School Board meeting: February 19, 2026

001Good evening. Today is Thursday, February 19th, 2026. I call to order the meeting of the Council Rock School District Board of School Directors. Welcome to all of those in the audience and viewing at home. Dr. Senko, >> thank you. Miss Khan, Aiden, and Owen, would you please go to the podium and lead us in the pledge? Please stand for the pledge of allegiance >> and remain standing for a moment of silence. >> I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please remain standing for the national anthem. Hallelujah. Are you ready? Hallelujah. Thank you, Mr. Sharp and the Council Rock South Chamber Orchestra. Thanks for being here tonight. Thank you to the

002Council Rock South Chamber Orchestra. That was an amazing performance. We will move on to roll call. Board Secretary, please. Miss Khan, >> present. >> Mr. Tate, >> present. >> Mr. Hidalgo, >> present. >> Mr. Roosevelt, >> here. >> Miss Osaki, >> present. >> Miss Stone, >> here. >> Miss her, >> here. >> Miss Rickert, >> present. >> Mr. Green, >> present. >> Thank you, board secretary. Uh, we're moving on to the Council Rock North Student Advisory Board along with Mr. Just >> good evening board of school directors, Dr. Sano administration and council rock community. Hope everybody is having a wonderful winter season. Again, as you see, we got more snow in the forecast for this weekend, but hopefully it stays south and we're good to go from Monday. Dr. San good weekend. Again, it's always

003my pleasure to have our SAB members here representing Council Rock High School North, sharing the many happenings going on and sharing the countdown to senior class trip which is not too far away. So, at this time, I will hand it over to Olivia Espazito, our 12th grade SAB. >> Good evening, board members. I'm excited to be back for our first meeting of 2026. I'm Olivia Espazito, the student advisory board representative for the class of 2026. There's a lot of upcoming events at North, specifically for seniors. With only 47 days until Disney, officers have had the official tasting for prom with active discussions regarding menus and themes, which will be announced in the upcoming weeks. Senior superlatives have also been sent out for students to vote on, and the chosen winners for each category will be

004featured in the yearbook. Spring athletics begin with tryyous in just a couple weeks, the week of March 2nd. For the most part, winter sports have come to an end with their strong seasons. However, boys wrestling, bowling, and cross country continue competing. wrestling in their own weight classes. District 1 boys wrestling has Pierce Kane ranked first, Nick Guzzo ranked third, AJ Kane ranked fourth, and Chase Mancini as an honorable mention. The team overall is ranked nine in Suburban 1 Patriot League for the 2025 2026 season and will continue their postseason for another few weeks. Indoor track and field will be competing at Penn State University on March 1st. At their last meet on February 16th, Colin Darek placed eighth in the 60 meter. Jason Folk placed 10th in the mile. Brady Pay placed 26 in the

005preliminary 60 meter hurdle. And the the 4x8 relay, including Andrew Folk, Jason Folk, Mac O, and Jonathan Paulino placed third. That same group of boys also placed fourth 14th in the DMR 4,000 meters. Thank you so much for your time. Good evening board. My name is Lilia Albuker and I am the student advisory board representative for the class of 2027 at Council Rock North. As we enter the second half of the school year, both the student executive board and the class of 2027 have run and planned many exciting events at North. The student executive board is getting ready for the highly anticipated talent show which will be on the evening of fe Wednesday, February 25th. Ticket sales began earlier this week and will continue through the date of the show. Singers, bands, and skits comprise

006the majority of the acts, and all participants have been practicing their performances for weeks. The theme is talented Things based on the TV series Stranger Things, and hosts Nina Palestini and Sienna Gordano have many exciting anecdotes prepared to help transport the audience into the realm of this show. The acts will take the stage in rehearsal early next week in preparation to give their breast performances on the 25th. From February 5th to 9th, SEB conducted their Suckers for Sweetheart sales during lunches in which students had the opportunity to send lollipops to their peers in the spirit of Valentine's Day. This year's sales have been some of the most successful. With prom season coming up, SC members of SEB are working together to organize this year's dress swap, which will give students the opportunity to exchange and

007utilize dresses brought in by members of the school community. Additionally, any unutilized dresses will be donated to local fairy godmother projects within the county. Now for the class of 2027. This week the 11th grade officers are running a food drive. All donations will go to the Ritstown food pantry. Next week prom ticket sales will begin. Based on their last initials, students will have an assigned day to purchase their ticket. The junior prom will be held on Friday, April 17th at the Princeton Hyatt. The class of 2027 officers will also help in setting up the winter semiformal which will occur tomorrow, February 20th. They're also beginning to plan their second pickle ball tournament for late spring. Thank you for your time. Good evening board and thank you for your time tonight. My name is Mia Burstein

008and I am North sophomore SAB representative. Tonight I will discuss some recent academic events at North and then updates about the class of 2028. Firstly, counselor meetings with students are currently happening as part of 2026 programming. Following the elective assembly on January 9th, parent orientation on the 12th, and teacher recommendations, students were given a couple of weeks to decide which courses they are taking next year. These decisions are being finalized in the students discussions with guidance counselors that began at the end of January and will continue until March 6th. Students took the midterm exams from January 22nd until January 29th at the closing of the second marking period. Due to snow days on Monday and Tuesday that week, Monday's tests were pushed back to Thursday and Friday became the first day of the third marking

009period. Council Rock North achieved a silver designation on the college board's honor role, meaning that they provide a multitude of opportunities for students to prepare for college and take college level coursework. Specifically, over half the graduating class took at least one AP test in high school. Over 30% of them scored at least a three on an AP exam, and at least 5% took five or more advanced placement tests in high school with at least one in freshman or sophomore year. Only 7% of all qual qualifying schools in PA received this silver acknowledgement. The 2026 college panel will be held on March 12th in Council Rock South's cafeteria. The event is a great opportunity for seniors to meet with college representatives, namely from Drexel University, Ryder University, Ruckers University, and Gwyneith Mercy Univer University. The panel

010topics include college essays, applications, campus visits, scholarships, and more. On a separate note, three students from North designed a prototype of their product, Safe Schools phone pouch, and brought it to life, pitching it to a panel of judges, all within a time constraint of a few hours. They received first place at the BCIU Fab Lab Keystone competition. Finally, the 10th grade class has been working hard preparing the winter semi-formal dance, which will be held tomorrow night at 6 p.m. Tickets have been sold at lunches and after school over the past couple of weeks, and we are looking forward to a wonderful night. Thank you so much for your attention, and I hope you all have a good rest of your evening. Good evening. My name is Cameron McCormack and I'm uh your freshman SAB representative.

011Though we're in the depths of what seems like a never- ending never- ending winter, we all know that North never fails to have tons of great things going on around the school. On February 5th through through 7th, our theater program, Sak and Buskin, put on an incredibly fun and entertaining performance of the odd couple female version. Some lead roles were played by Alistair, Penny Ducknowski, Kainsiki, and Andrew Kemp. It's never too late to congratulate them on their outstanding performance. Saken Buskin also participated in the Pennsylvania State Thespian Conference at Parkland High School. North's troop receives gold honor troop recognition, which recognizes troops that achieved a high level of excellence both on and off the stage throughout the year. Our FBA team took several top honors at the regional leadership conference. 25 students took first place

012in their categories, 25 students took second place, 11 took third place, 14 took fourth place, and six took uh fifth place. They've all qualified for states and will be rep representing North in April. So, congrats to them. Speech and debate has had several successes at this year's tournaments were which were the Lasal Forum Invitational, Sunbite and the Ridge debates. First off, at the Lasal Forum Invitational, Northplace top three with their informative speech and original orary and first place in public forum. At Sunvite, two of our student congress competitors entered the semi-finals pool and are now looking forward to competing at the tournament of champions. At the Ridge debates in New Jersey, Council Rock North competitors were seated 1 in 78 at the public forum and 162 at Lincoln Douglas. They went undefeated in preliminary rounds

013and took the highest speaker points across the board. Our school is very proud of the amazing work that our clubs have been putting on during these rough winter months. And congrats to everyone again. Thank you. Hello everyone. Good evening. My name is Payton Douly and I am a sophomore at Council Rock High School North and I'm also a proud level 100 student in the medical and health professions program at Middle Institute of Technology. First up tonight, February is career and technical education month or CTE month, a time dedicated to raising public awareness and celebrating the impact and achievements of CTE programs nationwide. Across the Commonwealth, CTE schools play a critical role in meeting local workforce needs by providing students with opportunities to learn alongside trained professionals and by reinforcing the essential place technical education holds

014within our educational system. In recognition of CTE month, MBIT is continuing its support the trades t-shirt initiative and fundraiser. Proceeds from t-shirt sales in the school store will directly support MBIT students attending Skills USA national competitions, further investing in student success beyond the classroom. Next, several students earn first place gold medals at the Skills USA district competition, qualifying them to advance to the Skills USA state competition. Congratulations to Christian Pollock for for the multimedia technology, Gwen Senini from medical and health professions, Christian Golder from electrical technology, Adelaide LZ from dental occupations, Patrick Pharaoh from plumbing, Steven Blasco from welding, Faith Sweden and Casey Winter from culinary arts in the cake decorating, and Hayden Lopez Akuna from restaurant service. Their outstanding performances reflect the dedication, technical skill, and career readiness developed through their programs, and we

015wish them continued success at the state level. Next, the spring adult education classes are now underway, providing community members with opportunities to build new skills, advance their careers, and explore hands-on training in high demand fields. These courses support workforce development by offering practical industry relevant instruction and flexible learning options that meet the needs of adult learners while strengthening connections between MBIT and the broader community. Next up, members of the Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery counties conducted a site evaluation at MBIT as part of the Pennsylvania Builders Association endorsed trade program review cycle. The evaluation focused on the electrical technology, building construction trades, plumbing, and carpentry programs and highlighted the passion, purpose, and highquality instruction that take place daily, reinforcing the strength of MBIT's industry partnerships and career focused programming. Lastly, mark your calendars.

016The HOSA blood drive is happening on February 20th from 8:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. right here at Middlebox. This is your chance to make a meaningful impact and help save lives. Donating blood is a simple yet powerful way to support to support our community and those in need. Thank you for taking the time to stay updated on all the exciting happenings at MBIT. Be sure to follow us on all social media to keep up with the latest news, achievements, and events. Thank you. >> Thank you for having us this evening. Again, it's always a pleasure for us sharing out all the wonderful happenings at North and Mbit. So, we'll see you in April. Thank you everyone. Thank you so much. Thank you again to Mr. Tres Tresvich and the North uh student advisory board. Moving

017on to the superintendent report. Dr. Senko. >> Thank you, Miss Con. Welcome and good evening to the board of school directors, to the staff and community members joining us tonight, and to those turning tuning in on the Council Rock YouTube channel. Thank you to Aiden Orbitman and Owen Bidwell for leading us in the pledge of allegiance and to the Council Rock South Chamber Orchestra led by Caleb Sharp for their performance and to the Council Rock High School North principal, Mr. Treskevich and the North Student Advisory Board for their report on events and activities. It's hard to believe that we are already in midFebruary with just 17 days left until daylight savings time and only four weeks until the first day of spring. This time of year always seems to move quickly as the pace and

018intensity of learning continues to build. In our classrooms, students are deeply engaged in their learning. Initiatives such as structured literacy training and the implementation of Magic School are well underway. Across grade levels, many classes are immersed in projects that showcase the high level of teaching and learning taking place throughout our schools across the district. Behind the scenes, our administrative team is actively engaged in the budgeting process and beginning early planning for the 2026 2027 school year. So we remain focused, strategic, and aligned with our goals for continued growth and excellence. At at the same time, some of the most memorable milestones of the school year are just around the corner, including the senior Disney trip, which you just heard is 47 days away, and spring break. These experiences along with the daily work happening in

019our classrooms remind us of the balance of rigor, opportunity, and community that defines our schools. I'm pleased to share that the draft of the 2026 through 2029 Council Rock School District comprehensive plan is now posted on the Council Rock website. Every three years, schools across the Commonwealth are required to develop and submit a comprehensive plan that serves as a roadmap for the future of our schools. This plan is much more than a collection of ideas. It is thoughtfully developed and grounded in current student achievement data, which helps us identify clear priorities and set meaningful actionable goals for the years ahead. It reflects both where we are and where we aspire to go as a learning community. A more detailed overview of the comprehensive plan will be presented at the February 26th education committee meeting. The

020draft will remain available for public review through March 30th, 2026, and we welcome your feedback. We have established a dedicated mailbox to receive comments at crmp plan at crd.org. You can find the draft plan and all related information on the opening page of the Council Rock website. Speaking of the website, on July 1st, 2026, Council Rock will move to a new website provider, Aptigy. The migration of our current website is currently underway and we are redesigning it to better meet the needs of our end users. One feature we are especially excited about is the unified calendar that will let you filter events and easily see what is happening at any school across Council Rock. Look for additional announcements and news about our new website in the Rock report. We hope to minimize disruption to our

021website users and unveil a refreshed, clean, and easy to navigate website for our community. At Council Rock, we remain committed to preparing students and families for responsible participation in a digital world. More than 3,000 Council Rock families have already taken advantage of have already taken advantage of Smart Smart Social's resources to strengthen Social's resources to strengthen their their understanding of online safety and understanding of online safety and healthy digital habits. Notably, 54% of participating families are engaging in this learning alongside their children and encouraging sign that conversations about digital responsibility are happening at home as well as at school. More than 3,000 Council Rock families Smart Social will host three upcoming events on February 24th, 25th, and 26th covering important topics such as Stranger Awareness Online and what families should know about video games. Parents

022and staff can register for these sessions and explore Smart Social's extensive resource library at www.smartsocial.com. Although spring is just around the corner, we know that winter weather can still make an appearance. At this time, snow is in the forecast for Sunday evening. If schools must close on Monday, we will notify the community promptly through our mass communication channels, including email, text, and phone call, as well as social media. If there is a need for school to be cancelled on Monday, February 23rd, we will implement an asynchronous flexible instructional day. Students will not attend school in person and instruction will take place at home through independent learning activities. Utilizing these days has allowed us to maintain continuity of learning without extending the school year further into late June. We will continue to monitor the forecast closely

023and will inform the community of any decisions as early and promptly as possible. We encourage everyone to check their devices in advance to ensure Council Rock communications are not blocked or filtered. Some important dates for everyone to note. Thursday, February 26th, 700 p.m. is the education committee meeting. Monday, March 2nd, 7 pm is a policy committee meeting. Thursday, March 5th is a facilities committee meeting at 7 pm. Thursday, March 12th is a finance committee meeting, 7 pm. Thursday, March 19th is a board meeting at 7 PM. And Thursday, March 26 is an education committee meeting at 700 p.m. Finally, this is a reminder to our community to use only Council Rock School District resources, websites, and official social media platforms for the most reliable, up-to-date information about our district. We urge the public to verify

024information on social media and be discerning in where they obtain information relating to Council Rock. If you question what you're seeing, need clarification, or want a reliable fact check, please contact the district directly. Our contact information is available on our website at www.crsd.org. This concludes the superintendent report. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Senko. Moving on to the solicitor report. Mr. Muso. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh, we've met several times in executive session since our last meeting. We met on January 29th to discuss a personnel matter. We met briefly on February 2nd to discuss confidential student information. On February 10th, we met to discuss discuss possible litigation matters. And on February 12th, we met to discuss labor relations. I have nothing public to report tonight, but the board does have our written solicitor's report

025for the month. >> Thank you, Mr. Miso. >> Mr. Roosevelt, >> thank you. In light of the significant community uh support and attendance, um I'm requesting that we move facility items D and E up in the agenda so that they can get home and have dinner and uh maybe do some homework. >> Second. We can we can definitely do that, but after public comment approval of minutes, if that's f. >> Perfect. >> Yeah. Thank you. All right. So, we need to have public comment before we can move that item up. There's definitely um we can do that. Thank you. All right. We're going to move to public comment. Um, thank you to the many community members who came out this evening to voice your support and concerns. Based upon the signup sheet that I have

026and the multiple emails that we as board members have been receiving over this course of the several weeks, um, I see that most of you with the exception of one person is here to speak on an agenda item which I'm assuming is items uh, DNA which relating to the council rocks out stadium. Um, this portion of public comment is for agenda items only. Um, there was a signup sheet outside the boardroom for those who wish to speak. I have that in front of me now. Uh, I will call from the list in order of the sign up. Um, please come up to the center table, turn on the speaker, state your name and your township. Um, public comment is an opportunity for members of the public to address the board. We ask that you limit

027your comments to no longer than three minutes. Please consider the fact that there are many young children in the audience or watching this broadcast live on CRTV when speaking. It is our goal to maintain a respectful environment so that all members of our community have an equal opportunity to address the board without interruption. I ask that those in the audience to please keep noises and comments to a minimum so we can have a productive, effective, and respectful meeting. Uh this meeting is to conduct district business by the board. Thank you. So at this time we do have a little timer here that uh we will put up there for the three minutes. We have um Mario Evangelist. Please come up. Mario Evangelist, Northampton Township. Good evening, Dr. Senko, Madame President, directors. First, thank you to

028the board members for bringing the Council Rock Stadium to a vote this evening. And I also want to publicly thank uh Mr. Green, Miss Oeki, Miss her, uh Mr. Hago, and Mr. Roosevelt who have confirmed with myself and others their intention to vote yes tonight. I'd also like to thank Miss Khan, Miss Stone, and Miss Rickert, uh who either replied to my emails or spoke with me personally about this issue. Uh you've been open to discussion. You've shown a real willingness to understand what this stadium represents to our students and to our community, and we appreciate that. This investment will do more than complete a long-awaited amenity. It will send a clear message to the South community that we are one district with two high schools that are equally important. It will also strengthen school

029pride, support student socialization, and ensure long-term demand to live in our district, which directly benefits property values for all residents and local businesses. Most importantly, this project will last generations. It will create a lifetime of memories and experiences that help shape the identity of our students. And I'd also like to thank the many residents who worked tirelessly to bring attention to this vote, the people who signed the petition, spoke up, and posted on social media, and showed up here tonight. I've never seen this level of community support around a single issue, and I'm proud of our township for coming together the way it has. I hope we see a historic 90 yes vote tonight so we can all leave, celebrate, and finally bring Council Rock South home. Thank you. Thank you. Next up, we have

030Stephanie Evangelist. Good evening and thank you to the board for allowing me to speak tonight. My name is Stephanie Evangelist. become a parent in the district, PTO co-president for Richboro Elementary, secretary for our CRBA, on the Rock AI committee, and a team mom for NEFA. And most importantly, a mom who cares deeply about the future of school, of our school, and our kids. Before anything else, I want to say thank you. I know the amount of time and discussion and hard work that has gone into getting to this moment. No matter where people stand, it's clear the board has spent countless hours reviewing details, listening to the community, and taking this responsibility seriously, and that deserves recognition. So, thank you. Over the past few weeks, my family and I have put our hearts in supporting

031this project. We've been we've spent evenings driving around together, hanging signs, talking to neighbors, and encouraging people to show up and be part of the process. My son and daughter have been right there with us because to them, this isn't about politics or budget. It's about their future. They see this as something that belongs to the students who are here now and the ones who will come long after them. This stadium represents more than a field. It represents home. Represents school pride, fairness between North and South, and a place where students can gather for sports, band, color guard, graduation, and moments they'll remember for the rest of their lives. I truly hope tonight we can move forward together. And yes, I'm hoping for a 90 vote. Not because anyone wins, but because our kids do.

032Years from now, when students walk onto the field across the stage, they won't remember the debates. They'll remember that the adults in this community chose to invest in them. Thank you for your time, your service, and for everything you do for our students. Thank you. We have Elizabeth Douly. >> Hello, I'm Elizabeth Douly from Northampton Township. I first want to say thank you to every single community member that has decided to stand up for all of our kids. Thank you for sending emails. Thank you for the engagement on social media. Thank you for putting our kids first. And thank you for showing up tonight. That being said, I would now like to address the board. I know that you serve on this board because you want to do right by your community and the students.

033I applaud you for volunteering your time to do so. At this moment in time, the community and the students at Council Rock South need you. We all need you to vote yes to finally build a stadium for the students and future students of Council Rock South. These kids deserve the same as every other high schooler in Bucks County. Currently, students are required to transport their equipment and travel by bus to Arrival Field for their home games. This is not only a burden for all the students, but also means that all of our proceeds are not staying with our home school. Furthermore, with the planned renovation of Council Rock North in the next 5 to 10 years, construction will likely render their stadium unusable. Without a stadium at South, the Council Rock School District will be

034left without any functional stadium facilities. Lastly, it has been clearly stated at multiple meetings that the stadium is within budget with no tax increase. The time is now to vote yes to complete the stadium at South and put our children first always. Thank you. Thank you, Lisa Hosel. Good evening. Um, my name is Lisa Hosel. I'm a Northampton resident and my children um, sixth grade twins attend MMW. Um, as a a fellow volunteer, I'd like to thank you all for the time and dedication that you put into our school district and our community. Um, since I spoke last, my husband and I put together a petition in support of completing the South Stadium. We have over a thousand, actually 1,025 to be exact signatures here, um, from community members both north and south, um, senior

035citizens, um, grandparents, um, new homeowners, etc. Um, as I asked when I spoke at the facilities meeting before, how many people do we need to have come here to show you how important this stadium is? And if you can see all the wonderful people behind me, we have the support um from the community. So, here are some facts and this is why tonight should be an easy 90 win for us. Um, the first fact is, as it was stated at the finance meeting last week, that we can afford this. So, our taxes are not going to go up. Um, and we can afford this. Another fact, phase one has already been completed, and we do not want to show our children that we start something and we do not finish it. Fact. Another fact, we

036are the only school in Bucks County without their own stadium. This is embarrassing and beneath the high standard that council council rock claims. And and this is also something that brings families to the Council Rock South community to purchase when they have nice things like stadiums and things like that for their children and their school systems. Fact, the stadium will bring continuous income into our districts and the limit in the district and the li limit is endless with that. Fact. South students can finally have the beautiful outdoor graduation that they deserve like every other school in Bucks County. Students will not have to choose between family members that can attend their graduation. Fact, band members, football players, soccer players, cheerleaders will all get the respect that they deserve and not to go feel like they

037have to live out of a suitcase when they're going over to their rival North Stadium. and they'll have a home field when they play them. Fact, the Chancellor Center renovation can be done on a much smaller scale um and still give the 75 employees that work in this building a nice working environment. Um there has been an outpouring as you can see from the community about this statement, the stadium and fact not to build the stadium. There's none because there's no good facts of why not to do that. So please, please, I'm asking you as a parent, as a community member, do the right thing by our children. Please don't bring politics into this. Don't bring personal agendas. Don't bring anything. I I'm having faith in all of you that you're going to do the

038right thing for our children and our community. Give us something to celebrate, to come together for years to come. Be the heroes. Walk out of here with your head up high. You did the right thing for the children and you'll be the board members that finally got this done after 20 years. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Next we have Meen Hickey. Hi everybody. Before I start, I just want to say I haven't been at a schoolboard meeting for a long time. And to educate the people behind me, I have no skin in the game. I would give anything for any one of my eight kids to have be able to have had the opportunity that is in front of these young families today. So in that spirit I I felt like my mom and

039dad always taught me right from wrong and you have that inherent s sense in you that you have to step outside your comfort zone. I have a million things I could be doing right now but I had to be here because it is an issue of right and wrong. So in that spirit I'm going to be speaking um reading a letter from a personal friend that I am blessed to see every week. So I'll begin. from Walt Snyder, former Council Rock teacher, former assistant athletic director, and former head coach of Council Rock football. I had the privilege of being part of the Council Rock community for over 20 years. When I heard that CR South was trying to get a stadium built on their own property, I was 100% in favor of this endeavor. Having

040a home stadium builds a community. It is a place that people will gather to cheer on their home team. Every sports team wants that home field advantage. A home field gives the team confidence and instills a sense of pride in each individual. When a player takes the field at his or her home school, parents, friends, and community members are there to cheer on the team and individuals. The feeling of playing before a home crowd at your own school is one that cannot be duplicated. As a coach, preparing for a game at your home school allows for more time to have the team ready to go on the field. The coaches and players know the field and they feel comfortable. Players do not have to get on a bus, carry equipment with them, and get changed

041in a locker room that is not their own. Having their own field at South will allow all of the athletes to be united as they all feel the same sense of pride at their home field. I urge all of you to vote yes for the building of a stadium at Council Rock South. I, Walt Snder, am 100% in favor of this. Now, my words, although I don't measure up, knowing the giant of a man that Walt Snyder is, I am humbled to speak in his place. Just the other day, Walt asked me if I thought he should attend tonight's meeting. But I assured him that his presence would be felt by his message and that he he has earned the right on a Thursday night to stay safe, warm, and perhaps even kick his feet

042up. Walt Snider's service to the community at Council Rock runs deep, and I am blessed to bear witness to his former colleagues and former players serenade him still. The respect and admiration by which they greet him, reminisce with him, and care for him explains exactly why there is a stadium that bears his name. And so I want to publicly thank him for stepping out and into the Council Rock South community with his unwavering support. That being said, I wish to also thank all those who stepped up to throw a lifeline to the idea of a 20-year promise, 20 years finally being kept. For in my humble opinion, the idea of a South Stadium felt like it was on life support. Whether it was our community finally understanding what was at stake or whether it was

043the revelation of the excessive spending approved for the chancellor center that stirred an uproar or maybe it was divine intervention. All I know is that on behalf of our students the roar of the crowd has been like nothing I have ever heard in my 30 plus years here. May this be a message to all that the business of all things Council Rock is truly your business and in a sense your responsibility. I absolutely loved with all my heart my high school experience. Giving these kids the stadium that so many before them had wished for. I think of my children would be like giving a very very special heartbeat to the school community at Council Rock South. Let the games begin. I I also want to thank administration and the school board for all you do.

044I understand exactly what you do and I hold all of you in high regard for your time and efforts. Thank you. >> Thank you. Up next, we have April Mcnite. Good evening everybody. Miss Stone indicated at the recent facilities committee meeting that the decision to complete South Stadium is difficult and that people have differing opinions. I agree with to that. Many have said that there isn't an interest in South Stadium. I vehemently disagree. For all of those community members seated behind me, will all of those in favor of the completion of the South Stadium please quietly and respectfully raise your hand high so that the board members and administration before us can see that we are here in large numbers and not backing down. The funds have been secured, so we ask that you finish

045what you started, demonstrate students first, and get the South Stadium completed. I respectfully request South Stadium be formally named Elwell Dumbowski Hero Stadium. Both high school Council Rock High School graduates of North. Um, Kenneth Dowski graduated in 1997. Bobby De uh, I'm sorry, Kenneth Elway graduated in 1997. And Bobby Dumbowski graduated in 2005. Both students are brave high school Council Rock High School students who bravely died serving our country. both um my fellow community members and I have not been fighting just for our football athletes, but for all past, present, and future students of Council Rock South who cannot advocate for themselves and who would greatly benefit by access to the stadium. Please vote yes to the completion of phase two of South Stadium. Thank you. Sorry about that. Um, next we have Brody Walker.

046Hello, I'm Brody Walker. I'm from Northampton Township and I'm a junior at Council Rock South High School. Um, I just like to say I'm a very involved with our school. I'm in many clubs, including being the president of podcast club. I'm a dual sport varsity athlete, student council officer, and I was involved in the theater play last year. Through experiencing all these different communities located inside our high school, I feel that I represent almost if not all of our student body on how we feel about this topic. Having a stadium at our high school is a statement to all the students and the school. It is very unfair to our football team that we have to travel 15 minutes on the bus to play a home game. When we played at South two years ago,

047it was such a great experience for me walking out on our field, our logo, and seeing all our fans there. It is more convenient to our community, too. Friday Night Lights is a statement to the South community from all ages. When parents have jobs, kids, and live about 20 to 25 minutes away from North, it's very hard for them to get there. However, it may only take them 5 to 10 minutes to get to South. This is also a very big problem for the North versus South game because the South, when we play there, it never feels like a home game. I feel that this has a huge effect on our rivalry and for the football team's home field advantage. This also affects the culture of our school. Friday night lights are a core memory

048for most high school kids and I won't even be able to experience that at my home school as a player. Also, for all the student fans that come to the games, they don't get that nostalgic home experience atmosphere and the memories that come along with it. Another huge problem we have at our school is that a stadium could change our graduation graduation. As a family of as a family of six, my whole family can't even come to my graduation, which I find ridiculous. What are parents supposed to do? Leave out one of my brothers or sisters or one of them not go? I know I want my whole family there because I've worked hard every single day in school to make that stage and walk across and and I want my family be to be

049there to watch me. When we think about North graduation, they can have as many people as they want because of their stadium. And I find that completely unfair to all South students. The accomplishment of graduation is a huge deal for every student and their family. If you look around at this crowd, you realize this is a must for our school. We are not here to compare ourselves to Council Rock North because jealousy is the thief of joy. We just want to have a stadium where we can thrive from and call it ours. It may sound selfish, but I think the students and staff have earned this right and it's time to give it to us. There are only pros for the students with the stadium being built. And our district motto is students first always.

050I really hope you take this into deep consideration and approve this. I'd like to leave with one quote. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity by Albert Einstein. This is a huge opportunity for you all. So, let's make the right choice. Thank you for your time. Have a nice time. You don't want it. Okay. Thank you. Up next, we have Ed Solomon. Mr. state. I'll try to get this right. It's Ed Salomon, Northampton Township. Good evening, board cabinet. Dr. Senko, behind me this evening are a lot of sweaty varsity jackets from the Council Rock Golden Hawks playoffbound football team that wants a stadium. In addition to that, you have the Northampton Indian kids that want to dream about playing in a stadium tonight. It's going to happen 90. Nothing less than that. We can do

051it. I appreciate the time that each of the board members have taken with me. Mr. Green, we spoke momentarily before the meeting. Mr. Tate, you and I spoke again today. You know my feelings. You know, I don't want to be here every Thursday. I love seeing you, but I do have other kids at home that would love to see me here. Mr. Rap, I appreciate the detailed finance committee meeting last week where you again stipulated that we can get this done for the kids. The Golden Hawks do not have a stadium. The Golden Hawks deserve a stadium. April 8th, 2021, I sat in this board room for three hours discussing multiple facility agenda items. On that evening, Dr. Thorward proposed that we did the turf at South. There was no stadium mentioned. That vote went

05263. Three board members voted against the turf. Here we are. Fast forward to tonight's date. And again, this is a 90 vote for you folks. I'll make it easy on you. 90. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. And then we're all going to Richboro Pub afterwards or the Irish horn cuz I gave them a plug this time. I know it's tough. I've been there. These are decisions that you you think about all the time. You get the emails. You're getting the phone calls. There's not a better decision that can be made at this juncture of your board career than putting a stadium at South. And we wouldn't be here tonight if it wasn't for Mr. Hickeyi who did not get reelected to the board but has been almost every board meeting I think since then because his

053unwavering support of this is the reason we're here. Dr. Thorward started it. Mr. Hickeyi has continued it and tonight with a 90 vote we're going to end it. I will see you at the ribbon cutting. I'm looking forward to get this done in two years so my daughter can graduate from there. And if not we're still going to have a good time with this. The community deserves it. Let's get it done for the kids. Thank you. Next we have Mike. Thank you. Next we have Mike Thorp. This is new. U Mike Thor Northampton Township. Um, yeah, that's me talking about. Um, some of you uh have served with me on this board and you know that when I wanted something, I found out where the nose were going to be and I pursued them viciously.

054So, I want this turf or this this stadium and I'd like to see a 900. So, I thought what could generate a no vote and and I I couldn't find any really. I had a couple spite. We just gave them a turf. you know, they only had to wait 12 years for that. So, um that that may be that, but no, no one's going to do that. Um a ridiculous desire to um have disparity between the high schools. No one's going to do that. So, I struck that out. The only one I could come up with was money because it's always money. But then, uh I did a little research and realized you spent $18 million on a vanity project here in this building. That's probably going to be 22, 23, maybe 25 million before

055you're done because this is a historic building and you're going to end up tracking where the stones were and where they have to go back and when you open up the the uh ground out here, it's going to go sideways. So, it money isn't an issue either because you're you're spending it. So, uh I can't think of any reason why this wouldn't be 90. I if I was on the board, I'd be sitting quietly just waiting for the vote to happen because there it'll be interesting to see why someone would say no to this at this point. It really will. Um but those are the only reasons I could come up with. So hopefully um this is quick, easy, and uh just falls into place. Um one last thing on on a personal note, you're

056all public servants. Um, I couldn't help but notice multiple Council Rock security people, two police officers. I got to tell you, if if you need that level of security at a board meeting, you're you're you're really doing something wrong. Uh, sorry. I just there's there shouldn't be any reason for that in in a public meeting. Um, thank you. Good night. Okay, up next we have Roco. Uh, >> thank you. And Andrew on the same line. >> First, you say hi. >> Hi, I'm Rock Sid. >> And I'm Andrew Mertzik. >> Um, we are both sophomores and play football at Council Rock South. and we want to thank you for giving us time to speak to you >> today. We wanted to bring to light the obvious inequity and bias towards Council Rock North. >> Since

0572002 at the opening of Council Rock South, there has been unfairness towards South students. >> For the first season at Council Rock South, the team was forced to wait for North to finish their practice before they could finish theirs. There was no alternating days where South got to go first. There was no time limit for how long North had to practice, which sent some practices for South to go past 11 p.m. on a school night. Now, I know what you're thinking. This was 20 20 years ago. Things have changed, but I ask you, they have in the past football season, uh, South went 101 and won the our district championship and a home field playoff game. While other teams in the playoff like North Penn get to prepare in their thousands of dollar locker rooms,

058we um had to lay on wrestling mats in the north auction gym shifting in every position so that we could get comfortable. >> Now I have to ask you, why is there such bias towards North when South Superior hangs over North's head for everyone to see? South girls basketball has produced two so championships compared to North one. South wrestling has produced a state championship team. North has produced none. South wrestling has produced nine state champion wrestlers. Now set North has produced none. South football has produced three division championships. North none. Kervok South football produced a lottery draft pick in the NFL draft. North hasn't had a football player go division one in years. The bias towards North is arbitrary. While South continues to win and fill the stadium, North can't even finish a season without

059half their starters quitting the team. >> So, if I'm being entirely truthful, I have to say is the only reason you won't give us a stadium because we are the only team that can fill up Wire Stadium. And if that is true, that is unfair to the students and families of South. We have the money for it and we need it. There was $18 million in the budget and as a district I would like to say I don't think we need the fixed administration building. Uh but it's unfair and unjust that we don't have a stadium and >> 30 seconds. >> Oh, if we Oh, if we continue to find uh success and fairness we that we deserve, then imagine what we could do without w with the fairness. I am not coming to you

060asking for a stadium for ourselves. But by the time I graduate, the stadium won't be finished. We are coming to you on the behalf of the future of South to ask for equality and fairness for the students and families of South and take the necessary steps in order to stop the inequity and bias towards North. So one day in the future, I can see the Hawks walk out to their own field at their own stadium. Thank you and go Hawks. Boom. >> Thank you both. We have Zachary Morris. Next >> we have Zachary Morris. I'm sure you all remember me from uh last time, but um so one, I just want to make it very clear before my speech. If this isn't a 90 vote, what are you guys doing? It's quite obvious we need

061a stadium. Um, we have much greater superiority and the fact that one of y'all had to uh mark it out and say that they had 30 seconds left and interrupt them, it it's pretty clear to me which bias you guys have. Um, anyways, if you give me a moment, for the past 25 years, building up to now, the stadium's operation has been declined time after time. This is the board's chance to redeem themselves. If you look at our audience, our athletes are here and my peers are here. We will fight for this stadium. Look at the youth behind me. Look at the athletes. If you deny this proposal, you deny their development. It's as simple as that. You You're putting people in a wrong path for their future. you're denying their leisure and you're denying

062their uh pleasure to play at a school that's superior to the school that you're giving all this funding to. So, let's get that stadium and let's vote I. Now, we have Bob Hickey. Next, Anyway, this is a great show of community. People from all over. You have kids, you have adults, you have football players, you have Township supervisors, former board members. What a great showing. I've spoken before about how Council Rock South is the only public school in B County without stadium. How there's not even within our own district. We already discussed how a stadium is more than a football game. I'm sure others have already had. We'll touch upon it again and some more as we go on. We all know by now we're just voted to authorize management fees for million renovation of

063this building. While it is necessary, most expensive option. My topic for tonight has to do with finances and I've heard board members waiting to see what was said at finance. I've attended the last two finance meetings. This is what I in the January meeting. It was mentioned there were numerous ways to pay for the state. The district could move funds from different accounts. We could use money from the capital reserve or the fund balance. You can also raise funds through naming rights and other ventures. Similar to what New Hope just did a little while ago, any money raised or donated would directly $7 million cost and I wholeheartedly agree with the speaker who mentioned naming the field after uh Dumbowski and Elwell. However, even if not one dime is raised, this is what I heard

064at the February meeting. There are five projects now under consideration, including the stadium. We are good financially on all five. For senior citizens like myself and those on fixed incomes, zero new taxes are required to fund the stadium. Zero new taxes. The district is within its current budgeting schedule to fund this project. In addition, our current investments are actually outpacing budgeted expectations. I believe now the figure is somewhere in the neighborhood of $400,000 after 6 months. Thank you to Quarterstone. A possible financial gain for this district. At no point in the meeting, at either meeting did I hear anything resembling hesitation or push back. Based on that, I believe those board members who were reserved have little if any reason to vote no. This opportunity has not presented itself in the last 25 years and

065most likely will never happen again. Let's do what has always been the right thing to do for this community. And I thank you for your careful consideration. >> Thank you. We have Matt Smith next. >> You could please state your township as well, municipality. >> Matt Smith, Northampton Township. Um, I have four boys that attend Hillrest Elementary and Holland Middle who will also be attending Council Rock South. Um, and thank you first of all to all the board members for your service and for volunteering your time to be up there. I know this is a uh I don't think it's a tough decision, it's a decision. Um, everybody's saying 90. I'll take 54. You know, that's a win. A win is a win. Um, my kids wanted me to come up and speak, so here

066I am and glad they picked up a little bit because at first they said it was worse than church, but it seems to have gotten a little more exciting. Um, but all I have to say, cuz everybody's already said it. Um, this is for the kids. You know, the administrative building is for 75 employees to have a nicer office. I understand there's maybe some structural improvements that need to be done. Yes, absolutely have to take care of those. But in terms of having nicer office space, I think it's more important that our our kids get a chance to have a stadium and that alumni get a chance to come back. You've heard from a number of football players that have played or are playing at the school, which and it's not just for football. Let's

067not just make this a football thing. It's for other sports as well. It's for the band. It's for everybody. Um and it's it has so many benefits. It's the only thing that will actually produce some revenue. I'm sure it'd be pretty easy to get somebody to uh sponsor a scoreboard, sponsor the stadium. There's there's plenty of folks in the area that would be willing to to donate money and to fund raise for this for this stadium. So, um with that, you know, I always wanted to say this. I'm going to concede my time to the floor and I am done. Thank you. >> Thank you. Do we have Josh Joshua Morris next? Give me one second. Hold on. All right. I am sure you all know me. Joshua Morris, Northampton. I'm a junior at South.

068I'm an MBIT uh student. I'm a Skills USA representative. Um, and yeah, so over two decades ago, South was built. Today, we remain the only school district in Bucks County with no stadium at one of our schools. Central Bucks has three high schools. And all three of their high schools, East, West, and CB South, not to be confused with CR South, has a stadium. All three. Must be nice. They get to graduate outside and have all all their family members there. I have a huge household, so only my mom and my dad can attend my graduation. Yikes. Um, so they have their own homecoming game games. They have their home team. They're having, you know, jolly good fun along with CR North. It's a slap in the face. Honestly, South was built a long time

069ago, even before I was born. I was born in 2008. The school was born in 2002. It's like being hit in ancient times here. I bet all nine of you guys got to experience your own games at your own school and high school, your own graduation outside on a nice day with every family member there, your own games, and so much more. Put yourselves in our shoes. I bet you would be out here doing the same thing um if this was you. So, please give us this. We deserve it. It won't raise taxes as said millions of times. Um, we have the money. Northampton Township wants this. Um, I won't experience this, but I want I want the newcomers to uh to experience it. And if this doesn't get approved tonight and if I still

070live in Northampton, will I have to come back here 20 years from now with my own children and those young football players who have been coming here when they are in high school? That brings me to my other point. I see a packed room. I have been showing up to these meetings for two years and watching on YouTube. As a teenager, I encourage you guys to stay involved and pay attention because I have been in this room plenty of times to see this um to see this room more than half empty. And also vote in your local municipal elections. Those matter most because these people were elected by the community and those per the region you live in. Just remember that in for 2027, which is our next municipal office elections that carry our judges,

071our county row offices, our supervisors, and our school board and much more because >> Yep. Because those elections have low turnout and that needs to change. So members, don't delay this anymore and do not say no on this and be proud of voting yes for this $20 million building that houses zero students but 75 staff that didn't push for a stadium at all when promised 24 years ago because don't they recommend and write the agenda? I am sure there is a way to get the Chancellor Center done at a well expense without chaos of moving out and in out and in. Students first always don't just say it, do it. We have Garrett Hanigan. Next, >> Garrett Hanigan, Northampton Township. Uh, thanks, Mr. Chairman, the board, and Hulk Nation. Good evening, everyone. Thank you for

072the opportunity to speak tonight about the proposal to allocate funds for a high school football stadium. Over 20 years ago, when the school was built, the stadium was never included. At that time, there were reasons. Budget constraints, competing priorities, tough decisions that had to be made. The focus the focus was on getting the building up and running, making sure classrooms were ready, and ensuring our students had a place to learn. But what was left out then is something our students have felt ever since. For over two decades, our athletes had practiced hard, represented this community, traveled elsewhere to call someone else's field home. Our marching band performs under someone else's lights. Our cheerleaders rally spirit in someone else's stands. Our families drive to other towns to watch kids compete. That's not because we don't value

073them. It's because the opport the opportunity wasn't there 20 years ago. Tonight it is. This isn't about football. It's about community pride. It's about Friday Friday nights where families gather, alumni comes home, and neighbors reconnect. It's about giving our students a place that reflects the pride we have in them. Our young people are our future in this community. The students wearing those jerseys today will be tomorrow's business owners, teachers, first responders, leaders, and voters. When we invest in them, we invest in our future su stability and growth of this town. A stadium is more than concrete and turf. It's a gathering place. It's a symbol. It tells our kids you matter. Your hard work matters. Your community stands behind you. For 20 years, we've done without. We've made it work. But making do is not

074the same as moving forward. Now, we have the chance to correct something that was left unfinished. We have the chance to build something that brings us together, supports our youth, strengthens our community identity. This is not just an expense. It is an investment in our students, our community pride, and our future. I respectfully ask we move forward and give our kids a place to call home. And as my as my son says, let's go. Thank you. Up next, I have an Alana Sera. I believe um it's not identified which if this is a agenda item or non-aggenda and does not um state the township. Is Alana here? Okay. Is this an agenda item? This is an agenda item. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Good evening board. Uh, my name is Alana Serita Sarnney.

075I'm a Northampton resident and I am also the general manager for Council Rock South Ice Hockey. I'm here tonight because we have a rare opportunity in front of us. We're talking about a new high school stadium that offers a massive increase in community spirit. While we call it a stadium, this is truly a multi-purpose community hearth. For our students, it's a classroom for the band, a stage for graduation, and a professional grade surface for soccer, track, lacrosse, and field hockey. For our neighbors, it's a safe, accessible place for morning walks, youth sports leagues, and a community event like movie night on the turf. By building this, we aren't just supporting one team. We are building a home base for everyone from toddlers to seniors. In an age where we spend so much time behind the

076screens, we need physical spaces that bring us together. There's something irreplaceable about a Friday night under the lights. It's where alumni reconnect, where local businesses get seen through sponsorships, and where our children learn lessons about grit and teamwork that they'll carry for the rest of their lives. A new stadium signals to our kids and to the surrounding towns that we believe in this community. It says that our town is a place where things are happening, where we invest in the future, and where we show up for one another. This isn't about yard lines and scoreboards. This is about creating a landmark for our town and gives us a connection and pride. Let's build a place where our kids can dream big and where our community can gather for decades to come. Thank you. Thank you.

077Up next we have Wendy Noiki party here tonight. Good evening. I'm Wendy Niki in Upper Mfield. I have three Council Rock students and one graduate. I want to begin by by thanking the board and acknowledging the responsibility you carry in balancing the needs of an entire district. I am proud to see long overdue initiatives including full day kindergarten, expanded social emotional supports, and meaningful movement in special education finally implemented under this board's leadership. These are decisions previous boards discussed for years but failed to act on, leaving increased costs and greater challenges for you to address today. That responsibility is made even more difficult by the reality that no decision will satisfy everyone. There is no magic wand and no unlimited funding source. And again, you are faced with vote today on a stadium that has

078stalled and delayed for decades. The community engagement surrounding the Council Rock South Stadium has been strong, but it has also been clouded by misinformation and unnecessary division. Misrepresenting the can the Chancellor Center renovations or framing this conversation as North versus South does not move us towards solutions, but instead distracts from the facts and the valid reasons for putting a stadium at South. Anyone questioning the Chancellor Center costs should review the finance and facilities meetings from the past year and a half. Multiple options were considered and the board selected the most cost-effective plan to address the long-standing foundation issues, water intrusion, and safety concerns. These are necessary repairs that have been neglected for years, not luxury renovations, and suggesting otherwise is inaccurate and misleading. The repetitive statements about inequity between North and South compare a 24year-old

079building to a 57y old one without context, creating a distorted narrative. Calls for parody often focus on what South lacks without acknowledging what it has or the very real deficiencies that remain at North. from limited parking and smaller gym capacity to the safety concerns that come with a lack of exterior windows in the majority of classrooms. I may be able to experience graduation in a stadium, but my senior does not have a single class with windows. Context matters and parody should be grounded in facts, not selective comparisons. However, as a parent of high school North students, I have had the opportunity to watch state tournament games, walk with my son in a senior night, and experienced graduation all at North Stadium. I have also witnessed the South marching band unload trailers and buses for every

080home game, >> and have stood at the fence at South soccer matches where seating is limited. I understand that growth and learning extend far beyond the classroom. Athletics, music, and school activities help students find belonging, build character, and develop community. A stadium is more than a structure. It is a gathering place where school spirit is built, where students learn teamwork, sportsmanship, resilience, pride in their community. It is where they learn to lose with grace and win with humility. You have been asked to make a decision shaped by years of deferred action and rising costs. Approving the stadium at South affirms our commitment to students by investing in a place where memories are made, community is built, and school pride takes root. Tonight, I hope you take a breath and be the board that finally gives

081South its stadium. Thank you, Maria Rogers. Hello everyone. Maria Rogers, Northampton Township. I spoke last time and sent you all an email. Thank you those who responded to my email with very valuable points on why the stadium is needed. The role of the school board are members elected officials who set the vision, policy, and budget for local school districts acting as the community voice. Please take a moment, look behind me and look at this community. All of them, small kids, look at them here, over here, football players, parents, just please take a moment, look at all of them. Because these little boys, my own little boys, they want a stadium. The community wants a stadium. If the community does not want a stadium, where are they? I have not heard one person come and speak

082tonight or the last meeting and voice why they do not want a stadium. We actually just heard a very valid um speech from someone from North who wants the stadium. If people in the community were so against the stadium, they would be here tonight, but they are not. The community is speaking very loud, very clear. I don't know. I've only been in the township for 5 years, but please tell me the last time that you had small children, a whole high school football team on a Thursday night attend a meeting. I think that should be put in to high regards here that they took time. My son's back there. I know he doesn't want to be here, but he knows that this is important. We all know a stadium will cost a lot of money.

083We know Chancellor Hall will cost a lot of n money. We know redistricting will cost a lot of money. My electric bill cost a lot of money this last month. But guess what? We get it done. We do what we need to do. We pay the bills. We get it done. As I drove here, I was listening to the radio. Luke Bryan's song came on. Most people are good. I had he couldn't have said it better. I quote, "I believe most Friday nights look better under neon or stadium lights. Let the sales students have their own lights on Friday night. Be like most good people. Be our students voice and vote yes to the stadium." Thank you. >> Thank you. We have cross uh cereal. Good evening uh members of the board. My name is

084Cross Terero and I'm a resident of Northampton Township. I am a sophomore and additionally a member of the Council Rock South football team. Firstly, I would like to thank all of you for allowing the members of the Council Rock South community to speak tonight on the issue. As many of you know, the football team is forced to travel to Council Rock North to play a home football game. I believe this to be incredibly unfair, not only to the players, but also to the parents and the students who attend Council Rock South. For example, some kids some kids on the team's parents cannot attend the games. due to the distance they must travel. This causes members of the team to feel like they are lesser value compared to other members. Another example, Council Rock South Home

085Stadium. Uh Council Rock South Home Stadium being at North is unfair is the fact that it makes it more challenging for South students to attend the games due to the far distance they need to travel. Again, distances prove to be the biggest problem. This causes atmosphere surrounding the football game to decrease. This is something that is unacceptable for a football team that just achieved a 10 and2 record. The last reason I believe that the Counter Rock South football stadium being at North is unfair is because it makes others feel like there is a unnecessary bias towards the North students and the North athletic program. Uh uh this result this results in many me and many other members of the Council Rock South football team to feel overlooked. All these factors lead to one solution. Council

086Rock South having a home stadium. Thank you. Up next we have John Morris. If you could please state your township, please. >> Good evening. My name is John Mars. I'm a resident of Northampton. Uh, I'd like to first of all thank the board for their outstanding work and enthusiasm through the years. And uh um I'd like to give a little history of myself just so you know where I'm coming from. I've been here 55 years. I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I raised three children through this Council Rock School District which they did quite well. And I'm a very advocate of Affleck uh sports, but this here I'm going to be the only one probably tonight say no to this because the the moneywise I think it could be used even though we say

087we have the money for it. I think it is we should still have it in reserve. We could use it for other things. This is education. Council Rock is education. It's not football, tennis, swimming, lacrosse. It's educations. It's building books and teachers. That's where I think the money should come go to first. Okay. This is I I believe in our youth, believe me. But I This is where I stand and I hope you vote no tonight. Thank you. >> Let's please be respectful. Thank you. Uh, last I have signed up this evening is Jamie Waters. All right. Good evening, uh, board. And uh over the last several weeks uh thanks for um those of you who have returned my emails, engaged in conversation with me. I appreciate that. As I previous I said a lot

088in those emails, but as I previously said, um my daughter's in the marching band does color guard. Also like to uh let everyone know that Saturday and Sunday is the WGI regional. The winter color guard international uh tournament at Council Rock South. The South team will be performing at 216 if anyone wants to go and depending on how they perform then they'll time their time on Sunday will be determined. Um you know I wholeheartedly support this uh stadium project for the kids. I believe that, you know, this a well-rounded education is what we're here to support our kids with. And that means school, academics, sports with football, band, color, guard, and um all the extra activities because that helps them develop into good people. Also helps them go on to their next step after uh

089after council rock. Um, one of the biggest arguments I've heard about this project is we don't need a stadium. It's only 2 and a half miles from north. Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter if the stadium is two and a half miles away or 50 miles away because every Friday I would volunteer with the band, load the trailer along with 10, 12 other parents, various musical instruments, props, take it to North, unload it, the kids would perform, then we would load it back up and drive it back to South and put it back in the school. Um, you know, and I was lucky. I was able to help help from 4:00 to 5:00 every Friday afternoon because my employer gives me 4 hours of community service PTO a month. Four Fridays in a month, four hours. So,

090you know, the talked about how the band does it. The football team, they take a bus with their equipment, unload, and they have to use another school's locker room. They don't even have their own locker room. The cheer gets bust and uh parents bring the swag to sell decorate the stadium. So I mean most importantly community the community the kids the students the parents >> 30 seconds >> we show up for everyone. We make it happen. We shouldn't be penalized because we make it happen and put on a good performance at the North Stadium. We need this stadium for ourselves. And when I think of the powerhouse football programs in the area like Central Bucks, East West, Nishamin, North Penn, I mean the only thing excluding Council Rock South from being there is the stadium.

091We have the students support, the community support, the strong football program. These kids behind me, they're the next generation of football players. So, uh, I mean, let's let's make this happen and, um, hopefully all support the stadium project. Thank you. >> Thank you to all that came out and spoke this evening on the uh agenda item. I don't have anyone else listed for the agenda item. Was there anyone else that wished to speak? >> If you could please um come up to the front, state your name and township. And again um if you could limit your comment to three three minutes. Thank you. Oops. My name is Rob Welsh. Um I live in Holland portion of Northampton Township for the past 35 years. Uh my I have raised three children who have graduated from Council

092Rock and I'm happy to say that they had received a tremendous education which has enabled them to become productive young adults. I want to echo some of the comments for first the respect for the board, right? I think everyone ought to understand here that this is a volunteer position. and you give countless hours of your time because you care about the community and you want to do what's right for the community and with the students being at the top of that. So, uh it gives me no pleasure to disagree uh have a difference of opinion with two individuals I have tremendous respect for, Bob and and Moren. Uh and and I you know I my son played with their son Keith and they were on the first football team that won made the uh playoffs

093at Council Rock South. My daughter also cheered. I was up there for almost 10 years experiencing that at Council Rock Stadium. And it is a Council Rock Stadium. It says Council Rock School District on the press box. It says CR in the midfield. It is a shared district asset. and they had a tremendous experience with Friday Night Lights. So, it's in my opinion, it's a false choice that they won't have a Friday Night Light experience if they don't have a stadium because there the district does have a stadium and they have that from an access standpoint. I I also think uh in terms of it's important to understand that, you know, and and have it stated clear the cost is $7.5 million, right? So you have to make choices balancing student educational needs versus in

094my opinion this is apparent one. Uh in my opinion this is a $7.5 million solution in search of a problem. And what I mean by that is we you know they have access to it uh in terms of and and they're able to go up and play at the stadium on Friday nights. Uh it it's you know there's no sense of not having a cultural identity. uh Council Rock South, you know, I talked to my son who who played uh and I said because I I never heard anything from my son or daughter about this. They never rose raised it up when I was a uh they were teenagers. And I asked him recently, "Is there anything?" And he says, "No, Dad, may maybe the first game when we went up and we went into

095the the locker room that was north uh and that was a little different." But you know what he said? He says we had a much nicer locker room at South that we got access to use each and every day. So from a balance standpoint and I think that's important and and I think you know obviously I'm swimming upstream so I'll mention swimming that's very different right? So think about swimming swimming has can't practice at south they have to go to north probably 75 dates a year rock football plays five to seven home games it's easily managed by the so they're they're able to balance the game. So when you look at, you know, equity and making choice and those types of things, I think those are considerations because every dollar you have to make a

096determination on priority and and creating opportunities. Um the other thing is as far as >> just three minutes. >> Okay. So I I'll finish by saying I I thank you to the board. I and I'm thankful to the community because you provide tremendous resources to support this school district. We should be all appreciative of the resources we have and and I think it's cherry-picking to say we don't have a stadium, but you know, our my kids went to a school that was uh 30 years newer than the other one. And you know, it's to me it's this is kind of cherrypicking an issue. I don't think it's fair. So, I I'll I'll leave with that and I'll say go south because I'm a supporter of South, but I do believe in equity, right? Was there

097anyone else that wished to speak that did not sign up? >> I would. >> All right. If you would please come up to the center, state your name and township. Thank you. Three minutes. >> My name is Perry Schmidt. I'm from Northampton Township. I have three kids who go to school in Northampton Township. Um, first I'd like to thank everyone for coming out tonight and showing your support. Um, I'd also like to thank the board. I know this is a volunteer position, so I'm very grateful for everything you guys do here. Um, first thing, the kids need a stadium. That's that's not even a decision. That's that's just what needs to be done at this point. Um, second, I wanted to reiterate um that that I'm grateful for everything that you guys do here, but

098I do have to question this $18 million renovation that people are saying is necessary. That's just wrong. Okay. I'm a construction manager. I deal with construction projects on a regular basis. I know the cost of construction. You guys are spending enough money to build three buildings this size from the ground up on the renovations of this building. Okay. Now, I understand I do historic work in Nor in New Town. Okay. I understand the gross requirements of restoring a historic building, but we are the these funds are supposed to be for kids education, not for historically restoring New Town. I am in support of historically restoring New Town, but this is a gross misallocation of funds. This is not a necessary renovation. And if you you could easily save more than enough money to pay for

099the renov the stadium just by reducing the amount that you're spending on a ridiculous old building that we don't need for the education of these children. We could build something new, much cheaper. >> Thank you again. >> Thank you. All right. Anyone else? Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I appreciate everybody's time. I appreciate everybody who came out. I'll keep this short and sweet. Um, I coach basketball anywhere from kindergarten through 10th grade. I coach football anywhere from kindergarten through 10th grade. Most of the people behind me know who I am. If they don't know who I am, they've heard of me. And if they haven't heard of me, they have heard me. I am a loud voice. Okay? I pride myself on leadership. I pride myself on teaching. What I've learned, I've heard a lot

100of people speak. And the greatest voice isn't words. It's not our voices, guys. It's action. So, what I'll leave you is with this. You guys use the voice. You guys put the action. You guys make the statement. Thank you. All right. Anyone anyone else before we move on? Okay. We have just bear with us. I know you're anxious. I know we had that motion to move the item up, but we have one more routine item before we move on to the facilities committee, which you are all waiting anxiously for for that portion. Um, we have item I, the approval of minutes of the meeting of the board on January 22nd, 2026. Can I get a motion, please? >> So moved. >> Thank you, M. >> I'll read it. >> All right. I move to approve

101the minutes of the meeting of the school board of directors held on January 22nd of 2026. Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Tate, and thank you, Mr. Adalgo. Okay. Normally, we would have education committee and Oh. Oh, sorry. My I'm sorry. Yeah, we need to vote on the approval of the minutes of the meeting of the board on January 22nd, 2026. Do we have any objections, comments, concerns? All right. Board secretary, if you please mark that as unanimous. Seem to forget that one. Um, all right. So, I we had a motion earlier from Mr. Roosevelt and a second from Miss Oski to move policy committee up uh before education committee. Do we facilities I'm sorry my apologies. Uh do we have any objections concerns? Otherwise we'll move the facilities committee up. And Miss Stone, yes I'm

102going to report on the facilities committee meeting which met on Thursday, February 5th. Um, first we discussed the use of the Hillrest Elementary School by BCIU summer programs. Um, BCIU will be paying Council Rock for the use of the space only. No other Council Rock resources will be used. And the asphalt repairs at Morin Welsh and Holland Elementary actually cost less than budgeted by over $14,000. So, that's good news. And we'll continue to complete the bleacher repairs at uh, North. And that's not outdoor bleachers, that's indoor uh bleachers in the gym. Um Jessic uh Bindy gave a full comprehensive review of the status of the MA master plan. I notice she's not here tonight, but the slides are available anyone wants to be brought up to date and I really want to thank her. It's

103a lot of work to put some of this historical information together. Uh the remainder of the meeting was devoted to discussion of whether or not to move forward with the Council Rock South Stadium. We heard from students and the community who attended the committee meeting and I want to thank them all for taking the time to express their support. Uh the two items for approval uh total about $850,000 which is part of the $7.6 6 million total project cost. And we will be voting on that as soon as we finish up um on a couple other consent items that we have on the agenda. And so first as I find myself back down to our finance meeting. All right. So, whoops. Okay. So, I move to approve consent agenda items B and C as contained

104in the attachedment to this agenda. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Tate. >> Any objection? >> Moving up. Any objections, questions, comments, concerns regarding item B and C? None. We'll mark that as unanimous board secretary. Thank you. >> And I just want to go to item F. Was there anything additional, Mr. Rap, that you wanted to discuss? Uh the only uh added information is uh I I spoke to the IU earlier or actually last week and the there's no guarantee for the amount of money that this would bring in for the district, but the uh it depends on how many kids sign up for their summer program and how much of of our of our space they need. But the the buildings that we're replacing with this agreement uh brought in about $30,000 last year

105for the for the for that school district. >> Thank you. Um so our next facilities committee uh committee meeting will be on Thursday, March 5th. I I am going to hopefully there's there shouldn't be an objection to it, but I'm going to um make a motion to approve the agreement with Degler Whiting at the cost of 858,000 to furnish and install. >> Nope, >> that was already approved. >> We already approved that. >> You're looking for items D and E. V and E. I want to approve the agreement with Mariotta Maine at the cost of 540,000 for Council Rock High School South Phase 2 stadium renovations architectural design services subject to solicitors review and audit as well as I move to approve the agreement with Boille Construction at the cost of 313,700 for the Council

106Rock High School South phase two stadium renovations construction management services subject to solicitors review and audit. We really can't separate the two. Um they're hand in hand. So >> all right. Thank you. So we had a motion to combine item uh D and E regarding the Council Rock High School South Stadium phase two on a second from Mr. Halgo. Do we have any objections to combining the two items before we move on? All right. Now, I open up the floor to our board colleagues for questions, comments, and discussion before a roll call vote for the items >> Uh, thank you. So, I'm wonderful to see all this. Usually, it's a pandemic or something that grabs all these people here today. So, this is this is a much better reason to have everybody in the room.

107and a little bit of history. There was one thing about this turf stadium uh that was said tonight. It wasn't a uh it was 2021 in April when we it came up for a vote. It's kind of like the leadership at the time put it on the agenda. It was not by any means a sure thing, but something that they had realized the community wanted. And I do remember not, you know, hesitating. It ended up being the uh the last vote and it ended up being it was a 44 and I made the decision to uh to go forward with it to to support it even though I wanted to go bigger and do it around the track. Uh as thought over the long run that was what I envisioned. What I did find was

108we voted not on a stadium but a synthetic field, turf field which was supported by members of both the north and the south community more focused around soccer. Um and but the good thing they did is they put the specs in so that we could build a stadium thinking like the future will leave room for the bleachers being closer to the school um not running the sewer lines. It made sense. So I'm really excited that that it's happening. But I I did want to say it was a very close call and not even getting to this point moving forward. Uh you know, Mr. Hickeyi when we were doing the five-year capital plan was the one that pushed for it and they leadership put it put it in there and allowed it, you know, had support.

109Didn't even have to go that far, but they put it in in the grand scheme of things. So, I want to thank them for taking the uh the initiative and agreeing to go with the uh with the proposals and and getting some bids and that really did help move forward. What we didn't hear is a lot of community uh uh push for it from because we're focused I guess the community was focused on other things and it's been about two months and I've never seen you know such an outpouring of support for something at Council Rock South. So I'm very proud of our community and I'm I'm proud of this board for bringing it to this decision um to pivot a little bit. I mean um Mr. Morris for coming out here and speaking in

110a dissenting view is a beautiful uh testament to the excellent country that we live in where everybody's free to come speak their their minds. And so I I I commend him for his courage. Um and everybody else that came out that was nervous and shaking. I mean I've been doing this for eight years and I still feel like a little part of me is nervous when I speak. But then I just don't care and that's the best way to go. Just who cares what you say? Um, so the thing is is that this is the one of the to me this is one of the most important votes that I've been involved in because it it strikes at the heart of our community and uh I think it's going to pass 90 to a testament

111of what what we can do as a as a community to come together and we had everybody uh you know come up and show up and uh I do believe that it's it's about coming together after some really really difficult times uh for us as a nation to do something like this. Uh it's very simple. It really is a simple choice uh to give something to a community that needs needs that shot in the arm. Um I never felt that way but a lot of people felt like it was that there was always a disparage uh you know a disparagy between the two you know some and uh but at the end of the day I'm feeling very good about it and I did ask for people to come out and and you know show

112their support and they did so I want to thank the board in advance for for passing this please. Thank you. Miss her. I want to thank everyone in the students, the parents, the staff, the teachers, members of the community who have emailed, called, stopped me at the Acme, stopped me in the South High School last week at the leadership conference. so many activities and establishments that I've been across this district in the past couple of several weeks. I see you and I hear you. I wrote a whole speech. I'm not doing that. The only thing I'm saying tonight is this right for the kids. That's all we got to say. Is it right for the students? That's it. >> Thank you, Miss Her. Miss Rickert, thank you. Well, I will say as a new board

113member, this has definitely changed my expectation of how many people I expect to be at our meetings moving forward. So, um it's wonderful to see so many people here and as Miss Hero and others have said, we've had so much engagement from the community and your feedback is really important. There has been extensive discussion, evaluation, and community input about the stadium. As a new board member, I believe my first responsibility is to listen, to learn, to fully understand the scope of the decisions that are before me so that I can make an informed decision of what is best for our students, our community overall. So for me, that means gathering the information, reviewing the financial and educational impacts, and hearing perspectives from people across the community. As evidenced by the turnout in this meeting and

114all the communication we received, this is something the community very much desires. I also deeply value the role a stadium plays in building school spirit, strengthening community, enhancing athletics and extracurriculars, and the pride that goes with representing your school. After numerous discussions and reviews, it's been made clear by administration and Mr. rap that we can from a financial perspective complete the stadium without significant compromise to future essential projects. I believe that this represents an enhancement, not a necessity. I believe it's an enhancement to our Council Rock students experience and it is an enhancement that I do support. Now, I do want to take a minute to address a few of the points that I've heard via public comment and email. I do firmly believe that this board puts students first. When I ran for this

115position, I made a commitment to do so. There may be times when an individual vote or the board's decision as a whole doesn't agree with every individual viewpoint because we cannot possibly always make a decision that pleases everybody. But any suggestion that we are not leading with students first always overlooks the values that we hold as a board and the responsibilities that we take seriously. Part of su ser serving our students effectively is making thoughtful responsible decisions. Also, when it comes to north and south, there are clear differences in the age and condition of these facilities across the district. And no two facilities in our district will be identical no matter how hard we try. One high school is more than 55 years old. Another is 25 years old. And th that difference affects the

116needs and realities of each building. Because we are one district, we must look at all of our facilities, as we've done in the facilities master plan. When discussion centers narrowly on specific traditions or events, I think it shifts the focus away from these broader district-wide conversations that we need to have and make it harder for us to have a productive collaborative conversation. I really thank everyone for being respectful, sharing their input and viewpoints and giving us feedback so we understand the community input and we can make a decision taking everything in mind. So again, this is an enhancement that I do support tonight and I thank everyone for their feedback. Thank you. Next, any other comments, board comments? Miss Osaki, >> thank you. Wow. Um, I really appreciate the outpouring of support for the stadium.

117It's clear that this is really important for the community. I love seeing the kids and the student athletes here tonight. Uh, thanks for coming out on a school night. I know it's it's challenging to get everything done. I loved the public comment about this being more boring than church. Uh I hear the same from my own two kids who call this instead of when I say I have a board meeting tonight or a schoolboard meeting they c they say mom it's a school boring meeting. So that's what that's what I deal with at home. Um ultimately the main factor in my decision is based on the fact that this is a way to positively impact kids. And isn't that what we're all here to do? At last Thursday's finance meeting, I was reassured that the

118district can financially support the stadium proposal. We have a responsibility to both the district and the taxpayers and we have to be aware of costly renovations to both high schools in the near future. I will be voting yes for the stadium today. I do feel it's necessary to clarify some concerning rumors and misinformation I heard in public comment and emails and on social media. These have to do with completely false rumors that connect funding for Chancellor Center with funding for the stadium. These two projects are independent as are upcoming renovations as New Town Elementary School and Holland Middle School. First, it is absolutely not a conflict of interest to live near a district building and to advocate for that building. It is no dis different than any board member advocating for the region that they

119represent. Writestown Elementary wouldn't be what it is today without Kristen Marcel and her advocacy. And we wouldn't be here tonight if it wasn't for Bob Hickey. We are all regionally elected and we have a responsibility to those issues and residents that affect our region. This issue has also been discussed and cleared with our attorney. Second, the Chancellor Center renovation was discussed at length for many, many, many years. And I'd encourage all of you to go back and watch those facilities meetings for the last several years to see the details and options that were discussed at length over and over again. The renovations for the Chancellor Center are now urgent due to deteriorating foundational structure and a temporary fix that was put in about 10 years ago and should have only lasted a few years but

120is still there today. Previous boards delayed putting any money into administration's building at for as long as they could. They focused on student buildings as they should, but unfortunately that delay made chancellor more urgent. And now, as you're well aware and many emails said, every time you delay this, the price goes up. So, that's where we are. Um, the Chancellor Center and the stadium have nothing to do with each other except for the fact that they are both currently being budgeted for. It is absolutely a mistake to pit them against each other. The Chancellor Center is a full-time office space for more than 75 people who oversee programming for 10,500 students in the district. We are lucky to have it and we have a responsibility to our community to maintain it. Finally, I heard many

121comments and emails that Council Rock has been South has been waiting for a stadium for 20 years. I want to be clear that I've only been on the board for two years. In the last two years, we have focused on establishing a master plan for the district and the stadium has been included in this master plan even among the first five projects in the district. It is important to note that the stadium project has moved faster than any other project we've considered. Despite what some people are stating publicly, this decision has not been delayed by this board. It is part of the first five projects that we are discussing as part of this master plan. We have to do lots of due diligence for any large project, especially one like the stadium that was not

122proposed by the administration. I encourage you all to watch previous facilities meetings. You'll see that whenever we consider a large project, including the chancellor center and the stadium, we ask the same questions. We have to make sure that the project scope is correct and that it is completed at a reasonable cost. Asking questions and seeking more information does not automatically mean a lack of support, but indicates attempts to get a clearer picture and to make a more informed decision, as is our responsibility. You may have heard people say that there were different choices proposed around the Chancellor Center and that we chose the most expensive. That decision was a 7 to2 vote. It wasn't partisan. It wasn't north versus south. It was an obvious choice in the best interest of the district. The difference wasn't

123making changes to the materials selection or making it some kind of luxury office building. It was a difference in the scope of work. If we had chosen the less expensive option, the chancellor center would need more work shortly after the project was completed and within the next two to five years, the administration would have to move out of the district out of this building twice. To the public comment who said that they could do it more inexpensively, I wish you would have been here to bid on the project. They these projects are all put out to bid and we um are required right Mr. Rap to go with the lowest responsible bidder. >> Uh not not for services necessarily but >> but for the pro the building >> not not for the services of an

124architect or construction manager but we generally look for the lowest bid. >> We look for the lowest bidder. Um, we did get costs to build new, um, which is, by the way, not legally allowed by Pennsylvania law. Um, but those came in around $22 million if I remember. I looked for it in my notes. I don't have it, but $22 million. Yeah. So, this was the most effect cost effective even though it is a staggering number. Um, but again, you know, if you think you can do it more effectively, please talk to Mr. Rap about about um how to bid on a a project. we'd love to have have a lower bid. Um, additionally, we considered many options for the administration, including building new, moving to the Richboro Middle School, and renting. All others were

125more expensive than the $18 million renovation for the Chancellor Center. Like the stadium, there were many advocates in from the public in favor of restoring the building. If we had left this building and to move elsewhere, we would be responsible for maintaining two empty district properties, Richboro Middle School and Chancellor, at the expense to the taxpayer. With any decision I make on this board, I look at what the right thing is to do for the district and how to do it correctly. I take each decision individually and I weigh the pros and cons. That is the decision my colleagues and I made for Chancellor Center and it is the same decision I will make tonight for the stadium. I've heard comments and received emails that this stadium has an opportunity to bring the community together

126and to provide more parody within the district and I agree. But many of those same emails and comments fuel anger and division and serve to pit board members against each other and south versus north and fuel partisanship. Emails, social media, and comments alluding to a conflict of interest that doesn't exist are among the worst of that division. I want to be crystal clear. I am supporting this stadium now and I know that it will need to be paid for later. I am supporting other necessary Phil facilities projects within the district knowing that while I support it now, I will also support it in a few months when the budget is proposed and the district needs to pay for it. Some of my colleagues may support this work now, but I hope that they will still

127support it when we when we need to pass a budget in a few months. I want to emphasize that true fiscal responsibility means an understanding that these renovations come with a cost and that you can't have one without the other. If we support the projects, we must also support paying for them when these bills come due. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Oi. Mr. Roosevelt, >> thank you. Um, I want to thank all the community members here for one thing, helping to defay some of the heating costs to heat this building. Each of you are providing 150 BTUs of latent heat sitting right here. You also helped us start up and test our air conditioning system several months early and it seems like that's working. So, thanks very much. Um, a couple of quick questions,

128Mr. Rap. Is the district able to afford andor finance the South Stadium? Uh we currently have enough room in our uh debt service uh uh millillage that we would be able to uh fi finance the cost of the stadium without raising taxes. >> Thank you especially for answering the second question. Would the South Stadium require or necessitate a tax increase? And thank you for responding no. Um I I agree with Misser here. I had a lot of things to say, but I think the the most eloquent and passionate and advocacy of something is from the community. And we've heard unique comments from community members, even those that have appeared multiple times. This has been a topic that has spanned several different board meetings, uh, both committee as well as board. I'm in favor of this

129project moving forward as well. and potentially even for opening a door or two to help the AC. Thanks very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Roosevelt. Miss Stone. >> Yes. Hi. Um, first I I did want to also address the comments about the chancellor center uh in agreement with a lot of what Tracy has said. Um, the professionals who work here, they're the foundation of our whole school system and this building is their command center. I don't know how we would possibly operate um 14 schools and all the different disciplines needed if we did not have these people in this building which is falling apart beneath us. Um the district relies on them to manage every aspect of educating our students. curriculum, special ed, building maintenance, hiring and training, teachers, information technology, safety

130and security, transportation, finance, facilities planning, and a meeting place for all of you. This is putting students first. So, do we have another choice? The building was a gift from the township. We're obliged to maintain it. We have looked at leasing, buying property, building new. All would be in addition to the base of 8 million to keep this foundation from crumbling. The maximum project cost at 18.5 million allows for unexpected expenses and modifications so our staff can work effectively for the next 20 years. We're not looking for indiscriminate spending, but for the most coste effective option. And after years of debating and hunting for the right solution, we can finally take action. Now, regarding the stadium, I think it's great for student and community pride, and it may be needed when we look at renovating

131or rebuilding North. Um, I have two sons, one graduated from North, one from South. And graduation at each venue has its pros and cons. And neither of my sons judged their four years of high school on where graduation was. Now I have two grandchildren. One will feed into North and one to south. And my concern is that they both receive a great education. This is where I want to see parody. The best teachers, the best curriculum, smaller class size, and a safe environment. Again, a new stadium is great, but using the parody argument as the absolute rule is not reasonable or practical. So, we do we now build an inside track at North or build a pool at South? Uh, so sure parody works when you're buying birthday presents for your kids, but you know,

132if one of your kid needs private tutoring or orthodontia, do you turn around and write a check to your other children so that you have par? Um, and it's I'm sure it's a dilemma that we all have as parents, but the master plan is about prioritizing projects and being financially responsible. And as we increase our debt, we decrease our borrowing power. So being able to pay today for the stadium doesn't make it free. We still have to pay the piper. And besides, it won't just we don't just spend money because we have it. I know you don't just spend it. Um you still ask the question, should we spend it? I believe the stadium should have been considered when we talked about the renovations at North and South. In my opinion, it should never have

133been raised to this level of priority. But if I vote to approve the stadium, it's not because I've been bullied. It's not because my integrity has been challenged. And it's not because we have the money to spend today. And it's not because there are any valid reasons to say no. I if I vote yes, it will be because it will be because there are valid reasons to be considered. And I'm proud that our present budget allowed us to take action to improve education, full day kindergarten, hiring more reading specialists, science teachers, and increase the starting salaries for new teachers. All keeping to our priority of student first without bias and regardless of which school they attend. I'm confused that the board members who do not approve funding for these projects are now champions for the

134stadium. Um, rest assured, whatever programs this board approves, I will work to find the money to fund it. And I hope all the board reme board board members remember this when we have to approve the budget that will be impacted by educational needs as well as the future capital improvements. Um, I had one last comment and I was deeply disappointed that some individuals, including some board members, have taken to mocking their neighbors for having a different point of view, different priorities. Um, I know as a community we're better than that. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Stone. Any other comments? Uh, we have Bear with us. We're almost there. Um, Mr. Green. >> Well, thank you all for coming out tonight. I'm going to try to make this brief, but um I'm really excited

135to be able to vote for this project. I'm excited because of what this represents for our South students, and I'd like to make a point here that, um, South students are all of our students. Um, for years, our South kids have waited for the opportunity to have a true home stadium experience. They'll now be able to march onto their own field with the South band playing in a space designed for them. Our South cheerleaders will have a place that reflects the energy and pride they bring every week. Our South athletes will practice and compete on a field that reflects the level of commitment they give every day. And maybe most importantly, our South seniors will be able to graduate in a space where every family member who wants to be there can be there. That

136matters and those moments matter. Um, I also want to be clear about something. This project is not related to the con the chancellor center renovations. Separate initiatives, separate purposes. Connecting them in any way suggests that they're one and the same, and it diminishes the value of what this stadium represents for South students in our community. So, this decision should stand on its own merits. I also want to acknowledge something that has weighed on me. The passion around this issue has been real. Community engagement's been strong and I genuinely appreciate all of your activism because it shows that people care deeply about Council Rock South and our district as a whole. I am disappointed that at times this passion has crossed the line. There were false implications. There were moments where the tone didn't reflect the

137respect we should have for one another. And we can we can disagree and we will disagree, but we must do so with integrity and respect. So my vote tonight is about our South students. It's about our community. It's about what kind of experience we want for the young people who walk the halls of Council Rock South every day. I'm choosing to focus on the opportunity in front of us and I'm choosing to focus on a packed South Stadium on graduation day. I'm choosing to focus on the South Band playing under the lights and I'm choosing to focus on what this can mean for future generations of Council Rock South students. That's why tonight I'll vote yes. All right. Um, I was going to go last, but Mr. Tate told me told me I could go

138first. I um I will keep this as short as possible. Thank you to everyone who has reached out in support of the Council Rock High School South Stadium. Your passion and engagement matter and I hope you rem remain involved in the many decisions that continue to shape our district. But we must remember we are one district and one community. We have two high schools, two middle schools, and 10 elementary schools, the Star Center and the Chancellor Center, all serving different roles that are essential to our district. It is a disservice to pit one project against another or one school against another. Healthy competition is part of a athletics. Division within a district is not. Equity does not mean sameness. It means ensuring every student has access to a quality educational experience in a safe environment.

139That principle guides every vote I take. Although the Chancellor Center does not educate our students directly, it is the first place families and students come to begin their educational career in Council Rock. It is more than a place with 75 people. These individuals work to keep our district running smoothly and effectively on a day-to-day basis so our children can learn and our teachers can teach. It is a place where a community of teachers and staff come for professional development. Teachers complete required induction hours. Interviews for new positions occur and all support services work out of these offices year round. The building constructed in 1871 needs critical safety repairs, including HVAC, water infiltration, and structural issues ignored for many years. Renovating is not about luxury or fancy office rooms. It is about safety, functionality, and responsible

140long-term planning. Projects in this district are not prior prioritized by projects in this district are prioritized by safety and fiscal responsibility and not preference. The Stout Stadium was never included in prior renovation plans. When it was formally priced for the first time to my knowledge since construction, the cost returned at $7.6 million, a significant and sobering number. As much as I want a stadium for South for students at South, I must also weigh all urgent needs, including the renovations at New Town Elementary School, Holland Middle School, and the Chancellor Center with upcoming work at Marine M. Walch, and then the long-term needs at both our high schools. Most recently, we have launched full day kindergarten, added SRO's at both middle schools, placed literacy specialists in every elementary and middle school, and secured a five-year contract

141with our over 900 teachers, while all paying down debt and protecting our financial stability thanks to the work of uh Mr. Rap and his team. Those initiatives require not just supportive words, but responsible budgets to to sustain them. These projected renovations require huge sums of money. It does have to come from somewhere. I hope that my fellow board members, those of you here and and listening, keep this in mind as we budget and plan. A board member can vote yes to any one item, but ultimately if if they do not support the school budget, they are not supporting the initiative. These decisions are not easy. They carry consequences for years to come. My responsibility is to ensure we re we remain fiscally sound while delivering a safe high-quality education to every student in Council Rock.

142That is the standard I will continue to uphold and thank you all so much for coming this evening. >> Okay, Mr. Tate, >> that that was very nicely done. I sort of wish I would have gone before you. Um thank you, Miss Khan. Um, I'm gonna vote yes on the Council Rock South Stadium project. Um, I agree with Mr. Hodago. It's nice to see so many folks here. There's a there's an awful lot of meetings where this room is pretty empty. So, we appreciate your interest and please do come back. Um, before I forget, I want to correct the record about uh one point that several speakers have made. um about the Council Rock North renovation perhaps resulting in the demolition of the stadium or putting it out of service or unavailable. That's not been

143part of any real discussion I've heard. We don't even know at this point if Council Rock now uh North is going to be renovated or replaced. So, you know, any any discussion about what's happening with the stadium at North is is premature. Um, I'm going to vote in favor of this project because I think it's the right thing to do and I think the community is going to make very good use of this new stadium. I do not believe it was ever promised to the community despite what some folks have said. Um, and I also don't believe that the board needs to approve this stadium to prove that we do put students first always. We did that as a prior speaker noted by instituting full day kindergarten. We did it by negotiating a a fair

144and mutually beneficial contract with our teachers that covers five years. And of course, our teachers are one of the big reasons why this is such an excellent school district. Um we put students first when we completely renovated Richboro Elementary School, Hillrest Elementary, Holland Middle School, Saul Feinstone Elementary, and more. And we're providing schools that help students learn and thrive. And we we do put students first in every decision we make. And um I don't think building the stadium is necessary to prove that. Um I won't go on about Chancellor Center. Um for some reason a lot of folks have criticized the board's majority vote to renovate Chancellor Center. Um you know that somehow these two projects are comparable. That's not just apples and oranges. It's like apples and ice cream sundies because Chancellor Center is

145a vital facility. It's a must-have facility. A stadium is a nice to have facility. Um I'm dis I'm disappointed that people have uh disparaged the project. Um I'm very proud of the decision that we made for Chancellor Center. What we're creating is a 20-year investment in the headquarters for this this district where the the the nerve center of the district is right here. And in fact, the the lesser uh renovation um estimates would have resulted in a building that didn't meet the needs of the users. It wouldn't in fact even provide a sprinkler system, which I think you'd agree is badly needed. But anyway, um, anybody wants to talk about Chancellor Center, I'm happy to do it because I'm positive we made the best decision possible. Um, I did want to say thank you to

146everybody who spoke tonight who recognized the the board's long hours and the fact that we are volunteers. Uh, tonight's conversation was really um had a really positive tone and I appreciate that. prior evenings was were less so, but um tonight was a pleasure. Um the board is going to approve the stadium tonight clearly. So raising funds isn't a factor, but I'm going to make a friendly challenge to the community because people have been talking about fundraising. Naming rights for the new stadium will be available as Mr. Hickey mentioned and some others. Um, so find a donor or donors who are interested in making a large contribution in exchange for the naming rights. Um, I put this in here before I had no idea that Maren Hickey was going to read that wonderful letter from Walt

147Snider. You know, um, the stadium is named in honor of what I understand is a wonderful gentleman who coached for many years. Something similar could be done at Council Rock South and the proceeds could be used for all sorts of good purposes across the entire school district. As more than one speaker noted, this is one district. Um, finally, let's I I really hope we can put to rest the issue of par. Uh, suggestions that the board doesn't treat both sides of the district evenly are unfair and simply wrong. the board members who more than well almost 30 years ago made the decision about what elements would go into the new high school. They made that decision based on information that that none of us are are privy to this. Think how different Council Rock was

14830 years ago when the plans were being made for South. Why no swimming pool and no stadium? It's puzzling, but it may have been unavoidable. We're building a stadium now. We're renovating schools on both sides of the district and we're working to ensure the curriculum and the academic programs are equitable districtwide. This is one district and I'm proud to serve on this board. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. I believe every board member has had an opportunity to speak. Um, we will now move to the approval of item D, Council Rock High School South Stadium phase 2 renovations including the architectural design services and item E, approve the Council Rock High School South phase 2 stadium renovations, construction manage management design services. So, board secretary, if could please have a roll call vote. Thank

149you, >> Mr. Mr. Tate, >> yes. >> Mr. Hidalgo, >> yes. >> Mr. Roosevelt, >> yes. >> Miss Osaki, >> yes. >> Miss Khan, >> yes. >> Miss Stone, >> yes. >> Miss Horner, >> yes. >> Miss Rickert, >> yes. >> Mr. Green, >> yes. >> Nine. Yes. All right. Thank you again. >> We still have the whole meeting. >> All right. We're we are going to take a a quick uh three minute break. However, before we do that, thank you all for coming. We still have many agenda items left if any of you wish to stay. But otherwise for the kids, good night. You made that very evident this morning. >> All right, we are back to continue with our very full agenda. Um, sorry for the interruption. So, we're going to go back.

150Uh, >> well, we do have a quorum, so we're going to get started. They'll they'll hear us. It's 9:30 and like I said we have a very long agenda. >> Thank you. >> Um we still have a few um audience members. So thank you for staying. >> So we are going to move on with the education committee. >> Oh do we? >> What was that >> under facilities? >> I thought it was just a discussion item. >> It's a discussion right >> the last item. >> It's a discussion item. Do we need >> discussed it? Right. >> We voted. We already discussed it. Okay. All right. No, thank you. I clearly could have missed it. >> Scrolling up and down in my agenda. Okay. So, back to education committee. >> That's all right, Mr. Rap.

151Thank you. Um, it could have been an oversight, so I appreciate the reminder. All right. So, I will go ahead and report out for the education committee. Um, the education committee met on Thursday, January 29th at 7 p.m. here at the Chancellor Center. The high school planning program guide is now all digital and available on the website for families and students. I know this was a big undertaking for the administration and a goal of Dr. Senkos um and specifically for Miss Tammy Gary. Um so on behalf of our students and families, a big thank you for making that possible. The new required personal finance course will be a graduation requirement for students beginning in 2030 as mandated by the state. Uh this is a half credit course and students will have four years to complete

152it. Mr. Funk and the high school schedule committee are considering this new requirement as they continue to explore the high school schedule as well. Structured literacy work continues. The PA reading council was created which vets and approves programs to fulfill the legislative requirements for school districts in Pennsylvania. I'm happy to report that our district is on schedule for all requirements. Miss Gary presented the next steps in the structured liter literacy initiative which include identifying reading deficiencies, parent communication and reading intervention planning. In special education, Dr. Oberman presented curriculum updates including a math intervention program for K to8 um do the math. This program uh will be piloted. I think it just start launched or will be launching soon at Holland Elementary and New Town Middle School with six classrooms piloting between the two buildings. If

153if successful, the administration will be looking to use the intervention program for the upcoming 202627 school year, which I would imagine would be part of the upcoming proposed budget discussion as well. Miss Amanda Serena, supervisor of special education curric curriculum and instruction, has been working with Miss Gary to align the high school special education courses so that they soon will also be available online as part of the high school course planning guide. staff are continuing to receive uh professional development. The special education parent advisory council or otherwise referred to as CPAC met virtually in December with 32 parents in in attendance. The group is underway and working to establish this new council. Upcoming special education webinars are scheduled for February 25th. The topic inclusion in in action and March 25th, parent partnership, advocating without anxiety

154and building positive relationships. We had 40 parents on the live families on the live webinar in January and happy to see that families are using this resource. A reminder that all webinar webinars are archived and available for families to view at any time. I believe there is an upcoming CPAC meeting in March and that will be advertised accordingly. Uh Mr. Funk highlighted the Sloan program at the Star Center, a non-traditional high school setting, providing a smaller and more supportive environment for students while allowing them to stay connected to their high home high school and able to trans transition back at any time. All Sloan graduates are Council Rock graduates. Um Sloan students continue their college and career readiness. All seniors this year registered and took the placement test for Buck for Bucks County Community College.

155Congratulations to three of our seniors so far who have been accepted accepted to four-year universities. Mrs. Crawford updated us on the continued elementary report card work um or just a refresher that the last time it was revised was in 2020 2009. The update began with phase one in 2023 24. One of one of the items the district is exploring is the possibility of trimesters for elementary schools. Some of the reasoning stated for this possible change is more instructional time, possibly less testing and a better alignment of teaching to to the assessments of teaching assessments. Another item that is being explored as part of this process is a second report card conference in the spring. A survey went out to surrounding uh districts in Bucks. 100% noted that the change allowed for meaningful data collection and

156conferences as key positive factors. Seven out of the nine districts surveyed currently operate on the trimester schedule. A survey went out to teachers as well with 270 responses. Next steps would be a parent survey and possibly a stakeholder group. Thank you to Mrs. Crawford and the team on this big endeavor and looking forward to sharing future updates. Um thank you. Uh the next education committee meeting is next Thursday, February 26th at 7 p.m. here at the Chancellor Center. Um there aren't too many items on this evening under education committee. There are a few um settlement agreements. Um I would ask if administration would elaborate as much as they can share publicly on these um figures. They're pretty they're pretty large before I move to the motion. Thank you. Thanks, Miss Khan. So, I I think

157a good starting point with that is the word settlement and uh the misnomer around settlement and and Alberman, Dr. Oberman, would you just talk to the board and the community about settlement agreements, what they are, what they're not. Um but as Miss Khan said, don't uh discuss anything that we can't discuss in public related to students. >> Sure. Thank you. So we use the term settlement agreement can cover a lot of items. Um in many cases um if we have a student and we have very few of them but sometimes we have a student who we just who needs a smaller environment more therapeutic setting they just need a lot of services that you know we can't provide. So we tend to enter into settlement agreements with those parents to place the student um to

158a tuition agreement at you know one of the many different schools that we might use. We also use settlement agreements with parents to kind of resolve differences. Not necessarily that the district did anything wrong, but sometimes we, you know, there's disagreements on placements, programming, and you know, we use settlement agreements to kind of rectify this rather than drag it out into a long legal process and denying students services. So, you know, the term settlement agreement doesn't automatically mean the district did anything wrong. In most cases, that's not the case. We're trying to solve an issue with the family and try to get the student what they need in order to be successful. The the settlement agreements on here tonight, two of the um with the larger funds are mainly going towards tuition for students that

159you know we had to find alternate placements for. and and Al to that point, student tuition, when um a student has to get into a therapeutic uh setting or something, what's what's a ballpark cost for tuition for an annual tuition in a range perhaps? >> Anywhere from 80 to $120,000 and that goes to the amount of services that those students need in order to be successful. >> And that's one year typically 80 to 120,000. >> Correct. And that doesn't include onetoone services, speech, OT. That might be also part of the services. >> It does not include extended school year either. Correct. >> No, it that's just your baseline tuition. >> That was really helpful. Thank you so much. Um All right. I will move to approve consent agenda items B through E as contained in

160the attachments to this agenda. >> Can I get a second, please? >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Rickert. Board comments, questions. All right. None. Thank you, Madam Secretary. If you would um mark that as unanimous. We'll move on to the Bucks County Intermediate Unit 22 representative. That is myself. Thank you. That's why I needed that break. Um uh the Bucks County Intermediate Unit met this past Tuesday, February 17th at the IU in Doylestown. the IU was um accepted a a grant from DAO to support the Fab Lab Center career awareness um with field trips and that was for for the amount of $10,000. Many presentations from team members from the Bucks County Intermediate Unit were made which included early childhood programs under early childhood programs. This includes the early head start uh which includes the

161pregnancy to zero uh birth to three early intervention program prek counts ages 3 to five and head start 3 to 5. The IU is an extensive resource in our community that site pro provides support to some of our our youngest and most vulnerable population of students. The Bucks County Intermediate Unit provides door-to-door services across 47 school districts to serve 1,15 students with 52 drivers and four aids, providing the transportation needs of preschool early intervention and school age students. The preschool early intervention program supports 4,100 students and has the third largest program in Pennsylvania. In total, the Bucks County IU services and supports 4600 students and has four early learning centers across Bucks County. The preschool early intervention program provides eligible children services to support growth in the areas of speech, language, hearing, vision, physical or

162occupational skills and instructional support. The IU began its ambassador program in 2016 designed to strengthen leadership capacity among its employees. The program helps to strengthen and support leadership through connections, community outreach, collaboration, and professional growth. The IU recognized and celebrated their ninth cohort of 21 ambassadors who will join the alumni of academy ambassadors to make a total of 117 who have went through the leadership program. The board also was updated with the latest leg legislative information from Harrisburg, including the proposed spending bill of 53.2 2 billion um from the governor for the 2026 27 um year. This is an increase of 5.4% from last year with the largest increases in education, Medicaid, and human services with no new tax increase. If you wish to see more about the specifics, the information is publicly available on

163the Bucks County Intermediate Unit website um and also on under board docs. One of the notable cuts were an early inter intervention which is birth to two services with a proposed cut of $5.2 million. This falls under human services. As part of the ongoing concerns to address deficits, the IU has created an ad hoc committee to advocate for early intervention services. Myself and three other Bucks County Board volunteers have volunteered for this and I will keep you posted. Finally, I will mention again the Fab Lab summer programs and camps under the Bucks County Intermediate Unit website. Um, it's actually located under educator administrator services and programs tab and then underneath that there's a fab lab tab that you would click on that opens up to all of the camp offerings. There are nine separate weeks

164of camps available with a different theme each week. Options include full day, three-day, full day, half day. Um, there's discounts for multi-week and siblings. Um, I have visited the Fab Lab and it's it's a really fun and engaging place. I know Mrs. Seki used to speak highly of it as well. I can imagine their camps are really really fun as well. Um, I just wanted to mention that the IU will IU will be having a special meeting next Tuesday, February 24th. Um, there was one agenda item we were not able to vote on this past Tuesday. Um, so this special meeting is to approve an awards bid for the early childhood renovation project. Um, the next IU regular IU board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17th at 7 p.m. And also I just wanted

165to note that the IU is celebrating 55 years um this year, this school year. >> Thank you. >> Miss Khan, if I may, could I just give the IU another plug real quick while you're talking about the IU? Tony Rap and I had the privilege of joining U members of the IU cabinet. Um much like the IU does for all of our administrative positions. They have cohort of students from each high school across Bucks County. And Council Rock North has student representatives. Council Rock South has student representatives and they meet regularly to discuss things topics across the county. And the attorney general, Dave Sunday, was so impressed with Bucks County and the students in the education that he reached out to Dr. Hoffman to meet with those students to learn about their perspective on social

166media and the effects it has on mental health. So Tony and I had the privilege of going to William Tennant High School earlier this week to see some of our kids along with other Bucks County kids in action to engage with the attorney general regarding social media and mental health. So it was it was quite an experience watching the kids in action. >> That's excellent. Thank you. Uh we will move on to Middle Institute of Technology representative. I believe it's Miss her. >> Yes. >> Good evening MBIT. The Middle Bucks Institute Technology operates as a school designed for students seeking to enhance their education with highly relevant career and technical experiences directly connected to the real world of business and industry. Over 400 business and industry advisors review and update the school's educational programs annually.

167February is Career and Technical Education Month, a time to celebrate and recognize both the students who attend career technical centers and the tremendous value of career and technical education. We're proud to say MBIT continues to grow. Not only did we see record numbers at the open house, but we also saw received record high applications across the programs. Show your support for the skilled trades. Support the trades t-shirts are available to purchase online or at the MBIT school store. I wear mine proudly tonight and I thank the principles, teachers, staff, and students who have already been wearing and supporting MBIT across our district. If you're willing to support the trades and help our skills USA students on their journey to nationals, grab a shirt and wear it with pride. Your support directly benefits students pursuing career

168and technical pathways, helping them showcase their talents at the national level. Huge congratulations to all of our Skills USA students who competed at the district's competition last month. Students from multiple career and technical programs demonstrated exceptional skill, professionalism, and dedication while competing against peers from across the region. Their strong performances reflect the hands-on training, technical knowledge, and real world preparation happening every day in our classrooms and labs. Several students earned gold medals, qualifying them to advance to the Skills USA state competitions in April in Harrisburg. Earning a gold medal at the district level is a significant achievement and speaks to the students commitment to excellence, attention to detail and ability to perform under pressure. These students represented their programs sending schools and middle bucks of Institute of Technology with pride. Their success highlights the impact

169of career and technical education where students build confidence, master industry aligned skills, and prepare for the future careers meaningful competitive experiences. We wish our state qualifiers the very best of luck as they continue their skill USA journey this spring. MBIT has work-based educations. These industry connections are so important for our students. Work-based education bridges classroom learning with real world experience, bringing together employers, educators, community leaders, students, and parents. Employers shape curriculum, offer student observation visits, employ students, mentor, and encourage future training. Teachers and coordinators teach employable skills, place and evaluate students, develop training, train training plans, and monitor program guidelines. Students learn on the job. They make career decisions and they earn a paycheck. Parents support and they encourage their students. Are you looking forward to employ our students? Please contact our workbased counselors at

170MBIT. Calling all current sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Join us for the summer career exploration week at MBIT being held July 6th through July 10th. This week-long adventure lets students explore various career paths while career paths through hands-on activities across different professional fields helping them gain practical experience while mapping out their future careers. You can sign up on the QR code on the MBIT website. And Miss Mangle, you could correct me if I'm wrong. I believe it's on the Council Rock website. Thank you. Yep. Uh or you can email MBIT at summer [email protected]. Budget talks have begun and thanks to the excellent team of MBIT who continues to discuss funding with Mr. Rap and Dr. Senko. As meetings progress, we'll we'll be sure to share more about where the budget stands with MBIT. Cheryl and

171I had our first budget summit at MBIT last night. Our next MBIT meeting is Monday, February 23rd at 5:30 held at MBIT. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Her. Uh, moving on to the CF Council Rock Education Foundation Leism. Mr. Tate, >> thank you, Miss Khan. This will be brief. Uh, Monte Carlo nights a week away. It's next Friday night at Northampton Valley Country Club. Doors open at 7 o'clock. It'll be fun. A Monte Carlo style games and prizes. Uh great food and refreshments, lively auction, and really nice people. All in support of uh turning teacher inspired ideas into hands-on learning across Council Rock. Tickets and sponsorships are still available and we leave love to see more members of the community join us. It's a great night out next Friday night and there's more on

172the CRF website. Uh grants and action updates. Since our last meeting, we hosted two grants and action visits. One at Richboro Elementary. The coping carts were the subject and another was the leadership summit at Council Rock South. Uh sincere thank you to the board members and administrators who attended and took the time to see these learning experiences up close. Uh your presence reinforces the partnership between the district and the foundation and it means a lot to staff and students. Looking ahead, the craft golf outing is coming up on June the 15th at Jericho National Golf Club. We are welcoming sponsors, forsomes, and donated items for the auction to help it uh become a success and continue to grow supports for grants and programs. And lastly, uh call for volunteers. CRF is always looking for counsel

173uh for community members who'd like to serve on CRF committees, especially the marketing communications committee and the events committee. If you know someone who is well connected locally, enjoys planning and has marketing skills, um we'd love to hear from them. Thank you as always for helping strengthen the connection between our schools and the community. And we're excited for a strong finish to the winter season and a great spring of support ahead. Thank you. Miss Khan, I just want to add it if I can please. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Tate. Miss her. >> I just would like to add thank you to CFREF. I did attend the leadership summit and just so everyone knows that is held this year. It was held at South and thank you for the support and continued support from CRF.

174This is an amazing event that you have students, they do this from beginning all the way through in the summit. they have to lead it and organize it as if they're doing a workbased project. Um, and one of the each classroom has their own, you know, icebreaker. They do their own um project that they do in there. And one of them I thought was really interesting was they sat across the table from each other and they had a divider and one had the instructions to make a Lego and they had to speak to them and tell them how to put that Lego together without seeing the in the other side seeing the instructions and they had to talk. So it was really a communicative um at that session was a communicative. So it is an

175amazing amazing what they've do both with the collaboration. It's also from both students from north and south. >> Thank you Miss her. Uh I actually um echo those same. I was did not have the opportunity this year at a conflict in my schedule but I did attend last year and it was it was something to see for sure and those students should be proud. Um thank you. Moving on to policy. Um Miss Osaki. >> Yes. Thank you. The policy committee met on February 2nd. This meeting was a full review of the level 300 policies. Those are policies that deal with employees of the Council Rock School District. So, for those of you following along at home, uh we have been trying to review all of our district policies. We spent uh about two years going

176through the 200 levels and now we are doing the 300 levels, which are employee policies. the 200 levels all dealt with students. We decided to take a different tact starting in 2026 and we had one meeting that reviewed all the 300 level policies. Um at this meeting we reviewed 42 policies. 29 had no substantial changes. 10 had changes. One was retired, one was new, and one was a level 200 level policy that needed to be updated because of a legislative change. Tonight, we will proceed with the first read, and we will meet again on Monday, March 2nd for a second meeting to discuss any changes before they go for a second read at the March meeting. These draft policies are all available to the public on board docs. And uh just in case we haven't

177been here long enough, I'm going to read the policies that we uh are going to uh be doing a first read on tonight. Those with no substantive changes are 301 creating a position 302 employment of the superintendent 306 employment of summer school/extended school year staff 307 student teachers and interns student uh 309 assignment and transfer 311 reduction of staff 312 performance assessment of the superintendent 313 evaluation of employees 314.1 HIV infection 319 outside activities 321 political activities 322 gifts 323 tobacco and vaping products 324 personnel files 325 dress and grooming compensation plan/s salary schedules 330 overtime 331 job related expenses 332 working periods, 334 sick leave, 335 family and medical leave, 336 personal necessity leave, 337 vacation, 338, sbatical leave, 338.1 compensated professional leaves, 341, benefits for part-time employees, 342 jury duty, 343 paid holidays,

178347 workers compensation transitional return to work program. Those all had no substantive changes. And then 10 policies with changes were 304 employment of district staff, 38 employment contract/board resolution, 314 physical examination, 317 conduct/disciplinary procedures, 317.1 Educator misconduct, 320 Freedom of Speech by Employees. 333 professional development, 339 uncompensated leave, 340 responsibility for student welfare, 351 controlled substance abuse, and then we had a new policy 318 attendance and tardiness, 300 uh a new uh we retired one policy uh 348 unlawful harassment. We didn't retire it because uh we are not opposed to unlawful harassment. We have retired it because that policy is incorporated into other policies that we have. So there was no longer a need for that policy. And then we reviewed policy 218.1 uh which is the weapons policy. You may have heard about is

179it act 44? Act 44 which is a recent law that um passed. Maybe Dr. Dr. Senko, could you just explain that to the community and that is uh why we had to update 218.1? >> Sure. Thanks. So, Act 44, it there was a legislative change that went into effect January 5th requiring all school districts across the Commonwealth. If a weapon or replica weapon is found on school property, we have as a district, we have 24 hours to communicate such to the school community. >> Thank you. So even though we had just finished the 200 level policies, you know, if there is a legislative change or some other urgent reason to revisit a policy as in this case, even though we had just reviewed it, we will um of course review it. So we meet the

180policy committee committee meets again on March 2nd and if any community members are curious about the changes that they are all available. Um I believe a red line is available on board docs. Is that correct? >> Correct. Any policy that has changes has the original or the I should say the current policy, a redline version of the policy and then a clean new proposed version of the policy. So anyone from the public can see all three iterations through board docs. >> Thank you, Mr. Spring. Okay. And so in March, we'll meet for a second read on these and then we'll take a kind of hiatus from policy meeting while Mr. spring goes through the next levels. Um 400s will be next. >> Oh, zeros. I'm sorry. We're going back to zeros. Starting again with zeros.

181Okay. So, with that, I move to approve consent agenda items B through double Q for first read as contained in the attachment to this agenda. >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Oeki and Miss her. Um just a quick review. I know we discussed it at policy, but if administration, someone might be sitting at home or looking at this and why would we be going through such an enormous amount of policies at once? I know we talked about creating a bit of a a baseline. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, Ronnie, you want to talk about that a little bit? So the reason we you know the the board has tasked us to really do a comprehensive review a cyclical review of all the policies is so we can really look see what changes have been made.

182Some of the policies have not been reviewed for several years. Um and we want to create a baseline going forward. So what you'll see is the board a lot of these will say there's no change to them. So the question comes up well why are you looking at them and reviewing them if there's no change and the importance of that is to create that baseline so if there is a change say in a policy next year we know that it's updated as of now and we don't have to worry about going back to 2019 2017 to see if there were changes made that maybe haven't been addressed because they haven't been looked at for so long. So it's important just you know to refresh everyone to refresh themselves with the policies because they are the

183governing documents um for the district to a certain degree but it also is to create that baseline so we know that we could say as of a certain date we know we are current we've meet all the legislative requirements and the policies are where they need to be going forward >> and and if I could just add to that a good example of that is policy 218.1 the board recently in the recent months reviewed um and changed somewhat policy 218.1. That's the one Miss Oeki talked about that we had to go back and revisit so quickly. That's because of the legislative change regarding to act 44. So, we were able to go back just a couple months and say to the board, you just updated it. Here's the date on it. This is a legislative

184change that we're obligated to include in the policy. And and that's a great example because prior to us reviewing it recently, it was last reviewed in 2017. So had we not created that baseline, we would be going back trying to figure out, okay, is there anything we missed going all the way back to 2017 as well? >> Great. Thank you both for that. Um, Mr. Roosevelt, >> thank you. While we're on the topic of uh and Act 44, I believe this district and I expect many other districts have operated under an abundance of caution and produce these 24-hour reporting. My concern is that data can be misrepresented. I think everybody in this room has been on one side or the other of data being represented incorrectly. uh this meeting is an example of one. So

185we've recently had and and once again I'm not criticizing it. I'm just I I want to just have a similar abundance of caution that we don't that this district doesn't contribute to data that might be misinterpreted and and represent somehow that this district is not safe. So, uh, the definition of a weapon doesn't include a wrapper or a shell casing. They're not weapons. So, having a notice about it, I think is good to communicate to the community. But at the same point, I'm not sure is anybody from any agency at any level reaching out to districts to try to catalog the number of act 44 requirements or you know postings of that nature? >> No, there's not anyone reaching out. But we do know with that change uh and as that that legislative change um

186we have to also tie our policy into that. So to your point the policy says weapon or replica weapon. So just by example if it somebody brought a squirt gun in we would still have to report that out. and we um we've had to unfortunately use that letter on a couple of occasions since the implementation and we um put as much information in that as we possibly can but at this point I do not know that there is any uh agency that we report to. Now at the end of the school year we have to submit what's called a safe schools report to PTE. they may because that uh the collection of that information tends to change regularly. For example, it used to be you we would report out nicotine infractions. It then went and

187split out from between nicotine and vaping. Um so PTE changes that reporting mechanism. So uh I I don't know if there are any changes to that, but if we did report that's where it would would show up. >> Thank you. That's that's exactly my concern because a shell casing doesn't fit our definition or even the state's definition. Neither does packaging of a magazine or even a magazine itself fit that. Um I suppose one could have a long argument or discussion or deliberation about whether a squirt gun classifies as a replica or not. Um but I'm not interested in doing that tonight at all. My concern is just that some of these minor ones that are clear don't get wrapped up in some larger thing that says Council Rock in the year 2026 had X amount

188of Act 44 weapons requirement notices that could contribute to a misunderstanding of Council Rock School District safety. And that's that's just my my concern. >> That's a that's a good point. Let me let me check with our ISDS department um and our PIM's reporting to see if anything has changed with that legislative change with regard to our safe schools reporting. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh well, we've already done facilities, so we'll skip over that and we'll move on to item six. Wait, did I Oh, we haven't voted. Oh, sorry. Um so, we had the consent. We had the second. Um, any board comments or questions, concerns before consent? All right. Uh, Madam Secretary, if you would note that as unanimous. I just I want to be clear for the public because it

189it might seem to somebody who's you know listening at home that we just went through I forget how many policies you know 42 policies and we didn't talk about it and that's not at all the case. You know we meet in policy committee we've talked about it at length we'll meet again next month. So so I just want to be you know super clear that that just because we don't have any comments on them now doesn't mean we don't take this seriously. This is a lot of policies and we've discussed them at length. >> Thank you, Mr. Saki. All right. Now, we'll move on to finance committee. Miss Stone, >> I think I'll turn my mic on. There you go. Finance committee met on Thursday, February 12th, and Mr. Kevin Karpuck from Cornerstone provided a

190cash management update for the second quarter of uh which would be se um September 30th, 2025 through December 31st, 2025. Um he reported that our earnings for the last two quarters of the year was about 3.12 million which would bring us above our $5.5 million forecast for the end of the year. Um we then talked about how what we needed to do to move forward with the capital improvements at Chancellor New Town and Holland ele uh Holland Middle School. um we needed to decide on the type of loan for the 9.6 million that we must borrow in 2026. And by consensus, uh Mr. RAP will then direct PFM to prepare a draft resolution as a wraparound loan versus level payments. uh there thereby providing a a smaller impact on short-term loan payments and a little

191greater flexibility going forward. The draft resolution will be presented at the March board meeting for approval. Uh and continuing with the borrowing update, we reviewed the future projects for Morin Welsh um running approximately 49 million. Council Rock High School North at two different levels. We have a renovation at about 120 million or the replacement at about 260 million. Um, also Council Rock High School South at million and these numbers don't include site improvements um or demo or the stadium at North by the way. So although we don't need to increase taxes for the present projects which we've already reviewed, it's clear, it was made clear to us that in order to borrow for those future projects, we're going to have to make some tax increments now uh to prepare for that. Um, so we wanted

192to put it out there so people understand that that's will be part of the budgeting process which we are starting shortly as soon as we um get through the final audit. Um, we will also be voting on interpretive ASL services and contracting with two companies on an ad need as needed basis. Last year, the expense amounted to about $1,000, and we'll be renewing our Microsoft licenses through BCIU. And we'll be making our weighted contribution to BCIU for programs and services. And with that, I can Okay, I move to approve consent agenda items B and C. No, I'm in the wrong. I have to move to finance. It's the F that starts finance, not F facilities. Right. All right. I move to approve consent agenda items B through J as contained in the attachment to this

193agenda. >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Stone and Miss Oeki. Board comments, discussion. Mr. Roosevelt. >> Sure. Item J, the EDRP. There's often confusions about this, so I thought that just in the effort of communicating to the community, I'd make a comment here. These total about $425,000 for about six months. There's another one that comes up later in the year. So combined you're talking about roughly $850,000 which is extra pay. the numbers that change from position and I believe we covered this last year around the same time um that the values for the payment the extra payments to these teachers are a product of collective bargaining and other elements. Council Rock School District does not negotiate nor does it establish these payments. Is that correct? >> Correct. The value of each RD EDRPP, I'm sorry,

194EDRPP unit is collectively bargained and it's in the contract and that is the value each year >> and and this is an additional incentive for some of the best and brightest teachers to come to Council Rock and have an opportunity of coaching and assistant coaching, a whole bunch of valued positions so that we have athletes across this district that can do wonderful things. >> Correct. And I do want to emphasize it's not just for coaches, it's for clubs, debate club. >> Yes. >> All various, you know, activities. So it doesn't just address the athletes, but it it it extracurricular for all students, >> right? And it and it is a large number. And I think that it's just important to once again for avoid misunderstandings. Briefly mention that. Thank you. >> And and to put

195some context around a word that Ronnie used the unit. So EDRPPS are paid out in units. Each unit is worth roughly about $415. >> About $458. >> 458. Much closer than I was, Ronnie. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions, comments from board? Oh, Mr. R. Wait, did Mr. Hardgo? Okay, Mr. Rap then Mr. I saw your hand up. >> Uh, yes. I I just wanted to uh make the board aware that the interpretive services contracts is under the finance committee. Um that is mostly just a matter instead of being under the education committee that was a a matter of expedience in that we needed to get those uh services in place for for the students that need it. And uh we had a finance committee meeting coming up. So we had it go through

196finance and since it was on the finance committee it's under finance for this approval. Thank you, Mr. Rab. Mr. Adalago, >> it's just a matter matter of uh housekeeping. Just wondering if EDRP was it wasn't ex I don't think it was discussed at the is this something that we don't um have to talk about to put on consent agenda or did I miss that part? Th this has been the process since I've been here. I'm not aware if there was been a previous process prior to me coming, but I know since I've been here and I believe since my predecessor, it has always been put on as consent as part of the personnel agenda. >> Gotcha. We always do personnel. It's kind of an addition to that. Okay. >> Correct. >> Thanks. >> And and

197Ronnie, um, how many times a year do we issue the EDRPP? >> Uh, EDRPP gets issued three times a year. It's usually aligned with each of the seasons, um, athletic seasons, um, December, February, and the final payments usually in May. >> Thank you, Mr. Spring. Any other comments, board comments, discussion? All right, board secretary, if you would please u mark that as unanimous. All right, we're getting there. Board item, public comment. This is now public comment for non-aggenda items. Uh I believe I had one person signed up. If they're still here, hopefully um it is uh Harry Barefoot, I believe. >> Barfoot, sorry. >> Thank you. >> Probably wondering why >> for hanging in there. >> Someone like myself would come here for the entire meeting for something that's not on the agenda and make

198a public statement. But um I'm glad to be here and thank you so much for the opportunity. I'm Harry Barfoot. Um, Council Rock class of 73. So, I was the first class to go through the then brand new Council Rock High School. Um, subsequently, my wife I skipped town and came back. My wife came uh and joined Council Rock for 18 years. At one point, a plug for her. She signed off medically on all the IEPs in the district and also was able to find almost a million dollars of funding that the district wasn't getting from the feds at one point and went through all that. So, so she was able to financially help out as well. Uh, two kids that went through Council Rock, one was validictorian and very proud of that. And, um,

199Mr. Tate at one point, then Superintendent uh, Mark Klene asked me to join CRAF and help kickstart that thing back up. And so I worked closely with Dolores McCracken, may she rest in peace, and kicked Craft back on the on the map. But I'm here for something that has nothing to do with stadiums or or sports per se, but the arts and with the support of the administration. And I sent a quick email to Dr. Senko and he was kind enough to reply pretty quickly that in a positive way and then sent it over to Mr. Funk and Mr. Funk and I had a couple of chats and then uh Mrs. Lynch down at Churchville Elementary who is your visual arts coordinator for the district. But um I'm the president of Upper Mfield Business Association.

200We are a nonprofit. We host the revolutionary run every July 4th. We've been doing this for 40 this will be our 44th year. Major fundraiser. We raise over $103,000,400 runners, 80 volunteers, and all the money gets pumped back into our community in a variety of ways. But with the 250th semiquincentennial, you know that's a tough word. I think the Lexile level on that word might be a little high. Um, we want to try something a little different. So, we thought what would be interesting would be to get the arts students from North and the arts students from South to design for us our 44th and quincsentennial uh t-shirt. So, I met with Mrs. Lynch. Uh she met with the art teachers from both North and South High School last Friday. They all have the shirt

201I'm going to show you. All the materials, the project plan, and everything else is in Canvas. We're going to have a flyer for Rocks Report so that we can get the community buzz going a little bit. But what the what the students will do is is design the front of this shirt. This is the one from last year. So it's red, white, and blue with a nod to uh the the 250th ring. seconds >> our Washington crossing area and the winner will receive all will get links credits and the winner will receive a $1,000 onetime scholarship and uh at the art fair the 45th annual art district fair May 7th through 9th at South they'll showcase all of the students work and hopefully we can all vote on it the public and all of us

202we have judges and so forth so we're very excited about it something small but we're going to get a little buzz around it for the arts uh within council rock so thank you very Thank you. >> Great. Thank you so much, >> Mr. Barfoot. Say hello to your Say hello to your wife for us, will you, please? >> I will. She said, "Do you want me to come tonight?" Said it's going to be a long meeting. >> All right. Thank you. Uh board comment. Um under new business. Any board Oh, I'm sorry. Is there another comment on Sorry, Mr. Hickey. Bob Hickeyi, Northampton Township. Uh, I only think it's fair that you've listened to the community speak. You've been at numerous meetings and listened to everything. I only think it fair to give the nine

203of you a uh a public thank you for your vote. Uh, it's welld deserved. Um, you you did good by the district. You you really did. Uh, this community will really greatly benefit from it. Um, I've been up here in the past and I've talked about how you have a Council Rock South and a North community and they're they are very separate and there I've always said I wish there were ways that we could bring this community together. I think this vote is a step in the right direction not only for the community but for the board as well. I'd like to thank all the administration for all that they did, Mr. Rap, Miss Binda, all the time and effort that got put into this. Um, like I said, I'm very confident this is going

204to work out. But like I said, for the nine of you, um, I really appreciate the fact that you, uh, you know, you spent all the time and effort listening to the emails, the phone calls, and everything else, and you did good. Uh, I'd also like to thank the evangelist family. I don't know if you know them. I don't really know them that well, but, uh, you talk about go-getters, movers, and shakers. I mean it's the result of their efforts that a lot of these people were here and a lot of the support that was generated throughout the community. Um I know particular board members you know also like Miss her as part of the facilities committee chair last year was able to keep this uh subject going and uh Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Hidalgo

205were always pretty pretty good proponents of it and uh but like I said the nine of you deserve a thanks and uh I thought it only fair that you get a public thank you. >> Thank you Mr. Hickey. Okay. So now board comment. Um new business. Any new business? Any old business from the board? >> Okay. Okay, Miss uh Mrs. Recker, >> I just want to thank Mr. Barfoot. I I think it's a wonderful initiative um what you're doing to bring the two schools together and to support Upper Mfield's revolutionary run. Um I've attended with my family a few years in a row and I think it's a wonderful um fundraising event and community event. So, thank you for bringing it to the district and working with us. >> Thank you, Miss Rickert. Mr. Hadalgo,

206>> I'll ask Mr. Baroot also. How many colors we talking? Three colors. Is there a limit? I'm curious. >> Blue and red. Red, white, and blue. Okay. Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> All right. I Mr. Roosevelt. >> Thank you. I kind of want to echo that sentiment about the proposal for arts. I think it's wonderful when the community can work with the school district. I don't imagine that there is a problem with this, but um I look forward to the administration vetting it, going through it, and maybe an upcoming agenda item. I think that's wonderful. Thank you very much, Mr. Barfoot. I also think that uh I wanted to echo Mr. Hickeyy's comments. I one of the things that struck me at at at earlier this meeting is is just that look what's

207possible when the community supports something. And I and I think that that was that was wonderful. Since I came on this board, I was aware of division. I didn't like it. I've witnessed it firsthand in a couple different cases, not around this dis. I'm not trying to, you know, scratch open any scars. Um, I I agree. I think a moment like this is is a nice gesture to start bringing this district together. Um, and it's very easy. I think this this body as a whole has to kind of go back and forth um between various different projects and one necessitates the the other side saying, "Hey, why don't we get that?" Uh, I thought that the comments from the community were were wonderful and uh for the most part I echo what what you indicated,

208Mr. Tate, that it was it was nice to see that it wasn't divisive. Um, or did you say that, Miss Khan? Either way, I thought that uh that was just nice. I just wanted to echo that statement and it's late, so thank you. >> That's Mr. Dr. Senko. >> So, so thanks. Thanks to Elaine Boltier, our manager in the ISDS department, who quickly responded and said at this point she does not see any changes in PTE reporting uh regarding Mr. Roosevelt's question about weapons. So, we'll keep an eye on that and if anything changes, we'll we'll keep you informed. >> All right. Well, thank you for all of you that are still sitting out in the audience. And again, I want to, you know, echo all of the board comments and board members for the

209community coming out having a a very, I thought, productive meeting. Um, and with that, have a great evening, weekend, and I join this meeting. Thank you.