001[music] We're going to be calling the meeting to order. >> We can have silence. We're calling the meeting to order. >> Roll call. Mr. Broofphy >> here. >> Miss Connor >> here. >> Miss Kratz >> here. >> Miss Diamond >> here. >> Mr. Brad Upgro here. >> Mr. Roger Upgrove >> here. >> Dr. Weir >> here. >> Dr. Wy >> here. >> Mr. Penello >> here. >> All present. >> You rise for the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. 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. There's no previous executive session to discuss. It takes us down to our discussion and information section for this evening. And we have two items to
002to briefly discuss with you. I'm going to ask Mr. uh Nick Paladino to come to the podium to present on girls wrestling. Mr. Paladino is our athletic director here in Bertown. Mr. Paladino. >> Thank you, Dr. David Heiser. Um, tonight I'm just going to talk about a quickformational piece with our girls wrestling program. We started our girls wrestling program back in 2022 for the senior high. And since then, we've seen an increase in our student athlete participation. This year, we have eight senior high females and we have seven females at East and four females at West. Currently, all of our middle school female student athletes are on the boys team where they they travel and they wrestle they wrestle with the guys, they practice with the guys. We are now going to move them and
003create a separate middle school girls scheduling program for them. So, they'll practice together, they'll go and we have a few other schools in our league who currently have their own middle school um schedules. they they'll wrestle those teams and go to weekend tournaments. So now they don't have to travel with the boys team and then wrestle just with the boys because we can't we wouldn't be able to double roster them. So they wouldn't be able to wrestle with the guys and then go to like a tournament for the girls on the weekend. It would count. They'd have too many scheduling conflicts. It would be called for PIAA purposes. So do those numbers. Like I said, we're going to create a separate schedule for them. And this will help in the establishment and the retention of
004our program at all levels. With our youth program, girls from ranging from first grade to sixth grade, they're seeing an increase in females at that level, too. So then this will keep the girls together and be able to move up and there won't be a gap for them from grades seven through nine. So that way they'll be able to have their own team and moving forward. And then we sent out anformational letter to the parents today and this spring we'll bring up some more information for you about if we have to uh increase our personnel to be able to um supervise during those um practices and tournaments. >> Mr. Paladina, can you just fill the board in on some of the the the where we've reached that that breaking point between where we we were
005rostering and most girls um when the programs began were rostering with boys teams? Um what what what are now some of those complications as our numbers have increased? What what what what brings about this this need >> due to our our our team numbers at the middle school are so high. Usually like West is anywhere between 20 and 30 boys. East is usually a little bit more usually on the 30 to 40 side. So that when they they they would practice together and go to when they have say have a dual match at Upper Perk, they would travel at Upper Perk and they would have to be um trying to think of the correct word here. Um lined up with or get a match in the same weight class with somebody from Upper Park. A
006lot of times if they didn't have any girls on there, they could either choose to wrestle a guy or they might not even get a match due to the high numbers. um and then or they might get an exhibition later. So by doing this we're giving them they'll get more what we call matt time more opportunity to be able to partake. So they're just not going to practice and then not getting any competition. So we feel by doing this they'll be able to get line up they'll get if they go to a tournament instead of having zero matches at that tournament they might have three or four against another female at that tournament. it it pretty much lines them up for more long-term success to want to stay in that program and in that sport.
007>> And these were numbers that um as winter season is is has just become upon us, these were numbers that um Mr. Paladino had brought to me and we had reached he believed that reached that breaking point of um our inability to continue to really offer um the opportunities for some of these female athletes in the wrestling program if we continued in the way that we were by by rostering them inside the the boys team. So, it does really hopefully increase the opportunities for for these young female wrestlers. And it it does appear and I've I've I've looked at some numbers across not just the pack but other out throughout the state that and Pennsylvania being one of the most dominating wrestling states in the country we're seeing a significant increase in this on the
008female side um and has has really taken off in a positive way. In 2022 when we started the program, the big numbers were in the high schools. That's where pretty much every school started. They started their program in the high school. Now, when that started, the youth kids who were in third, fourth grade then are now in seventh, eighth grade now. And that shift is just starting to come up and we're seeing a just a major expansion in that sport right now. Can you talk to the board just a little bit about the logistics of how these student athletes practice now? Where do they go? How do we get them together and what changes might have to take place if if we continue to expand? >> So, right now, East and West, they get on
009a shuttle bus after school and they come up to the high school and we run a it's called a separate practice from our high school program in the wrestling room with our varsity girls coaches. So, they're they're having the same coaches that our varsity girls have. Um, then when when we have, you know, matches, middle school dus, they can go, coaches will then go with them to those dus, come back and have our practice at night for our senior high. Um, so pretty much they're just coming up, staying there. They get in the room with our high school girls also, so they can see what the practice really entails. Got remember a lot of some of our girls that we have, they've never wrestled before. So throwing them into a wrestling room with our guys
010who may have been wrestling for six, seven years, that can be pretty intimidating. So this brings them in, they're all on the same level, showing them, hey, this is this is where you can be in a year. This is somebody who only has a year or two experience, and they see that, and it just creates more culture. and then they go grab a friend and then next thing you know our numbers our numbers are doubling. Like last year we had a senior high we only had two girls and it was between two and three probably for the first two or three years and we're luckily we're seeing those numbers just continually increase and increase. We're expecting these to probably go up by about three or four at each level next year again. So we're going
011to probably look at a total double of our program. That's that's what our prelim numbers are telling us right now. >> Well, thank you, Mr. Padia. We just wanted to bring this to the board's attention um since a letter was going out to the families and just indicating a little bit of change of how we're going to operate this year and what we expect beyond. Um we'll invite Mr. Paladino back sometime later in the spring after the winter season's over. see how things transpired and let and inform the board of if there's any needs as we've now adjusted our program slightly um in in creating more of a a girls program inside the um our system here at the middle schools. Any questions that the board may have? >> I do. >> Um what do
012you how's that going to work with transportation? Do you have a plan for that? Yeah, right now depending on where we go, we take vans usually. So we can we're going to say we have a middle school duel. We can take two vans, two coaches who are able to drive those vans. They'll go right there. It helps just great cuz you know 10 10 kids on a bus. There's really no need for it. So we we're able to have the vans and we can travel that way. [snorts] >> Thank you. I have a question or clarifying question about uh the coach. >> There you go. >> Question about the coaching for the girls. Will you need additional coaches for the group or will the present coaches be working with the with the the new students?
013>> With with the numbers we have right now, our present coaches are going to continue working with them. We almost started this model a little bit last year. We had a few of our middle school girls who did not want to wrestle with the guys. They simply came up, they practiced, and they just didn't go to any weekend tournaments or any dual matches or anything like that. So, our coaches have a good system right now for these numbers. If they continue to increase, then we're going to have to come up with a different model for it. Do you think with you going to an all girl team possibly a lot of people who were hesitant to wrestle before might jump into it and then you double triple your the amount of people >> this year
014we won't be able to do that just because we already have our we already did the hydration tests and everything like that. So our rosters are pretty much locked right now. Um we can't really add a lot because the doctors have to go and they have to sign off on those um dension plans and everything that's already completed. >> Okay. Let's say next year that 11 people turns into 30. Then what? >> That's what we're going to hope to be able to judge come this spring and plan ahead for it. >> Okay. Is it same as boys? Do the do freshman are they able to wrestle down at middle school like some boys? >> There's really no by rule. Yes, because ninth grade's considered junior high for PIAA. Most teams don't have high school and
015middle school teams right now. we'd be one of four in the pack that have that. So, we're really on that ground level because our numbers are starting to really go up that way, but they would be able to um by PIAA rule. >> All right, cool. >> Anybody else have any questions? >> Thanks, Nick. >> Thank you, Mr. Padiana. Our second item this evening, and we're going to have Mr. Lince introduced this to you is our investigation of our vehicles and um our procurement and plan for um aged vehicles and a cycle plan um for this. So this advertisement really starts to that process of um advertising on a an a continuum basis annually as we budget um for this and part of this is advertising that we're going to go out for an RFP.
016So, Mr. Lent, can you explain a little bit more in detail? >> Thank you. Sure. Um, so one of the um initiatives that um I'm trying to get from a budget planning purpose is that we have what are called replacement schedules so that we don't land that all of a sudden there's a number or a large quantity that would adversely impact our budget for replacement. Um that said, uh worked and put together a complete inventory of all the vehicles both from from maintenance to vans that are used at Bash. um across the district. Um in compiling that, also looked at um condition and maintenance. Um so the first vehicle for replacement right now um is a 1999 plow um that has been deemed not repairable and has been out of service. Um so that would
017be one vehicle that would be um bid as a starting point um you know for the maintenance department. The other two vehicles would be vans that um are utilized for high school student transportation. Um they would be bid um and serve as replacements to the existing vans. One of the existing van is a 2008 van. Um that should really come out of service. Um we can either make a decision to then um sell that at a public auction for for surplus. Um but the second vehicle is a 2014. Um it does have um you know some issues with wear. Um but there is also a Courier V van that is out of service at this point and not worth repairing. I believe the Courier van uh dates to 98. Uh so the plan would be
018that that second van um that's a little newer um would then get cycled down to our courier to use. Um and then we'll get as Dr. David Heiser said on a replacement cycle of building into our budget to replace these vehicles. Um and there's a number of them throughout the district. There's actually a total of 34 different vehicles and trailers throughout the district. Um so we'll work to um begin to replace that. In most cases, the newest vehicles that we have are 2019. So, if we get this moving, we can get to a point where um potentially based upon use and miles and service issues um every 10 years or so, we're able to um replace vehicles so that we don't have the higher maintenance costs that come with older vehicles um as well as
019the reliability uh for some of our critical functions like snow removal. Kevin, >> would it benefit us to look into leases rather than outright buying? >> So, you can look at a lease, then you're going to always have that those costs. So, if we started to lease them, we're going to always have that built into the budget with no flexibilities. Um, in all reality, if you're on a replacement cycle, and it was a tough budget year. I think back to the early part of my career when the state significantly cut funding to schools and you had to make decisions and delay purchases. You do lose that flexibility if you went into um a leasing arrangement for all the vehicles because you would still have those payments um that would associate um to the budget costs.
020Where does this funding come from? We'll have it um funded out of the general fund budget for for this year based upon the work we've done looking at at budget. Um you know we presented where we think this year will be um there should be funds uh for these as as a total purchase. The bid just a lot puts us all on the same page with going out for a bid with the intent to award it. We would bring that bid back to the board to award. >> Okay. Would that be all total units of that bid? Are you adding them all together? It's >> one bid, but each bid is for the vehicle type. So, the competition be somebody might have the better price on the vans, somebody else might have a better price
021on the uh plow truck um to award it. But it is one bid that's going out. Um that saves you on the advertising costs um because you have to advertise this um there and um it'll be set up in structure that if a vehicle was not able to be bid by a certain vendor um they could not bid that but still be awarded for the vehicles that they could bid. Okay. >> So, just to be clear for this evening, we are, and you can see later in the agenda that we are asking the board for your approval this evening to simply go out for that advertisement of the bids. Um, the bids will be all eventually be brought back to the board for you to make a decision whether you're going to award um any
022of the the bids that came in um regarding that. So, this is just gives us an opportunity to move forward with the advertisement of the bid. Is this just a show of hands? >> No, this will come into a formal action a little later in the agenda >> reports BCIU Mr. Brophie >> nothing at this time >> BCTC Mr. approve. >> Uh yeah, I have a meeting in a week about the uh I'm on the board for the budget for the 2627 year at the BCTC's. That'll be coming up. There's no one signed up for public comment period number one. So, we'll be looking for the approval of the November 25th, 2025 legislative meeting minutes as presented. I'll >> motion. >> I'll second. Mr. Brophy, >> yes. >> Miss Connor, >> yes. >> Miss Kratz,
023>> yes. >> Miss Diamond, >> no. >> Mr. Brad Uptogrove, >> yes. >> Mr. Roger Upgro, >> yes. >> Dr. Weir, >> yes. >> Dr. Wy, >> yes. >> Mr. Penerella, >> yes. >> Eyes have it. >> That takes us to the superintendent's itemized agenda. And item A is that advertisement for the school vehicle bid. And the uh administration does recommend that school directors approve the advertisement and solicitation of sealed bids as listed. >> Panorella moves. >> I'll second. >> Mr. Brophy, >> yes. >> Miss Connor, >> yes. >> Miss Katz, >> yes. Miss Nyman, >> yes. >> Mr. Brad Upgrove, >> yes. Mr. Roger Upgrove, >> yes. >> Dr. Weir, >> yes. >> Dr. Wy, >> yes. >> Mr. Penello, >> yes. >> Eyes have it. >> Under item B, personnel. The administration again
024recommends board of directors approve the following personnel actions listed. Panorella moves. Second, >> Mr. Bury. >> Yes, >> Miss Connor. >> Yes, >> Miss Kratz. >> Yes, >> Miss Nyman. >> Yes, >> Mr. Brad Upgrove. >> Yes. >> Mr. Roger Upgro. >> Yes. >> Dr. Weir, >> yes. >> Dr. Wy, >> yes. >> Mr. Penello, >> yes. >> Eyes have it. There is no old business and no one has signed up for public comment period number two which leads us to board comment. Miss Connor board comment. It's whatever you want to do. You can say no or yes and you can talk. >> It's up to you. >> I don't have anything. >> Okay. >> I'm good. >> Anything? Nothing. Dr. WY. >> Nothing. >> Just nothing. >> Just have a good uh merry Christmas
025and a happy new year everybody because we'll see each other what in January now, right? Yeah. >> Roger. >> Uh wishing everybody happy holidays coming up and uh be safe. Thank you. >> Yeah, we just want to wish everybody a safe and merry Christmas. Our next meetings uh will be held here in the education center on January 13th. We have our education and student services committee meeting beginning at 6 p.m. followed by the committee of the whole meeting on January 13, 2026. And just a reminder to our newest board members that we will have our onboarding session on Thursday beginning here at 8 a.m. um for the day. And any other board member that would like to join, you're certainly welcome to. It'll be a review of a lot of things you are already very
026much aware of. And for our newest board members, uh just managing the microphones and your computers tonight. Um [snorts] you you'll get used to some of the routines a as it is. Um so your focus doesn't have to be on the mechanics of it. It'll be on the focus on the the information and the topics at hand. And we'll go through a lot of that uh with you on Thursday during the onboarding session. >> Motion to adjurnn. I'll move him. >> I'll second it. Meeting adjourned. >> [music] [music]