001Good evening everybody. I'd like to call the reorganization meeting for December 2nd for Ligonier Valley School District to order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. I will be doing roll call for the U retained board members at this time. Mrs. Chichen okay uh Mr. Nup >> here. >> Mrs. Croml >> here. >> Mr. Stephy >> here. >> All four are present. There are no executive session uh reports tonight. Any motions that need to be added or amended at this time? Okay. Since there's no motions to be added or amended, we will be able to skip number six, public comments on those motions. Any old business tonight? There's nothing on
002the agenda. Okay, we'll go into new business hearings of citizens agenda item discussions. We have two signed up tonight. Uh the first one is M. Mr. Fitchwell. Please uh come forward. Hello, my name is John Fitchwell and I wanted to make a few comments before I was sworn in as a school board member. I've lived here for 18 years and uh I have a few observations. There's a lot of wonderful people that live in this community, some for generations, some transplants like myself. And the first thing that I noticed in the echo when I moved up here was the sale of a another high school that's north of here and the promise of uh reduced property taxes and how the well-being of the community and the school was going to be by combining the two
003schools. I didn't know too much at that time, but I knew that the taxes didn't go down. And I, the matter of fact, there were increases. In 2020, we had 1,500 plus students. Today, we have,300 at the cost of a little under $25,000 per student. The private school, Valley School of Ligonier, has uh a tuition of $17,985. And there were a lot of people when I was campaigning that had no clue. Uh the ranking of our school out of 17 in West Morland County, we used to be in the middle of the pack. Now we're dead bottom at number 17. What's happened? We're replacing maybe things with that worked with things that maybe sound good. We had a an assault on a school teacher here, a very well-liked teacher. The documentation was poorly done. The
004video that existed of the incident somehow got erased. How does that happen? There were there have been contracts without bids. That's not being a very good steward. We had a police chief that was arrested for drugs and several years ago I talked with a couple high school seniors that were very much aware that our police chief was doing drugs. That's good mentors. We also had two police officers recently in uniform on duty campaigning against certain people that were running for office for school board. There's a PA statute number 25 that prohibits that they're not allowed 100 feet near any polling area. So, I'm wondering how does our our community, our school district reflect the people that truly live here that are good people? And we've got a lot of things to address to improve that.
005I'm hoping to help do that. Uh, I'd like to thank uh Don Gilbert and Josie Bennett along with the other school board members in the last two years picking up the pieces and starting to put it back together because the last two administrations have been horrible. They've not only been good uh poor stewards, but there's been no leadership or poor leadership. And that's another thing we need to address. That's all the comments I have. I'm ready to go to work. Thank you. Uh the next member is Mr. Fryman. Please The microphone's already warmed up for me. Uh, I'm going to kind of turn sideways because I want this is for all of you. When I came here tonight, I was thinking about how this whole process started. My whole life has been spent in education.
006And I remember the very first day that I walked into the elementary school and learned how to read. And it opened up doors and a lifelong desire for wanting to learn. And that's something that I want to help here. And as I walked in these doors, to everybody who voted for me and to those who didn't vote for me, I I pledge to you, I'm here to work for our children. That is where our strength is. That is where our future is. That's where we need to focus. Not on the the minuscule, not on the divisive, but for their good. As I walked through these doors, I really felt I'm home again. I want to work with our children. I want to help and work with all of you. And I know that we may
007have had differences of opinions, but this country was founded on the the ability of compromise. And unfortunately, we seem like we've lost a lot of that. But when it comes to our children's education, it can't be one way or the other. It's got to be for them and it's got to be working together for them. And that's who I work for, our children. And like my colleague and all my colleagues and all of you who I have yet to work with, I'm ready to get to work. Thank you. [applause] >> Okay, that concludes the hearing of citizens. Uh moving on to the next topic, reports. uh secretary or correspondence? I have none tonight. Superintendent. >> Um >> yeah, just uh very briefly, uh Mr. Secretary, um first of all, I'd like to congratulate the the
008new board members. I look forward to working with them as well. Um they're about to be sworn in, so congratulations to them and their families. Um and a thank you to the community um as we begin to work through this winter season. um had a bit of a sleepless night last night uh as for my first call, but I think we aired on the the side that was uh most cautious as as many neighboring schools did as well. Um today's uh closure will be made up on February 16th, the uh President's Day, the first snow day in our calendar. Um, I I'd like to say that's going to be the last time uh that happens this year, but um I know that that probably not realistic, but uh again, thank you for your support and
009understanding as we navigate the uh winter months. Thank you. >> Uh solicitor, do you have a report? >> I have no report for public session this evening. Thank you. >> LVA, is anybody here for LVA tonight? making no report EWC >> reorganization next Wednesday night for the EWCTC >> doors Okay. Thank you. Intermediate unit report. >> There was there was a meeting executive session held discuss personnel issue and then during the meeting last One issue was brought up. >> Okay. Thank you. Any public relations tonight? >> Okay. We'll move on to the first part. Uh nominations open for um election of a temporary president. All you need to say is who you're nominating and then we'll go from there. Do I have any nominations? >> I nominate Jen Crumbl. >> Okay. First nomination is um
010Mr. Nup uh nominates Mrs. Croml. Is there any other nominations? Okay. The nominations will be closed at this time and uh the nomination for Mrs. Croml to be elected temporary president for the purpose of the reorganization meeting. Can I have a motion for that? So moved >> in and a second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Anybody oppose? >> Motion carries 40. >> Okay. Now at this time we will uh administer the newly elected board members the oath of office. If you want to please step forward. You have all Our first new candidate is Christy, John Fitwell, Cindy Brown, Robert Fryman, and Sarah. Thank you guys. Welcome. Welcome to the board and we're looking forward to meeting with you. Congratulations. >> Okay. Now, you'll be a minister of the oath
011by the U by Madison. She's the uh I'm the district notary. >> She's a district notary. Thank you. >> So, I'll be administering the oath of office. Um, so I'll turn this way, I guess, since you guys are all over there already. Um, so raise your right hand and repeat after me. I say your name. I >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> solemnly swear or affirm >> that I will support and obey and defend >> obey and defend >> the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania >> and that I will discern >> or discharge the duties of my office >> I will discharge the duties of my service >> office >> with with fidelity >> with fidelity. >> Right.
012Okay. Now I just need you guys to sign Okay. Just make sure that you are signing the paper that has your name at the top. >> Otherwise, it's no one >> Sarah. You're right here. Robert, you're here. >> Sure. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. If you would like to kind of sweet. >> Thank you. Sit right here. Mr. Secretary, could I have a second roll? >> Please. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Boyd. >> Mrs. Brown >> here. >> M. Mr. Fitchwell >> here. >> Mr. Fryman >> here. >> Mrs. Hut Mrs. Hutchinson >> here. >> Mr. Mr. Nup >> here. >> Mrs. Croml >> here. >> Mrs. Mrs. Robotti >> here. >> Mr. Stephy >> here. >> Nine present. >> Wait for you. Ready? >> Okay. I'd like to accept nominations for president. >> I nominate
013Cindy Brown. Okay. Didn't get my sentence out, but thank you. >> I nominate Christy Boyd. >> Are there any other nominations? That being said, we'll entertain a vote for both candidates. Uh right now, I will uh be reading each board member's name. You tell me who who you're voting for. Okay. Mrs. Boyd. >> Boyd. >> Mrs. Brown. >> Brown. >> Mr. Fitzwell. >> Cindy. >> Brown. >> Mr. Fryman. >> Brown. >> Mrs. Hutchinson. >> Boyd. >> Mr. Nup. >> Boyd. >> Mrs. Croml. >> Boyd. Mrs. Rabidotti, >> Christy Boyd, >> Mr. Stephy, >> Cindy Brown. >> Okay, we have five for Brown. Five for Boyd and four for Brown. >> You'll go on to PL205. You close the nominations. >> Okay. I make a motion the nominations be closed for president and move on to
014P. >> Yeah, you'll you'll you'll put the name. I'm sorry. >> Put the name in. Then we need a motion. >> Sorry. Okay. So, [clears throat] make a motion the nominations be closed and Christy Boyd be declared as president of the school board for d of school board of directors, excuse me. >> So moved. >> Second. Okay. Could I have a roll call vote, please? Mr. Secretary? >> Yes. Mrs. Boyd? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brown? >> No. >> Mr. Fitchwell? >> No. >> Mr. Fryman? >> No. >> Mrs. Hutchinson? >> Yes. >> Mr. Nup? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Croml? >> Yes. Mrs. Robodati. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stephy. >> No. >> Motion carries. 54. Must be the bees. >> Thank you, sir. I will now entertain nominations for the office of vice president. >> MJ,
015>> I'd like to nominate uh John Pitchwell. >> Are there any other nominations? >> Jen nominated MJ and Gary nominated John. and Gary nominated John. >> Are there any other nominations? >> I'd like to nominate Cindy Brown. >> Decline. No, no other nominations at this time. >> So, call the name and ask for who you're voting for. >> Yeah, I'll do a roll call and you uh tell me who you went for vice president then. >> Mrs. Boyd. >> Nope. >> Mrs. Brown? >> Nope. Mr. Fitchwell, >> no. >> Mr. Fryman, >> no. >> Mrs. Hutchinson, >> no. >> Mr. Nup, >> no. >> Mrs. Croml, >> no. >> Mrs. Robotti, >> no. >> Mr. Stephy, Fitzwell. >> Motion. Uh, um, eight for NP, one for Fitwell. per P-0325 that nominations be closed and MN
016NJ not be declared vice president of the school board directors. >> So move >> second. >> We have a motion and a second. All in favor of MJ being vice president indicate by saying I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. P425 that the Ligator Valley School District Board of Directors will hold their committee of the whole agenda setting meeting and the regular board meetings on the dates listed below at the specified times and locations. for the committee of the whole January 12th, February 9th, March 9th, April 13th, May 11th, June 15th, July 13th, August 10th, September 14th, October 12th, November 9th. For the committee, the whole presentations and updates at 6 PM immediately followed by the regular board meetings January 19th. I had a question about the 16th, but we have school on that day
017now. So, February 16th, March 16th, April 20th at Laurel Valley Elementary, May 18th, Ligonier Valley High School, June 22nd, Ligoner Valley High School. July 20th, Laurel Valley Elementary. August 17th, Ligoner Valley High School. September 21st, Ligoner Valley High School. October 19th, Laurel Valley Elementary. November 16th at Ligonier Valley High School. Reorganization meeting will be held on December 1st, 2026. Time to be determined at Ligoner Valley High School. Do I have a motion in a second? >> Do we Do we want to fill in a time tonight so we could advertise it then for the whole year for discussion? >> 6:30 again. >> 6:30. >> Thank you. Do I have a motion in a second? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any opposed? >> I'm sorry. All in favor indicate by saying I. >> I. >>
018Any opposed? >> Motion carries. So when it comes to the committee structure, um in order to foster a collaboration of the board, there's going to be a change with the committee structure and I'm going to read that so that everyone can hear and understand. the committees that we currently have, some of them are going to be combined. And the hope is um and it's something that Director Brown brought to my attention that if you go over to the vocational school, they don't have all the members rotating off of committee at one time so that you're not left with somebody who's brand new. Hopefully, we can get there, but right now this is for collaboration. So, we're going to have a government's committee and it is responsible for ensuring that the district operates effectively, ethically, and
019in compliance with all applicable state and federal education laws, district policies, financial standards, and legal requirements. It also provides oversight of policy updates and reviews, as well as monitoring financial expenditures to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with district goals. I would like that director Brown and Director Rodotti chair that committee. >> Decline. >> I accept. Student Success and Facilities Committee is responsible for reviewing curriculum, student achievement, and educational programs as well as addressing the planning, maintenance, and improvement of school buildings, grounds, and technology infrastructure. Director Robert Fryman and Director Director Michael Nup for this committee. Do you accept? >> Accept. Human Resources Committee is responsible for handling matters related to personnel and supplementals, monitoring staffing needs and recruitment strategies to ensure the district attracts and retains qualified employees. Facilitates the review evaluation system to support
020professional development, initiates and promotes effectiveness and growth for this committee. Uh, director John Fitchwell and director Jennifer Kreml. Do you accept? >> Yes. Student Experience Committee is responsible for reviewing athletic programs and extracurricular offerings to ensure they promote student development, provide equitable access, and comply with all eligibility, attendance, coaching, and student athletic requirements. Additionally, the committee will monitor students attendance and district enrollment as well as transportation operations to ensure services are safe, reliable, and efficiently managed. Directors Irma Hutchinson and Director Gary Stafy, do you accept? >> Yes. >> I'm not sure what it means, but I I'll take it for now until till we see a little bit more and then >> athletics, transportation pretty much and like attendance. >> Okay. Um for the vocational uh the following sorry P5-25 the following board directors be
021appointed to serve on the joint operating committee of the Eastern West Morland career and technology center as presented. Irma Hutchinson term ending November 30th 2026. Gary Stephy term ending November 30th 2027. and Cynthia Brown term ending November 30th, 2028. We have a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. Second. >> All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. P-06-25 that Christy Boyd be appointed to serve as the West Morland Intermediate Unit representative. So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> Any opposed? >> Yes. >> No. to one. >> There is there's no second hearing of citizens. >> Okay. Um, are there any school board director comments? I actually have a couple. I know everybody's surprised. So, um, Mr. moles, per the email you sent to the board on October
02217th outlining your goals, have they been approved and put into place? >> Yes. >> Awesome. >> Uh for LVSD003, the procedure says the board shall plan an annual evaluation of its functions as a board and the board president working with the superintendent shall develop the annual plan. I would like this to be more of a board duty to work with you, not just one or two people. >> Does the board agree with that >> working together to set this plan? >> Yes. >> No. >> I'm sorry. I'm lost right now. I I am I'm I'm I'm stuck because according to policy 005, the committees are set and you cannot re change those committees unless you change policy first. Gary, am I right on that? I mean, list them. I'm sitting here looking at them. 005
023list the policies. >> I don't think she changed committees though. She combined them. >> We combined them. >> She combined some of them. I I would say that that um a lot of times at a reorganization meeting >> mind if I grab the ser? >> Um a lot of times at a reorganization meeting the committees aren't set at that time because the president has the ability to go do that. So if it's a question, we can have the uh policy reflect what the president would like to do. Um >> again, I was trying to listen uh to that's why I was reading over your shoulder a little bit. I didn't think >> so. Chrissy, can you reiterate those four you have? >> It's the same the the functions of them are the same. I think
024she moved them around, combined it some um and so forth. So I I think that we can amend our current policy >> to reflect the same names. >> Okay. Governance is what do >> governance will come be finan finance and policy legal. >> Okay. Student success is um curriculum building and grounds with an addition of technology infrastructure. I have copies of this I can give to everybody if that helps. >> That'd be good. And then human resources is personnel and supplementals. Student experience is um athletics, transportation, and attendance. So, they're all there. They're just combined with the little extra so that everybody works together. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Director Boyd. >> Yes. Are you going to be in um appointing someone else as Miss Brown has declined her position? >> Are you still declining
025that position, Cindy? >> I I need to know. I I only have time to do policy legal. I don't know that I have time to do a combined board. That's I'd have to see what you want because I am very very far behind in policy and policy is not it takes a lot of time. So, I would have to see what you would expect of that to see if I'd have the time to do both of those committees together because those are two big committees. >> Can we put that like table that and then come back to it for her and the reason because I know you look at the financials and I know you dig down in them and you've already been involved in the policies. So, that's why [clears throat] I'd like that
026to continue. Um, okay. So, there's a couple policies for 003. I already mentioned that one. Um, and we need to get together and we need to develop the annual plan. Then for 004, um, it said all new board directors should be given a copy of the school code, a copy of the board policy. Since that's online, can we change that and we can all access that information online? Okay. um a current budget statement, audit report, and related uh fiscal materials. >> The budget's online, and I can get the audit, the last year's audit report. We're still finishing up this year's audit. >> The strategic plans online also. >> Everything's online. Online? Yeah, that stuff's all online. >> And then each new board member shall be invited to meet with the board president, superintendent, and secretary
027discuss board functions, policies, and procedures. Would you set that up? So, one meeting. I'm already having independent meetings with everyone, but we could have one meeting with all those folks collectively. >> Is that okay with the new members to have one meeting? >> Yeah. >> Or president, superintendent, and the board secretary. >> Possible, Mr. President. I would like to attend. I think that could add some value. >> Yep. >> Can you >> I will. Yes. Okay. Um and then we just discussed the committees. Um so in zero LVSD 006 it says that um the meetings shall be publication given by publication of the date place and time of such meetings in newspapers of general circulation designated by board. We still do that >> we're required by code >> required by law. That's why at the
028beginning um the when we asked about the time for the reorg meeting we can advertise the all the meetings one time to save money. However through through a you know we don't know what's going to happen for the next year if we need to amend either at a meeting or modify the date of a meeting then we only have to advertise for that one issue. >> That was all I I've had some of those general questions. Is there any other board comments? Uh, future dates and activities. January 12th, 2026, Ligoner Valley School District Administration Building. Um, 4 p.m. will be the committee of the whole agenda setting meeting. January 19th, 2026, Ligoner Valley High School 5:15, executive session. 6 pm committee of the whole presentations immediately followed by the regular board meeting. I have a
029motion for adjournment. So move >> second. >> All in favor? >> I motion carries. >> We uh having an executive session. >> We will be uh having an executive session this evening in regards to a personnel matter. Um we will not be returning to take any type of action though this evening. Congratulations.