really good news for school.
[0:20:30] And
[0:20:32] COPA is our national association that we
[0:20:35] belong to. That's the consortium of
[0:20:38] state school boards
[0:20:41] and through the national news. I was
[0:20:44] reading through all their updates and
[0:20:46] they said after years of decline, young
[0:20:48] children still gains in reading and
[0:20:52] math. So that's a good
[0:20:57] That's all I have.
[0:21:01] >> Okay, we'll move on to 2.7 and then
[0:21:03] we'll catch up and go back to 2.4. So
[0:21:06] 2.7 is the education foundations.
[0:21:08] >> I have no
[0:21:13] Okay, we'll go to 2.4.
[0:21:17] >> You're ready for first career in
[0:21:19] technology.
[0:21:19] >> Yep. So, uh, turf career and technology,
[0:21:23] uh, uh, still working on our, uh, lead
[0:21:29] financial officer that's still open.
[0:21:31] We're on ground five. Uh, trying to find
[0:21:35] somebody. Uh, we've hired up everybody
[0:21:39] that we need to for the system. We've,
[0:21:42] this is the summer doing a lot of, uh,
[0:21:45] grant work and doing a lot of upgrade
[0:21:49] for a lot of programs around to uh right
[0:21:52] source them. So I think this year
[0:21:55] upcoming year will have the highest uh
[0:21:58] enrollment that BCTC has ever had. So
[0:22:02] that's the shortening.
[0:22:04] I am working on trying to get us uh both
[0:22:07] a tour of the building out in Oolie and
[0:22:11] also uh uh work with you Carol at some
[0:22:15] point if you want to have a meeting or
[0:22:17] get a tour of the west campus.
[0:22:23] We'll move on to 3.0 persons who wish to
[0:22:26] address the board. No one is signed up.
[0:22:29] Okay, we'll move on to 4.0 Board 4.1
[0:22:33] solicitors report.
[0:22:36] >> Just briefly, agenda item 8.7 is a
[0:22:39] proposed assessment appeal set. I'm
[0:22:41] happy to answer questions when we get
[0:22:43] there. I just wanted to put on a radar.
[0:22:49] Well, moving on to superintendent. We
[0:22:51] have 5.1, the monthly enrollment reports
[0:22:54] and the principal dashboard reports that
[0:22:56] are enclosed in our packets. move to 5.3
[0:23:00] superintendence report.
[0:23:04] >> It's going to be a short one this month,
[0:23:05] but I wanted to emphasize uh just how
[0:23:08] phenomenal of a job our high school
[0:23:11] administrative team, but also our
[0:23:12] teacher adviserss for graduation and Mr.
[0:23:14] Bagington and Miss Camel uh with their
[0:23:17] work on graduation. I was really happy
[0:23:19] that I had the opportunity to sit and
[0:23:20] experience one uh from the perspective
[0:23:22] that I had. I had a great follow-up
[0:23:24] conversation with with Miss Camoff and I
[0:23:27] already know they're talking ideas to
[0:23:28] make this better. I thought it was a
[0:23:30] phenomenal event. Uh, and I just wanted
[0:23:32] to call out their contribution and their
[0:23:34] leadership to making that a successful
[0:23:36] year.
[0:23:40] >> We'll move right into 5.4, then the
[0:23:42] title 9 coordinator update.
[0:23:44] >> So, this is anformational item. Uh, with
[0:23:46] Mrs. bill exiting our district at the
[0:23:49] end of this month. Our administrative
[0:23:51] team has talked about what will human uh
[0:23:55] resource responsibilities look like
[0:23:57] while we look to fill that position. One
[0:23:59] of those items that uh currently Mr.
[0:24:02] Strike Bill fills for our district is
[0:24:03] the title N uh coordinator. So, as a
[0:24:06] result, we have to make sure under
[0:24:09] federal law that we have a title N
[0:24:10] coordinator. So, for informationational
[0:24:12] purposes, and we'll put this on the
[0:24:13] school website, Mrs. Jenny Rexro will be
[0:24:16] serving as our title N coordinator
[0:24:18] effective July one uh until we were to
[0:24:21] make a potential shift pending who we
[0:24:24] bring in as the coordinator of HR.
[0:24:29] >> Thank you. Does anyone have any older
[0:24:31] new business for superintendent?
[0:24:34] >> If not, we'll move on to policy
[0:24:36] personnel and public relations. The
[0:24:39] policy personnel and public relations
[0:24:40] committee held a work session on
[0:24:42] Tuesday, June 2nd and the next work
[0:24:45] session will be held on Tuesday, July
[0:24:48] 7th.
[0:24:50] So quite a few items.
[0:24:53] First one is 6.1, the revised 2026
[0:24:57] school calendar. May I have a motion,
[0:24:59] please?
[0:25:06] Any um questions or comments that we had
[0:25:09] discussion on this last week?
[0:25:13] >> If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[0:25:15] those in favor say I.
[0:25:16] >> I.
[0:25:17] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 90.
[0:25:20] The next couple of items are all
[0:25:23] employment and I'm going to combine 6.2
[0:25:27] through 6.11.
[0:25:30] 6.2 to the resation accept the risk
[0:25:34] regret and best wishes Katherine
[0:25:36] McGallan Pennacer assistant director of
[0:25:38] finance and Michelle Vieiraa executive
[0:25:41] secretary of human resources 6.3
[0:25:44] is uh Mr. Josh Rous custoing at the
[0:25:48] elementary school 6.4
[0:25:50] is co co-curricular.
[0:25:53] Um Taylor Stafford, director of
[0:25:56] community aquatics.
[0:25:58] 6.5 is extracurricular. The um following
[0:26:03] extracurricular appointment of David
[0:26:05] Ortez Fernandez, local assistant coach.
[0:26:10] 6.6 the summer programming staff of Laur
[0:26:14] Schaefer is nurse.
[0:26:17] 6.7 approves the extended school year
[0:26:20] staff
[0:26:22] meers, Christy Robinson, Melissa Smith,
[0:26:24] and Sharon Whitney. 6.8 professional
[0:26:27] contracts
[0:26:29] to the following professionals who have
[0:26:31] served three years and have received
[0:26:34] satisfactory rating. Marissa
[0:26:38] Ciserone,
[0:26:40] I'm sure I'm messing that up. Someone
[0:26:42] help me on that name there.
[0:26:45] Um, Nicole Edmonson, Jacob Ford, Jessica
[0:26:48] France, Hunter Jones, Olivia Mars
[0:26:50] Wiggman, Alyssa Smith, and Aaron Snider.
[0:26:55] 6.9 Summer programming the middle school
[0:26:59] summer school staff, Jacob Ajette,
[0:27:01] Nicole Edmonson, standing first,
[0:27:03] Christopher Gallow, 610 employment
[0:27:06] transfers with Mr. Taylor Graham, the
[0:27:11] health and physical ed teacher at the
[0:27:12] middle school, is going to be going to
[0:27:14] the high school. And Mrs. Kelly Hoffman,
[0:27:17] who is the health and physical education
[0:27:18] at the high school, to the health and
[0:27:20] physical education teacher at the middle
[0:27:22] school. 6.11 volunteers, the following
[0:27:26] volunteers, Rebecca Cherry, Kayie Mockr,
[0:27:29] and Caitlyn Mark.
[0:27:32] May I have a motion for those 6.2
[0:27:35] 6.11
[0:27:40] second.
[0:27:44] >> Two seconds. Um, again, I'd like to
[0:27:46] apologize for any names I may have
[0:27:48] messed up.
[0:27:50] >> All those in favor say I.
[0:27:52] >> I.
[0:27:53] >> Oppos. Motion carries. 90.
[0:27:56] 6.12. Family and medical leave.
[0:28:00] Acknowledges following family and
[0:28:02] medical leave of absence. Diana Brler,
[0:28:05] special education teacher. May I have a
[0:28:07] motion, please?
[0:28:11] >> Second.
[0:28:13] >> Questions, comments. All those in favor
[0:28:16] say I.
[0:28:16] >> I.
[0:28:17] >> Opposed.
[0:28:18] >> Motion carries. 90.
[0:28:20] 6.13 donations. Approves the acceptance
[0:28:23] of the following donations for the
[0:28:25] annual retiring service board center.
[0:28:27] Tomkins, whiteboard glass photos, and
[0:28:29] sunshine insurance offices. May I have a
[0:28:31] motion, please?
[0:28:34] Second
[0:28:36] >> questions, comments? I just like to say
[0:28:38] again, I appreciate what those donations
[0:28:42] to the dinner and it helped make it much
[0:28:45] nicer and look nice. Thank you.
[0:28:50] >> All those in favor say I.
[0:28:51] >> I opposed. Motion carries 90. We have
[0:28:56] three final adoptions of policies. 6.14
[0:28:59] the policy 218.1 weapons final adoption
[0:29:04] 6 um 6.15 policy 805 emergency
[0:29:08] preparedness and response and policy
[0:29:11] 805.1 relations with law enforcement
[0:29:13] agencies final adoption. May I have a
[0:29:15] motion for those three final adoptions
[0:29:18] of policies?
[0:29:22] >> Move.
[0:29:23] >> Second.
[0:29:26] questions or comments?
[0:29:29] Not all those in favor say I.
[0:29:31] >> I.
[0:29:32] >> Opposed. Motion carries 90. So we have
[0:29:36] two addendums that are memorandums of
[0:29:39] understanding. The first one is law
[0:29:41] enforcement between the valley school
[0:29:44] district and the burn township police
[0:29:45] department. And the second one is the
[0:29:48] law enforcement with the Northern Burke
[0:29:50] Regional Police Department. We have a
[0:29:52] motion for those two resolutions.
[0:29:59] >> Any questions or comments?
[0:30:03] >> Not all those in favor say I.
[0:30:05] >> I post. Motion carry 90.
[0:30:10] The next is 6.119
[0:30:13] addendum the non-certified employee
[0:30:15] compensation plan. Um I'd like to start
[0:30:18] off by saying first of all we had good
[0:30:20] dialogue at the polic personnel and
[0:30:22] public relations committee meeting. Uh
[0:30:25] some of the people that were there had
[0:30:26] some questions and concerns and some
[0:30:28] ideas. So, we took some of those things
[0:30:31] under consideration. And I want to thank
[0:30:34] Dr. Quirk for putting this all together
[0:30:35] prior to this June 30th deadline. So,
[0:30:38] I'm going to turn it over to him for a
[0:30:40] few remarks before we uh vote on it.
[0:30:44] >> Thank you, M. What you're voting on
[0:30:46] today is essentially a culminating
[0:30:48] effort of all of the committee meetings
[0:30:50] and putting things together for the
[0:30:52] benefit of our our non-certified
[0:30:55] employee compensation plan. I
[0:30:57] communicated out to those impacted by
[0:30:58] this plan this morning just with a high
[0:31:00] level overview of what is to be
[0:31:02] proposed. But essentially our our big
[0:31:04] target item um were two things. One,
[0:31:07] making sure that language is consistent
[0:31:09] across all of our compensation plans so
[0:31:12] that there is consistency regardless of
[0:31:14] what position you hold. But the other
[0:31:15] piece that came up over all of our
[0:31:17] committee meetings was making are
[0:31:20] competitive and taking care of our
[0:31:22] employees so that we're retaining the
[0:31:24] current people that are doing a
[0:31:26] phenomenal job, but we're also
[0:31:27] attracting new talent that fill our
[0:31:29] positions and continue to excel what
[0:31:31] we're doing. So, this has been a pretty
[0:31:34] big lift. Mr. Wallace and and Dr. Wyers
[0:31:37] have also been a big part of this, but
[0:31:39] I'm happy that we can get this across
[0:31:41] the finish line um barring a vote. Our
[0:31:43] plan then is to communicate to our teams
[0:31:46] because we are structurally shifting
[0:31:49] things uh pretty significantly going
[0:31:50] from seven different pay bands to four
[0:31:52] is the primary concern. Naturally,
[0:31:55] people are going to want to know how
[0:31:56] this impacts them and how this going to
[0:31:58] function. So, barring board approval,
[0:32:01] we'll be communicating out what this
[0:32:02] looks like and offering inerson meetings
[0:32:04] with those impacted so that we can walk
[0:32:06] them through what this means for them
[0:32:08] and we'll be including that update as
[0:32:10] well in their July letter when it gives
[0:32:12] them their rate change to the 26 27
[0:32:15] school year.
[0:32:18] >> Thank you. May I have a motion to
[0:32:19] approve the noncertified employee
[0:32:21] compensation plan?
[0:32:23] >> We'll have a motion in a second and then
[0:32:25] we'll have a discussion.
[0:32:26] >> So move Brown.
[0:32:27] >> Okay. A second.
[0:32:30] >> Okay. Any questions or comments?
[0:32:31] >> Uh question on page three under the pair
[0:32:36] professionals working on the lowest
[0:32:38] classrooms. They'll receive the $2 per
[0:32:41] hour.
[0:32:42] That fee kind of listed more as like a
[0:32:45] differential because I guess the
[0:32:47] question is that that person gets
[0:32:49] reassigned back to a other position, I
[0:32:54] would assume that their wages would be
[0:32:56] decreased. So, I'm just thinking maybe
[0:32:58] if we say that as a differential versus,
[0:33:02] hey, we're going to give those people
[0:33:03] that and then if they revert back to a
[0:33:06] different position,
[0:33:10] they should be getting that lower pay.
[0:33:12] I'm just thinking verbage.
[0:33:16] We had the discuss we had the discussion
[0:33:18] I didn't see until you see it in
[0:33:19] writing.
[0:33:22] >> Right. So are you referring to where the
[0:33:24] asterises underneath that start?
[0:33:26] >> Okay. So you're what you're asking is
[0:33:28] right after the $2 per hour the word
[0:33:31] differential
[0:33:32] >> make differential and so that they
[0:33:34] understand that they also understand
[0:33:37] that if they go back to a position that
[0:33:41] not a low incident classroom
[0:33:44] that
[0:33:48] doesn't stay with them. If they're in
[0:33:50] it, they don't get
[0:33:54] >> more than happy to add that in. That is
[0:33:55] the the intended plan.
[0:33:57] >> I understand.
[0:34:03] >> Any other questions or comments
[0:34:05] discussion?
[0:34:06] >> Carol, I'm gonna vote.
[0:34:09] >> Okay.
[0:34:11] Anyone else?
[0:34:14] If not, I'll call the vote. All those in
[0:34:16] favor say I.
[0:34:17] >> I.
[0:34:18] >> Opposed. Obstain.
[0:34:23] >> Yes.
[0:34:24] >> Okay. The vote is 8 Z and one of
[0:34:30] Is there any other older new business
[0:34:33] for policy personnel and public
[0:34:34] relations?
[0:34:37] If not, we'll move on to curriculum and
[0:34:39] technology.
[0:34:41] The curriculum and tech technology
[0:34:43] committee held a work session on
[0:34:44] Thursday, June 4th. Um, and the next
[0:34:47] work session will be held on Tuesday,
[0:34:49] July 9th.
[0:34:52] I'm going to combine 7
[0:34:56] through
[0:34:58] 76.
[0:35:00] >> Can you pull out 7.8, please?
[0:35:05] >> So, we'll do 7.1 through 7. come up with
[0:35:09] you through 7.7.
[0:35:12] 7.1 is a TCI quote for this valley's
[0:35:15] social study resources.
[0:35:18] 7.2 is McGraill quote for Alex
[0:35:21] professional development. 7.3 is the
[0:35:23] Renaissance quote for test bridge and
[0:35:25] accelerated reader. 7.4 is personal
[0:35:28] finance curriculum.
[0:35:30] 7.5 is textbook and curriculum materials
[0:35:34] disposal forms. 7.6
[0:35:36] is up educator and clinician preparation
[0:35:40] field experience and 7.7 is valley high
[0:35:44] school social studies elective. They
[0:35:46] have a motion for 7.1 through 7.7.
[0:35:51] >> The second
[0:35:54] >> any questions or comments?
[0:35:57] Not call for the vote. All those in
[0:35:59] favor say I.
[0:36:00] >> I opposed. Motion carries 90
[0:36:05] 7.8
[0:36:07] the social studies elective.
[0:36:10] May I have a motion please?
[0:36:15] >> We have
[0:36:15] >> second
[0:36:20] >> any questions or comments?
[0:36:22] >> So I do have some well I had some
[0:36:25] questions and now I have some comments.
[0:36:28] Um just very concerned about the subject
[0:36:32] matter you know this this global modern
[0:36:35] global conflict
[0:36:37] the question that I have is the one uh
[0:36:40] the one part that's under the Israeli
[0:36:43] Hamas
[0:36:45] uh
[0:36:46] curriculum I don't know I did I had
[0:36:49] asked the question and I I did the
[0:36:51] research but I saw it here from last
[0:36:54] week committee meeting I did the
[0:36:56] research
[0:36:58] I printed out a whole bunch of what
[0:37:02] is being proposed as being part of that
[0:37:04] curriculum.
[0:37:06] I
[0:37:08] have some deep concerns because it's not
[0:37:11] unbiased. There's definitely a plan. It
[0:37:14] doesn't follow history.
[0:37:16] Um
[0:37:19] there's
[0:37:21] I think it's just going to lead us into
[0:37:23] more problems than not even just from
[0:37:25] the structure of the unit. When you look
[0:37:28] at
[0:37:30] Russia versus Ukraine. You know that
[0:37:32] Russia's the aggressor in that
[0:37:35] situation. You look at the next one,
[0:37:37] it's Israel, Hamas. You know, if you
[0:37:40] make the assumption it's Hamas. The next
[0:37:42] one you look at China versus Taiwan,
[0:37:45] China.
[0:37:47] I'm just concerned
[0:37:50] the looks and their appearance and also
[0:37:53] just the subject matter that you have on
[0:37:56] this.
[0:37:57] It's not accurately representing what
[0:38:01] has occurred in the past in that area of
[0:38:04] the Middle East. And when you look at
[0:38:07] the sources that come through, there's
[0:38:09] definitely a bias in there. And then
[0:38:12] also if you look with Hamas, Hamas
[0:38:16] having the attack on October 7th, that a
[0:38:20] lot of the curriculum that they've
[0:38:21] included is prior to all that. And so if
[0:38:26] you want to a major piece of what's
[0:38:30] going on over there.
[0:38:32] I I just don't think I just don't think
[0:38:35] this is an appropriate that we should be
[0:38:38] having
[0:38:41] with anything with history as things are
[0:38:43] happening as they're happening now. I
[0:38:46] mean, no matter what we're going to do,
[0:38:48] it's it's probably going to even be
[0:38:50] changed until all this cover when the
[0:38:52] curriculum starts. So, you know, in in a
[0:38:56] way, we have to have the confidence in
[0:38:58] our faculty that they're going to be,
[0:39:01] you know, keeping things updated as we
[0:39:04] go along as things change. Obviously,
[0:39:07] we're in a global situation right here
[0:39:09] and it's going to change day by day.
[0:39:12] >> I understand all that.
[0:39:13] >> So, I don't know about resources, but
[0:39:15] then if you looked at what they're
[0:39:16] quoting as sources for their curriculum,
[0:39:21] there's definitely bi
[0:39:26] And I'm thinking about this district who
[0:39:29] brought in the suitcase. If you
[0:39:32] remember, we had the suitcase from the
[0:39:34] Holocaust victim. We had that years ago.
[0:39:39] Bringing that in here. I don't think
[0:39:42] that this is
[0:39:50] going to open it up to discussion for
[0:39:52] anyone else.
[0:39:54] Yeah, I mean I I didn't get a chance to
[0:39:56] look at the individual materials, but I
[0:39:58] did look through the listings and I kind
[0:40:01] of similar concerns to you about, you
[0:40:04] know, I don't necessarily think that
[0:40:06] it's a complication to be ignored, per
[0:40:08] se, but I'm a little concerned about how
[0:40:11] the dats
[0:40:20] may not be
[0:40:23] an unbiased approach but I'm not in not
[0:40:26] discussing current issues but at the
[0:40:29] same time I don't think controversial
[0:40:31] stances that might be adding bias our
[0:40:34] job isn't to teach bias in the school to
[0:40:37] present you know at the very least equal
[0:40:42] perspectives
[0:40:43] >> I'm not I'm concerned that the same as
[0:40:46] you it's not
[0:40:49] >> I I just think it's a trap nothing
[0:40:52] professionalism of our teachers. I just
[0:40:54] think we're setting the situation set up
[0:40:57] as
[0:40:59] we discussed and if they're bringing up
[0:41:02] those resources
[0:41:04] as part of quote unquote the truth that
[0:41:08] we're going to then talk about and it
[0:41:10] maybe they'll talk about the bias of it,
[0:41:13] but I'm not sure that how that's going
[0:41:17] to be handled. you're talking 10th and
[0:41:20] 12th graders, you know, it would be
[0:41:22] tough to have that at a college level
[0:41:24] class, let alone, you know, 16 to 18
[0:41:28] year olds because there's a lot of bias
[0:41:30] that's out there. There's a lot of just
[0:41:34] falsehoods that people claim to be the
[0:41:36] truth
[0:41:38] that
[0:41:40] again I just have a concern of what
[0:41:43] we're doing. Um this is can you address
[0:41:46] any the concerns and questions here?
[0:41:49] >> What did Okay. Well, what did the
[0:41:52] logistics look like? We table it for a
[0:41:54] month. We table it for a month and we
[0:41:57] you know do a little more research
[0:41:59] getting a little bit deeper and let's
[0:42:02] say we move forward in July that's still
[0:42:06] >> absolutely my understanding from Mrs.
[0:42:07] Crater this is actually a spring
[0:42:09] semester course so we have plenty of
[0:42:12] time. Could we have Mr. Whitman come in
[0:42:16] and talk with us? I think I think it's
[0:42:20] his suggestion to have his course and
[0:42:23] that way we could ask him the questions
[0:42:26] and see a better get a better
[0:42:27] understanding of his perspective.
[0:42:30] >> Absolutely. I will reach out to him and
[0:42:32] ask him to come to a meeting
[0:42:35] >> or would you like him to come to the
[0:42:37] committee meeting or do you want him to
[0:42:38] come to a full board meeting?
[0:42:51] Okay. So, is there a consensus to table
[0:42:55] then uh 7.8
[0:42:59] >> consensus?
[0:43:02] >> Okay. So, we'll table 7.8 until we've
[0:43:04] received additional information.
[0:43:08] So, we'll do um 7.9
[0:43:13] through 76
[0:43:15] 7.9 is the staff software training for
[0:43:18] data mining assessment data import 7.10
[0:43:22] is San Gage learning for 2026 27. 711 is
[0:43:29] Certaport.
[0:43:31] 712 is project STEM. 713
[0:43:35] is ECA ready to teach science kits align
[0:43:38] to open science
[0:43:40] the middle school.
[0:43:42] 7.14 is textbook warehouse quote for
[0:43:46] grade 68 literature textbooks.
[0:43:49] 715 Discovery Education Court for Social
[0:43:52] Studies Materials and 716 the ECA
[0:43:56] science kit rental addendum. May I have
[0:44:00] a motion for 7.9 through 7.15?
[0:44:09] >> Any questions or comments?
[0:44:11] >> I I do have one question dealing with
[0:44:14] the science science program. Um when we
[0:44:19] have our committee meeting in July,
[0:44:22] could we please see how the science is
[0:44:25] going to be taught in the elementary
[0:44:27] school because there was a a need for
[0:44:30] think in classroom and I'd really like
[0:44:33] to have that um explained. I I I can see
[0:44:38] having taught elementary science
[0:44:40] definitely needs to water.
[0:44:47] Okay. Any other questions?
[0:44:50] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:44:52] >> I. Opposed. Motion carries. 90. Moving
[0:44:56] on to 717, iPad replacement. This is to
[0:45:00] approve the Apple Finances Services
[0:45:03] proposal to replace 170 iPads for the
[0:45:06] first grade classroom. We have a motion,
[0:45:09] please.
[0:45:14] second.
[0:45:15] >> Second.
[0:45:17] >> Any questions or comments?
[0:45:20] Not all those in favor say I.
[0:45:23] >> Motion carries 90.
[0:45:26] 718 the BCIU cyber security essentials
[0:45:29] consortium. Um this is for a three-year
[0:45:32] participation agreement from the BCIU.
[0:45:36] May have a motion please.
[0:45:38] >> So move around. Second.
[0:45:42] Thank you. Any questions or comments?
[0:45:46] Not all those in favor say I.
[0:45:48] >> I post. Motion carries. 90. Is there any
[0:45:53] other old or new business for curriculum
[0:45:55] and technology?
[0:45:59] If not, we'll move on to budget and
[0:46:01] finance. The budget and finance
[0:46:03] committee have a work session on
[0:46:04] Tuesday, June 9th, and the next work
[0:46:08] session will be Tuesday, July 14th.
[0:46:12] going to combine 8.1 and 8.2. 8.1 is
[0:46:16] approval and ratification of the bills
[0:46:19] from May 11th, 2026 to June 23rd, 2026
[0:46:23] as presented and also approves for the
[0:46:26] business office personnel to process
[0:46:27] bills for payment up until including
[0:46:30] June 30th, 2026. May I have a motion,
[0:46:32] please?
[0:46:35] >> A second.
[0:46:38] >> Questions or comments?
[0:46:40] Not. All those in favor say I.
[0:46:42] >> I.
[0:46:43] >> Oppos. Motion carries. 90.
[0:46:46] 8.3.
[0:46:48] The um
[0:46:51] have a motion to approve the following
[0:46:53] depositories for the 2026 27 fiscal
[0:46:56] year. Compens
[0:47:02] liquid asset max fund and TV bank. May I
[0:47:04] have a motion please?
[0:47:08] Second.
[0:47:10] Second we
[0:47:12] >> questions comments
[0:47:14] all those in favor say I
[0:47:17] >> post motion carries 90 going to combine
[0:47:20] 8.4 for the audit engagement
[0:47:24] letter with Terry Becker to provide
[0:47:26] their services for the year ending June
[0:47:28] 30th, 2026 and 8.5
[0:47:32] the uh approve the Butler Agnu and
[0:47:35] Associates consulting services agreement
[0:47:37] as presented. May I have a motion for
[0:47:39] those?
[0:47:39] >> So move second
[0:47:43] questions, comments
[0:47:56] Mr. Mo, this is the final year in our
[0:47:59] current three-year cycle. So, this time
[0:48:02] next year, we'll be doing RFP
[0:48:05] going through the process of an RF.
[0:48:07] >> Okay. Thank I was thinking that's where
[0:48:10] we were at. And, you know, I've always
[0:48:13] recommended that we work hard at audit
[0:48:15] firms, you know,
[0:48:18] period of time to get a new
[0:48:22] room or whatever you want to say.
[0:48:28] >> Thank you.
[0:48:30] >> Any other questions or comments?
[0:48:34] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:48:36] >> I.
[0:48:38] >> Motion carries 90
[0:48:40] 8.6
[0:48:42] It approves the liability and workers
[0:48:44] compensation package from Aurora Group
[0:48:46] for the 2026 27 school year. I have a
[0:48:49] motion, please.
[0:48:52] >> Second.
[0:48:53] >> Second.
[0:48:54] >> Questions, comments.
[0:48:57] All those in favor say I.
[0:48:59] >> I.
[0:49:02] Motion carries.
[0:49:05] 8.7. We have an addendum.
[0:49:08] Reading on Alani LLC tax assessment
[0:49:12] appealed matter.
[0:49:14] May I have a motion, please?
[0:49:17] >> Second.
[0:49:19] >> Second.
[0:49:20] >> I will turn it over to our solicitor for
[0:49:23] some additional information.
[0:49:25] >> Sure. So, uh this is uh the pending
[0:49:28] assessment appeal um for property
[0:49:30] located to Analani Drive. Um the
[0:49:34] property owner
[0:49:37] running along. This was originally an
[0:49:39] interim tax appeal. There are multiple
[0:49:42] taxpayers involved. Um, this property is
[0:49:45] a high assessed property
[0:49:48] of $30 million. Um, so the proposed
[0:49:51] settlement would encompass 2023 through
[0:49:54] 2026 tax years would agree to settle the
[0:49:58] uh this matter at a fair market value
[0:50:01] which remember is different than value
[0:50:04] for 2023 at a fair market value of
[0:50:07] million and for the 2024 25 and 26 tax
[0:50:11] years a market value of 80 million. Um
[0:50:14] and then obviously the respective common
[0:50:16] level ratios would be applied for those
[0:50:18] four years in order to calculate the
[0:50:20] effect value. We were also able to
[0:50:22] secure at the term of the settlement
[0:50:25] that the taxpayer would not file an
[0:50:27] appeal for the 2027.
[0:50:30] I do this as a good resolution. If
[0:50:33] anyone has any questions
[0:50:35] to ask me
[0:50:40] at least thank you for your
[0:50:43] >> welcome. Does anyone else have any
[0:50:45] questions?
[0:50:48] >> No. Not I'll call for the vote. All
[0:50:50] those in favor say I.
[0:50:51] >> I. Motion carries. 90
[0:50:55] 8.8 is another addendum. The food
[0:50:57] service department equipment purchase.
[0:51:00] Board is requested to consider and
[0:51:01] approve the purchase of a new Cleveland
[0:51:03] convection steamer from Stinger
[0:51:05] Equipment in the amount of 23,16829.
[0:51:10] This unit will replace an existing
[0:51:12] schemer that is not operational. May I
[0:51:15] have a motion please?
[0:51:16] >> So move around.
[0:51:17] >> Second.
[0:51:20] >> Questions or comments?
[0:51:23] >> If not, all those in favor say I. I
[0:51:26] >> opposed. Motion carries. 90 8.9 is also
[0:51:30] another addendum. Fraser copier
[0:51:32] equipment. The board is requested to
[0:51:34] consider and approve the Frasier copier
[0:51:36] equipment agendum to the lease agreement
[0:51:38] that was approved on May 26, 2026. May I
[0:51:42] have a motion, please?
[0:51:46] >> Second.
[0:51:48] >> Questions or comments? We have an
[0:51:50] explanation of why this is revised. Yes.
[0:51:55] So the the language in this is
[0:51:57] ultimately to update the equipment model
[0:51:59] number had a better copy machine in
[0:52:03] stock that they gave to us. It's a more
[0:52:06] efficient model. There is no change to
[0:52:09] the agreement or the cost. We just got
[0:52:10] an updated piece of equipment for what
[0:52:13] we were going to get. So this just
[0:52:15] really update to make sure that our
[0:52:17] agreement has the proper serial numbers
[0:52:19] and model numbers.
[0:52:21] >> Thank you.
[0:52:24] All those in favor say I.
[0:52:26] >> I.
[0:52:26] >> Oppos. Motion carries. 90. Is there any
[0:52:30] other old or new business for budget and
[0:52:32] finance?
[0:52:35] >> If not, we'll move on to buildings and
[0:52:37] grounds. Buildings and grounds committee
[0:52:39] held a work session on Tuesday, June
[0:52:41] 9th, and the next work session will be
[0:52:43] on Tuesday, July 14th.
[0:52:47] It's going to combine 9.1 and 9.2. 9.1
[0:52:52] is the fire protection three-year
[0:52:55] proposal for semianual testing,
[0:52:57] inspection, and maintenance at all three
[0:52:59] of our buildings. And 9.2 is a proposal
[0:53:03] from Berkshire Mechanical for HBIC
[0:53:06] preventive maintenance agreement
[0:53:08] covering all three buildings beginning
[0:53:10] July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027.
[0:53:14] May I have a motion, please?
[0:53:19] Questions or comments?
[0:53:22] Oh, second. Sorry,
[0:53:24] >> getting a little ahead of myself.
[0:53:26] Second.
[0:53:27] >> Now, any questions or comments?
[0:53:30] >> Not all those in favor say I.
[0:53:32] >> I
[0:53:34] motion carries. 90.
[0:53:37] We have a 9.3. We have three addendums.
[0:53:40] 9.3 is planned service renewal for the
[0:53:43] elementary and middle school Johnson
[0:53:44] Controls Fire Protection. So, we're the
[0:53:48] board's requested to consider and
[0:53:49] approve the plan service agreement in
[0:53:52] the of $1,57349
[0:53:56] for a three-year term commencing July
[0:53:58] 1st, 2026 and concluding on June 30th,
[0:54:01] 2029 for alarm detection and monitoring
[0:54:05] services at the elementary and middle
[0:54:07] schools. May I have a motion, please?
[0:54:12] >> Any questions or comment?
[0:54:16] >> If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:54:19] >> Opposed? Motion carries.
[0:54:22] Next addendum 9.4. The board is
[0:54:25] requested to consider and approve the
[0:54:27] plan service agreement from Johnson
[0:54:29] Control Fire Protection LP in the amount
[0:54:32] of $786.74
[0:54:35] for a three-year term commencing July
[0:54:37] 1st, 2026 and concluding June 30th, 2029
[0:54:41] for alarm detection and monitoring
[0:54:43] services at the high school. May I have
[0:54:45] a motion, please?
[0:54:48] >> A second.
[0:54:49] >> Second. Questions, comments?
[0:54:53] All those in favor say I.
[0:54:55] >> I.
[0:54:56] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 90.
[0:54:59] >> Okay. The last addendum is the board is
[0:55:02] requested to consider and approve the
[0:55:04] location submitted by Croassis
[0:55:09] Prois Croasis for a water treatment
[0:55:12] program in the amount of $14,250.
[0:55:15] This agreement shall cover a two-year
[0:55:16] term commencing July 1st, 2026 and
[0:55:19] concluding June 30th, 2028 and will
[0:55:22] apply to the elementary, middle, and
[0:55:24] high schools. May I have a motion,
[0:55:25] please?
[0:55:28] >> Move.
[0:55:29] >> Second.
[0:55:30] >> Second. Thank you. Questions or
[0:55:32] comments?
[0:55:34] >> Can we get a little bit more details on
[0:55:36] this?
[0:55:38] >> Sure. We we had discussed at a previous
[0:55:43] rounds committee
[0:55:45] looking at potentially some other
[0:55:47] vendors um to do our water treatment.
[0:55:50] We've had um for a number of years and
[0:55:54] we used to use Proacus and we just you
[0:55:58] know reached out to them and they had
[0:56:01] come on site took a look at things and
[0:56:05] put together a plan that was competitive
[0:56:08] from a price standpoint compared to what
[0:56:10] we had been using and identified in year
[0:56:15] that they specifically do in our system
[0:56:18] to eliminate some of the corrosion that
[0:56:20] was occurring and get rid of some of you
[0:56:23] know bacteria which can develop when you
[0:56:25] have so
[0:56:28] I was very pleased with what they came
[0:56:30] up with and again it's a vendor that we
[0:56:33] used for a number of years and as far as
[0:56:37] I can tell we're satisfied with their
[0:56:40] work um it was a several
[0:56:44] for financial reasons, but now from a
[0:56:46] pricing standpoint, they're very
[0:56:47] competitive.
[0:56:50] >> If you recall, um when we had the pipe
[0:56:53] burst in,
[0:56:55] we discovered that our system still
[0:56:57] still contains some polyethyl.
[0:57:02] So that previous vendor had missed that
[0:57:05] we had changed our equipment and had
[0:57:08] continued to charge the system with the
[0:57:09] incorrect
[0:57:11] materials.
[0:57:13] kind of made us want to look somewhere
[0:57:15] else.
[0:57:17] >> I appreciate the refresh. I knew there
[0:57:20] was a reason. I just
[0:57:22] >> on
[0:57:26] any other questions.
[0:57:28] >> Not I had a motion in a second. All
[0:57:30] those in favor say I.
[0:57:31] >> I.
[0:57:32] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 90. Is there
[0:57:35] any other old or new business for
[0:57:37] buildings and grounds?
[0:57:41] If not, move to 10.0 student services
[0:57:44] and activities. The student services and
[0:57:46] activities committee hel work session on
[0:57:49] Thursday June 11th and the next work
[0:57:52] session will be held on Thursday July
[0:57:55] 16th.
[0:57:57] I'm going to combine uh 10.1 through
[0:58:00] 10.3.
[0:58:02] 10.1 is approved the 2026 27 new story
[0:58:06] contract.
[0:58:08] 10.2 2 is approved the link in literacy
[0:58:11] contract with Melissa Reber
[0:58:14] students and 10.3 is approves the pre-
[0:58:18] purchase of four secondary student seats
[0:58:20] at River
[0:58:22] Rock Amad Stinking Spring campus. May I
[0:58:26] have a motion please for those three
[0:58:28] resolutions?
[0:58:33] >> Second.
[0:58:34] >> Any additional questions or comments?
[0:58:38] Not. All those in favor say I.
[0:58:41] >> I.
[0:58:41] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 90. 10.4
[0:58:46] approves a donation of items that total
[0:58:49] an amount of $3,800 to update the
[0:58:51] equipment to the dryland training room
[0:58:53] at the middle school. May I have a
[0:58:54] motion, please?
[0:58:58] >> Second.
[0:58:59] >> Second.
[0:59:01] >> Any questions or comments? just like to
[0:59:03] thank Mr. Harford for donating quite a
[0:59:06] nice supply of equipment for our
[0:59:10] >> I just like to thank the donor
[0:59:13] the contribution that was very grateful
[0:59:15] very generous we're really grateful for
[0:59:19] >> any other questions or comments if not
[0:59:22] all those in favor say
[0:59:23] >> I
[0:59:25] post motion carries 90 10.5 ratification
[0:59:30] of fusion
[0:59:32] contract.
[0:59:34] This would be to approve and ratify the
[0:59:36] signed fusion ESY contract for student
[0:59:38] number 4995. May I have a motion,
[0:59:41] please?
[0:59:45] >> A second.
[0:59:47] >> Any questions or comments?
[0:59:51] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:59:53] >> I.
[0:59:54] >> Opposed? Motion carries 90. Is there any
[0:59:58] other old or new business
[1:00:01] for student um services?
[1:00:06] If not, move on to 11.0. Is there any
[1:00:10] other other business or go to the order?
[1:00:18] If not, I will entertain a motion for
[1:00:20] adjournment.
[1:00:22] Thank you.
[1:00:23] >> Second.
[1:00:23] >> Second.
[1:00:24] >> All those in favor say I. I. post.
[1:00:28] Motion carried. Thank you for coming
[1:00:31] this evening.
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2026-07-27_sIxUARABYFA.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2026-07-27 (regular)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIxUARABYFA
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:04:00] Ask
[0:04:18] everyone to please stand for the pledge
[0:04:20] to the flag.
[0:04:40] Roll call please
[0:04:43] >> here.
[0:04:44] >> Mr. Brown
[0:04:45] >> here.
[0:04:45] >> Mr.
[0:04:47] Mrs. Matthew Mr. Mo
[0:04:50] >> here.
[0:04:55] Mr. Moving
[0:05:00] on to 1.3 approval of minute
[0:05:04] motion to approve the minutes for the
[0:05:05] regular meeting on June 22nd 126. I have
[0:05:09] a motion please
[0:05:14] second.
[0:05:15] >> Any questions or comments? If not all
[0:05:18] those in favor say I. I I
[0:05:21] >> opposed. Motion carries. 6.
[0:05:25] The announcement of executive session.
[0:05:27] The board met in executive session
[0:05:29] following the board meeting on June
[0:05:30] 22nd, 2026 for personnel matters and
[0:05:34] following the committee meeting on July
[0:05:36] 27th
[0:05:38] July 20th
[0:05:41] for personnel matters.
[0:05:45] We have one presentation this evening, a
[0:05:48] conference.
[0:05:54] >> Oh, good evening. Uh, I am Naen Per. I
[0:05:57] am
[0:06:00] uh the elementary librarian and uh this
[0:06:04] is my I'm going to be starting my 16th
[0:06:06] year uh in the field of school
[0:06:09] librarianship and uh 23 years all in
[0:06:14] education and just a few years here at
[0:06:17] school valley and uh for most of that
[0:06:21] time as a uh school librarian I've gone
[0:06:23] to numerous conferences and so what I'd
[0:06:27] like to do is always bring back and let
[0:06:29] everybody know exactly some of the
[0:06:31] highlights of those conferences that I
[0:06:33] have attended.
[0:06:35] So this uh past spring I had the
[0:06:38] opportunity to attend the Pennsylvania
[0:06:40] School Librarian Association conference
[0:06:42] uh PSLA and that was held in in April
[0:06:47] and the this conference it always brings
[0:06:50] together all the school librarians from
[0:06:52] across Pennsylvania and it helps us to
[0:06:56] stay current on all the upcoming trends
[0:06:58] in education and literacy and technology
[0:07:03] library programing
[0:07:05] Uh I appreciate the board's continued
[0:07:08] support in always um having me attend uh
[0:07:11] because I always come back refreshed and
[0:07:13] have many many uh ideas under my under
[0:07:16] my belt. So I just wanted to quickly
[0:07:18] highlight some of those from this past
[0:07:20] this past conference. Uh the conference
[0:07:23] began on a Thursday afternoon uh with a
[0:07:26] threehour interactive workshop titled AI
[0:07:29] literacy in the school library
[0:07:32] rather than simp just sitting around and
[0:07:34] listening to somebody talk to us about
[0:07:36] AI. uh we were able to part participate
[0:07:40] in hands-on activities and collaborative
[0:07:43] discussions about AI the overall ethical
[0:07:46] use of it the student responsibility end
[0:07:49] of it teacher responsibility end and uh
[0:07:53] the as school librarians though in
[0:07:56] general we are often unique in the
[0:08:00] position to help students become the the
[0:08:02] thoughtful users of these emerging tools
[0:08:05] so that they are using them ethically.
[0:08:07] So I found that that session was very
[0:08:11] relev relevant. Um it's the PSLA
[0:08:16] conference always starts off with a big
[0:08:20] threehour
[0:08:21] preconference event and that was for
[0:08:24] this past year. So I thought that topic
[0:08:26] was really really uh relevant for right
[0:08:29] now and I enjoyed it immensely.
[0:08:32] Excellent conversation.
[0:08:34] Uh and then uh that
[0:08:38] We had a keynote speaker. So, there's
[0:08:39] always a keynote speaker. And this year
[0:08:42] was Devon Seol. Uh he's a former
[0:08:46] classroom teacher who now tours
[0:08:48] nationally with the board teachers
[0:08:51] comedy network. I'm not sure if any of
[0:08:53] you ever watch board teachers or see
[0:08:55] those skits that come through social
[0:08:57] media. Um but his his presentation was
[0:09:02] titled Laughter in the Lesson and he was
[0:09:06] entertaining. He was meaningful. And
[0:09:09] what he did was he drew on his years in
[0:09:12] education and his own
[0:09:15] personal uh experiences as a student and
[0:09:19] how he struggled. But then when he found
[0:09:23] that right classroom and that right
[0:09:25] teacher connection where comedy and
[0:09:28] laughter was used, uh he just lost. So
[0:09:31] he wanted to bring that to our attention
[0:09:34] and He reminded us that humor helps you
[0:09:37] know stress build relationship and just
[0:09:43] to be silly in the classroom in my
[0:09:46] library.
[0:09:49] Uh so he was an absolute
[0:09:52] he was a great choice for PSA
[0:09:58] and then after the keynote I attended
[0:10:01] the advocacy and awards committee
[0:10:05] meetings. I am on both of those. I serve
[0:10:08] on them with the awards committee
[0:10:11] specifically the mountain moral book
[0:10:13] award committee which is our state
[0:10:15] children's book award. uh these
[0:10:18] leadership roles allow me to contribute
[0:10:20] to the profession um while I'm staying
[0:10:23] connected with all the local state of
[0:10:26] Pennsylvania
[0:10:27] and um when we get together at these
[0:10:31] meetings uh again I'm more more aware of
[0:10:35] what's current
[0:10:39] in general
[0:10:42] and then um
[0:10:45] so that was uh all day Friday and then
[0:10:48] no Thursday and then Friday um I
[0:10:52] attended a session called hacking
[0:10:54] digital citizenship into your readout
[0:10:58] and the presenter demonstrated how
[0:10:59] children's literature can naturally
[0:11:01] introduce conversations about kindness
[0:11:04] and online behavior
[0:11:07] literacy uh privacy and just again
[0:11:11] overall ethical use of technology.
[0:11:13] Uh, one of the most valuable resources
[0:11:15] that I received from that particular
[0:11:18] session was a curated list of picture
[0:11:21] books and middle grade books that uh can
[0:11:23] be used when I teach
[0:11:27] the digital citizenship and um the
[0:11:31] recommendations were so worthwhile that
[0:11:33] I started to add them to my
[0:11:38] library book. I definitely plan to be
[0:11:42] using all of those and um
[0:11:46] after
[0:11:48] that there's um well every Friday
[0:11:51] morning of the conference it begins with
[0:11:54] the awards breakfast where there's
[0:11:57] educators from across the state that
[0:11:59] were recognized for excellence. So there
[0:12:00] was awards the awards this year included
[0:12:04] outstanding school administrator.
[0:12:07] one school administrator
[0:12:10] outstanding
[0:12:11] school library and outstanding library
[0:12:15] professor
[0:12:17] and then of course there's the mountain
[0:12:18] moral book award winners that we
[0:12:22] um as a member of the moral book award
[0:12:24] committee um I I love that part of the
[0:12:28] breakfast because every year I
[0:12:32] elementary students through the entire
[0:12:34] voting process
[0:12:36] And what the award is there
[0:12:43] award there's a high school level there
[0:12:45] is a middle school level there's a
[0:12:47] middle grade level and then there's a
[0:12:49] kindergart
[0:13:00] and then like I said I take the entire
[0:13:02] school through the voting process
[0:13:06] And it's like
[0:13:10] for kids
[0:13:13] and one of the highlights of the
[0:13:17] conference uh was serving as the
[0:13:20] personal guide for children's author
[0:13:23] Kyrie Lel.
[0:13:25] Now most of the elementary school
[0:13:27] students already know her and they love
[0:13:30] her for her series called
[0:13:34] She has a nonfiction series
[0:13:38] of animal parts and you have to decide
[0:13:41] is it the animal or the face of an
[0:13:43] animal and um she has a whole series of
[0:13:47] books like that and uh he got to present
[0:13:51] and talk and I got to meet with her
[0:13:53] throughout that day.
[0:13:57] Um but in her session she just shared
[0:14:00] her writing journey and her creative
[0:14:02] ways to use her in both the library and
[0:14:05] the classroom.
[0:14:07] Uh and another session that I attended
[0:14:10] was um make it fun
[0:14:14] into the library. Um and this presenter
[0:14:16] just shared simple but meaningful ways
[0:14:18] to make my library even more
[0:14:26] to read to the library.
[0:14:30] Um I have library and I have them name.
[0:14:53] It's a lot of fun. And one of my other
[0:14:57] favorite sessions was the helot program.
[0:15:01] Um The participants evaluate children's
[0:15:05] book illustration. So the theat award is
[0:15:09] the most prestigious children's book
[0:15:11] award for illustration and there
[0:15:27] was
[0:15:28] ideas and because of that the um the art
[0:15:32] teacher at the elementary building and I
[0:15:36] we have already sat down this summer and
[0:15:38] we're starting to come up with a
[0:15:43] program for our school. So he's going to
[0:15:45] integrate uh this award and all the
[0:15:48] different art styles and how I can do it
[0:15:50] in the library. So we're really looking
[0:15:52] forward to bringing that to the
[0:15:54] elementary building as well. And then
[0:15:57] there were sessions on collaborating
[0:15:59] with our local public
[0:16:03] So the the program overall in general
[0:16:07] the conference I should say is fabulous
[0:16:09] and I just wanted to
[0:16:12] again thank you for the opportunity to
[0:16:16] thank
[0:16:30] and
[0:16:31] that we've
[0:16:35] ever
[0:16:43] height.
[0:16:55] But overall, it was beautiful. Thank
[0:16:57] you.
[0:16:59] Thank you for reporting on the
[0:17:00] conference. Sounds like it was a really
[0:17:02] great conference and also thank you for
[0:17:04] representatives.
[0:17:15] I have a few remarks tonight.
[0:17:18] It's been seven months working together
[0:17:20] with new and existing members of the
[0:17:22] board. We had a lot on our plate these
[0:17:25] past months, especially looking at
[0:17:27] curricul assments, the hiring process,
[0:17:29] fieldhouse project, conducting
[0:17:31] interviews for a new superintendent as
[0:17:33] uh our main areas of focus. So, I want
[0:17:36] to thank the board members for their
[0:17:38] attendance at these additional meetings
[0:17:39] and interviews and how working together
[0:17:43] we all bring something different to the
[0:17:45] table of our own experiences and
[0:17:47] insight. I also want to thank our
[0:17:49] faculty, support staff, administrators
[0:17:51] for their valuable input and time spent
[0:17:54] at the individual committee meetings
[0:17:55] these past few months as well.
[0:17:57] And also thanks to those who served on
[0:18:00] interview committee. Special thanks to
[0:18:03] Dr. Winters who served as our acting
[0:18:05] superintendent during this time of
[0:18:07] transition and dealing with these
[0:18:09] various levels of change as he now moves
[0:18:12] back to superintendent role. And in the
[0:18:16] month that Dr. Clark has come on board,
[0:18:19] having a fresh set of eyes on things has
[0:18:21] been truly beneficial in all areas and
[0:18:24] aspects of our school district. His
[0:18:26] vision and leadership even in a short
[0:18:29] time has been a very positive experience
[0:18:31] as we head into the start of a new and
[0:18:33] exciting school year under his guidance.
[0:18:37] Tonight we'll see reorganization changes
[0:18:39] in the organizational chart impacting
[0:18:41] the chain of command of our
[0:18:43] administrators. Additionally, there are
[0:18:45] agenda items to restructure some
[0:18:48] personnel and how our administrative
[0:18:50] offices operate.
[0:18:52] Dr. is on a previously scheduled
[0:18:54] vacation, so he won't be here tonight.
[0:18:56] However, he's prepared a video to
[0:18:58] explain the organizational chart and the
[0:19:01] restructuring items, which we'll be able
[0:19:02] to watch during the superintendent
[0:19:04] report. And as always, I want to explain
[0:19:07] that most of the agenda items were
[0:19:09] presented at last last week's committee
[0:19:12] of the whole meeting and moved forward
[0:19:14] for a vote tonight with previous
[0:19:16] explanations at that time with the
[0:19:18] exception of many agenda items tonight
[0:19:20] under the polic and public relations.
[0:19:24] These items will pertain to the
[0:19:25] reorganization of positions and also
[0:19:27] filling open administrative faculty and
[0:19:30] support position which will be explained
[0:19:32] during the meeting.
[0:19:34] Now I'll move on to 2.2 Secretary Linda
[0:19:40] >> page 2.3 the Burk County Intermediate
[0:19:43] Unit Board Linda
[0:19:46] we do not have a meeting in July
[0:19:52] 2.4 Burke Career and Technology Center.
[0:19:57] Yes. Just a couple things. We've been
[0:20:01] working to
[0:20:03] fill some key positions. We still have
[0:20:06] one or two
[0:20:09] of our faculty instructors.
[0:20:13] The other thing we had to deal with
[0:20:23] that
[0:20:36] contract.
[0:20:47] That's it again.
[0:21:06] Thank you. 2.5 County Tax Collection
[0:21:09] Committee.
[0:21:11] >> No report.
[0:21:13] >> Okay. 2.6 Pennsylvania School Boards
[0:21:15] Association. Linda.
[0:21:18] Yes. We had our July 23rd
[0:21:22] meeting by Zoom um this week and the
[0:21:28] subject was primarily the Pennsylvania
[0:21:31] budget that has been passed.
[0:21:34] And so the um basic ed funding through
[0:21:39] the state was not as much as educators
[0:21:43] and PSDA had hoped. Some districts got
[0:21:47] no new funds at all. All districts got
[0:21:50] ready to earn money. There was 55 55
[0:21:57] million
[0:21:58] dollar
[0:22:00] to go to school district.
[0:22:03] There were special ed funds of $5
[0:22:05] million out of that 55 million that went
[0:22:08] to Philadelphia for special ed funding.
[0:22:13] And um apparently the legislators expect
[0:22:18] school districts to raise test scores
[0:22:22] and raise graduation rates before they
[0:22:26] will take funding more seriously for the
[0:22:30] school.
[0:22:31] This is all out of
[0:22:37] um
[0:22:38] adequacy funding needs more advocacy for
[0:22:43] those funds. Um there's a 9year plan
[0:22:47] overall for
[0:22:53] charter reform that was there was
[0:22:56] nothing basically in that this year. Um
[0:22:59] there was no political
[0:23:01] especially in the Senate to do anything
[0:23:04] for a third year on the charter reform.
[0:23:08] They did some things in the last two
[0:23:10] years.
[0:23:11] Um the only thing
[0:23:14] they
[0:23:16] did
[0:23:21] I'll talk about later, but the Senate
[0:23:25] has to get on board for statewide.
[0:23:30] We're going to
[0:23:31] A basic for all
[0:23:37] there is cyber charter verification of
[0:23:39] res residents. Uh the process has been
[0:23:42] changed. So the cyber charter schools
[0:23:45] are responsible for verifying residency
[0:23:49] requirements through the parent response
[0:23:52] um to a survey from the cyber schools
[0:23:55] and then that goes on to the school
[0:23:57] districts to check that out.
[0:24:00] there's a habitual fluent child. Um
[0:24:05] sometimes these children want to
[0:24:07] transfer immediately to cyber school and
[0:24:10] they must have a place so that they can
[0:24:13] do this but that process must be
[0:24:17] clarified before
[0:24:24] also wellness check for cyber schools
[0:24:26] that was put in last year in last year's
[0:24:29] budget.
[0:24:30] Cyber schools have to provide wellness
[0:24:33] on their
[0:24:34] with eyes on the students and talking
[0:24:37] directly to students. And now in this
[0:24:39] year's budget, any school district that
[0:24:42] has their own virtual academy
[0:24:45] must also provide these.
[0:24:49] Then in the budget, there's mandatory
[0:24:51] recess
[0:24:53] that takes effect.
[0:24:57] Um
[0:24:59] all
[0:25:02] of
[0:25:04] recess for a half an hour and that does
[0:25:07] not include shortening period
[0:25:10] or any major subject to get a half an
[0:25:13] hour of recess.
[0:25:17] What the concern is what do they do in
[0:25:20] buildings that have fifth graders like
[0:25:22] 57 program?
[0:25:26] What do they do with those buildings? Do
[0:25:28] they just have recess or they try to
[0:25:34] Um
[0:25:38] the cell phone is the policy was not
[0:25:42] included in this year's budget
[0:25:45] and on that on my call my zoom calls
[0:25:52] where you are I guess in the state how
[0:25:55] you look at the cell issue. Some people
[0:25:57] want it eliminated immediately. They
[0:26:00] have cell phones in school. Others say
[0:26:04] other school districts say they have um
[0:26:07] provisions on their own policies that is
[0:26:10] working well. Most schools that have
[0:26:13] their own school policy have a
[0:26:18] cell phone cell and they put that policy
[0:26:23] in themselves.
[0:26:25] Um The Senate bill has been approved for
[0:26:29] cell phone bans. The House bill has been
[0:26:32] approved for cell phone bans, but no
[0:26:34] more movement on that.
[0:26:40] Also, cyber bullying, there's some
[0:26:42] changes to take effect immediately this
[0:26:46] year and those changes will be in the
[0:26:50] policy network. I don't really have
[0:26:56] want to see that.
[0:27:01] Another issue that came out was what to
[0:27:04] do about multi-count property tax issues
[0:27:09] and a multiount if you don't know what
[0:27:11] that is mult County school district
[0:27:15] or valley where you have students coming
[0:27:17] from two different counties and how you
[0:27:36] believe there is an appetite study.
[0:27:39] assessment.
[0:27:42] They're looking possibly at having
[0:27:44] alternate assessments in the state. Um,
[0:27:48] but these assessments must still be um
[0:27:52] based on our state standards.
[0:27:55] Some school districts would like to be
[0:27:56] able to use the SATs or the ACPS,
[0:28:00] but these do not stand. And so that
[0:28:07] guess
[0:28:08] forward
[0:28:10] steady on that.
[0:28:15] And
[0:28:17] the other things, what can we as school
[0:28:19] districts do to help PSA and other
[0:28:23] school districts?
[0:28:26] Our next meeting will be
[0:28:35] in the news that I got
[0:28:41] The state is going to be looking at how
[0:28:44] old school build
[0:29:00] a row the number of closures rose
[0:29:02] nationally last year according to data
[0:29:05] from the national center for education.
[0:29:09] released last week. Districts have
[0:29:12] closed more than 1,000 schools in the
[0:29:14] 2526
[0:29:15] year compared to 752
[0:29:21] more
[0:29:24] Houston.
[0:29:36] in September.
[0:29:46] Thank you. Moving on to Valley Education
[0:29:50] Foundation
[0:29:56] to address the board. Anyone who Anyone
[0:30:00] who wishes to address the board this
[0:30:02] evening will have three minutes to state
[0:30:04] your questions or concerns. Please state
[0:30:06] your name, the township of where you
[0:30:07] live, and indicate if you are
[0:30:09] representing a group. All comments
[0:30:11] should be directed to the board as a
[0:30:12] whole. And we ask that your comments be
[0:30:14] respectful in nature. If you have a
[0:30:16] written statement, a copy of that
[0:30:18] statement would be appreciated. Details
[0:30:20] of this policy are on our website listed
[0:30:22] under policy 903 public comment and
[0:30:30] Okay, we'll move on to 4.0
[0:30:33] 4.1 solicitors report.
[0:30:42] So the change that you referenced
[0:30:45] basically
[0:31:00] something
[0:31:02] that works outerences
[0:31:21] um in direct violation of this provision
[0:31:36] some uncertainty as to
[0:31:48] I just did a presentation. I thought I
[0:31:51] would jump in. It's interesting to see
[0:31:53] how that's
[0:31:57] moving on to other
[0:32:05] monthly enrollment report
[0:32:08] and also 5.3 the principal dashboard.
[0:32:10] Right. There aren't any of those
[0:32:12] reports. So, we'll move on to 5.3, the
[0:32:14] superintendent report. And I believe we
[0:32:16] have the video presentation.
[0:32:21] >> Good evening, Spook Valley community. As
[0:32:23] part of this month's superintendent
[0:32:25] report, I want to spend some time
[0:32:26] walking through the proposed
[0:32:28] organizational structure that's included
[0:32:30] as part of this month's board agenda.
[0:32:32] When I accepted the opportunity to
[0:32:34] become superintendent of Google Valley
[0:32:35] School District, I knew that one of my
[0:32:37] first major responsibilities would be
[0:32:39] evaluating whether our organizational
[0:32:41] structure would align to where we want
[0:32:43] to go as a district. In my first
[0:32:45] superintendent report, I shared that
[0:32:47] learning would precede change. Before
[0:32:49] making recommendations, I wanted to
[0:32:51] spend time listening, learning, and
[0:32:53] understanding from the district from
[0:32:55] multiple perspectives. Over the past
[0:32:58] several months, I've had the opportunity
[0:32:59] to meet individually and in small groups
[0:33:01] with administrators, teachers, support
[0:33:04] staff, board members, and parent
[0:33:06] organizations, as well as some community
[0:33:08] stakeholders. Through those
[0:33:10] conversations, I've been working to
[0:33:12] better understand where the district
[0:33:14] currently stands, what our strengths
[0:33:15] are, where opportunities exist, and what
[0:33:18] our greatest needs are, and ultimately
[0:33:20] how each area of the organization is
[0:33:22] operating. It's very important to point
[0:33:24] out that I am not insinuating that those
[0:33:27] conversations are completed. They really
[0:33:29] are just beginning. So far, those
[0:33:32] conversations have been incredibly
[0:33:33] valuable. While many different
[0:33:35] perspectives were shared, three common
[0:33:38] themes consistently emerged regard
[0:33:40] regardless of who I was engaging with.
[0:33:43] The first theme was culture. Across the
[0:33:46] district, there was a tremendous sense
[0:33:48] of pride in who we are as a district and
[0:33:50] the community. There was also a
[0:33:52] tremendous desire to rebuild trust,
[0:33:54] strengthen relationships, and bring
[0:33:56] people together around a common purpose.
[0:33:59] Google Valley is filled with talented
[0:34:01] individuals who care deeply about
[0:34:02] students and this community. What became
[0:34:05] clear is that there's a strong desire to
[0:34:08] operate as one district, work hand in
[0:34:10] hand, and continue building a culture
[0:34:12] that makes people proud to be part of
[0:34:14] school. The second theme was academics
[0:34:17] and our commitment to continuous
[0:34:18] improvement. There was a shared belief
[0:34:21] across all groups that we have an
[0:34:22] opportunity to continue growing as a
[0:34:24] learning organization
[0:34:26] supporting teachers through professional
[0:34:28] learning, refining curriculum and
[0:34:30] instructional practices, strengthening
[0:34:32] resource management and adoption
[0:34:34] processes and implementing systems such
[0:34:37] as MTSS to ensure that every student
[0:34:39] receives the support they need to
[0:34:41] succeed. The third theme was facilities.
[0:34:45] I quickly learned that we have an except
[0:34:47] we have exceptional employees caring for
[0:34:49] our buildings and ground. Their
[0:34:50] commitment to the district is evident
[0:34:52] every day. At the same time, it became
[0:34:55] clear that without dedicated leadership
[0:34:58] focused on facilities planning and
[0:35:00] long-term operational needs, it becomes
[0:35:02] difficult to strategically address the
[0:35:04] challenges facing our buildings and
[0:35:05] grounds and develop a vision for where
[0:35:08] our facility should be five, 10, and 15
[0:35:11] years from now. Our students and staff
[0:35:14] and community preserve facilities that
[0:35:16] reflect the quality of teaching and
[0:35:17] learning taking place inside our
[0:35:19] schools. And as I reflected on these
[0:35:22] themes, I worked collaboratively with
[0:35:23] our administrative team to determine how
[0:35:25] we could best leverage the strengths
[0:35:27] that already exist within our
[0:35:28] organization to address these
[0:35:30] priorities. The organizational structure
[0:35:32] that I'm sharing with you tonight is a
[0:35:35] result of all of that work. But I also
[0:35:37] want to emphasize an important point.
[0:35:40] This proposal is a restructuring of
[0:35:42] responsibilities and reporting
[0:35:44] relationship.
[0:35:45] All of the proposed changes come at no
[0:35:48] additional cost to the district. This
[0:35:50] proposal is about alignment. It's about
[0:35:53] sustainability. It's about leveraging
[0:35:55] the strengths of our people. It's about
[0:35:57] placing talented individuals in
[0:36:00] positions where they can have the
[0:36:01] greatest impact. And ultimately, it's
[0:36:04] about building the organizational
[0:36:05] capacity necessary to our advance our
[0:36:08] work and culture. academics and
[0:36:10] facilities.
[0:36:12] One way to think about this
[0:36:13] organizational structure is through two
[0:36:15] primary areas of focus. The academic
[0:36:18] house and the business and operational
[0:36:20] house. While each area has different
[0:36:22] responsibilities, they ultimately
[0:36:24] support the same mission. The academic
[0:36:26] house focuses on teaching, learning,
[0:36:28] student services, school leadership,
[0:36:31] athletics, and the overall school
[0:36:32] experience. While the business and
[0:36:34] operations house focuses on facilities,
[0:36:37] technology, finance, transportation,
[0:36:40] food services, human resources, and the
[0:36:42] operational systems that allow our
[0:36:44] schools to function effectively every
[0:36:46] day. These are two areas of focus, but I
[0:36:50] want to be really clear. We remain one
[0:36:52] district. The goal is not simply to
[0:36:55] supervise people. The goal is to support
[0:36:58] people. The goal is to empower people.
[0:37:00] The goal is to create clarity so people
[0:37:01] can own their role in the organization
[0:37:04] and help take Panther Pride to the next
[0:37:06] level.
[0:37:08] Before walking through the specific
[0:37:09] areas of the organizational structure, I
[0:37:12] want to provide some additional context
[0:37:13] regarding how to read and interpret the
[0:37:15] chart. One of the challenges that I find
[0:37:18] with any organizational chart is finding
[0:37:19] a way to clearly communicate reporting
[0:37:22] relationships and organizational
[0:37:23] structure while also recognizing that no
[0:37:26] chart can fully represent how a school
[0:37:28] district truly operates. You will notice
[0:37:31] that throughout the chart there are both
[0:37:32] solid and dotted lines. Solid lines
[0:37:35] represent primary supervisory
[0:37:37] responsibility and direct reporting
[0:37:39] relationships. Dotted lines represent
[0:37:41] shared support, shared collaboration,
[0:37:44] and areas where leaders have a
[0:37:46] responsibility to work together to
[0:37:48] support common goals. This distinction
[0:37:50] is important because while
[0:37:52] organizational charts help establish
[0:37:54] accountability and areas of
[0:37:55] responsibility, they do not fully how
[0:37:59] people work together. For that reason,
[0:38:01] you will also notice the disclaimer at
[0:38:03] the bottom of the chart stating that the
[0:38:05] placement of positions within the
[0:38:07] organizational chart is intended to
[0:38:09] illustrate reporting relationships and
[0:38:11] operational structure. Only vertical or
[0:38:14] horizontal positioning should not be
[0:38:16] interpreted as a reflection of the
[0:38:17] values, importance or contributions of
[0:38:20] any role of the district success. Every
[0:38:24] position represented on this chart plays
[0:38:26] a tremendously important role in
[0:38:28] supporting students, staff, families,
[0:38:29] and communities. The chart also does not
[0:38:32] reflect the systems and structures we
[0:38:34] will continue to implement to ensure
[0:38:36] we're not operating in silos. Our
[0:38:39] success will not be determined by the
[0:38:41] reporting lines on this chart. Our
[0:38:43] success will be determined by our
[0:38:45] ability to communicate, collaborate,
[0:38:47] trust one another, and leverage our
[0:38:49] collective strengths and perspectives.
[0:38:52] The organizational helps define
[0:38:53] accountability and areas of
[0:38:55] responsibility, but the culture we
[0:38:57] continue to build will define how we
[0:38:59] work together. With that understanding
[0:39:01] in mind, I'd like to begin with the
[0:39:03] business and operations side of the
[0:39:04] house. On the business side of the
[0:39:07] house, there are a number of changes
[0:39:08] being proposed to better meet the needs
[0:39:10] of our district. But before discussing
[0:39:12] those specific changes, I want to
[0:39:14] emphasize several key points again.
[0:39:16] First, this proposal represents a
[0:39:18] restructuring of roles and
[0:39:20] responsibilities. It's designed to
[0:39:22] better align the strengths of our people
[0:39:24] with our organization needs. Second,
[0:39:27] this plan does not increase the district
[0:39:29] budget. Third, this restructuring
[0:39:32] reflects a commitment on growing and
[0:39:34] promoting people from within where we
[0:39:36] feel confident in the people that we
[0:39:38] have. And finally, I want to be very
[0:39:40] clear that this plan does not furlow or
[0:39:43] eliminate any employees. positions that
[0:39:46] are being removed or repurposed are
[0:39:48] being addressed because the individuals
[0:39:49] currently serving in those roles are
[0:39:51] being transitioned into different
[0:39:53] positions that better align with both
[0:39:55] district needs and their particular
[0:39:57] strengths. This plan is about investing
[0:40:00] in people, not reducing people. As you
[0:40:03] look at the business and operations side
[0:40:04] of the house, one of the most
[0:40:06] significant recommendations is to
[0:40:08] elevate the director of finance position
[0:40:10] to a chief financial officer and
[0:40:12] recommend Kristen Walls to serve in that
[0:40:14] role. As we evaluated the
[0:40:16] responsibilities currently being carried
[0:40:18] by the business office, it became clear
[0:40:20] that the scope of work extends well
[0:40:22] beyond traditional finance functions.
[0:40:24] This position plays a critical role in
[0:40:26] financial planning, budgeting,
[0:40:28] forecasting, operational support,
[0:40:31] capital planning, personnel related
[0:40:33] decisions and long-term district
[0:40:35] sustainability.
[0:40:36] The chief financial officer title more
[0:40:38] accurately reflects both the complexity
[0:40:40] of the position and the strategic
[0:40:42] leadership responsible or
[0:40:44] responsibilities associated with it.
[0:40:46] Another recommended adjustment is the
[0:40:48] removal of the director of human
[0:40:49] resource positions and the creation of a
[0:40:51] coordinator of human resources
[0:40:52] positions. As part of our review
[0:40:54] process, we determined that many HR
[0:40:56] related responsibilities should continue
[0:40:59] to be owned by the administrators within
[0:41:01] their respective departments and
[0:41:03] buildings. At the same time, there
[0:41:05] remains a need for dedicated support
[0:41:08] related to benefits, employee
[0:41:10] assistance, onboarding, compliance, and
[0:41:13] the management of systems and processes
[0:41:15] associated with human resources. This
[0:41:18] recommendation allows us to create a
[0:41:19] model where human resources becomes a
[0:41:21] shared responsibility while still
[0:41:23] providing dedicated support for
[0:41:25] employees throughout the organization.
[0:41:27] We are recommending Melissa Manzer for
[0:41:29] this role. As part of these adjustments,
[0:41:32] we're also proposing the Removal of the
[0:41:34] digital content marketing specialist
[0:41:36] position. Maintaining and growing our
[0:41:38] digital presence through our website and
[0:41:40] social media will continue to be
[0:41:42] important through transition. We will
[0:41:45] continue discussing how we sustain and
[0:41:47] strengthen those efforts. But we believe
[0:41:49] that the work can be effectively managed
[0:41:51] through this series of moves and through
[0:41:53] collaborative efforts across the
[0:41:54] district. When comparing the current
[0:41:56] organizational chart to the proposed
[0:41:58] organizational chart, you will also
[0:42:00] notice the removal of the assistant
[0:42:02] business manager position. Stacy Miller
[0:42:05] is being recommended for the position of
[0:42:07] assistant director of finance. This
[0:42:09] restructuring allows Stacy to assume
[0:42:11] greater leadership responsibilities and
[0:42:13] provide additional support to the chief
[0:42:14] financial officer. The result is a more
[0:42:17] organ or organized and efficient
[0:42:19] distribution of responsibilities within
[0:42:21] the business office that better support
[0:42:23] the growing and complex needs of
[0:42:26] district operations.
[0:42:28] As part of that adjustment with Stacy,
[0:42:30] we're also proposing the addition of a
[0:42:32] transportation coordinator.
[0:42:34] Transportation is one of the most
[0:42:35] visible services that we provide to
[0:42:37] families and the day-to-day needs
[0:42:39] associated with transportation require
[0:42:41] dedicated attention and coordination.
[0:42:43] This position will serve as a primary
[0:42:45] point person for transportation
[0:42:47] operations, special transportation
[0:42:49] needs, communication with families, and
[0:42:51] coordination with vendors and schools.
[0:42:54] Having a dedicated person in this role
[0:42:56] will improve responsiveness, efficiency,
[0:42:58] and overall services. Now, quite
[0:43:01] possibly the biggest shift on this side
[0:43:02] of the house directly connects to one of
[0:43:04] our critical priorities, facilities and
[0:43:07] buildings and grounds. In order to get
[0:43:10] things to a point where we need them to
[0:43:12] be, we need dedicated leadership in the
[0:43:14] buildings and grounds department.
[0:43:16] Throughout the past two months, I've
[0:43:17] been doing building walkthroughs with
[0:43:19] members of our buildings and grounds
[0:43:21] department to perform needs assessments
[0:43:23] and identify areas we need to address.
[0:43:25] We are working to prioritize those needs
[0:43:27] across the district and create a game
[0:43:29] plan to begin moving our facilities in
[0:43:31] the right direction. Through those
[0:43:33] walkthroughs, it became evident to me
[0:43:35] though that we have tremendous people
[0:43:37] within this department. The issue is
[0:43:39] certainly not a lack of talent and and
[0:43:41] certainly not a lack of effort. This
[0:43:44] provides us an opportunity create a
[0:43:46] leadership structure necessary to lean
[0:43:48] into those people, provide direction,
[0:43:51] organize the work and leverage their
[0:43:53] collective experience and strengths to
[0:43:54] make things happen. As part of this
[0:43:57] restructuring, we are proposing a
[0:43:59] dedicated director of buildings and
[0:44:00] grounds positions and re recommending
[0:44:03] that Michael Kapana to serve in that
[0:44:05] role. Michael is currently serving as
[0:44:07] the high school custodial supervisor. He
[0:44:09] brings a great deal of knowledge,
[0:44:10] experience with systems at other
[0:44:12] districts and an intimate understanding
[0:44:14] of the the needs of our district as well
[0:44:16] as strong ideas for how to elevate the
[0:44:18] department moving forward.
[0:44:21] This position and the needs of the
[0:44:23] district are a major lift for one
[0:44:24] person. So because of that, we're also
[0:44:27] proposing the addition of a coordinator
[0:44:28] of buildings and grounds to create a
[0:44:30] twoperson leadership approach to this
[0:44:32] work. This is not necessarily a new
[0:44:35] position. It's a restructuring of an
[0:44:38] existing role. Larry Sakola currently
[0:44:40] serves as our supervisor of maintenance
[0:44:42] and has been a tremendous asset to our
[0:44:44] district. His prior experience includes
[0:44:47] being a buildings and grounds director
[0:44:49] along with tremendous knowledge of the
[0:44:51] trades. In conjunction with Michael's
[0:44:54] operational background, we feel very
[0:44:56] strong that Larry's expertise and skill
[0:45:00] set and experience will partner nicely
[0:45:02] with Michael's knowledge and operations
[0:45:04] so that they create a a welloiled and
[0:45:07] effective team.
[0:45:09] Michael and Larry already work
[0:45:10] exceptionally well together. Bringing
[0:45:12] them up to take leadership in this
[0:45:14] department and focus on long-term
[0:45:15] planning, organization, and execution
[0:45:18] will allow us to begin seeing
[0:45:19] improvement in areas that have been
[0:45:21] challenged. I'm very excited to work
[0:45:23] with this team to address the areas we
[0:45:25] know need attention. But I also want to
[0:45:27] be very transparent. Some of the lifts
[0:45:30] we're about to take on are big lifts.
[0:45:32] They're going to take time. Things will
[0:45:35] not change overnight, but I am fully
[0:45:38] confident that we are going to start
[0:45:40] moving things in the right direction and
[0:45:42] be able to see roots of that labor and
[0:45:44] get things to a place where we are being
[0:45:46] proactive rather than reactive in our
[0:45:49] response to major systems and facility
[0:45:51] needs. We have to go slow to go fast but
[0:45:54] you know we have to put the right people
[0:45:56] in the right positions to be able to
[0:45:58] start making things happen.
[0:46:01] Now I'd like to shift our attention to
[0:46:02] the academic house. Unlike the business
[0:46:05] and operations house, there are no
[0:46:07] positions being added or removed on this
[0:46:09] side of the organization. This side of
[0:46:11] the chart is less about restructuring
[0:46:12] positions and more about intentional
[0:46:14] alignment. The goal is to bring key
[0:46:16] leaders together in a more purposeful
[0:46:18] way, create greater shared ownership,
[0:46:21] and leverage the unique strengths and
[0:46:22] expertise of each individual to enhance
[0:46:26] the work we do in academics, student
[0:46:27] support, and athletics. But before
[0:46:30] walking through the structure itself, I
[0:46:31] do want to revisit the concept of the
[0:46:33] dotted lines. I know the colors of the
[0:46:35] lines may be difficult to see depending
[0:46:37] on how you're viewing the chart, but
[0:46:39] those dotted lines are very intentional.
[0:46:41] As I shared earlier, solid lines
[0:46:43] represent primary supervision and
[0:46:45] accountability, while dotted lines
[0:46:47] represent shared ownership,
[0:46:48] collaboration, support, and collective
[0:46:50] responsibility.
[0:46:52] Those dotted lines are important because
[0:46:54] the work of educating students cannot
[0:46:56] happen in isolation. Everything we
[0:46:59] interconnected. The intentional overlap
[0:47:01] shown throughout this chart reflects our
[0:47:03] commitment to ensuring that leaders are
[0:47:05] working together, communicating
[0:47:06] regularly, solving problems
[0:47:09] collectively, and leveraging one
[0:47:10] another's strengths to maximize our
[0:47:12] impact on students.
[0:47:15] On the educational side of the house,
[0:47:17] Dr. Wyinners and I will be will have
[0:47:18] shared responsibility for several key
[0:47:21] leaders. That includes the director of
[0:47:23] people services position, which I am
[0:47:25] happy to say is on the agenda this
[0:47:27] evening. Missy Nibbala is being
[0:47:29] recommended for that position and I
[0:47:30] believe she's going to be a tremendous
[0:47:32] addition to the work of Valley. Missy
[0:47:35] brings a tremendous amount of experience
[0:47:36] in special education and pupil services
[0:47:39] and currently serves as the director of
[0:47:40] pupil services at Beaver County
[0:47:42] Intermediate Unit. And before anyone
[0:47:45] asks, no, she will not be commuting
[0:47:47] daily from Pittsburgh. Missy's actually
[0:47:49] a Burks County native who is coming back
[0:47:51] to the area and honestly we're thrilled
[0:47:53] to have her. In addition to the director
[0:47:56] of people's services position, Dr.
[0:47:58] Winters and I will share responsibility
[0:48:00] with the director of curriculum and
[0:48:02] learning, our principles, the athletic
[0:48:04] director and the director of athletic
[0:48:05] training,
[0:48:07] pupil services, curriculum and learning
[0:48:09] and our principles will work together to
[0:48:11] strengthen systems across buildings.
[0:48:14] That is why you see intentional overlap
[0:48:16] and dotted lines connecting these areas.
[0:48:18] The goal is to build stronger
[0:48:20] connections, shared ownership, and
[0:48:22] collaborative systems that better
[0:48:23] support our students. The strongest
[0:48:25] results happen when curriculum leaders,
[0:48:28] special education and people service
[0:48:29] leaders, building leaders, and our
[0:48:32] teachers work together towards a common
[0:48:34] goal. That is the mindset that we're
[0:48:37] trying to reinforce through this
[0:48:38] structure. Again, this side of the chart
[0:48:40] is not so much about adding or
[0:48:42] rearranging positions as the business
[0:48:44] office side was. It's about intentional
[0:48:46] redesign and organization of the
[0:48:48] educational side of the house so that we
[0:48:50] can more deliberately build
[0:48:52] collaboration across the various ational
[0:48:54] department. We may have different
[0:48:56] buildings. We may have different
[0:48:58] departments. We may have different
[0:48:59] roles. But the work we do complements
[0:49:02] one another. And the more intentionally
[0:49:04] we come together, communicate,
[0:49:06] collaborate, and grow together, the
[0:49:08] stronger we become as an organization.
[0:49:10] And when you factor that all in, the
[0:49:12] stronger we become as an organization,
[0:49:14] the better we can serve the students and
[0:49:16] families of value.
[0:49:18] Before I conclude, I'd like to leave you
[0:49:20] with one final thought regarding
[0:49:22] organizational charts. While
[0:49:24] organizational charts are important for
[0:49:26] defining roles, responsibilities, and
[0:49:27] accountability, they only tell part of
[0:49:29] the story. What they don't capture are
[0:49:31] the relationships, communication, trust,
[0:49:34] and collaboration that ultimately
[0:49:36] determines an organization's success.
[0:49:38] This chart helps define how the work is
[0:49:41] organized, but it doesn't define how we
[0:49:43] will work together. As we move forward,
[0:49:45] our focus will be on creating systems
[0:49:47] and structures that bring people
[0:49:49] together, leverage our collective
[0:49:51] strengths and align our efforts around
[0:49:53] common goals. Because at the end of the
[0:49:55] day, student success is not the
[0:49:57] responsibility of one department, one
[0:49:58] building, or one individual. It's a
[0:50:00] result of all of us working together
[0:50:02] toward a common purpose. That is the
[0:50:04] culture we are building, and that is the
[0:50:06] work ahead of us. As I reflect on my
[0:50:10] first two months in Scoop Valley, I
[0:50:11] remain incredibly optimistic about where
[0:50:13] we're headed. The organizational
[0:50:15] structure is not the destination. It's
[0:50:18] foundation. It's a foundation designed
[0:50:20] to strengthen our culture, enhance
[0:50:22] academics, improve our facilities, and
[0:50:25] position our district for long-term
[0:50:26] success. But most importantly, it's
[0:50:29] designed to create the conditions for
[0:50:31] talented people to do their best work on
[0:50:33] behalf of the students. Our mission
[0:50:35] statement says, "In our schools, our
[0:50:37] future lies." Those words remind us that
[0:50:40] every decision we make should ultimately
[0:50:42] create better opportunities for the
[0:50:44] students we serve and they will continue
[0:50:46] guiding our work moving forward. In
[0:50:49] August, we will be asking families,
[0:50:51] staff, students, and community members
[0:50:52] to participate in a district-wide
[0:50:54] feedback process. Together, we will
[0:50:57] examine the strengths, weaknesses,
[0:50:58] opportunities, and challenges that exist
[0:51:00] across the district. That feedback will
[0:51:03] help us better understand where we are
[0:51:05] today, where we aspire to be tomorrow,
[0:51:08] and help us determine a pathway that
[0:51:09] will help us get us there. Just as
[0:51:12] learning perceives change in the
[0:51:14] development of this organizational
[0:51:15] structure, listening will continue to
[0:51:17] guide our work moving forward. I would
[0:51:19] encourage everyone to participate when
[0:51:21] that opportunity becomes available
[0:51:23] because the best plans are built
[0:51:25] together. Google Valley is filled with
[0:51:28] talented people, dedicated employees,
[0:51:31] supportive families and a community that
[0:51:33] deeply cares about our students. I'm
[0:51:35] excited about where we are. But I'm even
[0:51:37] more excited about where we are going
[0:51:40] and I look forward to continuing the
[0:51:42] journey alongside students, staff,
[0:51:44] families, board of directors, and the
[0:51:46] community as we continue building valley
[0:51:49] that we aspire to become. Thank you for
[0:51:52] your continued support of the Super
[0:51:54] Valley School District in our schools.
[0:51:57] Our future lives and it's going to be a
[0:51:59] collective effort to make it come to
[0:52:01] reality. Have a wonderful evening.
[0:52:08] >> Well, he's not here to thank in person,
[0:52:09] but I'm sure he'll be listening to this
[0:52:11] later. Um, just like to say thanks for
[0:52:14] that very wellought out proposal and
[0:52:17] just the overall explanation
[0:52:20] are
[0:52:23] under leadership
[0:52:27] details
[0:52:30] basically
[0:52:32] seven.
[0:52:35] So that will be a voting item
[0:52:38] on 6.9 policy and personnel relations.
[0:52:43] Does anyone want to com
[0:52:52] then policy personnel and public
[0:52:54] relations the policy personnel and
[0:52:56] public relations committee work session
[0:52:58] was cancelled for the month of July. The
[0:53:01] committee met as a whole on Monday July
[0:53:04] 22nd and the next work session will be
[0:53:07] held on Tuesday August 4th.
[0:53:11] Move on to the first item 6.1 resation
[0:53:15] accept with regret and best wishes for
[0:53:18] the future the following resations.
[0:53:20] Robin Brightville director of human
[0:53:22] resources effective June 30th 2026 and
[0:53:26] Williams future effective July 9th6. May
[0:53:30] I have a motion please?
[0:53:35] >> Uh any questions or comments?
[0:53:38] >> If not all those in favor say I. I
[0:53:41] >> opposed. Motion carries 70.
[0:53:45] 6.2. The board is requested to consider
[0:53:48] and approve Miss Melissa Manzer,
[0:53:50] coordinator of an hourly rate of $39
[0:53:55] effective July 16th, 2026 to fill the
[0:53:58] newly created position. May I have a
[0:54:00] motion please?
[0:54:03] >> Second
[0:54:07] Brown.
[0:54:10] >> Okay. Uh this is as Dr. Cork explained
[0:54:12] this is the position to fill what was
[0:54:14] formerly the human resources director
[0:54:16] with a coordinator of human resources
[0:54:19] and this is part of the restructuring
[0:54:21] that he talked about. Any other
[0:54:23] questions at all? Do we have all these
[0:54:34] that is in the um that is in the packet
[0:54:39] there
[0:54:46] is a file attachment to this.
[0:54:52] So yes, it is included.
[0:54:56] Any other questions?
[0:54:59] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:55:03] >> Motion carries. 70. Next is 6.3.
[0:55:07] The board is requested to consider and
[0:55:09] approve Miss Casey Miller, assistant
[0:55:11] director of finance at an annual salary
[0:55:14] of $18,150
[0:55:16] effective July 16th, 2026 to fill the
[0:55:19] vacancy created by the resation of Kathy
[0:55:23] McA.
[0:55:36] talked
[0:55:38] about.
[0:55:40] Okay. All those in favor say I.
[0:55:42] >> I.
[0:55:44] >> Motion carries 70. 6.4 consistent with
[0:55:48] the public school for the board of
[0:55:50] directors of the school district hereby
[0:55:53] approves the appointment of Miss Kristen
[0:55:54] Wallace for the position of chief
[0:55:56] financial officer effective July 27th,
[0:55:59] 2026. An annual salary of 160,000 for
[0:56:03] actual days work. Administration the
[0:56:07] are directed to prepare an employment
[0:56:09] agreement for consideration and approval
[0:56:11] by the board at a future meeting. May I
[0:56:13] have a motion please?
[0:56:14] >> So move around
[0:56:18] questions or comments
[0:56:20] not all those in favor say I.
[0:56:22] >> I
[0:56:25] carry 70. Congratulations.
[0:56:29] 6.5 um 6.5 and 6.6 are the transfers to
[0:56:34] fill the director of buildings and
[0:56:35] grounds that was also discussed in Dr.
[0:56:38] Cork's video. The board is the first one
[0:56:41] is 6.5. The board is requested to
[0:56:44] consider and approve the transfer of Mr.
[0:56:46] Michaela
[0:56:48] from custodial supervisor to director of
[0:56:50] buildings and grounds at an annual
[0:56:52] salary of 90,000 rated for actual day
[0:56:55] work effective July 286.
[0:56:58] I have a motion for
[0:57:01] >> questions or comments and the job
[0:57:04] description is also attached.
[0:57:08] >> All those in favor say I.
[0:57:10] >> I opposed. Motion carries 70. This is
[0:57:14] the second part of that. The board is
[0:57:16] requested to consider and approve the
[0:57:18] transfer of Mr. Lorenzo Senola from
[0:57:20] facil
[0:57:22] to buildings and grounds coordinator at
[0:57:24] an annual salary of 82,500.
[0:57:27] actual day work effective July 28th
[0:57:30] 2026. May I have a motion please?
[0:57:33] >> Second
[0:57:35] >> questions, comments
[0:57:37] not all those in favor say I.
[0:57:39] >> I post.
[0:57:41] >> Motion carry 70
[0:57:44] is 6.7 addendum board is requested to
[0:57:48] consider and approve the creation of a
[0:57:50] transportation coordinator position as
[0:57:52] presented. I have a motion last
[0:57:56] >> second.
[0:57:57] >> Questions, comments
[0:58:00] not. All those in favor say I.
[0:58:02] >> I.
[0:58:04] >> Motion carries 70. 6.8. The board is
[0:58:08] requested to consider and approve the
[0:58:09] elimination of the following positions.
[0:58:11] Assistant director of business
[0:58:13] operations, communications and digital
[0:58:15] media specialist. I have a motion,
[0:58:17] please.
[0:58:19] >> Second. Brown.
[0:58:21] Again, these were eliminated by
[0:58:24] restructuring of the
[0:58:27] positions and the job descriptions.
[0:58:31] >> Any other questions?
[0:58:33] Not all those in favor say
[0:58:34] >> I post carry
[0:58:38] 6.9. The board is requested to consider
[0:58:41] and approve the updates to the
[0:58:42] organizational chart as presented by Dr.
[0:58:49] >> Any questions or comments?
[0:58:52] All those in favor say I
[0:58:56] >> motion carries 70.10
[0:59:02] the board is requested to consider and
[0:59:04] approve Miss Melissa Nalma director of
[0:59:06] people services at an annual salary of
[0:59:09] 155,000 prated for actual based work
[0:59:12] effective dates be determined to fill
[0:59:14] the vacancy created by the retirement of
[0:59:16] Mr. Matthew. May I have a motion?
[0:59:22] questions or comments. This again is a
[0:59:24] position that Dr.
[0:59:35] Any
[0:59:48] other comments? If not, all those in
[0:59:51] favor say I.
[0:59:52] >> I.
[0:59:53] >> Motion carries 70. The next are we have
[0:59:57] four teaching positions to be filled
[1:00:00] from 611 to 614. The first is the board
[1:00:04] is to consider and approve Mr. Christian
[1:00:06] Sakura Middle School science teacher
[1:00:09] bachelor step 57,553
[1:00:13] effective with the start of the 20 26
[1:00:15] 207 school year to fill the vacancy
[1:00:18] created by the retirement of Mr.
[1:00:21] Have a motion, please.
[1:00:25] Second.
[1:00:26] >> Questions, comments?
[1:00:28] Not all those in favor say I.
[1:00:30] >> I post. Motion carries 70. Next is the
[1:00:34] board is requested to consider and
[1:00:36] approve Mr. Matthew Chrisman, high
[1:00:38] school mathematics teacher, bachelor
[1:00:40] step 62,170
[1:00:43] effective with the start of the 2627
[1:00:46] school year to fill the vacancy created
[1:00:47] by the retirement of Mr. Jeffers.
[1:00:53] Second
[1:00:54] >> second.
[1:00:55] >> Questions, comments?
[1:00:57] If not, all those in favor say I.
[1:01:00] >> I.
[1:01:01] >> Motion carries. 70. 6.13. The board is
[1:01:05] requested to consider and approve Miss
[1:01:07] Heather Hadley, business education
[1:01:09] teacher, bachelor step three9,772
[1:01:14] the start of the 2627 school year to
[1:01:16] fill the vacancy created by the
[1:01:18] retirement of Mrs. Patricia Lacot.
[1:01:24] >> Questions, comments. If not, all those
[1:01:27] in favor say I.
[1:01:28] >> I.
[1:01:30] >> Motion carries 70.
[1:01:32] And the last employment teaching
[1:01:35] position to be filled tonight. The board
[1:01:37] is requested to consider approve the
[1:01:39] appointment of M. Jessica Worley as a
[1:01:41] special education teacher at the middle
[1:01:42] school effective with the start of the
[1:01:44] 26 27 school year replacing Mrs. Amelia
[1:01:48] Herbert at M243,847
[1:01:55] contingent upon review of official
[1:01:58] graduate transcript and final
[1:02:00] verification of salary placement. I have
[1:02:02] a motion.
[1:02:05] >> So move
[1:02:07] >> second
[1:02:09] >> questions comments.
[1:02:11] Not all those in favor say I. Opposed
[1:02:15] carries 70.
[1:02:17] 6.15 and 6.6
[1:02:20] The addendum these are two employee
[1:02:23] compensation adjustments. Um we were
[1:02:26] using incorrect rates have been used for
[1:02:29] our maintenance supervisors. So that is
[1:02:31] something that we wanted to make sure
[1:02:33] was corrected. 6.15. The board is
[1:02:37] requested to consider and approve the
[1:02:38] compensation adjustment for David
[1:02:40] Barnett, custodial supervisor for the
[1:02:42] elementary school, establishing a new
[1:02:44] hourly rate of $29.3 effective July
[1:02:48] 28th, 2026. We have a motion
[1:02:52] >> second.
[1:02:57] All those in favor say I.
[1:03:00] >> Motion carries 70.6
[1:03:04] The board is requested to consider and
[1:03:05] approve the compensation adjustment for
[1:03:07] Kent Jagger, custodial supervisor for
[1:03:09] the middle school, establishing a new
[1:03:11] hourly rate of $34.90
[1:03:14] effective July 28th, 2026.
[1:03:19] >> Questions, comments? All those in favor
[1:03:21] say I.
[1:03:24] >> Motion carries 70.17
[1:03:27] employment and substitutes. is requested
[1:03:29] to consider and approve the following
[1:03:31] substitutes for the 2026 27 school year
[1:03:35] teacher Berth services worker power
[1:03:38] professional and secretary and Rachel
[1:03:42] have a motion
[1:03:46] >> second
[1:03:48] >> questions comments
[1:03:50] not all those in favor say I
[1:03:53] >> post motion carries 70 is there any
[1:03:57] other new for policy and public
[1:04:00] relations.
[1:04:02] >> I guess just a question again.
[1:04:35] We have several that have new titles.
[1:04:38] Some are new, some are
[1:04:44] >> some of them are going to be
[1:04:48] recording
[1:05:00] and that is that good enough job also
[1:05:05] approved. I don't think you need to
[1:05:07] separately description.
[1:05:22] But it's from what we voted on this
[1:05:26] evening under that name.
[1:05:38] Anything
[1:05:52] else for policy personnel public
[1:05:54] relations?
[1:05:55] If not, we'll move on to curriculum and
[1:05:58] technology. The curriculum and
[1:05:59] technology committee held a work session
[1:06:01] on Thursday, July 9th. Um and the
[1:06:05] committee met as a whole on Monday, July
[1:06:07] 20th and the next work session will be
[1:06:10] held on Tuesday, August 4th.
[1:06:13] Moving on to items for board approval.
[1:06:17] 7.1
[1:06:18] permission to list the equipment on
[1:06:20] municip
[1:06:27] interactive panels for sale through
[1:06:29] municip
[1:06:38] comments.
[1:06:40] >> Not all those in favor say I. opposed.
[1:06:44] Motion carries 70 6.2 approves the 262.7
[1:06:49] agreement between school district and
[1:06:51] Bur County Head Start. I have a motion,
[1:06:53] please.
[1:06:56] >> Second,
[1:06:58] >> questions, comments, all those in favor
[1:07:01] say I.
[1:07:02] >> I
[1:07:04] carry 70.3
[1:07:08] McGraw Hill for the US government,
[1:07:11] please.
[1:07:16] questions.
[1:07:19] All those in favor say I.
[1:07:22] >> Carry 70.
[1:07:24] 7.4.
[1:07:26] We have um textbook and curriculum
[1:07:30] materials disposal
[1:07:32] and um the 7.5 disposal of the MAO audio
[1:07:38] meter which was
[1:07:41] 1974.
[1:07:43] We have the two items together and
[1:07:47] curriculum materials forms attached and
[1:07:50] audio. We have a motion for those two
[1:07:53] items.
[1:07:57] Second
[1:08:03] question or comments.
[1:08:05] All those in favor say I.
[1:08:08] >> Motion carries.
[1:08:10] 7.6 the TSI plan for the middle schools.
[1:08:17] >> Motion second
[1:08:20] question.
[1:08:22] All those in favor say I.
[1:08:23] >> I.
[1:08:25] carries
[1:08:28] 7.7 EAMIC learning for the purchase of
[1:08:32] EAMIC learning for the 2026 2027 school
[1:08:36] year at a cost of $1,360.
[1:08:49] >> Questions or comments?
[1:08:51] Not all those in favor say I.
[1:08:53] >> I.
[1:08:55] Motion carries
[1:08:57] going to combine the um next three 7.8
[1:09:01] the MS digital middle school digital
[1:09:03] citizenship curriculum
[1:09:06] 7.9 approves the ELA curriculum for the
[1:09:09] following grades 1 through 3 5 through 8
[1:09:12] in grades 11 through 12 and 7.10
[1:09:17] uh approves the updates to the math
[1:09:18] curriculum for grades K through eight.
[1:09:21] We have a motion for 7.8, 7.9, and 7.10.
[1:09:30] >> Questions are coming. If not, all those
[1:09:33] in favor say I.
[1:09:34] >> I post carry. 70.
[1:09:39] 71. We have approves the renewal quote
[1:09:42] from BCIU for Zoom licenses. 712, we
[1:09:46] have approves the proposal from Sapphire
[1:09:48] K12 incorporated
[1:09:50] presented.
[1:09:52] Renaissance Custom Data Integration.
[1:09:56] We'll put those three together. 711,
[1:09:58] 712, 73.
[1:10:03] Second,
[1:10:04] >> questions, comments. All those in favor
[1:10:07] say I.
[1:10:09] >> Oppos. Motion carries. 70.
[1:10:13] We have 74, the health, safety, and
[1:10:16] physical education curriculum for grades
[1:10:19] K through 12. We have a motion
[1:10:27] >> second
[1:10:29] questions or comments.
[1:10:32] >> All those in favor say I.
[1:10:33] >> I
[1:10:36] motion carry 70.
[1:10:38] We talked about this last week. 7.15 the
[1:10:42] board is requested consider
[1:10:44] from Apple as presented.
[1:10:50] Second,
[1:10:52] >> we have um this was the item that went
[1:10:56] up $100 and then last month, last week,
[1:10:59] sorry, we found out it went up another
[1:11:01] $10. So, this is now
[1:11:08] iPad. Yes, but it's locked in. Okay. All
[1:11:12] those in favor say I.
[1:11:14] >> I motion carries 70. Is there over new
[1:11:18] business for curriculum and technology.
[1:11:22] I I do have a couple things um in the in
[1:11:26] the budget. One of the items was um on
[1:11:30] cyber bullying
[1:11:32] and um
[1:11:35] there was
[1:11:38] that
[1:11:39] cyber bullying issue comes up that their
[1:11:43] school district must notify the parents
[1:11:45] of each party.
[1:11:49] almost immediately and
[1:11:52] I don't I don't know what exactly that
[1:12:00] online
[1:12:34] The other one is um
[1:12:38] that there has to be social and
[1:12:40] emotional instruction
[1:12:44] on on how to use the internet. I guess
[1:12:46] um and I think we probably have that
[1:12:49] pretty well covered in our citizens
[1:12:52] citizens.
[1:12:53] class in the middle school. I'm not sure
[1:12:56] what
[1:12:59] to
[1:13:09] expect out of school district, but I
[1:13:12] think what I read
[1:13:19] I hear more.
[1:13:57] Is that it?
[1:14:00] We'll move on to budget and finance.
[1:14:02] Budget and finance committee held a work
[1:14:04] session on Tuesday, July 14th.
[1:14:07] committee then on Monday July 20th and
[1:14:10] the next work session will be held on
[1:14:12] Tuesday August 11th 8.1 approval and
[1:14:16] ratification of the bill approves and
[1:14:18] ratifies the payments and bills of the
[1:14:20] following amounts as presented which is
[1:14:23] a grand total of 4,91341
[1:14:32] >> question
[1:14:34] say
[1:14:39] We have the 8.2 approvesc
[1:14:43] for copy paper in the amount of $14,820
[1:14:48] for the period of July 1st through 31st.
[1:14:57] >> All those in favor say I.
[1:14:59] >> I
[1:15:01] carry 70. The April budget transfers
[1:15:06] approves the budgetary transfers as
[1:15:09] presented. Please
[1:15:13] second
[1:15:16] I
[1:15:21] do have an addendum. The board is
[1:15:23] requested to consider and approve the
[1:15:25] disposal of the following removal and
[1:15:27] disposal of existing cables and CR56
[1:15:30] dishwasher at the high school and
[1:15:32] Removal and disposal of existing tables
[1:15:34] and Jackson dishwasher and system at the
[1:15:37] middle school. We have a motif
[1:16:14] Thank you.
[1:16:17] >> You have a motion.
[1:17:04] Nothing.
[1:17:16] Any
[1:17:35] other questions?
[1:17:42] Is there any other new business?
[1:17:48] If not, we'll move on to buildings and
[1:17:50] grounds. The buildings and grounds
[1:17:52] committee have a work session on
[1:17:53] Tuesday, July 14th. The committee met as
[1:17:56] a whole on Monday, July 20th, and the
[1:17:58] next work session will be on Tuesday,
[1:18:00] August 11th. So, I'm going to combine
[1:18:03] 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4. 9.1 is amendment.
[1:18:11] 2026 monitoring contract agreement with
[1:18:13] Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP
[1:18:15] revising the contract term language 9.2
[1:18:19] approves the proposal for full
[1:18:20] landscaping and tree services in the
[1:18:22] amount of 172,450
[1:18:25] per year for grounds maintenance
[1:18:27] services from August 1st 2026 through
[1:18:30] June 30th 2028
[1:18:32] approves a quote from Johnson Controls
[1:18:34] fire protection in the amount of $5,580
[1:18:37] to replace four duct protectors in the
[1:18:39] high school kitchen area and approve 9.4
[1:18:43] approves the quote from mainline
[1:18:44] commercial pools in the amount of $8,219
[1:18:48] for the installation of a new pool
[1:18:50] chemical heater at the middle school.
[1:18:52] have a motion
[1:18:55] second.
[1:18:59] >> These were all things that we had
[1:19:01] discussed last week forward.
[1:19:20] Any
[1:19:49] other
[1:19:52] If not, all those in favor say I.
[1:19:54] >> I
[1:20:03] 9.5.
[1:20:06] The board is requested to consider and
[1:20:08] approve three quotes for fire protection
[1:20:10] for an annual fire extinguisher service
[1:20:13] in the amount of $5,854.
[1:20:16] May I have a motion, please?
[1:20:19] Motion
[1:20:20] >> second.
[1:20:23] Questions or comments?
[1:20:35] Any
[1:20:52] other questions?
[1:20:53] If not, all those in favor say I.
[1:20:56] >> I
[1:20:57] car.
[1:20:59] Is there any other old or new business
[1:21:02] for buildings and grounds? I I have
[1:21:04] something Carol. My vote nay vote on
[1:21:08] 919293 and 94 was not reflective of 9193
[1:21:13] and 94. I just believe under 92 that
[1:21:16] we're paying a huge amount of money,
[1:21:18] especially considering we're bringing
[1:21:20] stuff in house with leadership and snow
[1:21:23] removal and so forth that we don't look
[1:21:26] for u landscaping trees or or
[1:21:29] landscaping and grass mowing. $172,000
[1:21:34] over the course of a 26 week cycle is a
[1:21:37] lot of money to be paying when we could
[1:21:39] probably do our own way cheaper in
[1:21:41] house. So that had nothing to do with
[1:21:44] the other three. My name vote had to do
[1:21:46] with that proposal. Thank you.
[1:21:49] >> Mr. Do you want to clarify that you
[1:21:56] >> absolutely
[1:21:58] >> can be
[1:22:05] any other
[1:22:08] business?
[1:22:10] If not, we'll move on to student
[1:22:12] services and activities. The student
[1:22:14] services and activities committee held a
[1:22:16] work session on Thursday, July 16th. The
[1:22:19] committee met as a whole on Monday, July
[1:22:21] 20th, and the next work session will be
[1:22:23] held on Thursday, August 13th.
[1:22:27] Uh 10.1 the Wayfinder Advisory Program
[1:22:32] Middle School approves three
[1:22:36] threeear contract for initiation the
[1:22:38] wayfinder program at the middle school
[1:22:40] total cost of 26,984.75.
[1:22:55] >> Any questions or comments? I did talk
[1:22:57] with um
[1:23:00] the principal at the middle school
[1:23:04] and he's very pleased with this program.
[1:23:16] >> Thank you. Any other comments?
[1:23:18] If not, all those in favor say
[1:23:20] >> I
[1:23:22] motion carries 70.2
[1:23:27] Second
[1:23:29] 126.7 agreement contract for two
[1:23:32] students. May I have a motion please?
[1:23:37] >> Second
[1:23:39] >> questions or comments?
[1:23:42] Not all those in favor say
[1:23:43] >> I
[1:23:45] motion carries 70 combine the next few
[1:23:53] middle school back donation items
[1:23:55] approve the following items donated from
[1:23:58] warehouse pretzels and snack 104 the
[1:24:03] tumble
[1:24:05] rental agreement and liability contract
[1:24:09] also for the um
[1:24:12] school back to school night and 10.5 the
[1:24:16] um approves the Panther Pride stadium
[1:24:18] campaign donation of $16,580%
[1:24:22] to the Valley School District track and
[1:24:24] field program for the purchase of a new
[1:24:36] question or comments on 10.3.4 or 10.5.
[1:24:48] >> All those in favor say I.
[1:24:50] >> I motion carries.
[1:24:53] We have one addendum. The board is
[1:24:55] requested to consider and approve the
[1:24:57] contract with Timothy school for
[1:24:59] student.
[1:25:02] May I have a motion?
[1:25:08] questions or comments. All those in
[1:25:11] favor say I.
[1:25:12] >> Opposed. Motion carry 70.
[1:25:16] We do have a 10.7 addendum the eighth
[1:25:19] grade student camp agreement. The board
[1:25:22] is requested to consider and approve and
[1:25:24] recommend approval of the letter of
[1:25:25] agreement establishing camp usage and
[1:25:28] harmless agreement middle school outdoor
[1:25:30] education program. We have a motion in
[1:25:34] second.
[1:25:38] comments. I just want to make note that
[1:25:40] these are for the dates of October 5th
[1:25:42] through October 9th. I know something
[1:25:48] look forward to
[1:25:51] any other questions, comments
[1:25:53] if not all those in favor say I.
[1:25:57] >> Motion carries 70. Is there any other
[1:26:00] older new business?
[1:26:06] If not,
[1:26:07] we'll move to any other old business and
[1:26:11] go to the order.
[1:26:15] >> Hearing none, may I have a motion to
[1:26:17] adjourn.
[1:26:19] >> All those in favor say I.
[1:26:21] >> I.
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2026-08-17_BPoyZqlcmdE.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2026-08-17 (committee)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPoyZqlcmdE
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:01:45] like
[0:02:06] roll call, please.
[0:02:09] Mr.
[0:02:11] Mr. Brown, Mr. Black, Mrs. Matthews
[0:02:15] here, Mr. Mo, Mr. Ros, Mrs. here, Mr. H,
[0:02:22] Mr.
[0:02:23] >> H.
[0:02:34] The first is the National Association of
[0:02:38] elementary school principles
[0:02:40] leaders conference and presented by Dr.
[0:02:43] McDonald.
[0:02:53] Good afternoon.
[0:02:54] In July, I had the opportunity to attend
[0:02:57] the National School Leadership
[0:02:58] Conference powered by the National
[0:03:00] Association of Elementary School
[0:03:01] Principles at uh Coronado Springs in
[0:03:04] Florida. The conference brought together
[0:03:06] school leaders and educators from across
[0:03:08] the country for several days of
[0:03:09] professional learning, collaboration,
[0:03:12] networking, and the exchange of
[0:03:13] innovative practices. The conference
[0:03:15] offered more than 100 learning
[0:03:17] opportunities addressing many of the
[0:03:19] challenges and opportunities currently
[0:03:21] faced in school. Major areas of focus
[0:03:23] included instructional leadership,
[0:03:25] building leadership capacity, school
[0:03:27] climate and culture, student voice and
[0:03:29] agency, whole school wellness, special
[0:03:32] education, MCS, student attendance,
[0:03:34] staff engagement, and strategies for
[0:03:36] supporting students and families. One of
[0:03:38] the most impactful messages of the
[0:03:41] conference came from opening keynote
[0:03:43] speaker Marina Valentine a former
[0:03:45] elementary school principal who survived
[0:03:47] severe sepsis and became able
[0:03:51] before returning to school leadership.
[0:03:53] Her keynote proved what possible focus
[0:03:56] on resilience perspective purpose and
[0:03:58] the responsibility leaders have to
[0:04:00] challenge assumptions about what can and
[0:04:02] cannot be accomplished. One concept that
[0:04:05] particularly resonated with me was of
[0:04:08] using appropriate when making leadership
[0:04:10] decision. Valentine encouraged leaders
[0:04:12] to consider whether benefit students
[0:04:15] support staff and align with the vision,
[0:04:17] mission and values and the beliefs of
[0:04:19] the organization. Her message reinforced
[0:04:22] the importance of remaining focused on
[0:04:23] purpose particularly when leaders are
[0:04:26] navigating competing priorities, limited
[0:04:28] resources and organizational change in
[0:04:31] difficult positions. Another important
[0:04:34] key takeaway was the need to shift our
[0:04:36] thinking from focusing on what we lack
[0:04:38] to recognizing and maximizing the
[0:04:40] resources, talent, and opportunities
[0:04:42] already available to us. In education,
[0:04:45] barriers will always exist. Effective
[0:04:47] leadership requires finding ways to move
[0:04:49] forward despite them and continuing to
[0:04:52] focus on what is possible for students
[0:04:54] in school. So in addition to the keynote
[0:04:56] presentation, as I've mentioned, there
[0:04:58] were uh over a hundred opportunities to
[0:05:00] attend other presentations and some of
[0:05:02] those included a day in the life of an
[0:05:04] instructional leader, celebrate more,
[0:05:06] grow more, build a culture that thrives,
[0:05:09] leading in the middle, 10 essential
[0:05:10] leadership lessons, building executive
[0:05:13] functioning for students and adults,
[0:05:15] transforming MTSS for long-term success,
[0:05:18] IDA in action, strengthening principal
[0:05:21] leadership and special education,
[0:05:23] addressing optimism using
[0:05:25] incentives to increase attendance from
[0:05:27] buyin to tryin leading change through
[0:05:30] action not persuasion and strategic
[0:05:32] planning for a new year five essential
[0:05:34] steps rooted in improvement coming
[0:05:38] these sessions provided opportunities to
[0:05:39] examine both instructional and
[0:05:41] operational aspects of school leadership
[0:05:44] of particular value were discussions
[0:05:45] surrounding the principal's role as an
[0:05:47] instructional leader and the importance
[0:05:49] of intentionally protecting time to be
[0:05:51] present in classrooms understand what
[0:05:53] students are learning provide meaningful
[0:05:55] feedback and support the continued
[0:05:57] growth of teachers. Another session I
[0:05:59] found particularly insightful
[0:06:01] surrounding MCS um and executive
[0:06:03] functioning skills. Um skills such as
[0:06:05] working memory, impulse control,
[0:06:07] emotional regulation, and cognitive
[0:06:09] functioning significantly influence
[0:06:11] students abilities and successful access
[0:06:13] to instruction and to navigate the
[0:06:15] school environment. These skills should
[0:06:17] not simply be viewed as characteristics
[0:06:19] students either possess or lack, but as
[0:06:21] skills that can be explicitly taught.
[0:06:23] practice and strengthen through
[0:06:25] classroom practices and comprehensive
[0:06:27] systems. Overall, attending the 20.6
[0:06:30] National School Leadership Conference
[0:06:32] provided an important opportunity to
[0:06:33] step outside of the day-to-day
[0:06:35] operational demands of school leadership
[0:06:37] and engage with innovative and motivated
[0:06:39] educators from across the country.
[0:06:41] Despite differences in our school sizes,
[0:06:44] demographics, geographic location, and
[0:06:46] available resources, many educators are
[0:06:48] navigating remarkably similar challenges
[0:06:51] related to student achievement,
[0:06:53] attendance, behavior, wellness, special
[0:06:55] education, staff capacity, family
[0:06:57] engagement, and the changing
[0:06:59] expectations placed upon public schools.
[0:07:02] Um, at the elementary school, we hope uh
[0:07:04] that the board will continue to support
[0:07:06] and recognize the value of these
[0:07:08] experiences. Um, and we hope to not have
[0:07:11] administrators again this year but
[0:07:12] teachers participate in high quality
[0:07:14] professional conferences and learning
[0:07:16] experiences. Um as I as I um that's fair
[0:07:20] there's a lot of valuable information
[0:07:22] that comes from these conferences and um
[0:07:25] we hope that the work will continue and
[0:07:28] thank you for supporting attendance at
[0:07:30] this conference.
[0:07:32] Any questions?
[0:07:37] Thank you.
[0:07:42] presentation
[0:07:43] proposal for the 2026 2027
[0:07:47] committee work sessions.
[0:07:50] >> Good afternoon everyone. Wanted to share
[0:07:52] a proposed update in our committee work
[0:07:54] sessions as we move forward. Over the
[0:07:57] last couple of months, we have had
[0:07:58] committee work sessions every single
[0:08:00] month for each of the committees,
[0:08:02] although we have kind of combined uh
[0:08:04] certain ones. Well, we've been meeting
[0:08:07] Tuesday and Thursday in the first week
[0:08:08] and second week, those committee
[0:08:10] sessions have definitely led to a lot of
[0:08:13] positive discussion and and forward
[0:08:15] movement in a lot of areas. But now that
[0:08:17] we're starting to get some of those
[0:08:18] things in motion and starting to have
[0:08:21] members of our team kind of in play, uh
[0:08:23] we're looking at reducing the number of
[0:08:25] meetings so that they're more meaningful
[0:08:27] and set up at a point throughout the
[0:08:29] year where conversation and getting
[0:08:31] feedback is going to be valuable in
[0:08:33] driving direction. So, we have uh to
[0:08:36] propose is to really set up and and
[0:08:39] narrow our four committee meeting days
[0:08:41] down to two uh on the first Tuesday of a
[0:08:46] a quarterly month. And I'll kind of walk
[0:08:47] through that. Our thought was to pull
[0:08:49] curriculum, technology, and student
[0:08:51] services as well as student
[0:08:53] extracurricular activities together so
[0:08:55] that every quarter we're having a
[0:08:57] meaningful conversation as an entire
[0:08:59] district about the student experience at
[0:09:02] large. So rather than separating those
[0:09:04] out having you know missing meala there
[0:09:06] having Jenny there having Jason there
[0:09:09] we're going to talk about curriculum
[0:09:10] we're going to talk about academics
[0:09:12] we'll talk about extracurriculars and
[0:09:14] student support services in a quarterly
[0:09:16] meeting where we can share the progress
[0:09:18] towards our district level goals as well
[0:09:20] as seek feedback from both board members
[0:09:22] and community members that are present.
[0:09:24] So our thought was to have those
[0:09:27] meetings. The first one would be in
[0:09:28] August before we kickstart a year.
[0:09:30] That's a great opportunity for us to
[0:09:32] share what our focus and priority areas
[0:09:34] are for that year to get some feedback.
[0:09:36] And then if we run them quarterly from
[0:09:38] there, we thought November being that
[0:09:40] next follow-up one, we could share an
[0:09:42] update on how the kickoff to the school
[0:09:44] year went, how our initiatives are off
[0:09:46] the ground and running to collect
[0:09:48] feedback so that we can make informed
[0:09:50] decisions. Then again bring it back to a
[0:09:52] full committee in February to have that
[0:09:54] conversation and also now start to have
[0:09:56] conversation for the following year as
[0:09:57] we prepare. Uh and then we end the year
[0:10:00] uh with that last committee meeting in
[0:10:02] May so that we're continuing to talk
[0:10:04] about what is our plan and preparation
[0:10:06] for the for the upcoming school year as
[0:10:08] well as continue to seek feedback. We
[0:10:10] thought four meetings throughout the
[0:10:12] year consolidated would just be more
[0:10:14] meaningful work that we can create an
[0:10:16] agenda and and solicit feedback in a
[0:10:19] more meaningful way instead of just
[0:10:20] creating talking points for the sake of
[0:10:22] talking about them uh over the course of
[0:10:24] a month-to-month meeting. Buildings and
[0:10:27] grounds and budget and finance uh we
[0:10:28] have at a different frequency. These
[0:10:30] would occur on the second Tuesday of the
[0:10:32] month. Buildings and grounds based on
[0:10:35] the needs of the facility. We want to
[0:10:37] have those that are more increased
[0:10:39] frequency. So you'll see that that is
[0:10:42] nearly every single month. The only
[0:10:43] months that we are proposing not having
[0:10:45] buildings and grounds is December, June,
[0:10:48] and July. Ultimately
[0:10:51] uh we would pick back up in August but
[0:10:53] those every other month we would have
[0:10:54] buildings and grounds meetings and
[0:10:57] coupled with that on that same night
[0:10:59] would be budget and finance on
[0:11:00] particular days. So working with Kristen
[0:11:04] on the budget cycle and what frequency
[0:11:06] we thought was appropriate. We felt that
[0:11:08] the first budget and finance uh meeting
[0:11:11] would be in October so that we could
[0:11:12] talk about act one index and start some
[0:11:14] really pre-planning for the budget
[0:11:16] process. But the bulk of the work for
[0:11:18] the budget starts in January and leads
[0:11:20] all the way up through um April before
[0:11:23] we start to put it on the board for
[0:11:25] formal approval. So those would be
[0:11:27] monthly meetings moving forward from
[0:11:29] January uh through April and May uh to
[0:11:32] get the budget approved. So looking just
[0:11:35] for for some feedback on this committee
[0:11:37] work session change up. Uh we felt as a
[0:11:41] collaborative team this would better
[0:11:43] capture the spirit of collaboration and
[0:11:45] transparency and and really input from
[0:11:49] the community but not at a frequency
[0:11:50] where again it's it's just meeting so
[0:11:53] that they can meet
[0:12:01] >> correct. So I I appreciate that policy
[0:12:03] and personnel really we looked at policy
[0:12:06] in a different way. We are actively
[0:12:08] working on creating a policy schedule
[0:12:11] for review that will kind of take us
[0:12:13] through a three-year review cycle so
[0:12:16] that we're everything is completely
[0:12:17] transparent and open that we can share
[0:12:19] so that we know at what what is our
[0:12:22] revision cycle and we don't have any
[0:12:24] policy that's older in terms of
[0:12:26] reisement than three years. So instead
[0:12:29] of having a policy meeting we're working
[0:12:31] structure that we can share with
[0:12:33] everyone and we can post on our website
[0:12:34] with our policies that'll tell you what
[0:12:36] the review process is, which ones are up
[0:12:38] for review when, and then we just follow
[0:12:40] that through. The personnel uh the
[0:12:44] personnel committee meeting uh we felt
[0:12:47] we will call those as needed. A lot of
[0:12:50] personnel issues can't necessarily be
[0:12:51] discussed in in public work sessions,
[0:12:54] but when we have agreements such as the
[0:12:57] non-compensated
[0:12:58] employee support plan, when those come
[0:13:01] up for renewal, we'll schedule meetings
[0:13:03] so that we can solicit feedback and get
[0:13:05] people involved. Uh but that's not
[0:13:07] something that comes up every single
[0:13:09] year and and certainly is not something
[0:13:12] that we need to schedule um over the
[0:13:14] course of a year in terms of reoccurring
[0:13:16] meetings. So that is how we're going to
[0:13:18] approach the two committees moving
[0:13:20] forward.
[0:13:34] So it's not like the commur
[0:14:01] separate
[0:14:02] Yes. And I'll share an updated schedule
[0:14:05] um with everybody, but those would start
[0:14:09] if everyone's on board with those. Those
[0:14:11] will start in September. So, Tuesday,
[0:14:12] September 8th would be our first
[0:14:14] building.
[0:14:15] That will be held at the elementary
[0:14:17] school. the only building we have not
[0:14:18] done a tour yet of but we'll make sure
[0:14:20] that we post and publish that so that
[0:14:22] everyone knows but September 8th would
[0:14:24] be the next buildings and grounds
[0:14:31] >> budget and finance would be coupled with
[0:14:32] buildings and grounds on October
[0:14:50] We wouldn't have any others
[0:14:52] for this month. The next student
[0:14:54] services one would be in November. Okay.
[0:15:00] So, we'll clean that calendar up. I I
[0:15:02] shared that out in an But we'll make
[0:15:04] sure that we make adjustments
[0:15:05] appropriately. We'll capture a statement
[0:15:07] in terms of how we're doing policy and
[0:15:10] personnel related items on the bottom of
[0:15:11] that. But we can get that posted to the
[0:15:13] website as well. Ultimately, we wanted
[0:15:15] to know if the board was on board with
[0:15:17] that that level of rotation for
[0:15:18] committee meetings that we can
[0:15:25] only.
[0:15:43] >> Sure. And we certainly can look at that
[0:15:45] as we get going. Misty coming on board
[0:15:47] at the end of September, there'll be
[0:15:49] some on boarding anyway. So the thought
[0:15:51] was we get her the month of October
[0:15:53] situated, you could provide some
[0:15:55] meaningful input on November 3rd based
[0:15:56] on what we learned in our first months
[0:15:58] on the job.
[0:16:01] So we'll remain flexible with that. If
[0:16:03] we need to call a committee meeting, we
[0:16:04] certainly will. These are just ones that
[0:16:06] are essentially on the calendar. We can
[0:16:08] count on having them. We can count on
[0:16:09] them being, you know, meaningful pl
[0:16:11] meaningfully planned for. in advance.
[0:16:24] >> And
[0:16:37] there's two other things I just want to
[0:16:39] bring up that I I did not necessarily
[0:16:40] put on this, but something just sure
[0:16:43] everyone's aware of. We've made it very
[0:16:46] clear the last couple of meetings that
[0:16:47] facilities and buildings and grounds is
[0:16:49] something that we are really working to
[0:16:51] prioritize um ultimately to make sure
[0:16:53] that our spaces are up to a level where
[0:16:56] that's commensurate to the the level of
[0:16:58] instruction and education we want to
[0:16:59] provide our kids. With that, putting
[0:17:02] Michael and Larry in play has been a
[0:17:04] tremendous asset for the district. Even
[0:17:06] though it's been a short period of time,
[0:17:07] they've already moved and got a lot of
[0:17:09] things off the ground, moving in a
[0:17:11] positive direction. As we are diving
[0:17:13] deeper into facilities related items, we
[0:17:17] are recognizing exactly to what extent
[0:17:20] to which we need to address these items
[0:17:22] to get them up to speed. Um, HVAC is no
[0:17:25] surprise that it continues to be a
[0:17:27] challenge for us. I'm bringing that up
[0:17:30] because I I want to publicly thank uh
[0:17:32] Topah Hawken Area School District. Our
[0:17:34] high school um has had some HVAC issues
[0:17:38] uh in the the recent past where certain
[0:17:40] wings of our building do not have access
[0:17:42] to air conditioning. The elementary
[0:17:45] school were getting those problems
[0:17:47] rectified based on last year and they're
[0:17:49] being fixed. We wanted to come up with a
[0:17:52] plan and essentially have a situation
[0:17:54] where all teachers impacted and students
[0:17:57] impacted by not having air conditioning
[0:17:59] these first couple weeks while it still
[0:18:01] could be temperatures to fluctuate and
[0:18:03] be hot. We want to make sure that people
[0:18:04] are as comfortable as possible. We only
[0:18:07] have a limited number of ground units
[0:18:09] for air conditioning and there were
[0:18:11] about 30 high school classrooms that
[0:18:13] could potentially be uh at risk of not
[0:18:16] having air conditioning. So, as we kind
[0:18:18] of threw our heads together in terms of
[0:18:19] what we can do, especially from a cost
[0:18:22] standpoint, I did reach out to Topah
[0:18:24] Haken. Topah Haken recently went through
[0:18:26] a renovation project. Uh, and through
[0:18:28] experience, I knew they had a number of
[0:18:30] the same units that we had. Um, Dr.
[0:18:33] Nesnik, the superintendent of Topah
[0:18:35] Haken, and uh, Mr. Master, their
[0:18:38] buildings and grounds uh essentially
[0:18:40] director amongst other things. They were
[0:18:42] gracious enough to let us borrow 38 air
[0:18:47] conditioning units. Um Matt even helped
[0:18:50] load them up onto the truck for us. So I
[0:18:53] just wanted to publicly thank both of
[0:18:55] them and the Tobank Area School
[0:18:56] District. I think that was huge. Uh
[0:18:59] without hesitation, I reached out they
[0:19:01] and asked and they had no problem. They
[0:19:03] said, "When can you come get them?" Um
[0:19:05] and then work around their schedule so
[0:19:07] that they could be there at 7 a.m. on a
[0:19:09] Friday to to load them up onto our truck
[0:19:12] and make sure that they they got off and
[0:19:13] running. So, I I did not want to not
[0:19:17] take this chance to publicly thank them
[0:19:18] because all of our classrooms now who
[0:19:20] are impacted by AC will at least have
[0:19:22] portable units in these first couple
[0:19:24] weeks while we work for the long-term
[0:19:25] solution. So, again, thank you uh to
[0:19:28] both Dr. Netnik and Mr. Sher uh that
[0:19:31] huge asset for us.
[0:19:36] Thank you.
[0:19:56] I know
[0:20:00] is just know that we are working on it
[0:20:04] trying to get these things done and
[0:20:06] hopefully we get this straighten out
[0:20:12] of
[0:20:14] everybody
[0:20:20] Moving on, I'm going to read the uh
[0:20:22] policy for persons who wish to address
[0:20:25] the board for all of our committees
[0:20:27] tonight. Anyone who wishes to address
[0:20:29] the committees this afternoon will have
[0:20:31] three minutes to state your questions or
[0:20:33] concerns. Please state your name, the
[0:20:35] town of where you live, and indicate if
[0:20:37] you are representing the group. All
[0:20:39] comments directed to the board as a
[0:20:41] whole, and we ask that your comments be
[0:20:42] respectful in nature. If you have a
[0:20:44] written statement,
[0:20:46] A copy of that statement would be app.
[0:20:48] Details of this policy are on our
[0:20:50] website listed under policy 93 public
[0:20:52] comment.
[0:20:54] We're going to move on to policy and
[0:20:57] public relations.
[0:21:00] Oh, Frank is not going to be here this
[0:21:02] evening. So, I'm going to go through
[0:21:04] this agenda and Frank will give his
[0:21:07] report as committee chair regarding the
[0:21:09] April 4th committee meeting.
[0:21:13] Moving on to
[0:21:20] a few times but nothing.
[0:21:26] Okay, we'll move on to 6.2 resessional
[0:21:37] effective April 18, 2025.
[0:21:41] Kylie, substitute service effective
[0:21:44] March
[0:21:46] Morgan Gallagher, substitute death
[0:21:47] teacher effective May 1st, 2026. Susan
[0:21:50] Hecman, substitute nurse May 29th, 2026.
[0:21:55] Sharon Kohler, substitute death teacher
[0:21:57] effective November 15, 2024. Christopher
[0:22:01] Monco, substitute death teacher,
[0:22:03] effective November 28, 2025. Erica
[0:22:06] Stewart, substitute nurse, effective
[0:22:08] October 3rd, 2025. Samantha substitute
[0:22:12] teacher 2725
[0:22:16] substitute death teacher effective May
[0:22:18] 5th Wednesday
[0:22:20] oh May 15 sorry 20 206
[0:22:26] any questions on that
[0:22:28] we'll move that forward 6.3 employment
[0:22:32] of the committee is requested to
[0:22:34] consider and recommend approval of the
[0:22:36] following mentors for the 2026 2027
[0:22:39] school
[0:22:40] of $1,175
[0:22:42] for your year mentors and $587.50
[0:22:47] for half year mentors.
[0:22:50] The mentors are should be listed on
[0:22:53] online agenda.
[0:23:01] I guess I'll list them
[0:23:03] half year for Matthew
[0:23:08] for
[0:23:09] Edmonson for Christian
[0:23:14] Wagner
[0:23:17] for Jessica.
[0:23:26] Moving on to 6.4 employment substitutes
[0:23:29] committee requested to consider and
[0:23:31] recommend approval of the following
[0:23:32] substitutes for the 2026 2027 school
[0:23:35] year. There are 49 names listed on this
[0:23:40] list. So I'm not going to read all 49.
[0:23:43] I'm just going to
[0:23:46] indicate that they are on the online
[0:23:48] agenda for anyone who would like to see
[0:23:50] that
[0:23:55] forward
[0:23:57] 6.5 contract services. The committee is
[0:24:00] requested to consider and recommend
[0:24:02] approval of a professional service
[0:24:03] agreement between Valley School District
[0:24:06] and Stephanie, an independent contractor
[0:24:09] providing language pathology services
[0:24:12] for the 2026 27 school year at a rate of
[0:24:15] $150 per hour. Any questions or comments
[0:24:20] that
[0:24:23] 6.6
[0:24:24] contract for services. The committee is
[0:24:26] requested to consider and recommend for
[0:24:28] approval the renewal of the agreement
[0:24:30] with General Healthcare Resources
[0:24:32] Incorporated to provide substitute nurse
[0:24:34] services at an hourly rate of $55 for
[0:24:38] LPN and $65 for an RN
[0:24:47] 6.7 county school district trust
[0:24:51] full board appointment request to
[0:24:54] consider and recommend the Dr. Dennis
[0:24:56] Clark, superintendent of schools to
[0:24:58] Burks County School District's Health
[0:25:00] Trust full board to complete the term
[0:25:02] from February 3rd, 2026 through February
[0:25:05] 3rd, 2028 previously filled by Dr.
[0:25:14] 6.8 employment. The committee's request
[0:25:17] to consider and recommend approval of
[0:25:19] Melissa Morrison, parttime services
[0:25:21] worker, four hours per day at an hourly
[0:25:23] rate of
[0:25:26] effective August 1726
[0:25:29] to fill the vacancy created by the
[0:25:30] retirement of Aaron
[0:25:34] questions
[0:25:36] for
[0:25:38] 6.9 employment
[0:25:41] requested to be considered and recommend
[0:25:43] h certified building sub4
[0:25:47] $47,553
[0:25:50] reduced rate of pay for single level
[0:25:52] benefit option available
[0:25:54] days work effective with the start of
[0:25:56] the 2026 27 school year
[0:26:03] 6.10 employment the committee is
[0:26:06] requested to consider and recommend
[0:26:07] approval of Eliza Enriquez certified
[0:26:09] building sub
[0:26:12] 47,553
[0:26:15] reduced rate of pay with a single level
[0:26:17] benefit option available for actual days
[0:26:20] work affected with the start of the 2026
[0:26:22] 2027 Consensus move that
[0:26:27] 6.11 employment the committee is
[0:26:30] requested to consider and recommend
[0:26:32] approval of Jerry Grower parttime low
[0:26:34] incident special education
[0:26:37] personal six days six hours per day and
[0:26:40] an hourly rate of $18.38
[0:26:43] effective with the start of the 26 27
[0:26:45] school year
[0:26:50] 62 employment the committed Consider and
[0:26:54] recommend approval of Shannon Rouse,
[0:26:56] parttime special education power
[0:26:57] professional at the elementary school,
[0:26:59] six hours per day at an hourly rate of
[0:27:02] $16.38
[0:27:04] with the start of the 2026 27 school
[0:27:07] year. Consensus move
[0:27:11] 6.13. The committee's request is to
[0:27:13] consider and recommend approval of
[0:27:15] Maryanne Flat, parttime special
[0:27:16] education power professional at the
[0:27:18] middle school, six hours per day
[0:27:24] with the start of the 2026
[0:27:26] 27 school year.
[0:27:30] 6.14 committee requested to consider and
[0:27:33] recommend approval of Lor Street
[0:27:35] part-time special education power at the
[0:27:37] middle school six hours per day at an
[0:27:40] hourly rate of $16.38
[0:27:43] effective with the start of the 2026
[0:27:45] 2027 school year
[0:27:48] forward
[0:27:49] 6.15 employment the committee is
[0:27:52] requested to consider and recommend
[0:27:53] approval of the Tyrell parttime special
[0:27:56] education professional at the middle
[0:27:58] school per day and an hourly rate of
[0:28:00] $16.38
[0:28:02] effective with the start of the 2026
[0:28:04] 2027 school year incentives to move that
[0:28:07] forward.
[0:28:10] employment. The committee is requested
[0:28:12] to consider and recommend approval of
[0:28:14] Melissa Miller, part-time special
[0:28:15] education power professional at the
[0:28:17] middle school, six hours per day in an
[0:28:19] hourly rate of $16.38
[0:28:22] effective with the start of the 2026
[0:28:24] 2027 school year.
[0:28:29] Moving on to 6.17, discussion of policy
[0:28:32] 707
[0:28:34] facilities. We'll begin the discussion
[0:28:37] of policy 707 use of school.
[0:28:43] >> Well, thank you. Want to provide an
[0:28:45] update to the full board. Over the last
[0:28:48] couple weeks, we've had conversation
[0:28:49] about policy 707 and the schedule of
[0:28:52] fees to both the policy and personnel
[0:28:54] meeting as well as the student
[0:28:55] activities. Ultimately, what we are
[0:28:58] proposing to change is not the policy
[0:29:00] itself, but the attachment that has the
[0:29:02] schedule of fees that are associated
[0:29:04] with that policy. In conversation over
[0:29:06] the last couple months, there's been a
[0:29:09] lot of conversation about not charging
[0:29:11] our in-house and in community youth
[0:29:14] organizations uh to use the facilities
[0:29:17] of the school district. So the biggest
[0:29:19] change that we made is our groups one,
[0:29:21] two and three which are super valley and
[0:29:25] specific organizations. We do not intend
[0:29:28] in this facility usage schedule fees to
[0:29:30] charge them for use of any of our
[0:29:33] facilities. The only two areas where we
[0:29:36] there would be charges incurred would be
[0:29:39] the use of the swimming pool to ensure
[0:29:40] that we had lifeguards on staff for
[0:29:42] safety purposes. And if a youth
[0:29:45] organization had a multi-day tournament
[0:29:48] where we would need to have custodial
[0:29:50] services involved, we would also pass we
[0:29:52] would pass those custodial services and
[0:29:54] that charge to them. But for rental of
[0:29:57] facilities, there would not be any
[0:29:58] charges for groups one, two, and three.
[0:30:01] The other adjustments we made um Jason
[0:30:04] and I really look at the county at what
[0:30:07] other districts are posted for utilizing
[0:30:09] and renting facilities. Not every
[0:30:12] district has them transparently shared
[0:30:14] out on their website, but based on the
[0:30:16] data that we could collect, uh we did
[0:30:19] identify that our rates for all five
[0:30:21] groups were significantly lower by far
[0:30:24] than any other school in the county. So
[0:30:26] in conjunction with not charging our
[0:30:28] in-house people, we are proposing that
[0:30:31] we elevate our hourly rate uh and
[0:30:34] charges for the rental of facilities to
[0:30:36] be at that 66th percentile in in the
[0:30:39] county. That was our target mark. So we
[0:30:42] will I shared with the board what that
[0:30:44] schedule be um was to look like. Really,
[0:30:48] we're going to we're looking at putting
[0:30:49] this in play for the start of this
[0:30:51] school year, but uh talking with Jason
[0:30:55] and getting information even as early as
[0:30:56] this morning. There are some
[0:30:58] organizations that I was there group
[0:31:00] four level that we had prior agreement
[0:31:03] with um particularly down university um
[0:31:06] and exit for swimming because we have
[0:31:09] already kind of had an agreement with
[0:31:11] them dating back to March I believe is
[0:31:13] is what it was. I just suggest that we
[0:31:15] honor those agreements until they come
[0:31:17] up based on the rates that we talked
[0:31:19] about in March. And then moving forward
[0:31:21] when those have to be redone, we we have
[0:31:23] that conversation again with the new
[0:31:24] rate. Outside of that, any outside
[0:31:27] organization that would want to use our
[0:31:28] our facilities, uh we would suggest that
[0:31:31] we we charge them based on the drafts
[0:31:35] that we had discussed at both committee
[0:31:36] meetings over the last few weeks.
[0:31:39] Any
[0:31:42] other discussions?
[0:31:46] This is something that's going to be
[0:31:48] greatly appreciated by
[0:31:51] community
[0:31:58] organized.
[0:32:01] >> So with that in mind, um we wanted to
[0:32:03] talk through discussion today just to
[0:32:04] make sure that everyone was on the same
[0:32:06] page. We will make sure that it this
[0:32:08] draft language comes off of the facility
[0:32:10] usage and that we post this particular
[0:32:13] document on the board agenda for the
[0:32:15] voting session next week so that
[0:32:16] everyone sees it. Um, but this has been
[0:32:18] shared at both committee work sessions
[0:32:20] over the last few weeks.
[0:32:29] this post on the school website.
[0:32:33] It would be an attachment to policy 707
[0:32:35] in our policy
[0:32:41] though.
[0:32:47] You know, just as you were looking at
[0:32:48] other schools,
[0:32:51] we would have available.
[0:32:57] Yeah, absolutely. We do have a spot on
[0:33:00] our website for facility usage and
[0:33:02] rentals and the whole process. We'll
[0:33:04] make sure that in addition to the policy
[0:33:06] will also have an attachment on the
[0:33:07] website.
[0:33:12] Anything else we
[0:33:17] have voting items
[0:33:20] 6.18
[0:33:23] the board is requested to consider and
[0:33:25] approve the price in the amount of
[0:33:27] 500 for Dr. Patrick Winter, assistant
[0:33:30] superintendent compensation for serving
[0:33:33] as acting superintendent
[0:33:35] school district from November 12th, 2025
[0:33:38] through June 7th, 2026.
[0:33:43] A second
[0:33:46] question
[0:33:49] I just want to say thank you to Dr.
[0:33:52] appraond
[0:33:57] all the balls in the air.
[0:34:06] I really appreciate that.
[0:34:28] in a second. All in favor say I
[0:34:39] 6.19.
[0:34:42] The board is requested to consider and
[0:34:43] approve bus driver utilized by
[0:34:46] transportation for the 2026 2027 school
[0:34:49] year of all required documentation. I
[0:34:53] have a motion please
[0:34:56] second.
[0:34:59] Any questions or comments?
[0:35:03] If not all those in favor say I
[0:35:08] >> motion carries 8.2
[0:35:12] The board is requested to consider and
[0:35:13] approve the bus routes for the 2026 2027
[0:35:16] school year and authorizes the financial
[0:35:19] officer and transportation coordinator
[0:35:21] make the necessary changes throughout
[0:35:23] the 2026 27 school year. We have a
[0:35:26] motion
[0:35:28] >> second.
[0:35:33] >> Any questions or comments?
[0:35:38] >> If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:35:44] 6.21
[0:35:45] The board is requested to consider and
[0:35:47] approve Dr. Patrick Wer participation in
[0:35:50] 126 2027 education policy fellowship
[0:35:54] program through the education policy and
[0:35:55] leadership center which is an 8mon
[0:35:58] cohort program designed to advance
[0:36:00] effective public education policy in the
[0:36:02] commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
[0:36:08] Second
[0:36:09] >> questions or com.
[0:36:12] All those in favor say I.
[0:36:14] >> I
[0:36:16] motion carries. 8
[0:36:19] 6.22 board request consider and
[0:36:22] recommend issuing a professional
[0:36:24] employee contract to the following
[0:36:25] temporary professionals who have served
[0:36:27] three years and have received
[0:36:29] satisfactory rating in accordance with
[0:36:31] section 118.
[0:36:33] school that is
[0:36:36] Kelly. I have a motion.
[0:36:40] >> Second.
[0:36:42] >> Any questions or comments?
[0:36:45] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:36:48] >> Motion carries. 8. Moving on to 6.23.
[0:36:52] Any other business?
[0:36:57] >> I just have a quick question. Um the
[0:36:59] language was a little bit different in
[0:37:01] um some of the employment sections um in
[0:37:03] parentheses where it says reduce rate of
[0:37:05] pay with single level benefit option
[0:37:08] available and prorated for actual days
[0:37:10] work. They usually just prorated for
[0:37:12] actual days worked. So do we offer um if
[0:37:15] someone does not bring dependence on to
[0:37:18] the plan
[0:37:20] like reimbursement or compensation of
[0:37:22] some sort.
[0:37:29] So for a certified building sub the
[0:37:31] reduction is at 4753 the amount that's
[0:37:34] listed that's without benefit. Um there
[0:37:36] is a benefit option though. If subs do
[0:37:39] come on, they then would be at a total
[0:37:43] of 57,000 as opposed to 47,000 and
[0:37:46] that's that single benefit option where
[0:37:49] they would ultimately receive benefits.
[0:37:51] So that is an option once they come on
[0:37:53] and
[0:37:55] >> okay I just don't
[0:37:58] we wanted to add it in just so that way
[0:38:00] we're representing that I don't think it
[0:38:04] was always called out but that was an
[0:38:06] option for those particular positions I
[0:38:10] just don't see any benefits if there's
[0:38:13] any incentive for someone to go on their
[0:38:15] spouses benefits are not on ours that
[0:38:17] helps us a
[0:38:23] Thank you.
[0:38:28] If not, we'll move on to 7.0 curriculum
[0:38:31] technology.
[0:38:52] Valley.
[0:39:05] American
[0:39:28] people.
[0:39:44] This will provide
[0:40:22] These are just the online resources that
[0:40:25] the teachers can use that go along with
[0:40:27] the
[0:40:29] every year. So the system
[0:40:32] that they have digitally but then also
[0:40:36] make
[0:40:46] fast.
[0:41:22] building.
[0:41:38] We will
[0:41:48] And then
[0:41:58] here
[0:42:06] we can identify struggling.
[0:42:24] is not
[0:42:37] um
[0:42:41] Silver Valley
[0:43:07] that will
[0:43:12] brand
[0:43:32] All the other
[0:43:55] 8.0
[0:43:56] budget 8.1
[0:44:04] 8.2 approval ratification of bills the
[0:44:06] committee requested to consider and
[0:44:09] recommend board app
[0:44:11] payments bills from the dates July 1326
[0:44:15] to August 25th 2026 from the general
[0:44:18] fund 1,58,68767
[0:44:24] period fund $28,67959
[0:44:29] capital improvement project fund $164774
[0:44:37] capital projects fund 33
[0:44:42] and the MS HS activity fund
[0:44:46] $33635,810,825
[0:45:04] summary 84
[0:45:08] new and old
[0:45:18] 9.0 buildings and grounds. I don't think
[0:45:21] we have anybody to address the board
[0:45:23] tonight. Move on to 9.2. Uh we have item
[0:45:27] here for disposal chemicals and
[0:45:28] furniture.
[0:45:31] The committee is requested to consider
[0:45:32] and recommend approval of the disposal
[0:45:34] of chemicals and furniture from the high
[0:45:36] school and middle school as presented.
[0:45:39] Questions or comments on this
[0:45:42] board 9.3
[0:45:45] we have some quotes from
[0:45:48] fire protection. The committee is
[0:45:50] requested to consider and recommend
[0:45:52] approval of three quotes from fire
[0:45:54] protection for repairs to the back
[0:45:55] prevention devices at the elementary
[0:45:57] school middle school and high school at
[0:45:59] a combined cost of
[0:46:03] questions that
[0:46:10] yeah the um where the
[0:46:15] building protection system's val
[0:46:25] at the moment I guess when they redid
[0:46:26] the when they went and did an inspection
[0:46:29] this year they found
[0:46:32] fields
[0:46:37] on those
[0:46:40] right.
[0:46:44] Any other questions
[0:46:48] uh 94
[0:46:50] voting item
[0:46:53] >> 9.4 The board is requested to approve
[0:46:56] and ratify the quote from fire
[0:46:58] protection the amount
[0:47:00] 640
[0:47:01] repairs for the high school.
[0:47:26] This was during our
[0:47:30] inspection for the high school.
[0:47:46] What was the material of that service?
[0:47:49] What was the material of that service
[0:47:50] plan?
[0:47:52] Um
[0:48:07] motion in a second. All those in favor
[0:48:09] say I
[0:48:11] >> motion carries.
[0:48:14] >> Back over to Al.
[0:48:15] >> All right. Uh 9.5. Any other old
[0:48:18] building?
[0:48:20] The only thing I wanted to bring up to
[0:48:21] get perspective from the board is
[0:48:23] relative to our track. So, we've had
[0:48:27] some good conversation with the track
[0:48:29] coaches, but with the addition of the
[0:48:32] fieldhouse and the way that the storage
[0:48:34] is is set up, Jason, I met with the
[0:48:36] coaches to make sure that their needs
[0:48:38] for the track team would be met based on
[0:48:40] that facility or the the storage area
[0:48:43] that's adjacent to um this crack at the
[0:48:47] finish line. So, with that being said,
[0:48:49] everything's good to go moving forward.
[0:48:51] We do not have a need for the long track
[0:48:53] shed before we look at what we do with
[0:48:55] that track shed. Want to get an idea
[0:48:57] from the board if you we can look at
[0:49:00] options of ultimately getting rid of
[0:49:03] that because it's still gigantic. Um I
[0:49:05] know there was talk Jason and I about
[0:49:06] some shed potentially being needed at
[0:49:09] the baseball field. Um but we also have
[0:49:11] those two other smaller sheds. They'd be
[0:49:13] far easier to move around. So, our
[0:49:16] proposal, we wanted to take an idea from
[0:49:18] you would be to look to get rid of and
[0:49:20] part ways with the very large track
[0:49:22] shed, which would be very difficult to
[0:49:24] move in the future if we wanted to move
[0:49:26] it and look at potentially utilizing the
[0:49:28] two smaller sheds down by the baseball
[0:49:30] fields to give them a little bit more
[0:49:31] storage before moving forward. We wanted
[0:49:33] to get some perspective from the board
[0:49:36] uh to see if we wanted to hold on to
[0:49:37] that large track and relocate it because
[0:49:40] time is of the essence of getting that
[0:49:42] one out of the way for the project.
[0:49:44] >> What's the condition of the little
[0:49:46] sheds? that they were not in the best.
[0:49:50] I was part of the group that
[0:49:53] I know from over the years.
[0:49:59] I know
[0:50:03] >> I know I was at least in one of them as
[0:50:06] I was helping the booster club empty it.
[0:50:08] That one wasn't in bad tape. I wasn't in
[0:50:10] the the second one. The one closest to
[0:50:13] the now existing
[0:50:16] torn down
[0:50:17] >> torn down torn down.
[0:50:21] The one closest.
[0:50:25] >> Yeah, that was the one that I was
[0:50:26] actually physically in. It did not look
[0:50:28] like it was in looked like we could
[0:50:30] repurpose that one. I have not really
[0:50:32] invested the other one. I don't know.
[0:50:35] Jason,
[0:50:38] >> that used to be the high school
[0:50:39] football.
[0:50:42] I've been in it a few times and it's
[0:50:45] been in shape with the other one.
[0:50:46] >> Okay.
[0:50:50] >> I know it's an is
[0:50:56] >> I can certainly reach out to Mr. and see
[0:51:00] if there would be any need from her end.
[0:51:02] Um, but I just figured if we we can get
[0:51:04] on that. I know that the construction
[0:51:07] site is looking for an answer on in
[0:51:09] terms of moving it or what we want to do
[0:51:10] with it.
[0:51:11] I can reach out to her, but short of her
[0:51:14] wanting it for a and us planning a spot
[0:51:16] where we we have it, are we on board
[0:51:18] with the fact that we can look to part
[0:51:21] way with that shed in some way.
[0:51:30] While we're on top of the meeting, um I
[0:51:34] know we talked about
[0:51:40] divided offer
[0:51:55] that's
[0:52:08] I don't at this point, but I can follow
[0:52:11] back up with Jason. We can look at where
[0:52:13] where those needs are relative to the
[0:52:14] two that we have available at this point
[0:52:16] if we would to relocate them. But we can
[0:52:18] look at that movement. I know we had
[0:52:21] talked about kids earlier this summer,
[0:52:22] but yeah, follow back up. No, fine.
[0:52:25] Sure.
[0:52:32] Okay. As far as
[0:52:35] business, we did have a meeting as
[0:52:37] committee on August 11th and we had that
[0:52:40] meeting at the middle school and meeting
[0:52:42] with the tour middle pool, take a look
[0:52:44] at the facilities conditions and start
[0:52:47] to generate a list of improvements might
[0:52:49] like to see there. And we met with uh
[0:52:52] Mike, our new building director.
[0:52:56] gives an update on the first 10 days.
[0:52:59] So appreciate the work put together and
[0:53:02] look forward to seeing what else
[0:53:14] we have.
[0:53:17] from Valley Youth and Football
[0:53:20] Association. The committee is requested
[0:53:22] to consider and recommend approval of
[0:53:23] the equipment donation from the Valley
[0:53:26] Youth and Football Association valued at
[0:53:29] $16,982.
[0:53:34] We did discuss this in our committee
[0:53:36] meeting. They are donating quite a few
[0:53:39] pieces of equipment.
[0:53:43] I just want to thank them for generously
[0:53:52] questions.
[0:54:07] I think
[0:54:10] I saw
[0:54:24] was part of or in conjunction with this,
[0:54:26] it was understood that part of these
[0:54:28] donations would be tied to not charging
[0:54:31] youth to use those facilities as well as
[0:54:34] continuing to have those conversations
[0:54:36] about who like prioritizing youth
[0:54:38] organizations for the use of our
[0:54:40] facilities. So, we'll definitely
[0:54:41] continue to do that. That's something
[0:54:43] that we already currently do, but seeing
[0:54:45] that we're going to move forward with
[0:54:47] 707 for that attachment and not charge
[0:54:50] them anyway, we're in good
[0:54:56] forward 1.3 scoreboard installation. The
[0:55:00] committee is requested to consider and
[0:55:01] recommend approval of the work of full
[0:55:03] landscape and free service LLC to
[0:55:06] perform the installation of scoreboards
[0:55:08] in three places.
[0:55:10] three attachments. One is basketball
[0:55:12] scoreboard, baseball scoreboard, and
[0:55:14] softball scoreboard.
[0:55:16] Any questions about that?
[0:55:21] Forward.
[0:55:24] 26 homecoming DJ is requested to
[0:55:26] consider and recommend approval of the
[0:55:28] contract for the 2026 homecoming DJ in
[0:55:30] the amount of $800
[0:55:36] forward
[0:55:41] discussion
[0:55:43] girls
[0:55:55] Yeah, currently our uh middle school is
[0:55:59] tied to a co-ed um team in terms of boys
[0:56:04] and girls. Um I would like to separate
[0:56:07] those and to have one boys junior high
[0:56:10] team and one girls junior high team.
[0:56:13] That way when we go to wrestle somebody
[0:56:17] um we're signified as a girls wrestling
[0:56:20] team and a boys wrestling team not a co
[0:56:23] wrestling team.
[0:56:26] >> Yes.
[0:56:39] >> Yeah there is a little bit of a
[0:56:41] challenge. There are um a lot of schools
[0:56:44] that are still in the co-ed um side of
[0:56:46] things, but more schools are
[0:56:48] transitioning to the girls side of
[0:56:50] things. Um I just know when we go to
[0:56:54] like tournament opportunities when we go
[0:56:56] to a tournament, uh if you go as a you
[0:57:01] know, you go to a girls tournament, you
[0:57:02] have to count it toward your boy
[0:57:05] contest. And if you're not separated,
[0:57:08] that's what happens. So it provides less
[0:57:10] opportunities
[0:57:12] for both both groups. And so when uh say
[0:57:16] we wrestle a school in our conference
[0:57:18] that doesn't have any girls on the team,
[0:57:22] the girls lose out on opportunities to
[0:57:24] wrestle.
[0:57:25] We have to count that as their girl
[0:57:27] their opportunities.
[0:57:29] That works.
[0:57:33] Jason, you had mentioned that you
[0:57:35] already have a couple schools lined up
[0:57:36] that potentially we have dual meet with
[0:57:39] an all girls team as well competition
[0:57:41] wise. So dual meets might be a challenge
[0:57:42] up front, but in terms of tournaments
[0:57:44] moving forward and competition point, we
[0:57:47] think it'll open up a lot more
[0:57:48] opportunity. Yeah, we have two ds
[0:57:51] scheduled with where a team will bring
[0:57:53] in a girls middle school team and then
[0:57:56] our high school team will wrestle them
[0:57:59] right after that. So something new,
[0:58:01] something that hasn't been done here.
[0:58:06] You probably want to just hang out there
[0:58:08] because the next one I'm gonna have you
[0:58:10] talk about. So, if everybody's okay with
[0:58:11] that, we'll move that forward. Um 10.6
[0:58:15] high school boys lacrosse and high
[0:58:17] school girls lacrosse discussions.
[0:58:22] >> There's bad weather outside, so some
[0:58:24] teams are coming in right now. So, I'm
[0:58:26] sorry.
[0:58:32] Um,
[0:58:35] with our numbers being the way they were
[0:58:38] at the end of last season, um, I reached
[0:58:41] out to Muenberg to ask, uh, what are the
[0:58:44] possibilities of co-oping um, with their
[0:58:47] teams um, both boys and on the girls
[0:58:50] side. U, they said we could co-op with
[0:58:55] them um, if we wanted to. Um it would
[0:58:59] cost us um a fee per player
[0:59:04] is around the $500 per player range. Um
[0:59:09] but uh um you know looking at both ways
[0:59:16] um I guess I wanted feedback on which
[0:59:19] direction
[0:59:20] school board would want to go.
[0:59:24] Are we able to jump in and out of that
[0:59:27] agreement or is it a longterm agreement?
[0:59:29] >> Um, it would be for a cycle. So, it
[0:59:32] would be for this school year and the
[0:59:35] next one.
[0:59:37] >> I know we had strong participation when
[0:59:40] the boys were cross and the lower
[0:59:42] grades, but we did have gap year.
[0:59:47] So I just wonder how that went.
[0:59:49] >> Yeah, like this upcoming season we have
[0:59:51] no juniors and seniors on the boys
[0:59:53] lacrosse team and as of right now and so
[0:59:59] I mean we would have two options. either
[1:00:01] we play JV for the next two years just
[1:00:04] as a Google Valley team with co-oping
[1:00:06] with Fleetwood and or we go to Muenberg
[1:00:12] and we have the opportunity for some of
[1:00:14] those kids to play varsity possibly and
[1:00:18] and they also would have enough to build
[1:00:20] a J team to get those guys
[1:00:23] opportunities.
[1:00:24] >> Is the older team credit field players
[1:00:30] more
[1:00:31] I mean that is the that is a issue when
[1:00:34] you co-op teamwise instead of individual
[1:00:37] sports you know you are at the will of
[1:00:40] you know what their coach decides who
[1:00:43] should play who shouldn't play.
[1:00:45] where as it was an individual sport you
[1:00:48] could you know you would plan on your
[1:00:51] kids participating without
[1:00:58] >> what did the uh the players have
[1:01:01] >> I haven't asked them I
[1:01:04] know on the girls side uh I've had many
[1:01:07] girls parents and players reach out
[1:01:09] saying they didn't want the co-op on the
[1:01:12] girls side because a lot of them are you
[1:01:14] They're seniors. They want to have a
[1:01:16] senior night at here, which I totally
[1:01:18] understand.
[1:01:20] You know, and and on the girls side, I
[1:01:22] think we have enough to keep the girls
[1:01:26] side going. It's the boys side where
[1:01:29] we're either we have to make a decision
[1:01:32] either we play JV and hope to build our
[1:01:35] program and, you know, get it where it
[1:01:37] should be or we take a
[1:01:41] we look at the option of you I I just
[1:01:44] wanted to have options, you know, not be
[1:01:47] like, "Hey, this is great."
[1:01:50] >> I would just ask that we support this
[1:01:52] into items, one for the boys, one for
[1:01:56] the girls. Um, I am biased. I put that
[1:02:01] out there. I have a senior who plays
[1:02:03] lacrosse on the girls. Um, and I just
[1:02:06] brought up, Jason, that we do have a
[1:02:09] co-op currently with. We do have four
[1:02:12] girls that played with last year. Um,
[1:02:14] they have said that there are other
[1:02:16] girls that they're friends with that
[1:02:18] have expressed interest for this year. I
[1:02:20] don't know if we'll get more players or
[1:02:22] not, but I just don't think that it
[1:02:24] would be fair for those four girls at
[1:02:26] Fleetwood who came out and helped us
[1:02:29] last year to say, "Sorry, now we don't
[1:02:31] get to play anymore because we're going
[1:02:35] to
[1:02:37] see this
[1:02:41] on the boys again."
[1:02:46] Um, but as Jason said, we have no
[1:02:48] seniors and juniors. We have only
[1:02:51] sophomores and freshman
[1:02:53] go against some of the schools that we
[1:02:55] were going against. Last year we opted
[1:02:58] to go with the varsity schedule
[1:03:00] one
[1:03:03] games to watch as a mom of a freshman
[1:03:07] last year
[1:03:10] as
[1:03:13] you know what he wanted to do that's
[1:03:16] what all those boys wanted to do but a
[1:03:19] little scary watching, you know, your
[1:03:21] your child go against someone's place as
[1:03:23] big as them. So, I'm really conflicted
[1:03:26] on that, but I'd like to see those out.
[1:03:31] >> And I'm I'm fairly confident I can get a
[1:03:34] JB's schedule, no problem. There's a lot
[1:03:37] of, you know, schools that they only
[1:03:39] have varsity only and so I can go and be
[1:03:42] the JB team for, you know, those people.
[1:03:47] Your thing for the boys?
[1:03:48] >> For the boys. Yeah. I can find JB games.
[1:03:51] I mean, I kind of get where you're going
[1:03:53] as far as
[1:03:56] I think it was also
[1:03:58] practicing players, bigger teams like I
[1:04:03] think that
[1:04:06] to have that ability to do that.
[1:04:13] Yeah, I was I was worried about the
[1:04:14] freshman sophomores coming in maybe kids
[1:04:17] in the lower grades coming in and
[1:04:18] looking at their high school
[1:04:20] opportunities and figuring well I don't
[1:04:22] have a chance to play lacrosse because
[1:04:24] we're we're going to have to compete
[1:04:26] against kids
[1:04:29] on the field. So I was a little
[1:04:31] repercussions
[1:04:36] but I don't know
[1:04:39] I mean we knew we knew
[1:04:41] I know
[1:04:55] Yeah.
[1:05:08] >> What would look like if we did
[1:05:18] I'm not fair on that.
[1:05:20] >> Bicycles. No, I'm just I don't know. I'm
[1:05:23] not
[1:05:25] >> generally speaking, at least in co-op
[1:05:27] agreements I've worked with in the past,
[1:05:29] we would bust them to practice and then
[1:05:31] we would parents would pick up from
[1:05:33] practice essentially. So, we would get
[1:05:35] them to games, we get them to practice,
[1:05:37] from here, but then transportation on
[1:05:39] the back ends from there. would be on on
[1:05:43] parents or if they could drive then they
[1:05:44] could drive. So we we wanted to bring
[1:05:47] this up this month knowing that it was
[1:05:49] conversation last time because there
[1:05:50] could be some timing um implications
[1:05:53] relative to the PIAA that that Jason's
[1:05:56] working through. So ultimately one yes
[1:05:59] we could separate girls and guys out as
[1:06:01] two separate discussion points but
[1:06:04] ultimately if we decided next week which
[1:06:07] direction we want to kind of head
[1:06:08] nothing's official at that point. It
[1:06:10] would essentially be the boys then if
[1:06:12] I'm hearing it right. Do we want to go
[1:06:14] with the JBC's and in houses valley or
[1:06:16] do we want to continue to explore the
[1:06:19] co-op agreement? We have tentative
[1:06:21] conversations within where that would be
[1:06:24] okay but we would still have to get
[1:06:26] formal board approval on both their end
[1:06:28] and our end in the month of September to
[1:06:31] meet the October one deadline of CIAA
[1:06:33] for a co-op. So, we wanted to bring this
[1:06:35] up at this point in time just so that we
[1:06:37] we have if we have an option, which we
[1:06:40] do right now, that option still rest on
[1:06:42] the table knowing that we have a lot of
[1:06:43] work to do to get it across the finish
[1:06:45] line to make sure that we have formal
[1:06:47] agreements and board approval on both
[1:06:49] ends.
[1:06:51] I guess the other I mean we have timeach
[1:07:10] >> I have a couple questions
[1:07:18] >> currently yes they'd be close But it
[1:07:20] would be close.
[1:07:21] >> Okay. And the other question I have is
[1:07:24] what do members look like?
[1:07:33] And what are
[1:07:37] we sending them over
[1:07:41] time?
[1:07:45] >> I would have to ask that question to
[1:07:47] them. I could report that.
[1:07:50] That's very true.
[1:07:58] >> That's my point. They're not going to
[1:08:02] be playing
[1:08:09] >> I I think you don't have enough skill to
[1:08:12] it depend on you don't know
[1:08:16] whether
[1:08:20] he's got whether they want to try to win
[1:08:22] teamwork they want to continue their own
[1:08:25] players they loyalty their
[1:08:28] I kind of feel
[1:08:32] practice
[1:08:34] better practice but I think
[1:08:40] I don't think they get the same
[1:08:45] program no doubt but
[1:08:49] the other question I have is we as a
[1:08:52] board let the administration make the
[1:08:54] best choice possible because the timing
[1:08:56] is critical We don't have to wait for
[1:08:59] meeting to have a vote during that
[1:09:01] October deadline.
[1:09:05] >> I think timewise we're still in good
[1:09:07] shape. Ultimately next week if we if we
[1:09:10] just collectively decide we're sticking
[1:09:12] with KB inhouse Google Valley or we're
[1:09:15] we're going to further explore the
[1:09:17] co-op. I think if we have that decision
[1:09:19] next week we're we have plenty of time.
[1:09:23] It's just one of making sure that
[1:09:25] collectively we're all on the same page
[1:09:26] with that knowing that again best 11 are
[1:09:29] going to be on the field. If those best
[1:09:30] 11 are all Muenberg 11 in the eyes of
[1:09:34] both or a mixture of both I mean
[1:09:36] ultimately it comes down to that it's
[1:09:39] hard to tease out how much we'll be
[1:09:41] favoring hometown people
[1:09:44] it's fair to assume that that would be
[1:09:46] the case but it really is hard to tease
[1:09:47] that out. So it could be it very well
[1:09:50] could be our is playing a JB schedule
[1:09:54] and not all of those 12 would be seeing
[1:09:57] the field to the extent that they would
[1:09:59] see the field if they were valley
[1:10:01] athletes
[1:10:04] >> talking I think there's one they have a
[1:10:06] co-op with too I don't know what their
[1:10:14] >> to dissolve their co-ops like I when I
[1:10:16] was talking they said they didn't get a
[1:10:19] player from Oie last season and we
[1:10:22] didn't have a player from Fleetwood on
[1:10:24] our team last season.
[1:10:26] So I think
[1:10:29] I think they were around like 24
[1:10:52] >> from what I We weren't charging
[1:10:54] anything.
[1:10:58] >> Correct.
[1:11:02] >> Correct.
[1:11:24] for you.
[1:11:39] >> Yeah. I'd be curious to see what some of
[1:11:40] those junior high age
[1:11:55] for high school.
[1:12:02] I just know we would didn't seem to make
[1:12:05] it very easy for them to come here to
[1:12:08] co-op, you know, find their own
[1:12:10] transportation.
[1:12:12] pretty good to so I don't now that gone
[1:12:17] I don't know more people come out
[1:12:18] probably
[1:12:25] we'll put that on the agenda not as
[1:12:27] anything voting nothing to vote at this
[1:12:30] point in time but next week to get a
[1:12:32] clear definitive idea of direction that
[1:12:34] we want to pursue and then we'll
[1:12:36] actively pursue that that direction move
[1:12:38] forward whether that's filling the
[1:12:39] coaching role and preparing for
[1:12:42] We're further exploring the co-op with
[1:12:44] Muenberg.
[1:12:46] We'll make that decision next week, but
[1:12:48] think about that over the course of this
[1:12:49] week and Jason can certainly engage and
[1:12:51] get a better idea with those numbers and
[1:12:53] questions that were asked
[1:12:54] >> and I'll try to find some more
[1:12:55] information and pass it along talk to
[1:12:58] Cork and he could pass it along to you
[1:13:00] so you guys can make a better judgement.
[1:13:04] I know we don't have a headache right
[1:13:05] now
[1:13:15] talking about this.
[1:13:29] >> We have one voting item.
[1:13:33] is requested to consider, ratify, and
[1:13:35] approve the science explorers after
[1:13:37] school club agreement for the 2026 2027.
[1:13:41] I have a motion
[1:13:44] second
[1:13:46] question.
[1:13:49] If not, say
[1:14:01] >> I want to jump back to
[1:14:04] um
[1:14:06] was looking over the quote. Um you know
[1:14:09] obvious
[1:14:32] and they moving and what are we going to
[1:14:34] do?
[1:14:35] >> Yeah. So, for basketball, the
[1:14:37] scoreboards would be on opposite ends.
[1:14:39] Um, kind of similar to what the high
[1:14:41] school gym looks like. Um, uh,
[1:14:46] our Larry said that he could wire those
[1:14:49] um up once they installed.
[1:14:52] >> Yeah, they're just mounting them in
[1:14:54] house.
[1:14:55] >> Correct. For the power for the baseball
[1:14:58] field. Um uh when we purchased the
[1:15:01] scoreboards, we knew there was no power
[1:15:03] to that field. So um I purchased the
[1:15:07] solar panel that will run the
[1:15:09] scoreboard. Um it was part of the
[1:15:12] scoreboard purchase
[1:15:14] mounts on the back of the scoreboard
[1:15:17] power. So hopefully we have sunny days.
[1:15:22] >> Okay. Yeah. I just as long as I didn't
[1:15:25] want to know I know there's no real
[1:15:28] power down
[1:15:41] just a quick recap of what we talked
[1:15:43] about at our August 13
[1:15:46] what we just went over7
[1:15:52] facilities we talked about which is the
[1:15:56] new website that everyone is registering
[1:15:59] for sport um that is going to have um
[1:16:05] component to it as well. So when things
[1:16:08] are posted for that it will be the same
[1:16:10] like countywide schools are now using
[1:16:21] something
[1:16:25] that
[1:16:28] is
[1:16:31] hopefully that'll help
[1:16:36] the
[1:16:38] football. Um the product
[1:16:44] and some things that we wanted them to
[1:16:47] possibly do. Um we talked about CPR
[1:16:51] training um bringing back
[1:16:59] um and different things like that. Um we
[1:17:03] also um talk about um hotel rooms when
[1:17:07] our athletes are going to different
[1:17:10] district or state competition. Um we had
[1:17:15] I guess an issue that um
[1:17:18] one of our supports thought that it was
[1:17:21] a room but
[1:17:24] for purposes so we discussed that
[1:17:36] girls wrestling this um coaching
[1:17:40] lacrosse discussion
[1:17:43] um garage is using some of our um
[1:17:47] outdoor fuel. We just want to make sure
[1:17:49] that anybody that's coming onto our
[1:17:51] campus is fully clearances
[1:17:55] and they will also be following
[1:18:01] our
[1:18:16] for the order. Dan, you just made me
[1:18:19] think about it with the shuffle of the
[1:18:20] sheds. Maybe something since we have the
[1:18:23] two small sheds that we need to move.
[1:18:26] Maybe it makes, you know, at the by the
[1:18:29] track. Pull one of those down right away
[1:18:32] for the field cocking so that they have
[1:18:36] that, you know, that's about the size
[1:18:38] that they have. Now, take the second one
[1:18:40] over to
[1:18:42] baseball use the junior high softball
[1:18:46] shed for both junior high andor varsity
[1:18:50] because they're both there. Maybe they
[1:18:51] have something already. But the problem
[1:18:54] like with tennis that they've had in the
[1:18:55] past is they had issues with some of the
[1:18:58] equipment in some of the sheds between
[1:19:00] safety and leasing in the sheds. And
[1:19:03] that's why they went with the container,
[1:19:05] but they also have electronic ball
[1:19:07] machine and other things in there and
[1:19:09] the compression of that you have get,
[1:19:13] you know, there's an impact on all that.
[1:19:16] So that's just something that hey, if we
[1:19:18] got to move, you know, nice to see like
[1:19:22] spent a lot and Carol and others spent a
[1:19:24] lot of time in
[1:19:26] to see that gone. But now with the two
[1:19:28] heads there, it might be easier just to
[1:19:30] grab that one, bring it right across the
[1:19:32] parking lot to the field hockey that's
[1:19:34] on that side, slide the other one back.
[1:19:38] You know, I would vote that it nobody
[1:19:40] wants that other large can be so hard to
[1:19:43] move. You know the track move that
[1:19:49] opens
[1:19:53] something more to make that a
[1:20:13] >> whateverever Anything can be better than
[1:20:15] that.
[1:20:25] >> Anything else?
[1:20:28] We have a motion to adjourn.
[1:20:31] Second
[1:20:35] favor say I oppose
```

## Transcript (pulled September 19-20, 2026): 2026-08-24_BEcKfaImnc0.txt

```
# Schuylkill Valley SD board meeting, 2026-08-24 (regular)
# Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEcKfaImnc0
# YouTube auto-generated captions; speaker names are not identified; verify quotes against the video.

[0:00:43] order.
[0:00:52] United States
[0:01:06] roll, please.
[0:01:07] >> Mr. Ammerald
[0:01:08] >> here. Mr. Brown
[0:01:10] >> here.
[0:01:11] >> Mrs. Mrs. Matthews
[0:01:13] >> here.
[0:01:14] >> Mr. Mo,
[0:01:15] >> Mr. Rossy
[0:01:16] >> here,
[0:01:17] >> Mrs.
[0:01:19] >> Mrs. here. Mr. Le
[0:01:21] >> here.
[0:01:23] >> Moving on to 1.3. Um, I would like a
[0:01:26] motion to approve the minutes for the
[0:01:28] regular meeting of July 27th, 2026.
[0:01:37] >> Second. Any questions, comments, or
[0:01:40] additions?
[0:01:42] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:01:45] >> Oppos. Motion carries. 90.
[0:01:48] The board meant in executive session
[0:01:50] following the board meeting on July
[0:01:52] 27th, 2026 for personnel matters. Moving
[0:01:56] on to 2.0, reports of the officers. 2.1.
[0:02:00] Um, President, I just have a few words
[0:02:04] to say. Basically, it was a great first
[0:02:06] day from what I heard everybody was very
[0:02:09] excited about today. Uh, and I did want
[0:02:12] to make mention of Dr. Quirk uh kickoff
[0:02:16] meeting at the service day on Tuesday.
[0:02:18] It was very energetic and uplifting and
[0:02:22] lot of positive feedback with that. So,
[0:02:24] that was a great start for all of our
[0:02:26] staff and I believe that carried over
[0:02:29] into today that everybody uh really had
[0:02:32] a great day.
[0:02:34] Okay, moving on to 2.2. Secretary Linda
[0:02:37] Lash
[0:02:39] 2.3 County Intermediate Unit. Linda,
[0:02:43] >> I do have a few things. Um,
[0:02:47] there's been a lot of renovation at the
[0:02:49] main IU building in Muenberg County and
[0:02:53] on Center Avenue at the um what used to
[0:02:57] be the credit union building. They're
[0:02:59] moving um students out of the old um
[0:03:03] electric building that has been
[0:03:05] renovated and had absolutely no windows
[0:03:08] in it and they've been in there for 21
[0:03:10] years. And so they moved over to the
[0:03:13] credit union old credit union building,
[0:03:16] renovated that. And so now students have
[0:03:19] new classrooms in the old IU or the IU
[0:03:23] building and the new credit union
[0:03:25] building. And the IU is looking at um
[0:03:29] making agreement with the city
[0:03:33] um for 450 Penn Street, uh the building
[0:03:37] right on the corner there, for um more
[0:03:40] classrooms to get our children out of
[0:03:44] churches and other um buildings that
[0:03:47] need a lot of renovations.
[0:03:49] So, um that that's something that
[0:03:51] they're working on right now. So, lots
[0:03:54] of new classrooms for our little ones.
[0:03:58] Also, the IU held
[0:04:03] held it started the year. It had um and
[0:04:07] it does every year had a gathering for
[0:04:10] it the Burks County Schools and the IU
[0:04:13] administrators conference
[0:04:16] and I think there were 400 educators
[0:04:20] from Burks County School District there.
[0:04:22] Um they had a speaker and um at Muenberg
[0:04:27] High School. So um
[0:04:30] That's something that they do every
[0:04:32] year.
[0:04:34] And then
[0:04:36] I did get I got the
[0:04:40] list of
[0:04:42] laws and bills and things that were um
[0:04:47] still being worked on. And the
[0:04:51] House, this the state house has 11 days
[0:04:54] left in their legislator year. And the
[0:04:59] that has 12 days left and that takes
[0:05:03] them up to November and in these 11 and
[0:05:07] 12 days they have a lot of bills that
[0:05:09] are pending and once those bills are not
[0:05:14] brought forth then they must start all
[0:05:17] over from the beginning again. So,
[0:05:20] there's so many bills this time. I did
[0:05:23] not have time since Thursday night to to
[0:05:26] look over all them, but um there's a lot
[0:05:30] there's a lot there. And then we got a
[0:05:34] 26 27 Commonwealth budget summary. And
[0:05:41] something that the IU looks for, of
[0:05:43] course, is uh the preK count funding and
[0:05:46] the Head Start funding and the early
[0:05:49] intervention funding and special
[0:05:51] education funding.
[0:05:53] But the state did approve $10.3 billion
[0:05:57] dollar um in their budget for education
[0:06:02] and that's um $623 million for basic
[0:06:07] education funding. So, um I think air of
[0:06:11] that was approximately 60,000 new
[0:06:14] dollars, but um I'm not exactly sure the
[0:06:18] whole number of that. This year, career
[0:06:21] and technical education did get an
[0:06:24] increase, which is kind of nice. And
[0:06:26] there was a $10 million increase
[0:06:29] approved for student teacher stipens,
[0:06:33] an $8.93 million increase for school
[0:06:37] transportation services, and $14.3
[0:06:41] million in additional funding approved
[0:06:44] to continue the universal free school
[0:06:46] breakfast program.
[0:06:49] So, some things that were flat funded
[0:06:52] this year were school safety and mental
[0:06:54] health grants, services to non-public
[0:06:58] schools, dual enrollment, and cyber
[0:07:01] charter reform was um
[0:07:04] there weren't a lot of things in cyber
[0:07:06] charter reform at all.
[0:07:09] So,
[0:07:11] that's my report.
[0:07:14] Thank you. Moving on to 2.4 for Burks
[0:07:17] Career and Technology Center. Dave Maul,
[0:07:20] >> u Yes, a few things. Um,
[0:07:23] it's been a busy year for the DCTCC uh
[0:07:26] with a lot of hiring. They've had a
[0:07:28] bunch of retirements. Uh, they managed
[0:07:31] to get two uh fairly uh significant and
[0:07:35] competitive grants. They got a job
[0:07:36] training grant for 250,000
[0:07:39] and they got one of the PA smart grants
[0:07:42] for 140,000. That's highly competitive.
[0:07:45] So that $390,000
[0:07:48] they're using that in their electrical
[0:07:52] force. Um
[0:07:54] basically has to do with like some of
[0:07:56] the linemen and and all that. So um
[0:08:00] that's allowing us instead of phasing it
[0:08:02] in over multiple years uh that they're
[0:08:05] going to have a lot of it done in this
[0:08:06] first year uh to get it up and running.
[0:08:10] Uh the other thing is over in the east
[0:08:12] campus they had uh some roof damage and
[0:08:17] uh they started school and and
[0:08:22] it really did impact they had the roof
[0:08:24] repair. There's just a couple cabinets
[0:08:25] left. Um the other thing is they're
[0:08:28] working with uh our circulation
[0:08:30] agreements with Alveria and Penn State
[0:08:32] Burks to work on some dual enrollment
[0:08:36] uh which will be great for any of our
[0:08:38] students going. And then another thing
[0:08:40] that they've done is the uh uh the
[0:08:44] welding uh bulk gas. So in the past they
[0:08:47] were moving a lot of small tanks around
[0:08:50] and uh it was tough looking at
[0:08:52] regulators and what was full and not
[0:08:54] full and just the safety. You know one
[0:08:57] of my previous lives I worked for a a
[0:09:00] welding supply distributor. And so what
[0:09:03] they did which is a great idea is they
[0:09:06] went to a a bulk gas. So they have one
[0:09:09] tank and so they're going to get a
[0:09:12] better rate. they'll know exactly what's
[0:09:14] being filled in that tank and they won't
[0:09:16] have to worry about what's coming
[0:09:17] through on the regulator. And by also
[0:09:20] doing that, it eliminated some uh space.
[0:09:24] And what they've been moving the last
[0:09:26] couple years is that at every
[0:09:28] opportunity, any communal changing rooms
[0:09:31] that they had for kids to change into
[0:09:35] the appropriate safety attire for the
[0:09:38] trades that they were working with. they
[0:09:40] have now set up individual
[0:09:43] uh rooms, changing rooms, and so they're
[0:09:46] phasing that in across all their
[0:09:48] different operations so that they won't
[0:09:50] have that problem. Uh because in the
[0:09:52] past it might have been a a male
[0:09:54] dominant or female dominant and now
[0:09:57] they're having it that they can have you
[0:10:00] know whatever uh situation arises that
[0:10:04] they'll have their own uh ability to
[0:10:08] change in their own room and not have a
[0:10:10] community communal situation.
[0:10:13] So u that's it for now. we start u again
[0:10:19] working on our budgets which is
[0:10:21] something that then we'll be giving to
[0:10:24] the sending schools uh to get a feel of
[0:10:27] uh our cost and again one of the biggest
[0:10:30] drivers we have is uh the insurance
[0:10:35] so u it'll be interesting how that all
[0:10:38] plays out in the coming year but that's
[0:10:40] all I have then oh one other thing is uh
[0:10:44] two other things is that We're wrapping
[0:10:46] up the uh the latest building
[0:10:50] um over at the east campus for the
[0:10:52] trades. Uh so they have a building that
[0:10:57] they'll eventually sell here probably
[0:10:59] late fall or maybe early spring
[0:11:02] depending on the timing. And so I know
[0:11:05] there was talk before about trying to
[0:11:07] see one of these buildings uh with all
[0:11:10] the trades. So I would suggest Carol if
[0:11:14] you or Dr. perk, whoever wants to reach
[0:11:16] out to coordinate that with the PCPC
[0:11:21] that they would do that. And then if you
[0:11:23] want to get a tour of the west campus,
[0:11:26] um we've always we've had meetings over
[0:11:28] there as well. If you would want to do
[0:11:30] that uh to get on that schedule, you
[0:11:33] would probably should look at that now
[0:11:36] um just to try to see if you want to get
[0:11:38] on it for the 26 27 school year. with
[0:11:42] the building. Once they finish that, it
[0:11:45] starts all the way at the very
[0:11:47] beginning, which is going to be a hole
[0:11:48] in the ground. So, there's not going to
[0:11:50] be much excitement. So, they're
[0:11:52] determining which of the two lots
[0:11:53] they're going to go to next. This uh
[0:11:56] they're starting their third phase over
[0:11:58] there. So, they've already had two
[0:12:00] phases. This house will be the the last
[0:12:03] house in the second phase. So, just
[0:12:07] wanted to share that with you that if
[0:12:09] you're interested, some of the other
[0:12:12] schools already are on the calendar.
[0:12:15] >> That's it though.
[0:12:17] >> Okay. Thank you. Moving on to 2.5 B
[0:12:20] County Tax Collection Committee. Joseph
[0:12:22] Brown.
[0:12:22] >> No report.
[0:12:25] >> 2.6 Pennsylvania School Boards
[0:12:27] Association. Linda Lash.
[0:12:30] Um I do know that um voting for officers
[0:12:35] for the 26 27
[0:12:39] um school year for um PA school board
[0:12:43] will begin September 8th some so one of
[0:12:47] our meetings in September we'll need to
[0:12:50] vote on that and then get that get those
[0:12:52] results back and every member's vote
[0:12:55] counts. So, um we're expected to vote um
[0:13:00] at one time for that. And then the
[0:13:03] delegate assembly will be in November
[0:13:06] and the conference will be in October
[0:13:10] and I have a liaison meeting in October.
[0:13:14] So that there's nothing. Oh, and I did
[0:13:19] happen to I guess everybody's gotten it
[0:13:21] by now. They're PSBA um magazines and
[0:13:25] There are some really good articles in
[0:13:28] that um for this fall edition. So, if
[0:13:32] you got it and you haven't looked at it
[0:13:33] yet, you might want to do that because
[0:13:36] there are some really significant things
[0:13:38] in there that board members need to
[0:13:40] know. Not
[0:13:44] okay. Actually, we're voting on uh the
[0:13:47] PSBA officers elections will be voted on
[0:13:49] at this meeting.
[0:13:51] >> I saw that. Uh actually it says in the
[0:13:54] thing that it's the voting starts
[0:13:57] October or September 8th. So I was just
[0:14:00] wondering why we're doing it so early
[0:14:03] when voting doesn't open till September
[0:14:05] 8th.
[0:14:07] I guess then we'll be able to put our
[0:14:09] votes in right away. Why? Then we'll be
[0:14:11] able to put our votes in as of September
[0:14:13] 8th before we have another meeting. We
[0:14:17] we can do that but um that's fine.
[0:14:22] I saw that. But
[0:14:25] moving on to 2.7 is Valley Education
[0:14:28] Foundation. Linda, no formal report, but
[0:14:31] I know that Mr. Gray Courtney Gray was
[0:14:33] in to speak to the faculty uh about the
[0:14:37] foundation on the first day of
[0:14:39] inservice.
[0:14:44] Okay, we'll move on to 3.0. Persons who
[0:14:46] wish to address the board. Anyone who
[0:14:49] wishes to adjust the board this evening
[0:14:51] will have three minutes to state your
[0:14:52] questions or concerns. Please state your
[0:14:54] name, township where you live, and
[0:14:56] indicate if you are representing a
[0:14:57] group. All comments should be directed
[0:14:59] to the board as a whole, and we ask that
[0:15:01] your comments be respectful in nature.
[0:15:03] If you have a written statement, a copy
[0:15:05] of that statement would be appreciated.
[0:15:07] Details of this policy are on our
[0:15:08] website listed under the policy 903
[0:15:11] public comment at board meeting. Do we
[0:15:13] have anyone signed up to speak this
[0:15:15] evening?
[0:15:17] Okay, then we'll move on to 4.0 board
[0:15:20] 4.1 solicitors report.
[0:15:27] >> Sorry, just um very briefly, I wanted to
[0:15:28] chime in. I pulled up the PSBA voting
[0:15:31] instructions, Mrs. Lash, it it does say
[0:15:33] that the voting period is open from
[0:15:35] September 8th to the 31st. Um, but it
[0:15:38] also says once your school board has
[0:15:40] decided which candidates to support,
[0:15:42] then you can go on the voting website
[0:15:44] beginning at midnight on September 8th.
[0:15:46] So, it does indicate that the vote could
[0:15:48] take place before September 8th. It's
[0:15:50] just that's not when the information is
[0:15:51] going to be input. So, I just wanted to
[0:15:53] provide that clarification.
[0:16:00] Okay, moving on to 4.2 PSA officer
[0:16:04] elections. The board is requested to
[0:16:06] consider and recommend the election of
[0:16:07] officers for the Pennsylvania School
[0:16:09] Boards Association for the following
[0:16:11] positions. 2027 President-elect Matt
[0:16:14] Venoi, Sharon City School District,
[0:16:17] one-year term. 2027 Vice President
[0:16:20] Christie Bolt, Northwestern School
[0:16:22] District, one-year term. 2027 to 29,
[0:16:25] Treasurer David Hine, Parkland School
[0:16:27] District, a three-year term. 2027
[0:16:30] Eastern Zone Representative Jason Mel
[0:16:32] Extter Township School District one-year
[0:16:34] term and PSBA insurance trustees
[0:16:37] Maryanne Neil and Dr. Michael
[0:16:41] Sachin Sachinito
[0:16:44] okay sorry I butchered that name um
[0:16:47] those are both three-year terms may I
[0:16:50] have a motion please
[0:16:56] >> a second
[0:16:58] Any questions or comments?
[0:17:02] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:17:05] >> I.
[0:17:05] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 90.
[0:17:10] Is there any other older new business
[0:17:12] under 4.0 for the board?
[0:17:16] If not, we'll move on to 5.0.
[0:17:18] Superintendent. Uh 5.1 is the monthly
[0:17:21] enrollment report which is attached. The
[0:17:24] 5.2 2 the principal's dashboard reports
[0:17:27] which will begin next month and 5.3
[0:17:30] superintendent report. Turn it over to
[0:17:32] Dr. Clark.
[0:17:36] >> All right. Good evening everyone. Wanted
[0:17:38] to give a little bit of an update on how
[0:17:40] our week last week went with teachers,
[0:17:41] how our first day was kicked off, and
[0:17:43] then celebrate uh one student from BCTC
[0:17:47] that that recently was celebrated by
[0:17:48] BCTC as well as an award that some of
[0:17:51] our faculty adviserss had earned. Uh so
[0:17:54] last week we kickstarted the 26 27th
[0:17:57] school year with three days of
[0:17:58] inservice. Uh and those days were packed
[0:18:00] with professional learning preparation
[0:18:02] for the upcoming school year and really
[0:18:04] an opportunity to come together and
[0:18:05] prepare for the awesome work that's
[0:18:07] ahead of us. I started the week with a
[0:18:09] simple question that I shared with the
[0:18:11] community yesterday in an email. If
[0:18:14] every person in the district believes
[0:18:16] that every student matters, what becomes
[0:18:18] possible when all of us act on that
[0:18:20] belief together? We really leaned into
[0:18:22] the importance of the magnitude of our
[0:18:24] work last week and the collective impact
[0:18:26] that we have and when we work together
[0:18:28] as one what we can accomplish uh because
[0:18:31] together we can accomplish so much more
[0:18:32] than if we approach our work as
[0:18:34] individuals. There was great positive
[0:18:36] energy that kickstarted that day and
[0:18:38] ultimately carried over into the
[0:18:39] following two days where we continued to
[0:18:41] build off of that message and engage in
[0:18:44] a feedback squad analysis session
[0:18:46] learning about NTSS and leveling our
[0:18:48] understanding and what it means to have
[0:18:50] a multi-tered system of support and a
[0:18:53] presentation by Dr. Kelly Forbes on how
[0:18:55] to support all learners at a tier one
[0:18:57] level. We received a lot of positive
[0:18:59] feedback for those three days. Uh but I
[0:19:01] want to make it very clear that this is
[0:19:02] just the beginning. A strong start is
[0:19:05] really important, but now that we have
[0:19:06] that momentum, we will continue to build
[0:19:08] on it and work tirelessly uh to grow our
[0:19:11] learning organization as we work
[0:19:12] together towards what we aspire to
[0:19:14] become.
[0:19:16] Today uh was even more exciting though
[0:19:18] than today marked the first day of the
[0:19:20] 26 27th school year. And just as it was
[0:19:22] many students first day, uh it was also
[0:19:25] my first day. So it was fun to try to
[0:19:27] help students navigate a building that I
[0:19:29] could not necessarily navigate or find a
[0:19:32] location. Um, but we did it together and
[0:19:33] it was honestly a lot of fun. Our day
[0:19:36] started off bright and early with senior
[0:19:37] sunrise uh at the stadium at 5:30 in the
[0:19:40] morning. To be honest, walking through
[0:19:42] the parking lot before the seniors came,
[0:19:45] seeing all the talk designs in the
[0:19:46] parking spaces and then walking that
[0:19:48] path uh from the parking lot to the
[0:19:50] stadium with all the positive messages
[0:19:52] was really powerful in my first year.
[0:19:55] You know, I think it's a great and
[0:19:56] tremendous way to kickstart the school
[0:19:58] year with positivity and pride and I'm
[0:20:00] really excited. Not that I'm, you know,
[0:20:02] forcing time to happen, but really
[0:20:04] excited to look at the senior sunset and
[0:20:06] the end of the year and see a whole year
[0:20:08] uh come together and close.
[0:20:12] I know
[0:20:14] we may have had a bit of rain u but that
[0:20:16] certainly did not damper the spirit. We
[0:20:18] all collectively took shelter behind the
[0:20:20] bleachers and under the ticket booth,
[0:20:21] but on schedule at 6:24 uh the rain
[0:20:24] stopped, the sun started coming up uh
[0:20:26] and we all went back out onto the
[0:20:28] stadium field. So there's great energy
[0:20:30] from the senior class uh and really that
[0:20:32] carried into the school day. Each of the
[0:20:34] buildings got off to a great start today
[0:20:36] and the enthusiasm and excitement could
[0:20:38] be felt by staff and students alike. So
[0:20:40] overall a tremendous first day with our
[0:20:42] learners.
[0:20:45] I wanted to celebrate two people who
[0:20:47] would not want to be celebrated and I
[0:20:49] didn't tell them because they would
[0:20:50] probably complain. But recently, uh,
[0:20:52] Jeff and Lisa Shalot were honored and
[0:20:55] earned the 2026 Honesty Diamond Award
[0:20:58] through four diamonds. This award, uh,
[0:21:01] really goes out to adviserss who have
[0:21:02] led their school community by inspiring,
[0:21:05] unifying, and empowering others through
[0:21:07] strong leadership. Award recipients are
[0:21:10] characterized by modeling integrity,
[0:21:12] humility, innovation, and authenticity.
[0:21:15] As part of that award, a $500 credit
[0:21:18] will be applied to the Skoo Valley Minan
[0:21:20] efforts for this upcoming school year. I
[0:21:23] wanted to thank them both for repres
[0:21:25] representing Skoo Valley so well, but
[0:21:27] ultimately leading our students in a
[0:21:29] collective effort to do our part in the
[0:21:30] fight against childhood cancer.
[0:21:35] Over the course of August, BCTC has been
[0:21:38] taking time to celebrate some amazing
[0:21:40] students and their internship
[0:21:41] opportunities to highlight what learners
[0:21:44] have access to. I wanted to take a
[0:21:46] moment because on August 14th, rising
[0:21:48] senior Nicholas Delcante recently shared
[0:21:51] his experience in an article through the
[0:21:53] BCTC mechatronics program.
[0:21:56] He's also participating in a co-op
[0:21:58] placement or participated in a co-op
[0:22:00] placement with Reing Reading Bakery
[0:22:02] Systems. While Nicholas's work
[0:22:04] assembling and wiring industrial
[0:22:06] automation equipment is certainly
[0:22:07] impressive, what stood out most to me
[0:22:09] was his reflection on the experience
[0:22:11] itself. He quoted and said, "Tech helped
[0:22:15] him get all of the basics down. Now he's
[0:22:17] learning from his co-workers at Reading
[0:22:19] Bakery every day." I think that
[0:22:21] statement speaks volumes about the value
[0:22:23] of career and tech education. CCTC
[0:22:26] provides students with the foundational
[0:22:28] knowledge and technical skills necessary
[0:22:30] to enter the workforce with confidence,
[0:22:32] while co-op experiences allow them to
[0:22:34] build upon that foundation alongside
[0:22:37] industry professionals in real world
[0:22:39] settings. Students like Nicholas are not
[0:22:42] simply learning about careers, they're
[0:22:43] actively participating in them,
[0:22:45] developing technical expertise,
[0:22:47] workplace skills, and a clear vision for
[0:22:49] their future. His story serves as a
[0:22:52] great reminder of the opportunities
[0:22:53] available to Fuko Valley students
[0:22:55] through our partnership with BCTC and
[0:22:57] the impact those experiences can have on
[0:22:59] their readiness for life after
[0:23:01] graduation.
[0:23:05] As I was going through the interview
[0:23:06] process for the position of
[0:23:08] superintendent, I really emphasized my
[0:23:10] beliefs in the importance of engaging
[0:23:12] stakeholders, collecting feedback, and
[0:23:14] leveraging data to drive the direction
[0:23:16] for the district. There were many times
[0:23:18] where I referenced SWAT analysis and
[0:23:21] mentioned that that is something that I
[0:23:22] would definitely bring to the district
[0:23:23] in August and that's exactly what we
[0:23:25] did. So teachers and administrators over
[0:23:28] the last couple weeks have participated
[0:23:30] in a SWAT analysis which really is a way
[0:23:33] to organize uh our understanding of what
[0:23:36] are the strengths, weaknesses,
[0:23:37] opportunities and threats that exist
[0:23:39] within the district. The whole purpose
[0:23:41] behind running a SWAT analysis is to
[0:23:43] collect feedback to help feed the
[0:23:45] machine of of continuous growth as an
[0:23:48] organization and help us prioritize what
[0:23:50] it is that we need to focus on through
[0:23:51] the eyes of those that we're serving.
[0:23:54] Last week, I did send an email to
[0:23:57] families within the district and engage
[0:23:59] them in completing a SWAT analysis
[0:24:01] survey so that we could collect all the
[0:24:03] feedback from as many people who are
[0:24:05] willing to respond. I can happily say
[0:24:07] although I was worried I did not send it
[0:24:09] properly that we have over a hundred
[0:24:11] people who responded uh at to date and I
[0:24:14] would encourage everybody to make sure
[0:24:17] that they take some time and share their
[0:24:18] feedback. All of the feedback is going
[0:24:20] to be culminated. I'm going to be
[0:24:22] triangulating the data across all the
[0:24:24] different stakeholder groups and my
[0:24:26] intention is to share the results of
[0:24:28] this process with the full district in
[0:24:30] October during my superintendence report
[0:24:33] to share and showcase what it is that we
[0:24:35] collectively see as the strengths,
[0:24:37] weaknesses, opportunities, and threats,
[0:24:39] but also start talking about a a game
[0:24:42] plan to start to act on this feedback
[0:24:45] and continue to drive us forward and
[0:24:47] grow as an organization.
[0:24:52] Last thing I'll leave you with is the
[0:24:53] last slide that I left our staff with on
[0:24:55] Tuesday. You know, our mission statement
[0:24:57] in our schools, our future lies, is a
[0:25:00] great reminder of the magnitude of our
[0:25:01] impact on our students. In my
[0:25:04] conversations thus far with various
[0:25:05] stakeholders, it has been very clear
[0:25:07] that the strength of our district lies
[0:25:09] in its people. But it's also been made
[0:25:12] very clear that we can do better when it
[0:25:13] comes to intentionally coming together
[0:25:15] as one district to get the most out of
[0:25:17] our students. My challenge this year to
[0:25:19] everyone in Skooko Valley community is
[0:25:22] to remind ourselves that we're all in
[0:25:24] the same team. We're all in the same
[0:25:26] boat rowing in the same direction. We're
[0:25:28] all working together to maximize our
[0:25:29] impact for the betterment of our
[0:25:31] community and the students we serve.
[0:25:33] This year, all of our staff will
[0:25:35] periodically wear a district-wide
[0:25:37] t-shirt that reminds us of this work.
[0:25:39] One that calls that calls out our focus
[0:25:42] across the back of the t-shirt where it
[0:25:45] says every student every day. I'm
[0:25:47] excited about our start, but more
[0:25:48] excited about continuing to evolve from
[0:25:50] here. And I thank you for the
[0:25:52] opportunity to share the current
[0:25:53] updates.
[0:25:57] >> Thank you.
[0:25:59] I can I hope I speak for all of us when
[0:26:01] I say it it's been a great start and
[0:26:04] we're looking forward to all the
[0:26:05] upcoming things throughout this school
[0:26:07] year that that you're going to be able
[0:26:09] to bring here to your vision and
[0:26:11] leadership. So, thank you.
[0:26:14] Is there anything else under um old or
[0:26:17] new business under superintendent?
[0:26:21] If not, I move on to policy personnel
[0:26:24] and public relations. The policy
[0:26:26] personnel and public relations committee
[0:26:28] held a work session on Tuesday, August
[0:26:30] 4th. The committee met as a whole last
[0:26:33] Monday, August 17th.
[0:26:36] Moving on to 6.1, resignation. Accept
[0:26:40] with regrets and best wishes for the
[0:26:42] future. the following resignations.
[0:26:44] Amanda Clark, Kylie Espenade, Morgan
[0:26:47] Gallagher, Susan Hecman, Karen Kohler,
[0:26:49] Christopher Blanco, Erica Stewart,
[0:26:51] Samantha Vicaro, and Riley Wel. They
[0:26:54] have a motion, please.
[0:27:00] >> Second.
[0:27:03] >> Questions or comments?
[0:27:05] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:27:08] >> Opposed. Motion carries 90. So, um,
[0:27:13] moving on, I just want to make note,
[0:27:14] too, that all these items that we're
[0:27:17] going over, um, they were approved at
[0:27:19] last week's meeting to be brought
[0:27:21] forward for a vote tonight. So, that's
[0:27:23] why some of these are going to be
[0:27:25] coupled together, especially the next
[0:27:27] ones, which I'm going to uh, put 6.2 to
[0:27:32] 6.12
[0:27:33] together. These are all employment
[0:27:35] items. 6.2 2 is approves Melissa
[0:27:39] Morrison, part part-time food services
[0:27:41] worker. 6.3 is Aaron Hench, certified
[0:27:44] building substitute teacher at the
[0:27:46] elementary school. 6.4 Sher Grower,
[0:27:49] part-time low incident special education
[0:27:52] power professional. 6.5, Sharon Roush,
[0:27:56] part-time special education power
[0:27:57] professional at the elementary school.
[0:27:59] 6.6
[0:28:01] is Maryanne Platt, part-time special
[0:28:03] education power professional at the
[0:28:05] middle school. 6.7 Lorie Street,
[0:28:08] part-time special education power
[0:28:10] professional at the middle school. 6.8
[0:28:13] Athena Tyrell, part-time special
[0:28:15] education power professional at the
[0:28:17] middle school. 6.9
[0:28:19] Melissa Miller, part-time special
[0:28:21] education power professional at the
[0:28:23] middle school. 6.10, Eliza Enriquez,
[0:28:26] certified building substitute at the
[0:28:28] elementary school. 6.11 the mentors the
[0:28:32] following mentors um for the 2026 2027
[0:28:36] school year there are six mentors that
[0:28:38] are listed online
[0:28:41] uh 6.12
[0:28:44] the substitutes there are 53 people on
[0:28:47] this list so that list of 53 people to
[0:28:51] be approved for the following
[0:28:52] substitutes for the 2026 2027
[0:28:56] school year. So, may I have a motion,
[0:28:58] please, for resolution 6.2 to 6.12?
[0:29:07] >> Any questions or comments? If not, all
[0:29:10] those in favor say I.
[0:29:11] >> I.
[0:29:12] >> Opposed? Motion carries 90.
[0:29:16] Next is 6.13 and 6.14.
[0:29:20] 6.13 is approved professional service
[0:29:22] agreement between Skookul Valley School
[0:29:24] District and Stephanie Biz, an
[0:29:26] independent contractor providing speech
[0:29:28] language pathology services for the 2026
[0:29:31] 2027 school year at a rate of $150 per
[0:29:36] hour and approve the renewal of an
[0:29:38] agreement with general healthc care
[0:29:40] resources to provide substitute nurse
[0:29:42] services at an hourly rate of 55 for an
[0:29:45] LPN and 65 for an RN. May I have a
[0:29:48] motion for 6.13 and 6.14, please?
[0:29:51] >> I'll make that motion.
[0:29:53] >> Second,
[0:29:55] >> any questions, comments? All those in
[0:29:58] favor say I.
[0:30:00] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 90
[0:30:04] 6.15 approves Dr. Dennis Cork,
[0:30:07] superintendent of schools to the Burks
[0:30:08] County School District's Health Trust
[0:30:10] School Board to complete the term from
[0:30:12] February 3rd, 2026 through February 3rd,
[0:30:15] 2028. previously filled by Dr. Patrick
[0:30:17] Lers. May I have a motion, please?
[0:30:20] >> I'll make that motion.
[0:30:21] >> Second. Thank you. Questions, comments?
[0:30:25] Not. All those in favor say I.
[0:30:27] >> I.
[0:30:27] >> Opposed? Motion carries. 90.
[0:30:30] 6.16 policy 707 approve the use of
[0:30:34] school facilities updated fe schedule as
[0:30:37] presented.
[0:30:41] >> A second.
[0:30:41] >> Second.
[0:30:43] >> Questions or comments?
[0:30:45] Yeah, I'd like to just make a quick
[0:30:47] comment. I know uh Dr. Quirk um and a
[0:30:51] lot of different board committees and
[0:30:54] Mr. Hansen did a lot of work on this.
[0:30:56] This has been something that has been
[0:30:58] out there in the community for a while.
[0:31:01] Um charging our youth organizations to
[0:31:04] use our facilities and I think it's
[0:31:06] going to go a really long way to help
[0:31:07] those youth organizations put that money
[0:31:09] where it belongs and help invest it in
[0:31:11] in their athletes.
[0:31:13] So, thank you for all the efforts
[0:31:16] >> and this will be on our website that
[0:31:18] everyone will be able to see the uh the
[0:31:21] changes that have been made. But that's
[0:31:24] the that's the main change that um Mike
[0:31:26] has mentioned.
[0:31:28] Any other questions or comments?
[0:31:32] If not, all in favor say I.
[0:31:35] >> Opposed? Motion carries 90. Now we have
[0:31:39] several addendums. 6.17
[0:31:42] the 2026 2027 schedule of committee
[0:31:45] works sessions.
[0:31:47] So we have a new uh schedule that's put
[0:31:51] out there. First of all, may I have a
[0:31:53] motion, please?
[0:31:55] >> I'll make that motion.
[0:31:56] >> A second.
[0:32:02] >> Okay. Um Dr. Clark, you want to
[0:32:05] elaborate a little?
[0:32:07] >> Sure. This is coming forward after a
[0:32:09] conversation at our last board meeting
[0:32:11] work session. Essentially, what we're
[0:32:13] looking to do is consolidate uh
[0:32:15] committee work sessions to make them
[0:32:16] more meaningful uh and sporadic. So,
[0:32:19] right now the the plan would be to have
[0:32:21] a an all-encompassing student experience
[0:32:24] meeting uh for lack of better words
[0:32:26] where we'll have uh curriculum,
[0:32:28] technology, student extracurricular and
[0:32:30] activities um meeting that comes
[0:32:32] together and that'll be quarterly and
[0:32:35] then budget and finance will have its
[0:32:37] own schedule starting in October uh to
[0:32:40] meet to start that budget conversation
[0:32:42] for the following year as it aligns with
[0:32:44] the act one index and then having
[0:32:46] subsequent meetings for budget and
[0:32:47] finance in January. ruary leading up to
[0:32:50] May for the budget approval process and
[0:32:52] buildings and grounds is one of those
[0:32:54] meetings where we feel we need to meet
[0:32:55] more frequently just to make sure that
[0:32:57] we have eyes on our projects and and
[0:32:58] we're getting the buildings up to where
[0:33:00] they need to be. So those meetings will
[0:33:02] be monthly with the exception of
[0:33:04] December uh June and July. Those are the
[0:33:07] only three months over the course of the
[0:33:09] year where we would not have a buildings
[0:33:10] and grounds meeting. In addition to
[0:33:13] that, we want to note that that on the
[0:33:15] bottom of that work session meeting
[0:33:17] calendar that if we need a meeting in
[0:33:20] addition to those, we certainly will
[0:33:22] call them and host them. And when it
[0:33:24] comes to policies and personnel policy,
[0:33:27] we are going we are actively working on
[0:33:29] a policy review cycle that we could
[0:33:31] share on our website and we'll regularly
[0:33:33] be updating our policies over a
[0:33:35] three-year cycle unless there's a major
[0:33:38] change that's needed to be made sooner
[0:33:40] than that. So that's our response to at
[0:33:42] least the last year and holding monthly
[0:33:44] meetings in a way to try to make those
[0:33:46] meetings more meaningful and engaging.
[0:33:50] >> Thank you. So this will also be posted
[0:33:52] on the website and just to make note
[0:33:54] that uh the meetings the community work
[0:33:57] session meetings are all going to be
[0:33:59] held on Tuesdays. So that'll make it a
[0:34:02] little consistent that we'll remember
[0:34:03] it's Tuesdays as opposed to which one's
[0:34:05] Tuesday, which one's Thursday.
[0:34:08] Okay. I had a motion and Second. Any
[0:34:11] other questions or comments?
[0:34:14] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:34:16] >> I.
[0:34:17] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 90.
[0:34:20] 6.18. An addendum for the 2026 2027
[0:34:24] extracurricular and co-curricular
[0:34:26] offerings and advisors.
[0:34:29] The board is requested to approve the
[0:34:31] list of the curricular and co-curricular
[0:34:34] offerings for the elementary school,
[0:34:35] middle school, and high school students
[0:34:37] and the corresponding list of as of
[0:34:40] advisors as presented.
[0:34:42] And 6.19
[0:34:46] approves the 2026 2027
[0:34:49] extracurricular and co-curricular
[0:34:51] salaries and siphons as presented. uh
[0:34:54] approval is subject to the satisfactory
[0:34:56] receipt of all required executed
[0:34:59] employment contracts. So may I have a
[0:35:01] motion for 68 and 6.19.
[0:35:06] >> Second Ros,
[0:35:08] >> any questions or comments?
[0:35:12] If not, I'll call for the vote. All
[0:35:14] those in favor say I.
[0:35:15] >> I.
[0:35:16] >> Opposed? Motion carries. 90 6.20. The
[0:35:21] addendum for
[0:35:25] I'm not sure how to say arate
[0:35:27] professional group 2026 2027 agreement
[0:35:30] for site services.
[0:35:33] May I have a motion please?
[0:35:36] >> So
[0:35:38] >> second
[0:35:39] >> second we
[0:35:41] >> questions or comments?
[0:35:44] Not all those in favor say I. I
[0:35:46] >> opposed. Motion carries 90
[0:35:51] 61.
[0:35:55] This is um employment. The board is
[0:35:57] requested to consider and approve the
[0:35:59] following certified building subdivided
[0:36:01] teachers for the 2026 2027 school year
[0:36:03] at an annual rate of pay of $47,553.
[0:36:08] Reduced rate of pay with single level
[0:36:10] benefit option available and prorated
[0:36:12] for actual based work for Logan Borky,
[0:36:14] Aaron Hinssey, Veronica Highland, and
[0:36:16] Jamie Lee Jamie Marcado. We have a
[0:36:19] motion, please.
[0:36:23] >> Second
[0:36:24] questions or comments?
[0:36:27] Not all those in favor say I. I
[0:36:30] >> opposed. Motion carries 90 6.22
[0:36:34] addendum. The board is requested to
[0:36:36] consider and approve the following
[0:36:37] volunteers for the 2026 2027 school
[0:36:41] year. As listed, there are 10 people
[0:36:43] that are listed. We have a motion,
[0:36:46] please.
[0:36:46] >> So, move around.
[0:36:48] >> Second,
[0:36:50] >> questions or comments? Are these
[0:36:53] volunteers like for school like
[0:36:56] elementary, middle, high school?
[0:36:58] >> Yes. And it's important to note that
[0:37:00] these are the volunteers that we have
[0:37:01] all paperwork for up to this point. So,
[0:37:03] we like bringing in
[0:37:05] >> my paperwork got lost
[0:37:08] >> which I told you about. So
[0:37:11] >> yes,
[0:37:11] >> if we can please
[0:37:12] >> 100%.
[0:37:14] >> So and and some of the employment and
[0:37:16] volunteer pieces are you know Melissa
[0:37:18] working last minute to get them to the
[0:37:20] table and get them on the board.
[0:37:22] >> Understood.
[0:37:22] >> So just a little bit
[0:37:24] >> my my paper was turned in a while. So I
[0:37:26] just want to make sure get lost in the
[0:37:28] transition.
[0:37:28] >> Absolutely.
[0:37:31] >> Any other questions, comments? Not. All
[0:37:34] those in favor say I.
[0:37:36] >> I.
[0:37:36] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 90. 6.23.
[0:37:41] Addendum. The board is requested to
[0:37:43] consider and approve the fall coaching
[0:37:44] salaries for the 2026 2027 school year.
[0:37:49] Can I have a motion, please?
[0:37:53] >> Second.
[0:37:57] >> Any questions or comments of that list?
[0:37:59] >> I don't think you're recusable on that.
[0:38:02] >> Okay. Any
[0:38:07] other questions?
[0:38:10] If not, call for the vote. All those in
[0:38:12] favor say I.
[0:38:14] >> Opposed.
[0:38:17] Okay. Motion carries. 80.
[0:38:23] And one extension. Yes. 801.
[0:38:27] Okay. 6.24. Addendum. Um, the board is
[0:38:30] requested to consider and approve Wigard
[0:38:33] special education prek to 12 long-term
[0:38:36] substancy teacher at the middle school
[0:38:37] bachelor step 2 58,663
[0:38:41] prorated for actual based work effective
[0:38:43] August 24th 2026 through approximately
[0:38:46] the first semester of 2026 27 27th to
[0:38:50] fill the vacancy created by the leave of
[0:38:52] absence of Miss Dana Carter. May I have
[0:38:54] a motion please?
[0:38:57] >> A second.
[0:39:00] >> Any questions or comments?
[0:39:02] All those in favor say I. I. Opposed.
[0:39:06] Motion carries. 90.
[0:39:09] Addendum 6.25
[0:39:11] acknowledges the following family and
[0:39:13] medical leave act leaves of absence.
[0:39:15] Scott Huey, custodian, effective June
[0:39:17] 4th, 2026 through approximately July
[0:39:20] 6th, 2020 2026. Greg Hansen, custodian
[0:39:24] effective August 17, 2026.
[0:39:26] Intermittently through August 16th,
[0:39:28] 2027.
[0:39:30] Jonathan Jenkins, social studies
[0:39:32] teacher, effective April 20th, 2026,
[0:39:34] intermittently through April 20th, 2027.
[0:39:37] May I have a motion, please?
[0:39:40] >> Second.
[0:39:41] >> Second, Brown.
[0:39:42] >> Questions or comments?
[0:39:45] >> All those in favor say I. I. Opposed.
[0:39:49] Motion carries. 90 6.26 addendum. The
[0:39:52] board is requested to consider and
[0:39:54] approve Jonathan Thrush part-time low
[0:39:56] incident special education power
[0:39:57] professional six hours per day at an
[0:40:00] hourly rate of $18.38
[0:40:02] effective date to be determined. May I
[0:40:05] have a motion, please?
[0:40:09] >> Second
[0:40:11] roll.
[0:40:11] >> Questions or comments?
[0:40:14] >> All those in favor say I.
[0:40:16] >> I post. Motion carries 90
[0:40:20] 6.27 27 addendum. The board is requested
[0:40:23] to consider and approve the transfer of
[0:40:25] Mr. Robert Kershoff from the middle
[0:40:26] school professional power professional
[0:40:28] to high school power professional
[0:40:30] effective with the 2026 2027 school
[0:40:33] year. I have a motion please.
[0:40:36] >> So second
[0:40:39] >> second we
[0:40:40] >> questions comment
[0:40:42] all those in favor say I.
[0:40:45] >> Opposed motion carries 90
[0:40:49] 6.28 28 vendum. The board is requested
[0:40:52] to consider and approve Mr. Kyle Rosson,
[0:40:55] high school physics teacher, bachelor
[0:40:56] staff, $57,553
[0:41:00] effective with the start of the 2026
[0:41:02] 2027 school year to fill the vacancy
[0:41:05] created by the resignation of Mr. Brett
[0:41:07] Hope. May I have a motion, please?
[0:41:10] >> Second.
[0:41:11] >> Brown.
[0:41:13] >> Questions or comments?
[0:41:14] >> Will he be available starting tomorrow?
[0:41:18] We are working to get him his onboarding
[0:41:20] paperwork so he can start. We're hoping
[0:41:23] Wednesday.
[0:41:23] >> Wednesday. Okay. Thank you.
[0:41:25] >> Sure.
[0:41:26] >> Any other questions?
[0:41:29] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:41:32] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 90. Is there
[0:41:36] any other old or new business for policy
[0:41:38] personnel and public relations?
[0:41:42] If not, we'll move on to curriculum and
[0:41:45] technology. The curriculum and
[0:41:47] technology committee held a work session
[0:41:49] on Thursday, August 6th, and the
[0:41:51] committee met as a whole last Monday,
[0:41:53] August 17th.
[0:41:57] 7.1
[0:41:59] approves the continuous agreement
[0:42:01] between Delaware Valley University and
[0:42:04] Spook Valley School District for the
[0:42:06] 2026 27th school year. May I have a
[0:42:09] motion, please?
[0:42:10] >> Second, Brown.
[0:42:12] >> Any questions or comments? All those in
[0:42:15] favor say I. I.
[0:42:17] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 90. 7.2.
[0:42:21] American Reading Company quotes. Um,
[0:42:24] approve the American Reading Company
[0:42:26] quote for cool pace and digital access
[0:42:28] for the 2026 2027 school year. May I
[0:42:31] have a motion, please?
[0:42:35] >> Second.
[0:42:36] >> Second. William.
[0:42:37] >> Questions, comments?
[0:42:40] All those in favor say I.
[0:42:42] >> Opposed? Motion carries. 90. We have one
[0:42:47] uh addendum. The board is requested to
[0:42:50] consider and approve the updated
[0:42:51] contract with active internet
[0:42:53] technologies doing business as final
[0:42:56] site as presented. May I have a motion,
[0:42:58] please?
[0:43:00] >> Motion.
[0:43:02] >> A second.
[0:43:04] >> Second. We have
[0:43:07] >> any questions or comments?
[0:43:09] >> Just provide an update on what this
[0:43:10] actually is. Final site is what we use
[0:43:13] for our mass communication across the
[0:43:14] district. We have about a year and a
[0:43:16] half or a little over a year and a half
[0:43:18] yet on that contract and Michael's
[0:43:20] already been exploring other platforms
[0:43:22] that can enhance and improve
[0:43:24] communication not just one direction
[0:43:26] like this currently allows us to do from
[0:43:29] us to parents but also uh improve
[0:43:31] two-way communication. So, in
[0:43:33] conversation with our reps, knowing that
[0:43:35] we were looking at other things, the rep
[0:43:37] threw out upgrading our current license
[0:43:40] uh free of charge at this point in time
[0:43:42] to see what else they can bring to the
[0:43:44] table and offer. So, again, final site
[0:43:48] XRE is an upgrade. It's not coming to us
[0:43:51] with a charge. Still largely is just one
[0:43:54] way communications uh which is something
[0:43:56] we're going to continuously explore over
[0:43:57] the next year and a half. Um but in
[0:44:00] addition to that it also will sync and
[0:44:03] integrate with Sapphire our student
[0:44:04] information um system and platform. We
[0:44:07] are working because with Sapphire there
[0:44:10] may be an implementation fee to to
[0:44:12] integrate that but Michael and his team
[0:44:14] are working to mitigate that so that we
[0:44:16] don't have to cover that cost since
[0:44:18] they're adding this to us free of
[0:44:20] charge.
[0:44:23] >> Any other questions?
[0:44:25] >> If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:44:29] post. Motion carries 90. Is there any
[0:44:32] other old or new business
[0:44:35] for curriculum and technology?
[0:44:39] Now we'll move on to 8.0 budget and
[0:44:41] finance. The budget and finance
[0:44:43] committee held a work session on
[0:44:44] Tuesday, August 11th, and the committee
[0:44:46] met as a whole last Monday, August 17th.
[0:44:50] We have one item for approval. The 8.1
[0:44:54] approval ratification of bills. uh
[0:44:56] approves the rat approves and ratifies
[0:44:59] the payment of bills in the following
[0:45:00] amounts from July 13, 2026 to August
[0:45:04] 25th, 2026 as presented.
[0:45:08] May I have a motion, please?
[0:45:09] >> So move.
[0:45:11] >> Second
[0:45:15] questions or comments?
[0:45:17] All those in favor say I.
[0:45:20] Opposed. Motion carries 90. Is there any
[0:45:24] other old or new business for budget and
[0:45:26] finance?
[0:45:29] If not, we'll move on to buildings and
[0:45:30] grounds. The buildings and grounds
[0:45:32] committee held a work session on
[0:45:34] Tuesday, August 11th, and the committee
[0:45:36] done that as a whole on Monday, August
[0:45:39] 17th.
[0:45:41] First item 9.1 approves the disposal of
[0:45:44] chemicals and furniture from the high
[0:45:46] school and middle school as presented.
[0:45:47] May I have a motion, please?
[0:45:50] Move Rossy.
[0:45:53] Second.
[0:45:54] >> Second. We
[0:45:56] >> questions or comments?
[0:45:58] All those in favor say I.
[0:46:00] >> I.
[0:46:01] >> Opposed. Motion carries. 90 9.2. Pledge
[0:46:05] fire protection approves the three
[0:46:08] quotes from Pletcher Fire Protection for
[0:46:10] repairs to the black backflow prevention
[0:46:13] devices at the elementary school, middle
[0:46:15] school, and high school at a combined
[0:46:17] cost of $14,155.
[0:46:21] May I have a motion, please?
[0:46:24] >> Second.
[0:46:26] >> Questions or comments? I know we
[0:46:28] discussed this last Monday detail. Um,
[0:46:33] all those in favor say I.
[0:46:35] >> I. Opposed. Motion carries. 90. We do
[0:46:39] have an addendum. The board is requested
[0:46:41] to consider and recommend approval of
[0:46:43] the proposal from Lancaster Asphalt
[0:46:45] Systems to restrike the parking lots
[0:46:48] throughout the campus in the amount of
[0:46:49] $14,268.
[0:46:52] May I have a motion, please?
[0:46:54] >> So, move across.
[0:46:55] >> Second.
[0:46:58] Questions or comments?
[0:47:08] >> Yes.
[0:47:12] No. And that's a great question. That's
[0:47:13] what I was going to comment on. U when
[0:47:15] the company came out because the area at
[0:47:18] construction is not going to need to be
[0:47:20] touched. They actually offered to paint
[0:47:22] all of our panther paws and since they
[0:47:24] are not going to be painting that
[0:47:26] particular area at the construction
[0:47:28] site. So we are getting them the
[0:47:29] stencil. So this will be restriping and
[0:47:31] all our panther paws at both the
[0:47:33] entrance and exit will be repainted so
[0:47:35] that everything looks uniform. Thank
[0:47:37] you. Absolutely. And that's for all
[0:47:40] three buildings, but the quote is for
[0:47:42] all three.
[0:47:43] >> Correct.
[0:47:49] >> Any other questions?
[0:47:51] If not, all those in favor say I.
[0:47:54] >> I.
[0:47:54] >> Opposed? Motion carries. 90. Is there
[0:47:58] any other old and new business for
[0:48:00] buildings and grounds?
[0:48:02] If not, we'll move on to 10.0, student
[0:48:05] services and activities.
[0:48:08] 10. Oh, the students services and
[0:48:10] activities committee held a work session
[0:48:12] on Thursday, August 13th, and the
[0:48:14] committee met as a whole on Monday,
[0:48:16] August 17th.
[0:48:19] First item 10.1 donation approves the
[0:48:22] equipment donation from the school value
[0:48:25] cheer and football association valued at
[0:48:27] $16,982.
[0:48:29] May I have a motion, please?
[0:48:32] >> Second. Questions or comments?
[0:48:36] If not, All those in favor say I.
[0:48:39] Opposed. Motion carries. Zero.
[0:48:43] 10.2
[0:48:44] approves the work of full landscape and
[0:48:47] tree service LLC to perform the
[0:48:49] installation of scoreboard to three in
[0:48:52] three phases. May I have a motion
[0:48:54] please?
[0:48:54] >> So I move across.
[0:48:56] >> Second.
[0:48:58] >> Second. We
[0:48:59] >> questions or comments?
[0:49:02] Not. All those in favor say I.
[0:49:04] >> I.
[0:49:05] >> Opposed. Motion carries 90
[0:49:08] 10.3 approves the contract for the 2026
[0:49:12] homecoming BJ in the amount of $800. May
[0:49:15] I have a motion, please?
[0:49:17] >> Ros second.
[0:49:21] >> Second.
[0:49:22] >> Questions, comments?
[0:49:24] All those in favor say I.
[0:49:27] >> Opposed? Motion carries. 90.4
[0:49:32] Four approves moving from a co-ed junior
[0:49:35] high wrestling program to a separate
[0:49:37] junior high girls wrestling team
[0:49:39] effective with the 2026 2027 winter
[0:49:42] sports season. May I have a motion
[0:49:44] please?
[0:49:45] >> Glass second.
[0:49:47] >> Any questions or comments?
[0:49:50] >> Do we have coaches
[0:49:52] for all these positions or are we still
[0:49:55] working through that?
[0:49:58] Jason had said that we have a coach um
[0:50:00] >> a head coach I think for the girls for
[0:50:02] the junior high.
[0:50:03] >> Correct. Right. We may based on numbers
[0:50:05] we might have to look at adding an
[0:50:07] assistant coach or how we delegate those
[0:50:09] responsibilities across the coaching
[0:50:11] staff that we have.
[0:50:12] >> Okay. As long as we have head coach in
[0:50:14] place. That's the key there. So thank
[0:50:17] you.
[0:50:20] >> Any other questions?
[0:50:22] If not all those in favor say I.
[0:50:25] post. Motion carries 90.
[0:50:29] Moving on to 10.5.
[0:50:31] This is just a discussion item to
[0:50:34] discuss the um final discussion and
[0:50:37] direction of what we're looking at with
[0:50:39] the Cocoa Valley boys lacrosse team. So,
[0:50:42] I'll open it up for discussion. I put a
[0:50:45] lot of thought into this since our last
[0:50:47] meeting. Um, with our team currently
[0:50:51] consisting of only freshman and
[0:50:54] sophomores, I don't think it's a viable
[0:50:57] option to go to Newmberg because they
[0:50:59] don't have transportation. None of them
[0:51:01] can drive. So that's going to put a huge
[0:51:04] burden on parents to try to get them to
[0:51:06] Newmberg after school if you know we do
[0:51:10] go to Newberg and it could deter people
[0:51:13] from playing because they have to have
[0:51:16] that transportation effect that they you
[0:51:19] know won't have to go as far to come to
[0:51:21] school or depending what practice is
[0:51:23] they may be able to stay after school.
[0:51:25] Um so that's one thing. Um the second
[0:51:28] thing that I was thinking about is that
[0:51:31] we program to Neandberg.
[0:51:35] What does that tell our youth programs?
[0:51:37] You know, what what does that say for
[0:51:39] the future of our Boys programs? Um so I
[0:51:43] I think um after, you know, my son
[0:51:46] talked to several of the boys on the
[0:51:49] team um and they said that they were
[0:51:52] okay playing a JV schedule. Now that's
[0:51:54] not the entire team. I can't speak for
[0:51:56] the whole team, but just the boys that
[0:51:57] you talk to. Um because they see that
[0:52:01] one, they will probably get more playing
[0:52:04] time if they go to Newberg. And two,
[0:52:07] they're going to be matched up with,
[0:52:10] you know, players their age, their size
[0:52:13] versus playing a varsity schedule with
[0:52:16] um last year. They had a ton of heart.
[0:52:20] They played everything that they had.
[0:52:22] They let it out on the field. We won one
[0:52:25] game playing of RC schedule. It wasn't
[0:52:27] fun for them. By the end of the season,
[0:52:29] they were all defeated. So, if we can
[0:52:31] play a JV schedule and, you know, maybe
[0:52:34] build up their confidence and their
[0:52:36] skills and, you know, show the youth
[0:52:39] teams that, you know, we have a high
[0:52:41] school team here. I just think that that
[0:52:43] would go a really long way. So, those
[0:52:46] are my
[0:52:50] >> and I kind of agree with Kelly there.
[0:52:52] Um, you know, you look at this. If we're
[0:52:55] sending our athletes to Muenberg, number
[0:52:57] one, there's a cost associated with
[0:52:59] that. We have the ability to have that
[0:53:01] program here. Uh, and number two, once
[0:53:04] we send out your athletes to another
[0:53:06] program, personally, I feel it's going
[0:53:08] to be really hard to reconstitute that
[0:53:10] program as a varsity sport back at
[0:53:13] school valley. I think that might be,
[0:53:16] you know, the tipping point of a program
[0:53:18] if we send our athletes to another
[0:53:19] school. um just the hopes that they'll
[0:53:22] come back. I always prefer, you know, to
[0:53:26] have things under our control um rather
[0:53:29] than hoping that things will get better
[0:53:32] and things will come back. So, for that
[0:53:34] reason, I I agree as well. And you know,
[0:53:36] these these kids that are freshman and
[0:53:38] sophomores, if programs, you know, is
[0:53:41] healthy and continues to grow and they
[0:53:44] turn things around, then they'll have a
[0:53:45] senior year with varsity competition.
[0:53:48] So, um I just I feel in just in general
[0:53:52] in these situations I like to keep
[0:53:53] things in house.
[0:53:59] >> Anyone else?
[0:54:00] >> I was leaning towards the co-op. Um my
[0:54:03] biggest concern was really
[0:54:06] the idea is, you know, we say we have x
[0:54:08] amount of kids right now in the fall.
[0:54:12] Come spring, what does that actually
[0:54:13] look like? You know, they kids are like,
[0:54:15] well, I want to play JV and we're only
[0:54:17] looking eight kids, seven or eight kids.
[0:54:19] Can we even field a JV at that time with
[0:54:22] with that amount of kids if they there?
[0:54:24] And then if we can't, that's kind of a
[0:54:26] lost year for any of those kids who they
[0:54:28] won't be able to play. I did talk to
[0:54:30] Jason about it. He seems with lower
[0:54:32] numbers, they still be able to make
[0:54:34] something work for a JV season. He seems
[0:54:37] pretty confident being able to come up
[0:54:38] with schedules for them to play. So, I
[0:54:42] mean, that helps. Um my other bigger
[0:54:46] concern I have moving forward isn't
[0:54:49] necessarily just the boys across we
[0:54:51] start looking at these numbers like our
[0:54:53] class sizes are getting smaller and
[0:54:54] smaller. You know, it's great we have
[0:54:58] all these programs for school valley
[0:55:00] this size full, but I mean that's with
[0:55:01] like 700 kids in the high school. Three
[0:55:04] to five years with some of these
[0:55:05] projections, we're looking at like 600,
[0:55:08] like 625, 650, you know, now we're
[0:55:10] talking, you know, any given year, we're
[0:55:13] talking 20 or so girls and 20 or so
[0:55:16] boys. And each season, we don't have
[0:55:20] those kids. And what's that going to
[0:55:21] look like? Like I don't think moving
[0:55:23] forward we can be like well we're just
[0:55:24] going to have a half a dozen JB seasons
[0:55:27] for all these teams and this is what
[0:55:28] we're going to do. So we're going to
[0:55:31] have to look at this a little bit and
[0:55:33] there's going to be some hard decisions
[0:55:35] possibly coming down the road in the
[0:55:36] next three to five years. I mean I get
[0:55:37] this year we got to understand this is
[0:55:40] going to be set up more like a club than
[0:55:41] an actual like you know sport and we're
[0:55:45] going to have 10 kids there. They're not
[0:55:47] going to be able to scrimmage. They're
[0:55:48] going to have to practice among
[0:55:49] themselves and they're going to be
[0:55:50] playing JV games for two years and then
[0:55:53] we'll see what the youth can feed them
[0:55:55] at that point. But that that's where I
[0:55:58] get concerned.
[0:56:01] >> I think we should have a JB squad. I
[0:56:05] think um with the injury of kids on the
[0:56:07] team that would give the kids that are
[0:56:09] sophomores now two years to do JV and
[0:56:11] then have a chance at a varsity senior
[0:56:13] year. gives this program two years to
[0:56:16] try to rebuild itself to get more
[0:56:18] interest coming up from youth kids
[0:56:19] coming in. They'll avoid any politics
[0:56:21] with coaching over at NuBsiders.
[0:56:25] At least their best chance to save their
[0:56:27] program. I think we should let them have
[0:56:30] the JB seasons and see what they can do
[0:56:32] with it.
[0:56:35] >> Yeah, I'm not against JB that often. You
[0:56:39] know, it's not neither great option for
[0:56:42] us. You know what I mean? like it's it's
[0:56:44] going to take some work for the youth
[0:56:46] program to make sure they're feeding
[0:56:49] this this varsities.
[0:56:52] >> I I think they're having enough
[0:56:54] difficulty negotiating uh just interest.
[0:56:58] And then if you throw politics and
[0:56:59] travel arrangements on top of that,
[0:57:01] you're just going to kill it.
[0:57:03] >> And then with what we just did with
[0:57:04] policy 707 and getting rid of maybe that
[0:57:08] will help as well. So maybe we will have
[0:57:11] more numbers.
[0:57:13] Yeah, hopefully it's kind of a wait and
[0:57:15] see. We can't predict the future, but I
[0:57:18] I think we should try this for the two
[0:57:21] years, see what happens. And ultimately,
[0:57:24] it's up to the kids to come out to play
[0:57:25] the sport. So, if they come out, we have
[0:57:28] it. If they don't, there's not much we
[0:57:31] can do about that as a
[0:57:32] >> Yeah. And I'm just looking for those
[0:57:34] kids that are looking to play next
[0:57:36] level, whether it's D1, D2, D3. You
[0:57:40] know, you're essentially these season
[0:57:42] just a scrimmage. I mean, they don't we
[0:57:44] don't know what it's going to look like
[0:57:45] on the back end of this either. So, I
[0:57:47] mean, if they're talking to off then
[0:57:48] maybe I guess.
[0:57:49] >> Yeah. But the beauty of a school this
[0:57:51] size that kids get to participate
[0:57:54] and you you kick them into a bigger
[0:57:56] school
[0:57:57] participate.
[0:57:58] >> No, I agree. I a couple that do. Yeah.
[0:58:00] They'll have they'll have more more
[0:58:02] competition, stiffer competition, but
[0:58:05] it's only a couple of kids that stand
[0:58:07] out that are going to get a chance.
[0:58:08] >> Those kids, I mean, they're playing
[0:58:09] travel. They're doing off stuff.
[0:58:12] And I'm not trying I'm not trying to get
[0:58:13] a Debbie down here about this. I just,
[0:58:15] you know, it's something we got to look
[0:58:16] at because
[0:58:17] >> if they go to Muenberg though, they
[0:58:19] could potentially just be playing at JP
[0:58:22] anyway.
[0:58:23] >> Oh, yeah. So, they're also going to be
[0:58:25] scrimmaging against
[0:58:27] the team other players,
[0:58:30] but
[0:58:32] >> more likely than not they're going to be
[0:58:35] playing JB anyway. So if we can keep it
[0:58:37] in house, let's keep it in house and see
[0:58:40] where the program goes.
[0:58:42] >> Yeah, I mean I agree with you to a
[0:58:44] point, Dan. Like I just want to wait
[0:58:46] until that strip sales, you know, when
[0:58:49] it's a program, if any program with, you
[0:58:52] know, the declining class sizes. If any
[0:58:55] program comes up against this, I'd like
[0:58:58] to wait as long as possible and, you
[0:58:59] know, when it comes to the point where,
[0:59:01] okay, we can't save the program, then
[0:59:03] co-op away. But in my until that ship
[0:59:06] fails. Try to hang on.
[0:59:10] I'm I'm fine with that. I'm just, you
[0:59:11] know,
[0:59:13] get there a little bit.
[0:59:17] >> Anyone else?
[0:59:21] >> So, so what I'm hearing here basically
[0:59:23] is there's a consensus not to pursue the
[0:59:26] agreement with Muenberg and just do this
[0:59:30] in house for a JP. Is that that what I'm
[0:59:33] saying? I mean, I didn't hear from
[0:59:35] everybody, but would that be the
[0:59:37] consensus to not pursue the agreement
[0:59:40] with Mu?
[0:59:42] >> Yeah. I mean, if we're this is a final
[0:59:44] discussion given directions, I think we
[0:59:46] should just weigh in on it. Let's just
[0:59:48] have a tally.
[0:59:55] >> I'll start at this end. I'm fine if
[0:59:57] they're just going to go with the J
[0:59:59] program. The problem you have which was
[1:00:02] the same point is you know you're
[1:00:04] looking at a dilution of our sports
[1:00:07] we've offered so many different sports
[1:00:09] over the years and now you know as we
[1:00:12] approach millions of resources
[1:00:14] you are going to have some hard
[1:00:16] decisions in the future of what sports
[1:00:19] pay or don't
[1:00:21] you know competition we always wanted to
[1:00:23] offer as much as we could and we offer
[1:00:26] more sports
[1:00:28] valley for our
[1:00:30] than just you know any other school
[1:00:32] district
[1:00:35] but I think it's going to come to a
[1:00:37] point in the near future with these
[1:00:39] crosses that you want our kids they
[1:00:44] don't have to win everything but they
[1:00:45] want them to be competitive
[1:00:49] they will still enjoy the sport that
[1:00:50] they're playing
[1:00:53] I'm fine with J for two years as long as
[1:00:57] those kids are
[1:00:59] Don't lose that.
[1:01:01] >> Well, for the record, I'm talking, you
[1:01:03] know, long term. It doesn't necessarily
[1:01:04] mean we're sending everybody out. You
[1:01:06] know, we we can be creative and try to
[1:01:08] find co-ops to bring kids here too.
[1:01:11] So, I'm not saying it's I I don't I know
[1:01:13] that's understand, but I don't want it
[1:01:14] to seem like I'm like we're going to
[1:01:15] have to ship all these, you know, we're
[1:01:17] going to be shipping all these kids out
[1:01:18] schools. We can
[1:01:20] >> we can get people need to understand in
[1:01:23] the future all the offerings that we
[1:01:26] have
[1:01:27] >> might not be
[1:01:29] there for these kids. And then to your
[1:01:32] point, Dan, is that might have to do
[1:01:33] that. Then we start looking at co-ops to
[1:01:36] give these kids.
[1:01:38] >> But remember, we already do have a co-op
[1:01:40] with Cleveland. So maybe we, you know,
[1:01:43] have case to their A and try to strike
[1:01:46] up interest that way so that we actually
[1:01:48] get some kids from Fleetwood. Ifwood
[1:01:51] isn't, you know, the school, maybe we
[1:01:54] see if any other schools in the county
[1:01:55] want to come to us so that we can, you
[1:01:58] know, try to boost our numbers a little
[1:02:00] bit that way. But it's it's just hard
[1:02:05] for the boys that have put in their time
[1:02:08] at SB from, you know, middle six on up
[1:02:12] to say now you're going to be a mule. I
[1:02:15] I just have a hard time following that.
[1:02:22] Well, last last year I had more of a
[1:02:24] difficult decision to make because the
[1:02:28] senior voice really went into play and
[1:02:31] we had the whole discussion about
[1:02:33] concussions and safety and all of that
[1:02:36] playing with teams that were more
[1:02:38] aggressive.
[1:02:40] I don't really have a problem with
[1:02:43] keeping it in house. Um, considering the
[1:02:48] cost
[1:02:50] I think it was I think the cost was a
[1:02:53] little excessive and the lack of if
[1:02:56] we're not going to transport then that
[1:02:58] becomes a problem. My my only thing is
[1:03:03] um the safety of our kids again and if
[1:03:08] we have it in house and we can get a
[1:03:10] coach a head coach that would be a
[1:03:13] positive thing. So I have no problem
[1:03:15] keeping it inhouse as long as the boys
[1:03:18] understand it. It's something that we
[1:03:21] absolutely need to do to make it our own
[1:03:24] program.
[1:03:31] hear from you.
[1:03:31] >> Yeah, I I believe we should keep it to
[1:03:33] JB. Um and and looking forward as the
[1:03:37] talk was about the dwindling numbers,
[1:03:40] you know, look at a district like
[1:03:42] Fleetwood that kind of mirrors ours in
[1:03:44] size to co-op with them in certain
[1:03:47] sports or try to form a partnership. I I
[1:03:50] think Muenberg's a little bit big for us
[1:03:54] to be partnering there where our kids
[1:03:56] are going to get the proper opportunity
[1:03:59] because there's going to be a political
[1:04:00] conflict when you know you're we're
[1:04:02] sending kids there and playing time with
[1:04:05] the parents there versus the parents
[1:04:06] here and I just think we would be better
[1:04:09] suited to look at a another district uh
[1:04:12] down the road to partner with with
[1:04:14] certain sports and and I think we would
[1:04:17] maybe the one to at least talk to.
[1:04:23] >> If you want to say something more
[1:04:25] nothing more I'm I'm in favor of keeping
[1:04:27] it
[1:04:30] in house or
[1:04:31] >> I would love to do it in house. Okay,
[1:04:36] >> in house
[1:04:37] >> I'll kill just be difficult but
[1:04:40] >> stand on my principal since it doesn't
[1:04:42] matter. So and I'm not like I said I'm
[1:04:44] not against
[1:04:46] >> okay well it seems to be the consensus
[1:04:48] the direction is we are not going to
[1:04:50] pursue a co-op with keep it in the
[1:04:53] house.
[1:04:55] >> Yes. So, I'll work with um Mr. Hansen.
[1:04:57] We'll make sure that we continue to
[1:04:59] actively pursue a boys lacrosse coach
[1:05:01] and that'll be our plan wearing the
[1:05:04] black and red.
[1:05:10] >> Okay. Is there any other older new
[1:05:12] business for student services? Just that
[1:05:15] we should kind of follow up since we had
[1:05:16] a girls conversation last week as well.
[1:05:19] Um from what I understand, we're teasing
[1:05:21] the girls here. I was flooded with
[1:05:23] messages after that meeting. So, I just
[1:05:25] wanted to public that um girls are gonna
[1:05:28] stay campers as well.
[1:05:31] >> Yeah, they weren't part of the
[1:05:32] discussion the last day we essentially
[1:05:36] decided that already.
[1:05:37] >> I just want to make sure that everybody
[1:05:39] hears that I got lots of rest. Boys and
[1:05:43] girls will wear black and red this.
[1:05:49] >> Anything else? If not, we'll move on to
[1:05:52] Is there any other old other business
[1:05:55] for good of the order.
[1:05:57] I do have good go of the order. Um
[1:06:01] last Thursday I was I was I said in the
[1:06:07] uh presentation on the with the
[1:06:10] elementary teachers on the English as a
[1:06:14] second language
[1:06:16] um program with Dr. Kelly Forbes and
[1:06:22] actually his enthusiasm or as an
[1:06:26] educator I think made me wish I was back
[1:06:29] in the classroom again because he was a
[1:06:31] dynamite speaker and he really h gave
[1:06:35] the teachers a lot of in my opinion
[1:06:38] valuable information on how to make a
[1:06:42] successful
[1:06:44] English program for the number of
[1:06:47] children that that need that that move
[1:06:50] here um that aren strong English
[1:06:53] learners or don't have any English
[1:06:55] background at all. And so I was really
[1:06:59] grateful for that. I'm looking forward
[1:07:01] to what he has to say in October. I'd
[1:07:03] like to sit in on that meeting if I
[1:07:06] could. And because we were kind of
[1:07:09] dinged on this as a title problem, um
[1:07:13] I'm glad we have moved forward and have
[1:07:17] tried to remedy this. So, I think his
[1:07:20] enthusiasm
[1:07:22] um certainly had to rub off on all of
[1:07:24] our teachers because every every
[1:07:27] building had a presentation by him. So,
[1:07:31] um I appreciate our administration for
[1:07:33] getting him as a speaker. And if you
[1:07:36] ever have a chance to go hear him, um
[1:07:39] he's also apparently running for
[1:07:41] lieutenant governor in Oklahoma right
[1:07:43] now. So, um
[1:07:47] education will lose a valuable educator
[1:07:51] uh if he if he ever decides to run for
[1:07:53] politics. But um yeah, so thank you Dr.
[1:07:57] Cork for allowing me to sit in on
[1:08:02] >> and just would like to wish everyone a
[1:08:04] great school year. Um today you being
[1:08:06] the first day of school is kind of a
[1:08:08] propo that we're sitting here. Um so
[1:08:11] hope everybody has a great year and to
[1:08:13] all the seniors out there um you know
[1:08:15] enjoy every
[1:08:17] It's going to go by fast.
[1:08:20] It's going to go by fast for the
[1:08:22] students and for the parents especially
[1:08:26] even though it rained. I thought the
[1:08:27] parking lot looked really nice.
[1:08:30] I always like that. I like that part.
[1:08:32] And that we're doing the sunrise again.
[1:08:34] I was really glad to see that that was
[1:08:36] part of that. That's been I think the
[1:08:39] fourth fourth one of those maybe. and
[1:08:42] and the kids see so so this year's
[1:08:44] senior class I guess would have been
[1:08:46] first amendment I can't remember now but
[1:08:50] I'm glad we're doing that that's a good
[1:08:52] thing to keep going I think it was a
[1:08:55] great community event last night there
[1:08:56] were so many people here it was really
[1:08:58] great
[1:09:03] anything else to order if not may I have
[1:09:06] a motion for adjournment
[1:09:10] >> all those in Favor say I. I.
[1:09:14] >> Thank you for coming this evening. That
[1:09:15] concludes our meeting.
```

## Live captions (copied September 20, 2026): 2025-11-17_UXPqDGiVY10.txt

```
[0:59] I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under
[1:07] God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Susie, roll call, please.
[1:15] Mr. Emerald, here.
[1:17] Mr. Bendigo, I am here. Mrs. KF here.
[1:21] Mrs. Lash here.
[1:22] Mr. Mole here.
[1:24] Mr. O'Donnell here.
[1:26] Mr. Rossy here.
[1:27] Mrs. Dunkey here.
[1:29] Mr. Weant here. We'll just move right to 60.
[1:35] Is there anybody signed up down there by chance? Sorry. Anybody signed up? Yes. For uh budget finance.
[1:43] Okay.
[1:45] 6.0 0 policy personnel and public relations uh solicitors report.
[1:53] Um I have nothing to report. Thank you. 6.1 persons to wish address the board.
[1:58] There's none for this committee. 6.2 retirements. The committee is requested to consider and accept with best wishes
[2:06] for the future the following resignations due to retirement effective on the last day of the 20 256 school year unless otherwise noted. Uh Mr.
[2:15] Brian Blink Blinknney, computer science teacher, effective December 5th, 2025.
[2:21] So I guess that's a little bit earlier than the last day of the school year. Uh Joanna Guber,
[2:29] library par professional, effective December 19th. Mrs. Kimberly Loose, middle school building secretary, effective December 31st, 2025.
[2:40] And Mrs. Carrie Stewart, art teacher, effective January 5th of 2026.
[2:48] So, is there any questions or comments on any of that?
[2:54] Maybe we should just take off there the last day of the 2526 school year because it's almost
[3:02] well there's none of them that fell under that that circumstance. Okay, hear and we'll move that forward.
[3:09] Uh 6.3 resignations committee's request to accept with regret and best wishes for the future the following resignations.
[3:17] Miss uh Karen Gersner, special education power professional, effective November 14, 2025. Mrs. Elizabeth Oswald, health assistant, effective December 2nd, 2025.
[3:31] Mrs. Stephanie Wolf, accounts payable and transportation secretary effective October 13, 2025.
[3:40] Any questions or comments on that hear? None. We'll move that forward.
[3:46] 6.4. Employment. the committee's request to consider recommend approval of Miss Megan Cox, secretary to the director of
[3:55] curriculum and learning at an hourly rate of 2328 effective date to be determined to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mrs.
[4:05] Melissa Chanel Chennel Chen Shimble.
[4:11] Any questions or comments on that hearing? And I will move that forward.
[4:16] 6.5 employment. The committee's request to consider and recommend approval of Mrs. Michelle
[4:24] Put custodian at an hourly rate of 2209 effective date to be determined to fill a vacancy created by the resation of
[4:32] Brian Ike. Any questions or comments on that?
[4:38] And we'll move that forward. 6.6. uh department chairs.
[4:45] The committee's request to consider and recommend for approval the following department chairs for the 2526
[4:52] school year. Crystal Camoff, special education 2400. Jeffrey Shellot, mathematics 2280.
[5:01] Lisa Shelot, science 2280. Jason Bagen Stouts English, 1800. Jeremy Krills,
[5:08] fitness and wellness, 1560. Jessica Harley, fine arts, 1440.
[5:16] Diane Hubler, family and consumer science, 1320. Eric Johansson, technical
[5:23] education, technology education, sorry, 1440.
[5:28] Cindy Kohler, business and computer, 2,160.
[5:36] Michelle Saucer, world language 1,380. Todd Wittman, social studies 2280.
[5:43] Any questions or comments on that? Hearing none, we'll move that forward.
[5:50] 6.7 employment.
[5:57] The committee's request to consider and recommend approval of the additional extracurricular advising positions as presented. So there's attachment on the
[6:06] positions that came from the union. So tonight we're just looking at the
[6:12] positions to move that forward and then next week there will probably be names associated with it. So is there any
[6:21] questions on the positions that were uh presented?
[6:26] No comments hearing none. We'll move that forward.
[6:30] 6.8 employment. the committee's request to consider and recommend approval of the following extracurricular appointments
[6:37] for the 2526 school year. Lee Nyel, lacrosse boys high school assistant coach for $3,500.
[6:46] Todd Whitman, bowling high school assistant coach, $3,000, pro rated for actual days worked. Matthew Ho,
[6:54] wrestling junior high assistant coach, $4,650.
[6:59] Richard Sudsenic Junior Bowling High School assistant coach $3,000 prrated
[7:06] for actual days worked. Any questions or comments on that? Hearing none, we'll move that forward.
[7:14] 6.9 employment.
[7:18] The committee is request to consider and recommend approval of the following substitutes for the 2526 school year.
[7:27] Suzanne Antonio grades uh PK to four.
[7:35] Leah Lina. Am I close on that?
[7:40] Where's Where's Robin at? Am I close on that? Okay. Finelli, guest teacher.
[7:46] Jamie Greenwood, paraprofessional. Emily Hoffer, grades uh PK to4. Any questions
[7:54] on that? No comments. We'll hear we'll move that forward.
[8:00] 6.10 Employment. The uh committee is request to consider and recommend approval of the following volunteers for
[8:09] the uh 2526 school year. And going through the list
[8:16] there, I think there were there's 17 on the list.
[8:20] And let me go through here.
[8:27] There's 19 total on the list, 17 from the elementary school and two of them volunteers for the elementary school and or the high school. Any questions on that?
[8:38] Just I do just have a quick question, Robin. Um, are the clearances good for is it five years?
[8:49] They are valid for five years. The clearance process on the volunteer side is a little different than the employee side. Um, so they expire on the
[8:58] volunteer side on the earliest of the three clearances, but still five years ahead.
[9:03] Okay. And then like does someone go through the website and you know remove people as correct? I do. Okay.
[9:12] Um, so I think that mine are probably past five years, but I'm still on the website.
[9:17] Yeah, I'll double check yours. Um, but usually monthly. Um, because anytime the board approves new volunteers after the board meeting, the updated list is
[9:25] posted to the website because I I don't remember why I looked and I was like, I'm still on there, but I'm pretty sure I need to redo that. Yeah, I'll double check yours for you. All right. Thank you.
[9:33] You're welcome.
[9:36] Any other questions or comments? Hearing none, we'll move that uh forward.
[9:42] 6.11 Employment. The committee's request to consider and recommend approval of the child rearing request of Miss Caitlyn
[9:52] Dupy, kindergarten teacher at the elementary school, effective date, November 10th, 2025 to the conclusion of
[9:59] the 2526 school year. Any questions or comments on that?
[10:06] Hearing none, we'll move that forward.
[10:09] 6.12 The committee's request to consider and acknowledge the following family medical leave act leaves of absences.
[10:17] Deborah Bitner, special education par profofessional, effective September 24th, 2025 through October 3rd, 2025.
[10:26] Patricia Lacy, business education teacher, effective September 19th, 2025 through October 3rd, 2025. Sarah Reed,
[10:35] school psychologist, effective November 18, 2025 through November 25, 2025.
[10:43] Todd Wittman, technology integration coach and social studies teacher, effective October 22nd, 2025 through November 12th, 2025.
[10:52] And Kent Joerger, custodian supervisor, effective December 15, 2025 through March 8th, 2026.
[11:02] Any questions or comments on that? Hearing? None. We'll move that forward.
[11:13] 6.13.
[11:15] Any other old or new business for policy and personnel?
[11:22] I guess it's off to curriculum and technology. 7.0.
[11:27] Curriculum and technology. And Brian, I'm assuming there was nobody This
[11:33] Thank you. Okay. 7.2 proposal Sapphire K through2 Incorporated. The committee has
[11:42] requested consider and recommend approval of the proposal from Sapphire K12 Inc. to implement single single sign
[11:50] on for student community web portal accounts.
[11:56] And I will look to Mike and see if there's anything we need
[12:02] to know about this or
[12:14] good evening everybody. Um so this is a proposal from Sapphire for us to change the way we are doing passwords for
[12:21] students to access their community web portals. Um through recent events, we're just a little concerned about the way it's been done in the past. There's always opportunities and room for
[12:29] improvement. Um so this is to get student community web portal uh passwords to align to their Google or Microsoft passwords.
[12:38] And when would this be implemented?
[12:40] Uh once the board approves, we can schedule that with Sapphire then begin the process.
[12:45] Okay. So it will be done this school year. Correct. Okay. Any other questions about that?
[12:53] Okay, thank you for that.
[12:57] And then I guess that's it for that. So 7.3 Cardinal Point Homeland Security Cell
[13:05] phone addendum. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of an addendum to the Cardinal Point Homeland Security Group, Inc.
[13:15] service agreement that authorizes Cardinal Point Homeland Security Group to purchase and supply three cell phones
[13:22] along with a service plan to be utilized by armed security guards on duty at the Skooko Valley School District for a
[13:30] total billable amount of $150 per month. Dr. Oer, is there anything we need to know in addition to that?
[13:40] This was just an opportunity we had just to um look at our communication protocols in terms of administration
[13:48] with our armed security guards and something we were able to work out directly with Cardinal Point to add this additional component to just help with our communication.
[13:57] Okay. Thank you.
[13:59] There's just a number missing from the executive content. I can't hear you.
[14:03] Yeah, there's a number missing from the executive content section. If you see what I mean there
[14:12] is something at least so many weeks.
[14:18] Yeah, but the the number of weeks is missing.
[14:21] It's two two. Okay. Thank you.
[14:28] Just one quick comment on this. Um, the payment on the addendum has a payment turnaround in 30 days, but we had negotiated 45 days for their other
[14:37] regular contract. So, can we just amend that to be 45 days so we're not, you know, paying off schedule? That should be an easy fix, too.
[14:45] Okay. Yes, we can. Okay. Anything else for that?
[14:53] If not, then we'll go on to 7.4 for Cisco Network Academy Support Center
[15:03] fee. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the quote from ESC region 11 for Cisco
[15:11] network academy support as presented and that ESC is education service center
[15:19] and this is because our previous provider is not doing it anymore. Um Mike or Dr. W Mike, do you want to take this one or Dr. W?
[15:30] That would be correct. Um, we had used Montgomery County Community College in the past. They're not offering this service anymore and so this ensures that
[15:38] we continue to get the support for the person teaching this course. Okay. Any questions about that?
[15:45] Well, since the current uh teacher is retiring on the 5th, do we have another person in place to handle this yet?
[15:56] The position's been posted but not filled yet.
[16:04] Okay. Any anything else?
[16:08] Then we'll move that forward. There are no concerns. 7.5 Middle School auditorium project final acceptance. The
[16:16] committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the final acceptance from visual sound for work completed in the middle school auditorium as presented.
[16:28] Is there any else for that? I'm assuming this finalizes that middle school project then and we'll once that's done
[16:38] we'll be up to date in the middle school um room.
[16:42] Yes, that would be correct. This is the documentation of the final final acceptance saying it's good, it's done, and it's meets the standards that we agreed upon with visual sound.
[16:51] Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or concerns? If not, we'll move that forward.
[16:59] 7.6. Anything old or new for the board?
[17:05] You know what? I have one. It's actually going back to Sapphire. Um, Mike, is is any of this new security measures going
[17:13] to affect as far as parents trying to log in? They like theirs will stay the same.
[17:20] Yes, this is just to improve how we are securing students accounts. Um, parents still create their accounts, gets emailed back to them, they set their
[17:28] password. Right now, we are providing community web portal passwords to students separate from how they log into their computer or other resources. This
[17:36] is just making it as it says single sign on so they don't have to remember multiple passwords but if they need it changed we have the ability to do that and then it also prevents um right now
[17:45] just because it's an easy to guess password um I'm not going to say what it is you guys probably know what it is um this will prevent other students from be able to potentially get into other
[17:53] students accounts see their grades see communications information on the student okay I was just curious if that was going to be any change one then
[18:01] not for parents just for students at this time perfect thank you okay Anything else for the committee? If not, we'll move on to budget and finance.
[18:10] All righty. 8.0. Budget and finance. 8.1. We have one person, Bonnie Langan.
[18:23] Yeah, there's a green light at the mic. Push. It's on. Okay. Hello.
[18:35] Wow, that's really up far. Can I move this? Oh, move it down a little bit. Okay.
[18:43] Okay. Good evening. My name is Bonnie Langan.
[18:50] I'm a resident of uh Leboard Burough for three years now. I've homeschooled my six children in the Lehigh Valley and
[18:57] graduated four until before moving to Burks County. Currently, I teach my 13-year-old and 17-year-old
[19:05] um a 13 13-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter. Uh she also attends BCTC for the painting, residential, and interior
[19:14] decorating program and she'll graduate in 2026.
[19:18] Um so although I have over 30 years experience in education, homeschooling my children, I do not claim to understand even a small percentage of
[19:26] the inner workings needed to keep Scoko Valley School District going. uh running for with the goal I would sure as
[19:34] graduating capable, educated, morally upright individuals who will improve society and not detract from it. So I do want to first acknowledge and thank the
[19:42] school board for their commitment over the years and for some of you decades.
[19:47] Um you are an elite group of citizens who volunteer their their time regularly to be sure students receive the best
[19:54] education and guidance so that they can make a difference in the world and also be successful. So I I was last was month
[20:02] was my first time and I just yeah I just wanted to be sure that you know that I really appreciate all that you've done
[20:09] even though I've only been here three years. I truly do respect one um each of you for your contributions. So I have desired to attend these meetings for quite some time and I assumed I'd be a
[20:18] silent observer for months and even longer just and and not even feel qualified to stand here. So um I just however last one's presentation for the
[20:26] fieldhouse project just with bids between the 7 to 23 million did get my attention. Um so I do want to thank the
[20:34] gentleman that was sitting in the back here last month. He sh he uh shared some wise concern along with a challenge and
[20:41] I really appreciated um and I know you did al as well. Uh I've attempted to no avail to read the budget reports and
[20:48] understand the allocation of funds or anything. So, um, I although I did discover the district roughly has $5.5
[20:56] million in reserves to begin this monumental project, I would I I would still humbly ask the board to re-evaluate re-evaluate and re-evaluate
[21:05] a decision to spend taxpayers money um on the proposed building or buildings. I do understand why some would vote yes to
[21:13] benefit of holding uh sports events uninterrupted to to inclement weather.
[21:18] Um, I do see it as just sort of a natural uh part of sports and that's why indoor sports like basketball, wrestling, and swimming are perfect
[21:25] winter sports. I do I just um do not see it as a valid reason to embark on such a project. Uh but I still would be open I you know I heard the pros last month,
[21:33] but maybe there's more to uh you know the decision to do this yes or no. Um but speaking of sports participation, I
[21:40] looked this up a little bit. I found um how uh how many spoons would actually benefit. I discovered that only about one in every three students on average,
[21:48] not just at Skooko Valley, um or about 35% place boards. Interestingly, only 03% of those athletes will ever play professionally.
[21:58] Um so why not use these resources and reserves to impact more of our student more of our student body and staff? We
[22:06] sure uh we need to be sure teachers and support staff um are being sufficiently compensated for the huge responsibility
[22:14] that they undertake every day. Um and and um hopping into the office this morning seeing the front line of the
[22:22] office I was like wow I just love to see um all that they do. I for one um would love to or what about we could improve
[22:31] our music and arts programs and encourage more participation. Um u I for one would love to see a larger band and more concerts. What about more
[22:39] counseling services, afterchool programs, and classes to teach practical living skills for those who actually desperately need it? Hiring individuals
[22:47] for these programmings would be ideal rather than relying on volunteers or current staff.
[22:52] Um we were reminded last month that our adequate literacy level is lacking in this school district as well as others,
[22:59] you know, around the the country. We should give more funding to the library, their staff and special tutors to be sure no one slips through the cracks. In
[23:08] closing, while sports has its place and is helpful for team building, discipline, and physical agility, too
[23:15] much focus on sports can detract from academics, developing other interests, building morality, and strengthening emotional stability of our students.
[23:25] While the Fieldhouse project will make an exciting addition for the students high school years, the things that I'm speaking of will make a lasting
[23:33] difference in their lives, their families, and community for decades and generations to come. Thank you for your kind attention and consideration.
[23:42] Thank you, Bonnie, for speaking. Thank you. Could could I just respond to that?
[23:46] Yeah, go ahead. So um the money that gets first of all if we
[23:54] do the fieldhouse project it's not going to be an increase only with no increase to uh real estate taxes or anything like that. The way the department of
[24:02] education requires school districts to budget their money similar to a homeowner who
[24:10] where you have a mortgage on a home and you pay a monthly mortgage. They kind of tie the district a school district's
[24:18] hands to keep that mortgage money churning on projects and projects. Once you pull that money away from
[24:26] construction projects and use it to pay salary and benefits, you're at a loss the next time a construction need comes
[24:34] like with HVAC or parking lots or things like that. You can't raise your taxes enough to go and cover that. So they
[24:41] actually put school districts into the position to where as long as you can keep rolling the financing on so that
[24:49] mortgage payment stays consistent and you don't have to raise real estate taxes and you map out your big construction projects that got to be done 5 years 10 years down the road.
[25:01] There isn't any impact to the real estate taxes on the salaries for teachers and benefits. Skooka Valley is
[25:09] uh our paychart system is number two in the county as far as salary and benefits
[25:18] to our teachers. So being one of the smaller school districts with not as much
[25:26] industry and commercial activity going on, we do very well on how we compensate our teachers. So, we're either number
[25:34] two, close to number three or in there, but there's what 15 school districts in the uh 16 school district, 18 school districts in the county.
[25:45] We we have always, you know, compensated uh our uh employees fairly.
[25:54] So that uh I don't know if that explains, you know, how our hands are tied on money that we
[26:03] have to keep rolling into construction projects. You can't you you really would be doing uh not doing good for the
[26:13] district. If you start pulling that money out that is paying monthly bond issues and stuff like that and start paying salary and benefits because once
[26:22] you have to replace that with another building or whatever, you're not going to be able to raise the taxes enough to pay that mortgage.
[26:32] Yeah. I'd like I'd like to add that at at the moment our debt service what we owe for the mortgage as Paul said is
[26:39] approximately 6 and a half to 7% of our annual budget and it's been decreasing over time. Our budget has gone up but
[26:46] our debt has stayed at a same constant monthly payment. Um and if we do decide
[26:53] to undertake this project, it would be because we can afford it while maintaining that same monthly payment uh
[27:01] without having to increase taxes like Paul said. So, you know, in in terms of of you know, allocating the money for
[27:08] something and then not having to reallocate it later on. Um I know if you start out life and you have a car
[27:16] payment of $350 a month, you pay off that car. If you continue to save that $350 a month, when you need a new car,
[27:23] it's sitting there waiting for you. But if you absorb that expense into your other monthly bills, when you need a new car, you don't have the money sitting
[27:30] there. And so what we're trying to do, we've taken care of a lot of our needs uh with HVAC, with roofing. We've done
[27:37] some projects to improve the pool. Um we've we've done a number of building projects. Uh we I think we spent almost
[27:45] we did the stage, the sound systems. Um, so I think we've spent probably about $20 million in the last five years
[27:52] already on building improvements. Um, and the lifetime of those building improvements is expected to be about 20
[28:00] years. Uh and right now looking at the fieldhouse, I think the last numbers I saw said that um maintaining the same monthly payment that we have for debt,
[28:09] if we didn't undertake this project, um using some funds that we have set aside already, um we should be done paying it
[28:16] off before that 20 years when we would have to then look at redoing more mechanical systems, replace a roof, and
[28:23] so we would the timing is appears to be really good at the moment. Um, now we just had our audit and we we did get some more information and so we're still
[28:31] looking at it, but um, you know, we we've not had to raise taxes here for almost a decade. Um, and our our budget
[28:40] since I've been on the board, our annual budget has increased from about $35 million a year to about $50 million a year. Um, so we we've been doing a
[28:48] pretty good job. Our debt has not increased at all since I've been here.
[28:52] It's always been very steady. Um, so, you know, we're we're trying to take a look at it. Um, and as far as the amount
[28:59] of population that it affects, if we did something like this, um, it's a broader part of our population than you might
[29:07] expect. Um, besides all of these student athletes that we have, a lot of our youth programs um,
[29:16] utilize our facilities for indoor practices. We have uh my son was part of a basketball youth program and they had
[29:24] I don't know how many 10 or 15 teams in the elementary school and trying to find places to practice was a nightmare. And
[29:32] I remember sitting with a with a second grader at 9:30 at night at a practice and that's way past his bedtime. But that's when we could shoehorn our
[29:40] ourselves into a facility um and on the stage in the gym with you. I was right there.
[29:46] Yeah. Yeah. And so so that helps kids. We feel that after
[29:54] school activities and activities like that not only is it team building but it occupies their time. It keeps them off of devices and if a practice has to get
[30:02] cancelled from a high school perspective, you know, then you have kids that may not have uh supervision at home because it's
[30:10] unexpected. So we're trying to, you know, it kind of helps steady steady out the schedule a little bit. It's a little less random. Um, I'm tired of seeing our
[30:19] band, which has grown tremendously in the last few years, our marching band.
[30:23] I'm tired of seeing them practice in the parking lot. I've come around the corner numerous times trying to drop off for some sports event and then the band is
[30:32] there and trying to trying to practice the only spot they can get, which is on the paved parking lot. Um, part of this
[30:38] fieldhouse is a large enclosed turf area that that hopefully is going to give them a little bit of more options to
[30:46] practice out of the weather, out of the driveway, you know. So, it it's it's something
[30:54] we've talked about at this district for probably 15 to 20 years, maybe.
[30:59] It it's it's a long-term project. It's not something we just dreamt up. it's that the timing seems right with
[31:06] managing our debt properly, with managing our spending properly, with the needs of the district. Um, and although only a very small percentage of kids
[31:15] goes on to play a professional sport, a lot of kids are utilizing their athletic ability to help them get into the school
[31:23] that they want for college, help defay the cost of college, help to, you know, kind of
[31:31] make themselves stand out amongst all the kids applying to that college. You know, if you have a college that has a 10% acceptance rate, well, if you're a
[31:38] good student and you can you can contribute to their athletics program, you have a better chance of getting into that school than if you only had a
[31:47] stellar academic record. And so, you know, we're we're looking at ways to put a little bit more shine on our kids, give them an extra facet of interest.
[31:56] Um, you know, and I've always said to my kids, strong mind, strong body. So, you know, whether or not they're going to
[32:04] pursue it beyond high school, I think it's it's part of the whole person from a mental health perspective to be able to blow off some steam doing something a
[32:12] little bit physical to occupying their time when maybe there's not a lot of supervision at home. I I think it it plays to the whole person and not just
[32:21] 30% of this the kids that are here. Um I think with more space, we could have more programs, more opportunities for people. So, that's that kind of all
[32:30] plays into this. So yeah, just so you don't think that we're just like saw something new and shiny and all of a
[32:37] sudden decided wanted we want that too, right? We're Yeah. But we're we're very much about wants versus needs and needs
[32:45] come first. And and it's just that we felt as a board that hey, we got the needs out of the way. Now this want
[32:53] that's been around for two decades is something that that maybe we can make a reality. So we're taking a serious hard look at it. So Sure.
[33:03] And on the last note, I think I can speak for the board. I think everybody sitting here wants to present a package, a complete package for this entire
[33:10] district, all-encompassing from education to sports, athletics, the whole nine yards. Um, and we also want to be
[33:19] fiscally responsible. And I think we have done our homework. We do not want to, we are all taxpayers as well. So, we
[33:27] want to make sure that that is looked at very carefully.
[33:31] um with all consideration to everything that goes into running a district. But I appreciate you coming and speaking. Um
[33:38] any questions you have, feel free to give us a shout. Okay. All right. Um we'll move that forward to 8.2. Uh the
[33:47] committee is requested to consider and recommend the board approve ratify the payment of bills in the following amounts from October 6, 2025 to November
[33:55] 25th, 2025 as presented. General fund 2,718,02362.
[34:04] Cafeteria fund $125,72010.
[34:09] Capital improvements projects fund $113,8756. Capital reserve fund $162,612.
[34:20] Middle school high school activity fund $6,85.86 86 for a grand total of $3,126,969.14.
[34:32] Any questions regarding the moving that forward 8.3 act one resolution. The committee is requested
[34:41] to consider and recommend approval of the act one resolution which states that the 2627 real estate taxes will not increase more than the act one index of 4.3%.
[34:53] and that resolution is attached. Do I have any questions regarding that?
[34:59] Just just a comment to explain how that 4 point the act one index works and stuff like that. Uh for us to go if we
[35:08] want to raise our taxes higher than that rate, we'd have to put a petition on the ballot to increase it up to a higher
[35:15] rate or whatever like that. And it has to get approved by the voters and stuff like that. Again, back what we were talking about before and how we manage
[35:22] our budget. We had to look at that number that is given to us by the state of Pennsylvania, Department of Education
[35:28] on what money we can actually raise in a year. Fortunately, the last 10 out of 12 years, we haven't had any tax increases.
[35:38] So, we do very we are very prudent on how we manage our funds. Thank you.
[35:44] Thank you. Any questions? We'll move that forward.
[35:51] 8.4 treasures report summary for you. Any questions on that?
[36:00] Hearing hearing. Did I hear somebody? No. All right. Hearing none. 8.5. Any old or new business?
[36:11] All right. 9.0.
[36:13] All right. Thank you. 9.1. Persons who wish to address the board. There are none. 9.2 uh vest vestibule project additions. The
[36:22] committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the quote from CM3 not to exceed $10,000 as presented for the ES vestibule door locking hardware.
[36:33] Any questions or comments about that?
[36:38] Hearing none. Um 9.3 ES vestibial door locking hardware.
[36:43] The committee is requested requested to consider and recommend approval of the quote from Pletcher Fire Protection to integrate new door hardware as presented.
[36:53] Any questions or comments about that?
[36:58] Okay. 9.4. Any other old or new business?
[37:04] Just one item, Mr. O'Donnell. Um, just want to provide an update for everyone on the right and Hour project and where
[37:10] we are. I had an opportunity to um have a phone call with Mr. Justin and uh we're at the stage now where uh asking
[37:19] him to provide drawings. I've asked for two sets of drawings. One set has the monument, one set will not have the monument so that the board will be able
[37:27] to look at both. Um and then once there's a decision made on which drawing we want to go with, then we'd have to put the project um out to public bid.
[37:36] Um, I did see that they have some construction stakes in the front yard now in front of the high school. Um, I noticed that as well.
[37:42] Yeah. Do we know what the timeline is because they're going to do some road widening there. Uh, do we know what their timeline is?
[37:49] I don't have all those details yet. I will get those details, but um, in talking with Justin, you know, we did talk about ensuring that anything that's
[37:57] done with this fence that it coincides in terms of with the other work so that we're not waiting one one way or the other. Yeah. And we'll have to talk to
[38:06] the township's contractor um about access to the driveway as they're out there doing the work so that we aren't,
[38:13] you know, kind of bogging down traffic in the mornings. I think they're going to be limited to starting at after 9:00 in the morning, but we'll have to double check that.
[38:21] Okay.
[38:22] On uh on that note, when those prices come in with the monument or without the
[38:30] monument, I would hope that the someone from the either the district or the future board has a discussion with Mr.
[38:37] right now because he was very proud to offer that whole situation with the
[38:43] monument there and explained to him that we our hands are
[38:50] tied that we had to do with the prevailing wage rate which was probably different than the estimate he was
[38:57] working off of. and if he is really in love with that monument being part of it, maybe he might be interested in
[39:05] helping a little bit more. So, I think uh it would benefit the district to at least reach out to him and have a nice
[39:14] conversation with him so that he knows why uh if you end up not doing the monument, why it's not there.
[39:22] Okay.
[39:30] As far as the 73 project, are we I forget how that all shook out. Are we taking down the trees? Is that pendot?
[39:37] How is that part of ours?
[39:39] They're they're doing the work out there.
[39:42] That's what I thought. I just didn't know if there was any prep to get ready now before anything pend.
[39:46] No, we just have to make sure that their work schedule's going to not interfere with traffic for for the school.
[39:51] Yeah. And it should clear the the entrance of the high school. I mean, it should all be east of that.
[39:57] I know. Originally, it was going to be covering across the front of the drive.
[40:01] Yeah, most of it is, but they're going to still have they're still going to have some work uh on both sides of the driveway. Just isn't going to impact the
[40:08] trees on the side near the diner. Um but they're going to have a lot of equipment around parking.
[40:15] Yeah, there's access. Yeah. Just kind of keep an eye on that. Okay.
[40:24] Thank you.
[40:27] Okay. Uh 10.1 persons who wish to address the board. I don't think we have any for 10.1. Uh 10.2 Immaculata
[40:34] University Dietetic Internship Program Agreement. Uh the committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the Immaculata University dietetic
[40:42] internship program agreement between Immaculata University and the Skugal Valley School District food service department for six-day rotation with the
[40:50] food service director. And we have a a proposed agreement attached for that. Any questions?
[41:00] I have one question, Louisa. Um it Okay, that's Sorry.
[41:08] Um so so we're working with Immaculata.
[41:11] We're providing them an opportunity to come and shadow you. Is that what's happening? Yeah, they actually reached out to me.
[41:16] Um the assistant director of the dietetic uh uh internship reached out to me and asked me if I would be interested
[41:23] in hosting uh an intern from there. Um and I thought the interesting thing too was this intern actually lives within the district, which is kind of nice. So,
[41:32] um, and it's a great idea for an intern to see, uh, what takes place in the school district versus personal care, home care, things like that. So, it's
[41:39] exciting and I think it'll be neat to have somebody young come in and just show them that show them around a little bit and have them do some different things. So, yeah,
[41:47] that's great. That's great. I love that partnership. That's fantastic.
[41:50] Okay, thank you. Yep. Any questions?
[41:55] Okay, hearing none, we'll move that forward. Uh 10.3 TSA region 9 conference. Uh the committee is requested to consider and recommend
[42:03] approval of the TSA region 9 conference trip and we have a file attached for that with uh a little bit more detail.
[42:12] Any questions or comments on that item?
[42:15] Okay. Hearing none, we'll move that forward. 10.4 we have the PA TSA state conference. Uh the committee's requested
[42:22] to consider and recommend approval of the PATSA state conference trip. We have an attachment for that as well. Any questions?
[42:32] Okay, we'll move that forward. Uh 10.5.
[42:34] We have a music department to Walt Disney World trip. Uh the committee has requested to consider and recommend approval of the music department trip to
[42:42] Walt Disney World at a cost of $1,900 per student.
[42:47] Um do we have any more information on that? There's stuff in the executive content. Okay.
[42:55] Mrs. Crater, could you come up for just a minute and just provide a little bit more background, please?
[43:01] This is the first time in many years or several years.
[43:05] Uh they were there two years ago. 20 23 four years. Four years ago. Yeah. Um so
[43:14] it's been about four years since they went. Um this is a trip that our music department has gone on uh before in the
[43:21] past. Um band and chorus members go down. They'll perform in some of the parades uh throughout the parks um as
[43:28] well as attend other smaller sessions um on the Walt Disney World property while they're there for the overnight trip.
[43:36] What's their transportation to get there?
[43:38] Uh they do fly. So they take buses to the airport um and then they fly down to Orlando. um buses to the resorts and then same coming home.
[43:47] Okay. Because in Yeah, because in the executive content I was talking about the buses, but I didn't see the flight.
[43:53] Oh, it should be in the contract somewhere. I'll double check. The flight the flight was in there.
[43:57] Yeah, I was going to say Paul and I were drivers twice to uh taking the uh the Penske truck down.
[44:04] Oh, so to Florida. To Florida. Oh, wow. So this price is guaranteed till 2027.
[44:14] Yes. That's that's pretty good. It is a pretty good price. Yes. So yeah.
[44:21] Okay. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. No problem.
[44:25] Uh if there's no more questions on that, we'll move that forward. Uh 10.6. We have a voting item. David, you want to take that?
[44:33] I will. 10.6. Uh the committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of student 6220
[44:41] at newstory for the 2025 2026 school year at a cost of $590 per day for 182 days. I'll entertain a motion.
[44:53] So move cluffle. Second last.
[45:00] I'll ask for the vote. Any all those in favor signify by saying I. I I opposed passes 90.
[45:10] You want me to do 107? 107. Other old and new business.
[45:19] I'll just bring up mention I know the I'll mention it again next week about the Thanksgiving meal, but I believe
[45:26] there's a canned food drive currently happening on district campus buildings.
[45:32] So, anybody that would have any extra canned goods, we'll be using those to distribute next Wednesday evening.
[45:42] Any questions, you can ask one of the principles or myself. So, thank you for participating with us on that.
[45:51] And Brad Nurses has been having some great sales on canned goods.
[45:55] Well, there you go, David. Head on out and get some. I I have so um I have I have a question and and I'll
[46:03] probably ask it again next week for those people who might not be on tonight. Could we have a dates for the school concerts in December, please?
[46:11] Because they're hard to it's hard to find those things for me. I have to go to dig dig dig to find stuff. So if if
[46:20] we could just have those for all the buildings and I I appreciate being able to go to that.
[46:28] So, Mrs. Lash, I can actually share those dates as well. Um uh so the high school
[46:36] concert is on December the 9th at 700 p.m.
[46:41] The grades 4 through six concert is on the 16th at 700 p.m. and the grades seven
[46:50] and eight concert is on the 18th at 7 p.m. Thank you. I appreciate that.
[47:00] You're welcome. Anything else?
[47:10] Mr. Mole, if I could just very quickly, I just want to introduce our armed security guard since he hasn't been at any of our board meetings yet. Just so everybody knows who he is. Mr.
[47:18] Rodriguez, can you come on in here for a second? So, this is Mr. Benny Rodriguez.
[47:22] He's the armed security guard at the elementary school. And um just wanted you guys to be able to put a name with a face and introduce him. and we appreciate having Benny on board as with
[47:31] Cardinal Point and he's doing a great job for us down at the elementary school.
[47:34] Thank you. Thank you for the introduction. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for having me here. Thank you for all the support that you've been giving me. Um I feel real comfortable
[47:42] here and I'm going to do the best job possible for everyone.
[47:44] Great. Thank you. Thanks. Thanks for being here.
[47:52] 12.0 I entertain a motion to adjurnn.
[47:56] Second Rossy. All those in favor signify by saying I. I I oppose. Nay. We'rejourned.
[48:04] We will be
```

## Live captions (copied September 20, 2026): 2026-02-02_HhV_iHocxxY.txt

```
[0:30] Oops.
[0:42] Microphone. I'd like to call to order the Skoal Valley School board meeting.
[0:46] Can everyone please rise for the pledge to the flag?
[0:51] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
[0:59] under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
[1:06] You have a roll call, please.
[1:10] Mr. Amarell, here.
[1:12] Mr. Brown, here.
[1:14] Mrs. Lash, here.
[1:15] Mrs. Matthews, here.
[1:17] Mr. Mo is absent. Mr. Rossi here.
[1:20] Mrs. Stany here. Mrs. Want here.
[1:24] Mr. Want here.
[1:27] Okay. The first item on the agenda is approval of the minutes for the regular meeting of the November 24th, 2025
[1:34] meeting, the reorganization meeting of December 2nd, 2025, and the special meeting of December 15, 2025. May I have a motion, please?
[1:43] So move. Lash. Second. Rossy. Any questions or comments?
[1:50] Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z.
[1:58] The board met in executive session on Monday, January 5th for personnel matters and also following the committee
[2:06] meeting on January 19th for personnel, legal, safety, and student matters. Okay, moving on to special recognition.
[2:16] turn it over to Dr. Winters. Thank you, Mrs. Wen.
[2:20] It's my privilege this evening to recognize Dr. Salomon Loush, who's been selected as a Burks County Hero by the
[2:27] American Red Cross, Pennsylvania Rivers chapter and the 2026 Heroes Breakfast Planning Committee. Simply being
[2:35] nominated for a Hero Award speaks volumes about Dr. Lash's character and contributions. The Heroes Breakfast was
[2:42] created to recognize community heroes and to bring to life the Red Cross mission of helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
[2:51] Our community is fortunate to have individuals like Dr. Louash, who work tirelessly to make Burks County a better, safer place to live. The
[3:00] Community Impact Hero Award, for which Dr. Lous was nominated and selected for is presented to an individual, community
[3:07] group, neighborhood organization, or local company that demonstrated a commitment to making a difference in the
[3:14] community. As many of you know, Dr. Lash visits the elementary school regularly, reads in student classrooms, spends time
[3:22] at lunch, and is a hero to many of our youngest learners. As someone who was at the elementary school on January 22nd to
[3:30] see his work in action, I can attest that he is indeed making a difference in the SVSD community and the students the
[3:38] district serves. Again, please join me in congratulating Dr. Louch on this incredible honor.
[3:50] I would now like to welcome to the podium Mr. Peter Brown, executive director of the American Red Cross, Pennsylvania Rivers chapter that serves
[3:58] Northampton, Lehi, Burks, Skookul, Colombia, Montour, North Uberland, Snyder, and Union counties to share a
[4:07] few words. Mr. Brown, thank you and thank you for the opportunity to be here this evening.
[4:11] This is a rare privilege for me. I don't usually get to meet any of our heroes until our breakfast, which is coming up on March 6th. So, I would love to extend
[4:19] an invitation to the board and to the school district to join us. And I just want to take a minute and read the nomination for you that we received for Dr. Louch.
[4:30] Dr. Louch is a former superintendent of Skookul Valley School District. I teach kindergarten at SVEes where Dr. Louch
[4:37] visits my classroom in the classrooms of six other kindergarten teachers each month. Dr. Lous loves to visit our classes and engage them in awesome
[4:45] stories, raising our students interest in reading, writing, and illustrating.
[4:50] When he visits, he loves to practice counting with them as well, counting their smiles each time he comes. He enforces active listening skills,
[4:58] reminding students to sit nicely, raise their hand, and celebrate others when they share out ideas. Dr. Louch also
[5:07] loves to spend extra time with the students at lunch and recess. He serves as a positive male figure in their life
[5:14] and reinforces language arts skills that we teach, such as learning how to retell a story, making predictions, and
[5:22] learning what authors and illustrators do. This is my fourth year teaching at Skooko Valley, and Dr. Louch has made me
[5:29] feel welcome and invited right from the very start. Any child or adult who gets to spend time with him is sure lucky.
[5:38] You can also read more about him in the recent article by Burks Weekly. And this nomination was submitted by Cassidy Real
[5:46] kindergarten teacher here at the Skookul Valley Elementary School. Um, as the director, executive director of the American Red Cross, I've had
[5:54] responsibility for Burks County as part of the chapter since 2020, but I've actually been active as a Red Cross
[6:01] volunteer and engaged with the Burks County chapter for almost 20 years before that. Um, this is our 24th annual
[6:08] Heroes Breakfast. It is one of the longest continuously operating uh, fundraising and community
[6:16] acknowledgement and recognition events in Burks County. Uh, survived two years being virtual during the pandemic where
[6:22] we all learned a lot of new ways to get things done. Um, I just really want to thank the teacher who nominated Dr.
[6:31] Louch. This is not a typical story for the Red Cross. As you probably know, a lot of our stories involve buildings
[6:38] being on fire or floods or hurricanes or such. So, it was a really it was a joy to see someone be nominated for their
[6:46] work with children. They are truly our future. We provide uh home fire safety training programs and disaster
[6:54] preparedness training programs for that that age and on up through senior citizens. So it is really important to
[7:02] get them comfortable hearing stories and sharing stories and taking things home to their families. So on behalf of the American Red Cross, Dr. Loush,
[7:10] congratulations and I look forward to seeing you at our breakfast on March 6th.
[7:23] Thank you, Mr. Brown. The district appreciates your attendance and comments and thanks the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers chapter for
[7:30] recognizing Dr. Louch as a Burks County hero. Dr. Louch, would you like to say a few words?
[7:37] The key word is few. I always was cognizant of people who wind on winning and not yabbiting yabbiting.
[7:46] I just think it's a it's a good signal for our school district and for I also do this down at Glennside in in the city and uh the idea is male role models
[7:54] number one because most of the teachers are women which is just great but it's also for little kids to understand that Dr. Mr. Winters has a 5-year-old. So, we
[8:02] have he understands the little the 5-year-old psychology. And I want you to know, folks, that in our whole school district, the high school has really
[8:11] good smiles. The middle school has good smiles, and the older kids at the elementary school have good smiles. But the best smiles in the whole school
[8:20] district are kindergarten. And we start each little session with them. We count smiles. And it's a nice way to little make I and there's so you know there
[8:28] there's so much subject to be people being with him. So it's my privilege to do all this to be part of this and I
[8:36] want to thank you for taking the time this evening. I really appreciate it.
[8:40] Thank you Dr. Lash. I I just like to to thank you for your dedication to Skookul Valley.
[8:49] It was a privilege and honor to serve under you as superintendent for all those years. And the fact that you moved
[8:56] into our community, you stayed in our community even after you retired and now you're still continuing to give back to
[9:04] Skookul Valley after all these years is a true testament to your your dedication to Skookul Valley and our students. So, thank you very much.
[9:17] The next recognition I would like to do this evening is I'd like to say something about our school board members. On behalf of the Skugo Valley
[9:25] School District, I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize and express our sincere appreciation to our board of directors for their outstanding service
[9:33] and steadfast commitment to the success of our students, staff, and schools. As some of you may know, um January is schoolboard appreciation month. And
[9:42] while it's February 2nd, um I did not want to miss this opportunity to recognize our board members. Um tonight, um I'd like to honor the nine
[9:51] individuals who give so generously of their time, expertise, and judgment in governing our district. Carol Want, board president, Frank Amarell, board
[9:59] vice president, Linda Lash, board secretary, Joe Brown, Lauren Matthews, David Mull, Al Rossi, Kelly Stinke, and
[10:07] Dan Wean. These dedicated leaders exemplify the best practices of schoolboard service as outlined by the Pennsylvania Schoolboards Association,
[10:16] embracing a shared vision for student achievement, upholding high expectations for all learners, and ensuring the district's accountability to its mission
[10:23] and values. They govern with transparency and integrity, make decisions grounded in data and community input, and support policies that place
[10:32] students first. Our board members volunteer countless hours to study complex issues, to attend meetings and training, and engage thoughtfully with
[10:40] our families and staff and community partners. Through their leadership, the district continues to provide a rigorous, equitable, and inspiring
[10:48] educational experience for every student. And so, as a district, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for their guidance and foresight and dedication to
[10:56] making the district a place where excellence thrives and futures are built. And so I'd like to thank all of you for your service and for your
[11:04] continuing commitment to the children of the district. So we have a round of applause for our board members, please.
[11:16] As a token of our appreciation, um there is a bag at each of your seats and inside there um you'll find some Skuka
[11:24] Valley School District coasters that were created by students in our high school technology education department.
[11:30] You'll find a sweet treat provided by Louisa Trumbore and our Spook Valley Food Services Department, which we all
[11:36] know is delicious. And there is also a video card keepsake for the video um
[11:44] that I'm getting ready to share. And um earlier uh this semester um several of
[11:51] our board members went into Mrs. roles classroom at the high school and engaged in conversation around how policy and
[11:59] administrative regulations are developed and Mrs. Manzer who's here in the audience this evening worked with some of our teachers and students to put a
[12:07] video together and so I'm going to ask the tech department in the back to play the video so that um we can um see that
[12:15] and you can hear from some of our learners how much they appreciate and value the work that you do.
[12:37] Welcome to another edition of schoolboard appreciation month at Skugal Valley School District. Here in the studio with Dr. Shuko's fifth grade
[12:46] gifted class today, we'd like to thank Skugal Valley School Board for their contributions to
[12:54] our school district. But first, we need to know what they do at Google Valley.
[12:58] To answer this question, we go to Miss Row's Clanma's 10th grade class. We just finished a unit on policy change.
[13:08] Thank you, Dr. Shooker's fifth grade gifted class. Yes, we just spent two days interacting with several SP board members. We learned that they are volunteers from our community and they
[13:17] spend a lot of their time at our school discussing what's happening here and how they can make our schools better.
[13:22] So, did you learn anything surprising about their role at Skooko Valley?
[13:27] Yes, we were surprised that they have a part in multiple committees, budget and finance, student services, curriculum, and building and grounds. Each board
[13:34] member spends time in one of those areas. We had a new and returning board members come into the classroom. Many of the new board members shared why they
[13:43] ran and have professional experiences that bring a unique perspective to the roles. You must have gotten some good
[13:50] insights from the school board members about what kind of changes can be enacted at a school district.
[13:57] What kinds of changes do you envision for the future of our schools?
[14:01] Yes, we talked about some of the school policies and the code of conduct which all three buildings operate under. Some of the ideas we shared were with the
[14:09] school board members who visited our school. These ideas were the cell phone policy, both making it a bel and those who want more access in the hallways at
[14:17] the high school, inclusion of a student voice at the school board level and opportunities to share directly from students. changing the start time of
[14:25] school day and increasing the course offerings at the high school with driver as driver's education being considered.
[14:31] The board listened to our concerned and shared past practices on some of the issues at hand. We'd love to see students participate in future discussions with the school board. We
[14:40] appreciated that school board members were willing to visit our classrooms and listen to our ideas and share their feedback. We are excited for the future of Skookul Valley.
[14:50] Wow, that's a great vision for our future. We'd like to thank the school board members who visited our classroom for this unit. Thank you to board
[14:59] president Carol, board secretary Linda Lash, and board members Dan Meant, Joseph Brown, and
[15:06] Lauren Matthews for joining our discussion on policy change.
[15:10] Anything else you'd like to say about your experience at the SV school board?
[15:15] Thank you school board members for volunteering your time to our school. We also have a message for our classmates, for all the board members.
[15:27] Thank you for all that you do.
[15:30] Thank you for giving up time with your family for our Panther families. Thanks, Mom.
[15:37] Thank you for keeping students at the heart of all your decisions.
[15:41] And thank you for doing what's best for kids.
[15:44] That's great, Panthers. On behalf of the students at Skookulo Valley School District, we'd also like to say thanks
[15:52] to our board of members. Thank you for your dedication to our schools.
[16:00] We're looking forward to a bright future for all the Panthers at Skookul Valley.
[16:05] We are SV and we approve of this message.
[16:15] So, so all of the board members, you all have a video card in your bag that is that video you just saw in card format just so that you have that as a keepsake
[16:24] and can refer back to that. Um, and again, I want to thank Miss Manzer and working with Mrs. Shooker or Dr.
[16:30] Shooker, excuse me, and Mrs. Rolls Cranmer to get some of that footage. So, thank you all. Very much appreciate it.
[16:39] Okay, we'll move on to uh presentations.
[16:42] We have a couple of presentations this evening. Uh the first is the uh data followup.
[16:54] Good evening.
[16:57] Back in November at our board meeting, our assistant principles had presented some growth data to the board members to
[17:06] explain. Thank you. Um how we were doing in terms of growth in the district in
[17:13] language arts, math, and science. And one of the requests was that we get some more historical data. So I'm going to
[17:22] present that to you this evening. Um I'm actually going to present
[17:28] four different types of data today. Um there's achievement data which is basically our performance very
[17:37] straightforward on our standardized tests.
[17:41] Our growth data in a little bit more detail than the presentation from November. And again that's how students
[17:48] grow from year to year. the school performance profile scores and also just to share the future ready
[17:57] index and this presentation was shared with all the board members ahead of time. So the link that is there in the presentation that you would have gotten
[18:05] electronically is live so you can click on that to see the future ready index.
[18:09] There's a lot in it. So um I wanted to make sure that you had the chance to take a look at that.
[18:17] So achievement data as I said is from our PSSA and Keystone exams. They report reading, math, and science. The reading
[18:25] is grades one through eight or sorry 3 through eight. Math is also grades three through eight. Science is grades five
[18:34] and eight. However, previously previous to last school year, it was actually four and eight. They changed it
[18:43] last year. Um and the keystone data is for algebra 1, literature and biology.
[18:50] The idea behind the keystone exam is that it is given as a as a kind of final exam for the state when a student
[18:58] finishes algebra 1, when they finish 10th grade ELA or English class, and then when they finish biology.
[19:11] So, oops, hold on. There we go. So to share our reading data and again this is our achievement data. 45.9%
[19:21] of our students in the elementary school are proficient or advanced or were proficient or advance and advanced last school year. The state average is actually 49.9%.
[19:33] We did not meet the target.
[19:35] When I'm talking about the target, the state target is how we are expected.
[19:40] They take a look at how we are expected to perform by the year 2030 which is part of the ESSA accountability that we
[19:47] have through the federal government. Um so the state looks at that according to where they project us being in 2030. Um
[19:57] so they take that projection the school baseline data which is all students and by group and then divide that up over
[20:06] the 13 years to 2030. So when I say that we don't meet we didn't meet the target that means that where we are supposed to be before 2030 we didn't hit.
[20:20] Um I did list the historical data there.
[20:22] You can see from 2019 2020 is skipped because there was no test that year. Um but you can see that many of those years
[20:32] we were above the state average or right around the state average. Um last year we dipped the last two years we dipped
[20:41] below that and then obviously as I shared uh we were below the state average there as well last year.
[20:49] Um one piece of information that I did want to share as I've spoken to the board about previously um structured literacy
[20:58] is something that is um that the state is promoting right now.
[21:04] Um they've passed a lot of legislation including act 47 which puts a lot of um
[21:11] stipulations and deadlines in place for schools and the main driver behind that is the lack of proficiency in our state.
[21:22] Um in Pennsylvania 33% of our fourth grade students in the state are at or
[21:29] above proficiency. So um it is a concern across the state which is why a lot of those things are going into place.
[21:38] Our growth data in the elementary school this is measured first of all growth data is measured by PEOS which stands
[21:47] for the Pennsylvania value added assessment system that takes all the data available for students and it makes projections.
[21:56] Um those projections determine what a year of growth would look like for each individual student. So they look at each
[22:04] individual student and look at all of their past historical data and determine if they make a year growth which is what
[22:12] we would expect for students when they between for example when they start third grade to the end we would expect that they would grow a year. So it makes
[22:21] a projection based on all the information they know about that student as to where they would be if they grew a
[22:26] year. And from there um they either meet or do not meet those projections.
[22:34] Also our teachers in ELA, math and science receive a score and they essentially look at all of the students
[22:42] that had that teacher for that year, look at whether they made a year of growth or not. And then the teacher
[22:50] themselves actually gets a PES score as well based on that performance of their students.
[22:57] So growth data in the elementary school for reading our building was green and they use a color system. Green means
[23:05] that you made a year of growth. So our students did grow a year. Um our building score was a 77 and the state average is a 75.4.
[23:17] So basically 77% of the students made that year of growth. In previous years you can see that we actually are doing
[23:27] better in that area than we had in previous years dating back to 2020 when it was 67 and then we had two years of 50s and then um a 78.
[23:39] Moving on to middle school, our reading achievement data at the middle school um we had a 48.4% 4% proficient or
[23:48] advanced. In 2425, the state average was 49.9.
[23:53] We did not meet the state target. Um, as you can see from the historical data, we have been declining at the middle
[24:00] school. Um, so you can see back to 2019, they were at a 65.6%.
[24:08] um students scoring proficient or advanced and that has gone into the 50s and then it was back up in 2023 and then in 2024 it was a 58.5.
[24:21] So we have kind of been um kind of all over the place in that area.
[24:29] Sometimes above the state average, sometimes not. Um last year we were not.
[24:35] our growth data for middle school reading, we were actually blue for middle school reading. So that means
[24:42] that there is um that our students likely exceeded one year's worth of growth. So although our students based
[24:51] on their score are not performing well, they are actually growing in their knowledge, but they're just not performing where we would want them to.
[25:01] Um the building score was an 83 and the state average was a 75.4. And you can see in previous years we have done well
[25:09] in the middle school in our growth for reading data in the literature keystone.
[25:19] This data is a little bit different because it gathers the data and reports it based on the students in 11th grade
[25:29] at the end of that school year. So, as you may know, the Keystone exam students can take multiple times. So, what it
[25:38] does is because they can take it multiple times, they wait until a student is finished with 11th grade.
[25:45] That is the last time that they can take that exam. and then they report on those scores. So the Keystone literature data
[25:52] that you're seeing is actually the data for this year's seniors and 56.8%
[25:59] of them scored proficient or advanced on the literature keystone.
[26:04] This is above the state average of a 49.9 but it's not meeting the state target where they are saying that we should be at this time in relation to 2030.
[26:17] Um, also I wanted to point out that this data would not be affected by any of the new curriculum or materials because these students weren't affected by that.
[26:27] Um, 11th and 12th grade only started using the new curriculum and materials this school year. So these students would not have had that. Um, you can see
[26:36] with their historical data, it had been declining. We actually and it's still declining. We started in 2020 at 78.2
[26:44] two and moved all the way down to where we are now, which is a 56.8.
[26:51] Um, again, this data looks a little bit different than the other data because we're reporting on the 11th grade students of that year. So, students
[27:01] typically are taking algebra 1 Keystone in n in eighth or ninth grade. So, it
[27:08] would be a two-year lag then when they would report it because it would again be when they're at the end of 11th grade.
[27:16] the growth data for the literature keystone. Um, our building, the high school building was actually red for 2425, meaning that there's evidence that
[27:26] we did not make a year's worth of growth with that class. Um, and you can see that the building score is a 50 and the state average is a 75.4.
[27:37] Um we have actually been again kind of on all over the place with that. We had
[27:44] several years where we had a 50 but then in 2021 it was 77. In 2022 it was 94. Um we have had a lot of turnover in that
[27:53] department in the high school. We've had a lot of retirements and a lot of newer teachers. Um and we know that the achievement data going in the high school was low as well.
[28:06] Mathematics data at the elementary 56 53.4% proficient or advanced in 2425. The state target is 41.7.
[28:17] We actually didn't meet our state target even though we are above that state average. Um however we are consistently
[28:24] as you can see from the data that's presented above the state average in math in the elementary school.
[28:32] Growth data for elementary math was blue. Again, blue means that we have evidence that we exceeded one year's
[28:40] worth of growth in the elementary school in math. Our score was a 96. The state average is 74.9.
[28:48] And that was our best year in quite a while. As you can see from the historical data that is listed,
[28:57] mathematics data in the middle school grades 5 through 8, 27.3% of our students were proficient or
[29:04] advanced in 2425. The state average is 41.7. We did not meet the state target.
[29:12] As you can see from the historical data, we have always every year been below the state average dating back to 2019.
[29:25] Growth data for middle school math, our building was red, meaning that there is evidence that we did not make a year's worth of growth in middle school math.
[29:34] Um, and the our score was a 50, the state average being a 74.9.
[29:41] And then you can see in previous years it had been better. Um and we what we can see there is that our performance is
[29:49] just not trans the elementary performance is not translating to middle school. Um the elementary school for example was 53.4% proficient and
[29:59] advanced and elementary school was blue for growth. Mathematics data for algebra 1 keystone.
[30:06] Again, just as a reminder, this data is reflective of the 11th grade class that finished last school year. So, that
[30:14] would be this year's seniors. 46.3% of that 11th grade class scored proficient or advanced on the algebra
[30:23] keystone. That did not meet the state target. I did leave off the slide that 41.7%
[30:30] was the state average. So, we were above the state average. we just weren't meeting our state target.
[30:37] We always have been above that state average except for in 2023. And you can see I made a note there that in 2023 um
[30:46] that sample size was really small. And that's because that class was actually in algebra 1 in grade 8 in 2020. So they
[30:55] wouldn't have taken the test. They didn't have to take it because of the pandemic.
[31:01] Our growth data for algebra 1 Keystone is green in 2425, meaning that our 11th
[31:10] grade students met one year of growth in algebra 1 with a score of 72. The state average was a 74.9.
[31:17] And you can see previous years there. Um we are below where we were most years.
[31:23] Um but again, we were still green making that one year of growth.
[31:29] science. We historically do well um in elementary grades three and four. In 2025, the test was actually moved to
[31:38] grade five. You're going to see that we don't have any data for science for last school year. The steel standards were
[31:45] implemented this school year and they adjusted the test. So last year was a
[31:52] test year for the for the PSSA and the Keystone. So, they actually did not um count those scores at all. It's just a
[32:01] baseline to see where students were. So, I don't have data to report for last year, but I did share data for uh the
[32:10] five tests prior to that. And you can see that we have gone above the state average by quite a bit every single year in elementary school.
[32:20] Our growth data for elementary science, again, just historical data. You can see that there we hover kind of in the middle, a little bit above that. So
[32:30] somewhere between um 59 and 73% of our students over the last few years have made growth in elementary science.
[32:43] Middle school science data um as not as good as our elementary data in 2025.
[32:48] again they didn't take they the PSSA data didn't count for them because of the new steel standards. However, um the
[32:57] historical data you can see that um we've been anywhere from in the mid40s
[33:02] to um the mid60s in 2019 and in 2023 we were below the state average every year except for 2023.
[33:14] And then you can see the growth data for middle school science has ranged anywhere from a 50 to an 85 over the past five years.
[33:25] And finally with the with the data for the um PSSA and the Keystone the biology data for the high school which is the
[33:34] Keystone exam again in 2025 they didn't report the student data for the test because of the new steel standards.
[33:42] However, historical data, you can see that we in 2020 were right around the
[33:48] state average. In 2021, we were well above the state average. However, that was a very small sample size because of that class and when they took biology.
[33:59] And then you can see all the way up through we start we dipped below quite a bit below in 2022 but then moved all the
[34:08] way up to about half about half of our students 52.3% scoring proficient or advanced. The
[34:16] other thing I want to briefly say about the Keystone test is that um students as I said earlier can take that as many times as they wish to.
[34:27] However, there all are alternate ways to meet that graduation requirement. That does not include passing every one of
[34:35] those Keystone exams. So, some students only take it once or twice because they
[34:43] want to meet it a different way. For example, our students who go to BCTC, they can meet that requirement through the NOTI exams that they take there. And
[34:52] because that's a that's really where the students thrive, they choose to do that instead. So we do have a number of
[34:59] students who um you know will take these tests once twice at the most and then um even though they may have improved a
[35:08] little bit they don't keep taking the test until they pass even though they have the ability to do that.
[35:16] Gross data for biology. You can see there that's ranged anywhere from 50 to a 73 over the past five years. So right
[35:24] in the middle about half of our students or a little bit more are growing in biology. And again that would be their growth from 8th grade to when they took
[35:34] biology. So they take a look at all of their science data up through the end of 8th grade, how they historically perform
[35:40] on standardized tests, and then make a prediction as to where they should score on the biology exam.
[35:49] This the last chart that I have for you is is difficult to see, so I would recommend looking at that more on your
[35:57] device. Um, but this is actually breaking down the data in terms of each
[36:03] specific grade level for ELA, math, and science. Um, one thing I
[36:11] want to point out to you is that when you look at this, one thing to be thinking about is that if you look across horizontally, you will see how
[36:20] the third grade has per for example, how the third grade has performed each year all the way back from the beginning
[36:28] where that data starts all the way to the end. But those are different groups of students. So each year that's a
[36:35] different group of students. However, if you take a look at that data, if you start in third grade and then move down
[36:45] to fourth grade the next year, down to fifth grade the next year and so on, you actually can see how that specific group of students performed yeartoear toear.
[36:56] So you can actually track the same students and whether they stay the same, whether they decline or whether they improve from grade level to grade level.
[37:07] And that might give you a better idea of what's happening and where.
[37:12] Um the next thing I'm going to talk about is the school performance profile score.
[37:20] So this is actually a score that is given to every public school in Pennsylvania and it's part of every
[37:27] principal and teacher evaluation every single year. And the idea is that it is demonstrating overall performance
[37:36] of the school. This is something that they used to publish um because this was the only measure for
[37:44] a school as a whole that they would share publicly in this way. They have since moved to the future ready index
[37:53] which is the link that I had shared with you which is much more detailed. Um but this I think is a little bit easier just
[38:01] to understand because you're basically just looking at numbers compared to other numbers. um instead of looking at charts and graphs which is what the
[38:09] future ready index is. So I did want to share this with you. They still report this data because it has to go into principal and teacher evaluations.
[38:18] However, the future ready index has kind of taken over as the public facing information about schools.
[38:27] So the scores in the school performance profile score is actually comprised of assessment data, growth data, attendance
[38:36] data, graduation data. Obviously that affects the high school only and also they give you each school a multiplier
[38:45] based on their economically disadvantaged data. So schools that have a higher economically disadvantaged population actually have a higher multiplier than schools that do not.
[38:58] So first I have shared Skuka Valley Elementary School. I started with their most recent score which was the one for
[39:05] 2425 which was a 76. I did list the top score in the county as an 86.7. That's
[39:13] the top elementary school score in the county. And then you can see below that um all the way down to 2015 2016.
[39:25] Skook Valley Middle School this past year scored a 64.3.
[39:30] The top score in the county was an 85 and then you can see those scores below that. Um mostly were in the 70s.
[39:43] Skooko Valley High School in 2425 had a 67.2. The top score in the county was an 85.9.
[39:52] And then you can see how they fared over the past several years all the way back to 201516.
[39:59] So you can see that many years they were in the 60s and then there were a couple years where they were had a 70.3 in 2017 18 and an 83 in 2122.
[40:12] And finally, again, the future ready index, which I've talked about a couple of times. It's accessible through that link. Um, it is a comprehensive look at
[40:22] school pro progress measures related to student success. It contains a lot of data. You can actually see all the
[40:30] historical data there. Um, if you click on that, it will show you growth data, achievement data. It shows you things
[40:38] like attendance data, graduation data, our career ready data. It shows our student performance on NOCI exams. Um it
[40:47] shows how many students performed advanced on their keystones. There's a lot of attendance data. There's a lot of different data that's there. Um and you
[40:56] can actually click on there's a little chart next to each one of those that will show you historically how we've done. There's actually the ability to
[41:05] take a look at each of our student groups. So, if you were curious about how our special education population was doing, if you were curious about how,
[41:14] for example, our economically disadvantaged students were doing, it will actually show you all of that data.
[41:19] And there is a page there that will show you demographic data for the district as well. So, it would let you know how many
[41:27] of our students, for example, are male versus female, how many of our students are are in our special education population, how many of our students are
[41:35] English learners, etc. It will share all of that data. So, it's a really nice resource for people. Um, I think people
[41:42] use it a lot if they're moving into a district or looking to move into a district and are curious about schools.
[41:48] It's a place for them to look to really gather a sense of all of that data for the district in one place. Um, so I just
[41:56] wanted to make sure I shared that link with you because it is a really comprehensive site that would be hard for me to really demonstrate here on the screen.
[42:07] Does anyone have any questions for me based on the data?
[42:14] I just have a question. Has has this data been presented to the school board for the last couple of
[42:21] years? Is this something that's done once a year? I mean, I know we talked about that we need to see this kind of data. I believe Frank had asked for it
[42:28] for the five year. Is this something that the the board has been aware of of the declining numbers over the last five years?
[42:37] So, as you know, I've only been in this position for a year. So I can say that prior to that I do remember as
[42:45] principles doing a presentation based on that year's data. Um but besides that I
[42:52] don't rec I don't personally recall a historical presentation which I think is why the board asked for it because it
[43:00] was something that you haven't seen and we're curious about how things were going.
[43:05] In part this is what drove the need to revise the curriculum.
[43:10] Yeah. And and I was going to say in leading into the next presentation that I will be doing to show to talk about the curriculum,
[43:19] this was a big reason why because as you can see based on this data, um, as we've talked about before, our standards were
[43:29] new in 2014. We only just revised our curriculum and got new
[43:35] resources in the last two years. So although 2014 was the last time that we
[43:42] had new standards in the state of Pennsylvania for math, for example, our math curriculum dated back to 2005.
[43:50] Our language arts curriculum which we adopted at the end of 2024 though the last document that we had was from 2006.
[44:00] So, we haven't as a district been keeping up with what the standards say we are
[44:08] supposed to be teaching with new practice um with that content and I think based on this presentation I think
[44:17] we can see that and and I would just just to add two pieces related to that typically the
[44:24] data from the state both the achievement data and the growth data usually is made available in that October November window. And so, you know, on an annual
[44:33] basis around October, November, that's typically when when most school districts present to the boards that the board can see the data from the previous
[44:41] year. You know, I will also say that um you know, the data um you know, obviously there are some concerns. I
[44:48] think all of us sitting here acknowledge that. You know, we're never satisfied until we can look at the data and say 100% of our kids are reading with proficiency or proficient in math, etc.
[44:58] But that that was why, you know, the board was very supportive in you know providing the financial resources to
[45:07] upgrade the curriculum and to improve the resources. A lot's been done in a very short period of time to get language arts, math, and science trending back in the right direction.
[45:16] Not going to say there's still not work to be done. There is, but we're moving in the right direction.
[45:22] Okay. I I have another question. you talked about the changes in the uh structured literacy guidelines from the
[45:28] state. So is is will our ARC curriculum uh remain an improved curriculum under those new guidelines?
[45:36] So right now on the list that the state has provided, American Reading Company appears on the core list and also their
[45:44] toolkits appear on the intervention um list that they've provided. Um, in terms of foundational skills, the
[45:53] foundations that we are currently using, the 2018 version, which is what our teachers have, is not on the approved
[46:02] list. Their newer version is, which is a big reason why we are taking a look at that right now. Um,
[46:10] so we are keeping track of that. They haven't released the list of screeners yet. So, we don't know if the ERA is
[46:18] going to be on that list or not. They haven't released that. Obviously, I'm keeping on top of that. The state also does update
[46:26] every quarter those lists. So, as things change, as things are added, as more
[46:33] groups are adding their approval to that list, then that list will continue to change. Um, I they haven't said when
[46:42] that screener list would be made available, but hopefully that will be sometime soon. And we do have to in March as a school district report what
[46:51] we are using. Every school district in the state has to we have to report what we are using for language arts. The
[46:57] state has reported in the um in the presentations that I have that I have been in that they will be taking that
[47:07] data and that will make the determination in terms of what they need to do and what kind of finances they
[47:14] need to put into structured literacy. So that that is what they're looking at by gathering that data is how many are
[47:21] using things that are on the list. How many have things that are newer as opposed to things that are older and then they say that they're going to use
[47:29] that data then to determine how much money they have to put behind it.
[47:35] To to provide some historical perspective, um since I've been on the board in 2017, we've had three
[47:42] curriculum directors. The first two spun their wheels and due to circumstances beyond our control had to leave that
[47:50] duty to take care of other duties within the district.
[47:54] Um and then we went for a period without a curriculum director and then Jenny came on and between her and uh Dr.
[48:01] Tashner, we there was an real sense of urgency because we've been trying to revise the curriculum since 2017 essentially because we're seeing the
[48:10] numbers trend the wrong direction and it took until now to get the push to to make something happen. Um you know now
[48:18] maybe maybe it wasn't perfect but it it was a necessary push because we were falling so far behind.
[48:28] Mrs. Rexro, can I ask you when you talk about the PEOS data, what assessments at every level goes into that? Like we understand PSSAs and keystones, but what
[48:36] other tools are being reported to demonstrate the level of growth? So, at this time, we only have the PSSA and the
[48:46] Keystone as a district. Some of our teachers use the CDT, so that data is also factored into that. Uh there is the
[48:54] ability for other data to be factored into that P.E.A.S. data. Um my plan is
[49:00] for next year now that we will be a year into math and science and two years into language arts. I would like to at least
[49:09] incorporate Firefly which is a benchmark exam that the um that the state uses so
[49:16] that we have some additional data. But this and also use the CDT across the board. So, right now, a lot of the
[49:23] middle school is using the CDT. Um, some of our high school teachers are using the CDT, but not everyone is using it.
[49:30] And what I have found is that it was always inconsistent from what I can tell. Um, so there hasn't really been
[49:39] training on how to do it. Um, I've been helping some of the teachers. Um, Jen Joyce, who's coming in from the IU to
[49:46] help with math, she's been helping the teachers. I know when she comes to the middle school later this week for her day with them, she's actually going to
[49:54] have them she's having them bring their laptop so they can sit and she can actually talk to them about what they're seeing in that data. So, we have a lot a
[50:02] lot to to do. Um, with PEOS, there is the ability to include other assessments as well. So, there are other assessments
[50:11] that are offered that PEOS actually can factor into their scores. We don't use anything else at this time. So, there's
[50:19] nothing else that is in there. However, if we were to ever decide to use other vendors
[50:26] um testing, we can actually that can actually be included. We have to upload
[50:34] it, but they can actually well some of the some of the companies I should say will provide that to the state if with our permission. Some things we have to upload ourselves.
[50:44] Okay. So what I hear you saying is that there's no common assessment across K to2. There is not. No.
[50:49] Okay. So when we look at this green data, it's just solely based on PSSA scores. Correct. Like the elementary for example. Okay. But that's based off of PSSAs.
[50:59] So how I guess my question is is which group of kids is making this year's worth of growth considering based on the dashboard numbers 56% of our fourth
[51:08] graders are below grade level efficiency?
[51:11] So I guess my question is is if we're making a year's worth of growth, who's making that year's worth of growth if if
[51:18] half of our kids are still not on grade level? So that num So that number
[51:28] you can also be blue. So which means over a year's growth, right? So if the score was higher, then that would be the case.
[51:36] But it's not. So, I'm just like I'm just wondering is it our below basic kids that are making a year's growth because they're still growing regardless if they're on grade level or not.
[51:46] Is it our basic kids moving to proficient or is it our proficient kids moving to advance? So, without that in front of me, I couldn't I can't speak to
[51:53] that at this moment. I can certainly put that together and present even more granular data for you next like at the
[52:01] next month's board meeting. I'm happy to do that. Um, I didn't go into that much detail this time, but I certainly can do
[52:08] that if you'd like to see in more detail.
[52:11] And if we're only using state standardized assessments, what types of assessments then are we using that are
[52:18] driving our instruction like if we don't have any interventions or you know what I mean? If we're not
[52:24] looking at CDT data, is there any data that we're looking at quarterly, halfly that then we sit down and we say, okay, this is an area we're struggling with.
[52:32] this is what how we need to revamp. How often is that happening?
[52:35] So this year we actually started doing that. So we have benchmark assessments that we created for language arts.
[52:43] Who created?
[52:44] So that was done um they're actually with they're American Reading Company um assessments. So that's like the IRL, correct?
[52:53] The ERA. So that's one. Um that's supposed to be given three times a year. Okay.
[52:58] Um but there are other assessments like writing assessments. They actually have like beginning, middle, and end in each unit. So, the teachers are to be using
[53:06] those and scoring them against each other. Um, with reveal, there are assessments at the beginning when they
[53:14] start. There's obviously the Alex data that they have for each individual student that tells us where every student is, what they know and what they
[53:21] don't know. There's assessments that they take every single unit. Um, there's a lot of things within that they can use
[53:28] as well. So there's a lot built into that. Um in science I would say that that is one area that we really without
[53:37] using the CDT which our biology teachers are using. Um and I think we don't
[53:45] really have very many um mainly because open sed is so big that there are probably some common assessments we can
[53:52] identify. we just haven't gotten that far because they're really just getting into that. And based on the information that you probably read in the uh
[54:01] curriculum survey, they need a lot more time with that before we can really start talking about and just personally when I reviewed the materials, I found the ERA to be very
[54:09] subjective. And I remember we used to use something called Fontis and Panel.
[54:13] And the reason why we got away from that is because it didn't provide concrete straight data like the Acadians did, the
[54:20] star test and and things like that. So, I'm just I'm curious when we hear that the students, yes, they're making a year's growth or over a year's growth, but our scores are not reflecting that.
[54:30] And then you mentioned between elementary and middle school. What do you think that disconnect is? Because that's been a historical disconnect.
[54:37] That's not just this year. So, I was just wondering what your thoughts were.
[54:40] Well, we just as a district have not been consistent at all. There have been things that they were using in the elementary that they weren't using in the middle school and things they were
[54:48] using in the middle school they weren't using in the elementary school. There has been no consistent anything. So
[54:55] curriculum hasn't been updated. We hadn't had materials that were new. We didn't have data like in the elementary
[55:02] school they were using um I Ready. In the middle school they were using Get More Math. Nobody used the same thing. Now everybody is using the same thing.
[55:10] They're all using Alex. Um in the elementary school they were using Fontis and Panel. I actually brought that up the other day. In the middle school they had no idea what that was. So there was no consistency.
[55:21] So it's really like So I I understand what you're saying. It is very hard to say that this is even great data because
[55:29] what is it based on other than how students were performing on the PSSA on those specific days, right? I just when you say we have all
[55:37] these other things, I'm just I'm wishing that those things would have been taken into consideration and put into PEOS to give us more of a better a better look.
[55:45] What other things like when you were saying about like there are certain assessments that can be looked at in PEOS. We don't have them though.
[55:52] I know. And I just I would hope moving forward that we would have because I do think that creates a better picture.
[55:58] Oh, I agree. Instead of just two days because I I'm I'm not going to lie like I'm really struggling hearing that we're making growth, but our scores are not.
[56:05] So like I said, I just would like to know which subgroup is actually making those growths and what are they using and
[56:12] you know how can we use that to our advantage and broaden that and I I completely agree with you. I think the challenge is and I think Mr.
[56:20] Rossy said it, Dr. Winter said it.
[56:24] We tried to like because we haven't had that new curriculum or resources in so long, we tried to like to bring
[56:33] everybody up to speed as quickly as we could. So again, when I get to talking about the curriculum survey details, a
[56:41] lot of what we read in there is that teachers need more time. It was too
[56:48] fast. they didn't have enough time with it. They need more professional learning. And absolutely, I don't disagree with that.
[56:58] It's just a matter of having to bring everything on so quickly because it hadn't been done in so long. And then
[57:06] not wanting to overwhelm them. Like this year, I wasn't going to say, "Oh, and by the way, along with all of this, you're going to give the CDT three times this
[57:14] year. You're going to do Firefly three times this year. let me bring in this other benchmark test so you can do this.
[57:20] Let me bring in another reading assessment so you can do this. I think they would lose their minds and I wouldn't blame them. So I think the
[57:27] important thing was that we at least started with having a solid curriculum that is based on the standards as they
[57:33] are and having new resources so that we have in front of us what we need and then saying okay now what should we be
[57:41] doing next? And I agree with you. I think that answer is we need some more common assessment because without that
[57:50] this data that I presented is only based on those standardized tests.
[57:57] Jenny, yes. Um, and I I agree about the assessment that we we need more, but at
[58:05] one time we were told that um opting out affected our cohorts and our
[58:13] and our final I tally. Is that still the case? Do opting does opting out affect what we go
[58:22] through? because there are schools that really get say 85 to 90% of their students taking the test compared to if you have a much lower cohort taking it.
[58:35] So does that affect our scores at all?
[58:38] Well, obviously when you have students who don't take the test, certainly especially if there are students who may have done well on the test that would
[58:46] affect us. Yes. Um, our student participation is part of our future ready index and was part of our school
[58:54] performance profile before. Um, so it does hurt us when we don't have a large participation in the test. Um, I know a
[59:03] few years ago, and I don't remember exactly which year because I wasn't in this role, but I know a few years ago, the middle school did have that problem
[59:11] where they actually had a they had to write a plan because they didn't have they had too many students who were opting out for religious reasons. And
[59:19] the state only allows for a certain amount of that. And then beyond that, you have to put in up a plan. You have to create a plan for basically how
[59:27] you're going to increase your participation. So certainly that can help that can hurt participation and again the same thing when I was talking
[59:36] earlier about the Keystone exams. We have students who will take it one time and then because they think that they're
[59:44] going to meet that graduation requirement in another way. They will make the decision that they're not going to take it again. And it doesn't matter
[59:51] what you say, they're not going to do it. And so some of those students likely could do and would do better if they ha
[1:00:00] if they tried to take it again or were remediated and took it again. But if they're not taking it again, then we're not getting the benefit of that. So
[1:00:09] certainly we have students who who aren't taking the test that probably
[1:00:16] would help our scores. Um we did not have that issue of participation. that was not a problem last year. So, I can't
[1:00:24] say that that really factors into our scores for this past year.
[1:00:30] Then, I just have a couple quick questions. Um, so when we're looking back at our growth data, I noticed that there were a lot of 50s on there and
[1:00:38] that was the red classification and there was a lot of random numbers when we were looking at that, but 50 was a common one. I just wanted for clarification. Is that the bottom of the
[1:00:46] scale or did we just happen to get hit 50 exactly that many times? So with PEOS
[1:00:52] it is based it is it is a projection. So the state feels very confident in its
[1:01:00] data that it looks at all of the data that they have which as we were just saying is not a lot for us and it will
[1:01:08] project then how those students should score. It does not take into effect though for example say that something I
[1:01:17] always say would say this like say that something terrible happens to a student like say you know heaven forbid that their parent passes away in that year or
[1:01:26] they get really sick and they're not and they're not feeling well if something happens that projection obviously isn't great so there is so I won't say that
[1:01:35] that projection is the end all beall like that's absolutely where that should student should be no matter However, only 50% is what that data what
[1:01:45] the state is telling us that data says is that 50% of the students are meeting a year of growth and the other 50% of
[1:01:54] those students are not. So that's basically what that what that data is.
[1:01:59] I guess what I just wanted to confirm is could you get a 47 or do they basically stop at 5050?
[1:02:05] Um that's a great question. I haven't seen that, but that doesn't mean that you can't.
[1:02:11] Okay. And again, I'm curious because I like that is a great question.
[1:02:14] I like how we're doing this. I like seeing these trends. I know 50 seems to be like the lowest.
[1:02:18] When I see a number repeat that frequently, I start to wonder about that number. And if we are going to continue to monitor monitoring like this, like I
[1:02:26] hope we are going to, I would like to see, you know, if we went from a 50 to a 55, well, if the bottom of the scale was 50
[1:02:32] and in reality maybe we were a 40, then that's improvement. But, you know, 52 years in a row, we could have still I'll make myself a note to make sure
[1:02:41] that I Okay.
[1:02:42] do a little bit more digging on that for you.
[1:02:44] Thank you. And then, you know, I I remember back in those there was a couple years where it was kind of the popular thing to do to opt out your children from PSSAs.
[1:02:53] And people just don't really realize that there's really no downside to taking PSSAs. Uh, if anything, it hurts us, you know, other than
[1:03:01] kids don't want to do it because they sit down and have to take a test for a couple hours. But you know just encourage people you know
[1:03:08] the data gets skewed by not participating. Oh absolutely.
[1:03:12] Um and finally when it comes to the keystones like I I did not realize until recently just how many pathways there are to graduation a lot.
[1:03:20] Uh one of them one of them that I just was made aware of was PS uh the PSATs.
[1:03:24] So if you take a PSAT as a 10th grader and I can't remember it was a 920 or 980 or whatever you had to score if you scored above that then that was a
[1:03:32] pathway to graduation. So you can have that number at 45% for you know for example algebra 1 keystone and yet that
[1:03:40] doesn't mean that 55% of our students aren't passing it or or getting there or have taken it so many times but just
[1:03:48] can't get there. Most of them find other routes to get there and don't really and that is very frustrating. Um, I know
[1:03:56] that the state was trying to do a good thing when they opened up all these different pathways for graduation. And I wholeheartedly think that
[1:04:05] the idea behind it is great. I mean, it's great to say, okay, it doesn't necessarily have to be because you perform well on a test. You might be
[1:04:13] ready, you might be ready for adulthood because you got accepted to a 4-year university. That's one. Like so
[1:04:21] obviously some like you know if you were able to accomplish that then we know that you're able to move on and you're doing something when you finish. The
[1:04:28] same way with the passing scores on the nocti exam those students are prepared for life after high school because they
[1:04:36] are prepared in that trade. The students who earn a certification in certain things they're prepared to do certain things because they are certified to do
[1:04:44] that. And that was the whole idea behind it is that all of the we they wanted us to show that every one of our students when they graduate high school is ready
[1:04:53] to do something when they leave and they're not just leaving high school and then like oh I don't know what I'm going to do but there actually was a way. But
[1:05:01] in doing that, it ended up really taking away from how much importance people placed on the keystone because they knew
[1:05:09] that there were other ways for them to graduate. And it wasn't just when the Keystone was when in the inception of
[1:05:18] the Keystone, it was supposed to be a graduation requirement. You either passed it or you didn't. You graduated or you didn't. And now it's not that at all.
[1:05:25] Yeah. Now it looks like there's enough pathways that it's almost hard not to graduate even if you didn't take the Keystones. Yeah. All right. Well, thank you. Yeah.
[1:05:33] I have a question if I may. So, being a new member of the board and trying to understand and digest some of this data,
[1:05:41] I'm trying to figure out like where the disconnect may be where we as a board could implement whatever is needed to to
[1:05:50] kind of bring that back together. And I believe you said early on and it's something I would like to see attributed
[1:05:58] with the data is turnover. So over that time period from 2019 till 2425
[1:06:06] in these core um parts of the the program where did we lose teachers? uh is that a
[1:06:14] deficit that that created some of this from happening from the turnovers whether it's retirement moving on to another school or just getting out of
[1:06:22] the profession. So I think to me it might make more sense as it was brought up to take a look at that and see over
[1:06:30] that time period if we did have deficiencies there that caused that. I think it was last year there was some issue where some of in the high school
[1:06:38] some of the math classes didn't have a permanent teacher because I believe we were struggling
[1:06:45] whether to fill the position or or uh if the person was out on leave. So I'd like to get that understanding by looking at that type of data from the administration. Please.
[1:06:55] Sure.
[1:06:55] Thank you. You have to be a little bit careful with that information because we lost teachers but that doesn't mean we didn't replace them with quality professionals.
[1:07:05] No. And I understand that I'm I'm looking at more like so a teacher left did in in a certain period because it's
[1:07:12] taken time to fill that position. Was it filled by bringing in just a temporary teacher to fill that position? That's
[1:07:21] what I'm looking at more than I'm not looking that we're not bringing in quality teachers. But with having children and grandchildren,
[1:07:30] there's consistency that children strive for that they want to know. They want to know their teachers and they want to have longevity with them over the time.
[1:07:38] And that's what I want to look at.
[1:07:40] Yeah. And where I mentioned it in the presentation was in the high school. And obviously I was familiar with that because I was the building principal.
[1:07:48] Um, but there are six members, I believe, of the language arts department in the high school and four of them have
[1:07:56] retired or they moved physically in the past two years. So, four of those six
[1:08:02] teachers are actually brand new either this year or last, but I will tell you they are phenomenal. So, um, in and so I
[1:08:12] I would absolutely agree that and I understand what you're saying. Um it's hard it you can't necessarily say
[1:08:21] that because somebody left then what was brought in. But I understand what you're saying too about was it actually filled right away or was there a lag in doing so.
[1:08:29] Right. And I and I was even looking at like the data going back to the pandemic where the kids had a lot of disruption.
[1:08:35] So in that period you could see 2019 what I was taken back by even our scores compared
[1:08:43] to the state scores in 19 were both high and as time went on both our scores started going down but so did the state
[1:08:51] scores. So I was trying to get an understanding of what happened. Was it a different type of test? Was it the fact
[1:08:58] that a lot of schools were virtual during that time and maybe they didn't get the same level? I think you could definitely read into that in our math
[1:09:07] scores. If you look at our math scores, especially the middle school ones at that time, you can really see a decline after the pandemic. And I know that a
[1:09:16] lot of teachers were really concerned about, you know, what students were learning at home. There was a lot I know when I came on as the principal, a lot
[1:09:23] of the teachers were talking about how the students would use like certain programs that would basically give them the answer from home. So, they weren't
[1:09:31] actually learning. They felt like they weren't learning. they were just copying what they, you know, were figuring out.
[1:09:36] So, I know there was a lot of concern that students and then of course because we know that math, you know, you're carrying on those what you learn and
[1:09:44] you're building on it. So, that's hard, right?
[1:09:46] Certainly, if you're not really learning it the way you had been and then having to catch up, that's difficult.
[1:09:52] Well, I appreciate that. Thank You know, and I think I think the other thing too that is important in this discussion is that making sure that as a district
[1:10:00] we're not looking at this data and saying it is what it is. We're satisfied. This is just what we are. Yeah.
[1:10:07] And you know, nobody on the administrative side, I can tell you for certain is looking at it, you know, from from that lens. We all have a problem
[1:10:15] solvers approach. You know, we know that our data is not where we want it to be.
[1:10:19] We know certain things need to be done to get it there and we're going to figure out what it is. You know, the example I always say to people is
[1:10:26] percentages are out of a hundred. If as a building you're at 56%, you know what? If your child's one of
[1:10:33] the 44 that's not proficient, none of us that have children would be okay with that.
[1:10:38] And so, you know, we're we're not happy with any percentage out of that hundred of kids that are not
[1:10:45] hitting the mark. And so we're going to continue to get after it. I believe we've got the right people in place to
[1:10:52] be able to make that happen. And we'll just continue to problem solve and dig in and and do what we need to do to try to get the numbers where they need to be.
[1:11:00] Yeah. Okay.
[1:11:05] Does anyone else have any more questions or comments?
[1:11:08] I actually did. I just want to jump off of Mr. Brown for a couple of minutes.
[1:11:12] So, like when we're talking about teacher turnover and like for instance, we just h like we're going to hire like
[1:11:20] two people who are coming in now halfway through to replace.
[1:11:24] What kind of professional development are they getting to bring them up to speed because they haven't had all of the back professional development up
[1:11:33] until this point, but yet that class is going to take PSSAs, keystones, and things like that.
[1:11:39] Yeah, I mean that's that's a really great question. I mean I can say that they are coming to all of the professional
[1:11:48] learning sessions that we have today. We were at the elementary school for math and the new teachers that joined us in
[1:11:55] third and fourth grade were part of that today. So um we certainly are obviously including them in all of that. um
[1:12:04] if they need it, I certainly will provide them with any other I know that the teams are really great about meeting
[1:12:13] and sharing everything, but certainly if anyone needed additional professional learning that's tied to any of the
[1:12:21] programming that we have, that is certainly something that we can provide them if they need it. I can say that I was sitting in one of the two sessions
[1:12:29] with a new teacher today and I was impressed with her knowledge already just having started at the beginning of
[1:12:35] this calendar year of her knowledge of like what was happening in the classroom and and of the program when you know
[1:12:44] she's been here a month. So um I was really impressed with that today. But absolutely and I will reach out to them and make sure that if there's anything that they need that they get it.
[1:12:57] Let me just make myself a note before I move on.
[1:13:04] Okay. If not, we'll move on to if there's no more questions, we'll move on to the curriculum survey results. Okay.
[1:13:17] All right. So, as you know, um we provided a survey to our language arts,
[1:13:23] math, and science teachers. Um teachers had two weeks to complete that survey.
[1:13:29] It went out to them on the 12th of January, and then it closed on the 26th
[1:13:37] of January, which was to be our voting meeting last week. Um, I did have one teacher reach out to me um on Monday
[1:13:46] after the survey had closed and I opened it back up for her. So, her data is here. Um, but as you can see based on
[1:13:55] the first slide, we had 54% of our language arts teachers participate, 51% of our math teachers participate, and 37% of our science teachers participate.
[1:14:08] Um and we sent out between board members, myself, principles made multiple reminders.
[1:14:18] So I just have a slide here with each of the questions that were in the survey with the percentage of yes and no. I've
[1:14:27] highlighted the one that is the greater amount and then I followed each slide with the most
[1:14:35] common feedback that I received. The way that the survey was shared was that if they answered no to a question, then they were prompted to provide detail.
[1:14:48] For example, the first one is receiving adequate training and professional development in the implementation of the
[1:14:55] new curriculum and the materials. So we have everyone each of the groups saying that no they have not. So they were then
[1:15:04] prompted to say what they think that they would be helpful.
[1:15:11] Um and the most common responses were training on implementation in math and ELA. So just having more and
[1:15:19] specifically they were talking about the digital programming that goes with it.
[1:15:25] So specifically talking about school pace, more training on the ERA, more training on Alex and more training on
[1:15:34] reveal online. So wanting more with those online materials um and more time devoted to professional
[1:15:42] learning and specifically with their team's grade or department. So specifically they wanted more time to be
[1:15:50] able to sit down with their peers and say and talk about what they're doing.
[1:15:57] um that is what we try to replicate in the sessions that we have monthly but having more time than that short amount
[1:16:05] of time that we have is what they is what they have requested.
[1:16:11] Um the next question was whether they have received all materials and resources needed to provide instruction.
[1:16:18] ELA and science both said no but math said yes. Um and you can see those
[1:16:23] scores there. Um, I will just add that I have asked as teachers have asked for
[1:16:32] missing ELA materials if they wanted a toolkit and didn't have it. If they needed additional books and didn't have
[1:16:39] them, um, I have purchased those as I've been asked.
[1:16:44] Um, additional materials that they shared would be helpful to them. Um, some of the focus was on
[1:16:51] supplementary materials that would be separate from the program. So, language arts mentioned supplementary vocabulary
[1:16:58] and spelling. Um, having old literature or grammar textbooks, having help with assessments, accelerated reader came up,
[1:17:08] um, having more MTSS resources in ELA and math to help students who are struggling. Um and again time was really emphasized especially for science.
[1:17:23] The next question was asking about curriculum and materials we are using and whether they support differentiated instruction and diverse learners. Um
[1:17:32] that was a no for ELA but math and science both said yes. Um, some of the things that were mentioned that would
[1:17:38] help to differentiate would be things like more toolkits for language arts, um, and the ability and time to
[1:17:47] implement them in their day. uh decodable texts which are part of the foundational skills program, a larger
[1:17:56] range of books higher and lower, more training for reveal below grade level
[1:18:02] materials for math and more time to learn what is there for science. again with science. Um many of our teachers
[1:18:11] grades three through eight received kits that had all of the materials with them in order to do the labs in open sed. So
[1:18:20] a lot of the theme that I saw throughout the survey was they just need more time with the stuff. They have the stuff but
[1:18:29] having the time to really unpack it and take the time with it is something that they feel like they don't have.
[1:18:37] Um right now in terms of this we are addressing the foundational skills and decodables now. Um those are the
[1:18:44] presentations that teachers were in last week and will be this week so that they can choose a new foundational skills program that would include decodables
[1:18:53] which was not with the program that they currently have although offered. Um I did purchase the large range of books
[1:19:00] for the elementary school. Um, they have been received and have been semioun ununboxed at the elementary school.
[1:19:08] However, we're lacking in space to put them. So, as soon as we find a good spot for them, those will be out for teachers to use.
[1:19:17] Uh, the next question was about the curriculum and the materials that we were using included dedicated resources for intervention and enrichment. So,
[1:19:26] there was a no for ELA and science. Uh, math was a yes.
[1:19:33] And the response is the most common for what was missing is that they just need resources for
[1:19:41] intervention and enrichment. They just feel they don't have any or not enough.
[1:19:45] Um and then they also feel that they need more time to discover what's actually available for math and science because it is so comprehensive that they
[1:19:54] just feel like having time would be very helpful. Um the next question was about the
[1:20:02] curriculum and materials providing quality assessment and benchmark tools and that the data provided allows them
[1:20:10] them to assess student progress and academic growth or needs. That was a no in ELA and science but a yes for math.
[1:20:20] And when asked what was missing, the most common things were exactly what we were talking about just in the data presentation. Additional data from text
[1:20:29] tests like STAR, CDT, Dibbles, Firefly were mentioned in that survey. Just a desire for more or better reading
[1:20:38] assessments. And in math and science, they just felt like they need a benchmark assessment. And again, as I said earlier in the data presentation,
[1:20:47] um my plan is for Firefly, which was mentioned several times in that survey, to be used as a benchmark. It is aligned to the state tests and our standards.
[1:20:58] So, it makes a lot of sense to use it. A lot of districts use it. And then the CDT, which is a diagnostic for next
[1:21:04] year. And so, those are that's part of my plan for implementation for next year.
[1:21:13] The next question was are they seeing growth in their students ability from the beginning of the year. Now I have to do a little
[1:21:20] um apology with this this question and the next question. So when these two questions were done in the survey
[1:21:29] somehow and I think sometimes when you're doing a electronic survey if you click in the next box it'll make an other. So it like created an other
[1:21:38] without me realizing it. So there was there's an other in the next two questions and other actually came up as
[1:21:45] the most common answer for ELA. Um so there were 19% said yes they're seeing
[1:21:52] growth. Um two teachers which is 6% said no and then 24 said other um in ELA
[1:21:59] which is 75%. Um, math was a yes, but there were 42% who said other for math.
[1:22:07] And then yes, for science that they're seeing growth, that was 60%. And then there was a 40% for the other. And then
[1:22:15] the next question was the one about um do they align with the standards and objectives for your course and grade
[1:22:22] level? Um, again, other ended up being the most popular answer for ELA with
[1:22:28] 56%. Math was 81% yes and science was 87% yes.
[1:22:37] The next question was asking about whether they have adequate time during the school day for planning and collaboration. Um, and if you're sensing
[1:22:44] a theme throughout the survey, you would guess that this answer would overwhelmingly be no, that they need more time for planning and collaboration.
[1:22:56] When asked for some ideas to optimize time, um, some of the most common answers were just that they wanted time
[1:23:02] to meet with other grade levels. So, to be able to talk about that transition from one grade to the next, they thought would be helpful. Um, they talked about
[1:23:12] a desire for us to have half day or full day professional development days and having more time on the inservice days.
[1:23:21] Um, prior to gathering these all of these results, I did provide time on the
[1:23:28] 19th was what which was their last inservice time. So that I had planned that prior to even seeing these results.
[1:23:36] So hopefully that was a step in the right direction. Um and one thing I will say as part of our
[1:23:43] professional development days, our inservice days, our act 80 days, um there are a lot of mandates that we are required to fulfill through the state.
[1:23:53] So unfortunately, as much as we would love for people to have more time, um there are a lot of things that the state requires us to provide in terms of
[1:24:02] training. Um and so a lot of that happens in the beginning of the school year so that that's finished. Um and those things range from things in terms
[1:24:11] of safety. Um there's professional ethics is something we're required to provide. Um we are provide to do um
[1:24:19] structured literacy which we have been doing as a district because of the professional learning we've been doing monthly. Um there's even more things.
[1:24:28] There's child abuse training and title nine training and all kinds of different trainings that we're required to provide
[1:24:34] time to do. Um, and I know that also, um, another concern that was shared too was the lack of substitute teachers,
[1:24:43] especially at the middle school. Um, there were a lot of complaints and concerns in the survey about having to
[1:24:49] fulfill coverage. And so, in order for them to attend some of these things during the day, there obviously needs to
[1:24:58] be substitute coverage in order for them to do that if it's during their class time. So that's also something that does get in the way, but teachers would
[1:25:06] prefer that that not be um something that's happening.
[1:25:13] Um strengths of the ELA curriculum and materials. The most common answers were that they do like that they have the large classroom library with high
[1:25:21] interest level text, that it's projectbased, and that there's a large amount of writing.
[1:25:29] One of the questions that we added to the survey um from its inception was are we seeing evidence that our students are
[1:25:36] engaged in reading. We had 21 yeses, eight nos, and two that answered NA. Um it actually wasn't written as a choice.
[1:25:46] It was written so that they had room to write. Um, and I and I noted there that about half of those yes votes were
[1:25:54] actually teachers who said that they felt like it was because of the work that they were doing in the classroom, not necessarily based on the materials.
[1:26:04] Challenges of the ELA curriculum and materials. Um, the most common things were the lack of assessments and created materials for teachers. They are doing a
[1:26:12] lot on their own. Um, the ARC materials are more of a framework and not a scripted program. It doesn't come with
[1:26:19] the binder of tests and things for them to use. So, teachers are feeling that they have a lack of assessments because
[1:26:28] they're creating them on their own. Um, and then a lack of specific grammar, vocabulary, writing, and instructional
[1:26:34] resources. Um so those are with ARC they are specifically designed to be embedded
[1:26:42] in what they're doing and not be separate. Um but there are um some concerns that they have asked that they
[1:26:50] have specific separate resources for those strengths of the math curriculum and
[1:26:58] materials. Most common answers were Alex, which is the personalized learning program, online access for teachers and
[1:27:05] students, which they did not have prior, alignment to the grade level standards, and the differentiation that is provided.
[1:27:14] Challenges that they noted were that our student skill was unfortunately not at the level of the program. So, and I know
[1:27:23] that from attending these professional learning days that we've had that they're doing a lot of catch up to bring
[1:27:30] them up to where they need to be for the grade level because they are behind.
[1:27:36] More time to learn and implement all the pieces and more intervention materials would be appreciated.
[1:27:46] Strengths of the science curriculum and materials. The teachers felt like overall the students were engaged, that the lessons are hands-on, and they like
[1:27:54] that, and that they do meet the standards.
[1:27:57] Challenges are needing more time to unpack and review lessons because they're comprehensive, needing time to
[1:28:04] collaborate with each other, and having more access for special education students.
[1:28:11] And then we had asked them for suggested ELA topics for future professional learning sessions. And to that they asked for most commonly additional
[1:28:20] training on the existing program, MTSS training and working with small groups and time to collaborate with their peers.
[1:28:29] Math topics. Um Alex was a common answer just wanting more time with that. They
[1:28:36] did have one training on that specifically and then it was there was a part of their first training that was on
[1:28:43] Alex. Um seeing a model lesson was something that was brought up collaborating with colleagues and help with small groupoup instruction.
[1:28:55] And last suggested science topics for future professional learning. The most common answer for that was that they just wanted time with the materials in
[1:29:03] the curriculum to collaborate. That was the most common response that we received. And again, there were a lot of responses. Um, even though we only had
[1:29:12] about half of our teachers respond. Um, there were still 32 responses for ELA, 26 for math, and 15 for science. So,
[1:29:20] there were there was a variety of different responses for each of those, which you are able to see in the packets that you received. And I did make note
[1:29:29] of all of them. I just included on the slides the most common ones. I had actually like checked them off as I saw them so I knew what the most common responses were.
[1:29:40] Questions in in many ways like the quick snapshot kind of oversimplifies the concerns that were you know expressed on the survey.
[1:29:52] There is a lot to unpack in these surveys. Yes, there is. And um you know I only got them in the format that I could actually read on Friday.
[1:30:01] I'm not sure how many other board members, you know, were able to have enough time to really delve into them.
[1:30:06] And so I know I need a little bit more time to comprehend everything that was shared, especially the ELA uh
[1:30:14] curriculum, which is a lot more involved. But I do think perhaps what we talked about earlier when you have a lot of new teachers or you have you know the
[1:30:22] long-term subs that um you know in regards to answering the survey they may not have the experience of the other ELA
[1:30:31] programs and knowing what may be missing. But I I think the veteran teachers were quite clear that we need
[1:30:38] not to just give lip service but to actually have the hard discussions or what's needed to improve these programs
[1:30:45] because we're in a year and a half now into this program. Um and we need to see continued progress in the area of
[1:30:54] communication definitely. Now, the board had previously received emails of concerns, and one was from an entire
[1:31:01] grade level uh that was concerned about not wanting to wait until January when the survey came out, and they had a list of immediate concerns they wanted
[1:31:09] addressed. And I noticed we didn't have that grade level um in the packet of the
[1:31:16] surveys. So, I'm not sure why that grade level who had reached out to us previously then did not complete the
[1:31:23] surveys. But um I just want to say I can't remember any issue in my prior years on the board that generated this
[1:31:30] much serious concern from the teaching staff. And I think that does show that our teachers want our children to
[1:31:38] succeed. We want our students to succeed. So we need to continue to work together. And I hope this is I'm talking
[1:31:45] into the mic. I'm sorry and turning my head.
[1:31:48] Um, but on the surface with the ELA, um, I think I think we can all agree it was
[1:31:55] implemented quickly. There's there was missing components. There's an obviously concern about the training and the materials. Um, I know I did note that
[1:32:05] some of the teachers were buying their own yellow level books. So, I'm glad to hear some of those books now are making
[1:32:11] their way into the classroom. Um, I did read another one that a reading unit was deemed to be removed. It was to
[1:32:19] be replaced with something else in the repertoire, but which but which it couldn't happen because all the other possible supplement supplemental
[1:32:27] materials had been removed from the classrooms. And I think that also comes into play with uh how this was all
[1:32:36] handled so quickly and not having other materials that are available. Um, and that's ELA. I don't want to dismiss any
[1:32:44] concerns from the math and science people because, you know, all of it's important.
[1:32:48] Um, this this um discussion will continue to be discussed at the curriculum workshop committee which will
[1:32:57] be this Thursday, six o'clock. I just want to put out a reminder that these workshop meetings, they're not televised, but they are open to the
[1:33:06] public. We discussed a lot of important issues at the January meeting and um with curriculum meeting and we'll have
[1:33:13] even more to discuss this coming week since the um surveys have been released.
[1:33:19] So, this is just kind of a first step, but I do want to thank the staff who took the time to um fill out the surveys. Um I know it was a lot of work.
[1:33:28] I know a lot of thought when you had down the time and how long it took some to to fill out and um but I just I just
[1:33:36] want the staff to know that your opinions are being heard by the board and we all want to work together to uh come up with a solution for these concerns.
[1:33:49] Yeah. And I think, you know, when you when you look at survey results and really and data in general, um I think
[1:33:56] you always have to you have to ask all of the questions, um you know, it's it's curious to me why half our language arts
[1:34:05] department didn't complete the survey and what would their responses have been if they would have completed it. You know, we don't know. Um, but you know,
[1:34:13] obviously if we had 100% of the data, that would really give us the clearest picture of knowing how 100% of our language arts teachers, you know, uh,
[1:34:21] you know, looked at it. Um, and but certainly, you know, we we obviously want to make sure that, you know, we
[1:34:29] have the resources, you know, that are out there. Um, you know, I also, you know, just, you know, want to take a moment while she's here to, you know,
[1:34:38] thank Mrs. Rex Road for her efforts in, you know, getting the survey organized, disseminated, you know, getting it in a
[1:34:46] version that was that that collected the data that we knew that we could, you know, work from, you know, and learn
[1:34:53] from. But um you know the the one thing about data and it's it's true about the assessment data we looked at you know
[1:35:02] you you can always look at data and you can make data say or not say anything you want it to say depending on what lens you want to look at it through. And
[1:35:09] so, you know, I I just think it's very important as we all together move forward and look at the survey results that we're looking at everything and,
[1:35:18] you know, making sure that whatever decisions we make, you know, are are based upon, you know, the needs and not
[1:35:25] driven by maybe a small percentage of people that are frustrated. So, um, I just I'm just putting those things out there. I'm I'm not dismissing the
[1:35:34] survey. I'm not saying it wasn't important. It certainly was. Um, but we just need to make sure we see the data at a high level and see it collectively for, you know, what it says in totality.
[1:35:45] Now, I broke down the ELA. I mean, there was a lot that didn't fill in from the high school, but when you break down K
[1:35:54] through 8, and there was even a class that didn't have any, as we discussed, I mean, that number looks at like that's like 75 80%.
[1:36:02] You know, I I think I think that's a pretty good snapshot when you get down to those lower levels of the ALA. I think they did fill this out
[1:36:10] and and and I agree. I I think we can, you know, we have to look at the data and where would most of it come from.
[1:36:17] And if most of it came from the elementary school and we had a very high percentage, you know, that is enough to
[1:36:23] kind of prove that there is a a serious issue down there that we need to address. And on the other And you know,
[1:36:32] we can find out also from what Joe was saying about which of the teachers were newer teachers and maybe didn't feel
[1:36:39] comfortable even filling it out. But I I think we can glean enough knowing what grades these came from and knowing we're
[1:36:46] missing an entire grade that we know had already contacted the board about some concerns they had. You know, I think that does give us a pretty good snapshot.
[1:36:55] Well, we had two elementary school teachers leave right after the new year, so they didn't get the survey. On top of that, I don't know if they're replacements filled out or not, but we don't have we don't have that either.
[1:37:06] Right. And one of those teachers did send the board kind of a a synopsis of, you know, concerns that she had with the
[1:37:13] program. So, that would not have been included in the actual survey, but we do have her information.
[1:37:20] And do we think that, you know, our reading scores and our ELA scores are
[1:37:28] being affected in, you know, the elementary level specifically by not having AR, not having grammar, not having vocabulary, not having spelling.
[1:37:36] I've been raising this issue for months now. Um, you know, our teachers are coming to me saying they really think
[1:37:44] that we need AR because it forces the kids to read. They don't think that the kids are reading as much as they used to
[1:37:52] because they were required to take those AR tests. I I know my son is not a big fan of reading. My daughter, on the
[1:38:00] other hand, always has her nose in a book. But now that he doesn't have to take AR, now he's a freshman, but last year when he didn't have to take AR
[1:38:08] tests, he wasn't reading as much as he was, I had to really ride him to get him to read more. So I I think that these
[1:38:17] things trickle and compound and we we really need to take what our teachers
[1:38:24] are saying and give them the resources that they need so that we can make sure you reading is a lifelong skill. If you
[1:38:32] can't read or if you have a low proficiency in reading, you're not going to be as successful or you're going to be taken advantage of in some way, you
[1:38:41] know, doing some kind of financial paperwork or legal paperwork or something. I mean, it it is the foundation of everything. If our kids
[1:38:49] can't read, and then math, you know, to me is the the second one. You know, if if they don't have those basic
[1:38:57] fundamental math skills, we're failing them all. So, I mean, our our teachers are specifically asking for these
[1:39:04] things, and I understand that in ARC, you know, for the ELA specifically, these things are supposed to be built
[1:39:11] in, but it doesn't look like we're getting the same results as when we had those standalone subjects. So, the one
[1:39:20] thing I will say is best practice has been for a while that everything should be built into what you're doing. So, for
[1:39:27] example, if you're reading a book as a class, the writing that you're doing should be based on what you're reading.
[1:39:34] Your the grammar lesson should be based on what teachers are seeing in that writing and doing mini lessons. So, if they're noticing that students, for
[1:39:42] example, are not writing complete sentences, that's a time that we address those things. Spelling and vocabulary
[1:39:50] should be coming from the text that they're reading as a class. That's been best practice for a while. Best practice
[1:39:57] is not to have a separate textbook for everything. That there's separate drill and practice for everything. That is the
[1:40:04] way that any reading program, no matter if you chose ARC or you chose Amplifier, you chose UFly, whatever you're
[1:40:13] choosing, that is the way that they are because that is what research says is best. Kids need to see that connection.
[1:40:22] They can't be separate things and then be expected to bring them into what they're doing if they're separate.
[1:40:28] I don't disagree with what you're saying, but I think that best practice is failing our kids.
[1:40:35] So, you probably need a combination of both because kids learn in different ways. I have two. They both learn in
[1:40:42] different ways. So you can't say that doing it this way is the best way and this is how everyone's going to learn
[1:40:50] when other kids maybe need the memorization of the spelling lists and of the vocabulary because that's how they learn better than just piecing it
[1:40:58] together from the other lessons. So I feel like we need to try to incorporate both so that all of our learners are getting what they need. Mhm.
[1:41:08] Are you are you saying not that they don't have spelling lists, but that spelling list should be generated from the current book that they're reading? Right.
[1:41:17] So, it's not that they don't have a spelling list or shouldn't have a spelling list to just memorize a spelling. It's just it should be tied to the book they're reading at the time.
[1:41:24] And in fact, with the ARC materials, there are actually like there are things that come with it that show what the vocabulary is, what the spelling is.
[1:41:34] You have to use it. Again, the way that ARC is designed is as a framework. It is not the old-fashioned textbook where you
[1:41:41] start from the beginning and go to the end and it will you like start and it tells you what to ask and has the drill
[1:41:48] and practice. It does provide though for you these are the vocabulary. So, for example, when our students in the elementary school are learning about
[1:41:56] bugs, there's a whole vocabulary list of bug words that they should be focusing on along with what they're doing. So,
[1:42:05] it's it looks different than it had in the past. It's not a separate I know several of our grade levels had a separate vocabulary textbook called
[1:42:12] vocabulary workshop and that's what they used and they were words that were completely separate from what they were doing that they were learning and
[1:42:19] spelling. And so that's not that's and what I'm saying I'm not I'm just saying that is not we've learned in the past several years
[1:42:28] that that's not the best way for students to learn. Um, we've only been using American Reading Company and only
[1:42:35] have data for one year for that. So, as I said back in November, I think um, it does truly take three years to see the
[1:42:44] effects of a new program. So, I do think that we have time, but we also, as we can see from the survey, no matter what,
[1:42:53] they need more time and we need to continue with the professional learning.
[1:42:58] We can't just give them something and expect that they're going to just magically everything's going to be perfect.
[1:43:05] I think the concept is is way different than um than they've typically typically worked. And and we have folks
[1:43:13] that have been in a career for for decades. Yes.
[1:43:16] Right. And so so there's a lot of learning for them as well. And so I the survey results in saying that they need more time is probably a little bit of an understatement.
[1:43:25] Yeah. Yeah, they need a lot of time because even the data that we're going to get from these next two years is based on the teachers learning curve and
[1:43:34] trying to get up to speed on this whole new learning concept, this new kind of global concept.
[1:43:40] So, we're going to have to really focus on on giving teachers time to learn somehow. We're going to have to fit in a
[1:43:48] lot more a lot more time for that. To that point though, to that point, if we just threw
[1:43:56] away all of the old materials and said, "Here it is. We pulled the rug out from under them and here here's what you're using now." How were they supposed to learn it that quickly?
[1:44:08] Well, and and I would say that had that not happened, and I'm not saying that it was r. Not
[1:44:15] saying that it was right, but had that not happened, we might still be doing things the old way where we have
[1:44:24] separate textbooks and we're not integrating things. So, but you can't just pull the rug out from
[1:44:30] under everyone in a a whole subject and say, "Here you go. Figure it out." That that's that's not helpful for anyone.
[1:44:40] Well, and respectfully, I would say that we didn't just tell them to figure it out. They have professional learning every single month.
[1:44:45] They're saying they're not getting enough of it. So, we did just say here here's some, but you got to figure the rest out on your own and fake it till you make it. And that's not how we teach kids.
[1:44:56] Jenny, yes.
[1:44:57] The seventh grade example that you gave us, is that is that for every grade?
[1:45:03] Does it have all that stuff in there for every grade? Like, how long was that example supposed to take? because there were so many things you had to read.
[1:45:13] There was poetry. There was everything.
[1:45:14] And then if you go in that back, you see where the vocabulary is. And are those flashcards provided? Must the teacher make those flashcards for the
[1:45:23] vocabulary? And I did notice there's no like rhyme or like you have portly and you have copious for vocabulary there.
[1:45:31] There's no like u and there's no ly. I mean, it's so it's so different than the way I
[1:45:38] was taught to teach. So, I had to go through that, figure out how long it would take to do that whole seventh
[1:45:46] grade section, and I'm like, that's more than a week. That's how long is that supposed to take you to do that?
[1:45:53] So, are you talking about the curriculum document? Is that what you mean? seventh grade thing that you So the seventh grade when they wrote their curriculum document happened to
[1:46:02] embed all of that stuff into their document because those were things that they had used in past years that were
[1:46:09] important to them and we told them to do that. If you have those things that are that important to you like every year we read X or it's really important to us
[1:46:19] that we do this activity or this project. um like the sixth grade, I think it's the sixth grade that does the tiny house project, like that was
[1:46:28] important to them. So, they included it in their curriculum document because that was something that they did that they didn't want to lose. So, that
[1:46:35] seventh grade document that I believe was shared with you, seventh grade had taken the time to put those links so that they didn't lose those items that were important to them.
[1:46:44] So, that was teacher designed material.
[1:46:47] They put those in there. So, so those vocabulary words that they had listed, was that from the books that they just
[1:46:56] got or those are words they thought they should be learning from past history?
[1:47:02] Where did all that was all prior to American Reading Company resources? They wrote the curriculum documents before they had the resources.
[1:47:10] Okay.
[1:47:10] So, those were all the things that they basically said, no matter what resources we have, these things are important to us. So they were included in their
[1:47:19] documents. So those must have been vocabulary that must have been a vocabulary activity that they liked that they wanted to make sure that they still used.
[1:47:28] Okay.
[1:47:28] And that was available to anybody who accessed that document. I just wonder, but it seemed like it would be a unit for like a marking period or I I just
[1:47:38] didn't know how long that was supposed to be there and then if they have ARC on top of all that yet,
[1:47:45] that would take a while to get through all that. So, Oh, yeah, it would. Yeah.
[1:47:50] Thank you. I We can talk more about this on Thursday even, but that's just something I need.
[1:47:56] That's what I was going to say. Um, you know, now I'm looking at the time here.
[1:47:59] We're quarter of nine. we we're only even through our uh not even through all of our presentations specifically to the survey. Uh we will continue this discussion on Thursday.
[1:48:12] Encourage um whatever whoever would like to attend or board members to make sure they're there. Again, I think there was a lot of
[1:48:20] information that we got. I know I need more time to go through some of it. Um I'm sure many of you also do. So, we will continue with that.
[1:48:31] One quick one. Um, everywhere across the board, ELA, science, math, they're all looking for more time.
[1:48:38] Is there any reason we can't build in these partial and half full professional development days? I know our schools do them. I know my wife's school does them.
[1:48:48] I mean, we're in this point that we're talking about schedule for next year. Like, can we start looking at that?
[1:48:54] Yeah. I mean the the intention was to bring the calendar you know to the board in February for next year. So I was say I thought that's when we did it last year was like February March. So
[1:49:02] yeah. So I mean certainly I mean yes you know districts put in multiple early dismissal days, multiple inservice days.
[1:49:10] I mean there there are lots of different ways that can be done. Um you know I think you know one of the things that we always try to look at with early
[1:49:18] dismissal days and it's kind of a blessing and a curse both ways. is great for teachers because they get a half day but sometimes it's a burden for parents
[1:49:26] because working families can't always you know like Yeah, but I mean we just went through an entire week that we didn't have a full day. I hear you.
[1:49:34] So I mean they'll I didn't get any old man yelling at cloud emails about you know back in my day my kids were always coming in during the snow.
[1:49:42] You know I'd rather get emails like that than emails like my kid can't read. You know what I mean? Like we're doing it for teachers. They got they got six to
[1:49:51] 14 months ahead of time to know that they're going to have these days off to plan for it. I feel like that's something I mean we can certainly look at that with our design of the calendar.
[1:50:00] Dan, I had that discussion plan for Thursday evening. So that's I sent that to Dr. Wyers today. So yeah,
[1:50:08] Mrs. Rexwood, would you mind putting together like ideally how many days you think teachers would benefit from? Like I just noticed the next inservice is not
[1:50:17] until May 22nd. So we that's a a long time after this survey to kind of I'm actually building in some
[1:50:25] professional learning. There's like two conference days in March and I know that's not ideal but I I talked it came
[1:50:31] up in the when we met last week um we talked about the online resources for
[1:50:39] ARC which many of the teachers don't feel comfortable with. So they were here presenting foundational skills last week. So, I had asked if that was
[1:50:48] something we could do. Um, and in talking with the K1 and two teachers who were there for that presentation and
[1:50:56] with the elementary principles, they suggested afternoon of the Friday conference day that they felt like their
[1:51:04] teachers could give up 90 minutes of that time in order to do that. Um, so I am scheduling that with them so that
[1:51:13] they don't have to wait until May. And frankly, when we get to May and that Friday before Memorial Day, you're not really going to implement any of that
[1:51:22] anyway in that school year. And yeah, we're kind like at that point, we're looking toward like getting everything graded for the end of the year and doing all of that. And so it's not ideal.
[1:51:31] Do you feel 90 minutes would be enough and will the middle school and high school I mean they will participate too. So there will
[1:51:38] actually be a separate secondary session. um they have more time in their conference time because right it's just different.
[1:51:46] My my concern was more making sure that the elementary was able to do that because I didn't want it to wait till May. So 90 minutes is what we all felt
[1:51:54] comfortable being able to give up. So we'll start there and then see where we are at the end of that and then we can plan another um professional learning day if needed.
[1:52:04] Okay. So middle school and high school would get that at a different time on on that same day.
[1:52:08] On that same day it'll be at a different time. So it'll be a K to 12. Yeah. Okay.
[1:52:12] We'll just have elementary separate from secondary. Okay. Yeah.
[1:52:19] Okay. We'll uh Thank you very much.
[1:52:22] We'll move on to um Mr. Hansen has two presentations.
[1:52:34] Uh um I'm here to present on uh possible changes or ideas to improve athletics at Skooka Valley. Um
[1:52:42] uh before I moved here to become your AD, I watched several sporting events online to get a sense of your school and
[1:52:50] possible upgrades and fixes. And one thing that jumped out on to me was uh when I was watching uh uh basketball,
[1:52:57] volleyball was the current setup of um the gyms both at the high school and the middle school. And so uh just a quick
[1:53:06] history on those gyms. Um the scoreboard controller um until like two years ago,
[1:53:13] it controlled where the team sat um because the scoreboard controller was hardwired to the controller to the
[1:53:22] scoreboard. So it forced everyone to be on one side of the gym versus the other.
[1:53:27] Um and actually there's more space for team benches and stuff on the other side of the gym. And I was going to go through that with you guys. So that's
[1:53:36] part of my one of my presentations. So So the issues that uh come across with
[1:53:44] uh for the high school at least for uh benches um is there's not enough space.
[1:53:52] And if you notice there are two players um with the arrows that have to sit on the second row because there is not
[1:53:59] enough space for the team. and uh kind of makes those two players not feel part
[1:54:05] of the team. Um um the second thing you can see is you can see where the head coach is sitting.
[1:54:15] Um he's sitting actually in the walkway because there's not enough room. Um which um kind of is an issue uh with uh
[1:54:24] traffic of fans. Um this last basketball game I was told by one of the security guards. Um I'm like, "Hey, can you move
[1:54:32] down to the other end of the gym to watch their fans?" And they're like, "Well, the coaches told us we need to stand here to make sure people don't
[1:54:39] walk in front of us during games." And so, um so that was that's an issue. Uh trainer space. There's no space for the
[1:54:48] trainers to work on athletes. They kind of have to go back in this little cubby area, which is very tight and small. Um,
[1:54:56] there's really no room along the benches to help an athlete.
[1:55:02] It's also in the same area as you would check in for about in for a game.
[1:55:08] The other thing, it's kind of an unprofessional look. The score board, not the scoreboard, but the the scores
[1:55:16] table is not centered in the middle of the gym. that's centered on the the one side in front of uh fans
[1:55:24] and then uh just the fans walking in front of coaches up and down through the bleachers to go like to the concession stand. They're always kind of in the way.
[1:55:35] Um also just right there, they have to check into games right there. The visiting team and if you notice the scores table
[1:55:44] doesn't fit there in the middle. I I took a picture of that. That was good photography.
[1:55:49] Um, middle school gym problems. Um, if you've ever been to a middle school basketball game, um, when you walk into the gym, it's hard to actually walk into
[1:55:58] the gym. There's always a bottleneck of fans trying to get into the gym. There's also uh you know people are standing out
[1:56:07] in the foyer just because they don't want to interrupt the second game so they stand there and then um it's just
[1:56:15] just not a very good area and so uh fans don't want to enter so they stand out there they cause traffic. Um, there's
[1:56:23] also no room for the trainer in the middle of the gym and uh always constant traffic in front of benches. Um, and the
[1:56:31] check-in area for the teams is not a very good area.
[1:56:37] So, I'm proposing uh, you know, just a new look for both gyms. Um, I uh I want
[1:56:45] to use our stadium chairs that the school booster club had purchased. Um, I want to give us easier access to the locker rooms. Um, I want to position the
[1:56:54] scores table in the middle of the gym. I want to give an area larger for our student section in our cheer team. Um,
[1:57:03] um, by by moving um, we increase uh, our student section
[1:57:09] by like 40%. Um, currently if we have a big game, a lot of the students, they
[1:57:16] are actually sitting in the where you'd walk up and down to get into the bleachers. And so, uh, so I think just
[1:57:24] allows for that. And then, um, it helps also with our trainers. So, this would be like the new look. Um, if you notice there's the stadium chairs in front.
[1:57:33] Now, these would be on the opposite end opposite side of the court um, than originally. Um, there's more space on
[1:57:41] this side for those chairs to be positioned.
[1:57:46] It also gives your trainers an area to work on their athletes kind of towards the end of the bleachers. They can also
[1:57:53] go into the locker rooms if um, you know, there's a blood on the jersey. Um, you know, if there's a say, you know, a
[1:58:01] female athlete gets blood on her jersey and she has to go change, you know, she's quick access to get into the locker rooms.
[1:58:09] Also, the scores table fits in between the the two bleachers that we currently have.
[1:58:17] Um, this is kind of what it would look from the side. Um, those distances, um, like walking through the bleacher is the same as from the chair to the bleacher.
[1:58:26] And then there's about 30 inches in front of the chairs um, for space for, you know, the the team and the coaches to walk up and down.
[1:58:37] So there's a good-looking person right there demonstrating how that would be.
[1:58:43] So that's me. Sorry. Uh and then um at the middle school gym um currently our
[1:58:50] scoreboard is uh um still in the 1980s, 1990s. Um so it is hardwired. And so my
[1:59:00] suggestion would to be to get a new scoreboard so that I could put team benches on this side of the gym. Um,
[1:59:07] which would open up the access to fans coming in and out of the gym.
[1:59:14] Oops. Um, so those pictures represent where the, you know, the two team benches would be and then the scores
[1:59:22] table would fit right there and there's plenty of space for that to happen.
[1:59:28] just turned on. Where would you put the scoreboard at the middle school?
[1:59:31] Um, I would just replace the scoreboard and make it a wireless board. Um, right now it's not wireless. Um, currently you
[1:59:40] have to plug in in order to to read to the scoreboard. And so by getting a new scoreboard which would go in the
[1:59:47] existing scoreboards place um you could uh have a wireless capability of putting the controller at any place in the gym.
[1:59:58] So the scores table would be in front of it. So the scoreboard would be behind.
[2:00:04] Correct. Yeah. We'd probably have to get a score uh scoreboard on the opposite side. You know what I'm saying? That um maybe just reads time and and the score.
[2:00:13] Um, but uh new scoreboards have the ability to see on the screen what the score and the
[2:00:22] time is on the little controller that they're running um versus the old ones.
[2:00:27] So, um the other part of my presentation um
[2:00:33] just um possible you know upgrades. Um, one thing that uh is very difficult to
[2:00:42] do is to go into our locker rooms. Um, I feel like uh it's when I when schools other schools come
[2:00:52] to visit our school um and officials from not our school come in, um I have
[2:01:00] to take him to a space that's not very uh um I guess has a lot of school pride.
[2:01:07] Um, it's pretty rundown. It's It's kind of a bad area. Um, not many people take pride in this area. Um, this first
[2:01:15] picture is of where I have to take the officials for their their contests. Um, um, if you notice, there's still like a
[2:01:23] fridge from the 70s right there. Um, the, uh, space in order, you know, where to change uh, the, you know, everything
[2:01:32] is very outdated. Um, just it's not a great space.
[2:01:37] to take um people and the shower is is pretty run down. Oops.
[2:01:46] Um here's a picture of our inside of our high school locker room. Um, there are currently 500 lockers in the locker in
[2:01:56] the boys locker room and there's only about 300 well there's about 400 boys in the whole
[2:02:04] school and so uh each locker is about 6 in by a foot. Um, which doesn't fit a
[2:02:12] lot of stuff. Doesn't fit hardly any equipment. Um, it's just taking up space. Um, if you notice, um, there's a
[2:02:19] lot of dents in those lockers. There's a lot of like metal that's sticking out, so like, you know, a kid could walk by
[2:02:26] it and, uh, you know, possibly get hung up on it, get cut. Um, so they're kind of dangerous. Um this past uh this
[2:02:35] summer um if you look at the picture on the left, I had one of those banks of lockers removed just so teams when they
[2:02:42] come in at halftime would have an area to sit and discuss um like strategy at
[2:02:48] halftime. Um, so just kind of, you know, my suggestion would be to take all those middle bank lockers out and just on the
[2:02:58] sidewalls have lockers which would be sufficient enough for PE classes and
[2:03:04] after school um after school teams. Um, and then like level that floor so you could put um some benches in there.
[2:03:17] And there's a picture of that. Um, here's pictures. These are the new lockers. There's some new lockers in the
[2:03:24] old locker room. Um, there's 24 on one wall. And if you put that on the opposite wall, you know, you'd have up
[2:03:31] to 48 lockers. And then there's about on the other side of this locker bank right there. If you go on the other side of
[2:03:38] that wall, there's about 40 more lockers in another locker room, which is considered also the boys locker room.
[2:03:46] Um, this is just a picture of the girls locker room. If you notice, just, you know, we have pink walls, we have
[2:03:53] yellow, we have green. Um, just, uh, you know, there's nothing that
[2:03:59] says this is Skuku Valley in there. Um, here's a picture of our middle school
[2:04:08] lockers. Those lockers are even smaller than our high school lockers. Um, you can't even fit a book bag in there or
[2:04:14] anything. And most kids these days, they carry a backpack. They don't like in the olden days, you'd carry a just a book to
[2:04:22] class and then you'd go to your locker and get your another book and you go to class and you know, or you'd go to PE class and you'd just have like a t-shirt
[2:04:30] and a pair of shorts in your gym locker and you change, right? But um these kids carry backpacks everywhere and and if
[2:04:37] you go into the locker rooms after school, you'll see bags scattered everywhere in these things. And I've gotten multiple reports just in the time
[2:04:46] I've been here of, hey, my stuff got stolen. And I'm like, well, put it in a locker. And they're like, you know, I've even had parents say, do they have
[2:04:54] lockers? And I'm like, well, they do, but hardly anything fits in them, but we can provide you a locker or you can get
[2:05:00] your own locker. So showers, um, there were couches in the showers when I got
[2:05:07] here. Um, they just don't get used. Um, kids do not take showers anymore. That kind of stopped in the, you know, 2000s.
[2:05:17] Uh, they just, they just don't take showers. And, uh, so now they're just kind of places where, you know, you can see like in that middle picture, there's some trash that gets compiled in there.
[2:05:28] Um, there was a in the picture on the right, there was a couch in there, but it got removed. We told the kids they had to get it out of there. So, um,
[2:05:36] just, uh, it could be a place where, you know, storage. We're always looking for more storage in the gy school and it'd be a good place for storage. They're
[2:05:44] they're pretty big lock, you know, showers and stuff like that. So, um,
[2:05:52] and then, uh, the only thing to talk about with our outside facilities, um, is we need, you know, storage for our
[2:06:00] baseball and softball teams. Um we have a lot of expensive equipment that needs
[2:06:06] to be put in um stored in in areas um especially with you know uh like
[2:06:14] pitching machines, generators, things like that. Um they're all crammed in like little closets that are very hard
[2:06:22] to access for teams to get out and and and to use. a lot of times they put them all up at the high school and um then that
[2:06:32] creates space issues up at the high school as well. So um the other thing uh is scoreboards. Um
[2:06:41] our baseball um field does not have a scoreboard. I'd like to you know try to change that. um field hockey. Um down at
[2:06:50] the field that the junior high uses, it doesn't have a scoreboard or nether neither does our junior high football field, which I think would be beneficial
[2:06:58] for a scoreboard as well. Um there's just places along our school that um whether it's a portable scoreboard um
[2:07:06] that we can drive from field to field or you know, one that's just a structure that's there the whole time. Um that's
[2:07:14] something that I would like to improve um here at Skooka Valley. So um
[2:07:22] so just some pictures oh sorry some pictures of where scoreboard placement um here's baseball field um storage
[2:07:30] areas. Um you know right next to our batting cages at the baseball field uh next to our dugout here at the softball
[2:07:38] field. just different areas that could use some storage um for the expensive equipment that baseball and softball has.
[2:07:50] And that is my presentation. So, are these items that you are looking to
[2:07:57] to do in a current budget or you're looking at to include in next year's budget? Um, yeah, that that's kind of a
[2:08:06] you know, some I'm looking at this year's budget. I coming in, I didn't know how the budget stretched. I didn't
[2:08:14] know if they spent all the funds from, you know, and when I first got here, I started getting bills from last fiscal
[2:08:22] year. And so that has decreased my budget for this year. So, um, you know, and they were big bills. They weren't like a couple hundred bucks. There were
[2:08:30] thousands of dollars that got pushed onto this year's budget, which um it happens, but uh um I'm trying to get a
[2:08:38] gauge of where we are at, you know, financially. Um and I think we're in really good shape. And I would like to
[2:08:46] make some of these purchases in this fiscal year um with some of these things like a storage container or a you know a
[2:08:54] scoreboard for the middle school things like that that you know are on the range of 3 to 4,000 per item you know those
[2:09:01] kind of things that would be nice fixes for the school. Um I would like to save up to you know possibly help out with
[2:09:11] the locker room changes. you know, those are it's probably a bigger ticket item, you know, you know, new lockers and benches and stuff like that that could
[2:09:20] help that space and and getting somebody in there to paint it to do all those remodeling. So,
[2:09:28] okay. Does anyone else have any questions?
[2:09:31] Yeah, I would just like to mention, you know, Mr. Hansen, thanks for putting this together. Um, you know, I think a lot of times there's a lot of resistance
[2:09:39] to change. Uh, and in general, I'm not in favor of change for the sake of change, but at the same time, we can't
[2:09:48] just ignore, uh, the potential for improvements and changes. So, uh, you know, it's tough to navigate those waters because you're going to have a
[2:09:56] bunch of people that want to see a lot of change. You're going to have a bunch of people that don't want to change anything. Uh, you know, having gone here myself, there are, you know, there are
[2:10:04] things here that I like just because that's the way they were when I was here. Uh, there's also things that I dislike because they were the way that they were when I was here.
[2:10:12] No, I understand. Thank you for putting us together. I understand.
[2:10:15] Yeah, there's a lot of, you know, I've changed school districts twice and when I went to my previous school district in Wyoming, I implemented change and it was
[2:10:25] hard, you know, for people to accept change and you know, I tried to do things that were positive that benefited kids. you know, I didn't really think
[2:10:33] about um you know, you know, was you know, you always have those people that come in the crowd and they're like,
[2:10:40] "This is where I've sat since 1982 and this is my seat." And to make that change is hard, you know, and so those
[2:10:47] kind of things are difficult to do and and so um and I don't want to, you know, neglect them too. I want to make
[2:10:55] everybody's experience great here at Scoop Valley.
[2:10:59] Um, you were talking about some new potential funding sources for some of these things. Are you thinking about applying the the fundraising effort to some of these scoreboards?
[2:11:09] Yeah. Yeah. I'm I'm kind of waiting to see, you know, how the, you know, I mean, I think it's on the agenda for the
[2:11:16] power ad thing. Um, I would like to go out personally and, you know, solicit businesses and and see if people want to
[2:11:24] donate to help with these projects and and, uh, you know, um, I just presented the power ad to give you options, you
[2:11:32] know, for bigger ticket items. Um, but, uh, you know, at my last school district, I just, you know, pounded the
[2:11:40] pavement and went business to business and said, "Hey, you want to donate?" and you know, I'm trying to work on this project. Um, you could have your name
[2:11:49] next to it, you know, whether it's a scoreboard, whether it's a storage container, you know, and it could be there for the life of the, you know, the item. And, and so those are kind of some
[2:11:58] things that I've done at my previous districts. Great. Thank you.
[2:12:03] Yeah, I have a question. So whether the fieldhouse project moves forward or not,
[2:12:09] it to me without ever going into those locker rooms, just going by your pictures, there's no doubt that they all
[2:12:16] need to be redone. Uh they look pretty bad. So to me, that also looks like a
[2:12:24] project that once you knock something down, you're going to find more and more and more just because of the age associated with with that. So, moving
[2:12:32] forward, whether it's this budget or next year's budget, how are we going to establish what that
[2:12:40] looks like financially? Are we going to bring someone in that that looks at it as a from a contractor's perspective and
[2:12:48] says, "This is what we believe it's going to cost because to me, I think it's going to be a bigger ticket item than what we imagine. I think it's going
[2:12:56] to be more than removing lockers, uh, elevated floors, the the plumbing and so forth. So, I'd like to have a better
[2:13:04] idea of what that's going to look like, especially with consideration of the spending that may go forward with other projects that we have.
[2:13:13] Yeah, I would I would also like to, you know, get a few people in to put some bids together to see what it does take to, you know, make those changes so
[2:13:22] that, you know, eventually I could come back to you and say, "Hey, this is what it's going to cost. Are you interested?
[2:13:28] Um, this is what I have in my budget, you know, um, what can the school do for me to help fix this and and make it
[2:13:36] better for all our students?" Agreed. Thank you. In the past, we've um we've had an architect on board to look at some of these types of projects. Um
[2:13:45] it's nice to have the contractors come in and give you cost estimates, but I think we need some design professionals involved because you're going to have to
[2:13:52] consider building codes um and just make sure we're not stepping out of bounds on some of those. Um and when you renovate
[2:14:00] a space, are you going to fall under new building codes or are we able to do it in a way that that we're grandfathered in and don't have to make some wild
[2:14:07] changes? we can just do some paint and some fixing of the floors, right? So, I totally understand. I assume
[2:14:14] those are not questions that an athletic director knows.
[2:14:18] Yeah. So, I I think as a board, we're probably going to have to make a choice and whether we want to, you know, look into it a little bit further, but we're going to have to probably hire somebody
[2:14:26] to get a good look at it so we're fully aware of what we're going to get into.
[2:14:31] Have you priced out the like a a scoreboard for the middle school?
[2:14:35] Because that seems like a easier one to kind of Yeah.
[2:14:39] to pick off and it would that would help a lot down there. Moving that moving that scores table across there just to open up that gym.
[2:14:46] I mean, reconfiguring the high school gym isn't going to cost anything besides grief, but um there's no I don't think there's a lot of money to be tied to
[2:14:55] doing that. So, that that's a pretty easy one. Yeah, the the scoreboards uh are around 6 to 10,000 for a new
[2:15:03] scoreboard um for like the middle school. Yes, that's the board, the controls, the controller, the boards. Yeah. Now, I
[2:15:11] don't know like in my last school um our maintenance would hang up the scoreboard, you know. So, I don't know
[2:15:19] what that cost is is, you know, if we have the people on on site that can hang the scoreboard themselves or we have to hire that in. So that could be an
[2:15:27] additional cost that I'm just not thinking about.
[2:15:29] We'd have to look what the electric is there, too. I don't know what it is or what the new board's going to require.
[2:15:34] So there might be a little bit some elements there to figure out, too. But yeah, most of the scoreboards are just like a, you know, typical one. Just plug in.
[2:15:41] Yeah, just a plug in. Just a plug in.
[2:15:43] And so is the controller. So it's nothing too Okay.
[2:15:47] Nothing too crazy. So I think we do have some qualified professionals on staff now that that probably can can give us a good handle.
[2:15:54] I was excited when we got Yeah. the electrician and all those. So, I think they can handle this project. I just Yeah.
[2:16:00] And I just want to make sure we don't lose sight because this has been something that's kind of been going on for the last couple years when it comes with scoreboards. We can't forget the swimming scoreboard.
[2:16:09] Correct. Yeah.
[2:16:09] That's been an issue now for a couple years that we also need to get rid of that's a bigger ticket item, I believe.
[2:16:15] Correct. Yeah. Me and the technology department, we've kind of talked about that um Mr. stomp check about, you know,
[2:16:23] looking at our budgets and seeing what we can do to to fix that scoreboard over at the the swimming pool. So, are there any other questions?
[2:16:36] If not, thank you.
[2:16:38] You guys all look very shined up tonight. Gosh, picture day. I know you guys shine up good.
[2:16:45] Thank you.
[2:16:47] Okay, so we'll move on to reports of officers and board representatives. I do have a couple of things to go over
[2:16:54] tonight. Um, this is our first official regular voting board meeting since the initial reorganization meeting in
[2:17:00] December. And there is a lot of situations that we are obviously trying to address all at one time. And believe
[2:17:09] me, our impatience at time is just as great as many of other people's. So, in the month of January, I counted up at
[2:17:17] least 18 meetings that various board members have attended, and I'm sure I missed some of the ones during the day
[2:17:25] with buildings and grounds. I don't even think I counted those. So working through the commiss the committee system which all five committees hold separate
[2:17:33] meetings. Items we have been working on include getting back to policies having first and second readings before being
[2:17:40] improved to not only give the public but the board itself time to understand what the policy is. We first worked on the
[2:17:48] policy that outlines the organizational chart and policy 903 regarding hearing of visitors which we'll be looking at for a first reading tonight. And at the
[2:17:56] next policy and personnel and public relations workshop committee which is tomorrow night, we will be tackling the hiring and interview procedure as well
[2:18:05] as discussing a standardized exit interview form. So the hiring and interview procedure will not only cover
[2:18:12] all hiring in the district but also as we work through this superintendent search. Part of this is also sitting
[2:18:19] down with the union representation uh to get their input in this process and also to take note the budget and finance
[2:18:26] committee meeting scheduled after the policy meeting tomorrow night has been moved to the following Tuesday to give the policy committee more time for
[2:18:35] discussion tomorrow night. We did get obviously the curriculum surveys to the staff and as you heard earlier the curriculum committee will hold a
[2:18:42] workshop meeting on this coming Thursday and we will continue to discuss the survey results. Um we will also be
[2:18:50] looking at a standardized form with multiple signatures needed that when books are removed from the classrooms um
[2:18:57] everyone is aware of what is being removed and we don't have that kind of situation ever again. The act 34 comments regarding the fieldhouse
[2:19:06] project need to be back to the district office by mail or hand delivery no later than Friday, February 6th. So get those
[2:19:15] letters in by that deadline. I want to give a little update on the superintendent search. There is a community survey available online
[2:19:23] regarding what characteristics and priorities are important to you as in a superintendent. And that deadline is
[2:19:30] tomorrow, February 3rd. So, please fill that out if you have not already done so. The board did receive the first
[2:19:38] batch of applicants and we will soon receive a second batch. And as the deadlines for applications is February
[2:19:47] 17th, um I assume we may be receiving a third batch as well. And just to let
[2:19:55] everyone know, there is a promising number of candidates interested in coming to Skookula Valley. We will be meeting with the BCIU to review the
[2:20:03] community survey results and discuss the applications on February 23rd. The first round of interviews will begin the first
[2:20:11] week of March, the second and third rounds to follow. And again, we will be working on the number of teachers and administrators who will be included in
[2:20:19] the interview process and also working with the union and the admin in the selection of those additional interviewees. Um, I also want to make
[2:20:28] others aware that I have been having issues with my email. The first two weeks on the board, I wasn't getting any emails and I'm still having some issues.
[2:20:37] So, honestly, it's either operator error or technical issues or whatever. But I want to publicly say I'm not trying to
[2:20:46] ignore anyone, but I'm either not seeing the original email or unable to find it again. So, um, please bear with me as we
[2:20:54] work through that. So apparently Outlook and I are not compatible. So feel free when you see me out and about in the
[2:21:01] public um let me know if you sent me something and didn't hear back from me. So that's all I have for this evening.
[2:21:09] We will move on to 2.2. Secretary Linda Lash. No report.
[2:21:16] Okay. Uh 2.3, the Burks County IU Board.
[2:21:20] Okay. I was unable to make the IU meeting last month because I had a conflict with a board meeting here, but
[2:21:28] I did attend the officers meeting which we have uh once a month before our board meeting. So, I can give you a
[2:21:38] general synopsis of what went on. Um there was a state senate hearing on uh
[2:21:44] improving literacy held January 12th at Daniel Boone High School. The IU was
[2:21:51] represented by Dan Richards. Um and it was there were a lot of comments. I
[2:22:00] think I think there was a um Reading Eagle presentation about that meeting.
[2:22:06] So that was a a state held meeting. Uh the mandated services
[2:22:13] budget was approved by the board and I believe we will be voting on that tonight. We do use a lot of IU services
[2:22:21] and have been doing so quite a bit in the last four or five years. So um
[2:22:29] our share of it has risen slightly a couple thousand dollars I believe over the last year.
[2:22:37] The BCIU Education Foundation is moving along. Jim Bosovs is the
[2:22:45] chairperson of that and it is focused on early education.
[2:22:50] We seated new board members and they had their new board member orientation
[2:23:00] and we are doing building projects and the um IU
[2:23:07] itself the the building is going to be renovated for classrooms and the center
[2:23:15] on center avenue is closing and will be using a different building on that same property for classrooms.
[2:23:26] So on oh the 2026 top Lehigh Valley Workplace
[2:23:33] Awards, the IR BCIU came in 13th out of 500 of those employees. So that was kind
[2:23:42] of nice. And that's all I have for the IU.
[2:23:51] Okay. Thank you. I'd just like to make note that uh Dr. winners and I um attended a board president and
[2:23:58] superintendent program that was at the IU on Thursday and the guest speaker uh talked about AI
[2:24:05] and it was very interesting and they did send out the PowerPoint presentation and I'll make sure I forward that to the
[2:24:13] rest of the board. Okay, moving on to Burk's Career and Technology. Uh David is not here this evening so we'll wait
[2:24:21] till next month to hear that report. uh the Burks County Tax Collection Committee.
[2:24:26] I'll have a report next month. The next meeting is March 19th, a couple days before the March board meeting.
[2:24:33] Okay. Thank you. The uh school board's association leazison.
[2:24:39] Okay. Tomorrow the uh governor will be presenting the state
[2:24:46] budget and on February 6th at noon I believe there is a workshop that board members can attend. Uh you'd have to go
[2:24:54] on um my PB my PSBA and sign up for that I believe. So, if you want to do that on
[2:25:02] February 6 at noon, I have um
[2:25:10] I don't know if everybody's done their um new board training with PSBA yet or not, but there I hope you have signed up
[2:25:19] for it. Um I think there's I don't know if there are any live ones available.
[2:25:25] They might be all online that are still have room. Um, there's a new director
[2:25:32] monthly meetup on February 18th provided by PSBA at noon if you can do that.
[2:25:41] And really that that's it for me for PSBA
[2:25:52] and I'll go on for the foundation.
[2:25:57] Quite honestly, Linda, I can't hear a word that you're saying. You can't hear me because of this.
[2:26:03] Oh, well, I can't hear anything down there, so it's fair game, I guess. But I'm going on to um the foundation.
[2:26:11] So, uh the foundation is having their um
[2:26:18] fundraiser on March 13th and there are still tickets available.
[2:26:24] And they're also looking for raffle donations.
[2:26:29] So if anybody wants to go and do that, you can sponsor a whole table. You can get individual tickets. You can get uh different kinds of tickets and they're looking for um people to attend that.
[2:26:41] And they have they've been giving out grant money to our staff. So um they're working hard at making this a success.
[2:26:51] And I know we're a little bit behind in getting into the foundation uh world of foundations, but I I look
[2:26:59] forward to ours being a very much of a success. And I know a lot of school districts that really raise some major
[2:27:07] dollars with this. So I wish them all the best with this um black red and black event on March 13th. So if you
[2:27:16] haven't gotten your ticket yet, please do so.
[2:27:20] Okay. Thank you, Linda. We'll move on to persons who wish to address the board.
[2:27:25] Um, we are currently working on the new policy and we're going to have the first reading tonight. So, basically, we're under the same guidelines as we used
[2:27:34] before. Anyone who wishes to address the board will have three minutes to state their questions and please state your name and where you live. And if you have a written statement, the board would re
[2:27:43] would appreciate receiving a copy. First up is Lou Shooker.
[2:27:55] Normally I address the board regarding the issue of literacy, but we've had about an hour and a half uh session on
[2:28:03] uh what the school is doing in terms of literacy. On the other hand, today is Groundhog's Day and since I have no idea
[2:28:12] whether or not we're going to have six more weeks of winter, I'm going to talk a little bit about literacy anyhow. Um, actually I'm going to be somewhat presumptuous and challenge the board Dr.
[2:28:23] Wyinners to commit to raising the level of proficient elementary tree readers to 75 to 80% within 3 to four years. It's
[2:28:33] great to hear all these uh issues discussed but we have to have a goal. So
[2:28:40] if 75 to 80% is reasonable, I suggest uh that we uh adopt it. Uh this will of
[2:28:48] course as has been stated uh require a commitment of time and resources. The
[2:28:54] two uh uh takeaways that I got from the comments and the presentation is that we
[2:29:01] we need training, not only initial but ongoing training for our teachers, and we need a commitment of resources, not
[2:29:09] $23 million, but uh something reasonable to make sure that uh the training and the curriculum is effectively
[2:29:17] implemented. On the other hand, there's a couple of other items that I think are important. One is the involvement of
[2:29:24] parents. Uh I heard nothing about the role that parents play. We have no control over what you know what the
[2:29:32] parents uh uh do or do not do visav their children. But we can certainly encourage them number one to read to
[2:29:40] their children to make sure that their homework is done. give them the tools to recognize when their child is having
[2:29:47] trouble reading and also some basic uh elements of of teaching of reading the
[2:29:55] phonics. Uh hopefully with teacher implement with parent implementation the teacher's job will be a whole lot
[2:30:04] easier. The other thing is we've learned over the last decade or so that brain
[2:30:10] development starts very early. uh too many students start uh uh school way behind in terms of reading. We should
[2:30:19] try to reach them as toddlers and and and in that regard uh the Skookul Valley Community Library has an excellent
[2:30:27] program for young people both during the year and during the uh summer. Speaking
[2:30:34] of the summer, we all know that uh a lot of learning goes by the board in the summer and teachers have to spend a month or two or three catching up. It
[2:30:43] would be helpful at least with respect to reading that we uh offer them the opportunity at the various sites
[2:30:50] throughout the uh school district to practice their reading uh and develop good reading habits. Thank you.
[2:31:01] Thank you. Next up is Roxanne McMerry. Good evening. My name is Roxan McMerry.
[2:31:10] I live in Center Township. I last spoke to you at the fieldhouse meeting a couple weeks ago, at which time I cautioned you against spending $6 million of the capital reserve funds on
[2:31:18] the fieldhouse project because spending all the planned funds would run the capital funds balance down to a million dollars. I noted that carrying a $1
[2:31:25] million balance in capital reserves is extremely low. that low balance would not be a problem if there were significant funds on hand in the general
[2:31:33] h fund. Um in this but in this case there are not. And so tonight I'm here to address you regarding the general fund. During the budget presentation at
[2:31:40] last month's meeting it was projected to end the 2526 school year with a deficit of about $1.3 million and an ending unassigned fund balance of $1.2 million.
[2:31:49] That is extremely low. To put that into perspective, $1.2 million is only 2.4% 4% of the total budgeted expenditures
[2:31:57] for the 2526 fiscal year, which is about $49.7 million. If you divide that total by 52 weeks, your ending fund balance of
[2:32:06] $1.2 million will be only just over slightly one week's worth of expenditures.
[2:32:11] In addition to that, if you look at your largest budgeted expenditure for the district, payroll and benefits, I don't know your actual payroll run amount
[2:32:19] because, as was noted, there are unfilled positions in that budget. But if you look at all of your budget expenditures for payroll and benefits in
[2:32:26] your budget, your total budgeted payroll is about $21.6 million. Dividing that by 26 pays is roughly $832,000.
[2:32:35] On top of that, you pay benefits. Total budget budgeted benefits is about 13.3 million. That adds about another
[2:32:42] $512,000 to each of those pays. In total, that's $1.3 million per pay. If you run this fund balance down to $1.2
[2:32:49] $2 million or less. If the actual deficit is higher than the projected $1.3 million at the end of the year, you will be you will have trouble making
[2:32:59] payroll before the real estate taxes start coming in in July.
[2:33:04] That's just a bad financial situation to put the district in. At that point, you will then have to take short-term financing to cover operating costs. So,
[2:33:13] that's a really negative position to be in as you're now trying to balance the 2627 budget. The first option that was presented was no tax increase and
[2:33:22] proposing an unbalanced budget and taking that deficit out of the fund balance. Considering that the fund balance is already extremely low, you should not be taking any fund balance to
[2:33:31] budget the next budget. I would like to note that many other school districts within their fund balance policy have a statement that they will maintain a
[2:33:39] minimum of four to f some schools are four, some schools are 5% minimum fund balance that they will maintain. If they do not maintain that level, they will
[2:33:47] not budget any use of fund balance in the next budget until they do maintain that level. Interestingly, our district does not have that stipulation in our fund balance policy.
[2:33:58] I've stood at this podium before and I've told you that it's not sustainable to not raise taxes year after year as costs go up every year. Employees get
[2:34:06] raises, benefit costs go up. We know there has been extreme inflation in the past couple years. The cost of everything has risen. you can only continue to pay for the same amount of
[2:34:14] expenses for so many years with minimal revenue increases until it blows up. I think we're now at this point based on the budget presentation at the last
[2:34:22] meeting. With that being said, the only options presented to balance the budget were increasing taxes to raise revenues.
[2:34:29] I would also like to ask if you're looking at reducing costs. I know one of the items that the budget the board likes to point out is that they're not being reimbursed by the county for the
[2:34:37] approximately half a million dollars for the education center. I would also like to point out that half a million dollars is only a small portion of the $ 1.7
[2:34:43] million loss from the 2425 fiscal year and the projected $ 1.3 million loss for this fiscal year. So are you looking at
[2:34:51] the cost for that education center to determine if all the costs are necessary? If I recall correctly when this process started, I believe it was
[2:34:59] mentioned that this center would be for 40 beds. Um and now at a recent meeting when asked how many kids are normally there, it was stated that there are 10
[2:35:07] to 12. I also, if I remember correctly, when Dr. Winters was hired, his position was half overseeing the center and half overseeing safety and security. Since
[2:35:15] then, our principal from the middle school has been transferred to oversee the center full-time. So, I'm asking, are you asking, do we need to allocate a
[2:35:22] full-time administrator salary to oversee 10 to 12 students? Again, I'm not in education, so I don't know the answers to these questions. Um, another
[2:35:30] thing that was stated at a recent board meeting was that we have to educate those students at the center and not here. if it's only 10 to 12 students, could we al could we integrate those
[2:35:38] students into our building here? So again, I'm not in education. I don't know the answers to those questions, but I hope that as you're working on this budget, you ask those questions.
[2:35:47] Wrapping up, in conclusion, as you're working on completing the 2627 budget process, I'm asking you to please take a hard look at the budget options, both
[2:35:55] revenues and expenses, not put the district in a critical financial position. Considering the state of the current general fund, I'm again asking you to please evaluate the capital needs
[2:36:03] of the district, develop a capital plan and ensure that the district has enough funds on hand to meet the capital needs of the district before spending $6 million of capital funds on the
[2:36:11] fieldhouse and putting the district in a finan a dire financial situation. Thank you, Roxan. I'd like to address a couple
[2:36:19] I was going to say, do you have a copy of what you I mean, I have notes scribbled on here, so Okay. Could you actually get us a copy
[2:36:27] of that? Sure. If and send it to the email, send it to the forward.
[2:36:32] Yeah, I'd like to address a couple of those items. Sure.
[2:36:35] Um with regards to the youth center, uh our administrator that's over there does have other duties besides uh just the
[2:36:42] center. Um in addition to that, um we my understanding is that we need to maintain a separate teaching
[2:36:50] professional for both the male population and the female population.
[2:36:53] it's difficult to address them with just a single person even though it's such a small population.
[2:37:00] Aside from that to bring them to our school district because we're in local parents of that group. I don't think
[2:37:07] it's a good idea to bring them out of that secure facility because a lot of the youth are adjudicated. Um and I I just don't feel that we would be able
[2:37:16] to, you know, exercise proper control uh that we would need to um to bring them
[2:37:23] out of that facility into this district even if we had a separate room or separate space where we we didn't generate generally um mix them in with
[2:37:32] our population. Um, we had looked at bringing them into the school if they weren't adjudicated youth, but the
[2:37:40] children are there for such a short period of time that for their mental well-being, we didn't feel it would be great to dump them into a
[2:37:48] wellestablished group of kids for like two to three days and then and then get them yanked. I I
[2:37:57] don't know that they would get any benefit out of that. um it might even be more trauma for them and they've already received enough trauma in their lives.
[2:38:04] Um so we did look at a lot of that. So it is a sticking point and it's very expensive and it looks terrible per student cost.
[2:38:13] I don't know how we can get around it.
[2:38:15] Um, but and I said I don't work in education, so I don't know the answers to those questions, but that was just one thing that I know you guys love to like say, well, we're not getting paid by the
[2:38:22] county, but that's also I pointed out that's only a small portion of the $ 1.7 million loss, correct? And the $ 1.3 million loss, so that's why I I did state that.
[2:38:32] Yeah. As you also pointed out, a huge portion of our budget is labor expense benefits, and those costs go up every year. PE
[2:38:40] pasers I think is is 30% of our 34 34% all all by itself. Um so it's hard
[2:38:50] to cut those costs. Um you know we we are fortunate our enrollment I just looked at our enrollment numbers for the
[2:38:57] elementary school. They're down significantly um from some of the bubble classes that are going through now. So at one point we thought we might have to
[2:39:05] expand that building. doesn't look like that would have to happen at the moment.
[2:39:09] But yeah, and I understand those costs are set and that's why I I have stood at this podium before and said to you guys before, this is not sustainable to not
[2:39:17] raise taxes for all these numbers of years. And now you're in the situation where this athletic director is talking about doing other capital projects over here.
[2:39:28] There's not going to be money for those capital projects if you spend all those capital funds on the fieldhouse. you will be down to a million dollars in the capital and $1.2 million in the general fund.
[2:39:37] The flip side of that, there's no money.
[2:39:38] The flip side of that is that if you have money, you'll spend it.
[2:39:42] So, you don't want to raise the taxes, you almost don't want to raise them until you have to because if you just raise them because you can, that's not a great that's not a great model either.
[2:39:52] So, we're until you get to the point where she presented that you're doing like a max increase just to balance the budget. and the last two budgets were balanced and
[2:40:00] had a $1.7 million loss and a $1.3 million loss. Like it's not a good picture, right? And like I said, we're trying to
[2:40:07] strike the balance between only taking what we need versus taking because we can't because it's not that's not a great model either. But thank
[2:40:16] but just keep in mind that 2.4% that I said is your fund balance and most districts do have a policy of a minimum of four to 5%. And that stipulation is
[2:40:24] not in our policy for some reason. I think we are working towards a policy for that. Is that one of them that's on your list?
[2:40:31] There's a lot of policies.
[2:40:34] Most times then that policy says if you don't maintain that minimum four to 5% you don't use you don't budget to use fund balance in the next budget until you maintain that level.
[2:40:43] So please keep that in mind as well.
[2:40:45] Definitely that is something that we need to look at and thank you for bringing it to our attention. And I want to thank both you and Lou for hanging
[2:40:53] out here for this full time because you know it's pretty long just to talk to us. But thank you both of you for coming here this evening to speak.
[2:41:05] Okay, we'll move on to 4.0 um solicitor's report.
[2:41:14] No report this evening. Okay. Uh 5.0 zero. Superintendent.
[2:41:23] Thank you, Mrs. Wean. Um, just wanted to uh before I get into the slides to highlight some of the great work that is
[2:41:30] going on, um, just wanted to kind of share for the benefit of those in attendance and also those listening. Um, just some updates and someformational
[2:41:38] items from different areas of the district. Um, wanted to share that in terms of curriculum and instruction. Um we the district did receive its ready
[2:41:46] tolearn grant funds total of $247972.
[2:41:52] Thank you. And um that is a non-competitive grant. So we're guaranteed that money as long as we submit for the grant which we did. Um
[2:42:01] the focus of our uh funds this year is on STEM and a programming at the high school. Um, in addition, um, I, you
[2:42:09] know, I did notice in spending some time on the website that we do not have a curriculum and learning web page on our website. The other departments are there, but curriculum and learning is
[2:42:17] not. Um, and so I've been having some conversations with Ms. Maner, who's going to be working with Mrs. Rexro, and we're going to be getting a web page set
[2:42:26] up for curriculum and learning where we can have resources like like the presentations that Mrs. Rex Road gave this evening. Um like the targeted
[2:42:34] school improvement letter that we sent to middle school families about the TSI designation, other curriculum updates um etc. Um in terms of of budget, um I know
[2:42:44] one of the items that's come up in previous meetings has been what percentage um of families in our
[2:42:51] district have no children in the home under 18 years of age. It's 72.9%.
[2:42:56] Um we got that information from the Burks County Planning Commission. Um recently and and that's based on an estimate over about a four-year period.
[2:43:05] So, I just I wanted to share that since I know that that's come up before. Um I also wanted to share that um one positive thing that that may help us a
[2:43:14] little bit to to put a small dent in, you know, um funding on the revenue side is the new PTE 363 form for cyber
[2:43:23] charter schools um will help us um in terms of um you know like numbers and
[2:43:30] what was passed with the governor's budget this year and the changes to school code. um it won't help in the neighborhood of two $2.4 million, but it
[2:43:39] will help a little bit um in terms of of some additional um revenue that we're not getting beat up on as badly with
[2:43:47] cyber charter. Um, and I know that um, a couple of the questions that were asked
[2:43:53] um, during the act 34 hearing that I wanted to make sure that I took a moment to address. Um, one was um, related to
[2:44:02] the 2.5 million in the plan con section of the act 34 booklet. Uh, there was uh, a figure of 2.5 million and it wasn't
[2:44:10] broken out in terms of what that figure um, you know, all entailed. I wanted to share that this evening. Um, and I and
[2:44:18] I'm going to use estimates. I have exact numbers, but just just in the interest of time, um, about 1.2 million is
[2:44:25] architect and engineer fees. Um, about 474,000's construction management fees. Um, 89,000 is testing and inspections.
[2:44:36] 121,000 is commissioning. 45,500 is permits. 200,000 is weight room equipment. Furniture fixtures and
[2:44:44] equipment like athletic and concession accessories is about 68,000.
[2:44:49] Miscellaneous is 75,000 and builder's risk is 190,000. So that was not enumerated in the act 34 booklet, but I
[2:44:57] did want to share that information because it came up. I know something else that was mentioned was uh the topic of do we have a five-year capital
[2:45:05] projects plan? Um there is I will share there is not anything formal written in paper but it is an item of urgency um
[2:45:13] for me and the buildings and grounds department. We are working on putting one together and using the buildings and grounds committee work session um as a
[2:45:21] place to be able to talk through that and develop that. Um, I also wanted to share that um the
[2:45:29] uh the act 34, we did get the transcripts back from the reporter recently and we are going to be putting together a frequently asked questions
[2:45:37] document from the questions that were asked at that hearing and we'll get that on the website. Um, if the fieldhouse
[2:45:44] progresses forward, the intention is to have a fieldhouse section of the website where we can provide the community with updates on how that progresses and how
[2:45:53] the project is progressing. Um, so I did want to mention that. Um, also wanted to share while we're talking about buildings and grounds, I do appreciate
[2:46:02] everybody's patience regarding the heating irregularities we have had um, in the last couple of weeks with the cold temperatures. I know it has
[2:46:09] impacted the buildings. Um we have had some challenges but just rest assured when I tell you that I have reached out
[2:46:16] to our contractors look using our our preventive maintenance agreements and also um even looking at our
[2:46:25] commissioning agent which is right commissioning to try to really wrap my head around you know what are some of the challenges that we're dealing with
[2:46:32] and how can we get them rectified because it is incredibly cold and we don't want to have those irregularities in our building. Um, the last thing that
[2:46:40] I'll just mention is, um, even though it was in the letter that was attached to the two-hour delay call last week, I
[2:46:46] just wanted to clarify publicly how the snow makeup days are going to work and where we are at this point in the year.
[2:46:52] We've had three school days now missed due to snow. December 2nd, um, January
[2:46:59] 26, January 27th, those day those snow days are being made up February 13th, March 30th, and March 31st. So, those
[2:47:08] will all be school days now for students. If we get a fourth snow day and who knows the way mother nature's been have been working lately and the
[2:47:17] kind of winter we're having, I'm going to, you know, I'm going to hope that maybe Mr. Shooker was wrong. Maybe the groundhog will, you know, well, we won't have any more winter. I don't know. But,
[2:47:25] um, if we do, the fourth snow day would be made up on April 1st and that will be a fid. If we get to day number four,
[2:47:33] that will be a flexible instructional day. um according to you know what was communicated at the beginning of the winter um if we go beyond four the board
[2:47:43] approved calendar indicates that day five and beyond would be added on to the end of the year at this point I'm hoping we don't get to that place but I just
[2:47:51] wanted to share publicly um you know kind of where we are so those are just some information items that I just wanted to share collectively I know
[2:47:58] they've come up at different points in time and I know people have had some interest in knowing about them I also always look forward on a month-to-month basis to share some of our highlights.
[2:48:09] Um, we talked earlier this evening about Dr. Louch and his recognition through the Burks County Heroes. You can see some pictures of him reading to the
[2:48:16] students and it is truly a highlight to see the kids smile when he's reading reading in the classroom is really a pretty awesome thing to see. Um, also,
[2:48:26] um, very exciting, we had our spelling bee at the elementary school recently.
[2:48:31] Uh, Mrs. Rex Road had a chance to be there and participate and shared with me that was one of the highlights of the year this year. Um, and we're really um
[2:48:39] happy um for um Matt Barrett um and uh who was our winner um and he's going to
[2:48:47] get to compete regionally um in the scripts competition which is pretty awesome. And huge thank you to Mrs.
[2:48:54] Roman um at the elementary school for organizing this and getting everything set up. Um, also just wanted to share
[2:49:02] that um, we had our gifted students from the elementary school in the Keystone competition and they competed against 21
[2:49:09] teams from 11 schools in the STEMbased competition and um, acquitted themselves exceptionally well um, as they always
[2:49:17] do. Um, also um, our middle school um, once again uh received a schools to watch designation um, from the Don
[2:49:25] Iicorn schools schools to watch. This is the fourth time now that the middle school has achieved that designation.
[2:49:31] So, congratulations to the team at the middle school for that accomplishment.
[2:49:35] Um, also um just wanted to share also our eighth grade team um participated in
[2:49:43] the future city competition. Um the you know and and they won most efficient city in this STEMbased competition. And
[2:49:52] so you can see the STEM work that's happening in our district. the foundation that starts at the elementary school and then it builds into the
[2:49:59] middle school with competitions like this and then we see the ultimate fruits of that labor with things like our Cisco lab and other things up at the high
[2:50:07] school. And so we're doing some great things with STEM right now.
[2:50:12] also um very proud of our uh high school music honors festivals and the number of
[2:50:19] students that were successful both in the Lebanon Valley College Honors Band, the Burks Senior County Band, the County
[2:50:27] Chorus. Um we even had one student qualify for District 10 Band. Um and we had um several students for District 10
[2:50:36] coral festival and the District 10 Jazz Festival. Um, and so, you know, I'm not going to read all the names there, but great accomplishment from our students.
[2:50:45] Again, they always acquaint themselves quite well in the music festivals throughout the county. Um, similarly,
[2:50:52] um, our TSA team, um, they they beat the weather and beat mother nature and traveled to East Strazburg last weekend
[2:50:59] and competed in the region 9 leadership conference. And as you can see from all the names on that screen, they crushed it. They really did an amazing job. Um,
[2:51:08] huge thank you to Mrs. Stacy Halman at the high school and all of those kids who did incredibly well. Um, I had the distinct privilege when I was in school
[2:51:17] of participating in TSA. It's an amazing club. It's a great organization and again another STEM example. We talk about that extension of STEM and
[2:51:25] congratulations to all of those kids who did a tremendous job. Um, as well our students that participated in the Burks
[2:51:32] County Science Olympiad. Um there were uh we had students over 300 high school students from 19 schools, a lot of STEM
[2:51:40] related events. And so huge thank you to Keith Warl and Stacy Halman for advising the students in this competition. Um as
[2:51:48] we talk always on a month-to-month basis, our FFA continues to be extremely successful in competition. Um, I want to
[2:51:56] give a shout out to Ian Schlopic. Um, who, you know, he he received his Keystone, um, you know, degree. Um, it's
[2:52:06] the highest degree and it's the first Skookul Valley student to ever achieve this award. So, um, you know, congratulations to Ian and to all of our
[2:52:14] FFA kids. They were recognized at the farm show this year. Um, you know, huge thank you to Mrs. Shelot for her work in the A program. Mrs. Crater went up and was there being a part of that as well.
[2:52:25] And um again with also with the ACES conference, we had the soaring beyond our limits. Several of our FFA members
[2:52:33] very successful there as well. Um athletics. Um want to give a shout out
[2:52:39] to Owen Eisenhoffer in swimming who broke a lot of his own records this year. um you know records that he had
[2:52:46] set previously and he shattered all of those records and you know he continues to have a pretty amazing swim career in
[2:52:53] Skookul Valley is going to go on and continue his career division one at West Virginia University and um you know just
[2:53:00] amazing thing there and also um Noah Garrett bowled a perfect game um for those of you that bowl that's a pretty
[2:53:07] incredible feat in and of itself I've never even come close to achieving that and um scored that perfect game in a very key win and victory over Twin
[2:53:16] Valley 2 to one. So, congratulations to Noah. Um, also, um, several of us in district administration had the
[2:53:24] privilege to meet Senator Ghart when he was here to recognize Abby McAffrey for her great accomplishments in golf and
[2:53:32] uh, for her winning the PIAA District 3 um, Class 2A Girls Golf Championship.
[2:53:38] So, congratulations to Abby. It was great. Senator Gard was here. He came on site. Aby's parents came. We got pictures, present her with a very
[2:53:46] beautiful citation. Um it was it was a wonderful experience for her. Um our cheer team um competitive spirit
[2:53:53] competition for the second year in a row. They made it to the semi-finals at states um and did exceptionally well. Um
[2:54:01] and you know we continue for our size um we're now ranked eighth in the co-ed division um and um first for division 2A
[2:54:11] for the state and our cheer team continues on a consistent basis to perform at high levels. You can see um
[2:54:19] here the 15th annual Kedran Spirit Classic. You can see the whole team there and their success there. The varsity team won first place, was named
[2:54:28] grand champion, and the junior high team won first place in their division as well. So, that was a huge accomplishment. You know, great shout
[2:54:35] out to our coaches, Coach Hoan, Coach Brown for their work with the team.
[2:54:41] Um, we had several wrestling tournaments here. Um, we had boys wrestling attended the Donnagal holiday tournament. Um, and
[2:54:50] Cohen Bush and David Hernandez finished fourth. Braden Dukan took fifth. Eric Swift sixth. They went on to compete in
[2:54:57] the county individual tournaments. Girls wrestling also competed in individual tournaments after a great showing at the Mifflin Holiday Tournament. Laney Cresbow was fourth. Madison Wyatt sixth.
[2:55:08] Alicia Rose, JDon seventh, Amelia Uslotti, and um Alisandre Zelli and Charlotte Chase all placed eighth. So,
[2:55:17] great job to those young ladies in girls wrestling. Um PYA had their winter gold out again this year. raised over $350
[2:55:25] for four diamonds um to support childhood cancer. Um and then just also want to mention a couple of events. This
[2:55:33] Saturday here in our auxiliary cafeteria is the Super Bowl. Um this is in conjunction with the Connor Kuffle Memorial Foundation and also our art
[2:55:42] program. Tickets are $22. If you don't have a ticket and you want to come see Mrs. Harley up here at the high school.
[2:55:49] For $22, you get one of the beautiful bowls that our students make in the art classes and you get two quarts of soup.
[2:55:56] Um, which delicious soup. I came last year. It's a great event. It's a great event. If you're looking for something to do on Saturday morning at 11 o'clock,
[2:56:03] I encourage you to come. Um, it's it's always a good time. Um, we have our two musicals coming up this year. Um, Greece
[2:56:10] at the high school, Annie Jr. at the middle school. Both in March. Those tickets are on sale now. Um, again,
[2:56:18] they're always an amazing time and our kids do a phenomenal job and I would encourage you to get your tickets and go
[2:56:25] to those wonderful shows. Um, and then lastly, but certainly not least, just want to put out there about the 20 2026
[2:56:33] Red and Black Gala for the Sugo Valley Ed Foundation. Mrs. Lash talked about that in her report. Um, that is coming up as well on March 13th. that's at the
[2:56:42] Leaseport um auction. Um and uh I again would certainly encourage you to come to that event. It's going to be a great time and um you know great opportunity.
[2:56:52] It's it's the biggest fundraiser that the Ed Foundation does during the school year and and their hard work provides grants for teachers and creates
[2:57:00] opportunities for our kids. So just want to mention that very important event as well. And that concludes my very long report.
[2:57:10] Thank you Dr. waiters.
[2:57:13] So, we'll move on to 6.0 policy personnel and public relations. First of all, I just want to explain that um I'm
[2:57:20] going to be combining a lot of these resolutions and these resolutions have all been discussed at the prior
[2:57:28] committee the whole meeting which was held January 19th. So, if you have any specific questions, um you'll have to go
[2:57:36] back and and watch that online to see what the discussions were. Um as this one is just kind of they were moved
[2:57:44] forward from the January 19th one to come to this one as a voting meeting and that's why we're just voting on them
[2:57:51] with basically no comment because we have already held those discussions.
[2:57:56] So I'm going to uh combine 6.1 and 6.2 which are resignations and retirements.
[2:58:08] May I have a motion please?
[2:58:10] So moved. Amil a second. Stanky.
[2:58:17] Is there okay? Sorry I I can't hear. Um, are there any questions or comments on either of those two items?
[2:58:28] If not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 80.
[2:58:38] Okay. Uh, we have several employment items and it would be from 6.3 to 6.8 18 are all employment items.
[2:58:51] May I have a motion, please? So move, Lash. Second, Brown.
[2:58:57] Okay. Any additional questions or comments on those items?
[2:59:05] If not, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion carries. 80.
[2:59:12] Next items are 6.19 which is personal leave of absence and a
[2:59:21] 6.20 family and medical leave. May I have a motion please?
[2:59:29] A motion to combine. So move around.
[2:59:33] Okay. Second stinky.
[2:59:36] Second. Okay. Because now it's you know 10 o'clock. We need to have these motions. Um, okay. Any questions or comments?
[2:59:45] No. If not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 80.
[2:59:54] 6.21 and 6.22.
[2:59:59] 6.21 is the um policy of the organization chart and
[3:00:09] 6.22 22 is policy 903 public participation. So these are both for first readings. May I have a motion please?
[3:00:18] So move lash. Second Ammerrell.
[3:00:21] Okay. Any additional questions or comments?
[3:00:24] I do just have one on um 903. I apologize. I wasn't feeling well for that meeting so I wasn't here. I did go
[3:00:32] back and listen to the meeting. um it had been brought up about people um you know giving someone else their time to
[3:00:40] speak and I just wanted to say you I heard that people were not in favor of that um but I think that you know there are sometimes that people may not be
[3:00:49] comfortable getting up in front of a crowd and speaking. So if someone you know that already spoke is willing to do
[3:00:57] that for someone else um I I I don't think that we should prohibit that. And then I personally um when I was you know
[3:01:06] coming to meetings had written up a speech and I tried to get it under that three minutes and there is no way that what I was trying to accomplish that
[3:01:14] night was going to be under three minutes. Um so I signed up and a friend signed up behind me and someone signed up behind them in case I couldn't get
[3:01:23] through it and they tried to give me their time and the board at that time said no that wasn't going to happen. So luckily I had typed out my, you know,
[3:01:32] comments that night, which I didn't always do. So the person who signed up behind me just picked up where I left off and read the rest of my statement.
[3:01:42] So I I don't think that it's a a problem to have someone do that. Um I was looking at the policy and it says that
[3:01:51] if we have a group um of people that, you know, maybe they should designate a representative. So, it it doesn't say
[3:01:58] anything specifically against that, but I just want to see if we could add something for that.
[3:02:06] Well, and I know Kelly, we had mentioned um that once everybody got through their 3 minutes, as long as the 45 minutes or
[3:02:15] whatever the number is we chose for the total amount of time for comment, as long as there was time left, people could sign up again and come back. I maybe I missed.
[3:02:24] Yeah. So, like I know it wouldn't be great if you have a speech that's going to be seven minutes. It's not best to be separated by 30 minutes between the
[3:02:32] first half and the second half, but yeah, at the same time, people do have the opportunity to sign back up again and come back up and finish what they're saying or speak for somebody
[3:02:40] else. If they've already spoken once on behalf of whatever they were wanted to speak about, they could come back up and speak for someone else, too.
[3:02:46] Yeah. I mean it it just says um groups of individuals shall be encouraged to choose a spokesperson to address the
[3:02:54] board. So if we're saying that if a lot of people are speaking on the same topic that they should choose someone then
[3:03:02] maybe you know they they might have different points but it's the same topic. So maybe it will take more than three minutes. So, if they all say like, "Hey, we designate this person because
[3:03:10] we've all talked about this and we are all on the same page with this topic, but these are the things that, you know, we're concerned with." And it goes over
[3:03:18] three minutes. I think we should honor that.
[3:03:22] I mean, I I know we've kind of spoke about this and a lot of times we have to worry about opening Pandora's box, right? So, if 20 people show up and uh
[3:03:31] they all say, "Well, we all want to talk about the same thing and we're going to put one person up Then you have one person speaking for 20 minutes. And in
[3:03:39] reality, would that happen? I don't know. Has it happened in the past?
[3:03:42] People have filibustered up there before for But if all 20 people signed up to speak, you would still have the same time commitment
[3:03:50] potentially. Uh but as people speak, I mean, we've seen it pretty frequently.
[3:03:54] Somebody will get up there and say, "Okay, well, the previous speaker covered this, this, and this, so I'm just going to speak about this." So, I get where you're coming from. I don't
[3:04:02] want to limit people on what they say or how long they speak. Uh and it's not a perfect solution to have them speaking at you be able to come back up at the
[3:04:10] end. But at the same time, you open yourself up to people can get very creative. And you know, I don't want to limit anybody's ability to speak or get
[3:04:18] out their opinion. But at the same time, we also don't want to allow people to have the flexibility to be disruptive just for the sake of being disruptive, too.
[3:04:25] But I had to get creative. And luckily I had it written down and the next person read the rest of my speech and it didn't make sense for him to read the rest of
[3:04:33] my speech because he was talking about my daughter. So it didn't make sense for him to read my speech but that's how I
[3:04:40] got my my thoughts across. So just my two cents.
[3:04:48] No, and I I appreciate those comments and I think too if if there's an issue I mean we've had issues in the past where there's we had to have a special board
[3:04:57] meeting for a singular issue and that's one of the things that you know we can wave that because we're actually wanting
[3:05:05] to hear from the public. You know that's kind of different than the regular 45 minutes that we're allotting out of a
[3:05:12] regular board meeting. So I think there are times that that we would wave that particular if it's if it's a specific topic just for that meeting.
[3:05:24] Just to just to share one thing. Um, I I did notice between our last board meeting and tonight the revised policy,
[3:05:33] the model policy PSBA is called public comment in board meetings as opposed to public participation in board meetings,
[3:05:41] which is what our previous policy was called. So here on the agenda, you know, it it does like on on the agenda online,
[3:05:50] it does say public comment in board meetings and the attached policy for the public is named that and has that
[3:05:57] verbiage in it as well. I just wanted to share that since that was one difference between what we had talked about two weeks Yeah. two weeks ago.
[3:06:09] Yeah. On the 19th. Yeah. Yeah.
[3:06:12] Okay. If there are any other uh questions or comments about the first reading of those two policies.
[3:06:20] If not, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 80.
[3:06:28] Okay. Uh 6.23. The Americas Americus healthc care staffing agreement approves the agreement with America's healthc
[3:06:36] care staffing for substitute nurses nursing services as presented. May I have a motion, please?
[3:06:44] So moved amal second. Second. There any questions or comments?
[3:06:51] If not, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed.
[3:06:56] Motion carries. 800. Now we do have a couple of addendums since the January
[3:07:01] 19th meeting. Um 6.24 non-certified employee compensation plan
[3:07:09] amended. The board is requested to consider and approve the amendment to the non-certified employee compensation plan that removes the following language
[3:07:17] from section 9 leaves of absence item C sick leave. The employee must establish a 403b TSA account prior to separation
[3:07:27] of service or the employees shall forfeit this benefit. May I have a motion please? So move B.
[3:07:35] Second. Second, Emerald.
[3:07:40] Okay. Are there any questions or comments? This will actually I guess the non-certified employee
[3:07:48] um contract will be coming up in on June 30th. So, this is something that then we
[3:07:55] can go back in and revisit at that time, but we're waving it for the rest of of this contract.
[3:08:04] No other questions or comments? I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z. 6.25.
[3:08:14] Addendum compensated leave of absent amend amendment. The board is requested to consider and approve the amendment to Miss Dana Carter special education
[3:08:23] teacher at the middle school. Approve compensated leave to add that the leave is approved with the condition that Miss Carter will not expend her working hours
[3:08:30] with her second employer and further that she will not work during school hours. May I have a motion, please? So move Brown. A second.
[3:08:38] Thank you. Questions or comments? Not. All those in favor say I. I.
[3:08:46] Opposed. Motion carries. 80.
[3:08:49] Have another addendum. 6.26. The Burks County Health Trust full board appointment. The board is requested to
[3:08:58] consider and approve the two-year appointment of Dr. Patrick Wyers, acting superintendent of schools to the Burks County School District's Health Trust full board.
[3:09:08] May Oh, get a motion. Yeah, sorry. I get a motion first. So, moved Amaro. Second. Second, Lash. Okay, Dr. Winters.
[3:09:16] So, just just to provide some background on that. So, so at so every district in the county that's part of the Burks County Health Trust has to have a
[3:09:25] management representative and also a labor representative. Um Dr. Tashner when she was here was the management
[3:09:33] representative for the district on the health trust. She was also on the executive board as well and and fulfilled both roles. So Skoo Valley
[3:09:43] needs to have somebody administratively serve in that management role. And so you know I'm the logical person to do
[3:09:51] it. All appointments to that board are two years. However, I would just serve
[3:09:58] in that capacity until the new superintendent is named and then when that individual is named, they would finish out the remainder of the term.
[3:10:09] Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[3:10:16] Opposed?
[3:10:18] Motion carries. 8 Z. Now, Mrs. Brilliant. Could you have the people that make the motions give their
[3:10:26] name so we can maybe hear that down here? Cuz they've got the fan gone over here and I have all these machines back here and I can't hear anything.
[3:10:34] I can actually I can't actually hear what you just said.
[3:10:38] I said, can you Everybody has been saying their name when they make the motions. It's just that hard to hear. I can't hear it.
[3:10:44] I've got the names for the motions. Okay. Yeah.
[3:10:49] Did everyone hear that? Now say your name for the motion. Loudly.
[3:10:53] Loudly and into the microphone or just loudly. Please bring your mics up.
[3:10:58] Like Dan, I don't know if you can hear me, but I can I can see your mouth move.
[3:11:06] It is hard. It is actually very loud back there. Um just like to make note that the next com the next meeting of
[3:11:15] this committee it says on here will be Tuesday February 17th but it is not. It is actually
[3:11:22] uh tomorrow Tuesday February 3rd. The the reason it says the 17th is that's
[3:11:31] sorry the reason it says the 17th is that's referencing the committee of the whole board meeting which is on the
[3:11:39] 17th. Our work session to your point is tomorrow um at at 6 o'clock in the site room.
[3:11:47] Okay. Uh Frank, do you have anything else to add for uh No, nothing else to add.
[3:11:55] Okay, we'll move on to curriculum and technology 7.1 the high school program of studies.
[3:12:09] This would be an approval of the 2026 2027 Skookul Valley High School program of studies. May I have a motion please?
[3:12:19] So move Matthews second Rossy.
[3:12:27] Any questions or comments?
[3:12:29] I did actually. Um I emailed earlier today. Um and I had outlined my questions. So if you wouldn't mind, do
[3:12:37] you have answers for them or Yes, Mrs. Godfrey does. She and Mrs.
[3:12:43] Crater had a chance to talk through the questions, so I'll let her address those.
[3:12:53] Is that okay? Can you hear me? No.
[3:12:56] Okay. So, um the first question was in regard to the earth and space science for 9th and 10th grade. Um so, upon
[3:13:06] talking with Miss Crater, ultimately the prerequisites for that should be removed and updated, which can be done very easily. Um, we made the change to all
[3:13:14] 9th graders taking biology after the program of studies had already been approved last year. Uh, students can double up in science their 9th grade
[3:13:23] year now and take biology and Earth and space at the same time. We set up the eighth and 9th grade course selection form based off of the changes that were
[3:13:30] decided and what 9th graders would be taking or could take during their 9th grade year. Um, the options for the teacher course recommendations were updated as well.
[3:13:41] Um, for AP physics question, um, Brett Hoke, he was hired on and is teaching that class. He was hired to replace the
[3:13:49] teacher that retired. Um, they're taking it as an AP class and will take the exam this year. It wasn't offered as dual
[3:13:57] enrollment due to RACK's requirements for the teacher to teach the dual enrollment. He's currently working on finishing that M's program. Now
[3:14:06] um for the English uh AP lit AP language um language was offered this year and
[3:14:14] students are enrolled. Um Mr. Bagento is currently teaching it. AP Lit is being offered next year. Either Mr. Bagento or
[3:14:22] Miss D'Angelo will be teaching it. Both have offered to teach it. Um again a teacher was hired to fill that position after the teacher had left um previously.
[3:14:32] And is Mrs. D'Angelo certified to teach it? She will be.
[3:14:35] She will be. Okay. Um, for math, the math remediation question, there was a little confusion in the way that it was written in the email that came through.
[3:14:46] Um, does that mean she Miss Crater and I were talking by does this district know it does not need this course? Do you
[3:14:55] mean the students? So, I just was curious because the statistics she gave me um said that uh the Keystone algebra
[3:15:03] classes being offered at the high school, 98 out of 102 come out below basic or basic, which is 96%. So, I guess my question is is like why are we
[3:15:11] then looking to get rid of the remediation if our kids are scoring that low, right?
[3:15:16] And we agree that the benchmark data would be beneficial um information. Um, it's not a problem if the board chooses
[3:15:26] not to remove the course. The course could still be offered or if as a district we decide to only have students take Keystone once after algebra 1 in
[3:15:34] 8th grade or 9th grade for some students. Um, and no more than that, we can move forward in that way, too. She was just coming up with a situation
[3:15:42] where our incoming nth grade students are not overwhelmed by having to double up on math courses their freshman year.
[3:15:56] Um, for social studies, specifically AP government, um, we've historically had issues with course requirements in that
[3:16:04] department due to the sentence that the department chose to include, which states, "All students must take one
[3:16:11] course from each of the following areas throughout their uh, high school career.
[3:16:16] government, American government, or I'm sorry, American history 20th century, world history. Therefore, we had students go from honor civics, then to
[3:16:24] AP gov, then to world, and would skip American history and not fulfill the stipulation in the department's requirements. We tried to provide
[3:16:31] students with we tried to provide students the option within each grade level to take the courses that would fulfill the requirement.
[3:16:39] Um, so why can't they take AP gov if they've already taken? It's just based
[3:16:46] on the wording that was written in the program studies.
[3:16:52] Okay. Um, is there any reason why we have year-long like I don't understand why our kids are being so pigeonholed
[3:17:00] into like what they take like there's state requirements but then like why are we making them
[3:17:07] take this this year this that year world cultures like when there's so many other elective you just need four credits of
[3:17:15] social studies so why are we making it such a lineage program
[3:17:22] I mean at AP Psych used to be offered a freshman year and now it's not available till senior year, right? Which I don't
[3:17:31] that's the state doesn't require that and I just don't understand why there's more free flow especially depending on career paths because we don't have any career paths in our program of studies.
[3:17:43] Yeah, you know, I think it's a good question. Um I I think it it kind of speaks to a sort of a bigger philosophical question in terms of what
[3:17:51] direction we want to go in. You know the kind of what I'm going to call the more traditional of you know it's not just take four maths it has to be you know
[3:17:59] algebra 1 geometry algebra 2 and then something above or do we say four Englishes or do we say American lit British lit world lit you know what I
[3:18:06] mean? So I think it's it's it's kind of that discussion of you know do we want to be you know kind of I don't know more
[3:18:14] I have to say prescriptive but do we want to have a structure to where students get exposure to different kinds of literature and English different
[3:18:22] kinds of social history and social studies or do we want to keep it so open to just say four social studies and if they love civics and want to take four
[3:18:31] civics classes they take four civ if we have four yes you know electives I you know I don't know that that's necessarily a I mean it does tie to the
[3:18:39] program of studies but I think it's probably a kind of a bigger you know kind of philosophical I just I'm curious because math is more fluid
[3:18:48] you know like you're required to take algebra but like there's no thing that says like sophomore year you have to take geometry like and that's part of
[3:18:56] the reason why we're lowering the math correct is so that there's more opportunity to take those different types of classes up here at the high school I really just like I I'm I'm
[3:19:05] struggling ling like with this because why are we making kids care like take world cultures if they're not interested in it but now they're forced to take it
[3:19:14] just because we're saying so right I don't know I just I've looked at a lot of different programs of studies um because I'm trying to field these questions with parents who are like my
[3:19:22] kid didn't want to take an AP class his freshman year because he was playing soccer and had all these other things and just wanted him to transition to high school but now if that's only a nth
[3:19:30] grade requirement he's totally missed out on that AP experience as well as the possible college credits by taking that AP test. I just don't feel that's fair.
[3:19:39] I I think you have to be careful as to how many additional spots in the matrix of scheduling you put in there. By opening it up to kids in four grade levels, I
[3:19:48] think it makes the scheduling maybe more difficult.
[3:19:51] No, I I I have to say I respectfully disagree with that. Fully making a high school schedule. Okay.
[3:19:57] Like if it's b it should be based off of what the kids want to take when they want to take it. if I remember correctly, and excuse me if I'm wrong, but like your schedule's pretty set.
[3:20:06] Everyone teaches the same courses at the same time year after year, that it's kind of just that blanket. This is how
[3:20:12] we work. It's I have never, how can I say this? I I just feel like we should be more accommodating to our
[3:20:20] students depending on what they want to take as opposed to telling them when they need to take it.
[3:20:28] I I respectfully disagree. I don't think that's how life works. That's how it works at Holi. If a kid's interested in taking US history their junior year,
[3:20:36] they get to do it. History of the Holocaust senior year, go for it.
[3:20:41] I I don't know. I think I think in in requiring kids to take certain courses, you're you're they may not want to take it, but it it adds to their character and it's an additional facet.
[3:20:50] So then how do you explain if a student is not interested in it and it's going to lower their GPA?
[3:20:59] Again, if you have a job and you can't just work at the tasks you like to do. You have to do all of them.
[3:21:07] But you're principal and you don't like scheduling, you don't get to not do it.
[3:21:10] You have to do all the stuff you don't like to do just because you need.
[3:21:14] No, I'm that's not what I'm saying. But what I'm saying is is like if we're having our kids be ready for postsecary, they should be able to take things that
[3:21:22] interest them that are aligned in their career path. If world cultures is not aligned in a career path, I don't really feel like we need to make that mandatory.
[3:21:29] Listen, I'm an environmental engineer and I had to take electrical engineering classes for the first two years of college and I didn't want to take them, but I had to because that's the way life works.
[3:21:39] So then you're taking me to my other point and the fact that like we don't offer enough dual enrollment because you're talking about college that
[3:21:46] the state does not stipulate that you have to take these social studies courses in this way to graduate, right? that that may be the case. We
[3:21:55] don't offer enough out of school study, but I'm saying you can't have the tail wagging the dog.
[3:22:06] You know, we have a set curriculum. We know what the kids have to achieve. And I still think I mean you have experience
[3:22:13] with the scheduling but I don't understand how you can open 30 classroom spots to 600 kids and make it work as a
[3:22:22] schedule rather than open those 30 spots to 200 kids.
[3:22:29] Well then I think we need to sit down and take a look and I'll teach you how to build a schedule.
[3:22:33] That that that would be fine. That would be fine. I I think these are actually it's it's a very good discussion to have and I think is it something that we
[3:22:41] could look at I I don't know if we'd be able to look at something to make those kind of changes for this year or not um
[3:22:48] how far we are in the process but is this something that we can explore and look at I mean I would like to like I understand
[3:22:56] like course selection has to happen right um but if it's something that we can look at to explore more for looking at for
[3:23:04] next year's I would love that. Okay.
[3:23:08] And if you could just make a note. Um, so my daughter is going through scheduling right now and she said that there are no um honors history classes
[3:23:18] that she can take. She's taking honors, you know, her three years of high school so far, but for next year she won't have an honors class that she can take. So, she's going to be an academic instead.
[3:23:29] Um, so if we can figure out why our seniors don't have an option to take an honors class, I'd appreciate that.
[3:23:36] Yeah, I made I made a note of that. Thank you.
[3:23:39] You did have a question on dual enrollment. Um, we can reach out and that's absolutely something that we want to explore. Um, but that would also
[3:23:48] require an approved with the district and the university. Um and it would also have our teachers need to meet the
[3:23:55] requirements to be the dual enrolled instructor through those universities.
[3:23:59] Yeah, just one thing that we want to explore.
[3:24:02] We only have like two maybe three and I mean Delv Val and Sunny is total agriculture but when you have like six out of the 10 agricultures being dual
[3:24:10] enrollment and not having that level it's I just I want to make it an even playing field and I I mean we're not done doing
[3:24:19] anything with Albbright. We're not doing anything with Alveria. We're not doing anything with St. Clouds. We're not doing any project lead the way.
[3:24:25] Like I just feel like there's a lot of potential here and that I would love to like look into it, dive into it and give our kids the best possible outcome.
[3:24:34] Absolutely.
[3:24:38] Thank you. Is this something that we can add to discussions coming up in curriculum then in the upcoming months?
[3:24:45] I mean, right now we're focusing on what the survey results and getting that straightened away, but I mean, it's
[3:24:53] definitely something that we should be looking at. I did have that on my list for Dr.
[3:24:57] Wyinners, but I took it off because we were going to have this discussion tonight. So, I would put that back on
[3:25:05] the agenda for the course of studies for Yeah.
[3:25:09] And Miss Godfring, I don't believe you were here last year yet. Um but there were similar issues with math last year
[3:25:18] that we had um like vot kids that couldn't take the higher maths that they wanted to take because they were going to be at VOTE that they weren't offered
[3:25:27] um so that they you know could be accommodated. So this, you know, this time I'm hearing about history because it came from my daughter, but last year
[3:25:35] there were, you know, several uh students that I know that couldn't take the math that they wanted to take. And you know, they're going into the medical
[3:25:44] field and they need these higher maths and they weren't able to take them. So um I I believe and you may be able to
[3:25:51] cooperate, uh one student, their family had to pay to, you know, get that class taken at Rack. um so that they could get
[3:26:01] that math that they needed. Um we shouldn't be having our students have to go elsewhere to get the education that
[3:26:07] they need. Um so, okay. Are there is there any other
[3:26:17] questions about 7.1 the high school program with the stipulation that it is something that
[3:26:26] we're going to further investigate and discuss? Uh, and Kelly, your point is well taken too with the math.
[3:26:36] Okay, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed.
[3:26:42] Motion carries. 8 Z. Okay. I'm going to combine 6.2 through I'm sorry, 7.2 through 7.5.
[3:26:51] The ECLA refill agreement for grade five science second semester. the proposal of the ML drawings, the IT tech I edtech
[3:27:00] membership and the Zoom education annual license. May I have a motion, please? So moved, Rossy.
[3:27:08] Second. Thank you.
[3:27:10] Are there any questions or comments on those items?
[3:27:16] Now, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I.
[3:27:20] Opposed? Motion carries. 80 um 7.6. Is there any other old or new business for curriculum?
[3:27:32] Not just a reminder that the workshop meeting will be uh on Thursday, February 5th.
[3:27:39] Okay. Moving on to budget and finance.
[3:27:44] Okay. 8.1 the approval ratification of the payment of bills in the following
[3:27:52] amounts from November 10th 2025 to January 27th 2026 as presented. May I have a motion please?
[3:28:02] So move Brown a second. Stanky. Any questions or comments?
[3:28:11] Not I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I I opposed. Motion carries. 80.
[3:28:19] We have 8.2 and 8.3 are both donations.
[3:28:24] Donations from the veterans of foreign wars foreign wars for middle school national junior honor society and the Iron Valley Real Estate TV donation for
[3:28:32] the athletic department displays. May I have a motion, please? So move Lash. Second. Second. Amarill.
[3:28:40] Any additional questions or comments?
[3:28:45] just like to thank both of those groups for those donations. It's very generous. Yes. All those in favor say I.
[3:28:54] I. Opposed. Motion carries. 80.
[3:28:57] 8.4 Four approves the exoneration of the school district tax collectors from collecting unpaid 202526 real estate tax
[3:29:07] taxes build on July 1st, 2025 which are delinquent after December 30th, 2025 and the board approved submitting the tax to
[3:29:14] the Burks County Tax Claim Bureau for collections. There are 139 bills toting $340,60.37.
[3:29:25] I have a motion, please.
[3:29:28] So move down second brown.
[3:29:32] There any additional questions or comments? Not all those in favor say I. I. Opposed.
[3:29:40] Motion carries. 8 Z.
[3:29:43] 8.5. The interim tax claim bills approves the school district tax collectors from collecting unpaid interim taxed real estate taxes which
[3:29:50] are delinquent after December 31st, 2025. and the board approved submitting the taxes to the Burks County Tax Plane Bureau for collections. There are 47 bills totaling 23,9728.
[3:30:03] May I have a motion, please? So movey. Second. Matthews.
[3:30:10] Any questions or comments? Not all those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion carries. 80.
[3:30:20] approves the 202526 IDA part B subcontract agreement with the BCIU and accepts funds in the amount of $442,840.96.
[3:30:31] This agreement is contingent on PD's approval of services as outlined in the agreement through the BCIU's application
[3:30:38] for IDA 611B funding. May I have a motion, please? So move around.
[3:30:46] Second. Matthews. Any questions or comments?
[3:30:53] If not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I.
[3:30:58] Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z 8.8 The um
[3:31:06] October December budget transfers approves the budgetary transfers as presented. May I have a motion, please?
[3:31:18] So move we in second.
[3:31:22] Second. Amar questions or comments? Not. All those in favor say I. I.
[3:31:29] Opposed.
[3:31:32] Motion carries. 8 Z. The 8.9 the tax collector agreement approves a tax collection agreement for tax collectors elected in November 2025.
[3:31:44] and each tax collector elected or appointed thereafter for a 4-year term effective January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2029. May I have a motion, please?
[3:31:55] So move we second. Any questions or comments?
[3:32:03] Not all those in favor say I.
[3:32:05] I opposed. Motion carries. 800 8.10 10 Butler Agnu and Associates
[3:32:12] Consulting Services Agreement approves the Butler Agnu Agnu and Associates Consulting Services Agreement as presented. May I have a motion, please?
[3:32:21] So move Lash. Second.
[3:32:25] We questions or comments? Not all those in favor say I. I.
[3:32:33] Opposed.
[3:32:34] Motion carries. 8 Z. Is there any other old or new business uh for budget and finance?
[3:32:43] Uh just one item. Carl, did we get 86 and 87?
[3:32:46] Do we get Have we missed one?
[3:32:54] 86 and 8. I wrote We did. Okay. 8.7.
[3:33:02] You know what? Eight. Um I read that one amount. Okay. 87.
[3:33:08] Yeah, I think that might be the one that Okay. Approves the BCIU joint purchasing bid for copy paper in the amount 11,82506
[3:33:17] for the period of January 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2026. May I have a motion, please? So move Brown.
[3:33:25] Second. Second. Amal.
[3:33:27] All those in fa Oh, any questions or comments? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z.
[3:33:37] Okay, now do I have them all?
[3:33:42] Okay, moving on to buildings and grounds.
[3:33:48] Okay, we have two items. Uh 9.1, the Berkshire mechanical quotes and the RJ
[3:33:57] Macarville Associated Ltd 9.1 and 9.2.
[3:34:02] May I have a motion for those two? So moved, Rossy. Second, Amalo.
[3:34:09] Any questions or comments?
[3:34:14] Um, if not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I.
[3:34:19] Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z. That'll be good because every game at the middle school, just keep hearing how that
[3:34:27] basketball thing is down and you can't see when you sit in that area. Um Al, do we have any Do you have anything additional that you would like to report on?
[3:34:37] Oh, the addend. Oh, I have an addend. Yeah, there's a Den.
[3:34:41] Oh, it is not. Yeah. Okay, that is I still have the original one. So, let me this.
[3:34:57] Okay, there's an addendum 9.3 the middle school kitchen makeup air
[3:35:05] units. The committee is requested to consider the quote from Bergkshire mechanical to repair MS KVU1
[3:35:14] the green check MAU outdoor unit above the middle school kitchen. May I have a motion please?
[3:35:23] Second last. Okay. Is there anything to add on that? So, this is an addendum item.
[3:35:33] Yeah, we had somebody to come out because we, you know, we weren't getting the the heat that we needed in the kitchen at the middle school and um when
[3:35:41] they came out, they determined that that unit needs a new blower motor, motor starter, inlet air actuator, and the
[3:35:49] belt tension needs to be set. And so, this quote just allows Bergkshire. Sorry about that.
[3:35:56] And this uh quote just allows Bergkshire Mechanical to come out and replace those parts and get that unit running as it's supposed to so that we have the right
[3:36:04] temperature control in the kitchen at the middle school.
[3:36:12] Another question. Al, do you have anything to add for the other older new business?
[3:36:16] Yeah. Um, I just thought, uh, I've noticed a lot of the municipalities are going around and tidying up their snow removal after the big storm. Now that
[3:36:24] we've got some sunny days, uh, we might want to also tidy up our parking lots to get ready for the next one. Areas where we didn't quite get to the curb where we
[3:36:32] might still have some patches just so we're prepared for the next one.
[3:36:38] I actually need Well, we have a motion in a second, so we'll have to go for it for 9.3. All those in favor say I.
[3:36:45] I. I opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z. Okay. So, I'm going to have to work off two papers
[3:36:53] since I do not have the addendums on the one that I marked up. Okay. Moving on to student services and activities.
[3:37:02] There is another Okay. Okay.
[3:37:11] There's an 10.5 10.6 They're all addendums. Okay.
[3:37:20] Bless you. Okay. Well, um 10.1 the SVES visiting author.
[3:37:30] May I have a motion, please? So, move. Second, Rossy.
[3:37:37] Any questions or comments?
[3:37:40] None. I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I I opposed. Motion carries. 80
[3:37:49] 10.2 the BCIU 202526 agreement special education services and early intervention.
[3:37:59] May I have a motion please?
[3:38:02] So second lash. Questions or comments?
[3:38:08] Not I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. opposed. Motion carries
[3:38:14] 80. Okay. 10.3. The ES program host site agreement with helping harvest.
[3:38:21] This is in order to continue participation in the weekend program. So move stanky. Second. Amarrell.
[3:38:29] Any questions or comments?
[3:38:32] Just a comment. I've actually helped with that program before. If any of you have the chance to volunteer to help pack the backpacks, um it's a really
[3:38:39] great project. Um, and it was really eyeopening to see how many kids at our school participate in the program. Um, so please help out the helping harvest.
[3:38:49] It's a really great thing.
[3:38:53] Any other questions or comments? If not, all those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed.
[3:39:01] Motion carries. 80. Okay. 10.4. Bus transportation for cheerleading states.
[3:39:10] May I have a motion, please? So move. Second. Thank you. Any questions or comments?
[3:39:18] Not. All those in favor say I. I.
[3:39:21] Opposed. Motion carries. 80. So now we have some addendums. The Hulcom behavior
[3:39:29] health systems two-year agreement. Board is requested to consider and approve the Hulcom Behavioral Health Systems Standard 2-year agreement with Skook
[3:39:37] Valley School District. May I have a motion please?
[3:39:39] So move Brown second.
[3:39:45] Second we Any questions or comments?
[3:39:50] How often are we utilizing Hulcom during the school year?
[3:40:00] So we do not utilize them intentionally.
[3:40:03] This is for when students are hospitalized or offsite due to a medical concern. This is our standard agreement
[3:40:10] with them that they can receive educational services while they're there.
[3:40:18] Do we have a lot of kids who do that? I don't have that information.
[3:40:26] I can get it for you. I just don't have it. Sorry.
[3:40:29] I'm just curious like do we have the same thing with like kids piece and stuff? Yes. Okay.
[3:40:34] Yeah. This is a standard agreement for any any time a student is hospitalized and needs to have instruction done because they're staying there. We sign
[3:40:42] an agreement with them to provide those educational services. We typically provide the curriculum for them and then they do the instruction.
[3:40:49] Is there a reason why we haven't utilized Hulkcom in the past? No, I believe we have. We have just not recently. Yeah. Okay.
[3:40:56] Yeah. Matt, is this like Tower Health and the one in Lancaster? Is this the same kind of thing? It's sim sorry similar. Yes.
[3:41:04] Okay. Thank you. No, I we just can't hear the questions.
[3:41:12] So I answer any other questions or comments?
[3:41:26] If not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z. 10.6.
[3:41:35] The 2026 Ski Club Vermont trip. The board is requested to consider and approve the 2026 Ski Club Vermont trip.
[3:41:44] May I have a motion, please? So move. Second. Thank you. Questions or comments?
[3:41:53] Just just a comment. Um, Mrs. Wuian had asked me a question about the behavioral expectations page that is
[3:42:02] in um the the ski trip. In doing some research, what I did learn is that a lot
[3:42:09] of our groups that take overnight trips, they they all have a slightly different behavioral contract that they use. The
[3:42:17] band uses one for Disney. Ski trip uses one. When the world languages go to Europe, they have one. So it did bring
[3:42:25] up the need and in conversation with Mrs. Rex Road to work with the principles to have a standardized form to use for any overnight field trip. So
[3:42:34] everyone has one, but they are all slightly different.
[3:42:41] Any other questions? If not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed?
[3:42:48] Motion carries. 80 10.7 The 2026 finalized prom venue contract
[3:42:57] board is requested to consider and approve the finalized contract for the 2026 prom. May I have a motion please?
[3:43:05] So move stanky a second. Second Amarell. Questions or comments?
[3:43:12] I just would like to thank the adviserss for looking into this and um coming up with this as the destination for the
[3:43:20] prom this year um try it out and at the end of their prom then we can find out whether they liked it better than the
[3:43:28] last venue or not. So I thank the adviserss and I would just add as well um some of
[3:43:36] you may recall earlier in the year the board approved this venue and at the time the adviserss had not had a chance
[3:43:43] to meet with the student council students yet to talk about you know how did they want to handle or derve some of the other pieces that has happened which
[3:43:52] is why this is on again and needs approval now that the student council with the adviserss has finalized it. Um, we also discussed earlier in the year
[3:44:00] that um, you know, one of the concerns Mrs. Camoff had expressed was that if we switched venues, would it cause the cost of tickets for prom to go up? And the
[3:44:09] board had said that evening that, you know, if there were increased costs for the location that the district would, you know, help defay some of those
[3:44:17] costs. And so I did let Mrs. creator know that you know if there are additional funds that are needed just to pay for the rental of the warehouse to
[3:44:27] let us know in district office and we would help with that so that the ticket cost for kids doesn't have to be increasing
[3:44:35] any other questions or comments if not all those in favor say I
[3:44:41] opposed motion carries 8 uh there's additional two addendums 10.8 8 and 10.9 that will combined.
[3:44:52] Um, this is for the design lighting contract for the 2026 POV musical in the
[3:44:58] amount of 6,200 and the contract for sound for the
[3:45:05] second annual middle school musical in the amount of $6,750.
[3:45:13] I'm not even sure how to say the company's name or or ree USA maybe reus I'm not sure but see the the name in front of you there.
[3:45:23] So may I have a motion please?
[3:45:27] So moved amal second any questions or comments? Is this the
[3:45:35] company that did the provided the uh lights and sound last year?
[3:45:41] I'm not Is it okay? Yes, I see people nodding their heads. Yes, it is.
[3:45:47] Any other questions? Not. I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I.
[3:45:53] Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z.
[3:45:58] Okay, I think that is that will be addendums. I'll go back to my original papers here. Um, is there any other old or new business?
[3:46:09] I do have something.
[3:46:12] Every year the uh IU has a student art um show and our contributor to the art
[3:46:23] showcase this year was Madison San Juan.
[3:46:28] Um she has a picture of the front of the building with a a senior. I believe it's her and I think a little sister running
[3:46:36] tour and it's called together we will shine and the board members each get a a
[3:46:45] framed student a copy of their student thing and then the superintendent which I gave to Dr. or Dr. winners last month,
[3:46:54] but these hang um in the boardroom. So, every year when this is they change the things. So, I say congratulations to
[3:47:03] Madison and um thank you for having I think Mrs. Halman does this
[3:47:10] through her class. She does this. So, that's all.
[3:47:17] Is there anything else for older new business? Kelly I just want to say congratulations to our divers. Um Charlotte Swenderman
[3:47:25] placed first in this weekend's past uh championship. She actually received a perfect 10. Um Carly Krills placed third
[3:47:33] and Christian Hedrickk placed fifth. Um and that our swim team is actually headed to championships this weekend at Wilson. And uh it's National School
[3:47:41] Counselors Week. So love your school counselors.
[3:47:50] Oh my I I don't know. This is when the This was at my place.
[3:47:58] Okay. Okay. Yes.
[3:48:07] I I think well some of the confusion is like what I had was what we were going to use on Wednesday and now things have come forward since we moved the the meeting to Monday.
[3:48:18] Come on guys, we're so close. We're so close guys.
[3:48:20] So close. So close. Um I'd actually also like to mention there there was a Reading Eagle article about an Oliver
[3:48:28] Mesner who's a senior here at Skook Valley. He earned every merit badge of Boy Scouts. So 142 badges which only
[3:48:36] apparently 100 644 people have ever done that. So that was just a u article that
[3:48:42] was in the paper. So moving on to 11.0 other business go to the order. Does anybody have anything?
[3:48:52] If not I'll entertain a motion.
[3:48:54] So moved Rossy second.
[3:48:57] Oh you're right on that. Everyone will jump on quick. Second Amarel. Okay. And just a reminder, I'm sorry.
[3:49:03] And and just a reminder, board members, we're doing the board photo out there at the mosaic with Miss Manzer right here at the end of the meeting.
```

## Live captions (copied September 20, 2026): 2026-04-06_zM12g571i9s.txt

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[2:49] School Valley Schoolboard meeting.
[2:51] Please rise for the pledge to the flag to the flag of the United States of
[2:58] America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
[3:12] May we have roll call, please?
[3:15] Mr. Emerald here.
[3:17] Mr. Brown here. Mrs. Lash.
[3:20] Mrs. Matthews here.
[3:22] Mr. Mole here.
[3:23] Mr. Rossy here.
[3:25] Mrs. Steini here. Mrs. Weant here. Mr. Weant here. Okay. Announcement of executive session.
[3:33] The board met in executive session on March 23rd following the board meeting for personnel, legal, and safety matters
[3:40] and on March 26th prior to the budget workshop information session for personnel items and student matters.
[3:48] Moving on to 2.0 presentations.
[3:52] Um, first of all, I I would like to point out that uh we need to do a better job communicating especially like
[4:00] special meetings like this and we will discuss better practices that we can use at tomorrow night's meeting at policy
[4:08] personnel and public relations. So, first we're going to have a presentation by Dr. Winters and then after that we're
[4:15] going to have a report by Al on the background of the project, how it came to be and the meetings that we've had up
[4:23] until this point. Then any questions or clarifications from the board members will discuss and then we'll do the hearing of visitors and then we'll have
[4:32] the board vote and any other discussion at 5.0 buildings and grounds. So I'll turn it over to Dr. Winters.
[4:42] Thank you, Mrs. Want. Wanted to take a few moments and go through some background information regarding the fieldhouse project. Um, as well as just
[4:51] some information for the public and those listening um, as we prepare for the motions that are on this evening.
[4:56] What you'll see on this slide here are two photos. Um, the picture to the left is a building floor plan. Um, the space
[5:05] in green is your turf building. The space in purple is your multi-purpose building. And then of course surrounding
[5:12] it, you've got the weight room, you have a trainer room, you have team rooms, a concession area, and restrooms as well.
[5:19] The photo on the right is a site plan so that you can see in relation to the stadium and the track where the building
[5:28] itself, if approved, would go. And that's the area that is outlined in yellow on the picture.
[5:36] You also see on this slide just some renderings that Shraider Group had provided for the district um in terms of
[5:43] some exterior shots of the building from a couple of different angles, you know, of of a rendering and a model of what
[5:51] the final finished product could look like.
[5:56] So the first motion that is on the agenda under 5.0 tonight is regarding the project itself and the options that
[6:03] are out there. And there essentially are three options that the board will be considering this evening. The first option is a multi-purpose building plus
[6:11] a turf building. And so it within that option essentially you've got the multi-purpose building that's inclusive of the three-lane track as well as the
[6:19] weight room, the trainers room, the concession stand, the team rooms, storage, plus the turf building. Option two would be the multi-purpose building
[6:28] only, which is all of those same items that are inclusive in the multi-purpose building, but no turf building. And then option three would be to not move forward with the project at all.
[6:40] [clears throat] The slide that I have up here right now is a slide that for those of you that attended the Act 34 hearing or were listening to that meeting um via
[6:49] live stream, just I think it's important to note Oops.
[6:54] Mike, did I lose my
[7:13] There we go. Thank you, Mike.
[7:16] [clears throat]
[7:17] Prior to the project going out to bid, the total pro the total project cost with financing that the board had to
[7:25] consider was a total project just under 25 million. And so that's an important number to keep in mind as we move through the remaining slides and and and
[7:34] start talking about where some of the bids came in.
[7:39] So over the next several slides, I just want to talk a little bit about the phase two um different bids, general
[7:47] construction, mechanical construction, plumbing construction, and electrical construction, and where those bids came
[7:54] in. And for the general construction bid, um the low bidder came in, which is
[8:01] ECI construction. That's a base bid of 10,797,000.
[8:07] And then you can see the f the five different alternates, six I'm sorry, six different alternates that are listed
[8:14] there. Um, one would be a removal of the turf building, which would be a deduct of just over 2.7 million. Um, that's
[8:21] significantly lower than what was anticipated um at the beginning of the project. um alternate 2A and 2B. Uh PEMB
[8:29] is pre-engineered uh metal building. Um and that's insulation liner for the gym
[8:36] and the turf um in 2A and 2B. Those would be additional costs for that versus a metal panel insulation for the
[8:46] gym and the turf. So there are options either way. Um the metal option is about double uh the cost of the um liner
[8:54] option. And then al alternate four is the temporary fence screening of just under $5,000. So you have a base bid of 10,797.
[9:04] If you went with alternates 2A, 2B, and 4, it's 10,910,900.
[9:11] And then alternates 3A, 3B, and 4 would be 11,4,600.
[9:17] So, um, those, uh, that that's the information that'll be before the board in one of the motions on this evening's agenda as well. In terms of mechanical
[9:26] construction, and that bid, the low bidder was Leeold Incorporated. Um, and that's base bid only. Um, $1,35,000.
[9:36] Um, you can see what the alternates are there. Um, regarding REM removal of the turf building, that would be a 25
[9:44] $257,000 deduct. and then some HVAC controls items and fabric duct system items as well.
[9:54] As far as plumbing, the plumbing construction bid, Lee Bold was also the low bidder for that as well at a total cost of $860,000.
[10:04] The removal of the turf building on the plumbing side for them would be $36,400.
[10:11] And then electrical, Hernison Electric was the low bidder at $1,765,000.
[10:17] The removal of the turf building um would be $240,000 um on that one.
[10:26] So all of that when looking at them together, um Fidavia was able to put together this cost comparison for us and
[10:35] I apologize. I know it's a little bit difficult to see. Um, but you're basically looking at, you know, a total
[10:43] project cost in the third column, which would be your 3A, 3B, and four of just
[10:49] over 18.6 million. And that was why I spent a couple minutes talking about what at the ACT 34 hearing that total
[10:57] number was. When when bids came back, bids came back significantly lower than what was potentially anticipated for the
[11:05] project when it went out to bid. even with base bid only, you're looking at just over $18 million if that is the direction that the board chooses to go.
[11:16] And then with the remaining slides here, um you have the different financing options um as presented by Raymond James
[11:23] to the district. And basically what these financing options look at is whether the board wants to um use
[11:31] district funds to put with or whether they want to finance the entire thing.
[11:36] So, one option would be to put $6 million with, you know, the project and then we'd be financing just over $12.5
[11:45] million if we put $6 million with. And that was a consideration, as you may recall, at the time of the act 34 hearing as well.
[11:53] This Oops. What' I do? Thank you, Eric.
[12:03] There we go. the Yeah, that's two. Can you go to the next number two? Thank you. Um, option number two would be
[12:10] putting $3 million of district funds with it, which would be financing 15.5
[12:17] million basically. And then your third option would be not putting any district funds with it, financing the entire
[12:26] project, which would be about $18.6 million. In each of those options, it does um extend the debt run rate a
[12:35] little bit, but all three of those options are within the existing parameters resolution that the board has already approved. So, no matter which of
[12:44] those three options the board elects to choose, if the project has approved, they're all within existing parameters. That concludes my report.
[12:53] Okay. Thank you. Um I'm going to have Al speak on this bit. Um Al is the buildings and chairman uh buildings and
[13:01] grounds chairman and he's been involved in this project from the beginning. A majority of us are basically only came
[13:09] on the board while after this was underway. So Al will be able to give the background information of why the
[13:16] project started and um the meetings that led up to this.
[13:21] Um, I joined the board in 2017, excuse me. And shortly after I joined is
[13:29] when we completed the original stadium and there had been talk at that time of building a fieldhouse and plans put together. Uh, and we never were able to
[13:37] kind of make it happen. Um, so this thing has been kicking around for at least a decade or more. Um, I know with
[13:45] my children coming through youth sports and their peers, I know we are crunched for space uh both with uh our athletes,
[13:52] our student athletes and with our youth athletes uh trying to compete for space to get practices in. I know I've sat with a second grader for basketball
[14:00] practice at 9:00 at night and that's just not great. Um, so the sense of the project was that we needed to get more
[14:07] space um both for uh indoor sports and then for some of our field sports. Um, so we were looking at the turf building
[14:15] area. That'll allow a lot of our field sports to come in. It'll give us, um, a little bit of relief on the stadium turf. Uh, that's probably getting
[14:22] overused at this point. Uh, because every team competes for space in there, uh, even just for practice. Um, so
[14:29] that's kind of where we came from. Um, we we didn't have any idea what it was going to cost until we went into the
[14:36] design fullon. Um, so we we fully dove in, did all did all the work, all the
[14:43] design work, all the geotech work in the on the site, tried to figure out how best to lay out the campus. Um, I think Dan and Frank uh were were with us for
[14:52] most of that journey. Um, [clears throat] and a few others came on later. Um, and so now we had a full design. Uh, the bids came in great. Uh,
[15:01] I mean, we're a full $5 million less than we were projecting, which is fantastic. Um, so now the decision we
[15:08] need to make is is whether or not we can afford the debt service based on what we're estimating our our bond to come in
[15:15] for. Um, you know, this is going to fix a lot of problems for us currently. I don't know if anybody here has uh
[15:22] volunteered in the the snack bar at a at a football game, but that's chaos. And, you know, it's like Christmas vacation at the electrical outlets there. I mean,
[15:31] it's it's you know, 50 plugs in one receptacle. you know, everybody's bringing in crockpots and, you know, I got a kid on a bicycle, you know, pumping a generator trying to get that
[15:39] thing to fire up. But, yeah, [snorts] it's just it's just really difficult in that corner. And we have this beautiful
[15:46] stadium. And then we have a shack and sheds laying around for for storage and equipment and our kids are in and out of sheds. And, you know, this is going to
[15:54] give us space. It's going to give us proper training equipment for for some of our athletes. Um, I'm tuned in pretty
[16:02] well with a lot of the juniors at this point because where my kids are and I am stunned by the amounts of scholarships
[16:09] that our junior athletes are are looking at. Um, we've got kids that are getting full rides,
[16:16] 70,000 [clears throat] plus in tuition um because they are able to um, you know, leverage their athletic ability to go and get an education and get it paid
[16:25] for. Um, you know, I I like to think of our district as looking at the whole student Um and I think that this is part of the whole student uh you know we have
[16:33] 50% of our student population participates in athletics at the high school and middle school levels. Uh the
[16:41] youth uh population that participates in sports and and intramural athletics is even higher. Um you know and and so this
[16:49] is this is going to touch a huge part of our student population. Um, and so that's kind of the background on why we
[16:56] got to where we are and why we took such a serious look at it and that's where we are now.
[17:01] Al, could you um give us an idea of how many meetings that you had up especially with like the outside organiz Well, I
[17:08] met with the outside organizations. The I've had pre-calculus classes and and I can't count that [laughter] just the the input the the the like the
[17:17] youth groups and our athletic teams have had in this process. It's probably closing in on 50
[17:25] or 100 meetings. Um, all told, uh, we had a lot of meetings, uh, excuse me, prior to COVID [clears throat]
[17:34] with, uh, some of the former board members. Uh, we were trying to make a push then. Uh, but that's when we realized we needed to take up our
[17:41] buildings first. Um, so, uh, at that goround, we looked at, we did studies to, uh, see how our building sizes were
[17:49] based on classrooms, based on our population coming through, our student population coming through. um what we were going to need in the way of
[17:58] expansion and buildings, um what kind of science labs we needed improved, what kind of roofs we needed, HVAC systems.
[18:05] Um and so at that point, we sheld it again and we decided to go into uh redoing a lot of the roofs on the buildings and HVAC systems. We took out
[18:14] a $25 million bond at that point. Um and and we're most of the way through that and improvements on our campus. You
[18:21] know, we redid the pool, we redid the stage. Um, we're moving, we're currently moving the softball field from the middle school to a better spot over here
[18:29] near the high school. Uh, we made improvements on both the baseball and softball fields for the varsity players.
[18:36] Um, so we we feel like we got a lot of stuff under our belts. We don't have a lot of big big problems staring us uh, you know, staring at us coming up here
[18:44] in a couple years. And so this is a bit of a a bit of a smooth spot for us. We hope. Um, as it is now, most of the
[18:52] financing that we're looking at kind of uh it it's looking at maybe a 15 year 15 to 17 year term, I think, which is good
[19:01] because our HVAC systems and roofs will typically have a 15-year life cycle, um, before you have a, you know, big
[19:09] problems that are going to require massive undertaking to to improve. So, [clears throat] we should be mostly out of the woods by the time we're done paying this off and ready for the next
[19:18] thing that comes down the pike. Um, you know, when we did the roofs and the HVAC for especially the elementary school, we
[19:25] went with independent units so that we can do smaller replacements if we need to. We don't have to do the full system, the full building. We can do a peace meal, which is going to be easier to to
[19:34] take. Um, we won't have to look for large amounts of financing to do the projects. We can just repair as we go.
[19:41] Um, we've got maintenance contracts in place now that should help us maintain our equipment longer so we get that maximum life cycle out of it. So, you
[19:49] know, all those kinds of meetings went into the hope that maybe we could be sitting here today looking at the potential for a fieldhouse and feeling
[19:58] like we actually have a chance to take this and move this forward and uh give our our campus a little little bump up in the right direction.
[20:07] Okay. Thank you. Um, is there anyone else on the board like to begin the discussion about uh any questions or
[20:15] clarifications from the report either that Dr. Winters did or additional questions for Al?
[20:23] I do have a question and I'm not sure who would have the answer to this. Um, but the difference between the um
[20:30] insulation liner and the metal panel like what what does that look like? Does anybody have I don't think we have anybody from the design.
[20:38] Harry, could you speak to that? Oh, I He was hiding behind the podium.
[20:41] Okay. [laughter] I couldn't see you over there.
[20:46] That's okay. Sorry. Um Okay. So, the Have Have you ever been you've been in a pre-engineered building?
[20:55] Yeah, I I actually have a pole building. Yes.
[20:57] Okay. So, so the base project is metal panel outside with the insulation, I'll
[21:06] call them bags on the inside. That's base project. Alternate
[21:11] two and 2 A 2B are that same setup with
[21:17] a rigid panel installed on the inside covering that insulation bag.
[21:25] Okay. So we would not have that in the base bid. There would it would just you would see the insulation. You would see the vinyl insulation.
[21:35] Gotcha. Material.
[21:38] [clears throat] 3A and 3B is a full insulated exterior panel. So, it's
[21:47] basically a sandwich panel that would go on the outside of that structural frame of the pre-engineered metal building.
[21:57] Okay?
[21:57] So, it'll be metal insulation. It's basically like a composite almost a composite wall is so there were we gave you three different scenarios.
[22:08] And do we have any energy efficiency? It it would give you all the same each each option is the same.
[22:16] Each option is the same R value of the building [clears throat] from the base to the other two it's really aesthetics. Correct.
[22:23] And from two to three it's preference. It's preference. Okay. So nothing would be different.
[22:31] Harry would that also if you go to metal would that also maybe protect it be some less damage from straight? it will protect it, but I will
[22:40] say that the the metal panel on the inside, I mean, aesthetically over time, you you're going to see, you know, I Dan
[22:49] and I were talking about earlier, especially a lacrosse ball throwing on it opposed to the the the bag the the
[22:58] vinyl has a little more play in it that it's a little more flexible. So, it's a
[23:05] balance. How wide are the panels going to be? Like can you if you know they do get terribly destroyed from lacrosse
[23:12] balls or baseballs or whatever can like section Yeah, you could have replaced sections and I think we have them up to like 8 feet. We didn't go all the way up with
[23:21] the panels on the in option 2A and 2B.
[23:26] So from 8T plus we would be seeing that insulation to the insulation bag. That's correct. Okay.
[23:35] I don't think I like that option at all. All right. Thank you.
[23:46] Is there anyone else who we go on to hearing of visitors and then we can go back to discuss this when we're going for the actual votes.
[23:55] Carol, I'd just like to say when we first started with our athletic areas
[24:02] um with the track and the stadium and all this, we had wanted to put up um
[24:10] fieldhouse of some sort and we wanted to do the track and originally we tried to raise funds on our own having people
[24:20] come. We sold t-shirts and people would give us a little bit of money and we had a student that was selling cupcakes and
[24:28] things like that. And we realized early on that we weren't going to be able to raise the kind of funds we needed. So in
[24:35] 17 when we started about talking about the stadium, we realized borrowing it was the way we would have to go and we
[24:43] could only do so much then like Al said with the track. The track came in. We we had the turf field. We got the things we
[24:52] needed, but then there was still a need for the fieldhouse and we just didn't have the money for it at that time. We
[24:59] if we keep putting it off, it's going to cost more and more over time. So, I really feel this is this is the time to to get this done.
[25:11] And I'll I'll just say one thing as well, Carol. Um, I know some of the questions we've heard and some of the questions I've heard, uh, have
[25:18] specifically been around, um, other projects that need to get done. Um, expansion of schools like Al had kind of
[25:27] referred to. Uh, and basically emptying the coffers. Uh, and you know, I believe at least one of the options that we have
[25:36] in front of us tonight kind of addresses all of those. There's a situation in which we're not going to use any of our money from our reserves. That also
[25:43] leaves us money in the bank to do projects that need to get done that people have brought up uh at the other meeting. And as far as um the building
[25:52] expansion, the my understanding is the enrollment numbers just don't bear that out. Our enrollment in the elementary school has shrunk considerably and if
[26:01] that trend continues, we'll end up having empty rooms in the high school rather than needing to add to the high school. So I just wanted to put that out
[26:09] there before uh everyone got up there to speak. Yeah, to to speak a little more to that, I had looked at the uh enrollment numbers. Um my daughter's
[26:17] class is one of the largest and it's ninth grade. I think it's 176 students and then maybe 10th is 178 or 79. Um but
[26:26] then when you get down to the fifth grade, they're down to 145 students. And then the kindergarten this year was only
[26:33] 125 or 128. They're almost two sections smaller than uh my daughter's class had already made it through the school as it
[26:41] is. Um so it was a little tight uh for her class, but they they seem to have been doing okay. I don't hear too many
[26:47] complaints. Um you know, so as far as needing to expand the buildings, I don't see that on the horizon. I don't see
[26:55] that as an immediate need. Um I've been watching the land development happening in the townships around us. Um I've been on the Center Township Planning
[27:02] Commission for almost 25 years now. We don't have anything going on. Um, Analani Township might have some stuff coming up, but it's nothing major. Um,
[27:11] and some of the big stuff that was proposed behind the farmers market seems to have stalled a little bit, and I don't see anything happening there in
[27:18] the near term. Um, and if it did, it was only maybe maybe another 50 homes total.
[27:26] Um, so I I don't see anything in the in the near future that's going to cause us any issues with with growth. Um, it
[27:34] could happen eventually. Um, but at the moment, uh, what we see and what we're able to to see coming at us, it's not a problem.
[27:45] I have I have something, Carol, that I can address or would like to address.
[27:49] Where I'm struggling on this is if we're looking at the first of all, we have like three million in our capital reserve, another three million in our
[27:58] general fund, which isn't a lot of money to begin with, and we're not going to touch that. However, in the financing that I'm looking at where we would not
[28:05] touch a dime, we're going to have a repayment of almost $56 million, which um means our kids that are in
[28:14] kindergarten now are going to be paying that debt off after they get out of high school and without us doing any further
[28:22] financing in the next 15 years. We took a bond out in 2020 to do the mechanicals and the roofing. And you've seen we've
[28:30] had a lot of problems, especially when it comes to the mechanicals and they're supposed to have a 15-year shelf life. So somewhere between 2020
[28:38] and 2035, all those repairs that we did or improvements we did are going to come to fruition, and we're going to have to do
[28:46] them again in the middle of owing $55 million.
[28:51] In addition, this year we're looking at a tax increase because we had a deficit somewhere in the neighborhood of a
[28:58] million dollars. And that's without filling many key positions that are open, which means we saved that money, which the deficit would have been
[29:06] further or bigger if we would have uh filled those positions. We're faced with a collective bargaining agreement or or an agreement this year with one group.
[29:17] And then next year in June, we're faced with negotiating the teachers contract.
[29:21] So, if I'm looking at this correctly, we're going to have to have tax increases this year, next year, because you're going to have to cover the
[29:29] million dollars that we need to make up in the um bond issue where it's going to increase our bond payment by a million
[29:37] dollars. And then the third year, so we're going to be looking at three years of tax increases if not up toward the max that we're allowed. um close to it.
[29:48] Uh at one of the meetings I remember an analogy being used that it's like buying a car now that you have debt on and then
[29:55] in a couple years you buy another car for a family member and you roll that debt into that and then you buy another car and you roll that debt into that.
[30:04] The difference with that is that's my debt. I'm asking 80% of the residents in
[30:10] this district to pay for something that they have no benefit for and I'm having trouble digesting that.
[30:19] Joe, where did you see that? It's a million dollar increase in our debt service.
[30:23] What does it have under the How much is our debt service now? According to this, it's saying that it's $2.4 million right now with the current bond.
[30:33] Correct. In 2026, it's $3,48,000, right?
[30:39] 273,165,000 and then so that's next year, right?
[30:46] And then the year after it would go to 2400 uh $2.469 million.
[30:53] Okay? And we're saying instead of dropping from 3.165 down to 2.469, 469. We're
[31:01] going to keep it at the that $3 million level. It's going to go up to 3.4, right, from 3.165.
[31:11] But the following year in 2028, it says it's supposed to be a $2.69 million debt according to our current
[31:19] bond. And if I'm reading correctly, going across, it would raise that to $3.4 million. Or am I reading that wrong?
[31:26] I don't know where you're Joe, you're looking at option three. Is that what the the numbers are?
[31:39] Option three. Yes, option three. Okay.
[31:42] So, if I'm reading this right, it's showing our total debt service right now in column two. And then if we finance
[31:49] the $18.6 million, it's showing what the debt service is. And then it's showing
[31:57] um afterwards. So, are is that the correct number or or we're staying even and we're not going to pay any more money and we're just going to extend the number of years?
[32:06] I'm sorry, Joe. I was looking at the if we contributed something line, so I was not following your numbers. I apologize.
[32:14] Yeah, Joe. I think you're you're correct there. Um the the goal of the option three would be to continue close to our
[32:22] current debt service, right? And yeah, I mean eventually debt service would drop down to zero and it would be, you know, 3.4 million higher
[32:29] than we would, but I think the the presentation here and the numbers that we're talking about are basically our
[32:36] current year debt service versus what it would be next year. But yes, you are correct that you know the debt service goes down year after year after year just like any loan.
[32:45] Correct. Um I think the the perspective here is continuing paying what we have been paying basically um before it starts going all the way down.
[32:55] Correct. But you're also talking that this is going to extend our debt out right now that goes from 2035 to 2042
[33:03] and in that time period all the improvements that we did from the bond series in 2020 are going to start gone.
[33:10] I mean, we've already lost a bunch of the mechanicals where we've had issues with them off of the improvements that were made. And we're not even looking
[33:18] into the fact that at the end of that 15 years, you're going to have another building, the fieldhouse, which is going to again have to go through uh upgrades
[33:27] because, as we talk about, most of the projects that we do are a 15-year um shelf life that they have. We're also
[33:36] not taking into account the amount of money that it's going to cost to maintain a new building. While we only
[33:42] will have a little bit over $3 million in our capital reserves to do any improvements from now until 2042,
[33:52] which I don't see how we're going to be able to maintain that with $3 million.
[33:56] And I can't see us growing that unless we raise taxes a lot to to start building off that. We had a deficit last
[34:05] year, so we're going to continue to have deficits unless taxes are increased. And now we're putting another building into
[34:13] the mix of things when our current buildings aren't to the point where they should be. I was told that we were going to have a five-year plan so I could make
[34:22] an informed decision as to moving forward on this. So, I know what costs are pro possibly associated with the
[34:30] current buildings we have, and I don't have that five-year plan. So, I can't even look at that to say that over the next five years we're looking at a
[34:37] million dollars in improvements because I don't know. So, I have to have the assumption that things will go bad and we're going to run through that $3
[34:44] million in in that time period. Thank you.
[34:53] Well, the other thing is we also Yeah, you're not wrong, Joe, in the sense that, but we also if we if we do
[35:02] this project finance 100% of it, we're going to add what is it like 240? I don't know what that number is that
[35:11] we'll be adding to the budget from where we are now. And we have operating costs.
[35:14] I think those were figured around like 200,000. I don't know. We'll see what those actually are. put that that number, you know, we're 450. That's
[35:23] still less than 1% of our annual budget. The last 10 years, I think we're averaging probably two two
[35:32] and a half% increase for the LA I mean, this was this past year was low. This was this was a
[35:39] 10-year low and that was still it was still not quite not quite a percent. It was like 0.97. Yeah, it was just under 1%.
[35:48] So yeah, when we take that into account that we're going to be that that growth as we break down over these years, we
[35:57] only we're still always looking at that $400 and some thousand increase. That number doesn't change. Our percentages
[36:06] change, right? I'm I'm looking at numbers beyond that. I'm looking at the fact that we have a flat tax base right now. So we're
[36:14] not going to be bringing any more money in. We have no development coming in in the foreseeable future. So our only way to make that money up is to raise taxes.
[36:24] Well, we have some lures coming off. We do have other we have things we we have some lures coming, right?
[36:30] That'll be coming, but not to that amount. This is a lot. I mean, you know, over the next three years, our our revenues are not going to go up that
[36:38] significant, but our costs sure are. I mean, next year you have a teachers contractor. We gonna tell them we're giving them nothing because we built
[36:46] this building. I love the sports here at Skookul Valley. It's I love coming to see them. I love watching the kids do it. I just don't know how I explain to
[36:55] someone that we're going to go $55 million in debt over the next 17 years to pay for a building that has nothing
[37:04] to do with the academics of the school district.
[37:07] But listen, there's eight other board members. That's that's just my view of it. How I look.
[37:12] You got to remember the 55 includes what we had from before. We had from the old bond. We had the 25. So it's not that
[37:20] this building is 55. We're carrying, but you're still paying $30 million back on an $18 million loan. That's a lot of money.
[37:29] If you're telling me we owe 25 and it's 55 payback, that leaves the 30. So, we're paying back a lot of money. You
[37:37] know, we talk about I remember I don't want to belabor this, but I remember Stan at the polls and people talking about we haven't raised taxes in the past 10 or 11 years to do anything.
[37:50] We've been using up our reserves. Well, maybe if we would have raised taxes 10 years ago and invested that money, we'd have plenty of money to do this project.
[37:58] But we kept pushing this on and on and on. And now we're at a point where taxes are flat. We have no development coming in. And we want to spend $17 million.
[38:08] But it's not my money I'm spending. I'm spending the community's money to put something in that doesn't benefit the
[38:14] entire community. And that's what I struggle with. Again, there's eight other members. You can vote whichever
[38:21] way you want. I just in today's world, I just And that's fine. find it difficult to tell someone I'm going to increase their
[38:29] taxes to pay for something in addition to academics that they're going to get no benefit from. I I think it's important to remember that
[38:37] Skooko Valley has a tradition of multiple generations living here, going to school here, staying here after they graduate. So although a lot of our
[38:46] taxpayers may not have kids in the school, they do have nieces, nephews, grandkids in the schools. Um, and the other thing
[38:53] to remember is, you [clears throat] know, you want to focus on academics certainly, but the college admissions
[39:00] are not just focused on academics. If you got a kid that does nothing but study, they're not going to get into the school they want to get into. The schools are looking for well-rounded
[39:09] kids with multifaceted abilities. They want a kid that's fully developed mentally, physically,
[39:17] community service, you know, leadership qualities, leadership skills. A lot of that stuff is developed through some of the sports programs. Like I said, I I
[39:26] know I know several students now that are are shopping around for scholarships, and they're getting a ton of attention for their athletic ability,
[39:34] and it's going to help them pay for their schooling. So, you know, you can't just solely focus on the academics because it's not quite the way the world
[39:43] works. It's very important, but there there's you got to put a little bit of extra shine on your kids to get them where they want to go and and kind of
[39:52] help them along. So, but if you're saying they're excelling now and they're getting into these schools, they're getting into these schools without having a $17 million building.
[40:02] So, they're still doing well.
[40:03] How many? Yes. and and and when we had a dirt patch out there, we had a guy go to the NFL, right?
[40:11] And now we have better facilities and we have more kids getting scholarships. And so if you improve the facilities again, you probably will increase your yield of
[40:19] kids that are are having more opportunity. Okay.
[40:23] And just to address the community aspect, um I know that we have, you know, about 80% of taxpayers, as you said, that don't have kids in the school
[40:31] currently, but we did talk about allowing the community to use the facilities, just like, you know, right now you can get a pass and you can use
[40:38] our track. So, it's not that they would get no benefit out of it because they would, you know, I don't know what that looks like yet. We haven't gotten that
[40:46] far down the road, but they would be able to use the facilities in some capacity as well. So even if they, you know, don't have any children in the the district, that's still an option.
[40:56] Yeah. And that I would like to add that too, that we can look at this as more as like a a community type center that, you
[41:04] know, the indoor walking track. Um maybe have some community events in there as well that could benefit the community.
[41:11] Um, and and that's something that again coming late into this when we're already kind of at the end of this process, there's still a lot of ideas that we can
[41:19] come up with to make it more beneficial to the community as well.
[41:29] Okay, I'm going to go to the hearing of the visitors and then we'll come back and continue the discussion as well. So, the first person is Bruce Harbach.
[41:43] Oh, first of all, uh, let me I forgot to read this.
[41:46] Okay, read the hearing of visitors thing. Um, anyone who wishes to address the board this evening will have three minutes to state their questions or concerns.
[41:54] Please state your name, the township where you live, and indicate if you are representing a group. All comments should be directed to the board as a whole, and we ask that your comments be
[42:02] respectful in nature. If you have a written statement, a copy of that statement would be appreciated. Details of this policy are on our website listed
[42:10] under policy 903 public comment at board meetings. Okay. Okay. Now go ahead.
[42:15] Good evening. Bruce Carbach, a head football coach. I'm from Lower H Highleberg Township which is 15 minutes away. Um I'm not a Skook Valley
[42:22] resident, but this is my sixth year head football coach. So I have an investment in the in the new facility and um I did
[42:30] write a letter to Mr. uh to Dr. winters before about I'm just going to highlight some things that I went over before. Um,
[42:37] our new athletic performance center and I call it an athletic performance center because that's where we train, that's where we teach and coaches teach in that
[42:45] area. It's instead of a fieldhouse um for multiple it's necessary for multiple reasons. Um, our m our multi-purpose
[42:53] facility will offer not only locker rooms and classrooms but also airs for training and rehabil rehabilitation.
[42:59] It's important to include a versatile indoor turf field suitable for practices, sporting events, graduations, and band camps and etc. Every square
[43:08] foot in the facility is an investment to this community. Investing in our athletic facility will bring several benefits to the Skookul Valley School
[43:16] District in stu enhanced student experience. Students get to learn and participate in physical education, strength conditioning, and
[43:23] extracurricular activities in a safe, highquality environment where facilities are modern and well-kept. Greater
[43:31] community pride. Our cutting edge facility will boost school spirit and strengthen engagement by becoming a point of pride for the whole community.
[43:39] It can serve as a community gathering spots, help residents stay active, and build pride in school spirit. Building social skills.
[43:47] Our new [clears throat] an induction of our new facility will enhance sports engagement particularly among young people promoting long-term health and
[43:54] behaviors as well as cultivation of teamwork and leadership skills. Better recruitment and retention. With our
[44:02] appealing athletic venue, we will be in better position to attract and keep outstanding students, staff members, and
[44:08] coaches. Revenue opportunities when designed for multiple multiple per multiple per multiple purposes. Our
[44:16] facility can host events, tournaments, generation uh generating additional re revenue for the district. The district
[44:24] can generate re rentalal income from various s of sources including craft sales, athletic camps, tournaments, and
[44:31] many other activities. Collectively, these factors highlight the importance of investing in our high school athletic performance center, supporting not only
[44:39] academic achievement, but also overall all development of student athletes. The one thing that that that concerned me is
[44:47] that we only had two coaches meetings with the board and with the with the the uh designers. Um I think the coaches
[44:56] need need to be involved more of who's going to be in there. And what concerns me is is the locker room situation. We don't need 90 lockers in there. We need
[45:05] four locker rooms that have 260s and maybe 230s or 240s in there because and we need team lockers to put stuff in, not the ones you see in the hallway.
[45:15] That's not that's not not going to make it. Um that concerns me and some of the coaches that I've talked to, not only in football, but other coaches also. Um so
[45:23] the team rooms are a big big concern. Um we already know the we already know the locker room situation, but um I'd like
[45:31] to thank the board for for uh letting me speak. Thank you. Thank you.
[45:37] Next is Brian O'Donnell.
[45:44] Brian O'Donnell on Aloney Township. I just want to piggy back off of Al is always like Morgan Freeman recapping everything very uh eloquently. Um but I
[45:53] just want to say that I'm in support of the fieldhouse. I know people have put a lot of time into it. I think it's going to be great for the student athletes. Um and as a taxpayer um I think it's a good spend. So that's it. Thank you.
[46:05] Okay. Thank you. Is there anyone else who would like to speak who has, you know, didn't have an opportunity to sign up?
[46:14] Can I? Sure.
[46:18] Hi, it's Alison, the technique track coach. Um, I just wanted to kind of reiterate what um Bruce Harbach had said
[46:25] that um getting us coaches together so we can kind of put our heads together and help out with the design I think it would be crucial. The one thing I will
[46:32] say is, you know, I I do live in Chillington. I've been here over 40 years. I'm a graduate of Skoo Valley, but I do I am actually a taxpayer also.
[46:41] I have a house in Leport. Um, but anyway, the one thing is for like track and field like we have sometimes 200
[46:49] kids and um, you know, we have 18 events. We have plenty of of coaches. It's not necessarily hurting cats.
[46:56] Sometimes it feels like that is um but having a fieldhouse like this would would actually help us. It actually
[47:03] allows you know a lot of people focus on that the upper tier athlete and we kind of you know that that other athlete kind
[47:12] of gets lost in the shuffle not necessarily just only in track and field but throughout the board and if we have better facilities I think we we would be
[47:19] better for our athletes overall. So, um I just wanted to say that and um thank you for everything that you guys are
[47:26] doing and we do really appreciate the track since 2018.
[47:32] Okay, thank you. Going to open up Roxan.
[47:38] I didn't sign up, but I have a question about what Mrs. Stanky was asking. So, Roxan Center Township, um I've been one
[47:46] of the people that's been most outspoken against this because of costs. I'm very happy to see um how the costs have come in. But can you elaborate um with what
[47:54] you were talking about with what she was asking about with like the insulation and stuff because the the drawings in the original booklet look like they're
[48:01] like solid walls on the inside and now like what you were saying to Mrs. Stanky makes it sound like it's like soft and not like is that am I understanding? I
[48:10] was a little confused when that's what I was understanding as well that the base bid is just insulation and the drawings in the packet make it look
[48:18] like those are all solid walls on the inside the pictures. Am I Yeah. Am I misunderstanding? So then when you were talking to her, I got really confused because then it makes it
[48:27] sound like it's just going to be like soft on the on the inside. So I'm very confused about that. So I thought maybe just if you guys wanted to have more
[48:34] information about that, maybe clarify that.
[48:37] I I was very confused. That's why I just wanted Yes. I mean, with the two alternate bids, it sounds like that will be covered up
[48:45] to 8 ft, which I would rather see it covered all the way to the renderings. The drawings look very different than what correct
[48:53] is being stated, I think. So, I just wanted to make that comment that that sounds a little confusing and a little different than what the pictures are
[49:00] showing. So, that that was all that's all I wanted to say. Thank you. Can we have some clarification on that?
[49:07] my understanding, like I think most of us who have kids have been to the body zone. Uh when you go to their turf areas, uh their walls have that
[49:17] insulation in them. So, it's not like you're going to have pink insulation hanging from the walls. It's encapsulated in plastic and, you know,
[49:25] it it doesn't look that unsightly to be honest. Um places like the body zone and a lot of places are set up like that.
[49:32] Um, but yeah, I I do believe when we looked at the at the renderings, it probably had the paneling in there. Um,
[49:39] so we can talk about, you know, the value of that paneling. I personally, you know, would probably think that the
[49:48] insulation that's just kind of stuffed in there is probably going to be a little bit more durable when it comes to baseballs and lacrosse balls and things
[49:55] like that like he had mentioned. Um, but yes, I think the rendering had that, but I think that was just the version of the rendering that was shown.
[50:05] Some probably had it, some probably didn't. It was difficult to show. Yeah. Yeah, that's true.
[50:14] Yeah, he was saying it can be hard to represent that look in a in a 3D render rendered model. Well, I understand what
[50:21] you're saying, Frank, that it might be a little bit better to absorb things with just the insulation. I mean, how easy is that insulation to tear?
[50:32] You know, we if we have hundreds of kids in there, it's not a polyethylene film covering.
[50:38] It's like a Tyveck um like almost tarp covering as I mean, if you go to the body zone, that's been there for a long time and
[50:46] I've never seen rips and tears in their wall insulation.
[50:51] I mean, we're we're talking a difference in the three options from 18 18,419 up to 18626.
[51:02] So, I mean any of the options were not adding a ton um in, you know,
[51:09] relative comparison to the the cost we're discussing.
[51:12] Yeah. I think if you can't it was it was basically like 50,000 for B for 100 and then 100 from base. Yeah.
[51:19] Yeah. Okay.
[51:24] Okay. I'm going to ask one more time if there's anybody else who would like to sign up and speak. If not, we'll we'll move on.
[51:34] Not. [clears throat] Okay.
[51:37] Sure. I just one housekeeping item before we move on to the voting. I just wanted to confirm for purposes of the minutes with Dr. Winters that this meeting was advertised at least 24 hours before tonight. Correct.
[51:47] Yes, it was correct. And the agenda was posted more than 24 hours before tonight. Correct. Yes, that is correct.
[51:51] Those are both requirements of the Sunshine Act. I just want that in the minutes.
[51:56] Okay. We'll move on to 4.0 curriculum and technology. We have one voting item.
[52:03] The board is requested to consider and recommend approval of the letter of intent to hold for purchase of 300 Chromebooks from River Riverside Technologies Incorporated as presented.
[52:15] I'm going to ask Mike Sabchack to come up for just a minute and provide some additional background on this item.
[52:29] Uh good evening and thank you for taking time tonight to uh consider this agenda item. So, Riverside Technology has provided our uh second and fifth grade
[52:37] Chromebooks uh to School Valley for the past two years. Um when we met with committee as part of the work session, we talked about this generation of
[52:45] Chromebook working with Riverside that has provided the best pricing over this past two years. Um they did have stock a few weeks ago and then it went out of
[52:53] stock. Trying to work with them and see what the numbers would come back and look like. They would still be lower than some other competitors, but it was not the unit we wanted. Um and just
[53:00] recently that product actually came back in stock because a customer canceled a pretty large order. Um, so I wanted to bring this to the board so that way it's
[53:08] a letter of intent for Riverside to hold those 300 units for us to purchase once the budget's approved.
[53:26] I'll make a motion. So move our second mole.
[53:34] All those favor say
[53:45] one of the following options. Option A
[53:53] building which will be addressed in voting.
[54:01] Option Approval of the fieldhouse project only
[54:12] address
[54:23] we don't have to call for motion we'll discuss first and then we'll come up with consensus for motion
[54:38] So I'll ask option A, B, or C.
[54:45] We'll have discussion.
[54:47] I'll make a motion for option A to move forward. Is there a second?
[54:54] Second, Lash.
[55:01] discuss anyone at all.
[55:13] I just would like to know um I know because I am a little apprehensive about the capital reserve. Um do we foresee
[55:22] more money going into that at all? I mean, I know we keep talking about the $6 million and but I mean, when will
[55:29] that get replenished or how will that get replenished during this project?
[55:35] Well, I believe we're talking about not using any of that $6 million so we wouldn't have to replenish it. Well, there's an option, but like Well, yeah, it's an option.
[55:43] Say we need option A doesn't Well, I guess financing is that say something comes up and we do need to use it.
[55:49] Yeah. So say we need to use like three million of it for what for whatever.
[55:55] How will that continuously get replenished?
[55:58] Well, I think it's it's replenished by how it gets replenished anytime we have to use money. You know, we have to either find the money from somewhere or
[56:07] you know, you look at raising taxes, but I think but that could happen regardless of this project, we still may
[56:15] have to use that money for something as well. So the the results going to be the same if we don't do this project at all and then we still need to do something.
[56:23] We we might have to spend that money. So we'll be in the same boat with that situation. The project itself really
[56:30] isn't going to impact that part if we do not use any of the district money for this project.
[56:37] But couldn't we use some of the bond though to support those projects if we needed to? Like the bond would essentially be like our savings account that we could go in or No.
[56:46] No. This bond would be for this project. Okay.
[56:51] That that's what this bond is for this solely for this project. We cannot use it anywhere else. Correct.
[56:57] And the money has to be identified for something. We can't just hang on to it for a rainy day or the stipulations of the bond is that we have we need to spend it now.
[57:06] They give you a certain number of years to spend it. Yeah. But you can't just get towards the end have some leftover money and just choose to hang on to it.
[57:13] So how how much? just just so we're I just want to make sure we're clear for the public um as well. At this point, we've passed a parameters resolution which sets like a ceiling for how much,
[57:22] but we haven't been obligated to anything yet. So, that would come if the project is approved, but we're not locked into a bond at this point in time. We're just unable to to move forward with that.
[57:31] Okay. Thank you.
[57:33] Right. It's almost like it's like two separate pots of money. You know, we have our money that we need to run the school district. This is this is a
[57:41] different pot of money that we're using to fund a specific project. It's no different than when we uh when I was on
[57:49] the board before we did building onto the high school and building onto the middle school was, you know, the same type of thing. You still have your
[57:57] monies that you need to spend to run the district and then you have the monies that you need to complete a specific project.
[58:04] I guess I just want to make sure because I know like we've talked about already some other renovations like Mr. Hansen did, you know, a presentation about renovating, you know, different areas
[58:13] that we already have here. And we've talked about that our high school is is older, you know, 1960. So, I just want to make sure like we're being cautious because something is going to happen.
[58:24] It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when, right?
[58:27] And I just don't want us getting tripped up.
[58:30] No. And something's always going to happen. I mean, we ran into that when, you know, you did the middle school project, then we had the elementary school that had been already how many years old that things came up at there.
[58:40] I mean, things are going to come up no matter what that we're gonna have to, you know, look at those projects. But I think another thing too is like we've
[58:49] been trying to come up with this five-year plan that we are kind of prepared. The other thing is is looking
[58:55] at our expenses that we have now and maybe taking a fresh look, new board coming in, taking a fresh look at where there can be maybe some cost savings.
[59:06] But I I want to make clear that we're not gonna do this in lie of taking away anything from our curriculum. Like we've
[59:14] been working hard on making some improvements and changes and that's going to continue. I mean that's been a
[59:21] priority of this board and and I just want to make that clear. That's going to continue to be a priority. This is not
[59:29] in lie of what we're still hoping to accomplish through our through the curriculum and different policies and and things like that.
[59:41] Um the other thing is, you know, we we look at the value of something of this and we're just looking at it in in
[59:50] dollar signs, but there's also a a value of kids who are involved in athletics.
[59:56] And you know, we can't forget music programs, you know, things like that.
[1:00:01] There is a value to this. There is a value to the community as well. If we can get, you know, like the wait room that community could come in and use the
[1:00:09] weight room and, you know, things like that, we can make it we can make this into what we want it to be as well.
[1:00:17] No, I agree. I just um found myself thinking about the fact that like when she does that budget presentation, she talks about like this is how much it's
[1:00:24] going to go up based on a house that's $150,000 assessed. And I find myself thinking like if we do need to raise
[1:00:32] taxes for the next three years, like now we're talking about like maybe not $150 per year, but now we're talking 300450.
[1:00:41] And when I think about the fact that 80% of our people who live here don't have kids here. And I and I get they're
[1:00:48] supportive, but like I also know what it's like to have grandparents on a fixed income. And I feel too like gas is going through the roof right now. And
[1:00:56] those are going to be added expenditures that like we're not necessarily factoring in right now for for those people. That's all. I mean, I I do think
[1:01:06] there's a lot of value in it. I'm just concerned about timing really.
[1:01:13] And I think this is one of those things that there's there's never gonna be a a perfect timing. You know, there really
[1:01:20] isn't. The timing [clears throat] is is that, you know, we we've had major projects again with with the middle school and the high school. This
[1:01:28] fieldhouse has come up I don't know since I was on the board like years and years ago you know and the timing was
[1:01:35] never right at that point because we had the high school project to do we had the middle school you know doing improvements to the elementary school.
[1:01:44] So you know trying to find a perfect time is going to be difficult you know in in any kind of project that you have.
[1:01:51] you know, when I first looked at this, again, coming in kind of at the tail end as as you have too, um, you know, I'm thinking like, is there a compromise and
[1:02:00] and looking at it is like if we just do the fieldhouse part of it because I know there is definite need for for the gym
[1:02:08] for the better concession stand facilities and things like that, looking at that as like a concession is doing that part of the project and not the
[1:02:16] turf field. But when these bids came in and the the difference between having
[1:02:23] just the fieldhouse and having also that turf building was what like little less than I think it was [snorts] two and a half million.
[1:02:31] Well, it's a little more. I think it was like 3.3 2.7 and then we're never going to be able to put up a
[1:02:38] a building like that for that amount of money if it's not incorporated as as an entirety with the project.
[1:02:47] It's obvious that the the people who submitted their bids uh had no interest in building just the fieldhouse part based off of the way they priced it.
[1:02:57] Like Carol is saying, the discount they were giving us is nowhere near what that building would actually cost to build.
[1:03:03] No, if it was a separate project, we're talking 3.3. That's I mean, I'm just making up numbers, but we're probably talking like six7 million project at that point.
[1:03:12] So, it's kind of they they baked in in their bids. They pretty much baked in um you we should build the whole thing. And
[1:03:19] as far as timing goes, I I'll refer back to something I've heard Alice say multiple times is there's never perfect timing to do anything like this, but the
[1:03:29] stars have aligned enough that this is about as as close as it's going to get.
[1:03:33] If it's ever going to happen, this is the opening to do it. It may not be perfect, but it's pretty close. And if
[1:03:41] it's ever going to happen, now's the time to do it. the way the financing works, the way we've we've kind of worked ahead to kind of get ahead of
[1:03:48] some of our other um buildings and grounds type uh expenses. So, if it's ever going to happen now is when it's going to happen. And to be honest, the
[1:03:57] current situation is just not sustainable. I mean, like Al said, second graders having basketball practice at 9:00 p.m. Um, you know, not
[1:04:06] not having the biggest best training facilities and athletic trainer equipment for the health and well-being of our athletes. Just the total lack of
[1:04:14] space we have for everything. And it's not just sports. It can be marching band. It can be [clears throat] graduation. It can be uh, you know, tournaments.
[1:04:23] There's just the current model just doesn't work. Uh, and that's I I agree
[1:04:30] with Joe and with Lauren. I'm a little concerned about the money, too. But at the same time, if we don't do anything, nothing's going to happen and then
[1:04:38] things are just going to get worse. I I think Carol, you made a point about it being a community center. If you think of Lancaster County, a lot of the places
[1:04:47] in Lancaster County will have community centers uh for the people. The problem that we have is we'll have to look to address because we we don't even have
[1:04:57] this building built and we we're almost at capacity already. Everybody has a need and requirement. We've tried to
[1:05:05] accommodate all the different coaches, but all the different coaches have various priorities of what they want to see and
[1:05:12] we had to address through a series of meetings the best way to do it. And it's not just for athletics because as we put
[1:05:21] the design in place like we have large garage doors on the turf field for this sole purpose like I've been involved
[1:05:30] with sporting events here where you've had a bad tornado warning or whatever and or you know severe thunderstorms and
[1:05:39] you needed to bring people in. Well, we had no place to put a group from the stadium. So the way we designed it
[1:05:46] because we offset it was put the large garage doors that we can bring people into the turf field. I keep on thinking
[1:05:53] of having indoor and outdoor events like when we do stuff with Special Olympics or some of the other things that we can
[1:06:01] have stuff indoors in case it goes bad, you know, bad weather. We have alternatives that we can actually still
[1:06:08] have some of our events that we can have in place. uh you know, we're gonna spend some money, but if you depending on how
[1:06:17] you do it, you don't want to spend all your money down, but you have three million from the bond yet that's out
[1:06:24] there that you know we can use. We have to use it shortly. Um but
[1:06:31] also to design like Al pointed out when we did all the designs for our work, we didn't make one big boiler. We didn't do
[1:06:41] things. We started with the end in mind of saying if something breaks, break a small piece and fix it. And we've been
[1:06:49] going through that. We've gotten smarter with hiring the right people. We've hired maintenance, having maintenance
[1:06:56] agreements to try to catch some of this uh that we didn't have in place for 10 years because we relied on our expertise
[1:07:05] inside. So the things that we're going to work on, we have plus I think the board is aware there's opport there is
[1:07:13] some opportunities for real estate opportunities that you know through properties or whatever that we can also look to address in the future as well.
[1:07:24] Um so to the point of like hey where do we go where do we spend like we're we
[1:07:31] haven't said no to anything. this is just taking us to the next step and this will be a keystone that you can use for
[1:07:39] many different things. So I think it's important to do
[1:07:48] anybody else. And I'll I just want to mention too, I mean, we've spoken to representatives from other schools who have told us that they could not
[1:07:57] understate how much of an amazing impact their community athletic facility, whatever you want to call it, fieldhouse, had on their community after
[1:08:05] they built it. Uh I haven't heard anybody that have had any regrets um that were all pleasantly surprised at just how much of an impact the facility
[1:08:14] had on their community and their students and their staff.
[1:08:18] I mean, just to piggyback on that, we just had the superintendent search. We had community members in, we had staff members, and the one overarching thing
[1:08:26] was basically the sense of community that this district feels. And nobody's taken pride in that concession stand
[1:08:33] that's there now. Nobody's taking pride in the three urinals in the grandstand bathroom. This is something we can kind of rally behind and it will be a good thing for this community.
[1:08:45] Just to back up off of what Dan said, since I've been on the board, we have talked about doing the locker rooms here in the high school.
[1:08:57] And every time we would talk about doing the locker rooms over the last 20 years, we'd say, "Well, we're going to we we need a fieldhouse. We're not going to do
[1:09:05] the locker rooms because we need a fieldhouse." So to have other teams come in and see
[1:09:12] the condition that our locker rooms have gotten in because we haven't been able to redo them.
[1:09:20] I'm really glad that when our we have visiting teams that they'll be able to have some decent locker rooms that our
[1:09:28] kiddos deserve. Our kiddos deserve great locker rooms, functioning locker
[1:09:36] rooms without hundreds of lockers in them and no place that really fits anything in a locker
[1:09:44] and we will now have this in our thing and then eventually we can work on what
[1:09:50] we have under this building. But we need we needed upgrades that we've needed
[1:09:57] upgrades and I think it I think that's one of the assets of having that building. It's going to take a little
[1:10:04] time before we have them done but it won't be an embarrassment to to our school to have to put our kids in less
[1:10:13] than stellar locker room. So just I want to add too um
[1:10:22] we've had a a rough couple of the past couple of years you know with the morale and negativity in general towards
[1:10:30] towards the school. Um, I think this is something that we're moving in. It can
[1:10:38] be a very positive direction for the community and for the district as a whole. I I think we're moving forward, as I said earlier, with the curriculum.
[1:10:49] We're trying to make positive changes.
[1:10:51] We're trying to to bring in um, you know, positive attitudes. You know, we're going to have a very positive uh,
[1:10:58] superintendent coming in. So, I think this is like one step that we can continue to do to move our district
[1:11:06] forward to kind of get the community spirit back, to get the positivity back for Skookul Valley.
[1:11:14] That's why I would support this this project. I mean, I understand that the ramifications of the the money and and
[1:11:24] uh the taxes, but I mean, even regardless of this project, we're probably still looking at that anyway because of putting our fund balance back
[1:11:33] up to where it should be. And that has been the years of, you know, not really being as perhaps fiscally responsible as
[1:11:41] we could have been in making sure those funds were there.
[1:11:46] But I think as as long as we're all aware of that and we work towards this and we work towards making this a positive community thing, I mean, it's
[1:11:53] going to take some work to have this all figured out as well to make sure the community is involved in it. And uh but I, you know, I have confidence that
[1:12:02] we'll be able to do that as a board and as a district.
[1:12:07] I just want to say, um I personally am very fiscally conservative. Um, I, you
[1:12:14] know, in my personal life don't look to spend, you know, above my means. Um, and, you know, obviously don't want to do that for the school district either.
[1:12:25] But I also see the flip side of things with this fieldhouse. Um, as Al mentioned, I was there with him with the
[1:12:32] second grader in the elementary school gym sitting on the stage because there's nowhere else that you can sit with a,
[1:12:40] you know, a second grader playing basketball. And it it's not ideal. You know, my my kids's bedtime was 8:30 and
[1:12:47] we're wrapping up basketball practice at 9:00 and then still have to get showers and you know, do whatever else until we can get them to bed at that point. Um,
[1:12:55] my two are now freshman and junior, so we don't have those same issues anymore.
[1:13:00] But um you know I I I feel for those elementary families because the younger kids do get pushed back because our high
[1:13:09] school sports take president as they should. Um and then our junior high sports come in next and then it's those youth sports after. Um so we really do
[1:13:18] need the space. Um it would have been lovely to be able to, you know, sit on bleachers in another building uh to
[1:13:27] watch basketball practice. Most parents don't just drop off their, you know, second graders or third graders um for practices. They usually stay with them.
[1:13:36] Um so if we had the spaces to be able to do that, um it it would really help. And I think it really helps the community aspect of things too because when your
[1:13:45] parents are sitting there, you know, waiting on practices to be over, they're communicating with each other. you know, that's how I've built some of my best
[1:13:53] friends um from my kids participating in sports and meeting parents on the sidelines and at those practices. Um so
[1:14:02] I I really think that it it will benefit benefit the the greater community. Um it obviously is a big number. Um when we
[1:14:11] first started this it was projected at 8 million, then it went to 8 mil 18 million, then it went to almost 25
[1:14:18] million. and I was like, "Oh my god, this is getting out of hand." Um, you know, thankfully our bids came in where they did and we're back down to that 18
[1:14:27] million where, you know, we were kind of hoping to be. I know it's still a big number. Um, I'm I'm not trying to downplay that at all, but I I really do
[1:14:36] think that if we as a board sit back and look at different ways that we can involve the community, different ways
[1:14:45] that we can use the building, not just for our students. Um, you know, it it could really make a big impact overall.
[1:14:57] Is there anyone else that would like to uh add to the conversation here?
[1:15:05] If not, we do have a motion and a second for option A.
[1:15:12] So, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. I. Nay.
[1:15:19] Opposed. Motion carries 8 to one.
[1:15:27] Okay, we will move on to 5.2.
[1:15:32] This is the phase 2 general um general construction bid. So the board is requested to consider and re
[1:15:41] recommend one of the following. Now you can see the resolution there and this
[1:15:46] would be for the metal panel would be option A that is 11 million4,600.
[1:15:58] So that is inclusive of the base bid with alternate 3A 3B and four. Then
[1:16:04] option B is the uh base bid with alternate 2A, 2B, and four. And that's for $10,910,900.
[1:16:16] And that is what you described as like a bag. Correct.
[1:16:22] 2A has a panel over protective panel over the bag. Okay. So
[1:16:29] option A is the metal panel. two is a protective panel over the bag. And then option three is uh 10,797.
[1:16:39] That's just and that's right 10,797,000.
[1:16:44] And that is inclusive of the base bid only. So those are the three options, the metal paneling, the protective paneling, and just the regular bag.
[1:16:58] So, would someone like to make I was just going to say regardless of which of the three options we go with as the board sees the agenda has language
[1:17:06] on there. It makes the award contingent on receipt of all the bonds that we would need, the contracts we would need, and there's language about the right of recision that relates to the fact that
[1:17:14] there's two permit items that just need to get cleaned up. Correct. So, I will I'll read that part. That's the same in all three. The award of this contract is
[1:17:22] expressly made contingent upon receipt of all governmental approvals and/or permits required for the project. Set award is further made contingent upon
[1:17:30] the receipt of the appropriate performance and payment bonds, certificates of insurance, and signed standard form of agreement between owner
[1:17:37] and contractor all in compliance with the bidding and contract documents. The board reserves reserves the right to
[1:17:44] resend this award without liability to the awarded contractors prior to the execution of the standard form of agreement between the owner and
[1:17:52] contractor by the school district if within 120 days of the date the bids were opened.
[1:18:00] And Mrs. Wan, if I may, we did learn today via email that the Burks County Conservation District permit was
[1:18:07] approved. Um, so Wilkinson Design Group is has sent the necessary digital document and is dropping off the hard
[1:18:14] copy paperwork tomorrow morning. So things are moving forward with the conservation district and hopefully that's will get things moving with the township as well on that permit.
[1:18:26] Okay. So I read all the legal things I have to read. Correct. Um, so then I'm looking for a motion for either option
[1:18:35] A, metal panel, B, protective over top of the um insulation, and C, just the base bed.
[1:18:48] I'll make a motion to go with the insulated metal panel. Is that option A? Option A.
[1:18:56] Option A. Second more.
[1:19:04] There any uh additional comments?
[1:19:08] I mean, I guess I have some questions probably for Harry with regards to the durability because
[1:19:15] now now we're this option is the one that's just the insulated metal panel.
[1:19:21] So, it does not have the bag, it does not have the inner, this is just a single insulated panel.
[1:19:27] Uh So, can you I'm sorry. Can you come to the there's just the public needs to be able to hear what you say. I'm sorry.
[1:19:34] So, I guess one one added to comment you may recall or so up to a certain
[1:19:41] point we have a solid wall. The bag is everything above that. Okay.
[1:19:46] Depends on what room you're in of how high that block is going to extend up.
[1:19:51] So, you have the cinder block wall up to a certain height. Then you have which is obviously very durable.
[1:19:56] And then above that, yes, is where we're talking about one of these three options. And the option specifically that Mr. Rossi put forward
[1:20:04] is just the metal panel with basically like a foam kind of insulation built into it.
[1:20:12] Option A or 2 A or three.
[1:20:16] So three has three is a full panel above. That's correct. Okay. So there's no bags of insulation.
[1:20:22] There's no it's just A one piece insulation built in. Yes, sir. Okay. And what's the durability of that?
[1:20:30] [snorts]
[1:20:30] It's a solid. It's a solid panel.
[1:20:33] Is that the one you said would get dings and stuff in it from No, that would be 2A. That would be two. That would be 2A.
[1:20:41] Two would be metal over the bags. That's correct.
[1:20:44] You got thin metal, but you don't have any structure supporting it. Three. Three is metal over the bag.
[1:20:49] No, two. Mr. Rossy has it. Correct. Yeah.
[1:20:54] Yes. Okay. So, I guess that inner So, option two, which is the bag with the thin metal on the outside panel.
[1:21:01] That is the one you're saying could get dented up and dinged up relatively easily.
[1:21:05] This one, which we're talking about, A, which is the one piece metal. It's a very durable.
[1:21:09] It's a composite composite. It's a composite, so we don't really have to be that concerned. It's got it's got rigid foam. It's a rigid It's a rigid material.
[1:21:17] It's got rigid foam adhes. So if something is metal, the foam is is behind it to help support it.
[1:21:24] Whereas the other one is just that it's just a covering without any real support with a pillow behind it. So it'll the steel takes all the hits.
[1:21:31] There's much more give so you can get more damage.
[1:21:33] Yeah. So these should be much but they are replaceable.
[1:21:37] So with the option 3A and 3B, [cough] does that go all the way to the ceiling?
[1:21:44] Then you'll have a full Yes, that's correct. You'll have a full solid surface floor. Okay, perfect. Thank you.
[1:21:52] 3B is going to be just a 22 in metal. Nothing really two 2B 2 A.
[1:22:00] Uh, yes. It's not really going to have any sports baseball heads. You have a baseball size. Yep. No, I got it.
[1:22:07] [cough and clears throat]
[1:22:11] Okay. Is everyone clear? I had it reversed on the paper.
[1:22:21] Yeah, no matter what option we pick, there is block masonary construction up to a certain level because that's the area of the wall that takes most of the
[1:22:28] hit. So it would look it look a lot like what we have right now. That's yes that's correct.
[1:22:36] Okay. Any other questions? So we are that we are option A. Option A is for the 11 million.
[1:22:44] That's that's what I Yes. And that's what I have. We have a motion and a second for option A, which
[1:22:50] is the base bid with alternate 3 A, 3B, and four.
[1:22:57] I call the question. Okay. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Nay.
[1:23:05] Motion carries 8 to one. Okay. Moving on to 5.3.
[1:23:11] The board is requested to con excuse me to consider and recommend approval of phase 2 mechanical construction low bid of libold incorporated in the amount of 1,35,000.
[1:23:24] The award of this contract is expressly made contingent upon receipt of all governmental approvals and/or permits required for the project. Set award is
[1:23:32] further made contingent upon the receipt of the appropriate performance and payment bonds, certificates of insurance, and signed standard form of
[1:23:40] agreement between owner and contractor all in compliance with the bidding and contract documents. The board reserves a right to resend this award without
[1:23:48] liability to the awarded contractors prior to the execution of the standard form of agreement between the owner and contractor by the school district if
[1:23:56] within 120 days of the date bids were opened. May I have a motion, please?
[1:24:03] So move for second. Mo, any questions regarding 5.3?
[1:24:13] If not, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Opposed? Nay. Motion carries 8 to one. 5.4.
[1:24:23] The phase 2 plumbing construction bid.
[1:24:26] The board is requested to and to consider and recommend approval of the phase 2 plumbing construction low bid of Liebold Incorporated in the amount of $860,000.
[1:24:37] The award of this contract is expressly made contingent upon receipt of all governmental approvals and/or permits required for the project. Set award is
[1:24:45] further made contingent upon the receipt of the appropriate performance and payment bonds, certificates of insurance, and signed standard form of
[1:24:52] agreement between the owner and contractor. All in compliance with the bidding and contract documents. The board reserves the right to resend this
[1:24:59] award without liability to the awarded contractors prior to the execution of the standard form of agreement between the owner and contractor by the school
[1:25:07] district if within 120 days of the date bids were opened. May I have a motion please?
[1:25:14] So movey second lash. Any questions or comments? Not all those in favor say I.
[1:25:23] Opposed? No motion carries 8 to one.
[1:25:28] 5.5 phase 2 electrical construction bid. The board is requested to consider and recommend approval of the phase 2
[1:25:36] electrical construction low bid of Hernising Electric Incorporated in the amount of 1,765,000.
[1:25:43] The award of this contract is expressly made contingent upon receipt of all government approvals and or permits required for the project. Set award is
[1:25:51] further made contingent upon the receipt of the appropriate performance and payment bonds, certificates of insurance, and signed standard form of agreement between owner and contractor.
[1:26:01] All in compliance with the bidding and contract documents. The board reserves the right to resend this award without liability to the awarded contractors
[1:26:08] prior to the execution of the standard form of agreement between the owner and contractor by the school district if within 120 days of the date bids were opened. May I have a motion, please?
[1:26:21] So moved among second we any additional questions or comments
[1:26:30] if not all those in favor say I I opposed no motion carries 81. So we have one
[1:26:38] additional item 5.6 Six train USA Incorporated quote for the elementary school unit ventilator hot water refrigerant coil replacements.
[1:26:51] This the board is requested to consider and approve a payment and performance bonds addendum to the quote from Train
[1:26:58] US Incorporated for the 11 unit ventilator hot water refrigerated cool replacements at the elementary school in the amount of $1,800.
[1:27:08] May I have a motion please? Motion Brown second second Rossy Dr. Winters.
[1:27:15] So to provide some additional background, so um this is an addendum to the quote that the board approved in March, the $99,000 quote um for the
[1:27:24] train work in the elementary school um at the recommendation um of uh our
[1:27:30] solicitor. Um because it's repairs but somewhat could be construed as
[1:27:37] construction work as well. um there was a need to have an addendum to that quote for payment and performance bonds and
[1:27:44] there is an added cost um on trains end for that in the amount of $1,800. So the approval is an addendum to include those
[1:27:53] bonds um at the recommendation of councel. Okay, any questions?
[1:28:01] If not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I opposed. Motion carries 90.
[1:28:09] Okay, moving on to 6.0. Is there any other old business or good of the order?
[1:28:15] I do have good of the order. I'd like to congratulate senior Owen Eisenhoffer.
[1:28:23] Owen went to National Swimming last week.
[1:28:27] He won a gold medal in 200 free. He w won a gold medal in
[1:28:38] 400 free. He won silver with his relay team in 400 medley relay and silver in
[1:28:49] the 800 medley relay. And I believe in Sko Valley history this is our first
[1:28:56] national championship winner. So, I really would like to extend congratulations [applause] to Owen.
[1:29:06] And today he was delivering mulch to my house. So, [laughter] he's I really I really really appreciate
[1:29:15] having him do that, but I really wanted to congratulate him on his wins last week. So, I was glad to see him.
[1:29:24] Um, thank you for that, Linda. Is there any other Yep. I have something as well while we're recognizing some of our athletes since we're talking about the
[1:29:32] fieldhouse. Um Llaya Gilmore is a junior and she beat the school record in the
[1:29:38] long jump with a jump of 18t 7 in. Um so congratulations to Laya as well. She's pretty amazing all around.
[1:29:46] Third longest ever in county history on a crappy day.
[1:29:51] So I don't know if the if the people at home could hear third longest ever in Burks County on a bad day.
[1:29:59] She's closing in on the state record.
[1:30:01] I think she's closing in on the state record. I don't think the state record is much more than that.
[1:30:07] I saw 19, right? Yeah. Right.
[1:30:14] Yeah. But she's getting close to something. Is there anyone else?
[1:30:23] Um, just so if you haven't seen it, um, there's going to be a bank sale to raise money for the Sabi Mateo Memorial Fund, um, at the stadium on Friday, April
[1:30:32] 17th. So, if you're willing to donate something or feel the need to go out and get something good to eat, please, all the money goes to the scholarship that will be awarded this year to a senior.
[1:30:42] Okay. And what date is that again? Friday, April 17th. Okay. Anyone else?
[1:30:51] If not, may I have a motion for adjournment? So moved. More. The second. Thank you. All those in favor say I. I. I.
[1:30:59] Opposed. Motion carries. Thank you for coming this evening.
```

## Live captions (copied September 20, 2026): 2026-04-20_lYh2j2darD0.txt

```
[1:06] like to call to order the Skookula Valley School Board meeting. Please rise for the pledge to the flag.
[1:12] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
[1:20] under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
[1:27] Okay, roll call, please.
[1:31] Mr. Emerald here.
[1:33] Mr. Brown here.
[1:34] Mrs. Lash here.
[1:36] Mrs. Matthews here.
[1:38] Mr. Mole here.
[1:40] Mr. Rossi here.
[1:43] Mrs. Steini here.
[1:46] Mrs. Weant here. Mr. Weant here.
[1:50] Okay. I just have a couple of things before we start. Tonight under the budget and finance committee report, we're going to have another budget
[1:58] presentation and we will be discussing the budget. Then next Monday night, we'll be voting on the budget. So, I'm
[2:04] saying this right up front because I I want to make sure this discussion tonight and subsequent vote uh next Monday doesn't get lost in the shuffle.
[2:13] So, here's the thing. In the past, we had newspaper reporters at the meetings and the next day everyone could read a synopsis of the most important things
[2:22] discussed and it was a way to communicate what items would be coming up at the next meeting. We don't have that anymore. There's no reporters
[2:29] coming to the meetings and there's not even local schoolboard or township meetings in the news anymore. So unless you listen to the entire meeting online
[2:37] or sit here in person for hours, people are going to miss things. So, we are looking at ways to improve communication, overall communication,
[2:45] and this is one of the things that we want to improve. Um, we're not making decisions in a vacuum. We're having open committee meetings several times a
[2:54] month. And I I do want to thank those who are coming out to the meetings and to continue to stress the importance of those workshop meetings. So, last month
[3:02] I stated we'd be voting on the fieldhouse sometime after Easter and we did get a communication out on our website that there would be a special
[3:10] meeting. Um, we got it corrected to include that the fieldhouse was one of the items on the agenda, but unless you
[3:16] check our our district website daily, um, you might miss it. And that's what we're working on to improve ways that we
[3:23] communicate not only to parents but to the rest of the Skooko Valley community.
[3:29] So, if you are interested in hearing the budget discussion, which I know is important to many people, and if you are listening to this meeting at a later
[3:36] time, you can go ahead and fast forward to the 8.0 section and know um that we're going to vote on it next Monday.
[3:45] So, we're also going to discuss the funding options for the fieldhouse tonight. That does not need an actual vote, but we'll discuss it tonight. And
[3:54] there may or may not be a consensus on how to proceed with that. So again, if you're watching this later, you'll have to fast forward to the budget and
[4:03] finance to find that out. So we are continuing to discuss ways of how the board communicates, whether it be on our
[4:10] district website or Facebook or grocery store aisles, and that will be an ongoing discussion moving forward. So
[4:18] any ideas you may have, send us an email. Frank is the chairman of the policy personnel and public relations committee and it's his committee that
[4:26] has been having discussions about this issue. So now we will move forward to the policy personnel and public relations to Frank Amarell.
[4:37] Thank you Carol 6.0 solicitors report. Alicia, do you have anything?
[4:41] Just um very briefly um I've been working with the solicitor for Leport Burrow to develop an um water line
[4:49] agreement relating to Ashley Way. I thank Mr. Rossi for giving some feedback on that. Um I have shared that recently
[4:56] with um the board president, Dr. Winters and Mr. Rossi. I think that could be on the agenda for next Monday's meeting.
[5:02] It's not here yet because I just received it, but I wanted to give that brief update.
[5:08] Okay. Thank you, Alicia. Just a little update on what we've been doing between meetings. Uh the policy and personnel committee met on April 7th for a public
[5:16] work session. We continue to work on the non-certified employee compensation plan and the new exit interview procedures. I believe we've pretty much wrapped up the
[5:24] exit interview procedure and hope to finish work on the non-certified employee compensation plan very soon. We also discussed and recommended the
[5:32] renewals of the BCIU guest teacher program, the frontline substitute services and docuign.
[5:39] Those will all be on the agenda this evening. We completed work on policy 010 for board hiring and put it on the agenda for a first reading this evening.
[5:48] We also revisited the verbiage in policy 620 for fund balance. The committee decided to modify some of the verbiage which we will discuss in more detail in
[5:56] a few minutes. Finally, the committee discussed how to better advertise and publicize special board meetings.
[6:02] Publishing meetings in newspaper and on the school website doesn't seem to have the desired reach. We will continue to use those avenues, but we also discussed
[6:10] how to better use social media as a tool to reach more community members as Carol had alluded to. So, we're going to continue working on that and trying to
[6:18] find the best ways to get the word out to the community uh about meetings and special meetings.
[6:24] All right, moving [clears throat] on. We have 6.1 persons who wish to address the board. Do we have anybody signed up this evening?
[6:32] All right. Um there are no speakers this evening. And our next item is a voting item. So I'm going to pass it back to Carol for that.
[6:41] Okay. We have two items on the agenda for voting items. The first is employment consistent with the public
[6:48] school code of 1949. The board of directors of the Skookul Valley School District hereby makes a motion to elect Dr. Dennis Quirk, superintendent of
[6:56] schools for a time period commencing on June 8th, 2026 through June 30th, 2029 and approving an employment contract
[7:04] with Dr. quirk for the same time period herein. We have a motion, please.
[7:10] So moved. Amaro, any questions or comments?
[7:16] If not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. I.
[7:22] Opposed? Okay. Motion carries. 90.
[7:27] Congratulations. Would you like to uh say a few [applause] words?
[7:34] [applause]
[7:35] So, first and foremost, thank you so much. It is an absolute honor and privilege to be selected as the next superintendent of Skookula Valley. And I I want you to know that I absolutely
[7:44] don't take this responsibility for granted. Uh over the last couple months, I've had a tremendous opportunity to engage with a lot of people within this
[7:52] community. And in every single interaction, I've only gotten more and more excited to start my work here and to become a Panther. And there are two things that really have resonated with
[8:00] me with every interaction. Number one, it is very clear to me that every single person within the Skook Valley committee community is very passionate, very
[8:09] passionate of who they are, very passionate of what they're a part of, and very passionate of our schools. And the second thing that has really stood out to me is how prideful every single
[8:18] person is for the work that we do for our learners. So, I am incredibly excited to walk alongside every single person in this district to roll up my
[8:26] sleeves and to learn from, to partner with, and to drive forward as as one school district to continue to advance
[8:34] Panther Pride and really to challenge our capacity to constantly grow what we do for the betterment of our learners and our community. So, June 8th really
[8:42] can't come uh soon enough in my mind. Uh but I'm very eager and very excited to work alongside the people in this room and within the community at large. So,
[8:50] thank you once again for the opportunity.
[8:53] [applause]
[8:57] Thank you. We're very much looking forward to it. Would you just like to introduce your family?
[9:02] Absolutely. These are uh the special people in my life. So, this is my oldest daughter, M, my youngest daughter, Hutton, who was going to give a speech, but she let me do it.
[9:13] And then my wife, Megan. So, they're all excited as well to become candid. Okay, thank you.
[9:22] Okay, we'll move on to 6.3.
[9:26] The board is request to consider and recommend approval of the layoff of Michelle Vieiraa effective June 30th, 2026 for purposes of economics and
[9:35] reorganization of the human resources department. May I have a motion, please? So move around.
[9:42] A second.
[9:45] Second. We have any additional comments?
[9:51] If not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed? I. No.
[9:59] Okay. Motion carries 8 to one. And I would like to um publicly thank Michelle for her time here.
[10:10] Okay. Um we will move that back to Frank.
[10:14] Okay. Okay, thanks Carol. 6.4 Retirements. The committee is requested
[10:21] to consider and recommend approval of the following resignations due to retirement effective with the last day of the 2526 school year unless otherwise
[10:30] noted. Miss Deborah Bitner, special education par professional, effective June 30th of 2026. Mr. Jeffrey Shalot,
[10:39] mathematics teacher. Mr. Mitchell Gaul, science teacher. Mrs. Patricia Lacy, business education teacher, effective August 21st, 2026.
[10:49] Are there any questions or comments? All right, we'll move that forward.
[10:56] 6.5 resignation. The committee is requested to accept with regret and best wishes for the future the following
[11:04] registration. Amelia Herbert, special education teacher at the middle school effective June 5th, 2026.
[11:12] There any questions or comments?
[11:16] Move that forward. 6.6. Employment Cassidy. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of Ms.
[11:25] Brittany Cassidy, part-time food services worker at an hourly rate of $18.87 effective April 13, 2026 to fill the vacancy created by her own resignation.
[11:39] Are there any questions or comments? Moving forward to 6.7 employment Vshake.
[11:48] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of Mr. Brandon Vanshake, science long-term substitute
[11:55] teacher at the middle school. Bachelor step 1 $56,33 prrated for actual days worked effective
[12:04] February 9th, 2026 through approximately May 6th, 2026 to fill the vacancy created by the leave of absence of Mr.
[12:12] Mitchell Gaul. Are there any questions or comments?
[12:18] Moving on to 6.8, Eight mentor. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the following
[12:25] mentor for the 2526 school year at a stipen of $1,175 for fullyear mentors and $587.50
[12:35] for halfyear mentors. Nedra Kohler for Laura Schaefer halfyear.
[12:42] Are there any questions or comments? Move that forward. We'll go to 6.9.
[12:49] Employment substitutes. The committee has requested to consider and recommend approval of the following substitutes for the 2526 school year. Shelby
[12:58] Hinssey, guest teacher. Khloe Moyer, guest teacher. And Luke Risinger, guest teacher.
[13:05] Are there any questions or comments? Moving on to 6.10, extracurricular.
[13:13] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the following extracurricular appointment for the 2627 school year. Approval is subject to the
[13:21] satisfactory receipt of all required clearances, background checks, and executed employment contracts. Daniel Gassert, varsity football high school assistant coach, $6,530.
[13:35] Are there any questions or comments?
[13:40] All right. 6.11 Employment Co-curricular. The committee is requested to consider and recommend
[13:48] approval of the following co-curricular appointment for the 2526 school year.
[13:53] Catalina Lassen, art activities director in the elementary school, $576.
[13:59] Leanne Moyer, middle school set design painting, $35. Are there any questions or comments?
[14:09] All right, we'll move on to 6.12.
[14:11] Employment community aquatic staff. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the following community aquatic staff for the 20
[14:20] 202526 school year. Connor Huggard, student lifeguard at a base salary of $15 an hour
[14:30] with u no bonus for experience. Are there any questions or comments?
[14:38] All right, we'll move on to 6.13.
[14:41] Employment game workers. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the following game workers for the 2526 school year to be paid $40
[14:51] per event. Kevin Avery and Laura Schaefer. Are there any question or comments?
[15:00] We'll move that forward on to 6.14. Employment volunteers.
[15:05] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the following volunteers for the 2526
[15:12] school year. Megan Antonucci, Salvatore Azolina,
[15:19] Kelly Eaton, Sarah Felts, Shannon Heisters,
[15:25] Tiffany Lopez, Arlens Pino, Joshua Santos,
[15:34] Andrew Smeire, and Charlene Vasquez. Are there any questions or comments?
[15:43] All right, we'll move forward on to 6.15, Family and Medical Leave Act.
[15:49] The committee is requested to consider and acknowledge the following Family and Medical Leave Act leaves of absence.
[15:55] Jonathan Jenkins, social studies teacher, effective approximately April 24th, 2026 through May 1st, 2026.
[16:03] Kelly Zimmerman, fourth grade teacher, effective March 30th, 2026 through approximately May 12th, 2026.
[16:11] and Amanda Poland, operation secretary, effective March 9th, 2026, intermittently through March 9th of 2027.
[16:19] Are there any questions or comments?
[16:24] We'll move on to 6.16 contract for services frontline education. The committee is requested to
[16:31] consider and recommend approval of the renewal agreement with frontline education for the absence and time recruiting and hiring and professional
[16:38] learning management products at a total cost of $39,672.83 for the period of July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027.
[16:51] Are there any questions or comments?
[16:57] All right, we'll move forward on to 6.17.
[17:00] Contract for services capital Blue Cross senior and vision benefit renewal plan.
[17:06] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the Capitol Blue Cross benefit renewal plan for the Skooka Valley School District senior
[17:14] product for the period of 7126 to 63027 which reflects an increase of $35.15
[17:22] in monthly premiums paid by seniors and the Capital Blue Cross benefit renewal plan for the Skooko Valley School District vision product for the period
[17:30] of 7126 to 6:3027 which reflects no change in monthly premiums paid by the district.
[17:39] Are there any questions or comments?
[17:44] Moving on to 6.18, contract for services, DocYsine. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the renewal
[17:52] agreement with DocYsine for the e signatures business pro edition system at a total cost of $3,042
[18:00] for the period of May 6th, 2026 through May 5th, 2027.
[18:05] Are there any questions or comments on that one?
[18:09] I know since we converted over to docuigns, we've had some growing pains here and there, but in general, it's really helped with the efficiency of
[18:17] getting contract signed and getting documents signed. So, um I'm glad to see that we're going to move forward and continue that contract.
[18:26] 6.19 Contract for Services Burks County Intermediate Unit guest teacher program.
[18:31] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the renewal of the agreement with the Burks County Intermediate Unit for the guest teacher
[18:38] program for the period of July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 at a total cost to the district of $900.
[18:48] Are there any questions or comments?
[18:54] Okay. 6.20 PSBA membership renewal for 2627.
[19:00] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the PSBA membership renewal for the 2627 school year in the amount of $16,6247.
[19:13] Are there any questions or comments?
[19:16] Just to provide some additional information, Mr. Amarell, um, as Mrs.
[19:19] Lash indicated at a previous meeting, PSBA is undergoing some changes. Um, they are basically ending their
[19:27] partnership with Diligent and Board Docs. They're moving their policy portion to a PSBA policy portal on the
[19:34] website that is included in this membership renewal for PSBA and they're encouraging districts to consider a
[19:42] product which they're calling Keystone Agenda which is a product out of Texas called board book that they're branding and tweaking for Pennsylvania. I had the
[19:51] opportunity to sit through a webinar on Keystone agenda and you know found it to be a little bit complicated and
[19:58] cumbersome to use. Um and so it it would not be my recommendation that the district switch over to Keystone agenda.
[20:06] I think we need to look at other options such as seeing what diligence cost is for um board docs for one more year. Um,
[20:15] and I know there are other ways to build board agendas even without a tool like board docs. And perhaps once Dr. Quirk gets started, that's something we can
[20:23] talk about and discuss as a team as well. Okay. Thank you, Dr. Wyers.
[20:29] Anything else for 6.20 from anyone?
[20:33] Moving on to 6.21. PSBA 2026 delegate assembly representative. The committee is requested to consider and recommend
[20:41] approval to appoint Mrs. Linda Lash, current PSBA liaison as the PSBA delegate assembly participant
[20:49] representing the school district on November 7th, 2026.
[20:53] Note the annual Pasa PSBA school leadership conference will be held October 18th to the 20th of 2026 and the
[21:01] PSBA delegate assembly will be held on November 7th, 2026. Are there any questions or comments?
[21:09] I do have one.
[21:10] Sure, go ahead. Usually the delegate assembly is right after the conference, but this is a separate thing at
[21:17] Cumberland Valley High School this year and it's not online, but the schools our size can have two
[21:25] delegates. If anybody else would like to go, you would get a copy of everything you would need. You might have to print
[21:33] it off yourself now. and um you would get a a copy of the legislative platform
[21:40] that's um predicted and Cumberland Valley must be very close to where the
[21:47] um PSBA headquarters is. I've never or I might have been there a long time ago, but I um it's about an hour from here.
[21:55] So So if anybody else would like to do it, just let Dr. Wyers know and we can sign you up.
[22:03] Okay. Thank you, Linda. and thank you for doing that.
[22:07] Moving on to 6.22, policy 620, fund balance, first reading. The committee is requested to consider and recommend
[22:14] approval to appoint. It didn't move us over here. Let's actually go there. All right, there we go. The committee has requested to consider and recommend
[22:21] approval of policy 620, fund balance, for a first reading. Uh we discussed some of the concerns raised about the
[22:29] verbiage in the policy in our last meeting. Uh while the committee understands the concerns, we decided to keep the verbiage as presented in the previous reading with the exception of
[22:37] the verbiage detailing how excess funds get transferred. Previously, the policy uh directed administration to transfer
[22:44] the excess into capital reserve. The new verbiage states that it is the board's discretion to determine where to transfer the portion of the exceeding
[22:53] 8%. So, I know you'll probably want to comment, Dave, because um you had most of the concerns about this uh policy.
[23:01] So, go ahead.
[23:02] Okay. Is are the first reading is that in in board docs or is I didn't see it in I didn't see the
[23:11] attached missy attachment. I'll have to look. It's attached under public content. Okay.
[23:16] It's the exact same as you know before we took it back just with that one line replaced.
[23:23] Okay. Are there any other questions or comments?
[23:27] All right. We're moving on to 6.23 23 policy 010 board hiring first reading.
[23:34] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of policy 010 board hiring for a first reading and that is also attached under public
[23:42] content. Uh this policy is a high level document that outlines general hiring practices and responsibilities. This is
[23:49] a new policy not a revision. Uh we did not previously have a policy outlining our hiring practices. We use similar policies from other schools to create
[23:57] this policy. I think this policy will complement the new interview and hiring procedures that we recently implemented.
[24:03] Well, are there any questions or comments about the policy?
[24:11] All right, we'll move on to 6.24, policy 325, dressing grooming, second reading. The committee is requested uh
[24:20] to consider and recommend approval of policy 325 dress and grooming for should say a second reading.
[24:28] Uh there have been no changes between the first and the second reading. Are there any questions or comments?
[24:37] All right. 6.25 policy 707 use of facilities second reading. The committee has requested to consider and recommend
[24:45] approval of policy 707 use of facilities for a second reading.
[24:52] Just wanted to add that, you know, I know we'd had some discussion during first reading about um working on the ARS and the board wanting to see the
[24:59] companion ARS with that policy. Um they're not complete yet. They're almost done. um I will have them um prior to
[25:06] next Monday so that the board can see them and has the benefit of looking at them before voting on this next week for second reading.
[25:14] Okay. Thank you, Dr. Wyers. And uh as with policy 325, policy 707 also had no revisions between the first and the second reading.
[25:25] Are there any other questions or comments?
[25:29] Moving on to 6.26 PSBA state funding resolution. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of
[25:36] the PSBA state funding resolution and that document is attached under public comment.
[25:42] Are there any questions or comments? Okay. Uh and now we'll move on to 6.27.
[25:51] Any other old or new business?
[25:56] hearing none. Since I'm tired of hearing my own voice, I will pass it along to curriculum and technology for 7.0.
[26:05] Okay. So, um 7.0. Thank you, Cork family, for joining.
[26:15] 7.0 curriculum and technology 7.1. Are there any persons who wish to address the board? No.
[26:23] Okay. I will give my um committee report at the end of of our agenda.
[26:32] Okay. So 7.2 voting item wayfinder program and pilot for late April. The board is requested to
[26:41] consider an approved participation in a free trial of the Wavefinder prek through 12 program for potential
[26:49] implementation at the middle school level to support the delivery of structured advisory lessons. Okay.
[26:56] And thank you for reading that, Linda, but we'll do the voting item. What did you say? It's a voting item.
[27:04] I'm sorry, Carol. I That's okay. I can't I don't have my glasses.
[27:09] [laughter]
[27:10] trying to trying to consider but okay. So, Carol, we're going to vote on this.
[27:14] [laughter]
[27:15] Okay. So, we have the voting item about the Wayfinder program pilot for late April. Uh may I have a motion, please?
[27:22] Well, I'll I'll motion for that. Okay. A second.
[27:28] Second. We Any other questions or comments?
[27:34] I'm going to ask Mrs. Rexro to come up here and share a little bit of information regarding this.
[27:39] And Mr. Sabjack, you might as well come up as well because all these items are either curriculum or tech and we're probably going to need both you guys for different items. [clears throat]
[27:47] Good evening. Um, the Wayfinder program is actually something that Mr. Mcculick um, learned about at a conference that
[27:55] he attended. And right now we are currently nearing the end of the pilot of everyday speech which is what we are
[28:03] using to deliver the advisory lessons at the middle school. And so this program is similar to that and also offers a
[28:11] free pilot. And since everyday speech will end at the end of this month, we thought we could um try this program for
[28:20] the remainder of the school year and then allow the teachers to give their input in terms of which program they
[28:27] felt was easier for them to use um their students liked better. Um and then that would be the program that we would go
[28:34] with for the start of the new school year.
[28:38] Mrs. Rexro, could you say about how long um those are those programs that they have in the morning?
[28:46] So I the the time of the advisory program just what they do each morning. How long is that?
[28:52] I'm actually if you don't mind I'm going to ask Mr. Mcculick to speak to that. He definitely knows it a little bit better than I do. Okay. Thank you.
[29:03] Thank you. Um advisory period runs every single morning for 10 to 15 minutes um right after immediately after the home
[29:10] room uh with the teacher and with the students. Um and it covers it covers the topics um meant for students to know to
[29:17] to grow in their affective uh behavior and how to how to get along with other with others. So it's a it's very
[29:24] positive. um you have to be dedicated to do it um each day. But we believe this planning um fits very much with um with
[29:32] what our board would want our students to do as far as developing uh developing themselves students as persons um as well as good characters.
[29:44] Anyone else have any questions on that?
[29:46] Oh, sorry, Carol. I'm so [laughter] sorry. Does anyone else have any questions?
[29:49] I actually do. Mr. McCullik, it says here that you will review the findings. Is it like a pre and post assessment?
[29:55] Uh reviewing the findings we we're referring to wanting to see how the program ran and then depending on how it
[30:02] as as Mrs. Rexo had said um how how students find it, how the teachers find it. Um the the point of the program is to give somebody a dose every day of
[30:11] something and um the process of uh administration writing them while they they can be they can be full and and and right to the point of what it happened
[30:20] what is happening um to have a program that is well researched um and also uh pedagogically and and correct for
[30:27] students um is a is a real benefit. So something that's uh selectable um interesting for the students, interesting uh for for what's happening
[30:36] in in real time and then um to be able to just basically try it out and then uh make a determination at that time
[30:43] comparing all of what we've done uh throughout the year and we should probably come to a a pretty clear clear resolution in a short amount of time.
[30:54] How is that getting baked into the schedule this year? So currently it is planned into the schedule um for basically as soon as it right after home
[31:02] room is done you it's part of the home room time period.
[31:05] Okay. So that's it's part of that initial home room time. So it's not it's just taking out of home room. They're starting their first period the same [clears throat] time.
[31:12] Yeah. We still we still have all the curricular time but we um but we count this um um count this time as important.
[31:18] And then the other nice part about these kinds of programs where it's selectable um you don't have to do the same thing exact same thing every single day. um
[31:26] there's other opportunities to consider um how to be together as community and and take on the um the subject at hand.
[31:33] And how many weeks did that run for this free trial? It was um the the company talked to us and said, you know, we can offer it can run
[31:41] it as long as we feel we need to. Um the timing just happens to be that one is terminating around the 27th and we can we can pick this up whenever we're ready
[31:49] and happen to run it as long as as long as we do. Um, this program in particular runs in cycles. So, it's not that the
[31:56] seventh grade sees it and goes, "Oh, we had this in fifth grade." Um, it's going to have it has a lot of different curriculum going all the way from K2 uh
[32:05] to 12. Um, but we'll use it for 5 to 8 start. All right. Thanks.
[32:12] Anything else? Can I ask something?
[32:20] Yeah, this year I start my year at my day at the middle school. I have a sixth grade home room and I just say I like the program that we're currently piloting. Um it's concise and it's very
[32:29] sequential and the kids I think benefit from this current one. Okay, thank you.
[32:38] Anyone else? Okay, I have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. I opposed.
[32:46] That was okay. Motion carries 90. Okay, I'll turn it.
[32:51] I think she's Did she say no? Kelly, can you repeat your vote? I said yes.
[32:58] Okay, that's what I thought. Okay, [clears throat] motion carries 90. Okay, and I'll turn it back over to Linda.
[33:06] 7.3 Power School Group LLC quote schooly license and subscription. Committee is
[33:15] requested to consider and recommend approval of the quote from Powers School
[33:21] Group LLC in the amount of $15,622 and 16 cents for the license and
[33:28] subscription of Schoolology for the term July 1st, 2026 to July 30th, 2027.
[33:36] And we did get information on that. and we're already using schooly and this is just a renewal of that. So any concerns or questions about that?
[33:49] If not, we'll move that forward. 7.4 dual enrollment agreement with rack for Skoal Valley High School.
[34:00] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the dual enrollment agreement with Reading Area Community College for Skookulo Valley
[34:09] High School for the 2627 academic year at the cost of $99 per credit.
[34:17] Um, we've been doing this for few years now. So, um, any questions and concerns about that?
[34:28] If not, we'll move that forward. 7.5 ECA science kit rental for 2627.
[34:37] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the ECA educational services science kit rental
[34:44] agreement for the 2627 school year.
[34:50] I just had a question about that.
[34:54] That's not an automata. That wasn't an automatic thing when we got that.
[34:58] So, we did we we have a three-year contract with them. They just update every year for your enrollment.
[35:05] Um, and just make sure that the same number of teachers that were teaching it before or teaching it again, all of that. It needed a signature. So, I
[35:12] thought just to be transparent, just to put it in front of you. But yes, we did sign a three-year contract with them last year to provide those kits. It's just an update for numbers.
[35:22] Any other questions or concerns about that?
[35:25] Thank you. Um then we'll move that forward.
[35:29] 7.6 Amplify Dibbles and [clears throat] Dibbles quote. The committee has
[35:37] requested to consider and recommend approval of quote number Q734160-
[35:46] two for McLass Dibbles 8 materials and professional development from Amplify
[35:52] for the 2627 school year. Uh in my um committee report I'll talk a little bit about this, but I'm going to let Mrs.
[36:01] dexro tell us sorry Jenny tell us about uh why it's called amplify now instead
[36:08] of just dibbles okay so um a few months ago when we had a committee meeting um
[36:16] some elementary teachers had asked for dibbles at the elementary school and so there are actually multiple versions of
[36:23] that there is dibbles 8 um which you can actually get free it's a paper pencil um
[36:30] assessment that teachers can use, but um Amplify actually hosts it on a platform
[36:39] to make it easier for teachers. Um it's a one-on-one assessment that you give to students. Um in that assessment on that
[36:47] platform, it goes through exactly what teachers are supposed to ask students.
[36:53] Um and then they can actually just click when when students for example pronounce
[36:59] a word wrong or um make some kind of error. They can mark those. They can mark specific things and then it
[37:07] actually will provide a report at the end that we can share with parents that says that their student is doing well
[37:14] and is on track or um what the needs are moving forward. so that then we can adjust our programming to support those children.
[37:24] There is also the option there's also another option through Aadience which is
[37:31] essentially is called Dibbles next. So there was like a splitting of the Dibbles people a few years ago and so
[37:40] Dibbles 8 is the original Dibbles and Dibbles Next. Um actually no I think it's Dibbles Next was the original
[37:47] people and then they renamed it Dibbles Next and Dibbles 8 is is newer. I had spoken with the reading specialists at
[37:54] the elementary school. um they recommended the Amplify MC class, which is the one that's on the board agenda,
[38:02] but because there was a split, we sent a survey out to our elementary teachers to
[38:08] ask which one they preferred. And so, um, Amplify MClass was the one that actually got more votes. Um, we had a
[38:17] little over half of the K through four teachers answer the survey and more of them wanted the Amplify MC class than
[38:26] wanted Acadian. So that is the one that is in front of you right now. But overall there was just a desire to have
[38:33] an additional assessment to gain some data on students and this would be assessing primarily their foundational skill development.
[38:42] And this is a three times three times a year one. Yes. Beginning, middle, and end. Yes.
[38:49] Any other questions or concerns for Mrs. Rex Road?
[38:52] I I just have a suggestion that I mean, there's still plenty of time to order this and since we have the the new superintendent coming on that maybe we
[39:01] could give some time that he would be able to attend some of these the curriculum meetings to be able to discuss these a lot of these issues with our staff to kind of bring him on board.
[39:14] um and that maybe we just hold off on voting this till next week until he has an opportunity to kind of go over these things with our staff. That would be
[39:22] agreeable to the rest of the board. Thank you.
[39:32] Thank you, Jen.
[39:43] So we'll move on to 7.7 cyber security software.
[39:50] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the three-year 7126 to 63029 cyber security software agreement as presented.
[40:02] And I'll bring up Mr. object so he can tell us as much as he can tell us about cyber security.
[40:12] Good evening. Appreciate you saying that because this item as well as the next, we try not to uh name the product specifically that we use for cyber reasons, but this product is a renewal.
[40:22] Uh we did purchase through the BCIU and that contract is well is up at the end of the school year. So, we are looking to participate and renew this specific subscription.
[40:34] Any questions or concerns? Okay.
[40:39] So, if you stay up there, we'll move that forward and we'll go on to 7.8 web content filter. The committee is
[40:47] requested to consider and recommend approval of the three-year 7126 to 63029
[40:54] proposed subscription for web content filtering as presented.
[41:00] So this is a product that we are looking to replace an existing solution in the district. Um it provides as well as the
[41:07] web content filter a classroom management piece that we've had previously in the district. Um the license count is our full student body.
[41:16] Um that would be for the classroom management piece. The web content filter would actually be through a a different product. Um so this has a handful of
[41:24] different features and it's actually at one-third the price of our previous product. This company also tends to innovate a little more than what we're
[41:31] currently on as well as consolidate some of our vendors because we al also do have other products from this vendor in the district.
[41:39] Okay. Any questions or concerns about that? If not, we'll move that forward.
[41:50] Um, okay.
[42:06] Catch up here.
[42:15] Okay. So, that brings us to 7.9.
[42:19] Any other old or new business for the committee?
[42:26] If not, I'll just go over a little bit of what we talked about at the curriculum committee.
[42:32] We did have um all our committee members and we had 10 teachers that attended the curriculum committee on Thursday, April 9th.
[42:43] um from our te technology department since PSSAs is this week. Um our
[42:53] technology department got 62 20 chargers and the necessary power strips that
[43:00] would accommodate that um for our classrooms.
[43:05] And we also talked about um notification of parents about any damaged Chromebooks.
[43:12] Uh any malicious damage that's not covered by insurance will be covered by the parents and we may need a new policy
[43:20] on that. So Frank, if you want to um bring that up in your committee.
[43:27] Um then for curriculum we talked about um voice up burks
[43:36] that uh has a dual enrollment credit program and it's an alternative to other
[43:43] graduation requirements and this meets the grad requirements and this is offered through rack and we also talked
[43:52] about Ignite 300 which is a semester course out the University of Pittsburgh,
[43:58] which is about the same thing. And um you use your in-house teachers to teach
[44:06] this. And with the innight 300, you get three credits. You could get three
[44:13] credits for a semester course, the end of the end of the year semester,
[44:20] and you would need a master's degree instructor for that. And there's a volunteering uh requirement for um in Ignite 300.
[44:33] And then we talked about um cursive writing since the state is ma has mandated that we teach cursive writing
[44:42] and connected italics writing and things like that in our elementary.
[44:47] Um our second grade is already [clears throat] teaching cursive. It starts in January of the second grade year. They're using the Zer Blosser curriculum.
[44:58] Um, our third graders continue it and third grade also starts typing um on their devices.
[45:07] I did ask a couple of our high school teachers um that were at the committee meeting if
[45:15] they were seeing our kids use cursive and they mentioned that there are kids in the high school that don't write and
[45:22] cannot seem to write their name in cursive. So, uh we were talking about what we could do to extend a little bit of cursive in our elementary.
[45:34] Then we talked about the Amplify MCL class dibbles and we talked a little bit about Firefly which is free and that's
[45:43] also a three-year benchmark which is aligned to the PSSAs.
[45:49] We talked about that Jen Joyce is still doing training. Um she's the IU trainer for our math curriculum.
[46:00] Uh the the English Yeah, the LA documents were reviewed and
[46:08] um teachers were asked if they had anything to contribute to the curriculum revisions. I think a couple teachers did
[46:15] think they would want to add something to that. We talked somewhat about Star Reader.
[46:24] Uh there was a homework survey that went out in April and one for families in April and one for teachers in April.
[46:34] So um that's about what we talked about in the curriculum committee. Um we do get a lot of interaction from our
[46:43] teachers. So I I hope they're getting a lot out of our committee meeting. And I'll turn it over to 8.0.
[46:54] 8.0 budget and finance. 8.1 persons who wish to address the board.
[47:03] 8.2 I'll turn it over to Carol.
[47:06] Okay, we have [clears throat] two voting items. 8.2 The Gordian Joocc contract
[47:13] with SJ Thomas Compc incorporated. The board is requested to consider and approve the authorization of a contract
[47:20] through Gordian with SJ Thomas Company Incorporated for the placement of a dishwashing machines at both middle
[47:28] school and high school buildings for a total cost of $182,53.70 pending legal review and approval of the
[47:37] final contract terms. May I have a motion, please? Motion, Brown. A second.
[47:46] Second, Rosie. Okay. Any questions or comments?
[47:54] If not, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed? I.
[47:59] Motion carries 90. Second voting item is the replacement dishwashing machines.
[48:05] Uh, the board is requested to consider and approve [clears throat] proposals from Singer Equipment Company to remove and replace dishwashing machines at both the middle school and high school
[48:13] buildings for a total cost of $155,585.14. May I have a motion, please?
[48:20] Motion Brown. Second, Rosie. Questions or comments? If not, all those in favor say I.
[48:29] I. Opposed? I.
[48:31] Motion carries 90. Okay, turn it back over to Joe.
[48:36] 8.4 Approval, ratification of bills. The committee is requested to consider and recommend the board approve ratify the
[48:44] payment of bills in the following amounts from March 9th, 2026 through
[48:50] April 28th, 2026 as presented. General fund 3,936,573.35.
[49:01] Cafeteria fund $115,736.76 capital improvement project fund
[49:09] $40,685.33 capital projects fund $22,550
[49:18] and the middle school high school activity fund $5,3368 for a grand total of 4,120,57912.
[49:30] 12 cents. Questions or comments?
[49:35] 8.5 fiscal year January to March budget transfers. The committee is requested to consider and recommend the approval of the budgetary transfers as presented.
[49:47] Questions or comments?
[49:51] 8.6 Quadant Leasing USA agreement extension.
[49:56] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the Quadant Leasing USA lease extension agreement
[50:03] for the mail machine for a 12-month term effective April 27th, 2026 through April
[50:10] 27th, 2027 with no increase as presented. Questions or comments?
[50:17] the 8.7 treasures report. There's an executive uh file attachment uh summary
[50:23] year to date through 33126. Any questions on that?
[50:29] The 8.8 2026 2027 preliminary budget
[50:35] presentation and discussion. Kristen, thank you. Good evening.
[50:48] And I just want to say very briefly before Kristen gets started, um, at the conclusion of her presentation, um, what
[50:55] we're looking for this evening administratively is upon the board's discussion is some direction in terms of where we want to go for for the purpose
[51:04] of the motion next week and if we go with a tax increase, what percentage increase? So that's that's ultimately where we want to get to by the end of the presentation and discussion.
[51:16] Um so prior to getting involved in the preliminary budget um I did want to provide a more or less a state update.
[51:26] Um we did have the chance to um go to the committee on legislative action the most recent meeting um at the IU and
[51:35] Hannah Barrick the executive director from Pasbo was there presenting on um the state update and kind of where we're at in the budget process.
[51:44] Um so just to kind of take a step back and kind of go through the um what was put into the governor's proposal. So for
[51:53] the general fund budget for 2627 total of 53.26 billion was the total
[52:00] proposed it was a 5.4% increase from the 2526 budget year. Uh one thing to keep
[52:08] in mind with this proposal it includes a 4.58 billion from their rainy day fund.
[52:15] Now they the state has on average about 8 billion. If this proposal stands, that would be a large portion of the rainy
[52:23] day fund that they would be depleting in this fiscal year, this upcoming fiscal year. And then looking ahead, that could
[52:30] potentially put them to a position where they would have no more rainy day fund in the course of another two years. Um,
[52:39] so what that really means for us and for a lot of other school districts is we could be flatfunded or we could possibly
[52:46] start seeing reductions from the state level.
[52:50] So, looking at the education appropriations, I just wanted to kind of list them all out for you here. We did have a $50 million increase in the basic
[52:58] ed formula. Also, a $50 million increase in the special ed formula. There was $565 million proposed for uh adequacy
[53:08] and the tax equity supplement. There was also 125 million in uh solar grants as
[53:15] well as another 100 million proposed for school safety grants and 51 million was also proposed for early intervention.
[53:24] So focusing on basic ed funding the proposed increase of 50 million
[53:31] it actually is the smallest increase in the past 10 years. So thinking about
[53:37] that rainy day fund even including that portion that almost five billion coming from the rainy day fund as it pertains
[53:46] to just basic ed funding alone it's still showing the smallest increase over the last 10 years
[53:54] and it's evident if you look at this graph here you can this graph goes back to 2015 2016 you'll see the peak years
[54:02] after COVID and then all the way on the right hand side in red is a $50 million increase, but it is the smallest over
[54:11] the last couple of years. So, looking ahead, that number could potentially start going down.
[54:20] So, when we think about the basic ed formula, uh, poverty percentages are a large piece of the pie. um essentially
[54:29] that that is the piece that is making up so to speak our p our piece of the pie of the basic ed. So it looks at a
[54:37] three-year average poverty. Um you can see a couple of the other school districts here in Burks County and
[54:44] highlighted there in blue is Skukul Valley at 4.52%.
[54:49] So that is a low poverty percentage for us. And what that means is that 4.52% is
[54:56] feeding our formula and it's providing a smaller share for our school district because we have a low poverty percentage.
[55:05] So another area to keep in mind when looking at the formula is the median household income.
[55:12] So the state median household income for going into 2627 is 75,741.
[55:21] Looking across the board, um, looking at 24 going back to 22, and then looking at the three-year average across the school
[55:28] districts in the county, you'll see Skukul Valley in 2024 alone was second highest in the county. And
[55:37] the three-year average is still high compared to the rest of the school districts as well as compared to the state, which again, that means it's
[55:45] pulling our share of that $50 million increase down.
[55:51] So, shifting gears to special ed funding, again, we did have a proposed increase of 50 million. Um, in this case, there is a a statewide increase of about 3.27%.
[56:02] So, we're still seeing a little bit of an increase in special ed funding, just not as much on the basic ed side.
[56:10] This is a really um important graph. And I want you to focus on the um the blue
[56:19] the lighter blue um bar graph here where you'll see on the right hand side it's
[56:26] about 7.5 billion and this graph goes back to the 2007 year. What that represents is our space our special
[56:35] education expenditures. So it represents the 1,200 uh function code um from the AFR or our annual financial report.
[56:44] You'll see it continuously is growing and it's growing at a rapid rate in the Navy, the shaded navy uh lines as well
[56:53] as the very very light blue at the bottom. That's our subsidy, our state subsidy, as well as the federal IDAB
[57:01] funds for special ed. again subsidy and the idea funds are growing at a slower
[57:08] rate. Um the state subsidy alone is growing just exponentially each year but it's not growing near as fast as our
[57:17] special ed expenditures. So this is where we would want to look at contingency funds or contingency funding to offset some of those special
[57:26] education costs as well as access funding as well.
[57:31] And another area to see on here is the cyber charter special ed. Um so again
[57:38] we're seeing the similar type of situation where our cumulative increase in cyber charter school um cyber charter
[57:47] school alone but cyber charter school special education tuition costs is just growing exponentially faster than the subsidy to offset those costs.
[58:00] So, ready to learn uh ready tolearn is budgeted, it's proposed at the base from prior year. So, it's proposed off of the
[58:08] 1.38 billion that was um received in 2526. That's your foundation level. And
[58:17] then the adequacy and the tax equity was kept at the same levels as prior year to average out to that 1.94 billion.
[58:26] Now, for us, and you'll see a couple of our school districts here. For us, typically we receive the ready tolearn
[58:33] component, which is that $197,000 each year. But we also received this
[58:40] fiscal year 2526, an additional $50,000 in the tax equity portion, and we'll also be proposed to receive that same
[58:49] $50,000 next year as well in 2627.
[58:55] So, thinking about the timeline, um, each fiscal year the state must pass a budget. The deadline typically is June
[59:04] 30th. Um, as we've seen in prior years, they've went way past that deadline. Um,
[59:12] last year was a budget impass and it took us into the late fall time frame.
[59:18] Um, in speaking with Hannah and kind of in hearing her her presentation last
[59:24] week, um, there is a push for the 2627 budget. Uh, the House and Senate
[59:32] appropriations. They held their hearings with PTE to review the proposals. And in looking at the primary elections that
[59:39] are coming up, it's really kind of a push to try to get this budget approved.
[59:43] Um, and they're even looking as early as July. So stay tuned.
[59:50] So, I want to go into funny. Yeah, I don't know. So, I want to
[59:56] go into um the preliminary budget. And again, a lot of these slides are going to look very familiar. Um I'm going to
[1:00:06] still kind of focus on going through revenue and expenditures just to kind of give a brief update. So keep in mind 70%
[1:00:15] of our revenue source is local tax revenue.
[1:00:19] 26% again is that unknown from the state. We still try to budget from a conservative level. And then the RA
[1:00:27] remainder is made up of other revenue as well as interest on investments and federal funding.
[1:00:36] So for local tax revenue, we did utilize a taxable assessment value of about 1.1 billion. We factored in a 0.5% increase
[1:00:45] for the 2627 projection to remain conservative based upon the trend that you'll see soon. Uh we still have the current millage rate of 27.82.
[1:00:57] We also assumed a 97.5% collection rate and keep in mind this is only including the current real estate.
[1:01:04] So, not including interims and delinquents.
[1:01:09] So, again, here you'll see a 5-year trend of the current real estate going back to 2022.
[1:01:15] For the 2026 year, that actual of 72% over prior is final for current real
[1:01:22] estate. So, again, it's the smallest increase year-over-year in the last five years, and it's actually the smallest increase in the last 10 years as well.
[1:01:31] So, like I've said before, our tax base is starting to flatten. There are some smaller phases on the horizon as well as
[1:01:39] our parcel uh our nearby parcel that's currently on Alerta that will begin to recognize revenue hopefully over the next couple of years.
[1:01:51] So for our proposed expenditures, keep in mind 70 over 70% is made up of of um salaries and benefits.
[1:02:02] And when you think about committed expenditures, another 20% is made up of
[1:02:10] transportation, um contract services, bond principle, and interest.
[1:02:17] So about 10% or roughly $5 million can really be affected on a year-to-year basis.
[1:02:28] So thinking about then revenue assumptions.
[1:02:32] So again, a 0.5% increase was factored into the fiscal 25 current real estate taxes.
[1:02:38] And again, it was the first year in roughly 10 years where we're starting to see the tax base flatten. and we did also factor in that 97.5% collection rate.
[1:02:48] Uh interest on investments we kept flat.
[1:02:51] uh basic ed and special ed. Like I've discussed before, we did originally have in roughly the historical amount which
[1:02:59] was about 5 to 7% which we've been seeing historically over the last couple of years. But the based on the proposed
[1:03:06] governor's address, we're coming in roughly closer to about 1% on the basic ed side and just under 4% on the special
[1:03:14] ed side. And we did remove the SVEC revenue figure which was again no reimbursement from the county which equated to about 480,000.
[1:03:26] So on the expenditure side total salaries, wages and benefits increased 850,000 over the prior year's budget. I
[1:03:36] did want to focus on these two items um that are highlighted in yellow. Again, these are the two items that are the change from my last presentation in
[1:03:45] March. So, we discussed already the one executive secretary HR position that currently has been removed from the 2627
[1:03:54] budget. We also had one accounts payable transportation secretary position that we removed from the 2627 budget. we're
[1:04:03] not actively hiring for. And upon further analysis of the department, we've determined to um bring some of
[1:04:12] that in-house and we were able to manage it with the current staff.
[1:04:16] The health consortium increase of roughly 10% is factored into this budget. The BCTC budget of 910,000 has
[1:04:26] already been factored in as well. uh charter school costs. We have the $350,000
[1:04:32] increase over the 2526 budget in this budget.
[1:04:37] Uh the special ed increase of about $200,000 for out of district placement tuition and professional fees is also
[1:04:43] factored in. All building level budget requests are in this budget. We have had no reductions.
[1:04:52] We did keep the curriculum material uh budget level at the 475 like prior year.
[1:04:59] Uh keep in mind again debt service payments are kept flat. So we have no reduction in this fiscal year.
[1:05:05] We did budget for a 1% budgetary reserve of 500,000 and the SVEC projected cost was kept at $630,000 in this fiscal year budget.
[1:05:18] Okay. So what does that translate to then in dollars? So if you recall in my last presentation in March, that current
[1:05:26] deficit was just about 1.048 million. So about 1.05 million.
[1:05:33] The current deficit now with those two changes, those two personnel changes is now $838,000.
[1:05:43] So looking at that deficit then, what are some of our options?
[1:05:48] So one option would be increase tax millillage by 65 or 2.34%
[1:05:56] which would equate to about $865,000 in additional revenue. That would clear the deficit and then take the remaining
[1:06:05] surplus of $27,000 and apply that to budgetary reserve.
[1:06:11] This option yields an average uh yearly increase per household of $97.50. 50s using an average assessment of 150,000.
[1:06:25] So another option we could increase tax millage 75 or 2.7%
[1:06:33] that would yield another 97,000 97 $975,000 in additional revenue.
[1:06:41] That would also clear the deficit and that would re that would leave a remaining surplus of 137,000 that we would then apply to budgetary reserve.
[1:06:52] This option is a yearly increase per household of $112.50 using an average assessment of 150,000.
[1:07:06] The third option increase tax millage by 0.85 or 3.06. 06%
[1:07:13] which yields additional revenue of 1.08 million. This also clears the deficit and you can then take the remaining
[1:07:21] surplus of $242,000 and apply that to budgetary reserve.
[1:07:27] This would yield uh an increase per household of $127.50 using an average assessment of 150,000.
[1:07:37] Another option, increase tax millage by one or 3.59%.
[1:07:45] Yields additional revenue of 1.25 million. This again clears a deficit.
[1:07:52] And we would then take that remaining surplus of $412,000 and apply that to budgetary reserve.
[1:08:00] This would be an average yearly increase per household of $150 using an average assessment of $150,000.
[1:08:09] Final option, and I want to state that with this option, with the act one resolution that we
[1:08:17] passed in like late fall, this would be the max that we could raise taxes to.
[1:08:24] So, I wanted to put this option out there as this would be the max if this would be the option. So choose. So
[1:08:31] increase tax millage 1.19 or 4.28%.
[1:08:36] Which yields additional revenue of 1.46 million. This would clear the deficit.
[1:08:42] And then take the remaining surplus of 622,000 and apply that to budgetary reserve.
[1:08:49] This would be an average yearly increase per household of $178.50 using an average assessment of 150,000.
[1:09:06] Does anybody have any questions for Kristen? I do.
[1:09:13] So I understand. So last year's budget Mhm.
[1:09:18] was there any deficit in that in the beginning and what did we end up with as far as deficit goes
[1:09:27] for like did you build in like uh to add in your reserve balance to cover the
[1:09:33] deficit or and then did we end up with uh what type of deficit are we projecting to end the year with?
[1:09:42] Yeah. So for the 2526 budget um when we built that budget there wasn't a def
[1:09:49] like there wasn't an initial deficit. We did we did come to a balanced budget um when we had the proposed as well as the
[1:09:56] final this fiscal year. Um based on my presentation kind of I want to say back
[1:10:03] in I think it was in January I believe um we were proposing roughly a $ 1.3 million deficit. we're still trending in
[1:10:12] that way. Um it's all going to depend on the subsidy reconciliation at year end
[1:10:20] which normally occur occurs in June which would factor in all of the retro charter school uh subsidy changes um
[1:10:29] that took place with the PTE 363 form as well.
[1:10:32] Okay. So help me understand because and I'm I don't wish to put you on the spot but you have the answers. Um, so if we
[1:10:39] if we started last year, we didn't do a tax increase because there they felt there was no need for a tax increase and we're ending the year with over a
[1:10:48] million dollar deficit, then it it seems problematic that we should
[1:10:54] have done the tax increase last year and then we wouldn't be facing this this year. But for whatever reason, it was held off and we still ended up with over
[1:11:04] a million dollar deficit, which to me is concerning. And it's my understanding that some of the positions that were in the budget weren't even filled last
[1:11:12] year. So I think there's, you know, if they were filled, we would have had an even greater deficit. So I'm trying to get in my mind what we would need to do
[1:11:20] to try to calm everything and and be on a track that we're not uh put in this position going forward.
[1:11:29] Right.
[1:11:30] Yeah. So, part of this is the ongoing situation with the SBEC, which we didn't we didn't factor in the reimbursement,
[1:11:38] and that's still going to be about a $630,000 offset, let's just say. Um, charter schools kind of still is plaguing us.
[1:11:47] Um, and it it really hit us. I want to say February of last year is really when
[1:11:55] we saw the uptick in the cost of charter schools. um at when it pertains to the positions, we did have offsetting costs
[1:12:03] in the professional services, contracted services that if we would fill those positions, we wouldn't have that offsetting cost then in contracted
[1:12:10] services. But yes, part of the issue really is the the ongoing reimbursement issue from the county as well as charter schools.
[1:12:19] And then going forward with this, I know you're you're talking about an $850,000 increase in wages and benefits this
[1:12:27] year. So, I'm assuming next year's cycle is going to be more than that, but our tax uh our taxes coming in are flat.
[1:12:36] So, how do we remedy that?
[1:12:38] State coming in is almost starting to flatten as well. Yeah.
[1:12:41] And then we're going to have an increased deficit at some point over the um over the buildings. Yeah.
[1:12:50] Yeah. I that's kind of why I push too with like access funding for special ed, contingency funding for special ed because that can also offset some of the
[1:12:58] rising costs in special ed as well just because you saw that graph and it kind of had a little bit of an increase but then it
[1:13:06] really shot up over the last I want to say roughly five years that seems to be plaguing a lot of schools. Um where we're just trying to figure out then
[1:13:14] where is that offset going to be? Is it going to be at the state level or would it be additional funding as it pertains to access or contingency funds?
[1:13:22] Okay. All right. Thank you.
[1:13:31] Have we gotten anywhere with talking to anybody at the state level since the county isn't helping us with the SVEC deficit?
[1:13:42] So, we actually have um a meeting set up with Representative Week Neck. I believe it's on the 30th, the 29th or the 30th
[1:13:50] of next week um to talk about the SVEC and about the re the non-reimbursement.
[1:13:59] Yeah. I mean, it can't be stated enough how much that hurts. I mean that just that was almost half a million dollars
[1:14:07] that just we were kind of it was implied we would be taken care of and then when it came time to pay the bill the answer
[1:14:15] was no uh and we don't really have a lot of recourse. So, you know, in addition to the inflation we've seen over the
[1:14:22] years and, you know, as you always see the increase in salaries uh throughout the district, just throwing in half a
[1:14:30] million dollars out of the blue that we had no control over. Um, it's just uh the cherry on top, I guess I'll say.
[1:14:38] Yes.
[1:14:38] Well, that and you look at revenue, you hit we hit it both ways. We had charter
[1:14:44] school increases that were higher than even our forecast.
[1:14:50] Yes, we had the 460,000 deficit because of the county's issue
[1:14:58] and then like uh Kristen said, we had the lowest increases in revenue on the
[1:15:07] other side. So, we used to have some offsets because we had the increase. If you go back to our chart, at one point we had a 5% increase,
[1:15:16] right? And now we're 7% increase in revenue. So when you don't get
[1:15:23] additional funding in and you have additional costs, you get it's a double squeeze on that. And some of these the
[1:15:31] stuff that as she alluded to, it's stuff that's beyond our control that these are forced mandates because we have to support these programs.
[1:15:43] Yeah. Yeah, I mean I don't know because the SVEC where the county located that facility is in our school district. We,
[1:15:50] you know, we were gifted this $500,000 deficit basically. Uh I don't know many school districts that could just kind of
[1:15:59] take that um and not not have to do something in in response. And to be clear, we did have a conversation about
[1:16:06] a year ago, this time a year ago, about should we raise taxes because we were looking at this expense and we didn't have anything on paper saying we were going to get reimbursed by the county.
[1:16:17] And I think we ultimately decided not to raise taxes because we were kind of led to believe that we would be made whole.
[1:16:23] Uh, and you know, hindsight being 2020, I think that was probably a mistake because here we sit and we were not made whole and it doesn't look like we're going to be made whole moving forward.
[1:16:32] Is there any way to set up a meeting with the county commissioners and the entire board and then with state legislators and the entire board?
[1:16:42] Because this issue has to be resolved. We can't carry this burden by ourselves.
[1:16:49] Previous attempts at setting up meetings with the county commissioners didn't work out because they seem to not want to have three of them in the room at the
[1:16:57] same time because it created a quorum, which seemed like a weak excuse, but they've been full of weak excuses.
[1:17:05] So, advertise it and make it public and then it doesn't matter if we have a quorum. We need to get this resolved.
[1:17:16] Yeah. And I mean, just to be clear, too, I mean, initially the push back was, well, you're saying it's going to cost you this much as a school district to
[1:17:24] run the SVEC, but that's budgeting. Let us see the real numbers. So, basically, let the year progress. Yeah.
[1:17:32] Take in. We want to see how much you made in reimbursement, how much your expenses were, and then, you know, give us a bill, then we can talk. And we did
[1:17:41] that, and the bill went out and crickets. Yep.
[1:17:47] Maybe we should have a field trip to the county commissioners meeting. Let's take the whole board.
[1:17:54] My concern on this is we we constantly dwell on this 600 some thousand which I I agree is a significant amount that we
[1:18:01] were faced with. But the side to that is we also put oursel in that predicament by hiring staff over there and the
[1:18:09] amount of staff without knowing the number of students that we were going to get and the income that was going to be generated. So, you know,
[1:18:16] that that caused a lot of our uh issues with that with with not knowing but hiring staff in the interim
[1:18:23] to fill those positions. So, I agree there's something that needs to be done, but we also have to look at what staffing levels we even need to
[1:18:31] maintain that. So, we're not putting the money out for that and trying to reduce that 600,000 or 500,000 back to
[1:18:39] what may be something that we could live with like we have to live with the paying for the cyber charter schools and so forth. Yes.
[1:18:46] At at the end of the day, I think our staffing levels are pretty low already. Like, we don't have any not the solution.
[1:18:55] And like we're we're legally responsible to educate them. So when they told us the number of students that they thought they were going to have, we had no
[1:19:01] choice but to plan accordingly because we could have children a high amount. We were cuz because when we were having
[1:19:09] these conversations, it could have been 50. It could have even been more at that point because I know they had their license for I think it was 50, but then there could have been
[1:19:17] it was 50 and they could go to a hundred and if they would build more it would be right even more. And I guess Joe, the thing is
[1:19:24] they had told us, we figured the break even was 40. They had told us they were shooting for 40 to 50 because all these
[1:19:31] people were out there sleeping in sheriff's offices and ER rooms and all this saying, "Hey, we had, you know,
[1:19:40] it's like build it, they will come." Well, they build it. Nobody came. But in the meantime, we had to be prepared to
[1:19:49] educate these kids because of state school code that we had to educate these kids. So, you know, we've looked at
[1:19:57] where to build, you know, build up or not build up. So, you know, we we did all I think we did everything that, you
[1:20:05] know, basically that we could. there are some options that we can look at, you know, how to how to to manage costs
[1:20:13] there. But, you know, the whole thing is, you know, poor planning by the county. You know,
[1:20:20] even though you say we keep on harping on it, it's the harp. And that's why there was resistance to raise taxes
[1:20:28] because I was in those meetings because I was president and one of the comments that came back was that, oh, if you raise taxes, then you don't need our
[1:20:36] money. Well, that's not the point of our our residents should not be paying for a county function. So, if we would have
[1:20:45] raised their taxes last year and made ourselves break even on this on the backs of our residents,
[1:20:53] to me, that's not the way either. We still paid everything. All our bills got paid. Yes, we did reduce some of the
[1:21:01] fund balances, not knowing the other two parts of it, which was a lower revenue stream and also then charter schools.
[1:21:09] So, we had a triple whammy going on for that. So, we figured, hey, we could handle one
[1:21:17] like we'll reduce it, you know, three or four. We didn't know that number because we were everything was estimations and
[1:21:25] what we could do. But then when you add two more parts to it, now you're handling three things that were pretty
[1:21:33] unprecedented. If you saw that revenue stream, I can't harp on that. That's a big deal.
[1:21:40] And I think we're but we're not going to get away from that. We're not going to get away from the cyber charters. Oh, I'm not I'm not saying you hope we can by by bringing those
[1:21:49] kids back into our district, but the reality in looking at the forecasting, and I know we asked about doing a 5-year
[1:21:56] forecast, and you're working on that, and I appreciate that, but you know, we just got to figure out over the next couple years with a flat funding
[1:22:04] resource where the where the revenues are going to come from going and Yes. Yep.
[1:22:08] Yeah. I don't see state funding increasing especially when you're talking about them almost wanting to have that yes rainy day fund. If you're looking at
[1:22:15] what we're trying to achieve with our fund balance and keeping a certain percentage in reserves they're they're approaching you know by by committing
[1:22:24] that $4 billion right to do the same. So that's that's kind of dangerous. So I don't want to rely on them for that. So I appreciate it. Thank
[1:22:33] you. Y and you know my only point is that we need to keep the county feet to the fire. We need to keep the state's feet to the fire
[1:22:41] because we can't have our taxpayers bearing all of the burden. I agree with that.
[1:22:47] Yeah. And I I hear what you're saying too, Joe. I mean, that's almost half a million dollars, but you know, we were
[1:22:54] looking at a $1.3 million deficit. So, while that's a good chunk, we still have some other issues. There's a lot of money need to address that aren't just
[1:23:03] going to go away if we magically get reimbursement from the county. Correct.
[1:23:07] So, and I I believe, correct me if I'm wrong, you know, like David said, we were looking at about 40 students, I think, to break even.
[1:23:14] Um, and we thought we were going to get more than that. I don't know that it's Have we ever crossed into I know we might have crossed into double digits a few times, but not very far.
[1:23:24] [clears throat]
[1:23:24] Dr. Kener, I'm correct. We've hovered like 10 to 12 most of this year. Correct. Yeah.
[1:23:28] Okay. So a far cry from 50.
[1:23:32] Is there in any indication that those numbers are going to go up that that you have heard?
[1:23:40] Yes. Across the street in another year county,
[1:23:55] but that's a different program. That's not that's not the youth shelter. That's that's a third program that we would have to
[1:24:04] remove across the street and it's so detention shelter combined.
[1:24:16] Kristen, there were two new streams of funding. They were talking about the skills games and cannabis.
[1:24:26] But the skills games was more of a positive than than the licensing from the It was dispensaries. Yes.
[1:24:34] But but that's not going to bring in billions of dollars.
[1:24:40] No. Not Not to the point of basically replenishing the rainy day funds. Yeah.
[1:24:47] Okay.
[1:24:53] So basically moving forward, I mean it's hard to have a crystal ball to say that we're going to receive this kind of funding or that kind of funding. I mean,
[1:25:01] o we really have to just work with what we know is coming up or not coming up, right?
[1:25:07] And go [clears throat] from there and decide what we want to do. Yep.
[1:25:14] I know they we had talked about going Joe you wanted to have that fiveyear plan but the other thing I would probably strongly suggest is maybe
[1:25:22] taking it three years because by the time you go out five years you can just see in this the unknowns that you're going to have revenue streams and
[1:25:31] everything else the amount of effort to put in something greater than three years is going to be highly problematic
[1:25:40] that it will not be close to being accurate you know, even just one year.
[1:25:44] Look at the volatility that we have and especially the state's going to have the biggest issue, like Kristen said with
[1:25:52] for the first time in like forever, they're going to have to look to raise income tax, which is what they've never wanted to do.
[1:26:00] And so they've played the game at the state level.
[1:26:05] So we're approaching that total unknown of, you know, whether to go back. So I would probably say for efforts would say
[1:26:13] not to go the five-year but to go more like a prioritize like the three to to take it down to three years and
[1:26:20] even that the high probability that that third year's going to be a swag you know I'm comfortable with that at
[1:26:28] least each year then we can keep the threeear cycle out there that we have right but I'm just saying you'll see we'll see the predictability is there's
[1:26:37] so many factors economy you know put a war in, do everything else, you know, the building, you know, the
[1:26:43] housing market, you know, right? Okay.
[1:26:51] Okay. Well, moving forward with uh Dr.
[1:26:53] Winter said, ask some direction. Not that we have to I don't know that we're going to really be able to come up with one set thing. You know, obviously
[1:27:01] moving forward, maybe a couple options, but is there any kind of um discussion
[1:27:08] on something that like say option number five, the highest millage, would anyone want to entertain that or is that
[1:27:15] something that we could maybe agree to eliminate that we would not go to the U maximum amount?
[1:27:24] I I don't think I want to see the max, but I think we have to look at like a mill. That's kind of where I'm at. We've been running deficits the last couple of years. Listen, we can get all worked up
[1:27:33] about the county, and I'm not saying I'm excited about it, but the bill's coming.
[1:27:37] We got to accept the reality of that. We can fight and we can try to get this money, but we're putting ourselves in a hole and we've been running deficits. I I
[1:27:45] think we we're going to have to rip the band-aid a little bit here. take this to to hopefully if we do see any deficits
[1:27:53] that we're not rolling them into another year that we keep taking this and then we'll see where we're at next year and then with the hope that we don't
[1:28:01] have to raise them next year moving forward if we feel better about these numbers but I'd rather see that surplus and it's not you know oh we've got to build some
[1:28:09] of these capital fund projects we got to build some of these other you know get the chest back up a little bit so that's
[1:28:17] where I'm I mean, you don't have to max it out, but I mean, I think we're look I don't want to just zero out the budget. I think we have to look at like a mill.
[1:28:25] You got to take the low. I would say at least take the There was five. Take the lowest and the highest out. Yeah.
[1:28:32] Say we're not going to do the lowest.
[1:28:33] We're not going to do the highest. And then look at the middle three. Middle three.
[1:28:37] Yeah, that's what I was going to say as well. I mean, there's no point in just clearing this deficit with the lowest. I mean, that just basically clears the deficit and it doesn't address anything
[1:28:45] moving forward. doesn't give us any reserves, but at the same time going all the way to the max I think is a little bit excessive too. So I agree with Dave.
[1:28:54] Um and it sounds like Dan too. Eliminate option one and five. And then we have to choose between two, three, and four. The 75, the 085, and the one.
[1:29:04] I'm fine. I mean, three options is fine. Two options. I don't whichever.
[1:29:09] If I could just chime in real quick, and Kristen, correct me if I'm right, but um you need clear direction to pass a preliminary final budget next Monday.
[1:29:17] Yes.
[1:29:18] And then that has to be available. That option that the board passes next Monday has to be available for public inspection for 30 days and it can change
[1:29:25] between now and then. But but Kristen needs like a this is the way that the board wishes to go because we can't have three options passed next Monday.
[1:29:34] Correct. Correct.
[1:29:35] Well, we could have three options and then we're going to vote yay or nay on one of those three.
[1:29:40] Yes, that's fine. I just wanted to make sure everyone who maybe hasn't done this process before understands what that means, especially the public also. what what the voting no it would be that this would give us
[1:29:49] time to kind of get a little bit more input over these three options and then next week we would be voting on one of those three.
[1:29:57] Yep.
[1:30:00] So then Alicia, would you recommend then that the language of the motion would just be it's recommended that the board consider and approve one of the following options?
[1:30:08] And that's fine. It's kind of like what we did with the like with the field house.
[1:30:11] Yeah. It allows the public to understand what options are on the table. only one is going to be approved. Again, it can change the 30 days thereafter, but we just have to check that box.
[1:30:20] Yep.
[1:30:21] Okay. I put my option out there. So, you know, you can send your emails, I guess, for the next week till we get to the actual vote. So, what option are you picking?
[1:30:30] What' be what? Four. 1 mil. Option number four. We'll put the three.
[1:30:36] Is there a consensus to put two, three, and four? Yes.
[1:30:41] Yes. and that we will continue then discussion and we will choose one of those options next Monday.
[1:30:49] Is there consensus?
[1:30:51] Okay, there you have it. Consensus to move two, three and four as the three options.
[1:31:01] So that's what between uh 75.85 and one mil.
[1:31:07] So it's between 75 and 1 mil. Yes. Yes.
[1:31:11] And then the increase would be um what was it? Uh 11250 11250 to150 and to 150.
[1:31:23] Yeah. But I'm just saying 1121 1250 to 150 based on $150,000 assessment. Yeah.
[1:31:30] Yes.
[1:31:36] Okay. So we'll be discussing this again next week. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you.
[1:31:44] Thanks, Chris.
[1:31:47] 8.9 SVSD Fieldhouse project phase 2 financing discussion.
[1:31:53] You received a attachment for the financing update.
[1:32:01] Carol, do you want anything on that or just move on?
[1:32:04] No, we can we can discuss it. This does not require a vote. So we can have a consensus. We can, as I said in the
[1:32:12] beginning, we can actually have a consensus that we reach tonight or we can say we want to have more discussion time and have a consensus um next
[1:32:20] Monday's meeting. So you can just open the floor for any kind of discussion.
[1:32:26] Yeah, I mean everything we've done for the fieldhouse is already approved. So this, like you said, this is not something we need to vote on. So whatever we decide on tonight is not up
[1:32:34] for discussion as a as a line item in next week's meeting. This is just for transparency
[1:32:43] that and and just to provide some kind of direction to Kristen and I so that as it as it moves forward with the bond
[1:32:50] piece, Raymond James knows kind of what direction we want to go in.
[1:32:55] And we did not have a slide for this this evening. I mean, we had slides in the past that the options were that we
[1:33:02] would fully fund the project [clears throat] uh out of the bond issue or we would use uh partial payments out
[1:33:10] of um the highest was up to $6 million that we would take out of our reserves and the the lowest was that we would not
[1:33:19] take any out of the reserves and we would fully fund the project through the bond. I think you got to take the using
[1:33:26] six million for that. I think that can also in my opinion we can remove that and just look at either funding at zero
[1:33:34] or funding it with three but take the six million funding because if you take the six million funding then you are
[1:33:41] draining all the capital reserve that if we need it for any of these other projects you don't want to you don't want to do
[1:33:49] that. My only question I would have for uh Kristen is the three million that we
[1:33:56] have left in the bond that you know we have to use in a certain point of time
[1:34:03] like I just want to make sure as a board that we know like what are those limitations because the middle option
[1:34:11] you know if we take the one away now but that middle option of saying use the 3 million that 3 million was basically the excess we had from the original bond.
[1:34:22] And the timing and the reason we have that 3 million was basically we used er grants that we got from the government
[1:34:31] to fund those projects instead of using the the bond. Yeah, you you still do have a timeline.
[1:34:38] Um it's coming coming due, let's just say. Um there's [clears throat] still time. And what we're looking at though
[1:34:47] is the the five-year capital plan that's being determined or has been already
[1:34:53] created. Um certain projects can be used by those the the unspent bond proceeds.
[1:35:01] Um it just has to be sizable. It can't be an unforeseen fix or repair um or a
[1:35:08] smaller project um that would not go over a certain period of time. Um, so the the large majority like HVAC related
[1:35:17] repairs could be used with the unspent bond proceeds. Um, again, I know when Lauren was here from Raymond James, she
[1:35:26] was pushing to obviously focus on that first and then if we needed to use capital reserve funds, we could dip into
[1:35:34] those funds. So yes, the priority still would be to use that remaining $3 million and the unspent bond proceeds,
[1:35:42] but we still do have time. So to the point of if we if the option would be to use zero district cash, the large
[1:35:50] majority of those um planned capital expenditures could be utilized by using the cap the unspent bond proceeds. Can
[1:35:59] you let us, you know, maybe or just let the board know, you know, that what that time frame is because I know we I think it's less than two years.
[1:36:09] Yeah, it's it's nearing I know I think it was about a year and a half if I'm correct, but I can get you the actual firm.
[1:36:17] Well, which is less than two years.
[1:36:19] Yeah. So I I know you know like it would almost have to be spent you know the balance of this year you
[1:36:28] know like this December a year from now yes is is what I had in my mind you know the
[1:36:36] 18 months or whatever which is what you right if it's not spent what is the penalty for not spending it
[1:36:43] so it it still kind of continues into that arbitrage so when you have the negative arbit arbitrage because we
[1:36:50] borrowed at such a low yield in 2020. Um it just will accumulate the amount that
[1:36:57] essentially is owed back to the IRS. Um so once that continues, they will come knocking on our door and as far as the
[1:37:06] the payment back um to the to the use of the funds. Um, so again, we had still
[1:37:13] have that time frame, but as it gets closer, we will get contacted in regards to spending down the remainder of those funds.
[1:37:22] I think the best course of action is to you use that amount towards the building and finance the rest with the bond. I
[1:37:31] mean, that would still leave us a fair amount in capital reserve, but it would eliminate us having to worry about the IRS coming and we wouldn't lose any of
[1:37:39] that funding to pay back any penalty.
[1:37:44] Where does that $3 million from the prior bond sit in the capital reserve?
[1:37:49] No. So, it's in its own separate capital projects fund. Um, and the capital projects, the reason why it's separated is because that typically is um bonds or
[1:37:58] borrowings. The capital reserve dollars are typically our dollars that we're transferring into its own separate account. So, they are two separate
[1:38:06] accounts, same bank, same investment bank. um they're just tracked separately. So as would be the same once we do the borrowing for the fieldhouse, it would go in its own separate account.
[1:38:16] So it's tracked separately then.
[1:38:17] So the the 3 million that we would have to spend over the next year and a half can be used for the stuff that we
[1:38:26] discussed in the five-year plan when that's presented to us. And then anything over that would we dip into the capital reserves or we we dip into our
[1:38:35] regular uh reserves? typically would be the capital reserves just because it would it would typically be project related and you wouldn't necessarily
[1:38:43] want to use a general fund for those types of projects or capital expenditures. Right. Thank you.
[1:38:51] Okay.
[1:38:55] I'm in the opinion of getting rid of the $6 million option along with David. We we can't afford to drain our capital
[1:39:02] reserve account. So, I think we should look at the other two options, but get rid of that one.
[1:39:10] Yeah, I agree. Agreed.
[1:39:14] I guess the biggest question is if our three-year plan can be done in an 18month or two-year plan, if we're looking to use that three, if I'm
[1:39:22] understanding it correctly, we have three million for this bond that we have to use. We have three million in capital reserve. That's the six. I don't want to touch capital reserve either. Um, so it
[1:39:31] comes down to if we have $3 million worth of projects that we want to use that bond money for before we start having issues.
[1:39:38] The the issues with that become the size of those projects may require
[1:39:44] engineering or architectural design permitting and you're going to have lag before you can even spend the money before you can get into construction
[1:39:53] possibly. I don't know how many of them we can just jump into and spend immediately. I get you, but I feel like if we're if we're showing where the
[1:40:02] money's going and we have project going, I don't think they're going to come, you know, collecting their money right away.
[1:40:08] They're like, "Oh, okay. You're using it." My my impression from our previous conversations with Raymond James is that
[1:40:15] as long as you've got something on the books that you're moving forward, you don't have to have that $3 million spent by a certain day, but you have to show that you were spending it.
[1:40:27] Is that I don't know.
[1:40:29] So, we have something in the works that counts. So, we don't actually have to have $3 million out the door in a year and a half.
[1:40:37] We need to have documented proof that we're moving forward spending that $3 million in a year and a half.
[1:40:45] I I just think the time it's going to take to if okay the bonds that you know for us to try to come up with another
[1:40:53] three month three million with everything we just talked about with the the budget you know to raise taxes we're not that's not going to happen. We're not going to
[1:41:01] be able to get that 3 million anywhere else. You know what I mean? We just can't generate that high enough quick enough to be able to do that. So, I
[1:41:09] think we let's really look at this capital this three-year capital project plan and kind of map this thing out and
[1:41:18] see what these dollars actually look like and then we can go from there. But I I agree. I don't want to touch I don't want to touch anything in the capital reserve for the fieldhouse finance that
[1:41:26] we because we don't want to run that down either because the same problem we're never going to be it's going to take forever to build that back up. Mhm.
[1:41:33] Yeah, I think there's pretty much a consensus that we're not going to touch that the six million at all. Um, and I think with with the 3 million since
[1:41:41] we're working on fiveyear plans with that, I think that will cover it enough that that we will have those kind of projects, you know, in the works or at
[1:41:50] least documented on paper that we could be moving forward with that as well. But Kristen, can it go can it go to if to f
[1:41:59] like it's you have intent to spend that money? You don't have to physically spend that whole money, but if it's at
[1:42:08] 18 months, you like maybe you can stretch I always understood you could stretch it maybe like to two years or some gap, but you can't take that 3 million and spread that over five years.
[1:42:21] No. But the the key really and you guys were mentioning this the key really is the plan. So if there is a plan to spend the remaining funds that is sufficient.
[1:42:33] So if if that is in the works to that you have um documentation to spend it
[1:42:40] but it just hasn't been spent yet and I understand the process the logistics of going into those projects. As long as
[1:42:48] there's a plan in place, then we can move forward with using those funds for those for those capital expenditures.
[1:42:56] Yeah. And a five-year plan doesn't mean that we're only going to spend it at the end of five years. You know, we would have year one, year two. Yeah. Yeah.
[1:43:04] Yeah.
[1:43:06] So, I mean, I guess the two options that we've kind of whittleled this down to is we use the 3 million left on this bond
[1:43:13] to do current, you know, wish list projects when the projects were going to be on our 5-year plan. Uh,
[1:43:20] or we end up using that $3 million to put towards the fieldhouse.
[1:43:29] So now that's whatever things we want to improve between now and then, we're going to have to use capital reserves.
[1:43:38] So instead of using that $3 million that we have left of the bond to take care of things that we have on our five-year plan, now we would be applying that
[1:43:46] towards the loan, which would save us about $5 million in interest uh over the life of the loan. But at the same time, those projects that we have on the list
[1:43:54] that we want to get done, now we're pulling from Capital Reserve to pay for them. Yeah.
[1:43:59] And now we have to worry about dwindling down our capital reserve as well. So I mean those are kind of the two angles we're looking at, right? Spend that
[1:44:08] money to save over interest in the long run or spend that money on current projects and pay more interest in the long run for the fieldhouse.
[1:44:18] Kristen, I don't have it in front of me.
[1:44:19] Um, what was the difference in the debt service payment between if we did the if we if we finance the entire thing three?
[1:44:25] It was like like 150 something like that. Yeah, it was like I want to say like 150 be 180,000 I want to say.
[1:44:33] Yeah, that's what I thought. It wasn't a huge dollar amount.
[1:44:37] No, no, it's 150. It was 3.4 for assist 3.25.
[1:44:46] So, it's 150.
[1:44:48] Yeah. My Yeah, I got that somewhere. But my point is, um, that's a I mean, nobody wants to pay interest on anything, but
[1:44:57] that's a little easier to swallow on an annual budget than trying to come up with that $3 million. Yes.
[1:45:04] Yeah. Yeah. I I tend to agree with you.
[1:45:06] I think if we don't use that $3 million towards projects on our wish list, we're going to start chewing into our capital reserve. Mhm.
[1:45:14] Um so using that towards the fieldhouse, while it would help us from a perspective of interest down the road, it's also going to hurt us because we're going to start really dwindling down
[1:45:23] that capital reserve and we're not going to be able to replace it necessarily with tax increases, nor do we necessarily want to have to do that.
[1:45:29] Um so so so then is it just zero?
[1:45:33] Leave the three three the I mean just saying the consensus we dropped the six out so we have three and zero three million and zero
[1:45:41] and if everybody says hey drop leave the three million to fund the five-year plan then all that's left is zero
[1:45:50] correct so that's what I'm saying we can get to that consensus tonight we can get to Raymond James to say zero
[1:45:58] we'll see if you know if we can get to a consensus tonight that's great I mean, I want to make sure I want to make sure
[1:46:05] everybody's comfortable with how we, you know, are discussing this and if they need more time to think about it or if
[1:46:13] we have a consensus tonight, we can, as I said, it sound it sounded it sounded like we were drawing to that consensus. So, if we have it, take
[1:46:21] Well, yeah. And that's what I said in the beginning, like we may have a consensus tonight or we may not.
[1:46:26] Depends what people feel comfortable with. Let's check.
[1:46:29] Yeah, let's check. Uh yeah, I'm for financing it the full%.
[1:46:34] So the full the full amount the field house not using any cash, not using no cash at all.
[1:46:39] Now I do want to firm up and we've been talking about it. We're working on it, but I do want to firm up those three or five, whichever year plan we want to talk about. I do want to firm that thing
[1:46:47] up and actually look at some of those numbers.
[1:46:49] It'll have to be a three-year plan because we'll need to Yeah. have movement on that. Yeah.
[1:46:54] Well, I'd like to What's the definition of a plan? Like the like I'm saying as far as having that money allocated like is the plan like we're gonna do this or
[1:47:03] is it actually like permitting that kind of level? No. No. It just has to be defined dollar amount and timeline because you can't just have the
[1:47:12] arbitrary number on the sheet or on the plan. A timeline could be five years though. Not no within within that roughly. Yes.
[1:47:21] Within that window.
[1:47:22] All right. We need to set it up for the three-year timeline and and if something slides, as long as we can document why,
[1:47:30] that's fine. But we can't just keep waving a list around and not Well, that's my point is we got this list. We got a plan.
[1:47:37] Yeah, we have I think we pretty much can have a a plan.
[1:47:41] We've talked about enough things that we would like to do in addition to building the fieldhouse. I don't think we're going to have any I agree too. I think we can, you know, we have we have things we want to get done.
[1:47:52] Yeah. Okay, Dan, you gave yours.
[1:47:54] I'll go with the full amount as long as we have a st a good strong list and we're moving forward with it.
[1:47:59] Okay, Lauren, Frank, I agree. Finance the full amount.
[1:48:05] Joe, although I'm not for the project, that would be the most likely move to reserve
[1:48:13] what we have and go with not having anything. Okay.
[1:48:17] So, what does that mean, Linda? Definitely the floor. Okay, David. Zero. Okay.
[1:48:26] Oh, Kelly's on the phone. I agree. And I'm walking in.
[1:48:31] Oh, okay. All right. Okay. Thanks.
[1:48:35] Okay. So, we have the consensus to uh fund a full amount then.
[1:48:44] 810 older new business. Um, we had the finance and budget committee meeting on April 14th and I believe we went over
[1:48:53] everything we discussed right now with what we discussed on the 14th. So, I have nothing further then.
[1:49:03] Okay, we'll move on to buildings and grounds.
[1:49:06] Okay. Uh, 9.1 persons who wish to address the board. Buildings and grounds. Sure. Come on up.
[1:49:13] Uh just your name and your uh township please.
[1:49:16] Christopher Haden Online Township. Um I was wondering if the plywood over the windows in the elementary school because
[1:49:23] of a lack of heating units and central heating units. Is that still from a fulfillment of the contract from you
[1:49:31] contract or is that pre is this something different that's been going on? I thought we had removed that.
[1:49:37] Well, my understanding was all that plywood had been removed. There's still duck work hanging down in towards the center entrance area. I mean, there's no
[1:49:46] plywood down on the ground floor windows, which is nice because there's no more security risk with that, but there is still plywood on the windows.
[1:49:53] There's still duck work and uh portable heating units, AC units in classrooms.
[1:49:59] And you can see that from outside the building.
[1:50:00] I I think for a number of the classrooms, we had a failure in 10 10 units. the the coils there. There were there were 11
[1:50:08] classrooms over the winter that we had failure in univvents that we had black units that like big industrial units put
[1:50:17] in the classroom. Those were vented up into the ceiling though. But [clears throat] what I'm hearing you say is you're talking about they were vented outside and they were
[1:50:24] vented. They were there in September October when I was a watchdog dad.
[1:50:28] Yeah. Okay. So So he's speaking about something different. Yeah. We I spoke to Patrick about that in December time
[1:50:36] frame or maybe November time frame to make sure that that had been removed. I thought it had been removed. I don't get to the elementary school.
[1:50:42] I thought it had as well, but I'll follow up hearing this as well. I I'll take a ride by there and see what we what we're looking at. But you're saying the second floor
[1:50:49] there was there was at least three rooms that had uh duck work hanging out down towards the center entrance area where the buses drop off.
[1:50:57] Okay. We'll have to take a look.
[1:50:58] Parent pickup now, I guess, because that's switched. Yeah. Now, I know that since I talked to Patrick about removing the plywood from the old project because
[1:51:06] it was wrapped up and needed to be shown as complete that we had a number of failures on the second floor. And so, we
[1:51:15] have temporary units there because we're waiting for the parts to get in to repair those units. That's correct.
[1:51:20] Okay. And that should be h Do we have a timeline on when those parts are arriving or we still being told every every two weeks they keep pushing it out? Two weeks.
[1:51:28] It it it still gets pushed. It's It's probably going to be into summer before it's all done.
[1:51:32] Okay. So, we're having difficulty getting the repair parts for those units on the second floor, but I will take a look at that building and see where
[1:51:41] those unit where the the stuff is that you're talking about and see if it is those classrooms or if there's another issue that we need to address.
[1:51:48] Okay. As will I because I thought it had been taken care of. So, thank you. Yeah.
[1:51:52] Appreciate you coming out, Chris. Thank you.
[1:51:59] All right. Anybody else for addressing the board? Uh 9.2. Carol, we have a voting item.
[1:52:04] Yes, we have nine um voting items on the agenda.
[1:52:10] The five five five. Yes. The rental contract. The board is requested to consider and
[1:52:18] recommend approval of the rental contract with 101 Mobility for the rental and installation of two 18 foot modular ramps fixed to the stage at the
[1:52:26] 2026 commencement ceremony in the amount of $850. May I have a motion, please? So movey second.
[1:52:35] Any questions or comments? [snorts] Not all those in favor say I.
[1:52:40] I opposed. Motion carries 90 9.3 Birkshshire mechanical quotes. The
[1:52:47] board is requested to consider, ratify, and approve the quote from Bergkshire Mechanical to replace the failed blower motors in the middle school classrooms
[1:52:55] A211 and A219 for the amount of $4,790. May I have a motion, please? So moved, Rosie.
[1:53:03] Second lash.
[1:53:04] Questions or comments? I just wanted to share Berkshire Mechanical actually was able to come out today and they were
[1:53:11] able to um make several of those repairs and they're going to wrap it up tomorrow.
[1:53:16] Great. And that's uh Miss Wade's room and then the other room that's nearby. Is that correct?
[1:53:21] It's Miss Wade's room and Mrs. Wart's room.
[1:53:23] Okay. Yeah. I know those have been hanging out there for a while. Um I do I'll come back and address this at
[1:53:30] towards the end of this section, but we need a little bit more discussion on that. Okay.
[1:53:36] Okay. I have a motion in a second. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 90. 9.4.
[1:53:45] Schlow Incorporated. The board is requested to consider and approve the Schlow Incorporated general construction
[1:53:51] change order 01 in the amount of $2,624 for the removal of the water line as part of phase one of the fieldhouse project. May I have a motion, please?
[1:54:01] So move the mall.
[1:54:02] Second. Second Rossy, any questions or comments?
[1:54:10] That was the water fountain that was out there softball field. It's got brought back is what that is. Just correct.
[1:54:17] Anybody questions what that actually and it's been it's been capped right where the grass meets the pavement.
[1:54:23] Yeah. And I guess it'll be marked on a plan so we know where that is then moving forward. So, correct. Okay. Anyone else?
[1:54:31] If not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I.
[1:54:34] I opposed. Motion carries. 90. 9.5. Schlow Incorporated.
[1:54:42] The board is requested to consider and approve the Schlow Incorporated change order 02 for a time extension as part of phase one of the fieldhouse project. May I have a motion, please?
[1:54:51] So moved. Rosie. A second. Second. Mo.
[1:54:55] Questions, comments? uh this is a time or uh time change or not with no dollar amount attached to it. This is because
[1:55:03] of the weather delays they've had and it's just kind of done the eye on the contract for them.
[1:55:10] Okay. Anything else? If not, all those in favor say I.
[1:55:15] I. [clears throat] Opposed? Motion carries 90.
[1:55:20] This is Shipsy Electric electrical construction change order. The board is requested to consider and approve the
[1:55:28] the Shrippy Electrical LLC electrical construction change order 01 for a time extension as part of phase one of the fieldhouse project. May I have a motion please?
[1:55:38] So moved them all second.
[1:55:40] Second Rossy questions, comments.
[1:55:45] Again, this is a time timeline change order only. No cost involved. Okay. All those in favor say I.
[1:55:53] I. opposed. Motion carries. 90. We'll turn it back to Al.
[1:56:02] Okay.
[1:56:04] All right. Uh 9.7 we have a softball scoreboard installation.
[1:56:09] Um my first question is is this a softball installation or is it a baseball scoreboard?
[1:56:17] So, in in order for Shipsy to be able to complete their work, they need the posts
[1:56:26] and everything else put in the ground to attach all the electrical components.
[1:56:31] And so, since we had a scoreboard that was already on order, Jason's intention is always to was always to order three, one for baseball, two for softball.
[1:56:41] Since we had one here so that we could stay on track for the fieldhouse project for phase one, we were going to have the
[1:56:49] um full service landscaping put this at softball. Yep.
[1:56:53] For the purpose of shipsy and then another one is being ordered two more are going to be ordered to cover baseball and the other one at softball. Okay.
[1:57:01] I just I just want to be clear. I wasn't sure which which field it was going to.
[1:57:05] So my other question with this is um for the softball field that's going to be three separate posts because it's kind
[1:57:12] of like a Vshape. So the quote is really only two. So is that going to change that quote or we just going to put in those two initial for the varsity softball field?
[1:57:22] The quote price went up from what was [clears throat] originally on it was really like 4,000 summits. went up to
[1:57:29] 7500 as full service recognized what all was involved in doing that.
[1:57:36] Okay, that that's fine. There's they're they're when they have it itemized out, they have two concrete footings and two beams. Is it going to be those two or is it going to be actually three?
[1:57:48] Let me double check and verify that.
[1:57:50] Okay. I mean, if it went from four to five, four to 75, that makes sense. I just want to make sure it might just be on their end. They just they just
[1:57:58] changed the number didn't change the uh scope of work. I'll verify that. Confirm that. Yep.
[1:58:06] Okay. Any other questions on that item?
[1:58:09] Okay. We'll move that forward. Um pending the verification on the
[1:58:18] Okay. 9.8 uh AG Marorrow Company quote for the middle school and high school door repairs.
[1:58:24] Uh, the committee's requested to consider and recommend approval of the quote from Ag Marorrow Company in the amount of $6,420
[1:58:31] for parts and repairs to multiple doors at the high school and middle school.
[1:58:37] Any questions or comments on that item?
[1:58:41] Okay, hearing none, we'll move that forward. Uh, 9.9, we have Weaver Commercial Propos Weaver Commercial's proposal for middle school roof repairs.
[1:58:50] Uh the committee has requested to consider and recommend approval of the proposal from Weaver Commercial in the amount of $8,995 for repairs of the middle roof identified through a recent inspection.
[1:59:00] Um I do know that we'd gone over this at our our committee meeting. Uh this is going to address a lot of issues that we're having with flashing um and uh
[1:59:09] connections to the existing roof to the building.
[1:59:13] Um I think they identified 10 or more areas of repair that they're going to have to address. So, it's it's a very good maintenance item for us.
[1:59:22] Any other questions or comments on that? Hearing none, we'll move that forward.
[1:59:28] Uh 9.10, we've got a disposal item of a refrigerator. Uh the committee has requested to consider and recommend approval of the disposal of the
[1:59:36] refrigerator in the high school athletic training room. Any questions or comments on that?
[1:59:42] Just as a clarification, this this refrigerator being disposed of is dead.
[1:59:47] It's no longer working. New refrigerator is already there. It's already been installed and it's already functioning.
[1:59:52] So, this is just disposal of one that is no longer working.
[2:00:00] All right. Any other comments? We'll move that forward. Uh 9.11. Any other old or new business? Um I'd just like to
[2:00:08] recap. Uh we had a committee meeting uh last week and we discussed um a bunch of different items. Um, one of them was
[2:00:18] field use of our our fields by outside groups. Um, and needing to make sure we verify that there's a contract in place or an agreement in place for that uh
[2:00:27] that dictates time um and and what kind of usage will be allowed uh for the elementary school items. We had uh a
[2:00:36] proposal for some HVAC repair and we tried to get an update on some of the classroom temperature issues we're having out there. We discussed um the
[2:00:43] timeline for the delivery of the repair um components for the units that went out over the winter. Uh for the middle school, uh we had gone over in great
[2:00:52] detail the roof inspection report that we got. Um, I'd like to thank it was Michael that that uh received he was out
[2:00:59] at a u one of our custodians was out at a um a uh I guess a learning event and he put his business card into a raffle
[2:01:08] and he won the roofing inspection uh which was fantastic. Um so we're thankful that he uh got us that service
[2:01:16] and they did identify a bunch of items that need to be repaired. So thanks Michael for doing that for us. Um, we
[2:01:23] also discussed disposal of uh the old diving board from the pool. Um, we were going to list that on maintenance a bit.
[2:01:31] So, we're going to move that forward.
[2:01:33] And a couple of items for the high school. We are still working towards getting the township permit to get the fieldhouse project phase two in order.
[2:01:42] And we had discussed in great detail the change orders that we just uh decided to move forward from Schlack and um the electrical contractor as well. Um, one
[2:01:51] other item that came up for me that I'd like to bring up. Um, we had, uh, Miss Wes and Miss Wart's room. Uh, they had
[2:01:58] failures in the mechanical systems and, um, it was brought to my attention that the school code requires that anything over $100 expenditure, requires a board
[2:02:06] approval, which greatly delays our ability to fix those kinds of projects uh, or those kinds of problems. And I wondered if we could as a board discuss
[2:02:15] a way that we could ensure that the superintendent can move forward and repair things without having to wait for board approval. Um whether we um try to
[2:02:25] give a good definition of what constitutes an emergency u because an emergency situation would allow them to move forward without board approval or
[2:02:32] if we could assign a cap to the the costly expenditure. Uh because I really don't want us waiting around with 80 degree temperatures in a in a classroom because we have to get board approval.
[2:02:48] Alicia, can you provide some guidance in terms of how we could best proceed? So, the school code requires approval, board approval to enter into contracts of any
[2:02:57] kind, including contracts for purchases of various supplies um in the $100 um which is archaic obviously with school code was passed in 1949.
[2:03:07] Um and I don't think that number's changed. What you could do is if you really had something that had to come up, it could always be on the agenda as
[2:03:15] an uh approval uh or ratification rather. The board also approves dispersements.
[2:03:22] So, if it's listed on the dispersement um expenditure sheet, that that would be acceptable as well and in compliance with section 508.
[2:03:31] And that would allow that to move forward without having to wait around for one of our meetings to happen.
[2:03:36] Correct. Because it would be approved by the board as an expenditure.
[2:03:39] Yeah. I just Or again, it could be and if it I would suggest if it's a more sizable matter that nonetheless we feel should be moved
[2:03:47] forward sooner than later. But it does require, for example, a board president to sign a contract. That would be a situation where you'd want to have it as its own agenda item for ratification.
[2:03:57] Okay. After the fact. Correct.
[2:03:58] Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Because I didn't want to see unnecessary delay for some of the stuff and we can just move forward. But I know that there's there's
[2:04:06] certain legal ramifications of trying to do that and I just want to make sure that we're all clear and above port when we do allow those things to happen.
[2:04:13] Yeah. and that the legal standard for emergency is fairly high understandably.
[2:04:18] Um you know it there's I forget the exact language. I don't have it in front of me but basically a portion of building is rendered unusable. So think
[2:04:26] um an elevator goes out of service for example and can't be used or you know the the heat goes out during the winter something like that. It is a fairly high
[2:04:34] threshold. It's not just like an inconvenience type of thing. So, I think the proceeding the way I recommended a few minutes ago is probably the the safest and and most prudent route.
[2:04:44] Great. Okay. Thank you.
[2:04:48] Uh that's it for me unless anybody else has anything else. Okay. 10.0.
[2:04:55] All right. So, 10.0 student services and activities. 10.1 persons who wish to address the board. Do we have anyone?
[2:05:03] All right. We have no one. So, we'll move to 10.2 uh which is a voting item. So, I'll pass that to Carol.
[2:05:11] Turn this on. We have two voting items this evening. Um 10.2 support resolution for House Bill 41 intercolastic
[2:05:20] athletics. The board is requested to consider and approve of resolution in in support of House Bill 41 regarding boundary and non-boundary schools for
[2:05:28] PIAA intercolastic athletics. May I have a motion, please?
[2:05:34] So moved. Damo second second we
[2:05:42] okay any um comments uh yeah I mean this is something that I personally feel has been a long time
[2:05:50] coming and again this is we're not supporting any legislation here this is just us kind of signing on uh with other
[2:05:58] schools supporting uh any legislation that may be moving forward where public schools would no longer have to compete
[2:06:07] with non-boundary schools. I think this has always been a little bit of an imbalance, but in the last decade or so,
[2:06:14] it's become uh really glaringly obvious that non-boundary schools uh are are
[2:06:23] recruiting athletes and are dominating in in our high school sports. and it's creating um you know inequities in
[2:06:32] competition and I think you're also seeing uh increased injury risk uh because these schools are just they're
[2:06:40] bringing in bigger faster stronger athletes and it's not a level playing field anymore. They can in some cases they're bringing in students
[2:06:48] internationally um to compete against our students in in our sports. So, I think something like
[2:06:54] this is long overdue and I hope that u the PIAA and the state actually move forward and do something to address it.
[2:07:04] Anyone else?
[2:07:06] I was just going to ask Mr. Hansen, have you heard anything from PIAA through any meetings or any
[2:07:14] correspondence that you're had have that you've gotten concerning or whether they're going to move forward on this at any time because
[2:07:24] it's the PIAA that's kept this from going anywhere. So
[2:07:31] I have not um just in my meetings locally there has been no discussion of
[2:07:37] it and nothing at past that either. So okay thank you. I just wondered
[2:07:48] any other comments if not all those in favor say I.
[2:07:53] I opposed. Motion carries. 90 10.3 field trip request.
[2:08:03] The board is is requested to consider and approve the field trip request for the special track and field invitational
[2:08:10] in Hamburg Area School District. We have a motion, please. So move. Second, Rossy.
[2:08:17] Any additional comments, questions?
[2:08:21] If not, all those in favor say I. I opposed.
[2:08:25] Motion carries 90. We'll go back to Kelly.
[2:08:29] All right. 10.4. International trip to France cuisine and culture.
[2:08:34] So, the committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the international trip to France for cuisine and culture career readiness tour. So, I believe we have a presentation on this.
[2:08:46] I appreciate having Miss Hubler here tonight to be able to share with you guys a pretty exciting opportunity for our students. So, Miss Hubler, I'll turn it over to you. Thank you so much uh for
[2:08:54] your consideration. Um so I'm Diane Hubler. I've been teaching at this school district for seven years um in the family and consumer science
[2:09:02] department and I've taught a lot of cooking classes and actually I've been in secondary education for 29 years and have taught many cooking classes.
[2:09:12] So, um, uh, Jod Alder here is a good friend and she's shared with me many, many times and she's gone on some on some of these, uh, tours and I just
[2:09:21] really thought it was really interesting and such an amazing opportunity and I just thought, well, maybe they have some that are focused on cuisine. And so, I
[2:09:29] had a Zoom call with the coordinator and sure enough, they do have some. And I chose France. So, I think that'll be
[2:09:36] very exciting. Um, some of the courses that I teach are joy of cooking, baking and pastry arts, which has a lot of, uh,
[2:09:43] French uh, uh, French chefs and background, and global foods. And I've often thought with teaching global foods
[2:09:51] that I just wish I had like more to offer than just what I could find in a textbook or online. And what better way
[2:09:58] than to go to the country itself. So, um, [clears throat] that's basically the the why of of why I'm presenting this
[2:10:07] and it's just an amazing opportunity for students to build on the curriculum that we offer in the classroom. So, it's
[2:10:14] called a culture and cuisine um trip and I wanted to also explain who as far as students would be involved in this. So,
[2:10:22] our current ninth graders would be um uh selected because it's it's for the
[2:10:30] summer of uh 2028. So, it would be the current ninth graders or eighth graders who have currently signed up for cooking
[2:10:37] classes. So, that's kind of um the parameters that they're in a cooking class or have taken a cooking class. And this would also include the students at
[2:10:44] BCTC who are in the culinary arts program. They would be eligible as well.
[2:10:50] So,
[2:10:52] [clears throat]
[2:10:55] oh, did you already address that? Okay, thank you. I didn't. Okay. All right.
[2:11:01] All right. So, as we go through the slides here, um, uh, EF uh, educational tours has over 60
[2:11:09] years of experience helping students learn through travel. They are accredited just like most US schools meaning these tours are built to align
[2:11:16] with educational standards uh not just tourism.
[2:11:21] So there's a focus on global education and the company is a proven partner used by thousands of United States schools.
[2:11:29] So it's real world learning outcomes.
[2:11:31] It's not just a vacation but an extension of the classroom.
[2:11:38] This slide shows the itinerary. Um, it could be a nine or 11-day itinerary. And when I was given the option of adding
[2:11:45] two more days to see the French Riviera, I took that opportunity. So, why not?
[2:11:50] Um, so, um, I'd like to pass these out if you wouldn't mind
[2:12:02] a more detailed itinerary. And on that document, they highlight um
[2:12:10] the um career readiness uh factors in each of the um each of the
[2:12:19] cities. And I'm just going to give you some highlights here. Um in Paris, we would visit a culinary school to learn how to turn your culinary dreams into a
[2:12:26] meaningful career. Um, we also would visit uh learn about French history while tasting delicious desserts. And I
[2:12:35] would say the highlight is in Leon where we will um step into a local kitchen to watch a skilled pastry chef in action
[2:12:43] and we're going to try to make um one of those pastries as well.
[2:12:54] All right, the next slide shows the dates uh of the proposed tour. Um, so
[2:13:02] July 17 through 27 is kind of the targeted date uh time frame, but it could be 3 days earlier or 3 days later.
[2:13:10] Just depends on what flights are available and such uh as they get as we get closer. So two to three months before departure that that would all be
[2:13:18] figured out. So students are asked to keep those spaces open.
[2:13:26] So um on this slide it shows that the pricing is all inclusive of what you see on the slide there. Covers transportation, accommodations, meals, and guided experiences.
[2:13:38] Um it's a transparent pricing structure.
[2:13:40] No funds go through the school. It's completely through EF. Uh there's optional tipping uh that's built in for convenience. Everything is fully
[2:13:49] coordinated by the company from flights and transportation to hotel check-ins.
[2:13:54] Our full-time dedicated tour director stays with us with us the entire time.
[2:13:58] So, they welcome us off the plane and take us back to the plane at the end.
[2:14:01] Um, so teachers can focus on students and learning and not logistics.
[2:14:11] All right, next slide. Hotels.
[2:14:14] um hotels have been uh regularly inspected, you know, so that we keep a relationship with those that have um
[2:14:21] high high standards for safety and for the meals. Um we will experience local cuisine and dining customs. Um and I
[2:14:30] found out that because it's a culinary tour, we have um upgrades on our dining experiences. So that's pretty cool.
[2:14:37] Okay. Um what the families are responsible for um beyond you know what's included is passports, baggage
[2:14:46] fees if they choose to take something beyond a carry-on. Uh tips for the director, bus drivers, etc., snacks, and
[2:14:54] some meals. Um we do have six dinners included, but the other ones would have to be paid for. Um and rooming upgrades.
[2:15:03] So [clears throat] tips are generally10 to $14 a day. It just it just really depends on what you
[2:15:10] do that day. Like if you um if your travel time between one destination and the other doesn't take as long as the director thought it would, then he might
[2:15:18] take you on a side trip that might include an extra tip.
[2:15:22] All right, the next slide shows the cost. Students can enroll for $95 and spread payments out over time. So, this
[2:15:29] trip is a long ways away, which makes that very um desirable for someone who's trying to work out a payment plan. Um,
[2:15:37] it just shows you the amounts there. So, it's 4909 for the student cost. Um, there's not there's not an adult cost
[2:15:45] that should not be on there. There will be chaperones, but this is a student trip.
[2:15:50] Um, okay.
[2:15:55] And there is a 7-day risk-free window after enrollment for full refunds so families can feel confident in their commitment.
[2:16:05] Um the company handles payments directly. Uh there's flexible and family-friendly approach. There's an
[2:16:11] early bird discount um that lasts for a week and a half or two weeks after the meeting that I will hold on May May 6th
[2:16:19] for parents in which they can uh have $200 off of the cost. So they also provide u personalized fundraising pages
[2:16:27] and this is a wonderful opportunity for students to share the link with their family and friends and for birthday presents and Christmas presents um between now and when the trip occurs.
[2:16:39] those could be um funneled towards that expense.
[2:16:44] Next slide focuses on safety which is very very important and uh safety is EF's top priority. They have 247 global
[2:16:53] emergency coverage with trained teams stationed across time zones including Boston, Panama and Zurich. Um there are
[2:17:00] mandatory background checks for adults, 247 EF emergency response and incident management and also what's called peace
[2:17:08] of mind uh program meaning that if there's world issues environmentally or politically they they would be aware of that and make adjustments as necessary.
[2:17:24] Each uh group travels with a dedicated tour director who is both a local expert and a trained educator. They handle logistics, facilitate learning, and
[2:17:32] ensure every traveler feels safe and supported. There's a 6:1 studenttoerone ratio. Uh chaperone spots are free uh
[2:17:41] every time we have six more students except for the cost of insurance which they are responsible for.
[2:17:51] I'll be working closely with Carla Mcdana, um, our EF tour consultant throughout the process. She's been amazing so far, helping me get ready for
[2:17:58] this meeting. She and the team will handle logistics, safety, and help me with family communication um, so that this can be an exciting and seamless opportunity for our students.
[2:18:14] So, one um [clears throat] so just uh to sum it up, it's a we focus on education uh
[2:18:23] safety and accessibility for students and families. Um it's not just a trip, it's a once in a-lifetime educational experience that builds confidence, curiosity, and global perspective.
[2:18:37] Thank you. Does anyone have any questions?
[2:18:39] I I have a question. How many how many students are you what's your cap on number of students?
[2:18:45] Okay, it would be 41. Um I need to have 30 in order to um have the bus be uh just a private bus for us. Anything less
[2:18:53] than that then we share with other schools which just has just dynamics that are not, you know, ideal. Um so
[2:19:01] yeah, at least 30 and then we would cap it at 41 because at that point it would be a second bus and it just it just I think I'd rather just keep it at one bus 41. thing.
[2:19:09] Mhm. Anyone else?
[2:19:18] Okay. Thank you. Thank you, M.
[2:19:21] I don't have any questions. Just would love to thank um all of our teachers and staff that have, you know, brought these
[2:19:28] educational trip experiences. Um I think that travel is the most important thing that you can do with your kids. Um, so if you know anybody has the chance to do
[2:19:37] this, please take advantage of it. I've been on two of our school trips and they've been phenomenal.
[2:19:44] All right, so if we don't have any other questions, we'll move that forward. Um, 10.5 commencement audio system contract
[2:19:51] 2027 through 2029. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the contract with
[2:20:00] AR USA designs for the commencement audio systems for the commencement ceremonies for 2027, 2028, and 2029.
[2:20:11] Any questions? No questions. We'll move that forward.
[2:20:19] 10.6 6 BCIU 2026 2027 Burks County Safety and Security Consortium Services.
[2:20:27] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the BCIU Burks County Safety and Security Consortium
[2:20:34] Services in the amount of $6,500 for the 2026 2027 school year.
[2:20:41] Any questions?
[2:20:44] We'll move that forward. 10.7 Standard Response Protocol ID badge reminders.
[2:20:50] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the purchase of 500 standard response protocol ID
[2:20:57] badge reminders as printed by the BCIU Print Service Center at a cost of $275.79.
[2:21:10] Dr. Winters, can you explain what they're for?
[2:21:14] I know folks can't see this, but it's it's what all the employees have on the back of their badge. It's our standard response protocol. It's just a reminder
[2:21:22] card that they can keep with their badge. Every new employee gets one as part of their new employee packet. And um in fact, when we practice lockdown
[2:21:30] drills this past week, we even mentioned to law enforcement when when we get some of these in, we're going to make sure all the officers have one, too, since it's what we follow in our buildings.
[2:21:38] Okay. Thank you. Any other questions?
[2:21:43] then we'll move that forward. Um 10.8 two-year settlement agreement for student number 3702.
[2:21:54] Uh the committee has requested consider and recommend approval of the two-year settlement agreement for student number 3702 at AIM Academy.
[2:22:06] No questions. We'll move that forward. Uh 10.9. Any other old or new business?
[2:22:12] Um, so I will go over um some of the things that we talked about um with our uh student services committee meeting.
[2:22:20] Um so we did talk about um a question of someone um wanting to present a diploma
[2:22:28] um and they're not a staff member. Um as a committee, we decided that we didn't want to open up that can of worms. Um as
[2:22:36] a board, you know, maybe we could have further discussions if anybody disagrees with that. Um, but you know, it's it's
[2:22:43] something that I think is very valued by our employees. Um, that if they do have children that attend the district that
[2:22:50] they can present that diploma and to allow one person to do that. Um, I just think that would kind of be a Pandora's
[2:22:57] box. Um, so that was one item. Um, the special track and field invitational update. Um, so everything is ready to go
[2:23:06] per Dr. Ammons. Um the field trip request was just approved tonight. Um
[2:23:12] and we are looking uh to see about something that we can do to help our boosters um because they previously used
[2:23:20] our Special Olympics um program here to raise some funds with concessions um during that event. And since we're not
[2:23:28] going to have that um you know trying to see if there's some other way that we can help them out. um ESY update. Um my
[2:23:37] notes are scattered here. Um we have I believe it was 13 uh students at the
[2:23:45] middle school, 17 at the elementary school that are already registered. Um it will be for four weeks and three days per week.
[2:23:55] um our OT services. Um we talked about an update um in needing um an extra OT
[2:24:03] and um that is a need you know across the state. It's not just us. Um, one of
[2:24:09] the things that is, um, creating the the large need for OT services, um, is
[2:24:16] something that we talked about in curriculum and technology and, um, that is cursive handwriting not being used as
[2:24:23] much as it used to be. Um, so kids just aren't really developing those fine motor skills that, um, you know, we all did because we had to write everything.
[2:24:31] We didn't use our devices like they do now. Um, so that's definitely something that we should keep an eye on. um we you
[2:24:39] know want to make sure that kids can um write and you know print cursive all of that um along with being able to use
[2:24:46] technology. Um both are you know tremendously important. Um so those were some of the uh student service items. Um
[2:24:54] then athletics items. We talked about um repositioning the batting cages at the softball fields. Um so we're not getting
[2:25:02] new batting cages. Um just repositioning them for better usability. Um this will be done in the off seasonason so it's not going to affect anything um going on
[2:25:11] in season now. Um the varsity softball field fence um we discussed having a
[2:25:18] door in the outfield um so that you can get easily from one field to the other since they're going to be back to back.
[2:25:24] Now um Mr. Hansen brought up the possibility of using um the old sand
[2:25:32] from our jumping pits to create um a you know golfing um sand trap somewhere on
[2:25:39] campus so that our golfers have um you know that experience of practicing with that um outside of their competitions
[2:25:46] which I think is a great use of those resources. Um, we already talked about the HB41 boundary versus non-boundary.
[2:25:55] Um, and then, um, some tarps for the baseball and softball fields were ordered to try to help, um, on those days that maybe it rains in the morning.
[2:26:06] Um, but, you know, the fields could be used later in the day when that rain stops. Um, so we're going to try some of
[2:26:13] those out, see how they work, and, you know, then if we need more, we can address that in the future.
[2:26:20] Let's just make sure that sand trap is about 100 yards away from a building from everything. Yeah. [laughter] And don't ask me how I know that.
[2:26:28] Yeah. But I I think that was a a very ingenious idea to use with that sand. Um so thank you for coming up with that, Jason. Um you know, we we need to make
[2:26:37] sure that we can get ourselves out of those tricky golfing situations and that's great. Um so that's all that I have. I don't know if anybody else has anything else.
[2:26:46] I do have one thing. Um, the Panther Pride meeting met Thursday and I just wanted to make sure the public and the
[2:26:54] board knows that the applications for Panther Pride nominations is May 30th
[2:27:03] and it has to be you have to have it has to be a student that's been out of school for eight years.
[2:27:09] And um we were looking at yearbooks to find saludiatorans and validictorians and people who did a lot of sports and
[2:27:18] things like that. So we do have a few new nominations and if anybody has one a person they would really like to see on
[2:27:26] that. Um you can put them on. We we select five a year and one service
[2:27:33] person. So, uh, I I will make this announcement next week, but the due date
[2:27:40] is May 30th, and we will do the celebration on
[2:27:46] homecoming, which is September 18th this year, and the lunchon will be September 19th.
[2:27:55] So, I I have one thing as well. Uh just as a followup, I had uh requested before
[2:28:03] uh it's an annual thing that I've asked for pop. Uh we've always been told that, you know, we're very athletic oriented.
[2:28:12] I know that we spend a lot of money on the pop with the funds, etc.
[2:28:18] Um, I also know that we actually and I thought it was built into the job description. There's a business manager
[2:28:25] for POP. So, and that's just giving a report. Uh, we had Kim McCos the one year show up and we asked her questions
[2:28:34] about how things were funded and expenses.
[2:28:38] Uh, so it's not just receiving a report but asking questions. But what has happened in the past, it's almost like
[2:28:45] the uh uh time runs out. So we we will ask for a report and either we don't get it in the school year and then the
[2:28:53] people that are involved are away for summer break or people are asked questions and then they don't we have never received the follow-up questions.
[2:29:04] I also have a concern that when you go to the performances like for POP,
[2:29:10] uh we actually have a florist that is in the lobby selling flowers or somebody on
[2:29:19] the outside and there should be a a contract for that. B, we've also been told in the past that person makes a
[2:29:27] donation to the school district and all donations to the school district would require a vote by the board and
[2:29:36] I've never seen a donation made to the school district by that flower florist.
[2:29:42] So I know we have other flowers that are in like we have centerport flowers that actually do stuff that
[2:29:49] we're doing with the teams and the bouquet you know the things for senior nights etc. And I just want to make sure
[2:29:56] that everybody has an opportunity and when we look at this like the person who came with the flowers for pop then said
[2:30:04] hey prom flowers. So now you have somebody sitting in our lobby also soliciting business for prom flowers
[2:30:12] later on. And I'm just saying is that's probably not appropriate. We don't have a contract that we need to really look
[2:30:20] at that. We've never I've never seen a donation been approved. So I don't know who that money if it's coming in where it's going. The other thing I would like
[2:30:29] to see in the letter of detail is when you have your program, and I've seen this happen with some sports programs
[2:30:37] here because of being booster president, uh you can count the ads, you can count your revenue, and the revenue coming in
[2:30:46] for the ads didn't match the ads that were in the program. And so I just want to make sure as we're going through this
[2:30:53] that we do track, you know, these offsets to the expenses that we do have that we're tracking all
[2:31:00] that money that's coming in. There's money that's coming in from parents for the little ads that they put in. We also
[2:31:10] have money coming in from uh the concession they sell food in the lobby.
[2:31:15] just trying to understand all those streams where it comes in that you track it because when you're dealing with cash
[2:31:23] that's the first opportunity of fraud that you always have and I'm not saying we have any but we also can't prove that
[2:31:31] we don't but again I also want to show out I have other questions or concerns that
[2:31:38] on a personnel issue that I'll bring up to the board in executive session but I just want to make sure that we track um
[2:31:46] the funds that are coming in and also how we have people actually selling stuff on school property and I'm not aware of a contract.
[2:31:57] Okay. Does anyone have anything else?
[2:32:00] Just to end on a positive note, our girls lacrosse had their senior night tonight and we won against the Muenberg mules.
[2:32:08] [applause]
[2:32:11] That's all that I have.
[2:32:14] Okay, if that's it, then um we'll adjourn and I want to thank everyone for attending this even Oh, oh, may I have a motion for adjournment?
[2:32:26] So, second. Thank you. All those in favor say I. I. Motion carries 90.
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## Live captions (copied September 20, 2026): 2026-04-27_dG-i8BpJBYU.txt

```
[3:58] like to call to order the Skookul Valley School Board Meeting. We please rise for the pledge to the flag.
[4:04] I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
[4:12] under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
[4:20] I have roll call please. Mr. Emerald here.
[4:24] Mr. Brown here.
[4:25] Mrs. Lash here.
[4:27] Mrs. Matthews here. Mr. Mole.
[4:30] Mr. Rossy here.
[4:32] Mrs. Dunkey here.
[4:34] Mrs. Weant here. Mr. Weant here.
[4:38] Okay. We're going to just add one emotion here. Um,
[4:46] I'm going to ask for a motion to amend the agenda by approving in full the agenda as made available at the meeting.
[4:53] So, although the agenda was posted yesterday, due to a board doc's issue, the agenda was not viewable for portions
[5:01] of the 24 hours leading up to this meeting. Therefore, we have to have a motion to amend the agenda by adopting and incorporating the version of the
[5:09] agenda available at the meeting as um as necessary to ensure compliance with the Sunshine Act. So, may I have a motion, please?
[5:19] Second, Rossy.
[5:21] Now, also what we have to do is the public needs to be able to have public comment. So, is there anyone who would like to and it's just on this amendment?
[5:30] Just on Yes. just on this amendment to um amend the agenda. So, does anyone have any public comment they would like to make on us amending the agenda?
[5:42] If not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 80.
[5:51] Okay, we'll move on to approval of minutes.
[5:56] I need a motion to approve the minutes for the regular meeting of March 23rd, 2026 and the special meeting of April
[6:04] 6th, 2026. May I have a motion, please? So, move Matthews.
[6:12] A second.
[6:14] Second, we Any questions or comments? If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[6:21] Opposed? Motion carries. 90.
[6:25] Announcement of executive session. The board met in executive session following the committee meeting on April 20th for legal personnel and safety matters.
[6:35] Moving on to recognition of students and staff. There are no student or staff recognitions this evening. So, we'll
[6:43] move on to presentations. And we have four items this evening. The first we have two student council members here,
[6:51] Kate Bass and David Johnson. And um would you like to come up and give us a report and then I know you have someone to also introduce.
[7:06] Thank you. Thank you.
[7:25] My name is Kate Bass and I'm a senior and a member of student council.
[7:29] And I'm David Johnson, another senior member of student council.
[7:32] We just came here to talk to you today about all of the positive impacts of the school board obviously and all of Skoo Valley in general. Um the first one is
[7:40] go Goggle Works. From March 27th to April 14th, the Goggle Roads Center for the Arts held the 2026 BCIU's 44th
[7:47] annual secondary art ex exhibition. At the BCIU art show, we had several awards won by our students. We have two F uh
[7:55] Fast Lane winners whose artwork will be displayed this summer on either a billboard or a banner somewhere in Burks County. The Fast Lane winners were Laney
[8:02] Cresbow with honorable mention for her fiber art boutique and Dave in third place for his self-portrait. Colin Smith won second place for his black and white
[8:11] charcoal lighthouse drawing and Sierra Markle received honorable mention for her colorful photography. Around a 100 students from Skoo Valley were able to
[8:19] have their artwork shown at the Burks County Art Show this year.
[8:25] On Saturday, April 11th, many talented middle school and high school students participated in the junior county festival in the chorus, band, and
[8:32] orchestra. Congratulations to all of them on their spectacular performance.
[8:35] All the participants names will be in the PowerPoint presentation later in the evening.
[8:42] FFA would like to invite all the board members to their annual banquet on Sunday, May 17th, beginning at 6 p.m. An invitation was placed in your board
[8:50] packet. Our keynote speaker will be Alexis Butler, the Pennsylvania FFA state treasurer. We hope you will be able to join us as we celebrate our achievements from this past school year.
[9:00] Best own the greenhand and chapter and chapter degrees to students who have earned them and honor our seniors. In addition, our tractor day will be held on Thursday, May 21st.
[9:13] PYA will be sponsoring the annual Powderpuff football game on May 18th with kickoff at 700 p.m. in Panther Stadium. We hope you will come out to
[9:20] watch the junior girls take on the senior girls in a game of flag football.
[9:24] Admission is $5. Then on Thursday, May 21st, we will be having our Minithon, an afternoon and evening filled with games and fun here at the high school for our
[9:33] students. All money collected from both events will be donated to four diamonds to help children with cancer at Penn State Health Galasano Children's Hospital in Hershey.
[9:44] SVTSA competed in the PATSA state leadership conference from April 15th to 18th, 2026. The students competed in
[9:52] many different events against over 60 different high schools across the state.
[9:56] This group of students just made SVTSA history. They are the first place to top three in the state and came home with second place medals. The students compete competed in 14 different events.
[10:06] All the names and individual accomplishments will be in the PowerPoint presentation later in the evening.
[10:12] Mrs. Aldifer's 9th grade German 1 students have an e partner project with a school in mind, Germany. Mrs. Aldifer
[10:20] connected with FRA Elk Yoast via a mutual friend via email in November.
[10:25] Students in Fra Yoast's class are eighth graders in their fourth year of learning English. Mrs. Aldifer has 35 German one students who are partnered onetoone with
[10:34] the 35 students in Germany. They use a Padlet to communicate class to class in a separate Padlet to communicate onetoone with their assigned partner in
[10:42] Germany. They post one to two times per week on topics assigned by the teachers.
[10:46] This gives the American students a chance to practice their German with a native speaker and the German students the opportunity to practice their English with a native speaker who is close to their own age.
[10:58] This past Friday, April 24th, as at the 69th annual boy county meet held at Muenberg High School, an eighth grader Lincoln Miller smashed the previous meet
[11:06] record for the discuss by 42 feet with a throw of 197t 6 in. And hot off the press, we just got word that today he
[11:15] threw 199 feet two inches. He also broke his own meet record from the pre previous year in the shot put with a
[11:22] throw of 59 ft 11 in. Lincoln is well on his way to achieving his goal of 200 feet plus in the in the discus this
[11:30] season. His next goal is to set the record at the all county championship meet in two weeks. Good luck.
[11:38] And finally, McKenna Holden, one of our amazing seniors at Skooko Valley, is in the process of publishing a book she has written. She is here to tell us more about that.
[11:52] Good evening. My name is McKenna Holen and I'm a senior here at SV. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to speak at tonight's student spotlight.
[12:00] Um, I've been very busy this year with my internship working very closely with local author Holly Garner. And together we have co-authored a children's book
[12:08] titled Super Pups Georgie the Brave Giraffe. It's a book that teaches young children to handle big emotions through social emotional learning. And this is
[12:15] about a young giraffe afraid of heights and two super pups who travel to the safari to help him overcome his fears.
[12:20] Through my internship, I have gained so many firsthand experiences and insights such as pitching my original book ideas to the lead publisher of Sunbury Press.
[12:28] I was able to walk through the creative process of collaborating on a book and watching it take the steps to become published. And I also gained some insight on marketing skills through
[12:36] creating and running our social media page, Hollygner.ststephmillerbooks.
[12:40] And I also had the pleasure to travel to Hershey Elementary School to um take pictures and make a post for an assembly
[12:47] that um the author and illustrator put on. And the book will be out in the coming months, hopefully in May or June,
[12:56] to be purchased through Amazon, Sombre Press, and pretty much any website that sells books. Um, so thank you so much
[13:03] for giving me the opportunity to speak, and I can't wait for the book to be yours.
[13:08] [applause]
[13:13] [applause]
[13:14] Thank you so much for all of you coming.
[13:16] I mean, it's great to hear all the things that student council are doing and congratulations on on the book. Is this something that you've always wanted to do or you one that you were always
[13:24] writing stories when you were growing up?
[13:27] So, it's great that you're going to get it published. Does anybody else have any questions for the student council reps?
[13:33] Could Mckennon just give us the title of the book again?
[13:40] It was called Super Pups Georgie the Brave Draft. Thank you very much.
[13:50] Okay. Well, moving on to um we have the chief of Northern Barks Regional Police here with the this evening. Chief Wayne Holen.
[13:59] That name sounds very familiar with a speaker who was just here.
[14:03] I don't know why, but uh hopefully I can follow these three up. They did a they did a great job. I know public speaking is hard to do. So, uh good great job all
[14:11] three of you. Um good evening. Uh my name is Wayne Hullman. I am the new uh chief of police with the Northern Burks Regional Police Department. Uh I know
[14:19] most of you on the board. Uh but I wanted to take this opportunity to formally introduce myself. Um as most of you know and have heard that my family and I live within the school district.
[14:29] Uh it's truly an honor and a privilege um to serve as a leader in the very community where I raised my family.
[14:37] Uh this district is home to us and it it makes this role especially meaningful.
[14:43] uh know that the the safety of our students has always been a top priority of the Northern Burks Regional Police Department. Uh since stepping into this
[14:51] role, it has been clear to me that our officers have an outstanding uh working relationship uh with the teachers and staff here at the school. And I've seen
[14:59] that firsthand. Um uh and it's nice to know that the staff supports us and know
[15:06] that our department supports you and this uh school and the community in this at the school.
[15:13] So this partnership is strong and we have uh we are committed to maintaining and strengthening that relationship.
[15:20] We look forward to continuing our collaboration to ensure safe to ensure a safe and supportive environment here at the school uh for every student, every
[15:29] teacher and every member of this school community. So um thank you for having me this evening and I appreciate the time.
[15:36] Thank you.
[15:38] [applause]
[15:43] Hey, thank you, Chief Hovind. And um I know the school district really appreciates the appreciates the relationship that the school has had
[15:50] with Northern Burks over the years. So, I'm sure you're going to continue that tradition. Thank you.
[15:57] Okay, we're moving on to the YMCA summer program presentation. Mr. Dr. Ken Bori,
[16:07] members of the board and uh faculty, uh I want to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to uh step up here
[16:14] and talk about the why. Uh a little over three and a half years ago, I presented to the board a school age program uh that we are now running at the
[16:22] elementary school. And just to give you some data, uh the first year we started late in November of 23. We had 15 kiddos
[16:31] enrolled for that um for that school year which equated to about 565 sessions. So that's before and after
[16:37] school. In 2024 25 school year we doubled that to 39 uh children in our
[16:45] program. And this past current year we are at 41 enrolled. So for this size school this size uh expectation this has really been a a strong program for us.
[16:56] Uh it's probably our fourth largest school age program that we have in our system and we already started enrolling for for this coming next coming school
[17:05] year. Um I give you that data only because out of those families that used our program the
[17:14] uh questions that were raised, can we do a school a can we do a summer camp program here? So we operate uh several summer
[17:21] camps across Burks County and um we said well we'll talk to the board. So, I had a meeting with Dr. Winters to step up
[17:29] and present uh what you have in your packets there is an addendum uh to our school age program for the summer. So,
[17:38] our give you a little bit of background on our summer camp. Nationally, the Y has been a leader in providing summer camp for over 130 years. The YMCA of
[17:48] Reading Burks County continues to provide youth an enriching, safe environment with caring staff who model positive values that build kids
[17:57] characters. The YMCA programs offer a fun and unique experience that give children and teens the opportunity to have their best summer ever by meeting
[18:05] new friends, exploring nature, and discovering new interests, being physically active, and creating memories that last a lifetime. So, how does this
[18:13] relate to being in a school? Um, summer learning is making an impact. Research shows that summer learning is associated with positive academic and social
[18:22] emotional outcomes, including improved literacy, self-esteem, and leadership skills. In fact, youth have high rates
[18:30] attendance in summer learning programs across several years demonstrate positive and significant gains in math, literacy, and social emotional skills.
[18:39] studies that the Y has done uh nationally, a typical student attending the Y summer learning program had a 68%
[18:46] likelyhood of increasing and maintaining their reading scores. This chance increases every additional day in summer
[18:54] learning. One week in summer learning in for the for a student increases that rate by 80%.
[19:04] What we are proposing uh and you have in your packet is to operate a traditional summer camp program at the elementary
[19:12] school 10 weeks 5 days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Um now there's additional wraparound um care if you need before 8
[19:21] and after uh 4:00. What's special about this proposal for the school district is
[19:28] we want to uh complement the existing program that the district runs for four weeks with their elementary students.
[19:36] We're proposing to have a wraparound day camp that when the school uh camp ends, we would pick up um those children into
[19:45] our program so there's a full day of programming available for those students and families. Um, in addition, the I
[19:54] have spoke with some members of the food service department. We're looking to pilot something that we don't do anywhere else in our summer camp programs is uh extending meal uh
[20:03] opportunities through the summer uh a summer uh meal program for those kiddos that are in our program. Additionally,
[20:12] uh something that's unique is offering a compensation plan back to the district for utilizing that space over the summer
[20:19] as a 3% uh on gross on our gross revenue for the program. We would give back to the district um at the end of the summer
[20:27] based on um there are some variables to that u or exclusions to that, you know, excluding uh any kind of refunds,
[20:35] scholarships, state subsidy payments, or any donations that we go out to the community to get to help. uh supplement the program. So, for the sake of time, I
[20:45] can stop there. If you have any questions, um like I said, it's really a proposal to the district to continue what we're doing throughout the school
[20:52] year, to continue that into the summer, help uh protect that uh summer learning curve, and provide a benefit to the families in the district.
[21:04] Thank you.
[21:05] Okay. Thank you. Does anyone have any questions?
[21:10] I just want to say I think it's a great idea to help families that are working um to you know keep kids engaged and you
[21:17] know involved in something. So thank you for bringing this opportunity.
[21:21] Um did we we are looking at piloting as a pilot for 24 slots. Um my quick
[21:29] estimate of polling our current Y care attendees. We have about 15 of those if families interested are interested in
[21:37] those slots. uh if approved uh we will um send out communication of those families first and then do some type of
[21:45] marketing to the district um as well. I I don't think it's going to be an issue filling those 24 four slots. Um as an
[21:52] aside, we do have two other programs that are in the district. We have Leport Burrow that we do a playground program there uh with a contract under the
[22:00] burrow and we also have a program at Willow Willow Glenn for a playground program there as well. Uh how this
[22:07] impacts those two programs will be determined like those are only half day programs. This is a full day program. If
[22:15] successful this year obviously staff depending we can expand it. Uh we have capacity to do more. Um this program
[22:23] will also be licensed so we will have um any families that are ELRC eligible and
[22:30] can be subsidized. It will also benefit those families as well.
[22:36] A quick question for you. Um maybe maybe you stated it and I missed it. Um is this program going to run from
[22:43] the end of school till the start of school or is there a break in between or is it just a couple of weeks?
[22:48] No, our program will run 10 weeks the week starting after school and it will run to the Friday before the week school
[22:56] starts. Um bless you. June 8th to August 14th. Okay.
[23:05] Dates are Patrick, are we going to be able to accommodate them? Is it Do we need to work on our schedule for deep cleaning the school during the summer or
[23:13] some other summer maintenance activities to support this?
[23:19] We'll likely have to make some adjustments, but there are adjustments that we definitely want to make to accommodate this and make it work.
[23:24] So, we I've had some preliminary conversations with the elementary administration. Uh we are very flexible
[23:31] like during the weeks that um the school program will run we'll shift locations
[23:38] to the gym versus cafeteria. Uh we we have a very good and just for a side
[23:45] part I I actually start every day in that program. I'm probably the only CEO in Burks County that runs a childare
[23:52] program in the morning. So, um, we've established a re a great relationship with the, uh, with the staff there as far as being flexible. Like they have
[24:00] faculty meetings, we move to the gym and back and forth. So, um, yeah, I don't I don't see whatever cooperation we need
[24:07] to have with the district, we'll will accommodate that for our program. Great. Yeah, this is an awesome program. That's much needed.
[24:14] We're also starting school [clears throat] a few days later this year. It's it's not the week of the 18 or the 17th. It's it's the week of the
[24:22] 24th. So, you know, with with the spaces they're going to be using, we can even plan in such a way that we would just clean that space. And it
[24:30] it would make sense to do the gym in the cafeteria closer to the end of the summer anyway because of how heavily they're used and wanting them nice and clean to start the year.
[24:38] Great. That's awesome. Okay. Does anyone else have any questions?
[24:44] If not, um this is actually later on in our agenda to be voted on 10.2.
[24:50] Um, I would like to kind of pull it since Mr. Bori is here that we would be able to vote on it now with a motion and
[24:57] then we will open it up for a hearing of visitors if anyone wants to speak just on this specific YMCA program. So, may I
[25:06] have a motion to approve the YMCA summer program agreement and appendix C as presented? So, move Brown. I'll second.
[25:15] Okay. I don't know if you got that all first and second. Okay. Are there any additional questions or comments?
[25:22] If not, I'll call for the vote. Oh. Oh, sorry. That's right. Thank you. Is there anyone who would like to speak on the topic of the YMCA summer program in the audience?
[25:34] Anyone? Okay. If not, now I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 90.
[25:44] Thank you.
[25:46] Okay, we have one last presentation, the PDA data summit presentation by um Jenny Rexro.
[25:56] Good evening. I just wanted to take a couple minutes just to share some information from the PTE data summit which I was able to attend. Um so thank
[26:05] you for allowing me to attend that. That was March 30th through April 1st at the Hershey Lodge. This was actually my
[26:13] second year attending the PTE data summit. Last year I went because I was new to PIMS and so it was PIMS is a
[26:21] large part of this um of this conference. So I was able to go and attend a number of sessions to to get a
[26:29] lot more familiar with that. I'm in a better place with that now. But there are so many other things to see at the
[26:37] conference. There are a lot of different tracks there. Um, there's one for administration and leadership staff.
[26:44] There's one that's called beyond classroom support. There's one for curriculum staff. There's one for special ed. And there are a few others
[26:52] as well. So, um, you're able to attend different sessions in different tracks.
[26:56] So, there certainly were there were more sessions than I could attend. I highlighted the whole thing and I had to make decisions at the last minute about
[27:05] what I wanted to see. So, this is a really great conference. But a couple of things that I did see um that I did go
[27:12] to this time around. Um I really wanted to focus on data especially because as the curriculum and technology committee
[27:19] knows um we've been focusing a lot on talking about data, how to gather it, how to use it to make decisions. And so
[27:26] [snorts] I went to a few different presentations regarding that. Um and in fact there were two by the Serton Area
[27:34] School District where they talked about how they use data for literacy purposes um in terms of assessment and then
[27:43] especially early literacy assessments and it was great because after the after the sessions I actually connected with
[27:50] them and they sent me their entit data literacy handbook that they have. So, that's been really helpful to me to kind
[27:57] of review what other districts are doing um and try to recreate something that makes sense for Skookul Valley. Um I
[28:04] also did go to a PIM session on some critical reports that I thought would be helpful. Uh Hamish Brewer was a was one
[28:12] of the keynote speakers and he did a Q&A session after his presentation and that was really great. Um he speaks a lot about turning around struggling schools.
[28:22] Um and I found a lot of what he talked about very interesting. And then the last sessions that I went to were on
[28:29] PES. So that is basically the states um their how they use data to measure
[28:36] growth in our students. And so there were a few different sessions on that and one of them actually pertained to act 13 which is our evaluation of
[28:44] teachers and that's something I've been focusing on with the principles. So that was extremely helpful for me to make sure that I am passing that information
[28:54] along to our principal. So again, I just wanted to thank you so much for allowing me to attend the conference. Um it was
[29:01] really very valuable. I really enjoyed it. So thank you.
[29:08] Okay, thank you. Does anyone have any questions?
[29:13] No. If not, okay, thank you. Okay, we'll move on to reports of officers. Um, my
[29:20] report this evening, I just have a couple of things. I just want to remind everybody that we have five separate committee workshop meetings during the
[29:28] first two weeks of the month and the schedule of those meetings is on our district website. Also, we want to start putting the workshop meeting reminders
[29:36] on the Facebook page to better communicate those meetings. And as always, um, it's appreciated to all those who are able to attend those
[29:44] meetings and we hope to continue to get things done in a cooperative manner through these meetings. So items discussed at those workshop meetings
[29:52] then come forward in a report given by the committee chairman andor as resolutions at the committee the whole meetings which was held last Monday
[30:00] night and available on video. Those resolutions that are approved are then brought forward for a vote tonight. So
[30:07] just to reiterate what I do every voting meeting while it seems that the voting meetings do not have much discussion or that I combine resolutions for the vote.
[30:16] Uh these are actually items that have been discussed in public meetings at the workshop meetings then at the committee of the whole meetings uh before they
[30:23] come to the board tonight. Another item I want to address is the question posed last meeting regarding a donation to the
[30:30] pop that was quickly verified that monies were received by both the middle school and high school productions. Uh
[30:37] that donation was through a fundraiser that went to the pop and did not have to be accepted separately by the board. In our student activity fund account, we
[30:46] have 12 club account codes in the middle school and 42 club account codes in the high school for a total of 54. And that
[30:55] does not even include all the booster athletic booster clubs, the music league, the PTO's, the Connor KF Memorial Fund, the SV Education
[31:04] Foundation, etc. We have many, many groups that operate within our schools that raise funds through fundraisers or
[31:12] donations that positively impact our students. And this is all part of what makes our community come together through parents, families, businesses,
[31:20] and the districts to provide for our students. That phrase, it takes a village, is one that comes to mind when looking at all the positive things that
[31:28] are being done. and all those contributions of time, money and dedication by those involved that's probably close to a hundred different
[31:36] groups is greatly greatly appreciated and in several cases are generational in giving.
[31:44] So if any board member wants to pursue this fundraising issue, I would suggest going through the proper procedure of bringing it to a policy personnel and
[31:51] public relations committee workshop meeting, getting all the correct information and understanding the policies and procedures involved and
[31:59] looking at it in its entirety equally among all groups, not just cherrypicking one. As responsible board members, we
[32:06] have to be careful to make sure our comments are not harmful to our community members and those we serve.
[32:11] And I would like to personally thank Kelly for her contributions and dedication by her and her family to Skookul Valley for many years. Thank you.
[32:22] Okay, moving on to 2.2. Secretary Linda Lash. No report.
[32:30] Okay, 2.3. The Burks County Intermediate Unit Board. Linda, I do have a few things. Um, the one
[32:38] thing I mentioned last month was that the uh, Annie Sutullivan award for 2026
[32:46] was going to be presented. It was on Wednesday, April 8th at the um,
[32:54] um, Reading Hospital School of Medicine.
[33:00] And the award winner this year was Peter Supa, building trades instructor at the Reading Muenberg Center and Technology Career and Technology Center. Um, Mr.
[33:12] Supa had no background in um, special education. He wasn't a teacher
[33:22] when he got his job at the at the running Muenberg VOTE, but he was he knew he had a handful of
[33:32] students that he needed needed to teach building trades too.
[33:37] And so he made an intensive and inclusive highquality building trades program serving students with low
[33:44] incidence disabilities including intellectual disabilities and autism.
[33:49] Through his hands-on instruction, high expectations, and real world real world learning experiences, he helps students
[33:58] develop practical skills, confidence, and independence.
[34:02] His students must take the exact same tests in their building trades as regular um
[34:11] um vote students do. And this past year, the majority of her his students passed
[34:19] that. What he did was he ordered materials and made sure that they were
[34:26] useful for his students and he put all kinds of of guards on the equipment that he used and really tailored tailored her his program for the use by his students.
[34:38] So, while all of the people that were there certainly deserved honors, uh they
[34:44] all 21 of the people there really were gifted in their specialty. But he this
[34:52] year he stood out to the committee that uh approved the award and he got it. And I would like to say congratulations to
[35:00] our nominee Jennifer Roman, our gifted ed teacher, and to the IU um person, Amy
[35:08] Slovic, who was a speech therapist for early intervention. So that was a that was a really good program. again this year.
[35:18] We also uh had were told about the
[35:26] Pennsylvania Association of Pu Pupil Services Administration or PABSA conference
[35:34] that took place April 9th at the inn at Leola Village and that had um people from the IU there. had a board member
[35:42] there and our very own Matt Ammons has been the PAPSA president
[35:50] and he was at this conference. So I was glad that we had somebody represented there.
[35:58] We also know that there was a legislative roundt. Um our superintendent went there. He told us a little bit about that the last time and
[36:07] the uh county legislators that were represented there.
[36:12] There was a regional regional STEM design challenge that was held at UGI training center.
[36:22] There were 12 there were 45 teams from 12 school systems tasked with designing and building prototype factory machines
[36:31] uni using connects and NGO materials.
[36:36] And the first place winner was Otawan Creek Elementary and second place was Oolie Valley entry in that.
[36:46] So um I did attend the colum meeting that um
[36:53] Mrs. Wallace and Dr. winners went to and we learned that our budget
[37:00] might be done by June 30ish or July 1stish or July 2ndish
[37:07] and that it should be done in the beginning of July because it's an election year. So, um
[37:17] got a lot of information from from the state on that one.
[37:22] There was a career ready Burks night that connected students with local employers March 27th in partnership with the
[37:31] Reading Royals. I don't know if any of our kiddos went to that, but that was exploring careers for future um employment.
[37:42] An academic challenge showcase uh was held.
[37:48] There were 14 teams, four matches, and the winner of that overall was Daniel Boone Area School
[37:57] District, and they will be representing Brooks County at the Pennsylvania State Academic Competition on May 1st, which
[38:05] is this Friday, so in Harrisburg.
[38:11] And then we recognized our retiring um chief financial officer That was that's Mrs. Lucille Gallas.
[38:21] She's retiring.
[38:22] And we're also ex uh having the retirement of our um
[38:31] school professional um that will be retiring in Dan Richards will be
[38:37] retiring late summer, early fall. And these are people who have been in their educational jobs for a very long time.
[38:48] And Mrs. Galla's position is has been filled by um Miss Serrano and we are looking for a replacement for Mr.
[38:59] Richards. The applications have already been put in for that.
[39:05] and I attended uh a Head Start meeting with the Pennsylvania regional representational
[39:13] representatives and that was an annual review of the Head Start program at the IU.
[39:22] And this past Saturday, the school bus safety competition was held at Daniel Boone. I
[39:29] don't know if we had any Dr. Wyinners, do we have anybody that was in that? I'm not sure. Kristen, do you know? Have you heard?
[39:38] Okay. Didn't didn't know. Sometimes we have somebody that places second or third in that. And
[39:46] pretty much that's what we did besides our building project update. So,
[39:52] there will be a lot of new bills. I'm I'm not really going over any
[40:00] of the bills that we had because there's there's so many and so many of them are repetitive, but you
[40:08] will be seeing new bills in the House and State and House and the Senate because it's an election year and most
[40:15] of those bills don't get any um support behind them. So, they're just bills that people put out there. So,
[40:24] okay, that's Oh, and oh, this is a big one. Camp Connect is being held again this year. This is the bereavement camp
[40:31] for children and teens 6 to 16 who have experienced the death of someone close to them. And it's being hel one camp at
[40:39] Temple Muenberg is being held June 15th through the 18th and one's being held in Spring Township um August 3rd through
[40:48] the 6th. And if you want any information, our counselors can probably help you with that or you can contact
[40:57] the IU for that. That's the end of that one. So that's it, Carol.
[41:05] Okay. Thank you, Linda. Moving on to 2.4. Burks Career and Technology Center. David Ball.
[41:11] Um, couple things.
[41:15] First of all, the uh we've changed some of the policies um for how we do
[41:22] enrollments and so we were recognizing uh kids who leave programs and then we
[41:29] work to backfill. So, we've gotten our enrollment to over 2100
[41:35] kids, uh, which then also gives us some of the largest, uh, graduating classes.
[41:44] So, I think we're going to be over 750 kids at the upcoming graduation, which I think is a new record. Uh, Skookul
[41:52] Valley also hosts the awards assembly here. And so, uh, the board, the BCTC
[42:00] board just wanted to say that they appreciate that. Uh, we're up for a lot of grants. One of the things we're also
[42:08] getting, uh, we have the precision milling, uh, uh, department, and we've been
[42:16] working with NASA for two years. and there was a piece of unutilized equipment at another school and NASA
[42:24] actually reached out to us and asked us if we want to take over that piece of equipment and just pay for the cost of rigging an establishment. So, we
[42:33] continue uh to see some really nice programs in in place. Uh they're continuing to look at uh how to deal
[42:42] with even though we've gone from about 1,700 to 2100 uh kids enrolled in programs, we're
[42:50] still at a 3 to 400 weight list. So, I continue to tell uh our high school uh
[42:58] administration that, you know, we really need to work to get that word out if they want to get into programs uh because it definitely fills up there.
[43:09] Sometimes there's camps uh that they can go to and those almost fill up immediately.
[43:15] Uh so as much as we can do to try to get our kids uh having equal time and space uh would be important to do, they're
[43:24] looking at other alternatives um that they want to work on. But those are the the biggest items. So they
[43:31] continued to, like I said, they've rearranged the schedules to for kids that had dropped out of programs. That
[43:39] kind of gap was following through. And what they did is they looked for that tendency and they went back through and
[43:46] backfilled the gap. So we're probably, like I said, we're at some of the highest enrollments that we've had at BCTC and they continue to be recognized.
[43:57] Our kids get recognized uh from Skookul Valley, but the whole program gets recognized at a state
[44:04] level. Uh so it really some nice things that are occurring. That's it.
[44:12] Okay, thank you. Moving on to 2.5. Burks County Tax Collection Committee. Joe Brown.
[44:18] The only thing I have is the most recent reports forwarded from the committee were sent out for distribution so
[44:26] everyone can review. There's nothing further from that committee.
[44:31] Joe, do you ever get a chance because I served on that committee and I know Becky when I serve one thing you might want to just ask her is uh just ask for
[44:40] the particulars for school valley for the enrollment and the rates. Uh that's not something which is weird.
[44:47] That's not something they provide. They always reply it in total in summary which is nice but it doesn't really give
[44:55] us where we're at because when we were going through the COVID years some of the districts were really saw a decline
[45:02] in their earned income tax in school valley was you know had the benefit of having that fairly flat in fact slight
[45:09] increase. So you might want to ask her that. And then the other one is to ask her uh she can't tell you who, but she
[45:17] can tell you if. Uh sometimes you end up having delinquent employers and just ask her if we have
[45:26] any delinquent employers on the horizon, which means these would be employers who failed to deposit Burke CIT money into
[45:36] the account, which we would then then be able to get as a lump sum coming back.
[45:42] So, you know, that's just something if if you want to, you know, sure, nothing wrong, but it's just when you
[45:49] you get the cadence, if you attend a few meetings and you realize most people don't ask a lot of questions. They're just there. But if you can ask those
[45:57] questions, just ask her to give you that information on the side, she's always done that for us. Okay. Thank you. Yep.
[46:05] Okay. Thank you. We'll move on to 2.6 Pennsylvania School Boards Association. Linda Lash.
[46:12] Okay. The um Pennsylvania high school teacher named national teacher of the year for 2026 is Leon Smith, a social
[46:20] studies teacher with 25 years of experience at Havford High School. Um so I thought that was kind of neat. It's an
[46:28] an East Coast teacher this year, Eastern Pennsylvania teacher. Uh I did attend
[46:35] the uh liaison um zoom meeting on Friday. I got a lot
[46:42] of information. So um the one thing that um they did emphasize was having a board
[46:51] selfassessment done. Uh very important and it's should be based on the board
[46:58] principles on the big poster that we approved. Um, so I hope that we can do that. We haven't done that for a while.
[47:08] So that needs to be done. Um, also there is an AI
[47:17] workshop coming up for school leaders if any board members want to go.
[47:25] It is there's three sessions.
[47:32] Yeah. And through it's through PSBA Institute and Millersville University.
[47:37] The first session starts in August uh through August 3rd through September 4th and it's different series of classes.
[47:50] The fall cohort is October 26th through November 27th and the winter cohort is February 8th through March 12th. I have
[47:59] attended some of the smaller um AI workshops that they held and I find them
[48:06] to be very informative. So if anybody wants to do that and
[48:16] oh and I have to remind you um that if you haven't done your state required um
[48:24] schoolboard training you need to do that. I know there are two online um courses coming up in May. You'll have
[48:32] to go on the PSBA page to find them. Um it is a state law that we have to take
[48:38] training. So um I hope you if you haven't done it that you make sure you get your certificate into Susie so she
[48:47] can put it in her file. And that's all I have for that.
[48:56] Okay, thank you. Linda 2.7 Skookal Valley Education Foundation. Linda.
[49:03] Okay, I gotta change my phone here.
[49:10] Okay, I did get a message from Courtney Clay and it's rather lengthy,
[49:18] but it's really very very positive. The Skooko Valley Education Foundation is excited to share an update following
[49:26] this year's Red and Black event. It was our it was only our second annual fundraiser and we're incredibly pleased
[49:34] to report that the evening raised nearly $10,000 in support of our grant opportunities throughout the district.
[49:41] The success of this in event continues to strengthen our mission and serves as our primary fundraiser for the year. In
[49:49] addition to celebrating a successful event, we're already exploring ideas for a smaller fall fundraiser to help expand
[49:57] our impact and continuing building support for innovative educational opportunities within the district.
[50:03] Several meaningful projects and requests are already being fulfilled through this year's efforts. To start, materials for
[50:10] Judge Harley's mural request will be provided, helping bring a much anticipated creative vision to life. We
[50:18] also received a special grant request for the Botchi Ball team. Dedicated donations specifically earmarked to
[50:24] support that cause were received at the event to fulfill that grant request.
[50:30] Additionally, a generous parent donation paired with a company match has once again directed has been directed toward
[50:37] the gifted program. Mrs. Darren will receive grant funding to purchase robots for the discovery classroom at the
[50:45] elementary school, creating hands-on learning opportunities that encourage creative problem solving and STEM ex exploration.
[50:54] The board is currently reviewing the remaining funds for future dis distribution. At this time, the ant it's anticipated that additional grant
[51:03] dollars will be awarded during the next school year in increments of $500 to support classroom innovation, student
[51:10] enrichment, and educational experiences across the district. They're deeply grateful to everyone who attended, donated, sponsored, volunteered, and
[51:19] supported the red and black event. Your generosity continues to make a meaningful difference for SV students and educators. They're working to
[51:28] support a few scholarships that will be sent out to graduating seniors, including the Growler scholarship and a Savior Mateo scholarship.
[51:39] And then they would like um to have businesses or be contact or have
[51:48] contacts with businesses so they can learn about the EITC program and opportunities to give directly to the
[51:55] foundation for specific co um causes and they would like to partner with these
[52:03] businesses. They just need the introductions and that's all I have. Okay, thank you Lenta.
[52:12] That was quite an event that uh the gala event and so thank you. I know Lauren was involved
[52:18] in that. So, okay, we'll move on to 3.0 persons who wish to address the board.
[52:24] Anyone who wishes to address the board this evening will have three minutes to state their questions or concerns.
[52:30] Please state your name, the township where you live, and indicate if you are representing a group. All comments should be directed to the board as a whole and we ask that your comments be
[52:39] respectful in nature. If you have a written policy, a copy of that if you have a written statement, a copy of that statement would be appreciated. Details
[52:48] of this policy are on our website listed under policy 903 public comment at board meetings.
[52:54] Now we have I believe um [name withheld] did you had signed up to talk? Okay. So, you had
[53:02] signed a paper as a visitor, but I realized you actually wanted to sign up to talk. So, I will call on you first.
[53:09] Um, if you would like to come up to the the podium here and then just state your name and the township where you live.
[53:17] Um, um, hi, my name is [name withheld]. Um, I'm a student at the high school.
[53:27] Um, I'm here to talk about the athletic the athletic fieldhouse.
[53:32] Um, I'm here tonight to share a student perspective on the fieldhouse and on some issues many of us feel need attention first, especially regarding
[53:40] our safety and well-being. I want to start off by saying I do think a fieldhouse could be a big step for athletics and for empowering our
[53:50] teenagers. Sports matter a lot to many of us. to give us sport, community, and something positive to focus on, live for, and find purpose. So, I'm not
[53:58] against the fieldhouse. But as students, we see problems every day that make it hard for us to understand why a new facility is the priority right now.
[54:07] These problems might not affect just these problems affect not just our comfort, but our sense of security, our
[54:15] mental health, and our ability to feel respect in our own school. For example, in the middle school's girls locker room, there has been serious hygiene and
[54:24] clean cleanliness issues. There has been thick mouse feces in the changing room.
[54:30] And at one point, even a used feminine product that sat there for a long time without being properly cleaned up.
[54:37] That's not just gross. It makes us feel like our safety, health, and our dignity are not being taken seriously. And it's
[54:44] not just one space. Across the school there has there are ongoing facility issues, bathrooms that are not properly
[54:52] maintained, supplies that run out, and areas that feel neglected. When the spaces we use every day aren't
[54:59] consistently cared for, it sends a message about what is and isn't a priority. On top of that, our girls
[55:07] wrestling team hasn't been able to afford new uniforms or warm-ups like other schools and sports. We couldn't even keep the jackets that were gifted
[55:15] to us during our senior night. When girls teams feel like an afterthought, it sends a message that some students
[55:23] deserve better treatment and resources than others.
[55:26] There are broader concerns about safety and support. Whether it's building issues like gas leaks or a lack of
[55:33] constant supervision in certain areas, students don't always feel fully secure.
[55:39] And while mental health is talked about and access to support can feel limited when students actually need it.
[55:48] These aren't isolated issues. They reflect a larger pattern where basic needs, clean facilities, safety, fairness, and support aren't be
[55:57] consistently met. As students, it's hard to understand why expansion is a priority when the foundation still has cracks. So
[56:06] when we hear about a $30 million when we hear about $30 million for a new fieldhouse, but we can't get basic
[56:13] cleanliness in our locker rooms, a truly safe building or fair support for our sports teams is baffling and honestly
[56:21] frustrating. We're not asking for luxury. We're asking for consistent consistency, safety, or and fairness.
[56:28] Before we build something new, we need to take care of what we already have.
[56:32] I'm asking you to put student safety, cleanliness, mental health, and equity first and to share and to show us a
[56:40] clear transparent plan to fix these issues. Not just say you will fix them before before moving forward with a new
[56:48] big project. Once these basic priorities are met and we can truly feel safe in our school each day, then a fieldhouse
[56:57] could be something we as students can all be proud of. Some of us will never make a living off sports, but some of us has been a given a purpose to live
[57:06] because of sports. What will matter most of for our futures is whether we are learning in a safe, clean environment
[57:14] and whether all students and teams are treated fairly. Please remember that students are the ones living these conditions every day. I hope you will I
[57:23] hope you will really listen to what we're telling you.
[57:27] Thank you for having me. Okay, [name withheld], thank you very much for bringing out that to our attention. Uh, it takes a lot of courage to stand up there and
[57:34] you did a great job. I appreciate that you came well prepared. Um, do we need to have our administrators inspect our
[57:41] buildings every day and create checklists because if we we can't clean our bathrooms, I know that checklists are in place now.
[57:52] How effective they've been, I need to follow up on that. But, you know, we do like I know at the high school in particular, that was something that I
[58:00] had asked Michael to put into place when he started to have checklists and followup. So, I'll follow up again as to where that is.
[58:08] Okay.
[58:09] And maybe we need to be doing spot checks and making sure that those things are taken care of because just because they're on a list Oh, yeah.
[58:16] doesn't mean that that list gets checked off and completed. Okay. Thank you very much, [name withheld].
[58:26] Um, next is Jeff Golden.
[58:33] Before you start my timer, I just want to let you know that when people watch the feed live, it's the agenda that's showing and they can't actually see
[58:41] who's speaking, whether it's somebody at the podium or one of you. So, a lot of what I'm about to say, I don't know who said certain things last at the last
[58:49] meeting, the April 6th meeting. So, just so you know, that's very difficult as somebody who's watching after the fact, whether you're traveling for business or
[58:56] you can't make it because you're taking care of your family. Makes it really difficult to know who's actually speaking unless you come often and you know the voices. So, um I'm going to
[59:04] waste actually a few seconds of my time and thank [name withheld] for coming out and speaking on behalf of the students and sharing the perspective of the individuals that are there. Um something that she talked about was that um
[59:13] they're not asking for luxury. Um and that's exactly what this athletic fieldhouse is. And I'm going to get in my actually prepare what I prepared
[59:20] here. So, I shouldn't be s I should be surprised, but I'm not. I'm mostly just tired of seeing self-important politicians make a mockery of those who
[59:27] elected them to solve an educational problem of this district and instead focus on pet projects they've spent years waiting for just the right moment
[59:34] to push through at a meeting that was barely promoted. And I'll share the actual promotion, what was put on the website because it doesn't talk about a
[59:42] vote. Uh, and that's the only thing I'll share because it took me seven hours listening to the April 6th meeting to actually prepare for this. So, if you want to hear what I had to say, you can
[59:50] do the same thing that I did. Um, there was no announcement on the Facebook on the a landing page of the Facebook page.
[59:54] No text, email, voicemail, notifying parents, no real promotion found anywhere for a meeting where eight of you voted to build a monument to yourselves. You should take a page out
[1:00:03] of the congressional playbook and have three additional people vote nay because the 8 to1 vote in support of burdening the community while our students
[1:00:10] struggle academically and apparently sanitarily uh smells like the mushroom houses in our neighboring Muenberg.
[1:00:17] 310th district in the state of 609.
[1:00:19] That's down from 198th in 2022 and 157th in 2019. I was over I'm one of the U14 soccer coaches. I noticed a sign on on
[1:00:27] this when I was coming over here 2017 middle school uh national schools to watch and uh just recently we received
[1:00:34] the TSI designation and anybody who's here or not here should look up TSI um because we are in the bottom 5%. We're
[1:00:40] actually being watched now um by the Department of Education.
[1:00:46] going to run out of time and I tried to stay short, but uh okay, I'm going to get into some actual quotes here. Ross, you mentioned the whole student for college selections
[1:00:54] and that enrollment numbers don't support expanding our school buildings.
[1:00:57] Um, and if there's no need to expand on the horizon, why do we need an extra gymnasium if practices won't be an issue going forward? Carol, you talked about a
[1:01:04] rough rough past couple of years and morale negativity towards a school that this can boost school spirit. Uh, and so why can't we be proud of our academics
[1:01:12] and having clean schools first and you know focus on the the foundation like [name withheld] mentioned instead of focusing on the nice to haves. The football coach
[1:01:20] mentioned recruitment and retention that a venue can attract and keep outside students. So some of you know I moved here in the last 5 years and I'm telling you right now that no parent who cares
[1:01:28] about a quality education uh for is going to move their family to or not move their family from a district with crumbling schools who's on the backside of two degenerate superintendents. the
[1:01:37] most recent of which caused an exodus of 150 plus educators and support staff and one that has fallen from the fourth best district in the county to bottom five.
[1:01:45] Uh and it's bottom 5% in English language learners nationally. That's the TSI designation for those of you paying attention. Uh Caroline, somebody who was unknown uh mentioned it's never going to
[1:01:53] be a perfect time. Perhaps the timing was never right because this is a nice to have facility and doesn't supersede the educational and facility needs of our student athletes and they are
[1:02:01] tudent athletes which means the education must always come first. Um, unknown talked about bad thunderstorms. I'm going to I heard this timer go off.
[1:02:09] Um, you don't you don't evacuate a stadium into a steel building in a thunderstorm. I was going to jump forward and I'll come back next next month, the next time I can because I
[1:02:16] travel a lot for work. There were five actual needs that were talked about at that meeting. One, a concession stand where the electrical system shorts out just from crockpots being plugged in.
[1:02:24] Okay. A locker room remodeled. You talked about our kiddos needing locker rooms and us being mocked. Yeah, that's important. The bathroom that needs a remodel. There's three urinals for the
[1:02:31] crowd and appropriate storage equipment for the students and someone who actually knows how to schedule AC athletics so that we don't have uh nine nine year olds with at 9:00 p.m.
[1:02:40] practices. That's unacceptable. Those are five things that are needs. We don't need $18 million now, $30 million total
[1:02:48] to cover that, which may be a million dollars. You have the bougiest facilities on Earth. We're not going to be a mockery and focus on fixing the academics before you build a a monument to yourselves. Thank you.
[1:02:57] Hold it right there, Jeff. I I would like to hold it right there.
[1:03:00] Yeah, sure.
[1:03:01] First of all, I don't appreciate being accused of accepting a bribe in order for my vote. When did I say that?
[1:03:08] You did it on Facebook. You're a Facebook warrior and you put all this crap out there on Facebook that is untrue. You say 150 people left in the last three years.
[1:03:17] Yeah.
[1:03:17] Do you did you count retirements? Did you count people that came back? Did you count that some of them were people that tried out administration and decided
[1:03:25] they didn't like it and fell back into teaching? No, I did not.
[1:03:29] Okay. So, on top of that, it's not a $30 million facility.
[1:03:34] It's 18 million. It's going to cost us $30 million over the next years, right? It's We'll give you the numbers.
[1:03:39] $18 million. I'll give you It's very difficult when you're reading an eye chart that's also blurry because the picture that was actually on the screen was blurry as well.
[1:03:45] We put it on the screen so you can zoom in on it, Jeff. So if you take $18 million, it's like a nine or 10% interest rate to get to $30 million for
[1:03:54] a payoff over 15 years. This school has excellent credit because we've managed it well all this time. Okay.
[1:04:02] As far as children practicing late at night, we've scheduled as best we can.
[1:04:07] We just don't have the space. These are indoor sports. We have multiple indoor sports in the academic year, plus the
[1:04:14] youth sports that mirror them. So, you've got multiple age groups over multiple sports. It's not a scheduling issue. It's a space issue.
[1:04:24] Okay? And before you start spouting off on Facebook with stuff that's halfbaked and untrue, remember that the people in
[1:04:32] your household are watching. The children in this district are watching how the adults act and they're watching how we present an argument. So, hold
[1:04:39] yourself to a high standard because of who's watching, not because of us, but all the kids that are watching these meetings.
[1:04:45] So make sure you're correct the same standard I hold you to Alan if you and I understand like you want to call me a face word. I shared that there was a meeting happening tonight so then that
[1:04:53] people didn't know about the meeting that happened on April 6 because you commented on it Carol right away in the beginning and the last special meeting was last week that I didn't even know about and I was here I could have been here to maybe have a conversation.
[1:05:04] You say things like I'm at 50% of the meetings. I've seen you four times.
[1:05:08] Yeah, Al, I haven't been here because I've been traveling. I've had death.
[1:05:11] Why did you say why did you say you're at 50% of the meetings? Why do you speak facts? Speak truth.
[1:05:20] It's just as effective. You don't have to embellish it.
[1:05:25] You just don't. $30 million. You don't even have a basis for that number. But you're throwing it all. Did you not say the 18 million was going to cost $30 million to pay back?
[1:05:37] borrowing for the new facility.
[1:05:41] It's 30 million combined. 18 million for the new plus the 12 million old is going to be 50 million over the net. I focused on specifically the new because the old is already there. And I
[1:05:49] well I I have the numbers for you if you'd like the actual numbers because this was all presented in public, but since you couldn't read it, if we
[1:05:58] contributed $6 million from our capital reserves, the capitalized interest would be $551,93.
[1:06:09] If we contributed $3 million from our capital reserves, it's $683,789.
[1:06:19] If we contribute 0 from our capital reserves, it's $816 $816,333.
[1:06:30] Kelly, I think you're reading the capitalized interest. We're talking about what we are going to pay over the next 15 years, which I believe amounted
[1:06:38] at that last column where we're borrowing zero to $52 million payback.
[1:06:45] But again, that that includes money that's already out on the current bond. That that is not just fieldhouse money.
[1:06:52] I understand that. But we're still paying back $52 million over 15 years.
[1:06:57] It's not that other capitalized interest, if I understand that right, that's to get us through until we start paying the actual debt, which I off the
[1:07:07] top of my head goes from about $2.4 million to $3.4 million once we start
[1:07:13] paying down on that. So adding all those numbers together over the 15-year period, I believe with um taking using
[1:07:23] no school district money that we have amounts to $52 million. If you look at the number at the bottom, I didn't bring those papers, but I believe the end number is 52 million.
[1:07:33] Well, a portion of it is the 25 million we took out in 2020 to plow into the buildings to repro improve the the mechanical systems, roofs, the pool,
[1:07:42] some of the fields. I understand that we also have discussed that most of these projects have a 15-year shelf life. So
[1:07:51] if you took a bond in 2020 and we made those improvements in 2022, 2023, that
[1:07:58] means by 2038, all those things are done and their shelf life's over while we still have another five years left on
[1:08:06] the debt we're taking. So in 2036 2038, we're going to borrow more money to pay off the existing debt that we're taking
[1:08:15] now, plus add to that debt by having to do those new improvements to the school.
[1:08:19] I think that's the point he's trying to make. I don't want to speak for him, but you know, it is a significant a significant amount of money that we're
[1:08:27] spending. My concern goes back to we did a bond back in 2020 and now we're 2026
[1:08:34] and we're doing another bond and we're we're rolling in the debt from that bond in 2020 which means down the road
[1:08:43] you're going to need roofs, you're going to need mechanical systems and that's going to be before this debt's paid off in 2042.
[1:08:51] So that's that's my concern. I mean again I've said that the the members can vote whichever way they want. I just have a extreme concern about the amount
[1:08:59] of debt we're putting the district in uh by doing this. But again, majority wins, so it is what it is.
[1:09:06] Well, the other thing to consider is that by the time 2042 rolls around, we're going to see the end of the peasers where peasers debt is going to start to
[1:09:14] drop off because that's about 30% of our budget. So, we'll start to regain that in the late 2030s and rolling into the 2040s.
[1:09:22] That's the hope right now. And that doesn't include rolling in every other expense that's going to happen between now and then that we're gonna we're
[1:09:29] gonna have that's a huge huge portion of our budget that we will not be responsible for coming that time. Now the problem is
[1:09:37] though that Jeff is saying that the fieldhouse is $30 million and it's over seven typically over 17 years you're going to pay back. I was very clear about that that the cost of that
[1:09:46] specifically. One thing that you were also very clear on is that we were getting um different paneling inside for
[1:09:55] aesthetic reasons only. That was that that was please let me please let me finish. That was several million dollars.
[1:10:03] That's completely inaccurate.
[1:10:05] I didn't highlight it. I did notice there was it was a couple hundred thousand or maybe we didn't include that.
[1:10:12] We went with option three. But but you did online and let me go back and correct my my where I was incorrect because I had to listen and try to try to digest all this
[1:10:21] because it's very difficult because I think you mentioned that there's nobody here taking the the minutes and having like reporters that are reported know what's happening is very difficult as an
[1:10:28] individual who can't make it to digest all that information and then process all of it and try to when you know
[1:10:36] that's that's fair and don't don't regurgitate it back to Facebook until you've done that.
[1:10:42] Now Facebook is a public place. People talk, people that was not my That's the number one place we get complaints from.
[1:10:49] That is not it. I shared information about the meeting so people come and speak if they want to. It was to stir people up.
[1:10:55] It was not to stir people up. It was to get people to come here because because we had we had people we had people here. People did come and speak.
[1:11:02] The coaches were the only ones. You know, one individual who spoke up about a specific cost that she looked be 24 and went down to 18. It's all it's all online for people to watch.
[1:11:12] Okay. I I think we're gonna have to wrap this up because we're because we're going. Um we there were several meetings. We had the act 34 meeting that
[1:11:20] people could come and talk. Um it was open for 30 days that people could send in you know if they were opposed or for
[1:11:27] this February the meeting that rolled from January into February postponed because this this room the heat was malfunctioning.
[1:11:35] No that well we were in the other room.
[1:11:38] There was actually all over the school. We couldn't find you. We were just right next door. We were literally literally right back. Okay. Find you.
[1:11:46] Okay. But the other thing is that it is open for public comment and um you could send it into the school or you know so
[1:11:55] we had that 30-day window after the act 34 as well. You know and I agree we we want to do a better job communicating.
[1:12:03] At the board meeting last month, I did say we were going to be having that meeting to discuss it after Easter. It
[1:12:11] was after Easter, but then again, it was, you know, we we had to put it in there in order to fill a timeline of what we were working on as well.
[1:12:20] And Joe, didn't you didn't you put something out as well, Joe?
[1:12:23] Joe had something on the Facebook and that's something you have to be connected with somebody and that is that is something that we're
[1:12:32] aware of. We're trying to get better communication even for our workshop meetings, you know, trying to get it out there on Facebook. And as I said, you
[1:12:41] know, last month, if people have ideas of where they're going to go to see this because we don't have the reporters coming to the meetings anymore, so we
[1:12:49] don't have like the little synopsis next day in the paper, you know. So, it is a a tough way to kind of try and get communication out there. and especially
[1:12:57] the ones who aren't going to be looking on Facebook or looking at the district website, you know, the rest of the community. So, that is something we're
[1:13:05] aware of and and trying to come up with a solution for. Um, we don't have a newsletter anymore. So, you know, those
[1:13:12] are some things that we're going to have to look at as well. But some of the other things, you know, we've focusing on also the curriculum. Now, when we
[1:13:20] hear some of the building issues, you know, we do want to resolve all that, but you know, we've got a new board on here. we really only have four months
[1:13:27] in. So, you know, we're trying to work through some of these things as as well as problems come up or things that are
[1:13:34] brought to our attention. So, we're not trying to ignore anything, but you know, the fieldhouse was one of those things.
[1:13:40] It was kind of a timely thing because it had was already in the process before, you know, a lot of us even got on the
[1:13:47] board. So, and we had the votes and it was 8 to one and we voted to not take
[1:13:55] any uh money out of the capital reserve and that to fully fund it so we could save that money to be doing some of
[1:14:03] these other things that we know need to be done.
[1:14:07] And you know, Carol, I'll add I'm looking back at my notes here. our act 34 meeting on January 7th, we had 11
[1:14:14] different speakers, only two of which were coaches and this place was packed.
[1:14:19] So this this is not a new discussion. I understand where you're coming from where like the final meeting uh maybe the communication could have been better
[1:14:26] but this is not something either that was happening.
[1:14:30] It said it had that and I will correct any this came from three minutes to
[1:14:40] But it had that it was a special I will correct any incorrect statements I made about myself and I'm happy to have a good discussion with you if you're willing and able to to
[1:14:48] just don't tell people I'm accepting bribes. [laughter] Five of us have professional certifications and licenses that depend
[1:14:55] on a strong ethics component. I don't want to lose my my my way to support my family because people are talking about me accepting bribes.
[1:15:04] Let's take this off offline. Happy to have with other people there so that there's witnesses for the conversation that happens. if you'd like. Um, but
[1:15:11] let's let other people speak. Okay. I'm happy to come to another meeting, whether it be about that or anything else. So, yeah. And and that's fine. Again, I
[1:15:19] mean, it was advertised as a special meeting. It's a special fieldhouse meeting. So, you would actually have to go on the agenda and you would see that that was going to be voted on. So, it
[1:15:27] was a a twostep pro twostep process to find the agenda. Okay. Thank you very much. We'll move on to Tanya Salinick.
[1:15:43] Good evening. My name is Tanya Salonic and I am from the Leport Burough. I have two boys in School Valley School District, one in the middle school and
[1:15:51] one in the high school. I don't like public public speaking at all. I like to be in the background, but I feel like it is something that I need to say.
[1:16:02] I moved to Skookul Valley in 2008 for several reasons before I even had kids.
[1:16:08] The school district had a reputation for academic excellence in a more rural setting like where I grew up. When my
[1:16:16] oldest started elementary school, the district was still known for academics, ranking fourth in Burks County.
[1:16:24] Since then, our standings have steadily eroded, and not just academically.
[1:16:29] We have frequent gas leak scares. The heating and cooling systems have issues and our middle school now has earned a TSI designation.
[1:16:39] Last year, my son and many of his classmates learned geometry from chat GPT for most of the year because they
[1:16:46] didn't have a teacher and the learning was asynchronous.
[1:16:50] Despite having a commute to Philly for the past four years, I still didn't want to leave this community. My boys are in scouts, bands, and multiple sports here.
[1:17:01] They have amazing friends, and my older son's kindergarten teacher still emails every now and then to let the kids know
[1:17:08] she's thinking of them. I held out hope that when we elected a new cohort of schoolboard members, that perhaps finally we'd see a turnaround.
[1:17:17] Instead, we had an 8 to1 vote to build an unnecessary fieldhouse while our teachers are told new light bulbs so our students can see aren't in the budget.
[1:17:28] I also haven't seen any additional communications on what our plan is to mitigate the TSI designation. Where are
[1:17:34] we on that? Sadly, it's apparent this board doesn't have the best interests of the entire student body in mind, and I
[1:17:42] have zero confidence in your ability to fulfill your moral obligation to the community you were elected to serve.
[1:17:49] I'm sad that after 18 years here, I need to consider ripping my sons out of this school district and move to a new one that has its priorities straight.
[1:18:01] Okay. Um, thank you for your comments.
[1:18:05] Basically, yes, we did vote on the fieldhouse, but that it does not forego all the other things that this board wants to do. We
[1:18:14] have been working hard on the curriculum. Um, we changed some of the hiring policies. You know, there's a lot of things that we've been working on.
[1:18:23] We're going to be bringing in a new superintendent with new ideas, um, and focus on some of those items.
[1:18:32] We're just going to need some time to to bring some of those things, turn some of those things around. And it is important
[1:18:40] to to have it is important that we build our academics back up and and we know that. And that's a lot of why some of us
[1:18:49] got on the board because we want to bring those sort of things levels back up. And um you know I I think with the
[1:18:57] new superintendent coming on that we'll be able to achieve some of those things. It's big shoes to fill there uh Dr.
[1:19:05] Quirk, but I I'm sure he's up for the challenge.
[1:19:08] Can we start with Can can you let us know what That's was my question. What classrooms need light bulbs? who's being told that they can't have light bulbs because that's not acceptable.
[1:19:19] I if if you don't want to, you know, say that now, if you want to wait until after and let me know that because that's not acceptable. Our our
[1:19:27] classrooms absolutely positively need light bulbs. So if that's and if those issues come up like that like contact the school right away you
[1:19:36] know in in instead of you know I mean you can bring it up at any public meeting as you so please but you know
[1:19:43] those are the sort of things like let us know now so I mean we can't handle that kind of thing and you know find out what the answer is if we are not aware of it
[1:19:52] fire off an email [clears throat] and and I can tell you that in terms of basic classroom supplies like that light
[1:19:59] bulbs or hand sanitizer or those kinds of things. Every single request that has come through my office has been
[1:20:07] approved. I have not said one time, anytime it's come in when they said, "We need light bulbs, whatever. Go ahead and purchase it. Get what you need. Do what you" And so, and that's been consistent.
[1:20:18] So, I know I would love to know if you're comfortable emailing me. I would love to know where that's coming from. We really need to know where that is.
[1:20:26] I am not throwing anybody under the bus.
[1:20:28] No, no one's asking to throw anybody under the bus, but we just need to get the situation corrected.
[1:20:36] And we would like That's all I'm asking.
[1:20:40] And you I'd just like to make a couple more comments, you know, kind of based off of what Carol was saying, just off of, you know, some the speakers we've heard from the last couple meetings.
[1:20:48] There's been a lot of talk about, you know, our academic performance and that we should be focusing on the academics and not field houses and things like
[1:20:56] that. But what people, I don't think, understand is we recognize those issues.
[1:21:01] We completely redid basically our entire curriculum, bought all new, not cheap, new curriculum materials. We're rolling
[1:21:10] them out. We're not ignoring curriculum or test scores. It takes time. We spent the money. We're putting in the time.
[1:21:17] We're not ignoring, you know, the scores that we're seeing. There's a reason why we went through and redid pretty much
[1:21:24] every curriculum, every major curriculum in the last couple years. So, the idea that we're spending money on athletics but not on academics isn't correct. We
[1:21:33] spent a lot of money. You can go back and look in the minutes. These materials are not cheap. Um, so we have been focusing on that. Um, and the other
[1:21:41] thing I'd like to mention is the the financing uh that we took for the
[1:21:46] fieldhouse did not empty our um our bank our reserves. So, we actually do have people are saying, "Well, now we don't
[1:21:54] have money to fix this and we don't have money to fix that." No, we do because of the financing we got and because of the way the bids came in, we do have money
[1:22:02] to fix locker rooms. We do have money to address a lot of the things that people are talking and we have we're working on building a list right now with buildings
[1:22:10] and grounds on the things we would like to spend that money on. So we're not just ignoring everything and bankrupting
[1:22:17] ourselves to build a fieldhouse. There's a lot of us that had a lot of concerns about approving the fieldhouse and if the bids would not have come back the
[1:22:24] way they did, our votes would have been different. But when the bids came back much lower than we were expecting and we realized that we could still address all
[1:22:32] of those things that the teachers have brought up to us, their concerns, the students have brought up uh their concerns, we have the money to do that.
[1:22:39] And you know, to speak to what Joe was saying because we didn't bankrupt ourselves and we do have money to spend on our capital reserve. Some of these
[1:22:48] things, you know, that capital reserve isn't just going to disappear every year. You know, we take in new money every year to refill that. So, it's not
[1:22:56] like we're going to build this fieldhouse and then for the next 20 years we can't do anything. That's just not accurate.
[1:23:07] To just to back that up, I don't know how we're bringing money into the capital reserve fund when we
[1:23:13] were $800,000 in deficit this year. So, you can't put money in when we're taking money out to cover a deficit. I
[1:23:21] understand that that can be built over time. We can't take money out of capital reserve to cover a deficit.
[1:23:26] Correct. But you're taking money out of your regular account to cover a deficit.
[1:23:30] So which means we're not building the capital reserve because we don't have the money to build our regular reserve that we have.
[1:23:37] We'll be voting tonight and balancing that. So one of the budgetary items has always been that we put money over in the every
[1:23:44] year we put money in the capital reserve.
[1:23:47] So, okay, we have one more speaker on the list, Kelly Pikioni.
[1:23:59] Good evening. My name is Kelly Gisler Piconei of Burn Township. Um, dear members of the school board, I am a 2001
[1:24:06] graduate of Skooko Valley. Like many of my classmates, three of which are currently serving on this board, I chose to return to the community that raised
[1:24:14] me, build a life here, and raise my family. The SV that we grew up in instilled the values of hard work,
[1:24:21] dedication, and understanding that you have parters part of something bigger than yourself. That belief has guided me ever since. I was traveling for work
[1:24:30] last week when it was brought to my attention that during a recent board meeting, my business and my involvement with selling flowers in the shows were publicly called into question by Mr.
[1:24:38] Mole. I do not know what prompted this and I know that is not come from the majority of this board as a whole, but
[1:24:45] it is something that I need to address and need to address publicly since it was not privately questioned to me, which would have been very respectful.
[1:24:55] any issues could have been addressed simply with that phone call. As stated earlier by Mrs. Carol, the statement that no donation has been seen is not
[1:25:04] accurate. It is also a serious and defaming accusation. Each year, I've participated at the request of directors
[1:25:11] and teachers and have donated cash either the night of the show or shortly after. More broadly, I need to address the impact of these comments. Public
[1:25:20] accusations made without full information are extremely damaging. This is not the first time that you've spoken out of turn with false leading
[1:25:28] information. At a time when schools rely heavily on community support, small businesses, statements like this
[1:25:35] undermine the trust and discourage the very involvement of programs programs um need like pop.
[1:25:43] As you know, with the work of the rest of the board, there are many critical areas that deserve your attention, including what [name withheld] spoke of, but not limited to ensuring adequate reading
[1:25:52] specialists, par profofessional support, and for students, and the support of our amazing teachers. Choosing instead to publicly question and target local
[1:26:00] business that has consistently contributed time, money, and resources is both surprising and incredibly disappointing.
[1:26:09] In discussions around fairness, I want to be clear that I've never challenged or interfered with the existing graduation or senior flower
[1:26:16] arrangements. I respect that there are multiple businesses in this community that support the school in different ways. To imply that I am not operating
[1:26:25] fairly or limiting opportunity for others is false. My approach has always been community over competition. You've helped facilitate a school environment
[1:26:34] completely unrecognizable by most of this alumni. Build the community. Don't tear it down. This has never been a
[1:26:41] profit-driven effort. In fact, especially this year with Greece, I operated at a loss. Between Greece and the two performances of Annie, I
[1:26:49] personally purchased approximately 25 tickets to watch my daughter, her friends, and her classmates, and the
[1:26:56] shows were incredible. I also donated all the centerpieces for the red and black event along with a prom floral raffle item that I ultimately fulfilled
[1:27:05] for three students at no additional cost. Beyond this, my family has contributed this community for the past 47 years, often without recognition.
[1:27:16] I have personally given back through guest speaking, classroom support, and donations for projects like the Williamsburg Centerpieces. and my father
[1:27:23] has contributed endlessly, including regrading and seating the field hockey field 25 years ago. My sister Courtney Gray is the president of the Ed
[1:27:31] Foundation, giving countless hours of money. This is not about recognition.
[1:27:36] This is about giving back to a place we call home. And there's more families and businesses out there just like ours. I love this community and this is our home. I will continue to give back.
[1:27:47] Leadership matters.
[1:27:49] I appreciate your time and your support and Carol, thank you very much for correcting that earlier. I appreciate your support and we're lucky to have you back in this role.
[1:27:57] I'd like to add that the Gistler family is also responsible for the student garden that we have at the elementary school. They were key contributors to
[1:28:06] the materials that we needed to complete that project as well. Thank you.
[1:28:10] And also, it's not just a school district, it's a community of the whole for your trees with the veterans program that you've been doing. So really do
[1:28:18] appreciate that all you and your family have done.
[1:28:22] [clears throat]
[1:28:25] Okay.
[1:28:28] You would like Okay. Come up and say your name and well I know your name.
[1:28:34] Good evening. My name is Frederick Harrison. I've been in the district since 1989.
[1:28:40] Through this years I've raised three children through the school district. I have seen it go down then go up to the
[1:28:49] doctor. You said there's a checklist that it should be checked. Who's double-checking on the person that's involved in that?
[1:28:58] That shouldn't have to be done. It should have been in rules long time ago before you.
[1:29:07] This winter, the school district was shut down on a Monday when it was real cold. Why didn't a school district have
[1:29:14] a maintenance guy come in and check for the heating system that was shut down?
[1:29:20] There's no reason for that is zero degree weather outside.
[1:29:25] Somebody's from this district should have had the maintenance been in this school district and done. The children
[1:29:33] shouldn't have to miss school because somebody's lacking in their community in this district.
[1:29:41] Other things I would like the board to change tonight more than three minutes
[1:29:48] given to the people that come here. And as far as social media, I read everything on that Leport Center and
[1:29:56] there's a lot of that's coming out. Excuse my language.
[1:30:01] As far as this gymnasium or the athletic thing, why wasn't a letter sent to the community?
[1:30:10] Not by social media. Why wasn't that done?
[1:30:15] Anybody up there that was on here when that was done? That should have been done. We pay you people to do this job.
[1:30:24] We pay taxes.
[1:30:27] Okay. But the doctor does and so do our teachers. But why wasn't
[1:30:33] that done? a simple community letter sent to every taxpayer in this district.
[1:30:41] It's not going to cost a million dollars to do that and it should have been done.
[1:30:46] There's no reason for this stuff going on that's happening today in the year 2026.
[1:30:55] No reason at all. And it's a shame that you said you have a policy in place and nobody's double-checking on the person
[1:31:03] that's involved in it. There should be a report on your desk every Monday.
[1:31:10] No reason why. No report should not be filed.
[1:31:16] For that girl that spoke up about the cleanliness, that's disgusting to hear.
[1:31:22] We never had that problem, Carol, in this district. And I was here with you many years and I was at schoolboard
[1:31:29] meetings that many years. But after reading everything on social media that we do here and a lot of people are
[1:31:37] writing, this has to change and not years down the road, not after we get some more new
[1:31:46] people on the board. You've been here, David, for a long time in this district.
[1:31:52] Carol, you've been here. Daniel, you went to school here. You all know it. You know I'm right on what I'm saying.
[1:32:00] So, let's start changing things. Not time. Let's not give one focus on that gymnasium or athletic field. Let's focus
[1:32:09] on everything that needs to be addressed today, not next week. And Joe Brown,
[1:32:16] you're 100% correct. we roll that money over for six more years or 15 more years, you're never getting out of debt.
[1:32:25] Never.
[1:32:27] And if you all run your households like that, you'll never be out of debt either.
[1:32:32] This school district is in debt and it will always be in debt with the money that's being spent that's not due to be
[1:32:40] spent. Best thing you could have done bought that field across the street in case you had to change a school district
[1:32:46] or build a bigger high school. You left that go.
[1:32:52] Where are you going to build onto a high school here or onto the elementary school? Now you're taking away the fields.
[1:32:59] You got people don't have sense up here.
[1:33:02] Carol, you know it. You know that's money is being spent wrongly.
[1:33:07] Yeah. And I would like that time changed for people to give the more than three minutes. We have that right not to be shut off after three minutes.
[1:33:18] No. And actually I haven't really shut off anybody after three minutes.
[1:33:22] So don't yell at me for that. I'm not yelling at you. [laughter] But that's the first thing that was said. The people are allowed three minutes. That's three minutes was back in 1989.
[1:33:31] Yeah. Let's change it.
[1:33:33] If the people need 10 minutes, let's give them the 10 minutes. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.
[1:33:42] Okay, we will move on to 4.1 solicitor report. Oh, 4.0. The board. Yes. 4.1 solicitor report. Do you have anything?
[1:33:53] Just very briefly, I mentioned at last week's committee meeting that there was going to be an agenda item for this evening um involving the agreement with
[1:34:01] the Burrow of Leport for the Ashley way waterline installation. That is on the agenda. It's um item 9.1. It includes some provisions that I requested the
[1:34:10] burough's um council include which they did and it also included um some drawings that Mr. Rossi was very helpful
[1:34:17] in reviewing. So that is uh it's item 9.1 tonight. That's it.
[1:34:23] Okay. Is there any other old or new business for the board under 4.0? If not, we'll move to 5.0.
[1:34:32] Superintendent 5.1 is the monthly enrollment report.
[1:34:42] Do [clears throat] you have anything to add to that at all? No. Okay. Then we'll move on to 5.2, the principal's dashboard reports,
[1:34:51] which are included in our packet, and then we can move on to 5.3, the superintendent report.
[1:35:02] Thank you, Mrs. Want. I want to just take a few minutes and uh share some highlights from the month of April. Um some of the great things that are happening in our buildings.
[1:35:13] Just to start off, just wanted to share that um we had Skoo Valley night at at the Reading Fight and Phils and our fourth grade chorus performed the
[1:35:20] national anthem and one of our students, Julian, who's p pictured up there, officially kicked off the game as the playball kid. So, it was a great great
[1:35:28] moment for him and a great night for our fourth grade chorus.
[1:35:32] As Mrs. Flash already noted, we had the Annie Sullivan Awards ceremony earlier this month. Uh Jennifer Vroomman, gifted
[1:35:39] teacher from the elementary school, was our nominee, and she has really just done some amazing things since she has moved into that role at the elementary
[1:35:48] school. Really developed a robust gifted program and brought back the spelling bee earlier this year, which we heard a little bit about. So that that was a great evening.
[1:35:57] Um, also, um, we had our PA Capitol field trip for the fourth grade on the 14th of the month. They got to meet Representative Week neck. Um, and he was
[1:36:06] very complimentary about, um, all the great questions our students asked and how engaged they were in being able to meet him. And spring is really field trip season at the elementary school.
[1:36:17] Um, every single grade level gets to go on a field trip. Kindergarten went to the Lehigh Valley Zoo. first grade Brennock Orchard, which is later this
[1:36:25] month. Second grade went to the Da Vinci Science Center, and third grade's going to Rock Hollow Woods in May. So, it's wonderful that every single grade level
[1:36:33] gets an experiential learning um opportunity such as this.
[1:36:38] Um our elementary school um they uh were reading the book Saving Winslow, which
[1:36:45] is about a newborn donkey and um collecting cans, I'm sorry, coins.
[1:36:51] Sorry, my eyes are getting worse as I get older. Um for um little sorry for
[1:36:58] little little long long long ears. Thank you. Miniature donkey rescue. Um and um alumni assisted with
[1:37:05] kicking off the program um by bringing donkeys to the elementary school. So um great opportunity and experience that
[1:37:13] really dovetales in with what we're trying to do in terms of agricultural education um throughout the buildings.
[1:37:20] Um, our middle school had a very successful performance of Annie two evenings. Um, very very well attended.
[1:37:27] Our kids did an amazing job as they always do. Um, also um, want to share a little bit about what's so cool about
[1:37:33] manufacturing. Um, our team, our seventh grade gifted team won the outstanding creativity award for the work that they did making a video about Glenn Garry.
[1:37:44] Um, that was kind of I guess modeled after the video was called Rob the Builder. was inspired by the kids TV show Bob the Builder and um it's on the
[1:37:53] what's so cool About Manufacturing website if you want to watch it and a shout out to Dr. Shooker at the middle school who really led this team and do some amazing work.
[1:38:05] Oops, excuse me. Ah, wait a minute.
[1:38:08] Earlier this evening when the student council members were here, they talked a little bit about the Burks Junior County Music Festival and there were students from grades seven to nine that were
[1:38:17] selected um based on audition and you can see their pictures up here and uh again it's another testament to the talent we have in our schools musically.
[1:38:27] Um and it's it's what helps create those wonderful musicals year after year and tremendous concerts every year that showcase the talents of our students.
[1:38:37] Um, also mentioned in the student council presentation, they talked a little bit about the BCIU's 44th annual secondary art exhibition which was at
[1:38:44] the goggle works and we had several students that won awards and recognitions there. Um, and some of them
[1:38:52] um, as mentioned are going to have their um, artwork uh, displayed on larger banners and and visible to the larger community and uh, again very talented students.
[1:39:04] TSA state leadership conference. This was mentioned as well. Um our students um you know and our you know adviserss
[1:39:11] um again our team did a phenomenal job as was mentioned first team in district history to place in the top three in the state and earned two second place
[1:39:19] medals. So great job to those students represented our high school and um again illustrative of our strong STEM foundation that exists in the district.
[1:39:32] Earth Day uh Burke Celebration in City Park in Reading, our environmental science club was there and they had a booth that was focused on recycling
[1:39:41] trash into art and so they were able to collect it and then you know put together a picture using that which is there at the bottom of the screen. Um
[1:39:49] again, you know, more talent from our kids and and our club doing meaningful work um at City Park.
[1:39:56] Um and then we've got several slides to highlight um the great things that are happening with FFA and our FFA program.
[1:40:04] Uh we had students at the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow veterinary science exploration experience. We had them at the state legislative conference. Um the
[1:40:13] Analani Graange meeting and also at the second annual Fleetwood Bank agricultural dinner um where we had students that got to speak and
[1:40:21] participate and be involved in those events. Um, we also continued to have success in the Eastern Regional CDE
[1:40:29] competitions where we had a third, a first, and a ninth in the county and two 25ths and a ninth in the region for Lily
[1:40:38] Riley and Genevieve. So, great job to those young ladies um in that competition. um the uh Agora Pathfinders
[1:40:46] program where our FFA was only one of five in the state that was chosen to participate in this global teach a
[1:40:54] network Agora Pathfinders pilot. Um and it paired our students with graduate research students from Penn State's a
[1:41:02] department to discuss the impacts of their research. So, what an amazing opportunity for our students as they think about their careers postsecary.
[1:41:12] And um our FFA also hosted our first graders in the greenhouse, which was a great opportunity for those students to
[1:41:19] come up. They helped the first graders identify parts of a plant and then participated in planting patunias and pots that they painted themselves. And
[1:41:27] they also got to pick out a succulent to take home and one for their classroom as part of the Earth Day um celebrations.
[1:41:34] And again, a great opportunity for our elementary students as part of our, you know, larger footprint of of a education in the district. Um, we got to highlight
[1:41:43] McKenna Holden a little bit earlier this evening, but I'll share it again. Um, what an awesome thing to have a student get to participate in writing and
[1:41:51] helping illustrate a book, and just so very proud of her, and um, as as the parent of a 5-year-old, I'm going to be
[1:41:58] eager to get on Amazon and make sure I purchase that book. So, um that that is just awesome stuff. Um and then uh also
[1:42:06] want to highlight uh one of our girls so our girls softball players, pitcher um Adeline Casper. Um spotlight on Burks.
[1:42:13] Um she was recognized. Um as well as Llaya Gilmore from our track and field team who broke the school record in the
[1:42:21] long jump with a leap of 187. Um Adeline recorded the hundth strikeout of her career and also Grace Weissaki in girls lacrosse who recorded her hundth assist.
[1:42:31] So awesome job to those three young ladies um for being recognized for their accomplishments through Spotlight on Burks.
[1:42:39] Also um Nike Indoor Nationals shot put and what's pretty incredible about these two young men, Lincoln Miller and Landon
[1:42:48] Gobby, both eighth graders. Um, and as we heard a little bit earlier this evening, the future is certainly very bright um, in terms of our throwers and
[1:42:56] congratulations to those two gentlemen for their success at the Nike Indoor Nationals.
[1:43:03] Um and um also um as part of the Burks Business Education Coalition's Career Readiness Initiative, we had high school
[1:43:11] students, 10th and 11th graders that visited Albbright and seniors got to connect with employers through the undecided senior career fair at PA
[1:43:19] Career Link. and Grace Weissaki was awarded the first ever Pennsylvania Association of Pupil Service Administrators scholarship in
[1:43:27] recognition of her support of students and peers in pupil services which is an annual scholarship for a student that's going to pursue a career in pupil
[1:43:35] services. And so it's wonderful she was recognized at that conference. Mr.
[1:43:39] Ammons was there as well. Um and just congratulations to those students. Um, shout out to our food services
[1:43:47] department under the leadership of Louisa Trumbore, Giant Company's feeding school kids initiative. Um, we want to thank everybody in the community who
[1:43:55] rounded up at the register when they were checking out at the Temple Giant.
[1:43:59] Uh, we received a check for over 2,000 over $2,700 that are used to support school fund programs. So, that's awesome and we
[1:44:07] appreciate the community's support related to that. Um, I want to share that our Pride of Skook Valley nominations are open until May 31st. Um, this will be the class of 2026.
[1:44:19] Um, and the photo that you see there, um, is is from the class of 2025. Uh nominees should be someone who graduated
[1:44:26] from SV at least eight years ago, achieved national, state and/or district level recognition, contributed
[1:44:34] immeasurably to the school district, and achieved high honors in academics, art, athletics, music, andor vocations. And
[1:44:42] the nomination form and more info is on the pride of Skookul Valley page on our website. And then um wanted to just
[1:44:50] highlight as we heard from Mr. Bori earlier this evening um as we have our elementary school summer camp going on in conjunction with what's going to
[1:44:58] happen now with the Y and we are just super excited about those opportunities for our students and you know appreciate
[1:45:05] elementary admin's work on the elementary side and you know Mr. Bori for your work and partnership with the Y to help create an additional opportunity
[1:45:13] for our children this summer and that concludes my report.
[1:45:18] Thank you. Does anyone have any questions?
[1:45:23] If not, we'll move forward to 6.0 policy personnel and public relations. Um, the next work session committee meeting for
[1:45:30] policy personnel and public relations will be held on Tuesday, May 5th.
[1:45:36] So, we'll move on to 6.1 retirement.
[1:45:42] Approve the following resignation due to retirement effective the last day of the 202526 school year unless otherwise
[1:45:50] noted. Mr. Matthew Ammons, director of pupil services effective June 1st, 2026.
[1:45:58] And I'll put the 6.2 retirement accepts with best wishes for the future the following resignations.
[1:46:07] Um, Miss Deborah Bitner, Mr. Jeffrey Shalot, Mr. Mitchell Gaul and Mrs.
[1:46:12] Patricia Lacy and 6.3 resignation accept with regret regret regret and best
[1:46:20] wishes for the future the following resignation Amelia Herbert special education teacher. So may I have a motion for those three?
[1:46:29] So move second.
[1:46:32] Second. Amil any comments?
[1:46:36] I'd just like to say thank you to all those educators that worked in our district. We've had several that have been very long-term educators here and
[1:46:46] um have been a benefit to our academic program. So, thank you people for serving Skooko Valley.
[1:46:54] I just wanted to take a couple of minutes um after last Monday's meeting, I kind of reflected and I've had relationships with all four who are
[1:47:02] retiring. So, I just wanted to say to Mr. Gaul, I appreciate you teaching my kids. They always really enjoyed um your class and I hope you have, you know, a
[1:47:10] wonderful retirement and hopefully your beloved Raiders will have a great season. Um Mrs. Lacy, I can't believe you put in almost 25 years. Um we
[1:47:18] appreciate, you know, how you were always a constant in the business department, how you ebed and you flowed and you um brought all these things up to speed for the best of our students.
[1:47:27] Uh Mr. Shalot. Um, thank you for all that you've done not only for the teachers but as a part of the teachers association. Um, you helped
[1:47:37] us, you know, advocate for teachers and you redid the FMLA with Mrs. Breitbill a while back. Um, I appreciate all of the
[1:47:45] organizations and events that you offer for SV kids. And as much as I want to say that you'll enjoy your retirement, we know you'll be around with Mrs.
[1:47:53] Shalot. And last but not least, uh, Miss Bitner.
[1:47:58] Um, she'll be a big loss to the elementary. Um, she's someone who always went above and beyond with the students. I put her right up there with Mrs.
[1:48:06] Faustst. Um, most of the time that I worked with her, she worked in the autistic support classroom and she constantly wanted to know best practices
[1:48:14] for kids because every kid in the autistic support classroom needed something something different. Uh, she was always a safe space for students.
[1:48:22] students trusted her as they were being integrated into regular ed. She would make them feel safe and she would bridge
[1:48:28] those relationships with other kids. Um she was softspoken when she needed to be, but she also knew when she needed to
[1:48:35] hold kids accountable and uh help them rise to the expectations. So I just wanted to say thank you so much and they will definitely be big shoes to fill.
[1:48:47] Thank you.
[1:48:48] Okay. Thank you. And Mr. Ammons, you were only here very short time but uh thank you for what you've done for our district in that time.
[1:48:58] Well, yes, I know but short time this time. So, but thank you and enjoy your retirement as well.
[1:49:06] Okay, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 90.
[1:49:14] So, the next couple items, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
[1:49:18] There's nine 6.4 to 6.2. 2 employment of Cassidy uh Mrs. Ms. Brittney Cassidy
[1:49:26] part-time food services worker employment van Mr. Brandon Vany science
[1:49:34] long-term substitute teacher 6.6 Six employment of mentor approves the needric for mentor for Laura Schaefer.
[1:49:43] 6.7 substitutes approve the following substitutes Shelby Hinsy Kloer and Luke Risinger. 6.8 employment extracurricular.
[1:49:54] Uh Daniel Gassert, varsity football assistant coach. 6.9 co-curricular.
[1:50:01] the following co-curricular assignments of Catalina Lassen and Leanne Moyer. Um
[1:50:09] 6.10, community aquatic staff, Connor Huggard, a student lifeguard. 6.11 game workers Kevin Avery and Laura Schaefer.
[1:50:19] 6.12 volunteers Megan Antinucci, Salvador Aelina, Kelly Eaton, Sarah
[1:50:26] Felts, Shannon Highers, Tiffany Lopez, Orlando Pino, Joshua Santos, and Andrew Smeire.
[1:50:34] May I have a motion for 6.4 to 612? Bless you.
[1:50:41] So moved. Amil second. Second, Stany. Any questions or comments?
[1:50:47] All those in favor say I. I opposed. Motion carries 90. We have 6.13.
[1:50:55] Family and medical leave act acknowledges f the following family medical leave act. Jonathan Jenkins,
[1:51:02] Kelly Zimmerman, and Amanda Poland. May I have a motion, please? So moved around. A second.
[1:51:10] Second. Stanky. Questions or comments?
[1:51:14] If not, all those in favor say I. I opposed. Motion carries 90. We have uh 6.14
[1:51:23] contract for services frontline 6.15 contract for services capital bluec cross senior envision benefit renewal
[1:51:30] plan 616 contract for services docuign and 6.17 contract for services Burks
[1:51:37] County Intermediate Unit guest teacher program. May I have a motion for 6.14, 6.15, 6.16, and 6.17, please?
[1:51:47] Some move. Second. Any questions or comments? If not, all those in favor say I.
[1:51:56] I. Opposed? Motion carries 90.
[1:52:00] 6.18 PSBA membership renewal for 2627 and 6.19 PSBA 2026 delegate assembly
[1:52:09] representative which would be appointing Mrs. Linda Lash. May I have a motion please?
[1:52:16] So move stanky second. Second Ammerrell.
[1:52:21] Any questions or comments? Just remember that we can take another delegate as uh person to the delegate assembly in
[1:52:28] November at Cumberland Valley High School. If anybody wants to do that, let Dr. Wyers know.
[1:52:36] Okay. Anything else? If not, all those in favor say I. Opposed? Motion carries 90.
[1:52:44] We have two first readings of our policies. 620 policy policy 620 fund
[1:52:51] balance first reading and 6 21 policy 010 board hiring first rating. May I have a motion please?
[1:53:02] So move second. Any additional questions or comments?
[1:53:08] Not all those in favor say I. I. Opposed.
[1:53:16] Okay, motion carries 8 to one. 6.22 policy 325 dress and grooming the final
[1:53:24] adoption and 6.23 policy 707 use of facilities final adoption. May I have a motion please?
[1:53:32] So move second.
[1:53:35] Second we any questions or comments? If not all those in favor say I.
[1:53:42] I. opposed. Motion carries 90.
[1:53:47] Okay. Um 6.24 PSBA state funding resolution approves the PSBA state funding resolution. May I have a motion, please?
[1:53:58] So move. Lash. Second.
[1:54:02] Second. We questions or comments? If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[1:54:09] Opposed? Motion carries. 90. Is there any other old or new business under policy personnel and public relations?
[1:54:19] If not, we'll move on to 7.0 curriculum and technology. The uh next work session meeting will be held on Thursday, May 7th.
[1:54:31] Okay. Moving on to 7.1 Power School Group LLC
[1:54:39] LLC quote. Um 7.2 the dual enroll enrollment agreement with rack 7.3 the
[1:54:46] ECA science kit rental 7.4 cyber security software and 7.5 web content
[1:54:54] filter. May I have a motion for 7.1 through 7.5.
[1:54:58] So move second. Thank you. Any questions or comments on those?
[1:55:07] If not all those in favor say I. I opposed. Motion carries. 90.
[1:55:14] Is there any other old or new business um for for the curriculum? Yes.
[1:55:21] Curriculum and technology. Not we'll move on to budget and finance.
[1:55:28] The next work session will be held on Tuesday, May 12th.
[1:55:34] 8.1 proposed final general fund budget.
[1:55:39] We will approve one of the following. A is the proposed final general fund
[1:55:45] balance in the amount of 50,95730 that includes a tax increase of 1 mil
[1:55:53] and adds 412,000 to the budgetary reserve to balance.
[1:55:58] B. the proposed final general fund budget in the amount of 50,735,730
[1:56:05] that includes a tax increase of 85 mills and adds 242,000 to the budgetary
[1:56:12] reserve to balance and C the proposed final gen final general fund budget in the amount of 50,630,730
[1:56:21] that includes a tax increase of 75 mills and adds 137,000 to the budgetary reserve to balance balance. So I will
[1:56:30] open the discussion up. Whoever would like to start?
[1:56:42] No takers. All right, I I'll go. Apparently no takers right now.
[1:56:46] I mean I I I said it last week. Um I am for the 1 mil increase. I mean Joe's mentioned it tonight. Um you know, we've
[1:56:53] run deficits the last two years. Um, I I think we've got to try to, you know, try to nip that in the butt early this year.
[1:57:03] Um, you know, hopefully we don't have that. Hopefully the budget works out closer to what it should be. Well, I shouldn't say should be, but what we
[1:57:11] budget. Um, but I don't want to be running a deficit for a third year. Um, just don't. So, that's kind of where I
[1:57:19] stand with it. I mean, with the hope that if we do have this reserve, you know, we're not looking at multiple year tax increases.
[1:57:33] Anyone else? I I don't think we should go that high.
[1:57:41] I think 085 would get us started in the right direction. I think we had some retirements that are going to help us.
[1:57:47] Um, you know, I think we have a new superintendent coming on that might be able to help us. I think we should, you know, take a step in that direction, but
[1:57:56] not not go too far till we get our feet under us a little bit.
[1:58:02] No, I get it. But I mean, you know, we've heard here there's other things we want to get accomplished now. We're not We're funding the fieldhouse 100%.
[1:58:11] We'll have money for that, but you I still want to have money to go to some of these things. I mean, we hear the concerns.
[1:58:20] Let's let's account for them and let's address it.
[1:58:32] Anyone else?
[1:58:36] Kristen, would you be able to just go over what that look what each of those options look like um per average
[1:58:43] household assessment? Do you do you have that info with you?
[1:58:51] I know I wrote it down, but I have so many papers with whom I have. Kristen, I've got it here.
[1:59:00] Oh, okay. Sure. Yeah, I I have it as well.
[1:59:18] Yeah. So, the seven I'll I'll start from the lowest to the highest. The 75 mil increase would be $112.50
[1:59:28] 50 cents per average household using a $150,000 assessment.
[1:59:35] The 0.85 mil increase would be an average yearly increase of $127.50 using the average assessment of 150,000.
[1:59:47] And the one mil tax increase would be a yearly increase per household of $150 using the $150,000 assessment.
[1:59:58] Thank you, Kristen.
[2:00:04] And what we discussed last week was that we threw out the the high and the low and then these are the three uh percentages that are in the middle.
[2:00:14] Thanks.
[2:00:17] Yeah, I mean just my perspective, I've kind of been going back and forth between two options in my head and those
[2:00:26] two options are the 085 and the one. Um I am I I don't want to raise taxes more than we have to. Um so I am a little
[2:00:34] hesitant with the one, but I see the upside of not having to raise taxes potentially next year if we do that. But
[2:00:42] at the same time, I think we can get to where we need to be with the 085 and hope that, you know, with a new
[2:00:50] superintendent coming on and I know we're taking some actions as a board to try to work on these deficits and what's causing them. Um, so I'm I think I'm
[2:00:59] going to personally land on the 085.
[2:01:08] Anyone else?
[2:01:11] I don't think you're going to get away from not having more tax increases, but at the same token, having a tax increase, you want to have it at the
[2:01:18] right size. What are you going to do with that extra money? Like people complain that we didn't have tax increases in the past, but you know, we
[2:01:27] paid our bills. Yes, we drew down with the draw downs were unexpected. And so, you can say, "Hey, we don't want to do
[2:01:34] that again." And I get it. And so you want to build something in which all three of these that we talked about last
[2:01:42] week put something out there. Uh but you're going to have other uh expenses that are going to come up.
[2:01:52] So I I kind of with Frank 085 is the highest I would consider going.
[2:02:00] Unfortunately, we will need a tax increase.
[2:02:06] Like other school districts in the state, our special ed costs have risen quite a lot
[2:02:14] and our cyber costs have raised and then we had the had to soak up the
[2:02:22] money from the Skooko Valley Education Center.
[2:02:28] So it wasn't due to negligence that we need to raise taxes this time. It was it's due to necessity
[2:02:37] and we have been able to without raises support our budget over the last few
[2:02:44] years. This year it's different and this year we're going to need a tax increase.
[2:02:50] So, as hard as it is for me as a fixed income senior citizen to pay more in
[2:02:58] property tax, I have to pay more for my county taxes. I have to pay more for my township taxes. And now I'll have to pay
[2:03:05] more for my Google Valley taxes, but the cost of everything has increased and we need to pay our bills.
[2:03:15] And Linda, I'd just like to add to that because I've heard some commentary recently uh about taxes and um that the
[2:03:22] board is disrespectful to the taxpayers of the school district because of all of the tax increases that we've done. Uh
[2:03:30] and I think some people get confused with who is raising their taxes. Um you know, you pay the school tax, but you
[2:03:38] also play your county taxes, your municipality taxes, your school taxes.
[2:03:43] What was it? one time in the last 12 years. 11 11 out of 13 years not tax.
[2:03:48] Yeah. 11 out of 13 years there was no tax increase. So I know people are seeing their tax bills go up. Uh that was not from us. Uh you know that's your municipality, your county.
[2:04:01] Yeah. So it is unfortunate that we're in a situation where we do need to raise taxes, but we've also weathered the storm of the ridiculous inflation we
[2:04:10] went through in the last few years. uh and we've been very responsible and I just want to make sure people are aware
[2:04:17] that it was not us as a school district that were raising your taxes over the last decade plus. It was the county and the townships. So if you have issues
[2:04:25] with how your taxes have been going up over the last decade, they're the ones you want to um direct your questions and concerns to. Uh you obviously in
[2:04:34] addition to our increase here, you have the right to to do that, too. But just speaking in general, it seems like there's a lot of confusion in the public about where the tax raises have been coming from over the last decade or so.
[2:04:45] So, just wanted to clarify that.
[2:04:48] And I know that I called in to the last meeting, so it might not have been clear for the public. Um, but we really do need to be reaching out to the county.
[2:04:57] Um, we have a huge issue that it's not going anywhere with the youth center costs and we were, you know, misled in
[2:05:06] the fact that they were going to make us whole. Um, meaning us all Skookul Valley taxpayers. Um, so that has not happened.
[2:05:15] So, you know, unfortunately, it's the position that we've been put in that the facility is in Skookul Valley's district
[2:05:23] and we must educate those children and they should be educated. That that's not a question at all. But the county made
[2:05:31] the decision on what building to use and where to put those children and made false promises that they've not held up
[2:05:39] their end of the bargain for. And, you know, call your commissioners. elections will happen. Make your voices heard at
[2:05:47] the polls. Uh you can do that with all of us as well. So I'm not just saying that about the county, but we're all elected officials who are not being paid
[2:05:54] here. The county commissioners are a different story. They're they're getting paychecks for what they're doing and they're not fulfilling their obligations
[2:06:03] directly to the Skookul Valley taxpayers.
[2:06:06] So I I think that we also have to go with the 0.85. I I I don't want to see a tax increase. I I pay taxes in the
[2:06:13] district as well. Um but we need to make sure that we can fund all the programs that we have for our kids.
[2:06:20] Yeah. And I'll add to that, Kelly. I don't know if there's a single school district in the county that could just have a half million dollar bill dropped
[2:06:27] on them out of nowhere uh and not have to raise taxes.
[2:06:34] Also, just so we're understanding, this budget doesn't have anything for the fieldhouse. So when there's talk about, you know, we're raising taxes for the fieldhouse, that's not this is this is
[2:06:44] operating cost. This is operating cost to get a square foot for the year. This is not fieldhouse at all in this budget.
[2:06:50] Yeah. And at the same time, you know, this bond, that money cannot be used for anything but capital projects. So some people have been saying, well, why don't
[2:06:58] we use some of this money and invest it in, you know, curriculum or this these bonds? It's just for buildings. So, we
[2:07:06] can't take that money and give it to other people or other things. There's, you know, when you look at the accounting in in the public sector,
[2:07:14] there's certain monies that can be used for certain things. So, um I've heard that too. Well, why can't we take some of that money and apply it towards some
[2:07:21] other things like, well, that bond money can only be used for, you know, building improvements basically.
[2:07:31] Is there anyone else would like to speak?
[2:07:36] If not, um I'll ask for someone to entertain a a motion.
[2:07:43] Yes. Selecting either A, B, or C.
[2:07:49] I'll make a motion to limit the tax increase to the 0.85 mills. So number B.
[2:07:58] Okay. Do I have a second?
[2:08:02] I'll second. Amaro, is there any additional discussion?
[2:08:10] If not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor of option B, say move to yes.
[2:08:22] Did we do a roll call vote? Okay. Yeah.
[2:08:26] Okay. So, then we'll do a roll call vote.
[2:08:33] Mr. Brown, no.
[2:08:36] Mrs. Lash, yes.
[2:08:38] Mrs. Matthews, yes.
[2:08:40] Mr. Mole, yes.
[2:08:42] Mr. Rossy, yes.
[2:08:44] Mrs. Steini, yes. Mrs. Weant, yes.
[2:08:48] Mr. Weant, no. Okay. One, two, three.
[2:08:54] I mean, if I don't have to vote, I won't, but Oh, Mr. Emerald. Yes.
[2:09:00] Okay. Okay. Motion carries 7 to two.
[2:09:05] Okay. We'll move on to 8.3 the um 8.2 approval of ratification of
[2:09:13] bills and 8.3 the January March budget transfers. May I have a motion for those two resolutions?
[2:09:22] So move Brown. Second. Thank you. Any questions or comments?
[2:09:32] If not, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed?
[2:09:38] Motion carries. 90 8.4 the quadant leasing USA agreement extension. May I have a motion, please?
[2:09:51] Second. Second. William. Any questions or comments? Not all those in favor say I.
[2:09:59] I I opposed. Motion carries. 90.
[2:10:05] Okay. Is there any other old or new business for budget and finance?
[2:10:11] I have one thing. There's going to be a special budget meeting which is going to be June 8th at 6:30 p.m.
[2:10:23] So the budget now will go available for public comments for the
[2:10:29] next 30 days and then the actual official final vote will be at the
[2:10:36] special budget meeting on June 8th. Just so we're clear, it's going to be 30 days for any public comment and then the
[2:10:44] special budget meeting June 8th at 6:30 p.m. will be when the final vote is taken.
[2:10:52] Okay, we're moving on to buildings and grounds. The next work session will be held on Tuesday, May 12th.
[2:11:01] So, we have an addendum, two addendums. 9.1 agreement with the Burrow of Leport for
[2:11:08] the Ashley Way waterline installation and also tents and events quote for additional chairs for the 2026 commencement ceremony.
[2:11:20] May I have a motion for 9.1 and 9.2, please? So move, Rosie.
[2:11:27] A second. Second we questions or comments.
[2:11:32] So just want to provide some additional information regarding 9.2.
[2:11:37] So we've been meeting bi-weekly as a team planning for 2026 graduation and when we met this past week uh we had
[2:11:45] some further discussion about the setup of the field. Um as uh Mrs. Crater and the class advisers, you know, had
[2:11:53] brought up kind of two primary concerns that, you know, number one, with the construction related to the fieldhouse, if the stage is at the end of the
[2:12:01] tadium where it was last year, then you run the risk of bad sight lines from a picture standpoint, depending on where
[2:12:09] people are seated, if they're taking pictures in that direction. If you flip it and you put the stage on the other end, then you run into the issue of the
[2:12:17] sun where you have graduates and folks that are looking into the sun, you know, during the ceremony. And so, um, we had a really good collaborative discussion
[2:12:26] and, you know, came up with a setup that essentially would put the stage on the
[2:12:33] 50 with the class flanked on either side like at an angle. Um, and then so the
[2:12:40] additional chairs would be additional chairs that would that we would be able to, you know, put al kind of fan out,
[2:12:48] you know, along the front. The other thing that this particular setup does is it doesn't shut the door on folks still
[2:12:56] sitting on the other side of the stadium if they wanted to. They could. They absolutely could. It It's a different
[2:13:02] view. Um, but it it doesn't preclude that. So, we're not we're not really taking away any seating. Um, we just
[2:13:12] felt like again with construction and sun that this was our best alternative for this year. Um, and you know, when we
[2:13:20] talked about it collaboratively as a group um that that was where we landed.
[2:13:24] In fact, we even we even found a similar example, a similar district. OJ Roberts, which is in Chester County, essentially
[2:13:32] sets theirs up the exact same way. Topah Hakawakans is actually very similar as well um as we've done a little bit of
[2:13:39] research um on that end. So this quote is for additional chairs and that's some of the rationale and the reasoning why
[2:13:46] this just came about Thursday of last week like Thursday in the afternoon. So but I wanted to make sure it was
[2:13:54] something I brought up and that could be discussed um you know in the public in case people had questions.
[2:14:00] So, when you're saying that they're going to be flanked on either side of the stage, are the kids going to be facing the stage or still facing the home bleachers?
[2:14:12] I think at an angle.
[2:14:13] Yeah, they're at an angle. So, it's kind of both. It's, you know, and you know, like, and again, I wish I had a visual I
[2:14:20] could project up, you know, for you, but it's the the the stage is about it's about halfway. It's like center of the field.
[2:14:29] And then you have seats of graduates flanked right here and then seats flanked right here. So they're at an angle so they can see their parents and
[2:14:37] family members but they can also see the stage. The same individuals that have always sat on the stage would still be seated on the stage. We'd still have the
[2:14:46] seating for faculty members and employees who are going to get up and you know present their diploma to you know folks as we've done in the past. Um so you know that that wouldn't change.
[2:14:55] They've come in through the middle, you know, of the home bleachers. Um, and Mr.
[2:15:00] Bagginos and M and Miss Camoff have already, you know, looked at those, you know, logistics as well.
[2:15:07] So, the stage is on an angle, too, or is that running the stage running centered running parallel? Running parallel with the bleachers center facing the grand stand bleachers where the press box is. Okay.
[2:15:17] Yeah.
[2:15:17] I got Yeah. So when people on the stage look up, they'll see the home stands in the press box like it's facing the home bleachers like right right in the middle
[2:15:26] of the field center. Any other questions?
[2:15:34] If not, there was a motion and second. All those in favor say I. I opposed. Motion carries 90.
[2:15:42] Next items are 9.3 the softball scoreboard installation 9.4 4 AG Marorrow company quote for the middle
[2:15:49] school and high school door repairs 9.5 the Weaver commercial proposal for the middle school roof repairs and 9.6
[2:15:59] disposal of the refrigerator in the high school athletic training room. May I have a motion please?
[2:16:06] So moved am second we any questions or comments?
[2:16:11] um 4 9.3 did we confirm the um
[2:16:18] scoreboard configuration the posts with them? So it is for both the three posts. Okay, perfect.
[2:16:25] Any other questions? If not, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion carries. 90.
[2:16:35] Um, is there any other old or new business for buildings and grounds?
[2:16:42] And we already talked about the graduation field. So,
[2:16:48] okay, we'll move on to 10.0 students [clears throat] student services and activities. The next work session will
[2:16:56] be held on Thursday, May 14th.
[2:17:02] 10.1 we have the u the high school art mural project approves the school valley high school
[2:17:11] art mur mural project in the amount of $1,200 funded by two awarded grants have a motion please
[2:17:19] so moves thank you a second Matthews
[2:17:27] uh any questions or comments I just I I just had own comment just by way of a you know thank you um because
[2:17:36] this this grant we've got two board members seated at the table who you know were certainly helpful in in in getting
[2:17:43] funds for this you know we know Lauren is involved with the Suko Valley Ed Foundation and some of the funding for this comes from that and Mr. Brown thank you to your family and the Fraternal
[2:17:52] Order of Police you know for your financial support for this grant as well. Um there I I included a picture um
[2:17:59] in the packet of what the mural is going to look like and it's going to be really nice. It's going to be on the art patio outside and um really excited to to see
[2:18:07] Mrs. Harley and and the kids get started on that.
[2:18:11] I just have a question. Is there going to be a special coating put over it so it lasts for a long time out there? I
[2:18:19] don't I don't know what they would use that make the paint stay on there, but that's a really good question. I can
[2:18:27] verify that. Mrs. Godfrey, do you Yeah, that would be great.
[2:18:31] Chris to go to all that work to make that great big agreed cat. I wouldn't want it to start being because the rain will just come right
[2:18:40] down on that and I would like to see it last for a while. So, I'm just going to hold this up. I know
[2:18:47] you're not going to be able to see it on TV, but I'm going to hold it up for the people in the audience to be able to see.
[2:18:55] Come over here.
[2:18:58] One of the perks of being here in person.
[2:19:07] Okay, there's a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. I.
[2:19:13] Opposed? Motion carries. 90.
[2:19:17] Now, we did already approve uh 10.2, which was the YMCA summer program. So,
[2:19:24] move on to 10.3, the 202627 school notice of adoption for the BCIU IDA
[2:19:31] grant application. May I have a motion, please?
[2:19:37] So, moved to second. Am any questions or comments?
[2:19:43] Just as a clarification, just so the folks understand, so the BCIU submits a large special education idea grant every
[2:19:52] year and then districts there are pass through funds and that special ed funding comes to districts through the
[2:19:59] BCIU and as part of the grant there's an adoption notice that school districts
[2:20:06] have to sign off on that basically authorizes them to continue to process the grant. And so what you're approving this evening is just authorizing me to
[2:20:15] go ahead and sign that docuign document so that they can proceed with the grant on behalf of the portion that comes to Skookul Valley.
[2:20:26] Any other questions or comments? If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[2:20:31] Opposed? Motion carries 90. The international trip to France. May I have a motion, please?
[2:20:38] Lash seconds. Thank you. Any additional questions or comments besides that we would all like to go on the trip.
[2:20:46] I just hope that our faculty continues to do this because I think that travel is the best gift that we can give our kids um for educational purposes, for
[2:20:55] cultural purposes. Um it's just incredible. So, thank you again. I know I said this last time, but thank you again to all of our staff for putting these things together.
[2:21:04] Yes, it was a very exciting presentation last week. All those in favor say I.
[2:21:12] I. Opposed. Motion carries. 90.
[2:21:17] Okay. The commencement audio system contract 10.6 the BCIU Burks County Safety and Security Consortium Services
[2:21:25] and 10.7 Standard Response Protocol ID badge reminders. May I have a motion for
[2:21:30] 10.5, 10.6, and 10.7. Please move. Amal second.
[2:21:38] Second. Questions or comments?
[2:21:41] I'm just really glad that we participate in the Brooks County Safety and Security Consortium services with the IU. Um, we
[2:21:49] really have a good crew at the IU that is very helpful to all of our school districts that participate. So, thank you for that.
[2:21:59] Anything else? If not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 90. 10.8.
[2:22:09] Two-year settlement agreement for student number 3702. May I have a motion, please?
[2:22:17] So move we second. Matthews.
[2:22:23] Any questions or comments? If not, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 90.9.
[2:22:32] Is there any other old or new business for student services and activities?
[2:22:37] Um, I just wanted to quick say thank you to Miss Camoff, Mr. Baggin Stose, the high school admin, and the prom committee for putting together such a
[2:22:44] wonderful prom. Um, I know this year was probably a little bit challenging because it was a brand new venue, but from every picture I saw, it was
[2:22:50] gorgeous. And my daughter had such an amazing time. So, I appreciate everyone's time and and attention to that. That's not an easy task to pull off.
[2:23:00] Yep.
[2:23:01] Second that. I second that as well. Um I know that my daughter and all of her friends had a great time. Um everybody looked beautiful. I was stalking
[2:23:09] Facebook to see everyone's pretty prom pictures. Um and it was just a lot of fun to you know watch it as a parent um
[2:23:16] happening. So thank you to everyone for all the hard work that was put in. And I just want to say related to that um I thank and I know administration and the
[2:23:24] class officers feel the class adviserss feel the same way for the board you know saying you know we'll contribute and you know to you know allow it to happen at
[2:23:32] this you know venue and create such a great experience for kids and so I appreciate the board stepping forward and doing that as well and I know our adviserss and administrators do as well.
[2:23:45] Okay we'll move on to other business or go to the order. Does anyone have anything this evening?
[2:23:51] Yeah, Carol, I'd just like to thank everyone who was involved this past weekend. Um, the track team put on an
[2:23:59] invitational track meet and um, it took a lot of people doing a lot of things to make that a success. So, I'd like to thank the track coaches and their staff.
[2:24:08] Um, the athletic department, Mr. Hansen, the training department, uh, Mr.
[2:24:12] burrows, um the the building uh administration and uh the the custodians. I there's so many moving
[2:24:19] parts to put on a successful production like that. I just like to thank everyone for their efforts.
[2:24:26] Unfortunately, it was a little wet. I was saying the rain to boot.
[2:24:30] Unfortunately, oh, and I should mention the volunteers, too. A lot of athletes and volunteers were there. We couldn't make that happen without them. Yeah. And unfortunately, no matter how much we
[2:24:38] tried, we couldn't do anything about the weather, but the rain held off for the most part. So, Anything else? If not, uh, may I have a motion to adjurnn?
[2:24:49] So, move down. Second. Second. Rosie. All those in favor say I. I. I. I.
[2:24:55] Opposed. Motion carries. 90. Thank you.
```

## Live captions (copied September 20, 2026): 2026-05-18_rs2_Z0vky3w.txt

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[4:04] I'm trying to get this done. Um, so 10.3 settlement agreement for student 4307.
[4:11] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the settlement agreement for student 4307. I assume no questions on that.
[4:20] We'll move that forward. Uh 10.4 two-year settlement agreement for student 3613 at AIM Academy. Um the
[4:29] committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the two-year settlement agreement for tuition at AIM Academy for student 3613.
[4:39] Again, we'll move that forward. 10.5 2-year settlement agreement for student 30006
[4:46] at uh John Paul II. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the two-year settlement
[4:52] agreement for student 30006 at John Paul II. We'll move that forward.
[5:00] 10.6 Acorns to Oaks contract for 2026 2027. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the
[5:09] Acorns to Oaks BCBA contract for the 2627 school year. Any questions about that one? I know we've been using them.
[5:18] All right, then we'll move that forward. 10.7 Onward Search contract for 2627.
[5:27] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the onward search now onward education contract for
[5:34] the 2026 27 school year for a 1:1 LPN for student for a student with an IEP.
[5:43] Any questions about that? We'll move that forward.
[5:48] 10.8 2026 2027 River Rock contract for two pre-purchase seats. The committee is
[5:55] requested to consider and recommend approval of the Riverock 202627 contract for the pre purchase of two
[6:02] seats for the Amity or Sinking Spring campus. Any questions on that?
[6:08] Uh I have a question. What happens? So we're pre- purchasing two seats. Um what happens if we don't use those? Do we get
[6:16] reimbured for them or we just what what does that look like?
[6:20] So both of those seats are currently in place. There are students there. So we're pre purchasing a discounted rate because the students are already there.
[6:29] If we didn't pre- purchase, we would have to pay a per DM rate which is about 15% higher.
[6:34] Okay. Okay. No, I was just curious. I didn't when it said, you know, pre- purchase. I didn't know what we're looking at.
[6:39] If we do pre- purchase and we don't have students there, you don't get the money back. You're just you're buying a seat because in some of these locations,
[6:48] seats go away very quickly because other districts purchase them and then you do not have a place for a student in the event that they do something that might
[6:57] cause expulsion. So, we have to educate them. So, you have to sometimes pre- purchase them ahead of time. This is not the case for this one, but sometimes you'll see that happen.
[7:07] Okay. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am.
[7:10] And we'll move that forward. Uh 10.9 new story contract for 2026 2027. The
[7:17] committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the new story contract for the 202627 school year. Two students are currently attending.
[7:28] Any questions on that? We'll move that forward.
[7:35] 10.10 uh Deo contract for 2026 27. Am I saying that correctly? Okay. Uh, the
[7:43] committee has requested to consider and recommend approval for the DERO 2026 2027 contract.
[7:50] Any questions on that one? All right, we'll move that forward.
[7:57] 10.11 Hogan Learning Academy tuition agreement for 2627.
[8:03] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the Hogan Learning Academy 2026 27 tuition agreement. Any questions there?
[8:16] And we'll move that forward.
[8:18] 10.12 Oils Education Therapy Three-year Agreement. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the
[8:27] OELS's Educational Therapy Three-year Agreement. Um I know that we talked about this at our um committee meeting.
[8:35] Um but if you could just maybe give a little bit of information for people who didn't attend that meeting. Sure. So, we have had a standing oileg agreement.
[8:43] There was a previous three-year that's expiring this year. This is just a new three-year agreement to ensure that we have someone who can provide us OT or
[8:52] PT, occupational therapy or physical therapy services as needed. And Oles is currently working with us right now to
[9:01] help uh supplement some of the occupational therapy services that we need. and they're going to help next year with they have an extra
[9:09] occupational therapist secured for us to help provide some of the services we need. Thank you, Matt. Any questions?
[9:18] All right, then we'll move that forward. 10.13 Karen SAP services contract 2627.
[9:25] The committee has requested to consider and recommend approval of the Karen 2627 SAP services contract.
[9:33] Any questions?
[9:34] All right, we'll move that forward.
[9:38] 10.15 Vanguard School 2627 agreement and ESY addendum. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of
[9:47] the Vanguard School 2627 agreement and the ESY addendum for two students.
[9:56] Kelly, question. 10:14 concern.
[10:04] Oh, sorry. Well, we'll go back to that one question on 10.15. Sorry, I'm in a hurry.
[10:12] All right. I have no questions on Vanguard. We'll move backwards to 10.14.
[10:16] Sorry. Uh concern two-year agreement 2627.
[10:21] Uh the committee has requested to consider and recommend approval of the concern agreement. Any questions on that one?
[10:29] All right, we'll move that forward. Uh 10.16 Timothy School ESY addendum for 26. The committee is requested to consider and
[10:38] recommend approval for the approval of the Timothy School ESY 2026 addendum for student ID 5030.
[10:49] Any questions on that? All right, then we'll move that forward.
[10:55] Um we did have a student services um so 10.17 other older new business um student services and activities
[11:02] committee workshop on May 14th. Um we did talk about um the vacancy that we have uh with our school psychologist. Um
[11:10] we did um if I recall offered that to someone um but we're still waiting on
[11:17] that um ESY update. Um, so we are, you know, getting ready for the extended
[11:24] school year, um, items, Hawk Olympics recap. Um, everything went well. Um, I know my daughter participated as a buddy
[11:33] and she had a great day. Um, and that her buddy did very well in his events.
[11:37] So, it's always an exciting thing. So, I'm glad that we could continue something for um, our Special Olympics and hopefully we can bring it back to SV
[11:45] next year bigger and better. Um, OT services update. So um that leads into the oill that we talked about um that we
[11:54] are going to be using them to supplement um with the OT services that we already have and EI update refresh my memory on that.
[12:04] Uh it was just that all of the students have been uh observed and we have a good transition plan coming in for all of our early intervention
[12:11] for our kindergart incoming kindergarteners. Yep.
[12:14] Um and then with um our um activities um sports information um we are going to
[12:24] have a monthly student activities report um and the superintendent's monthly report. We discussed um increasing um
[12:34] you know information on our BCTC students as well as on our students um here at SB so that they're not left out um because we have a lot of kids that
[12:42] are doing great things over at BCTC as well. Um we talked about the um schedules and schedule coordination for
[12:50] our youth sports and um our you know high school sports and how we need to make sure that we're communicating to everybody. Um, so we're going to
[12:58] continue to try to increase that communication piece so that everybody knows where they're supposed to be and when, you know, inclement weather or
[13:06] something comes up that those things are getting out to people in a a timely manner. Um, door and building access for
[13:14] after school and evening activities. Um, that's still kind of a a sore subject.
[13:19] We get, you know, phone calls and emails about people not being able to get in.
[13:23] So, we really do need to continue to work on that um and try to figure out a way to make sure that if the head coach isn't here that somebody else still has
[13:30] access so that our teams can still, you know, do what they need to do. Um powderpuff game tonight. Go juniors. Um
[13:38] and then, um lacrosse, the boys um high school lacrosse team. Um, one of the parents sent a thank you. Um, just
[13:48] recognizing that the board had a hard decision that we had to make about having a varsity or a JV schedule. Um, the seniors were very thankful that we
[13:56] had that varsity schedule. It didn't go very well. We won one game. Um, but they all played really hard. Um, they, you
[14:05] know, left it all out on the field and we'll see what happens next year. So, that's all that I have.
[14:11] Thank you. Okay, we'll move on to 6 point.
[14:14] Oh, no. I had something for uh Sorry, Kelly. Um, we brought up at the workshop
[14:21] about Well, it's something I've been thinking about. Um, not charging our youth organizations.
[14:29] Um, so I kind of want to run that up the flag pole with the rest of the board, get their thoughts on it. Um, and I asked about having some raw numbers of
[14:37] what we're actually collecting from those groups and then other outside groups to kind of, you know, see what those numbers actually look like before we make any kind of decision on it.
[14:46] And so I was able to work with Kristen today to get some of that data. So our total rental income which is everything
[14:56] last year was 22,89742 and year to date this year is 27,9769.
[15:05] When you pull out the portion that is just SV youth sports last year that was 6,49252 and so far this year that's 6,84103.
[15:18] So, a small portion of that larger rental income is our youth sports.
[15:25] Now, my my thing is personally I feel like that's we're double dipping. These are people these are these are
[15:33] organizations with that that are in our community that are paying taxes to use the that are paying taxes the district and now we're charging them. Again,
[15:42] I would like to see and I I've gotten some feedback from other outside groups that we do the reason we're not getting
[15:50] enough money compared to where other districts and other outside entities like Big Show, those kind of things. If we can offset some of those costs for
[15:58] those other groups to make up some of that difference for our youth, I I I'd like to, you know, entertain that idea.
[16:07] I thought the fee wasn't for the use of the facility. It was for our labor to clean it up afterwards. Well, I think it's a little both.
[16:15] There's a flat rate and that we talked about that and um I I believe Dr. Winters had said most times somebody's here for a high school or a junior high sport anyway.
[16:26] So, we're not really bringing extra people in.
[16:29] So, you know, I mean, I'm sure there's a couple one-offs here and there that we would have to, but
[16:37] Yeah, I I've brought this up before because, you know, how do we have junior high and high school sports if we don't have those feeder programs and to, you
[16:45] know, put that barrier to entry to making them pay something? Um, you know, some kids are at a disadvantage because
[16:53] of that. So, let's, you know, get our kids involved in sports. It keeps them out of trouble and, you know, just any activities that we can have them in is a
[17:01] great thing. I think what we have to look at is the structure that we're charging the outside groups obviously to see about offsetting some of that. So is
[17:10] that something that you can uh put on the agenda for the next committee meeting for student services and then we
[17:16] can look at what the pay scale schedule is for those groups and then looking at perhaps eliminating it for the youth
[17:24] sports. Yeah, I was really just open it up to the discussion to see, you know, what the rest of the board I mean, we talked about it a little like that the workshop, but just kind of see where
[17:33] everybody else's kind of thoughts are on it to see if this is something we even want to if it has legs or not.
[17:38] I think if we can look at the the actual numbers and then the committee can bring something forward, you know, that the whole board can look at at next month's committee, the whole meeting.
[17:49] Yeah, I'm fine with that. I just don't know what other numbers I mean, we can change that rate. what the pay scale what what the breakdown is of what we're
[17:56] charging the outside groups. We still have to look at that if they're group A, B, C, or D. If we're going to make up some of that $7,000,
[18:04] then we have to look at perhaps increasing the prices in the other areas.
[18:09] Yeah. Yeah, I think what I was kind of thinking about along those lines was like taking a look at our current numbers and then a proposed increase
[18:17] figure and then using that increased figure and saying if we had charged that amount this year, you know, this is how
[18:25] much additional revenue we would have generated. And if if we can get a figure that generates about $6,000 that's not
[18:33] ridiculous, then maybe we've figured out our solution and it becomes a pretty easy decision because you know, as I shared at the committee meeting, you
[18:41] know, I too, you know, we want strong feeder programs. You know, we absolutely want our youth sports programs to, you know, continue to grow and, you know, we
[18:48] don't want to put barriers in place. So, I, you know, I think I think this is a logical thing to take a look at and and figure out how we can make it work.
[18:55] So, we're those numbers we had those the youth is is this past year was the $6,000? Yeah.
[19:03] So, that's all Yeah, that's all we're looking to make up.
[19:05] Yeah, it was 2526. It was just under 6,500. Wow. How you know was was for youth sports.
[19:13] Yeah.
[19:14] And I know in the past they used to have some of that costs were because of painting the lines on the fields and you know other expenses that we used to do
[19:22] and I know I think it was uh youth lacrosse or one of the sports was a comi com combined with other school
[19:31] districts. And so I know I think we kind of even in the past didn't always charge even though at that point it's an
[19:40] outside or you know the people participating from another school district are not taxpayers or whatever
[19:47] you know so we're not double dipping them but I don't know that we've ever really charged that group for that as
[19:56] well and that's was always a debate. So if you're bringing stuff up you might want to look at to iron out that, you know, where you
[20:05] have a a youth program that has both internal and external to the district that that's always just a very small
[20:13] group. The the ones they have that come in basically are just to make sure there's a team, right? I'm just saying we never maybe
[20:21] Yeah, we might have three to four players on both lacrosse teams, right? I'm just saying we should probably spell it out. we've just kind
[20:28] of ignored it. So, we should probably wave it, change the policy to wave it because the policy says if they're from
[20:36] the outside, you should charge them. So, what I'm saying is we should then amend the policy to do what we're actually doing.
[20:44] I think well that came up I don't think it's a policy. It's just an is so I mean it's not really AR. But I I think in there it states that the organization
[20:53] that's making the reservation whether it's inside or outside it doesn't specify whether a participant in a community I don't think it delineates.
[21:02] Yeah. There was debate in the past you know several years ago that trying to get that I'm just suggesting
[21:10] follow what we do and just clean the policy up. That's all I'm saying. Yeah. I'm not saying to charge anybody.
[21:16] Yeah. I'm just saying to clean the policy up. I don't think the policy the way it's written really changes the way anything's been enforced, but we can
[21:24] look at it. We've we've actually been looking at that hand in hand. If we're going to look at, you know, having the youth groups be
[21:31] able to come here for free, then we need to look at what we're charging the other groups. I mean, we might as well look at the whole thing while we're looking at it, obviously, right?
[21:39] And not do it peace meal.
[21:41] So, if we can get that information of what the outside groups are, what the I know there's different levels depending on what the is and then um we can look
[21:51] at that for next month's committee meeting.
[21:55] If if you want to look at reducing barriers for kids to participate, I'd recommend we add a sports bus to get kids home after the activity so the
[22:02] parents don't have to. And I'd also recommend that we provide basic equipment for all the sports so kids don't have to buy anything in order to try it at the middle school.
[22:12] For youth level, no middle school. If you want if you want to remove barriers for kids to participate,
[22:19] give them transportation and give them equipment at the middle school level at least.
[22:24] I'm not against that either. For junior high. Yeah.
[22:26] I mean, youth, it's a little bit of a different animal, but I'm saying junior high.
[22:30] I was saying I mean across the board though. I mean, yeah, it's good to help the youth, but I mean, let's help our our students as well.
[22:37] Yeah. Some of these sports, I know like when I was coaching on the junior high baseball team, I was surprised to learn that there was no team catching gear.
[22:44] There was no team baseball bats. There was no team helmets. Uh so these kids that want to try baseball in junior high. I mean these bats are $400 a piece
[22:53] and you got to buy spikes. And if you want if you wanted to try catching now you got to buy catching gears and catching mitts. So at the time Dne was the ad. Uh and I contacted him and he
[23:01] went out and bought all that stuff for junior high baseball. But I can't speak for all the other sports, but I know that was a barrier. I knew some of these kids from coaching them in youth. uh and
[23:11] they had some financial barriers and the lack of team equipment or basic equipment like Al saying was a barrier and you know as far as charging for the
[23:18] facilities. I was the treasurer for the youth football and cheer organization for quite a few years and you know it it
[23:25] doesn't sound like a lot of money but it hurts especially when you're reserving that stadium. Uh that's money that could
[23:33] be better spent on the athletes and their equipment especially when it's all volunteer. You know, the the fundraising that's done is all by parent volunteer and
[23:41] dimes charging $2 to use a grass athletic field per day or $1, whatever.
[23:48] It may have changed by now, but u it was a lot of checks. I can say that much.
[23:52] Yeah, I did bring up that if we have to charge something just for liability purposes, you know, if it's just a couple bucks just so that, you know,
[24:00] that liability is covered. Um, you know, that's one thing, but anything over that, if we can make it work, I'd like to make it work.
[24:11] Just real quick, I don't know if this would be helpful, but I did recently revamp policy 707 for a different client. Um, which did set forth five
[24:18] different categories of of groups and sets forth a fee schedule that kind of charges based on what group it's used.
[24:25] So, if the board is interested, I'm happy to share that example to look at.
[24:28] You can take it or leave it, but it might be a good reference point. Yeah, definitely.
[24:34] Yeah, we have something similar now. We have different classifications and different prices for those different classifications and we define what puts you in those classifications. But there
[24:42] is some confusion I'll say at times based off of the verbiage in those descriptions.
[24:52] Obviously that's something that we'll continue to work on and further discussion then next month.
[24:59] Okay. Now we'll is is I actually have one other thing and Kelly if you want you you don't have to answer this so you feel free to uh to go. It was just a quick question for Mr.
[25:07] Ammons. Uh you you can stay back there because it's a yes or no answer. I know you're going to be leaving assume we're going to have a change over in
[25:14] leadership and special ed. And I know last time that happened there was a lot of work that had to be put in to kind of reassess everything that had been done under the last uh you know leadership.
[25:25] And I just wanted to make sure that you got a chance to go through and reassess as we have a lot of settlements and a lot of placements. And if that's because
[25:32] there's services we can't provide, then that's perfect. That's that's what we have to do. I just wanted to make sure that you kind of got a chance to look
[25:39] through all of those previous settlements and those placements and kind of kick the tires and make sure that everything was on the up and up with those and it wasn't just, you know,
[25:48] pushing them to the side. Uh rather than, you know, getting down to the nitty-gritty and finding out what's actually best for the student. So, did you get a chance to go through those?
[25:59] Okay, great. That's all I needed to know. Thank you. Okay. Anyone else? Student services.
[26:08] If not, we'll move on to Frank with policy personnel and public relations.
[26:12] Okay. Solicitor's report. Do you have anything for us?
[26:16] Um, I don't. Although, again, to reiterate, if the board's interested in that policy, I'm happy to share a sample. Okay.
[26:22] Um, the policy and personnel committee met on Tuesday, May 5th for a public work session. We continued to work on the non-certified employee compensation
[26:29] plan. I'd like to thank those employees who attended the work session and provided input. Hopefully, we can wrap that up uh wrap that agreement up in our
[26:37] next work session. Uh, Mrs. Breitbill also took some time to describe the blueprint for belonging program. Uh, this program led by Mrs. Breitbill
[26:45] provides strategies that help foster a school culture of belonging and positivity. We completed work on revising policy 218.1 for weapons,
[26:54] policy 805 for emergency preparedness and response, and policy 805.1 for relations with law enforcement
[27:01] agencies. Those revisions are on the agenda for a first reading this evening, and we'll talk more about them in a few minutes. Finally, the committee
[27:09] continued the discussion surrounding how to better advertise and publicize uh special board meetings and other important district announcements. We've started using the school Facebook page.
[27:19] In addition to the traditional newspaper and school website notices, we're still discussing other means of advertising to help us reach as many people as possible.
[27:28] All right, we'll move on to 6.1. I don't believe we had anybody sign up, right? So, on to 6.2.
[27:37] Treasurer to the board of school directors. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of Mrs.
[27:42] Kristen Wallace as the treasurer of the board of school directors for the 2627 school year. Are there any questions or concerns?
[27:52] Move that forward. 6.3 Assistant Director of Business Operations Job Description Revision. The committee is requested to consider and
[28:01] recommend approval of the revised job description for the assistant director of business operations as presented. Um
[28:08] Dr. Winters, would you like to expand upon that?
[28:12] with that particular position. Um, since a decent portion of it is related to transportation and when we spent some
[28:21] time looking at the job description, you know, we noticed that while the other duties as assigned language would cover that, um, we wanted to spell out the
[28:29] transportation piece specifically because it is such an important piece of that job. And so the job description is
[28:36] largely intended to have that piece highlighted a little bit more. Right.
[28:43] Thank you. Are there any other questions? We'll move that forward. 6.4.
[28:49] Resignation. The committee is requested to accept with regret and best wishes for the future the following resignation. Ernest Farrier, custodian
[28:57] at the elementary school effective May 13, 2026. Any questions, comments?
[29:05] Move that forward. 6.5. Employment Kalinowski.
[29:09] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of Mr. Steven Kalinowski high school custodian at an
[29:16] hourly rate of $28.82 effective date to be determined to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Miss Yenia Gonzalez.
[29:29] Any questions?
[29:31] 6.6 Employment Castanon. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of Miss Barbara Castanon, food
[29:39] services supervisor, at an hourly rate of $24.76, effective date to be determined to fill the vacancy created by the promotion of Ms. Jacqueline Chesla.
[29:51] Any questions?
[29:54] 6.7 Employment Wagner. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of Miss Tiffany Wagner grade PK
[30:01] to4 teacher master step 7,000 $7,474 effective with the start of the 2627
[30:11] school year to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Mrs. Julia Cherry. Any questions?
[30:19] 6.8 Employment Community Aquatics Staff.
[30:23] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the following community aquatic staff for the 2526 school year. Steven Wade, adult
[30:32] supervisor, at a base salary of $16 an hour with an experience bonus of $8.25.
[30:43] Any comments there? Dr. Wers, I just wanted to since Mr. Hansen's here, I just want to publicly thank him for his work. You've probably noticed on
[30:51] several agendas in the past months, we've seen lifeguards and now an adult supervisor on the board agenda. I know he's been working hard in athletics to
[31:00] try to increase the pool of lifeguards and also increase the pool of supervisors. Um, our pool is used quite a bit for different reasons and we need
[31:07] to have supervisors and lifeguards to be able to do that. So, I just want to thank Jason for his efforts in bolstering the ranks in those particular
[31:16] positions because they've been challenging to fill. Thanks, Mr. Hansen.
[31:22] 6.9 Employment Substitute. The committee has requested to consider and recommend approval of the following substitute for
[31:29] the 2526 school year. Lee Himeme Marcato, grades PK to 4. Are there any questions?
[31:39] 6.10 Employment Elementary School summer programming teachers. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of elementary school summer
[31:48] school staff with teachers to be paid the professional hourly rate of $40 per the SVEA collective bargaining
[31:55] agreement. Teachers will only be used as a student as student enrollment dictates. Um there's a whole list of
[32:03] teachers here. Madison Haynes, Marissa Horn, Diane Hubler, Hunter Jones, Joel Kleinspen, Catalina Lassen, Melanie Loy,
[32:12] Julie Leshok, Emerson, Coranne Meyers, Courtney Neri, Britney Pile, Melissa Rapelli, Carla Rhymer, and Alyssa Smith.
[32:23] There's no questions. We'll move on to 6.11. Employment summer 2026 ESY staff.
[32:30] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the ESY 2026 staff list as presented. Um I did have
[32:38] one question for Dr. Wyers. I see we have an attachment here under executive.
[32:42] Um is that meant to be executive or should No, that should be a Okay, let me take a look at the list here. Um it's not that long, so I'll
[32:49] just read it off. Um, speech therapist Maddie Barbon, nurse Laura Schaefer, teacher Olivia Marts, teacher Daniel
[32:59] Savage, teacher Christina Dilts, teacher Brian Pepperling, teacher Kimberly Lugard, teacher Amanda Hicks, teacher
[33:08] Sue Reigns, teacher Kate Becker Humphrey, teacher Anna Martin, pareducator Tiff Roman, pareducator
[33:16] Christine Wyn, and PAR educator Kimberly Clay.
[33:22] If there aren't any questions, we'll move that forward and we'll go to 612.
[33:26] Employment game workers. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the following game workers for the 2526 school year to be paid $40
[33:35] per event. Caitlyn Becker Humphrey, Dennis Dors, and Serena Readinger.
[33:41] If there are any questions, we'll go to 6.13. Volunteers. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the following volunteers for
[33:49] the 2526 school year. Samantha Star Bone, the elementary school. Ryan Bowers in the elementary and the high school.
[33:56] Jennifer Dober High School student internship atonement Christian Preschool. Lydia Lea Elementary School. Candace Matthysse
[34:05] Elementary School. Douglas Troutman Elementary School. Diana Velasquez Elementary School. Are there any questions for that?
[34:14] 614 employment part-time temporary summer IT project employees. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the following
[34:21] part-time temporary summer IT projects employees at an hourly rate of pay of $15.93.
[34:28] Jesse Ganter Scott and Jace Ezy. Any questions? 6.15.
[34:37] The committee is requested to consider and acknowledge the following family and medical leave act leave of absence.
[34:42] Nikki Ryder, athletic secretary, effective April 17, 2026 through approximately June 30th of 2026.
[34:52] Moving on to 6.16, contract for services, United Concordia.
[34:58] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the United Concordia renewal acceptance form for the Skooko Valley School District dental
[35:06] insurance products for the period of July 1st, 2026 to June 30th of 2027 which reflect an increase in the monthly premiums paid by the district.
[35:16] There any questions?
[35:19] 6.17 contract for services a marriage healthc care staffing. The committee is requested to consider and recommend
[35:26] renewal of the agreement with a marriage healthcare staffing for substitute nurse services as presented. And you can see there's an attachment there under your executive comment content.
[35:38] 6.18 contract for services 2627 master service agreement with Cardinal Point Homeland Security Group Incorporated.
[35:47] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the 2627 master service agreement with Cardinal Point Homeland Security Group
[35:54] Incorporated as presented. And this is the agreement uh for our school security officers. Correct.
[36:03] Moving on to 6.19 policy 218.1 weapons first reading. The committee has requested to consider and recommend
[36:10] approval of the 2627 master service agreement. It didn't update my screen.
[36:16] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of policy 218.1 weapons for the first reading and I believe Patrick I'll I'll let you speak
[36:25] to that but that's uh adding the new law that we have to notify parents when there's a weapon in the school. So I'll let I'll let you elaborate on that if you please.
[36:33] Sure. Um that is correct Mr. Amarell. Um in in the policy itself um basically the
[36:40] revisions uh they start on page two of the policy. Um there's a section called reporting. Um we've added um headers for
[36:49] law enforcement incident report and parental report direct involvement. We had the up-to-date language already in there from the last time we updated this
[36:58] policy. We just put the headers in there to specify what they are. The new piece, as Mr. Amarell mentioned, is at the bottom of page two onto the top of page
[37:07] three, which is additional parental and employee notifications.
[37:11] And this is basically language that puts into policy the requirement that if there is a weapon on school grounds. Um, everybody in the school district
[37:20] community, including employees, needs to be notified. And it's especially significant for us here because we're
[37:27] one campus. So regardless of which building the weapon may be in, the entire district staff and employees and the entire community has to be notified.
[37:36] And so the language that's there is according to the new law which came into place this school year. Um and then
[37:43] there's a new header for annual school safety and security incidents report after that on page three or you know so that those are the those are the changes.
[37:53] Okay. Thank you Dr. Wyers. Are there any questions on that one?
[37:58] All right. 6.20 policy 805 emergency preparedness and response first reading.
[38:04] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of policy 805 emergency preparedness and response for a first reading. And this is the revision of the safe to say procedures.
[38:15] Correct.
[38:16] That's correct. So, one of the companion attachments with this policy is the safe to say something procedures. Um, it's a
[38:23] fairly lengthy attachment. Um the revisions start um on page six and a lot
[38:31] of them have to do with having a district crisis team, who is on it, um
[38:38] who takes the lead and also with uh training, what the crisis team training looks like. Um
[38:47] receiving reports, um coordinating with law enforcement if that is the case. um and what that looks
[38:55] like and then it you know gets into you know coordination with the threat assessment process and non-life safety
[39:04] or non-notification reports and it keeps progressing and basically what I did in each there's the section on assessment
[39:12] how reports are assessed the new language that I recommended we add is in red um on the attachment that's there
[39:20] for the public and also for the board and So those would be the things in each of those sections that once it goes through second reading I would put in.
[39:30] Um which basically just puts more parameters and guidelines around the district's responsibility to have a crisis response team and to make sure
[39:39] that in instances of crisis related to safe to say that we're following very specific protocols.
[39:48] Okay. Thank you Dr. Wyers. Are there any questions about that?
[39:52] Moving on to 6.21, policy 805.1, relations with law enforcement agencies.
[39:58] First reading. The committee has requested to consider and recommend approval of policy 805, emergency preparedness.
[40:07] And there is really only one change in this policy and it's on page two um when
[40:14] it talks about the memorandum of understanding shall comply with state law and regulations and set forth and
[40:21] there's an additional statement that's been added. It's now number three a procedure for the timely coordination between the district's threat assessment
[40:30] team and the law enforcement agency as necessary. One of the things that has, you know, been placed into law and has
[40:39] been picking up a lot of momentum is the importance of local law enforcement working side by side with the district
[40:47] with threat assessments and the district threat assessment team. In fact, there are some districts where um a member of
[40:54] the local law enforcement community is a part of the district's threat assessment team. um so that when there is a threat
[41:02] assessment and the district's working through that process, they're a partner in that process. Um currently we don't
[41:10] have that, but I see no reason why we wouldn't want to do that. Our relationship with Burn Township and Northern Burks is outstanding. And you
[41:18] know, I know that they serve on threat assessment teams in other jurisdictions that they serve. So that would be a step
[41:26] that once we get through second reading that I would envision would be a smart one to take especially given our positive relationship with our law enforcement partners.
[41:36] Thank you again Dr. Wyers. Are there any questions on that?
[41:40] All right. 6.22 policy 620 fund balance second reading. The committee is requested to consider and recommend
[41:48] approval of policy 620 fund balance for a second reading. Any questions or comments on that? We've spoken about
[41:56] that previously and there haven't been any changes from last time to this time. Correct.
[42:00] All right. Moving on to 6.23. Policy 010 board hiring second reading. The committee has requested to consider and
[42:08] recommend approval of policy 010 board hiring for a second reading. Um that again has not had any modifications since the first reading. Correct.
[42:17] That's correct. All right. And then moving on to 6.24. Uh, any other old or new business?
[42:25] All right, I don't hear any, so I'll pass it. Thank you.
[42:35] I'll let my um what our committee did at the end because we we'll have a presentation on one of the main things that we talked about.
[42:46] So, I'll give the rest at the end. 7.1 or 7.0 0 curriculum and technology 7.1
[42:54] persons who would wish to address the board.
[42:58] Move on to 7.2 the middle school targeted support and improvement presentation.
[43:06] We did have a comment about that last month at our meeting and so Mrs. Rexroad
[43:14] is giving us a overview of what TSI is and what we're doing to improve. Thank you, Mrs. Rexro.
[43:24] Yes. Good evening. Yes, this came up at last month's board meeting and then we discussed it at the committee meeting and the committee thought that it would
[43:32] be a good idea for a presentation tonight um just to go over all of the pieces of this um to make sure that
[43:41] everyone understands what targeted school improvement is and what that means for our middle school in our district. So targeted school improvement
[43:51] is a warning system for at risk student groups. it it signals that schools may be at future risk for more intensive
[43:59] accountability cycles. So essentially what it is is it's saying we're concerned about this. We need you to do
[44:07] something about it. So um the TSI designation that we have is on our English learners which I'll talk about
[44:14] in a moment. um it is based on a single year of performance data as opposed to
[44:22] the other types of um of concern which would be CSI which that is the most um
[44:32] significant challenge. If a school is identified as CSI that is comprehensive support and improvement and then ATSI is
[44:41] below that one and that is additional targeted support and improvement.
[44:46] That means that there is a school that is at or below the CSI school um in one or more of their groups. So we're the lowest level of their warning system.
[44:57] There are actually 41 schools in Burks County that have a TSI designation this year, 589 in the state of Pennsylvania.
[45:09] So, as I said, this group that was identified for us is our English learners, which is as as many people
[45:18] feel more comfortable hearing it or recognize it as our ESL program. So, these would be the students in that
[45:25] program. Um, and what how you get identified for this is that you have to have less than 21.4% proficiency rate on your PSSA. Yes.
[45:39] I I just want to clarify. So, these are students that don't speak English as their first language. Correct. In most cases, yes.
[45:46] Okay. I'll actually talk about that little difference in in a little bit, but there can be students who are
[45:52] identified as ESL who actually have um English is not the first language spoken at home,
[46:00] but the child actually only speaks English. Okay.
[46:03] So, but for the most part, yes, they are students who that is their second language, not their first.
[46:08] Okay. Thank you. I want to make sure I understood what demographic we're talking about. Yes.
[46:12] Um so these students are not performing well in English and math on the PSSA or
[46:18] the Keystone. Um less than 10% English language profic proficiency and this is on the access exam. So we are required
[46:28] once a year to give an exam to all of the students who are in our ESL program.
[46:33] Um it is often called the WEDA exam. So you may have heard that before. The test itself is called access. Um, but that is
[46:43] in order to be identified TSI, we would have had to have less than 10% of our students showing proficiency on that
[46:50] exam. And then I just wanted to let you know that there are 40 English learners at our middle school. We have a total of
[46:59] 95 in the district. 40 of them are at the middle school. Um, 21 are at the high school. 30 are at the elementary
[47:07] school. And we actually have four who are identified as ESL that are cyber students. They had been in our school
[47:14] building and they um moved on to a cyber program. Um but because they still are within our district, we have them still as identified that way in our system.
[47:28] Okay. So some of the things that we have done so far um and we are required to
[47:36] complete a entire action plan for how we're going to address this. But what we did was a couple of months ago when we
[47:43] got this designation, the middle school principles, myself and Mrs. Hill, who is our um ESL instructor at the middle
[47:52] school. We sat down and talked about what are some barriers that may be happening in the middle school. What are
[47:59] some things that would be helpful to the program? Um just so we could get started on those conversations because at the time we had received the letter in the
[48:08] mail from the state, but there was no there was no direction in terms of when to fill out the plan or a deadline or
[48:16] anything like that. they ident they actually notify you early because we are required to then notify our community which we did right away. So I thought
[48:25] while we're waiting to get more information let's sit down and have this conversation so we're being proactive.
[48:31] So some of the things that we did um the director the director of curriculum and learning which is me and our ESL teacher
[48:39] we actually attended the bridging language and learning program that was led by the IU. We did that a couple of months ago which which was really
[48:48] helpful because we worked through um some of our data and were able to collaborate with some other school districts as well. So that was very
[48:56] helpful. We actually have um the board, thank you, approved some curricular materials that we now have in use at the
[49:05] middle school, elementary, and um we anticipate using at the high school level. Um, and those will support all of
[49:13] our English learners. Newcomers meaning new to our country all the way through to level 6.0. It actually would go to
[49:22] that level. Um, so we we got those materials through Sengage. It's a National Geographic program. It's really
[49:29] nice. Um, our ESL teachers excited about it. She said actually the students really enjoy it. Um, so they come right
[49:36] in and like grab the book and and are doing things with it already. So um it is something that is exciting for them
[49:43] and that they enjoy using and it will also provide some data for us as well um as students are using the digital resources. So that is helpful.
[49:53] We have partnered with a consultant to come in for the 2627 school year to work with our regular ed teachers at every grade level and our special ed teachers.
[50:04] So all teachers in the district, not just our ESL teacher, but every teacher in the district will be working with um
[50:11] this consultant. He's going to come in one of the inservice days that we have before school starts and he's going to
[50:18] meet with each building for two hours a piece um so that he can have a more focused conversation with them about
[50:25] what they're seeing and and give them some strategies and ways to help. and his focus really is that what is good
[50:32] for um for students who are English learners is really good for all. And so really talking with them about how to
[50:40] incorporate those things in the classroom. And then he's going to come back at the October inservice and again meet at in each building
[50:48] once the teachers then know their students have had them for about a month um and then can ask more specific questions and really be thinking about
[50:58] specific kids at that time. Um, when I was having the conversation with the consultant, I actually we had that
[51:05] conversation for a while because I thought, you know, I really wanted them to come in before school started to give our teacher strategies, but then I
[51:12] thought, but they're not going to have students actually in their mind and know individual situations until after they have them already in their classroom.
[51:22] So, we we scheduled it so that he will come back in October.
[51:27] And then the last thing that we are that we have done so far is we're actually working to reclassify our students. And
[51:34] so to Mr. Rossy's point, there are students actually and this this is that population of students. There are
[51:41] students who are identified when they move into our district as English learners. However, they only speak
[51:49] English um but another language is spoken in the home. And so what ends up happening is that some of these students
[51:58] actually end up qualifying for English language services because they have other needs. They may have a learning
[52:05] disability, for example. And so they end up in the program and then what happens is parents are a little confused. I'm
[52:13] not really sure why my child is getting these services. um when we meet as an IEP team to talk about their needs, um
[52:22] you know, we're often having conversations with the parent about, you know, time that could be spent working with their special ed teacher as opposed
[52:30] to time spent with Mrs. Hill in in her classroom. So, um we have the ability to
[52:39] reclassify these students. They have had three years of not showing growth. And the reason they're not showing growth is because they have other needs that are
[52:48] hindering them from being able to make growth because they have reading and speaking and listening and writing
[52:55] needs. They just are connected to their learning disability, not to the fact that they were classified as an English
[53:02] learner. So, working with the IEP team, um, we they we are actually reclassifying those students. and those
[53:09] students because they haven't been making growth. Um that's part of the reason for this designation. So um so we
[53:18] will be reclassifying a few students. Um we're working through that right now.
[53:22] And then when we receive our access scores, which will actually come in next week, then we will be able to see if there's any other students that we can
[53:31] then reclassify because they've made growth and we can um take them out of the program. Um something else that we
[53:39] have done um as well that I didn't put on this slide, we have increased our communication as well. Um one of the
[53:47] things that we did before we actually um gave the access exam to the students, we sent notification home to families in
[53:55] their home language so that they understood what the test was and why it was important for their children and for and the kinds of data that the parents
[54:04] will get out of that as well. So, we did that prior to the test. That was the first time that we had done that. Um,
[54:11] and we also when we sent the scores home at the end of the school year last year over the summer when we got the paper
[54:18] copies, we also sent home an explanation of those scores in the in the family's home language so that they could read
[54:26] through it and understand um what was in that report and how to help their child at home as well. Um again that was
[54:35] something that we hadn't done in the past but we felt was important because um you know we want parents to understand that that test is happening
[54:44] and why it's important because just like with PSSA and Keystone we know that we we do communication home to families to
[54:52] let them know that those tests are coming and why they're important. So why would we not do it for that as well? Um the other thing we did at the middle
[54:59] school level um Mrs. Hill actually and this was a great idea. She we have some pocket talk devices in the district. Um
[55:08] we p we've been giving those to students to assist them. Um essentially it is just um the the student can speak into
[55:17] the device and it will in their language and it will actually um translate it for the Englisheaking person that is with
[55:26] them. Um and then vice versa. So, we have those in the district and we've been providing those to some students, primarily high school students, but
[55:35] there are a few middle school students who have access to those as well. Um, we actually, and I shouldn't say we, Mrs.
[55:41] Hill, um, actually provided one to the office staff at the middle school so that they were better able to communicate with families when they came
[55:48] in if they if English was not their first language and that was more comfortable for them to speak Spanish when they came into the office. So that
[55:56] is something that we are looking to provide the other two offices in the district as well as to our principles to have access to that. Um I think that
[56:06] that would be very helpful and again I think it goes a long way in making sure that all of our families feel comfortable and welcome in our buildings
[56:14] and so that was something that was important to us to do as well. Um we do provide not just the pocket talks to
[56:21] students but um students especially in the elementary and middle school have access to iPads um with Google Translate
[56:29] um and they have um oh my gosh they have
[56:37] oh the word is escaping me. They have the ability to use translation devices on their Chromebooks too.
[56:44] Okay.
[56:48] Okay. So, timeline and requirements. So, as I said, we do have a school improvement plan that we have to complete. Um, parts of that is that we
[56:58] need to complete a needs assessment of our middle school. We have to analyze our strengths and our challenges. We need to set measurable goals for um the
[57:06] middle school and then implement an action plan. So, not only does that does that plan have to be approved by you as
[57:16] the school board um in order for us to submit it to the state, but then the state will also obviously take a look at that and and give their their blessing
[57:25] to that as well. So, that is something that we will be working on. Um and you can see I put a little timeline there that now we are establishing that steering committee. I actually had Mrs.
[57:36] Hill um ask the students that she has at the middle school for some feedback already. Um because it's a secondary
[57:44] plan, we do have to have students involved. Um, and instead of having them sitting as part of the steering committee with with adults as we're
[57:52] doing all of the needs assessment and all of that, um, we put together a more, um, middle school friendly little survey
[58:00] that she worked through with those students to find out what are some things that would be helpful to you at the middle school. Um, as a new student,
[58:09] if we have new students coming, what would be something that would be helpful? um how has how has your device
[58:16] worked for you? Um and some other questions like that. So, one of the pieces of feedback that I thought was excellent that Mrs. Hill and I have
[58:24] talked about quite a bit is the idea of having buddies at the middle school. So as a when a student comes and is new or even if they've been there but but we
[58:33] think that it would be helpful just pairing them up with another student just so that they have that connection and someone who can help them feel more
[58:42] comfortable at the middle school too. So that's something actually that was in a few of the surveys that um we would like to move forward with and we'll put that
[58:49] in our plan as well. Um in the summer we will finalize that improvement plan in August. I will bring that to you for
[58:57] approval and then by September 1st that has to be submitted to PTE.
[59:04] And so the last thing I just wanted to say is that um we welcome any board members who are interested, any teachers, any administrators, parents,
[59:13] guardians, and community members to join our steering committee. We already have a couple of parents that had reached out just with concern about the TSI
[59:21] designation and asking me some questions. And because they had reached out, I told them that I would follow up with any progress that we had made or
[59:30] anything new and I had asked them if they wanted to be part of that committee. So I do already have a couple of community members who have expressed interest in being part of the committee
[59:39] which is wonderful. But if anyone else is interested um my contact information is there. Um there is a sheet over on
[59:46] the table over there with the sign-in sheets. Um, that is a document which I'm going to give to the board members. I
[59:55] forgot. I wanted to hand it to you first. I'll give it to you now. Um, this is a document actually that I outlined.
[1:00:02] Um, it's almost like an FAQ about TSI.
[1:00:06] Um, I made copies over there for anyone who is in the audience tonight if you would like to take a look. Um, my contact information is on it and I am
[1:00:15] going to have copies of this at the middle school as well so that families who come in if they are interested or want more information they can have it.
[1:00:24] Before I give you this, does anyone have any questions for me? Okay. Well, thank you.
[1:00:35] I appreciate that Mrs. Rex Road and Miss Hill worked on this as soon as they got
[1:00:42] the notification that we were in a targeted situation and had given us the
[1:00:50] curriculum to approve before we even found out last month that we were targeted. So, thank you, Mrs. Rick.
[1:01:06] We'll move on to 7.3 K through 12 social studies curriculum.
[1:01:14] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval, excuse me, of the K12 social studies
[1:01:22] curriculum as presented. And if you looked on your um tablet, you would have
[1:01:29] seen the curriculum um that was just finished this early spring and
[1:01:37] I didn't get through the whole thing. I looked at first grade, sixth grade, 9th grade, and elective so far. That's a lot
[1:01:46] to go through. So, um, I appreciate you telling us about that. Thank you. So, um, we started at the very beginning of
[1:01:54] the school year and we worked all the way up until a few weeks ago. Um, every grade level has curriculum documents in
[1:02:02] the SharePoint. Every one of our um, grade levels was represented by social studies teachers that are currently
[1:02:09] teaching social studies. Um we made some accommodations for um teachers who were
[1:02:15] not able to stay after school and we um had the curriculum writing happened during the day so we could make sure that the teachers who are teaching it
[1:02:23] were actually writing the curriculum documents which was important to us to do. Um there are binders of paper copies
[1:02:33] of all of that curriculum in the site room um for you to view if you'd like to look at a paper copy of it as opposed to
[1:02:40] the online version. Um the only other thing that I do want to mention because Mrs. Lash mentioned the electives. So
[1:02:47] there are two electives. One is new is brand new to the middle school. Um and I'm and I know the last time I spoke to
[1:02:54] Mrs. Crater. I'm not sure if it's going to run or not, if they got enough students. Oh, yes, I'm sorry. At the high school.
[1:03:02] Um, and then the other one is psychology, which has been around for a really long time, but for some reason that curriculum was never written. Um,
[1:03:10] so we identified that. Um, Mr. Wittmann, who is the department chair, and I discussed that a couple of weeks ago.
[1:03:19] You will see that in the SharePoint. You have an outline of that. He is currently working on that. So I will bring that to
[1:03:26] you separately for approval as soon as that's finished. That will be finished in the next two weeks. Um so that will
[1:03:34] be on those two elective courses will be on the June agenda for approval. Again, it's the one course that is brand new um
[1:03:42] that we haven't run before and the other one is psychology which for whatever reason we caught was never written to
[1:03:50] begin with. So, um, so you may notice the outline in there. I just wanted to make sure you had something so that you could see what those were, but I will
[1:03:58] have those documents to you next month for approval along with the materials.
[1:04:04] So, we had a a number of social studies teachers who came to see two vendor
[1:04:10] presentations, one by TCI and one by Discovery. Um, and both companies gave
[1:04:19] our teachers demos of their product. So, the demos are up at the end of this
[1:04:26] month. So, because we had so few social studies teachers actually come to those vendor presentations, I wanted to make
[1:04:34] sure that the teachers had plenty of time to get into those resources and and really see what they liked and what they
[1:04:42] didn't like. So, I told them that they could have the rest of this month to take a look and then I'll bring that to
[1:04:49] you in June. Um, I have a pretty good idea of of K through 8, but I'm not certain about high school yet. So,
[1:04:57] rather than rush them along, I said because they're both digital resources, there was really no reason to rush in my
[1:05:04] mind. Um, because it's literally just getting access digitally. It's not bringing physical paper resources to the
[1:05:12] building. that is that is the only thing they are using. So um in June I will bring those that resource to you
[1:05:20] whatever it is that they choose with a quote um for your approval.
[1:05:29] Any questions?
[1:05:32] There's plenty of time to order that for the fall those resources.
[1:05:37] Yeah. Be since they're digital resources as soon as essentially as soon as you pay for them you have access to them. Okay. So, they're just okay.
[1:05:44] So, it's very different than ma like if it were hardcover textbooks or something like that. I would not want to wait just because we know what happened last year
[1:05:52] with our math textbooks. They came right right before school was supposed to start and I don't want that to happen.
[1:05:58] So, um but because it's just digital that will be much simpler.
[1:06:03] And my other question is anthropology and sociology aren't courses that we have or they are. Mhm.
[1:06:10] So there's one more to that that So there's there's two more electives that we offer in the high school that we
[1:06:18] didn't write and didn't exist. So again, psychology for whatever reason was never written. And
[1:06:27] we've had that for years and years and years. Back in the red book, I went through that red book. Nothing for psychology. So we did want to make sure that that got written as an elective.
[1:06:37] Um, and then this other course is a brand new course. And like I said, Mrs.
[1:06:41] Crater wasn't when I spoke to her last wasn't 100% positive that it was actually going to run. Um, the last I
[1:06:48] had asked her, they didn't have a lot of students who um expressed interest in taking the course, but we still wanted to make sure that we wrote the
[1:06:55] curriculum for that. That was something that was new to the program of studies when it was approved um back in January or February. So um I just want to make
[1:07:04] sure that that gets done. So, I'll have and those are just two electives. I if those were core courses like grade one or five or seven, whatever, I would not
[1:07:13] have I would have made sure that they were finished, but they're two elective courses that we'll I'll have to you in June. And there's no materials attached to them that teachers were asking for.
[1:07:23] So, um and psychology actually, I think, has has a textbook, but the other one, my understanding is that they wouldn't use one. So, there won't be materials attached to them.
[1:07:34] Okay. Well, thank you. I appreciate that.
[1:07:39] Okay. So, um that brings us to 7.4. Any other old or new business for the committee
[1:07:48] hearing? None. I'll go over what we talked about at the committee meeting.
[1:07:53] Um we did not have a technology department discussion on anything there.
[1:07:59] For curriculum, we talked about the title one schoolwide plan. Um the elementary does not have
[1:08:09] uh more than 40% um free and reduced lunches, but there's a waiver that we could make our elementary school a title
[1:08:17] one program by um that way all the title one services could be used through the
[1:08:26] building instead of just grades one and two. K1 to two. Okay. Um,
[1:08:34] then in the middle school, we talked about the TSI we just went over and we also talked about updating the middle
[1:08:41] school schedule and Mr. McCullik is hard at work on that.
[1:08:50] And um, the teachers will have their schedules, not their student list, but their schedules before the end of the
[1:08:58] school year, which is rapidly approaching. Oh, what did that mean? Did
[1:09:04] you mean it's done or uh it's done? The schedules are done. Thank you, Mr. McC.
[1:09:11] I appreciate that. And um the high school, we talked about a summer school proposal. Um, we got a um, Miss Scotting
[1:09:21] gave us the numbers of students that might be at risk of not passing one or more of their classes and what the
[1:09:31] options were for summer school and they'll be working on that. And we talked about the KU Early College Acade
[1:09:40] Academy, which we had our kiddos that participated this year just
[1:09:47] kind of graduated from. And I think that was a great program and we also got an
[1:09:54] update on what will be coming for another year in that. So, I think
[1:10:01] whoever our kids, whichever ones of our kids go to that for um Kutztown in
[1:10:09] teacher education, right? It's all teacher education, right, Jenny? Their majors.
[1:10:15] Um so, some of the students are future teachers, but then others are going as undecided. So, they take a variety of
[1:10:23] different classes just to get a sense of college. But in 2728 there'll be a health track to this program which I
[1:10:33] think would attract quite a few students. So So that's what we talked about and I'll pass that along to 8.0
[1:10:41] budget and finance 8.1 persons who wish to address the board. Is there any
[1:10:53] 8.2 2 treasures report. The uh report was attached showing um some items that
[1:11:01] were over budget. There's a condensed board summary that was attached in your uh packet. 8.3 approval ratification of
[1:11:09] bills. The committee is requesting to consider and recommend the board approve ratify the payment of bills in the
[1:11:15] following amounts from April 13, 2026 to May 27th, 2026 as presented. The general
[1:11:23] fund 2,347,27521 cafeteria fund 58,76
[1:11:33] capital improvement projects fund $465,721.114
[1:11:40] capital projects fund $44,33086 middle school high school activity fund
[1:11:48] $36,6191 for grant Total of $2,952,000
[1:11:56] 9522.82 8.4 Central Susuana Intermediate Service Rate Agreement for 2627.
[1:12:07] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the computer service rate for 2627
[1:12:14] with a central Suana intermediate unit for the district fund accounting payroll and personnel software. The estimated
[1:12:22] cost for 2627 is $27,138 based on estimated student enrollment at
[1:12:30] the end of the year. This compares to actual cost spent for 2526 of $26,471.88
[1:12:40] uh 2.52% increase due to the annual rate increase. Questions or comments on that
[1:12:48] 8.5 2026 2027 sport insurance renewal.
[1:12:56] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the sports insurance proposal from Access Insurance
[1:13:03] for the 2627 school year in the amount of $8,891 with no increase from the prior year.
[1:13:13] Questions or comments on that?
[1:13:15] Yeah, I actually had a question on that, Joe. And I think we spoke about this, Dr. Wyers. I mean, as a parent of a student athlete, I'm curious what exact
[1:13:23] do we find out what exactly this policy covers?
[1:13:26] Kristen spoke about that. And David also asked a question about looking at raising the cap and what that would cost.
[1:13:43] Okay. So, this is this is like a liability insurance kind of thing or could you probably mic so everybody can hear.
[1:13:55] Yeah, this is specifically student so student athlete insurance. Um it does have the coverage limit of the million dollars. We're just clarifying if that
[1:14:04] is as a whole or if that is uh like per per student case.
[1:14:10] Okay. So if if a student is on the athletic field and they suffer some kind of an expensive injury, the the family
[1:14:18] has their own insurance plan, this plan would have what effect on that student athlete?
[1:14:24] Yeah. So it would start with this plan first if it was an athletic related injury. Um and then it would ultimately
[1:14:32] go to our liability insurance if if it would go if it would be an extended period of um insurance. um if it was
[1:14:41] particularly like a non athletic um injury, then that would go to the
[1:14:48] family insurance first and then that could be a claim that could be opened with our general liability insurance.
[1:14:56] Okay. Thank you. I know you known some parents that have had athletes that have suffered some injuries and I don't know
[1:15:03] that they're necessarily aware that their insurance doesn't have to be on the hook for the whole thing depending on the scenario.
[1:15:09] Yeah. And it just it depends really on sometimes there could be injuries that are sustained during um an athletic
[1:15:17] game, let's say, but it might not be the athlete that specifically sustained the injury. So in that case, that would just
[1:15:24] follow the family's insurance first and then there the claim can be opened with our general liability. But if it would
[1:15:31] be specifically um a sustained injury on the field by one of our athletes, then this policy would take place.
[1:15:39] Okay. And what is the process exactly?
[1:15:41] Like if that happens, if a parent may not know that that's a possibility, they can they can contact district office and they can um contact me
[1:15:49] directly and we can kind of follow those procedures.
[1:15:52] All right. Thank you. And we in the in the past, Frank, it used to be, you know, through the AD like they, you know, if you had an injury or knew of an
[1:16:00] injury, the first thing you should do is probably contact and have the AD as the point person and then know where they're seeking treatment.
[1:16:10] Knew that from my son.
[1:16:13] Are we going to have an update before a vote to decide whether or not we want to raise the the limit on that and what the cost would be associated with that?
[1:16:21] Yes. Okay. Yep. Thank you.
[1:16:25] 8.6 Cafeteria meal prices for 2627 school year. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval for the 2026 2027 cafeteria meal prices.
[1:16:37] Lunch $3 in the elementary school and 310 in the middle and high school. The paid lunch meal prices are not being
[1:16:46] increased from the 2025 2026 school year. PA universal free breakfast will still be in place for all students. It
[1:16:55] will remain available for families who qualify for reducedpriced meals. Questions or comments?
[1:17:03] I just have a question. Where does the funding come for the free breakfast?
[1:17:15] Hello.
[1:17:15] Hi. Um, so breakfast is universally free right now. Um and all the funding we get reimbursed from the state for all our
[1:17:23] free and reduced kiddos um for breakfast and paid students for breakfast. That's what you asked, right? For breakfast, correct? Yes, for breakfast.
[1:17:31] Yes.
[1:17:31] And that's there's nothing that's going to change with that.
[1:17:34] Not in the foreseeable future. Um there's a little bit of talk about like if um they change the income ratios uh
[1:17:43] moving forward that that could affect the amount of students who not for breakfast. Okay. uh that's universally free. But for lunch, if I'm saying this
[1:17:52] correctly, which I think I am, I mean that you can understand that I'm saying um if the demographics change for students who are free and reduced based
[1:18:00] on income and those ranges change, some students who receive lunch um free and or reduced uh based on their income,
[1:18:08] those change those ch there might be changes in that that could reflect on how many students get free and reduced lunch.
[1:18:15] Breakfast is for breakfast. How many um how many students participate in coming here for breakfast?
[1:18:22] Coming here for breakfast. Okay. So, let's do it by building. Um our elementary school we typically serve uh
[1:18:29] a high like 200 is a is 2 to 220 and uh middle school is peaking close to 400 um
[1:18:38] which is really good. And then the high school is around 350 380. Those are just random numbers that I can pull off the
[1:18:45] top of my head um looking because we kind of have a competitive thing going between the buildings. So, but we do get a lot of kiddos coming down for breakfast.
[1:18:53] Yeah.
[1:18:55] And I do know in terms of free breakfast that at least since the current governor has been in office and his administration, that's been a priority.
[1:19:03] Every year when the budget has been put together, he's wanted to continue that.
[1:19:08] So, I would anticipate that as long as the current administration stays in place, we're probably going to continue to see free breakfast.
[1:19:15] Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.
[1:19:19] I'd just like to thank Louisa for her effort in promoting the breakfast and the options for breakfast because the numbers have increased since you have been here with us. So, thank you.
[1:19:30] Yep. You're welcome.
[1:19:34] 8.72627 School Nutrition Program Agreement between School Valley and BCTC. The
[1:19:41] committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the school nutrition program agreement between BCTC
[1:19:49] and Skookul Valley effective for the fiscal year 2026 2027. Questions or comments?
[1:19:58] 8.8 8 Food Service Department equipment purchase convection steamer. The committee is requested to consider and
[1:20:05] recommend approval of the purchase of a new convection steamer from Singer Equipment in the amount of $21,4547.
[1:20:15] This unit will replace an existing steamer that is not operational. Questions or comments on that?
[1:20:24] 8.9 Old and new business. Uh we had a budget finance committee workshop on May 12th. Can you address some of the topics here please?
[1:20:37] We already addressed the sports insurance update. If you want to address the the contingency fund.
[1:20:45] Yeah, sure. Um so each year um through through PTE the district can submit an
[1:20:54] application for contingency funds which is for special ed um student costs and the max that they would typically
[1:21:02] reimburse the district would be $150,000 per student. Uh the state does have a
[1:21:10] pot of money that they start with and they distribute to the districts that would have the highest um student cost
[1:21:19] um for those special ed costs. And we were thankful enough to receive $150,000 this year um which we did not receive in prior years.
[1:21:31] Okay. Um the American Fidelity update Um so with American Fidelity we were
[1:21:39] looking at um an option a new option for our flex spending um with CBiz which is our current flex spending um vendor. We
[1:21:48] had a third party administrator Kadis Margolas who is taking a step away um from CBiz. So we were looking at different opportunities different
[1:21:56] opportunities for our uh teachers. So, we put a questionnaire out um to staff just to kind of gauge what they like
[1:22:04] about CBiz, what they want to see, and potentially a new vendor. So, we're just confirming right now if we're going to have potentially a representative from
[1:22:13] American Fidelity come in for an inservice, and that portion of that is still being determined.
[1:22:20] Okay. And the CSIU update, is that what we went over? Yes, that is the renewal.
[1:22:25] And then the fieldhouse project, the bond sale information came in. if you can address that please.
[1:22:30] Yes. Uh so May 12th uh this past Tuesday um our bond sale uh was confirmed and it
[1:22:37] was at 12 12:30 in the afternoon. Um it took place um we received um and we will
[1:22:44] be receiving at our settlement date on June 9th $18.6 million which was the full ask to uh fund the fieldhouse. Uh
[1:22:54] so those proceeds will be coming to the district around that date when we set up a separate fund at PISLAF which is our financial institution.
[1:23:02] Um it went very well uh based upon our feedback from our financial partners and
[1:23:08] the rate that we brought forth which was the proposed rate when we were going to have the sale was a little over 4% and
[1:23:17] we actually came in pretty far under that. So, is a little a little under 4% which was very favorable.
[1:23:23] And that was $600,000 savings I believe you talked about or am I wrong?
[1:23:28] Uh, it was about I want to say it was about 600,000. Not quite. Okay. Yes.
[1:23:35] Perfect. Thank you. Anyone have any questions, comments? Thank you. Yep.
[1:23:44] Pass it on to 9.0 buildings and grounds.
[1:23:49] Okay. 9.0 buildings and grounds. Any persons who wish to address the board?
[1:23:56] Hearing none, we'll move forward. We have uh several voting items. I think it's 9.2 through 9.8. Carol, you want to take those?
[1:24:04] Uh 9.2 the voting item. Birkshire mechanical quote middle school FCS classroom heat pump. The board is
[1:24:12] requested to consider and recommend approval and ratification of the quote from the Birkshare Mechanical in the amount of $2,180
[1:24:19] for the HP8 thermostat installation in the middle school FSC classroom. May I have a motion, please?
[1:24:25] So moved. Second, mole. Dr. Winters. Sure.
[1:24:33] Um it was it was discovered um through communication with the teacher um with
[1:24:40] our custodial team over there that you know the heat pump um had not been working effectively in the FCS classroom
[1:24:47] at the middle school. So we reached out to Berkshire Mechanical. They're going to be coming to repair that. But by going ahead and you know signing the
[1:24:56] quote ahead of time and getting it ratified this evening we were able to go ahead and get that scheduled. any parts that need to come in, get those parts ordered so that we weren't delayed.
[1:25:07] Thank you. Any other questions or comments? If not, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion carries.
[1:25:14] 90 on now. I'm sure that's true. 8
[1:25:21] Z. The next voting item is Landis Bonfido Mechanical Group. The quote for
[1:25:28] the high school boiler pump repair. The board is requested to consider and recommend approval and ratification of the quote from Landis Bonfidto
[1:25:35] Mechanical Group for the replacement of a seal kit and gasket on the boiler pump at the high school in the amount of $3,176.
[1:25:44] May I have a motion, please? So moved.
[1:25:47] Second, Dr. Winters.
[1:25:52] of of our multiple boilers that we have in the high school. We noticed um a couple weeks ago that one of them was
[1:25:59] leaking water. Um we got Landis Benfido on site to look at it. They determined that these parts were needed to repair
[1:26:07] it. So we went ahead and moved forward with that quote so that the parts could be ordered and that boiler could be repaired so that we can be running on all of our boilers and not just one.
[1:26:19] Thank you. Any other questions? Not.
[1:26:21] I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. I.
[1:26:25] Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z. Next voting item is Johnson Controls proposal and service agreement for the high
[1:26:32] school main gym duct repair. The board is requested to consider and approve the Johnson Controls proposal and service
[1:26:40] agreement for a duct detector repair in the high school main gym. May I have a motion, please? So moved. Second. Mo.
[1:26:48] Dr. Winters.
[1:26:49] So, one of the benefits of um having your fire alarm system with a company like
[1:26:57] Johnson Controls is that if there are any trouble codes that pop up, they call you and they let you know um which was
[1:27:04] the case in this one. It was showing on their end that we had a duck detector in our main gym that needed to be repaired.
[1:27:11] They came out, they they checked it, and now steps are being taken to get that repaired. Um, so approval of the quote this evening. We'll let things move forward with that.
[1:27:22] Any questions?
[1:27:24] If not, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. Oppos.
[1:27:28] Motion carries. 80 9.5 voting item. The board is requested to consider and recommend approval and ratification of
[1:27:36] phase 2 improvements agreement with Onani Township for the fieldhouse project as presented. There are several attachments there.
[1:27:45] Dr.
[1:27:46] So, as part of phase two of the fieldhouse project, um there there is a permit that needs to be approved by the supervisors um at Analani Township. Um
[1:27:56] one of them is an improvements agreement and then the next item as well, the storm water on&m. Um we have those agreements signed and notorized and you
[1:28:05] know the township is working with us to you know get them approved um in advance
[1:28:12] signed in advance of their meeting. Um and there's just one piece that um we need to wrap up on the district end and
[1:28:21] that is um getting them appropriate confirmation that we have posted the amount of the escrow which is $378,000
[1:28:29] and then once they have that confirmation the township has indicated that they will go ahead and sign and then get these agreements ratified at
[1:28:36] their June meeting so that there's not any delay regarding moving forward with the permit process.
[1:28:45] Thank you. Any other questions?
[1:28:47] I'll make the motion because I don't think we have one on the floor. Motion in a second.
[1:28:55] Second.
[1:28:57] Okay. Any other questions? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z.
[1:29:05] The next voting item is the board is requested to consider and recommend approval and ratification of the phase 2 storm water on M agreement with Lenny
[1:29:13] Township for the fieldhouse project as presented. May I have a motion, please? So moved.
[1:29:18] Second. Mo, there is not anything else that is needed on the district end for this one.
[1:29:25] Um, we just want to give them both of these two documents at the same time.
[1:29:29] So, you know, as soon as we get the um escrow piece taken care of, which the plan is to do so this week, then we'll move forward with both of them.
[1:29:40] Any other questions? If not, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion carries. 8 Z.
[1:29:50] 9.7 voting item. The board is requested to consider and approve the terror works consulting provision of testing services and special inspections for phase two of
[1:29:59] the fieldhouse project as presented. May I have a motion, please? So moved. Second, mole.
[1:30:07] So, as part of phase two of the fieldhouse project, um our um construction administrator, uh Fidavia,
[1:30:15] um request put out RFPs, um for uh testing services and special inspections
[1:30:22] for the field fieldhouse project. Um Terra works um was the one that came back as recommended. Um, Terra works
[1:30:30] might be a company that you guys recall as that's who we used for the geotechnical uh, work that was done um,
[1:30:38] during phase one and so there's familiarity with the site already. So the recommendation would be that you
[1:30:45] know the board approve to using to use them for testing services and special inspections when we get to that step in the process.
[1:30:55] Thank you. Any other questions? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z.
[1:31:03] 9.8. Voting item. The board is requested to consider and approve the right commissioning request for proposal for
[1:31:11] the commissioning services for phase two of the fieldhouse project as presented. May I have a motion, please? So moved. Second. Mo.
[1:31:20] Similar to the terror works um proposal uh right commissioning um it's going to be very important when the project gets
[1:31:27] to the end that the work especially the mechanicals in the building be commissioned and right commissioning is somebody the district has used
[1:31:36] previously with other projects and so it's recommended that you know the board approve their RFP for commissioning services for phase two.
[1:31:46] Any other questions? If not, all those in favor say I. I.
[1:31:52] Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z. You'll turn it back over to Al for the rest of the committee report.
[1:31:59] Okay. Uh 9.9. Uh we have the 2627 Reading Elevator Service Incorporated proposal for elevator and grease
[1:32:07] examinations at the elementary, middle school, and high school. Hm.
[1:32:17] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the proposal from Reading Elevator for the elevator and grease examinations of the elementary school, middle school, and
[1:32:25] high school passenger elevators each quarter beginning July 1st, 2026 through June 20th, 2027 in the amount of $2,352.
[1:32:35] Any questions?
[1:32:38] Can I have a motion to move that forward? Yes. Okay.
[1:32:44] 9.10. Uh the 2627 Reading Elevator Service Incorporated proposal for elevator and grease examination of the middle school wheel evader. Uh the
[1:32:53] committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the proposal from reading elevator for the elevator and grease examination of the middle school wheel evader annually beginning July
[1:33:02] 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 in the amount of $156. And we have that contract attached here.
[1:33:10] Any questions?
[1:33:13] Okay, we'll move that forward. 9.11 2627, we have Republic Services Agreements.
[1:33:20] Now, the committee's requested to consider and recommend approval of the agreements from Republic Services for solid waste disposal and recycling services during the term of July 1st,
[1:33:29] 2026 through June 30th, 2027. And the following amounts per building for the high school, 70146 per month. for the
[1:33:37] middle school 64950 per month and the elementary school 70146 per month. Any questions?
[1:33:47] Okay, we'll move that forward. Uh 912, disposal SRS Smith pool aquatic lift.
[1:33:54] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the sale of the 2011 SRSmith portable aquatic lift via municip.
[1:34:03] Any questions?
[1:34:06] Okay, we'll move that forward. 913 2627 ERC commercial pest maintenance agreements. Uh the committee is
[1:34:14] requested to consider and recommend approval of the commercial pest management maintenance agreements from Erlick um for the high school, middle school, elementary school, and
[1:34:22] maintenance garage for the term of July 1, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 in the amount of $5,320.92.
[1:34:32] Any questions on that agreement? Okay, we'll move that forward. Uh 9:14.
[1:34:39] Any old or new business for buildings and grounds?
[1:34:44] Okay. Uh and just a quick recap, um we did meet on May 12th uh for a work session. Um we did discuss uh some
[1:34:53] district-wide items including the capital reserve and some uh trying to set up some capital project items for review. Uh we did discuss the water main
[1:35:02] break. Uh that was the result of the electrical contractor's boring sub uh that was installing electric to the
[1:35:09] softball fields um that didn't do their due diligence and hit our water man. Um but we were able to get uh some good assistance from the burough of Leport.
[1:35:20] Uh they got right out. They helped us correct it, helped us get a shutdown on the mains. Um so that worked out pretty well. And as I understand the boil water
[1:35:28] advisory was lifted a few days later after all testing was completed.
[1:35:32] And and just to add to that, Mr. Rossi, we we did get the reports um back from MJ Ryder who did the water testing on
[1:35:41] Friday afternoon. And so this morning they were posted on the website on the buildings and grounds page. So if anybody's interested in looking at those
[1:35:48] water test results, both test results are up there, the full reports. Okay, great. Thank you.
[1:35:57] Um at the elementary school, we did talk about some capital reserve projects um and some HVAC repairs uh that are
[1:36:04] necessary. And for the middle school, um more capital reserve capital project items. We spoke about the FCS classroom
[1:36:12] um and disposal of the lift and the old diving board and an RTU update on the controls for the HVAC system. Uh some of
[1:36:20] those which we are moving forward for vote uh next week. And then for the high school, we talked about the fieldhouse project and uh trying to execute some of
[1:36:28] the agreements which we voted on this evening to keep that project moving forward as quickly as possible. Um and we did also speak about uh taking care
[1:36:36] of some loose vertical sighting on the auxiliary gym and uh working on on taking a look at the roof because there's a possible leak in the auxiliary cafeteria.
[1:36:47] Okay, that's it for me. We already did 10.0.
[1:36:51] I have I have a question on the water um hitting the water man. So maybe it's not a public discussion but
[1:36:59] what are we doing? You know it caused disruption to the school. It caused disruption to the families. It caused workers to have to come in from the
[1:37:07] outside to do that. So do we hold the company accountable they for failure to do their due diligence that caused us to
[1:37:16] shut down a school for a day and everything that goes along with it?
[1:37:20] Yeah, we do, Mr. Brown. Um, in fact, we're in the process of working with the township as well as our own information
[1:37:29] in terms of employees that were here, that type of thing to put together a comprehensive report of all the costs that were incurred that day. Um, count
[1:37:37] uh, you know, Leport Water Authority costs, staffing costs, um, the plumbing bill to do the repairs, which we haven't
[1:37:45] received yet. And I'm kind of putting all of that together. But yes, the intention is to then pass that on, you know, to the electrical contractor.
[1:37:52] And going forward, we had the fieldhouse project obviously coming up. So, what are we do going to do regarding
[1:38:01] allowing contractors to do stuff like like it's simple to call PA1 call and and have that doesn't apply here.
[1:38:10] Pardon? The PA1 call didn't apply here because PA1 call doesn't have the utility information on where the water lines are on the school grounds and the electric lines on the school grounds.
[1:38:21] What happened here was the contractor had a clause in their agreement and notes on the plans indicating that they were to perform ground penetrating radar
[1:38:28] services prior to to boring and they failed to do so.
[1:38:32] So So we have that we'll have that in all the agreements going forward that that's their requirement. that was in this agreement and they just completely
[1:38:40] it was a complete failure on the sub's part. Um the electrical contractor was beside themselves about the failure. They've been doing a
[1:38:48] really nice job of handling it after the fact.
[1:38:51] Um and it's, you know, I I don't judge people because they make a mistake or don't make a mistake. I I look at them and at how they resolve it after the fact
[1:38:59] and the electrical contractor has stepped up. Good.
[1:39:02] Um so I was happy to see that. But that was we had all the correct language on the plan. It was just an abject failure of that sub.
[1:39:10] Okay.
[1:39:10] Um our PMS and our project managers and our inspectors are going to be well verssed in that going forward and
[1:39:18] they're going to have to double check it and triple check it um as we go forward um so that we don't have this failure again. Perfect. I appreciate that. Thank you.
[1:39:26] Yeah. Yep. Good question.
[1:39:31] And if I could just say real quick um regarding that water main break and I know Mr. Rossi touched on it, but I just want to mention this as well, you know,
[1:39:40] publicly in a meeting. Um you the the district just really extends their appreciation to the Burrow of Leport and
[1:39:47] the Leport Water Authority who were absolutely phenomenal to work with and stepped up in a big way. Um and and
[1:39:55] truly the biggest reason we were able to only have school delayed one day was because of their efforts and their work.
[1:40:03] And so I just wanted to publicly thank those individuals and you know I know they know who they are but they were fantastic.
[1:40:14] Thank you. That concludes our committee meetings for this evening. May I have a motion to adjurnn? So move second.
[1:40:24] Second, Amaro. All those in favor say I. I.
[1:40:27] Oppos. Motion carries. Thank you for coming this evening.
```

## Live captions (copied September 20, 2026): 2026-06-08_nTlaG4ZkycM.txt

```
[5:12] like to follow orders Then
[5:36] we Mr.
[5:49] Mrs. D Mrs. here Mr.
[5:56] Thank you. move on to 1.3 announcement of executive session. The board met in executive session on May 26 following
[6:04] the board meeting for personnel, legal, student, and safety matters. And we'll move on to 1.4 superintendent remarks.
[6:12] First of all, I'd like to welcome Dr.
[6:14] Clark here this evening. First official board meeting and we have some remarks.
[6:20] Absolutely. And thank you, Mrs. W. As I wrap up my first official day, just wanted to take an opportunity just to share a few words and some perspective.
[6:30] First, I'd like to start by thanking the board for your trust and support for this opportunity. I also wanted to take this opportunity to recognize Dr.
[6:37] Winters for his leadership while serving as interim superintendent um over the last seven months. So his commitment uh does not go unnoticed especially for me
[6:46] and over the last couple weeks uh and and several months in all honesty he's been a great thought partner as I've been preparing to transition to SD. So
[6:54] thank you Dr. I really appreciate your your time and effort.
[6:58] Uh I don't take the awesome responsibility that has been placed on me. As I mentioned before, uh and one of the the leaders that I like to follow,
[7:07] Simon Cyn says that leadership is not about being in charge, it's about taking care of those in your charge. Uh and I view my role as superintendent not
[7:15] simply as leading a district. Uh it's really about leading people. So, it's it's leading our community, our parents and families, our staff and educators,
[7:23] and most importantly, our learners. And my goal is I'm going to strive to really unite and and bring the community
[7:31] together as one and relentlessly pursue excellence. That that's the challenge that we're going to have because together we can accomplish so much more.
[7:38] And the goal is to constantly elevate uh Panther Pride to complete new heights.
[7:43] Before the close of the school year, I did have an opportunity to engage with our teachers to begin to understand Valley through their lens. uh at each of
[7:51] your uh name placards, you also got a Panther profile card, but I took the opportunity uh to get to know every
[7:59] member of our staff personally by having them fill out a Panther profile card to start that relationship piece because relationships are foundational to
[8:07] everything we do in education. But in addition to that, I also led the uh staff and and teachers through an
[8:15] activity where we identified closing grows. What do they see as things that we should celebrate as a where areas where we can lean into uh to really
[8:23] capitalize on and across all buildings there were two consistent strengths that emerged uh that I want to call out. One
[8:31] uh is the phenomenal people that make up this Google Valley School District and two the incredible amount of pride there is in the opportunities we provide to
[8:39] our students. I want to make it known that these are really foundations that we're going to continue to build on.
[8:44] We're going to leverage our people as we continuously look to expand those opportunities. But as we look ahead, there were also several common
[8:52] priorities that came up in engaging all of our teachers. Strengthening our academic programs and systems both on the regular and special ed side of
[9:00] things was paramount. Addressing staffing vacancies and needs, investing in professional learning to support continued growth, and focusing on school
[9:09] climate and making sure that this place is a place where everyone can thrive.
[9:14] Those are areas and significant priorities that I like to call big rocks that we are going to be looking to move
[9:21] strategically. Again, the goal in moving these big ticket items is to have a strategic and intentional thoughtful plan with a way of carrying it out and then providing feedback along the way.
[9:32] But feedback is the key, right? All of this work has to be grounded in feedback. Learning must precede change.
[9:40] And the goal of this entire summer is to engage with our leadership team, pull teachers in as we start some of the academic work and starting to learn
[9:48] together so that we can do things more progressively and sustainably in the future. So our immediate focus right now
[9:54] is going to be to fill the vacancies uh to complete the team that are currently out there and collaborate to establish a unified vision for how we're going to
[10:02] operate as an organization and leadership team so that we're creating meaningful opportunities for uh engagement of parents. Another thing
[10:10] that's going to be coming, uh, we started to lay the groundwork in a lot of these areas, um, but communication regarding community for community
[10:18] engagement opportunities will be shared later this summer. Ultimately, just as I've engaged with the staff and teachers, I also want to engage with
[10:26] community members and parents and we're working on what that's going to look like so that your feedback comes in as well because that's paramount to us
[10:33] doing the work that we do here. So, I ultimately I'm grateful for the support and uh the overwhelmingly positive welcome that I've gotten from everybody
[10:42] in the community. I'm excited to get to work and committed to building a valley where everyone can take pride in. I see
[10:50] Panther Pride all over the place. My goal again is to turn Panther Pride into something that we don't just say, it's something that we feel and it's something that we can leverage. So,
[10:58] thank you once again for the opportunity. I had a great first day and it was safe to get to work.
[11:05] Thank you. We're all very happy that you're starting your day here and your week here and your career here is our new superintendent.
[11:14] Okay. Do we uh have anyone who has signed up to speak this evening? No, we do not.
[11:20] Okay. We'll move on to 4.0 budget and finance. We have three resolutions tonight. And I just want to uh announc
[11:30] that all three of these resolutions will reflect a tax increase of 85 mills or a
[11:38] 3.06% increase. So all of these three voting items will reflect those numbers in the individual resolution.
[11:48] Okay. The first is 4.1 the homestead and farmstead exclusion resolution of 2026 2027.
[11:56] So, the board is requested to consider and recommend approval of a resolution authorizing the Homestead and Farmstead real estate tax assessment reduction for
[12:04] the upcoming 2026 2027 tax year as presented. May I have a motion, please?
[12:12] A second. Second, William.
[12:18] Are there any um questions or comments regarding 4.1?
[12:24] If not, I'll Call for the vote. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 8 Z.
[12:34] 4.2.
[12:35] Does that have to be uh the budget would have to be? Yes.
[12:43] 4.2. The board is requested to consider and recommend approval of the real estate tax structure for the 2026 2027
[12:51] fiscal year as follows. Real estate pack 28.67 67 mills real estate transfer tax
[12:57] 1 and a.5% and earned income tax half% sorry not one and a half% a half percent
[13:04] let me start over real estate tax 28.67 Mills real estate transfer tax half%
[13:11] earned incomes tax half%. May I have a motion please? So move down.
[13:18] Second roll. Any questions or comments? If not, all those in favor say I.
[13:27] I. Opposed? No. Motion carries. 71.
[13:38] two nos. Okay. Who were the two then? Okay.
[13:45] Okay. Motion carries six to two. Okay. 4.3.
[13:52] The board is requested to consider and approve adoption of the 2026 2027 final general fund budget in the amount of
[14:00] 50,735,7 50,735,730 that includes a tax increase of 85 mills which is 3.06%.
[14:13] The annual tax impact per household based on an average assessed value of 150,000 is a 127.50 increase. May I have a motion please?
[14:27] So move second. There any questions or comments?
[14:37] This is basically what we had discussed at our last meeting and that's why we're having the special meeting tonight to bring this forward for a vote.
[14:47] Any other questions, comments?
[14:50] If not, all those Oh, we can do a roll call to vote for this. Yes, Mrs. Matthews.
[15:00] Yes.
[15:01] Mr. Mo, no. Mr. Mrs.
[15:07] M yes.
[15:09] Mr. Williams, yes.
[15:11] Mr. Admiral, yes.
[15:13] Mr. Brown, yes. Okay. Motion carries 6 to two.
[15:22] Is there any other business for good of the order for this evening?
[15:31] If not, may I have a motion for adjournment? Move it. Second. All those in favor say I.
[15:39] I. Opposed. Motion carries. 8. Thank you for coming this evening.
```

## Live captions (copied September 20, 2026): 2026-08-17_BPoyZqlcmdE.txt

```
[1:45] like
[2:06] roll call, please. Mr.
[2:11] Mr. Brown, Mr. Black, Mrs. Matthews here, Mr. Mo, Mr. Ros, Mrs. here, Mr. H, Mr.
[2:23] H.
[2:34] The first is the National Association of elementary school principles leaders conference and presented by Dr.
[2:43] McDonald. Good afternoon.
[2:54] In July, I had the opportunity to attend the National School Leadership Conference powered by the National Association of Elementary School
[3:01] Principles at uh Coronado Springs in Florida. The conference brought together school leaders and educators from across the country for several days of
[3:09] professional learning, collaboration, networking, and the exchange of innovative practices. The conference offered more than 100 learning
[3:17] opportunities addressing many of the challenges and opportunities currently faced in school. Major areas of focus included instructional leadership,
[3:25] building leadership capacity, school climate and culture, student voice and agency, whole school wellness, special education, MCS, student attendance,
[3:34] staff engagement, and strategies for supporting students and families. One of the most impactful messages of the conference came from opening keynote
[3:43] speaker Marina Valentine a former elementary school principal who survived severe sepsis and became able before returning to school leadership.
[3:53] Her keynote proved what possible focus on resilience perspective purpose and the responsibility leaders have to
[4:00] challenge assumptions about what can and cannot be accomplished. One concept that particularly resonated with me was of
[4:08] using appropriate when making leadership decision. Valentine encouraged leaders to consider whether benefit students
[4:15] support staff and align with the vision, mission and values and the beliefs of the organization. Her message reinforced the importance of remaining focused on
[4:23] purpose particularly when leaders are navigating competing priorities, limited resources and organizational change in
[4:31] difficult positions. Another important key takeaway was the need to shift our thinking from focusing on what we lack
[4:38] to recognizing and maximizing the resources, talent, and opportunities already available to us. In education,
[4:45] barriers will always exist. Effective leadership requires finding ways to move forward despite them and continuing to focus on what is possible for students
[4:54] in school. So in addition to the keynote presentation, as I've mentioned, there were uh over a hundred opportunities to attend other presentations and some of
[5:02] those included a day in the life of an instructional leader, celebrate more, grow more, build a culture that thrives, leading in the middle, 10 essential
[5:10] leadership lessons, building executive functioning for students and adults, transforming MTSS for long-term success,
[5:18] IDA in action, strengthening principal leadership and special education, addressing optimism using incentives to increase attendance from
[5:27] buyin to tryin leading change through action not persuasion and strategic planning for a new year five essential
[5:34] steps rooted in improvement coming these sessions provided opportunities to examine both instructional and
[5:41] operational aspects of school leadership of particular value were discussions surrounding the principal's role as an instructional leader and the importance
[5:49] of intentionally protecting time to be present in classrooms understand what students are learning provide meaningful feedback and support the continued
[5:57] growth of teachers. Another session I found particularly insightful surrounding MCS um and executive functioning skills. Um skills such as
[6:05] working memory, impulse control, emotional regulation, and cognitive functioning significantly influence students abilities and successful access
[6:13] to instruction and to navigate the school environment. These skills should not simply be viewed as characteristics students either possess or lack, but as skills that can be explicitly taught.
[6:23] practice and strengthen through classroom practices and comprehensive systems. Overall, attending the 20.6 National School Leadership Conference
[6:32] provided an important opportunity to step outside of the day-to-day operational demands of school leadership and engage with innovative and motivated educators from across the country.
[6:41] Despite differences in our school sizes, demographics, geographic location, and available resources, many educators are
[6:48] navigating remarkably similar challenges related to student achievement, attendance, behavior, wellness, special
[6:55] education, staff capacity, family engagement, and the changing expectations placed upon public schools.
[7:02] Um, at the elementary school, we hope uh that the board will continue to support and recognize the value of these experiences. Um, and we hope to not have
[7:11] administrators again this year but teachers participate in high quality professional conferences and learning experiences. Um as I as I um that's fair
[7:20] there's a lot of valuable information that comes from these conferences and um we hope that the work will continue and
[7:28] thank you for supporting attendance at this conference. Any questions?
[7:37] Thank you.
[7:42] presentation proposal for the 2026 2027 committee work sessions.
[7:50] Good afternoon everyone. Wanted to share a proposed update in our committee work sessions as we move forward. Over the last couple of months, we have had
[7:58] committee work sessions every single month for each of the committees, although we have kind of combined uh certain ones. Well, we've been meeting
[8:07] Tuesday and Thursday in the first week and second week, those committee sessions have definitely led to a lot of positive discussion and and forward
[8:15] movement in a lot of areas. But now that we're starting to get some of those things in motion and starting to have members of our team kind of in play, uh
[8:23] we're looking at reducing the number of meetings so that they're more meaningful and set up at a point throughout the year where conversation and getting
[8:31] feedback is going to be valuable in driving direction. So, we have uh to propose is to really set up and and
[8:39] narrow our four committee meeting days down to two uh on the first Tuesday of a a quarterly month. And I'll kind of walk
[8:47] through that. Our thought was to pull curriculum, technology, and student services as well as student extracurricular activities together so
[8:55] that every quarter we're having a meaningful conversation as an entire district about the student experience at large. So rather than separating those
[9:04] out having you know missing meala there having Jenny there having Jason there we're going to talk about curriculum we're going to talk about academics
[9:12] we'll talk about extracurriculars and student support services in a quarterly meeting where we can share the progress towards our district level goals as well
[9:20] as seek feedback from both board members and community members that are present.
[9:24] So our thought was to have those meetings. The first one would be in August before we kickstart a year.
[9:30] That's a great opportunity for us to share what our focus and priority areas are for that year to get some feedback.
[9:36] And then if we run them quarterly from there, we thought November being that next follow-up one, we could share an update on how the kickoff to the school
[9:44] year went, how our initiatives are off the ground and running to collect feedback so that we can make informed decisions. Then again bring it back to a
[9:52] full committee in February to have that conversation and also now start to have conversation for the following year as we prepare. Uh and then we end the year
[10:00] uh with that last committee meeting in May so that we're continuing to talk about what is our plan and preparation for the for the upcoming school year as
[10:08] well as continue to seek feedback. We thought four meetings throughout the year consolidated would just be more meaningful work that we can create an
[10:16] agenda and and solicit feedback in a more meaningful way instead of just creating talking points for the sake of talking about them uh over the course of
[10:24] a month-to-month meeting. Buildings and grounds and budget and finance uh we have at a different frequency. These would occur on the second Tuesday of the
[10:32] month. Buildings and grounds based on the needs of the facility. We want to have those that are more increased frequency. So you'll see that that is
[10:42] nearly every single month. The only months that we are proposing not having buildings and grounds is December, June, and July. Ultimately
[10:51] uh we would pick back up in August but those every other month we would have buildings and grounds meetings and coupled with that on that same night
[10:59] would be budget and finance on particular days. So working with Kristen on the budget cycle and what frequency
[11:06] we thought was appropriate. We felt that the first budget and finance uh meeting would be in October so that we could talk about act one index and start some
[11:14] really pre-planning for the budget process. But the bulk of the work for the budget starts in January and leads all the way up through um April before
[11:23] we start to put it on the board for formal approval. So those would be monthly meetings moving forward from January uh through April and May uh to
[11:32] get the budget approved. So looking just for for some feedback on this committee work session change up. Uh we felt as a
[11:41] collaborative team this would better capture the spirit of collaboration and transparency and and really input from
[11:49] the community but not at a frequency where again it's it's just meeting so that they can meet
[12:01] correct. So I I appreciate that policy and personnel really we looked at policy in a different way. We are actively
[12:08] working on creating a policy schedule for review that will kind of take us through a three-year review cycle so
[12:16] that we're everything is completely transparent and open that we can share so that we know at what what is our revision cycle and we don't have any
[12:24] policy that's older in terms of reisement than three years. So instead of having a policy meeting we're working
[12:31] structure that we can share with everyone and we can post on our website with our policies that'll tell you what the review process is, which ones are up
[12:38] for review when, and then we just follow that through. The personnel uh the personnel committee meeting uh we felt
[12:47] we will call those as needed. A lot of personnel issues can't necessarily be discussed in in public work sessions,
[12:54] but when we have agreements such as the non-compensated employee support plan, when those come up for renewal, we'll schedule meetings
[13:03] so that we can solicit feedback and get people involved. Uh but that's not something that comes up every single year and and certainly is not something
[13:12] that we need to schedule um over the course of a year in terms of reoccurring meetings. So that is how we're going to approach the two committees moving forward.
[13:34] So it's not like the commur
[14:01] eparate Yes. And I'll share an updated schedule um with everybody, but those would start
[14:09] if everyone's on board with those. Those will start in September. So, Tuesday, September 8th would be our first building.
[14:15] That will be held at the elementary school. the only building we have not done a tour yet of but we'll make sure that we post and publish that so that
[14:22] everyone knows but September 8th would be the next buildings and grounds
[14:31] budget and finance would be coupled with buildings and grounds on October
[14:50] We wouldn't have any others for this month. The next student services one would be in November. Okay.
[15:00] So, we'll clean that calendar up. I I shared that out in an But we'll make sure that we make adjustments appropriately. We'll capture a statement
[15:07] in terms of how we're doing policy and personnel related items on the bottom of that. But we can get that posted to the website as well. Ultimately, we wanted
[15:15] to know if the board was on board with that that level of rotation for committee meetings that we can only.
[15:43] Sure. And we certainly can look at that as we get going. Misty coming on board at the end of September, there'll be some on boarding anyway. So the thought
[15:51] was we get her the month of October situated, you could provide some meaningful input on November 3rd based on what we learned in our first months on the job.
[16:01] So we'll remain flexible with that. If we need to call a committee meeting, we certainly will. These are just ones that are essentially on the calendar. We can count on having them. We can count on
[16:09] them being, you know, meaningful pl meaningfully planned for. in advance.
[16:24] And
[16:37] there's two other things I just want to bring up that I I did not necessarily put on this, but something just sure everyone's aware of. We've made it very
[16:46] clear the last couple of meetings that facilities and buildings and grounds is something that we are really working to prioritize um ultimately to make sure
[16:53] that our spaces are up to a level where that's commensurate to the the level of instruction and education we want to provide our kids. With that, putting
[17:02] Michael and Larry in play has been a tremendous asset for the district. Even though it's been a short period of time, they've already moved and got a lot of
[17:09] things off the ground, moving in a positive direction. As we are diving deeper into facilities related items, we
[17:17] are recognizing exactly to what extent to which we need to address these items to get them up to speed. Um, HVAC is no
[17:25] surprise that it continues to be a challenge for us. I'm bringing that up because I I want to publicly thank uh
[17:32] Topah Hawken Area School District. Our high school um has had some HVAC issues uh in the the recent past where certain
[17:40] wings of our building do not have access to air conditioning. The elementary school were getting those problems rectified based on last year and they're
[17:49] being fixed. We wanted to come up with a plan and essentially have a situation where all teachers impacted and students
[17:57] impacted by not having air conditioning these first couple weeks while it still could be temperatures to fluctuate and be hot. We want to make sure that people
[18:04] are as comfortable as possible. We only have a limited number of ground units for air conditioning and there were about 30 high school classrooms that
[18:13] could potentially be uh at risk of not having air conditioning. So, as we kind of threw our heads together in terms of what we can do, especially from a cost
[18:22] standpoint, I did reach out to Topah Haken. Topah Haken recently went through a renovation project. Uh, and through experience, I knew they had a number of the same units that we had. Um, Dr.
[18:33] Nesnik, the superintendent of Topah Haken, and uh, Mr. Master, their buildings and grounds uh essentially
[18:40] director amongst other things. They were gracious enough to let us borrow 38 air
[18:47] conditioning units. Um Matt even helped load them up onto the truck for us. So I just wanted to publicly thank both of
[18:55] them and the Tobank Area School District. I think that was huge. Uh without hesitation, I reached out they and asked and they had no problem. They
[19:03] said, "When can you come get them?" Um and then work around their schedule so that they could be there at 7 a.m. on a Friday to to load them up onto our truck
[19:12] and make sure that they they got off and running. So, I I did not want to not take this chance to publicly thank them because all of our classrooms now who
[19:20] are impacted by AC will at least have portable units in these first couple weeks while we work for the long-term solution. So, again, thank you uh to
[19:28] both Dr. Netnik and Mr. Sher uh that huge asset for us.
[19:36] Thank you.
[19:56] I know is just know that we are working on it
[20:04] trying to get these things done and hopefully we get this straighten out
[20:12] of everybody Moving on, I'm going to read the uh
[20:22] policy for persons who wish to address the board for all of our committees tonight. Anyone who wishes to address the committees this afternoon will have
[20:31] three minutes to state your questions or concerns. Please state your name, the town of where you live, and indicate if you are representing the group. All
[20:39] comments directed to the board as a whole, and we ask that your comments be respectful in nature. If you have a written statement, A copy of that statement would be app.
[20:48] Details of this policy are on our website listed under policy 93 public comment.
[20:54] We're going to move on to policy and public relations.
[21:00] Oh, Frank is not going to be here this evening. So, I'm going to go through this agenda and Frank will give his report as committee chair regarding the April 4th committee meeting.
[21:13] Moving on to a few times but nothing.
[21:26] Okay, we'll move on to 6.2 resessional effective April 18, 2025.
[21:41] Kylie, substitute service effective March Morgan Gallagher, substitute death
[21:47] teacher effective May 1st, 2026. Susan Hecman, substitute nurse May 29th, 2026.
[21:55] Sharon Kohler, substitute death teacher effective November 15, 2024. Christopher Monco, substitute death teacher,
[22:03] effective November 28, 2025. Erica Stewart, substitute nurse, effective October 3rd, 2025. Samantha substitute
[22:12] teacher 2725 substitute death teacher effective May 5th Wednesday
[22:20] oh May 15 sorry 20 206 any questions on that
[22:28] we'll move that forward 6.3 employment of the committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the
[22:36] following mentors for the 2026 2027 school of $1,175
[22:42] for your year mentors and $587.50 for half year mentors.
[22:50] The mentors are should be listed on online agenda.
[23:01] I guess I'll list them half year for Matthew
[23:08] for Edmonson for Christian Wagner for Jessica.
[23:26] Moving on to 6.4 employment substitutes committee requested to consider and recommend approval of the following
[23:32] substitutes for the 2026 2027 school year. There are 49 names listed on this list. So I'm not going to read all 49.
[23:43] I'm just going to indicate that they are on the online agenda for anyone who would like to see
[23:50] that forward
[23:57] 6.5 contract services. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of a professional service agreement between Valley School District
[24:06] and Stephanie, an independent contractor providing language pathology services for the 2026 27 school year at a rate of
[24:15] $150 per hour. Any questions or comments that
[24:23] 6.6 contract for services. The committee is requested to consider and recommend for approval the renewal of the agreement
[24:30] with General Healthcare Resources Incorporated to provide substitute nurse services at an hourly rate of $55 for
[24:38] LPN and $65 for an RN
[24:47] 6.7 county school district trust full board appointment request to
[24:54] consider and recommend the Dr. Dennis Clark, superintendent of schools to Burks County School District's Health Trust full board to complete the term
[25:02] from February 3rd, 2026 through February 3rd, 2028 previously filled by Dr.
[25:14] 6.8 employment. The committee's request to consider and recommend approval of Melissa Morrison, parttime services worker, four hours per day at an hourly
[25:23] rate of effective August 1726 to fill the vacancy created by the
[25:30] retirement of Aaron questions for
[25:38] 6.9 employment requested to be considered and recommend h certified building sub4
[25:47] $47,553 reduced rate of pay for single level benefit option available
[25:54] days work effective with the start of the 2026 27 school year
[26:03] 6.10 employment the committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of Eliza Enriquez certified building sub
[26:12] 47,553 reduced rate of pay with a single level benefit option available for actual days
[26:20] work affected with the start of the 2026 2027 Consensus move that
[26:27] 6.11 employment the committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of Jerry Grower parttime low
[26:34] incident special education personal six days six hours per day and an hourly rate of $18.38
[26:43] effective with the start of the 26 27 school year
[26:50] 62 employment the committed Consider and recommend approval of Shannon Rouse, parttime special education power
[26:57] professional at the elementary school, six hours per day at an hourly rate of $16.38 with the start of the 2026 27 school
[27:07] year. Consensus move 6.13. The committee's request is to consider and recommend approval of
[27:15] Maryanne Flat, parttime special education power professional at the middle school, six hours per day
[27:24] with the start of the 2026 27 school year.
[27:30] 6.14 committee requested to consider and recommend approval of Lor Street part-time special education power at the
[27:37] middle school six hours per day at an hourly rate of $16.38 effective with the start of the 2026
[27:45] 2027 school year forward 6.15 employment the committee is requested to consider and recommend
[27:53] approval of the Tyrell parttime special education professional at the middle school per day and an hourly rate of $16.38
[28:02] effective with the start of the 2026 2027 school year incentives to move that forward.
[28:10] employment. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of Melissa Miller, part-time special education power professional at the
[28:17] middle school, six hours per day in an hourly rate of $16.38 effective with the start of the 2026 2027 school year.
[28:29] Moving on to 6.17, discussion of policy 707 facilities. We'll begin the discussion
[28:37] of policy 707 use of school.
[28:43] Well, thank you. Want to provide an update to the full board. Over the last couple weeks, we've had conversation about policy 707 and the schedule of
[28:52] fees to both the policy and personnel meeting as well as the student activities. Ultimately, what we are proposing to change is not the policy
[29:00] itself, but the attachment that has the schedule of fees that are associated with that policy. In conversation over the last couple months, there's been a
[29:09] lot of conversation about not charging our in-house and in community youth organizations uh to use the facilities
[29:17] of the school district. So the biggest change that we made is our groups one, two and three which are super valley and
[29:25] specific organizations. We do not intend in this facility usage schedule fees to charge them for use of any of our
[29:33] facilities. The only two areas where we there would be charges incurred would be the use of the swimming pool to ensure
[29:40] that we had lifeguards on staff for safety purposes. And if a youth organization had a multi-day tournament
[29:48] where we would need to have custodial services involved, we would also pass we would pass those custodial services and
[29:54] that charge to them. But for rental of facilities, there would not be any charges for groups one, two, and three.
[30:01] The other adjustments we made um Jason and I really look at the county at what other districts are posted for utilizing
[30:09] and renting facilities. Not every district has them transparently shared out on their website, but based on the data that we could collect, uh we did
[30:19] identify that our rates for all five groups were significantly lower by far than any other school in the county. So
[30:26] in conjunction with not charging our in-house people, we are proposing that we elevate our hourly rate uh and
[30:34] charges for the rental of facilities to be at that 66th percentile in in the county. That was our target mark. So we
[30:42] will I shared with the board what that schedule be um was to look like. Really, we're going to we're looking at putting
[30:49] this in play for the start of this school year, but uh talking with Jason and getting information even as early as
[30:56] this morning. There are some organizations that I was there group four level that we had prior agreement with um particularly down university um
[31:06] and exit for swimming because we have already kind of had an agreement with them dating back to March I believe is
[31:13] is what it was. I just suggest that we honor those agreements until they come up based on the rates that we talked about in March. And then moving forward
[31:21] when those have to be redone, we we have that conversation again with the new rate. Outside of that, any outside organization that would want to use our
[31:28] our facilities, uh we would suggest that we we charge them based on the drafts that we had discussed at both committee meetings over the last few weeks.
[31:39] Any other discussions?
[31:46] This is something that's going to be greatly appreciated by community
[31:58] organized.
[32:01] So with that in mind, um we wanted to talk through discussion today just to make sure that everyone was on the same page. We will make sure that it this
[32:08] draft language comes off of the facility usage and that we post this particular document on the board agenda for the voting session next week so that
[32:16] everyone sees it. Um, but this has been shared at both committee work sessions over the last few weeks.
[32:29] this post on the school website.
[32:33] It would be an attachment to policy 707 in our policy though.
[32:47] You know, just as you were looking at other schools, we would have available.
[32:57] Yeah, absolutely. We do have a spot on our website for facility usage and rentals and the whole process. We'll make sure that in addition to the policy
[33:06] will also have an attachment on the website.
[33:12] Anything else we have voting items
[33:20] 6.18 the board is requested to consider and approve the price in the amount of
[33:27] 500 for Dr. Patrick Winter, assistant superintendent compensation for serving as acting superintendent
[33:35] school district from November 12th, 2025 through June 7th, 2026.
[33:43] A second question I just want to say thank you to Dr.
[33:52] appraond all the balls in the air.
[34:06] I really appreciate that.
[34:28] in a second. All in favor say I 6.19.
[34:42] The board is requested to consider and approve bus driver utilized by transportation for the 2026 2027 school
[34:49] year of all required documentation. I have a motion please second.
[34:59] Any questions or comments?
[35:03] If not all those in favor say I motion carries 8.2
[35:12] The board is requested to consider and approve the bus routes for the 2026 2027 school year and authorizes the financial
[35:19] officer and transportation coordinator make the necessary changes throughout the 2026 27 school year. We have a
[35:26] motion second.
[35:33] Any questions or comments? If not, all those in favor say I.
[35:44] 6.21 The board is requested to consider and approve Dr. Patrick Wer participation in
[35:50] 126 2027 education policy fellowship program through the education policy and leadership center which is an 8mon
[35:58] cohort program designed to advance effective public education policy in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
[36:08] Second questions or com. All those in favor say I.
[36:14] I motion carries. 8 6.22 board request consider and
[36:22] recommend issuing a professional employee contract to the following temporary professionals who have served three years and have received
[36:29] satisfactory rating in accordance with section 118.
[36:33] school that is Kelly. I have a motion. Second.
[36:42] Any questions or comments? If not, all those in favor say I. Motion carries. 8. Moving on to 6.23.
[36:52] Any other business?
[36:57] I just have a quick question. Um the language was a little bit different in um some of the employment sections um in parentheses where it says reduce rate of
[37:05] pay with single level benefit option available and prorated for actual days work. They usually just prorated for
[37:12] actual days worked. So do we offer um if someone does not bring dependence on to the plan
[37:20] like reimbursement or compensation of some sort.
[37:29] So for a certified building sub the reduction is at 4753 the amount that's listed that's without benefit. Um there
[37:36] is a benefit option though. If subs do come on, they then would be at a total
[37:43] of 57,000 as opposed to 47,000 and that's that single benefit option where they would ultimately receive benefits.
[37:51] So that is an option once they come on and okay I just don't we wanted to add it in just so that way
[38:00] we're representing that I don't think it was always called out but that was an
[38:06] option for those particular positions I just don't see any benefits if there's any incentive for someone to go on their
[38:15] spouses benefits are not on ours that helps us a Thank you.
[38:28] If not, we'll move on to 7.0 curriculum technology.
[38:52] Valley.
[39:05] American
[39:28] people.
[39:44] This will provide
[40:22] These are just the online resources that the teachers can use that go along with the
[40:29] every year. So the system that they have digitally but then also
[40:36] make fast.
[41:22] building.
[41:38] We will And then
[41:58] here we can identify struggling.
[42:24] is not
[42:37] um Silver Valley
[43:07] that will brand
[43:32] All the other
[43:55] 8.0 budget 8.1
[44:04] 8.2 approval ratification of bills the committee requested to consider and recommend board app
[44:11] payments bills from the dates July 1326 to August 25th 2026 from the general
[44:18] fund 1,58,68767 period fund $28,67959
[44:29] capital improvement project fund $164774
[44:37] capital projects fund 33 and the MS HS activity fund
[44:46] $33635,810,825
[45:04] summary 84 new and old
[45:18] 9.0 buildings and grounds. I don't think we have anybody to address the board tonight. Move on to 9.2. Uh we have item
[45:27] here for disposal chemicals and furniture.
[45:31] The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the disposal of chemicals and furniture from the high school and middle school as presented.
[45:39] Questions or comments on this board 9.3 we have some quotes from
[45:48] fire protection. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of three quotes from fire protection for repairs to the back prevention devices at the elementary
[45:57] school middle school and high school at a combined cost of questions that
[46:10] yeah the um where the building protection system's val
[46:25] at the moment I guess when they redid the when they went and did an inspection this year they found
[46:32] fields on those right.
[46:44] Any other questions uh 94 voting item
[46:53] 9.4 The board is requested to approve and ratify the quote from fire protection the amount 640 repairs for the high school.
[47:26] This was during our inspection for the high school.
[47:46] What was the material of that service?
[47:49] What was the material of that service plan?
[47:52] Um
[48:07] motion in a second. All those in favor say I motion carries. Back over to Al.
[48:15] All right. Uh 9.5. Any other old building?
[48:20] The only thing I wanted to bring up to get perspective from the board is relative to our track. So, we've had
[48:27] some good conversation with the track coaches, but with the addition of the fieldhouse and the way that the storage is is set up, Jason, I met with the
[48:36] coaches to make sure that their needs for the track team would be met based on that facility or the the storage area
[48:43] that's adjacent to um this crack at the finish line. So, with that being said, everything's good to go moving forward.
[48:51] We do not have a need for the long track shed before we look at what we do with that track shed. Want to get an idea
[48:57] from the board if you we can look at options of ultimately getting rid of that because it's still gigantic. Um I
[49:05] know there was talk Jason and I about some shed potentially being needed at the baseball field. Um but we also have those two other smaller sheds. They'd be
[49:13] far easier to move around. So, our proposal, we wanted to take an idea from you would be to look to get rid of and
[49:20] part ways with the very large track shed, which would be very difficult to move in the future if we wanted to move it and look at potentially utilizing the
[49:28] two smaller sheds down by the baseball fields to give them a little bit more storage before moving forward. We wanted to get some perspective from the board
[49:36] uh to see if we wanted to hold on to that large track and relocate it because time is of the essence of getting that one out of the way for the project.
[49:44] What's the condition of the little sheds? that they were not in the best.
[49:50] I was part of the group that I know from over the years.
[49:59] I know I know I was at least in one of them as I was helping the booster club empty it.
[50:08] That one wasn't in bad tape. I wasn't in the the second one. The one closest to the now existing
[50:16] torn down torn down torn down. The one closest.
[50:25] Yeah, that was the one that I was actually physically in. It did not look like it was in looked like we could repurpose that one. I have not really invested the other one. I don't know.
[50:35] Jason, that used to be the high school football.
[50:42] I've been in it a few times and it's been in shape with the other one. Okay.
[50:50] I know it's an is I can certainly reach out to Mr. and see if there would be any need from her end.
[51:02] Um, but I just figured if we we can get on that. I know that the construction site is looking for an answer on in terms of moving it or what we want to do with it.
[51:11] I can reach out to her, but short of her wanting it for a and us planning a spot where we we have it, are we on board
[51:18] with the fact that we can look to part way with that shed in some way.
[51:30] While we're on top of the meeting, um I know we talked about
[51:40] divided offer
[51:55] that's
[52:08] I don't at this point, but I can follow back up with Jason. We can look at where where those needs are relative to the two that we have available at this point
[52:16] if we would to relocate them. But we can look at that movement. I know we had talked about kids earlier this summer, but yeah, follow back up. No, fine.
[52:25] Sure.
[52:32] Okay. As far as business, we did have a meeting as committee on August 11th and we had that
[52:40] meeting at the middle school and meeting with the tour middle pool, take a look at the facilities conditions and start to generate a list of improvements might
[52:49] like to see there. And we met with uh Mike, our new building director.
[52:56] gives an update on the first 10 days.
[52:59] So appreciate the work put together and look forward to seeing what else
[53:14] we have.
[53:17] from Valley Youth and Football Association. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the equipment donation from the Valley
[53:26] Youth and Football Association valued at $16,982.
[53:34] We did discuss this in our committee meeting. They are donating quite a few pieces of equipment.
[53:43] I just want to thank them for generously questions.
[54:07] I think I saw
[54:24] was part of or in conjunction with this, it was understood that part of these donations would be tied to not charging
[54:31] youth to use those facilities as well as continuing to have those conversations about who like prioritizing youth organizations for the use of our
[54:40] facilities. So, we'll definitely continue to do that. That's something that we already currently do, but seeing that we're going to move forward with
[54:47] 707 for that attachment and not charge them anyway, we're in good
[54:56] forward 1.3 scoreboard installation. The committee is requested to consider and recommend approval of the work of full
[55:03] landscape and free service LLC to perform the installation of scoreboards in three places.
[55:10] three attachments. One is basketball scoreboard, baseball scoreboard, and softball scoreboard.
[55:16] Any questions about that? Forward.
[55:24] 26 homecoming DJ is requested to consider and recommend approval of the contract for the 2026 homecoming DJ in
[55:30] the amount of $800 forward
[55:41] discussion girls
[55:55] Yeah, currently our uh middle school is tied to a co-ed um team in terms of boys
[56:04] and girls. Um I would like to separate those and to have one boys junior high team and one girls junior high team.
[56:13] That way when we go to wrestle somebody um we're signified as a girls wrestling
[56:20] team and a boys wrestling team not a co wrestling team. Yes.
[56:39] Yeah there is a little bit of a challenge. There are um a lot of schools that are still in the co-ed um side of
[56:46] things, but more schools are transitioning to the girls side of things. Um I just know when we go to
[56:54] like tournament opportunities when we go to a tournament, uh if you go as a you know, you go to a girls tournament, you
[57:02] have to count it toward your boy contest. And if you're not separated, that's what happens. So it provides less
[57:10] opportunities for both both groups. And so when uh say we wrestle a school in our conference
[57:18] that doesn't have any girls on the team, the girls lose out on opportunities to wrestle.
[57:25] We have to count that as their girl their opportunities. That works.
[57:33] Jason, you had mentioned that you already have a couple schools lined up that potentially we have dual meet with an all girls team as well competition
[57:41] wise. So dual meets might be a challenge up front, but in terms of tournaments moving forward and competition point, we think it'll open up a lot more
[57:48] opportunity. Yeah, we have two ds scheduled with where a team will bring in a girls middle school team and then
[57:56] our high school team will wrestle them right after that. So something new, something that hasn't been done here.
[58:06] You probably want to just hang out there because the next one I'm gonna have you talk about. So, if everybody's okay with that, we'll move that forward. Um 10.6
[58:15] high school boys lacrosse and high school girls lacrosse discussions.
[58:22] There's bad weather outside, so some teams are coming in right now. So, I'm sorry.
[58:32] Um, with our numbers being the way they were at the end of last season, um, I reached
[58:41] out to Muenberg to ask, uh, what are the possibilities of co-oping um, with their teams um, both boys and on the girls
[58:50] side. U, they said we could co-op with them um, if we wanted to. Um it would
[58:59] cost us um a fee per player is around the $500 per player range. Um
[59:09] but uh um you know looking at both ways um I guess I wanted feedback on which
[59:19] direction school board would want to go.
[59:24] Are we able to jump in and out of that agreement or is it a longterm agreement?
[59:29] Um, it would be for a cycle. So, it would be for this school year and the next one.
[59:37] I know we had strong participation when the boys were cross and the lower grades, but we did have gap year.
[59:47] So I just wonder how that went.
[59:49] Yeah, like this upcoming season we have no juniors and seniors on the boys lacrosse team and as of right now and so
[59:59] I mean we would have two options. either we play JV for the next two years just as a Google Valley team with co-oping
[1:00:06] with Fleetwood and or we go to Muenberg and we have the opportunity for some of
[1:00:14] those kids to play varsity possibly and and they also would have enough to build a J team to get those guys opportunities.
[1:00:24] Is the older team credit field players more
[1:00:31] I mean that is the that is a issue when you co-op teamwise instead of individual sports you know you are at the will of
[1:00:40] you know what their coach decides who should play who shouldn't play.
[1:00:45] where as it was an individual sport you could you know you would plan on your kids participating without
[1:00:58] what did the uh the players have I haven't asked them I know on the girls side uh I've had many
[1:01:07] girls parents and players reach out saying they didn't want the co-op on the girls side because a lot of them are you
[1:01:14] They're seniors. They want to have a senior night at here, which I totally understand.
[1:01:20] You know, and and on the girls side, I think we have enough to keep the girls side going. It's the boys side where
[1:01:29] we're either we have to make a decision either we play JV and hope to build our program and, you know, get it where it
[1:01:37] should be or we take a we look at the option of you I I just
[1:01:44] wanted to have options, you know, not be like, "Hey, this is great." I would just ask that we support this
[1:01:52] into items, one for the boys, one for the girls. Um, I am biased. I put that
[1:02:01] out there. I have a senior who plays lacrosse on the girls. Um, and I just brought up, Jason, that we do have a
[1:02:09] co-op currently with. We do have four girls that played with last year. Um, they have said that there are other
[1:02:16] girls that they're friends with that have expressed interest for this year. I don't know if we'll get more players or not, but I just don't think that it
[1:02:24] would be fair for those four girls at Fleetwood who came out and helped us last year to say, "Sorry, now we don't
[1:02:31] get to play anymore because we're going to see this
[1:02:41] on the boys again." Um, but as Jason said, we have no
[1:02:48] seniors and juniors. We have only sophomores and freshman go against some of the schools that we
[1:02:55] were going against. Last year we opted to go with the varsity schedule one
[1:03:03] games to watch as a mom of a freshman last year
[1:03:10] as you know what he wanted to do that's what all those boys wanted to do but a
[1:03:19] little scary watching, you know, your your child go against someone's place as big as them. So, I'm really conflicted on that, but I'd like to see those out.
[1:03:31] And I'm I'm fairly confident I can get a JB's schedule, no problem. There's a lot of, you know, schools that they only
[1:03:39] have varsity only and so I can go and be the JB team for, you know, those people.
[1:03:47] Your thing for the boys? For the boys. Yeah. I can find JB games.
[1:03:51] I mean, I kind of get where you're going as far as I think it was also
[1:03:58] practicing players, bigger teams like I think that to have that ability to do that.
[1:04:13] Yeah, I was I was worried about the freshman sophomores coming in maybe kids in the lower grades coming in and looking at their high school
[1:04:20] opportunities and figuring well I don't have a chance to play lacrosse because we're we're going to have to compete against kids
[1:04:29] on the field. So I was a little repercussions but I don't know
[1:04:39] I mean we knew we knew I know
[1:04:55] Yeah.
[1:05:08] What would look like if we did I'm not fair on that.
[1:05:20] Bicycles. No, I'm just I don't know. I'm not generally speaking, at least in co-op agreements I've worked with in the past,
[1:05:29] we would bust them to practice and then we would parents would pick up from practice essentially. So, we would get them to games, we get them to practice,
[1:05:37] from here, but then transportation on the back ends from there. would be on on parents or if they could drive then they
[1:05:44] could drive. So we we wanted to bring this up this month knowing that it was conversation last time because there could be some timing um implications
[1:05:53] relative to the PIAA that that Jason's working through. So ultimately one yes we could separate girls and guys out as
[1:06:01] two separate discussion points but ultimately if we decided next week which direction we want to kind of head nothing's official at that point. It
[1:06:10] would essentially be the boys then if I'm hearing it right. Do we want to go with the JBC's and in houses valley or
[1:06:16] do we want to continue to explore the co-op agreement? We have tentative conversations within where that would be
[1:06:24] okay but we would still have to get formal board approval on both their end and our end in the month of September to
[1:06:31] meet the October one deadline of CIAA for a co-op. So, we wanted to bring this up at this point in time just so that we we have if we have an option, which we
[1:06:40] do right now, that option still rest on the table knowing that we have a lot of work to do to get it across the finish line to make sure that we have formal
[1:06:47] agreements and board approval on both ends.
[1:06:51] I guess the other I mean we have timeach
[1:07:10] I have a couple questions currently yes they'd be close But it would be close.
[1:07:21] Okay. And the other question I have is what do members look like?
[1:07:33] And what are we sending them over time?
[1:07:45] I would have to ask that question to them. I could report that. That's very true.
[1:07:58] That's my point. They're not going to be playing
[1:08:09] I I think you don't have enough skill to it depend on you don't know whether
[1:08:20] he's got whether they want to try to win teamwork they want to continue their own players they loyalty their
[1:08:28] I kind of feel practice better practice but I think
[1:08:40] I don't think they get the same program no doubt but
[1:08:49] the other question I have is we as a board let the administration make the best choice possible because the timing
[1:08:56] is critical We don't have to wait for meeting to have a vote during that October deadline.
[1:09:05] I think timewise we're still in good shape. Ultimately next week if we if we just collectively decide we're sticking
[1:09:12] with KB inhouse Google Valley or we're we're going to further explore the co-op. I think if we have that decision next week we're we have plenty of time.
[1:09:23] It's just one of making sure that collectively we're all on the same page with that knowing that again best 11 are going to be on the field. If those best
[1:09:30] 11 are all Muenberg 11 in the eyes of both or a mixture of both I mean ultimately it comes down to that it's
[1:09:39] hard to tease out how much we'll be favoring hometown people it's fair to assume that that would be the case but it really is hard to tease
[1:09:47] that out. So it could be it very well could be our is playing a JB schedule
[1:09:54] and not all of those 12 would be seeing the field to the extent that they would see the field if they were valley athletes
[1:10:04] talking I think there's one they have a co-op with too I don't know what their
[1:10:14] to dissolve their co-ops like I when I was talking they said they didn't get a player from Oie last season and we
[1:10:22] didn't have a player from Fleetwood on our team last season.
[1:10:26] So I think I think they were around like 24
[1:10:52] from what I We weren't charging anything. Correct.
[1:11:02] Correct.
[1:11:24] for you.
[1:11:39] Yeah. I'd be curious to see what some of those junior high age
[1:11:55] for high school.
[1:12:02] I just know we would didn't seem to make it very easy for them to come here to co-op, you know, find their own transportation.
[1:12:12] pretty good to so I don't now that gone I don't know more people come out probably
[1:12:25] we'll put that on the agenda not as anything voting nothing to vote at this point in time but next week to get a clear definitive idea of direction that
[1:12:34] we want to pursue and then we'll actively pursue that that direction move forward whether that's filling the coaching role and preparing for
[1:12:42] We're further exploring the co-op with Muenberg.
[1:12:46] We'll make that decision next week, but think about that over the course of this week and Jason can certainly engage and get a better idea with those numbers and questions that were asked
[1:12:54] and I'll try to find some more information and pass it along talk to Cork and he could pass it along to you so you guys can make a better judgement.
[1:13:04] I know we don't have a headache right now talking about this.
[1:13:29] We have one voting item.
[1:13:33] is requested to consider, ratify, and approve the science explorers after school club agreement for the 2026 2027.
[1:13:41] I have a motion second question.
[1:13:49] If not, say
[1:14:01] I want to jump back to um was looking over the quote. Um you know
[1:14:09] obvious
[1:14:32] and they moving and what are we going to do?
[1:14:35] Yeah. So, for basketball, the scoreboards would be on opposite ends.
[1:14:39] Um, kind of similar to what the high school gym looks like. Um, uh,
[1:14:46] our Larry said that he could wire those um up once they installed.
[1:14:52] Yeah, they're just mounting them in house.
[1:14:55] Correct. For the power for the baseball field. Um uh when we purchased the scoreboards, we knew there was no power
[1:15:03] to that field. So um I purchased the solar panel that will run the scoreboard. Um it was part of the
[1:15:12] scoreboard purchase mounts on the back of the scoreboard power. So hopefully we have sunny days.
[1:15:22] Okay. Yeah. I just as long as I didn't want to know I know there's no real power down
[1:15:41] just a quick recap of what we talked about at our August 13 what we just went over7
[1:15:52] facilities we talked about which is the new website that everyone is registering
[1:15:59] for sport um that is going to have um component to it as well. So when things
[1:16:08] are posted for that it will be the same like countywide schools are now using
[1:16:21] something that
[1:16:28] is hopefully that'll help the
[1:16:38] football. Um the product and some things that we wanted them to
[1:16:47] possibly do. Um we talked about CPR training um bringing back
[1:16:59] um and different things like that. Um we also um talk about um hotel rooms when
[1:17:07] our athletes are going to different district or state competition. Um we had
[1:17:15] I guess an issue that um one of our supports thought that it was a room but
[1:17:24] for purposes so we discussed that
[1:17:36] girls wrestling this um coaching lacrosse discussion
[1:17:43] um garage is using some of our um outdoor fuel. We just want to make sure that anybody that's coming onto our
[1:17:51] campus is fully clearances and they will also be following
[1:18:01] our
[1:18:16] for the order. Dan, you just made me think about it with the shuffle of the sheds. Maybe something since we have the two small sheds that we need to move.
[1:18:26] Maybe it makes, you know, at the by the track. Pull one of those down right away for the field cocking so that they have
[1:18:36] that, you know, that's about the size that they have. Now, take the second one over to
[1:18:42] baseball use the junior high softball shed for both junior high andor varsity
[1:18:50] because they're both there. Maybe they have something already. But the problem like with tennis that they've had in the past is they had issues with some of the
[1:18:58] equipment in some of the sheds between safety and leasing in the sheds. And that's why they went with the container,
[1:19:05] but they also have electronic ball machine and other things in there and the compression of that you have get, you know, there's an impact on all that.
[1:19:16] So that's just something that hey, if we got to move, you know, nice to see like spent a lot and Carol and others spent a
[1:19:24] lot of time in to see that gone. But now with the two heads there, it might be easier just to grab that one, bring it right across the
[1:19:32] parking lot to the field hockey that's on that side, slide the other one back.
[1:19:38] You know, I would vote that it nobody wants that other large can be so hard to
[1:19:43] move. You know the track move that opens
[1:19:53] something more to make that a
[1:20:13] whateverever Anything can be better than that.
[1:20:25] Anything else? We have a motion to adjourn.
[1:20:31] Second favor say I oppose
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