001Good evening. We will now start the committee of the whole meeting at 6:02 p.m. We will begin with three presentations listed on the agenda. Following those, we will move into the monthly board committee updates um which we are going to provide each month to keep the community informed on the progress of our established goals. Um we will then uh go into any ad hoc committee updates. So now we will start with our SRO presentation from officer Neper. Do we need to move? >> Thank you very much. Uh thank you board members, community members, administration, teachers. Um I really appreciate the opportunity to come out here and and speak to you tonight. Uh particularly about our school resource officer program. So the program has now been in place for about six years and uh this is
002the first kind of opportunity which I really appreciate to talk to you about what it's really about and what it does for our community and our students in our schools. So according to the community of oriented policing office from the department of justice, an SRO is defined as a career law enforcement officer assigned in a community policing capacity to a local education agency where SRO's work in collaboration with schools and community-based organizations to provide a positive and visible law enforcement experience on school campuses. So they break it down into four pieces. the law enforcement function where we address crime and disorder and strive to employ that non-punitive uh resolutions informal counselor where we build relationships with students acting as a liaison to community services for youth and families as an ed educator where SRO's teach
003students on topics related to public safety such as crime prevention, drug awareness, safety, conflict resolution, etc. and then as an emergency manager assisting the school security and safety coordinator with uh developing, implementing, and reviewing emergency preparedness plans. So, that's a lot to take in. And NASRO, the National Association of School Resource Officers, puts it together much simply because everybody can remember a triangle and they call it the NA NASRO triad. So, you have law enforcement at the base of the triangle as your foundation. Yes, I'm a law enforcement officer. I have arrest powers. I'm here to protect and serve and take care of crime as necessary. However, it's important to remember that community oriented policing aspect and pull in those non-punitive measures to try and come to a peaceful resolution. And then you have the
004other two arms, the educator and the informal counselor. We're here to educate our students and our youth that uh there are public safety programs out there. there are people that we can connect them with to help them with their struggles and that we are a resource for them and that the police should be somebody that they can turn to for help and not necessarily be somebody that they're afraid is going to arrest them every time they see them. The difference I put in here for the board um because I know there was talks recently uh about where we wanted to go as a district as part of school police officer, school resource officer, school security guard. And uh the definitions here are from the statutory definitions. We did go over this in in another presentation.
005Um but basically a school police officer is employed by the district. They are a police officer. They get their powers uh given to them by a judge. they're sworn in. A school resource officer is unique in the fact that they are a law enforcement officer commissioned with the local department and their duty is station is located inside the school. So that is what I am. I am a Ligonier Valley police officer. So I work for Ligonier Valley Police, but my duty station is Ligonier Valley School District and right now wholly centered in Ligonier Valley High School unless there is a crime or instance that needs to be taken care of in the other buildings. Whereas a school security guard is an individual either employed by a school or by another outside agency that is able
006to provide that safety aspect. So they can't arrest, but they can detain and and create that safe atmosphere and and protect our children. So SRO's should be carefully selected, specifically trained, and properly equipped. You should have three years of experience on the job at least that we should volunteer for the position. So I laugh. I was kind of volunte when we brought this up because uh everybody said you would be great in a school. And at the time, I was still a young cop. I had about the three years, I think it was four on the on the job. and I really wanted to stay on the road. So, I asked if this doesn't work out for me, can I come back to patrol? And they said yes, but I'm never looking back. This has
007been the most rewarding experience I've had so far in my career uh working with the youth in our community. We have great children and it's just been an honor to to serve them and protect them. So, you have to have that passion to work with children. You should be able to work effectively with students, parents, guardians, teachers, everybody across the board. Possess that strong interpersonal communication skills, competently engage in public speaking. Here we are today. Um, effective teaching skills. So again, you have to be that educator. You have to be able to teach them concepts particularly surrounding uh public safety education. Understand the importance of diversionary programs. understand developmentally appropriate trauma-informed practices, respectful and responsive to youth families, recognize the potential of the negative impact the SRO program may have uh on youth, whether that's
008because they've had bad experiences with police in the past, whether that's because unfortunately the best resolution uh for everybody's safety ends up being arrested that student. Um, those are just some things that you need to keep in the back of your mind as a a successful school resource officer that although we we like to highlight the positive and and uh seek that that there may be some negative impact at points and of course you have to have an interest and passion in promoting and enriching the lives of young people. So our program started in 2019 uh where it has gone full force for for what four years now five years now. Um during co just some highlights during co delivered hotspots for remote learning. Uh we we had to pivot at that point to decide
009what can I do to help our students. So delivering the hotspots offering an online mentoring office hours during the shutdown. I've had several students come in um who were looking into law enforcement careers or asking about advice about things. It was a it was a good experience um being able to deliver their their senior banners because we weren't sure if we were going to have uh graduation that year. Um but we came back and when we came back I ended up taking on the role of freshman class adviser because we thought it was good. It was a face, an adult face that the students from the middle school coming over to the high school could recognize and have a connection with already and be comfortable with. Um, I then took on the SAD advisor. So,
010SAD is students against destructive decisions. It just seemed appropriate that when as an SRO you are doing these educational programs that you would take on the club that tries to seek guiding students away from destructive decisions. Um, I help with the law and order club with Mr. Mullen up at the middle school. Uh, this is a club geared towards students who um are seeking that interest in criminal justice and the different facets of of that. Uh, I do assistant botchi coaching. I was an Alice instructor um, which is the run, hide, fight program. Alice's alert, lock down, inform, counter, and evacuate. Uh, I am a sharp instructor. I will be expiring soon unless the district would like me to continue teaching that. That's sexual harassment and rape prevention. It's a program that we uh included
011into the PE classes. Um it's geared particularly towards females, but it just offers that um practices for them and some maneuvers that may help them in a precarious situation. Uh I'm a certified drug recognition expert that I hope that the district will leverage. Um as drug recognition expert I can help identify impairment and um unfortunately impairment happens in schools and we are now equipped with somebody who can identify it easily and be able to guide that student not to punitive results of arrest for public drunkenness but towards help to get off of whatever substances that are impairing them. Um, and then I focused trainings on digital forensics and investigative techniques because everything we do in our lives now surrounds technology, especially our our youth. And I'm a member of NASA and Pasro membership. So this
012is what the school resource officer program looked like before COVID. you know, making those engagements, building relationships, going to shop with a cop, being involved in SAD, and then COVID hit and here we are delivering banners, the hotspots, attending the graduation outside, decorated the car for them, you know, sending a message out, hey, we miss you. Hope to be back soon. And then we came back and it was so good to be back to be able to engage again in the classroom and with students outside the classroom to to have fun at twin day with Miss Bridge, you know, dress her up as a police officer for the day. Uh to get them connected to those outside agencies and resources. So this is some of the pictures from the Law and Order Club. We took
013them to the courthouse where they got to meet District Attorney Ziggarelli. I had Officer Derio come every year and he gives a tour of the car and the equipment we use. uh tours of EMS. Um Mr. Heran in the corner, he is a former county detective, does a fingerprinting and investigation unit with them. And then that other picture in there isn't Law and Order specific. I stepped into a science class and got roped into a uh little lab that they did with SAD. as I took over the advisor position, we now go to the the capital in Harrisburg every year to uh lobby our our uh representatives in government for the Clean Indoor Air Act and to crack down on the vaping laws and legislation. Um we do Red Ribbon Week festivities every year. We
014go to leadership conferences. We do the mock crash. We have lockins as a good activity that they can do on a Friday night and in the middle of winter when what else is there to do but sit on the computer and play Roblox. Um, additionally some more sad stuff. Uh, the trivia night from the freshman class we do and then of course Botchi went to States. Uh, headed there hopefully again this year. Um, it's been an honor to to be a part of that that program from the very start. Uh, our kids have amazing talent, especially the ones that interact with our special needs community and those that are in it as well. Um, it it's been so rewarding to be able to make that connection with them because they see me not only as
015a cop then, but also as a member of the community who can help coach them and bring them success. We bring in uh outside trainings as well. So, this is LSU's NCBRT law enforcement um active shooter response training that we bring in every two years. And uh our officers as well as officers from outside agencies that would be responding to our area come and train with us. They get to know our buildings. They get to know some of our people. So, some of the actors in here um are our administrators, our teachers, and I don't know if we had any parents, but our members that have a vested interest in in the Ligonier Valley School District community. I also like to reach out and do other things uh to show that membership in the community.
016I ran up to, it wasn't best two weeks, it was um Outdoor Odyssey where ROC does their camp every year and they uh got me to climb up and do the leap of faith, do some repelling um and just just being there at graduation to say, "You made it this far and I can't wait to see how far you're going again." So, my vision for the future uh for the our school resource program, I obviously want to see us continue to have that relationship and that collaboration together as a district and a police department, but I'd like to see the addition of another security officer here in the district. I think hiring the three that we have now are great. They are uh actively engaged in the schools and they're providing that coverage that one
017SRO couldn't provide for, you know, four buildings. If we do hire another SSO, that would free the SRO up to participate at all grade levels and be able to focus on those other two legs in addition to the law enforcement function of informal counselor and public safety educator for every grade level, not just the building that I'm specifically assigned to. Um, it would also provide some extra coverage for after school activities. uh so schoolboard meetings, games, plays, anything like that that there's a felt in the district that there should be a need for some sort of security to keep everybody who is there safe. I'd like to see with that addition the implementation of a structured program like DARE uh to help educate our students um of course instructed by the SRO. I'd like to
018see a little bit more collaboration with the s uh school safety and security coordinator when it comes to district security and safety initiatives. Uh I do do that now, but uh it takes a lot of time and I applaud Maria for all her efforts because I'm not sure how she juggles it all sometimes and uh I just try to be a resource for her as well. Um, I'd like to integrate school security officers and the SRO trainings together. Um, because we work together and we should be training together as a team and collaborative members. So things like weapons qualifications and our summer trainings, I'd like to see us do more of that together. Um, and then I'd like to have a yearly review with with stakeholders about the program because how do we make it
019better is if we don't if we don't reflect on how we did in the past and what improvements we can make and that that isn't just something that I can do on my own. I need input from the stakeholders that are involved in the program itself. And then lastly, integrate the SRO into a multi-is disciplinary team such as SAP. Um, so I already am on the threat assessment team as prescribed by the law, but other multi-disiplinary teams that we do have in the district I see could benefit from a law enforcement SRO perspective as well. And that's all I have. Thank you so much for your time everybody. >> Next will be our facilities update. talk about the erus first. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Well, I uh have some good news about our erus, our
020rooftop units at the high school. I talked to a gentleman from DAR construction this afternoon and they are scheduled to have all the pieces and deliver them sometime after February 23rd. So, that's good news. all the infrastructure uh wiring and control wiring has all been installed. Uh and so hopefully well they have to get a crane in and get them set up and the weather has to hold but hopefully by the end of February, first week of March, uh they should be up and running and I I'm very hopeful and expect to see uh a big difference in the air quality at the at the high school. Any questions? >> Okay, going on next to the fitness center. Um, we are making progress on that. The outside still needs completed uh some outside work, but
021I know a couple board members looked at it after before we came in here and I'll if anybody else wants to look at it, we could go after. Um we had uh the company we bought the cardio equipment off uh they did an assessment of our equipment that we have and how it's going to fit in our new area. Just looking at it here, the the thing to the right is the wrestling room. So that'll be its dedicated space, which the goal was to get the wrestling room uh its own dedicated space. So that that will be to stay the same. And then on the left now you'll see that's where all the big machine high high equipment will be that you need a higher ceiling. That will encompass that right there. And all the
022green is the uh current weight weight equipment that we have. Then going into the back is the new fitness center. All the red is the existing cardio equipment and then the green are the benches. So uh the weights won't need to go real high like the other weights on the the entrance there. So everything's the the ceiling's good there. All the weights will be good there. They're benching. So um looking at when we looked at it when we walked in there, it was really nice to see that. And this really gets all the equipment out of the hallways that we have right now. The fitness, it dedicates the wrestling room uh to the wrestlers. So um it's coming along and hopefully we'll have everything done in the outside too by March 20th. I know the
023inspector's coming soon to get the occupancy permanent for the inside. So um we'll keep you up to date on that. Any questions? Okay. Go ahead. >> Have all those who utilize the space been like asked for their input like where we're putting all the equipment? >> Not yet. I was presenting this to the board tonight. I wanted to show you that it's in that next step. Wesley will meet with all the coaches to go over this stuff. Um the guy the the guy we had come in, he did a free of service for us. Um we got the cardio equipment off him a couple years ago. So this is what his best uh thoughts were on this. So he Wesley will meet with the coaches next then to go over that and show that. I
024wanted to present it to the board first. Probably the last thing is the baseball field. Got some Let me see here. I think they were I just had some older pictures, but um right now I I got an update. They are, as you can see, the bleachers are getting installed right now. Um, hold on. Hold. Let me see if I can pull some of this. Yeah. And the bleachers have been partially installed. Uh, the knee wall behind the home plate has been installed. They're uh currently prepping the pedestals for the large posts that will hold up the uh the netting. Uh there's been two guys down there. rain, snow, sleet, cold weather. I mean, they they put a lot of a lot of work in. They were a little little behind, but I think they're
025up to speed. I did ask them about the dugouts. Uh, and they >> Yeah, I got more than that. I got that from uh Justin uh today. >> Uh, sorry about that. Okay, here's his text. Okay, the fencing guy is going to finish up the framing and wiring around the field this week and next week. Um, the dugouts I'm trying to get scheduled to deliver this week uh into next week to get installed. The big poles will be next week depending on the beacon installer, which we I confirmed with another email. They'll have the the pin set. Uh, bleachers should be close to be done this week. And um, so they're moving along. Net should be delivered. The the fencing should be delivered. The netting should be delivered the week of the 23rd, which is
026the high net that goes from first base around the third baseline. >> What's that? Not the fencing. The netting. >> the fencing is all here. The fencing itself, but the higher netting itself behind home plate and third base that should be delivered the week of the 23rd then. So, this weather has been really cooperative, which has been good. Just um these are a little bit older pictures. I'm going to try to get some new ones to the board. Uh but you can you can see the major major change from what it was last year. And I'm see when you drive by it's incredible too. Um let me see what else we just another view there behind home plate. Big difference from the fill we had before. So everything's moving along there. We'll we'll keep you
027posted of that. This week and next week, you're going to see a lot more done. And uh the bleachers look really good as well. As you when you drive by out there, there's going to be a lot of lot of bleacher seating. And they could also set up seats around different areas like they'll be uh if they don't want to sit in the bleachers. You got a lot of plenty of concrete spaces on the uh especially on the third base side there that they would be able to uh set up the chairs. And even on the outfield on left field above there, there'll be it'll be a grass area they can set up as well then too. So, any questions? When's the first home game, >> Wesley? When's the first home game? >> Friday. Friday,
028March 13th. >> Friday. >> Might have to be away. We'll see. No, I hope everything should go good. >> Nice. >> Thank you. >> Okay, I guess I'll stay up for the budget then. Governor Wolf did present his budget and how it will affect us uh in the three main categories. Uh the basic education funding and the proposal is to increase it by $50 million for all school district. Our share would be $28,360. Special ed funding also would be increased by $50 million and our our share there would be $33,485. And the ready tolearn block grant. Last year we didn't budget that we were getting anything because they changed the law at the end to include that. So they're uh looking at to put another 141,530 $354 into that. So if that comes true, all
029three of these that would be like almost a $24,000 increase to the district. But I'm not sure when the budget's going to be passed. Um it might be even more challenging than it was last year. So these numbers are there. I I I'm going to work through the budget process as we get closer uh April and May any updates that we'll have. I'm not sure how we're going to budget this through because I know there's a short it it really takes into the rainy day fund the current uh state uh budget they have proposed out there. It really takes it down a lot and I'm not sure how much support and it might even be longer than it was last year to get it past in November. So, sort of good news, bad news. I
030mean, we might be the same place we were were last year, November 26. We might not get it done. I'm not sure, but I'll keep you posted as we go along there. A little cyber cyber, they're going to allow uh more addition more deductions. Right now, we currently get 60% off our facilities and student activity line items. That's going to go up to 80% uh if it's proposed, if it goes through. I wish it was 100% because they don't particip they don't have those costs that school districts do, but uh 60% is a start. Hopefully, we get up to 80%, but that's the big big ticket item I saw in cyber. Not too much reform besides that. Any questions? Okay, I'll keep you all posted. I hope it I hope I'm wrong. I hope it's
031before June 30th. Thank you. >> Thank you, Eric. >> Um, now we will have our committee goal updates starting with the governance committee. >> Okay. So, as a reminder, our goals for the governance committee is to establish a routine policy review and legal compliance updates as well as board oversight and approval procedures. So what has happened in the last month? Um I've recently met with Mr. Kosis on the finance side to get more context on the last four years of data. This is very important as we weigh budget considerations for 2026 2027 which we just got a preview of uh with some of the state funding here. Um the purpose of this exercise that I asked Mr. osis to perform is is to make the public and the board aware of where we stand and
032how we should proceed. Um so that's you know as we are discussing finance there's that rainy day budget that he had mentioned which is our fund balance um and considerations of using the fund balance or raising taxes or both. So our hope in uh finance is to have a preliminary budget discussion in April uh in coordination with the buildings and grounds committee to discuss you know uh what what are some options um as far as finance. Do you have anything else to add? >> Uh yeah I just have been meeting I met with Eric I'm sorry I met with Eric last Monday. I have been digging more and more into the monthly expenditures trying to make sense out of them to make sure that um we did find some things that I didn't understand and
033and I texted him about um some line items that were um listed wrong so that we could have a better understanding. So when you look at the general fund report you know exactly uh where that money is going to. So that is the thing that I've been focusing on the mo most for the last two months is just to to find detail the bills being paid out every month. So make sure that when you look at them, you can understand them very easily. >> Okay. And then as far as policy, um we currently had one meeting, you know, we're we're two months in. Uh we had one meeting with Mr. Zahorchek and Mr. Moles, Cindy and I about what to do next. um from from our policy standpoint um you know we have to to
034work on policies created as well as updates as they come. So um we're planning to have uh well I'm proposing uh monthly meetings to go over the policy. Uh Cindy and I both have a policy we kind of need to wrap up. Cindy's is the weapons policy. Mine is 006. Um and another um item for us next steps is uh PSBA will be coming to next month's March um committee of the whole meeting before the regular board meeting on March 16th. So I really encourage the board uh administration uh and the public to come with any questions, comments, concerns, opinions. Um so that is the future plans for us at this time. Anything else to add? >> Yes. Um just to let you know as far as the IT side um has we've turned that
035over to Janine and Janine is working on our policies online um tweaking them from whenever we brought them out of PSBA. Um when Joe Vela worked on those and um added in so we have to add in a a revision date. She's been working on that. um taking copyrights off of the bottom, tweaking format. Um I apologize, we still don't it's still in PDF, so you have to like look up the law on that. Um but we are working more getting attachments onto line where they need to go um so the parents can access them um more easily. And I am also will be working in the next month. We've had some policies that from act 33 some verbiage changed as far as uh what part of Pennsylvania's schools were responsible for different things. So
036we are working on changing um those and I'll be working on those in next month. So you'll see a lot of those rolling out. >> So I'll just ask the board um you know just do you have questions for us on the updates that we provided? Okay. >> I do not at this time. >> Thank you. >> Next will be the human resources committee. >> Uh yes. So our goals were to establish a routine policy review and legal I'm sorry I'm reading the above one. Um our goals were to develop a standardized interview process for administration to follow. create a process and or a form for board members to submit personnel related accolades or concerns for input to aid in our annual evaluations. And um Mr. Fitchwell also is creating a list of job descriptions
037that he wanted to um review with administration. Um, as far as the interview process goes, I actually we both spoke with Justin and Matt briefly. Um, I know they're working on finalizing all of that. We had a miscommunication and so I believe we're all on the same page with what we need to do moving forward. Um, that would include who's in, excuse me, who's participating in the interview, how long in advance people need to know um that an interview is coming up, making sure that we have all the information needed to do a fair um interview. And we also were creating a process, I'm sorry, a form for our board members to evaluate administration. to Mr. Moles for his annual review. So, this form that was created allows the board members to notate any areas
038for improvement or any accolades that they'd like to include on their review at the end of the year. Um, it should make it much easier for the board members to um make sure they're not forgetting something that they wanted to mention when they're doing their final evaluation. Um, and it should streamline everything for the board members so everybody can be on the same page with what the expectations are when it does come time for the annual review. Does the board have any questions? I did email the form to everybody. Did everybody receive that? I didn't hear from everybody, so I'm assuming it was okay. >> Okay. Okay. That's all I have. Mr. Pitchwell, >> did you want to say anything? >> No, I haven't. Okay, >> next is the student success and facilities committee. >>
039Okay, so um we had our initial meeting with admin to discuss our long-term facilities plan. We've identified some projects we can look into. We are meeting with admin to follow up in hopes to develop a more comprehensive building plan with each building being broken down into specific categories. And then as for our assets list, um that is coming up at our next meeting. I have nothing to update you with that. >> Okay. And the student success committee. >> Okay. We're working on a couple of goals. Pretty lofty ones for uh one has to do with the partition pay participation fees that working on that. We got some lofty goals for that. We'll keep you posted. And also um the design defining and selection process for the co all the coaches positions. We're trying to get
040that settled in too, but we'll keep you guys all posted. The idea is to move things forward in a positive manner. That's all. >> Thank you. Now, we'll hear from the ad hoc committees. First one will be Director Brown with the lunch committee. All righty. So, we haven't done much on the lunch committee because I've been giving Jennifer the year to uh see what she can roll out in all the cafeterias, which um I do like a lot of what I am seeing. Um, I am waiting to hear from more parents. So, this is your opportunity. I'm hoping to have a meeting at the end of April to just go over um suggestions for the upcoming year to talk to Jennifer and Matts about things. There are things um that I still haven't seen like
041yet that I would like to see um in the in the school lunch program. But most of all, I'm asking for parents to start taking notes so that when we meet at the end of April, we I can have more input to tell Jennifer exactly what we want. Um, and maybe some uh solutions. I know some of the parents come came and spoke at the beginning of the year when we had the meeting and said, "Well, I know a better way to do this. You know, we can feed our kids for cheaper. They can get better lunches, get better meals, that kind of thing." But, um, you know, so that's that's what I'm looking for. But I do want to give kudos to Jen and all of our matrons. They have really been, I think,
042knocking it out of the of the out of the ballpark um this school year. I've seen a lot of stuff um on those dinner plates that look absolutely wonderful. They're nutritious. Um I just would like to see more, you know, in schoolmade items, but that's just me. >> Thank you. And I have I'm happy to announce that we are going to try and add um something new to the district and I will be leading an ad hoc committee. Um the purpose of this committee is to uh try to establish a program that would allow our senior class members to paint their parking spaces during their senior year. It's the board's hope that this initiative will help to celebrate our seniors, foster school spirit, and improve student morale. Currently, I'm reviewing how other districts manage similar
043programs, including their guidelines, approval process, cost, and maintenance procedures. In addition, I've sent out several emails and asked for input from several key players um including logistical consideration, supervision, facilities impact, and any other um additional implications. So, I'm hoping next month to have um a bigger update on that. >> Can I add on to that? >> Sure. >> Just Okay. So, we also discussed and I um told Christie, I would like to do something as far as promoting the CTC um kids in the school. Uh, you know, they do a lot of promotion over there. Uh we don't see a lot here. So, we have a board meeting coming up next week. So, I will be talking to Mr. Wymer to see if the you know, when the student of the month comes out, if
044they're one of our students, we can get the poster that they make to put in our school um so that we can hang. So, um, LVHS administration, if you have any ideas of how we can, um, you know, encourage and bring forth the CTC kids and what they do because, you know, they usually do it over there, but we'd like to see it promoted here. U, please let me know because I'm open to all suggestions. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, before we conclude the committee of the whole meeting, do we have any other administrators that would like to make any comments? No. We will adjourn the committee of the whole meeting at 6:38 and we will now move into our regular meeting. I hereby call to order the regular board meeting of the Ligonier
045Valley School District on February 16th, 2026 at 6:38 p.m. Starting with the pledge of allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Mr. Secretary, may we have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Boyd, >> present. >> Mrs. Brown, >> here. Mr. Fidwell >> here. >> Mr. Fryman >> here. >> Mrs. Hutchinson. >> Mr. Nut >> here. >> Mrs. Croml >> here. >> Mrs. Robotti >> here. >> Mr. Stephy >> here. >> Eight present for tonight. >> Mr. Solicitor, may we have an executive session report? >> Yes. In executive session, we uh had um discussion about um a few personnel items. Um a discussion about the potential of um looking at uh um
046some firms for some professional services that uh we may contract with. We had the those discussions and we took a tour of the wait room facility. Do we read the time? The times were 5:31 p.m. to 5:55 p.m. tonight. >> Thank you. >> Do you want me to read the other ones from February 9th? Okay. Uh there was uh two executive sessions held February 9th, 2026. The first one was 3:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. or 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. Uh items discussed were personnel, safety, and contracts. And there was another executive session the same evening for 4:12 to 4:27 p.m. regarding personnel. >> Thank you. Are there any motions that need amended or added to the agenda? >> Hearing none, there is no need for public comment. Moving into old business, I'm asking that
047approval be given to the minutes of the January 19th, 2026 committee, the whole meeting, and the minutes of the January 19th, 2026 regular meeting. >> Second, Croml. >> So move now. >> Second, Croml. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Having a motion, a second to approve the minutes, please indicate by saying I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Are there any items that follow up? Require Are there any items that require follow-up from the previous agenda? Hearing none, we'll move to new business. Before we get uh there's nobody that signed up for public comment tonight, but I do need to make a statement that moving forward before public comment, we need to remind speakers that they need to refrain from stating names of students, staff members, or other individuals during their remarks. This is to
048protect the privacy and ensure compliance with district policy. >> Uh Mr. Secretary, >> I have no report tonight. >> Mr. Moles, superintendent report. >> I do. Uh yes, Madam President. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. This uh this winter has presented our district with some unusually cold temperatures and higher than normal number of snow and ice events. I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to our students, families, and staff for their flexibility, patience, and willingness to adapt as we work through these challenging conditions together. Decisions related to delays, closures, or remote instruction are never made lightly. A significant amount of thought and preparation goes into each determination. We closely monitor multiple weather forecasting applications, consult with mi municipal officials and emergency management personnel within our district, and engage in ongoing communication with neighboring
049superintendent to assess regional conditions. Our primary goal in every situation is to ensure the safety of our students and staff while maintaining continuity of instruction whenever possible. While remote learning days are not a perfect substitute to in-person instruction, they do serve an important purpose. They allow us to provide meaningful instruction prior to statemandated testing windows established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, including PSSA assessments, Keystone exams, and nocti tests for our career and technical center students. These testing windows are fixed and cannot be moved by the local level, not by this board or me. Traditionally, snow makeup days have occurred in June after many of these assessments have already been completed. Relying solely on traditional makeup days after testing windows does not provide students with instructional time before they are assessed on that content. If
050adding additional traditional snow makeup days earlier in the calendar were to be an option, it would more than likely require an earlier start to the school year in order to preserve meaningful instructional days before those testing windows. Remote instruction when weather conditions require us to remain closed helps to mitigate the loss of the instructional opportunity ahead of those exams and allows us to better align instruction with assessment timelines. Adding to the complexity and at times frustration surrounding school calendars are the periodic legislative proposals in Harrisburg. Most recently, most recently, excuse me, House Bill 370 proposed by Representative Joseé Geral and five co-sponsors would make it unlawful for Pennsylvania public schools to begin the academic year before Labor Day, citing concerns over lost summer tourism revenue. They need high school kids to work, amusement parks, etc.
051Regardless of these proposals, the Pennsylvania Department of Education continues to set the la the latest Keystone exam testing window during the final two weeks of May, which significantly limits our calendar flexibility for districts across the Commonwealth. Looking ahead, I have and will be meeting with the superintendents of Dair Area School District, Greater Lro School District, as well as the director of the Eastern West Morland Career and Technology Center to further align and streamline our instructional calendars. These goals, the goal of these discussions is to develop recommended calendar that supports instructional continuity and assessment requirements which will be brought to the board uh for consideration hopefully next month, the the March meeting. As a district, we will continue to balance safety, instructional integrity, and state requirements while keeping our community informed and engaged. I appreciate the
052continued support of the board and our community as we navigate the remainder of the winter season and move into the spring testing period. Thank you everyone. >> Thank you Mr. Solicitor. >> I have no report for public session. Madam President, >> uh LVA LVA, >> Director Brown. >> Okay, so a couple exciting things happened and are happening over at CTC as far as competition. Um, on Monday, January 19th, the Machine Tool Technology Shop again hosted the National Tooling and Machining Association's apprenticeship machining competition. And that's a big thing for them because not a not many CTC's get selected um to have that competition done there. The top eight fourthyear apprentices from the Pittsburgh region competed for nine hours. The competition consisted of three components. 4hour manual lathe, four hour annual, excuse me, manual mill, and
053a written section. 11 companies were in-house to observe the competition. NTMA gave CTC's machine tool technology instructor, Ken Ped, a well-deserved thumbs up for setting up and hosting this competition. And I have to mention, too, they have to have everything there um in order for this competition to hap happen. So, our CTC is one of the the ex exclusive ones that have all the machines in the areas in the machine shop in order to be able to hold that competition. Um, also, our award-winning culinary team was one of eight schools across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be invited to participate in the ta taste of the NFL draft event being held in April. Of the eight schools invited, only four will be selected for the main event. To earn one of those spots, the American
054Dairy Association Northeast is launching a dairy inspired challenge. Our culinary team has to develop a creative dairy inspired recipe that could be featured on a school menu or at a tailgate. Our team is up for the challenge. Good luck. And again, that's another thing that is, you know, you have to be in the top notchotch of the CTC's in order to be chosen um to participate in that. And then of course during this past month in and around all of our remote and school delays um we had the ninth grade tours over from Dair LRO and us over at CTC where the ninth graders all come in can experience all the shops get to participate. They I was there the day before. Um they had they were going to have um some of the tours
055in and it's a it's amazing the things that they had set up that these kids were going to be able to experience during their ninth grade uh tours. So, uh I'm waiting for the report to see what our uh you know students are interested in as we're looking to um expand into one more shop as our um megatronics closes down. Uh we are looking to find out what is going to be the next shop that we are going to add over there. So, great stuff happening and a lot of kids involved. Thank you. >> Thank you, Director Brown. We need to switch the order we go so that we go bad news than good news. Um, I have the IU report. On February 4th, after several delays, the West Morland Intermediate Unit Monthly Board meeting
056was held. Uh, we had an executive session where various legal and personnel issues were discussed. As we proceeded through the agenda, some of the main notable items were the WIU Foundation announced dates. Um, to remember, on March 21st, the Champions of Art show will be held at the Clear View School. On April 11th, the foundation bingo fundraiser will be held at Rizzo's. Um on March 16th at St. Vincent Fred Rogers Center, a new teacher symposium rooted in purpose, growing together, a one-day countywide event designed to welcome support and empower new educators across West Morland County will be held. Um, expanding early childhood and student school age services introduction was postponed until 2:24. Motion FS2526-012 to approve the resolution regarding tuition rate changes with the Clare View School was not passed in a 2 to2 vote.
057And I want to note that that is an item that we this board unanimously declined last month. Four updated policies were approved. Seven policies are out for first read. Uh, one policy out for approval was tabled. The rand note in the amount of $5 million was paid off on January 30th, noting that there was a $72,000 um interest that the state won't reimburse the IU for yet. The budget impass was the reason for the rand. Uh, Director Dan Shaw from Dair volunteered to serve as the new IU Foundation board representative and there were five resignations of which one was due to a death and the meeting concluded at 9 shortly after 900 p.m. We will now have this month's public relations report from fifth grade student Maline Cooper. Hi, I'm Maline Cooper. I'm a fifth
058grade student at RK Melon. These are RK Melon public relations. Gifted and enriched students from LVE and RK Melon participated in a geography bowl hosted by Y Intermediate School. This year's topic was Africa with spec specific focus on country's capitals, highest points, lowest points, and major landmarks, mountain ranges, deserts, and bodies of water. The competition was mixed with individual and team rounds. Eight school districts participated. It was a great experience for all of our students. First graders had a fantastic time celebrating the 101st day of school on Monday, February 9th. The classrooms were filled with excitement as the schools marked this special milestone with a variety of fun and engaging activities. The celebration included tasty snacks of Dalmatian dots, aka Oreos. During math time, the students played creative counting games and completed hands-on activities centered
059around the number 101, strengthening their number sense in playful ways. Other primary grades celebrated the 100 days of school by dressing like they were 100 years old, doing 100 exercises, skipped counting by 10 to 100, wrote stories centered around the number 100, and created necklaces of 100 beats, and incorporated other fun learning activities to celebrate the 100th day of school. From February 17th through February 20th, RK Melon will be having a coin war to serve as a fundraiser to benefit to benefit the food to go for kids program in the district. Classrooms will compete against each other to collect the most points by placing coins in their classroom's coin bin. Paper bills will sub will be subtracted from the total. The classrooms with the most points wins. The winning classroom will earn a pizza party
060that will be donated by Roman's Pizzeria of Ligonier. The Southern Alagany's Museum of Art is hosting its 28th annual student art exhibition, Artists of the 21st Century. It showcases art from the districts of six surrounding counties, representing students from grades K through 12. Congratulations to the following RK Melon students whose artwork were chosen to be part of this special exhibition. Bodie Ferry, Isaac Bizup, Avery Buchanan, Elise Gerlac, Paisley Stoner, Alexander Perry, Carson Boyd, Mariah Bowman, Declan Lindergrin, Nolan Pritz, Aubrey Sholly, and Coricards. There were the works will be displayed at the Ligonier Valley SMA Gallery. The exhibit opened on February 13, 2026 and will close on April 19th, 2026. >> Thank you. Moving to the regular agenda items for this evening's meeting. Next, we have the governance committee, directors Brown and Rovida. I do this
061one. Okay. There's an information uh point. The Pennsylvania Department of Education accepted the 2024 2025 audit report with no findings. Are there any motions that be pulled for discussion? Hearing none, I make a motion to approve F826 to F1 1726. Second, Brown. >> Having a motion and a second, all those in favor of FO826 through F1726 indicate by saying I. I. >> Are there any opposed? >> Hearing none, the motions carry. Under policy legal, are there any motions that need pull for discussion? >> I have a comment or a question on one. Uh, this past week we were sent the job description for the um facilities manager. And um that job description noted that the position reported to the superintendent and our organiz the organization chart that we're approving tonight has that position reporting to
062business manager. Are we updating the job description or are we updating the org chart? >> I think we we'll probably be updating the uh the job description. Mr. Fitchwell, would you concur? >> Yes. >> Okay. So then I have another concern. Sorry. If that position is reporting to the person who handles all the money in the district, doesn't that a conflict of interest if he's working on a project and something they don't see eye to eye on amount of money being spent? Can it could it be swayed that that's the person he's reporting to but he wants to save money to make I just think it's a conflict of interest >> but ultimately everybody reports to us so if there is an issue then it will come to the board. >> Okay. If everyone else
063is okay with that. You okay? >> All righty. I'll make a motion to approve POL-826 and PLL-926. Second. No. >> Having a motion and a second. All those in favor of P826 through P926 indicate by saying I. >> Are there any opposed? >> Hearing none. The motions carry. Next we have the student success and facilities committee directors Fryman and NUP. So for building and grounds, are there any motions need pulled for discussion? Hearing none, I make a motion to approve BO226 and BO326. >> Second, Brown. >> Having a motion and second, all those in favor of items BO226 and BO326, please indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Are there any opposed? Hearing none, the motion's carry. >> For educational pro uh programs, forformational purposes, Samuel McCall, who's a pre- student teacher at St. Vincson
064College will observe uh Cassidy Patrick at Ligonier Valley Middle School during the spring semester of 2026. And also Lydia Morgan, who is a pre uh student teacher at St. Vincent's, will observe Holly Robinson at RK Melon uh elementary school during the spring semester of 2026. Are there any motions that need to be pulled for discussion? Uh the one the one I had and I know I know we talked about this at the agenda setting, but to close the loop again here at the B business meeting, um Cindy, I I wanted to see if you could talk about the cyber security one and two and about the ninth graders. >> Oh, yeah, I can. >> Yeah, could Yeah, that would be great. >> Okay, so Oh, excuse me. Um so when I pulled that last month,
065it was because I would like I wanted to get more information um from Mrs. cartzel about the the program, whether it doubled with anything over at VTECH and how we could use that um together with VTECH as opposed to in competition with VOTE. Um so I did speak with her um and I had the course description sent to the over to VOTE to Mr. Wymer who then sent it on to the professor from WCCC who teaches those courses. It is an exact duplicate of the course. Um so that's good in two ways. Number one, if our students in ninth or tth grade take it in that year and then decide to go into the cyber security program over at CTC, they can test out of it. So, that's a really good thing. Um the other
066good thing about it is if we can, you know, if I get my counselors to really push that down into um the lower, you know, ninth and tth grade, then hopefully it will encourage those students that are interested in, you know, CTC or into this the cyber security to go into that CTC program um through um WCCCC to get their degree there. >> Yeah. Thank you. Um the only thing I want to say anything else? Oh, so there's no additional cost to the district regarding this. Um, >> oh, so I asked I requested the cost of the textbooks or whatever they were using, but I got no answer to that from Mrs. Carter, so I can't tell you that. >> Well, no, no. Well, there's no like it's available if if students take it. There's
067no like additional teacher. I mean, >> oh, here. Yeah. >> No, Mr. Church will teach it. >> Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Are there any other items that need to be discussed or pulled? Right. Hearing none, I make a motion to approve U items E0726 through E1026. >> Second. Robotti. >> Having a motion and second, all those in favor of EO726 through EO926 indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Are there any opposed? Having hearing none, motion carries. Next, the human resources committee directors Fitchwell and Crumbl. >> Are there any motions that need pulled for discussion? Hearing none, I make a motion to approve PO826 through P1326. >> Second. No. >> Having a motion and second, all those in favor of PO826 through P1226 indicate by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? Hearing? None. The motion carries.
068Move this. Okay. I make a Are there any motions for the supplemental contracts that need pull for discussion? Hearing none, I make a motion to approve S0626 through S0926. >> Second, Brown. Having a motion and second. All those in favor of SO626 through SO826 indicate by saying I. I. >> Any opposed? >> Hearing none. The motion carries. Student experience committee directors Hutchinson and Stephie. Are there any motions they need pull for discussion? Okay. I'd like to make a motion to approve AO626 through A1126. >> Second, Rodati. >> Having a motion and second, all those in favor of AO626 through A126 indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Are there any opposed? >> Hearing none, the motion carries. >> Have one motion. Anything need pulled for discussion for that? like to make a motion to approve
069TA0326. >> Second, Brown. >> Having a motion and second, all those in favor of TA 0326 indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Hearing none, the motion carries. This evening we have no one signed up for the second hearing of the citizens, but is there anyone else who would like to speak? School board director comments. Do we have anyone with additional comments? >> Uh, yes. I'd like to make a comment. U, Mr. Moles, please relax. >> Relax. >> Please relax. You You always get nervous when I get hold of a microphone. So, um, one of the things that is is very near and dear to me in regards to education is the ability to read. And if you looked at the recent reports that have come out from the news news channels, you'll
070notice that even Harvard is having to put students into remedial reading. That being said, in the two months that I've been on the board here, I've had the opportunity to go around and look at the reading uh efforts in this school district. And also al another item that you should be aware of is that the state of Pennsylvania just recently uh approved the making it mandatory that that cursive writing is written is once again taught in our curriculum. That's very important to reading. So, in the two months that I've been here, the thing that I am so impressed by is that looking at the data that's come out of the Acadian system and the shift back to using phonics, uh, basically sounds, we are on the road to making ensuring that all of our students
071are being able to read. And that I think is very impressive. As one of my former students used to say, news uh, bad news travels at the speed of a of a cheetah. Good news travels at the at the speed of a snail. And this is good news that I think that should be out there at at the speed of a cheetah. Our teachers are doing their best to teach our children how to read and we are starting to see the results. Now, does this mean that we're going to see have them reading on a Harvard level yet next year? No, it's not. It's a it's incremental. In 12 years time, the students who are in first grade when they graduate, they will be able to read, to write, to think, to speak, to listen,
072and to problem solve. So, I would like to say to all the teachers out there, a personal thank you. You are doing a fantastic job. And thank you once again. >> I just want to say congratulations to Mr. Moles on his 100 days here at Ligonier. I am quite disappointed you were not dressed up as either uh an old man. >> Yeah. Sort of 100 day sort of coincided with the school's 100 day. So, but uh I should have. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Um I'd like to take a moment to remind our community of the importance of following the district's established chain of command as outlined in our organizational chart which we just updated tonight. This structure exists to ensure that questions, concerns, and issues are addressed efficiently at the appropriate levels. We encourage
073parents and community members to begin with the staff members, the staff staff members or admin closest to the issue and then proceed through the appropriate supervisory levels if necessary. If after moving through the organizational chart, a concern remains unresolved, it is then appropriate to bring this matter to the board for further review. We appreciate everyone's cooperation. Anyone else? I mean, of course, I have something to say. Um, on Friday, the official announcement was released that our very own head football coach, Roger Bidle, has been selected to serve on the coaching staff for the 2026 Big 33 football game. For those of you that may not know, this is the most prestigious high school football all-star game in the state. The Big 33 football game showcases the top senior football players from Pennsylvania and Maryland. And
074the selection as a coach is considered a significant honor reserved for individuals who demonstrate excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to the development of student athletes. Coach Ble brings 154 career victories and 22 seasons of loyal service to Ligonier Valley community as head football coach to this prestigious opportunity. His selection is historically significant as he becomes the first coach in Ligonier Valley history to be chosen for the Big 33 coaching staff and joins coach Paige as one of only two coaches ever selected from Ligonier Valley School District. His selection reflects not only his highly successful career on the field, but also the respect he has earned throughout the state high school football community for his integrity, leadership, and unwavering commitment to his players, program, and the sport of football. I would like to add that
075coach Bidle's impact reaches far beyond wins and losses, as his dedication to our student athletes, school, and community for more than two decades makes this recognition especially meaningful for him and our district. Coach Bital's leadership and passion for the game will be showcased on a statewide stage as he helps guide the top senior athletes in the 2026 Big 33 football game to be played May 24th, 2026 at the Cumberland Valley High School. Please join us in congratulating Coach Vital on this outstanding and welldeserved honor. Anyone else? Future dates and activities. March 9th, 2026, the Ligoner Valley School District Administration Building. At 4 PM, we'll hold the committee of the whole agenda setting meeting. On March 16th, here at the high school, 5:15 will be executive session. 6 PM will be the committee of the whole
076presentations and updates. And immediately following that will be the regular board meeting. Do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> Move Brown. >> Second. No. Meeting adjourned at 7:07