001We'll call the uh meeting of the Central Dolphin School District School Board directors to order for Tuesday, January 20 January 27th, 2026. [clears throat] Amy, call the role. >> Mrs. Bigamin >> here. >> Mr. Dornan >> here. >> Mr. Epstein >> here. >> Mr. Gordon >> here. >> Mrs. Hanford >> here. >> Mr. Jacobs >> here. >> Mrs. Webster >> here. We have seven board members present. >> Will those uh able to please stand join us for the pledge. >> 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. Moving on to item 401, additions, deletions, or modifications to the agenda. Do any board members have any additions, deletions, or modifications to the agenda?
002>> I'd like to modify 717 and table it for the next meeting. >> We have a motion to table 7.17. >> Mute it. >> Second. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. >> Um did first. I'm sorry. >> Dave thing. Okay. >> Any further questions or comments regarding the motion to table 7.17? >> Hearing none. All is in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. 7.17 is tabled. Moving to 501. Approval of the January 13, 2026 meeting minutes. Mr. Turman. Can you hear me? >> Yep, we can hear you. >> Okay. The administration is recommending approval of the January 13th, 2020 2026 meeting minutes. >> May I have a motion to approve the recommendation? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any questions? All those in favor
003signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Thank you. Moving to information and proposals. I'd like to announce uh for those joining us in person as well as those joining us online that a an executive session was held prior to tonight's meeting. Uh moving to item 602, student speaker. Um I'm pleased to introduce our student speaker from the CD Cyber Academy. Please welcome Rice. Thanks for braving the weather. Hi, I'm Elelliana Rice and I'm a junior in the cyber academy. This is my first year doing cyber and I'm happy to say it's been a phenomenal experience. Since starting cyber, I've been able to focus just on school entirely and this has benefited me so much. My grades starting high school haven't been the best. But once I started SC cyber, I went from a C
004and D student to mostly A's and one or two B's. I thought that being on cyber would take away from doing things in person, but it hasn't. I'm still able to play part in clubs and and take part in other activities that East does. I've also been able to get more one-on-one time with teachers. And I'd like to say that with their help, I've improved greatly. At this Hybr Academy, there are many exciting events and learning opportunities for students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade. Since the start of the school year, the counselors have enrolled over 250 new students as fully asynchronous learners. The Cyber Academy is growing. The counselors have also partnered with the YW.CA CA to provide a grade level presentation for our high school, middle school, and elementary students focused on important
005topics including healthy relationships, bullying, cyber bullying, and safe touch. In second grade, students are learning how to solve problems through technology, are learning about famous inventions and the design process, and will work together to design a robot. In third grade, students have m have been mastering division strategies and are learning all the wonderful things about Pennsylvania state history. The fourth and fifth grade students enjoyed a winter funfest on Monday, January 12th. They worked cooperatively to create their classmates into snow people and made some super sneaky snowy slime. In writing, students are mastering their skills with some excellent with some extremely helpful mind stretching advice from Snorkel. In January, the middle school went on its third annual field trip to the PA Farm Show. Students especially love cuddling with baby goats and drinking the milkshakes. Of
006course, in science, students are learning about the digestive system and the metabolic reactions that convert food into energy. In high school, there are high school socials where students are able to get together each month and play games. In English, students concluded a fiction unit looking at the elements of and craft of short stories and epics. We also explored poetry from various writers like Edgar Alan Poe, Langston Hughes and William Shakespeare. Creative writing class is ending their study with their creating their own student children's stories and public speaking is finalizing their class with a persuasive speech. In high school math, students are mastering how to solve a variety of equations while making connections with real world problems. In high school science, our earth space science students are hard at work on their final project. The biology
007students are getting ready to seek from learning about how cells use energy to maintain homeostasis to learning how cells convert energy from the sun into usable energy. Our chemistry students are learning how to use orbital notation to describe the amount of energy in electrons, which led to them to understand chemical bonding behavior. I'm truly loving cyber and grateful for the opportunities it's given me. I'm looking forward to completing the rest of this year online and continue to prove that moving to cyber was a choice I won't regret. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. [applause] >> Looks like proud dad back there. [laughter] >> She did great. >> Yes, she did. And how how do you like the cyber? >> It's great. Wow. >> Congratulations. >> Yay. >> Well done. [applause] >> Thank you. >>
008You'd be a good board member. >> Moving on to item 603. I'm pleased to welcome um friend of the school district, friend of the school board, our state representative Justin Fleming, who's going to provide an update on the uh changes from the state budget. Justin, welcome. >> Thank you so much, board members, Mr. President. Uh good evening. Uh I just want to say thank you so much for having me. I'm just going to move this back a little bit. Um so I do want to uh I do want to apologize on um a couple of fronts. Number one, the delay in the budget, which uh fortunately we got it passed in November before there were any um you know any serious financial implications for the district. And I continued to check in with Mr. Turman
009and board members just to make sure um you know you you were okay and the district was okay. Um and and so I want to apologize for that and the delay of this presentation. I had some turnover in my office and so uh I did not intend to give this uh give this update right as we are going into another um one week before the governor uh proposes his next budget but uh alas here we are. So I really appreciate the time and I thank you. Um I'm sure most of you know this anyway. PSBA does a great job of informing school board members, but um you know for for your edification for the public who may not. Um just overall the top line uh the budget we passed in November was a $50.09 billion
010budget which was a $2.27 billion increase or 4.7% over the prior year. Um we were able to um balance that budget uh with no uh tax increase. Um and we still have a um a balance of about $7.5 billion dollars in the budget stabilization fund or the rainy day fund. So we do still have um some reserves there. Uh in in terms of K12 education, it fully funds the second installment of the adequacy and tax equity payments to meet our constitutional obligation uh to fund our public schools um efficiently. Um, for those of you who uh you may remember that the uh Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled uh in a in a case that was about 10 years to wind its way through, uh that the the Commonwealth has a constitutional um charge to provide a
011thorough and efficient public education for every student. And the Commonwealth Court ruled that we had not held up our end of the bargain on that. Uh by we, I mean the state. And so um it it has charged us with with driving out more dollars in in the education space. And so the equity and tax uh the adequacy and tax equity payment um ma mainly through the ready tolearn block grant has been the vehicle that we have used over the last um over the last three fiscal years to do that. Um and that will continue hopefully um if we can get agreement from uh the legislature and the administration. Uh, and so, uh, we had, um, a $15 million increase in the basic education funding, $40 million increase, uh, in special education funding distributed to
012all the schools. Uh, as a result of the cyber charter reform that was done, $178 million was returned to school districts. Um, I know that's a that's an issue, u, Mr. Epstein, that you talk about quite a bit. Um, and so we are uh we are returning $178 million back to school districts. Um, you know, because the reality is, you know, and and we heard from a wonderful uh student here at CD Cyber, but uh the reality is the cost to run cyber education just doesn't match the cost of either brickandmortar charter schools or public schools. So, uh, we need to find a way to to balance those costs, um, uh, the lesser costs that it takes to educate kids in cyber school. [snorts] Um, we did, uh, $100 million for school safety and mental
013health grants. Once again, uh, the $30 million student teacher stipen was once again, um, was once again renewed. And so, uh, those student teachers can get up to a $10,000 stipen so they don't go broke trying to apply their trade and become the teachers that we so desperately need in our school district. So, I hope that has been um successful here at CD. Um, you know, we've heard of uh we've heard of cases of some districts that uh initially were not going to do the stipend and what do you know, their student teacher pool dried up just like that. And so, it does matter. It does help uh for for those folks who are who were trying to make a living at uh at student teaching. Um we did uh $9.5 billion for pre-K counts
014on the early learning side and $50 million increase in the educational improvement tax credit which I know um you know also helps uh the 501c3 arms of public education, things like that. Um for for those businesses that that invest in uh earned earned income uh educational improvement tax credit, sorry. Um, so to get down to what Central Dolphin is receiving this year, um, and I'm really really pleased to announce, um, that there is a $7 million increase in the funding that the Central Dolphin School District will receive that this year. Most of that increase is in the ready tolearn block grant funding, that adequacy uh, and tax equity funding that I talked about earlier. Um so in um 2425 last fiscal year uh Central Dolphin School District received 29 let's call 29.4 billion in uh
015basic education funding this year. Um 29 >> that's million not billion. >> I'm sorry million. Yes. [laughter] >> Yeah. No. Yeah. I uh the really good news let it go. >> So sorry. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> 29 billion is like half our state budget. So I'm sorry about that. 29 million question because you to my the basic ed didn't really go up a lot. >> No. Yeah. I'm getting there. So So the increase in basic ed was about half a million dollars. So it went from 20 29.4 million. Thank you. Uh to 29.9 million roughly. Um, and then the special education, $300,000 increase in special ed. So, uh, not not really big in increases there, but the ready tolearn block grant uh, fund went from 6,700 I'm sorry, 6,78,822 to 12 million 12.227 million. And
016so, an increase of uh, $6.1 million in the ready tolearn uh, block grant funding. And that's huge because then then as we talked about earlier or as we discussed previously that will be built into your base of funding for next year. That adequacy this adequacy and tax equity payments are really meant to build on top of each other to try to uh especially for those districts that rely more heavily on local sources of funding. The state is trying to infuse more money into those districts. And so you don't have to quite worry uh um you don't have to rely as much on local sources of funding in terms of real estate tax and business business taxes and and um you know so the state backfills uh more of that funding in order to uh meet
017the needs of school districts. So that's where we are there. I talked about the cyber charter um cyber charter reform savings. Um, you got about 343,000 from cyber charter savings that that uh you wouldn't have had otherwise. Um, and then just a couple of other things I wanted to touch on. I know, like I say, I know you've gotten this uh information from the school boards association, but um in the public school code bill that we pass nearly every year along with the budget, uh there were certain reforms in there as well. the cyber charter reform was was part of the public school code bill. Um the underlying bill was around career and technical education equipment grants which I'm a big supporter of and I know um the district has been a big supporter of
018the Dolphin County Technical School um which is which is absolutely wonderful what uh they're doing a phenomenal job educating our kids. Um and then I just wanted to touch on one or two other things. Um, one thing that is near and dear to my heart uh that we did in um uh in in the in the public school code was we passed um we passed some legislation. We passed a bill where we put language in that bill around structured literacy. Um so uh you know phmic awareness and we did $10 million um for the to to boost the science of reading. Um what the key components there are going to be you know inter um recognition like um evaluation uh of students at the earliest grade levels grades zero to three in terms of how
019they read and identifying those students who don't read quite as well and getting the intervention that they need as early as humanly possible. So we did $10 million for that. Um, and I believe Central Dolphin is already a school that does the science of reading in your curriculum. So, I am so appreciative um for you all uh to you all for doing that um as a matter of course. And so, hopefully that'll be helpful as well. Um, and then uh another couple things we did was cyber cyber reform. Um we did something that we really felt was important uh in terms of like you know wellness checks making sure that kids that attend cyber school number one um you know getting attendance straighten out straightened out and then doing wellness checks um because you know
020if you're asynchronous and you don't have that contact with a teacher you know there can be terrible things that are happening to students at home or elsewhere. Um and so we want to we just want to make sure that even those kids who are getting a cyber school education. We are um you know the school is the cyber school that they're attending is you know um being made aware of their condition and checking in with them regularly on camera appearances every so often. So just so we're we're keeping track of those things. So um that's about all I have. Um >> I got a couple >> I'm happy to take any questions. >> No complaints. Um, >> yeah, Dave, >> so your your uh your special needs funding is woefully inadequate. Um, we're we're estimated
021to have 250 students coming to our kindergarten next year. So, thanks for 300,000, but that's not even close to covering what we need. So, just to show you how many are coming in and how it's across, right, a lot of different buildings. So, >> yeah, I mean, the special the special ed funding um in total is is 8.2 million for the district. Um, but I do understand that that is it's tough and and we're having trouble keeping pace really everywhere. We're we're seeing we're seeing more kids coming in um into public school, either unprepared or underprepared um for >> we got to start letting we have to start getting parents to put kids into preschool. Yes. The programs and that's the cost. Yeah. >> That's what's keeping it from us being able to do it.
022Like I was never I never could have to send my kids to preschool. >> Yeah. >> Like it wasn't it wasn't an option. And luckily both of mine were ready to go. But it's gota we've got to find a way to to help help there. >> Yeah. Well, I mean I mean it wasn't luck that your kids were ready to go to Janelle knowing you. I mean you read to them you did the things that you were supposed to do and but but I listen I've been an advocate for for early learning for a long long time. um you know, high quality child care, high quality prek. Unfortunately, it's it's out of reach for some parents. Um so I you you bring up a great point um you know, sir, but and and I'm right
023there with you. We we do need to figure out the special education piece because, you know, 30 40 $50 million increases. I think we need to start looking at 100 150 $200 million increases year-over-year. However, you know, you start to do that, where where is that funding coming from? So, then you have to make, you know, serious choices, but that's incumbent >> advising more people to have that. So, I I get it. But there's fine balance. >> No, you're you're absolutely right. You're absolutely right. >> Another thing is you guys are talking about the start times and moving those later. That will be a logistical nightmare for us. We are a very large district. Our busing [clears throat] is already a nightmare and we've increased our busing millions and millions of dollars over the last
024couple years. So, like >> government, it's another unfunded mandate. Yes, >> we got it covered. Like we it's just one person on the board. So I just say that one to seven on there. >> So I I will say can I can I just speak to that? So I have been >> before you speak to it, I just want to we've been flatfunded as is everybody else on the transportation >> transportation side. Yeah. >> So I have been an advocate of later school start times especially for for those in the in the upper grades, you know, middle and high school. Um and the science on it is really really clear. Um in terms of you know the yeah circadian rhythms and the and the amount of sleep that older uh older students need. Um that
025said I mean at the end of the day you have to do what's best for your district. And there are bills out there. There's a bill by Chairman Briggs, Chairman Tim Briggs of the Judiciary Committee that I am in full support of. Um, but I also understood as an advocate and as an as when I worked for the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, I actually lobbyed for that bill, but I also understand as an advocate, you know, in Pennsylvania, we have 500 school districts that have to do what's best for them. Now, there has been some traction and some movement in some of the southeast districts. I think like Bradner Township and and some of the other some other districts in the southeast have have moved that way, but you don't really see it much in central
026Pennsylvania. And you know, I can say even though I'm supportive of it standing here before you as your state legislator, um you have to do what's best for the the kids in the Central Dolphin School District. And I respect that. Um I think >> and I respect that responsibility. >> You need to think about with the older students is their extracurricular. >> Yeah. >> So if you go to school later, those start later. And how do you get a baseball game in for an hour right >> in the spring? So >> everything good and you have great intentions and wanting to do it. >> The the other issue is it's a parental >> call [clears throat] as well, right? And if you just changing a start time isn't going to mean a child's going to
027go to bed earlier. It just means that they're going to have an extra hour to play their video game. >> That's like a mom. >> I got Okay, I got one more and then >> and ask. So, I appreciate the the cyber reform, but another thing that still needs added is the cyber school should have to verify where the student is. I'm tired of paying for students in Florida because they are registered in in Central with the cyber school and we don't know that. >> Sure. >> So, we have to spend money to try to figure out where some kids are. So, we're paying for kids that don't live even in the >> so verify the physical location >> that I think that's responsibility of the cyber schools because otherwise they're not going to do
028it because they're getting paid. So, why would they? >> Well, and if you stay until 8.07 7 the clear proposal. We have a proposal and we're going to pay somebody to do that actually for us which is going to cost us No, that's not >> Oh, okay. Forget it. >> But we're looking into [laughter] >> that mistake versus No, I was going to stay. So, I was going to say for the duration of the meeting. >> We are looking into a program that will actually help us do that. >> Okay. >> Which would save us millions of dollars, >> but we have to pay for it, >> right? Well, yeah. You have to you have to have do the outlay up front, right? >> But you would you would recoup some of the funding if
029you if if there are students who are not found to be physically present in the district. You would get >> we have to have individuals and resource like our people are very valuable in their time. So we're going to take away from educating students. We're going to put people on right >> verifying addresses. >> Okay. Yeah. I heard um I'm on the PIAAA oversight committee and I heard of an athlete who's actually living in Virginia >> but attending a Catholic school. >> Nice. >> Well, that's a Santo model, right? Moved to Virginia, >> get PA taxes. Sorry, I had >> no comments here. >> Yeah, >> Dave, are you done? >> Yeah, I'm done. Sorry. Sorry. >> No, no, no. Really good points, though. Thank you. I just add one other thing and this is
030not just for our school district but any school district that has a refugee migration into our district that we did. Um what we have found is that we have three to four families in one house and only one property tax >> being paid. So that has put a greater burden on us. And I guess I don't know how you guys can become involved in something like that but recognizing we love our refugees. We love all of our kids, but coming when you're talking about educating one for one, it's really educating three for one. >> The property taxes don't >> that model doesn't fit. >> Sure. Um, so but I want to thank you because again for 10 years being on this board, you are the only representative that has come and shared this information with
031us and I think it's very helpful to have this dialogue and this relationship. >> Yeah. And I'm >> so thank you so much for taking the time and coming. >> I'm hope to be I'm hoping to be able to brief in like Julyish once we do this again. So, uh, and and >> well, and as I and as and as I mentioned, as I've stated, um, I don't know if you all have my personal cell phone number, but I know Mike and Janelle do, um, as your leadership, Eric does as well. Feel free to reach out to me anytime. Um, and and these are these are concerns I need to hear quite frankly. Um, I sympathize having been in local government as well with unfunded mandates and I do not want to be a part
032of unfunded mandates. Um but but I understand you know how that kind of flows downhill. So >> last question. >> Yes ma'am. >> How many more years is it going to take for us to get to the funding the proper funding for our school district >> for the adequacy? >> Well I mean >> three four five more years. >> It it's a good question. I mean this so they do have the current funding model was done through the basic education funding formula which I think it was 10 years between >> Oh wow >> well yeah between so the last BEF commission was convened in 2014 and then we just did it in like 2023 so it doesn't happen all that often in terms of looking at the way we fund our schools the formula by
033which we fund our schools um and it really the answer to your question really depends on how much funding we can infuse every year. Um, >> so the Supreme Court didn't give you guys a you have to get them properly funded within five years. >> No, no, there's nothing like So, so I will say that the first model that we were looking at was a seven-year. So, this is what the timeline we've put on ourselves is seven years. Okay. But with costs increasing the way they are and things like that, if we continue to fund it >> at the current rate, well, I I was just going to say we'll still be behind to be honest, unless we really um and and I real I just want to say this. I realize that funding isn't
034a panacea in terms of education. It it's not the beall and endall. like we we do need to do a lot of other things from a sociological perspective and a and you know a a just a a community- based perspective to make sure every one of our kids has the best opportunity to learn um and to be properly educated. Like I do recognize that. Um and so I would I would hope that we can do that along with the funding. We can do those things as well. And and I commend, you know, you guys for you you mentioned the refugee and and um uh immigrant populations like it's it's a reality here for our school districts. Um uh Central Dolphin and Susuana Township have some of the most diverse school districts, schools, school buildings in
035the entire Commonwealth and in the nation. Quite frankly, >> I think one of the ways to remedy this is that the State Department targeted our areas, which is fine because they thought that immigrants could thrive here. And notice and similar to, and I don't know if we've been working on this, an educational impact statement when somebody builds a housing project with,00 bu 1500 houses. >> We will need new buildings. So, at some point, Justin, we need to make sure that we're not subsidizing somebody coming in without them, you know, you know, providing infrastructure for us. Um, and and I know we had chatted before, by the way, you have nothing uh to apologize about. I mean, the budget's done by what, 12, 15 people. And I'm not saying I'm just saying that um some of
036your colleagues did not demonstrate urgency. I I don't think it was a good idea to go to Ireland and drink beer during a a shutdown. But that's me. >> He had whiskey but yeah. >> Yeah. Probably. [laughter] So the the the main issue with me whether it is um you know the funding for uh Judge Jubilee's you know decision or um cyber schools is how is this enforced? I mean, we had a kid in cyber school being abused for months. And so, do do we do home visits or do we have I don't know if the kids's okay through the TV. >> Um, so to me, it's the enforcement mechanism. Um, so enforcement does on that point, enforcement does uh lie with PTE. Um, and if failure to comply, it could result in uh additional
037reporting requirements, mandated child abuse prevention training for staff uh of that cyber school, requiring the cyber charter to meet in person with each student at least once a year, and uh non-access to state grants. >> That's the big one. And also, so there's nobody going to do a home visit. I got to tell you, in a race between a glacier and the PDE responding to your call, the glacier wins. Um, so it's nice to have that on paper, brother. I I appreciate that, but but some of And I don't know what the answer is because for kids, cyber charter makes sense. Charter makes sense. We have a what is it? Infinity uh charter in our district. It's it's a valuable asset. Um, so the last question again, I I joined Jeie in thanking you. I
038think you did show up one time with Mr. Matson and Miss Kim uh and the CD East auditorium, >> but is there any flexibility on how you spend this adequacy money? It mostly goes to the black I think ready to learn black grants. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Is could that I'm just asking spitballing. Could any of that be used or diverted for special ed um or basic education? >> So yeah, I think and And um I will get additional details on this because I don't know I don't know the ins and outs but I think part of the idea of putting it in that grant in the ready tolearn block grant was the flexibility that was afforded. >> Um because I think the ready tolearn block grant I believe they first did that during the
039Corbett administration if I'm not mistaken. It it's been it's been a while. We've had it >> we've had it for a while and I know um maybe not maybe it was maybe it was a wolf thing. Um and and forgive me I don't know all the ins and outs but I I do know when we were discussing the prospect of you know trying to put the adequacy funding [clears throat] in the rather than because Beth is super prescriptive. >> Yeah. Again who's Beth? >> Sorry the basic education funding line. >> Sorry. >> No no no no. Beth BEF. I'm sorry. I'm >> No. I'm going to drop myself. I'll drop the acronym. >> Yeah. No, no, no. The the basic education funding. So, I I think we did it we did it in the ready
040to learn because it is a more flexible pot, but I can get I can get specifics on that for you in terms of what can and can't be done with in that line. Yeah. Um Justin, the only thing I [cough] would add is is when you talked about um the cyber situation um and you know, districts like ours are super appreciative of the efforts that were made in this budget. Um you know, it wasn't the panacea, but it was certainly helpful for a district that spends in the ballpark of $20 million a year in this area. You know, there were conversations around CAPS, right? >> Um, and the CAPS conversation always focused on the regular education student. >> Yeah. >> But there's something to be said around um the cost for special education students in
041the cyber setting, right? And it is often three times plus >> the cost of of the regular education student. And so I think to Dave's point, you know, as you're looking to try to create efficiencies, try to create ways that you can repurpose existing dollars without having to tax skill gains or figure out cannabis. >> Right. >> Especially in an election year, >> you know, the the the the notion that you could, you know, and look, cyber charter and cyber schools, they have their place, they have their purpose. There is a value there certainly, but when you're doing it to the detriment of the public school system, that's where the problem lies, right? And so to the extent that there may be opportunities that we could revisit the conversation around capping the cost per student
042in that setting and be able to repurpose some of the dollars back to the public school setting when we're having explosion numbers um you know, for for our student population. >> And I and I I will say uh Mr. President, we we this the House passed a bill to do just that. I believe we capped it at $8,000. >> Um >> you did. >> Um it got no traction in the Senate. And so like that is something that is a priority for the for the House and the House Democrats specifically um because we understand what how difficult it's been and how challenging it's been for for um public schools. U so it it's something that we have we have tried to do. uh we just we weren't quite able to get all the way there
043in this budget negotiation, but you're uh and and this is something it's a common refrain. I remember when they were having the the basic education funding formula hearings. Uh we heard that from uh we heard that from administrators all across the Commonwealth about okay you know you've got the you've got the cost of cyber that's one thing but you know suddenly a a kid who was you know determined deemed fine in the home district goes to a cyber school and suddenly they present and need an IEP. So instead of paying $12,000 for that kid they now are $25,000 to the cyber school. And that's a that's a it's >> I think you >> way more common than uh >> Yeah, but you did look at different tiers. Yeah. Posing different tiers. I mean there are
044different levels of need in special ed. Sure. >> And and you know that I mean that that would be helpful. I mean overall you guys have done a good job just a little slow you know. >> Well we do have we we do have some more work to do. So thank May you may it appears that you use that one hour extra sleep for the legislature. But the two uh the two last questions is I think FIA distributes the student teacher stipen. I've attended some of the FIA meetings and that's a great idea. 20 million is not enough. I know the other year it went what in like a couple hours. >> Yeah. I mean it's it's it's 30 million. Um but it Yes, you're right. It goes like that. And you're right. It's it's
045again it's it's not enough. It's but it's a matter of Okay. And it's a new program. So, it's new dollars. Um, and and those are more and more difficult as we as we get uh more budget constraints. And I'll I'll just say this, I'm not going to go too deep into it. Um, I will say this may be a very this budget year and subsequent budget years may be extraordinarily challenging given what we see from the federal government and some of the roll backs and the programs of the federal government, particularly Medicaid and things like that. So, we are going to have our work cut out for us. um you know because of some of the policy decisions made at the federal level. So maybe you could do here's an idea one of for people
046that are Pennsylvania that go to school in Pennsylvania if they stay in Pennsylvania teacher maybe less income tax give them credits for their income tax instead of using tax dollars for it to say hey you stay here we first five years you're here less >> excellent idea excellent incentive >> they did recently come out with the PA grows grant >> grow PA grant PA grant >> so to incentivize college students yeah my son was a recipient of Grow PA in his first year so um yeah it's it's to incentivize kids to, you know, once they graduate school, stay here in Pennsylvania, get a job here in Pennsylvania, plant roots. Um, yeah, it that's Sophia, the GrowPa grant Sofia, it's $2,500 a semester, I think. >> So, 5,000 a year. So, it's not, you know, >>
047it's helpful, though. >> It it does. It does. And even for Millersville, it's like, you know, $23,000 a year. It It every little bit helps. So, >> Well, you have like, I think, five or six people here who did the student teaching. I know I did. Yeah. at Macasy in Lancaster teaching civics to ninth grade kids and it didn't go well but but I'm saying I don't know about other people you paid for 12 credits >> you know back in the day you pay 12 credits to basically become >> yeah you know fulltime teacher >> 100% yeah >> this this is huge guy I mean you guys have done a great job on that >> thank you >> so I would just you know echo some of the sentiments you've heard here today um Justin
048we are grateful and appreciative um not only of you engaging directly with this board in this school district, but for being a supporter of public schools, um particularly Central Dolphin, um I know you do the same for the other schools in your in your legislative district. Um we've been friends for a long time. Um you're you're a hell of a champion and um we really appreciate it. So, thank you. >> Yeah, thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. President. Thank you. And again, please get my number, reach out to me. I'm I'm available to you at any time. >> Appreciate it. >> Thank you all. >> Thanks, Justin. Thanks for your time. >> You're [clears throat] going to regret that. [laughter] >> Moving on to item 604, public speakers. This is the first of two
049opportunities for the public to address the board for agenda items only, and we have no one signed up to speak. Moving on to unfinished business, we will be um moving to a new process for uh items on second read. Uh starting this evening, we will be doing a consent agenda. for agenda items 701 through 718. Pulling out 704 and 714. And just a reminder, 717 was tabled. So we're we're grouping items 701 through and we're pulling out 704 and 714. And I'm asking to take all agenda items in that span to vote all together. Does any board member want to add any of the items to be excluded from the agenda items between 7.01 to 7.18 >> hearing? None. I'd like to make a motion as to what you just said. >> I appreciate it.
050So, there's a motion to to approve items 701 through 718 with the exclusion of 704 and 714. We have a motion and a second. Any other questions or comments? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Opposed? >> Thank you. >> Was the second >> uh she was the first, Eric was the second. Now revisiting the items that were excluded. First with 704, the proposed 2026 2027 school calendar. Mr. Turman, [clears throat] >> the administration is recommending approval of the proposed 2026 2027 school calendar. This item must be viewed at the January 13, 2026 board meeting for approval. Um as stated earlier uh we are looking this year uh to start below before Labor Day due to the fact that Labor Day is so late. That's really the only difference between this calendar for
051this year and for last year or for the current year for next year and for the current year. >> May I have a motion to approve the recommendation? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. Any questions or comments? >> Yeah, I'm going to vote no. And this is a difficult issue because we try to accommodate and respect all the cultures and religion. But as a Jewish person, yeah, I'm not working on Yam Kapor. I don't think many teachers would come or students. But the fact is, and I think we will find a way to recognize all the holidays. They're important to folks in our community. But for me, Yam Kipper, I this is a bad analogy. It's almost like Christmas, which you wouldn't think of working on. So that's
052the reason I'm voting no. Other questions or comments? >> I would just like um I don't have any issue with this calendar. I would just like the district to possibly look into having voting locations not being in our schools so that we have to have two days every year that are not able to be school days. that would give us some flexibility to possibly look at other holidays, Jewish holidays, things. >> Is it the county that Eric, you may know this, is it the county that determines the polling locations with the approval of the school district or the church or >> they may ask us. >> We can work in concert with Justin. Uh, but I mean I think that's a really good point >> and we we have a ton of them >> and
053I've received calls from the counties like, you know, why aren't you open at 6:30? It it's an additional responsibility. Obviously, you can't co-mingle adults with kids. Um, so I think that's a really good idea. >> Okay, other questions or comments? Okay, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? >> Uh, no. Sorry. >> Thank you. >> Please note one negative vote. >> You were negative as well. >> Oh, I apologize. Two negative votes. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Gordon. Yeah. >> Thanks, Jeeoff. Sorry about that. Uh, moving on to uh the other second item that was excluded uh from the consent agenda, item 7.14, train projects for eh Phillips Elementary and Paxtonia Elementary. Mr. determined. >> The administration is recommending approval of the train
054Astonia Elementary School and eh Phillips elementary school projects completed under the Omnia contract. The project development costs are $917,000 and will provide upgrades to the existing mechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and other building upgrades as specified in the contract. The costs are not to exceed 17,452,926 for Paxonia Elementary School and $17,21,074 for EH Phillips Elementary School totaling $35,571,000. This item was reviewed at the December 16th, 2025 building and grounds committee meeting and the January 13, 2026 board meeting. >> May I have a motion to approve? >> Motion. >> Is there a second? Second. >> Thank you. Questions or comments? >> Yeah, I would point that this was also approved at the finance committee meeting. So, it's gone through three different tracks. Um, look, the only comment I have is that in order to
055move forward with the borrowing, we have to approve the auditor's uh statement. Have we done that or or was that in the >> That was in the consent, >> right? The consent agree. No, I wanted to check. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Just for everybody is it looks ridiculous when you say, "Hey, I'll get air conditioning." But it's not just air conditioning. you know, the heating, lighting, wiring because you got to put all the stuff in, you have to do the floors, paint, like you're doing like a full renovation and the costs of this 10 years ago was a lot cheaper and every time the can kicked down the road, it made more expensive. So, this is the third and fourth of our six schools that do not have air conditioning. So, I think we
056made a commitment to the public the last few years. Uh, we still have two left that um you can see in uh one of the abatement projects. We're setting some of those things up for the future, but it's really, really, really expensive. So, the more funding that our legislators give us, it can help us to give air conditioning and uh great things. It's fantastic. >> I'd like to note for the record, thumbs up. >> Just to add to that, um anytime you do a major air conditioning project, like Dave said, it's you have to bring everything up to code within that building. >> So, you can't just do the air conditioning, you have to do all the renovations and code updates that that are needed. Any other questions or comments? We're going to do a
057roll call vote. So, Miss Fuller, call the RO. >> Mrs. Bigman, >> yes. >> Mr. Dorn, >> yes. >> Mr. Epstein, >> yes. >> Mr. Gordon, >> yes. >> Mrs. Hanford, >> yes. >> Mr. Jacobs, >> yes. >> Mrs. Webster. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yes. >> We have seven affirmative votes. >> Thank you. Much appreciated. Moving on to new business. Item 8001, personnel report. Mr. Chairman, >> the administration recommending approval of the personal report as discussed in executive session. >> May I have a motion to approve? >> Motion. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any questions? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Opposed. >> Item 8002, adjudication of student case 1345. Just to state for the record that when we do student discipline cases, they are referred to by a
058number to protect uh the personal information of the students involved. Mr. Sherman. >> The administration is recommending approval of the adjudication of student case 1345 as discussed in executive session. >> May I have a motion to approve the recommendation? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. Questions. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Item 8003, first read, overnight trip approval. Mr. Turman. The administration is recommending approval of an overnight trip request for Central Dolphin High School FCCLA club to attend the Pennsylvania Family Career and Community Annual State Leadership Conference at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center. It will be on March 23rd, 2026 through March 25th, 2026. The item will appear on the February 10th, 2026 board agenda for approval. >> Again, first read,
059no vote tonight. Item 8004, delegate to the Dolphin County Tax Collection Committee, Mr. Bard. >> The administration is recommending approval for myself, Peter T. Bard, to be named as the Central Dolphin School District delegate to the Dolphin County Tax Collection Committee, replacing Robert Horny. An alternate de delegate will be named at a later time. This item will appear on the February 10th, 2026 board agenda for approval. >> Thank you. Item 8005, interactive panels and rewiring for eh Phillips and Paxonia. Mr. Bard, >> the administration is recommending approval of the following quotes and estimates for wiring and smartboard replacement installation at EH Phillips Elementary and Paxonia Elementary. These items are reviewed at the January 14th, 2026 finance committee meeting. These items will appear at the February 10th, 2026 board agenda for approval. eh Phillips Dolphin data
060comp wiring 167,895 eh Phillips Smartboard replacement for Pearson quote from Pearson at 80,460. Paxonia Elementary do Dolphin datacom wiring at 179,988 even at Paxonia Elementary smartboard replacement of Pearson at 92,380. This goes along with um the renovations uh for the HVAC uh projects that will be taking place over the summer at both of these schools. And Mr. Ruth is there to answer any questions you guys may have. >> This is a first read. Mr. Ruth, anything you wanted to add? >> No, it just follows the same line that we did with Chambers Hill and Mountain View last year. >> How many How many smartboards do you have the number for each? >> Uh 27. 27 for Phillips and 31 for Paxonium. >> Are we doing are you doing >> doing interactive panels? >> Okay. >>
061So, will that get us up to full smartboards for both schools or is that just >> It's just for It's just for Phillips and Paxtonia. That'll get us to a point where we have one in every core classroom >> or classroom >> at that at that location. Yes. Correct. >> Okay. >> So, were these Sorry. At one point, can we get a readout of how many Smartboards are in each building? >> Yeah. >> And how many more we need to get >> that classrooms that don't have it? >> I think Chris Lopez, >> we we probably already have that information. I just need I just need to pull it and and email it to you. >> Can Can we have an updated one? >> Absolutely. >> Yeah, Chris. And um I'm sorry, were these already
062in our budget for this year because we knew we were going to be doing the other projects? >> Mr. Bard can answer that. I believe this was part of the overall project cost. So, >> okay, [clears throat] >> Peter, >> no, this was these No, these are not in the budget. These will be put into the borrowing phase. When we go out to borrow, these will be rolled into the borrowing. >> All right. Thank you. And the only the only thing as I'm sitting here thinking about this [clears throat] for the number is um Ryan, let's make sure that the 31 and 27 do not include the um kindergarten classrooms since those classrooms will be moving out. >> Okay, that's fine. We can take care of that. >> Yeah, I just want to make sure
063we don't add those three, four, five classrooms into the mix. >> Okay. Yeah, that's fine. Other questions? Item 8006, contract for PA AE. Mr. Turman, >> the administration is recommending the approval of the 5-year technology contract for PAEP by Edulink in the amount of 27,527. This was reviewed at the December 4th, 2025 academic committee meeting and will appear on the February 10th, 2026 board agenda for approval. Um if you recall we used to have I observation we changed to PAE tech for this year. Um it has been very successful in doing it this year. Uh so that we would like to move forward and do a 5-year agreement. By doing a five-year agreement uh the cost will be $41,58 per year. Um and we're also getting a 10% discount by going out for five years.
064>> Again, not a voting item for this meeting. Um >> so is this a replacement? So I mean this would be revenue >> neutral >> observation. >> Okay. >> It was it's actually um I think it actually was a little cost a little less than my observation did but it's yeah would be >> moving on to item 8007 clear proposal. Mr. Turman >> the administration recommending approval of clear for residency verification agreement in the amount of $40,000 $932 per year. This item was reviewed in executive session and will appear on the February 10th, 2026 board agenda for approval. Um, this will just help the district to verify residency of students who are residing in our schools or students who are at other locations. >> Thank you. Item 8008, public speakers for non-aggenda items. This is
065the second of two opportunities for the public to address the board and we have no one signed up to speak. Moving to 809 board representative reports. Are there any? >> Just uh real quick if I can take one minute. >> Yes, sir. >> Um PSBA uh gives us an opportunity to honor our board members for their service. Well, we actually have a board member who has actually uh served the board for 10 years, and we have a little something for that individual. Amy, can you read the certificate for one, Mr. Eric Epstein? >> All right, [laughter] Eric, get over it, please. >> Oh, stand up. >> Oh, boy. >> I never would be a member of an organization that would have me as a member. [laughter] >> This is an honor role for school board
066service. The governing board of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association proudly presents a certificate of appreciation to Eric Epstein Central Dolphin School District in recognition of ongoing school board service and the long-term contributions of individuals who bring their energy, talent, and values to the guidance of youth and public education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. >> That was flawless. >> On behalf of the district, parents, teachers, and students, >> thank you. >> We thank you. [applause] Okay. >> No check. >> See, see, Eric, the Eric, the hug was better coming from Amy to than me, I was assuming. >> Um, you know, that's a good call, brother. [laughter] >> Yeah. So, but, uh, from from the administration, uh, Eric, we we definitely would like to thank you for all you do. Um, you know, although you may
067drive me crazy sometimes, I still love you. Uh, and I know I know your heart's in the right place. So, um, you know, just from us, we just want to thank you for everything you do and to to the rest of you for, uh, board appreciation month. >> Well, thank you. Uh, I would just like to echo the comments about Eric, um, having him as a part of the leadership team, um, is incredibly valuable. Um, the amount of time that he devotes uh, that gets into the weeds of issues that I think uh, many people uh, don't want to do. his his informative and educational nature as a part of this board. Um I know I have personally val um benefited from and I think uh the rest of the board has well and and
068so um Eric thank you uh for the time that you spend for the devotion that you have for the passion that you show um and uh just we appreciate you being a part of this group. So thank you so much. >> Thank you for laughing at my untimely and inappropriate comments. [laughter] >> I'll you said it. Yeah. Well, thanks. I appreciate it. Mike, >> can we move on? I just wanted to make notice that um at Dolphin County VOTE um we uh did our new our leadership team as well this past month. And I wanted to just recognize Janelle for being chosen as a vice chair um and representing our district, but she's now on the leadership team. >> Can't give you any tools. [laughter] Any other go? >> I got um Dave I had
069the pleasure to attend the future city. It was a STEM event at uh Steel Steel High this weekend. Central Alphen had uh actually um Central Middle had two teams uh with Mr. Turk and then Linglestown had a team with Mr. Rinsky. It was a great thing. They were doing a future of a city what it would look like and this uh year's theme was about food waste and how they can recycle food and the kids did an amazing job. They have to present in front of judges and if you're top three in front of the whole group. So I would have been super nervous. The kids did a really amazing job. So, fantastic job for that. [clears throat] Also want to give a shout out to Khalil Roberts who's on our Dolphin basketball team once
070again. Brought the belt out on Cumberland Valley and hit the buzzer beater. If you haven't seen that video, it's amazing. So, Khalil is an amazing young man and uh it's great to see him make that shot. >> Yeah, it' be nice to see a positive video this week. >> Any other board representative? >> I have three items. Uh I just want to recognize I don't have the data with me or the information. I'll bring it next time. John Kramer, those of you who've been with part of the district for he was uh an incredible wrestling coach, he was uh uh voted into the wrestling hall of fame of Pennsylvania. I'll bring more information on that. Uh I went to the uh band competition on I think it was Saturday, maybe Sunday, I don't remember now.
071Um our kids did a great job. And the last thing is it's coming up on musical season, so pay attention to the calendars. Uh I know two are scheduled already. I'm not I'm sure the rest are. I just haven't seen them yet. And again, I'll get that information next time. Next meeting. >> Other board representative reports. >> Moving to item 8.10, board committee reports. I would just like to note that um with the resignation of our two uh former board members, we are going to do a bit of a reorg around the committees and we're waiting until we fill the two vacancies uh which is the meeting is scheduled for February 12th for those that are interested in region two and region three. Um >> I'm sorry, region one and region two. Thank you. [clears
072throat] Um, for those that are interested, uh, uh, please, uh, look to the Central Dolphin website, school district website. Uh, there's information posted there, or please reach out to Amy Fuller, uh, in the administration if, if if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if if you are interested. Um, but we will, um, reconfigure the committees a little bit once we have um those vacancy filled. Any other board committee reports?" >> Uh, we have a finance committee meeting on the 11th. Uh, I think that's true, isn't it, Peter? Maybe D. >> Yes, that's true. February 11th. >> Thank you. 4:30 here at the uh board meeting. >> Yep. >> Yeah, I think the seats are all sold out. >> Any other board committee reports? Moving on to item 8.11, sympathy resolutions. Mr. Turman,
073>> sympathies are extended to the family of Ashley Hemmonway, teacher at Central Dolphin Middle School, on the passing of her sister. Sympathies are extended to the family of Mary and Clauser, former paraprofessional, on her passing. >> Item 9.01, adjournment. May I have a motion? There's a motion. Is there a second? Thank all those in favor signify by saying I. Opposed. Meeting adjourned.