West Chester Area School District Committee and Monthly Board Meeting 8/25/2025

001Good evening and welcome to the August 25th, 2025 policy review committee meeting. I will start by taking role. Director >> here. >> Director Christie >> here. >> Director Wamsley >> here >> and I am here. So all four of us are here. Do we have any public comment? Yes, there is one public public comment this evening. Okay. All right. And so I'll just go call call up the requesttor Judy Defonso. Good evening. Judy Defonso, still living, same place, still in East Ocean. Nothing's changed all that much. Uh talking about policies tonight. started numerical order here. Um 235.1 AG2. Um I know that sometimes with um gifted high school students, they'll do an independent study project and again that may involve a survey and the whole idea behind um you know doing something like that is

002is often to share it publicly. I know that uh at the end of the year the gifted pack does a um kind of a celebration of giftedness where something like that would would have been presented prior to this policy being in in effect. And I just am just thinking that there maybe should be a way of approving certain um research studies uh that they could be shared publicly. Um 80183 I noticed that the fee schedule is silent on the cost to have something emailed to the requesttor. I'm assuming that it would be There's no cost listed on the FET schedule, but I was wondering if it shouldn't be included for uh clarification purposes. And reading over policy 803, which requires the superintendent to prepare the calendar. Um I've never been at a meeting where the

003superintendent had presented about the calendar. Dr. Miss has always been the design, but it looks like the policy doesn't allow for a design. And I'm thinking that maybe the policy should mention that the designate can be um the person who does the calendar. So either that or we have to promote Dr. Met to superintendent. Either way, it works for me. You want to follow the policy. Um evacuation drills and plans. just like to say I never liked the one on uh NGL pipeline links where you bring everyone into the building before you evacuate. Um that kind of goes against what the general public is told to do with an NGL leak. Um policy 805.2 mentions safe to say. I think that we need to remind students that it's out there. I know when safe to

004say came out there was a big to-do about letting kids know how to access the system and I know I had talked to my sons like two years later and they had totally forgotten about about it. So I'm thinking that you know it's an excellent tool and we need to make sure that kids are aware of it and um AS7 seems to be redundant on the September 11th anniversary. mentioned a good number of times. I think maybe we could cut one of those out. So, and that's it for tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And now ask for approval the May 19th, 2025 committee meeting minutes. All in favor say I. >> I. Any nays? No. Nays pass. And then That will take us to actual review. Tonight we will begin our meeting with

005a review of a few timesensitive administrative guidelines and then begin our review of section 800 operations. So we'll start with Dr. Conlin. >> Hi. Good evening everyone. Good evening everyone. >> How's that better? >> Okay. Well, good evening everyone. Thank you. Uh we're going to talk about policy 235.1. Um it is a policy that was actually brought in front of the board last winter. Um and and we kind of pulled it back because we wanted to talk to really the staff, the teachers that predominantly will be using this policy. And what we decided to do, and Amanda was was with us when we spoke to the teachers, um how do we split the policy into kind of AP for AP teachers and for non-AP teachers? Uh we got a lot of great feedback from the

006staff. Um there were some questions about research, research procedures. Um so you'll notice as you go through the policy some of the adjustments that we made previously from our our first iteration, our first read uh of the policy. Um obviously we made some some general comments about what the assignment is, how to do some research and ultimately how to protect the students um in the in this process. We also had a lot of detail into the approval process. So the conversation around uh if I'm doing research, what are the parameters that I need to consider um and you can kind of go through that also about informed consent consent and assess with parents. So if we're we're talking to students, how do we protect their identities? Um and those types of things as well. So

007the first uh really that first policy and Amanda if you want to speak to that as well about the AP classes, there was a a lot of detail that you did as well. Yes. Um I think just responding to Miss Debonso's comment in regard to the um the non-dissemination that you'll see that was an add-on since last time this visited you. Um that is of in response to at least for the AP policy in response to the AP requirements. any of the research that's done for that can't be shared publicly unless the district has an IRB board which you do not at this time. You could decide to have one of those at some point in the future and created but so that was why that piece was added. Um we as uh Dr. Connley

008indicated um we talked a lot about how like if how do you code a pre and post surveys in here to protect student identity. Um the teachers let us know that sometimes they do do focus groups and so there's notes of the focus group or they sometimes will record the focus group to make notes and so we there's added information about creating identifiers for the focus group participant and the destruction of of that of that document. Um and then you know generally that they need to be upfront about the purposes of their research. Um, and then it distinguishes also between the processes for soliciting surveys that might contain protected information as opposed to those that are seeking more general information that don't ask those more personal questions because the teachers discussed they have a variety.

009You know, they have some work that doesn't involve any of that. Um, and some students may develop something that does. Um, so that's kind of what's in there. I'm happy to answer any questions about that. Um, since we're kind of talking about them a little bit together, two I would say 235 AG2 is focused on surveys in the nonAP class. This is going to drive everybody crazy, isn't it? The static. Um, so but it's it's a more simplified version of of the other policy, but what one thing it does make clear in there, they cannot do protected information surveys outside of that those AP classes. And and this was a uh when we first met, we had one policy that we discussed and this really through the conversations, we were really trying to be thoughtful

010uh when we met with the staff at each of the high schools and the the teachers predominantly doing research and that's where you see the second um AG that came out of that discussion that was for the nonP classes um as well. So, we were I think this is a great process that we went through. Um, but I'm glad that we have these these two AGs that really really be helpful to teachers especially as we start the this new school year. >> Thank you. Did anyone on this committee or otherwise have any question about these two ages? >> I I think these are really important. And I think it's good that we're clarifying because we want our students to do this kind of work. We want them to have these skills to refine a project,

011to collect data, to sort through that data and find the meaning in it. We also want to protect our students from protect their privacy and protect them from releasing information they didn't intend to release. So, I'm glad we're doing this. Um, if there aren't any questions, I'm going to move to a vote on two 235.1 AG1. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? That's four eyes. And then I'll go to a vote on 235.1 AG2. All in favor say I. >> I. Any also four. At that point, we will now move in our review of section 800 with Mr. Scott. >> Thank you, Dr. Good evening. Um, I have in front of you revisions to court policy 801. I do want to point out that this policy was enacted in 2015 and

012we have not had any revisions or review of this policy since 2015. So, I think it's time that we look at the policy. Um, not not very big, not a lot of changes in the policy. changes in wording, changing regulations, the guidelines. Um, we did add and it is in accordance with right to know law that anonymous request not need to be honored by the district. Part of the right to know law is you have to identify yourself as as a resident or as a resident of some place and uh we do get some anonymous just requests with an email address. um we now have a different policy that we can deny them if they do need to provide um adequate information to identify themselves as a requesttor. And we also put in language that

013um cop or protects I guess companies that we do business with that have um information that's um they think could be trade secret or confidential in nature. So we have language in there on how we will deal with that if that should arise. So the policy was absent with that language prior to those. >> Thank you. Are there any questions about policy 801? >> So on the on the anonymous thing, you know, it says according to like the as defined by the right to know. Do we have a reference in here that explains where people can find out what that is? >> It's actually on the form. So the form itself is required fields and it's it's a name and address and phone number is in reality what it is. people will just fill out

014a form and just put the email address so we know where it comes from. That's where they want us to respond. We don't respond. >> The the other thing is um on the front of the policy, the definition for requester is the definition from the right to know the district's using the same definition. It might Yeah, I'm just thinking about like specifically like what are the elements? Um like it's defined by the form maybe we can refer to the form because I what I don't see here is like is it is it my name is it my address is it like what if it's if email is not sufficient what are the things that I have to provide that are I'm just trying to make it more close the loopholes if you will no I

015understand what you're saying on the I guess there's there's there's two forms that the if someone is is applying to the district to use they can use they can use the right to know offices form which all local agencies have to accept. Um, and on there they also have the name and address in there. They also have a box where someone certifies they're a requesttor on there within the meaning of the right to know law. Um, the district's form does not have that box. I mean, we we have the address and contact information on there. We could add it we could add that box to the district's form, you know, that we could consider doing. That might be most investors probably honest probably don't read your policy. They you know they look at the form

016um the and and to be clear there's I think there's two things we're talking about here in this paragraph. There's the anonymous request. So that's somebody who doesn't put their name or someone who uses a pseudonym. Um the other piece of this is we sometimes do get requests that are not anonymous but they're not from people who are requesters within the meaning of the right to know law. Typically, you do occasionally get one from somebody who will put down a like a UK address. They're not a requester within the rights to law because they're not they're not in the United States. Um or sometimes we get someone who doesn't provide any information to allow us to, you know, they don't provide any they don't provide a physical address, so we don't know whether or not

017they're a requesttor in the United States. So, it's it's really we need someone to include a name that's not a a pseudonym and to have an address that allows us to verify that they're in the United States. >> So basically that number three bullet that says name and address of the individual to receive the district's response is the >> Yes. And I assume address your physical address not >> the post office box. >> Yeah. Well the post office box we we have gone some rounds with right to know over the right to know office generally unless you have other information will accept a post office box. you know, unless you have information that indicates that it's not really a legitimate post office on this box. Any other questions about this policy? If not, we can

018move to a vote. All in favor say I. >> I. Any nay? >> All right. That case we can move on to policy 8013. >> Thank you. This is revision to our administrative guidelines. Again, this has not been updated since 2015 when it was implemented. You'll see that we did make some changes to um previously we should just say copies were charged at 25 cents. So now we are changing that we are black and white copies of blood rate and color copies at different rate and that just is in accordance with what we are charged for copies by our copier company. Um so black and white copies are obviously cheaper than color. There are some other um new things that have come up since 2015 where people are asking for flash drives or listening to

019things on CDs as opposed to coming in and have to review them. So, we've included the cost in there that we will charge you for the actual cost of the CD or a DVD or the cost of a flash drive if you ask for the information you put on a flash drive. Postage we just specified cost that's basically the changes that we have made to the fee structure >> and and the fee structure is in in accordance with the office of open records recommended fee schedule. Um, in regard to Mr. Gonzo's question regarding email, the district can't charge for electronic delivery. Um, unless someone asks for them, specifically ask for a flash drive or a CV, which sometimes they do. Um, but we can't you're just emailing the electronic documents. There is no charge for

020that. >> Thank you. Are there any questions about policies about 8013? If not, we can move to a vote. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any nazs. All right. Then we can move on to Dr. >> Good evening, Dr. Dree and schoolboard members. Um I have uh 8002 in front of you for a really quick um um adaptation to it. We just are going to allow um an AG to exist per this policy. This policy, like Mr. Scholar said, hasn't been touched since 2015. And an AG just allows us more flexibility when talking about the school organization. >> Thank you. Um and we don't have that AG yet. We're just making the change to allow one. Correct. >> Correct. >> The possibility. Thank you. Are there any questions about policy? If not, we'll

021move to a vote. All in favor say I. >> I. Any n. >> All right. Policy 803. >> The school calendar. Um, uh, 803 governs the school calendar and what this the reflections the changes are reflected. Um, they are updated to reflect the PSBA suggested changes. There's a couple, however, um, changes or additions that I want to point out. One is the flexible instruction day, which is on page two of three. Adding this into the school calendar allows the superintendent or his designate to um, use a flex day, a flexible instruction day, and we have done that in the past. We have a plan for our fifth days. We have a plan that's been approved. We will continue with that plan. The other addition is the act 80 exceptions. Now, this will allow superintendent or

022his designate to add Act 80 days into the calendar. An act 80 day is a professional development day that's not already on the calendar if we ever need it to be used. Those are the two additions to um 803. >> Thank you. And like you mentioned the flexible instruction days, that's already our practice. We're just updating our policy. >> And what we will continue is usually a fid day is used for inclement weather. Um, and what we will do for the 25, I'm sorry, the 26th 27th is continue to use one snow day on that calendar and that calendar is coming to you very soon. >> Thank you. >> As soon as we change that, I can bring it to the board. >> Okay. >> Um, any questions about policy? >> Just I wanted to

023point out where that is. Um, under delegation of responsibility, it says the superintendent will annually prepare. Um, so I don't see anything that would preclude Dr. miss it from presenting in here because she's it doesn't say that the superintendent has to has to present. But we certainly could add or designate there if you prefer. >> All right. Any questions about policy? Not we can move to a vote. All in favor say I. >> I. Any nays. That policy 804. >> And again, this again, this policy hasn't been revised or edited since 2015. It's simply adding once again that the superintendent may add a administrative guideline to the school day. >> Thank you. Any questions about those changes? If not, we can move to a vote. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any. >>

024Good evening. >> John John is going to hold that there so we can get rid of the ground while we're go through the rest of the meeting. Okay. So, policy 805 um has some small changes that comply with changes in the law. Um some specific areas to point out um would be in this in the guidelines area of emergency preparedness. We actually made some changes in that language um to to basically capture um that it's going to be created but kept confident not shared out with the public. Um that is the that is the biggest change as part of that portion of it. Uh we do outline the inclusion of required trainings that are being offered to all staff. Uh the inclusion of trauma informed approaches and the additional hour of um sorry uh the

025additional hour of um inerson training is also required. That that's really the changes for this policy. >> Thank you. Are there any questions about policy 805. >> It's not just there's a bud that's missing under guidelines just >> where >> emergency planning in the green. >> Oh yes. >> Oh see there's yes like fourth line down at the beginning of the sentence it says >> should be we can fix this. That's not my assumption. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions? >> All right. If not, we can move to a vote. All in favor say I. >> I. Any naz. That is policy 805.1. >> Okay. Policy 805.1 also has just a few small revisions in it. Um, specifically to remove the the language referring to the safe school act. um and refer back to the

026the school code specifically. Um another point of of note is under the memorandum of understanding portion of it on the second page is the inclusion of an advisory council made up of school staff. And and on the third page, if you were to go down to the bottom um in in three, the reporting that the superintendent and any law enforcement agency having a discrepancy will in essence try to work it out. This is in accordance to the walls language. >> That's it. Changes. >> Thank you. Are there any questions about policy 805.1? >> Not we can move to a vote. All in favor say I. >> Any names? Right. Okay, 805.2. The the first change on that is actually the title of the policy itself. It used to be school security personnel. It's been changed

027to school safety personnel. Um there's also an update to reflect our current practices on as to how we operate, the responsibility of the school safety and security coordinator, and references to the safe school portion of it removed as with 85.1. uh and the ability to add administrative guidelines in the future if necessary. If you were to go to the second page, you'll see that school days is included on the top of the area associated with um school guards, school safety or security guards. Um we'll also have a portion of it to to remove the types of drills a little further down the page and then including student behavior On the following page, we're including language that also refers to um what the responsibilities of the school security guard would be. Language a little bit further

028down the page just above the guidelines portion that guidelines would be permit or excuse me that administrative guidelines would be permitted by the superintendent and designate u and then the training delegation responsib safety. >> I got it. >> Thank you. >> I do have a question at the beginning, but I'll wait till you finish. Sorry. >> Okay. um under the guidelines is is in essence the training requirements for the school safety and security coordinator. uh the annual report starting this next page that is done in executive session. And then on the last page is the required background checks and certifications as as is required for u both district employees and contracted employees in as school security. >> Thank you. You have a question about policy. Yeah, I just want to get make sure I've got

029the definitions correct here. So, under definitions, we specifically change school security personnel to school safety personnel. The very first sentence in green says employ at least employer contract at least one full-time school security personnel. >> Yes. So, so the school security guard or school security personnel is within the language of school code. Certainly, Amanda can claim that a little bit more, but that is actually the language in act 55 and it's associated with um I think it's 1309B. >> So, it does, you're correct. It does say school security personnel in the first two rings on underneath that authority, but the districts prefer to terminology as school safety personnel instead of school security personnel even though they're defined to mean the same thing in the policy. So my recommendation would be for those two green areas

030that we change school security personnel to school safety personnel just so the the the terminology is consistent through the document >> and then how does that relate to at the end we mentioned school safety and security coordinator >> does that >> I believe the school safety and security I believe the statutory language is security coordinator and I believe we've added we've but the district's title is school safety and security coordinator. >> Okay. So, how does that tie back to the definition of the roles? Then I'm just trying to make sure they all kind of Well, we we don't define there isn't a definition for the school safety and security coordinator. That's a position that the statute requires you to have. And so, that's just the title of what the district calls that required position. >>

031All right. Thank you. >> Any other questions about this policy? So who fulfills this role? Right? Because under delegation responsibility a school safety and security coordinator shall report directly to the superintendent. >> Wait, is that you? >> Yeah. So, so in the past I have held that position. As it stands currently, Rick Gordon holds that position. It is not report to the superintendent for that purpose. >> Any other questions? If not, we vote with the suggested revisions. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any names? Okay. And that takes us policy 807. >> Thank you. So this is just a brief update. Um once again tied to school code. We have not reviewed this since 2015. Um big change obviously is that there's a moment of silence on the university 2001 which is statuto

032any other questions about if there are no other questions to a vote. All in favor say I. Hi. >> Hi. >> Any >> Thank you. 810.4 has one minor revision into the definition where we changed the consistent with our other policies and removed the word school as used to reference school district. That is the only revision to that policy. >> Okay. Any questions about that policy? If not, we can move to a vote. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any naysay? >> We have policy 811. >> 11. Again, very very minor changes to um some language and we have put in the ability to uh develop administrative guidelines to implement policy that was not in the original policy. >> Thank you. Any questions about policy? >> If not, we can move to a

033vote. All in favor say I. >> I. And then we have A12. >> A12. Um A12 has lang uh minor language changes. Uh we did put under delegation responsibility. We did identify the responsible parties who things should be reported to and that would be made for most situations and Mr. Burst for other situations or combination of both of us and the option to develop initiative guidelines. >> Thank you. Any questions about policy as well? Move to a vote. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any names? Policy 813. >> Perfect. Thank you. 813 is the same changes as A12. So it's exactly the same. >> Makes things simple. Any questions about policy 813? If not, we can move to a vote. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any nays? We have policy

034814. >> 8:14's got some semantic changes and the addition of the superintendent board designating language at the end. >> Any questions about policy 814? If not, we can move to a vote. All in favor say I. >> I. Any one about 2013. It's not attached. >> Yeah, I I've seen it but it is not attached right now to this. >> Yes, I think >> I think it's because it's the same. It may not have >> my my understanding is it is part of the board packet. It wasn't My understanding is it didn't get attached to the policy committee >> packet but it did show up as an attachment to your board packet. >> Apologize. hard >> and all of these all of these will need to be approved this evening since we're we will not

035be able to take them through consent agenda since we have the meeting. >> So these will be approved again at the next meeting. So, and it is attached to the actual >> log on. >> Are we okay with moving on toformational items then? >> All right. Dr. Christopher will now update the committee on the first of 10 revised administrative guidelines. >> Sorry, it's okay. Why is it here? So, we have um as you We have the item guidelines in front of you there. Um application academic for non-resident student living with the resident or resident students. >> No, it's just thank you. So policy um 801 AG1 just updated with minor language changes and we've updated to reflect what our current practices are um as far as the collection of fees and as well as the

036uh thection records minor revisions in language. Um we did actually cross out by effects. I believe we do not fax request anymore to or do we accept the buybacks. Uh 810 AG1 is transportation emergency safety procedures minor revisions to language. Um we had principles capitalized various various changes to language. No content changes. 810 AG2. And I'm sorry if I'm going too fast. I should be ask any questions as I go through. I apologize. A10 AG2 which is bus drivers responsibility again minor changes to language 810 AG3 childare transportation um we've added in some language we used to use the word just year and our we meant school year so we actually did put the word school year in so it's not fiscal year I'm sorry it is school year and not calendar year um 810.3

037AG2 again language minor revisions for her language minor revisions. Again, we took out he and they written authorizations. We do not have written prior prior to that and we do want um any changes or any requests to get ready so that we have support change with vehicles and people's requests for transportation. >> A lot more changes to the AG than the actual policy. Um the uh the changes are uh mostly making things a little clearer uh clarifying what the copyright law allows uh educators to lean into versus what it does not allow for. >> Thank you. um 913 AG1 um has we brought this to the teaching and learning at uh equity committee meeting back in June and we are going to bring it back for you tonight to add um an organization that is

038governed under title 36 of US code. This will allow those groups that fall under title 36 of the US code to submit a flyer to a building and we will publish it electronically for the time period uh that we typically do for our other organizations inside our school district. One of the an example of a group that falls under title 36 of the US code is the boy scouts of America, the air patrol, anything federally chartered um patriotic societies under this these groups. >> Thank you for that clarification because I've had some community members reach out to me because we had changed our policy and then there was just we needed to be a little more clear about what the new policy actually means. So the AG helps a lot. >> It it makes it

039very clear what we can do and what we can't do. And as you can imagine, schools get flooded with asking to to share a flyer for an organization or a corporation. >> Exactly. And so now we have not just the policy but what our practice will be and it should be easy to point an organization for that. >> Correct. But they have they do have three caveats that they have to have. One is that disclaimer. There's a time period and to the building princip. >> Yes. Thank you. Are there any questions about these? >> All right. Um just a note of the list of policies and guidelines that were reviewed with no changes 806 808 AG1 810 810.2 810.3 810.3 AG1 and 813 AG2 and the following policies and AGs are under further review. Policy

040800 records management. Policy 81. Policy 800 AG2. Last thing is our next committee meeting will be held on Monday, September 15th, 252. And that concludes our meeting for tonight. All right. Look at that. Nice. >> It was all right. Good evening. We'll get started with tonight's project and finance committee meeting. The first thing we'll take roll. Director Parkinson >> here. >> Director Christie >> here. >> Director Ly >> here. here. We're all here tonight. Any any public comment tonight? No. Okay. Good. All right. Moving on. The first item is the approval of of the last um property finance committee meeting which was back on June 16th. And uh nobody approach me with any comments. So we'll vote for the June 16th property and finance meeting minutes as written. All in favor say I. >> I.

041Opposed? >> All right. The next item as we do it on a monthly basis, Mr. Scully will review the latest August budget forecast. >> Thank you, Mr. Included in your packet was the forecast model. This is the August forecast model which has the results of financial operations for the 25 26 year through July 31st. And it also most of our changes that you will see in the forecast model are in reference to our year-end results for June 30th of 2025. So looking at the changes that we made, so it's page five of the forecast model. Um changes that we made for the 2425 projection changes. Um again, any changes that we make here in accordance with schoolboard policy rolls into our designated fund balance to help offset any mill increase that might be needed to

042balance the 2627 budget year. So our salaries came in at $1.7 million below where we had projected. Our benefits came in about 2.4 4 million below what we had projected. Professional technical services are up about a million, $924,000. Property services are down about 526. Other services are down by about 2 million. Supplies are down $1.1 million and I would say the rest are somewhat nominal. Um, so our expenses came in better than we had projected, meaning we spent less by about $7 million for the year end. I don't know if there's any questions or if we need any specifics on any line items within there. Um I had actually thought that our benefits might have come in a little bit better. Um meaning not as expensive as they were. I will tell you that we

043are seeing a very large increase in our prescription drug plan. So I do have some concerns with where my projections are for the 25 26 year for projections. So uh normally I come back to the board sometime in the December time frame. Um I am meeting with Galler Benefits in September as well as CVS to look at what we can do to try to contain some of our costs on um prescription. A lot of being I believe it's GLP1 which I believe is I thought it was diabetic but it's I believe it's weight loss not necessarily with the diabetic diagnosis. So we are looking into um that specifically that's where we saw a very large increase and that large increase was in our fourth quarter of last year. So as of February when we did

044our last projectional benefits I did not see that and our our cost skyrocketed in March, April, May and actually the end of March, April, May and June. So I don't really have anything further other than I did call and request for a meeting immediately with CVS as well as caliber. Uh looking at local revenues for last year, our current real our current and our interim and actually was interim taxes came in about $1.2 million higher than I projected in uh May when we last did these. Um, everything else is somewhat nominal. Transfer taxes of $860,000. I will tell you that was the exit all. So, that property did transfer. I believe it was for $27 million. So, we did see a substantial amount of transfer tax on that property. Um, I did not account for

045that when I did my projections at budget time because I was not sure when the settlement was actually going to cover that ball. Had supposedly been sold a few times before it actually transferred ownership. So I was a little little hesitant to actually record or acrue any transfer taxes on that property. Um and our investment earnings as we had seen throughout the year are investment earnings even about $1.1 million ahead of where we had projected it to be. So all in all we did about $10.6 million better than we had projected. All of that is being used to offset our increase for the 2627 school year, which I will get to when we look at um after we look at changes that we're making for the the current year that we're in, which is 2526.

046Does anyone have any questions on 2425? So, I'm going to say this is officially our unodudited end of the year results. We may have some minor tweaks when the auditors committ auditors were last week for three days did some some other testing. Um but I think we are pretty well done with our expenditures being booked. Um we may see some minor tweaks. Something that is going to be of major I don't anticipate any major changes for this. >> I think it's good news overall what we're looking at in some of the numbers are better than we forecasted and keeping an eye on the prescription drugs but I think that's something the trend we're seeing in the industry now anyway increasing but we could keep a handle on that calendar. >> Yeah. Thank you for that.

047We've been pretty steady on our healthcare. We have not seen substantial increases probably in the last four or five years. We've kind of been somewhat flat. I although I kept our budget where we had always budgeted rather than taking the reduction, I had left it flat and just continue to carry that forward. Um I think our carry forward days are coming to coming to an end. I think we've caught up to where we where we had the budget >> on the net. Um so you know on average every year we kind of increase our budget forecast right about 10 million, right? So this means we kind of came in under 10 million of that, right? So, we kind of were almost flat, right? But I just want to like help the public understand, right? Like

048when we say we're going to carry it forward, that means we're going to sort of pay it forward to ourselves to help future tax increases, right? So any variables we see in the next budget year, we're using this surplus because that's what it is, right? To offset that so that we can minimize the tax impact that ultimately happens. So even though we may have raised taxes in one year and ended up favorable, we're still carrying that forward so that we still get that benefit if you will. >> Correct. Thank you. >> Okay. So for 2526, obviously I did not do a lot of analysis on 2526. We only had July's uh revenue and income. Um but based on last year's earnings, you can see the substantial increase invested earnings. We did receive a lot of

049money in July. Obviously taxes are are due August 20, August 30th. A lot of people didn't pay in July. We did get a lump sum in July and we have invested that at right now favorable rates. Um, and that is invested for a long period. It's no longer than obviously the year, but they are not in 30-day investments. They are longerterm investments. So, we can do a decent calculation on where we expect that to be. Um, so I am increasing investment earnings by $4.5 million. I'm increasing earned income by $300,000 and federal revenue, which medical access draw down that is based on actual billings from the previous year. So I work with Melissa Kleman and we are comfortable bringing bringing in revenue of $300,000 and everyone is aware how medical access works. We do our

050billings in the one year based upon expenditures for the year. Then we submit them. Once they're approved our revenue then sits in the fund balance with the state. So when I say we're increasing our revenue, we're actually drawing more money down from our fund balance from the state. So at this point we have if we increase this $300,000 it will be a million dollar draw down for this year and then we have next year's money still sitting there. So we are good with medical access for at least another year. I don't know what is happening on the federal level with medical access. Um we don't know anything by the time we get the budget. I unfortunately I'm going to advise the board to the budget conservatively. Um hopefully we have better knowledge of where we

051are with the federal the federal government and where any type of uh cuts are being made. Um we know medical access is is one of the areas that they're actually looking at. But for right now we are good for our 25 26 year and 26 27 year then we may need to be conservative what our healthcare projections are. >> Yeah. I mean they're general cuts to medical access about 30% 30 to 40%. But those are global and it really is unclear exactly how that's going to affect billables for school districts but but overall so I mean I think a lot of districts are looking at those numbers at 60 you know 70% of what they normally have done but you're you're normally not even begin what we would be able to draw down anyway >>

052correct so for this year I have a million dollars and for next year I have a million dollars and the year after that I automatically have this forecast dropping to half I have it down to $500,000 so I'm already conservative in Is there any um but this is your question there's no state budget being passed impacted us in what way that was exactly that was my next line I forgot >> I got so I was just reading that >> so there is no state budget approved as of as it states right now um we are one of the districts that we do not receive a whole lot of money from the state but every penny that we get from the state we do utilize and we do need um as it stands right now we

053are We are short quarter of our basic ed funding and short quarter of our special ed funding. I believe we did get our property tax rebate funding. So that is outside that funding is guaranteed to us outside of the governor's approved budget. So our revenues for that that's the gaining revenue. So the property tax rebate just we have that broken out on the model. That's about $4.4 million. I'm going to say ballpark. we got $2.5 million that already did come in. So on that front, we did get that revenue. We have booked that revenue already. Um but we are short on our base again and our special ed funding. Um right now from a cash flow purpose, obviously it's not going to have a huge impact on the district. I believe the impact that we're

054going to have is that we are going to have to be cautious with the amount of tax revenues that we actually put in long-term investments. So where we will see our issue is that our investment earnings may not be as high depending upon how long this takes. for the governor's budget. Um, I mean, if this goes six months, we're going to have a problem. If this goes three months, I've got money that I'm going to be putting into short-term investments rather than longerterm investments, which will reduce the amount of of investment earnings. But from a cash flow purpose, um, we can make it through the year. >> What's the latest state budget has ever come out? >> December. I was going to say I was going to say I believe I remember a year that

055it was December. >> Yeah. >> Um >> I'd like not to be quoted on that and I could give you an exact, but I believe that >> it was as late as December. >> That's I thought there was one that was early. >> So if there are no other questions, I would like to jump to the summary of all funds page, which is the very last page of the model. So obviously we're double 2526 and we've levied our taxes. um for oh one thing I do want to talk about um is the step value and the distribution between the market value and assessed values between Delaware County and Chester County. Once again, the market values in Delaware County grew faster than the market values in Chester County. So regardless of what we do with our

056tax increase for Chester County, Delaware County is going to see a larger increase. You'll remember two years ago we had a substantial difference between our Chester County and Delaware County villages. Last year it leveled itself out again. We are back to a difference nowhere near as substantial as it was two years ago. But Delaware Countyy's tax burden will be higher than the tax burden on Chester County residents based on the um approved set value that was already provided to us. So early warning on that for our Chester County constituents and our Chester County res sorry Delaware County constituent county residents. Um so I guess looking at 2627 for our budget year. So that will be the budget that will be coming forward to you guys somewhere in the November time frame. We are sitting right

057now at about a $15 million deficit with an act one increase. Obviously these are very early numbers very premature. None of that is meant to scare the border. Anything else that's just That's where the Excel spreadsheet puts us for right now. Last year at this time, we were about $9.3 billion. So, we were about $5 million worse than we were last year at this. That's really all I have. Again, it's very early in the year. Um, we did not even get our large payments from our mortgage tax companies. That's just the timing thing. Sometimes they July 31st, sometimes they can August 1. We did not see them in July 31st, but they're as of >> anybody from the committee or board have any questions for John forecast. >> All right, moving forward. The next thing

058we have is an update on initiating appeals. >> So, I did include a memo in the Sorry, I'm out of order. My apologies. I included a memo um dated August 25th to the school board. This is time of the year where the district normally we look at our sales of properties that occurred within the um within the school district for a difference in assessed values in excess of a million dollars between what the sales price would indicate and what the common level ratio indicates and what the actual assessed value on the Chester County um roles are. Um, in previous years we did have a few properties that we did actually initiate in accordance with schoolboard policy, we did initiate a district um, initiated appeal, meaning that we challenged the assessment on a property. Um, last

059year we had none and this year again for the 25 for the transfers in 2526, we did not have any that met the criteria. There were some that would have met the criteria but it is vacant land that is being sold and was sold to the developer. We as a practice have not gone after developers, we wait until actually the development is done and then we don't get that assessment. Um, we don't want to penalize our our developers who actually purchase land with the intent to to develop the land and then we charge them taxes that are higher than really they should be when they piece of land. So this will be the second year and probably this probably this is the second year in the history of lifetime being here that we do not

060depreciate and that is just because the common level ratio keeps decreasing. So, our sales prices are matching pretty close to what our common level ratio indicator is. And the common level ratio is is it takes the assessed value, multiplies it by by a ratio established by the state, not by us, which will then give us a number that says that that property should have sold for around that price and everything that has sold is selling for around what it should be selling. >> So, no thanks. >> No action. There was an information and The last item we had John was the right to know. >> The right to know. I just wanted to finalize. I know we did talk about this last year and not bringing this back on a monthly or a quarterly basis.

061I did want to finalize at least the 2425 school year. There was minimal activity on the right to know stands for the last quarter. The last time you saw this was March I believe. So I'm giving you April, May, and June. Just so we can finalize this. My intent would be that I would bring it back again after December. So we would do it on a six month or a year. Um, I think the the direction of the board was I should look at it. Obviously, I look at it every month. If there's something substantial, I will be back in January with a six-month update. If not, it would be an annual update. >> And I think that's fine. I think that's again information for >> I have a question real quick. >> Yes. >>

062When it says on this chart when say like high school transcript, not an RTK request, does that mean someone put in a request and it wasn't supposed to go that way? >> Correct. So, people request for the high school transcripts. That is not a right to request. That is something. So, we just deny that. Send them right to the school for that. So, >> okay. >> We put it on there because we put everything on there that comes in with the appropriate form. So, they filled out the form appropriately. That's just not what this is business. >> That's what I thought I >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Skully. All right. We have two items tonight for Mr. Burster. The first is the 2526 capital Reserve project awards. >> Okay. This first project is project

063G144, which is the district-wide playground um project that we've been carrying from year to year. Uh the original project budget for this project was $100,000 and we're asking to award to George Eli in the amount of $10,670 tonight. Um when we had awarded this year's projects, we had awarded in the amount previously of $108,254 utilizing savings from the prior year's uh allocation to offset that difference. We're asking to to again move forward that $10,670 of the remaining balance to fund this portion of the project. >> Thank you, Mr. Per. So, this is an approval item for tonight, but we'll bring it forward to the board for approval since the property finance meeting proceeded the board meeting tonight. So basically looking for approval of the 2526 capital reserve project bid awards which was to Georgia Associates

064for an award value of 10,670. All in favor say I. >> I all oppose say nay. Good to move forward on that. The last ite was approval of the capital project. >> This project is project CO86, which is the partial refurbishment and roof replacement at East High School. Uh we had already awarded the roof portion of this project uh to a different contractor. But in the process of doing this work, we have identified the need to replace the roof ladders. So, we're seeking to award to Safety Rail Source Incorpor LLC, excuse me, in the amount of $8,175. And again, this item is for approval for the property and finance, but we'll carry this forward to the board for formal approval. So, basically looking for the property finance committee to approve the capital project bid awards

065for safety rail sources for total award value of 8,175. All in favor say I. I. those name. Okay, we're good there. And uh that is the last item on tonight's property finance committee. And just an update as Dr. Christopher informed us, the next property finance meeting will be prior to the board meeting on September 29th. Thank everybody. go ahead and get started. Good evening everyone and uh thank you for joining us for our August 25th personnel committee meeting. We'll start by taking ro director >> here. >> Director >> here. >> Director Herman here and I'm here. All right. Do we have Any public comment? All right, then we'll just move along to our first agenda item, which is to approve the July 28th, 2025 committee meeting minutes. All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> All

066right. Any approved? Okay, we'll move to our agenda items. We have two quick agenda items. The first would be a request for approval for a new job description and position for communication specialist. Um, Mita, welcome. And will you please share with us on these two? >> Sure. The communications specialist role is um going to be under the manager of communications and this role um manager of communications is here to answer questions as well. This rule is really to help continue to improve our website and our school websites as well. >> Okay. And would you like to verify or >> Sure. I'm happy to answer any questions. Um, in the fall of last school year, the communications department rebuilt the WCSD website and all the school sites. And at that time, we uh took on all

067the work of updating those sites. And while um I think we've done a good job with that, I think we can only get better. So, this job would be really beneficial in keeping them updated, keeping things ADA compliant um and just being faster with um our different things that we need to get up each school year and and every day. So, looking forward to it. >> Okay. >> I would also add that one of one of the big things that we've noticed noticed here is that we really don't have an internal website. So, you know, most large organizations have forward facing website that is for the public. But then inside is where they keep a lot of documents and procedures and all kinds of things that are available then for people who work in the

068school district and can get behind it via like you know a signin wall. Um we really I really feel a need to to do that. We are putting a ton of things on our public facing website that really have no business really being on the public website. They're internal forms. There are ways to access benefits. There all kinds of activities that really should be we should be thinking differently about how to do that. really because unfortunately then we end up with a lot of questions about things that really are not even they're not public. I mean like um I think one of the other things too is that we you know we we did initially last year try and work through using a communications outsourcing some communications activity uh through a through a partner and

069a consultant and at the end of the day we we decided not to renew that contract and that contract was ongoing on a monthly basis. So we do have some funding available also for this position. We would actually we would do not and try to move forward and consult. We would move some of that work over to Bali specifically and some of the things that Bali is doing right now that are not necessarily at the level we would like in terms of like the work type work we expect Molly to be doing. She's doing a lot of clerical things and things that we could absolutely outsource or do internally with an so we think that would be a much better use of time as well. >> Yeah. I mean I would agree just reviewing the

070job profile that the work should be consolidated and really be infor any other questions or comments from anybody. >> All right, with that request for approval of new job description and position of communication specialist. All in favor? >> I agenda item similarly request for a new job description and position for people services technician. >> So, as you can imagine, there um is a lot of reporting to the state that comes out of the pupil services department. Uh so, what we're looking to do here is hire somebody to support us with all of that reporting. Right now, it kind of falls under different people. So, what ends up happening is that there's just too many cooks in the kitchen, for lack of a better term. Um when we go to make our end of the year

071state reports, we end up having to clean a lot up. So, this person would be responsible for um filing all of our child account submission, all our child data, our maintaining all of our invoices and costs related to special education in our system, um reporting on our applications for funding to Pennsylvania Department of Education and to assist with all our federal, state, and local requirements for reporting with charter schools, contingency funding, boards of state, non-resident students, everything that we have to report to the this person would be responsible for assisting and completing. >> So are we in a sense centralizing all of the data entry for this? >> That's what we're working to do. Yes. >> And the work currently today is being distributed amongst a number of different number of different people. This would

072assist in getting it centralized, getting someone trained in all the systems. Um and then just having everything in one central location so we know who's sending it, where to go, we know when all our reports are due, they're getting done in a timely manner. helps with everything >> and is there any alignment to Mr. McGowan's organization from a tech perspective given this is a technician? >> Yeah, I mean they do help. >> So Mary Prince is our data processor. So she does assist with um the regular education side of it and when we have to make reports to states we're working closely with them to be able to do that. >> Any questions from anyone with that? approval for new job description and position of people services technician. All in favor? >> And with that,

073our next committee meeting will be Monday, October 27th, 2025. [Music] Good evening. >> Good evening. I would like to call to order the August 25th, 2025 meeting of the Westchester Area School Board. Let us begin the meeting with the salute to our flag. Please stand. To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> We have no special announcements this evening. Next on the agenda is roll call. Miss Cherisher, >> Vice President >> here, >> director Christie >> here. >> Director Petri >> here. >> Director D >> here. >> President Fleming >> here. >> Director Fry >> here. >> Director Herman. Director Herman. >> All right. Director Herman, >> she's trying to talk. >> Yeah, she's trying to talk. She's

074on speaker, right? >> We can't hear you. >> Should I call her back? >> Call her back. Yeah, call her back and see if she comes in that way. >> I can't We can't hear you. >> Did you hear me? Did you hear me? Okay. So, I might just not put you on speaker. >> All right. Hold on. >> Director Herman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Director Parkinson here. >> Director Wsley here. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. That leads us to public comment. Do we have any public comment? >> There are no public comments on agenda items. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Sunquist. Uh we'll approve the minutes now from the July 28th, 2025 board meeting. May I have a motion to approve the minutes of the July 28th, 2025 board meeting? I have a

075first for Vice President. I have a second director Fry. Any questions or comment? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. >> Opposed? Motion carries. We'll now approve the agenda for tonight's meeting. Are there any changes uh that anyone would like to make to tonight's agenda? Seeing none, we have a motion to approve the August 25th, 2025 agenda as presented. >> I have a motion. Director Dietri, may I have a second? Director Dell. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion carries. Uh we will now have Dr. Christopher superintendent report on this the first day of school because he did not have a long enough day. We decided to schedule three committee meetings before meeting. >> It's been we have not been bored. It's been good. Yeah. But yeah, good evening

076everyone. It's great to see you here for our first meeting of the new school year. Uh we have some things we'd like to share about the way the year started and then give an update on the high school schedule. So, uh, before we gather as an entire staff for convocation, we kick off the year with our annual election program where we bring in all of our new staff members. Uh, it's really a fun day. Uh, Dr. Not doctor director Dell almost got you there, Darl. Um, did a great job actually presenting to our staff, was able to come as well, um, as well as some of our administrators. And then we just, it's like drinking out a fire hose for new folks. I think honestly the whole week is just really busy, but we really

077try and give them all the information they need so that they can be successful when they get started. So those folks actually started uh two weeks ago with us and we're here for a whole week. And then last week we actually officially kicked the school year off of convocation at East High School. Uh we had a completely filled gym, I'm told. Unfortunately, I was not there. I did not feel well last week. It's the first time I've missed convocation in 30 years. Uh my wife disputed that it had been 30 years and so we had to get the It's been 30. This is my 30th school year. It's the first time I heard this one. So, but the energy and the school spirit are unmistakable. I can see lots of videos and pictures and our

078team did an amazing job kicking the year off. The highlight was definitely having Dr. Reynolds introduce our portable graduate to all staff. Uh the framework, this framework is going to be really impactful for us and I'm going to talk about a little bit as part of our high school schedule update. Uh we also had a bunch of students, a student actually speak about each one of our durable skills. So, five student speakers, uh, and they did an awesome job. It really is the highlight anytime you have kids actually participate in something like that. It's the highlight of of the day for everyone because not only did they talk about the skills and how they learned them here in Westchester, how they're important, they also talked about a staff member who's played a key role in

079their growth. Uh, which is a really awesome way to like really talk about your staff in front of other staff members. We also have a spirit competition which got a little crazy this year. I'm told uh Henderson won. Henderson High School showed up. They decided they're going to show up and they won. Our principal, Jason Sherlock, was in a full baseball uniform throwing pitches to one of our assistant principles. He was in a catcher uniform. It's pretty entertaining, I'm told. And then X Elementary School won a tightly contested race. Uh I was sitting at home sick and I got about 30 texts about who should win the elementary. Um there was a lot of there there were people in lots of courts. If I'd been there, East Co probably would have won because they had

080a giant blow up of me, but I was not there. Um, I also want to just take a moment and recognize our staff who work so hard this summer to make sure we're ready for school. I was in every building today. So, all 17 schools today and our buildings are clean. I mean, even the ones that were fully renovated. We had renovation up until the last second at at Hillsdale. We actually got uh full occupancy on Friday of the building. So, that means that we passed the really the fire inspection, which is something you have to have to have classes there. Um and then the custodial team came in over the weekend, cleaned everything up. Our our teachers came in and worked and got the rooms ready. Uh but our buildings look great. Uh it

081was a really nice day going around the schools and getting a chance to see so many uh happy families and faces and everything else. It's always really exciting and I really want to thank especially our facilities department for all the work they did this summer here at the end. Uh, no matter what we do with construction, no matter how we think it's going to go, it always comes down to the last 48 hours before kids walk in the door. Is that true? >> It doesn't really Well, it really doesn't matter. Like it like by the time the contractors get everything done, but they got done and we had, you know, I'd say probably twothirds of Mary Sea House is now fully renovated and about half a Hillsdale, you know, and it's really wild. When you

082go into Hillsdale, if you go down the ramp, it looks like a brand new school. If you go up the ramp, it looks like that 70 shift still. So, you know, it's going to take us a little while to get there. And we'll have two more summers of construction there, one more at Mary City. We start construction at Stark Weather next year, which will be a floor renovation. We're going to be in exit next summer as well. We're moving portables. So, we'll have four buildings under construction next summer. Something that we'll be talking about as we bring the calendar to you here in the future. Um, the first day of school is got to be everyone's favorite day if you work in education. I mean, it's just it is such an exciting day. Um, you

083know, when you look at the kindergarters coming in with their parents, you know, their tears, they're almost always the parents. They're rarely the kindergarters, you know. Um, there's just so much excitement uh in the carline and, you know, kids getting off the bus and kids seeing each other for the first time and they haven't seen each other all summer and, you know, that I heard middle school students say, "Mary, you got so tall." I don't know. Did she look tall? But yeah, just some interesting things like that today. So it was we had a great first day. Um so it was really a gift obviously to be able to do that. Since I missed last week, it's always great to get out and get around and see our our wonderful staff and our families who

084are just, you know, giving us their best, which is their kids every day. And you know, that that transaction on the first day of school is really the one, you know, I think where you see it the most. you know, where the parents are all there and, you know, even the dogs, they're trying to get pictures with the dog. You know, it's always interesting in the front of the park. But it was a it was a great day and we were very happy to be there. Finally, I do want to provide you with an update on the high school schedule. Um, so after lots of conversations, we we really have tried to think about uh this timeline and how we can move forward in a way that really does a couple things. I'm going to

085talk about that. First of all, we had a lot of summer progress. Um, we did move 100 to 150 lockers. We removed them. I didn't remove them. Wayne Burer's team removed them in the middle of also doing all the construction work that they did and created some new spaces in these buildings. One thing we found yet last year in the spring was really this idea of like people have a hard time envisioning what they can't see. And so, can we actually take portions of the building and can we get them converted over the summer so people can see what it will look like when we make some of these bigger transitions and they have a better understanding for how we're going to make these spaces work. And so, you know, at East High School, like

086you know, when you pull a locker bay out, like you put in a a butcher block and we'll be putting uh stools that will sit underneath there so they're not a fire issue. So, during the day, they sit in there, but when kids need them, they can pull them out. The only thing we did is we ran power to all of these locations, which is something we saw at other school districts. The kids do not sit at places that do not have places to plug things in. They just do not, you know, and so uh uh that was one of the things that we did. So east, we did this uh this is really in the art wing. That's where we already had a lot of kids that were congregating. We said, "How do we

087utilize this space and make it a little bit different for them?" Um we did something similar. Henderson, we actually moved quite a few lockers before the year was out and this is where they got the summer. We have some finishing work to still do in a couple of these areas which is to be expected. Like I said, we had a very busy summer. But this will be a whole hallway that is down uh heading towards the cafeteria. Uh we'll have seating space for, you know, about 100 150 kids in Henderson uh when we actually get this fully completed. And uh there'll be some places there for them to also sit and then somewhere to actually plug things in and do what they need to do during their lunch alert lock. And then same thing at

088Rustin. Uh when you take some of the lockers out, you never know what you're going to find. Luckily, underneath here, we found Jerzo, which was great finished flooring. I know that Dwayne was very excited when we pulled that out. It wasn't just concrete underneath there because that would have been a lot harder uh to take care of, but and we we already ran the uh uh the chase for the electrical cord, and those guys will be able to finish that up here fairly quickly. And we will be ordering schools. So, I think it's going to be a lot easier for students and staff members to see kind of what some of these spaces could look like in buildings, you know, when we take out a couple hundred lockers in the next summer. And really what

089does that look like when we're ready to actually have more spaces available for kids because one of the concerns is the kids what are they going to do if they're if they have an hour long lunchon where are they going to eat all these types of things people ask uh and we will be able to do that and this is work we did internally I don't know that we'll do all the work internally moving forward I can bring that to you in November I think with our list to have that work done moving forward just to kind of give you an idea those spaces are already you know up and running I'd say really at east and then at Henderson we're getting where we can actually use the space. We also have an updated expectations

090for lunch and learn. So all of our high schools went to a stoplight system for identifying spaces during lunch and learn really what that means. So this is the one that I we took the picture east today. So you know blue is physical activity uh but no food. So the gym, you know, the weight room. Uh yellow turn here is quiet study meeting and no food. to the library. So, a place where kids can go and be can work quietly, you can do different things, but we're not going to let them bring their lunches and things in there. Uh green is you can do you can eat, you can socialize, you can do what you need to do. You can see that's the majority of you know the space. This is actually at east and

091then red areas that are just off limits like we don't want you anywhere in there during lunch and learn and if we see in there it's going to be a consequence like you should not be in those spaces. A lot of spaces at East are locked, but there are spaces kids can get stairwells, things like that. We're going to say, "We really don't want you in those spaces. You don't need to be in there much more." And then we can moni. We didn't do this before like like the kids, I think one of the big concerns that came out through this whole process last year was that we really needed to create more um guidance for our students and better uh better not necessarily rules, but better expectations for them. And I know that our

092principles spent a lot of time today because I was in those buildings, you know, in class meetings and meetings with students and really making sure that the understanding of expectations this year. We also I don't have it on here as part of the presentation, but we've been really clear this year with our students that, you know, there there are not going to be any cell phones in instructional periods. We told the staff this is not an optional practice anymore. Like you know during the at the high school like kids should not have their cell phone out during instructional time. And if they do, then we have to follow through the consequences because we cannot we cannot allow that to continue to happen. So that I know that I got at least several emails from parents

093this tonight actually who were thanking us for doing that. Their kids came over and said, "Hey, sounds like it's a a different kind of landscape for the self." So that's got to be part of this conversation, too. I think the other big thing that happened this summer is we did go through the process creating a portion of the graduate. So this was presented to our staff at at convocation um and really looking at but but really the process was that we know we had a design team. Several of you participated in that design team. We also got input from 544 staff members over 1100 students and over 2600 parents. So we didn't just create this in a in a back room. I think the joke I was going to use in conation was we didn't

094have chat GPT to it or although somebody did ask me why did we do that? we stay money in time and that's maybe true but buy in would have probably been a little different um you know so we had we had a large group of people who were invested in this and we had a lot of alignment there our final five skills which are adaptability communication empathy problem solving and responsibility I mean 100% of the groups of all of those groups had three of them in there and then 75% had the other two in there so you know we really and the list we sent out I think might have had 40 different terms on it so to come up with a with a community list that really seems like a strong list and seems

095like there's a lot of alignment is really important for us. We want to make sure that this is this is the main thing that we're focused on this next year. Not about trying to identify, you know, how we're going to teach in a different period or I mean those are things we need to work on over the next couple years, but it's not something I we want to make sure that we are focused on this on ensuring that these skills are embedded, these durable skills in what our expectations are for our students. and then we're using them to drive student engagement. I think those are things that we have to continue to focus on. So there's kind of an advanced look at our portrait, you know, communication and what that looks like because we want

096our kids to be prepared for bold futures and for careers we can't even imagine yet. That's that's where we need to get like we need to get to this age of empowerment where our kids really do feel like they can be successful in a very challenging and changing landscape because they have the skills to do that and they know how to reinvent themselves and they know the types of things they need to do. So to realize that vision our focus must be on improving the high school experience and outcomes for our students. So to do that uh we're going to recommend to elongate the scheduling timeline so the final implementation new schedule occurs in the fall of 2027. So our initial target in the fall of 2026 but we were spending a lot of time

097and energy just trying to hit benchmarks. And I said this summer, I said at the end of the summer, I said, "We have got to get to a point where we're not worried about those benchmarks where they're just taking care of themselves through the process and we are really focused on what matters, which is ensuring that students are engaged in our high school, ensuring that the work that they're doing is meaningful and relevant. So that's really our our plan at this point. So some things we're going to do. So greater focus on embedding portrait skills, increased focus on instructional improvement. Uh we spent all of our summer with our admin team talking about instruction. So we had our administrators here for eight days and most the majority of that time was talking about how do

098we improve instructional quality? How do we improve student engagement? How do we improve giving teachers feedback? How do we improve leading um for instructional purposes? Uh and that's got to be our focus this year. And then we need additional time for increasing student voice and options during lunch and learn. I think one of the big takeaways this summer too is that we really need to get our students engaged more in in talking about what their future should look like and getting voice from them and we have all kinds of mechanisms in place this fall to do that. So we need to let those happen at our high schools especially. So next steps, one you're going to see from me at the end of this week, early next week is a video that's going to go

099out to our parents inviting them to be part of a community book read on the book The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better uh by Jennifer Anderson and Rebecca Winro. Uh it's a book that was recommended to me by another superintendent uh who is in a a group that I I belong to really focused on student engagement and I read it this summer and I was like this is it. This is the thing that we've been missing because it really focuses on how we can really as parents you know and I I'll be leading that as the superintendent but also as a dad of a 14-year-old in the school district. How do we help our kids uh really navigate the world and and really support them? And then what can

100schools do to partner with work with parents? I think it's going to be a a really positive activity to be part of with the community. Uh we need to continue to building the work with building level implementation teams and student teams. That will not slow down. In fact, it's going to probably accelerate in in some different areas. Not we're not as focused on trying to implement the schedule in the fall. We're going to be less concerned about timestamps and some of those kinds of things and more concerned about how do we ensure that like the lunch and learn block is really beneficial to kids and what are the types of things we need to do during that block. And then we need to modify the existing timeline to capture the additional time and additional benchmarks

101we believe we should include. One of the things I I've said uh to our cabin team is I really would still like to be able to feed kids out of two locations next year in the fall. I think that would really help with us. Um I mean Henderson right now I know 50% of the students do not have a lunch period. Um you know it's over over 800 of the 1400 kids at Henderson do not currently have lunch scheduled. So we're feeding 800 kids in 30 minutes right now. They're also trying to go to the everything else that's happening during that block. It would really be beneficial if we had a second place to do that. And up until Rustin High School was was open, we had two cafeterias at Henderson and we discontinued one

102once we moved the kids out and send them to Rustin. But the reality is that that building really is not the cafeteria is really never designed to do what it does. And so we need to think through that differently. So we're going to continue to work forward this process. We still would like to bring you uh you know some cost estimates and all those kinds of things hopefully in November so we can move forward with that. just want to thank you. I want to thank the board for their support through this process. Uh I think from the very beginning I told them, hey, if we didn't think we could get this done in in the way that we want to get it done, we would push the timeline back. And that's kind of where we

103are. And so, you know, I just, you know, I want to thank you for your support and and uh we're going to continue to move forward and we're going to do what we need to do to really make sure that our kids have a world-class education, which is absolutely the goal of everyone here. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Christopher. Uh, and I would like to welcome Mera. I can't see your name tag that well. What is your last name? >> My name is Merion. >> And which high school are you from? >> I'm from Rustin High School. >> All right. Well, thank you for coming tonight and we'll look forward to hearing from you next month. >> She's got a little bit for us now. >> Oh, do you? I didn't I didn't

104realize that. Please go ahead. >> All right. Um, so some of the main updates we did at Rustin over the summer was our annual freshman orientation. It was a big success and it was led by student leaders and uh students from all aspects of rest in life and here we answered questions and helped bridge the gap between middle and high school for the incoming freshmen. It was also at this event that we were introduced to our new principal Dr. Maggie Hun. Um so she led a bunch of presentations and answered questions about herself while also introducing herself to the new freshman but also the returning upper classman. Um, she also gave us new guidelines and expectations for the upcoming school year, which included the new stop late system for lunch and learn or nighttime. Um,

105I'm also very excited to announce that our fall sports are in full swing. So, we have a bunch of activities that opened up during the summer. So from marching band to color guard to dance team, cheer, um a bunch of different sports like soccer, uh field hockey, cross country, football. They all started their practices, their tryyouts, their games and meets this summer. We also had our first official win uh last Friday against Unionville. So go RHS football. And then of course today was the first day of school. And as a senior today, I saw some of the most smiles, a lot of laughter, and a lot of excitement. So, I'm really excited for the new school year. >> Great. I'm so glad you were able to make it today, and thank you for that. And

106we'll look forward to hearing from you and the other student reps next month as well. Thank you. And now we have welcome Miss Rita, our new director of human resources, who will give us our monthly personnel report. >> Thank you. Um, you all should hopefully have all the record of the personnel report. I did want to flag two things within it. One is just to honor Kathleen Coffman who is retiring after 22 years of service. Um, and then the other is to flag that Michelle Mclo is wrongly listed on the report as being 182 days per year when in fact she's 261 days. That's all. >> Short and sweet. Thank you very much. And again, welcome. We look forward to working with you. >> May I have a motion to approve the August 25th, 2025

107personnel recommendations as presented? Director Parkinson, I have a first. I have a second. Vice President Bealqua. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. We'll now approve the consent agenda. I do not believe we have any amendments or changes to the consent agenda. May I have a motion to approve the August 25th, 2025 consent agenda as listed? Director Dell, may I have a second? Director Dietri. All those in favor say I. I. >> Opposed? Motion carries. We'll move on to our monthly school board committee report. First up is Director Dornell with teaching, learning, and equity. Thank you, President Bleming. The teaching, learning, and equity committee meeting met on Monday, August 11th. Uh we approved several uh pupil services contracts and we also approved uh several uh booster clubs. Uh and then finally,

108we had a presentation on MTSS by Miss Climate. concludes our report. >> Thank you, Director Dell. And now we have Director Parkinson with the personnel committee report. >> Um, yes, the August personnel committee meeting was held immediately prior to tonight's board meeting. The committee approved a job description and position for a communication specialist as well as a job description and position of pupil services technician. I have two agenda items for board vote tonight. First approval is requested for a new job description and position of communication specialist. I so move. >> I have a first from director Parkinson. May I have a second? Vice President Reaga. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carry. >> And secondly, I have approval uh an approval request for a new job description and position of a

109pupil services technician. I so move. >> I have a first from Director Park. I have a second. Director Dietri, all those in favor say I. >> I opposed. Motion carries. And now we we'll move on to the property and finance committee report with director. >> Good evening. We had a property and finance committee meeting just preceding the board meeting tonight. As we do on a monthly basis, Mr. Scully uh provided an update for budget forecast model and he went through the to finish up the 2425 uh school year budget was an increase in fund balance of 10.6 million and that applied to future fund balances for future years. We also took a quick look at the 2526 budget and there was an increase in revenues of 51 that process. We'll continue to monitor that get

110updates from Mr. Skull on a monthly basis and provide updates to the public. Another item that we discussed in tonight's property finance committee was district initiated appeals, real estate appeals, and the school board authorized the director of business affairs to review these records of real estate transactions of properties within our school district boundaries to identify recent sales which the current assessed value of property sold is at least a million dollars less than the assessment suggested by the sales price of the property. The current CLR also known as the common level ratio is currently at 31.5% less than it's been in previous years and based on this criteria our schoolboard policy 606.2 there are no properties that sold in the year 2025 criteria for district initiative for the school year 2526 Mr. then provided an update

111on the 2425 school year RTKs or also known as right to knows. You get a total of 36 right to the past school year totaling the price of 7,92 that's kind of the cost of what it takes to fulfill the RTK subitted by res. Mr. then provided us updates on some capital reserve project bid awards and some capital project bid awards and these are two items on the agenda tonight listed as items six and seven for approval and I'll read the approval of these items facility operation department approval from the board of directors to award contract for districtwide playgrounds for George Eli Associates for total award price of 10,670 approvals requested for this 2526 capital reserve project award. So move >> I have a first from vice president. I have a second director Christie. All

112those in favor say I >> I opposed. Motion carried. >> I have one more item for approval. Approval for capital project bid award facility operations department seeking approval for directors to award contracts for the following project for the east high school roof replacement for some safety railing the vendor safety rail sources for total bid award 8,175 so appro stated I move first vice president I have a second director All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion carried. >> And the next property finance uh committee meeting will be held prior to the board meeting on September 29th. And that concludes our proceeding. >> Thank you, Mr. Beala. And now we have director Dietri with policy review committee with 16 motions. >> Policy review committee earlier this evening. committee reviewed a few non new time-sensitive

113administrative guidelines and began our review of section 800 operations. Our next meeting will be on Monday, September 15th. And tonight I have several policies for board consideration. First one is approval of approval as requested of a new administrative guideline 235.1 AG1 student research protocol for surveying student advanced placement classes. First day I so move. >> I hear first from Dr. Dietri. May I have a second? Director Fry. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Approval is requested for new administrative guideline 235.1 AG2 student research protocol for surveying students classroom activities. First reading. I move. I have a first from Dr. Dri. May I have a second? Director Dell. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. >> Approval is requested for revised policy

114801 public records. First reading. I move. >> I have a first from Dr. Dri. I have a second. Dr. Fry. All those in favor say I. >> Sorry, I say I. Opposed. Motion carries. >> Approval is requested. Revised policy 801 AG3 fees schedu request for inspection and our copies of public record of the Westchester area school district. First reading I move. >> I have a first from Dr. Dri. May I have a second? Director Parkinson. All those in favor say I. >> I motion carries. >> Approval is requested revised policy 802 school organization first reading. I so move. >> I have a first from Dr. Dri. May I have a second? director. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. >> Approval is requested of revised policy 803 school calendar. First

115reading as >> refers from Dr. Dri. May I have a second? >> Director Fry. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. >> Approval is requested of revised policy 804 school day. First reading. So move. >> I have a first from Dr. Di. May I have a second? And I'm saving my by only looking this way. >> Do you have a comment or question? >> No. >> Oh, you're you're seconded. >> Thank you, Director Wley. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. I say I. Sorry. Opposed. >> Motion carries. >> Approval is requested of revised policy 805 emergency preparedness and response first reading. I so move. >> I have a first Dr. Dri. May I have a second? Vice President Bevalua. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. Motion

116carries. >> Approval is requested of revise policy 805.1 relations with law enforcement agencies. First reading. I so move. I refer from Dr. Dri. May I have a second? Director Dell. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. >> Approval is requested of revised policy 805.2 school safety personnel. First reading. I so move. >> I have a Dr. De. >> Can can I make a a friendly suggestion to this? um when it left when it left uh your committee meeting that policy was amended. So my friendly suggestion would be that it would be to approve that as amended. >> Okay. >> I would move that it is approved as amended. >> Okay. I thank you Miss I have a motion from Dr. Dri. May I have a second? Director Blumsley. All those

117in favor say I. >> I opposed. >> Motion carries. Approval is requested of pol revised policy 807 opening exercises flag displays first reading. I so move. >> I have a first Dr. Dri may have a second. Vice President Balqua. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. >> Approval is requested of revised policy 810.4 students transported by district employees. First reading. I so move. >> I have a first Dr. Ginger. May I have a second? Dr. Lley. Uh, all those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carries. >> Approval is requested of revised policy 811 bonding. First reading. I so move. >> I have a first Dr. Dri. May I have a second? Director Fry. All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries.

118>> Approval is requested of revised policy A12 property insurance. First reading. I so move. >> I refer from Dr. May I have a second? Director Christie. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. >> Motion carries. >> Approval is request to revise policy 813. Other insurance. First reading. I so move. >> I refers from Dr. Gish. May I have a second? Director Dell. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. >> Promises. is requested of revised policy 814 copyright materials first reading I so move >> I have a first Dr. May I have a second? Vice President Bealqua. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion carried. >> And the next uh policy committee meeting. Did you already say that? >> Uh next policy committee meeting

119will be on Monday, September 15th. >> Okay. Thank you very much, Director Dietri. And I believe now we're moving on. Oh, we have other reports. So we'll start with Director Dell. Do you have an IU report? >> Thank you, President. The Chester County Intermediate Unit board of directors held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 20th at the Technical College High School on who wrote it down in town. A presentation led by assist the assistant executive director, several other directors and assistant directors. Um the director of career technical customized education provided a comprehensive over of student services and programs for the upcoming 202526 school year. Uh BVA is uh reported a successful summer program with 711 students. The technical college high school TCHS anticipates a total enrollment of 3007 students across its three campuses. a team.

120The team is very excited as we begin another school year and we look forward to ensuring student success across all programs. Uh the CCIU board of directors acted on the following uh business items. We approved several contracts with districts for services such as manage immutable backup services, professional learning services, NTSS services, and restorative practices practices coaching uh along with services. Uh we also approved the annual marketplace services contracts uh with the Westchester area school district and a number of other districts and schools as well. Uh we also approved an amended contract with Chester County Sheriff's Office who will be providing school resource officer program starting on the Coatville campus for the 202526 school year. The next CCIU board of directors meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 17th at 7:30 p.m. at a new location,

121the Engle the Angle Education Center in West Road. U that's one of the new facilities that's just been completed that opened really just in time for the new school year. >> Oh, just that's great. Another um occup is it the occupational certificate that we had done. Oh, they were very close. >> They were very close, too. >> There was a flooding a couple times that kind of pushed things back a little bit, but there's going to be a ribbon cutting on that same day on the 17th. If any board members are interested in participating, it'll be a fun day. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you, Director Dell. And we now have Director Christie, do you have a legislative update for us? >> Uh, we have not met this month. Our meeting is actually on

122Wednesday night this month. >> Okay. You can report on that next month or whenever. >> No. Well, I can report on. >> It's always like four weeks. [Music] >> It'll be a little stale then, but okay. Thank you. >> Try to keep it fresh. >> Thank you. Maybe there'll be a budget. >> Maybe there'll be a budget pass by then. Um, and now we move on to other business. And this will >> Oh, you do have >> approval is requested of the Revise IG and VG settlement agreement and release. I so move. >> Okay, we have a first from director Dell. May I have a second? Vice President Kavala. Any questions or comments? >> Okay, seeing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carries. >> And we're now up for comments

123from residents on non-aggenda items. Do we have any there? There are three comments this evening. So, I'll read the statement. Now is 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 the meeting by completing the information specified in the public comment registration card. Once called to the podium, each commenter will begin by stating their first and last name and municipality. Each speaker should limit their comments to three minutes or less per public comment period. Commenters may not seed their time to other individuals. Individuals will be notified by the time clock when their time allotted for public comment has expired. The board asks that all commentary be directed to

124the board as a whole. Public comment may be interrupted or terminated if the commentary exceeds three minutes or if the commentary is obscene and or threatening in nature. The first commenter this evening is Lynn Strauss. I am here to speak about field trips. All three of my children graduated from Westchester Area School District. The last one graduated in 2017. Through three kids and 17 years from when the first one started and the last one graduated, the only field trip I found controversial was the first grade field trip to Barnaman and Bal Circus. The stories of mistreatment of animals and past use of people as oddities gave me pause. I suppose now in 2025, I would not send my kids. The Westchester area school district made a mistake in supporting the circus and I made a

125mistake sending my children. Today I stand here for all the children currently in school district asking for a review and reconsideration of all your field trips. When my children went to Philadelphia and Washington DC to tour federal parks and museums, I along with all the other parents expected our children to learn actual history while having a fun day out of school. Raiders should know the capital was built by enslaved people, that winning the legal right to vote for non-white land owners who weren't men cost lives and took about 200 years. Parents trusted the signs and plaques our children read. Now, the Trump administration is openly bragging. They plan to present a positive view of American history. There is already new signage in national parks asking visitors to report any materials that present negative aspects of

126American history. The White House is planning extensive review of the Smithsonian Institute to ensure that exhibits reflect the administration's view of American history ahead of the country's 250th birthday. A move that comes amid President Trump's broader takeover of all our nation's cultural institutions. Trump is demanding the removal of all quote divisive race centered ideology unquote and contact negatively portrays American history or figures. Teachers and students should not have to review every sign and plaque at parks monuments and museums for alternative facts. Those who reject propaganda should not be worried big brother is watching and judging their move movements in Google searches. I did not speak up against the circus. I guess nobody did. I am speaking up now. No field trips to any locations that have been sanitized and censored. I stand against fascism and

127field trips that reinforce government propaganda. Okay. The next speaker is Robert Graves. Thank you. My name is Robert Graves. I live in the PRO of Westchester. I would like to express my gratitude for your consideration of revising policies that have caused the shrinking of service provided by legacy organizations like the Scouts. I and many volunteers in our district are passionately concerned for the future of legacy civic programs in our community. There are many companies, nonprofits, and outside organizations that serve our schools with field trips, guest readers, supplemental education, and after school programs. The Scouts have been a part of this healthy mix of support for decades in the Westchester area, and we are eager to exist in partnership with schools and administrators. Thank you for your support as we continue our service in the district.

128>> And the last speaker this evening is Courtney Powell. Hello, I am Courtney Pow. I am from Yingington Town and I have a kindergartener in East Bradford Elementary. Um, and as you said, the tears were very much on the parent side today, not one of my daughters. Um, I wanted to speak about the kindergarten boot camp that was held at East Bradford Elementary this year. It was the first year that it was held. Um, my mom's calling me, of course. >> Tell her you said hi. >> Um, she's getting the update on the first day as well. Um, so it was the first year that this was held for East Bradford and I believe there were other elementary schools. Um, okay. Um, and I just can't express how much um, this was very valuable for

129us as parents. Uh before the camp, she was extremely nervous about starting school. She would cry at the thought of leaving us and she worried about what the first day would be like. Um like many 5-year-olds, the unknown felt very overwhelming for her. Uh during the two weeks of the boot camp, um it was two weeks of half days. Um having the chance to walk into the school before it was full of all the other students to see the classrooms, to meet the teachers, and to get familiar with the routines, it took away so much of her fear. uh instead of being anxious, she began to feel comfortable and even proud of herself for being brave. Uh by the end of the program, my same girl that was clinging to me on the first day

130and crying was running in the door with a huge smile on her face. Um it also gave her a very strong academic and social head start. She was introduced to some of the things she'll be learning in kindergarten, which made her feel more confident and ready. She practiced lining up, following directions, and working alongside other children in a setting that felt safe and encouraging. She was able to meet a lot of the amazing teachers in advance. Um, and not only did she get to know them, I also did and loved them. Uh, when the first real day of school came today, it wasn't scary or overwhelming, it was just very exciting because she already felt like she belonged at that school. Uh, as a parent, that peace of mind is priceless. Uh, I'm very grateful

131that this was offered for the first time this year and that we were able to join and I truly hope it continues in the future. Um, it's clear that the kindergarter boot camp doesn't Sorry, they did switch it to kindergarten roundup. It's clear that the kindergarten roundup doesn't just prepare kids for school, but it sets them up to love school from the very beginning. Um, I do not have any other children, not planning on it at this point. So, the fact that I'm here shaking talking to you guys just to tell you how amazing it was, I hope you can truly understand how strongly we felt about it. So, thank you. >> Thank you very much to all who commented. That was a very very nice to hear about a newer program. Correct. All right.

132Um so uh as a closing remark I do have a quote from William Butler Yates. Education is not the filling of a pale but the lighting of a fire. Our next monthly board meeting is Monday, September 29th. Please make a note that the original date was September 15th, but it has been moved now to September 29th. Do I have a motion to adjourn? Dri, do I have a second? Director Dornell. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. >> Our meeting is Amazing