001to the stands. One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Prior to this meeting, we had an executive session on personnel matters. >> Roll call, please. I'll do it for our secretary's off, so I'll do the roll call. Mr. Pini >> present. >> You know what? Hold on. I have to get him on the phone. Give me one second here. Sorry about that. Fair. All right, we're going to start the meeting. Hold on. >> Okay. Mr. Freeny, >> present. >> Mrs. Grant, >> present. >> Mr. Valvano, >> present. >> Mr. Evans, >> present. >> Mr. Adley, >> present. >> Mr. Rodway, >> present. >> Mr. Farrell, >> present. >> Mr. Owen, >> by phone. >> Yep. Mrs. Marino, >> present. >> Mr. uh, Superintendent Durkin, >> present. >> I'm present. And Mr. Klay
002is here for attorney Moran. >> All right. At this time, I would like to call up Mr. Sweeney and he will introduce our student spotlight. >> Thank you, Mr. Durkin. Members of the board, um, tonight it is my privilege and honor to introduce our girls STEM team uh that has worked so hard the past couple of months with under the direction of Miss Canavi who's here with them, Mrs. Suprik and Mrs. Henning. So from time to time as a principal, you walk around the hallways, you see what's going on. These girls worked on their own, did an amazing job. They are the best and brightest students in the middle school. I'm so proud of them. I'm not going to steal any of their thunder because I'm going to let them describe how the competition was,
003but I will turn it over to Mrs. Canavari for a a small introduction at this time. Good evening. It is with great pride that we recognize a group of 18 students who were selected to represent the Valley View Middle School in the 10th annual United Way NEPA Girls STEM competition held at the Kalahari Resort on March 28th. Competing against more than 300 participants, our students demonstrated exceptional talent, teamwork, and dedication. One of our sixth grade teams, Isaac Canavi, Aliyah Riodik, and Alish Sprag earned an outstanding first place finish overall in their division and further distinguished themselves by winning the overall t-shirt competition contest, showcasing both their innovation and creativity. Additionally, one of our seventh grade teams, Cali Merkatali, Natalie Pashi, and Luchia Chandmi achieved an impressive fourth place overall finish in their division. These accomplishments
004reflect not only the students hard work and passion for STEM, but also the strength of our academic programs and the support of our dedicated staff. We commend these students for representing our school with such excellence and pride. I'm going to h turn it over to Isa Canavari, Aliyah Riodik, and Alish Sprag. They were the sixth grade team with their their design and a couple of words they they can share. Good evening. I'm honored to share my experience competing in the NEPA Girls STEM competition. where I was proud me my team and I were proud to take first place. This competition was more than just winning. It was about challenging myself ourselves, learning new skills and providing proving that girls belong in STEM. Through the experience, I met many talented and determined girls who inspired me
005inspired me. It showed me that success comes from hard work, confidence, and not being afraid to try. Winning reminded me that my my ideas matter and it encouraged me to keep pursu pursuing STEM. I hope my experience inspires other girls to take this that same step because we are capable of doing more than we think. Good evening again. I also wanted to add a little more about what this experience meant to me. Being part of the girls STEM the girls STEM competition helped me grow in ways I didn't expect. It wasn't always easy, but working through challenges taught me to be patient and keep trying even when I felt unsure. One of my favorite parts was interacting with girls who thought creative of creative ways and built really unique projects. Hearing their ideas and seeing
006how they solved problems showed me showed me new ways of thinking and made me even more interested in STEM. It also helped me realize that everyone has their own strengths and ideas to share, which reminded me that we can learn so much more from others. This made the experience even more special and inspiring. This competition didn't just end with a win. It gave me more confidence in myself and my abilities. It showed me that I can take on challenges and keep on improving. I'm excited to continue learning and hope more girls feel encouraged to explore STEM, too. Thank you again. Lastly, I would like to thank Miss Perala, Miss Supri, Miss Canterary, Miss Henning, Miss Roni, and Miss Casnets for helping us learn, grow, and excel in STEM in this competition. And lastly, I would
007like to thank my team for all the hard work we accomplished together. Just one more second. Um we have three other students who are here along with us if they can stand as well because they were a part of this ex excellent experience and um unfortunately the majority of the group were not able to make it due to other commitments tonight. So we have we have all of our team great job. Thank you very much. outstanding job. And students, I know that it's exciting that a schoolboard meeting. So, if you want to stay at the schoolboard meeting, you're more than welcome. But I'm sure a lot of you want to get home and start your homework, doing some reading, and studying for tests. Finals are going to be coming up. And it is PSSA week.
008>> Very rest. Tomorrow starts PSSA, so you need your sleep. >> And you all make us very proud. >> Yes. >> Makes us very proud. I had the honors of being at Kalahari that day and girls you did a great job. All the valley you all the girls did. Um Mrs. Barela did compliment the whole group of 300 some girls. >> 300 I mean they just the collaboration everything just got went so well. It was really a nice event. Thank you girls. >> It was an intense event. >> Oh it was it was fun though. >> Oh it was fun. >> Thank you. Thank you girls. Great job. com. >> Public comment. At this time, the board welcomes public comment. Please identify your name and your address and I'll address all the comments to the
009board as a whole. You're allowed three minutes. The comments relative to student private matters or personal issues, please direct them to the appropriate school authority outside of this meeting. The presiding officer reserves the right to interrupt, terminate a participant statement when the statement is too len lengthy, personally directed, abusive, obscene, or irrelevant. Thank you and thank you for your cooperation. >> Uh, Cherokee Sprag, I'm Alisha's mom. Um, I wanted to for those who don't know me, um, like I said, my name is Cherokee Sprag. I'm the parent of seven children with Valley View School District, 12th, 10th, 9th, 6th, 5th, 4th, and 2 grade. I often joke that Mr. Durkin and I are in a running for who's going to last the longest here. Um, but in all seriousness, um, I say that to emphasize
010how deeply invested I am in this district, not only for one child, but for all of them and for everyone else's as well. Um, I came to speak about the STEM competition. Um the NEPA girls STEM competition at Kalahari was really something special. What started 10 years ago um has grown into an event so impactful and so in demand that teams now have to be limited. That alone says something powerful about what's being built. This was my daughter's third year competing. She started in fourth grade, curious, and passionate. And I've watched her grow into something bigger each year. Events like this don't showcase talent, they cultivate it. What stood out to me most is that this competition feels like a championship. The same kind of energy and pride we rally around for basketball, football, softball.
011But this was for academics, for innovation, and for STEM. Um, even educators like Mr. Brian, who we were mo we were fortunate to have at Valley View, who now teaches at the U, returned with college students who volunteered their time on a Saturday. They showed up for these girls to guide them, encourage them, and help ignite something that could shape their futures. That kind of commitment doesn't happen by accident. It happens when people believe in something. Um, Mrs. Burilka has spent 25 years building relationships to make this event what it was. partnerships with organizations like the United Way of Lacawana, Wayne and Pike counties, professionals from companies like Lockheed Martin and countless educators across local districts who have created something bigger than a competition. It's a launching point. And what I'd like to I would
012be remiss if I didn't recognize Miss Henning, Miss Canavari, and Mrs. Supri. These teachers made every effort to connect with the girls, encouraging them through their individual projects. They gave up time after school. They gave up a whole Saturday and somewhere in between they navigated all the trials and tribulations that come with pre-teen girls. >> Very enjoyable. Um, while this message highlights the NEPA Girl STEM competition, I'm firmly believe in supporting STEM opportunities for all students. But there's something powerful about creating spaces where girls are specifically encouraged to step forward to lead and to see themselves in field fields where they have historically been under represented as we look into the world our ch where our children are growing into. We have to be very serious in that it's changing. So, I'd like to encourage
013the board to use the STEM area of the school and to look at more competitions like this for our young students. >> Thank you so much. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Lori and I went to >> last Friday, not this past Friday. Yeah. And we also had the guidance counselors also did the women in STEM at the high school last week which we had a good turnout from other districts and they did a fantastic job. So it was definitely building that program here at Valley View and looking forward to seeing where it's going to go. >> If I if I may, the coolest thing about that and there were some administrators here. They had five guest speakers, all graduates of Valley View, all over the United States that came in and spoke
014and they're all engineers for large companies and it was pretty awesome. I was probably one of the few men that were there. Lori was there as well. But it it was very very well done. I say Miss Trezy was there, Miss Kapalini, Miss Bila. It was very well done. And it was nice to see that they like what she just said about showcasing women in STEM. So, keep it up. Good job. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Rugway. On to the motions. Motion A, Mr. Balan. >> Yes, Madam President. I'd like to make a motion to approve the minutes of the regular school board meeting held on March 16th, 2026. >> Madam President, I'll second it. >> Motion be made by Mr. Valano and seconded by Mr. Adley. the question. All in favor? >> I
015nice have it. >> Motion B. >> Madam President, I'd like to make a motion to approve the May payroll. >> I'll second that, madam. >> Motion made by Mr. Valano, seconded by Mr. Adley. On the question, >> roll call, please. >> Mr. Freeny, >> yes. >> Mrs. Grant, >> yes. >> Mr. Galvano, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. Evans. >> Yes. >> Mr. Adley. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Farrell. >> Yes. >> Mr. Owen. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Marino. >> Yes. >> 90. >> Motion. C. Mr. Biano. >> Uh, Madam President, at this time I'd like to call for the treasures report. >> Beginning balance is 4,237,7884. Revenues is 1,646743.19. Expenditures 5,313520.75 and ending balance is $5792948. >> Madam President, I'd like to make a motion to accept the treasury report. >>
016I'll second that, Madam President. >> Motion made by Mr. Valano and seconded by Mrs. Mr. Adley on the question. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Pini, >> yes. >> Mrs. Grant, >> yes. >> Mr. Vano, >> yes. >> Mr. Evans, >> yes. >> Mr. Adley, >> yes. >> Mr. Rodway, >> yes. >> Mr. Farrell, >> yes. >> Mr. Owen, >> yes. >> Mrs. Marino, >> yes. >> Right now, we're going to do the superintendent report. I have the April educators of the month for the elementary school, Mrs. Simonetti. She is being recognized for her more than 20 years of dedicated service as a kindergarten teacher at the elementary. Mrs. Simonetti is a true staple of our district and community. She plays a vital role in building the foundational academic skills and supporting the social development
017of countless students as they begin their educational journeys. Intermediate school is Mrs. Bargella. She's being recognized for stepping into her new role as STEM teacher this year. Mrs. Burggala has quickly sparked excitement and enthusiasm for the program among students. Her innovative and engaging projects such as the Lucky Leprechaun Gem, Marshmallow Peep houses, Olympic skiers, and Tiger Bridges capture students interest while promoting creativity and exploration. Through her dedication and effort, she creates a classroom environment where students collaborate, think critically, and develop problem solving skills through meaningful hands-on learning experiences. Middle school. Mrs. Howe, who was with us tonight, um, is being recognized for her vital role as the middle school life skills teacher. Mrs. how we help students gain independence, confidence, and essential everyday abilities. Through her patience, creativity, and individualized support, she empowers students to
018build skills that extend far beyond the classroom. From practicing daily routines to running the school store, participating in field trips, and operating the coffee cart that serves the entire building. Last but not least, Mr. Burkowski from the high school. He's being recognized for his excellence both in and out of the classroom. Mr. Barkowski is a high school English and journalism teacher who builds exceptional rapport with students and uses innovative technology to keep instruction engaging while challenging students to reach their full potential. Beyond the classroom, Mr. B dedicates countless hours as the head boys track and field coach, enjoys coffee, as he puts it, that is as strong as jet fuel, and has the unhealthy affinity for Swedish fish. Mr. Bakowski is not just an asset to our school. He is a driving force beyond the
019standard of excellence in our English department. Now, I'll do the students of the month. Antonio Fina, he is being selected for ME of the student of the month in physical education. Mason Snider, he was selected for world languages. Eliza Sanchuk. She's being honored as an exceptional member of the Valley View community for her active participation in unified club. Lanesia Holly Asia is being recognized for her outstanding involvement in unified track and field and the unified club. Dylan Ferraro. He's being selected as senior of the month in social studies. and William Juvenoli. He's being recognized as outstanding student within the Valley View community for his involvement also in the unified club. Next thing for uh superintendent report, our final snow day. We had, believe it or not, after this rough winter, we have one snow day
020left and we are going to utilize that the Thursday before Memorial Day. So that Thursday was supposed to be a half day for the students, act 80 day for the rest of the staff. We are going to move the act 80 day to the Wednesday and then that Thursday will be off. So the last snow day will be used Thursday, May 21st. I'm going to hand this over to Mr. Castellani who's going to talk about the budget meeting. >> Just to uh give every everyone an update, we did have planned for our budget uh meeting April 29th. And what we're going to do is bump that until our um May 18th, which is our our regular meeting. We're going to do both in the same night. What's happening is um what's causing a little bit
021of a problem for us is uh the reassessment. So that number for real estate taxes obviously is one of the most important numbers for our revenue and you only get one chance to do it the right way. So it just because there are so many appeals going on, the final numbers are delayed. We're not supposed to get those until sometime probably late May. So what I would like to do is just push that presentation off until May 18th where I'll have a better idea of what we're looking at uh like and then we could pass the preliminary budget that same night and then we'll have 30 days um you know to display it and pass the final budget before June 30th. So, the board is okay with that. So, just remember, um, we're not having
022the budget meeting on April 29th. It will be May 18th at our next regular meeting. >> Thank you. >> And we will be advertising that so the public knows that we're going to be having the budget meeting and our regularly scheduled board meeting the same night. >> Thank you. >> And now we're going to have Mr. David John's going to come up and give us an update on the Hback Grant. Thank you, Mr. Durkin. Uh, good evening. Just to introduce myself, I'm Dave John's from Design BL. Um, as you're aware, uh, you've engaged us and my firm, um, to submit on your behalf for a grant. So, working with uh your facility director, Kevin O'Shea, uh we were able to determine that um what was most needed by the district was an HVAC upgrade both
023at the intermediate school and basically districtwide for your HVAC controls. So, based on that, we submitted for a uh public school facility improvement grant. And um just to give you a quick update, um that was submitted uh about two months ago now. and we submitted for about $2 million, just over $2 million. And it's a uh 70 it's a 75% grant, 25% match. So once we hear back from that, uh we'd be able to move forward with designing that project on your behalf. >> Do you have a lot of success with with that? >> So we we have um as uh Mr. Castellani knows and Mr. Durkin knows um we submitted for one on your behalf probably about two years ago for the roof project and and we were successful in obtaining a a grant
024application for that. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> What's the turnaround time do you expect? >> Um it it varies right because it is run by the state. Uh but you could be looking anywhere from six months. So, you've done an evaluation on the intermediate school. Is it safe to say that we may not have air conditioning up there? >> So, for the intermediate school, uh we've been engaged to start that process. Um we anticipate um so this is just just the intermediate chiller um for the air conditioning. We anticipate uh sending that project out to bid uh miday. And Joe, one thing we did, if you remember, uh, last fall, I believe it was, we, that one part we had to get a compressor. It was like $50,000. >> Um, they do believe they
025already checked it's working, they feel that we could get through. >> Okay. Summer. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Right. Because of of course there is a lead time on the equipment. >> Yeah. As long as we have a contingency plan in place, I mean, that's the important thing. >> Yeah. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Motions. >> Any motion? Motion number one, Mr. Rodway. >> Madame President, I'd like to make a motion to approve the Career Technology Center of Lacuana County 2026 2027 budget in the amount of 10,852,362. >> Do I have a second? >> I second it, Madam President. >> Mr. Rob, we made the motion. Mr. Pin seconded on the question. Yeah, just on the question if you in your packet we do have uh the
026spreadsheet here if you want to just look at it quickly for this current school year View we have 68 students at the CTC and the cost is 509,000 for next year we're um estimating you know it's pretty definite that we're going to have an increase up to 85 students so that will increase our cost up to 60 uh 607,000 and it's an increase of about $98,000. Um the CTC has been doing great things and we have more students that are are interested. So it's definitely a positive thing for us. >> Thank you. >> Roll call, please. >> Okay, roll call. Mr. Pini, >> yes. >> Mrs. Grant, >> yes. >> Mr. Valvano, >> yes. >> Mr. Evans, >> yes. >> Mr. Adley, >> yes. >> Mr. Rodway, >> yes. >> Mr. Farrell, >> yes. >>
027Mr. Owen, >> yes. >> Mrs. Marino, >> yes. Motion two, Mr. Owens. >> Madam President, I'd like to make a motion to approve a shortterm loan with People Security Bank in the month of $3.5 million to utilize until state funds are received. >> Do I have a second? >> I second it. >> Mr. Owens made the motion and Mrs. Grant seconded on the question. >> On the question, um, this is just a short-term loan that we will pay off by uh December 31st. If you remember when Mrs. Grant just did our treasures report, our ending balance was $500 and some thousand dollars. Um, we do not have a fund balance. So, basically, we do not have a savings that can cover us until the state money comes in. The state money spread out throughout the
028whole year. We are getting some payments in at the end of the month, but we need to make, you know, each payroll is 800 and some thousand. We have 500,000 in our our uh general fund. So, we need to take this loan. We do this basically every year for the last three or four years. It's almost like a tax anticipation loan. Um just so we could keep operating until, you know, state subsidy uh comes in at a later date. >> Thank you. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Pini, >> yes. >> Mrs. Grant, >> yes. >> Mr. Valano, >> yes. >> Mr. Evans, yes. >> Mr. Adley, yes. >> Mr. Rodway, >> yes. >> Mr. Farrell, >> yes. >> Mr. Owens, >> Mrs. Marino, >> yes. Motion three, Mr. Perini. >> Madame President, I make
029a motion to accept the June 30th, 2025 school district audit completed by Robert Rossi and company. >> Do you have a second? >> Madam President, I'll second. >> Mr. Piny made the motion and Mr. Valvano seconded that motion. On the question, >> on the question, um, you guys have a copy of of this audit. It was a clean audit. There was no find there were no findings. So, uh, we are recommending that you approve the audit tonight. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Piny, >> yes. >> Mrs. Grant, >> yes. >> Mr. Valano, >> yes. >> Mr. Evans, >> yes. >> Mr. Adley, >> abstain. Reason I have a stand is because he does my personal taxes. >> Uh, Mr. Rodway, >> yes. >> Mr. Farrell, >> yes. >> Mr. Owen, >> yes. >> Mrs.
030Marino, >> yes. >> 801. >> Good job, Cy. Thank you. >> Motion number four, Mr. Rodway. >> Motion to change Wednesday, May 20th, 2026 from a regular school day to an act 80 day. >> Second half. >> Half day. >> Do I have a second? >> Madam President, I second. >> Mr. Rodway made the motion and Mr. Evans seconded that on the question. >> This is if you remember just in the superintendent report. The reason we're doing this is because we're moving our last snow day to the day that this was supposed to be on. >> All in favor? >> It doesn't snow. >> I snowed this morning. I was ready to. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Eyes. Motion number five, Mr. Pini. >> Madam President, I make a motion to approve
031as per attachment marked exhibit A the facility use request. >> Do I have a second? >> I second it. >> Mr. Piny made the motion. Seconded by Mrs. Grant. On the question. on the question. We do have three um two are an annual request are annual request. One is for the Lions Club uh dream game every year. We have um let's see here. The media day is July 13th. It's going to be July 22nd with a rain date of July 23rd and the fee is $4,000 for that. Uh next is for our annual Cougar Soccer Camp. It's run by uh Paul Sotac who's our head girls coach and the fee for that is $250 and the money goes back into the program for that also. Uh then we did get a request uh for a
032high school quarterback camp uh by Pete Cordelli conditioning. He wants to use uh our our football stadium on Wednesday, June 17th through June 19th from 8:15 to 4:30. And we are uh requesting a fee of $200 per day which will cover uh we always have to have a maintenance person on staff there in case something happens and for you know water for you know paper toweling that type of stuff or whatever. So we do have a $2 $200 a day fee for that. So if you guys are okay with that we could pass the motion. >> Roll call please. >> Mr. Piny. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Grant. >> Yes. >> Mr. Valvano. Yes, >> Mr. Evans. >> Yes, >> Mr. Radley. Yes, >> Mr. Rodway. >> Yes, >> Mr. Farrell. >> Yes, >> Mr. Owen.
033>> Yes, >> Mrs. Marino. >> Yes. >> 90. >> Thank you, Mr. Uh, motion six. Mr. Evans. >> Madam President, I make a motion approve as per attachment marked exhibit B the various supply bills for the 2026 2027 school year. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second that. M. >> Mr. Evans made the motion seconded by Mr. Adley on the question. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Piny, >> yes. >> Mrs. Grant, >> yes. >> Mr. Valvano, >> yes. >> Mr. Evans, yes. >> Mr. Adley, yes. >> Mr. Rodway, >> yes. >> Mr. Farrell, >> yes. >> Mr. Owen. >> Mrs. Marino? >> Yes. >> 90. >> Motion seven. Mr. Aana. >> Yes, Madam President. I'd like to make a motion to approve as per attachment marked exhibit C the fall co-curricular sports activities,
034positions, and salaries for the 2026 2027 school year. Do I have a second? >> I'll second that. M. >> Motion made by Mr. Valano and seconded by Mr. Adley. On the question, >> roll call, please. >> Mr. Piny, >> yes. >> Mrs. Grant, >> yes. >> Mr. Valano, >> yes. >> Mr. Evans, >> yes. >> Mr. Adley, >> yes. >> Mr. Rodway, >> yes. >> Mr. Farrell, >> yes. >> Mr. Owen, >> yes. >> Mrs. Marino, >> yes. >> 90. >> Motion eight. Mr. Evans. Madam President, I make a motion to approve as per attachment marked exhibit D to winter co-curricular sports activities, positions, and salaries for the 2026 2027 school year. >> I'll second that, Madam President. >> Motion made by Mr. Evans, second by Mr. Adley on the question. Roll call, please. >>
035Mr. Pini? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Grant? >> Yes. >> Mr. Alvano? >> Yes. >> Mr. Evans? >> Yes. >> Mr. Adley? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodway? >> Yes. >> M Mr. Farrell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Owen, >> yes. >> Mrs. Marino, >> yes. >> 90. >> Motion number nine, Mr. Rodway. >> Motion to approve as per attachment marked exhibit E the volunteer coaches of the 2026 fall sports season. >> Do I have a second? >> Madam President, I'll second that. >> Motion made by Mr. Rockway and seconded by Mr. Valvano. On the question, >> all in favor? >> I have it. Motion number 10, Mr. Evans. Madam President, make a motion hire Mr. Travis Lane as a high school science teacher at a salary of 57,233 effective August 24th, 2026. >> Madam President, I'll
036second it. >> Motion made by Mr. Evans and seconded by Mr. Adley on the question. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Pini, >> yes. >> Mrs. Grant, >> yes. >> Mr. Halano, >> yes. >> Mr. Evans, >> yes. >> Mr. Adley, >> yes. >> Mr. Rodway, >> yes. >> Mr. Farrell, >> yes. Mr. Owen, >> Mrs. Marino, >> yes. >> 90. >> Motion 11. Mr. Valvano. >> Yes, Madam President. I'd like to make a motion to accept the resignation of Mr. John Ayoni as assistant girls volleyball coach. Effective immediately. >> Madam President, I'll second it. >> Motion made by Mr. Valano and seconded by Mr. Adalie on the question. >> All in favor? >> Eyes have it. >> Reports. Anyone have a record um they'd like to include? Okay. Other than that, I ask for an
037adjournment. >> Madam President, I'd like to make a motion to journ by Mr. Second by Mr. Adley. >> All in favor? I >> Good night everyone. Thank you for coming.