001Yeah, I just realized it. You got everybody? Denise. Ready? Okay. Good evening, everyone. I'd like to call the Pleasant Valley School District Board of Education meeting to order for March 26th. If you could please all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, and then if you could please stay standing for a brief moment of silence, I would appreciate it. Mr. Galler, would you lead us, please? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, everyone. Again, I'd like to welcome everyone that's with us this evening, and if we could please have roll call. Norm Burger. >> Here. Robert Clark. Here. Janet Doner. Here. John Gazitski. Here. Denise Hopley. Here. Sue Kresky, present.
002Ryan O'Keefe. Present. Diane Surface. Present. And Matthew Walters. >> Here. Thank you. I'd like to let everyone know that we did have an executive session. It was held today, March the 26th of 2026, immediately prior to the regularly scheduled meeting for purposes of personnel matters, including but not limited to performance and or discipline, negotiations, and legal issues. Um Ms. Gunsman's not with us this evening. Oh, okay. Very good. We will move on then. Dr. Conrad, if you would leave do your presentation for us this evening. >> Okay, great. Well, good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming. So, I I told myself I was going to keep it at 10 minutes, so I'm trying to keep myself honest here. We'll see how that works. But, so wanted to take an opportunity to revisit a presentation that
003actually is currently on the district website. And this is also a presentation that I had presented at the March Citizens Advisory Committee meeting. And so, really what the emphasis was certainly around was looking at our district's future. And in order to look forward, sometimes we have to look backward. So, I wanted to kind of take us through looking at, you know, what our road map has been and where currently is and where it's leading towards. So, as you can see, the road map is rooted in transparency, collaboration, and growth. All right. Do have the clicker. Thank you. So, I can go to the next one. Okay. Just want to read this to all of you. So, my commitment to Pleasant Valley remains rooted in fostering a culture of transparency, collaboration, and growth. By working as
004a unified community, we're continuing to turn challenges into a foundation of success. And that's something I firmly believe in, something that we talk about with our administration team, something we talk about with our professional staff and our support staff. How we're continuously contributing to the greater good and how we're working together and solving problems and working through some of the challenges. Moving on, so the first part of the presentation, again, if you had a chance to view it, great. If not, it is posted on the website. But, all in all, looking at a not-so-distant past, when I arrived at Pleasant Valley back in December of 2021, it became clear to me that we had about six major challenges. Those challenges included a financial crisis, navigating a $6 million deficit. We obviously had aging infrastructure. And
005also, we had leadership inconsistencies. You know, you could see behind you, there was a number of superintendents that were here in a very short span of time. In fact, I believe it was four superintendents in just three years. That creates a lot of um inconsistency. And so, that's something that, you know, we have to be very mindful of when we take the next steps. Moving on, some of the other things that we had to obviously overcome and, and, you know, really face the reality is a trust deficit. Profound lack of communication. And And that's something that, again, coming to Pleasant Valley and with my background, I want to make sure we had opportunities to be at the table, talk, work together, and make a difference. Additionally, compliance issues. We had non-compliance with certain trainings. We
006had outdated policies that hadn't been touched for maybe 15, 20 years that actually maybe weren't up to date with some of the recent litigation. So, we need to update those things. And then also, contractual strain. So, obviously, 600 employees who do not have competitive contracts when I arrived. You know, and I really commend our board and everyone working together because, you know, we had to navigate through a lot of really challenging things. But, I am happy to say that our staff have competitive contracts, regionally competitive, state competitive, and we're drawing a lot of people to Pleasant Valley. So, you're seeing the growth all the time. It's exciting. Just a quick progress update. So, you know, one of the things that we've obviously navigated through the past couple of years have brought us to fiscal stabilization
007and growth. As I said before, there was a $6 million deficit. And also, some of the things that were also financially tied were, you know, balancing school budgets. So, we're achieving that through low annual tax increases. Competitive multi-year contracts for all 600 employees. We transformed a $200,000 annual cafeteria fund loss into $600,000 annual profit. So, again, thinking about what we currently have and how do we make refinements and then how do we make improvements. And then also, rebuilding the, you know, investing in our different programs, curriculum, school infrastructure. I want to go back cuz I think one of the hardest things I've ever faced in my entire career was the challenges that we faced in spring of 2022, which was going through furloughs. But, I want to make it crystal clear single person that was
008furloughed at that time in Pleasant Valley, but for one administrator, was asked to come back afterwards. Um in fact, it wasn't just the individuals who were furloughed that year. It was also individuals who were furloughed before then. So, we went back probably to 2020 for individuals over course of time that actually were let go and asked them to come back. Some of them did, some of them didn't. They had different job opportunities. But, you know, trying to make that whole was I think something that obviously our whole team was very proud of the fact that we were able to get back to a fiscally stable place. Some of the other things, too, just emphasizing was just prioritizing student safety. Again, you know, you see it, you see it tonight. You know, armed police officers in
009the buildings. Obviously, a great connection with our state police. We have a great [clears throat] working relationship. Upgrades to our district-wide camera systems. We now have enhanced visitor management systems, weapons detections, vape detector systems, e-hall pass. So, we we have a really good grasp because we know that when kids come here and staff come here, they have to be safe. They have to, you know, have a great education. And thankfully, we have incredible staff here in every single building that's really making positive difference every day. And we have great families that are helping with educating our students as well. Moving on, just again, looking at some of the enhancements that we're doing. And if you haven't been at 215, I'm sorry, 209, as you're coming or coming down 115, obviously, the $87 million high school
010renovation project. It's really exciting, really getting off the ground. And obviously, you know, it's going to be fully funded by 2027. That is not an easy task, as you guys can imagine. But, it's really impressive what our team and our board was able to do over the course of number of years to get to that point. $15 million in completed district-wide renovations in all of the buildings, focusing a lot on like mechanical, electrical, looking at, you know, enhancements for HVAC and and some of our air conditioning. Obviously, classroom furniture is something that we continue to make purchases for because some of our furniture was 30 years old. So, making some really great enhancements. Obviously, our one-to-one Chromebook technology initiatives were great. PowerSchool being consistent, right? Because we don't want to continue to turn things over
011all the time. And enhance communication with our website and and Facebook. I'm going to leave this up for a minute just to take a second, but a couple of things I want to just focus on was just the way that we collectively have accomplished this together. Some of the things have obviously been investments in our community. Comes in the form of partnerships with our education foundation. We have our administrators. In fact, we have staff members that are constantly and board members in fact, right? That are volunteering at the Western Food Pantry and and you know, giving back to our community and looking after our community. Also, you know, Hometown Heroes honoring our our veterans and and the great things that they've done in their careers. So, that's been going incredibly well at the home football
012games. Our school, our staff have raised $29,000 to give back to the community to help support our students, to help support different programs. So, that's what our goal is. You know, when we talk about education, it's not just what happens here. It's what happens here in our community. So, that's what's really important to all of us. Moving on to the future vision, there are three strategic objectives that are going to have a profound impact on our future. Obviously, continuing with the academic excellence, continuing to boost student achievement, post-secondary opportunities, college credits opportunities, you know, think about cost savings for our families as well. Continuous open dialogue. So, any person, as you know, that has ever reached out to me have set aside time. We have face-to-face meetings or you know, phone conversations. And again, I
013still continue to encourage those of you that we've never had a conversation with. Let's let's talk. Let let let me understand your perspective so we can work together together because obviously, you know, the students are at the center of the decisions that we make. And then also having stability and equity. So, maintaining that fiscal stability over obviously the course of many years to come and really setting the course for Pleasant Valley. And then lastly, um focusing in on enhanced curriculum. So, looking at ways that we're increasing instructional minutes because they count. Looking at the ways that we're going to embed reading across all of the content areas in our future, using data to make decisions in what we're doing next and how we're supporting students and tailoring individualized learning. And collaborating because that's what we
014do as educators, that's what we do as a board, that's what we do as a staff. We collaborate, we all have skill sets and we're using our skill sets to strengthen the bonds and the opportunities that we have for our students. Lastly, I just want to focus on just the idea of reflective learning of teaching. I'm sorry, reflective level of teaching. And really focusing in on, you know, what does it look like in the day of the life of a student? How are they engaging with their teacher, with their other classmates? You know, what are they doing in terms of research projects, case studies, debates, critical analysis of things? Things that we all know as adults, we don't work in isolation, we work as teams, we work with partners. We have different skill sets and
015we're trying to bring that holistic view when we're educating our students not only for engagement, but also because it it it's exciting to do and it's also real world applicable. So, those are all things we're really tying our emphasis on. The last piece and I'll kind of go through this quickly cuz it looks like I have 6 seconds. So, sorry. Didn't work. [laughter] But some of the data I thought was really important just to share and I promise 2 minutes max. The special education rates obviously, you can see our trend data. It is still continuing to climb. We're currently at about 25% for our students with IEPs within our district. Moving on, our attendance. So, there's been great emphasis on our attendance for the past several years and we're starting to get some great strides
016and obviously, it starts with kids coming here. So, if kids are coming here and we have incredible staff, which we do, they're going to give them the great education. It's going to have a profound impact on their learning, their opportunities and their future. So, that's what we're going to continue to strive for. Looking at our graduation rates again, those things are increasing. So, I know it seems incremental, but you know what? 25, 26, 26, 27, 27, 28. Those numbers will continue to climb and our counselors and our high school staff are doing incredible jobs to make sure kids are going to continue to be successful. Looking at our scholarships, I mean, you can just look right there to 2023 and then look at how it jumps to 2024, 2025. You know, our goal, we've we've
017we've hit where we want to be as a as a as the lower you know, echelon of what we want to work towards. So, 7.6 million really becomes our new baseline and anything above that is what we want to try to continue to work on. And obviously, the number of students that are continuing to have scholarships opportunities and less financial burden for families as they continue to move on into their future. Some other important things. So, kind of maintaining somewhat stable brick-and-mortar enrollment. Obviously, it ebbs and flows, but something that we're continuing to do is you know, making sure that not only we're providing great education, but we're also really focusing towards bringing students back into our brick-and-mortar setting. We do have an opportunity through the Bears Academy, which is also great and currently we're
018working on having this run in-house for grade 6, 7, and 8 for next year. So, we're working on a trajectory for that. So, it's our teachers with our kids. It makes sense. Lastly, our cyber charter enrollment. So, many of you know Act 47 and you know, again, there's residency verifications. I can tell you right now that our enrollment report which currently shows at about 404 cyber charter through great emphasis and and efforts that we've made for the past few weeks, that number is already down 16 spots. We're going to continue to chip away at where students are to verify residency, make sure that they're still living in our district because we're spending quite a bit of money for individuals that don't currently live in our district and we want to verify that. So, that's going
019to continue to be one of our emphasis for the next couple of months. All right. So, that's all I have for this evening. Thank you, Dr. Conrad. Does board members have any questions for Dr. Conrad? presentation. [clears throat] I know some of us have seen it a couple of times. So. Even some of the audience. All right. We will move on. Secretary's report, Mrs. Smale, please. Good evening. Tonight, I'm requesting approval of the minutes of the meeting held on February 26, 2026 and approval of the March 26, 2026 board meeting agenda including the removal of item 10F because it's a duplicate of item 9G. So moved. Second. Motion by Mr. Walters, seconded by Mr. Gizinski. Is there any discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? And that motion carries.
020At this time, uh I'd like to open up for Pleasant Valley citizens to address the board. If you could please come to the podium, state your name, the township that you reside in, and you do have a three minute limit. If you don't mind. No, not at all. All right. Thanks, everybody. I'm Jeremy Livingston. I live up in Effort. So, some of you know me. I'm on the Citizens Advisory Committee. I've been working with the board for the past year. It's been a really good situation. I think it's been good feedback. I have three kids in the district. Um I have a master's degree in business administration. I'm working on a doctorate in business administration. So, I kind of know where I'm coming from with some of this. I don't obviously want to talk about
021the the thing that a lot of people are upset about, Dr. Conrad's um contract. Being an executive myself, I will say that I've reviewed the contract. I looked at it very closely. One of the things that I'm big on is rewarding performance and holding people accountable. And he and I have talked about accountability before as well. I'm not opposed to the contract as it stands. I think there has been a lot of improvement. We just saw his presentation. And the trajectory of a large organization like a school district takes time to to see that shift, you know? I know it's been what, three or four years now, but that's that's like the just the the turning point as I as I see it. I also want to remind people there's a huge opportunity cost when
022you have to replace an executive. You know, executive search firms cost a ton of money. There's time lost. There's the the just changes in all the processes. The administrators have to learn the new way of doing things. There's is a huge cost there that people need to consider. And I think it would be a reasonable thing. Also looked at I did a lot of research around the cost of um you know, the the percentage of the budget versus the superintendent's salary. We're at 0.2% of the district district budget, what is which is absolutely average. So. That's pretty much all I had to say. So, thank you. Anyone else? Good evening, everyone. I'm Dina Burger. I live in Polk Township. Um I just came here tonight to speak because I'm speaking for the elderly that live
023in this community. Um I'm speaking for the young families that have are trying to raise children in our district. They can't afford a mortgage. What happens when they they they lose their homes to foreclosure or the elderly lose their home to high taxes. What happens to that salary? I'm sorry. I'm >> sorry. Dr. Conrad's agenda item. [laughter] Okay. Thank you. >> Um we all know the board played a very very big crucial role in shaping the future of our district. I don't deny that. I honestly wouldn't want your jobs. Um but you need to remember that the people of this community put you there for our voices. To speak on our behalf and to take in consideration our futures in this community. I don't feel economically this area can take a high salary. Not saying
024you're not worth it. I I don't know. I'm going to be honest. But what I can say is this area can't handle it. These people can't handle it. They're losing their homes. That's all I have to say. I just hope that the board remembers why they're there and who put them there. Thank you. Anyone else? Mike Galler, Ross Township. Good evening, directors and school board cabinet members. Uh I'd like to start by speaking on agenda item 9B, Dr. Conrad's contract. There's been a lot of information, misinformation going around on the internet, like usual. Um people just want to go off on things, but I'd like to present some data tonight here uh just put things in perspective. The Monroe County average again, Monroe County average for superintendents right now is $239,000. Uh you are going
025tonight to approve Dr. Conrad for next school year starting at 218. That is just over $21,000 under the county average. Again, the county average. For those of you that aren't aware out in the community, we fall under a consortium that falls under Colonial IU 20, and that consists of 13 districts. I don't care what Parkland School District superintendents get, and nor do I care what Allentown School District's superintendent is getting. What I do care about is again, going back to what our county average is, in addition to what our consortium average is of the 13 districts that cover Saucon Valley School District all the way up to the New York line in Pike County with Delval. When you look at that average there, again, there's a broad demographic region there in that. Smaller school districts,
026larger ones. It doesn't encompass Bethlehem and Easton. The average between those areas, even with those smaller districts, is $210,000. You're not off the mark with what we're Dr. Conrad's asking with this contract. And for the people that are out in our community complaining about this, this is what it is in education. I can't put it any more simple, people. This is what it is. And listen, Dr. Conrad, we've had our exchanges in the past with things. I'm seeing data up there. I'm glad to see it. But I got to tell the community this. We're looking to make Dr. Conrad the board is looking to make him at least not even at the average, but a little bit below the average. Mark my words, folks. One way or another, this district will pay for it. If
027that man does not stick around, the next person that comes in will expect the average. One way or another, we are going to pay for it. And if that happens, not only are we going to pay that high salary, but we're going to have somebody in here new, and we're going to be starting all over who's got to start a new vision, start new direction, and start all new data collection. Do your research, but do it smartly. What the board is asking for tonight for Dr. Conrad's contract is not absurd by any means. It's right on mark. In addition to that, a 3. uh 3% raise, again, that's a standard across education right now. Longevity, standard, standard in education. I'm sorry the community needs to hear this, but this is what it is in education
028anymore. Uh the medical leave >> Mr. Galler, you're going to have to wrap up. I'm sorry. That's okay. >> [laughter] >> I'm sorry. Okay. Is there anybody else? Is there anyone else? Can he come back? I I Yeah, okay. Mike Galler, Ross Township. I'm speaking on item 9B. >> [laughter] >> Uh the medical waiver, or not the medical waiver, but the waiver of taking benefits. That is another good thing to have in there. Uh are we looking at $500 a month? Okay. But in the bigger scheme of things, I don't know how much people are aware of what it costs for medical benefits. It could cost upward of I'm 50,000? Okay, 25,000 here. Where are the cost savings by allowing this to happen with this contract? Things we need to think about as a community.
029When you look at for face value what this is, you're going, "Oh my gosh, this is education. This is what it pays. This is what it is to be in this field anymore." Real quick on item 15F, MCTI. Um if you look at the data that's being presented tonight with the attachment, the MCTI enrollment is 1,200 plus. This is awesome. MCTI is seeing good growth. Uh we as a district are the strongest supporter in Monroe County for career and tech ed, which is awesome. But what I want to point out here is the proposed budget that Dennis is looking for you guys to approve tonight is $11 million. That is an excellent number. He's being very fiscally responsible with his campus up there. $11 million to support 1,200 plus students is awesome. And I commend
030Dennis for doing that, but I will ask you as a board to please be cognizant that as the end of the school year comes up, that you vote to keep excess funds up at MCTI. Some years we look to bring it back. He needs to keep that. I recommend that you you vote in favor of letting him keep that to build up his capital funds for an expansion project that's going to be coming down in the next 5 years or so. Again, that's going to build money up that he already has there sitting in his account that we won't have to worry about later down the road with the economy where it is. That's all I have. Thank you. Thank you. Hello, everyone. I'm Rose Fuller. I'm live right up the road here Chestnut Hill
031Township, Effort. Um I didn't come here with with a specific agenda. I didn't do my research. Kudos to you cuz you guys did research. All I'm going to say as a mother of three, as a parent, um you know, and again, congratulations. Maybe you deserve that salary. Maybe you don't. I don't know. I've only lived here for 3 years. Um but in the short time that I've lived up here, this is what I'm going to tell you as a parent. Um >> [clears throat] >> I don't approve or appreciate the remote learn for our students because they don't spend any time hardly at all with the teachers. I'm going to be frank. I work from home full-time. I see it. I hear it. It's extremely frustrating. I'm also frustrated with the fact that, you know,
032our students have to get online and report on those remote learn days. Well, where are the teachers? I've had my child marked absent numerous times on remote learn where I then have to email the teacher saying, "No, my my child's there. Just nobody logged in my child." So, my child isn't absent. You're you're absent. As a parent, it's very frustrating. So, that's my issue that I have. Another issue that I have is I understand that taxes were also spent on the um medic medic uh metal detectors. They're not used every single day. So, my question as a parent is, why not? I mean, what's what's the purpose of having s- such a massive resource with everything that's going on right now within our country with students and shootings if we don't even use them? So,
033I mean, I understand you guys have better um security. You guys have security guards. Fantastic. They do a great job. I hear I see them every day. It's fantastic. But I just think that maybe we all ought to up the ante and use the resources that we do in fact have instead of spending more money on other things. Again, not to discredit you. You probably are worth it, and you probably deserve it. I didn't do my research on that. And quite frankly, I don't care if my taxes go up a little bit, fine, if it means our kids are going to be getting a better education. I don't feel that they really are as a parent. Now, in this district, I feel like our kids are doing fantastic because I came from Bethlehem. Um I
034can tell you it's day and night. What you guys are doing here is by far better than what my kids were getting down in Bethlehem. It was and again, pardon my French everybody, it's a show down there. It really is, which is why we moved up here. We decided to truck our kids up here. I have a son who is has an IEP because he's got special needs and it's better here than it is in other districts. I can be the first to tell you that. I've have nieces and nephews in other districts and I've seen it. I've heard it. I'm living it. Um so it's much better up here. However, I just feel we need to do a little better. Sorry. >> No, we're fine. >> [laughter] >> I don't know I don't know
035I don't know. Does anybody else? No. Okay, go ahead. >> Okay. Hi. >> Sorry. No, it's fine. I understand. Um so I just feel like as a district, we just need to do a little bit better um when it comes to our kids because at the end of the day, they're the ones that are going to one day take care of us, run this country, do make all of the decisions that we're not going to be either here to make or are going to be able incapable to make. That's all I care about. So I mean I um I applaud him because he did do his research and he had my vote on that. So, you know, congratulations. I just feel as a parent if our kids are going to be weathering whatever storms that
036we all weather it together and it not be up to the parents for the most part to make sure that, you know, things are happening. I shouldn't have to go hunting down teachers to make sure that my kids are online. And um I also don't like that when they do online services that they're there for a couple of minutes and they're off on their own to do their assignments and they have to submit online work. I don't like that. I'm sorry. We didn't do that when we were young growing up. We went [clears throat] to school in feet of snow. I know I did. So I just think that if they're going to be remote, fine. Just let's educate these kids so that they have a better teacher. That's all I'm asking. Thank you. Thank
037you. Anyone else? All right, we're going to move on. Uh Treasurer's report, Mrs. Surface, please. Yes, good evening. Tonight I would like a motion for item number 4A through G. A is informational only. So moved. Second. I have a motion by Mr. Burger, seconded by Mr. Gizinski. Is there any discussion? I have a couple questions. Um Tim, in 4B, the capital equipment replacement, the cost 33, were those Uh they were for the two cargo vans for maintenance staff. Okay. I I thought I just wanted to make sure that. And then um McAndrews at law office, was that a special education settlement? Yes. Okay, thank you. Uh 4C, American Heart Association, St. Luke's. Uh this was for the Heartsaver CPR, AED, and BLS training course for our nurses who in turn can train our staff. Great,
038thank you. And uh 4D, uh the Bayada Home Health Care, is that substitute nurses that something? This particular invoice is for a substitute um but we do use Bayada for Bayada does um service our students as well. So the substitution goes through them, not through the ESS? ESS did not have anybody available. That's why we had to go through Bayada. Okay, thank you. And uh that's good. Thank you. You're welcome. Anyone else? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. I. Anyone opposed? And that motion carries. Um moving on to unfinished business, Mr. Fitzgerald. Um just briefly, I I had mentioned a couple of months ago that we were in contract negotiations with the the support staff. Uh I'm pleased to report that the parties have made significant progress to the point where
039we're at a tentative agreement uh and that it's anticipated that the parties will be voting in April uh hopefully to uh ratify a multi-year contract. Thank you. Does anyone have else have any other unfinished business? Okay, we'll move on to new business. Monroe Career and Technical Institute, Mrs. Surface. Yes, good evening. My report is attached. Okay, thank you. Uh Colonial IU, Mr. Clark. Uh I have nothing new. I had a meeting last night, so that report should be coming for the next meeting. Okay, thank you. Uh PSBA liaison, Mrs. Hopley. Yes, hello. Um my report, there was just a couple items for PSBA PSBA. The recent developments with PSBA uh says they are have concerns over financial conditions in Pennsylvania public school districts and adequacy of state support. In response to Governor Josh Shapiro's 26-27
040budget, PSBA expressed support for ongoing investments in education and student services while emphasizing greater and more comprehensive funding and needed to address districts' needs across the Commonwealth. At the same time, PSBA um remains focused on monitoring legislative and legal issues um and the effect of public education. Reflecting its broader advocacy on the role on behalf of local school boards, the priorities align with wide wider reporting on challenges districts are facing including rising charter tuition payments, growing special ed and health care costs, and the lingering effects of prior budget delays. Taken together, these updates indicate the PSBA's current agenda centers on securing strong state investment, managing escalating operational costs, and advancing policies that support long-term financial stability of the school uh the public schools. Then the other day they just added something else that they still
041have um PA funding to help get more special ed teachers in the classroom. There's a third phase for accelerated pathways to certify educators working on emergency permits. There's a $1 million grant for this third wave coming through and people should go to their schools, Coast to Sal's, ESU, Moravian, Northampton, and Kutztown are the designated schools for this uh pathway. That's it on that. Thank you. Uh education report at our working session um earlier this month, uh we had an update on um our the two new marquees that we're looking to purchase, one for here and one for the high school. Um and oh my gosh, I just drew a blank cuz I didn't write any of this down. Uh oh, we had a uh Pleasant Valley Middle School update. Um the students provided us an
042update through PVTV. It was absolutely wonderful. They did everything on their own. And um Dr. Air had given us an update on um the new science program that we're we will begin next school year. Uh finance, Mrs. Surface. Yes, please. I'll be calling for finances later on in the agenda under item number 15 and 16. Okay, thank you. Athletic report, Mr. O'Keefe. Good evening. Athletics update. So boys wrestling, huge credit congratulations to District 11's 215 lb champion, PV's Evan Golembiewski. So that was an awesome job by him. He's the program's first winner, wrestler, champion in over a decade. What an incredible achievement. Uh spring sports, despite the unpredictable weather this spring, all teams are in full swing. Best of luck to all of our student athletes. Uh I I had one that's not on the
043agenda there, but uh girls lacrosse, huge shout out to Brielle Hallamar, sophomore on the PV girls lacrosse team. She earned the uh Times News Athlete of the Week. And I wrote this Saturday before I flew out, so the school board is now working. I will be asking Mr. Korzinski and maybe some students to get some videos that we can show and blast it out to the community to see actually what it can do, how it works. Um and again, it's a learning curve for everybody, so it's going to take some time. But I do know there's going to be like a movie night that he's going to have uh during the summer for the community uh cuz it's such a huge screen for us to utilize. That's it. Um thank you. Uh Mrs. Dooner, policy.
044Janet Dooner, and I've attached a short report, and I do encourage that the people read the details of the attachments which come under the superintendent's reports and request for further explanation of the updates of these policies. Thank you. Thank you. Uh capital improvement, Mr. Burger. Um Yeah, CHA provided a high school renovation update at our last um working session. Um our capital improvements committee had an internet meeting on March 18th to discuss options for the high school new flooring um mooring related issues. Um there was then a follow-up visit to the high school to on March 23rd to uh um look at the conditions that uh to keep it fresh in everyone's mind. The uh uh capital improvements committee uh team met today to discuss the high school renovation including um the work that's being
045done in the administration area, cafeteria, mechanical additions, which will continue through August of this year. Uh interior renovation uh activities have been start other interior renovation activities have been started and will be ongoing through the rest of the calendar year. Uh a review is ongoing relative to the high school traffic patterns uh and we'll be publishing in the future uh the patterns that will exist for school year 26 27. Um we're looking to find the best solution option for the continued high school greenhouse leaks. Um and so we expect to provide updates on that in the future. And next a solution for the market surfaces in the high school renovation areas that have been installed will be discussed at our April working session. Um will be recommendations also uh relative to um options for the
046leaks in the greenhouse uh area. >> [clears throat] >> Uh additional projects that are ongoing or the intermediate school chiller replacement. And uh upgrade for the middle school uh uh HVAC area as well. Uh Pleasant Valley continues to work with our partners to pursue grants to uh and other opportunities to help fund uh our uh projects. Several high school uh renovation orders are on today's agenda for approval. Um looking forward uh our next capital improvements meeting will be on April 23rd. Thank you. Thank you. Uh security oops technology report almost missed you. Okay. Uh security report Mr. Walters. Yeah, so uh items 9D1 and 2 as well as 10C1 um for approval for the additional security officers that are needed to fill the gaps in staffing that we have in the team. Uh want to
047thank the team for making that priority and at that time if if approved today they'll fill all remaining gaps and we'll be fully staffed. Thank you. Thank you. Citizens Advisory Committee Mr. Gizinski. Yes, uh the March minutes are attached. Uh they're mostly Dr. Conrad's presentation. Um yeah, and I'm glad that people saw it tonight. Uh we used to have very few showed up for that meeting but it was it went over well. Um April meeting right now has no topic and if it doesn't find one within the next week or so we'll probably cancel that one. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> Thank you. All right, moving on Superintendent's reports Dr. Conrad. Okay. Um tonight I'm seeking approval for items 7B and 7C. Item 8A is informational. So moved. Second. I have a motion by
048Mr. Walters seconded by Mrs. Hopely. Okay. Is there any discussion? Sure. Sorry, bear with me. I think I'm in the right section here. I have such trouble following this Jan Aduaner. I would just like to vote no on policy 227 because I would like to continue to talk about that um with Dr. Conrad at some point in time. Thank you. Oh. Okay. I have a question about eight. Did we say eight? I'm sorry. Did we go into eight? No, we're not there yet. We're not there yet. Sorry. It's six and seven. We are just on uh Dr. Conrad's number seven. Oh, sorry. Okay. It is Um sure. Okay. Uh policy 227 uh just the question about the um the choice of either a 10-day suspension or a medical test. Is that Mark, is that good?
049I mean is that legally okay? I just want to Uh yeah, it is. Um when you have situations where um the district is presented with a scenario where a student is exhibiting either conduct consistent with potential being under the influence and they have reasonable suspicion to to suspect that they are afforded then the opportunity for a test. We we can't physically force a child to to be administered a test. Under those scenarios though there can be an adverse inference taken about the status of the child which could then trigger the disciplinary process. >> Right, the safety of the child is what's correct. Okay, thank you very much. Anyone else? >> [clears throat] >> All those in favor please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? You're opposed to two 227 That's okay. That's where you
050would say it. Yep. Mhm. Opposed to policy 227. >> Okay. Thank you. >> can I just >> Can I say more please? Well I think what I would like to We're past the comments. Yeah. Yeah, we're past the Okay. That's okay. Save it for at the end. Okay. All right, and >> [laughter] >> that motion carries. Okay. Uh moving on to human resources Dr. Rayland Howard. Good evening. Tonight I am seeking approval of item 9B. Could I have a motion I could I have a motion for item 9B? So moved. Second. Well I all right, I have a motion by Mr. Burger seconded by Mr. Walters. Is there a question down here? Item eight was just informational. It was the enrollment report. Is that the question? Oh, I thought there was a question. >> I
051did have a question about eight. Okay. Do I go back to >> it back? Yes, I can Can you hang it at the end? Sure. Okay. All right. So >> All right, so I have a motion a motion on the floor for item 9B which is the election of the Superintendent and the contract. Is there any discussion? Yes. And can we have a roll call at the end? Sure. >> put that there? Sure. Okay. So um on 9B it's the election of Superintendent and the contract. So I just have a couple questions statements with this. Um the issue I have is that the stakeholders were not included and despite the November 25th 2024 statement on the record board members were given less than eight days before vote. That is not meaningful engagement. This does not
052reflect community voice. It creates the appearance of a process and not a genuine input. Moving this contract from December 2026 to July 2026 breaks breaks a prior commitment. It also moves the opportunity to evaluate performance benchmarks. The same expectations we hold for staff and students. Um the other thing I do not like in the contract is the business manager approves the Superintendent expre- expenses and that's not a check and balance. Business manager is um a subordinate. And why can't a board director sign off on it? The treasurer or the president? The board can give Superintendents money at any time at any amount based on what? That was another item in the contract. At any time he can get a Superintendent can get money for any reason at any time. I don't know what this is
053based on. Um the responsibility here is to reflect our community and our staff and our students not on a rush timeline. And I just have concerns about this. Can you elaborate on the checks and balances part Yes, because the manager business manager is a subordinate to the Superintendent. So usually I guess in the past practices it was treasurer of the board or the president of the board would also sign off on it. Not that anything would happen but it's a delicate situation and I don't know if somebody would would want to be in that position. And and and Mrs. Hopely you you did bring that up and I and I know I responded to you on that. And and and obviously it the the review of the the necessary and these are expenses for say
054trips to Hershey for a data conference. These are trips to you know Superintendent conferences to the IU. Those are those are what the we're talking about in terms of expenses. But ultimately um we have kind of two layers of check on this one. First of all we have our our CFO who is obligated as a fiduciary to to the community and to the board to ensure that the money's are being spent properly. But then secondarily ultimately those expenses do come to the board. So if and I know that and this is a very good board when it comes to ensuring that you know these line items are are are good to go. If there's concern about any of those line items which will show up there will be questions that can be asked of our
055business manager on the record in this open forum about those expenses. I just have a comment too. As treasurer for Pleasant Valley Board every time there is a check run the president myself as well as any board member sits through and looks through all of those invoices and we sign off on that every time [clears throat] they're put on an agenda. The second thing I'd like to comment if there was any mismanagement of any kind of thing for the Superintendent it would be brought up at the independent audit which happens every single year and every single year for the past five years we have had an audit with absolutely no findings. It was presented at our last meeting. Wait, public discussion of the vote? Nope, we're still discussing. Well, I don't know if I should
056save my discussion on this or after the vote because I this is really my my conscious reflection for for myself as a board director who was recently elected and for the Pleasant Valley community and the people um >> [clears throat] >> a reflection in this community of heritage and history with a welcomed infusion of new families looking to live in a rural area to raise their family. And as a school director, I feel like I have a sworn duty to serve this community by learning the demographics of the community that we live in, serving the young, the old, the single family workers, the single families, and what a household look like looks like with their income. And much of the income, if you look at the Monroe County's Economic Development Corporation's report, it does say
057that Monroe County overall, we're still at like a 53% 53,000 median average income. And I do suspect that our West End is a little bit lower. >> [snorts] >> Um I'm sorry, I lost my train of thought. Um I My question is is can the taxpayers in this community support? And that I know that Dr. Conrad's budget salary increase is only a tiny portion of our entire budget. However, the increase that goes from the past average increases of about 6,500 a year, this one is almost triple to that. And I just need to be conscious of that as a board member. And I think it's our our responsibility to be conservative, if not reducing spending where we can. I'll hold I'll hold the rest of my comments right right now, except to say that I
058like working with Dr. Conrad. I think he is If I could separate the election process of having him stay be with us versus the salary process or the salary review, I would have been much happier with all of this because I do think Dr. Conrad's continuity for this community is very good. He spends We get emails from him very late. He's working all the time. I think he works around the clock. But I just wish that the process would have been better. I have not served long enough to be able to do an evaluation with this board. And I think that hurts the community as well because I was not a part of that evaluation process his performance review. Let me be clear on that, his performance review. But is Dr. Conrad good for this
059to be here? I do agree with that side of it. Thank you. Can I just ask a question just for clarification for some people who haven't been through this process before? When you're looking for a new superintendent, what on average is the cost to commission a search as a board? I'd say 10. Well, I mean, I guess it's >> 20 20,000 dollars plus. Yeah, you're you're certainly spending in the thousands, you know, from PSBA at the low end to to 10 to I mean, I had a district spend 55,000 dollars just to just to bring candidates in front of the board. >> I I will say this, um one of the things that I felt important when I got on this board was um consistency because we had so much changeover at so many levels
060and stability. And Dr. Conrad brings that to this district. Um is there always room for improvement? Absolutely. And I think Dr. Conrad would agree to that. But we are slowly growing in the right direction. Um and I understand there's frustration at times that, you know, why isn't this better? The scores here. You know, I always look at it like this, this is a big cruise tanker ship, okay? You can't just bank a hard left. You have to move slowly and get it going in the right direction. And I do believe that Dr. Conrad and his leadership are getting us moving in that right direction. Thank you. If I could have a moment, please. Um those of who were on the board, and there are a few of us left, uh before the predecessor, in the
061one year of a bad administrator, by my calculations, it cost the district in excess of 1 million dollars. Put that in your hat and think about it for a little bit. So, when you have a good administrator and you have somebody that's moving you in the right direction, do you want to say that they're not worth saving potentially millions of dollars when one person in one year can cost you in excess of a million dollars? Think about that. All right, last but not least, I'm sure. Um I'm not saying anything new that Dr. Conrad doesn't already know because, unlike other people, I approached him prior to coming out here and told him how I was going to vote, which was going to be no. Um the reasoning big reasoning behind it is because of the
062scores. Um there is a lot of progress that he's made along the way and and attempts and stuff like that, but I'm a big one for scores. The other thing I told him is that accountability like the public is out there and they do ask us to be their voice. And I had quite a few people contact me about this contract. And I can let you know that I'm very disappointed because you want me to be your voice, but yet the amount of people that are here shows that really you want me to be your voice, but all I ask is that you show up so that my voice means something, it's not just mine. Um so, unfortunately, as I said, I will say no, but it's nothing against you personally. It's just towards the
063continuous. Thank you. I just have one little one. So, I know it's difficult for everybody to get out here, and I know we asked them to come out, and with the way gas prices are, babysitting, it is challenging. So, they can tune in online. Um they do tell us what they would like represented, and that's exactly what we're doing um as directors, and we have to convey that thought because we are their voice. So, if they can't get here, um there may be logistics and things like that, but we they do have a voice. So, I'm happy who did who turned out, and they are able to make their comments heard. Uh but we are expressing exactly what the community has been telling us. I'd like to make a few statements if I could, please,
064and I want to make sure everyone understands that these are my personal remarks. Again, some will be duplicates from what you've heard Dr. Conrad present earlier. I just want to remind you of where we were when Dr. Conrad arrived. As he stated, we had a budget deficit of 6 million dollars. Every contract in this district had expired before he even arrived. 6:30 of '21, all of our employee contracts had expired. Teachers, support staff, administrators. And then, the teachers handed us a strike notice at Dr. Conrad's very first board meeting, which was only his second day on the job. We had no accountability and no trust. There was no stability at the leadership level in a number of areas for a number of years. We had aging facilities. We knew the high school's electrical, plumbing, and
065heating needed a complete overhaul along with the outdated and worn classrooms. What would you have said on Facebook? I can't imagine what would have been said if there was no heat on a cold day in the high school because of the old coal burners that are there and they stopped working. We can't repair them. We can't get parts for them. What would have happened if when the electric went off at some point because of a storm? I say prayers when it would go off because I would pray that it would come back on in the high school because I was that concerned about it. Did you all come to the tours we offered to show how bad the electrical, plumbing, and mechanical was at the high school? I can tell you, not very many people
066did. But the big question was how could we afford this project? Also being faced with that 6 million dollar deficit and knowing our community and knowing that they couldn't bear the financial burden of this undertaking. Well, extremely hard decisions had to be made. And all the areas of this district needed to be analyzed for cost savings. And we did it. Did we have to do furloughs? Yes. Did we have to do a management system for cafeteria? Yes, but you saw what Dr. Conrad presented. We were in We were in a deficit at that cafeteria for years. And we finally turned it around. We consolidated bus runs. We also put PVE and PVI bus runs together. We looked at everything. I have been in the seat and worked with six of those nine superintendents back there
067on that back wall. I have lived through many, many, many tough decisions, including growth, enrollment growth, enrollment decline, outsourcing transportation, I lost many dear friends through that. Furloughs twice. But the absolute lack of leadership in this district during the years of 2020 and 2021 put this district in a huge deficit. One that has taken us on a very long journey to recover from. Are we there yet? Absolutely not. But I can tell you our financial house is in order. We have balanced budgets each year. We have the funding to purchase the resources our students need. We have enhanced our security systems. We have competitive CBAs. Meaning what we did when we looked at contracts, we looked at what the teachers were being paid throughout Monroe County. We're not the highest teachers being paid in Monroe
068County, but we're not the lowest anymore. And we can attract quality candidates. Uh where am I at? >> [sighs] >> We have the funding resources in place to upgrade our facilities. It took a long time to get there. Is there still work to be done? For sure, there always is. Always. But we have the team in place to continue this journey. And I am sure that this team, along with this board, will continue this journey in a positive direction. I have many things I could say because again, I've been in this seat for a long time. Just at our last working session our business manager, Mrs. Smale, presented uh the first look at our 2026-27 budget. Did any of you see it? We're thinking of only a 1% increase. Now, there are still a number
069of items that are outstanding. My hope is that we can come in even below that 1%. But we need those few things so we can look at look at it. Mr. Gawler, I thank you for doing some of the the work. I do just want to add a couple of things to those numbers that you presented. Um as he had said, the Monroe County average for superintendents is 239,000. Even placing with this contract, Dr. Conrad, he will be the lowest paid superintendent in Monroe County. The other thing is um that we had um we were able to look at is the number of years um that all the IU superintendents have been in their seat. As stated, there are 13 school districts in our IU. And if you take the average of all the years
070they have served as a superintendent, the average is only 6 and 1/2 years. Dr. Conrad is in his ninth year as a superintendent. So again, experience matters. I just have one final statement. As we consider the superintendent's contract this evening, I want to make take a moment to speak on why this decision matters for our district. Over the past several years, we've asked a great deal of our superintendent, navigating challenges, strengthening communication, and keeping our focus on what matters most, our students. Throughout that time, we've seen consistent leadership, a commitment to transparency, improved accountability, and a willingness to collaborate with this board, our staff, and our community. Stability in leadership is not just beneficial, it's essential. It allows us to maintain the momentum on long-term initiatives, support our educators, and continue in improving the student
071experience. Renewing this contract ensures that the progress we've made doesn't stall and that we can continue to build on a strong foundation. I also want to acknowledge that while board members may bring different perspectives, we all share the same goal, doing what is best for Pleasant Valley. Supporting this contract is, in my view, a step toward continued stability, consistency, and forward movement for our district. I am confident in the superintendent's ability to lead us through the next phase of our work, and I will be voting in favor of this contract. Thank you. Anyone else? All those in favor, please signify by saying Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You're right. I forgot. Thank you for reminding me. Kathy, please roll call. Ryan O'Keefe. Yes. John Kiszitzky. No. Rob Clark. Yes. Sue Kresge. Yes. Denise Hopely. No.
072Norm Burger. Yes. Diane Surface. Yes. Janet Duner. No. And Matthew Walters. Yes. And that motion is approved with a 6-3 right. Okay, 6-3 vote. Thank you. Dr. Howard. As I said, congratulations. I'm glad I'm doing HR tonight. I'm also seeking approval of items 9C through 9H. Items 9I through 9L are informational. So move. Second. Motion by Mr. Walters, seconded by Mr. O'Keefe. Is there any discussion? Just a 9 a 9D with the security hires. We had police and I saw two other things. Are we now up to date on our security that we were >> We are completely staffed. Thank you. Anyone else? Uh all those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? And that motion carries. I'm also seeking approval of items 10B through 10E. Items 10G and 10H are informational.
073So move. Second. Motion by Mr. Kiszitzky, seconded by Mr. Walters. Is there any discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? And that motion carries. Curriculum, Dr. Howard. I'm also seeking approval of items 11B, 11C, and 12A. So move. I have a motion by Mr. Kiszitzky and seconded by Mrs. Hopely. Is there any discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? And that motion carries. Moving to operations, I'm also seeking approval for 13A. So move. Second. I have a motion by Mr. Burger, seconded by Mr. Kiszitzky. Is there any discussion? >> [clears throat] >> All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? And that motion carries. Uh moving on to building reports. The building reports are attached. Uh there's also copies
074out in the lobby, and we're taking those building reports each month to uh provide information out to the community of seeing the great things that we're doing here in Pleasant Valley. That's all. Moving on to business management, Mrs. Tammy Smale. Um good evening. Tonight, I'm requesting approval of items 15B through 15S. Items 15T through 15V are informational. So move. Second. I have a motion by Mr. Burger, seconded by Mrs. Surface. Is there any discussion? Uh yes. I have some. Um 15B, L, M, N, O. I have questions about um the allocation. Um and they're all together, so $1 million has been spent on high school furniture with two phases still remaining. Now, an additional 600,000 from the contingency fund is being request request requested. I don't know what's wrong with the current furniture. Is it
075unsafe? And then why wasn't it replaced immediately if it was? Is it damaged? And where is that documentation? Administrative furniture was already recently replaced. Good, 2 years. Now we're replacing furniture for teachers, police officers, reception areas. I don't know why. And where is all this old furniture going? Should I stop and let you answer or do I just keep going? I may have to ask you to repeat the question. >> Okay. So it's a it's a concern with uh safety and are they damaged or unsafe? Cuz I don't know why we're spending all this money on the furniture. Um The furniture's 30 years old. Yeah. Um it it's time for a refresh. It was part of the high school renovation project budget. Um so that that's that's where it came from. Oh, okay, but I
076where are we putting it? Are we storing it? What are you doing with it? >> furniture? Yeah. The old furniture, we're not we're not allowed to just throw things out at a school district. >> Right. We have to do um advertise it to go out for auction, which would be GovDeals. After that time, if it's not sold then it can be donated or thrown out. So all of the furniture is 30 years old like administration cuz I remember them replacing admin >> As far as I know administration furniture has not been replaced in the 6 years I'm here. And we just had that discussion today actually in capital improvement about the the desk at the following administration. Yeah, falling apart and I can remember when I was over there one day when many years ago
077this was um one of the maintenance people was trying to re finish the desk so that it would look nicer. So that they look nice. Very old. Okay. Um so So we're replacing all this furniture. I just don't know why I can't keep it instead of spending all this money even though you say it's budgeted maybe we don't have to spend the contingency money maybe we should save it for an emergency. We don't know what's coming down the pike with two more phases. Um it's just an unjustified spending and at the time when our community is facing real financial pressures health care prescription fuel heating groceries utilities. Um and then even caring for their children or the elderly. We must be mindful that every dollar we approve is a dollar coming from our taxpayer. So
078our role is not just to approve spending it's to protect the financial well-being of the community we serve. There is no executed contract provided. I didn't get an executed contract like I asked for with all the pivots and the ongoing change orders without transparency. So there's no comparison for me and I have questions about that cuz I still don't understand how e-sports got into that whole mix. Um when it wasn't even in the original contract. So I'm still looking for that. Um and um I just object to the 600,000 transfer the expenditures and any unsupported changes. And 15d the Glowforge we're in 15 correct? The Glowforge is $9,294. What course is this tied to? Was this included in the original course proposal or is this another add-on? Um Let her answer that please. Sure. I'm
079actually Dr. Howard's actually going to answer that one. The Glowforge is for PVI. It is for our STEM technology program that every single student at PVI goes through. So it benefits all of the students there. And it's coming out of what fund? Ready to learn. Okay. A grant that if we don't use the money we the state takes it back. Okay. Um Anything else in 15? I do. Okay. Just making sure I'm getting it all. Okay. So 15q QRS yes. Um the $750 it's an FBLA scholarship. So is this $750 for four seniors totaling 3,000? Or is it one amount for 750? Four students would each have the possibility to earn $725. Each. That was money that was raised by our staff to go back to our students. That was from the dress down days
080that FBLA sponsored is that correct? >> correct. Okay. So So does FBLA retain any of the funds for competitions and if not I don't know why not and what amount was raised from that amount. So does that expend all the money's collected? For that amount I believe all of the money went back towards the students. FBLA does a number of fundraising. They have a few dances actually in fact at PVE PVI and they at sometimes will keep portions of what is fundraised and at other times they will contribute it back to the community. Did they have that dance? The dance is in the next month or so. May. Okay. Oh that's right they're at the yeah they switched to the high school. Right. Okay. Um and for 15 that's it. That was it for 15.
081>> That's it. Okay. Anyone else? Yes. I I just tell me on the contract D 15d the 1 2 3 4 5 could you explain it to the public so they understand what that um Sure. assessment thing >> The first five that are on there is with Coil Lynch and Company. They're to do appraisals on taxpayer initiated appeals. With the county. So that's when people appeal and want to get money back from us. >> Correct. They they have their assessment on their property and they are disputing it with the county. It's not school district initiated it's taxpayer initiated. >> We're fighting to keep that. Correct. Okay. Thank you. Um uh K transportation Um I guess I'm stuck with voting that one no matter what because we're stuck with the I just I just like it
082known that I of course unhappy that we ever went into outsourcing in the first place which was many years before you came here but this is the repercussion of sometimes outsourcing. Um so um unfortunately there's nothing we can do about that. Um Other question was uh 15n All right I'm sorry L the nurses bed That might be the nurses bed for the high school. That's that is part of the capital improvement project and it's the beds that they use is the nurses use in there. In their office for the sick and they're sick we're replacing >> they can lay down. Yeah lie down. Yeah they were pretty shot. Um also N the lighting. I know we when we did the walk through they talked about the lighting that was done in the band and the
083choir room saying how it was all done and now we're redoing it. Could you explain why we're redoing? Sure. Um the initial when you initially walk into the classroom and walk through it these things were picked out it would happen the lighting and all of that. Now that that room is completed um the teacher in that room has come back and said the lighting it's not enough. They thought it would be it's not enough. So that's part of the change orders in here. Okay. So we're bettering the lighting so that helps our Correct. And you do the best you can when you're walking into a room. >> Well yeah it's tough to see what everything turned out to be. But I'm sure we're going to have a lot more of that wise as we finish
084items we're going to find more things that okay you know so so it's electricity in the floor and stuff like that different things for a kitchen. Correct. Yeah. Yes. Thank you very much. You're welcome. Anyone else? Yes I I just like to make a quick comment relative to the change orders for the high school reservation. As was mentioned at our working session uh and when you when you're doing renovation uh there are things as you go through the renovation that are not evident to you until you actually open up items as part of the construction process. So in anticipation of that uh we always set aside contingency funds and there and we had set up $4 million set aside set aside to do kinds of things that we would uncover that we would not be
085aware of prior to the letting of the contract. So it it there is no additional money's going to be required cuz it's as part of our contingency funds and we've spent very little of the contingency funds so to date we've been very frugal in that aspect and we're well ahead of where we would have expected to be at this point in the renovation. Thank you. Okay. There's one more thank you. Under P there when you talk about the survey for the um Witzens which the food is very good. How how would the parent I saw the parents are going to be questioned on that. How are the parents going to know about how the staff how quick they are or stuff like that like I I'll this is the third year that we're doing this
086survey the parents are are our biggest responders. I was just curious how they know whether the food's good or if it's not. Okay. They listen to their kids. I know we've tasted it but it's yes. Okay. Thank you. I'm good. All right. All those in favor please signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? I oppose. I oppose L2 through 4 M N and O. Cathy did you get that? Yeah please. L2 through 4 Did you get the others Cath? There was others. M N and O. Got it. Okay. That motion carries. Or is approved. All right. Um I'm sorry. I'm also requesting approval of item 16b through 16e. So moved. Second. I have a motion by Mr. Walters seconded by Mrs. Surface. Is there any discussion? I have one on number eight 16a. The 12
087study pods for middle school um >> [snorts] >> I've seen those type of things before and I worked ISS for a couple of years and I'm not in favor of having boxes all the way around because it makes it very difficult for the teacher in the room to see what's going on behind those boards. Um we use basically little folders and stuff like that who wanted to keep them from looking around. Um I'd rather see that money go towards something else. So I'm just going to vote no for that 16 8. I I can tell you that these will go against the wall the teachers behind them and there are an arc so that we can fully see what all the kids are doing. Anyone else? Yes, I have 16 B. It steps for literacy
088the new bags pack and read. It's PV. I'm supporting the resources for students but if all the materials is online why are we buying a replacement bags? What are they used for just because I'm not sure what they use it for and where are the students assessing or replacing these now? I just doesn't add up. I don't know what they're doing because I don't know where they move to or they come in specialist come into the room. So what do they need these for now when everything's online? Everything is not online. The students still have books. We have a book vending machine. We have the library. These are bags that we purchase every year for our students to keep the books safe. They're workbooks. Is that what you're talking about? >> No. No. Oh, the
089reading books. >> attached. Did you see the picture attached? >> did. I just remember what they used to use them for but when everything is a little different now. >> purchase this every year for the students. They the students still have actual like I see students with books down there and these are something we purchase every year for the kids to use to keep the books from not getting damaged. Okay, then I had a question about 16 B 11 the 30 GEFORCE RTX Intel Core Ultra laptops. Is that coming out of tech? Is that what I understand? No. Is that the refresh? No. >> No. So 11 is the um 75,000 30 GEFORCE No. No. The That is for the computer lab at the high school. We discussed it. B 11 We I think I'm
090talking about the same item that you are. We discussed this at the last work session that I would be purchasing computers. Initially I was purchasing them for PVI. But when we looked at the computers I worked with the technology department and I worked with Dr. Air. We are taking the computers from the high school which are 2 years old. We are giving those to the technology STEM class at PVI and purchasing new computer for the high school computer lab which several different content areas use that lab. Is this for the e-sports also? No. We already have them. >> their own set of computers. Correct. They're very different types of computers and what you use them for. Okay. And the e-sport computers that was already for all the budgeted amounts for e-sports. We already purchased. >>
091We're not buying anything additional cuz that's what I remember being said. At this time we're not purchasing anything additional. Okay, let me see. 16 run. So I came in late to the back. So the 16 E outdoor furniture I I'm not thrilled to vote for that. I understand it's something that you're going to have was budgeted but um it's eight tables with one ADA and it's not fully priced. It's not finalized and it's guaranteed to go higher. Cuz it's 12,099 and 50 cents. This was part of the building project. I worked with Mrs. Smail and because I have grant dollars that I can use I took it out of the project to save the money for the district and I'm using grant money to pay for the students. I think it's a great opportunity for
092our students to have some a special area at the high school. I'm just [snorts] concerned because of the scores we could put those dollars to better use. We do put our We do We do put our best foot forward. >> item I know cuz there's a lot more cuz what was concerning is it's a budget estimate and it may change and the final pricing is going to be confirmed later. Um at best this will be used 4 months a year these tables and it's 16 weeks old and it's only in good weather. So we're spending $12,000 for a seasonal use weather dependent use and limited access for small portion students. That's $750 a week a use for all for just about 150 students cuz there's 241 seniors. Is that right? I can tell you I
093was outside today at the middle school. They have the same thing and the students out there were having It's really nice to would be that type of weather to use it but to spend that kind of money for that. >> Clubs and activities can use it as well. So we're going to spend thousands of dollars for fair weather fair weather seating while we continue to talk about improving academic outcomes. So I just don't think it's acceptable cuz now we're going to approve indoor furniture outdoor furniture and still see estimates that increase after approval. Meanwhile this this same I want to know is where is the same urgency and precision when it comes to K-12 academic performance student outcomes and measurable improvements in achievement. We're applying the same level of focus and energy I hope. I
094don't know because right now it feels like furniture is a priority and not the students. So let me be clear because right now the priority looks like furniture. This is not responsible. It's not transparent and it is not aligned with our communities needs. So I'm a no on this. But this is furniture coming from a grant that has to be used Yep, I understand but doesn't mean we have to spend everything. So do you have a alternative >> it. Hold on. Hold on. I'm up. Do you have an alternative of what that money should be used to be spent on specifically instead of Chromebooks >> $13,000 for outdoor tables when another other school district is letting their students allowing their students that opportunity. I'm not going to hold our students back in that in that
095way. >> Chromebooks What's that? Chromebooks Chromebooks What does that mean? Chrome Chromebooks Yeah, that's a whole separate thing. You asked me I said what could you go for? That's what I would do. I mean we have used the ready to learn money to purchase HMH which is a resource for K to Keystone for our It's a reading resource K to Keystone for our students which was I can't even remember how many how 800,000 I don't It's 800,000 dollars and we there's we can get approximately 3.5 million in ready to learn learn every year. Right. We spend a large deal on professional development for our teachers, other resources. I've sat down with Mrs. Hopley and Mrs. Dooner and we've walked through those resources. So we are It is a very high priority for us. So we
096also materials are important but so is the environment that students come to school in and providing the right learning environment is just as important. So I do feel that we prioritize all of these things. We do spend the money on that and I feel good about this purchase and doing this for our students. Okay, well I just would be a no. Cuz it's fair. Anyone else? I guess we differ. Okay. I'm sorry. I was going to end on a positive note from this little part of this is 16 B under contracts. Number two the mobile agriscience lab I think that's really awesome and I hope I get an invite to go see that. I think that's really a good good idea. Thank you. And then the other one I'm going to talk about is the
097Johnson Controls. I'm sorry if people can't hear me. I apologize. The Johnson Controls and the the prop alarms and the settlement was used. Thank you for doing that cuz we had talked about that about the workshop about the safety of the buildings that are being used by our feeder program. So I just want to end it on a positive note for those two things please. If if everyone's done. Sorry. So Sorry, I just one comment. I'm very positive about these things and I I'm not taking it personal but on a positive note I am looking out for the community as we all pledge to do as directors. So on a positive note I think we should be spending our taxpayer money more wisely. Okay. All those in favor Please signify by saying I. I. Anyone
098oppose? Um Who do you have? You have those numbers right? No. So yeah. Yes. Thank you. Okay. That concludes those. Mr. Fitzgerald anything under new business? No new business this evening. >> Okay. Pleasant Valley citizens is there anyone that would like to address the board? If so, please come to the podium state your name Township you reside in. Of course there's a 3-minute limit. Hi Mrs. Preski. How are you? >> Good. How are you? Leah Collins, Justin Hill. I'm not here to actually harp on the superintendent as a parent who has relied on Dr. Conrad several times because of bus 16. Thank you. I am here to harp on 227 and the lack of justice that's going to come of this. I am not in favor of this. I have spoken out about this for
099quite some time as someone who does not allow any school to search my child without me on the phone or me present. I think that this is a terrible disservice to our kids and it strips their rights away because I have even caught our middle school pre-searching my child before then they warned him. That's not what I called for. That is not what I want. I want to be on the phone. I want to represent my children because frankly they are under 18 and they cannot consent to a search. That book bag is his. It's mine. The lockers are yours. So what I'm telling you now is by putting 227 in you are opening yourself up to a lot of paperwork at this point because paperwork hasn't existed before and the lack of communication between
100the building administrators and parents when it comes to these searches is quite astounding and to find out not just from me but from several other parents that this is their kids are getting searched before they're even notified that this is happening is completely wrong because if you're going to go by by any kind of biometrics on a kid, the minute you pull them down to the office, their heart rate changes, their blood pressure changes, they get red, they get embarrassed cuz they've just left their class because ooh, down to the principal's office. So, I'm advising you guys to look into this a little bit deeper because you can't strip away rights from a child especially if if you're not even going to acknowledge that a parent has a right to be there for their minor
101child. Even though you guys Thank you for the education earlier when I first came into this district how you guys become the technical parent the the minute my child steps into this district onto this ground, you guys become the parents and get to make decisions, but you don't get to make decisions for minor children when you can call the parents and have them make the decisions whether or not their child gets searched with or without you. So, please be mindful of this and that it is going on in the buildings and it's not okay. It's not okay with a lot of parents. Dr. Conrad, I think you're doing a great job and honestly, I don't think the scores are your are your fault at all. I do think that curriculum really really sucks here and
102I know a lot of teachers in that middle school hate HMH a lot especially the students cuz the wording on that test or any of the tests that they take, they're terrible and it's confusing my honor student to the to the worst factor. So, look at that. I still have 2 seconds. >> [laughter] >> Thanks, guys. >> [applause] >> Anyone else? All right. Seeing no one else Pleasant Valley school Oops, you coming to podium there, sir? Come on. Okay. >> [laughter] >> Mike Gallaros Township. Um just want to bring up some some more data here that was presented here tonight in some of the attachments. Uh if you look at the IU 20 um financials there coming into the budget, uh their health benefits have an increase of 12.97%. MCTI has an increase in health
103benefits of 10%. Uh we as a district here have an increase moving forward at 13.8% across the consortium numbers have gone as high as 44%. I brought this up a couple months ago. I just want this to be on the record again that we are identifying these numbers. Uh when we talk about prices going up and the impact on our community members financial hardships. Uh if you do digging on those percentages, those increases are due to weight reduction. Which why I have to pay for that as a taxpayer is beyond me and I shouldn't be, but I am. So, when we want to talk about wasted money, let's look what's going on in those areas. Now, I do know that Highmark and Capital and the other large uh medical providers here in our consortium haven't
104put safeguards in place to keep this from happening again. Doesn't change the fact that we're on the hook for this right now. So, just want to put those numbers out there. People are complaining about things. These are some of the things your money's going towards. So, uh additionally, I just want to bring up I keep talking about consortium. Somebody had mentioned I should mention what those schools entail. Uh the 13 districts for IU 20 encompass East Stroudsburg, Nazareth, Pen Argyl, Bangor, Delval, Delaware Valley, Pleasant Valley, Wilson, Northampton, Bethlehem, Easton, Pocono Mountain, Stroudsburg, Saucon Valley as well as three CTCs which include MCTI, CIT, and BAVTS. So, again, if you're going to be going out on Facebook and doing all your Facebook research, um that's the districts we need to be looking at when you want
105to start talking apples to apples. Uh in addition to that there, there's also been talk about um well, we're comparing Dr. Conrad's all these other districts that are bigger. I just want to point out within the consortium, uh Delval has an enrollment at 40 4198. Uh that superintendent has been there for 3 years. Stroudsburg, these are the three that were identical right now. Stroudsburg has an enrollment of 4400. Uh that superintendent has been there 10 years. We sit at 4030 with Dr. Conrad being here 9 years. So, again, not to beat a dead horse here, but folks, what you voted on tonight you're not off on. So, thank you. Anyone else? Yes, hello again. Um I also agree as a parent for policy 227. I am not in agreement with anybody looking through my daughter's
106things or looking at her person in case you guys have any suspicion of any type of paraphernalia or substance whatever. I don't even care what it is. As a parent, absolutely not. I'm hands-off. Hands-off because I don't think you guys would appreciate if students felt a little weary about a teacher or a faculty member and they felt a little, you know, questionable and they came to you and said, "Hey, can we frisk you and see what's on your person?" I agree. I don't feel that our children should be subjected to this policy whatsoever. Um they are minors. They do not have the capability of making decisions for themselves. That's why they have parents. Um if you feel the need at any point that any of my kids personally would need to be looked at, I
107prefer to be called and be present and I'll look at my kids and see what's going on. I This just This isn't right and we shouldn't even have this um on the agenda at all. I'm sorry. I don't agree with it. My kids are minors. They can't advocate for themselves. That's why they have parents and I don't think you guys would like it if another district was talking about your child or your grandchild great-grandchild whatever and the potential of being looked at and checked out when I can tell you I know for a fact our kids can't even walk around with backpacks or any type of bags on their person throughout the school day, they have to keep everything locked up including their cell phones. So, why this is even an issue, I have no
108idea. Um but I do not agree with it and do not approve of it cuz if this is the route we're going to take, then as a parent, I should be allowed to come to the school and just start analyzing the people that are around my children. It's fair. Um so, I don't agree with that. Um the other thing I started really taking note and analyzing was your budgeting. Um I know you had mentioned a lot about the furniture budget and how a lot of it's 30 years old. I do agree fine if you guys want to replace all of that. I don't care. I understand it's going to be at our expense. However, if there's something that you guys have had for 4, 5, 6 years, why are we replacing that and spending our
109money on something that's just a few years old that's not even a decade. I've got furniture in my house that's well over a decade and it's fine. Um so, I like I I I agree with hopefully that um maybe we ought to look at the academics of our students and see where our money can be better spent. Again, I'm new to this district district and I get it and it is a better district from other districts that I've come from. Um but I just think that we have better use of our money and how it can be spent for these kids. Thank you. Anyone else? Seeing no one else approach, uh Pleasant Valley school directors, does anyone have anything >> I have one thing I'll I'll I'll pass out here. I got a call today
110uh about an an opportunity for us to participate in the um mobile traveling museum. Uh there is an opening uh uh on on between the 22nd and 24th of of the month. I went out to the website and I put together some information uh which I've I've passed uh to to Dr. Howard and I also gave a copy to Dr. Conrad. Yeah, I know he hasn't had the opportunity, but I but if we decide that we would like to participate, um we'd probably have to make a decision fairly soon. Um what they would do is they would bring this tractor trailer and set it up um much like the uh Vietnam Veterans uh traveling monument. They would um they would say but this deals with a variety broad spectrum of historical information about the United
111States. Uh and um I invite you to take a look at it. If the administration thinks it's worthwhile, we probably should make a call locally in the in the community, there there has been already a presentation at Slippery Rock. Uh there will be in uh uh early April one down in Han- Hanover uh Lancaster County and um and then in the latter part of April after this 22nd to 24th, they will be down as Nazareth Fire Company. So, um think it over. If the administration thinks it's worthwhile, make a phone call. Thank you. I just I just wanted because I've talked to Mr. Burger about this. I was going to get on this first thing in the morning because there's only one spot left. So, if it's okay with the Nope. Okay. Just as as
112a sidelight, what they the way they set it up and and they specifically said they wanted a a school district. Uh why they picked me to call, I guess maybe I'm because I'm on the county historical 250th. Anyway, I I I got the the the phone call, but they they during the school day they would do the presentations for students on the schedule that would be set up by the administration. After school is over, they will then make it available for members of the community. So, there's a broad spectrum of possibility if we decide to take advantage. Thank you. Anyone else? If the parent who came up and talked about the remote days, if you if you I would love to stick around and talk to you about that right after. If you don't mind.
113No, I don't mind at all. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Uh one more. Oh, go ahead. >> Uh congratulations, Dr. Conrad. I know you know, I would have wanted you to have been back here for another 5 years. Look forward to working with you. I also like people to understand if you look around here and what just happened tonight, all of the conversations that happened between the board members and our administration and how we were respectful to each other and we took each other's opinion. And that's the way it is. That's the way we work that way and we accept things as it comes as a whole and Dr. Conrad is with us for the next 5 years and we plan on working with him and hopefully to be more successful especially in our
114scores. Thank you very much. Okay, I just have a couple things. No, no, it's okay. It's okay. It's okay. Yeah. I'm sorry. I'm going to stay. Mr. Clark, I'm going to stay. Go ahead. Go ahead. Okay, Janet Junior, I wanted to say thank you for the people that did come out to speak. That's the first thing that I'm going to say. And I think I had to come back to policy 227 at this time. And and I would like to talk about it, Dr. Conrad and the board. And there's parts to that policy. I did read the policies of the other school school districts in in Monroe County and there are just parts to that policy that I would like to see improvement on. Um I have some ideas and I I would like to
115talk again with Mr. Fitzgerald and with Dr. Conrad on that policy. But I do appreciate that any parents have spoken up because it's something Dr. Conrad stayed with with us last at the workshop and I did some more research since then and and the one thing that I'm going to say is I did see a story. We we make fun of Facebook, but I did see a story of a student >> [sighs and gasps] >> whose backpack somebody put something in it. And then that student was in trouble and had to go out and get the test to prove herself innocent. So, it goes both ways with this, but I just would like to have the conversation more again about that policy in the future. But thank you. Thank you for listening, everyone. Okay, just
116a couple um So, we're here representing our community and we we don't want to make rush decisions and we don't want to over look overlook commitments and not approve spending without transparency. The taxpayers are making difficult choices every day and we owe them careful, responsible stewardship. And until that standard is met, you know, I disapproved of and voted no on the ones I thought that needed to be done. And nothing personal about it. I just I'm very concerned as we all are about our taxpayers. But when we have these other bills and invoices and you know, it some of them may not have >> [snorts] >> been able to be on the um item 16 especially. And that's good that was here so we could see transparency. I would like to see it still continue
117even in the working session. Because it is important that we get to voice our opinion for our constituents. Um and I appreciate that and um I understand the conversation. Okay, so I hope that continues just because of transparency and we are able to have this discussion. And congratulations again, Dr. Conrad, for being our superintendent for 5 more years. And there's another positive note here. Congratulations on achieving a perfect food inspection report. Um that reflects the strong execution and commitment to the students' safety and well-being. So, well done on our food services cuz they had a perfect inspection. And that's it. Anyone else? Again, Dr. Conrad, congratulations. I look forward to working with you. All right. Uh superintendent's remarks. Sure. Um just [clears throat] a a few re- remarks this evening. Um let's start on the
118high note focusing on students. So, congratulations to Natalie Hayes, Chelsea Henry, and Renee Creskey on being awarded the Singer Scholarship for this year. Um just for context, each of those students is receiving a $30,000 scholarship for college opportunities. Um I personally want to thank the Singer C&E family as well as Dr. Avery. We've forged a very positive relationship over the past few years and I'm very grateful uh for the Singer family to continue to work with Pleasant Valley to offer these great opportunities for our students. Um In addition, um let's see. Obviously, you know, very grateful to work with incredible board. We've actually had some board members change over the past few years, but I would say that the things that that I've been a part of and the decisions that this board has made
119has really helped to shape our future and we're definitely heading in the right direction. So, I look forward to continuing to work with our board. We have incredible staff. We have incredible parents and a great community. So, we need to collectively work together. And again, it was I was taking a step back. It was nice to know that through our dialogue, we don't always have to agree and that's okay. But the thing is is that we are working together and I think that every time we come to the table even when we don't always agree on things, we're still moving in the right direction. So, it's nice that we're working together and like I said, we have incredibly talented staff. Look at, you know, my executive cabinet and the great work that we're seeing from
120Dr. Howard in curriculum. The great things financially that we're seeing from our business manager and again, we're talking, you know, consistency for both of them year over year. Lori Folmer is not here tonight unfortunately. She's at a conference to get better at what she does, which is continuing to forge forward with human resources and just been an incredible resource for all of our staff. So, we're seeing really great things happening here, but you know what? We need to continue collectively focusing on our kids. Because I think sometimes we get in the weeds with the banter and the discussions and the negativity. I just wish we could push that energy back to our kids and think about how can we enhance our community, enhance our opportunities, and enhance access and and opportunities for all of our
121students. So, let's keep that front and center as well. That's why we're here. Um but thank you. I look forward to continuing to see great things happening in Pleasant Valley. Very grateful for this board and for the great staff I get to work with and the great community that I get to be part of. So, thank you. I have a motion. Second. >> [laughter] >> Thank you very much for coming. We are adjourned. Mike Kelly.