001Good evening everybody. I'd like to call to order the committee meeting for the McGuffy School Board of Directors for the month of September. As far as I know, the only committee topic that we have is for the budget. So, we're going to turn it right over to Mrs. Hovershock. Good evening everyone. So I'm just going to give a brief update on where we seem to have landed for the 2425 school year and what is happening right now in 2526. So the first thing I'll go over this is what it looks like where we have ended for the 2425 fiscal year. Our total revenue ended up being 37.3 million which is a little more than what we had budgeted. Our total expenditures at 35.6 million which was right on the money really of what we budgeted.
002So we're ending with a net positive balance of 1.7 million. That's great, but the current conditions make it not so great. So we'll talk about that. So, as you know, the Pennsylvania state budget has not been passed for the fiscal year. I think the big um holding points right now are public transit funding and of course the cyber charter reform. the 2425 cyber charter costs were one over $1.7 million, which is a lot of money that we are sending out to cyber schools. Um, one thing to note, every school district pays a different amount of tuition costs for cyber charter. It's based on your basic budget of your expenditures and how many students you have enrolled. They run it through a formula and they give you what's called an average daily membership cost to educate
003a student. For McGuffy, it's about 14,400 for regular education. For special education, it's over $30,000 a student. Right now, there's been proposals to change that to an $8,000 per student for every school district in Pennsylvania to pay for cyber charter. that would save us probably $600,000 a year that we could input towards our own programs and our own students. The governor still has not released any education subsidies to public school districts. So by this time last year, we had already received about $4.3 million. We have received no basic education subsidies, no special education subsidies, no transportation subsidies at this point. So now I'll talk about where we are right now. Then for 2526 we budgeted and expenditures 37.2 million. We have already spent as of today 6.8 million. So that's 18% of what we had
004allotted in our expenditures. On the revenue side, we had budgeted 35.5 million. We've only received 3.7 million and that's basically from taxes that we're collecting. So we've only received 6.1% of our anticipated revenue. So as you can see, we have spent 6.8 8 million and we've only received 3.7 million. So that 1.7 that we gained from last year has already been spent trying to bridge our gap and make payroll and pay our bills until those subsidies are released. Because of this, we have asked and the board approved at the last board meeting to do a short-term line of credit. So, what we're doing is actually a tax anticipation note with Community Bank, and it's on the agenda tonight for the board to approve. We will be asking for a $7 million basically tax anticipation note.
005What that means is they hold our tax real estate money, real estate tax money as collateral against that loan. It's only for one year. So, we're hoping that this budget gets passed within this year. Um, and then as soon as we re they release our subsidies, then we can just get that paid off. It will sit in an account and as we need it, we can use it. >> Yes, it's like a line of credit. What the community needs to know is since Pennsylvania is not releasing any of the money to any public school district, all of that money is sitting in account for the state and the state is getting dividends and interest on all of that money and it's forcing school districts to go take out loans where we are going to pay
006fees on the loan. we are going to pay interest on the loan and the state's not sending us those funds back. So just so you're aware, I again on the slides that you have have listed all of the state representatives. I urge you to reach out to them. I have emailed them all. I did hear back from Representative Tim O'Neal who basically told me in a letter that Governor Shapiro has the authority to release the state education funding and he has not chosen to do so. I think educating our students is an essential function and they should release the money, but they have not. It's basically holding school districts hostage at this point. So Tim O'Neal's up here and of course Senator Bartletta. Any questions from board members? >> I have emailed Governor Shapiro. I
007have not re received a response from his office. But we all need to get out and make our voices heard. Educating our students is a high priority and we need the funds to continue to support our students. I always say do all three forms of communication. Mail a letter, email a letter, and call the office because the more you reach out to them, the more likely you're you will hear back. Sorry. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. I forgot. >> Yeah. >> Oh, don't tell me you can't hear me. >> No, it was off. >> I just used my teacher voice. Can you use Wi-Fi calling? >> Tonight, >> pick it. >> Hey, we're going to start the meeting. >> We have just enough members to have us. So, without Laura,
008we're gonna do a roll call. >> Okay. >> I'm gonna be Laura tonight. Okay. >> All right. Miss Arch, roll call, please. >> M. Mr. Bro, >> Jackson, >> Mr. K, >> Mr. Laser, Mr. >> Barnick, >> here. >> Miss Shingle, >> present. >> Mr. here. >> Good. >> Okay. Uh, this month's opening prayer is going to be completed by Pastor Jim Marsoff of the Claysville Baptist Church. Pastor, it's all yours. >> Thanks for having me. Let's stop. Heavenly Father, I thank you for the opportunity to bow before your throne of grace. Jesus, I thank you that you came here in the flesh to make a way for us to have this conversation. Holy Spirit, I thank you that you dwell in us to guide us and to convict us when necessary and provide us
009with wisdom and discernment. So God, I pray tonight that you would surround this place with angels to protect us, to protect the board from the battle that's raging in the unseen realm. I pray that your Holy Spirit will lead this meeting tonight for your glory that you will provide each person here wisdom and discernment in the decisions that they make. Guide the board to make the best possible decisions for the children. Lord, we know that the powers of darkness have infiltrated the school in this country. And I pray, God, that you will lift this board up. Use them for your glory. That they'll take a stand for your righteousness. God, that we will protect our children and provide them an opportunity for good education, to grow up, to be mature adults, to flourish, and to
010be members of society to contribute in a positive way. Lord, I just thank you for your mercy and grace and all that you do for us. Bless this meeting tonight for your glory. In the name of your son, Jesus, I pray. Amen. >> Amen. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. You please join me in the pledgece to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God. indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> So for the announcement of last night's executive session, we don't have anything wrote in here. We just would say this for contracts and personnel. >> So we held we held an executive session last evening for contracts and personnel. Okay, moving on to public participation for agenda items. I don't
011see chief. Do we have anybody signed up for for public comment? >> She's right outside the door. Chief, do we have public comments? Thank you, Jordan. Buffalo Buffalo Township. >> Thank you. Hello everyone. I'm sure you've missed me the last few meetings. Tonight I am here to speak with you about F2 on the agenda. So I want you all to know I was hoping Dr. Roberg would be here, but we had a private conversation prior to tonight's meeting and I did try to reach out to him again today to follow up with additional questions. Uh, but I never heard back from him. So now I'm here to make it public. Um, I have some questions that I would like you all to think about. Prior to thisou request, how did the district handle truency and
012what is CYS offering that we haven't been doing? Can you please tell us how many days a student can miss before they are referred to CY? The number of days Dr. And Oberg and I discussed is completely different from the number of days that were shared with me by my contact within CIS. It's a much smaller number than the 18 days that Dr. Roberg and I discussed I'd like to know what will be the consequences for the families from these referrals. That's a question you should be all be able to answer prior to entering into this agreement. If considered, does the district dictate these referrals or by entering into thisou does cys set those standards and requirements for referrals? For example, at set number of days, referrals must be made to CYS instead of at
013the discretion of the district administration. I'd also like to address, should we be turning over our authority and responsibilities over to an outside agency just because they ask us to do so? Is this really in the best interest of our children's and families? Are we again giving up our authority to outside agencies as we did with the COVID mandates? Just because other districts may be signing up for this doesn't mean McGuffy has to. Although CIFS can be a great organization, they can also undermine parental authority and disrupt family dynamics with overzealous case workers based on anonymous and unfounded reports. The weight of a referral from a school carries a much larger burden to families to try and resolve through this agency. Everyone should know once they breach your doorway, unrepable damage can be done even
014to the most upstanding families. If you don't believe that, you should speak with people who have had the unfortunate experience of being victims to spiteful people taking advantage of the anonymous clause to wreak havoc out of spite or revenge because it's honestly that easy. This vote tonight comes with a heavy weight that this decision could have lifealtering repercussions to the families of our district. One referral with one wrong answer from those involved can rip a family apart. I ask the board to table this for more discussion and research before voting yes. I thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Thank you, >> Mr. Vice President. That concludes all public open comments. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh I need a motion to uh approve the minutes of the August 14th,
0152025 school board meeting as submitted. So move >> second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppose. >> Same. Motion carries. I need a a motion to approve the general fund schedule of bills from August 11th, 2025 to September 19th, 2025. Check number 81209 to check number 81330. I read all of them. No. And the HCH numbers noted in the agenda in the amount of 1,51,834.76 as submitted. >> So moved. Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Abstain. Motion carries. I need a motion to approve the food service schedule of bills. dated August 11th, 2025 through September 22nd, 2025. Check number 7808 through check number 7813 in the amount of $41,3944 as submitted. >> So move second. >> Any discussion? All those in
016favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain. Motion carries. I need a motion to approve the treasurer's report for the month of August 2025 as submitted. >> Some moved. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Somebody opposed. Is that Jason's voice? >> No. >> Motion carries. >> Let's see about that. I need a motion to approve the GOB series 2021 bill list dated September 12th, 2025, check number in the amount of $5,299.50 as submitted. >> So moved. Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Same. Motion carries. Okay. Uh, I need a motion to approve the letter of agreement between outside in school of experiential learning and McGuffy School District for services for school-based substance abuse treatment provider for the 2025 2026 school
017year at no cost to the district. >> Second, any discussion? I just want to make sure this is for services to meet IEP needs. Is that correct? >> This is a substance abuse treatment program. >> Oh, this is the wrong one. Sorry. >> Okay. >> And parents. >> Yes, that it says that. >> I'm sorry. I was on the wrong one. >> Did we get a motion here? >> Yes. >> Okay. Yeah. So, yeah, we're certainly in the discussion. >> Asked if it was substance abuse. >> Have we have we used this before or had to use it? I I guess >> we've done it. We have I don't know if it was this one, but I know we've had a substance abuse um and it is um voluntary and the parents have to sign
018off on it and they go proceed. It's not here. Correct. >> Okay. That's something at a cost to >> no cost to the district. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So no cost to the district and parent consent if needed. >> Correct. >> Yes. >> Everybody good? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Abstain. Motion carries. I need a motion to approve the agreement to establish truency prevention and referral procedures between WWCCS and McGuffy School District. >> I'm I recommend to table that. >> And I would like to I would like to make the motion to um approve so that we can discuss because we can't discuss until after it's and then I'm with you. I'd like to make a motion to table, but I'd like to discuss >> the table. You
019don't have to have discussion. >> I know, but I'd like to I'd like to talk about it if that's okay with everybody. >> Motion first. >> Dr. Anyway, to have Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, can we just discuss it at that time? >> There's no discussion. >> If you if you motion to table, there's no discussion. That's why >> I table. Does someone someone second that then that's done it >> and if if not then then we have to look at her mo her motion. >> I make a motion to approve so that we can then discuss. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. >> Discussion. >> Okay. I do have a lot of questions and I am in agreement with Mrs. Shingle that we should make a motion to table um when
020we're done with discussion. But if you're looking at the memorandum of understanding, there are statements in there, some of which may answer some of the questions you raised, joint responsibilities. The LEA, which would be us, and um Washington County Children Youth Services agree that school truency is jointly classified as three unexcused absences and habitual truency is defined as six unexcused days. Um and uh I think that we need to really look at that. And then under respective responsibilities, the school district upon accumulation of the third unexcused absence, the school district will notify the child's parent or guardian in writing and offer a school attendance improvement conference or truency elimination plan. So if we are agreeing jointly that school truency truency is classified as three unexcused absences and then we're notifying them after the third one
021or at the third one that they're going to be entered into a truency elimination uh elimination plan. Why do we need cys for that? A referral for truency prevention can be made to Washington County CIS at any point between three to five unexcused absences and a lack of success as related to the um sic. I just think there's lots of questions here. Um I agree treny is an issue. I don't know that this is the way to meet that need. The one thing that I would say is referral is just that the reason they have those numbers in there and they're low like that is to stifle the problem before it becomes a 20-day out thing and you're you're you actually have to >> and I get that but at the same time because those
022numbers are in there. >> Yeah. I I check I'm all for tableabling. I'm just saying that when you say referral, it's not you're you're trying to head off the problem before it becomes a problem, >> if that makes any sense. But I I do understand uh what uh what Mrs. Jordan was saying. It is unfortunate that a lot of times misinformation gets in there and then your name is with them and you can't get your name off them. And that's an issue. >> And what's this? This one is another one under our responsibilities. Any student who meets the definition of habitually tricks on excused absences should be formally referred for truency intervention through CIS. >> Yeah. >> I just don't know that that's the route. >> What what have we done in the past? >>
023Well, every school's required to have a trinity elimination plan. >> I don't see why we need to get CY involved, >> but I do think we need a lot more information and questions answered before we go that route. I agree with you and I also agree As a parent, I should know the attendance policy. >> It's in the handbook, >> right? We all should. But do we sit down and read it? >> Yeah, >> probably not. >> Tell us a problem. >> So, my thoughts are my thoughts are maybe we start there. Maybe we start with asking for a committee presentation on attendance, what our issues are, what we're facing, and kind of lay out what the rules are. Um, because that's a good idea. I don't feel like I I think that would help
024in educating some of our community and myself, maybe some other board members. I too have a lot of concerns and questions about um involving a referral to CYS because then I feel like it's just shoving our attendance issues off on an already inundated >> um >> over. Yes. And I just I think there are problems that we need to get to the root of and deal with. And it's also a policy that we have and this would be something that would kind of have to coincide with that right >> and along with that I I absolutely agree with you and along with that I would like the data what is our data what is our current currency >> we really have an issue >> yeah you know and um how have those what have what
025steps have we been taking and why are they now not >> working if that's the case and is that why we're going this route I just think we need a lot more discussion. So I don't know if Mrs. Tainer or Dr. God who would be able to head. >> I think both of them probably >> if there's no more discussion I think we should then make the motion to table. >> I thought we should table to begin with. I make a motion to table. >> I second. >> So and can we do that you know with the contingency that before we would actually vote on it that we would have the committee presentation? Well, it's when you table it, it's tabled until >> well, it would be brought up at the next meeting, but we
026could always give the directive that it not be brought back up until we ask for it to be brought back up. >> Which you could make, you could amend your motion to say table indefinitely unless the board asks that it be brought back to the table. >> Okay, that's fine. >> If that's what you guys want, I'm just that's your option. >> That's what you got to vote on. And so if there was a reason that it was put on here then somebody So was it Dr. Hberg that put it on? >> Um yes he's thinking that time he's no we'd like to have some explanation and he can appoint somebody Dr. Gautran or someone to explain why we would even consider such a thing >> and then we could have that presentation and then
027take a look at it again. >> So you just go with what with the >> Wait a second. I'm sorry. We're out of order because you as we we motioned to table and I seconded there should be no discussion. >> I'm sorry. >> We are out of order. >> We have a motion to table. >> Okay. >> So, we have a motion to >> Did anybody second it? >> I did. That's why I said I apologize because then we started to discuss and you're not allowed to do that. >> All those in favor to table say I. I. No. Motion carries. Right. >> Motion to table car. >> Yes. And then it'll be automatically set to be on the agenda next month because we didn't give a directive to do anything differently. >> All right.
028>> I need a motion requesting or to request approval for theou with IU1 for partial hospitalization as presented. So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> This is the IEP need. >> Sorry, I interrupted. >> So we have an IEP need. This is th this is to meet an an IEP need IEP need of a particular student. >> Okay. >> Besides that, any other discussion? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Same. Motion carries. Okay. I need a motion to approve Curtis Pharmacy to offer a flu shot clinic at McGuffy High School and elementary schools for faculty and staff who are interested in receiving the shot according to policy 707 use of facilities. >> So moved second. >> Any discussion? >> This has been a contention. Well, it always is.
029It comes up, but it is just for faculty and staff. There's no incentive placed on it. There's no um >> mandate for it. It's just a >> offering for those who want it. And it's a flu vaccine only >> And it's not for students. No. >> Anything else? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. I >> opposed me. Someone's recording if we need to. I'm opposed. Yes. >> How many did we have? Four other eyes. >> Jason's back up. >> Five and one. >> Okay. So, motion carries. I need a motion to approve the McGuffy High School chapter of the National Honor Society to host Is that supposed to say P? >> Two. >> Okay. Two blood drives during the 2025, 2026 school year on November 17th, 2025 and February 12th. >> Oh,
030okay. there. Did everybody get that or I need to reread? >> Yeah, >> we all got it. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> Anybody motion? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Same. Motion carries. >> Okay. I need a motion to approve theou with Special Olympics Pennsylvania and McGuffy School District so the Intercolastic Unified Indoor Bachi program. The only cost to the district will be for transportation and the school vans can be used. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> We did this last year. This is really good. >> It really is a nice thing. It includes people that may not get to participate otherwise. >> I think it's a good thing. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Abstain. Motion
031carries. I need a a motion to approve the list below of surplus and damaged properties according to the terms and conditions of district policy number 706.1, the disposal of obsolete and outdated equipment. Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Abstain. Motion carries. I need a a motion to accept a donation from the Arts Education Collaborative out of Pittsburgh for $400 to be used at Clausville Elementary School for terms of McGuffy School District policy 702 gifts, grants, and donations. >> Second. Um I just have a question. Um it's just a donation. So there's nothing that >> anything that we have to do in particular >> to be used. >> Yeah. >> I just wanted to be clear. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries.
032I need a motion to accept with regret the letter of resignation for employee number 2410 effective August 25th, 2025 and authorize the administration to post and advertise if necessary for the position. >> So move second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed same. Motion carries. So we do not have the name in here. >> It's in the >> We do, but that's person has asked that their name not be >> No, no, he for the next new teacher hire. >> Oh, the new >> It's on It's on board docs under the recommended action. >> Aidenway. >> I need a motion to hire Aiden Zway as the middle school mathematics teacher at Bachelor Step One. subject to assignment. Current assignment McGuffy Middle School and per the terms and conditions of
033the current agreement between McGuffy School Board of Directors and the McGuffy Education Association and pending receipt of all required clearances, medical exams, and act 168 verifications. >> So move second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion carries. >> Okay, he's here, I think. Good evening. Um it's my pleasure to um introduce you to well you've already met him through our interview process this summer. Uh Aiden Cellway Aiden Cell comes to us from Wesburg University as a fresh last graduate last spring in secondary mathematics. Um he did a student teaching at Wesburg Central High School and um also is a professional tutor at Huntington Learning Center. Um Aiden, we're very excited for you to join our middle school faculty and to just bring your experience and your enthusiasm for
034math which we all were impressed with in our process. So thank you. >> Thank you. Um, I'm really really excited to join the team and I'm really excited to offer what I've learned over the past four years from Wayneburg and also from Huntington Learning Center here at the center here at the school. And um, that's really about it. Um, again, thank you so much. >> Congratulations. [Applause] I need a motion to hire Brianna Shyra as a seven-hour food service employee at the high school middle school as per the terms and conditions of the current collective bargaining agreement between McGuffy School District and McGuffy custodial food service transportation ESPA NEA pending receipt of all required clearances and medical exams. >> So moved second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed?
035Stay. Motion carries. I need a motion to approve the Malacer van drivers for the 2025 2026 school year pending receipt of all required clearances as presented. >> So second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. Same. Motion carries. I need a motion to approve the list of additional school bus and van drivers for GGNC and first student for the 2025 2026 school year pending receipt of all required clearances as presented. >> Second >> discussion. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed same. Motion carries. I need a motion to approve the following list of substitutes for placement on the 2025 2026 substitute teacher list retroactive to August 25th 2025 for Melinda Wolf Marshall Mounts Kathy Brookman and Abigail Tui Bradley Kine and Evan Huber will begin pending receipt
036will begin pending receipt of all required clearances and act 168 8 verifications. >> So moved. Second. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppose. >> The same. Motion carries. I need a motion to approve the list of candidates as presented for emergency day-to-day substitute teachers for the 2025 2026 school year retroactive to August 26th, 2025 for Cable Dale, Britney McAdoo, Crystal Dolin Spec and Jamie Pond. Pending receipt of all clearances and act 168 verification. >> So moved. >> Second >> discussion. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain. >> Motion carries. Okay. >> Yeah. I need a motion to approve the 2025 2026 substitute pareducator and/or secretary list retroactive to August 2020 August 26th 2025 as presented for Nicole Wagers Cara Deina Nancy Grandon Brianna Mcadoo
037Jordan Sherik Jennifer Anderson and Dea M Dea Mccclelay Katie Breece Jordan Dbrinsky Chelsea Daniel Pettit and Sean Phillips pending receipt of all required clearances and act 168 verifications. >> So moved. Second >> discussion. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain. Motion carries. I need a motion to approve the 2025 2026 substitute cafeteria list as presented for Brianna Mcadoo, Nancy Grandon retroactive to August 25th 25th. Okay, so those broke up again. also to include Daniel Pettit and Jordan Debrinsky retroactive to August 25th, 2025. Pending receipt of all required clearances and act 168 verifications to move. Second >> discussion. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Sain. Motion carries. I would just like to say a big thank you to everybody who is getting on these substitute lists because it
038is very hard to find substitutes anymore. So, thank you all. >> I was just thinking boy to be willing to be a substitute wherever needed. >> I'd like though we've seen names of student a past student. >> Yeah, great thing. >> I need a motion to approve Mrs. Bobby Joy Garden to complete an administrative internship at McGuffy High School from January 2026 through June 2026. >> So move second. >> Any discussion? >> I just I'm assuming this has already been approved by the administration that Mr. Bon has left. >> Assuming so. >> Okay. So is that is that like with the anticipation that she would be moving into an administrative role? Is that why you do something like that? >> She's taking her >> a higher degree. >> Yeah, she's seeking a higher degree and
039this is part of the process. So the internship is just part of the schooling that she has to do to get the higher degree. >> And what's what's Mrs. T. Garden doing now? >> She's teaching specialization. Yeah. >> So you you teach and you're able to do that through the school. >> And that's what's nice about it. If you can, you know, you can do it while you're working. >> Yeah. >> Any other discussion? >> No. >> Yeah. >> No, she does it outside of her teaching duties. So >> yeah, it doesn't take her away from the duties that she had to perform. Mm-m. >> No, it's it's something extra that she would be because she's pursuing that degree. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same. Motion carries. >> I
040need a motion to approve Mrs. Renee Camuzi as the senior class adviser for 2025 2026 school year. >> Move. Second. >> Discussion away. >> All those in favor say I. I >> opposed. Abstain. Motion carries. >> I need a motion to approve a pay stipen in the amount of 5,000 $5,000 per year for all duties related to acting as board secretary. This stipen will be paid quarterly at $1,250 per quarter. >> So move. >> Second >> discussion. I would just like to personally thank the current board secretary for having fulfilled these duties for so long without being paid for them in addition to all of her duties in her regular position. Was it an oversight on the board's part? Um, and I thank her that she was so patient. >> And also I just like
041for everybody uh publicly to understand this is for work outside of her regular job description, >> right? >> It's for the board that she's doing. >> Right. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And we had in the past paid the previous always for secretary stipen we >> which kind of overlooked her when she took it. >> Granted that was all around the pandemic time. There was a lot going on but still it should have been corrected a long time ago. So and I think it speaks highly of her that she was so patient and really not complaining. Thank you for that. >> All those in favor say I. I >> opposed same. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. So, that was board secretary. So, we're on to Okay. I need a motion to hire Henry Hurac as
042an armed school police officer to start with the 2025 2026 school year per the terms and conditions of the school police officer contract >> per rated based on cert. >> Am I overlooking that? Um, it's in the >> It might be >> Okay. Yeah. Yeah. It's not on the paper copy here. Sorry. >> So, do we have a motion in a second? >> I'll second >> discussion. I don't know if anybody else is asking. Jason is requesting a roll call vote. >> Okay. >> Mr. He said yes. >> Sure. >> Mr. Bro, >> Miss Jackson, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Thomas. >> No. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. I need a motion to renew the contract with Velocity. >> Oh. Oh, sorry, Mr. President. We have Officer Catrack with us tonight, and
043I'd like to introduce you to him. Officer Catrack's been a part-time police officer with the district for a year, but he also comes to us like all of us. He's a retired state trooper, and I've known uh Hank as is what we know him by and not Henry. And >> we had this discussion last night. Is it Henry or Hank? Henry is his given name. Hank is what he answers to. So uh but uh I've known uh I've known Hank for a long time and he's a great guy. He comes to us from different school districts. He has also uh served at Monith School District and um and South FET. So he comes to us with a a lot of school experience that uh that we uh normally don't get in a in a normal
044hire. So uh without further ado, thanks Patrick. [Applause] I also served at Mars for a couple years too before my wife and I moved. But I do want to thank you all for the opportunity to be a full-time member of the McGuffy District Police Department as well as the McGuffy team. So, thank you very much and I greatly appreciate the opportunity. >> Thank youelcome for us while trying to fill this gap. I actually enjoy working with with Roger. I've known him for decades and and it this is just a pleasure to work with him >> and he knows what he's doing and it's fun. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Sorry about that. >> No problem, Mr. Vice President. Thank you. I need a motion to renew the contract with Velocity EHS for a three-year
045period according to the contract attached. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Stain. Motion carries. I need a motion to appoint Charlene Hovershock, business administrator, as treasurer for the McGuffy School District for the 2025 2026 school year. >> So moved. Second. >> Any discussion? >> I just like to say she's Charming. You've done an outstanding job and we are really proud of you and and it's a joy to be working with you. >> Thank you. >> All those in favor say I. I >> oppose. Obstain. Motion carries. Okay. I need a motion to adopt. Did I skip over anything? No. I need a motion to adopt resolution number 2025 2026 01 as presented. >> So move. >> Second. >> So for I know we don't usually read
046out the background information. We need to read that out. >> Line of credit that she was talking about. Well, it's not really a line of credit, but it's similar to that she discussed in the committee meeting. >> Just since it doesn't have a name or like anybody listening or the folks out there since it just says, you know, that resol resolution number. Do we need to read that out so they know what we're talking about or are we good to go? >> It is for administrative but not for the public, I don't believe. So this is the resolution provided to us from the bank. Correct. Um in order to obtain Yeah. that that Charlene did discuss. So >> I think he was just asking if it was okay to read the public. >> We need
047to read that off just so that anybody listening and those out there know what adopt what resolution that we're adopting. Yeah. >> So, the resolution number that we just mentioned is necessary to authorize Mrs. Hovershock, business administrator, to sign and secure a $7 million tax anticipation note with community bank due to not receiving state subsidies until the PA budget is approved. The motion was approved at the August 14th, 2025 schoolboard meeting for the business administrator to explore and secure a line of credit due to the PA state budget delay. The interest rate will be set at closing. The tax anticipation note will be due May the 31st, 2026. >> If you were looking, members of the community, for verbiage, what you're calling your representative that there it is. Um, and it's in the public content.
048We're securing a $7 million tax anticipation note due to not receiving state subsidies until the PA state budget is approved. And keep in mind, the governor actually has the authority to release them prior to approving the state budget. And they're making in interest, dividends, everything else on that money while it sits and we have to take out a loan. This is always I say this every year because schools are held to a tight timeline when it comes to the budget and we end up having to pass a budget with hypothetical information because they never have their budget done on time >> and it's been there have been times it's been late into the year when they're passing their budget. Um the last the most one recent one like I think 2016 I think it was
0492015 2016 they were really late and it tied up money. It's it really is just pitiful. They should have to have theirs passed by a certain date which should be prior to schools having to pass theirs. >> I say it every year. Contact your representative. >> I'll get off my soap box. >> Any other discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain. Motion carries. >> I need a motion to approve the contract from the Department of Community and Economic Development for the mapping of McGuffy School District. >> So move. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> All those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Stain. Motion carries. I need a motion to approve the amendment to the agreement between McGuffy School District and Invo Healthcare Associates for special education related services for the
0502025 2026 school year as presented. >> So move second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos? Motion carries. I need a mo a motion to approve payment to Weiss Birkhart Kramer LLC for invoice dated August 15, 2025 in the amount of $2,745. >> So move. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion carries. I need a motion. Okay. So, we don't do that. So, >> this is just a first reading. >> So, policy 815 is here for first reading. >> And I'll just remind everybody, so this is a a policy we've had um on the books for quite a while. It's um access acceptable use of internet, computers, and network resources. the policy committee um got done reviewing it. Next month I will
051go over all of the changes in committee meeting. Um there were a couple things that we had asked the solicitor to look at um questions that we had but this is the first reading. Um it will be available to the public now as well. So anybody who has any questions or concerns reach out to us. Uh you can contact me. um really any member of the policy committee um but me as well um and we'll address those but typically the way that works just so that everybody remembers the process this is the first reading at next month we will vote okay so within that month that would be the time to let me know what your questions are or something I need to bring up to the policy committee policy committee meets this uh second
052Tuesday of the month Okay. Thank you. >> So, if if they want to read a zoning, where do they go to find that? >> So, if you go to um McGuffy's um board docs for the public, you can view all of our active policies. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Board members, you can log in and you can see more than that, but you it's the same place. >> Okay. >> And if you need help doing that, contact me. I'll help you link in and get that. Okay. All right. So, Dr. Ober normally does the facilities use reports, correct? >> He does. >> So, are we reading anything off there? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, moving on. Same with the budget expenditure report. >> Yeah. Just there for your review. >> So, it's there for public
053review. Cafeteria report. Same thing. >> Mhm. Same with P. >> Same with PR spending. And then, Miss Solicitor, do we have a solicitor's report? >> I do not this evening. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. So, normally we would ask Miss Fry if she has a report from the Western Area Career and Technology Center. So, she's off this evening at their open house. Uh, Mrs. shingle. Do we have anything from the Pennsylvania School Board Association? >> Okay, there's just a couple of things. Um, the voting for the officers for the PSBA, if you want to have a every school board member has a vote. So, if you're interested in voting, you go to their website and you can make that vote. The voting ends on October 15th. If you feel like you don't know them
054and you don't want to vote, there's I mean that I've done that. I'm not sure about these people, so I'm not going to vote either way. But if you're interested in doing it and becoming involved in who's filling those seats, then you would definitely want to do that. That ends October uh 15th. The um the other thing reminder about um the delegate assembly meeting will be October the 21st and that one is in the Poconos. I mentioned these before. the webinars. I really would like to do this building bridges. I think that is a worthwhile one. But they're all in the middle of the day, 12:00 and 1:00. But the very last one um is coming up for this for building bridges and that one is September the 10th. So if you think you want
055to get um Well, that's even passed. That's Yeah. So there we all together. I'm thinking that was one more. Now that's it. Um there's something coming up um on webinars and they are going to have an open meeting. It will be on site in Mechanicsburg but about AI and AI usage and um I do hope somebody gets to go somebody from the district because there's a lot of good things there. It' be really valuable for us. >> It's not live stream that's on site only. Yeah, that's something on site. And the um well these other two both of them were September 17th. So they're gone October 19th um the school leadership conference and that was it's in the Poconos. So that's just a reminder. We should get involved if we're going to be we're paying
056that and you know the school pays the fee. So, if we want to go, the school even gives you transportation if you want to go. It does increase our knowledge of what we're doing. I mean, there's times I've disagreed with the PSBA. So, I can't sit here and complain and disagree and never get involved. So, kind of think about what you might do there if there's something we could learn more from it. I think our board's going to have something next Saturday. So, that will be beneficial. That's all I have. Thank you. >> All right, Mrs. Jackson, do we have anything from the policy committee? >> Um, we've just finished as we just talked about um policy 815. The next policy that we're looking at is a new policy for the district. Um, and it
057is going to cover the use of generative artificial intelligence, AI, in education. Um, so strap on your boots and grab your hat. that ought to be fun. Um, and I would say for community members who have an interest to make sure you keep aware um, because this is a hot topic for everybody. How do you balance the use of AI with every other issue that it can bring? So other than that, we have a revolving not revolving a a rolling agenda. >> Yeah. Um, so if you have something in particular you want us to add to that rolling agenda, let us know. That's it. >> Okay. Public participation for non-aggenda and agenda items. Chief, we got anybody? >> Yes, sir. Mr. Vice President Vicky Jordan, Buffalo Township. >> I'll keep it brief, everybody. Um, at
058the end of the last school year, we spoke about a committee to be put together for contact with the cyber students, families to see how we pull them back in. And I know that I had said at one point, if there's any way I could be involved, I'd like to. When I look at this $1,778,000 plus budget for cyber school, I'm curious, did that committee ever happen? Did we go all summer and make any phone calls to any of the parents to pull them back in? >> I individually did. So, I'm sure some people did, but I'm just saying it's idle. I just remember the directive being a committee was going to be put together to do this. And although maybe it's inappropriate for public to be involved in that because of confidentiality with students
059and whatnot, I just was curious had that been followed through on. Um we've talked about having an unfinished business line before and there was a lot of discussion about why that couldn't be done. Although any organization I've ever been involved with has had a line for unfinished business so that things didn't fall through the cracks like committee suggestions, uh the um intercolastic book fairs, a lot of things. I have a long list of things that have fell through the cracks because we don't have that unfinished line. So again, it's just something I would like you guys to think about adding and maybe the new solicitor can give input on to why or why we couldn't have that line. Um, and lastly, I'm just going to say this again to you guys. This CYS contract is
060something very disturbing to me. I understand that truency can be a problem and I know you want to get ahead of it, but I'm upset about the number differences versus the conversation I had, what I was told by the employee of SE CYS and then what was shared tonight. You can literally destroy a family with a referral to CYS over Truency. I think that number should be a lot higher. I think the school districts should stop giving away our control to outside commu to agencies. this is our school. These are our students. These are our families. And if there's an issue, we should exhaust every avenue we have before we reach out to outside agencies. So to just implement something to bring in another agency for two to five unexcused absences, it's crazy to me
061when parents have 10 absences they're allowed to have with just a note. So, I really want you guys to think long and hard before you open this door because once you do, you cannot close it and it will be detrimental to families in our community. >> So, thank you for your time. I appreciate you all. >> Thank you. >> That concludes all public comment, Mr. Vice President. >> Thank you. So Vicki, we actually do have items for discussion. I think that that's why that's just how we chose to word it, but it was for any unfinished business that anybody felt like that they had. >> Correct. >> So anybody want to comment on anything? >> I do want to comment on one thing and just as a word of clarification to be clear, all of
062the language when you're talking about trinity, you're talking about unexcused absences. By definition, an unaccused absence is an absence for which an excuse has not been given. There is no determination as to what an excuse must be. All it has to be, it could be a handwritten, doesn't have to be a doctor's note. It can be. It could be a handwritten note from a parent for whatever reason. I kept my child at home today for whatever. As long as it gets submitted to the school, that's an excused absence. That's a separate thing when you're talking about truency. You're talking about unexcused absences. So sometimes really it could be cleared up just by making sure excuses are being handed in because when you're handing in excuses then it's not an issue. So just to make sure
063that we're all on the same page on that. That would be a big step in uh >> making sure that we don't have that problem. There are also I mean the soliciter could speak to this but there are also those guidelines if a student misses excessive days that they can't earn that credit and they can't move on. I mean those that's set up by the state so we kind of have to follow those but again most of those are based on unexcused absences. Excused absences are typically separate from that counting. So, an excused absence is an absence for which a parent or guardian submitted an excuse. >> Just to keep that in mind. >> Anything else? >> Can I on one more item? >> I agree with Mrs. Jordan that sometimes we talk about things
064and just like having a conversation about truency and maybe asking for a presentation from the committee. So maybe that's where the items for discussion that lands because that's kind of what it is. Just to make sure that we're following through who we d who we ask to do it. You know what I mean? Because we're going to leave here tonight probably assuming that somebody's going to let Dr. Oberg know and then >> well we are going to have to let him know, >> right? We come to the next meeting and we've we've forgotten it. So, it would be nice to kind of have a running tally almost like a rolling agenda like we have with the >> um committee just so that things don't fall off but as as we you know check the box
065and they they do go away but we just keep adding to it until they're finished for us. >> So, do you mind bringing that up next month since that was your idea? >> Sure. >> Just just keep it. That's like I would think like if someone's passionate about something like you just wouldn't let it drop. just keep bringing it up until I address it. >> And I do think that that's true. But at the same time, I think one way that we could kind of even speed up that or bypass that is to be more specific about directives. Yeah. >> Like I'm going to say Mr. Thomas and Mr. Kern. I'm asking that you please get with Dr. Oberg soon to let him know that the board has questions about the CYSOU and what questions
066we have and we would like to have a presentation uh including our statistics on truency um what what our truency elimination plan currently is and how or why that's not working why the recommendation for thisou am I missing anything anybody would like to add I'd like to understand how the teachers are coding the absences in power school. Is it the same across the board? I guess my question is >> it's typically either excused or unexcused, >> right? But I've I'm not trying to throw anybody under the bus or anything, but in my own experience in power school, I've had some discrepancies with absences between my both of my children and I and it just varied on what teacher was inputting it. So, I just wanted to understand how we're getting the teachers all on the
067same page when they're coding, I guess. So, that's part of that that we like to have in that presentation. That makes sense. >> Mr. K, did you get all that? >> That's for you. >> So, I think if we're more intentional about that kind of stuff, then yeah, it gets easier. In my opinion, >> um I think individual teachers always have the liberty to say you missed this class and it's something that you thought you can't catch up. You missed that day. That may affect your grade, but I can't count that as an illegal absence. I mean, if you turned in a an >> an excuse, >> then okay, you weren't here >> and it's an excuse. >> You can't do the work. You you Now, sometimes work can be made up, but I'm thinking
068from what you're saying, this has been my experience, when you get one teacher that said, "Well, that's absent. They weren't here. They weren't sitting." That's true. They weren't there to participate in that live activity. And you can't change that. But you can't count that as an illegal absence if they're >> I didn't get the impression that's what you were talking about. No, because I and I can't imagine trying to keep track of all those students and why or they're there or not because I'm more specific like say they went on an egg field trip >> that's excuse just an everyday a field trip or if it's a sports excuse >> or even trip. >> So you're talking about just daytoday attendance correct? Yeah. And just how it gets coded because I think that could cause
069if there's some discrepancies in how things are coded that could cause issues with attendance inadvertently. >> I don't I mean it's been a long time since I've been at McGuffy as a teacher, but I mean generally it's either an excused absence or an unexcused absence. And typically on the day of it, they're all marked unexcused because they're not there. And then when they bring in the excuse, it gets turned to an excuse. And I get that that's getting into the day-to-day stuff, but it might help to understand how it is because >> of the community members might I mean I myself we put that on the list for the >> presentation, right? >> Yeah. I would also just like to address Miss Jordan's comments about the cyber school and calling families. I will say that
070I know that the administrators did call families. I don't know how successful they were in actually reaching them and talking to them, but I can tell you at the end of last year, we had approximately 66 students enrolled in cyber school and right now at the beginning of the year, we have about 51. So, we have brought some back. that'll bring our class down a little bit. Um, but it fluctuates, right, because students can move in and out of cyber school. So, it was a little bit successful. Anyway, >> yeah, I do think I do think there are things being done. We just don't see them because I know I've done things some of the students you're talking about, I've talked to them. So, I mean, I think there are some things that are being
071done, but we need two more. $1.7 million. I mean $1.7 million. Yeah. >> I'll just say again, contact your representative >> every day if you have to. >> Any other items for discussion? If >> not, I need a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. Second meeting.