001Good evening and welcome to the regular board of directors. At this time, we'd like to call the meeting to order. And at this time, if you would not please rise and state the I pledge allegiance 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. >> Sheriff, uh, Mrs. Klein, Mr. McMillan >> here, >> Mr. here. >> Smith >> here. >> Dr. Sprinker. >> Yell here. There he is. >> Here. >> I am here. Mr. Wire >> here. >> Mr. Whistner >> here. And Mr. Zach >> here. >> We have eight of nine. >> There was an executive session prior to this meeting to discuss personnel, safety, and legal matters. >> 1.5. No report. >> Thank you.
002We will move to the administrator. >> So, we have a few things going on this evening. As you may be aware, uh it's a very special evening um to celebrate all of the accomplishments and um various attributes that Blackhawk provides to our students community. Uh I want to thank everyone. It's a moment of celebration and we work really hard and the staff and the students um the board, everyone here to make these things possible. So that's the importance of this evening. It's a very hectic and crazy time of year and I know that everyone has an extremely busy schedule, but the fact that we've come together this evening um to celebrate these accomplishments. Um the students have great showings uh for everyone to share with everyone and um I invite you all to stick around
003after the board meeting to do that. Um these things couldn't be possible without everyone in this room and everyone throughout this district and community. There are a few um philanthropic donors and sponsors um that I'd like to mention this evening. specifically um various foundations, the Banks Foundation, um the Blackhawk School District Educational Foundation, um the Right Promise Foundation, Push. I mean, there's a whole list, a litany of of people that make these things happen. So, um I thank all of you for that and I think that the board and and the staff and the students do, too. So, please walk around later and enjoy and and celebrate these accomplishments with us. Um that being said, we also have a presentation from a select group of students that I have the privilege to work with. Um
004so I have a superintendent advisory cabinet. Sometimes these students ask some very challenging questions of me and keep me on my toes and if not me then definitely Mr. Ford. So we enjoy their time very much. But this year, I asked them a question and I said, "Would you want to look at the history and research of the Blackhawk School District? Um, it has a long-standing um tradition. It has a long-standing community of schools and several diverse communities that came together over the past half a century or century or more." And they said, "Sure." So they graciously took me up on the task and um we'll present this evening what they learned. They also have a stand over here. So I welcome you to ask them a variety of questions and um I think that
005they learned a lot through the process and I just appreciate them taking the time to do this uh for all of us. So um if you could go up to Mike and you can go through and I'll be your Vanna and go through your slides. So, um, just to kind of go through, we have obviously a map of the school's heritage and and all of these communities coming together, but each one of [snorts] these these young students here took a municipality and they grouped together to teach us some things on those municipalities. So, we'll start with Chipa. >> There you go. Hi, my name is Japan Township was founded in 186 or work and cooperation building a strong and resilient population. Growth came from sawmills and natural gas and parts of the township later became
006separate areas like white and education began in 1830 in a long cabin later expanded to one schoolous like schoolhouse which is found at field still standing. There were about seven school houses during this time. One of them school houses a consolidated school in partnership with Patterson. Our middle school opened in 1959 and was renovated not too long ago in 2013. Hi, I'm And I did more research about Highland Middle School which is located in Highland Middle School was built in 1959. It was known as Highland Junior High and grades seven through N. Students from several elementary schools were all at Highland and Highland High was built in 197. After 1973, all students living at attended Black. Then in 2013, a major renovation came to Highland Middle School and it lasted about 2 years. The renovation
007adjusted classrooms, added to the library, media center, built a new gym, and improved the main entrance. Today, I normal school. Hi, my name is Miley Thomas. I'm going to be talking about Darlington a little bit with my partner Chloe. Um, like many of the other municipalities, early education and began in small local school houses. Um, showing how it was very important even in the town's earliest and newest years. Um the careers academy is actually the oldest surviving school building in the area and was known as a stone pile because as you can kind of see the picture um it was made of it strong structure and then the academy showed an early commitment to organ or organized education and it was replaced by a new building in the original reused for other purposes as the
008town grew. the schoolhouse built in the 1830s moved the move toward more apartment formal school building to grow the community as they became a part of the public school system to a more organized and education system high school was opened in 1957 and became Northwestern Primary School in black school district. >> Hi, I'm Ed Valley. Um, so the first school in Eden Valley was a small brick building for primary students that closed before the 1970s and later became a private home. Then the replacement school entitled the new valley opened but it only operated for a short time before being replaced in 1880s by brand new school. It was built on Jerry Alley and became the main school in 1927. It served as this high school building operated until 1943 and then was demolished in 1961.
009The site is now a basketball court. A two room elementary school operated in 1927 first serving grades 1 and switch grades 1 through six and it remained in 1971. [clears throat] The elementary school joined the northwestern county school district in 1977 and later became the black school district in 197. Today all students from Eden Valley have 10 schools in black school district with no schools currently located in the area [clears throat] have eight wonder school houses that serve local communities. These included bikini um street breast gross carson blue kil and deploy these are located along roads like road route 168 and route for easy access. New York school was moved [snorts] in 18 1991 and is now used as a summer. Many water schools closed between 1920 and 1954 as the education systemized. In 1954,
010South Baker Elementary School open to replace the smaller schools. The building is now used as a township fire department. Well, good evening everyone. Thank you for being here. Uh, my name is Jared Litinger and me and my partner Olivia Royak were given West Mayfield. West Mayfield began as a small farming community in the late 1700s settled by mainly English, Irish, Scottish, and German immigrants. the late 1800s, the center of Pennsylvania railroad houses the town in Mayfield was named after nearby farmland while west was referring to its location away from the railroad. Um by the early 1900s, West Mayfield had transformed into an industrial community with coal mining and manufacturing manufacturing creating new jobs that attracted residents in 1923. strong community organizations like churches, schools are collectible classes before. [clears throat] Hi, my name is Sia
011Davis and I help research Rson Township. Fson Township was officially established on October 15, 1821 after 44 citizens with bright district when it was first located in a much larger area than it does cover. Over time, parts of the township were removed. All others including falls and fall along with Patterson as population growth increased in residents. In his early years, Patterson was a small rural farm community with about 74 residents. Speaking that agricultural foundation a major role in shaping identity and education also an important part as a population we education standard in a new school building. These included larger schools and the additional classrooms increasing number of students in the area. One significant historical event occurred on February 27th, 1922 school burned down. Because of this, a new school was built in 1923 showing the
012community's committed to rebuilding and continuing education despite the setbacks. Finally, the Patterson Primary School was 1969 continuing educational tradition. >> Hi, I'm Gil Prism two schoolhouse on the corner of 8th Avenue. Schools like that are actually common in small communities at the time and students of different ages. The school started out but over time number of grades slowly by 1961 they went from kindergarten which really shows how system changing over the years. Then in 1970 the school ended up closing because of consolidation which is when smaller schools combined into larger districts. After it closed students had the option to write insight to the community and in 198 community building instead of A little bit about school consolidation and blackation. First off, Northwestern Northwestern opened in 1957 as Northwestern High School, but then became became Northwestern
013Primary School as most of us know it in 1973. In 2015, it was consolidated to other schools and it is now unfortunately clos. It opened [clears throat] in 1970 as the new school. Today it serves grads K through 7 were part of the black school district. Black media school once elementary school opened in 1933. It was known as Biz and it houses 8 and four. And then Highland Middle School opened in 1959 and was known as Highland. It served grades 7th through 9th. The school was later renovated in 2015 to 2015. Lastly, Black High School. Black High School opened centralized secondary education. Before 1974, students chose between Northwestern High School or Falls High School. Blackhawk High School now serves 9th grade. >> Thank you. Thank you guys very much. This just talks a little bit
014about the conclusion, the high school. Um, it's opening there. Was it Were any of you going to speak about that? No pressure. I just don't want to take it from you if you were. and um been just looking forward to it. So, I want to thank you guys so much. You did a phenomenal job researching this. Um I don't know about your time, but I I just thank you. I know that was a lot, especially during this crazy time of year. So, thank you so much to support the board. Have any questions or comments? >> I'm surprised that Biz is the oldest school in the district. I wouldn't have guessed that. >> Yeah. 1933. >> Great job on the presentation. >> Thank you very much. >> And um I think it this was introduced last
015week but because he's here again um Mr. Litinger is going to be our student rep next year and he was just part of that presentation I believe. Did did Gary Oh, there he is. [laughter] So welcome to um our board for for next year. We're excited to have you join us. >> Thank you again for the presentation. Okay, we will move on to uh agenda item number three, public relations and communications. And so are recognitions. And um the first recognition that we would like to um that we would like to lay tonight is to our generous donors and the supporters of the district. And so um I believe that you received a program that looks like this on your way into the meeting today. And on the very back of that program, we have a
016list of donors that we would really sincerely like to thank for investing in our community over the past year. Um, and I know a lot of you are here in the audience and some of you are watching online. And so we just would like to um, extend our sincere appreciation to you as donors and supporters who gener generously continue to positively impact school districts. Because of your ongoing commitment and support, we were able to provide meaningful programs, valuable resources, and enriching opportunities that enhance educational experience for our students and our staff. Your contributions help the creative environment and your innovation, growth, and excellence and thrive. The dedication you show our schools and community makes a lasting difference in the lives of so many. Through your generosity, we were able to strengthen our mission and continue
017building a bright future for all who are part of. We're very grateful for your partnership and your continued belief in our students, our staff, and our schools. Your support plays an essential role in the success of our district and we're honored to recognize your contribution. Thank you for helping make a place where students can learn, grow, and succeed. And so on behalf of the school of learners and our administrative staff, we would like to thank you. If you are in the audience today and um you are listed on the back of the program, would you please stand at this time? You must all be online. So, we're just gonna as a board give you a clap and thank you so much. Sincerely appreciate it. >> Moving on to public comment on agenda items. I I
018did check sheet and we didn't have anyone who had registered to comment. Um but I will reopen that if there was anyone who would like to comment on an agenda item this evening. Okay. Um, agenda item four, PSCA, there is no report tonight. Agenda item five and technology using >> a report. >> Thank you. I do believe we have double check. Did you do anything with 5.2? I'm sorry. >> So, um 5.2 is anformational item there. If you recall last week, um we talked about the jointer that there went someone needed to be appointed to and you so graciously said, "I'll do that." Um so, um Dr. Sprinker will be appointed as the representative for the board for the BCCTC school authority. Um and Mr. starts is going to take over for the CTC. There's
019a lot of letters there. The CTC um aspect. So, thank you both uh for stepping up and and doing that for us. >> We obviously missed that discussion during the executive session. So, Mr. Zakos and I are good on that. And this is going to be very similar to the authority that we've discussed before that. Yes. >> With New Horizon. Is that correct? Correct. So very similar but for the BCC T C [laughter] get that right Mr. B intermediate unit Mr. No report. [clears throat] There is no reporting tonight. We're going to move on to 8.1. And at this time, I'd like to make a motion that we [clears throat] will move 9.1 through 15 no through 16.1 to the consent agenda. Do ahead. I'll second it. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. We have a
020motion and a second discussion or questions on any consent items. >> Dr. Could you clarify? >> Sure, please. So last week uh the board had um in front of them anformational item for the intermediate voting and um you asked for some clarification on that and I wasn't too sure at the time. So since the time missed the door and I were able to do some research. So the intermediate unit has 14 board seats open uh not at the same time but altogether and there are 14 districts. So this is in their bylaws that you have to elect. However, it's kind of a, you know, feudal situation because there's 14 seats and there's 14 people. Other counties have 42 uh districts and only 14 seats, whereas we're a little bit more even. So, you do need
021to mail in that ballot. Um, vote or not vote. It's it's your choice, but those are the people running and those will be the representatives for the 14 districts for the intermediate unit. And just just to confirm, we would vote for five of the positions >> if all of them. Yes. >> And there's no one in there's none of the seats are in contests. They're all >> correct. >> Any other questions on the >> Dr. Banana, are we to mail [clears throat] these in on our own individually? >> You can mail them in individually or you can you can give them back to us and we can send them in. That's fine. Thank you for clarifying that. Any other questions or discussion on its hearing? None. All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. We'll
022move on to agenda item number 17, additional business. At this time I would like to welcome any public comments on teacher district. So next month uh starting next month will be our president I want to thank you for all you've done for the year and before that and work with you have a whole lot [clears throat] >> thank Thank you. >> Thank you. We do appreciate your service >> and it has been wonderful that we haven't had to talk a lot. [laughter] >> Okay. 17.2 schools. >> Everyone [clears throat] go see all the cool stuff tonight. Thank you students for I learned a lot. All right, it's time to close our meeting. Um, I would like to announce that our next work and voting session will be held on June 11, 2026. At this time,
023I'd like to ask for a motion to the meeting. [snorts] >> Thank you, Dr. Sprinker. I'd like to make a motion to return, please. >> We have a second. >> I'll second. Okay, >> new he have any discussion or questions on the motion? >> None. All in favor? >> I opposed car around. >> Yes, please. I just