001I now call the May 19th, 2025 meeting of the Wallyford Walk School Board to order. In opening, as you are willing and able, please rise and join me in the pledge. Would you please state attend controlled here? Dr. Grande here. Mr. Henry here. Miller here. here. William here nine voting member present. Right. Thank you very much. Now we'll move on to the uh student representative report and Miss Corbett and Miss Lang please take away. Hello and good evening. Firstly we want to say humongous thank you to all across the district. It makes the start of national security appreciation how much value all incredible work for teachers and staff making. Moving on, spring is the time for music. On May 7th, our young music also played in their meanwhile west took part in the spring concert
002also on May 7th spring concert on May on second. On May 16th at West S, fun field days were had with students participating fund out. Then on May 21st, MP continue it annual of a make fun at the middle school. On May 16th, our eighth graders ended the dance ended the night annual eighth grade. on May 7th and May the middle school and children in the band and ensemble. Huge applause for student musicians and their dedicated director creating a beautiful game. The hardworking musicians from the middle school take the stage again on May 13th grade. On May 1st, students from the middle school jazz along the high school jazz and modern bands led up to stage singing and playing music across a variety of gen. Our students felt wow the audience for their talent and
003dedication. Music be kept on going in the high school aquarium as orchestra concert and the cool concert take stage on this Wednesday May 21st. Finally after that the weekly Wednesday performances conclude with the modern band heading down to media. Oh modern band and jazz band heading down to media to perform at dynical achievements across the board. obviously was spread but of the middle school speech debate had a dominant performance in their tournament April 29th and May 3rd and over at the high school teaching debate team had an incredible performance on April 26th and at the tournament of champions will continue nationals May 23rd to 24th in Chicago and NCA nationals 20th in de mo Iowa and finally the spring sport season is coming to a close with senior senior night throughout the May we want
004to say a huge congratulations to the boys soccer team for being undefeated in the Central League and winning third place championship on Wednesday girls softball team girls team and baseball team are heading playoffs with members of both girls and boys track team heading state on the second additionally the varsity boys and girls team are elected to speak today and qualify for national on so good luck to all of our we close out our final report. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone in the district that has supported us in our time at camping. So the last time thank you and good night. On behalf of the board, I want to thank you both. It was a pleasure having you here every month. I it's hard to believe that you're you're finishing up.
005I remember when uh last year this time when you were both named as the co- student representatives for so just on behalf of the board it's been great having you everyone I really appreciate you you know going out really uh collecting all the updates from the school district to not just us but public and and the community at large. So thank you both and I really want to wish you lots of luck plans are best. Okay, now moving on to the superintendent's report and I'm happy to say welcome Dr. Johnson who was first superintendent. Thank you. We have the last student report and my first superintendent report. So life is like this, right? It's uh hello and goodbye. Uh but but really appreciate the report and we're so excited for everything that will come in
006your future and I can't wait to be a graduation graduate you up on this. So thanks very much for great reports today. So my uh report really has three parts. all begin particularly with a focus on my entry point process as I'm spending the first 100 days getting to know the district and helping to formulate where we'll go together. What will be those next important steps that we take as a district? Then we'll have a report um uh actually uh an honory honoring of our retirees who are in the room right now. So retirees I apologize you'll have to listen to me for a little bit and then Dr. Baddock is stepping in for Dr. uh so that we can uh really congratulate each and every one of you on your tremendous service to this
007district and I'm very pleased that Miss Mosley will provide us with an overview of the preliminary budget for um 202526 and I think that'll be a very informative presentation. We look forward to your questions particularly on anything that I present and it's mostly. So without any further ado, I do want to begin by telling you a little bit about my 100, how it's going so far as I'm sort of entering into my third week of employment here in the district. And I just want to start by saying how much I appreciate the extraordinarily warm welcome that I have received from board members, administrators, teachers, parents, students, community members. I can't think of a place where I've just so immediately felt that sense of connection uh that sense of belonging that sense of hope uh for
008what we can do together and it's just been uh really rewarding already few few days together it's most likely I shared with the board my 100 day plan and it has three important components the first is really looking at documentation what can we produce as a school district about the systems of how do we describe our work so that it can continue on that it's not just about a person but it's about a system of of of operations that we put together. The second and critical component of my 100 day plan is uh you know just getting to sit down and talk with people and hear about what are the assets of this district, what are things that are sources of pride, sources of disappointment and what do we really need to do to focus
009on together to improve the student. And the final component is just observation. Being in schools, being at events are critically important to this work. So let me just break down all three components just a little bit more. Starting with the documentation. Before I began on May 1st, I reached out to the administrative team, many of whom are are over uh your shoulders uh at the long table and asked them for uh any documents that we had relating to six categories of the work that we do with them. started with assessment, curriculum and instruction, fiscal and asset management, human resources and professional development, leadership and governance and student support. And I just asked, "Show me what we have in the way of things like our our our fiscal audits or the capital planning that's been done
010or our professional development plans just so I could see in one place uh what are what do we what do we have what do we have to show uh for our work?" And no district is perfect. So I didn't expect that we would have each and every dot that I was seeking. And I appreciate the honesty of the team where they said this is just something we don't have yet. And the word yet has a lot of right. So it's something that we can work towards. And that's what I appreciated about what I heard from this leadership team. And what I continue to review as I conduct my entry. So for these entry interviews, I have sought out community leaders, municipal leaders, board members, uh the district's leadership team, uh parent groups, student groups, our
011bargaining unit association leadership, so the Worthmore educators association, our uh bus drivers association, instructional assistance association, uh to sit down with them as well as the faith leaders of this because I think they really have a pulse on our families and on uh our strengths and needs. Uh and then finally in June I'll have more focused conversations in the schools. So I've announced to all five schools really listening to the principles. So I appreciate them we're here tonight. I said to them when can I when can I meet with your teachers? Is it lunchtime? Is it before school? Is it after school? So, we've arranged a a a very convenient time for me to be in the schools uh so I can sit down and really hear directly from our teachers during the school day.
012And so, those those are planned and underway. And the last question that I ask everyone who I meet with is who else should I meet with? So, the list continues to grow. Uh right now I have 70 interviews scheduled. So, either have happened or will happen between now and the beginning of June. It has been fantastic to hear people's input on who we are as a district and again very important what do we need to do next to improve the student learning experience and then you know what I really want to name about that though is this board and I are strongly aligned I'm making sure that as I do this outreach who I speak with is very important and this board has pushed me in a good way right and I'm a willing pusher
013push you uh because this is my value as well that we need to make sure that I need to make that I'm listening to the most historically marginalized and whose voices are very important as I think about who are the students who we haven't yet who do we need to do even better and so some examples of that type of outreach are that this Wednesday Miss Williams and I will have dinner at the ABC house it's very important that I have a connection there um I learned from Dr. Tuck that we have uh 31 units in the uh Kinder Park um housing development. And so uh Dr. Tuck put me in touch with uh Mr. Young who runs the uh programs uh the the programmatic uh direction for um all of Kinder Park. And so
014um Dr. Tuck, I have a meeting uh scheduled coming up with him already. So I appreciate that lead. But it's that type of outreach that's so important and that tomorrow I'm meeting with the cultural provisions of student ambassadors who this board has heard from this. Those are some examples of that very intentional direct outreach that's necessary for me to make sure that my learning is influenced by those who we want to be. And then finally as I sort of round out what this 100 days is all about it's really about that observational piece about being in schools and seeing what's happening for our students. So, I set a goal that in my first five days on the job, I would get to all five schools and I did. Um, so that was a really great
015um opportunity to walk the schools with the principles and see what they see uh as we go through the buildings and to really um kind of begin to feel that unique difference in a good way about what's sort of special about every school. And I love that beginning and we've just built on it. So, every meeting that I have I try to have in the schools even if I forget. So, today I met with the new assistant principal at the middle school and I was waiting in my office. So I thought, "Oh yeah, right. You you said you were going to go to them." Thankfully, it was just the middle school I got up and walked out. Uh but um being visible, being present in the schools is important. And also being at the um
016you know, at at the events, so events, at award ceremonies, performances, and I promise I'm going to get to the West Field Day if it is ever rescheduled due to the rain or when it is rescheduled, but it will. No rain. That's what we're bringing. So on a more serious note, when I return next month, I look forward to bringing you some of my initial findings. Um, what am I beginning to kind of coales with and I have four categories that I'm already beginning to see fit together. The first are priorities that relate to the strategic plan. I told our cabinet on my first meeting with them that I strongly embrace the strategic plan that was developed in 2023 that will be the lifeblood of what we continue to do together. The second really important
017part though are those critical core district systems and functions that we know some more of them need to be built. They need to be in place for us to continue to grow together. We can't just work on the strategic plan that we don't have some of those underlying systems in place as well. But we need to be thoughtful so that we're not trying to take on too much. So I'll be thinking about what are the priority areas and just making sure I continue to pressure principles all the leadership team this board and others about what do we really see the next most work for us to do together. Uh the third area is around new commitments. Um what are those things that we have taken on that we have a responsibility to do well. I
018think about the new electronic devices policy one that is just non-negotiable. We have to do that. We do it well. is our responsibility to our students to make sure that and then the final category is just new challenges things that aren't mentioned in our strategic plan like artificial intelligence right that we just have no choice uh but to also um rise to the challenge rise to the opportunity last week u Dr. scale in delay and I had the chance to go listen to student ambassadors from the DCIU tell us about their experiences where they are and it's something that we just want know that we so I look forward to continue to update you about the strategic plan as we go forward but what I want to leave you with and very importantly is the
019students who we serve um and what I have noticed about what's unique about long for I just want to draw on a small moment we often ask our students to describe a small moment so I'm going to describe to you the small moment of being at the sixth grade concert last week. Now, most middle schools have a middle school concert. We can't have a middle school concert because we have so many students involved in music, which is such a tremendous asset that we have to do it by, right? Middle school auditorium, right? I sat in the front row because couldn't sit in the back. Um, and first they had the right string instruments, something beautiful in middle school. But here's the small moment. At the end of the orchestra's three pieces, the last piece they
020did actually was one with the chorus, but they had the chorus line up at the back of the auditorium start singing as they walked down to stand on the risers and then the music swelled as the orchestra and the chorus came together. I have been to a lot of small concerts. I have never been so moved. And in fact, it's a good thing I always carry a handkerchief with me. I won't lie because two nights later then I went to the SRS concert and I think Dr. Chuck kind of maybe knew that uh the music moves me because uh she uh you know very very publicly in a in a fun gestured way which I love handed me a box of tissues because uh the music of our children does move me and all that
021you are doing for our children deeply deeply touches me because I know you're touching them. So, that's my quick update on the first two and a half. I'll be hope not more longwinded, but next month I promise to be invited uh to to draw this in a little bit. I do though have a few updates for you. So, I'm not quite done yet. I still have a the mic is on. Mr. Henry hasn't turned me off just yet. Uh just a few highlights. Um, we had our annual, we had a new, uh, elementary chess challenge that got on. It was launched last week by one of our staff members who I'm so pleased that he took this on. We had students in grades kindergarten and first grade just playing for fun. Second, third uh, second
022through fifth played for points and NPE Z took the uh, took the award um for uh, the the highest points. So, they have a trophy and uh just want to say thank you to our PTO groups and volunteers who helped to make the group uh the event such a success. Next up, uh, Miss Laura Bannon, a K2 autistic support teacher at West was selected as the winner of the Delaware County Intermediate Unix making a difference uh for her tremendous uh efforts at, as her colleagues say, her extraordinary effort to promote acceptance and understanding and ensure the inclusion of children with all abilities. So, uh, Miss Bannon will be receiving her award during the 2025 Making a Difference, uh, dedication dinner next Thursday, May 29th at Penrest High School. And Dr. Gan Sandberg and I will
023be there to, uh, to cheer her along. Um, I also want to point out SRS teacher Brian Eubert, who was recognized, as you all know, we have implemented the 95% groups uh, word study program at phonics and word study program at our elementary schools. and the 95% group puts out a newsletter to you know highlight great work happening across the eastern uh region and there was one teacher featured in uh just this year and it talked about his amazing work and uh it's really inspiring to read and see uh an SRS teacher just being so highly uh highly uh laed for his work. Um second to last uh and very importantly uh Dr. Megan Mcola and her team have organized a training for parents to help them recognize and respond to warning signs of suicide.
024This uh there'll be a parent training that will follow the same curriculum what is taught to our seventh graders and our 10th graders. So, I'm sharing this information tonight in the hopes that we get as many parents as possible to attend this training to learn what their children are about looking for and responding to any signs from warning of suicidality in our children um and really knowing how to respond. So, there'll be uh two sessions that are held on May 20th. One from 9:00 to 10:30 in the morning, a second session from 5:15 to 6:45. And if I piqu your interest, this is something that you'd like to know more about, uh, please look for more information on our website under announcements and opportunities. Then finally, sincerely guarantee this is my last. If you haven't
025done so yet, strongly encourage you to download our uh our new app uh the district app. It's uh easily used on your phone. show you our upcoming smart calendar, news, sports schedules, more uh I'm finding it really easy. I know as a parent I'm trying to find out when is that game, when did they get rescheduled. Uh so we hope that for athletics, for events, for calendars, keep a closer tab on the great things happening for our students. So with that, my any questions from the board is to call going to um also help to hand out the the right. Oh, good evening everyone. It's loud. Um, I would like to begin by acknowledging, as was stated by Dr. Johnston, that these remarks are typically delivered by our human resources director. Unfortunately, she is out
026sick and unable to be here tonight. I'm honored, however, to deliver them on her behalf. Dr. Selini devoted a great deal of energy to ensuring her words captured the tireless work of this exceptional group of employees. With that said, I would like to extend congratulations to all of you joining us tonight to celebrate your retirement. Thank you as well to those of you who have accompanied our retirees and graciously and lovingly shared them with us throughout their careers. This year's group of 16 retirees has contributed a combined total of 415 years of service to the Wallingford Swathmore School District. On behalf of the school board of directors, the superintendent, and the entire district, we thank you. Our first honore this evening is, and I'd just like to say when I call your name, if you're
027present or if there's a family member here present representing you, you can have them come up to um receive your plaque from Dr. Johnston. Our first honorey this evening is Pat Sharp. Pat has been with us for 11 years, the shortest tenure among this year's retirees. Before joining WSSD, Pat was a therapeutic support specialist for 5 years and a special education teacher at Avon Bro Charter School. She started at WSSD and a learning support role at the middle school before transferring to the high school. Pat brought all of her previous experience to the halls of Strath Haven High School, offering individualized support and encouragement to students and their families. Thank you, Pat, for your dedication to our students and families. Our next honore is Pette Slow, speaker. Pette has been advocating for her students at
028Strath Haven High School for 18 years, primarily working in the emotional support program. She built a patient, collaborative, enthusiastic, and positive environment for her students both inside and outside the classroom. She often worked with alternative school program, helping families reframe what initially felt like a difficult recommendation. Her compassion and passion helped families see the value in the supports offered. Pette also served as a mentor to new teachers, helping them understand the importance of integrating students into general education classrooms while providing the necessary support. She will be deeply missed by both students and colleagues. Thank you, Pette, for your unwavering commitment. Our next honore is Harry Jordan. Harry began his 19-year career at Strath Haven as a dean's aid before transitioning to an instructional assistant. He also supported our facilities department during the summer. Harry built
029strong relationships with students and staff, always bringing enthusiasm and pride to his work. His contributions were formally recognized when the student body dedicated the 2024 yearbook to their beloved Mr. Jordan. Harry, thank you for everything. You will be missed. Our next honore is Kim Oranovitz. Kim retired in November after 20 years in the district. She started as a special education teacher at West and later transferred to SRS. Kim supported her colleagues by serving on the elementary report card committee and the data team. Beyond the classroom, she sponsored the knitting club, homework club, chapron events, and taught in the extended school year program. She guided both students and parents through the IEP process with care and clarity. Kim, thank you for your dedication to so many families. Our next honory is Robera Cole. Roberta worked in
030the district for 22 years starting in 2002 as an instructional assistant. She also served as a bus aid and worked with the summer Panthers program. Robera was always willing to give her time whether hopping on a bus after a long day or returning on Friday nights to support students at football games. Her presence is missed across the district. Thank you so much. Our next honory is Susan Knight. For 23 years, Susan was a cornerstone of Wes, most recently supporting third grade. She has been described as the ultimate collaborator and lifelong learner, receiving praise from students, parents, and colleagues. Her evaluations consistently highlighted her positivity, engagement, reflection, and creativity. She made her classroom a safe and supportive space and brought learning to light through real world connections. Susan also supported colleagues through her work on the
031math instructional team, the buddies and fitness pals programs, and various clubs and events. Thank you, Susan, for all you've given. Our next honory is John Link. John has taught taught science at Strap Haven for 23 years. His love for biology and ecology shown through both his teaching and his resume, which includes service as a sergeant and EMT lieutenant for the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol. His evaluations consistently highlighted his planning, classroom environment, and communication. One noted that he communicates verbally and non-verbbally, creating a classroom filled with warmth and harmony. Thank you, John, for your dedication to our students. Our next honore is Marty Mortarelli. Is Marty here? I I practiced that. Was that right? I spelled it out phonetically on my paper. Marty, I I didn't want to say it wrong. I tried. Did I get
032it right? Oh, okay. Okay. Yay. Okay. Marty has been a teacher in WSSD for 23 years in addition to six earlier years before taking time off to raise her children. She was known for establishing clear routines, encouraging student ownership of learning, and fostering a positive work environment. She frequently opened her classroom to colleagues for lunch and helped build staff camaraderie, which we know is super important. Marty, your energy and warmth will be missed. Thank you for all you've done. Our next honore is Barb Rudy. Before retiring in February, Barb spent 27 years at NPE teaching both special and general education. She helped parents navigate the IEP process with compassion and organized Thanksgiving and winter drives to support families in need. Barb set high expectations for herself and for her students. She mentored teachers, sponsored clubs,
033and got involved in every opportunity for growth. And Barb, we This is from Dr. Seleni. Barb, we hope your retirement means fewer jury duty notices. I guess she was out quite a few times for jury duty. So, thank you, Barb. This is another one I had to phonetically write out. Kathy Schwarzik. Get it right? Somebody's nodding. Yes. Kathy began her career as an instructional assistant 27 years ago and later became the attendance clerk at SRS. She consistently praise was consistently praised for her proactive approach and calm demeanor, greeting everyone with a warm smile and helping others beyond her job description. Kathy, your welcoming presence at SRS will be dearly missed. Sharon Ardinstall. Sharon retired in July after 30 years as an administrative assistant. She served three principles at SRS and was known for her dependability,
034editorial skills, and deep knowledge of district procedures. Her presence made the main office welcoming and her legacy lives on through those with whom she worked. Sharon tragically passed away earlier this year. Because Sharon is long no longer with us, we would like to extend a special thanks for her incredible service. And I ask that we take a moment of silence to honor her. There is anyone here from Sharon's family, you may come up for her plaque. Otherwise, we will make sure it gets to the family. Our next honore is Patty Diaperio. Patty spent 32 years in WSSD in various roles, eventually becoming supervisor of transportation. Her work days began before dawn and ended only after the last student was safely home. She helped coordinate snow day decisions and even persuaded our former superintendent to drive
035a van during a driver shortage. Her levelheaded approach and insider knowledge were invaluable. Patty, thank you for your extraordinary commitment to getting it right every day. Thank you. Our next honore, this 13 for those of you who may not be counting. Our next honore is Kevin Clancy. Kevin Clancy, our very own Iron Man, used only 14 and a half sick days in his 34 year career. He taught health and physical education, served as a dean, and coached winter track and football, a role he will thankfully continue. Kevin was deeply involved in curriculum development and technology integration. A former observation noted his meticulous planning and enthusiasm, echoing what he wrote in his 1991 application, "The teacher coach must display as much enthusiasm for classroom teaching as he does on the field." Kevin, thank you for the
036incredible legacy you leave behind. Our next honory is Stacy Gone. Stacy began her 34-year career as a long-term substitute, and thousands of students have benefited ever since. She made learning Spanish engaging through pen pal and video exchange programs with students in Spain. Her evaluations praised the high regard students had for her and the enjoyment she brought to teaching. She also contributed outside the classroom through recycling efforts, theater support, and as a longtime yearbook adviser. Stacy, your legacy in the world language department will not be forgotten. Thank you. Our next honore is Pat Cronin. Pat, a third grade teacher at SRS for 35 years, has always stepped up for curriculum initiatives from math their way to equity and STEM before STEM was even a thing. He developed units on maple syrup, maple sugaring, not maple syrup
037sugaring, maple sugaring and storytelling through quilts and championed early internet use in classrooms. Pat also earned the district's perfect attendance award twice. Your innovation and consistency have had a long and lasting impact. Thank you on behalf of the district. Our final honore this evening is Jane Urban. Over her 37year career, Jane taught in every building except the middle school. She led the early strengths program and engaged parents by inviting them to the first evening lesson, fostering important connections. Jane always acknowledged her colleagues roles in her successes embodying humility and community. Jane, your support for students and their families will be missed by all at NPE and beyond. Thank you. This concludes the recognition of our retirees. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for putting students first and showing up each day with with
038care and dedication. It truly takes a village and each of you has played a vital role in raising generations of children. Please join me in giving these wonderful individuals one more round of applause. At this time, unless the board would like to speak, I invite all the retirees to the hallway for a group photo. And don't forget your swag on the way out. Thank you. So, the final part of my presentation for tonight is actually to turn to Miss Mosley for that uh preliminary budget report for fiscal year 26. My apologies. So good evening everyone. Um I first want to start by congrat congratulating all of our retirees for their service in the district. Uh my name is Dana Mosley and I am the business administrator. Today I will be presenting the 2025 2026 budget.
039Uh for those who frequently watch or attend our finance committee meeting. This presentation will mimics the presentation that was presented on May 14th. Um there is some additional information based off questions and dialogue from the finance committee meeting as well as some uh emails I received from community members and stakeholders. Um, I would like to thank those community members and stakeholders who often reach out to gain a better understanding, insight, or clarity regarding the district's finances. Um, if you don't often attend or watch the finance committee meetings, I would encourage anyone to watch those recordings on the district's YouTube channel. Uh, we discuss every aspect of the district's finances. Specifically, we have been discussing the proposed budget since January 2025. Um I also at this time want to mention if you have watched those finance
040community meetings you uh are probably aware of the issues that have been plaguing our er grant. Um I would like to give an update and also acknowledge Dr. Lesie Pratt for her hard work over the last three weeks. She has worked with Dr. Stanland to submit a financial expenditure report and I said based off the the communications in our finance committee meetings we were expecting to forfeit almost $800,000. However, due to her hard work, the district on May 22nd will actually receive $672,000 that we were expecting not to receive. So, I did want to acknowledge Dr. Pratt for all your commitment to get that done. There it is. Uh, so displayed here is the agenda for the for the presentation tonight. I categorize every component to try to simplify it. Um, we're going to start
041by what's new or will be in the 2526 budget, what's different in the 2526 budget, total estimated expenditures, and total estimated revenue. Uh, what's new or will be? Um, first and foremost, we have a newly hired superintendent in 2030. Uh, there were amendments made to several senior cabinet individual contracts. Uh, the district did board approve, settle, and board approved the WSBFPA and act 93 compensation plan. And there's the anticipated settlements of the team stairs exempt and confidential compensation plan. Um while those three last three the teams exempt and confidential have not yet been settled this budget does reflect projected increases cost within the parameters that the business office has been given. Um, also employee benefits confirmation the PES contribution rate increased to 34% from 33.9%. Um, uh, with the existing salary data that's.1% with about
042$45,000. Um, so just wanted to give that for perspective. The district medical cost uh, increase 5.76%. And our dental rates also increased 6.28%. Uh from an operational standpoint, there's the anticipated approval of the 10-year capital plan. Um if you recall, at the December finance committee meeting, we uh presented the fiscal 24 audit. And at the conclusion of that audit, the business office recommended to the board and in January, the board did approve committing funds for new debt service uh as it relates in connection to the uh anticipated capital plan. So why the 2526 proposed tax increase does not include funding for the capital plan um the approval of that and the project projected schedule um is imperative as it will determine the funding strategy necessary. So more specific details regarding the capital plan I would
043encourage the public to watch the May 4th find of facilities and finance committee. Uh next we have here new positions and the reason these positions are specifically under what's new is that this is all considered new money. Um, and just to reiterate, as discussed in every finance committee, meaning all personnel positions discussed or mentioned, reflect the total cost of the district, not just salary. I wanted to make that clear. Um, and school district business, it's a rule of thumb to calculate benefit cost at 63% of the projected salary. Um, that includes pasers, which again is 34%. Um, employer taxes, so FICA, Social Security, that's 7.65% as well as the budget for full family medical plan. Um also mentioned in the finance committee meeting when we um budget for any vacancy depending on the classification of
044the employee budget a certain amount to afford any teacher vacancy it's master step five for any support staff vacancy it's um step four on their appropriate schedule for any act 93 administrative position it's year five in the salary range I did want to highlight specifically the two positions that are highlighted in blue supervisor of instructional technology Um creating this position may help reduce professional service part in this area. At time that's often outsourced. However to realize those savings this position needs to be established first. Uh the IT director has already created the job description functions responsibility scope of work. So again we are expecting once that position is implemented um and have been established we will see some some savings there. And the procurement position another one this is a position the district used to
045have a purchasing person. I'm not particularly sure when that provision went away or why. Um, however, currently the district does not practice practice competitive bidding. A lot of the times any contract that's presented to the district, it's usually with the third parties proposed rate or cost and usually that's what's accepted. Um, however, going through the process of procurement, advertising publicly for services and having companies be awarded. Um you can also guarant you're you're guaranteeing you're getting the most fiscally responsible price of companies from all over the country have the opportunity to bid. Um which again when they have to be more competitive you'll find companies will usually lower their prices. So again uh this is the position that we're expecting to really help save the district a lot of money by going through this form
046of process. Uh next what's different in the budget? Um here we have some positions that were external third party that we were paying for professional services now are being brought on as internal positions. We have a middle school and high school athletic trainer. Uh we were able to reallocate all the professional service dollars associated with that service. So the net increase including all salary and benefits to the district is about $25,000. Uh behavioral health as well uh to behavioral health counselors. We reallocated all professional service dollars there and the net cost in the district again including salary and benefits of about $40,000. And then two more uh non-certified nurses. We were able to reallocate some professional dollars there. The net increase to the district is about $80,000. However, the the district's need for nurses also
047increased from the uh um to student IEPs and department. Next is the continuation of positions and plan. Uh the proposed budget originally only includes three toes. Uh the budget now reflects six 3A and and prem. I wanted to mention that the seven toes that were included in the current budget. Everything that was communicated to the public and to the board. So that that was a one-time position. It wasn't that administration was necessarily trying to take those resources away. Again, that was what was communicated. Um the current leadership team is focusing on a long-term plan model. um which includes instruction coaches which is basically like a teacher for the teachers um having one in every building. Um Dr. Johnson provided significant detail of that model at the May finance committee. So again I'll encourage everyone to
048watch the May 14th fin meeting and then just some larger operational expenditure changes. Uh there was a $518,000 reduction in our uh education service agreement obligation. Um those are uh legally binding contract that the district have with students who may be placed by the district or for that matter. Um last year this year's budget included 1.7 million with 1.4 million already committed. We also want to kind of have that buffer for any ESAs that may be throughout the year. Um for the fiscal 26 budget, we're budgeting 1.2 million with 975,000 already committed um with the PSA that have already been board approved. Um, we also removed the planned capital transfer. I will explain that in more detail in a few, but that was $400,000. That's not reflected in this budget. And then lastly, another large
049operational expenditure that changed with the reduction in charter enrollment. We had several students uh graduate, so they no longer have that um that expense. Um, we did have some students also enroll in charters, but we also had two students that paid back to the district. So, that call shifted. And then lastly, analyzing the fiscal baseline. Um when we talked about the proposed and the final budgets last year, uh the 2425 budget was being established as the district's uh baseline for a multi-year budget cycle. Um again, we we discussed a lot of these things in great detail at the uh finance committee meetings, but because expenditures were historically coded incorrectly, it was difficult to gauge um the appropriate budget for some expenditures. So at the final budget meeting June, we talked about how because we're trying
050to establish a baseline, some of our expenditures may be budgeted a little high, they may be budgeted a little low. However, we need to establish that so we can work on establishing a ballet budget cycle. The plan there is for the district to be able to provide at least two three years in advance what the projected tax increase may be for our community. Um we also again like I said talked about correcting a lot of expenditure from 22 24. The a business office also conducted two cost analysis this year from January. April. Thank you. Um uh and again that allows us to really look at budget to actions for the year. Um we will do one more um cost analysis for our student services department and because they are the largest uh single-handed budget in
051the district as well as they're the most volatile uh budget. Again things that happen throughout the year um requirement services that we have to provide things may get added. So again, we want to analyze their budget time and then as I mentioned the reason to remove we remove the plan budgetary transfer because the goal is at the district looking to approve this uh 10ear capital plan any access funds in the current budget but going forward it's going to be the recommendation of administration that those funds be added to that debt service committee bucket that we already created. anticipating use that will already have money allocated aside for the debt service debt service payment. So here are the proposed expenditures for the 2526 school year. I have them outlined by object code and that is in
052accordance to PDP's coding structure. Uh 100s are salaries. Um again you see there the 2.5 total increase that is due to the settle settlement compensation and anticipated uh settlement compensation plan as well as the added position benefit cost. Again that's a natural increase due to the result of the salary increases as well as the 5.76% increase to medical. That's a total increase of about $1.8 million professional services. You see there was a decrease there of about 154,000. Again, that's due to the district shifting some of those professional service contracts to internal positions. Also, the benefit of this year um have to give a acknowledge as well all of our budget managers who been doing a great job of trying to find ways to reduce costs or accelerate costs. So, again, we have been implementing a
053lot of contracts where those increases or decrease or we don't have any cost. Uh purchase property purchase services uh 400 again benefited from locking in some contract. There's about a $19,000 reduction from last from this current year. Other purchase services. Um again, that $248,000 reduction is main charter enrollment. That's where those expenditures lie. Supply cost, we have a $247,000 increase. It's about 5.8% increase. Um however, I do also want to point out for the property line. Um there's about a $500,000 increase there. uh the business the business office did review the district's current capitalization policy and in accordance to that policy anything any single uh supply that's less than $5,000 should not capitalize what actually were collected on the audit. So there were things that were being coded there. So we were able to actually
054eliminate those and move those to the 600. So consider our property um our 700 line actually went down 500,000 and our waterfall home went up 227,000. That's actually a great reflection um for the work that like I said the budget has been doing. Our 800s the main cost reflection there is where our education service agreement payments are reflected and you see that $590,000 deductions as I mentioned earlier $518,000 but that was and then 900 is our debt service payments. Again our debt service savings are just about $70,000 higher than they were this year next year. what's reflected specifically there is from the principal payment. So between the 800s and 900 are your interest and principal payment and then as I mentioned below the transfer to capital we are not proposing that the district does that.
055We are recommending that going forward any um excess funds are added to that fund balance. So the proposed total expenditure is $105,167,26752. Um next and again this was a slide that was added that was not presented at the finance committee meeting. Again this came out of dialogue from that that meeting. I wanted to display what the taxable assessed values are for Wing for 12 school district. It consists of four municipalities that are listed which you see in the first column are the assessed values that have that are provided to us by the county. Again she did not determine assess values for any property. The county does that and the next column is what those same assessed values were 2425 see the difference and then also reflected in the law of value. So again, the district
056can only charge taxes on a tactical assessed value. Uh because there will be decrease decrease to property to come taxes, someone filing that they feel that their property assessed too high. Um again, the district does have a right to intervene again, but it can come false doing every single time. So you kind of have to like pick and choose which which which appeals are really working for the district. So again, I wanted to reflect this slide just to again this our assessed value was projected to remain consistent in the capital plan borrowing study. So again I wanted to provide that information. What this actually mean if the district was not to uh impose a tax increase the district will still generate $174,000 less because our assessed value decreased. So our tactical assets value that total
057amount that's circled there that 2.592 billion is what one millillage is is valued at. So kind of just multiply that times your mill tax bill. That's kind of how you come up with the total um tax amount of revenue that the district. Uh the proposed tax increase for next year's budget is 2.79%. Um that would change metrop and rose valleys milit rates to 30.9 and relative to swathmore to 31.1529 relative swath more have a higher military due to the cost of operating cost all districts kind of share that with that u that responsibility charge to bucket law I also wanted to provide a historical uh context so people can see this is for the last 10 years what the act one index was set for wilder saworn school district again that's determined by Q it's
058usually provided around late August of September of the year um the third column is the tax increase that the district actually approved making in comparison to what happened the six lines that are highlighted represent where represent the years took an inception um to the act one index um that also referend allowed for specific uh cost, special education expenditures, retirement contributions or debt service required prior to 2006. So any loan prior to uh 2006 to do that. But I also wanted to highlight if look at this case specifically this year and what we're proposing next year for the two millillage tax increases in the last 10 years for the district. I think that really shows fiscal responsibility. Like I said, we're doing a better job of analyzing district financing, profit planning, and looking into programs in
059the future. So, the total projected revenues um for next year are for local is $80,614,900. Again, that total amount reflected there includes the 2.79 tax increase. I do want to specifically mention some other things that we have we do frequently talk about in the finance committee meeting. There was a reduction in our transfer taxes. Again, that's just due to pure home sales in the the county. So, we also talk about um that is one of those volatile revenue sources. So, those that area we want to be more conservative and aggressive. Um we also lowered the delinquent taxes um from 850,000 to 650,000. uh the district had a 99.6 collection rate this year. So again, that means we don't have a lot of outstanding delinquent taxes. So that's a good thing. And then as well as
060there we have the interest on our u earned interest the same. Again, we know for the last two years specifically the district has benefited from the current interest rates. However, interest rates have already started to decrease. So we're not going to bring in as much interest revenue this year. But again, that's historically prior to the last two including this year last three years. the district average of about $35,000 a year in interest. So again, we don't necessarily want to budget too high because historically that the district doesn't bring any amount. So we kept that consistent. Uh but like I said, your total projected local revenues are 80,614,900. Uh projected state revenues total 22,594,585. Um but again these most of this information is provided to by the state and some of it based on uh the
061governor proposed budget. However we very conservative with those most of those allocations we kind of kept it the same. Um there we were only doing maybe a 1% one and a half% increase anyway but against conservative we're budgeting that we may not receive anything there. Um the largest increase was due to our state property tax reduction which we talked about at our finance meeting. That's based off unfortunately the gambling that happens in the state. That's kind of how they they actually come up with that application. So Dr. Scamman says we see more people lost. So their loss of our benefit I guess. Um we did receive an extra $293,46.76. Um the state provides that allocation on May 1st. Um and then that impacts our homestead discount. I'll explain that on the next slide. also year
062two of our school and safety uh grant. Um that cost specifically will cover year two of the uh navigation 360 um manage security management system as well as these two um social security and the retirement uh subsidy payments from the state where they reimburse the all district cost. That increase is due to our um our personnel call increasing. So again, more personnel costs more for the district can earn as far as reimbursement facilities. Um again, I just wanted to highlight Homestead here. Um we talked about this in great detail at the November 20 finance committee meeting. We outlined responsibilities of the district, the county, and also residents. Um again, just remind people how it is calculated. We take the allocation that the state gives us up to 3 million a little over 3 million. We
063divide that by the number of approved homestead. So this year we had 5,296 approved properties. Last year we had 5,227. So 69 new properties. Divide those two numbers. So the homestead discount is $575.98. If you're in if you're in Swathmore, it's about $5 higher. And again, how we determine how much of your assessed value that you're not charged tax is simply divide that by. So if you if you have homestead, you'll look at your bill. you'll see where it'll say your total assess value and then it'll minus the portion that $13,000 that you're not paying tax on and that's how you receive the discount. I do want to mention it is a good thing that the district receives more money um because again this is how it's calculated. So if the district's allocation does not
064increase but the number of approved properties does that will naturally lower the discount that we receive. So I just want to make people aware of that. And then for our total projected federal revenues, it's $42,461. Um, again here, the ESER grants expired September 30th of 2024. So that's no more. I highly doubt it will ever come back. Um, so most of our federal program, our federal uh dollars are simply our title um consolidated application. We are simply budgeting for the same allocation amount that we received for fiscal 25. And then when we say schoolbased access program, the district is actually drawing down on medical access funds that the district had and we're utilizing those funds to cover the cost of the new support high school teacher as well as the central office call for managing
065federal program. And then lastly, um again to help uh balance the budget, the administration is making recommendations to live fund balances. Again, just for education purposes, the district now as of January have four different committed fund balances. One for self insurance, one for retirement, one for millage, and one for debt service. Again, those committed fund balances are what districts are allowed to create outside of your unsigned fund balance. Your unassigned fund balance really just like your savings account. Um, so districts who have a budget over 19 million are allowed to have up to 8% of their budget. So again, you can see there what our unassigned fund balance was June 30th is a little bit a little less than 8.2 million. So the committed amount you see there at 4.477 billion has no bearings on
066that. It is the administration recommendation to utilize 500,000 from our self insurance committed bucket to help cover that medical increase cost. We talked about that 5.76% instead of imposing that cost on our employees to utilize those fun balance. And then as well utilizing um a little over a million from that 1.5 uh the district set aside to help mitigate our offset taxing. Again, where I said debt service, it says to determine because the district has not yet approved the capital plan. Um but again, uh we already have money set aside for the projected first year borrowing. So again, once the district or the board approves that capital, we do have the funds already start right away. Um again, said, "I would really encourage anyone to watch the funding meeting where we play those following studies
067where it show based off of the the plan that will be selected in the projected schedules how we need to pay them uh those tax increases to cover that. But that that Thank you, Miss Mosley. Um since we had here goes up there question So the tax generator or the the value the amount of money generated based off the um tax assessed value. So it's just like your property if a house is that one amount you multiply that times the type of tax if the value of that property decreases naturally it works the same way. So because the overall taxition decrease even at the same we could bring in revenue but tax down. So that was the time I made war to raise taxes and just use the same village with our new tax. a
068quick comment. Um, I just want to thank you mostly. You know, I think I said this in the finance committee as well, but I'll I'll say it as well. You know, one of the things that you've been doing past couple of years is trying to establish the fair budget baseline. And that is allowing a much more careful level of scrutiny over past something that shown some benefits here. I think it's allowed us to really look at responsive budget. Thank you for both putting all that work in to establish the baseline, putting that work in with our budget manager to scrutinize spending and find places for savings. Then I I will just say as well that I think this it's a proposed budget that again really tries to mitigate as much as possible the tax increase
069there while also at the same time I think does help us look to the future as well. So while this isn't part of our 10ear capital plan discussion, it is certainly related because I think one of the things that's important is really create a good map for district really tries to understand what the are three years from now, five years from now, 10 years from now so that we can appropriately plan. I think a lot of the work offense and I want to thank you. Uh, I also want to add thanks to the office as well. Thank you for all that and I'll remind everyone here everyone watching home watch all again time I know I I also recommend anyone's interested watch goel so thank Okay, great. That was great. Uh, well done to our
070next great we're done at the board. Okay, but we're going to move on now to uh board announcements. The board did meet in executive session prior to this board meeting. We now move on to audience recognition in response to items for action on the agenda. uh we will have time later in the uh in the program for uh items not uh this is the time on the agenda where we give an opportunity for public comment to items on the agenda times and later comments. As a reminder, public comment is a time for district residents and taxpayers to speak to the board about an issue that is before the board or may come before the board. It is a time for us to listen and give perspective and experiences with our community. While we can't answer
071questions at the meeting, there's always opportunity to follow after the meeting. Everybody knows if we are to a strict three minute time limit, we give you a warning when you have one minute left. Uh and just another reminder to go up, please. Anyone here would like to speak? All right. the minutes. Next item for action on the agenda tonight is approval of the minutes of the April 28th, 2025 regular board meeting. Do I have a motion for approve? What's that? Thank you. Do I have a second? All right. Thank you. Uh any discussion on the minutes? All right. Mrs. D. Hi. Dr. Grande. Hi. Mrs. Goldberg. Hi. M. Miller. Hi Watson. Hi. Hi. Williams. Hi. Mr. Smith. Hi. Mr. Henry. Hi. Motion passes. Narrow. Thank you. Moving on to board committee reports. I'll remind everybody
072the educational affairs facility and finance and policy committees are all available on our district YouTube channel. U watch watch them whenever you like your convenience. Moving on to the wellness adviser Dr. Pennsylvania School Board Association. This is the priority a program called not been funded by our state. This is a request. Have our members of our community have made this request already of our board members right to governorship and your state legislative representative and ask them the supporting that initiative. That's something that greatly has federal park uh jeopardized uh $2 million of previously spending uh produced by that governor and leaders from seven states uh filed lawsuit reinate this funding and these working states that will have the opportunity with a funding that we were promised. So, we're going to thank Dr. and talked about
073that, but we're going to be able to add that back into our budget. The money that was originally promised, we're happy that that Thank you. Moving on to Delaware Council. call in Mr. unit. Uh the only update there next is June 4th. Finally, Delaware County School Boards personnel. We have time 10 items for action personnel. Are there any items on this list that anyone on the board would like to separate from the left? Seeing none, we have resignations and requirements. Appointments. Prove of access. Direct payments. Change of position. 2024 2025 conference requests. 2025 summer school program. 2024 2025 activities supplementals substitute teacher service ESPA snow day all items in the section are as attached or described in the agenda do I have a motion to approve over a second uh any discussion on items under
074personnel I'll term Over. Hi Dr. Grande. Hi. Hi. Hi. What's that? I motion pass. Thank you. Moving on to policy. We have three items for action and policy. Are there any policies on this list that anyone would like to separate from the rest? You have policies for first reading, policies for second reading, policies, second reading. There is also uh administrative regulation. I have a motion to approve. Thank you. Do I have any discussion? Dr. Grande. Hi. Hi. Miller. Hi. Hi. What's that Williams? I Smith. Hi. Mr. Henry. Hi. Motion pass 9. Thank you. Moving on to curriculum. We have four items in curriculum. Are there any items on the list any like to separate from the rest? Okay. We have Pollet Software Solutions LLC, Turn It In LLC Renewal, Great Lines Arts and Letters, Out
075of State and Overnight Field Trips. Do I have a motion to approve? Thank you. Smith, please. I uh very much want to send a thank you uh for myself and have the report to our elementary program the benchmark program and the arts and letters program for our K through five lit program in our this has been a a long process for us by scientific reading even literature in our for our elementary. We are thrilled to say that today because of our teachers and the hard work that they put into piloting uh answering lots of questions about programs, reaching out to uh publishers programs and uh surveying their students. They are very happy to agree uh recommend letters uh beginning with next school year and uh there will be a significant amount of professional development starting
076this year and throughout the summer. So, we're uh very excited uh to bring this one forward and I know this is an area that our community has been exceptionally uh involved in and caring about providing the best program for our students. So, uh we're uh very happy to have recommended to Thank you, Mr. Justin. Thank you for your patience. The other Seeing none delay. Hi Dr. Grande. Hi Over. Hi Miller. Wattman. Hi. Hi. William. Hi. Governor Smith. Hi. Mr. Henry. Hi. Motion passes. Mero. Great. Thank you. Moving on to student services. We have four items for approval. Student services. Are there any items on this list? Anyone on the board would like to separate from the rest? Seeing none, we have uh educational service agreements listed. We have uh contract contract with Joan. I have
077a motion to approve second. Any discussion? Hi Dr. Grande. Hi Goldberg. Hi Watford. Hi M. Hi William. Hi Dr. Smith. Hi. Mr. Henry. Hi. Motion passes narrow. Thank you. Moving on to financing facilities. We have 15 items for approval and finance facilities. Are there any items on the list anyone on the board would like to separate from the rest? Okay, we have bills paid to vendors from April 1st through April 30th, 2025. We have financial statements April 1st through April 30th, 2025. Treasures report April 1st through 30. Budget transfers homestead farmstead exclusion resolution. Improved service renewal contract. My school bus hardland school solutions contract with Whistler Pearlstein contract Fox child. Apple lease agreement. The Dell lease agreement. The removal of obsolete technology equipment with my favorite company. Removal of obsolete technology equipment defenders. BCIU internet
078service whenever preliminary budget for 5.6 that's all of them. All right. Do I have a motion to approve second? Thank you for saying thank you discussion. One uh note on the preliminary budget that I I should have noted earlier. Just a reminder for the public of process. So we'll vote on the budget tonight. That is not adoption of the budget. That's adoption of first reading of the final budget will be back before the finance committee June back. that should allow us to use to expand our services. This is where a cost per transaction is charged to the uh so that's 4.95% plus is our plan to split the costs so that the district I just wanted to clarify that actual budgetary document that's been proposed final budget budget when it not written correctly. It was
079it's not correct on the agenda but the document that's actually being proposed is a proposed That's clarification. Thank you for that. So that is further delay. Hi Dr. Grande. Hi. Hi Miller. Hi. Hi Williams. Hi. I Mr. Henry I motion pass not chair thank you we have three items under other uh and there are there any items on the those three items anyone anyone on the board would like to separate from the rest we have the election of the Delaware county intermediate unit board members board secretary election and board treasurer appointment I have a motion to approve Welcome back to discussion on Mr. B. I had one my question about this last quite a correct you're you have to you have to actually decide who's going to do the job. Yeah, I thought as much.
080So I'm reading that Uh might I suggest you do first A and B and then C afterwards? I was going to suggest. Okay. So somebody move to separate C. Thank you. Uh let's let's all vote on the uh on Mr. Miller's movement. Move to separating. We'll get separated. You're laughing in my ear. I know. For sure. Okay. Uh so move. We're going to separate C. We have a motion to approve it by A and B. Dr. Grande. Hi. Hi. Hi hi Williams. Hi Mr. Smith. Hi Mr. Henry. Hi. Motion passes non to thank you. Okay. Moving on to item C for treasure appointment. Um, we're going to board president call for nomination position for treasure for first. I have any nominations for you have any more nominations, right? Uh, nominees. Hi, Dr. Grande. Dr. Mr.
081Miller Williams, Mr. Henry. Motion passes 9 to zero. We get it done. You get it done. All right. Now, moving on to uh audience recognition for items not on the agenda. Uh I don't need to repeat myself. uh all the stuff I said before we stick to the three minute time limit. Uh we warn you when we have one minute uh mind everybody who want to speak president does anyone would like to speak um anybody have any old business before I adjourn I have one last thing because it is our superintendent's first meeting. I usually would write up some comments welcome welcome to me into our district. But I was saved from having to do that because somebody from Massachusetts reached out to me and wrote me a letter to board a letter. Don't look
082over there. Don't look over there, Dr. Johnson. And so I'm just going to read this letter uh as a welcome to him. And the board doesn't know about this as a surprise. So I will send this but I will I just wanted to read this letter you and everyone in char um dear chair Henry and members of the Wallingford Swathmore school board. I want to tell you how lucky you are to have Russell Johnson as your new superintendent. You will all look back on this is one of the best decisions that you have made. My name is Matt Hills. I'm the vice chair of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and former chair of the Newton Newton school committee. With Russell, you are getting a superintendent who is deeply knowledgeable about and committed
083to good policy. He is driven to do the right thing for students and develop and execute excellent policy that addresses key student ability to articulate a vision, develop a strategy, and organize his team and stakeholders in order executed and thinks through what the data means for all students, including the most vulnerable. He is open to hearing all perspective and very comfortable making a difficult decision without drama or hindering. He communicates. He bounces things off board members not only because it's time for a vote, but just because he wants to get feedback and buy it throughout the process. And is comfortable articulating reality regardless of whether it's good news or bad news. Doesn't spin things. Something is going well. He lays out what will be done even better going forward. Something is not going well. Then
084without pointing fingers he lays out a pattern to make. He is keen to speak with and listen to and easy to disagree on. He is also excuse me a wonderful person as decent a person as I've worked with. I've never considered the possibility that we wouldn't have Russell as commissioner and you had our board looking forward to years ago. Our loss in Massachusetts is your gain to the board. You are getting a leader with whom need to develop a terrific relationship with the educators and staff. You are getting a gifted educator that cares deeply about a relationship with you and putting you in the best position for success. For the students and families, you are getting a leader who driven to make an already excellent system even better. We believe that educating the whole child
085but not just words but a mission. So with that we will