001Good evening. Happy new year and welcome to the no this is an old script January 13th 2026 meeting of the Abington Board of School Directors. Uh I note the Thank you. I note the attendance of board members um with the exception of Mr. Allen who will be joining us virtually. Um, please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The Abington Board of School Directors has convened this evening's meeting at the administration building and the public is welcome. This meeting is also being broadcast live on the Abington School District YouTube channel. For those members of the public who cannot participate this evening, it is also
002being recorded and will be available on the district's website and cable channel no later than Friday, January 16th, 2026. Comments from citizens will be conducted in person and by phone. Instructions for calling in to each public comment section of the meeting will be displayed on the screen during each segment. The board thanks the public in advance for its cooperation. This is a place where we hold dignity and high regard and everyone's voices are respected and welcomed in this space. Uh Dr. Fetcher, do we have any additional announcements or agenda items? >> Uh yes, Dr. Murray. Good evening everyone. Um I want to bring to your attention that just before the new year our former one of our former board presidents Dr. Leonard Rosenfeld sadly passed away at the age of 87. Dr. Rosenfeld served on
003the Abington School District board of school directors for 12 years and we are grateful for his service to Abington and Rocklage communities as well as all of the students at Abington School District. Dr. Rosenfeld's son is also a teacher at our high school. So I ask that everyone keep his family and other loved ones in their thoughts uh during this time. If you could please join me in a moment of silence to honor Dr. Roosevelt. Thank you. Next, I am proud to announce that the Abington Senior High School just received news that we've been named the AP Honor Role at the bronze level for the 2024 2025 school year. The AP Honor Role recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening the participation. Schools can earn this recognition annually uh based
004on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing collegegoing culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. I commend our students first and foremost for committing themselves to achievement and academic excellence. But most importantly, I thank our AP teachers at the high school level for educating them in this rigorous coursework and encouraging them to take the AP exams. Congratulations to doc Dr. Swift and her administrative team as well as Miss Casey Shackler uh for guiding our students as the coordinator of student services. We are extremely proud to have earned this uh distinction and I appreciate all the hard work and effort that goes into ensuring that we have these programs here at Aington School District. >> Thank you. >> Great. Um I just want to make a a personal comment about
005Dr. Rosenfeld. Um, and note that um, members of school boards across Pennsylvania are elected, but they are also volunteers. And so we're grateful for the time that he gave to the district during his tenure. Um, and thank his family for sharing him with us. Um, and I also want to congratulate the district on that uh, accolade from the college board. That's wonderful. Um, I think it is a testament to the work that our faculty and our administrators do day in and day out and the diligence of our students. Um, so congratulations on that. Uh, with that we will move on to comments of board members. Mr. Allen. >> Uh, good evening everyone. Thank you. >> Mrs. Brown, I second your your comments and good evening everyone. Welcome. >> Miss Eisenhart. >> Hi, welcome. Um, happy
006new year. I'm especially excited to hear from our student council representatives this evening. It's always a pleasure to hear what's going on, all the activities that are planned. Um, and I also had a very important constituent ask me to remind um folks and thank the district for um the upcoming band concert for the middle school on Thursday. Um, we're really looking forward to it. um the staff and faculty do such a great job with preparing our students and they really get to shine on that day. So looking forward to that on Thursday evening. Thanks >> Mr. Muhammad. >> Happy new year everyone. >> Miss Falding. >> Um I'm looking forward to hopefully we have a successful [clears throat] year and happy new year everybody. >> Miss Hartman, >> welcome everyone. Miss Fraser, >> welcome back.
007>> Miss Fletcher, >> welcome everyone. Happy new year, >> Miss Lee. >> Happy New Year, everyone. >> Okay. All right. Uh Dr. Fetcher, >> I just want to take a moment and um thank Mr. Greg Rosenfeld for coming out this evening uh and being here. So, just want to recognize you. I didn't see you when uh we first walked out. So, uh thank you for being here. >> Thank you. >> And with that, we'll move to >> student council, right? >> Okay. Okay. Lana Brown from Abington Senior High School. Good evening, Dr. Maui, Dr. Fetcher, and members of the board of school directors. My name is Lana Brown, and I am the student council president of Abington Senior High School. I hope you all had a happy and restful break. I'm excited to start the
008new year together. To start us off, as Dr. Fetcher mentioned, I'm also excited to share that Abington Senior High School has earned a place on the AP school honor role for the 2024 2025 school year, which recognizes schools that have done outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses and support them on the path to college success. Additionally, the college board has recognized numerous Abington students as national merit scholars. This includes Isa Mahmood as a semi- finalist and Faith Blitchford, Eton Bogatin, Margarite Bernstein, Eric Ginsburg, Charlotte Jameson, Emily Kaiser, Ryan Kwos, Suhan Kumar, Lily Orlovich, Nicole Robertson, Adeline Shore, and Kareem Tricky as commended scholars. Lastly, Abington Senior High School was awarded a PLCb reducing underage drinking and dangerous drinking grant to purchase fatal vision goggles, which are being used to enhance the learning
009experience of our scholars when reviewing the dangers and risks of underage drinking. Next, we have had many outstanding accomplishments in the athletics department. Olivia Renzy led the Abington bowling team to a 40-0 victory over North Penn. Olivia set personal highs with a 225 game and a 617 series. This past weekend, Ella Swang Young, Michaela Fitz Maurice, Jaden Randall, Jason Levvin, Ellison Fry, Jonathan Long, Terrell Wright, Abel John's, Joseph Rajie, and Chase O'Brien all placed and received medals at the indoor track meets held at University of Penn and Lehigh University. Abington [laughter and clears throat] Senior High School wrestler Anthony Marzulli is the sixth ever to be awarded the Craig Phillips White Memorial Award in memory of Abington Senior High School wrestler Craig White who always worked hard, supported his teammates, and volunteered to give back.
010Each year, the award is given to a scholar athlete who holds those same tenets. Lastly, Abington Senior High School boys and girls basketball teams were recognized by the suburban one league journalists for their performance and leadership. We are so proud of all our athletes. Regarding Corral, ASHs Corral students attended the prestigious PMEA PMEA District 11 Corral Festival at Hapo Horscham High School. At the festival, they reawitioned to attempt to place in the top 10 in their respective voice parts and the following advanced to the region 6 corral festival in February. Zenus Colt received first place in bass one. Dorothy Davids received third pl third third place in soprano 2. Alexander Hillyard received second place in Tener 2 and Augi Sao received ninth place in Altto one. We are very proud of them. To close us
011off, the senior high is pleased to share that our scholars have been actively engaged in community outreach efforts. Abington Township Human Relations Commission requested that the Abington Senior High School choir participate and sing in the annual ceremony in honor of Doc Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 19th. Additionally, our Avidium and Vibe and Imagine clubs are currently collecting donations for the Jamaican hurricane victims. The Abington Senior High School administrative team as well as Chelham High School held a multi-tiered systems collaboration meeting. Abington Senior High School Student Council is excited to share that they are holding a fundraiser on Wednesday, January 14th at Raising Canes in Willow Grove to raise money for donation bags to give to give back to Ronald McDonald House. Lastly, Abington Tutor Club held the annual Cocoa and Cram tutoring
012sessions after school Monday, January 12th and Tuesday, January 13th to help students prepare for upcoming midterm exams. As you can see, the senior high has already gotten back into the swing of things after break, and we are excited to see what the rest of the year will bring. Respectfully submitted, Lana Brown. >> Thank you very much, Lana. Lot going on. We appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Okay, next from Abington Middle School, Bethany Bole. Good evening, Dr. Mallerie, Dr. Fetcher, and members of the board of school directors. I am Bethany Boyer, and I'm on the executive board of student council for Avington Middle School. Before the winter break, builder's club raised over $400 for the Makea-Wish Foundation. The club sold candy canes gs in the morning for two weeks. Students who participated were able to
013see send candy canes with positive message to their friends and teachers. The club views this fundraiser as a double win. Our middle school students spreading positivity while raising money for a very good cause. Later this week, Builder's Club built will kick off a collection drive to assist those in Jamaica who have been impacted by Hurricane Melissa. The drive will collect school supplies and other items until February 11th. On December 22nd, members of the AMS chorus continued their caroling for a cause. Tradition, our talented students rehearsed several popular winter songs and traveled to classrooms to spread cheer. In order to have a classroom visit, teachers made donations to Chop, Wounded Warrior Project, The Breathing Room, and The Everywhere Project. We are proud to announce that the chorus raised close to $200 for these worthy causes. The
014GSA Gender and Sexuality A Alliance decorated their bulletin board and is working on complying a list of resources to help teens. TATA, Teens Against Drugs and Alcohol, held the always popular karaoke dance at the middle school during the event evening on Friday, December 12th. Over 200 students came out to sing along with their favorite songs and dance to music. We are looking forward to our next event, Bring It On, during the month of January. Reading Olympics met again today for our January meeting. The six teams are voting on creative team names for the night of the competition and deciding on team captains. We were able to purchase even more books thanks to the PTO and student activities fund after competing virtually the last few years. We are excited for the in-person competition this year. Our
015student SRK, safe, responsible, kind group is working to plan on our second large school event year this year to help out recognize our students positive behavior. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Bethany. >> Thanks, Bethany. You did a great job. [laughter] >> Okay. >> All right. >> Yep. Uh at this time I'd like I would like to ask Miss Ali Arur, communications coordinator to share a video highlighting some recent uh media coverage of Abington School District. Good evening and happy new year Dr. Fetcher, Dr. Mauy, and members of the board of school directors. And as you know, in November, our boys varsity soccer team won the state title for the first time in school history. It was the perfect way to close out the soccer career of coach Randy Garber, who played for Abington
016as a student, graduating in 1971 before playing professionally and eventually returning here to work and raise his family. 6ABC's Matteo Ayodeni captured this full circle full circle career for one of the station's um December Philly Proud segments which I am proud to share with you this evening >> on family. One, two, three, >> family. This is uh where I got the foundation coming to Abington and playing soccer. >> Everybody's getting touches on the ball. >> Played varsity soccer my sophomore my junior and senior year and graduated in 71 right here at Abington. The hair is a little bit different. Had a uh professional career. And then in 93, my old soccer coach, he needs some help and he ended up retiring. 32 years later, I'm still here. >> Make sure you get your quads, your
017hams. Next thing you know, I ended up getting a job full-time as a fizzed teacher. Come on, guys. Move around. You got to make sure they get the good grades. They got to make sure they get the class and also teaching them and coaching them in soccer. >> It's got to be game speed. It can't be just walking through it. All right. We had a very good journey from um winning the suburban league, went to the finals in the district, lost to Havford, and we [music] competed for the state title, and we won four games straight. We outscored the opponent's 12 goals, and we won the Quad State Championship for the first time in Abington's history. Oh, it just brought the school together. We had a uh a parade and it was a celebration and
018it's been a celebration ever since. This is for you guys. Well done. Christine [applause] >> is the best coach I've ever had or ever seen. He's always focused. He's always like just like bringing us together and how he talks to people and all that is just like amazing. [applause] >> Garbs taught me to be just like a better person. Um take responsibility. He always pushes me super hard at practice and off the field. He he deserves all of it and I'm so happy that we were able to to get him a state championship finally. Everybody on his staff have either played with him or for him. So, it's a pretty cool uh group to be in. My name is Isaac Pico. I am uh one of Ry's assistant coaches. So, I graduated here in 2012
019and I uh played for Randy. He was my coach. >> All right. On the whistle. On the whistle. >> All right. You can't possibly find someone who's more passionate. It's a legendary guy right there. >> When they think of Abington, a lot of people just think of Randy. He's a fixture IN THE COMMUNITY. >> FAMILY. >> I'm retiring as a head coach this year. If I decide to teach one more year, I will definitely um be in the background and help him out. I think uh Abington soccer for the next 25 years is in good hands. All >> [applause] >> right. >> Okay. Dr. Fetcher, can you please present our board orientation? >> Right. Thank you, Dr. Mauy. Uh, at this time, I'd like to ask Dr. Robert Rosenthal, director of pupil services, to provide
020a presentation on the uh, student wellness policy. >> [clears throat] >> Uh, good evening Dr. Fetcher, Dr. Mary, and the board of school directors. In 2010, Congress passed the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act in order to ensure every American child had access to the nutrition they need to grow into healthy adults. One goal was to reduce childhood obesity and other ris health risks by helping schools produce balanced meals so children had access to healthy foods during the school day. Provisions included the implementation, evaluation, and public reporting on local school wellness policies. Federal regulations require public school districts participating in the national school lunch program to complete a review of the wellness policy and complete a wellness assessment at least once every three years and make the results available to the public. Our policy was last reviewed
021by the wellness committee three years ago in February of 2023. The student wellness SAP was last revised November of 2024 with the smart snacks in schools quick reference. The purpose of the wellness policy review is to ensure schools follow minimum standards designed to support school environment that promotes healthy nutrition, the student health and uh ensures transparency to the public. The district established a wellness committee in 2005 and welcomes new members to the committee. If interested in joining the committee, please email or call student services. The wellness committee met in October and December of 2025 to complete the trienal assessment which must measure the implementation of the local school wellness policy and include the following. the extent to which our schools are in compliance with our wellness policy, the extent to which our policy compares to
022model local school wellness policies, and a description of the progress made in attaining goals of the policy. This is the tool that was used. The assessment includes a review of the following: public involvement, notification and assessment, nutrition, education, nutrition promotion, physical activity, physical education, and other school-based wellness activities. The wellness assessment in its entirety is posted on the district website in the required notices web page. Results of the assessment show that our policy and practices go beyond the federal requirements. The bolded items are required by federal regulation. All other items are included as potential recommendations. All bolded items in our are in our policy and included as um and indicated as yes on the left side of the document. The right side of the document indicates implementation of the goal or practices in our schools.
023While many of the nonbolded items may not be in our policy, many are fully implemented in our schools. For example, in physical education, while we do not have the item our schools, our curriculum promotes both team and individual activities in our policy that is fully implemented in our schools. Also, we don't have the item certified health and PE teachers teach our classes in our policy. However, it is implemented in our practices. Goals for the next few years include expanding our practices of messaging on making healthy chew food choices, messaging in health classes, the benefits of cooking healthy meals at home, and on the provision of resources and nutrition education goals to parents and guardians. While uh following this assessment, there were no recommended changes to the board policy. And that concludes the orientation and I
024can answer any questions you may have. >> Thank you. Any questions from the board? >> No, Miss Lee. >> No. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thanks very much. >> That concludes our orientations for this evening. >> Okay. Great. That brings us to our first section of comments from citizens. Comments from citizens are being conducted both in person and by phone. The phone number to participate in public comments is 2677153717 and is being displayed on the screen at this time. You'll be able to join the meeting by calling in on [clears throat] your mobile or your landline phone. A citizen will be recognized once during this period of the meeting and each citizen's comments will be limited to a total of three minutes except at the discretion of the president. Time may not be yielded or
025otherwise transferred by one speaker to another for purposes of extending a given speaker's time allotment. If there's anyone present who would like to make a comment, please use the microphone either to your left or to your right. Bless you. Okay. Uh, Mr. Cargus, has anyone phoned in to be recognized for public comment? >> We don't have any callers at this time. We do have about 15 seconds to >> Okay, great. Thanks. You'll let me know. >> I confirm there are no callers. Okay, great. Thank you very much. Uh, since we have no additional agenda items, we will move on to the approval of minutes. Miss Eisenhart, can you please read the recommendation to approve the October meeting minutes? >> That the board of school directors approves the minutes of the meeting on December 1st and
026December 9th. >> Second. >> We have a second, Dr. Fetcher. >> We have submitted the minutes for your review. >> Okay. Questions or comments from the board? No. Okay. This is uh this is a voice vote. So all those in favor I >> I the eyes have it and the motion [clears throat] passes. Miss Eisenhart, can you please read the recommendations to approve the uh personnel agenda? that the board of school directors approves the changes in personnel as reflected in personnel agendas uh numbers 8.1 and 8.1A and confidential addendum number 8.1B. >> Second. [snorts] >> Dr. Fetcher. >> Thank you, Dr. Mauy. Personnel addendum begins with the request for leaves of absence for two professional staff members, appointment of two professional employees, and compensation for curriculum projects, professional development, interpreter and translation services, and tutoring.
027And we have a few retirements. Uh bring your attention to the retirement of Dr. Mara Wormley, assistant principal at Abington Senior High School, who has served the district for 5 years. Miss Karen Miller, a physical education teacher at Abington Middle School, who has served the district for 20 years. Miss Jean Netchin, a music teacher at Ryal Elementary School who has served the district for 41 years. >> My goodness. >> 41 years. Just want [laughter] to >> Miss Donna Deserza, a bus driver in the transportation department who has served the district for 20 years. and Miss Carol Stein, an aid at Willow Hill Elementary School who has served the district for 19 years. And in order to just take a moment, um, I'd like to comment in general to thank all these individuals for their dedication
028in each of these unique ways to Abington School District. And you know, I've had an opportunity to work uh close closely with uh many of these individuals and their impact um with all these years that they've dedicated to Abington School District on our students um is pretty immense. >> I would agree. I mean they have all served the district with distinction um and for many years um 41 I think is has to be a high water mark for us [laughter] >> that's um that's extraordinary >> if I could just add to that as well. Yeah, >> having uh I'm a Ridal family, so we had the opportunity of having the Snetchin for for our kiddos. Um and and seeing the Oh, sorry, I'm being told I'm not near the microphone. Apologies. Um [clears throat] being
029a RA family, I had the opportunity of having Miss Netchin teach my my children and uh you know, as you said, all of them with distinction, but uh we had an opportunity to experience her firsthand and it was it was it was pretty epic. and having a music program through COVID was definitely a a challenge, I'm sure. So, she she did it spectacularly. >> That's great. That's great. Anyone else? >> Yes. Uh 41 years. I am a woman who is not afraid to say my age. I am 42 years old. God bless you for staying in education for 41 years. Uh, and I hope that the the um the second part of this journey is is enjoyable for you. Uh, Dr. Warmly, I just wanted to acknowledge um you and your retirement. Uh, from the
030time that I met you, uh, I saw that students were drawn to you because you have a passion for making sure students are heard, are seen, are advocated for, and I just appreciate your work. Um, and thank you. Thank you for all that you you've done and again I hope your retirement is a blessed one. Anyone else? >> I have a couple of questions. Um if we could pull up I think it's the first file, the first PDF. Um I noticed that uh yeah first page of that that there are two resignations. um I believe a special ed teacher and a school psychologist. Um what's the timeline for those replacements? >> Do we know? >> Miss Taylor, do you have a timeline for them? >> We have identified a finalist for the school psychologist position
031who's moving on to the final interview. >> Okay. >> And we have a game plan for the special education opening that is currently in place. it is posted and we're in the final steps. So in short, we're we're in good shape. >> Okay. Game plan means you've advertis advertised the position and identified a pool of candidates. >> Okay. >> From within, which is always great. All right. ESS substitutes. >> Okay. All right. Great. Um thank you for clarifying that because I know that both of those positions are incredibly important for our schools and our students. Anyone else? >> Okay. Mrs. Flanigan. >> Mr. Allen. >> I. >> Mrs. Brown. >> I. >> Miss. Eisenhart. >> I. >> Mr. Muhammad. >> I. >> Miss Balden. [clears throat] >> I. >> Miss. Hartman. >> I. >> Miss
032Frasier. >> I. >> Miss. >> Fletcher. >> I. >> Dr. Mauy. >> I. The eyes have it and the motion passes. Miss. Eisenhart. Can you please read the recommendation to approve the payment of bills? that the board of school directors approves the payment of bills for the period ending November 30th, 2025 as reflected in agenda number 9.1. >> Second. >> Dr. Fetcher. >> Thank you, Dr. Mary. I'd be happy to answer any questions that you may have regarding the payment of bills. >> Okay. >> Questions from the board? >> No. >> Okay. Once again, please. Mr. Allen, >> I. >> Mrs. Brown >> I >> Miss Eisenhart >> I >> Mr. Muhammed >> I >> Miss Balding >> I >> Miss Hartman >> I >> Miss Frasier >> I >> Miss Fletcher >> I >>
033Dr. Mauy >> I the eyes have it and the motion passes. >> Miss Eisenhart. Can you please read the recommendation for permits for use of building and ground? that the board of school directors approves the applic Yes. The applications for permits of use of buildings and grounds as reflected in addendum number 10.1. >> Second. >> Dr. Fetcher. >> Thank you, Dr. Mauy. The permit addendum continues to reflect uh requests for buildings and grounds for meetings and other school events and activities for this time of year. >> Okay. >> Questions or comments from the board? I just wanted to um acknowledge the Martin Luther King uh service events, whether it's uh the one that's um being held by the NAACP or the service activities that our elementary students are doing. Thank you for recognizing and continue
034to recognize um that that day is uh worthy of recognition and committing to service. [sighs] >> And just a question on this in case any of our uh students or families are listening, uh Dr. Dr. Frederick, could you just review like um how a student would go to get hours on any of these wonderful um opportunities that are available to uh service the community? I know that a lot of students may be looking to do that and Monday would be a great opportunity uh to do so. >> Um most of the any any of the um opportunities are available um through the guidance department. They're also posted uh as well in um on the in these student communications. But um Miss Anama, could you also talk about what other venues and ways that students can
035find out? >> Sure. Uh Abington Senior High School maintains a service learning page and new opportunities are posted every week. Um and so there's a variety of things posted currently for the Martin Luther King Day of Service. Um, and that would be available when you go on the website, not only on the high school's website, but under um parent resources, that page that we have that just has links to all the parent resources and guardian resources. Um, and it's called uh student service learning opportunities. They update it every week. >> That was a lot more clear answer. Thank you. [laughter] >> That was great. Thank you, >> Mr. Muhammad. Um I just want to acknowledge the um the [clears throat] educators, the community partners and uh in particular uh the community members and parents who
036volunteer so much time um to make sure that our our students have engaging and enriching activities to take part in um be well well beyond the school day as we all know um that that work is is needed and essential. So, thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else? No. Uh, all right. I'm looking forward to attending the NCAA NAACP, sorry, uh, recognition of Dr. King's on Monday. Um, Mrs. Flanigan, >> Mr. Allen, >> I, >> Mr. Brown, >> I, >> Miss Eisenhart, >> I, >> Mr. Muhammad >> I >> Miss Balding >> I >> Miss Hartman >> I >> Miss Frasier >> I >> Miss Fletcher >> I >> Dr. Mauy >> I the eyes have it and the motion passes. Miss Eisenhart, can you please read the recommendation for advertisement for bids? >> That the
037board of school directors approves the advertisements of bids for 130 passenger bus and professional photography services. >> Second. >> Dr. Fetcher. >> Thank you Dr. Mauy. Uh as we uh as was stated the first advertisements for the 30 passenger student transportation bus and this is u from the 202526 general fund and the professional photography services there's no cost to the district. Uh however, what we are trying to do and and um in the district is have a uh K12 provider um so that there's seamless IDs and things like that from grades span to grades span and um also this gives us an opportunity and and some benefits by having one agreement uh with one company for the district. >> Okay, questions or comments from the board? Could you share what the photography services have been
038in the past? >> Sure. Um we have had each school has had the opportunity to have um a different company. So for many years uh there has been a different company perhaps at Abington Middle School or the junior high at one point and the senior high had a different one. Um, elementary schools had anywhere from [snorts] I think the maximum at one point was five different companies. Um, and you know, each of those had contracts and times of those contracts. So last year we started to uh look at what we could do with those contracts um and went out last year for some advertisement but had to um bring it back because this year we had some remaining a remaining year on a few of the contracts. So, we're going out and trying to get
039one the best services, but also this um the although there's no cost to the district, uh the the sales of the photos to our families, uh we're trying to get the best uh price for that as well and the best service and the best value of that. Um and and also I I think one thing goes without um from an administrative standpoint, the difficulty of having multiple companies, especially when you go from students at middle school to the high school. Um and transferring of IDs at the beginning of the year and and using pictures from one company to another becomes very cumbersome and difficult. And I can tell you for the number of years, decades, uh that has been an issue as students go from uh the middle school to the high school in terms
040of having IDs and and things of that nature. So, we're really excited to be able to have one consistent uh group service the K to2 uh environment as a whole. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Okay. Mrs. Flanigan. >> Mr. Allen. >> I. >> Mrs. Brown. >> I miss >> I. >> Mr. Muhammad. >> I >> Miss Balding. >> I >> Miss Hartman. >> I >> Miss Frasier. >> I >> Miss Ledger. >> I. >> Dr. Mauy. >> I. >> The eyes. Havit. Yes. Okay. Um, Miss Eisenhard, can you please read the recommendation for award of contracts? >> That the board of school directors approves the awards of contracts as reflected in addendum number 9.1. >> Second. >> Dr. Fetcher. >> Thank you, Dr. Marie. Um, tonight for your consideration, we have two awards of
041contract. The first is for audio equipment at Amington Senior High School. And this is to upgrade and continue to have the best um music and theater program in the nation. And uh so we want to make sure that we have the the best audio equipment for our students as well. Um the next is for the water main repairs at McKinley Elementary School and this is a retroactive award as we had an emergency main repair at at the school. These are two awards of contract for this evening. >> Questions or comments from the board? >> I'm just curious um is there insurance associated with that repair? >> Yeah. So when there when there is an emergency of that nature, we will submit that to our insurance company um as a claim. >> So we'll be reimbursed
042basically. >> We would I I >> deductible. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> I'm just thankful that the work was able to get done >> course >> before, you know, at the end of the day and before anyone returned the next day. Yeah, that's an excellent point and um I would like to take a moment u Mr. Curtain to thank you for um getting on this as soon as possible and getting the right people in here to do it and have that done by 1000 p.m. uh the night before so we would did not have to close school. And um you know I appreciate the work of you and your team as we got um the situation identified what it was and and then um had the emergency repair. So the the best thing we can
043do is is ensure that consistency and continuity for our students and I'm glad that it was able to to be done. Sometimes it's we can't do it in one night or and it poses a lot of problems but uh we were very fortunate that we could do that. And Dr. Fetcher, um, for the the auditorium equipment at the high school, this is this was equipment that was before the renovation and addition, right? This wasn't what was the existing equipment uh just purchased a couple years ago for the >> Yep. Uh the to answer your question, the additions and renovations at Abington Senior High School, there was not a renovation of the auditorium um and and the equipment within the auditorium. So when we did the additions and renovations, the ATO auditorium was an area that
044was more recently um renovated meaning [clears throat] uh within 20 years of the it wasn't the original auditorium and during that project that was not part of the scope of our project. >> Thank you. Um, and just just out of curiosity with the water mane, had Mr. Curtain not done an amazing job and school had to be closed the next day, would students and teachers just have pivoted to virtual instruction for that day? on that day it would have been a day out of school counting toward our hours. Um and there would not be >> so there would not be oh >> there would not be um virtual instruction and what would happen sim similar thing happened to uh copper beach when we had issues with the heating system. Um so we have to ensure
045that the number of days we have throughout the year that that particular school meets all their hours and number of days >> right. Okay. Does just so does virtual instruction not count towards those days or it does. >> It does. Okay. >> But we have the ability for 9990 hours within um state code to count the hours up and then from that point forward we have to ensure that we make those up. Right? So whether it's a weather emergency or early closing all those types of things we have to ensure that we make those hours and and if we exceed if we do not uh meet those hours then we have to um have instruction. So for example if there are snow days I think this year we have calculated that we could have up
046to eight snow days and still meet the hours. >> Okay. Uh if we would go to a ninth snow day, then that would that would move to virtual instruction. >> Ah, okay. So only if we're in jeopardy of not meeting >> Yes. >> are the requisite hours would we pivot to virtual instruction. >> Correct. >> Okay. All right. Thank you for clarifying that. >> Mrs. Flanigan, >> Mr. Allen, >> I. >> M. Brown. >> I. >> Miss Eisenhart. >> I. >> Mr. Muhammad. >> I. >> Miss. Balding. I >> Miss Hortman >> I >> Miss Ranger >> I >> Miss lecher >> I >> Dr. Mauy >> I the eyes have it and the motion passes. [sighs] >> Uh Miss Eisenhart can you please read the recommendation for the certification of Sterling Acts tax credits
047>> that the board of school directors authorizes the administration to submit the certification of Sterling Act credit act tax credits for the department to the department to the PA department of education. >> Second. >> Thank you. We have a second. Dr. Fetcher. >> Thank you, Dr. Maui. Uh, I would like Miss Denola to please review this item. >> Good evening. This resolution authorizes the administration to submit the amount of Sterling Act tax credits to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The document that is submitted to PTE certifies the tax credits based on calendar year 24 at a wage amount of 517 million530,537.79 which equates to a Sterling Act tax credit of 2,587,65269. When the gambling money becomes available, these Sterling Act tax credits are used to in part to fund homestead farmstead property relief. The tax
048relief is pro is generated from taxpayers that live in our district but work in Philadelphia and pay that non-resident earned income tax. >> Okay. >> Last [clears throat] year the wage amount was $513,69,7008 and the credit was $2,565,348.50. These figures rep reflect an increase when compared to last year. The Pennsylvania Department of Education is scheduled to release the homestead relief amounts for each school district in the first week of May 2026. Questions or comments from the board? Okay, we'll move on to the vote. >> Mr. Allen, >> I. >> Mrs. Brown, >> I. >> Miss Eisenhart, >> I. >> Mr. Muhammad, >> I >> Miss Spalding >> I. >> M. Martman >> I >> Miss Frasier >> I >> Miss Fletcher >> I >> Dr. Mauy >> I the eyes have it and the motion
049passes Miss Eisenhart can you please read the recommendation for the confidential student matters >> that the board of school directors approves the confidential student matters as reflected in agenda 14.1 >> second uh Dr. Fetcher we have a second >> thank you Dr. Mari, the confidential student matters are in regard to one student disciplinary adjudication and one education service agreement. Keeping in mind the confidentiality of student matters, I can answer questions you may have. >> Questions or comments from the board? >> Not particularly this, but I just wanted to acknowledge that uh even given that amount of detail is a change from uh previous. So, I just wanted to acknowledge that change because we did ask, I believe it was last year, for it to say more than just student confidential matters. So, I just want
050to thank you for following through with that. >> Also, um what would instruction look like for this uh student out of school suspension? >> So, for the student um disciplinary adjudication, I'm g ask Dr. from Melor if you could review uh keeping in mind the confidentiality of uh the student what this particular uh student education would be and and or also speak about any alternatives that um have occurred you know with other students as well. >> Sure. I'll just speak globally. Uh with respect to education for students, it depends on uh what the length of time is that a student would be removed from school. Um whether the district's cyber education option would be made available to that student, uh if the district would work with the family to help secure an alternative school placement
051outside of the the district. It depends on individual factors related to the situation and what the um outcome is going to be for the student with respect to returning to the district. But we will work with the family in each individual case to make sure the child continues their education. [snorts] >> Are those parameters determined prior to the decision uh for the out of school suspension or during? Can you go through the procedure of uh suspension from school um referral and the potential for a hearing >> once if a student is being referred to the office of the the superintendent uh for consideration of exclusion longer than 10 days uh informal hearing will be scheduled with myself uh on behalf of Dr. Fetcher to meet with the student and the family uh to discuss the
052recommendation to discuss u the student and family's right to have a hearing if they so desire uh before the board of school directors or uh a hearing officer representing the board of school directors. Part of that conversation is a discussion on the recommended length of the exclusion from school as well as uh what supports would be available uh for that student to continue their education. >> Thank you. Other questions or comments? >> Terminology wise, you hear an expulsion from school and expulsion from school is anything beyond 10 days. So if a student is uh has [clears throat] a 15-day out of school, it would be considered an expulsion. So some of them can go um up to a year or more. Um but in this particular uh instance um it is a 45day expulsion and
053uh the student will be utilizing the um Abington Cyber Education Program. >> Oh, great. Thank you. Okay. Anyone else? Okay. Mrs. Flanigan, >> Mr. Allen, >> I >> Mrs. Brown, >> I miss Eisenhart. >> I, >> Mr. Muhammad, >> I >> Hartman, >> I, >> Miss Frasier, >> I, >> Miss Fletcher, >> I, >> Dr. Mauy, >> I. The eyes have it and the motion passes. Uh, Dr. Fetcher, are there any additional reports and recommendations by the administration? >> Yes, Dr. Maria provide for you the conference attendance and professional leaves as well as the capital improvement projects report for your information. >> Okay. >> I did have one question Dr. Fetcher on the um capital improvements projects report um regarding the panels. Is there an update? I believe that was um uh submitted through insurance
054claim due to a [clears throat] um an error in installation. Could could you just provide where we are in that process? >> Sure. So in terms of the insurance claim and >> everything's been submitted to the insurance company and they are still processing that claim. >> Okay. And >> in terms of the just to go in on the um remediation side of that, Mr. Curtain, could you speak to where we are with that? The reinstallation of the panels was completed on Monday. Uh we are now putting back the fire suppression system. I think one thermostat has to go back on tomorrow and remove the barriers and we will be 100% as it was prior by noon tomorrow. >> That's great. >> Reinstallation of the actual wall did occur over the holiday break and completed on
055Monday. >> Thanks. >> And and I would say better than it was prior. >> I would agree. >> I was just I was going to have the same. >> I would hope so. [laughter] >> Right. >> Thank you. Sorry, but you know. Yeah, >> clarify case. >> Um, can I just, Miss Danakola, how long does it typically take for insurance companies to >> make a decision on a claim? >> It's not this long, but because the work wasn't yet completed. >> Okay. >> They're not going to process until the work is completed. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> And generally speaking, um, just when in looking at a report like this, if it's zeroed out or not listed, um, is that indication, I guess, once how will it look once it's done? I guess
056is what I'm asking. Will there be like >> better? >> Yeah. Yes. [laughter] Um I guess I could find out, but I'm just curious how it would change on >> how the report will >> it will fall off the report as the project is completed. >> Okay. So it just completely both line items are then removed that are now holding a place until it is closed. Thank you. >> I just add to that as well. Having seen them last night, I I had the opportunity to be in the building last night and it does look pretty amazing. So thank you. Great work. And when and if the reimbursement comes through, would that show up as a credit at some point? >> Yeah. >> Correct. It would directly offset the expenses that we incurred because it
057all occurred within the >> same. >> I just wanted to make mention of the conference and professional leaves that I would love to hear how about our students experience at Blue Mountain or alternative sports clubs. uh one took place January 6th and then there's some uh coming up in the future. I would love to see to hear about how they enjoyed that. And just a thank you to the staff who continue to commit to learning. Um as an educator, I get to attend some of these uh things as well and to see Abington represented always uh brings me joy. So, thank you uh for our commitment to continue to be lifelong learners. >> Anyone else? Um, I just wanted to comment, and I've noticed this the past few times we brought this up. I'm really
058impressed with how many staff members are taking advantage of DVC's programs. >> Um, they're really meaningful and relevant and they're always we always see teachers going on the report. So, I think it's a great program that we partner with and thank you to the teachers for taking the time. I know writing sub plans and being out of the classroom is not the easiest thing to do. So, I'm glad we partner with them though. Anyone else? Okay. Uh >> did you want to add something? I just wanted to uh the DVCE for those who uh don't know what that is that's the Delaware Valley Consortium for Equity and Excellence that is stationed at um University of Pennsylvania and uh it is a focus on equity and um working with our schools in different capacities of our
059schools. So, excellent. I I just think it's important to explain that. Um, and I would also mention that one of the advantages of the of Abington School District uh for many years with working with DVCE is uh we hold the books for them in terms of uh financially and as a result of that um we are cost to the program um are covered. >> That's great. >> Yeah. So when it's an opportunity to send our um our teachers and administrators to professional development um and I you know I have to take a moment to recognize that because uh our business office has done that work uh in exchange for that um for many years as far as I can remember. And one of the people who run runs the programs is an Abington parent. >>
060So we're supporting Abington all around. >> Okay. Anything else? Okay. Um, any other business that may be brought to the attention of the board of school directors while we're all here? No. All right. That brings us to our second section of comments from citizens. Once again, comments from citizens are being conducted both in person and by phone. The phone number to participate in public comments is 267715-3717. It's being displayed on the screen at this time. You'll be able to join the meeting by calling in on your mobile or landline phone. A citizen will be recognized only once during this period of the meeting and each citizen's comments will be limited to three minutes except at the discretion of the president. time may not be yielded or otherwise transferred by one speaker to another for the
061purposes of extending a given speaker's time allotment. Uh if there's anyone present who'd like to make a comment, please use the microphone either to your right or to your left. Mr. Cargus, has anyone called in for public comment? >> I confirm there are no callers. >> Okay. And we have waited a sufficient amount of time. >> We're at time. >> Okay. Great. Thanks so much. All right. With that, we will move on to closing comments of school directors. Uh, Mr. Allen. >> Nothing. Thank you. >> Okay. Mrs. Brown. Uh, >> have a good night everyone. Miss Eisenhart. Uh, >> good evening. >> Mr. Muhammad. >> Good night all. Miss Spalding, >> have a good evening. >> Miss Hartman, >> good evening everyone. >> Miss Fraser, >> hi. >> Miss Fletcher, >> good night everyone. >>
062Miss Lee, >> good night everyone. >> Okay, so that concludes our first meeting of 2026. [laughter] >> We're we're back in business. It's good to see everyone again. Uh thanks for a good meeting and we will see you on the >> Monday. >> No. Well, Monday, but our next meeting is in two weeks. [clears throat] >> Okay. Thank you.