001as well as board education equity oversight committee meetings. And on February 18th, we had a special public board meeting. And then we list out our upcoming meetings. On March 2nd, we'll have a regular public board meeting. March 10th, both facilities, transportation as well as finance. March 17th, board education, equity, oversight. That's one of our community conversations over Penland Woods uh community building. And then on March 23rd we will have another work session. Um now this evening we have two presentations as we'll start with the Wista Hicken High School monthly highlights. So some some things that have been going on during this month specifically Black History Month. The Black Student Union just recently did some elementary school readings over at all the elementary schools where we showcased um some unique and more recent trailblazers highlighting different
002professions and um genders. As well as that, we've also been able to in the morning play our own like culturally important music over the loudspeakers when students are entering the building. So that has been really fun and it's a great way to like start your day by hearing like a fun song. Some things looking ahead, uh, Black Student Union is hosting their annual cookout. We expect to see a great turnout and we're hoping to include HLA as well as some other affinity clubs and we're just all going to come together and play some fun activities with food and games. And last thing is we did recently just have our high school community forums where it's grade-wise each grade comes together during the school day and we get to address different issues that are going on
003during the going on in the building. And I think that's a great way to connect um with my peers and we're all able to just come together and address like gradewide issues. >> Great. Ree, did you have anything to add? >> Yeah, so we also have the spring musical coming up that's on uh Shakespeare's 12th night. So that'll be March 5th through 2nd. So I know they're in their last stages of prep for that and that's always good. We also have the backyard brawl um basketball game between the staff at Wisconsin and the staff at Upper Dublin which is a fundraiser for the uh Mr. Hugan Brooks scholarship which goes to a high school senior. So look out for that. That should be fun. That's this Thursday. Um the winter sports are also wrapping up.
004Um so they're having their districts and states. We don't have results on all of them yet, but stay tuned for that. And then spring sports are getting started with triyouts on March uh 2nd. So yeah, that's it. >> Great. Thank you both. Does anyone have any questions or comments? >> I just wanted to add Amy that Reed had a great weekend last weekend at the Suburban uh swimming championships. He won the 20500 and also the 20400 relay freestyle relays won that event won the meet too, right Reed? So we wish you luck at districts next week next weekend. >> Yeah, Reed, go read. >> Yeah, he's awesome. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, it was >> and it's really exciting. Your relays are awesome, too. So, it's really I'm looking forward to watching districts streaming that
005online. >> Yeah, it was the first time Wissa Hickin the boys had won the meet in 28 years. So, that was exciting. Awesome. Really good job. >> That's awesome. Congratulations. I look forward to hearing more about that. So, awesome. Any other comments or questions? No. All right. Well, then we'll move on to our next presentation, which is the Black History Month recognition. Gaziah. Thank you. So, I'm going to share my screen and and here we go. and Tatum really got us started when she was highlighting some wonderful things that are presently happening at the high school in celebration of Black History Month. So again, good evening everyone. It is such a wonderful opportunity for us to share um all the wonderful ways Nation is recognizing Black History Month. Although this month of course is a
006special time to showcase and highlight the wonderful achievements and accomplishments of black Americans. Um, one thing that we want to lift up is that this is learning that happens year- long. Um, we want to ensure that of course when we're talking about literature or history that fundamentally these individuals are surfacing in those types of meaningful and intentional lessons. So with me this evening, I'm so lucky to have Karina Robinson and Zamir Winder. Both of them are student leaders of our Black Student Union and so they'll be helping me present tonight. And so I'll start off with Blueb Bell Elementary. You'll see this little note here. Um for Blue Bell Elementary's music classes, they explored the evolution of black Americans in music, their influence on contemporary sounds, specifically um they were able to study jazz pioneers
007like Lewis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. They also were able to explore the Mottown area era, just really focusing on the Supremes and then going into Stevie Wonder, the rise of funk, hiphop, and more. Um, the Blue Bell Library continues to feature books by or about black Americans. And their bulletin boards are instructionally placed to showcase timelines and biographies of notable black individuals whose accomplishments students researched. Third graders completed book reviews of texts written by or about black Americans. And additionally, members of the high school's Black Student Union uh visited fourth and fifth grade classes for engaging presentations and discussions with the students as you could see in these pictures. So Laura Gwennet Elementary had this wonderful opportunity through their DEI committee um diversity, equity, and inclusion committee organized a schoolwide activity and this was focused
008on Martin's big words. So every teacher read Martin big words with their students and they watched um Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s I have a dream speech. In doing so, students then had a prompt that they had to respond to. And the prompt asked, "How can my words and action make a positive impact on Laura Gwennet Elementary?" And so, taking the words, taking the action and attendance of also being a leaping leopard and the values that entails and the principles exemplified by Dr. King, students then composed and created thoughtful reflections. Additionally, second and fourth graders continue to prepare morning and afternoon announcements highlighting influential black Americans they have researched. Black History Month is one of the many wonderful ways that the DEI team members along with Miss Kim Holture, who is a vital member of
009that team, works collaboratively with the high school social lab student in ensuring that Laura Gwennet community honors the month of Black History. I'm going to now turn it over to Karina who will focus on some of the wonderful highlights happening at both Shady Grove and Stony Creek. First, highlighting Shady Grove Elementary. Third and fourth graders will participate in a Black History Month storytelling project celebrating the achievements of black individuals throughout history. Each student will research an influential black figure and whose life demonstrates excellence, perseverance, and meaningful connect contributions to society. Students will write a first person biography and prepare a brief presentation. Then on February 27th, they will dress as the individual they research to share that person's story with peers across the grade levels. This event not only brings historical figures to life, but
010also strengthens their research, writing, and public speaking skills. Students in music are researching famous black musicians using videos, audio recordings, library databases, and books to learn about each artist's life, influences, achievements, and impacts. They are now creating Canva presentations to share their findings, as seen in the first image. In art class, second graders studied Elma Woodsy Thomas, shown in the top middle picture, and created their own artwork inspired by her style. Fourth graders study influential black historical figures and their contributions. Using meaningful quotes from these leaders to inspire reflections on their hopes and dreams for their future. In addition to library book display, the librarian designed her library lessons of focusing on historical black figures using mentor text. Then students in kindergarten through fifth grade honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through
011meaningful readalouds and class discuss discussions centered on carefully selected mentor texts reflecting on his message, leadership, and values. The celebration continued with hallway displays showcasing students reflections through writing and artwork on Dr. King's impact and how his message continues to inspire them today. Next on Stony Creek Elementary. Sorry, one second. First highlighting kindergarten students are creating art pieces inspired by the as mentioned amazing artist Alma Thomas. First graders completed an MLK activity relating to who he was and read a variety of Black History Month read alouds throughout the month. And then second graders are researching black Americans on Pebblego and learning to write a paragraph culminating in a final paragraph about the figure they studied. Third graders completed a Black History Month research project in which they which they selected a figure, completed a graphic
012organizer, created a Canva flyer, and then shared their learning with classmates. Fourth graders use a choice board to decide how to present their learning and are researching prominent figures in Black History. Lastly, fifth grade students research influential figures for Black History Month. Thank you, Karina. And now we're going to go over to seeing what the middle school did and the high school. And we're lucky that we have Zamir with us to help us do that. >> Yes, we do. Um for for the middle school, excuse me. For the middle school, eighth graders and social study classes worked in small groups to research influential figures in black history and examine their lasting impact on society. They also created visuals featuring meaningful quotes and images of black trailblazers promoting teamwork, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of
013black history significance. Eighth graders eighth grade students also completed an online scavenger hunt to learn about important figures in black history. Each student then selected one person to honor with a Canva collage, resulting in a beautiful hallway display. Miss Raleigh created a weekly announcement to honor the contributions of black Americans during Black History Month. The middle school Black Student Union selected individuals to honor during Black History Month, and many of their projects are displayed in the HM's glass case. The WMS library continues to feature rich selections by our by by or about black individuals for students to exploreformational bookmarks highlighting key figures. >> Thank you. And then we go to our high school. >> Welcome. Over at the high school, our environmental science and AP environmental science have studied environmental challenges affecting historically black communities,
014including e-waste flows to African countries. and local leadership response viewed TED talks on young America young African innovators highlighted black environmentalism and wrote introductions for influential black scientists in chemistry students created front page newspapers for features on black scientists and inventors in biology and apes students featured a different black scientist each day in February for English AP literature seniors read sula and discussed themes connected to black history that being World War I veterans and beauty standards. For our juniors, great honors and academic students. Students studied black poets lives and work. For freshman seminar, students open each class with an influential video on black history. For music, our band performed country club stomp by Gerard Hall. for social studies. American government students examine citizenship debates at the nation's founding the development of slavery laws and early
015freak communities. Optional letter to a current member of Congress. In current issues, students link current events to black history, that being people, culture, and concepts. In AP economics, students analyze income, wealth, inequality, and contri contributing factors, racism, discrimination, geography, and cons and considered solutions. In AP psychology, students explored roots and forms of bias. Teams built real life scenarios, race, gender, age, and etc. to deepen connections. For US history, students use primary source sources to analyze black Americans roles during the Vietnam War. For freshmen and global one, students analyze influential black Americans through actions and primary quotes connected to today. Also study of African history and separately Yasuki, an African samurai and a Japanese history. For sophomore in global 2, students researched a prominent African-American figure and presented a one to two page biography with a
016fiveminute PowerPoint. The high school BSU like Tatum Morris said kicked off February with daily morning music celebrating multiple multiple genres of black artists across eras focusing on district-wide connections. BSU students continued their annual visits to each elementary school, engaging fourth and fifth graders with a presentation on black trailblazers, arts, sports, and civic leadership and on in a bango game featuring black culture, encouraging all students to envision their future possibilities. Later this month, actually this following week, BSU will visit the newly formed middle school BSU to follow up on their earlier holiday meeting, sharing leadership and organizational insights and hosting an an open forum on preparing for high school. BSU will conclude Black History Month with its annual cookout on February 25th 2 at 2:4 2:45 to 400 p.m. in the square gym lobby, a pilock
017celebration with games, music, and dancing. All are invited. So, everyone is welcome to come if you guys want to pull up. We are we are we are like hosting we're wonderful guests. Like we're we're excited to have you. Hopefully, we have enough food. No, we Well, we most likely will. Thank you, Zamir. So, again, we really appreciate the opportunity to show all of the wonderful ways we are spotlighting and highlighting Black History Month in WIS Nation. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you so much for that presentation. It was awesome to hear what's going on in all of our schools and to hear about the upcoming um get together for everyone. So, thank you for sharing. Um, anyone have any questions or comments? >> Just Oh, sorry. >> Go ahead, Zephy. >> Uh, I I want
018to thank our students, Mir and Karina, and also um, Mrs. Lour. Uh I think you know every year you kind of like step it up even more and and really uh do something wonderful. Um, I also want to say how incredible I think that we are bringing our high school students into our fourth and fifth grade elementary schools to show up as peers and young leaders and showcasing where and how um, you know, they could go. And I I thank Karina and Samir for for being part of that. Um, I've heard your events are really good. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend, but I do think this is such a great event. Um, and something that I think, you know, showcases how intentional Wahhiken is about really, um, showing up as leaders with our
019black and brown community. So, thank you. Thank you. And thank you is all I want to say. Thanks, Zephy. Uh, Steve, that was you before, right? Oh, >> just echoing what Zephy said, but also that it was great to hear about the high school BSU helping out and guiding the middle school BSU. So, that great to hear that. So, thanks very much. >> Is awesome. Uh, Joe, >> I just wanted to thank uh Karina and Zamir again for joining us this evening. It's always great when we as board members get to hear directly from students. Uh so thank you for taking the time out of your evening to help present tonight's uh presentation and I was also excited to see that I show speed make one of the slides. Thanks. >> All right. Any other
020comments? >> I would like to make a brief comment just to um echo the the previous comments but to thank the administration, the staff and the students uh for the participation in this important month. Um it's great to see that um lessons are being taught and experiences are um are had in order to um uh highlight all groups of people. Um but during this month we're Black History Month um African-American achievements. So kudos to everyone involved. Great job. >> Yeah. Thank you, Paul. All right. Anyone else? All right. See no one. Thank you again to all of you for joining us this evening and sharing. Um all right. Well then we will move on from our presentation and we'll move to the first public comment period and um I do not see any hands raised
021but I'll just double check with you Amanda. Do you see anybody see any hands raised? >> Okay. Then we'll close our first public comment period and we'll move on to board president report. And I have noformational or action items this evening. We'll move on to our superintendent report. >> I don't have any um scheduledformational items or action items for this meeting, but I did want to just acknowledge all the great efforts um to address the significant snowfall again uh this winter. Um so, you know, there's a an incredible amount of humans that help to prepare our streets and make sure that um the school is safe and ready to open. We will be open on time tomorrow thanks to all of these individuals and the public work departments of our townships and burrow as they're
022clearing the snow from the roads and sidewalks and bus stops. We're so grateful for that. We're grateful for our facilities team. Um they work hard to clear the parking lots and prepare our buildings, making sure they're ready. Um and our transportation team making sure that our buses and vans are ready for service tomorrow. So, I just want to give a special shout out and acknowledgement and a note of gratitude because without these efforts, there's no way we would be able to be open uh tomorrow. So, things are looking good. We're in great shape and we're grateful to all for their effort. So, that's all I have for tonight. Thank you. >> Yeah, thank you to everyone that uh was able to get out there and get everything cleared up for us. So, yeah, thank you.
023And um yeah, on that topic, I did just want to clarify because I did get the question a couple times and I'm glad you pointed out to me the calendar. Um we have two days this year. We have used our two days. So at this point, any additional days, if we would take an actual snow day, they will get tacked on at the end. >> That's correct. And then >> up to a certain point and then spring break starts getting used. But hopefully hopefully that's not going to happen. But >> that's right, President Ginsburg, we don't want to get that message out there. But that is true. That is true. We would we would need more than four or five um days before we would need to go into spring break. So please don't anyone
024panic. And furthermore furthermore, our executive leadership team um have been having conversations to make sure that we will be prepared in the event of any potential flurries coming. We're sending those devices home so that we have the option for a virtual day. um because we know that families would much rather family and staff would much rather prefer that than to um have us extend our school year into the Monday. As you may know, right now our last student day falls on a Friday. And so um adding a day at the end is even more of an impact because it means coming in after the weekend. So um we may see that we are being proactive more than usual in terms of sending those devices home as a just in case. But listen, it's February 23rd.
025We're all hoping that this is the last of the snowfall for the season. So, this is all for not because we won't see any more snow. Um, I do want to just add one more special shout out because I would be remiss if I didn't mention Mr. Bricker. Um, he would probably not appreciate me acknowledging him, but he certainly is a part of that team of individuals working hard and diligently and coordinating all of the efforts behind the scenes. Um, so thank you very much, Mr. Bricker. All right, and that concludes our report. >> Yes. Thank you, Tim. And thank you, Dr. one. Um, all right. Yeah, I don't want to get anybody scared. Yes, I didn't mean to forget that about spring. It just it's the first year we haven't actually I feel like
026moved back. Past couple years we've been voting to move things back and this year we've used them. It's so crazy. Um, but all right. Well, moving on. Assistant Superintendent report. >> Yes. Thank you, President Ginsburg. I wanted to start by going back to our January 16th professional development day that was presented during our January 26th work session by acknowledging the incredible work of Miss Gaza Lator, our director of equity and cultural responsiveness. I was remiss in not thanking her because she was instrumental in reaching out to partners, coordinating logistics, and ensuring that our teachers experienced highquality, meaningful learning opportunities. These included the district-wide session on understanding Jewish identity and anti-semitism provided by the Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia and the opportunity for our secondary ELA and social studies teachers to work with the 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher
027of the Year, Leon Smith. So, I wanted to extend a sincere thank you to Miss Lour for her outstanding leadership and for the continued support she provides to our teachers and leaders through this highquality professional development. So, let's move forward to what we just had, which was professional development sessions running on both February 12th and February 13th. During the afternoon of February 12th, our support staff participated in professional development led by our communications coordinator Kristen Rollins and communications specialist Elizabeth Epstein focused on learning about parent square and digital accessibility requirements to ensure all district materials meet ADA requirements in the future. The afternoon also included a workshop provided by the Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia, which was the same workshop that all of our staff had participated in and our administrative leaders. And this offered valuable
028historical context, practical insights, and strategies to help staff better understand Jewish identity and recognize and address anti-semitism in our schools. On February 13th, district staff engaged in a focused day of learning aligned with our instructional priorities and and our continued commitment to fostering safe, inclusive, and respective environments. The other half of the faculty that did not take part in understanding Jewish identity anti-semitism in January were part of this session at this pre at this last professional development. That was that session again provided by the Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia and was wellreceived by all of our staff. As shared in our January 26 board work session, professional staff and grade levels or departments that did not attend the session participated on February 13th and this ensured broaden equitable access to this learning opportunity. Simultaneously, other staff
029engaged in targeted professional learning aligned to their roles, including mathematics implementation for our new mathematics program with instructional routines at the elementary level, deeper conceptual mathematics work at the middle school level, and high school math implementation planning, ELD reclassification processes, early intervention and evaluation procedures, and department or role-based meetings for nurses and support staff. In the afternoon, staff returned to their buildings and record for afternoon work focused on building based priorities led by the principles and assistant principles. I would like to extend a sincere thank you to Miss Kristen Rawlings, communication coordinator, Elizabeth Epstein, communications specialist, and our director team, Miss Kaziah Lour, director of equity and cultural responsiveness, Dr. Jennifer Schmidt, director of teaching and learning, Dr. Kelly Han McCcluskkey, director of student services, and Mr. Jason Falconee, director of technology, as well as
030the members of their teams whose collaboration, leadership supported a successful and meaningful day of professional learning and also a thank you to our principles and assistant principles for their implementation pro professional development. Overall, the day reflected a balanced approach to advancing instructional practices while reinforcing our district's values and commitment to inclusive school communities. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you for that report. Does anyone have any questions or comments? No. All right. Well, thank you so much and thank you to everyone who participated in those days and um coordinated getting all that together. So, thank you so much. Um All right. Well, we'll move on then to our board solicitor report. Jeff, >> even though nothing is listed specifically under my board solicitor report, I have to do this once every 30 years. So, uh, I
031have already reported to the district administration and our board president that effective April 1st, uh, the entire education law department at Fox Rothschild and every person who has ever provided legal services to the school district will be moving to a new law firm, uh, which is not that new of a law firm. It's been around for a hundred years. uh MCNE Wallace and Nurk and they will be uh providing new office space for us uh approximately a mile from our current location uh near the Plymouth Meeting Mall uh entrance. And uh uh at that time um from your perspective everything is going to transparently look the same the way it is. Uh both I and Michelle Mintz will continue to come to the board meetings. Um Beth Shore and other people in our special education
032group will continue to represent the school district. uh Bonnie Young who does a lot of work with the human resources department and Danielle Haye, Alyssa Drew and a number of other individuals and Lauren Chzn who does all of your assessment appeals and works with Tim Bricker will go along uh as a result of the combination with McNees Wallace and Durk which is 150 uh person law firm. We will be expanding our abilities in the uh construction and public finance arena and uh being able to provide some additional services to the school district. All of this is amicable with Fox Rothschild. This is an amicable uh uh split. The reason April 1st has been selected, that's the end of the Fox Rothschild fiscal year. um on your agenda next uh Monday, uh even though it doesn't
033appear tonight, there needs to be a motion and the administration does have the engagement letter to acknowledge that the education law department of Fox Rothschild LLP, the appointed solicitor, will become the education group of McNees, Wallace, and Nurk LLC effective April 1, 2020. 26. No changes are being made to the terms of representation, the current rate structure or personnel through um June 30th of 2027. So in effect, we're extending our current contract at no change in fees for an additional year and that the superintendent and business manager will be authorized to s sign any necessary documents to effectuate the transfer. I noticed on your agenda you have CHA which is a construction management firm on the agenda. Uh they too recently went to change and you had a similar motion authorizing their change in name.
034So essentially from your perspective, this is a change in name only and I'd be prepared to address any questions that uh board members may have with respect to that. >> Great. Thank you, Jeff. Um did anyone have any questions uh they wanted to ask Jeff this evening about that? >> Um yeah, I had a question. Um, so Jeff, I'm glad to hear that um yourself, Michelle, and uh the lawyers that we've um grown accustomed to dealing with um in our district are going to remain despite the name change. But I guess I was curious um I think McNise is a much smaller firm overall than Fox. Um just curious what prompted the the change. Um >> okay. Um it's simply overhead. Okay. We're um Fox is over a thousand attorneys. Uh it is the 70th
035largest law firm in the state and um MCE is 150 attorneys. Uh but still has a corpus that's large enough to handle uh specialized areas such as immigration uh copyright related issues and other specialty areas that your school district has utilized. Indeed, the deputy general counsel of the school district of the city of Philadelphia is a MCNE uh individual who comes from that and MCNE has a very strong presence in this arena. Um very bluntly um the uh hourly rate structure in order for us to remain competitive in this field we could not remain competitive if we stayed at Fox Rothschild. The rates would simply be prohibited. Uh, I will say publicly my rack hourly rate is close to $1,400 an hour and clearly I do not charge anything close to that and uh rates
036in the $200 uh an hour arena or anathema for uh nationalsiz law firms. That was really the prompting of the issue. And if anything, I think in the specialty areas, you might even see some stronger uh support than you did with a larger law firm. >> Great. Thanks. >> And doing some research on McNees, um, you know, I saw that they are very well known in this particular arena and they were, I think, ranked number one as bond council at one point in time. So, they are very well known um and seem to be a very very prestigious midsize firm. So, I think it's, you know, a good strategic move. >> Well, it's a strategic move and uh we're very happy about it and as I said, I'm only doing this once every 30 years.
037I'm not doing this again. We we merged into Fox Rothschild. Just so you know, Fox Rothschild in 1996. This would be our 30th anniversary as of April 1st. And in 1996 I was attorney number 133. So Fox Rothschild was much smaller and uh actually smaller than McNees is today in terms of their growth and having a strong regional player matches up with the marketplace of where we are as a school district and we uh look very much forward to uh do that. and they've also committed to um my actual uh continued representation at least through December 31st of 2029. >> Great. Anyone else have questions or comments? Jeff, one thing I did notice in the contract, but I think it was also in the Fox contract, um was about conflicts. Um, how does that typically
038work in this area? Like is there I didn't like I never had seen language like that before and then I saw it in both contracts. I was like that's so interesting. >> Well uh it's something that the general counselss of both uh firm insist upon. But I don't think we've ever run into that issue. And after all is said and done, uh, we work out all of the conflicts that get that we come across on a regular basis on a mutually prospective basis. We have never exercised that clause at in Fox Rothschild and I don't expect to exercise the clause in McNees, but I'm not controlling that. There are people called general counsel who insist upon that, but if we do run into that issue, we will work through it. >> Okay. We just get
039alerted of it though if it comes up. >> Yes. Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. Great. Any other questions? >> All right. Well, thank you again for bringing that to our attention. >> Um we'll be voting on that then next week. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. We'll move on now to the board secretary report. Tim, >> this month for approval, there are four items. the minutes from the communication committee, the board equity education equity oversight committee, the prior work session and voting session. >> Great. Any comments or questions? All right. Uh, seeing none, board treasure report. >> This month for approval is the January treasures report. >> Great. Thank you. Any comments or questions? All right. Seeing none, we'll move on to the HR report. Um, Danielle. >> Hello. Good
040evening everyone. Uh for your review tonight are seven items under section 13 of the human resources report. The first two action items include resignations, retirements, appointments, extracurricular appointments, and volunteers. Section 13.3 is an agreement with ProAre therapy for temporary counseling services, which was referenced in a board memo sent to the board on February 4th. 13.4 Four is the addition of the culinary club at the high school uh as another uh high school student activity offering. 13.5 are the spring extracurricular assignments. 13.6 is for a mentor for newly hired teacher. And finally 13.7 is the 2627 holiday list for the 12 month staff. That concludes my report. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. Did anyone have any questions or comments? I had a quick question, Amy, for Danielle. When was what's the date that you request
041retirements and resignations for for the for the fall? What what do we say on that? >> March 1st. >> Okay. So, this might this is the last sort of like round before that. >> So, um yeah, so we'll the subsequent I mean people who told us early we were able to um you know have those retirements um as they came in. Um, some folks will wait till March, you know, right around March 1st and then we'll get them on uh the April agenda. >> Got it. Okay. Thank you. >> Great. Anyone else? All right. Not seeing anyone. All right. So, we'll move on now to our committee reports. Communications. Sephi. >> I have no items for this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you. Curriculum and technology. DM. >> Yes. Good evening. Before your review tonight,
042there are three items under the curriculum and technology committee section. First, 15.1 is anformational item. We would like to announce the 30-day public review period for the recommended K to 12 counseling plan 2026 to 2031. Um, the PA chapter 339 school counseling plan serves as a foundational document that not only outlines the framework for delivering counseling services, but also underscores the critical role of school counselors in supporting the holistic development of our students. Uh this plan was initially approved 2024 to 2028 and it was updated this year because of a new career education and work standard that will go into effect next school year and the plan was revised to reflect those changes. The second item 15.2 is a review action item of outplace educational services and tuition costs for this school year for one
043student not to exceed the amount of $28,188. the outplacement was identified by the district because of a particular program at another institution is determined to best need meet the students educational needs. The third item 15.3 is a review action item for psychiatric evaluation by Dr. Claudia Chernow and the amount not to exceed $18,60. The evaluation was conducted because of a student's unique needs. Thank you. Any questions or concerns? one hand Steve. >> Yeah, not necessarily question just comment and appreciate the uh administration's response. I was just really happy to see the um inclusion in the eighth grade plan regarding exposure to the North Monaco Technical Career Center um given the fact that we uh now are having ninth graders attend. So just glad to see that. Thank you. Anyone else? All right. Well, thanks so
044much for that report today, Dian. All right. We'll move on to uh finance. Oh, actually, I'm sorry, uh facilities and transportation. Sorry, Joe. >> All right. Um good evening. Uh we have two items for review and discussion this evening and then vote next week. The first one is the approval to award the middle school boiler plant replacement project to uh Hersburg Mechanical. Um, as you guys recall, a couple months ago, we approved the design for the boiler replacement project, and this is the follow-up um, award of installation to uh, Hersburg Mechanical. We received nine bids total on this project, and Hsburg was the winning bidder. Um, 16.2 is the approval of a proposal from Eastern Lift Truck Company to get a replacement scissors lift um, for the district. Um, this is to replace uh, the
045previous one, which is no longer working. So, uh, again, those two items for review and discussion this evening. Any, uh, questions? >> Uh, just one question. Um, I actually had to look up what what a scissor lift was. Uh, and, uh, uh, I I got a little bit of education on that. And uh you know, Tim, if you could talk to um you know, how often we use this and why owning versus renting would be the preferred way to go would be helpful. >> Sure. So, renting it renting it uh really given the amount of use that we have, it doesn't make sense. Uh just as an example, this one that we're looking to replace broke and we've been renting one since November and we've spent $5,500 just on running it from that time period.
046So within one year, it should pay for itself. >> Thank you for that explanation, Tim. I appreciate that. No, that makes that makes total sense. I obviously know nothing about scissor lips, but thank you. >> Any other questions? All right, then we'll move on to finance. Steve. >> Yep. We have uh one item for review and eight items uh for approval next week. The one item for review is just the uh finance committee meeting minutes. Um and just to refresh folks memories, uh what happened at that committee meeting is we went ahead and um uh agreed with the approval which is later on in the agenda items for the finance committee to uh go ahead with our current auditor um through 2028. Uh we also agreed that we would uh look into earned income tax
047credits for volunteer firefighters within the district um as a uh tax break for them uh given their service. Uh and then spent most of the time reviewing our budget status. And uh I know I sound like a broken record uh during these meetings, but um we are uh not currently at a balanced budget. Um our revenues uh at about 139 million are about 1.4 million short of our estimated expenses and therefore we have applied uh for special education exception to the state to raise the tax rate above the 3.5% act one uh level um to a 5.1% tax increase. Um again that means that uh we don't have to go to the 5.1% but we have the flexibility to do that based on uh our budget stance. And again, I would um encourage members of
048the community to join our finance committee meetings that were announced um within that uh packet of uh PowerPoint slides and uh to help us figure out uh our priorities and our best way to balance the budget for the upcoming 2026 27 school year. Um the other items that we will be looking for approval uh next week include just our standard financial reports and listed payments for last month. Um we mentioned it was mentioned earlier uh by Jeff our solicitor about uh working with CHA and the reason why we are looking for an approval to work with CHAS to help them write a grant. two grants actually. Uh one seeking um and this is item 17.5, $1.5 million to uh replace the roof at Stony Creek. Uh and also another grant uh for $4 million for
049renovation items at Lower Gwyn Elementary School. And I'm going to stop there and let Mr. Bricker explain uh more about the renovation project at Lower GwynD. And Tim, you may have to come off mute. I recognize. >> Sorry, I thought I clicked it. I guess not. Um, so the Laruet project is proposed to be a roofing project. It is something that will be brought up and discussed at the March 10th finance or sorry, facilities and transportation meeting. Um, but due to the timing of when the grants are needed to be the applications need to be in, the resolutions need to be turned in, we needed to add that for this uh session. Um they're very involved grants. They take about two years to go through and complete to fill out. There's a lot of back
050and forth, a lot of reporting and requirements. CHA has done this for several other schools and been successful. Uh it is beyond my knowledge and skill set to do this. So it makes sense to hire a company that's going to be able to perform well with this. I also have to note that if we do not get the grant, there's no cost to the district. And just a acknowledgement and thanks to the administration for looking at uh getting these costs covered via a grant. Um thank you Mr. Bricker. Uh item 17.7 as noted before is approval of uh to go with the same auditor uh the district has used in the past uh for the next three years. Um 17.8 eight uh is to uh approve the budget for the MCIU to provide uh government
051relation support, organizational professional learning and technology services. This uh $100,000 line item is a small increase uh from our current year. And then 17.9 is uh seeking approval to accept a donation uh from WE off in the amount of $7,000 uh for uh to fund a Sphero and iPad grant for the high school library. Uh are there any questions? >> Uh not a question but a comment. I I want to thank Tim and the team and the administration for finding a partner to help with grants. uh really understand how challenging writing grants is and you know especially the fact that they won't get awarded any money unless they win the grant is huge and looking for grants opportunities. Um I think this is a very uh creative and proactive way to kind of find some
052financial solutions for some of the things that we're up against. So kudos. I hope we we have success and hopefully we can apply for even more grants in the future if if it makes sense. Thank you. Any other comments? No, not seeing any. All right. Well, thank you so much, Steve, for that report. We'll move on now to policy. And let's see, null, you're up there. Sorry, it's hard to know where everybody is on the screen. >> Okay. in person. >> How you doing? Um so on February 9th, the uh policy committee met. Uh during that meeting, the committee reviewed and discussed updates to 10 policies now listed on the agenda items 18.2 through 18.11. Uh, these policies address board committee structure, excuse me, curriculum, instructional exemptions, extracurricular activities, attendance, health management, weapons offenses, law
053enforcement relations, school security personnel, and public comment at board meetings. Um, no actions were taken at the committee meeting. Um the policies and the related presentations including the presentation outlining the policy review process are available at the February 9th policy committee agenda materials in board docs. Um items 18.2 through 18.11 represent the first reading of those policies and we will be seeking approval of the first reading at the March 2nd meeting. Um, these policies will then return during the subsequent board cycle for a second and final reading with anticipated board action on April 6th. >> All right. Thank you, Nol. Any comments or questions? >> Uh, yep. One one from myself. That's okay. >> Yep. Uh, just a comment on uh 1811 in policy 9003. Um there is a strikeout for previous graduates of WISC
054and high school and I think that uh tech should remain in the policy not be strike out struck out. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other comments or questions? >> All right. Well then we'll be voting on these next week. Um, we'll move now to, excuse me, the board education equity oversight committee. Um, Paul, there you are. Okay. Couldn't find you there. There you are. >> I'm here. >> Thanks, Amy. Um, the board educational equity oversight committee received an update on February 17th from our director of equity and cultural responsiveness, Miss Casiah Lour, who shared current staff diversity data and ongoing recruitment and retention efforts. noting that Whissa Hickin continues to outpace county and state averages. She also walked the committee through the equity dashboard's staff competition indicator, which highlights staff racial and ethnic makeup
055and multi-year trends. Miss Lour reviewed why staff diversity matters for all students and summarized current initiatives including recruitment fairs, university partnerships and the future teachers of America program alongside continued retention work focused on me I'm sorry alongside continued retention work focused on mentorship and cultural responsiveness. She noted that the district will keep exploring deeper university partnerships. grow your own pathways and other strategies to help support this work. She closed by inviting the community to the next board educational oversight committee meeting which will be held on March 17th at 700 p.m. It is a community listening session that will be at Penlland Woods Community Building. So, we will encourage all to attend as many community members um who are available that can make it out. We would love to get your input and um the purpose
056of these meetings is to hear from the public and so it's it's a great opportunity to get involved uh and for us to have a dialogue um and insight and input from all right. Thank you Paul. Any comments or questions? Not seeing any. All right. Well, thank you again and we'll move on to health, wholeness, and safety. Jean, >> hi everyone. Uh there are noformational items or action items uh at this time. >> All right. Thank you. So, we'll move on to a report of board representatives. Um we'll start with extracurricular Dan. >> All right. I do have a report. The uh extracurricular committee, we met on February 11th. Um the Wistagen athletic director, Mr. Kairens, the principal of Wistan High School, Dr. Blair, assistant principal, Mr. Walker from the middle school, and the union
057vice president, president, representatives, um, as teachers, Tim Burker, Rosera, and myself. Um, I am happy to announce that two new clubs have been approved as IE/bonus blocks. Um, one is kiddo kindness where the students will be making things for chop patients. uh will also be I believe in some way shape or form connected with the key club. They're also doing whis paws which is raising money and spot and shining spotlights on local animal shelters and making dog toys which I think all of us can unanimously approve. Those are uh terrific clubs. Um unfortunately voted down which I which I understand has happened multiple times is the ski club. Um it it's just not going to happen. the townships and whiz and uh the townships provide lots of ski trips. We applaud the students who want
058to go for that and think that they should go to those township trips, but unfortunately for liability purposes, the high school and middle school will likely never have a ski club. And also the psych leadership club um was not approved. There previously were low numbers. Their psych course is already an elective, so that was not approved. Um, another thing that was highlighted and actually I'm glad it was because it was not something that I was aware of. Don't know how many of you are, but Whizen High School uh recently started, uh, participating in the unified sports program, which is run in partnership and in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Special Olympics. We currently have a track and field team. Um, roughly 30 kids participating in it. It's been a big success. Um, we are now asking
059for the approval both from Tim Bricker, which we believe to have from a financial perspective, but also we're working with the PA Special Olympics to see if we can go from one sport to three sports. Currently, we have track and field, which is a spring sport. We're looking to add weightlifting in the fall and botchi ball in the winter. Um, if anybody has questions, I'm happy to expand further, but it's a terrific program and, um, it's not 100% that we're going to get approved. We might only go from one to two instead of one to three, but um, we're going to try and lean in as much as we possibly can with the unified sports program. So, that's that is my report. >> Wonderful. Well, that all sounds great. I love the new clubs and
060I love those unified sports. That's awesome. I didn't even know like that was something we did. So, that's great. Um, anyone with comments or questions? >> Did was Rosetta at all like influenced with the chop thing? I'm sure she'll be so happy to hear that we're doing that. But all good stuff. Very exciting. >> Very easy. Yes. On that one. >> I love the possum. I love uh animal charities. So, that's great. Wonderful. Well, anyone else questions? All right. Well, then we'll move on to So, thank you so much, Dan. We'll move on to the MCIU. We have our meeting later this week, so I'll have something for next week. Uh, North Monco, Stephie or Steve. >> You go. You go and I'll finish up. >> All right. No problem. Um, so we did have
061our a meeting and the first thing that was reviewed was the comprehensive plan uh for uh North Monco similar to what happens with the Wista Hickin District uh and district goals. The comprehensive plan went over uh four separate goals for the uh technical career center. Um we also uh reviewed uh Skills USA district competition winners. Uh, one of those winners being a student from Wiz Hicken, which is fantastic. Um, and we also uh looked at the um current budget for the uh North Monaco Tech Career Center and uh that budget is uh within the 3.5% uh act one index. Um, Zephy, anything else you want to add? >> Yeah. Um, they're also walking on the act 93 administrators agreement. um that's due to expire um I believe June of 26. So they're working on updating
062that. And then um oh we did have um there was an open house on January 31st and there was over a thousand attendees and we did have executive session about uh per meeting person a personnel a returning personnel but um they have a new security guard so everything else was kind of standard stuff >> and sorry one last they are they are going through the process for the your director. Um, so >> yes, which yeah, we talked about last time, but >> Yep. >> Great. Thank you. Any questions or comments? >> All right, great. Well, thank you. Um, PSBA Dian, anything? >> Sorry, trying to get off mute. No, nothing for now. Sorry. >> Thank you. All right, then we'll move to our second public comment period. Um and the board is directors uh values
063public input um and provides opportunities for community members to share comments during our board meetings in accordance with policy 903. There are two public comment periods. Um the first is for agenda items only. The second one is for any school related topic. Um we are encouraging community members to use our new uh comment process and that's our electronic form. Um, and I don't believe today we had any, but for future meetings, we encourage people to go ahead and try using that electronic form in advance of our meetings. Um, you can still go ahead though and register online by raising your hand or um in person when we're in person using the blue form. Um, so when I um uh or when Amanda G says your name, just uh state your name, your municipality, and the
064topic on which you're speaking. You have three minutes um and um we'll have five speakers on any particular topic. All right. Um, Amanda, do you want to go ahead? >> We have Carmina Taylor. >> Hi, Carina. Go ahead and unmute. So, it's interesting. I want the school community to see that they're wiping out in over a year the provision for Wah Hickin alumni to speak at the meeting. So for the most part, I'm the only alum that speaks. So the question is for the answer, why now are you taking out that provision? Why couldn't you be a trailblazer in the county with allowing alums that have have a lived experience and have things to value the the school community whether they're there or not to speak. Um, I think it's very interesting that your community
065liaison person is also the fundraising uh person for the district that reaches out to alums to invest in money in your school district. So, why would you wipe out people that are potential investors or donors to your school district and wipe them out from speaking? So, I looked at 105. There are a great deal of strikes and additions. Um, question again. Why take out all of the interventions that a providing presiding officer can do at a meeting? You know, I have um I'm on another Zoom on my laptop. I'm on this call on my um on my phone and it just seems like you keep trying to find more and more avenues to censor me. And I just want to thank you for all the opposition and the obstacles that you provide to me directly
066for now over 10, no 20 years. Um, you have tried, the school district has tried to silence me, obstruct me, eliminate me, and it's not going to work. I'm going to still fight. I'm still going to advocate. But what's best in this moment is that you continue to provide me information that I provide to the education committee at the state house. It is an abomination of how you abuse your leadership, how disrespectful that you disregard the community's voices, and how you continue to find ways to escape accountability of what you're not doing for most kids that are in the margins, whether it's special ed, whether it's athletics, um whether it's academics. Um, I've had the privilege in the last month or so to meet up with alums, black alums that have contributed to this school
067district. And each of them have a story from the 1960s into the 2000s about how someone within the school system um were prejudice against them, were racist against them, and the obstacles that they personally had to overcome and how it spilled over into their adulthood. So I want to thank you whoever made that change for not for striking out the whistle hicken alum and I'm going to continue to blow it up on all spaces because people need to question why why now when I'm the primary person that's an alum that speaks but Kristen gets 25% of donations from alumni. So it's very interesting. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you Carina. And um I don't see any other hands raised. Uh do you see anyone Amanda? >> There are no hands raised online. >> Okay.
068I just want to >> so much to talk >> um and I just want to remind speakers to always make sure you state your name municipality and the reason um that you're speaking. Um all right. Well then we will move on from our second public comment period and we'll move on to board comments. Do any of my fellow board members have comments? Uh null. Sorry, that was the wrong button. >> All right, anyone else with comments? >> Amy, I have a quick comment. >> Yes. >> I just wanted to um highlight um how exciting it is to see the Black Student Union playing a prominent role back in uh in the high school um as well as the other schools. Um it's an organization that um I was a part of, actually served as president
069of a few years ago. Um but it's great to see that um they're very active and and doing great things on campus again. Um very much needed and appreciated. >> Just a few years ago, right, Paul? >> Just just a couple. >> But who's counting? Uh Tim, you had a comment. You're counting. >> I graduated with Paul. >> Tim was there. That's right. >> You're counting. Tim's counting. >> That's right. >> Um I just want to highlight also this weekend is um the eighth grade musical. Um so this will be the first time Miss Carson is doing one in our in our middle school. And um I'm really excited. I heard that out of all I think there's four shows uh there's only eight tickets left across all four shows so it's sold out basically.
070Um probably those eight tickets that was a couple days ago. Those eight tickets are probably gone by now. Um but I'm very excited um to see it's Frozen. So I'm excited to see Frozen. Uh it should be really good. So if you can catch one of those uh eight tickets or get a hold of one of those eight tickets, you know, I encourage you to go see it. Um, any other uh comments this evening? >> This was the right winter to have the theme frozen. >> I don't know how how she did that, but well done. >> Yeah, it really was. >> Uh, just a a shout out or a reminder to all. Amanda sent us an email and we were supposed to respond by today um about reading across America for those who may
071be interested in participating. I I think we started this last year, Amy. I don't remember. Um but um it is such a a a really cute um opportunity to get in and be a guest reader and um I enjoyed it last year. So if you have the time, it's uh time well spent, I think, to get in front of our students for Read Across America. >> Yeah. And actually maybe going on like two years now. >> Oh yeah. >> It is like wonderful. I really enjoy going and doing it. So yeah, please sign up if you haven't yet. >> Yes, I did it last year. It was great. >> I think we did together. Jean, weren't we both at Blue Bell together? It was two years ago then. >> Maybe. So, >> I feel like
072you and I were together one of the years. >> Maybe. So, yeah, it's a great I'll be at Shady Grove on Tuesday. Next Tuesday. If uh any of your kids are in there, just tell them I I'm a terrific elementary school reader. Show the pictures, everything. >> Any other comments this evening? No. All right. Does anyone want to make a motion to adjurnn? >> Second. >> All right. We're adjourned. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, everyone. You too. >> Bye, everybody. Bye. >> All right. Thank you. Have a good evening.