001Oh lord. >> Good evening and welcome to the Spring Grove Area School District meeting for June 22nd. First, I'm so proud to see all of you here on this summer day on your day off, no school. Thank you all for coming in attendance. So at this time we will do a pledge of allegiance to the flag and take a moment of silence of the United States of America. nation under God. You may be seated. All right, moving into things. We're going to do our favorite thing. Roll call. Baringer >> Bomb >> here. >> Ramsey Ritz >> here. >> Sheer Stein here. >> Werstore >> here. White >> here. >> Wilson >> here. >> All right. Full House of Board members. Uh we had no executive sessions so we can move on there. We're going to
002move on to welcome our visitors and we have Jessica Daniels. If you'd like to come up and to the podium, please. and just state township you're from. >> Hi, Jess Daniels. Uh, North Kodoris Township. Um, so I'm here this evening. Good evening. Um, I'm here to share my concerns regarding the graduation date schedule as well as address how my correspondence um, regard I first spoke with Mrs. Sterner um about my concerns and she advised me to submit an email in writing. Um so I sent that email on May 8th to the board. Um and after receiving no response from the board, I followed up on June 1st. At that point, I also emailed the individual board members um because I was concerned whether or not the Springrove board email um went through to everybody. So
003I did it from the website. Um that time uh Mrs. Turner was the only person who responded to me. Um, I understand that not every request will result in a change. However, I believe that a simple acknowledgement of an email is important. It lets community members know their concerns have been received and considered, even if the answer is no. Open communication helps build trust between the district and the families it serves. Um, while submitting that correspondence, I also wanted to just let you know, um, I noticed on the email links provided that the district website provides links under each of your names and Mr. Baringer as well as Miss Walters Dorf. I'm not sure, Miss, but yours go to previous board members. They don't go to your names and emails. So, I had to do
004them myself. Um, so I just wanted to also address that with the board so that that can be reviewed and corrected. Um, turning back to the real reason that I'm here, um, I reached out because most years our school district, um, the school ends after Memorial Day and graduation takes place on a regular weekend of the year. Um, in 2027, however, the school district, we will be ending our school year before Memorial Day and that places graduation on Friday of the major holiday weekend. Um, for many families, Memorial Day weekend is a long-standing tradition. People travel to the beach, go camping, visit relatives, spend time in the mountains, or go gather with family members who might be coming from out of town. U, many people have that Monday off, and these plans are long-standing plans
005that they have yeartoear that they do the same thing every year and involves extended family. Graduation is an incredibly important and meaningful milestone, and families and friends naturally want to celebrate this special occasion with their graduate. Of course, loved ones will do their best to prioritize attending graduation. However, doing so may require many families to significantly alter or cancel long-standing holiday weekend plans in order to be in Springrove on Friday evening for graduation. As I looked at the graduation schedules across all of York and Adams County, that's 22 school districts if I have that correctly. I reviewed that most graduations um ceremonies um hold on reviewed graduation ceremonies scheduled on Friday of Memorial Day Memorial Day weekend. Springrove is one of four districts that has their graduation on that Friday. So there's only four out
006of the 22 that are holding graduation on Friday of the holiday weekend. I also noted Springrove is one of only two districts that has graduation set after the last day of school. Most districts hold their graduation on either the last day of school or um some of them almost like four or five days before school ends. Um I shared these observations to highlight that there may be alternative scheduling options that could better accommodate students and their families. With that in mind, I respectfully ask the board to consider greater flexibility in years when school ends before Memorial Day weekend. Would it be possible to hold graduation on a different day rather than Friday of the holiday weekend, allowing more families and guests the opportunity to celebrate this important milestone without conflicting with long-standing holiday commitments? Thank
007you for your time, your consideration, and all you do for our students and families. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, next speaker is uh Michelle uh Galvani. All right, come on down. Sorry. Um, as many of you know by now, I'm Michelle Gavani. This is like I don't even know what meeting I've attended now. Um, and I realize there's some information that you need to know. What does a partnership that we are asking for, what does that mean? Well, let me tell you what that means. First of all, I have 18 current students that were in mock trial this past year that have all written letters in support of researching and finding funding for their program. That's how dedicated. I have two more letters that I'm expected after they have finished their senator training or
008whatever they're in this week. Um I'm expecting two more. I have alumni letters. That is the importance of this program. So when I ask for partnerships, I'm not asking you to do work as far as filling out the paperwork. We need demographic information. Yes, I can go get it off of the Census Bureau, but it's better if it comes with the school. I'm asking to work with the business department so they can review what we're putting in so they know what we're putting in. But more importantly, when I ask for a partnership, it's because of the requirements of the grant. Some grants the school can apply for some a nonprofit has to do. Some it means a partnership with a a mis municipality or an emergency crew. I'm not up here asking just for mock
009trial. I'm asking because I want to support this school. I volunteer my time to do this. So what do we need? We need letters from the board in support. I need to work with the business department to get the financial part of this grant done. I need the nonprofit Springrove area education fund to submit this on our behalf because they are the only established which is a two or more year audit nonprofit to apply. While no grant is a guarantee, if you don't ask, you won't receive. So, do we get it? No, we learn every grant that we submit. We learn more and more and we grow and we get better. And the better we become, the more funds we have. So, I'm not asking just for one program. I have completed the executive summary
010first draft. I've completed the why we need the funds first draft. This is a 40page document that has to be submitted. I took my time to do this, but I have also researched other ways for the school district to get money for your scholarship program. Why haven't we applied for the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit? You can partner with any business inside or outside of Springrove as long as they're in York County. They would get a 75% tax break for every dollar that they give us. This is money. This is an asset not only for our school but for our local businesses as well. And last week I mentioned that there are federal grants for your service road. Yes, there is. And again, I have paperwork on that as well as an outline. Can the
011school district apply? No, they cannot apply. But they can partner with the emergency services crew, York County, and every municipality. Why? because unfortunately our district got hit with three major incidents this past year. One involving the police, one involving a mulch fire and several accidents on that road. That is why I said go after the educational. It's safe streets and roads for all grant. It is a federal grant, but we can apply. It's about partnership. Every federal grant is a handshake. It is a partnership. It is a commitment. You don't you're not in it isolated. So, I have all of these for you. I don't mind submitting them. I don't mind giving you copies. I don't even mind electronically sending it. So, you can just copy and paste it in the form. >> One minute
012left. Thank you. >> Or doing the work. I'm asking that you guys support us. >> We don't want the taxpayers to pay more money. We don't want We're trying to find a win-win. But the only way we can ever find a win-win is if we all work together for that win-win. It's a handshake. It's a partnership. It's a community effort. These kids, 18 of your students have stepped up and written remarkable letters saying, "Please support our program. Please advance our education." Can you say the same? Thank you. >> Thank you, Michelle. >> I have all >> All right. Well, thank you. Um, and then we have Madison. State your township, please. >> Uh, Spring Grove. >> Okay. Um, my apologies. My apologies. Um, my brain is out of it. I just got out of wrestling,
013so that is my fault. Um, hi, my name is Madison and I'm a student involved in mock trial at the Springrove area school district and currently I'm reaching out to ask for your review and support of several foundation grant applications through the Springrove area education fund on behalf of our mock trial team. Included in each packet are the questions and completed responses for your consideration if preferred. Uh this information can also be provided via an email so it's easier for copying and submissions. Uh today I'm specifically seeking support from Powder Mill Foundation, uh the Rice Family Foundation, and the Ruters Children Foundation. Uh for the past two years, our mock trial program has been actively working to raise funds in order to participate at a higher level of competition. A portion of the funds we
014raise each year also goes towards supporting our class requirements and standard collegiate level competitions. While we continue to fund raise independently, the cost of attending prestigious invitationals such as the Yale High School uh mock trial bulldog invitational, the Empire uh mock trial invitation, and the Angela R. Matthew High School mock trial seminar has made outside support essential. We earned these invitations through our performance and preparation. But participation is only possible if we can secure the necessary funding. The students have already stepped up by earning these opportunities, researching funding options, and drafting responses to application questions. We are committed to doing the work, carefully completing applications, and ensuring all requirements are met. But we cannot remove uh we cannot move forward uh without the help of an established nonprofit uh partner. It is also important to
015note that we need an established nonprofit organization such as Springrove Area Education Fund in order to apply for these grants. In addition, some of the required information and documentation can only be provided through the nonprofit itself, which is why your assistance is essential in this process. We are asking for the board's support in submitting these applications on our behalf. There is never a guarantee of funding, but without applying, there's no opportunity to be considered. Uh for one final note, I would like to just uh say that these applications for the Rice Family Foundation deadline is July 1st and the Powdermill Foundation deadline is July 15th. U Thank you for your time and your consideration. Well, thank you and thank you for coming up and talking. All right, our next uh speaker, Kelly Stallman, come on
016down. >> And just state the township you're from, please. >> Um, North Codoris Township. So, I also wanted to speak about graduation because I have a senior coming up as well. I want to before I start just thank you for the time that you do put in you know being a schoolboard member to make decisions on behalf of the students the the staff and families and one of these important decisions you know does involve graduation and I've always appreciated attending the Friday night graduations in the past however with you know the upcoming school year um gra graduation before Memorial Day this year it might be more convenient to adjust graduation to Thursday which will be the last day of school this will provide family members the opportunity to attend graduation while still keeping, you know,
017their weekend Memorial Day plans with their families. In addition, various neighboring districts, at least West York and Dallas Town, have made these adjustments for graduation. So, their graduation is on that Thursday. And in closing, I just hope that if you have the opportunity to make revisions to the 26 27 calendar that you might consider adjusting graduation on years when it falls on Memorial Day weekend. Thank you for your time. Well, thank you. Okay. Any uh board administration response to any of our speakers? Do we have a issue with it being on Friday or switching it? Obviously, it might take some research on the admin, but is there trouble to switch it? >> I'll let Deafany answer that or Steve. So, I know there's a lot of planning that goes into which day is graduation. Uh,
018a lot of that includes the scheduling and practice and rehearsal for graduation. I think in terms of the discussion on the date that graduation was scheduled last year. I wasn't here then to have part of that conversation. I know Mr. Airheart is in the audience, so I don't know if you would like him to weigh in on on all that goes in, but it's it's quite an effort to get ready for graduation and having it on the same day as the last day of school would be a bit of a juggling act, I predict. But yeah, I just want to respond. I mean, I appreciate you uh coming out and and pointing this stuff out, but I want you to understand uh the board itself relies on an awful lot of information we got from
019from the staff and administration and the teachers, whoever set this thing up. So, it wasn't a board decision, believe it or not. Most times all we do is approve stuff that we think somebody already taken care of. So, uh, we're willing, I mean, we're glad we can hear what you got to say and and we can certainly speak out and and ask and reook at it, but, uh, there's a lot of decisions made here that this board makes that we don't have all the detail to it. We just get we rely on what we get from the from the administration. Thank you. Yeah, I might add that if we're going to look at it, you need to go back and talk to all the stakeholders again because it took it's a process that we do
020and and one of the reasons we went to a Friday night and I remember discussion about this years ago was because people that work that live like grandparents stuff like that way they don't take days off work to come to graduation. they can travel if they live, you know, I don't know, x amount of miles away and then they spend the weekend here. So, that was a consideration. So, there's pros and cons to any date and you got to look at the whole thing and talk to all the stakeholders again if you're going to change. >> Um, I ju I do just want to say uh it's not easy to get up here. Thank you all for the comments, but Madison um in particular, you're very well verssed. So, uh, kudos to you for actually
021coming up and and stating your reasoning very well. >> And and Jess, thanks for pointing out the um, emails. They've already been corrected. So, just wanted to let you know. Yeah. >> All right. Well, thank you everyone for your comments. So, moving on, we have superintendent report and I'm going to turn it over to Deafany. >> Thank you, Mr. White. a few highlights from the weekly update that I usually send on Sundays. I thought I would point out for my report this evening. Last week, I met with Christian and Jeff to learn more about PA House Bill 41, uh, which is a bipartisan measure focused on competitive fairness in high school sports. The bill recently passed by the House, a vote with a vote of 178 to 23, and would allow the PIAA to host
022separate playoffs and championships for boundary or traditional public schools versus non-boundary known as private or charter or parochial schools. So, we'll continue to monitor this bill as it moves through the Senate Education Committee. Also, the YAA is officially now the SCAC or South Central Atlantic Conference, making a new chapter for the league and its member schools. So, news and athletics for this week or last week. We are excited to announce to announce that we started planning a closing celebration for our ESC building. Included with actions on the agenda this evening is the final agreement of sale to the historical society, a process that has been in the works for some time. The celebration will be held on July 30th from 1 to 3 p.m. And while we are still working on the details for all
023of the things that we would like to have available for that date, uh we do plan to partner with the historical society for the special event and hope to conclude with of course a final ringing of the bell. Our bill early last week which included my comprehensive report about the status of working towards the high school access road. This report was also provided with the posting of the agenda. So it is a link to the digital agenda or perhaps you have uh some hard copies in your binders. Along with that, Mark, Bill and I attended the Jackson Township Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday where we were on the agenda for approval of the waiver request for lighting on the access road. Uh the planning commission did not uh choose to go forward or approve our
024waiver request, which means that lights on that road would be required. In addition to the high school road, we met with site logic at the end of last week to begin work on submitting the grant for the Paradise Elementary project. Along with that grant application, we will be looking for support letters from township as well as potentially community uh andor PTO. Anything that we can do to present this project as a collaborative effort among stakeholders will be beneficial to uh the the funds. And some time ago, a proposal was brought to the board for consideration of the district mascot. So, I know some hours went into this project before in collaboration with students and staff to get uh the community involved and endeavor underway, which we needed to do a little bit more towards that
025effort. So, with that being said, this coming Wednesday, we hope to send out a survey to the community to gather input. The work began last year as I mentioned. Um, our goal is to distribute the survey on Wednesday and keep it open for two weeks to get some feedback on ideas the community might have for what would be uh a good mascot. Not to replace the fact that we are Rockets, but also what would be our humanish representative of of Rockets for the district so that we can unveil the new mascot hopefully homecoming weekend which would be fun for the our festivities. So fingers crossed that we can make that timeline happen. We're looking forward to it. And that's all my report for this evening. Thank you. >> Well, thank you, Deafany. And and who's
026saying rocket man? John, >> there's our mascot respondents. Uh first of all, thank again, I'm shocked to see how many people came out on a summer evening to attend our wonderful school building or meeting. So, thank you again. Uh, just a quick reminder, we only have one meeting in July and that is on July 20th. So, please mark your calendars. I want to see every one of you is here. And that's all I have. So, now we move on to York County School of Technology. Mike Ritz, please. >> Yeah. York County School of Technology. I attended the meeting on May 26. I lost my list of all our graduates, but we had 29 uh York County York Tech graduates from Spring Grove. Um I can't find my agenda from the last meeting other than we
027didn't have nothing real crazy uh that I can remember. Sorry. Uh too much going on here recently, but yeah, if I think of something, I'll tell you at the end of the meeting, but yeah, it's was pretty uh business as usual at the meeting on May 26th. Oh, our gradu we did have our graduation day on the 28th. Everything was a success that night. >> Well, thank you, Mike. And and just a quick thing, it is did do is do out. Are they released or >> No, we didn't discuss any more of that with Dover's inquiry or York's in West York's inquiry >> at the last It's like it just disappeared, but I won't say it won't come back this month either. But yeah, it's I don't quite understand. And I don't dig into it
028because it sounds like it's a a long difficult road that you have to whatever debt we have, they still own their portion of that moving forward. And with Dober in their financial situation, I think like they can just walk walk away because they're going to have to carry the or take care of their debt as well to walk away. >> Well, thank you. And we have York County School or no, I'm sorry, York Adams Academy. Mrs. Balm. >> All right. We also met on May 26th. Um we had graduation and we had 101 uh students that graduated in May. That's in addition to what we had in January. So um that was wellreceived. Um we are running a summer school um a little bit different. They take home materials with them and they continue to
029work at their own pace. um and they can earn, you know, half a credit or so um to help toward graduation. That's all the report. >> All right. Well, thank you very much. Uh district department reports. Uh May 19th, 2026, we had the YMCA of the Roses Springrove branch meeting and Mr. Styles. >> Thanks, Mr. White. Um we met on May 19th. The YMCA project update continues to move forward. Completion of the parking area, site lighting, and sidewalks are scheduled to end um be completed by the end of July. Temporary occup excuse me, temporary operation occupancy was requested at Jackson Township on June the 2nd to allow soft opening in the m middle of June for a couple of the YMCA programs. And then since that the update from the June 2nd meeting, it was
030granted. Um the YMCA has announced August 3rd is going to be their grand opening for the facility. Um Regional Parks Recreation Commission upcoming events. May 28th was a pizza party uh at the proposed Seven Valleys playground site to promote the new playground. uh and more than 20 um children attended that and they they targeted that when they got off the bus for the last day of school to provide pizza for that and then to gain some momentum for that playground. June 6th was Take Me Fishing and that was at all county events. And then as the summer goes on, August 28th, movie night ice cream social in Seven Valleys. September 4th, Paradise Fall Social. Um October 17th is the pumpkin trail at Little Creek and 21st is the Halloween parade through through the burrow and
031then December 3rd is scheduled for the lighting um at the Circle of Springrove and our next meeting is July 14th. >> Well, thank you, Bill. Appreciate it very much. Look forward to the grand opening and long overdue. All right, special committee report. We had June 16th, 26 building grounds committee meeting. Um, all the information should have been forward to the board if you saw it. I had to leave early so I did not have the conclusion. No. Okay, we'll wait till everyone gets the information. >> Okay. So, we have approval of official minutes. May 18th, 26 regular voting meeting. We had June 8th 26 voting meeting and June 8th 26 director study Foreman Foreman. >> So move second. >> All in favor? >> I >> Okay. Treasures report month ending. Jess. >> Yes. Thank you
032very much, Mr. White. All right. So treasures report for month ending May 2026. Our general fund total is 19.4 4 million approximately nutrition services fund total 1.4 million in the capital reserve totals 1.5 million and our bond fund has $7.4 million student activity funds total and you can see the list there is approximately $184,000 and so moved on the treasures report. >> Roll call vote. Stein, >> yes. >> Barshinger, >> yes. >> Bomb, >> yes. >> Wilson, >> yes. >> Ritz, >> yes. >> Ramsey, >> shear, >> yes. >> Werstoorf, >> yes. >> White, >> yes. Thank you everyone for your votes. Okay, moving on. We have uh business and finance. So, we'll start with budget and finance. Miss Walder Stof. >> Yes, budget and finance board actions requested. There are many as you can
033see here today. Uh, A, accounts payable list as listed. B, budgetary transfers. C, reappoint of treasurer. D, local auditing firm. E, Springrove Elementary projector screen replacement. F, proposed agreements with OSS Health. G, proposed new story contract for student outside placements. H, River agreement for reservation of 2627 slots. I, High Road School of Southern York for student outside placements and J the 26 27 mandated dental programou. Um, and I would just ask, are there any questions on these or ones you want to do a separate vote on? All right. Do I have a motion? Any questions? All right, let's do our favor. Roll call vote. >> Nay. Um, you moved and this is a second. >> So moved. Yes. >> Sorry. >> Ramsey. >> Wilson. >> Yes. >> Ritz. >> Yes. >> Marshinger. >> Yes. >>
034Shear. >> Bomb. >> Yes. >> Stein. >> Waterto. >> Yes. White. >> Yes. And thank you everyone for your votes. Uh, next on the agenda is buildings and grounds. Mr. Ramsey, board action is requested. Agreement of the sale of the ESC to the Historical Preservation Society at a purchase price of $535,000. B. Installation of the high school secondary access road at a cost not to exceed 1.2 295910 million. Um, so moved on buildings and grounds. We'll ask, can we have separate votes on them because I know people are going to ask for that. >> Second. >> All right, Stephanie, do you have anything you'd like to add? >> It's discussion. >> Any questions? >> Uh, no. I just have a comment in terms of the installation of the high school secondary access road. Um while
035my personal feeling is is this project is very warranted and needed um I still feel the price is way too high. Um so I will need a separate vote. >> So is this when we discuss the issue or Okay. Then I'd like to make some some comments here. Uh we've been talking about this road, everybody knows long before I was even on the board, but it's going on four and a half years now. We've looked at many drawings and quite a few estimates on this road. The road changes all over the place. We don't know where it's going to go, but it's basically the same place. But I've I've met with people out there and talked to people out there, and my point of view is is I tell them, we know where we want
036to end up at. Alls I'm asking for is an engineer to go out there and tell us where we got to come out on the spirit lane and have a road that's between nine and 10% grade the shortest possible we can have. And it's all due to cost. It just it's it's it's amazing because at our very last building the ground meetings we were told it was going to be a 7 and a half% graded road. And when I went back and looked the next at night yet and I looked pulled up the recent drawings it's a 5.4% 4% road. It makes me very nervous when we get information that's nowhere near correct. The road also grew 150 foot longer than the road we were going to do. And none of this came to light
037until we met and we pulled up York County Conservation plans that we submitted. That that's how we found out and knew what road we were talking about. So, I'm just going to say again, you know, we we get in I said all along when we approve this road a year ago to let the engineer look at it and lay this thing out. I said then when we lay that road out and we get it approved by your county, we're tied into that road. And I was told, "No, we're not. It was done here at a public meeting. We're not tied that road. As long as we go shorter, we're fine." Now, we're saying, "Yep, we're tied into that road, and it's going to cost you another $150 to $200,000 to redesign the thing." So, when
038we have information like that, it's very, very, very hard for me to make a decision on voting for any road. So, until that clears up, uh, that's going to be the reason I'm going to vote no on this road. I I agree we need a road. There are shorter roads out there that we can put in for a lot less money. It it's just there there's no reason to put spend this kind of money for a road if if get to the back end of the high school. You know, if if it was that big of a safety concern and that bad, it should have been done when the school was built or we should have built the school down on the level ground where it belonged and then we wouldn't have had this. You
039know, we talk about safety. We can't get around that school at all with a firet truck. There's no road around that school to get around the fire truck. So, all we can get is is them couple little ends there at the sides. So, you know, I'm I don't I don't It's not about safety, people. You know, it it's it's about watching out for taxpayers money at the same time doing the best we can for our students to get them in and out of there. And I think there is a better way to do it for a lot less money. And I'm going to stick to that. So, thank you. This is a comment that is my frustration is what as Rodney pointed out and I hope that um since Dr. Kurpatre is now on board
040and I know that Mr. Ramsey has worked in the buildings and grounds for quite some time. I hope that we can figure out a more effective, efficient way of going about all of these projects because I feel like so many of them have been just they just drag on forever. Um, and I'm with you, Rodney. I feel like almost every meeting I go to, it's all new information and then when we vote and then we realize we're told one thing. And I'm not saying that's happened since Dr. Kurpatre's been here, but for years we ask those questions as to whether things can be adjusted and to find out that they can't be adjusted. So, if we could I don't know how or what that happens. It's not necessarily entirely a buildings and ground issue. I
041think it's a district-wide issue how we address problems, but I would love if we could figure out that process so that board members aren't regularly shocked and surprised and confused as often as it seems that we are. I'm going to agree with some of that stuff. And um at this point, the potential increase from the road from waiting feels like it can offset the potential decrease in the cost from having to wait. So, um I want to get the road done. I'm tired of talking about it. Um but that part is frustrating when we're told we can make the road shorter and then after the fact we're here. So, um, that number that's on there, um, has a handful of line items where it's inflated. And, uh, I hope that we don't just figure out
042how to make it that number because it'll be the last time we work with some of these people if they do because the way some of this stuff went is not right. But, it's time to move on with it. And um so there's parts about it that I'm not happy about, but I'm hoping that we're going to continue to progress as some other people have said with some of the transparency and the stuff because to be told that we could make the road shorter and to agree to it. Um I get frustrated because I asked those questions as the chair and I was told that that's what it was and when I say it in front of a group of people it gets me frustrated when it changes later. But um that's it for me.
043>> Quick question for you, Ben. how you said it there. This 1.3 million that includes all of the add-ons already because this says designed and permitted at the base cost not to exceed. And just can if you could clarify that >> one of the things that we have is um so one it also includes the turnaround. It's not just the road which was not originally part of the road but our dirt and stuff that we have they're assuming that what we have we will not be able to use. And um I think I'm safe in saying there was a range of conservative range of $60 to $80,000 that this number should be able to whittle down. But there's dirt that we're going to need to be able to use, but it's up there from other
044projects. And until the contractors can get up there and see how much of it's usable, it's understandable that they can't pin down an exact number. So this number should come down. this number should be able to come down a substantial amount of money um if we stay working with the people and stay on them with it, which is um going to be the next step. >> But respectfully, I I just feel like if we approve up to the amount, right, we're approving up to that amount. And I I don't know if this up to amount, does that include things like guardrails, lighting, etc. that includes the guardrails and lighting because that was not the base. That was not part of the base I don't believe. >> Was it? >> Correct. But that it is all
045inclusive at this point. Yes. >> Okay. And um again, I just I feel like we've gone the opposite direction of what we were we had asked for um in terms of pricing. And again, safety, I understand. I I know that we need um another exit outside of the high school um which we've been talking about for years, but I agree with Rodney in terms of the fact that we haven't had it for 20 years. Um let's see if we can get a grant to offset some of this is my thought. And again, I I just don't think this is the right thing to do. >> I just you know, we talk about how what grounds usable. If I remember right, we own 200 and some acres there. If and we're storing that ground top of
046the hill. If we can't go in there and cut some of that hill off and use that fill ground. If we purchase fill ground for this thing, you're going to see a mighty upset person. When we there's there's some place on that ground that we can go in and we can borrow. If it's if it's 15,000 cubic yards, like they said, there's no reason we can't get that off the top of the hill there, you know. And uh I we just I hope we're not thinking about hauling ground in from an outside source. Thank you. >> So we the site logic's here. If you have any questions or need any further clarification, the three of them are more welcome to come up and say anything. Is Jesse here also from Lobar? >> No. Okay. So
047Deafany, any conclusions? Well, I did some of the things we've already discussed, but I did prepare a report for this evening that I would like to share with you. And I know uh at building and grounds, you received a comprehensive report and then I did update the the main page to that report uh in in your agenda. So, the potential savings are in there. You can you can take a look at those. As part of my last superintendent report on June 8th, I provided extensive information regarding the need for the proposed high school access road. Following that report, I assembled a comprehensive packet of information for the building and grounds committee meeting that included engineering analysis, expert opinions, township requirements, and lots of other supporting documentation. I also explained that I had carefully reviewed and
048verified the information presented and double and triplech checked the facts and figures. As a result of those discussions, I feel there are several things that have become very clear. First, I know and understand we all agree that an access road is necessary. The disagreement is not about whether or not we need a road. The discussion is about how long the road is and the cost of the construction overall. What we know for certain is that the current road design has been engineered, reviewed, approved, permitted, and is ready for construction that could begin as early as August. That's just over a month from now. We also know that delaying this project has a cost, and we've seen those costs over the years. And just last year in 2025, the estimated construction cost was at 1.125. Today,
049that same estimate, as you see, is 1.295, an increase of more than 170,000 just in one year. Again, there's a breakdown of that, and certain things were considered, and we're looking at possible savings and exploring other options for reducing that 1.295. Some have suggested that a c shorter road could reduce costs. However, the professional advice we have received consistently indicates that a shorter road would create significantly steeper grades. Two documents I put in your packet where one says the grade as the safe routes to school is a 5% maximum and the other is an 8% maximum and that is from the American Association of of Travel and Roads or something like that. Um, two years ago, First Capital advised that a shorter road would result in grades approaching 16%. A conclusion later confirmed by safety
050personnel and emergency responders and recently reaffirmed by Site Logic who came in with fresh eyes and no understanding of the history here. While steep roads do exist throughout our community, a school access road serving student drivers, staff, visitors, buses, tractor trailers for delivering products, and emergency vehicles are held to a different standard. The engineers, construction professionals, and emergency responders who have reviewed this project have consistently expressed concerns with the shorter and steeper road. It is also important to understand that a shorter road does not automatically mean a less expensive road. While there may be some savings in asphalt and curbing, a steeper road requires additional fill. Without the cut and fill balance created by the current design, additional material would need to be imported to the site, reducing or eliminating eliminating any potential savings. And
051finally, redesigning the project would require new engineering work, additional permitting for further review, and months more time. We have already invested a significant amount of time and funding with First Capital for engineering and design services, site work, storm water management, and submission of the current road through the master land development plan process. Moving away from this approved design would put those investments at risk and add additional costs. Throughout this process, at least as far as I've been here, we have been transparent. We have provided information, sought layers of expert support, answered questions, and conducted our due diligence necessary to move this project forward responsibly. In summary, the project is ready. We have spent years studying, planning, engineering, permitting, talking about it. We have invested significant time and resources getting to this point. Even after approval,
052our work will continue. We will pursue every reasonable opportunity to reduce costs through the light the way campaign, additional clean fill opportunities, and any other savings we can identify. And just this afternoon, to Mr. Shear's point, we looked at what opportunities are there on our grounds for additional fill. So, we are exploring that. Tonight's vote does not end our work. It allows us to begin it. Finally, when the board met with the high school administrative team this spring and asked what they needed most, our principal's response was very simple. I need a road. After years of study and discussion, I believe we have reached the point where we must decide to take action to address the need for the road. We have all the information necessary to feel confident moving forward. Thank you. >> Well,
053thank you. Okay, so do I have a motion for number A? a motion. >> We'll have an individual vote on a >> item. A Ritz, >> yes. >> Ramsey, >> Wilson, >> yes. >> Marshinger, >> yes. >> Water, >> yes. >> Stein, >> yes. >> Bomb, >> yes. >> Sheer, >> yes. >> White, >> yes. >> You everyone. And now individual vote for B. Archinger, >> yes. >> Ritz, >> no. >> Ramsey, >> yes. >> Stein, >> yes. >> Werstoorf, >> yes. >> Bomb, >> yes. >> Wilson, >> no. >> Shear, >> no. >> White, >> yes. >> 63. >> All right. Well, it's proud to say we are going to have an access road after how many years? In fact, the all of you in the audience should be standing up and applauding. Jumping
054for joy. >> Will we go out on bids for these roads to the public? >> No. >> Oh, hold on. Psychologics. Is this going out for bid? No, it is not. It stays in. >> Yes, please. Andrew, while he's walking up here, the one thing I am going to personally say is I give a kudos to Ben for putting the time and effort in. A big kudos to Deafany. Um, look, out of all of our superintendent, she done more due diligence of getting answers to all of us than anyone has. And I think all nine of us can sit here and truthfully say that. She's reached out farther than anyone else. She's thought outside the box, brought people in, and got the answers that we've been long desiring. Were they good answers sometimes? Were they
055bad answers? But either way, she did a great job. And so, I think we should all commend her for bringing this to an end finally and and mark this off our list and move on. So, thank you, Daffany. you did a great job. >> I'll let Mr. Styles correct me if I'm wrong, but the district is utilizing job order contracting through EasyIQC, which is a Gordian Group product um that allows a district to contract directly with Lobar. >> Yeah, there there's a variety of different procurement mechanisms lawfully allowed school districts to undertake. This is one of four. >> Andrew, in your experience, based on what you know about that pricing versus going out to bid, I know we spoke about this specifically and and know what the market is showing and would it like where
056do can you speak to that and where we would end up essentially? >> Yeah, I mean, as an organization, Site Logic probably has put out to bid close to uh $750 million worth of public school construction work this year. Um and so our pre-construction team is well understood that the the dynamics that exist particularly within this space with these materials and we believe that the the price from Lobar is um adequately priced fairly priced. >> So have you ever gone out on bids to the public? >> Have >> do you ever go out or do you always use a postar program or low bar program what you want to call it? No, we for example, we just bid uh the a $250 million high school in Bucks County that was publicly bid. >> Okay. And
057they don't feel those numbers that they come in and public bid feel is close to what Loar and them are doing. >> Yes. I think the I will just add the challenge the district has with putting this particular out to public bid is you would need your engineer to place it out to bid and and from my understanding that hasn't been the desire of the district. >> I don't understand what they still got to put the specs together to go out to have the uh people do it. So what's the difference between going out for bids? I mean the the specs are already done. They got to have the all the specs prepared for the person to do it. So all they got to do is put that out and advertise it. Is am I
058am I wrong in that? >> Yes. My understanding was and I'll Mr. Styles, correct me if I'm wrong, is that the district had been working with Lobar um and their subcontractor in this case H&H um and the because the district does not have an active relationship with First Capital that would was preventing this project from being publicly bid. >> That accurate? >> Yes. We voted as a board to move forward with Lobar and to do it this way. And um when we went through the process, when we were working with First Capital, when we had our $5 million First Capital maintenance building that was brought to us collectively, we weren't really happy with the price or the bid process, and we wanted to narrow the numbers down more. And that's one of the things that
059drove us towards lowbar was we get a not to exceed number and they can't come back with change orders and do the stuff. So when we analyzed the difference between going to bid and um and using a contractor like that I the number that's sticking in my head and somebody can correct me if I'm wrong but it come it came in like 5 to 6% cheaper than what it was. Are there outliers? there are outliers that sometimes we ended up getting a better price, but when you put the masses up against the different ways to do it, we were going to come in cheaper and we were going to have a more clearly defined number, which is something that um this board had an appetite for being able to better understand. So, um, with other
060projects, once we get outside of this one, we can go back to look at the, um, the bidding process if that's what we want to do. But it, um, that game's played a very different way than what this one is. >> Mr. Ramsey, if I may add to that, um, you're absolutely correct. First thing I would say is number one with this, you are able to select the contractor that you're working with in the public bid market. So long as the bidder has the bonding capacity and hasn't been disbarred by the Department of General Services, you are required to issue them the contract. So in this case, you are avoiding working with potentially a contractor that may not be qualified. You know, in this case, you have two qualified contractors. The second point I would
061say is at this point you are in a position to negotiate uh a lesser price than what is on that paper right there. You have a not to exceed number. In the case of a public bid contract, the number that is awarded on bid day is frankly not the number you're going to pay. It's going to be higher because you will receive change orders. It's just a matter of is it going to be, you know, 3% or is it going to be 10% of their contract value. That's the risk you run in the public bid market. >> So there's there's outliers where we can put it to bid and it comes out and our district has done that before and it's worked well with roofs. So when we get to the next project if we
062don't want to do it this way, we have that conversation. Um but Mr. Shear, I'm going to go back to what you said. Some of the frustrations with this and I'm also going to tie in what Mr. White said ties back to before Daphne was here and definitely the way some of this stuff was explained and I'm not happy about it but uh we make the adjustments and we learn from it and um the changes that we've gotten in clarity and transparency and lots of stuff in the last year and a half have been dramatically different and it's gotten way better in the last couple months. So uh hopefully we don't have to go through that part again. >> I've been known to provide too much information. Just just a correction. I don't think we
063worked with First Capital for the maintenance building. That was an architectural firm that we worked. >> First Capital First Capital >> the building. >> First Capital is who we went >> and we worked with. There's a >> I They don't design buildings though. >> It was It was actually Crabtree and Roar Ball and First Capital was underneath them. It was underneath, >> but we saw we signed a contract with Crabtree and Rurball for like >> they only do site work >> 250,000 and then till we got done with First Capital through them, it was another 75 or $80,000. >> We paid First Capital to follow up on what Crabtree and Roral did because what Crabtree and Roral came through, people were not happy and that we got a second opinion on uh First Capital that
064piggybacked what Crabtree and Roral said. That's why we're not using crab tree and roar ball or horse capital. Okay. Well, moving on again. U Christian stand up and and do the jig. And we got officer Mingle. Stand up and do the jig. There you go. All right. So, let's move into management and we'll start with policy. Uh, Mr. >> Oh, trans I'm sorry, Doug. Transportation. >> Actually, have it listed under me. >> Yeah, I don't know why. I thought maybe Doug wasn't going to be >> No, it's Doug. Give Doug a break. I don't care. >> Was Mrs. Sterner's error. >> Exciting transportation board actions requested. Item A 2526 Christ bus van drivers as listed. So move transportation. >> All in favor? >> I >> No, we have two roll call votes. >> Let's do
065our favorite audience participation. >> Roll call. >> Fitz. >> Yes. >> Wersdorf. >> Yes. >> Sheer. >> Yes. >> Baringer. >> Stein. >> Yes. >> Wilson. >> Yes. >> Ramsey. >> Yes. >> Bomb. >> Yes. White. >> Yes. All right. Now moving into management policy. Mr. Shear, >> a board policy actions requested uh a first first reading of the policy numbers uh 303, policy 334 and policy 335 and policy 339. Those policies all, as I stated last time, all have to do with a lot of the state regulations of how they're tracking overtime and what gets taxed and what doesn't. Uh B is school district solicitor agreement with and C is a 2026 2027 student handbook. Again that that was just has to do with the changes that we made over the prior year to
066add or take things out we have in there. D is your county academy joint operating committee member. C is student representation and F is donations as listed. So move. >> Any questions, comments? Roll call vote. >> Wilson, >> yes. >> Bomb, >> yes. >> Baringer, >> yes. >> Ritz, >> yes. >> Stein, >> yes. >> Waters, >> yes. >> Ramsey, >> yes. >> Shear, >> yes. >> White, >> yes. >> Okay, so we'll see Cameron Little back as our student representative. And again, thank you to our three uh donors. We appreciate it very much. Okay, moving on. We have personnel. Miss Wilson. >> Okay. Personnel board actions requested. Letter A. Substitute professional staff salary matrix approval to make the following adjustment adjustments to the substitute professional staff salary matrix effective for the 2026 2027 school
067year as listed. Letter B, teacher appointments. approval of the following teacher appointments for the 2026 2027 school year. Um, number one, Taylor Callaway. Um, her assignment will be Springrove Elementary as a kindergarten teacher. Um, number two, Abigail Hansen. Uh, she will be assigned at the New Salem Elementary, also as a kindergarten teacher. Um, number three, Anna Connelly, um, located at the New Salem Elementary, um, as a first grade teacher. and number four, Haley Marsh, um at the Spring Grove Intermediate Building as sixth grade ELA. Letter C, appointments, approval of the follow of the following appointments provisionally hired compending completion of Act 168. Um as listed, letter D, classified substitutes, approval of the following classified substitutes as listed. Um summer preK support staff as listed. extended school year instructors um as listed and letter G um
068extended school year support staff as listed um and letter H uncompensated leave as listed. So moved on personnel second. >> Any questions? >> All right, roll call vote. >> Yes. >> Ramsey, >> yes. >> Ritz, >> yes. >> Wilson, >> yes. >> Shear, >> yes. Water store. >> Yes. Baringer. >> Yes. >> Stein. >> White. >> Yes. And before we move on, I'm going to turn it over to Deafany to introduce our new SG Rocket teachers. >> Yes. I believe we have a few folks in the audience. Taylor Callaway, are you here? >> There you are. Hi, Taylor. >> Taylor is a recent graduate of Westchester University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a degree in early grades preparation and special education. She will be filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Kim Miller and as
069uh Miss Wilson uh explained, Springrove Elementary kindergarten. So, welcome Taylor. We have Abigail Hansen. Abby. Hi, Abby. Abby is a graduate of Penn State University with degree in elementary and early childhood education. She is currently teaching kindergarten at St. Joseph School of York. She'll be filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Lisa Burks. And finally, Haley Marsh. Haley. Hi, Haley. Haley is a recent graduate of Shippensburg University, graduating with a degree in middle level elementary education, grades four to eight, and a certification in English language arts. She will be filling a vacancy created by the transfer of Megan Roy. Welcome to all Congratulations to all and welcome to the Rocket family. All right, moving on. Uh, we have programs curriculum. Mr. Barer, >> curriculum board actions requested. Uh, we have an overnight conference request
070for Mr. fake to attend the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships National Conference in October with all expenses to be grant uh to be grant funded by Harrisburg Area Community College. So moved. >> Second. >> All right. Any comments? Roll call vote. >> Yes. >> Ritz, >> yes. >> Bomb, yes. >> Stein, >> yes. >> Sheer, >> yes. Yes. Baringer. >> Yes. >> Ramsey. >> Yes. >> Wilson. >> Yes. >> White. >> Yes. Yes. I'm sorry. Sidebar conversation. All right. And now it's 8:02. We get to do our favorite adjournment. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. Thank you all for coming. Thank everyone at home for Wait. Oh, he >> hammer down. Camera down there. I I was wondering about that. What? What? Okay, I lied. We have another three
071hours of meeting yet. So, you might as well stay and sit down, relax, prop your feet up. >> All right, we have director studying foreman agenda. I I apolog I thought this never. Okay. Yes, that's >> okay. Makes sense. All right. Well, so, uh, anyone that wants to address the board, no, come on up. I want to say thank you to the mocktra student for reminding me to tell you that there are deadlines on the grants. The federal grant that I keep persistently talking to you about. We have to have that in final review by July 1st and that's why I just started automatically doing the documentation for that. Um but again, we need letters support. I need demographic information and I really would love to have uh multiple reviewers on that. So, I just
072wanted to She reminded me what I forgot. Thanks. >> Thank you. Appreciate it very much. >> Okay. Business and finance committee budget and finance, Miss Watersf. >> Thank you. Uh, so number one, um, I would just say it's linked here, but, um, it's also in the back of your packet, the annual authorization for federal, state, and other grant applications. Um, which there's a few listed there on the table. Uh, are there any questions on what you've reviewed? >> All right, perfect. Thank you. And then I will turn it over to Dr. Lewig to talk about High Road School of York agreement memorandum. Hello. Um there's a memorandum regarding um a partnership we've had with High Road School of York. This will be our fourth year. Um we uh purchased three slots for students at that
073um that school. That school is kind of contiguous to York County School of Technology. It's kind of in their backyard. Um so that's u the memorandum that you received. If you have any questions, please let me know. >> Thanks, Dr. Lewig. Any questions or comments? All right. And number three, Mr. Ink. >> Thank you. Um, we have a unique opportunity um to save a considerable amount of money by changing um the solution we use for our backup software. um in part thanks to a statewide agreement uh with the um CCIU that um I'm estimating would save 30 to $40,000. That may end up being a conservative number, but I think it's safe to say it'll be at least that much. >> Thank you very much. Any questions, comments for Mr. Ink? No, it's actually a
074better the only downside is part of our backup is also disaster recovery. We currently have both by moving to this solution as our backup. We will be without disaster recovery for a short period of time until we identify what solution we want to move to that. Um but rubric um in everything that we've seen is a superior product than what we have currently. >> Thank you. All right, Mr. White, I'll turn it back to you. >> Well, I thank you very much. And moving on, we have management committee and personnel with Miss Wilson. Yes, it looks like the first item is a memorandum of a comprehensive HR review of position descriptions and updates. Hope the me memo you have in front of you is um just outlining some of the uh things we're doing as
075we prepare to move to Red Rover. Um we did a comprehensive review of all of the job descriptions that we have versus the positions that we have. And all this is going to do is um identify positions we don't have current job descriptions for or update uh other job descriptions to new letterhead. Uh make sure the ADA compliance information is in those job descriptions. So if you have any questions I'm available. Oh. Um, and I guess there if there is is there any uh any executive sessions needed for personnel? No. >> All right. Uh, program committee curriculum, Mr. Bariner. >> And it looks like uh Dr. Guadino's got two easy easy things to discuss. >> Thank you very much. Uh, the first thing is our annual uh textbook materials adoption. You have a memo uh
076which reviews the process that we go through each year. Um with the uh courses that you approved uh recently. Uh we have a a short list of uh textbooks that are being requested. So they're there for your review. Um if you have any questions or would like to see them, the instructions are there and we hope to approve them July 20th so we have them ready for the school year. And the last thing is uh major trip proposal FFA. Um it's their um annual trip in October. Uh you can see the uh proposed dates and all the details there. Um the students are funding uh the trip. There shouldn't be any cost to the district other than um substitutes. >> All right. Well, thank you, Steve. All right. Now we get to do our favorite.
077>> Which one now? >> Any planning items considered? You always say no. So that's why I don't ever bring it up >> on our retreat. So I I did see the proposed dates for retreat. >> That is uh Dr. Karpatrick may speak to that a little bit. >> Um retreat. Yes, >> we we had initially looked at July 29th and 30th and we weren't able to get everyone to the table. So, we just uh today I think this morning looked at possibly Saturday, August 1st. So, Suzanne, we were planning to send that out soon. So, if if that date works for you, please let us know. If August 1 does not work, please let us know that as well. We're looking at like a 9 to 12. Uh for starters, maybe a three hour in
078the morning. >> That be a three-hour tour. >> If you would like to go on a tour, we could certainly put that in on our agenda. >> No, not stuck. >> I do tour, but >> All right. All in favor? >> Do I have a motion? >> Motion to adjurnn. All in favor?