Regular Board Meeting

001Mhm. >> Okay, thank you everyone for coming out and being patient. We apologize. We needed to discuss some issues in executive session. So again, thank you for being patient. If we could have everyone please ride rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, Mrs. Ramirez, you have roll call. And do we have Mr. Whitman on? Okay, recognize that we have Mr. Whitman online with Zoom for the meeting. Hello. Good evening, Mr. Whitman. Okay, next we have superintendent's report. Okay, good evening, everyone. So, I'm going to start with looks like we have a handful of kids here who probably need signatures for their government class. If

002you have it and Jenna, if you don't mind sharing that out to the hallway. If um if you don't already have your signatures at the end of the day at the end of the night, anyone here at the table is happy to sign them for you. Or you can see Mr. Geiger, he'll he also can sign some of them. And then I'm presuming by looking at some of the audience, we also have some some friends here to honor our guests that are being honored tonight. So, welcome to everyone um this evening. I am going to start out. I was going to try to rearrange my my conversation a little bit, but I'm I'm going to go in order. So, um cuz it makes a little bit more sense. So, um so I'm going to start

003with just a little explanation about some of the things that happened this week with with um BoardDocs, which is our agenda um host for our public agenda. So, um So, really I I like to acknowledge that there was an issue with our public-facing board agenda, which is called BoardDocs or Diligent. And why I am mentioning this is because you received a phone call and an email at your home to say about two agenda items that did not make it to the agenda because our BoardDoc um host had a a nationwide shutdown in the middle of building the agenda and again today. And so, per the Sunshine Act, our regulations have us have all agenda items on within 20 prior to 24 hours before the meeting. You received as a public notice of those items via

004our phone chain and email system, but you didn't see the agenda with them posted because our um our system was down or the the national system was down. So, uh just to put some clarity to that as we move forward, our solicitor may stop as we get to one of the items that are added and give us directive on how to add that officially onto the document for this evening and then proceed with a vote. The two items, just so you are aware, that were added without you being able to see the agenda, one is um let me see. It is under our personnel section and it's regarding the uh hiring of a coach. And the first coach that is in that agenda item is Tim Hall. That's the item that you were not able

005to see on the agenda. Mr. Hall is being added to the agenda as he stepped in to um offer his support as the interim uh junior varsity girls lacrosse coach while we were doing a lacrosse coach search. And so, the item that is on there is to pay him for the season that he um committed to us, which is coming to a close in the next couple of days. So, we wanted to make sure that he was compensated for his efforts since he went out of his way to be supportive of the district. The second item that is on there that will bar up a little bit more uh conversation from our solicitor and how it gets added officially and then voted on is under the um budget and finance section and it is related

006to the FY24 committed fund balance. That is a recommendation to correct uh the fund balance as it was related to the '23 audit that we are doing. That is an item that has to be corrected for the audit to go through. Um and basically what that is talking about is um you know, our fund balance is made up of of several different tiers of allowances. And what we have to do is make sure that all our fund balance um is appropriately indicating what was spent on the budget to to balance our budget in that given year. One of the things that came into play is that over a course of a number of years, it was found that we didn't um give the public library the appropriate portion of their tax collection. And so, there's

007about a $1.2 million um uh return on on funds to the public library that has to be calculated into that fund balance of that given year. So, again, a little bit complicated, but it'll go into more discussion if necessary as we get to that item, but wanted to be very transparent about that as to why that communication came out to you and why you may be hearing and seeing some things for the first time. The other thing that I will share is that this is a pretty typical agenda uh with all things that were very um clearly defined and explained during our standing committee meeting, but our board, who is a board of volunteers, are faced with three agenda items that um you know, are heavier for them to think about and decide on um

008and also have fiscal um have fiscal ramifications um depending on how those votes go. And so just to share that forward so you have an appreciation for the decisions that that our board need to make. One of those items is the expansion of the project at CIT that obviously has fis- fiscal implications and we are one of five districts that need to vote on that. And so that'll be an agenda item that our board is voting on this evening. One is our proposed final budget or you see it on the agenda as preliminary budget. That is another big item for our for our school board to consider because as we did Excuse me, as we did last year, we are recommending a 3.5 tax increase. >> [cough] >> Excuse me, with 1.5 of that being

009dedicated to the uh new high school project. And that is uh you know, a conversation and commitment that we've had with our board members and our financial um advisory around the strategy for paying for the high school, but that again is not a decision anyone of our board members will make lightly and certainly our recommendation is to move forward on the three items I'm going to mention, but each one of our board members um has to make their own vote as as they feel fit and we certainly respect that that decision making. And then the third one that comes right in tandem with the proposed final budget is the awarding of bids for our high school project. Um you know, that too means that we're moving forward and it means that we're committing the funds

010to build that high school. So those three items are uh you know, just for our students' benefit and those in the public, those are difficult decisions for our board and we certainly respect however that vote comes out um because they have fif- you know, financial ramifications for everyone in our community. And so uh just wanted to be transparent about that and provide a little information for our students as you hear that. Um I do have a number of items that I want to just kind of share and brag about for a moment and then uh we'll get to our guest tonight because that's our super exciting um opportunity to share with some s- um good news with some folks that have connections here in our district. But first I want to share that um our

011robotics team went to the Champion competition last weekend at Lehigh. They were one of approximately 70 75 schools that were there. Um and they did exceptionally well. While they didn't rank as high as they would have liked to, um they had, you know, an abundance of fun. They you know, showed a ton of camaraderie, of collaboration. They had a mishap with one of their robots that they were able to problem solve through and they did have a defender robot that was fierce and uh well respected by all their competitors. So just want to give them a congratulations. I was able to get out and spend a little bit of time with them and it was certainly a sight to see and they should all be very proud of the work that they have done um

012even to get there. So that was a great job on them. Some of you may uh remember the the Giant Feeding School campaign. Mrs. Sayago mentioned that you know, relatively often here in our meetings reminding folks to contribute as you go to the grocery store. Well, we um had an opportunity to meet with the Giant and receive um the ceremonial check for that. And so the fundraising on behalf of our district and people who shop at the Forks Giant and the generosity of the Giant has raised $8,441.74. Um that will predominantly go back to Paxinosa Family Connection to share out district-wide for our food pantries, our book bag projects, um any of our food insecurity projects that we're working on. So um you know, as that check comes in, we'll certainly distribute it accordingly. But

013we do >> [cough] >> Excuse me, want to thank the um Giant for their generosity in giving. The third thing I want to mention is our our our teachers have their art show at the Palmer Park Mall underway. Uh again, had an opportunity to visit the first stage of that and that was a middle school and high school had their work on display uh last week. It actually comes down tonight. And then on the 30th, uh the elementary work goes up through May 6th. And so again, uh if you have the opportunity to head down to the Palmer Mall, you'll have um a nice moment to be able to marvel at the work and the talents of our young our young folks at both uh now it'll be the elementary school, but previously our high

014school and middle school. Really some remarkable work there. Um want to give a shout out to our food department and our middle school. If you may or may not have heard about something called the Governor's School Breakfast Challenge, Easton Middle School in particular was one school out of I believe it was 27 across the state who participated in the competition or at least ranked within the competition. Excuse me. >> [clears throat] >> And so just want to share the Easton Area School District competed in the Governor's School Breakfast Challenge in their middle school level. We When participating in the challenge, the school implemented a breakfast-after-the-bell option reaching students who were either late or re- re- arrived at school and did not choose to pick up their breakfast um as they arrived. This option gave them

015an option to pick up their breakfast after the bell sounded and um have that within their their home room first period time. On the first day of the of the project, only 12 kids participated, but as a few weeks went on, there was 170 to 170 s- 75 students who participated in that grab-and-go on a daily basis. Uh Mr. Matthew Martinez, our district food service uh director for Wilsons, said that the principal and the teachers at the middle school were extremely supportive of the program um and in fact contributed to the success in allowing the students to receive their lunch after the scheduled time. So congratulations to Wilsons and our middle school for that. And then the final um quick announcement here or shout out is to our high school. I received a message that

016Easton Area High School earned sixth place in the Spring 2026 Personal Budgeting Challenge. Um as was written to Mr. Geiger, myself, and Mr. Marek, Easton Area High School has earned sixth place in the Spring Personal Budgeting Challenge. This is a meaningful accomplishment that reflects something deeper than just a strong strong result results. It shows that students are developing real-world financial skills, learning how to make decisions, manage manage decisions, tradeoffs uh tradeoffs for the decisions they make, and think critically about money and the ways it impacts the rest of their life. Programs like this work because they move beyond worksheets into experimental learning. Students aren't just learning about budgeting, they are doing it. They're making choices, adjusting their choices, and seeing the outcomes. Um and as just as important as important as that, um it doesn't

017happen without great teachers. And so again, they like to recognize Beth Klein and her leadership in the classroom in this critical as as critical part of the success of this program. So again, congratulations to our high school students who participated in the budgeting challenge. I'm going to take a pause in my um you know, shout outs and announcements to move into our recognitions. As we do each month, we have um some individuals here in our audience who are being recognized as part of our profile of a graduate work. Our profile of a graduate is the work that was underway three, four years now in setting the goals that are soft skills for our students. So outside of the curriculum base, what are those soft skills around communication, collaboration, uh problem solving and the like. And

018the opportunity was put forth to the staff and the community to recognize individuals that are either current employees, current um uh current employees or alumni of our of our district to be recognized as epitomizing those skills that we're hoping our students learn along the way. So the first person we'd like to recognize this evening is Ms. Pre- Preethi Jayant. So congratulations, Preethi. >> [applause] >> Pardon me for 1 second. I'm fighting a little cold, so I apologize. And Preethi is a school counselor and the coordinator for Easton Area School District. And she is being recognized tonight for exemplifying the profile of a graduate um comp- uh competencies through her leadership and daily practice. As a coordinator, she consistently demonstrates poise, patience, and a grounded sense of direction. Qualities that foster a supportive and forward-thinking environment

019for both students and staff. Her ability to navigate complex sit- situations with a calm uh with calmness and clarity reflects her strength as an effective communicator, an effective collaborator, and in ensuring that all voices are heard and valued. Uh [snorts] Ms. Jayant's work work extends beyond the school walls as she goes out of her way to build meaningful partnerships with community organizations and human support agencies. Through those connections, she brings valuable resources into our schools to better support both students and staff reinforcing culture rooted in trust, equity, and access. Her commitment to collaboration ensures that students are surrounded by a network of of support that promotes both academic success and overall well-being. Beyond her direction in uh direction imp- Excuse me, bri- beyond her direct impact on students, Ms. Jayant serves as a model of

020leadership among her colleagues. She embodies a belief that true leadership is not about authority, but about empowerment, encouraging others to take initiative, share ideas, and grow professionally. As a forward thinker, she consistently challenges those around her to do more for students, pushing the systems to greater impact and opportunity. Her influence inspires others to strive for excellence and to lead with purpose, making her truly a deserving recipient of this recognition. So, Preethi, we thank you. >> [applause] >> We thank you for all that you do on behalf of our district, for our students and our staff, and certainly have been a long-term staple of our school community and guidance department here in the district. And with that, we'd like to offer you a certificate of recognition and thank you for all the work that you do

021here in our district. >> [applause] >> You don't have to, but if she would like to speak >> [laughter] >> So, So, for the rest of you guys, if she wishes to say a word or two, she's welcome to. I put her on the spot. So, our other two recipients have a a fair warning. [laughter] I'll say a couple lines. I mean, I've been in this district for 19 years, and I am a school counselor. The students make it really easy because they're the foundation of what I do, and I'm always excited about finding better ways to impact others, and so this means a lot to me. So, thank you. >> [applause] >> And I know we have a whoop they made their way they made their way into the door. I was going to

022say I know we have a few of Preethi's friends out in the hallway, but they made it in. So, thank you for coming out and support. That means a lot. Okay. Our next recipient is Mr. Josh Cole. Mr. Josh Cole >> [applause] >> Easton Area Middle School math teacher. Our profile of a graduate emphasizes the importance of being an empathetic collaborator. While many see Mr. Cole >> [clears throat] >> as a dedicated educator who lights up the classroom with energy and soul, former student Jake Galash remembers him something as something much more, a lifeline. During a period of intense personal trauma and family instability, Jake found Mr. Cole not not just as a teacher, but as a brother and a father figure who provided stability and grace he desperately needed to navigate his junior and

023senior year. Mr. Cole impact Mr. Cole's impact is defined by his empathy and his ability to look past students' outward actions to see the struggle beneath. Jake recalls how Mr. Cole would allow him the grace to rest when he was overwhelmed by life at home life at home. Then sit with him one-on-one to ensure he never fell behind. By refusing to let Jake fail and pushing him to be a better to be better than he believed he could be, Mr. Cole modeled the exact traits of leadership and accountability we hope to instill in our in every graduate. The lessons learned in Mr. Cole's class have a way of had had a way of sticking with Jake, who went on to become a district sales trainer frequent who frequently shares the story of Mr. Cole with

024his own trainees across the northeast. He specifically remembers a day in in-school suspension when Mr. Cole shared a Warren Buffett quote that changed his trajectory. The greatest investment you can make is in yourself. It was It was this belief that was worthy that that he was worthy investment that allowed Jake to transform his life. We are honored to have educator like Mr. Cole who understands that teaching is about more than delivering curriculum. It is about being human being who leads with who leads with heart and leads into our future. Thank you to Mr. Cole for showing our students that no matter their circumstances, they have the power to invest in themselves. So, congratulations to you, JOSH. >> [applause] >> I DON'T KNOW IF JAKE IS IN THE AUDIENCE, BUT but congratulations. We are again super

025excited to have you as part of our staff and a dedicated individual to our students. And if you would wish to say a few words, you're welcome to. >> [laughter] >> I I had a lot to say, but now I'm getting choked up. That's bad, but I appreciate the nomination, especially being nominated and recognized on the same day as Preethi. What an amazing individual she is. This really a award could have gone out to so many that I work with at the middle school that have made me a better [clears throat] person. Each and every day they bring a smile to my face, including wifey over there. >> [laughter] >> She's going to film me right now, but it's the people that I find that around me pick me up even when I'm low and

026make me the best person I can be. Working with kids each day gives me like such pleasure and fills me with happiness. It's just amazing to be honored amongst you up here. So, I appreciate it, everybody. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> [applause] >> AND LAST TODAY, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, an alumni recognition and a personal friend, we'd like to congratulate Miss Dr. Bridget O'Connell, who is the superintendent of Palisades and an Easton graduate. So, CONGRATULATIONS TO BRIDGET. >> [applause] >> DR. BRIDGET O'CONNELL IS A AS A PROUD alumni of Easton Area School District whose athletic and academic athletic, academic, and professional achievements reflect the values of Easton Area School District profile of a graduate. Her journey from Easton's from Easton as a student athlete to nationally recognized educator and leader highlighted the last highlights the

027lasting impact an Easton Area education rooted in excellence, leadership, and community commitment can have on an individual. As students in East as a student in Easton, Dr. O'Connell has demonstrated dedication and achievement both academically and athletically, earning induction into the Easton Area School District Wall of Fame in 2016. That recognition reflects the perseverance, discipline, and leadership that have continued to define the path of after her graduation. Dr. O'Connell currently serves as a superintendent of Palisades School District, where she leads district-wide efforts focused on academic excellence, student well-being, and strong community partnership. Her leadership is grounded in clear communication, collaboration, and thoughtful decision-making, ensuring that students are supported to grow as learners and individuals. In 2022, Dr. O'Connell was named Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year, recognized among hundreds of superintendents statewide for her student-centered leadership and

028ability to build meaningful connections across school communities. In addition to her superintendent role, she serves as an adjunct professor and contributes to regional and national boards, reflecting a strong commitment to continuous learning and civic responsibility. From her early achievements in Easton to her ongoing impact on public education, Bridget O'Donnell exemplifies the confidence, leadership, resilience, and community pride that Easton School District strives to instill in all of its graduates. As a personal note of appreciation to a dear friend and family that is extended friends, I congratulate you on this acknowledgement and wish you the best of luck. And we too have an acknowledgement CERTIFICATE FOR YOU. >> [applause] >> CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU. YOU ARE WELCOME. AND AGAIN, IF YOU want to say a few words, you are certainly welcome. So, [clears throat] just thank you for

029this nomination. I was absolutely honored and humbled to receive notification last week, and I absolutely made every effort to be here. I love Easton. My family knows I love Easton. My kids know I love Easton. And they're not Easton. We're living in Easton right now, so they hear that part of it and they don't know how much I love it. So, my parents are here. They are former Easton employees, so I want to thank them for all of their love and support. My son is here. I have outstanding friends and colleagues that are here tonight, and I just want to say thank you to my coaches at Easton. Clearly, I'm very >> [laughter] >> I got it. So, thank you to the teachers, faculty, staff at Easton. I am who I am because I went

030to Easton. I'm excited for all the students that are here. You're going to do great things, so I'm thrilled for you as well. I also want to thank the school board for recognizing your employees and alumni in this way. It's really special, and thank you for all you do as volunteers cuz you don't have easy jobs. So, thank you so much, AND GO ROVERS. >> [applause] >> SO, AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO PREETHI, JOSH, and Bridget. Well deserved. Last couple of shout-outs, just a reminder that well, actually today is school bus driver appreciation day, so congratulations and appreciation to all of our school bus drivers. This May 1st marks school principal appreciation day. May 3rd through 9th is teacher appreciation week, and May 6th is school nurse appreciation day. So, as you see these individuals through your

031travels, make sure you recognize them with a word of thanks for all that they do. And for those who are sitting here amongst us today, thank you for what you do both in the classrooms and leadership roles. So, thank you. And with that, that ends my report at this time. >> Correction, I had an item on the agenda and back off of the agenda and now apparently back on. So, we do have some students here tonight who are being recognized as National Honor recip- National Honor recipients that Mr. Geiger will work through that. I apologize for that. I know that you had a conflict with a choral rehearsal or instrumental rehearsal or something today. So, we didn't think you were coming per a com- communication I had with Mr. Valentine, but we're certainly thrilled that

032you could make it this evening. We would have made accommodations in May, but we're happy to have you. So, Mr. Geiger, if you want to proceed with that those recognitions, we'd greatly appreciate it. Yes. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. So, again, I have the honor to actually recognize two small groups of students from Easton Area High School tonight and I thank the board and Ms. Piazza for the opportunity to recognize these students. We have a distinct honor to recognize four exceptional students who have earned national distinction through the National Merit Scholarship Program. To provide some context, each year over 1.3 million high school students across the country take the PSAT National Merit Qualifying Test. To be recognized at any level is a significant academic milestone that places a student among the most capable

033in the nation. First, I would like to recognize our National Merit Commended Scholar Ariadne Adopoulos. >> [applause] >> Sorry, I thought you were behind me there for a minute. All right. Ariadne has placed among the top 50,000 scores in the country and being commended means she is recognized for being in the top 3% of all students nationally who took the exam. We are incredibly proud of her achievement and the way that she has represented Easton Area High School. Spoke with her today and her future plans are to attend Penn State University and major in computer computer science. >> [applause] >> Next, we are proud to celebrate three students who have reached the highest tier of this competition. These students have met the rigorous requirements to be to be named National Merit Finalist. Our three students

034are Alexander Jin, who I don't believe was able to be here this evening. Vidvath Niraj, who is the student who had the conflict this evening with the orchestra um practice. And then Sophia Fernandez Fernandez, who is with us here. >> [applause] >> So, Sophia is also our valedictorian for the class of 2026. So, congratulations. >> [applause] >> And I think we're letting the cat out of the bag now, but she is going to attend Yale University. >> [applause] >> To become a finalist, these students have scored in the top 1% nationally. They have also maintained consistently high academic records, earned a school recommendation, and demonstrated a commitment to their community through leadership and service. This is a rare and prestigious accomplishment that opens doors to scholarship opportunities and college placement. Achievements like these do not

035happen in a vacuum. They are results of students' intrinsic motivation, their families' unwavering support, and the dedication of student teachers who have challenged and guided them. These four students represent the academic excellence we strive for at Easton and their success is a point of pride for our school community. And it's absolutely amazing to have three of those students be finalists this year. So, congratulations to all of those students for that. >> [applause] >> Our next set of students, which I'm proud to recognize for a third year, are students who have taken part in the science fair. So, you'll probably recognize some of the names from the last couple of years that we have recognized these students. Our first student was unable to be here. He had a flight issue coming back from Florida, but he

036is Luca DeOrsi. He placed first in chemistry at the Lehigh Valley Science Fair and advanced to Del- Del Val competition as well. Interesting note, Luca DeOrsi is an exchange student with us from Italy and has only been here for a couple months, but jumped right into the science fair and has done an excellent job. Um >> [applause] >> 11th grade student Esteban Rodriguez Silva is kind of our founding father of the science fair. >> [applause] >> I mentioned that this is his third year that I had the opportunity to talk about him in front of the school board and mom reminded me that's actually his fourth year. He started in the middle school before he got to the high school. And Esteban has placed first in zoology at the Lehigh Valley Science Fair and advanced

037to Del Val as well. >> [applause] >> And then finally, but not least, Aleah Sales. >> [applause] >> She placed second in engineering at the Lehigh Valley Science Fair advancing to the Del Val Science Fair as well. And she also received some special awards as well. First place American Society of Civil Civil Engineers, second place American Society of Highway Engineers, and honorable mention Society of Women Engineers. >> [applause] >> And then finally, Aleah and Esteban, along with Sophia Rodriguez, who is a middle school student, are also our CSOs, our chief science officers. And this is a inaugural year for the CSOs. And they have Aleah has been selected to represent Northampton County in Harrisburg at the Capitol Complex, where she will interact with members of the State House in support of STEM in our schools.

038And she will also be attending a CSO cabinet meeting as well representing not only Easton, but Northampton County. So, congratulations. >> [applause] >> And I also want to recognize Mr. Brown, who is the fearless leader of CSO as well as our science fair. So, he is here with us tonight supporting our students. And congratulations to to him and all the students. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Geiger. Congratulations to all of our students recognized tonight. My apologies for missing it on our agenda, but I'm glad you were here and that we had the opportunity to recognize you and hear about the fabulous things that you're doing. Congratulations and keep up the great work. And with that, it ends my report. Okay. And mom in the back, you have the right to be proud.

039>> [laughter] >> All right. Next, I want to hand it over to our solicitor so he can cover more about the agenda items that we were discussing earlier. Sure. Right after we honor all these amazing people, I talk about super exciting agenda and methods. Protocols and methods, right? So, as [clears throat] Superintendent Piazza mentioned, item 7G needs to be amended to add Mr. Tim Hall and item 9F needs to be added to the agenda. So, the way this will work is the board needs to Madam President, if you'll entertain a motion from a board member specific to adding those two items to the agenda, the board can and then a second, they would deliberate on whether or not to add it. They would then vote to add it. And then when we do public comment

040later in the meeting, those items would also be subject to the public comment section. And then later in the meeting when the actual come up, you would be voting on the substance of the of the item. So, right now it would just be entertaining a motion to add Tim Hall to 7G and add item 9F. Okay. May I have a motion? Motion. May I have a second? Do I have any discussion or questions? Okay. And for everyone, all in favor of adding those items. Aye. Aye. >> [clears throat] >> Any opposed? Okay. And then Ally, within 24 hours of today's meeting, there will have to be a revised agenda that gets posted to the website and gets put up at the at the building administration. Okay. After all that [clears throat] excitement. Okay. Next, we'll

041move on to reports. Colonial Intermediate Unit 20, Mr. Snyder. Thank you, Mrs. Hasty. The excitement, of course, will continue. One thing to note uh under new business, I'll be making a motion to uh drop the ballot for the vote. Uh that we seem to have a conflicting information. The ballot at your desk is not the same as the ballot that's posted on BoardDocs. And frankly, I do not know who is up for renewal. So, we're going to we can just uh I'm going to ask for a motion just to remove that. And then we can do some research to see and then that could be put on the May agenda. It's not time sensitive. So, that will be done later. Uh we actually met twice since the last report was given. So, we met in

042March. I did send that March newsletter out on March 26th for the Colonial IU 20. Some notes of interest from that meeting. The audit determination letter came in and that was within compliance. So, uh some people are getting their audits done locally. That's good to see. And the Excellence in Education event dinner and recognition is coming up on May 7th. I believe if you're interested in going, you can still reserve it RSVP to that. I will be unable to attend. I have a final exam to give that very late afternoon cutting into dinner. So, I would miss miss half the event, so I'm not going to be able to go. As far as the April meeting which was just last week, I sent that newsletter to you on the 23rd. And then the board did

043approve the general operating budget. There are several budgets that the IU has to approve. That's the only one that they have to go out and float with the rest of the districts. There are several other budgets that are coming up that will be voting on within the next month or or before June 30th. And I believe that is all I have for the report. So, that concludes the IU 20. Thank you. Next we have the Easton Area Public Library. Thank you. My name is Keen Gebo. I'm on the Board of Directors of the Easton Area Public Library. And this is a report to the Easton Area School Board. Today the new air conditioning unit was installed at the main library. And the old chiller was safely removed from the roof. The construction crew from Trane

044has been working hard to put all the piping together. And the air conditioning should be ready to be turned on next week. Thank you to Ken Case, Mike from CHA, and the crew at Trane for expediting this project. The library welcomed fourth grade students from Palmer Elementary School for its annual tour of the library. In addition, Jennifer Long, the executive director, welcomed 12 students from Wilson High School's life skills special needs class to the library. Where she gave them a tour of the library in the Marx room. Many of these students reside in Easton. Although they attend Wilson High School. The Lehigh Valley Resource Sharing Group met last week for their annual meeting. The Resource Sharing Group is made up of the 25 libraries that are located in Lehigh, Carbon, Monroe, and Northampton counties. For

045the last year over 280,000 items were shared between the libraries to benefit library patrons for free in all of these communities. The Easton Library is proud is proud to be a member of this partnership. Anyone has any questions? Thank you. You. Okay. Thank you very much. Okay. Next, Career Institute of Technology. After Keegan. Oh, me. I don't think we had too much. Um Right now that we have the expansion project that's on for approval this evening. Um we had some students going to SkillsUSA for the final competitions. And um I don't know if I mentioned it before, but the culinary group did win again this year for the cupcakes in What's So Great About About Manufacturing. And um I think I had said before what's neat about that is they're the culinary group is actually

046more of a cooking not a baking, but they seem to continually win. So, um that's all I have for that. And I believe that under new business there's also a ballot for CIT that apparently has some conflicting dates on it. That Oh, that was in community college. That was community college. My apologies. Okay. Yep. Nope. That would be the next item. >> [laughter] >> Northampton Community [clears throat] College, I don't know if anyone is here. I didn't see Mr. Feanal. He does have the report attached. Okay. Next we have the Foundation for Schools, Miss Sayago. Thank you. The only thing to report tonight was that we did have to postpone our dance-a-thon. We do not have a rescheduled date yet, but I will keep the board updated on that. That's all I have from the

047foundation. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Charles Chrin Science and Technology Initiative, we have no report this evening. Next, we have Student Council, Jack. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. Everyone's still working on their fundraisers currently. The seniors have been working on prom, which is basically finalized and tickets are currently being sold online. It is set for May 16th. The track and field Special Olympics are coming up on April 30th at Liberty High School. And um we have a lot of volunteers going to that. AG is coming up on May 9th. EAHS day is also coming up in May. And voting for the king and queen is currently going on. The Academic Excellence ceremony to recognize the top 5% of the graduating class is taking place on May 27th. The exact board and senior student council

048are continuing to meet with the admin to iron out some details regarding graduation. Are there any questions? All right. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> Thank you, Jack. Next we have association reports. Mr. Quinn. It's uh it's nice that there's already been some celebration of teachers and educators. Uh we're we're on the eve of Teacher Appreciation Week. Um While Teacher's Appreciation Week officially began in 1984, uh it actually the genesis uh of the whole thing began in 1953 with Eleanor Roosevelt. Uh she was a big advocate of celebrating teachers. And it it seems really apropos to me because I always think of her um and think of the famous quote attributed to her. And it's no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. That idea um you know, that each individual controls their

049own sense of self-worth certainly resonates with me. And it's also uh you know, the tenant of good teaching and learning. So, here we are on [clears throat] the cusp of Teacher Appreciation Week. And I just like to remind people that it's May. It's no coincidence that this week of appreciation falls here. As teachers are probably on an empty tank at this stage of the year. My point? Show some love. Give some hugs. And appreciate all our teachers throughout not just the district, but everywhere. While they know their worth and haven't consented to feeling inferior, all teachers will need a pick-me-up as students start smelling the sweet scent of summer. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week next week. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Is there anyone from PTA or any other associations? Okay. Seeing none. Next we'll

050move on to public to be heard on agenda items. Is there anyone in the public who would like to be heard on agenda items? Okay. Seeing none. Executive session, Easton Area School District held the following executive sessions on March 24th um regarding contract and settlement. And April 14th regarding confidential personnel and student matters. Okay. Next we'll move on to approval of the minutes. I need a motion to approve the minutes of the following meetings. Standing Committee Meeting March 10th, Academics with Academics, Athletics, Budget and Finance, Buildings and Grounds, Safety Security, Educational Technology and Student Supports, Personnel Negotiations, Policy, and Property the regular board meeting of March 24th. >> [snorts and clears throat] >> Motion. Second. Any questions or discussion? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Okay. Next we'll move on to personnel. I will take

051A, B, C. See what we've got here. All right. Well, I guess we'll just go through them all here. All right. A, we have a retirement motion with regrets and best wishes to approve the following retirement as presented. B, motion to approve the following resignations as presented. C, motion to approve the following leave of absences as presented. D, motion to approve the following administrative transfer as presented. E, motion to approve the following voluntary transfer as presented. F, motion to elect the following support staff as presented pending receipt of all forms and documents required by the district. G, motion to elect the following coaches as presented pending receipt of all forms and documents required by the district. H, motion to elect the following volunteer coaches as presented pending receipt of all forms and documents required by

052the district. I, motion to approve the following changes to the contractual EPFED stipends as presented. J, motion to elect the following summer employees as presented pending receipt of all forms and documents required by the district. K, motion to approve the following support staff substitute as presented pending receipt of all forms and documents required by the district. L, motion to elect the following summer employees as presented pending receipt of all forms and documents required by the district. And that's it. I need a motion. Motion. Second. Any questions or discussion? What Question on L with your summer employees. It's just looking at the pay. They're um Are you able to re get the people get the amount of people you need to to help with with that or or is that something we need to to to

053reconsider um to help you out? Uh it can definitely be difficult at times. Um that's for sure. Okay, thank you. I I'd like to see uh if we can reconsider perhaps what that that rate should be. I don't know what other schools pay. We're to be competitive or how it works with what they're actually doing, but I I know that um it must be seems a little low to me. So, just just food for thought. That's it. Thank you. As an as a FYI, there is currently um some consideration in the House and the Senate to raise the minimum wage uh to $15 an hour for um non-salaried individuals. The debate right now that's kind of holding it is around wait staff wait staff who earn tips and what it how does that affect small

054businesses who may have to pay a higher salary as well as tips. And so, that certainly is being considered uh nationally um but with no decision at this time. Okay, any other questions or discussion? Okay, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Okay. Okay, we'll move on to academics. Uh A through D. A, motion to approve the 2026-2027 SREB agreement as presented. B, motion to approve the Ready Rover kickoff invoice as presented. C, motion to approve field trips as presented. And D, motion to approve the following conference requests as presented. Motion. Second. Any questions or discussion? I have a question on A. Is this new or is this This is our first year that we contracted with SREB where we have um um embedded coaching and consultation professional development. We uh primarily had it at sixth

055grade this year as well as provided professional development with all of our teachers and also our building leadership. Next year we're going to renew this contract and we're expanding it to grades um seven and eight and then also teachers who are teaching algebra one. And so, this is a part of our uh middle school school improvement plan as well as our high school school improvement plan as well. It is. Are other districts just popular around the area or are there districts or Yes. Just us? Yes. Um we um are familiar that this is happening um currently in the Bethlehem Area School District as well and I'm not sure if there's another district that um Jason Adair is also working in. But um certainly in the Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem and and Easton Area School District. Okay,

056thank you. Certainly. And that's predominantly [snorts] being paid through uh the grants from the school improvement Yes. So, um the middle school has specific um funding for their school improvement plan, which is being covered by that and then also um teaching and learning budget. Teaching and learning. Yeah. Uh funding from where? You said specific funding. But from the budget? It's not grant funding or anything like that. It is. Okay. Yes. Because the middle school is on uh the improvement tier that they're on, funding came along with that designation. Good. And so, the items uh within that contract that will serve the middle school can be paid through that contract and the items that will serve the high school would paid through our teaching and learn and learning budget. Okay, thank you. Sure. Okay, any other

057questions or discussion? All in favor? Aye. Any Any opposed? Uh to be considered I'll be in the I'll be a no on 8A again as I as it was last year and I'll be an aye on the rest. Okay, thank you. Okay, with that we'll move on to nine budget and finance. Um Okay, we have A. Motion to approve the financial matters as presented, the treasurer's report, general fund revenue and expenditure report, the monthly student activity statements for Easton Area Middle School and High School, the bill register regular and ACH, the general funds, special activities, capital projects, New EAHs and food service. We have B. Motion to approve the 2025 senior citizen property tax rebate program as presented. C, motion to approve the contracts with Interstate Gas Supply LLC dated 4/2/2026 for a period of

058two years from July 2026 to June 2028. We have D, CIT expansion project. Motion to approve the CIT expansion project as presented. We have E. Motion to approve the adoption of the EASD 2026-2027 preliminary budget as presented. And F. Motion to establish the committed fund balance as follows, capital 7.5 million, health insurance 3 million, tax stabilization 3 million, OPEB 3 million, and compensated absences 1 million. I did. I said preliminary. We want to clarify that that's actually proposed even though it says preliminary. Okay. I'm going Sure. So, um if I could Jack uh can you just confirm on I guess I'm on E. Sure, preliminary budget um refers to the proposed 2026-2027 budget. Okay, I need a motion. Motion. Second. Okay, questions or discussion? Uh yeah. Okay. My I think mine might be quick. Um

059Under the under the under the first one uh real quick. I I must have missed something when uh looking at the financial matters, uh one of the checks check 159606 dated the 1st of April for $50,000 for the Palmer Board of Supervisors escrow account. Um for an amount like [snorts] that I I I must have missed what that would be for. Could I get a quick I guess review of what that is or what that's for. I don't remember seeing anything about that anywhere else. Yeah, Brian. So, there's been a couple of escrow accounts set up for the the high school project. Um those are just some of those things that we need to pay in regard to um some of the studies that we need to do, some of the testing that has been

060done. Um and that was one of the things that's part of that that process itself um that we set that up in escrow and that's who we that it's towards Palmer Township. Brian, that was instituted by the township years ago. We had to set up an escrow had that money in escrow so we could pay they can make sure there's money there for their fees and Right. >> Right. Well, that's what I'm thinking. I think I remember with the the engineering studies with Palmer Elementary when Mhm. every month we were putting another 4,000 it seemed like into the escrow because the engineer did another study and said, "Oh, no good. Back to the drawing board. Here's my five Where's my five grand for my study?" Where we were back and [snorts] forth with that for

061you know. That's why the project cost 7 million more than originally budgeted. Yes. Yeah, okay. All right, I did I just was wondering cuz it was made out to Palmer Board of Supervisors as if you know, I am kind of a cranky person. I'm like, well, what is it what are they getting the is that a check for them for those uh five people 10 grand a piece? It's nice down payment, but it's not the case. That's what it looks like to me when I see it. It says Palmer Board of Supervisors. So, it sounds like the explanation is sufficient. The other thing I I know I've mentioned this last year with the senior rebate program um and I don't remember what the explanation was, but but I mean, these numbers I just look at

062these numbers. I'm like, you're going to get give somebody $300 back or $250 back. I mean, I >> [laughter] >> I mean, do Does that come with the state is they can we up that number? Can we the income levels? You know, I income level of of under $35,000 and you're still going to get $250 back. It It's just I don't know. None of that seems right for what the property taxes are. I mean, I know what my property tax bill is and if they gave me 250 back, I'd take it, but I'd be like, and what's what am I going to do? Go go buy dinner for the family with that? I mean, come on. It It just seems it those numbers just don't seem right. It It seems like it's just kind of

063a you know, we'll throw you some change and hope you're happy kind of numbers. So, I don't know if anything could be done to to reevaluate this or if that comes from the state or or or we set that, but I believe those numbers come from the state from the Department of Revenue, but we can you know, I can get more information on that for you. >> [snorts] >> That's not a school district earlier. I think it's that. Okay. All right, I think that was it. I I know Mike had questions, so I don't want to >> [snorts] >> Those are the two that I had questions on. So, I have no more questions on those agenda items. >> I think a few years back, Brian, on that rebate, the district did go to the

064maximum that the state allows or offers, but there was also a question we were going to research if we can go over and above that if the board so chose. So, I don't know where that's at, but I think you can look at that. Um yeah, I have a couple questions on the finance reports. Um first of all, um or Jack, on the expenditures, uh I think we're missing some numbers on the total uh for for it says 193 million change on the expenditures, and I know the budget is over 200. I know the revenue said 213. So, and that's on the original budget, so that's what >> sure. Yeah, so the difference between the two, 114 million and 193 million, were the bond payments. The bond payments aren't included in that budget number right

065there of the 193 million. >> [snorts] >> Uh why is that? Uh So, we're moving uh different categories into different funds, so you know, if you look in the chart of accounts, the bonds could be under fund 40 to separate them away from the general fund. Just as we're moving towards moving special revenues out of fund 10 into fund 20 just to have better tracking of all those. But but they're on they're they're in there now under fund 11. >> [cough and clears throat] >> Um under fund 10. Right, they're still they're in the current budget. So, shouldn't they aren't they aren't they reported them on this report? I I'll look into that, but I do know that difference is the difference in the bond amounts >> Okay. and the the new high school construction.

066Okay. >> you add up our what we owe for our obligations for the bonds plus what we set aside for the new high school, that's the difference right there. Okay. I >> [snorts] >> I mean, I should be part of the the the total picture until you move them to to fund 40. Okay. I would think. Um the other thing, um there and I don't know what this is posted March I guess March 31st. Um [snorts] there's a lot of negatives in the available balances. And I don't know if things are need to be moved around or posted in the wrong areas, but there's a concern about those negatives already. You know, given the tight budget that we have. Sure. >> revenues. So, again, we're we're looking [snorts] into that, but we did identify an

067error that was occurring within our software system when we were attributing health care costs to employees' paychecks. That was also debiting from our financials. So, some of these we were paying our health care bills, but we were also being counted twice for the the cost on the employee paychecks. Um there is money that needs to be moved around. Some of that comes from we've been creating new accounts, trying to get things into the right accounts, so that's something we are currently looking through. But would we would we be able to get an updated report? >> Yes. On this? Absolutely. Okay. And so, should we table this until that's done? I'm not sure the negatives or does it matter? And that's like for for while we're talking about it, the the revenues kind of like the

068same thing only in the revenue end, and again, I don't know what's posted yet up until March, but um right now looking at the trend, um there's some concerning shortfalls in projected. I know we have a couple months left, um but the interim the the earned income tax, um you know, the the I mean, I know that comes in this time of year, the spring. Right. >> That's it. Yeah, so some of that hasn't been posted yet, but >> transfer of delinquents, uh charter reimbursement, plan plan con. Just want to make sure that um uh maybe if you could let us know uh what the projection is Sure. for the end of the year while we're trying to figure out what to do with with the >> I I can yeah, I can send a

069projection to the board tomorrow or or Thursday. Okay. So, you okay with still approving these reports as they are? Yes. Okay. Um on the budget. So, I I've talked with with Jack in the finance committee. Um I mean, Jack last year was Jack's first year doing the budget. Um we used to get a lot more detailed reports, and I was asking for at least 3 years, 4 years of kind of like a history of actual expenses, actual revenues versus the current year budget versus projected. And I did give I I just pulled this down from we always look at Bethlehem, so I pulled out Bethlehem's presentation, and they give like seven or eight columns. I certainly don't need all that, but I would like to see some kind of more detail and for comparisons, so

070we're not in a situation where I'm going to be talking about in a minute. Um I'd like to see that with the budget documents. Um on the budget document itself, um there's a number of validations, and a lot of them have to do with the the fund balance, but there's also schedules for indebtedness and cash and investments that um are left blank, and they're not uh included in the budget document. So, um I'm I'm concerned about that not being there. I mean, this is the proposed final. So, I I do have some concerns about them not being part of the document. And the the tax data it's page four in the budget document if anybody's following along. Um the tax data seems like the numbers are off a little bit. We did talk about the

071511, how it's different from uh this year to last year and the uh the property tax reduction doesn't come in until the final budget. I understand that. But um I just wanted to we we we need to have those. Now, and I'll speak to um the validation number 1550. I have a question out to the state, which I haven't heard back from yet because everything that's in the proposed final budget, the document that you have, reflects how it was entered in the previous years, but I'm getting an error, so I'm my question is why am I getting that error this year when it's uh been entered, you know, the same way the previous year. So, I am waiting a reply on that one. >> [snorts] >> Um the 2300, the state property tax, the the

072PDE amount says $0. That's a a field that I can't edit in the budget software. Yeah, that'll come out as one too. >> Yeah, so that that's where that error's from, and then Mike [snorts] and I spoke, but the validation number 1920, that was because last year we had the TIF, and we accounted that as a as a flat rate, uh if you remember, the $7 million because we weren't sure what that was going to do to the assessed values. This year it's back down to zero because the TIF is now accounted for in the assessed values. So, it's showing a change for the validation number 1920, but that's just to return it to the level that it always is in the budget. Last year was a special situation. Um [snorts] the rest of them,

073I can obviously, some of them are hard to get with our current, you know, audit [snorts] situation, but I can uh send the tables out to the board for those. I mean, it's uh typically, you would have the uh done um for this report, but at least we can put in you have the the documents for 2324. Right. At least we can put in in that and make a note of that with the state. >> Sure. Um Okay. Um the and then to some of those validations, and the biggest concern, of course, is the item that I've been talking about for a couple years, which is the fund balance. Um I don't know if I have enough copies if I'm just passing these around. You can take I'll take mine. I'm sure. So, um Jody,

074is it possible to put this up on the screen? Just a minute. I don't think so. >> [snorts] >> I I don't have any problems with it as far as this is everybody understands that this was Yeah, these are this came out about we got an email this afternoon. He has Jonathan's maybe you can let everybody know if there's any issues with that if anybody else in the work has any issues with that. I mean, I just to qualify, this is we got an email this afternoon talking about 2 years of audits. I mean, the 2324 audit uh updating the uh fund balance way back to 2324 um with the CFO's projection the CFO's projection for 2425. Um and this is something that that has been very concerning. I know we talked about it. I

075know uh we want to move on we want we want to move on, but I don't know that we have been in the famous word, transparent to the public, to the community. Uh we've been touting 2% tax increases, but since 20 21, we used $42 million of our reserves to balance our spending. And this is something that as we know, it's a it's been a thorn in everybody's side, but especially mine. Where we were we're talking about the high school, and then we're going to you know, so we're way financially overspend, we take all of our savings, and now we're going to maybe hold the the high school project hostage because we spent all of the reserves and all the savings to help boost that and not have to charge an extra percent and a

076half to the taxpayers on top of our general operating budget. So, I don't know if we don't have to I can send it to anybody I want. These are my documents. My numbers based on an email we got from the CFO. Um and I do believe that these are again the the first three columns are audited. The projecting for 24 25 was presented the projected deficit of 18 million for 24 25 was presented at a finance committee meeting uh by the CFO. And um if you look at that column after the 24 25 audit before we even get into this year um we are going to have a negative fund balance on these projections on these numbers. Um and again and I get back to the budget. You know, I know we did 1 year

077we did cuts and in retirement incentives and we saved some money, but I still think that we are spending I don't think we're spend we're spending year by year and I don't think we're planning for the future. We talked about building reserves. Some of us said, well, we just have to tax more. I don't agree with that. I actually believe that we should be doing more to curtail the expenses to build up on our own. And as far I don't the high school is absolutely needed. I have no doubt about that. We are so far into it. It would be it would be ridiculous to stop now. Nor I think it would not be cost it would be very cost prohibitive. And the fact of the matter is I would prefer that we reduce the

078our 2% and keep that 1%. I would also prefer if we could do two different tax rates and approve the high school money that we need to save for the next 4 years versus the operating budget. But at this point um you know, with with these numbers with the budget with an impending not only negative unassigned fund balance you have a $200 million plus organization and based on these numbers we have zero in our savings. We have zero in reserves. If anything happens if anything happens, we're borrowing. We're borrowing again. And I just think we need to do better and I think we should think about not going three and a half keeping the one and a half and reducing the two. I believe there's room. I know it's needs versus wants, but I'm going

079to say I would like to take make a motion to table this budget approval for tonight. We have time. We have until May 31st for the proposed final budget and I would like to ask the administration to go back and try to trim this budget. Right now based on this history and the [snorts] depletion of our savings over the last few years, I can't support this budget. So, Mike, I don't know if you gave this to our technology department. The only way The only way they can project that is if you gave it to them. Jonathan, I'll let you weigh in on that. >> waiting for the approval before um Sure. I mean, there's nothing there's there's no legality to it. It's it's uh it's a board member's uh part of his deliberation. So, if

080the the president wants to entertain it, it can certainly certainly be displayed, but by the same token all the board members that are part of the deliberation have it in front of them. So, I'm not sure it's necessary. Um Well, it's for the public, but that's okay. I can do it another way. And you know, this is my name's on these numbers. Um again, these are audited. The CFO sent the email with these numbers. And he also talked about that um negative And again, understand this is these are negatives over revenues. Not over this is it We spend over budget a lot more than that, but this is just over the projected revenues. So, I certainly have given our technology department permission to um to display that for a public public purview because quite frankly,

081I'm a little sick of the narrative about not being transparent. I think this First time I said that, Tracy. Just be fair. >> And just in general I I I think that in general this this administration has been as transparent as can be and and perhaps more so than uh administrations prior. So, uh we have been as honest We have been as honest as we can be about the budget and the rest of the operations of this district and I will go on record saying that every commitment that we said we would work towards in terms of having balanced budgets not taking from our fund balance, we have done that. Um is the portrait you know, pretty? Absolutely not. Is there a lot of work to be done? You know, absolutely. Um you know, we

082acknowledge that. We have always acknowledged that that yes, there has been a tremendous amount taken from the fund balance most of which was out of my control or this particular uh budgets, you know, personnel's control, but we are working towards rectifying that situation to the best of our ability. There are plenty plenty of examples such as our medical expenses where cost savings are happening with the work and due due diligence of this team sitting around the table and our teachers who are taking uh you know, uh you know, cuts in terms of materials and staffing through attrition. So, you know, I do think that we are doing you know, our due diligence. Can there you know, more be done? Of course more can be done and are we looking at that on a daily basis?

083Absolutely so. What I will you know, also share and and that's kind of why I started with my opening statements that there are three very challenging decisions on today's budget or on today's agenda [clears throat] and this is one of them. It is each one of your responsibility and right to vote however you so choose and that's not personal reflection nor do I take that personally. It's it's what you think is best. But I will say that the strategy that is employed in this agenda is the same one employed last year which came from a recommendation from members of our board as well as you know, our investment firm. So, um you know, if that's not the strategy that we want to continue with, that is a board decision, but is the strategy that was

084recommended to us that we heeded and move forward and that is our recommendation this evening. So, um Okay, I just want to answer just a couple things that when you talked about the previous administration, so you want to point it out. I don't want to go back and forth, but these numbers the fund balance was presented every year with the budgets with the audits. Um so, when we're talking about and I said you I know I've already acknowledged the fact for the 25 26 budget. The work done I acknowledge the the fact the work for the 26 27 proposed. What I'm asking is to do better on the other end. I'm not talking about I know we made a commitment to the high school. I'm not talking about that. I'm saying we can do better

085and plan for the future with the other with the general operating part of the budget. But as far as the projections and the numbers, I don't recall any public display or any public acknowledgement of those reserves taken out of the out of the savings after the budgets were done when the audits were done. It just happened to come out with the audit. And then these numbers are presented. There was no I won't use the word transparency, but there was no presentation when we talked about the 24 25 budget that was that was done by the the lady from PASBO. I sat there in this meeting. We approved a budget that was not even attached to the agenda item. We just approved the number and we approved the tax rate. And I said up at that

086that those numbers are not going to be they're not going to work. And we were told that they were and now we're looking at an 18 million dollar deficit. I'm just saying it. It's not an I told you so. We're saying we've been talking about it for 2 years and we're we kept moving along like we're doing and the last 2 years I'm going to say Tracy and I I'll say it again. I have acknowledged the work the retirement incentives the cuts. I get that. We just have to do better because doing what we're doing now it's not going to build our reserves. It's not going to help us for the future. Why are this this is absolutely killed our bond rating. And not only this, we are we're probably going to have to take

087out um bond insurance when we borrow which is going to add to it. So, I'm just saying there's there's a lot that we have to think more of and try to do more. Now, if you can't do it, you're the superintendent. That's your recommendation, but I think we [clears throat] should do more for for the taxpayers. So, I don't disagree that we can need to continue the work in the moving forward and continue to cut where we can and save money where we can. You know, absolutely agree with that and we've made that statement all along. I will say we have not had an audit since I have been in this seat and so that makes it a little bit you know, a little hard to talk about what those numbers are when we don't

088have audited numbers, but I am not um certainly not uh saying that what you're sharing here is not factual. There there certainly is some fact behind behind the issue of having depleted a fund balance over a course of some years. I will also you know, as is you know, well known, our district and every other have taken out of their fund balance going back quite some time into our into our past and so all that contributes to this, but yes, the two heavy hits happen to have been presumably in 23 24 and 24 25 neither of which we have audits yet and so the best that this administration can do is to keep an eye on the expenditures here within the district continue to make cuts where appropriate and bring in balanced you you balanced

089and better than balanced budgets which is what you're going to see for this year, the 25-26 and every year of moving forward as long as I'm in the seat. That has been my commitment and that's what I can do. I cannot rectify, you know, pieces that happened in the past. You know, I can only move it forward and and I hear what you're saying and appreciate those comments and will continue to look at every item as as we are currently as we move forward. >> Gina, excuse me, there's a page two on that. I think there is. Oh, there it is. No, at the bottom of it. Okay, sorry. Okay. [snorts] Yeah, there's the uh 42 million um with the unassigned and and everything else that went down. So, listen, guy, I've been saying this

090since I got on the board, before I got on the board, and we saw this trend. This is should not be a surprise to anybody. And I, you know, we have a month. I would like to um ask for a motion to table the budget for tonight and see if the administration can knock it down a percent or two or more or let, you know, something and try to do something, make the effort for the taxpayers. With with 1 and 1/2 um um my uh my opinion, that's to stay for the high school. We need that building. And it's not fair to the students or the community. We can't pull back now anyway. We're already probably $10 million into the spending for it now, not to mention uh most of the time these contracts for

091the professionals, if we pull back now, they're still owed the money. So, doesn't make any sense. Uh we we only need after this year, we only need three more years of that 1 and 1/2 percent to fully fund the project. So, um I would ask to for motion to table and and ask the administration to try to come back with some more suggestions or cuts. Yeah, just to follow up, Mike, the uh I don't have CHA in there, but we've already paid Alloy 5 5.8 million dollars already towards the high school project. So, with I didn't do the CHA numbers yet, which are lower, but you're probably looking at about 10 million. >> other fees too besides just those two. >> Yeah, but yeah, so there's there's 10 million in already that. So, it's just

092to put everyone in perspective with you know, the high school project, it's starting. It's it's it's rolling. As for tabling, I'm I'm indifferent to it. I mean, I'm I'm a no on the budget either way, like I have been for the past several years. So, um doesn't really matter as far as that. I'd like to see the numbers reduced, of course, um but you know, unless it's a zero unless it's a zero percent, like >> That's why I'm asking for a table. We have a month to give it a shot. You Yeah, I mean, you know, I'll if if that comes up and and we have to vote on a table, I'm not going to make the motion for a table myself cuz I know I'm ready to vote on the preliminary now as it

093is and the final as well. But, I'll leave that up to anyone else. If there's no motion to table, then we'll just continue on with the discussion as it naturally goes and if we're done with the discussion, we just move on with the business part. So, I just wanted to bring that up. I do appreciate Mr. Simidat, I do appreciate you do do giving me this and I do want to reiterate that we know Mike's been bringing this to our attention since before he uh even even took office. Um And basically, a lot of what he said was going to happen has pretty much pretty much come [snorts] true. Um he understands the budgeting and the finance a lot more than uh just about everybody at this table uh other than the people who maybe

094like Mr. Trent who work in the field uh and work in this. They they know. They communicate in their language, but uh I'm you know, just the way it's I'm inclined to believe Mike pretty much at any step of the way. You know, his criticism of of board, administration, fellow board members, um I think is I think is valid and I think he has grounds uh to stand on that. Whether somebody agrees with him or not is is really irrelevant because I believe he does have have strong standing to raise the concerns that he has brought. He has put through a lot of research. He's put through through some numbers for us. He's trying to every every step of the way, I think he's been trying to make this easier and easier for us to

095understand. Uh that's one thing I've noticed. So, that's uh that's my deliberation, my comment on that in public. So, I will uh silence to my capacity on to anyone else who wishes to continue or if we're going to move on with the business of voting. Oh, I was going to say uh just a point of order, is there an actual motion to table before the board? >> That's what I was getting to, but I I before we did that, I guess my my question to you was you're asking them to come back with better budgeting numbers is what you were asking for. >> I'm asking it >> [clears throat] >> I'm sorry, yeah. Just because I'm going to ask the tabling because and the reason I'm asking is so that other people understand what the

096reasoning is behind that as far as what you're looking for them to do because that would then take us to the May meeting and then in June would be it would have to be up and then in June we would vote for it. So, um just trying to make sure that everybody understands what you're looking for as it being tabled. Yeah, I mean, essentially, I'm asking for the administration to go back, do some more uh uh uh crunching with the numbers, for lack of a better term, come back with a lower rate. I mean, you know, you've heard out there the taxpayers, it's the the 3 and 1/2 percent, you hear it. Um come back with a a possible So, maybe not. Maybe they don't come back. And then we vote it in May and

097where where the votes go, they go, but we have time. So, I think it would be uh the least the the fairest thing to do is to try to go back and try to tighten this up a little more. Okay, so then can I you have a motion, do I have a second? I'll second it. You'll second it. Okay. Um I guess there's no discussion. No discussion on the motion to table. >> So, all right, so all in favor to table? I. >> I. You might have to I Okay. I. Ally, do you want to take roll? Mr. Davis? No. Mr. Greenfield? What what am I I'm sorry. This is a motion to table. Do I want to table this? >> So, you're voting yes if you want to table, no if you don't want

098to table. >> [snorts] >> Dr. Keegan? Yes. Mr. Fiago? No. Mr. Simidat? Yes. Mr. Snyder? Yes. Mr. Whitman? No. Ms. Sandra Dennis? No. Ms. Seth? Yes. If it's all right, Jody, I would just like to to speak to this as well. And did the motion succeed? Yes. So, [snorts and clears throat] obviously, yes, the the 2021-2020 2021-22-23 Are we missing any there or are the numbers the 23-24 will be that's that's from the document we have that'll be approved um in the upcoming meeting. Uh 24-25, we I we haven't started that audit yet, but again, from the numbers that we're looking at, we have a lot of cleanup to do. Um you know, uh my job as CFO, I'll support what the board comes back with as a percent increase, right? That's my job to

099work with whatever. Um I just think it needs [snorts] to be noted though that you know, we asked for an increase for summer workers, we asked for an increase to rebates. And if we don't increase the money we're bringing in, then that's coming from somewhere else in the school district. So, we'll we'll work with whatever needs to be be done there. But, um we'll definitely have a document prepared for the next meeting. Thank you. I agree, but then when I bring that up as far as the rebate for the summer workers or the uh the school the property tax rebate, uh I'm looking at the people who are uh you know, not six-figure income earners. You know, these are little down there a little bit more. So, I kind of help out the little guy,

100so to speak. So, that's where I'm looking at. I'm not looking for raises for administrators or anything like that. I'm looking for summer help for a teenager or college kid wants to, you know, save up his money to get him through the school year. And for the seniors who are obviously always getting uh hit and uh by our by our taxes. That's what I'm looking at. >> No, I can I completely understand that. It's just Yeah. No, I can completely understand. That was just because of the You know, right. I understand always mentioned here, but as it spreads across the budget, you know, salaries go up. Yeah. I mean, we were looking at Karen and I had a meeting for benefits today and, you know, the district has been successful in reducing their benefit costs.

101Over the previous 2 years, benefits rose over 30%. This year, we're at 8.8%. So, the work that we put in last year is being reflected now with additional work being done for the next year. You know, we're looking at staffing. We have reduced staff. Obviously, we know there's work to be done. We're doing work today on benefits. We're not going to stop at an e-print 8.8% increase, but there has been substantial work done. >> [snorts] >> Yeah, remind me again, what's This is a point of order. The The point of tabling a matter is that it's not subject any more debate. If our uh Madam Chairwoman, if the uh the intent is to reconsider this, I'd recommend that we take a motion to postpone consideration at the end of debate today. And then take it

102off the table for further consideration, then move to postpone with uh if the board would consider it. Yeah, I don't know how we're supposed to move forward at this point if we can't even talk about it and we've given administration actually zero direction. We're talking about cutting a huge amount of money from a 2% increase operating budget and I have no idea where that money will come from, but I certainly would want to give them direction about that and I would want to see pretty clearly where that money uh is in the budget now and that we're then cutting uh in a couple weeks so that the public is clear on what what we're no longer getting for 2%. What is a half a percent on average? Do you know? >> Again, this is a

103point of order. If we're still discussing this, we should take this off the table. So, I'll make a motion to untable this item for discussion. I will. Second. Yeah. Okay. So, for a point Sorry. For point of discussion, we are untabling. All in favor? Aye. >> Aye. >> [snorts] >> Any opposed? Yes. Opposed. We're untabling to put it back on the table again? To be able to discuss the budget. Is that what we're here for? That's a point of order where the if it if the they're still to be going on, it should still be before the board. And then yeah, they they I think the motion would be to Yeah. So, this is if it's before the body, it should not be a >> asked for more discussion when you got the first and

104second for the table and nobody said anything. Yeah. Cuz I don't want to table the budget. I want to vote on it. So, >> was it That's where the discussion was to occur. I said that. Okay. So, we we had a motion and a second to table. We had to vote on that. So, if you had anything else to say about the budget, you didn't have an opportunity to say it because we had to vote on a motion to table the budget. >> not how it works. You had the opportunity >> it did just work. I don't know if that's how it's supposed to work, but that's what just happened. >> Yeah, just a point of order. A matter that's been tabled should not be for discussion before the board. Um So, okay. Strictly speaking,

105there's a technical definite difference between a motion to table and a motion to postpone. A motion to table is is well, there's really no discussion whatsoever. Motion to postpone, you can have discussion on it for purposes of discussing why you're postponing it and to give clear guidance to the individual. Most school boards in general use the term table and postponement uh, uh, in the exact same way. And And what they mean is push it to another meeting down the line. Um, so, what's happening here is just to be strictly, you know, technical is that we've untabled. Um, if there's a motion to postpone it to a future meeting, then there can be discussion as to why to postpone it to give clear direction uh, to the administration as to the reason for the postponement. So,

106what do we need to do now? >> So, if somebody wants to postpone I would say if Mr. Seminara, if the intent here is to accommodate uh, Mr. Seminara's uh, intent to have it uh, reconsidered at the next meeting, but likewise to accommodate uh, Mr. Davis and Ms. Ayago's uh, uh, need to discuss, you know, and give direction, then it would be a motion to postpone. That Mr. Seminara or whoever Postpone the tabling? Postpone Postpone the budget to the next meeting, which would then allow the opportunity to discuss why you're postponing to this and to give direction as to why you're postponing. It's too bad we didn't do this 2 weeks ago when we >> Yes, I believe what happened here is as uh, you know, as our president read read through the list that

107fell under uh, business and finance, we listed all I don't know whatever it was four or five items. There was a motion on the floor to consider those four or five items with, you know, I don't remember if there was a second or not, Ally, but with that then as Mike spoke, he asked for that particular item to be tabled. So, with the first with the first um, motion and second if there was a second, there was no discussion that happened there. Mike, you know, Mike went into his uh, his discussion to ask for it to be tabled. With it being tabled, then there was no no discussion at that point. So, that's why you're in this little bit of a conundrum is because we had a couple different motions and tables going back and

108forth. So, I think if we want to discuss it, Jonathan, what needs to happen? I would recommend that there be a motion to postpone, which would then if there's a second to that, there would then allow the opportunity to discuss why you're postponing with clear directives to the administration. Following that discussion, if there's still an interest in tabling it, you go back to table Or is it just the postpone is the new language is the language, the technical language. >> Thank you. I'm going to need to make a motion to postpone. To the next the next uh, next month's meeting. I've already You want me to talk about my reasons? Is there a second to that? >> Okay. So, let's make sure we understand. We are making a motion to postpone that it will be

109dis that it will be moved to the next meeting. If we have a second and the motion carries, we can then have discussion. And this is referring to item E. Yes. The budget. The old What are you meaning? So, there's a motion and there needs to be a second. Do I have a second? Second. Okay. >> Thank you. All in favor? Well, actually Now you would do the discussion. >> Sorry. Sorry. >> Yeah, that's the distinction between table and postpone. >> Okay. Sorry. Okay. Are we discussing the budget or the We're dis We're discussing the motion to postpone. Uh, Madam Chairwoman, if I may uh, rise to comment. Uh, I I would like to I I will be voting no on the motion to postpone. Uh, if if anything as I've originally proposed, I don't

110think that there is enough uh, of an increase for us to to to cover our costs. Uh, right now we have 2%. The rate of inflation is still close to 3%. Most of our salary increases are above 2%. Uh, from my time on council in Phillipsburg, I've witnessed what degradation by a death of a thousand cuts of a half percent to a percent per year. It goes from having uh, fantastic services and facilities available to, you know, one or two retiring retirements that are marked as attrition, not replaced to all of a sudden wondering how we got into a situation where we don't have the services and facilities that we need. Uh, I think the the high school replacement project is is a great example of that where there might have been some deferred maintenance.

111And as far as the the the fund balance, uh, I did speak to uh, the Chairwoman as far as a goal. I would love to see our fund balance made by uh, budget consciousness within at least the 2% and by uh, increasing our fund balance by underspending the the set budget. I think that if we go to an even lower percentage [clears throat] increase, you know, that's there's no reality to that in terms of the current arc of cost increase. So, I'll I'll be voting no on the motion to postpone. I think that the the budget is at least what it needs to be if not more for us to restore that fund balance. Um, because even even with the 2% that we've had, it hasn't been enough. So, that's my position. Thank you, Madam

112Chairwoman. I will also be voting no to postpone. I um, continue to express my annoyance that we have committee meetings in which we do not have substantive discussion. Um, maybe that's because some of these meetings are 3 and 1/2 hours, I don't know, but uh, we've now wasted 2 weeks as far as I can tell not providing administration with direction on changing what they submitted to us um, 2 weeks ago as this is not any different, but I would also like to ask the question, Jack, that what you know, if we were to go down to a 1 and 1/2% operating, what what's the dollar value that goes along with that? 1 and 1/2% operating or 0.5% operating because I think what was discussed was 1 and 1/2% attributed to the high school off of

1132%, which is 0.5%. Is that correct? >> So, if we're looking at a budget increase of let's say 3% instead of 3 and 1/2, still attributing 1 and 1/2 to the high school. Sure. So, every 1 and 1/2% is about $3.1 million. So, that's what So, to reduce >> 0.5% would be a million. A million. So, So, that's what the board, if you're going to postpone, you you better come up with a number. What do you want to see? You want a million dollars cut from this budget at a half a percent? You want 2 million to cut at 1%? What And And then if that's what they come back to us, I want to see pretty clearly where that million dollars is suddenly coming from that we are currently not in in need of

114spending. So, the board has to give some direction there. Uh, I I'll just add to that. I mean, uh, there's been ple- plenty of uh, examples where administration has come to boards with Here's if we cut a half a percent. Here's if we cut a 1%. I mean, >> [snorts] >> we're just waiting to see what they can come up with. All right. I mean, you guys know I am. But there's ways to do that without giving a an exact number. We may get to a point like uh, Josh just said, you know, he he thinks that where you're going to get it from. So, we may the administration may come back with a maybe a suggestion and we may say, "Oh, no, we don't want to do that. We'll stay with the 2%." Who

115knows? As opposed to giving, "Okay, get to here." But that's my opinion. So, I'm going to go back to the the point you made, Meg, of our committee meetings and everything. And And in sitting in those committee meetings, I've sat and listened to, "Well, we're waiting for the audit. We're waiting for the audit. We're waiting for the audits." And we don't have any specific numbers. And I think the point of it is the people feel frustration right now tonight because Mike actually brought here and it's visible. And so, to actually sit and see what we're looking at, I think that's part of my frustration. I'm going to be honest, I'm not looking to cut the 2% because I don't think we can operate without the 2%. [cough] But I also think we need to look

116at different things that we are doing. We talk about getting outside services. We talk about, "Well, it's going through grants. It's through It's It's being paid this way." So, my frustration is I remember we did have those conversations and Mike being in that position, it was going back and forth to "Okay, well, if we're at 1%, if we're at 1.5, if we're at 2%, where does that take us and how much more What that give us and what would we have to cut and where would we have to cut it? And I guess that's what we used to go back to the administration through over many years and saying where can we do this? And you know what? There were times that we would come back and we would say no, that's not what we

117wanted to do. But I think the point is is we still have time and I am frustrated of not having the audit and not seeing some of those numbers and going through and feeling very blind in certain aspects. So, that's where I'm at with it. The I'm not going to say agree and disagree. There's uh there's so many points of agreeing and disagreeing with people um my fellow colleagues here. I'm I'm One of the things I'm angry about and I've been angry about it for a long time on this board is the fact that I I've never seen in when I worked in New Jersey or uh transfers from one category to another were approved by the board. And I'm going to say this. I sat here for 4 years and I heard budget presentations

118and so forth. Now, you may say well, well, Ed, you're an idiot. But the bottom line was, okay, we're going to we're going to do a 2% tax increase. When I heard that, that meant that that was going to cover next year's budget. I didn't know that money was coming out to augment that. That's what really bugs me about this whole thing and that's what got me going here. Now, I we need we need I think we owe it to the taxpayers to take a look at this again. I don't think that we can move off that 2%, but I think we ought to try. And I agree Meg, we need to give the administration direction. We need to work with Jack. We need to I don't know how to do it. We need to

119sit down and take a look at this and we need a at this point in time, we need a plan to be better at this. And I'm like I said, I'm not an expert at this. I'm I was a superintendent. I had a business administrator that did all this for me and I was I trusted these people. When it was a 2% increase in taxes, that covered it. Never had a problem with it. And all of a sudden I see this. I'm like, holy mackerel. So, you know, we need to be better. But I don't know how we're going to do it this time around. But increasing revenue for a school district is very difficult. We have to do it from within. Right? And that's a goal we need to have. We need to look

120at everything. And that includes we're negotiating contracts with large groups of employees. We want to take care of them, but we need to take care of the taxpayers. We need to take to take care of the kids. Um we need a new high school. Okay, I guess that's what we're going to have to do. But the bottom line for me is when you talk about transparency, I would just like to know when we put out a number, is the budget going to be balanced with that number or are we going to use some fund to augment that so that we can continue to operate. That's all. I think that's a very valid point uh Dr. Keegan. I'll say that, you know, the the budget year that we're currently in, there was no assigned fund balance

121obviously with the situation that we see projected on the board right now and in this coming budget, there's also no assigned fund balance. We know that we can't operate uh you know, but with what's indicated on the board, we're not we don't intend to you know drive the fund balance down any further if we could. Uh so, I I do appreciate what you're saying though because that can be very frustrating because you do think if we're up here saying 3 and 1/2% and we believe we have a budget that 3 and 1/2% will cover parts of the cost of the high school that we need to plus cover the salary increases, the benefit increases. I mean, really, if you look around the country right now, you hear everybody's complaining prices are going up, prices are

122going up. What's happening in the schools too. And if we're presenting the 3 and 1/2%, we do believe that is what we need to cover. We're not planning on using the fund balance. Um again, at the same time though with direction by the board and I would appreciate direction uh we we need to know where we're going and we can we can see what we can do with that as well. >> [snorts] >> Thank you. I just look at it as everything everything becomes a slippery slope. As you add things over the years, uh you approve this, you approve that, you approve that position uh this program, this this that and whatever you approve. Once you put it in there, you you don't take it out. It does not come out. There's no way to

123ever take it out and and that's one of the things that that you can't go back and undo because it's just you get yourself in that bind and it it's a slippery slope. It started out 10, 12 years ago, 13 years ago, 20 years ago, whatever. Little things that we nickel and dime, you know, we've gone from uh we were at about 155, 160 million dollar budget around 2015 and now that's basically what we're at 223-ish now. So, we're looking at 60 million uh added in in that short period of time. But I know things increase in cost and and don't even get me started on that because that's that's all butterfly effect stuff, too. It's it's those little things that add up and they nickel and nickel and dime, yeah. But you just can't

124you just can't take things out. I know that. You see that. And we just you know everything just gets added, every position gets approved, things like that. Bing, bang, boom, there you go. And then and that's we just roll along like that. And now we're in a real serious situation and and uh we don't have an easy way out and we are going to argue about it. We're going to disagree with that and we're going to blame somebody else and and blame other people and that's just going to be the natural part of it. So, we just have to deal with that part. There's nothing we can do with that. But [snorts] you know, I I'm not looking at a number. I I'm just uh I'm against the tax increases, you know, I I'm a

125taxpayer. I I don't see a need for me to vote to increase my own taxes. Why would I do that? I got enough elected officials out there that are already raising my taxes. So, it's it's a principle thing. It's a losing battle. There's no answer with it. But but I'm going to stand on that ground and I have been for years where I where I do not vote for to increase my own taxes. Why would I do that? Like you know, it's why would I voluntarily pay more for something to get to get the same thing? Why would I do that? And and and it just does not make sense to me how how things just increase in price. You know, I I go back to the 1970s. The teachers who taught me probably made

126$20,000 a year. Uh I seemed to learn a lot from them and I seemed to kind of like get a lot out of and they seemed to be pretty good at what they did. And and you know, we've just over years, it's just a whole systematic everything just just just just just just big blob that that just going every which way direction and and and people got greedy in an era when they didn't need to be greedy to get by. Now, you need to be greedy to get by and and that's just something we have to you know, it's that line from Full Metal Jacket. It's a big you know what sandwich and we're all going to take a bite. So, I don't I I don't have anything else to add on that. So, I'll

127let everyone else chime in and we'll work through our discussion and work through the business. Okay, so I guess at this point since we're still in discussion part of it um some direction to the board um in case it does pass to be postponed what the direction I think basically would still be the fact that we are still looking and I know that they continue to do it uh is to see where we can make some cuts. Um if we are still at the two and one and a half and that's the direction with the intention of possibly seeing where we would be at at one and a half, 1.75 uh um maybe we could have some of those numbers and sort of see where So, the intention is a presentation on this at the

128next standing committee meeting with another vote at the end of May. That would be the intention for the postpone. Understood. So, certainly we will take that direction. What I will say is I have to look at the date with May require us, which is fine. Just may require us to move the June board meeting. Off the top of my head, I don't know when that vote and meeting is. So, it may need to be shifted to give us the appropriate amount of days between May um the May meeting and the June voting meeting. Yeah, so I have to look at the dates. Thank you. Okay. Is there any more discussion? Okay, with that I need a vote. On the postponement. On the postponement. So, all in favor of the postponement. Can I get a refresher

129on the on what the postponement means, please? The postponement means that in the next meeting, they will come back to us with the direction that we just gave them of altering um amounts having an idea of what that would affect and that would postpone it until the voting in the May meeting. Okay. So, it means that you will not vote on item E, the proposed final budget tonight. It's postponed for another presentation on the first standing committee meeting in May with the intent of a vote on the uh voting meeting the regular board meeting in May that would be for the proposed final budget which would then sit for the required number of days and at our June voting meeting if I have to shuffle that date a little we will would be the anticipation

130of a vote on the final budget. Okay, thank you. Which needs to be approved as you know by June 30th. Thank you for answering. I have a question so the library lease and receiving rent for the library that is factored into 26-27 budget. It is not currently we have so the item on there about the the fund balance of 24 fund balance part of that is the revenue that we need to give back to the library that 1.2 million that they have graciously said they would give back to the district for capital improvements on the library. That won't affect this budget at all because it's coming theoretically out of the 23-24 budget with that audit um the revenue will come will come back in as they give it to us but not necessarily indicated in

131this current budget. The lease they did agree to do a lease we are waiting for some further advisement from our council on what a an appropriate lease number will be and then we will articulate that lease with them per the conversations we've had currently they have been very amenable to signing a lease and then returning what we would do with that is utilize that money to support the capital projects that need to happen at the library until that is met and then it is money into the budget it will be money into the budget no matter how you how it appears but it will go first to the upgrades that need to happen the capital improvements that need to happen at the library and then once those are met be part of our operating budget

132or fund balance or capital reserve whatever that may be. I anticipate that will be articulated sooner than later but it has not been articulated so I don't have a number to propose for this budget currently. I don't I don't believe and I'm kind of mixing up my dates on which who proposed what at this point I don't believe we heard the library budget yet that's coming next month and so at that time we will have some idea what their proposed budget is which will give us that information and then you know again as as I said attorney Wertis going to be providing me with some information here as soon as it's available to him on what a reasonable number is to raise raise set for that lease agreement. So I don't have a date yet

133but as that articulates it will fall into the budget it just won't happen for this presentation more likely than not. And just to be clear on that tax rate for the library so now we know moving forward different from the past any revenue collected over the percentage that we calculated anything over that will go back to the library which is good. Right. Okay, anything else? Any other questions or discussion on that? So we are voting on postponing >> [clears throat] >> the adoption of the budget. All in favor. Any opposed? Nay. No. Okay, Ms. Ramirez could you please do roll call? Ms. Greenfield? Yes. Mr. Keegan? Yes. Ms. Diago? No. Ms. Ramirez? Yes. Mr. Snyder? Yes. Mr. Whitman? No. Ms. Sandor-Dennis? No. Mr. Davis? No. Ms. Hess? Yes. It's a 5-4 vote in favor of

134taking most favor postponing the preliminary budget vote till next month. Okay. All right, now we will go back to the other budget and finance items. Is there any other further discussion or comments on those items? To refresh memory it's financial matters senior citizen property tax rebate program natural gas natural gas contract CIT and the the FY24 committed fund balance. All in favor. I. I. Any opposed? No to A. No on F. No to A on the treasurer and our treasurer reports. I guess it's all part of the base so no to A. Heidi did you get that? Okay. Okay, are we good now? CIT expansion project passed. Yes. So there are two no's on A one no on F F. And everything else was Yeah, okay. All right, with that we're moving on to 10

135buildings and ground safety and security. We have A motion to approve the easement agreement with the Wildlands Conservancy as presented. B motion to approve the award of the general construction and electrical construction contracts for the Easton Area High School project phase one infrastructure improvements and relocations inclusive of selected alternatives and subject to solicitor review as per attached. So moved. Second. Any questions or discussion? Okay, I'm going to make my statement again as I stated at the standing committee I have the concerns as far as some of the things with the field house and holding off until phase two that I have the concern that it's not going to be done um with what needs to be done. Okay, all in favor. I. Any opposed? No to B yes to A. Okay. All right. We have

13611 educational technology and student supports A motion to approve the 2026 to 2029 special education plan as presented. And B motion to approve the agreement with Bancroft as presented. So moved. Any questions or discussion? The on B the out of state is that part of the settlement or It's not like it's not it's not part of a settlement it is part of some medical pieces and a and a placement recommended also in support by Kingsbury that we make that placement. Yeah, that was that that's the only the only place that we can consider right now it's it's where the student's currently at but we also have in case you want some more detail in the board it currently lays that all out as well okay. Okay, all in favor. I. Any opposed? All right, next

137we'll move on to policy. A policy 410 motion to approve policy or sorry policy 140 charter schools as presented. B motion to approve policy 218 student discipline as presented. C motion to approve policy 220 student expressive distribution and posting of materials as presented. D motion to approve policy 718 service animals in schools as presented. And E motion to approve policy 810 transportation as provided. Motion. Second. Any questions or discussion? It seems as though the I was reading reading through the service animals in schools very interesting. But it seems as though they're they basically limiting the types of questions we can ask about service animals correct is that what I mean is Correct. Yep, federal law including miniature horses that's like the most interesting that's usually the kick off but I just have a question. Go

138ahead. So are you done or are you Yes, go ahead. I just had a question on on A it's not about the policy itself but the charter school we've been receiving the updates and corrections that they have been required. We have we have received the full complement of what was due to us they are a little bit behind at this point I do have I am in communication with him pretty regularly at this point um and there are a few things that are owed again but he did he did write the ship in terms of everything that was was due to us. And um things are going better there than they have ever. So, they are on a upswing right now, but yes, they do owe us a few things um currently. Yeah. Yep. So,

139I do apologize. I thought I sent an email to Cara and to Jonathan on one of these. Can't find my little snippet. There was um I will have to go back and I'll ask once I find it, but um I thought that I sent it and I guess I didn't. So. You don't I don't remember what it was. I I feel like it was on um I mean, high-level transportation and charter school is just adding basically that that you have to provide transportation, but it doesn't have to be identical. Um student dis- discipline, student expression, high-level is basically dealing with the out-of-school context and then ensuring that we're in line with Mahanoy. Um and then service animal animals was as we said, in line with federal guidelines. Okay, sorry. I think it was for 140

140on the charter schools. I think there was something in there that stated that if an employee of ours leaves and we allow them to leave for I think it's a period of 5 years or something that we're required to let them come back and there would be a position held. I think it was in 140. Yeah. Yes. So, I was wondering, is that a legal or is that something we're just part of like the standard Sure. Sure. So, I didn't that wasn't part of the additions here, but I I do remember that that is part of the statute. I don't recall the reasoning behind it, but I know that there is it's part of the statute for regional charter schools and and 5 years, I believe. So, we don't have a choice then. Of course.

141All right. Is there any other questions or discussion on the policies? All right. Seeing none. Uh all in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. All right. With that, we'll move on to other business. Um I will take A, motion to approve expulsion hearing waiver form as presented. I have a question on that. So, the student was waving the waiver? I don't know if do we want to discuss that publicly? Yeah. So, typically we wouldn't go into too much detail here, but yes, that is what it amounts to. I don't want to share. I think I can say that when an expulsion when an expulsion comes up the student has the right to a hearing um which is before the board and with a hearing officer and decisions are made at that level or the student has

142the right to accept it with no hearing the consequence of an expulsion or the student has the right to waive their rights to a hearing which generally means they're accepting it with no consequence. So, you're approving one of those waivers that was um presented to a family and uh now presented back to us. You're welcome. Okay. All in favor? I. Any opposed? All right. Next, we have um B, which is the election of the NCC Board of Trustees and C, the annual election of the Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 Board of Directors. Both of I need them Madam Chairman, I'll make a motion to postpone that until we have the updated documents. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you for using the correct wording. All right. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. Next, we

143have uh D. Um Before we can vote on this, I need to know if there would be anyone that would be interested in going to the PSBA conference, which would be Saturday, November 7th. Harrisburg. Mechanicsburg. Mechanicsburg. Cumberland. >> [laughter] >> I think it was Cumberland Valley. Well, we could have the possibility if anybody is interested, we can put your name >> [cough] >> and if you don't have the opportunity to go we can cancel it. Did you say you would, Brian? >> [laughter] >> Ed, Jen, is that what you you're both huh volunteering? >> [laughter] >> Um I think we get uh how many do we get, Ally, Dina? Three? All right. I'll put my name in for it. Who's with me? I'll tentatively do it, but I that's deep in cross country season, so

144I don't know. That's okay. Listen, we we did it's just that if we have it and we have the opportunity to go, then then we get that and we'll get the information. So. Guess right now it's myself and Josh. Anyone else interested in being considered? As the time comes, you can decline or accept. Okay. With that, we'll make a motion to appoint Josh Davis and Jody Hess to participate in the PSBA Delegate Assembly on Saturday, November 7th, 2026. Voting delegates are required to be registered. Oh, Jen, you're going to Okay. Yes. Okay. It it allows for the space. If you choose not to go, then you don't go. >> Yes. Okay. So, that would be the three of us then. A delegates are required to be registered for the PSBA Leadership Conference. I need a

145motion. So moved. Any questions or discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. Next, we have public to be heard on non-agenda items. Is there anyone in the public to be heard on non-agenda items? No. Okay. All right. We have 15. Any other business from board members? Just a quick comment. Um it's good to see people talk even if they're arguing and blaming each other for things. Uh it's always good to see dialogue. So, uh I know it makes the meeting go a little bit longer, but but frankly, sometimes that has to be done. So, it's good to see uh good to see area grievances, area thoughts, you know, keep it coming. Um just and there certainly was some rich discussion this evening, but I just on behalf of um the administration, I just want

146to say thank you to the board uh for the approval this evening to start construction phase one of the high school project. We know that it's a huge endeavor um of a financial commitment. Um that's really phase one of two. Um but even more so, I also want to say thank you to everybody that was involved in this process straight from the start. This has been over for three really 3 years that we've been discussing this. Um maybe arguably a little bit more and and to the people like Kyle Geiger and Matt Baltz and Ken Case and and Randy Galioto and and Mike DePaola and and just everybody at this table, um just a lot of really really really good discussions, a lot of countless hours put into this and just a really exciting time,

147to be honest. Um you know, as we look to to build a you know, our our our new high school. So, um thank you to the board again. I just want to make sure that I echo those, you know, on behalf of the entire administrative team um and we're really excited to to start the process. So, uh we look forward to the future and and thank you again. Thank you, Dr. Ziad. I will say to our students who stuck it out for the whole meeting, one, congratulations and two, a little lesson on democracy and uh you know, interplay among boards and and uh community. So, good one to take away. And for those of you who might have been part of the budgeting challenge, you know, here's here's another prime example of budgeting challenges. So,

148thanks for hanging in there. Okay. All right. If that, I will call for adjournment at 9:16. Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Thank you.