2025-08-11 MTLSD School Board Discussion Meeting

001Good evening. Um, I'll call to order the discussion/voting meeting of the Mount Lebanon Board of School Directors. Tonight is Monday, August 11th, 2005. It's 7:31 p.m. and we're present in room D205 of the Mount Lebanon High School with public participation also available via Zoom. May I have a roll call, please? Mrs. Berdick, >> here. >> Mrs. Crrael, >> here. >> Miss Fleer here. Mrs. Gellman, >> here. Mrs. Gensel >> here, >> Miss Guth >> here, >> Mr. Hoffman >> here, >> Miss Johnson >> here, Mr. Wland >> here, >> all members present. Excellent. Um, we're going to kick off tonight with an exciting presentation from the executive council on the readiness of schools. So, whether or not you're ready, they are ready. >> And we have a um 35 slide update for you, but we

002promise that we won't keep you here till midnight. Well, welcome back. We are very very excited to welcome back our staff this week and our students next week. And we wanted to just kind of go through some of the things that we've been working on over the summer and provide a quick overview of the preparation that has taken place for the start of this school year. So, first things first, on Wednesday, we will welcome our staff back for the convocation. This is when we bring all the staff together here at the high school to welcome them back and kind of set the tone for the school year. that will take place from 8:30 to 11:30 and then that afternoon they will spend time in their departments just kind of planning for the school year. As

003everyone knows we have um new curriculum that we're rolling out this year and this will give them opportunity to collaborate before school starts. Thursday, August the 14th, the schedule will focus on school specific professional learning. So they'll be in their schools for that entire day with their building leaders. And then Friday, August the 15th will be all day district level professional learning hosted here at the high school. This is our um model that we utilized last year. So it gives a lot of opportunities for staff to select um opportunities for learning and then some kind of required ones as well based upon our new curriculum and the things that we are implementing this school year. First day of school, grades 1 through 12, is Tuesday the 19th. And then our kindergarteners come to school for

004the first time on Thursday, August the 21st. I have my schedule for the first two weeks of walking to school with kids. So, I'm really excited about that. I'm hoping for good weather, preferably 65 to 70°. Um, it gets it gets kind of hot out there when you're walking. Um, these this is just our list of our executive council members. Um, in case anybody is interested, this is of course also found on our website and you see everybody that's gathered here today. For 2526, our school board meetings. We voted on these in the spring, but we wanted to give just a little bit more information as it relates to these topics. So, this will be put on the website under the school board of directors part of the website. And basically what it states is

005the meeting date, what type of meeting it is, um whether or not we're going to have a board committee meeting and the time that that starts, and then schoolboard meeting presentations um for each of these meetings. So you will see and hear tonight, we will be presenting an update from executive counsel on readiness of schools. Next week, we will present the district goals for the year that are completely aligned to our strategic plan that we passed in the spring. We'll give a technology update in September and an athletics update in September. In October for our discussion meeting, we'll actually take place at Parkway West, which is our um career and technical center, and they will provide an update for us on the programming that's provided to our students. In October, the second meeting, we'll talk

006about enrollment, HR, and the audit report for finances. And then when we move on to November, we will have a special education and student services update, a state of the district and student academic outcomes report. In December, we have the reorganization meeting where we will onboard three new board members. The December 8th meeting will be the calendar presentation for 2026 2027 with a vote on that in January. January, the first meeting will be a budget opt out resolution meeting and a proposed preliminary budget for 2627. January 26, the meeting will be focused on Lebo United as well as the PTE comprehensive plan. The state requires in addition to our strategic plan, which is not necessarily required by the state. They do require us to have a comprehensive plan that will be taken directly from our

007strategic plan. It's due in May. Um Dr. Davis and Dr. Shulo and I decided that it probably made more sense to have it done sooner than later because it will be ready to go. And then in February, we have uh the capital funding plan, the executive committee midyear updates. In March, we have a communications update, a curriculum review, and our base budget. In April, we'll have our budget forum and another curriculum review. And then as we finish out the school year in May, we'll have a final budget presentation, a curriculum review, and a final budget adoption, an endofear goal review, and then our retirement recognition on our last meeting on June 15th. So again, this will be this presentation is already uploaded to board docs, but this schedule will also be updated under the board

008um folder in board docs. really exciting for this year. We have two students that are going to join us as um student schoolboard reps and they'll come to voting meetings. Um the first one is Julia Antunez. She is a grade 11 student. She'll actually be with us for two years both this year and her senior year since this is our first year to have um having student school board reps. And our other student is Henry Adams. He is a 12th grader. So they'll join us next week. They will sit over there by Brandy and Pat who will take very good care of them. We did a training today for them and we'll do another training for them after they experience their first board meeting just to make sure that they if they have any questions

009that they can ask. You may also notice we have a couple of new seats. So, as I stated, we're going to have the students joining us over there. Mr. Kaiser, Mr. Stangle will be over here alongside Mrs. uh Dr. Schuman. She's out today, but it's exciting, right? You guys like your new seats? Yeah. >> Um, I know we separated like boys on one side. >> I know. I just noticed that. Sorry. There will be Dr. Schuman will be over there and Henry will be over there. Um, and then the final thing is just a reminder that we'll be rolling out our personal technology guidelines for this school year. um parents will have already received last month and they'll continue to receive updates on this in terms of the expectation for implementation in the schools. Um

010you will see here that these are the posters that will be posted in each of the schools. We have the elementary, the middle and the high school. As we know um it becomes there's it's very specific to elementary saying that your personal device has to be off learning on meaning these devices need to be in your locker cell phone or smartphone smartwatch earbuds or headphones unless you're utilizing for instance headphones for instruction right because sometimes they do need them for instruction at the middle school level it's a personal device cell phones smartphones smartwatches is earbuds or headphones left in their locker and turned off unless again a teacher directs them to do something different. And then finally at the high school, keep your personal devices silent and stored. It tells them again what a personal

011device is. And then it gives them kind of the guidelines for when they can utilize them and when they cannot utilize them. So once they're entering the classroom or an instructional space, personal devices must go in the classroom holder unless your teacher says otherwise. During class, Chromebooks are personal devices only when your teacher directs you to do so. And then between classes, you can use your personal devices in hallways, center court, and the activities office. And then I'm going to turn it over. Oh, I'm not turning it over because I'm filling in for Dr. Schuman tonight. Um for student support services, our evaluation calendar for 2526 has been completed. Last week, Dr. Schuman along with Mr. um Grogan hosted the first training um that we've provided related to IEPs and 504 plans and how to

012support student athletes that have IEPs and 504 plans. This was something that had come up quite a few times um over the course of the last year and we felt that it was really important to get coaches on the same page as our instructors as they relate to IEPs and 504 plans. And then transportation is set up and we're ready for the start of the school year. In terms of special education readiness, we have a new emotional support classroom that will open this year at Lincoln Elementary. This is something that our elementary families and staff have been asking for and we were able to do it. So that will open up on the 19th. Our special education plan that we voted on in the spring has been approved by PTE and will receive cyclical monitoring

013in March of 2026. Currently we have a 0.5 PCA vacancy and a three SECAS which is our student or um it's a PCA but it's more specific to our yeah our special education classroom aid. If you look at these numbers compared to the last two years this is the lowest number of open spots and the only reason we have this three and a half is because the resignations came in in the last week and a half. So, we already have people that we're interviewing with the goal of getting them started as soon as possible. And then the next area is non-violent crisis intervention training. It's ongoing throughout the school year. We have both virtual and in-person requirements for this and different departments and different types of teachers and and paraprofessionals will receive different types of

014training based upon their role group. The secondary department meeting and elementary grade level meetings for special education will happen on the 13th in the afternoon and then our ESY progress reports completed and have been shared with our case managers. I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Shulo who will give us an overview of elementary school readiness. >> Thank you, Dr. Freeze. As of August 7th, we have 2,366 students enrolled in our elementary program. This is about 34 students less than last year, but we are still getting a lot of kids showing up to register as we speak. All of our classroom teacher vacancies, including our need for long-term subs, have been completed, and all vacancies are filled. We completed new teacher orientation and started induction last week, and six employees were welcomed to our

015elementary team. New family orientation and meet and greet will take place on August 14th. Kindergarten interviews will take place the 19th and 20th. As Dr. Free shared, the first day of kindergarten will be August 21st. Science curriculum has been written all three stages in Atlas and is viewable for families and our staff. And ELA curriculum stages one and two was written over the summer. We will work on stage three after we receive training next week. All new ELA and science resources have been delivered and are distributed to classrooms. So, we are ready for those implementations. And currently, our department's in curriculum council and our buildings are working on their annual goals to finalize with me through September. Uh lastly, the instructional support teachers or our ISTs, we did adopt the Bridges math intervention tool. It

016also has arrived and teachers will receive training on that on August the 20th. >> And important to note, we were able to restore the position for the instructional support teacher that was at Jefferson. So each teach each school has uh their own designated instructional support teacher in place. >> Great, Dr. Davis. >> Thank you, Dr. F. I wish I could have a flashing banner that said August 19th. August 19th, August 19th, because we are ready. it is time for students to come back into the buildings. Um, first bullet, I really like to comment and commend our schedulers. U, we rebuild 3 3,088 schedules. Uh, that's 3,88 students over an 8 period school day across 250 faculty. It truly is a huge puzzle. Uh, and I credit our schedulers for doing a great job. Uh, checked

017in with our school counselors. uh this entire week was an opportunity for any student uh that needed adjustments to those schedules as they were built and released. Uh and this counselor said the the the stream of requests was definitely manageable. Uh so we believe that students walk through our doors in the next uh week or so that they should come in comfortable uh that they're not panicked uh that they have a hole in their schedule or they have the wrong schedule. They should be able to go to their classes each period of the day and that will help in their transition into the building. Uh doc uh Mr. Grogan has already done his pre-ports participation meeting. It occurred on August 6th. Uh and that is because fall sports started today. Uh with the exception of

018heat acclamation and golf actually started last week. Uh so our fall sports are underway and again it's it's it's great to see the kids coming back on campus. Um we're starting our our communications to families about transitions into the buildings. Uh tomorrow night we will be doing sixth grade or new student orientations in both our middle schools. Uh on Thursday uh in the morning uh we are doing our link crew. Uh and as a reminder link crew is an extension of the boomerang project. Uh it's an opportunity for link leaders which are upper classmen who are trained uh to provide transitional support to incoming 9th graders here at the high school. There is a huge kickoff assembly that occurs Thursday morning to transition everybody in. Uh it is a lot of fun and it's certainly

019a great atmosphere. Uh so we're looking forward to link crew on Thursday. And in Thursday night, Dr. Thompson will lead the ninth grade new student parent orientation uh for any parents uh that are new new to our district or new uh as new to the high school. Uh one of the biggest anxiety producing um issues for our students is where's my classes and how long is it going to take me to get there? Uh so next Monday in all three of our secondary buildings is walk your schedule opportunities. The buildings are open. Uh parents can come, kids can come, you can come whenever you want. Spend as long as you want. Walk your schedule five times. Walk your schedule once. Whatever it takes for you to be comfortable moving from classroom to classroom. Uh and

020we will have adults out in the in the hallways. We'll have um faculty out in the hallways to support kids and point them in the right direction. Uh so we we certainly would welcome people over to the building. uh as as it has been mentioned, we're in the uh throws of final hires. Uh we too were subject to some uh resignations in the last week or so. We had some long-term subs uh and they had received some contracts and other school districts. So, we have been working to uh resolve those, but I think with tonight's personnel report and then next Monday's personnel report, we're going to be in a really good position to open. Uh and then you'll see the newsletters coming out. Thanks, Miss uh Mrs. Smith. uh from our buildings. Again, a reminder

021to families, the health immunization requirements for the grade levels uh to make sure that your students have the proper immunizations uh and then our drop off procedures. Uh and just a quick note uh for those of you that are in the Melon sending zone as we made an adjustment to the drop off over there. Uh if you've had a student at Melon, you may have recalled that we had a little bit of the go zone and then we had a handicap spot and then we had a little bit more of the go zone. Uh so we've uh adjusted that this summer. Handicap spot is right at the beginning where a ramp is uh as you're coming in and then the rest of the run is a go zone. Uh so we made an adjustment there

022and that will be communicated out as well. Uh so as I would conclude my slide here again I would have flashing uh August 19th uh on the screen ready for the kids come back. >> Next up is Mr. Stangle who will give us our technology readiness update. Hey everybody, good to see you. It has been a summer of tech. Uh we've been working very hard. The amazing uh folks of the technology department have been involved in a number of uh what I'll call standard summertime operations which keep us very busy in addition to a few really big projects which I'm very excited to talk about. Um from a classroom readiness perspective, uh we've completed the migration of all of our PCs to Windows 11. We had some stringers that were doing Windows 10 which would

023no longer be supported in October, I believe. So, right under the gun, we're good. Uh, we replaced, cleaned, refreshed, refurbished classroom projectors. We were fortunate enough in our budget to be able to buy a number of replacement ones for our uh old and uh tried and true. They they served their time and they're done. Um, so we've got those replaced, but uh we pulled every projector down as we do every summer and we clean and we do prevented maintenance and we blow out and we do light meter readings for next year's budget cycle as well so we know uh which projectors are uh having the best time and which having the least time uh when it's time to replace another batch of them. So we did that. Uh reimaged classroom teacher PCs. Uh we have

024a number of new room purposes this year that uh last year may have been a closet or may have been a set of books that had no wires in their room at all. So we spent a lot of time this summer running those wires and making that space uh usable uh office space or small uh learning space uh whatever the case may be. Uh and we re we are and we will be continuing to reconnect classroom technologies uh that get pulled out into the hallways so that uh the floors can be clean and waxed inside the classrooms. So that's a lot of fun. Uh student technology uh we refurbished uh all the Chromebooks that were returned to us by the seniors and fifth graders. Refurbished and upgraded iPads for our K1 students. Uh we distributing

025sixth grade borrowed devices at uh JMS orientation uh and Melon schedulewalk events. I believe the principles will know exactly, but I think that's right. Uh and it's never too late uh if you have a secondary student to request to borrow a device. All those forms are online on the district website under families technology resources. Uh onetoone there's a button you can click to request a device if you'd like to borrow one from us uh for your secondary student. elementary students, as a reminder, get one issued to them. Uh, which brings me to EP. Every district-owned device, be it K through 12, be it borrowed, be it assigned, uh, is liable for damages from all sorts of horrible things that tend to happen to these devices. None of which are the students fault, but um, as

026many of you will know, it is the best $50 you'll spend on your student all year. Uh it covers any and all uh uh uh wayward incidents that may occur to this device. Uh those forms are online as well. >> Plugs >> except for loss uh intentional damage uh and loss. Yeah, sorry about that. Um however, that's all online as well. So, uh if you haven't already, uh feel free to sign up. And if you don't sign up, you're going to get at least four emails from me between now and our deadline, which is October 1st, reminding you of all that is good and to be had with the EP program. And I'm sure you've just forgotten up till now, but here's another email to remind you uh to please sign up for EP before

027October 1st. So that's our standard summer. So this summer, uh one of our big projects, as many of you know, uh is Libo ID. Libo ID is a really um uh bold undertaking and I'm really excited that we were able to I'll say pull it off but it'll be an ever growing and constantly evolving platform. Uh Libo ID does three things. Uh Libo ID creates all of our new accounts. So when we have new teachers that start with us uh and are put into our HR system which is Prosoft or we have new um students who start with us and they're put into P school and their new parents and guardians are put into P school. All of those things work through this uh this uh system called on one sync which connects to class

028link which you don't need to know but bottom line is it automatically creates all of our new user accounts. So there's no more creating accounts by hand. Everything is automated uh and flowing and somebody says hey we're missing a teacher we're missing a student who doesn't have an account. We go all the way back to the source and we make sure that they're in the right database in the right place and labeled appropriately and whatnot. Uh and then their account gets provisioned. So number two thing that this does is app rostering. Uh many of you uh familiar with our elementary students used clever quite a lot in the last few years as a launchpad for district approved applications and automatic signin. Uh basically class link replaces that uh for that purpose. So all of the

029apps that we have approved and purchased and rostering with our students uh should be out there for those students automatically pushed to them. Um but the most exciting thing is that parents uh as we start having uh parents and guardians who have access to apps, they get their own launchpads. So you should have all received an email uh from Libo 1 through Libo 10. It's 5,000. I had to break it up. Uh giving you the uh new initial signin for your Libo ID. So at its very base, LEO ID will everyone has one. It'll let you sign into your apps directly. Once you open your Launchpad and click P school, it'll sign you right into P school. Uh starting on Thursday, um Schooly will be added shortly thereafter. Navian uh we'll see a link for

030Atlas. As we're able to bring apps online, we'll be able to push them out through this platform and should allow you to just log in seamlessly. Um support Libo ID support at mtsd.net. And if you don't remember where to log in, it's libo.id. Um, so those are some key dates. Um, the 14th we are not only pushing uh schooly out on the platform. We're going to flip our staff over to and that includes schoolboard members uh to um Google authentication. So when you go to Google and sign into your Gmail, this Libo ID thing will pop up and when you put in your Lebo ID, your Google will be authenticated. uh students will do that for them on the 18th, the day before the first day of school just so they can be ready on

031the first day to sign in. Um yeah, next big project appropo that I'm sitting in Dr. Schuman's seats. Uh we have completed an integration with IEP writer which is the system that keeps track of all of our documents for uh IEPs, GIPS, 504 plans, uh reevaluations, evaluations, assessments, etc. Um and we have integrated that with P school which is our student information system so that uh authorized teachers and other educators who have access to a student can now see these icons when they look at their uh classroom lineup and get ready quick access to all these documents uh without having to step out move over to IP writer and sign in etc. Um so we're hoping well we're confident that the uh the improved access to these documents for the teachers through P school uh

032will help them be uh much better uh provided for in their learning situations. So it's an exciting project. Everybody's pretty stoked about it including me. So uh those are our two big projects and the third one you're going to hear about later so I won't spoil it but I'm going to pass it on to Jeff. >> Thank you Mr. Stangle. Next up we have Mr. Kaiser with the facility readiness report. >> Thank you, Dr. Freeze. Um, so in our summer of heat, as uh we've been calling it facilities, I know like all of you, I'm probably hoping for a cool spell. So, I'll have my fingers crossed for your walking tour. >> Please, it'll be good for my hair. >> Mine, too. Um, so we did our typical summer deep cleaning and sanitizing. We also

033did grass cutting, tree trimming, and mulching. We tried to do as much mulching and tree trimming as we could in the morning to avoid said heat. Um, and as you can tell, a lot of our grass is starting to brown out, so we're a little disappointed at that. We did start preparing our fields for fall sports. That's football, soccer, and the like. We also did our yearly inspections, playground inspections. Our Mount Lebanon Fire Department walked through our buildings last week, completed their inspections. We did our yearly sprinkler and bleacher inspections as well. As far as our projects go, we did district-wide concrete sidewalk and carb replacement at all 10 buildings. We had the installation of the new stadium turf at field turf's expense and I can tell you it was extremely hot on that turf

034this summer. But the job turned out well and we got band camp in and so we're we're happy about that. We also installed ballards in the rear driveway at HAL to prevent delivery driver damage. Uh we had some issues last year where they were running over part of our Belgium block so we removed that. As part of a PCCD grant, we installed safety window film on in classrooms at Hoover, how and the high school. Also, as part of that grant, we installed cameras in the office vestibules at Lincoln Hoover and how. We also did a replacement of a damaged classroom floor at Washington Elementary, room 1. And again, as part of the PCCD grant, we replaced the IPA systems at Hoover, Jefferson Elementary, and Jefferson Middle. Those paging systems were all at least 20 years

035old. So, I was very happy to get that done. And lastly, we reassed the rear playground at Washington. And I think now at this point, we're just looking to do some painting over there once the PTA decides what they'd like to have on the back of the asphalt. >> Thank you, Mr. Kaiser. Next up, Mrs. Connelly with the human resources readiness report. >> Thank you, Dr. Freeze. Um, human resources is ready. We talked a lot about the vacancies that we're still trying to fill. We will fill them. Um, but we also have a great celebration. We've hired 25 new staff, one administrator, 12 teachers, one counselor, six PCA/Sikas, one clerk, one plumber, and three cafeteria workers. Um, all that means that there's a lot that goes into that hiring process. We recruit, we interview, uh

036we're constantly screening applicants that are coming in and then we uh make a staff assignment that's created by resignations or retirements and they just move through the system. It's a lot of paperwork. after the um the the job offer occurs and the acceptance occurs, then all that paperwork occurs, clearances, medical um required trainings that they have to do online until it gets to you for approval. So, we're very proud of that. We're also recruiting and interviewing day-to-day subs to replenish our day-to-day sublist. This is in every single area. subteers, food service, clerical, PCA, custodial. Um, we've done a extra focus on community recruitment this summer and we've had recruitment tables pop up at the Mount Levan pool, the farmers market, and we attended a job fair in the uh that was sponsored by the Post

037Gazette that was in the local area. Other things that we're doing in human resources is that we're finalizing coverage for 21 employees taking a leave of absence on the uh starting on the first day of school. So it's 21 as of today. We could get a few more by tomorrow. Um we're also onboarding staff. Uh we are reviewing their salary, benefits, security, culture, and policies with them. We have spent a lot of time in July making sure that the time off approvals are correct and available for employees to take their time off. And we had a very successful independent audit of our health care system. uh all of our employees that have health care that might have a family member on it. We do verify the proper through proper documentation that they there's a marriage

038license, birth certificate, adoption documents, etc. if there are dependents on our health care and we received 100% on our external audit which was independent and they came in for um a day or two in July and reviewed all that paperwork. Um the next slide just shows you a little bit what our popup job fairs look like. Uh we have done it at the pool. We didn't take a picture there, but this uh the slide on picture on your left is uh a weekday morning recruiting on Washington Road in front of Washington Elementary. And then we also did the farmers market two times on a Saturday. And it was nice, hot, and sunny. I'm glad we didn't have a rain out. Business office ready readiness. Uh we are getting our systems ready. Employee salaries and wages

039are all being revised according to the CBAs. Ensuring payroll starts and terminates for employees leaving and starting employment with us. We had a huge push in May during open enrollment for the 2526 voluntary insurance deductions and we are now setting them all up in our system. Pasers reporting for 2425 is right around the corner. So, we're doing a lot of reconciling forers. We're closing out the 2425 general ledger and readiness for the auditor to be on site for his first visit in August. We're reviewing and processing all 25 and 26 purchase orders and comparing them to the budget so that nothing is approved on a purchase order if it has not been budgeted. Um, I mentioned the 2526 voluntary um, insurance deductions being set up on the system. We are working uh, weekly on the

0402425 year end budget projection that is ongoing. We're closely following the 2526 Pennsylvania state budget approval process. The current trend right now is that that budget process is on delay because there's a transit funding that is the current trending issue. It has nothing to do with education, but that is seems to be what's um holding up Parisburg this week. Food service um they could have their own slide, but I just want to give them a shout out. They um have really been preparing. Chef Day has been preparing the menus all according to the standards of what are we're required to serve. We're ordering all the food. Staff is being trained and scheduled. Parent and students are being um we're sending out communications so that people know our our menus for daily breakfast and lunch. Plus,

041we're doing ca catering. So, food service readiness is huge. We also are getting ready for enrollment enrollment express rolled out live today. So it's live to families effective today. So contrary to what we used to do in the past where parents would have to go school to school to enroll their students, the stu the families can now do that online and upload um the required paperwork. It's open to parents and guardians 247 which is really nice. and it's customized for Mount Lebanon School District to mirror our required enrollment information and documentation for but for uploads. Students after they're enrolled will move through our power school system for further processing um to the school side and at the school level there will be home room assignments, scheduling etc. Our school secretaries remain a very important link

042in this process and they will continue to welcome new families. We also want to help families who might have be challenged by that this new technology. We have an enrollment support email and we will meet with families one-on-one if needed here in the administration offices here at the high school. Coupled with that, we have to ensure data quality. So, um, our enrollment specialist is also our PIM specialist who in specializes in the Pennsylvania Pennsylvania information management system. She is performing training on data quality. So, our she'll do that at the Libo Summit for administrators and support staff. We want to make sure our data is as clean as possible. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next up, we have a communication readiness report with Mrs. Smith. >> All right. H thank you. So for communications, email

043communication began in late July um to parents and guardians with sharing information for the upcoming school year. I'm very happy to report that our district email that went to all parents and guardians had a 91% open rate and our school emails averaged a 93% open rate. So I take that as two A's there. Um, if you're looking at a grading scale, our staff, um, I would say that was a B+ with an 87% open rate, but that'll be interesting to look at as they return to the office this week. I don't know. Um, but we'll look at it this week as they return back and might see that email in their inbox or, you know, maybe decide to, you know, as they return and prepare their rooms, we might see that that go up a

044little bit. But overall, um, these rates are really great. Coming from a corporate world, um, we look for a 20% average open rate is great. So, you really can't compare here. And I do think that there's some education standards that are about 63% for educational emails that are sent out. So, we're well above that. Um, our parents are engaged and they're reading our emails, which is great. Um, for the next step on that, um, our goal for this year will to be continue to um, streamline the district website. If you had some of your favorite sites that we have or pages on our website, if you had those bookmarked, you may have noticed they're no longer bookmarked because we made some navigation updates during July, which is um the least visited time um people visit

045our website throughout the year. Um so some of those big changes are um really looking for to help parents find information in one to two clicks. So, in order to do that, we broke out um some of the information that was in the about us section. Um it's split now between about us and departments. So, all the lovely people that presented earlier tonight, um if you're looking for more information about our facilities or our elementary education or secondary education or or finance, that is all now listed under the department section um where it was previously in about us. Um the next thing is is that um we reported earlier last year during the communications update that our district calendar is the number one visited link to our website but previously when you looked at the

046main page like you're looking at it right now on the screen you weren't able to find a button for that. So now that's right on the toolbar where people can find our calendars. Um, so we continue to update the framework and flow. And I'm very happy to report that we just received an email today from our website provider to kick off our official website redesign. Really updating the navigation and the content was step one. But now we're actually going to get into the visual aspects of it throughout this school year with a goal to launch um next July. The last update here is looking ahead. So three main goals out of the communications department this year will be streamlining communications and processes. what I just uh you know mentioned with what we're doing with newsletters

047and the website. Um but that'll also include reintroducing some of our tools, making sure our staff is using them consistently across the district like Schooly, um the website, really where we're putting information that we're a little bit more consistent and streamlining that process as well. Um the next school of the communications department with family engagement and community partnerships. Really excited about this one. I like to say we're going to go from good to great. So over the last year, you know, we really had great attendance at things like Lebo University and our safety summit, but coming up this year, there will be more events. Um, another event that we did last year to business roundt, but we're looking to add um we have three alumni tours um for classes celebrating reunions coming up um beginning

048in two weeks. I think we have a 50th reunion. Um and I just received word today that there are 37 alumni coming back for that tour um right before Labor Day weekend. And then we are working with the class of 2005. And I think that there is another one and I forget what reunion that is, but >> 1970. >> 1975. Maybe the first one is the one with 37 people coming up. That is from 1965. >> Oh wow. >> Um they may have I I think you know I'm receiving some words. Um communication is interesting with them. I received a handwritten letter from the class of 65 today um delivered to me here. Um, but I think that there might be some class of 70 or 64 also attending. So they might be merging that

049a little bit. But anyways, re-engaging with the classes of 65, 75, and 2005. So really exciting stuff going on there. But on the horizon, too, not only alumni tours, but we have steps with the superintendent coming up. So if there's any of you that would like to get some exercise with Dr. Freeze out on the track, weather permitting, >> it's not going to be rigorous. I'll tell you that. We're going to take some steps around the track um hopefully on a lovely early October day and then there will be some communication coming out about um superintendent coffees which brings me to the last bullet point here is really increasing our opportunities for more two-way feedback um allowing our community to come out getting to know our administrators and having some conversations um where you guys

050can ask us some of the deep burning questions you may have and we can discuss those points. So overall that's the communications update. Thank you. The steps with the superintendent is designed for our 55 and over community because we don't get a lot of opportunities to connect with them and we feel like this is a nice way for us to kind of give a tour of the stadium slash have an opportunity to kind of talk about the things that we're working on here in the district. So, if you have anybody that's interested in walking with me, I will I will wear appropriate shoes, which is not something I can always say. Um, and then this is our last slide and it's just a thank you. Our team has been working really hard over the summer

051to prepare for the start of the school year. I'm very appreciative to work with them. Um, and I want you to know that they are allin for kids. And the things that you saw that are updates are all things that families and staff have brought up as things that they'd like to see us improve. And the fact that we were able to accomplish that over the summer, I just want to publicly say thank you to them for making that happen. And look at these cute kids. It's just it's the very best part of school year is when we get to welcome them back. That's all I have for the readiness report. >> Excellent. Well, thank you all so much. That was fantastic. I'm >> a little more ready um than I was. So, thank you.

052All right, moving on. So I mentioned at the top of the um agenda that this is a joint um voting and discussion meeting. So we will take any comments from residents and taxpayers concerning action items for this meeting prior to our discussion and vote. The two action items are our personnel report so that we can get some folks hired prior to a uh August 18th, which is our next voting opportunity. Uh and a um bus auction uh finance agenda item G. Uh so those are the two items that we'll vote on this evening. So, if anyone has any comments that they would like to offer in advance um of those two action items, please feel free. Anyone online? Mr. Okay. Um moving on to our policy section. Um there was no policy meeting tonight. So

053we're kind of handling this bevy of policy reviews and updates uh through committee of the whole. So I'll turn it over to review um adopt and discuss policies for retirement. >> Okay. I'm going to start with the three easiest ones which are 103 discrimination harassment affecting students 104 discrimination harassment affecting staff 234 pregnant parenting and married students. Um in the spring um we we received notification that the title n guidelines would be going back to the 2020 year and as a result of that these policies are consistent with title 9 as of the 2020 version. So everything that you see here will replace what we had last year. And in addition to that, we will retire a few different policies that we previously had related to these, which is GBAA, discrimination, unlawful harassment, sexual harassment

054of students. GBBA, discrimination, unlawful harassment, sexual harassment of employees. Those will no longer be a part of our system. However, they will we will have 103, 104, and 234 in those areas. Any questions at all about those ones? And it's basically procedural. The procedures have have reverted back to what they were before. Um, the next thing that we have is in June, we had talked about adding an electronic device policy that would allow us to be flexible with implementation. And so 237 is that um is that item and in this policy it basically provides the purpose of adopting the policy in order to maintain an educational environment that's safe and secure for students and employees. It gives a definition of electronic devices. It provides the authority that the board prohibits use of electronic devices by

055students during the school day in district buildings except as may be specified permitted by the exceptions in the administrative administrative regulations or as a matter of law on district property on district buses and vehicles during the time students are under the supervision of the district and in locker rooms, bathrooms, health suites, and other changing areas at any time. It also says that the possession of laser pointers is um not permitted and that the district is not responsible or liable for loss, damage or misuse of any electronic device. There's another section in here about electronic images and photographs. Um the board prohibits the taking, storing, disseminating, transferring, viewing or sharing of obscene, pornographic, lewd or otherwise illegal images or photographs. This of course is captured in our school code of conduct in our handbooks as well.

056And then it also specifies in here about off-campus activities that if it's a school district activity, students conduct is also to be appropriate. When we think about all of these areas, the administrative regulations are what will dictate what people are able to do and not able to do. So, for instance, if you are a student who plays a sport and you know it says in here that you shouldn't be using your phone on the school bus, that doesn't mean that you'll never be able to use your phone on the school bus. It means that your coach can say, "Hey, you guys can listen to music or you can text your family." Um, we've received a lot of feedback over the course of the last couple of years that if a student is going from point

057A to point B for like gifted services that their family doesn't want them on their cell phones. So, this is really to kind of give that overview that if you're on a bus and it's during the school day that you shouldn't be using your devices unless you are given permission from an adult. The delegation of responsibility is for the superintendent or designate to share um annual to share annual notifications of parents, guardians and employees about the board's electronic device policy and develop administrative regulations which we have done already and they were presented in the at the June meeting and then since updated and shared with families in our back to school mailings, virtual mailings or paper mailings, no um guidelines violations of this policy by a student shall result in disciplinary action. It may result

058in confiscation of electronic device. That also was communicated. And then in terms of exceptions, we know that there will be exceptions related to health, safety or emergency reasons. Um a required accommodation for a student protected under IDEIDA or section 504, classroom or instructional related activities, district-owned devices, and other reasons or at times that may be determined appropriate by the building principal or set forth in the administrative regulations. the building administrator may grant approval for possession and use of a telephone paging device or beeper by a student for the following reasons. And I was like, we does anybody use beepers anymore? Apparently, they do. Um, if you are a uh volunteer firefighter, things like that, or if you have a family member that requires support and you don't have a phone, you may still have a

059beeper. I thought that was very 1995, but they still exist. Um, and then these are the exceptions and permitted use guidelines that will be published in our school handbooks as well. Okay. Do we want to take questions and comments one at a time? >> Yeah, I think so. >> Usually Miss Guth does this part. So, um, questions or comments on policy draft policy 237. Um, it's my opinion that it has some outdated language under the definitions when it's talking about Blackberries and things that are no longer in use. Um, I mentioned that last week when we had a preview of of this and um, it was suggested by Dr. Freeze that I could um, rewrite some suggestions in there in terms of the language changes which I did and emailed to the group. So, um,

060if there was any feedback or response to that which I rewrote, I would be curious. >> I haven't had a chance to look at them because they came in tonight, but I will share those with the full group um in the board update this week for consideration. It was my opinion that it was um somewhat unclear under the definitions part um and the under the authority part. It was unclear um in my reading of it when it was allowed. And I also hoped that we could link the um administrative regulations into that policy like in terms of where it says um the board limits student use of personal electronic devices to the areas and times within the administr administrative regulations which are grades span specific. And then can we link it there? I'm not um

061sure whether that's a possibility, but it would take people directly to um the ARs that define things a little more clearly. >> Do we do that for all the like we have >> put them at the bottom? >> That's >> Yeah, when the ARs are updated, they go at the bottom of the document and board docs. And just out of curiosity, more of a general question, how often does the PSBA look at these like, you know, just thinking about what Mrs. Berdick said about >> I think that this one was actually updated in the last 6 months. >> Okay. >> Um, and I think the reason why they expanded, and Mrs. Kramer can correct me if I'm wrong, it's ever changing, right? So, a headphones that are connected to a Walkman were popular again this

062past holiday season and it's just to encapsulate all of them. Um, but we can most certainly remove the ones that are recommended to be removed. I think it's just I think it's a protection piece. Um, more or less. >> Yeah, they are um constantly reviewing them. So, they have the policy news network. So, you get those sometimes even more frequently than monthly. Um, I don't know if um I don't get them directly, but they I know that they are constantly updating all of their policies. So, you you can pick and choose when you want to update them if they're not legally required to be updated. So, sometimes you get a whole bunch of suggested updates from them that maybe you don't necessarily agree with or don't feel that the update is necessary at that particular

063time. Um, but they are they're very active with their updates. I'm not sure their rationale for keeping some of that language in. It is usually because they intend to be as inclusive as possible when they're writing those definitions. Um, but you know, it's at it's at the board's discretion as to whether they keep them or update them. It's really up to >> It does have a clause in there that says as well as any new technology developed with similar capabilities. So, we could also say um previously used technologies that had similar capabilities. You absolutely could. >> The techie in me is dying, but Blackberry's actually trying to come back this year. >> Is it really? >> I wondered if anyone had a new Blackberry in 2025. >> Okay. >> My Blackberry when I had one.

064>> So sad when they went away. So just for clarity um the way I'm looking at this is the policy is more of a high level what it is and the administrative regulations is the implementation the dayto-day the details. >> Yes. >> Right. >> And you can change those >> as easier then. >> Got it. And so um I agree I you know to see the link in the administrative guidelines to this would be informative and and I would assume that that it aligns right like the two the policy and the regulations kind of align together. There were some some misplaces and some some different things that um I thought didn't align. But one thing I wanted to ask about specifically because it's in here is about locker rooms and bathrooms. I do not think

065it's in the high school usage policy, the most upto-date one. And so I wanted to make sure I wanted to ask that. >> Yeah, I think it's in there. It's in the um section. Dr. Davis, do you recall? It should be in there. um when we updated them. I'll pull it up and if it isn't, we'll fix it. Yeah, there is a sentence in the middle school and the elementary school specifically about it, but I didn't see it in the high school one. I got >> and that was just a copy paste that wasn't there. So, we will correct that. And then when these get uploaded to once we have the policy approved, we will add everything to the bottom in the administrative regulations. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Can we add a um hours

066of the day um in where it says the board prohibits the use of electronic devices by students during the school day, but then there's a semicolon and then it says on district property. So that could be at any time. Um, and I don't think that we should be limiting people's use of electronic devices outside of the school day on district property, but that's the way it reads. >> I don't think that's the intention, but that's what we talked about in June when we did the guidelines. It was that if you were at a school sponsored event that it would qualify in those areas, too. So, if that is not something the board wants to do, then I probably need to know that because we did discuss that in June. >> I think it's I personally

067think it's unrealistic to expect students at a high school football game, for example, to not be using their phones. >> Well, I think it's specific in the guidelines again, which is why I think having them linked here, um, it it talks about in academic spaces. So, if you're in the school building taking an exam, not during the school day, or if you're, you know, doing an academic activity, I think, is what it would cover. >> And it also covers children taking pictures of one another that are inappropriate because we've had instances of that. And it's a reminder to them that if you're on school property, you're still responsible for your behavior. And families often use things like Find My iPhone or other ways of tracking their students who walk or maybe they're at work and

068they're making sure that their students get from place to place safely and so they may be on district property. Um I have an issue with the on district property clause. I think that uh it should be hour by hours of the day and not by location because I think parents need to be able to know if their kids are um safe while on district property outside of the school day. And for find your iPhone, we're not asking them to turn the devices off. We're asking them to silence them. So, find your iPhone, because I'm a regular user of it, um is um is still capable. So, if your device is just um the sound is off and put away, they can still track the students. We're not asking them to turn the devices off. We're

069just asking them to silence them and to put them away. It's my opinion that that's very hard to regulate. I agree. But if we don't start with some sort of a standard um then >> I mean this is what was asked of us and this is what we've put together. uh if there is an interest in changing it any further, I'm open to discussion about that, but school's starting in a week and we worked on these all summer and I'm, you know, happy to adjust, but I kind of need to know from the board if that is the interest of the board for me to do that. >> I think it's better to be conservative. I mean, I, you know, there's a lot of this, there's a lot of rules we have in general that

070are hard to enforce. dress code for instance, you know, certainly um phones in locker rooms, bathrooms, you know, there there are other things, but I don't think it means we should. My vote is for keeping it in length with the administrative regulation. >> Other thoughts? >> I just really appreciate all the work you guys have done this summer. It's this is a lot. a big undertaking amidst a lot of other big undertakings. So, thank you so much. All right, so our next one is 319 outside activities. And this particular policy states that the board recognizes that administrative, professional, and classified employees do have the right to private lives and associations with others outside of school. However, the board has a responsibility to evaluate employees effectiveness in discharging assigned duties and responsibilities. So therefore, when non-school

071activities directly impact um an employes effectiveness within the school district, the board reserves the right to evaluate the effect of such activities on the individual's completion of responsibilities and assignments. and that the board does not endorse, support, nor assume liability for any district staff member who conducts non-school outside activities in which district students or employees may participate. This kind of has a couple of other um companion policies as well, which is the 320 policy, freedom of speech by employees. And this particular policy um it states that the board respects employees freedom of speech. Um the public school employees do not surrender their rights to free speech merely because of their status as an employee of the district. Board acknowledges the right of administrative professional and support employees as private citizens in a democratic society to

072speak on issues of public concern. This policy is basically adopted to clarify situations in which an employes expression could conflict with the district's interest when the employee is not engaged in assigned duties. In such instances, the district in coordination with the school solicitor must balance the employees interest regarding freedom of expression on issues of public concern as a private citizen against the interests of this district in promoting the efficient and effective functioning and educational purposes of the district. And then it kind of gives some um examples of situations in which a district employee is not engaged in the performance of assigned duties. The employees freedom of speech may be addressed when the employes speech impacts efficiency or creates a substantial disruption as indicated by any of the following. Number one, impairing discipline by superiors or

073harmony among co-workers. Two, having a detrimental impact on close working relationships requiring loyalty and confidence. Three, impeding the performance of the duties of the employee that conducted the speech. Or four, interfering with the operations of the school district. And any decisions based on the above listing shall take into consideration all the facts of the individual situation and shall include consultation with the school solicitor. So this is a pretty heavy one and I see there are linked, you know, constitutional articles and amendments um in addition to state law. So I'm assuming in this case we would be relying on federal and state law and precedent to know I I feel like the um exception the the the examples given of when freedom of speech could impact um efficiency or disrupt uh seem fairly broad um open

074to broad interpretation. So, I'm assuming that gets narrowed by the case law or the >> Yeah. So, there is a a ton of case law on this topic. Um, it's one of my favorites to present on if you're ever interested in coming. Um, but it really is a case specific analysis. So, we have the policy in place to put the employees on notice that things that they do and say can impact their ability to serve as a role model to the youth in this in the district. and that that um so that expectation is outlined, but the actual analysis if somebody were to be expressing a personal opinion, we look at whether or not it's private expression versus public expression, whether it's a matter of public concern. Um if it checks all the boxes and

075is clearly protected first amendment speech, it must severely disrupt the operation of the district or impede our ability to operate efficiently. um in order for us to take action and then even if we did, the employee would always have the right to challenge it, which you know they they do. So um ultimately it would it would likely be up to a judge to decide whether or not um to do the constitutional balancing test. But we have um you know been doing that for a long long time and we feel that we can adequately advise the district when it is appropriate to discipline or otherwise address something that may otherwise be private expression by an employee. >> Other questions or comments? So before tonight did we didn't have policy. I don't see a policy being retired.

076So this is new. >> Yeah. I think if you look most other school districts in the state have the same policies. Again this is like the PSBA cadre of policies. Um and and oftentimes the examples come out of actual cases but every case obviously has its own facts and circumstances. So we like to be able to have the flexibility. But really the purpose of the policy is to provide additional notice to employees. Um because oftentimes there is a misconception that you know if I'm not at work no matter what I do or say can't be used against me in the workplace which you know we we want to make sure that we are telling people upfront that hey you know you have to be mindful of your conduct even outside of work because it can

077impact your ability to do your job. Um, and that this policy, it's not to say that we wouldn't before this policy have been acting on those things anyway. >> I'm just shocked that we didn't have the >> policy. Our personnel policies were pretty minimal. >> Yeah. >> Would you say >> our personnel policies under the old system were the PSBA recommends >> a more robust >> in their sweep, a lot more um, >> that's good. a a larger number and like really sort of focused on one so that again you can change one policy for a particular issue that's changing in employment law or whatever without having to change your whole >> Yeah. And I think the intentionality too is to protect people. You know, if you don't know and you do it, you want

078to make sure people know in advance that this is something to consider. Which leads us into the next one 321 which is political activities. And this one as well u board recognizes encourages the right of administrative professional and classified employees as citizens to engage in political activity. However, district time resources, property or equipment paid for by taxpayers may not be used for political purposes by district employees. An employee shall not engage in political activities during assigned work hours on property under the jurisdiction of the board. And then the following situations are exempt from this provision of the policy. One is the discussion and study of politics and political issues when applicable to the curriculum and appropriate to classroom studies. This is something we discussed last year in our policies. We have one that is um

079specific to instructing on political topics. Two, conduct of student elections and connecting campaigning or three conduct of employee representative elections. Okay. Questions or comments on draft uh 321? All right. So, we have two more. I'm going to do 8.27 first, which is conflict of interest, and then we'll get into the tech usage. So 827 is a policy that affirms standards of conduct established to ensure that board members and employees avoid potential and actual conflicts of interest as well as the perception of a conflict of interest. It gives a definition of what it means to have a conflict of interest. And then it talks about the delegation of responsibility. Um, employee and board members shall be responsible to maintain standards of conduct that avoids conflicts of interest and the board prohibits members of the board and

080district employees from engaging in conduct that cont constitutes a conflict of interest as outlined in the policy. And then in terms of guidelines, board members and employees shall be provided with a copy of this policy and additional training can be provided to designated individuals. One part of this is the disclosure of financial interests. Um, no board member shall be allowed to take the oath of office or enter or continue upon their duties unless they have filed a statement of financial interest as required by law. And the district solicitor and designated district employee shall file a statement of financial interest as well as required by law and regulations. The next section kind of gives a breakdown of standards of conduct um and the standards of conduct that the district maintains in covering conflicts of interest and

081governing the action of its employees and board members engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. And it kind of goes pretty much so very deep into detail about what this means um including things like the amount of a contract. So, a district shall not enter into any contract with a board member or employee or their spouse or child or any business in which the person or their spouse or child is associated valued at $500 or more. nor in which the person or spouse or child or business with which associated as a subcontractor unless the board has determined it is in the best interest of the district to do so and the contract has been awarded through an open and public process including prior public notice and subsequent public disclosure of all proposals considered

082and contracts awarded when advertised. formal bidding is not required or used and open and public process shall include at the minimum public notice of the intent to contract for goods or services. Two, a reasonable amount of time for potential contractors to consider whether to offer quotes. Three, postawward public disclosure of who made bids or quotes and who was chosen. Um, any board member or employee who is in discharge of their official duties would be required to vote on a matter that would result in a conflict of interest shall abstain from voting and prior to the vote being taken publicly announce and disclose the nature of their interest as a public record in a written statement. And no public official or public employee shall accept an honorarium. Board members and employees may neither solicit nor accept

083gratuitities, favors or anything monetary in value um from contractors or parties to subcontracts unless the gift is unsolicited item of nominal value. And then in terms of improper influence, this talks about um no person shall offer give to a board member, employer, nominee or candidate for the board or any member of their immediate family or business with which they are associated anything of monetary value including a gift, loan, political contribution, reward or promise of future employment based on the offer or donor's understanding that the vote, official action or judgment of the board member, employee or nominee or candidate for the board would be influenced. Um thereby the next section talks about organizational conflicts. Um and these are conflicts of interest that exist when due to the district's relationship with a subsidiary um affiliated or parent

084organization that is a candidate for award of a contract in connection with federally funded activities the district may be unable to appear to be unable to be part impartial in conducting a procurement action involving a related organization. And then it kind of goes into um if such a likelihood exists, this shall not disqualify the related organization. However, these measures have to be in place. The organizational relationship shall be disclosed as part of any notices to potential contractors. Any district employees or officials directly involved in the activities of the related organization are excluded from the selection and award process. there's a competitive bid quote or basis of valuation and the DO board has determined that contracting with the related organization is in the best interest of the program involved. And then there's a section here about

085reporting conflicts of interest um for each of us including myself. And then it talks about the investigation process in the event that someone stated that there was a conflict of interest and then the potential disciplinary actions as well as related to um a finding that the complaint is factual or constitutes a violation of the policy. A little bit longer this one. All right. Questions or comments on the conflict of interest policy? That's it. All right. And then our final one is 8:15 acceptable use of internet computers and network resources. This will retire policy JND network and internet use and JNDC website policy. This one as well is a pretty detailed policy um that we have um updated to be consistent with our technology guidelines as well as the different practices that we have within the

086district including our handbooks that we give to students. Um it starts out with the purpose which is to support the use of computers, internet and other network resources in the district. Um, it gives definitions such as, um, related to child pornography, um, what a computer means, um, and then district technology resources, harmful to minors, harm, um, kind of like a definition of that as well, and what those network resources look like. Um, obscene materials, a definition of that. And it also in each of these areas talks about the technology protection measures that we have in place to monitor the use of technology in the school district such as um our Gaggle account and our GoG Guardian. All of those are kind of like a layer over our system to alert us in the event that

087a student is searching for things that are inappropriate um or that they're going to do self harm or commit self harm. The authority for this policy is the availability of access to electronic information does not imply an endorsement by the district or the content. Nor does the district guarantee the accuracy of the information received. The district shall not be responsible for information that may be lost, damaged, or unavailable when using the network. And the district shall not be responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees resulting from access to the internet or other network resources. And then um the board declares that the district internet, computer and network use is a privilege, not a right, which means we have the right to um search files. Um, we have the right to limit access in the event

088that somebody is doing something that's inappropriate and that we also will, if needed, fully cooperate if there's an investigation by local, state, or federal officials related to the misuse of the district's internet, computers, or networks. And then the board requires all users to fully comply with the policy and report any violations to the principal, assistant principal, or designate. And the board establishes the following list of subject areas as inappropriate matter. Hate speech, lewd, vulgar or profane, threatening, harassing or discriminatory, bullying, anything consisting of related to weapons, terroristic, and then drugs and paraphernalia. We also reserve the right to restrict access to internet sites or network functions that are inappropriate based upon this policy. It also requests that students and staff and the superintendent shall expedite a review and may authorize the adjustment of technology protection

089measures to enable access to material that is blocked or filtered. Great example of this is when someone brings um something to our attention that may have slipped through the process um for filtering and then we apply the filter so that they can't access it. And then delegation of responsibility for this one is the district shall make every effort to ensure this resource is used responsibly by students that will inform staff, students, parents and guardians and other users about the policy through employee and student handbooks, posting it on our website and any other appropriate methods of communication. We also note that users of district networks or district-owned equipment shall prior to being given access or being issued equipment sign a user agreement acknowledging awareness of the provisions of this policy and let them know that the

090district uses monitoring systems to monitor and detect inappropriate use and tracks the usage. Um, administrators, teachers, and staff have a professional responsibility to work together to help students develop intellectual skills, um, to identify information appropriate to their age and developmental levels and to evaluate and use the information to meet their educational goals. This also aligns with our strategic plan goals related to this topic. Um, in addition to that, the superintendent or design shall be responsible for recommending technology and developing procedures used to determine whether the district's computers and network resources are being used for purposes prohibited by law or for accessing sexually explicit materials. And these procedures may include, but are not limited to, utilizing a technology protection measure that blocks or filters the internet, maintaining and securing a usage log, monitoring online activities of

091minors on district computers and network resources, and then in addition to that, the district can develop and implement administrative regulations that ensure students are educated on network etiquette and other appropriate online behaviors. In terms of the guidelines, district computers and network accounts shall be used only by the authorized user authorized user of the computer account. It talks about safety and the different factors that go into place to monitor internet safety. It talks about the prohibition of usage of um these devices both from an ethical and legal manner. And it gives a list of quite a few things that district computers and/or network resources should not be utilized um should not be used to search or um do transmission of material. There's a list of 21 of them. I'm not going to read them to you.

092Um, and then it talks about the security and how it's protected through the use of passwords and/or encryption and what that looks like. It talks about personal devices, which means it relates back to our technology policy that is related to electronic devices that we talked about earlier. And then um it talks about copyrighted materials. It talks about the district website and how that will be established and maintained um to be up to date. And then it also talks about accessibility to the websites as well as the limitation of liability related to um the use of technology within the district and the consequences for inappropriate use. This is a very detailed policy. Um a lot of the things that appear in here are things that appeared in our other two policies that were retiring, but then

093also has some additions based upon the work we've been doing over the course of the last few months to update our technology policies. and procedures and guidelines. >> Questions or comments on draft policy 8:15? No, I I mean I think that um when we talked about the technology usage guidance guidelines in the spring, there were some questions from the board and the community about how we were defining certain terms like appropriate social media or usage. Um and I think this policy goes into uh great detail about those definitions. and then um the implementation of it uh through the handbook, the education to students, staff, parents. Um again, it it we say every every device needs to be logged on to the district network and then these things are prohibited. Um, I think just as much

094as we can communicate that, um, to students, to their caregivers and families, and, um, you know, having our adults and our signage in the building and our handbooks, um, talk about that consistently. Um, it may not be 100% perfect because we're dealing with thousands and thousands of humans, but I think this is a really good foundation. Other questions or comments? Okay. Could that be it? >> I I hope so. >> Okay. At least for this month. >> Excellent. So, we'll move um forward uh the policies for adoption and retirement and then we we don't have to take do we have to take action on the three that we reviewed or we just needed to review them? >> Um those ones well all of them have to be voted on next week to adopt them and

095to retire the other ones and any feedback given today I will incorporate that incorporate that into the update this week. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh moving on to our finance section of the agenda. The first item is the uh treasurer's reports. The treasur's reports reflect cash transactions for the month of June and July 2025. The treasur's report um for July gives our um accounts a summary of all of our accounts their their debits and credits and the um balance on each till as of July 31, 2025. Um there's really no changes there. our real estate tax revenue has really been coming in strong in the month of July and um that's reflected in the report. There's also a treasurer's report for June 30th, 2025 which reflects a uh projection for the 2425 school year and

096I'd like to talk about that for a moment. The current projection for 2425 is a surplus This is a surplus of about $1 million. And I want to explain how we have gotten there. Some revenues have increased, which has offset the revenues that we budgeted from PTE for basic ed funding and special ed funding. Overall between local, state, and federal funding 2425 projected revenue is about 122 million. The 2425 budget was 122,200,000. So comparing the projection to what was budgeted, we're still down a little bit on the 2425 revenue. However, um it's much better than what we expected and what we were looking at for the for the whole year uh when we knew that we weren't getting um the budgeted amount of basic ed and special ed funding. And I really do want to

097highlight um how those revenues have been offset. The real estate collections were less than budgeted, but we have agreements with Asbury Heights and the Doorchester apartment with pilot agreements, and those were uh not budgeted and came in at $564,000 in 2425. Also, our lean or delinquent tax lines shows an increase of $625,000 compared to budget. Uh that means we've collected more than $625,000 more in delinquent than we budgeted. WPK's collection on old and stale delinquent taxes has greatly helped our our our district since they've taken over that process since January. Interest was slightly higher at $23,000 $23,000. Facility rentals also came in higher than budgeted by $52,000. But when we rent our facilities, there's also a expense offset with the associated costs with custodians. However, this is very good that um our rentals are higher

098than budgeted. Tuition from patrons is higher than budgeted at 190,00 $190,000. Um that includes study abroad students, driver's ed, and summer enrichment. Our Plancom payments came in $87,000 higher than budget. Um I believe one payment was was lost in transaction and hit um our general ledger in the current year. So that would explain that um higher than budget. Our health subsidy is about $20,000 higher. So in all $276,000 in in state subsidy was higher. Um, there was also on the expense side a major focus to decrease our expenditures. The district had a freeze on non-essential expenses since January of 2025. Budget managers were directed to stay within budget and to report unexpected and emergent expenses immediately so adjustments could be made. Salary and benefits are our two highest expenses and we had a savings there

099of about a million dollars. The the May projection only had a savings of $431,000. So we have to improve on um the projections for salaries and benefits. There's also a large surplus in the 500s account which includes uh the transportation contract, tuition for special ed and charter schools. And we also had a insurance claim reserve budgeted, but that was really not touched because we didn't have any high expense insurance claims. Printing and travel were also frozen during the budget freeze in January and postage decrease due to more digital digital communication. Um, so overall the return for from students coming back to our district or not going to charter schools did save money and overall we saw a savings in expenses. Um, and also there was quite a bit of savings in our legal fees when

100we switched um solicitors and there was a reserve for litigation with Concordia uh which we did not have to touch because that case was settled. So in summary, the overall 2425 revenue shortfall um there is a revenue shortfall but it it is offset by an expenditure surplus which is how we got to the million dollar surplus. And I want to emphasize these are all unudited numbers. Our auditors are coming on site uh in August. they will begin the auditing process for 2425. Uh today is August 11th. We still have our second payroll in August to process and hit RGL. All of that has been included, but the books are still open till the end of August and the auditor will confirm many of these um assumptions in the projections that I spoke of. So that's

101for 2425. I also included a uh 2526 July um uh monthly report. It just simply gives the budgeted numbers compared to what was spent in July. I did not do a projection. It's too early to do a projection. Do you have any questions about the finance report? >> Um questions or comments on the finance report? I mean, I think we're all happy to hear um good news. We know that a lot of work went into really um controlling doing zerobased budget budgeting, updating um you know, business operations and procedures and then controlling spending. um particularly once we learned that the state budget um was going to be about $1.1 million lower than um we had been told and budgeted for um in our budget. So, uh, I appreciate, um, the work to finalize payment and

102loot of tax agreements to really, um, in intentionally look at um, delinquent um, taxes and um, politely request those funds um, and then, you know, to then control expenses on on the upper side. So, I think it was a nice um combination, I guess, of additional found revenue, which looks like more of a baseline of some of the revenue that we can expect moving forward because the pilot agreements are multi-year agreements. The taxes that were um paid are are taxes that people will hopefully continue to pay on an ongoing basis. So, um, yeah, I appreciate all the work that, um, went into this and the ability for the board to, um, continue to work with you all to responsibly build back our fund balance. >> Yeah, agreed. And just thank you for such attention to

103detail and just continuing to find different and creative ways to be smart with what we are doing. So, I think that we are all just piggybacking off of how very excited to start uh the school year successful. >> I just want to mention that um I'm going to call it intricate accur accuracy um to this document that um this is information that is available to the public. It lists in the notes category um exactly why there were deviations either plus or um or lower to the projection. It explains why um we were we have found ourselves to be in a position of a surplus. Um so I think um the very simplest explanation is um a curtailing of spending and shaking every tree in terms of finding the funds um that could be become revenue.

104So, it's fabulous, but it's also just so intricately detailed in this um report that it um it certainly um is more information than I think we've had prior to the combination of Mrs. Connelly and uh Weissberg Hart Kramer uh working through the numbers as well. So, I appreciate it and it's really good news and the community should be really pleased. >> I think it's important to note that our goal is to do the same thing this year. So, we are looking at everything that we've purchased, looking if there's a better price. Um, do we really need it? Because our goal really should be to have a surplus at the end of this year as well so that we can get closer to building back our fund balance. So it shouldn't be a shock that that's

105our goal and to do it sooner than 10 years because 10 years is a really long time. >> Now with this surplus, is it going to go directly into fund balance or are there capital needs that we need to attend to? >> No, this will go directly into fund balance. We need to work on rebuilding our fund balance and then once it's built back up, we will move into creating an account that's for capital funding. >> Yeah. And just as a reminder to everyone, uh the these are still projections. Um although with as up tothe- minute um information as we have, uh our auditors will be on site starting this month, we'll hear from them um throughout their process and the community will hear from them in October. So, um it's really going to be

106their work that's going to verify where our accounts stand and at the end of June and then where our various um designated and undesated funds stand. >> Any other comments? Do have several other finance items. >> Thank you. Thank you. from where we started a year ago to to where we we looks like we're going to land today is tremendous improvement and um it was the result of of of leadership uh of intentional action and and successful strategies to get us there. You know, I I've even used some um descriptions at prior meetings about, you know, searching the couch cushions and shaking the tree, but it really isn't that. I mean, this is this is the culmination of very deliberate, intentional, thoughtful work um that, you know, the administration and um and and WBK have

107have delivered these successful results for us. So, thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. The next financial item is the monthly lists of bills. The monthly list of bills reflect checks authorized to be drawn between July 1, 2025 and July 16, 2025 and July 2020 20 July 21st, 2025 through July 31st, 2025. All checks have been reviewed by the administration. The superintendent recommends approval of this list. >> Okay, questions or comments on the lists of bills? Okay. Next is the ratification of the uh June 30th list of bills. >> The list of bills from June 18, 2025 to June 30, 2025 are those checks authorized to be drawn to close out the fiscal year and have been approved for payment by the board at the June board meeting. The list is presented for ratification at this

108meeting. All checks are typical for this type time of year and are recommended for approval by the superintendent. Okay. Questions or comments on the June list of bills. Okay. Next up, we have a list of tax refunds. The list of tax refunds totals $11,9168 for four refunds for June 2025. The list has been reviewed by the solicitor's office which recommends approval. The less the list is recommended for approval by the superintendent. >> All right. Questions or comments on the tax refunds? Okay, next up we have a list of unusable equipment. The list of unusable equipment includes high school textbooks, elementary English language arts and science textbooks, four drawer filing cabinets, bookshelf carts, iPads, network switches, and toner. The superintendent recommends approval of this list. >> Some spring cleaning. questions or comments on the list of

109unusable equipment. >> There much of a market for used toner. >> No market. >> Okay. >> Next up, we have the list of district bank accounts. The state requires annual board approval of all district bank accounts. This list is presented for board consideration and is recommended for approval by the superintendent. Questions or comments on the list of bank accounts. Right. Um, next up is an item that is both for discussion first and then um for action. So, first we will discuss the bus auction item. The board has asked to approve the agreement with Matis and Suns Incorporated hyphen 422 sales to auction a 2008 Bluebird 72 passenger school bus. The superintendent recommends approval of the agreement. Okay. Any questions or comments on this item? Should I wait for Miss Goo? Probably. >> We'll do a

110little fill time. So, when you sell a bus, you're not getting millions of dollars. First, I'll just let everybody know that it's more or less it's less expensive to auction it than it is for us to like get it chopped up or something like that. So, this bus is it's up there in age. It is outlived its life. >> It had a great life. >> We've been talking about this bus for years. >> Lots of memories. >> Lots of good memories. But it's time for say goodbye. >> All right. Um, Mrs. Berdick, can you read the resolution? >> Um, sure. I move that it be resolved that the board approves the agreement with Matthews and Suns Incorporated for 22 sales for the auction of a 2008 Bluebird 72 passenger school bus. Second. >> Okay. Any

111additional discussion? Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Berdick, >> I. >> Mrs. Crrabel, >> I. >> Miss Flecher, >> I. >> Mrs. Gellman, >> I. >> Mrs. Gensel, >> I. >> Miss Guth, >> I >> Mr. Hoffman, >> I >> Miss Johnson, >> I. >> Mr. Wyland, >> I. >> All right. And then the final um financial item is a pilot and settlement agreement with Concordia Luan Lutheran Ministries of Pittsburgh. The board is asked to approve the payment in lie of taxes, also known as a pilot and settlement agreement with Concordia Lutheran Ministries of Pittsburgh. The superintendent recommends approval of the agreement. >> Okay. Any additional context? >> Um, I think the additional context is this is a property that we have been in litigation over for about 14 years and we were able to come

112to a resolution and to restore our relationship with them which will benefit both the school district as well as Concordia. >> Okay. Any additional questions or comments? Just a quick thank you to our solicitor and team. That's all. >> Okay. Next up is the human resources um section. Uh this first item um the personnel report is one of these that we'll discuss um and then take action on >> resolve that the board approves the >> Oh yeah, that's just the resolution. But >> it's not a resolution. So we will resolve this but it the personnel report just includes the typical assignments, changes of assignments um and leaves uh resignations and retirements and separations. Um and the reason we're taking action on this this evening is uh so that a lot of these can be put

113in place in ter for this sort of school. Um any questions, comments or discussion? Okay, Miss Johnson, can you read the No, you cannot. Miss Goo, can you read the resolution? >> Oh, yeah. Of course. I move that it be resolved that the board approves the personnel report and the form presented. >> Second. >> Okay. Any additional discussion. >> Sorry. >> All right. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Berdick. >> I. >> Mrs. Crabel. >> I. >> Miss Flecher. >> I. >> Mrs. Gellman. >> I. >> Mrs. Gensel. >> Hi. >> Miss Guth. >> Hi. >> Mr. Hoffman. >> I. >> Miss. Johnson. >> I. >> Mr. Wland. >> I. Okay. Mhm. >> And then the second um discussion item in human resources category is anou with the MLEA. >> The board has asked to approve

114the memorandum of understanding with Mount Lebanon Education Association which addresses part-time professional employees premium share for healthcare. The superintendent recommends approval of theou. >> Okay. any um questions or comments on theou. All right. Uh moving on to facilities, we have one item, a parent transportation agreement. The board has asked to approve an agreement with a parent to transport their student to their current outside placement provider. The superintendent recommends approval of this agreement. >> All right. Questions or comments on the agreement. >> Okay, we have a hardy curriculum and instruction uh section. I see Dr. Davis and Sheila readying the mic. Um the first item is the approval of federal grants for 202526. The board will be asked to approve the following federal program for 2526 school year and we list the title 1A grant in

115the amount of $177,176. Late last week we got word that the federal allocations and grants were available for the funds that were frozen at the end of June. We made our application today. I will work with Mrs. Walters to get an update for next week's board meeting and put an update in the board cap or the update. We will see another $128,000 in federal funding for 2526. And the funds will go to salary and benefits for specialists, non-public contracted services, lea liaison services, supplies for homeless and curriculum writing and then services for e population. >> Okay, questions or comments on the federal grants? So, just to clarify, the voting next week will include additional federal funds that we're going to quickly apply for. >> We applied today, so I'll get the amounts in the um

116motion for next week. >> And um we feel confident that these funds would be released to the >> We do they were released to the states I think about two and a half maybe three weeks ago. Uh the state did a recalculation and then reshared them with us late last week. >> How does that compare, do we know, to the amount we had budgeted for federal funds? I guess that's >> fairly identical. There's been some shift between some of the different titles, but not anything significant. Our biggest portion of those funds go to salary and benefits. So I'm happy to share that we'll be able to cover all salaries that we budgeted for out of this. in addition to some supplemental pay for curriculum writing that we thought we were gonna lose. >> So, it's

117a it's a good thing for us. >> Excellent. >> Other questions or comments? >> So, it was frozen in June and then what led it what led to its release? >> Federal government released it. They had originally stated that they were going to withhold it and then um the states put some pretty heavy pressure on the federal government that this would reduce the ability to serve kids. So this is related to the litigation. Was that resolved or just >> they didn't it wasn't a result of the litigation. I think it was just enough people asking and >> good. >> Yeah. Okay. Any other discussion? Okay. The next uh curriculum and instruction item is an AIU title one services addendum. The board has asked to approve an agreement with the Alageney Intermediate Unit for the provision

118of Title One services for students that reside in the district and are attending non-public schools. The district's per people allocation is for $2,532 and will go to A Maria at Mount Lebanon and the superintendent recommends approval for this agreement. >> Okay, questions or comments on this addendum? Given the new allocations, that monetary amount will increase to $3,230 and will reflect that change as well. [Music] >> Okay. The next item is the act 44 safety and security coordinator. >> The district is required by act 44 to appoint a safety and security coordinator. The administration is recommending Dr. Melissa Fes as the district's safety and security coordinator. >> Okay. Any discussion, uh, questions or comments on that item? Excellent. Um, I'm assuming someone will be playing the part of Dr. Schuman to talk about the agreements with

119the university school. The board has asked to approve agreements with the university school for the provision of special education services for the Mount Lebanon exceptional students during the 2526 school year. The cost will not exceed $27,000 per student anticipating for no more than two students and the superintendent does recommend approval of this agreement. >> Okay. Any questions or comments on this agreement? Quick question and I don't know if we'll be able to answer it or not, but so like for a placement like the university school where we have potentially multiple students, do we like get a deal? Like is there any way to kind of work with them and >> No, it's just it is what it is. >> It's basically um dependent upon their needs and it's a pretty clearcut like this is what

120the cost is going to be. There's no negotiating. >> I would say the increase each year is about 3%. >> Yeah, >> approximately. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Any additional questions or comments? >> Okay. Uh next we have an agreement with Global Word Smiths. The board has asked to approve an agreement with Global Wordsmiths for the provision of translation services for both the 2526 and 2627 school years. The superintendent recommends approval of this agreement. >> Okay. Uh questions or comments on this item. Okay. Uh, next up is an agreement with Keystone Oaks School District for Project Succeed. >> The high school administration is recommending the use of Keystone Oaks Project Succeed program as an alternative educational option for students for the 2526 school year at a cost of $15,000. The superintendent recommends approval of this

121agreement. >> Any questions or comments on this item? >> Okay. Uh, next we have an agreement with the Watson Institute Education Center. This item is a request for the board to approve an agreement with the Watson Institute Education Center for the placement of students with special education needs for the 2526 school year. The district anticipates the attendance of eight students at a cost not to exceed $66,92 per student. The superintendent recommends approval of this agreement. All right. Questions or comments on this agreement. >> All right. Next, we have an agreement with Wisa South uh Sharpsburg. >> Yep. This agreement is for the board to approve an agreement with the Watson Institute Social Center for Academic Achievement or the placement of students with special education needs for the 2526 school year. The district anticipates the attendance

122of one part-time student at a cost not to exceed $48,91425. Superintendent recommends approval of this agreement. >> Okay. Questions or comments on this agreement? Next up, we have an agreement with Wisa Seth >> University School. Uh south I item I >> uh this is a request for the board to approve an agreement with the Watson Institute for uh Social Center for Academic Achievement Wiska South for the placement of students with special education needs for the 2526 school year. The district anticipates the attendance of one part-time student at a cost not to exceed $48,91425 and one full-time student at a cost not to exceed $65,219. Superintendent recommends approval for this agreement. >> All right, questions or comments on this agreement? [Music] All right. Next up, we have an University of Pittsburgh. The board is being asked

123to approve anou with the University of Pittsburgh to host pre-ervice teachers across the elementary and secondary levels. Currently, the district plans to host 53 student teachers and pre-ervice teachers during this fall semester. The superintendent is recommending approval of thisou. questions or comments on thisou. >> This is really exciting. >> Yeah, that's great. We look forward uh to hosting. >> All right. Uh the boys varsity soccer trip. >> High school administration is requesting permission for the high school boys varsity soccer to travel to Reading, Pennsylvania for the East West Classic soccer tournament from August 22nd to the 23rd, 2025. Malabina boy soccer boosters is responsible for the cost of the trip and the students will miss one day of school. The student is recommending approval of this trip >> questions or comments. >> Okay. Next up

124we have a yearbook production trip. High School Administration is requesting permission for the yearbook production to travel to Nashville, Tennessee for the NSPA J uh JA fall conference from November 11th to November 16th, 2025. Students are responsible for the cost of the trip and will miss three days of school. The superintendent recommends approval of this student trip. Great. >> Questions or comments on this trip? Excellent. Okay. Now, we have a slew of crowdfunding requests due to new policy adoption. Um, the Blue Devil Club Football boosters crowdfunding approval request. >> Thank you, Miss Flecher. And you're correct. The next grouping is a result of our new policy, and our policy indicates that if there's an expectation of raising more than $2,500, we bring it to the board for approval. And the first one is the football

125boosters crowdfunding approval. Now the board is being asked to approve a request from the Blue Devil football boosters to crowdfund for the purpose of fundraising to support Mont Lebanon High School football. Superintendent is recommending approval of this request. >> Questions or comments on this request? >> I did notice that it didn't have uh the date very completely listed and that it was June to June. I wondered about the date on that. It started June 1st and ended I think June 30th. It might have just not copied right. I'll we'll we'll update that. Okay. >> Okay. Next up we have Oh, any other questions or comments? >> A high school boys varsity soccer request. The board is being asked to approve a request from the boys varsity soccer program to crowdfund for the purpose of fundraising

126to support the Mount Lebanon High School boys soccer program. The super superintendent is recommending approval of this request. >> Excellent. Questions or comments on this. Okay. And then we have high school varsity baseball crowdfunding. The board has asked to approve a request from the boys varsity baseball team to crowdfund for the purpose of fundraising to support the high school boys varsity baseball program. The superintendent recommends approval of this request as well. >> Okay. Questions or comments on this request? Okay. We have a Foster Elementary PTA request. The board has asked to approve a request from Foster Elementary PTA to crowdfund to support field trips, enrichment assemblies, author visits, the annual science fair, field day, Fosters breakfast with someone special, and other events. The superintendent is recommending approval of this request. >> Questions or comments? >>

127And would we expect to see one of these from each of the PTAs or >> We will. Well, we're going to u Mrs. Carlson and I are going to meet this week to try to streamline it for them so that it doesn't become a burden. Um, and I think we'll be able to create a plan and maybe even update the policy to be more specific to them. >> Any other questions? We've had commenting in the past about um wanting equitable access um across all seven of our elementary schools, equitable fundraising, like similar opportunities for each school. Um so when when we see requests that this one is for $25,000, there are others that might have different amounts. Um, it seems to me that when you're revising that, that might be something that we consider is

128is making it um making similar monetary expectations at each school. I'm not sure. I just would want to avoid um an inequality among our schools. >> They've worked on it. I mean, the PTA council has worked on it to streamline how they're doing things so that it's consistent across the elementary schools. So whereas maybe a couple of years ago, one may have had more opportunities for fundraising, they're pretty consistent now amongst the elementary schools. But I'll most certainly share that with Mrs. Carlson. I I don't think that this is so new to them >> that this is something that without training because we haven't seen them yet since this was launched, >> we'll start to see more of them as we get time with them. Um, so I I would expect to see these same

129things from every single elementary school, at least from talking to the PTA and talking to the principles. >> Both of these the event is a readathon and most of them do that. >> All right. Um, next up is the Lincoln um, elementary PTA crowdfunding approval request. I will just note the the public document for this I think is a repeat of the foster request. Correct. The board has asked to approve a request from Lincoln Elementary PTA to crowdfund to support field trips, assemblies, teacher support, and welcome events for students. The superintendent is recommending approval of this request. >> Okay. Questions or comments on this request. >> Okay. And then finally, we have a Lincoln um PTA playground mural request. >> The board has asked to approve a request from Lincoln Elementary PTA to crowdfund to

130support a playground mural project. The superintendent is recommending approval of this request. >> Questions or comments on this request? Yes, I would assume this mural was another >> Yes, it's >> an example of our new policy in action. >> Yes, that's correct. So, we have a new procedure that if we are going to add any sort of mural or art that is affixed to a wall or other places that it gets approval through the administrative offices and this particular mural mural project has been approved. Excellent. Lovely. Congratulations to Lincoln. Any additional com comments? Okay. So, um we are now at questions or comments from residents. Um president presentations or comments are to be limited to 3 minutes. If anyone wishes to make a comment, please approach the mic, state your name, and you'll have three

131minutes. Hi, I'm Jane Cassella. Um, I just want to thank you guys for including language in the new technology guidelines that um say devices aren't to be used during lunch, instructional free time, or as a um PBIS reward. This is going to make a huge difference um to kids K through 8. And I've heard from a lot of parents who feel really happy and relieved um to hear this. So, I just want to say thank you. Um, I was going to quote details from the policies that I'm particularly glad to see, but I sure you guys are sick of reading these policies since you wrote them. So, um, I just want to say thank you for taking your time and energy um, to creating these new policies. You guys have a lot on your plate.

132Um, and I I really do appreciate it. Um, I look forward to seeing the policies implemented and I think it's going to make a really big difference for our students. So, thank you. >> Thank you for your comment. Anyone else care to care to make a comment? Anyone online? One online. >> Hi, can you hear me? >> Yes, please state your name and you'll have three minutes. >> This is Christine Sorenson Griffin. and I'm a Mount Lebanon resident and I just also want to express my gratitude for all the updates to both the board policies and the school guidelines specifically regarding technology. I recognize it does take a lot of time and energy to make all these changes and implement them. And I've also spoken to several parents and myself really appreciate you listening to

133the feedback from families particularly no longer allowing the tech devices at the elementary level during recess, lunch, instructional free time, or as a PBIS or reward. And in both the policies and guidelines, I love how it appears that really the default is now moving more toward personal phones being put away and really only thoughtfully being brought out when there's a specific purpose in the classrooms, dining halls, buses, lots of areas of school property. Um, and with all the new guidelines and policies, I'm really hopeful that this is a beginning of all students learning the appropriate uses and manners when it comes to cell phone use and also hopefully reducing reliance and sometimes addiction to phones. I also really appreciate the district's intentionally looking at how the technology is being used in academics, particularly for our

134younger students. And we're looking forward to hearing the details of how the district plans to evaluate all the different platforms that are being used in the academic setting to turn determine which are really worthy and which ones might be more gaming than teaching. I know we all know when the pandemic happened that we really had to rely on our computers and phones just to have school at all and the devices and screens were lifesavers at the time. But now it's a great time to re-evaluate how we're using tech in the classroom and in social times as well. The proliferation of phones and other personal devices like earbuds and smartwatches and now the younger and younger ages at which kids are getting these devices is just happening so fast. And it's really up to all of

135us as adults, I think, to continue to provide guide rails for kids and learn how and where it's appropriate for kids and all of us to use these devices. So, thanks again for putting the interest of our students first and for the time and energy that you all give as board members and administrators. >> Thank you for your comment. Anyone else, Mr. Stangle? Okay. I would like to announce that the board met in executive um session this evening to talk about litigation and personnel matters and upcoming public meetings. It will it says August 19th, 2024, but I can assure you it is August 18th, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. um the night before school. We will have our board regular meeting here in D205 of the Mount Lebanon High School and public participation will also be

136available via Zoom. Do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you all. >> Happy August. Get him.