001like to call this meeting to order. Can we have roll call, please? >> Director Cooper here. >> Director Culliver >> here, ma'am. >> Director Isowski >> here. >> Director Hunter Rue. >> Director Meyers >> here. >> Director Roberts >> here. Can you please rise allegiance? Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. May remain standing for a moment of silence. Thank you. >> Thank you all for coming out to tonight's legislative uh review meeting. This is a voting meeting. It says agenda, y'all. It's like that might have been a typo. It says legislative voting meeting. Again, thank you all for coming out tonight. Um, any public comment related to the agenda items? Board members? None
002heard. The board met in executive session following the board meeting on o August 21st, 2025. Before we begin tonight, want to introduce Mr. Alex Paul. I'm sorry, Mr. Anthony Paul. I don't know why I said that. Um, who's filling in tonight for our superintendent, but Mr. Tony Paul. Um, and I'll let him further introduce himself and and move forward. >> Thank you, Mr. Colliver. It's a honor and a pleasure to sit in for Mrs. Coleman here tonight. I just wanted to report very briefly on the opening of school and how smoothly things have gone so far. Uh Mrs. Coleman shared some unofficial numbers today. Uh about enrollments, we're looking at 932. Our original number was 876. So while these numbers are unofficial, it's very encouraging to see that uh the numbers are heading in the
003right direction. Uh we're looking at uh the primary center attendance for the week so far is at 87%, upper elementary at 86% and junior senior high at 81%. So those are much better numbers than I've seen in some of the data reports as I've been coming into the position. So that's fantastic. Uh we also have maybe five or six other students who we've identified that maybe didn't have the right paperwork filled out. So that'll hopefully bump our numbers up even more. So uh that that's very encouraging. And even though the numbers are unofficial, we should be somewhere in that ballpark. So, that's very exciting. Um, I've been at all three buildings multiple times to be able to see, you know, just how excited the students are and the the teachers and the staff, the energy
004that they're they're carrying with them in the buildings and the, you know, just just a whole general vibe of positive energy and and uh it just it's always it's always interesting as a as a new person because you never quite know what you're going to get. Like one of the one of the highlights for me for this week, if I could just share a real quick story is uh just like you know I'm walking down the the hallways trying to get to know people and just know my way around. I'm in the high school hallway and it's you know right after class change. It's kind of thinning out and and this one boy comes around the corner unexpectedly like he like rolls up on me. He gets right next to me and he's he's about
005my height and he looks over at me kind of sideways and and I look over at him and kind of wondering like oh boy what am I in for now? and he he starts dancing. He just he legit busted out like his best dance moves and I was like, "All right, I think I'm gonna like it here." So, that was that was a highlight for me just to get to know the the students and the teachers has been a real blessing and a pleasure. And uh just the you know, thank yous to all the the buildings and and ground staff, the maintenance and custodians have a huge job taking care of three buildings and getting it all shiny and sparkly and they're doing a great job. and the technology staff with all the, you know,
006programs and and devices that they have to roll out is is is running smoothly. I've seen the security staff in action, keeping everybody safe. It looks great. It looks like a welloiled machine. Uh the cafeteria staff working hard get the food out there to the kids. Secretarial staff is, you know, they're the behind the scenes geniuses that run the place. You, everybody who's been in this business for a long time knows that. uh the admin team, the principles are putting out great plans to move people forward. The deans are keeping everything organized and running smoothly. Of course, the teachers and the paras and the outside agencies and nurses and the counselors, everybody coming together to make it happen. Uh of course, the students and families getting here on time and giving it their best and
007looking sharp. And uh of course the school board, thank you for your continued support. Uh we we couldn't do it without that. So, um there is one more little piece uh that goes along with the thank yous that uh I've been asked by Mrs. Coleman to take care of. And so, what I have here is a PSBA, Pennsylvania School Boards Association recognition for Mr. Cameron Culliver for five years of service and recognition. Uh bringing your energy, talent, and values to the guidance of youth in the public education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. So I I'm presenting this to you now. >> Hey, >> that's all I have. Thank you. >> Caught me off guard a little bit. First and foremost, let me say I'm trying to be professional, so I'm I used to call you
008Mr. Tony Paul all the time. I'm trying to say what's your first name again? Anthony Alex. I'm sorry. So my mistake on that. Um, but on another note, uh, I do appreciate this. You know, um, I I'll sit there and I'll be quick, but being a school board member, you know, we say all the time, but it takes more than just showing up on Thursday nights and voting, making decisions, and then going home. It's a lot of hard work. We always say it goes into this thing. Um, and and we bust our butt non-stop. I'm very proud of this board that we have here. You know, I'm excited, you know, for the future, you know, honestly, of this board, of this district, you know. Um, I I invite anyone who's thinking about, you know, this
009this thing, please come and join us. Um, if you have some questions, want to make some changes or, you know, you want to see, you know, what's really going on behind the scenes. Um, if you're a graduate and above, recent recent graduate, come on over, come on up here. Been here for a long time. Come on over here and and help out. you know, if you got any input, come and figure out what really goes on behind the scenes and, you know, put put some work into this because it's a lot more than just showing up on Thursday. It's a lot more than just coming to a committee meeting. Um, it's a lot of decision need to be made. You know, sometimes it's tough decisions, but we have to make them, you know, so please
010come out. So, um, it's been five years, five good years. Um, first year I learned a lot. Um, no one do no chairs around, you know, like like back in Miss Adrian's day, um, Miss Mrs. Mrs. Rob, Dr. Robert's day. But, uh, you know, it's it's been good. And I've been prof uh I've been proud of myself on the professionalism that we have up here, you know, and the and the pride and the lack of ego that we have up here. So, I'm grateful. So, again, thank y'all very much. I look forward to however many years left. So, thank you again, sir. Up next, we're going to have Jaya Ellerv, the student representative summer wrap-up report. Good evening, school board, Dr. Coleman, administrators, parents, community members, and teachers. For those of you who don't know
011me, my name is Jay Ellerby. I am a senior at Stocks Junior Senior High School and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as your student schoolboard representative. As a 2025 to 2026 school year begins, there have been many wonderful things wrapping up over the summer. These include summer program, sports, and back to school events. The summer program, we have the Steel City Impact, CX mentorship academy, internships, learn and earn, and the algebra club sports. Please keep Dylan Harris in your prayers as he suffered a significant injury during the football game last Friday night. He's expected to make a full recovery. The marching band is doing really well. Our students are enjoying are really enjoying themselves. Kudos to Mr. McFersonson for teaching them and consistently trying to grow the pro grow the program.
012Please help support our band during halftime at our football games. Fall sports are underway. Please help support our Here are some key upcoming dates. Friday, August 29th, a varsity football game at Carmichaels High School at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 2nd, varsity football game versus Keystone Oaks at 6 p.m. And Wednesday, September 3rd, a home middle school football game versus Avanorth at 5:30 p.m. As the school year kicks off, we have had many events for back to school. We had an open house that was held for grades 7th through 12th. It started with a pres presentation by administration to go over the expectations for students and families for the 2025 to 26 school year. Then students and families could go to the gym where they would meet their teachers, meet providers, and get their schedule. We
013also held a back to school celebration on August 15th. At this event, families had the opportunity to get new backpacks, meet local vendors, and even meet our new superintendent, Dr. Coleman. This week, students are also receiving their student IDs and Chromebook, and they have also been rocking the dress code. Upcoming events, students will begin map testing next week, and class meetings will be held for all students in grades 7 through 12. That's all the information I have for you tonight. Till next time. >> Before you leave, wait a second. How's the field been so far since you've been back in school this year? You know, what are you saying? What are your friends saying? How's it going? >> Good. Laboray. I put you on the spot. I know. >> Labor. >> I have I have
014anatomy and physiology. That's a new class I've had. >> Okay. >> I like it so far. >> Um I'm in a sign language class. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that's just about it. >> What's the feel around the school? What's the feel like? >> What's the feel? >> Yeah. What it feel like? It feel good? feels the same. >> Okay. I appreciate that. >> Have a good night. >> You too. >> Up next, we wait before. Did y'all participate? You participate in that senior sleep night that uh that they had on the field. The senior was it seeing sunrise? Really? I heard it was pretty cool. I heard. All right. That's what I'm talking about. Next, we have Dr. Nancy Rabel, our chief recovery officer with an amended financial recovery plan for 2025 presentation public review
015initiated on August 25th, 2025. >> Thank you very much. It is so exciting to sit there and feel the positive energy in the room. As Tony said earlier, I echo you feel it even, you know, during the school day, the kids are in uniforms. Uh it's really, really exciting. So, I applaud you for your effort and I think this next step is going to allow the district to turn the corner. There is evidence that the district is stabilizing. We're going to collect that in a very methodical way and then hopefully light at the end of the tunnel, several years out, move to monitoring if we qualify for exit. five years of monitoring and then you will be independent again. So there definitely is evidence that the district has stabilized and really it comes down to
016leadership. I have said that to the admin team and also to the larger staff. You have a dream team in place. They are highly competent. These are not run-of-the-mill people. You did not hire in desperation. You were very selective in these key positions and you're going to see the payoff. I feel very confident about that. So just going to go through the PowerPoint. I'm certainly not going to read every single slide to you. Board members, you have a copy of that. Um Martha, I'm sure has that posted on the website or will as well for the community. So the first slide there, just reminding ourselves what were the conditions in the district at the time that it was put into moderate financial recovery by the Department of Education. Underline some just key pieces of information.
017A lot of it was financial as you can see. So in in accordance with the 2012 legislative act 141 the commonwealth was required to provide technical support. So it's not a matter of just saying that the there are concerns we are going to help you to resolve some of those concerns and so you can see those listed the position that I currently hold that was created. the financial recovery advisory committee. At this point, we know that Miss Hunter Rue is going to be joining us on that and Miss Meyers as well. There was an original plan that was developed and approved at both the state level and the local level and the date for that you can see is in 2022. And then there was financial support extended to the district. But also more importantly
018or as important I guess I should say is technical support. Also, the exit criteria, they were clearly defined. And when I presented to you in July, I use a lot of the same information to show you what I've checked off. I feel pretty confident it's embedded in daily practice. None of these conditions currently exist. Those are very good things. referencing title 22, chapter 18. If you refer back to slide number two, when the um district re uh received that notification in 2021, a lot of these things were listed in that correspondence. On the next slide, you'll see I purposely colorcoded uh again in July reference these as well. These are extra criteria from the original plan that we have not mastered. We have not demonstrated substantial progress. So there is a lot there's a heavy
019focus in this amended recovery plan. Um when you see the the orange color I purposely used that it's it's not necessarily a no but it's not definitely a yes. I'll elaborate on that in just a second. The projections they remain pro problematic as we look out to the future five years and beyond. It looks like that we may not be in a positive position. And so that is something again will be addressed in the amended recovery plan or it is addressed in there. And then also we need to show evidence of substantial progress in the areas of academic performance, graduation rate and attendance scrolls. So just to elaborate on those the fund balance the reason why I use the coding of orange again it's a yes and a no in the absence of that extra
020support. CO dollars all the districts got that. That is not something that I would view as a negative or to say that well we received those dollars that's why we're positive. Well, every district had that benefit. However, being a district in moderate uh financial recovery, the district did receive empowerment dollars and those were generally in the amount of $2 million annually. And so, in the absence of those, there would not have been the three successive years of the positive fund balance. As noted, the financial projections, they remain problematic. And we know what the driving factors basically are in those projections. The enrollment and then the outstanding capital repairs. And just as a note, the student I'm sorry, the Sassy, the supporting America's school infrastructure grant program, it seems to be on hold. My assumption is
021that's because the Harrisburg budget is not resolved. I would hope as soon as that is resolved that engineering team from Penn State will be out take a look at this uh particular facility and give some ideas some suggestions about how to make the best use of it and then academic growth. Um Tony is definitely on that. I have to tell you this this is just commentary on the side sharing the workspace with your administrative team. It is so interesting. He is almost robotic. He's at his desk. He barely talks. He's typing, typing, typing. He just says kind of casually, "Oh, I probably should share this document with you." What is it, a 100page instructional framework? I mean, it is it is definitely it is an exemplar and that's the talent that you have among you.
022So, there's a tremendous opportunity right now. Okay, the next slide uh slide about fund balance. You saw this in July. I just want to reiterate a few things. you see some red in there and again in the absence of that extra empowerment support the district would not likely be in a positive position. Um we also know that for a district of this size there's an 8% general fund rule. We we cannot exceed that right now. It looks like we are in an assigned general fund balance. So we are going to be shifting we've talked about this in the spring moving another with the board's permission 5.8 8 million to the capital reserve. What the district wants to make sure is that if those capital repairs would be um needed to be completed pretty quickly, you
023will have sufficient dollars tucked away. They will be restricted. They cannot be used for anything else without your permission. So that's important to do that. Okay, here's a slide um on the projections. Our analysts at PFM have helped to develop this and you can see there's red. Please make note of the note there. That is purely status quo. If the district did nothing, you would see where we are projected to land. Obviously, that's not going to happen because there is going to be corrective action being implemented. I referenced the um enrollment. However, as Tony pointed out from Mrs. Coleman's notes, it looks like there's an uptick. That is a very positive thing. If you're able to change the trajectory, that is going to be huge for the district. The next slide, again, I showed that
024to you in July. Charter school tuition, what it looks like. Um, Michael has been working with Scott on the PTE 363 form which is due here shortly and that will drive charter school tuition for the upcoming year. Next slide shows the capital improvement needs. Please note that at this point in time it's about 8.6 million. We have 2 million that the board authorized being moved in February. We had the 5.8. We are at 7.8. There'll be an additional transfer once we feel a little bit more comfortable um with where the fund balance presently is. Okay, academics, you've seen this slide before and the next to follow. I don't want to belabor this. There's a lot of red. The goal absolutely we know that is to move beyond the red and be closer to the state
025averages whether we're talking about PSSA for primary students um elementary students and and middle school students or we're talking about Keystones exams and that's for the high school end of year exams. So we are exercising the option to amend. And if you look at that slide, the reason we want to do that is we want to demonstrate that the district has made progress. We want to go on record with that. We want to show evidence of that, but we also cannot um we have to address the challenges that we know that are before us in this moment in time. And so the benefits listed there, this is meant to be a guide sheet, very direct, very specific. So if the district follows this with fidelity, I feel very confident within a few years the district
026will qualify for exit from recovery and be authorized to initiate a five-year monitoring period. And you see some of the references there with the end in mind, references to exit specifically. So when we think about emerging progress, as I noted to you in July, there's absolutely evidence of improved operational efficiencies and effectiveness. As I said to the staff when I shared some of this information, not all of it, of course, um because we just didn't have the amended recovery plan ready to go, but at that point in time on August 18th, I said to them, I can feel a difference. Now the goal is to quantify that, have specific evidence, objective evidence, and to be able to share that. We also have to u demonstrate the district's ability to live within its means. Knowing what
027the revenues are annually, we don't want to exceed that. Certainly, that's the goal. Things do happen. That's why, you know, you want to have the benefit of the cushion, the fund balance that is available if needed. and then demonstrated practice of considering not only short-term impact but also long-term impact. I think the new business manager is going to be very much involved in that. I've already seen him jumping in. Michael's been working alongside him. So, I feel very positive about that as well. But he did reference new challenges and if you see on that slide, we've talked about this before, the over reliance on contracted services and administrative positions. Um I remember Mr. Colliver asked me at one point, I don't know if this was publicly or privately, you said, "Well, we were told contracted
028services is a positive thing. It saves money." And that is 100% true in most cases. You don't payers. You don't pay health care benefits. However, when they're high ranking positions, you kind of lose track of that internal capacity to do the job. And you see there almost becomes a learned helplessness. Employees will just shift it to the contractor. If you're not the only client for that contractor, they're going to get to it when they get to it. So having, for example, an internal business manager, that person that this district is his only client. He's going to focus exclusively on Stow rocks and commit his time to that. Also, the impact of chronic administrative turnover. Well, when you think about an administrator, especially building level, they are supposed to be an instructional leader in and out
029of the classrooms, coaching and giving guidance to the teachers. Well, if there's always a new person churning through, those things kind of get pushed aside. So, we see that and I think that's one of the reasons for some of those lower scores. Limitations of a mostly remote contracted services business office model. I've already addressed that. Impact of over reliance on one-time non-renewable funding sources. Again, we have to have a long range plan. If a grant is going to fund three years of whatever it may be, a product or service, what is the plan to continue that? Or if you can't continue that, what is the plan to counter that potential loss and or void impact of short-term vision and consideration only? That's kind of tied into the the previous bullet point. We have to think
030long term. And then certainly this is something that not only Stow Rocks is grappling with, but districts across the United States. the new vulnerability of federal funding. And if you look at that title one, for example, for this district pays for 13 different positions. Title four, it's in red, that special funding, as you can see, that was the bipartisan safer communities act stronger connections grant. It was supposed to expire next year. So, the district was positioning itself to apply perhaps for some grants, how to fund the Mars Home for Youth uh staff that was on site. Well, those dollars were never released and so we we've not asked the board to renew that particular arrangement. That's a a hard conversation. Um I think about just even talking to the staff on August 18th. You know,
031there was some angst in the audience about the loss of those staff who were supporting the teachers and the schools. But then you have to ask, well, how is the district supposed to cover that loss? That anticipated funding is not going to come in. So in that case, would you have furled district staff? Those are hard decisions. Okay. The themes, I'm not going to read those to you. I went over those mostly in July. There isn't really anything different or or um new about those. Those are referenced throughout the amended language. And there's another slide on themes. So, actually getting into the document, which each of you has a copy of that this evening, the introduction there is verbatim, and I just like to take a moment to read that out loud. This amended recovery
032plan 2025 offers Stowok's leadership actionable strategies grounded in universally accepted best practices to drive positive systemic reform. Implementing the amended recovery plan 2025 will stabilize the district financially and operationally which will directly improve student outcomes, sustain stability and improvement across the areas of academic programs and operations, resource management, talent management, culture, climate and safety and administration and governance are crucial to preserving the district's K to2 model and providing a high quality academic experience to students and snow rocks and that reference to preserving the district's K to2 model. That was my promise to the board president that we would absolutely put that in there. There is no interest in trying to change this district's configuration. My goal, your goal, it's shared is to preserve the K to2 model. I want I want to just make one
033remark. I wish Mrs. Coleman was here to even validate this, but we had the financial uh recovery advisory committee meeting yesterday went over similar information. And certainly she was there, Michael was there, um Scott was there. It was so interesting. She talked uh at the end and she said, you know, these things basically I would have done them anyway. These are best practices. A good district should be doing these things. So that should be confirmation. This stuff is doable. The district has the leadership capacity to make it happen. That's huge. Okay. Uh the next slide talks about four guiding principles. The original document had guiding principles. The formatting is just a little bit different to highlight those. The first one, academic growth. The second one, financial management. The third guiding principle, student stability. And for
034that one, I think what's most important is that yes, there's competitors out there. There are different school choice options families can exercise, but we want this district to be able to match or exceed what a student can get somewhere else operations. And then there's five targeted initiatives and you can see those listed. The first one and these take on the form of chapters, instructional programs and operations. The color coding there is just so that they the list doesn't blend together. [Music] Next one is resource management. Then talent management, culture, climate and safety. And in the original um document they were separated out and this is a new section administration and governance. And of course there's accountability embedded in this document and you can see some samples AG2 and if we just take a look at
035that framework. So what I would envision is moving forward pending board adoption September 25th I will be spending a lot of time with Mrs. Coleman at um specific intervals meeting with the individuals marked as responsible parties. positions are used, not person's names, and making sure that they are on track. Um, making sure also if they're not if they are, you know, experiencing some type of hurdle or an obstacle that we can problem solve and support them as they need supported. And then the goal is this is just embedded in the daily practice and my close supervision is no longer needed. And I do anticipate that happening with your leadership team. another sample CC5. You can see what that looks like. Note the reference to dashboard in that first row. I think Mr. Carver came uh
036through one day. Michael and I were sitting in the superintendent's office and he had a sample of a dashboard from another district. I would expect you to have dashboards for many different um aspects of the school system that facilitates your review. It allows you to do longitudinal tracking. Once you do that for several years, you can see what did February and 2026 look like in comparison to a past year. Now, Mrs. Coleman is already on uh trying to secure a different student database system, so she can generate those reports very quickly. The one that Michael had the day that we showed um Mr. Colliver was specific to finance, but you can do that with discipline. Last year the primary they were piloting something that they put together but the unfortunate piece is the principles have
037had to enter the same data multiple times. Now with more efficiency um you'll be able to see those reports and they'll be part of your committee meetings and you'll be able to track very very closely to see are uh implemented changes are are we getting a positive reaction to that positive impact or not? Okay. So then the next one, the projected financial impact if the amended language is implemented with fidelity and and keep in mind this is subjective. Um when you do projections there is subjectivity deciding what to include and not you see there is some red. However, if these initiatives are implemented with fidelity, there is much less red. And when I look at this and I think about 0.1 million, okay, $100,000, typically that's one position. Two, typically that could be two positions.
038Not saying that you want to furlow anybody, but you look for opportunities. If somebody resigns, retires, you look at the organization as a whole to see, do we need to fill that position? Can we reconfigure or reorganized? So in summary um some things most things are intact some things uh are re-emphasized and there are some new features to the amended plan um ask you to consider that the original financial recovery plan 2022 remains intact. The amended plan is a supplement that was intentionally designed to focus on specific aspects of the current status. Some are the same and some are different as compared to the 2022 plan. I give you some examples there. the authority of the department of education that hasn't changed and I give you in the new document where you can find that
039the authority of the recovery officer that hasn't changed you can see where that would be embedded prescribed prioritized and targeted spending of surplus dollars that theme is represented on those pages and I always say this is the hardest part of financial recovery I think for a board the annual consideration of a real estate tax increase using staff creatively to meet organ organizational needs and to manage spending and then updated new um position title strategies ex etc. I'll give you an example. In the original plan data 2022, there's reference to an assistant superintendent. I I do not foresee that there would be an assistant superintendent. Okay. The exit criteria they also remain intact including but not limited to. So if you go back to the earlier slide where I kind of checked off and things were
040all black means that we are embedding those things in our daily practice. Those conditions are no longer applicable. But if you look back now, the orange and you can see there's at least 5% cushion. So if you think about the original letter, the notification the district received in 2021 talked about dipping below a 3% threshold. This has 5%. We want a little bit of a cushion so that we are not caught up, the district's not caught up in the early warning system. And then the projection that's pretty much the same. and then also the substantial progress on the academic basis for the recovery of the plan. And just to note there for you, 5% of a $39 million budget. You can see that figure. And then finally, just the timeline of events that have happened
041in relation to the amended recovery plan. Um, and I would anticipate or hope that the board will adopt this September 25th, 2025. Uh, Mrs. Coleman is allowing me to join her. She already had an event schedule provider event for September 16th. We're going to extend the invitation beginning at 5:00 for other stakeholders to join and I'll go over this information and entertain any questions or concerns. And certainly, as the last slide indicates for anybody, if you don't think of a question in those moments, feel free to email me and I'll be happy to respond. Is there anything I can answer or address for you? >> Yep. >> Which which one? >> Oh, so those are examples I gave you. So, keep in mind that the original recovery plan that remains intact. All I'm doing is
042honing the focus. Um, so I gave you examples of what would be listed in there as ex almost exactly word for word the same. Those are the um the items. What would be different um strategies in some cases? um trying to think the assistant superintendent, you know, that that is not going to be a role in there. I might have changed the verbiage on some things to make it more clear what the expectation is and I'm looking through an educator lens. So, making it more doable, practical, changing the format a little bit so that it what we need to be highlighted or challenges, they are highlighted. And then the collection of the evidence, it is specified. If you look at the slides that show the examples look like this, the evidence uh likely is is
043different positions. For example, when the original plan was done, Tony's position did not exist. The district had phased that out. >> Absolutely. how the evidence is going to be necessary. >> Yes. Yeah. There's a lot of positive here. I remind you that uh July 30th, my supervisors, a team of them came from Harrisburg. Feedback I received they visited multiple districts. I don't know the names of the other ones, but the direct quote was Stowox was the highlight. So, you can feel the positive energy. You have a dynamic leadership team. positions are filled at the administrative level. So I I feel very very hopeful things are not cloudy nebulous who's going to do this, who's going to do that. It's here and people are already actively working on these things because they're best practice, not because
044necessary they were in the recovery plan, but now they're in the recovery plan and they're still best practice. on this list sounds like they're as in the original. >> So, have you seen the 2022 document? I I'm going to share that with you. I'll send that to you. Um I don't have a crosswalk document where I can show you but you can see some of the um like I said the emphasis how it's framed the guiding principles being very clear that that is to fill gaps from the mission and the vision. These are things that the district is committed to. These are the challenges and so now we're going to marry those. So, some of that is just um formatting, if you will, and and changing the emphasis on things because if the district has
045accomplished it, there's no need to re-emphasize that. For example, I can think of another one. I want to say in the 2022 plan, there's a reference to selling the foster building. We know there's a resolution on the agenda tonight. So, that isn't anything that I even referenced. It still holds because it was in the original plan, but in the current status, the district's already taken action or will be taking action tonight. There was no need to re-emphasize that. Okay. Anybody else? Okay. I thank you for your attention and if something strikes you later down the road, please reach out to me and I'll be happy to discuss your concern or your comment. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Up next, we have the introduction introduction of Dr. Thomas Laquenta, substitute administrator. >> Everybody there. >>
046Hey, how you doing, sir? How are you? >> Good. Good. Pardon my dress. I'm uh my son plays football at Mercyhurst and we're in Ohio right now playing a game at Youngstown State, so that's why I couldn't make it. I apologize. >> That is >> Yeah, >> that is all right. We appreciate you even attending the meeting. Thank you, sir. >> Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. Um it's been a pretty good experience. Um day one coming in been very supportive. uh the busy the busy school. Today I made my way um halfway in the day I went over to the primary center to uh meet with um the principal over there and uh did some rounds over there as well. Got to kids and it was a good experience. Uh obviously the buildings are totally different but
047the elementary where it all happens. That's where it all starts where these kids learn their habits and behavior and you know academics and so forth. So the staff is fantastic. Um Asia and Hope have been uh they are I can just tell you they are true workh horses at the building for sure. Um Mrs. Coleman and everybody and the staff has been very helpful with me getting me situated in there. So, little by little, we're, you know, we're doing what we have to do and I'm there to help in whatever capacity. I asked um hope today and um I talked to Lisa as well. I said if you need me to start doing any kind of walkthroughs or observations, I know things are going to be scheduled, but um I will definitely be delving into
048those as well and the teachers doing class, how the kids are doing. So, it's been a real pleasure. Um, some of the kids, actually a lot of the kids know me because I was uh the principal over at Community School West, you know, the alternative uh school right down the road and um so, you know, it's it's quite the experience, you know, so I I'm I'm loving every minute of it and I appreciate everybody's help. >> Thank you, sir. Would you mind just um would you mind just going a little bit just more about who just who you are, where you're from and and want to ask you, you know, why why Stir Rocks, you know, why why deciding to come over here to Star Rocks? So, I came in um I was in Penn
049Hills for uh 20 years and I worked as a building principal at one of the elementary schools when it was opened. I worked at the uh as a middle school principal, assistant principal, and also um my last year I was at actually two years I was at the high school as an associate principal. And then I was uh had the opportunity to work at the Alagany Intermediate Unit as the building principal at Community School West for the last two years. And um they ended up because of programs. I mean, there's all kinds of money problems everywhere. So, you know, Stow Rocks is definitely not the only school district, believe me. Um, it's just basically how the money is managed, what the res what resources you guys have and how you use them is really what
050makes or what can make in the school district. And uh so when they closed um you know kind of word got out and um I received a notification from my supervisor down at the IU that you know that Snow Rocks was u you know in need of some help with administration you as far as principles go and they were looking for a little bit of help and I said you know I'd be all for it you know and Mrs. Coleman had given me a call or sent me a text message if I would be interested in coming over to help out and I jumped right on it. You know, I didn't grow up too far away from from Snow Rocks back in the day, you know, and uh it's my type of environment. I I
051enjoy working with the kids and um I'm there to help them out in any way I can, you know, so try to keep a positive attitude during the day and that's what gets you by. So that's pretty much it. Thank you, sir. We appreciate that. Does anyone have any questions for him at all by chance? >> So, you'll be starting uh in the high school, correct? First, and then going to the primary or vice versa. Is that backwards? >> Right. I believe I'll be at the high school. I've been going at high school um since uh last week. I started last Thursday. So, Thursday, Friday, and then this week I was at the high school as well. Um but I'm starting to head over to elementary as well a little bit during the afternoons because
052um if when principal goes her leave at some point, you know, for a little while, I'm going to be working with the assistant principal over there. So I'm trying to kind of learning the ropes of how she's doing things over there. So there's kind of a smooth transition for a little while so I can just continue doing what she's doing. So and it's working out. But I was there this afternoon and uh you know things are pretty pretty good. >> Yes sir. Perfect. Well again thank you very much for coming you know into our district and you know want to be a part of the Viking family. We do appreciate you. Um anything that we can do to help out going forward please what we're here for. You know you can command obviously but you
053know we're definitely it's a village here right? So all hands on deck you know we we we're a family here. So however we can help and support please um don't don't don't uh keep your mouths closed. speak up. >> Right. Right. Well, I know I know you're in good hands with uh Dr. Hines. Trust me because uh she doesn't play around. You know, she's a very know her uh her job. Trust me. Over in Penny Hills and you know, had to live through the same type of things here, you know. So, uh you're definitely good hands with her. >> Thank you, sir. Appreciate that. She she's smiling right now, sir. Thank you. >> Thanks. That's nice. Very good. >> Thank you, sir. Again, welcome. And go ahead and get back to watching your son play
054some football over there. All right, sir. We appreciate you. >> All right. Well, you take care and then I'll see you guys tomorrow. >> Thank you, sir. >> All right. Take care. >> All right. All right. Up next, we're going to go into recommending new hires. Start first with Aubrey Potter, IT assistant. How you doing? if you won't mind just telling us who you are, where you're from, why still rocks? >> Yep. Uh, my name is Aubrey Potter. I just moved to the Pittsburgh area in April. I previously lived out in Lancaster County in Epherta. I have experience I have experience mostly working in like the behavioral healthc care environment at the Richard J. Karen Foundation and some experience working in a community college like higher education. I mostly chose Sto rocks because I wanted
055to work in a position where I'd be able to create a positive impact in the community and I look forward to coming in to work every day and then just um working to ensure that the staff and students have or all the tools that they need for success. making just just making sure everything's working properly. >> All right. Thank you. You don't got to be nervous. We're not going to bite you. I promise. But that's amazing to hear. Thank you. Welcome to our district. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Up next, we have Bobby Joe Thompson, General Cafe Primary Center, and Substitute Custodian. Hello. Hello. Same for you if you mind just telling us who you were, where you're from, and why the rocks. >> Hi, my name is Bobby Joe Thompson. Um, I started
056out about four years ago now. I started out as a one-on-one pair here. Um, I took a break off and I had my son and then I decided to come back. I have an older child also that's in the district here at the high school. Um, I went to the cafeteria. Um, just again the hours with my other kiddos. Um, and then also subbing as custodial as well. Um, I've been in St Rocks for about 14 years now. Um, I did come here for a year and then I moved away and went to Plum, graduated from Plum High School and then I ended up coming back down. >> All right. Welcome back. >> Thank you. >> Don't talk on the microphone. Go ahead. It's all right. The family affair. Thank you very much for coming
057back into our district. We appreciate you. Welcome back to the family. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. And then we're going to have Kelly Mer, speech teacher, primary center in Upper Elementary. >> Hi. >> How you doing? How are you? >> Good. Good. Um, I'll be honest, adult talking is not really my jam, but I'm really good with kids. I promise. Um, I am from the Pittsburgh area. I grew up just across the bridge in the North Hills. Um, I've been working at Urban Pathways. It's a charter school in the city. Um, for the last seven years. Um, why Strow Rock? So, Stocks kind of found me. Um, Lucy Mcdana is one of the consultants here with your special education team. Um, and she knows what shambles my current charter school is in
058and she was like, I want to get you out of there. the Britney at Stow Rock, she's doing amazing things with our special ed program. Um, I've worked alongside Lucy many times and we've fixed our special ed program. So, she was like, I know you can do it. I'm not scared of hard work. Um, and I really appreciated the transparency in the interview. I appreciate the transparency here. Um, we are also in financial crisis, so that doesn't scare me either. Um, and I'm just excited to be a part of a team that really wants to advocate for the children in special education. Um, that's what my current school is lacking. So that's my mute. >> Appreciate that. Thank you. Welcome. >> All right. Now we'll move on to our non-resident agenda, our voting portion of
059this meeting. Now we take items A1 through F12. Say again A1 through F12. Can I have a motion when ready? Yes, ma'am. I have a second. Thank you. >> Director Myers, >> yes. >> Director Roberts, >> yes. >> Director Cooper, >> yes. >> Director Colliver, >> yes. >> Director Zowski, >> Director Hunter Rue. >> Six yeses. Motion passes. >> Thank you. >> Can we take items? Sorry, I lost my spot. So, can we take items G1 all together, please? Hiring transfers and resinations. Have a motion when ready. I have a second. I'll second. >> Directorski, >> Director Hunter Roo, >> yes. >> Director Myers, yes. >> Director Roberts, >> yes. >> Director Cooper, >> yes. >> Director Colliver, >> yes. Six yeses. Motion passes. >> Thank you. Congratulations. You all are welcome. >> Next, I
060can take item two by itself. Have a motion when ready. Item G, I'm sorry, G2. Motion ready. >> Motion. >> Have a second. Director Hunter Real. >> Director Myers, >> yes. Director Roberts, >> Director Cooper, >> yes. >> Director Culliver, >> yes. >> Director Zowski, >> yes. >> Six yeses. Motion passes. >> Congratulations, sir. [Applause] Next we'll take items three four sorry 3 through six all together please my motion ready >> have a second >> director Roberts Yes, >> Director Cooper. >> Yes, >> Director Culliver. >> Yes, >> Director Zowski. >> Yes, >> Director Hunter Roo, >> yes. >> Director Roberts, >> six yeses. Motion passes. >> Thank you. I want to also um once again acknowledge the folks listed on there, Amber Clark, Lena Hall for completing their educator induction program for year one
061and acknowledge Nicole Ostrander, special education teacher as a primary center for earning tenure status. Again, congratulations on that. Item seven, please. G7, approved special contract with Dr. Thomas Laquenta as substitute administrator to cover day-to-day absences in this upcoming school year or this school year. Motion ready. Got a second. >> Director Myers. >> Yes. >> Director Roberts. >> Yes. >> Director Cooper. Yes. >> Director Culliver. >> Yes. >> Director Zowski. >> Yes. >> Director Hunter Rue. >> Six. Yeses. Motion passes. >> Thank you. Congratulations, Dr. Laquinza. >> Next, we'll move on to legal >> H1. I need a motion to authorize the solicitor to prepare an invitation to bid and other acts necessary to carry out the sale of the Steven C. Foster School at 800 Russellwood Avenue, McKe Rocks, PA15136, parcel ID number 73-P251, where
062the minimum acceptable bid shall be $250,000. I'll motion. >> Director Hunter, >> yes. >> Director Myers, >> yes. >> Director Roberts, >> yes. >> Director Cooper, >> yes. >> Director Culliver, >> yes. >> Director Zowski, >> yes. >> Six yeses. Motion passes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. H2. I need a motion to authorize the filing of annual tax assessment appeals on terms and conditions authorized by the superintendent, director of business and finance and solicitor. >> A motion. >> Just interrupt for one second and ask the solicitor to clarify for the record that the director of business and finance is actually the business manager. a little bit different language. >> Yes, thank you for clarifying that on the record. [Music] >> A motion. [Music] Director Hunter, >> yes. >> Director Myers, >> yes. >> Director Roberts,
063>> yes. >> Director Cooper, >> yes. >> Director Culliver, >> yes. >> Director Zowski, >> six yeses. Motion passes. Thank you. Now move on to new business. Uh, Mr. Lamb, pass it over to you. >> All right. Well, good evening. I'm Mike Lamb. For those of you that have not have not met. Um I did uh present a finance report last week at the uh meeting. I guess under item 1B, I would be looking for a motion to approve and ratify the payment of bills um that are listed there for the general fund 2425 school year as well as the general fund 2526 school year. >> Have a motion when ready. Motion. >> I have a second. >> Director Culver, >> yes. >> Director Zowski, >> yes. >> Director Hunter, >> yes. >> Director Myers,
064>> yes. >> Director Roberts, >> yes. >> Director Cooper, >> yes. >> Six. Yes. This motion passes. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Lamb. Um next want to take items two, three and four together. Approve Scott Reed. Bismetra is authorized user and center on st school district bank account with First National Bank. Approve Scott Reed is authorized user and center on st school district's bank account with Cambridge Bank. And then the same thing for First Summit Bank. Have a second. >> Director Myers. >> Yes. Director Roberts, >> yes. >> Director Cooper, >> yes. >> Director Colliver, >> yes. >> Director Zowski, >> Director Hunter R, >> six yeses. Motion passes. >> Thank you. Operations. We take items. Uh, I see one through IC5. Have a motion when ready. Have a second. Yes, ma'am. Director Hunter
065Roo. >> Director Myers, >> yes. >> Director Roberts, >> yes. >> Director Cooper, >> yes. >> Director Culliver, >> yes. >> Directors, >> yes. >> Six yeses. Motion passes. >> Thank you. We want to take a time to acknowledge all the teachers uh for who are continuously doing truth projects. Thank you very much for taking the time and effort to get those um those projects funded. And then also thank you to um Arcasa supporting the district steam initiative for $2,500 donation and the donation of 32 outdoor playground balls from Esther Liberator to the primary center. Thank you everyone for your help in that. Next item. Next under cooker co-curricular leadership. Sorry. Items one through three. All together have a motion. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Director Roberts. >> Yes. >> Director Cooper. >>
066Yes. >> Director Colliver. >> Yes. >> Directors. >> Yes. >> Director Hunter. Yes, >> Director Myers. >> Yes. Six yeses. Motion passes. >> Thank you. >> Next under educational leadership. Take items one through four all together. If one through four all together have a motion ready. Have a second. >> Director Colliver. >> Yes. >> Director Zowski. Director Hunter Roo, >> yes. >> Director Myers, >> yes. >> Director Roberts, >> yes. >> Director Cooper, >> yes. >> Six yeses. Motion passes. >> Thank you. Is Miss Dugan on here by chance? Is she online by chance? Uh, Principal Davis. I was just wondering, you know, just any updates of how many people she's trained so far and how that's been going. That's all. >> So, what we um what we needed to do was >> they we
067need to train our pair professionals to be able to do CPR and first aid so that we can bill for MA billing. So that was one of the things she was doing during professional development was training those par staff and anyone else who um was on that list of needed. So that's where we started. And then she's also um they were she wants to be able to do sort of like a um dual module with CPR and first aid with the kids who come because in the school year in the fall whenever um if kids miss a session of her CPR and first aid then they sometimes feel like they almost like you can't continue because you've missed the lesson that she taught. So, she wants to do it um a portion of it on
068the online course that they I mean it's it's kind of how they do it anyways, but she's going to have that they can come and do it in her room online and then she can do the testing and they can do the um you know practicing on the dolls when they get to the correct area of the module. So, that's going to be um more conducive to more kids being able to participate and not being able to drop out of being in CPR first aid. As for numbers, I'm not exactly sure um how many she did last year and how many she expects to do, but she thinks doing this model will actually be able to have more kids participate. >> Thank you. I remember whenever she first got this, not to add more to
069her plate, but we had asked, you know, what's something that she'd be willing to open up to the community in some way, shape, or form, right? Like put on like like classes throughout the year, whatever it looked like to her. I was just wondering, you know, if that was still a plan or she looked thought about that at all. um would like to know if that's a possibility at all. Next, move on to personal management. Um believe we just approve these two or am I wrong? They approve one, not the other. like to like to make a motion for item um G1, please. >> Have a second. >> Director Roberts, >> yes. >> Director Cooper, >> yes. >> Director Culliver, >> yes. >> Director Zowski, >> yes. >> Director Hunter Roo, >> Director Myers, >>
070yes. Six yeses. Motion passes. >> Thank you. Congratulations again. Thank you. Welcome. >> Next, I'll move over to our solicitor. >> Um, I regret to ask for a motion to accept the resignation of Kimberly Spriggs from the region 2 Stow Township 4-year position of the Stove Rock School District Board effective August 28th, 2025. Have a motion ready. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Director Roberts. >> Yes. >> Director Cooper. >> Yes. >> Director Culliver. >> No, I'm just joking. Yes. Yes. >> Director Hazowski. >> Director Hunter Rue. Director Myers, >> yes. >> Six yeses. Motion passes. >> Thank you. And then one final comment on this. Um, big thank you to Director Spriggs, you know, for her, uh, hard work on the board and committees with the kids. That's not going to stop her
071being there for the kids at all. Um, but really thank her very much for even want to be a part of this, you know, from the get-go. um looking forward to her continued, you know, work, continued, um, you know, hard work in the community and maybe one day we'll see in the future. Up next, any committee reports? Not heard. Anyone for public comment? Signed up. Our next meeting will take place Thursday, September 18th. at Pleasant Ridge Community Center. That's Thursday, September 18th at Pleasant Ridge Community Center. There will be an agenda review meeting. Um again, it will not be here. Um thank you everyone for coming out tonight. We really do appreciate you all. I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing about some more good things as you know the new hires get in the
072building and as we continue, you know, to go throughout some more of the school year. looking forward um to hearing about what's going on in this business office, you know, transition and looking forward to all the great stuff to come. Um also, it's a friendly reminder, we now have three open seats on the school board. Um Mrs. Hoover and we'll be getting with our AIOU communications, you know, uh director to put out something tomorrow. Um trying to see if we can get some folks to come and join our school board. Again, like I said earlier, if you got anything at all, um any input, you see a lot of comments on social media, what not, please come out and be a part of our family to uh really see what we're about and what we're
073doing because if we're doing something wrong, come help us fix it. Um if we're doing something right, come be a part of change, you know, but we're trying to do some great things around here. We're only as strong as our weakest link. We're only as strong as the folks that are here take us, you know. So again, thank you everyone and we appreciate you walking through a motion to adjourn. Have a second journ.