001rise 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. Thank you. Okay. Item 2.03, approval to adopt the agenda for this evening. Motion and second, please. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Dr. Diller, second by Mr. Walker. Any questions, discussions, additions, requested deletions to the agenda. Okay. Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. Oppose. Eyes have it and so move. Board announcements, recognitions, and reports. Looks like we're going to have fun tonight before we do our boring reports. Mr. Bigger. >> Yes, we are. >> 3.01. >> Okay. So, uh, if you remember last year, we had someone here with, um, 45 years of experience, uh, working for
002the school district. And so, yeah, that'd be great. Thank you. Uh, we started Years of Service Awards last year and we're continuing that. We had our opening day in service yesterday. We honored those uh new to the district. 10 years of service, uh they receive a canvas of their school they're in. 20 years of service, they get a blanket. Uh 30 years of service, they get their name out here in the admin building on a brick. And then, uh we kind of stopped there, but last year we thought was an anomaly with someone with 45 years of experience, but yet here we are with someone else with 45 years of experience that didn't want to come yesterday in front of all the staff, but was willing to come here. So, thank you for coming here.
003And I want to recognize this person today. And then there's people here to speak about her. That's Sue Bumble. 45 years bus driver experience in the Chambersburg School. [Applause] And I know there's here people here to talk about her, too. So, Craig, why don't you come on up a little bit? I wonder how many miles uh Sue has driven in 45 years. Do you have any you have any mileage numbers on your bus? >> No. >> I'm sure you could. So, come on up if you would please. Um, while she's coming up, we have a permanent um um dedication to her that will hang in our lobby next to the other person and that will stay there for eternity. And this is all about Sue. >> Wow. Here, hold on. [Applause] So, we're going to
004embarrass you a little bit. So, come on. Let's get pictures on one hand. >> We got this other [Applause] done yet. They have stuff to say about you. >> I don't know. It might just be me. Uh there's other people here. >> Oh, that's good. Then >> can I may I sit down? >> No. >> I probably don't. So when when we were asked, I think Sue had corrected me. I think it's more than actually 45 years. >> Oh, okay. >> I think it's close to 47 years because of some substitute things like that and stuff that she has done early >> before we had records. That >> there you go. You know, it is truly an honor. Uh, you know, for somebody who's been here and dedicated their life basically to education, to transporting
005students. You know, there's over four generations that she has transported safely uh year after year, ice, rain, snow, sleep, she's always been there. She's been a constant presence in the department. I've only worked with her for almost seven years now. But there's other people here that have worked with her for many, many more years than I. Um, you know, Sue didn't want to do it yesterday. She really didn't want to do it today. She's going to be mad at me for this. Um, that's okay. She'll get over it. Uh, but I think >> you're going to finish the year out, right? You're going to finish the year out. >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. You know, I think the biggest thing is that for somebody who doesn't feel that she deserves it is exactly why she
006deserves this honor. Uh, you know, 45 years being the constant presence in children's life. You know, we're the first ones to see the kids, the last ones to see the kids. Sue always has a smile on her face every day, regardless whether we do or not. Um, and the kids love her. She loves the kids. She knows all the kids. Uh there's sometimes she tries to give me directions that I don't understand. Um you know, she's old school to where turn at this tree, turn at this rock. I noticed her. So, but but Sue has been great in our department. Uh the kids love her, the families love her. uh she's the perfect really employee for us, perfect bus driver, and you know, we're very lucky to have her. So, if anybody else wants to
007say anything, I don't know who's all here, but >> anybody else? >> Put people on the spot. >> You've been on the same route the whole time. >> Yeah, basically >> the same route. >> So, the kids, the parents, the grandparents, she's transport. And do you prefer >> I had your father and I had all >> what what route? >> What route? >> Oh, what area? >> Fine spring road that I picked up the numbers right when you turn there. >> Okay. >> She basically runs Fadville Elementary >> and out in that area. >> So, >> and do you prefer the stick shift bus or do you like the new one? >> Oh, I love the new ones. >> You love new. Okay. >> Listen, I have a story to tell you. Okay. >> First
008year I go to school road >> and it was bitter bitter all at that point. >> I don't need that credit. It was so cold and just when I went to push that clutch in change that gear the clutch fell out and it fell to the floor. Poor Jeff had to come out and lay him on the road to get that. >> Oh my goodness. First year No, it was it was a cold winter. No, that was the third third winter. >> And no that year I got >> no ever accident. You're perfect, right? >> Yeah. Good. >> Well, our last 45 year uh service winner uh just retired, so we hope you keep going. >> No, I'm going to go finish out. >> Okay. All right. >> No, no. Yeah. Yeah, >> congratulations to
009you. We appreciate you. [Applause] Well, to follow that up, which I don't think we can do, but we're going to try, we have Megan from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association here to recognize our school district. So, Megan, could you come up, please? stuff there. >> Thank you again. My name is Megan Oric. I'm the chief membership officer with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and I'm pleased to be here on behalf of PSBA, our governing board, staff, and the entire association to celebrate Chambersburg Area School District as a great Pennsylvania school. This honor recognizes schools that demonstrate their commitment to academic rigor, community, resilience, and financial health. We applaud you for your dedication in all of these areas. Your students are both successful and challenged by your district's curriculum, which drives student engagement. Your innovative school
010programming, plus a variety of honors and awards, like we just witnessed from Sarah. Congratulations. Um, celebrate student success while fostering a sense of belonging and connection to the school community. The robust extracurricular activities that are offered in your district help your students develop into well-rounded individuals. Your district demonstrates the importance of caring for students holistically through emergency preparedness and mental health support while offering these many benefits for your students. You remain grounded in financial health through budget development, financial audits, and bid requirements. This achievement is an opportunity for Chambersburg to promote public education excellence within your community. Congratulations once again and thank you for allowing me to be a part of such an important milestone at your school district. Today I brought with me a box of swag. We got t-shirts, bumper stickers, pins, all
011kinds of goodies for everyone to share um to help you continue the celebration in the coming days, weeks, and months ahead. But now, I'd like to take the opportunity to take a quick photo with a banner that I brought um to honor your district that you can hang in a location of your choosing within your district um so that everyone that passes by will know that you guys are a great Pennsylvania school. >> So, me board members, could you come out front? Yep. Mhm. >> And we have a spot. By the way, remember I said you're writing anything came to visit. He said, "I watched your board meeting. You need something back there." So go right between the flags. >> Okay. on three. One, two, three. Couple more. One more. On three. One, two, three.
012Yes, absolutely. >> Thank you, Megan. Appreciate >> it. I had no idea. >> I just happened to be in a no way of knowing. Hey, >> that's a really nice show of support. >> It's wonderful. All the people she's had to start [Music] Well, Mr. Bigger, we have a tough act to follow. >> We do. >> You good to go first? >> I do. Thank you. Um, I'm not one to necessarily always highlight or try to brag about the Chambersburg School District, but I thought after tonight, I might as well continue the bragging a little bit. So, um, a little bit looking back, uh, Chambersburg School District did receive the infrastructure grant, um, to help with the roof costs at Scotland and Fateville Elementary School. Uh, that was about a million dollars. In addition, we
013got the solar grants for both those schools as well at $400,000 each or 40% of the cost of the project. So, I want to thank the facilities director and the business office for writing those grants and actively seeking those. That can be almost $2 million savings to the district. We did receive the great schools designation. Um, I put that out there to our team. We all uh put some information in. Bev Lang did a lot of the heavy lifting to get the application complete. We all edited it and we were very thankful we received the great school's designation and that was a broad look at our school district. You had to meet certain requirements and we met every one of them. So congratulations to the school district. Uh food service served 20,000 meals this summer
014that exceeded their summer meals typically around 16 to 18,000. So they were happy to increase participation. Uh summer school pass rates went up to 89%. And if you remember, we used to pay for summer school. This past summer, we did not. So, we did see an increase in pass rates. We had less participation, but better return pass rates. Uh about 125 students in extended school year in the summer and a STEM camp that served over 50 students. Um another highlight, the special education audit, which the team and everybody is very proud of. uh when you say we got did a good audit or or uh achieved that they had 929 files pulled and were compliant in 921. That's a 99% compliance rate and in special education that's about impossible to do. So we're very proud
015of the special education department and all the administrators for the work to get to that rating. That's not easily done. That's a lot of work and effort. Um the downtown center, the CEC center, um is seeing about a hundred appointments a month. Uh don't don't go down now. Please don't go down tomorrow. Everybody's trying to register last minute, but that program and that building has certainly uh exceeded expectations on what we thought it would do. Very proud of that center. Year two of Kickstart to ease students into kindergarten is happening this year and we continue to get great reviews from parents on the transition to kindergarten. Uh we saw about a $400,000 reduction in our legal bills last year and that's thanks to everybody working together to solve problems rather than just fighting and arguing
016sometimes over legal issues. There was a 40% reduction in cashless disciplinary incidents. um last year partly because of the program at the end of the hallway we call it here that BSBCA grant I believe that Kurt wrote um to bring three programs at the end of the hallway was a big part of that plus smart pass and just a lot of effort in the high school to reduce behavior incidents. Um I could go on and on and on. Um and I'm going to stop there. Uh I think the next couple board meetings we'll have an academic performance report and some other data that we're seeing is positive but we also have some certainly some data with some concerns as well. But let's keep the momentum moving forward and let's keep the excitement. End of report.
017>> Thank you, Mr. Bigger. Um 3.04 president's report. Uh as was mentioned last week or two weeks ago, uh tomorrow is the uh test bus run. Uh so um just folks know that I think is a great thing. Great segue with uh Mrs. Boomball here tonight to as we recognized her. But my public service announcement to everyone is uh yes, this is a practice run Wednesday, but soon the buses are going to be full of our students. So, uh you know, don't get used to the past three months on your way to work that you didn't have to stop for a bus because now you're going to have to. So, think about it, be cautious, be cognizant, and if you have to, just simply leave early. Give yourself some extra time. Um, other item want
018to talk about this evening is is finances again and finances in regards to schools of distinction by 2030. Uh, to the board whenever we get to the end in for u our new business. Um, one item I want to bring up with the board then is talk about this uh how we brand this rascal maybe a little better. Uh, I know I've been mentioning that a lot. We'll talk about that some more. But um I've often referenced the presentation by Mr. Fry back in the April uh committee of the whole meeting. Uh there will be a new presentation updated presentation I should say not new updated presentation next month on uh the financing end of schools of distinction. For the past several months it's been a very intentional scheduled approach as we roll out more
019and more of what these projects look like. If you think back six months ago, we were really talking about two buildings. It's always been three buildings. Uh what I liked best about last uh I keep saying last week, last board meeting was, you know, on the the view of the campus out on Route 11 North, you would see you could see those two buildings and then there's still one more building. Uh the number I keep throwing around is 240 million. I hope and pray it doesn't go over that and we would all love if it's under that. But the other segue is Megan was here from PSBA when you know as chamber of school district got recognized thinking well really you know that's our students and that teach and teachers it's not necessarily the board
020okay we're just a component of that but she mentioned about our financial uh position now that does go directly to the board and the administration that that we can maintain a financial position you've heard it from uh Mr. Fry and his team, I'm sure we'll probably hear it next month, uh, that our financial position helps us with these bond ratings. But down to some numbers right now, as we sit here today, Chainsburg School District pays 11.7 million with an M per year in debt service. By the time we are done with these buildings, it is going to be over 26 million per year. This was based on again the April numbers which included a $200 million bought ring. Think about the math and what I just said. That's $40 million short of what we hope
021the top number is. Maybe it comes in at 200 million. Then we're really happy. But anyway, between now and when we finish the borrowing just for these three buildings, our debt annual debt service is going to more than double. That 11.7 million has gone over 26 million or 15 million more than what it currently is. That's only five years away. And how do you raise $15 million in annual additional expense in five years? There's a lot more to be done with this board financially. Uh Mr. Walker has mentioned it and thank you Lance about he had said about you know my idea about when we started this 1% well it wasn't Ed Norcross's idea Bill Leonards was right with me with on this and I continue to reference recognize Bill for that at when we
022started this now the good news is we did start early the other good news is I think the numbers are going to look better here next month and as Chris and I were just talking about it earlier this evening There was a bit of a fallacy in those numbers of how we uh account for the previous 3 years of 1% when we didn't have this new debt service. So that's going to help us and hopefully offset any of this 40 million more. But um it's a lot. The other error I made and I made it last week. I said the the tax increase in some subsequent years is over 2%. That was wrong. It was 1 and a half 1.6 6% it's 2.2 mills. Just another simple math for you. 1 mil is around 800,000.
023However, 1% is not 1 mil. We're at 1.33 now or 135 136 tax rate. So 1% tax increase gives the district about 1 million a year. I think we're going to see next month or maybe need eight million more to go. So, eight million over the next five years. Do the math. One and a half% per year. And hopefully we find some other things. The other thing we have to be cognizant of and last meeting I mentioned uh a friend who remains anonymous. this meeting I'm going to rep I'm going to mention another friend who doesn't have to remain anonymous because I think he's a friend to Chambersburg school district and that's a late Carl Barton. Uh my friend Carl was a very uh good mentor for me when I was a new school board
024member and Carl was uh you know the seasoned school board member and I would often ask Carl questions and he would always provide me a very those of you who know Carl Carl a very thorough detailed history explanation. So, um, you know, and one story Carl shared with me one time, this would have been in the early 2000s when there were grant monies coming. I'm going to segue back to something Chris said about the program at the end of the hallway that Mr. Woodman helped us get the grant for. Well, in the late early 2000s, there was additional grant monies coming on, and that was great, and everyone was happy. We'll always take free money. But what was happening with these grants, the annual money was being taken away. So it was almost it wasn't
025neutral. It was still a little bit of a gain. However, once the grants dried up, now it was a double whammy. The annual amount had gone down and the grants went away. And that was some tough times in the mid mid early 2000s for for everyone. Uh we talked about adequacy funding which is part of helping us with this schools of distinction and a lot of other things we're doing around here. One thing that we're going to end up losing here soon is federal title one grant money. Right? I'm sure there's no one at this table or no one in this room who's interested in cutting those programs. So we just have to find a way to continue to fund them. Well, we have this great thing called adequacy funding, which is great, but now
026without Title One, that backs down a little bit. The grant for the program at the end of the hallway, I don't know when that goes away. Any idea? >> End of this year. You know, as Chris mentioned, it's been a great program. You know, he recognized it. I doubt if anyone at this table or anyone in this room is interested in ending that program. So for every new dollar we get, whether that's a tax increase or adequacy funding, there's always something else maybe going away that has to offset it. So that's a long lecture on finances, but that was my Carl Barton story with uh it's great to get the money, but always be careful of what you're also keep your perspective of what's going away. So with that, I do have um part of
027my report I was supposed to send to Tammy related to finances. So, if we could go to her first before the next item, that'd be great. Ed, >> before Okay, >> before the the director reports and assistant superintendent. >> Okay, >> I'll be real quick. I promise. Um this is just a little bit of a financial update um on the cash balances. Uh when we ended the year, as all of you know, or most of you do know, um we acrew for two months. So, basically the end of June is not the end of June until the end of August. Uh but things did look good on a cash basis at the end of June. Um, just to put it in perspective, at the end of June in 2024, all of our funds, that includes
028the general fund, the cap reserve, every fund that we had, we had just a little over uh 72 million in the funds at that point in time. At the end of June in 2025, we had just under 81 million. So, it's showing us that more than likely we're going to increase the fund balance. Um this growth is primarily driven by um a significant increase in the cap reserve. That fund went from 9.5 million to 6 point 16.7 million and again you'll recall we had some inter fund transfers that we did in June and then also the introduction of the new debt service fund which had a balance of $6.8 million. We're currently in the middle of the financial audit for 2425 with the auditors have completing most of the small funds. They'll start working on
029the general fund probably here in um the end of August, beginning of September. Uh in terms of the real estate taxes, it's I'm happy to report that we have started to receive some taxes, especially with the state money not coming in at this point in time. We've collected uh just around $18.5 million as of August 12th of 25. And that's of the $89.9 million budget that we have for real estate taxes. Um also happy to report that it looks like we are going to hit our earned income tax number. If not we'll be very close. Um to date we have collected 21 22.1 million or 90% of the 2425 budget and that number goes through the end of September that we have to acrew that money back. Uh as you know that we have not
030uh received the state has not passed a budget so we have not received any subsidies this current year. And just to give you an a a kind of perspective of the impact of that, um, as of July of 24, our general fund balance was $56.1 million. Of July, end of July of 25, that was down to $50.6 million. So, a reduction of about $5.5 million in the cash balance, and that represents about an $18,000 loss of interest income. So, the longer the state withholds funds for us, we're going to see those cash balance kind of inverting and starting to go down. So, we're we're watching that. Right now, we're in a good position, uh, but should it go on to, I think the one year it was November, we might have to start talking about
031some other things. Um, and I did want the board to to know that, um, due to the state not passing the budget, uh, we have made a decision not to pay the cyber charter payments um, until the state passes that budget. And this will help us minimize the impact of the interest income loss. >> Right. Back on track. >> All right. 4.01. Do you want to kick that off, Mr. Baker? >> I think Kurt, you you're going to start and then the directors have some back to school updates. >> Yes. So, good evening. In just a few minutes, our directors will be giving you a school opening report on their divisions. This year will be a very busy year for presentations, board updates, and board decisions. We will be working on the following large items
032where we will be looking for board input, support, and eventual uh votes and approvals. So, number one, schools of distinction. We're going to begin work on the systems timeline and eventual plans by each building leadership team that will be presented for approval. We will be working on a new graduation policy. We will be working on an updated graduation policy that will support all pathways to post-secary school careers. CMS 2.0 know we'll be working on our own version of Ignite and designing colleges using CMS as the location. Our next step is to take a team of teachers to Kentucky as we define, plan, and start to design our own colleges and build our own program. Number four, reading by third grade policy. It has become evident that we need to create a reading by third grade
033policy. We'll be working with our CSD team on delivering a policy that supports every student reading by the end of third grade. And the the large uh last large item CSD programming or if you've heard numerous times modernizing our curriculum. We'll be working on programming for our new 4 to 6 building and our new 7 to8 building. With that, I'm going to turn it over to our directors for their division reports. We will start off with the elementary division. >> Good evening everyone. Dur Nelson, director of early childhood education. Uh the elementary team has had a busy and productive summer. Specifically, elementary principles working in new buildings have had time to learn about their schools, staff, and students. Some teachers and staff were even able to come in over the summer to to get a
034head start. Uh we all were talking about and we'd like to say thanks to the B&G crew. They've worked hard this summer to get the schools ready for the kids to come back Thursday and our staff to come back this past Monday. The buildings look incredible. Uh we started our hiring process in February. Uh we spoke about that at one of our previous board meetings. It went really well. We have a couple of openings still and we're interviewing candidates currently. If you reference the enrollment report, you'll see we have over 4,200 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Of that number, and these numbers fluctuate daily. So, of that number, 224 do not attend their home zone school due to using a babysitter. 134 do not attend their home zone school due to using specialized instruction
035needs. Uh 41 students are oversubscribed. So, let's talk a little bit about overs subscription. Overs subscription occurs when there are too many students for a specific grade level. So what we do to help us determine when students are overs subscribed is we have soft caps for each grade level. For example, Marian Elementary out of their six grade levels, five of them are capped. That's basically due to construction that's going on there. So we have a large influx of students in those in Marian specifically. We feel that moving to the new K through three elementary school configuration will really help us with the over subscription numbers that we have. And finally, open house nights. They're kicked off. A couple were last week, some yesterday, some going on right now. Kids are in the schools with their
036parents are very excited. They love this time of year. They're very happy and ready to get back to school starting Thursday. Sometimes the parents more so than the students, but everybody will be there Thursday and it'll be a great day. So, now we'll hear from Melissa Kastoff. I talked to a very large group yesterday and this one makes me more nervous than that did. All right, first time at the mic. Uh Melissa Cashdoll, director of middle level, grades four to eight, uh try to recap a super busy month since we've been on the job. Our middle school teams have been working collaboratively with technology and they have been preparing brand new devices, brand new Chromebooks, so they've all been inventoried and labeled. They're ready to go. Um the middle level also created faculty and staff
037and student expectations for use. So faculty and staff received those and students will get those within the first 2 to three days of school. Huge thank you to the technology department. That's a lot to divvy that out, prep those, get those to the buildings way before opening day. So big thank you to them. We appreciate their help. Um, did you know that middle schools handsched all students? So, the computer doesn't do it. So, we've spent a long time this summer doing that. Home rooms were provided yesterday, Monday, August 18th, uh, prior to self-guided tours. Those took place in both buildings last evening. So, students and families have a chance to get their home room ahead of time. Um this is a huge event in the building and historically it draws the largest crowd of the
038year um for the middle level. So students and families travel to both buildings. They were open last evening. There isn't a formal talk or presentation. Um they're allowed to kind of find their way through the building, find the cafeteria, the bus ramp, your home room, your team area. It's kind of a last chance effort behind the scenes to find your way, ease the nerves, and just help those kiddos remember if I get off the bus, the only place I have to remember to go that first day is home room. So, we had self-guided tours last night. Huge crowds of people. Um, even our returning students go to self-guided tours, believe it or not. They love to kind of meet up with friends and kick off the year even before the first day of school. So,
039we have printed schedules. Our students receive their schedules. all students in grades six through eight the first day of school and parents are reminded that you can also access the schedule that's Thursday morning log on to Sapphire portal and those schedules go live for parents that morning um and their student their child is getting a paper schedule uh in school that day our new student orientations were last week on August 12th and 13th again large crowds of very nervous students and families but they were well attended super proud particularly proud of our students, they lead group tours. Um, so they volunteer. So, a thank you to students and our faculty who volunteer. It's still their summer. Um, our collective effort made it successful. So, professional development often running this year. We welcome back teachers yesterday.
040Faculty and staff at both middle schools started the week in a unified joint meeting. Um, this has not happened since before CO. So, it was a really big adventure to kind of unify our kickoff to the year. Our admin team's excited to see the plans for reconfiguration. So, we're talking a lot about this. Um, the new 4 to6 building, the new 7 to8 building, we have to lean in and kind of rely on the creativity and input from teachers, faculty, and staff. Um, and we're going to work really hard to build that one Trojan community that everyone's talking about. We are excitedly prepared to welcome over 2200 6th through 8th graders at Cam's North and South. The doors will open Thursday morning and we're proud to announce that we will be ready to greet the
041classes of 2030, 2031, and 2032. So, Thursday morning awaits. Um, and I'll turn it over to Mrs. Deborah Luffy. Good evening everyone. I'm Deborah Luffy, the director of 9 through12 education. Um, we actually started our preparation for the school year over the summer with our students coming into caches for summer workouts, strength and conditioning trainings and offseason practices. At the end of July, our Trojan band started their fall marching show which was called One Giant Leap. So hopefully you'll be able to get a sneak peek of that Friday night if you come to the home opener. The start of August began with our all all of our other athletes returning for heat acclamation and our pre-season practices. We had over almost 400 students trying out for a fall sports team. So that is a great
042turnout for our students. Career Magnet School had their open house last week um where students and families could visit the classrooms and also meet the teachers. There were over 500 family members and students attending that um complete with high fives and food trucks. So, it was a grand event. At Cashas, our freshman academy is ready to be reintroduced so that every ninth grader is assigned to a team. And the purpose of that is to make sure that our high school provides a smaller school setting for our students and eases the transition for them from the middle school to the high school. The ninth grade teams consist of an English teacher, math teacher, science teacher, and social studies teacher that will be assigned to a group of students. And they will meet regularly to discuss the
043students progress, review data, and then also plan cross-curricular projects for those groups of students. Um, our nth grade orientation, which is tomorrow, and we'll be using the buses that are being sent around the district to pick up our ninth graders and bring them to the high school for a full day of fun. Um, but they will be there under the direction of Mr. McNe who is our ninth grade assistant principal and link leaders who are student leaders who much like at the middle school did tours at the high school. They're actually going to be doing some link lessons and getting the students acclimated to the high school. So, we're excited for that tomorrow. Obviously, administration at both votings have been busy over the summer planning for um meaningful professional development activities ranging from artificial intelligence
044sessions to block scheduling sessions, safety sessions, and schooly as well. Cashes will have their open house um September 9th and they'll be using a block party format which I'm excited to see because that's something new. We did not have that here when I was here several years ago. And obviously our big thing for this week is the students returning on Thursday. We're looking forward to providing meaningful um experiences for our students both at caches and at the career magnet school. And finally, the directors, we are all very excited for the opportunity that we will have in October to share with you the board our findings and um how we plan on developing our entry plans and carrying out the next steps. Thank you very much. questions. >> Board members, questions for directors or Mr. Bigger.
045>> Uh, yes, if I may, I have a question. Um, first clarification. So, uh, Drew, you're going to be responsible for elementary. That's grades one through >> Okay. >> K through three when the new configuration starts. But right now, since we have K through five, I'm still working with fourth and fifth grade in there. We're working with those teachers. >> Okay. Yeah. Thanks for clarifying that. Um, and then I'm not sure whether this question goes then to you, Drew, or Melissa, but I was ready to tee it up for Miss Clever's report or information report on the uh enrollment summary, and I noticed there was one school that was way over the cap on student enrollment. Looked like maybe Guilford Hills. There was a grade level in there that was like maybe 37 students, but
046the cap would be 24 or 25. Is that >> there's no there's no grade level or home room that has 37. The soft cap, we try to stay within one to two of the soft cap and then we start to look at over subscription and students when you get past that number. >> Yeah. Then I'll I take back that question until maybe the report we take a look at. Let me see where I got that number. Were you looking at the middle school? >> That might have been from earlier. It was there. An earlier report had a high number on before we added a a teacher there. >> We moved a teacher from one grade to another grade to bring that down. So nothing uh if you look at the uh information summary, the I
047think the highest class size would be a fifth grade class at 28. Uh but you know, our earlier classes soft caps were like 22 for kindergarten. we stay pretty close to that. >> Well, you you're answering my question though. Basically, I was wondering what happens when a a class size really exceeds the cap and what measures are taken to kind of mitigate the situation. >> You want me to answer that? >> I think I think >> I think it was a question. >> Okay, I'm good. All right. >> I have a qu I have a question. Why is the middle school student why are middle school students still being handsched? >> It's a process that we followed I think historically and we will look at and and it takes weeks to be honest. It's how
048we spend the time in the summer. Um compiling a data snapshot of all students looking at multiple data points, multiple criteria um and figuring out you know who meets the criteria to be eligible to take algebra in 8th grade. Who should who would we consider to be eligible for advance an advanced science course also in 8th grade? who are our students that are in need of interventions? Um, instead of allowing the computer to look at a class size number and schedule students in there who may or may not be in need of that extra support and would afford them the opportunity to take an additional related art class. Um, we make sure that we look at a student as a data snapshot, what they need to be successful. This includes our special education students who
049are also in need of being scheduled for different courses as extra supports. So, it's a big a big grid, a big puzzle. It's actually the nerd in me kind of finds it intriguing. Um and after doing it for so many years uh we make sure that we balance out we even go to the level of balancing out as best we can class sizes among teams. Higher performing advanced proficient students as well as our students who are basic and below basic and balancing out the teams academically so as to give each teacher a very fair approach to seeing all types of students across the ability spectrum. um as well as just an opportunity to keep class size even across home rooms as well as even boy girl ratio. So it's it takes a tremendous amount if
050you ever get really bored in the middle of the summer and you would like to see it in action. I know the building administrators at the middle school would love to have some company to do that. >> I don't anticipate any boredom. So but um thank you for that explanation. Um and thank you for all that work. >> Yeah, for sure. That is wow, man. In fact, that's great. I think we as a board, we need to hear that note. I also think the public needs to know >> the extent of what what kind of work y'all are doing even in the summertime, right, when the rest of us are doing, whatever we're doing, vacationing and pooling and, you know, whatever. Thank you. Thanks. I'd just like to say that I'm really excited about the
051grade reconfiguration because not only is there over subscription, but there's also under subscription and we don't hear anything about classes that have 15 students in one building versus 26 in another building. That's going to be significantly reduced whenever we have the larger primary schools. Is that not correct, >> Mr. Nelson? >> That's correct. When we uh the new bill, that'll help take some pressure with the redistricting and moving some kids around and looking at those lines in the home zones so we can see where we need to shift so those numbers can come down. >> I just like I just wanted to point out that not only do we have over subscription, but there's also the opposite side of that. >> You guys have to use the mic so the public can hear you. That's
052not here next time. So, it's okay. They're right in front of you. >> Thank you. >> Now, there won't be any questions. >> I forget to turn mine on sometimes, too. So, don't worry. I've been here forever. Other questions? Okay. Item 5.01, uh, privilege of the floor for comment on agenda items. uh one sign in. Uh but as usual, um if you didn't sign in, don't worry. You'll still get an opportunity. Mrs. Jordan, item 7.03, payment of bills. Before I read my impact statement, I recall under Joe Patas Pedassic that we had bond payments, annual bond payments more than $11 million. It's too bad that those uh those uh budgets aren't online right now because I would I would share that information with you. Um and I don't like when people try to scare people
053with money. I've lived through a lot of bonding projects. I'm 73 years old. That's all I'm going to say. I'm going to stay here once those schools are built. I promise you, as God willing, keeps me alive. Money speaks to me as it should to you. So, I went through the bill list you will be approving tonight. I also went through a bill list dated November 15, 2022. Here's what I found. homeless transportation at a cost of 66,492925. Imagine now that 298 homeless students had permanent homes to live in. There would be no need for this expenditure. The school district could hire another teacher at a cost of another teacher with that money. I personally know something about being homeless, too. and you all know it. Amazon again at a cost of $10,6449. I wish
054this school district could find a local vendor who could service the children's needs. Greedy billionaires don't impress me. Barkley, and this goes to your statement about, and I thank you for the legal bills going away because I know they did. Barkley Snider LLP. That's to you superintendent bigger law firm at a cost of $7,93968. No bill forthcoming yet for the engineering architectural firms that was said that you were going to track them. Well, you can track them through the bill list as I will. Wilmington trust for a mandated 2020 bomb payment of $16,698.38. Good news. Lots of local buying at on the bill list that keeps their doors open for business. Lots of trade businesses, plumbing and auto body on the bill list that keeps their door doors open. Now to the business I wish
055I didn't have to say on any school district's bill list. Penn virtual charter school $21,295.17 CEO makes $7929212 a year achievement house cyber charter school $132.17 CEO makes $571,445 a year pen uh leader leader leader leadership >> three minutes, Mrs. Jordan. >> Okay. Well, you're going to get this in email >> and this is all all going to go to our state lawmakers because I have another paragraph to read. >> All right, Mrs. Jordan. Well, we look forward to your email. Thank you. >> I know. I know. It's all about money. >> Thank you. Uh, no other members of the audience signed up, but does any other member of the audience wish to speak on an agenda item? Okay, hearing none. Um, items 7.01 through 7.16, these are consent agenda new items. So with that
056um same procedure we've been following Mr. Bigger and your team. Are there any of those really 16 is just approve of the top 15. Any of those 15 items that anyone in the administrative team would like to elaborate on. >> The only one I'll say is 7-Eleven. Just the personnel actions. I want to thank the HR department and all the hiring administrators for the mad rush towards the start of the school year. It was pretty busy. So no need to pull it out. I'm just thanking all the hard work to get people in classrooms and in buses and cafeteria and so on. Okay. Um board members, are there any of the 15 items that you would like to vote on separately? Again, now would be the time to we would separate those from the other
057group because once we have a motion and second, we will vote on all 15 16 of them at one time. So, are there any items even if if you have a question, we'd like to ask a question spec specifically on any of those items. Now would be a time to pull something off or not pull it off but make it a separate vote. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Hearing none. Do I have a motion to approve items 7.01 through 7.16? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Haydock. Second by Mrs. Gaus. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Eyes have it. So move. Second consent agenda section. Um items that were pre previously discussed at our last meeting for from the committee of the whole. Um again administration
058any new information or additional clarity clarification? >> Nothing at this time from my end. >> Board members any of those first seven items that you would like to separate out. Okay. Hearing none. Do I have a motion to approve items 8.01 through 8.08? >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Mrs. Goggler. Second by Dr. Diller. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. Eyes have it and so moved. Uh audible here. Um and I'm going to turn it over to to Mr. Bigger u for a another recognition or introduction. >> I'm not sure the gifts, grants, and donations. >> Derek's here. >> Oh. Oh, yeah. Uh Sheree, are you online? Sorry. Good catch. >> Yes, I am. Thank you, Mr. Bigger. >> So, would you like to do the introduction
059for uh the new person who is in the room? >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Thank you so much, Mr. Bigger. Um, good evening, school board members. It is my sincere pleasure to introduce to you our newest team member, Mr. Derek Tannis. As already an employee of this district, it is so exciting to promote within our district. He will be our supervisor of specialized services. And I just want to thank you for this opportunity and for your continued support to meet the needs of our students. Mr. Tannis comes with a a range of um experiences and will bring many new additions to our department to to make us even better than what we are. So congratulations Derek. >> He's he's smiling. >> Derek, do you want to say anything? This is the opportunity if you'd like to just
060say anything. It's up to you. You don't you don't have to >> or you have to sing your alma m you know whatever either one will work >> about that but I just want to say thanks for the opportunity I'm looking forward to the new chap >> welcome >> okay thank you Derek thank you Mrs. Sullivan and for the audience here present and those online uh to sort of put a face with a name in Mr. triggers report earlier, he mentioned uh the 99% compliance uh from our special education audit and that is Mrs. Sullivan's department. So, thank you Mrs. Sullivan again and if you remember a few months ago uh Mrs. Sullivan and her assistant Dr. Goodkine Goodine uh presented to the board on our what we are doing. >> Yes, sir. Thank you
061so much. >> Thank you all. Yes. Okay. >> Usually I miss something. >> I know. I wasn't I wasn't with you on that one. >> Uh item 10.01, gifts, grants, and donations. Um motion and second and then any questions? >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> Oh, >> it's a three-way tie. >> Rock, paper, scissors. Motion by Dr. Diller and second by >> Mobler. >> Mrs. Mrs. Gobler. >> Mrs. Goggler, you can take it. >> Okay. Questions, discussions, comments on item 10.01. >> My only comment was Bev has been sending thank you cards even before we pulled these out separately. So, she's been sending them all along. >> Right. Good. Perfect. >> Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. opposed. Eyes have it and so moved. Section 11,
062policy and legislation. Uh 11.01, review of policies with no changes. Um which is policy 125. Motion and second, please. >> Move to approve. >> Second. Motion by Dr. Diller, second by Mr. Raver. Questions or discussions? >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. >> Eyes have it. And so moved. Item 11.02, retire policies. Uh this would be item or a policy 214.1 weighted courses. Motion and second, please. Move to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Dr. Diller, second by Mrs. Gals. Questions or discussions, comments? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Item 11.03, first reading of policies. >> I knew you were going to give me a long list. >> They're listed up there. There you I'm not going to read them all unless you really really
063want me to. >> Motion and second. These are first reads. >> Move to approve. >> We don't need to vote down here. >> You have to do first read to get the second reading. >> Motion by Mrs. Goggler. Second by Mr. Raber. Questions or discussions? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. >> Eyes have it and so move. Cut a point that first reading is that not >> it's necessary to do first reading to give opportunity for public input. The second reading they become official. >> Okay. All right. >> It's a required process that you must follow. >> Okay. Okay. Y >> I still get confused also, Mr. Walker. So, thank you for helping. >> Second read is good company. >> Second reading is the finish line. >> Okay.
064All right. >> That would stop any board uh from rushing policies too quickly without input. >> Okay. It's kind of like discussing items so we decide whether we're going to discuss them again later. Right. Right. A >> little redundant but yeah. >> Uh 11.04 second reading of policies. >> This will be the final answers if you will. Policy 7 719. Motion and second please. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Dr. Diller. Second by Mrs. Goggler. Questions, comments, discussions on policy 719. Hey, hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? Eyes have it. So moved. No items under safety and security. Uh takes us to item 13, new business discussion only. Board members, any items for this evening? I I think that we had uh superintendent and
065board goals that were made about a year ago and were going to be reviewed annually. Could Bev possibly send out a uh survey to see when a meeting, a workshop could be held to review goals and revise them if needed or >> Yes, please. Yes, please. >> What nights of the week? That's maybe we can thin down this list. >> The Wednesday nights, I think historically are not good nights for board members. Is that still the case? >> For Monday nights have been historically good. >> Have been good. >> Maybe we stick with the just the Tuesday where we don't have a board meeting. >> Okay. >> True, too. And on the four Thursdays there's Career Tech and LIU >> or not LIU uh >> Franklin Learning Center >> that are quarter >> commitments too.
066So >> that's just quarterly. >> Yeah, Franklin Learning Center is only quarterly >> quarterly. Okay. >> But so we'll stay away from Wednesdays for sure. >> Be okay. Good comment. Thank you, Mrs. Goggler. Any other items? New business? >> I just wanted to say I had the opportunity to go to the grade six orientation at um middle school north and uh I was just so impressed with how organized it was, how informative it was, how the students did the tours, and it was just a very very welcoming environment. So, thanks to all that organized that, put that together. It's it was extremely well done. >> I'll segue off that. uh Dr. Diller's remark, I took the time to read the welcome letter that went out to the parents and was like, if I were a
067parent with a new kid to school in this district, I would like be feeling very welcome. And when I heard all the directors talking about all the work they've done to prepare the school for this new year, it's like very impressive. And when I read the student handbook, I was most interested in the high school handbook to be honest. And um I thought it was extremely thorough. My only criticism, constructive criticism would be there's a comment or a section on electronic devices aka cell phones. And it refers to the policy, the schoolboard policy that says do and don't. And this high school guidance in that policy is like page two or three. So I'm thinking maybe if you're not all that curious, you're not even going to click on the link. So put the stuff
068right up front about cell phone usage because in the high school, I think it's a problem in all schools, but particularly the high school. So I would say bring that up to the forefront so that everybody knows exactly what it is without doing too much work to get the information. But I think everybody's doing a great job making every student in this community. And by the way, when we honor the bus driver like Miss Rumball and you see the the public come show coming out for her re award, I feel more and more like this is a community. The school district is working together with all citizens to make this place uh a community of distinction, not only a school of distinction. So thank you one and all. other board members, other items. >> Okay.
069I mentioned my president's report and I've mentioned it several times. Um I don't know, it's a pet peeve of mine. U maybe it's because I've spent a long time 33 34 years working in the private sector. um which is a little different uh from some other sectors sometimes in certain ways uh and that's when it comes to our schools of distinction of 2030 um in the private sector uh I we I call it branding when you're doing something big uh impactful uh good and a financial commitment as well uh you like to brand it like to advertise it. I.e., all right, we're not going to put a commercial in the halftime show at the Super Bowl to advertise it. But I think it's something I think it something that could be fun for the students,
070the district, the staff as a whole to, you know, tonight we got to stand in front of a banner from PSBA and, you know, we're gonna hang it on the wall somewhere. That's great. But I would love to have some fancy nice slogan banner, you know, whether that's a contest project with different grade levels or whatever that we can really when we talk when we say schools of distinction by 2030, put something more with it. And I don't know what the board thinks about that. If it's something that you don't want to do, then I'll do my best to quit trying quit talking about it. But I I think it's pretty important with what we're asking the community to do. And when it's over, it's going to be really exciting, I think. But >> your
071thoughts? >> I certainly agree. I think uh Mr. Woodman referenced the fact that you're working on some clarification of what schools of distinction are going to mean. And so maybe we need to wait until you have more clarity to what schools of distinction are intended to mean. Is that reasonable or you know I I'm certainly in support of advertising it? >> I I'll talk about a conversation I just had with Mr. Bigger right before the board meeting. This type of feedback from the board is perfect for us. So, as we design the process, um, we're going to be working, I think September 9th, we have our first work session, all day work session where directors and some others and Mr. Bigger and I, uh, and Dr. Long are going to, uh, plan on these five
072big things. is we're going to spend time on each one where we're going to be talking about the systems, the processes, um and then be taking it out to the schools where the building leadership teams will be uh designing their schools of distinction plans. Um but this is great feedback and and um I think something that's very doable >> and we did hold one um meeting about branding already so we are in process. >> Great. Let me just you know to elaborate and it's great a plan but think about something and even as schoolboard members we hear these presentations and we're like wow you know we want something that you know is simple clear concise for everybody every day. you know, um whether you're a student, whether you're a graduate, whether you're a parent, whether
073you're a grandparent or whatever that it just, you know, plans. We need plans, but we don't want to be >> too specific. This >> Yep. >> catchy. I remember back 30 years ago when mission statements were the big thing. I remember the presenter that pre the presenter that was teaching us how to do a mission statement. He he always used Disney as the example and at that time it was I loved it. Disney's mission statement was families having fun. It was simple. It was like wow that's right. But keep it simple but advertise it and recognize all the hard work that the administration's putting into the project. plus the hard work that the community is going to put in with uh their tax contributions. >> I feel like um the community is and will be
074investing in quality education in every way, shape, and form, time, staff moving forward, schools of distinction, and finances. So, we're making a big investment all around in quality education, quality public education. >> It's pretty short. We're investing in education. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I I like Ed's point. I agree with all the other comments as well. Um and it sounds like you're in process. >> Yeah. >> Maybe sometime this fall we have more of a timeline though. Hey, we're aiming to have some of this rolled out by this month. >> That that might help too, just so we know. >> And had you mentioned before, was there something to maybe students involved or was it artwork or was there some sort of maybe a I don't know. I'm not I don't want to get into
075weeds on this. I'm just >> I'm you know, this is like throwing spaghetti against the wall, see what sticks. >> Yeah. >> Uh you know, I've mentioned it. You know, hey, how can how can we have a little bit of fun with this? or how could the students have a little bit of fun with it? >> You know, if >> contests, >> artwork contest or something. I don't know. There's people have better ideas than I do. I'm just >> touching the surface. >> I think that's a great idea. And the reason why I said it is obviously this is we've got a I'm not going to say the phrase we said we weren't going to say about this situation anymore, but it's it's it's big work. And um I think I think to to get
076the students involved, I sometimes it it probably seems like this is more like grownup stuff or whatever that the board and you know, superintendent people are are getting. But if we have the the student body involved in it and they understand, maybe that'll help also get the parents and everybody else involved. But if it's artwork or whatever, I think that's a great way to keep the the u yeah, keep everybody involved and thinking about it to the forefront. So >> I'm supportive of that idea. Great idea. >> Okay. >> I'm supportive as well. >> All right. Well, we'll just wait at at the appropriate time to hear more from the administration and I'll try not to mention it as often, but I can still mention it now. Thank you. Okay. Information items 14.01 through 14.06.
077Um, Mr. Hayd, did you have a question on one of those items or was that answered? >> Question was answered. >> Okay. >> I I have two just comments from the information if it's okay. >> Yes. One is the Franklin Learning Center. Shippensburg is going to be joining the Franklin Learning Center as a member district. And so that certainly will help um uh spread the financial burden to one more school district, which will help us uh we lose one seat, so we don't lose a whole lot. But the process uh for doing that will be opening bylaws of the learning center, getting approvals from every school district, and then the vote to Franklin Learning Center. Just want you to know that process is being started. Um, and the second one is last time I think
078we had some technology difficulty with uh Rodney, our new high school principal. He is here. So, I do want to give him a chance if you want to say anything. We didn't hear a whole lot of anything last time. Rodney, sorry. We heard in and out while you were traveling. So, Mr. Bise is here and he's in the back. >> Yes, >> that was it. Thank you. I'd just like to say with the Franklin County Career and Technology Center, we have hired uh Dr. Leslie Schuman as the um director of the in the administrative director. She'll be starting officially in that capacity um September 1st. She's acting at this point. And that was just a mention >> just just a thought and I don't know Mrs. Goggler and Mr. Bigger you can think about it.
079Um yeah uh Dr. Schuman is a very dynamic leader. Um I was on personnel committee when uh we brought Dr. Schuman on as assistant director many years ago. Uh we were all hopeful we could get to this point at that time, but you know, boards change and but anyway, it all came to fruition. And I don't know if it would maybe be might be valuable to the board if she we invited her to maybe a committee the whole meeting and let her give a presentation. For those of you who haven't uh met her or listened to her, uh I really believe you'll be impressed. As a matter of fact, you might uh be interested to listen to Mike Ross. He has a program called Mike on the Mic, and he interviewed her on what was
080posted today. Wasn't interviewed today, but it was on air today, and it was an excellent introduction to her. And so, if you have an opportunity to listen to that, you'll learn to know a little bit about her. She is very passionate about career uh technical education is what she's done her whole adult career. >> No, not quite. >> Not quite. >> No, she taught span Well, listen to her. She She'll tell you she taught Spanish at Greencastle. She was an assistant principal at Tuscarora and then had her taste of career tech when she was at Carlilele in their comprehensive type program that they have there. >> Okay. >> Anything else on the information items hearing? None. Meetings adjourned.