001Good evening. I'd like to call the September 24, 2025 Miss Actton School Board um school district board of directors meeting to order. Please stand for the pledge. The public is hereby advised of audio and video recording of this meeting for the purposes of rebroadcasting. All board members are present um with the exceptions um we have Mr. Miss Chanda, Mr. MKI and Miss Bill participating virtually and we have Miss Kro who will be arriving um late to the meeting if traveling conditions allow. Um we'll now move to recognition of guest and schedule speakers. Dr. Zerby. Thank you madam vice president. This evening we have uh three presentations. The first is the board honoral. Tonight we recognize the contributions of our school director Paul Winters who has dedicated 10 years to the Mthactton School District. The Pennsylvania
002School Boards Association honor role is the association's way of thanking individuals who exemplify leadership by giving unselfishly of their time and talents for the betterment of public schools and students across the Commonwealth. We thank Paul for his continued support of the Mthactton School District and his commitment to our district moving forward. Mr. Wyers, if you'd be so kind to join Madame Vice President me out front to issue your certificate. Next under guest and schedule speakers we have the M awards. Again this is uh an opportunity for us to recognize students. This evening uh assistant superintendent Dr. Regina will be presenting the Emma awards for both Mthactton High School and Alcola Intermediate School. Dr. Regina. Thank you, Doc. Thank you, Dr. Zerving. Thank you, members of the board. Uh this evening, we are proud of the
003achievements of all of our students. But tonight, more than 530 students from Actton High School and our cocaola immediate intermediate school are earning an M award for remaining rem excuse me, maintaining a grade point average. There it goes. Of 93% or higher during the 2425 school year. You'll see the names on the screen and you can find the list on our website. Earning the M award for the 2425 school year. We have 126 students from the class of 2026. 116 students from the class of 2027. 116 students from the class of 2028, 77 students from the class of 2029, and 100 students from the class of 2030. This honor represents not only the hard work in the classroom, but also perseverance, discipline, and commitment to excellence. We commend each student for setting a high standard
004for themselves and serving an example for their peers. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Regina. and members of the board. What we what we do after this evening is we contact the families of all the recipients of the M awards and we issue them uh the uh the the award in in school the following day or within within the next week. So, we want to thank our our our families, we want to thank our students, and we certainly want to thank all the educators and support staff that help make these uh fine individuals uh achieve such greatness. So with that said, uh thank you uh for your support on that and we'll go into the last guest and scheduled speaker. We have just a brief update here this evening on the Mthactton High School planning process.
005We have Josh Grace from CHA and Devin Bradbury from the Shrader Group. Good evening. How's everybody doing? Um, no slides tonight. We'll try to keep this brief. Uh, Devin and I will just give a brief update with um, again kind of recapturing some of the next steps. Um, so for the, uh, next meeting, which is going to be scheduled for October 6th. Our focus at this point is really honing in on the financial picture that came into more of a focus last week and a potential 120 or so million dollar um cap so to speak. So we are now uh looking at what are the best options for implementation of a project of that nature. Uh whether it's phased um so between the shrider group and CHA we're coming up with uh some updated budgets
006and pictures for what that potential project might look like. So again we're going to try to um get that in front of everybody ahead of that October 6th meeting. Um also in October we have meeting dates scheduled for the 14th which is the property committee which will be some more updates and discussion. Um October 21st which is the board work session where again we can answer more questions provide more in uh more uh information and respond to any other questions or comments. And then again October 28th was the target for the final board vote. understanding where things are currently with financial pictures maybe still coming into focus. Um, you know, that date might slide, but uh, Shredder Group, CHA, we're still full speed ahead with trying to come up with the, uh, final options and
007budget picture so you guys can make a informed decision. Devin, good evening everyone. Uh, just a quick update. We did have two public forums uh, over the past two Thursdays. Uh we had uh I think about 12 people in the first one and maybe upwards of 20 25 in the second one. So um we got some some good feedback. Everything is uh has been videotaped and is on the websites. Correct. So if anyone has any questions about feedback that was received, they can go uh and and view those videos. Just a couple of uh generalized statements on uh some of the feedback that we we received. There were comments uh regarding sustainability. uh several of those several uh thoughts on costs of budget and financing. Uh concerns about parking and traffic on with all of
008the plans. Uh some questions about the FINA building. Uh there were comments about a new construction versus renovation plan and what the 50-year solution might be. Uh there were some uh discussions about phasing and disruption. Um lots of comments about the pool and concerns about the current status of the pool and uh future uh new construction of pool. Uh safety and security is a big thing. Uh that was a focus on from a couple of uh folks there. And then um the viability of some of the options that we're showing given the the current uh financial status um student involvement. I think there were a few students at the second forum that would like to be uh involved and that might extend to a few others. and then uh just a concern generally about the
009failing areas of the building and making sure that we're addressing all of those issues. So those are kind of a a generalized uh summary of the themes that we heard throughout uh some of the questions and answers that we've had. Uh obviously that's a lot more succinct than what we actually went through in the in the forums, but um anyone who is welcome to go uh visit the website and watch those as well. Thank you gentlemen. Are there any questions for members of the board for our design team to my left? Uh, Miss Purdue, I just have one. Um, just to clarify for um, and I realize that we have to have the October 6th meeting before we can determine the timeline in reference to the October 28th um, vote from the board. Um do
010you have an idea of what information will we receive in preparation for the um October 6th meeting? Uh so what we and Group are working on now are some options uh from a phased perspective. So we'd like to come with an updated cost estimate again staying within the parameters that were established and presented last week. um and also a preliminary estimated draw schedule. So that obviously is very critical for the borrowing picture, the financial picture. So uh between visuals with what a phase project might look like from um a floor plan perspective and also from a borrowing perspective or um cost over the the term of d design and construction. So that's what we're going to um be presenting and reviewing for that meeting. And then just a followup question. Thank you. Um I know
011we heard about the Fina administration building. When will we get um will we also hear a little bit about that on at that meeting or Yeah, we we presented on the administration building uh last week, but the comments and feedback that we've received in in in that meeting as well as feedback that we received at the open public forums will be integrated into the proposed options that are going to be laid out on on the 6th. Thank you. Anyone else to the left, to my right? Any any comments, questions? Thank you, gentlemen. Oh, yep. So, um just to clarify the question that uh Miss Purdue just asked about, you're going to provide us with an updated phase project. So, which option will you be using to do that phase project? So it um ultimately we'd
012like to try to incorporate all of the priorities and end result of 2B. Um obviously that is the most expensive option. So we're looking at how to best incorporate the advantages of the new construction portion of that into a uh multi-phase type project. But um understanding that that the 2B new construction solutions are ideal. That's what we are focusing on currently. So, I don't know if I understand correctly. If I if I remember correctly, and I don't have it right in front of me, the cost for the 2B option was $175 something million and our budget is 120 million. So, how do you get $175 million of construction and renovation in a $120 million budget? So, what what we're looking at doing is kind of shifting some of the thought process and um focusing on
013the oldest and most aging parts of the building as a potential phase one project and understanding that the midwing and the east wing as the most recent uh portions of the building, which is what we're in now, as well as the east wing. um perhaps deferring some of the improvements for those areas of the building as well as the portion that is between uh the gymnasium and the cafeteria. So, we're kind of taking an approach that can we approach the building from uh west to east uh rather than east to west or in other words um the existing parts and then maybe looking at the what was proposed as new construction. So, we're looking at options that would give you some u flexibility in terms of getting some of the new construction advantages, but again
014within that uh established budget or the budget as we understand it to be based on last week. So, are you saying that you're going to be able to remove $55 million of of cost by not doing any work in the east wing? That's what we are evaluating at this point and we will come on October 6th for some of the options and availability to do that. And then you're going to have to add back in the additional costs that come with phasing a project over a longer period of time. Uh right. So, we're looking at currently a four-year phase one project that would address the concerns the the address the priorities and then a potential phase 2 project at some point that would then uh look at the midwing, the east wing and some of
015the other spaces. So I guess my when I if I remember correctly what Miss Stephie presented last time, I think that the majority of the funding was in the first three or four years and then there was a gap and then there was a small amount of funding at the later years. So you're suggesting that you know the hund00 million in the first four years and then there would still be funding to do an additional project at the end. We're looking at a $125 million project over the next 10 years, five years. 10 years. Because if I remember correctly, the the budgets that Miss Stephie had provided us was a 10-year, right? So borrowing. What we're saying is the project would be executed the the phase one project would be executed in a four-year time
016frame, but we didn't have 125 million to spend in the first four years. So, why are we using $125 million of budget if we can't spend that much? Okay. Our understanding was in a four-year time frame, we would have $125 million to apply to the project. Okay. But that's not an accurate assessment based on what Miss Stephie, do you have the slides from last week? because I don't I don't think that it was 125 million at all and I definitely was not 125 million in the first four years. So why are we doing a project or looking at a project that is overspending our budget just right now just talking about it? Am I like okay? Am I I guess I'm asking you where this direction is coming from because it doesn't seem like it's
017in keeping with the idea of let's revise the project to match the budget. Do we have an answer to that? So, we had a follow-up meeting with the administration where we laid out the plan for a 4-year potential project at $125 million. So, I'm looking at how to best I'm looking at the data. I I actually have the slide right here. Right. So, this slide said we had $125 million between year 1 and year 7. gave us 125 million. There was zero borrowing in 8, n and 10. So my question to you is, how are you going to borrow $125 million in four years if the district admin provided us information that says it's going to only be able to borrow the money in seven years? Okay. So there must have been misunderstanding then in
018the follow-up meeting in terms of what we could fund within a 5-year period. If if we could very clearly have parameters for a budget and a time frame, we can provide you guys with some better direction. So maybe you can explain to me um what were the differences that were presented to you in the follow-up meeting versus what the board was presented in Tuesday's meeting. I think it maybe was some understanding of what could be spent in a certain amount of time and if we could still execute a four-year project that it would possibly be funded at a certain amount. Okay. So, I guess I'm going to have to push this question over to our business manager because I don't understand. I thought this was our maximum borrowing scenario based on the amount of available
019budget we have to take on debt. How much debt we could take on every year. So if we can only take on $30 million of debt in year two, 33 million in year three, 29 million in year four, that doesn't give us enough money for $125 million project. Understood. So I I would appreciate I guess I'm concerned that you're going to spend money and time, which is money, that to do an assessment and provide us with another option of a project that we still can't afford. So, I don't know how the rest of the board feels. I'm going to give everybody else a chance to like think about this for a second and maybe ask some additional questions before I ask the rest of my questions. Miss Liry, so I would just uh second that.
020I I do not want to have CHA spend money on something if if we if we can't afford it. So, this is what we know and I'm disturbed that there was a subsequent meeting and you were told something different than what the board knows. I just want to put that out there. But I'm also concerned that that there's been a decision made that you're going to do this to 2B because the board has never made a decision that of all the options that Trader provided us with that we wanted to do 2B. So for me that's problematic and I just want to say that out loud. Can I can I just make one comment please? So um we already know that what we can do with the baseline scope and what we can do with
021phase one or option one a right. So those get you close to that $120 million project. So I guess the task was what can we do differently with that amount of money so that you can actually see some of your priorities come to fruition. So that's what we're exploring. We're not we're not pushing 2B. We're looking at ways to get those priorities into some sort of project. So, I appreciate that. I was really responding to um what Mr. Grace said, which was you were doing at 22B, that you could get basically all of the things I what I heard, maybe I misunderstood you, Josh, was that we could get all of the things in 2B um for basically 120 plus some money down the road, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me
022given the amount of money it costs, but I I'm willing to wait till October 6th. Um, but I am I am concerned that we're doing all this to 2B. Um, if that's if that's what's happening. Um, and and I'm still back from where I was from the day one like a year ago when we started this whole road. And I'm not looking at you gentlemen when I say this, but we we need to know what we can afford. And I'm and I'm just again left with um if there's been subsequent meetings information I don't have. I'm just disturbed that I don't know what we can afford and I'm not sure you guys know what we can afford at this point. Thank you. You can still hear me. Um thank you. Um I just want to
023echo my fellow board members. Um, and I um I I actually feel badly uh that uh see that there is a a misunderstanding because I left last week's meeting thinking we could afford 125 million over 10 years and that was that was where it it stood. Um, maybe those numbers were conservative, but that's that's what I left understanding. And and I I don't want to waste time and money trying to figure out what we can afford with what we don't know that we can afford cuz we part it's one of the reasons why we're here. I feel like um because we weren't 100% sure what we could afford. And so I I have to echo Miss Clearary um in that we need to know what we can afford. um and need I I'd really appreciate
024seeing the like knowing what we can afford. Um because what I also understood out of last week's meeting was that the part of the reason like the part of the shift in the affordability and correct me if I'm wrong and this is more towards um Miss Stephie in the district was that uh the master's facilities plan needed to be worked into the borrowing of the budget and that's one of the reasons for the shift. Um, so what I would really like to know and understand is what we can afford because my other understanding right now is that we can afford the 125 million over 10 years with the master's facilities plan if we are always raising to the act one index. And I would really like to know what we can afford if we if
025we decide not to raise the act one index as well. I would like some plans there rather than continually reaching. So, I just wanted to to share that information um because I I I feel like I'm hearing something that doesn't match with what I what I understood from last week's meeting. Hello. Um I was not at the meeting last week, but I did watch the recording and maybe I needed clarification. I'm not really sure. But I also walked away from that recording with the understanding that we we were kind of in a tight spot with um what we can afford. And now I now I'm hearing something different and and there were other conversations that we didn't get much information on. So I'm also echoing Miss Clear in this graph. Um, I would like to
026know what the bottom line budget is, what what we can afford in totality before we spend any more time and resources on this. So I I think uh Miss Stephie if if I'm uh if if I'm not mistaken that you presented you know a scenario of what we can afford or or what we we can't afford based on the recently presented master facilities plan and the uh ability to borrow $180 million over a 10-year period. Now that that is one scenario in terms of of the borrowing and that's what that's what you presented. Are there other scenarios if for example CHA gave you a a draw schedule that might be different than what we used in order to uh prepare this presentation? Yes. So the um withdrawal schedule the borrowing scenario would change and I
027think then the and and so while the borrowing scenario would change the the amount of money that we would totally be able to borrow over that 10-year period of time is about the same inclusions of the money that we would borrow for uh the master facilities plan as well as the uh the high school as it's laid out in your original presentation from last week. Correct. Correct. Okay. So, so I think then what was what was discussed among the design team was how do we address the and correct me if I'm wrong gentlemen, but how do we address the uh uh baseline uh uh matters in a way that also uh addresses some of the priority one uh uh items that that the board had suggested. And I think a lot of the discussion was
028maybe there's a way to do it in leveraging some of the ideas associated with 2B not necessarily in in completeness. Um but that that would be able to to uh address some of the things not only from a building perspective especially in the oldest part of the building but also in some of of the site work. And it was estimated at that time that doing some of that work uh or in a in a phased process would be able it's my understanding that would be able to fit into $120 million budget. Is that is that what was discussed or was it something different than that? Correct. That that's the goal to see what fits within that budget. However, the time frame was compressed from a 10-year implementation to to a five essentially with a year
029of design. So that's I think where the disconnect is there. If we need to extend even a phase one project out over 10 years instead of five, we can certainly do that if that's the requirement and the limitation. So then, Miss Stephie, I guess the the ultimate question then is if if we're taking a 10-year borrowing scenario and we were going to compress that into a five well, if it's five years of of a project, it might be five to six years borrowing. I'm assuming would that would that be fair or not to assume that if we were doing five years of of let's say four years of construction, one year of design, um would it possibly be five years or or possibly six years of borrowing? Is that what you would normally find in
030these scenarios? I mean, that would be up to the district's financial picture. I can't really answer that, but um again, the intent was to try to compress the construction time frame um into a continuous process instead of over a 10-year period. Again, we can we can spread it out. We can phase it however it works within the district's limitations. Um we just have to kind of change the approach a little bit heading into the sixth. Yeah, Mr. [Music] I'll let Miss Austin go since she Thank you, Miss Purdue. Um, so yeah, I and I apologize that I was not at the last meeting, but it I did hear of and maybe this is what we're talking about here. Um, when we were in finance committee, there was talk of more of a project-based approach to
031the to this whole scenario. Um, I don't even know how we can predict how much we can borrow at over 10 years given how many factors you're trying to you're you're trying to solve for here. You know, there there's so many variables with everything. So I I don't even know how we can have an accurate um projection out 10 years. But I guess what I thought was going to be happening was that we would talk about the the first priorities. We would talk about what makes sense in order um in in chronological order to implement these projects. Do we, you know, in order for anything to happen, we to get to 1 A or 2B, we would need to do the mill road work. We would need to do the site work. Then we would
032need to do work on the pool. And then it kind of like kind of like building something out that makes sense that you can keep going with or you can stop at any time, but you still have, you know, maybe we need to pause for a year because of whatever factors. um but then maybe we can keep going and to have a project approach where they're not discreet projects exactly but they would stack on top of each other in a way that makes sense so that you're not going back to you know to something that you as at the end of 2B and oh we always wanted this but now we can't do it because we did you know we already built this part of it so with the goal of 2B which I think
033is what we all want but to do it in a in a way that is more discreet that allows for all these factors of borrowing to come into play because we just don't know what they are. Miss uh Graph. Yeah. So, um, just to respond to Miss Alustin for a second, I think that got shifted between finance committee and when we were presented with the financial picture last week because the financial picture said in 10 years, you still cannot get to 2B. You do not have the ability to get there. And that's assuming some significant tax implications like taxing at the act one index every year. So, it's it's not um it's not like we're assuming there's no additional like tax implications, right? And it's taking all of that additional debt that we could take
034on in that 10-year period and we still can't do it. And I think that's where we said, okay, so if the borrowed amount is only 120 million, then what does that look like? And I feel like we keep going around this question, but at the end of the day, if the only amount of money in the savings account between now and 10 years from now is 120 million, I don't know why we're asking our architect and our design team to go and build us something at 125 million because that extra 5 million doesn't exist. Um, and I'm a little concerned that the first time Mr. Grace presented this. He just five minutes ago said it was a four-year project. Then I heard the superintendent say, "It's a five-year plan, but the borrowing happens over six
035years, doesn't it?" And I'm a little concerned because I feel like we're pressing our design team to give us the answers we want in order to get the borrowing to fit into what we can afford. Now, if the draw schedule changed and you know that the draw schedule changed so that you could change the structure of the project, then why are you we not seeing the draw schedule right now? Because that's what the administration just said that the draw schedule changing is what allowed us to go to 125 million. So, Mr. Grace, why are you not presenting the updated draw schedule to us today? Because we don't have it prepared. because we don't have a plan yet. So, if you don't have the draw schedule prepared, then there is no change to the $125 million
036budget over 10 years because you the district could not have addressed that change because we don't have the information from our team. Correct. So, we are not establishing a budget. We are trying to respond to a budget. Right. We are trying to give options for fitting within a budget. Unfortunately, the budget parameters change every time you have a conversation. We're here, right? And that's my concern as well is that we're not giving you good parameters to work within. I don't want you to come back and give us an option at 125 million for a four-year spend and then for the district to say, "Well, we can't afford that." Because that's exactly what's going to happen because we can't afford 125 million in four years according to what Miss Stephie prepared. So, if that has changed
037and the administration needs to tell us it has changed because you're giving us more information, I do not agree with giving any direction to our architect and engineer to spend $125 million on a 4-year project if we cannot afford it. And according to last week's presentation, we can't afford it. So, am I missing something? Well, I I I I I hear what you're saying, but that's not the sequence of how things have been have been happening. So, to give you to give you an understanding is we we go back into the design group and we talk about, okay, we have $120 million that we can work with. What are some of the things that we can do with the available options and the priorities and with with the $120 million that, you know, we have
038available to us? Okay, first first things first. First, you just said 120 million. Mr. Grace just said earlier 125 million. So already we're talking about two different budgets. So, and I apologize. I don't have I don't have the paper in front of me. I don't agree with the approach that we talk to the design team about what they can do for us and then we set a budget. We have a budget. It was presented last week. This is the budget. You can't go over this number. and you need to do a project in three years or four years or whatever it takes. But whatever your draw schedule is is going to drive this budget limitation because if you can't draw more than $33 million in year three, that could impact how much you can spend
039on the total project, right? Because year three tends to be your highest spend. Year two, whatever it is, right? that bell curve of a draw schedule is going to be limited by what Miss Steffy put together. We may not even be able to spend 125 million or 120 million depending on the draw schedule. So my understanding from the meeting last week is these are preliminary projections of a potential outlay financially. I don't recall that there was a vote made that says this is definitely our budget that this is the direction for how much we can spend. It was pretty much the first time from my understanding that that information was presented to the board. I don't know if that's the budget. You guys need to tell me if that's the budget. 125 million give or
040take in rough values was the amount at the end of the day. So again, I'm not telling you what the budget is. We we would like to know what the budget is. I I agree with you, but we don't we don't have we don't have a budget. And that's and that's and and so for example, we don't know what the draw schedule is. So we can't develop a budget. This is a scenario of we're not going to develop a budget from the draw schedule. We're going to develop a draw schedule from the project which is predicated on the budget. You're you're you're looking at this from a perspective of the district can't afford a draw schedule with a $50 million draw in years 2, three, or four. So if you have to take $50 million
041those years, you may not be able to do it. So that may limit your project. So yes, we could ask Mr. Grace to go and say, "Hey, if we did $120 million project, what does the draw schedule look like?" And he's going to have to think about what does a $120 million project look like and what draw schedule is associated with that? And then we're going to have to come back and look at the number and the amount we could take that year. I I get that there's a back and forth in that, but if he's looking at projects that are outside the scope of what this tells us we can afford, we're already off the page. And I agree with that, and that's what we talked about in our in our meeting. the the
042the assumptions that were that were delivered in this meeting ma were based on the fact that yeah we can meet that that number in that in that uh presentation. So the number in the presentation over the 10-year period is 125 million and you have 4 million in year seven. So let's assume because I've heard it a couple times tonight. You're going to use the first five years of this schedule, which means you only have 121 million. That's the maximum the district can borrow according to Miss Stephie and her assessment. That's the maximum amount. There's no way that the district can do more than that. So, the fact that we're even talking about anything over that in a six-year time frame from year 1 to year five. Okay? Year six is a zero draw. So you
043have no additional budget. I just want to make sure that our time frame is right is so if you're telling me it's four years then you would have less right because if you go to four years you're going to have less because you won't get that last 17 million just right. So again whatever's been borrowed to date factoring in at least a 12-month design time frame and then four years of construction. So, if that does not work within that six-year time frame, I understand. If the number is not 125 or 120, if it's 118 or 117, that's great. We can work to that number. We just need to know what the number and what the time frame is for the number. We have to kind of work backwards. We can give you all sorts of
044different options and time frames, but if they ultimately don't work with what is financially reasonable, it does no good. I agree. So I I my my position is that I think that the finance committee needs to take a hard look at these numbers and decide what the district could afford. And then the board needs to decide if we want to spend up to that amount or not. And maybe to make that decision, they're going to need you to come back with some ideas about what that would get us. What would you what would we be able to get for the budget that we have to spend? And so I think that the finance committee needs to take a hard look at these numbers and figure out if this is actually where we could spend up
045to or not. And if finance is comfortable with it and they can give that direction, then I think the board could give you direction to move forward with that budget. But at this point, I feel like we're in this. You're going to give us a design, then we're going to evaluate the budget again, and then your design's going to be overpriced, and then we're going to go back to the budget, and back and forth and back and forth. And I I think that's a waste of district money. And and Miss Graph, I think I think probably the the most important point in what and what you're sharing and I and I I'll have to agree with you on this one piece is we haven't uh established whether or not the board wants to go to
046the act one index in these projections uh for all these years and and and I think your comment to bringing it back to the finance committee is probably a good idea. So, I appreciate you bringing that to light and uh and and bringing that to our attention because we didn't we didn't really determine that everybody was good with that. We did determine at least our understanding was that hey, we have a budget here uh or we have a a scenario of what we can borrow. Let's uh and and it was the maximum and then we decide to get a design team to go out and try to to build toward the maximum. That may not be what we want. And so, so, uh, to your point, that might be a good, uh, actually a really
047good idea for us to revisit, uh, these numbers with the finance committee and then to be able to come back to the full board to make sure that, um, you know, that's that's the the direction because if they're if they're if they're designing for $120 million or designing for $80 million, the ability to get to get certain things done is is a is a is is a big difference. So I I think I think that's a a good point. Mr. Purdue. So, I just want to um just go back just because I I brought up the question reference to what will be presented at the October 6th meeting and um maybe considering the questions that are being asked. It sound it don't seem like a special meeting or what is proposed is probably the right
048direction to go for the 6 without having a finance committee um meeting which is not scheduled to October 15th um before something can be presented right and just based on things that I've just from the discussion today and what we saw last week in reference to what based on our borrowing capacity and I know the question was asked last week can we borrow this amount in this year right and a lot of things I believe it was said it was no right if there's information given by I'm assuming the administration to the design team or whatever it is it seemed like there's a little bit of confusion um or maybe you don't have the right direction provided I would like to say and I mean, I'm not proposing anything, but what it sounds to me
049is that the October 6th meeting may not be the right time to um have something to present to the board. And I I I did step back and ask in reference to um the meeting or the 28th in reference to having that as a voting meeting because I think there's there's still a lot of things that need to be cleared up. I think there's a lot of um miscommunication or some information that needs to be clarified just because we heard something different and it sound like there was some other discussions that maybe the board may not be um fully updated on. Yeah, Miss Purdue, I I think um if if there's no objection uh from members of the board uh with the suggestion of having the finance committee have the discussion uh about what Miss
050Sephy had presented um and being able to make other determinations associated with that with that data specifically in my opinion whether or not we do want to be borrowing up to the act one index. I mean, that's that's that's that's a that's a critical decision in in the future of all of this. So, I I I it's if if if there's no objection, I'd like to, you know, pause on the uh October 6 meeting and bring it to the finance uh finance chair, is that are you okay with with us doing that? Yeah, that's fine. the thought that goes through my mind and um I mean we we talked about using the act one as a guidance for a new high school and if that is not the guidance that the board was going to
051provide for a renovation rehab whatever ends up being need to speak up. I mean the the assumptions that were carried on from the new high school to the renovation related to the finances. So, I encourage everybody on the board to get up to speed with the borrowing, what the assumptions are, what the scenario that Miss Stephie presented. No problem in the pause. Um, everybody's got to come to their own conclusion what they want to do though. They keep on it. It seems like somebody wants a layup to say this is exactly what it's going to be like and you're going to be committed to this. You have to understand that there are are variables and assumptions in this process and choices that have to be made and that could I don't I would completely respect
052if you don't want to go to act one for the next 10 years fine that's fine we just need to know it but it's coming up today as something newer fine good but I feel like it's almost like usually a board in around November provides direction to the administration about if they're going to go past act one right somewhere in November for December time frame for a directional for the we almost need to be doing that as a vote from a perspective of okay do a 10-year projection because I don't want this wiggle room about okay now I didn't really commit to act one for the next 10 years so bring it back to finance cancel the six that's fine no problem from my perspective but um I think we need some eval self evaluation
053going on here as well so if if In fact, if I just say this and then we'll move it on to other questions here. If in fact we do cancel the six um and we do have uh a conversation in finance with setting some of the I guess maybe different financial parameters. Um the the administration will look at other alternative dates out beyond the October 28 uh uh you know targeted voting meeting just in case we're not preparedformationally uh to make a decision at time. I'm assuming that we wouldn't be, but uh I certainly don't want to take that off the table if if in fact we we do have that information available to us. Uh so it it'll likely uh extend the the period of time for which we'll we'll make that make some
054final decision. In the meantime, um, we we we still we still would want to uh or I guess the question is from the board, do we want the design team to pause temporarily until we get uh we come back from the finance committee meeting um to give them the the proper direction? So just from a clarification uh what is our arr arrangement with uh trader and cha don't aren't we paying for are we paying for time and material at this point? I don't think so. I think we had a a flat fee for the the the period of time to bring this to a concept vote. I can say that for CHA. I'm not sure what the arrangement was with Shreder. Can you confirm? Yeah, it is a flat fee for the the term of
055the feasibility study, but I'm not sure that we anticipated it going past that date at this point. And the date being what, the end of October. Okay. Yeah. So my opinion is that the feasibility of understanding what those projects would be in sequencing and what specifically would need to be done from a renovation if the renovation amount that we saw is uh a higher cost than what you're saying you could potentially do with moving things around not affecting the the east wing and the midwing. I would continue on. We need that information to understand it. I don't know what the full stop does for us other than give us less information. I'm sorry, Miss Clear. Did you Did you want Okay. Okay. Miss Graph. So, um, in terms of I I mean, I hear what
056you're saying, Mr. Winters, about continuing to move forward. I'm thinking about that. I'm not I'm not necessarily opposed to that because it does help us to keep getting more information. I think my concern was moving towards a an 2B option, which is $50 million over what we could spend over 10 years, seems to be frivolous. And I don't I don't think that it is a sound decision for us to put our team to work to lay out a plan to do something that we're only going to say no to because we can't afford it. We all know that. Everybody on this board knows we cannot afford to spend 180 million over 10 years unless we're willing to forego a whole lot of other stuff. And when we talked about the 10-year plan, not one board
057member said they were willing to forego the 10-year master facilities plan projects in order to fund additional work at the high school. Not one board member. So, I don't think that we're willing to forego all of that other work to generate additional funding for the high school project. So I think directing you to move forward to a $180 million project which will end up costing more money when we break it into multiple projects as Miss Alustin had mentioned. So now we would be up to 190 million or maybe it ends up to be 200 million which is even farther outside our budget. So to me that's where I was thinking about it. But I I hear what you're saying about having the design team continue because they're under contract to do this work and they're
058con they're planning to continue this work until the end of October. So I'm not necessarily opposed to that. I just think maybe we need to scale back to something that is more reasonable. And along that line, we were supposed to also get a presentation of the classroom utilization study that was done, which I think could also inform how big of a renovation, how many classrooms are in use, what do we actually need moving forward, and that has not been provided yet. So, I know in property this had come up and I know it also came up at the board meeting. And so maybe we should ask that question of, you know, that's information that would be informing a renovation construction project in terms of what we're using in the high school and how much swing
059space we would need and all of these other things came from that decision. Um, and I don't know that we have an answer to that yet either. So I guess I should ask the question. Yeah, the administration is uh preparing the utilization uh report and uh we did provide in last week's uh presentation just a a a brief summary of of the actual utilization in terms of uh I believe it was like 73 and a half% or something to that effect. But if the board wants the the the full report on that, we can certainly uh provide that. I think um in in terms of the design professionals, does is there any is there is there any uh value in designing for what was to be what I I would see a modified 2B plan?
060Is there is there any value for the board u in terms of seeing such a thing? Not we're not designing for 2B. We're designing for a modified 2B. Is that is that a uh sure if if we can have some indication of um what improvements uh could be deferred or not incorporated that would be a a big help uh from 2B certainly I I guess we need to understand obviously budget but what's the district's um interest in having a project that spans over 15 years. I mean obviously that's not ideal. Um, so again, we just we need some more direction with um with budget and overall time frame for when this campus is going to be under reconstruction. Some questions. Go ahead. Thank you. So, um I appreciate the conversation and um I do have
061just a few more questions and actually my questions is um my questions and and my um my thoughts more align to what I need to see and what I what I was wondering would be available for October 6th, but now that we're that will be changed, that makes sense. Um so this is actually more for Miss Stephie and um for I guess Dr. reserv which is that you know I spent a significant amount of time looking at previous reports and the finances that were presented to us over the past two years and there seemed to be a significant shift just last week um and it seemed to be and it seemed with the master facilities plan so um and the master's facilities plan budget last week was around $60 million and I'm generalizing um whereas
062in June what was presented was more around $11 million. Um it might not have had it didn't have the 10-year scope. It was a shorter scope of of time, but um the previous discussions about the budget did not necessarily for the high school and the borrowing did not necessarily include the master's facilities plan. Is that correct? like months ago when I presented a scenario in May. It was um 10 million uh 10 years $180 million and it it was not tied in any way. There was no money allocated to the high school or capital projects. Okay. And then also previously before that when talking about what we could borrow and what we could the money we could put towards the high school projects that was based on what we could borrow and then what we
063could afford. It was not based on um it didn't that money that borrowing did not count in the money needed for the master's facilities plan. Correct. I'm not sure about any previous presentations. I can't speak to that. Yeah, that's okay. Dr. um maybe Dr. Zerby, I just if you can I can't see you, so I don't know if you're nodding or anything. So, sorry. I I'm not I'm not sure what what your I'm not sure what your question is. If would you mind repeating that? I apologize. So my question is before over the past two years when we looked at different options and we looked at different things um and we loo looked at the different options of what we could afford and the different plans. We were looking at the borrowing limit and what
064we could afford for the high school. But that borrowing did not factor in the master's facilities plan because that seemed to be a very big difference last week. Yeah, I I I I think you're you're correct in terms of, you know, we we had a a a direct focus on what we could try to a afford under a new construction. So I don't think it included uh an update on the master facilities plan. Okay. So that actually leads to my next the information that I need in order to feel comfortable with whatever we decide to do next which is we don't like I am only speaking for myself. I am not comfortable putting um directing a number a significant amount of money towards the high school if it means adjusting master facilities plan and then
065struggling to to keep up with the maintenance of those buildings. So what I would request is that along with finance the property also step in and and look at where options could be or maybe it's not an indirect way this the timing would probably change but I would need to see how the phasing fits in with the master's facilities plan to see I I I need to visualize that I would need to see that or at least to the best of the ability I might be asking for something more than is possible uh but I see that as being really important in budgeting for the next steps. Um, so that's just that that's what I would request um be discussed going forward and something that I would feel comfortable that something I would need to
066know is factored in in voting on whatever we decide to do next. Mr. Murky, you're muted, Glenn. Sorry. Could you explain for everyone what you mean by a modified 2B option from a phasing standpoint because I don't think that's clear. So when we're saying modified to be option, I I think the the point is trying to incorporate the priorities that were identified by the board and that were solved for the most part by option 2B. So if there is um another way to try and accommodate those priorities with new construction or with uh taking some of the concepts that to be incorporated and uh tweaking them somehow that's I think the intent of what we're trying to accomplish in a phased approach right so in other words you're not it's not assuming that you uh
067do the work in a series over a period of 18 months but rather in phases over a period of years. Correct. And that that's the question tonight is what is that? So okay so in what like and that's the part I think people aren't getting what are we so there's at least two phases maybe three or four phases over how much over what period of time are we talking about? Well, that that's the question. That's exactly the point is what can the district reasonably afford? Um what does that time frame look like and how can we then phase a project that fits that overall time frame? Let me phrase it a little differently. The 125 million that you're talking about, you've been getting guidance for. How much of the total? Um do do you have
068an idea or can you give uh everyone an impression or an of how much of like the total 2B 2B option could be accomplished in um with $125 million budget. We we don't have that tonight. That was going to be prepared for the October. So that was that was the purpose of the October 6 meeting. Yes. Right. So to to present that what do you think we can you know what can you accomplish with $125 million budget over a period of x years with with an ultimate goal of getting to 2B. That's correct. So, at at this point, um, understanding the financial picture, if we need to then alter what we assumed could be potentially a five-year uh project inclusive of design, if that needs to be split up and extended out longer, should that
069be the direction that we're given, we can come up with updated estimates, draw schedules, concepts, however, you know, that information needs to be relayed back to the board. And it's possible that you come back with a proposal that proposal and because of the total budgetary costs and the phasing and the time period over which the whole project could be executed, we could decide that that's not an option we want to pursue either because of cost or because it means we're at the act one index for 10 years or because it's going to be spread has to be spread over 15 years, right? Correct. So, so that that's the discussion is at at what point in the near future, whether it's in finance or next board meeting would the board have enough information to make that
070determination. But I think that's what we just walk through the logic of why we would want to pursue you continuing to work on what you're working on to be presented next month. We're happy to do that. We we certainly do not want to pause or walk away at this point. We want to see this through to at least give the board enough information, enough options to make a decision. If that decision ultimately is we can't afford it, we need to start over. So be it. But at this point, we're almost at the end of September, I can't speak for Devon's group, but uh CHA wants to at least give you guys as much ammunition as possible to make an informed decision. We'd like to see it through. So um that's that's all I can say.
071Thank Thank you. That's that's what I was looking for. Thank you, Mr. Wyers. So Mr. Merski's asked some really good questions. So, let me see if I can summarize if I It sounds like the hinch pin or whatever the right word is. The the turning point after the meeting last week was evaluating for 120 million. Could we get more for our money in a shorter in in the same time period or similar type of time period that includes more of our requests for changes for educational program. be it an auditorium, be it uh the wait room, be it the apartments, whatever those different things were, less of them would be fulfilled if we just did win a renovation. So, I'm hearing what you said earlier was that the mid midwing and the east wing originally
072in the renovation budget were included in that big number, right, in the renovation job. But what you're saying is perhaps not all that needs to be done in the short term. So you're swapping out the shortterm fixes for these wings and evaluating if an auditorium could be built or something like that. Those are the things. Is that where we're at here? That's exactly where we are at right now is we want to try again not saying the 2B is the ultimate option the direction but we want to show the board what you can get from potential new construction or or reconfigured rebuilt spaces that would accomplish more of the priorities that have been established in a shorter time frame. That's that's the goal that we're trying to find for you guys. And it's not with
073any conclusive. It's just an option. It's a phasing and option scenario that needs to be overlaid with borrowing scenarios, commitment to act one or not commitment to act one, other priorities that we may have. It obviously requires other inputs, but what you're doing is providing us more of those options around the construction renovation for the high school that provides more bang for the buck in the short term. That's very well said. So when we keep talking about draw schedule again, it's to show the district, okay, over this x amount of time for the proposed improvements, this could potentially be the annual outlay for construction funds. It doesn't have to be the final say. If you guys say, "No, that doesn't work. We need to extend that out by two years or three years." Fine. But
074we can at least have a starting point. But really, as Mr. winner said, you know, the goal really is to have the school board, the community see something at the end of an initial project. Our money is being spent on things that will improve this facility, improve the educational process, provide more opportunities for students, all the kind of stuff that we've been talking about. But unfortunately, we can't get a new building. We can't get a 2B off the bat. But how can we maybe phase it in over time? That's what we're trying to give you guys enough information to make a decision and say yes this is the right path for the future whether that's 5 years 10 years 15 years or no this simply will not work within our financial constraints that's all we're
075trying to give you guys in this October time frame the comments uh Miss Alustin yeah thank you and thank you for that um summary Mr. Winters. Um I I'm wondering if when we get this information at the finance committee or just even to have this going forward, what what I'm curious about then is if this we're looking at all these different scenarios, borrowing scenarios, draw schedules, how how that impacts the draw schedule of of these projects. And what I'm curious about is when and what the votes would be. So I would be interested to know um in drawing up any of these scenarios we would vote you know at this time on borrowing this much and then be voting on construction to move forward on these projects. I would want to see the voting scenarios
076handinhand project what we're the what the project what the construction is that we're voting on and also what kind of borrowing we would be voting on because I think that would help maybe clarify what the board some of the board's concerns about that about not being able to stop or not being or being over overt taxing or um just not or kind of being boxed into something that we then don't care to be in. So that's I just was wondering if we could get a better sense of that along with all this other information. Yeah. So I I think um when they do a phased in approach, they'll say when phase one is is is approximated to start and then we can you know lay in this is when the borrowing and this is when
077the vote will have to occur in order to put that stuff out. So I think we can coordinate that information. Yeah, I'm I'm looking to coordinate that information sooner as part of this whole evaluation process. That that's what I need to know. I need to know what I'm voting on projectwise and I need to know what and when I'm voting on borrowing wise and what the impacts of those votes are. And I understand that that the challenge that we have is we can't get a draw schedule until we know what the project is. And so there's like there's this there's this process to once we come up with uh what we think would be the concept then they can provide you know a cost estimate and from that cost estimate they're able then to give
078us a draw schedule and then we'll be able to give it to Miss Stephie. She then works with our financial adviserss to to put together the draw schedule and the timing of all that. So we can certainly do that and and with that the idea is u if if we're we're continuing on the path that uh Mr. Mki and Mr. winners had had talked about in terms of continuing the work, we can get to that sooner. But if we'd be pause, I I really can't give you a draw schedule. I can't give you much in terms of finances different than what you already have in front of you. No, I I'm not and I'm not saying to pause. I guess I'm just saying that and even if you can't even if you can't provide what
079dollar amounts would be or what exactly things would be I just want to see um I just want to know what the more about the process of the whole thing. it even if you can't give specifics I'm very interested in in the process and when um and when we can pivot and when we are making these decisions that that that I understand as well but that and that that's the sequencing part of things and that'll be in timing but that'll be depending on how many projects it will use and of course as it was said maybe a number of times the the more projects we have and the longest period of time for which those projects go over because of escal cost escalations. They're likely to be more expensive. So, we actually have to lay
080that out um and say here we're going to we can do it in four years, we can do it in eight years, we can do it in 12 years, whatever that whatever the number is. And maybe that's what we need to do, John. We need to kind say here's the concept to get to what you need and here's a number of different ways to do it and then within that time frame show the decision-making process and the borrowing. Is would that help? Yes. I I'm just saying to have it all tied together as as part of any information that we're getting to have what we're voting on and when and the the kinds of votes we're expected to make. Yeah. Uh thanks so much again. Um I just wanted to um and this is a
081little bit um different than what Miss Austin was just sharing, so I apologize for that. Um but I just wanted to respond back to Mr. winners real quick who um you know because I had mentioned um trying to understand numbers that may be not going to the actual index for the next 10 years as well and I did just want to speak to that uh real quick and speak up. Um it is not that I don't necessarily want to. is that even within the last few months things have gotten much more extensive for everyone in our community and I want to be mindful of that as we plan and prepare. So, you know, one of my requests would be, you know, what can we borrow going to the act index, which is what we're planning
082on right now. But then, you know, could there be a plan of something else? Um, something less something not going up to the Abu index because in all honesty, things are there's a lot of families in our community who are struggling and I want to be mindful of that. Um, so that's why I mentioned that and that's why I'm mentioning this now. It it also comes, you know, we just got the change of what we could borrow to 120 20 million last week and I just was looking over that. So that I just wanted to share some background and did want to speak up. So if uh I would request that finance committee consider talking about that as well. Thank you. The question to the administration. Um so assuming that CHA can come back to
083us with uh some type of a phase you know cost estimates for a phased approach by early October. um how long can we expect it'll take to u to get the uh financial impacts or the budgetary how much we can afford over that time period that phased in time period um because I don't think anyone here is going to be in a position or willing to make a decision without having some confidence in what we can afford to miss Clar's point earlier So what what what's the what I'm just looking for an estimation on how how how soon can we expect to have our best estimate on affordability on phased you know on on um uh debt servicing for the subsequent uh numbers that CHA comes back to us with. So as soon as I
084have a draw schedule, I would say within a week, so by by the finance committee, scheduled finance committee in October, well, given the assumptions that um we're we won't be presenting on October 6 and that we were targeting to be prepared for a presentation on October 6, if we continue on the path that we were with the design team. We should be able to know what the estimated costs are and have a draw schedule and be prepared by October 15th. Would that be from the 6th to the 15th, Miss Stephie? Does that make sense? Okay. So, when's the finance committee's scheduled meeting? What date? In October. 15th. So, it sounds like you can have it prepared for the finance committee meeting. If I'm Yeah. provided with something by the 6, that shouldn't be a problem.
085So, I I I understand M Mr. Mursky's question. I think we're still we have it backwards still. In other words, the district is now responding to a draw schedule that we are preparing, whereas we should be responding to a budget that the district is establishing. So, again, we're happy to come up with as many options and draw schedules as you guys would like, but my fear is that we're either going to be trying to back into that number or somehow we are now dictating what your budget is. I don't want that to happen. I don't want you guys to be responding to an outlay that we are projecting because that's based on our conceptual ideas and what we think is a good idea for the district, but we don't know if that is something you
086can afford. So, with all due respect, we would rather know what a realistic budget and time frame is and then we can respond accordingly and prepare options and draw schedules from that. I'm just going to say I 100% agree with you. I I believe that the admin needs to provide the budget and the engineer and architect will work to our budget. So if this estimate of a draw schedule is the maximum the district can afford and that's a question then our team can work to these numbers and figure out what projects could be done with borrowing 30 million 33 million 29 million 17 million and you can work within that but if these aren't the real numbers we need to know. So that's my question for admin where do these numbers come from? Are these
087the maximum we can afford on a year-by-year basis? And if they're not, when can we get them? So, and you know, we've had a number of conversations regarding what comes first in terms of the chicken or the egg. Do we do we provide the the project or or or the budget? If we develop this is what we want you to spend in those years, they will develop the the program to actually fit that budget. And we're we're fine with doing that. And I think this gives us a what Miss Stevie presented last week gives us a good indication of what we're able to afford so long as we're willing to accept the assumptions that are inside of that pro those projections. And as it was mentioned on a number of occasions here this evening, it
088does include the projected act one going out uh for what we what we know in the foreseeable future. So we can do we can do all of these these things but but I guess the question remains as Mr. winner has brought it up. Uh, you know, are we are we talking about the act one index? Are we not talking about the act one index? I think Miss Theel had brought brought a a a statement up about whether or not we should be considering the act one index as as the parameters. So, um we have other things inside the uh uh uh the the projections that include things along the lines of uh projected teacher contracts and and and some other things that are that are large ticket items. Um certainly those are all estimates because
089we don't have and we don't know what the future of those things would be. So I just want to make sure that the whatever direction we take on this you know there's a there's a there's another side uh to to that particular uh uh story because we we've had this discussion about you know we don't want to uh uh have them design right to the dollar amount because that's what that's you know that was an assumption that some some people have made. Um but we can certainly do that and I think what we what we've provided is what I think is a reasonable uh approach. I don't know what else, Miss Stephie, is there anything else that we could we could provide in terms of a 10-year projection that you haven't already shared and be
090and and I think the only other thing you probably could share is that, you know, you can take on a little bit more debt in one year versus another year if you needed to move things certainly um that that would, you know, be be possible, but there's is there anything else that we would provide the board other than what we've already provided them? No. Okay. I just I just want to announce that um President Canrell has joined us and I believe she also have a question or a comment. I know it goes along with Miss Graph was saying that you know we we saw that those numbers last week. So maybe I missed something but I thought we were going to you were going to come to us and kind of give us a phasing
091out based on that ability of us to borrow. And even if that one there's some tweaks here and there, I know with certain things coming in in the next couple weeks, are you able to come to us in next on October 6 with the phasing based on those numbers? If if again if that is the direction that this is the budget that these numbers are endorsed by the board, then we can proceed. If there's still a question that needs to go to finance that uh you as board members need to further evaluate the financial picture, um we don't want to dictate again, we are not dictating what your budget is. We need to respond to what you guys tell us the budget is. So, Mr. Grace, thank you. And and you've been you've been more
092than helpful, and I I really appreciate your comments this evening. What I'm what I'm recommending unless there's any objection um we t we we we do cancel the October 6 meeting and that gives uh the uh design team the ability to continue to work. We we take the matters of the of the finance that's been presented uh by Miss Steffy to the finance committee. We have the discussion about whether or not uh we we have options or what other you know things that we need associated with this and we have that discussion we come back and make from a finance committee make a recommendation back to the board whether or not uh these numbers or the use of the act one as as a totality or any other you know uh assumption that's in there
093is is is appropriate at at that at that time we can then you know you know inform form the uh the design committee uh to develop the um uh the scenario phasing to fit whatever it is that uh we we we determine as as a finance committee to then present uh to the board at the work session. That's as fast as we can do it. If we don't want to do it that fast, we can we can come back to the board as a as a work session, have more discussion about what the finance committee has has suggested and then give further direction to the design team. But we we we're we're kind of going around in circles here and it's good discussion, but but we need to we need to kind of say how
094are we going to proceed forward and we don't have this on the agenda as an action item uh for for this evening. So um that that's my recommendation. We we move forward, cancel the six, uh address the financial matters in the uh uh finance committee and allow the design team as they were working uh towards an implementation of of a project uh to present to the board uh at a future date yet to be determined. Miss Clary, the only comment I I would offer to that and it it I'm trying to incorporate some of Mr. Winter's comments though is while I agree we need to it needs to be seen by finance um I'd like to hear finance's recommendation on what what we can afford but when are we going to vote on that because
095to Mr. Winter's point, you know, some of the assumptions in there, not everyone might be okay with um you know, I really have to think about just some of them that are in there. So, are we going to be voting on this budget uh in October? How's how does how do you plan to see that working? I I think a 10-year forecast is not something that the the board would vote on. Um because it is it's a long-term projection. It's something that we really can't we and and if you know Miss Stephie I don't know what if is it at year six or or beyond we're actually using um a a running a running number of like 3.2% uh in terms of of the of the growth or or the change. I don't have it
096in front of me. So, but I'm not necessarily we we have numbers for like five or six years that have like true estimates from the uh the act one index and have better better budget numbers. I think from year six on out those are estimated numbers that we received from our financial advisors as a as a plug-in meaning we don't have you know something from the independent fiscal office or anything like that of of of the state but how how are how is the board how are you choosing to move on from the finances recommendation so if if I object to whatever that might be h or somebody else does I just want I'm just trying to understand the process I'm not yeah and and I and I think uh in all fairness, you know,
097I wasn't expecting, you know, this type of conversation this evening, but in all in all fairness, I think it's important that we as a finance committee not only have a recommendation, but we can then, you know, uh determine how best to get the feedback uh from the rest of the board, whether that's through a vote or of some sort. I don't know if a vote on 10 years is a good idea, but uh I I might be able to say if if the design team is working on a project and the design team says to us that we have a draw schedule of X, Y, and Z and that draw schedule is available for us to to uh you know to to use, we can make it some some assumptions on that and say, hey,
098if we were to do a project like this or like or like that, that's how we might be able to afford those things. and those would be based on projects. A true vote on all of this and and just just to re just to recap this the the vote that we were going to propose at the end of October wasn't necessarily that we were going to do a specific project. It was going to be do we believe that this concept has merit both from a financial perspective and from a design perspective that we want the design professionals to proceed forward with into what's called schematic design. And then there's there would be another vote, you know, several months after that after we see we would see that information and it would go into what's called
099design development. So there isn't necessarily a vote on all of this until, you know, sometime I I don't know how long design development goes, but but several months I I presume. Uh but we we want to make sure that at least preliminarily um we we understand what we're getting into. uh we understand uh what the potential financial ramifications will be before we ask them to do a whole lot of extra work beyond the design concepts. I totally trying and trying to get as much information as possible. I would agree with you from day one. But the financial part has always been the most important part to me. So you know getting a handle on that is important. I just wanted to understand the process and you know how I would be giving my input on
100the assumption whatever the finance committee does end up recommending um after we review the assumptions that are made in those how I give my feedback that was really my question and that's fair and that's fair y so just and there's a couple options uh one option would uh just take some type of uh poll or whatever or to have a vote on what type of act one assumption that Miss Stephie would put in the tenure. If you I'll just top of my head 50% of act one and 100% of act one 75% of act one she could use that from a modeling and that would give you some type of comfort level oops comfort level of what something less than act one would look like. The other thing probably easier is she has assumed uh
101the act one index going out and used that and then there's usually a surplus or deficit in each one of those 10 years. She could level set that tax increase right back down to when there's that surplus of in this 180 million borrowing there's 726,000. She could take the 726 out of the local revenue and the act one would no longer be 3.5. It would be 3.17 or whatever the numbers. I don't know what the number is. Whatever the number is. And then you would be able to see the act one and you would also be seeing the anticipated tax rate that we would need to have for that particular year based on the borrowing scenarios and other assumptions that are in there. So there's things we can do to give you more a comfort
102level. I don't know if where people are on a on a vote, but it would be very arbitrary for us to pick a number of a percentage of act one at this point. I would rather just have her do the math and see how it flushes out to be honest. Any other questions or comments? So, I I've assumed that uh from that feedback and from my recommendation, that's how we we'll proceed forward. Thank you for the discussion. Thank you, gentlemen. And u um madame president or who that ends guest and scheduled speakers for this evening. All right. Thank you very much. We will now move uh we would like to welcome our new high school patiently waiting uh school board representatives Isaac and Gabriella. Thank you for keeping an update about the high school happening.
103So yeah, Madam President, we're going to do the reports and then we're going to take public comment on a board action items and then we're going to appoint uh the the two members. Well, then you're going to have to wait a little longer. Patience is a virtue. So, thank you very much. Okay, we are going to move on to board meeting minutes. May I have um Where are we? All right. Sorry, I'm Where are we left? Oh, sorry about that. I'm on the wrong page. All right. The committee reports are attached from the MCIU this month. Miss Purdue, thank you. Um, the MCIU met in August and they're actually having their September meeting tonight. Um, at the August meeting, information was provided on upcoming MCIU um, education foundation events. One of them is um, Abas
104shopping night on October 22 with a special discount of 25% off your entire purchase with a $5 donation to the MCIU. So anyone that's out and about shopping then um please um support the MCIU that way. There's also a trivia night on the 7th of November with dinner raffles and entertainment to support summer camps um postsecary education and reading Olympics and many more of the activities um that the MCIU host and that's also that's on the 7th of November. Um we heard from the director of human resources who provided a presentation on um upcoming changes for the year but mainly focused on how the MCIU now have 200 new hires um for this um starting the school year with about some 65 um stat status changes. Um, additionally, the MCIU presented the um, past board
105president Jen Janet Fluiz with um, a special plaque for showing her appreciation and dedication as board president. And then we welcome Dr. Maggie Wright as the new board president for the MCIU. A presentation was also provided on the goals of the school year. Um, and this was a heavy discussion last year. Um and MCI put the goals in what they call the smart goals template and a lot of board members um seem to be um very pleased with that. Um additionally, as the PA state budget continues to be delayed um which is affecting some of the um funding, uh a resolution for what they call a I'm sorry, a revenue anticipation loan, a rand loan was approved by the board. um in the in the amount of 15 million and the funds are for the
106sole purposes of anticipate for to continue MCIU operations until the funds currently being withheld by the state are released um to the NCIU. So this will allow the NCIU to continue its operations until um the budget is um until the funds become available. And as I mentioned then the meeting um for September is currently going on tonight and I will have an update at the next meeting. Thank you. Thank you very much. We'll move on to North Marco, Miss Alustin and Mr. Murski. Hi. Thank you very much. Um, at our most recent meeting, we um continued our progress on developing a more comprehensive plan for our facilities and to maximize capacity to address our to address the ongoing weight list of students. Um, we are also trying to take a more creative approach to instruction
107and we heard a presentation from Lower Providence Fire Chief Mr. Lent. Uh, M. Dr. Zerby initially helped connect Dr. H who is the director of North Monco Tech with Mr. Lent and he presented um a new training program. Um it's a new certification program called Future First Responders of Monco and all four technical career centers in Montgomery County will be able to send initially a first a few students um as part of this pilot program to the public safety training campus to earn certifications in EMT, firefighter one, and dispatch. Um, so we're really excited about that collaboration. Um, and then also, um, there is a the Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce is, um, hosting a tastings of the Indian Valley on October 21st, 2025 from 5 to 7:30 at the Franconia Heritage Banquet and Conference
108Center. And it's to enjoy a taste of local restaurants and eeries, wineries, and breweries. and a portion of the proceeds benefits the North Monco Technical Career Center. And we could probably post that information somewhere. Yep. So, that is my report. Thank you. Great. Thank you very much. Um, we have a placeholder for the student board representatives. Once you're appointed, this is where you would be speaking. So, hang tight. Uh, the foundation report. Uh, Miss Donna Pergolini, please. I hurt my ankle not running. So, um, first up, this thing, first up, um, our race back to school was on Sunday, September 21st at Hener Park. And a huge thank you to everyone who ran, walked, and cheered at the race. And shout out to our amazing volunteers and general gener generous sponsors. We couldn't have done
109it without you. Over 200 people walked, and ran, and we raised over $15,000. Congratulations to all the winners. It was actually two Arc Colola eighth graders who won the whole race and we're already looking forward to next year. Our fall alumni and friends event is October 3rd at Trebles and Brewing. This is a free event and it'll take place after homecoming and they can register at mthacttonal alumni.org. And then mark your calendars. The Apex Award is on Wednesday, November 19th at Jeffersonville Golf Club. Our 2025 honores for the legacy award. It's William Bourne. A community advocate award is Amler Savings Bank. Our alumni honore is Susan B. Smith, class of 1971. And our educators are Tara Ein and Jeffrey Jacobs. We're excited and more information can be found on Mactton Foundation/APPEX. And for our staff,
110our fall grand cycle is now open. So if you have a creative idea that needs funding, we want to hear from you. And last but not least, dodgeball is Sunday, March 15th. So save the date. Thank you. I do want to say thank you very much for that event this weekend. Unfortunately, I could not make it, but I know there were a lot of board members helping. Um, but to pull the community together on this is just fantastic and I I we really do truly appreciate the effort you've done for us. So, thank you. We'll now move on to communication. Mrs. Throwback, Miss Throwback. Good evening. Next week, we will be launching a new version of our monthly superintendent newsletter. What was previously called community conversations will now become Methactton Matters. Each month, this newsletter
111will highlight the many important matters happening across the district, the stories, events, and accomplishments that show who we are and what we value. At the same time, this newsletter will serve as a reminder of why Methactton's people, programs, and events matter. Each month will also include a special video highlighting a school. This month, Dr. Zerby interviewed two students from Arrowhead Elementary about the impact of volunteers in our buildings. So, I hope you take some time to watch, read, and enjoy. Also coming soon is a new page on our website dedicated to the Mthactton Athletics Hall of Fame. For the first time, you'll be able to see all of the Athletics Hall of Fame inductees dating back to 1987 online and in one place. This website launch will correspond with the induction of our newest Hall
112of Fame class which will happen prior to the homecoming football game on October 3rd. There's also a new category for the Hall of Fame that we are adding this year. You'll be able to check out the web page on our district website under the athletics tab on that day. And finally, an update on our community education programming. We currently are accepting proposals for our winter and spring classes. If you or someone you know is interested in holding a class either after school for students or in the evening for adults, you can submit your proposal on our website. It's mthactton.org/commed. Thank you very much. And the superintendent's report. Dr. Zerby. Thank you, Madam President. Uh all we have is the right to know report as uh posted. All right. Thank you. We'll now move on to
113public comment on board action items. The board will now take comments 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 asks that you keep your comments to three minutes or less. The board of school directors may choose to respond to matters following the conclusion of the comments on board action items. Anyone for board action item comments? All right. Seeing none. All right. We will now move to the appointment of student board representatives and administrative oath on office on September 24th, 2025. All right. It says you're going to direct the steps. So So Madam President, what we're going to do is we're going to have the board vote on the appointment under number one, and then we're going
114to issue uh the administrative oath. Okay. May I have a motion to appoint the student board representatives Isaac Novi Novia. Novia. Thank you. I apologize. And Gabriella Madak. Thank you very much. All right. I see one. Do I have a second? Miss Alen and was second and uh Miss Clearary was the first motion. Um any comments or questions? Right. Seeing none, all those in favor? I. Yes. I. All those opposed. All right. Motion carries. Nine to zero. Welcome aboard. All right. We're going to now um have you do the oath of office. All right. So, we'll have you come stand. I don't want. All right. You're going to repeat after me. I do swear that I will support and obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this and that
115I will discharge the duties of the office of student. [Applause] Yes. Behind behind. Congratulations and welcome. Okay. And uh do you have any uh news for us to share? All right. Great. Good evening everyone. My name is Gabriella Madre and I'm joined by Isaac Novia and we are both junior class student representatives here at Mthakton. Before the school year began, freshman orientation was hosted on August 21st to welcome incoming 9th graders to the high school. Freshmen had the opportunity to tour the campus with the help of student ambassadors, join new clubs at the freshman fair, and play fun iceberger activities. This event was aimed at easing the freshman's transition into the high school community, which also sparked excitement for their journey ahead. During during the first few days of the new school year, students were
116welcomed back to mythactton with free samples of treats and beverages from the Windy Hill Cafe, including cheesecake brownies and caramel coffee. All teachers also wore matching dark green shirts coordinated with Nthactton's color scheme featuring quotes about leadership and empowerment. Additionally, upper classmen took charge of guiding freshmen around the school and helping them locate their classrooms. These factors created a unifying and comforting space for both new and returning students. Another highlight of the new school year includes the recently introduced Character Strong program. This initiative incorporates different styles of activities, both physical with groups and also teacher taught to ensure kindness and a sense of belonging among students. While September has just begun, Character Strong has made its way into into classrooms multiple times, cycling through periods for around 15 minutes each lesson. Students have shown their
117support for the program through their positive feedback and active engagement. Along with Character Strong, Community Cares is an additional pilot leadership program launched at Mthactton for the 2025 to 2026 school year. Students will receive mentorship training from qualified professionals and then will then use their newfound knowledge to hold one-hour sessions at Sky View and Arcola. These lessons will center around empathy, kindness, boundaries, and communication to foster a respectful and positive learning environment aimed at empowering younger students. This opportunity will fulfill school service hours for those participating and also open doors for future opportunities. Thank you, Gabriella. Moving towards the extracurricular of the school, student spirit has been very apparent in the halls of Mthactton for these past few weeks with especially sports being in the spotlight with dress up day for cross country, random item
118day for volleyball and jersey day for football. In upcoming events, we have color wars and the powderpuff game, which are huge events for the school that gets students excited to root for their team. Different changes have been made this year with scheduling to make sure every student can do the activity they enjoy the most. In regards to Mthaxton sports, we've had a proper sendoff with most teams taking home victories for their first couple of games with a special spotlight for cross country going undefeated at the time of writing this. I don't know if that changed. and football performing very well. Mthactton's wide range of clubs is up and running too. Best Buddies has hosted its first meeting. News Journal continue continues its regularly scheduled broadcast at the beginning of every class and has done anchor
119tryyous for new faces to join the stream. Esports begins their second season strong after a strong finish to their last with a second place finish in the championship. They've placed ads around the school to raise excitement for the new adventure. Um, and the tribe is filled with MAC students excited to root on their teammates and have already attended a couple of games. To close out our statements, I have a few miscellaneous topics. Jazz marching and concert band have already started their practicing for concert and performances. Choir has had auditions for jazz and is hosting a tri event for any remaining interest. The summer trip to Italy was a big success, spanning over a week in visiting locations like Rome, Venice, and Sienna. And informational meetings are being held for this year's trips, visiting places such
120as France, Montreal, and Quebec. The play this winter will be Alice in Wonderland, and they have already had their auditions this year and have brought in a lot of new freshman faces who are excited to see what our high school has to offer. With this, Makin is looking forward to a good year ahead of us. Thank you for your time. Oh, thank you so much for all those those news reports. It's a lot going on there. So, thank you. We appreciate it. Um, if you want, you could be dismissed because I know it's a late night for you. And, um, thank you and welcome aboard. Very well done. Very well spoken both of you. All right. Okay. We are going to now move to All right. We will now move to board meeting minutes. May
121I have a motion to approve the August board meeting minutes as attached? Miss Clearary. May I have a second? Miss Alustin. Any comments or questions? Seeing none. All those in favor? I. All those opposed. I motion carries nine to zero. All right, we'll now move on to the fiscal items. Nothing no comments. May I Nope, you're good. May I have a motion to approve the August board meeting minutes as attached? I mean the fiscal Oh my gosh. May I have the motion to approve the fiscal items as attached? Mr. Winters, may I have a second? Miss Perdue, any comments or questions? All right, seeing none, all those in favor? I I. Great. All those opposed. Motion carries nine to zero. We'll now move to personnel items. Good evening and thank you, Madam President. The personnel
122items include those presented last week at the work session as well as the following additions. One employment classified Jill Tarwell, accounting business benefit specialist at the Fina Education Center. We welcome Jill to the Mthactton family and additional supplemental contracts for a room movement and chaperones for homecoming. Thank you. Thank you very much. Um, may a motion to approve. May I have a motion to approve all personnel items as presented? Miss Clearary, may I have a second? Miss Graph, any comments or questions? Mr. Winters, I screwed up. So, my wife was on the list of bills, but it was a reimbursement. So, I don't know. Uh, Kyle, a reimbursement. Um, what could you just explain? Do you know what it was a re It was a reimbursement for a class. So, it's it's pursuant to a
123contract uh term, an existing Yeah. So, there's not a a a private pecunary benefit. Um, it also is an item that applies to equally to everyone. Uh, that everyone under that contract has access to that. It's not any sort of special treatment. So, um, certainly there's no requirement. Yeah. No, I apologize. I I was in front of it like 10 days ago and then I didn't follow through. So, it's usually that last second is when I usually find it and that's what screwed me up. Are you So, you're good. Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. All any other comments or questions? Seeing none. All those in favor? I I sorry. No worries. All those opposed? Motion carries nine to zero. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to curriculum and programs. Thank you,
124Madam President. Uh we just have one item under curriculum and programs and that is to approve the survey for the completion uh by students in grades six and seven for the community cares program as attached. Thank you. Great. May I have a motion to approve uh approve the item under curriculum programs as presented? Miss Alson, may I have a second? Miss Graph, any comments or questions? Great. Seeing none, all those in favor? I I. All those opposed. All right. Motion carries nine to zero. We'll now move on to policy. Thank you, Madam President. None of these items are actually up for vote, but uh just a reminder, the notice of intent to repeal um for 808.2, the cafeteria point of sale. Essentially, that policy uh just illustrated definitions that exist within the 800 policy um
125within the attachment. So, there's no longer a need to continue to have the 808.2 policy and it is not a PSBA policy as well. So, thank you. Thank you for that clarification. Uh we'll now move on to other I don't think there are any changes from the work session. Okay. So, may I have a motion to approve all items as listed under other as presented? Miss Purdue, can I have a second? Mr. Winters, any comments or questions? Great. Seeing none. All those in favor? I I I. All those opposed? Motion carries nine to zero. Thank you. Uh, next is dates for board members calendars. You will see those listed on the agenda and on the MACTA website. Oh, that's under uh Yep. That's And then uh for old business, anyone have anything for new or
126old business? Oh, yes. I just wanted to welcome our student reps. I'm very excited for the year ahead. And I also want to say that the marching band is having a friends and family special night uh tomorrow, Thursday, at 8 8:45. Thank you. Thank you. Any other new or old business? All right. Seeing none, we'll now move 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 asks that you keep your comments to three minutes or less and this board of school directors may choose to respond to matters following the conclusion of the comments. You can also submit questions via email at informationthactton.org. Jimalik Warester for clarity. DC guys. Now, North Penn wanted
127to build a new high school which got voted down by referendum and they're in the process from what I hear of trying the phased in approach that these two gentlemen suggested and actually I think at least the architect is the one doing it at North Penn. So that's just for some clarity. Um, you know, option one A versus option 2B. The difference is option 1 A has six of your priorities in one A. There's six of them. Option 2B has nine. So option 1 A, despite what people are saying, has at least six of your priorities in it. Um, it's not really $125 million. It's more like $280 million with interest. So, you guys keep saying, "Well, a buck 20, a buck 25." It's it's like 250. It could be 275 depending on the interest
128rate. Um, you're going to have trouble affording that as it is. If you want to save money, just remove some of your wish list priorities. Take them out. some of these things that are like fringe, you know, lunch and learn, uh, you know, apartment program. You already got an apartment program off campus. Um, and then renovate based upon what you absolutely need. You don't even need a budget. What do you absolutely need? You absolutely need HVAC. They quoted you $18 million right off the bat.$18 million plus interest. You know, you need that. then come up with something else you absolutely need and then finish off with, okay, this is the bare minimum. If that's under your budget, great. Then you can add in your your wish list priorities to take you near the top. The
129way you guys are doing it, you'll be a car salesman's dream. Well, how much you go into the car, buy a car, how much money you got? He'll find you a car. I guarantee it. And that's what these guys are going to do. You're doing it all wrong and it's not a cost-effective way to do it. Um, what I hear you guys is the FCI analysis from KCBA. I suggest you look at medium and long-term where you're going to need a new woodland, a new war, possibly a new Sky View Arc Colola Fina facilities and transportation bank. This is your architect. Okay. So, I suggest you look at this because your master facilities plan is wrong. Uh, the other thing I handed you is a invoice. I apologize. It's from 2021, but your lawyers kept
130me from getting a lot of this information. It's uh 16 17 grand for high school graduation at the Subaru Park Center. From what I understand, you had luxury boxes in this thing. Can any of you guys tell me what you did with the luxury boxes in the sk in the Subaru park? But I'll tell you next time. Thank you. Thank you. [Music] Good evening, John Andrews. Lower Providence. Your borrowing capacity is inadequate for your desires or someone's desires, which was obvious when you could not proceed with a with a new high school. Part of the issue is over capacity in a number of the buildings. Few years ago you the board voted for a new arrowhead school and the superintendent added a 100 to the capacity that had costs to it with interest that you're
131still paying. Our cola is way underfilled at less than 60% capacity. So uh you know you know a small item at at Arc Colola is that you've got longer longer carers and the carers need cleaning every day. So there are extra costs. My recollection is that when the Sky View project was being considered, there was an alternative plan, not to build Sky View, but to keep uh a K to K to 5, 6 to 8 and and 9 to 12 uh schedule for the classes. So, uh, the sky view ended up being built. The teachers committee decided on a schedule for the classes and math suffered. Math math is still causing problems because uh the kids that had short classes in fifth grade never learned what could that there wasn't time enough to to teach
132and that's showing up in the high school. The uh US news and re world report came out in August and Mthactton went down again in ranking down to 76. One time it was 13. Your your your desire to be at the index every year can is not supported by poor rankings. So, uh, you know, things like a bigger pool, I think that's a luxury that we don't need. Thank you very much. [Music] Anyone have comments or questions or about courtesy of the floor? Right. Seeing none, may I have a motion to adjourn the meeting? All right. Miss Alson, may I have a second? Miss Purdue, meeting is adjourned. Have a good evening, everyone. Good night.