001Mhm. >> Mrs. Rozado, please do a roll call. >> George Andrews >> Present. >> Rebecca Bear >> Present. >> Ann Patrello >> Present. >> Mike Patrello >> Present. >> Jason Goldstrand Keith Karkut >> Present. >> Debbie Killeen >> Present. >> Rich Lamont >> Present. >> Shanika Sorry. >> Present. >> Seven present. >> Okay, thank you. We welcome all of our guests, um, both on Zoom and present. If you have not signed in, if you're here, uh, please do so on your way out so we have a list of people who attended the meeting in person. An executive session was held this evening before the meeting for the purpose of discussing personnel litigation and negotiations. We need a motion to adopt this agenda for June 15th, 2026 as submitted, with the Board of Education reserving the
002right to add to the agenda and take further action on any items raised in executive session, where immediate action on such items is considered to be in the best interest of the district. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? Need a motion to approve the minutes of the May 18th, 2026 regular school board meeting. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? >> I have a question. On page On page one, um, it states board members who attended via Zoom were and it lists all our names. I don't know if that was a typo. We were all here in person, not on Zoom, weren't we? >> Yeah, it was person. >> W- Huh? >> It was in person. >> Right. Well, it's just a typo then. >> Okay. >>
003Um, it said we were on Zoom on Zoom. >> Okay. >> Sorry. >> Okay. Correction. Anything else? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? Um, did we have Rebecca on? >> Yes, I heard her. >> Okay. She She's on. Okay. >> Yes, I'm here. >> Okay. hi. Hi, Rebecca. All right, we're going to turn it over to Dr. >> Dr. Scott, she needs to be louder. I You can barely hear her when she wants to speak. I don't know if it means anything. >> Can we make her louder? >> Rebecca, speak. >> Please. I am here. Can you hear me? >> Okay, that's better. >> All right. >> That's better. We hear you. Excellent. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we are going to move to Dr. Vitali and the superintendent's report. >> So, before we
004get into the business, we have very, very distinguished guests with us tonight. So, tonight we have our state championship unified track and field from north. So, we would like to honor them with a certificate and just thank them for representing East Stroudsburg North High School so well. Congratulations and welcome. So, when when I call your name, come on up. Are you ready? Congratulations, Olivia. >> That's so cool. Oh, that's nice. >> Jadelyn. Congratulations, Isaiah. Congratulations, Devana. Congratulations, Maddie. Brandon? Jeremy? >> Okay, they stay still. Congratulations, Manaya. Congratulations, Hardy. Hayden? >> Hey. >> Congratulations, Cara. Congratulations, Yula. Hot, Victoria. Chloe? No. Just tell her >> Hold on, Jared. >> That's all right. We'll find it. We'll find it. >> It's the entire district this entire year. >> Yeah. >> So, congratulations. a small party with snacks
005and refreshments for you that Dr. Bukowski and Mr. Seiger are going to take you to. Families, thank you for bringing them. Thank you for including all of our students in this wonderful program, and we hope you have a wonderful day. >> Thank you. >> [laughter] >> Maggie, do you want to say what the unified team does with the tomato? >> I don't I don't know how you tap that. I feel like we should adjourn cuz that was pretty impressive. So, for those of you who are not well versed in unified track, unified track and field is similar to a special Olympics program where our students who have some disabilities participate with students who are typically developing and they participate actively in a unified track and field program. We also have a bocce program that is
006really really strong that is unified as well. We are incredibly proud of these programs and just so honored that these students take the time out of their day, engage in unified, and just represent both North and South so beautifully every time they go out and compete. So, that was great. That was a bright spot. Um also on my part of the report, it's not a very lengthy report, but I just wanted I wanted to make sure we honored the budget and that process. So, we are starting a citizen advisory committee. There is the kind of a one-pager on the board agenda and we have it to go out on our website and an email to go out to all tomorrow. Basically, this is just for us to sit down with community members of East Stroudsburg
007and talk about what problems they perceive, what they are hearing, and then develop solutions. So, we're not going to just sit around and say, "Oh my gosh, woe is us. This is what's wrong." But, we're going to actively look at solutions. When we did the feasibility study, there were some concerns that we didn't communicate with our taxpayers about the feasibility study. So, we looked at doing a postcard. Any simple postcard, 4 by 6, to every taxpayer was $18,000. So, we we decided that that wasn't an investment we wanted to do. So, that would be something that the citizens advisory committee talks about. How do we get the word out? What does that look like? How do we engage more people in the work that our school district is doing? And how do we celebrate what
008our students are doing and how they're representing us, but also how do we tackle some of the challenges that are facing the district? So, we would like, if anybody is interested, for you to please apply. We're going to close the application in the middle of July, and then our goal is to really make sure that we have 10 community members that represent north and south, represent our elementary or intermediate and our high school well, represent just not our parents or our faculty and staff, but also taxpayers and business leaders and community members who want to make sure that they have a voice. Um we're going to at the next board meeting have a motion for the board to appoint two representatives, and the board will appoint any two representatives that you vote. That'll be on
009the July agenda. Um but we just want to make sure that we're engaging our community and giving a voice and helping our community to ensure that they have a seat at the table to help us solve problems and make sure that everyone is well informed. Any questions, thoughts, or concerns? Okay. Mr. Mirabelli and Mr. Kraus, come on up. >> Uh good evening, everyone. I appreciate the opportunity to speak to the board again regarding the 26-27 budget. Uh As we discussed in previous meetings, the district started this budget with some pretty strong headwinds, including realizing a $10.3 million loss in the 24-25 audited year. Um with growing structural deficit year over year. Uh the district administration and board and board has worked very hard at reducing expenditures as Mr. Krauss has previously presented and will make
010some additional remarks uh following my discussion on revenue tonight. Uh tonight I wanted to discuss some highlights to the revenue side of the budget. Uh and here we'll take a look year over year. Um do we have it? >> It's up. >> What's up? >> Are the presentation >> Oh, there it is. Okay. Can we advance the slide? Uh a few items I'd like to draw to your attention are um a $5,042,000 in local revenue increase that is primarily attributable to the 5% real estate tax increase that we are recommending in the proposed budget. Uh also like to call out the $5,012,000 increase uh in state revenues, which is primarily the ready to learn block grant from the state of Pennsylvania, which we are grateful for. Um and one other note, if you look back,
011uh this is one of the headwinds I referred to, at the 24-25 federal revenues, you'll note that an approximately $5 million decrease in revenue there. That was the expiration of stimulus funds. Fortunately, the ready to learn block grant replaced those funds in some way. Uh if we can go to the next slide slide. Okay. The other two items uh that I just wanted to call out on revenue are for rental and sinking fund reimbursement. Uh we'll be talking about uh uh debt restructuring tonight and and pushing out some debt and those reimbursements will also get pushed out into future years. So, we estimate about 760,000 in reduced reimbursements. Um and also uh 300,000 in additional school based access uh program funding we're we're expecting there. So, we we can go on to the next slide.
012Um anytime we talk about increasing taxes, we need to be cognizant of whom those taxes impact. And as I said, we are recommending an increase to the Act 1 index out of necessity. Uh I wanted to point out two real estate tax facts that demonstrate the district has made a consistent effort to maintain a steady tax rate over the past 15 years. And the first fact is that the real estate millage increases between 2012 and 2017, if the 26-27 budget passes as proposed, that would mean only three increases over the course of the last 15 years uh in terms of raising the millage rates there. So, that would be the first fact. Um and then the other fact I'd I'd present to you is over the last actual 15 years where where actual results are
013available, real estate tax collected in 2010-2011 was 88.9 million. And then when you trend that out, real estate tax collected in 2024-2025, 15 years later, is 88.1 million. So, over that period of time, we actually remained exactly flat and a slight decrease uh until the prior year. So, those are just two facts to keep in mind. Very flat real estate millage rate and very flat real estate tax collections over that period of time. Next slide, please. Uh just a just a look at what the tax rates would be at at a PDE Act 1 index uh as calculated with the state formula uh 25-26 versus 26-27. We had a good discussion about these rates and how they would impact taxpayers in the finance committee meeting and there was a request made to uh provide uh
014next slide, please. Uh an easy calculation. We did lay out what it meant to the median taxpayer. However, that only works if you're exactly in the median. Uh so, that's the calculation we presented to the finance committee. Uh the median assessed value tax increase in Monroe County would be about $278 where in Pike County it'd be about $281. Next slide, please. So, here's the the simplest way we could distill it down. Um and the idea to calculate your personal tax bill increase would be to start with your assessed value. If you have your prior years uh tax bill, that's one way. Or uh we've provided the links here in the PDF that's online. You can click to go directly to Monroe's counties uh assessed value search or Pike County's assessed value search. That'll take you
015right to their website. Type in your last name or your address and you can get your assessed value there. Uh from there you would simply multiply it by the applicable millage rate for 25-26. You can see that up there uh for quick reference and then also the new uh 26-27 proposed rates. Uh and you would just simply do the subtraction there and that would be your personal um tax impact calculation. Uh next slide, please. Uh Uh, and then just a word on the state property tax reduction allocation. Uh, our allocation remained flat with a very slight decrease, uh, but overall the number of parcels that were approved for homestead farmstead did decrease slightly. Um, so, uh, the increase in the credit is a dollar eighty-nine, uh, year over year. Any questions on revenue? I will
016turn it over to Mr. Krouse to talk about expenses. >> Good evening, everyone. Um, next slide, please. The slide in front of you shows our twenty-four twenty-five actual audited expenditures, our twenty-five twenty-six budgeted expenditures, and our proposed final twenty-six twenty-seven expenditures. Um, the What I want to highlight about this slide is just saying the extensive budget review that we've done over the past couple months with this budget. Um, if you've been looking at our presentations over the past couple months, we started at two hundred and twenty-seven point one million dollars in expenditures in our first draft of our budget. And since then we've done extensive work reviewing every line item that went into this budget to decrease expenditure expenditures as much as we could control and were feasible in a year. Um, so that was
017a lot of significant work and even our increase compared year over year is around six hundred thousand dollars less. Um, notable expenditure increases are as we've mentioned previously eighteen point two seven percent in increased health insurance funding, um, that we have to contribute, so that's up around five point eight million dollars, and that helps us to just keep pace with the current claims that we're experiencing with health care cost. Um, it also includes the retirement incentive for the second and final year in salaries, and it also shows a significant debt service increase um from the debt restructure last summer as well as the one that the board is considering this evening. Next slide, please. Um at a glance, our revenues that we are budgeting for next year are $197,829,785. Our overall expenditures are $213,408,979, which
018is resulting in a deficit of $15,579,194. Um of course, we can't pass a budget with a deficit out without having the money to cover that, so that's where our general fund balance is coming in. Next slide, please. Um so, this is showing our actual gen- general fund um balances for the past 2 years in June of 2024 at 50 around 51 million, June of 2025 at four around 41 million dollars cuz we experienced an actual deficit of around 10.3 million dollars in 24-25. We're projecting for 25-26 um around a 14.5 to 14.7 million-dollar deficit, which would bring our fund balance down to around 26.3 million dollars. To balance the 26-27 budget with that 15.6 million dollars, it would leave us at around 10.5 to 10.7 million dollars as of June 30th, 2027. >> So, the
019budget is a snapshot and then we review this budget >> Is Is there a chance that when the state comes out with their budget and tells us what they're going to allocate to us that we could see an increase in revenues from the state. Is that looking at the a good trend or pipe dream so to say? >> [laughter] >> The the best case scenario is already on the books in terms of ready to learn block grant because our revenue was deferred when when when we get the property tax supplement it's deferred. So we are recording what is already known. So if you get additional monies in that tax supplement, that'll get deferred into 27-28. Now, if they do improve the basic ed subsidy, we work conservative there. Um but the likely place that they
020will put it will be in that ready to learn block grant, you know, the special education subsidy. You could get some additional funds. Um and I would be speculating, but I'm not sure they would be game-changing funds. Um but uh if they continue down the the path they've been the last 2 years, you you would see an increase that would impact you the following year. >> Okay. And then this we are including the tax equity payments that were they're included there. From the the money that we had last year we couldn't spend on next year are in there already. >> Yes, sir. >> Do we have any idea from the federal government? I understand federal monies go to the state. How is that distributed or is it still distributed straight? >> Uh so are we
021talking about the title programs specifically? Uh so we budgeted for basically flat funding in the in that realm and um they actually opened the applications earlier than than they had been in the in prior years, but uh uh I haven't heard anything that would make me believe there would be some, you know, significant investment there. >> No windfall. >> [laughter] >> I I haven't heard anything, you know, but I I don't want to create false hope. I just haven't heard anything >> Hope Hope springs eternally, you know. >> [laughter] >> Um for the median in tax I I if I read it correctly, it said $281 would be in the the median tax increase. >> Yes. >> Does that include the homestead rebate like that someone would get if they're >> Uh so, what what
022I tried to do there in the calculation was since the homestead farm set rebate really didn't change from year to year, um it uh it would I'm not sure it would be that honest for me to deduct it off of there. Again, it was a relative exercise to the prior year, so we didn't we didn't compound that saving, so to speak. Uh as it it was kind of a flat number. >> Got you. Okay. Thank you. >> Last year we for this current fiscal year we budgeted $106 million from local effort towards the district. Um as of April 30th, I'm calculating about 105 million. Are we expecting that additional million to come in at by the end of the year or is it going to overproduce or >> So, revenues I as I indicated, we
023we do budget slightly conservatively there so that you don't come in under budget. That would be kind of disaster scenario. Um so, yeah, slightly conservative, we are projecting that revenues will come in slightly ahead of where we budgeted. >> Okay. >> Any other questions from the board? Okay, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, PFM, come on up. >> Sorry. I took your spot. >> Oh, that's okay. >> Good evening. I'm Jamie Doyle from PFM. It's a pleasure to be here this evening. And you should each have a presentation in front of you uh that contains the most updated information as of this afternoon. So, just as a reminder, uh this is a restructuring of some of your debt. We'll go through that in a page or two, but we utilized the dual track process.
024So, we first did a competitive bank loan RFP, got those back, and then compared the best bank loan proposal to the bond market. The proposal that won was JP Morgan Chase Bank. It's the exact same bank that you used last year what around this time when we uh did this previously, and their proposal was pretty much right on top of the bond issue. So, if you turn to page number two, the inside cover of your handout, I always like to start off talking a little bit about interest rates, and particularly that that lower right-hand corner. This is the same index in all three snapshots, but that lower right-hand corner gives you a bird's-eye view of what has happened to this 10-year spot rate in the tax-exempt market. So, we have caught a nice little dip
025in interest rates uh that that you're recognizing this evening. If you turn to page three, this is basically a summary of the rest of the pages. And so, where you currently sit is column five. That's what your existing annual debt service payments looks like. Uh and so, in in the upcoming budget year, your debt service was supposed to be 10,015,000 if you did nothing. With this restructuring in the blue column, I'm going up to the top in column one now, we're going to restructure a portion of your 2017 double A and 2017 triple A bonds. You can see that in box one. It will have a call option JP Morgan proposed on on this series September 1 of 2032. So, that means you know, at at September 1 of 2032 or anytime thereafter, if you
026want to refund this, that is that is your option and your option alone. They proposed an indicative rate and that's important. You see the word indicative is all in caps. So, this is the rate that we got them to update this afternoon so we'd have the the most freshest information for you this evening. So, on on the blue column, the series A of 2026, their indicative rate as of today is a 4.16 which incidentally is almost exactly what they they uh submitted back on May 18th when their proposal was due. So, it hasn't fluctuated a whole lot. When you look down below into the next box in column one, you can see this portion or or this series is $19,789,000 on a present value cost basis cuz that's how we really look at these and
027think about these types of decisions. You can see in that box the present value cost is about $314,584. And all that is doing is present valuing these cash flows back to today's value of a dollar. When you look below in column six, you can see an estimate of of what this accomplishes. So, as you look down column six, you can see those positive numbers are the amounts of debt we're scooping out each of the next four years or budget years 2027 through and including fiscal year ending 2030. And then you can see negative numbers in 2031 through 2037. That's where we're re-amortizing that debt and stretching it out a little bit further. So, again, that series is called the series A of 2026 note because to satisfy state law, those were originally bonds from 2017.
028So we have to call them notes this time. Then in column two, you'll see the series B of 2026 and we're calling that one bonds because it's going to restructure a portion of your 2021 notes. State law makes us flip if it was notes before, got to be bonds now and vice versa. So on that series, it's much smaller. They're indicating that the rate would be 4.21%. You can see in that second box in column two, the principal on that series is 5,926,000 and the present value cost is about 490,000 in that box. And then down below in column seven, you can see the reason we're touching on that at all is because that's what allows us to create savings in 2030. There wasn't enough uh principal to scoop out on on those two 2017
029bond issues in that year, so we're touching on that 2021 bank loan in order to create that savings in 2030. Because at the end of the day, our goal is column eight. So now when you look at column eight, all in, the new restructured debt and and your older debt that we're not touching at all, you can see now in in the upcoming budget year, it's no longer 10,015,000, now it's it's just under 6.8 million all in and then you can see it it never goes uh higher than I'm going to call that 9.9 million in the following 3 years and then it drops off a little to 8.15 million thereafter and and you can see further drop offs as you look down column eight. So the goal here was to smooth down, get as
030much budget relief as we could in in 2027, the budget year that you're you're just uh working on and to get rid of those years in column five where you had a $15 million handle on your annual payments. And so this this accomplishes this. And you know, that indicative rate assuming that you vote positively on the parameters uh resolution this evening, we'll get that locked in tomorrow morning. And again, I don't expect it to fluctuate much cuz it hasn't fluctuated a whole lot. And And if you were comparing this back to my presentation from April 14th, the present value cost is about $199,000 better than what I shared with you in mid-April. And that's that number at the very bottom of column eight that says uh present value cost, that that was just over a
031million dollars in mid-April in our projections. And And now the entire present value cost over the life is about 805,000. I'm going to skip over the next bunch of pages. They're They're just the mechanics behind the scenes. I went over those all in in April, so I won't uh go through all of those and unless you'd like me to this evening. Uh but nothing's really changed there at all. We're still restructuring the same pieces to get the same relief in in the upcoming four years. I'm going to go to page number 15. This is the sources and uses of funds. So you can see in that top section the principal amounts that I described to you on on the 2026 A notes and the 2026 B bonds. In that next section, you can see the
032uses of funds. So you can see how much money we need to to pay off the refunded portions of the 2017 two series of bonds and the 2021 notes. You can see some of the lines say zero for underwriter's discount and bond insurance. Uh that's because this is the bank loan route just like last year. And And you don't need to pay for those items uh that you would in a bond issue. All of that's factored in when we evaluated the winning bank loan and compared it to the bond market. We boiled everything down to true interest cost, so we took into account uh the cost of issuance at settlement. Should you choose to proceed, settlement would occur uh on July 20th, which is important because if you wanted to do this just like last
033year, it's important to settle before you make your your September 1 principal payments that you'd otherwise be scheduled to make. And then the yield of the issue, that's the rate we would report to the IRS. Uh the blended yield of the issue between the two series is about 4.17% rounding up slightly. The next page, page 16, would be your updated debt portfolio. So now the 2017 double A and triple A bonds, those those payments those bonds were restructuring are netted out of there as well as the 2021 notes, and now you see in columns 13 and 14 the two series were were talking about this evening. As always, we monitor this page for any refinancing opportunities that that may arise. You you don't have any right now where where you'd simply replace an old higher
034rate with a with a lower rate, but that's because you have such low rates in in your portfolio to begin with. And then the rest of the pages are the JP Morgan proposal itself. I'll I'll let you peruse that at your at your leisure. The the one thing I would point out, and it's at the top of page number 18, you know, sometimes JP Morgan uh will will put in a bid and and and and provide a bank loan to hold in their own portfolio. In this case, they've indicated that they are buying these securities for a trust that they are the trustee and and maintain and operate. It's called DNT Asset Trust. That doesn't really matter from from your perspective, but that's where these bonds and notes will be held in that particular trust.
035So, if you see that, that's a little bit different from last time. Uh last time JP Morgan just held it for their own account. So, I'm happy to answer any questions that you have at this time before I turn it over to Jonathan Cox to go over the resolutions with you. >> So, they won't sell the debt? >> That's right. >> Will the Will the trust sell the debt if they choose they don't want it anymore, or is it something they're going to hold till maturity? >> They could. That's that's their option, but you'll already have the money to have paid off the old 2017A bonds and 2021 refunded portions of the notes. So, you know, you won't feel any difference if they do decide to trade that. >> Just who we pay it to,
036I guess. >> Well, your paying agent is going to be M&T Bank. You have to have a paying agent, and just like last year, it was M&T Bank, it's still going to be M&T Bank. So, you'll continue to make your payments to M&T Bank. >> Okay. So, if they sell the debt, it won't matter. The payee will still be M&T Bank. So, if JP Morgan's trust says, "You know what? We're just going to sell that debt in the secondary market." It won't change anything that we do as a district. >> Exactly. Any other questions? >> Anything else? All right, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. Jonathan Cox from Eckert Seamans here as your bond counsel. Um I'll keep my comments brief. The resolutions uh before you this evening have been advertised as required,
037and please note in the minutes that they were advertised on June 11th in the Pocono Record as required under the Local Government Unit Debt Act, and made available for inspection, and uh for review by your solicitor. Uh the resolutions um one for the bonds, and one for the notes uh contain all the requirements of state law necessary for you to proceed with this transaction. It's the only action required of the board in order to proceed. Authorizes all the us to uh perform all the work on your behalf, and file all the paperwork necessary with the Department of Community and Economic Development. Contains all of the federal uh rules and regulations related to the issuance of tax-exempt obligations. And otherwise um authorizes all the closing documents to be uh signed by appropriate officers of the district.
038Other than that, it it implements um the transactions that uh Jamie reviewed with you, and I'm happy to answer any questions that you have. >> Any questions from the board members? Good. >> And the total savings to the district after this is what? I'm just trying to read it in the charts. That's all. I'm just asking a question. >> Sure. Sure. The total is is not on here, actually, for for that four years. I mean, you have if you're looking at page three, column eight you can see you're comparing column five where you would have been to column eight where you will be. But the overall effect on the district over the life of the loan is a cost of 805,342. >> But for next year, it would be our debt service payment would be
039about 3.23 >> Yes. >> million less. >> Yes. >> For the following year, it would be about >> 5 million >> little less than 6 million. It's It's It's adding together the the lines in column six and seven. So, you can see Correct. in column six, the savings from that series and there's a little bit of the saving on the other series so it's the sum of those two that you would add together. >> Okay, anything else? No, thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you. That is it for my section, Mr. Controller. >> Okay, thank you. We are going to move on to our reports. Anyone from MCTI able to do the report? I know Jason's not with us tonight. No, okay, we'll have that next month. Colonial IU does not meet till next Wednesday
040so I do not have a report there. Properties and facilities, Mr. Schellemans. >> Wow, that came up quick. So we received a status update on our current projects which is the JT boiler and other activities there, the Smithfield boiler, train lighting controls upgrade, and the state TV studio at JTL. And then we had a discussion about the North bus garage remodel. And we're still having that discussion about the North bus garage remodel. It's going It's It came out a little more expensive than we expected so we're going to continue having a discussion about this. But we need to we need to find a resolution to this problem or this issue soon. Some proposed projects coming up is the um is the EHS. We have eight isolation valves and we've selected superheat to take care of
041that. And then district generators need some servicing and then HGS which is formerly critical systems will be doing that. Both of those projects come around almost $25,000 a piece. We reviewed our capital projects list and our current payment of capital projects. And um we reviewed our CHA invoices, which were the uh from uh regarding the GTL boilers. And um WH What is WH? >> Water heaters. >> What are you doing? >> Water heaters. >> What are you >> Water heaters, yeah. Boilers or water heaters, there you go. Yeah, when you take political science, it's a different WH. Uh and then Smithfield Stroudsburg what um Smith Strouds- Smithfield Elementary boiler replacement. So we got some bills from there and some applications for payments for those projects. And so we basically moved to the board uh the
042projects, the proposed projects. That's really the stuff that matters. The and then the current projects. So you see that on the agenda today. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Rich. Educational Programs and Resources, Anne. >> The EPR Committee met on Thursday, June 11th at 5:30. Our meeting, which lasted over 2 and 1/2 hours, truly showcases the dedication and hard work of our teachers and the CNI Department. I would like to begin with a thank you to all of our teachers who presented so thoroughly and represented so well the hard work and dedication of their respective grade levels, teams, and departments. In summary, we had presentations on our first reading of the curricular frameworks by our our ELA middle school teachers. These frameworks included both English and reading for grade 6, 7, and 8. The next presentation
043included English grades 11 and 12 for all three levels, honor, CP, and applied. Just a reminder to all of the board members that you should review all these curricular frameworks and email any questions that you may have to Mr. Snyder. These frameworks will be up for approval at our July board meeting. Tonight, the ELA 10th grade curricular framework is on the agenda for approval and the EPR committee recommends that it be approved as we have worked through the second reading. Also coming before you at the July board meeting is the 11th and 12th grade ELA curriculum resources in the amount of $68,105.40. Please note, I'm going to call for that to be tabled at today's meeting because we're not actually approving the curricula at the curriculum itself until the July board meeting and we don't
044want to approve the resources before you have a look at the actual curricula itself. So, make you know, just when we get to that I'll motion for that to be tabled, okay? But that will come up in our July meeting. Uh since we are now in the second read of these frameworks, both the frameworks and the resources as just said will be in the July school board agenda. Um keep in mind the EPR committee does not meet in July, okay? Thanks again to our middle and high school teachers for working together to create these frameworks so that we will have a consistent curriculum framework throughout the disciplines. In addition to our curricular frameworks, we had English 11 and 12th grade ELA, kindergarten and first grade elementary and middle school science and future educator special education
045dual enrollment present their course plans. Even though the board does not approve course plans, if you really want to see the whole curriculum in action and what it looks like, um you want to take a look at the course plans. When you read the curricular framework and the course plans, no doubt you'll be inspired by our teachers and their dedication to their craft and their students. It's was it's really amazing the amount of work that's been has gotten done this this year. It's incredible. Um Dr. Priel also presented the new and improved induction plan that she and the committee of teachers and administrators worked on collaboratively. This is important for our new teachers and for our mentor teachers. Uh thanks to the committee for making these most needed changes and improvements. Mr. Snyder then presented
046the C&I department's year in review, which highlighted the many accomplishments this year. We want to recognize and thank the CI department for all they have done this year to move our district and students forward in the areas of curriculum, resources, and programs. It truly has been an amazing year to see how much has been accomplished. Lastly, Mr. Snyder had a question and answer session on possible high school bell schedules. As a board, we will continue to discuss this and finally give direction to Mr. Snyder on what, if any, schedule to pursue. So, that will come that discussion will come up in July here at our board meeting and then continue into the EPR in August, at which time we will then make a recommendations uh to the board for us then to make a final
047recommendation to Mr. Snyder on the CI department uh in August. In closing, I remind everyone to take a look at the monthly EPR newsletter that is posted on our website as it highlights all the wonderful things that are happening in our schools. And finally, congratulations to all of our graduates. We wish you well as you embark on the next season of your life's journey, and we wish all of us to all of our students, teachers, and staff a restful summer. Our next meeting is Thursday, August 6th at 5:30, both here and on Zoom. All are welcome to and encouraged to attend. Thank you. >> Okay, thank you. Finance Committee, Rebecca. >> Yes, we met on June 8th, both here in the room where you are and also via Zoom. Um we had a big agenda.
048We had our final budget budget presentation, which you guys have already heard. We had a high-level very high-level discussion on the tax increment financing for Smithfield Gateway just so we can get a better understanding on how the taxing works. Um, we also spoke about the upcoming audit that's underway for our previous year or the the year 26. We went over the capital improvements. We also um went over what the homestead farmstead rebate is for our taxpayers. I believe it's a a dollar change. Matt, keep me honest, but I believe it was a dollar in our favor as taxpayers, but pretty much flat for the year. Um, we reviewed our bank depositories that we have on the books for the upcoming year. Budget transfers to close out the 25-26 fiscal year. As we do every year,
049we vote on that. Uh, you'll see on the service agreement for Inservco for our administration of our self-insurance program since we do self-insure. A three-year agreement for Shutterfly. Uh, you'll see the pack lighting controls from train. Let me just scroll down here on my notes. Bear with me. >> Rebecca, respectfully, the Inservco is our workers compensation package and not our self-insurance. >> Okay. >> our health care. It's for workers comp. >> Correct, but we do self-insure that as well, correct? >> Yes. Yes. >> Yeah. Yep. And you'll also see on the agenda are both our bread and our dairy bid for our cafeteria. The bread bid is from Rockland Bakery and our dairy bid is from Pocono Mountain Dairy. We have a renewal for um our Sapphire program. We also have Instructure. And then we
050have a donation from BMI, which was for the J and Hill Carnival. They donated prizes. Thank you very much to BMI. Um, and we have a renewal for Frontline. And a renewal for Pearson which does our psych- psychological testing materials. And you'll see a renew- a for Raptor Technologies. And then of course the recommendations from EPR as well as properties and facilities. And our next meeting is scheduled for August 10th. We two are not meeting in July, but we will be in person and via Zoom on August 10th at 5:30. >> Okay. Thank you, Rebecca. And policy, Pete? >> Uh, since policy was so active last month uh, and you can see on our agenda tonight we have uh, 13 policies we're reviewing and asking for approval tonight. Uh, we were we were so we
051worked so well the month before that we only had one to review this month. And being so efficient we asked we decided to take the the night off. Um, but uh, it's a very important committee and as you all know and uh, it's a pleasure to be on that and serve with my fellow board members. And uh, we haven't decided if we're going to take a and our superintendent um, but we haven't decided and administration we haven't decided if we're going to are we going to take next month off like other committees? I didn't know we were allowed to take months off for reasons of spending. >> We had talked about that uh, in the board reorganization meeting. That July we would >> It's awesome. So we're going to pa- we're going to have two
052months off? What will we do? >> But we're already here for the board meeting so we're happy to have >> Right. So that's the thing. We work We work extra hard on the policy >> Policy never stops. >> Uh, but it it's a excellent committee to be on and if the public out there is is not watching or listening to us online they're missing out. Thank you. >> It is riveting. >> It is. >> We have a riveting committee. >> We do. >> Riveting meetings. >> Thank you, Keith. >> You're welcome, Mike. >> Um next, we move public participation, and we just remind that we are limited to comments on this agenda by residents and taxpayers with a 3-minute limit on that. We have two people pre-registered. Uh first up is John. >> Um >>
053Actually, I only have Danica, and I don't see her. She just stepped out, so you would be the only person. But thank you, John. I appreciate that. I appreciate that, John. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. 5% tax increase? Somebody needs Xanax here bad. And I told you so the last time I was here telling you don't pass LERTA. But nope. Oh, that's going to fix everything. Let's abate taxes. We're going to create money. Bull. It was the biggest con game I've ever seen played on the people of this area. LERTA. Bull. The real problem lays in two spots. The malfeasant zoning codes of your townships, your municipalities, and your boroughs. Was pointed out in a 2001 study by the Brookings Institute, Back to Prosperity. The next one is the Delaware Water Gap non-recreation area.
054209's been closed for 25 years or down to one lane. Now, most of you people don't remember it cuz you're not as old as dirt as I am. Back when I was a kid, the River Road had 2,000 homes on it from Shawnee to the Wallpack Bend. All of them were summer homes and weekend homes. There were only 25 school children that got picked up on that. Now, you got to come to your senses here in this time. Learn to listen working. You want to do away with a 5% tax increase? Right here, right now, lay it on the table and say, "Learn to didn't work. We made a mistake. Let's get rid of it and save the taxpayers of this money 5%." Go ahead. Who's going to jump up and lay it on the
055table? Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I rest my case. I don't see any Lamborghinis out there, but with your money, here you go. Thank you. >> Thank you, John. Danica, you're up next. >> Good evening. How is everyone doing? Hope everyone is safe and well. Uh just two comments. I had a great conversation with Maggie today, so we cleared up a lot of stuff from last time. Um two things I just want to call out is if I understood correctly that um the proposal is uh for restructuring the bonds, at the end of the day, it's going to cost $805,000 in the long run. So, we're just doing a We're trying to fix a short-term problem, but the long-term is a $805,000 cost. That's what I heard. If I misunderstood, please let me know.
056Um and number two, uh I know we're trying to right-size a budget, but is there a way that I think Keith you brought this up. Is there a way we can look at the the benefits package growing $6 million? I I I'm happy to maybe be on the committee and help solution here. Um I mean, is there a way that like corporate America somebody has to pay $5 to go to a doctor and we can bring that cost down and to me there just that continues to grow the health care like that has to get fixed somewhere. Is there a different plan that the school district can look at for employees that's still fair. However, it's not going to continue to grow cuz that that is it's just extreme to me. Thank you for your
057time. >> Thank you, Danica. Anyone online for us? >> We have no one registered. >> Okay, no one registered. So seeing none, we will move on the agenda. A motion to adopt the board policies as listed. >> I move. >> There's a long list. Questions? All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Uh next is a motion to approve the attendance of George Andrews, Debbie Kulick, uh Shaniqua Story and anyone else would like to be added to that list to attend the 226 uh PSSA uh sorry, that one more time. PSSA uh that thing. PSSA and PSBA is what I was trying to say. School Leadership Conference in the Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center in the Poconos from October 18th through 20th in the approximate amount of 600 per person. So we have the three person
058making the motion. Is there anyone else who is going to be attending? >> I'll make the motion for discussion. >> I'll second. >> I I now now can we discuss now? >> Absolutely. >> Question I'm concerned because if we're for budgetary purposes we're limiting the attendance of conferences for folks in our district, um are we being fiscally prudent as board members um going to conferences ourselves? Although we do save the district astronomically amount of money by driving the distance to Kalahari versus staying at a fancy hotel in say you know, Fort Worth, Texas or something like that. Um and and and believe it or not, I I'm going to say this, I did gain a lot of information by attending and and I really want to go. Um but I I'm questioning the fact that
059if we're limiting a conference attendance for our employees, um how does that looking for us as board members if we go? Um that's my question is is and you know, and and and the difference of going maybe one day versus three days, there's no difference. It's It's one day or you know, there's not much I think it's like a have like $600 for sure to for us to go. I mean, it's not a lot and considering we don't stay at a hotel. Um I'm just questioning that. I mean, I don't know how the rest of the board feels. >> I I was actually going to ask a question. Is it permissible for us to pay for ourselves and write a check to the district? >> I was I was planning on paying my own way,
060I guess. Because I would offer to pay for myself. >> I I think Shaniqua should absolutely go. >> Yeah, definitely. >> I think the you should be going 100%. Like >> But and the reason I'm asking you do gain a lot and and I was one of the voting delegates and I sat through the the actual delegation meeting and was pretty interesting. We did set the platform for other districts and the and the board and organization as a whole and I think we should have representation there to do that and I don't know if they can stop us from just going for that meeting, but I don't think they can charge us to go just to that meeting at the end. >> I I think the meeting is actually a different >> It's a different
061day. >> It's on November 7th. >> No, no, there there is a delegation meeting at the end of the conference, too. >> The last day, right? >> We had the last day. >> We just go to that. >> I I believe >> Are they changing it this year? >> They moved it this year to Saturday, November 7th. >> Oh, that makes it work. >> At 9:00 a.m. at Burlingame School District. >> With the online uh voting and the exhibits, we go to the classic they have uh >> Yeah. >> numerous classes all through the day and they're about they're about an hour piece and then yeah they have two in the morning >> And they are very informative as a board. >> If you've never been to one you should go you need to get
062the education so uh I I think all the board members actually should go but you know >> We should but we should also be standing in solidarity with some of the rules that we're making and imposing with the rest of the district. >> if we can >> What I think in the I'm sorry go ahead. I didn't want to cut you off. >> No I was just going to say I think if we can afford to pay for ourselves we should and you know the newest person obviously Shaniqua we should make sure that she gets there regardless. >> Kind of exactly what I was I think you know in the past almost all of us went so there was a high cost to that but I think if you know anybody who chose to go
063on their own that's certainly their own thing but I think we should send one board member from the district. I think our newest board member should attend. >> I agree. >> that the district supports. >> I'll still wait for Patricia to register. Okay but I'll bring you a check. >> So what do we wanted we have a motion for three board members to attend do we want to go down >> I just have a question if we decide that we want to go and and we would pay our way when would that check be payable from us? Can we pay it closer to October? >> Yes. >> Cuz this time of year is the slowest time for me financially so I would like to go but I want to just verify one thing but I
064would gladly pay for myself. Um but I would just need you know to be able to pay before the conference. >> And I'll pay for myself. I I I would prefer that's all. >> It not be part of the minutes like you what do we do is only vote to send Shaniqua and then our >> And then we decide on our >> I I would like you to vote to send whoever wants to go. >> Okay. >> And if you decide to reimburse the district later, that's wonderful. >> Well, that's a very good motion. >> I I I'll I'll amend my motion for that. >> Okay. Well, well, then do we amend the then we need to add >> Then we'll just add your name to the motion that's already there. >> So, then we
065we have George, uh Debbie, Shaniqua, then we would have Rich and Keith. >> Yes. >> Correct. Um I'm not sure about Jason or uh Rebecca, if you can hear us, are you >> I'm not sure I'm able to go yet. I have to check my travel dates for work. I will keep you posted. >> Okay, so at this time our motion will read to approve the attendance of George Andrews, Debbie, Shaniqua, Rich and Keith at the uh conference and we know as the understanding that some may reimburse the district. Okay. Um any other discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Okay. Motion to approve the attendance of Maggie Vitale at the 2026 PS S Yeah, why can't I say it? It's a Yes, PA School Leadership Conference in the Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center
066in the Poconos from October 18th to 20th in the approximate amount of $600. >> Again, I will I will pay my way. However, my contract says you have to pay for conferences, so I think we should do this, but I I will reimburse the district. >> Okay. We have a first, then we have a second. >> Second. Second. >> Second. Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Okay, now we to add some names. The uh this would be to attend the 2026 PSBA Delegate Assembly business meeting to be held at Saturday, November 7th at 9:00 a.m. in the Cumberland Valley School District Mountain View Auditorium. Sounds very scenic. >> I I don't mind doing it, um but I think they also offer an online. So, you don't have to but travel to
067it. >> Okay. >> If it's if it's offered online, then I >> I I could do that, but I Oh, let me see. Hold on. >> I'll wait. >> That's the night of the Bushkill Memorial thing. Can you do that? >> No, I can't. >> Maybe it's online. And now you probably be running around. >> Yeah. I know >> If If there's an online version, I I If I have to drive there, I don't know if I can make it, but there's an online online version, I would be able to sir. >> Please note that the event will only be held in person. >> Oh. That That's a problem. I I don't mind going. >> Okay, Richard, you're duly appointed. >> All right. Thank you. Okay, so then our motion would be motion to approve
068Richard Lamas to attend the delegate assembly We'll repeat the whole thing at the Mountain Valley at the Mountain Valley at the Cumberland Valley School District's Mountain View Auditorium. >> Which is Mechanicsburg. >> Yeah. It's >> Sounds like a scenic nice place. The Mountain View Auditorium. >> It's outside of Harrisburg. It's really >> I don't know. It's not a scenic place, but >> [laughter] >> But the name of the auditorium is Mountain View. >> That sounds pretty good. Mountain View. Is there a did we have a first on that? >> No. >> Okay. >> So, moved. >> Oh, it's not first. Motion for a second. Any other What the Well, discussion on that? >> If I can make it back in time for my I think I can make it back in time. >> Okay. >>
069If Richard If I can make back time, I'll I'll go with you. >> I'll drive it back. >> I don't know if I can handle 2 and 1/2 hours with you in the car though each way. >> Or could you handle me? >> [laughter] >> Definitely, I'm going. >> Okay. >> I'm going either way. >> So, we now have two names. So, but motion has an thing. >> I saw the road on the way home. >> Okay. And the person who seconded, are you okay with the amending? >> Yes. Okay. Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Okay. >> Yes. >> Two names. Motion to approve the curriculum framework for English 10 as per the recommendation of the educational programs and resource committee. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? >> I
070think it's amazing that we keep talking about curriculum at a school board meeting. I just love this. >> Yes. Especially when we haven't talked about in some places for 20 years. So that's I think we've approved more curriculum in the last year and a half than we have probably in the last last 25 years. So kudos to everyone involved in that. >> Mhm. >> Okay, so we have that motion. >> You second. >> Second. Any other questions? >> that motion. >> I'm sorry. I did motion. >> He did motion. >> Yeah. >> I did motion for that before I did. >> All in favor? I. Opposed? Motion to approve the ELA curricular resources for the 2026-2027 budget in the amount of $68,105.40. >> I make a motion for this to be tabled. I don't know
071how that works. >> Here we have a motion to table the second. Any discussion about the tabling? Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Okay, it's tabled. Motion that the director of athletics and activities be authorized to approve overnight accommodations for student athletes and or full teams representing the school district for PIWAPMEA district regional and state level competitions during the 2026-2027 school year if the site of the event is deemed to be great enough distance to warrant an overnight stay. This is necessary should any student or team qualify to participate at such events regularly scheduled board meetings. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? >> Yeah, why why don't we have the superintendent just give the approval instead of the athletic >> Well, I have to sign off on it anyway. >> But what
072so so I said why can't shouldn't it be brought to you and then it says that make it happen then them sign? >> It's it's two names instead of one, so two people approve, basically. >> She has to approve. But, frankly, it makes sense to me right whenever you authorize the administration to do something, it makes the most sense that you just authorize the superintendent to do it and then however the superintendent determines that should be done is, you know, an internal executive function. >> I have a question. How many ti- I have a question. Oh, you go ahead. >> Uh my question is it says the directors of athletics and activities um for student athletes and or full teams. So, does this include or not include the activities that we like um >> Like
073if it's DECA or FBLA, it includes that. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> But, the question I have Okay, so I was going to ask is in in the last year, how many times has that person had to approve anything like this? Have we had to do anything like that? >> Yeah, we just did for Unified. >> They stayed overnight? >> Um I believe yeah. I did. Yeah. >> All right. >> And they'll yeah. >> And they all got back with medals. >> No No, I No, don't >> It was rain. >> I was put in a good hotel. >> The only reason I'm asking is there are they booking these things on their own or they reaching out to a company for helping assisting them? >> No, we we take
074care of it just as we would with anything else. >> Okay. >> I I actually >> The The only The only reason why is cuz there are ways of save There There, you know, if you work with it There's travel professionals professionals, not saying I would want it myself, but our travel professionals that can help save you some money and and and don't charge, but I'm just saying we're we're doing our due diligence on hotel rates and everything else, correct? We're not just picking the closest accommodations. >> But, but for the budget part, I still think the superintendent should be the one saying being made being of it and let the board know. that >> She has to sign off on it, George. >> Yeah. At the time. >> Yeah, I I do. Yeah. >>
075All right. All right. Anything else? In which case, all in favor? I. Opposed? Okay. Motion to approve the implementation of the following intramural clubs. See them listed there. >> So moved. >> Second. Questions? All in favor? I. Opposed? A motion to approve the code of conduct for the 2026-2027 school year as presented. >> So moved. Second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> Will an email go out about suggested changes? So, there's some some updates in there that, you know, I know parents as parents were supposed to read it and sign off on it. Will an email go out just highlighting some of the changes so parents are aware of it before they sign a hey, be on the lookout for I think that might be helpful. >> Yeah, so what we'll do is we'll do
076kind of like a one-pager of what changes have been made and what has been updated. I think that's a great idea. >> Yeah, just so parents don't miss it cuz I hate to you know, as a mom to miss something have you know, it happened to my child and and I'm just not aware of it. So, I just the more we can communicate out the changes, I think the better it will be for the community. >> Agree, absolutely. >> Okay, good. >> The more highlights we have, the better because it's it's hard to read. >> It is, it's a lot of reading. >> And you have the anti-drug >> Do we have printed copies available upon request? >> Upon request, absolutely. >> Just just so we get that on the record. >> You can get
077a printed copy upon request. >> Yes, good point. Okay, excellent points. Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I. Opposed? A motion to approve the recommendation to modify expulsion agreement of upon expulsion waiver of school board hearing, and release agreement for the case listed in substantially the same form as presented at this meeting, contingent upon the receipt of any manifestation determinations indicating the infractions were not manifestations of a disability, subject to final review by the school district's administration and legal counsel. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? A motion to approve the 2026-2027 objective performance standards for the district superintendent, assistant superintendents, and executive director of HR as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Hey, just one comment, just so the public is aware that, you know,
078annually uh those positions, they do set goals um that are voted on by the board and and then evaluations do occur on how those goals occurred. So, um there is a very uh big accounting accountability for our central office people uh for goals and achievement of goals. Any other discussion? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? Motion to approve the personnel agreements for employee 11158, 8049, 11907, and 834 as prepared. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? Motion to approve the settlement agreement for PERAU 22-314-E. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? A motion to approve the following memorandum of understanding between the East Stroudsburg Area School District and the East Stroudsburg Area Educational Professional Association regarding supplemental days. >> So moved.
079>> Second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? A motion to approve the employment actions listed in accordance with the associated applicable policies, procedures, and contractual agreements, and that's the large agenda from HR. >> So moved. Second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? A motion to approve the service agreements with Inservco Insurance Services Inc. as follows in accordance with the recommendation from the finance committee. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? A motion to adopt the two resolutions as presented by bond bond council authorizing the issuance of general obligation note and additional obligation bond respectively to the carry out the terms thereof. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? A motion to authorize the administration to
080make necessary budget transfers to close the 25-26 fiscal year in conjunction with the district's independent audit in accordance with the recommendations from the finance committee. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? >> And what does that translate to for the public? So you can't have negative accounts, so any account that was overdrawn for whatever reason if we didn't anticipate expenditures that high in any account, we just transfer from one account to another. Did I sum- summarize it well? Okay. And so they know. >> It's internal. >> Yeah, so they know. >> Well, it's just a question that a lot of people ask. I agree with you on that. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Any other questions? No. Did we vote? No, we didn't vote. >> No. All in favor? >> I. Opposed? Okay. The
081next one will be a roll call vote. A motion to approve the general fund balance for the 2026-2027 fiscal year in the amount of $213,408,979 as posted and advertised in accordance with the law and in accordance with the recommendations of the finance committee. The general fund budget includes funds from state and federal governments and additions to the taxes here after levied after proper additions and amendments in accordance with the recommendations from the finance committee. >> So moved. >> Second. >> You did say bad budget not balance, right? I thought you heard you say balance. >> He said general fund balance. >> Oh, I'm sorry. General fund budget. >> Okay, I'm just If we have a fund balance like that, I'm I'm definitely approving that. >> [laughter] >> That's in a few years. >> I'm still
082I'm still a >> Voting on the motion as amended. >> Any questions? >> Motioning, so to say. >> Do we have to read any of those things? I don't know if that's >> Do we have to read the rest? No. Okay. Any questions? >> The 1% earning income tax. We were Does that go with the tax? What is that one? >> Same as it's always been. >> That's the 1% 1% >> Yeah. >> Am I right? >> I I don't know how long you've been levying that, but for the 19 years that I've Exactly. >> Yep. Yep. No. No. That that that's been around for a while. >> That's the next one, isn't it? >> No, that's part of this one. That's the 1%. It's the It's the tax. >> That number three, the 1%
083earning income tax. Okay, anything else? >> I just want want a point. I know um members of public at the last uh pick uh met reference me at the last budget meeting as questioning the actual amount of payments. I wasn't questioning the budgeting amount. If if I reviewed the the the recording of the great thing about our meetings, they're recorded and you can listen to yourself. I was asking on how much the average household will have to pay. It wasn't I was not questioning anything else other than that point. I was just trying to figure out how much, you know, more and I think I corrected myself on the fact to say, you know, as much as gone up and I'll still say this, you know, a lot of people are concerned with a 5%
084increase. Um I don't know what your increase in Bushkill was, but my increase in the in the borough of East Stroudsburg is 28% one year and 29% the other year approximately in increase. Um our Monroe County tax increase was double digits for the last 2 years. And our district over the last um 20 years 15 years has not raised tax We, you know, and I questioned at that same meeting about how much oil has gone up, how much electricity's gone up. Everyone's blaming the school district on the problems of the world. And we are a business that has to cover our bases, too. And um another thing I'm concerned with as public I'm I'm sorry. I'm I'm just saying this cuz it's venting. >> Mhm. >> Um we are all taxpayers of our community, also,
085and we are feeling just as much pain as you are, trust me. And it pains me to increase taxes, but it also pains me to find out how we're going to educate our students. The government has put a lot of burden on the local school districts with regulations and so forth that we have to follow and we're strapped Our hands are strapped this way in programs and they're not funding the programs that were that they're that they're requiring us to do. Um you know, and and if you read this Pennsylvania Constitution, the main purpose of our Pennsylvania government is to help educate students. It's not to do a lot of things are doing. Um So, I'm sorry. It It's very difficult to raise taxes and Debbie, I'm sure you'll agree with me. It's It's hard,
086but you know, I think for the education of students and the future of our our society, we have to raise it a little bit. So. >> Um not at this time. Sorry, John. >> And And I would would say number one, we are all taxpayers here as well. And if we had gone back the 15 years and had raised taxes 2% a year as we've been told would have been wiser. We would already have 30% higher tax rate than we do now. So, you know, we were penny wise and maybe a pound foolish in the long run, but there were many different people sitting in many different seats here. So, we are bearing the responsibility as a result thereof. Not happy for any of us and none of us take this lightly. >> I just
087want to say ditto to Keith. I was going to say something similar to that. So, thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. Well, I'm Yeah, I'm just >> I agree. I mean, I couldn't agree with you more. >> Well, I won't play you. >> Any other comment? Okay, Rocco. Mrs. Rosado. >> [clears throat] >> Keith Carcut. >> I'll have to go first. Yes. >> Zeb B. Killie. Yes. George Andrews. >> Yes. >> Rebecca Bear. >> With a heavy heart, yeah. >> Ann Cotrillo. >> Yes. >> Mike Cotrillo. >> Yes. >> Rich Lamothe. >> Yes. >> Shaniqua Story. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. We need a motion to approve the former resolution for the 26-27 homestead and farmstead exclusion as presented. This resulted in a maximum tax reduction of $778.80 for each approved homestead and farmstead
088within the school district for the 26 tax year in accordance with the recommendations from the finance committee. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? >> I just would advise, as Rebecca always does, suggests that our residents take advantage of this because it is here and it is a savings. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And and a lot of people don't realize if you're a homeowner and it's your primary residence, if you are not applying for this, you are losing $778, which is more than $200. >> More than $200 and some dollars that our tax increase is going to cost you. >> Yes, and if anyone listening that doesn't know how to do that, if you contact us here at the district, we will help you figure that out and you should be a member should be
089have your paperwork in for homestead and farmstead exclusion. So, again, if you don't know what that means or how to do it, if you contact the district, we'll be happy to do that. Any other questions? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? A motion to the approve the depositories for school funds for the 26-27 fiscal year as listed with funds invested in accordance with the school laws of Pennsylvania and the East Stroudsburg Area School District's board policy and in accordance with the recommendations from the finance committee. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? A motion to approve items 1 to 7 as per the recommendations of the property and facilities committee. >> So moved. Second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? A motion to approve
090the payment of bills and an unaudited treasurer's report listed in this agenda for the 25-26 fiscal year in accordance with section 687 of the public school code, recent directives from the Department of Education, and interpretations made by the auditor general. >> I'm going to second. >> Question. Uh I need to This is the We're doing the check log and so forth. The payment is I need to abstain from check number two, that 2006. >> Okay. So noted. Anything else? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? A motion to approve the payment of the CHA invoices and applications for payment for services rendered in accordance with the recommendations of the Finance Committee and Property and Facilities Committee. >> I'll move. >> I'll second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? A motion to approve
091the request to renew the activity funds listed. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thanks. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? Motion to close the student activity funds for high school north and high school south class of 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? >> It makes me sad, but yes. >> Yes. >> Where's the question? Where's >> I have a question. I'm sorry, we're back. I cut you off. >> up. Sorry, say that again. >> I said that makes me so sad. Every year you close a fund when it's like >> Yep. >> you know, for the my daughter's class. And I'm like >> Yep. >> If there's money in that account, where does that go then? >> Goes to the treasurer, the president of the class. They get Yeah, so the
092president and treasurer. >> And then it does not, Rich. >> And then they they plan the >> They They decide what they want to do >> Say it again. Sometimes it's >> Yeah. >> Oh, so they're they're they're going to future classes if there's any surplus. Okay, that I'm just making sure it doesn't go >> They have and I don't know, Matt, if that's still allowed. They have in the past approved gifts to the school. Um I know we had a um four key board bought by one of the classes, class of 2014, the Cavalier suit, and those kinds of things, or they're just passed on to uh, the other students. >> They make the Yeah, they they have That's very important. The students have to make that decision. That That can't be like a
093principal's decision on that. >> That's very interesting. >> Okay, um, all in favor? I. Opposed? A motion to accept the donation from BMI for the JM Hill School Carnival. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? I think we already said it. Thank you to BMI for the donation, so. All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Motion to sell, trade, dispose the following items in accordance with the recommendations of the property and facilities and finance committee. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? >> How much is a microscope go for? Like I I don't I'm sorry. I don't know the going rate of >> Yeah, that's really interesting. >> [laughter] >> A what? >> A microscope. A microscope. >> We're going We're going to do our very best to sell it. However, if we can't, we
094will dispose of it. >> Anybody want to buy a microscope? Got to give you a good deal tonight. >> Can it be donated if we don't have to sell >> I don't I don't want to speak out of turn. I'm I'm not sure if they are functioning microscopes right now. >> Oh. >> Well, we don't know what we'd see. >> [laughter] >> Anyone want to buy a used microscope? Anything else for that? All in favor? I. Opposed? A motion to approve the East Stroudsburg Area School District calendar for 2026-2027 as amended. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? >> And the amendment here is that when we approved the CBA, bus driver orientation changed with the collective bargaining agreement that we approved. Um, so we just had to adjust the calendar to November. And then
095we are sending out messages to our drivers that this has been adjusted so that they can plan accordingly. >> And so I'm just looking at November 3rd is election day. We have that as professional development. >> Correct. >> Okay, anything else? All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? A motion to approve the memorandum of understanding by and between the East Stroudsburg Area School District and the following police entities: the East Stroudsburg School Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police in Stroudsburg and Blooming Grove. >> So move. >> Second. Questions? All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? A motion to approve the following 2026-2027 meal prices. >> So move. >> Second. >> Questions? >> I I have a clarification. The free meals that we're offering our students, they're coming from what source? >> Uh, CEP. Is that what
096>> That's So it's not com- We're not coming out of our budget. It's coming from Okay, no, cuz cuz >> money. Yep, our food service is >> folks in the public have questioned that >> Yes. >> we're giving money away. >> not out of the general operating fund. >> Okay. Okay, good. All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? A motion to approve the 2026-2027 insurance proposal for our broker Engle, Hambright and Davies Inc. as presented. >> So move. >> Second. >> Questions? >> With some savings. >> We always like that. Motion to approve I'm sorry. All in favor? I. Opposed? A motion to approve the contracts listed for their specific services, rates and effective dates subject to the review and recommendations of the solicitor and approval of the administration regarding the items and conditions of
097any final contract other than price or cost. And there's a few pages of them listed for you. >> So move. >> Second. >> Questions? Uh just I on the one page in our our agenda, it's they're numbered but on this one it's not. I'm number 16, which is obvious which one I'm abstaining from. Which is a cost savings from for the district, so. >> Okay. Anything else? All in favor? >> I. I. >> Opposed? A motion to approve the event admission pricing for the 2026-2027 school year at North and South High Schools for the events listed as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions? >> Question on that. Where does When the money comes in for those, where does that money go? >> It's general fund. >> Okay. Anything else on that one? All
098in favor? >> I. Opposed? Uh before German, any um >> I just had >> statements or >> an enrollment question. >> Hm. >> And only because I understand that we have a rather large kindergarten enrollment that we expect this year. >> Okay. >> That's what I've heard. Okay. The a larger than normal than we're previously used to is what I've heard. >> Um so I didn't look at our enrollments this uh your upcoming enrollment. >> Correct. >> I I have not looked at that, but I would say once July 1 hits, I look at that pretty actively um and then we'll make class size adjustments just like we did last summer. >> Yeah. I just I know we're post-COVID and kindergarten would be coming about now. >> Correct. Absolutely. >> Just thinking. >> And we
099have a lot of families sometimes that enter the portal but don't bring it over the finish line and don't register for various reasons. So around July 1 is when I really start actively look at those numbers. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yep. Okay. Any other announcements or questions before we Okay, then we need a motion to adjourn. >> Motion. >> So moved. >> Second. So moved. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Thank you, everyone.