GASD School Board Study Session/Voting Meeting - 6.1.26

001All right, good evening everybody. A full crowd tonight for a couple different reasons, I'm sure. So, welcome to all the faces in the room. Uh, the purpose of the meeting is to conduct the business of the Gettysburg Area School District. Board of Directors meetings and committee meetings are open to the public, but are not public meetings. All school district residents who wish to make public comment should sign in prior to the start of the meeting and request to speak during citizens participation. School district residents wishing to speak to the board shall do so only during the citizen participation section of the meeting. Public comment is welcome and all issues will be referred to the appropriate board committee or administrator. Comments will be summarized in the official board minutes which will be available by contacting the

002business office. Please take a moment to silence your cell phones and other electronic devices. Um prior to this meeting, the school board uh conducted an executive session to discuss um the superintendent's evaluation. We have all of our board members accounted for. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right, we are starting with our notices and communications. Um, we are going to start with Miss Lauren Schwarzbeck. Welcome. Hello. My name is Lauren Schwarzbeck. I am an eighth grade teacher at the Gettysburg Middle School. Um, I am also a dairy farmer in Union Bridge, Maryland. And I grew up in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania as a

003dairy farmer as well. Um, went through Gettysburg School District and everything. Um, but I'm here to talk about an experience I had that was kind of once in a lifetime. Um, I got to go down to DC and kind of speak on um, flavored milk in school. So, there's a new proposal of the dietary guidelines coming out that is going to directly affect um not only our school district, but our kids and the dairy industry as well. So, in these new guidelines, they only want 10 grams of added sugar in our school lunches per meal. So, that hits a really hard um hit on our flavored milk. The average um added sugar in flavored milk is about 7.2 2 nationally. So if you look at that and we're looking at 10 grams of added sugar

004per meal, um we're facing really a really big struggle against kind of upper hands to get that and realize. So we went down to DC, me and a fellow farmer um from Illinois. Uh we had an opportunity to meet uh the deputy secretary Vaden and the USDA secretary Brooke Rollins which was an amazing experience. They're pretty high up uh in our USDA. Um and we spoke on our thoughts on it and they were very supportive of no, we need chocolate milk and other flavored milk in schools. Like this is what these kids are going to drink. Um so we worked with them to kind of discuss what can we do to make the compromise. Um, so if you go one more and that's Brooke Rollins there. So that was a pretty big ordeal to meet

005her. There was a lot of security around her and it was a really awesome experiment experiment or experience probably one I'll probably not have in a long time. One more. Um, but what really I want to hit home is since 2006 the dairy industry has cut sugar out of milk by 57%. So, we've made drastic changes to our product to try to better fit our kids because I'm sure when you guys were in school and you had chocolate milk, it was the best thing because it was loaded with sugar. Um, but what we're seeing that is if we take more sugar out of this, the kids don't drink it. They don't like it. If we get rid of flavored milk in general, we're going to see a huge shift in food waste. So they actually

006did a study on this in Los in a school in LA where they took it out and they found that their food waste was drastic that they had to put it right back in. They also tried this in New York and the moms got a hold of this and they were not happy and so the moms kind of really advocated for flavored milk in schools and they got that back in as well. Uh the gentleman there on the left is Jason Becker. He is the White House liaison. So we spoke with him. He oversees a lot of the things that happen in the United States Department of Agriculture building. And then he takes those to the president to discuss, hey, what do we need to do? We can't let this happen. It's going to not

007only impact our dairy industry, but it's going to impact our schools and it's going to impact our kids. Um, so our meeting with him was very intense. He was very statistical. really wanted the facts for what we were doing, what how it would contribute to our dairy industry, but also the effect it had on kids. So, in closing, I'm short and sweet. I think, you know, we live in a very rural area where we, I would hope, are very pro keeping flavored milk in school, but this is a national like crisis almost if we do follow through with the protocol of 10 grams per sugar. Um, so what we asked when we advocated down there was that uh flavored and fluid milk was excluded from that 10 grams added. So we go down here again

008in about two weeks and go through some more meetings with uh members in DC to see where we're at. Um, but it they said it could be a pretty big fight that we're going to have to fight for this. So it looks like if there is no flavored milk in school, uh we could the dairy industry could lose $121 million um profit. So uh it accounts for chocolate milk counts for 2thirds of the milk consumed in schools alone. So we hope we don't get to that. But I just wanted to speak uh you know as a teacher who sees students every day choosing chocolate milk. Um, I also had a great conversation with our food service director who is doing really big things in our district. Um, and the implementation of whole milk, which I

009think is great to have back in our schools. So, um, I just commend what we do here in our school because I think the food we serve is really exceptional quality. Um, but I just am hoping that flavored milk stays within our schools. So, thank you. Great. >> Thank you for sharing uh that information with us. All right, next up 3.2 we have our board recognition of our retirees. Um Morgan is going to lead us in this lovely list of so many years of service. >> So yes, at this time we want to honor our very special group of individuals, our retiring staff. Collectively these individuals have given decades of service to our district and their absent will absence will be truly missed. As I read your names, please come forward to receive your certificates.

010Miss Tamila Becker, 31 years of service in kindergarten. Miss Christina Kulie, 20 years as a reading specialist. Mr. Chad Deckert, 25 years in technical education. Miss Lisa Forsight, five years as a custodian. Mr. Michael Ginter, 32 years as a physical education teacher. Miss Angie Hughes, 29 years as an ELA teacher. Miss Sharon Martin, 33 years as a secretary. Miss Dana Newton, 19 years as a first grade teacher. Miss Amanda Petroia, 33 years as an English teacher. Miss Nancy Shiloh, 23 years as a custodian. Miss Mary Jane Sox, 30 years as a food handler. Miss Taria Wilson, 11 years as a German teacher. Miss Leslie Woodward, 26 years as a MUSIC TEACHER. AND MRS. SUSAN YINGLING, 25 years as an assistant secretary. Thank you everybody for all of the years that you have given to our

011students and making our schools a better place and teaching them the warrior way. Thank you. Another round of applause. You're gonna do a group. Vanessa would love a group picture of everybody. And then uh Yes. And then after the picture, board members, you're going to take a minute if you'd like to join. Alan, I wanted to walk out and kind of assuming that not all our retirees would like to stay for the entirety of the meeting. Uh you would be welcome to be dismissed, but we we'd also like to congratulate you on the way out. All right, thank you everybody. It's a a huge feat to have, you know, hundreds of years of service to our school district um in in all of those names. So, a big congratulations to all those retirees. Our next

012uh item on the agenda is the final budget presentation um from Miss Belinda Wallen. Good evening everyone. Um for you tonight, we're going to do a quick uh overview of the budget and some of the areas that did change in order to balance uh three options. >> Thank you. this one. Is this one? >> Yeah, but don't go up, go down. >> I know. >> Thank you. >> I'm always learning. Um, so before you this evening, just a quick overview from beginning to end some of the variables and the changes that occurred. Um, this particular budget is driven by special education, the comprehensive plan. Um during that process you of course we you know talked many meetings about the supervisor uh the growth in population and I'll also show those numbers again as we move

013forward. Um but also this budget uh equates for the third year of planning for ACTI's expansion and building and construction of their own facility um as a phase into our portion of that project. We've talked about social workers. This was the change from two family navigators to have two social workers which is a part of the budget. We also discussed the technology department classified position. Um the uh special education director, social workers and technology were really the only three positions that were added simply because overall the changes from the very beginning we actually eliminated four positions due to retirement attritional savings and reassignments. We had some updates to tuition account changes in relation to the charter 363 form which addressed some of the cyber tuition rates. We had um lots of changes with special education

014going from IU servicing the the u many of the programs to in-house district servicing. Um and that that also equated to some placement services changing simply because um moving away from many of the services the IU provided. Uh we needed to find some other facilities for in-house as well as outplacement of services for special education children. We had we did have a reduction in building level budgets. We had changes to the budgetary reserve. We had changes to STS service. STS stands for substitute teacher services. Um we've seen an uptick as well as next year there'll be an increase in uh the amount uh for those substitutes and we had property changes and insurance premiums. Um big significant difference here simply because a few years ago we were we were pretty much um uh not renewed

015at one one vendor and uh we seen a 50% increase in just one year because the vendor did not review us. renew is because of claims. Interesting enough, four years later, we're back with that vendor and we've seen a significant decrease in in premiums, which we're very pleased with. Um, our broker definitely did his work due diligence and in shopping the prices. Um, changes in revenue over the course of time. Um, earned income uh definitely increased. Our property assessment changes including newly identified exempt properties or changes. um are delinquents in all other revenues and changes in state revenues. Um now I will say that we are um state revenue in terms of what the governor is proposing. We are not following what the governor is proposing simply because it's not a a true number uh

016to uh pitch to. Uh so what we are currently doing is um pretty much uh at current levels of state property um and all the basic subsidy, special education subsidy, transportation subsidy. So if we knew that there was current increases in the current school year, we pro provided them into the 2627 budget. Otherwise, it's status quo simply because again we need to pass our budget before the state passes theirs and could go for extended period of time. We also had changes in the federal revenue in which we've discussed that as well. So, uh reductions in some federal revenues along the way that we had to reflect those changes in our budget as well. So, overall um you'll see as the administration recommendation has been since um a few meetings ago that we're recommending 3.5%. I

017will say 3.5% is 1% ACTI and 2 and a half% for general operating expenses. So overall it's a 3 and a.5% uh increase is what's being recommended. So our total local sources is just 56.6 million. State sources is 24.4 million. And of course our federal revenues one just slightly over a million dollars for total revenue of 82 $82 million. As you can see 68% of that is local sources. Local sources meaning taxes, real estate taxes, earned income, delinquents, um, reality property transfers, all local sources of revenue on our books. our revenue summary. This is what we've typically have shown as well as post to the website, but um this is just a quick snapshot of what the actuals were for 2425, what our current budget is for 2526 and showing local, state, and federal sources

018um as well as any of commitments using some of our committed funds um for what we are planning for. You can see the overall mill value at the top of the screen for a 2.9% a 3.5% and a 4.12%. Um the addition to this information what was Pavishi shared is we're just breaking down the actual operating percent increase versus ACTI. So we can clearly show that our commitment to the expansion of ACTI and the ability to provide programming and additional services to our students is a a definite support by um administration, by the district and by the board itself. The highlighted areas that you'll see at the bottom is um this is the assignment of capital funds. Um, and I'll talk a little bit more about that later, but I wanted to highlight this area

019because this number has changed in order to balance the budget. Oops. Um, general fund expenditures by object. No matter what percent is discussed in terms of tax revenue, 2.9, 3.5 or 4.12, the general fund expenditures are a pretty like status uh has not changed other than the changes that have occurred since the very beginning. Uh our ending salaries and benefits are 60 60% excuse me 60%. Purchase of services includes um LU special education services, transportation services, charter services. Um supplies include like the purchase of service is 24%. Which you can see the actual dollar values to the right of the screen. Um supplies is 5%. Now this is not just as I mentioned before not just classroom supplies. This is technology. This is um also some energy. So it's it's a supply in the sense

020that it serves our district in some form or another. Um other expenses is typically all principal and interest of debt. Um and uh any other areas. Uh we have no capital like uh expenditures in this budget. That all falls in our capital reserve fund which we've kind of briefly discussed before. But overall our total operating expenditures is $82.7 million. um 6% of that um according to policy would make us fall at $4.9 million and that'll be displayed in just a little bit as well. Um here is just the expense summary in just similar fashion as to the revenue comparison of the 2425 actuals uh the 2526 budget and also the the proposed 3 and a half% um draft final budget on the f third column to the right. Um, I will say that in just

021as you know, you see some red numbers at the bottom, they were changes in our fund balance. And so in 2425, we actually overspent our budget by $229,128. Um, we plan to um overspend our budget for 2526. uh that if you'll recall some of the financial forecast reports that you've seen, we've been running in the red in terms of special education as well as uh charters. Uh so this number of 1 I'm sorry um 1.8 1.6 1.6 million. That's not a surprise. Uh this is money that was set aside from unassigned fund balance. Um that was to balance the budget and the likelihood of using all of that will be very probably um a given simply because of the the special education um is really by far outpacing itself in our terms of budgeting and

022controlling costs. It's an area that we cannot control cost. Um and of course then the final general fund budget even with the three and a half three and a half% increase we're we're look the reason why you see $263,000 listed there is because we actually had to add money to our unison fund balance because it would fall below 6% even with the three and a half% increase um proposed um all right so here you know spend a little time um here we've seen this slide before so revenue equals expenditures when I mentioned about the um the addition to the fund balance. It is this column right here because we start with 4.7 um 6% of fund balance is the 82 million 6% of fund balance is $4.9 million. So um obviously you see our ending

023and our starting we need we need to be at 6%. So that is that number right here. As you can see just revenue looking at at a snapshot just revenue and expenditures for whatever um option there is there's a deficit of 900 almost a million dollars from 2.9% a little over half a million for 3 and a.5% and 4.12% is just a little under half a million dollars. Now how do we come up with those funds? Well, as before, we proposed that we do uh annually every year take a portion of the piecers committed funds and set that use those plan to use those funds for the increase in piecers as it continues to climb um our expenditure increases. So therefore, the funds that were set aside for piecers is utilized to help bring in

024it's actually bringing in a revenue source. Once the total dollars are are um expended there there will be no reserve from piecers to handle the increases. The goal hopefully by that time piecers will be on a decline or at least we'll have some sort of consistent lower number being proposed uh by piecers. Um our pieers commitment beginning balance is just over $3 million. So this uh quarter of a million dollars will just bring it slightly below $3 million. Uh the other area that we are bringing revenue in is from we had an assigned capital projects number. Um we started off with assignment from one of the slides before of 1.234367. Um so of course the only really way to balance this budget is to use some more of those signed funds. So uh out of

025excuse me I'm sorry I'm keep getting the wrong button. So again here if we if we're proposing uh the administration recommendation is obviously 3.5. So we would be using a little over half of the $1.2 million um out of this assignment which would remain um $570,853 remaining if we go with 3.5. If we go 2.9 in the um uh uh motions later, uh we are using 890,000 out of that 1.2 million, which then would leave us $331,000 of those capital reserve funds that we set aside. Likewise for 4.12. The difference here again is that number for capital assignment uh just under half a million. We would retain $818,000 of capital projects assigned funds if we were to go with that option. So um either of these options are balanced. Revenue equals expenditures. The real deciding

026factor here is how much are you feeling comfortable using of the assigned funds and for whatever option that is selected. Again, we're recommending 3.5 and just keep in mind whatever those percents there are, 1% has to be designated for ACTI. There is no option on the table to not address 1% for ACTI. We need to have that commitment a part of this budget. So, that is not even an option to consider simply because it would be the third year of a 5-year commitment and we need to continue that commitment if we're going to show our support in that entire process for ACTI. Here's our general fund by expenditures by function. As you can see, um this is what's called by function, which is not just object like what you've seen before of salaries and benefits

027and um supplies and so forth. This is by function. So this is you know instruction level services throughout the district. 57% of our district expenditures are related to instruction day-to-day um special education services. Um support services in terms of um administration andor building support level services 30%. Uh we have other financing sources 12% which is our principle and interest. Um and operation of non-instructional services just 1.7 million. This is other areas such as um student activity, uh community services, uh other like um just I'm trying to think of the the 3200 series and athletics is also a part of that object there. So this really is the breakdown of again operational total expenditure 82.7 million. One of uh our members had asked well how much cash on hand does this really leave us with our

028unassigned fund balance. So as you recall this is a slide that we showed previously and if it's based upon 0% our cash on hand which means our ability to pay expenses July and August um become almost non-existent in 2027 by the end of 27 if we were to go to 0%. um 26. We're hoping that we have at least 13 days of of uh cash on hand to make payments until tax revenue starts coming in. Um our bills go out July 1st and so a lot of our planned expenditures um are uh put on cash flow uh and cash uh analysis just to make sure that what we actually have to pay we pay. But as you go out further, you could see that uh we would be running in the major deficit based upon

0290% and no projection five-year projection on this. This is just status quo at 0%. What does 29 2.9% get us? Um you can see these these four areas here remain the same. It really changes here. So we'll have eight days at the end of 2027, four days in 28, zero and 29, and then we'll be in minus four days. Again, this is without a five-year projection. And and I mentioned to the board before that I'll gladly provide a 5-year projection moving forward with all um analysis on all the objects uh once I know what the true uh tax percentage is because um have more of an idea where we where we'll end as starting as a beginning to prepare that projection more appropriately and more realistically. Here's 3.5%. Again, it's a little slightly different from

030the slide before, but you could see it's, you know, we're we're not out till 2030 um zero days. So 2030 is it really difference between 2.9 and 3.5% and our days have slightly um are improved a little bit from the 2.9. Then of course 4.12 much better situation here. um you actually have five days in 2030. Um but again um these numbers just increased by like one uh if and for these five-year proje projections based upon total cost right now. demographics. I know we've talked a little bit about this before, but I just wanted to pro provide to the board. You know, we currently have 288 2,886 students um as our district enrollment. Now, mind you, um this is always a year to two years behind simply because this is based upon our actual reports

031that are filed with the department of ed. So, the last report that we filed was 2024. The next one that's coming due will be this October. So, we'll have 2026 and all the reporting that we do, we'll we'll benchmark off of the prior years, assuming that it'll be the same. But, as you can see, uh we slightly changed here, but we remaining pretty consistent with district enrollment over the period of time. our demographics based upon that pupil enrollment. How much it costs to educate um you for the enrollment. Um as you can see uh it's for 26 24 is 26,354 and 26 is estimated to be 27448 um as per student uh average per student. That doesn't necessarily say that it's a special education cost per student. Um as I move forward to special occasion

032we we briefly discussed this before but I have some just a little bit updated information on this. So um we have 4 as of 2024 fiscal year 428 special education students enrolled in Gettysburg which equates to a 5.6% 6% a growth historical um just on enrollment not cost. That's actually above what the state average is and above way above national average. So we have a good thing going on here for many parents um providing that we're providing the needs of the children. Um, one of the thing that's um, rather interesting is just since 2526, the current year special order enrollment is 490. It's not something that we technically planned for. It's why our special education costs are increasing. Um, approximately 60 of those numbers, 60 of 490 is out of district placement. Um, so within

033the one-year growth period itself, we had 62 new identified students in special ed. Since 2019 through 2025, the special ed function of the district which is 1,200 category has seen and rose 64.8% whereas inflation at the same time period national inflation rose 25.4%. So we're far exceeding what inflation is in terms of special education. This is an area that we cannot um change or alter in any way, shape or form because many of these services are provided that are needed and required and also um rules and legislative rules and regulations as well as requirements with PTE that uh we must provide special education service. So, while one person may say it's a runaway train, it it it technically is because you never know who's running into your moving into your district, but ultimately we have

034to provide the services for the student regardless. So, um it's not something that the board of district has a total control over um because enrollment can change daily um not just annually every year. And then of course here's the tax millage impact on 3.5%. On the average parcel um the average parcel is 279. Um 5.58 I think that's what that number is is. Yeah. So at 3.5% we would see 11236 uh for um property taxes. Um, as you'll note at the bottom, you'll have on the agenda this evening a homestead farmstead resolution to approve. Um, so even a 3.5% tax increase, uh, that Homestead Farmstead reduction, which will show on the tax bills for those residents who have been approved by Homestead Farmstead, we'll see $258.15 as a reduction on their tax bill. So, um,

035this concludes the the presentation simply because I think we've I've presentationed you to death over the last few months. Um, but if there's any questions, I'll be happy to entertain them uh for you this evening. >> Question. >> What's your uh expected revenue to be actual for this year by the end of June? >> Um, >> total Let me see if I could find that quickly, Mr. Sites, because I have the budget, but I'm not seeing the total offhand, but I am seeing that we're 2.24% above expectation right now. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I could pull the number if you like want to give me a few minutes, but um >> uh let me just clarify what that percent is. >> This majority is more earned income >> 1.58 million >> simply simply because our

036actual tax revenue is um the assessment data is declining, >> right? Um but the fortunate thing is um our declining uh we are still maintaining um the implied and collection rate of 97%. So while our assessment data went down um and our tax taxable portion um our collection rate still continues to be 97%. Which is a good thing um simply because we're still collecting the majority of the taxes and we do collect the delinquents. It's just over a period of time. Um, our earned income really has been carrying us forward. Uh, and the most recent assessment data did come down simply because there are two exemptions, major exemptions that are there that are over a million dollars exemptions. uh one is being the um um the foursquare church that used to be the former right

037a building and the other one is the um drivers that'll be turning into an exemption. So assessment yes has gone down um and also the change with the homestead farmstead has caused a slight reduction. So while we reduce the assessment value that's offset by state money. So if you know if that state money goes down, of course our assessment data also comes down as well because it's a it's a pass through revenue source. >> Okay. >> And Josh, by using the um capital funds, what's that do to your operations to future years? Historically, you've done a very good job of maintaining fac So this one time reduction in the uh in next year's capital capital plan um would not cause a significant impact if it only happens one year. >> One year. Okay. >> And

038and the budget does have 500,000 which is right slightly around the first year mark of that capital plan. >> All right. Thank you. Mhm. >> So, Belinda, with the administration's recommendation of 3.5, that does or does does it leave us a little bit short with that policy of how much we want to keep in our fund balance? >> No, the Let me go back to that slide, but no, we we've found using the capital reserve um funding stream, we this slide here, sorry. this slide here. Um, right here, we're planning on using some of the capital assignment funds. That will change, um, with 3.5. And this, we started here at 4.7 million for unassigned fund balance. We need to maintain $4.9 million to be compliant with policy. So, um, while even we're increasing 3.5%, $263,686

039needs to be added into the budget in order to keep the fund balance at exactly 6%. >> Okay. Thank you. And then all three options does include a 1% set aside for career in tech. >> That's correct. >> Thank you, >> Belinda. Does that um the 4.9 from the fund balance, does that give you enough to pay the bills for the district until you get your start getting your money back from the state and all this local money? >> Tax bills historically go out July 1st. Um we start receiving our deposits by uh July 25th. um state money never comes in on time. So we're wholly reliant on uh real estate tax funds coming in um is what we're doing. And so uh early on paying our bills, we don't necessarily put them out in

040CDs long term simply because we're trying to be cognizant of what our bills are coming due at that particular point in time. Uh so we may not always invest them early on as the tax revenue starts coming in. But but the 6% gives you enough to carry you through till all that >> stuff goes on. Okay. >> Yeah. $4.9 million. Yes. >> Just um with the projected days cash on hand. >> Mhm. >> Is that with the current uh projected expenditures or is that with a forecasted expenditures for the years out? >> That's just the current expenditures at this point. I can I would need to provide you a projected um expenditures using the percents that we have in this budget. >> Right. But but it is currently right now a s status quo on

041the current expenditure breakdown for that cash on hand. So I'm assuming that our budget will be and our expense will be the exact same as it is today for those five years until I can get that trueer projection ran for the board. >> Thanks. So just as a followup to make sure I understand that too cash on hand goes up and down in years right in past years. So these figures we're saying are not absolutes. They're just the assumption that this year is for instance 2.9% increase and if we don't increase at all in the next few years we would go we would reduce the cash on hand in those years. Is that what we're seeing? >> Yeah. For yes each one. >> Okay. Thanks. And then um you know my my goal is to

042make a responsible decision tonight. So, thank you for your patience and answering my questions. I think I might just have one more question. If we go back to that revenue equals expenditure slide, please. Or we're still there. Okay. >> Um, so I want to make sure I understand this that we're looking at um again, I'm looking at the 2.9% specifically. So, we need aboutundred $890,000 from capital projects assigned funds. We are um assured that a one-year um halt in that um would not be detrimental to capital projects. That's good to hear. But I also have a question. So I I think we have some nice to haves in our capital projects plan and I've I've mentioned this in past meetings like the LED signs in front of buildings and things like that. Can we cut

043some of those out to where we can not have to take 890,000? >> They were already cut out of this process. >> Those were already cut out. And again, thank you for your patience. >> That's how we were able to get to the 500,000 for capital projects. >> Thank you for your patience. I appreciate that. >> Sure. Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> So, explain to me again because I'm new at this with this organization. At the end of June for this past fiscal year, your budget was 70, what was it? 79 million in expenditures, which means that your revenue was matched at that point in time last year of 79 million in revenue. >> It was with the use of fund balance >> with the Okay. But then you're saying that we're running 2% 2%

044ahead in revenue. >> Mhm. Uh in terms of EIT and local real estate at that particular point currently. Yes. >> Okay. And what what amount of money is that? That's that's what I'm trying to find out. If we're having a surplus, is are there funds in the surplus that would make up for the use of capital funds? >> So, let me explain something quickly. So, if you have a surplus or revenue, but you exceed your expenditures, you don't have a surplus at all. >> Well, that's what So, what I'm saying is so you've also exceeded expenses by >> way exceeded our expenditures. So whatever surplus we're getting is being >> It's eaten up by the expenditures. >> Okay. So So that's where I'm headed for next year. >> So So if that's the trend each

045year >> Mhm. >> Okay. Well, then next year we're going to have to take from the capital fund again, possibly in a bigger chunk. >> Which then there's no money left to do it the third year. >> Where would we find it then? True point. Um, we either increase the demand, the increase the portion on the general fund, which would then look at an additional tax increase. Um, or we cut expenditures everywhere else in the district, which could be positions, could be programs, could be whatever to bring those expenditures down >> because one mill is about 380,000. >> 300. Yes. Yes. 380. So, so, so basically to fund this without using capital funds or pasers, we would actually have to increase 2% not including the ACTI. >> Correct. >> So, we actually would be at

0464.5% in order to meet our demand. >> Yeah. The index would meet our demands, but to go to you would almost you would almost need to go moving forward simply because of special education, you almost need to go to the index every year. And that's not something that I don't think we have a uh a pulse on yet. >> Right. But what's going to happen is we're going to run out of capital funds to take from >> Mhm. >> soon within I figure two years to three years. >> Yeah. It'll be ch it'll be changing the way that we conduct our capital project plan planning. Okay. um it'll it'll become a deferred maintenance type of situation is typ is typically what happens in these situations. So once the assigned funds are gone and you're not

047increasing your general fund budget for to to respond to your capital-l like needs um the the further decisions have to be made in terms of cutting programs, cutting services um and or just deferring maintenance and not doing anything uh for the next couple years. And then of course uh not sure where that will lead us other than being facility poor. >> Okay. >> So I so I think Dave you point out something uh that's kind of a serious issue. We're on a trajectory where our expenses are outpacing our revenue. And if if we take from capital reserve, uh if if we don't generate more revenue, we're going to take from capital reserve and putting things off a year or two by de delaying those things is just going to get uh it's going to get

048worse. Uh so we're we're going to have to continue delaying if we don't take some action now. And I think we're partly paying for maybe not generating more revenue in the past like last year. I'm I'm afraid. >> Yeah. >> Can I better understand? I think you just answered this, but I I need it a little bit clearer looking ahead at like so Josh is mentioning, you know, if if we keep taking away, then it would cause an impact on the capital plan in a negative way over years. um which is what they're saying as well in terms of you you mentioned putting back into the general fund putting money back that there's a way to replenish that reserve fund but I'm not clear on how. >> So right now our general fund has 500,000

049that we're going to assign over to capital reserve once it's once it's passed. It's a part of this budgetary process. We historically tried a million and every year we've brought this number down. This was an area that we were able to bring down. Um and so this piece, this uh capital project assignment really started um manifesting itself in terms of when ESSER came through, we we had excess funds coming through that we were able to take our expenditures and set them aside for a specific purpose. And so once you use specific purpose funds, >> Yeah, I get I get that. I appreciate that. The clarity I needed was the beginning part of what you said, which was there was a line item because now I'm remembering it. just right. Um there's a line item in

050the general fund to assign a certain amount of funds to that reserve fund. So looking forward knowing that we are taking from that reserve fund and decreasing what we're adding to it >> that it would behoove us in the future to be keeping that line item at its cost andor increasing it if needed for our capital reserve. Correct. >> So question. So, if you eliminated the line item, the 500,000 >> Mhm. >> you actually would have a surplus on the 4.12% by not having to take the 404 because if you if you're taking 500,000 out and you don't don't do that, then you'll be able to retain your 1.2 million in capital on assigned funds. >> Yeah. So if we take 4967 967 minus your um percent of fund balance will change, >> right? um

051it becomes your fund balance is $4.4 million. Um you take off 500,000 of expenditures. So your new your new percent of 6% changes. So yes, you would probably be close to eliminating that use of assigned funds >> and and it actually wouldn't be 4.12, it would be closer to four. >> Correct? >> So if you did four, if you got if you just took the line item out, it's six. It's balancing this way. you're take you're adding 500,000 back in to ser to add back into the assigned funds of capital. Well, if you just don't if you take that out of your budget, >> then you don't take any of the capital funds out because you're just taking from one to the other. Correct. >> And you actually end up at around 4% with a

052balanced budget and you retain your capital fund balance of 1.2 million. You retain your capital fund balance, but then you also eliminated your funding to the capital projects plan. >> Well, what >> because there's no there's no funding to the capital projects plan for a year then because you eliminated the $500,000, >> but you still have the funds in the capital budget to pull from. you have funds in the capital pro projects, but but I will say as a reminder, we are still looking at >> the administration building >> and the team room utilizing those bond fund monies up first and foremost. So, anything retaining the capital projects, capital plan will be the difference in those those projects of payment. So while the the capital reserve is sitting at one number, it's not necessarily there

053for continued um capital funding plan. Does that does that make sense? I'm sorry. Like your annual commitment to that plan um is is lost. Um and I don't know that the capital reserve plan can continue paying the way for the annual commitment of the capital plan. >> Well, that's what I'm saying. If if you want to defer for one year capital projects, do you eliminate the 500,000? >> If you want to defer one year, it's either you leave the 500,000 in and use the capital assigned funds to balance that or you take them both out on both sides. Correct. Um, but I will say that we didn't prepare a 4.0 option before you, >> but I'm just thinking on the fly here. >> Sure. Sure. >> Okay. question, Blinda. Excuse me. So, between what money

054from the federal government we didn't get or we're not getting and what the LIU is going to cost the district this coming year, do you know what that total is between those two together? >> Hold on just a second. I'll get that for you. While Belinda's looking for that, I don't know that this reminder is needed, but in case it is, um, for the flow of the agenda here this evening, this is a item for board action to vote on the budget coming up in a little bit. Um, but this is the appropriate time for questions. So, if there are things you're mulling about um that you'd like to know more about or discuss, this would be the time to do that. >> Madame President, is it is it appropriate to make a statement at

055this time? >> Sure. >> So, I'd like to do that. Um, as a school board, we have many responsibilities. as stewards of our school district and representatives of our community. Number one among them is providing for responsible funding of our schools. Over the last months, we as a board have done our due diligence and examining budget data and asking the tough questions and to uh Miss Wallen and her team's credit, they've answered them. I've come to the conclusion, and I heard someone kind of reference this tonight already, that we don't have a spending problem, we have a revenue problem. With no judgment, I remind my colleagues that previous boards, and I was on one of them, raised taxes to support the operating fund in only two of the last six years. We've been operating with

056a structural deficit. And if we are to be responsible to our school district and our community, we will raise taxes this year. If we're to be responsible, we limit raising expenditures to only what is needed. And I feel like again, Miss Wallen and her team have done a good job of being responsive to us, eliminating uh nice to haves. Dr. Master, you opened the budget season asking for a 4.2% increase. Uh Miss Wallen and her team again with very hard work have gotten that down to 3.5% tonight. I contend this is still sticker shock. Uh I I am inclined to support a 2.9% tax increase. That's 1% for ACTI, 1.9% for the Gazdy operating budget. And I do believe that's achievable by not causing significant impact uh if we use the capital project assigned funds

057as we've been assured tonight can happen. So, thank you for your consideration and listening. >> Thanks, Kathleen. It looks like your number is ready for >> 1.75.75 million. >> So, and that equates to what would that be a percentage? >> More than 1%. >> Yes. >> so part of our part of our problem isn't anything that anybody's done before. It's just things that we didn't see coming as in >> so it's it's really not prior board's issues. It's just things that have happened beyond our control um to make us have to do what we have to do now. Thank you. The two properties that you referenced house and the right aid. >> Yes. >> What's our total combined assessed value? Hold on just a second. I had it here. 2.365. >> So that's basically $258,000

058reduction. >> Yes. >> Okay. But the increase in assessed values between the rent the rental properties east and west town that are going online now and Amblebrook, we should have had a s surplus of new uh generated assessed values. >> Um so I'll just re kind of kind of summarize what we typically do in our process. So once we received updated numbers from the county, right, >> we evaluate um that projection like they we evaluate what the county indicates have permits. Not all permits will hit >> right >> taxable um as of July 1. So for example, um the number that the count I'll just give an example. The number that the county provided us is um 70 homes for Amlbrook. So we use a portion of that. So only the new homes, not necessarily

059like >> Right. Not resale. >> Correct. Um you know and so that is one portion. Um and then of course we have some other housing permits that were developed. So u Mr. forom discusses with Daryl Crumb um what the taxes that will likely come available or like likely permits that have come around um between both of them they're evaluating um the numbers that Daryl Chrome had provided would not necessarily address the known exemptions that are coming through. So um we take a projection. So whenever those numbers change, we're changing that projection simply because the numbers are being provided already had our projections in it. So we're subtracting out the projections to rechange recalibrate so to speak the the the projected off of what the numbers the updated provided to us. >> Okay? Because I'm just

060trying to I mean I respect Kathleen's um overview. Um, however, if if the assessments don't come on board to produce enough enough additional revenue because that's your only that and earned income is your revenue generator. >> Mhm. >> So, as more people move in, we potentially have more earned income, >> not all of it because a lot the larger percentage are not providing earned income. >> Correct. >> Okay. So, we're not receiving that. But if if we don't see an increase in revenue of assessed value next year, there will be no capital fund anymore. It'll be gone. True or false? >> If we had to do that, my magic ball, >> if we had to if we had if we had >> Sorry, Josh, it would be gone. >> We had to deplete it by

061890,000 again. Actually, we would have a deficit of 600,000. And um I've been a part of district before where they have put off um any sort of uh improvements to their facilities and they became very facility poor to the point where it took many years to kind of regroup and rebuild and it took loans and bonds to help do projects at that facility. >> So unfortunately and I understand Kathleen your point but because this is kind of a point of reference year from what our revenue was in the past and where we might be going in the future. My opinion is unfortunately is you got to get as close to 4% as you can get or otherwise you're going to have too much of a structural deficit to overcome next year with any new assessed

062values. it's not going to be there and then you're going to start cutting period which is not what a school district wants to do to provide the service to the students which we don't talk a lot about. We talk about bricks and mortar and we talk about supplies. We don't talk about academic programs that would have to be suffering which then ultimately suffers those children when they're our age. So everybody has to understand you may be increasing taxes to increase revenue, but what you're trying to do is to build up a person's life later on. And you can't do that with a structural deficit that we're going to see over the next two years unless you raise the taxes to meet the demand to be able to structurally write your ship for a couple years.

063And during that period of time, it would be on our administrators and yourself, unfortunately, Belinda, is to come up with a plan between now and the beginning of next year, I mean January, not wait till next June to come up with a strategy to figure out how we're going to dig out of this hole over the next 3 to 5 years. >> Yeah, it actually would start in October, November. >> Very good. Because it's going to be a hole. So, I advocate what I'd like to see happen, but reality is if you don't keep that revenue coming in for at least one or two years, it's going to be a far bigger blight to your students, three, four, and five. Okay. So looking at these percentages again, um just because I feel like this is

064worth repeating, we're looking at um each one of these has 1% already in it for ACTI. So looking at general operating at a 3.5 would be 2.5% towards general operating, 1% towards ATI. Um since we're having many conversations about the future as well, which is appropriate given uh the fiscal responsibility here, you know, over the course of the years coming down the pike. Um can you remind me this is the third year of ACTI, correct? >> This is the third year. >> So this is the third year of a 1% increase and we're committed to another two with 1% that are going directly towards ACTI. But then in theory, three years from now, uh we could just be looking at a general operating budget increase, which if we're looking at this and this is what

065we continue to fund, um you know, could be much closer to what it is that is that lower end. Um just I like to keep that in mind. Of course, that doesn't change the impact on people's uh finances now uh because the 1%'s included in there. But I think the commitment of that 1% to ACTI really is making it look like we are generating more money for the school district when in reality it is earmarked for something. So um I I am I am an advocate for you know trying to continue to fund the the programming that we have and not let our buildings fall into disrepair in the process. So, I think it is I I do hear what Dave is saying and and um would like to see it at a 2.9 eventually.

066I don't know that we're there right now. >> Belinda, I know and and I know Sean is here. I think uh with ACTI, the the 1% that the schools are putting back is great and and focused mostly on getting us uh uh a land purchase, but after the land is purchased, we're planning on building a structure. >> Correct. >> So, chances are that 1% is going to continue on indefinitely until we have a a nice career in tech structure at some point. is the I think that's what we're anticipating, right? >> So the 1% is to plan for a share of $30 million. So that is getting a share of $30 million as a baseline. Now I will tell the board that of course if the discussions are anywhere in upwards of $30 million that's

067going to a whole different conversation. And so our 1% would likely change to something higher to support that educational opportunity. >> So I have a questions I guess and a couple comments. Is is it fair to say with the LIU kind of shortening the runway um on the special ed that we've had to face? So I think you pointed out that we we kind of over spent about 1.6 6 million. Um that that's that's kind of a one time like that we we we won't expect that year over year. Correct. >> That should not occur year over year. Um our comprehensive plan was to be at least another three more years before we were bringing these items in. Um the IU's plan itself had changed. So we had to advance >> our our plan itself.

068So um this phase, if I'm not mistaken, Dr. Mats are um this phase in this transition addresses the entirety of the comprehensive plan. So um the only increase that we would see moving forward is an influx of more students being identified. >> Okay. Yeah. I mean this is my seventh budget cycle and I I think I'm just now starting to get an understanding on how school school budgeting works. Um so I mean yeah we it is kind of a rough year. We had the the LIU runway being very extensively shortened. We're losing, you said, $270,000 of federal funding. Um, so yeah, I think you guys have done a great job on in terms of budgeting revenues to expenses and I I think you're 3.5% is pretty in line for I think what we're looking at.

069Are there any other comments or questions for our for Belinda and the board um on this final kind of budget presentation? Okay. Hearing none, um we're going to move on for now to citizens participation. Dr. Murray. >> Thank you, Madame President. Uh we have three people that have asked to address the board this evening. We'll start with Mr. Walter Glass. I guess I'm on. Hello. I spoke at the last meeting. My name is Walter Glass. I am a citizen of Adams County and pay school taxes to the GASD. Using district details from the National Center for Education Statistics 2024 2025. Okay. I find that the GSD had approximately 2,846 students. So I wondered how many teachers were employed at similar similarity similar enrolled districts. First, in the state of Pennsylvania, the average number of teachers

070was 166 in the nation. Second, in the nation, the average number of teachers was 180 in in in the GASD, the number of teachers was 211. Other school districts with similar enrollment employed less faculty than we did. And in addition to the 211 faculty members, we also had a support staff of 187. We are clearly topheavy for district administrative support with 89 employees. It is very I'm sorry. It is it is relevant that we have too many employees for the number of students we serve giving us a teacher or student ratio of 1 to 13 1 to 14. Please keep in mind that the state of Pennsylvania suggests an ideal ratio of 1 to 20. tough things we may have to do and perhaps unpopular decisions must be made. My suggestion is one, reduce staff.

071I'm sure you have all heard about Lancaster School District with a $35 million deficit. They made the tough decision to approve furloss and cut for cuts for some staff members. They have approximately 10,000 with a ratio of 12 1 to 12. Imagine we have less we have less than that than less than a third of the enrollment. Reminder approximately 2,846. So we have okay and a ratio of 1 to13. It is obvious that we have too many employees. The pie shark chose it. Number two, freeze any salary increases. We just don't have the money. You're saying it yourselves. We don't have the money. Where are we going to get it? I don't know about you all, but my wallet's emptying and yours is going to be too. Three, slightly increase property taxes to 1%. So

072that is not a burden on the senior population. If these tough decisions are not made, we will become another Lancaster having to cut to the bone rather than cut the excess fat. I don't need to say anymore. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Walter. Next, we have uh Pat Furlow. Pat, did I did I pronounce that correctly? >> Sure, that's good. Hello, my name is Pat Furla. I'm another resident of Amblebrook. I've been here a couple times. Basically, uh I agree with uh Bill Glass. The studenttoteer ratio in Gettysburg area school districts is ridiculous. my teacher, my granddaughter teaches down in Baltimore County in in Maryland. Uh they just told them that they will be required to have a studenttoteer ratio of 30 30 students per classroom to accommodate budget difficulties down there. I

073was looking at the uh studenttoteer ratio at the high school here that looks like a college 14 to1 and you tell me you can't consolidate classes to make room for ACT. Doesn't make too much sense to me. There should be plenty of room for consolidation of classes, reduction of staff, and room to expand ACT into the existing building that's over there. Now you keep approving projects that are great. ACT is a good program, but you talk about a million dollars this year and next year for ACT. Well, that doesn't count for the building of the building or the uh population of students and teachers and busing the kids to the new ACT building, wherever you decide to build it. You got to get your corporate entities here in Adams County involved in helping out with

074ACT if that's what you want to do. You got to be able to populate the classrooms with equipment and uh be able to keep that equipment running. Then you got to get teachers to run that equipment, teach the students. Uh, Adams County has a lot of industry that would be more than happy to probably help populate and fund the project. You just got to get somebody out there to solicit it. Uh, those various projects that you were talking about in earlier meetings about LED signs and such for schools and they're really nice. I had an electrical sign company for 50 years. I know all about it. I used to sell them. Well, that's another project that you're going to be spending money for year after year after year because they break down. You need service

075contracts. That's going to be more money. So, you talk about problems this year. Well, in about what, two more years, you're going to have to be dealing with the uh new teacher contract. I'm sure they're going to want more money, maybe more teachers. You're going to have ACT, you're going to have a teachers contract along with all the other problems that we have right now that you can't afford. I do not believe you will be able to keep the buildings in Gettysburg Area School District up to par. let the students have the quality education that they're getting now and be able to fund them in future years to come without killing us over school taxes. I can tell you for a fact, I have talked with several people in Amblebrook that are moving in that

076have decided uh Delaware is a much better place to move to, get the same amenities, less taxes, and they prefer to move there rather than come here because they've seen tax increase for the past I've been here for three years and I can see that tax increase moving into the future for at least the next 7 to 10 years. A lot of us over in Ambleore probably won't live that long to see this building act put together, but that's just my opinion. You can take these words to heart because look to the future. You don't have the funds now, you won't have the funds in the future. Thank you. >> Thank you, Pat. And our final speaker, uh, I am struggling to make out the name, but the topic is America PA250. I I apologize.

077Uh, introduce yourself if you don't mind before you start. >> Anita Adam, thank you. I'm sorry. Like Adams County. >> Thank you. Um, I'm here tonight just to talk about a minor thing that hopefully I can get a quick resolution on. Um, my son is the developer of Unity Park. I'm here in proxy for him. He's in Texas working. Mr. Massner and I have gone back and forth a number of times. Um the director of facilities and his crew have done a wonderful wonderful job taking care of Unity Park, but it is in need of a little bit of repair and right now not such an important thing with everything going on. I get it. Um it's just a th000 or $2,000. I have some receipts here I'd like to leave with someone. Um did

078talk to you in November. Sent the receipts. We were supposed to have a meeting. We were supposed to have a board meeting with the president. Keep calling, keep emailing. We've gone back and forth. Just want to figure out who to give these to and how to get them in the expenses officially. Um, is there somebody here I can give these to? >> I certainly can take them. Uh, I know that in the emails that I had sent to you, uh, we did talk about what the district does as far as upkeep at the park. Yes. Um, and I know that there was some, um, uh, I guess grants that were talked about and and but those grants had nothing to do with the school district itself. So, I know Josh might be able to speak

079to this as well. I know that, um, you know, what we've done with the with the park and the upkeep of what the district is required to do has been done, >> right? Um, and it has been done and you're correct about all of that for the last 10 years. We are at a 10 11 year mark. It is America and PA250. We just have a small amount of things. Again, we're not talking about a lot of money. It's probably $2 or $3,000. We have the receipts here. I know I've emailed several copies. I'd like to leave them again for you to review. >> Absolutely. >> Um and I guess I do have a second question. Um it's a resolution to this problem actually. So, um, in the process of trying to keep this project

080looking so well and for anyone who's not familiar with this, Unity Park is an educational park that Dr. Reading agreed to put in in the age of telecommunications and cell phones. The park talks about how communications was during the Civil War, which is so relevant to Gettysburg. Um, the park talks about the role of young people in being involved in their community, in their country, very important these days. The park also talks about a message of hope for the future, unity, coming together, putting aside differences, and coming together. The park is used by the battlefield guides, the national park, the n the uh town guides, etc., etc., etc., who are constantly in touch with us telling us they're using the park. And I know it's used economically by a lot of businesses. They start tours

081and things there. Um, I found out in November that there was a grant applied for to revitalize Unity Park. And it kind of scratched my head. Can you hear me? Um, kind of scratched my head because the economic arm that's supposed to be developing jobs and businesses in Gettysburg applied for a grant to revitalize Unity Park. Okay. They got a grant just for $3,950. We're going to say $4,000. Um, not a piece of mulch was moved in Unity Park. Not a single piece of mulch was moved in Unity Park. So, I did some research and um, I have an application in uh, March of 20 March, I'm sorry, 22nd of 2025, the grant was applied for. Um, Mr. Reynolds did a letter in support of this grant in March as well. Um, in May 2025,

082there was an award given for Unity Park revitalization. So, if the money would have gone to revitalizing Unity Park, I wouldn't be here and we wouldn't have this as a budget issue. Um May 6th, Gettysburg Times did a lengthy article about Unity Park revitalization happening. And on August, I'm sorry, July of that same year, we switched from Unity Park to Alumni Park and a volunteer project of revitalizing Alumni Park. A final report was made of the grant dollars for Unity Park in August 7th and it detailed where the money was supposed to be spent in Unity Park, but it wasn't spent in Unity Park. So, the story went that we got the parks confused. I know that that is not the truth because I know that Mr. Reynolds knows the difference between Unity Park and

083Alumni Park. And there was a lot of paperwork put in place with Larry Reading on the difference because Unity Park was on what is it Wayne Wright and Lef Fever and Lef Fever and Baltimore is um is alumni. Um kind of disappointed at how things are unfolding here and would really like to try to get some resolution. Here's money that be could be used to keep the park in Gettysburg really nice for this upcoming anniversary. um said there was $1,100 spent in Alumni Park on trash cans. I didn't see any new trash cans in Alumni Park. Said there was $2,200 in Alumni Park for composite material. I'm obviously not an expert in composite material, but there's not been $2,200 spent in Alumni Park. So, there was a $4,000 grant given. Not a penny was moved

084to revitalize. Not a single thing was done to help Unity Park at all. Very, very little money was spent at Alumni Park. I just can't seem to get answers on where the money went. >> Yeah, Miss Adams, thank you for bringing all this information here. It's it's clear you've been talking with our district administration about it. This is the first at least in to me that I'm hearing about it. So, um, we can certainly what you've brought would be helpful information. Uh, and then we can we can continue to talk about it and reach back out. >> We we absolutely can. >> Yeah, you can ask a question. You can ask a question. >> Yeah. Thank you. Uh give me >> thanks for coming. >> Hold on, Dave. One minute. I would like to just

085say one final thing. We are at the end of the time that you have to talk about the issue. So that's why I'm I'm asking that you give us that information. Um but Dave, you can ask her a followup question. >> Who applied for the grant? >> Jill Sers applied for the grant through Main Street Gettysburg. But the funny thing I left out for you, sir, is that Caleb Sellers, uh, right in the middle of all of this wanted to go ahead and do another project in Unity Park. So, you know, connect the dots and what happened, but I can't get an answer to where the money is. >> You talk to Jill. >> Of course, I did. >> Well, well, did she receive the grant to their organization? >> Not only did she receive

086the grant, she did a report on where the money was spent, sir. >> Right. >> But the money's not there. So she her organization controlled the funding. >> That's correct. >> Okay. Thank you. >> But their organization says, "Oh, it's not my problem. You need to talk to the school board. It's their property." And what I get from the school board is, "Oh, well, it's our property, but we're not involved in the grant." I don't understand how you can't be involved in the grant. Do you still own Unity Park? Yes. You Someone applied for a grant and none of the money was spent there. Where did the money go? >> Well, that's the funding went to Main Street. That is where the funding should be identified. >> Okay. So, here's the problem I have. Sir,

087my >> my son is >> Ma'am, I if you want to leave you leave those papers with us. >> We'll we'll take them. >> I I did this in November and I couldn't get you to return my calls or my emails to >> So, first of all, like I just would like to make a comment on that. I know you had sent me an email. You in your email you mentioned the two or three other times that you had sent emails to me, right? And I told you that I don't know if it was your husband or somebody else that I responded twice and you in your email you told me that you didn't know I had responded. So I don't my son moved. >> Sure. Understood. >> We were supposed to meet with the

088but I did respond to him twice. >> Yeah. We were supposed to meet and and your response is it's not my problem. I don't know where the money went. So what I'm saying is you could have this park and probably Alumni Park revitalized if you knew where the $4,000 was. >> We're understanding what you're saying. I'm going to I'm going to I'm I apologize, but I'm going to finish this conversation so that we can actually talk as a board. Um because this is the first we're hearing of it, but please leave your materials. Um you can bring them up to me. Um I I hear that you don't feel heard. So, thank you for coming and talking to us about it and uh bringing it up. >> Okay, let me get you the responses. Here

089you go. >> Thank you. >> I think we have to say what are we teaching our kids? Money was who do I give this to? >> You can bring it up to me. That's fine. Thanks. Um, yeah, there's clearly a lot of miscommunication with the people who are applying for the grant as well. >> A lot of money that's missing that can't be found. >> Sure. >> Um, got it. Thank you. Thank you for bringing that to our attention. Um, we are going to move on to our routine approvals. Uh, with unless I hear otherwise from the board, we're going to kind of take it as a big chunk. Uh, 5.1 all the way down to 511. It's a lot of routine approvals. Our agenda, our board meeting minutes from May, our um authorization for

090the superintendent to hire over the summer. Um while while all of the new hires are happening over the summer, year-end budget transfers, approval of the depositories, athletic game help rates, facility use hourly labor rates, exonerate elected tax collectors, approve the solicitor, our annual auditor agreement, approval of the consulting physician contract, substitute teacher service agreement, red rover absence management system, and our HR recommendations. Um, looking for a 5.1 down to 514 motion unless >> Yep. Scrolling down. Thank you. As it's that long. 5.1 down to 515. Thank you. Um, as one motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Do you have to pull something out? >> Oh, my apologies. Could you pull out the substitute teacher? >> Yes. Yes. So, Al, can you just make your motion pulling out substitute teacher, please? >> Yep. >> Um

091I uh >> revise your motion. >> I I would like to revise my motion to approve everything except for uh 5.13, we'll pull that out separately and vote on it separately. >> Whoever whoever gave that second, if they agree. Yeah. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. Apologies, Donna. I didn't I didn't see you over there. Um any discussion on 51 to 515 uh without 513? >> I have a question. Go ahead. >> 5 uh5 HR recommendation. Can we just be reminded of the proposed salary increase for act 93 personnel, the business manager, HR coordinator, assistant superintendent and classified staff is a contractual obligation. Is that correct? >> The increase itself. >> Yes. And what is that increase? >> What percentage? >> Percentage was 3.95. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions on those items? >>

092And to reiterate, I mean that is a contractual obligation that we have agreed to previously. >> Correct. For the act 93 contract. >> Appreciate that. >> Yep. >> Hearing none, uh, we'll take a vote. Kathleen, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. Mike, >> yes. >> Tim, >> yes. >> Al, >> yes. >> Ryan, >> yes. >> Justine, >> yes. >> Dana, >> yes. >> And I vote yes. Uh, now we're looking for a motion for the approval of the substitute teacher service agreement 513. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any uh comments or questions on 513? >> Hearing none, we'll take >> Sorry, just go ahead. I I don't have much detail about the substitute ser uh teacher service agreement. Um and it it does seem uh just a little opaque at this point in

093terms of what we're agreeing to if it's um an issue of salary. And so it might be a question for Morgan in terms of rates. >> So it is not an issue of salary. This is an agreement that we have with the company that provides all of our substitutes that we have currently. It's a two-year contract that we have approved. We've been with them for quite some time. >> So, it's essentially a contract renewal, >> correct? >> Okay. >> Any other questions? >> Okay. Hearing none, we're going to take a vote. Dave, >> yes. >> Mike, >> yes. >> Tim, >> yes. >> Al, >> yep. >> Ryan, >> yes. >> Justine, >> yes. >> Donna, >> abstain. Kathleen, >> yes. and I vote yes. All right, we are moving on to our items for

094board action. We are starting with 6.1 which is the adoption of the general fund budget. So this is our um budget vote for this evening. As um you board members can see on the agenda there's there are the three options listed there. So um if you are to make a motion then it would be for one of those specific percentage increases um to vote on. Right. uh the the 3.5, the 2.9, or the 4.12. Um 3.5 is the district's um recommendation. >> Looking for a motion for 6.1. >> I make a motion that we follow the administration's recommendation to adopt a 2627 general fund budget with a 3.5% real estate tax increase. >> Second. discussion or um comments on 6.1. >> Okay, hearing none, we'll take a vote on the 3.5% as the tax increase.

095Mike, >> yes. >> Tim, >> yes. >> Al, >> yes. >> Ryan, >> yes. >> Justine, >> no. Donna, >> no. >> Kathleen, >> yes. And I vote yes. >> Sorry, Dave. >> Dave, go ahead. >> No. >> Thank you. All right. The motion passes. Um, we're going to move on to 6.2, which is establishing taxes. So this is based on our prior vote that we take action on request to establish the taxes to support the general fund budget with a 3.5% increase. Looking for a motion for 6.2. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion on 6.2. >> Yeah, this is a Can you clarify what are we voting on? >> Absolutely. So this is a required vote after we adopt the general fund budget to vote on increasing the taxes. So based on um

096>> accomplish >> correct >> got it. Okay. >> Thank you. Good question. Any other questions? >> Okay. Hearing none. Uh Tim, >> yes. >> Al, >> yes. >> Ryan, >> yes. >> Justine, >> no. >> Donna, >> no. >> Kathleen, >> yes. >> Dave, >> no. >> Yes. >> Mike, thank you. Tim. Oh, wait. I started with Tim. See, now I'm including extra people. Sorry. And I vote yes. All right. That motion passes as well. Um 6.3 is the resolution for the homestead and farmstead exclusion that we're discussing and taking action on a resolution establishing the homestead farmstead exclusion based on the approved budget uh that we just passed. Looking for a motion. So >> moved. Second. >> Any questions or comments? Hearing none, we'll start a vote. Al >> yes. >> Ryan, >> yes.

097>> Justine, >> no. >> Donna, >> yes. >> Kathleen, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> Mike, >> yes. >> Tim, >> yes. >> And I vote yes. All right, we're moving on to 6.4. Um, each fiscal year we nominate and elect a board treasurer and I will open the floor for nominations for treasure. The current treasur is Tim. >> Do it again. >> I I would like to nominate Mr. Tim Sigman. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any other nominations? >> Hearing none. Uh, all those in favor of Tim Sigman being treasurer, I think we can just do it by saying I. >> I. >> Great. Congrats, Tim. All right, we are moving on to our information items for this evening. Uh, I know that Sean is here to answer questions and up give any

098updates on um the ACTI land purchase update. So, why don't you come on up? >> Welcome. >> Thank you. Uh good evening everyone. Uh first of all, thank you very much for your support of ACTI and uh in yourformational packet. There was a memo that we sent out uh several weeks ago about uh land purchase for a potential ACTI building project in in the future. And I'm just here to answer any questions you may have on that memo. >> Does anyone have questions for him? >> Yeah. Uh Sean, I know uh um things are not definitive yet. There's still a a few things that have to be worked out. How how close just how close are we? >> Uh well, we we are in a kind of a traffic study phase right now. Uh that's

099one of the due diligence items we're working on. We just got the final signatures on the contract offer and counter offer. So, um, now that that is completely signed, we're looking for documents from the owners of any other work that has taken place, like wetland delineation or anything like that. There was a pretty major traffic study in that area a year or two ago. Um, so we have that information. So, we're just kind of waiting for some additional documents to come in to see what else we may need to do during the due diligence period. And Sean, I would just like to say on a personal note, congratulations on your uh I think you're serious about retirement this time and for helping to get ACTI to this um landmark case or or this situation that

100we're in. So, it's uh it's it's great to see progress being made. >> Thank you. I think you all know I could talk for hours on the benefits of career and technical education and why we should have it in Adams County, why we should have more of it, and the fact that our students have not had the same opportunities as students in other counties for the last 50 plus years. So again, thank you for your support of ACTI. And just very briefly, since you mentioned my retirement, I'd like to introduce Dr. Tony Payne. He will be the next director of ACTI. He's with me here tonight. So, uh, I'll let you introduce yourself real quick. >> Yeah. No, I mean my name's Tony Payne. Uh I come from Huntington County, was a director there for

101for seven years and prior to that Fulton County. Um so I was quite familiar with different CTC's and how they work. Um I'm excited to be here and look forward to kind of moving this project forward. So and I just had my knee replaced so I apologize. Question for you both. So when you do a traffic study, you have to anticipate the size of your physical structure with the amount of people per square foot. >> How many square feet is your building? >> We are doing the traffic study based on our feasibility study recommendation of 142,000 square feet and about 600 students. Uh that would double our current seven programs to 14. And uh we of course would need additional teachers for those programs. So >> does that include your expansion in following years in

102the traffic study? >> Uh not at this point. No. It's it's just based on the feasibility study numbers. >> Do you have an anticipated cost for per square foot for the 142,000 square ft? >> Uh I don't know that exactly. Um I'm not an architect or a builder. Well, I mean they they probably have a budgetary number. >> They're looking somewhere around 70 million. >> That's what I thought. Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions for the two of them while they're here and welcome. Nice to meet you. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Thank Thank you. >> All right. Great. Thank you both so much. Um, a reminder to the board since this is an action uh, sorry, an information item this evening that that will be um, up for board action on our

103June 15th meeting. Moving on to uh, 7.2 approval process for the 5-year capital plan project. We had talked about this a little bit in the past, brought it up on um, the agenda to discuss uh, the process we use for this. And I know Dave had had some ideas about um aiming to approve items when we approve the capital plan uh at certain cost points or not to exceed a certain cost point. Um I don't know if you want to talk about that now, Dave, and bring it up since it's here for information. >> Well, the process uh seems like to be a revolving door. Um Josh probably has specific pro projects that he wants to accomplish in a given year. And if if there's budgetary monies for that and they don't exceed the estimated

104uh cost, Josh should be able to move forward and go ahead and implement the process rather than it coming back every time for each individual project to be reapproved over and over again. Now, when we're looking at that, just as a follow-up question there, with the intention, would that be for the So, when we approve it, we're approving for that next year, and then there's those other following years that are less delineated. It would be for that following year, the functional year of what is being built. >> We're not going to approve three years from now. It's what's what he needs at this point in time. >> Yeah. Basically, whatever is funded. >> Yep. >> Through the budget approval process. And it would only come back if it were a different price point after looking

105into it than what was approved. >> That's correct. Yeah. >> I I I kind of like that idea, but with a caveat. I I think in terms of looking at the 5-year capital improvement plan, and I think we've discussed it on this board several times, you should take things like envelope repair, like things that that have to be done to maintain the integrity of the buildings, and they should be in one category. and some of the stuff like the electronic signs or redoing basketball courts or stuff like that should be an ancillary category. Um, and then you know have that the the the building envelope category something that that Josh once once we approve it and budget for it and the funding is there that he could just go ahead and take care of it.

106But I do like having I do like having the ability that when the projects come due, the board can assess at that time, do we want to spend the money on that? Because you never know when when something like covert or LU or something comes up funding wise that we may need to reallocate funds. >> Just for the prioritization part, meaning like things that are that are maybe not necessary right now versus things that are >> Yes, correct. >> Need to be um fixed. >> Any other comments, questions, Ryan? I also like the idea, but I feel like it um is maybe shouldn't be anchored to a fixed amount in that there's some years where our variance is is higher than others. And if we have unexpected expenditures showing up that, you know, are are

107not anticipated but are in the audit, then we we need to be able to be responsive to it. So it might be a way to think about how to take error or standard deviation or whatever of of our anticipated versus actuals in into account um in order to to have some reasonable price tag per year rather than a fixed amount. >> Any other thoughts on 7.2? This is also something that then would be coming up for board action next meeting at our June 15th meeting. Okay, hearing none. If you have any uh further questions about that in the meantime, I'm sure um Josh would be willing to answer those uh to clarify for the 15th. Moving on to 7.3 information item, girls wrestling cooperative sponsorship with Shalom Christian. uh entertaining an agreement for cooperative sponsorship.

108Um Cody, would you like to speak to that a little bit? >> So, Shalom Christian Academy out of Chambersburg reached out with interest in a girls wrestling co-op. Um because they're a private school, but since they take Chambersburg's boundary, um we can co-op with them because we're touching school districts touch. Um currently, it's one student that's interested in wrestling, but obviously could be more if this is something we were to do. questions. Mike, go ahead. >> I'm assuming this would be similar to the football co-op like >> correct. Yes. Yes. Identical with the price sharing model we use for football and cheerleading. >> Cody, are you are you in support of this? >> I am. Yep. >> So, Madam President, we'll vote on this at the next meeting. Is that right? Will we actually see

109a copy of the agreement? Yeah, there is there is a link to it under administrative contact contain link. >> That's okay. Yeah, we can make sure you have it before. >> Any other comments or questions to >> Does Petersburg not have a girls wrestling team? >> They do have a girls wrestling team and don't quote me on this, but I believe they don't do co-ops because of the size of their district. >> Okay. I was just wondering why. >> Any other questions? Great. Thanks, Cody. Um, moving on to 7.4 information item, food service meal prices. Any questions or comments about that? Looking to be just an increase to costs um for meal prices for next school year. >> Just one quick question. Go ahead, Ryan. I mean, you hear free and reduced lunch. Uh, does

110the reduced fees also um match these increases? I mean, I wouldn't anticipate them to to match it, but proportionally. Uh, Nick, I'm going to throw that over to you. Do the reduced will there be an increase in the reduced fees as well? So the um as far as uh reducedric meals um there'll be no increase uh next year and reduced price meals. Reduced price meals will be considered free based on eligibility status. >> Thank you Nick. >> And Nick we get we get reimbursed for those uh free and reduced meals. Am I right? Correct. Yeah. The pre the uh reimbursement rates for the 26 27 school year has not been published yet. We should we should see them um post July 1 uh the new rates for the school year. But uh we do get

111funding uh state and federal for uh all three status paid reduced and uh free. >> Do you anticipate they'll uh go up a little bit that our reimbursement will be a little better? >> We do. We do anticipate the rates will be going up again. >> Yes. Any other questions for 7.4? Okay, hearing none. I do not believe there are any legis PSA legislation updates and we already heard about ACTI. So, moving on to our program reports. Dr. Massner. >> Yes. Uh actually speaking uh on our food service program. Um we do over the summer have our seamless summer food service program which is returning again this summer providing free breakfast and lunch to children throughout the community. Kids up to age 18 and Gastian enrolled students with disabilities up to age 21 can enjoy

112free meals uh regardless of their economic status or school district. Uh this as it was last year will be held Monday through Thursday from June 17th through August 6th with inerson lunch from 11:30 to 12:30 in the cafeteria at Gettysburg Area Middle School. Uh also I would like to just mention obviously we had graduation last week. We had 18 students from the high school this year took the Pennsylvania Seal of Biiteracy exam uh which is the largest group of participants the high school has had in the short history of offering that exam. And I'm happy to say that 11 members of the class of 26 earned that seal in Spanish, French, and German, showcasing years of dedication and commitment to global learning. So to congratulate them, uh, and would also like to just say one

113more time, as I said it last Wednesday evening, I would like to congratulate the entire class of 2026. >> Dr. McFarland, go ahead. >> Evening everyone. Uh, last Tuesday we held our final new staff induction event. I'd like to thank our new staff members for their continued dedication to our students as well as our staff and send an extend an extra thank you to our instructional coaches, new mentor teachers and building administrators for their extra support on boarding our new staff members. Also on last Tuesday, it was a big day. Uh during the day, Miss Wallen, Dr. Lappy, and myself met with federal program monitors who thoroughly evaluated our programs. Um in my opinion, it was a very worthwhile and valuable learning experience. Um, previously at our federal programs conference, there were three school districts

114across the state of PE Pennsylvania that were recognized of as of h having zero findings during this monitor process. Um, while in its initial phases, I think we might be added to that list of having zero findings. Um, we're waiting to hear back from the state from that to confirm that, but that's the way it seemed. Um, this is a testament to the top-notch work from Miss Wallen from a fiscal aspect, Dr. Lappy who was monitored by our school aspect and really all of our building administrators and school level teams across our district. Um sadly while this will likely not result in a funding increase for us, it does show the compliance to regulations and continued positive supports uh for our students, our families, and our staff. >> Great. Thank you so much for that

115update. Um I know that uh Oh, yeah. Go ahead, Dave. I was going to say something too. Anda, could you for the next meeting because we have to vote on the ACTI could we've heard that the estimate 70 million for the building portion. Can we also get an estimated cost for site work and equipping uh putting equipment in the facility for that size of a building? >> That that would be a question for Sean. So we can or to obtain it from them. I don't know who who obtains it. >> Oh yeah, we can send we'll send an email. >> Very good. Thank you. Um, I would like to extend also a congratulations to all of the graduates of this uh 2026 class. Um, I know that uh Mr. Dickerson, uh, Miss Pratt, Dr. Moyer,

116and I were at graduation. We had a good time. Uh, congrats to the high school team for for pulling another another great graduation off as well. Um, and a big congratulations to all the staff and students um, who just finished wrapped up another successful school year. Our next um meeting will be here in the boardroom on Monday, June 15th at 700 p.m. Could I get a motion to adjurnn? So move. >> Thank you.