001All right, thank you everyone for being patient. We had some executive session items to cover. Um, I would like to note that we have three board members, u, Miss Shandika Greenfield, um, >> Jen, >> Miss Jen, uh, Dewald Zald Dennis, and >> Bill, Mr. Bill Whitman on on Zoom. If we could have everybody rise for the pledge of >> allegiance. Okay, Mr. Ramirez, you have roll call. Okay, next we will have superintendence report. Good evening everyone and again we apologize for the uh delayed start. Uh welcome to all of our students who are out in the audience today. Thanks for coming out in the cold. Um today I do have a number of things to talk about but unfortunately I'm going to start with uh quite a number actually seven in fact um people that
002I'd like to recognize who have passed away who are part of our East uh school district family in one way or another. Um so it's certainly kind of um kind of a reminder to take care of yourself, take care of your family, and appreciate every moment that you have that [clears throat] that you have. um because we never know what our last day, you know, our last day may be. So, if you'll indulge me for a moment, I'm going to read a slight bio for each one of these individuals and then we'll take a moment of silence. [clears throat] Excuse me. The first person, Mr. Roco Rocky uh Fatica. He retired um from Eastn School District quite some time ago. He was a custodian and an avid um member and supporter of Varsity E. He
003passed away on December 20th. Rocky graduated from East Area High School in 1954. During his time at Eastston, Rocky was on the football and wrestling teams. After Rocky's uh after Rocky served at the US Army, he went to Northampton Community College and he worked as a foreman at Ingresol Ran prior to coming to us. We certainly Rocky was um in in a couple of the buildings that I both was a student and and a employee over the course of my term here in the district and remember him and his family fondly. Mr. Joseph Capora who is a retired custodian who passed away on December 20th, 2025. Um Joseph graduated from East High School where he also played football. J Joe, excuse me. Joe served as a US Marine in the US Marine uh Corp reserves.
004He started working in the school district on September of 1993. He retired in October of 2013. Joe worked as um at the East Area High School, Palmer, Paxosa, and Shauny elementary schools during his course of employment with us. Joseph was a valued uh member of the East Nary family of East School District family and certainly we treasure treasured his time with us. Um Mr. Alfonso uh also known as Big Al Bifado. Al is a retired security monitor who passed away in January 14th of 2026. Al started in the East School District in 2001, retired in August of 2013. He too was a graduate of East Area High School in 1956 where he participated in track and field including the javelin, excuse me, the javelin and he was a drummer for the band. Al served as
005a police officer for the city of Easton where he served for 25 years as a patron um excuse me, a patrolman, a juvenile officer and court liaison officer. After retiring from the police force, he went on to serve as Northampton County 911 dispatch and security officer at Forks Elementary School. Al's entire life has been devoted to his country, his community, and his family. Um, Barry Cece, I wanted to make sure I said that correctly. Sorry about that. Barry Cece, retired custodian, excuse [clears throat] me, passed away on January 18th, 2026. Barry worked throughout the East area school district for over 15 years. Barry was a Red Rover at heart and was loved by the students and staff who knew him. Barry will be remembered for his dedication and kindness. Please keep his wife uh Joan
006and members of of his family as well as our EHS family um in your thoughts and prayers as well as his friends and family who um are mourning his loss. Uh very recently, just this week, Mr. Gary Whitman, currently uh middle school custodial shift uh shift custodian, passed away earlier this week. I believe it was on the 25th of 2026. Gary um joined us in 2008 as an employee where he worked at Palmer Elementary School. He also spent time at transportation and at the middle school. He was uh will be de uh dearly missed by his family and friends as well as our uh school district family. Uh this certainly is hitting uh close to home as it was a bit unexpected and this week um and we know he has other family members who
007are part of our district as well. So certainly keep them in mind um and in our prayers as we work through this week and they work through a challenging time. Mr. Yaya McGurn. Uh Yagya is a former is an alumni of East School District. He was a standout running back. He also played basketball for the Red Rovers. He was uh going back to his running back days. He was a big part of the East running attack um at the turn of the 20 uh two of of 2000. Um he passed away in early January of 26 at the age of 43 after bravely bravely battling non-hodkkins lymphoma. lymphoma, excuse me. Uh with a strength and a smile, Yaya leaves uh you know a loving family and and several stu uh several children at home. He
008was deeply committed to his family as they were his pride and joy and his community and certainly um you know want to pay respects to him and his family as they're mourning his loss. Uh and lastly for today uh certainly not least of all but lastly for today is Mr. Salvador J. Panto, father of of Sal Panto, Mayor Sal Panto, passed away on January 20th, 26th at the age of 98. Mr. Panto was a graduate of East High School, class of 45. After serving in the US Army, Mr. Panto owned Sales Meat Market on College Hill for over 28 years. After retiring, Mr. Panto continued to work part-time at the local Wegman's. Mr. Panto was a devoted father, grandfather who took pride in attending the sporting events of his children, grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.
009We certainly want to send our condolences out to his family as well. So, if you'll join me in a moment of silence, please. Thank you. [clears throat] Before we move into a presentation, we do have one presentation this evening. Um, I do want to make a couple other quick announcements, a couple of shoutouts. One is uh this week uh coming up, excuse me, in February, February 2nd through the 6th is National School Counseling Week and February 6th is National um Crossing Guard Appreciation Day. So I would like to um remind every everyone to extend some uh warm wishes and congratulations to those folks in uh next week. Also want to make a statement about our snow days. This has been a troubling week in terms of getting everybody to school and getting everybody to school
010on time. And so just want to shed a little light um how those decisions come about. It is a decision that is a no-win for me. You know, somebody's happy with the decision and somebody else is not happy with the decision. Um but it is not made in isolation. First of all, we have a tremendous team here um in Ken Casease, Joshatic and and others who I consult with first and foremost. Ken is out there on the roads looking to see how safe they are and can we um get our kids to school safely. We also consult with our transportation right now being led by Dr. Zadic. Um in terms of snow, we consult on whether our school grounds are cleared in time. Um, but Ken really is the person who's out on the road
011bright and early in the morning kind of checking roads, checking the neighborhoods, and checking our facilities. Um, and beyond that, I also consult with about 15 superintendent from ranging from Pocono Mountain down to about Quaker Town, and we try to at least uh be on the same page. Each of us receive two different sets of weather reports that come specifically into school districts. So, we try to monitor that and consult with one another about what they're thinking. so that no one is an island out there. There are times that we make independent decisions when um it's just best for our school district for one reason or another to make a decision that might be alternate to what everybody else is doing. But for the most part, we try to be consistent. Um you know, and
012that's for a number of reasons. Certainly, if the weather is unsafe or too cold in one one region region, it's likely un unsafe or too cold in this region as well. >> [cough] >> And then we consult as a group of five for our students who go to CIT so that we can um keep their educational process kind of consistent for that um that school as well. So again, you know, we try to do the best we can in predicting the weather and consult with a lot of people to make those decisions, but just so the community knows because this week will continue to be a little bit um tenuous. As you, you know, should know by now, it's a 2-hour delay for tomorrow. That is just really giving us time to, you know, get
013our buses started, get the chill off the air a little bit. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen much. It is going to be cold throughout the entire day and probably the entire week. Uh, so we'll have to just pay attention each, you know, each evening as to decisions we're going to make. Um, today was a FID day. We made that decision hoping that connectivity was not an issue. It is my understanding for some of you that it was and so we apologize, you know, for that and we will certainly take into consideration the attendance of all of our students for today. Um, next thing that I want to um just talk about are the typically nine folks and 10 with our solicitors sitting here at the table. That is our board of directors here for
014the school district. They are unpaid um unpaid volunteers uh that serve our community. And today or this month was board of director uh appreciation month. And so I wanted to take a moment to thank them for their um time spent on the community and the school district. Um, as I mentioned, it is unpaid and people don't realize the number of hours that they put out, not only at these meetings, but behind the scenes with reports, um, and documentations and phone calls and emails, uh, but also serving on other other, um, community entities as well, such as CIT, such as the community college, um, and a few others. So, certainly want to thank you for your dedication to our district and, uh, and to the community as well. So, thank you for that. And I think
015with that, I'm going to I think I saw Adrien. I know I saw Julie um introduce Adrien Jones and Julie Gerbino um to um inform the community and the board about their CIT budget for next year. So, welcome and thank you, Julie. Nice to see you back in in our house. >> Thank you for having me. Um so, I think what I'm going to do is kick it off with a short two or so minute video um just kind of give you some insight into our school. Um, I like to call it sort of a brag video so you can see what your money is basically being spent on by sending your students to CIT. So, we'll go ahead and insert that. Welcome to C, where we proudly serve students from five diverse school districts.
016Here we offer an unparalleled educational experience designed to prepare students for bright futures. With 19 specialized programs and growing enrollment, we are excited to announce new additions like exercise science and veterinary technician providing with even more opportunities for students to train in high demand fields. Our commitment to real world learning is evident through co-op opportunities, internships, work-based learning, and live work projects like the house project, cosmetology clinic, career cafe, and school store. Each of our graduating students earns industry recognized certifications, equipping them with the credentials they need to stand out in today's workforce. Students also earn valuable articulation credits through local and statewide agreements and can participate in dual enrollment programs, earning college credit while still in high school. Our programs include rigorous assessments like Noctne and NIMS [music] to ensure students are career ready.
017With hands-on training on state-of-the-art equipment funded through local, state, and federal partnerships, our students gain skills that align with industry standards. We emphasize professional development, employability skills, and work ethic training while fostering leadership through career and technical student organizations like Skills USA, DECA, and HOSA. Our school celebrates cultural diversity by bringing together students from five unique districts, creating a rich and inclusive learning environment. Thanks to our strong partnerships with business and industry leaders, students benefit from scholarships, tool awards, and community support, ensuring a seamless transition to the workforce, post-secary education, or the military. At CIT, we don't just teach skills, we build futures. Join us in shaping the next generation of skilled professionals. >> Okay, thank you for allowing me to play that introduction. So, we'll go ahead into the presentation. So, as board members,
018you should all have this packet in front of you. I'm just going to go through and just highlight very basic um talk a little bit about the funding formula. I think that's the most important part of understanding the budget. And if you have questions this evening, Julie Gorbino, our business manager, is with me. We will try to answer what we can and if we can't answer anything this evening, we'll get back to you um as soon as possible with some more information. So, the first part is the funding formula. Uh there's two parts to that and it's an 80% and 20% formula that's split. So, the 80% is based on the three-year average daily membership, which are the students who are enrolled in the prior three years at CIT. Um and then the 20% of
019the formula is based on eligible students from the five sending districts. Uh so one thing to note is that we have seen a trend that there's been a decrease in eligible students over the last few years amongst all five districts. So as eligible enrollment is decreasing the other trend that we're finding is that our average daily membership at CIT is increasing. Um so I says that I think that says a lot about career and teched. Um, I will say career in tech ed is thriving in general. Um, here CIT, Bethlehembo Tech, across the Lehigh Valley, across Pennsylvania. Um, and and really just the trades are are where it's at right now. Students and parents are very interested in the trades as well as more opportunities to get into postsecary trade schools or colleges. So, lots
020of different pathways. Um, so let's just take a look at how this this shakes out with the funding formula. When we look at the eligible enrollment, if you look at the column there for Easton, you can see that you did have a reduction in students of 79. Um, and again, it's the information as of October 1st of 2025 is what we're using for this year. So, that comes to 43.030%. When we look at the big portion of it, which is the 80%, this is the three-year average daily membership. And then looking at Eastston, I do like to illustrate a column that shows last year's data and then compare it with this year's data in gray. The reason I do that is if you look at Eastston, you had a really low number that rolled off
021and that was that 2122 school year and we all know that that was the outcome we were coming out of COVID, right? So last year when that low number of 217 was still lingering in your three-year average daily membership, it kind of helped a little bit. All right. And I I sort of prepared if those some of you may have been here last year. I kind of prepared you. I said now look that number is going to roll off. But in addition to that, we're seeing a steady increase in the number of students who are attending CIT as well, which in my opinion is a great thing. Um but that's just something else to think about that's going to reflect in this year's budget. So we had an increase of 52 students in the average
022daily membership over a three-year period of time. Okay. All right. So then moving along again I I'm a person that I like to take a look at a two or three year look back period. So I just sort of illustrated here if you take a look at the top portion you can see that um you know there was a de a difference over three years of 92 students decreased and then if you look down at the three-year average daily membership you can see there was a difference of 44 students. This is over three years of budgets and then each budget year was a three-year average daily membership. Again, this is not a unique pattern to just eastn. You can see all five districts have an increase in students attending CIT and all five districts have
023a decrease in students attending their districts. So, just important information to point out. All right. And then my last kind of look back or no, this is adding it all together. So, you can see on this page if you take the eligible enrollment and then add it to the average daily membership, you get both of those numbers. And when you add those together, that is each district's share. So when we take a look at Eastston's district share being 38.16% of the overall cost to the districts, that's how that formula plays out. Okay. All right. So this is the last slide that gives a comparison. I just like to go back and illustrate the 24 25 um district share 25 26 and then right now we're talking about the 26 27 school year. So you can
024see some of the differences there. Uh the last thing I'll say is that the pendulum can swing as we we saw that here last year. There was actually a reduction in cost at um Easton last year. But some of it is just also driven on the other four districts. So Eastston can have the same amount of students enrolled this year as next year or the year before. But if Banger has a significant increase and the other schools have a significant increase, that could bring the cost of Easton down or vice versa. If if they have a ton of students drop off, now the other four districts are making up that difference. So, it's very fluent. Um, it has a lot to do with what you're doing in your districts as far as sending students, but
025it also has a lot to do with what the other four districts are doing in that formula, too. Okay. All right. So, moving along. This is what the final numbers shake down to. Um what we have here is last year's operating cost is at 10,375. The proposed operating cost is 10,69764. That is a total increase of 322,121. We'll talk about what that increase is in just a minute. And that overall percentage is a 3.105% increase. Now this is the operating cost. This is not the increased cost to the districts because we have revenue that will offset the increased cost to the district. Okay. So now we'll talk about that. So the proposed cost to the district minus the revenue. We're anticipating revenue at this 2,357. Then that would bring the cost down to the district
026of 8,340764. That cost does include debt service. I'll talk about debt service in just a minute. This was last year's district cost. And then um there we go. So the increased cost to the district is a net effect of 281,121 versus the operating cost increase was 322,121. Um the debt service is you can see here the payment right now is 975,000 and then you have the interest at 54,000. So when you add those together that then gets added to the cost of the district and sorry my clickers. There we go. Um so the actual district contribution you can see is that 7 million 311106 but then you have to add the debt service payment when you add those together. That's where the district costs come up to that 8340764 and then that gets broken down
027by the five districts. Okay. Um so this is illustrating the revenue. Uh our biggest source of revenue is vocational education subsidy which comes directly from the state. Um I will say over the last few years we've had pleasant increases in voced subsidy. Um unfortunately this last year we were level funded and you know that happens and and you you get increases but at some point it's going to level off. So we did not get any more funding in voced subsidy so we're kind of leveled off at that $1 million. Um, but we do still have retirement, social security. Um, we're eligible for a federal Perkins grant that we get every single year. We use that mostly for our PAR educator support. We have some technology and some higher item equipment is in our Perkins grant
028as well. So, that certainly offsets the cost. And then there's some miscellaneous grants. Um, and then we have interest accounts that help offset that revenue. So when it all comes down to it at the end of the day, there's two portions in terms of each district share. That first that top part is the funding formula. That's the 8020 that comes directly from articles of agreement that were written over 50 years ago when the school was first established. I can't change that rule. And how it is is formulated is exactly how I just presented it. So you can see there the difference and pretty much what Eastston share is there. Um yeah. So 38.16% and then the increase to Easton would be 155,66768. However, you also have to take into consideration debt service. So debt service
029from last year to this next year is actually going to have a reduction of 50,571. So then the net effect for Easton is going to be an increase of $105,961. Um, Julie, do you want to give just a quick explanation of how we calculate the debt service payment? >> So, every year the state releases usually the end of June the market values for every municipality within the school district within the state. So, what we do is we take the average for each school district. So, there's Palmer, there's city of East. We take the average of those and that's how we come up with the percentage for the debt service. and Eastn and Nazareth, I think, were the ones that saw an increase because of the homes being built in and in the counties and everything
030like that. [snorts] Okay. All right. So, the final page of of again where the district's shares are illustrated is this last page. You can see again Eastston's net effect is $105,961 increase. And then you can see how that differs from last year where there was a decrease last year. Okay. Um the remaining couple slides I'm going to go through them pretty quick but some of the important factors of why our increase was um you know our operating cost increase majority of it was contributed to things like pasers salary benefits which I'm sure most districts are seeing the same thing as well um you know Julie and I have to start building this budget back in October at that time we don't even know what the pasers rate is going to be so we're just using
031a projection um more than half the cost was increased due to salary and benefit s and then you have healthcare in there. Now our healthcare was estimated to increase at 9.2%. We are part of the trust the pie. Um I've seen some other schools in much higher rates. So I we feel good with the 9.2% although we don't like it. It could be worse compared to what I'm seeing from some other schools. And we do have a pretty healthy reserve um in our healthcare pae tab um account. So we feel confident having that reserve as well. Um some other major factors just to take into consideration, general supplies and software costs have obviously increased. We have more students attending CIT. So the cost of consumable supplies uh by nature are going to go up. Um
032and also adding software. We need more licenses because we have more students on campus now. Um something else to keep in mind is that our campus operates fully on electric power. We've looked into alternative options and it has been quite the challenge. Um they actually stop right at Victoic for natural gas. So for them to bring it up to CIT would be an exceptionally expensive project. Um so we are continuing to replace the rooftop units uh for efficiency and unfortunately we're full power. We do have a solar field and we also have uh solar panels on the top of the roof that unfortunately right now are not working and we're in the process of coming up with a solution with the company that they were installed by you know 15 20 years ago. So every
033little bit helps. I'll just mention that. Um also professional services uh the expenses decreased because we had the elimination of a contracted service for a school resource officer. We had that with Forks Township Police Department that was budgeted at $80,000. When that contract got terminated, we then went out and we hired our own internal school police officer because we had very limited options of hiring a school resource officer within our region. So therefore, now that school police officer has become a part of our um staffing and so now the salaries and benefits go into a different category. It's no longer contracted services. So that got shifted up into salary and benefits. And then equipment and property services. Again, just for ongoing facility needs and and replacements of equipment in programs, there was a $10,000 increase.
034Um the last facts to consider is just the estimated federal Perkins budget. The allocation was $340,000. They have not released what the allocation is going to be until this spring. Um, we feel because the governor had level funded CTE that we're not thinking Perkins is going to go up substantially, if at all. So, for this year, we just kept it level funded until we get some more information on that. And then I already talked about the VOED subsidy. Um the next page again I'm not going to go through because it's kind of redundant but it gives you an idea of looking at the 2526 budget and then the 2627 by the major object codes with an explanation down on the bottom because some of it is just shifting money from one object code to another
035based on some of the things I just explained such as contracted services now becoming part of salary and benefits. Um does anybody have any questions? Is there anything I can clarify more on some of the changes that we made? This I do just want to mention that this budget that is up for consideration has absolutely nothing to do with the potential expansion project that we've been talking about. I will be back in April. Um so I just don't want to confuse anybody when you're thinking about voting on this motion. Um, this has absolutely nothing to do with expansion project. So, I'll be back. We'll talk about expansion project. Um, I think the big thing to keep in mind is that our debt service rolls off in October of 28 is our last payment. And that's
036why we're going to be coming to talk about the possibility of an expansion project to try to keep that debt service level and um, consistent with where it is and just simply extending that term. Okay. if anybody preliminarily has thoughts or questions before Julie and I as well as I don't know Ally if you're going to be here or somebody else. Um and then we'll have I think Randy Gallata will be here as well but if anybody has any preliminary questions I would say either send them to Tracy or you know does it matter if they send it to you? Okay. All right. um just so I can kind of have a heads up because if you have specific questions unique to your district, I'd rather come ahead of time and know those answers and
037you can reach out to Jod and she can get those to me as well. >> Okay. >> Any questions from any board members? >> Our three folks online. Any questions? >> None. >> Okay. >> Thank you so much. I appreciate your time. So, I don't have any questions, but I would like to comment that I think um you and your staff have done a great job of definitely stepping it up for our students and giving them a very good competitive edge. Um Mrs. Jones has often thought about and gone out and made sure that she is being very um concise and very thoughtful on what programs she's adding um to make sure that we are also fitting in with what the industry needs. So, I would like to commend you and your staff on that.
038>> Thank you. I I do appreciate that. And we have added a second welding program that will start for 2627. Vette just opened this year and it is completely full the year before exercise science opened and that continues to be full. Um so I appreciate that and there's more to come. Um it's a really an exciting time. Um and and I will just tell you applications are [clears throat] coming in and we just don't have enough seats for the number of students who are interested in in gaining these valuable skills and that's why I will be back in April to talk about some other options. Okay. Thank you. So, this will be on our February voting meeting uh for for for board consideration. >> Great. >> Thank you so much. >> Have a good day.
039>> Okay. Two more pieces for for me. One, I want to say I was a little remiss when talking about the snow. I also want to um extended a a thank you not only to Ken who I who I talked about, but his entire team. They're out here at about 3:30, four o'clock in the morning um and stay, you know, considerably late making sure that our facilities are ready as do a handful of our members of the transportation department. And so, um I just want to make sure that every it's been a while since we've had a snow so significant, but it was um was and continues to be a lot of work for both transportation and maintenance. And I want to thank um all of those individuals for putting themselves out in that cold
040weather to make sure that we're safe and can come back to school. So, thank you. And my last piece I want to mention on your agenda, there is a second presentation tonight. It is an audit presentation. That presentation is not going to happen. Our auditors were unable um and unwilling to come out this evening. So, that'll happen in February. So, with that, that concludes my report for this evening. Thank you. >> Okay. So, before we move on, I would first like to apologize to Miss Sando Dennis for mispronouncing her name. And I also would like to thank our admins who um who were so gracious to take their time and their money and actually made us dinner this evening and it was delicious. So again, thank you very much. We appreciate it. >> Okay, we
041will be moving on to reports. Uh first reports, Colonial Intermediate Unit 20, Mr. Snider. Uh believe it or not, uh we have not had a meeting since December uh 10th. Um, but in that time frame, I did send out a copy of the IU newsletter for December. I sent that on December 11th. So, all the new board members should have received that. Other than that, our next meeting is tomorrow night. Thank you. >> Next. Do we have anyone from the public library? Oh, thanks, Mr. Riley. >> Madame President, board. I'm Timothy Riley, member of the Eastn Area Public Library. I have five uh discussion points, not discussion,formational points. First is the news of the SC school district's approval to replace the broken and obsolete air conditioning system was greatly received by the library board, library
042staff, and patrons. Everyone is hoping that the delivery and installation of the new AC system is in time for when warmer weather finally arrives. During the the past holiday season, the library's youth programs featured holiday themes. There was a winter holiday story time at Forks Township Community Center. There was a cookie decorating uh for children at the main library. A monthly milk and cookies program featured Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. The cookies were donated by Eastn Baking Company and a photo opportunity with Mr. and Mrs. claws were uh was provided. There was a gingerbread story time that took place at the main library with gingerbread cookies made by staff members. The staff developed a new program, a letters to a librarian program. The letters are written to the librarian elves who in return sent personal
043gift bags and select books were made available to children uh to be borrowed. Then there was a New Year's uh kids New Year's Eve party at Palmer Township Branch Library. The countdown took place at 12:00 noon, so no one had to stay up late. We are proud to announce that a donor has given us $11,600 through the through the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation for the purchase of a new van. As you may know, about 10 years ago, the library into entered into a consortium with Allentown and Betham Libraries in which we share our collections with each other. The 10-year-old van has logged in a lot of miles and is due for replacement, and this donation will help us reach our goal to replacement. The different databases which are used to catalog the libraries collection had
044developed inaccuracies over the years and last month the staff finished a holdings reset which reduced those inaccur inaccuracies by 32%. So we went from one database to another and the migration caused errors. We sent our collection up to the state database that migration caused errors. So, we took the time to fix all the duplicates and all the other stuff and so we're pretty good now. Um, and lastly, for the last six months, the Nature Nurture Center of EN has been going through a remodeling project which made it made it impossible for them to conduct their adult educational programs in house. The library is able to help provide the space they needed and even though the project is complete, there are plans to continue the opportunities of adult education at the library. Any questions, comments I
045should bring back to the board. Seeing none, that concludes my report. >> Okay. Next, we have Career Institute of Technology, and I'm hoping that Dr. Keegan or Miss Greenfield would be able to give a report for us. Thank you. >> Yes. Um [clears throat] there was a meeting uh January 9th and um [clears throat] we were uh we were treated to uh the the culinary students made us dinner which looking up at the you know the budget numbers and so forth. If we could open that school up for uh as a restaurant, I think we could probably defay all the costs of the education in that school. Um the food was excellent. We met the uh students and u a great time was had by all. The other thing that was interesting about the meeting
046was the we discussed the expansion um and [clears throat] speaking about uh what students really uh what what's the going uh important uh career that's you know moving forward here including you know AI and some other things. was a great discussion as usual and um we heard from two students who were uh um in the program for four years. The the stories both uh were were interesting because of showing up uh to the uh open house when they were freshman and not knowing what they wanted to do, getting into the program and then finding a home in the program. one complaint about there's not enough uh young ladies in the welding program at this point in time and I think that's going to uh that's going to increase. But um another night out which is
047uh uh it's still a great thing to hear about CIT. I'm very uh I'm very happy that I volunteered to uh to be on that joint operation operating commission. Um so that's my report. Thank you. All right. Next we have Northampton Community College, Mr. Fenel. >> Thanks, Jody. So, just two highlights. Um, one of the biggest things I put in the report this month is about articulation agreements. We have many, we just opened four new ones. And the key with the articulation agreements are and something that's really helpful for students is the fact that go to the community college, get an education that is really inexpensive, I'll call it, at this point in time, and then be able to turn around and transfer. So, you only have another two years to do at a four-year
048institution. So looking at the funds and everything that you've saved, uh that's one of the biggest things we're trying to uh let people know, let students know, working through the counselors and everything that are in the school district and everything because we're sometimes parents think and I'm seeing this more and more too where how can we afford to go to college? You always hear it, we've always heard it in the past, we still hear it today and you know we just had graduation and we still see where it's a first year generation going through college. But it's to the point that it is it does become affordable because a lot of students they start to come out they find they can get a Pell Grant go through community college and not have a lot of
049debt then be able through the articulation agreements and everything transfer to a 4-year and again with some outside funding and everything possibly defay a lot of cost and everything. So it's one of the biggest things to try to push because there's definitely a need you know we hear it from the governor and everything about the need for education and not you know just uh it's in all fields the trade fields and everything particularly trades right now and uh you know just heard about the CIT and as that those students are able to go forward and possibly continue at the community college or wherever or actually even go out into their own fields depending on the certifications they have uh it is a big deal. So um the articulation agreements are really helpful. One of the
050biggest things when we just opened one up where the student will be able to attend with us for two years and I think it's next year we have a student that's going to be able to finally graduate in a pharmaceutical program. You know that's that's rather quick to get through instead of just going down to Philadelphia going through a pharmaceutical. Now they got two years here not much cost and then they can finish down there. The other thing is you'll hear uh enrollment right now is still looking good. Enrollments up. So, uh, people more and more are attending, which is always a positive. And last but not least, next month, uh, we actually a couple of things going on. We actually have a retreat session. So, we don't really have a board meeting per se
051where we take any action. It's all just discussion and presentations and I'll be back with some of that. But for the most part, next month, you'll hear from uh Dr. Ruth, the president, uh, giving an update on the budget and the budget request and everything. So, thank you. Thank you [clears throat] again. Uh I think our community college is one of those that has progressed very well. Um keeping our students that come there and giving them the opportunities to move on and something such as the two-year program to the four-year is is something that's that I think is truly amazing. So thank you Bob. Okay. Next we have foundation for Eastern Schools. Miss Seago. >> Yes. Thank you. Uh so board members along with everyone received our most recent newsletter highlighting some of the things
052going on in the foundation. Um I do want to just call some attention. Uh one of the areas of focus for the foundation this year is our middle school and the um foundation is providing some teacher appreciation at the middle school for Valentine's Day. Um some wellness activities that will be open for all of the teachers there. We are also offering uh some free after-school programming again for the student half day uh which is next Wednesday, February 4th. students are able to sign up um and select a couple programs. And then we are just gearing up for our um registration and promotion for our big danceon which is going to be a big event held at Cottingham Stadium uh this spring where participants will be able to um sign up and register to dance with
053their fellow alums um to music from their graduation time period. So, we think it's going to be a really fun event and you'll be hearing a lot more about it uh in the upcoming month or so. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. Next is the Charles Shren Science and Technology Initiative and we currently have uh nothing to report. So, the next we have student Jack >> [snorts] >> Good evening everyone. Thank you for having me here today. Um, in December there really wasn't much going on. Everyone was just winding down and getting ready for our long break. January has been a very busy month for us. There was a lot of preparing for our keystones, our midterms, and our finals. We began the new semester with our new classes and new teachers on
054Friday, but I mean it's been a little bit of a rocky start with the snow. [snorts] We did not have an exec board meeting this month, so I'm not sure what all the grade levels are doing right now, but we will have one next month. And that's all I have today. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Next, we have association reports. EA Mr. Good evening everybody. Um, I'm going to talk about something that is going to be probably popular with the adults in the room and the the older people, uh, but maybe not so popular with some of my kiddos here. Um, [sighs] so as a kid who went to high school in the 90s and college in the early 2000s, I know what it's like to go to school and learn without
055a phone. I also know what it's like to teach without phones, as the blue ones we had in 2004 either just sent black and white text messages and they charge you a dime for each one, or you made calls after nine when you had unlimited minutes. When I started teaching, the biggest classroom issues were managing disruptive and rambunctious students who had way too much energy. Suffice it to say, that problem doesn't really exist at the high school today. In fact, the issue is much the opposite right now. Our biggest issue, at least with older kids, is getting them to school and keeping them awake or off their phones. As many in the general public and even in this room haven't taught or learned in a classroom since COVID, the onslaught of phones or social media
056becoming truly pervasive. I want to talk a bit about what has happened in our schools. Sure, if you have teenagers at home or if you pay attention when you're out shopping or going through the drive-thru, you're semi-aware of what's going on. And yes, the district does currently have a policy on phones. But what I can tell you beyond the shadow of a doubt is that whatever you may think about capturing the attention of kids today, you're not fully aware of the precarious and dangerous spot we are in as a district, state, country, and world. If you haven't had a chance to read the morning call article written by a Bethlehem teacher named Max Craft from January 22nd, you need to go read it. The crux, as you can no doubt ascertain based on my words
057so far, is that cell phones aren't akin to the daydreams, apathetic boredom, or romantic ponderings of the teenage brain from when all of us went to school. Teachers in 2026 are competing with a device explicitly designed to hijack attention and designed by billiondoll companies with armies of engineers who create algorithms to prey on teenagers with little willpower. Teenagers succumbing to phone phones is no different than offering endless lollipops and candy bars to a little kid. We shouldn't expect the little kid to be able to say no any more than we expect the teenagers to say no to continually checking their phones. Heck, many of us probably don't say no on a regular basis. Where are we going with all this? What can be done? PA Senate Bill 1014 introduced and already pushed through the Senate
058Education Committee and having bipartisan support, which we all know is not the easiest thing to do in today's world, would prohibit use during the school day. If you aren't aware of it or don't know much about it, I urge you to talk to not just your legislators, but also any secondary teachers you may know. Between fights planned via text, mental health crises created from social media bullying, and countless hours of lost academic time, restricting the use of cell phones during the day is good for all of our students and puts the focus back on academics in all of our schools. Our teachers need this. Our students need this. Quite honestly, our world needs this. Thank you. Any questions? No, no questions. But thank you, Mr. Quinn. I am going to reiterate uh something that Bill
059said, and that is that this has already entered into the House and the Senate, and there is support from both sides. It is very likely within the next 6 to 12 months, we will see some form of a cell phone ban in school. I'm not sure what that exactly will entail at this point, um but it is coming and it is likely to pass. So, students, you know, get ready for that. Um like Mr. Quinn, I agree that uh it will be a pleasant reprieve in uh you know in some of the work and challenges that our teachers face and our students face. Cyber bullying is probably the biggest issue that we face in schools and in society for young you know for teenagers. And so um we certainly have my support in this bill
060as it comes through. Not that that matters, but as a district we will be talking about what does that mean. Um there are a couple of things that we need to keep in mind is that we do need to stay relevant and we need to stay upto-date and competitive in the techn technological world. Um but that does not mean that we need to do that on cell phones during school hours. And there's plenty of research that talks about how much screen time is healthy for individuals of of all ages. So uh fair fair warning for Mr. Quinn that I think you'll see in the next 6 to 12 months. Thank you. >> If if I could just add Mrs. PZA, I was so much shag grin to learn that um PSBA is advocating against this
061legislation um arguing for local control, but the fact is we we are not able to do that and that really does have to come at the state level. And it might be something that this board might be interested in doing is maybe adopting some sort of resolution and sending it to PSBA and saying, "Please don't spend our money advocating against legislation that we want." So perhaps that's something we could look to do soon if possible. Just a simple statement that we're in favor of, you know, legislation, statewide legislation addressing um cell phones and schools if there's interest from board members. >> Yes. Thank you. If I if I'm just maybe being nostalgic on this, um if this does come through, it sounds like these students may have to uh learn how to pass notes through
062study hall again. um which any students in the room maybe ask your parents or grandparents about that communication was a process back then it was a lot more challenging uh to pull those kind of things off so um we may have to adopt a policy on that I don't know but um I always reminisce passing those notes around communication signals drop drop your pencil at exactly 113 all these things I remember vividly whistle codes we would do we had everything communication was a process it was very very challenging back then and it was a lot of fun to get away with it when we could. But um I don't know how I feel about this the cell phone. I can feel I could see the positives of of not having them in the classroom. I'm
063in a classroom where everybody has a cell phone, everybody has a computer. I have students who have a computer, a tablet, and a phone in front of them in my classroom sometimes. So I I know that it is a challenge to try to get that get the attention and and get the get the engagement. It is it is a battle I feel like I can't win myself either. But um it'll be a challenge for all of us here at this table too. However the state takes it and for those of you in the the audience as well. So thank you. Just wanted to share that little little tidbit. >> Thank you. Uh are there any other associations PTA? Okay. Seeing none, we will move on to public to be heard on it. Did you have
064something else? No. Okay. Public to be heard on agenda items. Is there anyone in the public who would like to be heard on agenda items? Please come to the podium, sign in. All right. Seeing none, executive session report. We had no executive session. >> We did not have an executive session last month. >> Nope. All right. Next, we move on to approval of minutes. I need a motion to approve the minutes of the following meetings. The regular board meeting October 28th. Standing committee meetings uh for academics, budget and finance, buildings and grounds safety security, educational technology and student reports held November 11th, regular board meeting held November 19th, the reorganization meeting held December 2nd, and the regular board meeting held December 2nd. >> Motion second. >> Is there any questions or discussion? All in favor?
065>> Any opposed? All right. Next we will be moving on to personnel. First one will be we'll we'll just take all of them. Okay. [clears throat] A 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 leaves of absences as presented. D. Motion to approve the following administrative transfers as presented. E. Motion to approve the following voluntary transfers as presented. [cough and clears throat] F. Motion to elect the following long-term substitutes as presented. Pending receipt of all forms and documents required by the district. [cough] G. Motion to elect the following support staff 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
066of all forms and documents required by the district. I motion to elect the following afterchool program employees as presented. Sorry, it's a long list and that would be it. >> Motion second. >> Any questions or discussion? >> All in favor? I >> I will abstain on I >> I any opposed. Okay. Next we will move on to academics. We have A and B. A motion to approve the following conference request as presented and B motion to the approve the following field trips as presented. motion. >> Second. >> Any questions or discussion? >> Okay. I have a little bit of a comment here for the technology ones. I would sort of I we have a technology group and I'd sort of love to see some of this come more through the the technology versus sending as
067many people as we are for the cost because obviously even though it's paid through grant money and things like that, we could use that money elsewhere. So, it's just a comment. Um, anything else? Okay. All in favor? >> I >> Any opposed? I'll be a no on a >> Was somebody online trying to chime in there? >> I I but I said no, meaning I don't. Um, yeah, that's good. Thanks. Sorry. >> So, which No. >> Was that a a a yes or a no? Either one is fine. >> It was an I for the last um item. >> Thank you >> for Jen. >> Thank you. >> So, is that a yes for both the conference request and the field trip request? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. [clears throat] >> Okay. Next, we'll
068move on to athletics. Uh we have a motion to approve the partnership agreement with New Balance as presented. Motion >> second. >> Any questions or discussion? >> All in favor? [snorts] >> Any opposed? >> Okay. Next, we move on to budget and finance. A motion to approve the financial matters as presented. the treasures report, general fund revenue and expenditure report, monthly student activity statements for the EMS and EAHS, the bill register, the general funds, the special activities, capital projects, new EHS and food services. We have B, motion to approve the attached financing resolution drafted by Kingspry as presented. C. Motion to approve the bond repayment structure as presented by Raymond James. D. Motion to approve the new student activity account EAHS chief science officers as presented. And E, motion to approve the new business mileage
069rate from 70 cents to 72.5 as set by the IRS for the 2026 year as presented. [clears throat] I need a motion. So move >> second. Thank you. Is there any questions or discussion? >> Uh question well the questions last comment. Um just looking at the check registers here. Uh I've just noticed that just this past two months alone, December and and January. So December we paid Alloy 5 $914,000. uh the month be in January we paid him 768 in October uh 914 in December I had here that was I already repeated that and then back into August 176 what percentage do we know is going to be their fees of this whole project do we have a rough percentage of that because that's it's well over $2 million right there and we haven't even,
070you know, the ground yet. >> Yeah, Brian, I I want to say it's it's two and a half or three, but I'd have to double check on that um to to give you an exact answer. Um the majority of the the work that they've been doing recently is, you know, when you see over the past three months, that's all of their design time. It's probably the like right now is where you see the most of it. Um once we get through the design phase, I think you'll start seeing that level off a little bit. But right now, you know, with them coming out presenting each time and and doing all the design, that's where you're going to see the majority of it concentrated. >> Yeah, it was kind of a what I was thinking too
071because I had [clears throat] seen there was an invoice back in October, August like 17,000 and then the fees are just picked up. So I'm I'm >> sounds like what you're saying, what I was thinking going to peak a little. Absolutely. >> And then it'll begin to drop as once we >> Yep. They're done because there won't be much design >> then. Okay. I was just wondering because I saw those numbers just really balloon up there and I was wondering if that's what it was because of the work they've been doing the past six months. >> Yep. Going to planning commission going all this stuff. Y Okay. Absolutely. >> Okay. Thank you. It's all you needed. Thank you. >> Sure. My question is regarding the financing resolution uh to the attorney. Is this the entirety
072of the acts that we'll take on for the debt for this phase one of the project? So for that, if I could, I'll actually defer to to my partner Kevin Reid, who who handles he's bond counsel for the district. >> Good evening, Kevin Reed from Kingspay. So the resolution that's before you um does two different things. One is um that about a third of it um is dedicated kind of to your new projects in in phase one. So it's about 20 million or so with respect to that. The other component of it is that your financing team has identified prior issues that the district um um bonded that may have the opportunity for refunding. So from interest rate savings, specifically the 2018 series, the 2019 and the 2022 may be viable to refund. So a
073portion of the resolution is also dedicated to that. So about 2third of the amount approximately about 46 million or so may be able to be refunded. That's all contingent upon the market um cooperating. >> Yeah. So my my further question was is this resolution the extent that this board will take in terms of authorizing that and then the sales will occur or is it gets contingent on the financing terms being better? >> Certainly. So this resolution contemplates that for that part of the phase for that $20 million part of the project, this is the action that will take place. It authorizes officers and officials to sign documents when we file with the state and also authorizes officers and officials to sign documents when we close on the particular uh financing. As a follow-up question to
074that as to the CFO B because we don't have the final results of that prior audit yet, is there any position is there any possibility of any kind of uh extenduating liability or duress that we would experience as a function of issuing these bonds? I don't know if that question makes sense. >> Yeah. Could you sorry could you say that again? >> So like for example, if we were to have a reserve that's lower than we expect as a function of the the audits that are outstanding, would these Would we be posing ourselves in a position of liability or extenduating duress? >> No, we would not. >> Okay. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. And I just would like for clarification for the Raymond James letter uh in the regard the subject line it has
075for $350 million. And I just want to make sure as clarification that that is for the refinancing of the bonds and the 300 million for the high school project. >> Yeah. So that's just our regulatory disclosure letter that establishes us as the underwriter. It doesn't really mean anything other than we gave you the proper disclosure. So we always cap it at the whole totality of everything. So the 300 million the funings are all in that uh gray line there. so that we don't have to come back to you and get a new letter signed every time we do another. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Is there any other questions or discussion? >> Okay. All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Opposed to payments to Home Depot. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um,
076next we will be moving on to educational technology and student supports. And I'm going to, if I'm correct here, then I that I'm allowed to do this here. I'm going to ask for a motion. However, on item C, uh, there is an older version on the the attachment is an older version. So, I'm asking as we make a motion that we make a motion pending final solicitor review for that documentation. So we will have a motion to approve the fortunet security awareness agreement as presented. B motion to approve the final site addendum to agreement as presented. C motion to approve the turning point agreement as presented pending the final solicitor review. D. Motion to approve the updated agreement with Valley Youth House as presented. E. Motion to approve the updated agreement for additional yes counselor
077as presented and F. Motion to approve the updated agreement with Brett Denovi and Associates as presented. >> Motion >> second. >> Any questions or discussion? Go ahead. >> And just for clarification on C, um they have agreed to to our edits. It's just the the version that is posted uh is the old version. So that that's the only reason for that little caveat. Nothing further. Nothing that would be substantively different. >> Thank you. Okay. Any other questions or discussion? All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Okay. Next we have policy um a motion to approve policy 626 federal fiscal compliance. The first reading was November 18th as presented. And B motion to approve policy 808 food services. First reading was November 18th as presented. Motion >> second. >> Okay. Any questions or discussion? All in
078favor? >> Any opposed? >> All right. Next, we move on to other business. Uh a motion to approve settlement agreement as presented and b motion to approve expulsion hearing waiver form for student 40267 as presented. Motion >> second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> All right. Next, we will have public to be heard on non-aggenda items. If there's any public in anyone in the public who would like to speak on non-aggenda items, please come to the podium, sign in. Okay. All right. Seeing none, move on to any other business from board members. anything? >> No. >> Okay. >> I did just want to remind people that if you go to Giant, you should round up for hunger when they ask you at the register because the money is coming to the East School
079District right now. Okay. So, don't forget. >> Thank you. Didn't know that. Okay. Anything else? All right. Uh we will have motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:21. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? All right. Thank you. Thank you for coming out. And students, if you need your form signed, come on up.