001Good evening. The first item on the work session agenda is the pledge of allegiance led by 202526 student board representatives Cheyenne Lynch and Kandakar Mayan. The second item on the work session agenda is a presentation of the service to children award by myself um vice president Desiree Murphy Morrisy. Service to children award 2025. Since 1999, the service to children award has been presented to a wide range of role players within our school district community for shaping, protecting, and enhancing the lives of the most vulnerable resource, our children. Now, in this 25th year, Upper Derby School District continues in the tradition of recognizing the recipient of this prestigious award for their unselfish dedication to our children, serving as a model for inspiration and emulation. We are blessed to work with so many in our organization who
002amplify these qualities every day and could very well receive this recognition. It is with great pleasure that the Upper Derby School Board of Directors and the School Administration recognizes an incredible contribution and continued excellence of Anna Marie Dasi by bestowing on her the service to children award for the 202425 school year. Enri was hired on April 14th, 2008 and served as a literacy specialist, reading specialist, literacy coach, and response to intervention specialist at Drexel Hill Middle School and Aron Elementary Schools until 2017. She was then promoted to lead teacher at Hillrest Elementary School and served in the capacity in that capacity for two years. She then moved on to Beverly Hills Middle School as an interim assistant principal, then back to Hillrest. So, she's had a tour as a district reading coach from 2020 to
0032022, then to Westbrook Park Elementary School, where she served as assistant principal until 2023. Ann Marie was appointed as principal of the kindergarten center for the 2023 24 school year, where she serves today, working tirelessly for the families of our youngest royals. Anmarie is known for her hard work and dedication to every task she encounters. From the moment she walks through the stores of her school, her presence is not just felt in the way things run, but in the way people believe in her work, their work, and their students. She approaches every task, big or small, with the same intensity and passion. And Marie's background as a literacy coach and specialist in the reading interventions is evident in the way she engages in instructional leadership. She knows that the heart of the school improvement lies
004in the quality of teaching and the depth of learning. Anyone who truly knows her knows that she believes in every fiber of her body that support and intervention are no extras but essentials. Her her serious approach to getting the job done through passionate though passionate at times is driven by heart and deep sense of responsibility to our children and their families. She believes every child deserves the best education experience and empowers her staff to deliver it with excellence and care. On behalf of the board of directors, thank you Emory for serving our children, families, and staff with courage, conviction, and compassion. Congratulations on this welldeserved 26th annual service to children award. The third item on the work session agenda is a recognition of the 2024 2025 student board representatives Timothy Beiju and Tasnine Taz Nem
005Yasmin. by myself. Just give me one second. On behalf of the entire Upper Derby School District community, we want to extend our deepest thanks to you for your outstanding service as student representatives to the school board this year. Your monthly reports have been nothing but short of amazing, full of life, insight, and a genuine reflection of what's happening on the ground with our students and staff. Your ability to highlight important happenings across the schools with such detail, charm, and humor has been a true gift. Each time you're presented, you reminded us why student voice matters and why we are so proud to be a part of the you that you are part of this district. It's clear that your pride and love for the Upper Derby School District and for the people who learn and
006work here runs deep. You have served as a strong, compassionate, and thoughtful voice for your fellow students, and we are all the better for it. As you graduate and begin your next chapter in post-secary education, know that we are cheering you on, expecting great things from you. We have no doubt that you will continue to lead, inspire, and succeed wherever you go. We will truly miss you, and we hope that you will come back to see us often. TNT, the dynamic duo, will forever be etched in the up the upper Derby School District history. Thank you for making your mark in such a meaningful and memorable way. With sincere appreciation, we wish you all the best. Tim and Taz, it just feels like yesterday when we were going through the shoes that you had to
007fill from the last group that was here, but you you surpassed that. you were outstanding. So, we're blessed to have had you. We'll miss you more than anything. Your beautiful smiles that you brought every single month. So, I appreciate how seriously you took it. Thank you. >> The final item on the work session agenda is a message from UDEA leadership, Miss Linda Fox, US UDA president. >> Obviously, Dr. Fox isn't here, but I have a message from all of UDA. and we'd like to say thank you for another wonderful year. And we would like to say thank you for all the board and administration does for our members and have a wonderful summer. Thank you. The regular inperson and virtual meeting of the Upper Derby School District board of school directors will now come to
008order. There was a close session agenda this evening from 700 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. for matters to be discussed within the limitations for closed deliberations as prescribed by Pennsylvania Act 93 of 1998. For this evening's meeting, there are personnel and litigation matters. I have communicated with board member Kimberly Glenn who has to be out for an illness along with uh board member Don um Don Fields. It's a long school year. Sorry. Don Fields, who was also out due to unnecessary absent student due to an illness. Roll call. Board secretary. Mr. Rogers, please. >> Miss Britney Williams, >> present. >> Miss Ko, >> present. >> Miss Deborah Williams, >> present. >> Mr. Hosine, >> present. >> Mr. War Savage, >> present. >> Miss Murphy Mercy, >> present. The district posted this evening's agenda to bore at
009least 24 hours prior to the commencement of this meeting. Is there a motion to approve that previously posted agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Are there any amendments to offer? >> There are no amendments. >> The agenda has been moved and second. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed, please signify by saying I oppose. Those abstainings, please signify by saying I abstain. Motion carried. The minutes of the combined work session regular meeting of May 13, 2025 and the voting meeting of May 27, 2025 are in the hands of each board member and has been available to the public. I move for their adoption. >> Second. >> Are there any comments from the board? Are there any comments from the public? All those in favor, please say I. >> I.
010>> Those opposed, please say I oppose. Those abstaining, please say I abstain. Motion carried. The report of the secretary is in the hands of each board member and has been made available to the public. I move for it adoption. >> Second. >> Are there any comments from the board? Are there any comments from the public? >> All those in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> Those opposed, please say I oppose. >> Those abstaining, please say I abstain. Motion carried. The treasurer report um Miss Britney Williams. >> The report of the treasur is in the hands of each board member has been made available to the public. I move for its adoption. >> Second. >> Are any comments from the board? Any comments from the public? All those in favor, please say I. >>
011I. >> Those opposed Those opposed, please say I oppose. >> Those abstaining, please say I abstain. Motion carried. We will now have the report of the student representatives, their final report. Tasnim Yasmin and Timothy Beiju. >> Good evening, board vice president Murphy Mercy, members of the board, Dr. McGary, and members of the Upper Derby School District community. For our final report, Taz and I visit our respective middle schools, Beverly Hills and Drexel Hill Middle School. Be prepared. This one's a little long. Entering Beverly Hills gave me a wash of nostalgia. The school had the same feeling it had years ago. And while talking with principal Mr. Remy, we learned that the classrooms of BH are getting a fresh UD Royals update over the summer, complete with new flooring, chairs, and desks. Even the air conditioning
012is getting an upgrade. It's a full-scale transformation that reflects just how much Upper Derby is investing in its schools, and we could tell the staff is truly looking forward to the changes. >> Another notable change is the rec recognization of grade levels throughout the building. Sixth grade, which used to be on the first floor, is now on the second floor. Eighth grade has moved into the former sixth grade area, and seventh grade is in a centralized hallway. The building layout feels more intentional, and staff shared how these changes have made a difference in the day-to-day flow. >> The liveless of the student culture at both middle schools blew us away. Clubs and activities are thriving, spring sports are wrapped up, and students are now celebrating with a packed end ofear calendar. Beverly and Drexel's theater
013departments made us made use of the renovated auditoriums this year. BH's spring musical featured Moana Jr. and DH's spring musical featured Beauty and the Beast Jr. Both Mr. Remy and Drexel Hills principal, Miss Paladino, expressed their amazement at their respective theater students. Staff and families say they were so good it was hard to believe that the productions were made by middle school students. >> Eighth grade has some exciting stuff coming up. Eighth graders at Beverly Hills recently had their school dance last week, and the eighth graders at Drexel Hill are looking forward to their dance this upcoming Friday. Beverly Hills has an exciting final day of school event where students will enjoy a schoolwide reward day with the outdoor in and indoor stations, giving each grade a chance to celebrate in their own space. And
014of course, both Beverly and Drexel will hold their eighth grade promotion ceremonies next Tuesday evening for their purple and gold learning communities. It will be bittersweet, but the students are excited for their future in high school. >> We'd also like to highlight Beverly Hills Science and Courtyard Cleanup Club, run by my past science teacher, Miss Kartiti. Science club at BH involves six trips to Nailaylor's Run, exploring natural sciences, and a team effort to clean up the school's courtyard. A mission left unfinished from my time at BH pre-COVID. The students have done a wonderful job, and although it's still a work in progress, it's already become a calm, creative area where students can hold events, plant, and take pride in something they helped build. During our visit to Drexel Hill Middle School, I had the amazing
015opportunity to reconnect with some of the staff who had had a big impact on me during my time there. Mr. Schiller, my former assistant principal, Mrs. Dever, my social studies teacher, and Senor Kums, my Spanish teacher. It was such a meaningful experience to see them again. The visit brought back a lot of great memories and reminded me how much their support helped me shape who I am today. >> As already stated throughout the school year, Clifton Heights Middle School will be a grand addition to our school district in the upcoming. Both Mr. Remy and Mrs. Paladino are excited for the new building, a school closer and more convenient for the Clifton Heights kids, and more space for the rest of the students in their schools. Granted, both Mr. Remy and Mrs. Paladino come from UDHS,
016so I'm sure they're used to the chaos of a large school district by now. It'll be sad seeing some students go, but we are all excited to see the changes and improvements that come with a third middle school for our elementary schools to feed into. >> After nearly 6 months of using the Evolve systems, both Beverly Hills and Drexel Hill report that things have been running smoothly. Lines are quick with three entrances each and very very rarely does the detection system go off. Mrs. Paladino even highlighted how having the extra moment in the morning to greet the students and have a small talk feels so valuable and attended and positive consequence of the addition of these weapon detection systems. >> I'd like to spend a bit of time thanking you all for the wonderful things
017Tim and I got to experience this school year through this role. From interacting with kindergarteners to serious discussions with administrators, I could not be any more grateful for the time we've spent together, not only as a team, but as our schools, as a district, and as a family. One theme that we noticed throughout all the schools we visited is the massive family culture found among the individual schools, the staff, and the classrooms. Everyone in this district has built such strong relationships and support systems. There's always a hand out there for when you need help. It truly is what make makes Upper Derby School District Upper Derby. on to my message to you the our upcoming representatives for the 2025 2026 school year. First of all, congratulations on your appointment as the next student representatives for
018the Upper Derby School District School Board. You've been bestowed with the responsibility to represent nearly 13,000 students, including one kindergarten center, nine elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. The opportunity to act as the bridge between student voices and administrative decisions. As we pass the torch to you, I ask that you spend your time not only advocating for our schools, but also enjoying the relationships you build with our community. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. This school, this district, this community, it's different. Not always easy, but real. We've had teachers who saw something in us even when we didn't see it in ourselves. We've been challenged and thoroughly prepared for our future that many of us haven't yet realized. We were surrounded by classmates from every background, from
019every walk of life, and ultimately we come together. That's the beauty of Upper Derby. That's what makes us different. And come on, y'all already know I got to shout out all the Upper Derby staff, our amazing admin team, and the school board. Y'all deserve a standing ovation, and probably a long vacation, too. From guiding this district behind the scenes to making the big decisions that help shape our experience. Your work didn't go unnoticed. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all. You guys are really family to me and I love you all. I wish that you, the future board representatives for the upcoming school year, truly appreciate the effort placed by our team and the environment built around you. That's all for our final report. We'd like to extend our gratitude to all the
020administrators, teachers, and students who supported our journey as student representatives. Thank you to our friends at the K Center, Mrs. Dassi and Mr. Gallagghan, >> Gapford Elementary, Mr. Bridges and Mrs. Matrides, >> Manzorita, >> Manzorites, sorry. I told you before this. Okay. >> Bwood Elementary, Mrs. Mihan and Mrs. Newbie. >> Charles Kelly Elementary, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Millard. >> Highland Park Elementary, Mr. Dvito and Mr. Smalls. >> Aronomic Elementary, Mr. Rehack and Mr. Walden. >> Primos Elementary, Mr. Rogers and Mr. Castano. >> Westbrook Park Elementary, Mr. Comfort and Mrs. Bush. >> Stonehurst Hills Elementary, Mr. Chisum and Mr. Patrick. >> Hillrest Elementary, Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Gonzalez. >> Beverly Hills Middle School, Mr. Remy >> Drexel Hill Middle School, Mrs. Paladino, >> Miss Citec, >> Mrs. Buford, >> Miss Simone, >> Mr. Digs, >> Dr.
021Parkinson, >> and Dr. McGary, >> the board, and of course, our wonderful community. Have a great evening. >> CNC, >> out. It's not working. No, I can't. Wait, wait, >> throw it. Throw it. Throw it. I hope the next group of schoolboard representatives, a school district representatives, student representatives can be as entertaining next year. It's been a pleasure having you both. The budgeted personnel and enrollment reports have been made available to the public and are and are on the record as as part of the record. No vote is required. We will now have the report of the superintendent by Dr. Daniel McGarry. Thank you, Vice President Murphy Morsy and and TNT. Congratulations. Best of luck. Both brilliant kids and off to an amazing future. Uh so again, congratulations and thank you all for all you've
022done. I know not everybody here tonight is really here about the budget or anything else that we have going on. I know we're here to recognize a lot of students. Typically in June, um we only recognize the top 5% and I see some top 5% students in the audience tonight. So congratulations. And we so for those reasons we don't have a superintendent report but there's been so much outstanding work and accomplishment by our students both on the stage in the performing arts and athletically and our teachers that we're going to take the opportunity because we think it's important as part of our tagline is celebrating excellence here in the school district and and that's what we're going to do our teachers our staff our students both in the classroom and outside of the classroom. So,
023I want to let you know just like TNT said, it's not going to be a short report, but I promise not to talk about any facts or figures and numbers. It's going to be more about celebrating people. Just two other things I'd like to say. Congratulations to Ann Marie and all your work. I think part of that is also the work that you've done in bringing RTI to the school district and MTSS, you know, and part of that write up. We were the first learning site, national learning site in the district at a secondary level. So, congratulations to you on earning that recognition and that award. And then emotionally in the room this evening. Um this is Dr. Manfryy's last board meeting. Um and I know for him it's been an emotional period of time.
024He's been walking around I guess asking is this it? Like what just happens? You walk out of here and and and is it over? So I just want to take a moment if you could join me in giving you know Dr. Manfrey a standing ovation. Over 30 years in education in this school district has worked hold on one second has worked has worked actually started his career in uh registration. Um, and from registration, he moved on to becoming a teacher at Drexel Hill Middle School. Then he worked in administration at Beverly Hills, Drexel Hill, Upper Derby High School, central office in federal programs, then at Primus Elementary School, then back to Drexel Hill Middle School, worked at Upper Derby High School, worked in central office in a several positions. So, he's worked just about everywhere
025in the organization for a long period of time. I know it's an emotional day. I know much you love schoolboard meetings, and this should being your last one. So, congratulations to Greg on his retirement. Vice President Murphy Marcy, you should know that Greg has offered to come back as a consultant and every day it goes up $100 an hour. It gets to be more unusual all the time. >> I'll just take the coffee. All right, >> with that in mind, I I guess we'll kick things off with um and and I really can't remember the last time such an amazing amount of awards were won for our theater program. Not that our theater program has not been amazing for all of these years, and I I don't want to discredit that at all. So, what
026I say to you is that having gone, I think, uh with um Dr. Council and Mrs. Simone to see the preview uh of this wonderful musical that took place here in the school district. The the creativity from the stage from the the singing and the actors and actresses and everybody on stage to the stage crew to the adults that give hours and hours of their time. I just want to read uh and congratulate you for what you've accomplished. I know Dr. Kelly went this past weekend and was there to highlight the these awards with you, but we're going to do it again with you here tonight. So, here's what I know. the 2025 Greater Philadelphia Cappy Awards. Upper Derby High School's spring musical, Sweeney Tide, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, was honored with 14,
027listen to this, 14 Greater Philadelphia Cappy nominations for the 24-25 awards season. Unbelievable. The Cappies is a national writing and awards program that trains high school theater and journalism students to be expert writers, critical thinkers, and leaders. Student critics vi to be published in local media outlets by attending publications at other schools and writing critical reviews. Theater and journalism students are trained as critics and writing critical reviews. Theater and journalism students continue to do this and learn about theater and production both on stage, offstage, every aspect of it. At the end of the year, Kappy's critics decide who among their peers, usually it's peers meaning school district from school district across 42 categories. They get together and they decide who wins 42 different awards at an annual gala. The Greater Philadelphia chapter of the Cappies
028Awards was started in Upper Derby during the 2005 2006 school year with Upper Derby High School participating every year since. Special thanks to Chris Monaco, Sarah Mingle, Brian Bashure, Hana Wizneski, and Tim Bruno. If you're here, please please stand and be recognized. If if you could just stay just just just one second. Brian, I continue to hear amazing things all the time, email after email, and it's true. We appreciate what you do. Uh I appreciate Hannah for stepping up years ago and taking on these responsibilities. I appreciate it. And Tim, you've been here for a long, long time. A long time. So, thank you for sticking with us and thank you for what you've done. I really appreciate it. Thank you. Just by some way of background, Chris Monaco is the overall director of the
029musical. He creates the vision and the path for the show while directing the cast with the intent of characters, motivation, and purpose. He is responsible trans for translating what is on the page to what is on the stage. Sarah is the choreographer who stages the show, either with dance or movement in conjunction with the director's staging preferences and vision. I guess they call that artistic creativity. Brian is the music director who teaches the music. Go figure. Who teaches the music to the actors and makes sure they are communicating the directors and playwrights vision through song. Hannah is the producer who facil facilitates the program front of house and box office production photos candygrams. We know how important candygrams are. Ushers and is the liaison between academics and theater for the students at the high school.
030And Tim, well Tim does a lot. He facilitates the entire production which includes applying for licensing, managing the rehearsal schedule, space renovations, trying to keep the musical a secret and a surprise from year to year. I added that part. Uh designing the uh designing and building the set and costumes, completing all purchasing, running the student crew, uh official poster graphics and printing uh and ticketing and website setup. As you could see, it takes a tremendous amount of coordination and behind the-scenes work to result in the excellence that we see year in and year out on our stage with our amazingly talented students and staff. Congratulations again to the students and staff on an amazing show and for receiving these stellar awards, 40 uh 14 nominations at the Greater Philadelphia Cappies. So, I'm going to read
031out your names. I don't know how we're going to fit everybody up here to get a picture. We'll figure it out. All right, are you ready? Hold your applause. I know we get excited, but hold our applause. We don't clap over each uh individual talented person. Josiah Marker, Kalia Haymon Brown, Cole Mintosh, Kiara Ofer, Kareem Wright, Eric Nathan, Ely Hajj, Nadia Flynn, Sid Martinez, Alana Jackson, Evan Alexander, Emily Allen, Somaya Bosimo, Leila Bishop Burns, Jerabel Borea, Steven Chan, Caprice Krenshaw, Kylie Derby, Ma Foy, Kamari Goss, Bana Green, Avalie Goldner, Tia Hobin, Nia Halt, Alani Hugh, Emanuel Isles, David Moore, Lauren Kennedy, Iris Kim, Shakara Kabasi Tomb, Ma Kapjuda, Daniel Lonnie, Andrew Lazour, Mia Lazour, Allison Marker, Samantha Martin, Corin Patrick, Amani Armana Peters, MD Samor Ramen, Megan Raleigh, Alen Salah, Ma Strawbridge, Salatu Miam Tarawali,
032Arian Tal Taylor, Jeremiah Wilds, Jace Wilson, and Damen Woodarski. Hold on, we're not finished. Now to the crew. Gianna Williams, Samantha Lizzy, John Peter Quillin, Cole Williams, Lyanna Joy Mullen, Azuden Nism, Nisam, Annabelle Perry, Remy Lazour, Nimra Ramen, Mahin Nas, Wed Amen an Sabrina Galott. Now we can clap. Congratulations. While while we're up there, this past weekend, the 19th grader Philadelphia Cappy Awards was held at the Forming Arts Center. The Cappies encompassed 27 schools from southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. The gala obviously represents a total of 47 awards in the categories of theater, theatrical performance, technical theater, theater journalism for both plays and musical. Intersecting the awards were performances from schools nominated in the C categories of best play, best song, best musical. With 142 student critics and over 700 reviews, the critics voted
033on 42 award categories culminating with the gala. And we're proud to announce that Upper Derby High School's production of Sweeney Todd, nominated for 14 awards, won nine of the 14 awards. nine of them. Thank you to Dr. Kelly and to the team for being there this weekend. And more importantly, I also want to make sure I recognize John Peter Quillin for special effects and technology for winning an award. Alana Jackson for hair and makeup. Amana Peters for hair and makeup. Sydney J. Meyers for supporting actor in female role in a musical. Kareem Wright for featured actor in a male role in a musical. Kalia Haymon Brown for lead actor in a female role in a musical. Josiah Marker for lead actor in a male role in a musical. The Company of Sweeney Todd for best
034ensemble in a musical. Best song and overall best musical. Let's give it up for them. We're going to move on to the annual Delaware County Intermediate Unit Right to Education Task Force Making a Difference Awards. six of them. The Making Difference Awards are an annual event sponsored by Delaware County's Right to Education Local Task Force. The event recognizes outstanding individuals who meet one of the following criteria. Students who have preserved and overcome challenges to be successful with an inclusive setting. Students who have demonstrated exceptional support, friendship, acceptance, and understanding to ensure the inclusion of classmates of all abilities. adults who have demonstrated extraordinary efforts through their exceptional work to promote acceptance and understanding to ensure the inclusion of all children of all abilities. Our student recipient was nominated by high school counselor Jill Morris for
035going above and beyond. This is at Trexville Middle School to support students and inclusion. Our teacher award recipient is a is a group this year and this is important. We'll go on to the students in a minute. This is the Drexel Hill Middle School musical theater directing team members. The directing team at Drexel Hill Middle School has included students with autism into their musical production of Beauty and the Beast. They have demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusion by welcoming and supporting multiple students with autism in the production and have also cast one student with autism as a featured character, Silly Girl. The directing team has demonstrated understanding and responsiveness in working with these students while also fostering a supportive environment by encouraging the rest of the cast to collaborate with and uplift. It's truly a
036wonderful way to show inclusion as not just a classroom initiative but also in the arts and extracurricular activities. Congratulations to Drexel Middle School on their outstanding work. Regarding the student nominee, and this this hits close to home for me, Austin Campbell, high school guidance counselor, if you're here, Austin, I think you are. You can come forward. High school counselor Joe Mars stated, quote, "Austin Campbell is a junior enrolled at Upper Derby High School. He's a natural leader with a great me um a great member of our school community. Not to mention his parents and family contribute a lot work here and and they're great people. When he arrived in high school, he continued with athletics, something he's done throughout his life. He participates in three sports, ice hockey, baseball, and golf. Austin has shown remark
037remarkable perseverance and strength throughout his academic journey. Consistently rising to meet challenges with determination and a positive attitude. In addition to sports, Austin has shown dedication and support for inclusion through his efforts with inclusion lunches and special Olympics. He has raised money to support Special Olympic athletes and has participated in the Polar Plunge. He is co- captain of the Botchi Unified team. He will often stop by the autistic support classroom to check and see how everyone is doing. Not only is Austin helpful, he has built and maintained relationships with his classmates who have special needs. His efforts have been an immense impact on his peers, helping them to grow socially and emotionally through his time with them, especially the manager of the baseball team, who is a member of our life skills program. Austin truly
038cares about others, and it shows how he carries himself. Austin is described by one teacher as one of her favorite humans in the building. On a personal level, I've known Austin since T-ball and when he played on my Lannarch Hills Pittsburgh Pirate AU championship team. Austin was also a special person in my life because he and my dad were battling cancer cancer together at the same time. And my dad and Austin used to share phone calls with one another after their treatment. I know Austin knows this, but those phone calls between Austin and my dad motivate my dad to keep fighting. So, I appreciate you, Austin, in more ways than you know. Congratulations. So, members of the Drexel Middle School Theater directing team, Lauren Glover, Katherine Landmaster, Andrew Guilford, and Katrina Niagara. Congratulations. I know
039we had one other one other student uh that was nominated and won uh Skyler Mixon, member of Drexel Middle School Music Theater Directing Team for being selected as a recipient of the 2425 Delaware County Right to Education Task Force. I know she's not with us, but we wanted to recognize her as well. Congratulations 2025 pen relay carnival relays. Congratulations to both the ninth grade boys and girls 4x 100 relay teams. Finishing first at the pen relays is no small feat. And for both teams to do it in the same year, that's history in the making. You all Is that make my time's up? You all should be extremely proud. What an amazing moment for the UDRA track programs. Special thanks to their coaches. I think that you're in the room. Uh congratulations. What an amazing
040moment. Unbelievably talented kids for the for the ninth grade boys 4x 100. Safir Balden, Mustafia Daba Dabo Jr., Denisius Tossa, and James Wolo. You here? The PIAA JV9 girls 4x100, Amy Té, Oia Lauderdale, Marzia Jones, and Caster Walker. You here? We'll keep calling up the track athletes. So, we're not finished yet. Hold on. Upper Derby High School winning Central League 4x400 heat at the Penn Relays, qualifying for the Philadelphia area finals and finishing fourth overall. Daniel Chuka, Joshua Sharp, David Betta, and Kareem Good. Come on up here if you're if you're in the audience. And then Drexel Hill Middle School for taking third place in the PIAA District 1 middle school boys division at the pen relays. Jeremiah Etion, Rianne Montigue, Logan Hicks, Ryier Knuckles, if you're here, come on up. And the coaches that
041are here, come on up and be get in the picture as well, please. We're now going to recognize the 2025 Delaware County Reading Olympics winners. So congratulations Upper Derby High School receiving the blue ribbon award at the 2025 Delaware County Reading Olympics competition. Atifa Mahara Shamia Atkar MD Arab Assir Jude Brett Mateo Florentino Wong Mahadi Islam Hassana Lashini Montasier Nabil Fzun Nazim Munth Na If you're here come on up and be recognized. Congratulations. Continue our excellence Empire Mock Trial Competition. So, congratulations to the Upper Duby High School for their outstanding performance as a valued member of the Upper Duby High School mock trial team in contribution to the team's victory in the second round of the 2025 Empire Mock Trial Competition. Congratulations to an Angelique Tilman, Isis Witherspoon, Blessing Batu, Winter Ringold, Micah Clark, Kaylor,
042MD Sar Ramen, Maren Kona, MD Somar Ramen of Upper High School receiving recognition as outstanding witness at the 25 Mach Empire mock trial. Isis Witherspoon of Upper High School for receiving recognition as an outstanding attorney at the 25 Empire mock trial competition. and Micah Clark Kaylor of Upper High School for receiving recognition as outstanding witness for the 25 Empire mock trial competition. Congratulations if you're here. Come on up and be recognized. Okay, we have these pretty cool uh brings me back to my youth. These science boards uh in the room um makes you feel like there's some normaly still in the world and doesn't have to be on a tech technology. we can get back to some good things. 77th annual Delaware Valley Science Fair. Students of who participate in the 25 Delaware Valley Science
043Fair are involved in sophisticated research projects that focus on STEM, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics topics in 13 different categories. Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding research. This year we had one special award winner and three category award winners. The St. Gobain Foundation Sustainability Award is given to eight high school student researchers that demonstrate sustainability, recycled material use, carbon reduction, and circular economy solutions. Two winners at each grade level will receive $400 and a certificate and another certificate. Tonight, we are proud to acknowledge Alan Lou for receiving this prestigious honor this year. Alan Louu, 11th grade, congratulations for winning the St. Goban Foundation Sustainability Award at the 77th annual Delaware Valley Science Fair. We are also proud to uh to recognize three category winners. Um and they are Lily Clark, honorable mention, 11th
044grade, behavior on science, social science, the impact of caffeine on brainwave frequencies in cognitive performance. Safflin Salma, honorable mention, ninth grade, Earth and Space Science, Investigating the Correlation of Size and Age of Martian Craters. Nasifa Ara, first place in overall bronze medalist, 10th grade, behavior and social science, the impact of puzzle solving on memory retention and concentration, a study of cognitive enhancement. Congratulations, Just while we're up here, in April, we recognized a student who was one of only three and over a thousand participants in the tri-state area to advance the Delaware Valley Science Fair. And you guess who that is, Nazifa Ara. She recently returned from a brilliant week at the International Science and Engineering Fair where her research titled the impact of puzzle solving on memory retention and concentration. A study of cognitive enhancement
045was recognized by the American Psychological Association. Those of you who go to get your doctorate or have to write, it's called the APA, which is not a fun thing to have to write and use. So, congratulations to you. Very, very sophisticated. Incredible. Congratulations again for being recognized. And what I understand is you were one of 1700 students worldwide selected from over 66 countries to participate in this most prestigious science competition. And from what I hear was a pretty amazing week. You want to share anything about it? >> No. Okay. I won't put you on the spot. I want to say congratulations to you. And Miss Burns, if you're here in the room, if you can come forward, come on up. None of this would take place without your outstanding dedication and what you do as
046a teacher at that high school. So, Shahad Rahad represented the New York Times at the media summit where they debated the corruption of democracy. So, it was both you and your classmate. Congratulations on their position paper. Congratulations. Back to track. The boys and girls teams delivered outstanding performances at the state track meet. We're going to say congratulations to Josiah Sharp, second place in the 800 meters in the PIAAA state championship. Our change Gabriel Moise Tiwa Sao, fourth place triple jump. Daniel Chukqua 11th place in the 110 meter high hurdles. Janai High 17th place triple jump. Felicia Morris 27th place triple jump. Leila Middleton 14th place 4x100. Leila Middleton fourth place 4x400. Kotti Goldman Benki 14th place 4x100 and fourth place 4x400. Taji Pal both 14th place in the 4x100 and fourth place in the 4x00
0474x400. Oia Lauderdale fourth place in the 4x100 and fourth place in the 4x100. Arie Etion 14th place alternate 4x100. Elise Joseph fourth place alternate 4x00. Congratulations The good news is that we have awesome kids, awesome staff, awesome students. The other good news, this concludes my report for this evening. Congratulations to all the students, families, administrators, teachers, and staff, as well as I think we take this for granted, the board of school directors who support the opportunities that exist in this school district. The hours of coordination and commitment to excellence demonstrates our district's unified efforts to reach excellence inside and outside of the classroom. That concludes my report for this evening. We will now have an update on the May 27th, 2025 uh education and people services committee meeting. Mr. Damen Warsavage will read the summary.
048A detailed summary of the meeting including public comments can be found on board docs. All >> right. Thank you, Vice President. Just want to go over the summary that we have for the education and people services committee meeting that occurred on May 27th. So just last week here in the boardroom, we did go over a few items. Uh a few of which are board action required, but let's get into it. First agenda item uh for discussion was adoption of resource communication tool board action required. Dr. Christine Kelly and Miss Joanna DeMarco, supervisor of English learners and MTSS, presented the adoption of a communication tool for the 202526 school year. The presentation included an overview of the process for the selection of the resource, the highlights of the proposed resource, the professional development plan, and the
049impact on the district budget. District administrators followed the guidelines outlined in policy 109 and all corresponding administrative regulations have been completed and were available on board docs. This item is for board action on tonight's meeting. Curriculum textbook review process elementary English uh language arts informational Dr. Christine Kelly and Miss Kristen O'Neal supervisor of elementary English language arts and reading presented the curriculum resource review process and timeline for the adoption of curriculum resources for students in grades K through 5 for the 2026 2027 school year. This item again wasformational. Third item on the agenda for that evening was end of year review safety procedures and weapons detection systems. Dr. McGary and the director of public safety, Mr. Anthony Vaughn, provided a brief summary and update on the successful implementation of the weapons detection systems that were
050installed in the middle in the middle of 2024 2025 school year at the high school and both of our middle schools. The presentation provided a brief overview of the system and use by the school district by the by the district, pardon me, while students are in session, data following implementation, and a reminder video and communication plan to prepare students and families for the 2025 2026 school year. There were no public comments. >> Thank you for the summary. I will now give a summary for the operations finance and finance and operations meeting. Um, we will now have an update from that meeting which was May 27th, 2025, finance and operations. On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, there was a finance and operations committee meeting immediately following education and people services. All board members were present except except
051Mr. Fields, Miss Britney Williams, Miss Glenn, and Miss Pens Pensini Cow. Um the agenda item summary was the budget update which informational district administration provided an update on the 2025 2026 budget. The process the presentation revisited timelines historical data and potential changes to the final budget. There were no public comments. The instruction and curriculum report by Mr. Hussein. >> The instruction and curriculum report is in the hands of each board member and has been made available to the public. I moved 48's adoption. >> Second. >> Are there any comments from the board? Any comments from the public? All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed, please say I oppose. >> Those abstaining, please say abstain. Motion carry. >> The personnel report is in the hands of each board member and has
052been made available to the public. I move for his adoption. >> Second. Are there any comments from the board? Any comments from the public? All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed, please say I oppose. Those abstaining, please say I abstain. Motion carried. The supplies report is in the hands of each board member and has been made available to the public. And I move for his adoption. >> Second. >> Are any comments from the board? Any comments from the public? All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed, please say I oppose. >> Those abstaining, please say I abstain. Motion carried. The transportation report is in the hands of each board member and has been made available to the public. I move for his adoption. >> Second. >>
053Are there any comments from the board? Any comments from the public? All those in favor, please say I. >> I. I I >> I. >> Any opposed? Please say I oppose. Those abstaining, please say I abstain. Motion carried. >> The facilities report and the use of facilities report are in the hands of each board member and have been made available to the public and I move for their adoption. >> Second. >> Are there any comments from the board? Any comments from the public? All those in favor, please say I. >> I. I. I. >> Those opposed, please say I oppose. Those obstaining, please say I abstain. Motion carried. The finance and budget report, Miss Deborah Williams. >> Thank you. The finance and budget report is in the hands of each board member and has been
054made available to the public. I move for its adoption. >> Second. >> Are there any comments from the board? Any comments from the public? All those in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> I. >> Those opposed, please say I oppose. Those abstaining, please say I abstain. Motion carried. Does anyone have a collateral report assignment update? >> I just want to congratulate the winners. Now, now they we know who they are of the um scholarship. So, >> thank you. Any other collateral assignment updates? I just want to remind the public that we do have a first reading in regards to policy uh for six different policy items. Information for all this is on board docs and as a general reminder this these policies do have to be brought up again in a subsequent committee
055meeting uh before they're brought up again in a future formal board meeting before they're ultimately uh voted on by your board. Those six items uh for first reading are policy 103 title slash title disc title discrimination title n sexual harassment affecting students policy 104 same thing affecting staff policy 317 title conduct/disciplinary procedures 317.1 title educator misconduct policy 320 title freedom of speech in non-school settings and policy 815.1 one titled use of generative artificial intelligence aka AI in education. That ends my summary. >> If I could just just add on to that, I appreciate Damian that update. Typically during a first reading too, um most of those uh to Damian's point are state or federal changes that come with the policy. One of the policies that came forward uh is an artificial intelligence policy. And there's
056some actual criminal charges that could take place for students who use artificial intelligence uh in a bullying or harassment way. And the district will be coming out with more communications with students at that uh at that time. Also to uh board member War Savage's point uh typically the back and forth and conversations with policies now that we have an audience usually take place at that committee meeting conversation. So I appreciate you reminding people of that. And if you can uh I think Vice President Murphy Marcy, we moved quickly through the personnel report. I just want to give it a second if we can go back to that one second and just recognize uh Chris Rosier who's in the room. Congratulations to Chris uh on earning his new position. Chris, congratulations. Sorry. >> Congratulations. Um, Miss
057Deborah Williams. >> Thank you. I just have a brief report on the IU. Um, first, our next meeting is tomorrow evening at uh 6. Um, I just wanted to recognize we had nearly 600 um families for our DCTS graduate um graduation at Newman University on May 21st. Um, the IU also held its annual golf outing to benefit the Delaware County Education Foundation on May 19th. I think we already talked about the legislative breakfast that was held on May 16th um that the IU hosted. Um and then on May 9th, the IU was named community partner of the year by Goodwill um recognizing some of its um work um in a community with the youth. Um that concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there an update from uh the foundation? >> None at
058this none at this time. >> Thank you. Any other updates? Collateral assignments. Is there any old business from any board members? >> Just want to uh thank the kindergarten center for an awesome what did you guys call it? A promotion ceremony >> uh for the students in all the great well in all the classrooms. Also, a week prior to that, myself and director Glenn uh had the pleasure of going to Bywood's PBIS uh festival where I was in a dunk tank. Thankfully, I was not dunked by any of the students, but of course, the teachers had to do their big one at the very end. And down I went. So, that was a bunch of fun. That ends my brief summary. >> Mr. Rogers. >> So, next on the agenda is the election of a
059board president. The board accepted the resignation of school board president Neil Desire on May 27th, 2025 with an effective date of May 29th, 2025, leaving a vacancy in that office. Therefore, the board must elect a new president. Miss Murphy Morsy, will you open the floor for nominations? Thank you, Mr. Rogers. I will now open the floor to nominations of the president of this board. Please note that nominations do not need to be seconded. Do I hear a nomination at this time? >> I would like to nominate uh Desiree. Are there any other nominations? Seeing no further nominations, I will close the nomination process. Mr. Secretary, will you poll the board, please, on a vote for the Desiree Murphy Morrisy as president of this board to serve until the reorganizational meeting in December? >> Miss Britney
060Williams? >> Am I saying yes? >> Yeah, you're >> Yes. Yes. >> Miss Ko? >> Yes. >> Miss Deborah Williams? >> Yes. >> Mr. Hine? >> Yes. >> Mr. War Savage. >> Yes. >> Miss Murphy Mury. >> Yes. >> Miss Murphy Mury has been elected president. Congratulations. >> Thank you. And before we go we move on to the next one, I just want to say thank you for putting your trust in the fact that I can lead and hopefully do a great job and represent you all. So, Miss Mercy Murphy Mercy, with your recent election, we now have an opening for the position of vice president. For that reason, will you please open the floor for nominations for the vice president? >> I will open the floor to nominations for the vice president of this
061board. Again, nominations do not need to be second. Do I hear a nomination at this time? Yes, I would like to nominate Britney Williams. >> I would like to nominate Damen Warsavage. Are there any other nominations? Seeing no further nominations, I will close the nomination process. Mr. Secretary, would you pull the board, please, on a on a vote for Britney Williams as vice president of this board to serve until the reorganizational period in December? Uh, Madame President, we're going to need to have uh the board members voice a decision on the two possibilities. Uh, so they will simply state the name of the person that they're going to vote for. >> So, we just go through each one. >> I'll I'll pull each board member. Each board member choose between the two nominees. Once we
062have one, then we can pull the board for the >> Wait, actually, are there any So, as I call your name, please choose between the nominees of Miss Britney Williams or Mr. Damen Warsavage. Miss Britney Williams. >> I guess I'll vote for myself. >> Miss Ko. >> Uh, Britney Williams. >> Miss Deborah Williams. Britney Williams >> Mr. Damon >> Mr. War Savage >> Damian War Savage >> Miss Murphy Mercy >> Damian War Savage >> uh the vote is tied. Uh we'll then have to revote and if anybody changes their vote, we'll we will then uh be able to break the tie. >> Miss Britney Williams. >> I'll keep my my name myself. >> Miss Ko. >> Britney Williams. >> Miss Deborah Williams. >> Britney Williams. Mr. Hane, >> Mr. Damon, Mr. War Savage, >> Damen
063Warsavage, >> Miss Murphy Mercy, >> Brittney Williams. >> The majority is for Miss Britney Williams. Miss Britney Williams has been elected as the vice president. Congratulations. We are now at the time for public hearing. We will call on Upper Derby School District residents who sign in to address the board in order in which they signed in followed by email and phone comments. We would ask that you come to the come forward, give your name and address and pres and present your comments in a 3minut limit in accordance with policy 903. The time allotted for general comments both in person and submitted comments will not exceed one hour. >> Is Deborah Guyger here? >> Okay. My name is Deborah Guyger. I live at 4006 Albammoral Avenue in Drexel Hill. I came tonight um to thank Mr.
064Duyers. Um I had written him an email May 24th and he forwarded that to Dr. McGarry. That was at 11:00 at night. I didn't read my emails until about 2 that afternoon. And by 12:00 I had gotten a wonderful email from Dr. McGarry. My grandson goes to Gaford Elementary. Can't say enough about that school. The teachers, um the the security guards, just every staff member is wonderful. Kevin comes out of school every day with a smile on his face. But my concern is um I at times use the drive up and pickup line. And since October, I have been witnessing behavior of adults driving in this small area with close calls of children getting hit or their caregivers walking home. Uh there's illegal parking on the yellow lines. Uh ones where it's the only path
065the children can walk next to the school. Cars were parking there. So the kids had to walk into the drive-thru and pick up line. People stop their cars, put them in park, go get the kids. I've seen cars go in the exit of the drive up. And Bermont Road is a war zone. So I was very concerned. And that afternoon it was pouring raining that I had heard heard from Dr. McGarry and the security guard who happens to know every name of the student in that school was directing traffic and um one thing I had gotten in contact with Mr. Bridges another lovely man. They had put a um big big sign not to turn left onto Vermont Road to stay right so the flow keeps going. No one obeys that. So I just was
066getting more concerned. Um and I thought who can I talk to to to do something about this? And I thought not knowing Dr. McGarry at all, but you go to top to the top, I believe, the expert, and he made some changes and it's been amazing. Nobody's parking illegally. The traffic's flowing there. There was accidents on Burmont Road due to this. And I just came to say thank you so much. And how blessed am I to see the awards of these children, our future. I just got to witness this. very excited and uh I'm an upper derby graduate. My daughters are an up are upper derby graduates and I can't say enough about our school day. Thanks for letting me share. >> Typically, I know there's not a back and forth. I just want to
067say thank you, but there's a team of people that work here. I've received the email from board member Desawyers. I responded right away. I got together with a team. So, Mr. Vaughn, who's in the room, Dr. Manfrey, I think Ashwina, you might have been involved at the time. Uh, and Mr. Bridges. So, I appreciate the compliment that I emailed you back and we got people together, but part of the job is also recognizing the people that are there. So, awesome team, awesome team effort. I just I don't want to let everybody in the room think that, you know, I'm just going to take take all the credit for that. So, I appreciate you recognizing that. Thank you. >> There are more no more signed in comments. Are there any more uh virtual comments? >> There
068are no virtual or um calledin comments. Is there a motion for the adjournment of the meeting? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Meeting a >> I