MTSD School Board - Reorganization, Work Session, & Candidate Interviews - 12/1/2025

001Good evening. This meeting of the Manhattan Township School Board is now called to order. Welcome to everyone here in person and those joining us online. In addition to the live stream, both audio and video are being recorded. Nurture and challenge for success is our district's mission. It serves as a reminder of our intent to enable every Manhattan Township student to learn, grow, and thrive. Please rise and join me to the pledge of >> the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation indivisible with liberty andice for all. My only announcement this evening is um again encouragement for folks to participate here at board meetings and online. Um we have now have the ability to post our meetings online. So if folks can't attend in real time, they

002can watch them afterwards. I want to offer just a reflection of this board reorganization meeting on the last year if you'll allow. As we gather tonight, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past year, a year marked by significant transition, challenge, and ultimately renewal for our district. Over the last 12 months, we said goodbye to two long-erving board members, including a board president and vice president, as well as a superintendent who led our district for more than eight years. We're deeply grateful for their dedication, commitment, and steady service throughout their tenure. Each contributed meaningfully to the growth and stability of Manhattan Township School District, and we thank them for the countless hours they invested in our students, staff, and community. This year also required us to confront an incredibly difficult chapter involving

003student safety. It demanded honesty, accountability, and deep reflection. While it was painful, it also reminded us of our shared responsibility to create and maintain environments where every student is safe, supported, and able to thrive. Our work on that front continues. And yet, even through challenge, our district has moved forward with purpose. One of the most important steps we took as a board was the successful hiring of our new superintendent. In a very short time, she has hit the ground running and demonstrated a clear passion for student centered innovation, for datadriven decision-making, and for engaging all voices, students, staff, families, and community members alike. Her early leadership has brought energy and clarity to our path ahead, and we are excited for what this next chapter will bring. As we turn toward the work of tonight's meeting,

004I want to thank everyone, our administrators, teachers, staff, families, and community for your partnership and perseverance. This past year has shown us that even in times of transition and challenge, our district remains strong because of the people who care deeply about our students and their success. Tonight, we also welcome and congratulate our four newly elected board members. Each of them is uniquely well suited for board leadership, bringing valuable experience, perspective, and commitment to our district. I want to be clear, they are not pledges, not apprentices, and not please. From the moment they are sworn in, they are full-fledged board members, equal partners in the important work ahead. They will strengthen and enrich the collaborative team of 10 we are committed to being. Their leadership capabilities are strong and they will play an integral role in

005our ongoing board development as we build cohesive strategy that reflects the voices, talents, and strengths of all. Can we give him a round of applause? [applause] All right, moving on. We're at number two, which is to say that it's roll call vote. But unless otherwise stated, each vote taken at this meeting will be considered a roll call vote and the secretary will record any negative votes or extensions. 3A schoolboard reorganization. So now I'll take I'll entertain a motion for temporary president for the purpose of organization. I'm looking for a motion for a temporary president. >> I would select Mr. Bazar. >> Mrs. Hence has the motion. Is there a second? I'll second. >> Thank you, Mr. Grer. All those in favor, please say I. I. All oppose, nay. Temporary president will now take the board

006chair. So would each uh member stand as um we call your name and stay in place for the oath of office. So the Langster County Board of Elections here, the Langster County Board of Elections hereby certifies that after tabulating the votes cast in your municipal election, On the 4th day of November 2025, Miss Cindy Lamb, Dr. Jessica Mardle, Mr. Mike McKenna, and Miss Shannon Zimmerman were duly elected to the office of school director for the Man Township School District for a 4-year term. Kelly Gillis will read the oath of office to each new board member and have them sign the oath. [snorts] >> Okay, we'll start with Cindy. I, Cindy Lamb, >> I, Cindy Lamb, >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support, obey, and defend >> the Constitution of the United States >>

007and the Constitution of this Commonwealth >> and the Constitution of this Commonwealth. >> And that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity. And I will discharge the >> the duties of my office >> duties of my fidelity. >> Sorry about that. >> Yeah. If you can come over there. Okay. And Jessica. Okay. I, Jessica Mardle, >> I, Jessica Mardle, >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support and obey >> and defend the Constitution of the United States >> and defend the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of this Commonwealth >> and the Constitution of this Commonwealth. and that I will discharge >> And that I will discharge >> the duties of my office with fidelity. >> Okay. And Mike, Mike McKenna. I, Mike McKenna, >> do solemnly swear

008>> that I will support and obey >> and defend the Constitution of the United States >> and defend the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of this Commonwealth >> and the Constitution of this Commonwealth >> and that I will discharge >> the duties of my office with fidelity. Okay. And last but not least, I Shannon Zimmerman >> I, Shannon Zimmerman, >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support >> obey and defend the Constitution. obey and defend the Constitution >> of the United States >> and the Constitution of this Commonwealth >> and the Constitution of this Commonwealth >> and that I will discharge the duty and I will discharge the duties >> and I will discharge the duties >> of my office with fidelity. All >> [applause] [applause] >> right. So now

009we will on the announcement of the 25 2025 2026 membership list. Mr. Mark Bazar hold over Mr. Patrick Grant hold over Mrs. Joanne Hence hold over Miss Cindy Lamb elected Dr. Jessica Mardle elected Mr. Mike McKenna elected. Miss Sarah Woodbury hold over. Miss Shannon Zimmerman elected. So now I am looking for a motion to nominate the president. Is there >> I want to take a moment to recognize the exceptional leadership demonstrated by our vice president this past year. This has been a year of significant transition and demanding work for our board. Through every challenge, he has shown steady judgment, a commitment to doing what is right for students and an unwavering dedication to the responsibilities placed on us as elected leaders. In a year when the board presidency required an especially heavy lift, he was

010a steady partner, offering thoughtful guidance, sharing the load, and ensuring that we approached our work with care, professionalism, and integrity. What makes his leadership stand out is the depth of his experience in inclusive and intentional leadership. He brings an approach that values every voice, seeks to build consensus, and ensures that decisions are grounded in the needs and aspirations of all students. As we look ahead to the coming year, one where we will continue driving innovation, strengthening our governance practices, and aligning our work closely with our superintendent's vision for excellence, this kind of leadership will be essential. It is for all these reasons that I am deeply honored to nominate him to serve as the next president of the Manhem Township School Board. I am confidence confident that his integrity, his collaborative spirit, and his dedication

011to student centered decision-m will serve our entire community. Well, with that, I nominate Mr. Patrick Fcher for president. >> I need a second. Second. Have a second. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Congratulations, Mr. Gretzer. And I would LIKE [applause] I would just like to say thank you to Miss Sarah Woodbury for dedicated service of president over the past year. And now I'm going to show um Mr. Grand to his seat. [clears throat] [snorts] [laughter] Thank you, Mr. Bazar. Give me just a moment as I get settled here. Appreciate that. >> Mr. Grant, just one point of order. I want to just make sure um I did not see anyone signaling for other nominations, but we didn't ask just so we're parliamentally correct. Were there

012any other nominations? All right. >> Now, we're parliamentarily correct. >> Thank you, M. Woodberry. >> And uh before we move on, I just want to make a few remarks if that's acceptable to my colleagues. And I I'll start by saying thank you uh thank you to my colleagues for this honor. Uh and thank you also to to Miss Lra. Uh I I'm trying to process all of this and the the the incredibly kind, generous words that you just shared and all I can do is echo them. This this has been a trying year uh a year full of opportunities, a year full of challenges uh and certainly I think a turning point in the history of the school district marked by the uh hiring of Dr. P. Hefty as our school's master superintendent. Uh Sarah,

013you led us through many long hours uh with an incredible amount of dedication to this community, to these schools, to our students, to our teachers, to our staff uh that quite frankly I don't know anyone else could have been capable of. Quite frankly, you did a job that no one else would have done could have done or would have done nearly as well as you. And I think this district owes you a debt uh to that. So, thank you for that steady leadership and vision. And I look forward to continuing to work you and everyone else moving forward. I also want to thank my family. Uh board service often requires long hours, nights, weekends. Uh and we all have full-time jobs on top of this. Uh I quite frankly could not do this without the

014unwavering support of my family. And to my colleagues here, I'll say I I look forward to our continued partnership and setting out a path that best supports our dedicated educators, staff, administrative team, students, and families. I particularly want to acknowledge our staff who just recently put in a huge amount of work and time to make parent teacher conferences a success. I know that is a challenge with significant effort and preparation. So, thank you for our teachers who put in long hours to get that done. The next year ahead is a key one. The school board will take critical steps for the future of this district, including moving forward on our campus athletic facilities, making key decisions on the future of Midar Elementary, and further supporting our superintendent and staff through Dr. P Hefty's first year

015here at Township. We will approach this work with a firm commitment to transparency and accountability. Our district's mission uh is to nurture and challenge for success. We start uh we repeat it and start every meeting with that mantra. And this is how I see this board working best. Supporting our staff, challen uh students and families, excuse me, in their work while working together to raise the bar of our expectations and our achievements. However, this is not a one-way street. This board should also welcome that same challenge to us. So please staff members, families, community members, students, teachers, write to us, seek us out, share your thoughts. I think constantly during these long hours of board service about whom and we as a board are accountable to in this work. And it's quite simple to me,

016our students, our educators, our staff, and the community. So please, if you have a thought, share it. If you have a question, ask it. An effective culture for learning and educating cannot be assumed. It cannot be created and left alone. It rather this is a process. It our culture must be nurtured. It must be challenged. It must be reinforced. I'm asking to you my colleagues support in making all that a reality for next year. Thank you. And so with that, I'm happy now to move forward to uh accept any motions uh for the election of a vice president for a one-year term. I am looking for a motion to nominate the voice vice president. Can I get a motion? Miss Wood, >> I'd like to make a few remarks and and and make a motion.

017I'm pleased to place into nomination one of our newly elected board members, Shannon Zimmerman, for the role of vice president of the Manhattan School Board. Although new to this board, Shannon brings a unique and exceptional set of skills that make her especially well suited to serve as a board officer. She comes to us with several years of professional experience in a cabinet level position in a neighboring school district. Experience that has given her a deep understanding of district operations, executive leadership, and the collaborative work required to move a school system forward. Shannon's background in communications, consensus building, and strategic leadership has prepared her to thrive in the complex and fast-paced environment of public education governance. She has demonstrated an ability to listen deeply, think clearly, and bring people together around shared goals, qualities that are

018indispensable for a board officer and essential for sustaining a healthy, effective governance team. She is also uniquely qualified to support and partner with our new superintendent as she enters her first full year leading a district in Pennsylvania. Shannon's insight into district level leadership paired with her commitment to strong communication and transparent decisionmaking positions her to be an invaluable ally as we work collectively to advance student centered innovation and excellence throughout our schools. For these reasons, I'm honored to nominate Shannon Zimmerman to serve as our vice president. I'm confident that her expertise, professionalism, and steady leadership will serve this board and our entire community exceptionally well. With that, I nominate Shannon Zimmerman for vice president. >> Thank you, Miss Woodberry. Now, I am looking for a second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Lamb. We have

019a second. Is there any discussion? >> Any other nominations? Sorry. >> Thank you. Y are there any other nominations? [snorts] Seeing none. Okay. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed, please say nay. >> Okay. The eyes have it. Miss, congratulations. [applause] >> [clears throat] [snorts] >> Thank you. I'll just make a few comments. I'm honored to accept the nomination for vice president and I want to thank my colleagues around this table for your confidence and your trust. I also want to express my appreciation to our outgoing leadership team. The board made meaningful progress this year as Mr. Brener said, including new levels of transparency. I'll note the facilities committee of the whole is one example and the guidance created a strong foundation for the work that we have ahead. And

020I want to mention that I'm committed to building on that momentum. So in her first 100 days in Manheim Township School District, Dr. Kate Hefty shared that her guiding principle is all means all. And I also heard this at the board meeting last time that our district is strengthened by diversity of thought, opinion, and lived experience. We as a board shared this common purpose for our staff, our students, our families, and our shared community. And all means all will guide our continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and creating belonging. Achieving excellence requires a strong strategy, clear processes, and a willingness to innovate. And I think that my former experience as a public school district administrator along with my current service to a public statewide board has uniquely positioned me for this role. And I'm committed to

021working alongside Mr. Grer as president, Dr. the FDA superintendent to empower every board member around this table so that we can do our best work together. So again, thank you for the opportunity and I look forward to what we will accomplish as a team. >> Thank you, Miss Zimmerman. Okay, we are moving on now to item five on our agenda titled board business. First up is item A, a motion that all meetings be conducted in accordance with school board policy. So this refers to board policy 0000 to 2011. Now I'm looking for a motion to confirm that all schoolboard meetings will be conducted according to schoolboard policy. Can I get a motion? >> So move. >> Dr. Mardo, I get a second. >> Mr. Bulazar. Thank you. Uh is there any discussion on this matter?

022Okay, seeing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All those opposed, please say nay. Seeing none, the motion carries. We are moving on to item B5B. A motion to approve that schoolboard meeting schedule. Uh, excuse me, approve the schoolboard meeting schedule for all meetings to be held at 6 PM each month according to the attached schedule. Now I'm looking for a motion to approve the attached schedule as noted. Can I get a motion? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Miss Lberry. A second. >> M Zimmerman. I'll give you a second there. Is there any discussion about our calendar? Seeing none. Uh can uh all those in favor, please say I. >> I. All oppose say nay. The motion carries. Right. Now we are on to item six, which is Manhattan Township

023community comments. Uh the board values input from all community community district employees, residents, taxpayers, district employees, and students. We're all welcome and encouraged to participate. The board won't engage in discussion, but will provide followup if needed. If you'd like to speak, please fill out a commenter's card for the board secretary to collect. Limit your remarks to 5 minutes and share your full name before you begin. Who would like to make comments this evening? >> Welcome. Please share your full name. >> My name is Mark Diner. I graduated here in 1989 and I had five daughters through this school as well. I'd like to congratulate the new members on the board. You guys fought a hard job and did a good job. I want to thank the administration as well for weeding out the book uh

024allegedly by Tiffany Jackson. It was in the middle school library. There were two copies, but it is no longer available there. And that book was inappropriate for middle schoolers. according to a Google search in AI mode and I recently used Grock as well just to make sure it wasn't this Google mishap. Brock concurred that book is no good for seventh grade. [snorts] I also want to thank the administration that the book this one summer by Jillian Tamaki uh was also weeded out. It was available about a week ago and it's not available any longer and I'm assuming it was because of all the sexual references. The book was better suited for high school or older readers. I want to thank the Man Township Administration for weeding out the book Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany Jackson.

025That book was available about a week ago. It is not available any longer in the high school or the middle school. And I'm assuming because of its many references to sexual assault, sexual violence, sexual harassment. That book was not appropriate for seventh graders and a Google search in AI mode mentioned that it was not and so did Brock. The book I want to bring to your attention tonight is the book The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Is Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood appropriate for 10th graders? I did a Google search in AI mode. No, The Handmaid's Tale is not appropriate for all 10th graders due to its mature and graphic content, including sexual violence and torture. The one scene that I want to bring to your attention tonight, I'm just looking around, make sure there's

026no minors in the room. If there's any minors watching on YouTube, uh the parents that are with those minors might want to take them out of the room. Mr. Junior, I'll concede that that book is in our our library. Uh, and I'll also say that those books are in our library based on the judgment and the process from trained professionals. >> They're tailored on a multi-point system of evaluation across internal staff and external association review take into account appropriate age ranges and subject matters. All of this has been explained to you multiple times. What has been also explained to you multiple times is the process by which books have been challenged. For some reason, you're not doing that. What you choose to do instead or these past few meetings is to read sections and attempt

027to distort or mislead with little to no care for those who may be listening or viewing at home regardless of what the appropriate age range of those books are. That is the opposite of what our professionals do here at this district. And it really is wildly out of step for someone who proclaims to care about such things leaves me to wonder for what reason you are doing this other than conducting yourself in a matter that celebrates your own self argument. So you can continue as you see fit, but this is uh you know I I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to achieve. >> I'm trying to achieve a clean library for children. >> Uh this is not the process under which book should be challenged. If you wish to challenge a book, there is

028a process that's been explained to you. You've attempted it before. you're not doing so now. >> So, this book in the high school library, The Handmaid's Tale, uh there's a sex scene where in one scene there's adultery, fornication, rape, torture, climax, orgasm, two women at one fantasy. Page 93. Above me towards the head of the bed, Serena Joy is arranged, outspread. Her legs are apart. I lie between them. My head on her stomach, her pubic bone under the base of my skull, her thighs on either side of me. My arms are raised. She holds my hands, each of mine and each of hers. This is supposed to signify that we are one flesh, one being. What it really means is that she is in control of the process and thus of the product, if any.

029The rings of her left hand cut into my fingers. My red skirt is hitched up to my waist, though no higher. Below is the commander, and he is fu c i n ging. I didn't say the word. It's not appropriate for this place. What he is fu c i n ging is the lower part of my body. I do not say making love because this is not what he's doing. Copulating two would be inaccurate because it would imply two people and only one is involved. Nor does rape cover it. I wish he would hurry up. Serena Joy grips my hands as if it is she, not I, who's being fu ced, as if she finds it either pleasurable or painful. And the commander fu cs me with a regular two4 marching stroke on and on

030like a tap dripping. He is preoccupied like a man humming to himself in the shower without knowing he's humming. like a man who has other things on his mind. It's as if he's somewhere else waiting for himself to come, drumming his fingers on the table while he waits. There's an impatience in his rhythm now. But isn't this everyone's wet dream? Two women at once. Kissing is forbidden between us. This makes it bearable. One detaches oneself. One describes. He comes at last. Your time is up. Are there others who would like to comment this evening? >> Welcome. Please share your full name. >> My name is uh Sans. I am a uh person in the district, a parent and other such things. Um, I did want to let the board know that in our school district

031in our policy section 900 community titled public comment and board meetings, um, it speaks about people speaking at public comments. And it does say an individual's public comment may be interrupted or terminated only under limited circumstances, such as when the individual's commentary is clear violation of law or board policy, including but not limited to the following. And it lists several. Some that you may want to consider are speech that traditionally has not been protected under the First Amendment, such as obscenity, defamation, and speech integral to criminal conduct. Or another one that says speech that does not concern matters that may come before the board for deliberation or official action. So, um I just wanted to let you know that there's a an opportunity for these public comments to help the board um have things that

032they can discuss to help improve our district and if there are um instances in which people might be taking advantage of a microphone that there are opportunities for the board to terminate those opportunities. just >> thanks for all you're doing. You're doing a great job. Congrats to the floor. >> Thank you, Miss H. Is anyone else like to make public uh public comment? Would anyone who has spoken like to make additional remarks? >> Oh, me again, Mark Deer, class of 89. Uh I was finishing up that scene. One detaches oneself. One describes he comes at last with a stifled groan as of relief. Serena Joy who has been you who you pretend or pretend or claim to care about >> the voice or this what our students are seeing or reading. Your actions are careless.

033They are continuously careless. and they center yourself rather than folks who are with living at home, including families and children. That is the opposite of how our librarians and staff conduct themselves. And I wish you would consider that. Serene joy who has been holding her breath expels it. The commander, it's the guy who is raping the girl who has been propping himself on his elbows away from our combined bodies. Doesn't permit himself to sink down into us. He rests a moment, withdraws, recedes, rezippers. He nods, then turns and leaves the room. I untangle myself from her body, stand up. The juice of the commander runs down my legs. So again, the Google search in it was actually in all mode. The question was, is the book The Handmaid's Tale appropriate for 10th graders? No, The

034Handmaid's Tale is not appropriate for 10th graders due to its mature and graphic content, including sexual violence and torture. I did a Google search in all mode. Is the book Perks of Being a Wallflower by Steven Chbosski appropriate for all ninth graders? No. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is not appropriate for all ninth graders due to its mature content including sexual abuse and sexual situations. The mature themes are sexual abuse, suicide, and these things may be triggering for some readers. The explicit content, it has details of sexually explicit scenes. Here's one of those scenes. And the boy kept working up the girl's shirt. And as much as she said no, he kept working it. After a few minutes, she stopped protesting and he pulled her shirt off and she had a white bra on

035with lace. I honestly didn't know what to do by this point. Pretty soon, he took off her bra and started to kiss her breasts. And then he put his hand down her pants and she started moaning. He reached to take off her pants, but she started crying really hard, so he reached for his own. He pulled his pants and underwear down to his knees. Please, Dave, no. But the boy just talked soft to her and how good she looked and things like that. and she grabbed his penis with her hands and started moving it. After a few minutes, the boy pushed the girl's head down and she started to kiss his penis. She was still crying. Finally, she stopped crying because he put his penis in her mouth and I don't think you can cry

036in that position. I had to stop watching at that point because I started to feel sick, but it kept going and they kept doing other things and she kept saying no. Page 158. So, they've been going out for a long time and I think they've even had sex before, but this was going to be a special night. They start to make out. The stereo's playing and they're just about to do it when Parker realizes he forgot the condoms. They're both naked on this putting green. They both want each other. There's no condom. So, what do you think happened? They did it doggy style with one of the sandwich bags. I did a Google search in all mode and asked this question. Is Girl in Translation by Jean Quac appropriate for all seventh graders? No. Girl

037in Translation is not appropriate for all seventh graders due to its mature themes and is generally considered more suitable for high school students. It is not a book that can be confidently given to all seventh graders without potential issues regarding the content. It is not typically a seventh grade selection and should be approached with caution for that age group. Page 283. He unzipped my jacket and pushed it off my shoulders. It fell on the floor. His lips were all I could look at and I abruptly disengaged myself and started walking toward the kitchen. I better find another towel, I said, knowing we didn't have any towels. But he caught me by my sleeve and his hands were pulling me back. I closed my eyes. I felt his arms go around me and before I knew

038it, his hands were under my shirt, stroking and tanalyzing. He kissed me and I stopped breathing. He was filled with meat. He seemed unable to control himself. He had already had my shirt off. We fell back on the pile of stuffed animal blankets. He pinned me to the mattress. His weight was delicious. And now he was moving his lips against mine, agonizing and luscious. The brushes stubble against my temples, the sweep of his hair. I felt I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move. I was his and he was mine. And I could feel the heat of him burning through his wet clothes. He was a man possessed by grief and passion together. But once he started to kiss me again, the taste and smell of him overwhelmed me and I became frantic to get his penis.

039You know, your time is up. Thank you. That brings us to item seven in our reorganization meeting, the journment. Is there a motion to adjourn? >> So moved. >> Mr. Mr. Baldazar. Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second, >> Miss Woodbury. Thank you. Our next scheduled board meeting outside of immediately after this is Thursday, December 4th, 2025 at 6 p.m. here in the district office. This is a special meeting to appoint a new board member with the facilities committee of the whole uh meeting occurring the same evening at 6:30. As was mentioned at the opening of the meeting, interviews of those seeking appointment to the board will begin this evening at 7 pm. Thank you to all Manheim Township staff, administrators, volunteers for your dedication to our students and community. All in favor of

040adjournment, please say I. >> I. >> Oppos? Nay. >> Motion carries. Thanks to all. We are going to have the most brief adjournment. Okay, looks like we are ready to start our work session. So, call to order and good evening. This meeting of the Manhattan Township School Board is now called to order. Welcome to everyone here in person and those joining us online. Uh in addition to the live stream, both audio and video are now being recorded. Nurture and challenge for success is our district's mission. It serves as a reminder of our intent to enable every Manine Township student to learn, grow, and thrive. And so we will start uh first with a few announcements. This evening we join school districts across the country in recognizing National Special Education Day, a day that highlights our

041ongoing commitment to providing every student with the support, encouragement, and opportunities they need to succeed. December 2nd marks the anniversary of the federal legislation now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which opened the door to equitable public education for students with disabilities. Nearly five decades later, this promise continues to guide the work that we do here at Manhattan Township School District. We are grateful for the dedication of our special education staff, our teachers, para educators, school psychologists, speech and language specialists, related service providers, and administrators. Their work is grounded in collaboration, compassion, and a belief in the potential of every learner. We also recognize our families whose partnership is essential in supporting each child's educational journey. Most importantly, we celebrate our students. Their perseverance, creativity, and individuality remind us of why inclusive practices

042matter, and why we remain committed to removing barriers, expanding access, and ensuring meaningful learning experiences for all. Tonight, Manhattan Township School District reaffirms its commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive school communities, providing highquality instruction and supports that meet diverse learning needs, ensuring access to rigorous academic opportunities, partnering with families through open communication and shared decision-making, and championing practices that uplift every learner. Thank you to everyone in our Mantine Manheim Township School District community who supports this important work. Together, we will continue building a district where every student belongs, grows, and thrives. Happy National Special Special Education Day. And so now we will move back into item two, Mannheim Township Community Comments. Uh the board values input from the community, districts, employ district employees, residents, taxpayers, and students of the Manheim Township School District. Individuals missing

043wishing to make public comments are invited to approach the microphone. To speak, please complete a commenter's card and submit it to the board secretary. As outlined in policy 903, please state your name and limit your comment to 5 minutes. You may speak once on a specific topic unless all others wishing to speak on that topic have been heard. At that point, you may be given an additional 5 minutes to speak. The board will not engage in discussion at this time. If follow-up is needed, the district employee or board member will contact you. Residents and employees may also submit questions in writing to the board secretary at board secretary mtwp.net and then our board secretary will make sure that we all receive that message. So, is anyone here want to give public comment? Okay, seeing none,

044we are going to move on forward. [snorts] If everyone's sure, we're going to move forward into item three, which is approval of our agenda or agenda modification. So, is there a motion to either approve or modify tonight's agenda? >> Miss H. Can I get a second, please? >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Woodbury. Any discussion about our agenda? Seeing none, all in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Nay. Okay, the motion carries. Now we are on to item four, which is action for our voting meeting on December 11th, 2025. First up uh is a re recommend uh a vote for or a motion for us to recommend to approve the resolution certifying the school district will not raise the 2025 2026 tax rate by more than the act one index 3.5%. Mrs.

045province. Welcome. >> Thank you very much. Uh the resolution before the board tonight is a procedural commitment confirming that the district will not exceed the F1 index um from next year's budget. The F1 index is a state determined cap on the property tax increase um increases established by Pennsylvania's taxpayer relief act. The index is calculated for each district annually. Um, and it's based on primarily inflationary factors such as the percentage increase in the Pennsylvania statewide average weekly wage and also the US uh employment cost index. Historically, districts uh could seek referendum exceptions above this limit um for increases in special education and pension costs. However, beginning with the current 2526 budget, um districts that receive adequacy money are not eligible to seek any uh act on exceptions. Um as a reminder, the adequacy funds that

046the district is receiving annually represents the state's effort to address the recent court ruling on school funding by bridging the adequacy gap. An interesting note is that every district in the state is currently receiving at least $50,000 in adequacy money. There's districts in the entire state that are eligible for exceptions, but we still have to take this procedural um step still. Um thereby, by approving the resolution, the board is formally complying with the current state law and committing not to exceed the maximum allowable tax increase of 3.5% um for the 2627 budget. Um it is very important to note that approval of this resolution does not mean that the district will increase taxes to the 3.5% amount. In fact, this decision will be made by the board in June. happy to answer any questions people

047may have. >> Yeah, thank you Mrs. Robins. That was very helpful. Are there any questions? Okay, seeing none, that was incredibly helpful to the point where you answered all of our questions. Thank you, Mr. Uh so uh we're going to be moving on then to item, which is board committee assignments for board members. And so attached to everyone's agenda uh on the board you will find a list of board committee assignments. I can see there legislative leaison PSP delegate assembly or assembly are among our board assignments and there's also committee assignments there as well. Uh are there any questions uh knowing that we will vote on these assignments at our next meeting December 11th? Yes, Dr. >> I just wanted to mention to the board that many boards um that you're seeing up here are

048actually voting tonight or this week on um their schedules as well. So, we use the rollover schedules that are currently in place to the best of our ability. We hope that there's not too many significant changes, but if there are and they impact your schedules, we can certainly come back to those assignments. Thank you, Dr. Pepi. Uh, I'll say also what the legislative liaison role has looked like has has evolved some over time. I think it kind of started with an idea a little bit from you, Mrs. Hence, uh, several years ago. >> So, yeah, what what Mrs. If anyone your mic I don't think was on but it it had that role had gone away from the board and I think we were looking to re resurrect it and so I'd served that role.

049It served mostly in terms of uh providing briefings to the board about major pieces of legislation or updates from Harrisburg uh with some some connection with our representative officed officials uh from from that place. So, uh, that is not one that has been as present of late, but I know I wouldn't even mind considering holding on to that role moving forward if no one else would like that. Uh, are there any other thoughts or questions, Mr. Bulasar? >> Just the questions. I think you said we'll vote on this next week, but the Langster County Academy board reorgs on Wednesday of this week. So that's an interesting procedural question is if I think we have you know there's been some interest expressed from different members about what these different committee signs are going to look like.

050I wonder from uh that board whether what they need in order to have an action taking member from this board represent. I'm not sure if that's >> well they're going to do exactly the same thing we just did prior to this meeting. So they're going to be electing a president and vice president and all those things. So, um, well, there's a couple things. I'm currently that that representative, but if I did not continue that, I would I could go to that reward meeting, but then I would like we soon as that's over. So, it the cleanest thing in the world would be whoever is going to be that going forward will go to that meeting on Wednesday, but if that can't happen, then I don't know where that that leaves the group there. Because technically

051I would assume that since we haven't done anything I'm technically because I was in the last I'm not actually now. So we're technically sitting with no rep to that board. >> So I guess the procedural question that we're going to need Langster County Academy to answer probably is whether they would accept a provisional member from this school board. Not he's not you understanding our process for next week. >> I would have the same thing at the board. >> Okay. >> I'm not sure what we can do to control for that. Uh >> have we always have them? >> Yeah, I think that's I think they've been appointed and I I think in my recollection is that we just the assignment occurred. It wasn't a a vote. It was just kind of a agreed to it.

052But >> that I mean your recollection as good as mine. I'm looking at Miss Marshall and Miss Davidson. Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Davidson, to see if they have guidance for this board. So, in the past, uh, these positions have always been approved this evening at our rework, but because you have an empty seat, um, which we had done last year when Miss Lamb was also elected as well onto the or appointed onto the board, we waited to do the, um, nominations for these different liaison groups uh, so that everyone had a fair share as to what they wanted because having a new board member might not give the opportunity for them to be a part of that group. So that's why it was kicked back to an additional week. Um, so in the interim, what a

053lot of these boards will do is they'll allow a rollover until you elect or until you appoint your committees. So that would be that would be a fine to do that to allow Mrs. Hens and Mr. Baldazar to roll over until you approve your committee assignments. >> That's all well and good, but what if I don't want to roll over? [laughter] So, well, I guess the option is either we have that absence or do we think we're in a position to appoint someone if if this doesn't in fact require a vote? >> Mm. My recollection is that in the past past ones I can remember it doesn't require us to vote. They they can they are appointments. So I think you have latitude to be able to appoint someone who who in draft is agreed

054to be represented. >> So there have been some uh discussions before this evening of trying to ascertain interests in different positions and committee assignments. And so I think I have a general idea of what this could look like. Didn't want to get too far ahead of it before we had a voting meeting. But if I'm um uh you know incorrect on process, I think I guess I'm I'm looking for for sense here of whether we can move forward this evening. Um, and I'm happy to record out my uh understanding of provisional placeholders that we we had there's been some discussion about, but I also want to be sensitive to the fact that this isn't exactly the process that everyone anticipated before this evening. So, uh, I'm happy to to move forward in that respect and

055and read these out and then we can have some discussion at that moment. Does that seem palatable to folks? Okay. So, I already kind of self-nominate myself for legislative liaison. I'm happy to keep that. Uh, I know Miss Woodbury did express interest in the PSBA delegate assembly. Uh, and then also the PSBA uh, Pennsylvania School Board Association, which is there at the bottom. Is that That's correct. M. Woodbury. Mrs. Hence, we were counting on your continued leadership at the IU. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, Mr. Bulazar like you were uh looking to move over to MTEF. >> Yes, >> we're going to have a pretty heavy presence at MTEF, but I think that um or I'm just open. I think the Langster County Academy just be in time and things is just a more conflicting

056kind of assignment for me. So, it doesn't have to be that. But I just think the academy is just one that kind of going forward I think be better served by someone other than me. >> To that end I was thinking about you Dr. Marter Mardle for Lancaster County Academy so you can work with Mr. Bulazar to make that transition in effectable. >> That sounds good. >> Thank you so much for stepping up. Really appreciate that. Uh so Mr. goals are I think one board assignment that had not been um allocated previously or or I understood to be I was thinking would be for our newly appointed board member was the envisions board which I know does great work and we have someone from that board here in the room this evening. Uh so that

057is something I'm not not going to press you right now but you can consider that while I continue on down the list. Miss Lamb, I know you had expressed some interest in being our leazison with the board of commissioners. Is that correct? Correct. I was going to ask because I don't see it up there, but I would like to continue to be the leazison on for board of commissioners. Thank you. >> Okay. Yeah, I see no reason for for us not to continue with that. Uh Mr. McKenna, there's the Lancaster County uh CTC. Uh just excited about you taking on that role. Does that seem like something that you can take on? >> Okay. Um so looking here, I want to make sure I'm not missing anything. All right. So, Mr. Bolazar, you've had a

058moment. Do you think an MTF or [laughter] >> I could envision this would be fine since we already have a heavier presence on MT. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. So, we did it. Any other thoughts or questions before we move on to our next uh matter which should be even a little simpler which is our partner school assignments. Okay, seeing none, we're going to move right ahead then. And similarly, attached and thank you uh for posting that up there. Attached to our board docs agenda, you will find a list of board partner school assignments. Uh and I'm happy to just run through these as as well. Uh but we may have we also should have some room for discussion. Uh Mr. McKenna, I see your hand. >> Yes. Uh so if Mark is leaning

059towards envisions and I would also like to be considered for MTF. I currently serve on the grants committee and have for several years as well as the the mini grants committee. So I'm very familiar with their operations. I think it could add a lot of value to that board. >> I I I do support that if we're we're moving back to the committee assignments. [clears throat] So the um my only concern would be if our newly appointed member will have the ability to work with CTC. So if we're a little less like fluid or locked in right now, we are a little more fluid. Um maybe we can work on confirming that over the next few days once or particularly once we have a new member appointed and we can revisit all these to make

060sure that this is working for everyone. But your point is is valid and I you know if you're you're already going there I think it does make sense to uh to uh lift that up. So uh I'm I'm hearing you and we'll just have to put a minute in that for this moment if that's acceptable to you. All right. Thank you. Okay, over to our partner schools. Any other thoughts or questions now? And so there have been some discussions here and if we're if we want to just go this route, we can run through it again. Uh so I will start with the Manheim Township High School and Dr. Mardle. I was really hoping that you would be our partner over there. >> I'd be happy to. >> Okay. um for Manheim Manheim Township Middle

061School. Uh thought this day would never come, but I think I'm going to hand off Shane Elementary uh my dear Schaefer and uh serve as the uh board representative to Mayhem Township Middle School. >> Miss Woodbury, I understand you wanted to continue with Landis Run. >> I would. Uh I should have said this before given your the the the duties that we have as president and vice president have traditionally meant that we don't take on committee assignments because you're going to have your hands full no matter what. So uh and so but uh I am thrilled to hand uh Schaer Elementary over to your more than capable hands. >> Shaper Gators. >> Shaper Gator all day. Exactly right. >> Uh Mrs. Hence, I'd understood that you wanted to continue with uh Ne gosh that elementary

062>> I am happy to or if there's someone who has another connection since I don't have children in the schools I go where I need >> but I like my neph >> if you're going where you need you're you're busy all the time from travel place to place but yes I I uh appreciate the connections you've made and and enjoy your report outs on that. So unless there's anyone else who would like to jump in there, I appreciate your continued leadership there, Mr. H. Mr. Bulazar, I uh understood you to be continuing with Rect Elementary. >> That is fine with me. >> Thank you, Miss Lamb. Nitra Elementary. >> I would love Nitra. Thank you. I loved working with Booker Elementary. It's an amazing school. Um, but I think for the past year I've really

063spoken up about HRA where my heart's there. So, thank you so much. I love that. >> Excited for this next step for HR. Thank you, Miss Lamb. Mr. McKenna Ryen B. What I said for you? >> Yep. Thank you. >> Your home school that and then so that leads uh Ber Elementary who we will be excited for our newly appointed board board member to be a leazison for that school. And so, um, also Dr. P. Hefty and I spoke a little bit earlier today about what this partner school, um, structure can look like. You know, my first year on the board, every board member was getting report backs every single once a month on updates and happenings at their home schools. Um, I in particular found a lot of value in that. It helped me

064feel connected to many of the different buildings, particularly when we're not all able to visit them as often as we would like. In the past year, I think in trying to promote some efficiency in in our meetings, we've kind of scaled that back. Uh, and so I think I'm open to thoughts on and and I want to go to Dr. Pet Hefty first about what it is we as board members can benefit from hearing from report outs from our partner schools and then also particularly from you Dr. Pety, what it could look like for us from the staff perspective to partner with those schools uh in a way that is beneficial for the building, beneficial for this board. uh and and and not at all disruptive. So, I'm gonna go first to you, Dr. Vote.

065>> Thank you. So, um when you look at your partner schools, we wanted to make sure that everyone that schools felt like they had equal access and support. So, we asked each of the schools to minimally provide us an event that you could attend and you're welcome to attend. But I want you to know that our administration welcomes you in our schools. They welcome you contacting your partner school. Um have scheduling a visit. Um and and then we have discussed options for you to do a report out. I'm glad to send options for maybe an elementary and a secondary school to report each time or maybe um we could benefit based on the topics of the board meeting so that we can keep things in flowing. You could report out on other events at your

066school. It might be nice in advance if you were able to sign up so you could kind of schedule that with your work schedules. I know how busy everyone here is. Um so that you could select a time and know that was your presentation. Um we are willing to you know kind of monitor this and and make changes as well. So I don't want you to think it's written in stone, but we welcome you in our schools and we want you to know that that's an open invitation for you. >> Thank you so much Dr. Bucky. I'm excited to see what this can look like. Are there any thoughts or questions? >> Mrs. H include in this um chart when the meeting I have found that very they have questions for me and >> I

067think that's an exceptional idea. I think Miss PTO is meeting tomorrow night. Any [laughter] other thoughts or questions? Mr. Bolar, >> I found this aspect of board service to be the one that the most challenging. My kids are out of school. I never went to a PTO meeting in the time when my kids were young, my wife had all the time. Um, so I go to I started to go to a PTO meeting, but it's I'm really disconnected. There's not a that this aspect it there's not a mission statement or a purpose. So to go to a PTO meeting when the parents, they're busy worrying about something else. They they rarely, oh, you're I don't even know what the school board is. I don't even know why. I it it really is um my recommendation

068would be can we find a way to really make this truly effective use of um time on on both fronts, right? I don't I don't I feel at times like I'm an intruder on a uh PTO means um even though I know some of the parents and I'm sure they don't feel that way. And then just if you go to one of those events like the talent show or some of their other events and you're a parent with no kids there, it's extremely difficult. Like what are you doing here? That's great. You're a board member. It's great. But so I want to be supportive, but for me without a purpose and a structure, it just becomes like challenging. >> I appreciate that, Mr. Wer. It's easier for me when my kids are at shape. In

069particular, I do remember Mrs. Carol who formerly served on this board. I would always see her at Schaefer events when she was the board partner there with her dog. And so that was always kind of like the the grounding uh icebreaker for her. Uh I think and and and you know I I I would welcome Dr. Fate Hefty's thoughts on this. But I think maybe a first step is connecting with a building's principal and trying to get a sense of how you can plug in. And [clears throat] if the answer doesn't work or isn't isn't something that seems productive, then I'm certainly open to having that conversation in ways that we can we can look to either uh you know, rightsize that or or or adjust it as needed. But um you know, I I

070think I would also welcome as we can dive into this particularly with our newer members that we share our ideas, share things that worked well, things that haven't gone well. But I think you know what you speak to in particular is having a task without a purpose is challenging, right? So just making sure that we define what success looks like, what we're trying to um contribute and what we're trying to learn, I think is going to be critical. And so maybe that's part of our our next step as a board is understanding really what it is that we're trying to achieve. So I have ideas, but I welcome others and we can I think uh do that uh some of our our work maybe revisited next week. Yes. Any other thoughts or questions? Okay. All

071right. I think that brings us to a can finish on uh item four. Then we are then on to item five in our agenda which is new business. Items brought forward under new business will not be acted upon until the next school board meeting to allow schoolboard members to have sufficient information and to allow opportunities for public comment. Do any board members have any new business to bring forward? Okay, you're seeing none. And that brings us once again to item six, which is Manheim Township community comments. Community and district employee comments. Uh the board values input from the community. District employees, residents, taxpayers, and students are all welcome to encourage to participate. The board won't engage in discussion, but will provide followup if needed. If you'd like to speak, please fill out a commenters card

072for the board secretary to collect, limit your remarks to five minutes, and share your full name before you begin. Who would like to make comments this evening? Welcome. >> Hi, I'm S HS. I love microphones. Um, so I just wanted to make the comment um based on the discussion that you just had about what a school board member could do at a PTO meeting or at an event at a school. Um, I think what Mr. Baldesar said uh one of his uh comments that you know people don't know what the school board is is exactly right that attending school events going to PTO meetings showing your faces out in the district um being really active as um some of our new members I know have been very active within their school committees um marching band

073or on PTO or book fair or whatever. Um they will get to know what the school board is and then At these meetings, we might have more people in attendance. We might have more people watching. We might have more people engaged. Part of a school board's um purpose is community engagement. And uh like we mentioned before about some of the struggles in this past year, there is some um lack of trust in the transparency and the goings on at the school board. So, if you can go there and you can they can see who you are, they can see what you believe. They can see how you're putting in the time and the effort and the work. um even if you don't have kids in the district that you're somebody who wants to be there,

074who wants to see how we're educating our children, how we're entertaining our children, um the what the building looks like, what it smells like, what the water tastes like, that you're there really putting both feet on the ground to want to be in and around them, which I know you all do, [clears throat] serving volunteers, Pennsylvania is only one of two states um that doesn't get paid to be on school board. So, you're putting your time in. Um, and that is very valuable. And it's important that people see that more than just um uh two Thursdays, even though today's Monday um a month, you know, for them to see you more often than that, I think would be great. Um so, that could be uh a reason to attend those events. Just just go shake

075hands, say what your name is, who you are, tell them to come join us here, get in front of the microphone, too. probably love it as much as I >> Thank you, Miss H. >> Anyone else like to make comments? >> Many of you will have a chance to speak in just a moment, too. So, if there's no one else, we're going to move to ajourn and then start our final uh meeting of the evening. So, we're on to seven, which is adjournment. Uh upon adjournment uh please note that our interviews for open board seat begin quite soon. Uh and that brings us to close. Is there a motion to adjourn? >> Mrs. H. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Miss Lamb. Thank you. All those in favor please say I. >> I. >>

076All oppose say nay. The eyes have it. We are adjourned for just a moment. They're just 20 minutes behind. So, uh, we're doing okay. I guess we're going to call this last meeting of the evening to or to order. Uh, and good evening and welcome. Uh, this meeting of the main Township School Board is now called to order. Welcome to everyone here in person and those joining us online. In addition to the live stream, both audio and video are being recorded here this evening. Nurture and challenge for success is our district's mission. It serves as a reminder of our intent to enable every main township student to learn, grow, and thrive. Now, we are on to item B in our uh agenda. And so, uh, as was publicized on our website and in local media

077sources, we will be facilitating public interviews this evening for candidates who applied for the available position on our school board, which was vacated on November 14th, 2025 by Dr. Terrence Henderson. This is a public meeting dedicated solely to the interviewing process. The board will make no decision this evening on filling the expected vacancy. Thus, there will be no opportunity for public comment during the meeting. The board is planning to fill the vacancy at a special meeting of the board on December 4th, 2025 at 6 pm. A public comment period will occur prior to that decision. This position will serve from December 11th, 2025 through the first Monday in December 2027. By school code, the vacancy shall be filled until the first Monday of December after the first municipal election, occurring more than 60 days after

078the vacancy shall occur. Now, tonight the board will ask two questions of all candidates. We will ask that they rotate up to the interview table when they are called. Questions were provided to the candidates in advance. The presentation order was selected via random autogenerator. We will have a time limit of two minutes for each response and the time will be projected on the screen above. Now, two minutes is not super easy. There's also a lot of us and there's a lot to cover. I'm not going to cut you off. So, you're if you're at two, if you're at 155 and the best thought you've ever had comes to your head, finish your thought. I'm not going to I want you to, you know, we want to learn a little bit about you, what you think

079is important, why you're here. Um, and so I want you to take the space that you can, obviously, within reason, uh, with respect for everyone else here to to finish your thought within that time frame. Uh also I will say to my colleagues on the board, you all have folders in front of you for uh to use to evaluate uh the answers that our candidates provide. Note that there's space for evaluation of the two two questions we're going to hear this evening, but then also each of the candidates provided extensive written thoughts to us which I've already gone over. I'm sure many of you others have as well. I appreciate the time and thoughtfulness that you all put into that. So, we are also going to uh consider those uh before we make our decision

080later this week. Are there any questions from anyone on the board about this process? Okay. So, once we once we call you up, I'm going to uh uh uh say your name. There will be two at a time come up to the table. If I mispronounce your name, please, please, please correct me. I don't love it when people mispronounce my name. You all deserve to be treated with respect. I'm going to do my best, but if I get it wrong, please, please, please do not be shy and please tell us. Um, also, I'm going to ask the first question and then my colleague, Miss Zimmerman, is going to ask the second question this evening. All right. Any other thoughts on the board? Okay, we're moving on to item two, which is approval of our agenda

081or agenda modification. Is there a motion to either approve or modify the agenda tonight? >> Miss Zimmerman, is there a second? >> Second. >> Dr. Mardle. Thank you. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Say n. Okay, the motion carries. We are on to item three which is our school board school board candidate interviews. So as we get started here will the following two candidates please come to the interview table. First is Miss Sariah Hints and Dr. Ri Perez. Please come to the microphone. Okay, first question. Is this to me since I'll go with you first? >> Um, it's soro. >> So, thank you. >> Very welcome. >> Um, I also have a quick question. Are we allowed to use notes or just >> absolutely use whatever you need. >> We

082all are all using notes here at the table, so you'll have you option to do so as well. So the first question is, what interests you about serving on the school board? >> So what interests me about serving on the school board is one, I have five children in the district. So, I have the whole time that we've lived here, I've been an active volunteer um in every method that was possible. I even went to school administrators and said, "What committees do you have that no one wants to serve on?" I'll sit there. Um and then I will put both my hands and both my feet in it and I think I have. Um I have recently become a substitute and I've been able to be in the classrooms that way. So, I really can

083see MTSD from every side and every angle. There are many wonderful people within this district. Um, from paraprofessionals to administrators to educators within our classrooms, volunteers. Um, but there are also a lot of ways that we can improve. And while volunteer work is one way to do that, um, I think school board is another way to help those improvements move along a little faster and with greater impact. Um, I also have an extensive uh, history personally um, and professionally in education. I was a high school English teacher. Um I was a continuing medical education program director and um I did very well in my classrooms and still keep in touch with some of my former students. I have a passion for education. I keep up with research and studies about it. um I know what

084works and what doesn't and I can give the data behind it and I think that that's also very important coming to the school board having a former educator current substitute um which I know would change um in amongst this group of people who really all want the same goals of um having our students do well here. So both of those things really drive me in wanting to be a school board director. It seemed like the obvious next step. Um, I've been very invested in the race and in these meetings and in the goings on of the board and I just think that I could really help enrich uh this already productive group in um moving in the directions that I think we all agree on. >> Thank you Dr. Chris. >> Um, hi. This is

085on. So I admire first of all how the school district works. I come from another country. I'm Puerto Rican. This is not how schools work. And I think this uh uh link with the community, with the parents, the teachers is something important that should happen everywhere. Um I am also a mom of two children here. I have a kid in eighth grade, middle school. I also have a high schooler, uh, Damian. Um, I think I can provide a lot of perspectives and insights coming from another culture and because I also have a very my educational background is in in a lot of things at the same time. Um, I have a medical degree. I also am in a teaching academy for graduate students. Uh I am a parent that has been very active in the

086school. Uh I have been in the DEI committee at Nementary when my kids were part of Nementary. I also was the PTO at Booker and Nementary when my kids were there. And I am very interested on seeing a lot of people from different backgrounds coming to the meetings all the time and give their input. Um I think the input from different backgrounds just creates new things. It increases innovation and new ideas and new ways of doing things. So I am very excited to be here. >> Thank you. Okay. What skills, experience, and strengths would you bring to the board? So, um, as I mentioned, I, um, have a lot of professional and personal experience here in MTSD. I have sat on the Northstar committee. Um, I also have served on several PTOs. Um, I also

087am the two-year chair of the Sage Committee, which was formerly known as Slack, the superintendent advisory committee. Um, so I I kind of am keeping myself ab breast of all of the issues that are going on here in the district and in various schools individually as well, all the way down to the classroom level. Um, in addition to that, uh, I think I'm just a very curious person and I lead with asking questions. I have an incredible empathy and I'm really able to see where someone is coming from, meet them there. Um, encourage them in the things that they want to do and the the strengths that they have and then also maybe challenge them to grow. Um, and then step in where needed. So I think it starts with listening first. Not coming in

088with any ideas or assumptions about people, but being able to just listen to them, hear them, value them, make them feel seen and understood. I think it it always has to begin there. And I have an ability to do that. I've always been that way. I'm an excellent cheerleader for people who um I just love to see shine. I just love nothing more than watching people do what they do and do it well. I have cried at many a marching band performance because it's crazy what those kids do out on the field. I'm a hooer and a holler in the uh audiences at many a chorus and band events as well, the musicals, the plays um here when the board members are elected tonight, that little hoop with me because it's just so great to

089see somebody achieve. And if that means I stand back and they go forward, then by all means, I'm happy to do that. And I think that serving on school board would just allow us to work together to make so many of the families reach their incredible and self- selected potential. Repeat, >> what skills, experience, and strengths would you bring to the board? >> So, um, my current job is a English Spanish translator for schools. I work with ERS and our prepared regulation reports all the time and I think I have a different perspective uh after reading hundreds of files of the gap there is in communication. There is a lot of resources in the school districts. There's a lot of parents that need them and kids, but there the link between those things the the

090groups could always be improved um a little bit and I've also u in this sense of language helped even parents when I was in the PTO or just when my kids were in elementary school uh to translate. So I've seen that um I am bilingual. I can help with this. Um, also I am finishing my master's degree this December and I have been doing research for two uh years. Uh I have also been learning a lot about policy formulation uh analysis policy analysis. Um I've also as part of my studies have been working together constantly with people from uh different countries and I feel this also has opened my mind to how the dynamics uh work because we all have something to bring always. Um so um I think it is very important also to

091be a person of of integrity compromise to know that this is a serious thing and I believe that I I'm Um I have my words in in English are coming. So um I think it is uh important to be um adaptable and um um you know move with change, creativity and cases is just our opportunity to create new things. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay, that's it. Thank you. hardest to go first. >> And to that end, next up is just going to be one person because one of our other people withdrew. So, Mr. Carlos Cornell, welcome. >> Good to meet you, right? >> Okay. Yeah, thank you. >> I was wondering. >> I was hoping. >> Great job. >> So, whenever you're ready. Uh, so again, welcome. Thank you for coming. Uh, my

092question is, what interests you when serving on our school board? >> Uh, sure. So, first of all, thank you for the opportunity. My name is Carlos Cornel. I a licensed social worker in the state of Pennsylvania. In addition to that, I uh hold my certification as a program alcohol counselor also in the state of Pennsylvania and the state of Delaw. Uh what really motivates me to um be here tonight is my commitment with community uh engaging the communities. Also, uh being here is an opportunity to represent uh my culture as a Dominican Puerto Rican. I was born in Dominican Republic. uh who grew up in Puerto Rico and uh lived there since age 24. Uh when I moved uh to the state of Delaware, I had the opportunity to um get the support from people

093like you, from educators and that is the reason why I'm here and having this conversation with you guys because otherwise you would have not understand a word of what I was saying back then. Um so um my uh another thing that I would like to mention in regards to my um um interest in the board uh decision is I think it it it can be summarized uh with the word uh connection. I I would like to be that representation for those family members that cannot have a voice at the board uh at the table. While you guys are doing an excellent job, I think that my experience as a social worker currently working for a medical health uh institution like general health medicine uh and my um experience working with grants, federal grants uh state

094and federal. uh could be an opportunity for me not only to um uh support you guys to connect with those community uh members but also have a voice also have an opportunity to um talk and connect with someone that that perhaps does not have an educational background. So I appreciate the opportunity. what skills, experience and strengths would you bring to the board? >> Well, uh thank you. So, as I mentioned, I am a licensed social worker. Uh while I do not have the educational background, uh that others might have, I have the opportunity to serve multiple committees, other boards that have served in the past. Currently, I am an active member of the Pennsylvania uh Department of Health HIV Council, which is the council that perhaps uh governs the uh funding and how those funds

095are going to be allocated throughout the uh state. Sorry, there you go. That's better. How those funds are going to be allocated throughout the state. So my work does not only um uh brings services and opportunities to for the people to connect with care but also allows me to at the state level um uh have a voice on how to distribute those funds. Uh in addition to that another skill that I think that I uh would like to bring to the table has to do again with community engagement. I have uh had years of experience connecting uh other uh folks that are uh perhaps not willing to connect with care in different ways. And I can speak for um uh Spanish uh population for example and where uh those folks uh have are a little

096hesitant to u uh receive care from hospital institutions. So let's face it, you don't go to the doctor until you're dying. Uh so my job uh primarily is to um break those barriers that are uh getting in the way of um uh between the care that folks need and uh some of those barriers have to do with financial and that's what I that's what I do what I do. I write my grants and I bring dollars to our communities in hopes that that would enhance the health uh and the opportunities for the folks that I serve. Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. Thanks for the opportunity. My daughter will be very happy and very excited that she saw Papa. >> Thank you. So, next up is Mr. James Bohan Bohan and Dr. Jill Cost.

097>> [snorts] >> Welcome. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Glenn. To you first. What interests you about serving on the school board? >> Well, first of all, it's Bowen and is more appropriate. I suppose I have in any case. >> I apologize. >> Yeah. Um, I guess the easiest way to sum it up is I've been a lifer in education. I started teaching in 1968. Uh, to be very honest with you, I did it to avoid going to Vietnam. When uh, President Nixon stopped the draft in 1973, the school I was teaching at lost a third of its faculty that day. They resigned and left. And I stayed the rest of my life. Uh I uh have multiple degrees. I've always loved going to school. Uh and the one thing I I was a math educator

098my entire life is that I was really dedicated to the idea of using mathematics to uh you know foster the growth of all students no matter how talented they were and particularly dealing with the um the aspect of uh their own attitude towards themselves and mathematics because that's one of the ones that I have served uh this community in lots of different ways as an appointed member of the park board from the school district that was appointed in 1990 and uh served on the park board multiple terms again with the endorsement of the school board uh until it was disbanded last year. I had 33 years in that many of which I was the chairman. One of the things that I just uh felt when I saw this opportunity come up is I have an

099enormous amount of experience. I've uh taught in parial, private, public, charter and also consulted privately in all sorts of aspects. I have extensive dealings with PTE and professional organizations. And the one major thing that I uh I really believe is that people need to understand that when you're a member of the school board, you don't control all the things they'd like you to. That's a very specific uh you know set of things that a school board member attends to and uh the comments about you know partnering with the schools being that sort of a resource just seems to me uh my next step in my dedication to K12 education. >> Thank you >> Dr. Custoy >> um thank you for this opportunity. Um [clears throat] so for me the what really interests me is the

100aspect of community engagement. Um my son is a first grader at BRC and I'm volunteering there and really enjoying that work and appreciating seeing how the school fits into the sort of larger structure of the district. Um and I'm really interested in engaging with the school board to not only help be transparent to our community but also um help myself more fully understand the structure of the school district and policy making as well. Um I was really struck by both Star's comment about um PTO members not knowing what the school board does and thinking about what is it that makes it feel so opaque and um what can I do to help contribute to transparency there. Um I am a professor an actual professor of English at uh Elizabeth Town College and I teach composition

101and I teach young adult literature. So I'm always thinking about adolescence and I'm always thinking about um how do we translate things that seem uh unclear to others into more understandable language and connection. And so when I think about my interest in the school board and really coming at it from that perspective of how do um we more fully help the community understand what we do, what the role is and how we fully connect with the community to make that clearer. Um and I'm also um a huge advocate for learning and transparency in learning and in supporting teachers and staff and students um and for um access to books and libraries and for students to read texts that represent a whole range of viewpoints um and um allow those mirrors and windows and sliding glass

102doors um that are so important. So those are the things that I think really drive my interest and I appreciate the opportunity. What skills, experience and strengths would you bring to the board? Um well I think u one skill or quality perhaps is sensitivity. We we were blessed with four kids all of whom graduated from Manheim Township. Um one uh it's worth pointing out he's a master mechanic at Chapman Fort. Another one is a PA. I have a mechanical engineer who she says she takes after me. I don't know if that's true. And then we have one who's gifted in languages. And it it really as I worked my way through here, I started here in 86. Um tailoring programming to maximize the potential of each individual student became almost an exception in my case.

103For example, when I started in ' 86, there was only six kids taking advanced placement mathematics in the high school. When I left in 2005 to go to the IU, we had approximately 250 taking either calc statistics or computer science at the advanced placement level. And that was much I think I was blessed with the ability to form connections with the teachers in all of the buildings all the way through, you know, K through 12, particularly in the middle school and high school to uh, you know, have them participate in the development of programs that really work very very well and I put some comments about my leadership style available for you. I think much of it is a matter of experience. I know when uh the parkour disbanded, one of one of my regrets

104and disappointments was the fact that uh you know once you get enough white hair, you know, an awful lot of stuff most people don't want to talk to you about, you know, it's kind of unfortunate. So I think one of my greatest strengths is first of all caring for individuals as much as I do plus um being willing to uh share and do whatever is necessary to improve you know the the future of the kids. It's all about the field. >> Um, and for me, skills, experiences, and strengths. Um, as an academic studying children's literature, young adult literature, I mentioned that I'm always thinking about adolescence, thinking about childhood and adolescence and the spaces of those of those time periods and what does our education do for students during that time period. Um, and I'm

105always about ways to create and encourage civic mindedness. Um, ideally helping humans grow into people who are um engaged with their communities and thinking about the structures that shape their lives and what their roles are in them. Um, and I think that I'm quite good at conveying that kind of information um to people who might be interested in hearing about it and um and again always thinking about that myself. So I bring uh that kind of thoughtful engagement with why we do what we do for and who we do it for. Um I've also served on several committees through the children's literature association. I was the co-chair of the membership committee um and I served on the Phoenix Book Award panel and um on the communications committee. And in all of those spaces I learned

106how to navigate um what we do on a committee inside of a larger organization. And again, how that helps me understand um an organization and helps me then translate that for others who want to know what we're doing and want to be doing. Um and I'm also a very enthusiastic member of the team. Um I really appreciate Roya's point about being a cheerleader and I want to echo that too. Um that it's um it's really a pleasure to see other people succeed and to um essentially cheer them on in that. And so I think those are things that I bring along with a levelheaded perspective and a collaborative nature. I really want to hear what others have to say and I'm pretty good I think at taking multiple viewpoints and kind of getting to what

107the core of conversation might be. >> Thank you both very much. Okay, next up is Mr. Brian Schnow and Miss Jessica. Welcome, >> Mr. SM. I'll start with you. What interests you about joining May Township School Board? Great. Uh, good evening. Thank you for the opportunity um for me to be able to be here tonight. Um, there's a multitude of reasons why it interests me to be here. The one that I feel like is most uh prevalent right now. I'm going through a transitioning period as far as my career goes, I'm getting ready to retire out of the military. Um so I've spent the last 25 just about 25 years of my life um um as a part of a team uh serving the country um and also being a part of the National Guard,

108serving the community as well. Um not here to talk about that though. The reason why I'm here is because I was inspired by my spouse. Um I'm uh jokingly I'm a first husband. Um my uh my wife Danielle Schmail is the uh president of the NRA PTO. Um over the last three years she's moved up from the secretary to the vice president, now the president. Um she's done wonderful things for that school. Um so uh she to the point where it's no secret that some of the elementarymentaries and and narrow being one of them need some work, right? Um so she and two of her other colleagues on the PTO um along with help from staff and other administrators there um [clears throat] got the attention of uh Dr. uh Dr. Ky and uh that

109was I think your first task or one of them I believe she remembers that. So, um, but seeing that, um, inspired me, um, because I could not wait to get out of the military to be the guy that does the thing, right? Just be that guy. But, um, it inspired me to continue to, um, look at something else, to be a member and serve. And I I believe that this is it, um, for me. um to be able to designate my time and my efforts to the well-being um and welfare of the student body here at Manhattan Township. I have two daughters. Um one is still at NAR and the other one's at Landis. So whatever I can do to be a part of that is what my inspiration needs to be today. >> Thank

110you. So, it's calling. What did you see about joining the man ones? >> It's Kayla with a long a >> I know it looks >> Thank you very much. Um, thanks for letting me be here tonight. Um, I've always been very passionate about public education. Um, I've worked in public education for almost 25 years. Um, I taught elementary school in lower Marian school district for 10 years before moving to Lancaster with my husband who's from the area. And, um, we've lived here for almost 12 years. And in that time, I've loved being part of the community and serving our community by volunteering in the district and even working in the district. I was a substitute teacher for a short time during COVID when we had a need for substitutes and I have not been working

111in the public education classroom for a while. Um I've been working and continue to work at Millersville um university. I work in the department of education. Um currently I work in the department of special education and I supervise student teachers in their field placements throughout Lancaster County including I have someone at Schaffer and Bre right now and the delight to be there. My daughters both went to Schaefer. They're now at high school. So, I've always worked adjacent to or directly with public education. Um, serving on the Slack committee with Dr. Felt for six years gave me a great opportunity to see what it was like to partner with schools at the PTO's, listen to what the families were asking, and then bring it directly to the superintendent. Um, I really relish that opportunity and would

112love to do something like that. Um, also serving our community as a member of the school board. >> Thank you. What skills, experience, and strengths would you bring to the board? Back to you, Mr. Schm. Um, so a lot of uh a lot of my skills that I feel like I could bring to the board um would probably deal within the last 15 years of my service. Um I I do I do serve full-time. Um I've been in part of the recruiting command for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for the last about 15 years. I did take a three-year hiatus where I worked over a schoolhouse up at 40 in town gap. during that time um of the last 15 years uh I have I feel as though I have uh some pretty good communication

113skills um I have a lot of uh um experience in public speaking um and and the biggest thing that I feel that I could bring is the problem problem solving aspect of things. Um, as a recruiter, my job was not just to get people to join the National Guard, but it was to um dig down, talk to them, get to know them, and figure out what motivated them and um why they wanted to do it. Um, that being said, I took that job to heart. Um, and I was dedicated to giving them the best possible solution that the National Guard had to offer. um that may not have always been the the best solution for them and that was okay. There's a service out there for everybody. I was told that. However, um I I

114did dedicate myself to communicating with that individual what their options were. Um, on top of that, the leadership piece of it. Um, the last 10 uh 10 years or so, I have been in a senior leadership position. Um, and uh I had, as I said, had a brief stent over at our um schoolhouse. Um, which there I was the uh um assistant director of leadership development and training operations. Um so not that I have public school knowledge um but I do have the the knowledge of of um making those decisions overseeing a program or two um and as I put in my statements to the board uh during co um we had had to very hastily create a virtual program to keep our leadership academy running and we did that within a 90-day time frame.

115um all consulting all members of my team to the lowest instructor to the to the lowest level of instructing and then to the highest level across the nation um collaborating and creating so successful program. So and what skills, experience and strengths would you bring to the board? So I think a lot of people here have already said they have expertise and education and experience in that and I think it would be wonderful if the board picks someone with that experience but beyond that we're not here just to work as educators or those who work with education um but to represent our community um and to advocate and to build bridges and I've done a lot in terms of advocacy for uh particularly LGBTQ QIA individuals, children. Um, I was a Girl Scout leader for 10

116years and loved it and unfortunately dissolved my troop with the full support of every girl, all teen girls who go here on the township when we learned that our current council does not have affirming, welcoming policies for all kids. Um, I care very much about vulnerable kids. That's why working in special education means a lot to me. Um, and I think that's important for all. Um, but I also think being a bridge builder is important, too. And that came to light to me today. My my neighbor, um, Danny Martin, he actually he wrote me a letter tonight. He didn't know if I could bring a letter. Um, and I said, "I don't know that I can, but I read it and it meant a lot to me, and I'll just read a part of it."

117Um, he says, "It might also be relevant to point out that I, he, Danny, have served on the Mannheim Township Republican Committee for the last four years. And while I know Jessica has very different political leanings from mine and may well disagree with me on some key issues, I have no reservations whatsoever about supporting her. She's always willing to listen to others viewpoints and she's skilled at articulating her own. I view her as a true bridge builder and someone who embodies a spirit of community united based upon common ground rather than one that emphasizes differences. Anyway, that meant a lot to me and I think that that I hope that that would be something that whoever you choose would bring to the school board. Okay, thank you. Next up, we have Miss Costa and Miss

118Jessica Scott. So, first, Miss Aosta, what uh interests you about serving on the school board? >> It's Monica. I know it's just >> longo. I apologize. >> No, no words. Um, good evening. Thank you so much for allowing us all to be here this evening. So, yeah. What interests me in serving on any board or any committee that I've been on. It's it's just who who I am. Um I am a person who has a sort of servant leadership part if you're familiar with the term. Um I have been involved in lots of committees and lots of uh areas in my time with the with the school district. I have three kids that uh two have already graduated 18 and 21. Um and I have a senior currently uh at high school and over the

119years as many of the candidates here have shared I have been a part of different PTOs and various committees here and there and it's just part of who I am. I mean it's serving in the community in the interests that I have. It's just it's just what I do. Um and I I feel like I bring a lot of experience uh with that. So if there was a if there was a call and I have the time and I have um the passion um and I'm being mindful of doing good self-care, I will answer the call. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh Miss Scott, you're up next. >> Thank you. Thank you everyone for this opportunity. Um I uh I guess I'll take a line from what someone said earlier. I um as you all probably

120saw in my answer, I'm a New Haven Township Lifer. Uh grew up right here in this neighborhood in Bair over on Nottingham. Walked to this very school every morning. Um I went to the old middle school. I remember uh how it was held together. And I remember going to the um unairconditioned 910 side and a little bit nicer 1112 side. Um so currently I have um I did have kids at NARE and now I have an 11year-old at latest run and an eighth grader at the middle school who's currently home praying for a fid day tomorrow. Um uh you know I'm engaged with their education. They both sports for um the school district and I'm also involved with the community itself uh through my work with mom's demand action Lancaster. I am one of four

121founding members uh who started the group here locally after Yaldi. Um I'm interested on serving on this board to I just want to build relationships and um foster an inclusive environment uh for students to thrive. I thrived here growing up here in Manhattan Township and I want to be able to um provide that in serving on this board um for all all children of the committee. >> Thank you. Most what skills, experience and strengths would you bring to the board? I would say as again as one of our candidates mentioned uh empathy is a really big skill that I bring um it's just it I mean you can learn to have empathy and I and as I mentioned in in my responses that is definitely not a soft skill it takes um work hard work

122um to be an empathetic person um and a little more specific to the to the role and responsibilities of a board I have been on many boards I'm currently the board chair of the Laspan uh Eastern Asian board. Um and my chair I will finish chairing at the end of this year but will continue on the board. It won't let me go yet. Um um and just for the school district as well um different different committees but also for Manhattan Township itself. um serving on different committees for the township. I was on the police advisory committee and then on the comprehensive plan committee as well for some time. Um and so I I understand the um the operations of a board. Um I understand the procedures. Um I understand making difficult decisions. Um and I

123also understand that that's okay. I it's okay to be uncomfortable sometimes. Um because this is this is a serious business. Um, and especially for a school district. Um, I I take that very seriously. Um, and I believe that it's it's again I'm it's a calling for me. So, um, I would say that one of the most rewarding things for me is to be able to serve. And so, I I'm just appreciative for the opportunity. Thank you, Mr. Scott. >> Um, I would say in terms of my strengths, um, my biggest strength is being born and raised here in Manon Township. Outside of college where I was young, Maryland, um, I've lived in this community my whole life. Um, I knew that when my husband and I were looking to buy our first home, there was

124only one choice, Manet Township. our education um as I said in my statements are is second to none. Um so I just feel that one of my strengths is understanding that um the need to not only give that to my own children but to provide all children that same safe space um and community that this school district has been providing to me since since I was walking to this very school. Um, in terms of my work with Mom Demand Action, um, I am currently, as I said, I, um, one of four founders. I'm currently the membership, uh, leader, as what we call a team lead. Um, currently the membership lead and the elections lead and in the past year have stepped up to while our uh, group leader or team leader was out on maternity

125leave, I stepped up into her role as well. um she just came back here in September. Um and with Mom Suman Action, um it's really furthered my skills in communication, grassroots organizing, and leading and working as part of a team to accomplish a common goal. Um understand how to build relationships with the community and foster buyin. And um I've worked as part of the team to identify uh community needs around gun safety and bring education to the community as well. Uh in my day job, I am a loan review officer in our loan review department at Fton Bank. Um so that's I know very different than a a lot of everyone's uh uh experience in education. Um but it does bring um an experience of um reviewing financial documents, reviewing policy. Um, I'm detail oriented,

126thorough. I love a good spreadsheet. Um, and I understand risk management. I understand how to identify risk and um so that we can avoid taking them here. Um, I would say my communication style is um I'm empathetic, I'm collaborative, communicative, organized, and definitely mission driven. Um, okay. Thank you. Thank you. Next up, we have Dr. Timothy Williams and Mr. Adams. Welcome. Start with you, Dr. Williams. What interests you about ser school? >> Well, I spent my entire life in public education. 36 years as a master teacher all the way up through superintendent. I'm now a retired superend. And actually, I spent 36 and a half years. While in college, I washed and wales for school districts. Um and then I spent two years in working in Vermont as insurance for some unique experiences that wasn't

127weren't available here. And if you want to talk about those anytime, be happy to talk about those experiences as well. But I've been a lifelong educator obviously and really enjoyed my time in all of those positions. Um and interestingly enough, the the mission statement that the district still has which uced me to milling was developed about 10 years ago when I chaired the comprehensive plan and we're talking about the prior mission statement was long and flowery and no one could remember it and it was it was really interesting segment but nobody could remember it was way too long so we were trying to shorten it and we're talking about nurturing kids and challenging them and and making lifelong learners and all this and conversations going on and on top I wrote on the board nurture

128and challenge for success conversation ended right there because I really love that statement because that is the essence of what we've always done here uh and will continue to do so it tickles me to no end that that's still the mission statement history 10 years on so uh I have a lot of experiences working with uh school boards obviously and um enjoyed all of that especially the give and take that sometimes uh anybody Everybody Dr. Py probably remembers going through co uh which is a very tough time and the board I was working with at York suburban at the time was a interesting enough very similar district to county and u we had very conservative people on the board very liberal people on board and everything in between and we managed to get going in

129the same direction. So that was a wonderful experience for me and that's why I like working with >> Thank you, Mr. Hosy. What interests you about serving out school? >> Yeah, thank you very much for this opportunity. I've done this three times now and I got to say the the cast of candidates here are absolutely phenomenal. [laughter] So it's just really great to see this district grow and I think tribute to uh your leadership as well. Everyone here uh new and old. Um many years ago I read a statement uh was from Bel Hooks. She said that education is a place where freedom can be achieved. And as a young man I always thought and grappled with the idea of freedom living in this country. uh and always, you know, felt like something clicked in

130my head that the school was the place where folks can have that abundance of choice where they are able to see all the things that they want. Uh and to do that, we we need good good policies, uh good folks, good people, good communities. Um, and running through my my resume, I I realized that I've I've worked in almost every part of a school district except for driving buses uh in the nurse's office. Uh, so I've never done those things, but uh I have lined fields, I've cut grass, I have written the English and history curriculum for the number one high school in Pennsylvania in downtown STEM. Um so all along those ways and all those uh roles that I have served it has always been policy uh that has been interesting to me. Um

131so I eventually did leave the classroom uh because I did want to focus more on policy uh and that is what I have done in my professional life uh and my volunteer life uh and even as uh we continue to have this really strong board. Uh, I've always been looking for ways to serve the community as my own kids are at Schaffefer in first, third grade, serving on stage, serving on the Northstar committee, coaching baseball, all those things. Thank you, >> Dr. Williams. What skills, experience, and strengths would you bring to the board? >> I touched a little bit on that a little bit a few minutes ago, and being able to work with people ing view points to get to a common direction. That's the essence of what a board really needs to do

132because let's face it, nine people and working as a team of 10 and that's really really important working as a team of 10. Some words don't function that way and really do function that way for the benefit of everyone. So the bas the best way I can sum up my skills for this type of work is being able to work closely with colleagues on the board and super and you don't have to worry. I have no interest in running district. I've done enough of that. I would like to govern Mr. >> Thank you. I uh in my professional experience I mentioned that I was a teacher uh in many different roles in many different types of schools. Uh as I left to work on policy and systemic change uh I chose uh racism to really

133focus on and that is not easy to do. Um so I helped found the center for racial and gender equity at the YW.CA Lancaster here. Uh we developed a number of curricular programs to help not just people understand and address racism, but be able to talk to each other and have dialogue with each other and seek to listen to understand each other uh rather than just to respond to each other. Um, so I've worked with other school districts uh in providing some of those equity trainings and and leadership roles uh and and helping those districts really bridge those gaps and have those conversations uh across all uh communication channels across all levels of the district. Uh eventually thought uh maybe that was a little too easy. So I moved uh along to Planned Parenthood uh

134and that is where I currently work. >> [laughter] >> And once again, uh I am seeking common ground with folks. Uh I think we all understand that we need healthier communities. Uh that public health is an essential good for thriving communities. And I think my biggest skill uh is uh the ability to to bridge some of those gaps and to bring people together and have really difficult and necessary conversations. And at the same time knowing that um the times I need to step up uh and also the times I need to step back and let other people shine. I love being uh people's hype people. I have many people's height people in this room. Uh it has been such a pleasure uh to see folks achieve uh and that is something uh that I I

135value greatly the ability to both lift and climb uh in this community because we know that when we rely on each other and make each other better is going to help everyone. Thank you. >> Thank you both very much. >> Now, I said when we started it wasn't easy to go first. I absolutely think it's probably not very easy to meet the last two. So, with that, I'll welcome Dr. Shannon Deetsz and Mr. Raone Rivera. >> I would say I like to go first when I present. So, this is challenging [snorts] the other way. >> Well, I appreciate your uh sticking with it. Uh and we're going to start with you, Dr. De. So, what interests you about serving on the school board? >> Um so, while I guess I can be a little different

136here. Um I know we have a lot of people that have been part of this district for a very long time. Um guess you can call me a newbie. Um I have a daughter. She's in first grade uh at the um and I'm also an educator. I've been an educator for 12 years. um some in some in private um some in public. Um and I just I'm a huge education here. Um and recently I've been getting into policy a lot and I think being part of the school board is interest me in terms of advocacy. Um while I have not had a lot of time within the district, I have a lot of time to go in the district. So, I think um any contribution that I can make to the board um I know

137is going to impact my daughter's next 11 years of her life in education. Uh and I think it just excites me to be able to work with people that are so diverse in what they bring. Um I just love education itself and I love public education. I've always been a part of that. Um and so I think being able to get involved and to work with other people is something that I would really enjoy. >> Thank you. and uh Mr. Rivera, we'll ask you about turning out so >> so I apologize I'm losing my voice which [clears throat] is an added challenge today but uh so I have a deep root in the district all five of my uh children graduated from township and I mean talk about an education nerd I I do share

138that uh in that uh 12 years ago my wife and I started coming to schoolboard meetings we saw this almost as a date night uh and we we saw [laughter] we saw the the power to affect change that we could have five minutes we'd have at the microphone. And and over the last 12 years, I' I've I've done a lot of things with the school board to to help affect change. Uh one of my the biggest proudest moments was we managed to uh gather a group of community members to save the Spanish immersion program. Uh at a time when the district was probably going to make a huge mistake and get rid of that program, we we got people together and and saved that program. and I saw firsthand the impact that that a school

139board has on on our community. Uh and then beyond that, uh you know, we we I helped to uh uh again along with other community members. By no means did I do this by myself, but to help reintroduce uh art and music back into the elementary schools at a time when those things have been taken away. Uh we helped with uh we were huge in in in helping to get the middle school built. Uh I even took uh board members to my school and gave them tours of the facilities and offerings at my school to to show uh what we could have here in township at a time when our our science labs were sinking into the ground literally. Uh so I've been uh you know coming to school board has been a big part

140of my life. Uh uh again recently I haven't been able to come because I'm on another board that meets at the same time but but uh I feel that that you know I' I've seen the power I can have behind the microscope at citizens comments. Uh I was I was at the first uh uh Saturday conversations that that we ever had and and and I saw the power that those uh conversations. So I would like to be part of the table and part of the decision making process in the district. what skills, experience and strengths would you bring to the board? Um, so I do have my uh doctorate in leadership and my focus um since I defended my dissertation has been on teacher preparation um and making sure that teachers feel seen and heard

141and prepared to enter classroom. Um, one thing that I've been doing recently is working with the Teach Plus program within the state of Pennsylvania, which is focuses on uh working with legislators on specific ideas. And so, my cohort's focus right now has been uh um expanding and diversifying the teacher pipeline. So, how are we going to be creating better spaces for our teachers to come in, especially our teachers of color? Um, so I think working as a teacher, um, I definitely see working school board from a different light. Um because I am within uh the schools. Um I think part of being able to be part of a board is to be able to give voices to not only the community members but the staff are going to be directly impacted by the policies that

142are set in place. Um and so one thing that I've been able to do, I'm a math teacher. Um so um and I'm also currently our school's uh foundations of teaching teacher at Epha. Um is I've been able to bring board members within our building um to work with students and it's been really great for them to see all the board members do to help support them. Um and I think being transparent within um the district has been really helpful as well. So I've seen the benefits that a great relationship a transparent relationship can be between a school district and it um and I think I want to be able to provide a not only for the students but for the staff at the schools. Um and I've seen how much that truly benefits a

143working relationship between board and staff. So, I think that would be um something that I would love to bring um to this board as well. Um I've also worked on multiple different um board itself. So, I'm working with the Pennsylvania National Educator Association, sorry, the National Association for Multicultural Education. Um working with them, I helped them [clears throat] to start our school diversity club on campus. So being able to advocate for students and bring for them is important and to be able to bring that type of advocacy um for not only just students but for staff as well. >> Mr. >> So I would say uh nurturing and and challenging students for success has really been my life calling. So I've been uh a teacher for the last 32 years. I'm currently still a teacher.

144Uh I teach life science in the neighboring district. Uh and so that's been my life's work. Uh and and I strongly feel uh that every school board should have an active uh teacher on the board to to show how you know what happens here in the boardroom has direct impact in the classroom and only a teacher who's in the trenches can kind of get a get a a gist of what's going on there. Uh but like I said, I've been teaching for 32 years. I've had a lot of leadership roles in that. I've been team leader. I've been uh on the principal advisory council. I was on the induction team uh for over two decades at my school, helping new teachers acclimate to uh to uh a new district. Uh so I really feel that

145my my experience as a teacher really sets me apart and and the fact that I'm currently still a teacher as well. Uh in addition to that, I am Puerto Rican and I am bilingual. Uh and one of the strengths of our district is the diversity of our district. And and I would love to be uh an example to others like me in the district. Uh an underrepresented uh parts of the community that uh you know show what what you know a successful person can look like and be part of the conversation as we how we can move the the district forward. Uh I have a lot of you know I have experience also serving on boards. I'm currently on the Touchstone Foundation board uh which promotes youth mental health which again is is something that

146uh you know working with students oneonone that is that is a something that uh needs to address in our schools. Uh and so I I I look forward to uh to being part of the board and part of the decision-m process. [clears throat] >> Thank you both very much. All right, everybody. We did it. >> That was incredible. I'll just echo just what a what a roster of candidates. Um I really just do APPRECIATE [applause] >> that's we got our work cut out for us. Um, and so to our to our candidates. Um, so we're moving on to 4A in our agenda now, which is going to bring us to adjournment. Uh, first off, I won't get too far ahead of it. Is there a motion to adjourn? >> Mr. Goldazar. >> Is there a

147second? >> Second, >> Miss Woodbury. Thank you. Uh, to our candidates, thank you again for your willingness to serve on this school board and for your responses uh to our questions. Please plan on attending the special school special board meeting on December 4th at 6:00 pm as we will be voting for a new board member. As a reminder, because this process has been entirely transparent and before the public, candidates should not privately contact members of the board prior to the special board meeting. Instead, if you have any questions, please direct them to our school board secretary sitting next to Mr. Bulazar. Her name is Colleen Marshall. Her email address is board secretary mtwp.net. And also as a reminder to our sitting board members, now that this interview process is completed, you have time to reflect

148on everything that you have heard this evening from our candidates. Please come to the the meeting on Thursday prepared with your top candidate. As a reminder, because this process has been entirely transparent and before the public, members of the board should not privately contact candidates prior to the voting meeting. Instead, likewise, if we have questions, we should send them to Colleen. Now this concludes this evening's interviews and thank you and good night.