001the Ligonier Valley School District regular board meeting for July 21st at 6:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Mr. Secretary, roll call, please. Here >> here >> as you can hear by uh Mrs. Croml. She is joining us via telephone this evening. Um and also uh welcome Christy Boyd to Joe Vela's seat. Uh Christy will be taking over the educational programs chair which was held by Mr. Vela. Her subcommittees that she will be working with will be personnel as well as policy legal. And as uh Joe was uh she will also be appointed the West Morland intermediate unit representative which is a
002motion uh later on in the agenda. So Christie w there will be a motion that is being pulled from the agenda that is F7525. That is the approval of the SRO. Uh the contract for that is not finalized. So that is a non-acting motion at this time. Mr. Secretary, can we have the executive session report, please? matters regarding contracts and personnel. Sorry. >> Thank you. For the board members, are there any motions that require amendment or additions? Hearing none, there's no reason for public comment for added agenda items. So, we will move into old business. I hereby ask for a motion that the approval be given to the minutes of the June 30th, 2025 committee of the whole meeting, the minutes of the June 30th regular board meeting. >> Second. >> Having a motion and
003a second. All those in favor indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Are there any opposed? The motion carries unanimously. Followup on previous agendas will be addressed during the solicitor's report. We have no hearing of citizens for agenda items this evening. Mr. Secretary, do you have any correspondence for the good of the board? >> Uh, none tonight. >> Thank you. Superintendent's report, please. >> Yes. Thank you. I've been speaking with the board for uh quite some time on how to improve uh transparency with the public and also uh communication amongst board members. So starting in August, we're going to add a little bit of a different format. U the subcommittees will continue to meet periodically as needed and those subcommittees as you know are not uh there's not a quorum of board members who meet.
004There's usually two or three board members who meet maybe with Eric as a finance person or a policy committee etc. And those committees will continue to meet as needed. But what we decided to do starting in August is to have a committee the whole meeting in public and that meeting will be held on Monday August 11th at four o'clock and we'll discuss everything that's on a committee whole agenda but there no voting will take place and the purpose of doing that is to give the public a chance between the Monday August 11th meeting and one week later Monday August 18th and then each month after that it would be the committee the whole workshop be on a Monday and then the following Monday would be the voting meeting. We give a chance for the public
005to reach out to board members if they have questions or concerns. Also gives time for the board members to call and ask additional questions so we don't feel rushed when we have agenda items because as we operate now we present those items to you and then we vote right after. So there will be a oneweek um span of time between the committee, the whole meeting and the voting meeting with the exception if there's something that's really urgent. For instance, oftentimes in August you're doing some late hires with teachers and sometimes at that committee to hold meeting you may have to have a one a motion to to hire new personnel so they're here in time for the start of school year. But we believe it's a great way to improve transparency. Also, I have about
00618 or 20 names so far of parents who are going to assist me giving me input with a questionnaire for the superintendent for the superintendent search. The deadline for applications for that search uh is Friday, August 20th, and that's when the applications are due. So, I'll be meeting with those parents before then to talk about uh some characteristics we may be looking for in a superintendent. Also I will share with that committee what's what's happening at the committee the whole workshop so they have time to reach out to board members. The whole idea here is to prove improve communication and transparency. I know we had a similar situation where we had meetings set up this way uh when I served as superintendent for a number of years in a different school district. I also know
007our neighboring school districts like Lebe and Derry also have a similar format committee the whole workshop a week later voting and uh hopefully that'll add more transparency more communication for everyone. Thank you. That's all I have. >> Thank you very much. Mr. Mata, solicitors report please. >> You mind if I grab your microphone, Mr. President? >> Yeah, we had an issue come up. A young lady uh during public comment had a question last meeting about the assistant board secretary. Um we looked into that. She was correct that that would be a um incompatible to have both of those offices. Um also in review there is no requirement to have an assistant board secretary. Um it was just something that's always been in place here at Ligonier. So the board has decided not to move forward
008with uh having that position of the uh assistant board secretary and in the discussion of that position um it was also found that in the event that Mr. Cosious is absent and is unavailable to record meeting minutes that I as president can appoint temporarily any board member, administration member or member of the public to record minutes as needed. It is not considered to be a legal position. Any representation today from the education association? Yeah, there's Linda. Thank you very much from the EWCTC. I'll defer over to Mrs. Brown at this point. >> Yeah. So, since it's summer vacation, we don't have a whole lot. Just remember that the car show has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 6th, starting at 10:00. But of course, if you get there at 10, you're going to be late. Um,
009so get there much earlier before that. Um, Donnie, do you want to add anything about that? >> There's no July meeting? Yeah, there is no July meeting >> over at EWCTC. >> At EWTC. >> Yeah. >> Hopefully it doesn't rain. They got rained out twice. This is the reschedule of the uh car show. Um and it's a nice show. It really is. It's it the the kids put on a really good program. There's all sorts of baskets that you can uh Chinese auction and stuff like that. that it's a really big fundraiser for a lot of their programs and uh they really rely on those sort of things and the donations that come in to the EWCTC throughout the year from industry and and things like that. So once again looking forward to a great
010year down there. They've already got a lot of big plans planned. Uh at this time we don't have an intermediate unit report uh because Miss Boyd has just now been assigned to that as per Joe's old position and so we'll look forward to that at our next meeting. Miss Bennett, do we have anything for public relations tonight? >> We do not. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Moving on to building and grounds. Miss Crumbl, would you like to read your report or would you like me to read it for you? Um, I don't really have a report. I just have a Were you there? >> Your motion. Yes. I just wanted if you wanted to read it or if you wanted me to read it for you. >> No, go ahead and read it for
011me, please. >> Okay. So, on behalf of Mrs. Crumbl, chairperson of building and grounds. I'm asking for a motion to approve B125, which are the change orders as were per uh presented during the committee of the whole meeting. Change orders 2, three, four, and five. >> So move. >> Second. >> Having a motion and a second. All those in favor, please indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Are there any opposed? >> I. >> The motion carries. Mr. Stephie, the finance committee, please. >> Are there any other motions that need pulled for discussion? Like to make a motion to approve motions F6925 through F7425. >> Second. >> Having a motion and a second for the mo for the agenda items as listed. All those in favor, please indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Are
012there any opposed? Motions carry. educational programs. Mrs. Boyd, >> are there any motions that need pulled for discussion? There being none, I make a motion to approve motions E3225 through E3325. >> Second. >> Having a motion and a second for the educational programs agenda items. All those in favor, please indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Are there any opposed? Motions carry. Personnel Committee. Miss Venob, please. >> The superintendent evaluation as per the legal agreement approved at the June 30th, 2025 regular school board meeting of the Ligonier Valley School District board of directors has been posted on the district web page. Are there any motions that need for discussion? Seeing none, I'd like to make a motion to approve P5225 through P5425. Okay. It was either Gary or Cindy. They were both about the same.
013I'm >> good. I got Gary. >> Okay. Having a motion and a second for the personnel committee. All those in favor, please indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Are there any opposed? The motions carry. The athletic committee, Mrs. Hutchinson, please. >> Are there any motions that need pulled for discussion? Hearing none, I'd like to make a motion for A2525 through A2625. >> Second. >> Having a motion and a second. All those in favor, please indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Are there any opposed? >> Motion carries. >> I'd like to make a motion for A2725 with the following names for program volunteers. John Vita, varsity football. Alex Caldwell, varsity wrestling. Lee Steppy, girls soccer. Caitlyn Robbins, varsity cheerleader. Algallardo, boy, boys and girls golf. And I believe it's Lyanna Rossi, marching band. >>
014Uh, Mr. Secretary, can we vote on all of the items except Lee Steffy and have a roll call for that item only, please? >> Yeah, I see that. No, I'm sorry. >> That That's fine. So all those in favor of the program volunteers with the exception of Lee Steffy which will require a roll call please in by saying I. >> I. >> Are there any opposed? >> Those names uh carry. The mo um we'll stick with the motion from Mrs. Hutcherson and from Miss Bennett and do a roll call for Lee Steffy. M. Bennett. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Boyd. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brown. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Gamble. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gilbert. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hutchinson. >> Yes. >> Mr. No. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Cromwell. >> Yes. >> Mr. Steph. >>
015I'll get you to fill the format. I'm sorry. So that would be 8 to zero in favor of the motion with one abstension. Yes. >> Supplemental contracts. Mrs. Gamble, please. >> I make a motion for S1425 with the names Elbert Elbert Fina, head girls track and field coach, renewal. Mark Zimmerman, head softball coach, renewal. Chelsea Brandt, head swimming coach, renewal. Jason Bush, head baseball coach, renewal. Madison Clyce, junior high cheerleading advisor, renewal. Tyler Koshious, assistant botchi coach, renewal. Dalton Clark, assistant varsity wrestling coach, renewal. Trisha Hamill Mayhem, assistant girls track and field coach, renewal. Tanner Solage, assistant boys soccer coach. Renewal and Benjamin Faustst, assistant junior high football coach. New >> second. >> Having a motion and a second for the names as read. All those in favor, please indicate by saying I. >> I.
016>> Are there any opposed? >> The motion carries. I make a motion for S525 with the name Margaret Martin for assistant girls soccer coach new. >> Second. >> Having a motion and a second pending the required documents for the district. All those in favor please indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> The motion carries. >> Mr. Nup, anything for the good of the order this evening from transportation? time. >> Thank you. >> Policy legal. Miss Brown, >> are there any motions that need to hold for discussion? >> Hearing none. And I'm going to break these up. I motion for POL-28-25 that Christy Boyd be retroactively appointed to serve as the district representative of the West Morland Intermediate Unit from July 1st, 2025 through December 2nd, 2025. Second. >> Having a motion and
017a second for the WIU appointment. All those in favor indicate by saying I. >> Are there any opposed? >> Motion carries. >> And I motion to approve POL-29-25. >> Second. >> Motion and a second for the approval of policy 105.5. All those in favor indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Are there any opposed? >> That motion carries. Second hearing of citizens for the non-aggenda items. Miss Nichols. Okay. >> Okay. All right. I normally don't do this, but thank you very much for having me stand up and say my last few words on my exit um from Ligoner Valley. It's nice to finally see that someone has the insight to stand up for what's going on in this school district and try to start standing up for their kids. Thank you very much for coming
018to help this this valley. Um, I hope this continues after the after the interim supervisor moves on and our new superintendent starts. I'll say that unless we go unless we want to go backwards, which I hope we don't because cheerleading sure as hell did. Um, please don't select anybody from inside the school district. We need new blood in here to help this community move forward. These kids depend on it. Sorry, I get very emotional. We need somebody that's going to stand up for these kids. Um after um as far as I'm concerned, one of the only reasons why my kids actually stayed in this district was ROC. That is the best program this school has. If it wasn't for that, I would have pulled my kids and moved out of this district a long time
019ago. My kids were too far along for me to be able to do that. They decided they wanted to stay, so I let them stay. I'll say that there's been many times that I had the conversation, they decided they wanted to stay. It's sad to hear another student say, "I wonder if I can get away with flying this into this person." And a lot of kids heard this happen and nobody said anything. Nobody did anything. That's sad to say because they're one of the chosen kids in this valley. I'm just saying. It's sad to say whenever somebody goes on a field trip and everybody makes conversation on that field trip except for one student, they come back and that student is like, "Well, let's do it. Let's let's think of doing this way or let's
020try this." Oh, no. We already decided we're doing it this way. So, you're having those kids on that bus basically bully, silently bully this person because they weren't included in the conversation. That goes on so many times throughout this district, not only in the classroom, not not only in certain sports, the whole way across the board. And it's very very disruptive because there's certain kids and they get treated a certain way when other kids don't. Um, so everybody's not on the same playing field. It's not the first time. It's not the last time it's going to happen, but I hope somebody stands up for these kids. Um, where was I at? Sorry, I I rambled. Um, I just want everyone to be fair and impartial. Let's move on. I hope that the board, the interim
021superintendent, and the new superintendent look at how the children are being taught. This goes back to I don't know eight years ago whenever everyone decided to make the classrooms multilevel. You have some children that excel. They're being held back. They're teaching themselves. They're bored in class. And you have some children that need more help. They're getting some, but they're not getting enough. And then you have the middle kids that are getting everything that they need. So, I don't know how that's fair to any of those children in that classroom. And it's hard, super hard for those teachers, those poor teachers that have to teach on three different levels. We're using computers. We're using everything. Well, guess what? They're not using their iPads or whatever. They're on their phones. They're on their phones most of the
022time. And that's not teaching the kids. I know of a family, more than one actually, that left this district, went to another school, had to repeat classes because they didn't get what they needed here, and they were a straight A student. That is appalling to me. And I'm not the only person that feels that way. Um, I don't have a lot more to really say except we had this film here in Hershey for for Hershey and they used this school and I know the school got some money for it and that film was part of the arts. It should never be used for anything other than the arts in this school. I'm I have no say, but I want to put that out there. You're looking for a new superintendent. You're you're trying to be
023a better board. You're trying to be more upfront. That needs to be for the arts. Look at this stage. Look how bad this is. People get hurt. We have equipment back here for the wait room. It should never be on this stage. It's destroying the stage. The lighting, the sound, just everything is poor. You You came from other school districts, Richland, one of them. What was it? Franklin Regional, one of them. You see what they have? Kids pour in to those auditions. It's It's pride. This is not pride. They have screens. Yes, they are big bigger school district. I totally understand that. But this year, from my understanding, was an immaculate year for the musical. High numbers. And what do we have? We had great kids up there on stage. We have a poor stage,
024poor sound system, the backdrops. You have to make everything. If we would put some money into lighting, put some money into a back screen, guess what? A lot more kids that I know have talent in this school district would participate. Then let's move on to the band. There's a lot of kids that will not participate in marching band, not even stage band. And they are phenomenal, phenomenal at guitar, piano, an instrument. But they won't participate because it's a stigma from this school district because nobody wants to participate because we can't do that. We cannot do that because my friends don't like that and and I'll be the outcast. Then I'll be the one bullied. We got to get rid of that. You mentioned about there's no room for the band to play to practice on
025the football field. Okay. What about there's there's a soccer field wherever it's at. Soccer field over here. Practice soccer field. Schedule it so the band can at least practice up there. Practice on grass or the p the paint on the the uh parking lot used to be there that they could march off. It's not there anymore. Or there's cars parked there. Block it off. No car, including students, can park there. If they have to go on a golf match or they have to go on a a soccer thing, they have to move their cars so the band can practice. These are part of the things that are wrong with this district. We are small and we should be mighty, but we're not. We do not compare to any other school, any other small school that
026I'm aware of, and I'm aware of a lot of them. I go to almost every musical. My daughter and I goes to almost every musical around here. We go to Pittsburgh for musicals, big small schools. We go to band competitions. We go to other people's football games. And they have so much more. And they are small for the most part. So I I just ask for the the sake of the children coming up, please, please look at some of these things. the silent bullying, it's it's happening more than what you think. Ask people to say something and when they say something, take it to heart. Investigate it, please. Because it's not just the fist fight bullying. It's not the the the online bullying. It's the emotional. It's the dayto-day in and out of every classroom.
027Ask the teachers if they see something. Even if they think about it, have them say something. sit in on a class. How many of you up there have sat in on a class? Observe the class just to to observe, see what's going on. I sit back and observe and I I wish everybody here would do the same for everything. Thank you. >> Mrs. Nichols, um, if you would please, I know you said that was like your exit speech and I know your kids have graduated and such. Would you please reach out to Justin Zahorjack and talk to him about whatever the incident was you were speaking of because I'm curious to know what it was and what um, what occurred so that we can look into ways to mitigate that in the future. Okay. >>
028I'd be more than happy to meet with you also. >> Yes, that's that's fine. >> Okay. Yeah, let's schedule a time and do that. >> I would like to add a comment to Miss Nichols. I appreciate everything you said and just to let you know that we were not negligent. We tried ever since we've been on the board, Johnny Josie and I, we have tried to observe classes. They would not let us in. The old administration would not let us in. We've tried. We've tried to get into the buildings, everything they can, and we've been shut down. play. I watch how the comments are. I watch people See what goes wrong. football player baseball player basketball. Yes, thank you very much. We would appreciate that. Thank you for future dates and this was brought up
029during the superintendence report. Remember that the new committee of the whole meeting which will be used in helping to set the agenda will be here uh or will be at the district administration building at 4:00 on August 11th, September the 8th, October the 13th, and November the 10th. Then we will have our regular board meeting on August the 18th with 5:15 being our executive session. 6 o'clock will be the committee of a whole and any presentations or updates that are required which will then be followed immediately by the regular board meeting. It will not necessarily start at 6:30. It will start after the committee of the whole. And just to kind of keep an eye on your calendar, remember that we will be having a uh meeting out at Laurel Valley Elementary School and that
030is going to be the October meeting, I believe. Right. >> Yes. So, um keep that in mind that we will be out at Laurel Valley on the October meeting. All right. I did skip over the school board directors and comments because I wanted to do the dates first so everybody was aware of those. Uh any directors have any comments for the go of the order this evening? >> Okay, having none, I will ask someone to make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Having a motion and a second, I will ask all of those that are in favor of adjournment say I. >> I. >> Are there any opposed? The meeting has concluded at 7:01. Thank you very much.