001We'll call the uh school director's business meeting to order. Um is anyone recording the meeting for the public? Thank you. Um roller, please. >> Mrs. Hansen here. >> Mr. Hershey here. >> Mrs. here. >> Mrs. Phillips here. >> Ms. Mr. Rodriguez, >> Mr. Shippers >> here, >> Mrs. Taylor >> here, >> Mrs. Torres >> here, >> Mrs. Zinsky >> here. >> Thank you. Um, if you'll join me to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. just like to welcome our visitors um this evening um and to announce the upcoming meetings. There will be a committee of the whole meeting on March 9th at 4:45 in the community boardroom, a finance and facilities workshop on March 11th at 5:00, also
002in this room, and a board of school directors meeting on March 23rd at 6 p.m. also in the community boardroom. and an executive session will be held following tonight's meeting for a personnel item and board training. We are very happy to have two students with us tonight even though there was it was an FID day. So, thanks for trudging in here. We have Julia Flores and Vivian Cone who are going to tell us a little bit about what's going on in the school. So, just run over to both of you. >> Okay. Um I'll start with activities. The drama club held auditions for their senior high musical, the Drowsy Chapron. 43 students in grades 9 through 12 auditions. Returning veterans Ali Tranulo, Leah Price, and Anthony Donado each earned lead ro each earned lead roles
003and newcomer Emma Brand, a senior, earned the title role. The show is the final weekend of April. The junior high drama club opens this week, opens their musical, The Music Man Junior, this weekend. Tickets may be purchased on the WY drama website. There's even a billboard advertising the show at the intersection of 7:24 and Museum Road. Minithon's rapidly approaching. The event will take place March 7th from 4 to 12 at the junior senior high school. The community is invited to join on March 6th from 6:30 to 8:30. And remember, it's never too late to donate. See a Minthon rep to learn how. Minthon also sold Royals tickets for the January 31st game. $5 from every ticket went directly to Minon. Art Club began their memory project for the school year. The yearbook launched a new
004fundraiser selling vintage Y missing gear. Contact Mr. Beck if you'd like to explore the collection. Model UN hosted the annual Y missing area model UN conference in December. The conference is a gathering of three local high schools to help them all prepare for their larger larger model UN spring conference in DC. Student council awarded the final featured faculty award to Dr. Jones who embodied everything that the award stands for. The featured faculty spartan shield will hang on display outside of the guidance office through the end of the year in trivia. Now on athletics girls basketball finished their season with a 6 to10 record including a marquee victory over scoop valley earlier in the season. Boys basketball opened their district playoff run on Friday night at home versus Skoo Valley, falling 63 to 52. In the
005county playoffs, the boys took Nuenberg to the wire in the opening round before losing at the buzzer. Winter track competed at the Burks County Showdown meet in January at Alurnia. Boys varsity wrestling hosted the county tournament this weekend and has several wrestlers still competing at the district and the state level. Chess club's first match was in January. It was a very valuable experience to start the season. C Club is enjoying their weekly trucks to Blue Mountain. The club is also hoping to have a Vermont trip approved for later this month. The W missing area botchi ball teams went first and second at the Burst County Championship held at Governor McLund. The team earned key victories early in the season with a victory and a tie at Wilson. The team wore their medals with Pride to
006School on Thursday. The teams will now be gifts to the regional tournament. Congratulations to coaches Sally Mackoy and Danielle FA on a great season thus far. >> And Minithon, can I It's March 6 into the 7th. Is that right? >> Um, so public hour is on March 6th from 6:30 to 8:30 and that's where the community can come. But then the main event for the high schoolers is on March 7th um from 4 to 12. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Any questions for them before they head out? Okay. >> Thank you so much. >> Okay. Moving on to reports. Um, Burks County Intermediate, Mr. Hers. >> Thank you. So we met on January 15th and at that meeting uh we celebrated the for the ninth consecutive year the BCU marked school director recognition month
007with its annual student artwork showcase. This year's theme was together we shine uh which had then entries from all 18 school districts in the county and this is the one from Y missing uh submitted by Lauraai. Um, so this is something that will be on display with I guess past year's uh submissions. So well done. And then also at the January 15th meeting, uh, the BCIU board appointed David Hershey from Wson School District as board secretary. So, >> exciting. >> Uh, and then moving on to February meeting was this past Thursday, uh, February 19th. And the highlight there was that we got visited by Reese, the therapy dog, uh, part of the therapy dog program at ECIU. Uh, which was just really cool to have Reese around and say hello and learn about that program.
008Uh we also got this state mandate book of all the mandates that we can read at our leisure. Uh the next meeting will be March 19. >> Thank you so much. Um first career and technology center Mrs. Torres. >> Our last meeting was January 28th. Um we had some discussion about the amount of children enrolled which is 2007 and is currently a weight list of over 300. Um we had some discussion about the rising cost of health coverage which is over 9 and a half%. um continued renovations of major building systems which some of the capital projects include a demand for feasibility study, roof replacement, east campus boilers, rooftop air handlers, a renovation of the prior welding lab which is now going to be used for storage and construction of the new storage building. Um
009there is a tech and talent fest March 3rd at East and March 4th at West to showcase programs. Uh BCTC will be hosting open house with middle school students. Uh they passed their PDA audit with overwhelming positive feedback. There's a career camp for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade which is going to total 100 kids um for the following programs. their smart program, their building and construction, heavy equipment, residential interior design and painting, protective services, and the dates will be held June 8th through the 12th at 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Public East Campus. Um there was 30 eligible students from the prior wait list, and there's 100 total kids. So, there's 70 kids to be um allowed in. Registration open February 9th to all the other students. So, the cost is $50 per student. Um,
010there is an open invitation to have one of our board meetings at PCTC if you're interested in that to have dinner and possibly a tour. And I did have a lot of schools had mentioned that they have acceptance parties to surprise their students. So that may be a little initiative. We will possibly have a a surprise acceptance party for kids who are accepted into the programs. And so our next meeting is held this Wednesday the 25th. >> Thank you. Um Burks EIT Mr. Boyer. >> Uh our last meeting was December 18th. um at 6 p.m. uh went over the uh proposed budget uh for uh BCTC which we approved. Um the business privilege tax um collections have been up or increased which is great. Same with earned income tax. So collections overall have increase. um
011they are doing more focusing on the business privilege tax as far as um going after more of the rental properties uh and uh increasing their delinquent uh collection efforts. So uh that was a big discussion of of the majority meeting um and our next meeting is March 19. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Uh why missing area education foundation Mrs. Azy >> thank you. Wave's last meeting was on January 26th at 12 PM and they are meeting this evening in the library at 6:30 p.m. Uh most of their efforts at this time of the year as always are focused on the blue and white party. That is going to be on Saturday, April 18th from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. They did ask that I remind everyone that sponsorships are still available for
012the Blue and White party. You can go on the website under the pulld down tab called events to um participate in a sponsorship or donate otherwise. There they did ask if the school directors would again put together a we've done a Hershey Park uh season tickets and parking pass sort of like gift basket for their raffle or silent auction. I'm not sure which one they put it in. And um you may hear from me on that because I did say that we would participate again in that. And the next meeting is March 16th at noon um in the boardroom. I think that's it. >> Okay. Thank you. Um back to you, Mr. Hershey, for legislative report. >> Okay. The big news was that on February 3rd, the governor presented his 2026 27 budget proposal. feel
013like we just finished the last one, but move on onward. Uh to the House and Senate in a joint session, the budget includes 53.2 billion in state spending, an increase of more than three billion from last year to address concerns about the state's streaming structural deficit. The proposed budget seeks to increase revenue by legalizing and taxing recreational cannabis and taxing spill games. I'm sure that's not the last word about the budget. Uh and then along with that there are 30 House bills and seven Senate bills making their way through and both the House and the Senate will reconvene uh later in March. >> Thank you very much. Um and Mrs. Phillips, PTA, >> thank you. PTA met on um February 10th here in the boardroom. Uh we are reviewing board nominations for the fall year
014for back here. Um we are in need of a treasurer. So anybody know anybody? We desperately need a treasure. Um we also went over many grants and the good thing is we have still about $1,000 left in grant funding. Um, our budget is for $10,000, which is really nice that we were able to help our teachers out with that. Uh, PTA hosted movie night on January 23rd over at the Hills. Uh, we were able to get Lilo and Stitch. Um, we also hosted the Reading Royals night, the Wus School District Reading Royals Night January 31st. Both of those events were pretty well attended. Um, we are already beginning to start meeting for career day committee. So, the first meeting is April 7th here at the high school at 9:00 a.m. If anybody is interested, you
015can reach out to Jennifer Riley. Um and then our next upcoming events here at the end of the year is our book fair um over at the Hills that is March 23rd through the 25th and um the glow dance is March 27th over at West Running. And we are hoping to have a skate night April 11th at the skateway at 5:00 p.m. And then of course we last two big things is staff appreciation week. Lucky us. That's when we come back from spring break. So that is starting uh April 13th. And then remake learning day is um May 22nd over at the hills. Our next meeting is scheduled for April 8th over at the Hills at 9:30 a.m. >> Great. Thank you so much. >> Okay, moving along. Um, is there any public comment for
016this evening? We will move on to routine approvals um minutes and the payment treasures report and payment of bills which will be by voice vote. It is recommended that this board of school directors approve the following. February 9th, 2026 school board meeting minutes, treasurers report for the month of January 2026. Payment of bills for the month of January 2026 as listed in the financial packet. Okay, I have a motion. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Um, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes. I think that brings us to the superintendent report. Dr. Woodard. >> All right. Uh so first um I would like to share my appreciation to our maintenance staff for all their efforts during this winter season in clearing our lots and our campuses as efficiently as
017possible. Thank you also to our families and our community for your patience as we continue to navigate the winter weather challenges. I do think I speak for all when I say we are looking forward to the spring and warmer weather. So, um, along with that, I know it was mentioned earlier by our student representatives, but I wanted to call out again and congratulate our unified botchi ball teams for competing in the Burks County Championship last week. The final was, for those of you who missed it, Y missing area versus Y missing area. Uh, so that was incredible. Uh, congratulations to our league and county champion team. That's one of them. and then the other was our league runnerup team. Uh so they certainly did represent our district very well and we do wish them luck
018as they move forward to that regional competition in Glenn Mills in early March. So um also wanted to congratulate our Spartans who competed in the math counts regional competition earlier this month at Penn State Burks. In the individual competition, Leonor Doss finished 10th. Dear Singhai placed eighth, Ryan Dejon placed sixth and Arav Trevetti placed first. The um those students placed first in the team competition and will travel to Harrisburg to compete in the state competition in March. So kudos to our math count Spartans. Um, also wanted to send a sincere congratulations to those students who were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society as well as the National Honor Society just a couple of weeks ago. And finally, good luck to our boys basketball team while they're playing this evening and our individual wrestlers who
019are moving forward in the district 3 and regional matches and games. Um, in addition to those pieces, I also wanted to take this opportunity to uh provide an update on some of the junior senior high school initiatives back from the fall. Um, so there's been a question, how is everything going with the cell phone ban policy that we instituted? Um, and so I have some updated numbers about um around that topic. There have been 181 electronic device infractions in total from the beginning of the school year through now. 20 violations so far in second semester. So that started roughly mid January. Um so when you really break that down, 32 students have received two violations, five students have received three violations, and two students have received four or more violations. So, um, we have, you
020know, a few repeat offenders, but realistically, um, have done very, very well with that implementation. Teachers have consistently commented on the positive impact the cell phone policy has had in their classrooms. From an administrative perspective, they're also seeing a significant increase in student engagement compared or to last year when cell phones were much more visible when they would go in and do walkthroughs. Um while again they still address a few violations each week, students understand the expectations and are not pushing back on the policy. So overall that change has been a welcome addition to junior senior high school. And you may have heard also at the state level um some of that legislation potentially moving forward about a cell phone ban or policy as well. Um that may look a little different since they're using
021the term belltoell. Um, so should that move through, we would have to understand how that may impact our already approved policy, whether we would have to change and adapt to the new rules or whether we're grandfathered. So, time will tell as we as we move forward and and watch what happens at the state level. Um, regarding scooters, uh, no issues. I think probably the weather has had a lot to deal with that. Um, so they're really they're not present on campus at this point in the year. We're certainly going to have to reiterate that policy when spring springtime comes and the weather is warmer, but um it's been pretty um easy and simple as of late. Um and then uh grading practices. So since late first quarter, the administrators have not received any phone calls
022or emails regarding grading practices. As a staff, I know we talked to you before that we were going to look at potentially bringing the staff together to make some adjustments. Um, teachers have been asked to provide at least four assignments per quarter in the demonstrating knowledge category. You recall there were some uh classes that maybe didn't have as many demonstrating knowledge or some that had, you know, and so that was kind of um impacting the the waiting of the grades. So they are supposed to have at least four per quarter. And then if you also recall in AP courses um they had said before that you could not um retake or engage in the test corrections policy if it was in an AP course. That has now gone away. So um all courses are treated
023the same with that. So I that those are positive moves and directions and again it's taking a lot of input from from teachers and students and and community as well. So um also taking a look at quarterly grade distributions really have remained consistent. um approximately 52% A's, 25% B's, 12% C's, 6% D's, and 4% Fs. So what has changed is a more intentional focus on learning in the classroom. Teachers continuing to provide opportunities to for students to really relearn that content and demonstrate their knowledge. Um when you take a look at that learning, we're we've also broken it down into benchmark data. I know, you know, a lot of times we come and we give you the data on the large assessments, right? But we also do quarterly benchmarks as well. And so when we
024look at our quarter 2 benchmark data, specifically up here at the junior senior high and really targeting seventh and eighth grade, last year at this time, 40% of our eighth grade ELA students were proficient or advanced. This year, 53% of our students fall in that category. So that's an increase of 13% right now. Again, different cohorts of kids, but same grade level. Last year at this time, 3% of eighth grade math students were bubble. So, what does bubble mean? That means almost proficient. So, high high basic, but with a little bit extra should be able to get to proficiency by um state testing window. Um so, um and I should say 3% were bubble, proficient, or advanced. Okay. This year, 37% of our students fall into those categories. So, that's a a whopping increase there.
025Um, last year at this time, 47% of seventh grade ELA students were proficient or advanced. And this year, 52% fall in those categories. And then last year at this time, 24% of seventh grade math students were below basic. This year, only 8% of our students fall into that category. So, we're seeing a lot of great movement across the board. Again, an increase in those students gaining proficiency and also a decrease in those students scoring at the very below basic level. We get them up to basic and continue to obviously just kind of um close that gap a bit. So, that's some really good data. Um and and we attribute that to a lot of work specifically in math right now with our professional learning communities and really taking a look at data having ongoing discussions
026about um pacing of instruction as well as you know looking at students and how do we best meet their needs right now um small group instruction really conferring with students. So trying to get some of those practices up and running here at the secondary level. Um so I probably you already said that. Um we provided time for collaboration like I said around different types of assessments and also observing the various ways students are asked to demonstrate knowledge. So I think that's a key piece too. So many times we think that demonstrating knowledge has to be tests but kids are are creating they're they're creating podcasts they're engaging in debates. They're doing labs. Um they're having some choice in projects, research papers, slide presentations, verbal assessments, not always in writing. Um creative expression assignments, etc. So,
027we're trying to broaden that idea of what constitutes an assessment and how students can show what they know. Um also um each teacher creates a uh a special measure and uh student performance measure as part of their own evaluation and um our administrators are getting to meet with our teachers midy year to discuss progress towards those measures. So that's a good conversation that's occurring between building admin as well as our teachers too. So, uh, we are very proud of the work that our team is doing to strengthen instructional practices and also obviously keep learning central and in our classrooms. So, wanted to share that information and and thank the the building administrators upstairs for all the work that they are doing as well. >> Great news. So, >> yeah, I think and I think Mrs.
028Renzy, you had said it before. How do we celebrate these successes? Because it it certainly seems like they're happening across the board and the efforts are paying off. So, how do we, >> you know, acknowledge that to the community and then share that with everyone? >> Think about that, right? Because we want to. It's, you know, it's not necessarily a coffee treat. Is it is it's really just getting that recognition out there um and highlighting that. So, um, you know, we do have a great social media presence. So, if we can get something out there that's somewhat interesting, you know, it captivates people, um, because that's really the work of what we do is is again centered on student learning. So, we want to celebrate that and and and again, you know, we're hoping that
029this does attribute to increases um at the end of the year, but realistically, that's one piece. We we want to be able to see the growth throughout the year, too. So this is it's good news. Um but I wanted to share all of that with you as part of my report. >> Okay. >> Yes. I'm sorry. Can I ask a question? >> Sure. >> For those kiddos who are below basic in math, >> what interventions are in place in seventh and eighth grade at this point. So right now it's kind of falling to in math it's falling to the classroom teacher in math to group students to meet with students to assign them to you know excel that better fits where their um level is um and that's kind of incorporated into the traditional period
030now that we you know we have those 41 minutes um six days a week and then those other two we have that extra two 41 minute periods. So it's it's kind of there. Um what we are hoping to do like we do K to6 is get that math intervention teacher for next year so that we can have a a combo attack not only just the math uh classroom teacher but then also really instructionally hit those needs outside in addition to that. So, we're doing the best we can right now within the scope of the regular classroom um but giving them tools to target those deficits. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And a um interventionalist is a pull out person or person. We use it as far um as a pull out um and we would
031with the new schedule next year have some of that time during that flex time so they're not missing valuable instruction other times as well. >> Is that different than tier one because we had previously had the conversation about adding tier one and seventh grade or >> well tier we're adding tier one because that's just instructional minutes for all. >> So that's tier one is general everybody gets too. >> Correct. Yeah, you got it. Okay, thank you. >> Yep. So, hopefully we're attacking folks. >> Yes. >> You know, increase for across the board and then also really specifically targeting students who need it in a variety of ways. >> Um, and I have to say we're doing a great job at the other two buildings, too. I was a part of the MTSS meetings last week
032at West Reading Elementary for for several meetings. Um I saw ELA and math and heard great discussions bringing data, making um plans for individual students. They talked behavioral as well and and emotional needs in addition to um academic needs. So they were they were really fantastic meetings. So, um, we're hoping just like we did, we replicated what we learned at the the hills over to West Reading and we ideally we could take that and bring it up here for seventh and eighth next year. >> Thanks for your questions. I appreciate u. So, moving on, I guess, to the actual um agenda items for approval. Under finance and facilities, it is recommended that the board of school directors approve and ratify the following finance and facilities items. Um numbers one and two. If I could just
033call out number two. Um this is the motion to approve exhibit A with Kelly Education Services for increase to daily pay rates for substitute teachers. Um I'm I'm calling this out specifically so that if anybody's listening out there, um we have been working with our our substitute providers and and thank you to Mr. Ber as well as Dr. Langel uh for working with Kelly Education Services to re-examine the pay rates of our um our substitutes. And so we're looking at taking a multi-step approach to this. If I'm I'm correct, Mr. Ber, this is the first step. The first step is to um raise the daily substitute teacher rate to $150 for those who serve in our district 20 days or more. Um and then also raise the retiree um and the building substitute teacher rate
034to $160 per day and extended substitute teacher rate at at that same rate. Um again, this would be step one and then um we can get some data on that for the remainder of the year and then potentially add an incentive program moving on forward to the 2627 school year. So, it's a step in that direction. So, I wanted to call that out um again as part of this. So, if anybody's listening um please make sure to to register with Kelly Education Services and and help us fill some of our substitute needs. And the 20 days are they they don't have to be consecutive. >> No, it's up to Yeah. As soon as you hit that. So if you if you sub for five days and then don't sub for three weeks, the next time
035you come back, it's day six. Okay. So yeah, >> you're welcome. So um so again, it's recommended that the board of school directors approve and ratify those items, numbers one and two. >> Should we change that to process? >> Oh, sorry. Did they say >> Oh, yes. Oh, look at that. Oh, you can't even see that. Yeah, there you go. Thank you. >> I'll make a motion. >> Can't go backwards. >> So moved. Okay. In a second. >> Any discussion? >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hersy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Phillips. >> Yes. >> Mr. Shivers. Yes, >> Mrs. Kelly. >> Yes, >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> And moving on to personnel and policy items. Um, it is recommended that the board of school directors approve and ratify
036the following personnel and policy items as presented. Those run numbers one through six. Uh, we do have a lengthy list of policies. most of those were um kind of minor revisions and edits um language pieces as well. Um so I just wanted to call that out there. You'll see um and ones that we do annually. Several of those financial policies um we do regularly. So I could have your approval. >> Any discussion? >> I just had a question. I should know this. So the administrative assistant position >> is the current person also serving the assistant principles or is this a new thing? It's not a new thing. >> It's not a new thing. And just to clarify, the person who's currently in that role was actually ser uh had two different job descriptions or position
037guides that kind of were impacting her work. So, we decided to revise those to make one solid position guide, but she is serving the athletic director as well as the assistant principles at the junior high school. >> Any other questions? Welcome, Mr. Okay. Mr. Hershey, >> yes. >> Mrs. Kim, >> yes. >> Mrs. Phelps, >> yes. >> Mr. Shippers, >> yes. >> Mrs. Kelly, >> yes. >> Mrs. Torres, >> yes. >> Mrs. Habinsky, >> yes. >> Mrs. Reno, >> yes. >> Motion passes 80. >> And that completes my report. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Um, is there any old business? >> Any new business? >> I have something. Yes. >> Well, first I guess I would preface it by saying thank you for sending out on Parents Square the school board update meeting.
038Thanks. Um but I can't take credit for this idea, but I someone asked me would it be possible for us to have a Google calendar for our district calendar so that we can just send out a subscription and then it's on everybody's phones rather than having to go to the PDF on the website and wonder. And I and then after that person suggested I can't take credit for it, I thought it was a great idea. Um, I kind of mentioned a couple other people who also thought it was a great idea because I know I'm always looking at my phone and my calendar and having them integrated would be fantastic. So, I think a lot of people in the district would appreciate this with communication. Subscribe, take your calendar with all your other events. Again,
039I don't know if that's possible, but >> I'm looking for Mr. Arn. >> We just we just need to put together instructions cuz behind the scenes, what you don't see is this is a Google calendar. >> Okay. So, we have a Google calendar layered and then the website pulls the information from that and then presents it up here for you, right? >> But then you can there's a way to subscribe. We'll put the we'll put together great instruction. >> I think yeah, thank >> I'm sorry that already, but >> no, there's no way you'd know. Okay, >> so thank you. >> Thank you for the suggestion and thank you. We can accommodate that. So, >> any other new business? um rate to no request. I believe there was one up there. Uh let's see any
040updates from organizations. Um in that case, I will entertain a motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. All those opposed motion is approved. Meeting is adjourned and we do have an exec session.