001blessing. Testing testing. My name is Peaches and I am the best. >> Don't finish that. I saw that short. Yeah, I know. How you been? >> Yeah. >> Hey, how you doing, buddy? What did it do? Scissors. Epic. that they give you like check. She was train. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. looks different when she goes in here. >> Yeah, that's >> right. But yours probably if she wants to have saturated feelings. >> Okay. make us right up here. >> You can come back to >> and just like pretend like you're reading. Okay. All right. Put the paper down here like look at me. >> You want a picture? >> Uh, sure. >> You only want to do it in the microphone. Oh, okay. >> Okay. And then the school board easier. sit around. >> So
002you'll you'll come up here. You'll be Are you able to to to see this? Well, >> okay. Um, and so, you know, we'll adjust so that's a little bit closer for you. And then you can, you know, and then you'll read to introduce yourself. All the school board members are going to be sitting around this table and you're all going to be smiling at you because they love seeing kids. >> Okay. All right. >> It's gonna be great. Here, I want to take a picture. >> Very good. when I listen good job. Thank you. the all the children. >> So the little this is where I'm at. >> So yeah, first before most >> I had I had to learn that. >> But you were good. and y'all were like, "Oh my gosh, so much
003fun together." I I was asking, you know, >> I've been reading for you. Very delicious. >> Thank you. Thank you. I mean, I miss >> But I don't have to be hanging out. Right. start always around and she's not relationship there. It's there's not Hello. >> Well, they don't like But you just found another out. probably like >> Yeah. No, I mean yeah nothing nothing different than most likely will be the same. But only it's a pretty So you walk in that front dooror a little something brand. Good evening everyone. I will now call tonight, Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 uh meeting to order. Uh we will start with the pledge of allegiance. Mr. Schultz. I will now read a statement of acknowledgement and honor of indigenous and diverse communities. We begin this meeting with acknowledgement
004of and honor for the many legacies that have impacted our community, particularly those buried over time. Acknowledging truth is critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. Cheltonham Township stands within the Lape Hokink, the ancestral homeland of the Len Lape civilization. Their people were and still are caretakers of this land and its rivers and their legacy continues. We pay respect to their elders past and present. Our community owes its existence and vitality to generations from around the world who contributed their hopes, dreams, and energy to making the history that led to this moment. Some were brought here against their will. Some were drawn to leave their distant homes in the hope of a better life. and some have lived on this land for more generations than can be counted.
005Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together as a school district committed to fostering intellectual curiosity and discourse in service of social justice. Join us in uncovering such truths. >> Thank you, Mr. Schultz. Miss Hatcher, would you call the role? >> Good evening. Miss Mia Blissing >> present. >> Mr. Charles Belle Williams >> present. >> Mr. Zachary EPS >> present. >> Miss Jenny Lman >> present. >> Miss Leah Murhur >> present. >> Miss Robin Murphy >> present. >> Mr. Daniel Schulz >> present. >> Dr. Caroline Watts >> present. >> Dr. Ross White >> present. >> Thank you. This concludes our role. >> Thank you Miss Hatcher. Uh we will now have time for comment on public comment on agenda items only. Uh Cheltonham residents,
006taxpayers, and school district employees are permitted to speak and comment on agenda items at this time. Speakers comments will be limited to three minutes or less. So if you are in the room and would like to come to the podium to comment on the agenda, or if you're uh on Zoom and would like to raise your hand to make a comment on the agenda, you may do so now. Seeing no hands in Zoom and no one at the podium, we will move on to our next item, which is to recognize Sheltonham Elementary School. Uh we have with us Mrs. Nelson and uh we are excited to have her back with us today and we welcome her as the interim principal at Sheltonham Elementary. Thanks. All right, there we go. Um, thank you all for welcoming
007welcoming me again. I'm happy to be before you. I just had to do this twice. Um, so today was day seven with students at CES and when I say I have had the warmest welcome there, I am so happy going to work every day. Um, as a former second grade teacher, my inner child really is seven. So I'm like back home with my people. Like these are the people that really get me. Um, so I knew coming into this that I wasn't going to change a lot of things about CES, you know, first coming in. Um, but I did make one little adjustment because they used to say, "Who are we?" and the answer was CES and I'm like no no no no it's got to rhyme and so we're now saying who's the best
008CES and in the short time that I've been there um I really do feel like CES is the best sorry I I am very loyal to Windcoat but but sorry Mr. sailor. Um, can we play the video? Right. Nice job. So, so how lucky am I? I get to greet those smiling faces every day and they're always smiling. They're always working hard. They're just happy to be in school and I get to go there every day. So, thank you so much for that. Um, next slide, please. So, in the time that I've been here, I think it's been two weeks and two days total that I've been in the building. Um, but from what I've seen, interacting with staff, interacting with students, interacting with families, this is kind of my vision for Cheltonham Elementary as
009we're moving forward. And it is in no way to say that these things were not happening in the past, but this is where my heart has been in this work since I've been in the building. And so I drafted this vision statement that Celtonham Elementary School is a vibrant community where every child comes to learn, work, and play in a warm, caring, and inclusive environment. We are committed to nurturing the whole child by fostering curiosity, encouraging collaboration, and celebrating diversity. Through strong relationships and high expectations, we create a safe and joyful space where all students feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. And this is kind of my start with the end in mind. This is where I see my work taking Chelham Elementary School. And so this is kind of,
010you know, my my touchstone for the work. Next slide, please. Now, I know that I can't speak for everything that has happened in Cheltonham Elementary all school year. sit before I got here, but I did bring two friends who were in the fifth grade and can speak to their time as Cheltonham Elementary students. And so, may I introduce Mr. Miles Henry? Hi, my name is Miles Henry and I'm honored to share my experiences at Shelonham Elementary. Some of my favorite experiences were the robotics team, tech team, and STEM class. There I learned how to code, program, problem solve, and build robots with my team. Another great experience is learning how to play the trombone and being a part of a band. Playing the trombone wasn't easy, but with practice I got better. I was also
011part of the stage crew where we helped the cast get ready for the play. We also painted, designed sets, help with props, music, and mics. Throughout the year, we were given a lot of opportunities to earn rewards like spinning the wheel for school prizes. The teachers give out dolphin dollars for give good behavior which students can use to purchase fidgets, pencils, and enter raffles for extra recess from the dolphin dollar store. Other fun things are color day book character parade and the end of the year carnival. In conclusions, in conclusion, these experiences and amazing teachers have made me better and the school better. So, thank you. In the end, we would never be who we are without CES. Caring, exceptional, and safe. Thank you. And next we have Ava Alexis. >> Hi, my name is
012Ava and I would like to share my experience at Shahim Elementary. But first, I would like to thank my principal, Mrs. Nelson for bringing me here today and all the teachers that have recommended me to do this speech. I like my school and here are some reasons why. First, I've enjoyed all of my teachers and because they have given me different skills that I've used now today. Another thing I like about my school is the school activities like the robotics team and that the lovely Mr. Ens and Mrs. Cole taught I did in the fourth and fifth grade. I had an amazing experience. I learned how to code and build robots and we won our innovation project this year and last year. Another school activity I have enjoyed is band that Mr. Moran runs. We
013have learned many different songs like Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, and Hot Cross Buns and a bunch more. Last but not least, I have enjoyed making new friends and learning about their different interests and likes. And I would like to thank my principal and all those teachers again for bringing me here today. Thank you. >> It's much better to hear from them. Um, before I get to that slide, I'm just going to read a statement from Miss Pelish, our art teacher, who spent time um, tireless hours working with all the students to and putting up the artwork that you see here. And she wrote, "The art room at CES is a place where imagination, creativity, and skill work are nurtured. Our students love to draw and they are passionate about making art. Thank
014you for taking the time to look at and enjoy the following projects that include pencil drawings, paintings, collages, prints, and sculptures. Kindergarten has collage rainbows, snowy evergreen trees, polar bears. Uh that's dry brush paint and model magic. Lighthouse drawings. Year of the horse paper cuts. Cherry blossoms. First grade has rainbows upon rainbows. And yes, they do have rainbows upon rainbows over there. onepoint perspective paintings. Third grade has symmetrical paper sculptures. There's tinfoil print trees. So if you get a moment, please take a look at all the wonderful artwork that is there. So, as I think about the future of CES, some things that we already have in place, um, since I've been there for two weeks and two days, um, under leadership development for students, we have started a fifth grade student council and I
015know the fifth grade students are going to be out in just a few short weeks, but they have a wealth of information to share with the younger students. And at the end of the year, the fourth grade students that are going to come into fifth grade council for next year will be meeting with the fifth graders. I've been there for two weeks and two days. Um, under leadership development for students, we have started a fifth grade student council and I know >> that was funny. You I you sound weird when you hear yourself, right? So um so we we're I I really feel very passionately about giving students voice in their learning and in their school experience and having these leadership opportunities. We also work with Playworks which thank you for that program. It's fantastic.
016Um and so we are coming uh we are developing a junior playworks coach program and so that will be for fourth graders. um and they will be working with the Playworks coaches learning how to teach and share the games um that Playworks brings in and then they'll be working in the K to2 space and coaching the students on how to have really productive safe play at recess. And so those are just two leadership opportunities um that we're in the process of developing right now. Um I also love working with the community and bringing in community partnerships. We've got, if anybody knows Bear, Jeff Jericho and Bear, um Bear's coming to CES and we're going to have all kinds of programming um with our therapy dogs. Um and also bringing in lunch and learn opportunities and
017hey board, I'm looking at all of you because I know you have your clearances and you all have a really wonderful back backgrounds and interesting things to share. So come on in and share those things with our students. Um those are opportunities for students to uh spend their dolphin dollars and get some fun activities and some opportunities to speak with people doing interesting things and which all of you are doing. So come see us. Um we also have some mentoring opportunities um studentto student. We're doing classto class where our third through fifth grade classes will be partnering with K to2 classes um and then also bringing in other outside partnerships. And then last but not least for the staff really leveraging the talent that we have in our building. There are close to 80 staff
018members in that building and they are amazing. I've seen it in the short time that I've been there and they have a wealth of knowledge and why would I not capitalize on that knowledge that's there and so really working to do turnaround trainings with the staff so that we can learn from each other and really grow together. So that's part of my vision for the future. It's not the that's very small snapshot. Um, but I look forward to sharing with you next year all the wonderful things that you know that we've been doing. I think that was that might have been my last slide. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Nelson. Also, thank you, Miles and Ava, for sharing with us. you did an awesome job and we love hearing from students
019because you know best what's happening in your building. So, thank you. Thank you. Go take a picture with Dr. Scriven. Um, and also thank you to Miss Pelish for all of the artwork uh getting it all hung up so that you can uh it can be showcased to us. Um, next up on our agenda is the approval of the minutes. If I could have a motion to approve the minutes. >> So moved. >> Second. Thank you, Miss Lman. Any comments on the minutes? If not, I will take a vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Thank you. The motion carries. We will now move on to our student council report from Chenham High School. Tonight we have with us Miss Emma Zuberu. >> Um, good evening schoolboard members. My
020name is Emma Zuberu. The Chonahham High School Student Council met on March 11th. I will now read out the updates. Civic is talking to three outside organizations about transportation and IDs for elections since midterms is coming up. The Magnolia Mixer that was planned for this past Friday was cancelled due to lack of interest. A spring blood drive will be happening April 30th. There's a possibility of having a spring food drive. Saturday, April 25th is a closed drive. It's open to the public. Uh, cleanup is scheduled for April 17th. Prom tickets for the senior class and junior class are on sale. Junior prom is on May 9th and senior prom is on May 28th. The class of 2029 is having an urban air fundraiser on April 16th and a ice cream social on May 1st. That
021concludes my report. >> Thank you, Miss Bay. Uh, solicitors report, Mr. Dasio. >> Yes, thank you. Good evening. The board had one executive session since uh the last board meeting. It was last Tuesday um April 7th and the topic of the executive session was uh collective bargaining negotiations with the BC support staff. Thank you. >> Thank you. Superintendence report. Dr. Scriven. >> So good evening to our one executive session since uh the last board meeting. It was last Tuesday. So, good evening to our board of directors and to our Sheltonham school district community. Um, tonight I do have a a a very brief uh report, but prior to getting into it, I do want to make one public announcement. Uh this Saturday, I would love to invite everyone up to Sheltonham High School uh for
022what I hope to be our first annual uh STEM career uh fair uh which is being sponsored by our United Parent Group. Uh this function will uh start at 9:00 and end at uh 2 o'clock. uh there will be uh a a a myriad of of of participants uh vendors and speakers. I think it's really just going to be informative around giving our students some uh insight on what STEM opportunities look like in the 21st century. uh if you look on our website, you will see um the announcement and also where you can register uh for Saturday's event. So, uh I did want to put that out there. Uh I will be there uh along with a lot of our central office team. Uh so, please uh come out and support. So, jumping into uh
023our report, I'm committed to giving an update uh every month on just where we are as it relates to the uh audit that we are doing with the center for safe schools. I just wanted to give a little context. There's two uh sets of audits which are are currently running. uh one is called a physical uh assessment and you can see the definition for that. That is where we have an auditor really come in and look at our physical structure uh from hardware uh to technology interior uh access points uh and exterior. Uh there's also a second audit that's being done at every school as well. which is a behavior, health, or school climate assessment. And that's where we're really having them assess uh the school climate of each individual school. Uh we're looking forward
024to all of these assessments being uh completed by May 8th. Uh thus far the completed safety assessments uh are listed uh to my far left and maybe your far right on the screen but at CHS um Woke uh Cedarbrook East has had it Meyers and uh Cedarbrook the middle uh our 78 campus uh the scheduled safety assessments that we have will be Glennside Elementary which will be 4:15 um Sheltonham Elementary School on 416. So that's coming up uh this week. And then completed behavioral assessments has been Sheltonham High School, uh Cedarbrook, and Sheltonham Elementary. The assessments uh in the pipeline are uh CBK, uh Shelingham Elementary, and Oh, excuse me, that's wrong. These are final reports that we've received already. So we've received the behavioral report on Cedarbrook, the behavioral report on Sheltonham Elementary, and
025the safety report on Sheltonham High School. Again, uh the outstanding assessments that we're waiting for are uh the we've had those. So we just have two assessments left. It looks good. which will be this week. So, what's next? After we have all of these assessments done, there's going to be a series of uh recommendations uh for each respective school. Um those recommendations are going to vary because uh we have different needs at each of our schools and it's based on the feedback that we've received both from adults and from um students in the respective buildings and what the auditor auditors have uh visually uh observed. uh we will have an overall presentation of those recommendations and that presentation will include uh a phased approach to how we're going to implement the recommendations. So all of
026that uh will uh take place prior to us bringing closure uh to this 2025 2026 school year. As most of you, I hope are aware, we're bringing closure uh with our three-year strategic plan. Uh that uh plan started in 2023. Uh it will conclude uh June 30th uh 2026. We're currently going through the process of re-evaluating uh and re-imagining uh that plan. Uh so the original of course uh is referenced as strategic plan 1.0. This is the visual graphic which identifies the seven pillars uh which we were actively uh implementing uh during this three-year strategic plan. And when you go to the next slide, you have strategic plan 2.0 O uh which is a slightly condensed plan. Um if you look at the visual you'll see that we are condensing the plan from uh seven
027pillars uh to five pillars. We have our diversity, equity, belonging and inclusion which was once a standalone pillar. We have that at the base of all the pillars because as a community we feel that that uh should anchor and be a representation of what we do each um and every day. So uh we will have updates as we continue to work through this plan. We have uh a cross-pollination of stakeholders that are actively working on the plan. Right around 50 so uh folks about six to eight individuals are going to be assigned to each pillar. Uh and at the end we will have a new five-year strategic plan which will outline our our goals uh during that uh the next five years and also the metrics or how we're going to hold ourselves accountable for
028monitoring our progress towards accomplishing uh each one of these goals. So uh this will be uh something which is revisited uh in its entirety once the entire process uh is concluded which will probably be over the summer months. Uh I'd be remiss if I just did not acknowledge that this is autism uh acceptance month and I I just wanted to give a shout out as we do have uh autism programs in each of our four uh elementary schools. So as I said tonight's report is is abbreviated in comparison to usual but uh thank you for your attention and I look forward to providing you with additional updates. Thank you, Dr. Scriven. Appreciate your report. Um, I only have one item tonight and I almost didn't have one except uh today uh Dr. Scriven and myself,
029Mr. Kaufman and about 50 of our high school students from World History classes and from the Jewish Student Union along with uh high school staff were able to visit the Holocaust Awareness Museum um in Elkins Park. and we were invited for an event that was today uh by Cheltonham alum and retired Cheltonham teacher uh Miss Lisa Marlo and we were able to participate in the experience there with the museum and they had a cattle car exhibit set up and the reason I highlighted it besides the fact that it was a wonderful event and I look forward to as a district getting to work more with Miss Marlo in the museum um on Holocaust education for our students um is that uh I was with a few of the high school staff members and a woman
030came up that was working with one of the organizations that was presenting at the event and she said, "Are you the Cheltonham teachers?" And they said, "Yes." And she said, "I just have to tell you how amazing they are, what wonderful questions they had, and the interactions that um this that particular group had had with our students was remarkable enough that she sought us out to tell us, which I think is an awesome uh an awesome thing to have happened. And I just wanted to share that as you know, proofs that uh every day good things happen." And that was uh my good thing for today. So, thank you to our students and to Mrs. Marlo for organizing that event. Um, and with that, we will move on to our committee reports. The first one
031is the McGomery County Intermediate Unit. Miss Wall. >> Thank you, Miss Muller. The Montgomery County Intermediate Unit Board met on Wednesday, March 25th at 6:45 p.m. at the MCIU's main office in Norristown. The board met in executive session beforehand to discuss personnel matters. I was actually unable to attend the March 25th board meeting um for personal reasons, but I there's a couple things I would like to mention that I know were discussed at that meeting and and um will probably will definitely continue to be discussed. Um there was an article that had appeared in the um March 18th edition of the Philadelphia Inquir about the nearly $40,000 in international trips taken since 2023 by Dr. Regina Speaker, the MCIU's executive director, and Sandy Edling, um, the assistant executive director. The article detailed some of those
032trips, including one that was a 14-day African safari that cost about $18,000. According to Dr. speaker um the MCIU's executive director. These trips were designed for school leaders as a way to help them more broadly consider global educational structures and included site visits, leadership sessions, and direct engagement with educators um and other organizations in those countries. I have been um our district's representative to the MCIU board for the past five years. At no time since I've been on the board have we as board members been asked to approve any travel by any administrators or MCIU staff. Um I I mention this because this is going to be a learning experience for everyone involved. Um the MCIU board has created an ad hoc committee to review policies and procedures related to employee travel and will make
033recommendations to administration and the full board. Uh there will be seven board members on that committee and it will also be guided by both an education focused attorney and an independent investigator who is also a licensed attorney who focuses exclusively on school districts and educational entities. The committee will examine the facts and circumstances surrounding the international trips, including the approval process, aligned educational outcomes, and organizational return on investment. It will also review the IU's travel reimbursement policies and practices, and the committee will make recommendations to the full board for any applicable adjustments or other outcomes. Um, I mentioned that because I have been emailed directly by one community member concerned about the nature of these trips and what is going to happen moving forward. That is what I know at this time. I did want
034to share that with our um community because we do pay um a fee to be a member of the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit. the there are only two there are two other things that I want to mention that are actually germanine to our students um that might be useful information um at that meeting also someone from the IU's Mon coworks now program um which serves young youth and young adults who reside in Montgomery County between the ages of 14 and 24 pres um and who are presented with a significant barrier to completing or advancing an education or obtaining employment. So very specific group of kids it serves but the program is able to assist in school and out of school youth that are eligible for the services which are free. Once enrolled they create an
035individualized plan for those students as it relates to their education, employment or both. The overarching purpose is to assist the student in becoming the best possible versions of themselves. The team guides participants through a workforce skills development curriculum and coordinates work-based learning experiences, including but not limited to industry tours, job shadows, and paid internships. They can also support our students with up to $5,000 for skills training such as commercial drivers lens, North Monco adult education courses, dental assistant training, along with many other nonredit based courses. If you know a young person that may need that type of program and may be eligible, there is a referral form that to fill out. I cannot read it really because it is just a bunch of random letters and black slashes. So, I'm happy to provide that in
036some other form or fashion, but it's not going to be helpful if I just read it out loud. Um, and then um from the form, once the form is completed, the pro the the person who completes the form will be contacted to sign up for an information session about the program. And then once they view the information session, the student will be evaluated for eligibility. And um and if they are eligible, they will be assigned a career coach. Um the program also has information sessions every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. They also provided with us with a registration link, which is also a bunch of letters and backslashes that make not a whole lot of sense. So um I will also try to provide that in some other way. Um, but I wanted to mention that
037because that is a really interesting free option that the MCIU offers to eligible students who are struggling with um, trying to figure out the right path for moving forward with their education or employment. So, um, the only other thing I wanted to mention is that the third annual MCIU mental health resource fair will be held on May 19th from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the MCIU's main office in Norristown. The fair brings together a curated network of community providers and support resources to expand school districts referral network and help districts better serve their students and families. And that again is on May 19th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The next MCIU board meeting will be at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22nd at the MCIU's main office in Morristown. This is my report.
038>> Thank you, Miss Lman. Next, we will hear from Mr. EPS for the financial affairs report. Thank you, Madam Chair. Good evening again to our community members, uh, administrative staff, and anyone listening. Uh, we held a committee meeting for our financial affairs last week, April 7th, and we heard from our business manager, Mr. Joshua Swagert around our interim financial reports, what's happened uh financially for the district from the start of the year until this point in terms of what revenue has been received, but also what money has been spent and how it's been spent. Uh we also talked about uh the transportation contract uh and possible renewal options uh for that contract and the current vendor that we uh work with. And just as importantly, we discussed the proposed final budget, which is actually on
039tonight's agenda. And I wanted to share some context before discussing the proposed final that we also reviewed a preliminary budget in February. And there's a couple of things that have been updated since then. Some of the assumptions at the preliminary budget in terms of revenue assumed no tax increase uh as well as min very minimal increase from state um state level and federal level funding. Uh and it also from a spending perspective uh we were still waiting for some updates around uh what would be some medical and insurance uh payments and also uh what what what the the labor force may look like. And so from the preliminary to the now proposed final, we now have a clearer picture of what next year uh what next year's outlook is. And so there are some new
040assumptions right on the revenue side. We there is now a proposed 3.5 uh% tax increase for property taxes. What that actually represents is uh trying to fill what was a $5 million annual shortfall in addition to uh some of the um expenditure updates that I'll mention uh in just a moment. So from a revenue perspective, that is a new and a major update that we want our community to be aware of. Uh tonight's vote does not uh seal in the budget. There will be review time. uh but there's also some uh some updates on the expendure end that I want to that I want to share in terms of we received some positive news in terms of the expenses related to uh medical and and and medical benefits. We also received uh what will be
041savings uh that are tied to enrollment uh reduced enrollment at our elementary anticipated uh reduced enrollment at our elementary level. Uh and so that impacted somewhere from about $2.3 million in terms of uh salary and benefits and the 3.5% increase in taxes would generate somewhere around somewhere around a little under three million as well. So if you add those two together, uh sorry if you didn't bring your calculator. If you add those two together, that gets us almost to the five a little more than $5 million shortfall that we heard in our preliminary budget. And so this proposed budget is able to use what is our fund balance to actually have a balanced budget. And so that is important. One, we have a fiduciary responsibility as a board to to to be responsible financial stewards.
042But again, we cannot operate on a structural deficit uh from year to year. And so I wanted to share those two updates. Again, we as a board will vote will formally vote on that just a little later uh tonight. Uh but that doesn't mean that your voices cannot be heard. We will have another financial affairs committee meeting. Uh next month u we'll leave the date. Um sorry, excuse me. Is it the 7th again? Um excuse me. It's May 5th is the night for our finance uh committee. Excuse me. May 5th. And so please do review. There are documents online. This proposed final budget is posted on the school district's website. You can access it if you go to the website and go to departments and and business affairs. Uh the annual budget can be found
043there. Please do review it. It is more than just a list of numbers. Uh budget as as really frequently talked about in the government space. Uh it tells your priorities. It tells you what we value and so what where we spend our dollars primarily is in how students are supported. Uh primarily the teachers that that instruct them. And so again, uh we will come back after tonight's vote. The process does not end. Uh and I I will I will be reporting a little later on some legislative advocacy moments that we have up in the upcoming process. Uh but in terms of tonight's vote, those were some pertinent updates from what we heard in February versus what we will actually vote on tonight. So I'll pause there. Again, May 5th is the next financial affairs committee
044meeting. Uh you don't have to wait until then to send any questions or thoughts. uh you can do that as as soon as possible. But that will end my report for tonight. >> Thank you, Mr. EPS. Educational affairs. Miss Blitzstein. >> Thank you so much. Uh the educational affairs committee meeting was held on March 17, 2026. The following agenda items were discussed. The meeting consisted of a presentation on supports offered by the CST Office of Student Services. Director of Student Services Jessica Keane began the presentation by reviewing the programs with which the district's social workers worked on behalf of students and families such as Cradles to Crayons, Glenside Rotary, Grace Presbyterian, and Pennis Israel. Miss Keane continued speaking on the district's support for homeless students, students and foster care, and how her office works with
045charter schools. Miss Keen also reviewed supports available on the building level, including Alderskate and Lakeside counselors and mentor groups like Make the Distinction, Girls Circle, and Families and Communities on the Move. We did find out that AldersGate will be closing their doors at the end of this school year. We will continue to receive those counseling services which are funded by the county, but do not know at this time which providers will be contracted. Miss Keen reviewed professional development offered to school counselors in the areas of IEP goal creation, college and career readiness standards, and trauma training. All KTO5 school counselors are currently using SecondStep social emotional learning curriculum with students. Miss Keen wrapped up the presentation by going over linkit data related to elementary and secondary MTSS multi-tiered system of supports which is a schoolwide
046framework using data to provide tiered increasing levels of academic and behavioral support for all students. The full presentation for the March 17th meeting may be found on the district's website homepage by clicking on schoolboard then committees. Scroll to educational affairs and then click on the hyperlink for most recent meeting summary slide deck and video for all of the materials viewed as well as the recorded meeting. This ends my report. >> Thank you Miss Blitzstein. Uh Eastern Center for Arts and Technology, Mr. Belle Williams. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I will have two reports for tonight due to the timing of the uh last two meetings of the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology Joint Operating Committee. Uh the first meeting was held on March 11th. And uh as customary, the first order of business was
047for us to approve the March student of the month, who was Molly Smith, an Upper Dublin High School senior, who was recognized for her outstanding work in Eastern's electrical technology program. Um some cool facts about uh about Molly. One in particular that I thought was very very uh very important for us to know and for the community to know is that um Molly is the uh the the mer student of the month in a program being electrical technology. That is typically not one that is uh where you see a young woman um thriving in said space. And uh a lot of the energy that she has from a leadership perspective is in wanting to see other young women like herself continue to explore um you know industries where they have been male-dominated for some significant
048amount of time. And it was it was very it was mind-blowing to hear some of the things that she was discussing. Um, so you would not be surprised to know that she uh, one of her accolades was that she was recently selected to participate in Rosy's Girls, which is a pre-apprenticeship program uh, for electrical and building trades careers. And to be specific, uh, it is a 63-hour pre-apprenticeship program sponsored by the IBW Local 98 designed to introduce young women and women in careers in the electrical and building trades. The program provides hands-on training and mentorship um with graduates earning automatic qualification to apply for the IBEDW local 98 apprenticeship. Um again uh this program additionally was was supported by the Shapiro's administration the governor Shapiro's administration um and really was one of the items that
049was highlighted specifically for his investment in workforce development to include women's representation in construction. So really nice to celebrate Molly and her accomplishments and also to um hear more about what the state and our local students are doing to continue to drive um interest in um ensuring that we have representation in what had been previously male-dominated industries. Um after graduating from Eastern and Upper Dublin High School, again, she hopes to join the union and begin working full-time as an electrical apprentice. um taking the next steps toward a successful career in skilled trades. Um two other important items that we approved in March. First, the acceptance of a Pennsylvania Department of Labor school to career grant uh for the amount of $216,9012. Not an insignificant amount of money, especially for a school like Eastern whose budget
050is significantly smaller than ours. that $200,000 is going to go quite a long way. Um, this grant specifically will assist students um with a path toward sustaining employment and growth for HVAC, carpentry, electrical technology, and welding technology by placing students during their high school career in places of employment through co-op educational opportunities to gain employment in technical skills that can lead to lifetime employment. That $200,000 is going to offset costs that employers may have had to pay for a specific student from Eastern to enjoy an intern experience. So those experience would come at the cost of the grant as opposed to at the cost of the specific business, which we're hopeful will expand the opportunity and the willingness for um those specific entities and others to want to bring in students in an internship. Uh
051the second piece uh of important information that we approved was the official um approval of the building trades renovation. Um, you've heard me talk about this over the last year or so that one of Eastern's um, massive accomplishments over my time on a joint operating committee has been the ability to uh, shrink down as much as possible the waiting lists for students who are awaiting an opportunity or who cannot have the opportunity at uh, at Eastern um, due to class size limitations and space limitations. So very excited that we approve the uh base bid for the project in the amount of $1,ion29,000 and that will actually create the space for the new construction careers and management program. Um very excited for what those renovations will become just for the uh the information of the community.
052The most recent weight list at Eastern was approximately 90 students across various different uh programs. This one uh program in particular will create space for 40 of those 90 students. Um and over my time on the joint operated committee, we have created space for 170 students to uh have an opportunity to enjoy the um program of choice or one of the programs of choice if not their first program of choice at Eastern. So very excited for that. Uh that concludes my March 11th report. Over to April 8th. I will be much more brief but can't present that report without talking about the student of the month first. Uh Michael Lucas. Uh he was a hatbor senior. Uh he was recognized for his outstanding work in Eastern's welding technology program. He serves as a student ambassador
053representing his program at numerous recruitment events and fundraisers um throughout his two years at the school. He's been he's been at Eastern since he was a junior. Um, his leadership and professionalism led to his selection as a representative of Eastern at the MONCO IU, the MCIU Let's Talk Education event back in November. Um, through the welding technology program, he's developed a strong technical skill set and has earned numerous industry recognized trainings that will prepare him for full-time employment. After graduating from Hatboro Horses, he plans to begin his career with Roads Industries, which is one of the professional organizations that is a part of Eastern's advisory committee um where he hopes to transition directly into the workforce. RO specializes in comprehensive fabrication and welding services for both commercial clients and Department of Defense projects. One other
054item, the only one that I'll share here again also in the financial space um was that the joint operating committee accepted another grant. This one was the supplemental equipment grant in the amount of $191,000 um from the Pennsylvania Department of Education which was used to which will be used to m um to purchase equipment for the allied health, culinary arts, design, photography and illustration, exercise science and rehabilitation and protective services programs at Eastern. So um very very uh I'll say lucky uh because that we were prepared and we also submitted those applications in time. So preparation put us in position to be able to apply for them and happy that we have received them because that $400,000 is going to go a long way. The next meeting for the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology
055is May May 13th in person at Eastern's facility on Turwood Road in Upper Morland. And that concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Belle Williams. Uh facilities report, Dr. Watts. >> Uh good evening everybody. The most recent meeting of the facilities committee was held on April 14th and we had a lively discussion centering on three topic areas none of which included snow removal. So that was I think a big relief for all of us. Um uh topic number one generally was around systems repairs and updates. Uh really good news that our security systems across the district are being upgraded to access control security solutions. I'm going to be very careful here to give enough detail that is useful but not enough that I get myself in trouble with not understanding that technology. But
056this is a software upgrade that works with our existing hardware. It integrates with our HR systems and it will connect multiple campuses with management by phone so that we can have real time notifications of things that are happening. This upgrade is a response to concerns in the safety audit. So that's a really good piece of news as well. There will be a few hardware upgrades as part of this, but we think it's a really good system and are looking forward to having that in place. Um, and other good news, the Glenside generator which has been malfunctioning has actually we have found a contractor to repair it and the system is operating able to run at full capacity. So you will see further on the recommendations for board uh action. That committee recommends that we reject
057the bid for a new generator because this generator is up and running and we have a contract for its ongoing maintenance. Yay. And finally, uh, Meyer's kitchen, which has been really cold over the winter, has had new additional heating units added, and everyone working in that kitchen is now much more comfortable as they do their important work. So, thanks to that. Second category, building renovations uh to accommodate our grade restructuring. And so work as probably all of you who are in Glenside Elementary and Cedarbrook are uh work in those buildings is underway. And finally, in terms of athletic facilities, the stadium project continues to be moving along. Uh the hope is that it will be ready by graduation. fingers and uh everything crossed so that good weather continues. Uh and we're monitoring whether the track
058and the uh restroom access will be for far enough along for uh a safe graduation ceremony. The Arcadia space is uh still on reserve should we need it, but we're going to think positive about this. It is moving along well though, and if you haven't seen it recently, go up and check it out. Uh, Cedar Brooks baseball and softball fields have had dirt shipped in and moved to the right spaces so that the fields are in much better condition, as have the high school baseball fields and softball fields. Uh, and one final note around our athletic facilities that wasn't discussed at the committee meeting, but that Mr. Swagger brought to our attention just yesterday. I think the friends of Cheltonham, a volunteer group run by Marcy Balon and Lorie Seagull at the high school, is
059unfortunately going to be discontinuing operations, but they are offering their remaining funds to the tune of $25,000 to enhance the school's athletic facilities, particularly targeting upgrading the supplemental weight room at the high school uh for wider availability for all of our students. students across all sports. So, we are recommending acceptance of that donation from the friends of Cheltonham and really thank them so much for this generosity. Uh that concludes my report. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Watts. Uh I will give the liaison group report. The liaison group met on March 16th at 8:00 a.m. via Zoom. The district shared some updates um on our construction projects, some of which you just heard about and we also shared where we are in the strategic planning process and it just be was just barely beginning at that
060time. And thank you to Ward 4 commissioner Emily Stein, also a WCO parent who offered to volunteer at that time to be on that committee which helps you know again bridge uh the relationship between the township and the school district. So we appreciate that. The township updated us on the Melrose Park development project and we also received some updates on the hiring timelines for the township manager and the police chief positions which are underway. And the next meeting will be this coming Monday, April 20th at 8:00 a.m. And that concludes my report. Uh the next report is the policy committee. Miss Mark, good evening. The policy committee last met on March 24th, 2026. We started the meeting with an approval of the January 27, 2026 minutes and then delved into a large list of policies.
061We will approve those policies that are in this evening's agenda, 10 policies when we get to that point in the program. The the near future will hold an opportunity for the a small group of board members to take a look at personal electronic device policy especially as the state has already started to move in that direction. We will have our next policy meeting on May 26, 2026 where we will consider and another set of large policies that we could not finish on the last meeting and that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Miss Murphy. Uh, next we will have a legislative update. Mr. Rex, >> thank you. Uh, good evening again, everyone. I'm speaking this time as a member of the uh Montgomery County School Board um legislative committee. We meet just about every month
062to discuss proposed legislation in Harrisburg uh approved legislation and what that means for Sheltonham and and the Commonwealth at large, but mostly what it means for us. Um, I I got to I have to start by going back to the words that we said at the beginning of this meeting in terms of being a nation that is for liberty and justice for all. This month in addition to being uh autismic acceptance month is also Arab American Heritage Month. And so if these words are ever to be true, it will be true for them first. It will be true for people like black women first. But I want to focus on ArabAmerican Heritage Month. So we have an opportunity amongst everything that is going on right now in the world, amongst everything that is going also
063in our community. We have folks who um represent uh countries in the Middle East right here in Sheltonham. And we have an opportunity to honor them, to celebrate them, to learn more about their cultures, and uh I'll be looking for opportunities to do that. I think there will be some. And I and I want to thank Principal Metaf for putting it in his update this this past week. uh really leading us to and encouraging us to to do all those things. So, I wanted to to start my legislative um reports there. Uh next, I want to go just I'm glad we still have some students like Miles and others in the room. By show of hands, is anyone in high school? I know you're just by show of hands, is anyone else in high school
064in the room? Okay, we got some high school. Keep your hands up. >> All right. So, do we have any parents of high schoolers? Even if anybody else Okay. All right. We got some parents. All right. So, there's a proposed legislation over there. Put your hands up just for a second. Keep your hands up if you would like high school to start at 8:30 as opposed to the current start time. All right. What do we got? What do we have? All right. One hand. One hand. Two hands left. All right. So, that's actually currently a bill. Oh, we have we have three hands over here. I have four hands. All right. Five hand. Okay. So, there's a bill right now being discussed in Harrisburg to do just that. Move push back the start time of
065high school. And folks might be saying, "Oh my gosh, they're talking about that in Harrisburg." But it's because of really partially social emotional uh argument around what is what is appropriate. I'm not advocating for anything, but it's something that I think folks may want to follow and it's an example of something that what they talk about in Harrisburg actually does impact your life on a day-to-day basis. So that's one of the bills uh if you want to track. Uh last session there was a bill around students being given a mental health day. so that at any point they can say, "Hey, I'm I'm not going to school today because I need a mental health day." Right? So, those are the types of bills that are still discussed in Harrisburg. So, it is an opportunity to
066to to let your voice uh be heard on some different issues. So, that's one thing I wanted to share. Uh secondly, uh a few of us uh got a chance to go to the legislative breakfast on March 27th. Shout out, that's my mom's birthday. Uh happy birthday, Mom. Uh March 27th, we got to go to the legislative breakfast and we met with uh students from around McGomery County. We heard directly from students about facilities uh and how enhanced facilities, everything from a large window, how that changes their day uh and the influence of sunlight to new uh sports facilities to libraries where they can collaborate and learn together and teach their educators around certain things and and really uh encouraging common spaces. Uh we also heard from students around the voices for education uh which
067uh believe uh our students from around McGomery County. There's about 11 participating districts uh where students can actually they they they advocate directly to legislators. They travel around the state, learn about what's happening, figure out what what issues are important to students, and then they have an opportunity to talk directly in Harrisburg face to face with legislators about those issues. So, the voices for education or is it democracy? The voices for is it democ Yeah, the voices for for education. Uh, if anyone's listening who's at the high school that might be interested, uh, there are opportunities to do just that through the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit. Uh, we will meet as a committee to to no the 15th, which is tomorrow. Yeah. Yeah. Tomorrow, the 15th. uh and hopefully I'll have better and brighter news
068to bring back uh in May uh from our time together. Thank you. That concludes my report. >> Thank you, Mr. FPS. Uh Dr. Watson, an update from the Cheltonham Education Foundation. >> Hello again. I feel like I get to give fun reports uh this week. The Cheltonham Education Foundation board meeting was last held on March 26, 2020 March 26, hosted by Mr. Taylor at Windcoat. Thank you very much. And we put the final touches on the plans for the third annual race for education which was held uh Saturday, April 11th. Some many many people in this room here walking, running, biking. Uh Mr. Coffin is biking and taking pictures at the same time. Um uh we had 333 registrants this year which was up 11% from last year and total funds received uh amounted to
069about 20,400 which is a 28% increase from last year. So, it was really an exciting event, a gorgeous day, lots of great vibes, great music from the band, uh, lots of energy and enthusiasm. And all of this again goes to support the scholarships and grants given out by the foundation. So, thank you all of you for your support, for your participation and your donations. So, coming up next, student scholarships. Maybe some of you in the room are submitting applications. They are due the end of this week on April 17th and the awards will be announced in May. The next big fundraising event is the Dines on Blanc uh fundraising dinner which will be held June 20th at Arcadia. And finally, and very importantly, the educator grants given out by the foundation will be awarded in
070June. Uh next month's uh board meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026. again I think at Windco ends my reporting. >> Thank you Dr. Watts. Exciting news about the race. That's an awesome uh turnout and uh the excuses are amazing. U next uh we will approve the consent agenda. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. Mr. Belle Williams. Thank you. Are there any comments? Um Dr. Whiting? >> Uh two very brief comments here. The first is I want to acknowledge all of the volunteers on this list. I do want to shout out one special volunteer who is in the audience today. Uh Shel Township finance officer Melvin Pittz is on this list. Not only is he serving the township as our finance officer, but now he can serve
071our schools as well. Thank you and welcome Mr. Pittz. I also want to shout out uh Mr. Johnson who is the health and physical education teacher at Cedar Brook East. He has been an enormous help uh to school students across the school. I have heard from multiple kids that he helps them get through the day. And I did text my own son who is in who is in uh sixth grade now and said he said uh he is the best teacher ever. He helps me feel better about myself. And I think that's a testament not just to Mr. Johnson's approach to school but also to the to the u to the feeling of Cedar Brook East. And so you rising sixth graders, you you kids who are coming into the sixth grade, know that you
072have a very welcoming school that has been set up by the educators there. And congratulations to Mr. Johnson on his retirement. >> Thank you, Miss Blitz. >> Thank you. I actually forgot to mention earlier that the next edes committee meeting is a week from tonight, April 21st at 7 p.m. here at the admin building. So I just wanted to mention that. And also um to give a shout out to um we have first of all you stole my volunteer idea but also I just wanted to nod that we also have um at least one Cheltonham alum on that volunteer list which makes me really excited and um that on our list of retirees we have a lot of experience um and some that taught my my own kids and that I'm really sad to see
073leave. Um, and that I just know that they've made a huge impact in the lives of many, many, many kids and their families. So, I want to say thank you, >> Dr. Watts. >> Uh, it's me again. Um, on that list of thanking people, I did notice on the list of retirements that Michael Schmidt is retiring from Meyers after 34 years. And if you've those of you who have encountered Mr. Schmidt know that he li is living breathing PBL in action in my opinion. uh between the way he runs his classroom. My son was in his fourth grade class and r spending every free moment doing things like running recess football leagues with um all students. He is just an embodiment of commitment, creativity, and engagement as an educator. And when my son got his
074card before fourth grade and found out he was in Mr. Schmidt's class. He felt like he had been chosen for the best possible things in the world and he really made a difference in his life and I know in the lives of all the students who came through his class room. So I know he also has many many wonderful activities outside of school that he'll probably be delving into further but he will be missed. >> Thank you Dr. W. Mr. Thank you, Madam President. I have two comments. Um, and the first is actually not related to budget. I see we have a scout in the audience and I imagine they are here. Great job being uh being here. I imagine they're here for the citizenship for community merit badge. And as a recent marriage badge
075counselor for that, I know that they need to report on an item of disagreement that they witness uh at the meeting. Now, I'm not actually here to offer an item of disagreement, but rather to clarify. Um, a lot of the time at the legislative meetings, the items that we are voting on have been very heavily discussed at committee meetings, and that is where the vast majority of the deliberation occurs. Uh and I will give a shout out to one item that is going to be and this is now a public announcement too to highlight from the policy report that at our last policy committee meeting we discussed um the concept of a bell-to-bell cell phone ban and that is under the personal electronic devices policy but but I think calling it cell phone ban at
076this forum might help uh raise awareness of this is going to need to be a community discussion and there will be different perspectives that are discussed. So while this is not going to be the meeting right now where that happens that you can uh think about what you think of cell phones in our schools during the school day. My second comment is I just wanted to provide uh doc uh mr eps gave an excellent overview of this budget. I wanted to underscore a a closer to the vote that this is not the passage of a tax increase. This is the approval of a propo a final proposed budget. So the actual budget will not be voted on for until uh either late May or early June. Um we as a district have worked really hard
077and I'm not going to go in too much depth because I think when we pass the final budget we'll know what the real numbers are going to be. We've worked very hard year over year to be stewards of the township and community's resources. This year we faced some real challenges related to um property evaluations for some of our highest uh mo most valued properties which reflects a decrease in revenues and also medical costs. These are things that are to to a large extent outside of our direct control and we need to react to. Luckily, because we have worked very hard, we are able to have a budget that is very close to balanced. I hope that we can get to the point where we don't even have a $750,000 deficit because that is a hole
078we will have to dig ourselves out of. It's a surmountable hole, but the easiest way to um get ourselves ex where we want to be in the long term is to fill the holes before they become sink holes. Um and so I think we have some time to sharpen pencils and I know that we as a board and as administration are doing so and we have between now and uh in that final vote to hopefully eliminate even that structural deficit. Thank you. >> And Mr. >> I thought you may have a third point which was to point out the number of years and the retirements. Okay. So, uh we have a running thing on the board with retirement. So, just want to acknowledge if we round out half a year, we're actually recognizing 250 years
079of experience that's represented on this agenda. So we are that's institutional knowledge part of it. That's that's folks like we heard Mr. Gerald Uns don't know if Miles knew but Mr. Unks is retiring and so he Yeah. See like he actually off he's not only a teacher he actually offers some gifted and enrichment programming at Sheltonham and so uh the the impact will be felt but I'm actually encouraged because we have a growing team in our central office who are who holds things down. uh we just heard how how how some standards of of operating procedures are going to be put in place and we also heard in the strategic plan right if you saw uh what we a connection from our budget to the strategic plan actually means I think it was that bloom
080phase doesn't wither away it actually continues for everyone and so that's what I'm holding on to when we approve when we make budget considerations that's what's at the top of my mind what are we doing that is providing inspiration and resources right to continue that bloom So I do appreciate everything that that that 250 years represents and the next 250 years of experience is is going to be much more impactful and meaningful uh on behalf of our community. So thank you. Thank you all who's who's represented in this uh in this list. >> Thank you Mr. Abs. Any other board comments? Go ahead Miss L. Um I just wanted to note that um we do actually have a policy committee meeting in April. We which was not originally on the calendar. It's April 28th. It's
081listed at the end of the um agenda for tonight. And we will actually not be considering the cell phone um policy at that meeting. We will actually be considering um all the policies that we removed from last month's agenda in order to consider the cell phone policy. So um but as u Miss Murphy said we um are convening a group a subgroup of small subgroup of uh schoolboard members and administrators right now to sort of figure out ne next steps for um you know creating um buy in and determining what the right type of policy even would be for our schools. So um more to come on on all of that. >> Thank you Miss Lman. Dr. Very quickly, thank you for the second uh recognition. Uh in the interest of helping our students fulfill
082their merit badge, I'd like to offer some disagreement amongst the board. Um Mr. Schultz, I believe you pointed out that agenda items have been very heavily discussed before they come to the board uh in this meeting. I'd like to say that in my opinion, uh agenda items mostly have just been discussed and so not very heavily. Some have been very heavily discussed, but in this instance, I think just discussed for some of them. So I offer this in the spirit of accuracy and for the utmost with the utmost respect to Mr. Schultz as well. Uh and I hope this is helpful in fulfilling your badge requirements. >> Thank you Dr. Whiten. Uh appreciate um I do not have too much else to add. Um, I'm going to do one quick retirement shout out to Miss
083Sunundry, a PAR educator that I have known mostly at her time at Word Elementary, but she has also served at Elkins Park School and maybe another school that I'm not that I'm missing. But, uh, the the board members were just able to hear some discussion from one of our special education staff members about our PAR educators and the work that they do and the education they receive. And so I was reminded when I saw her name on the list um you know how important par educators are and uh the friendly face that Miss Sunundry always offered um all of the students and all of the staff and the hugs and the uh the support and encouragement that I've always received from her as a parent has always been um lovely and amazing. So congrats to
084her. Uh I know she will be busy traveling uh based on what I know she likes to do with her uh her daughters. Um, I just want to second I'm not going to belabor the point, but the comments that Mr. Schultz made about the uh proposed final budget as well as the ones that Mr. EPS made during his report. Um, we are two months before the final budget is approved. That will be at our June 9th legislative meeting. So, that still gives us two rounds of financial affairs meetings and time to discuss. And thank you to all of our administrators, Dr. Scriven just everyone who works has been working very hard to find ways to um to find savings without having to come at a cost to to our students um because that is that
085is the goal. Um if there are no other comments I will take we will vote now on the agenda. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Thank you. That motion carries and the uh consent agenda has been approved. Next up is public comment on non-aggenda items. Just like with our agenda items, any Cheltonham resident, taxpayer, school district employee is permitted to come to the podium and if they're in the room to raise their hand on Zoom. Um and they have three minutes um to speak. Uh if you do raise your hand or come to the podium, please state your name and where you reside in the township. And a final uh reminder, I've been trying to say this each month, is that um this this time for public comment is often
086a one-sided conversation where we hear from you, we hear your questions, your comments, we write them down. You may receive a comment from Dr. Scriven if it's appropriate, but generally speaking, the followup happens after the meeting. Uh but I just wanted to put that out there for context. So, if anyone would like to come to the podium or raise their hand, please do. Hello. Okay. Good evening. Um, my name is Simone Alyssa Metaf. I'm a senior at Shelam High School. I'm actually the senior class president. And um I just wanted to come here today because I did want to I guess make the school board aware of um our attempt at a senior class trip. Um we submitted papers for a a trip packet for a senior class trip about a week ago and um
087our papers were denied. And I guess kind of the reason I'm here today is because the reason that the trip was denied kind of didn't really add up to me. So, we were told that um because the trip was past our like I guess the school district's deadline of June 1st, uh it couldn't happen. The trip is on June 5th to Six Flags Great Adventure and it's the day after our senior class graduation. Um, but we were also told that pending special I guess approval that could be overridden by the assistant superintendent. We were also told that um we would be I guess maybe a liability for insurance reasons, but I did kind of my own research and I found out that we're not actually taken off rule until I believe July as like Shelnam
088students. And then we were also told that because the money that we used when we fundraised was kind of I guess raised as you know the Shelnam senior class it would be kind of a liability to use that money to contribute it to the trip which again kind of raises the question of how that comes into play when we're not taken off of rule uh until July. At least that's what that's what my understanding was. Additionally, um going back to like the idea that the trip can be can be approved with special permission. The trip is like to Six Flags and it's a trip made specifically for seniors. So other seniors like other schools, sorry, other schools from like you know I guess the area would be attending the trip. So yeah, I just wanted
089to bring that to everyone's attention. Yeah. >> Thank you, Simone. I appreciate it. Uh hello. Uh I know that the cyber security competition this year was sort of cancelled last minute. Uh and I just wanted to know if there's any way that that can be reinstated somehow like next year or anytime soon. >> Thank you for your com. Before you leave the podium, can you just tell us your name and what school you go to? >> Oh, you want do you want me to tell you now? >> Yeah. >> Oh, I am Nicholas Samson. I go to Cedar Brook Middle School. >> Awesome. Thank you for your comment and your question. >> Well, Paul, I I will definitely follow up once I get more information from administration. >> Okay. Thank you >> and thanks for
090coming tonight in uniform working on that badge. We appreciate it. Oh, thank thank you so much for acknowledging. You're welcome. >> And to Simone, I'll follow up with you as well. I did receive your email uh this evening. I just haven't had a chance to respond yet. >> Any hands raised in Zoom? Anyone else? Thank you, Mr. Kaufman. Anyone else in the room that would like to make a comment? All right. Thank you so much. Uh it was great to hear from so many students tonight. So, please, we're here every month. We're here every week, actually, but you're welcome to join us anytime. We we love having company. Um the future meetings are listed in the agenda. And as Miss Lman um noted, we are meeting policy is meeting in April and May. Normally, we
091meet every other month. Um and with that, I will call for the meeting to be adjourned. >> So, moved. >> Oh, second. >> I'm gonna let Miss Hatcher figure that out. Um, thank you. The meeting is adjourned.