001Good evening everyone and welcome to the committee the whole meeting of the big spring school district September 1st 2026. Thank you for being patient. Um I'd like to call the meeting to order at this time. Um at the beginning of committee the whole time and to read the board meeting met this evening prior to the start of the public meetings of executive session to discuss advice of council on litigation in Chver versus Bay Spring School District. To this point we have received 49 right to know requests. This is a lot of time and money being spent on the district's behalf to represent them uh against the show litigation. Uh in the committee of the whole we do have time for public comment. Is there any public comment related to committee the whole please? Hearing none
002we have a presentation uh a trip reflection and upon the conclusion of that we have two other things. One I'm going to give you some slides to look at of the new vote. and took some pictures and we also have uh some discussion by our solicitor Mr. King on investments. So um Mrs. McIntyre and your crew of students and some adults uh please share with us. Thank you. All right. Thank you so much. It's really great to be here. Thank you for having us. I'm going to let my students help share some of some of our experiences, but also thank you for being supportive of unique opportunities. Good evening everybody. Uh, thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our experiences of Italy with all of you. And my name is Lucas Senti >>
003and I am Jordan Con. Um, on the first slide you see a picture of the bus we took to Philadelphia airport where we um took that plane to Canada. [laughter] >> And then so the next slide is our first uh evening in Italy. We had a little walk to dinner of lasagna. That was our first taste of Italian food. We always ended our night in like an area where we had like a group meeting and we had fun activities. And um the picture of us at the table is us eating breakfast with our awesome bus driver Nevin. And then in the top that's me, Ryland Gway, and Andy Swab all with a shirt that we got there. And by the way, Nevin was an amazing bus driver. So here was our first full day in
004the city of Torino. And to that day, we toured the city with a guide and then had the afternoon do ourselves. where we could walk around, look at the museums, and see some local stuff. Um, so that first picture is what we called fashion show in Torino. Um, that was a very lovely time. Um, and then that was us on our multicourse meal for dinner on our second night. So, [sighs] this was us. We had to we toured a small uh village in the countryside and there just so happened to be a car show. Well, we stopped by that day. So, we spent some time looking at antique cars and went around this little village just looking at a castle. Actually, that's what we were there for. We saw a medieval castle. Um, this was
005our view of the vineyards and as well as touring a small town in the countryside. This is just another picture of what a village looks like in the countryside. Just not not a whole lot. Just some homes. >> Um, this is a group picture that we took at an overlook. Um, also thank you to our sponsors for making this trip possible. So that is like a banner of who sponsored us. So this day we went to a ve farm and saw how the cows were treated till they got to the age to be slaughtered and used for meat. Um this was our tour of a fruit um a fruit packing factory at a local orchard. It was very awesome and we got to pick apricots and eat them fresh off the trees. Very delicious. So
006this was walking around Kuneo and this was there just so happened to be a large market throughout the street in the square. There's a lot of people selling clothes, toys, bags, like a big popup market and then there are multiple vendors selling cheeses and meats and all across it. We ended up taking a cooking class to make our lunch this day. Um, so she showed us how to make it and then we all got a chance to go in and make it ourselves and that is what we ate for lunch that day. So, this was at a cheese making factory right along the Alps, and we got a sample of I think it was goat cheese and was very it was very creamy. This is like a cheese aging room and everybody got like boxes
007of cheese and meats to sample. Um, so we all sat down talking to each other and trying all the different kinds of cheese that they made. It was very delicious and a great experience. So, here we went to an olive grove and watched how they pick olives and how they get turned into olive oil. And we had pieces of bread with samples of different like pesto and a couple other things that we could try. Um, this is when we arrived in Nice, France, and it was like the shopping center of the city. Um, a lot of fancy stores, very nice. >> So, this was us swimming in the Mediterranean Sea on the coastline of Nice. >> And that was swimming in our hotel pool. This was us in the Montreal airport after a long flight
008um across the Atlantic. And a huge thank you to Mr. Ward for the bus ride home. Miss >> McIntyre. So, as my friends call me, Becky Hcki, I had a lot of fun on this trip because um I may not look it, but I was raised by an Italian New Yorker. Um and so food is really important to us, but to have the opportunity to take the unit I teach on making fresh pasta, um and be able to talk about these different cultures as a teacher brings a lot. And the other cool cultural exchange so thanks to you is we do the ve in the classroom and I do show resources about that and because of that I was actually able to talk through a translator to the farmer about our ve program and it
009was just kind of this cool we do this too and this and I we our farms look the same too. Our ve farms look the same too. So that was really powerful as a teacher and I know that'll enhance what I offer to students moving forward. Um, so in conclusion, thank you for taking a chance on such a unique idea. Um, I've told people so many times that when I came up with this idea several years ago, I told myself that it was completely crazy. I told myself several times and I suppressed that urge and that thought for probably close to two years. And I couldn't handle that gut feeling that I should act on it. So I went to Mrs. Nakes. I was like, "She'll tell me that enough is enough and I'll be
010done." And she said, "Yes." Same with Dr. Grante. Same with our school board. And so your support of these cool opportunities, like they truly have an impact that I believe to my core that they change our students lives. Um, in addition to that, I was like, I know that it's changed my life for the better, and I'm excited to be able to grow and provide chances for our community. that first parent meeting that we had about this trip two Januaries ago, we had 90 families show up to that meeting. I was like, that was just wow, that was crazy. So, thank you so much for this. Um, just as a small reflection with our group after school today, we had quite a few students stay in my classroom and we made tiramisu. We also went
011um to Marello's and picked up food. So, we had just a kind of like a closing dinner together as a group, but the students wanted to share some tiramisu with you. If you would like some, you're welcome to have it. We won't be offended if you don't want it. I'm sure we have co-workers who will take it tomorrow. [laughter] Okay. Um, but they'll pass it out, but thank you for taking a chance on us. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you, Mrs. McIntyre, Mrs. Wingham, and all the other adults. And I'm with you. And thank you to the students that were willing to take the chance. I think it's a tremendous opportunity for our students to go abroad and to have a middle school FFA that does that. I think it's just tremendous. Um we thank
012you for giving the students the experience and hopefully they not only benefit in your classroom but also benefit in their experience. So again, thank you. That's I don't know what else to say but thank you for the effort and uh maybe another time you want to go again. So come back to your We'll make it work. >> Yeah, you might hear about some things in the future. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> At this time, I'm going to present some slides of the vote for the CTC. Uh, very quickly, uh, you can turn around and look at those. I think you'll enjoy them. >> Thank you. >> Did you bring Terramisu, though? >> No. [laughter] >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you, sir. >> I'm glad you guys had fun. I'll be back. >> Okay.
013This is just a brief overview and I apologize for the slides. They're not professional. They were me walking around with a camera last Monday. Um, this is our Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center. And what you're seeing out there is lunch. Uh, that's the cafe area that you can go in, have meetings, different groups come in and everything else. This is the overall plan and what was adopted. So, the top part is what we had or have. The bottom part is all new. We took an acre. Uh we paid 2.3 million as our share and the bottom part was all new constructed. The yellow area is our classrooms. If you see at the top that's where you just saw you were standing outside. That's the cafe area. They made some improvements to the left
014um where the vest will be where they came in. They renovated childcare. They renovated u the uh security uh portion of the of the program. The rest of the building pretty much stayed the same, but then they added all the programs at the bottom. This is the entrance way where you go in. Uh very secure. Two levels of entrance. You go on the right and go in. When students arrive, they go in the three doors to the left. Uh but it is very secure and a new entryway for the school. This is the long hallway as I would call it. This is looking from one end to the other. Um going from the old part which was kind of redone some of the entryway the hallway to the new. You can hardly see the doors
015at the other end of the hallway. This is in the kitchen area. uh that is they're still putting up tables and chairs. Now, that was a week ago, so it's probably very operational today. This is the kitchen uh lab. So, what you're looking at here is where the instructor would be up front using friers, skillets, different things, and the students would be seated. Uh and this is where you can demonstrate different food techniques and preparation, those type of things. Um very impressive. This is all new. That room was there, but now it has been renovated and new. our hallway with our big spring emblem with the first one as you walk in the door. And we're just starting on the tour. This is one of the classrooms in um help me Dr. Grante the uh
016safety and security. There's a special name for that um >> criminal that that program. Uh but this is where kids they were all wearing when I was there the second day they were all wearing vests that said security on them. Uh they all have radios. Uh it's as much as criminal uh preparation type thing as >> Criminal justice. Thank you. Uh criminal justice. This is their classroom. >> Another picture of their classroom. They're still hanging TVs and doing things. This is actually child care. So on the part that you see where I'm standing is the classroom portion. And then over that wall is where the kids would come in for child care. carpeted uh so they can actually observe, do lessons, those type of things, and see the other side. Uh this is all their
017supplies. They were just getting ready to unpack them and put them. You see lots of whiteboards. Uh a very open space. The kids can play but also learn. I thought this was unique. They're 12 in tall. And this is the bathroom for Jack, believe it or not. And there's actually three of them in there. There were some partitions to be put up yet, but uh the sinks are low and the commodes are low for the kids. This is their storage area. So when students would come in, they put their things in their lockers. This is automotive. Uh one of three labs dedicated to automotive. Um and they're still kind of retrofitting this, putting some joist uh some um ho hoist in as well as this is one of the tables they do alignment. Um so
018they're kind of revamping what they had but with a lot of new additions. And you can see the number of lifts there. they can work on many cars at the same time. On the right there, the guy over from the ladder, we've seen him before, that's Mr. Tom Wolf. Um, he is the director down there, kind of like Dr. Grante. And a lot of those people are the board members of the JOC, which I'm a part of, and represent Big Spring on the board. This is one of the most impressive pictures to me. I thought I was at P College. They have about 40 different machines, metal cutting lays, all computerized. uh they shut those doors and it just makes whatever they want to make. Uh very much into the metal fabrication of things. Just
019a tremendous number of machines. Uh basically a lot of them are cooled by like an antifreeze material or water material as they're doing the cutting. The kids learn all the uh commands there on the right. They push a button and it makes the part uh metal drill presses just a whole row of them. Uh there was probably 40 different machines in this room itself. And some of the machines were just metal lays where they would take steel and thread it, cut it, put threads on it. Um, all the machines to me looked like they were brand new, but a lot of them were brought from the old part and brought into this new facility. Just a picture of can you imagine having 40 students in there working all at the same time. And this is
020kind of an overview shot looking down at the size of the shop. modern dust collecting areas on the outside for air purification. This is the outside kind of parking area. The back one there is for welding. So that's the exhaust system and the contamination of air down there. And this is for the metal labs here right beside me. This is kind of a parking area that they can bring in products with lots of garage doors that they can bring in things to work on. Uh have accessibility. It's a steel building with steel on the outside. um and blacked off the whole way around it. There's a final coat to be put on. The parking lot was redone uh as well as the entryway for buses. So, if you went down and you were on a
021bus, you would enter here. All the students that drive park in that area. Um and then they buses would go around the front to where the seat the sign was and that's where the students would unload. There's a second entrance that we put in uh one for safety as well as access. It's kind of behind all those cars. So there's kind of two ways to get into the vote plus the loading entrance uh where before we only had one entrance. This is where a playground will go for childcare and uh they will put playground materials there right outside the childcare entrance. This is the other side of the building opposite the first side and this is where we have logistics uh where they teach students everything from unloading a tractor trailer or forklifts to putting
022those materials where they need to go in the buildings. So they can have two or three tractor trailers here. Students help unload it and move paper to another part of the building. Uh as well as learning how to code things and read robotic handheld material. One of the classrooms, notice they've equipped it with a lot of u extension cords for ceiling so it can do a lot of different operations. This is uh kind of manufacturing where they will do different modules and build them in with electric as well as pneumatics and air. And these are some of the modules the students work with. So they set up different scenarios to run that motor at the bottom with different types of switches. The stu the instructor gives a kind of like overview of the plan and
023then the students have to work through it. Behind it there was one with smoke alarms and fire alarm systems. So the students would learn how to program a fire alarm system. Um this is more of that same lab uh different programming, different modules and robotics. Here's one uh starting with basic electrical wiring. It's all very safe. They don't plug it in until everything's wired correctly and then push the right buttons. And this is more of that same lab on the other side. They do have robotics. So, we're teaching robotics to our students, using different robots to program them and then do different operations. This is just one of four. And I think that's the last slide I have. The two good things I'd like to share is number one, we're 1.2 million under budget. And
024number two, about 95% of the facility has been moved into. Um they still have the welding area and a couple other areas to to modify, but um it will bring an increase of students right now. or I think Dr. Urante 1360 or something like that and eventually we'll probably be 1500 which will give more of our students the opportunity to go um as we continue to grow the CTC. Any questions? Thank you very much. [applause] Thank you for listening. Uh at this point, we'll have Mr. King uh present us some information on investments. We have some funds that are in our accounts and he's going to give us some information uh on a policy so we can use those funds and earn a little bit of interest with them as they're growing. Mr. Kane, >>
025thank you very much. the um um investment policy that was circulated is uh one version of um a policy Dr. Grant and I have gone through it as has Mr. and um I think the the key to this is understanding um what the district's role is and what your role as board members um is with respect to the investment of public funds. what I um believe, and I've said this before, when the when the auditors were here and and suggested that we needed to have a specific policy um on investments, it's near and dear to my heart, having been involved in litigation um that that involved 43 school districts that um uh suffered a major loss. um we were ultimately able to recover um $69 million which paid all of the school districts all of
026their money plus all of their interest back um plus all of their attorneys fees which was a rather remarkable event but it took a couple years to do it. Um the lessons that were learned by that uh matter which was called the John Gardner black scandal out in the middle part of the state um the lessons that were learned were One of which is that um the board needs to be cognizant of the um how these funds are being invested. Luckily, we have a great business manager and superintendent in there on top of this, but um there are options for districts under under the state law and the state law tends to be more liberal than uh perhaps some of us would would think would be appropriate. Um there were a variety of types of
027investments that are authorized under state law or allowed under state law, but it's up to the individual boards to decide um how you will allow your money to be invested. So the best example I can give you of this is that um during the uh during the crisis in the economic crisis in 2008 um something came to fruition which a lot of people said that um u that that I was crazy and it could never happen. Um and I wasn't crazy and it did happen. And um what is the b the happened? What happened is districts had funds invested in things that look to be safe. Um except you have to understand the difference between a mutual fund and and a certificate of deposit for example. So districts um are allowed to restrict their investments
028to things like uh certificates of deposit which are insured by the FDIC. So if a bank for example failed in Arizona and you had a certificate of deposit and and by the way subsequently um a number of the organizations that invest public funds began to develop the ability to invest these funds in specific um certificates of deposit. And so when you invest in a certificate of deposit there is an insured limit and that limit is is protects the investment. When you invest in a mutual fund, you are investing in a with [clears throat] a group of other people in an investment that may or may not return dollar fordoll your investment. And so what happened in the 2008 crisis was people who had invested in in certain funds and I won't mention them because they've
029threatened to sue me before. Um and so they invested in certain funds and those funds ended up being worth less than a dollar. So a dollar in ended up being 92 cents or 95 cents or 98 cents or 97 cents on the dollar um when people thought that that wasn't possible. So, the decisions that you need to make in conjunction with this um investment policy, and this is where I where I think the auditors were going the night they were here uh this past year, is um you need to say um and and the business office needs to understand where you're comfortable investing district funds and how and so I don't you know, other than the safety of our kids and the staff and and the teachers and and so on, the investment of the
030district's funds is critically important and and the safety of those funds should be foremost. This policy does say that the number one priority is is the security of the funds. Um but if the board chooses it can say that funds cannot be invested in in uh in investments that would lead to any potential loss of principle of those funds. Sometimes that means not achieving the maximum return on your money. You're You're all familiar with 401ks and you're all familiar with investment of funds. Um, everybody in the world is invested in something at this point. Even even little kids are invested uh through the through the uh uh government. And so the uh principle here is will the will the district authorize the investment of funds in investments that uh could potentially lead to a loss
031of principle? And and if you uh say that then and Christy when she makes these investments and she puts the money in the bank or she buys CDs will have to buy CDs or other investments that guarantee that you can't lose principle. Um putting them in mutual funds is not a guarantee that you won't lose principle. Putting them in mutual funds um sets up a potential or the possibility that you will lose the principle of that money. And I think um a long time ago when I was much younger and and uh listening to wiser and older people on school boards, I remember um Mr. Bill Adams at the Slippery Rock Area School District telling me those monies are entrusted to us. They are not our monies. They are our neighbors funds and you have
032to protect the you have to protect them. That's the job of the school board. So you have to be comfortable with the types of investments that are being made. Um every month you're approving financial reports uh that include these investments and uh you should be cognizant and that this is the purpose of my speech tonight is to uh make you cognizant and aware of the fact that um you are approving these investments every time you vote to approve these financial reports. So um if you are satisfied with with where these funds are being invested, you should ask where are these funds being invested. uh every time the auditors come I ask the same question. Are these funds properly secured under the law? And and have you actually gone to the banks or to the investment
033firms to to this is a question of the auditors. Have you actually gone to the banks and the investment firms to make sure that they are? Because the lesson we learned in the John Gardner black scandal years ago was that the auditors were not doing that. they were not going to the to the underlying investments. They were not going to Midstate Bank uh to to make sure the Midstate Bank had that money uh properly on hand. And so uh they they came to at least temporarily for some period of time they they uh the investment firm uh got their hands on the money, invested it and bet the wrong way and lost $69 million. So um of 42 or three school districts. Of those districts, what we found was that only some of those districts
034had a written agreement with the with the bank um suggesting that that that people could not get their their hands on that money. And so it's important that the district has um written agreements with its investment folks. Um and I'm sure that Chrissy has looked out for that along the way and she and I have gone over this with Dr. Doranti. We've looked at lots of lots of these kinds of things as they come in at big spring. But um I guess I don't want to be a dead horse, but that's I can't can't stress how important it is that the board stay on top of this and that you're aware of how these monies are being invested and that you have a good business manager who is doing that for you. So, she will
035um Christie, do you want to add anything to add anything about the policies? >> I think you summed it up pretty well. >> Probably more than >> Very well. Um, I'm happy to answer any questions or we could pose any to do you want to sort of summarize where invest >> so we uh we currently mainly work with PSDLAF right now. Um, and I was trying to pull up the um from before, but a lot of ours um are invested in CT. So, we work with um KCLF and we look at our cash flow needs and then we project out like when we're going to need and then when those CDs roll off. I will say this, we do have some coming due. So I pause right now know if this was in the pipeline
036um so we could share those investment strategies >> these um these uh companies um like a liquid asset fund and have fancy names that sound like they're part of the government but you should understand they are not and they're these are private um entities that are not the government. So, I've often gone to schoolboard meetings where people thought that because something was called the Pennsylvania Liquid Asset Fund or or or something similar to that. And again, I'm not I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it, but the names sound like they're part of the government. They are not part of the government. They are private entities. And so, you need to understand that as well. >> Thanks very much. >> Thank you, Mr. King, for those comments and uh information to keep us on top
037of our investments. Um, do we have any other items for committee the whole hearing? None. Uh, do I have a meeting a motion for adjournment of committee of the whole, please? >> Motion, Mr. Myers. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Shade. There is no discussion. I assume everyone's voting in the affirmative. Unless I hear a negative or abstain. I declare the committee the whole adjourn. 7:38. We'll move right into the regular school board meeting September 1st, 2026 of the Big Spring School District at 7:38 p.m. I'd like to call the meeting to order at this time. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance if you can. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible
038with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. I'd like to thank everyone for their attendance this evening and coming to the school board um to hear about what's happening in your district. Uh student staff recognition and board reports. Before I do that, I do want to read that we had executive session uh this evening before the committee of the whole meeting. The board met this evening to the start of the public meeting and executive session to discuss advice of council and litigation in the show versus Big Spring School District. To date, we've had 49 right 49 right to know requests about this litigation. Student staff recognition and board reports. Do we have any, Dr. Grante? >> No, sir. >> Thank you. Uh, reading of correspondence. Uh, the board has received two. Uh, we have summarized
039these. One was from a Star Snyder, a 2015 Big Spring High School graduate, uh, secondary English education at Millersville and board member of the Creative Works of Lancaster. Uh, they submitted a public comment opposing the creation of a curriculum committee and targeting removal of material from the ninth grade English curriculum. Um, arguments for retaining material credits the Big Spring High School 9th grade drama unit as the foundation reason for pursuing her career. highlights that Shakespeare improves vocabulary, grammar, critical thinking, and provides cultural insights. Notes that Greek tragedies foster emotional intelligence and explore foundational themes like agency versus fate, and emphasizes that reading uncomfortable literature, though a critical lens, help students become better members of society. We also received from Olivia Liv Lust, a 1920 2019 graduate with a BA in writing literature and publishing from
040Emerson College, currently working as a book publicist in Scholastic. Writing to a syn asynchronously opposed the creation of the curriculum board and the removal of texts in the English one curriculum. asserts that English classrooms build vital critical reasoning and rhetorical skills that serve students in their higher education and careers. Argues that Romeo and Juliet does not glamorize suicide, but rather provides a supervised think tank for students to safely process complex topics like grief, trauma, and mental health. Uses a James Baldwin quote to highlight how literature connects students personal struggles to these shared experiences across history. notes that suggest that alternatives such as Poe, Tolken, and Hemingway also feature dark violent themes or suicide, while others Emerson and Theo exceed the ninth grade reading level and maintains that educators rather than parents and community members are
041best equipped to select appropriate topics and reading levels for students. Recognition of visitors. Um, please make sure you sign in the back of the room on the clipboard for tonight's meeting. It's important that we have a record of who is here. Public comment period. Do we have some public comment this evening? Thank you, Donna. I'd like to start first with a former teacher of ours, Mr. John Terren, >> member of Carile School, ex English teacher. Name should be better than pirate. Thank you, Mr. Wardle. I'm here as someone who has spent nearly half of my adult life teaching high school English at Big Spring. Additionally, I've served seven years on the Carile School Board, resigning in June when we moved to Newville. As a school board member, I trust that most of you understand that
042the role of a board is governance, not micromanagement. You have already experienced two questionably unproductive committees, policy and lost sheep. Clearly, a curriculum committee is not only unwanted but unnecessary. The English curriculum, for instance, should be developed not by the board, nor the superintendent, nor even the curriculum director, but the English teachers themselves who are familiar with the subject matter and the needs of their students. You wouldn't want English teachers writing the science courses. And you saw what happened to the Dober School Board as they became a national laughingstock because they attempted to rewrite the biology curriculum against the advice of their current superintendent. From the seminal, I've learned that one of you, Mrs. Booth wants to censor Romeo and Juliet, Edipus Rex and Antiggony, three of the greatest works of the literature of the
043world. All of these are cautionary tales teaching by negative example, not instructional suicide guides. Romeo and Juliet is the most frequently taught text in American high schools, more than Walden, The Scarlet Letter, and The Great Gatsby, which are taught at later grades than ninth. It is typically the cornerstone of ninth grade English and students first introduction to Shakespeare. Editus Rex and Antiggony are the two are the nearly 3,000year-old classics that remain timely today. The theme of antiggony that individual freedom, family, and faith are stronger than allegiance to an eagle maniacal leader speaks to us today as it always has. Both texts were approved here at Big Spring in the 1970s and taught successfully for years. There is no place for censorship at Big Spring. Past attempts to censor meritorious works have resorted in embarrassment to
044the sensors and the district. The strength of any department comes partially from their intellectual integrity and the trust and respect you show them. Let teachers do their job you have hired them for, not lousyly restricting them with inappropriate curriculum committee. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Mr. President. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Mr. President. >> Yes. >> Can I ask him some questions? >> I guess. >> So, you accused uh Mrs. Booth of attempting to censor Romeo and Juliet, but from what I understand from her speech was she was using Romeo and Juliet as an example of multiple instances of the same type of betrayal. Um, and she never said once that she wanted to censor Romeo and Juliet. She said it's a great work and it should be in our school. So, I'm not
045sure where you're getting she wants to censor Romeo and Juliet. Now, on the topic of the other pieces, I think her point was we shouldn't have multiples of the same thing happening that there were other stories out there that could have gone a different direction. And you could have Romeo and Juliet or you could have something like a fable or something else that doesn't have the same topics in mind. So I think her point was if the board would have got to see this stuff ahead of time, we could have gave some suggestions, not take control, not micromanage, but we would have been able to give some input and we were never given the chance to give some input. And you say uh micromanage that the board does not micromanage the curriculum. But whose job
046is it to actually approve the curriculum and adopt the curriculum? The board. So we should see everything that's in the curriculum. well before we have to adopt or approve it. Not seeing it means it cannot be adopted. >> Thank you, Mr. Former, for your comments. Mr. Chairman, you do not need to respond to this comments. Thank you, Laura Coughlin, please. >> I'm going to do it again. Public comments in two parts. Part one, a curriculum committee, also known as why we should trust professionals. At the last schoolboard meeting, Director Julie Booth opined the lack of authors in the English curriculum. If you find the authors she suggested offensive, this is your warning to leave the room. Ernest Hemingway up in Michigan. She was thinking about him hard and then Jim came out. His eyes were
047shining and his hair was a little rumpled. Liz looked down at her back. Jim came over back of her chair and stood there and she could feel him breathing. And then he put his arms around her. Her breast felt plump and firm and the nipples were erect under his hands. The Black Cat. Edgar Allen Poe. One night, returning home, much intoxicated from one of my haunts about town, I fancied that the cat avoided my presence. I seized him. When [clears throat] in his fright at my violence, he inflicted a slight wound upon my hand with his teeth. The fury of a demon instantly possessed me. I knew myself no longer. My original soul seemed at once to take flight from its body, and a more than fish malevolence, Jyn nurtured, thrilled every fiber of my
048frame. I took from my waste coat pocket a pen knife, opened it, grasped the poor beast by the throat, and deliberately cut one of its eyes from the socket. Our tax dollars pay for experienced and educated experts to prepare curriculum and to teach our students. We should let them who have a full knowledge of literature do their job. Part two, censorship. All students all students deserve a broad public education. There is a policy for parents to opt their students out of lessons they do not agree with. What my students what all students have the opportunity to learn should not be censored based on the opinions of a few. When one of my daughters was in third grade, her grandparents took her to the bookstore to spend her Christmas gift card. She came home with the
049complete works of William Shakespeare. Last spring during dinner when my children were bantering, one of them looked at the other and stated, "Do your bite your thumb at me, sir?" To which the other replied, "I do bite my thumb at you." For weeks last spring, our evenings were filled with quotes of Shakespeare and giggles and laughter as our children told of their classmates reenacting Romeo and Juliet. If only our representative for North Newton had attended Big Spring, she may have done more than just be able to overlook the suicides in Romeo and Juliet. All of our children deserve the opportunity for a broad public education. Censoring what they're exposed to through the opinions of a few is not acceptable. Every parent has the right to opt their child out of any lessons. This public education
050is for all of our students, not to be based on the opinions of a few. Thank you. for you. [applause] >> Thank you, Mr. Scott. Rosie McCrae, please. >> Good evening. [snorts] Please bear with me if I have a little interjection. Uh, he's learning to use his voice just like I'm using tonight. Um, I want to speak specifically about the idea of creating a curriculum committee because I have serious concerns about what problem we're actually trying to solve. Curriculum development is a professional function. Teachers, curriculum specialists, administrators, and others with expertise in education should be responsible for determining what students are taught and why. That doesn't mean the public shouldn't be able to understand or scrutinize what the district is doing. Transparency and accountability do matter, but there's a significant difference between public accountability and
051public control of curriculum. And I'm particularly concerned because the push for greater oversight appears to be happening alongside objections to specific books and themes. We've heard that The Glass Castle is not age appropriate for 9th graders because of its sexual content. We've heard objections to Romeo and Juliet Antiggony Edis Rex. And we've heard the suggestion that The Hunger Games might be a better choice within that curriculum because it teaches students not to trust the government. Those comments make me question whether we're actually talking about improving curriculum or whether we're beginning to impose an ideological filter, excuse me, on what our students are allowed to read or discuss. Because the question shouldn't be, do I agree with the message of this book? The question should be, is this academically valuable? Is it appropriate for the students
052developmental level? Does it support the curriculum? And does it give students an opportunity to think critically? A book does not need to share a board member's worldview to have educational value. In fact, I would argue that exposing students to ideas that may they may find uncomfortable or disagree with is part of the point of education. I'm concerned that a curriculum committee, if structured incorrectly, could become a political gatekeeper between educational professionals in our classrooms. If this board is going to create such a committee, I believe it needs very clearly defined limits. It should not become a place where individual board members or members of the public can veto curriculum because they dislike a theme, a perspective, or an idea. Our students need an education that prepares them to encounter a complicated world, not an education
053carefully filtered through the personal ideological preferences of the adults in this room. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you for bringing that clarifications. >> But this is public comment from the board, from the public. It's not time for us to debate. So we're not we're not going to have public the Hunger Games was part of the N3 curriculum last year. Okay. And it was re that's what I said about the Hunger Games and we still have multiple dystopian novels to pick from which could show that the government could be >> okay. Thank you Mr. B. It's not a broken record and we didn't share notes with each other ahead of time. You're hearing these voices, Seth. I'm looking at you right now. You're hearing these voices from a bunch of people who feel the same way.
054You're trying to make the wrong choice. I've got two things this evening. Uh the first is actually a really easy one. I'm pretty sure the board meeting minutes online are not ADA compliant. I don't have uh a disability, but I know there are people in the district who have. So, it'd be really cool if that could be made compliant. Um I mean, among other things, it would improve search functionality. So, that would be really cool. And then my second thing is absolutely about the curriculum committee. Um which has, as far as I can tell, from what I've seen from everyone I've talked to, no public support. Um it's not even that I hate the idea. Um, I hate the idea of it not being done right. And none of you who have been proponents of
055it have demonstrated that you want to do it right. You have already told us what you want to ban and you're going to work toward that goal and that's not acceptable. Seth, you are correct that the board does approve curricula. That is one of your major tasks. You just did it like two weeks ago. So, no one is arguing that. And I do think that having a smaller committee focused like focusing their attentions on that might be helpful. It could be transparent and could definitely improve the process for the community. But I see problems with what has been presented. And there are a number of ways that I could go about this in the same way that the number of people before me have gone about this. I'm going to continue the logical arguments. So
056most pressing, the idea that two of you would be on the board feels a whole lot like an attempt at garnering a disproportionate amount of power. I do not like that as a constituent. And even if it's not, what happens when a disagreement between those two committee members happens? How is that broken? What comes next? The board in theory does allow public comments like what I'm doing right now. And I am definitely for that. Um and there is precedent in task focused subcommittees to allow voting members of the community on those subcommittees. Um but that has been a task focused subcommittee. That is not what we're talking about here. It is no prescribed expiration. It's a standing committee. So what happens then when public sentiments disagree as I'm disagreeing now with that committee? And then
057thirdly, the reason um or at least the example provided uh for why this was motioned in the first place, the rampant debauchery of Romeo and Juliet. And you can imagine, I'm not wearing them, but you can imagine I'm clutching my pearls right now. Some of my greatest role models at Big Spring have been in the English department. I ended up as an English major as well. I mean, we heard from Star and Olivia through their correspondence earlier. And when we studied these classics like Romeo and Julia and Speak and A Separate Peace and Watchmen and the Crucible, I didn't turn to, you know, devil worship, witchcraft, or drugs. I did them because they made me cool. Darn it. But no, really, really, I um made mistakes on my own as a high schooler. I was
058hormonal and stupid as high schoolers are. That's where it comes from. It's not from what they're reading in class. And that's absolutely not going to be solved by a committee. I challenge you to find a single person who is damaged irreparably from the curriculum that has been in play at Big Spring. And I mean, for for me, if I if I didn't get the drug, sex, and rock and roll out of it, I mean, what did I get? I got a lifelong foundation of how to think, how to write, how to read. And I'm speaking to you with the cogent argument that I've made. More importantly, I worked for the state crafting policy. I have built the skills ever since high school because of the curriculum we had which did not have partisan oversight. I
059urge each of you thusly to vote against the committee. [applause] >> Thank you, please. >> Mr. President why >> while he's approaching will be him I just want to point out addressing the projection made earlier under Paul 93 board response first sentence reads and I quote the board may respond to public comments during the meeting or may direct the superintendent investigative report back and it goes on >> thank you [clears throat] >> well I first want to bring up a few things um obviously there there's you board and you need five votes I think six votes for curriculum if I'm if I'm understanding correctly. So even if you have this committee they're not going to dictate curriculum because frankly there is a four or five split on the board. The five is going to win.
060So it's not going to happen. Also I I have other questions like um Robinson Cruso book in the English language that's translated into more language than any other book except for the Bible. Great work of literature. But mark my words, if you had that in your school, those same people would be screaming at you. Oh, they'd be screaming at you. How dare you have that book? Talks about the providence of God. Talks about questions of like, you know, do you intervene in cannibals eating other cannibals? and he just goes in a great debate about that. I don't know if you've read it. He's he's shipwrecked. Great book, worth reading. Audio book in the library just endorsing them. So, you have those aspects, but the bigger question is you as a board member, how much information
061do you get regarding the curriculum that you vote on? I mean, do you, Mr. WLE, do you honestly know what you're voting on when you approve curriculum? >> I do know what I'm voting on and I research the curriculum that is provided to me by the administration and the administration and teachers and I'm in this building on a regular basis and know what teachers are teaching and I respect them. >> Okay. So, when they had the open sad when they had open sad, you you researched and you saw when they promoted Black Lives Matter and second grade health, >> you saw that. >> It was there. it was there. But the point is a curriculum committee would allow the entire board and the public to see the curriculum, see the links, to debate it, to
062decide, you know, this is good, this is bad, you know, we would like this. It's simple. It's it's not them taking over the curriculum. Be reason be reasonable. You have a 54 majority. be reasonable. So, it will give you an opportunity to look and make better decisions as a board. Anybody opposed to that, they're I think they're just wanting you to rubber stamp it. And really, when it comes to bias, I mean, let let's be real, where is the bias really leading in school education? I mean, you have statemandated Global warming teaching in the steels that's make statemandated steels environmental literacy global warming. So just take that under consideration and again it's a curriculum committee that gives you an opportunity to look at the curriculum before you vote on it. I don't know why you'd
063be opposed to that. So thank you. Thank you, Mr. Flynn. That concludes the public comment period at this time. Move on to approval of minutes committee the whole and the board meeting minutes for August 17th, 2026 as presented. Do I have a motion to approve? >> Motion, Mr. Myers. Do I have a second? >> Second, Mr. Shade. Is there any discussion from the floor? Hearing none, I assume we're all voting the affirmative unless I hear a negative or abstain. Old business. Consideration of a curriculum committee. Mrs. Booth recommends a motion for the administration to plan for organizing curriculum committee. A standing committee of the board involving at least two board members and allowing public input in the planning process through open and advertised meetings at intervals appropriate for current planning process. The curriculum updates is
064done by 72% of school districts in the state. Administration will bring completed plans back to the board for its approval in September. Mrs. boot. Do you still want to make that motion? >> Yes. >> Do I have a second to the motion? >> Second. >> Properly moved in and second that we would form a curriculum committee. Mrs. Booth recommends the logistical planning implementation of the curriculum committee. So, the motion is on the floor to have a curriculum committee. Is there any discussion? >> Are we allowed to make a motion to amend it? >> Yes. >> Can I make a motion to amend it from two board members to at least three board members? Uh that's the amendment to make it from two to three. Do I have a second to the amendment? >> Second. >>
065Properly moved and second that we would strike the language two board members to three board members. Is there any discussion on this >> hearing? No. >> I just like to point out and that's I I do not disagree with the motion to add at least three. The point was that the committee would be formed. The ideas for the committee would be formed by administration to meet the needs of whatever the whatever needs can be. However, we would include at least two board members. Three is also fine with me, but to have some board members with eyes on the curriculum as it is being developed. Um, also being done in a public format. So a lot of the people that came to talk about curriculum tonight and what they do want in the curriculum or don't
066want in the curriculum would have the opportunity to know ahead of time rather than with a couple weeks notice what is in the curriculum and to ask more questions. So that was the one having more board members is fine but I had assumed that the administration would set it up so there would be a lot of administration involved and teachers that were directly doing the curriculum or in the subject matter you know teachers involved with subject matter at that time with that person they were working on. I do not disagree with more members being involved. >> So at least three, but all are welcome. >> Would be unique. >> Okay, I hear the amendment and the we get to two to strike out two board members and make it three board members. Um is there
067any more discussion on the amendment? We're only voting on the amendment at this time to make it from two to three. Is there any more discussion before we vote? No, not in the amendment. No, >> never mind. >> Okay. If there's no more discussion, then if you vote yes, then you would move that the U committee [clears throat] would have three board members. That's all you're voting on. And if you vote no, then you would vote that it would go back to two, the original motion. Does everybody understand how to vote? Okay. I assume everyone's voting in the affirmative to have three board members instead of two, unless I hear a negative or abstain. Okay, then that passes. The number two would be changed to three. We'll now go back to the main motion, which
068is to have a curriculum committee uh to organize curriculum committee as a standing committee to board uh with changing to three board members and allowing public input. Is there any more discussion? >> Yes. Um so at the last meeting we were as a board charged with approving I think it was 25 curriculums. Um for those curriculums what we see as a board is exactly what you see as the public curriculum maps. That's what we see as well. We aren't given anything additional. No extra lesson plans or lists of reading that weren't included on those. And as I used English as an example. Now, we we approved all the English curriculums last meeting and we approved 21 or so other curriculums as well. I used that one as an example um and compared it to the
069prior year. Hunger Games was removed. That's why I used that was one that was on it was remove there were others that were removed such as speak was removed from that particular unit. I had asked administration leading up to this because I noticed on these on this particular map that it said whenever you go to the unit specific resources/material section where typically and prior there have been specific readings listed and now for example in this unit it says common lit unit one following the craft. Prior to me asking the administration, had anyone here seen the common lit unit following the crowd? >> Do do you mean from what they had sent? >> I mean before they sent it because I asked for that a few days before I asked for that and then they sent
070that. Yeah. Did you see anything beyond that or did you see anything prior to that? >> I went on the website and accessed. Yeah. So you had gone on the website prior to me sending the email out and saw >> sub common unit one. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So we were told at that time we could also be given a sign so we could actually see it because as far as I can tell the common lit is closed unless you have login which you might already have. >> No, I just reviewed the overall information. >> Okay. So what you reviewed, were we able to review on there was the same as then what we were given these kind of generic things or was were you able to actually get in and see the lesson
071plans that commonly also gives? >> There were links embedded in that that I could see. Yeah. >> So then I have another I mean a follow-up question with that. So John, you said for example that you know exactly what is in this curriculum as you approve it. Do you know what the reading the lottery is about? or the 2018 Leslie University commencement speech from Jason Reynolds or the or India Logan Riley COP26 speech or all summer in a day or what I mean when I say I'm sharpening my oyster knife that's my favorite anybody has read that >> I read that one yeah So, I think it's okay that the board sits here and pretends some some of you probably did read it, but that some of you just pretend that you surely you you
072know about what I mean when I'm sharpening my oyster knife means that you shoved in someone's address, which is empty. Of course, that's in the same unit after they read multiple readings in a row of suicide. I'm not going to go into I did respond to the young ladies that sent us emails and I sent them to you as well. Um I have experienced a lot of suicide in my life. Of those people I there's more people in my graduating class that killed themselves and I can count on one hand. Is that a coincidence? Perhaps. I wrote Romeo and Juliet and I don't have a problem with Shakespeare being included. I didn't say that I did. I do wonder, you know, uh one of my constituents one time I had a sit down lunch with
073them and we had a discussion on things and they gave me a different perspective. They said, you know, sometimes things are good, but there's also it's not always just good or bad. Sometimes there's good and then there's better and there's best. And my question really to you as the board was or first of all, my point was I don't think you knew what was in these units because Republic would because it wasn't on the map. Is it best to put three different stories in a row that then we stack the suicides up to six? Is that the best? Is it good? A lot of people think it is good. It's great. Our students should be reading about more suicide. There are studies that show though not specifically about reading classics and that include suicides. Of
074course, no one would study that. Maybe they should, but uh there are a lot of studies on your exposure to suicide medical studies, your exposure to suicides or suicide attempts and then your propensity for suicide or suicide attempts. They don't the studies don't do a great job at differentiating between attempts and suicides. That could be studied better. But there is a strong correlation between your exposure to suicide and your suicide risk. And that's just a fact. It's unfortunate, but it is true. Um there's also no ability there's no um strengthening of the relationship between the two when it's a closer relative versus a further acquaintance. So the exposure even if it's you know multiple suicides if it's the just an acquaintance or you know maybe somebody read about the book which of course has not
075been studied but maybe it should be. So my question is, is it the best? Maybe it's good, but is it the best for our ninth graders to read all three of those stories in a row? That was my main point, but also it was to make the board think. It was also interesting to hear that there are a lot of people in the community that are very interested in what is in our curriculum. if we had a standing curriculum committee, which 72% of school districts in the in this state do have that to some degree. And I I propose this in a way so that the administration can choose the way that would be best to orchestrate that to allow for more transparency for the public, for parents to see what the planning looks like.
076Do we get a glimpse into it? So that we aren't in a position where we're approving one board meeting, you know, 20 or so curriculums and then two weeks later another 25 curriculums roughly. That's what we did this summer without the ability to have a little bit of time to really look at and see what they're doing with that. That doesn't take away from the fact that we have teachers doing it and presenting it to the board and the curriculum committee, but more transparency and pre-thought and in involvement from the board wouldn't be a bad thing. That's my opinion. And it's apparently the opinion of 72% of school districts in the state. And um to the speakers who work with districts, this district doesn't have one. I don't know if Carlau has a curriculum committee
077or not. Does Carl have a term? Maybe you can answer that. >> This award's responsibility to approve curriculum of course. Yes. Um, have either of you two worked in any districts with the curriculum committee in the past? >> No. Dr. Sanders has. So, you're familiar with how they work that you could offer some insight to help a committee could work if you if the board would vote for and ask the administration to put that together. >> I think that's all I have. >> Thank you, Mr. She. Go ahead. >> Go ahead, Mr. Sh. >> I've given much thought and consideration to the proposed curriculum committee. At the last boarding uh board meeting, a member shared a comment regarding the district's English curriculum. This very detailed comment showed me the purpose and intended direction of the
078proposed uh curriculum committee. I interpreted this intended direction as follows. To get involved in the dayto-day development and imple implementation of curriculum, to select individual lessons, and to tell teachers what materials they must use. These actions are all attempts to duplicate the administration's role, which is to manage. Our role as the board is to govern, not manage. Good governance requires the board to be engaged, but at the right level. In Pennsylvania, the PA school boards association defines effective governance as maintaining a focus on governance while delegating management tasks to the administration. Governing is deciding what should happen and make sure it happens. Managing is deciding how it will happen and carrying it out. For me, curriculum is of key importance and should be a decision the board addresses collectively. Every aspect of the board's involvement
079should be done by the full board collectively. We are a very thorough, extremely detail-oriented board and we take the time to have agenda discussions no matter how long they take. Based on the preview of the committee direction provided, I do not believe the committee would be governing by advising the district. I believe it would be overstepping its role by helping develop curriculum. Curriculum administration is not the role of the board. I question the intended authority of this committee and I question the purpose and intended direction of those committee. Additionally, I do not see what work the committee would be accomplishing that couldn't or isn't already being accomplished through regular board meetings. While this may be a common committee in other districts, I do not see the value in creating a separate committee specifically for the
080Big Spring School District. Thank you, Mrs. Shade. Any more discussion? Mr. [applause] >> Yes, Mr. >> I think I think Alison wants to go. >> Mrs. Mot, >> let Mrs. Mal go. >> Yeah. Um, so just if that's helpful, I did reach out to PSDA about what um of of the districts in the state that have a curriculum committee, what that role typically is, and what that committee typically does. Um, and so what they shared with me was that for them when they survey districts, they define a curriculum committee um as reviews and makes recommendations to the board regarding the district's educational programs and needs. They work with administration to evaluate, present, and I think they're missing a word there, but future educational programs affecting student achievement. Um, it reviews district curriculum assessments and graduation
081requirements. reviews courses, course guides, course sequence, and new educational programs before they are presented to the full board and makes recommendations regarding textbooks and resource materials and monitors the planning, development, implementation, evaluation, maintenance, and improvement of district curricula in um accordance with comprehensive planning. And so to me, it sounds like we're talking about maybe we're talking about two different problems. I think what I'm hearing from Mrs. Booth is that um for you looking at the curriculum in in more depth and having a little bit more information and a little bit more time prior would be helpful. And to me the challenge with a curriculum committee is not that the board would be overstepping in setting up that committee. I think that is well within the board's purview if it if it chooses to do that.
082Um because curriculum is one of in my opinion the more important things that the board oversees because it is oversight for the community and Pennsylvania were not provided really a lot of a lot of direction I guess in what curriculum is that really sits with global control and what concerns me about maybe two or three people sitting and looking at curriculum um is one that is a really cumbersome task and so I think reviewing that takes time um two I'm concerned that we're missing maybe some of the data points from students ments that would be useful in making curriculum decisions. So when you review um say say our new math curriculum that was adopted a couple years ago, it takes basically at least one year full curriculum cycle before you really know where the gaps
083are and you really know, okay, how are students responding to this lesson and what do we need to maybe add in to make this work for us and our students and how it's sequenced? And I don't want to lose that teacher voice in that decision- makingaking process. I think that would be an important component to it. I also don't want to lose the representation [snorts] from all of our municipalities in the details of that decision. So like let's say that Mr. Brown, Mr. Corman and I are sitting on the curriculum committee if we form it. Well, you know what? I don't have the same story that you shared about having multiple um family members or close individuals who have committed suicide. So my view of that curriculum is going to be different than what yours
084would be. And so I see a lot of value in the entire board and more voices being represented at the table to make that. I don't I don't think that the curriculum committee is a bad idea in and of itself. But I think that we're losing something that is if if 72% of districts have it, I think that big spring would be losing something and we would be losing voice and representation if all of the board members weren't at the table. I do agree though that we could as a board decide how do we want to adjust the process so that we all feel comfortable voting on that curriculum. And if it means that we need more time, if it means that we need need more details, if it means that we need to table
085a vote until we get what makes us feel comfortable, I think that's okay. Um, and and I, you know, I would support those modifications for sure if if members if my fellow colleagues felt like they need that. I felt comfortable with what I was given and the links that were included being able to make a decision. But I don't think anybody should be forced, not forced, I don't think anybody should feel like they have to vote on something that they don't feel like they have enough information to make an informed decision about on our board. Um, and so if that's something that you need, I I think we could look at modifying the process to make all of us sitting up here comfortable. Um, but I don't know that we need a full committee to
086do that. >> Thank you, Mr. Corman. I'm going to have to say thank you Allison. You hit a lot of the stuff that I was concerned about. Um, one of the things that keeps happening is we keep getting introduced with these curriculum maps and there's not everything in its own. Um, and I have to sit there and we have to hunt for information. We have to ask for information. It shouldn't be that way. Uh, we should be able to see the worksheets. We should be able to see what the teachers are teach are are saying to this or because it it the curriculum does have a teachers guide. teachers guide has stuff that the teachers are supposed to say to the students. I want to see all that. If you leave something out, I don't
087have that information and so I don't know which way the class is going and if it's going in the wrong direction, I I need to be able to say something, but I can't because I can't even see it. Um, Mrs. Booth, was there like could you get a hold of any of the worksheets that were supposed to be go along with that classroom? >> Right. And so it's very important to see what type of questions the worksheets are asking because there could be something there that maybe we shouldn't be asking or we should rephrase a different way. Um, Mr. King, if somebody came to you with a contract from the state and they said, "Here, sign this, but it's missing three pages." Do you sign it? >> Uh, definitely. >> And the reason Mr. King
088doesn't sign it is because then he'd be responsible for agreeing to something that he didn't know was there. And so Mrs. Booth is trying to get in this curriculum uh committee to solve a problem, a problem that's been ongoing where we have to keep asking for information. We can't see information. We figured if we had board members embedded in the the whole works. Um then those board members could report to the rest of the board members, yeah, this is this is what's there and this is what was discussed, right? And that that makes it that all the board members don't have to be buried dead head deep into the curriculum constantly 100% of the time. Uh because curriculum's big. We all know it's big. Uh and I think that's where Mrs. Booth was trying to
089go with the curriculum. It's not us but budding in not us trying to say hey might might make some suggestions like uh maybe we could replace this book with this book. What do you think? And then the English teachers could have had the opportunity to actually discuss and reason why that book is the better choice. But we don't get that. What we get is a package deal that's missing pages, that's missing assessments. Public school code 24 PS5-508 says we're in charge of adopting the course of study. Pennsylvania regulations recognize that the curriculum is more than a map. It's all of the resources and materials. That's why we need a curriculum committee. Or maybe one of Allison's solutions would be better. But either way, something has to change because we need to be able to see
090what we are voting on. You feel fine with the information you got. I do not. And I have said it time and time again. >> Mr. Fisher, Mr. I have a question for you here. I appreciate your presentation or your speech there. Very logical. I like that. I'm logical. My family says I'm too logical. Um but I don't think um I agree with most of what you said. Um what I'm confused and doesn't make sense to me is how is creating a committee that's going to review curriculum and what are the processes there. Um, how is that going to take responsibility and input away from the board when the board has to do exactly what we were doing right now anyway? Does that make sense? >> Yeah. Yeah. No, I Yeah. >> Yeah. No. >>
091Yeah. I'm I think I'm just worried that we end up in the exact same situation. So again, like going back to the example, if Mr. Brown, Mr. and I are sitting on on the curriculum committee and we review all of the curriculum and we sit down with the math team and we sit down with the English team and we sit down with I don't know what all team I don't know what teams you have but I I [laughter] know that there is a team for each type of curriculum and it please correct me if I am saying something that is way off the wall here but that is my understanding of the process that there is there is a math planning team that looks at the full math curriculum there is a social studies team
092there's an English Yellow team. Um, and so my concern is one that's that's a cumbersome project to be really dug into that across all of those different planning platforms. And the other piece is I think we run into the exact same situation then where the three of us have done a deep dive, right? We've seen everything. But then when we bring it to the board, we're still putting Miss Smooth, Mr. Wle in a position where they haven't done that. And so and and maybe maybe we end up where we trust the people on the curriculum, you know what I mean? But but maybe we end up with I you know I think all of us would try to do a really good job but maybe we end up with somebody elected who were like I
093don't really trust them on the curriculum committee and so I don't want to take their word for it. We're still back to the same position where you would need the content that you need to feel comfortable voting. I think each of us has to vote for our municipality, our constituents, what we understand and in our community and I don't know that we can do that effectively without each of us being able to see that and have the information that we need to do it well and I know that we have committees for other things and I I think they do a great job. Um I just and this and this is my background right like I'm here because I like curriculum my [laughter] curriculum. Um, I just I feel like each of us has to
094feel comfortable because this is one of the bigger things that I feel like we're tasked with. >> If if we start a curriculum committee and something changed about what I see about the curriculum, I would not be happy and maybe I'm misunderstanding what we're doing with the curriculum committee, but my understanding was we're not taking something away. We're not changing his voice. We're not taking anybody's voice away from it. We're putting three, four, you can be part of any committee. It's not an election. It's an I choose to be part of the crypto community. I can do that. >> Yeah. >> All nine of us can choose to. It's a choice. So, we're not taking away anything. We're not taking any anybody's anybody's experience. We're adding a layer. I want to say protection. I don't
095like that the connotation of that. But we're adding a layer where there's more review. Um whether I I trust you or I trust Lisa or whoever, whatever. Get both opinions because that's great. Um, I'm adding another layer of review to where I have somebody who's even if I'm not on it, I somebody else has dug into it. And I guess I I don't understand hesitation of that. I've seen the curriculum maps and I know there's no way if I was teaching a class, I'm a decent mechanic. If I was teaching a class on that, I couldn't teach the class because there's not enough information there. that tells me, "Oh, yeah, this part, but it gives me no resources and I can't teach a class on that." >> Yeah. >> I tell people that, I tell
096my dad all the time, I'm maybe starting to change my mind a little bit, but I tell them I can teach anybody to do what I do if they're willing to learn. Um, but if I have no curriculum, I have no resources, all I have is a map, maybe the teachers go home every night and spend 10 hours creating a lesson plan. I And building ar some of them do. [laughter] Um, I've heard stories from people I know who had art in education that spent all summer. Um, all I see is a uh a chart with list of items. There's no resources. There's no worksheets there. So, when I was in school, I had a book and there was curriculum. I mean, we we open you go page by page. That was curriculum, not like
097this described curriculum maps. And like Mr. Corman said, And I'm going to see a sense here. It's a Pennsylvania state law regulation. Pennsylvania regulations recognize that curriculum is more than just a map. 22pa code 4.3. I mean it it's if so if we're approving the curriculum just approving the map. I'm not even approving what state law requires. >> Yeah. Yeah. And generally um and again please correct me if I'm rolling into something wrong here. Um generally districts aren't writing their own curriculum anymore. There are teachers that are making modifications to their students in the classroom. They're bringing in some creative ideas. Um I only know of one district locally that has from ground up drafted their own curriculum and it was expensive because they paid their teachers outside of contract hours to do it. Um
098and and so I think what what you're reviewing and what it sounds like again from Mrs. Booth is maybe just being able to see some more details in that pre-written curriculum. And I think like whenever you adopted the the math curriculum, if you remember, there was a presentation about these these were our data points. This is what we were trying to address. Here were the choices that we had across the board. I think there's also a difference in renewing curriculum and adopting a brand new curriculum like that. In that case, there was more information, more presentation because it was a full new K to2 curriculum. Again, like I I really I I don't mind if there's a curriculum committee. doesn't necessarily bother me. I just feel like we're still not going to solve the problem
099that we're trying to solve necessarily. That makes sense. I think there might be a different way to go about it. >> Okay. Are there any more comments before we vote? >> Mr. Brown uh it reads here. You know, Miss Booth recommends a motion for the administration to plan for and organize a curriculum committee, a standing committee of the board involving at least we changed to stroke out two, went to three board members, which again we discussed that all board members are more than allowed or more than welcome to come and allowing public input in the planning process through open and advertised meetings at intervals appropriate and then it goes on and on. 72. So with this committee, we aren't writing curriculum. Correct, Miss Booth? >> Correct. >> This is just overviewing a look at it.
100Hey, here's the plan for the year. Um, that looks like transparency to me and just letting the public know, hey, this is what we're going to go over the year. Do you have any questions, comments, concerns? Okay, we'll take your information. At the end of the day, the district can say, "Thanks, John Q public, for your information. We're still going to go this way, which they're more than titled to do, and then we will all vote on it." So, I think there's a mis a big misconception here that this committee is going to be rewriting any curriculum or striking out any curriculum and and there seems to be fears that eventually that's what it's going to be. And to Miss Malot's point about we don't know what this is going to be yet. So if
101we still don't know what it's going to be, this is the perfect time to start something and learn what it's going to be a learning process. Obviously I don't it doesn't seem like we've ever had a curriculum committee here. Um so this will be new found territory and it'd be great to have the public everyone has a lot of passion here on both sides this evening. Um it would be great to have the public input on the curriculum. Maybe one side says I like this book. Another says say says I like this book. We could come to a happy medium. But again at the end of the day it breaks down to teachers. It's their job. It's the district. It's their job to put the curriculum in front of us. It just would be nice
102to have a little transparency and say, "This is what we have. This is where we're going. We're going to meet with the English department on this day. If the public comes, great. If they don't, you missed your opportunity for your input. But at any point in time, you can come to a board meeting and provide your input." Uh, but again, I think just looking at something is not going to hurt it. I don't see anywhere in your consideration of a curriculum committee that states we're going to be taking books away. We're going to be removing books. we're going to be rewriting committee or excuse me, rewriting curriculum at all. It's just, hey, what do you guys got going on? I'm kind of interested in the science department. Obviously, everyone knows I'm interested in the band
103department, the music department as we've seen multiple times. So, I'd love to get more into their curriculum and new things they're doing. Same thing with the teched department. I'm an IT professional myself. So, I'd love to see what they're what they're doing. And I know as a board member, I'm more than welcome to go and ask them at any point in time, but any John Q public, maybe they want to be more involved in it. We might have an IT professional in the in the crowd today or somewhere that says, "Oh, look at this. Maybe I can volunteer some of my time to this lesson plan." I believe Miss Pal is still looking for volunteers for one of their STEM projects that they have coming up, too. So, I'm trying to get off work for
104that, but um we'll see. So, I I don't have any problem with a curricular committee if curriculum committee, excuse me, if we're just reviewing and just talking. That's what makes it great in this country is we can all sit here and talk about it. Um, again, nowhere in your motion or anything does it say we're going to be writing the curriculum, removing curriculum or removing books or anything. Um, and if people do have those fears, you're more than welcome to join the curriculum committee and and come and talk and voice your opinion. I appreciate everyone's opinion this evening on both sides. So, um, thank you very much for all that. But that's my two cents on the subject. Did you have something, Miss Mo? I saw you for the microphone. I'm gonna pass it back
105down. I just I'm trying to understand the problem that needs to be solved here. I mean, aren't aren't we doing the same thing as a board when we come and when it's presented to us? Um, and then who is beside the three board members, who else would be on this committee? The teachers. That's the problem we have to find out. This is new, so we're going to have to learn all these things >> because I'm not sure. >> I would I would suppose it was the same people that are working on the curriculums now, but also in an open way and you know, obviously they would be doing some work items and then bringing it to the curriculum committee to say, "Okay, here's what we have. Here's what we're doing. Here's what we need to
106work on. Here's the here's the plants." They they review these curriculums every I think it's three years. We did the Englishes in 23 and we just did them again. So I believe the curriculums need reviewed every three years roughly and we have a plan for that and so it would be continuing. That's why I wrote this very openly so the administration can >> put it together in a way that works with what they're doing now but also offers additional board. >> So we get no teachers to show up to the committee then what if I could interject you just a minute. The motion is asking the administration to propose a plan to organize a curriculum committee. So I think answer your question who's on board who's on committee is at least three board members and
107whoever the administration decides should be on that committee whether that's six teachers or 10 teachers and three administration. >> We can't mandate teachers to come to a committee. That that's that's my I mean you we can make a committee but there's no guarantee that anybody would show up. >> We're asking for well we're asking for a laid out plan fully here. And I understand it's not completely delved out but we're diving into new territory here. So to have an an expectation of all the plans laid out right now I mean is kind of hard. >> I understand the question but it's the same thing as the athletic council. You know Mr. Penner comes to us every >> that's a council not a committee. >> Excuse me. It's it's the same thing though. He comes to
108us every few months and says, "Hey, this is what we have going. This is what we've done." It still is. >> Is that being done now with the teachers? >> Is the public there? >> Public's not at the council meetings either. >> Okay, I understand that. But now we're going back to this. If we're we do it with the teachers and we have open uh information to go to the teachers at any point in time, what's the problem with involving the the community that pays the teachers and pays the district salaries >> as we're doing now at a board meeting? >> I understand that. But did they get a chance to review all the curriculum? >> Mr. Myers, you want to comment? >> I just had a question for >> Mr. Brown. Are are you
109done? Mr. Brown, >> Mr. Still has any more questions? It's just more it just boils down to more transparency. It's allowing the public comment as we had tonight. There's a lot of passion for it and I'd love to sit on those committees and hear both sides for that passion. >> Whether it's one side or the other don't bother me. I'll sit there all night and listen to somebody talk. >> I feel that we had the the curriculum handed to us [snorts] in many weeks prior to the board meeting. >> What what was their public comment on the curriculum? Were they given an opportunity to sit down with teachers whome again not mandating the teacher be there the head of the English department head of the science department or whomever but say if someone does have
110questions about it and they want to talk in a public forum what's wrong with that at a committee is that what you're saying that's what the motion on the table for >> yes yes Mr. Um, I just have a question. Maybe Mrs. Donado or Dr. Grante or Dr. Sanders, how many complaints have we had about curriculum over the past 50 years? I mean, just in general, do we have a lot of complaints about curriculum year to year? In the five years that I've been in this position, we had one complaint and that book has been pulled. >> Thank you. Um I think we have an excellent curriculum director and we're lucky she's still here. Um [applause] and we have excellent teachers. Uh, I'm not saying they're perfect, but we have some excellent teachers and they
111take care of this. We're we're the we're the government's part, just as has been said 20 times. We approve things, but we don't we don't run the show. We just approve things. Some people think we do, but we don't. I mean, we don't go into the classrooms and teach. I mean, some of us have already and know what that's like. But we have a good a good curriculum here. If someone has a problem with it, I'm sure Mrs. Donado has heard about it or the principal or Dr. Grande or somebody has heard about it in the past. And I'm not saying that never happens, but I'm sure not going to tell some computer expert how to run his computers. I I know my limitations. I'm not going to do that. >> Why should we try
112to tell our administration and our teachers how to teach English or what books to read? >> Can you know what has been >> Can you clarify where it says we're going to tell them? >> Can you Can you clarify where it says right here that we're going to tell the teachers or rewrite curriculum? >> Why haven't >> Why are you afraid to discuss? >> I'm not saying I'm not saying we're going to tell them anything. Why have a committee that's useless? Why is it useless to talk about >> what? >> We are talking about it. People talk about it every day. Every day you have curriculum every day in school. >> It just seems like you don't want discussion. I mean, this is a a history that you don't seem to like discussion in open
113forms. So, it's it's okay. [clears throat] >> I just don't see what park committee would be uh accomplishing that couldn't or isn't already being accomplished through regular board meetings. We have discussions. Look at us. There's time for public comment prior to the agenda is posted several weeks in advance. If someone stands up there and makes a public comment and the board members question an item, we're not afraid to table it. We will table items. We've done it in the past. I just don't see what the purpose is, what good I mean just what it can accomplish otherwise other than what we've already been doing. That's my point. more discussion. >> Yes, >> Mrs. >> Just like to address a few of the things. Um, I'd like to thank Mrs. Mot for >> bringing that list
114of things that a curriculum committee would do from the PSBA. That was a very extensive list and a lot of those things are never discussed in the Now, to back up a little bit, I've been on sitting here, this is my third year sitting in this position and you haven't been here until now. Okay? So, we have had these conversations. Where are the lessons plans? Where are the worksheets? Where are what do we have other than this map? And we've asked this, this is not a new conversation. This has been ongoing with each new curriculum season. Um, so to see that there is that lovely list of things that a curriculum committee could accomplish or use to guide hope to guide the school district into better curriculum. Yes, Mr. Myers, we have curriculum here. We
115do. And they talk about it every day in school. But that doesn't mean that public knows what's in it or that this board knows what's in it before they approve it. Unfortunately, and that's just the truth. Now teachers, we are currently spending contract hours giving teachers extra pay over the summer to sit together and work on curriculum over the summer. So at the end of the summer, now your point about just going ahead and tableing it, we absolutely cannot. We had 25 curriculums to pass and we have about a week to start school. We absolutely can't table that. It's done. It's over. The meeting prior it was introduced. if public had already jumped on the ball and read all 25 curriculums and asked the administration or us the questions that needed asked and dove into
116it. Where are the lesson plans? Where are the additional readings? You know, I look at this map and I don't even see what we're reading in this unit. Can you share that with me? If the board, if the members of the public had taken the time to go over 25 curriculums prior to the last meeting when it was on as anformational item, which when it's anformational item, we are told we don't really discuss those items. We just move on. We just read them. Oh, here they are for us to look at. We don't take the time to discuss. Therefore, we are not doing those things in the VSBA's list of things a curriculum committee would do. We are already paying teachers extra hours to form the curriculum. We as a board should have the opportunity
117and the public should have the opportunity to have a little window into what is happening, what is being brought forth, what is being worked on, what is going to be in the curriculum. What are we debating on putting in putting out data points you mentioned? We don't have those. We don't now. Maybe we should. And maybe that could be shared with the board. That would be lovely. We've been asking for that too. Um, so we absolutely can't table these things a week before starts because they're waiting to start. They've already got all the lesson plans at least in the beginning. They've got them going. They're ready. They have them. We aren't seeing them. They have We can't just table them because we don't have it. And to the who sits on the committee, who appoints
118members of the committee, our board president. That's how our rules, our policies are written. The board president decides who sits on a committee. Furthermore, as an example, our finance committee, who is on the finance committee here, great. But not everyone is on the finance committee, but everyone generally comes to the finance committee because it's important. I believe curriculum is important. I believe transparency for the public is important. And that's why I'm asking with this motion that the administration would give us their perspective on what we could what we could include in a curriculum committee, what the schedule would be. Um, when we had our failed committees from before with our policy committee, we were given by the administration, which I think as a committee we should have decided we we should have voted and and
119added more time, but we were given by the administration by the scheduling that they do 30 minutes. It's not exactly enough time. Probably not enough time for a curriculum committee either. Anyone who works on committee or curriculum would tell you 30 minutes is not to get us very far. Same thing with policies. Unfortunately, there was not enough time to work on that to actually be effective. A public meeting doesn't have to happen at 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. It can happen at 8 a.m., but it's still a public meeting. Public can get there or they can't get there, but at least there's meeting minutes. It's open. The agendas are posted and the meeting minutes are posted and the public is welcome. and then they can look at those. They can come if they can. There's nothing
120wrong with having a public meeting at 8 a.m. if that's the time that's chosen by administration. Again, so this is simply we as a board would like a little more time, insight, ability to help give direction, to be involved, to be in the know. That's right now this the list of things that the PSBA says if curriculum committee does, we're not doing them. It's it's not happening. So, I think we should be more involved. I think we should put the work in. I don't need to be on the curriculum committee at all. I will come maybe some I will pay attention. I don't have to be on the curriculum committee. I would really hope that you would like to be on a curriculum committee and be involved with your expertise and whoever else. Perhaps Mr.
121Myers could be because he knows a lot about curriculum and has been a teacher himself. Perhaps Mr. Wardle will be because he has been a teacher as well. Perhaps those would be good people to be on the curriculum committee. But at least it would be open. At least parents, public can come and they can say, "We love Romeo and Juliet. Please don't take Romeo Julia." And that's fine. I agree. I loved Romeo and Juliet, too. I didn't bring that up to say I didn't like it. I brought it up to say, is this the best? Is this order of things the best we can do? And and also really to point out that these other readings that I mentioned wants to say something. >> We have no way of Those are on the list. We're
122just not getting that information. >> Any other [clears throat] discussion? >> Oh, sorry, Mr. Yeah. >> Um, can I pose maybe a slightly different variation of this then? Um, because most of that curriculum work is happening over the summer and because we're hitting pretty heavy on what's coming in in August for that approval, I I know that some local boards have working meetings. Um would it be possible as a board for us to add maybe a summer or two working meeting that is focused on curriculum where we could maybe hear from some of the teachers as they're in as they're in the development piece of it. And so it's informative as the work's being done, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a full committee that the board is running. It's more focused on an
123information gathering so that all of us can gather that information. That would just be just be an idea that they're all there. >> Interesting points. Thank you, Mr. Foreman. >> Yeah, thank you, Alison. I think for me, Allison hits the nail the nail pretty pretty well on the head. Um, my biggest concern is I just don't get to see the stuff that I need to see to make the approval. Um, and I don't want to have to sit there and ask all the time either. Uh, it should just be given to us. And if a working session in the summer allows us to get to see the stuff be and ask questions before it ever comes to the board before we're in a a timeline crunch, that would be great. If a policy committee does
124the same thing, that would be great. Um, but that's my biggest concern is just not being able to see the stuff at a point that makes sense. Um, you know, like Julie said, we had a lot of curriculum to go through in a very short amount of time. And I know I was preoccupied on another project um that so it gets it gets to be and it the project was for the school but it gets to be a bit of an issue whenever you have to split your time up. Um so working sessions in the summer love the idea. Um see what the pass this tonight see what the administration comes up with. If we don't like it we can always vote it down. If we do like it we can vote it up. Um,
125in the meantime, Allison can team up with somebody and come up with uh in the administration and some other board members come up with the idea to do a summer work project. >> Yeah. Well, I I need to research this more and understand it more. I'd like the motion to table this discussion. >> Okay, we have a motion on the floor to table this. Do I have a second to table? I don't hear a motion. Just second the table. So the table motion dies. >> Can I call for the question? >> Call for the question has been called. That means we're ready to vote. Uh we need to vote on the motion to form a curriculum committee. Uh this would be a standing committee uh with three board members. That is that has been amended.
126Um so the motion was proposed by Mrs. Boo. It was second by Mr. Corman. Uh we're ready to vote. So, if you vote as I normally do the voting, all those in favor, I would assume are voting in the affirmative. That means you're voting yes to form a curriculum committee. If you vote no, then you're voting at this time or now that we're not going to form a curriculum committee and we'll move on with the rest rest of the agenda. So, your vote is either assumed that you're voting yes or you have to voice that you're voting no. Does anyone not understand what you're voting for? >> Point of information. Yes. >> Just make it clear. Um, the way it's worded, it sounds like we're waiting for the we're voting to have the administration come
127up with the committee and start the process. We're not actually voting to create the committee at this time, >> but we're voting to plan to organize a curriculum committee. That's what it says, >> but it would be a standing committee then. >> That's correct. That's what it says. They stand and commit. >> And then the final words, our administration will bring completed plans back to the board for final approval, which I said in September, which could be this later this month could be the first October when that's work is complete on their part. >> Right. But we're directing the administration to form a curriculum committee, which is a standing committee of this past. >> Mr. President, >> yes. >> So, I disagree with that understanding. The motion is for the administration to plan for >>
128ask >> bring plans back. We're asking for plans to be created is my understanding of this item. >> We're also >> final statement says >> but it says to plan and organize >> a curriculum >> right we're making a curriculum committee if this passes. So we're organizing committee creating >> organized would be created >> a curriculum committee and then we are asking for that plan and organization of the committee to be approved later which means the final approval of that committee will not be approved until it comes back. >> Okay anyone does not understand how they're voting either you're voting yes by assumption or you're voting no to not have curriculum committee call for the vote. >> One last question. There's still a chance that this will then be revoted. This could be voted down
129at a later time in September. >> Correct. >> It's possible. Yes. >> What this is? >> Okay. >> Correct. >> Okay. We can revote any motion at any time. >> So, this is just the administration hand plan. Hey, this is what a a small guideline of what one could look like or what we would like it to look like and then we revote on it at a later time in September or next month. >> Okay. Time to vote. All those in favor I assume are voting in the affirmative unless I hear a negative or abstain. >> No. >> One, two, three, four, and myself. Five. >> We voted no on the commission. [applause] >> Quiet, please. Thank you. >> Reading of sealed bids. Um, sealed bids were accepted through August 31st, 2026 for the property
130in Pine Road and Penn Township. Sealed bids were advertised to be public read at successful bidder and receive a simp receive fee simple title to the property by quick claim deed. Closing on the property shall occur within 60 days of the acceptance of the bid. The school district preserves the right to reject any and all bids and to wave any informality, infirmity, omission, detect, irregularly and disqualifying error on any bid. Mr. Kane, I have received two bids. They are both sealed. I'm going to open them now publicly. Uh, are we doing everything correct at this point? >> Yes, sir. >> Very good. I'll open this first one is direct district property bid received August 31st 2026 [laughter] >> and the Emmy goes to >> this the same firm that does the academy award >> that's
131right checking the shad on balance or something uh copy of public notice real estate sealed by sealed bids is basically what was posted. We did receive this by August 31st. This bid made check payable to Big Spring School District in the amount of $51. >> Mr. King, would you verify that please? >> I don't see the name on that, but you can find it for me, please. Second bid addressed to parcel number 3112.25. 25 acre lot >> district property bid listed below advertised property on Pine Road uh is bid buyer uh contact phone number I don't know I need to give the name but the uh check and closed and the bid is $310 >> I'm sorry bid amount $3,100 with 10% being presented this evening in a cashier's or a check tra treasures check.
132So we have a deposit amount of 310 included >> sold >> and a bid amount total of to be collected of 3100. Mr. King, would you verify this also please? Sure. >> You have the envelope to go. >> I do. >> So we have two bids. One for $51 as I read it correctly and one for $3,100. These were unbeknown to anyone here, including myself, until this evening. The bids were sealed. I was given them before tonight's meeting. Um, so at this point, I move to the second page of the agenda. [clears throat] Consideration of sealed bids. Consideration of accepting the highest and best offer for the district real estate on the Pine Road, Newville. Uh, this property is against the fence line. It's, if you've not seen it, it's presently in grass. It's kind
133of absorbed by other property. I guess at this point I think it has been used but it has in my opinion very little useful purpose unless there is a join to another property. Mr. King, are you satisfied with the bids as presented? >> Mr. W, this the first one had an additional page and a check in it. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry. >> That's all right. The first one is Joe Sher. >> Okay. >> And it says bid amount $510. Okay. Thank you. >> A check for 10% which would be $51. >> Thank you. >> So that would be that would [clears throat] be bid number one. And then bid number two is $3,100 and and a check for $310 which is 10%. So the higher bid is the 3100 um that's uh >> two.
134It's 2179 LLC. >> Okay. a limited liability corporation Ben Wilson. >> So 3100 is the tall bid. The short bid is $510. Both receive checks. So they both did the bidding process correctly. Uh Mr. King, are we at the point where we can approve one of these bids? >> Yes, sir. >> Do I have a motion from the floor to approve one of the bids tonight for consideration of the sale of the real estate on Pine Road? >> Motion to approve the Wilson bid. >> Thank you. That's the one for 3100, correct? >> Yes. Do I have a second to that motion? >> Second. Mrs. B. Uh, is there any other discussion? >> I would just make a comment that once we accept the bids and the transaction occurs, there is no liability incurred by
135the district. Is that correct, Mr. Kane? >> Yes, sir. >> So, we will relinquish the property. It's no longer ours and we have no liability on it. >> I'll send a deed out and Dr. get it notorized, get it signed and notorized, and we'll deliver it to the to the >> Thank you both for your help and comments. Okay, we have a motion on floor and a second to accept the bid for 3100. Do I have um Let's go. Is there any discussion? >> I have a question. >> Yes, Mr. Fisher. >> Obviously, I assume we're taking care of this, but there's I haven't heard um discussions of the compressive payment I don't know what the process is for that. If you have something I assume you have something in in play that's going to
136be >> they would have to pay the balance before they receive a deed. Is that correct, Mr. >> Okay. All I heard is we're sending the deed out once we got and all we have is 10% check. >> No, I I'm going to send the deed over here to the superintendent and we'll make arrangements with the buyer to pay the balance >> after completed. Gotcha. Okay. Understand. >> Thanks. >> Okay. I think the goal is to have it all completed before at least the first a year before. the district. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um >> need to make or we need to >> we need to >> any other discussion. >> One more question. Where does the fund where does the where's the revenue go? What uh what fund balance or what account does
137that go into then? >> Well, it would be received in the general fund. Correct me if I'm wrong, Dr. Brad. And once it's received, Christy, in the general fund, it would be earmarked as that money as a income statement or an income list and then it would be in the fund if we chose to do something special. >> That is correct. Do something special with the revenue or it could just sit in a miscellaneous revenue and at the end of the year when it closes out, it's going to close out into your fund balance. You would have more revenues than expenses. >> Thank you. >> Okay. No other discussion. All those in favor of accepting the higher bid of 3100, please signify or should we do a roll call vote, Donna, since it's property? >>
138Yes. Let's do a roll call vote, please. All those in favor, please raise your hand for the 3100 of the sale. I believe it is unanimous 90. Thank you uh for that and working through that process. And thank you to Mr. King and Dr. for finding this piece of property. I guess new business personnel action items 8A through 8F. Uh I'd like to combine them all into one motion is unless there's an objection. Hearing none. Um do I have a motion to approve 8A through 8F which are all personnel action items, please? Do I have a motion? >> Motion, Mr. Myers. Do I have a second? >> Second. Mr. Shay, is there any discussion? Hearing none, I assume everyone's voting in the affirmative unless I hear a negative or abstain. Moving on to 9A, recommended
139approval of contract agreements and membership. This is 9A, new business action item. Dr. Grante, superintendent, received communication regarding the following agreements and membership. Pennsylvania Principles Association agreement. River Rock Academy contract for reservation transportation services for alternative education for disruptive youth and Pennsylvania association of rural and small schools membership. Mr. Penner also uh requests approval of the following RS Entertainment Services contract DJ service on October 3rd for the high school homecoming dance. The administration recommends the board of school directors approve the agreements and membership invoice as presented. Do I have a motion, please? >> Motion. Motion, Mr. Myers. Do I have a second? >> Second, Mr. Shade. Dr. Grante, one small question. Uh, if you may, the contract for the DJ services that I think comes out of student council. Is that correct? Or is the
140>> Student activities fund. So, >> Mr. King and I worked that was that's been legally vetted as well in terms language. >> Thank you. So, it's not the district percent, it's the student activities fund that will pay that. And that's for the uh DJ for October 3rd for the homecoming dance. Any other discussion on these items? >> Yes. Mr. B. >> Um included in this list here is our River Rock Academy contract is would you say River Rock Academy is a successful venture for us. And I know we are reserving some spots. How many of those spots are we using? We're required to have a licensed partner on file. Um so at this point in time, we reserve spots. We've reduced that spots. Um I think we reduced them just about in half over the
141last three or four years. Um the the the issue becomes if you have a student that has a need and you don't have a spot, the student doesn't have a place to go. So um we look to find the most uh effective educational placements for students and uh we try to reserve the most economical but opportunistic for the students as well. So I would say right now it's a successful venture and we look at that from year to year to make sure that the aotment that we are asking the board to approve is the aotment that we utilize >> and one of those is in the old planefield school. Is that correct? Is that where one in River Rocks is? Smith, excuse me. Yes, that's one of the locations, but there are multiple locations. >>
142Yes, there are multiple locations >> and some of them depending upon a student's needs. >> That's [clears throat] correct. >> It's not just one sizefits all. Some students do better in a different environment to correct. >> Any other question, Mr. Good? >> Yeah. So, to clarify, we are prepaying for 18 spots >> and giving them a lump sum which which we pay over the months of the year. So, we are giving roughly 36 for each student and this is a private for-profit company that is doing this successful education for >> correct >> and that's I think a great deal um because we're that's only about 10,000 more per student than what we as a district if you divide our budget by the actual students we're educating that's only about 10,000 more than what we are
143paying for each of our students which is pretty good especially when like my student for example in one class and one sport. So that includes all the students hours works out to be 26,400 at some. So I think uh River Rock is doing a great job. >> We have a very good relationship with River and they also allow us to have some flexibility relative to elementary and secondary slots. So I know you see numbers on there, but if I were to call and we had exceeded the number of spots at the elementary school, they'll work with us to transfer one of the unused secondary slots to go to elementary. So appreciate your comments, Mrs. And some of these students are not there necessarily all year. Is that >> No, it's No, it's 45 45day placement
144and then it has to be reviewed, >> right? >> Yes. >> And they can't be placed by us or by court order. Is that correct? >> That's correct. >> Very good. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions, comments? >> I have another question about another of the topics listed here. The Pennsylvania Association of Lural and Small Schools. I know we talked about this in other years when we approved the 75 agreement that we have with them and that they are basically lobbying on behalf of us as as a small school district. Do you have any examples or anything that they share with you regularly of things that they are lobbying for or against on our behalf? >> Fair funding. That was the big one. >> Fair funding between like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, >> correct? Pittsburgh. >> And
145that's an ongoing litigation that we get regular updates on. They they also um lobby sorry I was actually >> I was supposed to have a presentation from them actually. They also um lobby some regarding um property tax relief and the impact of that on rural schools versus more urban schools which is heavily impacts our district. >> Cyber charter reform as well. They were heavily active in that. Yes. Any other discussion on 9A? Hearing none, I assume we're all voting the affirmative on these contracts and I hear a negative or abstain. 9B recommended approval of proposed new policy investments. Mr. King shared some information earlier this evening. Looking at the money that we have that we can invest it properly so one, it's safe and two to give us the best return. The administration recommends the
146board of school directors approve the new policy as presented. Do I have a motion please? >> Motion. Motion, Mr. Myers. Do I have a second? >> Second, Mr. Shay. Is there any discussion? >> Yes. Go ahead, Mr. Sp. >> I know we discussed this earlier a little bit. Um, but during this meeting, I think it's important to mention and also clarify with our business manager if we are to approve this investment policy as is written. Um, you mentioned the PSD LAF. Um, and we also mentioned that we have some savings coming due. Would there be any changes that you would have to put in place if we prove this investment policy as is from what we are doing currently? >> I'd defer to this. >> Only thing that I saw in the policy I guess
147that I would have questions on is it says in there that the board annually will adopt the investment plan 60 days after budget. So were was this policy being developed? We're well past 60 days of our current year. So is it just trying to investment [snorts] then to the board as soon as possible um this year and then every year after that it would be within that 60. >> Thank you Mr. Men. Thank you Mr. King. Thank you Mrs. Booth. Any other discussion on the investment policy? >> Can I just have a question? >> Yes M. Um so where it says just because I know this was mentioned earlier um including avoidance of concentration of credit risk, market risk and interest rate risk. Does that mean that we are not investing in any mutual funds
148as a district? Is that that clarifies or >> that means >> that would be that would be up to the board but okay [clears throat] >> my advice would be not to. >> Okay. So that's not included as part of this policy though. It's not mandatory, but it would certainly be part of the investment policy that this policy will require an investment strategy, if you will, >> once a year. So, okay. That'll come before you now as a result of this policy. >> Okay. Got it. >> So, I think that's what the auditors were trying to accomplish. Um, and and so this policy will do that. >> Okay. Yeah, that was that was my understanding, too. I just didn't see that specific, but there's another policy coming after this policy. [laughter] Okay. Thanks, Thank you.
149Any more discussion on the investment policy? I assume we're all voting in the affirmative. We also hear negative abstain. 9C recommended acknowledgement of additional CRI employees. Christ transportation has submitted additional drivers for 2627 school year. The administration recommends the board of school directors acknowledge receipt of the additional employees for Christ transportation. Do I have a motion, please? >> Motion. Mr. Myers. Do I have a second? >> Second. Mr. appreciate. I would just like to comment. I spoke to several of the drivers this past week. Uh seemed like they were happy. Seemed like things were going well. Uh Dr. Grante, I think you made a few comments with me that transportation was going rather smoothly. Is that correct? >> Now, you're stealing part of my end result. So, we're just expediting the process, but absolutely. Yes.
150Um between our own Department of Transportation with Mrs. Lent leading the charge and and Mrs. Deutsch and the CRI's employees. Tell you what, they they've been on site. They have been timely. They have been responsive. And uh I sometimes under understate the value that that has on morale. And uh the first day of school, the buses were out. I was at a particular school and they were looking at the clock and they're like, "It's 4:10 and all the buses are gone." [laughter] >> And that's still late, >> but it's different than 4:45. Um so they have done a tremendous job in terms of being proactive, responsive and um having autonomy over their drivers. So it's been great >> and at this time we've had very few occurrences of pickup not pick up or time or
151kids missing buses or >> and I and I I uh applaud the board for purchasing the um software that certainly has helped that onboarding has helped. That's given a little bit more guidance. Uh and we have every bus route covered. We have our van routes covered and I mean right now it's going pretty smooth so I'd rather stop talking about it and >> uh motion and second to approve the additional employees. Um any other discussion hearing? None. >> Same thing. Bus has been great for my child. So I really appreciate doing great. >> Yeah. Knock on what is right. [laughter] >> I assume we're all voting in the affirmative unless I hear a negative or abstain. I haven't heard any complaints. >> PTO PTO audit letters for 2526. We received one from Mabel Van for
152Oakflat PTO. Uh financial reports were accepted with auditing standards for following building. The administration recommends the board of school directors accept the PTO audit letter as presented. Do I have a motion, please? >> Motion, Mr. Myers. Do I have a second? >> Second, Mr. Shade. Any discussion? Hearing none, I assume we're all voting in affirmative to accept the audit from the Oaklat PTO. Yes, I hear a negative or abstaining. 9E approval for several field trips high school world language level students to New York City on Monday, December 14th, requested by Dr. Michael Kins, high school principal, uh to go to the United Nations headquarters in the Museum of Modern Art Art. Mr. Penner, director of athletics and student activities, is requesting permission for advisor and student travel to the following events. October 20th to 24th,
153the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. February 20th to 21st, the ASUS Conference in Harrisburg. March 14th and 16th, 2027, the SLLC conference in Harrisburg. And June 8th to 10th to the FFA state competitions in State College. The administration recommends the board of school directors approve the field trips and student travel as presented. Do I have a motion, please? >> Motion, Mr. Myers. Do I have a second? >> Second, Mr. Shay. Is there any questions or discussion? Hearing none. I Yes. >> Mr. Price, there's not any other discussion. Um, when we talked about sending children to Washington DC last year, there was a lot of discussion about what would we do. First of all, it was unprecedented to send teachers out that long of a day. Um, at this point is up to New York City.
154Looks like they leave at 5:30 a.m. and return at 11 p.m. So, I'm not sure if we will if that is if these teachers will be compensated for those additional hours of pay. I think that the big difference between this proposed trip and last year's discussion was this has already been premeditated and planned and and last year's discussion was more impromptu. So this is within contractual guidelines. So there's no there's no pay outside of value. >> Teachers won't be paid for extra hours for that school day. >> No. >> Is that because they volunteered to do so or because there are >> because it's because it's been pre it's been prepaid and curriculum based. Yes. Um, so as far as cost for the school district, I saw the students will be paying a sub substantial
155amount for the trip. So we aren't paying teachers any extra. There's nothing that's as far as school is going to be responsible for for transportation costs or what is the overall cost for that trip? >> I do not know the overall do not know the overall cost. >> I can get that to you though. >> Um, there was also a lot of talk whenever we were planning the Washington DC trip that oh my goodness, these people that are going on this might need special planning to have training for how to be prepared for the violence that they might encounter in Washington DC. Um I saw that they are going to be having lunch in Time Square where just yesterday two were stabbed, one died which were random which is a random st random thing. This
156woman did not know these people. She had a mental health crisis and she ended up being shot and killed by police. Also a few days prior to that, a man set himself on fire within three miles of this area. He's currently in the hospital. did survive, but he may be released on bail by the time this trip happens. Um, if something were to occur to our staff or students while on this trip, and our staff are currently not even getting paid past their seven and a half hours contracted. Um, what is the board liability for something like that? believe it's covered under our insurance provisions as the Washington DC trip ended up being covered under our insurance provisions. Um, and is would a consent where the parents go out giving any additional details such as
157the crime rate in New York City or giving them an additional idea that there are additional risks at New York City? >> We we we typically do not share that type of information. I don't believe we shared it during the Washington DC trip either. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Any other discussion on the field trip and student travel? >> Hearing none. Uh I'm going to abstain from voting because the FFA has asked me to take them to Indianapolis. Uh it's kind of a long ride, but uh I will not be voting on this motion. Any other uh discussion? Hearing none, I assume everyone's voting in the affirmative unless I hear a negative or abstain. and I would be obscene. 9F recommended approval of athletic sponsors. Scott Penner, director of athletics and student activities,
158requests approval of the following athletic sponsors. Um, Graham Medical, Glow Ghetto Studio, RRI Design, Meyers Landscaping, DHL Supply Chain, Big Spring Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, and Salesman Use PC Attorneys at Law. The administration recommends the board of school directors approve the athletic sponsors as presented. Do I have a motion, please? >> Motion, Mr. Myers. Do I have a second? >> Second, Mr. Shade. Is there any discussion? >> Yes, Mr. Myers. >> I don't think [clears throat] I don't think I need to abstain, do I? Dr. Grante, it's not an expenditure. It's >> correct. As a sponsorship. >> Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? Wait a motion to second. I assume we're all voting in favor to approve the um athletic sponsors unless I hear a negative or abstain. 9G recommended approval of
159fundraisers. Carissa Nese Middle School principal requests the following. Uh Cherry Dale Seasons of Joy Gourmet Cookies September 10th to the 24th with delivery November 4th to benefit the middle school students. Spirit wear fundraiser November 2nd to 20th benefit student council. Valentine Carnation and Candygram fundraiser week of February 1st to benefit student council. Flip your page, please. Uh Scott Penner, director of athletics and student activities, requests approval for Bear Acres fall mom sale, September 2nd to 30th benefits cheer program. The administration recommends the board of school directors approve the fundraisers as presented. Do I have a motion, please? >> Motion, Mr. Myers. Do I have a second? >> Second, Mr. Shade. Is there any discussion? I have a question. >> Yes. >> Um, on the first item, it says the Cherryale J Cherry fundraiser September 10th.
160Um, it says to benefit the middle school students. Do we know if this is a PTO fundraiser or if it just benefits that goes to the middle school account? Do we know? >> I do not know that off the top of my head. I can get clarification for you. Donna, do you remember what the request was made? >> Okay. I just request that if it is a PTO, if it is stated, >> it's designated as such. >> It is designated. >> Okay. Yeah, we can do that. >> Thank you. >> I'll let I'll let you know. >> Do you want to strike that until we get clarification or start September 10th? >> You can have a bunch. >> Yeah. >> Should I make an amendment? >> September 10th, which is before the next meeting. So,
161if we strike it out, they'll have to change their dates. Correct, Dr. if they want to refer it. That's correct. Yes. >> I'm okay if they just clarify and make sure that when the parents are notified that it states PTO or >> correct or designates where it is intended to go. We can do that. Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Sh. Thank you, Mr. Still. Any other questions? >> Okay. Uh 9G, approving all fundraisers as presented. Unless I hear a negative or abstain, I assume you're all voting in the affirmative. 9H recommended approval of WAN internet services through the Capitol Area Intermediate Unit. Um, as of February 17, 2026, the board of school directors approved the letter of commitment with Capital Area Intermediate Unit for Internet Access, content filtering, and firewall monitoring
162services to all district buildings. The CIU has concluded the bid process to determine final consortium pricing. The technology department recommends the approval of a 5-year agreement with the capital area intermediate unit, which is a decrease of approximately $2,200 per year. The solicitor has also reviewed the agreement. The administration recommends the board of school directors approve the 5-year agreement with Capital Area Intermediate for Internet Access, content filtering, firewall, and monitoring services. Do I have a motion, please, to approve? >> Motion, Mr. Myers. Do I have a second? >> Second, Mr. appreciate. Um, Mr. King, you've looked at this and this helps us with liability as well as just good stuff to have in place to protect our district, correct? >> Yes, sir. >> Very good. And Dr. Bronte, you feel very comfortable. Good. >> Yes. >>
163That seems like a great thing. And also a $2,200 decrease for what they're providing, especially our internet. Um, and for the five years, does the price stay the same or it's a gradual increase? We don't know. Dr. Prote does the price stay the same or >> yeah without year without knowing the yearto-ear I don't >> okay but we save at least $2,200 per >> correct >> it's a cons it's a consortion rate based on the IU >> very good Mr. Corin. >> Yeah, the IU rates are some of the best we can get. I don't think we're going to find anything better. I think Allison will agree with that. She's been there. She knows what it's like over there. >> Very good. We had a motion to second. Any other discussion? Hearing none, I assume
164we're all voting in the affirmative for the CIU for our internet and filtering unless I hear a negative abstain. Recommended approval of capital project payment. The following invoice for brick reforming project approved April 20th 2026 meeting is presented for payment in the amount of $67,890 to structural restoration services. Also, Mccclur company invoice number one um for the plant fuel switch project approved at the June 26 meeting um with payment with general fund and from the assigned fund balance. The administration recommends the board of school directors approve the capital project. Do I have a motion, please? >> Motion, Mr. Myers. Do I have a second? >> Second, Mr. Shay. Any discussion? I would just like to report I spent a little time here the other day and I met some of the gentlemen that was doing
165the repointing and I said, "You guys have a lot of patience. You might want to be teachers." He said, "No, I've been doing this. I'm 77 and he's still repointing the brick on our school." And I said, "I graduated from here." He said, "I probably repointed to Brick Bank." So he he was 77, had his tri in hand, was doing an excellent job repainting the brick on his side of the boat. 77 years old and seemed to really enjoy what he was doing. So um any other discussion hearing none, I assume we're all voting in the affirmative unless I hear a negative negative or abstain. That concludes the regular business items for this evening. We'll move into information items. Uh we have some leave requests there for individuals. We have contracted staff updates. Uh long-term
166teacher substitute. Uh Dr. Trisha Ree, student services provide the contract staff updates. Uh 10 C proposed new policy on evidence storage and security of property. We heard about that in executive session. Uh revised 2023 24 audited financial statements are there for us to look at. Tenure status. Uh we have an individual there. proposed job description for director of special education. That is an opening and we will be rece they'll be that'll be presented at the September 21st meeting and we're still looking for the right candidates once that u job description is approved. Is that correct? >> The position is currently posted. >> Excuse me. Yeah, >> we'll wait and see what applications we get and then go through that process. >> Thank you. Okay. Board reports. Mr. Brown, Mr. Steo, athletic council. Next meeting October
1677th. >> Next meeting October 7th. Very good. Building and property, Mr. David Fischer. >> Anything special? >> Nothing on meeting October 5th. >> October 5th is next. >> October 5th. The next meeting and that is before our board meeting if I'm correct on it. Is that correct? Thank you. Uh Capital Are Unit. I know you're kind of on standby, Alison, but you're very involved. Anything to share there? >> No, nothing at this time. >> Very good. um come up area CTC currently we have 109 students participating in that program I showed you pictures under the committee the whole I would say things are going very very well and uh I believe there'll be an appropriate time if you'd like to take a tour either you could do it with me or Mr. Wolf um it
168is quite the facility to see for our students uh finance committee meeting Mr. Shade, anything? >> Um, next meeting is October 19th. >> Very good. And I think that's before our board meeting also. Future ready comprehensive plan. Uh, Mrs. Shade, Mrs. Booth, anything. >> South Central Trust. Mr. Corman. >> Nothing at this time. >> Thank you. Tax collection, Mr. Fischer. >> Well, my paperwork here says next meeting July 14th, but since that's passed, I'm going to assume it's October 13th. >> Correct. Very good. Very good. Thank you. uh wellness committee, Mrs. Malot, Mr. Corman, PSVA voting delegates, Mr. Brown, Mr. Corman, thank you. You have a meeting on November 7th. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. >> Very good. And I wanted to also point out, thank you to Mrs. Booth. She's going to vote
169for us, help me, Donna, on our delegate to Okay, I saw it. You sent me a memo. >> We still Thank Mrs. B. >> Yes. >> You were going to cast a ballot >> profusely. >> What what I noticed was you didn't have any choice. You just voted for who was on the ballot. There was no vote. It said vote for two and there were two names. We'll make sure you get that. But you're you're voting on it on behalf of the board. It was rather quick turnaround. >> Nothing came to me. >> All right. I'll look in my emails. I have a lot. I've seen those before, but I don't know that I got it this way. >> Well, and it specifically said your name to cast the ballot for the district. And I
170said, "Oh, Julie will take care of that." Okay. >> And it went to your email address. >> It went to my email address. So, >> there's the first red flag. >> That's [laughter] right. >> I'll find it. I'll find it. Yeah. I thought it was PSBA, but maybe I'm wrong. It was for the the board or something. >> Yes. Okay. Uh future board agenda items. Any superintendent report? Dr. Grante, sorry to steal some of your thunder, but >> no problem at all. I I commend our staff and our administration. We're off to a solid start to the school year. It concluded last Friday. Uh we had a wonderful Hall of Fame ceremony at the LBJ game. Chartwells did an absolutely economical and efficient job in terms of providing the spread for them to to mingle
171and socialize with each other. Um, inductees for the Hall of Fame were the uh 2012 PIAA state champion softball team, Rick Gilliam, Lesto Stove, and John J. Dunorth. Uh, that was a very good ceremony. Packed house, too. Not a seat to be had. Obviously, everybody should know at this point in time, we did win the LBJ and the cup back because um that's three out of the last four years to get the job. And that was previous to that, it was 11 years without getting it at all. So we'll we'll we'll bask in that glow a little longer. Uh brick reappointing as Mr. Wardle mentioned is about 50% done. Most of the grinding is done. So there should be minimal disruption to the educational process but they are very diligent in terms of filling in
172uh the mortar. Uh the last board meeting there was a question about sealant. Uh there will be sealant applied. We had to choose the color of the sealant. So there is sealant on there now. it is being stripped and then we'll reapply another sealant. So, we talked about sun exposure and sunf facing. Uh the middle school boiler project is is going rather well as as well. Um I had previously stated, Mr. Hibsteel asked a question that we had two boilers. I misspoke. We have four boilers at each of our sites and we added an additional two here at the middle school to be able to provide enough fuel to support uh the transition to uh propane filing uh for fire and boilers. Uh you have your enrollment listed there. Active enrollments are in person is
1732245. We have 215 for cyber that has been relatively stable if not a little bit lower than uh last year. And we have 109 CTC students. Be putting out a message this week. We have no school this Friday, no school Monday for Labor Day holiday. It's all I have, Mr. Order. >> Thank you, Dr. Grande. Second public comment. Is there any public comment at this time? Yes. I I I wanted to give a a slight history lesson. Um you remember the DC trip that took I don't know maybe nine months to come about almost a year. I think Miss Booth was working on it for a year. And there was all this hand ringing and worrying, oh our kids won't be safe. And none of you had any clue that DC was like one of
174the safest cities. But oh, they're all worried. But you know, you guys had no problem just sending them to New York City, which actually is having some issues. So I'm just wanting to point out that you were very disingenuous, kind of hypocritical, but very disingenuous in your concerns and you just slowwalked it because I don't know. And then once it happened, you were all like, "Oh, you're all on board all along." So, I just I just it's worth pointing out and you might want to reflect on that. The second thing I want to point out, um, it's a question with the internet service. It it said, well, which one was it? You just voted on it. I just wanted to get a little clarification on it. Where was the internet one that we just voted?
175>> 9H >> H. Very good. Yes. It says a 5-year agreement with the CIU for internet access content filtering, firewall, and monitoring service. Dr. Grante, what kind of content are we filtering out? >> I can answer that question or at least impartially. >> Okay. >> I don't remember. I don't know the specifics, but I can say from experience. I sat here, I think it was the item before that, approval of fundraisers, and I clicked on season of joy, the link, and I got access to nine. So, I thought, okay, interesting. So, I clicked on the other one, gourmet cookies and more access to nine. So, I can't answer in full. There's probably a better answer, but it's >> some sites at least. Wait, we're censoring on our internet? >> Is denied? >> Dr. Grande, are
176you okay with that? That we're censoring kids with our internet? Are are you guys saying that there is stuff that isn't appropriate for kids at a certain age that you don't want them to see? Are you serious? Maybe we should do that with Edgar Alan Poe. You heard what was read tonight. Well, the point behind that is we do filter stuff age appropriateness. We do censor. And you all agreed that that was a good thing. You censor our children from harmful things. Like you should perhaps maybe there are a few other things that you should censor them from because not everything is appropriate for a child including what and and thank you for reading that. um including Agar Allen Poe for some of his pieces. Thank you. [applause] >> Business from the floor. Board member
177comments. Mr. Fisher. >> Nothing. Mr. Corman. >> Uh yeah. Um we learned a lot tonight. Uh there was a lot of very interesting discussion. I've learned that our job is just to say yes to whatever the administration brings up. I guess we're just a rubber stamp. We're not supposed to look into everything. That might be, Correct me if I'm wrong, Julie, but wasn't there a financial report that's supposed to be updated every month that people were just saying yes to that had not been updated? Am I correct on that? >> When we first got on the board. >> Yep. That's what I thought. So maybe we shouldn't be just saying yes to everything and actually looking into things. Um on another note, um I'm not partial to Edgar Allen Poe. I preferred Lord Byron. I
178think his poems are better >> or the darkness. Um and then on another note, um I actually attended the LGB the L the little brown drug game because I'm not going to be able to say the acronym. I thought I actually attended the game. It was awesome. Um, Dr. Grante, let the players know, don't don't keep us on the line at the end like that. Like, [laughter] they took it down to the very wire, didn't they? >> They kept it interesting, that's for sure. >> Yeah. So, congratulations to the team. Um, I'm glad our year got off to a great start. I'm going to knock on wood again because I'm going to congratulate the bus crew for everything that they're doing. and let's make sure this is a blessed year [snorts] going forward. >> Thanks,
179Mr. Carman. Mr. Brown, >> I know they left, but the terramis was awesome. I think I'm the only one who picked out ate it. Sorry, everybody. [laughter] But it was delicious. >> Um, more events like that. Just saying. [laughter] You want to get your field trip approved, you know, it's kind of the way to do it. But no, that was great. Thank you very much to the students and staff members who provided that. And that's great to see their trip. I know it seems like it was days ago that we talked about that trip, but here we are. So, um, Newville first day of school was awesome. I got a chance to be out there to welcome the students back to Newville Elementary. Uh, provided some sweet treats to the staff and teachers to thank
180you, thank them for their hard work and dedication and the and the custodial staff there. So, it was great to see the students mostly happy to be back. I know my son sitting in the back there was not extremely thrilled, but he's top dog fifth grader now. So, as he's as he's rolling his eyes at me and putting his hands in the air. So, um, few cheers, mostly tears for mom and dad. So, I think next year if I go out and do it, awesome. Tissue boxes for mom and dads to, uh, you know, kiss their kids goodbye to kindergarten. And crazy with some third grader moms and dads, too, are still not adjusted to letting their kids go to school. So, it was also great to see our our resource officer out there welcoming
181the students back and giving knuckles and high fives. Uh there was one student that was having some trouble adjusting letting go of mom and dad and him and I gave him a armed escort to his door and it was kind of nice just to see him open up and realize you know there are adults and and parents out there that that care for their students. So it was just a great experience and and thank you to the staff for and and Mr. Wonders for allowing me to be there that day. It was a great experience and I just I keep saying it was a great experience. So, thank you very much and here's hoping for a great school year um all around and go band and go sports. >> Thank you, Mr. Brown. Mr. a
182lot. >> I just appreciate hearing about the experiences that our students have had and are going to have and anything gives it we're a fairly small district and um the things that we offer for our students I think are very meaningful and the idea that I mean I'm going to be really honest when they said about teaching the middle schoolers to Italy I was like oh my gosh like that sounds terrifying to me. Um, but you know, it's well organized and I appreciate the effort that our our teachers and staff put into building those experiences. >> Thank you for that. Mr. Myers. >> Yeah, I had uh some questions about the the drop off and pickup at the middle school. Uh, so I came in the first day um that morning, first day, and it
183went very smooth. I was actually happily surprised at how well it went. >> Uh kids smiling, getting out of the car. There was one that had a little, you know, kiss goodbye, which was shy, but it it went real well. And uh I even heard that if it is inclement weather, we're going to have umbrellas for >> so kids are you're welcome to join us for dismissal to walk up that hill made even more efficient with >> we want the best of that hill in snow. >> Thank you Mr. Sh. >> I'm going to play off of Frank. >> Congratulate the high school on their drop off and pick up procedures. It is a [clears throat] well greased wheel, I'll tell you. It was spectacular in and out. The the the two police officers were
184there, the traffic directors. It was just I mean I am in and out of here in 5 minutes. It is amazing. So um I think it's running really well and just uh congratulations to the team on the LBJ that I was at the game as well. It was great great experience. So, I hope everybody's having a great start to leave. >> Glad you weren't at the high school first day >> because that was not the comments that were shared. So, I appreciate the fact that we got better. >> Thank you, Mr. Shade. Mrs. B. >> Thank you. First, I am from Upper Mlet, not South Newton or whatever earlier. [clears throat] Um, And just because I'm from upper Mifflin Township doesn't mean that the things that I say are always necessarily bad. So this brings
185me back to what I mentioned earlier where, you know, sometimes things aren't always just bad or good. Sometimes there's an in between. You know, there's a good, better, and best. And um, you know, New York City trip to the United Nations building might be good. Um, we passed that. We have a clue on what the cost would be to the district. Um, but we passed a Washington DC trip where we could go to audition our children could go to our nation's capital, but at that point we needed the full cost. I would say personally I think the Washington DC trip is the best. Um, we also made some decisions tonight on the possibility of curriculum committ. Um now we have a short time to see just some of the curriculum and we are forced by
186time that is aotted in order to approve it sometimes without transparency or much time for discussion. Um, I thought it would be better, maybe even best if we could meet some of those points on the PSBA's list of things that we as a board could um accomplish and help with our governance of our district and be aware of and we could have a curriculum committee where we would have more transparency and planning and time for discussion like 72% of the districts in the state seem to find value and I think that would be maybe best. Um I think that paying down debt is really good. Um but when you have opportunities for investing your money that you have in the bank and making interest um and the interest is higher than the debt interest that
187you're paying, then making some interest is good. >> [snorts] >> Um, but I also think, and this goes to how I was raised, that having money guaranteed in a bank, it's the best. That's very important. Um, so even if it means that we have to change some of our practices to ensure that our money is in institutions that the FDI will will guarantee or that we have written agreements with them, that is the best because we cannot afford to lose our constituenc's money that they've given us in advance. Um, so I'm thankful that we were able to that policy. So now we as a board annually will have the opportunity to make good decisions with our with the money that we are we are voted for to be good stewards of and that's been a
188very important factor for me being on the board. um to the item 10D. The error that was discovered, [snorts] I was reading over old um audits and discovered that error was written in an opposite way of what the math was done, which was very alarming. Um it was an error of 39 over $39,000. Um and it originally said that in that year that the that they found the error it had been um the expenditures were overstated. So the expenditures we overstated meaning we had 39,000 less than what we thought but really they should have used the word understated because that was what the math showed. So we through several emails I was able to clarify with the administration that yes indeed we had understated the expenditures that year and for some reason our previous audit
189which was available online for everyone to see had a mismatch in language and math. Very big deal especially if someone's going to review that and wonder oh is it possible that we have 39,000* 2 extra hanging out in an account but noted on our state list anymore. I'm glad that we were able to get that fixed. Um, back to the good, better, best. We had our new auditors take a look so they could confirm what I had suspected as a issue with this statement in the on page 61 of this audit and they were able to do the best job and able to fix it. So, thank you to them for for doing that. >> [clears throat] >> Um, I got a CCA mailer in the mail a few maybe a month ago or so.
190I won't show it too carefully because I don't want you to see the wonderful points that they have made on here. Um, soon we may have to have our own mailer. We have to be selling what we can offer here. We are offering a good product. Um, we are putting $26,000 into each and every one of our students. what our budget is allowing and we should have a good product. I think we um and advertising that in fact you know my students have taken advantage of great flexibility. We have great flexibility that we offer similar to what students could have at CCA with our moon cycle that we have here and other options for our students in our high school. Um opportunities for dual enrollment and advancing themselves so that they are prepared for life.
191um and lots of other opportunities that our high school offers. We could literally right now be making our own mailer to send out to the 130 plus 85 students that have chosen to enroll elsewhere because we do have a lot to offer and I'm really uh thankful that we have started our year off well and safely and um I just look forward to a safe and successful school year. >> Thank you, Mrs. Mr. >> I just wanted to congratulate the uh football team for their win and uh also thank the uh staff, administration and all the members that um provide well that made this start of the school year so great. Um there's a lot of work and effort that goes into the start of the school year and it's obvious that uh things went
192out went off without a without a problem. So, I want to thank everybody for their hard work and effort. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Ste. Um, just a few general comments. First of all, I want to congratulate not the football team, even though they're fantastic, but also the golf team. I think they've had two successful matches against eight or nine teams and won both of them. Um, I was pleasantly surprised surprised yesterday uh to visit after school and I talked to the cheerleaders. I talked to the field hockey. But what was most impressive is Chartwells was serving snacks and meals to kids after school before they had their athletic events or projects or the band or whatever else. And they had a full menu. I had a soft pretzel. I could have had
193a hot dog. I could have had chips, snacks, cookies, whatever. It was great. Um I also yesterday spent about 6 hours in our buildings and when I was down at the um elementary school right down here below us the electricity went off but within seconds the generators kicked on. We don't know why but they kind of went off on all the buildings but it seemed like we were well prepared and thanks to the maintenance and the foresight for the district. Um Tuesday I spent the day at BCH um looking at all the programs and making sure that those students were kind of ready to roll and they were they were doing very well. And lastly, uh, a lot of times we think of a new year being in January, but the new year actually started
194a week ago. And you know, a new year is excitement for the kids. Um, I was at the corn festival on Friday. My wife drove me there, dragged me there, and I saw these kids with 20 with 30 on them. And I'm thinking, why would the kids have 30? What player is number 30? But that was the year they were going to graduate. The seniors were going to graduate in 30. there's kind of a step back 2030 that's only four years away. >> Uh so our seniors are looking forward to that. Um that the ones that are ninth graders will look forward to that. But to each of our students, they are lucky for the teachers, for the administrators, for the custodians, for the bus drivers, for everyone in the process to give to them.
195And for the students, I hope you take that to heart that, you know, we're giving you the best we can. Uh we can always do better. We can always try to be the best. But, uh, winning winning the game on Friday night and seeing the picture of there had to be 250 kids taking the picture together was just amazing. Uh, to see the spirit and the hometown feel. Thank you very much. Do I have a motion to close? >> Motion, Mr. Myers. Do I have a second? >> Second, Mr. Shake. There is no discussion. I assume we're all voting in the affirmative unless I hear a negative or abstain. Thank you. Meeting adjourned.