001Good evening and welcome to the October 28th, 2025 meeting of the Abington Board of School Directors. I note the attendance of all board members. 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, the meeting will also be reorded and will be available on the district's website and cable channel no later than Friday, October 31st, 2025. Comments from citizens will be conducted in
002person and by phone. Instructions for calling into 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 in high regard and everyone's voices are respected and welcomed in this space. Dr. Fetcher, do we have any additional announcements or agenda items? >> Yes, Dr. Mauy. Um, want to make an announcement. I'm proud that this evening um 27 Abington Senior High School students representing the classes of 2025 and 26 have earned the AP Capstone diploma during the spring 2025 AP cycle. Uh the AP Capstone diploma program helps students develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are essential to academic and career success. To earn the AP Capstone diploma, students must score
003must earn scores of three or higher in AP seminar, AP research and on four additional AP exams of their choice. Uh so we want to congratulate these students. It's a big achievement and um just really proud of them. >> Okay, great. >> That's a very high bar. >> Yes. Yes. Um, so I would like to share a district initiative uh tonight on our upcoming food drives that we will be having throughout Abington School District. Um, with the current strain on families, including those in Abington School District who rely on SNAP benefits, I believe there is no time more fitting than now to come together as a community to support our fellow neighbors um to the extent that we are able. Uh this November, in a spirit of Thanksgiving, uh we are asking members of the
004public and our families, please consider donating to one of our district-wide food drives to help ensure every member of our community is able to put food on their tables. All schools will have collection bins available for donations beginning next week. Uh, if you are a member of the broader public wishing to donate any any other time, you may bring your items to the administration building lobby Monday through Friday, 8 to 4:30 p.m. uh through November 21st. A list of needed items and other information will be available on our homepage. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. That's um an important and welcome initiative on the part of the district. I think we all know how big-hearted this community is and now is a good time to step up and demonstrate that. >> Yeah, we we have
005the um opportunity to work with a lot of the food banks in the area and from my understanding um they're diminishing rather quickly and need replenishing. So that's why we're um kicking this off as soon as possible. >> Okay, great. That's that's very welcome. Um, I do want to make a note that an executive session was held uh by the board on October 21st regarding a personnel matter. With [clears throat] that, we will move on to comments of board members. Mr. Allen, >> good evening, >> Mrs. Brown. >> Uh, good evening. I just wanted to further emphasize the importance of this food drive, especially as Dr. Fetcher already mentioned um there are many places who offer resources for families. However, their stock has been depleting. So, please do give uh because that's what we do
006best. Thank you, >> Miss Eisenhart. >> Good evening and welcome everyone. Mr. Muhammad, >> good evening. Uh just want to remind everyone election day is one week away. Um, please make sure you get out and make your voice heard in this election and every election that occurs every six months. >> Okay, Miss Smolding, >> good evening everybody. >> Miss Hartman, >> good evening everyone. >> Miss Fraser, >> hi guys. >> Miss Fazy, >> good evening everyone. >> Miss Lee, >> good evening. >> Welcome again to the meeting. Um, if you are uh watching the meeting one and you're interested in helping contribute to one of the local food banks, um, one thing you might consider doing is a group contribution. So maybe you have friends or neighbors who would also like to contribute, gather those
007contributions and designate one person to bring to the food bank. Every bit will help. Uh, okay. That brings us to our first sess 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 being displayed on the screen and it's 2677153717. You'll be able to join the meeting by calling in on your mobile or 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 accepted the discretion of the president. Time may not be yielded or otherwise transferred by one speaker to another for purposes of extending a given speaker's time allotment. If there's anyone in the room who would like to make a comment,
008please use the microphone either to your left or to your right. >> [snorts] >> Go ahead. >> Okay. Uh Joe Rooney. I live in Arsley. First, I'd like to recognize Susan Arnold here, a former uh school director. It's wonderful to see her and I'm glad she's doing well. Second, I have a little comment. uh Marine Corps having his 250th birthday on November 10th. Now, [clears throat] uh I didn't think anything happened over the summertime for the armies. I didn't know if anything happened. I know I talked to Dr. Fetcher briefly about the Navy's 250th anniversary, but we have a plaque at the high school [clears throat] and it's full of names of people who died, not the ones who served, the ones who've died, students, teachers, workers in Abington. And uh I will propose that
009you fly the Marine Corps flag over all of the buildings in Abington for the month of November to recognize 250 years of honorable and heroic service from all of the Marines in Abington School District and around. I'm not sure anybody here in the Marine Corps. >> Well, if there were, I would say seify to you. So that was my first thing. So there you go. I'll throw it on the table. I know you guys did it with some political flag. January or June 25th, you voted on it. The next day it was uh zip tied up to the uh up to the flag pole at Copper Beach and other places also. So, I think you got it in you if you want to honor the Marines. Second one, I'm just curious um this resolution that's
010in the on the agenda. Where did it come from and why is it? I actually read through it and there's a couple curious things in here. Um, but I don't know how much money did we spend on it and what's its purpose, but I'll just read this right here. Whereas school districts are legally required to adopt annual budgets by June 30th and operate with fiscal responsibility and transparency. At our last meeting, you guys voted for $550,000 of taxpayer spending. And none of you knew what it was about. None of you knew what it was for. Uh, Dr. O Donahghue offered to go into private session so that he could discuss it and you went nah that's okay and we got all the hands that were here and everybody wasn't here raised and said I I
011I that is not fiscal transparency and it is not uh um excuse me fiscal responsibility and transparency. Then there's another one here in the back and I know I've got a little less time here. It says demonstrate bipartisan cooperation and leadership. So you're writing this to the state. There's no bipartisanship on this board. You don't look at two sides of any issue. You don't consider other sides of any issue. So, you're writing something here that you guys don't do. You have no intention of doing it. And I'm just curious to know why. And you're all going to vote on it. And you're all going to vote yes on it. But I'd love to get some explanations about it before you do. Thank you. >> Anyone else in the room? Okay, Mr. Cargus, can you confirm
012that there are no callers on the line? >> There are no callers on the line. >> Okay, Dr. Fetcher. >> Uh, no comment at this time. I'll I'll reserve the comment uh to when we review the resolution. >> Okay. Okay. That brings us to there are no additional agenda items, correct? >> Correct. >> Yeah. Okay. >> To item number 4.1. Mr. Muhammad, can you please read the recommendation to approve the personnel agenda? >> Is the recommended action that the board of school directors approve the changes in personnel as reflected in personnel agenda numbers 4.1 and 4.1A and confidential addendum number 4.1B. Second. >> We have a second. Dr. Fetcher. >> Thank you, Dr. Mauy. The personnel addendum begins with requests for leaves of absence for three professional staff members, appointment of one professional employee, and
013compensation for open houses, professional development, interpreter, and translation services. >> Okay. Questions or comments from the board? >> Okay. Mrs. Flanigan. >> Mr. Allen. >> I. Mrs. Brown >> I >> Miss >> I >> Mr. Muhammed >> I >> Miss Balding >> I >> Miss Hartman >> I >> Miss Frasier >> I >> Miss Basy >> I >> Dr. Mauy >> I the eyes have it and the motion passes. Mr. Muhammad, can you please read the recommendation for approval of the financial report? >> Is the recommended action that the board of school directors approves the financial report for the period ending September 30th, 2025 as reflected in addendum number 5.1. Second. >> We have a second. >> Thank you, Dr. Mauy. I'm going to ask Miss Denola to please summarize the September 2025 financial report.
014>> Due to the continued state budget impass, the district did not receive any funding from the state in September. In the same time period last year, last September, under an approved state budget, the district received special education and ready to learn subsidies totaling $1,91,693. As we look to the additional revenue sources, our real estate tax collection for the periods ending September 2025 and September 2024 as follows. For 2025, it's $114,629,881 collected or 90.7% collected. In the previous year, it was $111,941 300 $941,328 or 92.6% 6% collected on a expenditure basis. Year-to- date expenditures total 34,656,720 of which $19,949,595 relate to salaries and benefits, which equates [cough] to approximately 58% of our year-to-ate expenditures. These expenditures are $1,44,521 higher than the previous year. And on a percentage basis, those expenditures year to date are 17.1% of
015the budget as compared to 16.7% in the prior year. Questions or comments from the board? Um could you just for the for the record review what's included in the state funding? So what does the bulk of the state funding go towards? >> So the bulk of our state funding goes to directly to instruction. >> Okay. >> Um also we receive um with an approved state budget we would receive reimbursement of our retirement contributions for employees um and also our FICA contributions for employees. >> Okay. And is am I correct in understanding that much of that a big chunk of the state funding goes towards special ed support? >> Correct. Okay. So, these are our most vulnerable students, right? >> Okay. >> And could you share with the public um the percentage of our budget that
016we derive from the state >> if you give me a few minutes? >> Sure. It's I seem to remember it being around 13%ish. >> Okay. >> In front of me. >> Okay. I'll add the ish to it just [laughter] >> just just to give us some breathing. >> Confident with the ballpark. I'll take that. Miss Danola, >> I'm confident with that ballpark. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. Any other questions or comments? >> I have a question. How does the government shutdown affect funding at all? Does it affect our funding, the money that we get from the federal government? >> From a federal grants perspective, we would not be receiving any of the revenue related to the federal grants. >> So, these include title one grants then. Okay. So, it's worth Dr. Fetcher,
017what percentage of our grade schools are title one schools? >> Four of our grade schools are title one schools. >> Four out of six. >> Seven. Sorry. I don't know why I thought six. [laughter] >> Okay. So, um, slightly over half of our grade school students are being affect affected by not getting >> We have not ceased any of the title one operations in any of those buildings due to the budget impacts. >> Right. Okay. Dr. Fetcher, do you want to add anything? >> Not at this time. >> No. Okay. All right. Anyone else? Miss Lee? No. I don't want to forget you. Okay. All right. Okay. Um, with that, we will move on to I don't have a Do we have a vote on this? We don't vote on the financial report. We do.
018Okay. Mrs. Flanigan, >> Mr. Allen, >> I. >> Mrs. Brown, >> I. >> Miss Eisenhart. >> I, >> Mr. Muhammed. >> I, >> Miss Balding. >> I, >> Miss Hartman. I >> Miss Frasier >> I >> Miss Fazy >> I >> Dr. Mauy >> I the eyes have it and the motion passes. >> Mr. Muhammad, can you please read the recommendation for the payment of bills ending September 30th, 2025? >> Is the recommended action that the board of school directors approves the payment of bills for the period ending September 30th, 2025 as reflected in addendum number 6.1. >> Second. >> Dr. Fcher. >> Thank you, Dr. Mallerie. I'll be pleased to answer any questions that you have regarding the payment of the bills. >> Okay. Questions or comments from the board? >> No. Okay. Mrs.
019Flanigan. >> Mr. Allen. >> I. >> Mrs. Brown. >> I. >> Miss Eisenhart. >> I. >> Mr. Muhammed. >> I. >> Miss. Balding. >> I. >> Miss. Hartman. >> I. >> Miss Frasier. >> I >> Miss Fazy. >> I >> Dr. Mauy. I the eyes have it and the motion passes. Mr. Muhammad, can you please read the recommendation for permits for use of buildings and grounds? >> Is the recommended action that the board of school directors approves the applications for permits for use of buildings and grounds as reflected in addendum number 7.1 >> second. [clears throat] The permit addendum continues to reflect typical requests for buildings and grounds for meetings and other school activities and events for this time of year. >> Okay. It's nice to see our facilities being used by uh community organizations
020in addition to our students and teachers. That continues to be an important service and opportunity we provide to the community at large. Other questions or comments? >> Just one comment. Um, it looks like Willow Hill is hosting repeated um, family book clubs. That's something that I haven't noticed before and I thought was worth mentioning tonight. >> Absolutely. Hats off to Willow Hill for their book club, the family book fair and reading night. [clears throat] Um, I just this particular agenda item always reminds me that schools are lifebloods. It's, you know, are the lifeblood of a community. Um, and it's it's sad when [clears throat] politics threatens the stability and health of our schools. And we're seeing that at uh an increasing clip um in recent years. It needs to end. >> Agree. Thank you for
021that. Anyone else? >> No. Okay. Mrs. Flanigan. >> Mr. Allen. >> I. >> Mrs. Brown. >> I. >> Miss Eisenhart. >> I. >> Mr. Muhammad. >> I. >> Miss Balding. >> I. >> Miss. Hartman. >> I. >> Miss. Frasier. >> I. >> Miss Fazy. [clears throat] >> I. >> Dr. Mauy. >> I. The eyes have it and the motion passes. Mr. Muhammad, can you please read the recommendation for the resolution to end the state budget impass? >> It is the recommended action that the board of school directors approves the resol resolution to end the state budget impass and agenda number 8.1. >> Second, Dr. Fetcher. >> So, as you know, the Pennsylvania state budget impass is now stretched beyond 100 days. Uh, this has impacted public school districts in many ways, including the withholding of
022educational funding. This lack of funding has threatened program staffing and essential services across the Commonwealth. In conjunction with the leadership of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association or PSBA, some school boards across the state have decided to send a clear bipartisan message to the general assembly to pass a complete and responsible state budget immediately for our students, educators, and communities. >> Okay. comments or questions from the board. >> I just want to state that I'm proud to be part of a board that wants to collectively add to the voices and necessity of public education that's not just affecting our district and our students, but collectively across the state. I think it's important that we voice this and I'm happy to vote yes on this um resolution. >> Anyone else? >> Uh yes. Although the general assembly
023has not offered a stop [clears throat] gap budget, I understand competing options have been introduced. Are we familiar with any of them? If so, what might they entail? there has been um limited information updated from the state budget perspective um that shows any kind of changes within what the governor has proposed. >> Thank you. I just feel it's important to to answer a question that was asked um earlier during public comment and that was the cost to develop this um statement is free. Um it was in conjunction with PSBA. I guess you could attribute our membership of PSBA um to a cost factor, but other than that um the foundation of this came from PSBA and um along with board input. So there was not a cost involved in the development of this resolution. >>
024Okay. We have uh districts and IUs across the state that are in need of these funds. Um and with that, students are in need of these funds. And so it's important for the politicians in Harrisburg to get it together and uh pass a budget so that we can go [clears throat] forward with our required actions. Um yeah, I think I would add to this that it is our students who suffer most from the budget impass. Um and they suffer because districts have budgets that they passed months ago um designed to deliver services [clears throat] and when they lack the means to deliver those services it impacts the education of students. Uh as Mr. Muhammad pointed out earlier, public schools are the beating heart of communities. When they are not funded, students suffer first, but communities
025suffer as well. This is this is not a single pressure point. And we know that there are districts across the Commonwealth that are having to borrow funds to run their schools and those funds don't come free. There is interest attached to those loans. It is unclear whether when the assembly finally passes a budget, districts will be compensated for the interest they will have to pay on those loans. So the failure to pass a budget and to fund education is corroding opportunity for students across the Commonwealth. From my perspective, we have an obligation and a duty to speak up on behalf of our own students and our district, but to add our voices to voices across the state. This budget impass must end. With that, Mrs. Flanigan, we will move on to a vote. >> Mr.
026Allen, >> I. >> Mrs. Brown, >> I >> Miss Eisenhart, >> I. >> Mr. Muhammad, >> I >> Miss [clears throat] Balding, >> I >> Miss Hartman, >> I >> Miss Frasier, >> I >> Miss Ba >> I, >> Dr. Mauy, >> I. The eyes have it and the motion passes. That brings us to agenda item number 10. Mr. Muhammad, can you please read the recommendation for the com Oh, did I miss something? I'm sorry. >> Nine. I beg your pardon. >> I beg your pardon. >> Agenda item nine. Mr. Muhammad, can you please read the recommendation for the ratification of agreement this very important agreement with the Abington Secretary's Educational Support Personnel Association agenda item number 9.1 >> is the recommended action that the board of school directors approve the ratification of agreement with
027the Abington Secretaries Educational Support Personnel Association as reflected in agenda number 9.1. >> Second Dr. Fetcher. >> Thank you, Dr. Mauy. A committee representing the board of school directors, including Miss Fezy, Miss Hartman, and Miss Spalding, and the administration met with the Abington Secretaries Educational Support Personnel Association to develop a three-year contract to be effective July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2028. U Miss Christine Taylor, director of human resources and a negotiations team will review the changes to terms and conditions of the agreement with ASESPA. Um before I turn it over to Miss Taylor, uh I will make further comments about the negotiation process um upon completion of the uh review of the terms. >> Thank you, Dr. Fetcher. We are pleased to bring this agreement to you this evening for approval. This is the
028result of a collegial and collaborative process that began about one year ago in October of 2024. This bargaining unit represents approximately 273 of our administrative assistants, aids, pareducators, and staff nurses. This three-year agreement comes to you with the first year having a salary schedule redesign. Our salaries, particularly for our para educators and aids, had fallen below competitive, especially in comparison with similar job roles in our county. It's for this reason that the salary schedule has been reconfigured to eliminate steps one and two and create a 13step longevity schedule. The current schedule was an eight-step schedule that took 15 years for a member to reach maximum. In addition to the restructuring of the salary schedule in year 1, 1% will be added onto the matrix and vertical step movement will occur for each member retroactively to
029July 1, 2025. This equates for members of this unit to a 4% increase on average. In year two, 1.3% has been added to the salary matrix and $1 added to the top step, step 13. vertical movement will occur for the members on July 1st of 2026. This will equate to approximately 3.5% of an increase for members in that year. In year three, 1% has been added to the salary matrix again with $1 to the maximum step steps 13 and vertical step movement occurring on July 1st of 2027 equating to a 3% increase on average for members. On the healthc care side, our changes here mirror the changes that we've achieved with our other bargaining units thus far. Recently, we ratified with our teachers group and with our ask me group, our service unit. And the
030changes here are very similar to what we achieved in those bargaining agreements. There will be an addition of a new health care plan for employees to choose from. It is a highdeductible plan with a high sa with a health savings account that will become effective July 1 of 2026 as an option. Our members of this unit will contribute in year 1 to the base plan 14% and also in year two 14% of the cost of the premium and in year three for the base plan it will increase to 15%. For the high deductible plan with the health savings account, the contributions in years one in year two when it begins will be 5% and 6% in year three. We are excited about expanding the HDHP1 plan as an offering because we believe that this plan
031offers our staff an opportunity to utilize um a plan that can help to lower costs both for the district and for the staff members. On the prescription side, we are mirroring the changes that we achieved with our other bargaining units. Our formulary prescription drug drug plan will change from Liberty to Fre from Freedom rather to liberty and we will be using Capital RX who is our pharmacy benefit manager as our exclusive provider of specialty medications. We'll also be expanding our adoption of the RX control and RX cap programs, both of which we believe will achieve savings not only to the employees but to the district as well. We're excited to continue our partnership with the association in the coming months in the exploration of a teacher certification pathway for our PAR educators who are interested
032in becoming a teacher. We'll be meeting collaboratively with the association to develop the parameters and be coming back to you seeking approval for inclusion of this pathways program. As we struggle to find teachers to join any district across the country, looking to our internal talent pool is something we're truly excited about. We will also be working with the association on exploring a stipen for those that work in particularly challenging situations. Those parameters and the stipen amount will be determined collaboratively and brought to you for your approval ultimately. The last changes that I'll review is the addition of one personal of one holiday for our 10 and 12 [clears throat] month staff who work over 6.5 hours per day. Thank you for allowing me with this opportunity to present an overview of the agreement. >> Thank
033you, Miss Taylor. Um, one thing I want to say is, you know, this group, um, just to put into perspective, some of the first people you meet when you walk through the school for some of our neediest students, um, our par professionals are ensuring that our neediest students have what um, what they need. Uh, assisting in the classroom. And quite frankly, it's a tough job on many days. And I am very pleased that we were able to have more competitive wages within these uh within this structure. And I want to um thank the association for working uh with us and coming to good compromises um but also achieving the goal of um having positions that are competitive in the market so we can fill the positions as well. Uh and that's that's most important. But
034I just think it's important to put into context who these people are uh in you know you see these letters ASPA and what does that mean? um it it is the most essential support within our schools and I want to thank them for that and I believe that this uh agreement is solid. And with that um I'd like to uh introduce uh the chief negotiator Cindy Brett. If you could introduce your team that is here with you this evening. >> Good evening everybody. uh my team here we're missing Carolyn Wackerman staff nurse and Danielle Rowley who was our educator but we have down here we have Cindy Bagley she's administrative assistant from Rosen Elementary and her lovely granddaughter who is fresh from here from swimming we have Kelly Warner a pareducator from the senior high
035and we have our current president Veronica Johnson and I also want to thank you Dr. Fetcher and your team, the addition of Miss Taylor has been a breath of fresh air. You've always tried to make us feel included and have offered us respect from the beginning, and this contract goes a long way not only to being competitive and getting and keeping more [clears throat] of our staff, but to showing us how much you uh appreciate us, and we appreciate that. And on a personal note, I am very happy in that after 13 years as president, not only can I turn it over to the very wonderful Ms. Johnson, but I can leave feeling like I've left the place better than it was when I came. So, I'm very grateful for that. Thank you. >> Thank
036you. >> Thanks for having us. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Questions or comments from the board? [snorts] I just wanted to say as an educator who has the privilege of going into a school building every day, I know firsthand how uh important paraprofessionals are. You know the students, you know what makes them tick, what makes them tick off and and most of the times you are the buffer between the two happenings. So I just wanted to personally say thank you for all that you do. Thank you for the group that you represent because you really do make a difference um with our children. So, thank you so much. >> Yeah, I just want to add to that um from a parent perspective, uh my children all went through McKinley um and the work that's done
037from the support staff like essentially fills gaps that sometimes present but fills the ones that people don't see too. Um, so thank you for your work. It's so valuable. It brings so much enrichment um and caring and and just such a presence to the school that isn't always measured in these meetings or elsewhere because it isn't about um a lot of the other topics that come up here. But it's so important and crucial and I'm so grateful that um the district and administration and your leadership was able to come to such an agreeable contract and I'm grateful um on a personal level and I just wanted to take a moment to recognize that and thank you all for your work and I hope that you share those sentiments with um your co-workers. your group uh
038represents some of the district's unsung heroes >> and um we appreciate all of the hard work that you put in to keep our students safe um and to help these buildings flow and run efficiently. Uh and so I look forward to voting yes on this contract. You deserve everything that you're getting, all the good that you're getting out of this contract and more. Um, and I'm excited to see uh who takes advantage of the Pathways program, >> right? Because because you know our students and you know our schools and so you you have a leg up on anyone that wants to just come in and teach and hasn't been with us and work with us in your capacity. And so congratulations and thank you. >> I also want to say thank you to you all
039of you and and your whole organization. I'm sorry. Um, are we going in order? You want to go first? >> Go ahead. >> Okay. Um, [laughter] I I think every everyone said some really great things and I par that, but also um I think our teachers are fabulous and we love our teachers, but you help them to get the job done, right? And a lot of times teachers teachers couldn't do the job they do without the help they get from the pair professionals and the aids and the support they get from the secretaries and and all the people in the building. And um I I just want to say thank you for everything that you do and for helping our students. They're really the ones they benefit so much as well from from the assistance
040they get. Um and I also am very excited about the teacher certification program. I think it's a great opportunity for people who um might not see a way to do that outside of the job hours, right? Because you do put in a long day and you do work really hard and having that opportunity is is just a really great thing. So, >> thank you. >> Go ahead. Sorry, I cut you off. >> That's okay. Um, I I just I'm not a parent, so I don't have any direct interactions with you, but I've heard from um a lot of the lot of parents in my neighborhood, and I meet a lot of people at the uh dog park. uh [laughter] and uh and and all of them have said if they have a question or a
041problem, they go see the secretary and administrative staff. That's where they get the best help. So, I mean, so people do notice what you're doing and they appreciate it. I just want to pass that on. Thank you. Um I just want to say that I'm very very happy to vote on this item tonight and um I think this group of employees, this group of people um very very you know we we don't we don't always identify the impact but children um students wouldn't be able to get through school many days without your work. Um they wouldn't have um they wouldn't be able to attend school safely without your work. So, thank you for all you do and I'm very very happy to vote on this. >> Miss Fraser, did you want to add anything? >>
042Well, actually, I was thinking um I'm associated at a school also with paraprofessionals etc. is a public school and one of the paraprofessionals recently became a teacher because of a pathway program and I was sitting here thinking listening to all the sentiments etc and the congratulations etc. And I was thinking when I see him throughout the day coming to school, walking through the hall, it actually brings me joy, more joy than just a colleague who recently, you know, got assigned a teacher's job at the school. But to he's been a so he's been a paraprofessional there for maybe 15 years, but to see him now alongside colleagues, etc. is just it's cool. So yes, thank you for what you do, >> Missy. Um yeah, so I've known some of the people here since elementary school.
043Um like this morning. I know she's always treating me with kindness and like other students. [laughter] >> It's really nice to see all the sentiments and recognition that they're getting tonight. So I just want to thank all of them for their work as well. >> Thank you. [laughter] So I would like to start first by apologizing and accidentally going from agenda item eight to 10. [laughter] I will confess that um I had built up a little bit of head of steam over the funding um and the budget is that or the money that is being denied to the students that you work with. Um so but that doesn't diminish my enthusiasm for the contract. Um I would second my colleagues appreciation um particularly for the pathways option. I think that that's great. Um, and I
044also want to say that um, the interactions that you all have had with our student representative and some members of the board in whose neighborhoods you live um, just really reinforces for me the extent to which our schools, our community, our staff are the beating part heart of Abington and Rocklage. Um, so I'm excited to vote yes on this contract. [clears throat] Mrs. Flanigan, >> the assistant principal. I >> Mr. Allen, >> I >> Mrs. [clears throat] Brown, >> I >> Miss Eisenhart, >> I >> Mr. Muhammed, >> I >> Miss Balding, >> I >> Miss Hartman, >> I >> Miss Frasier, [clears throat] >> I >> Miss Fazy, >> I >> Dr. Mauy, >> I The eyes have it and the motion passes. Congratulations. >> Oh, sure. Dr. I ju I just wanted to
045I would be remiss if I didn't um thank Miss Taylor for your efforts during this process. Uh as as Miss Brett um pointed out, it is when you're on a team, a negotiation team from administrative side, um you're only as good as the people who are by your side. And um throughout all these processes, I think it's important to recognize your efforts. U Miss Taylor because um you uh have great information for us uh data and comparisons as well as a heart for making things right for our employees. So, I want to just personally take a moment to thank you and and um I wanted to wait till after the vote because you know just in case for some reason the vote didn't [laughter] >> how little faith you have just >> I would second
046that. >> I think a uh a breath of fresh air sums it up nicely. >> Okay, now number 10. if I'm not mistaken. Yes. >> Okay. [laughter] >> Mr. Muhammad, can you please read the recommendation for the confidential student matter? >> Is the recommended action that the board of school directors approves the confidential student matters as reflected in agenda number 10.1. >> Second. >> Dr. Fetcher, we have a second. >> Thank you, Dr. Murray. The confidential student matter this evening is in regard to a student disciplinary adjudication. Uh, keeping in mind the confidentiality of student matters, I can answer questions that you may have. >> Questions or comments from the board? >> No. Okay, we'll jump to the roll call vote then. >> Mr. Allen, >> I. >> Mrs. Brown, >> I [clears throat] >>
047Mr. Muhammed, >> I. >> Miss Balding, >> I. >> Miss Hartman, >> I. >> Miss Frasier, >> I >> Miss Fazy, >> I. >> Dr. Mary >> I the eyes have it and the motion passes. Uh Dr. Fetcher, are there any additional reports and recommendations by the administration and superintendent? >> Yes, Dr. Marie. I provide the conference attendance and professional leaves report for your information. >> Always great to see uh our staff and faculty out there supporting our students. >> Questions or comments? No. Okay. All right. With that, we will move on to our final section of comments from citizens. [clears throat] Once again, comments from citizens are being conducted both in person and by phone. The phone number to participate in public comments is and is being displayed on the screen at this time.
048You'll be able to join the meeting by calling in on your mobile or landline phone. A citizen will be recognized 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 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 light, your left, or to your right. >> It still works. >> Good evening again. Um, just an aside from my 30 years of union negotiations when I listen to all these gushing comments, y'all should have held out for more money. >> If they ain't mad, you didn't held out for enough money. >>
049So, just to let you know. Uh, second thing, um, so I'm going to propose a recommendation that the board of directors flies the Marine Corps flag for the month of November in celebration of 250 years of honorable service of the United States Marine Corps from the halls of Tripoli. Excuse me, [laughter] from the shores of Tripoli to the halls of Montazuma. Sorryly, I messed that up. Is there a second? [snorts] Come on. Y'all have already politicized the flag pole. There's not a second to honor the Marine Corps in November. Second it. >> There's a second right there. >> Excellent. Any discussion? >> Well, I'll recommend a vote. Anybody that's interested in honoring the Marine Corps in November with the flag, raise your hand. >> Nobody honoring it. Okay. Just got it on record there. Second
050one, I got um um [cough] [clears throat] talking with a woman. She explained to me that when Chromebooks are handed out to students that they can change a password and then parents don't have access to it and if they approach the school district, the school district won't give them access to that Chromebook. Is that true or false? So hopefully I'll get an answer on that. >> And then the last one, uh, Mr. H, Mr. Muhammad, uh, everything we do here is political. When you guys pass this resolution, that's a political act. And the amazing thing about the state budget is that we have representatives on two sides of an issue actually fight it out and they and they still haven't come to a resolution yet. But when you all pass a resolution, you don't even
051know how the budget works here. You don't know how much is the state how much it's been impacted so far. You're just passing this resolution. Jordan Peterson has great things in his 12 rules for life. It says the first thing people ought to do is clean up their room. Basically, clean up their own house. for Abington School District. You guys learn what the budget's all about. Learn how much money, if I asked any one of you, how much federal money do we get each year? You don't have to answer obviously how much state money, how much of peasers is covered by the state, where does the money go? So before you start telling somebody else how they should do their budgeting negotiations, then you ought to learn about our own. Like I said, $550 million
052last meeting, $550,000 last meeting. You all voted on it and didn't even know what it was for. So try and recommend and represent us before you go out there and start telling everybody else what to do. That would be the way you served us. And thank God this is political. All these buildings, all these people, public employees paid for by Abington and Rocklledge taxpayers. We need to have open discussions and political discourse about it. >> Your time is up. Take a seat, please. Anyone else in the room? >> Yes, Jennifer Tal, Glenside. Um, I wanted to, um, one, I wanted to thank the district for doing the food drive. Um, you, like you've all said, it's it's amazing how the district is part of this community, and it's just wonderful to give the community a
053way of giving back. So, I certainly plan on participating, and I appreciate you guys organizing that. Um and also the um the funding gap. I just really appreciate that you added your voices to calling for that to be resolved. Um we're a little lucky, I guess, here that it's not an immediate impact, but there are school districts, this is a a state that has a backward way of funding their schools. And I know there was a case that was said the same and it was uh has not been no changes have been made as far as I know. So I appreciate that we are a little buffered but there are school districts in elsewhere in the state that are not so lucky. And so it would be wonderful if this could get resolved quickly but
054I appreciate that all the school districts are joining their voices together and calling for them to to resolve this. And so thank you for doing that. Take care. Thank you for your voice. [clears throat and cough] Anyone else in the room? Mr. Cargus, can you confirm that we have no callers on the line? >> I confirm there are no callers. >> Okay. Uh, with that, we will move on to closing comments of school directors. Oh, I'm sorry, Dr. Fetcher. >> That's fine. Um, Mr. Cargus, if you wouldn't mind, can you please address the question that came up regarding um Chromebooks and parent access? >> Yes, that's >> I and I understand that you um are working with the parent. >> Yes, I will be in contact with the parent and we also provide um online
055access for any kind of support the parents need as well. So, um I have not seen that come through yet, but I will be reaching out to that parent. Thank you. Anything else? >> Nothing further. Thank you. >> I'm sorry. [snorts] >> All right. With that, we will move on to closing comments from my fellow directors. Mr. Allen. >> Uh, nothing. Thank you. Have a good evening. >> Mrs. Brown. >> I just wanted to clarify for anyone who may be confused that there are two people who determine what the agenda topics are for our meeting and that is our president and our superintendent. And therefore, if a member who is not the president or the superintendent asks for someone to vote for something, that vote does not count. Thank you so much everyone and have
056a great evening. >> Miss Eisenhart. Um, great to hear the interaction from um, the members of uh, the support staff group today and hope you have an good evening and happy voting on Tuesday. >> Mr. Muhammad, >> I just want to encourage the community to participate in the district-wide food drive. Um, SNAP benefits are an important important important uh safety net that this nation has uh provided to any resident that needed it uh for decades. And um there are people like myself who were raised on SNAP benefits and who were able to feed large families um based on those benefits. And again, um, oppressive politics are playing a role in hurting, uh, citizens, hurting those in need. Um, and I hope that our community can come together and fill the gap while Washington DC gets
057its act together. Um, November is Indigenous American Heritage Month and so I would like to acknowledge the indigenous Americans who exist throughout this country and throughout this hemisphere. Um, recognizing that this is the land that they inhabited long before anyone showed up and decided to take from them. Um, and we want to remember them today and remember them always. Um, good night. >> Thank you, Miss Falding. >> Um, yeah, I do want to mention to everybody next week is election day. It's very important that we go out and vote. Um, I also saw something on the view the other day. They were saying well they were mentioning with the government employees being uh you know not some of them a lot of them not getting paid and they're you know they more or less have
058gotten their last paycheck like this week and some of them the following week. Um and they mentioned that if we're able to um help we should do so and uh I'm still a member of a couple of organizations and then we're having a big lunchon on on Thursday. So um I mean if we can if we can afford to give to food banks which you know I am doing and to any other organizations we should we need to uh to reach out and uh help those that we can and I did not make any votes besides the ones that were that were pled by uh Teresa. Thank you. >> Thank you Miss Hartman. Um, I just want to state that our the budget impasses that we're facing at the federal level and the state level
059are affecting our most fragile children. Um, kids are coming to school hungry because and and they will be if their SNAP benefits are taken away and our title one funding and that's our special education students that are affected by that and our and our schools with kids who really need that support. Um, and I I really hope that we can come together as a community and help them. Um, but I really hope that we can as a as a country and as a state put our kids first regardless of who they are and what they look like and what their financial or socioeconomic status is that we can just really because I I'm a little nervous about what's going to happen after when November first starts. So, get to the polls, um, vote, and, um,
060hopefully we'll be, um, in a better place soon as far as this goes. So, thank you everyone. Have a good night, >> Miss Fraser. >> Ditto and good night, >> Miss Fazy. >> Um, nothing more. Good night everyone. Take good care, >> Miss Lee. >> I hope everyone considers donating to the food drive as well. And good night. Thank you. Um, [cough] [clears throat] the equation is pretty simple. If kids don't eat, they can't learn. True. >> Um, I'll reiterate what I said at the beginning of the meeting. This is a big-hearted community. Everyone who can, please contribute to the local food boy food banks. Um, they are going to be under increasing pressure. When you go to the store, grab a jar of peanut butter, box of mac and cheese, a package of canned
061fruit, whatever you can, put it in your cart, drop it off. It's really easy. Um, and it makes a real difference to people's lives. So, on that note, thank everyone for coming out tonight. Um and uh onward. Have a good night.