001Being that it's 10 after 7, I'd like to call this regular school board meeting of the Upper Park School District to order. Uh, first we'll have a pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Madame President, before we proceed, could I ask that we have a moment of silence for to honor the day 911 for what happened so many years ago, 24 years ago? >> I would be happy to have that. So, if we could have just a moment of silence. >> Thank you. >> All right, Mr. Bishop, could I have a roll call, please? >> Certainly. and director McCormack >> here. >> Director Sharid >> here. >>
002Director Chaffrani, >> Director Cunningham >> here, >> Director McCarrick >> here, >> Director Fluki >> here, >> Director PGO >> here, >> Director Bieber, >> and Director Penny Packer >> here. >> Thank you. And now I'll introduce our staff. We have uh Mr. Bishop, our business manager, and we have uh Georgie Fischer, our HR director. We have Dr. Fina, our assistant superintendent. We have our esteemed Kyle Summers, our attorney. Uh Dr. Roach, of course, and Ruth Padilla. I am happy to have you back as one of our esteemed colleagues. So, welcome. Uh next, we'll have board president's report. Um don't have a lot to say. I'm just thinking that everyone should live like it's September 12th. So, that's my that's my board report. Um, but also when we Ruth, when you get to when we
003get to your report, could you give us a little idea of what you've been doing all summer? That would make me very happy. Okay. And I'll turn it over to Dr. Roach for a superintendent report. >> Thank you, Mr. Cunningham. Welcome back, everyone. The school year's off. We're on a day 11, I believe, today. So, um, happy to uh to share an update here at the at the meeting. So, a couple things that uh to kick the year off. Here are some pictures from our convocation. So, I know this this happened back in in way back in in August there, but an excellent opportunity for us to welcome back our staff and our teachers to uh to the new school year. You can see we had some students and the largest group since I've been
004here of students singing the the national anthem as well as the the marching band assisting and then having some games and trying to get get the year off to a to a fun start. So, I'm going to share a video here which is one of the videos of welcoming our new teachers. So, I'll devote this totally to uh Mrs. Janowski because this is a trend on Tik Tok with some song and something else with our new staff. Pay attention to the last gentleman as he pours an entire bag of Skittles into his mouth. It's pretty good. Pretty good. Let's hope it works. >> Reintroduce myself. My name is [Music] So part of that was to welcome our new teachers and then we actually had a new video another video to welcome new administrators that have
005been hired through the year. So, we actually had four um that were new newly through the year that didn't get to experience the convocation. Um I don't want to say experience. That's a good way to put it. Some would say hazing, some would say >> um >> but uh try to keep it light and have and have a good time. And we were able to recognize our teachers that have reached 5 10 15 20 25 uh in 30 years as well as um again kick it off. So, I have one video at the end to share to close out my my report. But um definitely it was a positive sense. there was lunch served and uh everybody got their t-shirts for the year. So, first day of school was was there quickly right after that.
006Um so, a lot of smiling faces, high school students helping out, welcoming welcoming our students, a lot of positive energy. Is that me? >> I thought that was me. I was nervous. I was like, >> be a meeting if that didn't happen. >> Yes. >> It was different than that. use typically the ESPN something scored. Um any rate uh so first day of school welcoming students again some some parents uh smiling h so happy to to uh see their kids going some really uh struggling to to to let go and and uh it was a long summer right it was a good long summer in terms of time wise so we had a great start to the school year again kudos to our teachers to our staff to the bus drivers to to work through
007some of the the changes still getting positive feedback with some changes on the buses. Mrs. Malone is doing triple duty here with driving and every day. So, we're doing our best to keep it together and answering questions and following up and and continuing to do that. That that goes for our entire staff. So, I know not to put a plug out there, but I did put something in the town and country last week to really just recognize the effort that everyone is doing uh including our community and our our our everyone the chamber, all of our groups to get this off to a great school year. So, we appreciate that. And then uh we had our first upper perk day which um seems to be a time that people enjoy and dress down a little
008bit on a second Tuesday of the month because we seem to have second Tuesdays every month again celebrating that and uh often a lot of the stuff there I'm sure Mrs. Chron you see is from the uh Ed Foundation uh spirit day store. So and then these are just some of our kindergarten kids getting acclimated uh as I've been in the buildings and Dr. Karina has been in the buildings a lot of routines, right? A lot of routines. Taking our time uh and getting uh getting our students acclimated. Go slow first and they'll fly later. So really u proud of proud of the uh the teachers and the staff what's going on in our buildings. As I do each year and for the board in the next update, I'll provide the six-year span of our
009uh of our uh 10-day enrollment. So you can see the enrollment across the district. This is just this year on the left and and and uh last year on on the on the right side there. So you can see the comparisons there. So Marboro is up 10 students. Herford is slightly down about 20 30 I guess. And then you can see the 45 is off by two. So that's looking at all elementary across um from last year to this year. And then secondary wise, um, you can see that the numbers there are fairly comparable slightly up a middle and there's a box in my line here. Five off there at the at oop, sorry, at the high school. Um, and then you see out of district other so those other out of district um, but
010there are they are our students. there students that could be out at uh at other schools that they're not cyber, they're not upupola, although the UPOLA numbers are worked into our student numbers, but they are counted as overall. So, our overall um student population is 3095 at this time. I don't I don't I didn't go back to see the other out of districts if they were there that on the report that was run this year. That's what was listed there. So, when we when we reply to the state, that is the number we're using, 3095 right now at at the 10day enrollment. So 10 days that magic number when if someone has moved and not told us we're usually waiting to get schools request records and all that type of thing or if someone's not
011not sure they're going to stay that type of thing happens in the first 10 days. So these are the numbers that we're going to be using moving forward um for our enrollment. So for the board again you'll see I'll give you the six-year trend. I did share that with the administration so they can see those trends as well. We use this for staffing, we use it for supply orders, all those types of things on the on the initial look from a district standpoint. So, the new uh district website is up. It's been up for almost a week now. We have over a 100 people that have finished the scavenger hunt. So, for those of you that are competitive, there's a scavenger hunt. You can go on there and you can uh if you if you
012successfully complete the uh the hunt and submit your survey with some feedback, um we'll be drawing prizes next week and giving out five prizes Monday through Friday um to uh to people randomly that have completed that. So the feedback that uh Mr. Chanoski shared with me has been valuable. People that can't see this little things that help just make it better or they have feedback on on other pieces. So um it's been as for those of you on the communications uh committee know it's been a long process or a lot of work put in here and um we're happy that it's up and moving and happy to have feedback as we go forward. So that is there and uh I know Mr. Schnowski is focused on the accessibility making sure that everything is right in
013our in our percentages for accessibility which is different from the past where we you know if you put a PDF up you have to make sure that you describe everything in there so that someone that would have a disability or needs needs additional accommodations can can that can be read to them and or printed out for them. So, good job on that. And that that's been a a a lot of work here from everybody, even getting curriculum work up there, updated, policies updated, all those types of things, getting up there and transferring and getting rid of some older pages that were there. So, um good job on that. Just just an announcement. This will be in the town and country uh coming out soon that we have we're in our next round for the academic
014hall of fame. So, this is um the deadline is the end of October, but it doesn't never hurts to uh to put it out there ahead of time. So recognizing um Upper Perk alum if there's and we have a really strong academic hall of fame if you're at the high school in the auditorium area and you see some of the accomplishments of the staff of the the members that are on there. But we're putting this out there and they're kind of in that three-year cycle now to uh to begin to to so if you have uh the ability to share this information, it's here. It'll be on the website as well as uh in the town and country. This September is suicide uh awareness month. So again, just sharing information. We have a lot of
015information on our website for uh for prevention and or if there's anything in crisis, some of the the county numbers, things that if anything else um if they're in a crisis and there's things going wrong, I know it sounds weird to go to the school website, but the information is there if you need it and it's there um and updated as as needed. Uh in the past, we have had um our ninth grade students as a part of the PSAT day, which is in October, participate in QPR training, um question, persuade, and refer. And uh we're working on scheduling that for that date at this time. We don't have that confirmed yet, but they're in the process of scheduling that. And if we get a a QPR training uh in our community, we also promote
016that out as well if anybody wants to participate and uh and learn more about that. So, Unity Day um coming up on October 22nd. So, you'll probably see this again when we get to October, but again, I know people don't have a whole lot of orange in their uh in their wardrobe. So, um, we were actually asked at one point to have one of the convocation shirts be orange. >> I'm not sure how that would go over, but um, but you know, again, an opportunity again, it's one day to recognize and and stand, uh, united for, um, for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. And it seems to be our community also takes part in this. We get we get pictures with the people in the community, and they do that in their offices as well. St.
017Luke's participated in the past and a couple other local businesses. So, you'll hear more about that. And I know there's activities going on in the buildings and I know we're working on uh the same like a movie night as well. We had that have had that in the past. We reached out to the grand to see if they're able to host us again. So stay tuned for more information on that. And uh quickly finishing up here. So we are going to I'm going to continue with a few less but uh definitely continue the community conversations. So these are just the dates and times. So October, December, February and April at some of our local favorites. Um and participating an opportunity to sit and talk. Um, and we'll again continue to learn and listen from our
018community. Hopefully get some good uh good conversations. And here's the last video. >> I am upper park perk. >> I am upper park. >> I am upper perk. >> I am upper park. >> I am upper park. >> I am upperk.k.k.k.k.k.k.k.k.k. Perk. >> I am upper park. >> Upper. >> We are upper. >> I am upper park perk. >> I am upper park perk. >> We are upper perk. >> I am upper perk. >> I am upper park. >> I am upper perk. >> I am upper. I am upper park. >> I am upper park perk. >> I am upperk. >> I am upper park. I am Upper Perk. [Music] >> I am Upper Perk. Let's have a great school year, everyone. >> A lot of those videos were taken at our summer p uh
019summer lunch barbecue and I can see people they see me coming my camera. They're like, let me get some let me get some more. So, we appreciate everybody participating in that as well. So, that's the end of my report. >> Thank you. Now I will turn it over to Ruth for her student to the board representative report. >> Thank you. Um we wanted to uh start with back to school night was this week. We had a great turnout of both students and parents at the high school. Although we were told that it was quite hot cuz the AC was off. Um the freshman, sophomore, and junior class officers. Um the elections are in process and the officers will be picked soon. So hopefully by the next meeting we'll have the junior class president. Homecoming events
020are scheduled as followed. The bonfire will be Monday, September 29th. The football game will be October 3rd at 7:00 p.m. The dance is scheduled to be on Saturday, October 4th at 4 p.m. We picked Tangled as the theme. Um, our Hokco spirit days have also been picked out Monday through Friday. Um, Hokco V uh, Hokco Court voting was yesterday. So, all the nominees and the ballots are being counted for right now. Uh, the clothing drive at the high school for the musical department will be from 10:30 to 11:30 on Saturday the 13th. Homecoming shirts are being sold for $20 from the FBLA as a fundraiser. Fall sports recognition start the week of September the 22nd and the 50th alumni dinner is on October 1st at the high school for the class of 1975. That was
021that. >> Ruth, did you do the dances at 4 o'clock or did I >> No, no, it's October 4th. >> Okay. >> At six o'clock. >> No, no. >> Yeah. And um as uh as he wanted me to mention this summer um I had the opportunity to um go to basic training for the army at Fort Sil. I enlisted back in January. Um so I shipped out a week after graduation and I spent 11 weeks training there. um got my naturalization through the army and was sworn in on my family day and graduation August 22nd I became a soldier. >> Awesome. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. All right, we're going to move on to our solicitor report. Sunshine Act announcements. Mr. Summers. >> Thank you. Um, by way of Sunshine Act announcements, the board
022did meet in executive session immediately prior to tonight's meeting for the purpose of discussing a confidential student matter as well as a matter of collective bargaining between the district and the upper education association. Uh, and by way of normal announcements, uh, in terms of public comment, there are two public comment opportunities at tonight's meeting. uh the first on action items that are being voted upon on the agenda and then there's an opportunity toward the end of the meeting to comment on other matters of concern that are or may come before the school board. Uh anyone who does wish to make public comment needs to sign up uh using a signup sheet that's available in the back of the room. Uh you can fill out that signup sheet at any time just it needs to be
023prior to the start of the public comment period when you wish to speak. Um, and each speaker is limited to a threeminut time period, and I will indicate to you when your time uh is up. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you. Alan, are you going to share any more of the convocation videos or did Dr. Fina forbid you? >> No, Dr. Fina was fine. No, at this time I No, I'm not going to share those publicly. >> Okay, thanks. They were fun. All right, we'll move on to presentations and discussion. First policies for first read 8:15.1 use of generative AI in education. >> So you have before you board uh policy 815.1. The policy committee has been hard at work updating policies and creating new ones. So you got a new one in
024front of you and hopefully you've taken some time to look through it. This is for a first read and please understand board that the AI policy will be a kind of a evolving one as we kind of work through the AI phenomena that we uh are now experiencing. So I'll defer to Dr. Fina and Mr. Summers for further elaboration. I would just say included um with the policy was some supplemental material that has been provided to the teachers um who had training earlier this year. Uh the dos and don'ts um just to make everyone aware that the academic integrity statement that students uh sign every year or is included in the handbook every year was also updated uh to call specifically plagiarism uh as well as copyright out. And so, you know, we just want
025to draw the board's attention to that because that is a matter of discussion as it relates to uh classroom instruction. And so, I'm happy to answer any questions related to the AI policy or any of the materials that have been used or the resources the district has adopted. All right. Nothing. Okay. All right. Um, we'll move on to public comments on action items, which there are none in the box and move we move on then to the approval of tonight's agenda. >> Motion to approve the agenda. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Okay. Approved. We'll move on to the approval of the August 14th regular school board meeting minutes. >> Motion. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Yes, Melanie. Um I I am requesting that my question um be reflected
026in the minutes from the last that meeting relative to the status of the girls wrestling coach. I like that on public record that I asked that question since we're getting emails about that now. So, thank you. Okay. Uh do we need another motion with an addition? >> Is there any objection from anyone on the board to having and could you just explain or restate so uh for the for clarity what the question was that you had stated that um is not included in the minutes? >> Yeah, I asked uh what the status was of the girls wrestling coach position being filled. Um, and so with that, is there any board member that objects to the minutes being pro approved with the uh modification of that question being included in them? There's no uh objection to
027that. It can essentially be a friendly amendment that the the motion as before the board currently is approval of the minutes as drafted with that uh one amendment. >> Okay. Any other questions? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. Thank you. Uh, and we don't have anything under old business, so we'll move on to new business. >> Madam President, can I make a motion to approve the personnel report, which is the resignations and appointments? >> Second. >> Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. And we'll move on to supplementals. >> Supplementals is part of >> you wanted the whole thing. Okay. >> Yeah, I thought that was included as us. >> Okay. Anybody have a problem with that? Okay. All right. Well, then we'll move on to action items. First, we
028have a motion to approve a memo of understanding with life. >> Yes, Mr. >> I make a motion to approve items A, B, and C, which is the memo memo of understanding with life lifespan daycare, the agreement with Bucks County IU and the Chester County IU. >> Second. Any discussion hearing? None. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> Okay. >> Madam President, >> yes. >> I make a motion to approve the remainder of the action items D, E, FG, and H, which is the agreement with wood services. The motion to approve the board members to go to the school leadership conference in October. the motion to resend the approval of the MCIU and approve the revised version and to approve the agreement with Paris School Group LLC. >> We're doing the second. >> Oh,
029Christ and H Christ staff >> sort of blended in there at the bottom. >> Are you good with a second then? >> Yeah, I can second. Okay. Just making sure. All right. Any discussion? >> Yeah, I just wanted to thank Mr. Rough for orchestrating um the proposal to change the Zoom license and get a different um term which uh gives us a little time to re-evaluate the necessity of the number of Zoom licenses. So thank you. Anyone else? Okay. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. I don't believe we have any new follow-up items. And if there was no papers in there before, there's probably still no papers in there. So, uh, we'll move on. We have no public comments. We'll move on to board comments. Do we have any board comments? >> I just
030want to thank everybody for the approving the power school group motion. Appreciate everybody attention to that one. Um, to make sure we could get that started for for the group. Thank you. So at the risk of prolonging this meeting which never bothered me before but um I was unable to attend the fac the uh finance committee meeting on Tuesday. Um so I did watch it and uh I have a few comments and a few questions. Uh, I was generally happy with the way the meeting was moving, but I feel like we need we need to focus on better direction on where we're heading with all the everything we've been talking about. Um, this is, as Keith stated during the meeting, and some of us have said it several times, this is a multi-committee endeavor, and
031it's not just an endeavor for this year. This is an endeavor for future years as we have to shift our mindset relative to the pro processes, procedures, and practices of the way we conduct business in the school district. So, it's not just once and done, we check it off our list. This is changing ways we do things. So, it's we all know it's a big deal. And so, we need to get organized on this. I I think again I'm just one the majority of you may think you know differently and tell me to go pound sand but I you know I think we got to get organized on this movement and I I was a little concerned about some of the conversation in the meeting and I think we have to be careful how we
032speak to this matter overall and I I'll use the example There was a discussion going on about what Allan is planning to do in February and you guys were calling it the trifold thing or whatever. Um I I'm assuming Alan you're we're going to roll out what this event is all about >> starting in October, >> right? And your comment was just just wait till October after that's going to be unleashed. And so I I want us to be careful how we couch everything and how we talk about this because this is important to a lot of people in the community and it's going to have everlasting impact long after you you're gone and the rest of the administrators are gone. We're here. So I let I I think we need to be careful how
033we how we move forward and speak to this. I think you're taking exception with a comment sitting informally or formally next to next to uh Keith about that. It was more like Yeah, that's coming. It's not I can't roll every one of my goals out in September right away working on those. Yeah. >> And in October, we're going to be able to share more about this. >> Right. Right. >> So, if if the word unleashed >> is is is inappropriate, then I apologize. That was not that was not the case. Like it's something it was more like a Yeah. It's coming in October. I'm gonna be sharing more information. >> Yeah. >> You know. Okay. So, I I'll I'll refrain from being um from sharing those types of >> Well, I you know, I'm just
034that's how that's just how I took it. You know, I just >> That was not the intention. Lesson learned. Thank you. >> Yeah. Great. Um, then there was public comment about the buildings and I hope we're going to have serious conversation about that. But I just am generally concerned about how how we're going to move on this like how is this going to get organized? How does the conversation continue? This is multi- committee endeavors. you know, is finance the the main focus and then the rest of the committees kind of branch off of that. And I yeah, I think it's important that we're all at committee meetings. Um, I have asked Andrea to put on the October agenda of policy um the policy on gifts and donations so we can start talking about that. I've
035had communication and conversations both with Leah and with Lannne Staler about the foundation. So, it's like we're all kind of doing stuff, but we we need to kind of kind of pull it together and all be on the same page, you know? I mean, everybody has so many great ideas. Trina, you've got great ideas. You know, Leah's got ideas. Everybody's got great ideas. We just got to make sure we kind of coordinate everything and pull all together. And so I'm just concerned about that and where the direction is. So that's all. >> Thank you, Peg. Um I did reach out to a community member asking about trifold night, just like naming it that it doesn't have to be a trifold or but a presentation. So just for an example, um Sharon Bastone brought up um
036the 45 center and the possibility of closing it or repurposing or something like that. And I reached out to Sharon and asked we would love to on that night we would love to see some real on the ground ideas like what um is there something we're not seeing. There are nine of us up here and admin. So um I am interested in that. I'm very serious in hearing more about that. So hopefully hopefully that happens and any other community member sitting here who has experience in that area like that's not I don't live there. I teach English. So, um, but, uh, that's not to say I can't look at a plan and, you know, see see its merits. So, thank you. >> And thanks, Trina. And to that point, you know, we all got the
037KCBA report that was, you know, the what was done a few years ago. So, this is pretty relevant that we can use um to guide us in our direction. Right? So, like I hope we can get organized on this and and move forward on it because it's a big deal. >> Yeah. I just downloaded it to my uh to my iPad. I have a trip tomorrow. So, >> yeah, >> I haven't read it in a while. This was a good time to reacquaint myself. >> Yeah, it it's so much more than just looking at this report. It's it's just and I've talked to Drew about this and you know it's analyzing what are the costs to run this building on a daily basis? What's the cost on running the 45 on a daily basis? And
038if you're moving students out of four or five, what does that look like as the other buildings absorb those students? And you know, there's a whole matrix that goes into this. So, it's not it's not easy and it's not going to happen quick. Well, I think this is the first time that I've seen that we've all been on one page and we're and this is a good thing. So, um, soon as I get my business trip out of the way tomorrow, but Melanie, you you that's the other thing, too. You're the president. Yes. >> But don't think you have to do everything by yourself. True. Delegate. There are nine of us at this table. All nine of us bring strengths to this group. Yes, we do. And so use us because we all we all
039have strengths and we all have ideas and so delegate. Let's delegate authority, you know, just let's pull this together. This is a big deal for this community because we we live in a new normal now. Yeah. >> All right. >> Thanks, Peg. Thanks. I'm done. >> Anyone else? >> All right. I would call for a motion. >> Oh. I'm so sorry. >> Sorry. I had two shout outs, so >> Oh, good. >> Just bear with me. >> Uh, the first one comes from uh Ruth Gunther, and she's emailed me and said, "After 4 days, which it's longer now, though, of school, I wanted to give Jen Malone a shout out for all her hard work with the high school middle school busing situation and making it work. From a teacher teacher perspective, all seemed to
040go well. I know it's not an easy task, and kudos to her for putting it together for the start of the year and being flexible." So that's the first one and the other one comes from our very own Dr. Fina sent me one. So uh tonight we are proud to recognize four Upper Perk High School seniors who are part of an exciting new opportunity that will set them on the path toward becoming future educators. Anna Churov, Mallayia Hixon, Kylie McCann, and Kaylee Shupe are the first students in our district to participate in Kutztown University's early college academy education track. Through this program, these students will attend Kutztown classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and spend Tuesdays and Thursday mornings interning in our elementary schools. They will then return to the high school in the afternoons
041to continue their coursework. Thanks to the Pennsylvania Dual Credit Innovation Grant, they will also earn 12 college credits at no cost to them or their families. This opportunity would not have been possible without the guidance and leadership of Angela Trout, our college and career coordinator, who played a key role in bringing this program to Upper Perk. Angela has worked tirelessly to expand college and career opportunities for students, and the creation of this pathway is a shining example of her commitment. We also want to extend our gratitude to the elementary teachers who have stepped forward as clinical educators and mentors for the internship portion of the program. Lisa Gross and Amy Horch at Herford Elementary and Dana Rosenberger, Stacy Swavely, and Heather Levan at Marboro Elementary. Your mentorship will be critical in supporting these young aspiring
042teachers. On behalf of the board, administration, faculty, and staff, we celebrate Anna, Mallayia, Kylie, and Kaylee as they embark on this exciting journey. And we thank Angela Trout and the classroom teachers for making this all possible. >> And and a random shout out just appeared out of nowhere. So, Upper Perk High School student Mave Hoffman was accepted as a delegate to the Congress of Future Med Medical Medical Leaders held this summer at the University of Massachusetts. Slow. Upper Perkyman High School student Mave was accepted as a delegate to the Oh, okay. It's the same thing twice. Sorry. The honors only program recognizes outstanding high school students who aspire to careers in medicine and medical research. During the 3-day conference may have heard from Nobel Prize winners, engaged in Q&A sessions, and even observed a live
043surgery. Following the event, she was also invited to join the Society of Torch and Laurel, an academic honors program for high achieving students. Congratulations to Mave on this remarkable achievement. Do we have any shout outs in the box? No. Okay. All right. Anyone else? All right. Seeing no lights lit, I will call for >> motion. Second. >> Okay. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any oppose? All right. Meeting adjourned. Thank you.