001They were all high. Some were very high, some were lower, close to what we the acceptable level, the safe level. So we retested again and that came back. All the levels came down, but they were still above what it should be, which is 2.2 micrograms per cubic meter. And that's the standard for that we want for it's not an industrial, it's not an OSHA standard. It's it's much lower because it's is considered the residential standard. Uh we are now looking at a third phase of testing that will happen next week and then as we were just discussing with our project manager from the lab that will then be a fourth phase of testing to ensure that this chemical is out of the the building. Good. There's some good news to this. The smell of mothballs
002that chemical is that napolene from the first test was was gone. Just a simple errand. Um after the first test then we started running these air filters. There's 12 of them throughout the first floor. They pull in the air from the room. They are they're charcoal filters that will absorb chemicals. Those chemicals are then exited the building through tubing. Uh so it's a very efficient way to collect air and try to clean that air. Uh but obviously it wasn't enough for this second round of testing. So we are doing it again running them and next we're hoping we can test next Tuesday and then a follow-up test after that. It's a long process and as our project manager said in 25 years of dealing with asestous mold and other chemicals there's never been a moth
003wall. never had this situation. It's a learning situation for everyone. There's a fascinating side to it. The way they do the air samples, they have vessels that collect air. They collect it over an eighth hour period. So, it slowly pulls in the air into these canisters just as if a human was in that room closed off for eight hours. So, it really is the most accurate way to see what's in that room. But, it's a slow tedious process. These canisters originally were going to sent to Louisiana. Uh the lab tried to work with some other labs. First was Lancaster, but now it's Knoxville, Tennessee. So once the samples are taken, it takes 24 hours to get the samples to the lab. The lab wants three days to do the right analysis and give us something
004accurate. So I I realize how frustrating this could be. It's so much out of our control, but we're trying to do the right thing to make it safe for everybody to go back into that building. It's a good school school building. It was sad to see it vacated and see all the students things all over the their desks and on top of things, but you can just see that the activity that would happen if school was in session. We want school be back in session, but it has to be safe. >> Thank you, San Francisco. We're going to now start with acknowledgement of visitors. If you would like to come up and make a public comment. Please come to the microphone. Um, we're looking at giving individual approximately three minutes unless uh there's some extended
005time needed. So, at this time, if anyone is looking to make a public comment, you can please come to the microphone. Hello everyone. My name is Christy Martin. So, um, I wasn't sure what direction I was going to head in, but you said something that really, it's not the first time I heard it, but it got under my skin. This is out of our control. This is not out of our control. Someone chose to put moth balls in the ventilation system. I don't know who did it at at this point. I don't care who did it. Maybe they did it because they didn't have the funds, which would something that would fall on this group here. It was in your control. Your control. You, you know, this group here, whoever it is at the school,
006it happened. But you as the school board should have a contingency plan in place for when things like this happen. I a first grader and I have a fourth grader. My first grader has no idea what's going on. She's scared. She's tired. When I ask her, "What did you learn today?" I don't know. I runs. How many weeks has it been? And what plan do you have in place for if this fails again? And I understand that you're doing the best that you can with this situation, but it is unacceptable. We are paying you to make these plans and to put these things in place to make sure our children are taken care of. And it seems as though this group, and I know that there's people on this this team here, that they have
007the the best in heart for our kids. I just want to remind everyone here, we're here for our kids and our teachers because let's not forget all of the teachers that are now frustrated have to play catchup and you're sitting here and talking about policies and reports and air quality. You're forgetting about the kids. What about our education? What about the parents pulling our hair out trying to We're filled with anxiety. So, I think I plan on coming to meetings in the future and I plan I just I recognize that I need to be more proactive and more active in these meetings to make sure that I am holding you accountable because I think it needs to happen. Thank you. [Applause] >> Hello, my name is Cara Burrito. I am a kindergartener at Pent as
008well. Miss Martin here. What are we doing for our children? Yes, we're having them bust down here, but for us parents, we're in the dark. We're not getting emails. We're not getting the test results and anyone from the lab here to discuss what these are and how we can prevent them. Also, mothballs can cause feal seizures in young children. What are we doing? If they have symptoms, how are we ing it. Also, this school was built in 2003. We're in, you know, the high school that was originally built. We don't have these issues down here in town. How is it coincidentally we have that pair and we're already talking about closing that school down and then coincidentally we have mouth falls? Do we have an answer on that? I mean, at the end of the
009day, it's you guys that are being held accountable. >> Well, I will answer as far as the placement of the mothballs was by an We are investigating that and that's its own separate issue. Uh we are doing everything we can to remediate the air to make it best as possible. Under the short circumstances the plan for education is not ideal but it it is decent. You need to if you can see what kids are learning what kids are doing and teachers are doing it's they're under a lot of pressure. They are absolutely >> but they are they are delivering >> and the teachers are doing you know phenomenal job of what they're being dealt with but how are we praising them especially the teachers I mean they're having to condense kids we're doubling the kids
010classrooms now at the end of the day how are kindergarters learning and being able to focus and also with the lunching there's comments where kids are not getting their full lunch because we're running out of food for the students. >> I don't think that's true. >> And there's not a lot of doubling up. There is some doubling and there's co-eing when that happens. But if you bring two classes together, there are two teachers and maybe two pair of professionals in the gym. The entire first grade is in the library in LB >> and they're working and they're working to bring that. Yes, there are some doubling. There is some doubling. >> Well, there's actually tripling. They're not just double, they're triple. So there's there's 60 to 70 students if more than that. There's 60 to
01170 students in these rooms. So talking about it's not it's not just ideal, it's awful. And you're expecting sixyear-olds to sit there and have the mental capacity to hold all that in. Of course, they're crazy when they get home. What are we doing? What are you doing? Our kids are following their normal schedule. Our teachers are teaching them. We've had kids who have said they like being together with the entire first grade. A first grader has said that. I had somebody tell me that today. We're trying to do our best in a terrible situation and a little grace would be nice >> because we're all under stress for this >> and and we want what's best. >> We want what's best for our kids because they're our kids. What we're saying is not against you.
012And of course, the kids are going to be excited and happy about being with their friends, >> but they are learning. >> Are they? >> Yes, they are. >> We We've been in and out of classrooms every day. >> And will there be a plan in place to show comprehension after this? >> Yes. In fact, on Monday, I asked my teachers to go back to last year's plans, Power School, and that the key concepts and information that was taught last year is still being covered this year. People are getting the supplies that they need each week. Um teachers are sending us a list of what they need so that they can continue with their normal regular curriculum. >> I don't think anyone I'm not looking to be a jerk here, but if I don't advocate
013for my child, my children, >> I understand that we respect Absolutely. Listen, we we feel your anxiety every day. Every day. As well as the teachers and the staff from the LB Morris. >> They feel it as well. >> And the high school >> and and the high school. We I I will say we are trying to make the best of the situation that we have and the decision of moving the Penkitter students to the LB Morris was through the eyes of the safety, being able to transport them, to be able to feed them, to have them in a secure environment. It's not the best. Absolutely not the best. We all know that smaller class sizes work better. We know that, especially in the primary grades. But if we have them in one place and
014we've got three teachers and a power educator, we're we're we're hoping and doing our that support to the students. We're not just having them do coloring pages and busy work. This is our their normal curriculum that they would be working on. >> Unfortunately, they're coming home with just coloring pages. >> So, unfortunately, they're coming home with just coloring pages. I check my son's folder every day, and everything that comes back home is scribbled. >> That doesn't mean that's all he did. That's what took home. I I can't answer that. I'm not his teacher. >> Not only that, but I mean, say this doesn't get resolved. I mean, what's the longterm plan? We can't keep sending kids down here. Other school districts have pods outside of their buildings. Look at Panza Valley Elementary for instance. They
015have pods. Why are we not investing in that? Why are we not thinking of that as an option? Realistically, >> can we keep busing children down here? There's no monitors. >> If we thought this was longterm, that would be a solution. >> Thinking that as a long term, we should have a backup plan for our children. >> Our our lab, our project manager from the lab is saying no. He thought this would be the results we wanted. He thinks next week will be the results we wanted. So, it's definitely going to be next week. >> And where are they? down in Knoxville, Tennessee, instead of up here ask answering questions for us parents. >> Are any of you educated to know what they're explaining to us and understanding what they're explaining? Because us parents are
016in the dark. We're not getting the emails. We're not getting the phone calls about what's going on and when the test results are and what they are >> because I've been emailing out regularly and I don't know why you're not >> I've received one from you. >> Okay. And the other thing we have on our website, we have a page that if you go to our website, it's in your face right away. You click on that and it updates you on everything that's been happening and what we've been doing. So, that's another place to look. >> I did look at that before I came and it looks like just a bunch of copying and pasting of from social medias. It doesn't look very factual to me, >> but it it is. I'm sorry, but it
017is. >> Can I ask Okay, I'm so I have kids at home. I have a first grader. I have a third grader. This isn't ideal. I agree 100%. I am with you on all of it. I'm driving up and down mountain twice a day. I'm here with you on it. But I I the staff is doing what they can. I know one of the things that I've been hearing a lot is people going to for this. We as the administrators, we as the board are very aware of how this happened and unfortunately personnel can get discussed. So even if it's something we wanted to be able to share all those details out, we're not able to. That's against the law. the information that's been coming out in my opinion. We sent out the results the
018full report that was done from our testing it was difficult to understand 100% agree when I read there's a lot of numbers there's a lot of words I don't know that are in there but Mr. Lasiscoco and the team put together a summary sheet of the information they aid the details in there I hear a not asking about transparency and more information. And I'm legitimately asking Christie, I'm legitimately asking, what other information would you like coming out? So, for example, the idea with the pods, that's great. When this first happened, it was supposed to be two days. I agree with you. Then it became a week. Then it became two weeks. It doesn't are things we can't be looking at now or won't be looking at now but in that immediiacy they weren't because we
019were looking at short term we've talked about whether there are plans in place there are emergency plans for everything under the sun safety action plans nothing knew how to address moth balls like this >> but it doesn't matter if it's mothballs or if it's mice or if it's the the sky is flu or doesn't matter what the cause is. The emergency plan is still the same >> which is what what we're looking at. >> But you're saying but there was no question thought of mothballs but it doesn't matter what it is and it doesn't really seem like there was an emer >> sorry my name is Candace Stroll. I have a fourth and a sixth grader at hand. Um so I'm just going to take a step back. So, um I appreciate like the things
020that have been done. Mr. Liso had actually called me twice like in response to phone calls and emails and explained a lot of things. Um but and I really wasn't even going to stand up because um a lot of what I questions about are kind of really answered. But please, whoever said to give you some grace, >> I did. >> Please don't ask me to give you grace. Okay? I I would like some grace. Okay? I am a full-time single working mother and it really doesn't matter if I'm single parent working or working from home or not working at all. But I'm out of the house for 10 hours a day and then I have to get my kids to the bus and then pick them up and then, you know, I don't have to
021their homework because they don't get any homework anymore because of the situation. Um, but they answer school curricular activities and then we're, you know, up until now we're waiting. When are the emails coming out? When are we getting a phone call? We get it on a Friday night or the day before or come get your kids in 15 minutes. Let me see how I should do that because they work an hour away. We should all have an emergency plan. We should all have an emergency plan. What was the emergency plan? the packets that take my kids 10 minutes to do a day. That's the education that we're getting. We don't have online learning anymore because we did away with powers school, but we didn't educate anybody on whatever the new thing is. I can't think
022the name of zoologology or something. Schoolology. So, um, so you know, so somebody please give me some grace because then after I have to wonder where my kids are going to be next week and what my emergency who my emergency plan will be because my mom is 70, so I don't really want to have to have her, you know, doing all of the things for a longterm plan. So, we're all trying to use our friends and, you know, the villages that we've um made. But then we have to make dinner and all the other things that we then have to do after we get home from work. But everyone's asking us to give give you guys >> grace and me and I >> but I'm just saying >> can we all take a step back
023>> parents have a lot on their plate. >> Don't ever think that we don't. We do. >> We understand that. >> Okay. Well, I feel like that was really >> We want what's best for your children who we consider our children. That was my point. >> We're trying to do our best. >> We feel that. We all are. >> We do. We feel that. And I give you credit for that. I absolutely give you credit for that. I know what it's like to run from Pennsylvania to Jim, Pennsylvania. >> I'm not running to Jim for the kids. >> So anyway, the reason also wanted to come up. So I guess the bigger concern is um so we think that it's great. You know, we're happy that our kids are in a structured building and getting
024some learning, but what is um like as you said, we didn't really expect it to be week two and now we're in week three and um you said that the gentleman who ran the test was even surprised that we're still here. What if he's surprised next week and the week after? So, I know that like you're saying the pods are more of like a longterm thing and we're kind of thinking about right now, but we should be thinking about a long term. Um, because this isn't really an emergency anymore. We're going into a month here. Um, and you know, some parents are upset like our kids are sitting on the floor or they're in gyms or they're in libraries and they're not really in classrooms like in a structured environment. I know kids are resilient
025and they can do, you know, lots of things and I'm not so concerned about it. But, um, the kids at the high school, they love it there because they have a great cafeteria. Um, but our kids that'll be, not all of them because I don't know all of them, but a lot of them are not. They missed are not loving being there. Um, and the envir the learning environment is not um long term. So, I feel like we understand that there's not, you know, you can't tell us every single thing. I'm not expecting you to, but I feel like we feel like it's um I think when we stay transparent, at least for myself, that we're being told things like and this is what's going to happen. It's going to happen in two days and
026then we'll have to, you know, tested that tonight. just to ensure our staff and student safety even if the tests come out in the first round um that everything's uh fine. We want to run one more test to really make sure everything is fine because our levels have been elevated at different points that I can tell you. So, um just thinking ahead, yes, it's probably going to easily be another week to because we're going to test to ensure that the air quality is where it should be. And was it only like the malls that were tested because I know that a lot of fans are concerned um that a lot of children, you know, seems to have been school nurse over the last couple years or the last six months, you know, quite frequently and
027like over the summer um or since not being there for the last month. Um that they're not and there's not, you know, headaches and there's not a lot of like I have belly aches and a lot of things that um our kids are going to the school nurse. Um, I feel like there should have been something put out like, you know, these can be like the physical side effects, you know, or whatever. Um, that uh, you know, you should be just talking with your kids and your doctor, your pediatrician. And it only falls that were tested because there's a lot of talk of black mold since we just got the survey of possibly closing the school and now we have this really poor air quality. Um, It doesn't really m >> there is no black
028mold that we're aware of. At least there is no mice in infestation in the building that we're aware of. Okay. Is that's why we are testing for the two chemicals and the dimethyl benzene. >> And the dimethyl benzene is the chemical that's persistent. It's in air fresheners. It's in urinal cakes. Things like that is actually used to deaden the smell in your your nose. That's the purpose of it. It's not not a good chemical, but Unfortunately, it's used in moth balls and the moth balls shouldn't have been placed there, but they work. That's that's a matter. And so, right now, the key is getting the air fresh, which we are running these these filters 24/7, pulling in the air from the room, exiting and out the building, and then bringing in fresh air best we
029can. And when I said about the out of control, it's the testing schedule is that's where we have no control over it. Does FedEx get it there in 24 hours or 36 hours? We can't control that. Does the one testing unit break down? We can't control that. We can only control what we're doing right here. And the board's been really generous saying we need to test to make this this environment perfect. And it is about this one chemical, >> okay? >> And it has to be out of that building, >> okay? >> Because we want your kids back in that building. >> And just one more question. If there if this does persist and like we still are out of building for a few more weeks, which hopefully we're not, but Um, I know CCTI
030is not technically, you know, I guess part of our school district because it's different, but um, it just seems that physical space is like the issue. Um, I know it's not ideal and again for a week or whatever, kids can sit in the gym, kids can sit anywhere, you know. Um, but if this is like longer ongoing or discussing of a longer term plan, if this anything doesn't matter what it is, um, you know, we couldn't be in the building. in the future. Um, is that a possibility? Because >> if anyone thought this was longterm, yes, there are other possibilities. CCTI, there isn't a building that could house an additional 550. >> Well, not everyone, but I mean, since there's not enough classrooms to put like um because the fourth grade is in the gym
031and I guess the first grade or something is in the library, what have you. Um, so there's not enough classrooms, you know, which is what it is. Um, but you know, is also right there. It's pretty large building. So that was an option. >> It's really not because it's a lot of it is technical areas. They have a few classrooms, but also there are 400 students there every day. So there's no space. >> And we even looked at, you know, should we try to move to Memorial Hall, the Galleria, some other there are some of our emergency that we have. But that would require bringing food there, bringing security there, moving teachers there without resources. Why not try to keep them in buildings? And I I know it's not good. You know, it's not ideal.
032We're trying to make the best of it. >> Those are the kinds of things that I think parents would have appreciated from the get-go. When I say full transparency, I mean, we're working on a plan. Listen, this isn't ideal. These are our options. These are the things that we're looking heard nothing and it's just the rumor mill just went insane and it made everyone so upset, so fearful for their kids' future. And that's what I'm talking about when I say transparency. >> Thank you for that because really that I hope that it can come up in just tell us what the plans are because again I think none of us we walked into a situation that came out of nowhere for us and those are the types of things that we need to hear from
033>> we want to help you. Yeah, we want to help you. I want to help the I want to help the teachers. >> We don't want parents to be fearful. >> We are >> We don't We don't want you to be We don't want the kids to be fearful, >> but we can do better. So, thank you for saying that. >> And can I just say with all of the rumors that go around on Facebook and the different sites, please, please know, I'm going to say 95% of that is not true. The picture of the suits on and things that was posted from somebody in Tamaka who has nothing to do with our district and it absolutely wasn't true and I really appreciate it. There was one parent who sent it to me and said,
034"Mrs. Mand, is this true? Is this what it looks like in our school?" And I said, "Absolutely not. Thank you for checking with me before spreading it on down the line because we know how it goes." So, yes, you do need and you need those details and not just hearing from everybody else. >> And I will add, please call me 570-7323901 or email me. Some parents have and I I can give you as much what we have. For example, the day that we decided to that we're going to transport students into town to LB in the high school, we we had a two-hour meeting and we went over every possible option. As I was just talking about the Galleria, what about there? It's close for our parents, but everything else is not going to work.
035What about Memorial Hall? Again, it's just we have too many other things to to move there to make it work. And it's still just one big open space. This is again not ideal, but we talk about students in the gym. They're all at tables and chairs. It's not like they're just sitting on the floor randomly spaced about. Things are ordered as best we can. Originally when this started our our manager from the from the lab said in a week we should be good you know so we went with that flexible instruction we went with the packets that were quickly organized over a weekend both days trying to distribute it to parents and parents were great as far as picking it up it was probably a 50 to 70% pickup rate and then once we got
036the first test it wasn't working it's like no these numbers aren't where we need to be that's when we decide to do the transport students to LB and high again thinking one more week. Now we're at one more week. If he's does not suspect that we'll go beyond this, but again, this what the lab tells us what's safe and that's what we need to do. >> Hello, I'm Donna Martin. I have a sixth grader in PK Tristan Martin. Uh first off, thank you. Thank you to all the teachers and staff and you Mr. Lisco. I know a lot has been dropped in your lap. acting superintendent and oh my daughter our daughter graduated in 24 and she loved you and I'm sad you're not going to be a principal there when Tristan gets there anyways
037um I don't want to be a broken record I know a lot of things have been repeated over and over again uh as far as transparency uh what us parents would like to have instead of a card that says no pass no pass can we have numbers so we can see if we're getting ahead in the game are we getting closer to opening is it the same. Is it only dropping a little bit? Um, so we can kind of know what our future's going here. Um, like you said, it was supposed to be a week, two days, a week, now it's a week, and now we were talking 10 days, but honestly, it looks like it could be three to four weeks. You said 20 or 14 tested, another week after that comes back, then
038you want to do a retest. If it comes back, good, you want to do a retest. And then that takes another week. So, you're already looking at mid November. Looks like if you do a week 20th after that would be around Halloween. Another week to do another test, another week to get back. It's in November. So that's pretty long. Um now I know that you came up with a plan. Um and yeah, of course the older kids love the high school. They're not really doing all the work that they're supposed to be doing. They're doing work. I ask my child every time he comes home, "Show me everything you did. What did you do with everything?" They are doing work in the high school. I know that for sure. Um but not what they normally
039would do. individual classes and that's understandable. Um, so of course they like it. They're getting a little bit extra free time. The lunch I heard was amazing. Better than kids. My son pack lunches. No, whatever. But, um, with that being said, um, with it being that long and, um, for the little kids in the LB and I know you are teaching and doing everything you possibly can, um, in there, um, but I have heard concerns of other teachers and staff and parents stating that they're not doing what they're supposed to be doing for a long time. It's not it's definitely not ideal now. It's not going to be ideal. If it is going into longer, are we uh looking into transitioning into a different way for them to learn or are we continuing on driving
040them down for the month? Um so I don't know if that's going to be ideal going further. Now, um with it being multiples, we also did our own researches and we learned that mles depending on the type of that it's laid upon. It can take weeks, months, even year to dissipate those chemicals. And I'm not talking about the smell. I'm talking about what we can't see what you're testing for. Um, if it comes back in, now you're talking even further out. So, you want to get a good test and retest it, make sure it's good. That's where I'm at. Where do we have something starting to, you know, brew there for a better learning environment for these kids? Are we going to utilize the I know like the schooly um I don't want to bring
041that up because I know there's a lot of things going on with it but are we starting to work out a plan if this doesn't come out good >> first I'll I'll talk about schooly the the man behind you Robin has been doing intensive instruction and learning sessions with schooly for the K through eight students we've been using at the high school for before the pandemic so high school teachers are proficient with it, but the other teachers they're they're gaining ground. >> High school's good. >> Yeah. Mr. Poison there. >> We our again our manager that's coordinating all this believes this next series of tests will be good because the results keep showing decrease decrease decrease and they're they're at 2.2 is the ideal level. That's the one below that. They're less than five in
042all the tests. They're like 4.2. They're So he feels very confident that the next test we're going to see everything good, but the board would like to do an additional test just to ensure that's not >> clean somehow. >> What was the high number though? Can you give us that? >> The highest number was 42 in one. >> Oh, dropped a lot >> and that dropped down to I think that's 3.7. >> Okay. See that that's where us parents would like to have known because all we seen was pass cash pass and we're like where are we? We thought we were going to go back to school next week and now we're not and it still failed. Well, how bad is it? So, I we would have really liked to see numbers. >> Well, we
043just got this yesterday and then the first report. Did you get the first report? >> I did. >> Okay. All the classrooms that were tested filled with way too much information, but at least you can see what's happening. I think this is a very serious analysis of this air and it is a lot of time and effort and energy to make it make sure it is accurate and right. Uh we just got this yesterday later in the afternoon. We're even trying to understand what step that's that was our focus. So we will get this information out to you. >> Okay. >> Definitely. And then the next test same thing we want you to know but we need to digest it first so we know what we're even talking about. >> I understand I know too
044much about it. It's not it's a bad chemical, you know. Why is it still used carogenic? >> But it is. Yeah. Yeah. It's also longterm. >> It is. And we have a lot of children. Um son also has problems. My son does too. My son has EO isol esophagitis. And if he's in a building, what it is is they call it asthma of the throat. It's environmental. Whatever he's breathing in will his white blood cells attached to his throat. It's attacking him. With that being said, we're trying to not have him on a feeding tube because it can literally close up. Um an environment where the air quality is bad. It he will have fireworks. He has a 504 because of this. Um we are very concerned. I don't want him worse. I don't want
045anything to happen. So yes, I would love for the air to be put in there. And I know I know there's rumors going around, but I would like to just ask this one question because there is people saying that there was another test two years ago when we had environmental study. There was mold down in the classrooms, black mold. We didn't hear if it was removed. I imagine it was. Hope it was. Um the mold situation that's going around. There was there a test I just wanted to hear from the board. Was there a test that was done in July that found black mold in the school and said the test failed? Was there I just want to clear that up because there's a lot of parents concerned. They're hearing it from everybody. We just
046want to make sure that the rumors they're just rumors and not and not actually because again with our children having allergies um obviously that can make it worse and this is I think where the confusion came with with the lab report. There were several sheets of data where they calibrated the labs or the the canisters. And if you notice, there was a July date and there was two two or three dates, but they were not from a building. They were just calibrating the lab these these vessels that they used. So that seemed to confuse people that there was some sort of test in July. There were no tests in July. >> Okay. >> August. No black holes. There's no roads in the building. >> I'm not concerned about that. It wasn't the summer that you
047took care of. >> I'm not too concerned about the rodance. I'm just Yeah, I just wanted to know the numbers. That's basically why I came up. I like when we see the numbers and then what you said it was like four 40 something >> down to three. That makes me feel a lot better that this is getting cleared out now. I can see where we're going. That's all I want. >> I appreciate your time. Thank you. >> Thank you. One quick follow up with you with the question about the mold in the environmental study from March of 24 because I I've heard that question. I've heard that one a lot. There is a a piece in there where they did identify that there is no present or historic concerns with the mold that would impact
048the health of the students and the staff. I know that was something that I had heard some people say the environmental study they couldn't get to it online. wasn't there. So, I spoke to her friend Mr. Mo over there. He's going to check the link so we can get that out. >> Okay. I I was just under the impression that uh when this environmental test was ran uh a classroom had to be evacuated like there wasn't students being held in there to learn because of said mold. >> Is that the truth? >> Well, the smoke sack. Yeah. I know my kids always had problems with the smoke sack. They were in offices. I was even in the building when it was fumy in there and it was really bad and that was my concern also
049with my son having problems other kids developing asthma and now we're on like we don't uh we went through extensive testing and the allergist and he's he sees a gastronologist for this he sees a bunch of bunch of people and we came down to the conclusion that it's environmental now with that being said of course when you're around children you get sick you get viruses I mean school means cold. Okay. But when he's home, he doesn't have flare- ups of this EOE. Only when he's in the building, he gets overheated. He gets sick. He comes home. I get calls from the nurse all the time. My concern is now now there's this air quality. There was an air quality problem before. Is this causing him to be sick? Is this causing other asthma kids to
050be sick? That's where I'm at. I just want a safe building for our children and for our staff and for our teachers and I I just want to get ahead on this. That's all. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Sorry. >> Hi, my name is Lisa Kansky. I have a third grader at Piger campus. Um, so I think my my major concern is just the initial when the evacuation happened about the amount of notice that parents were given and what the emergency plan is. Um, our first text message was received around 9:30 in the morning that um, the smell was detected and the students were outside and we heard they were playing duck duck boost and they were doing fine. Um, and then 10:15 we get another text message that students were going to be
051dismissed at 10:30 and I'm at work in the Lehigh Valley. My husband works in the Lehigh Valley and and we panic as to try and figure out what we're supposed to do. And in that panic, I mean, people reached out. I know Michelle was kind enough to say, you know, if you have a plan for Brady, I can help. But we all have certain people who we allow our child to be dismissed to that we list. So, as much as you want to have these emergency plans, I would hope that the school is not just going to allow my child or anyone's child just to be dismissed to anybody who says, "Well, they said it was okay to come home with me." Right? So, as much as we want to have these emergency plans in
052place, whether it's me, my husband, my mom who lives 45 minutes away, a 15minute notice was was panicinducing for a lot of parents who have little kids. A lot of us have bus stops who aren't in our homes. Um, so you're going to have a small child who's dropped off sometimes miles away from their home. So, um, I'm just wondering what is the emergency plan? There is the need for an evacuation. Is there a location like a a a fire station or a library or where are these students taken to if there is an emergency that they need to be evacuated that we give parents enough time to come and get their child safely? >> Oh, first I take responsibility for the call. I wanted to get students and staff away from the building because
053we didn't really know what we were dealing with for sure. And as you know, NASA said explosive. Kind of crazy and farfetched, but I was really concerned. So, I made that call. I till it got out. It was short notice. At 10:00, I I started the call. Till it went through the system, went out, it was it was too short of notice. Uh, and I do I wish that didn't happen, but we had to get students and staff away from that building. We do have contingency plans if it's an emergency that we think we're going to house somebody for a while, but we need to get students away and not one location and have to, you know, get parents to to that location. But we do have plans for that and we do have memorandums
054of understanding with different locations that if we need to evacuate for four or five hours, we can do that. So, we do have that. >> Okay. So, I'm just making sure because a lot of the parents I think were then criticized for not having, you know, our systems in place, our emergency plans or not having the village that we needed and I don't think that that was the answer. I think it was, you know, knowing that there is a system in place that the kids didn't whether it's from calls or active shooters, god forbid. So, we just need to know that there's something in place for that. >> It didn't make sense to bus transport and bring all the buses in to go to to the our evacuation point and then have to do the
055same thing to get all these parents to that evacuation point. That chaos could be just upsetting. >> It didn't make a lot of sense to take little kids to drop them off at a bus stop where they had no parents home either, though. So, >> well, and they wouldn't if it was a kindergarten or first grade, you would have has to be there to beat him. So, >> right, but you're saying like a second grader who's dropped off miles from their house. And I understand what you're saying, but yeah, I just I'm hoping that we can avoid that situation that putting parents in that panic situation again in the future. >> Okay. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Hi there. My name is Daffy Martin. I'm a fourth grader at I just have two questions. So
056the first one I just want to clarify, do we know when the moth walls were placed in the school? I know that the school evacuated on Wednesday. So were they placed Tuesday midnight? Were they placed before there? So that's my first question. >> I can Yes, there were a few were placed Tuesday, but it was Wednesday morning very early that the majority were placed. >> Okay. And then my second question regarding mouth balls was one of the emails that we received said that the mice issue had been uh remediated or eradicated whatever they've been you know the mice it's been handled um the end of July the end of August. So if that was the case do we know why the m balls were then placed in September if the mice were supposedly gone with
057before >> yeah it was preventative because as the weather gets colder mice come into homes and buildings. We that. So it was a preventive measure. It was somebody thinking they were doing a good thing and it's a harmful building. >> Okay. So then that sparks the third question. So when the building is safe, do we have another preventative method that's not falls to prevent this in the future? >> Well, yeah, we there was a concern about mice in the summer in July and August. The exterminator was there. We had traps took care of it. It went two weeks without collecting anything. So the mice are gone. Doesn't mean they will not come back. >> I know. So, I'm saying like is there is there stuff that's going to be ongoing to make sure because you
058know having a fourth grader I've heard of mice in the school in their classrooms for years. So, like is there something continually going forward, excuse me, going forward um that's going to help not have to repeat? >> Yes, we have a we have a contract with exterminator and we will being very vigilant about it. Making sure there are no openings into the building. this contract with our exterminator that is there preventatively and also then to respond if there is something. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> There there wasn't a mouse problem at the time. This was preventative. >> Right. I'm saying that this not done in a school building. I mean I feel like people work like they don't make their own janitor woke up on two things. I think I'm going
059to play some long on Tuesday morning. >> I guess it it was not a direction from anyone to do that. It was someone acting on her own. >> Hi, my name's Harry. I have a fourth grade my grandson fourth grader and the lady that was up there previously kind of touched on what what I wanted to say. And I read your Q&A. It was sent out by the district and they had mentioned that someone they didn't say who reported there was a price problem in the school. And I know your contract I pest control. So, um, supposedly they came out, I think you whoever wrote that Q&A said that the the issue was eradicated, meaning that, you know, that there was no more issues. That was my question was why would somebody take multiples if
060you don't have a continuous issue with mice infestation? I know from the previous year there was a lot of parents complaining about ice in the school of mice getting in the kids desk showing up with papers and uh which I can't say for sure that's what I heard >> but like my question why would somebody put more folks and can we identify the job the job title the person that did it >> can you I don't want to name I just want to know what was the person >> it's a personal issue is issue and that's something we can't discuss >> was it custodian was kind of discuss that unfortunately >> it is being investigated. >> So you guys have a a PM what you call PMI PMI person that's in charge of manage it
061that manages the plant for like pesticides and different things in the school district. Do you have that person in the district? >> We have someone outside of the district. >> I didn't bring the guy's name but there's a person that's in charge of meeting and from what I read you have a pesticide plan. It's in the district's website. You're supposed to have a meeting every month pay this other person and another person. We're supposed to meet monthly and you know discuss whatever issues you have at the school. So do you have records of all that? You know how often the guy comes out from handle the pest the pest problems that you have at school? >> Well, we do because we also have to pay. So there is an ongoing >> and that information is
062public knowledge that if I do it right the network I can get that information >> it's a bill so yes >> okay and what was the other question I had the other thing I read somewhere that the most walls were put in five different classrooms was it just one classroom or was it five different locations >> it was spread out across the first floor >> the first floor >> yes >> and then what I read about particular benzene or whatever. It's heavier heavier than air so it goes to low to the ground. Is that correct? >> Correct. But it it it's volatile so it will sink but it wants to be in the air. So movement things like that will spread. >> And was it placed inside a ventilation system or next to wherever the
063air intakes at? >> It was next to the air intake. >> Yes. >> In five classrooms. >> Well, it was more than that. So we're still again we're still investigating. >> So probably I would guess that most of the that were in your report. Those were the ones they were focusing on. >> Yes, they were focus. >> And that report you were talking about, that 40 page report, there was a couple other dates in there that you had mentioned earlier. One was in July, I think it was the 25th. The other one was September 2nd, and it was, I guess, with the same company you're using to do the environmental testing. They had two different work order numbers on. And you're saying that that was to calibrate the equipment, >> correct? >> So the equipment,
064why did they calibrate it in? No, you mean they calibrate it somewhere else, Matt? >> Yes, vessels are calibrated and stored. >> Okay. >> So, yes. >> So, that's why that was Yeah, I was a little confused by that. All right, that's pretty much it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is J Martin. I got a fourth grader at My question for you, sir. Um, you brought up that the 20minut dismissal for I believe you said second graders and up, you're okay with dropping them off miles from home on the bus. Is that correct? >> I didn't say I was okay with that, but >> Well, you said that you're willing to do that. Is that correct? >> But I felt it was necessary to get the students away from the
065building. Yes. >> So, in putting the student safety first, you're willing to drop them off miles from home with no one to pick them up. who have don't have a key to get into their houses or anything like that with no parental supervision and you feel that that's safer than taking them to a central location with supervision until their parents can pick them up. You're saying that that's your plan going forward or that was your best option that day was to >> that day. Yes. So in the future will be to reconsider for sure. >> It's troubling that you thought that was a good idea. It's it's it's astonishing that instead of because of logistics issues because you said to put the kids on the bus and then take them somewhere and then have their
066parents come pick them up. It was a logistical nightmare. So you would instead send them home alone with no supervision, no keys, elements, some of these bus stops. Like one of the parents was saying, the bus stop from my house is a mile and a half and I'm only halfway into the neighborhood. There's loose dogs, there's bears, it's the rut, there's all kinds of stuff that's going on. And you want second graders to walk miles through your neighborhood instead of the logistical nightmare of taking them to a safe location with supervision. >> It wasn't the logistical nightmare. It was the chaos that could happen for students and for staff and fear of could we lose somebody possibly and parents and going to the site to try to pick up their students. So it was that
067that fear, that chaos, not the logistics of it. It's easy to get the buses, drop kids off, but just what follows. And that's something we'll reconsider for the future for sure. >> There was no thought of the chaos of parents rushing home through mountain roads trying to get to their child that's sitting outside with no one there. >> I would hope that parents have a contingency plan just for such a situation. That doesn't always happen. So I appreciate >> I'm glad you're telling me that >> something to think about. >> Yes, definitely. of everyone else who's listening. 15 minutes is acceptable for the school board. Unacceptable for my standards as a parent who wants my child to be safe. But everyone in here has preached safety for the children and you think that's safe. Something
068that should be on record. >> Yeah, I didn't say it was safe, but I >> You're willing to do it though. >> That's what you're willing to do. Appreciate it. >> I had a concern like you were talking about these emergency things. >> I'm sorry. Can you really if you're you have your 15 minutes you want to have come back up to the microphone please feel free to do so >> I'm a grand of three of the kids in the school and I just want to say I think the principles and the teachers are amazingly doing a good job of that situation and working so hard but there is some issues that I think we need to address. Um, I participate in my trauma granted care because y'all know I'm very very nosy with my
069family. They can't get rid of me. But there's conditions with buses. We don't have monitors anymore. I remember everybody had a monitor when my kids were in school and they did because I got call from Mrs. Linhardt. Amber with the talking Ryan wrote something about the window. You know, you get those feedback. They were there to watch over the kids. And I think the kids are more stressed. This is they're being pulled out of their classrooms. They're being, you know, it's causing more stress and I don't want to see anything get out of hand for any child. And I know everybody's doing their best, but when a parent calls and says, you know, my kids pants were cut in half. Is it their kid doing it? Is it another kid doing it? Are they trying
070to get attention? Are they being bullied? Like my one grandson says, his my friend the bully, you know, and is he doing because we don't have these eyes on the children anymore. I was told there's only a few monitors and they're being stripped from bus to bus. Is that true? >> Yeah. Every bus does not have a monitor and monitors are placed if there seems to be a large crowd on a bus or a bus is a little bit rowdy that a monitor will be there. But it's not in every bus. >> Because like I said, I got the phone calls directly from the monitors. They say, "I don't want to tell them, but they did this or that." And they they become like probably like family, you know, like the kids could trust them.
071They could talk to them if somebody was picking on them or being mean. And I also about the other stressors kids are going through schools that we meet up see things may be happening in the lunchroom like just to watch out for the kids mental health through all this. We I just think we need to keep a better that's >> I just said you were lucky that day like it wasn't like [Music] weather positions or whatever. >> I know um here but we do have and I think Mr. There is all the schools, all districts are required to have what they consider an all hazard plan or um an operations plan. And we did have um we do have that in place. just that wasn't the at the time I think um with what was
072going on the way we wanted to approach uh what happened with taking the the students to um following our our plan our uh evacuation plan because yes we were worried it was going to rain the buses were already at the school there were all these other things going on and it's very difficult you know of stress and crisis to you know you have to at the time you're thinking you're making the best decision possible and so that's what we were doing I feel like Mr. and the administration we're doing for the kids like trying to make that um the best decision possible. You know, in hindsight, yeah, is it the best idea to drop a second grader off in a development that you're, you know, a mile away from your house? You know, again, hindsight
073and, you know, struggling through making decisions when you have something um I don't say this stressful or traumatic when you're to make sure that the kids are being safe and being evacuated out of the building. We're not even sure what was going on at the time. So, um I hear your concerns. You know, we have sat down into briefs about how things could have been done a little bit better kind of where what we're doing in the future. So, I'm just here to kind of assure you that the parents are staff um you know, this is still ongoing. We're still looking at how to make things better. We're looking at, you know, the mistakes we made and to stop them from happening in the future and trying again, like Michelle was saying, to be transparent.
074So, the more feedback and information we're getting from you, we'll definitely do our best to update you as best we can from what we're seeing or what we're hearing that people need or want from the district. We are trying to be as transparent as possible what we can give you. And like Mr. Lasco said, there's a lot of information in those u that document. So, um we were trying I think some of it was paired down a little, but you know, he has information now. We just talked about making sure that that is um sent out to parents that everyone has what they what we're talking about. They can see the results what we're doing. So, I appreciate everybody who came here today who um their opinion, gave us feedback, and uh you know, shared
075a little bit your concerns. Thank you. >> One one last thing. Are you going to have like going forward, are you going to have training for all your employees in regards to use of these type of chemicals or whatever to because they're not trained in their use? Are you going to have that incorporated into the training for the your staff employees? >> We do have material safety training. This was just was not part of our training. It was unfortunate, but we will we will talk about staff making their own decisions about placing something that impacted. >> I mean, they should know better to go to their boss or somebody in charge and let them know ahead of time rather than taking it on their own to do something. So, >> I think if that happened,
076then you guys need to incorporate incorporate that into any training you have going forward for all your employees. So, we don't I was told of an instance where a teacher used not in your school district used a had a issue with kids with lice in their classroom. So the person took it upon themselves to use a fiber in the classroom which then cause an issue I guess with chemicals being released in you know in a closed area. So I think that should be part of the training for all all employees so we never have this happen again. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, moving on. Thank you to everyone again. I'm looking for 3.01 approval of the regular board meeting minutes from September 17th, 2025. >> All in favor? >> I session
077was held to discuss personnel and safety issues. I should have said too, we also had an executive session last Wednesday after the committee meeting to discuss personalities. That wasn't on the board agenda. Just I'm looking for approval for 5.01 Approve bills payable the general fund the cafeteria fund and other for September 2025. 5.02 approve the September 2025 financial reports. 5.03 approve credit card reports for September 2025. 5.04 approve the athletic report for September 2025. >> Second roll call please. Any questions, concerns? Roll call. >> Mr. McInley. >> Yes. >> Dr. Bates. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Flora? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mola? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sheeper? >> Yes. >> Mr. Fish? >> Yes. >> I'd like to accept into the board to thank you from the gym floor for allowing to
078you for letting them use our uh conference room for their meetings. Also I'd like a motion to request the donation to the memorial and library for the 2526 school year. It's my understanding it's going to be $5,000. Second. >> All in favor? >> Oppos? >> I'm sorry. >> Mr. McN. >> Yes. >> Dr. Banks. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mora. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mola. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mr. Christ. 7.01 I'm looking for a motion to approve the agreement for the trans perfect remote interpreters products and services 7.02 Approve maximum service contracts staffing agency. I'll stop there. >> Second. >> Questions or concerns? Roll call, please. >> Dr. Banks. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Seven yeses.
079I'm looking for approval for the host and Alzheimer's walk be held mid late April 2026. >> Second. >> Questions or concern? >> All in favor? >> I did the update to the building closure. Miss Sheckler, will you please do finance and insurance committee? >> Sure. We are seeking the approval for the repository sales September 26, 2025 for 22 properties, all vacant land. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. That's all I have for tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you for instructions. All >> in favor? for 102 leadership conference November 1st through 2025 at Resort10. >> Yes, >> Mrs. M. Yes, >> Mrs. Sheper. >> Yes, >> Mr. Dr. Banks. >> Yes. >> Seven to absent women. >> I just wanted to make a announcement that this involves 38 high school students, 19 students, and 16
080students, and they're paying the cost for the workshop. We're just looking to I feel like just looking to cover the cost of Mrs. policy. >> Thank you. I'm seeking approval for 11.01. Approve the resation of Melanie Rosado from professional position effective as of October 10th, 2025. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. I'm seeking approval for 11.02 to approve Mr. Owen as the high school long-term substitute teacher at bachelor step 53, $20 so >> yes >> seven yeses I'm seeking approval for 11.03 to approve the PJ advisor advisory high school advisors vanitum pjazz high school advisor at 1.25% % of salary and Stacy Tomco the jazz assistant advisor at 75% of salary >> there do you want to or explain the uh the position >> yes the jazz is the Pennsylvania junior academy science students.
081Miss Van Risom and Miss Tomo did this last year just just to get science started in the high school again. And they competed locally and then went to Penn State to compete on the state level. They had six students go and of those six they all placed in the top three. So we're proud of that accomplishment and Miss Benson wants to continue that. And the science club is something a little low level lower level where students that are interested in science will have some after school projects and activities that they can extend that interest in science and really expand their knowledge and perhaps build a career out of it. So they're both very very worthwhile for our kids to extend learning. >> Thank you. Misco could I call on >> Mrs. Mpher? Mr. >> Yes,
082>> Mr. >> Yes, >> Dr. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Seeking approval for 11.04 to approve the for high school science club as the advisor at 1% of salary step one second. We'll call that two. >> Mrs. Mr. Fish, >> yes. >> Mr. McN, >> yes. >> Dr. Banks, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Motion passes. >> I'm also seeking approval for 11.05 to approve to post and advertise for administrative assistance upcoming vacancies or shortterm leave of absence and to clarify that that is a temporary case. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. >> And that's all I have tonight. >> I just resources moving forward. Instead of putting the percent, we put the actual number. All right, some positive 1201 Timothy Rob as a girls wrestling team
083head coach at salary $8,30. >> Yes, >> Mr. Banks. >> Yes, >> Mr. We have expressed interest of over 16 girls to join the wrestling team. >> 1202 approve Miss Kristen Scott as JB girl basketball coach at salary $4,280. Mr. Fishy. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Dr. Banks. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mr. Pass. >> 1203 resation. Joseph from his junior high coaching positioned October 2nd, 2025. Questions, concerns? All in favor? >> I pass. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Mr. Stinger. Cafeteria, buildings, and grounds. >> Thank you, Madam President. Cafeteria building and grounds committee are going to seek an approval. This is 1301 on the agenda. seek the approval for snow and ice removal contract with Reette Excavating for a three-year contract. >> So second, >> we have a motion
084and a second to approve 1301. Are there any questions or comments? Hearing none, can you roll that? Mrs. >> Mr. Mcley, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mola, >> yes. Yes, Mr. >> Yes. >> Seven yeses, two absent. >> That's all I have. Madam President, >> thank you, Mr. Transportation Security Committee. Mr. McGill, would you take that from the following? Thank you. I don't have anything to commi. >> We have a meeting tomorrow night at the CCTI. The board is invited to come to the executive session. So, if they so desire at 5:00, anyone else should attend that meeting and see what a great place that we have. That's all that I have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. CL. So, Miss Cara. >> Thank you so much. >> Administrative reports. Misco,
085do you have anything else you'd like to for um the interim superintendent. >> Yes. Last week, CDT testing, classroom diagnostics testing was done and that measures our benchmarks our students, measures what they learn retained from last year and prepares them for Keystone and PSSA testing that will happen in the spring. So teachers will have an idea where the deficiencies are, what we need to build, and they will work on that. So it was a good round. Despite this dislocation, students in grades lower grades right through high school were doing Keystone and CDT. So that was a positive. Fall sports are winding down and everybody's starting to think about winter sports. So that's a big thing. Uh our girls cross country team placed fifth at the Colonial League Championships today. So that was that was exciting.
086Thank you. >> Thank you. to accept into the board minutes the interim superintendent report for Mr. Rosisco M's report assistant to the superintendent the director of Kurric Mrs. the high school principal report from Mr. the LB principal report from Mrs. the PK principal report from Mrs. the report our director of special education and 1909 our directors I'm going to but I'm going to stop there I'm going to ask questions for sure so just accepting their reports into the board I'd like >> second >> all in favor I just I just wanted to share one one fact with everybody. I know many of the parents left, but we checked on the attendance for the days that the Pitter building has been down at the LP Mars and the highest percentage amount of students is 9% per
087day that has been absent. That means 91% of our students are coming down here attending school and learning and getting an education. And I That was important for everybody to hear. >> Thank you. I was going to ask if anyone else from those reports wanted to make a statement. >> Did you say you had a question for me? >> Excuse me. >> Did you say you had a question for me? >> No, I have a question. I know. Are you here? >> I know you didn't get a chance last time to talk. Are you have anything to say this time or you tell me to accept your report. >> Accept my report. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I shall do that. All right. And Mr. Dresser, do you have anything extra that you would like
088to add >> other than the roof being completely done? We did our punch walk and everything's okay with the roof. Uh we just completed the paving. We still have to tar the edges in and that's all done. >> Thank you. I just wanted to say somebody said public comment about us running out of food. We are not running out of food. Every student is getting their full complete lunch >> and breakfast and the second chance breakfast. Everything is going on like it normally would. >> Thank you. >> So we will accept [Music] here on my paper. So I need a motion and a second for that. >> All in favor >> I >> for the um information. We the board has reviewed applications received from September 15, 2025 to October 13, 2025. We also have
089reviewed the current substitute list from October of 2025 and have received an enrollment summary from Cisco of a total enrollment of 259 students, 478 at the high school, 85, 649 at LD, and 5 I need a motion and second. >> All in favor? >> I kind of want to get back up. Are you leaving? What? >> Oh, really? It's weird.