001We have a special treat for you tonight. And we're telling everybody that you came out so you could see the corral. [laughter] We're gonna go over there to see your face. >> We can get off the hand. Okay, this So, hi everyone. My name is Keith Lar. I'm the uh choir director. Um this is the North Corral and a bunch of years ago. Uh I started be asked if we can come down and just spread some holiday this year. So, we're going to sing uh two songs for you tonight. Um and then if you like what you hear, we have our concert is on Wednesday night and with all of our groups. So this is just a little taste so you get really excited to want to drive up to the snowy area and see
002us and start your holiday. So sing. Love you. >> [singing] >> John Twinkle >> [clears throat] >> sing. Foreign listening to you is a time version of parallel bells. seem to sing away Christmas. 86,000 witness, 268. Forehead. They don't know how Fore! Fore!chch! Wow, whatever. Okay. >> I know, right? That's it. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Mrs. Rosado, roll call, please. Okay. >> George Andrews. >> George Andrews, >> present. >> Rebecca Bear, >> present. And >> present. >> Mike, >> present. >> Jason Goldstrand, >> present. >> Absent. Debbie, >> present. Present. >> Okay. >> Present. Okay. Got you. Debbie Kick >> present. >> Rich Lameus. >> Present. >> Jenica Story. Is that it? N I'm press. >> Thank you. And we welcome all of our guests. We'd ask if you haven't done so, some point
003there's a paper outside to sign just so we have a record of who has attended the meeting. Thank you. An executive session was held on December 1st, 2025 for the purpose of discussing personnel and an exe executive session was held this evening before this meeting for the purpose of discussing per personnel litigation and negotiations. Now, we need a motion to adopt this agenda for December 15th, 2025 as submitted with the board of education, reserving the right to add to the agenda and take further action on any items raised in executive session where immediate action on such items is considered to be in the best interest of the district. >> So moved. Second. >> Any questions? All in favor? I >> opposed. Need a motion to approve the minutes of the November 17, 2025 um meeting.
004>> So move second. >> Questions. All in favor? >> I opposed. Okay. Right. And now we move on to our reports for the anyone here to give input. If you've never been to a board meeting, just so you know, we do our we have reports and some presentations. And then before we go to our voting on our agenda items, there will be time for public input. So it's kind of in the middle there. So, um, we have some excellent reports and our favorite reports come from our students. So, I'll turn it over to our two high school North students. Oops. Well, good evening everyone. >> Good evening. Hope everyone's doing well. I know we all enjoyed that that nice work with my favorite people there. yours. >> Maybe yours. >> So, Lauren, do we have
005a minute? Anything interesting happened to you recently? >> Um, yes. >> What happened to you, sir? >> Um, on Friday, I did get um accept to Stanford University. >> Stanford still looking for North. >> What will you be studying? >> Um, I'm going for human biology and neuroscience. >> I will be a doctor. >> Nice. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you so much. Here we go. This is our uh December of highlights. So, we didn't have much in academics, so we're just going to start with ours this month. On December 7th, many of the members of the North band um participated in the PMA District 10 auditions. We were lucky to have two members make it, so I'd like to congratulate Nin Yuzi and Joseph Kennedy on making the District 10 dance. Um the festival will
006be held at Twin Valley High School in February, the very start of February. Then recently, just this last Thursday, we had our annual winter band concert. Um the participating groups were the symphonic band, the jazz band, and the brass quintet. Overall, I think it was an amazing performance. It was some of the best we put on this year, and I'm really excited to see where we can go with the spring in the department concert. Then as we see just recently, the North Corral has been spreading a lot of Christmas cheer. On December 3rd, they were at the Lehigh Valley Pocono Medical Center to help um celebrate the tree lighting ceremony. Um I think it's great to be going around and spreading Christmas tree cheer and holiday cheer. I always think this time of year is
007really uplifting and I think it's great to see our students getting involved in spreading that that cheer. Then on December 13th, the North Corral participated with four other local high schools at the St. Matthews annual high holiday high school choir showcase. Um, this festival is just another way that we can spread Christmas cheer and we can celebrate the arts in schools. And the performance ended with a um, combined performance from all five high schools together. Then, as Mr. Labar mentioned, this Wednesday we will be having our annual winter choir concert. Um, you'll be able to hear from groups like the mix choir, the treble choir, and the corral like you just heard. The concert starts at 7 PM in the North Auditorium. If anyone would like to come, I definitely recommend. I think I think
008it's going to be a good concert. I'm pretty excited. And lastly, but certainly not least, on Friday, our corral will be going on the the Poco 103's morning radio show with Gary C, which I think will be a great idea. uh just spreading more Christmas cheer again, really making it worth the holidays and put hopefully spreading a lot of cheer, making people really excited for the holidays. And then they're going to travel to the Lehigh Valley Pocono Hospital to again spread more cheer and just uplift a lot of the people around. Recently, we had um groups from the fine arts 3 and fine arts 4 um submit um entries for the VIP teen dating violence awareness month art competition. Um this will be showcased in February. This um competition is around supporting or supporting people
009who may experience violence through teen dating or anything like that. Um it's and in February I think our our winner should be announced. Um so wish them luck and I turn now to Lawrence for athletics. Um, and before I go on to this, um, I know she's watching. And so I just wanted to welcome back our in our school, a very important person in our school, um, our librarian, um, Miss Stroth. She's my coach, mentor, everything of that. And she was on maternity leave for a while. So, we do want to welcome her back for coming back. And so, she's a very important part of our everyday in school. And so, I do want to welcome her back. And so, now we can go into athletics. So, um, as many of you guys know, Mr.
010Lenhar organized the Wizards basketball game which I couldn't personally attend myself since I was in practice during the time but I saw so many parents and so many students and younger children come with their with their brothers, sisters and it was honestly a great time. It seemed like a lot of people were having fun and so um I'm glad that we were able to do it. I I really am. I think that it was just another thing to bring people up to North which doesn't happen so often but I think when it does it truly shows people what North really is and I think it was a great event. um our indoor track team. Um the indoor track team season, we kicked it off and we already have seen two school two new school records
011set by Kendrick Simpson in both the 55 meter dash and the 200 meter. And the 4x4 team led by Kendrick Simpson again and closed out by Gustavo Mora has already posted two first place finishes in the opening two meets of the season um at the Warrior warm-up which was held at ESU. And just so people can get the gravity of being able to place top of these um and setting school records as well, these events are invitationals. So there's up to 35 and some of and the bigger scales up to 65 schools coming to this. And so for North to represent the East Strawburg um school district at East Strawburg University, I think it was a great it was a great event. Um and it was honestly awesome to watch. I was there and so
012um it was an amazing it was amazing time. And so and also we have um Hermari Davis who placed third in the 55 as well and the next meet will be held at January 3rd again at ESU and so you know we will keep you guys posted on that. Secondly, we have swim. Um, the swim team has just started their competitive season. Um, and we have some individual wins and personal records which we love to see and we wish them luck in the weeks to come. And I think their next me is coming soon, I believe this week. So, we wish them luck. Some extracurriculars. Spirit week. Today marks the first day of spirit week before winter break. Um, today was onesie day and pajama day with a 2-hour delay. got a little messed up
013and so some people kind of forgot or some people came in pajamas anyways because they woke up like that. And so it was fun. And on the side there, this is just I was just I asked I asked my friend Hugo, he is the um SGA president who involves spirit week for thing and has to do with the student government association. And this was his um Oops. And this was his um snowman. So, I thought it was fitting to put on there for spirit week right before um winter break. And then finally, um we were able to talk with the yearbook committee and we are going to include senior baby photos and senior quotes for um our yearbook and we're very excited. And up here are some actual pictures. Um you can see in the
014left corner that's me eating a cupcake there. Um on the right bottom corner you can see that's Dylan there. And then in fact a lot of the people that just came up for Corral are also in there. So, it was just it was just a nice little funny thing I once together. I literally texted them last night, hey, send me a baby photo right now. And so, that's what is up there. Just I don't know, just a little little joy. So, you know, sometimes we don't have too much of that in these cold weather stuff like that. And so, I do think it's a little uplifting. And that is all. And thank you for your time and happy holidays. I wish you guys all great a great holidays and for this break that's coming up
015soon, which is to be a nice long break. We didn't announce where Dylan's going because we're still not sure, right? So, we didn't leave you out. We're just we're just still waiting. >> And thank you, Lawrence and Dylan. That's excellent as always. And representing South, Marian Ellis. Right. Good evening everyone. These are South Highlights. First up, we have teacher recognition. Congrats to our November teachers of the month, Mrs. Compagna and Mr. Doberki. And our December teachers of the month, Mr. Strain and Miss Torres. We're proud to recognize these inspiring student centered educators for their exceptional work that they do each day. We thank these teachers for their commitment, positivity, and their meaningful impact that make they make in our school community. Next up, we have our stars in the class. So, students in Mr. Dolph
016and Mrs. Ratalowski's art classes submitted nine different art pieces to the Juliana and Wine Bold MLK art show at ESU. On the left, we have Justin Aosta Hernandez, who won an honorable mention for his piece. And on the right, we have Vanessa Meera, who won second place overall. All nine pieces will be displayed with artwork from other schools in the area at ESU January 19th at 10:00 a.m. in the morning. These students did an amazing job, and we're proud of them. We also have students who have their work on display at the Cure Cafe and Emy's Eery across the street. The honor seminar class sponsored a food drive for our own purple pantry. This was very successful with the Cavalar community donating a large amount of canned and dry food. This drive allowed us to
017help students and their families through the holiday season. The future educator cohort placements are now in full swing. After completing the district kickoff campus visit to ESU to learn about current topics in the field, the cohort has moved into the high school placement phase. On December 9th, the high school North students visited our school and were placed into classrooms where teachers fielded questions and provided a look into classroom experiences. Our students from South will visit North on December 16th. We are grateful for these opportunities and value the collaborative work with our district team of administrators, teachers, and staff across the buildings. Next up, we have school spirit. This week, we also have um our spirit week. That makes sense. Mr. Healey's class um they do multicultural stuff and this week they worked together to put
018together um our spirit week. Today was pajama day. You see my friend David in the middle dressed as well in his PJs. >> Um, his class also has been working hard to help other people in need, such as on the picture on the right, they collected jackets for their jacket drive. Tuesday through Thursday, they're doing coin wars and let's see. Oh, right. So, yeah, they're doing a whole bunch of stuff this week, including our caves, but Mr. He's class is putting together a whole bunch of stuff this week. Friday, we're also working with them for the pep rally and that's our students versus staff basketball game. All the money will be going to the Chris the Olsson Christmas Wish Foundation and it's just a really good um cause that we raise money for and it's
019fun to see teachers versus students play basketball. >> What's up? >> So, the calf bash is something that Miss Hopsitter's class is doing, her small business class, which I'm a part of. Um, this was an idea to bring back something to the school community and students entered through the PBS system. They entered a raffle when they were selected. And on Wednesday, they will play games and enjoy hot cocoa in the hallway of our gym lobby. And this is a good opportunity to raise school spirit before break. And that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> A lot of exciting things happening. And now, uh, Caitlyn representing MCTI. Good evening, school board members, administration, and guests. Before I begin, I would like to welcome the new the new school board member. My name is Caitlyn Ola,
020and I am the Skills USA ambassador from MCTI. On November 19th through the 21st, I attended the Skills USA ambassador training and professional development conference at Camelback. During this event, students attended leadership workshops which included money management, dress for success, dining etiquette, job interview skills, and networking. MCTI had five ambassadors and 21 delegates attend the conference. Skills USA conducted their annual canned food drive. MCTI students donated over 2,700 canned goods to PVNN. Auto Technology donated a total of 1561 cans and won the competition. HOSA students held a blood drive on Friday, December 5th and collected 27 units of blood and potentially that could potentially save up to 81 lives. On Saturday, December 13th, MCTI Skills USA and DECA students assisted with the Toys for Tots toy sort. On Tuesday, December 16th, 34 DECA members will
021be competing in District 7 competitions held at Lehigh Carbon Community College. FFA students will be headed to the PA Farm Show in January and will be entering several horiculture competitions. They will also be participating in the PA FFA winter convention while they're there. On behalf of all the students at MCTI, I would like to wish you all happy holidays and a happy New Year's. That concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. And a thank you to all of our students and uh you always keep us grounded in why we all do this. So, thank you so much. Okay, we'll move over to the tally. >> Okay. I would like to invite Chris and Aaron up for the presentation. I think that has packed our house tonight. Hello everybody and good evening. Uh,
022thank you for having us back here again. My name is Chris Linky. This is Aaron Hoffman from RLPS Architects. So, >> one second. >> Do you have any jokes, Mr. >> I I'm jokeless tonight. >> I find that hard to believe. [laughter] >> It's been a long week. It was Monday. >> Monday. >> It was only Monday. That's why [laughter] >> when they're retired, every day is Saturday. >> Every day is Monday. >> Every day is Saturday. Okay, we're back up. So, um again, thank you for having us here. Um just a little overview for tonight. We were here a month ago and at that point we did an overview of some building observations and our evaluation of your buildings. We also looked at the building metrics and your building capacity and we did an
023overview of the surveys at that point. Uh some of the high-f flyers for that survey was equity in your buildings. um being costconscious, quality programs, and safety is always a big concern. So, tonight we're here to talk about options. We're going to talk a little bit about our process for some of our priorities to develop the options. So, overall our schedule again, we started in June. We're hoping to finish up towards the end of February. We're here to talk about options tonight. We are we have a town hall meeting on January 10th. That's a Saturday. I think it's at JT Lambert at 10:00 a.m. in the morning. So, we are going to review the these options with the public at that time and take questions and answers. And then the earliest we'll be back probably
024is in late February um depending on what happens with surveys and additional input that we receive until then. So talking about how we organize our priorities first, you know, we have a lot of engagement to get to this point. We walk through all of your buildings. We had sitdown meetings at all your buildings as us and our mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers to receive a lot of input. At the same time, we've also had um the survey that went out and we've had steering committee meetings since June almost monthly to this point. So there are a lot of goals and priorities and we use something called the Moscow system as we said before we know that's not a very popular name but it's a mustave, should have, could have and won't have. Uh so we
025take the high flyers from all the information that we gather and organize them into different categories. So on the musthave, you know, we came into this knowing we needed to align the elementary grades with the high school boundaries. So, um, Middle Smithfield and Resica, um, that didn't have students coming together and then going to separate high schools. So, that was a no-brainer. Also, from what we had talked about when we were here last month is of all your of all your buildings, JM Hill needs the most work both physically and educationally. So, what are we doing with that? Then there was a number of safety issues that we wanted to address and being fiscally responsible. whatever option that we submit here. So we move on to the next one, the should have these are, you
026know, the really good ideas that we want to try to incorporate in somewhere in our options. Uh the first one has to do with building capacity and getting that capacity to work evenly across all of your elementary schools specifically. Um but after that then it really the rest of those under that category is really about quality programs the things that we want to address with programs coming up and where we're going in the future with the school district. The could have category when you think back at a feasibility study now is when you want to look at it holistically and come up with as many different options to address as you can. You may not like all the options we consider, but you need to consider it now that it's a paper exercise before you
027go on from here because this study could set the district in a direction for 10 20 years into the future. So, you want to be holistic in your thinking. Um, and then the last one you won't have, we don't have any of those yet because it's almost the opposite of must have. So, it depends where you put them. Well, we take all of these options, I mean these priorities. And we'll also include this in a um priority matrix. So when you get to the end of the options, you have something to start grading how well these options do through this information that we set off in the beginning. So I am going to turn this over to Aaron now to walk through our five different options. >> Good evening everybody. Thank you. um for allowing
028us the time to go through this. We'll go into a lot of detail, I'm sure, and please interrupt uh as we go along. I' I'd like to have some dialogue back and forth and hear any questions that you have. Um so, please stop me in the middle if you need to. Tonight, we're bringing five options to you. Um you'll see them listed on the screen. We'll go into a little bit of detail on each one, but really to give you a little bit of parameters on this. Option A is really always the baseline. We always want to start with where are you now? What if we didn't change anything? What are the impacts um positive and negative on that? So, A will always be maintain the district as it is now and look for preventative
029maintenance. B starts to look at redistricting. As Chris had mentioned, you have two elementary schools that split on your high school levels. And so what can we do to look at those opportunities to write that direction of the high schools? Option C starts to look at not only the locations and realigning those elementarymentaries, but rightsizing the buildings as well and looking at your capacities of those elementary schools. Option D starts to get outside of the box and really looking at or what are our opportunities in the buildings and what can we do to realign grades to maximize capacities in the buildings. And then E looks at another option of grading and creating a nth grade academy at the high school level. So as I said option A really maintains that status quo. This is really
030if nothing would change in the district, what are the opportunities and options moving forward? This really addresses um your preventative maintenance pieces. So, I'm going to give you a little bit of a descriptor because this is on each option. So, you'll be able to follow the path of each um component. On the left hand side, you will see it's always the secondary schools or the secondary grades depending on what we're looking at. Uh on the bottom right is always the elementary schools. So inside that green box gives you the elementary schools and you'll see numbers in there and that's your capacity or your enrollment for that building uh compared to what is available in that building. In the upper right hand corner you'll see the enrollment. We always start with the enrollment as October of
0312526 because we need a a point to start from. So October is usually a good month to start from. So you'll see that enrollment is the same for each option. The second component in that line under planned capacity has to do with the building and plan which is department of education and how they classify capacity of buildings. So you'll see that number which rel relates to each building. Uh 80% utilization of capacity really is how do you use your buildings? um PTE's numbers are usually higher than what you would typically do in a building. So we have used 80% of that capacity to rightsize your schools. The next number, the 80% utilization is basically taking your enrollment numbers and applying it to that 80%. So how much extra space or not extra space do you
032have in the building? So then you'll be able to compare those numbers and really see what the difference is between those two. And then under that we break that holistic number down into elementary, intermediate, and high school. So you're able to see where the bigger capacity numbers are. Does that make sense to everyone? Anyone have any questions on that? >> Okay, great. >> I I just have one question. your your numbers for the elementary schools. The left number is the current enrollment, the right number is the capacity, the the FTE. >> That that's correct. So when that's absolutely it. So when you're looking, it is how you're distributed. Right now, we'll use Bushkill as an example. And it's 353 students currently enrolled, but you could really fit 520 students in that school. >> And and
033the numbers you you verified the numbers with the plan con process, correct? We did and I went back and looked and I think you were specifically asking about middle Smithfield and we pulled that from the plancom part A and it was 935 students >> and and East Rousburg was a thousand also. >> Um East Straber was just it was shy of a thousand students. Yes. >> So then why are we showing that as 660 though? >> Because that's 80% of the capacity. >> Oh we're using 80% on those that's 80% of that number [clears throat] it thank you for the clar. Thank you. That's all you need to know. >> Car cut. If you think of kind of how we use classrooms, if we have correct >> an autistic support classroom, we're not getting 22
034students in there. We're getting eight. So, you never do the full 100%. Because too tight to run programs. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Good questions. One thing I do want to point out, um, just in the elementary specifically, uh, they're fairly even, but your smallest capacity is currently JM Hill, which is 476 students, and your largest capacity is Middle Smith field at 780 students. So, there is a little bit of a dichconomy between the size of your elementary schools. Option B looks at uh adding on to option A which is redistricting at the elementary schools. So as Chris had mentioned um realigning the elementarymentaries for Middle Sith Field and Resica. The grade configuration in this option still stays the same as the K5 6 through 8 and 9 through 12. But again this looks at
035realigning the grades. And then the other opportunity is addressing JM Hill in this option. Is it a rebuild? Is it a renovate? Um and how do we accommodate those students? >> Talk about the rebuild renovate of JM Hill. What type of things does JF Hill need that other schools may not right now which would you know be very I guess it's expensive. I don't know. Just enlighten me on what that is that we see that JM Hill needs versus a resica or a bush killer a Smithfield. So part of that um with those other buildings we did our evaluation you know first of all just going in and mechanical electrical plumbing systems that are in those building upgrading them that would be the base that we would go in there the roofing system windows all
036of that needs to be upgraded because when you leave that building you're trying to set that up for the next 20 25 years >> and when was the last time any of these renovations or repairs have been executed on JML? >> It was 94 I believe so it's a little over 30 years ago. So when you talk about a building project, you know, 20 to 25 20 to 25 years is really where you want to be when you come back and revisit them. And this hill, this building is beyond that right now. >> Super a little late. >> And and then there's the educational component. You have spaces in basement without windows, things like [snorts] that that to be equal to the quality of educational spaces you have in your other buildings that you'd really
037want to address. And if we were to do the renovation stuff, would that be like a bond or something like that? Or how would the district propose to pay for something like that? >> Like would that be like a >> typically it would you probably go into a bond situation or something like that >> or Okay. So again with option B looking at um JM Hill as the renovation or rebuild uh assuming this about the same capacity you'll see the numbers are the same um for for capacity in the school and attendance for in the schools but really looking at middle Smithfield and Russica elementary school as a realigning to make sure that they follow the south and the north high school uh boundary. lines. >> But if if we realign two schools, it would
038really impact all six because shifting boundaries of all six elementary schools to right size. >> That's correct. Absolutely. So in if you look under the um the green section, you'll see each one of the elementary schools says realign boundaries. So to make sure that we're right sizing the buildings, um we would realign all of the elementarymentaries. Would that be over here? Would that be something that you would say would be phased in so that you would not disrupt the current, you know? >> So, one of the things that's a great question. One of the things that we look at when we know that there's a building that needs renovated or um rebuilt um it it will be part of that phasing challenge. So students, the best opportunity is to try and get students out of
039JM Hill to renovate or build so that you can move them back in after it's it's clean and they're not living through construction. So you could phase your elementarymentaries. Um >> what about your realignment? You could do that at any opportunity um that you because if you disrupt what a student already has as their base. In other words, you're going to take someone who's been in third grade and move them to somewhere else when that was not the >> I don't think you would do it in the middle of a school year. You would do it over those the summertime. Is that is that the question? Is you wouldn't do it necessarily during the school year? Guess what she's saying? If I started at, let's say, Jessica and we redistrict and my kids have been
040going there through fourth grade, when they go into fifth grade, their final year, you're going to say, "I'm sorry, you're going to go to Middle Smithfield now. And you're going to leave all your friends that you made at Resica and go to Middle Smithfield." >> That's a very phase it in. Say, "If you're in this grade, >> say you're in fourth grade, we'll let you finish at this school, >> but if you're in second, then you have to move." like what do how would we look proposed >> I just I think those decisions and correct me if I'm wrong would be a board decision you're asking like they the you would not be telling us that we would be doing that internally so we would all have voice into how that would happen that would
041not be something that would be imposed on us if >> that's absolutely correct that was my question was >> so that would be would handle okay you know obviously with input from people because you're correct there would be a lot of pieces to that right >> but Um but that would not be something that would become >> but I hear that as concerns that parents may want to make sure we address it that how it's going to >> move forward in the future so everybody's on the same page. >> Thanks for my question. >> Yeah. Excellent. No, good point. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you for that clarification. So op option C starts to look at right sizing capacities because if you have noticed of the last two options there was a significant
042capacity differential in the elementarymentaries. You had an additional 900 plus um student availability in the elementary schools. So, we looked at what are the options and opportunities to realign your elementary schools to maintain five schools to better utilize that capacity that you have available in the district. This again keeps the same grade alignment, your K5, 68, 912, but really looks at the option of taking your oldest building or the one that needs the most work, JM Hill, out of the mix and looking at your five elementary schools that are remaining. So option C, you'll see that the planned the capacity of the buildings has gone down because we've taken one off. However, you still have 466 available capacity enrollment in the elementary schools of the five remaining elementary schools. You can see again that the
043students are realigned with those boundaries and able to be sent to their sending high schools, the south or the north high school. Again, secondary grades would stay the same in this option. >> Which schools would be separated by north south? >> You're not looking at that. >> We we haven't gotten that far. Correct. So that's really part of our exploration. Right. So you guys are asking really great questions. We're coming to you with five options. We would like you around March to pair down to two and then we will spend some time investigating all of these questions. So these are highlevel options and then we don't have specifics because we would have to kind of we didn't chase down all the kind of impacts of each of the five options. >> I do have another
044question. >> I do >> did you take into account when you're talking about utilization etc. projections uh for real estate about the real estate side. >> So you had had um enrollment information that was shared with us and we used that and your historical data has either been stagnant or has been declining. Most of it is has been stagnant um just because you have a fluctuation of in and out from the district. Um but over the past 10 years your your enrollment has been declining. >> I would I would think maybe we should look collectively at what real estate projections are just having hit earlier >> reaching out to townships about projects that that was part of this process as well. >> Yeah, that was that was part of the followup from your historical data
045that you can see. >> So so they investigated it as well. They're behind me. >> Okay. So, you believe it's not accurate? >> I I believe that there's going to be a shift. >> I just have a quick question also when [clears throat] you you said that the um 80% uh utilization cap or capacity um let's just say for East Strawburg Elementary Center was at 660. Um are you suggesting at 80% can you go above the 80%, do you suggest staying at 80% of the utilization capacity? So 80% is a a good number to target. It really depends on your special education, special programs, how you're distributing throughout the district, what um you're going to do with your curriculum or your programming. Are you going to enhance or add to that was a big component
046of the the community survey was making sure that the programs were provided for students. So if you're planning on expanding your programs, I would definitely not go above that 80% just to give you that opportunity to be able to expand your curriculum. >> So So the recommendation is stay within the buffer of the 80%. >> That's correct. >> Try not to expand past that. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. So option D starts to look at realigning the district, looking at your grade configuration, looking at the opportunities of um your primary and intermediates and the high school level. Um we look at it as a district as a holistic approach, not just the north and the south. We really look at what districtwide means. Um, this gives you an opportunity to look at that magnet
047school option. Um, and so we really look at five elementaryaries again, but would be grades K through 4. We're looking at one intermediate, which would be grades 5 through 8, and then two high schools, which would be 9 through 12. However, when we get into the detail on this one, you will see that the high schools are now South High School and JT Lambert. We're able to get all of the 9 through 12 students in those schools. We look at the option and opportunity of uh JT Lambert becoming maybe a magnet or an academy school. Um, and this is something again that could be phased in over time, but you're able to put all of your 9th through 12th graders in those two buildings and tailor your program and curriculum to that 9th grade through
04812th grade for an academy. >> It looks like though when you do the intermediate 5 through 8 that they're over the 80% numbers. I see 145 versus 140 and 767 versus 725. >> That's that's a great point and you would just went right into my next point. So when you look at capacities, they're very different for a secondary school as opposed to a primary school. You are um afforded more capacity in an elementary because they aren't in the robust programs and curriculum. So there's different drivers for a secondary. So the while we kept the numbers the same for a high school setting, in reality you have more capacity when it's elementary students. So when you're in a five, six, seven, eight, you're able to accommodate more students. They don't have all of the teched. They
049don't have all the science labs. They don't need all of the specialized spaces. So you're able to take the capacity of those spaces and use them for elementary. So while it shows that there's a deficit, in reality, there is capacity in that building because elementaryaries are run different than high schools. Does that answer your question? >> I think so. And those connect. So it would almost be like one intermediate school since it's truly one building. >> Absolutely. >> You know, JTL and South being two separate. >> That's correct. >> So it would be just intermediate school of East Straburg, whatever the heck we want to call it. >> Yes. Absolutely. >> Connected. >> It's the building is is interesting because you still could really set up a 56 and a 78 but all under one
050roof. >> Okay. Mhm. >> And when you're talking JTL as this uh is that including the uh Isaka building in the back as part of JTL or that still remain as Saka. >> So that would stay as your your >> cyber that's the word. I drew a blank on that word. Thank you. Cyber academy. Um that would stay separate. So that's not part of this capacity. >> Okay. And then and then I'm just I want to clarify these numbers again. The right number in the elementary school is the capacity. So when you're saying the capacity the the minus the 80% 80% even when I go back I I was looking looking back at the previous one of the previous uh things you said 80% of a thousand is 800. I'm just con I'm still confused
051about this capacity because I was on the board when we designed both of these schools. When we were when we redesigned these schools when we built ES we built it for 1,000 students. That was what we were told we were building it for. That's what we built it as. And you're saying we did not build it as that. >> That's correct. From the plan con approved part A. Um, I know that Middle Smithfield was designed as 935 students >> and ESE was also designed for a,000 students, close to 1,000 students. >> I believe that one was below 900 if I remember correctly. I apologize. I will I wrote the the Middle Smithfield down and did not write East Stburg, but Middle Smithfield was 935. >> And and I don't know if I'm jumping ahead or
052jumping behind here with this question. when we're when we're when you're referencing JM Hill as a a building that is in great need of repair. I I remember years ago, we we did replace all the windows at JM Hill within the last 10 years or so. Did you did you see that done anywhere in the projection in the in the project for our school for that school? Um we would go back and look at the evaluation um just to double check that >> because because one one of the things that's worrying me is is we're we're labeling JM Hill as a as a troubled school. It it is an it is our oldest building. Correct. >> But the a lot of work was put into that school over the years to to uh keep it
053up. I mean we we refinished all the floors. Uh we refinished all the classrooms. We refinished every we we redid all the A lot of work went into that school. And just because it's not our newest building doesn't make it our our our problem building. I I am I am totally against having any classes in the basement. And that is a concern has always been a concern over the last 20 years. But overall that building there is I I don't think it's falling apart. You're presenting as it's falling apart. >> Well, it was just going back to that evaluation that we reviewed last time and it was the lowest grade of all of your elementary buildings. Of course. Well, when you're dealing when when you're comparing factual information here, we're not and I don't think
054I heard at all from this presentation that JM Hill is falling apart. It's I think that I think they said something like that. >> I I would just be careful of the word selection because no one here has stated JM Hill's falling apart. >> It they said it was in the poorest condition. I think they they referenced it and that's factual information. Poor condition means >> saying that it's falling apart becomes quite >> I guess my interpretation is different than yours. I guess >> my my question is you got two schools five to eight or high school north in Leman. >> Yes. >> They're both at the same campus. >> Yes. That's >> correct. >> Okay. >> Correct. >> So everybody would go for the whole school for the whole uh >> everybody would go
055up north. >> That's correct. Yes. That sounds like a nightmare. >> So, I was gonna say that we'll put you on the bus. >> Um, >> I just I just want to double check this. You're saying, and you brought up the numbers number, um, for Leman Intermediate being at 720 capacity, um, if we moved both intermediate schools to that location, um, I just I feel like we'd be right at if not above the 80% utilization. And then I think with and see if I have this this correct with with D, we would we would still be taking our students 5 through 8 and then after 8th grade, we would split them between two high schools. >> So that's one of the options and opportunities that the district would like to look at and it's something
056that you can discuss as a board as well. It gives you the option to domies or a magnet school. So all of your 9th through 12th graders would either attend South or maybe a magnet school at JT Lambert. So that gives them the opportunities to expand the programs and the curriculum to be specific to certain pathways or tracks. >> So we're saying then that say 20% of the students choose the magnet school route. We're saying that the remaining number of students that we have would fit within our 80% capacity of South. Your numbers don't say that though. That's why I'm just trying to figure out if our capacity for South is 1,400 and we've got 2200 students. >> So you you would it gives you that opportunity that if you have a a magnet program,
057for example, if you do medical or biology. Thank you for that option tonight. Um, you could have a medicalbased pathway located at JT Lambert. That could be all of the 9th through 12th graders who are interested in going into a medical field. >> So, we're assuming that we're looking So, we need to make the assumption when we go with D for realignment that we're going to have a a minimum of like five to 600 students who would want to go to a magnet school at the intermediate school. So we don't go over our 80% utilization capacity for South. >> That's correct. >> And choose not to play a sport because it have to be bus back and forth. >> No, that's not true. >> The there would be one AUN number. It would just be
058the programming. So it would be one actual high school. And I just want to remind the board when I when I came on and I met with each individual >> almost every board member said you wanted to explore a magnet high school andmies. So that is one of the reasons the feasibility study was done of what a magnet school would look like. >> And the other thing I just wanted to address too is I know George said it'd be a nightmare to go to North, but think about the north students that have to go to South. It's just as much of a long bus ride for them. So George, it's not just about >> everybody from south going up to north. It's the people from north going to South. We need to think about all
059of our students, not just the ones that are down here. And I I just want to address that, too, because my kids graduated from North and I know your students go to North. It It's not just about the bus ride. it. To me, it's about what's best for our students and where we're going to get the best education and what's going to give my child and your children the opportunity to succeed and be productive members of our community and make our community better. So, I want to make sure we're thinking about that as a whole when we think about, you know, an intermediate school at North. If that's what's best for my student and your students and they're going to we're going to make our district the best district in Pennsylvania, we need to look
060at that as a whole. And I I I'm trying to keep a very open mind about this. But there's a lot of things that confuse me. And I'm glad we're having this discussion >> and we're, you know, discussing it because it's important. Our children are our future. It's not me. I'm getting old. You know, I'm going to retire in 10 years. So, it's not about that. It's about me thinking about what's best for not just my student that's now, but the next generations to come. And are we we as a district preparing them, >> right? And Rebecca, I think your your point is excellent. I mean, and just for the public, too. Remember, we're talking here. We're dream we have a dreaming hat on. We know education in the next 10 to 15 years is
061going to look very different for everybody. And we're while we have this opportunity and as you said we're looking ahead decisions we make affect 10 20 years down the road you know we want to have everything out there and while some may sound you know oh my god you got to be kidding me they're going to be looked at and talked through and you know again I I don't like the word when I hear nightmare we would never create a nightmare for anybody it would be well thought out well planned well thought out and and organized but I think this is the time to think about it if you notice our options. We have options that say we're staying the same. We're making a minor correction. But we also want to say, well, what if
062like some schools that are have very successful programs, we have a magnet school in the area. It may not be medical if it's not what we think our it could be music. It could be whatever this community feels we need a magnet school in to support our students. this is the time to think about it because if we don't do it now, you know, we don't think about it at least now, it's not going to happen in 20 years, you know, and so I just want to remind ground everybody that yes, some of these are when you first look at them, you like, ah, as we all are doing, and I agree with you, George going, "Oh my god, transferring these people, but we're we're in the dreaming stage now, and we want to hear
063each one of these options because they're going to offer us a chance to dream and say, well, maybe, but if the community and says, you know, we want to keep traditional and and not change, um, well, then those that's in here, too. So, I I just want to let everybody know we're not like flying off the wall here. We're looking at everything, but I think we'd be really not doing anybody any service and being irresponsible if we didn't take some of those dreaming moments. And look at that. I mean, look at our our North High School. It's a great place. We see it. We saw the kids here. But when you have 800 kids and you're trying to have a football team or basketball team or band >> or or field hockey, which they don't
064have enough students to even have, >> well, you know, we could keep saying we're going to keep things the way they are and never change them. >> But we also have to look and say, you know, wow, imagine what if we could figure out a way to combine and, you know, if we've come to that time, what a dynamic sports music program we would have. and then also have the possibility of a magnet school and something our community feels is important. So just want everybody to keep you know and we are and the Bre has said it. I'm not saying no anyone here is not, but let's keep that open mind and dream a little and yeah, we're going to hear from everybody. You know, we have to hear from everyone. We don't want We're
065not I wouldn't make this decision alone. None of us here want to do that. Trust me when I tell you. So, we we are beginning. This is night one of a process. So, we want to hear all that and then we're going to want to hear from everybody and then we're going to weigh all those options and keep talking with you. No one on this board, and I know these people sitting around me uh really well now, no one on this board is going to ram anything down anyone's throat that they the community doesn't feel they want. That's not how we operate. >> Okay. So, I'm sorry for my short homaly. Let's go back to you. >> I appreciate everything you said and it goes back to that holistic approach and looking at it as
066a whole district as opposed to just siloed um options. It also goes back to what Chris had mentioned at the very beginning is you're not going to like any op every option, but you don't want to get 10 years down the road and say why didn't we talk about this one. Um and fortunately tonight you can say we did we did talk about it. >> So that's that is absolutely the >> bring on option E. And then option E really looks at um another opportunity for grade alignment. And this really looks at creating that ninth grade academy. Uh and so we look at the K through four again in the elementarymentaries of the five elementary schools, the 5 through 8, a 9th grade academy, and then a 10th through 12th building. And option E is
067very similar to D uh with the option of JT Lambert potentially becoming that ninth grade academy giving you the opportunity to expand uh and grow and you could potentially havemies or magnet school along with a nth grade academy. There's a little bit of extra room in JT Lambert to make that work and that is an option and opportunity moving forward. And if I can just say some things on this option, the South High School is at capacity, but remember 300 students go to MCTI, 150 in the morning, 150 in the afternoon. So you're not actually at capacity and this would be a shortterm solution. So the reality of a magnet school >> andmies is building a lot of curriculum. If you've been paying attention, we are feverishly trying to close the curriculum writing gap that
068was ignored for 20 years. We want to continue that process, get solid secondary curriculum in place that is written and board approved, and then Mr. Schneider and his team can start to buildmies. This gives ninth grade as an their own academy at JTL, but then it gives us also space and time to build othermies and put somemies at JTL eventually if that's what we ch so choose or they all just land here at South >> and then once again the North and Leman schools are over capacity again. >> Correct. >> But but that keep in mind you're looking at elementary versus a secondary. So the capacities would change. We just wanted to keep capacities consistent across the board. So everybody was looking at numbers not jumping all over the place. Why did this change and
069why did this one not? Elementaryaries get a higher capacity than secondary. >> We also have NCTI as you talking about, but that's over capacity right now. We can't we have 600 people waiting this. So the academy did help alleviate some of that too. So that's >> depends whatmies you decide to direct us to build, right? And that are >> We're just talking. >> Yep. >> Pie in the sky. >> Yep. Absolutely. >> Question with the academy model. What does that do for those students for sports? >> Nothing. So it would be one, it would be considered one school, which is why >> So ninth graders would not be able to participate in junior varsity and varsity sports in high school until they get to high school. No, they would be bus. So, it would be
070this this it would be one school just two buildings two miles apart. It and they would be bus here for athletics and extracurriculars. >> Okay. >> Which is why we chose JTL and not any other school because in proximity they're the closest. It's correct. with regard to you mentioned MCTI with 150 kids um in the morning and the afternoon. So 150 seats of those 150 to 300 that we have. How many of those are currently 9th grade students that we would we would factor into the ninth grade academy and factor out of the high school? Do we have any idea about roughly? I know you have the number. I don't know why I asked you. [laughter] I do not have it broken down by grade. >> All right. >> It's in my office. I don't
071have it in front of me. I only have it by program. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Lots of things. Thank you. >> So then the last uh slide we want to bring up and this really is goes back to the Moscow list and that's something that we can discuss tonight as well. If there are things that you would like to be added to the list, taken off, rearranged, that would be great. That's great. Um, discussion pieces, but we really like to take those Moscow the must-have, should have, and could have items and compare them across each of the options. So, you'll see across the top all of the options, all five options, and which ones of the Moscow or the must have, should have, could have, it addresses. Um so to pull some out
072for example um you know aligning your elementarymentaries that hits all of them except for the status quo the maintaining right now. Um and you can also look at across the board we would address safety security in all of your buildings. That is just one of the simple ones that would be addressed in preventative maintenance on all of the buildings. At the bottom you'll notice and this is where we want to get into a little bit more detail and as Dr. Vitali had talked about looking a little bit more at maybe two options. Really looking at what are the long-term operating expenses. Do you have savings? Do you have um more cost? You'll see that option B has the red uh in that as because that's the one that addresses JM Hill. So you would potentially
073and back to your question of bonding, you would potentially have a bond to be able to renovate or rebuild that school in option B. which is possible. We're not saying it's not possible. >> That's correct. >> It's absolutely possible. >> It would just add to your operating expenses budget. Y >> that's correct. >> You mentioned that there's going to be an open house public forum, right? >> It's January. >> January 10th. >> Is there an opportunity for us maybe as a board to consider having one at JML so that we explore that space with the community? I think that that's an important piece. Interesting. >> Absolutely. >> And so it would be adding another an additional meeting space time date. >> Would you just do the one on the 10th of Jam Hill instead of
074>> I would have a separate one. >> When you say explore that space, do you mean actually tour the building with the people or you mean just >> just do kind of a town hall at JM Hill specifically? >> We could talk about that, but I think having something at JM Hill would be really helpful. Oh yeah, absolutely. >> I have one other question. What happens if we as a board might like part of one option and part of another option? Is that possible? >> That's that's absolutely a possibility. We actually did that with the steering committee. Um three of the options morphed over time and we welcome any um changes or modifications and we can morph any of the options. And then one other question. Did in in your exploration of our buildings and
075potential uses, did you ever explore any options of utilizing any of our buildings for um alternative education? Maybe leasing out a building to alternative education for our our our um our school district and others in the area. Has that been explored at all on your end? >> I'm I'm not familiar with third-party alt ed programs that are looking for space. Are are you familiar with specific >> Well, no. I Oh, I when we when I when I' when I've discussed this before um with certain people in the community, um I I've always been a proponent of trying to bring all of our alternative education students somehow back to our school, then sending them all over the the the country, so to say, as far as uh placement and so forth. But but we've always said,
076"Oh, we don't have the space." well, if we had this space and we utilize it, but then I was told um that maybe we can't do that because it would be too costly for us to do it. And then I and and it was mentioned um in discussion uh in passing. Well, why can't you you know like B say Bucksman Academy or something has a building in town they're renting that they might like I'm I'm using them as a reference because that's the only alternative school I know offhand that this I think it's called I forgot what the name utilizing one of our buildings for them. You know what I'm saying? I'm just trying to look at options. You know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. Absolutely. So So I just want to be super clear.
077We're we're not sending children all over the country. Uh well over the counties counties so to say. >> Absolutely. Um and it is almost impossible to guarantee that all of our students will be educated in our buildings because some of our students have incredibly complex needs and there is very very highly specialized programs. I I think of Scranton School for the deaf of hearted hearing. If we have two students who have those issues, it is better for them to be in a place that specializes it in it than us having a small group of personnel that understand ASL that are able to communicate. So there are some students who will always be out of district placement and we will not be able to meet those needs. However, bringing alternative ed back, and when you say
078alternative ed, I want to be really, really clear. Typically, alternative ed is students with emotionality and violence, like when we talk about alt ed or you talking about specialized special education programs like multiple disabilities, things of that nature. I just I just want to make sure I I understand the population of students you're trying to support. >> Well, I'm looking at I'm looking at all options. So, I'm looking at both options if possible. I know I mean if we have this space we and we can utilize it, I'd like to see us utilize it. >> And the other question I had is that January 10th meeting, will we also have >> Zoom access for our >> going to be live streamed and zoomed? >> So, and people have the option to submit their questions in
079advance just in case >> if that is what we want. Absolutely. >> I would like that. So that way, you know, we have people up, you know, who may live way up north like Taname and North up there and PLM who might not make it down. So they can submit their questions in advance because JTL is far for those up there. So bless >> just to make it equitable for that. >> Okay, great. Any other Have you complete? I'm sorry. >> No, it's great. >> Okay, >> time for questions and answer. >> Any other questions? Uh, first of all, thank you. a lot of information certainly to to think about that's for sure >> and we can we can forward any additional comments we have. So let me just go over kind of what our
080plan so we wanted to roll out five options and the reality is that you might hate all five options and you might say nope don't want to even talk about any of these go back and find five more options and then we will sit down and we will come up with five other options. um or you might like some of these options and you might narrow it down from 5 to 2. You as a board will direct us. So what we'd like to do is January 10th we will hold a town hall meeting. Then after that we will send out a survey with all five options very much like we did with the bell time study of here's this option, tell us everything you think about it. What works? What doesn't work? Here's this option,
081tell us everything you think about what works, what doesn't work. Um we'll go through all those five options. will collect all that survey data and then RLPS will come back in February and say this is what your community is saying where do you want to go and what do you want to do that will give you time so these are new to you right you have not seen these until you received your board book last week so that will give you time to process through think of your own questions think of your own concerns or strengths whatever you want and then based on the community feedback and your own We will make a decision in February which way to go. Which way may we go might be go back to the drawing board, give us
082more or we really like these two. Let's go explore. Or we need more information. Go gather more information. But we are not doing this in a silo. We want this warms my heart. The fact that people are coming out and care. So we've been talking about the feasibility study for months. every board meeting I've spoken about it and nobody was listening. We sent out surveys that we're doing a feasibility study and now that we're here, people are listening and that makes me happy because you have to make an informed decision and we serve our community. So, thank you for coming. Thank you for speaking. But it's going to be lots of information gathering and we will do everything we can to make sure that every voice is heard and we're not just going to send
083to our school population. I want to get it out for our community and our taxpayers as well to get their take on it of what do they believe we should do. So, we're going to work on that survey component on our end. You are going to talk to your constituents as you do and gather their information. We're going to have a town hall meeting and now we'll have two. We'll have another one at JM Hill which is great. I think it's an excellent idea. Um, and we will gather all that feedback and then in February you're going to continue that conversation. >> Does that work? >> Thank you. Yes. Yes. >> Not real choking, but >> So, I was going to do a presentation on the bell time study, but I am looking and we
084have some young friends out here and I am wondering if we can push my presentation about Belltime study to next month so that our friends and families out here can speak and we can get everybody back because there will not be a two-hour delay. >> I'm sorry. I did consider it. I'm like, well, it depends on how many people speak tonight, but that's not responsible. >> So, we'll go to the committee room. >> So, everybody speak, right? So, we have a two-hour life. >> I'm sorry. >> Agenda and just go right to public participation in their committee reports. >> The board. >> Yeah, I we're fine. We'll do um first of all, any questions last time? Last chance. >> Nope. >> Not last chance. Last chance for that. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay.
085Thank you so much. >> Thank you guys. Okay, we are going to rearrange because we have and I know all of you are just dying to hear all our committee reports, but we're going to reverse our agenda here and we will go to public participation. Um, if I could just explain if you haven't been to a board meeting, we do allow three minutes of uh public participation. It's like a game show. The clock runs and when you hear the bell, you don't have to stop mid-sentence, but we'd ask you to bring your comment to a conclusion. Um, we are here to listen tonight. We're not necessarily here to dialogue a lot, but we are here to listen. Dr. Vitali is a wonderful notetaker. Um we are around after the meeting if you want to talk
086chat a little more in personally you know certainly we are here for that but during this part of the meeting it is a three limit a threem minute limit uh for the discussions that we have and when you come up if you please yes Mr. for us. >> We we will share with them. I'm going to take a summation and it's recorded. >> Thank you. >> Well, and and we we hired them. So, we're directing them. They're not directing us. We we are the ones in charge of their information. So, they don't need to, you know, they're going to do what we say, but basically, we've hired them. Um Okay. So I think that's so when you come up just give your name and uh your where you're a resident of East Straburg Smithfield tell
087us five nice things about yourself and then talk. Don't do that. Um and then uh go on from there. So some of you have pre-signed up. I'm going to call on those names that I have here first. Uh Kyle, hello Kyle. Come on up right to the front here. just give your name and your um your place of residence and then you're on. >> How we doing? My name is Kyle Okonnell uh East Troutsburg. I'm just one of the many parents who when they've heard about this wanted to put out their voice of really keeping JM Hill. Um I know there's many different options that people are going to bring in to the concerns and that whether it's transportation for teachers, for staff, for classroom sizes, all those things. I just wanted to be included
088in having a voice out there. I didn't want to just stay at home and not speak and then say, "Oh, well, I hope they figure it out." I just want to be known that there were many numbers who are trying hard, and I know you guys are trying hard. I know that the education is the most important thing for our kids. Uh, and there's many things in education beyond just what they're learning, but also the community that's built around them. So, I just wanted to add myself into that. >> And good to see you, Kyle. >> Good to see you. >> Thank you, Kyle. Okay. Um, by I'm sorry, I can't carry the writing. Melvita >> Melania I'm so sorry the head ready I just couldn't read it I'm sorry >> hello everyone >> I
089do not agree for Jame Hill to be closed down because it's going to affect the kids emotionally mentally and what's going to happen to the faculties my son's been at school since kindergarten now he's in fourth to close J Hill. I think I don't think it's not the right decision to go about it. And I don't see nothing in that schools falling apart. They say legendly I don't see nothing. I mean I grow I grow very close with the with Dr. the principal and you know I talk to they I talk to my son's teachers on a daily basis and for them to go to a different school that's going to like how's how's that going to affect them you know how's going to affect his friends my son's friends and how they going to
090like they be going they be in the same classes kindergarten they play together now they in fourth grade to close down Jay and ill that's there's no other school close by plus I I went there walking distance. So, it's best for me to get to my son's school on time. And then if he has to get transferred to another school, let's say Jane Hill does close, it's going to be more hard for me to get there cuz I don't have no vehicle. Only have this transportation like Uber and I have to ask my neighbor for a ride to get me to the school. And it's hard cuz I'm a single mom. I'm doing everything I could possibly do for my sons. So it's not that it's I don't think James Hill will be a great
091decision to close the school. I don't want to see the school closed down and they have great academically and they work with my son and I think it's a great school for my sons for my son to you know be in there and that's it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You don't have to fill the whole three minutes. [laughter] >> Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Uh Tara, >> well, before you start the three minutes, congratulations to the school board on the last elections and um I just wanted to say for a legislative update, besides the money that [clears throat] the state gave you last year, you got almost 7 million more dollars this year. And you can count on me to keep funding you because if anybody in
092the audience didn't know, East Straburg out of 500 school districts has not been fairly funded in more than two decades. So our job is to make sure we fund this school district like they should be and should have been. So I will continue to fight for education and thank you for all you do. It's a thankless job. Oh, I was hoping that didn't count. Okay, there we go. >> Keep going. It's a product of East Straburg, a fifth generation East Straburg and a graduate of East Straburg High School in we won't talk about those years. I was at the JM Hill as well. As a matter of fact, my class came up with the JM Hill Jaguars back in 1981. And um it's a public it's a elementary school and I'm so sick and tired
093of people trying to pick on the little kids. Let's just close elementary schools. They're not cattle. I This is a community school. you can walk to it. That school is beautiful and I guarantee you it's in better shape than your new schools because it was built to last. And I know cuz my mom went there. I also substitute taught there in 2019. Um so when I just go back in time and I think about JM Hill, I think about when they tried to close Ramsay and they did because we had a really bad school board that hated public education. They wanted to privatize everything. Those school board members never got back in and it took 10 years but we reopened Ramsey to a head start. What is it zoned for? Is it single? Is it
094R1 R2? What is your classroom guidelines for the class sizes? Because the Straber handbook was 15 to 18 kids. They had 27 kids in a classroom at Ramsey and they still closed it. their reading, their math, everything went down for years when you had to relocate kids and cram them into different schools. I'm just so sick of it. You won't save one dime closing JM Hill. I really like the idea of the powerhouse high school because when I was in high school there there wasn't a north. We had Lehman Township coming into South. We were district champs in field hockey. We were Centennial League champs in football. I mean, we were a powerhouse school. I understand that. Um, but that's not what we're here for. I'm for When I saw JM Hill being closed, I
095thought, "Here we go." 10 years ago, they wanted to do this with Ramsay. They did it cuz they didn't listen and they paid for it. And now it took 10 years to have it reopened. Please don't close JM Hill. Stop picking on the little kids. Community schools are good for parents. It's good for education. It's good for reading, math, everything that goes along with it. They're out of diapers at 3 years old. They're going into kindergarten and you're going to put them on a bus and this is a walkable school. I know you have busers, but please don't close it. I will be here every school board meeting to make sure that Jan Hill does not close. Thank you. and uh Tower, we thank you for having our back down in Harrisburg. We appreciate that.
096>> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh next up would be um Karen. >> Karen, you >> I see those. I'm trying to get >> Yeah. >> Hi, my name is Karen Ira. I'm not just a resident of East Straburg burrow, but I live on East Broad Street. And what Tara mentioned, I just want to piggyback. I do not want to drive past every day down East Broad Street and see an empty school. None of the options mentioned anything, which it's not their place to say what you would do if you close JM Hill. Anything going forward that includes closing JM Hill should most definitely include what you plan to do with the property other than let the school continue or let the school deteriorate by sitting unoccupied there for 10 plus years. Clear View is still
097closed. By the way, nobody wants to see that. Second of all, as a parent and a taxpayer, I am concerned what would happen to my property value because the selling point of my home is the fact that I live down the street from the school. If you close it and it's sitting there empty, what does that happen to us to us taxpayers in there who already have a high burden because we live in a burrow with a church, a hospital, and a college. Thirdly, on a personal note, my husband passed away in 2022. My son had left JM Hill in 2019. That school came around us and supported us. Many of those teachers were he had had retired and they came back and support us and still do we run into them in the library.
098They work and they still come to games and they see him. And now my youngest is a kindergarten student in there with some special education needs and he's able to get that in a nice small environment that supports him being in a small community school, a short bus ride away because where I live does not have sidewalks so it's not safe to walk. I can't imagine him being busted and having to go into a bigger school and potentially a bigger classroom that he already is in. That would be an overwhelming and unsupportive environment for him. It is not just about closing a school just because it doesn't, you know, it looks old. It has warmth to it and family to it and community to it and we are all thriving there and we want to
099continue to thrive there. Thank you. >> Thank you. Hey, our next person, Gloriana. >> Hi. Hi. >> Professional. I serve a lot of people in the community. So, I think um first of all, I want to thank you for this is really comforting because I was really upset and I was really mad. Um, I am a mother of a child with cognitive disabilities. Miss Vitali, you talked about a lot of those, you know, those students that are going to be affected. I'm I drive my my daughter because of that. I don't want to run a bus. If you bring me up further, it's going to be harder for me. I'm a working professional in East Straburg. I deal with people in crisis. There was a woman here talking about there's many lowincome families in the
100burrow that cannot drive the public transportation. I fight with MCTA all the time for my chronically ill patients. It's horrible. I'm constantly calling the Tara's office or somebody to fight for my patients. Now we're talking about students, a vulnerable population. I teach my children resiliency. I teach them emotional intelligence. My daughter is in 20 a class of 22 that has been consistent with my son since he was kindergarten to third grade. You're telling me there's a low enrollment in JML? I can't accept that. I can't accept that. Then we're looking at other schools that are in higher elevations. I mean, you called for a snow day the other day. They could have went to school half the day. I mean, you know, I I can't do that. I could lose my job every time we
101tape off or any time extra that I had to do to run to my daughter's school because she's having a behavior problem because she's in a classroom now of 30 students. Please think of that. The other thing is I live closer to East Strawber Elementary School. So I was kind of then I had to go to JML and I'm thinking I got to drive over there to walk over to this school. It's nowhere. It's this. I pay an enormous If I showed you my tax bill, you'd probably fall on the floor. I pay more taxes than I do my mortgage. I've had my house reassessed, reappraised, and fought with the tax office. The cohesiveness in JM Hill, as everybody in here has said, is amazing. Every parent, every teacher, especially when my daughter entered kindergarten
102and I started seeing her disabilities, everyone came to Rally. She has a full IEP. I'm a mental health provider. I'm a social worker, but when I go home, I'm a mom. So please, please, I'm asking you. There's 22 students in my son's class. There's 18 students in my daughter's class, 30. My daughter needs one to one. Please don't do that to her. Please don't do that to the children that are struggling. And children with cognitive disabilities is not a new thing. It just we're more aware. We're more sensitive of it now. and you guys are responsible for her, for my son, for all those other children. So, please, please, and I'm glad to see that we have A, B, C, D, E, and F plan. >> Um, I'd also like to see some of those
103plans maybe merge a little bit and come together like they were saying. I just kind of feel like I didn't get anybody any awareness other than this woman sending me a flyer, handing me out in the street. I didn't know about this. I will be here all the time now. Thank you, Gloria. Uh, the next name I have Michelle. >> Okay. >> That's not Michelle. I know that. >> Okay. >> Michelle, Brisco, >> Matt. >> Okay. Speaking of Matt. Okay. Welcome, Matt. >> Thank you. Um, just want to thank everybody for their time. Um, I'm really glad that you feel that it's very important to have these settings to have these conversations. I think everybody in the room can agree with you on that one. Um, I just want to share with everyone that in
104my professional work environment, I I come across a lot of slide presentations. Um, and had a chance to review the slides today. Um, there's a lot of missing information going on in there. Um I think it was evident just listening to you guys ask your questions. Um there is a lot of confusion over the enrollment numbers and the percentage breakdown of you know the who can be part of that feasibility study. So just as we continue on this journey as we have more conversations in more settings and town halls I think you guys need to clarify those non-negotiables a little bit. um not wanting to split someone from their ed inter from their intermediate school to their high school. I get that that may be a lofty dream, but I don't know if that's the
105shared sentiment that a lot of the community has. Um so I'd really like to see more data behind why that's a non-negotiable for you. Um of the survey questions that were uh presented in in the consultant study, didn't see anything regarding uh questions like that. Um I think it was more of safety uh related type of questions which everyone's going to answer yes for safety related questions. Um so would like to understand the non-negotiables a little bit more. Um and I think I heard a comment at one point in prior conversations about kids in intermediate school staying with their friends through high school and through life. And I I don't know if anybody else can name a couple friends from intermediate school, but majority of my friends that I obtained in my life were from
106at least high school into college um throughout my my uh adult life. Um so please get more clarification on those non-negotiables. The other thing was, you know, why everyone's in this room, which is the potential uh option to close down JM Hill. um of the options that were uh available to save JM Hill um at no point from a consultant that has architectural uh in their name and in their prof in their profession wasn't able to give an estimate of what those renovation costs would be. I found that very hard to understand. Um they should be exactly the ones to be able to tell you a dollar amount of what it would take to renovate that school. uh versus just, you know, saying that it's going to be up to you guys to get a
107bond um to pay for that. So, I would like to know what the costs are for any renovations for any of the elementary schools that are in the options. And then my biggest pain point because I am a data guy is of all those options of all those breakdowns of enrollments at no point did I see any waterfall of showing the class sizes of current classes as well as their potential to move out and into one of those additional schools like intermediate up into uh high school. So, please show us what a proper waterfall of all the movement of these kids will look like through any of these options. >> Thank you, Mike. >> Okay. Uh, next up, Bob. >> I won't be saying that's good news. That's the one good news. Thank you, board.
108Thank welcome to board member. I was on the board for 12 years here. four years at another school district. So, I do have some experience. I just want to say uh it's important to look at our buildings. I understand that. We did this study about 12 years ago. Uh that being said, I just think the lack of community involvement was shown by this. This was the worst roll out of a study that I've seen. And again, I spent 16 years on school board. And while it may have been said, it was not said in the community. To have 170 community members uh submit a survey is terrible. 170 he said and 300 some staff members is a good number but again not to roll that out and to get this presentation based on that 170
109and 370 staff members in the steering committee I think was was was not good uh listened numerous times uh that JM Hill has not been renovated as Keith Carut said we did put windows in we did put heating system in that school we've done numerous things in that school but JM Hill has always been neglected when I was on the board we didn't renovate the bathrooms because of ADA uh accommodations we didn't put a kitchen in there because of other costs. We, you know, we didn't do a lot of things at that school because of other buildings. Uh, Resca uh um Bush Hill Elementary is getting a new roof at 3.5 million and nobody says anything about that. JMD Hill needs one for 1.3. But JM Hill is a true community neighborhood school. As been
110said, it's centrally located in R1 district. Remember that with many students walking to and from school each day, parents waiting at the end of the day for their kids, a true community school, getting to know the parents. uh generations of families have been at that school. Generations, grandparents, parents, children, and the grandchildren. Something that is not measurable and they're not hearing the measurement of that uh thing. Um it is a uh JM Hill is also the population center of the district. East Burough is looking at some uh zoning changes over by Orchard Street with up to 10tory buildings there with apartments and things. So there is things happening in the burrow to close would be shortsighted. redrawing or lying boundaries provide capacity to the north is not the process that we should use if Bush
111Elementary is losing kids why isn't that an option to close the school up there and not pointing fingers but when they said all options on the table they didn't look at all options Smithfield has 308 kids uh you could close that and move them all to ESC's problem solved uh but not getting into that costly repairs at other schools have been made repeating HBAC u and I think it was due to lack of preventive maintenance roofs leaking that damaged floors JML has the hardwood floors from from 1927. Yet Smithfield Elementary and ESC were putting new floors in that gymnasium. For what reason? It's only 17 years old. Again, HVAC has not been updated. Uh J other schools, like I said, floors uh placed um sorry uh let's see, property values will be affected by this.
112The district will still need to maintain the school, lowering property values in the burrow, which is already low. Uh busing costs will skyrocket. Again, we looked at this to transport these kids. Reszoning uh is up again in in the burrow. Uh final study conducted for train service is coming and it will be coming. It's the final study is being done. You can laugh, but it it's closer than ever and there's uh again JM Hill is walkable to and from ESU and JM Hill works. It's a successful school and should not be closed. Thank you. Okay. >> Thank you. Uh >> the next thing we have is Jane. only. >> Hi, J. >> Thank you, J. >> Sorry, I'm a little I'm a little short. >> Um, good evening, Dr. Vitali, school board, new school board
113members, welcome. Um, I'm so grateful to be able to be here to speak to you this evening. I'm an East Strausser Burough Council member. I'm also a counselor and advocate for domestic violence and sexual assault victims with Safe Monroe, formerly Women's Resources. However, I'm not here in either one of those capacities this evening. I'm here as a parent, a taxpayer, and a voter. All three of my sons went to Jame Hill. This school is more than a brickandmortar building. It's a neighborhood school. It builds community within those walls. This community has taught my own children respect for themselves and the people around them, how to be a proud um Cavalier and how to wear the color purple with school pride. Not only does Jane Hill hold memories for myself and many people in this room,
114[clears throat] it is an affordable before and after school program for the YMCA. It holds a breakfast lunch program offered in the summer for anyone who is hungry and needs to eat. And as we all know, one in four children in the United States goes to bed hungry. And as and and I grew up as one of those children. If only I had had some place like Jame Hill to walk to for me and my brothers so that we could have a meal. I understand that if you vote to choose Jame to close Jam Hill, you will bust students to another uh school. I'm concerned about class size in regard to that [clears throat] which uh will be the capacity away from local burough students who can walk to Jame Hill for the programs I
115mentioned. Also, ESU sends many student teachers for observation. The convenience for that ESU feeder program is walkable for ESU. Jame Hill also uses many town locations for field trips. ESU's planetarium, Dansbury Park, Zachis Pond, as well as the community theater, and let's not forget the K kids that walk for to Shirley Futch Center to help the residents there. I know how good things look on paper and in dollar columns. However, this is more than numbers and profit. This is about children who live in a low-income community that can walk to JM Hill and take advantage of the after hours and weekend school events. If JM Hill closes, you are taking away a part of our community that has motherthered many children and prepare them for their future. It is bad enough that our federal education
116is being gutted. I ask all of you to search long and hard for a better solution. Thank you. Thank you. >> Jane, you win our timing award for the evening. Thank you. >> Excellent. You did an excellent job. [laughter] Uh Lauren, >> good evening. Now you can face your inbox. >> Yes. Hi. [laughter] a burough resident, taxpayer, mother and poor district students. Let's talk about feasibility. Feasibility is not measured on paper. It's measured in lives it effects. True feasibility means doing what is responsible, ethical, and in the best interest of those affected. A plan that uproots students, drains family, and closes a community school may be possible on paper, but it's not feasible in real life. Our youngest children, feasibility must include emotional and developmental stability. Elementary students need routine, security, a sense of belonging.
117Longer transportation times and large or overcrowded environments are not minor adjustments. They fundamentally change how children learn and feel at school. Closing a neighborhood school removes stability at the most critical time of development. But the options presented tonight don't just affect JM Hill students. They don't just affect the elementary students. They affect every student, every family, and every teacher in this district. So, I'm asking this board, how feasible are these options? How feasible is it to transport every middle school student in the district all the way to North Campus? How feasible is it to place all nth graders into one single building? How feasible is it to transport every high school student to South? And more importantly, how feasible is this through the families you represent? How feasible is this for the transportation department already
118struggling to meet daily demands? How feasible is this for students spending an hour or more in a bus every day? How feasible is this for families with multiple children in multiple buildings nearly an hour apart? This is not an assumption. It's the inevitable outcome of these decisions. A plan that fails the very students, families, and educators it's meant to serve is not feasible, no matter what your reports say. I spoke with Miss Vitali. She used the word transparency quite often. She sent out a survey asking families about safety, curriculum, and equity. But let's be clear tonight. This is not transparency. No parent or student was told their responses could be used to justify turning this entire district upside down. Transparency means being upfront about the outcomes being considered, not retroactively using general feedback to support
119drastic changes. This is consent without disclosure, not transparency. After reviewing the five options, it's clear there's only one truly feasible choice. Option A is the only option that works for students, families, staff, and the district. Closing JM Hill is not an option. Your primary justification for JM Hill closure is building conditions. But these conditions did not arise overnight. Years of deferred maintenance caused this problem. JM Hill did not fail this district. This district failed JM Hill. If feasibility is the standard, option A is your only responsible choice and closing Jam Hill must be taken off the table. Will this board be remembered for protecting our children or turning their backs on them? >> Thank you, Lauren. >> Next up, Anna. Welcome back. >> Hello. Some of my former teachers are up here. I'm a little
120nervous >> and the principal. >> I'm speaking tonight as a new homeowner and a landlord who made home purchases within distance of JM Hill about the long-term economic impact of closing this school. I also and most importantly I think a graduate of JM Hill, a generational one where my grandmother also went there. I was blessed with the opportunity to also be old enough to walk home with my little sister after school while my parents were able to continue their professional careers and make a snack and watch as much as TV as we could until they came home and we had to finish homework. But in my professional career now where I commute to New York City from this burrow, I work with consultants all day long. I hire McKenzie to do my work. And a
121voluntary survey that they're referencing, it tells us when 170 people fill it out, it's the people who had the time to click the link. I'd never be able to present a survey that is less than half of the people fill it out in my professional career. We're being asked to risk millions in property and in student experience based on a survey that didn't even reach a majority. That's not data. That's guesswork. In the report that we heard from the consultants, I also wanted to reframe capacity. Capacity alone is misleading. What matters is utilization. JM Hill is at a 93% utilization rate and has much more use space than the other schools. And a building neglected for 30 years didn't fail. Capital planning did. Neighborhood elementary schools protect property values. And for me, my home purchase
122and my listing of my rental that was the primary thing I listed. It was the proximity to the schools. Family choose this space because people like me were able to walk to the school. People whose parents work. If JM Hill closes, the demand drops and resale value declines and any short-term operational savings would be weighed against those long-term economic losses for homeowners and the burrow. There's decades of housing research that shows this impact. There was a post-pandemic study by the University of Michigan where residential property values after closing a local school dropped on average by 13%. And that goes up to 25% when the local context was taken into consideration. So, let's consider a home value is $300,000, which in the burrow it's $38. Your property is going to drop by maybe $32,000. That's significant.
123Finally, deferred maintenance and capital planning failures do not justify a closure. I urge the board to slow down and complete an economic impact analysis and consider consider the financial consequences before making irreversible decisions that affect the community for decades. Thank you. >> Thank you, Anna. >> Uh the next name I have is Kimberly. >> Oh, we know we're leaving. We would do it in a second. Hi, my name is Kimberly. Um, I want to begin by sharing that four out of my six children have attended and thrived at JM Hill. Uh, this school has been an integral part of our family for many years and it holds a special place in our heart. While I have several concerns to address, I want to start with a deeply personal one. One of our children who is
124currently enrolled has special needs. The support he has received at JM Hill has been nothing but short of transformative. From addressing sensory challenges to improving his speech, the dedication and uh expertise of the staff have made a significant difference in his life. Closing JM Hill would not only be devastating for his state of mind, but also detrimental to his academic pro progress. Moreover, the impact of closing JM Hill would extend far beyond its walls. It would affect not just the students at JM Hill, but also those in surrounding schools. We would see larger classroom sizes, increase stress for teachers, and an overall more challenging learning environment for everyone involved. I urge you to consider alternatives to closing one of the finest schools in your district. Let's work together and find a solution to keep our
125community's educational needs at the forefront. Thank you for your time and consideration. >> Thank you for >> That was all the cards I had. Is there are we have anyone else for public input? Okay. And again, thank you. We as a board members do appreciate and your superintendent appreciate that. Anyone online for? >> Yep, I do now. >> Okay. Hey, Melinda, are you there? Hello. >> Hi, Melinda. You are on if you'd like to address the board. >> Um, yes. Just going based off of what pretty much all of the parents are saying. Um, you know, my daughter did start at JM Hill last year and she did have some behavioral changes throughout the year that the school really, you know, helped with. And this year, she's thriving. And I really don't think that she
126would be thriving if it was any other school. And she doesn't do very good with change. Um, so if we were to close Jam Hill and she would have to go to another school, um, I just feel that she would go backwards in progress and that would ultimately affect her, you know, long term, um, educationally, just as many of the other parents are saying. Um, but that's all I really wanted to say and I just wanted to be heard about that. >> Okay. Thank you, Melinda. Appreciate your input. >> Thank you. Okay, we're good for everyone. And again, thank you to um everyone. We certainly appreciate hearing from you and um please be assured that all nine of us and our superintendent will uh take everything you said tonight um as we're talking and thinking
127about the future. We are way at the beginning of this process. So, uh it's good that we got a chance to talk right at the beginning of the process and I thank everybody for being here. You are welcome to stay for the rest of the meeting. We have committee reports coming up. If anyone needs to run, we certainly understand, but you're welcome to stay. I'll give a few minutes in case anyone does need to get going. Okay, we're going to continue with our committee reports and uh first up MCTI Jason. >> Thank you. Let's wait till everybody gets out. Can I load up my phone? I'm sorry I lost your audience. >> No, it's okay. They knew I was going to talk so >> I'll get you in bed sooner. All right. Um, MCTI, we
128had our joint operating committee meeting on uh December 8th, 2025 uh which happened to be the main main focus was our reorganization for the 2026 uh school year and uh approving uh key operational items. Our first order of business was electing new officials for the upcoming year. Uh we elected Diana Surfos as our vice chair and I was elected as the new chairperson for the upcoming school year. >> Congratulations. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Uh after the elections, we approved uh the minutes from our November 3rd meeting or November 3rd meeting. We received and reviewed various comprehensive reports from our solicitors, our superintendent of record, our treasures report, and all the reports from numerous administrative um departments. We also received a wonderful student representative report like we heard this evening. Um we specifically during
129the building and grounds report we specifically discussed a concerning issue where the new addition experienced a major power surge that caused all the overhead lights to fail. Um currently that issue is under investigation. Under items requiring JOC action, we approved several motions. Uh financially, we approved the transfer payment uh transfers, payments of invoices, and investment information. We also passed the one-year renewal agreement with train for $5,574. Uh in curriculum and instruction, we approved an articulation agreement with the Lehigh Carbon Community College for diversified occupations and liberal arts programs. Uh we also discussed some personal items which we approved the resignation of Brandon Vingard which was our drafting design instructor. Uh Lorel Battle at NT our NTSH adviser. Uh and we granted family and medical leave. Uh furthermore, we approved the appointments and rate changes for
130multiple adults continuing ed classes or ACE classes and instructors and confirmed the members of the occupational advisory committee for the 2526 school year. Uh there will be no GOC meeting in the month of January. Our next meeting is February 3rd. >> Okay. Thank you, Jason. >> And next up is Colonial IU 20. And that's me. Uh the board approved a range of personnel policy and operational action items to support students, staff, and members of the different districts, including a new one-to-one associate teacher position to support the students at Colonial Academy, where we send some of our alternative ed students. the first reading of an updated parent guardian relations policy and the first reading of an artificial intelligence policy which did generate a lively discussion I might add. Uh multiple affiliation agreements with higher education partners
131to support student internships and professional training, purchase of two new school buses, and the approval of a STEM grant to expand professional development. Uh during new business, um Chris, the uh de director of the IU shared appreciation for the many partners and volunteers supporting the third annual sensitive Santa event. This is an extremely wonderful event. Uh the sensitive Santa is made for students who would have issues being in a very crowded environment to greet Santa or to be on with Santa. Uh the sensitive Santa creates a different environment so that students with disabilities can actually have a time with Santa, take pictures, family can take pictures and it's a really really beautiful um event and actually um you know the people in the community down in that area especially volunteers. So it's a very beautiful
132event. Um I have pictures I won't show them here but if you have I could show you them on my phone if anybody wants to leave pictures they what's but it is a great event. And then finally uh the various communications uh student reflections were shared on the future educators initiative recognizing the collaborative efforts of staff and partners supporting future special education staff across the region. An effort to get students who are in high school to consider not only special education fields but the other extended fields like speech pathology, occupational therapists, and all of the other fields that go along with uh students with disability. Um, the CIU20 received recognition from state legislators for participation in disability resource fairs and community events, including their cafe 71, which is a student led coffee and lunch shop
133where students gain real work experience. And then finally, uh, for juvenile justice continuum of care, the IU 20 was recognized by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for its leadership role in a statewide initiative focused on diverting youth from the juvenile justice system toward community-based supports, which is really an excellent program. So, once again, always impressive uh to sit and listen to what's happening at our IU 20 uh in behalf of our most needy students. So, um, we thank them for all of their efforts down there. Uh, next is property and facilities, Rich. >> Okay. The properties and facilities committee met on December 3rd. Uh, we approved our minutes, which is a good thing. And then we approved the uh monthly meeting dates. We discussed the uh how we're going to run our committees
134and the committee and how what information we're going to talk about. And we we proposed a uh committee charter so that we have kind of like the aligned ideas set down on paper and we'll approve that at our next meeting. Uh we discuss the uh current projects in in the in the popper things that are going on right now. We receive we're going we recommend to the board the um couple of well some very specific things. One is the Smithfield gym floor repair for $12,48. JM Hill hallway floor repair for $3,988. And these will be things that we discussed also on finance. So I'm not going to go through all of these items. Uh we discussed um some of the projects that were completed throughout the year and our current project list. Uh we have
135some CHA invoices for the various projects that they've worked on, applications for payments for various things that were done by for CH by CHA for the district that the CHA is our engineering firm and um we made some motions to send things to finance so that they can then send up here to us. That's my report. >> Okay, thanks Rich and thanks for taking over the committee. We appreciate that. >> Thank you. education programs and resources and >> uh EPR committee met on Thursday, December 4th at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Snder, Miss Palm, and Dr. Prowl presented the monthly EPR newspaper, which highlights the learning opportunities that were taking place in the previous month. Some of the topics included the wellness day for our faculty and staff, the deep dive into AI with our technology coaches,
136an update on the classroom walkthroughs with the focus on student engagement, administrative discussions on social and emotional learning as the initial stage of incorporating SEAL into our classrooms in an organic and meaningful way. Then curriculum develop continues with the kickoff of the social studies curricular rewrite linkage training looking at math standards and skills analyzing structure and instructional science design with steels ELA continuing with the curricular framework and business and school counselors evaluating and refining personal finance one and two. Lastly, a thank you to our gifted education students at South for another successful share your career day. Mr. Snider and Miss Pauler continue the presentation on the program of studies. This last stage, stage four, is the largest. It is the section that houses all of the course offerings. I want to take this time to
137thank all of our teachers and our department chairs who really spend their time on that section looking over each of the course descriptions, writing them, editing them so that when um eighth graders through 11th graders begin to look at what courses they want to take. There's a, you know, a great summary for each of them uh to begin their choice of what they perhaps would like to take. Um, also the program of studies for us as board members uh will be presented at our January board meeting. I asked the board to read over the program of studies. You'll have the link uh before our January meeting. So, if you have any questions or concerns about what's in there to email Mr. Snyder so he can address them. This way when it comes up for, you
138know, for us to discuss and to vote, all of any questions we have can be answered in a timely fashion because we really don't want to have that not app, you know, approved because of the process it then takes for the high school students to get it for the kids at JTL and Leman uh and so forth. So, just to be aware that that's coming and um you know to know to take a read over it and we will um vote on that in our January meeting. Again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank a uh Amy and Andy uh for all of their work. For those of you and I could say to the students who've seen the program of studies, you know, I know you're seniors, but just to take a
139look at it before you go. Wow. Compared to what it was, um they really did brainstorming of questions that are like frequently asked by students. I mean, everything you could think of, it's like a little bit over 100 pages um this document. So the amount of work that has gone into it has been tremendous. So um I know that it'll be appreciated by our you know future students as they're looking into it uh and their parents. So uh thanks again for all that work. Uh Mr. Cider is also putting the final touches on our comprehensive plan and this will be presented at our January meeting also for the board. Um, a general reminder for all of us that the support materials and details of everything that I report on are all attachments that we get
140at, you know, every month um when we're having our meetings. So, please, you know, take a look at those. If you ever have any questions or concerns that you want me or, you know, Angie to bring up um at our meetings, of course, we will do that. Um, and I think that's really important and again for community members, I kind of wish everybody else was still here. um that you know this is this is such an important committee and uh I think Dr. Vitali had mentioned it before and I know I've said it, you know, we're 20 to 25 years behind um in bringing our curriculum, you know, up to where it needs to be. And so over the last year and a half, we've been, you know, uh I should say I haven't been
141working diligently, they have been working diligently, um in, you know, really moving forward with all of that. And so I try to condense, you know, so we're not here forever listening to me report, but you know, definitely look at the materials um and see what's going on because it really truly is amazing. It's exciting to see our district moving forward in a cohesive plan and deliberate uh path. And I want to thank all of our teachers, staff, and administrators for their hard work and dedication to our students and families. you know, tonight listening to our parents here, um, who was speaking about JM Hill, um, at least maybe because I was an educator, you know, yes, the building itself is important in its location, but if you heard time and time again, it was the
142staff, you know, who made their children's education um, special. It was the staff who made them feel at ease and comfortable. it was the staff who was providing their level of expertise um you know to help them to grow academically, emotionally, socially etc. And so, you know, as we kind of are moving into and into our holiday season, I want to um say publicly to our staff and educators and administrators, everyone who works in our district that I hope you find some peace and relaxation during your mostd deserved break. Um, you know, because they definitely work hard for sure. Our next meeting is on Thursday, February 5th at 5:30, both here and on Zoom. Everyone of course is welcomed and encouraged to attend. Thank you. >> And the program of study was sent to you
143on Friday. >> And if if anybody else wants to see it, there's a link in our EPR agenda. >> Okay. Thank you. And finance committee. Rebecca, >> thank you. and just attending the EPR just on a private note, I truly enjoy that committee and you know and I will say just to prop my kid up a little bit, he's actually teaching or guest speaking in Russica for their steels program since he's an engineering major. They invited him in for their steels program. So a lot of our students come back, not just mine, but I'm sure you guys will too. eventually when you whatever your major is, a teacher is going to say, "Oh my god, I want you to come and talk to the kids about what the future holds." So, well, I'll just make
144that comment. I believe Jane, is that your name? Commented, "We should hire that young lady who spoke I taught her, you know, quite a few years ago." >> Yes, she did. Yeah, for sure. And um so, you know, she's back, you know, here speaking. It's amazing to see. So, it is progression is a beautiful thing. For sure. Thank you. that you know like mine were not JM Hill >> but they still talk to their Russica teachers and they're 18 and 21 my kids and they still keep in touch with them you know my son still emails the teacher he had at North to help him with his CAD classes that he's taking as an engineer so it's it's our teacher so thank you to our teachers and staff all of them whether you know no
145matter what you do you make a difference in our kids' lives and we appreciate so but on to finance >> [laughter] >> We met on December 9th, both here and via Zoom. And on the agenda, you'll see a contract for finalist. It's a contract renewal and also the sale or disposable disposal of some dentist chairs since we no longer have the hygienist coming to the district. So, you'll see that. And um we also approved our dates for our future meetings. And there's some floor repairs that um finance talked about both at Smithfield Elementary and JM Hill hallways. the CHA invoices which include the ESC sprinklers, JTL data, JTL boiler, Smithfield boiler, boiler, the boardroom AV upgrades, the North site transportation building, and then the applications of payment which are through CHS, High School South Stadium
146Equipment, High School North Auditorium, Smithfield Elementary Boiler, JTL Data, and another one from JTL data. And then some capital payments as well. And our next meeting is I can scroll down on my agenda. I can tell you is January 12th. Both here. It's all going to be via Zoom. >> Not here this time because we are getting our AV done. So >> all those people that love to come to finance just join via Zoom. >> All of them. Probably done. >> Yes. >> Hundreds show up. >> There's a heavy following. Yes, there is. >> From all over the world. No. [laughter] Thank you, Rebecca. Appreciate it. And then policy. Keith, or are you going to do that one? >> No, I am I'm sorry. Thank you, Debbie. >> I am actually going to uh cover
147for our committee chair >> because when Keith runs it, it's an hour. When Debbie runs policy, it's under 20. >> I'm still here. >> I can hear you. I will note I will note um for Keith's uh uh edification that uh the policy committee is the best committee. Sorry. >> It is as I was getting ready to say that after your report >> earlier this evening we met for that amount of time and we covered everything. Uh all the dates for 2026 were approved. We discussed policy 105.2 2, exemption from instruction. Policy 122, extracurricular activities. Policies 122.1, non-curriculum related nonchool sponsored student initiated groups. Say that fast a lot of times. >> Uh, policy 140.1 extracurricular participation by charter, cyber, charter, and private faith-based students. policy 204 attendance. Uh we reviewed policy 331 with no
148changes. We looked at policy 625 procurement cards and policy 828 fraud. We have authorized and directed administration to post those policies with the revisions for public review and for the board action in January. Our next meeting is January 26th at 4:30 right here and we will have the new updated audio. >> Okay. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you, Deb. >> No problem, Keith. >> Okay. And we've had our public participation. So, we are going to go to and we actually have unfinished business this evening and a discussion of the status of the Smithfield Gateway project and TIF financing. capacity for use. >> MCTI, we're over capacity. We're at >> Oh, okay. >> Oh, I was hoping no problem. >> Weight listed there. If you're talking if you're talking about uh the campus for Northampton
149Community College, >> um as far as I know with conversations, uh it's significantly under um populated at this point, >> but their online courses are well >> attended, but the but the campus itself. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Okay. Um, so do I. >> No, let me Well, let me let me give a >> over to over to Chris and >> everybody else can chime in. So, the reason this was put on the agenda is that it is our understanding that a sketch plan was submitted to Smithfield Township Planning Commission last week. And the gist of that sketch plan, and I wasn't at the meeting, but my understanding is that they are replacing um some mixeduse development that was part of the original uh Smithfield Gateway project and some senior housing with proposed data centers and
150a power plant. I know nothing about what form of power plant. >> It's not a power plant. So, I learned a little bit more detail other than it's more like a trans step down transformer. So, it brings the power to the location. >> Makes sense. All right. Um and so obviously we don't have the sketch plan in front of us but the reason why at this stage it is relevant to this board is that in 2018 and 2019 you approved a tax increment financing plan and a cooperation agreement with the developer and the county redevelopment authority. What that the gist of that tax increment financing is you agreed to contribute a portion of the increased assessment of that property as they developed it to the redevelopment authority. So the redevelopment authority takes out bonds. The
151point of those bonds is to construct um infrastructure improvements, roadways, utilities, those sorts of things in and around the development area. you give a portion not of the so you don't you don't lose money from where you were in 2018 and 2019 just a portion of the increased assessment goes to paying those costs um in exchange for agreeing to make that plan those payments what the school board did was one approved a plan and two approved a cooperation agreement the plan as I said described mixed use residential and commercial developments and um senior housing. It had specific numbers of units, etc., etc. So, you knew what was going to be developed in exchange for these infrastructure improvements you agreed to pay. Um both the uh tax agreement financing law and the cooperation agreement said any
152um substantive change to the original plan needs to be approved by all of the taxing authorities that approved the original plan. That is you that is Smithfield Township and I believe it's the county as well. Um and so at some point it is my belief um that the redevelopment authority and the developers will have to come to this board to seek your approval for this change. They do not need to do that before they go to the township. So I don't think they're doing anything unourred by presenting a sketch plan to the planning commission. And a sketch plan at the planning commission is the absolute first step in any proposed change. There are many sketch plans that are presented to townships that never go in. But I wanted to open up to this board. I
153think some options are are to invite the redevelopment authority to come speak with this board about what's happening. >> I can send a letter over to them and ask them to come to a upcoming meeting. And >> do you know if when we do the taxes on it, are we basing it on what the proposal like what hypothetically the mixeduse properties will generate hypothetically what the senior housing tax will generate and is it that much what's the difference proposed wise? I guess they may know this more than you would, but I'm assuming that what they're proposing is going to generate less tax dollars than the proposed original proposal. >> So, I I don't know if that's true. I have no idea. >> From the information I've gleaned, it the data data centers would actually bring
154a lot more money. >> More money, but it's going to be on their environment. Now these the other thing to know is that there actually is no data center company that's saying we want to build here. It's the developer who's saying here's an idea. I'm going to throw it against the wall and see if it sticks. And >> and that's the other information I learned >> before. >> Yeah. So >> and o over the years they promised us Costco and everything else in the under the moon and it never happened. >> Yeah. So along with >> your your contributions were based on proposed assessments for a fully completed >> plan >> and he has to pay that. >> Right. Right. And so >> I I didn't look at the numbers because it's not really relevant
155to this discussion, but there is no possible way the school district is contributing what was originally contemplated because so little of that original plan has been developed. nothing except for the VAWA >> and the St. Louis, >> but that's still not much. >> But that's right. It's a tiny fraction of the the development observation. >> I I think maybe just sending a letter to the re development authority just saying, "Hey, we're aware of this and just keep us in the loop at this point because there's really nothing specific that I I think it'll say we we understand should there be a formal change that that needs to be approved by this board." So when you are you know, keep us in the loop and when you're ready, come see us. >> Right. >> That was
156good. >> Anything else on that topic? >> I just have one statement, not about this topic, but since it's unfinished business, uh, one of the things, one of the statements that was made by the uh, I think Bob Gres in the public's comments tonight [snorts] was that damages at Smithville were based on the roof damage, a poor roof. It wasn't. It was it was a leaky sprinkler head. So, just for the record, um I I don't think it was a poor roof construction at Smithfield. So, we've had our ups and downs with uh uh you know, sprinkler heads in our history, too. So, which are not poor maintenance on at any point. So, I just want to make that a reference point for the record. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you, Keith, for the clarification. Okay.
157Then we're ready to progress on. Okay. We have our motions. Motion to adopt. Need a motion to adopt the board policies that are listed. >> Second. >> Questions. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. A motion to authorize the field trips that are listed. >> So move. Second >> questions. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. >> Hey Mike, and just just I just want to interject if just to save the echo effect. If I don't vote yes or no, I'm voting yes. You you know that, right? I'm just to save the echo effect. >> That works for us, Keith. Thank you. Okay, thanks. >> Uh, we need a motion to approve the implementation of the following intram murals and clubs and they are listed there. >> Second, >> I just have a question
158because what's a DND club? >> Dungeons and Dragons. >> Oh, sorry. Yeah. >> And somebody didn't know. Okay. All right. So, um, >> I'm out of the loop. >> Okay. Um, >> DN D's been a thing since I've been >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> I don't I don't get out much. >> Thus, you should know DN D. >> That's true, too. It's do not disturb. Do not distur I was wondering why we had a do not disturb club. That's a >> quiet club. >> Very quiet club. >> Do not disturb the hand. >> Okay. I'll be quiet now and ask all in favor. I >> opposed. Okay. A motion to approve the recommendation to modify expulsion requirement agreed upon expulsion waiver of schoolboard hearing of release agreement for the case listed in substantially the same
159form is presented at this meeting contingent upon the receipt of any manifestation determinations indicating the infractions were not manifestations of a disability subject to final review by the school district administration and legal council. >> So move second >> questions. All in favor? I >> opposed. Motion to approve the following memorandum of understandings and they're listed there. >> So move >> second. >> Questions. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion to approve the notice of charges for employee number 11470. >> Second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion to approve the notice of charges for employee number 8464. >> So move second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion to approve the termination of employee number 11811. >> So move >> questions. Do we have a second? >> Second. Okay. Uh any
160questions? All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion to approve the employment actions listed in accordance with the associated applicable policies, procedure, and contractual agreements. >> So move second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> I opposed. And uh Kristen, if you want to congratulations our new that's the title >> director of curriculum and program. >> Director of curriculum. We should share with the board that last week, Ms. Long successfully defended her dissertation and became Dr. Long. >> Y >> interviewed for this position. >> Well, that was amazing. >> So, we have our new curriculum department sitting in the back there. So, congratulations, uh, Dr. Long. And the only people I know who are going to be unhappy is Middle Smithfield right now. So, u, but congratulations. We look forward to you in that position. Congratulations, Congratulations. >>
161Thank you. >> A motion to approve uh the disabled veterans real property tax exemption as presented in accordance with policy. >> So move second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> Opposed? A motion to approve items one and two in accordance with the recommendation from the properties and facilities committee and finance committee and they are listed there. >> So move. >> Second. >> Questions? All in favor? photos. >> May I interrupt for once? Yeah, this I'm sorry if I interrupt. What? What? Where? I'm trying to look on my computer as we do this, not with my book in front of me. Did we go over 30? Did we vote on 308 yet? We passed that, didn't we? That was in one of those new business personnel, wasn't it? >> Yes. Yes. >> Um, some >> I
162needed I needed to abstain on on on an item on that. Is it possible to amend that vote for my abstension? >> Was that the employ uh approving the employment actions? >> Yes. Uh on page five G uh number four for new assignments. I need to abstain on that. >> Okay. The minutes will reflect you voted I but abstained on that particular item, right? >> Yeah. Um it's G4 number four. G number four. I I I go I need to abain. >> I didn't realize it. >> I'm sorry. >> Yes, we got it. >> We have two. Okay, >> we have another one. >> And I have an abstension on there, too. On the substitute custodians line, too. >> Sorry, it's I'm trying to do this uh this computer thing. It's not as good as
163a book. >> No problem. >> Right. >> Better. >> No problem. >> Thank you. >> Okay, so we've updated that. motion with the two abstensions that come there. >> Okay. So, now we're at a motion to approve the payment of bills and unudited treasurers report listed in the agenda for 2526 fiscal year in accordance with section 687 of the public school code recent directives from the department of education and interpretations made by the auditor general. >> So move. >> Second. >> Questions? >> All in favor? I >> oppose. I I'm joking. Sorry. >> 90. >> This is like the first >> for Yeah. 90 in what 25 years. >> Motion to approve the payment of the following uh CHA invoices and applications for payment for services rendered in accordance with the recommendations from the property
164facilities committee and finance committee and they're listed. >> So move. >> Second. Questions? All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Motion to approve the request to renew the already established student activity fund for the art club at High School South. >> So move. >> Second. >> Oh, questions. I'm looking like someone's going to say something. Question. All in favor? I >> opposed. Motion to approve the request to renew the already established special activity count for JT Lambert to mutate it technology education STEM robotic club and high school football. >> So move >> second >> questions. All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion to sell the following items in accordance with the recommendations from the finance committee. >> Second. >> Questions? All in favor? >> I post. Uh, if anyone wants a good deal on a
165dental chair, please see us after the meeting. >> Two. >> We have two. >> Motion to approve the contracts listed for their specific services, rates, and effective date subject to the review and recommendations of the solicitor and approval of the administration regarding the terms and conditions of any final contract other than price or cost. >> So move. >> Second. >> Questions? All in favor? I >> opposed. Motion to approve the renewal of the final site contract for the next three years 26 through 28 as follows in accordance with the recommendation from the finance committee. >> Second >> questions. All in favor? I opposed. >> Um any new business? >> Good. Um enrollment information's been provided to the board and >> a decrease in >> cyber charter at all this year or is it >> No.
166Okay. >> Uh we made good headway but they they are still leading. >> So we had a good impact this summer with the connections that we made but we will continue to to work at it. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Can I I'm sorry. >> Get the numbers in my head and I was looking to see if anything changed and it didn't look like it. So I just wanted to ask Keith >> and then one question about the enrollment. I like how we're separating now. Thank you for that. Um, when when you look at that second set of numbers, the 600 and some students, are those actually those are actually our students, correct? >> That that extra that you know, we list our our enrollment by school and then we list all the charter schools that
167that's that's still are still our students. [clears throat] >> We're paying for them. Yes. >> Right. But what I'm saying is is that is that when we say we have seven when the number that the architects are using for their numbers, are they using both sets of numbers added up or are they using just our active on-site students for their numbers? >> They [snorts] are not using charter school students because >> Okay, so they did exception them out. Okay, they they are exceptioning them out. >> We are not educating those children all charters. >> Okay, that I'm just clarifying how what numbers how we're using them. That's great. >> We're paying to educate them. We are not actually educating, >> but we're not including them for our numbers. >> But even though we should, we
168should we because they could come back at one point. >> No, because we're not educating, >> but they're not here. >> Okay. Good point. Thank you, Keith. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else comments? >> I just wanted to note two things that I think are of importance. One is that one of our North Campus students passed her EMT on her first try, Julia Depalo. And the newest paramedic we have in this area is Jonathan Cul Cummings. >> Very good. >> So there we go. >> We're very proud of both of them. >> Thank you for sharing the good news. >> Okay. And we need a motion. >> Motion >> second. >> In favor. And we thank you to