001I would like to call the um Creswood School Board of Directors meeting to order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Roll call, please. Miss Bibla, here. Mr. Champy, here. Mrs. Chaitra Zagoric here. Mr. Webbby here. Mrs. McCertie here. Mrs. Campbell here. Mr. Nardome. Mr. Boom and Mr. McCry. Seven members present. An executive session was held before the board meeting this evening on April 17th, 2025 regarding contracts, personnel actions, and pending litigations. We'll be seeking approval um in the voting me for the March treasur report and we'll be seeking approval of the minutes of the regular school board for March 20th, 2025. Superintendence report. Thank you. I
002would like to start my superintendent report with our soaring comments. We have uh we're going to start with Fairview Elementary. This is again our sixth grade soaring comets. So when I say your name, it's up to you if you want to stand right there or if you want to come forward. So we are going to start off from Fairview Elementary. Uh Marin Shaluti. So typically what I do during the s soaring comet is just share what um the staff wrote about you. Okay. So um one of our soaring comets for the month of March is Marin Shaluti. Marin is um has a genuine passion for learning which is evident through the both her of her academic achievements and her inquisitive nature. You have a positive demeanor. You have willingness to support others and that makes
003you a valued member of our school community. Outside of school, you enjoy playing soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. Congratulations, Marin. Keep up the great work. Uh, one of our soaring comets this month. Also from Fairview Elementary, Ben Krider. Ben is again uh for the month of March is one of our soaring comments. Ben, you are being recognized for your strong academic achievements, your consistently positive attitude. You are very easygoing, you have a great demeanor with that is upbeat, and your presence is truly appreciated inside and outside of the classroom. Outside of school, you like to enjoy um in your spare time baseball and soccer. So, congratulations. We're very proud of you. [Applause] From Rice Elementary, we have Landon Saddowski. Landon, Landon, Mrs. Petroski wrote this about you. You have an excellent uh learning ability. You are
004you are diligent. You're hardworking. You are dedicated to your studies. You're able to communicate effectively. You express your ideas and you listen to others which is essential for collaboration and problem solving. You have the ability to think critically and curiosity to even learn more. So congratulations to you. You're welcome. And our final soaring comment from Rice Elementary. Again, this is for the March uh meeting. Uh excuse me, for the month of March, Emma Verbellia. Did I say that right, Emma? No, I didn't. How do I say it? Rebella. Okay, thank you. So, Emma, Miss Petroski said that you demonstrate strong academic performance of uh often achieving high grades and excelling in your coursework. You are motivated, you're determined, and have exceptional communication skills. You uh actively participate in class, and you show a genuine interest
005for learning. Congratulations. Now, elementary Soaring Comet families, it's completely up to you. You are more than welcome to stay for the rest of the board meeting. Um or you you can leave. It's up to you. So, but again, congratulations to you, your family, and thank you so much for coming. I do have a couple items that I want to continue on with the superintendent report. Just a friendly reminder, um after today, we're on spring holiday break. Um that goes from Friday to Monday, and students and staff return uh to school on um Tuesday the 22nd. And then PSSA testing begins on um April 23rd. So, good luck to to all of our students in the state mandated uh statemandated testing. Um I also do want to share have it here written down on my phone.
006Uh we had our Crestwood Creators competition. It's a toy competition. Right now, there's over 300 views on that. That's actually more than our schoolboard meeting. So, um there's a lot of interest on that. So, um if you haven't seen um the the Crestwood Creators toy competition, again, that was on Wednesday. I just want to share a little bit about that the uh competition. All the students were challenged using recyclable materials for their project. Um their market for the toys was first grade level. The panel of judges were from I2M that scored, excuse me, based on the rubric that was consistent of uh concept, design, the model, directions, and creativity. I want to congratulate our sixth grade students. All of our students, we had six um toys that were presented and they went through a whole
007process at each of their elementary school, but first place went to a goblin uh blaster and that was at Rice Elementary. Second place was mini hockey at Fairview Elementary. Third place was speedy racers at Rice Elementary. The overall comic creator Cup went to Mrs. SPAC and the overall principal award was Mr. Mangini. So, congratulations to all those students, the teachers. Um, again, if you haven't seen it, please visit YouTube. It was a great day for um our Crestwood creators. And then um finally today, it's why I'm wearing this shirt that I hear we're jealous about. Um this is our comments let sore day today. It's our third annual day. Um, again, it's just to celebrate our students and staff and our faculty for an amazing start of our year. We have less than 26 days
008left of school, which is crazy how time flies. Um, but we wouldn't be able to have um this excellent day without our sponsors. So, I just want to highlight who our sponsors were for that. Um, Chiverella Incorporated, Veloazi Printing, Triangle Pharmacy, Digital One, Hayden Power Group, People's Security Bank, Fidelity Bank, Cummings Insurance, Reinhimr Bus Lines, Rent the Fund, and Steinmick Family Farm. Um, so I just want to say thank you to them. Happy Comets Letar Day everyone. Uh, student government did an amazing job at the secondary campus and Mr. Matias was wonderful. He organized the whole thing with the staff. So congratulations to everyone um on a great um comments let sore day and that is my report. We will move into the work session for our committee reports. Public testimony on agenda items. Our
009public guests are reminded that testimony is limited to three minutes. Any person to provide testimony is to to the board during the meeting should state their last name and their address as and if you're speaking for an organization. Um financial planning, Mr. Nardau. So I'll be uh seeking approval for items number one through seven. Any questions from the board? Any questions from the public? Items one through seven. Seeing none, we can move on. Transportation. Mrs. McCertie. Thank you. I'll be seeking approval for item number one. Any questions from the board? Public. Thank you. Policy. Mrs. Trader Zagar. I'll be seeking approval for item one. Any questions from the board? Any questions from the public? Seeing none. human resources. I'll be seeking approval of items 1 through 13. Any questions from the board? Any questions from
010the public? Seeing none, academic programs. Mr. Champy, thank you. I will be seeking approval for items uh one through two under the academic programs. Any questions from the board? Any questions from the public? Seeing none, move forward. Co-curricular Mrs. Camp. Thank you. Um I am asking for approval of items one through four. Um any questions from the board? Any questions from the public? Nope. Seeing none, move on. Physical plant. Mr. Webbby. Physical plant will be seeking approval for item number one. Any questions from the board? Questions from the public? Hearing none. Technology, Mrs. McCertie. No report tonight. Thank you. Behavioral intervention, Mrs. Trader Zagar. Nothing for tonight. Intermediate unit 18. The minutes are on file in the superintendent's office and the district website from the last meeting. And the next LIU meeting is next week,
011Wednesday, April 23rd at 6:30 p.m. in the LIU auditorium. Wilsbury CTC. Thank you. Yes, we're just coming off of an organized uh career fair at the CTC. We had Secretary uh Walker, Labor Secretary Walker, uh Senator Flynn, the Congressman Breznahan, uh representatives. Um it was a really great event. Students had a opportunity to meet a lot of area businesses, uh unions, all sorts of trade, uh related organizations, and it was really a fabulous day. Um and uh look forward to next year. Um, the minutes are on file in the superintendent's office and the district website and the next CTC meeting is April 28th, 2025 at CTC at 5:30 p.m. Thank you. Any questions from the public on non-aggendum items? Thank you. uh for some of you who drive Mountaintop PA. Mrs. Mccertie, I I heard
012we're uh well, I call it VOTE is slightly overgrown now and supposed to be add adding an addition to it. And uh I was just wondering what our share of the uh would be. So it it's true that um the population is growing, the demand is growing for the the uh career and technical center. Um at this time we're still waiting for um a report um about possible options. So there is not at this point absolutely no commitments to any uh any projects. Uh what we have done in the meantime um last year I did uh tell the board that for the ninth grade they created a ninth grade exploratory program moving nth grade students off of the campus to the Dodson former Dodson school in Wilsbury and that's where they are learning about the
013programs that the CTC offers um and that has gone really well. So, um, that has relieved a little bit of the pressure. Um, and what we started doing at the beginning of 2025, there was a partnership with LCC and we're moving a few programs uh over to uh to the classrooms there. They had um they had some of the welding equipment that that the CTC lacked, for example. So, we had a program starting there. um those students are currently being uh either bus or provided transportation as they need it directly from their schools to LCC for that. Um so we've tried to alleviate the issues as best we can at this point. We're looking at other options. We're looking at more um programs with LCC uh perhaps um starting you know in the next year
014or two. So until we have a very clear plan and and honestly until we really understand how the demand is growing and for what what types of programs students are most interested in. Um you know we're not we're definitely not going to make any financial commitments. Um and I will be as uh clear as possible and upfront as possible with the school board here um should any decisions impact our finances. Um, I uh I understand that our our population at CTC might not be as large as some of the other school districts and therefore any projects might be um you know difficult for us to to handle. So um as that information comes I will share that with the board and with the community. So and thank you for your question. Yes, it does. And
015what is our population that uh you know I honestly I do not have that number off the top of my head but I'll get that number. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Is uh still non-aggenda items. Okay. At the last meeting it was confirmed that a special project was hidden inside and improved as a much bigger project. I am left to wonder how many other special interest projects have been hidden or never discussed in public. Our superintendent has repeatedly stated that every dollar matters. Yet, it's now clear that under her leadership, we continue to waste money. I have recently heard presentations from students stating they need instruments, equipment, and supplies. I have recently heard a teacher promote success in art education, but yet there is no elementary art program. I recently was told by a
016board member who stated he thinks 12 students will benefit from the hidden project that was recently approved. Rest assured, the 60 or 68,000 hidden for we think uh 12 students could be better spent on art education, music education, or a teacher to lead either program. I am confident that these unfortunate cuts have been forgotten about as this board frivolously spends valuable dollars for their personal interests and their political friends. Crestwood already has a $5 million bathroom, a monument symbolizing lots of wasted money. Creswood desperately needs to invest in educational programs for all kids, not special interest projects for a selective few or in this case a political friend. Crestwood needs an art teacher and a band director. Creswood needs teachers. It's time for this board and their superintendent to stop wasting money. I thank you.
017I would just like to point out we did hire a band director. So it's on we did hire a band director. It's on the agenda. Okay. Hi Tom Stitzky. Walden Park. Uh, happy Easter everybody. Um, uh, Mr. Benji did a budget last week, uh, for the committee meeting. Was there anything in that budget for bringing back the right township police to Crestwood? Um I don't know who I'm asking but yeah when I build the budget I build the costs and there's no particular vendors or providers that are here Mark but the costs associated with security they're in align in alignment with what we have this year with a a slight um inflationary increase. Could I ask Mrs. Malazo are we bringing back the right township please? Are we bringing it back? Is that what you
018said? Yeah. Um so that is a board discussion. um with myself. It's a possibility. It would be a discussion that I'd have to have with the board. Okay. I mean to I read in the PA homepage today that you said safety, you know, the students come first. Uh wouldn't that prioritize things having an added addition with the police back? I mean, I don't know if you guys are watching the news lately, all the uh things occurring at sporting events. Maybe it would help to have the right township police back. I'm I am happy to share. I don't know if we've shared this publicly or not. One of the grants that we were awarded, the PCCD grant, um we were adding additional um security to our elementarymentaries this year. Um fully grant funded. Also, we added
019additional security here on campus during the day. So, we have two here at the secondary campus, which we've never had. Um and now we have we call it one and a half for each of the elementarymentaries. Um which again, I'm happy to say through grant funded we were able to do that. So, don't you think it's a big difference having I don't want to label them, I guess, rena cops or security versus, you know, trained professionals that could, you know, they know the community, they know what's going on. If they're at a game and they see something, somebody that's not supposed to be there or I I mean, if you're if you're saying you're putting the students first, why why don't we bring them back? I don't think Are you talking about at games? Just
020a couple games, whatever. Yeah. I mean, I see him here for the uh dismissal, but that's about it anymore. I ran into an officer at a wrestling meet. I said, "I didn't know you guys were back." He said, "I'm not. I just happen to stop in." But do do you agree? I mean, do you think Well, I think they're two different topics. That's why I asked. And I know we discussed in I mean, it's okay to have security, but adding the police is a different factor. I I get a little there's reasons we chose what we chose, which I don't always like talking safety in public for different reasons, especially I Yeah. Okay. All right. Mr. Web is agreeing with me. Okay. So, so there were reasons and it was discussed at length. It wasn't
021like something we just How long did that relationship when it ended? How long did that go back? Mr. Ben, you're the historian of Mountaintop. Do you know like that one? I don't know. I don't know how long. several years. I guess safe to say years. Yes. And all of a sudden we just ended it and those guys are gone and you know we don't have that relationship anymore. I talked to Miss McCertie the other night. She seemed to think that the security was fine, but I I don't. In today's world, we don't know. You could assume something's never going to happen, but I mean, having that, you know, added security, I think that would uh make a big difference for our students and and the people that go to these sporting events. Any comment on
022uh Mr. Webbby thinking about bringing them back? Maybe being that this is a security issue, it's not for it's not something we should talk about in public. Uh there are aspects we in the paper. I mean you could read it in the paper. Does that make it right? I'm just saying but the fact is when it comes to a a safety and security interface especially when it comes to law enforcement versus security it's something we shouldn't discuss in public. Now we have had discussions on it. Well how do we know that as a public? Like I I got to read minds. I mean how how are we supposed to know as you understand the challenge right? You you understand why we wouldn't discuss these kind of things in public right? I mean, you discussed your
023uh emergency plan with the news media. Emergency plan for when we evacuated the district uh when those threats were taking place. I'm not did you not that discussion? Did that happen after the event occurred? I'm not really sure what you're referring to, but when they evacuated with all those threats from uh wherever they were from beginning or whatever years ago. Okay. Yes, I did communicate in through a internal platform called Blackboard to our community because as things were happening, you don't have to explain. No, no, I think I should because but then I can't control when I send a text through the Blackboard or an email, this is what's going on and then someone takes that and then post it on social media, which is not what we want to happen. That's a security situation
024that I think that we're trying to avoid here. um you know to the conversation with that. Well, I'm I'm not going to mention what happened, but you know, for security reasons, but when's this discussion going to take place about the right township police or is it not I I don't know why you're smirking. I mean, this is the reason I keep I keep saying this, right? So, one of the big focuses that I do have is security. Okay. There are aspects we've discussed in regards to that situation. Is it a money issue? So, no. Or does it have something to do with the lawsuit that's going on with Mr. Macker? Am I missing? You don't read the papers? I mean, so that's not something that we've discussed. I I don't know why they're not here
025anymore. That's what I'm asking. And we have a new budget. If it was a money issue, maybe we have the money now. Anybody have anything, Mr. Nard? Yeah, I do. I have no clue what you're talking about. And no, I don't. You're a board member. You don't even know that the Wright Township Police. I know. I know that. Well, I know you've been in and out appointed. What I don't know is what is your issue? The board has made a decision. Whatever they made, they made they discussed it in depth. A decision was made with board oversight, administration, administers. What are you alluding to? We have a police force that we live in this uh community, the right township. They are no longer a part of Crestwood. They cannot work the games or dances, whatever,
026because we have security now. Okay, that is my issue. An entity made a decision to go that route. Well, maybe the entity could rethink things in the order of safety for our our students. No, you don't think you don't think that was You don't think that was taken under consideration? I don't know because you don't talk about it. You don't talk about it in public for the exact reason that I understand why you would end a relationship that went I don't know 20 30 years all of a sudden we don't want them anymore. I think that we we recognize that we had an increased security need at one point and that as wonderful as Wright Township Police are and we value them, they did not have the manpower and the flexibility that we may have
027needed at the time. And uh that I think that was part of any decision. That's not what I was told. I can't speak to what you can we bring them in. Can we bring Chief Royce in one day and see what he has to say? I don't know if that's appropriate, but All right. Well, you know, something happened is free to speak up on this table up here on YouTube because, you know, these are people that are in charge of our students. So, if something happens and you guys didn't want the police, you're satisfied with uh, you know, rental security. So be it. Any other non-aggenda items? David Green, Blue Ridge Trail. Going back to what you were discussing earlier with Dolores about the children being transported to CTC and everything, was the money for
028the transportation factored into a budget or is this just going to be a supplemental that we don't know about? Um, are you referring to the students from the CTC? Are you you're talking about the program that at LCC? Yeah. Okay. that is actually part of a grant that um president the LCC president UDA had received and he is providing transportation to those students with that grant. Okay. And I do hope that that federal money continues to come and uh grants are going to be available to continue near that. Okay. I was just wondering if the money was going to be added on at a later date that or what? No. Thank you. I mean, I can't speak to the future, but right now, as things stand, we have that all covered. Thank you. Can I
029ask one more question, please? I noticed that uh when bids are put out and uh contractor is awarded uh it's always uh not all of the bids are publicized and the amounts of the bids like say a bid comes in for uh one company A says $1,000 B says 2003 three, why why other districts do it? Why don't we? So, um they were publicly bid. They are shared in the newspaper. Um we are required to do that. Um all of our projects have been in the newspaper. And the way that it goes, you have to have it in three different weeks consecutively. Um and these last couple bids, they were on pen bid or con uh construct connect. Um, and I believe there's one other platform that they do and they actually on those sites
030post exactly what you're saying. So, um, the district does not do that, but they are publicly bid shared, um, all that information. Thank you. You're welcome. Any other non-aggenda items? Seeing none, girls basketball. So, um, also on here, we're kind of skipping around on the agenda. We wanted to make sure, uh, coach, are we all here or are we Oh, okay. Um, so we are here to recognize our Crestwood High School uh, varsity girls basketball team and coaches. And I put something together um to highlight them and honor them today. So, I'm going to read this um to all of you. Uh tonight is my honor to recognize an extraordinary group of student athletes and coaches, our Comets, our ver uh varsity girls basketball team for a truly historic season. This team became the first
031in school history to win the PIAA District 2 title in girls basketball and they advanced all the way to the PIAA state final four. History of the girls basketball pro program started in 1968 1969 and this achievement came by defeating some strong teams from Harrisburg Allentown in the Philadelphia suburbs. This girls basketball team is now the fourth program in at Crestwood to advance to the PIAA state semifinals or further joining our football program, our boys lacrosse program and our field hockey program. But your accomplishments don't stop on the court. These are student athletes. They are leaders in their classroom. They are active in the community and they serve as positive role models for younger students. Your commitment to excellent in all areas of life is truly inspiring. I want to give a special congratulations to
032the two seniors, Kendall Petroski. Is she here? There she is. And Katie Gallagher. There we are. um for your leadership and your legacy. So, behind every great team, there's great leadership. Our girls basketball coaches have been the steady force driving this historic season. You've instilled discipline, teamwork, confidence in every single player. Their passion and commitment have helped shaped not just a winning team, but a lasting legacy filled with countless memories. This is a young talented team from what I'm told and the future is incredibly bright. Together I'd like to announce that you are all soaring comets and I have your t-shirts here to present to you um and to the entire team. So because together you did this, you set goals, you continue to set those goals and you soared your way to history. So,
033congratulations student athletes, coaches, families, friends, community supporters. Once again, here's your PIAA District 2 champions and girls basketball. We're very proud of you. So, if you all want to come up front here, wear your They wore their medals, right? They have a plaque. So, come up here. Line up. I have them. All right. Face that way so everybody can see you. So if you are here, um, so I'm No, you're okay. No, you're fine. You just line up. So I'm going to name the the player name and uh your number. So we have Kendall Petroski, number 11, and senior. We have Katie Gallagher, senior number 22. Jordan Andrews number 14, Kira Darity number 33, Charlie Hiller number 10, Jackie Gallagher number [Applause] 13, Cameron Vienna, number five, Emily Stafco, did I say that right? Stafco
034number 30, Nora Saroski. Number 25, Cecilia Stalenecker. Number two, Ariana Kaichek. Number three, Emily Wida. Number 24, Addison Krupsk. Did I say that right? Capuzzik, sorry. Number four, Mia Manowski. Number [Applause] 20, Anika Leno. Number 15, Ella Sorber. Number one, Sydney Vanusen. Number 21, Abby Krepka, team manager. number 45 and Katie Green, team manager number 31. So, I just, you know, we all get to see, and it's okay, don't move. Um, we we often get to see our elementary students with their soaring comments. Um, I don't think you've ever seen um our secondary campus, so this is first in history. Um, so I'm going to present you all with your t-shirts. Um, I believe I have two that are backtoback. So, their t-shirts, we can show you those. They say backtoback on that. Um, but
035congratulations to all of you and we'll give you all those shirts then. You're welcome. picture. Thank you. last words. It was It's cute. Let them drink. All right. So, I'm not surprised. She did not. You're back to back-shirt. Okay, we'll move into the voting meeting. Roll call, please. Miss Bibla, here. Mr. Champy here. Miss Chauri Zaguric here. Mr. Webbby here. Mrs. McCertie here. Mrs. Campbell here. Mr. Nerdone here. Mr. Boom. Mr. McCary. Seven members present. I'll be seeking approval of the March treasur report. I so move. Second. Mrs. Bibla. Yes. Mrs. Ch. Uh, Mr. Champy. Sorry. Yes. Mrs. Chaitra Agoric. Yes, Mr. Wbby. Yes, Mrs. McCertie. Yes, Mrs. Campbell. Yes, Mr. Nordon. Yes. Motion carried. I'll be seeking approval of the minutes of the regular school board meeting from March 20th, 2025. I so move.
036Second. All in favor? I I financial planning, Mr. Nardone. I'll make a motion and seek a second for items one through seven. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you. Mrs. Bibla, yes. Mr. Champy, yes. Mrs. Choric, yes. Mr. Webbby, yes. Mrs. McCertie, yes. Mrs. Campbell, yes. Mr. Nardon, yes. Motion carried. Transportation committee. Mrs. McCertie. I make a motion and seek a second for item number one. Second. Mrs. Babla. Yes. Mr. Champy. Yes. Mrs. Chaittor Zagoric. Yes. Mr. Webbby. Yes. Mrs. McCertie. Yes. Mrs. Campbell. Yes. Mr. Nordome. Yes. Motion carried. Policy committee. Mrs. Trader Tagaric. I make a motion to approve item number one under the policy committee. Seeking a second. Second. Mrs. Bibla. Yes. Mr. Champy. Yes. Mrs. Chaitoric. Yes. Mr. Mr. Webbby. Yes. Mr. Mrs. McCertie. Yes. Mrs. Campbell. Yes. Mr. Nordell. Yes.
037Motion carried. Human resources. I'll be seeking approval of items 1 through 13. I so move. Second. Mrs. Bibla. I recuse myself. Oh, no. Not on this one. Sorry. Not on. Yes. Mr. Champy. Yes. Mrs. Chait agoric. Yes. Mr. Webbby, yes. Mrs. McCertie, yes. Mrs. Campbell, yes. Mr. Nardone, yes. Motion carried. Academic programs. Mr. Champy. I am seeking approval and a second for items one and two in the academic programs. Second. Second. Mrs. Bibla. Yes. Mr. Champion. Yes. Mrs. Torres. Yes. Mr. Webbby. Yes. Mrs. McCertie. Yes. Mrs. Campbell. Yes. Mr. Nardone. Yes. Motion carry. Um before you continue, I just want to thank Denise Weise um under number 2D. Um she did her uh case classes at Proono. So, thank you to her. Um and she's one of the the board members that we meet all
038the time at Case and they're doing a wonderful job. But again, I just want to thank them um for that proono work. co-curricular. Mrs. Campbell. Thank you. Um, I make a motion uh to approve items one through four. If I could have a second. Mrs. Baba, I recuse myself on 3C. Yes. To the rest. Mr. Champy. Yes. Mrs. Chauragic. Yes. Mr. Webbby. Yes. Mrs. Mccertie, yes. Mrs. Campbell, yes. Mr. Nerdon, yes. Motion carry. Physical plant. Mr. Webbby. I make a motion seek a second for approval on item number one. Second. Mrs. Bibla. Yes. Mr. Champy. Yes. Mrs. Chaittori. Yes. Mr. Webbby. Yes. Mrs. McCertie. Yes, Ms. Campbell. Yes. And Mr. Nord? Yes. Motion carried. The next scheduled um committee meeting is on Thursday, May 8th, 2025, which will be held at the secondary campus at
0394 p.m. The next scheduled regular board meeting is on Thursday, May 15, 2025, which will be held at the secondary campus at 6:30. Motion to adjurnn. Motion. Second. All in favor? I I