001[music] Heat. Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Roll or call me to order. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Kevin Merritt >> here. >> Ed D'vor >> here. >> Monica Haren Rainer >> here. >> Ronnie Irwin >> here. >> Leticia Manning >> here. >> Jason Nesbet >> here. >> Jeffrey Rose >> here. >> Tammy Silvis >> here. And >> Jerry Murrell >> here. Okay. Please stand for the pledge. I aliance 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. Give notice of the executive session of October 27th, 205 for personnel which lasted from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Public comments regarding the agenda. Nobody had called in. We have one that signed in. Ryan Zook, you're talking something
002on the agenda. Okay. >> You have um three minutes. >> [clears throat] >> Good evening. My name is Ryan Zuk. I'm an assistant chief of Westme 1 Volunteer Fire Company. We provide fire and emergency medical services for the southern half of Westme Township and we also respond to assist our mutual aid network throughout the district. On behalf of the volunteer firefighters of Westme 1, I share our appreciation and support for the initiative to implement a volunteer service tax credit for emergency responders. This initiative rewards the lifelong firefighters who have sacrificed their time for many years in responding to the community's needs. It also gives us an important tool in recruiting and retaining younger firefighters who are looking for affordable homes where they can settle and raise a family in the district. The proposed system incentivizes
003a healthy level of engagement and ownership for those involved in fire and emergency medical services. This is a forward-thinking action that directly supports community safety and reinforces the crucial link between local government, education, and public service. Thank you for your leadership and for investing in the people who keep Crawford's central community safe. >> Thank you. Student representatives and board school directors junior senior high school Tessa and Emma. >> Good evening. It is nice to see you all. I'm Tessa Edwards >> and I'm Emmy Mali. To >> start off, our fall sports have just finished up and our winter sports have already started at CHS. Last month, the football team made it to the playoffs and they finished their season. They finished their season during the game against Cambridge Springs on November 1st. They ended their
004season with a 4 and five. The girls volleyball team ended their 2025 season with a 512 and one last month. And our girls basketball team had two scrimmages already and our boys basketball team will have their first scrimmage this Wednesday at national. On the other hand, our clubs and activities have also been going well. The marching band had their last performance of the season as an exhibition band at LMBA championships last month. The senior class had a very successful election night lasagna dinner at the beginning of this month. There was a ton of positive feedback from the community as they were excited for it to come back. Almost every senior showed up to work and help out. On Veterans Day, student council partnered with foods class to provide lunch for veterans from the Cochran American
005Legion Post 536. The veterans demonstrated the five-folding ceremony. Student council also collected donations for Meville Post 52's project to support our troops holiday boxes. We hope you all have a good rest of the month. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh Mayo Senior High School, Emma and Natalia. >> Good evening. We hope you're all doing well. Since the last meeting, there have been a lot of new things going on. First, starting with our fall sports coming to an end, we'd like to highlight senior Megan Paleo for placing eighth at states in the cross country meet in Hershey. As a November 17th, all winter sports have started. Teams have begun practicing and are getting excited for games and matches to begin. That is all for sports since the beginning of the new season, but clubs have been
006especially active getting ready for the holiday season. KL hosted a food drive for the Meatle Food Pantry. We have surpassed our goal of 1,000 pounds in the last three weeks and ended up donating 15 1,567 pounds of food. On November 18th, members from the Key Club attended Post 52 to help pack boxes to send to troops who are overseas during the holiday season. They were also they also attended a meeting to take part in making tie blankets for end of life patients at UPMC Hammond. NHS put on a fundraiser partnering with Chipotle where they were able to receive 25% of the profits made from sales that day. They're also planning on ringing the bell for Salvation Army on December 13th to spread some Christmas cheer. Book club had their first meeting on November 14th where
007they started reading their first book to get ready for the end of the year English festival. On top of that, mock trials officially kicked off with the case being released November 7th. They will begin preparing for their competition in early January. 12th grade students are preparing for mock interviews which will take place on December 3rd. Students are required to prepare resumes, show up to practice, and get feedback from volunteers to be prepared for their future. >> Thank you. We look forward to the next meeting. >> Thank you. And then we have Warrior Middle School, [clears throat] Sophie and Piper. >> Hello, I'm Sophie Smith. I'm Piper Button. At at MAMS, our full fall sports are fully wrapped up with football undefeated 8 to zero for the first time since 2013. Girls basketball and cross country
008have also come to an end, while boys basketball and wrestling are just starting up. The middle school was also working with MASH Key Club to do the food drive and collect food for for the Key Club. In addition to this, our concert band and orchestra are preparing for their winter concert that will be held in the MASH auditorium. Um, thank you for your time. Good. >> Thank you. >> Moving along. [clears throat] Approval of the minutes. The board of school director Cer Central is hereby approves the following minutes. the regular board meeting of October 27, 2025, which is attachment one and committee of the whole meeting of November 17, 2025, which is attachment two. Is there a motion? >> Jack second. >> Jerry, any questions on that? >> Not. All in favor, please say I.
009>> I. Say motion. Committee reports 10. First reading of the personnel or sorry personal finance and technology course attachment three. [clears throat] Extra further add the board. Uh resolve [clears throat] that the board of school directors of Crawford Central School District hereby approves the following overnight trips. uh wrestling team um Meanville Area Senior High School uh to Bergenstown, PA January 9th through 10th, 2026 at a cost of the district of $1,283.84. Uh District Orchestra, Medville Area Senior High School, Indiana High School, Indiana, PA. uh January 22nd through the 24th uh 19 uh 2026 at a cost of the district of $2,640.58 uh district band middle area senior high school uh to Fairfield Fair View High School Fairview PA February 5th through 7th 2026 at a cost of the district of 1,700 $11.79 boys basketball area
010senior high school state college tournament state college PA December 29th and 30th uh 2025 at a cost of the district of uh $163.79 uh district band Cochran Junior Senior High School uh to Fairview High School Fairview PA February 5th through the 7th, 2026 at a cost to the district of $1,149 and 63 cents. And I so move. >> Second, >> Monica. >> Yes. >> Any questions? >> Not. All in favor, please say I. >> Oppos same. >> Motion carry. resolved that the board of school directors of Crawford Central School District hereby approves rebranding and expanding the existing athletic trainers club of Cochrington Junior and Senior High School into the sports innovation and media club and I so move second. >> Go ahead and stereo got it broad. Okay, any questions? Not all in favor please
011say I. O saying motion carried Monica transportation >> resolved that the board of school directors of Crawford Central School District hereby approves the co-stars quote from Dave Helman Chevrolet for a new truck and plow attachment 10 and I so move second >> any questions not all in favor please say I >> oppose saying >> motion carried food service Monica Resolved that the board of school directors of Crawford Central School District hereby approves the schedule K for purchase of a food service cargo bin attachment 11. And I so move >> second questions not all in favor please say I >> oppos same. Motion carried. Finance Jeff >> resolved that the board of school directors of Crawford Central School District hereby approves the following financial activities, the treasures report for October, the financial statements, and the payment
012of bills. And I so move >> Jerry any questions? Not all in favor, please say I. >> I. O. Motion carries. >> Does anybody want me to read all these? >> Good. Um, this first one is for the approval of resolution regarding act 57. I believe that is the forgiveness of late penalties and things for people who just change property and things like that for just a onetime deal for just for the late fees, not for the all the taxes within the first year. >> And I so move second Any questions? Not all in favor, please say I. I do abstain. Motion carried. Next one I'm not going to read either. This is approval of resolution not to raise taxes above the act one of 2026 2006 index and that is for this fiscal year
0134.9% I guess. And uh I so move. >> Second. >> Monica. >> Yes. Any questions on that? If not, all in favor, please say I. I. >> Post say. >> Motion [clears throat] carried. >> Another full page motion here for the approval of and appointment of PNC Capital Markets LLC as managing underwriter for Crawford Central School District bond projects. And I so move a second. Rod, I just want to make a quick comment. It's not that the district's made any commitments on any building, any construction, any renovations at this point. We're just getting people in place to speed up the process should we decide. Um that's something we're going to be looking at down the road. We have several committees working. We [snorts] have a U finance, curriculum, special services, and um facilities that are
014out there. They'll be making some recommendations to us January February and we will be having a special board meeting in December to look at some numbers on Mason Hill first district and second district which we will take any kind of action on that probably in January or late February if we're looking at renovating a boiler roof whatever in Niss Hill which is desperately needed. But this puts somebody in place to kind of speed the process up so that we're not doing this January, then it's February, then it's March kicking the can down the road, which we've [clears throat] done quite frequently. So, I just want to make a statement in case someone is reading in the paper that, hey, the district's already moving forward. Decisions have been made. Absolutely no decisions been made by this
015board. Nothing. No closures, nothing. We are status quo until we get somewhere. We may do some renovations at a building that might be necessary. And if anybody and I'll say I was at Niss Hill this weekend, there is a need >> for some work. When I was hit with the odor coming into the gymnasium at 5:30 on Friday night and it happened again Saturday morning, Rick's well aware of this, okay? And he had his team out. Something's not quite right up there and it does need some help. And um again, this will put something in place, but we may move forward on some renovations that boil their roof because we just are going to have to do something. >> It needs to be safe for the kids that are currently there. >> It's got to
016be safe for the kids. >> Nothing to do with the future decision. >> When I had a staff member, I asked her, "Does it smell like this all the time?" And the comment was, "You think that's bad? Come to my classroom and how see how bad it is for me." I said, "If it's bad for you, how bad is it for the kids?" So, we've really we're taking a serious look at that, but this helps us get ready for that. It's not saying we're doing anything. I don't want the public to go out and say, "Oh, we've already decided." We have not. There's not one in this board that has said anything as far as what we're doing. Um, a lot of a lot of rumors out there, and we'll get to that later, but
017I just wanted to make that very clear that we are not borrowing today. So, um, Mr. college. You can put that in your paper in the front page. That would be great. So, if there any other comments to that? If not, all in favor, please say I. >> Oppos same. >> Motion carried. Next is a motion for approval of the volunteer service tax credit program. And I so move. >> Second. >> Did you read it all? I mean, that would >> that's a very long read. >> That that is something we've never done before. Do you guys want me to read that? Should we maybe just >> Should we maybe just read um the what agencies are included? >> Yeah, >> it's like that the nonprofit emergency medical services agency and then there's just like
018a small list right there. >> So right under section one active volunteers of a volunteer fire company or nonprofit emergency medical services who complied with the requirements. Um, the nonprofit, uh, let's see here. It would include the following: Ambulance, an advanced life support squad vehicle, basic life support squad vehicle, quick response service, a special operation EMS service, uh, tactical EMS service, wilderness EMS service, a mass gathering EMS service, and urban search and rescue EMS service. So, emergency responders. >> Can I make a comment real quick? >> Wait, do I have a motion? >> Yeah, I I moved second. Okay, we got Jason. Okay, now you can comment. >> This affects Westme one, Westme 2, Cochran and Vernon Township fire departments. Those are our volunteer fire departments. This will affect. So, um, scuba team would be
019involved in that. And uh the thing that resonated with me is when the commissioners were here and [clears throat] um we had some dialogue back and forth and when Eric Henry said you are not guaranteed an ambulance today. >> No, you're not. >> You're not. You can call. Doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get one. >> That's been in my head ever since he said it all. >> That's scary. >> So hopefully this will um I agree with >> the gentleman was here. We have Mr. >> We have a chief in Westme too >> that I'm hoping that this will help generate some interest in some younger saying, "Hey, look at this. I can get something in return that'll help me." Everybody complains about paying school tax, county tax. This might be the initiative. It'd
020be nice if uh we're sitting here figuring, wait, we just gave away a lot, but I don't think we're going to be giving away a lot. Um from what we hear, some places only have seven active members. I mean, they're low numbers. So, if this would help, I'm for it. >> I I kind of hope it becomes a problem. >> Yeah. I mean, it'd be nice if it's a problem. >> Yeah. I kind of hope it becomes a problem. I encourage anybody out there that can do step up. It's awesome. I like this. >> So, any other comments? >> If not, all in favor, please say I. >> Oppos same. >> Motion carried. Okay. Approval of the second and final readings of the revisions to the following policies. Policy 000 board policy procedure administrative regulation
021which is attachment 15. Policy 001 name and classification which is detachment 16. Policy 002 authority and powers attachment 17. Policy 003 functions which is attachment 18. Policy 004 which is membership attachment 19. Policy 005 organization which is attachment 20. Policy 006 which is meetings which is attachment 21 and policy 006.1 attendance at meetings via electronic communications attachment 22. Policy 007 policy manual access attachment 23 and policy 00011 principles of governance and leadership attachment 24. result. The board of school directors of Crawford Central School Dent hereby approves the second final reading of the revisions of the above policies. I'll make a motion. So that's Jerry. >> Second, >> Monica. It's not like we're trying to do a whole lot, but our policies are outdated and haven't been updated in a good while. And if recall recently,
022we hired uh PSBA to take a look at them. So that you're going to start seeing some policies come through and they've gone through along with our solicitor did the amended um to bring us into accordance to where we need to be. So that's why you're going to see a bunch. Um all in favor please say I. >> One question first. Oh >> um on policy three attachment 18. Does that mean we now need to be keeping old business on our agenda? I I mean there's several of us have been asking why we don't have old business on our agenda and looking at this the very first part of it um provide a proposed adoption amendment or repeal has been proposed at a previous board meeting and has remained on the agenda of each succeeding
023board meetings until approved or rejected. >> Sorry, I'm just trying to catch up with you. Remind me which attachment we're looking at right now. >> At in the first paragraph >> the very first paragraph [clears throat] legislative >> so so [snorts] >> I'm sorry where okay has remained on the sorry let me let me just read this whole sentence inside my head is that >> I know everyone's like No, that what that's referring to is the um is like the first and second reading for changing policies. Um it's not referring to the agenda itself, which is another policy here, right? that sets up the meeting. >> I thought we talked about that though. >> I thought we discussed that it was going to be on there. >> It's been been requested, but is it coming?
024That's the question. >> Well, which I mean I think a lot of our agenda items are old business things we keep putting on like East End every single month and the biomass. So policy 06 that's attachment 21 >> agenda >> is the one I believe as I'm opening it up here that talks about um the order of business. Yeah. If you see on page two of 10, order of business. So, this would be your general order of business. It doesn't mean that you can't add in um do we follow the Robert's rules of order? >> We do. >> That would fall under that. >> That's I think so also. Yeah. If you wanted, the thing is that if you wanted to guarantee an agenda that had an old business section on it, you could build
025that into this section of the policy. Otherwise, like this is your general order of business, which is different. like in Roberts um your order of business is is different than your um order of the day which is like your actual business items for the day. So this doesn't exclude having old business on any particular agenda and even every agenda but the section you were referring to doesn't require it to be on there. Nothing in these policies requires as a matter of policy requires the old business to be on there every week. If you wanted to do that, this would be the section to do that in. >> I I mean, East End, we have, you know, don't know what's going on there and and even if there's nothing changed on it and now, especially with
026the meetings that we're having, you know, it would be nice if they're on there. So, if there's any updates and everything. So I mean it's one of my things >> we can add it as an item but we just I guess we're adding it um specifically for those old business items such as east end the biomass listing them separately as an item to discuss. >> If if or if there's nothing to discuss you know that's all needs to be said. >> Well well you have to remember typically if you're saying something is business on the agenda it means that you're going to take some kind of action on it right otherwise it's a report. There's nothing that precludes you from putting reports um you know updates into the the reports section. >> Well, East End
027is probably the biggest one right there is to you know I mean are we going to be taking action on it you know as I thought today was a deadline on things >> in order today was the deadline >> and >> before you could do anything. >> Before we do anything >> before you do anything. >> Yeah. There's no deadline today. >> Yeah. But but you know I mean that's the stuff like that there. I mean adden career center has it. >> Mhm. >> We have a a line that says old business and every once in a while you get one little topic. We don't [clears throat] take any official action on any under the old business >> because that would be under up above. But it's a line item there that reminds us that
028oh where we at with this where we at with that. It was really nice. Every month we got an update on the progress on the integrity building. There was some there. >> I think this month there actually was nothing listed under old business. So it was just there's nothing listed. So we continued on. >> But maybe >> we can take a look. >> Sure. We can look at that. >> We want it on the agenda, not on the committee. >> Huh? >> We would want it on the board agenda, not like something we speak about at the committee like at the whole meeting >> like last week. Because the JC only has one meeting like us. >> So one both in case that way if we >> you can do both maybe we'll yeah if
029you do both then if it wasn't there we could carry it over to this one and at least get an update. >> Okay >> that would work. >> Yep. >> You okay you go with the policy then? >> Y >> any other questions? Not all in favor please say I. >> I post same. >> Motion carried. Approval of the second final reading of of retiring the following three board policies recommended by PSBA. Policy 004.1 student representation to the school board of attachment 25. Policy 008 organizational chart attachment 26 and policy 009 policy formation attachment 27. Result the board of school directors of carp central school district hereby approves the f second and final reading of the retirement of the above policies. Is there a motion? So moved. Brian second. >> Uh Jerry, any questions on
030those? >> I I just have a question. So is that basically saying that we we aren't going to have or we don't have to ask for student representatives to come anymore? >> Another policy. >> It's in another policy. >> He wasn't here. I asked that question. >> Okay. Sorry. [laughter] >> Some of the things in these are [clears throat] elsewhere. >> Okay. >> We don't need him. Any other questions? >> If not, all in favor, please say I. I post same motion carried first reading of the revisions of the polic following policy policy 217 graduation requirements which is attachment 28 and if I am correct that's the financial one >> personal financial >> personal finance is being added >> as a requirement but it's not really a state mandate until when >> next year >>
031oh it is next year >> next year it starts >> it says And we took one computer credit away. So basically, yes. >> Okay. Anyways, that's out in the for review. If anybody wants to see it, they can go and read it. >> Graders. Yeah. Sorry. >> Okay. Approve of the following uh personnel schedules. Resolve the board of school directors conference central school date. Hereby approves the following personnel schedules, which is attachment 29. Approval of schedule A, resignations. Approval of schedule B, professional appointments. Approval of schedule C, support staff appointments. Approval D, uh, extra duty appointments. Approval of schedule E, attendance of at professional meetings. Approval of section H, leaves of absences. Approval of schedule I, field trip authorization. Approval schedule M, transportation subcontracted services. And is there a motion? >> So moved, >> Monica?
032>> Second. >> Ed, any question on any of them? >> If not, all in favor, please say I. I oppos same. Motion carries. Administration. >> Just want to remind everybody that our Thanksgiving vacation uh will start on Wednesday. Uh students will be back in school uh the following Tuesday, which is December 2nd. And hopefully everybody will have a safe holiday. I guess we're supposed to get another burst of snow uh Thanksgiving. So everybody be safe and thank you. other board members comments. First, I want to acknowledge that um Jason, >> huh, you will be leaving us as he chose not to rerun for the board. Um I want to thank you for stepping up for the time you did serve in that appointment. We appreciate we appreciate your input. um going to miss you, but
033hopefully you'll be out there at some point. And um rendering your opinion as we move forward in some very important decisions down the road, but I mean it's been a pleasure and um behalf of the board, I appreciate you for that time that you gave. >> Um it's not an easy job and maybe you're the smart one getting that. [laughter] Um second, uh we have a special meeting coming up. Is it December 16th? December 16th at 5:30. It'll be held here. This is the one I just talked about earlier with the bond council. But we will be reviewing the renovation um projected cost at Nissan Hill. First district and second district were the three that through committee format we directed um the Mccclure group to do a little deeper dive. They are going to do
034a little bit on the outside but those are areas that weren't really like priority one but with the discussion that's going on in these committees and Ron can help me out on some of these committees first district second district and hill are playing some big roles in some number playing and what might happen as a confederation with the city of Meatville which further [clears throat] is going to lead me to some rumors speculation whatever you want to call it this out there Again, we have had just we've had some very minor discussion discussion at a committee meeting throughout the last two years from February of 24, April of 24 when those numbers came out from um Hunter Hodes the U feasibility study. We started having some ideas and that was and they're all listed on
035the um um initial public information. We had our two community meetings. Some scenarios that could come up. Sixth grade to the high the middle school, closing a school in town, merging building on an east hill, building on the west end, whatever that configuration could be. We don't know what it is yet. There's been absolutely positively no decision made by this board who has to make that decision of what we're going to do. things could remain the way they are depending on what this these committees come up with and they can report back to us in January February time frame but people are drawing conclusions and they're thinking that we're closing this building we're closing that building we're doing this we're doing that a mega school we're building a new you guys know we're building a
036new administration building I mean these are the things we're hearing um none of it is true at this point none of it um I tons of scenarios. We have declining enrollment. We got to take a serious look. And the the the problem is things have been kicked down the road for so long. That's why Nissan Hill is so interested by this board that we look at something up there because nothing has ever been done since 1978. I mean, Mccclure Group even told me on the phone that that has probably been a godsend to us that we've gotten as far as we have with no major renovations. Um, I mean, it's fabulous. This stuff has outlived itself more than probably once. And the other thing is, and I'm going to address, and I know Ron's going
037to follow up, but there's some text messaging going out on something has happened to the south, and it's being advertised as a new pathway to a public or a community school. Um, myself and Jerry met personally with um I'm going to say Nate Smith. We talked about some things. He presented an idea that they're going to try to do a charter school in Cochran. Um, and it's at the early stages of um eventually coming to a board. Uh, but there's a community meeting coming up on December 9th at the community church at >> 6:30. And um, I mean they're sending out text messaging. I don't know what else they're doing, but it's being advertised as a new pathway. It's not being advertised at the charter school. We as a board, a lot of us have
038talked amongst each other. Um, some board members have been contacted directly, others have probably not been. And um, I just want to say that we have made again no decision. Cochran High School, Cochran Elementary have not been on the chopping block. Rumors have started way back in the day. I've been around for almost 30 years at um conquered it. I've heard it. It's not just within the schools and within our own church system. Um that this church has closed because of that one. It's just been a battle that goes on and on and on. Um but I think that people need to pay attention what might and could possibly happen down the road. And it's going to have a direct effect on every taxpayer in this district as to what might happen down the road.
039I'm not saying it is. I'm saying it might and um I know I've talked deeply with Dr. Gton on this. I've talked um with some community members. We've got some ideas, questions, concerns that need addressed and I'm hoping that they will get addressed at that community meeting that's coming up because there's a lot of information that um is kind of misleading at this point. The community just needs to be made aware of that. And um I'm just going to go on the record that I'm not saying I support or don't support it. I just want to say that there's a lot of info that needs to be done. And um whatever the outcome is will be the outcome and we'll deal with it. Um what role this board will play in that decision making is
040kind of it's known but unknown. And with talking with Dr. Gon, we do have our legal counsels on board. They are looking into some things for us, questions that we have and I have um which represents the board as to how and will it proceed and what would it look like and what will it be to the district. Um there's been initial conversation with Austin as to the cost of a charter school, what that will be. I mean, I just want to put this out there that we here we're acting. We're taking a look at the potentials of what could be coming down the pike and how that plays out with everybody. I mean to me we're Crawford Central people in Meville as I've been preaching for since 204 24 about the the schooling and
041how how does Meville want their schools to look and our committees are showing not too many people from the community stepping up to the plate. But we're going to move on. I mean, we're going to devise a plan based off what these community members that did step up and say what they want to do and what we want to look at because we have to know where we're going, not just next year, but five years and 10 years down the road. And how we get there is going to be that community involvement to give us as a board some direction. We could do this without any community involvement. We could just sit here one night and say we're doing this, this, and this and move on. And yeah, we may be gone the next election
042cycle, but the decisions made and we're moving forward. And by the time that happens, it's done and over. But we're trying to really bring those people to us to say, "Hey, this is what we want." And maybe no closures, might be this closure, might be that closure. Um, and I think I've covered quite a bit. And I don't know what more to say than a lot of rumors, but if you really want to know what's going on, you come here and you set those chairs out there. They're pretty vacant most of the time. And um I can tell you this much. If you want to fill a room, [laughter] cut a sports program. You want to do something with curriculum and education. >> Doesn't matter what you do. They just don't seem to come. And
043um I mean that tells us, okay, we must be doing all right on that side, but we're not going to cut a football program. We're not going to cut a band program. We know what happened two years ago in that. and couldn't even pack him in this room anymore. We were so full. But yet we're looking at a 5 and 10 year plan and we can't even fill an auditorium. Um, and I know it's a busy time of year and we all have other things to do. And you talk about someone that's busy, me, [clears throat] I mean I single parent busy. So you try to make the best of it. So Okay. Can I can I add to that a little bit because I I think like you nailed it with like this board
044has not made a decision. Well, this is my last board meeting. I'm not on the board anymore and I can tell you that this board has not made a decision like uh and I think that they've done a really good job of being as transparent as possible and getting community feedback. I think that uh the uncertainty creates fear and fear creates like radicalism. Uh, so I think that it's it's reaction to the unknown. Um, but if you have questions, come here and ask. Grab a board member, ask. They're not hiding anything. Um, you might not agree with everything that they do or everything that they don't, but I I can assure you that they're trying to make the best decisions with the information that they have. So, the reason why those committees were put together
045and why I said get involved with those committees is because they're taking that serious. They are asking the community what they think is best. Don't care whether you're from Cochran or whether you're from Meville or wherever you're at. It's going to impact everybody. If the movement goes towards that like the whatever's >> charter school, Cochran probably won't have sports teams. Like let's be honest, like and you say you want to fill a room like that could be a path. It's scary, but you don't know that unless you get involved and you ask questions and you find out I don't know that that's true. That's an assumption. Find out. Come in, ask these guys. I I can assure you that there is no decision that has been made. So, I just I kind of want to
046put that cuz I'm not I'm not running for nothing. I [laughter] I'm done. Um, but no, I just wanted to put that out there because I do think that you hear so much and it's like how do you guys hear stuff that we don't hear when we're the ones that are being told that that's what we're saying or that's what we're doing? It just seems it seems odd. So, yeah, it's there's no big secrets. There's no big conspiracy. I just think that it's a fear of the unknown and none of us know because there hasn't been a plan. So, we're figuring it out. Um, you might hear some of the same stuff from me. I just want to clear the record about Nate Smith. I was told that I refused to meet with him. That
047is not true. I told him that I am not interested in taking a slice of a pie and make it the best slice of pie. I'm interested in making the whole pie better. So, that's what I told him. And obviously, that got me uninvited to his meeting because I'd heard no more about it. So um and I also told him I am not interested in closing cocker in schools whatsoever. So but anyways what came what I'm hearing came out of some of his meetings is that he believes he can steal Cochran High School from us just by getting majority of people to sign petitions the teachers and and you know um residents. I, you know, the board members that have investigated this do not find truth to that. We obviously are now going to have
048to pay attorneys to take and deter make this determination for us whether he's right, wrong, otherwise. Um, so now that he's already adding cost to that, his cost cutting measures that he has proposed is to get rid of certified teachers and hire non-certified teachers. um a very large percentage of them which then would mean that Crawford Central would have to furlow teachers and then this would affect Meatville because those teachers if they have seniority can take and bid in on uh any position they want. So, so just to say hey this is happening in Cochran you know this the whole charter school idea it's going to spread through the whole district. it it doesn't, you know, stop with cocking. Um, the sports programs already was addressed. We already had an incident where the girls volleyball
049team got thrown into a different category because of an error. I can almost guarantee you that all the football team, baseball, all sports will be gone in a marching band in Cochran would be gone if Nate Smith pursues this avenue of this charter school. and is able to steal the Cochran uh high school from us. Again, I don't think he can, but you know, that's something that's going to have to be investigated. Um, so with that said, I don't think he wants to take a slice of pie and make it better. I think he just wants to take a slice of pie. And so that that's the way I'm looking at it. Um, he wants to destroy decades of cockan pride and cardinal spirit. Therefore, I do not plan on attending any of the meetings
050that he plans to have because I don't want to give them a false sense of anybody the false sense that I support this. Um, if the people do attend, I encourage you to ask the difficult questions, the ones that got me uninvited to his meeting. Ask those questions. Ask them about the sports programs. So um but anyways this basically until we have answers also from him Kevin said we I sit on a facilities committee is Cochran in or out of the play now for those facility committees. I I guarantee you what I sat through the the people that we have sitting on those committees are phenomenal. The they I mean they're coming in with papers and charts and everything else. you know, I can't speak of any of the other committees and and they've already
051sat down there and have a grading system as far as what schools, you know, top, you know, right down through Cochran is not on their hit list whatsoever. So, where he thinks that Cochran is even open for grabs is beyond me because the committee meetings I sat in on is not even being discussed. I agree with Kevin on Niss Hill. you know, we do need to do something with that. It's been kicked down the road forever in a day. Um, that definitely is one at the facility meetings right now that is not on a hit list. That is still, you know, in the satellite elementary schools are they are agreeing that those need to remain, you know, their scoring system that they did. So, you know, taking investing in Nissan Hill, I do not think
052we're going to go wrong. um it's going to be due right, but we got to have answers going forward before our next meeting would be really nice. The facility meeting and you know as far as can he steal this school from us. >> I that's pretty much >> I I kind of want to I don't want to push back but that's what I do to you Ron. I want to push back a little bit because the same respect that I would give you is coming and hear from the horse's mouth. I think that we should at least attend if there are invitation. I wasn't invited so I don't I said you have a date and a time and that >> yeah I would love to but but I would love to attend and I would
053encourage other folks to attend to learn um what the actual plan is as opposed to the same thing that I'm saying that others are doing is the fear of the unknown. We don't really know. Maybe he wants to have some questions answered, maybe he don't. I don't know. Um, but I think it would be worth the the opportunity to to listen. >> Well, like I said, literally he did not, you know, I mean, he called me to invite me, wanted me to call, I called him to invite me to this meeting and then once I spoke and then next thing I'm here and the meeting happened and you know, I was not invited. So, okay, you know, I and as I said, I encourage people to go but ask the difficult questions. >> I I
054have a legal question now. This is Rachel for you. Here it is. If five or more of us show up, >> what does that do for us? Because of a quorum of us would [clears throat] be there. >> Is there any implications or should we limit? >> I mean I mean to me I have a direct interest. I have a six-year-old or a six-year-old a sixth grade [laughter] sixth grader. Yeah, I have a sixth grader. Okay. So in 2027, which is the goal, that's the target deadline, 2027. They missed it for the 26th. By November 15th, they have to have a application into us um requesting a approval of a charter. Okay. So it won't happen until sometime, it could happen anytime next year as long as it's prior to November 15th. So my question
055is, okay, I go and we get Jerry wants to go and well, Jason will be off and go and we get a couple others. At what point do we get scared that the m a majority would be, oh, they must be in support or whatever. Or we ask questions and you know, I I don't want to violate the sunshine law because we're really not meeting, but that we all have some interest. Um the Ron and Monica, Ron, Monica's daughter is in that category. Um Ron's granddaughter, my Jerry's got some grandkids that could be affected. Jeff's lucky. His kids are all out, but he's got some just some relatives. >> Honestly, everybody's >> If you're looking at it from a school district, >> everybody in the room conquered and I'm from Meanville. It's it's everybody. >>
056How about we play? >> How about board impartiality, right? If we have to vote on this down the road, which more than likely is can come in front of the board, if we attend this meeting, >> does it take that balance out? >> Well, I guess is the purpose of the meeting just to for the person who is convening the meeting to to discuss it with people or is it anformational meeting? I think to to dis he told us he's advertising it as a not a charter school meeting because you know charter school has connotations good and bad but that could be a deterrent >> so he wants to get them in then it's going to pop it to them it's going to be a charter school >> as many of you who want to
057attend somebody else's meeting at the same time may do so okay >> that's not a violation that doesn't mean that it's your meeting now um if you all are going to deliberate amongst yourselves on school business on schoolboard business, that's that's a different thing. But just going and showing up to somebody else's meeting and hearing what people are saying there and even sharing your own opinions is not going to be a violation of the Sunshine Act. And and I think >> you just can't speak on behalf of >> Yeah. None of you clearly none of you is going to speak on. >> Yeah. And if any of you speak at the meeting, you might just for clarity sake want to make that clear. I mean, our policies say that none of you individually speak or
058act on behalf of the school board. So, um, so no, I don't I don't see any violation at all there. It it I it's it's up to each one of you how much you want to share, you know, your opinions at this time, knowing that you're going to keep an open mind in the future. So, I don't think that impartiality is implicated just by going and not even by speaking your concerns. um as as parents and family members and taxpayers also. Um but I think you know it's up to each of you how close to the vest you want to keep your own opinions at this time because it may come in front of you um someday and obviously there will be a lot of people with a lot of opinions and maybe not the
059same ones as you have shared in the past and maybe trying to implicate that you don't have not kept an open mind throughout the process. So, um, I just would leave it all to your own discretion, but there's no Sunshine Act implications of every single one of you showing up and talking at somebody else's meeting. >> Now, if we get a five, we're in trouble, though. >> What's that? >> If we're in a five, we're in trouble. >> Yeah, don't do that. We don't [laughter] sit together. >> I just wanted to add one short thing. I promise it'll be short. Um, towards the committees, again, no decision has been made. And another thing is, >> I'm sorry, I'm losing my voice. um when the committees first started like we were asked don't take a leadership
060role the these committees are truly a committee we're not running the meeting we don't make the agenda we don't do any of that we're sitting there me personally I'm sitting there at for my kids I'm not in that meeting at the moment as a board member I even just asked today should I even come to the next meeting when they're putting their presentation together because they're presenting it to me is that I'm there as a community for the kids as as everyone else. We are not running these meetings. They are true committee meetings. So, if you have questions, come and ask the fellow community members cuz there's they are the ones who are putting it together for us. We're not there running it. We're not pushing our our ideas out on them. These are truly
061the ideas of the community coming together for us to look at. That's all. >> Okay. >> I had something. >> Go ahead, Monica. So, just real quick, I had seen a flyer from the Cochran Public Library advertising tech and [cough and clears throat] health Fridays. It is courtesy of the Cochran High School Tech crew the first and third Fridays of the month from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. They offer basic troubleshooting, simple repairs and cleaning, Bluetooth and applications help device setup, wipe information from devices so you can recycle them. It's a drop-in service. No appointment is needed. Just thought I'd mention that because I know I'm not very techsavvy and I may need that when my son's at college. >> Is it okay? >> Go ahead. >> I was able to attend the Veterans Day
062assembly at Cochrington Elementary School >> and it was wonderful. Uh I just want to thank them for inviting me and for having the opportunity to go. Um if you get invited next year, I strongly suggest you go. I really enjoyed it. I went to the last >> year at second district and it was nice as well. >> One day I >> I was at N Hill over the weekend at a craft show. My daughter went with me to um work on her project science project as another student at Cochran. Uh her mom was there as well as a vendor and [snorts] they were working on their project. And I'm going to call out um a fifth grade science teacher at Niss Hill who I don't know how my daughter realized who she was, but she
063asked, "Do you teach here?" And she says, "Yes." And she says, "Um asked her, "What grade?" And she says, "Fifth grade and learning or um I think ESL, English second language, right?" I'm thinking it's what it was. I know fifth grade science for sure. Danielle >> Homeman. Okay. So, I'm I'm doing my business with what I had to do. And I turn look and I all a sudden I see this teacher sitting on the floor who is now supposedly in charge of this craft show. Okay, she's sitting on the floor listening to my daughter show her digestive system of where the marble goes in the mouth of this project and goes down through the stomach and all this and comes back out and she like she's given she's critiquing for him because she that's what
064she wanted and I'm thinking here we have a teacher in our school system that took time out of the busy schedule running this craft show. She should have been somewhere else. She sat down on the floor >> and worked with my daughter and this other student that aren't even her students. I mean, they're cockeran people. And this is Nissan Hill, but it it just stands out to me the quality of our our teaching staff. They care about everybody that not just Nissan Hill students, not about this one, not about that one. And I witnessed at that that moment. I didn't say anything to her because I thought, okay, next thing you know, she's gone. But so I asked my kids what she say if it was me during I'd give you an A. And then
065she told them some things she had to you know just crit critiqued a little bit about some color coding and they went ahead and they did it and they moved on and and she says well she knows Mr. thoughts. >> Mhm. >> And then do you think she's going to say anything? I said probably not, but maybe she might reach out. But but it was just that instance that showing the the um the correlation of that staff member, two students and not even hers that she took time, sat on the floor was the amazing part. Came in behind, sat on the floor and sat there, watched the whole presentation. She did a slideshow and had that interest, you know, zooming in with everything else going on around her. that stands volume stores towards teaching staff.
066You know, people say we have bad teachers. >> We do not, >> but we have a lot of good teachers. >> And it's just like any other profession out there, >> there's a few rotten apples in every field. And we hope that those who do the best outshine everything else that goes on. And there's one that does outshine. And I I mean, I probably should have called her out by name, but I was just thoroughly impressed with teaching stuff. So, that's it. Um any other not is there a motion for adjournment? [laughter] >> Second. >> Monica. >> Uh all in favor please say I. >> Those same. >> Motion carried. Meetings adjourned.