001Okay, good evening everyone. Thank you for attending. Tonight we have our committee of a whole discussion followed by our June voting meeting. Uh would you all join me in standing for the pledge and remain standing for a moment of silence. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. >> Now I'd like to turn it over to our board secretary for roll call. >> Miss Pierce >> here. >> Mr. Bennett >> here. >> Mr. Brown >> here. >> Mr. Bryant >> here. >> Mr. Chsy >> here. >> Reverend Kuster >> here. >> Mr. Pennis here. Mr. Mr. Djakamo >> here. >> Mr. Stoski >> here. >> Now turn it over to
002uh Superintendent Mr. Ford for the committee of a whole discussion. >> Uh we will start with our the PA representative. Is this the last one? >> All right. 30. How many years? Um 35 and a2 here. >> 35 >> 37 and a half. >> So we're congratulating Debbie on her retirement and uh we'll turn this over to you. >> Yeah, I have to say you probably won't get rid of me quite this easy. [laughter] I will probably visit from time to time. Well, good evening, Superintendent Ford and members of the U Penrest School Board, teachers, community members. Thank you for giving me a few minutes to speak tonight. As you know, this is my final schoolboard meeting as the teachers union president. After many years of service, I'm retiring. I have sat in these seats
003through good economic times and bad ones. We have celebrated great wins together. We have also faced very hard choices. Tonight, I want to urge you to make one more tough choice. Our school district is facing a tight budget. It is tempting to look at the numbers on a page and try to save a penny. But a school district is not a bank. Our success is not measured by how much money we leave in the vault. It is measured by how well how well we educate our children. Right now, our classrooms are crowded. It's hard to teach 29 children at the same time. It is hard for students to get the help they need when they are packed into tight spaces. And please question the caps that we continually use as a guideline in penrest. For
004at least 5 years, I have called into question their validity and yet they remain. Every study I have read says students need smaller class sizes than our current cap guidelines in penrest. It is simple. We need smaller classes. To get them, we must spend money, not save it. I know this means making hard choices. It might mean thinking a rethinking a new project. It might mean shifting funds from other areas or finding new or additional revenue through revisiting ideas such as solar panels or community-based programs within the school and even raising taxes. We know that the federal cuts may end up with close to $2 million less for Penrest. While we could argue that the federal government is letting down our students, we also can't do much about that today. We can only do what
005is within our control, and that is to step up and do more. Esther 4:14 talks of how she did not feel comfortable standing up for her people in need. But her uncle Morai told her, "You were made for such a time as this. If you don't stand up for your people, who will?" I ask you the same question. If you won't stand up for our students, who will? These decisions take courage. They will bring criticism. But cutting class sizes is the best thing we can do for our kids. When classes are small, teachers can teach and students can learn. Please do not look for the cheapest way out. Look for the best way forward. Put our students first by funding smaller classrooms. Be like Esther. Thank you for your time, your hard work, and your
006dedication to our communities. Good night. >> [applause] >> Next up, we um I have um Devopar Consulting Group is here. They're [clears throat] going to um introduce themselves. They're going to share a little bit about what they've done to this point, where the direction they're going here um over the summer and into the fall. And so at this point, I'm going to turn it over Chris. I'll let you do the introductions and uh you know, we'll go from there. >> Okay. >> Try that again. >> Try it again. >> Okay. Okay. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Is that better? >> Yes. Go ahead. Chris can hear me now. Okay. All right. Thank you. You can definitely hear me. Correct. >> Yes. >> I'm sorry. I couldn't tell. So, was Okay. Thanks. Um,
007good evening. I'm Chris Smer, president of De Park Consulting. I'm pleased to be here. My colleague Steve Smith, who's our vice president, is is with us as well. And just give you a kind of a quick update on on where we're at with the project. Um last last month in May we were able to out um Dr. Tique himself and Ashley Bodileri who's doing the IT part of our assessment and we were able to and hours going around buildings. Um and then we we finished up by you know meeting back with the administr actually morning with the administration and then ended our day with the administration with a quick um debrief. Uh but we made it to all the buildings. Um got to walk through the campuses, able to, you know, go through, look at
008conditions, you know, just get a feel for what's happening in each building, each campus, in each location. Uh so that was um you know, really benefit Sean. Um you know if you look at at what was laid out in the presentation someone did uh I think last month around timeline you know May and June was to be you know that initial assessments and called our input surveying which Dr. So you can see we'll talk about in a minute and then June through August we were going to move into our operational review and data collection uh which that process has started um the administration has uploaded a number of documents that we've requested. So each of our analysts go through and start reviewing those um through the summer. Um, obviously we'll do the analysis and preliminary
009findings into September and October where we'll have a a full report and a discussion report and a future planning document that you all have as part of the finalization of the project. So that just gives you kind of a brief highle overview, but I'll let Steve because who I know has been working on some of the most recent items with the survey. >> Hi everyone, my name is Sus. Just want to make sure. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay. It's a pleasure to meet you. I will tell you Chris is right. We we came on May 12th and spent the day at Penrest and honestly had a wonderful day with your administrative team. Um we kind of laid out um the process that we needed to use in order to be able to
010do a thorough examination of all the areas that um were in your RFP. I cannot tell you how quickly and responsive that team has been. We set up the folders the next day and they were populated by the next day which has been amazing. So we appreciate Penrest so much. We usually have to go back multiple times especially at the end of the year when things are so busy. Um we are in the process of also collecting some perceptual data. We wanted to make sure we got students input before they left for the summer. So, I'm so pleased to say that we have a total of 360 student responses to a survey that we um created with Sean's support. Um, and we're in the process of just analyzing that information at this point. There are
011two more surveys that we plan for. One will be for the staff of the school district and the other will be for the community, which includes, of course, you board members. So, um, we really think that we'll get a good 360 view, 360 degree view of the feelings that people have around Pencast, but I think we we actually got a really good feel for the district when we were there. You have a very unique school district. Um it it it is a it's a wonderful feeling because it's almost like there are three small small school districts within one yet you're one district. So um kind of taking a look at that um from a sort of a 30,000 foot view is what we're going to be working through. I'll be handling the academic review. Uh
012Chris will be looking at the transportation review and we have three other or four other specialists who will be looking at your HR, finance, um athletics and performing arts and it >> finance long-term sustainability >> finance long-term it. So I think we have a pretty good overview um a pretty full coverage. We also know that you recently got your um cyclical monitoring report too. So you have your special services um your special education review in place. So it looks like you're going to have a pretty comprehensive view of you know where we are and where we might go um as a district moving forward. So it's been a pleasure working with you so far and we look forward to meeting you in person. We will do that at the end of our process for sure.
013and and Sue just to we're going to break down the the community um into the alumni and and the and community. We're going to try to do both. There's a we found an alumni list at uh at Seagertown. So, we're going to try to um maybe Debbie, we might have a new project for you trying to find the alumni list at Cambridge and uh same at Maplewood. So, we can we can get the alumni and more from them is what uh what did Penrest do well and what do Pen what does Penrest need to improve when they left? Whether they left for the workforce, whether they left for military, whether they left for college. So, it's a it's a little more of a unique um asking of questions than what we would ask in the
014community. So, we thought we'd break that down. And so, and then >> yeah, that sounds great. We we we mentioned alumni. We just weren't sure if we were going to have access to that information. So, that >> I think I think we're I think we're on it. So, and then Randy um you had also talked about um in about the possibility of having a specific board document survey. Is that accurate? >> Yeah. Uh and maybe you can follow up. The surveys you're presenting, I assume they're all different and they're pointed towards their audiences. Uh yeah, and I had asked that um for the board to be that survey to be directed obviously towards the school board members. Also part of that survey if uh we could provide input and questions. Um so it's a little
015bit more of a back and forth if that would be feasible during that initial phase. >> You >> we meaning the board complete the survey but also ask follow >> questions on the survey >> that we could ask you followup questions. >> Oh, of course. short >> and then at some point I think uh uh following that once the work starts getting done I think there needs to be some live sessions where we have and the board members can come ask questions and so being re being we kind of have the process let's follow the process and then after that process we'll start getting some initial and then that at that time then um we'll have the board ask questions of that moving forward >> sounds There could be a point where obviously there'll be
016a presentation, but depending on our analysis over the summer, we a couple of us may come back out for a second visit. We have follow-ups. So that we always like to come when students are in the buildings. Um you know, we don't like to come in the middle of the summer when things are empty. Um so it's why we really push hard upon your approval to get out there in May. um while things are still very active and we would come back when when things are active again you know as we are accepted >> I didn't understand the last comment about special education it's not a part of your study but then she said something about it being reviewed I didn't understand >> so special education we had um originally had that in the arc
017we were going to put that in the RFP, >> right? >> And then as a board we decided um one due to cost factor, two in talking to these folks is that they tended to go into districts that have struggled in in the realm of educ uh special education especially with audits. So that last that last part they're saying is we just received that our audit is is very clean. And so from that perspective in special education, um that looks good. Now, if we wanted to, you know, if you if we wanted to do a more in-depth in special education, that's something we would have to, you know, go back and and potentially, you know, work rework that with the consultants. >> Well, in rough terms, uh we spend what in special education? Just it
018it's a big budget line, right? It it would seem to me it would be helpful to look at it um because it is such a big expense for the district between IEPs and the transportations associated all the expenses associated with special education in in my view it might be wise to spend a little bit more and make sure we have that studied as well but I'm open if >> Chris and and Sue could could you share about what the depth of the special Ed will be within the current operational audits we're doing. >> Sure. Um I didn't hear I didn't hear the board members comments, but I will go into what um a special ed review would entail. First of all, we do have to remember that in an overall academic review, special education will
019be touched on for sure within the within the realm of the academic review. However, if we were to go into the depth of special education, we would be looking at um everything from your early intervention to your pre-referral processes, your MTSS structures, in other words, the supports that are provided um K12 for students that struggle to learn. um the screening and identification processes, the systems um and the effectiveness and strengthening student supports prior prior to the referral for special education, compliance with IDEIDA requirements, and then of course the fiscal and service delivery implications of placement patterns within the school district. And then Chris, from a transportation perspective, we will be looking at that within that operational audit. Is that accurate? >> And that's that's 100% accurate. Yes, we'll be looking not just at the regular
020education. We're looking at the full transportation system. That is accurate. >> And and the same with the financial um that whole operational um special ed would be in there. So I guess the question is the board member's question is as we look toward our uh the future of the district, would it would it behoove us to look at special education because it's such a large line item within the budget? Does it behoove us to um look at a more comprehensive view? Because everything Sue, I just heard you said at the beginning, we're we're doing well. That's part of the audit piece. the I think the piece that we're concerned about is some of the cost drivers that are that are driving um special education cost up and what can we what can we do about
021that? Did I articulate that? >> Yes, sir. Okay. >> I I I think you know, you know, would be allowable us to look at your monitor. You know, we could take a look at that obviously as part of our review, see if anything jumps out at us based on other reviews we've done in other districts. I mean, we'd be happy to do that and do that as an overview and certainly go back to the administrative if there's anything we see that they may want to bring back to the board for conversation. That would be helpful. >> So, go ahead. >> I was going to ask I uh cuz you brought up your point. I'm assuming the transportation is going to look into um the board members comment was about special ed transportation being part of
022that line item. We have the transportation under your umbrella. I'm assuming there [cough] that's going to cross path with special ed. >> It does and it was part of part of our response and our our RFP notes that as well. So that is correct. >> So my suggestion for the board is I say we we allow them to do their work. See what see what the work set what it comes out as. If we then choose and say, you know what, we maybe need to do a more in-depth why don't we look at it that potential at that time. That would that be a fair that way we can see what's what they're what they're going to come back with. I I would be I would be comfortable with that as superintendent. >> Go ahead,
023Brian. I was wondering as part of transportation if you're taking into consideration the number of parents who are driving their own children to school. That's something we are going to um try to get a pulse of for that evaluation. >> Thank you. >> Certainly that that because one thing we'll look at is you you may have different roster how many of them are actually utilizing your bus. Um because you know again if there's a mismatched or maybe strategies you could do as a district to try to increase your utilization capacity. So is something we will be working with the transportation team to look at. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. Comments, questions. All right. Thank you folks for um logging in here. We'll be in touch here um I'm sure weekly throughout the summer. So, um,
024you know, we'll keep providing, um, I'm I'm probably wearing their phone numbers out a little bit. Um, but I >> No worries. We appreciate the communication, honestly. >> Makes things go much smoother. So, great. >> All right. Well, thanks folks. We appreciate it. Have a good night. >> Happy summer everybody. Thanks for having us. >> See you later. >> Bye. >> Yeah. Part two is is leads right in. Um Kristen, we put on here the budget um conversation and and Kristen will just do a review of what what that'll look like on the vote tonight, any questions you may have on it. Um so this would be a time to ask ask those questions. So Kristen, why don't you do a a brief overview of where we're at? Um and and then we go from
025there. All right. So, on the vote tonight, you'll see the total revenue is 60,418,38. Total expenditures is $60,919,545 for an operating deficit of $51,237. There's a change of this of $30,000 since our last meeting and I went ahead and added in the revenue for the additional ticket prices for adults, the $2 increase for athletic events. So that will go from $5 to $7 and then the $2 charge for students. So that's an estimated revenue increase of $30,000. That will be on the agenda for approval tonight. The millage rate for Crawford County will be 57.75, no change. Benango County is 19.41. It's a decrease of 0.93 mills due to being a multi-county school district in the STE market value. Um, all other taxes will remain the same. Your real estate transfer tax, earned income, uh, per
026capita, the discount, and the per capita tax. Are there any questions on the budget? You'll see the resolution on there um to pass the millage rates as well as the homestead farmstead numbers. Um, so for your homestead farmstead, it's an average of this $355 uh per approved property owner. That'll come off of their bill. And that is from the gambling revenue within the state. We get that money and then it's distributed out to all of our approved homestead and farmsteads. And as long as you have one property, most people qualify. So if you're not signed up for that, um, you can go ahead and get signed up for that. applications go out when it's December, January, and they're due back by March 31st. Questions, concerns. >> So, I know um talking with President Savorski, he
027had asked us to there was some information, you know, um I'm not a big Facebook person, but there gets information out there in Facebook. Some of it's true, some of it's half true, some of it's not true at all. And so I I think it'd be important and I've asked Mrs. Feelely um in the in the realm of librarians kind of what we're looking like what what's our circulation of books and and Mrs. Feelely. So um and so before she goes I will just say we have no intention of shutting down the libraries. you know how how we circulate books is going to look different. Um K to3 students will still get library classes um at the elementary the elementary which we feel is very important. Um and so the the narrative that we're not
028going to do that is not accurate. It's going to look different. and the high school principles in their scheduling, which they'll be working on between now and mid July, are are looking for ways unique to their building to to schedule that within within that library. And so um on far as circulating votes checking in checking out so with the teachers um in the building and then at the elementary I kind of shared we're going to have still have the K to3 and then um also we'll still have the ability to um get books in and out of the library. Patty, you have those numbers up? >> Sure. >> Yes. Um I asked the librarians to share the distribution numbers for this year. Cambridge Elementary uh had 10,400 books that went in and out during the
029this year. The high school had 1,249 books. Sretan Elementary had 10,561 books circulated. The high school had 353. The elementary had 8,000 Maplewood Elementary had 8,514 books and Maplewood High School had 815. So the elementaryaries, as you can see, circulate a lot more books. Um, obviously there's classes there. So, we want to continue to maintain that. Exactly how that's going to look. I, you know, I don't know. I want to work with um the librarian and the elementary principles to figure out what that rotation can look like and how we can best serve those um primary students so that they can still get books and how we can get books in the hands of students in grades four through six as well. Um, any questions? No, I mean that answered my question. Um, and I
030think sometimes discussion and then the way it's portrayed out there, uh, we're not closing libraries. That was never brought up as a point. Uh, what we know is K through three still has library on a rotation and that will m be maintained. >> Yes. >> Yeah. And then grades four through six uh still have access um when they need as well as 7 through 12 will still have open access um not open but they'll have access to the library. That's equivalent to what they have. >> That is our intention. Okay. Yes. >> Thank you. That answered the question. >> How about on the um uh anything else in the budget that has you any questions from the >> I guess I have a question. Sure. >> Not to put anybody on the spot because I
031know these are tough decisions. uh trying to maintain the comment you made. We're going to do what we can, but how are the books going to be distributed in the high school and your kids? Is there a plan for that? >> I don't have an exact plan yet. Okay, that's a good question. Um you know, we're still we're meeting this week with principles to try to talk about what can be um done. Uh what does that look like? What can it look like? You know, the high school distribution numbers are low, >> right? Um, so not as difficult to check in and out books at that level. Um, shelving is a different story. You know, I don't know the Dewey decimal system. So, no, I can't walk into a library and shel books. And it's
032more to operate in a library than just checking in, checking out a book, and shelving them. You know, the librarians do a lot more than that. So, um, I don't have a specific answer to what that can look like for them. Um, but we do want to make sure we maintain access to our libraries. You know, maybe it's going to look more like a media center with those resources available, but we have to figure that out. What works for our kids, what works for the schedule that we have and the ability to maintain the resources that we have available to them >> and and what uh our our professional staff, what what abilities they have within their schedule to assist with that process, too. You know what I mean? That's especially at that high school
033level somebody, you know, so that's that's the things they need to look at as they start scheduling. So >> just keep post scheduling will hopefully be done by mid July is the goal. We are transferring um to the new CIS and so um once that happens that's we'll see if we keep that timeline or not. So because that'll be the challenge for our principles. >> I just So the um I know the we talked the gifted numbers. >> Yes. >> We're around 40 like in the 40s >> the high school gift. >> So I guess how does that look? >> So you don't have to have a specific certification to teach gifted. You just have to have a teaching certificate. So it may not be the li it probably won't be the librarian that is
034teaching gifted, right? people are going to take a look at those schedules and see where or who has the ability to take on those gifted case loads >> probably at a at a a building level and then they there there there are some trips that they take and that's where the library may be used is to help us go on those trips or something but the actual meeting of the GI GI would be building level based upon availability because we have a lot more freedom because of the certification Any other questions regarding his uh Mr. Ford superintendent discussion points education? >> All right, Patty. education report. >> Okay. There's a lot of typical annual re renewals in here. Uh we have a lot of agreements. Parkside interventionist that's uh the interventionist that's in our therapeutic
035classroom at Cambridge Friends High School. We have our title one non-public service agreement with IU5. They provide title one services to our non-public school at Satan and at Crawford Christian. And we have the school-based access program renewal so that we can build for access services that are provided to students here in our school setting. We have an agreement with regional behavioral health for Cambridge Springs Elementary and the Barber Center extended schoolyear contracts for for um approval. Again, the Parkside Psychological, this is for non-billable agreement. We have um they do trauma therapy in our high schools, but some of the services they're not able to build uh insurance for and those are what we have a budget aotment for. It's $5,000 for those services districtwide. And what that is for is, you know, the board early
036on was very um transparent and that they wanted these agencies that came into our schools to maintain communication with families, right? They didn't want them seeing students without having that open communication with families. And those are non-billable services to make phone calls, to reach out, to connect with parents, want feedback on those counseling services that are happening with students. That's what that budget and agreement is for because they cannot bill insurance for those services. They don't always use all of that money in that budget, but it's there in the event that those hours are used. you get a monthly bill from them that you see coming through um by minute that they when they make phone calls or emails with parents and that's what comes through for that agreement. There's a job core agreement as
037well and a chaps cooperative agreement. Any questions on those agreements? uh the Savis my perspectives we did I think it was last month before uh the n the six through nine agreement [cough] 10 through 12 this wraps up our ELA um six-year lensure agreement for materials we did the what made the most financial sense for the district to get us the best pricing um and this will wrap that agreement up for us so that we'll be good for six years on ELA today with materials read and math 180. We're doing a one-year renewal for them. This is split funded through title one and access. It's an intervention program for students. We use in grades three through primarily three through eight I would say sometimes who go a little older and sometimes a little younger depending
038on um students. But it again it's an intervention system. color my conversation curriculum is a speech curriculum that our our speech language pathologists use for specialized classroom instruction. And then we have one um staff member who was accepted into a um middle school conference at Patton for a two-day conference in Patton Central here June 15th and 16th. And then we have a list of donated books to Sigrettown Elementary. And the last thing you'll see are it is the month uh approval of the library books that were submitted last month. Her first reading if you will or back this month for approval. Any questions? >> Technology. >> Yeah, I just have one item on the agenda. It is for [clears throat] a software program called securely. It will replace our current uh web content filter platform
039that we have. So that's what actually when any of us go out on the web, it'll actually make sure that they're not going to any sites that are not allowed. So this will replace Line Wise, which is our current uh content filter, and um much easier management interface for us, and it comes at appreciable cost savings as well. So that's security questions. Thank you. >> Thanks Mark. >> Richard facilities transportation. Just a couple quick things for you tonight. Uh the first one you'll see up for approval is um uh municipal uh equipment disposal. Uh we have a a variety of items that we're looking to put up for auction. Um those items uh if approved tonight would go live on uh Municip Bid is the site that we use. Uh they would go live tomorrow
040morning and run uh from now until the 22nd uh up for the public to bid on. Um, and then you know whatever profit is generated from that will go back into uh the general fund. Um, so there's a I don't know if you guys have that in front of you, but there there's a list of so we have you know one truck um some mowing equipment and then you know some miscellaneous kitchen equipment and janitorial equipment. Um the other item up tonight um for discussion is uh paving bids. Move your mic up. >> Sorry. Thank you. >> Is that better? >> Better. >> Might just have to hold it. >> All right. Uh the other item up is uh paving bids for Sagertown campus and Cambridge campus. Um we've talked about this in the past.
041Um we put a bid spec together. The Sagertown uh paving project is driven primarily from the water leak that we had um in the parking lot in the in the wintertime. Uh the Cambridge project is a small area behind the high school that was not done uh during the major paving project uh last summer. Uh bid specs were put out publicly for those and uh those bids came in. Um there were three three biders that was uh Lindy Paving, Paw Baker, and Cross Paving. Uh Cross is the low bid on on both those projects. So you'll see that up for tonight. Any questions about those? So just so every and that came in higher than we expected. Correct. >> It did come in higher than we expected. Um we did put money in the capital
042plan for it. Um the the way that that came about was we we set money aside in the budget. Um when we had initial discussions about that. Uh we did not have a prevailing wage scale set up for that yet. Um and there was, you know, more to the scope than what was originally planned. Um so it's a little bit higher. um than what we had originally planned, which is just going to um make us have to move some of our capital planning items down the list. So >> So that that that would become your priority. >> That would be the high priority this year. And then things that are lower priority, >> the other things we had would have to be pushed pushed out. >> Yeah. Some curbing repairs, some cooler replacements, you know.
043Um this one really, especially at Sacred Town Elementary, there's a lot of safety issues there. That parking lot is also used as our elementary playground. There's loose stone and um ruts in the parking lot that you know it's it's it's more than just a cosmetic issue. There are some structural safety issues that that you know that parking lot needs to be done. So >> So my my question in addition to that, are we comfortable with some of the other repairs that we'll have to push down that that that will be okay with the facilities and things that we're doing? That that's my question. >> Yeah. I mean, it's just prioritization of our needs, you know. I mean, that's >> So, the water we're still taking care of, >> that's still in the plans this year.
044The metal panels at Maplewood High School. >> Okay. >> Um and we do have some smaller uh sidewalk projects at Maplewood Elementary that are going to be done. Um but some of the um we had been starting to upgrade some of our bathrooms and our older buildings, you know, toilet partitions, toilet stalls, stuff like that. just going to have to get kind of put on the back burner so to make this happen for this year. >> Okay, question. >> Was there anything with insurance with that water break or >> We did try they denied it. You know, they they told us it's maintenance and operations. you know, if water had been flowing into the building from that leak, it would be covered. But because it's under the parking lot, it it you know, we did
045we had that claim and we met with them and it went on for three or four months and, you know, we just came back that they weren't going to pay out on that. So, >> thank you guys. >> Thanks, Richard. Uh Chris, financial report. You'll see on the financial report just the um regular monthly items, your treasures reports for each of the funds. Um approval of the dispersements, the budget transfers, there's a few more on there um this month. Again, they're just the reoccurring ones. We're just shifting funds around to make sure that they're coded correctly for our annual financial report. The newer items is our insurance quotes. Again, this is done annually. Um, we had a reduction of $5,000 basically or almost 2% from last year's insurance rates with our renewal this year. So,
046I was pretty pleased with um that. We already went over the Homestead Farmstead budget. So, I'll move to the paper quotes. So, we're bringing you um the paper quotes. WB Mason is the one who came in with the lowest quote for the entire district paper supply needs this year. Um this is down from last year was about $24,000 last year. So this year um we're at $16,372.30. You'll notice the annual contracts for the service purchase contracts that is for spa dental um and three physicians. So the dental it provides our hygienist uh exams within the school and the other is for your annual screenings and sports physicals um at each of the attendance areas. And again that's per school code. We have to have those available for certain grade levels. There's a Burkheimr resolution on
047here and that's due to Cynthia's retirement. We have to just pass the resolution to get give uh other personnel access for the earned income tax to get into the website to get those reports. So that's all that is. Um lastly, again annual agreement with the IU, the special education contracts. Um those cover assisted technology, speech and language, hearing, life skills, OT, PT, MDS, behavioral consult. That's on for approval as well as our pass through contracts with Bethesda. There's Bethesda partial, Bethesda residential. Um and then just the special ed and the behavioral. We have a donation for the robot robotics club that's on there as well. And that's all I have this month. Any questions? >> Okay. Uh if there's no other questions regarding the committee the whole um we will move into our citizen comment
048part of the agenda. Today we have one registered citizen uh Miss Betty Licky. Thank you for your words tonight, Miss Licky. You'll have five minutes if you could state your area of residence as well. >> All right. Thank you very much. Um, good evening. My name is Betty Licky. I reside in Richmond Township. I stand before you as a concerned resident, a parent of two penrest graduates and a former 26-year educator employed by this district. 10 years as an elementary classroom librarian and six or classroom educ uh classroom teacher and 16 years as a librarian. My concern is that in the process of developing the next district budget, I have read that the administration and board is considering eliminating two of the three district librarians, leaving one person responsible for six libraries. This drastic cut
049will inevitably decrease student access to libraries from the current limited access to very little access. In 2013, the district went from six to three librarians, excuse me, which resulted in a significant reduction in student and staff access. With the added responsibility of secondary gifted students, the access was further eroded. just doing the math for this proposal and I did check with a former colleague who was a calculus teacher because I'm not a math teacher. Um, based on 179 student days shows that the one remaining librarian, excuse me, would be in each building slightly less than 30 school days per year, less than one full day per week for an entire building compared to the almost 90 days in each of the current assigned buildings. This one librarian would also be responsible for keeping six libraries
050organized and usable. Librarians do so much more than checking out books. As Mrs. Bey said, how would all of this be possible for one person? And I kind of think that you really don't have any idea what your librarians really do or could be doing if they had a given time. The way our libraries are used have changed over the years, but they're still a valuable and necessary resource. Remember how excited you or maybe your child was when it was library day and a new book was waiting to be selected, checked out, and taken home to read. Will Penrest students be able to continue to experience that excitement more than a couple times a month? What happens to that sense of anticipation and enthusiasm for reading and learning? Reading is a foundation for learning. Libraries
051with certified librarians when given the time and resources should be an integral part of building that foundation. A strong foundation is what creates lifelong learners. And as the Penrest website states, our mission is to provide resources and opportunities that challenge students, assess their educational progress, provide a system of support, and empower all of them to become confident lifelong learners. Students and staff in each Penrest building need and deserve the opportunity to utilize the libraries and their traditional and digital resources on a regular basis with librarians. I respectfully ask that you please give careful consideration to this proposal before you make your final decision. And just a just an an aside, when we had librarians in all of our buildings, high school circulation was between five and 8,000 books or more per year. So when you
052can't let kids when kids can't get into the uh classroom to the library, it's kind of hard to circulate books. So I thank you for your time and I thank you all for your willingness to work for the benefit of Penrest students, staff, and residents. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Are there any nonregistered speakers for today on agenda items? >> Thank you for speaking today, sir. Um, you'll have two minutes. If you please state your name and your area of residence. >> Uh, my name is Jeff Gable. I'm from Hayville Township. Just to be quick, just to be simple to the board, remember you are responsible for the education of our students and what it takes. You need to stop cutting. You need to quit taking from the rainy day fund because
053someday it's going to be storm and you will be sorry. Every year prices go up, wages go up, everything goes up. So taxes may have to go up. I think that you need the one to 2% to cover costs. You need to cover the needs because they're not going to go down next year. It's only going to become worse. Uh and I'm going to be hit more by this than anybody. I've created a trust. I lose my homeland farmland at a discount, I'm going to get any tax increase you have or anybody has. And I'm not objecting because that's part of life. Uh, and I'm just doing this quick just frustrating a little bit. Uh, we need to have a positive output for the district as a whole. This this the positivity will increase attendance,
054will increase the working in the area, will help the tax part, will help the income part. I'm more from the business side. You have to explain what you're going to spend. You're going to have to explain how to get the money. This is diff. This is a little bit different. >> 30 seconds, sir. Uh the only thing the biggest thing I would say then now the administration is this weekend I was with a former teacher of public schools who we've been for a long time and he now is at a private uh school and the interesting thing he said as we visited was it's nice to be in a system now where the students want to be there. That's what we need to have in our schools is that attitude. The students want to be
055there. Thank you. Any other non-registered student comments today? Any other just a minute to make sure we have we have all of our members here? >> Michael, you still good? >> Ryan, you good with us? >> Okay. Oh, that's why. Mike, you good? >> Okay. Okay. Thank you for your comments today. Move to item four, approval [clears throat] of minutes. >> So move. >> Resolve that the Fresh School Board of Directors approve the following minutes for May 11th. >> So move. >> Second. >> Motion to second. Any comments or questions? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Motion passes. >> Okay. Policy approval. I'll entertain a motion. Excuse me. Result. I don't need a motion. Uh result of Pancress School Board of Directors approve the following policies. Policy 249 bullying and
056cyber bullying. >> Second. >> Have a motion to second. Any comments or questions? Okay, hearing none. All in favor say I. >> Any oppose? Policy passes. >> Okay, moving on to the education report. We'll do consent agendas. We have consent agenda items B through O. Long one. I'll entertain a motion for our education report. >> So move. >> Second. I have a motion and a second regarding the education report. Any comments or questions? This items B through O. >> Okay. Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> Any oppose? Passes. Okay. technology report uh with one item with uh result that the penrest school board of directors approve the securely web content filter cost of 8,640 for the 2026 2027 school year. >> So move >> second have a motion to second any comments or
057questions regarding the technology report. >> Okay, hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Motion passes. Okay. The facility and transportation report. Once again, another consent agenda. Items B through D. I'll entertain a motion for the transportation uh facilities report. >> So, second. >> Have a motion and second. Any comments or questions? This is B through D and facilities. Okay, hearing none. All in favor say I. I. >> Any oppose? >> Motion passes. >> J. Oh, I see. I see. Okay. Yep. >> Financial report. If you didn't notice like I did, we have a consent agenda. Items B through J on the financial report. Items K through L. We will roll call. So >> second. >> I have a motion to second. Any comments or questions? Okay. Hearing none. All in favor say
058I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Motion passes. So we are financial report uh letter K. This is the general fund budget. Resolved that the Penrest school board of directors approve and adopt the final fiscal year general operating fund budget and annual tax resolution for the 2026 2027 school year as listed and authorized the business manager to prepare the PDE 2028 budget document. >> Second. I have a motion and a second. Comments or questions regarding the general fund in the budget? >> I just want to say we're not I mean we're not where we should be maybe, but you guys are going to get creative and make it work. I hope um with the library situation and I hope you know prove us wrong. I hope we're not coming back in in October or November asking
059for another position, but I you know, so thanks for all your work getting that done. Now, um what are we looking at as far as what's the enrollments? What's the enrollment with um kindergarten classes in elementary schools? What's that at? >> Yeah. >> Can I speak? So currently, um, Cambridge is 33 in kindergarten, Maplewood Elementary is 49, and Seagertown Elementary is 34. Um, some of these numbers, they did retain a couple kids, so those numbers are included in there as well. >> But that's where you're at. >> Yes, they're um >> much lower than much lower than I had. >> I mean, no. I I just don't I don't think we need you know like in Cambridge there's three 11 CL kids in each classroom. >> Can you say that again? >> Cambridge Elementary there's
060be 11 if we keep three three classes that's 11 students in each. >> That's if we kept it at three. >> That's correct. >> But right now we're keeping this it's on to keep it at three. Right. There's one student difference between Cambridge and Sig right now. >> Yeah. What what >> one student difference? >> Yeah. >> Do you anticipate it is June? Do you anticipate I mean it you always say these are early numbers. At what point are they no longer early numbers than they are the number >> the end of September? >> Really? >> I mean I'm being honest. I mean it is very hard to calculate when you know in mid August I start feeling more comfortable um for sure but I mean we get moveins last year how many kids did
061we have moved in >> and that was in September >> just one building had 42 >> 42 so one building >> yeah I mean so it is really hard to predict and so if those due to our numbers that we have on there if we would have a normal summer then those kid we would be up to that 40 threshold which would then kick the three teachers in you know what I mean so um the other the other so that it's hard it's very hard to predict um looking at kids coming in having the lowest class size possible with managing you know so that's that's what we tried to stay in that K to2 as best we could um and then get higher as they go. But it's very difficult. I wouldn't feel comfortable until
062>> August. >> You hear me, Mike? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. So, that's the answer. >> They all seem to be in the same. I mean, we're talking what was the difference? The percent one student, five students. I mean, >> well, Maplewood. >> Oh, okay. Excuse me. >> Maplewood is 49. Yeah, they're they're they're significantly higher than Cambridge and Sagert right now. >> Those are not good numbers. >> No, >> they're not. And that's a that's the declining enrollment is is a we've been talking about it. But at what point will you decide like if we're in September and there's still like 30 in the 30s, what are we going to do? So I think a couple of things, Kathy, if we have if we have so we can look at this. We could absolutely
063reduce if we wanted to. Okay, we could come back to the board and said, you know what, the numbers are low, so we could reduce. The other thing is not only do we look at kindergarten though, we also look at those class those classrooms that are near the threshold, right? We have the threshold of numbers. So if all of a sudden we get an influx of students where we may need a teacher in grade X to keep those classes within that within that. So that would be number two, right? The other area that we potentially could look at is if um is to look at interventions especially in the area of mathematics where where we we've been hurting with our test scores. So I think there's there's contingencies in place. The budgets re the budget
064issues are real. So you know I I I could tell you more come August. I think we'll know at the August board meeting a better indication and then through the month, you know, it's school is late this year. You don't actually start till um September 1st. And so um that's the best answer I can give you. >> Historically, Maplewood usually has strong numbers in the beginning, but then Cambridge and Segretown usually pick them up in August, like fair week, especially like we always get an influx. Um, but yeah, it's a really n hard number to project. >> I will say this is my 10th year on the board or I think ninth or 10th whatever. But uh I've seen low numbers most of the years I've been on at this time of year, Kathy and
065it always makes me nervous but for some reason they always seem to come back alive by August, September, >> even Cambridge. And I'm not guaranteeing it. Like Sean, like Mr. Ford said, there's no crystal ball here, but I've noticed in the Cambridge area, because I live in Cambridge, there's been a few houses that have come up for sale that were kind of unexpected for whatever reason. So, you're going to have families because those houses go pretty fast, believe it or not. So, you don't know what's you don't know who is going to be moving in, you know, and there are kids I do know a couple families that still have not enrolled their kids yet, too. So, just I'm just giving you my experience what I've seen in numbers. Yes, they've gone down, but I'm
066not arguing that. But what we see today for numbers will not will be what we see in August. I guarantee you that. We supported also adjusted policy regarding registration. Yeah. When and that we're going to see that at some point there at what point there will be a year where we see um >> I don't want to say a decline but we're going to see smaller numbers because we had adjusted the policy uh regarding kindergarten registration. >> Correct. >> And that would be this year this summer. Well, so we're any other comments regarding the budget? >> No, I think I mean I think I've discussed the budget thoroughly and I mean I'm upset about the librarians or yeah the elementary but this is what we had to work with. That does bother me about the
067librarians. I wish there was something else we could do. >> I I agree with you, Kathy. What would where we were? We're not bringing a couple people back. That's how we we're doing this. So, >> yeah, I think it, you know, I >> it's through attrition that this is happening. >> Correct. So, that's I was going to say that, too. So thank you for saying that the the my word of the day counter. >> Yeah. So so we there was opportunity you know we always look at everything holistically right and all of our librarians still there there's no fur okay they're they're still um employed by the district. So, and I think that's important because some years you you may not have that in some years, right? And then there would be a triple down
068effect. So, right now we've we were able to retain all of our employees. Second comment I'm going to make, I don't think anyone up here is happy with the librarians. I know I'm not. Um, unfortunately there's there's tradeoffs that we're having to do due to the declining enrollment and and these are the difficult decisions that schoolboard members have to make and we've we've tried to prioritize the classroom at the elementary. We've really tried to prioritize and I frankly it would be great to even those numbers to go lower, right? But we tried to prioritize those. Um and so that's why we looked at we've already at the fizzed level we we'd already um eliminated a fizzed. So we have five fizzeds now doing doing instead of one at each building. They're rotating into Seagertown. There's
069two fizzed teachers coming into the elementary. And so this isn't unique to the library. We just did it in previous years. And we always try to look for like Tim said through attrition, right? If if at all possible. Um if it's not at all possible, then we'll we'll even make harder decisions. Um but that's kind of the big picture. I don't think there's anyone on the stage is happy um about this. Um and so but we are we are in some difficult financial times. um next year we'll we're anticipating an even more difficult and so I think not only we have to look this year we have to look next year also >> we need to look at budget now so we don't have that huge amount next year like that's and I think there's
070more places that we can look at that doesn't ne necessarily affect the students it's not you don't direct student contact >> we need to look at everything >> well I know It's a little late on this season and we're going to approve this budget. I'm assuming we'll approve this budget. But something that's been weighing on me a little bit is back to the computers. >> Back to our computers. >> Speaking of the mic. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I joke about this. >> So a question on the computers and I know the way our system set up and for testing for state testing we have to use computers. Now I haven't had a chance to go through and look but what do we spend and I don't expect an answer but what do we spend on
071our computers for and I I know this could make some people mad at me but whatever. uh K through three or K through two what we spend on computers and can we use that money to offset and maybe have at least another librarian to help and I I don't expect you to answer me tonight on this. This is food for thought and if we did something like that as sort of a tradeoff or part-time one of our librarians if they're stuck or not yeah if they're stuck in uh segretown that they can work part-time in segretown part that's part of their duties. This is just questions. I don't expect answers today. And can we make cuts? Not to affect it. Don't get mad at me. But um some of the young kids I know do
072not need the computers as often. Actually, more studies I read, I don't even think they need them period now. I mean, K through2, as far as I'm concerned, doesn't need computer period. They need to get back to pencil or pencil and paper. learning to write and communicate that way. They get enough computers at home. So that that just we can have, you know, if the board so desires it, we can we can go back and and and bring back and look at technology, whether it's technology or whatever it might be. I mean, naturally, we need to pass a budget. Would you? >> Well, we the board can also, you know, if we can pass this budget, we can still work. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. As uh >> absolutely work under pressure. Things will get done better
073if it's under pressure. >> Say it again. >> Things will get done more things will get done >> under pressure. >> If we if we don't under pressure, >> I think not under pressure. Okay. >> So, uh one of the things >> Oh, you said not under pressure. >> You know, if we do it now, will we have it like a deadline? We need to >> other words. I didn't quite hear what you said. So, >> yeah. I'm just >> One of the things I've learned about Mr. board is uh you know he's very humble and he's solutionoriented and um from our last meeting I I was kicking around some thoughts um we've talked about finance discussion and even ever since I've been on the board the board's always asking when are we going to
074start talking about finances and this type of conversation is one I'm hoping we can um uh allow for earlier before the budget um and I think Mr. Ford's open to that because I think he likes to hear ideas. Um, and so maybe rearranging the way the budget is done in the future. This is an ongoing evolving thing and we can always make it better. I don't think there's one way to do it. Probably many wrong ways, but there's also many right ways. Uh, and I think earlier in the season um to have these types of conversations, these ideas because maybe that is that could be a good idea and the board supports it and uh maybe you look into it and that could have been done. So allowing that opportunity for those types of comments
075um I'd like to open up earlier next year. What that looks like I don't know but it's in it's in it's on my it's in the back burner that I think uh finance committee could work um to have that type of conversation. So for nearly four years we have always said we are going to start in January and we never do. We don't have the numbers. >> Yeah. I >> don't we have we have guesses that we I mean Yeah. So we can always anticipate that we need to look >> we can we don't have the numbers of students but we have the numbers that we're spending >> and we need to always look for ways to cut I mean to like to use. >> So I'm just asking >> deficit. I'm just asking you
076to be more creative because it seems each budget year that I've been I haven't been here as long as Mr. Brown, but uh the years that I've seen, we always come up with this. Okay, if you want zero tax increase, we have to x these number of people. And I'm asking you just to be more creative without eliminating those people. So, I guess that says where I'm voting on this budget. >> I I would just ask I guess I get where you're saying creative, but when there's no more like when you've cut everything where we're at the minimum of certain areas, maybe there are some areas, but I don't think we're saying we need to cut these people because that's where you're going to get to that zero budget. Um like when we had the
077presentation on the screen. Yeah. The one had these people needed cut because that was the only budget that needed to have those people cut because we were at a zero. So the other budgets didn't have those cuts because they didn't need to be cut. Um so I I I just think definitely we need to look early but we also need I don't know what is do we have a return on investment for the um grants our grant writers are they >> the service we hire is that what they're asking >> so the answer is um yes we we got our return >> we've been told we got our return we haven't actually received physical cash yet So, let's just be clear there. Um, but then we are getting money because we're with total grant services
078of supposedly 150,000 for facility. Um, which if we could use that money towards our paving if if we wanted to supposedly there's no strings attached, but they're still working through all of that. So, we would have a return on investment there. Um, we're waiting on our big grant is that facility grant, but we won't know that until October. Um, and I think we officially applied for that in January. So there's a lag there >> and they've pushed it back actually. So So >> if we do get that larger >> I think it's and and I agree with I don't disagree with Brian. I don't disagree with looking at her ear. we simply don't have all the all the data in in January and that's and we get a lot more in February and and so
079that's but I Randy and I've already talked I think you know whether we stay with the committee of the whole and we just start having these meetings um earlier to look at expenses only you know you know till we get more accurate numbers I'm more than open to that so as far as um >> just to interject something real quick sorry But we've I've had this discussion with many board members and Brad, I'm kind of talking to you. >> Yes, sir. >> Uh we've had other board members sit there, well, we're just going to cut this. We're to cut that, but nobody said what we're going to cut. You have an idea in your head. I'm not asking for that idea. That's But you have an idea in your head. I think [clears throat] you
080know, like I had that idea. We need to make sure we share that idea. It's not a generalized you. I'm not insulting. I'm not you understand what I'm coming from. >> I understand exactly and I agree and I agree with you and I think the forum for that really should be a financial and budget committee where you throw all this stuff out. You figure out what's workable, what's not workable. Yes, I could cut 1.5 million out of the budget. If we would go to the student ratios that are supposedly approved by this board and we moved those positions to other places, we would save a million and a half with some other um revenue enhancements. So I don't believe at all that we are at you know at as low as we can go but
081we don't have a forum where we discuss all this stuff and at these meetings and I don't want to throw out insults everybody I got to go I got to go you know this means this takes work if if you want to do a budget well and you want to take care of the kids and you want to take care of the teachers it takes work and right now we don't spend the time that we need to spend to do that but I agree with what you're saying. Okay, Mr. President, I believe according to Robert's rules, there should not be personal cross talk. It should be directed at the president. >> That's accurate. Um, but that's also not the way I like to run it. Um, we have uh in the past had conversations across
082um I thought this has been a very excellent conversation. Um, and I think there's a benefit to that, but I also think there's a benefit to addressing only the president when needed. We saw that last month. Um, I was proud of us because I do think we came with some ideas. We had idea one, idea two, and out came idea three. Um, I I like the I like the flow of it right now. And so I'm comfortable. >> Okay. >> Uh, I'm comfortable. And I think that >> Oh, I didn't think No, no, I didn't think No one was being disrespectful. I thought we actually you gave me an idea, right? I was just going to say I believe in the fall I think the board maybe should meet to see what the winter will
083look like. We have to have a meeting for a meeting if that makes sense. So, let's have a meeting to discuss what do we want the finance season to look like so that when the finance season is here, we're prepared >> and then do it. >> Yeah. Randy, can I say something? >> Go ahead, Mike. I'm going to put you up to the mic. >> Okay. >> Hear me now? >> Yep. >> Yeah. Um, for me it's I love our conversation too, Randy. I love uh the ideas we had and we're having now. Um, my point of view is has has been changed a little bit, especially with uh with our community hurting a little bit with the uh the economy and taxes and all that. Plus, even our our school district in itself with
084uh Benrest rising and the low enrollment and everything else. And um and as you guys are talking, I'll just share a little idea. For me, it's it's like I know we can do better um with the budget. I know we can balance the budget. I know we can do better in certain areas that hopefully won't cut, you know, teachers and stuff like that. And we need to have those conversations in my opinion earlier instead of right now because for me it's like I I'm in the middle right now because I'm I'm kind of upset that we haven't done a better job of of getting to zero. But then again, my heart bleeds for the community and what's going on uh in our community with, you know, with the economy and everything else. And that's how
085I feel right now. >> Thank you. But and and I do think I'm going to I'm going to queue in here. If you think it's reasonable to not have tax raises for an extended period of time and to keep moving forward for a long period of time, that is not it's not going to work. You're going to have to make major decisions then. And I'm not talking a few line items that are a one-time hit. And so we did not recommend a tax increase this year and I'm we're proud of that. Um and I've never heard me say that. But moving forward there has to be to say that you're never going to be taxed. And if you look at the history of taxation in the district, one of the one of the areas that
086we are getting hurt from is because of this fair share. Now whether I think that's fair or not, that's a whole different story. But so I think it's a combination of looking at a lot of things moving into the future. I absolutely am open and and I agree that we should I think that's a great idea, Randy, about having a meeting to create a structure and um I think I think it's a great idea. Um but also that and the other thing we also hired a consulting firm to do a lot of this research. So, I'm really fascinated to what they're going to bring back and where they're going to go also. Um because that's one of the reasons we did that. So, I you know I it's a it's I had an old mentor.
087He told me that Mr. Ford, I don't care what you do when you become a superintendent, make sure you re recommending a small tax increase each year. Now, I haven't done that. All right? I haven't done that. But um I'm getting to that age now of 60 years old and um and so I think it's a I'm not saying you raise taxes each year. I'm not saying that at all. I would have recommended that. I didn't recommend that. Um but what I am saying is when you look at hard decisions, not only should we be looking at expenses, we also have to be looking at revenue. And I think there's two sides to that to that coin. You look at expenses, you look at revenue. And then and then what are and then you look
088at structural change within the district. What's that look like? And that's why we hired a consultant to do that. So I'm I'm just I think there's a sometimes we talk cut, but there's also a revenue revenue side to that that needs to be uh considered into the future. >> All right. But I'd like to commend the administration for right doing the second half of this study that we needed done. So, I think there can be nothing but good that's going to come from the results. >> Right. And I and I you know, I'm I you know, if someone can teach this dog a new trick, I'm I'm more than open to learning new tricks at my age. I'm I'm I'm taking I'm thinking of taking a degree in AI right now just so I don't
089lose track of what's going on in the world. So, you know, I'm I'm more than open to that. So, >> so any Yeah, I'm gonna I'm gonna I'm gonna move on with the vote. I think the conversation has evolved, which is fine, into maybe things we could do better um as a board as opposed to the item that's being voted on. Um but I will put any other comments for uh letter K, the specific budget comments or questions. >> I vote. >> Okay, I'm going to roll call this vote. Um I hope the folks on the phone are with us. >> Go ahead, >> Miss Pierce. Yeah. Mr. Bennett? >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Brown, >> yes. >> Mr. Bryant, >> no. >> Mr. Chi, >> no. >> Reverend Kuster, >> no. >> Mr. Pennis,
090>> no. >> Mr. Dejako, >> yes. >> Mr. Storski, >> yes. >> Yep. 54 passes. Um, regarding the budget, since that is passed, an idea, spring, I'm going to kind of give a directive to the admin, uh, a number of things if you wouldn't mind putting this in your notes. Um, I'm thinking the November meeting is sufficient. If you could give us what the plan is that you're doing in the schools regarding library access. Uh, you said you believe you have some thoughts, but you got to work with your administrative team till I think November to report out to us. Maybe you can do it superintendent discussion like what what does it look like so that we can uh adjust and and part of that is what is the circulation look like under this new
091plan compared to what it looked like previously. Um I don't know if a month is going to be good enough but maybe that's something we revisit but at least you can tell us what the plan is. >> November. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And also the kindergarten numbers what those final kindergarten numbers are. we hear the proposed numbers and then budget season we see what they are. Sometimes we're not connecting them what what we heard versus what they are. Uh and I I'd be interested if there's some type of research on that as to what numbers you know what what percentage of increase do we see in the month of June, July, August, September even as you mentioned. So um >> I'll get some >> I'm thinking the November meeting would be a good uh >>
092I think I think with kindergarten I can update that starting in August. >> Okay. I'll start I'll just start updating that so that everybody knows September. >> Yeah. Well, we have a late start. >> We start late. >> So, we have a late start. >> We have an early meeting in August. >> That's okay. So, we can kind of see >> the decisions that are made impact one way or the other. Go ahead. >> Couldn't we ask for u the library report before school starts so we know how it's going to function or at least attempt to do it? >> Yeah. And I I thought of that and sometimes the plan gets laid out and then it's like we need to adjust because you know how it looks. So I thought maybe give them let
093them run with it a little bit first. But that's also a good point in case if we disagree. So uh whenever the admin feels comfortable between now and the start of school year that's okay since that's what we went with. So I'll move on to line item L. This is still in the financial report. This is a result that the Pankerrest School Board of Directors approved the resolution to authorize the 2026 2027 homestead and or farmstead real estate tax reduction of approximately $355 for each qualified homestead or farmstead property owner. >> So second a motion to second. Any comments or questions? >> As I understood it, that's that's neutral to the budget. We get reimbursed for that. >> Yeah, it's offset by like that's included in our tax revenue. The state just pays a portion
094of it and the residents get the discount. >> Uh unrelated but somewhat still related. Um at some point could we see what the what it would look like? We had the gentleman present at the last meeting regarding the tax credits >> for farmers >> for um >> first responders. >> We can see what maybe that would look like. uh in the near future. We had asked for that. I know it was only two weeks, but unrelated yet still related to >> Well, thank you. I'm just going to bring that up. >> Okay. I have a motion to second regarding the uh Homestead Farmstead Act. Or excuse me, line item. >> Okay. Uh all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Can I just go back to the is are you saying as a
095board that that's something that you would want to pursue? >> We'd have to see I think a cost benefit >> cost. All right. >> I think it is something we had asked that at the last meeting and when they were done presenting there was a lot of we'd like to see it. So >> the first responder thing. >> Yes. >> Okay. I I know it's in a time that we need money, but first responders are also needed. >> Okay. Personnel report. Um Jordan, jump in if if uh I'd like to do a consent agenda, but I'm going to remove item D. Sure. Okay. So, what we're going to do, and I'll explain why in a moment. Um, I'm going to do a consent agenda item on personnel report A, B, C, as well as E
096through M. >> So move. >> Second. >> Have a motion to second. Any comments or questions? >> Okay. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Motion passes. Okay. I had to remove item D because I I have to abstain from D. My name is listed as a volunteer. So I want to say from the entire report. So this would be I'll entertain a motion result uh personnel report item D for the coaches fall coaches. >> So move >> second >> motion to second for item D. Comments or questions. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Motion passes with one understanding. Okay. Uh, new business. In accordance with section 1309 B of the PA public school code, on June 8th, which is today, the district safety and security office
097officer presented the board of directors current safety and security practices and identify strategies to improve safety, school safety and security in our executive session. >> That doesn't need pass. That's just information. >> Yeah, it's just information. >> Okay. Um, comments about that questions regarding the presentation we saw. >> Okay. Still in new business. This is letter B. Resolve that the Penrest School Board of Directors approved the attached engagement letter for July 2026 to June 2027 and 12-month period with the Dylan Candalis King Coulter Graham LLP solicitor as a rate of $200 an hour partners, 150 hours with associates, and 100 hours of parallegals. When practical, provide the district with those services. Services for bond or other borrowing are to be negotiated at the time of commencement. >> So move. >> I'll second. >> I have
098a motion to second. Any comments or questions? >> Okay. Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Motion passes. Congratulations, Jordan. We appreciate your service with us uh and all the work you do for us. and we uh look forward to our established working relationship with you. >> Thank you, Randy. >> Okay. The board had met in executive session today for personnel listed on the agenda, legal matters, safety and security reports. At this point, uh we have no registered citizens for non-aggenda items. Do we have any nonregistered on non-aggenda items? Come forward, sir. Thank you. So, we're speaking on non-aggenda items today. Sir, if you could speak your name and your area of residence, you'll be given two minutes. >> Okay. Rod Miller, Cambridge Springs. Um, I just wanted to comment,
099hopefully I can do this. I first off, I like Tim's idea about looking at the computerized the computer stuff for the K through two and maybe going back to library stuff. I think that's a good idea. Mr. Ford, I liked his idea about the taxes. Um, I think we really do need to look at raising taxes. I And it would significantly affect me. I have many properties in the school district, but I believe highly in the value of moving forward versus trying to pull back and cut stuff. Um I know in Cambridge, can't speak for other areas, but we are trying very hard in that area to advance the town, make things more uh more desirable for people to move in. And one of the things that, you know, they look at obviously is the
100schools. And uh we're doing a lot in town ourselves along with a lot of other people to try and make make it more uh more desirable for people to move in. Um, I would like to see us maybe look at if we could pull in cy more of the cyber kids that are out there, maybe we could get some of them to come back to school. What can we do that we could represent ourselves and present ourselves in a positive light? And I think cutting stuff is not going to present us in a positive light. We we want to make ourselves more desirable. I think there's a positivity to a small community versus the larger communities. So I think that's a possibility that we could, you know, attract people like that. The other thing that
101I'll finish with was saying is the one thing that I will say sort of irritate me when we were talking about the kindergarten uh numbers and it was when it was we were asked about the number of people and it was asked even Cambridge. I'm not sure what that means saying even Cambridge with with the number of students that is just >> your time today. Thank you. If you have more comments, our emails are listed uh on the district website. Thank you for your words today. Any other nonregistered, non-aggenda speakers? Okay, seeing none, I will entertain a motion for adjournment. >> So move second. >> Motion is second. All in favor say I. >> Say really. >> Any oppose? Sure. Thank you all.