001Seven present. Thank you. Everyone, please rise for the pledge of [Music] allegiance. I pledge allegiance flag for a moment of silence. Thank you again everyone. We apologize for our long delay. We had a lot to discuss but thank you all for being patient and waiting for us um as we begin our meeting. Um, also want to make a quick note. Um, as you all know, voting the voting was on Tuesday. The vote was on primary vote on Tuesday. And from the board to the community as a whole, um, thank you all very much for voting for us to remain, you know, on the ballot to go to the ballot for the uh, election in November. So again, thanks to the community for voting voting for us and um seeing, you know, seeing something else to
002make us to make you all want to say, you know what, you lead our district. Also, congrats to everybody who was who either got um elected. Congratulations to one of our own, Cheyenne Ripple, future commissioner. Congratulations. Uh any public comment related to the agenda items? Keep keep pushing button. Is the audio okay? As the district's chief recovery officer, I would like to officially go on record that I am not endorsing any reconfiguration of the schools at this time or the district. I strongly recommend to the board that you table item E4 until such time as the district is sufficiently stable both financially and operationally to navigate and support such a significant change. Thank you ma'am. Good evening. Um so I just we have a couple few questions couple statements. Um, I've been a part of
003the advisory board since the state came in back when Mr. Dolus was here and last October it seems like we're doing this all over again. Everybody's blindsided by the reconfiguration. I've been to advisory board meetings at least two recently that PFM the district reached out to PFM to do research and asked is the district financially stable to do a reconfiguration right now and they said no it's not. So my question to you is why when we have experts who do are doing research come out and say it is not financially stable but yet we find out last night at 7 o'clock that we're going to do this reconfiguration. Um go ahead. I'll answer your question also a little bit further. Now, usually we would say thank you and I'll respond, but I'll answer it a
004little further. With that being said, as you just mentioned, it's on the agenda. It's not voted on yet. Um, whenever we brought this up a long time ago, we said then it was pending and to be and to be researched to look at starting this year regardless. Right. So, tonight's vote will decide whether or not it's going to actually happen or not. Um, we've been talking about this for a little while now. Um, and I understand the experts came in and say what they said the whole nine, but also as a board of directors, we're we're we're here for a reason. We're not in um receiverhip. We're only in recovery. And when it comes down to it, you know, we have the powers to make the decision if if need be with also more research
005that we also did and got. Again, though, it's not a it's not a yes, it's not a no right now. So, we don't know what's going to happen right now. Um, but we need to make a decision and kind of close that gap. Um, because it was open. It's been open for a long time and whether we're going to say yes or no. So, tonight is going to be a close to that that question of saying yes or no. I I have another statement. I none of the principles knew this was happening. They've been working since winter with staffing for next year, for scheduling for next year. Um, and they were as shocked as we were. And they they think there were it was all for nothing. To me, it's a slap in their face.
006Like they have been working in all three buildings, all the administrators working to try to figure out how's the staffing going to happen or busing. Why are you not allowing the stakeholders to be a part of that decision making process? Why is it such a secret? And nobody's known about it. Everybody we've talked to, everybody's like, "Don't have a clue what you're talking about." What was the 5:30 email that was sent out? Like, why are you not asking the people who are stakeholders in this district to have some kind of say? And in the past, because the Nancy is here not because we're in financial wonderfulness, not because we have things that are running well. Nancy is here because our financials are disaster. Our school district is a disaster. it's on the board of not
007doing well at all and that's why she's here and you guys are saying I think we're not going to listen to the state because we're the board and we're in charge. That seems a little odd to me. So, as I previously mentioned, we're going to close the gap on this. Um, if you think the district's a disaster, I have to say that I disagree with you on that note. Um, I strongly disagree disaster. If it was, I don't think any of you all be working, right? I mean, we're not it's not a disaster. It's that simple. When it comes to getting feedback from stakeholders, we've requested, demanded, the whole nine. I'm not going to go back and forth and say that um some folks did not know about this because that's untrue. Um this has
008been talked about for a good while, but again, tonight we're we are closing the gap whether it's going to be a yes or a no. Just because you see it on the agenda doesn't mean that it's going to go through. So, the administrators are fired. I didn't say that principles are alive. You did. You just said that it's not true that they didn't know. I said what I said was what I said was that I'm not going to say whether they they knew or not. What I said was that this has been talked about for a while. So I have another statement or question. If you guys vote it through, is it reflective in the budget? The budget that has to go out for 30 days and be voted on in June. Part of the
009Is it part Is it part of the budget? isn't in the recovery plan. So, it's a proposed budget for for that reason. It's a proposed budget. The budget doesn't go into effect next month. Um, so if it were to go through, then obviously we have we would have to take a look at at our budget and what it looks like right now. So, it's a proposed budget for that for that reason. But with that being said to to add, if the budget was where it needs to be and it went through the whole nine and we kept on waiting and waiting waiting, would you want to learn about this and be voted on in August when we're still going to start school or be told that tonight we're closing the gap and it may or
010may not happen right now. So you can either prepare for it to happen or say, "Okay, the gap is closed. It's not going to happen." like would you all want to want to wait to get a response? I think there needs to be I think there needs to be stability in the district and when you have a district that's gone on its fourth superintendent in a year and three special ed supervisors in one year principles are leaving I don't think that's stability I I think stability to be able to make such a big move like that I think we're here we understand that we know that you know we're sitting here we go do go do it maybe that's what you all do because you're in the buildings but we go do it we're the
011ones on the phones making phone calls we're the ones having late night conversations as well, right, about how to get these positions filled as well. So, we understand, we we know that, but again, tonight is to close the gap, close the loop on this because again, when we first put this out a year and a half ago, when we when we first put this out, it was to go do research that way it can happen for this upcoming school year. That's what it was. So, if we don't close that that gap, you are going to continue to wonder was it going to happen? Is it not going to happen? What's going on? What the he we said before when this initially rolled out, we said that we're doing research for it to happen the upcoming
012school year. That that that's that's what that's I was put out there. We said we're doing research for it to happen this upcoming school year. So with that with that right there, it looks like okay, we're doing our research for it to happen because it's going to happen tonight. We're closing it. We're closing that loop saying yay or nay on that. Please over and over and over again. We actually did bring it up that day and then we were also told by stakeholders which are your I think it was the second or the third superintendent this year who said it was dead in the water. It was not it was not going to be discussed or brought up. So dead in the water that's news to us. That's news to us. Well that's the superintendent.
013He's running the district. I mean, he's telling us he's telling us, "Well, then you But what I what I want to say, I didn't say that. Let's Let's not do that. I didn't say that because listen, we don't want to make this an argument, right? We're here to talk. Passions are out there. By all means, I'll never tell nobody to be quiet and move on, right? I'll never do that." So, we're listening. We're listening to to your passion. We're listening to what you all are saying. Now, this is great feedback. Great for us to know for one. Number two, whenever we talked about getting stakeholder input, you mentioned one day and I believe that was that was the in the advisory meeting that we had that one day. We even asking for stakeholder feedback for
014a year and a half and it wasn't just to you, it wasn't to you all. The re the research was done one the reason why it wasn't read at the board meeting that one that one time is because we asked for a lot of data that they did not give us. They gave us a lot of what they thought we wanted. We asked for certain things and they did not come back with those answers. And I believe you know what I'm talking about when we ask the state that we need X Y and Z stakeholders in the community, the whole nine. Go into our schools, go into our communities, figure out what's going on and how they feel about this, right? Because we did as well, you know? And when you talk to I go
015in there parents, we talk to students, when we talk to some teachers, when you talk to some admin, they say, "I don't want my kid in that building. I don't want my seventh grader in there with a senior because they're too young. They're growing too fast." You talk to some of these stores around here, they're they're saying to they're saying to us and doing research, there are kids in in my store in the mornings trying to buy vapes, trying to buy cigarettes. They shouldn't be here. Right? So, in that effort of talking the stakeholders and trying to figure out what do you all feel, what do you all think? Yes, could have been more information coming from you all. 10,000% and I wholeheartly agree with that. But we did go back to the state and
016say, "Listen, you answered AB. You didn't answer C, D, E, and F. Everything that we actually asked for. You didn't answer none of that stuff. And we were told no. We were told you're not getting that." We were told you can't have it right now. We were told you have to wait. So that is what we're talking about. It's agenda tonight again to close that gap. It's not a yes. We didn't vote. It's not a yes. It's not a no. We didn't vote. But we asked for a lot of information from the state and they simply came back and told us we're not giving it to you right now. Why? I don't know. But and we demanded it to the point to where our solicitor sent an email to the state asking for the information
017and they came back and said not right now. You're saying Nancy give them any information that they need? I didn't I didn't say I didn't say Dr. Rael. She's our chief recovery officer. She was also in the same exact email traffic that we asked folks disrespect but above her for information. They told us no. Please. Can I just address the one question you asked about and yes, the supervisor at the Department of Education reference a delay. However, she clarified it was in the absence of a full-time superintendent. Uh, Maria Cotek, high school math, well, middle school, high school math teacher and union president. Denise Mcichael, uh, seventh and eighth grade learning support teacher, vice president. My m my thing is the data. the data. The biggest thing is the financial part of it. I do
018not want this district to go under receiverhip. I don't want it I mean we're we're trying to make our way out right like we're we're trying to make our way out and when the experts are telling us the big thing is telling us you're not financially stable to do this now because of using in staffing how much staff we share. Um, I just find it hard to think that it's a good decision to do that at this time. But a decision has not been made. What we're saying to you, decision has not been made. It's on the agenda though that it's Why is it on the agenda? Why is it on the agenda though? I said in the beginning, right? I said we need to close this gap. When we first put it out there,
019we said that we're putting it out there for research to happen this upcoming school year. That was the initial conversation that we had. We're putting this we're we're putting the gaps because we want to happen upcoming school year or what not. So now we have to say yeah you're tonight whether it's going to happen. We have to close that gap. That's all that is. And by all means I'm I'm glad you all are here. I really am because we don't get people show up like this. There's there's a big issue. So I'm glad you all are here. But even after this, everyone, please continue to show up like you all are here now because no one shows up until there's a big incident or a big issue or something on the agenda that someone might
020may or may not agree with or whatnot. It's the only time people show up. No one shows up besides that besides you all too, right? Let me finish, please. Yep. Let me finish. Besid besides you two, and I appreciate that, but we're open to communication. We're open to feedback. We're open to everything. And you and you I believe you know that because I never stop you all from talking up here in the beginning. Never do never do because what that because there's why why what's there to hide? Why stop you from talking, right? We're here to get to the bomb of the issue. Some of y'all know that. We've been in some of y'all classrooms and some of y'all know that, right? We're we're here to help and support much as possible. So when you
021have feedback, please show up. Please talk. Please send a request to M to Miss Hoover to get to actually get up here so you can't speak. Right? Those are things that we want to hear from you all. We'll never tell you all to be quiet. We want to hear from you all. Not just whenever some someone agenda that you all may or may not agree with. That's it. Again, we still have to vote on this. We still have to vote on this. It didn't go through at all. It didn't go through. Jason and Michael question is, do you honestly all think that we sit up here and just think that we want to make decisions because we have power? Do you honestly think that we don't that none of us I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm
022sorry. I'm sorry. But someone said yes. And if you really believe that, you really believe that if you really believe that we just No, no, no. This is an argument. My second my second question is um this isn't a Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. No, I I I hear you. I hear you. I'm No, no, no. But this isn't an argument up here, y'all. That's not what we're here for. We're not for argument. But if you really believe that we're up here just to abuse our authority and whatnot, you can say it again now. I'll step down right now because we're not. We're not. We're up here volunteering our time nonstop. I'm on the phone with this man nonstop about how to better the district. We're all talking every single day about how we
023can better our district. We're at almost every volunteer event to help and support you all. We're doing everything we can to better our district. Truth be told, this board you have here right now is the strongest it's been in a long time. It really has. And from a former board member, not calling you out, but I believe you can see that and you know that, right? And you all been involved up here for a long time. You all know that as well. This is the strongest our board has been in a long time. A long time. And I'm hitting my fiveyear mark in July. I'm I'm so happy with this board here we have right now because we put the work in no matter what. It's not about a title. We don't care about no
024titles up here. We got no kids that go to this building for a long time. I got no kids that go here. We got no kids that go here. We're here to put the work in non-stop. And we're volunteering our time. Not getting paid nothing at all. I could be home right now with my kids recovering with my back. I suffer injuries just to be here. I hop in meetings in a hospital bed. I'm having a heart attack to be here. So don't don't dare sit up here and tell us that we're here for power and that's it. Cuz we're not at all. And if you feel that way, I would ask that you you excuse yourself cuz you know you're wrong for that. I don't care who said it. you know, you're wrong. Go
025ahead, Dr. Springs. Second question was if at some point, you know, say it doesn't vote for this school year, say it doesn't pass for this school year, if it were to, you know, if we were to move on with uh reconfiguration at a later year, um when we were a little bit more financially stable and we had the, you know, the blessings and agreement with um Mr. Rabel and the state, would we have your guys' support or would you still be completely against it? I think that would depend on the staffing and how how the district fund. One of our biggest issues that we talked about in October was we don't want this building to close. We don't want it to end up as K8 building. But we don't want that either. Neither at all.
026By by moving seventh and eighth grade out, you have 200 kids in this building, right? But but we're still losing kids daily. We're losing kids like crazy. So that's what I'm saying. Like we don't want that either. So if it were if if it were to be like tabled for a later date or a later year pending you know more data and research and a good stable plan would we have your blessing like would you be okay with that would you still be supportive all at the table talking openly and being honest I mean you guys are welcome to come to the table and on we haven't seen you since if the data says that we are financially stable to do it and we have the staffing to do it and we can do it
027then yes we'll sit down and talk about it. Definitely agree. Definitely agree. It's going to gonna be a conversation going forward no matter what. Right. Definitely agree with that. Should happen non-stop. Should be a conversation happening non-stop. So, yeah, I agree. I mean, the red flag to me is the financial part of it. That's the red flag. You know, if they would have came and said, "Yeah, yeah, you can do this. This is, you know, you have the money. You know, you have these researchers and they're saying you can do it." That's one thing. But well, we were upset because nobody knew about it. It was it was but we didn't know that. Do you understand? Like from our as our point of view, we didn't know that. Like yesterday when we see that and
028my phone is blowing up from everybody sitting behind me my phone's blowing up and they're like they're voting on it and because it's on the agenda, right? So we think everything that's on there gets voted on. 99.9% of it passes. It's for next school year. It was May 21st yesterday, right? There's how many school days left and we're like, how is this going to happen? How are we packing our rooms? Who's getting us boxes? Who's moving us? So you I mean do you see our 100% thousand%. So thousand% whether you attended does vote yes or no? This is where we're coming from when we see it on there. We're like oh and then when I find out the principles don't know and I'm like what the world is happening. But and and truth be told
029too we have to spark the convo at some point in time. Some point in time no matter what, right? This is an agenda and a voting meeting together. So, we have to spark the conversation no matter what. So, even if going forward if we're to talk about it more and more and more and then by all means, please continue to come to the meeting and talk about it because we want to hear how you all feel. That's we're never going to say no to that. We want to hear who you how you all feel. But but a conversation has to start somewhere, right? And you have to remember that we're here for y'all no matter what. And I I really hope y'all know that we're here for y'all no matter what. With that being said,
030we're also elected by the residents in this community who are pushing for certain changes or what not as well. Whether or not they pass or not, that's that's that's that's a moot point. But we're elected by the community to come in here and have the hard conversations. That's that's why we're elected to come in here and make some changes if need be. Right? So when we're elected and we're getting kicked from that angle as well, we have to have the conversation at some point in time, right? I'm sorry you all saw this at the last minute. I'm sorry you all saw this and felt like it was surprise. It wasn't a surprise at all. Well, it should have been a surprise. I'm say that right now. It wasn't a secret by no means. So I
031am sorry you all saw this at the last minute, but this wasn't a secret that we were having like, you know, let's be quiet about it. Put on there at 5:30 call a day. It wasn't at all. That's not what happened yesterday. I actually I mean we would have met with Dr. Wishaw, but we went with Mr. Hower and nothing was brought up. I mean, we were still talking about our bump and bid that we were supposed to do at the end of the year for all three buildings and the positions. And then Wednesday night after 7:00, I get phone calls, did you look at the agenda? And I'm like, so it was never brought up. I mean, as of Wednesday at 2 o'clock, Mr. mileser. We're going through the each building. K3 4 6
0327:00 not that anymore. It's K5 68 912. So you understand where we're coming from. We're like, you know what? What's going on? Completely understand that. Completely understand that. So we would ask that if you moving forward are going to have conversations um that you would ask the stakeholders to be a part of that whether a champion, an admin, the state principles to be a part of that to discuss that plan moving forward because come straight to us. We have not yet we have not talked about any of that. So if you really want us to be a part of that, ask us to meet. I'm also going to say too, if you all have ideas, you all have something that you all think about needs to happen or whatnot, please also bring it to us
033as well. It's a it's a two-way thing. You know what I mean? So, if somebody needs to change needs to happen or whatnot, we ask that you all show up as well and ask the questions and bring stuff up. Sign up to talk or whatnot. Sign up to talk to us. Everyone's advice to these meetings. Everyone is. There's been a rumor in the past that teachers can't come. People can't come because they can't talk. They're afraid. No, we are open to the public. We're open to our folks. We're open. Show up. Come talk. Speak your mind, please. At all. What's happening? So then and then our part would be to think about what's best for the kids and if the state is asking to maybe be a little bit more stable and the financial aspect
034is saying maybe you should vote off maybe you guys could think of that first and keep that in the before you make your decision. I'm just saying. I'm just saying. Perfect. That's why we're late. That's why we're late. Sorry. Well, I appreciate you listening to us. Of course. Of course. Always. Thank you. I for I'm sorry. Hi. How you doing? Good. How are you? Good. How are you? Good. My name is Bethany Hall. I am the council member at large for Alageney County Council. Um, and I just have a couple things to say. First of all, I hear a lot of people tonight talking about the schools and about the students, but there is a large group of ninth graders that are sitting over there who waited for over an hour. Well, who knows what
035was happening. You came back, said it was executive session, didn't say what it was about. Now we're saying you were in executive session talking it about an agenda item, which is very not allowed as per the Sunshine Act. Um, I also want to ask if these students from Mr. Wood's ninth grade civics class, if you wouldn't mind, because lots of them do have to wake up for school tomorrow. They do have homework to do tonight. A lot of them have curfews by their parents. They were supposed to be home at 8:30, but they risk violating that because what they have to talk to you about tonight is so very important to them. So, I would respectfully ask that you allow them as soon as this public comment period is over to advance ahead in the
036agenda so that they can Do you mind me saying I was one there? You jumped me. I was going there. Okay. I just hadn't heard it yet. So, so that one then because I was I couldn't get there because you came up. Thank you. Number two, we talk about the agenda item. It discusses personnel and security and safety. As you know, that does not violate the Sunshine Act. So, we did not value the Sunshine Act at all because we talked about personnel. We talked about safety, security, the whole nine. So, that right there does not violate the Sunshine Act. That's why our solicitor is in every single meeting for that reason to make sure that we stay on track. So I appreciate your comment. I appreciate what you said, but unfortunately that's not what happened.
037Okay, ma'am. So I got to clear that up right now. We did not venture act at all. Our solicitor made sure that we didn't do that. So thank you, sir. I very much understand that. I was not in that room. I'm very familiar with the sunshine act as well. I just heard a comment saying we spent an hour talking about this when public commenters were talking about the school restructuring plan. So I just wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page. What were the exceptions to that? And then lastly, I want to remind you that these are students who have been working their butts off to get petition signatures. They have nearly 150 petition signatures about issues that they're going to tell you about that really mean a lot to them. Uh I
038know you mentioned at the open of the meeting that we did have an election on Tuesday. And for Stock School District, less than fewer than 16% of voters turned out to vote in that election. And I want to remind you that this is our future generation of voters. I hope that you all show them the respect that they deserve. and listen and hopefully also address some of their concerns that they have because I can tell that they are energized, organized, and they will show up to get their parents and their siblings and their relatives and their friends to vote if they are not heard tonight. So, thank you for your time and I appreciate your consideration. Thank you again. Um, with that being said, I have a follow comment. Okay. I'm sorry. Who Who are
039you, ma'am? I was I was going to get there. My name is Tanisha Long. I'm with the Abolitionist Law Center. I'm also here in support of these students who come with their petition. Um, I wasn't planning on saying anything, but after waiting an hour for an executive session, I feel a type of way. Um, I think it's highly unprofessional to leave these students waiting for any for that period of time when we are supposed to set the example for what civic engagement looks like. We want them to be energized. We want them to participate in democratic processes and they get demoralized when you leave them sitting here as if they're not a priority. I understand that you had an executive session and when you said you didn't violate the Sunshine Act, you actually did when
040you did not announce before or immediately after the executive session the specific of what you were discussing. You did just mention that it was security personnel and safety get to that yet. It has to be done as soon as you come back. So, I was getting ready to get there. But you can't get there. It actually has to happen like before you start before like you open the meeting and you have to say it. I'm I'm gonna defer to our solicitor and say that that's fine. We were getting there. But if we're again for these kids, I haven't said anything to interrupt you while you were speaking and I would I would ask for that same respect. Um I sat here for what two hours now. Um you know, I respect what these teachers are
041doing. They're doing a great job. I didn't interrupt anybody. I would ask for that same respect. I've gone to countless meetings um county council, city council, like we engage in civic processes and advocacy and while I have not had the pleasure of coming to a meeting at St Rocks before, I will make it a priority. Um but what I am seeing is the exact opposite of how civic engagement should happen. I see public commenters being interrupted. Um I see comments that are borderline disrespectful happening. I see a lot of back and forth. Um a lot of why haven't you showed up before? Anytime someone comes to a public meeting, that's that's something we should celebrate. Even if it's their first one, even if they don't come consistently, this is a public, like you said before,
042you were elected to act on behalf of the public. You were elected to do what the public needs, and the public is speaking to you. So, there shouldn't be a back and forth. There shouldn't be a lot of interjections. There shouldn't be things that make people feel like, I didn't show up enough, therefore my voice does not count. These students, I hope, like you said, you were moving them up in the agenda, which is great. Um, I hope we can show them a better example of what a democratic process looks like. Uh, because like Bethany said, this is our future generation. I'm very proud of them for bringing their petition forward. One of the things that surprised me walking into this building is that the water fountain doesn't work. Um, things like that and I
043I think those are concerns everybody has and I will seed the rest of my time to these students. Thank you. Thank you. I'm I'm going to address a few things. I I have to Yes. Yes. Take a moment. And and just the final thing so you are aware, we're not kicking no one away. We're not discouraging anyone from coming. We just ask folks to continue to come. what we asked for and I believe Director Sprace came in at 6:57 and and expressed that hey we're going a little bit longer than we need to be executive session that's important because uh executive session that's important to finish what we're talking about because if we now come in here with with un with uninformed and make uninformed decisions then we'll be doing our our district bad. will
044be doing our district a disservice, you know. So, we we hold ourselves to a high standard on this board. Again, we are getting here now, which is where I was going. Um, but we don't discourage anyone from showing up. We actually we do applaud that. So, thank you. Uh, we're going to go to we're going to go, like I said, skip information for one quick second. Go to course presentations. We're going to go first to um Kevin Woods in eighth grade civics petition for projects. Welcome. [Applause] Um my name is Jayen and we the students of Stoox District. Thank you. Thank you. We the students of the Stoox district respectfully submit this petition to address several key areas that dis that directly affect our daily school experience. We believe that making improvements in these areas
045will create a better, more supportive and productive environment for all students. As the future of our district, we ask for your consideration and support in the following demands. Good job, Jaden. My name's Antonio. Uh, improved lunches. We ask for better quality and and more nutritious lunch options that cater to a wider variety of dietary needs and prefaces. Students should have access to meals that are both enjoyable and fulfilling. We urge we urged the school board to explore partnerships with local food providers or nutrients to improve our school lunches. Uh cell phone use in school. We request that the policy on cell phones is revisited. While we understand the need for limiting distractions, we ask for reasonable expectations to allow students to use their phones during lunch breaks and for educational purposes. In the classroom, cell
046phones are vital for communication with parents and for learning opportunities and we believe a more balanced approach can be implemented. Hello, good evening. My name is Elijah Mets. All right. Number three, better snacks in the vending machines. The snacks on the vending machines often lack variety. We request that a wide variety of healthy and less healthy options be made available in the machines. This could include fresh fruits, full flavor pop, chips, and candy and other items that students are a prefer to consume. Offering a variety of choices will help foster better eating habits among students. Number four, field trips. We believe that field trips are a valuable educational tool that can enhance the learning experience. We ask for more opportunities for students to participate in field trips that align with their studies. These trips allow
047students to engage with real world applications of their lessons and build lifelong memories. Thank you. [Applause] Hello, my name is Elijah Wood. Five. Better resources. We request updated and well-maintained resources for students, including desk, Chromebooks, and essential supplies such as pencils, paper, and notebooks. Having access to quality tools is critical for effective learning. And we ask the school board to provide these needs. Six, leadership retention. We believe the stability in leadership is essential for the success of our school district. We ask the school board, the school board to focus on retaining effective leaders such as the superintendent and the principles to ensure continunity a clear vision and constant leadership for the students. [Applause] My name is Ray and we want elimination of the dress code. We re we request reconsideration of the current dress code.
048Students should be allowed more freedom to express themselves through their clothing. As long as it is appropriate and respectful of the learning environment, a more flexible dress code will help promote individual expression of and student well-being. Number eight, fix air conditioning HVAC system. The current air conditioning HVAC system in the school area often inadequate causing discomfort during extreme temperatures. We ask for immediate attention to prepare an environment for all students, a learning environment for all students. [Applause] Hi, I'm Nan H. Number nine, breakfast for all students regardless of arrival time. Most students arrive at school at different times due to transportation challenges. We ask that breakfast is provided to all students regardless of their arrival time so that everyone has access to a nutrient start of their day. This will help us ensure that no
049student is left behind to legastated factors. Number 10, more school sponsored events. We request an increase in school sponsored sponsored events such as we pep rallies holiday functions and festivals and sports tournaments. These events are vital for building school spirits, fostering a sense of community, and providing students with opportunity to opportunities to engage outside of the classroom. My name is Nia Hutcherson and I'm going to give you the petition to sign. [Applause] My name is Julian Crowe. And in conclusion, the issues we've raised today are not just about a convenience. They're about creating a school environment where all students can thrive. From healthier lunches and better resources to more inclusive policies on dress code and phone use, each request reflects our individuality and future. We're asking for a school where leadership is stable, classrooms are
050comfortable, and every student feels valued and included, no matter when they arrive or how they express themselves. These changes matter to us because they directly impact our ability to focus, participate, and succeed. We respectfully ask the board to take our voices seriously and work with us to build a stronger Stoox community for everyone. [Applause] Hey, before you all leave, can you come back up, please? Just come back up here for one second, please. Just want to say to you all um on behalf of the board that thank you for this. Thank you. One thing we always talk about is you all being able to use your voice, right, and show up and speak up freely, you know? Um, truth be told, more times than not, we're talking about you all using your voice more than
051we're anybody else, you know, and I know cuz I'm right now I'm focused on high school right now, but I know every admin, every administrator has, you know, a plan to help you all out to make sure that the environment is just as best as possible for you all. But right now on the high school level with uh principal Davis and Assistant Principal Striber, we're talking a lot. We're talking all the time about how to make this a better place for you all, right? Um every student matters and we appreciate you all again using your voices and then and it doesn't stop just here. Please continue to speak up, continue to use your voice, continue to walk around. You you all walking around getting seen and whatnot. That's a big deal. Takes a lot to
052do that. So again, thank you all. This is the reason why we do what we do. For real. This is why we do what we do to make the changes that are important to you all. Okay. So again, thank you very much for having the courage to go out and do this. Thank you very much to Mr. Woods for for bearheading this thing with your partners. Thank you very much for making this happen because it is very important. Again, your voices matter. And what I would ask from you all to continue to do is just continue to work with each other, the rest of your classmates, your teachers, the admin, all of us. Contin show up. We're going to show up for you all. Cont. And also use some of your groups that are in
053the schools as well to gain a a more a bigger input and a and a a bigger community with you all. All right. Continue to do that. Whether it's your student council, whether it's your student board representing right here at our table telling us every every meeting what you all want. This is important. That's why she's here at this table to be a voice for you all. So again, thank y'all very much for stepping up, speaking up, showing up. Thank y'all very much. [Applause] 100%. Thank you all again. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Now we're going to uh I'm gonna go ahead and go to our student board representative. That way she can out of here as well. Ja Ellerby for school board student representative report. [Music] Good evening, school board, Dr. Weidle, Mr. Hower, administrators,
054parents, community members, and teachers. My name is Jay Ellerby. I would like to share with you all of the amazing things that are happening at St Rocks Junior Senior High School. The month of May has been a busy month for all for students, staff, and community members of the Storow Rocks Junior Senior High School. First up, the NED banquet. NEAD is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit agency that helps underserved youth pursue higher education. We recognized three of our graduating seniors, Kimani Fleming, Cord Simmons, and Jaylen Hows were awarded a scholarship. Tuesdays with Turner. Tuesdays with Turner is a program where students are provided with networking opportunities with construction workers to learn about the industry. On May 13th, Jeremiah Griffin and Kenny Webster completed the Tuesday returner program. On May 5th, 20 students completed the AP biology exam.
055Mr. K rewarded them with the pizza party seventh period. On May 6th, the class of 2031 visited the junior senior high school to get a tour. Sixth grade move up day was successful. Students got to participate in Ray's bingo while meeting teachers, counselors, principals, providers, and coaches to earn prizes. Coaches were able to get contact information of students planning to play sports in middle school. provide well providers got the opportunity to connect with students to participate in their summer programs. The CNX graduation on May 9th, Raya Germany, Cord Simmons, CC Mason, Kiara Bailey, and Isaac McClinton graduated from CNX mentorship academy. We are so proud of them. On May 13th, 16 students graduated from Parkway West CTC at Robert Morris University. Prom. 63 students attended prom on May 15th. They all looked amazing. Students danced
056the night away with the one enchanted evening theme and ate delicious food provided by Sophia's. Students got an engraved keychain as a souvenir to remember their experience. Shout out to the following staff for making our first grand march in many years reappear. Miss Davis, Miss Triber, Miss Olston, Miss Fielder, Mr. Colliver, Miss Spriggs, Miss Dixon, Miss Gary, and Coach Blair. This week, our school has wrapped up Keystone testing for literature, algebra 1, and biology. Those who were on time, respected the testing environment, and completed the test received race tickets that can be redeemed for a pizza party next week. Student of the month for May. In seventh grade, it was Alli Pennic. Eighth grade, Zadira Maxwell. 9th grade, Selena Maza. 10th grade, Darnell White. 11th grade, Na Baka. And 12th grade, Eric Lu Kazawick. Athletics.
057Middle school and high school track, baseball, softball, and flag football seasons have concluded. All teams finished a complete season. The athletic department is looking to build off this and continue to get better. Middle school track shoutouts. Jordan Kernney placed seventh overall in the 100 meter dash, receiving a top finisher medal. She also ran her personal best in the 100 and 200. Also setting personal records in the 100 and 200 meter dash was AJ Payne. And the 200 meter dash was Don Harris and Janna Cordor. and the 100 hurdles with Jaden Benson Pearson. And the 400 meter dash was David Arlada. And the boys and girls 4 by 100 relay team set personal records. Flag football completed their final regular season game on May 14th. They didn't come out on top, but the girls and coaches
058fought all the way to the end. Big congratulations to them all. Looking forward to next year when it becomes a sanctioned PIAA sport. Big shout out to the only flag football senior Javala Min for being selected to the Pittsburgh Steelers first ever girls flag football all pair team. Seven girls were selected out of 50 team. These girls displayed great leadership, character and support of their teammates at all times. Congratulations Jabila this past week. Herology barbering and dance provided by PAX have wrapped up. A lot of the participants are looking forward to them returning in the fall. Special shout out to PAX for providing pizza for a PSSA incentive and also hosting a cap decorating event for seniors to decorate their caps for graduation. As the school year is coming to an end, our class of
0592025 is getting ready to graduate. Even though I will miss them dearly, I am excited to see what they will all accomplish in their futures. As for me, my junior year is about to be complete. I am grateful for the opportunities that the Storow Rock School District staff and community have provided for me and my classmates to have a successful year. I'll leave you all with some inspiration from Kung Fu Panda. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why it is called the present. Signing off for the school year. Yours truly. [Applause] Great job. That's what I'm talking about. Next, we'll go on to line for information. Uh, Mr. Agnu. Thank you, Mr. Culliver. Ja, that is a tough act to follow. Um, so I mean the the reports
060that you have in front of you there are reports that we provide um each month. I'm certainly willing to answer any questions that you may have. Um, just a quick highlight on the budget to actual, our our revenues are at about 99% of what we had budgeted. So, it looks like we'll eclipse that uh that budgeted amount of a little over $36 million. Uh, and expenses right now are or as of the end of April, we're at 77% of what had been budgeted. Thank you very much, sir. Once again, we'll go on to Mr. Agnu one more time for presentations. So, you have a packet there in front of you that uh is is uh this is the uh the proposed budget for the 2526 uh fiscal year. Um, as I'm I'm sure you folks
061know, um, if if the board passes this tonight, which there's a motion here in in just a little bit, um, if the board passes this proposed budget, it'll be published for 30 days, at which time then when the when the board meets in June, um, the board will vote on a final budget for the 2526 fiscal year. So, as I go through this presentation, some of this information is uh similar to what we've talked about over the past few months. So, I'm not going to go into detail on every slide here. Um, but just just hit some of the some of the highlights there on page two. Um, just a reminder that uh all the ESSER money and ARP money is is spent. That is in the past. So our federal funding uh compared to
062the past two or three years will certainly go down quite a bit in 2526 as well as uh the state has not passed their proposed budget yet or their budget. They have not passed that yet. Um and so the the state amounts that we have budgeted, we have done the best that we can to estimate those but uh but realize that those obviously could be impacted if something changed at the state level. Page three is the proposed revenues. You can see there about $39.9 million. Um I think that's fairly similar to what we've seen over the past few months. Uh but the next page, the expenses that that amount has changed as as uh as we have uh added new positions to the 2526 fiscal year. Um so revenues the projection is is that revenues
063will come in over expenses to the tune of about $17,000. Uh page uh four is the um gives you an idea at this point in time included in this proposed budget is a uh a raising of real estate taxes to the index the 6.3%. You can see there that the impact on individual homeowners. Uh we give a scale there. Um the the median household value here in in the district is $52,000. So the the increase if if you you own a home that's that's assess the assessed value is at about $50,000 that comes out to about an increase of $8 per month in your in your real estate taxes and so on and so forth there depending on the assessed value of your of your home. Uh page six that gives you a list of
064the salaries and positions. Uh not only the ones that are currently open, but the new ones that have been added as as uh we as we've been working with administration to to uh to look at the 2526 fiscal year and what that entails. Um so you can see there the list of the new positions that have been added. page seven. Um, once again, uh, just gives you an idea with our federal, uh, the federal monies that we do anticipate receiving, mainly our title programs there, um, and the and the number of positions that those grants co cover. Uh once again, you know, we've said it over the past couple of months, the federal government, as um you know, there are changes that are being made as far as the the Department of Education, we anticipate,
065but um at the same time, we still have to budget and we've done the best that we can to to project what 2526 looks like. And then the final page there, page eight, uh gives you uh some estimates on what fund balance would look like uh for for the current year that we're in 2425. A conservative estimate is is that we will break even. Um and so we wanted to be conservative in that there. And then you can see if if we hit the budget right on the right on the money in 2526, that would give us a $17,000 increase uh for that year. Are there any questions from the board that I could answer? None heard. Thank you, sir. Appreciate that. Thank you. Next, we'll ask Mr. Brian McCarthy to come up with an
066Amachi program update. Hello board. I really appreciate you all um making the time to have me speak. I also really appreciate you having me back in the district. Uh it's been really a pleasure to be back uh this semester and looking forward to continue working here. Um won't take up too much of your time. I know you have a lot going on. So, just uh Amachi Pittsburgh. Since the beginning of the school year, Amachi has made great strides in connecting with families and raising awareness about their various programs and engagement opportunities. As a local service or uh oriented organization, AMAI seeks to support and empower students impacted by the legal system incarceration or community violence. Beginning this semester with around eight participants involved in small groupoup mentoring at the upper elementary, there are now over
06755 students involved in multiple social strengthening and peer support groups throughout all three grades. Excuse me. They have also expanded into the junior senior high school with their youth justice advisory board ambassadors program, meeting with students directly involved in the court system and incentivizing continued participation with weekly stipens to stress financial literacy and practical planning for their future programs. Since launching the program in February, this program has an active participation rate of 85% and has continued to welcome new participants as recently as the beginning of May. Of the 12 students regularly attending, seven have since found employment and are participating in other school-based extracurricular programs. And of each of the participating seniors, the four that we have, three are slated to graduate and one will be returning in the fall uh to complete their time
068and play football. Uh Machi will be will be broadening its reach through the remainder of the school year to engage with more than seventh and eighth grade students eligible to participate as well as assisting in the end of the year transitions process both for sixth grade to the high school and the eighth grade uh sixth grade to the junior high and eighth grade to the high school which we did today. Amachi is very grateful for the opportunity to join so many incredible programs and providers in serving the students and families throughout the district and are excited to continue doing so moving forward. Thank you for your time. [Applause] Thank you. Up next, we'll have our recommended new hire, Mr. Anthony Paul, director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Hi. Hello. How you doing, sir? I'm great.
069Thanks for having me. Thanks for coming. If you don't mind just telling us who you are, where you're from, and as always, why why store rocks? Sure. Uh, my name is Tony Paul. I was born and raised in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, so not too too far from here. Uh, family moved when I was in the eighth grade. I ended up going to Fort City High School, graduating from there. Did my undergrad at IUP. Uh, graduated in 91 with a degree in secondary biology education. And, uh, didn't go straight into teaching at the same time as my peers. I had a little couple other things I wanted to try first. But when I finally did go into teaching, I started my teaching career uh in a small town in southern Florida at Clon Middle
070School. I taught seventh grade science for uh six years there. Uh had a longing to come back up north, back up to home. Uh landed a job in O 0 02 at Beaver Falls Middle School and uh taught there for six years. uh along the way through those experiences uh had a lot of conversations with administrators that I had was affiliated with and they were just that had been steering me in that direction. You should you should give this principal thing a try. You make a great principle. You've been a good administrator. Just some of the thought process that I had and things that I was doing very detail oriented, very organized, very focused on curriculum just some of that stuff that suits an administrator well. End up getting my uh master's degree from the
071University of Pittsburgh in08. Uh that led me to my first principal job. I have uh well geez 14 and a half years experience as a high school principal both at uh West Green Middle Senior High School in Wesburg and at Southside High School in in Beaver County. Uh while at Southside I also pursued my superintendent letter of eligibility. completed that in 2019 and uh that opened up some doorways for uh to take the take the next step forward and uh they brought me on there in uh 2022 as director of curriculum and assessment. And so that's where I've been for the past three years and uh that that led me to this opportunity here through a a wonderful series of events. I was able to find out about this opening and and I stand before
072you tonight with just a just a very a grateful heart and a thankfulness and an appreciation for you uh providing me with with this opportunity to even talk to you. And uh just a super excited to to lean into it and get started and to start to to uh get to know you better and to get to know the students better and the staff better and uh establish myself as a part of the community and uh just just get to work on on building those relationships and building that trust that that moves things forward and uh building the curriculum, building it into something great that uh can be a shining light for the district and uh most importantly give the students what they need to be successful. So that's uh that's a little bit about
073me and then why Strow Rocks I think was the other part of the question. Uh yeah, it just the the energy of this place and this community has always spoken to me. I know uh several people who were born and raised here and uh I know people that have worked here over the years. Uh and to be honest with you, they're some of my favorite people. They're just they're they're salt of the earth people. They're good down to earth bookie in the eye, tell you straight up type of people. That's you know that's how I am as well. I mentioned growing up in the South Hills, the uh of Pittsburgh, the I was the son of a coal miner, so I didn't come from much. Um you know, we appreciated what we had and uh
074we had just a strong sense of family, strong sense of community. Um really get that feeling of, you know, that same type of community here at Stow Rocks. I mentioned going to Fort City High School. Our cafeteria looked exactly like this cafeteria. It's just very relatable when I look out the window. That could be Fifth Avenue in Fort City, right right down to the, you know, some of the streets coming in to get here are like the the brick brick streets. You know, it's just it just speaks to my heart. It speaks to who I am and where I'm from. And uh mentioned Beaver Falls, a very similar district, I think, uh socioeconomically. Uh the district I taught at in Florida, also very similar. So those experiences are, you know, a part of who I
075am and uh you know, to have an opportunity to to be become involved with with something like that that I think is right in my wheelhouse and fits my skill set well. I think it's just a wonderful opportunity. Again, I I thank you for that. Thank you very much, sir. Thank you. Appreciate that. Anyone have any questions, Laura? Thank you. Thank you. If I if I just may make a couple comments, it was interesting because Dr. Hinds and I right about on the same day both got phone calls from dear friends of ours endorsing uh Tony Paul. And let me tell you when I reached out to the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit um to my old high school principal when I was superintendent in a previous life at Ambridge. They said such kind things about
076him. a gentleman, a scholar, maybe I may embarrass him, but like called him Dr. Data. And you know, he's very, very meticulous to a fault, which I think will really serve our school district as well as our incoming superintendent who most importantly, she had an opportunity to sit down with Tony. And I think that's so important that the new coming of board are aligned together. So, thank you so much. Up next, um let me make a quick audible. We we are tonight we are voting on the approval of our superintendent. Um she could not be here tonight because she's a graduation with her son out of state. So, her husband is here and I would like to bring him up to the podium, please, to get to know us a little bit. [Applause] I like
077that guy by the way. Thank you. Good evening everyone. Um trying to jump the gun. She's not my wife yet, but I know sir, but I didn't want to, you know, June 28th. But um my name is Hart Coleman and um in Sonia's absence, she asked me or volunttoled me uh to come speak tonight um on her behalf. as you stated, she's u unable to attend tonight because her son's graduating from high school. Um and of course, you know, couldn't miss that for anything in the world. But um I just wanted to just speak very briefly um to somebody that's very dear to my heart. Um Sonia Cruz. Um she has a passion for this environment. Um I've learned so much from her just being in education. Um my daughter's in education as well. So,
078um I know she regrets that she's not here tonight, but she's deeply humbled by this opportunity to um come in um to the Sto Rocks School District um and definitely make a difference. I mean, her passion for the youth um I wish the young theum youth were still here, but I will just say just in me sitting here um this is a new environment for me. I'm not in education. I'm a sales rep, so I can sell you, you know, a pin in a heartbeat. But, um, I just want to say just the passion that I heard um earlier from the school board, the administration, and the youth. Um, you're getting a winner. You're getting somebody that truly cares about community. She cares about the youth and about the future. It's it's undeniable um the
079passion that's in her heart for for our youth and for making a difference. Um she's not from this community or from this area. I'm from Pittsburgh, born and raised. I'm a city kid. Pittsburgh public school kid. So I everything you were talking about, I lived. And um without a doubt, I'm sure you will probably see me as well because I want to help her um become entrenched in this community. um learn the community, learn the environment that she's going to be part of and again to help make a difference. But I will say this on her behalf. I will never speak for her. She's she's a very powerful woman and she can speak for herself. But I will say this on her behalf. It's going to take all of us in here. And I said
080us because I'm I'm going to be part of this as well because that's my future. Um so it's going to take all of us. And I will say this, and I'll say this to this young lady right here. I I heard you talking as we were waiting for the meeting to start. That's a future. That's a future. Whatever you want it to be, that's a future. And she's going to be that. There's not I don't even know you, young lady, but I I I see I see something in you. Um and I will say this. Um, I'm a basketball coach and this is one thing that I say all the time to the kids that I coach and I think we all need to understand this and if we don't, we need to take heed
081to this is simply this. These young children are whether it's elementary school all the way up to to seniors. They do not care how much we know until we show them how much we care. And I think we all need to keep that in mind in everything that we do, whether we're talking to one another or if we're talking to them. If we keep that in mind and keep them in mind, there's nothing that these young young children cannot do. So, I just wanted to just leave you guys with that. Um, I want to say I'm appreciative of you giving her this opportunity. Um, I definitely believe that she's earned it. um just knowing what what she's capable of doing and what what she's done in her previous um positions that she's held. But definitely
082without a doubt, she's you know anxious to get started, roll up her sleeves and entrench herself in the community and work with all of you. So just wanted to leave you with that. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Uh just one more time. Uh sir, thank you again for coming over here and talking to us, giving us another look on fiance. With that being said, every time we've had interviews, she's always been at the top, right? Um which is why she got as far as she did. Her passion, you can't you can't like burn it out. You can put it out. It was it was there like she has a fire. Um and we all recognize that very quick. Um, and we're looking forward to her getting here, looking forward to her help change the narrative
083and the culture and make sure you know that we're on the up and up. Um, because looking at her history, her passion again are talking about you or talking about her family as a whole. She's ready. She's ready. It seems like in her past, she's dealt with certain things in her past that I won't wish on anybody at all, but she came through with it and still made it made it happen. So I I appreciate you speaking um on behalf of her, but I also appreciate a chance to meet her, interview her, talk I pull off her yesterday, talk with her. I appreciate that a lot. You know, she's making it happen from other states, you know. So I'm I'm grateful and we're we're grateful and we can't wait. She said we can't wait. Just
084a real quick comment for everybody. 15 applicants, they were really, really, really good. We picked six and let me tell you what they were really really really really good. We brought it down to two and like double really like and I am so confident with Sonia Cruz. We text almost every day. She is going to be an outstanding leader for Stow Rock School District. She's that good and we're so excited that she's coming to board. Thank you. I'll move on to the non-conent agenda. Any questions? Um for item A. We approve the minutes of our school board appropriate list under B. That's a measurement. That's a measurement. Mr. Agnar, uh you have the list of uh payments there to to approve. I'm certainly willing to answer any questions regarding those. Um, and then items two
085and three there are the have to do with uh proposed budget or excuse me, budget transfers. Uh, the net effect of those transfers is is zero. It's just moving um I'm sorry, three and four, not two and three. Three and four are the budget transfers. Uh item two is the proposed budget which we just went over a few minutes ago. Um, item five speaks to uh payment of the uh interest regarding the uh transitional loan that we owe back to PTE. Um, yeah, that's all I have. Thank you, sir. Any questions about six and seven? Approved SHA allocate to be delegate to the Alen County tax collection commission for the remainder of the year and approved the insurance policy renewal for July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 from Gallagher Insurance Company. Any questions? Next
086under operations, any questions regarding the ABC employees for uh this school year? What's wrong? Also, donor's choose projects. A big thank you again to all the teachers, all the staff who put these together, making it happen for these kids. I mean you every single month there's some there's a whole list of projects being completed and things that you are advocating to have you know for your students in the school. So thank you all very much. Item three, accept donation from Adjo Health Raised Garden Boxing for continue to grow initiative with the steam class from the primary center for accept PA smart PA smart innovation grant from uh Pennsylvania Department of Education for $7,000 to help fund our STEM coding lab marker space the primary and STEM teacher training for upl Elementary and primary center. Mr.
087Johnston, Dr. Mum, do you have anything about this? Any comments? Thank you very much. Five. Approve the Harris Education Solution contract renewal for Eden site for one year from July 2025 to June 3026. Approve the AIU comprehensive service agreement for next school year for waterfront learning services. Approve the renewal of assist services agreement for 2526 school year. Approve firewood commercial door contract to replace a garage door and kitchen door. Approve the purchase of $660 in carpet for the foster building under other admin administration supplies. Approve AU agreement for temporary special ed supervisory consultation services for May 7, 2025 to August 29th, 2025. Accept the donation of approximately 500 books to grades five K through six from progress through pages nonprofit. Mr. Lero here. Yeah, I'm here. I'm online. All right. Yes. Anybody anything about this?
088Want to talk about this at all? Yeah, sure. It is a uh progress through pages is a nonprofit. It is a group that likes to get books into the hands of children so that they can take them home and they can read them and enjoy them. This is a donation of books that this will be the third year in a row that we have accepted it from them and the last few years were very successful. We were able to put one book in the hands of each of our students so that they could take them home through the summer and we're hoping to be able to give that to them. We're going to be able to give it to them at the beginning of the next school year um moving forward. Thank you, sir. I
089appreciate that. Yep. Any other comments? 12. Approve the agreement with Alagany Children's Initiative for student assistance program for next school year. Approve theou with Presley Ridge Family Con Counseling Center for school-based outpatient programming from June 1, 2024 for what is thank you for next school year. Okay, we'll approve Pennsylvania schoolbased access program local education agency agreement to participate in for fiscal year next year 5.6 Six. Approve the MOU at Big Brothers Big Sister of Greater Pittsburgh for the next school year. Approve the service agreement with the days the day school at the Children Institute for July 1.5, June 30 26. Approve approved facility request for June 7th from 9 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the oneway out community day sponsored by the Vikings. Next under co-worker leadership got Mr. Msina going to the Baba Conor
090Golf Course and Miss Englehart. National anthem performance 40 to 50 students in three chap rooms at PNC Park coming up uh September 17th. It's amazing. Number two, approve members of the Strong School District football team part to participate in a 707 challenge at Semi Rock University on June 18th. Cost been covered by donation. Mr. Phelps here, you want to talk about that? Of course, the software tool, former coach here, for former athletic director, has invited us up there to come compete in that. So, we'll be taking the kids up there on June 18th to go have a have a day, have fun, and compete. Thank you. Can you take Can you take number two? Number three as well, please. Real quick high school basketball league. Yeah. So, they just uh they got one more game
091in that. So, they've been competing in that um into that spring league. Um they got summer league coming up. I think they started that tonight. But, um but yeah, they've been competing in that. Did well. I think they went two two and two in that league. uh doing pretty good, but that's just the cost from it to participate in. Thank you, sir. Appreciate that. Thank you. Approve the first TE to use the junior senior high school for a van pickup spot for the first T summer golf lessons. Up to 12 of our students can participate. Number five, approve 10 upper elementary staff members to participate in the Ron Clark Academy, Atlanta, Georgia from July 14th to 16th of this year. This sponsored by Huntington Bank Cross School District was awarded 10 full scholarships that will
092cover all spouses. Congratulations on that, y'all. That's amazing. Want to talk about that or Thank you. That's amazing. E approved the MOU West Education Assistant Association regarding the 2024 25 school year calendar. Provision of work days to teachers. Approve the first reading of local board policy 221 dressing grooming. Authorize the use of flexible instruction days during the next school year according with the Pennsylvania Department of Education guidelines to ensure educational Continuity on inclement weather or emergency situations. Number four, we discuss we'll come back to educational leadership. I approve ratified the professional gun matrix as presented. Number two, approved lodging cost for $34341 for the CSI conference that was already approved for Lisa Wild to attend on July 29th and 30th 25 and Harrisburg. All right. Now, we'll go into the voting portion of this meeting.
093Up first, I'll just take items A1 through E3. I'm sorry. Disregard. Disregard. Disregard. A1 through B1. A1 through B1. I have a motion. When ready. Have a second. Director Cooper. Director Colliver, yes. Director Zowski, Director Hunter, Director Meyers, yes. Director Roberts, Director Spriggs, Director Cooper, yes. Seven yeses. Motion passes. Now we know Washington airs in the background over there. Item two, approve the proposed final budget for the fiscal year 202526. Initiate a 30-day review for Start School District. The general fund budget for the 20256 school year reflects expenditures of 39,876,936 and revenues of 39,34,653. This reflects a millage rate of 31.7837 mills. I have a motion ready. Got a second. Director Roberts. Director Spriggs. Director Cooper. Yes. Director Colliver. No. Directors. Director Hunter Rue. Director Meyers. Yes. Five yeses, two nos. Motion passes. Thank you.
094Next, we'll take items B3 to E3. Taking B3 through E3. I have a motion when ready. A motion. Director Cooper. Yes. Director Culliver. Yes. Director Hazowski. Director Hunter Rue. Director Myers, yes. Director Roberts, Director Spriggs, seven yeses. Motion passes. Thank you. I like to make a motion to table item E4. Reason is for further data collection. And this will not happen this upcoming school year. This will not happen this upcoming school year. And I have a motion to table this item. Not a second. Director Hunter Rue, Director Myers. Wait, wait, wait. Real quick, real quick. I just wanted to make sure we're aware of what's going on. We're just making a motion to table it. We're making a motion to hold off on both. So, just making sure you're aware that this Hunter or Director
095Myers. Yes. Director Roberts. Director Spriggs. Director Cooper. Yes. Director Culliver, no. Director Hazowski Five yeses, two nos. Motion passes to table. Next like to take items where I go F1 and F2 together. again. F1 and F2 together. Have a motion when ready. Thank you. Director Cooper. Yes. Director Culliver. Yes. Director Hizowski. Director Hunter Rue. Director Meyers, yes. Director Roberts, Director Spriggs, seven yeses. Motion passes. Thank you. Next, I'd like to say item G1 all together. Item G1 all together. And I have a motion. We're ready. I have a second. Second. Director Roberts. Director Spriggs. Director Cooper. Yes. Director Culver. Yes. Director Isowski. Director Hunter Rue. Director Myers. Yes. Seven yeses. Motion passes. I want to say I don't see people in here. Um, Mr. Anthony Paul. Congratulations, sir. Welcome. Welcome, sir. Welcome to the family.
096We might bicker a little bit, but we're still family. Item two, approve the appointment of Sonia Cruz as acting superintendent for the period of July 1, 2025 to December 31st, 2025. And to further approve the appointment of Sonia Cruz as superintendent for the period of January 1, 2026 through December 31st, 2028, effective July 1, 2025. And I have a motion. I have a second. Second. Director Spriggs, Director Cooper, yes. Director Culliver, yes. Director Zowski, yes. Director Hunter Rue, Director Meyers, yes. Director Roberts, seven yeses. Motion passes. Congratulations. [Applause] again, sir. Thank you very much for coming up here on her behalf. We can't wait to get her up here. I mean that in all respect to this guy right here, but we can't wait to get her up here. Thank you. Item three, approve the
097adjustment to the current Act 93 agreement dated July 1, 2023, amended June 27th, 2024 and ending June 30th, 2028, including revised positions, titles, and salary adjustments. Have a motion. Have a second. Director Cooper. Yes. Director Culliver. Yes. Director Hazowski. Director Hunter Rue. Director Meyers. Yes. Director Roberts. Director Spriggs. Seven yeses. Motion passes. Thank you. Next, approve recognition of Junth, June 19th, 2025 as a district holiday. All dis operations will be closed in observance and employees scheduled to work that day will receive a paid day off. Observance will be effective for 2025. Um, ally next month is be effective indefinitely. But definitely the agenda with another item for effective indefinitely. So I'll put on a motion to add the holiday to Yes, ma'am. Thank you. I have a motion. Motion. Have a second. Seconded. Director Cooper,
098yes. Director Culliver, yes. Directors Sorry. That's a good question. for this for this year. Talk about that for the future. Yeah, this this this year, Director Hunter Roo, Director Myers, Director Roberts, Director Spriggs. Seven yeses. Motion passes. Thank you. Approved tuition reimbursement for employee 1927 as per act 93 agreements for two courses being taken in the summer of 2025. Approved stas kennwood day for June 12th through 25. This is also school picnic day listed as a paid benefit for st school district 12 month employees last school picnic day listed as a pay holiday in accordance with selected bargaining agreements. approved a payment of $580 to employee 1885 due to an accounting payroll error and 202425 school year and approved the payment of $120 to employee 1899 to an accounting payroll error and last school year
099of this school year. So again take items five through eight all together. Please have a motion. Have a second. Director Cooper. Yes. Director Culliver. Yes. Director Zowski. Director Hunter. Director Meyers. Yes. Director Roberts. Yes. Director Spriggs. Seven yeses. Motion passes. Thank you, Solicitor. Time. Thank you. Thank you very much. Any committee reports? Um our next schedule meeting will be um June 26th at Myers Ridge Community Center. That'll be agenda review and listed a voting meeting. Um once again, I want to apologize again for our delay today to our meeting. Um it was announced this wasn't I guess it wasn't announced to you all. I'm sorry about that. Again, I'll take that one. Um but it's a friendly reminder that we're committed to the betterment of this district no matter what. Um, no matter what happens,
100we can argue, we can bicker the whole night and the day we still love each other. It's that simple. Um, I I'll see you all tomorrow and try to give you a big hug if you if you allow me to or or half five, whatever it is, right? But it's what we do. We're supposed to bicker a little bit sometimes. It's our family grows and gets together. And if we don't hear about your your concerns and your complaints or whatnot, then we can't help it out. So, or we can't fix it. So, again, thank y'all very much for coming out tonight. We encourage you that you continue to show up please and bring concerns and address issues if we encourage you all to do so please. Um with that being said again thank you all
101and I'm motion to adjourn this meeting. Have a second. Being a jerk.