McGuffey School Board Meeting May 15, 2025

001It is now 6:40. I'm going to call the McGuffy School U committee meeting to order. Thank you for being patient with us. We're running a little bit behind. And with that, I will turn it over to our superintendent, Dr. Oberg. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh good evening, uh to board of directors, our administrative team in attendance, and members of the McGuffy School Committee, also attendance. We have six items for the committee report this Thursday evening. Uh, first I'm going to have Miss Alice Waldo, middle school assistant principal, come up and we have students of the month for April and for May. So, Miss Waldo, everyone and good evening. So, yeah. So, I'm Miss Waldo. I'm the assistant principal of the middle school and I'm honored to introduce our two students of the month. So, our

002Now it's on. Well, you could all hear me at least, right? Okay. So, I want to start first with our April student of the month, and that is Mr. Ricky Kick. So, we're so proud of you. Want to come up for you? Okay. And then our May student of the month is Miss Gia Brock, but she had the choir concert, so she had to head to that. So, she had to leave early. But I have a video for us to watch. Excuse me. But parents, please come up here if you would like to take pictures. If you'd want to get a better picture, there's no problem with that. We also take pictures afterwards, too. But they can do that, too. [Music] Oh, wait. I forgot. So, Mrs. Tilder, I apologize. our life. This is Miss

003Tilder. Okay. So, you're gonna say somehow to these students. Sorry. No, that's okay. Hi, I'm Miner. I am the life of the middle school and the high school and to me. So, first I'm going to start with Gia. Gia is at the chorus concert right now. Gia is includes everyone. Gia stands out because she disabilities. She takes the time to understand how my students with patience and respect. She is a good friend, peer, and reminder of powerful kindness can be. And that's something she talks about in the video that you'll see. And then Ricky. Ricky is one of my Ricky is kind and despite the daily challenge that he faces. He always has a smile on his face. His achievements may not always look the same as other students, but his character and determination shines

004through. Ricky shows empathy with not only his peers, loving. He always needs a hug or Ricky earned student of the month not but for who he is as a person. [Applause] My name is to introduce you our students of the month. So, yay. We're so excited. Month of April, we have Ricky and then for the month of May, we have Peter Brock. So, congratulations. Good job. All right, we got some questions. All right, question one. So, we'll start with you over here. What is your name, grade, and resident? My name is Brock. I'm in sixth grade and I'm involved in Okay. What's your name? [Music] My name is What grade are you in? I am six. And what do you enjoy about being at school? Dancing and having fun and listening to Michael. Okay. You

005said dancing and having fun and listening to Michael. Michael is Michael Jackson, by the way. Right. Yeah. Same Michael Jackson. All right. Next question. What do you like to do outside of school? Hobbies, sports, or other activities? Yeah, I do want. All right, Ricky, what do you like to do outside of school? I do basketball and I do soccer ball. And what do you like to do at home? Where 90s 80s and 2000 movies. He loves movies from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. All right. And Gia, what is your favorite subject and why? Because I love writing. Okay, Ricky, is there a teacher or staff member who has helped you a lot this year? Miss Terry and Miss and me. All right. And what's something that we've helped you with? Mash and meat. All right.

006Thank you, Miss Harsh. What about you, Gia? Who is a teacher staff member that has helped you a lot this month? missiles because they make me feel welcome. All right. All right. Ricky, what is something you're proud of that you accomplished this school year? Elementary. Yeah. Okay. So, moving from the elementary school to the middle school and what's something you enjoy about middle school? Dancing in Michael. Okay. He loves Michael and he loves to dance. And there's middle school dances. He's gotten to go to those. He's really enjoyed that this year. Yeah. With his bow tie and everything, right? Yeah. All right. And last question for you, Gio. So, what advice would you give to other students who want to be a student of the month in the future? Be kind to everyone. I like

007that. Be kind. All right. Well, one time [Laughter] [Applause] around. Thank you. Congratulations. All right. Applause. Thank you so much. Next up we have presenting what's happening in the district we have Dr. as well. Um here again as you heard there also concert going on at this time. So after this you have an opportunity to go and join the high school. All right. I can't beat that. That's hard to follow. Uh our uh our middle school video crew is is doing a phenomenal job putting those videos together and it's turned into a great thing for us. Um, so I'll read I'm going to read right from the uh the sheet here uh from uh May of Collah. So, uh good evening and on behalf of student council, I will be reading some school updates. McGuffy

008students will be volunteering at Pike Days this weekend. Students have been completing Keystones and advanced advanced placement testing this week on campus. Our prom was a big hit at the Trolley Museum venue with over 300 students attending with trolley rides, wonderful food tables, and coffee trucks provided by the Farmhouse Bakery in Claysville, which is run by the Colbertson sisters, who are proud McGuffy graduates. There was also a DJ and a characterist. Our prom queen was uh Sarah Brown Lee and our prom king was Logan Mussolina. Tomorrow is the American Cancer Society Relay for Life on campus sponsored by the National Honor Society. Students will be walking to raise money for cancer research with a dunk tank, concession stand, a huge event grill donated by Range Resources for hot dogs and burgers, uh DJ, all for

009a great cause. And also, uh Mrs. Bruce's room in the middle school raised $59. So middle schools contributed to that, too. Um a $900 total the middle school raised. The band concert was a big success last week and the courts concert is tonight in the auditorium. The FSA awards celebration is next Friday during the school day. Western area graduation is tonight and pen commercial pen commercial graduation is next Thursday evening. Our awards day is Wednesday, May 28th at 9:00 a.m. and balariat is May 29th at 7 and commencement is May 30th at 7. This year we will have two faculty speakers chosen by a majority of the class of 2025. They are Mrs. Linda Amaterio and Mr. Andy McBth will proudly serve as our faculty speakers for commencement. They also are uh retiring. So that's

010a nice touch for that. Sports updates. The baseball team concluded its season with a 12-8 overall record and qualified for the Whipfield playoffs where they were ultimately defeated by Sadside Academy on Monday. The softball team currently holds a 12-6 record and has secured a spot in the WP PIAL playoffs as the second place team in their section. They are scheduled to face Ligonier Valley today. So, I don't I think it was at five, so it's probably close to being over. I don't I didn't hear any score updates. Both the boys and girls track teams finished regular season with identical six and three records, earning third place in their respective sections. Several athletes qualified for the Whipio individual championships held yesterday. Notably, Aiden Cunningham earned two fourth place finishes, advancing to the PIAA championships. Taylor Schumacher

011also meddled, placing eighth in the javelin. Additionally, the boys and girls 4x 800 relay team finished seventh and eighth, respectively. The boys tennis team finished with a 4 and4 record with the largest roster in 14 years. Uh and then lastly, Whipfield individual qualifiers include Aiden Cunningham, Ali Hudell, Mason Nemoth, Brady Hagermanerman, Ben Ben Payatt, Moshi Dell, Alexa Ewig, Gabby Bloom, Trinity Formanic, Haley K, Ashlin Moore, Taylor Schumarker, Danica White, Madison Lucas, Hannah McDonald, Elena Frink, Hora Thomas, Ava Olm, and Eden to Eden Teard. Thank you. [Applause] We have mathematics arts science grades 6 through 12. Tonight we have two pres uh here to present. First [Music] I have 1/8 class. Yep. And then [Music] afterwards on Can we So I see a couple people flip. We switched that order because Mcker has has to be

012out of here by the view. No one take it personally once you're unin Okay. Um this is our um high school middle school team. We have Kristen Anderson in the high school. Um Amanda Becker middle school. Mike Sarah is in the high school. He's our department chair. Kristen Litman teaches middle school and um freshman social studies. Also Randy Patterson sixth grade. And Connor Ridge High School. Um our kind of mission with this was to um look at our course progression and improve it where we solve some needs um update the resources that we have um to support the students to make um history engaging and to keep up with the um contemporary social studies content. Um this is just showing where we're going to make some changes. Um kind of where we felt we needed

013to make a need was in middle school. um 8th grade was world geography and PA history where the students were were not getting US history until they hit high school and they have an option for an AP class in high school. So we thought it would be more important to hit American history in middle school. So we made some um adjustments here. Sixth grade is going to be ancient civilizations and world geography. So they'll um tie in the geography skills with those ancient civilizations. Seventh grade of world history starting from the fall of Rome, the current day. And then eighth grade, this is where we're making the change to US history, but we're going to keep a PA um emphasis on this. So, as we are teaching these events of American history, throwing in the

014impact that Pennsylvania had throughout US history. So, we're still going to hit those PA government or PA history um objectives, but we're going to do it from the American history point of view. And then um within law and civics, they're adding public policy in with that for the freshman course. Okay. Um we had several important impert inerson meetings that we met together. Um we went through different materials. Um we looked at some online platforms and um of other resources that we could use within our classrooms. Um for grades six through seven we uh threw everything that we looked at and we had looked at this with a critical eye looking at you know what's going to give us um a good resource for the students and cover the information that we want to make sure

015we cover. Um we felt that the saw this my interest ward world interactive was the best fit and that would be a book that would be split between sixth and seventh grade. um American history sticking with the SAS program too. And then a program that we use is an online um subscription is Geogesser. This is a a game that you can through the online subscription you can pick places and it will drop the students in like they are in a Google Earth image and then they can manipulate and make guesses on where they are. They will pinpoint where they are on the map and they get a score how close they are to the actual location. Um it's a quick little activity that I know my eighth graders really love to do. They got really

016competitive with it and um with this description it should give us more um ways that we can use it within the classroom. Okay. Um and then from the high school high school grade nine McGraw Hill government and civics. Grade 10 sticking with McGraw Hill for world history. Grade 11 McGraw Hill US history. Gay grade 12 will be the solace economic and principles and action and actively learn access for grades 9 through 12. American history with the um AP would be the American history connecting with the past 16th edition and that would cover the AP content. Um for the psychology, AP psychology would be Myers psychology, Hol psychology and sociology, Hulk McDonald sociology, the study of human relationships. And those we're keeping those. Those aren't new. Yes, those are the ones we're keep existing resources that

017the team felt did not need to and uh something else that we're asking for is an EDP puzzle subscription. This is an online program where we can take a YouTube video and it allows us to edit that video down. So, we can um kind of cut out portions that we don't think are necessary. Um, we can again skip over those and then we can embed questions for the students to answer. They can do this on their own. Um, so they sit there, they watch the video, it will stop, we can generate the questions, what type of questions we want to give. They're able to rewind that video to look for the answer and then it self-cores. Um, it tells us how long the students were on the program. Um, shows us what their answers were

018were. We can even do open-ended questions that kids can type that in and then we can go back and grade those ourselves. So, it's a great tool. Um, we've been using the free subscription, but it locks you in at 10 videos and and you know, like if you're doing sometimes you just want a 15inute video, maybe you want a five minute video. With this, we we have more access and it's something that can be used districtwide. Um, I know it's used in science and ELA and a lot of other content areas use that um program. Okay, thank you so much. Thank you. Dr. is our director of prestruction within the district. Dr. Gotran is responsible for overseeing and leading these efforts. So again, he's he's there, but I just want to make sure that everyone

019recognizes that he is the driving force behind our curriculum there. So, okay, ladies, he really is the driving force. He keeps us all organized and and we we really appreciate it. This is our uh team members for the science committee. Um we've spent this entire year working very hard um taking classes um and going to other districts and going to conferences because science is totally different um than it has been in the past with the new steel standards. Um, we have Lindsay Connley from Claysville third grade. Jamie Daly from Claysville fifth grade. Myself from Joe Walker fifth grade. Melissa Kierney from Claysville second grade. Um, McKenna Marino Elementary Computers. And I'll explain that one in a second. Um, Rebecca Sanders from Joe Walker Kindergarten, Kaylin Schmidt from Joe Walker first grade, and Ashley Ward from

020Clayville fourth grade. Um we are updating all of our elementary resources uh for steels. Uh steels is a totally different approach for teaching science. It's inquiry based and it is phenomenonbased and it's totally different from what we've done. Uh it was it's going to be you know it's very been very hard this year with the implementation. This is implementation year. Um, with books from 2011, they don't really meet our needs. So, we were very focused this year on this committee to find books that really fit the PA standards. So, um, we want to make sure that they're engaging in phenomenon and the inquiry based exploration. And it's it's a very unique and if I have to say cool way of of teaching and learning science. And we just brought McKenna on to our team, our

021computer science teacher from the elementary. Um, there are a ton of technology parts to the steel standards and it's probably going to be impossible for us in our science classrooms to do that. So, she um is also STEM certified. So, she's going to be pulling some of the science technology standards and teaching them through her computer classes, too. So, we're going to all work together to do it. All right. So, just like social studies, the elementary science team held several in-person meetings as well as email communications. Uh we reviewed six different samples or different resource options, we narrowed it down to three. From there, uh at that point, we also because it's elementary science and that's something that everyone teaches. uh we allowed for other teachers to view those resources, the top three that we

022had picked out, give some feedback. Um and from that we landed on the one resource that uh we are suggesting or recommending uh which is discovery education. So this resource has kind of two different um sections we'll say. uh that is discovery education or mystery science for grades K through five. So K through two is going to be a major focus for that and for three through five um that's kind of in supplement to the discovery education science textbook uh that we will have in those upper grade levels. things that we really liked about Discovery was that it meets those STEAL standards that we are, you know, coming up uh in in having to implement into our science classes here and it provided an enriching experience beyond just the book. Some of the other resources

023that we looked at, uh the book, you know, was a really great resource, but there wasn't much else besides the book. Uh and that's not really something that these standards are looking for. They want that hands-on activity and that phenomenonbased uh experience for the kids. So in addition to the book, this uh resource also has an interactive glossery for better understanding of science vocabulary. So they can see pictures, they can see videos, they can uh you know read about it in different contexts than just in what's in the book. Uh it also has a lot of vivid beautiful pictures and videos for visual learners. It includes both real world experiments and labs that can be done in the classroom as well as simulations uh online simulations that they could do on their computers as well.

024Uh it is phenomenon driven which is what the SEAL standards are looking for. It has five different sections for each lesson. An introduction that kind of gets the students hooked, uh, you know, gets them interested in the topic, a wonder that allows them to connect their experiences and their thoughts with the material, a learn that's going to be kind of like guiding them through the concepts. Uh, share sharing what they learned with each other, with the teacher. uh being able to communicate those ideas and beyond which would be extensions for the material. So if it was something that they were really interested in there are you know avenues that they can explore to go further with that. Uh in addition mystery science which we are seeking for K through five was a resource that many

025teachers were already using um as a supplementary resource the video part of that uh in their classrooms anyways. So, we thought that that was a good um you know indicator of the value of this for our classrooms. Anything else you want? Very nice. You did a good job both of you. Thank you. [Applause] Oh, the fun part. Yeah, I I get the fun part. I I offered it to all three of them. I said, "Who wants to do the budget?" And they all look messed. Just kidding. They they would have uh happily done it if if asked. Um and I before we get to that detail of it. Um I just want to really recognize and and give credit to the both of those full teams that you saw listed, but um especially a a

026shout out tonight to um to Mrs. Ward and Miss Simes and to Mrs. Becker and um you know, Mrs. Becker's case when we um was going to be Mr. Sarah as the department chair and he had something come up this evening that he he was unavailable tonight. I said, "Hey, is there someone that can can step in in his place and she said, "I can do it. I have to be out of there by 7:00." And we said, "Oh, that shouldn't be any problem." So, she she was a trooper and she, you know, she hung on and I said, "Hey, let's let's get you first. Let's try to, you know, make it work." And it did. Um, but so, thank you for for uh being willing to be here and and share. I think that

027teacher voice is huge. Um, so about the estimated cost. Um, and I I'll start by saying I'm I'm so grateful that over the, as Dr. Oberg mentioned over the the four years now since we started to really tackle um curriculum and and resource alignment and making sure that our our staff has um current and and fresh physical materials, digital materials that um just the support um that I've gotten from everybody from boardwise from Dr. Oberg from from Mr. Harvard talk with the the budget side of it from the the teachers. Um it's really shown that we as a district value the the curriculum and instruction and I I have gotten just just yesterday I've gotten teacher feedback that hey this is this is as good as we have felt. This is, you know, uh, something

028that's really benefiting and I'm excited because after we complete the process for 612 social studies, K5 science, the only core content area that will have been untouched to this point will be K5 social studies, which of course next school year we will be forming a team looking at that. And then that will free us up to do two things that I'm excited about. one is to start really looking at some of the different elective content areas and um also it will free us to really dig into how we're applying these resources. But enough of that. Um I wanted to share the cost. Um and so there Yes, Mr. Leisure, may I interrupt you a second? Yes, go ahead. You explained how you're going to proceed. Um can you explain on what rotation will we get

029back to where we started from? Yes. So this is um the fourth year we've been doing this and each subject that we've um brought forward has been the same six-year uh commitment. Okay. So this current year is year three of mathematics because the very first year was review year. So mathematics has 25 26 26 27 27 28 and then the 28 29 year we would be making either continuing with the math series or um moving to something else depending on the the desire of the team. It would be up for review. It would be up for review. 2728 would be the last year of the current adoption and then ELA would be the year after that. So that that would be the the timeline that everything's on right now is mass would be the first

030one to come back up and that would be review in 2728 for implementation either of existing resource or or new resource for 2829. Does that does that make sense? Yes. Um and the reason I asked that question is I I think a lot of our audience and participants and myself personally wasn't exactly sure the year rotation. I just think it it's important that they know that we finally are on track to handle this and not let it fall behind. And I can just relate a story years ago, a neighbor come to me and said they was here at McGuffy and they didn't have a book they had to share with somebody. And I'm like, it was just amazing how far you have brought the program and that our teachers involvement that will continue on a

031rotation that will always make sure that we're on top. I think that is awesome. Yeah. No, thank you so much. Along those same lines, just to be clear, so last year was technically science, but we delayed the elementary portion to this year because they had so much going on. Correct. And we're doing the same thing with social studies. It seems like this year could have been social studies, but we're delaying the elementary portion to next year. Will that continue in the rotation? Will they continue to be delayed like that? Yeah. So, that's that's a great question. So, when we first maybe explain why? Yeah. So when we first set out and we we kind of consented that math should go first and we did K to2 mathematics and then we went to ELA and then

032K to 12 ELA. And so um like these guys kind of shared at the elementary level they're all teaching every subject. Um some of our fourth like fourth and fifth grade at Clayville specializes a little bit. Um but we had elementary teachers that were kind of like if you hit us with three subjects in three years it's going to be crazy. like can we can we slow down just a little bit? Um and so but 612 in the on the flip side they were like we're ready to go like we we don't need to wait up because the science and social studies teachers saw what math and ELA got and they were like let's go. So we we split it into K5 and 612 for the science and for the social studies. Um and to

033Miss Jackson's question, would that be how we continue or would we try to realign those? Um, I'd want to talk to all the teams and see. Um, I think we would probably keep it separated out just because since everything is on that six-year commitment, it's almost going to be, you know, yolked from each other and and follow each other in consecutive years. I I wouldn't say we could never take it back to K12, but it it seems like it would be set up nicely to just have those sorted out, give elementary that breather year partway through the cycle and and go from there. That was that was definitely the rationale was it was hearing the elementary voices that were like we love what we're doing but if you give us one more right now it

034might push us you know push us to a place where we can't swim and I said well let's you know let's hear that and also hear the secondary people that were we're ready to go. So yeah good question. Thank you. Yep. Um and so I know that the numbers are are right there but just a couple things I wanted to to kind of point out for clarification. Um the uh EdPuzzle subscription is for K to2. Um the social studies teachers I joke that everyone else is kind of riding their coattails on this one because when they started asking about it and we looked into the cost the cost of a full district subscription was minimally different than the cost to get it just for middle school and high school. So we said let's let's go

035ahead and do it. We knew that elementary teachers also were utilizing it. So, it's it's it's within their social studies adoption, but the six years of access will go to everyone across the district that that would be able to utilize it. Um, and then the only detail where it says recurring costs, um, just to explain what that is a little bit, um, the geo puzzler, and you can see it's it's a very small cost. It's like $40 per teacher and there's three teachers in the middle school. Um, we had elected, hey, since that's an annual subscription, let's just make it a a annual line item in the middle school building budget, $120 per year, so that they will always have that annual subscription. And then that where you see the 5 to10,000 for consumables. Um,

036because there's more lab and inquiry and hands-on. Um, one of the things we wanted to do was to try to be as fiscally responsible as we could both this year and moving forward, but also make sure we weren't shorting resources. And so the the first budget that I gave to Mrs. Halbert talk was 400,000 for the two content areas. And then we when I showed the first discovery quote to the teachers, and I want to give the teachers credit for this, they said, "This is what we like the most, but we know that this price point is is too high." And so then they charged me to go back with to the wrap and and figure out ways to reduce it a little bit. And so instead of in the like the the lab kits,

037the consumable materials, as opposed to getting six years of always getting a refill every year, we said, let's do an inventory every spring, figure out which ones we've depleted, which ones we need to to refill. And so that the 133539 that you see there that will get us the six years of the digital access for science. It will get us the first three years of the consumable like the workbooks and it will get us the first wave of the science material kits that it I mean if you saw the the inventory list it's everything from like aluminum foil to cotton balls to it was like a it was like a very interesting list of of miscellaneous supplies. And so what we said is that each year after year one, the the grade levels will be

038tasked with working with grade level chair, working with myself, working with the principles and determining what needs replaced for the science consumable equipment. And so we I just I like to be as for forward as I can that there will be a likely a small a dollar amount each year that will just refresh um consumable materials. So the the 133 539 is obviously the big bulk of that science resource, but then there will be a small cost of of maintaining and and refreshing lab materials, consumable books, things of that nature. So that's um that's kind of the cost breakdown and that is within our um our budgeted amount. I know, you know, budgeted amount is is key and especially where we're at right now, but that is that is within the number that we uh

039we had talked about for the current budget that you all have looked at. And um Mr. Wilson, if you want to go ahead forward and I saw Mr. Leer, do you have a question there? Could you go back to that last one? I'm sorry. Yeah. And I'm not sure if I heard you correctly or not. So we're talking at 268799 and you said something about 400,000. So the first budget number that I gave to Mrs. Harvard talk way back when she was doing preliminary budget. Did she beat you up very bad? Yeah. I guess my question more or less is I'm just asking is m Mrs. Harbchuck in those communications with that company to come up with that number? I'm sure she probably was, but I'm asking that. Yeah. So I I did most of

040the direct talk with the reps from from Savage and from Discovery Ed, but I her and I would would talk periodically about, hey, this is this is my new max out number. And what basically the way I do that process is when I get their very first quotes, usually around Thanksgiving or Christmas, um I consider that the top out number, right? You've given me a quote. Um if you try to go anywhere above that, I have the initial quote to say, "Hey, wait a minute. you. So then I I give those numbers to her first as a placeholder and then I go back to them and I you know I look for things like should we really be paying 28% shipping just as an example or do we really need you know this much for

041this item and then basically work and I've we've done the same with each of the the different adoptions basically try to whittle it down to a reasonable number but that a number that doesn't sacrifice on the actual product or the actual implementation. And so that's how we got from 400 down to 286 was um both subjects, both the social studies and the science, we were able to take those initial quotes and kind of work with the reps and you know talk to them and be like, "Hey, like we're very interested. We're on a tight budget. You know, we we've got kids here that we know deserve a quality product and um you know, thankfully the reps are are agreeable to a certain point. You know, if I go back and I say, "Can we have

042it for free?" you know that probably probably they'll say we love you but not that much but so that yes so this this reflects the um the number as of the most current quotes that I have from from each company I guess what I would also like to say is we just recently had a budget meeting of our finances and stuff and the model that you just presented is exactly what we need to do as a board I mean the way you went through it and looked at what you need what you don't need and all that I mean that that is a role model that we could benchmark from, I think, of how he did what he did to save money. Um, and just share that with everybody. That that is awesome, which he's

043done every year since we started this. So, thank you. No, I just listen, it's um it's a it's an important choice for me. Like, I know that um I know that the district values having the the resources and it's important to me that I I take that responsibility and I I um honor it. So, um, I have a question and I'm not sure if it's for you or for Mrs. Harbor. Yeah. Yeah. But last year's budget the 2324, right? Yes. Right. Where we had budgeted an amount for science curriculum and then the decision was made to postpone the elementary portion. So, what they didn't use was that moves forward to the 2425 budget. Well, what happens is if money isn't used, it just stays in the general fund and then when you create your budget

044next year, you have this available for your right. So, this this amount came from that was in the budget for the 2425 year, which is what this falls in is there because of the unused portion. Oh, yes. Right. Yeah. any unused portion just falls back into what you have available to pay your bills for the next year. I and I just thought it me it was worth mentioning that last year when we were looking at the science at that time it was 7 or 6 through 6 through 12 6 through 12 they didn't ex they didn't use all of the budgeted amount for that and that they were wise in in you know making sure that that there was enough to cover this year's portion of that as well. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

045Thank you Dr. Got your last thing. Yeah. So, last thing and this is on the back of your packet and for anyone if you don't have a packet um and you can't figure out how to get to the link, anyone can always just shoot me an email. I can send you the direct link. But um just like we've done with the other ones, if you want to look at the online demo access to the full resources both for social studies and science, those links will take you to the to a a page that spells out how to log in, how to access those resources. And yeah, that's all we've got. Appreciate your time and everyone have a great evening. I will just once again say thank you for the transparency and I've been saying this

046every year since we started this process and you've done a great job at making sure that the parents have the availability to to preview and have input and I thank you for that. Thank you. Thank you Miss and also uh to Miss Ward here and also again thank you to Miss Becker who presents first. Thank you all. And before we get to before we get to Mr. Wilson uh Mr. Well, cuz he's still back there. Uh the for anybody wants to know, the girls softball team won 5 to one, so they're on to Monday in the next round of the WPL playoffs. All right, so next up we have uh Mr. Mike Wilson. Mike is uh our director of technology and transportation, both equally important, but tonight he is here to talk to us about

047web filtering. It's a tool that we use internally in our school. uh keeps a lot of those mysterious websites out of the hands and eyes of our students. Uh so Mike is here to talk about some options we looked at and what he presenting for you to vote on tonight. So Mr. Wilson. All right. Thank you for the floor tonight. Um fair warning, I'm not as polished as all the other presenters were up here tonight. So bear with me a little bit here. Um pardon me. We'll leave that one alone. Okay. Um, so, uh, currently just a kind of a a brief overview. I'm not going to read I I did give you guys a a handout. Um, it's too two two-sided. It's it's pretty brief and pretty straight to the point. Um, one one

048mention though on the the comparisons, uh, classroom management, I made an error. um the datadio column. Um they do have a classroom management um product there and I I put no on the sheet. It it's actually a yes. Um and we can go through that a little more as we go. But uh so brief overview of our need here. Um our web filter is pretty important. Uh it it filters all the the bad stuff uh from the good stuff and on internet wise. So, uh, in the grand scheme of things, currently we use our we have a Barracuda appliance that sits in our server. It's a it's a physical appliance that's in the server room. Um, we're looking to move away from uh serverbased technology at this point for a couple reasons. Uh, we had

049we started to have some issues with our Barracuda at the end of last year. Um, we thought it was a hardware issue. We ended up getting a a new appliance, getting it installed. still wasn't working quite right. Um we replaced our our um our firewall thinking that might have been the issue. Um we still had some issues after that. It it did run smooth for about um six to seven months. We we didn't at the la end of last year push to replace that unit. Um we thought that we had all the kinks worked out and everything was working good. Um, since then we've had three incidents throughout the year where our web filter has failed. Um, and it's kind of a kind of a good thing, kind of kind of a bad thing. When

050it fails, it just blocks everything, which is kind of good, kind of bad. Um, in an educational setting where a lot of our um learning takes place over the internet, uh, if you can't access those resources, then that's a bad thing. But at the same time, if it's blocking everything, they can't get to something that could potentially be u bad, we'll say. Um, so we're at the point now where um we want to move forward with a cloud-based solution where we're not having to maintain um the appliance. We're not we're not going to have to maintain or manage or upgrade those those physical devices anymore. It's a subscription um based system that we're looking to go to. Uh we did look at four different vendors. The five if you can include the the Barracuda um

051Barracuda does have a web interface or a cloud-based system. Um the problem that that is doesn't have a lot of the the functionality that the filters have with it. So um going to move away at this point securely um building our functionality and compare on first side really what it comes down for schools um specific um like it's a great solution for families screen time and and on your own specific devices um it lacks a little bit of the um we need as a school to to block networks and and stuff like that. Um and and Deladdo is is similar in that aspect. Um it doesn't have it may be but um the demos that we we sat through were not real specific on how that worked. Um and it was a little unclear point

052as to whether or not it could actually do what we were asking it to do. So um we kind of narrowed it down to security and hire which are very very similar. Um and and everything that you look at these days AI is involved. I mean it it just is um and so you'll see you can I'm I'm really comparing securely in HAR when it comes down to um kind of the robust network management that securely had um the the functionality for reporting plus they had a couple add-on components that could potentially be useful for us as well. Um we're really looking at the the overall filtering of the network number one and also master management piece that will help our teachers um maintain some some um monitoring of the the screens and stuff like

053that during class time. Um it also provides a little bit more functionality when it doesn't does where um a resource is identified by a teacher and they go the follow that link and it's blocked. Um, in instances like that, we can have overrides where that teacher if they notice they can push that that to the students on those screens specifically and kind of control it a little better that way. So, um, while it's not necessarily a deal breaker, a huge deal a lot, um, it we do run into that occasionally. So, that that type of um, functionality is really what we're looking to kind of go for. um kind of uh to sum it up a little bit. Um I I provided you some uh price comparisons on the pack. We are recommending to go

054to to Securely. That's what's on the board agenda. Um and there's a there's a couple other components that come with Securely that kind of put, you know, set it apart from the others that we looked at. Um, number one, it was it was the the most cost effective that we looked at. Um, but it also comes with some components that we could potentially push out to uh parents. Um, so when those devices go home, parents could have a little bit more control about um how much screen time their students are having on uh school devices. Um, and that's kind of uh I don't know a whole lot about that now, but I know it's going to be an option. So, that's that's potentially something. And and if we do roll something like that out, obviously

055we're going to communicate that as effectively as possible. Um, some of the other things uh there's a component called reveal that comes with the with the system. Um, and that's really analytics about um different apps and websites that students are using um throughout the day and and on the devices that they're using. So, we can look at if if we're purchasing or if we're paying for a specific app, how well is that actually being used or how often is it being used or what in in what um environment and and how effectively are we getting our our money for? Right? That's kind of what that's focused on. The other component that comes free with it is uh what they call IIA chat. Um and it's essentially the easiest way to describe it would be chat

056GPT for education. So it's it's not chat GPTL in the real world. It's all filtered and kind of focused toward educational use. So those are some extra components that that come with the securely that could potentially benefit us. Um you can see the cost analysis there and our recommendations. So if you have any questions um and maybe just to explain for everybody on the on the front under over classroom management securely says yes securely classroom and HPA says yes core classroom if you could maybe explain. Yeah, really just just um the proprietary naming is I mean same basic functionality. You have the ability to see what students um what links they're hitting. You can you can mirror their screen if you wanted to from the teacher's perspective. Um and if they're somewhere they're not supposed

057to, you can close that tab out and refocus them on where they're supposed to be. That that kind of functionality. But that that's just to um prepare. Yeah, that's why I wanted to make sure that everybody understood that. And then um I I love the detailed reporting aspect of that. Does it report does it generate reports specifically for student devices only student devices or will it generate reports for all devices in the building including teacher devices? So it get it gets pretty granular with that. Um and really it can come down to it can come down to device specific. It also can come down to account specific. Um, if it's not a district-owned device and it's on our guest network, it'll go to the MAC address or IP address and and it'll it'll let you

058go that granular with it if you wanted to. I think I was just thinking to monitor like, you know, if we're is a district paying for um an online subscription that teachers Sure. are use, are they really using it or do we need to relook at that? Right. Yeah, it's all it's all web traffic. So, yeah. Okay. is the uh digital solution is that it is consider uh we didn't look at that specifically to be honest with you. Um we we have a kind of a solution in place now. Okay. Yeah. cuts down hallway. Yeah, we before we even knew that was available, we uh it started with start to welcome in the middle school, we actually used Google as our hall pass. Yeah, that's what we So we but Right. Yeah. And it has

059it has because now we're able to track students have to sign up electronically and then sign back electronically. So very similar. The nice thing about um a solution like this is if if it has something that we identify as a potential need then it's it's once the initial set setup's done and implementation's done in order to add a component like that is minimal minimal. So yeah that's a definitely something we'll talk about that. Um with the screen time you mentioned it can even be used at home. Is that controlled by the school district or is that a feature that the parents actually tap into? And so, so initially it will be controlled by the school district. Okay. Um, one of the components it's called home is what it's called. Um, is basically like a parent

060portal like access to securely. Um, and they wouldn't necessarily be able to control anything that's going on during the school day, right? that you would be able to set parameters from my understanding of you if you if you wanted parents to have access to that portal um and allow them to block screen time per se on the school device during certain hours, that's something that they would be able to control. Um it's still going to be able to be controlled by the district initially, but and as as we get more familiar with that, we'll we'll have a better idea for sure. Right. Right. the the parent portal. Um, you mentioned they wouldn't have access during the day while the kids are at school. Is that because of a choice or that's just not available? So,

061I guess from my perspective, I'm thinking if if they're sitting in that classroom and they're supposed to be on a certain site, then the ability for the parent to come in during the day and turn that site off would not be available, I guess, is what I was thinking. Okay. Um, that's not to say that there I mean potentially um you could get into a situation where you could restrict certain times for certain kids or accounts or you know stuff like that. Um but I think if it's during school day it's probably going to have to go through um an administrative process. Okay. with with regard to that and I ask because um I think something like this can eliminate hearsay um for lack of a better term you know teacher says students not doing

062this mom and dad say yes they are and then we have this is it um when it's monitoring is it is it something that can go back and be viewed at another time is there any kind of feature like that I don't I mean like a historical um yeah potentially. I don't I don't have that necessarily where they are. I know that I know that in when if they have if a teacher has uh the need for it, they can like take a snapshot of what's on that. Okay. Um but as far as going back in time to a certain point in time, I don't know that that's necessarily something that's built in. Yeah. Yeah. But it could generate a report as to like which students were on which sites that history. Yeah, it'll go

063back in history. But it's watching the screen. So I didn't know if there was some kind of I don't know rewind option. To my knowledge, I I would say probably not. Um but that's not to say that it's not possible. I can I can find out for sure. Sure. Thank you. Any other questions, Mr. Wilson? Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Have a great night. Thank you. Okay. Um speaking of brief, next uh we have a brief budget presentation from Mrs. Yes. since we did a pretty extensive presentation on Tuesday. I'm going to keep this pretty brief. What you have in front of you as four members is tonight's brief presentation. You also have the proposed version of the budget. This proposed version is what we um enter the data into the state

064system and the state system actually prints out this nice report for you. Every expenditure and revenue that you see in my presentation is also in here broken down in just uh more specific details. So just to start um I'm just going to give you a re recap real quickly of 2425. On the revenue side, we had budgeted 34.9 million. As of April 30th, we were at 31.3 million revenue received. So almost 90%. I will say that we are scheduled to get another 2 million from the state for our basic education funding. That will take us up to 95% of our revenue. So I'm feeling pretty good. On the expenditure side, we budgeted just under 36 million. As of April 30th, we have spent 27.6 6 million. So roughly 77% of the budget. So I'm very

065optimistic on the expenditure side. However, you have to remember that we do pay teachers June, July, August, and those are coming out of the 2425 budget. So on to 2526. This 2526 expenditures includes the addition of a fifth grade teacher at Joe Walker. the report, everything stayed the same except for the 100 salaries category and the 200 benefits category. So now you are at 37,189 and $189,630 for 2526 which is about 96,000 more than what I had originally had in there. for 2526. The this is all the same as what we saw Tuesday during the budget presentation. The budget options, the expenditures, as you know, increased a little bit. So, the deficit amounts for each of those millage rates also increased by that 96,000. Again, our general fund reserve is listed there. This did not

066change since our last presentation. What I will um have you take notice of is on the very last page of the proposed version from the state report. Once I enter all of our revenue and expenditure data, it spits out what our reserved and unreserved funds will be for the 26 27th school year. So if you notice, we have our non-spendable of 370,000 listed. Our assigned fund balance is 2.6. And then our unassigned fund balance is going to go down to $523,000. So that's what we would have as a savings going into 2627. So I just want everybody to be aware we're going to be down pretty low. And therefore we're going to start talks in July about what we need to do to plan for future years so that we're not constantly trying to figure

067out how to get by year by year. And that's really all I have to present tonight. Mr. Arch, there was a very interesting article on channel um I'm not exactly sure on a local TV channel today about I believe it was Penn Hills and at the I only caught the end of the interview but the lady was saying that the cyber charter school is what's killing them also and that they imple put in a pool um robotics and something in the educ in the uh elementary to try and pull them students back. I know we're never going to afford schools, but we already have robotics and a lot of things. So, right. I just thought that was interesting. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, we're going to be we're going to have to be creative. And so, just

068to be clear once again, so if we do not do any tax increase, we do not have enough in the unassigned to cover the deficit. Correct. And if we raise um half a mill, we have enough there but barely. Correct. If it's two 2.1 and we would need a little more than 1.8 and if we raise to the index which is 1% correct it's it's a little better. It was 1.6 out of our 2.1. Correct. Um and the administration's recommendation is is to go up to the full millage rate which would be 14.62. 62 compared to what it currently is at 13.93. Thank you. And thank you once again. You always do an outstanding job. So, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chox. Okay. Last uh this evening uh item number six uh we meet now

069monthly uh to discuss policy updates and new policies and to present where we are with that is our policy committee chair Mrs. Jackson. Mr. Jackson, um this was presented for first read last month. This is policy 827 of the conflict of interest. Um and it would be up for a vote tonight. Um, everybody's had a chance to review it over the last month. There really were not a lot of changes uh to this. Um, it's pretty straightforward. What we did change was adding a heading. Um, you'll see that on the last page on page four. Um, reporting conflicts of interest. Uh, we added that heading um for that section. and the paragraph. The superintendent or design shall report in writing to the federal awarding agency or pass through entity any potential conflict of interest related

070to a federal award in accordance with federal awarding agency policy. Cleaned up that language. Other than that, it was mostly like putting in commas where they needed to be, fixing spacing in between items. There really wasn't a lot of change there. And that's pretty it that's it. Um as far as that policy the board the policy committee met on Tuesday and we started reviewing policy 815 which is on um technology usage. Yeah. And then from there we're going to go to 815.1 which is more about AI usage. Um and that will be a new one. um 8:15 we've had. So, we're reviewing what we've had and how we need to update it specifically in relation to um how it may be affected by 8:15.1. Um and then we'll move to 18 uh 8:15.1. So, the

071idea is we did this time we asked over the last month we asked the administration um Dr. Oberg uh to get with his with his staff and we also asked Mr. Harbor Talk for any policies that they felt needed to be addressed soon. Uh we also asked board members to submit any requests they had. We had one board member who submitted a request. A lot of the requests, actually all of Mrs. Hoch's requests were also on Dr. Oberg's list. So the ones where they were both asking for them, we moved them kind of to the top. Then we put in the one that was requested by the one board member and then we put the rest of Dr. After that, what we've done is we've created kind of a a rolling agenda. So, we've listed

072those in order at the bottom, and as we get done with one, the the next one will just roll up. And the idea is that we'll always keep that bottom, can't remember if it's five or six that are on there at the bottom. Does anybody else remember? I don't remember. But anyway, um, at the bottom so that as one moves up, we add another one to the very bottom so that we continue rolling forward on reviewing policies. But nine, thank you. I was way off. So nine. Um, and then you know with that so that what that means is if at any time uh a board member does have something they want to request that we look at or you know that Dr. Oberg or Mrs. Harper or anybody comes to us says well you

073know what now we need this one um that it keeps on a ruling basis. The only change to that would be uh policies that are time sensitive. So, if we know that there's one that has to be done by a certain date, um or we're um this happens sometimes where you you're applying for a grant and in order to apply for that grant, you need to have reviewed this particular policy within the last year. Um and so that might something on the agenda uh for time-sensitive reasons, but other than that, I think we're we're moving forward. Any questions? Thank you. I'll just add that uh 85.1 uh is going to be one of the major topics of our discussion when we have our admin retreat the June 10th to the 12th. We've actually planned it

074I believe for the last day. Mike seems about right. Yeah. So we we're going to dive a little bit deeper into before our next and that is all kind of correlating together because of course next year we already know there is kind of a a push in the district to include and some AI usage. So get some training for teachers as well as students and then looking at how they're utilizing it. So we want to make sure that we have all of the safeguards in place prior to Mr. President. That is all I have for committee. Thank you Dr. Oberg and thank you to everybody that presented and thank you to the policy committee um for working on the policies. That will close the committee meeting at 7:45 p.m. We will reconvene in 5 minutes

075at 7:50 p.m. for the board. It is now 7:53 p.m. I call to order the McGuffy School Board of Directors School Board meeting. Roll call, please. Here, Mr. President. Here present. here. Uh, Pastor Bruce, if you could come forward. Uh, our prayer this evening is going to be had by Pastor Bruce from the West Alexander Christian Church. Good evening. First of all, want to say thank you for your invitation for the Heavenly Father, we are gathered here this evening and We ask your blessing upon this assembly of the Puffy School Board and all those that of great interest that work together here this in this very room. Father, I just pray that you would please bless every one of us with your wisdom and guidance. And father, I pray that we would in the matter

076of making decisions that we would listen closely. That we would be just and that we would also consider very much the differing opinions and father to to come about with a resolve led by your spirit to keep us together and to keep us growing strongly. Father, I just pray also that we would understand that as being stewards of the students, the family, the teachers, of the community, all of that work togetherness, I pray that you would find us worthy in stating that being stewards of all these matters, above all these precious ones and all in your sight, that we would that we would look forward to hearing you say to us face to face. I pray that we would hear those words, well done, thou good and faithful servant. For all these things we do

077ask in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you. May we rise for the pledge of allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Want to make an announcement that we had an executive session that was held at 5:00 p.m. today to discuss personnel and litigation. At this time, we will take public comment on agenda items. This president first Tiffany Walker, South Franklin Township. Thank you, Chief. [Music] So, we know how cyber is a big big big big problem in our budget. Correct. That's one of our we need to cut it. We need to cut it bad. But have we reached out to any parents and ask why we can't bring the kids back into the school?

078Why I had one parent reach out to me and they want me to read this and this is why their kids in cyber. I'm going to read exactly what's on this paper. So pay attention. Let me introduce myself. My name is Wendy Ringer from South Franklin Township. I give Tiffany Walker permission to speak on my behalf due to graduation. My first and main concern is bullying. South McDuffy district had a no bullying bullying policy. What happened to No Child Left Behind? I pulled my seventh grader from school. Why? Because not only does my child get bullied from other children, some of the staff is way worse. Told straight to my face, my daughter was a troublemaker. Nothing but trouble. She's drama. What principal would say something like that? Not only did he say it to

079me, but my daughter as well. Let me fill you in during school hours. My daughter was put on anxiety medicine for school. Only I got calls and texts stating my daughter was having chest pains every day that now that she is in fiber. The only time she needs this medication is when she goes to school because she's scared of something being said to her. Not to mention how many students at a time at Guffy either are cutting on themselves or actually committing suicide. Shouldn't we be looking into this? My daughter's in the life skills class and let me tell you the instructors of the class are amazing and they all need to be recognized. But Welk and Waldo, there's a whole different story on them. I believe my child should get the same education as

080the rest of my of the children in the district and then raise school taxes for what? Everybody is going to cyber. Shouldn't us parents get paid? Why should we have to pay more taxes? My hours at work have been reduced since I have to be a parent and a teacher. Not fair to any of us. So basically, we pay taxes for our children to be treated worse than dogs and be bullied. Get it together, McGuffy. My next request will be from a McGuffy to pay for my child's education in a different district and provide transportation to and from. Not to mention, my daughter was being bullied by a high schooler. Then she doesn't now she doesn't even want to even attend school. Any one of you can look at her attendance. But this district is

081first to have you at the magistrate paying fines for our children being bullied. Not fair again. So until we can get this issue resolved, my daughter will finish this year out of cyber. Next year 25 to 26 she will be back in school setting out of McGuffy district and I appreciate it as Miss McGuffy be responsible for this charge and transportation to and from another district of our choice. So you have parents that want to put their kids back into the school. Our school is not it. I saw I told you before I thought about taking my kids out and making you pay to take them somewhere else. It's just not it. This is why we have so much cyber because we're not helping the bullying thing. Now, she may have her feelings on Wilk,

082but I do want to say this on Mr. Wilk. He has proved to me in the past months, he is trying to keep our kids out of the magistrate. He is trying to come up with other options to get these kids to come together, settle their differences, other things, and kicking these kids out and sending them the magistrate. You're not teaching them anything. Once again, you're still not teaching them anything. We put them in cyber. Kids are good, but look what it's costing us. We're about to not have a school. We need to reach out to these cyber parents and ask them why. What can we do to bring them back? Let's bring them back. You would agree, Harbor Truck, that this is the biggest problem. Why are we not trying to find a solution

083for it, which is reach out to those parents that are in our district that's costing us this money, and I don't blame them. They want a teacher salary now. Now they want a teacher salary. Can we afford a teacher salary to parents? No. No, we can't. Can we afford to send these other kids to other districts because they don't want to be in our district? No. We sure as hell can't do that. So, y'all need to really look into your cyberness. Get it going. Bring these kids back. Show them they can't be safe here. I mean, a lot of parents don't feel like it, but I mean, this is the biggest problem, and it's because of the bullying and some of the staff up here are very rude. I've already caught some of them. So,

084y'all need to really take a really good look in there. Reach out to the parents. That's why you sit on this board. Reach out to those parents. Bring these kids back. So, thank you. Thank you, Miss Walker. Chief Mr. President, Jessica Peele, Clayville Burough. Thank you, Chief. Good evening. Uh, Jessica Jessica, Clayville, Burrow. Um, I am going to break my streak of only positive comments. Uh, and I'm because I'm here to ask you vote to raise school taxes. This is not a decision I have come to easily. Of course, nobody wants to pay more taxes, but I understand the need to do so. Without raising taxes, we could face we I'm not sorry, not could would face significant staffing cuts. This after cutting 22 positions over the last seven years already. More staffing cuts could

085be a huge detriment to our students. Every time a staff member gets cut, their responsibilities are passed on to others, and our class sizes are increased. The fewer staff members we have, the fewer eyes we have to watch for issues such as bullying, fewer opportunities for more one-on-one help from teachers, and more chances of things slipping through the cracks. If you asked around, you would find that a majority of our staff already wear multiple hats. If I could share my own personal experience, uh the year before I started as the special education secretary, so this would be 2019, my position was two people Um when I started in August of 2020, um my position was cut to one and a half uh special ed secretaries. Um we had a Claysville U main office secretary retire

086and so one of the special ed secretaries was sent up to the main office. She was half special ed, half u main office. If you've spent any time in the Claysville office, you know it's an extremely busy office. It is our busiest office in the district because we have six grades. um the young kids, they're the most needy, the parents are the most needy. So, of course, it's your bit busiest office. So, over that first year that I was here, I also absorbed that other half of the job. Um about two three years into u my tenure here. Um we had a um lead support teacher retire. Um her position was not replaced. she kind of served like an assistant to our supervisor of special ed. Um her position was divvied up amongst our school

087psychologists, um our supervisor of special ed and myself. Um so I share that with you. Um not to complain or gain sympathy, I absolutely love my job. My workload is completely manageable. I'm fairly busy, which I like. I like to be busy. Um but just one example of what happens when there are cuts made. Um uh in addition to staffing cuts, there have also been overall budget cuts. For example, the high school budget has gone down $103,000 over the last 5 years. Um I understand this is not an easy decision. It's not something that it's easy for me to ask either. Um, but I believe our first priority should be our students and doing all we can to make sure that they can achieve their best educational potential. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank

088you. Jordan, Buffalo Township. Thank you, Chief. Give me one sec, chief. Okay. All right, Missy Jordan, Buffalo Township. I want to start off tonight um with the agenda item solicitor. Uh I want to start off by the most current issues that I would like to point out and then move backwards in time. So first of all, I'll just start with Tuesday's meeting. You in April had just approved policy 06. And in that policy 06, one of the things you voted on was public time to speak. There was a before time and an after time. It includes all meetings, not just regular meetings, special meetings, every meeting. So, we get to Tuesday night's meeting and I stand before you and I say, "I don't want to speak in the beginning. I want you all to debate.

089I would like to speak after." And I was denied initially. And I was told if other people show up because the agenda time wasn't matching what was in the paper, then I could speak. The solicitor sat here and said she advised the board president and Dr. Oberg when they were making the agenda for the special meeting that we should only have one public time. I don't know why a solicitor feels like they should be able to switch our policy and change something that you had just voted on. It's not that's not her job to do. Then I'm going to go to prayer. During the whole prayer issue, when it got down to we were going to find, you guys were finally going to vote on it, which was her suggestion, several board members were very

090clear on how they wanted the agenda item worded for the next meeting. She agreed, said she had it under control, and then we got to the next meeting and she failed to do so. She claims she didn't recall it. And then I'm going to go back a little further in history. And that was an incident with Mr. Leisure. Now, everybody knows if you've been paying to these tensions to these meetings for the last five years, Mr. Leisure and I have not always agreed. So, me standing before you, standing up for him should tell you a lot. at that committee meeting, she allowed him she he asked, "Can I discuss certain topics? Is this my time to talk?" And she told him, "Yes." And she let him go through his list of things. And then the

091very next meeting, she blindsided him when he attempted to do it again, and she told him no. I find her she flip-flops on her advice. It's conflicting information often. I know myself and many others have a lot lack of confidence in AMP at this point and I really believe it's time for a change. It's time to unite the board and I think the only way we can do that is by replacing this solicitor. There's too many interpersonal relationships between the solicitor, the administration and board members. And I would go further back in time, but Mr. Capole is here tonight and he will do that much more gracefully than I will. With a few minutes left, I wanted to bring up the fitness center and I would like to ask these few questions because I want

092everybody else to understand because it took me many meetings to get there. So, we're all talking about the budget and now we've got something on the agenda that's got this huge price tag attached to it. So, my question is 50K from the capital project fund. Mrs. Hovershock, can you please explain what that fund is? How much will be left? How is it replenished? And what happens to any used funds? Unused funds. That's my time taken away. We're not permitted to answer. No, I understand that. She'll she'll address this. How is she hearing me if you if can apologize I'm away from Miss Jordan. I get what you're saying. So when we get to the budget when we discuss it, she's writing down your questions and she'll answer them. Perfect. And then if we if we

093deplete that amount, then what happens if something catastrophic happens with a boiler, air condition or whatever? Um, wow. I still have two minutes left. I'm talking fast tonight. I am going to leave these other three items for non-aggenda. So, thank you for your time. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Jordan. I appreciate that. We agree to disagree. [Music] Mr. President, last Capola Franklin Township. Yes, sir. Thank you. C O P O L. It's been a while. It has been a while. You can start. So, I mean, obviously you guys know I'm the majority of you probably know. And I can see by the eye contact you got. Yeah. Thank you. So, obviously I'm here because of what Andrew and Price put us all through during CO. I'm sure we don't ever want to go

094back to that. I'm sure at least now we're a lot more knowledgeable. I'm sure that we probably won't ever have those ineffective things happen again at McGuffy. That's wonderful. So, I guess like the main thing that uh Vicki was Yeah, Vicki was saying was, you know, advice. Advice can be a very manipulative thing from a solicitor. Can we not agree with that? Absolutely. when somebody gives advice as a solicitor what would be important would be you know well what's required by law and as you I'm sure we can all agree like not anybody here which I don't know if it's a good thing or bad thing that prices is here I are they remotely or are they just not here you guys don't have to answer that right all right well I don't know what

095to think about that but anyways like legal advice you guys shouldn't have to try to monitor someone that you've contracted out using our taxpayer money to police and try to be on top of. And just based off the inconsistencies, it seems pretty evident that, you know, a lot of manipulation has been, you know, thrown through the word advice. So, I guess like the main thing that I'm just trying to get across is, you know, with Andrew and Price during that time had a very difficult time to distinguish between a mandate and a law. I mean, that's pretty terrible. Like I mean a lawyer like clearly like a mandate isn't a law. So you guys aren't required to follow a mandate. You're only allowed to follow what is legally binding that make sure that you guys

096don't get in trouble. So, I guess like one of the biggest things that my wife actually pointed out during that time was whenever the the PA Department of Health was really pressing you guys to make sure that you were holding down to the masks, the social distancing, the remote learning, the vaccine clinics, and then you had your administration literally working for the PA Department of Health for free when they're already burdened as it is. So, I honestly think that was all stemming from quote advice. But when my wife actually uh making sure I have a good time actually challenged and price and said, "What are we required by law to submit to the PA Department of Health just pretty much if somebody had a case and then you throw it to the PA Department of

097Health." But this solicitor wanted you guys to continually do all of this charade, which is so funny because if you think about it, I'm a business owner. You know, I'm a contractor, too. I can go in somebody's house, open up drywall, and I can tell them whatever it is because they're going to trust me. I'm not the type of individual that's going to rob somebody blind based off their ignorance of what my profession is. So, what I've noticed, the constant trend with Andrew and Price is it seems that it's it hasn't really changed. They just change it with advice and it's kind of persuading when in fact I know you guys know your sovereignty, but whenever it comes to things like advice, like you need to start asking, okay, what's required by law? So regardless

098if you vote for Ranger in price, I have a very strong feeling that you guys have already made up your mind about what direction you're going in. I hope that you get a new one. But even with the new one, I would hope that the staple would be what is required by law so that you guys as the board can all be like on the same page and to actually keep the solister like accountable. So, I don't know if I asked, but like the attachment, there's like terms and conditions based off the potential of getting uh Rebecca Weiss as like the new solicitor. So, are you like since there wasn't an attachment and I know for like personnel and certain things in executive meeting, is that public since it's contingent off a price that was

099agreed to to have that public? Meaning like there's terms and conditions that are contingent on if you guys accept what the price would be. Like what are those terms and conditions for the potential new solicitor? No, I'm I'm going to guess that that's probably not going to be so hopefully you guys can kind of understand. I want to be gracious to you guys. And the most valuable thing that I learned through the multiple emails with Dr. Oberg, I mean I I will say certain names. I mean you guys are the whole board. There's some that I haven't emailed but I have talked to personally and we all have a relationship. Please know that like I love and respect all of you. I know we don't obviously agree on this, but it's very, very obvious how

100Andrew and Price is bleeding the district of money, creating a problem, creating liabilities with their problem, and then you go to them for the solution. It's kind of like an abusive relationship because we haven't been we we've been here before, like the charade that came with, oh, we're going to get a new solicitor, and then the board unanimously voted to continue with Andrew and Price. So, I would just hope that politics would stay out of this because the masks, the mandates, all of the things that was advice from the solicitor, the children were the ones that had the most amount of issues. And I remember at that time the education with the remote learning was detrimental to those kiddos. And I'm sure that some of them are still trying to catch up. Again, we don't

101understand how certain things were happening, but as we're all here, like the majority of us here today, like we noticed that these kiddos weren't really at that risk. and the solicitor was trying to do the bidding of the governor as well as the legal document of the addestation form which I want you so bad to say everything I want to say but I believe in what I've already said is it would be very evident by your vote tonight after everything of what I've said everything that some of you were on this side and that's what's frustrating I get it It's hard like politics. It can do a lot of things to you. I just hope that tonight it's not a political issue that it's literally for the best interest of the kids that we can

102get rid of Andrew and Rice and get a new solicitor and hopefully there would be a contingency of six months just to test drive to see how they would do. I think that's a safe bet to kind of go that route. So, if that is something that is within the terms and uh conditions, that would be phenomenal. So, about 20 seconds and again, I love and respect you all. I just hope that what I had to say is important enough to get rid of Andrew and Price because they're terrible. God bless you all. Thank you, Mr. President. That concludes public comment. Thank you, Chief. Yes, sir. You're welcome. So, I need a motion to appoint Rebecca Hall of Weiss Birkhard Kramer to serve as solicitor from Guthy School District under the terms and conditions of

103the board. I'll second motion to table. I'll second Mrs. Jackson seconded the table. Um, yeah, we need to have a discussion on the motion to table to table. I thought there was no discussion on tableing. No, you can. Once it passes, there's no discussion. Yeah, once it passes. Okay. Robert says no. I think it's since we there was a motion made after. That's why we read it the way we did. So, we can make a motion. So, Let's have discussion on tableabling it and um then we will vote on tableabling it. If the motion fails then we will vote on the the board agenda. Correct. Anybody you want to start? I don't care. Go right ahead. I want to be clear that it's not um in any way that we wouldn't revisit this. It's a

104tableabling. It's not a putting it aside completely. It's just that this was brought forward um abruptly without knowledge of a lot of the board didn't have a lot of the board members didn't have knowledge of it. We have a new board member who's been sued for a month and a half. Um there's a lot of misinformation. Um there's a lot of things to get cleared up. I just think it would be nice to have an opportunity for the board as a whole, as a collective, which is the role we have. We don't have any authority as individuals. We are a collective unit. I think it would be nice for uh the board as a collective unit to have time to discuss this and go through the process that we've had in the in the past

105um rather than to haphazardly go forward. I would I would just say that we had one board one road board member uh consider that without talking to anyone else and that's just a procedural error. We can't just go we need time to look at what we're doing. It's not that we don't want to consider it or we don't want to look at it but we we do need the time to do it to do it fairly. We had the opportunity to do so in October. Everybody was willing to have the conversation to send out the RFP, which is time and money for all of us, all the public, the solicitors that submitted RFPs. And then we sat down and we took our time and we listened to five or six of them interview. And then

106at the end of the day, the majority of the board still what was Andrew and Price. And for me, this Mrs. Hall, I remember her and she was my pick from the start. And I'm going to tell you right now, it's still not going to change. I will say to that, and I respect that, Mrs. Over Barnick, um I think you're stating my case for everyone that is on from my point of view. Um that was back in October. Um, I like I've said to all of you, I'm not opposed to visiting appointing a new solicitor. I think we need to do it collectively and have time. I only asked the table it for a month. I don't care if it's two weeks. I'm saying don't make a decision within 48 hours. We have a

107board member, Mr. Grove, who was not here in October. So, you're asking him to make a vote on an important agenda item when he didn't hear the all the sales pitches or the best way to put it. Um, so what I'm asking or what I am suggesting is that we table it and then put it on the agenda for next month. My my concern is that it's not going to get brought back up. With all due respect, Mr. Kern, because of something speaking, thank you. I I can't necessarily say what occurred in executive session and what I received, but I have concerns that because of what I received personally named um that this is the reason why we are where we are right now and that we're trying to table and squaltch the voices of

108some of the board members that have been fighting since they got in this seat to have a voice and have an opinion and try to collaborate. and do what's best for this district and the kids. I I hear what you're saying, but you you you one I'll come to you real quick. Um you you admittedly said we voted and the vote was 54 for Andrews and Price. Now that there's a new board member who just got on the seat, now you want to revisit the solicitor when he hasn't had time to work with Andrews and Price or look at everything. You dropped this on a 48 hours notice. But like that's all I'm asking. I don't think I'm asking for anything out of out of the realm. Just procedurally revisited in June. Particularly when you

109table something it is automatically brought up the next month unless you give a directive the board as a whole gives a directive for it not to be. That was my procedure. I did look and Robert's rules of order which we do follow. You are not supposed to be discussing a tableabling. But regardless um I table something it comes up the next month. It's one month when you table it. It comes up next month. Is that correct? Yes. Okay. I kind of think I kind of think that it's disrespectful to Mr. Grove to say that he's only had a month and a half. He's retired Air Force if I'm not retired military. He, you know, he's worked with airplane airplane mechanic, excuse me. You know, he's a gentleman of our community. I think he has a

110mind and he has an opinion of his own. I think it's it's disrespectful to think that you've only had a month and a half and that we shouldn't allow you to vote, Mr. G. No, what I'm saying is I'm going to Mr. Capola, please. No outbursts from the crowd. Please, this is our time to debate. Everybody had a chance to come up to the podium and speak. This is our time. Let us do our business. What we're saying is, what I'm saying is, I can't speak for anybody else is Mr. Grove did not have an opportunity to sit in on those interviews back in October, November, and December. That's all I'm saying. I I'm saying give him the opportunity to do that. We sat here. We sat here and no one has said that Mr.

111Grove can't vote. Um, and as far as what you received prior to being out here, that was not in any way in any form an attempt to change anything out here as far as your individual vote. But regardless, what's interesting to me is that we sat here less than 48 hours ago and there were members of this board who said things like, you know, we we would just like have more information before we make a vote. We would like to to make sure that we have all of the information we need to make to make a good decision or to feel confident about what they're doing that we want to work together. I believe all of those things are true. And because of that, I think that we need to extend the time that it

112takes to make sure that every member of the board has all of the information that he or she feels that uh is needed to make a decision. Again, not to postpone it indefinitely. We're talking about tableling it. It will automatically show up on next month's agenda. I would like to um I would like to also say I know I mentioned before I when I was elected in December of 23 um prior to me being sworn in, I attended a November meeting of which where our superintendent's contract was going to be voted on. I pleaded with the board table it for a month. um I'm going to be serving under him or serving with him I rather and it's important that I get to make a decision on such an important decision um have a voice

113for that decision um for somebody who maybe I didn't like and I didn't want to serve with somebody who maybe I didn't like the superintendent and I wanted to be able to say so um I do think more time is important and I am always asking for more time. With that said, I'm going to speak to the issues that I have I have myself very I have very I have a lot of concern and with that information you get your mom if that's the way the board votes. You can ask me what did you mean by that or what have you because this is very important and I do think that this is a change the district needs. March 21st of 2024 Andrews and Price advises committee of the whole meetings fall under act 65.

114However, act 65 does not include work sessions such as committee of the whole conferences and executive sessions when official is when official action is not permitted. April 18th of 2024, we were advised again that the committee of the whole meeting falls under act 55. July 18th of 2024 advised the board president had rights to finalize the agenda in policy 005. However, 005 does not address the agenda setting at all. No board of directors has the power to operate on their own. As we've discussed previously, August 12th of 2024, Anderson and Price advised agenda setting is addressed in policy 006 and that final agenda authority rests with the superintendent. Um, this kind of jumps back a little bit. Um in 2024 we were advised that we only needed the consensus um for the prayer. This year

115February we were advised that the prayer um should become district business and official action should be taken with voting. November of 2024 um the advice was provided to Dr. Oberg was allowed to change the agenda because he changed the information below the agenda title and not the title itself. Per open records.pa.gov. On August 29th of 2021, Senate Bill 554 amended the PA Sunshine Act, the agenda should include all issues to be deliberated on and any planned official action such as voting. Additionally, the website states an agenda. I'm sorry, an agency. The board cannot change the agenda within 24 hours provided. The changes are dimminimous, involve no expenditure of funds, and didn't entail entering into a contract. In a January 18th of 24 meeting, the board approved for the National Honors Society to host the two

116blood drives. This is the example that this came from. The first agenda item read um February 4th of 24 and the second one was April of uh April 3rd of 24 with an amendment to the item to include parental consent forms to be sent out for students who signed up for the blood drive, but then that was changed within that 24hour mark, not to include any of that verbiage. Um, February 20th of 2025, our solicitor advised the board that the issue that a constituent wanted to address in executive session was not executive session content when in fact it was executive session content as it pertains to personnel. Then the constituent stood at the podium and the solicitor slipped a note to the board president to advise him that it's in our policy that she's not

117allowed to address an individual board member or staff member. March 26 of 2025 allowed the business administrator to discuss um allowed the business administrator to discuss an agenda item um that needed to be discussed out in public, which we didn't till the following months when we approved the item. Um, I have very serious concerns about our current solicitor. I understand they've been with us for a long time. I understand that there is value to that, but at what cost? At what cost? Because I personally feel like I don't feel like it. I believe that our solicitors face politics with this board and I don't agree to that and I don't like that and our taxpayers are paying for that. So with that, I do agree with having more time as I've always. But please take

118into consideration those concerns as well as look at the concerns you've had. Don't overlook them. Don't forget, please. I think this is very important and I really truly think this is what's best for our district. It's always good to have a fresh set of eyes on things. We have a solicitor who doesn't even know our policies. We have a solicitor who doesn't even remember months to month what she tells us publicly. I'm sorry. I I just I'm pleading with you to please consider the concerns that I have. And when we meet back, if the whole board decides, if the majority of the board decides that we're coming back next month with this, consider it. Thank you. I think all of us who are asking for that are just asking for the time to have those

119conversations. And I wanted to make sure that publicly you have the information out. Nobody can say they didn't know that, didn't hear that, whatever. Not that anybody ever had, but just it's out there. There's concerns. These are all public issues that are known. Don't forget. Don't brush it off like it's not important. These are minor things that could lead to problems with the school district. And I don't believe that that solicitor I believe that solicitor argues her way out of it, which is great for us. What if it goes to court? What if she can't argue her way out of it? That's all I'm saying. Thank you. Anybody else like to add anything before we vote on the motion to table it until June? Mr. Leisure? Yes. I I would just like to publicly state

120we had a meeting on Tuesday. It was a working budget session meeting so the public could see what we was doing for budget issues and different things. And the motion was made to put this motion on the agenda for tonight which fell within the 24hour notification that's required. The vote at that meeting was 5 to 4. That's why that added to the agenda. Since that time, there has been a flurry. I guess I don't even really want to go there, but I I'm very very very disheartened by what occurred prior to this meeting. If that doesn't tell you something, nothing ever will. If we table this motion, you're only kicking the can down the road that we can have another several weeks of what we just had in executive session. If you all want to

121go through that, so be it. I don't. I would like to. I'm not done. I'm sorry. I thought you were you. Thank you. [Music] We don't have a solicitor tonight sitting here to advise us certain things which I don't feel very comfortable with. Um I understand the reasoning behind that. It's very understandable. But when I asked for legal advice and I'm not provided with it, I have a huge problem with that. I would beg the fellow board members that if you want to continue with what you just went through to go ahead and table this motion. If you want to try and get something new, I'm not asking anybody. I'm just trying to explain my position. If we want to continue down the current path that we're on, it will only get, I personally believe,

122a whole lot worse than what it has already gotten to. And I'm deeply troubled by that. Deeply. If at any time we need a solicitor, we need one now. I would again just ask each and every board member if you want to continue to go through what we did vote to table this motion. My personal recommendation is that we vote on the motion that the five board members agreed to have put on the agenda on Tuesday. That's all I have to say. Mr. Leisure, can I ask you to clarify? You can ask me anything you'd like. Mr. You are saying that a new solicitor is going to fix all of our board problems. I did not say that. Oh, that's what I heard. That's Thank you. Thank you. I If I could ask a question.

123Um, our current solicitor is still our solicitor until we make a decision. Correct. Correct. So, we wouldn't be without a solicitor over the next several weeks as we we go through this process or whatever. Depends what the terms are. Yes. But in and then the other thing I'd just like to say two things. Number one, I think everybody can remember back to the time of the pandemic. It was a nightmare for everyone. No matter where you were sitting, if you were a parent, if you were a board member, whatever it was. And I know that there are people in this room who will remember back to the fact that I did not always agree okay with the solicitor on many issues. But ultimately the solicitor gave a recommendation and the majority of the board either

124decided to follow that recommendation or decided not to follow that recommendation. Some of you will remember that I even served the entire board with a letter of notification that I would not have my rights trampled on and nor would I stand for the trampling of parental rights. Ultimately at that time decisions that were made and to be clear it wasn't just McGuffy. Every district was facing the same uncertainties and all of the same issues. But ultimately at that time, regardless of what the solicitor did or didn't recommend, the majority of the board voted and made decisions as to those those items at that time. So, I just want to make sure that we're clear on that. The other thing I would add is I also am disheartened, Mr. um with how this whole thing has

125taken place for a lot of members of the board to not have not only agreed to calling another solicitor and asking if they'd be eligible, but not even knowing that that was taking place. is not us working together. It comes across very much as trying to weedle and manipulate the rest of the board. And that's disheartening when we're all supposed to be working together. And I will tell you, I reacted in that perception because that's the way it was perceived. If that wasn't the intent, so be it. But I think the whole thing could have been avoided had the board as a collective had a conversation and made a decision as to how to move forward. And that's all we're asking for is more time to do that together. I respectfully understand that, Mrs. Jackson.

126Thank you. But we would agree, disagree. I don't if you think that was weasling and manipulation. what we just came [Music] through. I'm not saying anymore because I'm extremely upset and I rarely ever get upset and when I do, I'm afraid I might do something that I shouldn't do. Um but it is very taxing to go through what we just went through. Um and we unfortunately can't share what we just went through. [Music] Um and that's unfortunate because it's then we don't have transparency. Um, another issue I would just like to bring out. When I sat down at this computer and logged in, I had no idea if that motion was going to be on the agenda or not. That's troubling, especially when you have five board members who voted to have it added. Now,

127it seems like we have a I personally believe we've created a host pile environment against certain board members and that is inappropriate and that's my personal belief as an individual and have at it do whatever would like to do. I don't want to convince anybody but I'm sorry. I agree. I got a written communication basically. Well, I would caution you, Mr. Vanette, in the fact that what we discuss in executive session needs to stay in executive session, but I know you know a lot more about the law than I do. So, you Yes. Can you turn your mic on? It is executive session topic. I would just caution because it could be potential litigation. So I I you can do what you want, but I'm just I'm just saying it's definitely going to be litigation,

128but yeah. So what? Yeah, we sit here as a board with multiple potentials and don't have anybody in that seat. That's what I'm concerned about. And I would also agree that I asked for advice from clarification. It's not that just happened tonight. So I'm I'm going to I think try to bring this to a point. Um and I've heard this from several folks uh on this board and I appreciate that. And that's the idea of transparency. I think that's what I've asked this board uh before and I'm asking for again. Um, Mrs. Fry brings up a great point because I remember at the time being frustrated because I wanted to have that contract, but out of respect, I understood there was new members coming on and you wanted time to vent that. And so that's

129where I'm at right now. Like we've always to this point when it came to hiring something as important as your school solicister, we've always gone through a process. And that process is bringing those individual um law firms that were interested in working with us to discuss as a collective, not as an individual. And that, as I shared in executive, was my concern with the whole process to this point. It has not followed the proper way. I'm leaving it at that. So all I'm saying again and all I'm asking for because we talked about I heard transparency maybe not the same way I heard talk about transparency certainly is let's have that let's continue to have that transparent approach which I think will define everything we do from here on in. So thank you. All right.

130So I'm going to roll call the vote. Miss this is the vote. The table. So yes to table, no to not table. Miss, will you please come back to me? Mr. Grove, yes to Mr. No, I would never recommend tableing this. No to tableing. Yes, Mr. Thomas. Yes, the table. And my reasoning is just because of the fact the way that we did it last time, you know, we decided that as a group decided that to go through that process of bringing people in so that we could all hear from them. That just did not happen at all this time. It was just a portion of the group two days ago. I'm just not going to be rushed to make that vote. So yes, the table [Music] I would like to table it, but only

131if we add the agenda item as I requested previously that old business be put on the agenda and this be listed on it until it is addressed. But my understanding is the old business. It would be on the agenda as an agenda item. I understand. But I we do not have an old business agenda. But what I'm saying is I don't think we need one. Mrs. Jordan, this is what I'm asking. I understand that. We've discussed that previously. But I just to be clear, if you table it, it it automatically appears as an agenda item next month. Correct. Be on there. I just wanted to be clear. Thank you. Mr. Yes. Motion carries. It'll appear on the June board meeting. Do you a motion to approve the minutes? Mr. President, I would like to um

132express my concern that we're not represented by council tonight. I would make a motion that we uh immediately adjourn this meeting and come back at a time when we do have council under PA school code. You are allowed to conduct. I understand that. I understand that. But I would have budget issues that Well, I apologize. I guess I would state that through the budget and everything else. because there's just so many issues that we need legal counsel on. I'm going to make a recommendation to what you're asking for contest that we also have a pending hire for our business office. We can also include that not also do monthly items. I mean that seems to kind of pointlessly took it forward. She she was by voice when we discussed it in the exact I will

133ask if that's the case um because this is something that we want to have time with her with our existing staff uh that where we would probably retroactive it what Can that's fine. But what is exactly the motion? Can you just clarify the motion? Can we discuss a little bit further? Sure. I would ask Dr. Oberg what is of utmost important pressing pressing to put on the agenda tonight and then we table everything else. I understand Miss Halbachov, we have to pass our budget and I think if I remember correctly, there's a position that maybe we need to hire for. I don't have any problems with them and I would defer to Dr. Oberg of any other issues. Other than that, if we agree, we need to do that and be done. So, schedule bills

134so we can pay bills that would be something that I would absolutely have for theary budget. And how about graduates? the graduates. Do we have to Oh, of the graduates. Yes. Thank you. There's a list of graduates that you need to approve so they can graduate. [Music] Does the schedule fall under the monthly action item? Could we not just do the monthly action items? What about the While they're looking at that, Chief Saminsky, are you available next Thursday? Oh, class are overdue. Do the homebound instructions have to be are those times sensitive? Homebound instruction. I'm going to go back to that. The only other thing I'd say is again something that we could have on the June uh is the fitness center that will push back our start time to renovate that by about two

135months. So our goal was to have that ready after the football season started with tear down the very beginning August so that athletics could use that facility. So wait for that. Are any of the donation items timesensitive? So outside of the general and the hiring and graduate No, we need to do all E. All of the monthly auctions. I think so. Yeah, I think so, too. So, all of the monthly actions and then of gee, we're doing one. Do we need to do Well, four is just a first reading. We're not taking action on that. Correct. No. And um it is a first reading. So, there's nothing there for you that can wait. Um the application for homebound uh is that they're asking for currently. Um so I would also recommend those so G1 2

136and three um filter is something that we're we're still going to have it come at the beginning of school year. Okay. Okay. And then H donations or something. H1 H1 and two. [Music] So I know that maybe that's not something that we should think that and then two he is with us to the end of J. So but three and four we need to or no. So three. Yes. So three is the agreement. I would actually prefer to open it now and then this is for her effective July 1. So you want to do it? I mean what about I mean is there any way that maybe all the items that were listed that we could not close this meeting but reconvene on you can motion to adjourn. You can motion to I forget the

137wording but postpone to reconvene. Reconvene. You can motion to reconvene. Reason why we need a solicitor. Yeah. Well, I was under impression that you couldn't adjourn a meeting. It had to be a continuation or you had to advertise. There's a lot of things that I don't know and unfortunately I You can make a motion to reconvene so that you're not ending the meeting and the meeting will finish. We've done that and that's the wording that was used. I'm sorry. You can make a motion to reconvene the meeting at a certain date or time in the future and your meeting doesn't officially close. It's just going to continue at that stated time. I I do have a question. Wait, I just want to be clear. Um the FFA uh conference, does that need to be approved

138tonight? So conference is going to be before the next order again. Yeah, I think that that's six, correct? And then the budget. Is that all? All right. You got everything. All right. All right. So, first we have to address the motion on the floor um from Mr. Laser. And the motion is to address the items that need addressed this evening and then um reconvene the meeting at a later time. Uh next Thursday. Next Thursday time please. I can't be here but okay. I have graduation that day. Yeah. No. What about Tuesday or Wednesday? Yeah. Wednesday would be Mr. Leure. Wednesday would be better for Miss Friday. Oh, yeah. That's probably not good. How about Friday? No. Next Friday is the 20. Well, if we're taking care of all of the business, can we just adjourn

139and then meet next month like we've already he like his original thing was if we take care of what's immediate? Yeah, I would think so. Then everything else we don't have to worry about, Mr. Are you okay with that? Then you don't have to worry about advertising again. What's that? We need to take care of the people's room. I mean, I think we are that we are tonight though. Yeah, we're taking care of all the appointment to the superintendent, the president of the board and the business manager to have motions that is required and then we could uh uh adjourn the meeting. Gotcha. Okay. So that's the motion. Aaron, Mr. Vanata, you seconded it, correct? And you still second under that condition. Okay. Do you think it needs change, Mr. Ranata, before you second it?

140Let me know. I don't know. Okay. All those Does anybody need to recap what we're doing? We are We are voting to on the necessary items. Well, the motion on the floor is to make sure we vote on the necessary items deemed necessary by the superintendent, the business manager, and the president of the board. And then that um we will reconvene um next month with or or do you still want to try? Doc said the rest of the stuff could wait till next month because it's just monthly items. But yeah, absolutely. I'll tell you what, how about we vote on the budget we have to vote on tonight. and roll call. But no. Oh, is that what you're asking? I'm sorry. I got you. What happened? I'm confused. I don't know if we can. We

141can. So, yes, we can take items under E first. There's three of them. Item two is approval of general funds schedules. Item three is approval of food service uh schedule. And then number five is two series one means to be approved. We're going to file that together and say you're approved. Oh, that's what he means. I believe so. All right. And then I'm sorry, I'm just really confused about let's do this original motion first. Let's do the original motion first because we're getting ahead of ourselves. So all those in favor of Mr. 's original motion of making sure we vote on the necessary items tonight and then adjouring the meeting to another time. All those in favor say I. I. It's going to be two next month. It's going to be two. Are you okay

142with that, Mr. Laser? Because that will that will also cover our advertising now. We would have to pay more. All right. So with that, no. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Abstain. Motion carries. Yes, Mr. R. Okay. I would like to make sure that we are still going to allow the public participation for the non-aggenda agenda. Non-aggenda. I I don't have a problem with it. Yeah. They came. I don't have a problem with it. I would agree. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I don't know why I might get part of that motion. Items for discussion. Yeah, that's fine. Okay. I just wanted to clarify since we were talking about specific things from this agenda. We were Okay, thank you. Yeah, not a problem. All right, with that said, we're E2. We didn't do E1. No,

143E2, E3. I would make a motion that we adopt E1, 2, 3, 4, and five. I second that. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Abstain. Motion carries. Um under G we have C graduation. Um and then we also have uh G2 application for homebound and G3. G1, two, and three. I'd make a motion. Before we do that, let's can we do I'm sorry, Mr. Laser. Can we do G1 separately just because it's the seniors and their moment? Yeah. you. Yeah, I know what. Yeah, I got you. All right. I need a motion to approve the list of candidates from the McGuffy High School class of 2025 for the purpose of awarding a high school diploma provided the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education in the McGuffy Sto School District have

144been fully satisfied. So moved. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I opposed. Motion carries. Congratulations to the 140 team. All right. Now, under G, we are G2 application for homebound instruction. All right. We have a motion to um lump together G2 and three application for homebound instruction. I'll move. Second. Second. Right. All those in favor say I. Opposed. Stay. Motion carries. Okay. Anything else? Uh H would be next. H1 payable specialist. Okay. Um I would also recommend including the resation for adult at that point. Uh three the confidential employee agreement. And since we're doing that, I'd also recommend for confidential secretary. Yeah. I need a motion to hire Leanne Crut as accounts payable specialist as per terms and conditions of the accounts payable specialist employment agreement pending receipt of all required clearances

145act 168 medical exams movement sorry discussion all those in favor say I opposed motion carries congratulations to Leo I need a motion to accept with a regret the letter of resignation for employee number 1746 in sections June 30th 2025 and authorize the administration to post and advertise if necessary for the position move second discussion yeah I'm not sure I agree was post and advertise for that position at this time until we figure our budget out it it's necessary so yeah any other discussion I would just like to say um or can I say since we're notifying him by number we're identifying I I tell you what I'll show up can I yeah I just want to say thank you to coach Dalton for his many years of service and all that he's done. Um we

146haven't always agreed eye to eye he and I but I do appreciate he truly has a heart for the kids and that's always been evident. I will say I would like to personally say before we vote on it. Um I'd be remiss if I didn't and I wish he was here but he was at the softball. Um I wouldn't be where I am today um if not for Coach Dalton. He gave me a start 13 years ago now in coaching at at the higher level and um he opened doors for me. He showed me how an athletic director job works. He showed me how an administration job worked. Um, he helped me get into the college level and um, as I shared with members of this board. Um, I was reached out by a school

147in Oklahoma today. So, it I owe him tremendously everything. So, what he did here at McGuffy, for anybody that doesn't know, when he showed up, he and I showed up in 2012, um I was one of his first hires. And what he did to this program, they were 0 and10 the year before. He never had a losing record after that. Um and that's just just speaks volumes of the man he is. Um it wasn't just football. He made every sport better. the basketball team under his athletic director guidance won their first ever state playoff game. Um, and the coaches love coaching under him and the kids love him and he gets everybody interested. Um, the rats you see around the school, he had a big influence in that. Um, we're losing a um, ambassador of

148the district and I just want to say thank you to him. in the past couple of years, this donation drive that he set in place. I mean, that is just amazing and we really are blessed to have had him with us. We are and uh he really did a lot for encouraging students to do multiple sports too. Before before he came that wasn't the case. Um coaches didn't encourage it and kids didn't do it. And so we have a lot of students who are um playing multiple sports and that's largely because of him. So with that said, all those in favor say I. I opposed. Mr. Dalton was awesome. He needs that. Sorry. Um I think the positive atmosphere and morale that he brought was very helpful for the district as a whole. But what

149everybody does have to recognize is he's a unique in He's a unique person because he's not actually I want to say this, but he's not in any union or anything. He's a contract employee that has absolutely no benefits and a flat fee. And he saved the district in my estimation probably about $1.2 two to $2 million since he's been here in the cost of that salary. That's why I'm concerned about posting and advertising. Thank you. Okay. Um the next will be the confidential employee agreements. Are you reading that? Yeah, the mouse. I have the wrong mouse. Three and four. I need a uh I think we're doing them separately. Separately. Okay. I need a motion to approve the early opening of the confidential employee compensation plan which was set to expire June 30th, 2027. So

150moved. Second. Any discussion? Could you remind us why do we have that? The contract specifically. Okay. Any more discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Abstain. Motion carries. I need a motion to approve the employment agreement with Miss Laura Cybert as confidential secretary to the superintendent of schools effective July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2030 for the terms and conditions of the confidential secretary to the superintendent of schools compensation plan. So moved. Second. discussion although is there a legal requirement on a date to have this submitted? No, I mean this would be something that would be effective for her when her contract expired. So um Mr. Ser, don't take this wrong at all places. Like if the vote were just were for you, it would be a yes. But did we ever

151review this in executive session? The contract? We did not tonight. Would we have the opportunity to do so before voting? It's been on the agenda since Friday. It's it's an attachment to discuss it in executive session. See what you're saying. Can we do that please? I would need a motion table. Okay. So, I'd like to make a motion to table uh this vote until we could review the contract together in executive session. Second. Discussion. Oh, well, we discussed it earlier. So, discussion. All those in favor of tableabling item H4 until um the June meeting. Say I. I. I. Opposed. Opposed. Opposed. We do a roll call. I'm sorry for the roll call. Can we trust you? Keep it tightly. Okay. Wait, is it It's the table. So, yes to table, no to not table. Correct.

152Correct. Correct. Okay. No, Mr. No, Mr. Yes, no Mr. Yes, no. Yes, Mr. No. 63. So, back to the item H4. Um, we had a motion and a second, correct? Any more discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Opposed. Anybody abstain. Motion carries. 72. Correct. All right. Be clear. My vote is for you, Mrs. Cyber. I would like to have the chance to review the contract. Um, next I'd ask that we vote for the 2025 department grade level chairs. The sooner we get that information out to the better next year. Which which one is that? That's H5. Okay. Next one. Okay. Need a motion to approve the department grade level chairpersons for the term July 1st, 2025 to June 30th, 2026 as presented per the MEA collective marketing agreement. Second discussion. All those

153in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. The next one we should because it's uh the after the application to attend a conference number six. I need a motion to approve Renee Cambrewie and John Laser to shop and attend the with members of the McGuffy FFA the Pennsylvania FFA state convention on June 10th through 12th, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at a cost of $200 and transportation costs which would be gas, tolls, and parking. Senate second discussion. I just always come we always come back to those confused on like what events the school pays for versus SFA paying for and what's in their budget and what's not. The $200 registration is that in their budget? Yeah. Okay. I just was cur I I'm always confused about that. Thank you. Any other discussion? All those

154in favor say I. I I opposed abstain abstain John's my son motion carries 8 01 next item would be under letter I for business number two preliminary budget do you want us I make a motion that we approve option C of our preliminary budget and that's the is that the highest index is that the different. Yes. Okay. Sorry. I'll second it then. Okay. So, we have a motion to approve option C and a second. Any other motions for any other option? So, we do a vote on that and then go from there. I think if that's the only motion. Yeah. If that's the only motion, then we don't. And that is the one you're recommending. Okay. Is there any other motions? Any other discussions before we vote? It will be a roll call vote. You

155got it. Yeah. Mr. Roll call. Miss Cyber. Miss Jackson. Yes. Mr. Yes. Mr. Barnett. Yes. Miss Jingle. Yes. Mr. Mr. M. with a very heavy heart in mind. Yes. Yes. Preliminary budget passes 90. Next item I have is I4 web filter subscription purchase. has been like to have that. I make a motion to approve the agreement between McGuffy School District and securely for the purchase of a new west filter for the 2025 2026 school year at a cost of $11,55. I second. There we already had a motion. I think he motioned it. I think I'll be here. I'm sorry. Oh, I'm sorry. Uh, Mr. Laser, is the microphone on? I didn't hear you. I didn't know the microphone is on. He does. He I thought that's what he wanted. You got that? Okay. When you

156were saying it, I thought you were asking to amend it. Okay. No, no, no, no. I just didn't She missed her whole job. That's okay. I just No. I I didn't think that anybody had stated it and I thought you were asking for No, no, no. He had motioned it and I was Well, I apologize. I didn't hear him. No, you're good, Mrs. Jackson. Um, all right. Any more discussion? I would like to say that this product is cheaper than the product that we're using currently and has more capabilities. So, 10% cheaper and about $1,200 cheaper per year. Mr. Wilson, thank you. And Mrs. All those in favor say I. I opposed. Anybody abstain? Motion carries. I was involved as well. I was involved as well. [Music] Dr. I apologize. I didn't understand what you're

157saying. I'm sorry. Do we need Thank you, Dr. Oberg, if you was involved. Thank you. The last item I have is All right. Need a motion to approve $50,000 to be taken from the capital projects account to update the fitness center. So second any discussion? Yes. If we could have Mr. Jackson first. Mrs. Harvard, you said you would answer those questions that were asked earlier. Mrs. Yes. We currently have $144,000 in our capital projects fund. This is not bond money. It's money we have set aside for capital projects. Mr. McKe and I have looked at the amount of interest that has accured in that account over the years that we've had it and we would basically be putting the $50,000 of acred interest into this um fitness center. We also have funding from various places.

158uh Highark grant 7500. T-Mobile already provided us a $5,000 grant. We have not used it all. So 3,000 of that will be used. The alumni group has agreed to donate $2,000. If we move forward with this project, we do not have to have our um service agreement with Tri-State Contract, which is a company that comes in and um services and looks at our equipment every year to make sure it's still good. That's $6,000. So, we've moved that money into the renovation project. We have money in the athletic fund right now. We're going to use 15,000 of that. So that's not new money. Um, and then with the renovations, the booster organizations have agreed to take on the cost of the huddle software that's used for the athletics and that's $25,000. So we would lose that

159$25,000 and just redirect it to the fitness center. So what are capital projects? So capital projects would be anything that really has to do with renovations and upkeep and of our facilities and maintenance things like that. And then you said this comes from the acred interest. This is has been acuring interest obviously over the years. This fund we can always put money out of our general fund budget into capital fund projects. It's not bond money. And what the and the balance we're taking 50,000 of 144. Yes. So the balance would continue to acrue interest. Balance will continue to acrue interest. And Mr. McKe has um looked at the balance and knows the kinds of upkeep he needs to do specifically on the Joe Walker boiler I do believe and he has enough money. We also

160had a conversation today because in his general budget for renovations and upkeep, we have not spent nearly what I had budgeted for that for this year. So, we always have that money to fall back on as well. And I will also say I've been in talks with three different companies about sponsorship. So, I'm hoping that we can just get the whole project paid and not have to use any of our funding. Um, like Mr. Dalton had said when he presented this, they do like to see a finished product before putting their name on something. So, um, I'm continuing those talks and hopefully they will be fruitful and we will just get this paid for. So, it would be more like we would pay for it and then they and be reimbured and we go back

161into that fund. I'm trying to think of all the questions that were asked earlier, but I think one of them was does this capital project account deplete at any time or so it could deplete. It's depending on what we do. We could always move money out of our general fund budget into a capital projects account and there's no limit on that or any kind of requirements other than the money for capital projects. Exactly. If it's capital project earmarked, we have to use capital. And if we were moving money, that would be part of the budget. We would budget to move money. Correct. Thank you for answering all those questions. I think we got them all. Melissa, did we um I'm a yes for the fitness center, but did we look at any other spaces when

162we were considering renovating the space? I'm sure Mr. Dton looked just to clarify you like in the district or in the high school? In the in the building. Yeah. You think I think Mr. Dton said he named a couple. Well, so you've had major upgrades of course to the high school. No. No. I mean like the library is an open space. Oh, like did you certainly as I've shared in the past slow at this point because of funding, but we have other designs for the library to use that more as a resource for clubs space for children and maybe possibly have our school counselors in there. Uh we looked at having a multi maker space as part of that. I remember because I remember Trinity has their maker space is sponsored by PPG and when

163I was thinking about that because you had originally presented it as a maker space and then Mr. McKe presented it as the chill space guidance counselor business but this is a moot point but I'm still going to make my suggestion because I feel like I need to. I was just thinking it's kind of the centralized hub for the high school, middle school, and it would have been nice to maybe see the fitness center, have the opportunity to be there, and then have your little MC cafe and then have your maker space. And it probably would have served but it could have served the community in that in that respect as well because it it might have sought better sponsorship because it's a bigger space and there's more things to do. But it is what it

164is. Thank you Melissa. Any other discussion? I would just like to ask Miss Albert said this capital project fund is not part of our general budget. So when we say that we have x amount of money in our general fund, we actually have more than that. Yes. Like our bond money is separate from that as well. Good question. Those are do we have any idea what those might be? And I don't I hate to put you on the spot so no, I'm not going to ask that question. if we could have that maybe discussion for next meeting. Well, I will tell you the bond payment that you just approved tonight that wipes out that bond. So, that one. Thank you. And those like the capital project count. That's money that is line item specifically. You

165can't use that for anything else. Correct. That's what I wanted to ask. That's right. You have something? Yeah. I I'm trying not to forget it before I get to there. You might have just answered that with your question, but with with the capital fund or the the capital project account, the question was asked or statement was made about moving money. Money can be moved from that to not out of it. Once it's there, it's there. Now, is that a legal thing or is that a procedural thing or is that just what McGuffy does? Okay, that's what I wasn't sure cuz I'm thinking of this deficit and I'm like if we have all this money, save some of it for what we need it for, but then let's use it for Okay, that was why I

166asked cuz I'm I was almost positive that it had to be specifically for that. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. I opposed. Abstain. Motion carries. Mr. President, before we go forward, the more I think about I think we need to set a date and time to discuss [Music] um the uh solicitor process okay prior to next month's meeting because I don't want to be sitting here doing the same thing that we are doing this month next month Mr. Leer I was actually going to ask that we decide tonight under our um I apologize Mrs. No, no, no. It's okay. But rather than set a date where we're meeting again, we could probably figure something out how we're going to proceed tonight before we meet tonight in that section under board comments. I

167don't know if that's what couldn't we do that in executive session because we need to go back to executive session. Correct. Well, I think it would help for the public to know as well how we're going to move forward with that specifically. as like are we going to be interviewing or are we just going to like are we going to put out an RFP or you know what how are we going to move forward with it? Very good question Mr. Thank you. So I mean if we're going to discuss a date um I think absolutely there's something we can do here. If we're going to talk about how we're going to go about the process I'd rather that be something in executive session. We're going to go to that afterwards. We still have to have

168Chief Samiski present to us our school safety report. So that'll be directly after this. All right. We are going to take public comment on nonaggenda and agenda items at this time. Mr. President, are we picking a date then or no? Yeah, we will. Okay. Thank you. All right. So, under the Yeah. All right. Thank you. Write down the order. Mhm. And so yeah, Mr. President, call Tiffany Walker, South Franklin Township. Thank you, Chief. Sir, is there any way somebody can increase the air conditioner in here or have we saving money or I mean, it's boiling up here and I prefer the president to pay attention. I kind of thought that maybe you had a hand in it. You're good. I am too late for I'm just waiting for everybody to pay attention. I'm up here

169speaking. I would like to respect that. Thank you. I don't care. I'm up here now. You have done Okay, that's fine. You have done a You have done a lot of little discussion. It needs to stop. This is respectful. You're best to all work together regardless. Stop the whispering. It's I'm over it. I'm over you. Look like a fool. Stop the whispering. Anyways, I'm going to read another parent towards you guys towards the school board me school. They want you to know this. I'm going to read this from a parent, another letter. Dear members of the McGuffy School Board District, I'm writing to express serious concerns regarding the district's current bullying and disciplineing policies, particularly how they are being applied to student conflicts. My son, a 10th grade student at McGuffy High School, has been

170subject to traumatic experience and believe reflect major gaps in the how bullying is addressed and how students are protected. My son was harassed and physically assaulted on the school bus despite clear video evidence showing that he was provoked and attacked, including another student dumping water on him, initiating physical contact. My son received the same punishment as the aggressor. He was suspended, forced to attend court, and ordered to take a victim awareness class. Meanwhile, the bully behavior and ongoing f false accusations from other students have gone largely unchecked. What makes the situation even more upsetting is that I tried to prevent it. That day, my son text me asking to pick up from school because he was afraid. Immediately called the school and spoke to Jod White, requested that my son be moved on the bus

171due to harassment. I was told to call back in 20 minutes to speak with Mr. Stoy. During my conversation with Mr. Story, the fight broke out. This shows a serious failure on the part of the administration to take early warning signs seriously and protect students in real time. Since this incident, my son has became withdrawn, fearful of returning to school, emotionally exhausted. During his suspension, he refused to eat, barely sleep, and fear that his future would be ruined by further false claims or conflict. I am urging the board to take a closer look at your bullet buly bullying policy as it stands. A policy that punish victim equally with aggressor is not only unjust is damaging. Self-defense should not be treated as an offense. Students are being harassed repeatedly and who have made efforts to

172avoid conflict should be protected and not penalized. Furthermore, there needs to be an accountable for students who make false claims to provoke or escalate situation. My son is not the only one affected by this behavior. I've asked that the board consider the following. Review and revise the bullying and discipline policies. Two, include a better investigation procedures, clear dist distinctions between self-defense and aggression. Two, implant safeguards for victims of bullying, including timely seating changes, class schedule adjustments, and emotional support services. Three, adjust patterns of false reporting and peer manipulation, which not only affect target students, but also undermine the integrity of the school environment. Four, ensue safe responses when parents report concerns of harassment, delays in action only lead to escalation and preventable harm. Every student deserves to feel safe and supported in their education environment.

173I hope the board will take this matter seriously and take steps towards meaningful policy changes that put students well well-being and fairness first. Sincerely, Amanda Avalar, a parent of McGuffy. She's also a self. I've had all these parents come out to me after my last trip here meeting. Mr. Mr. Curry, you are not here. Um, and what I'm saying is you you have that seat because we voted you there. We we expect you to protect. You don't have to watch my time. I know my time. You should be watching me. I expect you all get together. Screen, ma'am. Oh, okay. I expect you all to get Are we smart? Please don't. Please don't. Take your time. I I would like No, I would like the same respect that the rest of them want respect. Okay.

174I I don't need to do anything. You don't have to shut me up. This is my first amendment to come to you. You sit there because of us. So, let me sit there and also sit there. You have a principal yelling at a freaking teacher that does anything for this school this past month, screaming in front of both test kids. You don't do your job, I'll do my job. Why are you speaking like that in front of students? Let's talk about that. Let's start where the bully is coming from is your own officials. I will sit here and I will scream until you get through in her head that our kids are protected and you're taking down our school. We got superintendent non-answering parents that I've been told. Avalar says she tried to contact you.

175Um I I just don't understand. I don't understand the ignorance of this board especially since tonight is the first time I got to see you here and you Mr. Kin are very ignorant and disrespectful. people sitting here talking. Oh, everybody sees it. I'm sure everybody can sit here and say you are a jerk. I'd like to call you more, but I'm trying to be respectful. Something you might need to learn. You sit there because of us. You need to give us respect. It seems like if it ain't your way, it's no way. You ain't the only one on this board. Remember that. You could be voted off, too, when the time comes, too. Correct. I'm very upset how disrespectful you are. Okay. If you don't like it, run for the board. I'd be happy to.

176I'd be happy to. Mr. President, we call Vicky Jordan. You remove her for her cursing, please. Yes, sir. I'll ask [Applause] her a [Music] You are being disruptive to this meeting, ma'am. And I'm absolutely I understand. Just because it happened doesn't mean it should happen to somebody else. I didn't have Yeah, I am a We'll move to the next. Is that what you mean? I'm just trying to catch my breath. Okay. Okay. Mr. President, Vicky Jordan, Buffalo Township. Vicky Jordan, Buffalo Township. Anytime. Can you restart my time? Yeah, I need a minute, too. I'm sorry. Are you making a motion for a recess? I'm making a motion. We have a second. Second. Do you have a time frame? Five minutes. Five. Five. I would prefer five. All those in favor for a fivem minute recess

177say I opposed. Abstain. Motion carries. We will reconvene at 9:41. Do you think 9:41? I don't even know, honey. I I've lost track. Did she ever? She had to get She had to get an emergency. I don't use much. [Music] That's a good question. [Music] I don't know. I thought we were leaving early. together. [Music] This is so much. Maybe I should be really [Music] Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I think Yeah. Sorry. [Music] Thank you so much. Thanks. Good to see you, Mr. I'll see you Tuesday. And I'm here probably. Yeah. Well, I was going to say I think I've always not really a lot of people like a lot of people when they're done with and Exactly. Oh my goodness. I made it back in time. I was Oh, yeah. 942 we reconvene and continue

178with the public comment on non-aggenda and agenda items. Uh Miss Jordan Chief Mrs. Jordan, I'm sorry, but I got to say something before you speak. With all due respect, President, we just throwed out a student. I'm sorry. What we are going through is just wrong. Emotions are running so high tonight and I I get that. But man, I'm I'm going to shut up. But I apologize to the man and her son publicly. Mr. Leisure, I was let out when you were vice president. Just saying. Mrs. Shingle, I'll correct you. I asked Mr. Group to throw several people out when I was vice president. Mr. Group never threw anybody out. Oh, yes, he did. No, he did not. The point is, it doesn't matter. He never threw anybody out. Still not right to happen now. It

179wasn't right then and it isn't right now. That's okay. Vicky Jordan, Buffalo Township. I think tonight makes it really clear anytime you speak against or cross Mr. Kern, he's going to have you tossed out of the room. He's tried to do it to me. Violate my First Amendment right and see what happens because then I will get an attorney and I will sue the crap out of this district. How dare you? That child was sitting there with his mother. How dare you? You don't care. You roll your eyes. I'm done with you. I also want to say I don't understand how you guys can sit here and not vote for a solicitor because Mr. Grove is new and then you turn around and you vote no offense Mr. Cyber, you vote for a fiveyear contract

180that is longer than you're all on the board. A five-year contract without it being reviewed or discussed for Mr. Grove's ability. Chad Thomas asked you to table it for that very reason and 70 of you decided it wasn't important enough, but it was important enough when it came to the solicitor. I apologize for anybody I'm about to offend, but right now I think you're a bunch of hypocrites. It's good one way, but it's not good the other. I'm so upset with all of you. You know, you've been talking about the budget and you start and Dr. You talked about starting earlier, but you've known for the last two years that we are in a difficult financial situation. So why aren't you pro why weren't you proactive about recommendation sooner? How do you justify hiring a

181teacher if the information is accurate that only teaches six students? How is that financially responsible? Seems to me that The administration needs to do a full overload and a full overhaul of the classroom schedules. I'm sure it's a big task, but with the hard times we're in, seems like one you need to take on. I'd also like to know who's advised uh the board to go from employee names to numbers. The public has a right to know who's residing from this district. It's not transparent. And it's not okay. We just started doing this. Why? I want I promised somebody I would do this at the last meeting and I didn't. Joe Walker has always been a topic of conversation about closing. That was calm for a lot of years. A year ago, Mr. Kern brought

182that up and it put the co community into an uproar. It was swept under the carpet. It wasn't addressed the next month as it was supposed to on the agenda. So, can we clear the air tonight and calm these parents down and let them know that Joe Walker is not on the chopping block? Those parents shouldn't have to worry if their kid where their kids are going to be in school. So, if Joe Walker isn't on the table, then please put it to rest. They deserve to know this. Again, I I wanted to come up here and thank everybody for the courage to hire that keep the first grade teacher in Clayville and hire the fifth grade teacher. But I just I can't look at any of you right now. Oh, any of me. Yes,

183m Mr. President Justin Capola, South Franklin Township. So I noticed many things just so that the public knows the vice president, the president, the solicitor, the superintendent, and the business manager who sets the agenda. Each and every one of these individuals up here have all the information about all the solicitors. When I make a bid to someone's house, I know that there's two or three other individuals that are there. They got all the information already. What you saw is shenanigans that at any point they literally after I speak right now, just so you guys know, they can appoint the new solicitor that's primed and ready to go. But I guarantee you during that executive session, AMP was on the phone making sure telling you everything you need to know. They're a thug. They're a bully.

184And you wonder why there's a bullying problem. It's literally reflecting the president, the vice president, and the solicitor. Clearly, it is a bully. So, it's I don't even have to be in those sessions to know that God sees what goes in those sessions. You might be able to hide behind these semantics. I know full well you guys are full of it. Not all of you. I know that Andrew and Price has probably thrown out litigation, but it seems that you're so loyal to a solicitor above the children that clearly are being bullied here because of a reflection of what they're doing behind the scenes. There might be certain individuals that actually have noticed a lot of these things happening executive meeting, but this public won't ever know. They just won't. But you continue to waste

185our tax dollars going back to Andrew and Price. You know, if I had to go to a customer who repeatedly asks me for a bid and never went with me, essentially what AMP is doing is driving all of these other solicitors out that they'll be the only option because they're too much of a coward to be here. And yet, you're paying them right now. And I'm sure that at least text messages because Dr. Oberg, you made it quite like a point that you knew exactly that you can operate as a board just fine without a solicitor because the sovereignty that we are given here in America. It's very very sad the politics that are taking place. It's very very unfortunate that they're making you and bullying you not to speak. You have every right to

186speak right now. Guess what? If there's any type of legalities, litigation, if you say anything, oh my goodness, oh, I don't see one parent that's ready to literally be on top of you to sue you for everything you got. I noticed and have done so much work here in McGuffy that the parents and the people here, Democrat, Republican, independent, non-affiliated. I talked to everybody and it's consistent across the board on all the school districts that I noticed that these solicitors here in Washington County are bullies, thugs, and they need to be broken up. So, if you want to have this loyalty that you're going to literally lay down on that hill, I have no idea why you can forget CO and what they did to us. There's an individual to the left of me who

187literally ran on wanting to get a new solicitor unanimously at that time. voted for Andrew and Price, pulled several other law firms during that time, wasted their time, played semantics by not having certain ones be able to get into the remote interview. A lot of this stuff falls through the cracks because they don't pay attention. I do. I don't need to be on that board to make a difference. I don't ever really think that I actually think I can do something better here than I can do up there because I know what goes on behind the scenes. You already made up your mind. I don't I can't pinpoint how it works, but Andrew and Price is a thug. They are literally bleeding us dry and you're allowing it. You are allowing it. There's like a

188coup that takes place. This power, give it to them. Stop having it and give it to them. You were elected to give them the power because at one point you all were on this side, every single one of you. But it seems what power can do to an individual is evidently um something that certain individuals on this board want to uh you know hold on to with Andrew and Price. So if you want to have that be the staple of this school district, make it clear, move it on and then play the semantics. I I don't care if I was on that board. I would have motioned to fire them. Realize that I can apply to somebody and have someone replaced in a week. You guys want to pull it through the mud and I'm

189sure it's difficult for you the semantics because you probably have to give put it out in the paper which costs money and then you have to put it out there and then repeat the process over again as you all witness these politics. And you can stare me in the eye all you want. I can tell when power has changed someone because I certainly can say this really quickly because wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. And all Andrew and Price has been doing has been kissing and kissing and kissing and manipulating and trying to be a thug. It needs to end. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. This is Jessica Peele, please. Thank you. Uh Jessica, Cleville. Um I had um Mrs. uh Tilder actually reach out to me

190and asked if I could just read a few um updates and things that have been going on in her life skills classroom. Um the varsity they went to a varsity baseball game, one of the McGuffy varsity baseball games on May 1st. Um uh they had the honor of hosting our McFren club for a special pregame celebration. Each student got a chance to step onto the field and throw out the first pitch. Let us tell you, they brought the heat. A huge thank you to the varsity baseball team for working with us to make this happen. Uh the life skills uh 6th through 12th grade had a mother's day lunchon. Um they had they recently hosted their heartfelt and successful lunchon to honor their mothers and grandmothers. Students planned the menu shopping list, prepared the food,

191decorated the space, took orders, and served their guests. Students worked with the floral design class and crafted beautiful handmade bouquets as thoughtful gifts. It was truly a special day filled with love and gratitude for the incredible women who support and advocate for them every day. On May 14th, the 6th through 12 life skilled class participated in the stars prom. The reason for this event is to give our students a prom just for them with the support they need to have as much fun as possible. This was an inclusive event. So, regular ed partners are invited as well. The friends join these students for this event. And lastly, uh, for myself, I would like to give a shout out to our 2025 graduating class. I hope you know how incredibly proud the staff at McGuffy are

192of you all. Remember to embrace new experiences, cultivate meaningful relationships, stay connected with loved ones, and remember to always be kind. You are meant for great things. Congratulations, McGuffy class of 2025. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Present final in person is Chris Chadwick. South Franklin. Well, I'm not going to yell at you guys, but I want to leave you with some thoughts for the end of the night. Right. So, this Saturday, I hit 20 years of service in the Army National Guard. Right. And over my time, I've trained and mentored plenty of young men and women to be leaders when I finally hang up my boots. Right? So, right now, I'm going to talk about leadership and what it means to me and what I think it should mean to you as you guys drive

193home tonight and you think about things for your next session, next month, whenever you guys have it. Right? Sometimes leadership means making a hard call, especially when it's uncomfortable. And with all due respect, this board has opportunities to lead. Instead, choose to wait the table and avoid. Indecision is a decision and it has consequences. When leadership hesitates, it's our students who feel it first. It's our teachers left without direction. It's our families left wondering what comes next. In a time when clear vision and firm action are needed, silence or delay doesn't hold us back. It creates more problems down the road. The people in McGuffy didn't elect this board to play it safe. They elect you to lead, to make choices, even uncomfortable ones. Because the truth is, leadership isn't about avoiding conflict. It's about

194stepping into it with clarity, courage, and conviction, and doing what's best for the kids and families that you're supposed to serve that I've served this past 20 years. Our district deserves better than stalled conversations and missed opportunities. It deserves leaders who will show up, speak up, and stand firm. Have a great night, guys. Be safe going home. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. That concludes public comment. Thank you, Chief. Yes, sir. At this time, we'll have items for discussion. M, I think you wanted to start. I think it would be beneficial before we left here to determine what we're doing moving forward. Sure. Um, you know, regarding the solicitor, I would like to say that I do not want to waste everybody's time with submitting an RFP. I think if the rest of the board

195would like to interview um the candidate that that Mr. Laser had motioned to be on the agenda this evening. I think that we should just invite her back for an interview and then the board can decide from there. Um I was not at the interview when she came. I came late that night. I didn't get to meet her or see her. I would benefit from interviewing her as well, but I did do um significant research on her and her firm and the cases she's fought. And she's fought some cases against masking. She's fought some cases to support masking. Um, she's going to It gives me the impression that she's going to do what the board wants. Um, I'm I'm intend to watch and listen to more meetings that she has been in to really see

196how she is because minutes say one thing but body language says another. And that is something I pay attention to often. That would be my suggestion. Um, and that's only because she was she she came. I don't know if any of you knew that that was her. I didn't know that was her sitting in I don't she came. I think it says something that she showed up no matter which way it went. initially introduced herself to the rest of you or most of you. Um, I would just say instead of wasting everybody's time and advertising and all of that, we just invite her back to be interviewed by the board as a whole before next month's meeting and then next month we vote. I would suggest that we bring back for interview the top three

197candidates. We've scored them during the interviews. So, we have those [Music] um I think that's only fair that it a choice of one person isn't a choice. I wouldn't go with her. So, we have two two options right now that have been presented. One is to bring only Rebecca back and talk to her. The other option is to bring top three back. Um, would anybody else like to interject some thoughts if they're even interested in coming back? Yeah, because I was going to say if my memory serves correctly, that one priced way out of our I don't think that one was one of the top three. Yeah, I just maybe what I need to say is review what were our top three scored candidates and ask them back as well. I don't feel that one

198choice is a choice. [Music] That's part of the process. You're going to limit yourself. You're not I'm sure if anyone else would be interested I think if we do one of two things uh or two we can go to those and ask their part and then that will give us an opportunity to come with a process ask question and then forward you have a full taste of what's out there and you make a competition but that was They think it was being nice to anyone who applied anyone who applied the last the last time. Right. I'm okay with that. I was going to say I would prefer that rather than spending money on advertising. Again, I think there needs to be some clarification here for transparency. Mhm. Every interview that I've ever been in at

199McGuffy, once the numbers are tabulated, the results are given that night and you discuss and talk about it. When we interviewed solicitors, we did not know when we left that night what the ratings was. We didn't know until a month later. Um, why? I don't know, but I personally think Excuse me, Mrs. Shingle, please. For transparency reasons, I'm sorry, but that was wrong. Um, within 6 months, I don't see anybody changing their mind, but maybe they will. Um, I just want to move on and stop the charades and the whatever you want to call it. Um, but I'd also like to thank Miss Rubaric, it's a little different note, for coordinating with the PTO's to serve lunch at the high school middle school. And I'm ashamed to say that I don't know exactly what all

200Mr. Barnick did do, but I do know that she had plaques made for every teacher and was handed out for teacher appreciation. Uh, she must have spent a ton of time with the PTO parents to serve the lunch. There was lunches served at, I believe, Clayville, Joe Walker. There was breakfastes served all week at Joe Walker. And like I say, I apologize for my ignorance for not knowing what all was done, but I can tell you it's a whole lot more that than that's ever been done. And I would just like to thank you publicly, Mrs. Barnick. That's a positive. Unfortunately, I can't take all the credit because I must say that I wrote on the coattails with PTO because they are a welloiled machine and they were gracious enough to allow the opportunity to

201collaborate and thank our teachers. So, I'm grateful for them too. Yes, thank you to the PTO for allowing Thank you. That was my next thing. Thanks to the PTO parents who served the lunch to middle school, high school along with served breakfastes, lunch, and a lot of other stuff. I apologize to your PTO parents that our superintendent did not come and thank any one of them for their efforts, nor did our principles. That is highly disturbing. When we call ourselves a family, families eat together. Those poor six ladies expressed their frustration. We did this all for the teachers. Where's the administrators thanking the teachers? I'm sorry, Dr. Bberg, but that was very unprofessional. Those parents took multiple hours and as Mr. Rubornic said, I was amazed at what they did, how they did, and all

202that not to thank them when they're here. I'll end with that. I must say, Mr. Otherwise and Miss Berdine did I part of the coffee truck and delivery and and they they did have a big input on the thanking the PTO moms. I I think that Dr. had sent off some pictures and things and had thanked everyone and um we as a board even said to Mrs. Rick, "Thank you when you brought us the example that you just had sitting there. That was very nice. And if I if we let you respond to that attack. Okay. Well, thank you anyway. As far as the uh um what option we're going to go with, Miss Fry, which one do you recommend? Um I'm asking you because you brought it up at the beginning. [Music] Um I'm

203not opposed to others coming back and and interviewing again. There's so much time that goes into this. I know I feel in order for us all to be able to work together more, we do need more time, more committees, more more time that we can give to this position. Um, working with administration, working with our business administrator, working with um, who we need to, working with each other. Yeah, [Music] it does. What he's talked what she is talking about talking about process. Yeah. Oh, I see what you're saying. It's a valid point. Yeah. But we could Would you be opposed to her coming in and talking to us though before then? No, the motion I mean we tabled the motion. So the motion goes on to the June meeting the same motion. The same motion,

204but we could we could change we could make a motion to change that. Here we go. to be whoever we select after interviews. My recommendation would be to just leave the motion as it is and have Miss Hall come back and talk to us. Give us the opportunity to talk to her again. And because that's the only thing that was motioned was her. And if we don't like what she has to say or whatever, then at that time we as a board can collaborate and see what we want to do. if we want to open it up then for other solicitors to come. But since the motion is only for her, I would say that I think the only right thing to do would only ask her to come back and talk. I thought the

205I thought the only reason we were talking about this is because you had suggested we decide because Dr. Oberg actually said we should talk about it in executive session and you said let's talk about it. So I thought that was the reason we were talking about it. But since we tabled the motion, that motion has to be on the next board meeting. So can we just con come to an agreement that let's set a date for her to come in and though those board members that um hopefully all of us will be there. Um, so I'm open to dates. Tuesday, Tuesday. No, Tuesday is election day. Oh, yeah. Tuesday. Tuesday won't work. Yeah. Not Tuesday, Chad. Right. And not Thursday. And not Wednesday. Wednesday. Yeah. Monday too soon. How about Monday? Monday. This? Yeah, this

206Monday. This Monday. I have to say Memorial wrong. Memorial Day is not two weeks. Oh, you know, you all can do whatever, but I am actually going to be out of town that day. Are we taking our students to Gettysburg Park? I won't be here. We're talking about the 19th. Yeah, that the 19th. Are we saying that that's a good day? No. Well, we would even have to check with Miss Hall because we don't know what day. How about this? How about we check with Miss Hall, see what days work for her, and coordinate that with us. Does that sound good and fair? Yeah, that works. Okay. Because we could set the date, Miss Hall, make a work. Yeah. Right. Just as long as we're in agreement on how we're moving. Yes. Oh, I I

207don't disagree with you, but I think it would give like Manique, Miss Fry didn't have a chance to hear her out. Mr. Grove, myself. Um, so it would give us a chance. I don't know. I think she's fairly local, so I hope they're willing to come back. main. All right. So, we're in agreement with that. All right. So, um just want to make an announcement that we are going to hold a an executive session for safety reason for that. Yeah. And see what dates work for her over the next two weeks. Do we need a motion to go to executive session? No. Well, we need a motion to adjourn the meeting and move to executive session. Correct. Need a motion to adjourn the meeting and move to executive session. And we're moving to executive session

208for safety report. Yep. That's it. I just want to clarify because someone just asked me um when we are meeting only next. Just as I'm sorry, I just wanted to make sure I didn't tell her the wrong things. I It's next month. We're not having another meeting meeting other. Yeah. Okay. I thought No problem. All right. I need a motion. I I would make a motion to adjourn and return to executive session for the hearing of the safety report. I would also like to discuss litigation, possible litigation. I would need a second to that. How can we do that without talking about I mean unless she's available through the phone like earlier she had another meeting tonight. Did we have a second to that? I'll second. Okay. discussion. [Applause] I don't know. [Music] I got

209to get up at two. How about we uh Well, we we we had a I I would be okay with that. We had a motion and a second though. So, we have to vote. So, we did have a motion and we did have a second. If that vote fails, then we can make another motion. We came with that. Atlanta. Um, are you all the way up to No, we have to do No, the safety report. So I mean the motion on the board on the floor right now is to adjourn the meeting and recess to executive s or go to executive session to discuss the safety report and possible litigation. So I would like to have a vote on that and if you don't want to do that just vote no and then we'll make

210another motion just to go into executive session for the safety report. Does that make sense? Yeah, it makes sense. Yeah. And if after the safety report members don't want to stick around for the rest, they could leave. Correct. Well, we wouldn't have anything else. Coming back. We wouldn't be coming back. It would just No, I know. But I'm saying back in executive session, she's going to give his report and that's it. That would be it. But not on this vote here. This vote is That's what I'm saying. On this vote here, if we go we if it passes and we go back there and we hear Chief's report and Mrs. Jackson wants to discuss possible litigation. The board members who don't want to sit in on that possible conversation could leave. They're not obligated to

211stay for that. Correct. I don't know. I'm just saying that. Can we just go around and vote real quick? I was going to say, can we just move along? We need to vote because there was a motion in a second. I'm sorry. Roll call. Laura, I know Mr. War. No, yes. Mr. Thomas, I think we should have an attorney as well. So, for Mr. Fry, tell me the motion one more time. I'm so sorry. meeting to discuss um the safety report and no no that's okay Mr. Ro yes Mr. Sir, no. I make a motion that we adjourn the meeting and go to executive session to discuss the safety report. I second it. Do we need Do we need a roll call vote? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Opposed. Abstain. Motion carries.

21281 meeting returns