001Good evening and welcome to the October 14th, 2025 meeting of the Abington Board of School Directors. I note the attendance of board members uh with the exception of Mrs. Brown and Miss Hartman who are excused for this evening. 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 in this evening, the meeting is being recorded and will be available on the district's website and cable
002channel no later than Friday, October 17th, 2025. Comments from citizens will be conducted in person 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 and high regard and everyone's voices are respected and welcomed. Dr. Fetcher, do we have any additional announcements or agenda items? >> Uh, no we do not. >> Okay. With that, uh, would you please proceed with our student council representatives? You >> want to do >> Oh, I'm sorry. I was so I was excited to hear the reports from the students. Um we'll do opening comments from board members. Mr. Allen, >> good evening everyone. >> Miss Eisenhart. >> Good evening
003and welcome. >> Mr. Muhammad, >> good evening. >> Miss Spalding. >> Uh good evening everybody. >> Miss Fraser. >> Welcome. >> Miss Baisy. >> Good evening everyone. Miss Lee, >> good evening everyone. >> All right. >> Welcome to the meeting. All right. Now would you please proceed? We'll ask for Elena Brown to come forward >> 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'm the student council president of Abington Senior High School. First off, on Tuesday, October 7th, and Wednesday, October 8th, Abington Senior High held their annual club and activities fair. The fair was a huge success and every club was able to showcase what they have to offer to potential new members. Additionally, Abington Senior High School
004completed their five days of spirit week leading up to homecoming. This past week, we had five different themed days for the students to participate in. Monday was Philadelphia Sports Day. Tuesday was twin day, Wednesday was Teen Beach Movie Day, Thursday was Growfit Day, and Friday was Pinkout. Each student council executive board member handed out raffle tickets to the students who participated for a chance to win a different gift card each day. On the Friday of the past week, the senior high held the fall sports pep rally. The pep rally took place at the end of the day and was an opportunity for students to come together and celebrate in fun ways. There were many different competitions held in the stadium for the sp fall sports teams to compete in. The other students were able to
005watch and cheer them on as a fun way to finish out the week. Also on Friday, October 10th, Abington Senior High held their pink out football game. Abington's Key Club sold pinkout t-shirts in support of breast cancer awareness leading up to and at the game. At the football game, the winners of homecoming king and queen were announced. There were six finalists for each king and queen who were all able to be showcased before the winners were announced. The homecoming queen finalists were Mave Link, Alexis Whley, Maline Cranner, Danica Santiago, Alyssa Coransza, and Farah Johnstone. The king finalists were Ryan Salman, Obina Emba, Chase O'Brien, Robert Karappy, Ethan Yang, and Luke Franklin. The runners up being named homecoming prince and princess were Ethan Yang, and Mave Link. Our 2025 2026 homecoming king and queen were Chase
006O'Brien and Alyssa Coransza. We are so proud of everyone who ran and congratulations to our king and queen. The next day, Saturday, October 11th, the senior high hosted their homecoming dance. All grades were welcome and we ended up having a huge turnout. The students were able to have fun with their friends and the night was a success. Regarding upcoming events, the senior high has their trunk or treat coming up on Friday, October 17th. Clubs are able to participate and decorate their cars for Abington patrons to come trick-or-treating. We are expecting a good turnout this year with numerous Abington clubs prepared to dress up and celebrate. Abington Senior High has had numerous academic accomplishments as well. The college board has informed that 119 senior scholars have been recognized for the two national recognition programs, the recognition
007award and first generation award. Jacob Hong has been approved to receive the congressional award silver medal along with the bronze, silver, and gold certificates. Isa Mammud, class of 2026, qualified as National Merit Scholarship semi- finalist. Maggie Whan and Owen Ali have been selected as the primary members of the Congresswoman Deans Task Force from Abington Senior High School. Lastly, junior Thristan Lundy won his division at the National Day of Chess Tournament in Philadelphia on Saturday. Regarding athletics, following scholar athletes won medals at the William Tennant Invitational at William Tennant High School. Chase O'Brien placed 10th with a time of 164705 and Michaela Fitz Morris placed seventh with a time of 20002. Key Gallagher was nominated as a top defender in Bucks County field hockey for fall 2025. Elias Hansen and Daniel Budo are both up for
008top firstear football players by the Philly BBS. On October 7th, Jake Caps participated in the Suburban One Golf Tournament at Five Ponds Golf Course. Jake earned a spot in the prestigious tournament by having a handicap average of 3.72 through 16 regular season matches. Lastly, we have had many accomplishments in the band and corral department. Assh Marching Ghost took first place in US Bands group IVA competition at Great Valley High School. They posted a score of 73.7 for best music, visual, and overall effect. They were the highest scoring marching unit of all the competing bands. They also placed first at the Upper Dublin High School's spectacle and sound on Saturday, September 27th, 2025. The ASHS Coral Corral and Advanced Acting classes traveled to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair for the annual school days festival. Corral competed against
00920 plus other schools in the extremely competitive Mandreal music competition and were judged in several categories including presentation, diction, dynamics, and intonation. I'm thrilled and proud to announce that our corral received second place. Finally, the Abington Marching Ghost took third place in US bands Marine Corps Invitational Group IVI competition at Annapapolis on Saturday, October 11th, 2025. They posted a score of 82.1 and won the caption award for best color guard. In other captions, they ranked first in general effect visual and ranked third in general effect music, music effect, visual, and percussion. We are so proud of our marching band and corral. As you can see, activities and awards have been picking up at the senior high, and we are excited for more to come. Thank you for your time today, and I look forward to
010seeing you all again soon. Respectfully submitted, Lana Brown. Thank you very much. A lot going on. We're excited uh as we enter the fall. Many things, many accomplishments, and if you could pass on to your fellow students that we are very proud of their accomplishments, and we thank all of the students. uh and staff members who are dedicated to make these activities happen as well. >> Yes, I will. Thank you. >> Thanks, Lana. [Music] >> All right. At this time, I'm going to ask Noah Shannon to come forward from Abington Middle School. Good evening, Dr. Mary, Dr. Fetcher, and members of the board of school directors. I am Noah Shannon and I am on the executive board of the student council for Abington Middle School. This year's student council executive board has begun meeting and
011is very excited for the upcoming school year. Their first order of business is recruiting students from sixth and seventh grade to be student council representatives for their teams and to begin preparing for this year's holiday season food drive. The Reading Olympics has almost 40 members signed up. They have already begun checking out books from the library. The first meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 21st after school in the AMS library. TATA, which stands for Teens Against Drugs and Alcohol, is kicking off its 36th season in 2025 2026. We just concluded signups to join TATA, and we are and we look forward to planning many fun events for our approximately 800 club members in the coming months. Going green club has started meeting and there are currently 35 members in the club. Students have been
012asked to plan more things. So we have added more perennial plans to the third parking island planter. American Sign Language Club had its first meeting and welcomed many new and returning members. Students learned how to greet people, sign their own name, and read other people's signs. Math Olympiad and Math Counts clubs have started. We have had a good showing at our first couple meetings with some nice problem solving discussions on amongst the mathletes. Chess club has begun. There are over 80 students who have signed up. A very popular choice among students. It was good to see novice, intermediate, and advanced players affect actively participating. Commons B was filled with over 100 students for the first builder club meeting of the school year. Students made encouraging encouragement posters and encouragement cards with a sweet treat of
013a Tootsie Pop for veterans in a care home. We also kicked off our trunk or treating for UNICEF for UNICEF program which is a Kowanis and UNICEF particip partnership project. Students were given a collection box to collect change when they go out trick-or-treating along with candy of course. The funds will benefit the children of Zambia in Africa. Last year, the Builder Club raised $300 for the UNICEF trick-or-treating project. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Again, a lot going on. We if you could pass along our congratulations as well as our thanks for all the activities uh for our students. >> Thanks, Noah. Okay, with that we will move move on to our first section of comments from citizens. Comments from citizens are being conducted both in person and by phone. The phone number to
014participate is being displayed uh on the screen at this time. It is 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 except at the discretion of the president. Time may not be yielded or otherwise transferred by one speaker to another for the 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. Hi uh Jen Patell. I live in Glenside. Uh just a quick I wanted to comment on the updates from the kids. I was so impressed with all of their achievements like
015all the opportunities that the school has beyond just great academics. It's like the extracurriculars, the clubs, all that. I just it's wonderful to hear it all. And as a former uh marching band mom, I want to say also Bands in the Boneyard is coming up uh the last weekend in October, so go check it out. >> Thank you. Go ahead. >> Uh good evening. Can hear me? Okay. >> Yep, we're good. >> Um I'm uh John Spiegelman. Uh I live at 127 Edge Hill Road in the beautiful scenic Highland Farms neighborhood of Abington. Um I concur with my uh my friend Jen. There's so much going on uh with with student council and all the all the activities available to to the student bodies of both the middle school and the senior high. It's really
016it's impressive. Um I'm here to actually just uh kind of reiterate what I said uh two weeks ago um to express uh my enthusiasm for and uh gratitude for the uh anticipated and hopefully positive vote on the responsible contractor policy tonight. Um I we you know we all know there were there were a lot of people who voted for the referendum in May. There were a lot of people who didn't. But this RCP is going to benefit everybody. It's it offers uh it offers protections in so many different ways including financial um for every family, every student, every taxp payer, every faculty member. Um it it is as I said before an essential component to the referendum. just as important as the yes vote. So, thank you so much for your consideration and looking forward
017to a positive vote on that tonight. Thanks so much, school directors, Dr. Fetcher, central administration staff, and everybody else. >> Sorry. >> Thank you for your voice. Anyone else? >> Uh, Mr. Car. Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Hi, uh Joe Rooney. I live in Arsley. Um welcome everybody tonight. And uh I have a question on a couple of the items. Uh I'm going to roll them all together. Number eight's the award of contract. Number nine is the uh responsible contractor policy and then the capital report uh for projects that are still open. And I'm going to roll them all together and I'm sure you're going to cut me off before I'm done. So, uh, the first thing is, uh, I hope you will vote against this policy for the following reasons. Number one is
018we have far too little information on it right now. And I'm relatively sure that none of you have the answers to any of the things I'm going to bring up. The first one is how much is this going to cost? So, in terms of a $285 million construction project, how much will it cost? And if we looked back at the $120 million high school job, how much would it have cost with this? The second question is, why haven't we had it before? So, what would have been different in the $120 million high school project if we had this policy compared to what we have uh achieved? And when I was looking through these numbers, I came up with some interesting stuff. So the first thing is we've approved a contract for roughly $30 million for
019construction management to ICS. They wrote that into a relatively minor thing that you all approved without any discussion. If I take a look at the capital improvement thing, the Reynolds construction had the construction management project for the $120 million thing and the original award was $1.5 million. So, we're paying 20 times that amount to ICS. That's without this responsible contractor ordinance. ICS's job is to make sure that the job is done right and we're paying them 30 million bucks. Why is that? Board members, tell me the answer. The next one is, if you take a look at the re uh you take a look at item eight, there are three companies getting a half a million dollars still from the 2018 project. the uh JR Reynolds Incorporated, Mo Mechanical Incorporated, and Guy M. Cooper Incorporated.
020First, I hope you will explain why we're still paying on a 2018 project. The second one is, would any of these contractors have been eligible for the work that they did if this responsible contractor policy was enacted? I don't think so, but I'd like to know the answer. So along with how much does it cost, how many capable, competent contractors will not even be considered if you pass this ordinance. I'm not saying don't pass it, but if you don't have answers to those questions, then you should stall this thing and then figure it out first because I don't know the job that these contractors did specifically. I know they're in plumbing, HVAC, and fire suppression. And I know they're expensive. Is that it or time? >> Time. Thank you for your question. Want >> to
021hear anything else? >> Have a seat. >> You can extend it if you would like. >> Have a seat. >> Very important. I hope you all know nothing. >> Mr. Cargus, do we have any callers on the line? >> We do. Um the next citizen for public comment, phone number ending in 35 uh 3253, please state your full name and address. >> Good evening. Uh my name is Peaches Cooper. current live at 1014 Garfield Avenue here in Abington Township. I have children attending school in the Abington School District and I'm also a member of the Abington Township Environmental Advisory Council or EAC and I'm calling in this evening on behalf of the EAC to share a letter uh that will also be sent via email uh concerning our views on possible involvement during the ongoing
022planning process for the new Edmonton Middle School. Uh so the EC has been closely following the progress surrounding the development of the new middle school uh for Edmonton school district and we have attended community information sessions and tours held at the middle school and even uh hosted ICS the contractor at one of our monthly meetings earlier this year to discuss the many aspects of the project. Uh as we have a vested interest in this project due to the nature of our council, we would like to take this opportunity to offer assistance with the design and planning process leading to the construction of the new middle school and we felt we could be helpful in the following areas. Uh we offer input on the development of community survey questions to ensure consideration is given to uh
023evaluating the importance of having renewable energy on site. uh using sustainable building materials and incorporating additional green infrastructure. uh serving as a bridge between the one ASD team and the community as EAC meets at least monthly and can offer additional and more frequent communication with one ASD updates and community feedback and concerns and also acting as an advocate and sounding board uh through the design process to ensure the new middle school building meets the goals of lead certified school and a net zero ready school building. And lastly, providing shade, tree, landscape recommendations. So, for instance, the AC is currently engaged uh with an invasive tree management planning process and learn lessons from the Amonton High School tree planting plans. So, uh we just hope to serve as an ongoing resource contributing our expertise and insights
024to support the environmentally conscious efforts during this process. Uh so, that's it for me and uh thank you for your time and attention. >> Thank you for your voice. Mr. Cargus, do we have anyone else on the line? >> That is our last caller. >> Okay. All right. Uh Dr. Fetcher, is there anything you'd like to respond to? >> Uh yes, Dr. Bry, I just wanted to address um the comment about ICS compared to Reynolds for the high school project. Um it's not an it's not an equal comparison because ICS consists of architects, engineers as well as full service where Reynolds was only construction management on that job. We had a separate there's a separate line item for architects, a separate line item for engineers. So uh to compare the two I just wanted to
025be clear that ICS is a large group uh that is full service to include at a minimum architects off top my head engineer and uh construction management. So I just wanted to clarify that. >> Okay. All right. Um, I'd like to thank Miss Cooper who called in on behalf of EAC for their ongoing interest in the project. Um, okay. That brings us to um then we have no additional agenda items. Yes. Okay. All right. That brings us to the approval of minutes. Miss Fazy, can you please read the recommendation to approve the September minutes? >> That the board of school directors approves the minutes of the board meetings on September 9th, 2025 and September 30th, 2025. >> Second. >> We have a second. Dr. Fetcher, >> your minutes are included. >> Okay. Questions and comments
026from the board. >> Okay. This is a roll call vote. Mrs. Flanigan, is this a roll call vote? No, this is just affirmation, right? Okay. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay. The eyes have it. >> The minutes are passed. Miss Fazy, can you please read the recommendation to approve the personnel addendum? >> That the board of school directors approves the changes in personnel as reflected in personnel addendums numbers 6.1 and 6.1A. >> Second. >> Dr. Fetcher. >> Thank you, Dr. Mauy. Personnel addenda begins with the appointment of one professional employee, changes of status for four professional staff members, and compensation for interpreter and translation services. I bring your attention to the retirement of Miss Mary Rocks, par professional at Ryal Elementary School, who served the district for 29 years. >> Wow, that's
027amazing. >> Okay, comments or questions from the board? No. Um, congratulations to our retirees. 29 years is an amazing commitment to the district and its students. So, we thank you for the service and uh hope that the future is bright and fun. Uh, okay. Miss Fazy, can you please read the recommendations? Oh, wait. We have to vote on that. Miss Flanigan. >> Mr. Allen. >> I. Miss Eisenhart >> I >> Mr. Mamemed >> I >> Miss Balding >> I >> Miss Frasier >> I >> Miss Fazy >> I >> Dr. Mallerie >> I the eyes have it and the motion passes now Miss Fazy can you please read the recommendation for permits of use for buildings and grounds >> that the board of school directors approves the applications for permits for use of buildings and
028grounds as reflected in addendum number 7.1. >> Second >> Dr. Fetcher. >> Thank you Dr. Mauy. 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. As you heard from our students, we have a lot going on and uh this permit addendum will illustrate that as well. >> Okay, questions or comments from the board? >> Uh one comment on this. I just want to draw attention to one of the meetings that will be taking place November 3rd. It's for CPAC, which is the Special Education Parent Advisory Council. It's a great opportunity for parents of anyone with a 504 or special education IEP plan uh to attend, um you know, talk with other parents, um get information, valuable resources, um and
029it's on November 3rd at Copper Beach. So, >> very good. >> Wanted to emphasize that this evening. >> Okay. Anyone else? Miss Lee, we don't want to leave you out of this. No. Okay. All right. Um, yeah, it is as usual and um packed calendar. Um, so that's great. All right. Mrs. Flanigan, >> Mr. Allen, >> I. >> Miss Eisenhard, >> I >> Miss Balding, >> I. >> Miss Fraser, >> I >> miss Vasy. >> I >> Dr. Mauy. I the eyes have it and the motion passes. Miss Fazy, can you please read the recommendation for awards of contracts? >> That the board of school directors approves the awards of contracts as reflected in addendum number 8.1. >> Second. >> Dr. Fetcher. >> Thank you, Dr. Mauy. Tonight, for your consideration, we have three contract
030change orders. Uh, essentially these change orders are part of our closeout and finalization of the high school project. I'm going ask Mr. Adani Hugh to expand on that. We're pleased that we have been able to negotiate a resolution to some outstanding claims with the [Music] spoke too soon with the uh three of the prime contractors on the high school project. Uh those settlements, those resolutions are reflected in the closeout change orders. >> Questions or comments from the board? Just to confirm on this, um these are final negot final uh negotiations for the change orders. >> Correct. For those three prime contractors, they are they are complete. >> Okay. Thank you. Anyone else? >> Miss Falding. >> Um yeah. What is what was the reason for this uh the increase? I mean what do what was
031what is the money being used for? >> So during the project there were uh the project was extended for us uh a period of time beyond the original contract term and there were some disputes as to the causation of that uh and some other related claims. These are resolutions basically uh settling those contractor claims for additional compensation related to extension of services. >> Okay. >> All right. Um, so this this closes out these three. How many more do we have left? >> There are two outstanding prime contracts at the moment. Uh, Burough General Construction and Burough Electric. >> Okay. And these increases um these are as opposed to what? >> As opposed to litigating and retaining delay consultants and pursuing this in the courts. >> Is there a number associated with that? If you want
032to have a if we want to have a discussion about the resolution, I would suggest that we go into executive session and not have that discussion publicly >> and we can we can adjourn to executive session if that's if that's necessary. >> No, it's not necessary. Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Okay, Mrs. Flanigan again. This is a roll call vote. >> Mr. Mr. Allen >> I >> Miss Eisenhart >> I >> Mr. Mohammed >> I >> Miss Balding >> I >> Miss Frasier >> I >> Miss Fazy >> I >> Dr. Mauy >> I the eyes have it and the motion passes. >> Miss Fazy, can you please read the recommendation for the responsible contractor policy in agenda item 9.1? It is recommended that the board of school directors approves the second reading of
033board policy entitled responsible contractor policy as reflected in addendum number 9.1. >> Second. >> Dr. Fetry, we have a second. >> Thank you, Dr. Marie. At the meeting of the board of school directors on August 26, 2025, the board asked the administration work with the solicitor's office to draft a responsible contractor policy. Uh this is the second reading this evening of that policy. Okay, questions or comments from the board? >> Um, I look forward to voting uh in favor of this policy. I think it will provide the district with qualified, trained um craftsmen to lead the work for an investment that the community um has indicated as necessary and wanted. And I think it's a positive step for our district. >> Okay. Anyone else? >> Dr. Mar, if I could just note the two changes
034from the prior reading, there were two minor changes. One was to add a definition of the term project to clarify that >> essentially >> work that should be bid together as a as a project was not going to be broken up to avoid thresholds. Uh and then secondly there was a clarification as to the nature of who would qualify for that 70% uh requirement of the labor force specifically journeymen who have graduated from an apprenticeship program and those who are currently and laborers who are currently in an apprenticeship program. >> Okay. And those are registered apprenticeship programs. Correct. Okay. Okay. Great. Thank you for that clarification. All right. Anyone else? Yeah. Yeah. >> Uh will uh union labor be considered as well as part of our responsible contractors? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> That the
035union labor typically uses or always uses uh appren registered apprentichip program. So they would have that qualification in I believe most if not all cases. >> Wow. Okay. questions? No. Okay. Um, I just want to add my um my support for Miss Eisenhart's uh remarks. This is an important step in protecting um an enormous and much needed community investment. So, I look forward to voting yes. Mrs. Flanigan. This is a roll call. >> Mr. Allen, >> I. >> Miss Eisenhart, >> I. >> Mr. Mohammed, >> I. >> Miss Balding, >> I. >> Miss Frasier, >> I. >> Miss Fazy, >> I. >> Dr. Mauy, >> I. The eyes have it and the motion passes. Miss Fazy, can you please read the recommendation for nursing services as an on an asneeded basis? that the board of
036school directors approves the contract with Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc. for the period October 14th, 2025 through June 30th 20. It says 2025, I'm assum >> that must be 2025. >> 2026, I'm going to say okay, >> to provide nursing services on an as needed basis when district nursing staff are unavailable. >> Second, >> Dr. Fetcher, we have a second. >> Thank you, Dr. Mauy. Uh at the meeting on uh September 9th, the board approved a contract with Bayata Home Healthc Care to provide nursing coverage uh when the district nursing staff are unavailable. Despite that agreement, Bayata has been unable to con consistently meet the district's coverage needs. Uh in in order to ensure the continuity of care and compliance with student health plans, the administration recommends adding an additional um maximum healthc care services inc
037as an additional uh contracted provider. >> Okay. >> So give essentially gives us more opportunity to make sure that positions are filled. >> I have a question. Is that nurses only or would it also entail physical therapists and occupational therapists? >> This is for nurses. >> Thank you. >> Other questions, comments from the board. >> So, this is um I just want to make sure I understand this. Um this is an additional staffing service. Does it cost the district anything to use it. >> Uh Dr. Rosenthal, can you go through um both agreements? >> Sure. Uh it's only when when they're needed. So uh they're not needed uh often when we have needs that go beyond what we need in our public schools. Uh either outside for field trips or for uh students that may
038go to non-pub schools. um we we need an agreement uh BIATA wasn't able to fulfill that. So we only use it's uh actually per hour that we would need these services. >> Okay. So there's no in other words like for ESS which we use for our subs right we pay an annual fee but there's nothing like that attached >> no >> to this. Okay. All right. Great. >> Okay. Questions or comments? No. Okay. Mrs. Flanigan. >> Mr. Allen. >> I. >> Miss Eisenhart. >> I. >> Mr. Mohammed. >> I. >> Miss. Balding. >> I. >> Frasier. >> I. >> Miss Fazy. >> I. >> Dr. Mauy. >> I. >> The eyes have it. And the motion passes. Miss. Fasy. Can you please read the recommendation for the confidential student matter? that the board of school
039directors approves the confidential student matters as reflected in addendum number 11.1. >> Second. >> We have a second. Dr. Fetcher. >> Thank you, Dr. Maui. The confidential student matters regarding an educational services agreement. Uh keeping in mind the confidentiality of student matters. I can answer any questions that you may have. >> Okay. Questions or comments from the board? >> No. Okay. One more time, please. >> Mr. Allen, >> I miss Eisenhart. >> I Mr. >> Mohammed, I folding >> I. >> Miss Frasier, >> I >> Miss Vasy, >> I. >> Dr. Maui, >> I The eyes have it and the motion passes. Dr. Fetcher, are there any additional reports and recommendations by the administration and superintendent? >> Yes, Dr. Murray. I provide for you the conference, attendance, and professional leaves and the capital improvement projects
040for your information. >> Okay. questions or comments from the board. Okay, I have Thank you for increasing the size of the font. Um I have a question about the I'm trying to find it on here now. The um energy improvement. Yeah, the Giza projects. Yeah, there it is. Um, so I did notice that there's a sizable increase from the original contract. Um, I know that these are these are increases that the board approved, but I wonder if I could just ask you to walk through the reasoning for that for members of the community who may want to know. >> Sure. Uh first off in uh on June 11th the original contract took place for a set scope of work and on uh December 10th uh that year we added RALE um HVAC and roof to
041that scope of work and part of the reason why that was not an original scope is we had applied for a grant and we received a grant for McKinley um but not for Ryle. Okay. >> And uh so the work that was needed there became part of this project um and approved at as you mentioned all of these are approved by the board at the following at those meetings. On February 25th uh we included the uh Copper Beach HVAC and repairs and controls when we had the frozen coils. Um, so those are the two major additions that changed the scope of the work uh from the original on June 11th. >> Okay, any other questions? >> I just think it's important as well to note that all of these change or all of these changes
042were district initiated, >> right? change orders and they were also uh presented to uh publicly at the board of school directors meeting um for approval. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. I was just I was concerned that someone just looking at the numbers without the the history um might wonder about that. Um all right. Any other questions or comments? No. Okay. With that, we are going to um move on to item 13. Is there any other business that may appropriately brought be brought to the attention of the board of school directors? [Music] Okay. Item 14. This is our second um second period of public comment. Once again, 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
043at this time. You'll be able to join the meeting by calling in on your 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'd like to make a comment, we'll start with uh folks in the room first. You can use the mics either to your right or to your left. [Music] >> Ready? >> Hi, Joe Rooney again. Um, a couple of things. First, I got to make sure I understand this. None of you know what $550,000 was being spent for, and it's a 35
044minute meeting, but you didn't have enough time to go into an executive session and understand it before you voted for it. You should do your homework and you should look out. $550,000 actually means something to the people who live in Abington and Rocklitch. And just got however many votes minus people who weren't here. And you don't even understand. and you didn't get any answers from the solicitor at all. And I I I just don't understand how you put up with that. The second one, did any of you actually read the responsible contractor policy? Any of you? >> Yes. Okay. So, who can I ask specific questions about it? Like say I had a question about the uh craft labor and prevailing wage act and how it affects it. Who who could answer that for me?
045I'll do it afterwards. Next question is, you didn't answer my question before. What contractors won't be able to bid on a contract after this now that were able and probably did great work on the high school project? Do you know those answers? It's primarily for union labor. That's what it's in there for. It's to deny access to public contracts for non-unized companies. That's what it is. So, this is some kind of a payback. I don't know. Dr. fetch you. Your numbers still don't add up with the $120 million project. And I'll have to understand some of that because I don't think you will either know all that. There's a lot of questions. You should take your time on this stuff. I can only ask you to do it because you're the ones who make the
046vote. And there's all kinds of people out in Abington and Rockids that depend on you for getting it right. So, that's what you ought to do. Um, just to switch gear after that because I'm really it's disappointing. I I just can't believe you guys do this stuff, but it's just the way it goes. Um, yesterday was the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy. That's 250 years of service, sacrifice, duty, and heroism. I hope there was an opportunity or is an opportunity to focus on that because that is the greatness of America. And you just mentioned before about going down to the Naval Academy. I think the band or or or something performed down there. If you haven't been there, go. It'll warm your hearts. Go to see Captain Rook's monument about the USS Houston
047where he gave his life for us. The second one is yesterday was Columbus Day. Unbelievable act of heroism of bravery. Christopher Columbus is one of the men who actually changed the world. I know there's all kinds of nonsense that you hear, okay? And I'd be happy to go toe-to-toe, but I'll recommend read Admiral of the Ocean Sea by Samuel Elliot Morrison if you want to actually learn something before you shoot your mouths off if you're going to badmouth them. Nobody's perfect in this whole world, but Columbus Day, he's an unbelievable man. I have sailed past Crooked Island and after reading about Christopher Columbus, I was able to witness what he described in 1492 and going into Portortoelloo also. So, thank you. Anybody? >> Your time is up. Please take a seat. >> Anyone else in
048the room? >> Hi, how you doing? My name is Darby Doyle. I live at 448 Roberts Avenue in Glenside. Uh, I'd like to thank the board for voting for responsible contractor language. Uh, number one, it's taxpayer protection. Um, and I'd like to also throw a couple facts out there. A project labor agreement is what happens when you use 100% labor. A responsible contractor is open to anyone and everyone who fits the contract that you have written up. The key word is responsible. the contractors that you guys just allowed $550,000 to pay for will not qualify under the responsible contractor language because of their shady craftsmanship. And again, I thank you very much. It's taxpayer protection for the people of Abington that voted for this new school and the middle school and hopefully the contractors that
049bid on it will be responsible. Thank you. >> Thank you for your voice. Anyone else in the room, >> Mr. Cargus, do we have callers on the line? >> We have one caller. >> Okay. >> The next citizen for public comment, phone number ending 4437. Please state your full name and address. >> Connie Briggs at Roslin. >> Did you get the name Mr. O'Donn? >> Okay. Okay. Go ahead. >> Hi everybody. thanks for um being there and helping with everything, but uh I'm new to this, so just give me a little slack if I trip over myself, but I just wanted to ask uh I did look over that budget that uh Joe Rooney did look over and I was concerned. I have a background in nonprofit administration and also other things, but uh I
050was concerned about the cost overruns for the high school. And I think that that's the kind of thing that people are really worried about. And we need to know how is this going to oversight is going to be better than it was then. And we also need to know uh can we look at this policy that you're giving to contractors? I don't know where that is. and um some of the documents I'd like to be able to look them over. Uh is that a public record or is that something that we can't look at >> and that's all I have to ask. I'm just a question. Thank you. >> Okay, great. Thank you so much for calling in, >> Dr. Fetcher. Oh, wait. I'm sorry. Do we have one more caller? >> That was our
051last caller. Okay. All right, Dr. Fetcher. Um, in terms of our documents, uh, for the board meeting, if you go on to board docs, uh, all of our documents are posted on, uh, 24 hours prior to the board meeting. >> Right. So, that's through the district website. Correct. >> Correct. So, if you >> go to the district website and at the top of the district website is a tab that's says board docs and you click on board docs and then move to meetings and uh the featured meetings um are on the screen and then you can click on view the agenda and all the agenda items uh are listed. And [Music] >> is it number nine was the item? >> Yes. So if you click on item number nine and then on there there's an
052addendum and which presents the entire policy prior to the meeting. This was also uh posted prior to the last meeting as well. So, it's been up in form uh for a couple weeks. >> Okay. And um it will be accessible from here on out because it's a board policy. Correct. >> Yeah, it's a board policy. We also archive um for not sure the number of years, but we have quite a mount a number of years going back of uh the whatever's on the agenda and you can access the agendas as well. Okay. >> Um, also, uh, there's video of the board meetings. If someone wants to go back and look at the board meeting, it's available and record it on, uh, Fridays after the board meeting. >> Okay. All right. Great. Thank you. Um, anything
053else you want to >> Sure. I just want to take a moment um to recognize um the uh question about the the Navy's 250th birthday. >> And in our in our uh schools, we've had um a few activities throughout the school. the senior high, for example, um had a um a navy a navy history of the Navy and military experience. Um and in some of the other buildings as well, there's uh some celebration of that as well. So, I just want to point out that um it is something within our schools that uh is important and was recognized. >> Okay. Um, could I ask also ask you to um speak to the concerns about sufficient guard rails on the middle school project? The the caller's concerns about cost overruns. I mean, I guess ICS's role
054versus what we had during the senior high school project, >> right? So tonight I, you know, I think there's a few different types of change orders that occur throughout any project. Um, some of those are design attributed to design. What we saw uh this evening were delayed claims and time uh on the job. And I would um remind you that this project took place during co >> and uh some of the delay claims were part of that discussion. Um I think that with any project there's going to be change orders regardless of how um how well the project is is done. There's there's also district initiated change orders. So at times during a project we may say this is not the direction we want to go we want to change that um and all those
055each time there's a change order uh in a project it is presented publicly um to keep an eye on it and we also have a construction management team which is essential to keeping uh those change orders to a minimum. I would say that at the end of most projects there is a closeout time period um especially the size of a very large project there's a closeout period where um there has to be some agreement among the uh contractors and uh the district in this case of uh coming to an understanding and that often occurs at I would say at most uh large projects. I don't I would defer to Mr. Donghue uh for that. >> It's certainly not uncommon that there are going to be I mean there are disputes on projects. There are reasonable
056minds that can disagree. Uh in addition to design issues, owner initiated changes. There are also unforeseen conditions. Those are things that weren't >> they weren't what conditions when when things get dug up aren't exactly what the engineers >> testing revealed and therefore they're not what the contractor anticipated when they put their bid together. So there's a there's a change and that's how we that's how we have to contract. We have to put forth a a set of specifications. This is the work we want you to do. If additional work is needed because of an unforeseen condition, that is a reasonable change order. >> Yeah. Before construction began at the high school project, there was a $1.3 million change order that was attributed um to an unforeseen condition. >> Right. >> So, I think it's important
057to keep in mind regardless of the project, and this is there will be change orders. There will be change orders at the middle school project. Um, and if there isn't, I would be uh extremely extremely shocked. But there will I will predict that there will be change orders in the middle school project or any project that is of that magnitude. >> But that's also one of the reasons why we have a contingency fund. Correct. Right. To cover that. >> Correct. >> That's built into the project as well. >> Okay. All right. Final comments from school directors. Mr. Allen, >> nothing. Thank you. >> Okay. Miss Eisenhart. >> Good evening, everyone. >> Mr. Muhammad, >> good night everybody. >> Miss Balding. >> I'm happy that the the um hostages have been released and I hope that
058uh now we can give aid to the Palestinians. Good night, everybody. Thank you for that, Miss Fazy or I'm sorry, Miss Fraser. >> That's okay. Good night all. >> Miss Fazy, take care everyone. Miss Lee, >> Good night everyone. Thanks for coming out.