Punxsutawney School Board Committee Meeting, Thursday, June 4, 6PM

001And a moment of silent meditation. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, you may be seated. Thank you. Um, we had a uh well, just a reminder, all or a portion of the meeting may be livereamed, recorded, and posted on the district's YouTube channel for the purpose of public broadcast and according to board policy. The district disclaims any responsibility or liability for any defamatory or slanderous statements expressed by any member of the public. Any unauthorized recording or rebroadcasting of any video, audio, and or still image of this meeting is strictly forbidden without the written permission of the board or superintendent. We had an executive session tonight uh from 5:00 to

0026:12 uh to discuss personnel and safety matters. We will also have an executive meeting afterwards to discuss personnel a at the conclusion of this meeting. Um we have um board members on the phone tonight are uh Katie Alaska and Trevor Yan and um Dee Evans and Cindy Deep Hutchinson are excused for this meeting. >> Am I forgetting any other house? Okay. >> Do we have anyone for public comments? >> No one for public comments. And do we have any student board reporters? >> We do not. Okay. So we will move on to our presentations. We will start with the kindergarten teachers. Um we're going to give a presentation on the uh program and what they've been up to. >> Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> for the missing. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you.

003>> Hello. Good evening. Good. >> No, you cannot. I will be doing talking. Erica has no voice. Uh, so this plan that we are looking at that we have been working on many countless hours, more than a year in the making. >> We're excited. We're happy to present it to you. As you look through the notes, those of you that have been around with us will see that basically what we did was take our questions from whenever we first started meeting with the school board last year. We're looking at what things that we are actively engaged in being able to resolve and then we're going to take a look at what things we're still working on analyzing moving on to probably 2728 school year. So this is kind of a multiplestep program here that we're

004looking at. So when we first came together we were looking at how we could address the growing deficiencies in our incoming kindergarten students. uh where they're coming from preschool students who do not attend preschool. The kindergarten readiness issue of which many students come where they're uh behind the eightball to start. We were looking at what can we do in kindergarten to address these growing needs. So some of the solutions that we have been looking at and coming up with uh we are addressing school and behavior needs. We're adjusting uh discipline specifically for kindergarten. I kind of took that on even not even this year but last year looked at how we could use think sheets to be able to incorporate a little bit of a a step by step for kindergarten and not just look

005at we're going to discipline them. Uh, one thing that we would like to look at and we'll talk about a little bit later is how can we revamp that and be able to then see who is really in need once we we are addressing it and how can we get support to be able to meet the needs of children who have a higher need level. We are looking and talking about addressing executive functioning. We have talked about that in a a a great deal um with many of you. We have a very wonderful large order of materials that are coming. That is one of the things that we looked at. You know that we looked at a program last year. We went to a school observed the program and then the IU was brought in

006this year. They have been back and forth with us. So we are trying to model uh and come up amongst ourselves a plan and and we have a good plan I think in mind but it's it's taking it's it's a huge undertaking and um again steps. So we have the materials purchased. I have been for three weeks checking in materials. Um many many pages, many highlighters being used and uh getting that job done so that then we can as a kindergarten team be able to divvy up materials. The idea is that we're creating a system for our classrooms that will stay in kindergarten. So even if people move grade levels, even if people leave our district, we still have materials for our students because that is a big problem um that we have continually been

007running into. So we're we're creating a plan for use. We want to look at stamina and how to build that stamina in children. And the executive functioning goals we are focusing on are working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. we address those needs then we can address academic needs more proficiently. We are looking at adjusting the pacing guide. We want to support student needs. We want to slow our academic start. Uh for lack of better words, we want to stop biting off more than we can chew because we continue to do that and um it it leads to stressed out teachers and children who are frustrated. >> Yeah. We want to focus very strongly which we have this year uh following the 95% program which is uh phmic awareness and phonics and our savas plan and

008I know I'm pronouncing that wrong because I like to make it fancy sounding but [laughter] uh savvas I believe uh is our bath plan and we really want to focus on that. Uh we're also looking at in the question of was a parent component and how can we build that interaction with parents. So [clears throat] during our kinder camp we they started a kinder boot camp which gives parents lots of information inviting all of them there. We will have an orientation. We always do the orientation. So we're building on that last year and I believe we are continuing on having two parent conference sessions that are set. One in uh maybe November and January was this year. So um some other ideas that that we have kind of thrown out is could we maybe support

009a kindergarten graduation uh in maybe in lie of something else that is one of our evening commitments. A lot of parents ask about that uh and some ideas for tours for incoming preschoolers uh for kindergarten in the last week of school. We've talked about that idea too. We in the last two years have done an ABC fashion show where we invited families. Uh great workshop for them. They love it. The kids roam around the gym and wave at their families and their their families love it. So that was that is a good positive thing that we have are including and we've always done bingo for books. We do that all through elementary. So those are a lot of the parent components. We are looking at more ways but that's what we have at this time.

010Okay. what we need to move forward and we talked about that in a lot. What can we do to set these kids up and teachers up for success? So first two weeks we are really looking at what we need is all hands on deck. What other teachers, aids, counselors, IST, social workers can we utilize in those first weeks of school to help us support those kids identify what we need to be able to move on in a solid fashion. We're looking at some schedule changes uh overall in our school, but in kindergarten specifically, having our first periods open for our stamina building program, having title one support coming out of those periods to avoid avoid pulling out during tier one instruction, and flexibility in the schedule to allow for changing as students progress. because the

011idea is that we start out with a larger amount of time addressing those executive functioning needs and then tightening that up to be able to move on academically. We we did that this year more than we've ever done and we saw success with that. So, we're looking forward to that. Um, looking at the the first week of school, the question was two years ago we had a five-day start. uh quite frankly horrible for five-year-olds. But this year we have three days uh and we're looking at the first 10 days of school like I said an adjusted schedule stations much like our kinder camp stations. We did pilot that this year but with the IU we are uh sort of changing that but more tightening it up than anything. What our concept was that we already

012had just figuring out how we can incorporate other people as well with us. How can we address uh the executive functioning? We are developing a plan with that a lot of hands-on materials and that was the materials that I'm talking about. So uh specifically being able to work with memory, work with your hands and adjusting to the schedule for up to a 90 minute block there. Right now it looks like 70 to 80 minutes, but I think that we can address a lot of things in that time. How can we address behaviors and consequences? Again, adjusted to the behavior expectation in kindergarten. Think sheet and write a plan. And how can we address class sizes? We would really like you to preserve our eight classes in kindergarten. Lower class size. We experienced that this year

013and we were able to accomplish so much and we have great data to show that we really made a lot of growth in kindergarten. Yes, we Okay, so next page there then says moving forward plan and that's what we're here for. So in the summertime, kindergarten will be meeting approximately 5 hours a week for 10 weeks to develop this plan. We're looking at the organization of those materials that we have materials setting up by month. So we are progressing through the school year, labeling those. We have a lot of games and puzzles that are grade level. We are going to create in our quad a share area uh with shelving that we can kind of create a system of signing out and trading so that we could not necessarily you wouldn't have to buy eight

014candy lands then you could you share the share the materials amongst each other. We're looking at more of a pacing guide alignment, which we've really been working on that for the last two years, but we are going to continue to work on that assessment align alignment between each other and making sure again focusing on those two, the math program and the phonics and phmic awareness program. With the development of our program, we're looking at outlining a schedule, outlining material use, correlations to the standards and eligible content and creating a plan for the small group and center time setting with increased expectation throughout the year. Last part at the bottom and you're going to see some highlighting. So the highlighted areas from above are from above where we were seeking solutions for but listed items have

015not been completely developed. We are working on developing those over the summer with continued data collection for 26 27. This information will be analyzed and adjusted for 27 and 28 uh moving forward. So the question of what can we do to in kindergarten to address these growing needs? Uh we do need more intensive support for some of these things being addressed over the summer. We do need a plan for students to continue to have think sheets and writeups beyond the norm. What can we do for them? This is being developed over the summer. Dr. Gassin and I spoke about this and she has a plan in mind as well. Uh Saturn starts I feel like the three days will will help with that but um we will look more into that as we move forward

016and more benefit from the kinder camp. We are doing an increased amount of days in kinder camp. So it may become not not as necessary as we lean into the program that we have and we looked at soft soft starts um and flexible grouping. We're still looking at those things and we do not have a complete information from that. How can we address communicating progress and needs with parents? We feel strongly that we would uh we need to go to more of a skill-based report card. However, um as you can see, changing the report card to scope space utilizing our ESGI reports with our report card, which is our system that we calculate letters, sounds, counting to 100, identifying, writing letters, all of those things, site words, setting a standard to progress to the next

017grade level. That was something that has come up in the past that is not resolved, but we're looking at. And these items will be addressed with the adoption of a new ELA curriculum which moving forward will be next year that we will be selecting that. So to change something and then change it again it this is trying to avoid the confusion of that. So as much as we want that to go we do understand what we need to slow that part down. What we all we need to move forward what we need to do to set kids and teachers up for success. These are some of the the portions of things that we're still working on as well. how we can address support in each classroom. Long-term collecting data through the school year to review

018the needs. Can we look at a behavioral support person for kindergarten and regular education? This is also being addressed in the next few weeks. Again, conversations with Dr. Gaston. We have been discussing things that could happen. And can we look at having a transitional developmental kindergarten? Again, we're collecting the data so that we can assess as we move forward. These would be for kids who are developmentally between preschool and kindergarten. This would allow the them the opportunity to to develop foundational social and self-regulation skills to adapt successfully to kindergarten when they are ready. This would also play into a standardbased idea to move on to first grade. So, but again looking at those ideas and seeing what can we do. we we've got to collect the the data in order to support where where we're

019going from there. Okay. So, that's me talking. That's me done talking questions. >> So, um your last um can we look at having traditional or transitional development of kindergarten? What what does that look like and how do you make the assessment and when do you make the assessment to make that happen? >> That's a pretty involved process. Yeah. And depending on how that's launched, um, generally speaking, a program like that has to have approval through PD to operate. So there's a lot of, um, cautious planning, looking at what we can and can't and making sure that we are following appropriate guidelines to approve that. So that that's why that is a we need to collect data and have information that we can use to have that conversation about [clears throat] midyear next year to see

020if that's feasible and if so what that needs to look like. Um that is not something you can launch into without a lot of that information gathered and ready to go. >> I guess I'm curious as to when you when you would make the assessment to even make the determination whether it's necessary and who it's necessary for. >> Does that make sense? >> Yes. And that's all part of um connecting with PTE and talking with them about what that looks like. I was part of a team in Clearfield that developed our program um for that specific uh type of kindergarten classroom. >> Um so when I say that that needs to be very very carefully constructed, I speak from from experience of watching it. And if we do that, we need to make sure that

021that's going to be successful. >> But it can be done because you've already witnessed it. >> It can it can be done. >> It be okay. >> It can. >> But that again, that's going to take putting the plans that these ladies have created into use and being able to track what's working, what's not working, what interventions are working, what isn't working. So that that's part of the conversation we have when we move that to the next level. >> Okay. through your your plan you have uh over the summer to do this. Do you guys have everything you need or anything we can do for you to to provide for this? >> Oh my [laughter] we have so much stuff coming out our ears right now. I don't even know where I would start with

022that. So honestly we have the materials. We've worked with the custodians to come up with a space that we can work which is fantastic. We're we're we're setting up in the boys locker room, but they're bringing us tables down so that we can because I checked everything in, but everything is in bulk. Eight of this, eight of this, eight of this, and we have to split up amongst all the the classrooms. So, that will be our first endeavor. Uh we've been kind of surveying and looking at what science and social studies we can look at. How can we incorporate that more with our reading program? what things can we do to not shift the learning but shift how we're doing it to be able to fit everything in because that time is time is a

023factor. So we're going to look that's why we're saying with the pacing guide we're looking with what we can what what we can do and how we can do it and we need to do that as a team as well. So I I appreciate it. I guess if we if we have needs come up, we will we will reach out. But >> just having the time >> to be able to do that, which is something we haven't had in the past, um is very helpful. Yes. >> So we can sit and actually work on a plan together. >> Well, I'm glad you guys are taking your time on your summer to to to make this happen. That's >> that's all started long before I got here and I think it's wonderful. This is our shot

024to let kids learn to love learning. if it starts at kindergarten and if we can hook them then we have them. So I I think it's fantastic. >> If you're excited I'm excited. >> I would just like to add that um I had the opportunity to observe and participate in in some of the meetings um between kindergarten and our IU team and our building leadership. Um, these ladies put their entire selves into the project. There was thoughtful, constructive conversation. Their passion for that was evident every minute that I was there. >> Um, >> this is their body of work and I think I said last month I was excited for them to share >> what they've accomplished with you and I'm really looking forward to seeing how this how this plays out for our kids

025and for all of you. >> Thank you. So building this schedule change, I mean the schedule change like having the first period for open stamina building, whatever that looks like. I don't even know what that is. Um and I'm I'll be in touch with you at some point to learn that from you. But um are you going to be able to build this schedule that this is actually implemented in the beginning of next school year? >> Okay. >> Yes. Don Don and I have discussed schedule and he just brought schedule down that looks very very much like something that we can work with our schedule minutewise what our periods look like. It looks very similar. It's just opening that up so that we can mold what we what we need to put in to it.

026>> So the schedule you guys are building gives you guys the flexibility to operate within that schedule. >> Yes. >> Okay. Perfect. That's awesome. That's a big deal. Thank you so much. I appreciate this. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> I can I ask one question real quick? So, it seems like there's um maybe some concern about class sizes and preserving our eight classes. So, is is that a concern? What is your is your is your incoming class not as big as this class of this year or is it >> our registration wise? I think we're over over 120 already registration wise. >> And what's that in comparison to this year and last year? >> We have about 121 I believe right now. You probably usually we get 15 to 20 more before

027we start school year wise. So just because there that's the registration map that's not usually the cap and the number it our class sizes last year are pretty significant. We had a high number the year before like higher than since I've transferred to >> 25 last year right? >> Yeah I mean well 20 everybody was sitting at 20 21 somebody had 22 >> and this year is >> about around 15 >> which >> so that's a a more manageable >> budget. This is yeah 25 years of doing this. I've only had a class of 14 twice and the difference in what I was able to do with these kids >> compared to when I have 20 kids. If you think five kids for six kids isn't a big deal, it's a huge deal. and and

028we had our data meeting just last week or the beginning of this week and we only have a few children in um in the red, you know, so which would be like our co, you know, our coding system as far as our data goes. So that's and we had growth in all areas. So that even with students who had been identified. So that's huge when you think about it. And I don't think that would occur necessarily, you know, and behavior-wise. Um we only had a few behaviors per per class and we were much they were much easier to handle when you whenever you don't have multiple >> right >> um behaviors in one classroom. And then one other question I have about this um and I don't want to get the cart in front of

029the horse here too much. This behavioral support person that you're looking at. >> Honey, you should bring that up. We're going to have a little chat about that later. >> Okay. So, I'll just hang tight on that. So, um, if there's no other questions, I want to, uh, acknowledge and thank you for, >> um, your passion on this issue. I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I think it was evident. I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I will say, uh, you, you look good tonight, your, and when I say your passion is when you, when we've met with you before, you had passion there because you had concern. And I and I feel like you know it's it's

030good to see you smiling and it's good to see your passion that you are working um within the the constraints that we have here to develop a system. Um so thank you for everything Mrs. Dospike that you and your team >> it's nice to be supported. So we appreciate that as well. >> Yes. And if there's anything I mean I Doug asked the question I you know let us know what do you need? What do you need? If there's things that we can help with all >> Yeah. We we want to continue to be able to help that and I think that we could say that a change we you know when you're looking forward to a change and you see that it's um going to be beneficial for all that excites us and then

031it rejuvenates us to know that you know >> don't get us wrong we're tired. >> Well I was going to say maybe this look of rejuvenation [laughter] has something to do with the last day >> one more step. >> Yeah. So well again thank you for everything. We we appreciate it. >> Thanks. Thank you. >> Okay we will move on. Uh our next presentation is with our um new insurance providers uh Bryce Wilson and Ron Richalls of EHD. >> Yeah, I want to say I've been they they've been working really closely with myself and some with Dr. Krabucker since we've appointed them to um you know make sure that we're getting everything that the district needs and coverage and and hitting all of the different carriers and markets that we can. So um I look

032forward to hearing what they bring to you tonight. Thanks. >> As Ron kind of passes out some uh information there, just want to thank you guys for having us [clears throat] tonight. Uh again, thank you to Susan and Dr. K uh who put us through when >> tumultuous RFP process. It was about as rigorous as one as I had been through. Uh want to thank the board as well for giving us the opportunity to you know represent the district to the insurance marketplace >> uh and and really bring you guys the best value overall uh to the district. Um [clears throat] so to start here uh I I really would just like to touch on I think why um we ended up here as your broker of choice and uh even prior to that I

033think it's important to explain based on uh uh you know listening in on the meeting when we were chosen who we are um and and I guess the difference between us at EHD and insurance brokers versus who your carrier is. Uh but it's important I think for all of you to know that we work as intermediaries that represent the district to the insurance marketplace which has hundreds of insurance carriers out there. Our job in turn um which we get paid for on a fee basis is to provide the best overall program with the best coverage along with resources that help the district uh to manage its overall risk management program. So, uh, I believe, you know, with those, um, you know, topics in mind is how we ended up being named the the broker of

034record here. Um, you know, again, in going through that process with with Susan and Dr. K, we really kind of delved into our service platform and our capabilities. Uh, which is a bit of what I'll get into. But before we get going, uh, just want to introduce myself. I am Bryce Wilson. I'm the regional sales leader, uh, for EHD based out of our western region. Uh we're based out of Butler County. Um I'll let Ron introduce himself here. >> Ron Rich is the county executive with EHD. Same office as Bryce. Um a little bit what I do. You'll probably see a lot of me around the area with just marketing being here for the district. Uh walking people around, making sure that they know everything when giving you the premiums, as well as working with

035our claims teams, working with our risk control team, making sure that insurance is not on your guys' mind. we are going to take it off the burden and uh be here for you guys. >> Good. Thank you. >> So, just a little bit of background about EHD. Um we're privately held insurance brokerage uh based here in Pennsylvania. Um you will see uh there's uh a evolution call it in the insurance world where private equity and uh a lot of major players uh that are publicly held companies are coming in and buying local organizations. um kind of hey they've historically been profitable um and and they're kind of cutting out a lot of the services and resources that our local community used to benefit from in an effort to make profit. Um so I'd like to

036make it clear that we're privately held and independent. Uh what that means for you guys is that we don't really have investors to uh appease. So any brownfield dollars we have profitable dollars we have we reinvest back uh in the form of people and services to our customers. Um, so with that, uh, Ron kind of touched on it briefly. Uh, I believe right now, uh, or previously the current brokerage you had worked with, there's about two individuals you dealt with on a regular basis. Uh, we're going to have about six folks dedicated to Puns County School District. Uh, it'll be myself as kind of a lead oversight. Ron, kind of our boots on the ground uh, individual. We have a day-to-day serer. Uh we have a property and casualty claims advocate uh specializes in property

037equipment liability uh due process claims, special ed uh claims. You name it in this space, they've been through it. Uh we have a workers comp advocate who helps uh manage our workers comp claims. We also have a dedicated risk uh risk control specialist uh who will be out here probably between four to six times throughout the year again as a resource to the district. Um, I'd like to make that clear because a lot of these things are made available to districts through the carrier, but I think it's important to realize that they're going to look out for the insurance carrier, which is who we're paying the premiums to. Our job is to look out for you guys. So, we like to run a little bit of inter interference between the district and the carrier to

038make sure that they're getting the information they should be getting and not kind of taking advantage of of some of the other items. Um, so that's a little bit of a background. We are the largest privately held insurer of public school districts in the state of Pennsylvania. Uh we manage about 40 districts across the state. Uh we work with the four largest carriers in this space as well. All of whom we have uh approached with the upcoming renewal here. Uh so just to give you a little bit of a an insight Susan alluded to to what we've been doing for the past month, month and a half. Um really we've been out here I think three or four times. sat down with Dr. K, Susan, her team, collecting as much information on the district as

039we can um and and trying to craft a good story uh that we can share with the insurance marketplace in an effort to get you guys, like I said, the best program, the best rates. Um you know, with all of that being said, um we're close. Uh we have just about all of our quotes back are I think two or three that have given us some very strong indications. So, we're going to hold off on presenting a final proposal until we have those because it could get a little bit better. Um, currently the programs that we do have are all very strong. Uh, as I mentioned, I believe we're working with our two leading commercial package carriers different from the workers comp. Um, both are showing a reduction in cost from where your current carrier

040is at that handles the property, the liability. Uh the workers comp is a significant reduction in cost. We have a meeting next week with another carrier out here. Um that could be even more. So we're going to be looking at a minimum of probably, you know, I'll be a little conservative here and say 10% reduction uh from the current program. Could be significantly more than that as well. So um just a little bit of uh where we're at in the process uh right now. So any questions I have from uh you guys be happy to answer. I just want to confirm that it I know as we started looking through the policies and that you came across some some weaknesses in that and what our coverage was before. So, >> sure, >> as you're telling

041us that you're going to be able to bring us back quotes with um cost reductions, I just want to make sure and have you confirm that you've looked at all those weaknesses, those are all going to be covered now. Yes, ma'am. >> Um so, we'll actually be getting more coverage um and yet saving some money. >> Yes. Um, and especially on the the workers comp side. I know there were some some weaknesses there that you're covering as well. Um, and all of the companies that you're looking at have been um, they're all fully backed and well vetted. >> Absolutely. Yeah. So, I can tell you the companies we're going to are all a or better rated uh, by AMS. It's the gold standard when it comes to rating insurance carriers. I will also tell you

042that we are very particular about the carriers that we work with because being fully transparent, there's a lot of carriers out there who can be very very cheap. Um, but because we do this every day and know the claims that you guys deal with in a district, uh, we kind of eliminate some of those carriers because of the service that comes with that >> and we call them indirect costs. But, you know, the longer a claim is left open and when you can't get somebody from your insurance carrier on the phone to discuss a claim or a fraudulent claim or whatever that may be, every day that claim is left open, it's costing the district dollar. So, we're very particular, I will tell you, about who we work with. Uh, because we need people who

043are responsive, who are going to pay out on the claims the way they should be paid, uh, who are willing to negotiate with us in situations where we think, hey, maybe this is a fraudulently made claim. Um, and work to get those shut. Um to Susan's point, our first portion of uh kind of taking this over, like he said, it's been a little fast and furious, but uh we do uh what we would call an education risk analysis, which is an overview of your subcontract agreements, your insurance contracts with the carriers, and we were able to identify um some significant gaps in coverage, some harmful exclusions to the district uh from a property standpoint. uh just looking at the appraisal that the district does every year versus the actual property program. There were some missing

044property on there. So, kind of just uh what we would call the basic X's and O's, you know, as a football guy here, I'll tell you that. Um we kind of go through that, make sure that everything basics are covered and then we kind of dig into the deeper coverages as well. So, to your point, Susan, yeah, it it should be more and broader coverage uh than what the current program will have at a better price. Uh you had did mention workers comp as well. One thing I'd like to bring to light and one area we're really going to focus on is workers comp insurance. Uh for the past 25 years, this district has averaged what we would would call over a 2.0 LCM, which is a loss cost multiplier. Um it's probably Chinese to

045most of you guys, but what that is is a multiplier um that's multiplied by the state base rate of workers comp. 2.0 know is double. Um at times it's been a lot higher. Uh the past 5 years we've averaged at 2.1. Um our average districts are about 1.3 to 1.4. Um so that was our first task was just getting in a better rate uh environment. You know that alone led to some savings as well as talking through the story of some of the claims that are on the history and uh all of that. So with that uh you know the other side of it is our experience mod is how many workers comp claims we have on a given uh three-year running basis. That number has also been over 1.0 for the past 10 years.

046Um we are going to partner with Susan and her team um as well as Carmen who we've already had conversations with on getting uh some safety practices involved, some monitoring, some return to work programs to get that number down. It's another multiplier that uh we can actually control, but it takes a little bit more proactive stance uh to getting involved to some boots on the ground and doing some data diving to figure out why we're having certain claims in the volume that we're having them. So, um, you know, it'll be a busy, I would say, next year with you guys. Um, so we're going to be, to Ron's point, in and out quite a bit. Um, but we do like to have boots on the ground in person [clears throat] and, uh, with all of

047your guys support, uh, and willingness. We'd like to be here to to help you do that. So, >> and so the board, typically this time of year, they would come and they would present you with the actual the quotes that you would accept. I'm asking this year that you let me continue working with them so that we can make sure we reach all the different carriers and then um I'll talk to Dr. Krabalker and we'll go ahead and find insurance for July 1st and then obviously I'll report back to you. But um they have a lot of different doors they're opening for us and I want to make sure we explore every possibility for the district. So that's what we'll be asking for this year. >> Well, we appreciate you being here tonight. Um, we

048appreciate you uh putting your boots on the ground and being here and working with these guys. I know this was a a pretty competitive uh RFP process, but >> uh you boys stick with >> Susan and she'll >> she'll she'll uh work you over pretty hard and and and do the best you can for us. Thank you for being >> Thank you very much. >> Okay, I don't believe we have any unfinished business. Um, we will uh approve the minutes for the May meeting on Tuesday. Um, under the athletic report, we have uh three resignations here. We appreciate those coaches for their assistance and their service to the district. And we have a number of hires uh for various positions. is under item number two. Um are we is there one more? >> 2D needs

049to be uh stricken from the agenda for uh Tuesday. Be placing a hold on that. Um item number three, we're going to award bids for athletic supplies and um we have a coupleformational items. We'll have DJ if you want to come up and speak of them. >> Good evening. It's been a long couple days for me. So, I might not be as excited I usually get, but I want to make sure I uh uh recognize our spring accomplishments again this uh this season. Again, um it was a very [snorts] good season for our spring sports. Um just started with baseball. Uh Nevin Day was a Central League All-Star. He also set the uh strikeout record as a pitcher with 217 and the RBI record with 91. So he had a very good career here at

050Ponatani and we appreciate that. Uh softball, [clears throat] they were Central League champions. Uh Binley Halman and Olivia Tobin were Central League Allstars. Uh the team also won district 9 title along with the district 59 regional title and then losing a tough game last on Monday uh against Blackhawk, but uh made it into the state tournament. So they had a very good season as well for our softball track. Um, the girls won the District 9 title, not quite as easily as last year, but uh, I think it was three or four points, right, girls? You guys stand up. Um, a few of the girls made it here tonight. Uh, we certainly appreciate them. Um, Kennedy, Marin, and Aith uh, all had great career uh, seasons as the younger ones. Um, we had 13 track athletes

051make it to the state tournament. 12 of those were the girls and uh we had one boy Chris Catree. Ellie Costto, she placed six at the state tournament. She uh she's our pole ber in female uh in the girls division. She cleared 116. Like I said, took sixth place. Um also herself along with the 4x400 relay, Riley Miller, Nally Burkett, Addy Lewis, and Quinn Homeman. all those folks uh qualified for the nationals which is in Philadelphia here um towards the end of the month on 620. So they'll be going to that. So congratulations to them. Aiden Bish and Riley Miller were also Central League Allstars. So um we've gotten the full circle with that Central League and it has been awesome. Um we've gotten a lot of recognition. That league now has a baseball group

052getting the pitchers out and that's been really cool. It's getting a lot of recognition for all of our athletes. Um so again I want to congratulate these girls and um mayor and I got to see Saturday we went to states. It was absolutely miserable. I uh pouring down rain. I was in the umbrella the whole time. Jess was there. Um Eric [clears throat] throws javelin and I don't know how those girls even could throw them. Um they had to they had to actually um sweep off their runways because the water was just laying on them so they could throw. Um, she did well. She had a personal best to get to face strength. Yes. So, that's that's great. Maron runs the 4x 800, correct? With that group pouring down rain the whole time. I don't

053know how they uh the kids do that, but um they did well also. So, and Kennedy's a part of the girls team as well. So, I appreciate their girls coming and just uh they had another great season was a track team. So, congratulations Coach Snder and that whole group do a really good job. uh for boys tennis, Rocco Richardson, uh Kelly's son, he was a Central League Allstar and um we also uh want to uh we'll talk about him in one second here also. So, the next thing I want to talk about real quick as I'm trying to get moving along here are I've [clears throat] been talking to you about how many athletes we've had signed. Um we ended up with 16 and I'll say graduates now because they're done and I was able

054to get two. One was definitely going to come. So, uh, but I [clears throat] I was able to get two here. So, uh, you two, come on up. Um, but we end up with 16 that are, uh, um, going to be going on to play college sports. So, I'll let them just say their names and I'll deal with the rest. So, go ahead. >> Um, hello. I'm a brow Santos and I've committed to Alageney College up in Meatville. I'll be playing tennis. [clears throat] >> Zen Gold. Um, DJ S. [laughter] I'm playing football also at Alagany. >> Thank you guys. So, appreciate that. We also um the other gentlemen for uh we had a variety of sports too which has been really cool. So, in baseball, Nevin Day is going to play at Ganon. Uh

055football, like I said, Zayen's going to Alagany. Meadow Hetrick and Logan Moore are both going to Washington and Jefferson. And Bo Thomas is going to East Stratsburg. Uh those four, Zayen, Meadow, Logan, and Bo, along with Adam Move, uh will be playing in the Frankfurt Veretti All-Star game. They were selected to play in that. Um that is June 26th up in Brockway. They're on the North team. So congratulations. That's a good honor for those guys to be selected for that softball. Um Sarah Gutwald and McKenna Gula. McKenna was our valadictorian. Um those two are going to Mount Alawishas to play softball. Brley Halman is going to St. Francis tennis. Abee's going to Alagany and Brocco uh is going to Penn State Aluna to play tennis. In track, Aiden Bish is going to Mercy Hurst. Maggie

056Gadis is going to Clarion. Adam Manners is going to St. Francis. Riley Miller is going to Clarion. And Chris Catree to Edinburgh. And Jordan Routan is going to Clarion to wrestle. So, it's been a uh outstanding year for sports. um got to put a lot of gold medals on, I'll be honest, for districts, which was really cool >> being one year and getting my feet wet with that. So, it was a lot of support. We really appreciate everybody uh the board with these guys and and the girls and all of our sports. We had a really good season and looking forward to doing it again, but it's time for a little bit of a break. So, I'm okay with that, too. >> Well, thank you. We've had an outstanding athletic year. This program was awesome.

057You guys did a great job with it. We were really impressed with all our athletes killing it across sport after sport. I mean, it really has been impressive. It's been quite amazing. Yeah. >> So, again, we appreciate everybody and we do thank all the fans and all the parents stuff also for supporting us. So, it's been a good year and looking forward to starting back in the fall. >> Great. >> So, thank you. >> Thank you guys for coming to recognize. [applause] >> Okay. Any other questions for DJ? >> I have a question. >> Oh yeah, De. >> I think that's Katie. >> That sounds like Katie. Yes, >> Katie. >> Yeah. >> Um, I went to the girls softball playoffs game the other night and it was great to see all the excitement in

058our hometown field and while there I made the comment to different parents that I never see a voice play off down there. And I was told that they don't play. The last four years there hasn't been any playoffs there because they don't feel that our field is good enough. But these kids got to the playoffs by playing on these fields. I mean, we're not teaching our kids anything. We're not keeping them humble by letting them think that their hometown field is not good enough. and we're taking money and giving it to another community where we could be giving the money to our community and putting it back into our field here. Okay. Yeah, I I understand. Yeah, the boys have not played in at Coonsfield uh I don't know last few times. I know they've

059gone to showers whether that's because that's where the game has to be played or if that's what they're choosing. But this year we had the opportunity to I was called and said, "Hey, Punky Softball, you have a game at home if you want it." And we obviously took that. >> Can you check into that? >> Yeah, I'll I'll check into it for how that actually, you know, what the reasons or whatever are, but >> you know, yeah, we definitely want to have a game for ourselves if we can. We're paying we're paying the money to go on a bus and to another town when the people that are coming to these tournaments out of town people are driving right past our own field and going to do boys. So I feel that it should be

060a brought across the board if we want to spend the extra money and not put it in our own hometown. >> I I'll look into it. I will. >> We lease those fields. >> Yeah. Because I mean that's up to you know like Yeah. Right. But we could be leasing fields and punksy versus leasing fields and dub boys. >> Well, no, we lease the fields in punksy. We don't own the fields that our teams practice and play. >> Correct. But the money stays in punky, >> right? If not, we pay we would pay to lease the field additional for a playoff game, right? Or is it included in that? >> I mean, it should be included because >> but we are paying to lease a field in Dubo. >> No, we don't pay for that.

061When those guys played in Dub Boys, that's just that's a district term. That's not our We're not paying to play. >> So there's no additional cost to us, but we are driving. >> Well, the bus. Yes. And the business. >> Um >> and the business. >> Um District 9, don't they give the money to do boys? >> Uh if they ask for rent if they ask. Not always do they get any >> District 9 be paying for us. If >> all I'm saying is we're giving up a chance to have people come to our town and our community and put the money back into our fields here if we do have to pay a fee. And we're giving the impression to our students that this field is beneath them, which I feel that is so

062wrong. um these athletes, we had a state championship game and those kids all played on that field and they won. >> And the Are you I Are you done, Katie? >> Yeah. >> The The only other thing I'll add too, I mean, there were a ton of people down here and it is a great opportunity for um [clears throat] our families, our younger athletes. I I mean, there there must have been 50 softball girls that that were in, you know, third through seventh grade, they're watching them excited. >> If I if I am correct, I believe there was um when I was talking to the lady be I think it was 330 plus tickets sold. >> So that was >> so what a wonderful opportunity for our town to see these people and and the

063and the businesses. I'm sure you know people go eat from out of town. They eat at the restaurants who, you know, support our athletic programs and booster. So, look, I don't know what, you know, if if there's if there's truth in what she's saying, if you could find out. No, >> I definitely we have an opportunity to host stuff here. We we're full >> if we're leasing the fields that we're using to play on and and the issue is that the fields aren't good enough for other people to come here and play on, how do we control that when we lease the fields, we don't own them? >> Does that make sense? They're not. It's not that they're not good enough. They want to play on turf and they think that it's a more professional

064looking atmosphere where I disagree with that. We've had those kids do not get to those playoff games to go to Duboce unless they played on our fields first. So, their talent doesn't matter what field you play on. It means the talent that you have as an athlete. >> I agree. >> And and there's nothing wrong with our fields. I know Duboce has beautiful turf fields. Our our facilities are >> our Red Coons field is a very good field. It is. Were you going to say something, Jessica? >> Um, because like this has been something that's been brought up to me when it's like football, soccer, and stuff. Isn't it with the PIAA that those games have to be held on a turf field? And that is why our school cannot be used >> because of

065the the fall sports. My understanding, they want those. And this in the spring sports with baseball, softball, they your first round of state playoffs is home. So when I got called you, I was actually surprised like you want a home game. Well, yes, you know, we want to play at home. After that, it goes to neutral fields. But they do not, it doesn't matter in the spring because they're looking for fields. They just got to find there's so many teams playing and divisions that they're just trying to get games in. >> Well, I to that point too, if anyone's looking for a field, >> Yeah. >> Well, we have them as long as they're available. I know they're busy down there. That's through the little league and through Yeah. >> the C that's their fields

066actually. >> Anytime we can drive people to our town to buy, you know, they they they buy gas here, they buy food here, they, you know, we should be doing that. >> Yes. Absolutely. And it was >> you check into this. >> It was a great environment. >> Yeah, it was. >> So, okay, great. Well, good point, Katie. Thank you. >> Anything else for DJ tonight? >> Nothing. >> Thank you guys. Have a good one. >> You, too. Okay, moving on to transportation. We have two items on here. The uh first item is to approve new drivers and the second is to award the bid for the purchase of propane to more propane um for next school year. Any questions on either of those items? None. Okay. We have nothing under buildings and maintenance. Any

067um questions here? None. Okay, moving on to cafeteria. We have five items here. Uh the first is to award the um bread bid to Nicholls Bakery for next school year. The second item is to award the purchase of uh the milk bid to Turner's Dairy. Um item number three is for the approval of the cafeteria fund budget. Item number four is to award the RFP for a food consulting uh food service consulting service to Andrea Andre. How do you say I think it's Andrew? >> Andrew. Wow. Okay. Must be French. >> Uh and item number five is an agreement with Head Start for the 2026 27 school year. Um we have I have a couple questions on that. I don't know if there's anything Lindsay you need to speak of. >> No, just questions you

068guys have. >> Yeah. So, just um with the the milk bid, I I had questions on this last year and um I had calls afterwards because I know um we're looking at a the the people we're awarding to last year and this year are a little bit higher. Now, granted, it's $500 difference on a $100,000 bid, so it's it's very close. Um, but there there were some questions about this last year. So, I just want to um bring up some of the points that you outlined to us on that. Um, the the two big things I see on here is the shelf life for Turner's Milk products and um the other thing I saw was it sounds like they have pretty good customer service. You had some issues in the past with that, >> right?

069Yeah. Turners has been great past couple years. I mean, really, I don't have any complaints. They show up on time. They make their deliveries, you know. Um, ordering's easy, you know. I mean, who knows if there would be hiccups, but so far so good. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And I you did point out on here that Turner has farms in Indiana County, which I know that is important. Gallagher's also has farms in Jefferson County, so I I did want to >> didn't want to diminish uh you know, there is local >> local farmers there, too. So, um, anyways, I I just wanted to flush that out because we did get questions last year on that. >> Okay. >> Um, anything else on this? Is this Did we need to talk about this Head Start thing?

070Was that Did you get that resolved? >> I think that Yeah, we have that resolved. >> Okay. our basically we're we will have a um continued agreement with Head Start to provide I think it's approximately 70 meals both student for and we deliver that to them >> at two sites. >> Okay, great. Any other questions for Lindsay? >> Okay, thank you. >> Thanks. >> Okay, under federal programs, Dr. Gaston, we have um a memorandum of understanding with the Punksatonyi Area Educational Support Personnel Association. That's a mouthful. Providing stipens for the secretary and assistant secretary the secretary to the assistant superintendent and the secretary uh to the accounts payable position for next year. We have a memorandum of understanding with Jefferson Clarion Head Start for next year. We have a purchase order for summer school transportation.

071Uh we have three different agreements here uh with um title funded and we have uh one four agreements that are district funded. Um anything you want to touch on Dr. Gaston in that? >> Yes. So, these are um you're seeing both the agreement and the purchase order so that those can be initiated July 1st u mostly for materials that will need to be shipped to us so that our teachers have those in hand ready to go uh when school starts. Um and I would like to request a a late item for Tuesday. Um, we would like to send RFPs out for um our school support therapists for next year, occupational therapist for kindergarten, >> behavior specialists for kindergarten, >> and we're looking at adding um additional speech therapists that through a an RFP that was

072already awarded previously. >> So, that will be an item number six to add >> yes, >> the RFPs for support services. And that will be for in the past we'd put it out for four positions. Is that >> we we have been um the school support therapist specifically we have had uh difficulty getting more than two over the last few years. So I think it's in our best interest to keep it to two um to avoid this prolonged search. >> So two support services but an additional two. One would be for kindergarten and one will be for >> these are a little different of a position. So, our school support therapists work in both buildings with attendance and um some situations that carry over from home um and school. They're more of a liaison. Yes.

073>> With our parents. Um, a behavior specialist is specifically focused on observing student behavior when things aren't aren't necessarily lining up the way that we need them to and they need a professional to assess that situation and develop plans that can be used to reach those kids. >> Okay. >> Um, that sometimes >> if I'm understanding this correctly, yeah, >> those two positions for the support the therapist will do later. These two positions are replacing two of the four. Am I my I'm >> No, they're they are um I know it's a little confusing. They are the two school support therapists are. We already have that in place. That's not changing. >> Okay. >> I would like >> We don't have to prove that agreement this year. >> We have to send an RFP out

074because the um the quote they gave us came in with a higher rate. Everything's everything is rising. So, okay. >> We have to send out an RFP when there's a change in cost. So the behavior specialist is a separate a separate position. >> Okay. >> And that's for the kindergarten as we discussed >> primary. So we're looking at at K1 um maybe two if if necessary, but we also have some needs um across the elementary mostly, but but definitely the secondary as well. >> Um so I'm looking at do we need one, do we need two? And that's information I'm starting to to collect from folks. Once we get those rolling back in, um if the data supports the need for two, then we'll try to find two. >> How long do you think it'll

075take to um go through that data and make that determination? >> A couple of days. >> Oh, okay. Great. >> Yeah. >> Is this something that we can also solicit um a a quote from the IU from on this because I believe they provide these services, but they don't bid That's my understanding. >> I can reach out to them and see um see what [clears throat] that process looks like and if they can give us that information for consideration if they if that is something that they are able to provide and staff. Absolutely. >> Okay. Yeah. Just another >> they're have they have behavioral specialists and things for considerations for the upcoming year. I mean a lot of the schools and the districts they cover we all have the same needs. >> But if you

076get them from the IU, you're only getting them part-time, right? Well, and that that is my that is my concern. >> Not necessarily. >> Right. So, we we have to we have to check with them and see what they have. My concern >> with those positions is >> I think we we need [clears throat] someone on staff all the time, right? >> Who can um have those those eyes on our kids. >> That's part of our our process. So, before they they get to special ed, Miss Enllen and and Mrs. paper. Um, there's a a series of steps we need to take and interventions we need to try and processes that can be put in place before it gets to them. That is a uh that's intensive work and that requires somebody um that can

077be part of that team watching the progress as it goes >> making sure that the steps are are [clears throat] in place to try to reach um reach our kids with what they need before >> before they need to receive services. So there's a there's a lot of parts that go into it. Um, and part of that is getting the bids back, >> checking with the IU, what do they offer, what can that look like for us, how many do we need? >> Um, so those are some conversations we'll have time on the back half to talk about now that the students are conferencing. >> I I believe the IU can said dedicated people, other districts have dedicated people to them, I think. So again, I'm not saying they're the answer. I'm not advocating by

078any means. I just want to make sure we explore all options. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. Any other questions for Dr. Gaston? >> Just also I I want to acknowledge your work that you've done with the kindergarten team too on this because I know uh you largely spearheaded working with them and um >> it it's progressing well. So, thank you for your work there. >> Thank you. Um, moving on to the superintendence report. Uh, we have approval for conferences and field trips under item number one. Item number two is for the renewal of the athletic trainer agreement with the Punks County Area Hospital for 2 years. Um, item number three is for the acknowledgement of the receipt of the annual school safety report as required by act 44. Item number four is uh rate increases uh

079or they stay the same for uh well rate schedule for Knox Law um our legal representatives for next year. Um item number five is an agreement with River for special education services. Item number six and is agreement with Marake for special education services. Item number seven is permission to pursue funding for an a greenhouse. Um item number eight is a proposal for a champions before and after school program. Item number nine is uh PSBA service agreement for an administrative regulation option. And item number 10 is for the review of four board policies. Um before we move on theformational um anything you want to >> touch on clarification? Yeah, just >> I ought to just just this section just turn over to you because >> that's fine. Um, so under conferences and field trips, we we

080have some um I was going to highlight in there um uh Kate and Natalie and I are working on a um uh some work with a group called Patan Pennsylvania Training and Technical Network, I believe it stands for, but um it's um one of the conferences that are on there. We're going to have some um further discussion about this one, but it is um a free uh uh uh training uh advisement program that would be long-term specifically for um um our primary autism classrooms. So, they bring structure, they bring uh instructional approach and and those kind of things. So, there are some some things we have to have in place. you have to have a point person. Uh there's training for both teachers as well as the support staff that's in there. So we are

081looking at building this out and it would be a program that would follow the kids all the way through through high school. Um so uh we were looking at today we just had a video conference on that just looking at um the first thing we have to do is make sure we have our staff in place before we can begin talking about who's going to be trained. So that's the first thing. But um Kate and Natalie being point persons are going to um uh be in the get their training and the leadership on that. Some of that will minimally will be offsite. Most all of it will be here. So >> they out of Clearfield. >> Sorry. >> Are they from Clearfield? >> No, they're down uh near um I'm trying to think of the

082town. Edge of Pittsburgh. Um >> it's Patton West. >> Patton West. >> Yeah. >> I was thinking it was somebody that came here before. I never haven't had these ones. So, um, the next one I was going to mention on here at River Rock. Um, the link isn't on there just yet. We are, um, got their service agreement because we have not worked with them before. We're still have we're having Knox look at that just to make sure that there's there's nothing that would be missing in it that we can uh, just to make sure that it's in compliance with um, other agreements that we would have. But these would be available for uh, kids and their emergent needs that that come up. we have some different options for outside placement should we need them.

083Um Susan, do you want to talk about number eight since >> Sure. Um so this is a group I met when I was at at conference and they they talked about a before and after school program and talking with Dr. Gas and Dr. Krabucker that was something we thought um could be very beneficial for for our families and even our staff here in the district. So there's there's no charge to the district. they will actually pay us a facility use fee to use our facilities and then um we provided you with the like proposal in the tuition schedule that they have. So folks would pay for this like they do any other um you know before and after school care but it would be right in our elementary building so the students would be there.

084We could make sure they they got over and they got their breakfast before school started. um we just have to provide a space um like a gymnasium or something and a place for them to keep all of their teaching materials. They have um like a curriculum um I think I gave you a sample of that as well. There was also I also provided you with the fee assistance childare guidelines. I think a lot of our families would actually be able to fit into those guidelines and be able to get some assistance with with the tuition. So um Dr. guest and met with them myself and I've talked with them several times and it it sounds like something exciting we can do for our families and and try it for a year. So if we don't

085like it we can quit but I think it gives them an opportunity to have care right here on our campus. >> So just for clarification because it I think Jenna saw the expression on my face. >> Okay. >> We're not we're not paying them. They're going to pay us to come here and help us. They're going to rent our facilities because that's, you know, how our facilities work and they're willing to do that. Um, yeah. And they'll just charge fee like baby city daycare type fee to the to the families that use it. >> Um, but as [clears throat] you saw, they actually have a a program that they follow. So, >> um, they're actually has to be state inspected. They'll come in and inspect to make sure that our playground and everything is up

086to to standards. Like I told them, it better be >> um Yeah. [laughter] 750,000 later. Please tell me it is. Um but um yeah, so it's just an on-site before and after school care that parents would pay for. There'd be discounts for um employees of Punksatonyi School District as well as the different assistance programs that are out there. >> Wow. Okay. Sounds like it may be a good option for >> Yeah. >> to try. Yeah. >> Yeah. If it doesn't doesn't pan out. >> Um okay, go ahead. Um and then backing up uh to number seven, the um a greenhouse. This is a little bit um out of order. We didn't get to this part, the personnel part, but we um have a candidate recommended there to fulfill uh the gap left behind from one

087of our um uh tech teched positions. Y >> um our candidate has an A certification, which is quite rare, but it also uh allows us to begin the process of an FFA program. um we can't begin to have the conversations with PTE yet until um we have person with that proper certification area in there. What I was looking for was permission though as part of that program and part of the coursework that would be related to it. Um green houses are necessary. So we just wanted the the opportunity to um begin pursuing the funding sources andor options for what we could. >> How big and where would we put it? Um, we spoke with Carmen and he has a location that he thought was most suitable um, near the front garage that I think uh,

088correct me if I'm wrong, but we could access water and gas. Um, we we want to make sure that that it would meet all the burrow requirements and so forth first, but that was the most it was it's level and it has utility access there. Um, and I'm not certain of the size yet, but >> I spoke with the candidate and asked her, um, what size, and she giggled and said, "What can I have?" Um, [laughter] so >> well, so my thinking is so this a program grows, no pun intended. Um, and you build the the greenhouse for it now and then the club it grows, then you need a bigger greenhouse. >> Yeah. I I think um >> we're going to put the second greenhouse by the barn. >> Yes. [laughter] >> So, I

089think um in talking with her, she's she graduated from from Penn State's program, and part of that that has an advantage is they've visited numerous sites, um different schools, different programs. She's seen a lot of ways that that can work. Um so, she said you can make it work small, but it's not ideal. Mhm. >> So, I think we're we're looking somewhere in a mid-range for a school our size. Um, her background is going to help us make those adjustments. Well, um, I'm in touch with the, uh, coordinator from PTE to approve the process. I have a meeting set up with her um, the beginning of July and uh, and Dr. Filman has agreed to help us with that process and and looking at the specifications and and everything that we have to do to

090make this uh come to fruition shortly. >> That's great. Thank you. >> Yeah, I think this is an important update for the public especially. I know we had a lot of inquiries and uh people, you know, pushing for this. Um it's not something, and I learned a lot about this. It's not something that happens overnight. you know, to even be considered, you have to have a staff person. So, you know, later on here, we'll we'll approve or vote on a staff person that has that certification, then we can start to work with PTE to develop our program. So, um things are moving in the right direction here. So, good. Um just last thing I mentioned, we have four policies on there that are all um financial related [clears throat] to keep us um just compliance

091with financial code. >> Theformational piece we were going to move to Tuesday, please. >> Okay. Okay. Any other questions for Dr. K. Okay. Moving on to building principal reports. We have Mr. Hill here to update us on the elementary. >> Good evening. Um having a great night of the year. Tomorrow is of course the last day. Um couple things that happened during the last kind of month um that that I think are significant is our sixth grade wax museum. They had some board members able to come. Um the amount of research writing things that the kids did to prepare for the people that they selected. >> A lot of Abe Lincoln. >> A lot of Aid Lincoln [laughter] baseball players. Yeah. Right. >> Um fifth grade had a colonial day the other day. I didn't

092get to see much of it because of thing all the things that were going on, but they did things like making butter and and learn about the colonial times, a lot of reading, a lot of educational things that went into that. Um, I wanted to talk about one thing, Mrs. Spiker in first grade, who does a lot for us and she does an environmental day where she brings in a lot of people. Um, I want to say DCNR, but it wasn't DCNR. Um, she had somebody from uh, Clear Creek come in. She had a game warden come in. Um, Dave London, who you all know, uh, he was here with Trout Unlimited. Um, different things. But probably the most impressive thing that I saw was our egg club. Uh, good segue from from the last

093we just talked about in what our kids are doing with that egg club. Um, and then the way they presented to our I'll call them our youth or elementary kids and they they did it by the sight, sound, taste. They were amazing. They were just amazing and I'm very appreciative of the fact that we're able to do those things between buildings. Um, so thank you for allowing Mr. Spikler and that group to be able to come up. Uh, but Mrs. Spiker puts endless amounts of time in her and her group and I know she would want to know that there's a group behind it between that >> and the um reading is fun week and things like that. U Mrs. Richardson the bus challenge you know for those kids that that are behaving and doing

094the right things and then our end of the year PSA PSSA assemblies spearheaded by Mrs. Martino. Those were just some of the things we were doing at the end of the year to come to promote education but also have a little fun with the kids uh while they're still learning. Um I want to let you know that our summer school does start June 16th. It goes Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and that'll run through July 24th I believe I have down. And then our kinder camp um I'm kind of ahead of the game here. August 4th through the 6th and then also 11th through the 13th. um both of those programs from 9 to 1 and then we are going to have a boot camp um for parents which is which is significant. We did we

095did double the uh I think last year, correct me if I'm wrong, Sean Cali, we did the one week three days for kinder camp. Is that right? So this year we we kind of doubled it because we felt it necessary to give people options and if they want to come to both weeks that's fine. If they can only make one week that's fine. I think it only puts us in a position where they're more ready, >> right, >> when they're able to come. >> So any questions about that? No, I I think you touched on something that's important. I think you're headed in the right direction there on, you know, when the formal learning ends and you still have a week or two weeks left and what do you do? Um, I know in the

096past there was discussion of movies and movies and I think, you know, you get in the game commission and in DCNR and uh I think the fourth graders were picking up trash around the campus and so I think that that's the stuff these kids will remember. um you know and I I think it so I I think you're on the right path there >> those type of activities to be honest with you it's it's the teachers >> um it's things they've been doing so it's it's pre um and I appreciate the efforts that they put things are very very thoughtful that's one of the things that I've learned this year things are very very thoughtful and um you know the kindergarten team talked and what came to my mind when they were talking was collaboration

097and ownership. >> Period. >> There's a lot of collaborating. They've taught me a lot. Dr. Gaston has taught me a lot. We've had meetings. I appreciate the fact that that that she has taken this and has run with it as something they that they wanted and they talked from the beginning of the year. It's kind of out of my wheelhouse to be honest with you, but I'm learning as we as we go through this and thank goodness we have Dr. Hass to be able to do this. the the praise that she got before was welld deserved. >> Um any any other questions regard I just want to take a minute here to say you know as we close the year um I'm very thankful for my teachers and staff. Um I'm thankful for this opportunity.

098Uh I I'm deeply grateful for everything that we do in our school. The place the students they're growing and they're learning and that's important. But I personally want to thank my staff um my teachers my staff for their patient support and guidance through my first year in this role because transition is not easy especially when you're coming from a different different role. >> Um they've made my life a lot smoother. They listen. They give me advice. I ask for things. Um they're there. I've learned a great deal from them. [snorts] >> And and I think that's what I need to do. I need to learn listen and learn. Yeah. Um, I'm going to continue each day to get better and I'm going to I'm not perfect by any means, but to learn as as we

099go through. I'm excited for this summer because it'll be my first summer um with this group. Uh, I'm very proud to be part of this building, this administration in this district. Um, I felt like I came home when I came here and I appreciate that opportunity. Uh, I look forward to growing together as a team. So, thank you very much for this. >> Thank you. We're glad to have you. >> A job well done. >> Y >> Dr. Smeelco, >> hi. >> Made it through graduation. [laughter] >> Yes. >> No tears. Oh, you were on the verge. >> Almost. The tears were more yesterday during the school day than at graduation, which I was very thankful for. >> Probably a little quiet there. >> Too quiet. >> Yeah, it was a little too quiet. And

100I kept looking down the hallway because they've been the the seniors have been in the building every day up until today in some capacity and um I kept looking and seeing other kids and I thought, "Oh, wait, there's and they're not there." So, it's kind of that weird transition that we'll have um you know going into the summer and next year. But very >> question, who cleaned up all the Post-it notes? >> Um my little loveies that Postit noted the building. They we had graduation practice that morning and I asked anyone that participated, please stay. And I have to say their shenanigans were without a doubt. Um I think that might be the biggest prank they pulled off up to date with uh Kyle and I, but they cleaned it all up. >> It's a

101lot of Post-it notes. >> It was a lot of Post-it notes. Yes. Yes. I I helped out a little bit, but they they took care of that. And then I figured I should probably remove the first sale signs before graduation yesterday. Yeah. >> Um, >> no bigger bids. >> No, no bigger bids. $2,26. Susan, if you wanted to know, they were trying to give us a nice price for [laughter] a real estate. >> I saw the signs and I was like, um, okay. >> Thankfully, they put for the seniors on it. So, like, and you know, very much um homemade signs. Thank goodness because um I'm sure that that bid would get board approval. [laughter] >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Um, I'll get to graduation in just a minute. I do have a few a few

102things for that, but we are asking for approval from Mrs. Bartleba to be the co-advisor for DECA. >> We have our staff ready for the seventh grade welcome day. And we had an immediate response with that, which was very exciting to see that we have so many people ready and eager. Even though we're transitioning to the end of the year, they're looking ahead. And I have to say that Mrs. Napper and um Miss Shelby Miller are wonderful. They are the the masterminds behind that day and they have been adapting and and changing and fixing that program so that we can make sure it's it's what the seventh graders need. So, we're asking for approval for the staff for that day. the U family consumer science teachers are asking for the disposal of several items and

103um just changing out things as they've gotten new equipment and and things like that. And we are also asking for an adjustment to the cost for our band uniforms which again I think Susan she's been working very closely with Mr. Cessna, our um the director for her band, so that we can make sure our kids have what they need for when we get [snorts] get started. the adjustment to the curriculum guide kind of sort of has already been um discussed a little bit and that is because with the hiring of our new tech teacher, we need to look at new courses that fit within that agriculture component of the certification that we're looking for and making sure that we're offering the students what they need based on on that different certification area. Um Dr. Gaston

104has been a tremendous help with that and we do not have classes necessarily yet that we're ready to propose but those will be coming very very shortly. Um and I don't know if Dr. Gaston has anything to add to that or not but >> no I would just add that um this next year is is very much the adjustment between techad um and an agriculture program. So, um, her background allows her to teach just about anything that's happening, um, in that neck of our our building. And, uh, Mr. Kumlish, I think, explained it very well that what she will be able to offer once [snorts] approved, if approved, is a culmination of all the things that they do plus. So, we do have to have to be careful about the courses that we offer to

105make sure that we're aligned with the certification. and that we're not teaching an a program without that approval. So, we're we're in a little bit of an adjustment. Um, what Dr. Smelco is planning to do once we figure out what that is going to look like is communicate that out to our parents of students who are in the that grade span who can take opportunities so they have the chance to look at what's there and make those schedule adjustments if they need to before the start of the year. Um, and there's a plethora, as Dr. Gaston said, of of opportunities that we can offer the the students with with that certification area, the board of chooses. So, we're excited about that. And I've already been asking Carmen about the greenhouse. I'm really excited about that,

106too. So, um, those are all good things that are coming. Um, a couple updates from the high school. We are, which like Mr. Gail said, you know, we're wrapping things up. Um, our halls are a little bit quieter right now than what they have been, but it's been a it was we had a beautiful night last night. We couldn't have asked for better weather. Um, we're able to have everything outside, so we're very very thankful for that. Um, I want to thank Devon, Mr. Roco, for coming back and being our our keynote speaker last night, our guest speaker. um that was very much appreciated that he took time away from his um as he said his his children and his wife came with him but to have them there and have him be our guest

107speaker was wonderful. Yesterday's activities um just kind of as a a recap of graduation day started with um senior breakfast in the morning. It is a tradition that we have started the past few years. The staff make breakfast for the seniors and they come in in the morning and get to have a final breakfast together in the cafeteria. We have a final practice again. Last night I kept joking Mr. Godf is not here tonight, but I turned around and whispered to him. The spacing was beautiful. They were standing up and sitting down in unison and doing all the things that we practiced. Um, so we did the final practice with them and then probably one of the most emotional parts of the day is when we do the final hall walks at the high school

108and then we go up to the elementary school and it's nice for our kiddos to see both of those places. Um, both of the teachers that you know they had in both buildings and siblings and um, neighbors and cousins and all those all those different things. Um, if you were listening last night to any of the speeches, this class was in that transitional period where they went from the small elementary schools to a middle school. They transitioned back to an elementary school when we consolidated and then they went to a high school. So, they have had a lot of transitions in their educational time when they were with us. They were the sixth grade co babies and you know went through all of that. But it was um again they got to go back to

109the elementary school as it was whenever they were there and that was that was something that was that was really great. Graduation was wonderful. Everybody had a great time and then we had the postgrad party until midnight. Um it it was a day, but we were able to give the students a lot of wonderful things that they can take with them into their future for either college or work um based on the variety show proceeds that they have. They they have a lot of really nice prizes that I thank Susan for helping us organize so that we can provide the kids with those with those things. So graduation in a nutshell. Um, the other thing as we are now getting ready and transitioning into next year and getting excited, Mr. Gordon did the junior steering

110committee meetings today and we have new junior steering committee members. So, we have Addison Cronin um is going to be our board rep. So, she will be replacing [snorts] um Beth. And then we will also have our student council reps as always. They're um members of the senior class that we'll ask for approval for when we get to that point next year. Um Olivia Shakenoss will be with the historical society in the Rotary. Ryan Cook will be working with the library association. Gay Young is working with the weather center and Rachel Warner will be working with the Chamber of Commerce. Um Stevie Dospike will be coming back with the burrow. Abby Martin will be still working with the assoc art association and historical society. And Emma Young will be working with the chamber and the

111garden club. So we're very excited to and the kids are very excited to get into what those things will be for the beginning of next year. And I think that's it. Everything for school. Any questions? Very good. Very good. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Dr. Smelco, and a job well done to you and your uh partners uh principal partners there last night. Um everything went well. The weather held out. Uh it was nice to see so many in attendance. >> Thank you. Moving on to financial. Um we have uh seven items here. We have the financial summaries and board reports. We have item number two, permission for the business office to pay any necessary bills to close out the 2526 fiscal year. Item number three is permission for the business office to make the

112necessary year end budget transfers uh to close the fiscal year. Um item number four is permission for the business administrator to work with the insurance broker um for the uh purchase of property casualty worker compensation and related insurance products for next fiscal year. Item number five is for purchase orders. Uh there are a number of purchase orders um for the 2026 27 school year. Item number seven is for the motion for the adoption of the general fund budget um for next year. This budget does not include uh does not include a tax increase um and it is an overall budget of $55 million. Um item number seven is for the authorization for the homestead and farmstead exclusions. And um I think that's it. Susan, I can I missed that. you need to touch on. Okay.

113>> Um Okay. Moving on to personnel. Dr. Krabacher, you want to run with this or you want me just to read through? >> I can do it. Um I'll give you a break. [clears throat] Um we had um number one resignations. We have u four of those. Uh we have two retirements for number two. Uh number three, we were looking to remove the independent position of stage manner manager effective uh July 1. Uh the individual who held that position prior took another position within the um support staff uh making it uh relatively impossible to do both. And Mr. the McMahon's uh crew uh did some cross trainining and we'll be prepared to uh as needed to take care of those performances in that uh environment. Substitute employee rates through ESS. Again, ESS being our subservice

114only um homebound subs. This was something that wasn't initially included in their proposal or discussed at that time. Um and then um adjusting the 2728 year two increase uh uh substitent u cents an hour to match the uh contract starting rate increases. Uh excuse me. [clears throat] And then uh we have the other items here for um hiring of [snorts] individuals. These are on the hire memo in your packets. uh a uh the uh tech/ a individual that we referenced earlier um an assistant principal cafeteria position 5 and a half hour position there. Um we are looking for the number six is the creation of one new teaching position. Um we discussed this uh last time I believe but uh we have a need to open an additional autistic primary um autistic support position. Uh

115we have the the numbers that support that within the incoming kindergarten um class. And then number seven and eight will be dealt with in exact session following. >> Okay. Any questions for Dr. K on items one through eight? Okay, seeing none, we'll move on to the reports of the special committees under Jeff Tech. Doug or Trevor, you have any Jeff Tech graduated last night as well. Unfortunately, it was can't be at two places at one time, so I missed that. Um, Jefftech grad David um DeFouse is a diesel went through diesel mechanic and he earned a 15-month apprenticeship at um Cleveland Brothers Caterpillar and Clearfield. there will get a lot of training on uh computer diagnostics. Uh it's a paid apprenticeship and upon completion he'll get a full-time paid job there. We also had a

116student from last year that did the same thing. So they're still hitting it out of the park. >> And did I see in the paper their uh food to fridge or farm farm to table the >> farm to refrigerate program is opening up? >> Yes. >> Yep. >> Good. >> Yep. >> Yeah. That's a a great great program for anything else, Doug. >> Nope. >> Questions for Doug? Heather >> IU I IU building. Um we are we had to put in to accept an architect's proposal. It's really not going well over there, but you know um they have they have they're going to have to do a lot of structural repairs, so that'll impact their budget. Um, they are still working with the Midwestern IU for tech services and HR consulting. They're in the same

117boat we are looking for good people and the best um services. Uh, they hire they hired a new student uh service director. They're tweaking a bit of the responsibilities of their staff to meet the needs and they have a large projection of needs based on needs in the districts for along the same lines, you know, as we're looking behavioral specialists. They are looking for a new teacher for the visually impaired program, autistic support, um, and emotional support in some specific districts. So if we reach out with needs, of course, that would add to the list, but everybody's in the same boat. We just are trying to find good people and the best services for our students. >> What's wrong with our buildings? Is it falling apart? >> It's falling down. >> Yeah, we had >>

118This isn't clearing. >> Um, yeah, we had a tour of the basement and the walls are pushing in and they're finding a lot of really structurally unsound things. So that they're making that a priority to get that fixed, but it was something completely out of the blue. So we've been that's a lot of our board talk is on getting those things fixed. >> That doesn't affect us. They get an appropriation from the state for their >> Well, we have a payment we have to make too that PD takes directly out of our subsidy for them. No, >> I mean everybody you never know when your roof's going to go or your walls. I mean, it's just part of >> walls are kind of deal. >> I know. >> Basically in [laughter] the basement walls. >>

119Yeah, especially when it's creeping up in the basement. >> I know basement bulk of our board meeting conversation. So, I mentioned it just for that's where we are. >> Okay. Well, thanks. >> Well, for some good financial I forgot this. We did get our ARCAP payments. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. And I think in next month will be the the final will be paid in full. >> Perfect. >> For the farm >> checks almost in the mail. >> One of them got to got here this week. The other one's in the mail. >> Okay. [snorts] >> Okay. Uh don't believe we have any communications under payment of the bills. We will ask for approval for the general fund, the cafeteria fund, and for the um uh the roof replacement um construction project here. Um the

120engineering I believe that is what that's for. Um okay. Under new business um we will have approval for um the scuba class dates and costs. Um these will be open to the public. Correct. >> Okay. Um they will run from July 21st um through the 30th from 6:00 to 8. And the second lesson or the second item here are swim lesson rates. Um so those are provided there. Was there did you I had some feedback on that about the prices. Did you talk to them at all? >> Yeah, I talked to um Frank Woodenberg about that um who set the rates and um his rationale behind that was is that he needs to have both a guard and an instructor u to be paid to offer those. And um you know there there were um

121the a model that was offered before was um maybe similar to like a YMCA kind of model where you you know you would take the lessons in chunk and you sort of completed that um course if you will. Um that was running into some issues apparently in the past that there would be families that wanted to join midway through the block and you know were upset [snorts] that they couldn't join. So, uh, he was doing away with that and was just going to offer open lessons along the continuum. That being said, there's an uncertainty as to how many he would have in those different groups um or, you know, throughout the scheduled time. So, he didn't want to run a deficit. Um, so he was uh trying to find a u an estimate of what

122it would um cost to staff it, pay for the use of the pool and um or or the pool use per person is built into that. So the $5 a person and then um to ensure that you know there wouldn't be a a footprint I guess using his words. So, >> so there'll be additional staff people >> to do this or the existing people that are already covering hours are doing this. >> He he was indicating that there's going to be a guard paid and a and at least one instructor paid so that >> outside of what we normally pay during those hours. >> Yes. Okay. So, um, and and he thinks it's better to have, um, just offer come as you go lessons as opposed to having a set schedule like a week long

123or two week long lesson. >> That's what he was proposing. >> I would think that people would more there'd be more of a chance for people just come and go as they um Yeah. So, I I I I still have some concerns with this. I mean, I think this is high. Um, you know, for a $20 for a half hour, you know, I the example I used was Reynoldsville Pool. It's $60 for a non-member for a twoe lesson. We're at $200. I think our goal here needs to be to teach kids how to swim. Uh, we are a poor, lowincome community. Um, you know, I I just I I think this is something that needs to be worked, but um I'm I'm grateful that we are offering these lessons >> minimal. So, I I I

124think we need a more structured program in this. I mean, I don't want to tell people how to do their job, but >> I can meet with him again and bring Tuesday perhaps an alternate uh option to consider. >> Okay. Well, thank you. Appreciate Um any other questions uh before move for [clears throat] any items? Nothing. Okay. Just in conclusion, uh thank you everyone. Uh principles, teachers, support staff, we're I know we got a half day. We don't want to jinx us, but um it was it was a great year. Um a lot of uh accomplishments. um a lot of things that that we are as a board I think are are happy with and the direction we're headed. So um and on that note, thank you everyone. We'll see you on Tuesday. Journed.