Regular Board Meeting

001to order this evening at 7:06. If we could have everyone please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> 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, do you have roll call? >> Okay. Mr. Huertz. >> Sure. Good evening, everyone. As we prepare to begin this meeting tonight, uh, which I know has drawn significant public interest, I want to take a moment to address our audience directly regarding the standards of conduct and decorum that we expect this evening. The board of education and administration are committed to listening respectfully to the diverse perspectives and opinions of community members regarding the matters before us. We understand the passion and concern that has

002brought you here this evening, and we value the willingness of residents to share their thoughts. However, for us to conduct the necessary business of the district and provide a safe and orderly environment for all participants, it is essential that we maintain a respectful and orderly atmosphere. Therefore, the following rules of decorum are in effect. All participants who wish to address the board must be residents or taxpayers of our community. We expect all audience members to be respectful of the board, the superintendent, the staff, and their fellow community members at all times. The use of obscene, derogatory, personal attacks that are off-topic and nonsequator or other disruptive language will not be tolerated. Any form of disorderly or unsafe behavior is prohibited during the proceedings. If any audience member fails to comply with these regulations, they will

003be asked to immediately cease the behavior and sit down. Should that individual continue to be non-compliant or disruptive, they'll be removed from the building by a police officer. Our intent is to hear from you, but we will not allow the meeting to devolve into disorder. Finally, please note that while we are here to listen to your opinions, this is not a question and answer session and there will be no comments, questions or feedback following your remarks. This is a personnel matter and as such we are limited in what we can publicly discuss. We appreciate your understanding of this necessary constraint. Thank you for your cooperation. Again, we welcome you to speak during the public comments portion of the agenda and appreciate everyone's efforts to ensure a productive and respectful meeting. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank

004you, Mr. Okay, next we'll be moving on to superintendent report. Miss Piaza. >> Good evening everyone. Tonight I have a few things to share with the public and a a few accommodations that I would like to share um regarding some of our staff. First, I'd like to share with you an opportunity that is coming up for our students, particularly in grades uh 5 through 8, which is an opportunity at Lafayette College coming up on October 11th. There are a few things happening at Lafayette College that day. First of all, the college is on fall break and there's a home football game. So, they have invited our students in grades 5 through 8 to join them for a sports clinic which is um uh either gender, it's around um agility and other fun activities that would

005happen at 10:00 on October 11th. These flyers will be made um available to you. The other opportunity is for families, our students, um, free of charge going to the game which would begin at 12:30 on October 11th. On that day, they will also be highlighting some of our Eastern students predominantly from our elementary and excuse me, middle school who will be given special tasks and roles like the um the singing of the national anthem. Some of them will be commentators of the day, broadcasters of the day, sideline officials for the day. So, a bunch of fun activities available to our students. Um, and so, as I said, you will get flyers about that and we'll post it on our website, but if you are available on that day, it promises to be a nice day

006at Lafayette College for our community and we thank them for their partnership. I also want to give a couple of shoutouts to some of our members of our staff. I did receive a notification from Mr. Christopher Balentine expressing extreme um pleasure and um appreciation for um M custodian Kevin and his name last name escapes me at the moment who is at this stadium when they need to set up for events. The particular event that he is addressing was our band festival first flags that took place this past Saturday. And so Kevin along with our entire custodial maintenance crew and Ken Casease were extremely helpful, courteous, and went above and beyond as they do all of the time. Uh Mr. Ballentine also made a point of thanking um Mr. Andrew Palmer who runs our one of

007the people who runs our technology for meetings such as this for his level of attention, care, and professionalism as he was capturing the event via the technology and the board. So again, I do want to um move Mr. Valentine's comments forward and thank our staff who have been in um invaluable members of our team uh all the time, but in particular on events that are a little bit taxing. So, thank you on behalf of Mr. Valentine and myself. The other incident that I want to bring attention to happened just this evening and so I'm not going to get into great detail but I certainly want to com commend officer Steve Schlleg, nurse Jenny and nurse Spears. The two nurses are nurses um at Chest School or we're filling in today for quick thinking and u

008I would be short of saying heroic efforts. My understanding without getting into detail is there was an infinite infant in distress who would potentially have lost his or her life and the quick thinking of that team, Officer Schlleg and our two nurses along with the responders who came and got the uh youngster to the hospital who was doing well. I understand you know certainly saved a life today and and for that I know those parents are grateful and our as a community we're grateful as well. So Mr. Mr. Schlleg, I know is here somewhere and we thank him for his efforts tonight. Um, let me see. Lastly, I guess there are just a couple of callouts or shout outs tonight. Uh, letting you know some events that are coming up in terms of recognition. On

009October 2nd, it is school custodial appreciation day and certainly we will remember to acknowledge our those individuals as we hope you will as well. October 6 is National National Coaches Day and October 1st through the 31st is National Principal Month, which again, of course, we will make sure we make an effort to acknowledge all of those individuals who work for us here in the district and thank them for their service. With that, I'll turn it back over to our president and we'll begin our agenda. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Pazza. Next, we'll be moving on to reports. Colonial Intermediate Unit 20, Mr. Snyder. Yeah, thank you. Just a couple quick updates here. The uh newsletter uh was sent to the board email back on September 25th. Um at our last meeting, we honored a

010student, Aiden Morton, uh Caposa from Pocono Mountain. He was the recipient of this year's Inspire Award. Uh Dr. Crater at the IU uh talked about a Hymark Foundation grant that uh of $6,000 that was awarded to the resolve services program and Dr. Kalinowski did a presentation on remote work and how the IU may be looking at that as an option for certain employees. Uh his presentation included some research and a survey done with other IUs in the state to see how they're utilizing um remote workers. Other than that, our next meeting will be on October 22nd. That concludes the report. >> Thank you. Next, we have sorry, Eastn Public Library. Thank you. Hello, I'm Katherine Long from the East Area Public Library Board of Directors. I just want to mention a couple of things that

011you already have in our report for the summer. Uh, our summer reading program was very successful. The, uh, participants logged over 11 minutes of reading in a two-month period, which I think is outstanding. And what I think is really important is that we all know about the summer slip. Libraries across the Commonwealth help prevent that summer slip with their summer reading programs. So, I commend our staff on a wonderful job that they did this summer. Uh, the Pennsylvania Library Association PA Forward Program awarded our library staff a gold star, a gold star, excuse me, for their emphasis on literacy. Again, reiterating that whole idea that the library always works in conjunctions with the schools. Finally, you have in front of you the information for our upcoming book sale, which will begin October 8th with the

012preview sale and runs through the 13th. I hope everyone, including our audience, can come and support the library. Any questions? Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Okay, next we have Ker Institute of Technology. Do either of my counterparts want to make any statements? I just want to say that the start of the school year at CIT has gone very well. Uh they started a vette program this year. It seems to be very very um exciting for the kids. They have their first uh room pet which I believe was a bunny. They will be getting others uh going forward. And uh it just seems like it's it's going very well there. Very pleased. Anything? >> Nope. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Next we have Northampton Community College, Mr. Penel. >> And only a couple

013items to highlight. Uh again, our numbers for the enrollment are still up. uh which is excellent and amongst our peers we seem to be near the top of that list for uh maintaining that. Um the other one was that I noted we received a $20,000 empowerment grant uh by the Provident Bank and it was the first time that a community college received that and that's very instrumental because we're finding that there's a demand and we're actually going to be renovating some building area right now. A demand for some of the trades, you know, electrical, machining, uh welding we're not expanding in. But when you look at some of the others, uh those are all that there seems to be demands in which everybody really needs and everything. And this grant will help the students uh

014get the type of equipment and everything that they may be required to have to be in those programs. So that that's a significant piece. Lastly, uh in athletics, two pieces. Uh for the 10th time we've been named the the Champions of the Character Award, which is based on again how your student performance is, not just on the court, but you're totally all around and everything uh with how they carry themselves. And uh in addition to that, I will tell you that there is an athlete that graduated from Eastston in the volleyball program that has been doing very well this year. Uh she's in her second year and uh looking forward to it. Uh currently they are I believe 15 and 0 right now. So they've been having a tremendous season. So and that concludes my

015report. Any questions? >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Penel. Okay. Next we have the foundation for Eastern Schools, Miss Siago. >> Thank you, Mrs. Hess. Uh no formal report attached for board members tonight, but I do just want to let everyone know that we had uh our first formal foundation meeting for this school year a couple weeks ago, which included four new members on our foundation board, which we're very excited about. Um, you will start to be seeing things um out um on Facebook and other places related to some new efforts with um an alumni um event and registration and um a partnership with hometown ticketing that the district uses as a new way for community members to contribute to the foundation. And our new director, Mrs. Cra will be here um to

016give a report in person to the board this October and she will have more details about all of those items. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. Next is Charles Science and Technology Initiative and we currently have no report. Um next is student. Do we have our student council >> Jack please? >> Thank you Jack. Good evening everyone. Thank you for having me here today. My name is Jack Lee and I'm the new executive board president for this school year. I'm working alongside Marley Guyger who is the vice president as well as Gianna Stewart who is our secretary, Lyanna Cole, our treasurer, and Gracie Gyer, our parliament parliamentarian. We had our first exec board meeting about two weeks ago. The freshman class was not in attendance because they have not yet been elected. For

017the past few weeks, upperassman student council members have been going around to freshman advisories and informing them about what student council is. Our goal is to raise interest and motivate students to join student council. Um for the future, club fair will be on Wednesday, October 8th during all advisory periods. 9th through 11th grade students can attend. Trunk or treat is scheduled for Sunday, October 26th from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Our Halloween dress up will be Friday, October 31st. The proceeds from the dress up will be going to the Llamas and Widner families in light of the recent passings. Homecoming will be held Saturday, November 1st in the main gym from 7 to 10 p.m. We are still determining the ticket prices which will depend on the cost of the DJ. That's all I have. Are

018there any questions? >> Actually, Jack, the trunk or treat, is that held in the parking lot at the high school? >> Yeah, it's held at >> just so everybody knows. >> Yep. >> Thank you for your time. >> Thanks. Look forward to seeing you this year. >> Yep. >> Okay. Next. Do we have association reports? Anyone from the EAEA? >> Good evening everyone. Uh, my name is Bill Quinn. I am the president of EAEA. And while this is my first board meeting as EAEA president, I've been in the district since 2004 teaching high school English and had also coached basketball for 17 years. Thanks for giving me a few moments to speak and thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting the students, teachers, and staff in the eastern area school district. I want to

019thank administration, especially our HR director, Cara Defor, for uh their willingness to work with and listen to teachers so far this school year. And I sincerely hope that we can count on even more engagement and attention towards advocacy and collaboration moving forward. We need it. I'd also be remiss if I didn't take a moment to thank all parties involved in the negotiation of our contract last spring. Of course, everyone always wants more money and more benefits, but we as the EAEA also want the best for Eastston as a community as well. We're hoping as we go forward that the board and administration acknowledges the tireless work put in by so many teachers as well as the need for more help and support in the form of new hires across the board. more teachers, more paraprofessionals,

020more subs, more bus drivers and other staff to support the great work already being done in each and every one of our buildings. Along those lines, it would certainly be nice if the state or the federal government for that matter could pass their budgets and offer some relief to districts in need since we are going on three months without that. Again, thank you to everyone and uh for all that you do to support all facets of the Eastn Area School District community. I look forward to working with many of you this year and beyond. Have a wonderful night. Any questions? Have a great night everybody. >> Thank you, Mr. Quinn. >> Okay. Next item will be public to be heard on agenda items. These are strictly for agenda items only. And I'm going to read

021uh the board recognizes the value to school governance of public comments on the educational issues and the importance of involving members of the public and board meetings. The board also recognizes its responsibility to conduct the business of the district in an orderly and efficient manner. The board has established the following guidelines to govern public participation. The public may comment at two points within each voting meeting. The board shall require the public comments requested at the beginning of the meeting be for comment on agenda items. The superintendence report is not considered an agenda item. Public comments at the end of the meeting shall be for general comments on non-aggenda items. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer and no participate participant may address or question individual board members. Public comment is not a question

022answer session or debate. The public is permitted to comment but should not expect a response from the board or administration. The president may interrupt or terminate a participant statement when the statement is too lengthy, redundant, personally directed, abusive, obscene, or irrelevant. Personal attacks on board members, administrators, or district district employees will not be tolerated. So, do I have anyone in the public who would like to speak on non-aggenda items? >> Non-aggenda items >> or agenda items. I apologize. No. Seeing none. Okay. >> You can speak on the raise or the salary, not any any other item regarding that. >> Okay. If you could please sign your name, put your address, and also state your name loud. Sure. >> And what municipality? So, >> it's here for public comment as well. >> My name's already listed.

023>> Okay. But for our for >> Kathleen Harrison, >> I'm gonna make this comment really quick. Uh I'm pretty disgusted with this board to even have a raise on the agenda for Kelly Keegan. I think it's a slap in the face to every parent, to every community member who has been completely outraged and disgusted for the past five years by her behavior. and more importantly all of you who have taken no action. You don't listen to the parents whom by the way we are your boss. It is the taxpayers. So for you to sit here knowing what you know tonight and knowing how upset the community is and to have that on your agenda, shame on you. Shame on all of you. Okay. Is there anyone else from the public who would like to speak

024on agenda items? >> The only thing is regarding the salary increment. Okay. Is there anyone else from the public who would like to speak on agenda items? Okay. Next, moving on to executive session report. East Mary School District held the following executive sessions. August 12th regarding legal, contract, and personnel matters. August 12th for personnel, legal and contract, and September 9th for contracts and personnel. Okay. Next, moving on to motion for the approval of the minutes. >> Motion. >> I need Thank you. Need a motion to approve the minutes of the following meetings. Regular board meeting of August 12th, 2025. >> Sorry. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any questions or discussion? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Next, we have personnel. We have A, B, and C. Um motion to approve job description.

025Director of transportation as presented. Motion to approve job description subject coordinator as presented. And motion to approve job description school bus driver trainer as presented. >> Motion. >> Okay. Some conversation. Mrs. H. >> I can't see you. I'm sorry. >> Okay. Okay, Meg, I'm sorry. Before you do that, I wanted to see if we could motion to table the subject coordinator description to have further discussion on it. >> Second. Okay. Is all in favor? >> I I sorry. Go ahead. >> That's just on tableabling. All in favor of just tableabling that one item to be clear. Okay. So, is everyone clear on that? All in favor of tableabling the one letter B, job description of subject coordinator. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Okay. So, next we have uh the approval for job description of

026director of transportation and school bus driver trainer. >> Motion. >> We have the motion and second. We just need approval. Is there any question or discussion on that portion of it? >> I have a question on 7A. Okay. >> On the director of transportation, I've already um spoke about my concern about changing this from supervisor to director. My concern is moving forward with the next negotiations for the administrator's contract, the act 93. This moves this uh individual up to the level of director, which will automatically come with a salary increase. I know it'll be um negotiated and we don't know where that will fall, but for that reason alone, we hired as a supervisor. Uh the gentleman is doing a fine job. Has nothing to do with his performance, but we're, you know, adding and

027moving up a level in the administrative ranks and therefore I'm not supporting this. And the bus uh driver trainer, is that a new position? Is that a stipen? We currently have several bus drivers that are CDL trained to train our bus drivers. Uh they would not be additional positions in their contract. Uh there is an additional amount that they make per hour, but we do not have a job description for them. So we currently already have them employed with us. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Is there any other discussion or questions? >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> No. On 7A. >> Okay. Mr. Ramirez, you have that. Okay. Next, we have D and E and F, G, H. Bless you. Sorry, pages are long. I and we'll stop there

028for now. So D motion to approve the East Area School District professional teaching staff members and approved professional substitute teachers as homebound instructors as needed throughout the 2025 2026 school year as presented. E motion with regrets and regrets and best wishes to approve the following retirements as presented. F motion to approve the following resignations as presented. G. Motion to approve the following leave of absences as presented. H. Motion to approve the following contractual salary increment as presented. And I motion to approve the following following salary adjustments as presented. Second. >> Is there any questions or discussion? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> No. On 7H. >> J. Administrative transfers. K. Voluntary transfers. L election administration. M. Election TPE, N. Election LTS, O. Election support staff, P, election of coach, Q, election

029volunteer coach, R, EPFED, and S, after school program. So, we'll start there. J, administrative uh transfer motion to approve the following administrative transfers as presented. K. Voluntary transfer. Motion to approve the following voluntary transfers as presented. L. Motion to approve the administrative election as presented. M. Motion to elect the following temporary professional employee contract TPE as presented pending receipt of all forms and documents required by the district. N election of LTS. Motion to elect the following LTS's long-term long-term substitutes as presented pending receipt of all forms and documents required by the district. O motion to elect the following support staff as presented pending receipt of all forms and documents required by the district. P. Election to approve the coach as presented. Q. Election volunteer coach. Motion to elect the following volunteer coaches as presented pending

030receipt of all forms and documents required by the district. R motion to approve the following changes to the contractual EPFED stipens as presented. And S motion to elect the following afterchool program employees as presented. >> Motion. >> Is there any questions or discussion? >> All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? >> Uh, no. On 7J. Um, no on 7M. Um, if I'm concerned, I brought it up before about hiring above budgeted numbers of step one. So, I'm still going to um continue that and vote no on that item. And on uh 70, I do have a um a question about the admin professional replacements. These are replacements for positions that already exist. Uh we did ask for an analysis of who resigned, who were replacing, if there was any kind of information uh to be

031provided that were not hiring all of the resignations. And the other concern about this is we had a retirement incentive for this group as well as other groups. And as I stated before, the retirement incentive only works when you're not replacing. So again, I'll I'll ask again for that analysis on have we are we replacing all retirement positions or are we going to uh do what we intended to do and not replace? >> Thank you. >> So of the positions of folks who retired or resigned, there were 95 of which who retired and resigned. 58 of those positions were not replaced. The admin professionals were not part of that. Um the admin professionals were not part of the retirement incentive. >> They weren't entitled to the retirement incentive. >> They were not act 93 and

032EA. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. And I will abstain on uh S after school program. >> Bless you. Next we'll have T National Board Certification U. Western Governor's University Affiliation Agreement B. Resolution to issue statement of charges to professional employee. [Applause] I have a motion. >> Second. >> Okay. Uh is there any questions or discussion? I'd like to also congratulate those individuals who have uh done the national board certification. So, all in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Next, we'll move on to academics. >> Did I do Yes, I did. B. That's okay. Academics. A. Field trip request. B. Conference request. C. Resolution E signature. D. Letter of agreement for title one agreement. E. First in math quote. Need a motion in a second? >> Okay. Uh, A. Motion to

033approve the field trip request as presented. Sorry, I went out of order there. B, motion to approve conference request as presented. C. Motion to approve the following resolution for E signature as presented. E. Motion to approve the following letter of agreement for title one agreement as presented. F. Motion to approve the following first and math quote as presented. Is there any questions or discussion? >> I do have a question on um 8B and 8A. Um 8B I'm just pointing out that we're sending again we have sub issues and class coverage issues and we're sending multiple people to the same conference. Uh 8A I just question the backup information and if the subcost on that request is accurate. Is there one specific one on those? >> Uh for I think it was the Da Vinci. >>

034One second. >> There was two subs, but the amount uh only reflects uh for one on each request. Bless him. >> I you it's not that big of a deal. You can just look into that and let me know. Okay. I'm just uh want to make sure that we're putting out the right numbers. >> Good evening, Mr. Seminary. If we're I'm taking a look at the field trip request for the Da Vinci Science Center, two subs at the cost of $200. And so, it's my understanding that is $100 a day per sub. So, that >> for a teacher sub is $100 >> for the teacher sub. >> Is that our current rate? Correct. I thought our rate was like 160. I'd have to pull up the most recent amendment with the ESS contract. Might be

035a little bit higher than that. I'll have to pull that up though. >> Okay. >> I'm off hand. >> Thank you. >> So then we will review and >> and confirm. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Okay. Next we have budget and finance. We have a replacement freezers for March Elementary School, Bart Elementary School, and Shauny Elementary. Uh, B, Palmer Township Home Depot tax appeal refund. C, financial matters. >> Need a motion. >> Motion. >> Okay, I have a motion. Did you get that? Okay, so it was Dion with the motion and Yikesha with the second. >> All right. A is motion to approve the replacement freezers for March Elementary School, Forks Elementary, and Shauny Elementary Schools as presented. B is Palmer Township motion to approve

036the Home Depot tax appeal refund stipulation as presented. and see the financial matters. Motion to approve financial matters as presented, the treasures report, general fund revenue and expenditures report, the monthly student activity statements, EMS and EHS, the bill register uh regular and AC, the general funds, the special activities, the capital projects and food service. Uh is there any questions or discussion? I have a question on 9C the bills. So I don't know if it was confirmed or they went through with it, but I did read where Bethlehem was holding back 30% on charter school payments because of the state budget. We're not getting our money. They should not be getting theirs. Have we have any discussions about holding back some of the payment for the charter schools? >> So that is accurate. Bethlehem did pass

037that resolution at their last meeting and um I did have a conversation with the superintendent from Bethlehem to talk about the process that they took. There is an um there is encouragement from um some of our delegates across this adult across the state as well as locally for other schools to join that um to join that resolution, join that mission. So it is a conversation that we will need to have as a board. Will we maybe see that? We're waiting for the budget to get passed. >> I will bring that to you in October. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Any further discuss? >> Question on item B. Did we um I I didn't see an answer as to the question Mr. Simonetta had last month about um Home Depot and any um special tax

038arrangement that they had or didn't have when that um shopping complex was first built. >> Sure. I can ask I can answer that. Uh Dr. Siago, it was part of a preferential tax uh arrangement when it was initially built. Uh that did end uh frankly the first year of the appeal. But if you'll what you'll note is that the case is actually from uh 2013. Uh that's when that that was the last year of that tax pref preferential treatment. uh the tax years at issue would have started in 2014. We were able to negotiate uh a waiver on their part from 2014 through 2019. Um but yes, it was originally part and >> what what was the original what was the time period of that tax arrangement initially? >> Give me one second. the shopping

039center, uh, Palmer Town Center was built as part of a tiff. Uh, that expired actually that it looks like that expired in 2017. >> And when did it start? >> That I don't that I don't have. Apologize. >> Okay. So, but the point is for a period of years, Home Depot received special tax forgiveness for that >> probably for 10 years um for that local. And since then, they're unhappy with the amount of tax that they now have to pay to support their local schools. And so the upshot is we the taxpayer in the district are now on the hook for almost half a million dollars um back to Home Depot despite the tax forgiveness that they al already had when they built that complex. So I I understand that this has been negotiated down

040from what it possibly could have been. It's still clearly not a good deal for anyone who lives in the school district. And I think um people need to remember that when they're making decisions about where they are, what businesses they're patronizing. And I hope that we are not um as a district uh supporting them either. Thank you, >> Meg. Thanks for reminding me, reminding us about that question. the followup. I also asked about will we be seeing this from other businesses in that development? >> Anything on the horizon? And >> obviously we can anticipate that they're going to appeal. >> Sure. I can't speak directly to whether we will or won't. What I will tell you though is one of the things hurting every district in the Commonwealth um and particularly in Northampton County is

041the rapidly declining common level ratio. As the common level ratio drops, it increases the purported market value of these properties. Um and it's been dropping pretty uh dramatically. Uh something along the lines of 15% in the past two three years. Um so you tend to see an influx in in tax appeals when that occurs from commercial properties. >> Okay. Is there any other further discussion or questions? Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> No on B. Okay. >> Okay. Next we have buildings and ground safety and security. We've got a school bus cellular radios. B PlanC con and B C updated policeou 2025. So A motion to approve the agreement with firstn net as presented. B motion to approve plan con A and B documents as presented. and C motion to approve

042the updatedou between the EISD and municipality police departments as presented. >> Motion second. >> Any questions or discussion? >> I have a questions on 10A and some concerns. I've already voiced my opinion about the RFP process. Um so not going to go over that again. Uh the question that I have um the reliability data on these devices, I know the radios are needed. I'm just not sure this is the way to go. Um this is new technology. I don't know about any kind of uh reliability that we can count on. Is there a warranty on these devices, Dr. Zanic? >> To my knowledge, uh Mr. Now, there's a one-year uh warranty on those devices. I will double check though with Mr. Burnernhard since he is here tonight. Um, is that accurate, Mr. Burnernhard? And if

043there's an issue after the warranty, well, even if there is an issue during the warranty, uh, this company is not local. We have local reps, but it's not local. Who is going to work on the radios, repair them, replace them, or will they just get replaced sight on scene? Now, Brian, the representative who was here at the standing committee meeting, will be our representative to take care of those uh replacements. Mike, well, >> will he be repairing the radios or >> he will not? He will send them to his company and wherever that is located. I believe that he said at the standing committee the most uh the closest one is New Jersey is where that would be coming from. Okay. I just and I'll just reiterate just not comfortable spending this much money on

044new or unproven technology and equipment. I will just leave it at that. Thank you. >> Yeah. And and I had raised many of those concerns too over the past month or two looking at uh using cellular network as a as the primary and as I had said if the cell network goes down then your phones are down and your radios are down whereas radio in and of itself doesn't require any kind of uh infrastructure and it's also better you can manage it locally and and I've been a radio fan for as long as I could remember. Uh I I love radio. I've had my amateur license for almost 20 years and just principle I just uh I can't support something that's not that's radio that's using the cell network and I know the cell network

045use radio frequency I know how it works but you're dependent on third party infrastructure and there are other concerns that I had brought up with that so more against principle more on principle with that so I'm going to uh be a no on 10A as well thank Okay. Is there any other further questions or discussion? >> All right. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> No. On 108. Sorry, Brian. >> I will also be a no on a so that should be three now. Okay. Next we have um 11 educational technology and student supports. We have A IU contract 202526 B Zello C dentist and doctor recommendations D agreement with Delta T group E agreement with Lakeside Youth Services Flet Destiny re renewal and G iPad adapter purchase. So, A is motion to

046approve IU Easton special education agreement for the 202526 school year as presented. B motion to approve Zello invoice as presented. C. Motion to approve the EASD dentist and doctor recommendation as presented. D. Motion to approve the updated pricing agreement with Delta T Group. E. Motion to approve the agreement with Lakeside Youth Services as presented. F. The Flet Destiny motion to approve the renewal for the Flet Destiny as presented. And G motion to approve the iPad headset adapter purchase with CDW as presented. >> Need a motion. >> Motion. >> Any questions or discussion? >> Just on the uh iPad adapter purchase is that I believe that was a different price than what we had seen at the committee. It looks like it's a little lower. Can I didn't I just want to confirm that? >> Sure.

047Yeah. At the standing committee, Miss Sago brought up that uh we had some an issue going with the Apple adapters. They were priced at about $35,000 guaranteed to work. Uh Mr. Snyder, at that time, the board had requested that Miss Arn go back and look for some other adapters that may serve the purpose. Uh I want to thank Jamie who's here this evening. Uh she did reach out to Apple. Apple um let us know that they were unwilling to change their price that they extend a 15% discount to the East Area School District uh and they would not go anymore. Uh Jamie did reach out to a few companies and found a company at CDW who uh shipped us and expedated adapters uh to try out those functioned uh everything that we needed them to

048function. That price came in about $2 or $3 cheaper per item. So the quote from Apple was about $35,000 give or take a hundred bucks or so. This quote came in at about 22,000 and some change. So the price is about $13,000 different from what you saw at standing committee through a different company. >> I mean unfortunately since we've gone with Apple for so many years, you know, maybe we need to start looking at someone else. >> We've had that conversation as we come into the next cycle. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All in favor? Hi. >> Any opposed? >> Ne on G. >> A on B. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Uh, no on 11A IU contract and no on uh E, Lakeside training contract. >> Okay, Mrs. Ramirez, do you have that? Thank you. Next,

049we have 12 other business. A settlement agreement and B August 2025 ten teacher tenure report. A motion to approve the settlement agreement as presented and B motion. What's that? >> The no tenure is not it's just a report. >> Okay. So, uh need a motion and then approval for a >> motion. Okay. I need all in all in agreement for a >> sorry what did she say? >> So we are only approving A. >> Okay. >> So all in favor for A. B is just a report. >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Next we have public to be heard on non-aggenda items. This is your moment. If you'd like to come up to the podium, please fill out the paper. Put your name, address, then please state your name aloud and the mun municipality that

050you are from. Reminding everyone of what we read earlier and appreciate everyone having the respect for others at the podium. >> My husband Dave and I served as teachers in the East Area School District for a combined 66 years. I felt compelled to speak this evening in order to address the fact that an employee who has direct impact on students in the EASD regularly, at least until just recently, has made questionable social media post, including ones glorifying violence and the death of another human being. The district's own mission statement includes being quote dedicated to the importance of developing students into responsible citizens. I think it would be fair to say that many of these employees social media post which is essentially I'm sorry. I think it would be fair to say that many of this

051employees social media post, which is essentially no different than putting up a billboard on your front lawn, have failed miserably in that regard. I won't reread Charlie Per Kirk's post as we've all seen it. However, there is a pattern of this kind of behavior. This same person made a post regarding the sudden death of Forks Township Ed Regan which said, "Ding dong, the witch is dead." And dead was capitalized every letter. She went to say also, "Karma did her thing." And when 10 people call to congratulate another, you know that the dead person was a terrible person. And I can't repeat the same employees employees post concerning poor white men, including using the P-word. You would not want that up on your board for all to see. Yet, what probably equally concerns me as a

052former East Area School District educator is this person's post in regard to 504 plans. a tailored plan that falls under section 504 of the de the deh sorry dehabilitation act of 1973 a federal civil rights law that protects students with disabilities from discrimination. As a former educator, I implemented 504 and IEP plans every day for student success. I quote from her post, which is obviously mocking 504 plans as well as students who have them. I want a 504 plan for my kid because he doesn't want to walk up and down the stairs or carry his backpack. I want a so he can have an elevator key and a peer buddy to carry his bag from class to class. He doesn't want to be inconvenienced or uncomfortable. So, we'll find a doctor who will agree with

053that and write a letter. It is obvious that this person who is a school nurse neither understands nor cares about what a 504 nor about the students who need them. I suppose that the questions that should be answered include how controversial does a person need to be to justify an educator making derogatory public statements in regard to the murder or their death? Is there no limit as to fare educator how far an educator can go in denigrating someone with whom they disagree with politically? And to what degree would it be acceptable for a school district employee to publicly mock a federallymandated plan and the students who qualify for it. to the employee who represents their school district as well as their community and the significant impact, good or bad, on countless impressionable school-aged children. No

054one is perfect, yet trials and even mistakes can be blessings in life. They are certainly not easy nor desired. Hopefully, we grow and learn from them. For the sake of our school district and the children with whom you interact, please learn from this. As has been seen, many, many people are impacted by her unkind and cruel words. Someone once told me, and it's something I'll never forget, and it's actually it was hanging on my Eastary Middle School wall bulletin board for years. Before you speak or post anything any That's I'm so sorry. Before you speak or post, answer these three questions. Number one, is it kind? Number two, too. Is it true? And number three, is it necessary? I don't believe the words we have seen here qualify for that. Thank you to our board

055for all you do for the students of Eastn Area uh school district. We are lifelong supporters of the district. We love Eastston. This is one of the times I felt compelled to speak before you. Thank you. I just want to remind everybody that there is it is five minutes. So, I don't want to interrupt you as you're speaking because we want to be able to listen, but I do want to let you know that we're getting close to that time. So, just so everybody's aware. >> Five minutes per person. >> Yes. >> Got it. >> Okay. And if you could please again sign the paper and then also um read your name out or say your name out loud so that we can record it, please. Thank you. >> Um good evening board members and

056the community. My name is Tracy Di Maria. Um I'm a homeowner and a taxpayer in the district. I'm an adjunct professor at a local university and I'm a healthc care professional who has worked with um disabled children in public school environments for almost 30 years. Uh tonight I'm speaking to you as a mother of a son with disabilities who had an IEP throughout his education. I am here to support Kelly Keegan, a school nurse at the Eastn Area High School and a friend of my family for 15 years. Kelly and her family have been among the most compassionate people we know. In this community, families often go out of their way to include children equally when kids are young. But as differences become more visible, invitations fade and exclusion sets in. My autistic son experienced

057this exclusion right here in Easton. Friends who once considered us um families who once considered us friends stopped inviting him and um including us in gatherings. Kelly and her family were the exact opposite. They continued to welcome us. They included my son, accommodated his needs, and always made sure he felt valued. I have seen firsthand Kelly's compassion and kind kindness countless times in the way she cares for her elderly relatives and elderly friends, takes it upon herself to make me meals for families in crisis, volunteers at Safe Harbor, the homeless shelter, and even small things like neighborhood cleanups. She doesn't look for credit. She simply steps in and help when it's needed. Kelly has consistently been an advocate for people who cannot always speak up for themselves. She is brave, intelligent, and compassionate, and deeply

058committed to her role as a nurse. Just like all of us, she is human, and you may not always agree with her or her actions, but her heart tells a very clear story. She loves her jobs and she loves the students she works with. Unfortunately, Kelly's advocacy during the pandemic 5 years later is being taken out of context and misrepresented by a small vengeful group and spread maliciously online. This outdated post that has been taken out of context and used to suggest that she is against 504 and IEP students, it's a claim that's completely untrue. More broadly, the recent aggressive campaign has painted her as heartless and even evil, distorting the truth about her character and lifelong dedication. The situation has become inflamed and increasingly dangerous. And much like the Salem witch trials and the

059red scare of McCarthyism, the false narratives are spreading wildly unsubstantiated accusations and attacks, putting her and her family's personal safety at risk. It serves as a critical reminder to all of us how quickly fear, misunderstanding, and misrepresentation can escalate to public outrage, harming individuals who are committed, compassionate, and hardworking. My son, Miles, who could not be here because he's in college, wanted me to share his thoughts with you all. I've known Kelly since I was five years old, and she has been nothing but inclusive, kind, and caring towards me and others around her. I am on the autism spectrum myself and I know for a fact that she is not only a good person but a great ally towards disabled individuals like me. She does not deserve any of this and I can tell you

060for certain that she works extraordinarily hard to make her community a better place. When I've gone to her house, she always makes sure to ask if I need anything and I see how much she cares. I can't be there to support her as I'm in college, but if I had the ability, I would be up there defending her the same way she would defend me. My son's life is one of the many that has been touched directly by Kelly's compassion. I have faith that this board will see past the mob's one-sided, misinformed character attacks and recognize the truth. Kelly is a compassionate and dedicated advocate and someone who strengthens our community every day. She deserves our support, not our condemnation. Thank you. >> Thank you. [Applause] >> Good evening. My name is Carrie Lewig. Um,

061so I know a lot of people are going to come up here and they're going to talk about the freedom of speech. Um, the freedom of speech is protecting you from the government. It's the first amendment of the government of tyranny of government. So you cannot be held accountable by the government for your freedom of speech. But it does not exclude you from being held accountable for your freedom of speech with your jobs and everything else. Kelly Keegan has said some very disgusting things. And facts over feelings. That's all I have to say. One of her posts here that I'm going to bring up, um, I'm going to read to you. It says, "You are so adorable. All you poor white men are losing your white identities, and I'm so sad for you. You know

062what's going to be the greatest day? It wasn't going to be when a woman president won. It's going to be when whites are the minority. So, I could see you big, tough white guys shrivel up and know what it's like. That's going to be my favorite day. Maybe you'll love the men and can grab if they're famous. And I love that for you. That's coming from our school nurse. That is coming from our school nurse. Allowing violent rhetoric to fester in the school from a staff member. Even worse, the head school nurse that's to have our students and our students parents in their best interest is not only horrible look for our school, but it's a horrible look for our school's values. You as a board have allowed this woman to make these posts. And

063again, it's not about freedom of speech. It's not about that. It's about having and holding somebody at a higher standard, a school nurse that should not be making posts like that. I've talked to numerous people. I have a family of teachers who literally said to me that they would have lost their jobs immediately for saying something like this. You guys are allowing this. You just approved a raise. Basically handing it to her. Oh, here you go. Here's a raise. We were okay with what you said and what you did. There's no there's no consequences to this. You have allowed it. And I say allow because your actions of not firing her says a lot about you as a school board. She has a responsibility as a hired school official to carry herself in a professional

064manner in school and out of school. It's her job when situations happen to bring down the temperature and not rise up the temperature of certain situations and go on absolute disgusting rants. In one of your policies in the guidelines, it says right here, "Refrain from comments that would interfere with the maintenance and discipline andor general operation of the school district by officials. You cannot tell me that this has not caused a big problem in your school district. I know that you guys have gotten many phone calls. It is interfering. It is interfering. Also, violations of this policy may constitute cause for disciplinary action andor including termination. What disciplinary action has she received? You guys gave her paid time off. She probably could have went on vacation and just hung out and then you guys said,

065"Oh, we're just going to let it smooth over." And I know that for a fact because I talked to other students and staff members at your school that said that this is what they're doing. They're trying to let it smooth over you. You guys done nothing. We are paying your salaries. These are our tax dollars. You have to step up for us parents. Again, it has nothing to do with freedom of speech. It has to do with holding her at a higher standard for her words on Facebook. Freedom of speech or not. That's it. [Applause] All right. My name is Kathleen Harrison. I stated it before. First of all, I'd like to thank God and give him the glory for giving me the voice to allow me to speak. >> And Jesus Christ is our

066king and he is our savior. First of all, Carrie, thank you for reading those messages. She sounds like a very compassionate person as the other person said, doesn't she? And this is not just a small mob. I know for a fact you've gotten hundreds of phone calls. And I'm here tonight. I I could sit here and I could talk about how horrible she is, but we've all heard it. We've all seen it. So, I'm here to talk to all of you about your failures as a board. This is not a polite request anymore. And I'm not giving you a friendly reminder. I'm not playing around. And neither are these parents. They've continued to put up with this for far too long. We will not stop until Kelly Keegan loses her job. Whether that happens because

067this board finally does what is right or because the nursing board or any other proper authority takes action against her. And we mean, and I mean all of us, we mean what we say. This will not smooth over. Let me be blunt. The fact that Miss Keegan is still employed in a role that places her with children is unacceptable. The fact that she has not even been asked to issue a public apology is an insult to every parent, every child in this district. And the fact that you placed a potential pay increase for her on your agenda is beyond comprehension. It is a front. Every day we teach our students about responsibility, honesty, and consequences. We expect them to own mistakes, to apologize, to make amends. If a child behaved in this way that concerns

068us now, there would be immediate consequences. Yet somehow the rules change for adults. or do the rules just change for Kelly Keegan? The hypocrisy will no longer stand. We have raised concerns about how prior complaints and troubling reports were handled in this district. Parents have shared stories that suggest a pattern incidents minimized investigations delayed accountability sidestepped. And whether those reports are still unresolved or partly addressed, the pattern matters. A system that protects staff at the expense of children has failed its fundamental duty. And all of you have failed your fundamental duty. This is not simply about one employee. It's about a culture and it's about choices. It is about who this board protects and who this board serves. It is about whether you will stand with parents and children or whether you will stand with

069convenience, with habits or with favoritism. Make no mistake, we will hold people accountable. We will make sure anyone who enables or defends this approach is removed from positions of influence. That includes ensuring that her husband or any board member with a direct conflict is not allowed to sit on this board in a way that rubber stamps decisions that ignores safety and ethics. We will not stop with Miss Keegan. We will organize and we will vote. We will use every lawful and democratic tool available to us to protect our kids. So tonight, I demand immediate concrete action from this board. Require a full public apology from Miss Keegan to the students, families, and staff affected and schedule it publicly. Accountability must be visible. Immediately remove any discussion of a raise from your agenda and publicly explain

070how that item was placed there. A raise under these circum circumstances is offensive and unacceptable. Initiate an independent transparent review of all related complaints and actions led by an outside investigator and release the findings to the public. pause any personal actions that could place children at further risk while this review proceeds. Require recusal for any board member with a direct personal conflict in this matter and commit to transparent voting procedures going forward. If you continue to protect privilege and ignore safety and the dignity of the children, this community will respond. We will hold you to the account at the ballot box. We will speak in every form available to us. And we will not stop until trust is restored and our schools are safe. This is not rhetoric. This is a promise. You were entrusted

071with our children. And if you fail in that duty, you will answer to all of us, the people who gave you that trust. Do the right thing. Stop protecting each other. And start protecting our kids. And by the way, Miss Piaza, please respond to my emails. Good evening. My name is Curtis Ding. It's been a while since I've addressed this board. Uh last time I did, I had a lot more hair. Um in any case, I wanted to speak to the board and everybody in attendance tonight about the issues with employee Kelly Keegan. Now, as one of the other people addressing the board had stated, facts over feelings. Something that's probably a fact. Every single criminal at some point in their life probably did some good. And I'm sure every single good person has made

072mistakes at some point in their life and done something bad. In this case, I'm not saying that Kelly Keegan is a bad person, but she made some mistakes, some egregious mistakes that compromise her ability to be an effective employee of the district in dealing with students and representing the district. Now, I'm going to read a few things so that everybody's aware. One of the district policies is freedom of speech in non-school settings. The board acknowledges the right of its administrative employees as citizens and the democratic society to speak out on issues of public concern when those issues are related to the school system and its programs. However, the employees freedom of expression must be balanced against the interest of this district. Now in the guidelines the first two sections of it are in this again

073I want to state this in situations in which an administrator is not engaged in the performance of professional duties she he shall recognize that as an administrator his or her comments generally will be viewed as representative of the district. Second state clearly that his or her comments represent personal views and not those of the school district. Now, at the end of that policy, it states, "Violations of this policy may constitute cause for disciplinary action." There's now another policy that I want to specifically address, which is political activities. Okay? Again, the board recognizes and encourages the rights of its employees, citizens engage in political activity. However, district property and district time paid for by the citizens may not be used for political purposes when performing assigned duties. Now, one of the guidelines, the first one, no

074employee shall engage in political activities during assigned hours or upon property under the jurisdiction of the board unless permission has been granted for that purpose through the use of facilities policy. Okay. And again, violations of this policy may constitute use cause for disciplinary action at the board's discretion. There is also a situation where there is an exemption. Discussion and study of politics and political issues when appropriate to classroom studies such as history, current events and political science is a provision where it it would be allowed to discuss politics. Now that said, Miss Keegan had specifically mentioned about discussing, if you bear with me one moment, and my printer was not working, so I had to do this via my computer. Okay, this is a quote from a post by Kelly Keegan. I spoke to quite

075a few young women today who told me that the plan for all of them is to get an IUD if Trump were to get elected. Isn't that sad that that's when these young women spoke about and had to think about for a plan for another post by Kelly Keegan. Happy International Women's Day. Abort Republicans. I'm reading about how my Democratic friends are having their signs stolen off the front lawns. My advice is what I'm going to do is rub poison ivy all over my signs so the oils are everywhere. I would also rub COVID all over them if I could, but I don't have access to that. So, poison ivy it is. Okay, now we're going to also get back to I can actually show all of these posts as well instead of just speaking

076speaking to them. But again, this is the post that brought all the attention. Kelly Keegan's response about Charlie Kirk. He was a monster and his wife and kids are better off without him as is the rest of the world. Hopefully, her next partner will respect women and children. Now, these are all repeated examples of how she's violated those two policies that I stated. She's discussed politics with students and is openly bragging about it. She is celebrating death. She is as a nurse encouraging doing something to inflict an ailment on another human being. These are all aspects that compromise her ability to effectively be around students. When is the board going to step forward? At what point does she get penalized for this? At what point does she get held accountable? Is it one time, two

077time, three times? How many times? because there's so many policies against our students in this district where one strike and you're out. >> Just letting you know that the five minutes is up. If you can wrap up your thoughts, I'd appreciate it. >> Okay, I'm I'm pretty much done. I mean, I could go on for another five minutes if you'd allow me to, but I think I've said enough at this point. At this what what I'm trying to say is that facts over feelings. These are her words, her posts. These are public. These are documented. This is not, oh, Kelly's a nice person. Yes, I'm sure she's done a lot of good. These are her actions, and this shows a habitual recurring theme by her of viciously attacking people, celebrating death, celebrating wanting to injure

078other people. And I'm sorry, if the board does not step forward and take appropriate action by dismissing Kelly Keegan from her employment with the district, then something's wrong. Thank you very much. >> Hello. I am going to bring a different approach. My name is Rebecca Carabay. I am a medical professional as well for 30 years in this community. I am also a Blueest Star family. So, I am very disappointed in all of the things that I read about Miss Keegan and all of the things that she has said about Charlie Kirk and my son also has a developmental delay and a disability who actually ended up playing varsity basketball and varsity baseball because he had the appropriate support and he had the appropriate role models in the district. Not like this. This is inappropriate. The

079things that I have read and the things that I have witnessed she has said and done are just despicable. And it's an embarrassment to you. It's an embarrassment to this community. And it is an embarrassment to this entire Lehigh Valley if she continues to be in her position. This is a shame. And I cannot believe I sat there and listened to you give her a raise. I almost started balling tears. That is so despicable. How dare you? And I'm not trying to be disrespectful. I am not a disrespectful person. I am disappointed in you. I think that everything that you just did tonight with giving her this raise is a kick in the face to every person in this community. And I do not think that you should be allowed to even breathe after that.

080Honestly, it's so embarrassing. You are so embarrassing. And I'm sorry to say that and I don't mean to be disrespectful, but this is heartbreaking to me. My son also has a disability and if anyone would have ever said any of those things about my son while he was in school, we would have had a big problem. I'm done. Thank you. Afternoon. [Music] >> Okay, everyone listen, we're not doing that. We're g if if we can't then we will ask you to leave. [Music] >> Okay, so let just calm down. >> Afternoon. I'm Mr. Brown. I'm part of the Eastern Basketball. You have a few of our family members back here. Um, we're having trouble with understanding the protocol. Um, we've put in a subpoena. I mean, not subpoena. We put in petition to get it

081rid of uh, Coach Eric Jacobs. Um, we signed it, had it legally notorized and stuff like that. And we were told that uh, it's a different protocol we have to go through for him. So my understanding was it was no protocol like that when Jamar Bman was released as well. You know what I mean? So what I'm trying to figure out is why do we still have a coach that blatantly disrespect our kids? Talk to me. Not only do we have this in text messages, we have this verbally. When you film the games, you can hear this in the background. disrespecting our kids, talking to our kids any old kind of way, but he's still here. And all we get from AD's office or Mr. Guyger and Mr. Boltz is, oh, we have to go

082through a protocol. But I thought once we do a petition and it's legally uh signed and notorized, what else do we need to do? So again, like we are dealing with the re uh the removal of people who shouldn't be here because of our kids. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for our kids. So we need to have something done or you guys need to intercede or say whatever you need to say or have another meeting or whatever the case may be. You know what I mean? But these guys or and these people that are around our kids, they shouldn't be. Guys, have a good one. She just I have already written my name on the sheet. Uh my name is Kathleen Soer. As an Eastn resident, I want to speak in support of

083Kelly keeping her job as a school nurse. I have never interacted with Kelly and I do not know her personally. Kindness is a wonderful quality and Eastston has a lot of it. I've seen firsthand how Eastn residents prioritize it in their interactions with others. But sometimes an insistence on being kind over a willingness to be honest can be actively harmful. In an emotional turbulent moment, Kelly said something some residents found distasteful. Her comments, since deleted, were amplified by bad actors outside the community in a deliberate national effort to target and silence educators. I urge the board and the community to think about the greater implications of any actions they may take. These people will not stop with Kelly. I have seen many people praise Charlie Kirk in the last few weeks and they have a

084right to do so. But I have also seen others rightfully point out the hostile views he held toward women, minority groups, religious groups, and the LGBTQ plus community. Your board serves countless students from those vulnerable communities, too. Students whose views and needs are just as valuable as anyone's here tonight. How do you create an environment where those students also feel free to speak their minds and share their views? Education requires honesty, curiosity, and open conversation. And we, the adults in the room, are the ones responsible for keeping that environment alive by agreeing to disagree. Any efforts to undermine that and limit freedom of speech should be soundly rejected. This issue has been argued out in many places over the last few weeks in person and online and I expect most people are eager to move

085beyond it. The students of Easton deserve the board's full attention and I wish all of them a great school year. Thank you. [Applause] delightful. >> So, >> okay, I'm sorry. Time. Listen everybody. I'm going to say this one more time. You either be respectful in here among each other or you can all leave. >> Tell the ladies back here. >> I am telling everyone I'm not doing this. I went through it with CO. I'm asking everyone in this room to be respectful of each other. That's it. >> That's it. that. Okay, then I'm saying it to everyone. That refers to everyone. Can we handle that? >> Okay, that I'm asking then please move your seat over to here so you can't hear. That's that's the solution. >> Gentlemen, if this is going to >> If

086this is going to continue, I'm going to ask you to remove the individuals who can't refrain from from the negativity. We're here to respectfully hear the comments. Typically in a board meeting, you are given 30 minutes to make public comment. We are extending that time so we can hear your voices and we expect you to listen politely, say your piece and sit back down or say your peace and leave. If that will not occur, then one of our gentlemen in the back here will escort you out. We appreciate your opinions. We want to hear your opinions. We expect you to be silent and respect everyone at the podium. So, uh, my name is, uh, Otil Corey. I live in, uh, Palmer Township. Um, you know, it's it's funny because the the media had essentially invited

087these agitators here today that wouldn't care any other day. But I'm not here before you as a political ad agitator. Uh, I'm not here I'm not here as someone to stir the pot. I'm here as a parent, a neighbor, and a member of the community who still believes that decency, professionalism, and basic human dignity are non-negotiable values in our public schools. Which brings me to something deeply disturbing. The fact that a district employee, a nurse no less, someone entrusted with the physical and emotional safety of our children has mocked the murder of Charlie Kirk and worse mock students with disabilities. And this person is still employed at the district. Let me say that again. a school nurse whose job is to literally care for students, made grotesque jokes about a human being's brutal and public

088assassination, and degraded some of the most vulnerable students. And yet, this board, this administration apparently sees nothing disqualifying about that. So, let me ask you plainly, what does it take to be held accountable in the district? What messages are you sending to the children when cruelty is tolerated? when hate is swept under the rug and when adults model bullying instead of compassion. If a student said half those things you heard tonight. If a student mocked the disabled or laughed at a public figure's death, they'd be punished severely. They'd be pulled into the principal's office and disciplined to the fullest extent because of your zero tolerance policies. So why does this school employee get a free pass? Is there a two-tiered system? One for the students and the parents and another for the staff that cross

089the line. And before anybody here, especially you agitators, try to brush this off as free speech. Let me remind you, freedom of speech is not freedom from consequences, no one in this room or in this community is silencing Miss Keegan. We're just asking, why haven't you held her accountable? If this board will not act, then this board is complicit. If the administration allows this person to stay in a role of care and responsibility, then you're enabling abuse. Plain and simple. We trust you with our kids, but trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild. And make no mistake, right now, trust is broken. So, I urge you, do what you should have done a month ago. Go against what your lawyers are telling you and fight. Remove this individual from their position. Show us that character

090still matters at Eastn Area School District. Show us that our kids come first, not your politics, not your fear of controversy, and not your silence. And for those who want change, vote in region three, half of them are no courage. They're all they're all set up as Republican and Democrat, all cross-filed. So move them one by one. Remove start removing them one by one. Region three is coming up. Meg Thiago is up for reelection. I urge you support Shaun Jensen and Tonet Plurus. This district cannot afford to be influenced by the reckless judgment and lack of integrity that Ed Keegan would bring or Meg Thiago's unwillingness to stand up and show courage when it matters. at the county level. You want to get back at her? Vote for Sam Elias, Juan Martinez, and Tom Giovani.

091If this school board refuses to confront what is clearly unacceptable, then it's time to elect leaders to our county council who will. Leaders with the backbone to stand up, the judgment to what's right, and the courage to protect our community from the failure of weak leadership that you see before you. Thank you. I already signed in. My name is Brandy. I have a son at Eastn High School. And I never imagined I'd have to stand here and plead for basic decency from the people entrusted with our children's care. But here we are. Kelly Keegan, someone entrusted with the care of our children, celebrated the deaths of not one but two individuals. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk as well as a local member of our community. She mocked 504 plans. a lifeline for students with disabilities and

092publicly stated she hopes white men can be a minority so she can laugh and my personal favorite the selfie of her happy national women's day with the words abort Republicans these are not isolated incidents this is a pattern of behavior that is vile hateful divisive and dangerous let me be clear this is not about politics this is about professionalism empathy and the duty of care we entrust to our educators and staff as a nurse and public servant Miss Keegan signed a social media code of conduct. That code exists for a reason, to ensure that those who serve our children do so without bias, without hostility, and without promoting hate. She represents this district both on and off the clock. That means she is held to a higher standards. That means she's accountable. And yet, here

093we are. But I know how this goes with this school district. It will fall in deaf ears. You'll circle the wagons, protect her. This is just another misunderstanding because we've seen it before. You've sat back and you let this culture fester. You've chosen silence over accountability, and it doesn't surprise me. You demand respect from our students, from the parents. You demand trust. But how can we trust a system that defends cruelty and punishes concerns? For many years, many of us have felt silence. We watch as our values were mocked, our concerns dismissed, and our children exposed to adults who openly express disdain for people like them. Now, when someone celebrates death and ridicules disability accommodations, we're told it's freedom of speech. Well, I'm done with the hypocrisy. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from

094consequences. is it does not mean using your platform to dehumanize others, especially when you are responsible for the health and well-being of our children. The district has known about her behavior over the years and instead of protecting our children, you protected her. Why? Because it's easier to shield adults who push your agenda than to stand up for the kids you're supposed to serve. >> Nursing is a profession built on compassion, trust, and the unwavering commitment to care for every individual, regardless of race, background, and political belief. What I've seen from Miss Keegan violates everything we are taught to uphold. How am I supposed to trust Miss Keegan with my son's care when she has publicly expressed disdain for people like him, a white conservative male? How can any parent feel safe knowing that someone who

095mocks disability accommodations is responsible for our most vulnerable students? And shame on the East Area School District and shame on all of you for allowing this woman to remain on spite on staff despite her history. You are sending a message that hate is tolerated, that bias is acceptable, and that parents like me should simply look the other way. But I will not. I cannot. It is my job to advocate for my child, and I do not feel safe sending him into an environment where someone with such openly hostile views remains in a position of care. I will continue to speak out even when it's uncomfortable, even when it's inconvenient for those in power, because silence is complicity. And if this district refuses to uphold the values of respect, inclusion, and safety, then it's not just

096failing our children, it's betraying them. Unlike the board members in front of us, I'm not afraid of Kelly Keegan. Regardless of the title she holds or the influence she may claim as a representative of Northampton County Council, her position does not shield her from accountability in this school district. Nor does it excuse the harm she has caused by her words. We pay you to educate our children, not indoctrinate them. We pay you to protect them, not expose them to adults who mock disabilities, and celebrate death. If this district cannot uphold basic standards of decency, then it's time for new leadership. I'm not here to negotiate. I'm here to demand accountability. Review the code of conduct. Hold your staff accountable to it. And most importantly, send a message that hate, no matter what comes from, has

097no place in our schools. Do the job we pay you to do. Protect our kids and stop hiding behind excuses. [Music] Uh Jennifer Parziels Township. Kelly Keegan is the Eastern Area School District's clinical coordinator and high school nurse. A high level employee every parent should be able to trust. Her job includes overseeing the health and safety of our children and providing clinical leadership to all nurses in this district. These roles that demand compassion, integrity, and absolute trust. Her actions are not a lapse in judgment. They are however a fundamental breach of her professional oath. She has forfeited every shred of compassion, integrity, and trust required for her position. A person with this much hatred in their heart cannot possibly care for our kids. This is not about private life and it is not about politics.

098This is about the safety of our children. How can any parent trust a person with demonstrated hatred to provide compassionate care? How can this board trust her to lead? We cannot. Her position is no longer a job. It is a clear and present danger to the children she is paid to protect. I now present the undisputable proof drawn from her own public social media post. One mocking disabled students. As a high school nurse, she openly mocked students with disabilities and ridiculed the parents and doctors who fought for the 504 health plans to protect those children. Her post taunted students with breathing difficulties, calling their serious health accommodations a mere inconvenience. She laughed at children in her direct care. Two, wishing death on families. In a second post, she wrote, "I only wish that the women

099who are going to die because they couldn't get the health care they need were those related to the Republicans that vote red. I am a mother who votes red." That statement was aimed at me. It was aimed at my daughter. This is an Eastern area school district employee wishing death on families within this district, and she still has her job. Three, medical discrimination. In yet another post she wrote, abort Republicans. This is not a political slogan. This is telling pregnant teenagers, girls in her care, that their child is not worthy of life if it comes from a Republican household. Those are our children she believes should not be born. And four, spreading disease. In another documented act of malice, she bragged about how she was rubbing poison ivy on political yard signs, suggesting that if

100she could, she would use co instead. Understand this wasn't hypothetical. It was concrete. She directly stated, "My advice, what I am going to do is this is a nurse sworn to protect our well-being, openly advising and celebrating the intentional spread of illness and allergic reactions amongst our township and residents. So I ask you, would you send your child to a nurse who mocks disabled students? Would you trust a nurse who wishes death on mothers and daughters in her care? Would you leave your child's safety in the hands of someone who advises and celebrates spreading disease to others? Because that is what you are asking us as parents to do every day she is still employed. The only shield you might try to cling to is her first amendment rights. But let me dismantle that defense

101right here and now with a quick civics refresh. The first amendment protects her from government punishment. She cannot be jailed or fined for her speech. It does not mean her employer must tolerate it. Her words are not protected political opinions. They are evidence of professional misconduct and discriminary discriminatory intent. You have a choice and the parents in this district are watching. We spent millions of dollars in anti-bullying programs preaching to our students that cruelty is never acceptable. That words have power. Yet the adults in charge, the ones our kids are supposed to look up to, are modeling the very opposite. That is not only hypocrisy, it's moral cowardice. You could stand for the dignity and safety of every child, or you could stand for hate and call it free speech. But you cannot do both.

102If you choose to keep her employed, your message is loud and clear. Hate has a home in this district and the safety of our children is negotiable to you. I will end with one last post of Kelly Keegan where she said verbatim, "I never say under God." And I also started saying liberty and justice for some. My children are not the sum. And I'm telling you now, my children are not negotiable. The question you must answer tonight is simple. Why is Kelly Keegan still employed? I fear for my children. And I implore you to do the right thing before history records that you do not fire her. Thank you. Gene Parzial Forks Township. It's really disheartening that we have to be here again to speak about Kelly Keegan. And once again, the district seems to

103be taking no action and be hide behind rewritten rewritten policies. Not too long ago, Miss Keegan was in the same situation with her public postings of hate and lies, disrupting normal operations, and sewing division. The district was subject to litigation by local resident Ed Reagan, whose death was celebrated by Miss Keegan. Unfortunately, because of his untimely passing, his fight was abruptly ended without any action. But Miss Keegan continued her hate unchecked. Mr. Regan provided proof that is documented with the district that Miss Keegan was posting her hate speech during work hours against district policy and still the district turned a deaf year. It might be time to pick up where Ed left off. And I think I might have to do that. A few years ago, I myself could have brought legal litigation against Miss

104Keegan as well as the school district for liel, but I chose to be a bigger person and not do that. I have since lost any trust in the district. So going forward, I will not hesitate to take legal actions. Current events regarding her viral post about Charlie Kirk's murder have prompted many calls for Miss Keegan to be removed from her position. A few are claiming she has the First Amendment right and many others will say that she does not that right does not come without consequences. Personally, I agree with both of those statements. However, this is not a concern about free speech, but a concern about her character. Her consistent actions, hate, and poor judgment have been apparent for many years and only progresses as time continues. Hiding behind a free speech policy is not

105appropriate and breaks the trust we have in the leadership of our school district. Miss Keegan has shown a long history of poor offensive mocking and at times threatening behavior. These are not remarks made in a laps adjustment, but thoughtful, deliberate actions. While I can provide years of quotes, here's a couple samples of her statements. And you have heard these, but they are pertinent to my next statement. Happy International Women's Day. Abort Republicans. I only wish the women who are going to die because they couldn't get health care they need were those that were related to Republicans who voted red on political yard signs. My advice, and what I'm going to do, is rub poison ivory all over my sign so the oils are everywhere. I would also rub COVID all over them if I could,

106but I don't have access to that. So, poison ivory it is. These words are not those of a caring individual, but a person rooted in deep hate, a person that cannot be trusted with our children. Her hate does not stop online. She has mocked families while children were in her care at the school and even physically attacked another person at Fork's community days. It will not be long before her outburst, abuse, and abuse rear their ugly head in a serious incident at the school. Miss Keegan has made her hate and discrimination against Republicans very well known. I myself am a public figure. I'm a Forks Township supervisor. So, Miss Keegan knows my Republican roots all too well. I do not feel safe that my ch I do not feel comfortable with my children in her

107her care. I have no doubt she would take retribution against them through my family. I will be formally demanding that she has no interaction with my children in the district, not so much as an email regarding my children, and I encourage other parents to do the same. Any interaction with my child will be met with immediate legal action against her and the district. I look around tonight and I see a lot of beefed up security. Well, Mrs. Keegan has national attention because of her hate and because of this she has set a target on our school. Who knows what lunatic is out there planning something against her at our school. What is the district doing to increase safety for our children? I hope to see the same presence of people here at the high school

108that I'm seeing for everybody here for parents that just want to speak out. What resources are being diverted to accommodate for this? Are you ready to accept consequences if something were to happen as a direct result of Miss Keegan? Kelly Keegan has made our schools unsafe. She is a cancer in the district and must be removed from her position. I hope the investigation into this matter is still ongoing and you would take decisive action and listen to the parents tonight. Your silence in the in the matter would only be an indication of compliance which is equally unacceptable. Remember this is not just a moment in time but a definement moment for each of you here tonight. We've proven long we have long memories and we have deep sources and we will speak at election time

109whether it's for or against each and every one of you. Thank you and have a great night. Hi, my name is Hannah Krywanis Eastston. Um I am 20 years old. I was born and raised here in Northampton County. This is my home and I care deeply about our community, the schools that educate our children, and the leaders and professionals entrusted with their care. That is why I'm here tonight, to address the actions of Kelly Keegan, who is employed as a nurse in the Eastern Area School District. It is a fact that Miss Keegan publicly celebrated the murder of Charlie Kirk. And let's call that what it is. It is a nurse entrusted with Children's Health and Safety cheering death. This is not about political affiliation. This is not about whether you agree or disagrees with

110Charlie Kirk's ideas. This is about a registered nurse crossing the most basic moral line, glorifying violence and celebrating a human being's murder. When she made that post, three things happened. One, she destroyed public trust. How can parents believe that their children are safe in her care when she openly celebrates death? That is not compassion, it is hate. Two, she normalized violence. Words matter. And when a nurse entrusted with children mocks the value of life, it tells students that violence can be justified if it is against the right people. that is reckless and dangerous. And three, she stained the integrity of this school system. The East Area School District will be judged by whether it chooses accountability or silence. And Eston's reputation is on the line. And I want to add something personal. I am a

111nursing student. Nurses are trusted with the most vulnerable moments of people's lives, whether there's at a bedside or a school's nurse's office. And from the very first day of my training, we are taught that every life has value. We do not get to pick and choose whose life matters and whose doesn't. And a nurse who celebrates death has abandoned the very heart of that profession. And yet, Miss Keegan has gone beyond celebrating violence. As many stated, she had also publicly mocked children with disabilities and the legal protections meant to ensure the access to education, the children that she is meant to care for. And for context, um yes, uh the quote that she started with the 504 plan was, "Kelly Keegan is feeling sarcastic." Uh the quote was then followed by uh multiple laughing emojis.

112Uh and that quote is, "I want a 504 plan for my kid because he doesn't want to walk up and down the stairs or carry his heavy backpack. I want the 504 so he he can have an elevator key and a peer buddy to carry his bag from class to class. He doesn't want to be inconvenienced or uncomfortable. So I'll find a doctor who can agree with that and write a letter." End quote. Those are not words of a compassionate nurse. Those are words that belittle real families, real children, and real needs. Section 504 plans exist to protect students with disabilities from discrimination. To ensure that they can learn in dignity and safety, and to mock those students as inconvenient is to strip them of humanity and make them targets of ridicule. It is the

113exact opposite of what a nurse, an educator, or any adult entrusted with children should do. My younger brothers are 9, 13, and 16 years old. And as their sister, I cannot imagine placing them in the care of a nurse who has publicly celebrated violence and demean students with disabilities. Parents across Eastern should not have to wonder if the person entrusted with their ch child's health and safety sees human life or their child's struggles as expendable. And some will argue this is free speech. And yes, the first amendment protects her from government censorship, but it does not shield her from accountability. Free speech does not mean the free pass to harm children. Teachers cannot use slurs in a classroom and hide behind the first amendment. Coaches cannot encourage violence and say, "It's just my opinion." So

114why should a nurse entrusted with children face no consequences for mocking their lives and celebrating death? When you are a nurse, your words reflect on the entire profession. When you are entrusted with school, your words shape the culture and trust of that community. Words that glorify murder or demean children with disabilities are not just opinions. They are direct contradictions of the oath nurses take, the ethical codes they are bound to, and the trust that parents place in schools. To pretend otherwise, we to say that nursing holds no ethical standard, that schools have no responsibility to protect children, and that the community must accept anything in the name of free expression, even words that wound, divide, and betray the very values that these roles demand. And that is unacceptable. The families of Eastston are watching. Parents

115are watching. Students are watching. And the next generation is going to learn from the choices that you guys make here. This school board must act. Remove her from employment as a nurse within the East Area School District. We cannot trust her to care for our children. And the East Area School District should not allow her to remain in a position of responsibility over students health and safety. If you choose silence, you are telling every child in this district that their life and dignity do not matter. If you choose action, you are telling them the opposite. That Eastston stands for compassion, safety, and respect. And that choice is yours. Thank you. [Applause] >> Good evening. My name is Megan McPeek from Forks Township. I'm here tonight to once again speak to the board of education and

116superintendent to really hear us, the taxpayers, parents, community members when we speak about Kelly Keegan. If you truly stop and listen to just how many of us have been fel felt to the wrath of Kelly Keegan, you might just get a clearer picture of why we're so upset. Yes, she did get much attention through her disturbing words of Charlie Kirk. But let's focus on her her words here and actions here in Easton. You might say it's her first amendment right to speak speak her mind, but let me remind you it's not ethical to attack parents or community members. Here are just a few examples. being physical in force community for community days in 2024. Police were called when Kelly flipped a hat off of someone just because she didn't like what the hat had said.

117I'm an educator and I know that wouldn't be tolerated. Calling to abort Republicans. I'm an educator and that wouldn't be tolerated. Reaching out to parents, community members saying, and this is personal. Are you going to write to the board of education again? Many of you sat on this board when I spoke and wrote a letter that I guess she got a hold of. That didn't work for you. Are you going to snapshot and repost? That doesn't seem to work for you either. What's your plan, Megan McPeek? I'm an educator and that definitely wouldn't be tolerated. Threatening to call my place of employment saying I'm a racist, anti-masker, or antivaxer. None of which is true, but I'm an educator and I als that also wouldn't be tolerated. Belittling a student's uncle in front of a sick

118student, all while fully knowing who that student was and her last name. Thankfully, this child had the courage to speak right up to Kelly Keegan, letting her know that was not okay. I'm an educator, and that actually would have probably had me fired. So when Kelly Keegan posted about Charlie Kirk's death and saying his kids and wife are better off without him sparked so much attention, it allowed others to do their homework. Who is this lady? What else has she said? This woman works with kids. She insults students with 504s. She wants to abort Republicans. She celebrated a local man who died suddenly. This is just a few of many things Kelly said. We all know kids are on social media. What if a child looked at her posts knowing she was a school nurse,

119a council woman? Wow, she really has so much hate. Or maybe they would side with her. She's absolutely right. She's seen by children every day. If you think for one second that her hate for others doesn't overflow into the workplace and the student she comes in contact daily, then you're just turning a blind eye and shame on you. Two of my daughters have graduated from East Ner High School. I still have one daughter in the 10th grade. I have told my daughter to never go to the nurse. She is to text or call me. Why? It's pretty simple. I feel I fear for her safety if she knew my daughter's face, maybe her last name. It's time for the district to act now. We can't let Kelly Keegan work with our children any longer. All

120of you sitting up there, can you lay your head down on your pillow at night and say, "Yes, she's a right fit for this community." If you can, maybe you should re-evaluate your role in this community. I will end this quote. If you turn and face the other way when someone is being bullied, you might as well be the bully, too. Thank you. Hi, my name is Ada Smith. I am a senior in the um Eastn High School and I came >> Can you speak just a little louder? Thank you. >> And I came here in support of Miss Keegan because though I do not agree with a lot of things that she has posted and made um public on her social media and I do think she should not be saying those things. She

121is one of the kindest nurses I've ever had in just in any context. Whether it be from a hospital, well, not a hospital, but from my experience in hospitals and my experience in school nurses um with school nurses. She has made me feel the most comfortable. Um and I am the only person that has came up here as a student who has had to be treated by her. Um, and she's never made me feel like my 405 or um, my physical issues and my pain was a nuisance. And unlike other nurses at the high school, I have friends, underassmen, friends who have had issues with the um, um, nurses for underassmen. And I don't I haven't heard actual experiences with Miss Keegan as a nurse um for the students, for the people she's supposed to

122help. Um, and I do think it is disgusting what she did say openly about what happened to Charlie Kirk, but things he has said has gone against the the well-being for her patients, the students at the school. If one a student at the um Eastn High School was raped and they got pregnant, he thinks Charlie Kirk thinks one of her patients should have to carry that child to term. And though I do think that since she is a in in a public school and she works there, she shouldn't be openly expressing how she feels. But I can understand why she would say something like that because things he stood for stood against her patients, her students, her children at that school. And though I think that yes, she should face some type of punishment because

123I do think what she was openly saying was not appropriate. She was not I don't think anything that she stood for affected how she treated me, my friends, um, as patients. I still think she was an incredible nurse. I always felt comfortable in her care. I never felt that for who I am she would ne she I would have a ne negative experience with her like I have with other nurses, nurses in hospitals, nurses at other nurses in that school district. Um, I had felt I was in eighth grade. I had a very bad experience with a nurse in the middle school and I also had a bad experience with the nurses um as an underassman at the high school and I never felt that way with her and I never hesitated for my first

124few years when I came back to East. Um, my mom would always tell me, "Don't call, don't go to the school nurses because they they weren't the best." And for the experience that I had, it was very negative on not just me, but my family because of what they decided to do. So I but I after I started going to the 11 12 nurses um I believe that's Miss Kelly Miss Keegan and also the other one. They are both extremely comforting nurses and if I were to be sick and in a horrible mood I have I've had I've had to sit down in the hallways because of in chronic pains in my stomach and they never made me feel like you're a nuisance for just sitting out here. You're an issue. You should feel bad

125because you're making us do this. They always made me feel comfortable. They always made me feel Miss Keegan um would usually treat me. She would always make me feel comfortable like I can openly talk um about how I feel. So I'm here in support of her because I have firsthand experience with her as a nurse as her what her job is. So that's why I wanted to openly support her. Thank you for your time. [Applause] Good evening. I stand before you today as a father, a husband, an educator for about 22 years in special education and science. um and a resident of Forks along with my wife to express our deep our deep concern over recent public conduct by Eastn Area School District employee Kelly Keegan and to formally request a full investigation into whether

126our actions and public statements violate a professional, ethical, or legal standards that are expected of district personnel. Although I support everyone's god-given right to freely speak their mind, it is important to point out that minimizing the murder of a young father, husband, and son because you don't like what he has to say sets a dangerous precedent. It has come to my attention that according to local media and widely circulated social media posts, Miss Keegan is alleged to have made the following public statements regarding the murder of Charlie Kirk, which we've heard many times tonight, but I'm going to say it again. He was a monster. his wife and kids are better off without him as is the rest of the world. It is also alleged that she said, "I don't give a shi. You figure

127it out." Um, his life is indifferent than anyone else's. Karma. Whether or not one agrees with Mr. Kirk's political or moral views, these remarks are profoundly inappropriate and disturbing, especially coming from someone entrusted with the care and moral guidance of children. Celebrating or minimizing the murder of another human being is antithetical to the standards of professionalism, decency, and humanity we expect from district staff. While not as widely reported, there are allegations that Miss Keegan mocked individuals, either students or parents, who sought exemptions from CO 19 masking policies or required an individual education plan program. If substantiated, uh, such comments would not only violate the spirit of fair treatment, but could also represent a breach of federal protections under the IDA. We also believe it is essential to reflect on the broader context, namely the way

128health policies, particularly masking mandates, were handled in the schools. Many parents, including ourselves, raised concerns early on about the potential harms of masking children. profound longtime uh wearing. So these concerns were often dismissed. They were ridiculed sometimes by individuals within the district. Here at this time we respectfully request that Miss Keegan have no role, responsibility or contact related to the care, health or supervision of our children now or in the future. This request was previously made in writing via email to the superintendent, but was not acknowledged or responded to by her, which only adds more concern. To our fellow parents, you have a right and a responsibility to advocate for your children, and I pray you do. Thank you for your time. My name is Ana Telly. I am an Eastn Area School District residents

129and I have lived in the same house since 2001 in the district. I have three children who attend or have attended the Eastn Area School District. My three children all have special needs that require the support of individualized educational plans and section 504 plans, which is a federal civil rights protection, ensuring that disabled students receive appropriate accommodations to access their education due to a disability that limits one or more of their major life activities. My youngest son currently requires a minimum of twice daily nursing support to attend school. This makes the continued employment of nurse Keegan as a supervisor increasingly personal to me. I am requesting publicly that nurse Keegan be removed from any access to my children's public medical records. Specifically, I am concerned and appalled at the fact that her leadership and supervision

130dictate the policies and set precedent for the entire nursing staff for all district schools. This is not about politics. This is about the type of behavior and attitude of nurse Keegan promoted within all of our schools. It is especially telling that Superintendent Tracy Piaza on 913 2025 stated that our school district found nurse Keegan's comments deeply concerning and in conflict with all that we stand for as a district. Those are direct quotes from Superintendent Piaza. And yet nurse Keegan remains employed by our district and as a taxpayer I am paying a portion of her salary. My concern is not for her political views. My concern is that this attitude that is in conflict with all that we stand for as a district is pervasive and has a longstanding history of affecting policies and staff attitudes

131for the children in our district. In her current role as supervisor of nursing, her employment has not only been rewarded but giving an increase in her ability to impact a greater sphere of influence by her promotion and her salary increase. Kelly Broch Keegan is feeling Let me sorry, let me share nurse Keegan's own words with the community on September 11th at 10:52 a.m. Carrie Kelly Blotch Keegan is feeling sarcastic. I want a 504 for my kid because he doesn't want to walk up and down the stairs or carry his heavy backpack. I want the 504 so he can have an elevator key and a peer buddy to carry his bag from class to class. He doesn't want to be inconvenienced or uncomfortable, so I'll find a doctor who will agree with me and write a

132letter followed by three sarcastic emojis and a laughing emoji. I think we can agree here that nurse Keegan is minimizing the needs of the child and refusing to provide simple accommodations that can allow this child to have access to their educational program. This is not only showing the lack of compassion and empathy which are values that superintendent Piaza says are integral but in full violation of the principles of child find. This law states that if support is requested or a known or unknown disability is suspected that it is the obligation of the school to determine and accommodate any barriers that prevent a student from accessing their public education. I saw a settlement agreement was approved tonight. This might be something to listen to. These policies are in place by the district and extensive professional development

133is provided to avoid opening up the district for legal liability. The two accommodations of an elevator key and a peer buddy that are requested will cost little to absolutely nothing to provide. Nurse Keegan's lack of judgment, professionalism, and mocking attitude toward a disabled child within our district is unacceptable. It is my opinion a complete violation of nursing ethics, privacy law, and as a taxpayer an open liability for violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Child Find where this parent has a very good claim to sue our district and win the compensatory education amount requested. Nurse Keegan did not follow the protocol and professional development from our school district to conduct an evaluation to determine the support needs of the disabled child. And thus, this child was blocked from receiving their public education. Now,

134as taxpayers, we are legally liable for her failure to follow established district protocol. Instead, nurse Keegan chose to post during school hours a mocking, feeling sarcastic post with specific private details shared publicly and concludes her public post with three sarcastic emojis and three laughing emojis. Not a good showcase of the values that Superintendent Piaza stated on 913 2025 of the principles of respect, empathy, and compassion. I am certain that this is not the type of behavior and attitude that should be promoted. Instead, I stand with more than 500 of our local community who have added their name to a petition to call for nurse Keegan to be fired. Not for her politics, but for her but simply because as a mother of three special needs children, her attitude and standard of care is absolutely unacceptable.

135It cannot be allowed to continue to impact not just my child but the children of our entire district. Our special needs population is vulnerable. They are given specific protections under the law to protect them which are not only being disregarded by nurse Keegan but flaunted publicly mocked, ridiculed, and held up as something she can feel sarcastic about. Our children deserve better. Please act accordingly. >> You can wrap up your thoughts. Thank you. I will. I'm sorry. Please act accordingly to vote to rescend her employment with the Eastern Area School District and permanently remove any access she has to my children's personal medical records. Join 500 plus the residents of your district who are watching your actions tonight closely and making decisions on their voting on 114. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Darren Smith.

136I've been a uh resident of Forks Township for 17 years. Um I uh grew up in uh Orange. Um I was I have a uh public school education. I am dyslexic and extremely fearful of public speaking. Um, but uh although Charlie Kirk has said a lot against my race, me personally, it's not personal, but uh he said a lot against my people and um although he was murdered and all, I do not celebrate his death. And um I think that uh nurse Keegan should be at least punished for what she's done, not uh rewarded with a raise with our money. Um although she is a fantastic nurse as my daughter stood up here and said um she does have to answer for her remarks because you do not celebrate anyone's death unless their death is

137you're celebrating their life. Um that's all I have to say. Everyone have a good night. Hello, my name is Larry Abrams. I'm a resident of Porks Township. I'm not here to uh talk in regards to uh Kelly Keegan's failures as a human being. I mean, I think that's pretty obvious based on um the testimonies of several people in this uh audience today. And as for those that defended what she did, I just have one thing to ask. Um it's a simple moral question. Is murder evil? Is murder wrong? I mean, how can you sit here and defend somebody that would condone the death of somebody else? That's what we have going on here. And once again, we're talking about the failures of the Eastern Area School Board, who again is on the wrong side of

138everything. So, in CO, we dealt with the same stuff where you guys went against the norms. Um, never in the society has uh a a a group of individuals isolated the healthy. You guys isolated the healthy individuals, which is ridiculous. You forced us to wear masks. We spoke out. We wanted things to change. We wanted to have the options. You took those options away from us. You talk about, well, this whole thing with Kelly Keegan is related to free speech. Free speech. You guys should talk. I mean, let's look at the failure of the booby bracelets. That was free speech and you guys hit us with more lawsuits. The Billman situation, which somebody else brought up, another lawsuit. It's ridiculous how this board continues to fail this community. You need to take an approach and

139you need to address the situation. This has happened way too many times. You guys have blown through $43 million over the last couple years. and you're about to blow through more because this is a repeat of what's been going on and you guys continue to do nothing and continuing to do nothing has consequences and those consequences are going to hit the taxpayers in the pocket when we get hit with another lawsuit. She needs to be terminated. She did something wrong. We all know she did. Whether she did it on employee time or not, I don't know. But she's definitely um when she's posting stuff, whether it be her personal page or not, she's representing this community and she's representing you. And for you defending her, that is just as bad. It makes me question your

140moral ethics. You need to take action and you need to address this. This is getting ridiculous the way the school board continues to allow stuff to happen. we're going to get hit with another lawsuit down the road because you're continually not addressing the problems. This is not the first time. This is not the second time, the third time, fourth time. This has happened for years and you guys have done nothing. It's about time that you step up and do something. I think there should be an investigation. I think we should know exactly whose decision it was and what those decisions were and what was called on and who voted how because this is out of control. There needs to be accountability not just on Kelly Keegan's part on your part because you're allowing this. It's

141continued. It needs to stop. Thank you. [Applause] Good evening. My name is Raone Negron, resident of East. I have two daughters who attend school here in the school district. I'm not here to speak about the nurse. It's Keegan. Um I'm actually here to speak about an issue that I've been dealing with for the past year and a half. I was here last year. Um I spoke briefly about it. Um, it's truency within the East School District. Um, like I said, last year the presidential judge was here. He made a big deal about truency for East School District um, stating that it was a major issue that he was focused on and um, I spoke with him then because at that time I my daughters were going through a tough time. Uh, one of them was

142truent all year last year. And not because she's a bad uh, student. She's actually a straight A student. Both of my daughters are. Um, it was more of an issue uh, between domestics, the county of Northampton, and children's and youth, which really has mishandled my my children. um and has left us in a position where my daughters the only way they could express themselves was by not going to school. Um I reached out to the director of students. The school has been doing their best as well. It was more of a between the county, a disconnect between the county and um children's and youth. I've reached out to children's and youth numerous times. Susan Wandowski, the director. I've gone all the way up and I don't get any responses. No one wants to handle it.

143No one wants to deal with it. I even spoke with the presidential judge as well. Um, and they just kind of leave it and ignore it. Um, like I said, my daughters are straight A students. I know that the Eastern School District must deal with this in a numerous amount of different students. Um, so, um, I'd like to to do something about this and help the students. Um, you know, I'm doing my best with my children and I'd like to just bring it up to the board. Uh, to see what what any of you can do because I'm actually still going through this with my daughters. Um, and I'm doing my best to make sure that they get the best education um, here in East. So, you know, I'm a proud member of the community.

144Um, and I just wanted to bring it to your attention because I'm doing everything I can to advocate. Um, I think the main issue here is the disconnect between the school, children's, and youth as well as the county um, and the courthouse is really what it comes down to. Um, I know that like I said, things have been been mishandled. Politics play a role uh with attorneys, I guess, even money, but um that's not right. You know, you're dealing with a child's education and that's essential to them. I haven't seen my daughters because of all of this and other reasons. I haven't seen my daughters really in a year and a half. Um, I raised my daughters. I brought them to school. They're straight A students with me. Um, again, my name is Raone Negron.

145So, I'm going to continue advocating for my children as well as any other child who needs help. And I just wanted to bring it to the board's attention to see maybe if you can put that on the list of uh priorities to do to deal with because that's that's also a major priority um for the community um specifically dealing with those kids. We can't leave them behind. Um I certainly won't leave my daughters behind. So, thank you. Good evening. I'm here for my daughters because as a history major, I've studied a lot of the past and the leaders that have come before the ones that are currently in power now. If you stand for nothing, what will you fall for? The definition of a school nurse is to provide direct care and emergency response, managing

146chronic and acute illnesses, conducting health screenings, administering medications, educating students and staff on health topics, managing health records, compliance, and coordinating with families and health care professionals to support student health and well-being. There's a post that Miss Keegan has made on Facebook in public and that has not been brought up tonight. And I believe the gentleman I'm sitting next to brought up the policy about politics. And I quote, "Registering students to vote is one of my favorite things to do in this job. Discussing how health care and the environment impacts their quality of life is amazing, and I love to hear their perspective. Thank goodness for the younger, open-minded generation. In what part of school nurse is registering students to vote part of their job? It's not. Her post then includes some blue hearts and

147some blue waves. So, we can only assume how she votes. Is she indoctrinating our students to register to vote a certain way? Is she not allowing our students to be free and critical thinkers to make those decisions for themselves? That is disgusting and appalling. And there are better nurses like Hannah out here who can certainly use her job. There have been people talking about their feelings toward Kelly and how she is a wonderful person. But again, let's talk facts over feelings. There are 89,000 Republicans in Northampton County who voted in the November presidential election. her post calling to abort Republicans, calling to abort 89,000 children is genocide. You are not opening your mouths. You are not criticizing her. You are not forcing her to issue an apology. Therefore, you are condoning genocide. Imagine if that

148had been a race of people instead of Republicans. Imagine if that had been a religion instead of Republicans. Imagine if that had been anything else. would we be here right now or would the situation have obviously been handled? Secondly, you're bleeding money left and right. Like I I can't even account for how much my taxes have gone up and will continue to go up. How about we get rid of the iPads because they are absolutely just a waste of time and a waste of money. My children cannot write. They cannot spell. They are not being taught phonics. They are not being taught vocabulary. They're taught to stare at a screen. No. Go back to pencil and paper. Maybe then your test scores will go up. Do something. [Applause] >> The reading and writing part. >>

149Hi. So, I I I guess I'm last. I wasn't really intending to speak at all today, but my name is Tina Castro Vinci. I live in Forks Township. Um, I've been a resident of Forks for for 25 years and I just really wanted to speak. It was referenced earlier today. Um, but my daughter, um, wasn't feeling well. Went to the nurse and while she was in the nurse's office laying behind, you know, like a curtain trying to, you know, I forget if it was his stomach or what, she starts hearing the nurse talking about her uncle. So, I get a text from my daughter saying, "The nurse is talking about Uncle John. What's going on?" You know? So, I'm thinking, what is going on with this? So, anyway, I just want to let you know,

150while some people have had good experiences with our nurse, my daughter didn't. She was very uncomfortable having to listen to this while she's laying there not feeling well. She did say something to her afterwards and just said, "I don't appreciate you talking about my uncle." But why should a student have to deal with that because of their last name? It's really not not fair. So, you know, I've seen her posts over the years. you know, I'm friends with some people that she's friends with, so I always see her comments and I've always minded my own business about it. But I did think it was important that you heard what my daughter's experience was when she went to the nurse. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone else in the public who would like to speak

151on non-aggenda items? >> Okay. Seeing none, is there any other business from board members? >> Yes. I would like to um change my vote from um 9B from a yay to a nay. Um respectfully, I'm not I'm not certain you uh once the votes closed, the votes were cast. I think that's that's the end of the the vote. Yes, Mrs. Hass, if I may. >> Thank you. Uh, I want to thank everyone for coming out and speaking. Uh, first of all, it's always good to see people engaged. Um, of course, the reasons always vary. Um, but I I do want to just make a quick comment here. Um, the way I vote, um, I think the public does have a right to know, uh, why I vote. I yay or nay on certain things but

152of course the lawyers have advised us not to comment on that so I won't and as we said at the beginning um the public will not be sharing comments questions or feedback however there are people out there uh those of you who know me and know how to get in touch with me uh so I am putting that out there that those of you who do know me and know how to get in touch with me if you do reach out with me I'll certainly speak with you about uh a few things here and the questions that I know you uh have. So again, thank you for coming out and and I appreciate um listening to all of your comments. They were uh always good to hear and know what people are thinking. So again,

153thank you. [Applause] >> Is there anyone else? >> I too am available to speak to anyone who wants to reach out to me personally to discuss this matter. I do have a lot to say but cannot make it public. Thank you. >> So I will reiterate the previous two uh members statements. I will also add that I sincerely hope with the concern that was expressed tonight by everyone that the administration continues to monitor and continues to uh do what's best for the students of the district. >> Okay. Is there anyone else? Okay. Okay, I'm going to call for adjournment. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> If there are any students still in the auditorium that need signatures for your class, I'll happily meet you down here.