April 28, 2025 LASD Board Meeting

001[Music] Good evening. This evening for the pledge we have students Jake Bennett and Charlie Traman from second grade. Jake and Charlie, could you come up? Please rise. Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Please remain standing for a brief moment of silence. Thank you. All right, Jake. Thank you so much. You are more than welcome to stay for the entirety of we also will not be offended if you decide to depart. Have a great evening. All right. Call the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Uh, item 1.3, meeting announcements. An executive session was held on March 24th at 6:30 for personnel and legal discussions. A board meeting was held on March 24th at 700

002p.m. An executive session was held on April 14th at 6:30 p.m. for personnel and legal discussions. A workshop meeting was held on April 14th at 7 p.m. An executive session was held on April 28th at 6 p.m. for personnel and legal discussions and a board meeting uh is being held now April Jean Morrison Mr. Richards Miss Barbara Bose here Mr. Mr. Dwayne here. Mr. Jeremy GL present. Mr. Sean Gav, Miss Heather Ne, Mrs. Carrie Sitler, and Miss April Walker here. Thank you. Moving on to item 1.5, presentations and recognition the nutrition group. Hi. Hello everyone. It's nice to see everyone again. Thank you for allowing me to present this evening. Thank you for the snack. Oh, you're very welcome. I didn't have a dinner. So, they were actually part of um Nicole did a wellness

003Wednesday nutrition every day um presentation with the students that they were the children got to make. So, this is our midyear update. Um I just kind of want to take you through a little bit of the highlights of what we've done this year in the cafeteria. So, as you can see, Nicole kicks off the year. We start with our professional development training. Um, our professional development training is required by PDE. And um, we do that every August. Then we have our opening meeting. This spring, we'll also be doing a survey for the food handler as well as every June we host a a survey for the manager meeting as well. And that'll be also in June. Okay. And then just some highlights, kicking it back off, kicking the school year back off. Um, we had

004some open houses where Nicole was able to promote the open promote the C program, the breakfast program, and then we also do nutrition for life, which introduces the students to the cafeteria, usually kindergarten and first grade. It's a three-day event. Throughout the year, we also have some fun themed highlights, as you can see, that Nicole likes to do with her staff. Um, we had National School Breakfast and Lunch Week. There's always holiday events. We have the parents lunchons. Each grade is allowed to bring parents to lunch. That's another great way to promote the program within the district. And then, of course, we have our signature TNG promotions like Molly the Cat. This year, and most recently, um, we did a snack. Nicole and our corporate dietitian Lynn Cesarini did a snack attack where the students

005got to come to the table and create a healthy snack. And they were taught the benefits of choosing wisely when you're going to have a snack. Earlier in the year, they did a vary your veggie promotion where the students created a salad shaker and they were able to sample that and then create their own um delicious vegetables. U Nicole and Lynn, our corporate dietitian, also contributed to a successful administrative review. It's a five-year cycle that the PDE and USDA do. It's with the cafeteria program as well as other parts of the um administrative process for the cafeteria and there were no corrective actions or technical assistance from the cafeteria. So, they did an excellent job of doing that as well. We also have customer engagement as part of our cornerstone of what the nutrition group

006does. Yak meetings, youth advisory council meetings are very important to us and I know that we like to get the student feedback and utilize that in menu planning. Nicole's done several of those this year as well. And then feature faves or limited time options programs are back again this year and they'll be back again next year. our corporate chefs, our dieticians, and our um our Herbert chefs, our dietitians put these recipes together to make sure they're compliant. But there's a new fun spin on everyday items. Some are entree items, some are all a cart items, but they're here today, gone tomorrow, and if the kids really like them, then we bring them back. Then each month we have a food service report that Nicole provides to everyone and we kind of wrap up what we're

007doing in the cafeteria kind of at a glance of what happened you know the month previously when we look at your participation um as we go into budget development we look these are your March averages participation and we look at what was your 23 24 year as well as your current year and then what we're going to budget for next year and as You can see your breakfast and lunch are well ahead of your budget. Your all part is slightly below budget, but that's really not hurting your bottom line at all. So, it's it's only about $174 off a day. So, and it's not really impacting you negatively at all. As you can see, six 32% of your students participate in your breakfast program and 66% 65% uh participate in your lunch program. When we

008look at your year-to- date revenue, you can see that your reimbursements are over are over your budget as well as your cash sales are over budget as well. So, we take this and we look at we we're going to compare your revenue. So, we take your actual revenue from 2324, what was projected for 2425, and then what we're going to put in your budget for 2526. So, as you can see, your cash is projected and your budget for next year is about the same, but your reimbursements are up by about $14,000. So, it's a better bottom line for 2526 for next year. And then as we move into 2526, we want to make sure that we are fulfilling our promises to you. So, we want to make sure that we're hitting our allocar breakfast and

009lunch marks. There's several challenges that we'll be facing next year as well as this year with all the cart. It's the higher cost of goods which limits student spending. So our chefs and our dieticians, they try to find new new allocart items that are program compliant and smart snack reliant. Our breakfast program, we can always look to increase that. We want to make sure that as many students as possible are taking advantage of the universal 360 breakfast program. And then for lunch next year, the guidelines for USDA for sodium, sugar, and whole grains are changing. Again, sodium and sugar are going to be reduced. Whole grain is going to be increased. So, it's always a challenge to find products and recipes that the students like within these guidelines without sugar, more without sugar, with less

010salt and all whole grains. But we do student taste testing and they just concluded it with a bunch of new products that our chefs and our purchasing department have put together and our dietitian has analyzed. So then when we create your budget, we look at all the possible sources of revenue and they're basically your reimburseable meals. We want to make sure that we're capturing as many of those as possible. We want to see as many students eating as possible. We want to make sure your allocart sales are positive in the district. obviously your special function sales that we continue our partnerships with Shine and that your CACF after school program continues to maintain with your expenses. Operating costs are generally your highest cost. Food, paper, and cleaning cost. Uh food this year was budgeted at

011a 5% increase. Paper and cleaning were budgeted at an 8% although with the recent tariffs we're starting to see more of a climb to 10, but we're holding steady at the 8% that we budgeted. and we'll just make sure to be diligent with managing our operating expenses wisely. Um then everything else was raised by the CPI which was 2.9 this year. So that's really the cafeteria in a nutshell for 24 or 2526 as well as going into 2526. Does anyone have any questions about the cafeteria program this year or next year? I was just wondering um you have the average daily participation broken down by breakfast and lunch. Do you have an app for a town by building? I can get that for you. Yeah, that would be an awesome thing. Absolutely. They're taking the

012chemical dyes out of the food. How is that going to impact what you do while they are and the kids eating it and the kids eating it? Well, yes, they are moving to red dyes and things like that. I'm sure our chefs and our dietitians will come up with a creative way to make sure that it's so a eye appealing. As you know, we eat with our eyes. So, you know, I know that there's the caramel and the and the ketchup is being removed, things like that. So, they'll find other ways to make it um eye appealing and tasteful. Well, I know it's across the board, too. It's not going to buy anything with that stuff after, you know, the transition. Um but you know how kids are. We do know how kids are. So,

013um, and and we take and that's why we take their feedback. And I know a lot of the products that we've we we partner with manufacturers that create things or produce things specifically for the K to2 industry. So we take the products that they're giving us and we take them out across the state of Pennsylvania and they choose x amount of schools and they take these products and they the children sample them and then we they bring back the feedback and they whittle them down a little bit a little bit more and more to see what's going to be on our order guide for next year and then the chefs and the dietitians are tasked with making it fun and tasteful. It would be interesting and I hope somebody out there does a study on

014how behavior improved considering what they attribute to red. I mean, I didn't think about it, but my son wasn't allowed to buy much at school. We thought it was the sugar and stuff because he would get like over the top, but it all chemical dyes contributing. Yeah, it would be interesting to see how that does how that does affect children moving forward. I mean, I'm only going by the studies I've seen so far that they it says affects them. So, I don't know. I'm not a scientist, but I would find that interesting. I would find it interesting, too. If you will, if you get that data, will you share with me? Sure. Thank you. If I find it. Okay. If I find it, I'll share it with you. I'll go pen and me and ask

015her for it. Any other questions for Sue? Thank you, Sue. Thank you very much. Thank you all for letting me present. All right. Item 1.6 is public comment on the approval of the agenda. Public comment. Item 1.7. Do I hear a motion to approve the agenda as presented or an alternative? So move. Second. Comments or questions? All those in favor? I opposed abstensions. The eye is founded. Moving on to traditional public comment. We have one Roy jeans. Thank you. Thank you for letting me speak. U couple of meetings ago, I brought up the idea of monitoring classrooms. I think it's it's a given that it would motivate the students, motivate teachers. Um it would be a security issue that would help. It would help monitor the classroom so that any security issues would always be

016on tape. It would be easily accessible. Maybe be a deterrent to anyone acting up. You know, if it's posted, you are being recorded right in the classroom. um we already do monitor it in hallways. So I I checked out some legal u experts about the issue because I was told at a meeting that we would have to get consent from both parties um in order to make it legal. However, um the verbal laws do not address classroom monitoring at all. There's no specific guideline in the fural laws. Um, and there's that's federal. The state laws also don't make any specific recommendations about whether or not Pennsylvania is a two-party state. In other words, both both uh participants in a conversation have to be given um consent have to give consent before they can be taped.

017But that's conversation. The general consensus of the experts is that when there's no expectation of privacy, the situation is different. You do not need to require you don't need not need to obtain consent for both parties. And a public classroom of course is not not a private conversation. Um, one of the experts was interesting to bring up was from the um, US Department of Education. Um, a uh, Michael B. Hall wrote a letter. He's the director of student privacy policy and office of chief privacy officer at the US Department of Education and he wrote that after being questioned can schools videotape for the purposes of staff development. Occasionally staff may be videotaped for the purposes of their professional development. While these videos are focused on the staff member, they may also include limited student footage

018such as student writing on the blackboard or asking a question. This is acceptable and does not require written consent, but the videotapement should be according to his opinion for a defined period and the building administrator should give consent. That's from the US Department of Education. So, what are you imagining? Are you imagining like a security camera in the classroom and the video is stored somewhere and it's only accessed by maybe superintendent if there's like an event that happens or well if it's stored in any which way it could eventually in some of the future be given out to someone else. We don't know who. So once it's recorded then it is subject to the restriction law. We we we perhaps could just not record and it wouldn't be it wouldn't be um it wouldn't be

019a problem. So you're imagining a live camera feed? Yeah. Just have a live camera feed that just maybe the principles could look in on. Yeah. Yeah. Principles. Yeah. Which or or the parents if we got consent from them. I think you might need it for that. Um but well maybe not even that. But but I think it would it would allow the principles to really monitor um you know in a surprise context so that they can find out what's actually happening in the classrooms which we don't really know. I mean we're we're we don't go in the classrooms. We're here we we talk about millions of dollars of spending and programs and government grants and we don't even know what's going on in our own classrooms. I mean that that's scary. That's just scary, you

020know. I mean, the cart before the horse, you know, so I I don't know. I think it's something to really look into because in terms of in terms of the legality, I don't think it should be the problem. There have been no laws I looked I looked exhaustively on on the internet. There have been no lawsuits against a school district for televising classrooms. Well, many of them actually do it. What are there schools that actually do that? to I've been told now I I called a couple of schools and you know they they don't want to give out any information you know who are you but but I spoke to a teacher that that worked at a school charter in Chester and she said that they have classroom video monitor it was a charter school

021at Chester Pennsylvania and was it cyber charter um I don't know I I don't know that because that might make a little difference they would have to have a video monitor. Oh, no, no, it was in person teaching. I'm sorry. It was in person. No, but she was an inerson teacher. Yep. Yep. She's retired now, but um only a couple years now. Yeah. To her knowledge, she thought other charter schools in the state state of Pennsylvania also were doing it. Yeah. Which I I haven't been able to verify. I I called a couple, but they just blow me off. Okay. I'll I'll put it on my list and we'll discuss it in a future meeting. Oh, cool. No, thanks. Yeah. Yeah. I think we need input, you know, from the the parents and maybe the

022school the teachers unions, right? Absolutely. You know, because and the teachers because there's going to be a little push back, I think, from the teachers and the teachers unions. But I think, you know, if if a teacher's doing a good job, hey, just forget about the camera. You know, what do you have to be afraid of? It actually might protect you from any allegation of some kind of offensive language to a student or something in the future. and it might protect you from any violent behavior, too. So, you know, there's a lot of positives, even though there are a couple negatives. Thank you. I noticed Justin isn't here. Do we have any idea how many classrooms we actually have in the district? Can you walk around tomorrow? I would guess it's somewhere around 165. Off

023the top of my head, I would guess that. Gotcha. Put on a list and we'll think about it on another day when we have some more information. Um item 1.9 reports. Let's start with the uh student board representatives. So this week and last week, Mr. Bowman's physics and project research science classes have been launching model rockets during school labs. They have been learning how to calculate altitude and learning rocket launching safety. It's been a fun time to see their students creation take the skies. Okay. Um 32 students from the high school attended the PABLA state leadership competition in Hershey, Pennsylvania from April 6th to April 9th. Our students competed in all types of events from advertising to public speaking to network design. Some events are 100 question tests and others are live presentations to a

024panel of judges and then they're questioned on their presentation after the pres after they present. Um, unfortunately none of our students qualified for nationals, but Aiden Albert Aiden Albert placed sixth in the state in network design. So, we were really proud of them for that because that's a really tough event to be in. Um, when students are not competing or testing, they're watching other other students present or attending informational workshops. Workshop topics include resume building, information on the FASA, how to properly use AI, and many more topics. This is traditionally a really fun and educational weekend for our students. NHS recently did a penny wars. They made $213.25. The NH members gathered and wrapped the coins during enrichment. And the winners of the penny wars, which were Mrs. Lasso and Mrs. Dickert's home room on

025Wednesday, April 25th, received a pizza and Rita's reward. The money will be going to NHS uh donations fun. In March, our science science Olympia team qualified for states. They were at the last meeting, so they did talk about that a little bit and so they placed high enough in all their individual events to rank in the top six in the region. Um, as you know from the presentation, they give they spend a lot of time preparing for their exams and perfecting their devices and creations and their little airplanes and everything like that. And the competition was held this past weekend at Penn State Altuna. Students that placed were Nick Gmer, CJ Stroll, and Isaac Carpenter. The band took a Nashville trip um from April 4th to April 8th. The band performed at the Country Music

026Hall of Fame on April 6th. Unfortunately, their appearance at the Grand Old Off was cancelled due to weather on April 5th, but the band members had a spectacular time on their trip in Toronto City. The drama club performed Mama Mia at the end of March. The show was very popular amongst the student body and the community. Our student section even came out to have a group of students uh all sit together and cheer on drama club members on the Saturday performance. More tickets were sold this year than in the past and the cast members really brought the show to life and they did a beautiful job of creating such a well-known musical. Unlike prior years, the finale of the show was a little bit different. It was interactive with the crowd. So audience members were

027encouraged to stand up, clap, and sing super well-known ABBA songs as the um performers took their vows. Hopefully you were able to make the show, but if not, I'm sure next year will be just as amazing. On April 22nd, Eisen Carpenter, Bet Chocolate, and Mim Chocola competed in their district 11 tennis matches at Lehigh University. Bet also went on to the district 11 semifinals on April 24th. Uh we'd like to congratulate the boys on making it to districts and for beta to make it to the semi-finals. This past Friday, April 25th, was the high school's academic awards program. At this program, the main event is the scholarships that are presented to deserving seniors who completed the scholarship packet and the few who were interviewed. In total, $298,000 in scholarships were awarded and several non-monetary awards

028were also given out. The scholarships vary in criteria and amount. Some of them being extremely specific such as college major, high school clubs, your GPA, or the cost of your education, and others are pretty broad. Some of the scholarships were presented by the organization who gives the funding. So, for example, the class president of the class of 1964 was able to be there and award the recipient of that scholarship. Overall, students were very excited to be rewarded for all their hard work and will put the money towards tuition. Jake and I were both able to receive some scholarships and we're very thankful for those. On Thursday, May 1st, select members of the choir will be traveling to Coca-Cola Park to perform the national anthem at their college showcase game. They will depart at 8:30 a.m.

029and return by 3:30 p.m. Students will be responsible for communicating with teachers about any missed assignments. On April 24th, the senior scholar athletes were honored at the Colonial League academic all-star breakfast. The female honore was Natalie Glitter and the boy was Jackson Strauss. The scholar athlete is determined by GPA. So the male and female athletes with the highest GPA qualified for this title. And the program was held at Green Country Club and all Colonial League high schools were in attendance. That's all. strike for brevity tonight. Uh we do have a much longer presentation later on concerning the the budget, but I certainly want to give some other updates as well. Students are in the middle of assessment season. That means teachers are in the middle of assessment season as well. uh that includes PSSAs, grades

0303 through eight in ELA and math and then grades this year it's grades five and 8 in science. So all those going on over the you know last week this week and coming up keystone exams will take place uh between May 12th and 23rd in high school in English biology and algebra and not listed there but also included would be AP testing which occurs throughout much of the month of May as well. So busy times a lot of altered schedules um so students might be a little off because of what what they had to do that day. Um, I would stress for parents, please, please help by making sure students get enough rest. It's one of the major indicators of of student success. So, uh, busy times in schools, this is the first year that

031PSSA's we are we are proctoring all PSSAs online and it sounds as if from all reports that that I've heard um, they that has gone off without any significant glitches. So, kudos to the teachers for working through that, to Mr. lots and principles and certainly to uh Mrs. Charlesberger who's not here this evening. She there's a lot of work and coordination that goes on with making sure every student has their login information and computers are updated and teachers know how to handle situations that might arise. So, thank you all for working through that. Uh update on the elementary facade. Um we are still working on a formal agreement with Trader. Um I anticipate having that in hand uh by the middle of this week and then at that which at that point in time we'll

032share with our solicitor for review um and be ready for approval in May so that you know the prime season for them to be able to come in and do the work is you know late spring and hopefully maybe whatever rectifications we have to make can be done then uh throughout the summer so as to not to disturb any of the school year this year or next year. So hopefully we can work through that approval and get a move on that and and try to get that work uh the first project done assessment but then also a plan for the revenue. Uh tonight as we launch into a deeper dive into the budget, I wanted to take a little bit of time because I think this is a really important aspect of the overall financial

033status of the district and which is our debt service. So debt service is essentially how much do we pay in principal and interest every year. So we have several different bonds. um some of them are 10 15 years old and PFMA will restructure and refinance bonds so that you can stretch it out longer or so on and so forth. Um but when you kind of boil it down what we look at is one net surface line in a budget on an annual basis. So, um, it can have it can have a very significant impact on the budget because quite frankly, it can be up to 10% of some districts overall budget in terms of expenses any any given year. Um, our current 2425 fiscal year that we're sitting in right now is actually the the

034sort of the high mark of our structured debt calendar. uh is over $5 million this this current 20 fiscal year 2425. I will show you the chart. um the balance cost of our debt, which means what we pay out on principal and interest plus there are some that receive reimbursement rates um what is left after you subtract the reimbursement rates from what you pay out is what I'm referring to as the balance cost uh of the debt service actually goes down approximately $900,000 between the 2425 fiscal year and the 2526 fiscal year. um that does have a very positive impact on our budget for next year but as you will see in the in future slide we can't anticipate having that same amount of drop in future years. So, as we look at this, we've

035put together sort of a debt service calendar that stretches out as you see, yes, to 204344. Um, and you see, as I said, this year our payment and interest is over 5 million. The balance cost is actually slightly over four. And you see how that drops off next year, next fiscal year, down to about $3.15 million. Uh but then you don't see another significant drop uh I would say really until you know probably into the 30s the mid to late 30s of this decade. So that that debt service line stays pretty stagnant after this one this drop from 2425 to 2526. So as we're planning and looking ahead and doing some forecasts for future years, this is always going to be a critical factor because even this is even if we do not take it,

036you know, there are no new bonds at any time between now and 2044, um unless if we were to restructure and refinance, which I would wager that at some point in time between now and 2044, the district will do. I will not be sitting in this chair at that point in time. Um but at some point in time they are likely to do that especially when an older bond drops off. Um you know there there are programs and and agencies that basically try to restructure your debt so that they can say you know depending upon when when you're going out to market when the interest rates are really low perhaps get a lower interest rate so on and so forth. But I think that this is an important piece of context when you think about

037an overall budget when you think about overall expenses. There's been some discussion around discretionary costs. This is not a discretionary cost. This is fixed. We know how much we're paying off in debt service every year. That doesn't mean our debt goes down by how much we pay it because it doesn't actually. It it varies year to year depending upon which what payments are being applied to which bonds. And it can be far more complex than what I'm showing you here. But this at least gives you an idea for the next several years that is an amount that is fixed into expenditures. There is unless if we were to refinance there is no changing that. Any questions about that or comments from the board the $900,000 savings will perpetuate. Next year there'll be a $900,000 saving.

038It's going to carry over year to year to year, right? So it just it's a drop in expenditures. Correct. But costs also do not do that. Typically this is the one cost that does right that stays and that's a good thing. Yes. This is the one cost that right now regardless of what else happens in the district and you have supplies and you have contracts and things of that nature that are always bu you you have to count on those always rising. This is the one thing that is as of right now fixed and and that is a good thing. Okay, nothing else. Move on. Just a reminder, there's some new and some old on this slide, some upcoming information. Uh district strategic plan will be presented definitely by late June. Um that will help

039administrate goals. uh district goals and professional development topics and the way we conduct business here. Uh we are in the works of developing both an assessment calendar for our buildings um which will include any norm reference criterion reference and summitive assessments that are given throughout the year. uh leading to a to an actual data system that is consistently and regularly utilized and and analyzed by all staff. Um and we are also putting together what you can expect as a board for a reporting calendar for when you can expect data points to be presented to the board. This as a responses were brought up at the workshop meeting. um something that you wanted to see, we will actually be able to provide with you not only sort of some tentative timelines of when certain assessments will

040will yield uh results to be able to to discuss at the board level, but also um what types of assessments they are and what types of information we are able to glean from those. Uh and then finally again professional development plan is in the works for the for next school year and that is something that would outline all mandated trainings as well as our district initiatives according to the strategic plan and administrative goals uh and district goals and will be delivered publicly by uh late July, early August. I actually think probably by late July. And that concludes my report for this section. Thank you, business administrator. Thank you. This office has been ready to work on budget as you'll see be presented tonight. Also, um we've recently completed our food service monitoring for the food

041service program. Um we did um not have any findings um as a result of that. So, kudos to the the finance staff who worked on that. Um also we will be releasing an RFP in May for our renewal for HVAC services um for service and maintenance of HVAC in our buildings um as well as for school photo services um that contract is also up for renewals. That's um what lies ahead in addition to our open enrollment period which will begin in May um roll out for our staff. Thank you. Great. Thank you. Um, Eli Grass. Good evening. Uh, ElRC accreditation is underway. It's done by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is a global institutional accredititor recognized by the US Secretary of Education since 1952. uh they ensure the rigor rigor and educational

042quality for over 500 institutions in the US and abroad of higher education. LRYC board met with this past week with Dr. Ryan Arnett, our accreditation liaison. He said that the turnout at LRYRC's collegewide meeting was unprecedented. So we it was uh really shows a lot about our staff and he's never seen any type of response like this. He said keep doing what you've done today for the team visit. The process also involves the board as it audits our policies procedures and etc. So it's very comprehensive. Uh and as I mentioned last month at my report, this is a three-year process. So, we're just kind of at the beginning and it's really done. It's a self-study, but they they monitor it and then they audit it. Uh, the college local legislative delegation visited our campus on

043April 16th for the student legislative breakfast. Uh, the event gave the legislators an opportunity to meet with LRYC students and in turn allow the students to ask them some questions about their experiences elected officials. Uh, we had a pretty good showing. David Arthle was represented by Brad Hurley. Senator Nick Miller was there, Representative Gary Day, Representative Pete Schwire, Representative Zachary Mako, Representative Jeannie McNeel, and of course our own Doyle Heftley were there. A sample of some of the questions that the students asked. What was your motivation to become an elected official? What are the biggest challenges facing higher education over the next two years and how will Pennsylvania prepare and what will the changes could we see? And another one was what's your best advice for students wanting to get involved in the local, state

044and national level to voice opinions or influence change. So it was a it was a good breakfast. I did not attend but I heard it was a lot of good discussions and also we uh recently completed a campus climate study assessed on how students, faculty, staff and administrators perceive and experience the campus environment. It was conducted by an independent consultant who noted our high response rate in the surveys by both students and staff and the overall very favorable responses in the report. So they do a lot of different places. They don't share any proprietary information but they were very complimentary on the just the number. Anytime you do a survey it's it's hard to get a response. So the data serves as a tool to identify areas to improve satisfa satisfaction and retention of both

045employees and students. And finally, we're wrapping up our academic year. Commencement is on May 21st at 6 p.m. at the PPL Center. So I'm sure we'll have some behind students there and I will be in attendance. Questions? You guys know where to find me. Thank you. Thank you. Jeremy, there is no wedding report this month because the meeting is Wednesday. Uh they're doing the spring flames. So they do it at the end of the month. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend, but I'm sure I'll have highlights from that for next month. Thank you. So, um Heather and uh Carrie are not here, so we will not hear uh those reports. Um we're doing something a little bit different. We're not going around the table with getting individual reports from the registrers. Um the board

046receives um reports. Do does the board have any questions for any administrators at this time? Moving on to item 1.10. A motion to approve the revised March 24th board meeting minutes and the April 14th workshop meeting minutes. Second. Any comments or questions from the boards? All those in favor? I opposed. Abstensions. The eyes have it. Moving on to two, financial matters. There's a little typo here. I'm going to correct it. Thank you, Jean. Do I hear a motion to approve consent agenda items 2.2 through 2.8? I'll make a motion, but I'd like to remove 2.2 and 2.4 for comments. So, let's get a second on that and then we can have a motion to change. So, move or second. Sorry. Would you like to make a motion? You can make a motion after a motion.

047Okay. Yeah. To change I make the motion to change the consent agenda items by removing 2.2 and 2.4 from the consent agenda. I'll second that. Do we have any discussion on that item this time? We'll obviously hear from Billy later why he wanted to do that. Right. Any comments from the public? Um since it's a motion hearing none. All those in favor I opposed. Nay. Abstensions. Um so this is a 4 to one, but we're not spending money. [Music] Well, now wait. Um yeah, this does not have to be the motion, but all when we do the consent part of it, it should be roll call because there are contracts in there. Yes. Correct. So I shall call the motion and pass then. Okay. So back to the original motion which will now be amended

048to the consent agenda items uh 2.2 through 2.8 8 with 2.2 and 2.4 removed. Any comments or questions on that? At this time, we'll take a roll call vote. Mr. Dwayne Delifer. Hi, Mr. Jeremy Glut. Yes, Miss Able Walker. Yes. part of those. I'm going to say no because I didn't want them removed. So, I'm going to say no, Mr. Yes. Does it pass? Because some of these items are spending money. So, in my opinion, uh, the motion has failed. And I think that that forces us to actually do each. All right. Then I'll vote yes. It just makes no sense for me to vote yes because I didn't want them removed. Right. But you're not voting on the removal now. You're voting on whether or not they pass the other items. It's fine. I'll

049change my vote to yes to move this along. Thank you. I just didn't have a problem with the other ones either. So, understood. All right. So, now we will go to item 2.2. Uh, do I a motion to approve the purchase of I ready for grade 6 through curriculum associates for the 2526 school year. I'll make that motion. I'll second it. Question on the motion. I see in the curriculum associates information on their professional learning that their sessions are provided in person where one of their employees can reach the session site by car and where adequate safety measures are in place to protect the health of our session leaders and participants. But they also reserve the right to switch any session from inperson to virtual if they cannot reach a session by call. I think

050our teacher instruction should be in person. Do you have any comments on that, Jason? My experience with curriculum curriculum associates is that if you request them to be in person, they're in person. I've never had any problems. Um, we have in the past I was in another district where we actually said we would like this one to be virtual because it reduced the cost and it was more of an administrative uh function. But these the the intent is that these are in person. If for some reason somebody cannot make it that day, we will reschedu rather than cancel. Perfect. I'm fine with that. Other questions on this motion? Didn't we discuss this at the workshop? The same thing. Yes. Other questions? All those in favor? That's a roll call. Correct. It's a contract. Um, Mr.

051Chairman, yes. Miss April Walker, yes. Miss Barbara Bose, yes. Mr. Dwayne Deler, yes. And Miss Joyce, yes. Yes. Thank you. Item 2.4 to either a motion to approve the agreement with Toshiba for document scanning services. I'll make that motion. I'll second questions. Yes. I just I just want to be clear on this and I want to give Jason kudos on on this because I remember reading in the paper some time ago that we were told that taxpayers were told that this was going to cost $300,000 to satisfy Mr. Bradley's right to know request. And now we have a contract that is going to cost $16,000. I'd say that's phenomenal. And I'd say somebody misled the board in the past. Thank you. I I just like to comment as much as I love taking kudos. This

052was this was a project that people in the office, the business office were looking into and trying to find a solution. So that was a team effort on the in the business office and and they did a great job of bringing me something and saying, "Hey, we think this makes sense." Perfect. I'd also like to add that the approximate $300,000 was for more documents uh since Mr. Bradley agreed to remove some and it was also for the actual redaction of the documents which is actually going to be done in the district here. Other comments or questions? All those in favor [Music] Mr. Jeremy B. Yes. Miss April. Yes. Miss Barbara Rose. Yes. Mr. Dwayne Deler. Yes. And M. Yes. Thank you. Item 2.9. Do I hear a motion to approve the agreement with Lehigh Valley

053Health Network for Healthc Care Services with the Lehigh Are School District? So move second. Comments or questions. Je Walker. Yes. Miss Barbara. Yes. Mr. Twain Deler. Yes. Mr. Jeremy Gl. Yes. And Mr. Yes. Yes. Thank you. All right. Moving on to item 2.10, which is a presentation on the expenditure projections. Okay. Uh Mr. W and I are going to kind of tag team this. We go back and forth in a couple of areas. So uh the the first slide I will turn over. Thank you. So to give you an update since our initial projections of revenues. Um we've um been able to further refine numbers. Um we've been able to gauge things like our interests and what that has been trending in at where interest rates are trending from an environmental perspective. Um so I

054wanted to um give you a a presentation and a focus of what we've been able to to update. Um so we'll start we've updated our delinquent real estate revenue um based upon that collection through our delinquent uh real estate tax collector port. Um we've been able to adjust that number. Um, also we've been able to look at our interest that we earned in the district um to date um to look at what our our cash flow is and our needs um and to update the interest in the budget. Um also we've been able to update based upon the LVHN proposal our contribution and donations on the local revenue side. On the state side, cable transportation data has been released um related the prior year um subsidy. So, we're able to update the budget um by

055$20,000 for that projected um revenue. Although the note on that is that that's driven by our expenditures and formula. So, it does anticipate that we will be having higher um expenditure costs related to transportation as a formula. um PCCD there seems to be some discussion that that funding will be um rolled out in some form next year um based upon what we've received before just giving a a more realistic number on that with the clarity that um there seems to be funds that will will grow up to schools um in the final state budget and then looking at our title funds um being able to look at where those allocations are lending for this year as well as um new final numbers that will be released uh shortly regarding that funding. Those numbers have also

056been updated. So the new projected revenue total is 49,859,811. That's good. Very precise. Okay. So for some context, you know, we we were asked for some of these figures in specific areas. Um and so we put together this chart and also included some notes here. um in in terms of what we've been spending or bringing in in terms of revenue, what we have budgeted for next year and then some notes again as we said um you do see a decrease in BHA that can be attributed to the planned uh opening of an emotional support classroom run by the district with the district teacher. So while those costs go down, please understand that's going to bring expenditures in the area of personnel up. Um the the goal in year one is literally to have it be

057a wash. Um and then in future years as the the room is up and running be able to avoid costs that would have been that would have been attributed in that line. Caser funding that that that's by that's gone. No more. Okay. Is not there. That's why I asked you to put it there so we can see it going away. Yes. Um, totally just glad we got as much as we did for this year. Yeah. And it's time stretched it out at the time and whatever we structured and and kind of decided to be spent at that time. Got it. Yeah. Um, there were dark districts who spent it all in year one. Like if they did a construction project, if they did an HVAC system, that was something that was allowed, right? So they

058could, but we we used it for various things, too. displace the whiteboard and the and other stuff in the uh high school auditorium. Do you see total expenditures? Uh we look at fund balance. You see how that is increasing. So the expenditures were coming a million less guessing than was budgeted for this year approximately right for this year. a million less than the budget was 50.6 million and we're guessing we're going to come in the um that's for next year. The 2526 is a preliminary. Yeah. Um so what you see is year a million less next year if everything right correct. So we don't have an estimate for how you think this year is going to come out. Well, if you look at 2425 right now, you've got 40 million 40.3 so far spent of

059that originally budgeted 50 almost six, but personnel still goes on. You still have still pay that through June 30th. Yes. Yeah. So, you still have a little over two months there and then obviously maintenance costs continue. Then you have all the the bills that come in two months later that have to be Yes charter. Yeah, we we also just we um are getting our estimate for this year's health insurance actual expenditures and final rates uh tomorrow from BSI and then working through that's also a big driver of that number. Well, what I was surprised to see during this year, and I think it was October, um I questioned why we were paying visit. It was around $400,000 and it's because our health insurance expenditures. Normally, we get some kind of rebate. We didn't for the

060previous year. So we actually had to pay in because we only funded 90%. So I we had to pay in basically that extra 10%. Might have been a little less than 10%. So which is I questioned it because it's like I've never seen this before. I was used to getting you know half a million back. Yeah. Um, you do see the fund balance. Obviously, 2425 fund balance isn't known yet until the audit for the current fiscal year is complete. Um, and so you can't really play that out yet. Um, you see grants including ers and then you see grants with no ers included. So grants with no can't be right. Yeah, because you're 2.6 6 million but we were supposed to get 3.1. Are we going to get the rest of that or the numbers?

061Well, you have to remember when you look at the revenue report and it shows you what were what was for esser and which I don't think it was anything or very little any line. Yeah, the no. When you're talking about grants, when we look at the revenue sheets that get put out every month, that's for the previous month. Yeah. This this also does include the ready to learn the ready to learn increase that would that came through this year. So that additional new funding from the state that figure does include that. So those are accurate. We will get there um when the final expenditure reports are are completed. That's all. Well, the state just doesn't pay it out right away. Yeah. So, the 3.08 million is pretty much guaranteed. Okay. So, we're going to get

062all that. We're not going to come short. Okay. That was my question. Yeah. As Matt said, healthcare that sort of 2425 probably going to be very very very close. Um, in terms of actual costs, 2526 is very preliminary. I think there's a lot there's some work there to be done with updates hopefully hopefully tomorrow as much as such. So uh and then you see legal costs um in terms of what has been budgeted and what has been spent. So 22 23 and 23 24 actuals 2425 year to date is what has been spent since July 1 up to this point. That will change a little bit as as Miss Bose said. Um it's type of monthly and you see what was budgeted for 2425 and you see the preliminary budget of 2526 at 150 with

063like but we are likely to see some reduction from that as well as we as we actually move toward a proposed budget based upon based on our actuals right now. However, we do have to understand there are you know we are in contract negotiation years for for two separate contracts. we a little harder to to pin down exactly what those costs will be at this point in time. Hopefully, we don't need too many for smooth negotiations. Um, and then you see investments and where we're at so far. We already exceeded what was originally budgeted and you still have a lot of re, you know, a couple months of revenue come in from that and what we're looking ahead there with preliminary budget um of a million dollars for 2526. Are you guys actually planning to

064do something different that's going to generate that additional revenue? It's it's really based on trends. We do have some uh CDs that we do with MCT and so that's what will help us next year because those rates are locked in. So as rates potentially will decrease, we'll continue to be a benefit of of those funds. Okay, great. Turn it back over to M. Those are so projected expenditures and um I I can certainly address each of these but just to give you the overview. So the bulk so 30 million49 budget is all direct to that instructional expenditures 30.7 million um 18.4 million of that almost 18.5 is for regular programs which is um what is in our uh buildings as well as of course for staff salaries and benefits. um fally funded programs um again

065predominantly um staff and benefits. And again with our approach this year to be allocating title two funds over to that as well that is an even larger chunk that is supporting those those salaries and benefits. Um the next um 1 1200 series, so 1211 all the way down to 1233 is our cost for salaries, benefits, tuition, contracted services related to special education. Uh we'll talk uh towards the end about some changes there that have assisted us in reducing cost. Um but those costs um are significant um um with regards to um the next portion of our regular expenditures um for instructional needs. Uh we then have our gifted support uh cost 1243 at 52,000 uh prek instruction at 18878 um and then um additional um items for uh special education deaf and autistic. Um and

066then we have our contribution for vocational education $1.7 million. Our sponsorship for community college of $189,285. Um and then the budget for uh what we actually um pay related to um tuition 44,394 to the community college giving us a total for the 1000 series of 30.7 million. Next slide starts the support services. So when we get to support services, we're really looking at costs related to um principal um those administration services in the main office for administrators and secretaries. Um 1.5 million for those our guided services um supporting our our students across the district, 738,21. Um then the state makes us break out certain um guidance related services and student support services by individual categories. So you'll see the projected budgets for um counseling, recordkeeping, site services, social work services um all really correlate back

067to um our student service and people service programs. um student accounting services, our our costs associated with the mandated reporting to the state for um PIMs and other uh data that we have to um maintain. Um other student services um computer assisted instruction and school library services at $577,994 our instructional curriculum development. So that is um the cost that we have salaries and benefits and then um for curriculum that is developed centrally in partnership with the schools that is then um you know rolled out and and part of our cycle. um costs related to administration in our office of special education. Um 88,000 for instructional staff development and certification costs. Our tax collection costs of 186,487 and our budget for the office of superintendent 321,765. On the next slide, we have our costs for nursing

068services across the district for that program 455 to 857. Our business office costs um the uh costs we have to categorize staff within the business office based upon their their function. Um and um also the costs that we have with regards to uh commissions for um tax collection um as well as for um other costs of dispersement to funds. Um then we get to the operation and maintenance budget. So our supervision or our central costs for that. Um the actual building costs which uh includes our um our custodial or maintenance costs uh for buildings uh security services um technology services at 1.2 million other staff services at um 66453 and there's 2291 that's um looks out of place and doesn't have a narrative. is a new account which is used related to um the costs

069for um recess lunch monitor and um other expenditures related to clearances. So are you saying that was never tracked before? This state didn't have that breakdown. Oh, it was a state. Yeah. So that's where we put it into the system. I want to say it doesn't exist but the number exists but we haven't flushed it out because it's such a thing. So it was included in other things. Yeah. Correct. Yeah. They frequently do breakdown. The state's now going through compliance because we have to report specific costs now to sites, buildings, levels, grades based upon a requirement at the federal level to have states provide that data. So it just flows down which is why the charter changes every year. Absolutely. Sometimes twice a year. Um on the next slide um other breaks downs with regards

070to um uh staff development for non-instructional staff um other um site services board services um legal and accounting services that would also include your audit costs um in that item um medical services um staff development non-instructional vehicle operations services which is broken down into 1.7 million for uh your district transportation ation costs and then the services that you provided to non-public schools is that $25,000 um support services um which is um 25,000 a large part of that is your contribution that you're required to make to the intermediate unit every year that's a fixed cost um for being a part of that um and then other admin services 3200. So um for the 2,000 totals we have a total um budgeted at this point of 13.9 million. Finally we get to the um cost associated with

071student activities um and athletics and um then a small amount for community services like 3,000 or um functions totals of around $1 million. And then finally, we get to our debt service budget. Um, also, um, there's some fees associated with that. We pay that burden down by principal, interest. There's also a fee that the syncing fund his custodian gets. Um, and then, um, at this point um, a very small budget reserve. So to highlight um, what was going through Mr. Yeah. So, thank you, Mr. Wy. You see the major function totals adding up to that 49.5 and some change. Uh wanted to be completely completely forthcoming here that this does include a couple of new personnel positions, some of which we have discussed at length here. Um that would be the elementary center emotional support

072teacher and the elementary center registered behavioral technician. Uh those again are those new costs that offset the savings in tuition to BHA uh in year one. Um, and then also, uh, the addition of a middle school counselor at the middle school. Um, Steve and Tiffany are not here tonight, but I we currently have one school counselor at the middle school. Um, if anybody has ever spent a good deal of time with any groups of middle school students, um, it is definitely needed to have another school counselor at the middle school level. So, we have about 450 students at the middle school right now with one school counselor. Um, they only raised two kids that went through that age group. No, good. You're you're right. We need it. That is that is definitely something. And I

073know, you know, middle school um went through some some significant staffing staffing changes um that are allowing us to reallocate resources, you know, at the elementary center. this is a this is a spot where they need more support. Um and so I would advocate for that. So it it needs to be known that we what we're presenting includes numbers for that. Um question. So from an overview perspective what you see uh you know projected revenues again the key term projected um 49,859,811 and our projected expenditures [Music] $49,530,36354 projected surplus of just under $330,000 for the next fiscal year. It's important. I'll turn this back over as Matt has a much better understanding of this. Um significant factors that can still play out. Thank you, Mr. So, of course, tax collection rates um the rate at

074which people pay their tax bills um to us as a consideration. Also, in particular, commercial appeals to commercial appeals um that are out there. um those have the potential to go over multiple years, which means with those that settle, their retention could be a refund that we're going back to. Also, while they're under assessment, the property owners have the right to pay those taxes and protests, which means you actually have to savor those monies out. You can't necessarily bank on them as spendable funds for that. Um state allocations, um there hasn't been a tremendous amount of further clarity. We're still two months ahead of the state's deadline for budget approval. Um, so as we know, we never get that. That's why people say only two months ahead in theory. Uh, so so of course those

075can change and that also will change uh in early May. We will get the uh property tax allocations that Homestead um and pharmacists get um off of their tax bills. Um, so that number um will potentially change your local tax collection revenue because you'll be getting that revenue from the state um based upon um that distribution. Um our very final federal program um numbers um and again any changes that may be made at the federal level with regard to those funding levels. And then of course while we've tried to be conservative and accurate with the investment earnings there is the potential for a significant change in the market um that would delta those and lose revenue not only for this year but if you lose significant interest revenue from a significant change in the market

076that would really foreseeable future be a budget factor and that's one of the pieces that Mr. most about interest rates growing. Yep. In the next slide about how next month we're going to bring you a multi-year forecast so the board can see what the budget looks like um based upon um simple assumptions that we know um are reasonable to assume as we look at costs that rise in the budget and revenues um staying stable in most areas um in the budget. Um on the expenditure side, um personnel costs that can change with retirements. Um there's also health care costs as to our filing rates forthcoming, any reconciliation from this year. Um and also selected benefits that when we go through open enrollment, staff can elect to come on benefits, come off benefits, um change their

077coverage levels, um you know, within that for the final billing that we um will receive. um the need for capital improvements and where those are priced out as across the district and trying to address to maintain buildings so that we don't have larger expenses down the line with regards to those needs and then tuition rates in particular. Uh what might happen or not happen legislatively in regards to charter and cyber school tuition rates um and those enrollments that we know um can change. Thank you. So uh clearly next steps um tonight here in the in the coming days uh and weeks seek feedback from the board about these projections. Um certainly what are your thoughts and and what direction do you you know would you like to see us explore? Uh then drill down further

078on expenditures to identify potential cost savings. Um there is you know clearly this is a this is a very very early look. Um but it it's it is what I will say is we were slow and steady but very very thorough. So while there may be some things that we could reduce in terms of expenditures it it's probably not there's not a lot of fluff included in these numbers quite honestly a lot of times you'll see budgets um you'll see budgets put forward that are kind of gray and fuzzy. this, you know, I do not I've been very clear from the beginning. I do not believe in being gray and fuzzy and being as accurate as possible. And that has been a little painstaking in this process. Um to be to be completely honest, um

079it's it's been a lot of a lot of work, a lot of energy to get where we are. Um third, adjust personnel costs as retirements are no. So the current expenditures do not include um you know anybody who was anybody who was notified us that there would be retirements. There are staff have until August to report a potential retirement for next year. Correct. Yeah. Right deadline. Right. So so that could change. Yep. Exactly. Right up till the before the school new school year start. Correct. Yeah. Just going to make that um as as Mr. much indicated we'll adjust any 10 and yellow revenues and expenditures um as we receive information we continuously do that um you read the tea leaves from the state as as as Mr. that's indicated like PCC it it we weren't

080sure and then the update to now is that okay it seems like given meetings and things that have come out there's going to be something we just don't yet know it's a state grant so it's wait on the state um the goal here is and and I think we are ready to do this um and you can we can always make adjustments after this um but prepare a proposed final budget for review and approval I am asking given the timelines of how long uh budgets need to be available between um between the proposed final budget and the final budget. I am asking, get out ahead of it, asking for a special board meeting prior to our May 12th workshop so that we can approve a proposed final budget with all the changes that were affirmentioned.

081Um, and get that posted and allow people the opportunity to review it prior to trying to, you know, look to approve that in the month of June. Um, of course, even after the proposed and the final, we can continue to make revisions and adjustments, and we will do so. We will get as accurate as as we possibly can over that time frame. And every time, just like we did here tonight, every time that there are significant changes, we will present what has been changed to the board at large, to the community at large, so that there's nothing really to question. It's it's here. whatever changes we make, we will tell you if we update revenues, we will tell you if we update update expenditures. So those go all the way through the final budget uh

082and you know whenever in the month of June. So I'd like to com commend Jason and Matt work here and all of the staff backing you up. I mean, I think it's pretty evident that you've been trying to be thorough, which is sort of what's delayed finally seeing the number. And I think it's very brave of you to present surplus to the point. I think it is great. I think it's a kind of antithetical uh sometimes to the culture, right? There's like a you want to be conservative, you want to be safe, and I appreciate you um um sharpening your pencil. Um, I think one of the things we haven't seen yet, and it's not a criticism because I know there's been a lot of work to get to this point here, which is the

083five-year projection, right? Like, uh, we would like to see that at the workshop meeting. And what I would propose to the board is I would like you to put a 1 mil decrease in taxes in the five-year projection so that we can just see what it looks like. we can run a couple of different scenarios um so that you are able to see what what the impact will be over over that that length of time. Matt and I talked about that and um he said he's confident calling you out putting on this Matt confident that we will have that um but for the May 12th workshop meeting prior to asking you uh to to vote on proposals. Yep. I have no problem with that. And you'll be using forecast five, the software we purchased some

084years ago. Yeah, I've already updated to date with um bringing it back from the prior year with actuals and the budget for this year. So, um now that we have some direction on the budget after tonight, I can begin looking. Great. And you can't really do anything until you get the healthc care numbers. Anyway, yeah, I know we've discussed this in the past and and I think it is well warranted for the taxpayers of this district, especially when you consider everything they've been through in the last decades. But the bottom line is when we prepare a budget, we always give a little bit more fluff to expenditures and are very conservative on revenues because you just never know what's going to happen. But seeing these numbers, I think we can very easily project while we're

085not going to have a tax increase. That's for darn sure. Correct. I will not support that. But it certainly looks like we should be able to come favorably to maybe a mill decrease for our taxpayers. I want to see the fun projection. I want to see it, too. I want to see how it plays out. The problem with decreasing the mills, and believe me, I love it. I know there's a ripple effect. You never get back. You lose the interest on that money. So, you're losing revenue. So, it's not it's not just the decrease of one mill. you're not you don't have as much money invested because you're going to have to take that 1 mil and remove that from your revenue. Plus, you're not going to have as much in interest income. And that

086can be a larger number or a lesser number depending what the interest rate is. this talking about if you create a deficit, it would create a deficit in the revenue or your fund balance because you wouldn't be receiving approximately $375,000. Correct. That's the approximate next year our expenditures are going to be $900 less. $900,000, right? Sorry, but down the road. And so are you going to have to increase the taxes in two years instead of four because you're getting one mil back? I'd like to see. And that one mil is going back every single year. So you're losing that over a period of years. I'm not don't have an issue with seeing it. Yep. Perfect. I want to see what it looks like. But you have to understand you could be basically shooting yourself in

087the foot or putting the one bill into. Yeah, I disagree. I don't think we'll be shooting ourselves in the foot for one single reason. We've got a fund balance of $15 million up $3 million from the cycle before. So, but part of the reason we're making so much money on interest is because we have that 15 million. Well, we're not proposing to give the 15 million back end spending it. What? We don't have that right now. We don't know what it's going to be at the end. You know what I mean? It's there. Anyways, not until the audit is done, right? The audit was done and was presented last month, I believe, and it showed a $15 million fund balance. That was for the previous year. Correct. Right. Regardless, we're going to see the five-year

088projection and then we can see those numbers at the workshop meeting and we can debate through. Yeah. And I I would I would say, you know, one thing that is not in this and we have not really talked about it is setting money aside for capital projects for for maintenance costs. Um so I think that is the wrinkle that is also something that that we have to consider as we move forward. It's a big one. I mean cost costs go up every year unless if you do something that changes the structural structural costs you know and that would be personnel the really personnel supplies you know I've been asked about discretionary spending before and it's really hard because literally in every category that we presented there is discretionary spending there are things that we choose

089to spend money on as a district that we don't have to spend money on like transportation and sports and band and all that. Of course, we want to and quite honestly a whole lot of professional positions and par profofessional positions. Um there there's we have no board policy that dictates students per classroom. So really discretionary spending we can have four fourth grade classrooms. Truly I mean is actress right nowhere near but but so so it's hard to pinpoint what is discretionary and what's not because literally every part of this has some some element of being discretionary and I think that so that component along with the component of looking down a road what would the impact be we will provide Matt and I will get all the information as to what it looks like um

090and then combining that with thinking about how do we start to set money aside to maintain our facilities consistently in a thoughtful manner that defers down the road costs that are exorbitant when we can pay for them now. Yes, it hurts. But we will the roof on this building is a perfect example because it was put off for two years. It cost an extra $50,000 because cost of materials went up. So I think gathering all the information and presenting that is exactly what we will do. I think that the workshop meeting seen a capital at least a preliminary capital management plan brought forward. I think the thing that you just brought up which I've asked for in the past and we hadn't seen but now perhaps that you have all the data together you can

091actually show us what I call the mandatory versus the non-mandatory costs which you call discretionary you know we've never seen a harder number and everybody freaks out when the board asks we want to see it split out and it's not because the board wants to to to take it away But it it would be good to show you know uh the community like this is what we're required to spend money on and this is what we're not but this is what it provides to the kids. So interesting to see that number. Well, that was in one of the um budget presentations I think from two years ago. That was we saw that slide. I don't know. Maybe maybe it's one that was cut out of the presentation. It was inaccurate because uh non-mandatory costs which

092we had signed a contract for got lumped in with the mandatory costs because yes, we signed the contract but technically it's not mandatory. like in the next year could have not done it. Do you know what I mean? Like it wasn't a good explanation. It wasn't a good I don't I don't know what contract you're talking about. Yeah. I'm just thinking about like all the extracurriculars are not mandatory according to the state. Correct. Transportation is not mandatory. Not mandatory according to the state. So I was thinking along those lines. So correct. So two years ago when we were presented with number since we had signed a bus contract it got lumped in with a mandatory cost back that's what I recall. So it wasn't it wasn't I mean social workers are not required by the

093state we need them but so so I think we have a plan for the workshop. Does anybody want to request any other additional information for you? All right, let's uh I just like to throw in there and thank you to both the gentlemen for that presentation. That was a great presentation. Very great. Item 2.11. Do I hear a motion to accept the settlement agreement as proposed by sweets sweet Stevens hats and Williams as consideration for the waivers and release releases provided and in full satisfaction of the district's duty to provide FAP by establishing and funding a compensatory education fund in the amount of $615 hours. Thank you. It's the first time we've ever seen it without a dollar amount. Exactly. Well, it comes later in the dollar amount of compensatory education for the student for

094the sole use of legitimate educational expenses as well as provide payment of documented attorney fees and costs related to ODR number 30443-24-25AF at a sum not to exceed [Music] $16,500 within 30 calendar days of the executed contract. So move second. Second. Oh, you got that already. Does anyone have any questions? Maybe Dwayne because you're this is the first one you've encountered since you've been on the board. Yeah, it's it's interesting, but I read all of the agreements. I think I understand what they're what they're doing. Any questions? Mine were answered. and mine were just because I've never seen one without a dollar amount for the education. This provides an hourly amount. Does this roll? I would say that it does. I would. [Music] Miss April Walker, yes. Miss Barbara, yes. Mr. Mr. Dwayne Delica. Yes.

095Mr. Jeremy GL. Yes. And Miss Joy. Yes. Item 212. Um, it's going to be very similar language. So, do I hear a motion? Um, to establish a compensatory education fund in the amount of $10,000. Uh, attorney fees not to exceed $3,000 within 30 calendar days of the executed contract. So moved. Second. Comments or questions. J call. Miss April Walker. Yes. Miss Barbara B. Yes. Mr. Dwayne Deler. Yes. Mr. Jer. Yes. And Miss Troy Gears. Yes. Thank you. Item 213. Do I hear a motion once again to create a compensatory education fund in the amount of $6,000? Um, educational expenses and then 30 fees not to exceed $3,000 within 30 calendar days of the executed contract. Second. Comments or questions? to say something. Call Miss Barbara Bose. Yes. Mr. Dwayne Eler. Yes. Mr. Jeremy Lounge. Yes.

096Miss April Walker. Yes. And M. Yes. Five. Yes. Thank you. Item 214. Do I hear a motion? Um once again settle an agreement for compensatory education fund in the amount of $10,000 um educational expenses and attorney fees not to exceed $3,000 within 30 calendar days of the executing contract. Some moved. Second. Comments or questions? We'll call Miss Barbara. Yes. Mr. Dwayne Deler. Yes. Mr. Jeff Glow. Yes. Miss April Walker. Yes. And M. Beers. Yes. Five minutes. Thank you. Item 215. Do I hear a motion to approve a donation of $500 to the Franklin Township Fire Police for directing traffic on the Lincoln Area School District campus? Uh, which they will do during graduation. Second. Comments or questions? All those in favor? I opposed abstensions. The eyes have it. Item 216. Do I hear a motion

097to make the following transfers from the general fund to the food service fund as per the reimbursements from the Commonwealth? They are on the screen. So, second. Comments or questions? All those in favor? I opposed abstensions. The eyes have it. Moving on to item 27. Do I hear a motion to approve the Leighton area high school and the Lake Area Middle School activity funds for March? So move second. Comments or questions? All those in favor? I opposed abstensions. The eyes have it. 218. Do I hear a motion to approve the attached exemptions from per capita and or occupational tax? So move. Second. Any comments or questions? All those in favor? Opposed? Abstensions? The eyes have it. Item 219. Do I hear a motion to approve the following refunds of per capita andor occupational tax? Four

098of them. So moved. Second, answer questions. All those in favor? Opposed? Abstensions. The eyes have it. Moving on to item 20. Do I hear a motion to approve the following reports from March? The condensed board summary, the expenditure report, the revenue report, the treasures report, and the final summary. So move second. Comments or questions? All those in favor? I opposed abstensions. You guys have it. Item 221. Do I hear a motion to approve the following payment of bills for April in a total amount of 4,900,347? [Music] Second comments or questions? I have um some comments. Um, took me a number of extra hours to go through these because I had to double and sometimes triple check a couple places. Nothing wrong with it. But some of the dates on the bills we were paying um

099or moving the funds around for um there was one from July of 24. Um, and that was for the ESY camp and it was for their lunches and things like that. Um, the CCTI bill that we paid according to the invoice was for January, although we paid [Music] February's in February. You know what I mean? and and it just might be for the next person who's going to do this. It might be a little um true and I spent about three hours going back double triple checking and okay so I went back to January and December to make sure you know what I mean. So um I'm just trying to make it easier going down the road and it may be the way they're responding. I don't know. you know, right? Um and and one

100was for a check to the school district probably from the grant since it was ESY um summer camp for reading, I think. So, um so it the grant paid the school back for the money they spent basically. I just think that's going to be really confusing for somebody if they look so just saying other comments. Thank you. All those in favor? Opposed? Abstensions? The eyes have it. We're on the part three personnel item 3.1 the consent agenda. Do I hear a motion to approve consent agenda items 3.2 through 3.10? Second. Um, do you really have comments or questions? Uh, other than to pull things out. I don't think that there's anything in here that we need a There's no contract. Yeah, I think we're good. Okay. Other comments? The only comment we should make is

101on the retirements that we thank them. Okay, that's fine. All right. Those in favor? Opposed? Abstensions? The eyes have it. Now we can have our unusual name. Yes. I I I want to thank uh Miss Diane Schnel, Ron Raquel, Sharon Roach for their dedication and service to the students of the Leager School District. That's a lot of ears. I see. I see. This is I have to, you know, so I was told I was told by some people who know you better than I do that you would not be offended by me sharing the story. But I actually I actually remember Mrs. Rupel substituting in third when I was a student there. So when I saw you I when I saw the name before the meeting I'm like I wonder and then I saw you

102and I'm like oh my gosh that's that's defin well from that role. So I can't even imagine uh your students who had you every day of every year. Um so thank you incredible. Hopefully that wasn't offensive to you. Okay. I have enjoyed all my years here. It's It's very bittersweet. I very bittersweet. I'm honored to be retired from here. Thank you. Mrs. Rebel has been a fixture in this school for a very long time. Well, back and you ate the boiler room right now. Right next to the gold bed. So they don't know how things work. Thank you for your service. Thank you. But just one other wonderful part, Mr. has already said that she would be back as substitute. I was afraid to ask, but I thought that would put a cloud. It'll be

103the first. All right. Item 311. Do I hear a motion to appoint uh Rebecca Kowitz as the district's title N coordinator? So, comments or questions? All those in favor? Opposed? Abstensions? The eyes have it. Item 312. Do I hear a motion to approve the memorandum of understanding between the Lee Heighten Area Educational Support Personnel Association and Heighten Area School District to address the support staff cleaner salary? So moved. Second. Um. Very happy to see this. Yes. Comments or questions? Hearing none. Roll call vote. Mr. Dwayne, yes. Mr. Jeremy Glow, yes. Miss April Walker, yes. Miss Barbara Bose, yes. And Miss Joy, yes. Yes. Excellent. It 313 a motion to acknowledge FM for the following employees not to exceed 12 weeks. Some move second. Comments or questions? All those in favor? I opposed abstensions. The eyes

104have it. Item 314. Do I have a motion to approve the following requests for preapproval of courses and programs of study for employee continuing education? There are six items. So moved. Second. Comments or questions? All those in favor? I opposed abstensions. You guys have it. Moving on to four programs. 4.1 consent agenda. Do I hear a motion to approve consent agenda items 4.2 through 4.18? Second. Comments or questions? Oh, there's the contracts in there. Okay. Hearing no comments. We'll go to roll call vote. Mr. Jeremy Glash, yes. Miss April Walker, yes. Miss Barbara Lo, yes. Mr. Dwayne, yes. Yes. Yes. Item 4.9. Do I hear a motion to approve theou agreement between the Heighten Area School District and Wilts University for the purpose of providing field experience for education students for the 25th through 2030

105school years? Second comments or questions? Roll call vote. Mr. Jeremy Gl. Yes. Miss April Walker, yes. Miss Barbara Rose, yes. Mr. Wayne Deler, yes. And Miss Yes. Yes. Item 410. Do either a motion to approve enrichment juries for students involved in personal conditioning, which will include hikes at various outdoor locations, as well as for participants in a meetup, student forum, and collaborative programs with St. Luke and Lehi Valley Health Network or other health and wellness fieldbased locations. So move second. Comments or questions? Sounds like agree plan. All those in favor? Opposed? Abstensions? The eyes have it. Item 4. Do I hear a motion to approve the following school enrichment journey requests items 1 through 11? These are specific. Do I hear a second? Callings or questions? All those in favor? I Opposed abstensions the eyes

106have it. Item 412. Do I hear a motion to approve use of school property for the following requests? Items 1 through seven. So second comments or questions? Yeah. Um Car has that authority. That's an outside. Okay. I mean, shouldn't that have come to us a month before? I'm not I'm okay with it, but since we are always be more careful things. Okay. Okay. So, it's a late comment. Yeah, it's a comment. Other questions or comments? I know there's been a lot of other stuff going on. It's been busy. So, just with the budget. All those in favor? I opposed abstensions. The eyes have it. Moving on to part five, miscellaneous item 4.1. Do I hear a motion to approve Joy Mir and Heather Knap as the 2025 PSBA delegate representatives for Willy Height Area School

107District? Second. Comments or questions? All those in favor? I opposed, abstensions. The eyes have it. Um 5.2 is not a vote. It's a discussion item. The IU would like us to um submit ballots for doing I did them for your I already handed mine. Um, so Dwayne, I will not be anticipating that prior to my current. All right, moving on to part six, old business. Uh, Jason, do you have any updates on LERA and traffic signal? Um, yes. Uh, in terms of LERA, the I I'm still I'm going to have another follow-up conversation with the solicitor. Um, but it is basically very it's an outlier for a district to pass their own letter of resolution. And so they almost seems to me that the recommendation as of right now, although I I'm working through some

108clarification, is that if we were to participate, we would have to, you know, we would want to push other entities to revise their own. So seeing still determining whether or not there how how we would go about passing our own should we choose to um if the other entities would not be available to so basically we have to go along with what's already been passed. Correct. So it would be the entire township. Okay. Or we could suggest meeting with that and possibly try to work things out together to the benefit of the community. If you do things differently, then we're likely to get on board, that sort of thing. I think it'd be good to have a face to face meeting, you know, not not in the court of public opinion because, you know, somebody

109might say something the wrong way and then everybody's going to say that that entity is fighting with this entity, etc., So, are you saying, Jason, that you're still collecting additional information? Yeah, I'm I'm going to have another followup phone call to to see if what what actually what other options do we have other than go along or move along? Uh, and in terms of traffic signals, did want to say no news from PENDOT. That might surprise everybody. Um but I will say and I want to thank Janine. which she did a lot of work on. You know, we met with uh representative Hefley a couple of weeks ago and um we have Janine did a great job of putting together based upon the traffic study and the scope of the original design project of the

110traffic signal um applied for the multimodal grant. What was the the pre-application scoping? Pre-lication scoping. We are hopeful to line up some grant funding to help offset those costs. Great if we covered the entire thing and if we knew how much it was going to be and when it could actually be done, but we are. So um but hopefully we can, you know, get some support from the state um to improve safety and traffic in in doing 25 miles an hour through there would help. I got beat that tonight coming in here. Sorry. The speed limit is 25. Yeah, I have a question on old business. Why was the clay target shooting club removed from old business? We are still I am still working through getting some answers to what types of policy steps, what

111types of insurance steps uh would need to be taken. So it it is I just thought it should still remain there just say no updates. You know what I mean? Yeah, that's that's my only question. I didn't understand why it wasn't just wasn't there. Y hopefully we can get that information as soon as possible because I'd like to get that voted upon. You know, we missed this year already and I really have a lot of community members that have been reaching out to me about this. So, I really think it's a something that they're interested in. Yeah, the the plan and I did speak with uh the individual who brought it forth. Um the plan was really to kind of work through that in the month of May knowing there was a lot of prep

112work coming coming down the road and for up to this point in terms of budget and some of those things and also knowing that we have the time to work through those details. There is a fall season so if it was going to be a gun we would want my my understanding is that's a much more limited length of season and and participation lot of students participate in other activities. I just thought maybe it was because of the recent college shooting and high school shooting. I completely understand just the budget. Let's get the budget back finalized. But I did have that conversation with that individual and said like we'll we'll bring this back May and we work through the details and you still have time to to kind of get set. Great. Moving on to

113E 8.1. Director's concerns. Does anyone want to make any comments? Yes. So, so we had a teacher in our district, Erica, who participated in the Boston Marathon and she of course qualified uh for next year again. They had an excellent She had an excellent uh time and I think uh you know not not she had an excellent time and she also had excellent timing and I think she said that she was taking it easy this time and then she still can't help herself and she just sped along and did even better than I think last time. So um it's really great that we have teachers that are participating in things like that. back. I drove around Boston once I was exhausting. It was exhausting driving. So I have a ton of respect. That is, you

114know, that's that's just that's just remarkable. So a couple years ago, I went up to the Boston Shriners Hospital and did a walk around to that I don't know the the place where all the wares are. What's the name of that store? It's like a market. I was tired just walking through all that stuff, let alone going on that. But when we're done with that stuff, I have a couple comments. Yep. Go ahead. Director Spencer is wonderful. Um, this is just more information for the directors. On Saturday, I had the privilege of being invited to and taking uh an all day session down in Quakertown that was put on by the Independent Law Center and the PA Family Council. And I'll tell you what, you want to talk about some phenomenal information and literature that

115they handed out. Everything from the Sunshine Act to the right to know laws to title 7 to Title Nine, you know, dealing with employment and equal rights and uh and they honed in on policy 103. They honed in on all of the uh woke stuff going on out there in other areas. But basically the bottom line is that our board policy should mirror the values and the morality of our community. As school board directors, it is our responsibility to answer to the community and we have oversight and the responsibility of oversight for everything in this school district. So, I thought it was a wonderful packed day of information that I'll be sharing other information. Maybe I'll put together a memo and send it out to the director so that you can see at least the

116information that was presented. It was really good educational session. Do we have other director concerns? Hearing none. Do we have any public comment hearing? None. Item 8.3. Do I hear a motion to adjourn? All those in favor? Opposed? Abstensions? I have it. Um, meeting is at 8:56 p.m. We could have kept the meeting going to set our own