001up there. Good evening everyone. I'd like to call the January 27, 2025, I'm sorry, 2026 Missakton School Board of Directors meeting to order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. The public is hereby advised of audio and video recording of this meeting for the purposes of rebroadcasting. By way of attendance, we have all board members here except for um Miss Austin who is excused and we are expecting Mr. Kindle to join us um shortly. Um and then I will turn it over to Dr. Zerby for announcement of executive session. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh executive session announcement. The board met in executive session virtually on January 22nd for matters of personnel involving professional support and administrative staff. >> And I will announce that Mr. Kindle is here with us. um at 702 and recognition
002of guest and scheduled speakers. Dr. Zerby. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh this evening there are two presentations that are on the agenda that won't be occurring and they'll be rescheduled for sometime in February that is the spirit of mthan awards and the foundation presentation. Both of those presentations will be rescheduled for February 2026. Uh this evening we have two presentations. The first being an important one and that is the recognition of our board of school directors. So January uh by PSBA is uh the um is is schoolboard recognition month and we are proud uh to recognize our school board directors in observance of national schoolboard recognition month. Service on the school board demands a serious commitment of time, thoughtful deliberation, and a steadfast dedication to our students, staff, and community. Our board of directors
003accept this responsibility with professionalism, care, and unwavering focus on the success and well-being of everyone in Mthon. Their impact is felt throughout our classrooms, programs, and beyond. On behalf of the district students, staff, families, and community members, we extend our sincere appreciation to our school board directors. As a token of our appreciation, you have each received a needlefelt ornament handmade by students of the National Arts Honor Society. Please join me in recognizing and thanking our board of school directors for their dedication and service. [applause] Next, in terms of guests and scheduled speakers, we'd like to welcome the Shrader Group and ICS on an update for the high school uh uh project. Members of the board of school directors, you have a handout uh at your place. Uh because we're aware that there are some animations
004in this presentation and we'd like you to see them. Uh we ask that the board of school directors take a seat in the first row and we'll have Devon Bradbury from the Shrader Group present. All right. Thank you, Dr. Zerby. I do also have with me uh Tim Ger and Scott Kennedy from ICS, your um construction manager for the project. Uh so if there are any questions, they're they'd be happy to come up and answer them for you. Um so we do have a quick update today. Uh there are some uh animations as Dr. Zerby mentioned. So uh stay tuned towards the end for those. A quick update on our schedule. We are currently in schematic design uh which runs through February of 2026. So we're approaching the end of that phase. We have been
005meeting every two weeks uh with the administration team. Um and we will continue to do do so throughout this process. Uh as far as the township submissions go, we have submitted a sketch plan to the township right before the holidays. Uh we are expecting comments from uh the township on that submission by the end of this month, by the end of this week. Um and then we will be going into a zoning application submission uh beginning of February. Um with that sketch plan, we will be in front of the planning commission starting on the uh February 26th meeting. uh to hear some comments, some feedback from them and present the plan in public. Uh we do have program or we we have held programming and end-user meetings already in November and December. So we've met
006with several of the um staff regarding some of those spaces that we have and the new uh additions and we've gotten feedback and implemented that feedback into our uh floor plans uh that we'll we'll see tonight. Uh we will be here again at uh the next board meeting in February. We'll we'll do a presentation at the work session. That will be the final schematic design presentation including some costs uh associated with the design and then uh hopefully we'll move forward with a vote in uh into design development at the end of February. Uh we have been meeting with the property committee and we'll continue to do so and we'll meet with the uh finance committee in February as well to present those costs. Um, we've seen the site plans before. Here is an updated one.
007This is the one that was submitted to the township for review. So, a couple of quick highlights. If you remember, and if I can get this laser to work. There we go. Um, so the the the orang-ish shape here is the new addition. All of the existing building is along here. Uh there is a new pathway coming in from Crayville Mill that is the bus loop. So buses come in, they park along here and then they would loop around this lot up here which is dedicated for uh bus driver parking. Loop around that lot and come back out onto Creable Mill. So in and out buses here. Uh parents would still drop off along the current drop off. So this uh loop here remains over at the east wing. So students in their cars would
008be uh getting dropped off by their parents in this loop and entering the building over here. All buses would be entering the new addition through that main entrance on the other side. There are two new parking lots in the front of the building. Uh one we're calling lot 8 that would be dedicated for staff parking. And then there's another one where your existing west wing is located. That is uh another overflow for student parking up here. Uh and then your existing student parking lot would remain as it is. So those are the basics uh basic changes. The big thing here is that we're keeping uh the the drop off as it is over on the side and buses would be totally separated coming in their own way uh separate from parent drop off and separate
009from the student access. So three separate entrances for all three entities. Um this is just showing a um an engineered plan that was submitted to the township. So again, you can see the parent drop off queuing along uh this area over here in front of the east wing and then buses. They would actually double stack uh so you'd be able to fit all of the buses along this loop in two rows and they would uh exit off of the buses and and enter the building through the main entrance here. So everything is off of Creable Mill. buses are all parked along here and then they loop around that lot up there and exit back out. Uh moving forward, we know there are some uh zoning variances associated with the project. A lot of them are
010pre-existing conditions. So for instance, parking within the 100 ft setback. Um the 100 foot setback is located right along the front of the property. You can see even the existing building is currently in that setback. Uh but there is a parking requirement to not have parking within that. We are proposing a little bit in front of the building here in this new lot. Uh so we'll need a variance for that. There's also not allowing building or parking within the 250 ft setback which is this other line up here. You can see our our new building is proposed to be um slightly into that but not as bad as what you currently have with most of the existing building beyond that 250 ft setback. There's also an impervious coverage requirement. Uh you are currently above the
011threshold there. So I think it's about 42% is what the existing is. uh the requirement is 40% or less and that's all hardcaped uh materials that does not allow water to infiltrate. Uh we are proposing to be up in the 43 to 45% so a little bit above and beyond what our uh current situation is and above the uh current variance. Uh there's also driveway distances. So anything within 300 ft of each other, we are eliminating this one exit point and moving it over here. So your current bus loop comes around here. We're now moving the new entry point off of Creable Mill here, but it's still within 300 ft of the existing uh parent drop off and of the existing uh main access point onto the site. So we'll need a variance for that.
012And then we think the easiest one here is the site lighting. There is an ordinance for a 12- foot maximum height. You currently have lights that are above that. So we believe that would be uh waved from the uh zoning board. Uh we are requesting a 20ft height for coverage there. So those are the things that we'll go through as we get into the zoning. That's kind of in the next steps in February into the uh floor plans here. Uh if everybody remembers all of the colored spaces on the left of the plan here are all new addition. Uh the exception to that with the colored plans we do have uh the infill of the pool where we are proposing a lot of athletic spaces. So team rooms, locker rooms, uh the wellness center. We're
013taking advantage of that tall space of the existing pool where the mezzanine is and we're using that as the fitness center or wellness center. Uh there is a second level. We're hoping to use the bleachers, remove the actual bleacher part and use that as a a cardio space. Uh we're also proposing the fab lab to go in this space and the life skills apartment. Uh the commons is in yellow. We've been talking about a space where we can actually hold a lunch and learn program. Uh this is a big open commons, your existing library, basically the top level of that. we can open up the walls and have that be a nice open common space that connects all of the public spaces on the left side of the building. So your your orange up here
014is the new niatorum. There's some some locker rooms. There is a new uh auditorium here in purple with performing arts spaces. And then the main entrance is along here. Um there is a two-story classroom wing that we're adding uh in addition to accommodate for the classrooms that we're demolishing from the west wing and then a true secure entry with the administration, the high school administration and counseling suite moving over to connect with that main entrance. So you can actually have a true uh secure entry that's uh more functional than you currently have. Um second floor we do have uh an upper level of the auditorium that will have the flexible seating. So you can use that as an LGI space, a large group instruction space. Uh it's a very flexible space. So those bleachers can
015fold back and you can use that as a dance studio or some other instructional space up there. Um and then there uh is a second floor of the high school administration. And then the classroom wing here as well. And then this little orange piece, you can see we're trying to convert the uh balcony of the pool into a cardio mezzanine. So those are the highlights of the plan. I did want to bring up just a quick program comparison. We've met uh as a team and went through programming again just to make sure we're we're building the right size school here. your current building uh has a capacity and these these capacity numbers are all based on the uh department of education requirements, we are going to have to go through an act 34 process um
016which you've done with the arrowhead project. So we're using the numbers that the state uses. Um, you currently have 94 teaching stations in your current building, which equates to about 1784 students when we use an 80% utilization rate, which is a recommendation from the state. Um, the new program, we're actually losing nine classroom spaces. So, we're effectively uh have a have a capacity of 164 students at this point. And I know these numbers are are tough to see on the screen, but you have the comparison of what are the learning spaces, 146,000 square feet in the existing versus 139,000 square ft in the new. So you can kind of see how all those uh different program spaces com uh compare to one another in the existing versus new. Essentially, we're giving up a little bit
017of learning space um for some performing arts and some athletics. That's what it comes down to. Um, couple more images. We have uh been developing some of the exteriors as we develop the building and the site. So, you can kind of see it's a little dark, but uh you can see what the building is going to start to look like as we go into the next phase here. Classroom wing is on the right. Main entry point is right here. You can see all the buses stacked in front. Um, auditorium space is over here. And then down the hill would be the new pool. Another view coming down from the other side of Creable Mill. There's your existing building. This is the new classroom wing here. New main entrance, administrative suite, and then auditorium space and
018pool beyond. So, you can start to see how it's setting up on site. Um, and really the the main thing here is that you're you know that this is the front entrance of the school. Uh there's definitely no question coming down from Germantown Pike or from Creable Mill, we have a nice uh entry point and we're really bringing all of the circulation over to this side of the site and having less over on the other side at this point. So we're moving along. Uh these are not in your packet. These are quick little updates um just to show you what's happening inside the building. This is essentially if you cut a section through the main entrance. This is that big canopy you saw in the video and this would be coming in through the main
019entrance and you have this nice lobby that leads you into the common space here and then down to the uh existing media center which we're moving down the the stair there a little bit. So you can see how that starts to set up uh in the new construction here. If you take it a section the other way and we're cutting through. We're basically standing in the gym and looking out towards the new construction. This is the new lobby where the pool is on the right side and the performing arts spaces are on the left side. And you can see the grade. So, we know that there's a a pretty steep grade change as you walk down the hill there. Uh you can see the series of ramps we're creating and stairs to get up to
020that upper level. So, the lower level connects to the gym. The upper level connects to the commons and the auditorium. And you can see there's another pathway to get up to that balcony of the auditorium as well. And then the classroom wing is two stories in the back. One more for you. Uh again, we're cutting kind of through the commons through the media center. The auditorium is on the left. There's the upper level of the auditorium. Here's the upper level corridor. If you go down this corridor, uh that would take you down to the pool and the gym. And this is that commons area that when you first walk in, you're invited into. It's a big open space and then the library would be converted down to that lower level. So hopefully that gives everybody
021a little bit better picture of what's happening inside the building as we start to develop that. Um, and that is all I have tonight, but I'm happy to take questions. I'm sure you all have them. >> We can return to our seats and take questions. >> [clears throat] >> Are there any questions uh from members of the board to my right that have uh on the presentation or Miss Graph? Yeah, thank you for this. Um, I like the animation. I think that really helps to sort of give us a sense of what we're looking at. Um, looking at the site plan and the um I'm going to say adjustment to keep the drop off where it had been. Have we done a traffic study during drop off and pickup to verify the statement I think
022that has been made that there's not a traffic flow issue with keeping drop off where it is? >> Great question. Uh we have done the counts. We're waiting for the official report. He's going back and revising some of those things and getting us the actual traffic study. Um so that is in the works as of now. Um, but we do have the the numbers already stated. So, he's well equipped to have a conversation with the township. That question is going to be something that's going to show up in the comment review letter from the township and they're going to be very concerned about the flow on Creable Mill for sure. So, we'll know a little bit more once we have that meeting um with the township once we get that review letter back this week
023and then obviously when we meet during the planning commission. >> Okay. So I think the answer then is we don't have the traffic study yet. >> Correct. >> But the study has been done. >> The the numbers were counted. So they know all of the numbers from when they actually were out there counting on site, but the report is not in hand yet. >> Okay. And will that actually tell us um how much traffic is queuing up on the surrounding roadways and how long and >> Absolutely. >> Great. Um, and then I guess the other question I had was if you go to the site plan, the updated black and white site plan at the bottom down here, there's some It looks like buses in this loop. Would the buses actually be sitting there for
024drop off or is that just to show you that they would go down to loop around to come back? So they would be sitting and from what anyone else can correct me but from what I understand they would all come in park on site not let any kids off until they're all on site and then they mass exodus off the bus into the building and then they would be able to loop around. So those gray ones are just showing that they can fit around that way >> and then go back out the same drive. >> But essentially the black ones that you're showing are the number of buses that we have today in a drop off. So that's great. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions to my right? Seeing none
025to my left. Miss Purdue, >> I just have a quick um I guess question um in reference to the same one. I believe you have um the updated site plan. Um you said is this the one that was provided to the it's already provided to the township? >> Correct. Um, is there a way to have um a label? I'm just thinking like when I look at this um the one on the previous page, the colored one or even this one. I I'm thinking even for the presentation when we have it on because naturally we won't have you to speak to it. It may be helpful if it's labeled as far as like the bus loops and um even what was indicated in reference to where the buses are waiting. >> Sure. So, I don't know
026if it helps to put I think in one of your earlier ones you have like um you have actual like it colorcoded with labels as far as where the comments is. I'm just wondering if we can have that. >> Yeah, we can we can certainly clean that up and get that over to you. Okay. >> And then when you receive the comments from the township, you when is when is that target to be provided to you? We are supposed to have a letter by the end of this week. >> Okay. And then >> go ahead. >> Usually have 15 pages worth of comments that the engineers will have to sort through. >> Um and then we were able to go back and kind of recalculate things and uh see exactly what they're looking for and
027we'll probably make a lot of changes to to what they're okay. >> What you're seeing now >> when will that be provided to the board also? I don't know. That's >> Yeah. So we'll probably have that update. I don't know if we'll be able to get all of the changes um incorporated for the February meeting, but we'll certainly review the comments that are provided. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. And then on um I believe slide number six where you have and I don't know if it's just a matter of when this was updated for us. It's just I feel like everything wasn't um listed as you have it just because from the comments from what you showed it seemed like it's about half of the section and FCS wasn't listed in some of the other
028>> areas. So I if if that could be updated. >> Yep. We can send you this updated one as well. >> Okay, perfect. And then I think that was um Oh, I did have a quick question on seven in reference to the cardio um section. Yes. >> Exactly what will be there? >> So, I think what they're envisioning is uh some treadmills and other cardio equipment, bikes and things like that. Um it's not a very wide space, so you're kind of limited to what you can put up there, but I think the idea is just some stationary bikes and other uh like cardio type of equipment up there. Obviously, you'd have to provide that type of equipment down on the lower level as well because it's not uh ADA accessible up there. >> Okay. So
029there is plans to have similar on the lower level. Yes. Okay. Perfect. And that that's it for me. Thank you very much. >> Yeah. Thank you. Other questions? Miss Clary. >> Yeah. Hi. Um can we go back to Miss Graph's comments on the parent drop off? So when we first saw the the preliminary um designs and were having discussions, we were getting rid of the parent drop off and it was all going to funnel really where these between student drop off and bus loop where wherever that was, but it was over there. Yes. >> So can you uh update the board on how we got to where we are? >> Sure. So I think you're referencing this clearly. the uh the bus drop off or the parent drop off was essentially coming in somewhere over
030here and looping around and dropping off around this lot, >> right? >> And the bus drop off kind of extended around and used one of these existing cuts. Um the the thought process here is that there was a lot of congestion around uh what's happening in lot 8. So staff are parking there, students are getting out of their cars and then crossing the buses. Uh there's I guess a concern as well about staff coming in the same entry point that uh parent drop off would come in. So the high school administration I I believe requested to keep the drop off line over here because they believe it functions well over there and it's keeps it totally separate from other staff parking areas. >> Okay, thank you for that explanation. So now if the township comes
031back and bulks at that and the traffic study comes back um and you know Creable Mill creal mill and all the other roads are still backed as backed up as they were before. What is the alternative? >> So we you've seen I believe you've seen a couple plans. We do have uh a few to look at but um there are other options. I don't want to get into too many details, but um we do feel like there's an option to go back to something like what was shown before and have the the parent drop off closer to the main entrance and the buses might slide around to kind of over towards the east wing. >> Yeah, I I didn't want to nail you down in detail. I just wanted the rest of the board to
032understand kind of what we talked about in property committee. So, >> we do have alternative options if that is the case. We wanted to go in with the least cost uh the most cost effective option and also the one that might not be the best from a traffic perspective because we can't go back the other way if that makes sense. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions uh to my left? Seeing none. >> Thank you, >> Madam President. That ends the guest and scheduled speakers for this evening. >> Thank you. Thank you for the presentation. I will go to reports and I will start with the IU. The IU is actually meeting tomorrow. So just a few updates. Um the IE provided some professional development for current and new board members um on topics of
033finance and legal updates in December and January. In um in addition to that, I believe there is also um a legislative report for January that I provided to the board just because it's about three pages long. So, I provided it to the board just to review um to have some understanding of some of the things that um they're discussing or that will be coming up. Um all right. There was a Senate Majority Policy Committee hearing on improving reading outcomes um that occurred on January 12. I wasn't there, but I know um one of the IU um members was there. And so I'm looking forward to hearing about that in reference to um the different programs that um is offered throughout Montgomery County to support students in the school systems. And in the other news that
034IU also had a grant that was rescended or well I'm sorry that was terminated for project aware and they were able to um get some additional documentation um with some legal support to have the grant resended so the grant can go through the projected timeline of September 2026 to support them. And I believe there's a PA regional academic competition which the IU will hold on February 5th if weather permits and if not there's a March um 5th timeline also um where they're looking to have one high school represent Montgomery County um for the Pennsylvania academic competition um which will be held in Harrisburg at a later time. And um that's it for the IU for this month and I'll have more next month when they meet again >> and and then I will move on
035to North Monaco. Mr. Mski um [clears throat] excuse me. So uh we met virtually um January 21st last week. Um the one miss uh hos announced it or turned in a resignation as effective so it's the uh current administrative director effective June 30th and uh we'll form a committee to um interview start looking for candidates uh in the next few weeks. Uh we went through u series of regular regular uh committee uh yeah action items like approved travel uh tech some software textbook purchases um movement of some money into the capital reserve account and uh ratification of travel requests for teachers. Um next meeting is ne is Wednesday February 18th. We also got an update on the uh renovation project that the the uh North Monco is uh pursuing for uh expanding a space for
036uh premed basically to accomplish or accommodate more students. It's one of the programs that is uh consistently over booked or that we have to turn away students. Um, and it's planned to be uh paid for out of existing budgets for capital expenditure and also the renovations are expected to be completed before the beginning of next school year. So, we'll be currently putting out the bid to be completed over the summer. And that's all of my report. >> Thank you. And the student board representatives report will be provided next month. And then for the foundation. Thank you. Hi. [clears throat] Good. Hi everybody. Um due to weather, we decided to postpone our presentation in the beginning of the meeting to the board until next month, but we're happy to report that we have already donated 16
037grants to the district totaling over $139,000 this year. and we look forward to sharing all those details uh next month. So, thanks for your patience and willingness to reschedule. Um our grant cycle is open until March 2nd, so we invite all interested staff to apply for funding for any special projects. Our alumni group is planning an event for June 3rd, so stay tuned for more details. And most important, the dodgeball tournament is on March 15th. We already have over 275 people signed up and we're almost full. We still need volunteers and sponsors. So, please join us any way you can. And you can find out more information at methactoundation.org/dgeball. >> Thank you. And with that, I'm communications will get next month. >> Yes. >> Perfect. And then the superintendence report. Dr. Zerby. >> Thank you,
038Madam President. Uh this evening there's two items. uh their advisements as as listed and then on the right to know report um as it's posted the there were uh four fulfilled and one new request in the current month uh bringing the total uh to date of 13 fulfilled requests with 13 new requests in terms of costs associated with that uh in total uh year to date uh we've spent about $38,000 for the right to no specialist, about $13,000 for the assistant superintendent, uh, right to know officer, and then legal costs of approximately uh, $13,000 for a total of $56,000. And that ends my report, right? And all other um, committee reports are attached um, for the board. So, at this point, we will take public comment on board action items. The board will now take
039comments on board action items. This is an opportunity for residents to comment on matters that are to be decided upon as outlined on the agenda. The board asked that you keep your comments to 3 minutes or less. The board of school directors may choose to respond to matters following conclusion of comments on board action items. Um and then just please state your name and municipality. Thank you. >> Julia Knuckley, Lower Providence. Um I'd like to speak to the um the vote on the u mythactton imagery plan. I encourage the board members to vote yes on the imagery plan. I think it's important that we be respectful of of Native Americans. And my daughter taught me something new today. She said that the uh Lape tribes typically didn't wear the elaborate headdresses that that was more
040of a plains tribe thing and instead they wore like more like beaded headdresses. So that was something new. Um so I think along with this it would be nice if we enhanced the um the lesson plans that we have around Native Americans. uh when I asked my my kids, they said, "Oh, yeah, we learned something, you know, in elementary school, but wasn't, you know, didn't really go into many details and things like that. I think having something maybe, you know, every year that's respectful of the Native Americans to both teach about their culture, but also about uh sadly our shameful history of how they've been treated so that we can learn from the past so that we don't repeat it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Chim Malik Warester for clarification Dave the right to know
041numbers are for 6 months um I'm going to talk about 9G last year about this time we found out that the special ed exemption or exception was taken for a tax increase at 5.2% and it was randomly pulled out. Mr. Winters took us according to him. Uh so we could get everybody to pass it. That's how we did it last year. So how are we going to do it this year? Um another special ed exception 5.29%. The question is why? What I gave you guys are two presentations a year apart on your special ed support services and two graphs that should be exactly the same, but they're not. The numbers don't match. The actuals don't match for a five-year period of time. Now, how can that be? One of them's wrong. either the one a
042year ago or this one this year. Either way, you can't move forward when you can't even get the numbers right. The actuals aren't correct. So, I urge you to compare the numbers. You know, I read this stuff. I actually listen to you people and I read stuff. Go read it for yourself. It's not the first time that numbers have been um um mistaken. Okay? So I I don't think you can move forward with all that going on. Um then I find out at the finance committee we you can make alternate um reductions of 1.57 million and you don't need to take the special exception. Why don't you take the the al the uh alternate reductions? They're ris they're listed right here. They're in the presentation. They were given to the finance committee and save everybody
043going and taking an exception to 5.2%. You know, your strategy is to tax us when we don't need to be taxed. Miss Stephie at the last finance committee meeting intimated that it's a problem that we haven't gone to the index every year for the past seven years suggesting that we even though we can balance our budget at less than the index we should go to the index to take advantage of that revenue. What kind of plan is that? That's a plan for the auditor general is what that is. So before you guys take a vote, you better look at stuff and think about what's going on. Thanks. >> Thank you. All right. With that, I will um I see no other um persons desire to speak in reference to um the board agenda items. we
044will move on with the um meeting and then may I have a motion to approve the November 18, 2025 work session and November 25th, 2025 regular board meeting and December 1st, 2025 reorganization meeting minutes that's attached. Miss Clary and Miss Ste. Okay. And then with that, can I just check if there are any comments from the board? Yes, Mr. Kendall. Miss Purdue, I wasn't present for the November 18th and the 25th meeting, so I'm going to have to abstain from that one. Um, but I was present for the December 1st. So, if you want to take those separately >> and if there's no objection, uh there was a motion in a second, but certainly um you can separate those as two separate items. Uh I assume there's no objection from the rest of the board.
045>> I'll just check if there's any objections from the board. Okay. And then we don't have to take the motion again. We can just Perfect. >> Okay. So then can I request for a vote um on in reference to approve the November 18th work session and then November 2025 regular board meeting um that's attached. All in favor? All right. So one, two, three, four. [laughter] [gasps] All right. So with that first um item so seven I guess one abstension. >> Yes. >> And then zero. And then um may I can I have the um can I get a approval for the reorganization meeting from December 1st, 2025 as attached? All in favor? All right. So that one pass 8 Z with no abstensions. Thank you. And then with fiscal items, may I have a motion
046to approve the fiscal items that's presented? Mr. Winis second, Mr. Mki. And then can I check if there are any comments from the board? I'm sorry, Miss Graph. Yeah. Can we take 9G separately? And if there's no objection, I recommend just moving forward with all items other than 9G under the motion made by Mr. Winters and seconded by Mr. Murki. And then after that vote, you can take another motion and a second just for 9G. >> Perfect. I'll just check if there's any concerns from the board to proceed. >> All right. And then with that, may I have um can I have a vote for all in favor for all items under um Let me just make sure. Okay. So, all items with the exception of under fiscal item with the exception of 9G. All
047in favor. All right. So, we have 8 Z. And then can I get a motion for 9G, Mr. Winters? And can I get a second, Miss Shanda? And can I just see if there's any comments from the board on um 9G? >> Okay, Mr. Winters. >> Sorry. Uh I just want to speak towards some of the alternate reductions without act one exception that was mentioned by the public. Um, I think the I think it was directly quoted at the finance committee as being pet projects that are easy decisions for us to decide to go uh and not take the accession for special education. Um, just so those that are watching, it's the uh reduction of long additional four long-term subpositions, the elimination of building substitutes, the elimination of three additional uh positions, the reduction of
048three unarmed police officers, the complete elimination already including uh a partial reduction in the REACH program. This would be the complete which is a mental health support that we've developed over the last uh eight years or so um for a total of $1.56 million which would get us uh in theory under the act one in the principle of proposed preliminary. Um I'm not sure those are the choices that the the board wants to be making at this point and they may be the choices that we do have to make. Um, but they are not pet projects. They are the educational delivery aspects uh to the district. Um, so I don't want it to sound like we're uh, you know, getting rid of balloons and bazookas uh, with not uh, we are starting to look at
049some things that are really going to be difficult decisions to make down the road. Um, hopefully we can find uh, other areas. Uh, hopefully the medical costs come down. Maybe we have to make some decisions on the borrowing, the timing of the borrowing, uh the layout of the borrowing, all types of other things that the we as a finance and the whole board need to do over the next three or four months. But that's the whole purpose of a proposed preliminary budget. Um so I just want the general public to understand um what those pet projects were. >> Thank you. and I'll just see if there's any other comments. Miss Clary. >> Yeah, I want to echo uh some of what Mr. Winter said. Um, sitting in this chair last year, um, and going back
050to some of the public comment, um, I had struggled, uh, this time last year with an a tax increase that would, um, uh, take the spe and consider the special ed exemption. And I was pushing for the board to um to require the district to either meet or or come below the A1 index. And the hindsight of a year has let me go through the process to to understand and I remember former president Kankro um saying to to me at well really saying to the board at the time that there's a process and we go through this process um every year and not having enough experience did not appreciate that. So what I'm trying to say is I recognize that this is a challenging time for the district with rising costs coming at the district
051from many different places whether that is just supplies or transportation or just many places not just um special education. And my hope is that in the coming months we will be able to agree as a district, as a board on ways to um reduce the budget because I am not interested in raising folks uh taxes to um to 5. 29% but um well and to do so as Mr. Winters um you know touched upon we will have to make tough decisions if we do not want to tax at 5.29%. It may not be um the alternate uh slide that was presented uh here uh last week at the voting meeting or at the finance committee meeting. It may have to be other things. Um but I anticipate we'll have some tough decisions. So any anyway,
052um this is a preliminary budget. We won't see a final budget uh for several months. Um and I uh I'm going to vote to approve uh giving the district the time um to to work on ways to um uh reduce the budget. Um, and I look forward to to seeing those um presentations and having those discussions with my fellow board members and with uh the administration. >> Thank you, Miss Ste. >> Um, good evening. I just want to echo um and add a little bit more just from my perspective uh to what my fellow board members have already shared. Um and keeping in mind just sharing that this is keeping in mind that is this is a proposed preliminary budget. Um, so it's just keeping in mind and not putting in that spe that that
053that hard number just right now, right? Um, and I want to make clear that I am very aware of the financial stress that many many community members are probably feeling in this moment in um in the current economy. And I I am aware of that and and some of the hardships that many family members that that many community members are feeling. Um it's it's not lost on me and and I consider it very deeply. Um I do want to speak to the budget focuses along with what could possibly be considered pet projects. I know that I've set up here myself a pet project might be literacy. I speak about it every time I talk. However, um the board goals this year, two of them are directly either related or aligned with literacy. The multi-tered systems
054of support, MTSS structure, which is a board goal, does have a literacy component. It also has math and behavior, but it definitely has literacy as well as overall literacy knowledge, which that reflects the needs across the state of Pennsylvania and our nation. It is not a not it's not an unknown uh need that um students need support in reading. Um as I think it was the MCIU update that Miss Purdue just shared that there was a Senate hearing just last week I think. Um but it lies deeper. The budget focus includes um in the presentation some of the goals are improving supplemental support services and MTSS and improving structured literacy development. Um it's not a pet project when it comes to literacy. Literacy is foundational to student success. Students who are confident in their literacy,
055which is not tied to IQ, 95% of all human beings can learn to read. That is a fact that can be looked up and supported by multiple resources. Louisa Moes is one of them. Um but students who um students and human beings who can critically think and read and write well and are confident in our their abilities have um it impacts their mental health. It impacts their confidence, their critical thinking. Um, if we continue to support this program in our district, we will also support the functioning of our MTSS, the success of our special education, um, the success of all of our students, including their academics and how they relate to each other. It affects every everything. Um, a well-known psychologist, Steven Dystra, who h who himself in a speech I listened to said he
056has never actually taught a child to read. He thinks it's magic. And I say that off the cuff. That's what he shared because it is the brain rewires. But he is a psychologist who spoke very clearly at the International Dyslexia Association of Pennsylvania conference last year. And he said, "The reason why I keep coming back to the IDA is because of the im the immense impact literacy has on a happy and successful life." So that might be my pet project. I will own that. But I think it is for the betterment of our entire community um and for all of our students and our family. Uh so that's that and I guess I will just say that um when we look at the budget focus there are ways to leverage MTSS and literacy um and
057improve special education program that kind of can all meld together and I just want to encourage us all to keep that at the forefront since it is part of our goals for the coming year. So thank you so much Thank you. And I'll just check Miss Graph. [clears throat] >> Yeah, I I I I think that my fellow board members have made some really good points and I think that it's it is a hard decision to miss Clary's point. It is really hard to think about the idea of increasing taxes over 5% this year. Um and with that said, you know, I am in a position that I will support the proposed preliminary budget um with the intention of challenging administration to consider all options for reducing the budget numbers from where they are today.
058And I know I looked very closely at the list of things that has been put forward and I think that it is a starting point but it is by no means an exhaustive list of the things that the district should be considering nor is it a complete list that the district will consider if I have anything to say about it. Um because I think that there are ways for us to be to leverage our educational programming in a better way and be more effective and that can help us to reduce costs. And I don't think that we should be saying or putting this on one particular program area or one particular type of delivery service or our special education program because that's not what's causing this budget issue. It's it's across the board. All things
059need to be considered and evaluated closely. And I also think it's really important for us to think about things that may not have been considered in the past budgets. Um I think that we need to look to some of our other districts in the area and and do benchmarking. And I think we need to also consider things that we wouldn't have considered in the past because they weren't necessarily something that we had done before. undersc subscribed classes, things that are going to utilize our teachers in a more effective way. I I've I mean, I've heard about the long-term substitute teacher reductions. That's one thing, but like how can we optimize our teachers that are in the classrooms? And how do we get them to be able to do their jobs really effectively without overt taxing
060them and and causing them to have too much on their plate? Right? We've we've asked our teachers this year to do a whole lot of changes and to bring in a whole lot new programs and they're doing it, but we can't we can only ask them to do so much. So, I do want us to be really careful about the delivery of our programming, but I do think that there are ways we can consider alternatives to reducing our our budgetary concerns. So, while I'm going to support this today, I I just want to make sure that every month at finance committee, we are going to have this conversation over and over and over and things like the National School Lunch Program. I expect to see the reductions that we are going to get in real
061numbers in February because we can get that data now. We can put that in our budget now. We can know where we stand now. We don't have to wait. And the more we can do that sooner rather than later, the more effective we can be at reducing the budget. So, I just want to put that out there and and we're going to keep talking about it. So, thanks. >> And I do um appreciate um the comments um as shared by members of the board. And I I think it is um it is we are at the beginning process of the budget season, but I also know it's not it's not a long um runway for for us. And I do want to say we do need to do a thorough job at assessing what else
062is what else is available instead of a list of alternatives that and I I hate for anyone to sit here and call them PEP projects because they are each of those programs are programs that serve our students. And so I will like for us to make sure we are looking at every every holistically we are looking at our programs. we are looking at where else can we make um if if it's reductions where else can we make reductions if it's improvement where else can we make improvements without looking at a particular program of focus or without pointing [snorts] um pointing a finger at a particular area but really looking at everything holistically to see where can we make changes at that will help um ensure that we are able to do the work um by
063the finance committee and by this whole board and administration to be able to get us in a better place um coming forward. I did have a question and maybe Dr. Zerby you can speak to it or Miss Stephie in reference to um the motion on the agenda where we are authorizing the administration to make available for public inspection the proposed prelim preliminary budget. Can you um explain the process about exactly what we are making available and how can members of the public um have access to um review what is on the current list. So there's a form that we have to submit as part of the budget process to the state. It's called the PTE 2028 that will be made available on our website and we will also have a hard copy at FINA if
064anyone wants to come in and take a look at it. So on the website the form will be available for viewing. So they don't have to come in per se to FINA to see but they are able to come in. And how long will that be available for? We're going to put that up on Thursday. So it's required to be available for 20 days before we vote on the proposed preliminary budget in February. So we will make that available tomorrow. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure that um the members of the public that may be hearing this or watching this are aware of the process and where they can access this um information at. And then with that, I'm sorry, Mr. Winters, >> I just want to add one other thing. Sorry, there
065was a a comment related to the integrity of the numbers. I I do believe there is uh Miss Stephie has confirmed there is a uh a graphical issue related to this but as uh explained in the presentation that was given to us that we have to go through a a process of getting approval from the state to take the special education exception and it gets reviewed by the state. So those numbers are audited through this process and I believe you would know for sure in March or something if we did apply for it. Um and also the concept that it was implied that uh the concept of what Mphy was saying is that there was eligible over the last three years to take $5 million rel related to special education exception. I believe we taken
066four or $500,000 last year and now we're looking to take u some portion of I believe $1.5.7 million potentially going forward. So it was the concept that over time without taking the exception or not also um uh maximizing the act one index over time it has diluted our opportunity and to to be able to be more consistent with an act one index. Um it was not meant to be this is what we should be doing always only for the sake of doing it. That was definitely not the concept. I don't know. Miss Stephie, you want to clarify? >> What am I clarifying? >> Okay. And then I'll just check if there's no further comments from the board. I will ask for all in favor of 9G1. So this is for the first motion which is
067to authorize the administration to make available for public inspection the proposed preliminary budget which is required in order to allow the district to apply for the act one special education exception with a task increase of 5.29%. All in favor? All right. So that motion carries 80 and then with that we will move on to um personal items. May I have a motion to approve the personal items as presented? Mr. Winters second. Miss Clary. And can I just see if there's any comments or discussion from the board? Nope. Nope. Seeing none. Um, all in favor of approving all personnel items that's listed. All right. 80. The motion carries. All right, curriculum and programs. May I have a motion to approve the items listed under curriculum and programs as presented? All right, Miss Graph second. Mr. Mki,
068can I just check if there's any comments from the board? All right, seeing none, may I have a um all in favor? All right. 8 Z and motion carries. Um, and then policy. May I have a motion to approve policies? Policies listed for a second read as presented. All right. Miss Chanda and the second. Miss Steel. Can I just check if there are any comments from the board? Okay. All in favor? All right. 8 Z. Motion carries. And then Okay. May I have a motion to approve items presented? Um items under the other as presented. motion. All right, Miss Stein, Miss Clary, any comments from the board, Miss Graph? >> Uh, yes. Can we take 13G separately? >> If there's no objection, uh, the motion can be revised as approving. Are there any other board
069member are there any board members that want to take any items other than which item was it? >> 13G separately. >> Okay. Seeing none, if there's no objection, um you could take the motion as presented for approving all items other than 13G and then after that uh item is is voted upon, take a separate motion for 13G. >> All right. So, can I see if there's any other board members that want to take any other item aside from 13G separately? All right. So then we >> you can have that the motion that is was made by Miss Steel and seconded by Miss Clary is to approve all items under 13 other than 13G. Uh and so you could now take any questions or comments on those items. >> So can I have any questions or
070comments from all items under other with the exception of 13G? Miss I'm sorry Miss Clary. Um, sure. Thanks. Um, I just wanted to briefly touch on uh 13F. Um, you know, we we strive uh to make Mthactton a respectful, inclusive, welcoming environment for um all students, for all people who who visit um our school. [snorts] and removing the American Native um headdress imagery um is another step um in that process and it is long overdue. Um and I'm just really pleased to be part of a board that is um doing that and I'll just check if there's any other comments. I do just have one in reference to let me just make sure I have it right. One second. All right. in reference to 13H um the school calendar and I know with this um
071I think as recent as yesterday with having to actually use an actual snow day that wasn't on the 2025 2026 calendar um we have to amend the current school calendar. I just wanted to have a little bit of idea of whether that will require um the board to vote on an amended calendar and also with this current calendar um now is the opportunity to add in wording um for the future to support it. And and I only bring that up just because I was looking yesterday and I noticed some of the um recent school districts that had just approved their calendar before um we we are um looking at this calendar have approved it with um in addition if if they have to use an actual snow day and not a a flexible instruction, they
072they're attacking on as I think as we proposed with our preliminary plan and now We have um the additional school day at the end of the year. They're putting that wording in their calendar. So there's a snow day if used pushes their calendar out. So that calendar is being approved with the snow days in there. So, I'm just wondering if we we need to give consideration to that or well, and I know it was brought up at at committee meeting as far as um school districts that may have been impacted and may have to um actually use a snow day due to emergency with um power outages. So, I just wanted to um bring that up for um just to ask the question or raise that. So there's there's a number of matters that um
073we're going to reflect on uh with respects to the reason decisions on uh taking a what called a traditional snow day. Once we review those matters, we're going to come back to the board uh with whatever is properly uh required uh in terms of modification of this current calendar and possibly uh modifications slash adjustments to the calendar that's in front of you. But I do recommend at this juncture um there there are a number of things in this existing calendar that help set the stage including the start of school graduation and usually most of the uh holidays uh are factored into this can allow families to begin to plan and and therefore the modifications that we would make to what's on here uh might not necessarily be that impactful um but more informative uh and
074for people to plan in the instance in the future that a traditional snow day is called. So, we just need a little bit of time and hopefully within, you know, a few weeks, we'll be back to the board on what the recommendation will be. >> Thank you. I just wanted to um raise that um and I'm guessing it'll go to ed committee, Miss Steel. >> Yeah, I um I'm glad that you raised that question. I just wanted to respond to it. I think uh I'm I'm glad to hear that it'll come to us and and uh I I do support the suggestion by the administration to approve this one with the idea idea that some modification with what just happened yesterday. Um where I I know of other school districts that have lost power in
075other years and due to um storms and they had to take a traditional day because FID was not possible. So it's it's good to at least have one usable one in there. So, um I'm glad to hear that we'll have that in a committee at some point. >> Great. >> Perfect. Thank you. And then with that, I will check if there's any other comments. If not, I believe we have um everything um for under listed under other all with the exception of 13G. So, can I have all in favor? All right. So 8 Z and now we'll go to 13G. Do we need a motion for 13G? All right. So 13G asked for the high school photography services agreement. Approve the one-year agreement with Katie for photography services from high school as outlined in the
076attached agreement. Um, can I have a motion for 13G, Mr. Winters? And then a second, Mr. Mki. And then can I just ask for comments from the board for 13G, Miss Graph? Yeah, I am uh not going to vote to approve this. I think that we are doing our families a disservice by not getting competitive bids on something like this. Um, there were concerns from the public that the cost was really high and that there were limited appointments available for our students, forcing them to have to drive all the way to Horscham, which is not really close by. Um, and we have neighboring districts that use Katy, I understand, but we also have neighboring districts that use other other organizations and they like them very very much. So, and they pay a little less than
077we do. So, um, for those reasons, I just don't think I can support this kind of additional contract without consideration for the concerns that were raised last fall that haven't really been dealt with yet. And I I know um based on feedback from the high school principal and also feedback from the board, I believe initially it was a one year I I'm sorry, a three-year agreement um that was presented to the district and um we requested for that to be amended to a one-year agreement um in hopes that that will give the administration time to um figure out how we proceed See, I believe they have made changes um in reference to and I think most of us are experienced with um them was with and I think many of us sat here with um
078senior portraits and I know there were some issues experienced there. I know from others using it this year there seems to be have made changes that most um parents are okay with. I think cost is indicated as a factor and um but I'm not sure if the board is okay with proceeding with the one-year agreement or if it's something that we need to pause. I think we asked last year in reference to the current timeline with the current um contract with Katie is June. Is that correct? >> I believe it is June. Yes. >> Okay. And then um so I will take more comments from the board just to figure out where we land. >> Yeah, just a question. I don't have never had a senior so I don't have any interaction. I've just only
079heard feedback from the community on the organization on the the company. Um if the board were not to approve the contract tonight, does that mess up a timeline? Does that affect things? Is there anything is there a timeline that needs to be stuck to? >> Well, while while it's my understanding that the contract expires June 30th, um it may there may be an impact um on uh the yearbook and other uh processes, but I don't want to say that for certain here this evening. Um, I will uh if if if in fact the agreement is not approved here this evening, um I will work with high school principal to outline what the challenges are associated with uh not approving uh an agreement with Katie in this given year or or for for for next year
080within the the next month or so. >> Thank you. And yes, apart from just kind of rehashing the challenges and any solutions they provided, I I'd like if possible for us to get information on what it would take to get competitive bids and what the timeline for that would be just so we could understand what the range of prices are and what the timeline looks like for students and families so we can make a more informed decision. Miss Graph, if I recall correctly last week, I think we heard that we could table this vote. >> Yeah. >> And it wouldn't impact the current services provided to the students or the this year's programming because they're under contract to complete the items that we just discussed. through the end of June. So, if I remember correctly
081from last week, I think that we were we were told that we could table this vote and investigate these things and come back to it in February. So, maybe maybe I want to make a motion to table this vote. So then we currently have the current motion on do we have to vote on that motion and then all just so um first there is a motion on the table to approve 13G. Uh Miss Graph has made a motion to table. So if there is a second for that motion then the board would vote on whether or not to table but at this point um just you can see if there is a second to that motion to table. >> I would just ask if there's a second from the board to table. Miss Chander. Give
082me a second. Why? >> So find my notes. >> Yep. Uh so with a motion to table, uh that has been seconded. Uh that the Robert's rules is that there's no debate on a motion to table because you're just delaying the action to a future time. So at this point, you can take a vote on um the motion to table. And if it is approved, um then the board could choose to put it on on a future agenda whenever uh the board wishes to act on it. Can I just ask are in reference to as far as no discussions is there um will we just leave this and let it go back to the administration for or is there opportunity to now ask exactly what the board I mean what I gather is there there's
083a request from the board in to get more information on competitive bids. >> Sure. So if if it is tabled, the administration would look at the timeline associated with gathering competitive bids and what that process would be. And the second part would be how would uh delaying this uh multiple months have an impact on on the uh the operation for our next school year. Again, I don't I don't particularly know uh whether or not there's u anything with the the the yearbook staff that is kind of preddecided on how they're going to go into things for next year. So, I I don't want to I don't want to say there is and there isn't. I just don't know all the information necessary. And it is true that I did say uh last week that, you
084know, delaying it a month, you know, would give us time to get those things together. Um and so if that's the will of the board, we can certainly gather those things. >> Okay. So at this point, I will just ask for um Oh, I'm sorry, >> Mr. Mki. >> Thank you. It's not a question. It's just a statement. Did we not get recommendations from the principal and comments that essentially the issues with uh this provider service provider had been addressed adequately and it was recommended that that that was the reason that it wasn't put out to bid. >> Well, that that's that's correct. Um so there was a a litany of information provided uh to the board with respects to u you know her review the work with the home and school um and and
085I believe in generality uh there were there were a number of improvements made as the principal outlined uh is it a perfect relationship? I I I believe that a number of matters that occurred a year ago uh were corrected. another number of matters that occurred within this school year were were then corrected. Um so progress is being made is a perfect uh I I don't believe anybody sitting here would believe that based on the conversations that we're having. Uh but is progress being made? Uh I think the building principal would uh agree that we've made significant strides uh to have a better relationship Thank you. And then with that, I will go back to the motion to table and ask all in favor of the motion to table. All right. So, we have four. >>
086A roll call vote might be helpful. >> A roll call vote. Perfect. Okay. Now, you guys really screwed me on. Give me one second. Yeah. >> Yeah. You'll take it. All right. >> All right. So, we'll do a roll call vote for this. Um myself, Miss Purdue. Um no. And then Miss >> just to sorry, Miss Purdue, I don't mean to interrupt. There was just some question. So, the uh the vote at this time is whether to table the item. >> Table. Yes. So, if if you wish to table it, not decide tonight, but decide at a future meeting of whether to approve this or not, you would vote yes. If you wanted to act on this uh contract tonight, you would vote no. >> Yes. >> Hopefully that's all clear to everyone. So, my
087vote was no to the table. Um and then Miss Chander, >> yes. Miss Clary, >> no. >> Miss Graph, >> yes. Mr. Mki, >> no. >> Miss Okendo, >> yes. >> Miss Dill, >> yes. >> And then Mr. Winters, >> no. >> Okay. So, the motion to table tied uh four to four. So, it does not pass since it did not have an affir affirmative vote of the majority. Um so, there you are back to the motion as uh presented that's on the agenda. >> Okay. notes of that. >> So the form the >> motion is is on the is on the table and then you would take a uh I I would suggest are there any other discussion and then and then take the vote. >> All right. So then um the current motion
088is to approve the one-year agreement with Katie for photography services from high school as outline in the attached agreement. And um I will see if there's any other comments from the board in reference to um that seeing none I will ask all in favor and I don't know if at this point it would just make sense for a roll call. Okay. So we'll start again with myself. Yes. And then Miss Chanda. >> Yes. >> Miss Clary. >> Yes. >> Miss Graph. >> No. >> Mr. Mki. >> Yes. >> Miss Okendo. >> Yes. >> Miss Steel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Winters. >> Yes. And I believe the motion passes 70. >> So 71, >> I'm sorry. >> 71. Perfect. >> 71. Okay. And then with that, I will move to dates for board members calendars. The
089board meeting dates are listed on the agenda and available on the district website. And then I will go to old or old business. And I guess I'll group it with new business and just see if we have any old or new business from the board. Yes, Miss Clary. Um I apologize because it's not really either, but I did want to make a comment um thanking the members of the community who donated um over $500 to the backpack program. It's so appreciated. And then checking for any other old or new business. Seeing no other, I will go to courtesy of the floor. The board of school directors will now provide an opportunity for residents to make comments on matters that are or may be before the board. The board asked that you keep your comments to
0903 minutes or less. The board of school directors may choose to respond to matters following the conclusion of your comments. You can also submit questions via email to information msfactton.org. Please state your name and municipality. Jim Malik Warester Paul. So I understand that the uh the accuracy of what is presented to you and the board really doesn't matter cuz somebody's going to audit it. Really? [gasps] No wonder we have problems. Um you guys can't balance a budget now. You're over the index and everybody's talking about a $300 million building project. Now, can anybody tell me how you're going to do that? You can't even balance the budget as it is now. How you going to do it with an extra 300 mil? It doesn't make any sense. Uh the tax increases are unsustainable. And to
091be honest, you know, I feel your pain is getting old because you guys aren't feeling anybody's pain. Um Paul, what happened to the enrollment here over the past 20 years? You're down 7 to 800 students and you're still struggling with money. That's like 30 classrooms, 30 plus teachers with all the support that should be a lot less. And and you're complaining. We're down 700 students and you can't balance a budget. Uh, that's a problem. Has anybody performed a classroom efficiency study, Paul? Then you would know. Then you may be able to make some cuts because then maybe there's some classrooms that aren't being utilized appropriately, teachers who aren't being utilized appropriately. Why don't you go do one of those and then you can do it. Give that a shot. I mean, it's just a suggestion.
092Um, you guys, you Paul, you mentioned the alternate reduction slide. Who created it? I I didn't create this. You guys did. I'm not taking credit for this. You guys did. So, why don't you tell me how making [snorts] these cuts are going to affect pro your program. And while you're at it, why don't you tell me how you've been doing with your program, your ranking, your test scores, which aren't even back to the 2018 level, right? I think you need to do some introspection. It's not the public. We just pay for it. I made a $12,000 donation to the school last year. Never had a kid here. You don't even get thanks. You don't even get good ranking. You don't even get good test score. What do we get? Why don't you tell me what
093we get? We don't get anything. And the numbers um numbers don't match in a lot of different categories. Right to know. Just heard your uh the Shrader Group talking about those capacity numbers, Dave. They don't match your numbers for Arrowhead. Building capacity doesn't change. Something's not right here. Thanks, Julia Knuckley, Lower Providence. Um I'd like to just emphasize again that um we that when doing the renovation or perhaps even earlier look at um having sidewalks around the perimeter of the high school campus. I know there's kids that walk to school from Mill Road with all the snow that we have. I'm not sure how they're going to do that without having to walk in the street. Um the I did see that the sidewalks were cleared very the sidewalks that do exist were cleared very
094well, but you know to have sidewalks so that kids can safely walk to school is very very important. Um when you were talking about the um the buses lining up and and all the the buses sitting there idling until all the buses are there and then the kids get out. I'm like I like my vision was just uh all the diesel fumes that those kids are breathing just another reason at some point in the future to look at transitioning to electric school buses. It's um you know very important for our student health and it has been shown that um electric school buses actually increases attendance because you have fewer kids with um asthma and other respiratory uh problems so they are able to attend school um more frequently. Um, and then, uh, my next topic,
095uh, just I I really like the the redesign of the, um, the district website, but I did notice I know the in the old design when you went to the schoolboard section when this um, meeting was happening, there was a link to watch it live. And when I went uh, tonight, there was no link to to watch it live. It was being it is, you know, being shown live on YouTube, but there was no link you could get to from from the Mythactton website to get there. I went to YouTube and Googled it or not Google, searched it to to have it brought up. And um then lastly um in some of the YouTube videos um from past the from um from the fall there were um some some of the videos for the schoolboard
096meetings where there were chunks of times m missing like there was one that was five minutes and one that was 10 minutes minutes. I could tell because the clock shows up in the video and then you can see the the minute hand jump ahead. And there's one case in particular where you're just about to start about start talking about the uh the data science class which was a class that my son was considering taking and I'm like oh I want to hear what they have to say and then it jumped ahead to some completely different topic. I'm like oh that's you know that you know something's happened there. So just something to look at for um for the YouTube videos that sometimes chunks of time seem to be missing. So that's all. Thank you. >>
097Thank you. Amy Smith, Warcester, I just wanted to say thank you again. Uh, I know I had made some comments last week at the work session about the Native American imagery and the good work that the district's communications director did with her presentation last week. I just wanted to follow up with saying thank you again and um I wanted to reiterate the need for education of students in the community as to why this change is taking place. I had spoken last week about um my conversations with students in the district, some of them being related to me, but not all. Uh it was a wider sample uh sampling of students than that. Uh and they didn't really understand the why. Um they just knew that, you know, it's something that the district's about to do.
098So, if we could just work on that education piece, um they're going to have questions. There's going to be people that don't understand. There's going to be people that think it's not the right decision. But if we show accountability and transparency and take the time to address those concerns, I think that um you know that's the right way forward. We shouldn't make decisions without making sure people understand the why. And um one final note on that, I just want to encourage the district to uh have the climate and belonging facilitator um involved in this process to make sure that she's briefed on the history of this decision that it's it's taken six years of work to get to this point. It wasn't made, you know, a decision made quickly. It's something that the district's been
099working on uh for quite some time. And I believe that her input and collaboration um on educating students, faculty, and the community to the Y is really important in her role. And um that any decisions on the mascot and branding that it makes sense that she's well suited to work alongside the communications department and building admin on all of that. So, I just want to say I'm excited that she's starting full-time in that role soon. I think it's this the end of this month that it happens or maybe this week. Um and I think she is wonderful and uh ready to go and very excited to see where that where she takes that position. So thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. Janine Darby, Lower Providence Township. Thank you to the board for voting
100to remove the Native American imagery. This has been a long learning journey for all of us. Mactton students first brought this issue to the district's attention in 2020, advocating for its removal out of respect for the Native American communities, particularly the Lape tribe. I truly appreciate the collaborative effort of everyone involved in honoring the Lape people. Um, also I agree with the previous speaker about um adding the Lape tribe tribe history to the history curriculum some way somehow. Um, the more we know and understand the better that we all can be. So, thank you again. And then lastly, um, I agree with board me member graph about Katie. I don't mind paying more for quality pictures. I don't mind spending the money on my student um if there's quality pictures. The pictures are of poor
101quality. And this I'm on my third senior and I just got back his pictures. They're horrible. And um and I had two other students come through here and they we used Lifetouch and the pictures were so much better. So, um I'm sorry that the vote passed. um to continue with Katie, but um we are wasting our money on poor quality pictures. At this time, seeing um no other members of the public desiring to speak, I do want to thank the members of the public for staying um on late with us on this code evening and sharing their feedback and comments um to the board of school directors tonight. And then I will um check if there's any comments from the board on any matters that were brought tonight um in reference to um the public
102comments. And then seeing none, I will I guess at this point I will make a motion to adjourn. I believe we at the end, right? All right. So, may I have a motion to adjourn the meeting? All right, Miss Chanda and then Miss Graph. And the meeting is adjourned. Thank you all for your time this evening and have a good night. qualified.