001All right, good evening. We'll bring the property and finance committee meeting to order. The first item on the agenda is any public comment or roll call first. So, roll call. Director Long >> here. >> Director >> here. >> Director Christie here. Thank you. So, we're all here. And then, was there any public comment today? >> No. I don't see any public. All right. Thank you. The next item we have on here was the approval of last month's property finance committee meeting on November 17th. Um, so basically, just for logistics, only two of us were on the committee last month. That's director Christie and I. No comments, right? >> Oh, no. >> Yeah. So, so we're going to have two abstains and two that can vote. So, I'll just for approval of last month's November 17th
002meetings. All in favor say I. >> I. >> So I'ming even though I was at the meeting, but I wasn't part of the committee. >> So that's where we are at that point. So two voted and two abstainments. They weren't on the committee as we just reorganized. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> All right. The next item that's we do on a monthly basis. Mr. Skully is going to review the budget. Uh I guess the first item is budget resolution. Correct. Mr. But we will not have a budget forecast model this month. We are still working with our departmental leads and our directors to determine their needs for the 26 27 year. We are about halfway through our budget meetings. Um we're going to follow the same practice we followed last year where we do not
003have a budget forecast meeting in December. Um what we have found in the past is we rush to get it done and then the numbers change drastically by January. So I don't really feel the numbers that I would be giving you for forecast model in the month of December are accurate enough for the board to make a decision. Um so we will skip a forecast model if that is okay and jump right to the budget resolutions. Uh for my new committee members and new board members. Um we have a budget calendar that the board approved I believe September of this year. that budget calendar in accordance with act one gives us o um December as a deadline for the board to consider whether we will um go to PTE and ask for exceptions to the
004limitation on act one or whether the board whether the administration and the board will agree to keep the um the limit on our tax increase at the act one limit. The act one limit for Westchester area school district for the 26 27 year is 3.5%. So just for new board members to understand where we are in that in that method. If we choose to apply for exceptions, we would follow a a streamlined process or actually a fast-paced process. I apologize. Uh we would have to have a preliminary budget available for the board to display for 20 days and then to adopt at the January board meeting and then go through budget meetings or if we choose the option not to exceed the act one index. Um we are on a time preliminary budget would be
005April with final budget approval still being May. So you do have three um budget resolutions in your in your packet. Um the first budget resolution is to publicize the district's intent to obtain PTE uh Department of of Education's approval of exceptions and then a resolution to present and adopt a uh preliminary budget at least 10 days prior to the adoption. or option number two, which is commit to a 2627 tax increase no higher than the A1 index. Um, the administration would like to recommend that we go with option two and to not exceed the actin index for the 2627 year. I do want the board to be aware that we would qualify for exceptions. If the board wanted to apply for exceptions for 2627, we would we would um be granted exceptions due to the
006increased our cost of special education. We administration believe that we can balance this budget without that need um and without impacting our fund balance. So we are making the recommendation that the board adopt resolution number one under option number two to not exceed the act one index which would then push our budget approval for preliminary budget until um excuse me April of 2026 with adoption in May of 2026. And John, for additional context, just to state that in the last several years, same standard practice we used, right? We haven't used exceptions in quite a few years. We have not used exceptions in at least five or six years. Um, we have qualified for exceptions um last year and this year. So years prior to that, we did not qualify. We are seeing a substantial increase
007in our cost of special education, but we still think we can balance the budget without taking exception. Any questions from the committee? >> Um, so are you talking about any kind of cuts like to um the budget in order because isn't there a pretty big >> uh >> There is a budget gap right now. >> Some of it we feel we can make up with revenues. Um I'm always conservative with my revenues. So we are taking a closer look at our revenues. I will tell you yes there are some cuts. We have already made some cuts to budget requests. I don't know if Dr. Christopher wants to chime in. I don't see any of them as a direct impact. own instruction either in regular education or special education. We've cut some travel. We've cut some
008professional development. Um we've cut things that I think we were in agreement that we could cut or postpone for a year. Um I am seeing substantial uh savings in transportation. Um I don't know whether that's good or bad. It's due to the fact that we can't find drivers. Um but we still are seeing savings especially in this year that we did not use the full the full array of buses that we thought we would use this year. We are still seeing a little bit of savings, nowhere near what we used to in our healthcare. Um, but I would not say that there were any major changes or or major cuts so far to 2627. >> And what's the the current budget gap right now? >> We were the last time which was a November meeting
009was about 12.3 million after our budget meetings and our revenue analysis. I would say right now I'd be comfortable saying our gap is at about4 to5 million. Um, but I still think that >> that's the touch that you that you're recommending. >> But again, we were only halfway through our budget meeting. >> Okay. I guess I have a concern of making that decision now even though that is when we have to do it without really knowing what you're cutting. Like I haven't heard what's actually being cut from the budget. >> So I would say there were no major program cuts. Uh, one of the things we did just find out as early as probably yesterday um through via an email over the weekend was that the Pasers rate, which is our state um respiratory rate,
010has been reduced substantially for next year. That's a savings about $1.8 million in expenses, obviously offset by about $900,000 loss of revenue, but there's a million dollars that we were not anticipating last time we did a budget forecast. Um, transportation is close to $2 million between the two years of savings that we did not in November. >> And what are the you said cuts to travel? What are they exactly? >> Most was professional development. >> Okay. So that would be teachers traveling to >> teachers or administrators. >> Okay. >> David, I would say most of it right now is administrative travel that was cut and that was not substantial. I think it was about $70,000 was cut in that area. Well, I mean, some of the challenges too is that we budgeted title two funding
011for some of that travel before and title two funding is probably not going to be existent in the same way because it's a federal fund. Now, I think the challenges would be to to the federal funds and potential offsets to those. Um, but that we always knew that those funds potentially weren't going to be here and we have informed folks that, you know, like these are this this is great that we have this funding right now, but if we don't have it, we may have to make some decisions. Um, I would say like like things that we've been really clear about is like like like we're not going to experience any furlows or folks losing positions, right? Like we're not going to do that. Um, but I think we have to be conscious of uh
012really what some of our spend drivers are and maybe we need to get some of those things under control. Um, you know, and some of those are staffing like you know that really is is going up pretty rapidly in certain areas. Um, I mean all of our I wouldn't say But a lot of our special education uh expenditures this year have been additional staff, especially pair professionals. And we're trying to figure out like the best way to maintain program and maintain supports for students, but also not escalate those costs as rapidly as they have escalated just with the number of people. I mean, you will remember that when we started when I started here the fall of last year, we're almost 90 pairs short to start the school year. As I recall, we made a
013change in our u paring especially for our contract Paris, we actually changed the number because we were the lowest paid area. We we started this year fully staffed, which was great except we also have to make sure that we're that we actually need every staff member that we're able to get and and we've been working, you know, Melissa and her team have really been focused on that and trying to ensure that we maintain programmatic options for kids, but we just have to have some tighter controls when we add staff. Um, and so some of that will be those conversations, too. >> Just one more question. So assuming that we vote to not ask for the exception and there is an issue with closing the budget gap this spring, would you then act would you then
014access some of the fund balances to close that gap? >> Yes. So the board does >> the board does have fund balances that is that are already reserved or assigned um for future staffing needs. We have it for budget budgetary gaps and we also have money for healthcare. So if [clears throat] we would see that any of those areas are what would drive us over, we would be able to obviously come back to the board, but come back to the board and say that we would utilize fund balance in order to balance the budget. John, the way I look at it, that's confidence that we're halfway through the budget year with some potential increases in revenue and controlling some of the expenses and the superintendent, the administration knowing that challenge already up front now, they'll
015be a little bit more cautious going forward. We have confidence that will be within the act one. >> Yes. Do you recall this time last year how short we were like projected wise and >> I thought it was like >> $4 million. >> Unfortunately, a lot has changed since you saw the last forecast model. So the last forecast model showed us at $12 million as a deficit. Um between the Pasers rates, we finally we met with Galler to take our first look at our healthcare things like that. Um and the one thing that always hangs out there is is our investment earnings. I'm always very conservative on investment earnings. We normally budget about a half a million dollars to to threequarters of a million dollars in investment earnings. The reality of it is last year
016we saw $8.5 million in revenues for investment earnings. Um it just depends on the market. Three years ago, the market crashed. We had $636,000 worth of revenues. It's the same amount of money that we're investing. It just depends on what our returns are. So, I will tell you that I was a little aggressive on our investment earnings and I moved that up to a $5 million budget where in previous years there was a $600,000 or $700,000 budget. So, there's three to$4 million more in investment earnings as a revenue line item, but I don't want to cut educational programs knowing that we may have this as investment earnings. I just I don't think that's right to the program. I think the other thing that we should bring up and another reason we be very concerned about
017going over the act index is we have another issue with Delaware County this year where the step values are very different. So our Delaware County residents with a three and a half% tax increase are going to see a 10% tax increase. I think it would be very difficult for us to go above that number um and and to take exceptions in a year where at least some of our residents are seeing a double digit tax increase. So I think that's one of the things that John and I have also discussed like we really don't feel that it's really appropriate for us to try and get additional revenue from local taxation this year above that number. >> Okay. Thank you. And I guess is that how is this affecting the requests now that are coming in
018for the budget? Um how is the the upcoming budget gap affecting the approval of re education related requests that are coming in? >> I have not seen any that are direct impact on our students. Um, again, most of it is in training or in or um extending the amount of time that we're using software, but also one of the practices that we're doing is we're actually going to pay for our s we're going to pay for our software up front, but then expense it over a three-year period as opposed to expense it in the immediate year. So, there are things that we are doing with with with accounting things um legitimate accounting things, but that can help ease the burden of of a tax increase. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Karen. I appreciate
019your questions, but I do not have a concern that that I believe will be able to balance his budget with the actual increase. Thank you. >> All right. Good discussion. So, the property finance committee, we do have this approval item, the approval of the 2627 budget resolution. And with the administration's recommendation, we're recommending option two, commit to 2026 2027 tax increases no higher than act one index. And all in favor say I. >> I. >> All opposed. Okay. Four nothing. We're good there. when that moves forward to the board that needs to be a roll call of all board members. >> I have a budgetary >> not just I'm also going to need you to remove two items. So when Mr. asks for director asks for um any changes to the agenda. >> I will
020need item I5 and I6 removed from the agenda. Both of those items are the items if we were going to apply to the >> so we remove both of them. >> Okay. And I have the roll call for that in the other. Okay. Thanks, John. All right. Next up, Mr. McGowan is going to talk about the technical uh technology capital budget and also telecomunications. >> My apologies for my horse voice tonight. I won't be singing. Um, but I do want to walk the board through the uh 26 27 capital budget requests. Uh, for the most part, these are uh replacement cycles that uh that we've had in place now for quite a few years. It's replacing the uh iPads at the elementary school uh student iPads, teacher iPads. Uh we also have the Logitech crowns
021which are used in the Discovery Lab and the art classrooms. We're going to be taking a look at those um just to see if uh that we're going to continue down that road. So, the money is there, but uh I want to take a look at that and make sure that they're they're wide use and it's worth that money for those. For the secondary equipment, we're replacing the sixth and ninth graders as we do every year with the incoming sixth grade and nth grade. We've got uh art classrooms at the high school to replace there, the techad classrooms uh and the video production rooms. Moving along to the district area, uh we part of the digital signage pilot last year and uh we did that at Fugate East uh where we put um TVs in
022different areas of the buildings and the uh administration and the offices control that content. Uh that was to get kids seeing themselves and keeping up with the news. Uh we're looking to continue that this year, expand a little more now that we know uh what to expect with that technology. Um, we haven't decided the buildings yet, but we'll be expanding again to another high school, uh, a middle school, and a couple elementary schools. And we'll keep doing that each year until we cover the whole district. Um, if it's what the TV is out in the lobby that you pass by, um, something similar to that, but a little more robust than throwing a PowerPoint up there. They can do schedules so that at night, for example, when parents are coming in, they're seeing something different
023specifically for that audience. what the kids might see all day long so they can schedule that up. Uh we also will go through and replace projectors uh as needed and uh we have our staff laptops um that we're replacing as well. On the network side, uh we're continuing to replace the access points as that technology changes along with the switches and any needed service. All in all, I'm asking for $5 million, $98,549 uh to do those capital projects. >> John, just as a comparison to last year's budget, maybe allude to last year's budget in comparison to >> I apologize last year. 4,852 4,852. >> Okay. Now, we we did try and make it so there were no peaks and valleys to try and place that >> and the replacement cycle was the same the same.
024>> Yes, we haven't changed anything. Um, you know, for the laptops, it's four years for the high school students, three years for the middle school, and then uh staff is four years. Any questions from the committee? >> This is already included in the forecast model and has been. >> All right. I do have this an approval item. So, approval of the 2627 technology capital budget as MA just stated. All in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> All right. And this is a roll call that is captured there too. One more item from MA. the agreement with Granite Telecommunications. >> Yes. So, uh we've had what's called uh POTS lines, plain old copper telephone lines. Uh that's been being phased out for almost a decade now. Uh many many people know you can't get copper
025lines to your house. Verizon put fires in. Um same thing's happening here. Uh to push that along though, to help get rid of the copper technology, um they're escalating the cost of that. Um, our current carrier is TE systems, but it really doesn't ma matter on the actual carrier. Um, they're just pushing that cost up so that nobody uses that old technology. Uh, we did try a solution for our uh, fire and elevator is really what you need. Potline for our telephone systems come over newer technology. Um we did try a solution with tea systems uh but because of a lot of the schools in the area being in poor wireless coverage that solution didn't pan out. Uh so the reason that uh we're looking to go with um granite is granite will provide a
026box uh so that we can connect the fire alarms and the elevator alarms not only wireless wirelessly but we can also ride the backbone of our network too. Plus they each have batteries on them. So, uh, it would take a lot for somebody to get stuck in the elevator and not be able to make a phone call out, which is, um, you know, what we're trying to avoid here. I did work with Mr. Burst on this project. So, uh, he's seen the technology and we're in agreement that we're going to give this a shot. Uh, the good news is if we only pay for what works. So, they'll replace the pot lines in the areas. If they can't get something to work, they won't charge us. I'm not expecting that since as a backup we'll
027be writing our private finan just to state the uh the number of years of the contract total cost >> Oh yes I'm sorry um we're going to be going with three years on that it's the suit that's really hitting me here [laughter] um it's a threeear contract exceed $25,180. >> Yes, >> thank you. >> I have a monthly cost here. 2100. >> I I have it here, too. Okay. Well, good. So, that this is also an approval item for tonight for the property finance committee. So, approval of the agreement with granite telecommunications for a three-year contract for a total not to exceed price of 25,180 per year. All in favor say I. >> I posted. >> All right, we're good there. >> That's actually I'm sorry, Mr. decrease on cost. >> I did see that
028too from what the current has the contract. So that's that's good news and thank you for that was a savings from the current provider. So we appreciate that. Thank you. And then >> go right to Wayne and >> I'll go back to you at the end. Okay. I skipped you on purpose. No, I missed that. >> All right. Mr. F is going to give us an update on Westland Township construction agreement and the X elementary school module. >> Okay. So we're seeking a resolution for construction agreement from the board. Um ultimately this will allow us to enter into an agreement with Westland Township um and establish financial securities in order to do the modular demolition and build the new addition at X Elementary School. >> Any questions from the committee on on the West? >>
029Okay, seeing none, we're looking for approval of the Westland Township construction agreement as Mr. Burster stated. All in favor say I. I I nothing there. And the next one is the X Elementary modules. >> Okay. So this next part is the actual um construction agreement for the X and elementary modules and modular classroom demolition and the additional classroom spaces. Um we are seeking approval to award general contractor to SP Comrade Incorporated in the amount of $1,287,000. the mechanical contractor, the Clipper Pton Plant and Service Incorporated in the amount of 265,700 to award the plumbing contract to Integrity Mechanical Incorporated in the amount of $18,500 and the electrical contract to Shipsy Electric LLC in the amount of $166,264 to um construction contract price of1,97,424. >> And when you're satisfied with those competitive bids based on what
030the budget was estimated, correct? >> Yes, pretty good competitive bids, right? >> These numbers actually came in very well. They're a little under what we anticipated. So, we're very happy about that. >> All right. This is an approval item. Uh, did anybody have any questions on this? So the approval item for the property finance committee meeting today is approval of the X elementary school module demolition and the uh classroom addition project bs as stated by Mr. Bura. All in favor say I. >> I good there. And I did miss one item. I apologize. We're going to go back to D2 and that's some real estate property assessments. >> Thank you. This is just a an FYI or a non voting item. is really just for the board to be aware of where we are with
031real estate property assessment appeals. As you're aware, um uh any property owner in the school district uh once a year can file an appeal if they feel that the assessed value of their property is higher than what their market value ratio should be compared to their assessed value. Uh this is not something that's handled through the school district. This is obviously handled through Chester County Assessment Office. Um but we monitor them to see because obviously it's going to if there are reductions, it's going to have an impact on our tax which has an impact on our current real estate revenues. Um so as of August um property owners in Chester County um property owners had appealed assessments for 327.6 million of that amount 224.2 million are commercial 103.4 are residential. Uh Delaware County property owners
032for the same time period appealed assessments of $25.5 million. Those assessment appeals are still in the process of being heard. Um actually as of today those assessment hearings should have already been heard but we don't have the results. When I wrote the memo they were still being heard. Um so what I do is I go back and I look at what the appeals look like for previous years and what the the difference in what the original assessment was and what the new assessment is. Um what we have seen based on 2526 is those properties that appealed their assessments they received on average about a 17% decrease in assessed value. Um I'm taking that 17% reduction assuming that may happen to the same $327 million and we have a possible reduction of 61 million of assessed
033values which would be a loss of real estate taxes of $1.4 million. I have already included those in the forecast model assuming that would happen. Um I know that just because I'm conservative on revenues, I assume it is going to happen. If not, then it's additional revenues will come into the district and it doesn't fall. It doesn't come through that way. There is a 5-year history. Um I don't need to go through that entire thing, but from 20 2019 to 2025, um total reductions have been about $335 million in assessments that taxpayers have appealed to assessments. Um a lot of it is residential and a lot of it is just the way the county assesses new real estate. They assess it at the sales value of property. That is not what an assess value of
034property should be. So most people that are in new construction will appeal their assessments and most of them do get a substantial reduction. Um that is the same in Delaware County and Chester County. They both follow the same practice. >> So we'll see adjustments in this as we go forward. You take those those final assessed values that into the model. >> Correct. So informationational purposes. >> All right. No, we're good there. >> Thank you. >> All right. And that concludes tonight's property finance meeting and the board meeting will start in a couple minutes. Thank you. Not quite done yet. >> Okay. Good evening. I would like to call to order the December 15, 2025 meeting of the Westchester Area School Board. Let's begin the meeting with a salute to the flag. Please stand to the
035flag 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. >> Just in case you're wondering, the students are not here. It's because we graciously gave them the night off because Some of the roads are still slick and so we stay home and warm and safe. Uh there there are no >> video. We do have a video. >> Oh yes. >> They couldn't be here. They're not here in person, but we do have a video. At Xen Elementary, we're always learning to be adaptable because life and school is full of surprises. Being adaptable means staying flexible and positive when things don't work go as planned. Like when the internet stops working, the schedule changes or visa suddenly lose indoors for
036the third day in a row. Instead of panicking, we take a deep breath, adjust, and make the best of them, turning challenges into opportunity. Whether it's working with different classmates or solving problems in a new way, like when our teachers projector breaks down and she busts out a whiteboard instead, booger, we practice adaptability every day. After all, change is constant just like our cap cafeteria menu. And now, no matter what comes our way, excellent students are ready to grow change. adapt. >> They say communication is key. From speaking and listening to writing to communicate information. At Axton, we learn to voice our opinions and explain ideas clearly. In younger grade, we write sentences and now we have to develop multiple paragraphs with evidence and elaboration. Accent ebooks also use nonverbal communication like big smiles and
037iPad talkers to interact with autistic peers. It benefits everyone but we can calmly communicate too. For example, if you are working in a group and having trouble coming to an agreement, you can take turns calmly sharing ideas to reach a compromise. Problems solving skills require clear explanations, too. From math problems to life problems, everyone needs to know how to handle disagreements. learning to communicate while it's evaping our hood of learning and accident is a place that's all about showing empathy by others. We've learned to stop and burn ourselves in shoes and consider others feelings as empathy is shown in other ways too. We could identify people who feel down in the guts even adults. We could invite somebody to talk make another classmates who say it's a skill to learn to connect safe ways to
038handle and say everybody needs to extend to our whole Problem solving is bigger than the best solution to an issue or problem. It goes beyond solving mysteries or math. At when we encounter new problems in class, at recess or at lunch, we need to talk to through everyone's point of view and sometimes even make a list of solutions. Other times, we get help from a teacher or parent. >> We also practice compromising. I think teenagers and adults need to practice this too. >> Not only do we break down solutions to life problems, we also learn how to clearly explain steps to math puzzles of science challenge. Um for tough problems, we need to work together one step at a time and be careful not to rush to share solutions and decide the best strategy. Sometimes
039we feel overwhelmed with a wall on our plates. To manage big tasks, we make a plan. >> We might have lots of activity going on. To solve this, we can make to-do list and plan a schedule without >> Are you responsible as an eagle? Do you clean up after yourself and put your best effort into every day? Do you finish your schoolwork and enjoy it on time? Being responsible is crucial skill. First of all, if you aren't responsible, you can lose or misplace important things like floers, homework, and charges. >> Next, if you goof around adding, you might have to finish the work year free time or homework. We practice using every 5 minute to 10 minute chunk of time we have to work on small parts of larger assignments. This will help us make
040the most bits of middle school. At EXI we are responsible by keeping track of our own lessons and schedule and use our agenda to keep track of tasks. When in doubt, write it down. Additionally, at we responsible for behavior by coming on time, paying attention, keeping them. Last but not least, extent eagles are responsible for helping others. [applause] That was a great video from XM Elementary. There are no special announcements. >> Can you hear me now? >> Okay. There no special announcements this evening. Next on the agenda is roll call. M chair. >> Vice President >> here. >> Director Christie >> here. >> Director Dietri >> here. >> Director >> here. >> Oh no. President, excuse me >> here. >> Director here. >> Director Fry, >> director >> here. >> Director Parkinson >> here. Director
041>> here. And the high school students are >> Thank you, Mr. Chisher. That leads us to public comment protocol. Are there any public comments, Miss Tempest? >> There are no agenda item public comments. >> Okay. Thank you. And that moves us to the approval of the November 24th, 2025 meeting minutes. May I have a motion to approve the minutes? Director Bablqua. Do I have a second? Dr. Dri, any questions, discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> I abstain. >> I'm sorry, one abstension. >> Next, >> the approval of the December 5th, 2025 organizational meeting minutes. >> May I have a motion to approve the minutes? Dr. Campbell. We have a second. Director Beth Bla. Questions or comments? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Uh, any opposed?
042Any extensions? We're good. Thank you. Are there any questions or comments? Oh, I uh there are no executive sessions uh to announce this evening. is the opportunity for board members to request changes to the board agenda. Are there any requests for changes, director? >> I do have two. Prior to the board meeting tonight, we had a property finance committee meeting. So, we are changing two items on uh section I, the committee reports. And I'm asking for removal of both I5 and I6 from the agenda tonight. I have a motion a motion from Director Bevel Aqua to remove I5 approval of act one resolution to publicize the district's intent to obtain PD's approval of exceptions for the 2026 27 budget and I6 approval of the act one resolution to acknowledge release of 2026 27 preliminary budget
043and to advertise the district's intent to adopt the 2026 27 budget at least 10 days prior to adoption from agenda. Uh, do I have a second? Director Fleming, any questions, comments? >> Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Okay. And uh any extensions on that? >> Yes sir. Okay. So that motion carries and then director Parkinson. >> Yes. Thank you. Um please remove the following item from the December 15, 2025 teaching, learning and equity consent agenda H2, which was approval to terminate the following student activity account. Henderson High School Astronomy Club. I have a first from Director Parkinson. Do I have a second? Director Fleming. Questions or comments? Seeing none, all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any uh any opposed? Motion carries. And now may I
044have a motion to approve the December 15th, 2025 agenda as amended? Dr. Dree and second from Director Parkinson. Any questions or comments? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. Next we go to our This leads to our superintendence report. Dr. Christopher. >> Yeah, thank you. Yeah, I just have a brief report this evening. Um, not sure if anybody got to see the three high school bands in the parade march together, but that was it was a lot of fun uh to put them all together and and to lead the parade off. That was really fun. Want to thank our Eddie Auto who kind of really pushed forward that our our new uh supervisor of fine arts and health and physical education and got them to do that which
045was great. We had a really good time enjoying that. Also, Glenn Acres had a fantastic float. I know that Daryl Dernell was on the float. He was not too cold. He told me he said he was worried he was going to be very cold. He had his wave down, but uh the the music department there in Glenn Acres really puts that together and it involves the whole student body. And that was that was really fun to see. Um I did want to give Jackson, who's not here, a shout out. I had an opportunity to attend the Henderson uh concert uh that has their the band and the orchestra and Jackson was one of the singers there in the chorus. Jackson also was the final speaker. Uh they uh Jonathan Kramer and the team over there
046usually have students introduce pieces and talk and I took my son with me who goes to Rustin and uh when Jackson was done he laid over and says that guy's a good speaker [laughter] which I think we would agree he normally does a good job. Um but that was really enjoyable. So the holiday concerts have been great. um the ones I've been able to attend uh we have my son's concert Rustin will be on Wednesday which will be great I think kind of the end of this season there for us. So you if you have a chance to get to any of those anybody in the public I would welcome I recommend you do that. Um our kids are super talented. We have a really great music department and they just do an awesome job.
047And with that I'm just going to wish everybody a happy holidays and uh we appreciate your support. That concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you Dr. Christopher and again due to the snow in slippery roads we do not have any high school reports tonight. So moving on Miss Rita please give us the monthly personnel report. >> Hi all. Um we only have two resignations this month. So hoping we can continue that trend into 2026. um not attempt to report, but I will say there's a lot of movement as people are returning from leave and nearly all of our short-term long-term subs have converted into being year-long long-term subs unless their content area truly wasn't available. So really delighted to see folks who aren't continuing in their long-term sub ten year with us into the
048new year. And that's it for me. >> Thank you, Miss Rita. May I have a motion to approve the December 15, 2025 personnel recommendations as presented? Director Beal, do I have a second? Dr. Dietri, any questions or comments? >> All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you, Mina. >> Next is approval of the consent agenda. May I have a motion to approve the December 15th, 2025 consent agenda as amended? Director Beala, do you have a second? Director Christie. Questions or comments? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. We now move on to our monthly school board committee reports. First up is our teaching, learning, and equity committee report from Director Parkinson. >> Yes. So, our next committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, January
04920th, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. >> Thank you, Director Parkinson. Next up is our personnel committee report from Director Fleming. >> Thank you, President Dell. uh personnel committee did not meet in December. Our next committee meeting will take place on Monday, February 23rd at 6 PM and that is before our monthly board meeting. >> Thank you, Director Fleming. Vice President Block will now give the property and finance committee report. >> I can't continue that trend tonight on no report. >> We did have a we did have a property and finance committee meeting just prior to the board meeting tonight. I do have a few items just for review. Um the first item Mr. Scully our director of business affairs uh talked about budget resolution and uh act one requires the board to adopt a resolution at
050the December school board meeting which is tonight. The resolutions are as follows depending on the board's decision and one option was to file for exceptions uh for an increase over act one and the other option was to commit to the 2026 tax increase no higher than act one index which is the option we has uh approved in property finance. So I do have a motion for the entire board tonight and this will be a roll call. Uh approval is require is requested for the resolution for act one inflation index budget limit at 3.5 I so move and we have the first one director Benwood do we have a second uh Dr. Any questions or comments? And this is a roll call vote. >> Director, >> yes. >> Director Dietri, >> yes. >> Director Parkinson, >>
051yes. >> Director Campbell, >> yes. >> Director Christie, >> yes. >> Director Long, >> yes. >> Director Fleming, >> yes. President. >> Yes. >> All right. Continuing continuing on. Um Mr. Scully also provided us a review of the 2025 real estate property assessment appeals impacting next year's 2627 tax base. And as of August, our property owners in our school district filed assessment reduction appeals on property in Chester County totaling 327.6 million and assessed value. Um, of this amount, 224.2 million are commercial and industrial appeals and 103.4 million are residential appeals. Delaware County homeowners filed appeals on properties assessed at 25.5 million. This was just a point of an update to the board for for understanding tax assistance that were pending. Continuing on, um, Mr. McGowan, our director of technologies, provided an update on the 2627
052technology capital budget. The capital budget consists of replacement equipment uh with established recycle uh replacement cycles and to maintain the onetoone computer programs in grades K to 12 that's computers and iPads associated and some network infrastructure such as service wireless access points and switches the technology fund 22 total amount that we reviewed tonight was 5 million 98,549 I also do have a motion for the full board approval tonight is also roll call as a budgetary item. Uh the motion would read as follows. Approval is requested of the 2627 technology capital budget as presented for a total value of 5,98,549. I so move. >> I have a first from Director Beal Aqua. Do I have a second? Director Parkinson. Any questions or comments? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? I
053feel like this is a phone call. >> Sorry. >> All right. Director. >> Yes. >> Director Parkinson. >> Yes. >> Director Campbell. >> Yes. >> Director Dietri. >> Yes. >> Director Fleming. >> Yes. >> Director Long. >> Yes. >> Director Christie. >> Yes. >> Present or no? Yes. >> All right. Continuing on, Mr. McGowan also provided the property finance committee an agreement with Granite Telecommunications. Um, Granite provides uh FCC compliant pot lines, which are plain old telephone service lines. Therefore, used for voice calls, fire alarms, and elevators. Uh, Mr. McGowan uh presented the contract, a three-year contract with a total value of 2100 a month. Um, this is a savings on based on our current provider. This is also a motion uh for approval tonight for the board. Approval is requested for three-year service agreement
054with Granite Telecom using the Omni Partners pricing contract not to exceed 25,180 per year. I so move. We have a first from Director Beakqua. Do we have a second? Director Fleming, any questions or comments? And this one is not roll. Correct. All right. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> Continuing on. I have two more items. Um, Mr. Burstar, director of facilities and operations, then provided the uh the property finance committee of West Wland Township construction agreement. Uh, the facility department's requesting approval from the board of directors to enter in a construction agreement and a financial security with West Whitland Township for the module demolition and the addition projects at Xton Elementary School. I do have a motion that will read as follows. Approval is requested of the
055Westtown Whiteland Township construction agreement. I so move. >> We have a first from Director Bev Lockwood. We have a second director. Any questions or comments? >> Seeing none, all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. >> Last item for tonight. Mr. Burster then also uh provided uh us an update on the Xton Elementary School mod demolition addition project bid awards. The contract awards to the following lowest responsible biders for the renovations and additions at Xton Elementary per the existing capital plan read as follows. General contracting with SB Conrad for a total award price of 1,280,000 87,000. The next was an award to mechanical contractor which would be Clipper pipe and services for total award value of 265,700. The next award would be for a plumbing contractor. Um the award would
056be to integrity mechanical for total bid award of 188,500 an electrical contractor award to shipy electric for total bid award of 166,224. The total cost for the bids for construction contracts that I just read total up to 1,97,424. I also tonight have a motion for the board for approval. Approval is requested of the Xton Elementary School module demolition and addition project bid awards as I previously stated. I so move. We have a second. We have a first director. Do we have a second? Director, any questions or comments? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? And motion carries. >> The next property finance committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 20th due to the Martin Luther King holiday the day prior. Um, that concludes my report tonight. >> Thank
057you so much, uh, Vice President. >> And then next we have Director Dietri will report on policy review committee. >> Thank you. uh policy committee did not meet in the month of December. Our next committee meeting will take place on Monday, January 26th, 2026 at 6 p.m. which is before our next full board meeting. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Dree. Uh next up, we have comments from residents on non-aggenda items. Has anyone sent sign? >> Yes, there's one comment. So, I'll read the statement and call them forward. >> Thank you. >> Now's the time for public comment by residents. The board will follow the procedures established in policy 903. All individuals wishing to comment this evening were required to properly register prior to the designated start time of tonight's meeting by completing the information
058specified in the public comment card. Once called to the podium, each commenter will begin by submitting their first and last name of municipality. Each speaker must limit their comments to three minutes or less per public comment period. Commenters may not see their time to other individuals. Individuals be notified by the time clock when their time allotted for comment has expired. The board asks that all commentary be directed the board as a whole. Public comment if the interrupts are terminated if the comment exceeds three minutes or if the commentary is obscene and or with threatening nature. The speaking this the speaker this evening is Susan Heley. Good evening. Um, and thank you all for letting me approach you with my comments and I'll talk fast because I have two minutes and 58 seconds left. >> And
059if you can mention your name and your township, please. >> My name is Susan Heberlin and my I'm in the West Township. >> Thank you. >> Um, I am here tonight because this is where I was told I needed to come. We have lived in Westtown Township and been part of the Westchester school district. My kids grow up and went through this district. I've been deeply involved with the district uh since we moved here 28 years ago. Every year we have paid our Westchester area school district bill early as we did again this year. However, this year I got notified uh about two weeks ago that even though the money came out of my account on the 21st of August, 10 days before the deadline, um for whatever reason, you never received it. So, I
060called Burkheimer. Burkheimer told me there is nothing they could do. I have to come to you. Um even though they told me I was not the only person who called that day with the exact same issue. Then I called Westchester School District West and spoke to I think it was Gabby. She was very lovely, very helpful. Said there's nothing we can do. Um even though I've had multiple pe multiple people call me and tell me they've had the same problem. So my question to you is if multiple people paid their bills early and it didn't get processed, that looks like a system issue, not a taxpayer issue. So, I'm trying to figure out how do I get the resolved because the $532 extra that I'm getting penalized doesn't seem like something I should have to
061pay, nor do I have the money to pay that. So, I'm asking for your help because this is where I was told to go. I seen my time. >> Thank you. Let's let's make sure we have your contact information and we'll have someone follow up with you. >> All right. Fantastic. I have all the documentation. Thank you for your time tonight. And then we have a closing remark. Am I doing this or are you doing it? >> Well, we can do it. We can do it together if you want to. You know, I mean, I I we just want to take a minute and recognize Alex and congratulate him. I'm not sure who came up with the idea that pathometer sounds like a a job in the Harry Potter world, [laughter] but that's a pretty
062funny thing, Alex. You have to also take that home as well. We do have a we have a certificate for you and we we appreciate your commitment here to the school district and we'll be on for the last couple years. Thank you. [applause] >> I want to echo those comments also. Alex, you've offered great questions, great insight, uh stepping up when we needed to appoint somebody and then running and getting elected. We appreciate what you've contributed to the board and to the district and all the best to you in your new position. >> And [clears throat] I do have a quote. Can I share? >> Absolutely. Absolutely. I didn't write anything but um just want to say thank you to you all. Um okay, that's it. >> I know [laughter] is um yeah, being on
063school board can be hard. Um, as you all know, it gets all the time sometimes. >> Yeah, I've enjoyed it so much. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> You can stay. If you want to stay, you can stay. [laughter] All right. And a quote for this evening is by Joseph Jober, 19th century uh essay essaist. To teach is to learn twice. And with that, I'll adjourn the meeting. All in favor of adjourning the meeting, say I. I. >> Just get a first and a second. >> Oh, we need a first. Dr. D, you have a second. Dr. Campbell. >> All in favor say I. >> Meetings. I ever