001Welcome everyone. Good evening. I'd like to officially call this meeting of the Manheim Concord to order. Uh welcome to everyone here in person and those joining us online. You'll notice I am not Mus Woodberry. Uh but I am happy to facilitate the meeting in her absence this evening. Our district's mission, nurture and challenge for success, is a reminder of our intent to enable every student to learn, grow, and thrive. >> Next, I'll invite you to join me for the pledge of >> allegiance. [Music] To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Okay, next up we have a few announcements. First off, I'd like to acknowledge that October is breast cancer awareness month. You'll notice many of us
002are in our own version of pink. Uh whichever way we can show up. Uh a takeway for me is that I need to get more pink in my wardrobe because I can't do any better than this. Uh but uh we're thinking about this month as a time to create awareness, honor and acknowledge the millions of lives affected by breast cancer, and reaffirm our global commitment to equitable access to care and improve survival for all. So thank you all for for doing your own part in this. Uh next up this evening we will be discussing a plan for approving the facilities committee of the whole and some proposed dates for the remainder of the calendar year for that committee meeting. We're going to create those time uh those dates based on a timeline uh of uh
003considering the administration of items that need to occur in order to keep our multitude of facilities projects moving forward. And third, I'd like to finally take a moment to recognize uh the our Jewish families recently observed their high holidays, Rashashana, Yamapour, and Sukot, a sacred period of reflection, renewal, and community. As a district, we remain committed to working collaborative with collaboratively with parents, students, local faith and community leaders to ensure that all members of our main high family, including and especially our Jewish students and their families feel seen, valued, and supported. We know that awareness and partnership are key to creating an inclusive environment where every student can thrive both in the classroom and through our extracurricular programs. Thank you to our families for continuing to share your voices and perspectives as we plan, learn,
004improve, and grow together. And that is it for our announcements. Moving on to number two in our agenda, which is our action for voting meeting on October 16th. Letter A is also from me and you'll see that is a recommendation to approve a facilities committee of the whole and approve meeting dates for October 23rd, 2025 and December 4th, 2025. And so folks who have been uh listening or attending board meetings and certainly our board members here uh have heard us talk about shifting to a facilities committee of the whole structure for the past few months. if this hasn't been something that you've been tracking or if you're tuning in for the first time. Uh in short, we're trying to change the way that we think about our facilities. And what when I say facilities, I
005mean the many millions of dollars that are at stake as we consider how to improve, maintain uh and develop uh our buildings and infrastructure across the school district. Uh previously, we did not have public facilities meetings independent of working board meetings themselves. Uh which can allow for as much access, transparency, uh board participation, and public participation as we think uh is appropriate given the scale of the scope and challenges ahead of us and the opportunities ahead of us quite frankly. And so we're we're going to shift to or consider if this this board approves shifting its structure to have independent structured board meetings dedicated to the consideration of our facilities uh uh improvements. Uh so with that uh the the dates that we've identified to work for the rest of the year would be October
00623rd, 2025 and December 4th, 2025 right after the reorganization meeting. And then at that reorganization meeting in December, we could plan out what those facility meeting dates would be for the remainder of 2026. So with that, I'm happy to see if there's any questions or thoughts from anyone on the board. [Music] I just have um a comment. Um I'm actually really looking forward to voting for the facilities committee as a whole. Um I believe it'll bring a lot of transparency not just for the community but within the board members as well. Um when I first joined the board, some of you might have remembered that the struggle with the vote on the blue track and I think a lot of conversations happen on the facilities team where we were given one option by the time
007it comes to the blue vote. I think it's great if we all got an opportunity to participate in that conversation. Um, and I also remember just moments with the master campus plan progressing along and I had to speak up about niche hour and so I think a lot of the discussions happens on these those are the opportunities where we can actually have a real discussion. Um, so that made me realize that board members don't know everything that's happening the community also doesn't. So, by having all of us involved in the facilities um discussions, we bring everything into the open. There's more communication and there's more trust that's going to be built as well and better decisions. And like you said, with big projects coming up and big spending, it is important to have our community
008be a part of it. So, I just wanted to explain why I'm looking forward to voting for this next week. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss L. [Music] Mrs. Hoffman. Um, thanks for bringing this to the board uh for vote, but I just want to let everybody know I will be recusing myself from this decision. Just conflict of interest just to make sure that it's neutral and I'm not part of it. So, you know, I'm not for or against. I just want to let everybody know that I'm recusing myself. >> Thank you, Mr. [Music] So before you leave the board, let us say we still want to hear from you and value from your experience even though you want to reduce yourself from it. Thank you. I appreciate that. And thank you, Miss Lamb, for
009exactly what I was going to say. There have been times over the years I've been on the board, something has come for to to this meeting, not up for the vote. there was time for discussion that the people to directly um benefit from the discussion would be sitting in the front row with an already predetermined expectation that we would all um this will make it possible for us to ask all of our questions. Um any any misgivings we might have about something that someone else is going to say no but you didn't look at it this way. All of that can happen now among all board members and we will feel better I think with that final vote. So thank you and >> thank you Mr. S. >> Mr. Bazar. >> Yeah, I'm definitely in
010favor of it occurring this way. I mean the process to this point has has been um things coming out of a black hole, filling up the air and forcing a vote with with very little to no background. What I'm really looking forward to is in the process, the public being able to watch and listen and participate and listen to our questions and really I'm looking forward to be being part of that process where we're not just presented, oh well, you have the money, you can spend it if you want, you guys make the decision. I'd also like to hear in that process more from Mrs. Robinson around hey from a financial standpoint just because you can spend the money doesn't mean you should in terms of what it actually says for the health of the
011district because I think a lot of times I hear from people in the district and the blue track was a great example I didn't hear from one person that thought that money should be spent right so I think being able to come here and have that debate and whatever comes to a vote will have been crafted in a way that is transparent and will bring to this um process the the um the collective wisdom that brought it here and not the uh you know I'm not saying that there's not wisdom in the way it comes today but it's a much more inclusive process all the way out to the community and I think we have some big things coming up uh Nick Shower being one this campus master plan and the athletic facilities these are
012not clear-cut issues and there there's going to be a lot of a lot of opinion in the community. So if anybody more than the handful of people that normally watch this meeting are watching, I would encourage you to come to these facility meetings and make your voice heard. Thank you, Mr. Bazar. Anyone else? Thank you. Uh we are moving on to item B 2B a recommendation to approve the second reading and final approval of policy number 005 organization from Dr. >> Good evening board members. We're bringing forward for our second reading this evening the approval of policy 005. Just a quick reminder that on page five of the policy, it's a long one, um that we are recommending the removal of committee shall not include a majority of the membership of the board. That was
013local language that we did review with our attorney is not legally required and that would allow you to structure your committee um as you're recommending. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Betty. Are there any questions based on that policy reading? Seeing none. Okay. Thank you. We're moving on to item C, which is our recommendation to a recommendation to approve the payment of 5,141.37 to Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School for Educational Services provided during the 2016 2017 school year. Over to you to you, Mr. Ross. >> Thank you. Good evening. Um before you this evening is a settlement agreement u between ourselves and PA leadership chart charter school. Um this matter involves a funding dispute from 201617 uh school year where this uh commonwealth court of Pennsylvania um basically changed the way our tuition rates were calculated
014for cyber charter schools. Um we're supposed to use they invalidated using actual expenditures versus budget expenditures. So this kind of just corrects that um calculation. This matter has been reviewed by our solicitor and it was recommended by him that we do proceed with this set. >> Thank you, Mrs. Robins. Are there any questions? >> Do we have an alternative to pay? >> We could dispute it. However, we recommended that I would see the amount that's being requested by us. Any other questions? I I'll just add I I I remain uh concerned about the way uh cyber charter schools are regulated in the state and quite frankly the absence of regulation and meaningful regulation and and uh this is just another another step indicating uh that we need our leadership in Harrisburg to help us recognize
015uh the real problems that are associated with this industry response. So, thank you, Mr. >> Moving on to There's nothing else. Moving on to item D, which is our recommendation to approve the proposed dance team club at Mayheim Township Middle School, including student activities fund for the club. Dr. Riley Rend. >> Thank you, Mr. Rancher. Good evening, school board. uh per policy 122 extracurricular activities and the corresponding administrative guidelines uh bringing the dance team club to the board this evening to recommend for approval at M Township Middle School. Uh the purpose of the program would be to get audiences involved to entertain and create a positive atmosphere for both audiences and our teams. The club would also help prepare dancers for the high school dance team to build teamwork and promote school spirit. So I
016confirmed that the dance team club has a willing adviser and there's a stu there is student interest in participating in this club. Participation will be open to all students at the middle school and as Mr. Grer shared they would like to establish a student activity fund which requires the approval of the board. Any questions? Thank you Dr. Any questions? Okay. Uh okay, we're coming right back to you, Dr. Ryman, for uh 2E, which is a recommendation to approve the proposed Sprout Club at Manheim Township High School, including the student activity fund for the club. >> Thank you, Mr. Grant. Uh per the same policy 122. Uh we're looking to bring the Sprout Club to Manhattan Township High School. Primary purpose and function would be uh to improve the high school's environmental sustainability focus and educate
017the student body on environmental issues. have confirmed that the sprout club has a willing faculty advisor and there's there is student interest in participating in the club. Uh participation will be open to all students at the high school and the club as Mr. Greger shared would like to have a student activity fund as well which requires your approval. >> Thank you Dr. Ryman. Any questions or thoughts about this club? >> Mrs. I'll just point out because the first thing to my mind was I'm sure we already have an environmental club. Why would we need another? But there was a note in there that that's this is replacing the current environmental club. >> That's correct. >> Someone who works in environmental spaces, there are always more than one car. That is not a space or there's
018a ton of people agreeing. So, this is a good snapshot for the future. Anything else? >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Rond. And I think we're coming to you for our last item here to F a recommendation to approve the presented out of state or overnight futures. >> All right. Thank you, sir. Yes. Tonight, I bring nine trips to the board that require your approval for policy 121 given that they are overnight andor out of state trips. Uh these are all high school trips. I have verified with Mr. Rot, Mr. Hollandback, and Mrs. right here that a plan is confirmed for funding, chaperones, supervision, and transportation. So, I'd like to recommend the board give approval for these nine trips to continue to be planned and ultimately taken between next month and this coming spring.
019>> Thank you, Dr. Are there any questions? Mr. Bolazar, >> you have a a question on the wrestling districts even states are in Hershey. drives them to be over in night trips because I don't think that happens on all other sports when they're that kind of distance. >> You're right. Um what happens Mr. Bulazar is that if they're if a student wrestles on the first night, they might have they might qualify for a meet the next day where they have a call time of, you know, seven to weigh in and wrestling at 8. So I like to keep all the wrestlers there on on the campus so that if anyone is wrestling tonight and tomorrow, they're there and able to participate. Thank you, Mr. Bulazar. Any other questions? Mr. >> Is there in our guidelines
020like a threshold, a mileage threshold, or is it is it more just kind of gray >> when you do you mean >> like within you know because Springrove is within an hour to me? It's like reasonable to get up and drive to and >> which are you is it spring road the district uh wrestling districts. So I just wondered if there was like if it was like anything over x amount of miles then it is eligible to be overnight or is it a little bit more gray than that? >> It's more usually typically what the question Mr. Besar just asked if they're overnight and they they might be wrestling late tonight up early the next morning that will dictate a necessity for overnight. Does that answer your question? >> Yes. That's correct. >> Say um
021I mean usually a tournament or organizer especially when it comes to states and districts they will ask for a consistent approach so that they don't have this team here ready to go and that team is having travel issues and not there. they can keep their tournament going with multiple teams if they know that everybody's pressing on that campus. >> And talk about a good uh ratio of chaperon to kids gone. I think it's like five shaper rooms for one to three students. So, no worries there. I did want to mention I had asked about that to make sure we were being responsible in that process and it could be that more students qualify for the trip as we go along. Is that correct Dr. >> That's correct. That's correct. Y is >> not that we
022don't appreciate a good ratio for I just wanted you to know we are. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you Dr. Vepy and Mr. Romano. Any other questions? >> Okay. Thank you Dr. run. And with that, we're moving on to item three in our agenda, which is Manheim Township Community Comments. Residents, taxpayers, district employees, and students are welcome and encouraged to participate. To speak, please submit a commenter's card to the board secretary as you approach the microphone. In accordance with poly policy number 903, please state your name and limit your remarks to five minutes. Speak once per topic unless others have finished after which an additional five minutes may be granted. The board will not engage in discussion at this time. Followup will be provided as needed. Are there any who wish to make comment
023this evening? [Music] Welcome. Please uh share your full name. >> Hi, I'm Mark Tiner. I live in Bloomingdale Development. I've lived in Man Township uh most of my life. went to school here and my five daughters also went here. Uh I'd like to talk a little bit tonight about some of the things we're spending our money on. Um maybe some of the homeowners in the township recognize this bad boy here. Uh I guess what do they call this? Fall taxes. Oh boy. 2,000 bucks do. And I guess the uh spring taxes they're coming in. It'll be a big one. 4,000 bucks. I don't know. 6,000 bucks or something. Uh, it's not fun, but it's a privilege of being a taxpayer. We get to pay our taxes and we get to give money to the school.
024And some of the things that the school has purchased, I'm in disagreement with, and namely this one book that is in the middle school library last night at the Telegraph Club by Melinda Low. For seventh graders, a gripping novel where historical fiction meets romance. Finally, the intersectional lesbian historical teen novel so many readers have been waiting for. Kirkus starred Review. This immersive, powerful coming of age novel tackles perceptions, expectations, and identity while sweeping readers into smoky lesbian nightclubs and 50s culture. BCCB Star Review. Melinda Low was for so many of us who write and read books about queer girlhood the first introduction to seeing ourselves on the page. Her latest book continues that legacy with this startingly startlingly beautiful historical coming of age. Leah Johnson for Reese's Book Club. Lush, ambitious, and layered, Melinda Lowe's
025sweeping historical novel is the queer romance we've been waiting for. A journey of self-discovery that's as necessary as it is dangerous. Popshugar.com. An enthralling historical lesbian romance. WBUR. Melinda Low is an absolute icon. A riveting emotional stirring tale. Last night at the Telegraph Club focused on unapologetically embracing one's true self is a spectacular addition to the young adult historical fiction genre. Shelf awareness star review. Uh seventh grade is not young adult folks. So a little excerpt if there's any minors in the room. Maybe time to leave. Anybody watching at home? Uh, maybe time to leave the room. She wanted to touch Cath's skin. She tugged the hem of Cath's blouse out from her skirt and slid her hands beneath it. And finally, she felt the warm skin of her back and the quiver of Cath's
026body as she touched her. Cath drew back briefly and reached for the buttons of Lily's blouse, asking, "Can I?" Lily helped her unbutton it and then Cath put her hand on the bare skin of Lily's waist and Lily closed her eyes. Cath's hand slid up over her ribs and cuped the curve of her breast and her thumb trailed electrically over the outline of Lily's nipple through the bra. And then she pushed her leg between Lily's thighs and Lily grasped or Lily gasped at how it felt the pressure and the movement there and it was exactly what she wanted. She was astonished by the way this worked between them so instinctively, as if they had been made to do this together. But Lily felt as if there were no time. She couldn't entirely forget that they
027had only one hour together. A desire for something more was rising inside her as Cath moved against her, their skirts riding up as their bodies rubbed together. It felt urgent, as if they were counting down the seconds till a bomb would explode. There was no time. They had to do this right now. and she reached for the hem of her skirt and tugged it up to her hips. And she took Cath's hand and moved it to the cleft of her body. Cath hesitated. "Are you sure?" she whispered. "Please, Lily," said overcome, so Cath put her hand between Lily's legs, and Lily helped her, fumbling with her underwear. "It was awkward. But when Cath's fingers touched her, they both gasped. "Am I in the right place?" Cath asked. "Yes," Lily whispered. It all felt like the
028right place. Cast's fingers rubbed and rubbed and rubbed and so far. And it goes on to finish the orgasm scene between two lesbians. And we're reading this or making it available to the seventh graders. That's not a good use of my hard-earned taxpayer money. And I hope that the students would agree that hopefully nobody's reading this trash. And if there's any students that want to take my purity pledge, I have shirts with me tonight and I'll give you one for free. Thanks for your time. [Music] >> Are there any others you wish to make a comment this evening? [Music] That brings us to a journment. Is there a motion to adjourn? >> So moved. >> Mr. Bulazar. Is there a second? >> Miss Lamb. Thank you. Our next meeting is Thursday, October 16th, 2025 at
0296 p.m. here in the district office. As a reminder, school board meetings can be viewed online during the meeting or afterwards by going to our district website. Comments or questions for the board may be emailed to board secretary mtwp.net. Thank you. Oh, excuse me. Thank you. Excuse me. Thank you. Thank you to all our Manheim Township staff, administrators, and volunteers for your dedication to our students and community. All in favor of adjournment, please say I. I. Any opposed? The motion carries. Thank you all. We are adjourned.