Regular School Board Meeting 4/15/26

001Thank you all for arriving and attending our April 15th regular school board meeting. Prior to this, we met in executive session and discuss personnel, labor negotiations, pending litigation, building and safety security and matters that are subject to attorney client privilege Raise with the question of life. Yeah, if we could have our three students volunteers, please come on up. I'm going to call your names and give you a certificate. And we'll get this first started. I'm going to thank them for coming on such a beautiful day. We're going to start with Colton. Colton, come on up. Colton, thanks for coming in. We appreciate it. I'm going to put this back here till the end, okay? And we'll turn around so you can see. Thank you. Adeline. Thanks for coming in. I'm going to put this at

002the end and we'll hold it up. And then Charlotte's our last one. Charlotte, come on up. Tell us a little bit about yourself, what grade are you in and what building do you attend? Okay. Um, fifth grade at Malberg. Fifth grade, William Penn. Fantastic. Okay. So, what we're going to do is we're going to say the Pledge of Allegiance. [clears throat] You guys are going to have to start. Uh, nobody in this room will start until you go first, okay? So, yeah, we're all going to go. You start, right? Excellent. I can give you these and then we're going to take a couple pictures for your family. Sound good? Yeah, Charlotte. Colton, do you want to have your parents over here first? Thank you. And then they're done and then we're going to turn and

003have Dr. Perry take a picture. Okay, turn over here. Turn over here. All right. >> [clears throat] >> Board Secretary Mr. Henry, would you call the roll? Mr. President. Dr. Bell. Here. Dr. Here. Dr. Floyd. Here. Dr. Henry. Here. Dr. Honick. Here. Dr. Nudelman. Here. Dr. Sharkey. Here. Dr. Sherburn. Here. Dr. Adams. Here. All members present. Thank you, Mr. Henry. Voting procedure will be alphabetical with the chair voting last. Superintendent's report. Uh, yeah, just a couple things to point out. First of all, uh, for anybody who had the opportunity to attend the musical in the middle school last Thursday through Sunday, uh, I I am, you know, I I hate I hate to say this cuz I say it every year, but I never cease to be amazed at how incredibly talented our kids are.

004Uh, you know, you get the opportunity to walk through the hallways and see our students and have them walk through the hallways and you think, oh, this is just, you know, unexpected kids and then you see them up on that stage, their ability to dance, to sing, to act, to entertain. And not just those folks. Um, there are, um, just so many people involved in this this this production. Uh, the staff, the crew, the people move the sets around, run the lighting, all the adults that participated in this thing, the parents who supported had a full concession stand, merch station, everything that we needed in the gymnasium. And they were able to make some additional money to support their program. So, I just want to really compliment those kids, first of all. The amount of

005time that they put into this program and there's a couple people in this room whose kids are pretty heavily involved can attest to the amount of time that they put in to put on just an amazing award-winning show and I'm guessing this one's going to be award-winning as well. And also the adults, parents bringing their kids to practice, dropping them off. The adults that are involved in the musical as everybody who paints paints the the stage, the sets, those who directed and so forth. I also want to pass along I was there for the last day, which is a nice opportunity as well and I was able to hear Mr. Benedict who's the the director just thank specifically this board for their support of that program. You know, he made mention that the middle school

006auditorium is nicer than many high schools. He appreciates the support of the board in those endeavors. So, I just really want to kind of commend those students and the adults who were all involved in it. So, thank you. On another note, we have PSSA tests coming up, Dr. Perry, April 20th next week we start. Um, ELA and then math and science and then we will have Keystone exams for the high school folks in May. Also for high school kids, there'll be AP testing that happens in May as well. So, very busy spring of of those things coming. But, one thing I also want to mention, if you see a bunch of empty seats over there, let's let's congratulate many of our students who are downstairs right now. Um, many of our students who are downstairs

007right now being inducted into the National Honor Society. Incredibly proud of them for demonstrating not just academics, but also service and leadership. Want to appreciate want to thank them. Uh but they are obviously not able to be here today. Uh they promised next month to be able to give us 2 months worth of material. Uh so so we were going to hold that to hold them to that. So they're going to keep April's uh presentation and add it on to May. So I just want to say that. That's all I have. President. We do have presentations today. Uh from Nutrition Inc. if you remember. Uh this is 3.2. Uh Nutrition Inc. was going to come. We actually had Josh uh struggled with everything that she had to do and he uh did a lot of

008presentations, talked about the uh documents. So Nutrition Inc. will take it. Thank you. Thank you for giving me a few minutes to speak with you tonight. I'm Holly Patterson, I'm a regional manager with the Nutrition Group. Here is Elizabeth Forward. And I have with me Kristen, who is your on-site director, who's here every day and the one that makes all the awesome things in your cafeteria happen. I'm just the girl that comes and delivers the numbers to you, but she does all the amazing work. Um so I promise I'll be quick. I just wanted to give you a quick update on the food service program, where we are right now, and a peek at next year's budget. Go ahead. So just a couple super quick pictures of what Kristen has been up to. We've had

009Molly the Cow visit. We've had omelet stations and carving stations and stir-fry stations. Kids at the elementary school pledging to be uh great planet pals and not overuse different things and not be wasteful. We've had freaky foods days where they spin a wheel and and try new ingredients and we've taken your students around the globe in the elementary schools as well as the high school in our take nutrition uh global and nutrition expedition programs, where they get to try foods from all across the world. Including places like Peru, Japan, just all kinds of things that they've been introduced to this year with fun facts about those countries when we host those days as well. Uh what we're working on. Um there's a few of the new recipes from this year. You know, tandoori chicken over

010rice. That's not something that you would expect in a school cafeteria, but that's what we have sometimes. Mandarin orange chicken, we have a homemade ramen bowl, um and the kids are really enjoying being exposed to those different types of foods. Partnering with our vendors. Um General Mills is doing a great job for us. Next year all of our cereals that are featured in our breakfast program will have no artificial colors. Um so we're working with them. We're happy that they're on board and removing all of that and we're working with the other companies as well to continue pushing towards removing all of the artificial dyes in our foods. These are the programs that Kristen adds to your everyday lunch program. We won't talk about all of them. There's too many. But it's school food service

011is no longer just making sure that we have enough pizza and chicken patties to get around to everybody. It's nutrition education. It's Molly visiting, Calvin visiting. It's um wellness Wednesday that introduces your elementary students to ingredients they might not otherwise uh have tried before. So those are all of our Nutrition Group programs that are are happening in your cafeterias on a daily basis. Go ahead. So what does that mean? Participation through March. Um breakfast is just a little bit behind and lunch is just a little bit behind. Um enrollment is a little different than when we wrote the budget the previous year for this year. So those numbers are trailing behind just a little as well as a la carte. And as you can expect with less kids, less meals have to be prepared. But

012they're pretty close. Financially, we're still doing a great job though. Um Kristen and her team are doing a great job managing expenses. Um you can see the bottom line there through March. We should be somewhere around a $9,000 return and they're at a $32,000 return. That's through great use of USDA commodities, which don't cost you money. Um and controlling waste and different things like that. So they're doing a great job. So things to consider for next year's budget. We I did budget a small reduction in meals for enrollment drops. So they're predicting maybe about 38 less students next year than what we have right now. So I would cook what 38 kids would eat, not all 38 of them would eat, and and reduce those meals a little bit. The budget's based on 180 school

013days. Food costs are projected to increase 4%, which is pretty good if you've been to the grocery store lately. Our purchasing department works all year um to secure contracted pricing to make sure we can hold food costs as low as possible. Um if they don't raise that full 4%, you don't pay that 4%. You only pay what happens. Paper and cleaning costs projected at 5%. Uh there are two fees that the Nutrition Group has in the budget. Those fees are held to the CPI by the state. For next year, that's 2.7%. So those two fees went up 2.7% and not any more than that. And the budget does include a 10 cent meal price increase on lunch. We did a study of the surrounding districts, um what their average lunch prices are, where your average

014lunch price was. I went back into the paperwork to see the last time that you did have a price increase and I couldn't find it. Um our paperwork went back to 1920 in our one software system. So it hadn't happened since 1920. So somewhere before 1920 was the last time you changed your meal prices. Um and I do have some meal price information for you It's year 9 No, 1920 school year. Yeah. They might have been 10 cents in 1920. That was probably too much, right, in 1920? Go ahead. So what does that boil down financially for you? Um the center column is your budget for next year and it is showing a loss. We've had loss budgets presented here before where we've had return years. Um there's a couple things that tie our hands

015a little bit in the budget. One is that USDA usage line of 55,000 down here at the bottom. The state sets the dollar value I can put in a budget. Kristen and her team do a way better job at that. They use more commodities than what that state line lets me put in there, which boils right down to your bottom line. If she is using commodities, you're not buying food. Um so that will help your bottom line. I don't foresee you coming in at a negative next year. This is a budget. That's how budgets are written. Um I foresee you having a profit, but that's the budget as it's written with the 4% increase in food and those kinds of things. The other thing that it doesn't consider is a reimbursement rate increase. The state

016has us write the budgets on this year's current reimbursement rates. The federal rate will increase next year. We just don't know what that is. They don't release that number until maybe July um for the upcoming school year. You can see off to the side, if we had a 2% federal reimbursement increase, $12,000 to your bottom line with no changes in the meals that you serve, no changes in expenses, it's just an increase in revenue. So between that and the USDA usage, you can see the example there. Um right now through March, we've used $62,000 of commodities, which is over this year's written budget by 22,000. So through March, they've exceeded their USDA usage by 22,000. So they'll continue to do a great job using those commodities next year. Um we often get asked about CEP.

017A lot of your neighboring districts participate in the CEP program, which lets their students all have meals for free. There is a qualifier to qualify for CEP. Um Elizabeth Forward meets that, but it doesn't meet it in a way that makes it financially possible to participate. If I took this very same budget, the very same number of meals, and applied your current CEP rate, your bottom line would be a $204,000 loss. Because of the way the CE program is written. Um yes, the students all eat meals for free, but they aren't all reimbursed as free. That's based on your specific demographic data. Um so I wanted to make sure cuz I know a lot of people ask about that cuz you do have a lot of neighboring districts that do participate in CEP. You can

018see the participation at the top um for next year. You can see that little bit of a decline. The center column 25-26 is what we're serving right now per day. As you can see the 26-27 with just that little reduction based on what we think enrollment might do. Questions about all of that information. There's a lot there. I think great job. Thank you. Thank you. If you think of anything, they have my contact information. Always feel free to reach out. I know we included also for you a la carte pricing and different things recommended for next year. Thanks for your time. Have a great night, guys. Thank you. Thank you. Uh our next presentation is we go through all the buildings. I'm going to do Central Elementary first. So I'm going to turn it over

019to Mr. Bedard who has presentations. Mr. Bedard, you're on. Yeah, thank you. Thank you. Good to see everybody. I don't want to have my back to anybody. Um glad to be here tonight. Um you know, we're tasked with uh talking about Central and and what makes Central special. And you know, when you think about that, um you know, putting it in in in a slideshow or talking about it, to look at what makes Central special, I first kind of looked at what is Central. And and and to sum it up, you know, we're a community of warriors engaged in uh learning and leading every day. And, and I think when you see those themes of community and learning and leading, um hopefully we can show that. You know, when when we look at the daily

020operations, it's kind of hard to put into a picture slideshow the learning the the reading and the math and all of those things that go into it. Um you know, it it's I wish I could take a picture to see all of that because um you know, watching it happen every day um seeing the things that go on, it truly is amazing. But, um you know, these are a couple things that you'll see before you that uh truly, you know, make it a special place to be. I know Dr. Burns was here last month and uh you know, in talking with her and some of those things that we do together, um you know, all of those buildings we work so well together together to share those things. Um but, uh you know, so I

021won't highlight them again, but just in thinking through like the US Steel Eagles um or the um the Veterans Day program, you know, just as an aside to that, we do that every year and it's such a special program. And I I had a gentleman this year say to me that in all of the years he's been in the service that the celebration that we had for them was the best recognition that he ever had. So, um you know, those kinds of things when you can bring that community piece in, uh they're really important. Um but and I'm not going to read that to you, but I I felt that that was important because that last statement of plan back by action makes your dreams come true. Um every day we're we're planning those things

022and we're coming up with those ideas. Um and there's a lot of teachers here tonight that you see them and and administrators um and they really do this. They they uh put those plans into action and make those things happen. So, um you know, when we look at what's special, um we have to start with the kids. And this is just a small sampling. Um but those are our fifth grade brave bunch and they are our ambassadors. And um you know, I mentioned in the in the answer earlier about leadership. Um our future ready theme is leadership and we looked in to empower our kids to be leaders. And one of the ways we do that every year is with our fifth graders um and asking them to apply to be a part of our

023brave bunch, to be a part of our ambassadors. Um and and you know, you can see the students there before you and and they're a part of our PBIS team. Um and we look to to typically have about a dozen or so students um really be a part of of that leadership team. And uh we ask the kids to apply cuz we know that that everybody um doesn't necessarily want to be a part of it. Um and so, we have those students there before us, but we also have those students who are hump day bunch because when we ask for that application and we say, "Who wants to be a part of the brave bunch?" Um like I said, we're looking for that that number of about a dozen. And fortunately and and a good

024problem to have, but we had about two dozen students who said they wanted to be a part of it. So, um we don't want to exclude anybody. Uh so, we have our students be a part of the hump day bunch. So, the brave bunch, the hump day bunch, they work together um on on you know, today was Wednesday for example, they work with our PBIS team that you see here um in rewarding the kids for all of the things that they do every day. You know, our brave bunch uh they are, you know, they had lunch with Mr. Conic. They are leaders. They are tour guides. Um when our Veterans Day program does happen, they're leading all of the veterans upstairs. And you know, when you meet with those kids at the beginning of the

025year and you tell them the things that they're going to do, um you really see them flourish throughout the year. And and and they love they they they relish in that role and the things that they do. Um and just seeing them become the true leaders uh throughout the year, it it's really great to see. So, um you know, those students when we talk about what's special, students are what's special. Um more more of our students here we do kindergarten buddies. So, our fifth grade students are paired with our kindergarten students um and they do many activities throughout the year um starting really from the get-go. And um you see a couple students here. Uh they put on a Macy's Day parade and they work with their kindergarten buddy and they read you know, they

026read to them. And the kindergarten kids, they love they love when the big kids come to visit, but the big kids also love going to see the little kids. So, um you know, they'll ask all the time, "Is today kindergarten buddy day?" Um you know, and and there's some kindergarten teachers here that can tell you. Um you know, it it's a really special bond that the kids form. So, it it's really great. Um one of the things that we had the opportunity to do this year, um Sherry called uh a couple weeks ago and said um that we had a former um EF teacher who had passed away and her daughter was in the military. And so, they wanted to fly a flag in her [clears throat] honor. So, would we do that? And you

027know, absolutely certainly we would. Um so, she delivered it and and in thinking of when we would do it and how we would do it, um had the idea to to pull a couple students and have them be the ones to actually uh put the flag up. So, um Officer Alt and I uh went outside and you know, we obviously have a flag flying. And so, we talked to the kids about bringing the flag down, what the flag you know, the flag couldn't touch the ground, uh how to fold a flag. And seeing their wheels turning and and um you know, seeing that the lesson that it turned into was pretty awesome. And so, he and I talked about that talking to all of the kids, letting them know, you know, that's a lesson that

028might not necessarily be built into the curriculum, but you know, watching those boys fold the flag and and something that we're going to do with all of them, um it was really a special moment. So, um you know, it's it's it was a great day as you can see uh the flag flying, but um just teaching them, you know, little moments like that. I think of when I was a uh student in elementary school and we learned those things and you you don't forget them. And so, um you know, just just something that gets added in that maybe isn't part of the everyday written curriculum. Um you know, every year we do our kindergarten open house and we do our um open house for for grades 1 through 5 in September. Um but, you know,

029you look at those kids who you know, first graders who may be nervous coming back to school or um you know, new students who moved into the district over the summer, they don't necessarily know the building or know all those. So, um we open the building up right before school starts to everybody um to come and tour the building. And you know, they're told they can come into the classroom and their teachers may be there, they may not be there, but it's really a chance to uh see the building. And um I think this year, you know, we had all of our teachers attend and um you know, many families attended even though it's not a not a real open house, um just just seeing everybody um you know, come together. Teachers who don't have

030home rooms um being the tour guides and just, you know, everybody getting a chance to see the building before school [clears throat] starts. Um you know, that's something we do our kindergarten transition nights, all those kinds of things. Um but but when we do this walk-through night, um it's really become something that um everybody asks when we're going to do it and and and it's going to happen. So, um you know, a true testament to the staff of um you know, getting the year kicked off right. The kids are excited to to see the teachers and and you know, maybe see some classmates. So, um you know, we always enjoy that happening. Um we talked about community earlier. Um you know, we we want to do activities that the kids are engaged in, uh but

031we want them to be sure that there's a lesson behind it. So, um Miss Altavilla in the cafeteria or in the library put together the cereal box drive um and turned it into a domino challenge to uh for the students to and families to donate cereal boxes, see if we can line the hallway, uh knock them down by dom with like dominoes, but in the end um donate them to uh the local food bank. And this is the second year that we did it. And um we've had over 300 boxes each year. And when the activity's over, we get the kids to help uh pick them up, box them up, um and and teach them where they're going that they're they will be um you know, many people will benefit from them. So, uh the

032important part of giving back to the community in that way. And in addition to giving back to the community um in what's become, yes, an an annual tradition at this point, uh is duct tape the principal. And um you know, last year we decided to do it and they asked, you know, you know, we we want to do this, but we want it to be something that goes to um a good cause. So, we decided to give that money to uh WT's Project Bundle Up. Um and we actually received an award. Um Mike Harvey was here to present us with the Don Henninger Award last year for um being the organization that donated the most money to Project Bundle Up. Uh so, when the idea was presented itself this year, um they we still wanted

033it to be something that that went towards charity or went to went to some uh something of benefit, but we wanted to make it a little bit more local. So, uh they decided this year that the money would go to Meals on Wheels. So, um from the duct tape, um we got about 1,300 pieces of duct tape, I think. Um so, they took that money and then they combined that with our um uh penny war or our coin battle. Um and we were able to give last year um over $3,000 to uh EF Meals on Wheels. And we plan to do the same thing again this year. And uh you could see we had a couple of the ladies come out. Um and they just talked a little bit about the kids about how much

034that money meant to them um and how valuable and and how and how long um you know, that money would be able to last. So, um we we want them to have fun and we want the kids to be engaged with it. Um but at the end of the day, to know that it's not just about can we get enough pieces of duct tape up there, but that money's going towards something and and you know, something in the community that that would benefit those around them. So, um you know, it's I guess we'll do it again next year and and see where the money goes. Um one of the programs we do um unified robotics, and I know that that the other schools do it, too, but um you know, we we've talked and I

035last year when we were here, uh we talked a little bit about unified robotics. And just like the um Brady Bunch, this is another program that we have more We have We have so much interest and so much involvement. Uh we we open it up to the fourth and fifth grade students, and uh the anticipation and the involvement of it of with it is incredible. Um if you don't know what it is, um the unified robotics team must combine uh neurodivergent students with neurotypical students, um and and they must come together to form a team, um and they go on competitions. In fact, they have one tomorrow in South Fayette. Uh but the really neat thing about it is, um you know, even though there are those requirements, when they're building as a team, you

036you they are they are one team. They are one group. So, um you know, we've had some successes, we've won some awards, um and the kids really love it. And and they're already talking about ideas for next year, um how we can boost it because there really is a a big interest in it. Um another uh new idea that we had this year that was brought to us by a middle schooler whose mom actually happens to be here. She emailed Mrs. Kaylor and said, um can we do a Minecraft competition? Um and sent the details to Mrs. Kaylor. Came to me instead. Can we do this? And um you know, a dad of a teenage boy, I've seen them play Minecraft, but we looked at each other and said, you know, what is it? But

037let's do it. Um and um so we had our fourth grade students and our GATE students um sign up for the competition, and they were given a task, and they had to um put together this this world and and you know, talk about it. And then uh those four students, Cayden, Colin, Rowan, and Addie actually won uh for our region and made it to the state level for competition, uh that was held in Lancaster. Um unfortunately, Lancaster Elizabeth Lancaster in the middle of winter, weather presented itself. Uh so they got to uh participate by Zoom. Addie was sick, so she had to participate by phone. Uh but these kids, you know, you see them playing a video game, but uh they had like 2 hours, they were given a task, they had to work as

038a team, they had to present, um you know, and it it was it it taught us as well. But um it was really neat to see it. And and we brought all of the kids down who participated to to let them know that they won. Um and they were all like, can we see everybody's presentation? And and can we see everybody's world? And uh you know, they were so excited for it. So, um again, them coming together and and learning something new and us learning something new as well. Um you know, we talk about I said earlier about reading and taking pictures. We do activities as that that um boost reading as well, like our current our read-a-thon. It's currently going on right now, um and it is getting the kids excited about reading, raising

039money for PBIS, um and we do a competition with it. And I don't think I'm allowed to share what the uh reward is at the end, but um you can see that that their their minutes will be documented and added up, and um you know, the teachers' cars will move. But um we we typically bring in um you know, like $9,000 for our PBIS fund. But um again, with a purpose, with reading. Um again, with reading, kindergarten pet adoption, the kids got to donate or to adopt a pet. As much as they begged Mrs. Altavilla for it to be a real pet, it had [clears throat] to be a stuffed pet. Uh they got a a stuffed um dog, and um you know, they got to adopt it. And um behind that was really uh

040chance to read to it, um cuddle it, just love it. Um just, you know, bringing all those things together. So, um you know, it was really it was really exciting to see them all um getting their adoption certificates and and getting to adopt their pet. Um finally, uh with reading, well, I'm not finally, we have one more, but with reading, um bringing that community in. We you know, we get the we bring the Rotary in every year. Uh they did they donate the dictionaries, and um you know, just seeing the kids' excitement and and getting them ready for the spelling bee. Um you know, Kimmy here, I think he was looking up the longest word, and that picture's not posed, but you know, you see them just the excitement that they get from it. So,

041we have devices in our hands all the time. Um you know, when you put a book in their hand, they're really they're they're looking through it, looking for all of those things. So, uh we appreciate the Rotary. Mr. Piper and Mr. Ash came out, and um you know, it's it's always a great event, and the kids always enjoy it. So, we thank them. I know Bobby's here tonight, and at the last Rotary luncheon we talked about, you know, how much they enjoy that. Finally, I'd be remiss if it was Central without the wildlife. Um just with that. Uh you know, we we have our chickens that we know about. Last year we got our fish. This year we have ducks. Um so, we've added to it. Um this is uh we're we're currently hatching the

042chicks. That is a QR code for the the hatch to it. Um but um you know, the other day I was in a fourth grade classroom, Miss Hallett's came in with one of the ducks, and uh the kids were like, why does Miss Hallett's have the chicks? I said, no, it's the ducks. They were like, we have ducks now. They were super excited for them. Um so, we went down we we we you know, we got to see the ducks, um kind of talk with them. But really behind that when we talk about that is, you know, Mrs. Kaylor and I were talking about like comparing the the the life cycle or comparing, um you know, a baby chick to a baby duck and how they're similar and how they're different. Um so, tying that

043into science lessons to to writing. So, while it's fun, while the kids like them, while it's enjoyable, um you know, we we we certainly love our our animals. This was Living Treasures coming, but um you know, that that there is a part there that's fun, there's a part there that is, um you know, holding snakes, holding kangaroos. Um but no, there's an educational piece behind it. And so, um you know, those are those are a lot of the things, and I know I'm up here, I'm I'm the face here talking, but you know, it's really these guys who who make everything happen. So, you know, everybody here comes together and and makes Central a special place, and um you know, we appreciate it. So, and I appreciate you letting me talk about it for a

044little bit. So, thank you. Mr. Ratcliffe, you have the floor. And all of you thank for coming. Uh well, I appreciate your the presentation, and thank for all the hard work you do up there with your your staff and students. So, thank you very much. Yeah, that's all I got. I appreciate your presentation. Thank you, Mr. Cronin. Uh public comment. I also have Mr. Don Strom. I know for Brad Long, uh the Uh I'd like to say something first of all about the musical. I got to witness firsthand um the dedication and the dollars kids have. I mean, they might not be the cool kids in the school, but when it comes to practice, they put every bit of much of practice in for that musical as any athlete in this whole school district. So,

045they do they deserve a lot of credit for what they do, because in a lot a lot of ways, they don't get recognized the way the other ones do, and they do just as much hard work. So, but um the things that I wanted to talk about was um and Megan, thank you, because we're voting on more current checks though, because you And um when we're voting on these checks, um there's a lot that should have happened ahead of them getting on here. The contracts that we have, we should if the contract needed to be bid out, the bid should have been advertised and all that should happen. So, once they get on here, everything should happen. But when we get to the point where we look at our construction cost, um the only contract

046that I've ever ever seen was with our our architect, and it was for $22.5 million, and the fee that and the fee that his um services were based on was $16.75 million. It did not include any site work. But whenever we look at every month when we're paying, um we never see any change orders for any of the soft costs. And whether it's construction costs or soft costs, we should be seeing those change orders. And if you look at what we pay every month, there's additions to phase one. Now we're seeing additions to phase two. And we're also seeing site improvements under our architect. Um by his contract, there shouldn't be anything in there for site work. It's written in his contract. And if you look at his contract, we're basically 50% over the budget

047that we signed. And then um whenever um we're talking about other stuff when it me as a taxpayer get up here I'm on a egg timer and I um put in a right-to-know requests and we know all the rules when it comes to right-to-know. And um I did in the February meeting I did a public right-to-know. >> more, Mr. Straub, if you would. I did a public right-to-know. And I it was requested that I follow up with an email to Mr. Konick and I CC all the board members. I did all that. Um So, I waited, waited, never heard anything Then after the March facility meeting I got an email from Josh that I needed to fill out proper right-to-know form. So, I jumped through that hoop, too. I filled out the proper with all

048the information that I sent Mr. Konick and as I stand here today I still don't have that information. The district requested you know, not requested, they implemented notice. So, I'm here to say once that time is up me as a taxpayer has a right to appeal it. So, I will be doing that. And I have one more thing that that's my timer went off, I'll sit down. Thank you, Mr. Straub. Um we're going to keep with the theme here. Um Mr. Thornton, Mr. Don Thornton for construction related discussion. I'm here to appeal to the taxpayers of Elizabeth Township the school board. And I would like to comment on why hiring an independent construction manager would benefit both the district and its taxpayers. It is now at least $50 million over budget. This is not a

049routine issue. It signals a serious failure in oversight and accountability. At the same time, the clerk of the works is also serving as the executing contractor with a subcontract worth at least $10 million. This is a clear conflict of interest. The clerk of the works is supposed to represent the district's interest with independent oversight. That is not possible when the same person financially benefits from project decisions. An independent construction manager works solely for the district with no financial ties to the general contractor or any subcontractor on the project. The independence ensures that costs, change orders, and key decisions are reviewed objectively without outside influence. An independent construction manager would connect conduct a thorough unbiased review of current project costs and sources of overruns, scrutinizing all pending and approved all change orders. Verify quantities, pricing, and

050justify justification for excavation and all the related work. Provide clear direct reporting to the board free of contractor influence and establish stronger controls to prevent further cost escalation. This level oversight helps identify issues early, control spending, and prevent further overruns. At a minimum, this step will bring transparency to where the project stands today. More importantly it could help start stop further financial damage and restore the confidence that this project is being managed in the district's best interest. For taxpayers, it means transparency and confidence that public funds are being managed responsibly. With the project already facing significant overruns, independent oversight is not an option. It is necessary to protect district's financial interests moving forward. Every vote on this matter carries significant consequences and the public should be paying close attention to the board's decision of who

051decides to add a construction manager and who doesn't decide. Thank you. Mr. Reagan. How far over budget are we with this high school project? I don't believe we're over budget at all from what was approved as far as the um different contractors and their pricing. With the prime contractors and subcontractors for phase one and phase two, we're at budget as it was originally presented. Other than change orders which are within the contingency Not cost. Thank you. Appreciate it. You did change orders? Last number I had was 1.81, I believe. Don't hold me to that. They they They last year, but that over 5% contingency fund that we set aside. There's roughly 3 million in contingency and I think change orders are a little bit over a million. 1.1 million. 90% complete. Can I say something

052on that issue? Um sorry, Mr. Straub. I've been advised that not to. Uh I do want to make a quick statement here as well. Um we had reviewed way back when the clerk of the works >> [snorts] >> operating in the capacity of a subcontractor and it is not a conflict of interest. And I do believe that Mr. Macias and his organization has worked in the best interest for the school district. I just want to make sure that it is heard from me that I appreciate the work and the savings that he has provided us. And I hope to continue to have that type of mentality, structure, and efficacy moving forward. It is not illegal. It is not illegal. It's not illegal. >> I just said it's not a conflict of interest. Well, that's questionable.

053We had a discussion um more than a year and a half ago and Very much illegal. If you look at today's one drawings, they don't match what's happening. Where did the money go? Uh with all due respect, I appreciate the public comment. >> Mr. Thornton, thank you very much for your comments. As most people on the board and Mr. Noble and Mr. Konick knows, I met with Mr. Straub and Mr. Thornton gave them the opportunity to present with me last Friday. I'm still trying to unpack all the information that they got to do outside of the 3 minutes within this board room to see what's appropriate and which time if I believe that there's something to go forward, we will discuss it. I don't personally mind the whole another contractor, general manager, whatever it may

054be, but that's something that we would have to discuss in in the future and and possibly move forward on or not move forward on. Thank you. Um Ms. Patty Stanton. Patty Stanton, 404 Stonybrook Drive. Uh the item I wanted to talk about tonight is not on the agenda and so I'm going to waive my right to talk, but I'd like to give my This is a serious discussion. Could we please give Mr. Straub a chance on my time allot my time to him. No. You've done it before. The public policy doesn't provide for it and I think the first time I saw it um because I'm newer in this >> Okay, because I've done it Because I can see there's a there's a there's a tension going on here that has not been settled and

055now we're going to walk away from it again. Yeah, understanding and doing is two different things. Thank you very much. All right, thank you. >> I gave Mr. Straub and Mr. Thornton almost 2 and 1/2 hours of my time. >> Well, I didn't know. Okay, I'm not perfect. I'm just watching what's going on here. >> the information from them and I'm still trying to bring myself to their thought process if that's possible. >> All right. But they were allotted a lot of personal time by me and we had some good discussions and uh we'll see where they go. All right, thank you for your consideration. I still think it's good that given them the time. Um next, Ms. Haney. Ms. Haney, sorry. No. What are we doing with the time on the people? Ms. Haney,

056882 C Haney. Pardon me for reading from this, I want to stay on track. Good evening, board and administration. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I wrote a letter on March 18th to the board of administration after the committee of the whole meeting outlining a structured way to evaluate the proposed gymnasium lobby display project. I received no response and I still do not know where standing committee meeting agendas are posted so that the public can attend when topics like this are discussed. A lot of things Mr. Straub is looking for occur in these meetings. When we talk about bids, when we talk about alternatives that's where these meetings happen in these standing committee meetings, but we as the public do not have an agenda for them. We have agendas for the committee of the

057whole and the voting, but not those meetings where the biggest information is presented. I can fully support the goals for the gym lobby. Creating a welcoming space, providing building information, showcasing alumni and achievements, honoring veterans, and broadcasting gym events. Those outcomes matter to our students, family, and community. Um Using the same understanding by design backward planning framework that we use as educators, as detailed in my email, starting with the clear goal, defining success, then choosing the most effective and efficient path, I respectfully ask the board to consider whether the $44,000 purchase of one new line interactive board is the best way to achieve those goals. Commercial digital signage displays can deliver the same results high visibility information, rotating recognition content, and live gym broadcasts at a fraction of the cost often $8,000 to $16,000 total

058for comparable setup with stronger ability and minimal maintenance. Interactive touch features add significant expense but appear unnecessary for passive lobby uses like display announcements or event streams. I believe this item is on the voting agenda for tonight but my message remains the same. One director noted that if we do this, we should do it right. I agree. Doing it right means aligning the investment with the actual needs, comparing multiple solutions, and being careful stewards of taxpayer dollars so we can maximize resources for our students and our staff. I urge the board to pause this vote, explore more cost-effective options that fully meet the vision. Please be transparent in these decisions. Um and ensure that every dollar spent delivers the greatest impact. Thank you for your time and your service to our district. To your point

059about the um the school board committee meeting not being acceptable it it's still if you go on our website under school board meetings, there's a hyperlink in red that says board meeting meeting dates 2026 but if you click on it it's that's not the content you get. You get what's here. So we just need to change the attachment to actually reflect this committee dates because I've had frustration with it as well. And the agenda. Mhm. I I don't even get the agenda until I get here to the meeting. What would it be a legal issue to find out what it is for? Mhm. Or if there's a desire of the board to get an accurate This is the This is the way we've done it in the past but there's a legal reason, I will

060work through Mrs. Mrs. Turbol and if there's a a desire of each of these committees we can work through I would I would I would support the publishing of agendas before you know Yeah, I I I wasn't even speaking of the agendas. I was just speaking of the dates. Well, you don't need to I I I agree with you on your point. They'll make a calendar for the calendar. Okay. On a mobile device that is hard to navigate. So we're good. Mhm. It's tedious. Okay. Um I would like to uh move on to the next No, no, no. We're going to solve a couple of them. Uh um Mrs. Margaret Morgan Thanks for your public comment, please. 2310 Douglas Run Road, Elizabeth Township. I wanted to speak quickly over um well, not quickly but the

061CKLA uh that's being voted on this evening. And I'm sure there was plenty of research by the district into the program to make this decision. There was a lot of controversy over the program. There's a lot of concern over the content in general and content that is deemed inappropriate for age groups. Several staff members of the district uh have spoken to me that I are friends of mine and I know in the in the district and they were hoping that this would be tabled tonight and that a true pilot program be done and possibly look at comparing it to another uh program. I am not a teacher but the concerns coming from our staff that I respect makes me concerned that is this the program that is right for Elizabeth Forward. The teachers know our

062students. This all takes me back to when there was an experimental math program that was implemented at EA and I watched not only my son but his classmates slip in their math skills. I appreciate you listening but what's more important is to listen to our teachers and there is a lot of concern over this program. So I hope you would you know, consider possibly tabling that. But I'd also like to speak to um Mr. Cummings' comment when he asked if we were on budget, not over budget and I remember talking with Mr. Cummings before phase one went to start in the construction project. And at the time in the newspaper it said there was a third I think and I wasn't expected to say this so I I may be wrong in the number but

063it was like a $35 million project. $10 million loan insurance money and I think it was approximately 7 million in our fund balance was going to pay for that phase one. We had since borrowed $64 million so I don't know what the actual budget is because it's never really been stated but if you look what was in the paper and what was presented several times, it's not. So you figure 64 million plus another 10, that's 74 million plus your insurance money, plus the fund balance. I don't know what number that you're saying we're not over budget on but the community knew what was printed in the paper and what numbers you gave us and it certainly wasn't all of that. So you know, I appreciate the fact that you feel that we're on budget and

064yes, I know soft costs and yes, we haven't spent all our soft costs and yes, you know, the money for the change orders isn't all of it but the best part would be to not have very few change orders and that the majority of it's left there from phase one because then it could be used for phase two because you're still going to borrow money for phase two. We borrowed $7 million just to pay our debt. So there's a lot going on. There's a lot of concern in the community and if they be considered that we're on budget but that certainly is I I don't know how to you know, maybe it was the math program that was implemented years ago but I certainly don't know how to talk so So thank you for your

065time. So that said, I'll I'll be working with Mr. Reagan to get this the summary sheet that we worked with prior to phase one updated and that way we have the definition of And can you also where was it voted on that the that the project went from well, you're saying 22 million but I thought it was like 35 but where did the project go from that number? I've asked this several times. When did it all change that it basically doubled? And who made those decisions to do that? And I think the public deserves those answers along with who authorized the pit to be cleaned out up at Central because nobody's taking credit for that either. Well, I've had Don Ashworth working with Mr. Reagan to provide a summary sheet and I'll make sure that

066that's delivered to you in a timely manner. Thanks, sir. Appreciate that. Um may Uh with those of you who did the CKLA um curriculum um ran the pilot um I assume and you told us in the education committee the other day you ran this by faculty. Have you the concerns that Mrs. Mrs. Morgan's hearing? You had discussions with the faculty and Yes, with the pilot faculty. Yes. And so Yes. And what has been that um reaction? I I repeatedly asked them about anything in the content that they were reading to the students, anything that the students may have been doing individually and they did not have a concern. Um there was um one story that was coming up in the second grade unit that CKLA removed. Um there was um a story that was like

067at the beginning of the um at the beginning of the pilot that um that we would have a work around with that but other than that, there wasn't anything that was brought to my attention that was concerning enough that the pilot needed to be stopped. Um there's a lot of work arounds with the stories that are in CKLA so I mean if there's anything that's offensive to the community as a whole, there's other stories that can be replaced. This this detail was given at the parent night you attended the week of parent night for folks. A lot of that detail on a lot of these questions were addressed at that that function. Uh it was held in the middle school auditorium. As far as uh Mr. Cummings, I know that you had asked some questions

068about some results from some surveys. Sent that to you um and some of that uh You know, there's concern you know, again as we go through this, we realize you know, there are concerns listed there. Those are things that will be addressed as we move through it and those are things that have been addressed so. I'm concerned about the results that you sent to Mr. Cummings. Those are just from the surveys from the surveys. You'd like it yes, but let me know that he he asked for it so I gave it to I thought that that was the director asked one director asked for information in front of you. Mhm. I'll forward it to him. It's up to you. Concern of the pilot teachers that they have. How many teachers pilot? 14. And And the

069elementary and then we'll fix at the at the middle school. Mhm. Oh, okay. Did that be results you have there? Yeah, that's exactly what I was looking for over here too. I I mean, I don't know, maybe I'm speaking out of turn. I know I'm not an educator. I've expressed this very carefully to you, to you, Keith, but um I've heard on both sides of it. So, I don't know, you know, I'm in the middle of what what what's that? Um and where we're at with it. I know that we piloted with 14 other people that was but there's other people here that spoke uh and wrote emails that are from outside our district and involved in education also. Um I don't know what the appropriate answer is here. Do we do we move or

070do we pilot further or look at it better? I mean, I I know where uh the superintendent for this board and this district sits on us. Um wants this to go through. That was the discussion we had today. Um I don't know what the appropriate thing is. I'm I'm not the educator, but I know that one I will share the one bothersome thing I've heard from multiple teachers in our district is that they felt they couldn't express themselves honestly about this pilot and this program. So, that draws a lot of concern to me. And the only reason I haven't expressed that is because it to this day wasn't really sure. I tried to do my own research. Gather it and and it was said to me again today and it just kind of made me

071think that well, do we pump the brakes? I I'm not sure if that's the right answer either. I mean, I'll leave it up to this board and what its majority is, but sometimes pumping the brakes is good, but sometimes it does hamper progress. Um I'm not sure. I'm not Mr. Prasad, I don't think to speak on that. Um Number one, I I took a look at took my time and and actually looked into this a lot as well. Mr. Colvin and Dr. Perry can tell you guys showed up. Um I was kind of highly upset to find out that only three individuals showed up to the meeting that night. Um but after hearing Mr. Ferraro say that, you know, people can't see on the website if they're on their phone. I would honestly like to

072propose that uh we have this meeting again and actually open it up to K through eighth all teachers to come and uh actually have this meeting and and get a date tonight planned where everyone can come and we can put this to rest because there's a lot of emails coming in coming in from parents. And Dr. Perry did a very good job. She did a great presentation. She could answer every single individual from teachers to parents to everything. But I say we we vote on a date tonight, let the public know, everyone's advised, no one's going to be looking and saying I I I didn't see it or I didn't hear it. I think Dr. Perry said you sent letters home with the the students. Uh for the meeting, yeah. Um because every parent that

073I talked to that has been blowing me up said they didn't know and that's why they didn't make it to the meeting. But I think as a school board member and every member here, we talked about transparency. Let's be transparent. Let's let the the public have their chance to say what they want to say. Just if I could speak, you know, if One one more second. Ms. Perry, I do want to let you know that in a conversation with Mr. Cummings that I had yesterday, if you don't mind if I share this, my comment directly was that last time I checked, you and your staff at Central Elementary won a blue ribbon. So, I do hold a lot of a lot of confidence in what you have to say also. I'm leaving it up to

074the board to decide. If you want to table it because you want more time, I I don't have a problem with that. I feel like it this was a very effective pilot regardless of what some people think that weren't in the pilots. Um but if they want to pilot something else next year, then, you know, the board's going to have to make the decision to purchase those materials. It'll have to be a year-long pilot. It can't be, you know, like some school districts do a one-month pilot. So, you know, I don't think that's an effective pilot. I think you have to be in the pilot to know whether or not it's an effective program. So, I'm leaving it up to you to decide. I feel like like the due diligence has been done to get

075through this pilot. If you don't if you don't feel comfortable, then I can tell you that I've witnessed Dr. Perry have small group meetings with folks in this room. Uh I have also I'm also aware that she sent over 100 emails um regarding this asking for feedback, surveys. Uh a lot of this information was was requested and and you know, I I I guess it one-on-one or not one-on-one meetings, but bringing great groups into here to talk about that. Um you know, so if I'm struggling with the idea of that that, you know, that didn't have an opportunity to speak prior to, you know, the day before we were voting. And I you know, we had an education committee meeting on Monday. And There was nobody here. Yeah. And then, you know, as a as

076a as a parent, you know, like I said, the presentation you you said Mr. Osak is that you know, we have four folks here. We advertised those things great. It was sent home with every every kid that was in that program. So, um those are challenges to the fact keep moving forward as we we want to be So, let's move all forward. Thank you. You said committees This isn't online. This was something that was sent out to the It was something that was online. It was a personal invitation sent out to the school. Dr. Perry, do we have a deadline to make a a curriculum decision? Like Journeys expires this year, so we I would have to try to work something out with um with HMH to get materials for next year. And just so

077that I'm correct, just reviewing the notes in the agenda here, close to half a million dollars six-year cost related to CKLA adoption. Correct. K to 8 curriculum. When do we need to make this decision by? We don't have a reading program for next year. It's by Yeah, yeah, it's by It's not It's not It's not It's not approved by the state as a instructional literacy. So, I I would have to I have to do something immediately. But it's up to you. We still have some Any more? There's two more. Um this is Britney Abby. Hi, I'm Britney Abby. I live at 122 Jordan I apologize for referencing to my phone. I'd like to express my continued concerns about the ELA programming changes and the lack of a true pilot experience. I participated in a pilot

078committee as an elementary teacher and in my experience, it includes meeting with multiple program reps, sitting through five presentations, then rubric in and narrowing it down to two to three choices. Sitting down again with those two to three programs, diving deeper into the programs, rubric in them again, and then choosing two to three options to pilot. Then every teacher on the pilot committee highlights every pilots every program, whether it be for a nine-weeks or a semester-long experience, then all of the teachers on the pilot came back together, discussed their experience. At the end of the piloting situation, the teachers voted on which program they liked the best. It was then presented to the school district as the option that they would like to be considered. Then the materials, as district policy, must be made available

079for 30 days for the community to come in and preview them. After that 30-day period, it can be put up to a a vote at the general meeting. I think that this is a great option and it really allows for the teachers, the community, and the the school board to be involved in the decision from the beginning to the end. Um Elizabeth Ford has very high expectations of their teachers and all of the teachers that my students have had have exceeded those expectations tenfold. However, EF also experiences notable teacher turnover due to salary challenges. Pairing this with the national teacher shortage and a substitute teacher shortage can lead to a lack of continuity in instruction. Why not look at one cohesive ELA program that promotes and supports consistency. Put one complete program in your educator's

080hands, not multiple supplements that need to be piecemealed, especially when you're moving forward to when looking at primary and intermediate elementary centers, you will really need that continuity of materials and education will be so important when so many different teachers and so many different learning styles are coming into one building. Teachers wear many many hats and curriculum writers should not be one of them. They should not have to reinvent the wheel when there are so many complete programming options that are available. At the heart of my concern as a parent and as a teacher is the fact that I still do not know what materials my soon-to-be second grader will be taught reading comprehension with. I don't know how or if he'll be taught reading comprehension, language arts, reading vocabulary, and grammar next year. I've

081asked to see the materials for these skills that are included in the to fill the gaps of the proposed programming changes and unfortunately, the materials don't exist. I've been told that they are not available. So, I respectfully ask that you table this evening's proposed ELA programming change and give the teachers the opportunity to choose a program that best fits their students' needs. Thank you. Thank you. >> Logistically, how would that even work if we're in mid-April and our reading program is expiring this summer? Is that even How do we define expiring? It's gone. It's like they don't have the materials anymore. So, that material that you have What happened college to make the final decision? No, I want to pieces of what I have. How often does this How often does this change? That just

082It's really quickly to the board. You know, we've talked to a lot of schools. I'm familiar with Baldwin. We went over the visits. The visits with that. The visits with Baldwin, they're using the skills and the And we talk about piecemeal. We use the skills, which is the the part that we don't use, and the knowledge. And they also additionally had to get another program to add to that. So, the piecemeal thing is not something It's also It's happening in places that have adopted both programs. We're dealing with Everybody's kids are different. There's no program that's perfect. I will tell you that. I wish there was. But, because your kids are so different, they build these programs for the masses. Supplements and those types of things are important pieces of what we And I think

083I'm just asking for clarity. If this were to be approved tonight, the scenario of We can't answer We can't answer how that would That's good. Can I ask you I I know I heard a lot head nodding that that teacher would be afraid to speak up. You can't engage. >> Oh, I'm I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Okay, last comment, Ms. Bowers. On a happier note, I'm here to represent the Elizabeth Rotary and invite the administration and the school board tomorrow night to the eighth annual spelling bee for the third graders. Uh the kids will start coming at 6:00 tomorrow here at the middle school. Uh they'll all get a cute little gold coin, a participation paper, lots of candy and treats, and they have We have prizes for the first, second, and third winners of the

084school board for for the spelling bee. So, if you can come tomorrow night, it's really important to these kids. I give them kudos for I would never do it. I can't spell. But, these kids are amazing and they do a great job. So, if you can come and support them, we would appreciate that. Oh, oh, 6:30. I'm sorry. I thought you told me time's up. So, just give me all that. The kids will show up at 6:00 and it starts at 6:30 and it here at the middle school. And it's a lot of fun. The spelling bee can be the most exciting time, but it also is pretty sad when kids get their They probably But, but it's part of the Thank you, Mr. Cummings. All right, before we exit uh public comment during our

085getting addressed by more than one person in the audience for it. I'm going to go ahead and allow the board to make a decision on this. I'm going to make a motion. I move for to amend the agenda under section as uh under section 10, 10.7 approve the development and advertisement of an RFP for construction management services for phase two. Right now, there's a motion to amend the agenda. It is not It is not the discussion on the item. It's whether or not the board wishes to add this item this evening. Um it requires second. We can have a discussion on the on the on the motion, um and then that would you'll take that to a vote whether to add that language as presented as 10.7. Yeah, the motion is to move for the

086amendment of the agenda under section 10 as 10.7 to approve the development and advertisement of an RFP for construction management services for phase two. That's the motion. Not yet. I second the motion. It's whether or or not that added for further discussion later in your meeting tonight. >> So, the motion not added or To add it. All right, I'll second. Seconded by Director Novacek. Right, discussion on the motion to amend. Now, is there any discussion on the motion to amend? Can you detail what is it that you're supporting? The RFP for construction management services for phase two. So, construction manager, basically. To work in conjunction, to work in replacement, to work with this public board. What is What is What is your intention there? My intention is to give you all the ability to vote

087yes or no what these gentlemen have asked of us. You so reset the guidelines if this is the route we're going. Right? This particular motion is just to discuss it later in public. Discuss it later in the meeting in the meeting in the executive or public? >> Yes. Public. Just for discussion. This is to add it to the amendment to discuss And And vote on later on as 10.7. Seconded by Director Novacek. Does that mean it goes on later? Yeah, we need a we need an affirmative vote of the majority of the board to add it to the agenda. Call roll. So, yes is to add it to the agenda. Yes is to add, no is to not add. Director Valet. >> No. Director Cummings. >> May I want to provide comment here or insight

088or would you just suggest one vote and move forward? No. Director Farro. Yes. Director Henry. No. Director Honig. >> No. Director Novacek. >> Yes. Director Sharkey. >> No. Director Stover. No. President Habin. Yes. Motion fails. Motion fails. Mr. All right, now we can move into This is not a public. I'd like a motion on the floor to table item 9.3. 9.3 There is a motion on the floor to table item 9.3. Approve the purchase of Core Knowledge Language Arts CKLA for grades K through 5, Boost Reading student licenses for grade K through 5, and Amplify ELA for grades 6 through 8 from Amplify, 55 Washington Street, Suite 800, Brooklyn, New York 11201 as stated in quote Q717761 at a total cost of $413,566.20 for a 6-year term, 2026 to 2032. That is the motion. Is

089there a second to table? Second. The motion to table is a procedural motion and non-debatable. The next item would So, we would move to a a roll call vote on the motion to table. On this one, to table. Yes is to table. Director Valet. >> No. Director Cummings. No. Director Farro. No. Director Henry. No. Director Honig. Yes. Director Novacek. I'd like more information on it, but we're good. The motion to table. The motion to table right now. Director Sharkey. No. Director Stover. No. President Habin. Yes. Motion to table fails. The table fails. Director Director Honig. Okay, moving on. Director reports, item 5.1, Hillside and South Area schools. Thank you, Mr. Stover. 5.2, PFSBA, Mr. Sharkey. PFSBA update. Uh PFSBA is urging school boards to call on lawmakers to deliver an on-time 202026-2027 state budget that

090prioritizes public education. While recent budgets have included historic investments in long-overdue reforms, public schools continue to face rising mandated costs, staffing shortages, student support needs, and aging infrastructure that requires sustained state commitment. Former directors play a critical role in shaping this conversation by adopting a resolution calling for adequate and eligible funding, relief from cost-driving mandates, and continued investment in education program and facilities, districts can help ensure progress continues. Collective advocacy from school leaders across the Commonwealth is essential to securing a budget that truly delivers for students, schools, and community. That's all. Thank you, Mr. Sharkey. 5.3 SHASDA, Director Henry. Nothing to report on that. May I just speak to that, please? Go ahead. Uh SHASDA had their yearly recognition event uh at the uh South Point Garden Inn Hotel, uh no, Garden Inn, and we

091were able to recognize two of our students. Uh one student wasn't able to make it just because they had a family commitment, they weren't able to be there. Uh but Dr. Perry, myself, Mrs. Garlow, I had the opportunity to sit with this uh young lady uh who's very much mature beyond her years uh to be hand-picked, and I think uh Will Allen, who was a former Pittsburgh steeler, uh had the opportunity to speak. Uh talked about how these students were hand-picked uh by their by their by the staff at their buildings uh to demonstrate this. Uh we also got to meet her nana, uh who was fantastic and very supportive of her. Uh we are going to bring those folks in for to be recognized in front of this board. Uh this is kind of

092really kind of uh compliment them and thank them for representing Elizabeth Forward School District. It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning, and uh uh thank Mrs. Garlow and then Dr. Perry for coming out and spending that time with uh that that lovely young lady. Thank you. So far I have for SHASDA. The students Students are all uh spoken for, they're unable to attend. As I said before, they uh promised that they will present their April uh material as well as their uh these kids are involved in a lot of stuff here, and uh we also want to commend I think some of them are downstairs with our NHS uh induction ceremony. So, a big uh compliment to them for coming in. Uh next month will be for the seniors, uh will be

093their final month. I don't believe they come in June. Uh so, we'll have a little bit of a recognition of those seniors that sit over there and thank them for their uh contributions. Thank you. That's all we have. Mr. Honick, you have a second? We're in the voting session. Item six, secretary's report, items 6.1 and 6.2. May I have a motion? Director Ferraro. Second. Second by Director Sharkey. Any discussion? All those in favor? I. Against? Motions carried. Seven, treasurer's report. 7.1 and 7.2. Please please let me know. Uh treasurer's report, February 2026. The beginning balance, $285,842.34. Total cash receipts, $4,795,743.01. Uh total disbursements, $4,831,223.44 with an ending balance of $250,323.91. Thank you, Director Ferraro. May I have a motion to accept 7.1 and 7.2? Motion. Motion by Director Who was Mr. Director Honick, second. Second

094by Director Ferraro. Discussion. On the check register, I just wanted to again clarify or confirm that the check payable to Maxim is in fact not just for two weeks as noted, but 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 at least. Is that correct? Okay. Thank you. Motion. All those in favor? I. Against? Motion carried. Section eight, finance and technology, items 8.1 through 8.5. May I have a motion? Motion. Director Sharkey. Second. Director Balan. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? I. Against? Motion carried. Section nine, education and grants, items nine point 9.1, 9.2, 9.4, and 9.5. May I have a motion? Director Ferraro, second by Director Cummings. Any discussion on those items? All those in favor? I. Against? Those motions carried. 9.3, Director Henry, will you call the roll for the approval of purchase

095of Core Knowledge Language Arts CKLA as presented? Any discussion? I'm sorry. And we'll get there. Yep. We're getting there. We have time. May I have a motion to approve a motion to approve the purchase of Core Knowledge Language Arts CKLA, item 9.3. Motion. Motion, Director Cummings. I second. Second, Director Stover. I know. Discussion. I think I Yeah, I'd like to discuss something. I've brought it up before. Um I'm going to bring it up again. You know, I did a lot of work with this. Um I was upset that I think three people showed up. I absolutely think that everyone that reached out to me online or called my cell phone stated they were unaware of it. I definitely what I said before, I'm going to open it up from eight to eight, have all the

096teachers come, and have all the parents forward with this. And uh I I we talked about being transparent. You, I, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Honick, all ran on that. I I think we owe it to the public. I think we need to put it to rest. All these emails that are coming in, I I think we should definitely look into this a little bit further. So, why don't you table them? That's why I asked. I wasn't aware of what what we were talking about, and that's why I asked. So, I I'm sorry I didn't know the line. Right. I wasn't aware that it would be uh number nine. Yeah, I had the motion to table, it was read, and the second motion failed. Mr. President. Yes. >> related to discussion, I wanted to just say to

097be responsible to the board and to our 2,500 students. The reason I voted to to attempt to table this versus voting no is I want to make sure that it's the most uh expedient process to not challenge our administrators who have worked so hard, and also um a fiduciary standpoint, I think we should be very careful to go ahead and agree to a six-year project that's going to cost almost a half a million dollars as we begin to um engage with the most important people that engage with our students every day, our teachers, for their contracts. So, again, since we failed to table, I hope that the members of this board consider from a fiduciary standpoint um at least voting no, now keeping in mind that it's not able to bring it into another agenda,

098maybe for a special meeting in the near future, or do some sort of adjustment to our meeting of the whole so that this isn't something that challenges our administrative team if in fact the board does move forward with the CKLA skills portion. I'm curious, and maybe you can help me understand because we were one of three people at the meeting on Monday, and you had no issues. And we we moved it forward out of committee. So, what for you, help me understand what changed? No nothing's changed, but I didn't want to have a have a debate with just the the three of us there in the subcommittee. That's what the committee is for. I understand that, but as members of the public have said, they haven't really had a chance to even get input. So,

099I don't want to get into what potentially could be perceived as a banter between two elected officials with the person in the room to do all the work from the administrative team. I just thought that a public meeting and discussing my concerns as elected official was important. Just what was the recommendation of the subcommittee? To move forward. Mr. Honick, were we able to sign a one-year versus a six-year? The costs would just be extremely and we have never done that. Uh we won't The last program was six years and it's or seven years and there are costs and and I will tell you >> For which there are Could I request the table that and look into the price on it? We've already determined that. It's okay. Okay. Can I have a second on that?

100The longer you go Can we call a second? Right. Can you Can there be a second motion to table? I motion to table then. Yes. I don't I'm not aware of a Sorry. Out of a discussion after a first and a second have already been approved. You need to be motioning them. Motion and then you do the discussion and the voting. I did We did do that then. Then it will it it will either rise or fail again. It's not one of the majority. If it fails, you're able to you're able to vote down to control to vote on. So, so a motion to table it can can occur during during a primary motion. Uh this has a motion to amend. This meant that this motion could happen as well. Did you say that? Um

101it would need a second and then it would be tabled. Director Novasak is making a renewing a motion to table. We would need a second, and then we would again have a quick up or down vote on that. If it fails, then we'll continue You would continue with debate on the primary motion. >> Can I get a discussion on this as well? Please, let me finish asking the questions. So, after the discussion of the debate, if it is voted down, we pick up after the discussion with the first and second already in place. Correct. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, we would kind of resume. It's the same as the previous one. It's the same as we enlightened everybody to our December meeting when we voted on the solicitor. We took a first and second to accept, and

102then we tabled in the same manner. So, it's the same kind of thing. We've done this before. Now, is there a We would need a second. Okay. There is a motion on the floor by Director Novacek to table 9.3 approve the purchase of Core Knowledge Language Arts CKLA for grades K-3 5, Boost Reading Student Licenses for grades K-3 5, and Amplify ELA for grades 6-8 from Amplify, 55 Washington Street, Suite 800, Brooklyn, New York 11201 as dated in quote Q717 761 at a total cost of 413,566 dollars and 20 cents for a 6-year term from 2026 to 2032 as presented. The motion by Director Novacek is there a second? Second. Second by Director Honig. Again, this is a non-debatable motion. We just simply take a vote and Director Henry. Uh Director Fallon. To be clear.

103Let's clarify what Director Novacek means. So, so a motion So, that it is a motion to table this item 9.3. Uh so, a yes is to stop debate and not consider this as an action item this evening. No would allow you to continue to debate and then ultimately to vote. So, is everyone clear? Yes to table, no not to table. Everyone clear at least on what it So, an affirmative vote, yes to this If if you want you don't want to talk about this tonight, and you don't want to vote on this tonight. No means you're ready to keep on engaging and and see where it goes. Yes to table, no Director Fallon. No. Director Cummings. >> No. Director Ferrara. No. Director Henry. No. Director Honig. Yes. Director Novacek. >> Yes. Director Sharkey. No. Director

104Stover. >> No. President Evans. On the recommendation of the subcommittee, I believe my vote should be no. The motion fails 7-2. Discuss and then vote. Any further discussion? I just have a second to make a We'll call to you. We have a Uh I don't have it. Until you have it, Director I'm making one. I just want to Yes, Director Cummings and then second by Director Stover for the motion. I I have a question. I'll throw it out there. Obviously, we've confirmed that the scenario mentioned is not logistically possible at this point in April of the year. So, what And again this was a committee with this flawless lead with nobody present. However, that all being said what are the options at this point that won't just continue a reading program? What What would What

105would the alternative be? If this were to be voted down, then what? No, finish the pilot. I will contact as we have Journeys right now. So, I will contact my rep from Journeys to see whether or not we can get materials to take us into next year if we pilot something else next Yeah. And we But we would be a year behind in our work work meeting the requirements of structured literacy. Uh there are state requirements. The requirements have programs that are like this. The requirements in the state for this literacy are Journeys is not approved in our district. So, we're looking to We're looking to extend something that is not approved that does not count for our literacy. So, we can say >> 2027-2028 school year, it has to be approved. So, we would

106have a year And and just to be clear, you know, we are we are approving the knowledge portion of CKLA. Uh we had a lot of discussion about uh skills part as well. Uh there are districts that I think I mentioned Baldwin. Uh they use it in many different Battle Creek use it as well. only. We will continue with the 95% group and the other resources that we have to monitor that. Uh like I said, I was a science teacher. We will be changing that one variable. We will see what CKLA knowledge does, and we are open to anything beyond that. And that may include skills as a as a next program. That that would include skills as the next program if that is something that that we find through data doesn't doesn't Reading is

107rocket science. Good. Okay. Any other questions, Mr. R? And Director Stover. Director Fallon. Yes. Director Fallon. Do you vote the the the Vote yes for CKLA program. Yes. Director Cummings. >> Yes. Director Ferrara. Yes. Director Henry. Yes. Director Honig. Yes. Director Novacek. No. Director Sharkey. No. Director Stover. Yes. President Evans. No. Motion passes. 6-2-3. Would like you Director Henry. Oh, this is what I wanted. This is exactly what I wanted. I discussed it. Just Can I just make one more thing? All right. Is that okay? I'm sorry. Can I just have make a comment on Absolutely. Um I just want to I understand that a lot of the this is a contentious issue. Um as a board member who sits on the education committee for 2 years now, and again all the discussion that we've

108had tonight on whether it's hard to find the information. You need to fix our committee structure. I get that. But just a point of opinion I've been on two other committees. I was on the facilities and transportation committee. I was on the I'm on the athletic and student activities committee. Parents find that, and they come. And they will make they will make their opinions known. It It It offends me that that nobody comes to the education committee cuz we're a board of education. So, I have sit I have sat numerous hours listening to Dr. Perry and Mr. Honig Mr. Honig Honig. I'm sorry. I didn't I just I I You're a PhD in in in education. I I trust the efficacy of what she's done. Um and and I trust the years of experience as

109educators. And I don't for a second think that Mr. Honig and and um Mr. Honig It's a long long day, of course. It's a long day. And I have a 5 AM flight tomorrow. And Dr. Perry have done anything to diminish the in diminish the teachers' role in all of this. Um I I have seen firsthand the benefits of our teachers and how wonderful they've raised my daughter right educated my daughter. I believe that this program once it's in is going to be fine. I think our kids are going to be fine. I think this that I think schools are more than just curriculum. They're teachers who care about what they do and work with students individually. I'm on the board. I My my wife probably knows more about the reading programs than anybody in

110this in this district. So, I'm just going to say you did a great job. I think we're going to be fine. We're going to move on. This is I know there's a lot of contention. I just wanted to say that in the president's that's all. Uh thank you, Director Honig. You're exactly right. Today you will do find the athletics committee, but Yeah. I got like I like I said too I went to that meeting. I I took a lot of pride in in going to it, and Dr. Perry did a great job explaining. I truly wish there was more people, and that was my whole reason tonight for wanting to table it cuz I wanted the public We You know firsthand we get all these emails. I just wanted her to either put them in

111their place or speak to them what they have to say. Dr. Perry did a great job. That Thank you. No, yeah. And I I like that second that to Dr. Perry. I know she gave me the pilot program to look at, and I was seeing lots of lot of details she probably did with her people and go through everything but I I mean it's I thought it was very enjoyable. And then she shared with me results from the people who did their therapy their survey. I'm not seeing anything but I'm seeing over 90% positive or very positive on these. And I just don't understand why somebody would be afraid to be honest in that. It just seems like that whole thing that nobody likes it and they're afraid to say. Are they? I don't know.

112To me, give your opinion. That's the whole point of doing it. So. Thank you, Dr. I'm positive that the program that you have researched on Sentra Matic will help us with the healing of the future. I thank him so far for working with All right, are we now through that? There's two tables and see what we do next time. Section 10, facilities and transportation. Items 10.1. 10.6. I'll move to second. I'm sorry, I put the back part of my page on the back there. You shuffle them in. 10.1 to 10.6, motion was by Balan. Second. Second by Director Monick. Do we have any discussion? We are able to vote against any individual emotions. Under government. Do you need something? Or you can ask to have it held out. I mean as long as I can

113vote against it when it is consent, I'm good. We will move forward with consent anything. Any question on the item? All those in favor? I. Against? I'm against. Do you need something? >> I'm against two. 10.2. Uh Director Ferraro is against 10.2 and 10.3. Motions pass. Section 11, professional personnel. Items 11.1 and 11.2. Motion by Director Ferraro. I'll second. Second by Director Cummings. Any questions? Discussion? All those in favor? I. Against? Motion carried. Section 12, support personnel. Item 12.1. I have a motion. Second. Director Sharkey. Second. Second. Director Ferraro. Any question or discussion? All those in favor? I. Against? Motion carried. Section 13, EDR personnel. Items 13.1 and 13.2. Can I have a motion? Motion. Motion Director Sharkey. Second. Second Director Balan. Questions or discussion? We have a plan for swim coach next season? Uh

114we have the the we were able to fill in for the incumbent and we are working towards that. Those those folks are not in the folks that helped us out. I knew that they were a temporary solution which I more than appreciate. Yeah, but moving forward you know, working to hire a permanent That was on the track for sure. I just want to make sure that we don't have any voting on the school principal issue. We'll have to put that to you. I think we'll have time to make sure that we have something in place. Okay, question on swim coach noted. All those in favor? I. Against? Motions carried. Section 14, policy. Items 14.1 through 14.3. Can I have a motion? Motion. Director Ferraro, second by Director Cummings. Do we have any question or discussion?

115All those in favor? I. Against? Motions carried. Have a motion for adjournment. Motion Director Cummings, second Director Sharkey. I'm sure there's no discussion. All those in favor? I.