ASD Committee of the Whole / Regular Board Meeting 06/26/2025

001Good evening. I'd like to call to order the finance committee of the whole meeting finance committee of the whole meeting of the board of directors of the school district for the city of Allentown for today, June 26, 2025. Prior to tonight's meeting, anformational executive session was held. The purpose of the executive session was to engage informational updates presented to the board on a number of district initiatives as well as confidential matters pertaining to personnel, confidential matters pertaining to student litigation,formational updates and discussion with council pertaining to district real estate and costs associated with the neighborhood improvement zone. Confidential safety presentation is required by act 55 and anformational update with council regarding negotiations with the teamsters union. The board welcomes and invites public comment. You may address the board on agenda and or non-aggenda items. The

002first opportunity for comment is at the beginning of the meeting and is limited to agenda items only. Comment cards must be received by the start of the meeting which is now. We will not be receiving public Once the meeting begins, a copy of the public comment policy is located on the table next to the comment cards. According to our board's policy, any person may address the board in accordance with the procedures and limitations of this policy, either on issues presented in resolutions being considered or on other matters affecting the administration, management, or operation of the district. Remarks of personal nature directed against any individual will be ruled out of order. If you choose to address the board, please fill out a comment card and hand it to the board secretary, Mr. Simson. Common cards are

003located at the podium near the door. Once recognized, please come to the podium. State your name and address for name and address for the record. Superintendent. Yes. Thank you. Good evening, school board directors. Uh to my team, to all our community friends and members, good evening. So, I'm going to say all my comments. this meeting that's okay before we get officially started. I want to just reflect on the past few weeks. It's been an incredible few weeks here in the Allentown School District. It's been busy but exceptionally rewarding and I want to thank all our entire faculty, staff, administration for all your hard work and just for my team here. Please join me in giving them a round of applause for endear strong. Last week, we celebrated and recognized and conferred,450 sensational, creative, talented, gifted,

004lovely, handsome young people who graduated from our high school. Give them a round of applause. I want to thank Miss Mat, Miss Con, Miss Harris, Miss Brown, Mr. Bersio, Miss Sierra, Mr. for joining us in the celebration of shaking all those hands last week. So, thank you very much. And for our school teams who did a sensational job having students present and it was very well done and very professional and so great. No one was really happy about wearing their academic regalia initially superintendent. That was her vision for this but fantastic. So, thank you. Uh tonight we um We as a district we celebrated Junth along with our colleagues across the city. So we're we're happy we were able to participate in festivities. We thank uh Mr. Traverio, Miss Phoebe and others who uh were

005part of those celebrations as well as our team members um at the district as well as the school level. Um there were coaches, 10 of our coaches were recognized for their hard work and commitment uh to their and across the community for their uh civic engagement and service. So we are really proud of that. So give them a round of applause. We want to thank the Junth All Committee uh for your hard work and vision to celebrate Junth across the district. We as we conclude this academic year, we think our fiscal year as a collective community, we've made some great progress and I'm very grateful and humbled to serve as such sensational leaders, new school board directors, as well as to our entire learning community, teachers, leaders, students, faculty, and staff. And tonight, I just

006want to give us uh the overview and show some of the accomplishments that we've made that are aligned with our strategic plan, lighting the way of blue innovation and excellence. Here are our accomplishments for this past academic year. During the 2023 2024 academic year, more than 9,000 members of our learning community made a bold commitment to ignite a new era in the Allentown School District through the development of our strategic plan, lighting the way, a blueprint for innovation and excellence 2030. Today I'm here to highlight some of the progress we've made on delivering on the priorities and goals that we've made together. We have made some strides as we remain laser focused on our commitment to academic excellence, student well-being, and creating pathways for every learner within our organization, including the adults. Academically, we've made

007modest gains in literacy and mathematics performance, and our students are outperforming previous benchmarks. We continue to stay focused on the focus, which is high expectations, rigorous and meaningful learning experiences, and continuous improvement. As a district, we are dedicated to improving the schooling experience for all students and personalizing learning so that students feel a sense of belonging and connected to school. As a learning community, we continue to work to reduce chronic absence rates. While some schools still lag behind the state's proficiency rates and our standardized test scores remain flat, we have 12 schools that have distinguished themselves and they have demonstrated at least a 70 academic growth score on the English language arts PSSA literature keystone. Lehigh Parkway Elementary School was named one of the best elementary schools by US News and World Report and is

008the number one elementary school in Allentown. In addition to our focus on academics, we're committed to building stronger relationships with our students and are focused on the whole child. We have enhanced our offerings to support our students psychological, physical, mental, and emotional safety. By expanding mental health services, we have established partnerships with Hazel Health Counselor and local behavioral and physical health providers. And we welcomed 16 new social workers to our team. As a community, we decreased suspension rates in our secondary schools. And in just one year, we opened three new theme-based schools, creating forwardthinking pathways where students can connect passion to purpose from early childhood through graduation. We are working collaboratively with our community to open our first theme-based high school, creating pathways for students in computer science, allied health, and artificial intelligence. And we

009are proud that our family engagement efforts continue to grow in the district through events and initiatives. We are building true partnerships that engage and empower families and community leaders. We are thrilled that we will break ground on our family and community resource center, which will serve as a centralized location for families and the community, providing a range of services, including physical and behavioral health resources, workforce development, centralized enrollment and registration, and other service supports. This past year, we've made an intentional commitment to expand our parent teacher conferences so that families feel that they are true partners in helping us to increase academic outcomes. And as a result, we saw a 42% increase in participation in conferences this school year. As an organization, we are aware that our staff is one of our most valuable assets.

010We are committed to providing them with the support and resources they need to build on their growth and professional learning by launching leadership pipelines, enhancing our professional learning across all employee groups, and we negotiated new contracts that honor the vital work of each of our employees. Our fiscal health is stronger than ever. We are anticipating ending the year with a healthy fund balance and presenting a balanced budget without a tax increase. We've secured more than $12 million in additional federal, state, and private grant funding and donations. These resources will enhance our facilities improvements, strengthen our emotional and physical safety measures, help us to develop our theme-based schools, and strengthen our cyber security infrastructure. Technology is a powerful tool for learning. We are working to ensure that all our students have access to the technology and

011skills they need to compete and be successful in the 21st century learning environment. We are excited to announce that five of our schools will become Verizon Innovative Learning Schools this fall. As we look forward to the 2025 2026 school year, I invite you to share in the excitement and momentum as we continue to work together to ignite our students passion for learning and empower all members of our learning community to create the conditions that students have access to high quality learning, teaching and that they always feel safe, valued, empowered and loved. Let us continue to strengthen our partnership together. I am honored and grateful to serve as your superintendent and chief executive officer. We get better together. All of our strengths are needed for the children of Allentown. I want to thank everyone for all

012their hard work. um as a collective community we've worked really diligently to deliver on focusing on the focus and our team knows what that is and I think um when I was able to attend a convening with our madam president and we really embrace that concept of focusing on the focus that focuses our children and we are able to really deliver and create real deep partnerships and I want to thank our friends I know we have partners I would be if I did not acknledge my friend Miss Marcy who's here tonight who's been a true partner in helping us to exhibit execute on this work. So thank you so everyone back there. So thank you so much for helping us to make this reality. Thank you so much. And we have I'm just going to

013show so that you will have um you can bring book. We do have this captured because everyone knows back prides herself being a great teacher before I'm the CEO of this organization. So, we are differentiating so that if you want to read and not listen to our voices or see pictures, our flip book is on our website as well as on our social channels. So, you can study this. We have nothing else to do. You can study all the achievements that we've made and see yourselves and how we continue to move our district forward for the 16,700 sensational children. And we'll just show you the It captures all those things that we showed you in video based on our priorities. So here is our basically impact reports uh for the year. Um and so we

014will continue to share with you. We do provide the board weekly on our updates on our strategic plan. And so here's for our community and all our families stakeholders uh will have a copy of this and we hopefully sent it out to partners. So I hope this isn't the first time you seeing And this is where you flip through. It goes every area of each priority, all seven of them and all the actions that we've taken this year. So again, I want to commend everyone in our team who's listening, who's watching as well on YouTube. Great job, Bravo. I'm so excited to serve with you. Just give another truly want to thank thank our families for allowing us to each of you and be in partnership with you. And I I have to commend my

015family and uh family team, my family advisory council for your help and adisement and helping us to move this work forward as well as group because I know you give us some great feedback on how you would like for us uh to serve you and your children. Additionally, support to add um as we are aware we had our commencement exercises last week just last week and so and we have a student and we want to recognize I know he's listening to us this evening and so as a team I just want to say we are honored to recognize Adrien Rodriguez who is a recent graduate and his family who are listening tonight um from building 21ends our vual for his exceptional achievements and perseverance. Adrian made the deliberate decision to complete his entire high school

016journey through the district's virtual learning program, a path that required a remarkable degree of resilience, self-disipline, and focus. Throughout his virtual high school experience, Adrian demonstrated outstanding outstanding independence and a deep commitment to academic excellence, ultimately graduating with honors. His success reflects not only his intellectual capabilities but also a mature sense of responsibility and determination that serves as an inspiration to his peers in our broader school community. Dr. Diplane, our director of virtual programming, shared that Adrien consistently demonstrated strong self- advocacy skills, the ability to clearly articulate his needs, and an impressive level of situational awareness. Wow, that's a lot. That's impressive. He was always respectful, understanding, and thoughtful in his interactions. Qualities that made him a pleasure to work with and a role model within the virtual learning community. We are proud to share

017that Adrian will metriculate um this fall at Northampton Community College. We commend him for his his accomplishments and we look forward to him his reading about him um and all his successes in the future and I want to thank his family for and say mom miss Garcia Miss Garcia his um stepfather Mr. Korea and his brothers Emanuel and Benjam Garcia. And if you're listening, we want to say congratulations. Great job, Adrian. The great job family. Please give them a round of applause. So, we also we are so thrilled, as I mentioned in the video, that five of our schools have been named Verizon Innovative Learning Schools. And I want to thank our entire team who worked really diligently so that we can receive this designation. And uh this uh this is has yielded the district

018in value in terms of helping to pay for salaries, technology and additional software almost uh $13 million. So we thank digital promise and uh the league of innovative schools and Verizon innovative learning schools for uh identifying us. If you just to put into context, there's more between traditional public schools and charter schools, there's more than 16,000 school districts in the nation and there are only 650 schools that are Verizon Innovative Learning Schools and five of them right here in town. We had our kickoff event uh earlier this month. So, all of our school level staff who work with children received their devices. Our children will also receive devices uh this fall. and we are hiring staff to provide um support to our school leaders as well as staff um and teaching staff. So this is

019a great opportunity for our district and to really is closely align with our strategic plan. This sum we on Monday we launched summer programming uh throughout the district as well as our summer um AI institute um at the sales university. So our students who are participating in that program are receiving six college credits. They're also being uh engaged in an internship experience this year. And some of the students are this is their second year. So they would have received 12 um college credits as well as micro credentials from Google um at other uh institutions. So we are really thrilled about that partnership with the sales university. Students will take field trips to Philadelphia and New York this summer. So they're really excited. Just imagine being in high school and earning about $5,000 in a summer

020to learn as well as collect data, do some analysis, some things I wish I knew now. And so we're thank we want to thank our partners at the sales for working with our young people again this summer and uh Dr. Gren Mosley, Dr. Seavoy, and everyone on our team, executive directors, and all the principles and school leaders and um school staff that helped to get our students excited about this opportunity. We started our summer program for our 21st century programming 400 students started on the 23rd and then we will our additional summer programming will begin on Monday June 30th. So we expect um approximately 1500 to 2,000 students to manage standing or registered. So we will see um we'll report to the board the actual students who are participating. We are so thrilled about this.

021You know, I fully embrace my uh language arts sixth and seventh grade language arts teacher skills. We are really thrilled about um the launch of the superintendent reading league. Yes. Dive into reading challenge is the name of this year. And so this uh effort will begin starting now and we sent out everything to everyone and throughout the year well through the summer it will conclude August 10th. So everyone who's listening adults as well as students top readers we will have prizes and all kind of great stuff um happening in recognition for you for reading and reading is fun and still fundamental. Yes. Okay. along with the technology, reading is still fundamental. And so we also we are launching a superintendent's book club that begins on August 18th and we will read books together throughout the

022year. We've asked some of our elected officials and other community leaders. Miss Marcy, we're asking you in front of the public to be a part of our reading league and which we will showcase a book and you will feature on our show. Um, and our students will have an active role in this because we have two studios in the district now. Yay. [Applause] So, please read. So, when you're at the beach, you're having fun doing all that great stuff this summer going to Europe or wherever you go, the Caribbean, pick up a book. And please, we have our Brainfuse program. If you do not know how to access that, I'm going to put Miss Smith on the spot. She'd be happy to teach you how to use Brainfuse to log your minutes so you can

023um be a part of this competition. Just a few more because I want to get them all out now because we have a nice long evening. Again, I am very thrilled and honored um to serve as your superintendent. I know we have some presentations during the educational um education committee meeting about some new efforts that are underway in the district. So, we're excited and everyone knows my theme song for the year. They know, even all the middle school students know. I won't say the words because I just like the beat, but everybody goes. [Laughter] So, but I thank you. And Miss Mat, back to you. Okay. At this time, we were only taking public comments on agenda items. Do we have any cards? We have 11 action items on the finance agenda this evening. For

024the first item, Mr. Cuff is presenting approval from the school board of directors for the 2526 fiscal year budget. Good evening everyone. We're seeking approval for the final budget for the 2526 school year in the amount of $483,45,475 at a tax rate of 22.6432 mills which 0% increase prior year. That's where anything to add or any discussion from the board? No, I think we've gotten then may I have a motion to move this forward to the regular meeting? Second. We It's been made and seconded. All in favor? I I opposed. Then the motion carries. For the next item, Mr. Cuff is requesting approval from the board for the Homestead Farmstackstead exclusion resolution. Correct. We're requesting approval for the Homestead Farmstead resolution is home. For those that don't know or don't remember, the Homestead is a

025exclusion for calculations that give us a tax relief for those that claim their house as their primary residence. This year the reduction would be $1,13.35 if you reclaimed it for this current year. Sorry. Okay. Any discussion? Yes. Can you explain that to myself and the public in terms of what that would look like for someone? Sure. Not a problem. So once you receive your tax bill, if you have claimed your house as your primary residence, this is the money that comes as a result of the So they allocate x amount of dollar certain amount for every school district. So you primary res. These are for homeowners only, right? Okay. Now, is this They have to apply for individually. So, will anything come out in the mail or will they um have to reach out to

026their accountant or do you have to reach out to the county to the county? Yes. Correct. So, my question again just for clarity, nothing's going to go out. You we have to independently reach out to the county. Right. So, initially, so when it first started the first couple years, the there was proactive mail sent out, correspondent sent out Since then it's been on the homeowner. So for example, if a if it transfers property that that person would have to go through the process and apply for it. You're given that information if you transfer property or you buy a new property. But keep in mind has to be your primary res. I got that. So the the other question that I have is what time what time of the year should this be done? Like from

027what time to what time? There's a time I believe in the fall. I I'll get that exact date, but I believe it's in the fall. You go through a process has to be done by a certain date. So when the new tax bills come out, everything is approved. Thank you very much. Thank you. Anything else? May I have a motion to move this item forward? I make that motion. Second. We have a maker and a seconder. All in favor? I opposed. And the motion carries. Uh, you're also requesting approval from us to appoint a voting delegate and an alternate to the Lehigh County Tax Collection Committee. Correct. We're seeking approvement for a voting delegate, which would be Jesse Wal, who is the new executive director of finance, who will start in July to the Lehi

028County Tax Collection. The alternate will be the director of finance, Miss Casey. Any questions? Question or discussion? Who is he? Jesse. Jesse Walk. He's the new executive director of finance who starts July, the first week in July. And he's going to be representing on the Lehi Lehigh County tax collection committee. Is he from All He He's He will be He's our executive director of finance. But is he Oh, is he from I don't believe he lives in town. I do not believe so. Anything else? May I have a motion? Make that motion. Second. We have a maker and a seconder. All in favor? Opposed? Then this item moves forward. We're also requesting approval to engage PHS Partners LLC to review and assist the special education and finance departments in improving procedures and processes to further

029increase access revenue. Madam Chair, may may I just bring some one part of the Miss uh Conover's question to closure if you don't can I try to uh bring a matter that Miss Connover raised the closure just so we're closing the loop if you don't mind around the homestead. I just want to know we said that we would give the board uh what the process so are we looking to have it you want us to put on the website you want us to send you a notes because the question you asked a lot of other people in the community have I'm sure raising so we just want to close a loop so people will have know how to file for these homestead I think it' be wonderful I just want to make sure you can

030do the little roboc call that we all get okay all right thank you thank you all right so uh if we can come back engaging the PHS partners on an explanation of that item. Okay. Yes. So, we're looking to utilize their services to improve our school-based access um submissions to be more effective with our medical claims service documentation r and time study and cost reconciliations. Any questions? Any questions or comments? May I have a motion? So, move second. All in favor? I opposed. The motion carries. Uh, next item, Miss Monley is requesting approval from the board to renew the contract for K12's Insight Let's Talk two-way communication platform. Good evening, Dr. Burks and school board directors. This evening, the district is requesting approval to renew its contract with K12 Insight for the Let's Talk two-way

031communication platform in the amount of 65 $555,650, which reflecting a cost savings from last year's rate of $60,000. Last talk, it serves as a as a vital tool that enables the district to engage directly with families, students, and community members, fostering transparent, efficient, and responsive communication. Since its implementation, the platform has received over 6,000 inquiries. Our current customer experience score is 8.3, indicating that users rate their service experience with the district as being great. Additionally, our average response time is under 15 hours, demonstrating our commitment to timely and effective communication, typically responding within the same business day. Analysis shows the usage that rates of parents and guardians make up the largest group at 44% followed by community members at 37%. With the remaining percentage compromise of students, staff and stakeholders. The majority of submissions around

03265% are general questions followed by concerns at 18%. This renewal will allow the district to continue building trust and improving um accessibility through consistent high quality communication with our school community. Are there any questions, comments or questions? Thank you for providing the data. That's great. Thank you. We appreciate it. You're welcome. Anybody else? Then may I have a motion? I'll make the motion. I'll second. We have a maker and a seconder. All in favor? Opposed? Then the motion carries. You're also requesting approval from the board to purchase backpacks for the back to school bash from Dollar Days International Incorporated. Yeah. So, I'm excited to um first year announcing that the district's annual back to school bash is scheduled for Wednesday, August 13, 2025 from 1 to 6:00 p.m. at Cedar Beach Park. This event serves

033as a cornerstone for our family engagement efforts, welcoming students and families back to school with a wide range of resources, entertainment, and essential supplies. One of the key offerings at the event is the distribution of backpacks, free backpacks to Allentown School District students to help ensure that they are prepared and excited for the upcoming school year. This evening, I'm requesting their approval of purchase of backpacks from Dollar Days International in the amount of $65,983. This vendor was selected based on several key factors, including product quality, competitive pricing, timely delivery, pre-stuffed backpacks, and free shipping. These expenses will be covered through sponsorship dollars raised specifically for the back to school bash. Questions or comments? Yes. What is the budget for the back to school bash? So we um we go out and we do uh secure

034sponsorships and we currently um were as a team identify different items to uh help to enhance the event. There isn't a set um price. We have donors as well as partners who help to fund the various different events. Are you asking specifically how Well, I know we we had we did about 100,000 last year. Yeah. So right now because we are I would say we're paring on close to that right now we have expenditures a little coming in a little under the $100,000 um because due to a number of free um support services coming from different community members given the success in the last two years we have a number of different partners who are coming on to contribute and providing services to the district for free and so but our expenditures are a little

035bit under that this year. So Marcy do you hear that? Yes. But yes, but we are still in looking for new additional sponsors to help support us. So, so if there's anyone who's interested, yes, please um reach out and contact myself in regarding opportunities and ways in which you can contribute to the effort. Just saying. Thank you very much. So, I have a question, couple questions. You said they're stuffed already? Yes. So, the vendor that we're getting the stuff from is stuffing them. Yes. What are they stuffing them with? Sure. So, our And then the other question, because you probably can answer that one, too. I'm assuming that it's a better quality than last time. And they does it have that um because our students are also carrying um laptops now. So, does it have

036that cushion the the um the section for wear laptop? I can confirm and check on that um on the that component of the backpack, but I can share with you what's included. inside the backpack. So, each backpack will include one 70 page notebook, uh two pocket um folders, one zip top pencil case, uh pencils, three pencils, three ballpoint ink pens, five packs of crayon, I mean a pack of five crayons, 12in ruler, one glue stick, two erasers, one pencil pencil sharpener, one highlighter, 24 sets uh per case are that how we're getting it. So, the other question that I have, are these packs age appropriate for our high schoolers? I was just going to ask questions because I got a few questions, but that that's one question. Are they age appropriate? Because I don't know,

037even though I have a high schooler that colors, um I don't know that, you know, would be something what's in there for the for the for that age group. So the notebooks and the folders and the pencils and pens are universal, but we can look into specifically how like about differentiating the backpacks. Can can we pro or have we or can we um negotiate that? You got to tell them that we have Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah, there is the opportunity to differentiate and purchase backpacks for different age ranges. So the other thing question that I have is we paid 100,000 last year. We paying 60 something this year, right? Last year the purchase for um all bets was around $90,000. Yeah, the same number. Yeah. So my we had a lot of that donated. But that's

038fine. I'm not even that's not where I'm going. So the other question is are we getting the same amount? Are we getting less? Because we're talking about numbers, but how many backpacks did we give out and how many are we getting this year as opposed to last year? because I think it was last year because these years go so fast. Um I remember we had people coming from different areas and they were receiving and I know it sounds like I think I heard I listen with a third ear. Sounds like we're going to have some some systems in place so that that doesn't happen. So that's another part of the question. But let's go back to the first part. How many did we have last year? Are we getting the same amount or more for

039a lesser price? So, I can um provide the board with the information regarding last year's purchases, but I can share that what I know um this year that we did take in account the um expenses last year, the current amount of purchase of what was purchased last year, any residual that was remaining from last year. So, we really being efficient based on the purchase, the number of individuals that attended and then if there were any leftover bags so that we don't have leftovers. So, for me, um, when you're talking about a difference, those are the types of things that I would want to know because you can come to me with a low number, but that might be saying that we're getting less like that other stuff that you just talked about is not actually

040being discussed in this meeting. And I think that's important because um we get better together, right? And so our district is growing. So we want to make sure that we are making decisions that is going forward and not falling behind. So I'll go with last year because I did ask Dr. Burks last year how many we had left over and it was about 600 bag backpacks and then we sent them to the schools to give out. Gave them out to schools. You gonna say something? Dr. BS, I just want to know um since there were questions, the board wanted to approve to not to exceed amount tonight so that we can order ahead of so we can be prepared for the back. So I'm not trying to stop the process just I want the students

041to have the but those are the things that I would want I would be interested in knowing because suppose we have, you know, more people show up. We want to be and and we want to be appropriate. I don't want a a 12th grader to show up and get something that's for a third grader. So, that's definitely a concern. We want to make sure that we're being purposeful in saying yes. And just to add to that, part of the reasoning why we might have had 600 backpacks over is because they probably weren't age appropriate, right? So maybe this year if we can be a little proactive and getting those age appropriate book bags then we might see a better and if I may add we're still looking for persons to donate right so that means

042that maybe you know maybe they can donate they can donate what's appropriate to go in those bags but again my communication is in an effort to become proactive and get our students what it is that they need. As we know, our budget is almost $500 million a year. We have we have people who are to get that money. Um and that's who we I know that's who I personally go after to um donate to us to give back to our community. So um I know for a fact that I think it was um HVAC um I think they gave what 7,000 or 10,000 last year. 10,000. So, you know, they made hundred million out of us. So, I asked for more because that was nothing. So, um these vendors are going to be giving back

043to our school district to our students. Anything else? So, respectfully, just so that we can make sure we have them in on time, would the board like for us to propose a not to exceed amount so that we go beyond the number? I'm just because we want to order and so if we not if it's not No, it's not. Is the cost an issue? No. No. No. No. I That was not the issue for me. No. I I think I I think from what I'm hearing it's it's quality. Yeah. No. Meaning if we're saying if there's 5,000 do you want to say, okay, we can get the best quality at a certain amount of money so we don't have to come back to you. So, all right. I'm starting to Yeah, I'm starting to understand.

044Yes. Took a little while. a lot of money. So, wait a minute. Do we want to say a to look for um age appropriate backpacks? Uh not to exceed a cost of total like $100,000 you spend on backpacks or you can spend this amount. Try to fund raise of course first, but we just don't want to if we wait until July, we won't get them in on time. That's what Can we Can we Today's What day is it? Thursday. Can we have a conversation with them to ask them? We can. Can we do The issue is we're putting a dollar amount on this tonight. But I'm not looking for the dollar amount to go up. What a dollar amount. I I mean, if if you're going to give me $67,000 worth of crayons, I don't

045want $67,000 worth of crayons. Maybe I'll take 20,000 and then I'll get, you know, either either listen to what I'm saying. This is a real conversation. or we'll move forward with what we have, but maybe we can get the other donors to buy stuff that we can pack in that other. So, I'm okay with the number that that was the number, right? Yes. I guess what I'm trying to and I'll maybe I'll rephrase it this way. Tonight, we're asking you to approve a certain dollar amount. That was seven, right? Yes. We our director of procurement, he knows that he's taking notes right now while I'm speaking that I'm going to ask him tomorrow Did you get a vendor and tomorrow's a day off? I'm not going to care. Okay. And so, and with that said,

046I if there's a mount, say if he comes back and says, "Dr. Burks, you can get a better quality, but it's going to cost $10,000 more. It will meet the needs of the students. Is the board giving us permission? We will fund raise, but if it's we need we need to order tomorrow essentially or by So, we be put not to exceed 100,000 a certain,000 money and then we did not ever do that before. We have 67. I don't have a problem with the 67. I'm not trying to saying that we never had a problem with But if we need to spend more, may we? That's the issue. We have to stop 65. I don't think we need to spend more. I need I think we need to find out what the vendor that we

047have that you gave us a vendor tonight. Find out what they You still in I mean negotiated. Can you What do you have for our high schools? This is how many high schools we have. what can you give us for the 67 that we have? They may say we can give you I'm not going to put a number out there because they might be listening. But at any rate, um then we have other vendors that we could ask if we needed to put something else in there that's appropriate. But if we're going to spend 67,000 with them, then my the expectation is that they work with us. And I understand what you're saying. And we got to make a decision tonight because if we don't put the order in, but we're not desperate, right? Because

048if we go from 67 to 100, I'm sure we can get somebody that they have it there next week. You understand? So, but do we give them permission to do it because we have to wait until the end of July and come back to you, right? Because of policy. So, I I I think we we need to put it there because think about it. If we're going we're going to them and asking them, we want them to give it in good faith, but in case it does not happen, we don't come back to the board until the end of July and this thing is in August. So, at least give them a wiggle room knowing in good faith the board is going to negotiate. You have a suggestion for a number. Do you have a

049suggestion? I don't agree. You say 100. I just don't think we have should have a number. We never asked before. What was the number? 67 is the number the last two years. you you you raised the money from from from vendors and from sponsorship and y'all had we had a great back to school batch. Um, as far as, you know, having book bags left over, that's because we didn't we ordered so many. It wasn't the fact that it wasn't age appropriate. It was the fact that we had some left over and so we just sent them to the schools. That was it. Right. So, we'll get backpacks and we'll do the best that we can to get the high quality backpacks and so we'll try to fund raise as much as we can. in the

050back. Miss Marcy and friends. Okay. And we'll try to fund raise as much as we can. We'll get back. Thank you. We will get them. Thank you. All right. Excuse me. I I just looked at the motion and it does not say a dollar amount. We never had a dollar amount. No, it doesn't. The the motion as printed doesn't say a dollar amount. So, they've heard what we've had to say and I would just simply ask if we can move the motion forward. I make that motion without the dollar amount. It never had a dollar amount. We've never had a dollar amount before. It wasn't in there to begin with, but she just presented with the dollar amount. Yes, she did. But she told She didn't give us a motion. She told us the background

051and what it was going to cost. That's just for backpacks. The cat is out the bank. Yeah, but that's fine. But that's that's just for backpacks. But we never have had a a a that kind of thing for the last two years. I don't think we should do it for the third year either because it's been successful. Okay. Okay. May I have a motion? We You have the motion. Okay. And we have about a second. All in all in favor I'm sorry at all with it. Opposed? I Okay. But the motion carries and we'll move forward. Uh Dr. Wharton B is requesting approval for transit services agreement with the Lehigh and Northampton Transit Author Authority Atlanta for the 2526 year. Good evening board. Good evening Dr. Burks. Uh so tonight I have before you the

052Atlanta agreement. This is a very similar agreement to last year albeit a little higher in cost. Uh the one thing that I want to impress upon the board is the wrership. So the wrership went up 64% in the last year. So that's good. So that also is a credit to uh having kids uh get to school, right? So reduction of chronic absenteeism. Uh with that said, we are looking to uh we would have to pay initially approximately where did it go? Oh, I'm sorry. $373,687. However, that is 100% reimburseable from the state. So we get that back. We pay Atlanta, state reimbures us for student transportation. So with that said, uh I would like the board to consider this new or this revised updated agreement for the 2025 2026 school year and it would be

053questions or comments. Do our students um because they have a school ID, do they do they get to ride during the summer? Yeah. Okay. That's what I want to make sure. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Anything else? May I have a motion? I'll make the motion. I'll second. All right. We have a maker and a seconder. All in favor? I I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. For the next item, Mr. Sang is requesting approval from the board to have hire Cowan Partners, an executive search firm to assist in the recruitment of a chief financial officer. Miss Mat, you skipped the JBC Stadium one for Oh, I uh I'm sorry. Yes, that that was the space. I'll come back. Let's do this one and then I'll come back. Good evening, school board. Uh we also have

054Miss uh Cheryl Haw on the or Cheryl Hannah on the uh Zoom as well uh from Cohen uh Partners, an executive search firm to assist in the recruitment of a chief financial officer. And we're seeking the board's approval to hire Cohen Partners as an executive search firm uh for a cost of service for 25% of the expected first year's base salary. Uh this appointment of a chief financial officer will have significant positive impact on our students as it will enhance our financial management allowing us to allocate resources efficiently and effectively with consistent leadership leading to improved facilities, technology and educational programs. Uh there's also highlights there as far as a valuable partner, extensive industry expertise, a strong CRA track record with successful placements, and a thorough and efficient search process, positive client feedback, and cost-effective

055services. Um there's a one-year guarantee on the commitment to re do the search if no at no additional cost. Uh and we have access to a wider pool of qualified candidates and a professional and thorough selection process. comments or questions. Is that a norm to get what is it? 25% of whatever we decide that we're going to pay. Correct. That's actually a discount the industry standards 30 and as a part of the uh process of negotiating with multiple companies. We did get it down to 25%. Thank you. May I have a motion? I'll make the motion. I'll second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Now I will backtrack with Dr. Wharton B. I'm sorry about that. And who is requesting approval for agreements with selected vendors for JBC Stadium. Good evening. Uh again, so

056this one is for the concession stand over at the J Birdie Crump Stadium. So we're asking approval of three vendors that we have. Easy Concessions, MMG Concessions, and the popcorn kit. One of my favorites. Uh, so this is basically the same as last year, but it's annual. So we would like your approval to move forward. Comments or questions? Seeing none, may I have a motion? I make that motion. Second. Make We have a maker in a second. All in favor? I opposed. And the motion carries. Thank you. Mr. Cuff is also requesting approval to authorize the transfer of all funds in excess of 8% of the current year's operating budget expenditures to the capital reserve fund. And you uh if you'll explain that to us please. Sure. This is uh an issue that we had

057talked about several times. It's the normal practice. It's actually required by the state. You cannot have a general operating fund balance more than 8% of of your operating budget. So we're looking to do this. The transfer will occur after the close out of the fiscal year subject to financial audit confirmation of all available surplus in accordance with all state and local financial regulations. It so this doesn't mean we will not have a operating fund balance. We will maintain that fund balance. Anything in excess of the 8% will go to the capital reserve which help to improve our capital needs. Comments or questions? I make that motion. We have a motion. Second. Second. Uh, all in favor? I opposed. The motion carries. Um, next, Mr. Delton is requesting approval from the board to of the Sapphire

058K12 agreement for the 2526 school year. Good evening, board. Um, I'm here to ask for for approval for the continuation of Sapphire for the school year 2526. uh and this is to ensure that we continue uh provide services for data purposes. So the we currently have our p power school is currently our new system uh records and uh Sapphire will continue to work in the background for any data that we have might have missed and also to make sure that we have state reportings uh ready. Since this is the first year we want to make sure that we continue uh working with Sapphire for any uh archival or necessary data that we might have missed during the transition. When do we get rid of Sapphire? When do I thought I thought it was supposed to

059be going to power school? Yes. So, we are uh we we did transition into power school and but standard practices is to always have the two systems on the first year of fully implemented power school to ensure that if there's anything wrong or if we're missing any data, we could always go back to Sapphire and put that data out and have it available. Power school begins. Power school begins July 1st, 2025. One of the major things that we are concerned about is our state reporting. As a board, you understand the importance of state reporting and the impact that that has to our budget and to our finances. So, every uh student information system captures data in a different way. Sapphire is the cleanest way for us because we entered all our data in the 2425

060school year in Sapphire to ensure that our reporting for October one, our summer reporting is accurate and clean. Next year, we won't have that problem because as as of Tuesday, all our data will be entered into P school. So at the end of the year when it's time for the summer reports and the October one reports, we'll be able to run those in powers school because they will be clean. But this year with funding implications, we want to ensure that our data is accurate and we can report it accurately. Thank you. Okay. Anything else? May I have a motion? I make that motion. Second. All in favor? I. Uh motion carries. And let's see, we have another item requesting approval for of the Sapphire K to2 agreement for the 2526 school year. Do I have

061a repeat on here? Okay. The joys. All right. At this time, we are taking public comments on non-aggenda items. No cards. Is there any old business to come before the finance committee? New business. May I have a motion to adjurnn? Second. Thank you everyone. I'd like to call to order the policy committee of the whole meeting of the board of directors of the school district for the city of Allentown for today, June 26, 2025. Do we have any public comments? No. Okay. Uh tonight we have five policies we're going to go through. Dr. Seavoy will be presenting the first four of them. If it's okay with our solicitor and my colleagues, I would like to vote on all four together. Yes. Okay. Good evening board the superintendent. I am going to in introduce four policies

062that relate to um the academic program. The first policy is policy 212 which is reporting student progress. The policy gives the authority for the superintendent to establish a system for reporting student progress that includes academic progress reports, grade reports, and parent guardian conferences. In addition to that, as we establish the reporting structure, both student and parent or guardian shall receive ample warning of a pending grade or failure or one that would adversely affect the students academic status. Lastly, the scheduling of parent teacher conferences shall occur at a time that will ensure the greatest degree of participation by parents or guardians. There is there are no revisions based on the previous policy uh revisions from May 27th, 2021, but we do have to draft the administrative regulations for it. No questions. Thank you. The next policy

063is policy 214. This is a new policy. It regards class rank. It establishes the district system for class rank and under the authority, the board authorizes a system of class rank by grade point average for students in grades 9 through 12. Students receive their ranking annually at the end of the school year. The class rank shall scale at 4.0. The standard grade points for courses are maximum of 4.0. Dual enrollment in advanced placement courses earning a letter grade of B or higher receive a maximum of 5.0 grade points. Okay. Policy 215. This policy reference promotion and retention. It establish and maintain academic standards for each grade. It also um when we think about promotion, a a student is promoted when he or she successfully complete the curriculum requirements and has achieved academic standards established for

064the present grade level based on the professional judgment of the teacher and the results of assessments. The delegation of responsibility says that the superintendent shall or designate shall develop administrative regulations for promotion and retention. In addition to that, if a student is retained or is um recommended for retention, the parent or guardian shall be fully involved and informed throughout the process and both parent, guardian or and the student shall be informed of the possibility of retention of a student well in advance. Shall we continue? Okay. The next one is policy 217. This policy um was last revised on August 25th, 2016. Since that time, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has implemented um uh mandates and requirements aligned to Act 158. Act 158 um requires students to not only attain the coursework, but they also have

065to have um an assigned pathway or pathways. The first two pathways focus on um the Keystone exam either proficient in all or a composite score. The third path pathway relates to career and technical education experience in credentiing. The fourth pathway is rigorous coursework which aligns to a advanced placement IB and dual enrollment possibilities. And the fifth um pathway relates to I'm not one yet. This is going to relates to um the credentiing, internships, pre-apprenticeships and such. This policy focused on all of that. It changes again from course requirements to add all of the requirements for um graduation. It added language um that reflects the distribution the posting and distribution of our graduation requirements. students. We are supposed to give the students the graduation requirements and post them and ensure that parents have them. There was

066additional language that was added for um students experiencing educational disability. They are eligible for waiverss if they have um the educational if the educational instability affected their graduation requirements. the on the other side of the the page regarding students with disabilities. This was aligned revised to align with the federal um law regulations for part-time students and for full-time post-secary students. This is in alignment with chapter 11 of school code. What we also see where we will also see revisions is the explanation of what is a postsecondary institution. It says full-time post-secary students the fourth year of high school shall not be required for graduation. If a student has completed all requirements for graduation and attends a community college, two-year college, college, university, or other authorized degree granting institution approved by the Department of Education. In

067addition to that, we have some um language as it relates to um ensuring that students who are who have families that are in active military active duty in the military can graduate on time. There's also language to afford veterans their diplomas that is based on school code and it the last part incorporated the responsibilities of the superintendent or designate. We again we have to post the graduation uh requirements. We are providing coun counseling to students regarding the graduation requirements and we are assessing student attainment of academic standards and graduation requirements. We are reporting it at that aligns to the previous um policies that we talked about and we're supporting students who who are having difficulty and we develop a list of individuals which we do now to um to get your approval for a diploma.

068Any questions? Any comments or questions? Oh, sorry. All right. Um for these four that we'll be voting on, it will be for a second reading in our July meeting. So, I'll make a motion to uh ask for a motion for a vote on that a first. Hearing a seconder and then a maker. I will uh ask for all in favor. Any opposed? Thank you, Dr. Seoy. Next, Miss Monley will be presenting policy 916 on volunteers. This one will be for tonight's meeting. Again, thank you. Good evening. Um this evening I'm presenting on policy 916 of volunteers. This policy was originally adopted in 2020. Um it serves to establish clear and consistent guidelines for engagement for volunteers in our schools and and within our district. The primary intent is to ensure that all volunteers promote student

069safety and well-being by completing all required background checks and clearances, especially when working directly with students. Since it last adoption, five re revisions have been made to enhance the clarity and reinforce um the expectations. The first is authority section. A new paragraph was added affirming the district's commitment to non-discrimination for ensuring that all volunteers are treated fairly regardless of their any legal protected status. The second revision was under the definition section. The term guest volunteer was clarified to specify that it applies to individuals in contact with students. The third area is under the reimbursement of expenses section. The term necessary certifications was added. And then the fourth, the word principal was included to clarify the role of the school leader in overseeing volunteer applica participation. And the last and final was under the acknowledgement section.

070The word they was added for grammatical clarity. So the policy has been reviewed with members of the superintendent's family advisory council and staff across the district to ensure alignment with our various values and expectations. Our next steps are for the district to develop administrative procedures and provide training for school leaders and offices to support consistent implementation across the districts. Are there any questions? Hearing no questions. May I have a motion to move this to our regular board meeting? A second. Thank you. Hearing a maker and a second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? At this time, we'll be taking public comments on non-aggenda items. Do we have any? Okay. Any old business? New business? I have a motion to adjurnn. So moved. All in favor? I. Any oppose? Thank you. Education. Good evening. Now, like

071to call to order the education committee of the whole of the board of directors of the school district for the city of Allentown for today, June 26, 2025. I will say to you that the board welcomes and invites public comments. You may address the board on agenda and or non-aggenda items. The first opportunity for comments is at the beginning of the meeting and is limited to agenda items only. Common cards must be received by the start of this meeting, which is now. We will not be receiving public cards once the meeting begins. A copy of the public comment cards is located on the table next to the comment cards. Per our board's policy, any person may address the board in accordance with the procedures and limitations of this policy, either on issues presented in resolutions

072being considered or on other matters affecting the administration, management, or operations of the district. Remarks of a personal nature directed against any individual be will be ruled out of order. If you so choose to address the board, please fill out a comment card and hand it to our board secretary, Mr. Simson. Comment comment cards are located at the podium near the door. Once recognized, please come to the podium. State your name and address for the record. Dr. Burks, do you have any comments at this time? Thank you, Miss Connover. Uh, Madam Chair, if you would, Miss Connover, uh, as we present, if Miss Smith could present both her items because we are waiting for one of the presenters to come, we she's coming from Atlanta. She should be here shortly, but she's not here when

073we get to the total school solution if that's okay. Perfect. No problem. Thank you. So, at this time, no, no further comments. No. At this time, time, I ask Miss Smith to come forward. You going to do renewal? Miss Smith. Yes, that's where I'll start. Okay. Good evening, board of directors. Good evening, Dr. Burks. Tonight, I'm requesting the board's approval to renew Power Powers School's curriculum instruction, formerly known as CHAW, um, curriculum mapping software for a cost of $49,891.31. This is the system where we write our curriculum, where we revise our curriculum, where we publish our curriculum for teachers, where we can um download the curriculum and put it on our internet for teachers to access. It ensures that we are there's a feature where we can ensure that all state standards are taught. So,

074this is our system that we've used for the past four years. Now, if I may, we heard what she said, but I was supposed to ask if we had any public comments. We don't have any. Okay. Okay. So, you may have to proceed. So, do we have any um questions or comments? I do. Um Lisa, you know, we started Well, we did not have standardized curriculum. We didn't have Well, we didn't we didn't have nothing. We had start me talking. But anyway, to see this, you know, at our end of our eight years being on this board is beautiful. Miss Fi, I kept the curriculum audit recommendations in here because this was one of the things when we had a our curriculum audit. We did not have and I felt it was important to say

075that we were addressing this and this will probably be the last year I keep this in. But yes, it does show that we're making progress where we need to. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any other comments? May I have a motion to move this item forward? I make that motion. Second. Is there any other discussion? No. All in favor, please let it be known by saying I. I. Are there any that oppose? Hearing and seeing none, this moves to our next regular board meeting, which is directly after this one. Thank you, Miss Smith. At this time, Dr. Seavoy, you're going to do total school solutions. We're going to wait until the presenter comes. That's the one that's presented. Okay. How about the College of Technology? Yes. Okay. The Pennsylvania College of Technology agreement for

076the 2526 school year. Another term is Pentech College is for a dual is for a dual enrollment um agreement but based on advanced manufacturing pre-apprenticeship. The advanced manufacturing pre-apprenticeship provides high school juniors and seniors with foundational technical knowledge and skills to prepare them for entry-level positions in manufacturing or potential post-secary study in engineering and technology program. This is an opportunity that is no cost to the district. This will be our second pre-apprenticeship for our students um which will give them credentials and opportunities for post-secary um success. Where will they be taking these classes? The P the coursework that goes with the manufacturing pre-apprenticeship will be at our high schools and it is um it's a it's a it's virtual so it's a teacher with the students but then we would have a teacher with those

077students and then they will have practice at a manufacturing company in um out. Thank you. So, is there any further discussion because you started it before um I asked the question we're going to live. I I read your mind, Lisa. So, at this time um I would ask um for a motion for this to move forward to our next regular board meeting. I make that motion. I'll second. Um all in favor, please let it be known by saying I. I. Hearing no one. Any opposes? No one opposes. So, this moves forward to our next regular board meeting which is directly after this meeting. Thank you, Dr. Seavoy. At this time, I'm going to I think Total School Solutions walked in the door. Is that true? I believe so. Come on down. I have to find

078my paper. Good to see you. Good evening. Hi. Good evening. Good evening. So I'm going to introduce myself. Okay. Okay. So um for total school solution consulting service the we are requesting the board's approval to engage total school solutions to assist the special education department in improving procedures and processes to support continued growth for in student outcomes and services for students um access for students that have access to education. Miss Wallen is going Okay, Miss Wland is going to um present the propos proposal and I will follow up and come back with what we're asking. Thank you, Dr. Seavoy. And good evening. Hi, good evening. Um I'm Jamie Wallen. We should have my team also on Zoom, so I'm hoping we can we can loop them in as well. Mr. Toher and Miss Miss Rose

079are both on Zoom joining us this evening. Okay, great. And are they going to be are we going to be able to hear them? Okay, great. All right, so we are going to co-present this there in California. I'm here with you. Nice to see you all. I know I've met several of you, but nice to see you again. My name is Jamie Wallen, and we have had the the pleasure and privilege of connecting with many of you throughout our review of special education with Allentown. And today, we've already met met with the board previously. Um but we would love to share with you again at a high level of our findings and then um share with you our recommendations for a path forward. All right. So just a quick overview. I know I I don't

080have a lot of time so we're going to keep this as pretty simple and straightforward as possible. Um but we want to review our approach and our methodology for just a couple of minutes. our accommodations, our recommendations, and then our proposed timeline and action plan for moving forward. So, just a quick introduction. I'm Jamie Wallen. Um Allison Rose is on Zoom to hear is also on Zoom. Do you want to say hello? I want to make sure we can hear you. Hi there. This is Allison Rose. Okay. Hi. Hello. This is Ha. Nice to meet you all. Great. All right. So we just want to quickly ground ourselves in how we approach the work. We deeply value working with a community. We certainly as consultants come in and don't want to come in and just

081say all the things we have to do and recommendations, but I'm getting a light show. I I don't remember getting the light. However you want it, it's fine. Turn that one on. The one you just did. Turn that one off. There we go. There we go. Perfect. Thank you. Perfect. All right. Everybody can see it. All right. Great. So, our key our key approach is through this idea of liberatory design work. So, what that means in a nutshell is that we want to come in and work with a community with a district. We want to make sure that we're hearing from all stakeholders so that we're getting a good a big picture of the great things that are happening and then also the things that need to be addressed. So we have had the privilege

082of working with many different stakeholders throughout this review process. Um we want to make sure that as we are coming in and supporting, we're not just coming in and telling you the things that need to be done without really getting to the root causes of things and hearing from everyone. So we have done that and I'll share with you a little bit more about our methodology. So we have had uh we had the opportunity to do qualitative work. We I had the privilege of having several focus groups. Um we got to meet with the school board. We got to meet with parents. I had several in-person and zoom meetings with parents, with students, with teachers, principles, and vice principles. We sent out a student or I'm sorry, a parent survey. and that was sent out

083to 78 parents and 30 people responded. Uh we pushed that several times. We wish we had some more, but we did have some really robust um focus groups which contributed to the report. Um we had the teacher and staff survey um and we we sent that out several times. Overall, we had 223 people that responded. uh we had 23 interview sessions conducted with 66 staff members and a total of 23 classrooms were observed. I had the privilege of going into many classrooms observing seeing what was happening meeting teachers and getting an idea um across middle I'm sorry elementary, middle and high school. We also did some quantitative research around um we did a program data analysis and comprehension um with and comparison I'm sorry with three comparable districts. So that was something that we thought

084was important um to use that across seven years to can make some analysis of um Allentown's current state. U we did a fiscal analysis, staffing and operations analysis. Uh we did an IEP file and psychological assessment report audits, policies, procedures, and program structure review. Want to pause for a moment. You all were a part of this work when we met with you a couple months ago. We took all of your feedback, your responses, your questions, um and we we added that into the the final report. So, I want to thank you for your time and your thoughtfulness. it is evident that you care about students um and their and their well-being. So, thank you for that. So, what did we find? Um a couple of things we want to highlight. One, just want to say

085again your care for the students. Also, all of the staff, the people we talked with, the parents, you have a beautiful community who's passionate about seeing that your kids have what they deserve. Um you have a solid foundation. Um and that's essential for growth. We know you've done a lot of great things, a lot of things that you've implemented in the last couple of years even that has supported the compliance with the IEC IEP process and requirements. So, just want to acknowledge the work that you have put into this already. Um, staff overall are generally dedicated to supporting students, you know, in a large district. We say generally because, you know, most of the people we spoke with really are passionate about supporting students across the board. The teacher survey reflects a positive participation and

086communication in collaboration. Um, and staffs were reported that they were engaged in various professional developments, some more than others, but that there was some professional development available to them. Um, many efforts have been made to enhance communication and we saw that as one of the highlights. um and input from parents providing opportunities for parents to be able to share uh was was certainly a highlight that we want to um acknowledge. Um the survey results illustrated a pos generally positive perception of the IEP process and the services provided to your their children. Um the communication between the special ed and general ed administration is robust. So they have some systems in place and there was reported partnerships and support at both the district and the site levels. And then another highlight is that the Allentown special

087education evaluation process appears to be free from cultural bias based on all of our research and has shown enhanced effectiveness in several areas over the last few years. So those are all the great things that we we saw. So what are our recommendations? So we see it in two buckets. We see that we there can be opportunity to invest in infrastructure supports for future development. And what does that mean? We know that a school is a or a district is a system. And so when we think about investing in in infrastructure, we're thinking about what are those systematic things that need to be addressed. And so I'm going to go through this very quickly and of course if you have questions we'll have time for that. Um but wanted to recommend one of the things

088we see is some additional audits for outside agency contracts that you currently have facilities staff reorganization possibly um gate and the sped disciplinary actions. We also think that there needs to be some development of the MTSS, PBIS and SST manual. So like how do what do we give to people when they come on board with us with you with Allentown? Um and so what are those manuals and those like guidelines and norms that you have across the district? Um we also think that there needs to be some psychoeducational assessment guidelines. So some clear guidelines around that process, IEP guidelines, transportation guidelines and transition guidelines. So we also think there needs to be an enhancement of the PBIS committee and we see that across we we see that as a recommendation that there would be people

089from different different stakeholders across the board who would really help us create this really robust PBIS committee to help drive that work so that the there's a robust uh PBIS in each school across Allentown. development of culturally responsive task force with that includes like how do we support our English language learners etc. Um enhancement of process for human resources and procurement of educational materials. So what's our process and just getting very clear about what that process would look like and then also this transportation restructuring and a classroom consolidation plan. So thinking through what you currently have and thinking how can we make those things more effective and efficient. So then the other thing that we see is the strategic planning piece and we see this done across a few years. Um, one is looking at

090the current creation or the professional development plan and really thinking through what do our teachers need to know, what do our administrators need to know and what's the plan to help them have all the skills, all the knowledge they need to be successful in this system that we're creating. Also, principal training and guidance. We believe that principles are are core in this work and if they don't have the training then we're going to see a lot of things fall through the cracks. So we we recommend that principles continue to have some strategic and robust training to help them help their teachers um support of differentiation and scaffolding. What does it look like to have like a really rigorous classroom coaching and mentoring support? How do they lead that work? master scheduling for inclusion and then

091supporting inclus inclusive practices and we believe principles having that training not only will that help them with their efficacy but will also then norm across Allentown and then lastly enhance early intervention communication with the intermediary unit. So really making sure that the communication that's happening with this early intervention has a process and that is something that everyone's normed on and trained on. So I know I just said a lot. I'm going to pause for a moment and I'm just going to ask if my team has anything that you would like to add. Hi, this is Allison. I just wanted to jump in and say that um the number of staff members that we were able to survey was actually more than 1100. It was 2,000. And so just wanted to make sure that everybody was

092aware that um that we were able to reach out to a significant amount of the staff. Great. Anything else? So, one of the things that I wanted to come back to and it's nice we got to see your face, Allison. Um, one of the things that we wanted that wasn't a part of the initial report that we do want to call out um and as a as a strong recommendation. So, one of the things we've seen as we've done work across the country with different districts around um staffing and how you structure things, one of the recommendations that we would like to add is this idea of an assistant superintendent special education role. This would create a role who would solely be focused on the initiative set forth to really make sure that we have

093a strong system within Allentown. So that is one of the things that we wanted to put out there to you all as another recommendation. The other thing we wanted to highlight just as we're thinking about what has been and what what we would envision moving forward uh we want to commend the district for taking some time taking some of the things that we did put in the report and you kind of hit the ground running with a few things. So we want to commend you on that. one of them being the compensation of the paraprofessionals and wanted to acknowledge that you came to some um resolution and you were able to successfully resolve some of these things. So just want to rec or commend you for that and the work that you you are putting

094in already based on the recommendations that we found or gave. All right. So, just want to quickly say that we, you know, we shared this when we worked with you all a couple months ago, but we're proposing to be able to partner with you to work with you. It would be our privilege. And one of the things that we would like to share is a timeline of what we would recommend as the journey. So, I mean, it's 2025. We would be partners for a couple of years is what we're proposing. And want to just go through very quickly. I'm not going to read everything. you have it in front of you, but want to share with you just a couple of highlights. We see this as almost like a gradual release. Year one and two

095would be very robust. We'd have a lot of time with you. We'd have a lot of principal trainings. We'd have a lot of teacher train different things that we would do. We'd do the um manuals and then as we go throughout the years, it would be that gradual release where we're working with the district leadership and the the other leaders to be able to take this work and run with it. And so there would be that system work done at the beginning so that you all would have the sustainability moving forward throughout the years. So again, I'm not going to go through everything, but just our our ideas around the timeline of our journey would be that we would create this robust professional development plan in year one. So what do we what do our

096people need to know and what do they need to be able to do in order to to support our students uh fully and then also the development of these manuals. So what are those structures? what are those norms that we have to be able to see these things through and hold people accountable and also support them with our processes. The other thing, so as we're thinking about 2526, so this would be the second phase, um, again around this principal coaching, this principal training, mentoring, getting into classrooms, doing some real-time coaching with them, having them have the eye to be able to go in their classrooms and be able to support what they're seeing co with the coaching and being able to provide professional development for their team as well. Um, completion of the audit of

097staff reorganization. So that would be something that we would complete within that year. Um enhance that early intervention communication and then also the development of those transportation guidelines into 2627. We propose that we would continue with principal training. Um and it is it is you know a joy of mine as a former principal to be able to work with principles and support them um throughout the country and here at Allentown. And that would include like again how do they have that eye to be able to see what's happening in the classroom and really be able to move their their teachers and support their teachers to support students. Um and then again we want to enhance this PBIS committee bringing people across the district to be able to support that. And also we would recommend a

098development of a culturally responsive task force and this task force would be supporting the work throughout Allentown. Um I'm not going to go through I know I'm I'm coming on my time. So I'm going to move on to 202728. And again this would be that gradual release again with touch points with principles and with district leadership to ensure that they're supporting principles who are supporting teachers who are ultimately impacting students. Um and we you can read the other recommendations as well. So, as we move forward, um, we are always here to support. We're here, uh, you know, we want to be thought partners. We certainly, like I said at the beginning, it has been our privilege to partner with you all, to learn with you. Um, you have been nothing but warm and transparent. We

099appreciate you. Um, and thank you for your time. I'm going to, if there's any questions that you have. I know my team, we've all done different aspects of the report, so there may be different questions that each of us can answer. So, welcome um to answer any questions that you may have. I have a comment, not a question. My comment is to the board and administration. I want to commend us for taking this bold step to do this audit. I remember when I joined the board, every time when you hear the word audit, everyone gets scared. I treat an audit like a SWAT analysis. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What what do we need to fix? That's right. And I look at this as an opportunity for us to support our most

100vulnerable students. And a lot of all of us up here are very passionate when it comes to our special education students. So, I want to thank the administration. I want to thank Dr. Burks. I want to thank you for all the work that you're putting in, all the work that you're going to put in. We will be following up. We will be asking for reports to see where we going with the process because we really want to make sure that we're fixing all areas of ASD. Um, I really love the recommendation of the assistant super um superintendent. I don't know if that's necessarily going to be the title or what it's going to be, but I do like that recommendation of having someone in that role. I think it will be very strong and strategic

101and powerful to have someone in that role to really oversee the implementation of what's going to happen over the next few years. So, I just want to commend the board on doing that and thank you guys for your work. I just wanted to ask about that. What will that duty what will that person's duty um be attend assistant superintendent? Yeah. So, I'm gonna actually um Allison, I wanted to tap you in on this as well. This would be something that we would, you know, work with you to think through all of the roles and responsibilities. Um, but we see it as like someone who is solely focused on special ed. So, it is the accountability. It is the sole focus um to then be able to support all of the initiatives that you are all

102ambitiously setting forth. Okay. Monitor. Yeah. And yeah, that accountability piece. Yeah. Yeah. So, we will we would work with you to really think through what those roles and responsibilities would be in detail. Well, this is I'm glad you everybody brought that up because you can't say that in a boardroom and then like walk away from it, you know, make mention that we're going to possibly need a special education um superintendent, assistant superintendent. And so, what I do know, and I think I may mention in this maybe not since you've been here, Dr. Burks. But prior to that, we did need that because we have a director, but it's an overwhelming job for one person. And if you have 17,000 students and you're trying to be efficient, you have to have those positions in place. And

103so it would definitely help with the compliance piece pieces that specifically address um that the special needs department. Um there's just so much that you have to do. It's almost as if you're running a district within a district. And so I'm glad that you pointed that out. Um I'm glad that we're all pretty much jumping on the same page. But myself, um, I came on the board in 2017 and I was fortunate enough to have students at the time in elementary, middle school, in special needs program. I have a son who has CP. Um, and had a kid in charter school. I had them all over the place. So, I got a chance to look from all the lenses that were available. And um that is something that we definitely need because I was a

104parent on that side and I'm always going to be a family and child advocate for everybody, but specifically for students with um special needs. We need that in our district. We need it. It's not a taboo. It's not a bad thing because considering all the things that we have to deal with legally on the back end, if we had those supports, it would be a lot um it would be easier on our students. We're not even going to talk about the district. We're going to say on our students. So, I hope since the since it was made mentioned tonight, um that we go to sleep and we wake up and we start thinking about what that looks like. And we live in an age now where as as community members, we can actually do our

105own research and we can figure out what it is that that role would actually um entail. And prayfully Dr. Burks will make sure that everybody's included in us making that decision. But that is definitely a step in the right direction. So thank you. Yes, you would. Uh, I want to thank uh Miss Jamie and Miss uh Miss Rose and Mr. Here for your hard work and working closely with our team and we kind of stretch them a lot more than they probably do for a district or Mr. Tears like here here of really working and talking with all multiple stakeholders in the district and I'm happy what they committed. You know, as an organization, we've we believe and we've embraced we get get better together and all our strengths are needed. And we've taken stock

106of lots um several aspects of our district. We looked at human resources, finances, uh conducted a feasibility study. We've had an equity audit. So, I want to make sure that people understand that this was important to do as an organization to look at our strengths and look at opportunities for growth and development. And I would be remiss if I did not commend Mr. Sikitt as well as his supervisors and facilitators as well as of course all the teachers who work in our special education department. And we know that we need more capacity on our special education team because their job is multifaceted. Mr. Let's let's give Mr. Sik a round of applause. He he talks to parents all the time. He does the compliance. Yes, we work with the academics and you know it's very

107complex and the size of our organization which is growing extensively. We have to look at our overall special education program to say how if we want to expand uh we look at our facilities and we even conducted a feasibility study ourselves. Um we know we partner with other school districts to support some of our students who have some of the highest needs but we should be able to have our own students in district and serve them ourselves. But we so we need some support with creating those programs. So I want to thank you um everyone and I know when I said that we would do this people were like oh boy like you really want to do that. Yes, we are committed to transparency, accountability um from administration all across the organization and we also

108want to ensure that our collective communities sees that we believe when we say all of our children, all of our learners, we mean all of our children, all of our learners. And we want to provide them with the best at uh schooling experience possible. And it takes, you can't say, and I often say this, we are part of a learning, we're in the learning business. And so in continuous learning and continuous improvement is paramount for us to get better to best serve our students and families. And hopefully a little later on we'll talk about data so we can best look at our data and so and having it all in one place so we can do deep analysis of what's happening and trends. So I want to thank the board for walking us and stretching

109us to not look at just I know when we came before you you're like we want more. We want you look at all these things. So thank you for that push and we're excited about our way forward and we some of the recommendations that have been made you were just waiting for the recommendations but as they were sharing with us I want to thank Mr. Sik and his team because they begin to provide professional learning on co-eing and various aspects of this work and not waiting for just the report. So I thank you for your hard work and your leadership. Thank you Dr. Burks. This is Allison. I just want to mention that your leadership as well has been a huge part of this process and we appreciate that you brought us in and we

110appreciate that um that you have the experience and the and the vision here to really look at the future and look um look forward. So we're just we want to we want to state that you have been instrumental as well in this conversation. Thank you. Thank you, Alison. Thank you. May I have a motion? Thank you very much. So, you want to come back and Exactly. Good. So, I was going to ask the ask the board. We're um to approve our four-phase approach to supporting students and developing procedures and processes to improve the special education structure, program, and outcomes for students not to exceed $450,850. And this is for total school solution. For total school, consulting services. May I have a motion to move this item forward to our next regular board meeting? I'll make

111the motion. All in favor, please let it be known by saying I. I. Are there any that opposed? Hearing and seeing none, this moves forward to our next regular board meeting, which is directly after this one. Thank you very much, Dr. Seavoy. At this time, you're up again. Oh, we Melissa, you coming back? Okay, come on. It's Aubrey. It's Aubrey strategic plan and data dashboards, right? Yes. Okay. Thank you. Good evening again, board. I'd like to um before I present this board memo, Curtis Hopkins and Ryan Baxter from Aubrey are here for any technical questions. Thank you for being here this evening tonight. This is an exciting um presentation for me to give to you. This is to create our data dashboards. So, not only to monitor our strategic plan priorities, but also our data.

112Right now, we go from this system and pull this piece of data over to this system system. pull this piece of data to this system to pull this piece of data. We are now with the approval of this um proposal will be able to have dashboards created where Aubrey will pull all the data into one location for us so that we have real time data dashboards for not only central office but also for our our schools and our leaders. As we are moving into a data culture where we are constantly looking at data to make our decisions, these dashboards will be imperative to our work because it gives us our real-time data in a presentation that makes sense where we're not spending our time pulling the data. We can actually dig deep into the data

113with the dashboards. This is a three-year contract at $3 36,55 annually for three years. These will have we will have a dashboard for each of our lighting the way a blueprint for success priority areas. Those will be the the first ones we work on. In addition, we will have dashboards to monitor our continuous improvement plans. Thank you. Are there any questions? May I have a motion to move this forward to our next regular board meeting? I'll make the motion. May I have a second? Second. All in favor, please let it be known by saying I. I. Are there any that oppose? Hearing and seeing none, is moves forward to our next regular board meeting, which is directly after this one. Thank you very much, Melissa Smith. Miss Smith. At this time, um, Dr. Seavoy, you're

114back. And we have four items. Is that correct? Let me look at the back of this paper. The four items. So in December November December, the board approved our program of studies. We Can I stop you just for a second? Um, does the board members have a problem with her staying up here and finishing everything that her name is attached to? Yes, that's fine. No problem. Okay. Thank you very much. So you could just keep going and going. Okay. You approved the board approved our program of studies. As part of the program of studies, additional courses were created um in the high, middle, and high school levels. What you will see for items five, six, seven, and eight are requests to buy purchase materials for those courses. The first one is the first one we

115request that the board approve purchase of curricular materials for middle school and high school um health educa for the health education courses at a cost of $47,97540. You want to go to the next one? Yes. In addition to the health materials, we're asking the board to approve core the purchase of core materials for Spanish language courses that are approved in the program of study at a cost of $33,414. In addition to that, we're asking the board approval to purchase personal financial literacy curricula and uh from McGra Hill for at a cost of $119,000. I just want to emphasize too as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements, we are required to teach uh financial literacy and this will support us in that process. Lastly, I believe is the purchase of English language development materials

116for grades 6 through 12 to support our curriculum and the development of our English language learners and not to exceed $410,000. So at this the okay the materials are National Geographic learning and my apology that's the last one this higher learning you done I'm sorry I don't mean to interrupt I know but we're going to do the curricular piece we have four items for curricular resources and so do we have any questions regarding that may I have a motion to have these four items that motion second Second. All in favor, please let it be known by saying I. I. Are there any that oppose these four curricular items moves forward to our next regular board meeting which is immediately following this meeting? So now I'm going to ask Dr. Seavo that you go on to

117the Lehigh Valley Child Care Center renewal agreement. Yes. Um, we are requesting the board's approval of the rental agreement between Allentown School District and Lehigh Valley Children's Centers to provide on-site childcare at William Allen High School and Milenberg Elementary School. William High School child care is available on site from 7 a.m. until 4 pm. And at Mullenberg Elementary School, childcare is available from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The child care services at William Allen High School supports our students pregnant and parenting teens, the opportunity to complete their coursework while being parents. And then the one at Milenberg Elementary School is for the community childcare opportunities for families and communities. This is of no cost to the district. Wow. Your next item. Nice. Thank you. Thank you to our partners. The next one is the is

118for a community service for children incorporated. The Head Start collaboration part of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has Head Start and pre-K programs, pre kindergarten programs. This is a Hayes uh Head Start program located at Hayes Elementary School and Bramos Elementary School. They care for up to 60 children and their families. This agreement is for August 1st, 2025 to July 31st, 2026. The program serves lowincome families at or below federal the federal poverty level and the support goes to the neediest families using the criteria. Um this aligns to the um the strategic plan because when we talk about family and community engagement, the whole child and we know that these students, we want these students if we're supporting them in one of our schools, that gives us opportunities to support those students before becoming a kindergarten student at

119um in Allentown school district. Thank you very much. You're welcome, Dr. Seavoy. Um, do we have any any questions or Yes, I want to thank you Dr. Silva for the the presentation with the head start. Um, my sister was born 1969 and she was one of the first students I think three years, four years later to be part of the head start. It was a, you know, that was something new and different and amazing and yeah, I remember that much when she started and to know that and then my niece became a teacher and head start. These things do give our students who are in situations that no fault of their own an an advantage. Yes. To make sure that they are, you know, running at the same level or above because some of those

120children are even are truly smart. Another advantage of both of these programs for our strategic plan is that we have an executive director of early learning. So when we start and we have our own prek programs. Yes. If we are are if we are supporting all early learners by the time they get into kindergarten we expect them to be prepared for kindergarten less support for them in the kindergarten and they can enjoy kindergarten at the kindergarten level and we can support our families at that process and then we don't have to worry about you know the federal government the the state government the city government looking at our children under third grade seeing you know if they're going to build more jails Is there any other discussion? May I have a motion to move these

121two items to our next regular board meeting? I make that motion. I second. All in favor, please let it be known by saying I. Are there any that oppose? Hearing and seeing none, these two items, item number 10 and 11, moves forward to our next regular board meeting, which is immediately after this one. Thank you very much, Dr. Seavoy. At this time, Miss Jenna Munley. Did I say it right? Good evening again. This evening, the district seeks approval to renew its contract with the United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley in St. Luke's University Health Network to continue supporting the implementation of the community schools model and loving the schools. Before I continue, I would like to recognize and thank our valued partners from United Way who are here with us this evening. Miss Marcy Leco,

122the president and chief executive officer. Miss Jill Pier, vice president of strategic partnerships and Kushbu Jane, the director of community um school network for being here with us. [Applause] We have worked in close partnership throughout this school year to begin to reimagine and redesign the community schools models to better serve district students and families. And through our collaboration, students, families, and staff in each participating school will continue to be supported by community school coordinators and/or activity coordinators. These roles are essential into building bridges between schools and community resources by convening partnerships to align at school level strategies and support services, coordinating programs that complement the school day learning, and monitoring the impact of data collection and analysis. As we look ahead for 2526 school year, it's important that I want to share one important structural

123change. All community school coordinators positions will transition to the employment under United Way, creating a single employer model across all 11 of our schools. This change is designed to improve operational efficiency and program consistency, onboarding and training and professional development, and implementation fidelity and accountability. The transition strengthens the student support infrastructure, ensuring that services are delivered more consistently, effectively, and with students at the center of the program. Are there any questions I can answer? Yes. Um, a comment. Uh, three, four years ago, I was not a fan. I was not a fan of United Way. However, they took what I had to say and they ran with it. They made sure and I have to give it to y'all and I thank you very much. Where they saw where we were lacking, they picked up

124the slack. Where they could make things better for us and make it better for our students and our families, you did it. And I commend you 120%. You did an amazing job. I thank you, Marcy. Especially under your leadership, I've seen things even change even the more for the better. And I'm just happy. [Applause] I'd like to make a comment as well. I was I had the opportunity of attending the um the United Way Partner meeting and seeing the new model that's about to unfold. Um the amount of work and attention to detail, the data, um the collaboration that's going into the process really blew my mind. How much they were so much open to feedback and that's so important because when you're serving the community and each school is so unique and different to

125be open to that feedback. So we are treating each school as an individual entity and I just love that going forward. I do want to commend the United Way on the work that's being done and it's going to continue to happen and and and also making sure that we are the district that has every single school as a community school. I'm putting that out there. I'm just excited for us to because I see this as a part of our strategic plan, the whole child framework and this being a part of that. So I'm so excited for where we go where we're going as a district and love our partners and thank you guys so much for all the work that you've been doing and Joe I haven't forgot you too how you have supported Marcy

126owner with these things that we have done with our school and our students. I I I see you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Is there any other are there any other comments? Um Madam Chair, can I just ask Miss Marcy and Kusha just to stand so they can be acknowledged for their hard work and their partnership? [Applause] No further comments. May I have a motion? I make a motion. May I have a second? Second. Oh, you did say. Oh, you thought it fast. I didn't know which one you took. All in favor, please let it be known by saying I. I. Are there any that opposed? hearing and seeing none, this moves on to our next regular board meeting, which is immediately after this meeting. At this time, I'm going to ask Miss Melissa

127Smith to come back to the podium. And if we could take um 12, 13, and 14, these all curriculum items, correct? Um next year we are predicting 16 more second grade classrooms than we have this year. Oh, wow. three more third grade classrooms and four more fourth grade classrooms. So with that, we need to purchase core curriculum resources for those new classrooms. So the first one, exhibit L, is our literacy program at a cost of $122,773.35. It is benchmark advance and it's um aligned to the science of reading and structured literacy. Followed up by amplify science at $87,579 and not to be forgotten is envision math at $53,654.34. Thank you. Do we have any questions? Okay. Um, may I have a motion to move this forward to our next regular board meeting? So moved. Second.

128All in favor, please let it be known by saying I. I. Are there any that opposed? Hearing and seeing none, this moves forward to our next regular board meeting, which is directly after this one. At this time, can you do the you're going to do theou first? Of course, separately and then the the presentation is 17 Bridgeview, right? Okay. So you can do 15 and 16 if that if that's okay. Perfect. Tonight I'm requesting your approval of anou between the Allentown School District digital promise and course mojo to implement the and study the use of course course mojo in grade six. This is a pilot that they are actually creating AI materials for study sync which is our our sixth grade study um our sixth grade core literacy program. They're creating the program so that

129when our sixth graders are reading a text, the little bot will pop up and ask a question and they'll our sixth graders will answer it. And if they just say, "I don't know." It's going to ask them another question to make them go deeper and it's going to keep asking a question. This is a program that is directly aligned to our core curriculum resources. So it can't get better than that because it's supporting it. One of the most important things is this is a pilot. They came to Allentown to do this pilot. But this is from the work that Dr. Burks is doing with the League of Innovative Schools and with Digital Promise. Dr. Burks is a board member with the League of Innovative Schools and that's who brought this pro program to us. This

130is not costing us any money. Digital Promise Philanthropy is paying the $45,754 to implement this program for our sixth graders and um building the curriculum to support it. It's exciting. I'm the last word. It is very exciting. Students are going to receive immediate support building their independence, confidence, and engage them um through their core curriculum resources. Do we have any questions? It's not going to replace the teachers, right? It does not replace the teachers and the reports that the teachers get will actually help the um guide the whole group instruction. And how are we going to be um gauging, you know, monitoring? Monitoring. Yes. One of I kind of like know the answers to these questions. By the way, I let Miss Smith talk to other people. Ask me a question. This is a research

131proposal. So this will be pending solicitor review. So they will be conducting research as we are doing as we are implementing it. What we have one of our responsibilities is to ensure that our instructional coaches are supporting it within classrooms. So this is not something that we're just saying to teachers here you go. There will be ongoing professional learning for them. There will be coaching in the classrooms. There will be monitoring of the data. I've had more meetings of course Mojo over the past three months than um any other vendor. Thank you very much, Miss Smith. The next you want to do Okay. May I have a I can do this one? Yeah. 16. You want to do 16? Yeah. Okay. And we can just do them both together. Okay. So, I'm requesting the board's

132approval to renew Star Renaissance reading and math assessment system at a total cost of 182,48.76 for the 2526 school year. Star is our current assessment system where we monitor our data for um our continuous improvement plans. But what's neat now is I spoke to you about Aubrey. Aubrey will take the star data and put it in the Aubrey system. So, our dashboards will have STAR in it. We won't have to run our reports from STAR independently. Thank you. Are there any questions? May I have a motion to move these two items 15 and 16 to our regular I make that motion. Second. All in favor, please let it be known by saying I. I. Are there any that opposed? Hearing and seeing none, this moves forward to our next regular board meeting, which is directly

133after this one. At this time, I'm going to ask Miss Oh, wait. Don't go nowhere yet. You can do 18 and then I'll ask Mrs. Bryant to come forth with her presentation. I'm asking the board to renew Lexia Core 5 for our elementary schools and Lexia Powerup for our middle and high school students for a total cost of $311,328. This is one of our literacy intervention programs that we use. Um last year we've our data shows that at the start of the year we had 10% of our elementary students on at or above grade level in the system. At the end of the year we were at 52%. In middle school and high school we started at 28% and moved to 40%. So it is one where we're start our students grow in where they

134may still not be at the proficiency level. That is one of the ways we can monitor student growth and again Lexia will be in Aubé so our data dashboards will include that data as well. Awesome. If you do have any questions we have a motion to move this forward to our next move. Second. All in favor please let it be known by saying I. I. Are there any that opposed? Hearing and seeing none. This moves forward to our next regular board meeting which is directly after this one. Um, Miss Jennifer Bryant, nice to see you. You as well. Good evening, board, Dr. BS. Um, so tonight I'm here um to bring to you an overview of our transition plan for building 21 to go into our next or actually our next theme-based school, but it's

135actually our first theme-based high school. So, that's very exciting. And last month, last month I stood here um to request the name change from building 21 to Bridgeview Academy of Health, Science, Innovation, and Technology. And tonight, we're going to give you the that brief overview that I talked about around our transition phases, what we're doing um as we move through this transition. And finally, uh, we'll be requesting the board's approval for some strategic purchases that are going to help us with this transition. First, I must start by explaining to you where we're grounded. We've established our foundation by looking to our own strategic plan. Uh the inspiration here is coming from priority one academic excellence, priority three creating pathways for tomorrow and of course priority seven technology for universal learning. So while we remain grounded

136in our priority areas, uh we also have a vision for theme-based education from our own Dr. Carol D. Burks, our superintendent and CEO, where our theme-based schools are going to provide a pathway to success. Um, we're recognizing and valuing each student's individual journey. With this though, at the heart of it is also our partnerships. We heard a lot about partnerships tonight. And this will be um an enduring theme in our work for our theme-based schools and also for um our view of innovative learning. When we look specifically at the vision for Bridgeview Academy, uh we are looking to make sure that we have a future focused learning environment. And this environment in particular is going to focus on preparing students for high demand careers in artificial intelligence. computer science and healthcare. This brings us back

137then also to our vision for innovative learning. And you can see right at the center of that at the core is once again that community collaboration. Yes, we want innovation out of our programming. Yes, we want to empower the dreams of our students, promote opportunities and have those strategic innovative partnerships, but it will be through collaboration that we help to realize this. These are really our pillars of innovative learning. With understanding the vision for Bridgeview Academy, there is both a vision and a strategy by which we have we hope to realize that vision. So with building 21, as we said, we want that future focused education. And as you see how things trickle down, we're looking at two main pathways, an AI computer science as well as a healthc care pathway. and to realize that

138the strategy is going to be in looking to update our curriculum to pro make sure we're providing experiential learning opportunities as well as really focused on teacher development to ensure that we're building that capacity there for teachers to be able to to really uh support this innovative programming. So, in this overview, I'm presenting to you a two-year transition plan. Um, this is this is big work. These will be big rocks to move um as we're transitioning this high school. So, right now we're coming to you with sort of this outlined plan of the beginning. Um, and this will be something that takes time as we transition over time, but we're excited to present to you our thoughts on year one where we'll be again prioritizing professional development um, and looking to make strategic modifications to

139the physical spaces in the school that will help us transform instruction um, as we know it in the building. And then year two, we will focus on making sure that we are mapping sequential elective pathways that help students really dig deeper in their learning and align to the vision and the pathways for the school. So so often um and there is nothing wrong with this, we pre present kids with a series of electives. Take this, take this, explore. We're still going to be able to offer exploration but within our concentrated fields and then we will have um a very um deliberate intentional wellplanned path that students can take through their electives to ensure that deeper learning. And then an additional thing is our expansion of our grade levels to include the middle grades beginning with

140sixth grade. So with these transition phases, we begin with professional development that will be key for equipping both our school leaders and our educators with the tools that they need and that enhanced knowledge. We want our teachers to be able to be very competent with their core content, but we also want them to be able to integrate technology seamlessly into their instruction. And a large part of that is going to coincide with our work as a build school. Um so through our Verizon partnership, we will have a supervisor of technology whose main role is going to ensure that our teachers are utilizing technology effectively. Um we're also focused on training for our leadership. I'll have that advantage as well. Going with our new leadership team at the school, making sure that we're really invested in

141um intensifying uh outcomes for students um through the work at the National Institute for Urban School Leaders. Also, our team is going to be going to the ISTY conference, which is the International Society for Technology and Integration or excuse me, technology and education. Um, so you can see that many of our topics are also aligning specifically to our theme. Once again, it's that intentional design with our curriculum development. We're looking to make sure that we're able to offer some new courses. Um, the school does a great job with a foundations course to help support incoming freshmen who have such a heavy course load of mustd do subjects. But we're looking in that second semester to make sure we're uh going to transition that into a foundations of artificial intelligence. In that way, we'll really be

142able to open kids eyes to like what is AI, right? You don't have to just be a computer scientist who wants to become some sort of programmer, but all all individuals are going to experience the impact of AI and this will be something eyeopening for students to ensure that they're prepared. Also, um we we want to introduce digital citizenship um as a course to our students which is becoming ever increasingly important. Our kids spend an um an amazing amount of time online and with technology. And this is something that's really going to help students uh know how to navigate their way and be good stewards um of the internet and of their research and of what they're doing. And with that, it's really inspired by our work again with Verizon Innovative Learning Schools. as a

143Bill School. Um we're really taking advantage of the resources that this partnership has led us to as well as making sure that we have our student tech team on board um and emphasizing every um advantage that that will have. Students in that may move on to shadow our own internal um it so that they're um learning right as they are in school. And we have the adoption of the reveal math program which will be supported by double periods for algebra. The adoption of reveal is going to make sure that the school is using the same resources as Allen and Dirk in that we'll be able to make sure that teachers and students are getting the full advantage of the district's efforts into improving secondary math. In biology, we're going to have an added lab that's

144going to help those freshmen as well. And we're working on a sequence of science courses to support deeper learning as well as computer science courses that will help us realize that AI pathway. Those elective pathways once again will be intentionally designed. But I think the part that I'm most excited about is making sure that we have a program of studies that reflects this and supports our students. So helping students see the map, helping students identify with these are my strengths and my interests and if so what's a suggested course of study for me and what might those outcomes be in the sense of careers and other opportunities if I elect to take that sequence of study. We want to make sure that we are reinvigorating the student internship program and experiential learning for our students

145at the um at Bridge View Academy. To do this, uh we are looking to expand our industry partnerships um to make sure that students have every connection possible and again they're really experiencing learning outside of the four walls of the classroom. We also need to think about what does it mean to be successful um for today's current job market which isn't always going on to a four two or fouryear uh university. Um it could also mean earning industry credentials and other qualifications that today's um employers are seeking in some of these more specialized fields. Throughout this process, we want to ensure that we are grounded in ongoing evaluation to make sure that the work that we're doing is effective. Um, so we have a design committee that will continue to apply our data wise protocol

146that we have all been working hard with and we have also budgeted through our PA smart grant for an external evaluator that will ensure that we are also um meeting our indicators of success. Here is just um an overview of courses of where we stand at the moment. So you can begin to see the way things develop. Um, if you follow down in the columns, we begin with our freshmen and you can see what it is that we are able to offer them now that provides them with um a rigorous course of study that's going to be that foundation for their experience um moving through our sophomores, juniors, and seniors. You can see there's a little bit of gap, but again, that's in our elective pathway and that's the piece that we know that is

147the piece we're working on, but also that's going to be the really exciting part. So, we took information and inspiration from a number of sources and we continue to do so. Um, but those that are critical have been Second High School in the Gwinn County, uh, Georgia school, um, district. Um this is an AI themed school um that is serving for inspiration for us as well as taking advantage of our partnerships with Digital Promise um and the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools. Uh so many of us have had the opportunity to visit um the League of Innovative Schools in Pittsburgh, um the VI schools in Chicago, and we're taking what we're observing and what we're learning and putting that into our design and practice here. Our design committee members include a number of us sitting in

148the room here today, as well as our school leaders. And we are also looking to have future additions including our newville supervisor of instructional technology, additional members of the faculty from Bridge View, health pathway design industry experts and artificial intelligence and computer science experts. Um, and I can't forget that we do also want to have representation from our students and our parents as well. So next steps uh will include some strategic staffing additions. Uh we need a physics teacher to help us realize our sequence of science courses that are going to provide our kids um with a really great foundation in high school in science studies. We are looking for an instructional coach who's going to help us make sure that we're maintaining elevated practices in the classroom. And we are looking to add two

149computer science teachers that are going to help support um all of this technology um and computer science learning. We are looking for identification of industry experts to support our curriculum development and we're working on the freshman foundation. Um how do we support freshmen with their heavy course load, make sure they're set up for success in this critical year as they transition into high school. So this summer in summerbridge, we're building connections with both students and families. Um, and that's something that uh the school does really well. This is um this is a natural photo of this teacher with a student that just really speaks volumes um and found its rightful place right here um with making connections with students. Um, and our final thing is really looking at school facilities upgrades, which brings me to

150then uh the modifications of spaces that we're looking to make. We're looking to have strategic additions um by way of adding an additional science classroom, a maker space with a Mac lab as part of the maker space, video and podcasting production, so a studio dedicated to both of those. Um and we're looking to make over a computer lab for esports. We're looking for spaces that will showcase our student work. and we're looking for these purchases that are going to help support our spaces. So, to give you a little bit of an idea of what we're talking about, this is an example of podcasting and meeting pods. Um, they are sound noise controlled and they're going to provide an environment um whereby our students uh can engage in podcasting but also we can have strategic breakout

151for small groupoup instruction. We can have um counseling services and other things that take place um in in these pots. This is an example, not exactly a mockup of what we're doing, but wanted to show you what we mean by the difference between a computer lab and an esports competition space. Eports is just that. It's a sport. Um so we're looking to make more of that competition space um for the students uh so that it builds that excitement but it's really around teamwork. So you can see there's a strategic addition up there of large panel screens because this is not this is not about playing video games at home. This is truly about teamwork. That's hence the sport of it. And then these are examples of maker space. maker space is not the most organized

152space. There's a lot of things in there, but with a lot of these things because comes a lot of thought and a lot of creativity. And that's really what these spaces are about. And tonight, we're requesting the board's approval to purchase a number of items um that are going to support innovative instruction, experiential learning, and dynamic learning environments for Bridge View Academy. These purchases will ensure students are provided new experiences and technologies that deepen learning and engagement while preparing students for future focused careers. These purchases once again align to our uh strategic priorities. Um, and as part of these purchases, you can see up there, we are looking um to invest in IMAX to support our makerpace computer lab as well as our studio of video and podcasting production. We are looking for additional maker

153space equipment to really make a very creative dynamic space for students. Digital projectors um these are very unique. Uh these are projectors that um are going to teach students not only give them a way to showcase digital projects that they're working on by doing just that. You can pro project them out onto a wall but they're they can also be used together collaboratively not just one to actually make art scenes to show what you can do for marketing and other these days. So it's also an enhancement to the learning. Uh the video and podcasting production equipment, esports technology and competition equipment, the pods as I spoke about for supporting small groupoup instruction, meetings, counseling and podcasting, as well as open sieed curriculum kits to make sure that our science rooms are outfitted properly. Um, this

154comes in at a total request of $431,457. Um, and our funding sources are going to be from a variety of places. Our PA Smart Grant, Title 4, CSI funds, and our general fund. These items are accounted for in our budget. And finally, uh, we have a sneak peek, a Thank you. And a sneak peek of the designs that are in work um for our new logo and colors. Lovely. Woo. Better than that. Building 21. Thank you. Um may I ask also a request that we build we we put lockers in the in the school. They don't have lockers. They don't. Nope. Never have. 431. I went off of the um there is a this is the presentation but there is also a board memo is there a disconnect? But that's a mixture of fun. Is

155it potentially the open sad kits maybe missing from there but included in the that is possible. I do apologize. I'll make sure that that's that's Yeah, I'll I'll go back. I'll check the math. No. No. Yes. Title four. Yes. Miss Smith is gonna, if you don't mind, she'll explain title four. It is. Good evening again. Title four is um there's three areas for title four. It's well-rounded education, which our theme based school definitely falls into the well-rounded education part of title 4. Title 4 also includes safe and healthy um initiatives for students. And then technology, which again more about technology, professional learning um in title 4. And again, all of those, the well-rounded and the technology fall into the bridge view academy plan. Just want to thank you, Miss Prime, Miss Ramos, Dr. boy, everyone

156on the committee um uh who worked really diligently to bring to come up with a school design concept um for our students and the board gave us a charge in very short notice kind of like we wanted something reimagined. So we thank you for your hard work and commitment and everyone who on the team who worked hard on this. I want to thank Mr. Nasta who is our director of procurement. So he he has some artistic ability. So he worked on helping with the logo and so we want to thank you Mr. Nasta for your help um and doing this. He told me a price from a vendor and I was like no you know I'm not doing that and so and then he came over himself and split up a lot of nights and

157going back and forth. So I thank you so much. And he he is Allen Town. So he went to the schools here in Al. [Applause] I'll make that motion. A second. Sports. Esports. Good evening, Wargan. We couldn't let Bridge View have all the fun. So, I'm here to ask So, I am here to ask uh for board approval to renovate the computer science classroom for a hybrid classroom for computer science and classes and esports for the Duff High School. [Applause] And some of the benefits include like we it was mentioned before uh critical thinking uh team scores strategic planning and problem solving skills and I do want to give a shout out to Singer who is the teacher uh she's the technology lead teacher at Duff High School and she's the one that is has

158taken this program to the max to the point that we have uh we were in uh state championships. Wow. Right now. So move second. Thank you. No open but something I forgot to say. Okay. Sorry. I just when I said my comments and that's why I need to write them down so I don't miss anyone. But I forgot um and not because they were not important, it's just I should have written it down. So I want to thank our pair of professionals who play a vital role in supporting our students with exceptionalities as well as all our clinicians. So the social workers, counselors, and speech path and I shouldn't do that because I'll fit, but everyone who's a clinician, you know your role and what you do every day, occupational therapy, all those great groups.

159Thank you as well for your hard work and supporting our students. Thank you. [Applause] Some second. We will take a quick three minute break and be right back to complete our meeting for tonight. Go outside. No. You you want another meeting tonight? I can start. Oh, that's right. I forgot because that's a Jewish. Okay. All right. Ready? Sure. I call to order the the the building committee of a whole meeting of the board of directors of the school district for the city of Downtown today, June 26, 2025. The board welcomes and invites public comment. You may address the the board on agenda and non-aggenda items. The first opportunity for comment is at the beginning of the meeting and limited to agenda items only. Comment cards will be received by the by will received by the

160start of the meeting which is now. We will not be receiving public cards once the meeting begins. A copy of the public comment policy is located at the table the table next to the comment cards per our board's policy. Any person may address the board in accordance with the procedures and limitations of this policy either on issues presented in the resolution being considered or on any other matters affecting the administration management and operation of this district. Remarks of personal nature directed against any individual will be ruled out of order. If you choose to address the board, please fill out a comment card and hand to m the the secretary, Mr. Simson. Do we have any cards? Okay. We have a roll call. Okay. We will uh now have the roll call. Mr. Secretary, please call

161roll. Oh, okay. No, it has it's on here. Okay, let's keep going. Okay, never mind. I don't know when to put that in my script. Okay. Um, Dr. Dr. Burks, do you have anything remarks? Uh, no. Thank you, Miss um, Madam Chair. Okay. No com public comments tonight. Tonight we have three action items. Dr. Wharton is requesting that the board consider approval of Metro Design Center to to provide new classrooms, library, and auditorium auditorium flooring for the following school locations. Central Stream Academy, Washington Elementary, Harrison Wharton Middle School, and South Mountain Middle School presented by Dr. Wharton. All right, sir. Good evening, board again, Dr. Burks. So there, would you like me to do all three? Yes, do all three. Mhm. Thank you. The first one's for Metro Design to provide new classroom, library, and

162auditorium flooring at the following locations. The Central Steam Academy, Washington Elementary School, Harrison Morton Middle School, and South Mountain Middle School. Like what we'd like to do on an annual basis is get to some of these schools and start switching out some of the old flooring, the old carpeting, and put down more appropriate flooring, i.e. uh uh luxury vinyl tile that's more resilient. we can clean it better. Obviously, with old carpeting, it's hard hard to get it clean after a while. Keep on extracting from it. The glue starts coming through the fibers and you develop black spots on the carpeting. So, that is number one. The second one that we would like the board to consider and approve is center stage lighting and rigging to provide the follow following surf uh services. removal and replacement

163of existing stage curtains at Harrison Morton Middle School, South Mountain Middle School and Trexler Middle School. And the reason why we're asking this, these stage curtains are old, but more importantly, they are not fire So, we got written, for lack of better words, the audit that was done by uh CM Regent as well as the fire marshal noted it. So on the bottom of these stage curtains is literally a badge that identifies us as flame retardant. So we have to do that not only for insurance purposes but for passing the fire inspection on an annual basis. And then the last one that I'm looking for or that we are looking for, excuse me, is the J Bernie Crumb video scoreboard. The electrification of that scoreboard. We have the scoreboard. We're getting it mounted and now

164we have to electrify. So that is coming at $69,900. I got to credit Dr. Burks. We a lot of times what we tend to do is go to the lowest poss, you know, lowest common denominator, a co-star vendor, but what we forget, we can also negotiate with co-stars and there's other co-star vendors. And so we went and got three proposals. That three proposals yielded about a $22,000 discount by just a getting three proposals and negotiating. Okay. Something as simple as ask. So, Dr. Burks, I credit you for that. Uh, so we saved $22,000 works for me. Yes. So, those are the three items that I have before you tonight. a whole host of new floors, three new stage curtains, and then electrifying a beautiful video scoreboard for Jurn State. Wonderful. Any questions? Yes. It does.

165Been asking us to change those curtains forever. I'm going to cut you a little swatch and bring it to you. Yes. I'm So, thank you. But thank you guys. Thank you Dr. Burks for care because you know our art students like they're so into that stuff. So thank you guys for the work you're doing. Well the first, you know, real quick story about the stage curtain. I was at my first uh uh you are the light ceremony and I'm looking up and Dr. Burks is on stage and I'm like, "Oh god, that stage curtain is red." The ribb. So that's going to be fixed. Wonderful. Raise the Thank you very much. Okay. May I have a motion to move this forward? Make the motion. Second. Um, any any discussion? All in favor say I. I.

166Any opposed? Eyes have it. It moves forward. Thank you, M. Okay. Do we have any comments, Comm? No. Okay. Do we have any old business? I do have one piece of old business because I'm the building also goes under athlet athletics. Um I did make a statement last month about what happened at the Rob Middle School with the taking of the um championship from the jive and giving it to Trexler Middle School. I did say something that I I'm sorry for with Mr. Buts because he didn't you know I questioned his integrity and I was just mad and that was wrong and so I apologize for that. Um, however, you know, no, it's no, however, I really do apologize to that because I don't want to make it seem like he would do anything just

167because he didn't get something from us. That's not true and that's not right. And I'm very sorry for that. However, um, the way the situation was handled was not the best. I wish they would have went to the students and had a conversation with the students first before those decisions were made, but it wasn't. So, um, I'm just Mr. What's I ask for your forgiveness and there regard uh any new business? Uh I have a motion to adjourn. So move second. All in favor? I haven't. It's journ. Okay. I'd like to call to order the meeting of the board of directors of the school district for the city of Allentown for today, June 26, 2025. The board welcomes and invites public comment. You may address the board on agenda and or non-aggenda items. The first

168opportunity for comment is at the beginning of the meeting and is limited to agenda items only. Comment cards must be received by the start of the meeting, which is now. We will not be receiving public cards once the meeting begins. A copy of the public comment policy is located on the table next to the comment cards. Per our board's policy, any person may address the board in accordance with the procedures and limitations of this policy, either on issues presented in resolutions being considered or on other matters affecting the administration, management, or operation of the district. Remarks of a personal nature directed against any individual will be ruled out of order. If you choose to address the board, please fill out a common card and hand it to the board secretary, Mr. Simson. Common cards are

169located at the podium near the door. Once recognized, please please come to the podium and state your name and address for the record and kindly limit your remarks to three minutes. We will now have the roll call. Mr. Secretary, please call the role. Miss Brown. Miss Conover, present. Miss Harris, here. Miss Mat here. Mr. Nicolof here. Miss Noel here. Miss Ortiz who has now changed her name to Miss Hartnett. Miss Hartnett here. She said she said here. She said here. It's just low. Thank you. Miss Sierra. Miss Sierra. Not here. Okay. Miss Tersio here. We have seven board members present. Thank you. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance followed by a moment of silence. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America. and to the republic for which it stands.

170One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. And for my board president remarks, I'll just keep it brief tonight. I just want to congratulate all the graduates of all our high schools, dear of high school, Allen High School, building 21. And I want to thank all the teachers, administration, family, friends, everyone that held their hands for them to get across the finish line. I just want to congratulate. It was a beautiful thing to see on social media. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend because I was at my own graduation. But it's the best part of our year. It's the best part of our jobs to see all of our students graduate. So, I really want to commend everyone for that. And that ends my board my board president remarks.

171Any remarks? I just want to say have a great summer everyone. Uh, sharpen a saw. I'm really excited about all the great things that we've done together this year. I commend everyone. Job well done. And we have summer programming. So, everyone need come to summer program. Thank you. Absolutely. At this time, we are only taking public comments on agenda items. Nothing great. Okay, we'll move to the approval of the minutes. May I have a motion for approval of the minutes? I make that motion. May I have a second? Second. Is there any discussion? Please call the vote. Miss Connover, yes. Miss Harris, yes. Miss Mat, yes. Mr. Nicolof, yes. Miss Noel, yes. Miss Hartnett, yes. Mr. Bersio. Yes. Motion passes 70. And now for our information updates. We have Is there any updates from the

172Allentown Human Relations Commission? Not at this time. Thank you. Any reports from the Allentown Public Library? Um the last report that I had was just updates on the summer programs that they're having in partnership with Da Vinci also. Great. Next. Is there any updates from the Alentine Recreation Commission? Yes. Yesterday they were having um community meeting. It was just mostly about enhancing our parks recreation spaces. Thank you, Mr. Barcia. There is an update from the Allentown School District Foundation. ASD Foundation supported the Allentown Drive Middle School baseball program through a grant through a $10,000 grant from the Justin Sheffield Memorial Fund. 75 students from ASC four middle schools began practices in early April and the first games of the season were played on April 23rd. The program culminated with a championship game at Coca-Cola Park

173on June 4th between Trexler and South Mountain which Trexler won by a score of 5 to2. Go Trexler. Good grief. Spring Visual Arts Residency coordinated and funded by the foundation took place in May and June at Hayes and Ramos elementary schools. Over the course of six weeks, participants completed several art projects led by professional teaching artists in some of the projects were selected for display at public events such as Mayfair and Arts in the Park. 30 total students from Dod and Union Terrace Elementary School showcased the books they wrote and illustrated in our I am on the bookshelf program on May 8th and 15th at the Prominade Barnes and Nobles. That's amazing. 107 students and teachers from Allen and Dur enjoyed an ASD Foundation sponsored Broadway bus trip to see Mulan Rouge on May 28th.

174This trip was was a reward for their hard work providing entertainment at our high notes gala on March 22nd. Each of the eight performance groups also received a grant ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 to support their program. To culminate our reading and rewarding program, 18 Rob students were awarded with the book of their choice at a May 28th ceremony. This these students demonstrated the most growth in reading during the first three quarters of the school year. ASD Foundation also provided funding for awards and prizes as a part of the district-wide superintendent reading league which concluded for the school year on May 21st. 28 educators in 16 ASD elementary and secondary schools completed their ASD Foundation funded teacher innovation grant projects during the spring semester. The program culminated with a reception in their honor held in

175the ASD lobby and boardroom on June 2nd. And finally, 78 achievementbased scholarships administered by the foundation and totaling more than $90,000 were awarded to ASD graduating seniors this month. Additional scholarships will be distributed this summer to past graduates who received multi-year scholarships in previous years. We would like to share a thank you note received from one of this one of this year's recipients from Deerf High School the dear ASD foundation I am very grateful that I was selected to receive the Charlotte show and JF memorial scholarship. Receiving these scholarship has shown me that I am capable of achieving my goals. And that ends my report for tonight. There's no reports from the CI CLIU. Is there any report from Lehi Common? Not tonight. Okay, that concludes our information updates. May I have a motion of

176approval for the board of directors report? I make that motion. May I have a second? Is there any discussion? Yes, I do want to. as a board of director. Um Junth I was honored at the Dolman Black Heritage Museum. I am the president of it since for the last five years and I was honored um with Phoebe D. Harris myself um with heartfelt gratitude for your visionary leadership, tireless dedication and deeprooted commitment to preserving black heritage and culture. Your legacy inspires us all. So, I want to thank them for that as a board member because I, you know, I'm I'm from Maryland and it's not just in Pennsylvania I start stuff. So, I just want to let you know that that was um that was given to me as well as a citation from um

177our US senator, Senator Chris Von Halen, who if you all don't know, he's the one that went to El Salvador to um petition for the person to come back because he was deported wrongly. And um his citation says, "On the occasion of well, it's going to be my 60th birthday. In recognition of your leadership, vision, and unwraven commitment as president of the Dolman Black Heritage Museum, with gratitude for your dedication to preserving and uplifting black culture and with best wishes for your continued success." So, I just want to um let y'all know that I thank you. Much deserved. Please call the role. Miss Miss Harris, yes. Miss Mat, Mr. Nicoloff, yes. Miss Noel, yes. Miss Hartnett, yes. Missio, yes. Miss Connover, yes. Motion passes 70. Thank you. May I have a motion of approval of

178the policy agenda? I make that motion. Is there a second? Is there any discussion? Please call the RO. Miss Mat, yes. Mr. Nicolo, yes. Miss Noel, yes. Miss Hartnett, yes. Miss Berscio, yes. Miss Conover, yes. Miss Harris, yes. Motion passes 70. Thank you. May I have a motion of approval for the secretary and treasurer's report? I second. I have a second. Is there any discussion? Please call the role. Miss Mat, Mr. Nicolo, yes. Miss Noel, yes. Miss Hartnett, yes. Miss Tersio, yes. Miss Connover, yes. Miss Harris, yes. Motion passes 70. Thank you. May I have a motion of approval for the superintendent report? I make that motion. Second. Second. Is there any discussion? Please call the role. Miss Noel, yes. Miss Hartnett, yes. Mr. Tersio, yes. Miss Connover, yes. Miss Harris, yes. Miss Mat, yes.

179Mr. Nicoloff, yes. Motion passes 70. Thank you. And for the personnel report, I want to state that we are withdrawing the recommendation for hire for the director of virtual education for Bevon NL. So with that withdrawal, may I have a motion for approval for the personnel report? I make that motion. I have a second. Is there any discussion? Please call the role. Miss Hartnett, yes. Miss Tersio, yes. Miss Conover, no. Miss Harris, yes. Miss Mat, yes. Mr. Nicolola, yes. Miss Noel, yes. Motion passes 61. Thank you. Tonight, the board approved new administrative hires. Mr. Sang, would you please come forward and introduce our new hires? Now, we're tired, child. Oh, look at As we have started the tradition here for our receiving line for uh administrators that are present at our board meeting. Uh first

180please welcome our supervisor of instructional technology Lindseay Bite. [Applause] Executive Director of Facilities, Mr. Brandt Ethan Fick, [Applause] Assistant Director of Transportation, Jose Morales. [Applause] Director of Information Technology, Ronnie Moyer Jr., [Applause] Ascending from our teacher ranks to assistant principal at Central Stream Academy, Britney Reverber. [Applause] Britney is also a member of our new leaders emerging leaders pipeline program. We also have a couple internal shifts. Uh first moving from our uh stream executive director of stream academy to executive director of mathematics Dr. Heidi Rocklin. [Applause] deciding to move and help the district as we go from our elementary Jackson early childhood to our Dodd principal returning to where she was an assistant principal, Lindseay Perkins. [Applause] And then assuming the acting principal role at Jackson Early Childhood, another member of our new leaders pipeline program,

181uh the breakthrough leadership program, Tara Walter. Let's [Applause] go out. [Applause] Just go out of town. Thought we done. Yes, we did. Yeah, we did. We did. Uhhuh. We did. I made a motion. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Let's continue. May I have a motion of approval of the building report? I make second. Second. Is there any discussion? Please call the vote. Miss Conover? Yes. Miss Harris? Yes. Miss Mat? Yes. Mr. Nicolof? Yes. Miss Noel? Yes. Miss Hartnett? Yes. Miss Tersio? Yes. Motion passes 70. Thank you. May I have a motion of approval of the finance report? I make that motion. I have a second. Second. Is there any discussion? Please call the RO. Mr. Burcio, yes. Miss Conover, yes. Miss Harris, yes. Miss Mat, yes. Mr. Nicholas, yes. Miss Noel, yes. And Miss Hartnett, yes. Motion

182passes 70. At this time, we are only taking public comments on non-aggenda items. Once recognized, please come to the podium, state your name and address for the record. Please note, remarks are limited to three minutes and microphones will be disabled at the end of the three minutes. Please also be informed the school board of directors appreciate public comment. However, we are not able to respond to these comments. Administration will address your concerns and update the board on the status of your concern, Mr. Secretary. Okay. Is there any old business? No, I do not have any new business. We have a motion to adjurnn. I make the motion. All right. Have a great night, everyone. my own business. Actually, that wasn't bad.