001Uh, good evening. We'll call the uh, meeting to order for Tuesday, January 13th of the Central Dolphins School District Board of Directors. Miss Fuller, call the role. >> Mrs. Bigamin, here. >> Mr. Derman, >> here. >> Mr. Epstein? >> Yep. >> Mr. Gordon, >> here. Mrs. Hanford >> here. >> Mrs. Paws is absent. Mr. Jacobs >> here. >> Mrs. Silvers is absent. >> Mrs. Webster >> here. >> We have seven board members present. >> Thank you. Will all those who are able to join us please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> 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, liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Item 401, additions, deletions, and modifications to the agenda. Do
002any board members have any additions, deletions, or modifications to this evening's agenda? Seeing none, moving on to item 501, approval of November 25th, 2025 and December 2nd, 2025 meeting minutes. Mr. Turman, >> the administration is recommending approval of the November 25th, 2025 and December 2nd, 2025 meeting minutes. >> May I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. Any questions, comments, or concerns? All those in favor signify by saying I. I >> I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. Moving to information and proposals, item 601. I'd like to announce to those joining us here in the room as well as those joining us online that prior to this meeting, the board met in executive session and will continue meeting in executive session following the conclusion of
003this meeting. We discussed both personnel as well as legal issues. Moving to item 602, student speaker. As I think everybody's aware, we're pleased to welcome student speakers from both high schools as well as our CD cyber program. And so tonight, I'm pleased to introduce our student speaker from Central Dolphin East High School. Please welcome Alexander Melendez. >> Good evening. Thank you to the administration of Central Dolphin School District and the school board for giving me the opportunity to speak this evening. My name is Alexander Melendres and I'm a senior at Central Dolphin East High School. I've attended Central Dolphin School District my whole life starting kindergarten at Tri Community going on to Sweater Middle then finally concluding concluding at CD East High. My time at East High has always been positive and I am thankful
004to have had such a diverse and unique experience. I currently have in mind majoring in secondary education mathematics with the possible double major in applied mathematics. You broaden my skills. I have not yet made my decision in a college or university as I have been accepted into 10 thus far, but I'm between Penn State University or SHIP. At East High, I've been a part of a vast array of different activities, but I'm going to only mention a few. I'm a part of the Botchi team, varsity tennis team, the new program with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and I've had the opportunity to attend a leadership summit called Rio over the summer. Award-wise, I've been recognized as a Rotary student of the month for November. have rec have received AP Scholar with distinction and numerous students of
005the month recognitions in various subjects. I have taken 12 AP level courses and countless honors classes in order to maintain a high GPA. During my time at East High, I'm most proud of being a student aid in an algebra 1 class last year as it helped me figure out what I wanted to major in and what I was most passionate about, teaching. Once again, all of the staff and support that the district has to provide has allowed me to exceed as as far as I have. I'm happy to report some of the highlights at East High from the last two months. The American Red Cross Club participated in Reefs Across America on December 13 at Fort Indiana Town Gap. The club members helped place Reefs at the sights of her fallen military. Additionally, a blood
006drive was held at East High in November. 35 units of blood were collected, including 21 firsttime donors and eight donors that identified to help patients with cickle cell disease. Assistant Principal Kennedy reports that over 240 students earned distinguished honor role or honor role academic honors for the first marking period at CD's TAI. Students were honored at their grade level assemblies in the auditorium on December 18th, 2025. Way to go, Panthers. 9th grade environmental science students in Miss Bower's class painted Bob Ross style postcards representing each of the national parks. With their paintings, they also included an ecological hierarchy for an animal that lives within the park and a short narrative of what they imagined it would be like to visit their park, exploring what makes National Park special. You can see their artwork hanging outside
007of room 2011. The ASA, Asian Student Association, held a lantern fest before winter break. Lantern festivals hold significant cultural importance across many Asian communities. For example, the Chinese Lantern Festival, the J Japanese Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival in China, Vietnam, and other Asian cultures often include lanterns as symbols of reunion and togetherness by holding a lantern themed event at our school. Our goal was to share these traditions with the wider student body via social media and student participation for the event, promote cultural appreciation of various Asian origins, and to create a welcoming space for students to learn about and celebrate Asian heritage. We had over 50 students participate in the event where we had a presentation on Nepal and Egypt for our country of the week presentations, decorated the lanterns, and released them at the CDHS
008soccer field. The st the students and staff would had a wonderful time and we plan to make this an annual event. The East High Unified Botchi team coached by Lorie Stone is off to a great season. This year we have 18 athletes and partners participating and they're doing great things. As of this date, we've played three of our seven matches with great results. The team continues to make it to the state championship, but we are enjoying the moments of friendship and laughter as they come. We plan to attend We plan on attending the Polar Punch to benefit Special Olympics and freezing for a good cause. Our next home match is January 20th at 3:30. Come support our student athletes and walk away with a smile. German students from EHS and German classes and the German
009club completed service hours for the Lingtown Chris Kindle Mart. In December, students spent several hours uh preparing ornaments, ornament crafts for children to make at uh Kinder World at the annual market. Students also brave the cold to work at the outdoor tent near freezing temperatures to assist children in activities at the Kinder World tent, participate in crafts, games, and other activities. The Central Dolphin East High cheerleaders competed this past weekend competed this past weekend at the PIAA competitive spirit state competition in Jonestown, PA. There were a total of 41 teams in the small varsity 3A division who competed in who competed in the preliminary round of on Friday, January 9th. The East High cheerleaders were one of the top 10 teams that advanced directly into the final round of the competition. In the final round
010of the competition, the Central Dolphin East High cheerleaders placed eighth in the 3A small varsity division. The cheerleaders are back to work as they prepare for the National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Florida. They will represent CDSD and complete in and compete in the small varsity non-tumble division and medium varsity non-tumble game day division on February 6th. We would we would also like to recognize senior Elijah Cooper who reached the milestone 1,000 career points in December. We can't wait to see that final total. Thank you again for the support of the students and teachers at East High. Hey, real quick before you leave. Before you leave. >> Before you leave, >> Alex, real quick before you leave. >> Oh, yeah. You're not done. >> Um, so thank you very much. Number one. Number two,
011if you want any have a conversation about college as a Penn State alumni, I'm happy to have the conversation and and we can talk about college, but thank you for all your accomplishments and and for what you've done at the high school. Any >> Thank you very much. >> No, let me ask you two questions. You said you were accepted to 10 universities. >> Yeah. >> That's about the number of prisons I was accepted in. So, we're kind of even here. Um then the qu this is an honest question. What could we do to improve CD East? >> Like in what aspect? >> Well, in the aspect that do you see anything that we could do as an administration or board to improve or to make better? Um or is it okay the way it
012is? I'm okay with that, too. >> I mean, I feel like every single school has room for improvement. Um, at E specifically, I feel like if we aim to like push students to attend like at least some trade school after high school, right, >> or like a postsecondary institution, I feel like that would really boost like education at East. Um, >> like I feel like a lot of students just kind of default into going into the workforce, which is fine. That is a really good option. >> No, but that's this is a huge point if they're going to default for a career. >> Yeah. So, let me I do do when >> Oh, just you know that's a great answer. I just want to tell you right off the bat that's a great that was
013an excellent answer. >> Yeah. I wish you were running for governor. Um so I don't know if we have do we have when you declare for instance when you decide do we have like a signing day for academics or is this just a signing day for athletic >> athletics for athletics? What what would you think about that if we had a day or you know where people said yeah I'm committing to >> decision day have decision >> decision day >> usually they do it May 1st anywhere between May 1st and >> yeah I'm pretty sure that I I don't know if it like if it's like a schoolwide assembly or like >> like of that sort is it >> I think >> it's where you I I know from last year they wore their shirts
014>> wear your shirt where you've decided that you're going >> I feel like that's like also really good thing. But I feel like if we had like a schoolwide assembly where we recognize like the students and what colleges they're going to, I feel like that might motivate like the juniors, sophomores, freshman, and being like, "Oh, I really like this university. Let me do some more research into it. Oh, I have a friend going into this university. Let me do some research." I feel like that would really boost like the participation in which our students go over to college. Um, and even trade school or like try to get even more trade schools to come visit. um east high since if a lot of students are already going into workforce directly, why not just go two
015years more and get like a not I think it's an associates an associates in like a trade make a lot more money. We're actually gonna talk about two I think at least one trade class coming up. But I like your idea if we do that is having armed force apprenticeships other things so they get recognized and that appreciated at the same level rather than you raised a good point. I don't think you should do a career based on a default mode. But you were one of the best speakers we ever had. >> Oh, really? Thank you. >> Thank you for representing an intern. >> We appreciate it. >> I second Penn State, by the way. That's >> me three. >> Yeah, you got four. Yeah, me for him. >> Yeah, >> it's what it's my
016top choice right now. I'm just like I'm just weighing the different like pros and cons of it, but I'm most likely going to go there. >> The state correctional institute of campaign. >> Thank you, Alex. >> Yep. Thank you. >> Moving on to item 603, review of audited financial statements. Mr. Pardon. >> Auditors from Ber and Ritter will review the June 20 the June 30, 2025 financial statements. This item will appear on the January 27, 2026 board agenda for acceptance. Z is here. I'm not going to try to pronounce his name because I will slaughter it from Boyer and Ritter to present um the financial statements and answer any of your questions. >> Thank you. >> Out uh there Pete. My name is Sai Zaherovich as mentioned. I go by Z. I'm a principal with
017Warren Ritter, the individual responsible for overseeing the audit of the district this year. Uh we're a new face for you all. Uh this was our first year working with the districts. Certainly appreciate that opportunity. Appreciate uh you giving the time this this evening to present the results of the audit. I'm going to go through this uh PowerPoint presentation hopefully quickly and get you to the rest of the agenda that you have tonight. So you might ask, you know, why is an audit required? Why do we do it every year? Um it falls on these entities. Pennsylvania Department of Education requires it of all school districts in the Commonwealth. The federal government requires it whenever you spend more than $750,000 of federal money. This year, the district had about $15 million of federal funding that was
018spent. So, met that threshold. And then bond holders, because you have issued general obligation bonds, there's a requirement for continuing disclosures which include audited financial statements. You all, the school board may not require it. I think you certainly appreciate knowing that the financials are in good order uh for the district here. What or um you know what is the scope of the audit? What's included within that 90page document that uh I see some of you have in front of you there? It includes the fund financial statements or all the funds that the district maintains. Particularly uh I'll point out the general fund that's kind of your main operating fund. Most of the receipts, dispersements throughout the year go through this fund. In addition to that, the governmentwide financial statements uh are included. So, they report
019the overall picture of the district. They include long-term assets like your capital assets, buildings, equipment, um as well as long-term liabilities, the bonds, u the debt that I mentioned earlier, uh pension, oped liabilities, and the other items there. And then how do we go about the audit process? Really a three-step process. Plan, execute, and report. The planning and execution, we kind of lump that together sometimes, but that's where we're looking at controls, any potential risks, and then ultimately doing audit procedures to make sure that the numbers that go into the financial report are accurate. from what we pull together during those phases. We get together with the management team and uh pull all that information into that 90page document, the the financial report that's presented to you all. Of course, what's included in that is
020or are three audit opinions, right? So, we were in Ritter, the audit firm is responsible for three audit opinions within the financial report. The first one is on the financial statements and it's found right after the table of contents on page one and it begins with really what's the most important part of this whole thing. When we perform an audit, the opinion and as you see on the slide there, we have identified an unmodified opinion. Basically, what we're saying is that the financial statements are presented fairly and accurately in all material respects. This is really the best uh possible result um that you can receive, the best type of opinion that an audit firm can issue. It's what you've received in the past. It's what you would expect to receive as well in the future.
021The basis for opinions, uh management responsibility, auditors of responsibility required supplementary information. Supplementary information I would say that's all boilerplate language that's included in the independent auditor's report. It's what you would have seen in years past as well. There are particular standards that we have to follow when we write this report and those items are part of that uh those standards. The one item that I skipped there the change in accounting principle and referencing gazsby 101. So something new this year uh gazsby the governmental accounting standards board issues pronouncements that you the district has to follow when they prep when you prepare your financial statements. Gazsby 101 on compensated absences. While compensated absences have always existed for at least for a very long time since Gazsby 16, um this new standard has required a recalculation
022of that liability utilizing new methodology. And what we've seen is an increase to that liability both here at this district as well as the all the other governmental entities that we work with. Um just kind of the the nature of what we have to do in order to comply with the standards. And then the last piece of the auditor's report is a reference to government auditing standards. So that's the second of the three u audit opin audit opinions that we issue. This one is related to the compliance audit or the single audit that the federal government requires us to perform. And this one's found towards the back of that 90page document on page 80. Um and here we are identifying again what I would say is a clean opinion. noting that we did not identify
023any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the internal controls over the financial statements. Nor did we identify any instances of non-compliance that are material to the financial statements. I would say pretty cut and dry a clean report for the district here. Last one or the last uh auditor's report. This one again related to the compliance audit and specific to the major federal program that we tested this year which was the child nutrition cluster uh school lunch school breakfast programs here again as you see on the slide we're identifying an unmodified opinion again that clean opinion noting that the district was in compliance with all the major program requirements for the child nutrition cluster right so that's three for three uh positive results good results uh clean opinions uh for the district's financial report. Next, what
024I have here, summary of the table of contents, kind of what what else is included in in that document for you. Not going to go through all of it tonight. I imagine you probably haven't even gone through it the entire thing. >> No, I went through it. I have some questions for you. >> Perfect. Um but what I will highlight uh are the uh the pages four through 15 there, the management's discussion and analysis. I would say that's a great way for you to spend your time to get familiar with what is in the statements. That section provides both prior year and current year numbers. So, a comparison that you can see uh changes. Um it provides some explanations for those changes and then just some additional detail that isn't included elsewhere. Um speaking to
025the detail, pages 26 through 64, as you can tell, that's kind of the bulk of that report. That's the footnotes, right? So more detail about the items that are in the financial statements. Um kind of the most significant uh the biggest dollar amounts or the most significant footnotes I have identified there for you. Um the rest of it it's been included in the past maybe looks a little bit different uh when we prepare a report. The font the style and so on compared to what you've seen in the past but essentially the content is the same as what you've seen in the past. Rather than going through all those pages, decided to just pull together some of these uh summary slides of of num of numbers. First one being the general fund results. Uh you
026can see there we I've identified the current year 2025 actual the budget and then three prior years for you that you can see a little bit of the comparison. But ultimately what I'll point you to is that ending fund balance number at the end of the year uh just around 33 and a.5 million. Uh a slight increase from the previous year about $100,000 increase from the prior year. After that the capital projects fund another fund maintained by the district here again pointing you I'll point you to that ending fund uh fund balance 28 million an increase of about 10 million. If you look at the the revenues and transfers, big jump from last year, right? 45 million. Majority of that is due to the issuance of of the debt uh uh general obligation bond uh
027series 2025 food service fund results. So bottom line on that, the net income for the food service, the cafeteria, uh about a $600,000 increase to the net position from the previous year. Internal service fund that the district maintains, we see a a negative uh change in the net position, just under 13 million. The majority of that is due to the transfers that that were made from that fund to the general fund as well as the capital projects fund. >> I think the I'm looking at >> capital projects. >> Yes. About 9 million to capital projects there. Yeah. >> Okay. Last slide with with the numbers. Um assets and liabilities some of the most significant um here for the district. the cash and investments up about uh just under 10 million from the previous year. Capital
028right to use assets rights to the buildings, the equipment. We see a big jump there due to the capital projects, construction projects that have been going on, as well as some of the buildings that were uh purchased this past year. The long-term debt, those bonds and notes that the district has uh to fund those projects and the activities of the district. Um and then that accumulated compensated absence. Just want to point out since we did have this implementation of Gazsby 101, we see a jump of about 2.8 million. That's really due to this new methodology that's required to be used uh to value that number. The compensated absences being those accumulated employee leaves, right? The sick leave, vacation, personal. Um so those numbers are are included there. And uh the last section there, the pension,
029OPED liabilities, something that's been now on the books, at least the pension I think over 10 years now. The OPED uh that's coming up on uh 10 years here in a year or two. So they've been around for a while. They change year to year depending on the actuarial evaluations that are performed. >> But does the actual methodology change? When I looked last year seemed pretty ancient. the whatever they were using for OPEB. Um how long is not just the rules but how often is the methodology adapted or is that just pretty much the same? >> So within the valuation there are certain assumptions that are made by the actuary and those will change yeartoyear. Um those assumptions are the discount rate that's utilized. um if there are new um mortality tables that come out
030that will impact it as well. Um inflation rates. So those kind of items go into those valuations. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Of course. >> Okay. Few other points of interest. Uh we issued two letters in addition to the financial report. First the management comments letter. Um here I have identified uh financial reporting improvements. What what this is related to is another Gazsby governmental accounting standards board pronouncement number 103 that's going to be going into effect for next year's financial statements and that impacts some of the areas of that financial report. So we'll highlight some of those changes of course for you next year, but we'll uh we'll work with the team here to make sure those get implemented for for next year's report. And then the uniform guidance revisions, uniform guidance are what
031govern our procedures as they relate to that compliance or single audit that we have to perform every year. Um and again those are going to be in effect for this coming uh audit that we'll perform. The other item I have here operational recommendation not part of the letter but just something that we identified going through our process. So, our audit procedures require us to review the board minutes of these meetings throughout the year. Um, as well as look at any contracts and agreements that are approved to see what kind of impact they might have on the financial report. Um, what we've seen working with other districts, other governmental entities, and what we've come up with as a best practice is to try and include all those approved contracts and agreements within I believe you utilize
032board docs um here. So within your agendas or your minutes so that really for a matter of transparency, matter of consistency, ease of access for whether your team internally needs them or externally at least us the auditors would come around knocking asking for things. Um so that's just some food for thought uh recommendation that we would make to you. >> I thought those were included. through their review, they found that there were some contracts that were not included on the uh and some agreements and some things that were not included on the uh on board docs. >> So that they had to go lurking for them. So they made that recommendation through just a verbal communication. He he said he would bring it up during >> Was that a function of ADA compliance or >>
033No, it was just a function of I think of just consistency. >> So it wasn't like a function of really anything. We just have to it was just a thing to fine-tune a little bit. Okay, last piece there, the required communication letter that we are required to issue to you all. Um, four positive highlights from that letter. Um, it's I think four pages or so, but the four main things I want to key in on are here. So, there were no uncorrected misstatements. Uh, we did not have any disagreements with the management team. Uh, no significant issues were identified and discussed. and then no significant difficulties were encountered in the performance of our audit. Um you know mainly we work with Pete, Bob and Joel but we work with others throughout the district as well.
034We had communications with them. Um everyone was very helpful, very cooperative uh throughout our entire time that we were here as well as when we were offsite and making phone calls or emailing for things. Everyone was very quick to respond and provide us what we needed. Uh so just taking a moment to acknowledge that and thank everyone for uh really what I what I think was a smooth and successful first year audit uh for us working here uh with the district. That is all I have. Uh certainly open to any questions you have this evening. My contact information there should you want to reach out to me in the future. Glad to answer anything. >> I don't know if Peter I had I read the audit. He probably forwarded. >> Yeah, we're Yeah, we're working
035on the um for for the edifice of everyone here. Mr. Epstein submitted a a document with questions in it for the board members and for everyone and um Z and I are working on them and we also um Z's actually also provided a glossery of terms that we will >> what I requested is it's hard if you don't know the acronyms, you don't know the terms >> um or even the definition. >> Yeah, governments love their acronyms. >> Yes. Can you actually attach you have the notes at the back but there's no corresponding footnote in the body. So when you go back it says see financial notes and you go and there's financial notes for each section 1 2 3 4 5 isn't connected to anything in the body of this >> oh do you
036know what I'm saying of net position where it has the cash receivables and so forth. You mean? >> No, no, no. Just so when you go through and read this, it'll say, "Please refer to the financial notes at the end." >> Yes. >> There's no footnote after that statement. So, you just go to the financial. It's hard to correlate. >> I I got >> You see what I'm saying? >> I I do. Yeah. It's not something that that says typical uh or typically included with in the financial report and I think the manner that you're >> right >> um >> it's more academic, >> right? But I mean there's nothing normal that I do. So um the the last question is this and I've asked this of your predecessor. You do trending and it's basically
037two years you this year compared to last year >> within the management's discussion analysis >> right can you do it for five or >> see what I'm saying is we have a budget we anticipate what we'll need for the next five but we don't have the trend for the last five. We have a I I don't know if that's is something you think has value, but I mean when you look back >> the things items that are um over budget are the same every year. >> Gotcha. Gotcha. So within specifically that management discussion analysis section which is kind of that first chunk of the report um the requirement is to just have current year and prior year. Now, uh there are some schedules that are identified as supplementary information that are in the back where
038I forget how many of them there are, but they have I think 10 years of information. Now, there is a potential area where >> Yeah, there there's a potential area where maybe some of what you're looking for is there. Um or if there's potentially something else that you see, you can discuss with Pete um and see what it off. >> Yeah, I think I think what Mr. Epstein's looking for is and he's absolutely right. There are areas in the budget that are historically um that do come in over budget every year and it's primarily and I would most likely gather in the special education realm or in the in the contracted services realm um which would be in the placement section. Um and that's something that I think every school district that you've probably audited
039with has has struggled with. I know we've had that conversation. >> It's hard to pinpoint when you're doing a budget two years. >> Yeah. and and even your next I think next cycle for your single audit it's going to be special ed IDA I believe mostly >> I think so yeah I think it's that's yeah I think it's the next year in the cycle so you're going to see that even in the in the IDA spend and the special ed spend you're going to see the the the overextension of that but I think I think that's what you're what you're referring to is that >> I had just this one little question your your p your pie chart your graph whatever you want to call it your circle pie you were you >> I would
040say your circle circle chart management but yes >> right all right so the Zpack so what I'm wondering is you compress the number of items that were in that from last year uh so there's there's less items in each the dispersement and expenditures and what it does is it gives you a really broad general and and you can get the rest of the stuff reading just wanted what the u justification was for that >> just a matter of condensing it summarize but you see what I'm saying Yeah. Yeah. All right. >> Um the management discussion and analysis is a is is something that um my team puts together >> and so it was actually our um chart that we we actually put together before um Bob had had had left for the district. So that's
041something we could look at and it was just an idea of keeping things a little more condensed and a little more organized and clean. >> But if you're trying to compare >> Yeah, understood. >> Are there questions? Thank you. >> Thank you very much. We appreciate >> you very much. Have a great evening. You too. >> All right. Moving on to item 604, public speakers. This is the first of two opportunities for the public to address the board on agenda items only and we have no one signed up to speak. Moving to unfinished business. Item 701, treasures report for month ending October 31st, 2025. Mr. card. >> The administration is recommending approval of the treasures report for the month ending October 31, 2025. This item was reviewed at the November 25, 2025 board meeting. >>
042May I have a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Is there a sec? Motion and a second. Any questions or comments? >> We I think reviewed this, closed the house, and went through it. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. Moving to item 702, storage area network. Mr. Chairman, >> the administration is recommending approval of the installation of the storage area network to the GDC in the amount of $111,000 978.33 and the lease to the Dell Technologies for a 5-year lease in the amount of $111,000 978.38.33 with a dollar buyout option. the yearly payment of $24,52458. This item was reviewed at the number 20 November 25th, 2025 board meeting. May I have a motion to approve the recommendation? Is there a second? Thank you. Questions or comments? All those
043in favor signify by saying I. >> Opposed. Continuing with unfinished business, 703 overnight trip approval. Mr. Chairman, >> the administration is recommending approval of the following overnight trip requests for select Central Dolphin Central Dolphin School District students. This item was reviewed at the November 25th, 2025 board meeting. CDS CDHS cheerleaders February 4th, 2026 to February 9th, 2026, Lake Buenav Vista, Florida for the National High School Cheueling Competition. Um, PMEA District Orchestra J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J January 22nd, 2026 to January 24th, 2026 at Dallastown. PMEA District Band February 5th, 2026 to February 7th, 2026 at Stilton. PMEA Central Region Chorus,
044February 19th, 2026 to February 21st, 2026 at Warwick. ACDA, Eastern Honors Chorus, February 25th, 2026 to February 28th, 2026 in Providence. PMEA Central Region Orchestra March 5th, 2026 to March 7th, 2026. That'll be in Williamsport. PMEA District Jazz Band March 13, 2026 to March 14th, 2026 at Dover High School. PMEA Central Region Band, March 20th, 2026 to March 21st, 2026 in Carile. PMEA District 7 Modern Band, April 10th, 2026 to April 11th, 2026. That'll be Springrove. And the last one, PMEA, All State Orchestra, All State Band, and All State Chorus. That'll be April 22nd, 2026 to April 25th, 2026, Kalahari Resorts, Poconos. >> May I have a motion to approve? >> Motion. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. Questions or comments? >> What is PMEA and ACDA stand for? air music
045associations. P Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, I believe, and we looked it up last meeting. >> I forget what ACDA is. >> American Coral Directors Association. >> Okay, >> other questions. Um, I just want to thank I do think we need to look back and make sure that we because we did it was mentioned that CD East High School cheerleaders are also attending nationals in Lake Buenav Vista, Florida. I think we need to make sure that that has does get approved because I looked back and I don't see it and I don't think that they would have been able to put in for it any sooner because it was one that they >> they were on they were they were on an agenda for a different trip. So I it wasn't for this >> and in
046order to approve that one we would have to put it on next time for a single one vote. >> So CD East cheerleaders for nationals >> for this first >> first one. Okay. >> Yep. >> Didn't they win nationals? >> Yeah. I I knew I saw it. It's 816 for first read. >> Oh, it's already on. >> Yeah. I knew I saw it. >> So we would approve it. >> Boom. There it is. >> Next meeting. >> All right. Thank you, Genie. You're welcome. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. >> Staying with unfinished business. Item 704, approval of board policy. Mr. Chairman, >> the administration recommending approval of the board policy 204 attendance. This item was reviewed at the November 20th, 2025 policy
047committee meeting and the November 25th, 20 2025 board meeting. May I have a motion to approve? So >> moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Questions or comments? All those in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Opposed. Moving to new business. Item 8001, board member resignation. Uh, the board is recommending acceptance of the resignation letter of Mrs. Lawrence Silvers, school board member, effective December 31st, 2025. May I have a motion to approve? >> I moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Questions or comments? >> Well, she'll be missed. Lauren was here and was a really good board member. Did a lot of work, was thorough, and uh so just to say we'll miss her and she did a great job. >> Agreed. >> I'd like to echo that. She uh
048when I came on the board, there's not a lot of training right away. So, she directed me exactly kind of what I had to learn, what I had to do. So, she was uh really vital in me hitting the ground running be the board. So, I appreciate all her leadership and a lot of time spent on the board. It's not uh it's not for the wearded, but she uh she did a great job. >> Lauren uh had the opportunity to lead multiple committees um of the school board and did an amazing job um and each and every one of them. So, she was awesome. All those in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. Continuing in new business, item 8002, board member resignation. The board recommends acceptance of the resignation letter of Mrs. Michelle Hall,
049school board member, effective January 13, 2026. May I have a motion to approve? >> Some move. >> Is there a second? Thank you. Questions, comments? >> Oh, I mean, she or two ago, she's contributed a lot. Very thoughtful, very smart, and a really good writer. So, we're going to miss her, but I know she wants to spend more time with her children. >> Again, uh she seemed to get get on boarded pretty quick >> and she stepped up and ran a writein campaign um to continue on the board, which is no small effort. So, we appreciate her service. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. Thank you. I believe we have a uh little tribute video for both Lauren and Michelle. All right. Oh yeah. Oh. Oh, that's bad. >> I'm
050not. So, I just I just wanted to end by saying on behalf of the school district, uh the administration, as well as the school board, um I'm not sure I know certainly they're not here in person. I'm not sure if they're watching online, but um I just wanted to say thank you to both Lauren and Michelle um for their countless hours and of service and dedication to the students and the teachers in this school district. Um we are better for having them on the board and so we appreciate their service. So, thank you. Lauren, I took your candy and Michelle, too. I thinkers, I sent them all down there. >> All right, staying with new business, moving to item 8003, personnel report. Mr. Turman, >> the administration is recommending approval of the personnel report as
051discussed in executive session. >> May I have a motion to approve? >> Motion. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any questions? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? No. >> Item 8004, personnel settlement agreement. Mr. Bard, >> the administration is recommending the approval of the personnel settlement agreement as discussed in executive session. >> May I have a motion to approve? >> Motion. >> Is there a second? Thank you. Questions, comments? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. Item 8005, donation of high school German textbooks. Mr. Turman, >> the administration is recommending approval of the acceptance of a donation of two class sets, 40 books of Deutsch Deutsch. >> I think you need one of these books. >> Level one textbook 2023 from
052York Suburban High School. The D this donation will be used by students enrolled in German classes at both Central Dolphin High School and Central Dolphin East High School. Um, we have both German teachers here, I believe, if you want to come up to the podium real quick. Um but we were York Suburban's kind of going a different direction with their resource kind of reached out to our teachers and uh we would like to accept their donation and uh because our teachers and the students can definitely use the resource. Uh but if you want to talk a little bit about your program since you're here and uh you know we're excited about accepting the donation on your behalf this evening. >> Well I think it's a really wonderful opportunity. They're brand new textbooks. They dovetail with
053our college and the high school program. They're from the same publisher. So, we're really fortunate to have something that then also leads into our upper level programs and then to have something a bit newer than the 25 year old textbook that we're currently using, which is maybe a bit more appealing to the students because it's, you know, it's got better recordings. It's got more topical information in it as opposed to this new device called a cell phone. Um, so, you know, and fashion and everything. So, I think it's a really exciting opportunity that we have to be able to get a new textbook and make it useful for the students in the classroom. >> I just had a question. Did have we had the opportunity in any way to publicly thank York Suburban for the
054contribution? And is there anything we can do just to publicly express our gratitude for them? >> I I think that that's kind of been done already. So, that we Yeah, we've been in discussion with the German teacher there because she, bless her heart, rescued them so they would not be thrown out in the trash. So, made sure that they were brought to a good home. >> Questions? >> The value. >> Um, the value um I I know that you've got that there, but the books are valued at $90 a piece and then there's some ancillary materials, too. So, doing the math there, you >> significant value to the >> $300. The total value is $3,68. And this was >> this we we were told this I think that this was part they were next up
055for the curriculum >> cycle to possibly remove receive >> yes they are on the second cycle so that is the correct timing so it's perfect >> awesome >> that's wonderful >> and at a great discount so >> free is good >> thank him in German >> I'd like to say uh thank you so much for the opportunity. I was here in I think it was April um about to take a trip to Europe and I just wanted to tell you I had a wonderful time. It was amazing experience and I'd totally do it all over again taking students uh over to Europe. It was so great to see them experience I'm like yeah it's real all the stuff that we talk about in class. So I just wanted to say thank you so much for
056the opportunity and we had an amazing amazing time. >> Is it trip limited to Germany and Austria? >> Uh we went Germany, Austria, Lionstein for a 45minute uh lunch little little show went around Salt castle shines that big in >> Yeah. And then um Austria as well. So all four major German speaking countries. >> So were the students able to see the different in dialects in Germany and Austria? >> Yes. Yep. >> Is this pretty serious? >> Switzerland. >> Yes. >> Oh, I forgot about them. Well, they're forgettable. >> And I'll be coming before long to talk about the next trip. So we're going to Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. >> Awesome. So >> thank thank you for your passion and for the dedication to the students. We appreciate it. >> All right. Thank you
057very much. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Staying with new business, item eight. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I apologize. >> I didn't get a motion. >> Okay. >> I think I called them up. >> Yeah, I think you did. Okay. Threw me off. All right. Um, back to 805. Can I have a motion to approve the recommendation? Is there a second? Okay. >> Thank you. Questions or comments? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. >> Opposed. >> All right. Now on to item 8006, continuing new business. These are adjudication of student cases as just for everyone's own edification. The student cases are referred to by number uh to protect privacy of of the students. Um we're going to deviate a little bit on the agenda and separate two of the items
058um that uh the board dealt with and made a modification. So I'm going to first take the unmodified versions of student cases. Again, these were all discussed in executive session. So, we're going to start with adjudication of student cases 1336, 1337, 1339, 1340, 1341, and 1344. Mr. Turman, >> the administration is recommending approval of the adjudication of student cases 1336, 1337, 1339, 1340, 1341, and 1344. May I have a motion to approve the recommendation? >> Motion. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any questions? >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Okay. Please note Mr. Epstein's absence. Um, circling back to uh the two remaining cases, um, adjudication of student cases 1338 and 1343. The board has chosen to revert to the recommendation made by the administration in
059the adjudication. Uh, may I have a motion to approve that recommendation? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. Questions? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Thank you. >> Item 8007, approval of job descriptions. Mr. Turman, >> the administration recommen approval of the following job descriptions. These items were reviewed at the December 9th, 2025 personnel committee meeting. This item will appear on the January 27th, 2026 board agenda for approval. The first one was a school police sergeant. uh that was uh presented to us by Mr. Day. Uh it would not be adding a position. Uh but what it will do is give Mr. Day some support in his role and also have him have an opportunity to have somebody to give him a little
060backup as he uh has been doing a tremendous job uh in terms of working with our school police. And then we have the director of innovation and technology. We have looked to change the job description to include technology innovation. Um what we are doing is looking for an individual who can help guide the district in technology for better for a better classroom experience and also at the same time support the technology needs in the district. >> Again this is a first read and will appear on the next meeting for voting. If you have questions uh concerning both of these u please let the administration know. >> Can I ask a question before we leave? Go for >> on the second one Mr. term the director of innovation and technology. There's a little passage in the
061job description seems to indicate that that person will hire or is that recommend hire? I wasn't sure. I read it wasn't sure how that came out. >> Recommend that. >> So, unless I read it wrong, I read a port it seemed like a portion of the job description empowered the the person to hire personnel. >> I I'll have to look at it. I don't >> Yeah, we got plenty of time. >> Mr. Chairman, I know I was at the committee meeting for this, but um it's been a while. So, I just wanted to refresh on the director of innovation and technology do job description. Is that um going to ultimately be in addition to what our current org chart is stating? >> No. So, that position um the former director's job description that's just being
062revised. So it would not be adding another position on top of that. >> So you wouldn't foresee down the road having to add an additional person to cover the other um things in the current director's job description. >> So you're going to look for someone who can look at the department as a whole and look at not only the technology needs and what you have to do technology-wise, but then how we as a district get a plan together for how we're really going to lose technology in the classroom being that you have a budget that's about $3.5 million. So, I think, and don't correct me if I'm wrong, I think the the idea was with the retirement of the former director, the opportunity, it presented an opportunity for the district to take that position and
063what it currently encapsulates and expand it to include more about innovation beyond just Chromebooks and smartboards and things like that and sort of make it a little bit broader. um to look at more of a broad-based strategy around the use of technology, not the just the technology itself. >> Understood. I was just afraid that left a gap that would potentially need us to hire someone else and I was trying to avoid any additions to the personnel. >> Good point. And just to to make sure I can answer Eric's question, it does say bullet two, supervise and evaluate all the personnel tech technology services department recommend personnel to fill vacancies >> to not hire. why you read it makes more sense. I got it. >> And just to put out a concern that we'll bring up
064later, I'm sure is uh you know, it sounds like that job needs someone with a lot of expertise in new technology and how it works. So, it it sounds like a job that's >> we might have a hard time finding somebody to fill to fill all to do everything that's being done. you know, with the innovation and technology, it just sounds like a much more than what the original job was. I mean, not not just with title, but >> it's what their knowledge needs to be. >> Understood. It's looking at technology from a different lens than currently we're looking at it right now. and um but you know there are enough within that department to look at how we can uh look at job descriptions or whatever it may be to fill all the needs
065in terms of what we need as a district. So but one of the things just to kind of piggy back on what Mr. Jacobs talked about is we have to get to a point where with the amount of money we have in that budget which isn't much how do we extend that? how do we really look at getting our bang for our buck in terms of what we're doing with technology um and and really kind of look at some forward thinking of what it can look like for the future. >> I think that title's more conducive to the current technology environment. I don't I just think what we had before was old school so to speak. Yeah, we have some things like AI is one that's as an example like we're really going to have
066to I know we started working on the policy for that, but you know that's something that we're really going to have to start to think through, you know, what that looks like for the district moving forward. Um there are a lot of districts that are further ahead in terms of how they quote unquote use AI. Um but there are a lot of tools out there that, you know, how do we really look at um using things that we can have an impact in the classroom? Again, this item will be voted upon uh at the January 27th board meeting. Item 8008, treasury report for month ending November 30th, 2025. Mr. Bard, >> the administration is recommending approval of the treasures report for the month ending November 30, 2025. This item will appear on the January 27th,
0672026 board agenda for approval. As always, if you have questions between now and the next meeting, please direct them to Mr. Barton. Item 8009, mile 2 consulting LLC independent contractor agreement. Mr. Bart, >> the administration is recommending approval of the mile 2 contract agreement for medical access billing. This item was reviewed in executive session and will appear on the January 27, 2026 board agenda for approval. >> Go ahead. Should we edit that to say that it was reviewed in a previous executive session because that was not today and I'm pretty sure we discussed it previously. >> Yeah, that was in November. We did. >> Yeah. >> Good catch. Thank you. >> Uh, real quick before we move on, Peter, can you talk about how we kind of amended some things after our our conversation? >>
068Sure. So the contract was amended to reflect that the mile 2 consulting group will not will have a limit and a ceiling to how much they can bill the district and collect from the district in addition uh over top of what they are um how they uh were scheduled to bill in the initial agreement that we talked about in the executive sess in executive session of November. their limit is now um a is 499,000 um compared to the unlimited amount that they were going to beforehand. And this is the difference between what we are collecting in medical access which is currently right now is roughly around 450,000 up to the limit up to a limited amount that we can bill for in the past. I think our district is so is is lacking in that
069regard and this company will come in and will enhance our medical access billing to that regard. I did review other uh I did review two other um organizations um and both of them that were uh in the space were not really in the Pennsylvania space and they did not really fit our our needs as well as as this organization did and other districts are using them and having success with them. >> I think this is one I guess we'll talk about more the next time is that we're going the offensive of trying to find revenue. We're not billing what we should be and getting the the reimbursement. So this contract will be a money maker for the district. >> Correct. Yeah. This is a this is a a revenue enhancement that really has no negative
070impact on the district, you know, expense wise. >> And the consultant agreement, they only get paid based on what they recover. Correct. But they add ba over top of what we're currently collecting. >> Correct. And this isn't a permanent agreement. They're going to come in, train our people for uh a year, two, maybe three at most. And then once our people are fully trained, they will our agreement with them will be uh disbanded and our people will do it on their own and hopefully have a tremendous amount of success. Beyond that, we're training not just one or two people, but a whole team of people so that we don't have a brain drain um like we had in the past. >> And again, this is a first read. Uh will be on the January 27th.
071>> Item 8.10 Barracuda email security renewal. Mr. Barton, >> the administration is recommending approval of the Barracuda email security renewal on Rubric Enterprise Backup Renewal Services. This item will appear on the January 27, 2026 board agenda for approval. Um, Mr. Ruth is here if you have any questions about the Barracuda email security. That is our firewall that stops junk email, spam email, and potential uh fishing emails. Did I get them all, Mr. Ruth? >> Yes. Okay. >> That's is that through that's through the IU, correct? >> That is not through the IU. No, they offer a different service that we are going to look at next year. The problem is with the archiver, we have to maintain 6 months worth of email before we can switch this over um to their service. But we are
072going to look at that next year. >> Okay. And what is the cost of this one? >> This one is going to be the E+ for $31,325 for a year renewal. >> And this was in your budget, correct? >> This is in my budget. Correct. And then we also have the rubric, which is our backup enterprise system. And that's a separate um item that would go to AEC in the total amount of $68,758 >> and that's in your budget as well, sir. Right. >> That is correct. >> Thank you. >> Item 811, act one resolution agreement. Mr. hard. >> The administration is recommending the approval of the budget resolution not to exceed the act one index for the 2026 2027 fiscal year. This item is for first read at the January 13, 2026 meeting and
073will appear on the January 27th, 2026 board agenda for approval. The resolution states that the board resolves itself not to raise taxes above the act one index for the Central Dolphin School District for which for this year is 4.4%. I want to make it clear to anyone in the audience and anyone listening to the board meeting that this does not mean that the school district is going to raise taxes in 2026 uh fiscal year. This is just stating that the board will not raise taxes uh beyond 4.4%. >> Questions? Peter, this also then means that we're not going to be filing for any special exemptions. >> Correct. And we are actually um not permitted to considering we get adequacy money from under the reg. Yeah, we're not permitted to. >> Again, first read will be
074on the January 27th for approval. >> Item 8.12, the proposed 2627 school calendar. Mr. Chairman >> the administration recommending approval of the proposed 2627 school calendar. This item will appear on the January 27th, 2026 port agenda for approval. Um there's only two really differences in the calendar this year. Um last year we started after Labor Day um due to the fact that we had four buildings at that point in time that did not have air conditioning. Uh if you do recall uh that week in August it was 70°. So, um, that being said, moving forward, Labor Day this year is very late, September 7th. Uh, we did not want to start school that late and then and getting end up getting out almost mid June towards that third week. Uh, so we've made a recommendation
075to actually start uh before Labor Day and hope for 70° weather again. >> Um, so that's one change and the other one is because of full day kindergarten um we do get an extra day uh in the calendar. So, what that means is our high school will now finally be able to have at least one day for conferences for parents. So, the high schools both selected they wanted to do their conferences in November to make sure if a kid fails, they could catch them right away to remediate. Outside of that, it's the same as last year. >> Again, this is a first read. Any questions between now and the next meeting? Please let the administration know. Item 8.13, purchase of translation devices. Mr. Turman, >> the administration recommending approval of the purchase of the translation
076device through translate live at a cost of $131,940. This item was reviewed at the December 4th, 2025 academic committee meeting and will appear on the January 27th, 2026 board agenda for approval. So we actually had uh the gentleman come here during the academic meeting uh to give the committee an opportunity to see how the devices actually work. Um so we had an employee who spoke a a second language and the gentleman who was a consultant and it was really neat to see how the device actually worked between both. So we currently spend for uh translate I'm sorry language line um there's different languages. So we picked out the languages that we currently for the most part used last year Arabic, French, Nepali, Spanish, and Portuguese. The price on these range anywhere from $1.90 all the
077way up to $2.54. So, with the amount we spent last year on language line, um if we went to the ISA, um it doesn't matter what the language is. If we do need an interpreter, which you would need for IEP meetings, um their cost is $1.25 per minute. It doesn't matter what the language is. So, if we would have had the ISA last year, and let's say we had to use uh a an interpreter, a live interpreter, um we would have saved approximately $21,000 the with the amount of how much it cost to go through a translator for them compared to going through what we currently use at Language Line. Um this is also going to give us an opportunity. We're looking at purchasing 60 um where we will have uh approximately two in each
078building depending on the size. Uh we will also have some for our special ed department. We'll have some downstairs uh in our welcome center for enrollment. Uh so it should make enrollment a lot better experience for our parents. Um this is also going to give an opportunity when a parent walks in the building and English is not their first language for them to really be able to communicate effectively with staff member in the building. So this expenditure uh if approved this covers for a three-year period of time. >> Mr. Chairman, if I recall though, um, and this looks like a really good, uh, procurement. It there's some functions it can't do. I I think one would be discipline >> as far as >> translation, >> what you would use it for. >> Yeah. So, like
079IP meetings would be one example. >> Uh, you wouldn't want to use it for an expulsion hearing as well. >> Yeah. >> Can't use it for this. >> No, you would want you wouldn't want to have a live interpreter there. Um, you would not want this device to be translating for either one of those. Legally, you can >> notifications for because because expulsion hearings are quasi judicial. It has to be >> Okay. I remember us talking about it. So, you guys followed up, found out that couldn't use it. >> Now, we're finding out that >> could we use it? I mean, because I don't know what's being said in the translation. Sometimes I feel I I >> That's a good question. I mean, I'd like to know what they're talking about. I know, maybe that
080sounds paranoid, >> but just >> when the board panel is at an expulsion hearing, I think Eric's point is could they use it just simply for their benefit, not as a part of the hearing itself, um, but as a translation device, uh, as a member of the board panel. >> So, we typically have a trans the translator is someone who is not, it's not like a family member or something of that sort. you pay a translator specifically and part of that is that they are like ethically like that that's part of their their training and such that they must follow. They're also sworn in um as part of that. I don't know that we couldn't do what you're suggesting. Um but there are safeguards in place and that's part of that is that we are
081providing the translator versus the family bringing someone along. >> There's a translator. >> Yes. >> Yeah. But you don't know >> the translators for the legal portion of the hearing >> reportedly for a a backup of for the board member but not as a part of the legal hearing. >> As long as it's not part >> Okay. But they can't they the actual live trans >> translate test. >> Correct. Yeah. I would I would want to make sure before we commit to that that I find out from the gentleman because usually it's two devices buted up against each other and the two of us are having a conversation. This is something different where you know I just have the device and listening to two individuals. So I don't want to say yes to something that
082I'm not sure of but we'll find that answer. We'll find that answer out. I >> I think the other issue is this. Um the person translating may not be familiar with educational or legal terms. So it actually may be better for the person being adjudicated to have a set of ears to make sure. I mean words in other languages can be imprecise but I'll defer to you Mr. Turman and see what they say. I think >> yeah I just don't know if if just one device I don't know I I'll make sure I ask a question on that. >> Yeah just just to throw in I we we were there at the presentation excellent presentation and it would be not not only a wash but we would save money like you said. Correct. My my
083concern is the technology is changing so fast and I gave an example just five years ago having the technology to translate you know have we looked at other program I mean going to this program is going to be a savings but are there other programs or apps that we've looked at that might serve the same purpose for a lot less >> I know some buildings are using some of those Google translate and some of those um devices some of not devices some of those apps now Um it's kind of a mixed bag in terms of what we're doing across the district right now, but when you specifically go at what we're paying for when it comes to language line and those service, it's well over $100,000 we paid last year. And then on top of
084that, the other part is watching a a parent and also another individual kind of converse back and forth through Google Translate and this device. It's just going to give a better experience for the parent. Well, the reason I I mean I did look them up and and again, I'm not an expert on this, but I found quickly six apps that did the exact same thing. The only difference was I couldn't find any that would do more than one language. >> Right. And it's also they have to have the app. This is the app's kind of already in >> No, this is on you just you talk into your phone and I turn it to you. It does it did the same exact thing. I mean I I would say where's the nearest store and it
085would give it right to you right there. So you don't need you wouldn't need two phones. Now of course I forget was this one able to someone had they had to be in person, right? They had to be >> they had to be in person but there's also the opportunity for you to do a we're going to have to do a training for parents understand what how you do a cold call as well because there was an opportunity to do that as well. >> Giving us what 150 minutes >> I believe it's 200 minutes for free. Yeah. >> 200 minutes for free and just in terms of the number of languages is 400 languages now. >> Mhm. >> So every language in this district would be covered. >> I like too that they had uh
086for like broadcasting for graduation figure how to set it up is is they could be at home on their phone watching graduation and see or hear in their native language despite you know so you don't need 50 different translators in there. They'll be able to listen to the one broadcast we have and then they can on their phone hear everything. So >> that was great. >> They can't take the almost >> there's a QR they have a broadcast mode so it's connected there and they picked their language and it says right to them >> yeah just to give another example is uh we had a special ed meeting uh probably about two months ago and we paid for a translator to come because parent said they were coming and parent didn't show so we still
087had to pay the person to interpret um but parent didn't show so but if you have the device it would be easy for the special ed department at that meeting just to be able to for the parent to understand exactly What's going on? >> Item 8.14, proposed new courses. Mr. Chairman, the administration is recommending approval of the following proposed new courses. This item will appear on the January 27th, 2026 board agenda for approval. Construction Technologies, the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp, JROTC. So um the district uh we during one of our meetings uh we did present the construction technology course. Um we are looking to have this course at both high schools. Um this will be a career pathway uh for students that can really jumpst start them and really get into the
088field. Um so excited about the opportunity for that. Um I know that uh we did survey a few students at 10th grade level. Uh there were some students who were definitely interested in taking this course either their junior or senior year. Um as we do all know when it comes to our career and tech center um we have 900 to a,000 kids who apply but only half get in. So there's a lot of students who are attending both high schools who would like to pursue certain certain uh avenues um but we need to figure out how we provide them those opportunities. That's one. two is we would be looking to start a ROI program uh next year in the district. Um we're going to start the program at um East High School and then we're
089going to look to expand that to CD High School the following year. Um if the if there's a Central Dolphin High School student who would like to join JRTC, uh we'll figure out the transportation and how they would get to East High School to be able to take the course. >> Any questions? Again, just just a first read. Item 8.15, approval of the 2026 2027 academic planner. Mr. Chairman, >> the administration is recommending approval of the academic planner for the 2627 school year. This item will appear on the January 27 2020 27th, 2026 board agenda for approval. Um there are very minimal edits to the academic planner for next school year. Um the only two would obviously be the two courses we would look to potentially add. Outside of that, there's not really much language
090which changed. And just a note as this academic planner is the same academic planner that will be used at both high schools. >> Item 8.16, first read, overnight trip approval. Mr. Chairman, >> the administration is recommending approval of an overnight trip request for Central Dolphin East High School cheerleaders to go to the high school nationals in Orlando, Florida from February 4th, 2026 to February 9th, 2026. This item will appear on the January 27th, 2026 board agenda for approval. >> Item 8.17, Train Projects, Paxonia Elementary and EH Phillips. Mr. Chairman, >> the administration is recommending approval of the train Paxonia Elementary School and EH Phillips Elementary School projects completed on the under the Omnia contract. The project development cost are $917,000 and will provide upgrades to the existing mechanical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and
091other buildings upgrades as specified in the contract. The costs are not to exceed $17,452,926 for Paxonia Elementary School and $17,21,74 Phillips Elementary School totaling $35,571,000. This item was reviewed at the December 16th, 2025 buildings and grounds committee meeting. This item will appear on the January 26 27th, 2026 board agenda for approval. >> Yeah. why we have them here. Zach or Jay, what what do we have chronologically? What targets do we have to hit after this? >> So, if you remember at the December meeting, we went through the affordability scenarios for it was kind of all four projects, >> right? >> Um, you know, and then we ran a a hybrid scenario after that and I think Peter looked at all that and determined that, you know, you could afford these in the various versions of
092this. It just depended on how you wanted to move forward. Um, just as a refresher, >> I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Just as a term of refresher, but I'm sorry. Can you say your question again? >> No, I mean, we couldn't approve tonight some of what we're doing without having a financial audit approved. So, I was just wondering if you had dates in target dates in January, February, March, April, >> when to go out to uh when you want to price that. >> So, I think the plan is you are going to approve your audit at the meeting later this month. I think it was the 27th right. >> Um, we are in the process of refinancing the 2018 AMBs. That's going to happen next week. So, next week we're going to be able to
093report back to you that we saved x amount of dollars by refinancing that debt. Okay? That number should be good, but give us one more week and we'll have the final answer for you. Once we complete that and we settle that transaction, um you have this project and then you have another refinancing which is later this summer. The plan was is to pair this project with that refinancing which would happen I think it was you know June kind of a June time frame. So we'll kind of get the refinancing done that you have before you next week. Then you'll continue to approve things and move forward with what projects you want and then we'll gear up for the second round of of financing which would be you know later this kind of early summer. >>
094So when do we lock in rates? I'm just trying to put that >> it'll be miday early June for that piece for the next piece and and rates have been you know trending lower recently. So one that's why we think the refinancing will look you know even better than what you saw in December. Um, and two, you know, I don't know whether it'll be in in May or June, but if they kind of continue to be flat or, you know, dip a little bit lower, it should be good results. >> Can we make a move sooner if the rates if there's a some kind of fluctuation in the market where the market turns around like a we go to war or something like that and the market? >> Yeah. So, if there's a sudden drop
095in rates, we can move quicker. >> Well, I I think it's pretty certain. Well, I mean to Peter's point, yeah, the the bad news is typically good for interest rates. >> No, if something something happens where we need to go even Peter, you're right. Bombs away. >> Yeah, they they I mean Eric class over there, but he doesn't know. >> I'm not the other. >> Oh, no. It's So, there's a lot of things that can happen externally that we can't control that'll impact uh uh rates >> and we're we're in a good position that we'll be ready to go. The the last thing that we need to do on this project is we will have to come back for another debt resolution, >> right? So, we need to do that. We can get that on
096the calendar. >> We'll figure out the kindergarten center piece to >> once you tell us exactly what you want to do. Then we can target the board meeting after that with what the debt resolution will be. The to your question, Peter, if we if something happens and rates drop significantly and we say let's go do this sooner, you know, we can try to do that a little bit sooner. We can't do the refinancing earlier than May though because there's a legal date in which we have to wait until we can do that. So in that scenario where rates suddenly drop and we try to quickly go price the the the new bonds for the project, we can do that. But then in order to take advantage of the refinancing savings, we'd be coming back, you
097know, at a later time later that, you know, in the summer. >> So when you're looking at the ratings report that we got, it's likely that we'll be double A. Is it fair to say maybe into the 2030s or is that I I mean I don't know how many much more borrowing we're going to do and that certainly is a plus for us. It doesn't seem to be a lot of schools where we're at in terms of the rating. So couple things there. So yes, you have a very good rating. Um the last rating report read similar to the rating report last year which said there were certain things that could make the rating go up and certain things that could make the rating go down. Right now the rating agencies know about this plan.
098They know that you have approximately about, you know, 80, what is it, $88 million left to do the HVAC plans. Okay, that's kind of built into what their thought process is at the moment. Now, what what could make them change their mind even though they know that you have this plan in front of you is if you know you spend a significant amount of your cash reserves or you decide not to increase taxes in order to, you know, pay the new debt service on these bonds once they're issued. Those are kind of >> or decide not to increase taxes. >> Correct. >> Right. So basically that would not in terms of credit rating that would not help. Okay. >> Right. Yeah. They they want you to raise taxes. The rating agencies. >> Well, they should
099move to the area. >> Yeah. That's not necessarily what you know you need to do what you need to do to run the district, but from their standpoint, they want to see you maintain or build reserves and they want to see you increase taxes. >> That's not a winning platform if you're running for >> It is not. And just so we're clear, um these two projects that we're mentioning here for Paxonian EH Phillips, they are projects three and four of six um that we started a couple years ago. The first two were completed. These are three and four. Um it still leaves North Side and uh Linglestown. >> Yep. Just a I like to put a caveat of this number means is it's not just putting air conditioning units and everybody's like why can't you
100just get like window units things like that to do this to do it properly is you have to you're gutting a lot of stuff and so people at Chambers Hill and Mountain View they saw that a lot of construction new flooring new walls you know paint lighting wiring you know put in all the duck work stuff like that so >> yeah there's a lot of stuff you have to do to get there so that price looks ridiculous and the first time I saw it I said you're crazy and and we realized that it's actually that's kind of the cost of putting those things in there. So, this is just a normal what it takes to to add these to these projects. >> And these projects would be completed in the summer before next school year.
101>> When you think of the cost of what we paid for West Hanover, um compared to what we're paying now for the HVAC, I think prices have gone up. And I don't think it's because only the tariffs as one person testified here before. Yeah, I think it's a that unfortunately everybody's kicked the can down the road and the more we kick it down the road, the more more it's going to cost the district. So getting this done is right for our students and our staff, but also really financially for the district. >> And to Mr. Jacob's point, just for the public, you know, we have been planning this financing plan. This goes back to, you know, sometime in mid 23, I think, at least, uh, if not before that. >> Yep. Again, this is a
102first read for tonight. This item will appear on the January 27th board meeting for approval. Any other questions, comments? >> Well, we have some other folks there. Do you guys want to say anything or just eye candy? >> Exactly. >> All right. Thanks. >> Moving on to item 8.18, abatement projects. Mr. Turman, >> the administration is recommending approval of the following abatement projects to eliminate construction solutions under the co-stars cooperative purching agreement. These items were reviewed at the December 16th, 2025 building and grounds committee meeting. This item will appear on the January 27, 2026 board agenda for approval. Northside Elementary Abatement Project for a total cost of $282,882. Linglestown Elementary School abatement project for a total cost of $129,898. >> Questions. >> Moving on to item 8.19, playground replacements. Mr. Chairman, >> the administration recommending
103approval of the following playground playground replacements to MRC game time under the co-stars cooperative purchasing agreement. These items were discussed at the December 16th, 2025 billing and grounds committee meeting. These items will appear on the January 27th, 2026 board agenda for approval. Paxonia Elementary playground equipment replacement for a total cost of $194,56181. TriC Elementary playground equipment replacement for a total cost of 93 thou 93,8131. >> And Howard, just to be clear so people don't look at why one is double the cost, um the Paxonia is actually two playground sets. Correct. >> Correct. >> Doesn't TRIC have two playgrounds as well? >> They do. Um the one is still supported, so we can still get parts for it. We're replacing playgrounds that have no support. Okay. >> So, if a slide or something goes down or
104a platform busts through, we can't get parts. >> Okay. >> Continuing new business new business item 8.20 demolition. Mr. Chairman, >> the administration recommending approval of the following demolition of the following structures to eliminate construction solutions under the co-stars cooperative purchasing agreement. These items were reviewed at the December 16th, 2025 building and grounds committee meeting. This item will appear on the January 27th, 2026 board agenda for approval. Central Dolphin High Farmhouse for a total of $19,215. The sale building for a total cost of $145,700. >> With that, Howard, can you still get me that information on the farmhouse because I want to see if West Handover Fire is able to help us with that? >> Yeah, one of the commissioners, I believe, uh, Deb Carl had reached out. Um, I gave my contact information to
105them. the chief of police or the chief of fire. Somebody was supposed to reach out to me and have >> I think they just elected somebody there. So, if you don't mind sending me an email with the information, I'll reach out to them tomorrow. >> And then what about the Satara Township location for Rutherford? Do we reach out to the respective fire department? >> Too close to houses. >> Yeah, that it's pretty much a it's a block building. You're not going to be >> It's like smack dab in the middle of the neighborhood. >> Yeah. >> Like houses catch on fire there. >> I don't know. Well, I was just I was thinking the same thing, but I'm thinking of where it's located. >> I'm thinking of a structure in Linglestown that had a controlled
106burn that was six feet from the house next door. But, you know, >> yeah, honestly, if you go and look at the building, it's all pretty much cinder block construction with a roof. >> Either way, definitely for the West handover because that's a salty price tag to have nothing to show at the end other than a big >> flat at the end. >> Yeah, but that's still got to be a lot less than uh >> West Hover's done it before. I mean I it seems that because I was thinking the same thing. The distance is what I I thought >> I mean that's a very big distance from pretty much anything. >> I think I think that price also includes uh asphalt and everything after. So it's not just going to be like a hole
107in the ground >> at the at the sale building it does. So um we're uh the basketball court area from that's in front of the sale building will be continued where the sale building is pretty much all the way up to the softball field for additional bus parking. So there's asphalt going in, there's fencing going in as a part of that quote as well. So there won't be a big hole there. It'll be a safe spot just like CD high. CD high will bring in top soil. It'll be planted and and in a grassy area. >> I think we have to when they built the school if I remember the some somebody scraped off the top soil and >> Oh yeah, they did. >> Yeah. Oh yeah. Yeah. >> The condition of the soil was
108primitive. >> Farmland. >> Yeah. All right. Item 8.21, replacement of PA intercom system. Mr. Chairman, >> the administration recommending approval of the recommending the approval of the replacement of the PA intercom system at Central Dolphin Middle School to SEMR Technology in the amount of $85,683.72 under the Co-Stars cooperative pursing agreement. These items were reviewed at December 16th, 2025 building and grounds committee meeting. This item will appear on the January 27th, 2026 board agenda for approval. >> I just have one comment, Howard. How's the one going at tax? >> And no problems. >> No problem. Solved over Christmas break. Um, and that's my knowledge. Uh, they were trained, the staff there was trained the day they came back and and everything's running >> good. >> Thank you. Okay. >> And I know there were conversations during
109buildings and grounds. Um I think Miss Webster raised them about um East High School's intercom system. Are we good on that? >> Yeah. And and it's still supported so we can still get parts as stuff is breaking down. It is an old older system but it's still supported. So we're working through that and it has it'll be on the um invite everybody to come to buildings and grounds. It'll be on the capital projects list for the summer of 2027. >> What a sale job. Nice job. >> Yeah. Good job, man. >> What I do? >> Great marketing. >> Um item 8.22. 22 first reading of board policy. Mr. Chairman, >> the administration recommending approval of the first reading of the board policy 209.2 Ford allergy management. And this item was reviewed at the December 9th,
1102025 policy committee meeting. This item will loop here on the January 27th, 2026 board agenda for approval. Uh we had a little bit of a situation at one of the schools in terms of a peanut allergy. Once this is approved, uh Mrs. live. We'll be definitely working on a communication plan to make sure that all schools, PTAs, uh parents know what the policy is. >> This came from a member of the public that alerted us that. So, we love the feedback and we we're always looking for input, things we can do better. So, we love uh communication. I think the board does a great job of acting on those kind of things. So, feel free to reach out with things like that and we'll always take a look at it. >> Item 8.23, approval of
111contract for professional services. Mr. Chairman, >> the administration is recommending approval of the contract for professional services with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, PSBA, for a policy guide subscription for a one year at a cost of $4,200. This item was reviewed at the December 9th, 2025 policy committee meeting. This item will appear on the January 27th, 2026 board agenda for approval. Um when the policy committee um team met, the policy committee met with the administrative team, uh we thought that this was the most cost-effective option for us to go through and to start the process of updating uh the many policies right now that we have that are definitely out of date. >> But this is it's not a membership. This is just for >> just for the correct >> if we wanted to separate
112out, we could still preserve that option. >> Yes. Yes. I >> mean it's not many. It's a lot. >> It's a lot. It's over 100 at this point. >> Yeah. >> That we need to update. >> A lot to go through. Very outdated. >> Yes. >> More than one or two or three people could manage on their own. >> It's going to take a team to get through all of those. >> So, we need the help. >> Item 8.24, public speakers for non-aggenda items. This is the second of two opportunities for the public to address the board. As indicated for non-aggenda items, we have no one signed up to speak. Moving on to item 8.25, board representative reports. Are there any? >> I think we have some spots to fill. >> We have some vacancies.
113Um I guess I'll give a quick report on that. So upon accepting the resignations this evening, um we have started a 30-day clock uh by which the board must uh appoint and if we fail to do so within the 30-day window, um it goes to the courts uh to fill the position. And so it is the intention of the board in uh the first half of February before February 13th um to hold a meeting where we will interview for uh interview applicants for both vacancies and make a decision all conducted at a public meeting. There will be an advertisements that's placed tomorrow uh both on the district website as well as through pen live advertising both vacancies with uh uh both regions uh highlighted in their municipalities. Individuals must reside in region one and region
114two to apply for the vacancies. Any other board representative reports? Board committee reports. Are there any? >> Uh we have a meeting I think for tomorrow 4:30 here. >> Yes, sir. >> For finance. So get here early before the seats are taken. >> Any other board committee reports? Do I'm just asking do we have a schedule for all the other committees for the new year. >> Don't have a personnel chair right now. So that will need to be taken care of first. >> Right. I was trying to Yeah, we'll wait until we fill the vacancies and then >> we have buildings and grounds. We have curriculum. We have >> I mean if there's a if there's obviously a >> if there's an issue that needs uh committee meeting attention, we can certainly scramble and pull
115together. Okay. >> So nothing's scheduled yet. Item 8.27, sympathy resolutions. Mr. Chairman, >> sympathies are extended to the family of Carl Wagner, former teacher and coach, on his passing. Sympathies are extended to the family of Donald Steinmeer, former teacher, guidance counselor, and coach, on his passing. Sympathies are extended to the family of Mary Louch, former Central Dolphin East High School secretary, on her passing. Sympathies are extended to the family of Brenda. Brenda Brooker, retired Central Dolphin East Middle School secretary on the passing of her mother-in-law, Grace Brooker. Wanted to do for people watching acknowledge the contributions of Mr. Wagner and Mr. Steinmeer. I think Stein, he was here forever. So, I'm sorry to hear the passing, but they were a great part of Central Dolph and Fabric. >> Had the opportunity to serve with Mr.
116Steinmeire on the west handover township board of supervisors. Um great man, great community, very devoted did a great job. >> Item 901 adjournment. I have a motion. Is there a second? Second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. getting a journey.