001begin with the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. There's two of them on there actually. >> Is it USBC? >> Oh, do you need the other one? >> I need one of these. >> Yeah. Roll call, please. M secretary. >> Miss Gilby here. Mr. Pedora >> here. >> Miss Husach here. Miss Culk >> here. Miss Snider >> here. Miss Thompson >> here. >> Mr. Weber >> here. >> Miss Williams >> here. >> Mr. Green >> here. >> We have a quorum. >> Thank you very much. >> Do you have any excuse me, you have a list with public comment? >> I do. We have uh two people this evening
002indicating that they would like to speak. Uh the first being Mrs. Frank on budget. >> Just budget. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. And uh Mr. Horn also on budget. >> Yeah. Okay, you've all received copies of the schoolboard meeting. Is there a motion to approve those minutes? So move >> second. >> Motion in a second. Any additions or corrections? >> Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. >> I got an I. Thank you. Uh special board report CLU. Miss Husach. >> Yes. Thank you. Uh we did have our meeting in April. Uh we had a very nice event. They did a they call it a spring fling. That's our summertime event to watch some of the things that happened at the IU. Um so thank you to the
003IU for that event. Couple things. Uh there was a day on the hill on March 24th that our IU members did attend. Um it was a PO P AIU uh day on the hill and they discussed with legislators and advocated uh for increased funding on early intervention, special education and behavioral health topics. Um there was also a participation uh from the aspiring leaders uh providing valuable exposure to the legislative process. So we're glad to have some of those students attend that. Um, there was also a curriculum and instruction recognition uh that was uh presented at our board meeting. Kelly Treba was a staff development facilitator uh for the CNI program and recognized by Pennsylvania School Press Association as the 2026 Friend of Student Journalism Award. So, we wanted to just take a a moment and
004thank her for all her hard work. And um to conclude, thank you to our board. Um our CLIU 2026 2027 general operating budget was passed by all the 14 districts. Um and it was a unanimous uh approved budget with 569 yes votes. So uh we do have our meeting next week again. Uh it is down at the CLIU boardroom. Anybody's welcome to attend. Uh it starts at 6:30. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Mr. >> Thank you. [clears throat] Um, we have had we have a resignation from an auto an auto teacher which is going to now mean we're going to go down from four to three teachers which will have a very big impact on that department. Um, we prepared our budget. We had a unanimous vote of the JOC to approve the budget
005as presented and was going to was to be sent off to the school districts for their approval. and we have uh 500 students on our waiting list at LCTI which is tremendously high for us. Uh our health care of course as any district is killing our budget. I mean the health care pro cost is [clears throat] is extremely high. uh we were asked to to look at different things and of course we're in a consortium which is probably the best way to go anyway and because of that we we really don't have much movement and unfortunately healthcare is putting a a big chunk taking it from the budget uh in one area and putting it into healthcare and that's where we're all going to be doing I'm sure we're going to be doing it here
006too and the June 18th is our surplus sale so uh that's all I have Mr. room. >> Thanks, sir. >> Any exciting exciting? >> Yeah, I actually just wanted to mention that um there is uh a bill that's headed to the governor's um desk and it is the AEDs at intercolastic athletic events. Um it's Senate Bill 375 and it requires school entitles and non-public schools to have an AED at all intercolastic or um athletic events and to incorporate a sudden cardiac event emergency action plan into the existing emergency plans. So that's all I have for that one. >> Thank you. >> Uh community college uh two things. After an extensive search, we have finally been able to hire a very competent business manager, and we're proud of that. And the second thing I'd like to
007report on is we, you may have seen this in the paper, we have received a million-doll grant uh for dual enrollment education. So, I would encourage any students, teachers, etc., uh if you're looking to get some cheap credits, you're [clears throat] not going to get a much better opportunity than this. It's a fantastic opportunity. Uh, as Dr. Link pointed out, it's not entirely free, but it's a heck of a lot better than you're going to pay at a lot of colleges and universities. And, uh, with all the metriculation agreements we have, Miss Thompson can can speak on that. We've got a bunch of them and and, uh, you can transfer those courses almost anywhere. So, uh, I would encourage students, strongly encourage students to take a look at that and possibly take advantage of it.
008Okay. Uh, committee reports. So, you have the minutes of the committee reports. >> Here it is. You got it, ladies. >> Good evening, everyone. It's great to see you all again. We hope you all are doing well. So, tonight, Maddie and I will be discussing the end of the year events as well as doing a sports report. So, due to Keystone testing, virtual days are scheduled for the 12th, 13th, and 14th. Students should look on Canvas to see what teachers are having them do. The band and choir department will be holding their spring concert on May 15th. We hope to see everyone there supporting the music department. The junior and senior class prom will be held on May 16th at Northampton Country Club. Doors open at 6:00 with dinner being served at 6:30. We look
009forward to seeing everyone all dalled up for their special night. Senior night, senior awards night will be held on May 27th in the auditorium at 6 p.m. Congratulations to all the seniors who are invited to this event. Seniors finals will be on the 27th and 28th. Seniors only need to be in the school day for the blocks one and two on the 27th and then come in for blocks three and four finals on the 28th and then their last day is the 28th as well. LCTI will be having its graduation on May 28th at 6:30 p.m. in the PPNL Center. Congratulations to all of our graduating seniors. The senior class will be holding a senior sunset on June 2nd at the stadium. There will be food and games available for all seniors. We hope to
010see all seniors there. There will be a class meeting on June 3rd at 800 a.m. for the senior class. Seniors are attend are required to attend. At the meeting, caps and gowns as well as tickets and parking passes for graduation will be distributed. Directly after the meeting, the parade of graduates will occur. Mandatory graduation practice will be on June 4th at 8 a.m. There will be a breakfast prior to the graduation practice. If you do not attend the practice, you will not be able to participate in the graduation ceremony. If needed, there will be a practice on June 8th, June 5th at 9:00 a.m. And then Baloria will be held on June 4th at 7:00 p.m. at the St. Peter's United Methodist Church in Emerald. We hope many can attend. Graduation will be held on
011June 5th at the stadium starting at 7:00 p.m. Seniors should arrive arrive at the cafeteria at 5:00 p.m. Congratulations to the senior class for this huge accomplishment. We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors. That is all I have for tonight. And now on to Maddie for the sports report and more events. Hi. Last week was teacher appreciation week. Student council had hosted a breakfast where teachers could take whatever they wanted. Sorry. [snorts] There were also school supplies that teachers could grab and handmade cards were given out. Thank you teachers for all that you do. Um, student council is currently going through the process of choosing new members as well as last week they chose the new officers for the for next year. So myself and Andy Swas or co-presidents followed by
012Malia Heman being vice president, treasurer is Kylo Connell and secretary is Vic Schmick. Best luck to all of them. Freddy nominations occurred last Thursday and Anastasia Anastasia was nominated three times. We were nominated for outstanding set. Adriana Danel was nominated for solo performance and McKenna Kirk for the student achievement award. Freddy the Freddy's will be on May 21st at 7 p.m. and will be streamed on WFMZ. Good luck to everyone who is nominated and please watch and support O school and O play. AP testing has been going on for the last two two weeks. So good luck to all AP testers. >> [cough] [clears throat] >> On May 15th is the high school art show. You'll be able to walk around the high school lobby and see all the beautiful artwork that students have created
013this year. With the school year quickly coming to an end, many clubs are taking end of year trips. Student council will have their their second elementary a day on May 16th. If you don't know what elementary a day, it's a day where student council goes over to Peters and we just help out with help out with teachers and get to see the kids. They all the kids love it, the teachers love it. It's just generally a great time. NHS will be going to going to the American Dream Mall this Friday, May 15th, and Patriots Club will be going on a white water drafting trip May 19th. The 250th anniversary event occurred last Saturday, May 9th, at the stadium. Unfortunately, it was a rainy day, but the sun did come out closer to the end. There
014were multiple vendors as well as live music. It was a fun event that the rain unfortunately did have to wash away. At the at the event, people were able to see the new school the new scoreboard that was gifted by the Northern Lehigh Education Foundation. Thank you. Thank you to them for that wonderful piece of equipment. Awards night for spring sports will be May 8th in the high school auditorium [cough] at 6:30 at 6:30. Now, on to the sports recap. Baseball is currently 10 [clears throat] to 10. They qualify for leagues this year for the first time since 2010. They they unfortunately did lose to Southern Lehi on the eighth and they qualified for districts and played Palm on 518. Softball is 12 12 and 8. They also qualified for leagues but then also got
015knocked out and they lost to Notre Dame Green Pond on the 8th as well and they did qualify for districts and play Salisbury on May 18th. For track and field, the league results for Anna Traiss broke the school record from 1979 in the discus and took first place. Kellen Bower took third place in high jump. Landing Clem first place in discus. Emma hire third place in the 3200. And districts will be Tuesday May 12th and May 13th at [snorts] Whiteall. Good luck to all athletes in upcoming events. Thank you Olivia for your amazing time this year and good luck in your future endeavors. Thanks. That is all. >> Thank you. Any questions for the ladies? Is this a new attire like in spring like the royal flower dresses? I mean, I have to comment on
016that. I'm sorry. I you know, I just it's it's very becoming. Thank you for for doing that. It kind of >> get out of here. No, >> you didn't plan this. >> No, I was shocked when she showed up in a dress, too. [laughter] >> So, Is there a comment from the ride or >> me tooordinate? I'm coordinating. >> Any other questions, please? >> No. Thank you very much. And uh I I think you said they're allowed if you have a place to go, you're allowed to sit, >> please. >> Oh, you Yeah. Okay. I'm sorry. Not yet. >> Okay. Uh we're going to move the superintendent's report up this evening ahead of the solicas report because there's some people who are here who need recognition. So I'll turn it over to Dr. >> Thank
017you Mr. Green. Good evening everyone. Uh we have a lot to celebrate this evening uh in addition to what um Meline and Olivia already shared. So last week we celebrated all of our dedicated staff during National Teacher Appreciation Week observed May 4th through May 8th. Uh, in addition, May 6 was National School Nurse Appreciation Day and May 1st was Cafeteria Worker Appreciation Day. In recognition of an appreciation for all of our employees, the administration and board of school directors provided bagel trays with assorted spreads along with fresh fruit and vegetable trays to each of our four schools for staff to enjoy throughout the day. It was a small gesture to thank the individuals who work tirelessly every day to support our students and district community. This week is also national uh police week and in
018short and in a short bit we will recognize one of our outstanding school police officers for a recent honor bestowed upon him. But first I would like to celebrate our senior student representative to the school board, Miss Olivia Schaefer. Olivia has been a tremendous asset in our in her role as high school representative. She does not simply hold the title. She lives the values of our district each and every day. Through her tireless involvement, leadership, and school spirit, she has become a true standard bearer for what it means to be a Northern Lehigh Bulldog. Her commitment to bettering our school community has been both evident and inspiring. Olivia's involvement throughout Northern Lehi includes school activities and athletics, cheerleading for football and basketball, as well as competitive cheer for clubs and organizations, vice president of the
019class of 2026. So, this year's graduating class, student council representative, national honor society secretary, marching band vice president, patriot club secretary, students against destructive decisions president, German club vice president, concert man, school board representative, dog dish anchor, and theater light board operator. Outside activities include Girl Scouts. When asked about her favorite memories at Northern Lehi, Al Olivia shared uh seeing the medevac helicopter land during the career fair her freshman year. It was supposed to land. It wasn't a call out if they were supposed to come. As well as this one, I can laugh about this now. Olivia, >> it's funny now. She also shared about the great northern Lehi flood, [laughter] >> an event that occurred, an event that certainly was not funny at the time, but looking back became one of those unusual moments
020that impacted everyone together as a school community. And I think that's a great way to put it, Olivia. Everybody came together as a community. Um, and we do appreciate that. When asked what advice she would pass on to the next student representative, Olivia shared, "Don't be nervous, be confident. I spent my first year worrying about being the representative. My second year, I let myself enjoy the experience and realized the board was not going to be judgmental." Olivia plans to continue her academic journey at Thomas College in Maine. where where she will pursue a dual major in forensic psychology in criminal justice with a concentration in corrections. She's also looking looking forward to joining the women's rugby team. So, continuing to excel in higher education. Olivia, thank you for everything you have done for the Northern
021Lehi [clears throat] School District. You will truly be missed. Tonight, we are pleased to present you with the traditional clock. We hope that whenever you look upon it, you will remember your time at Northern Lehigh fondly, because we certainly will remember you fondly as well. Olivia, if you can please come forward. [applause] Show us. >> I hope you can yell at me. Yeah, me too. I will come around to hand [laughter] >> because I do not want to drop it [snorts] with your >> congratulations. Honestly, thank you for everything you've done for this. Of course, every time I would go somewhere, Olivia was there representing. [laughter] So, congratulations. >> Thank you. >> We'll pack that back up. [applause] Thank you. >> Oh, am I taking the Am I taking the box with Am I not
022taking the box? >> You might want to take the box. [laughter] >> I'm going to hand it off to you. I see your mom in the audience. [laughter] >> Um, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Go, mom. Here you go, mom. [laughter] put his head together >> on on behalf of the board and and if I may please I think you're just another example who's someone who came on as a junior and as you said you were nervous and shy and now it's like whoa you know and thank you very much for representing the student body we appreciate appreciate your input thank you thank you very much >> again additionally I would just like to say thank you for being such a strong mentor to Meline who will now transition into the senior representative role
023for next school year. [snorts] Next, I would like to recognize school police officer Mark Nakosia. [clears throat] Last month, Officer Nikosia received an award recognizing his unwavering dedication to our students, employees, and visitors. While he while he primarily serves at the high school, he is always willing to lend a hand, helping wherever needed throughout the school district. Officer Nakosia received the Lehigh Valley Emergency Services Police Officer of the Year Award at the Lehigh Valley Emergency Responders Conference held at the Sales University. Dr. Bali, Chief Jones, and I were honored to attend the ceremony in support of his outstanding accomplishment. He was nominated for this award award by one of our high school teachers, and notably, he is the first school police officer to ever receive this distinction. In addition to his law enforcement responsibilities, Officer
024Nikosia also serves as this year's senior class adviser. Officer Nicoia, if you could please stand. Sure. >> And I'm I'm going to put you on the spot. Is there anything that you would like to share about being the first school police officer ever to receive this award? >> Uh, I mean, I have Dr. Bollie's here, Chief's here. You know, I couldn't have got it without you guys as well. Um, it's one of those things that like you said before, it's a community. We all do it and without everyone's support and everyone's help, I can't do my job. You know, Dr. Bali kind of gives me the reigns sometimes when we're dealing with something and I might want to handle it a different way. And it's worked out pretty well for us. I mean, the kids
025respond um pretty well. Olivia will tell you probably her favorite school police officer ever and her only. [laughter] But and I will say one thing about Olivia is I've had her for the past four years as one of my class officers and nothing for our class would function without Olivia and I mean she keeps me in line. >> Keeps me focused. >> No small task. [laughter] Keeps me very focused. >> Officer Nosia, congratulations. I did you bring your award with you? Could you please show that to the audience and just let everybody TAKE A LOOK? [applause] THANK YOU. WE'RE FORTUNATE to have you here as part of our uh school community. Um and you do do a wonderful job with our students. >> Thank you, sir. Finally, I would like to recognize one of our
026outstanding high school science teachers and coincidentally the teacher who nominated officer Nikosia for his award, Mrs. Gabriella Wilder. Mrs. Wilder received two highly meaningful professional honors this year. The first is the Donald Keys Excellence in Science Teaching Award preventive presented by the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association. This award recognizes exceptional science educators who demonstrate outstanding teaching and a deep commitment to science education. Each year, only a select few educators across Pennsylvania are recognized for inspiring curiosity, fostering scientific thinking, and making a meaningful impact on students and school communities. So, for one of our high school teachers in Northern Lehigh High School to be recognized across the entire state, for all the many high schools that there are and all the thousands of high school teachers, um for Mrs. Wilder to receive that, it it's truly um
027a remarkable feat. But that's not where it ends. Additionally, Mrs. Wilder also received the Maitelland P. Simmons Memorial Award for New Teachers presented by the National Science Teaching Association. This award recognizes outstanding K12 Science Educators within their first five years of teaching and supports emerging educators who demonstrate exceptional promises and commitment to excellence in science instruction and student learning. We are very fortunate that we have a science teacher in our faculty that was recognized this year as one of the best science educators educators in Pennsylvania and also in the nation. Gabby, can you please stand so we can recognize you? [applause] >> And I believe you also have some hardware that we that [laughter] we can share. [clears throat] >> Have two Do you want to maybe just kind of step around so everybody can
028see him a little bit easier? [laughter] >> Congratulations. SO [applause] AGAIN, great things are continuing to happen um in our schools, in our district, and in our community. So to Olivia, Officer Nakosia, and Mrs. Wilder, congratulations and thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to reflect so positively on the [snorts] Northern Lehigh School District. So, let's hear it one more time for everybody. [applause] And that concludes my update this evening, sir. >> Okay. So, we will now jump up. Uh turn around. >> No, I I'm postponing it till next month. >> Okay. >> Mhm. Uh moving to item H, assistant superintendent report. Dr. >> Thank you, Mr. Green. Uh this evening, Dr. Link and I have our school safety, social emotional learning, and school climate data presentation to uh present
029to the board. Uh this presentation provides an overview of district data related to school safety, social emotional learning, and school climate to support ongoing discussion and decision-making. The first survey we will discuss is the Pennsylvania youth survey or pays. This is administered in ya odd years and the data becomes available by April of even years. So this was given in uh late 2025 and we just received the results in April. The Pays Junior, which is relatively new, is administered in fourth grade. And the Pays, which has been around since 1989, is administered to students in even grades, including 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th. These surveys are age and developmentally appropriate tools administered to gather student data on behaviors, attitudes, and experiences related to safety, substance use, and school climate in order to inform prevent prevention
030efforts. support student well-being and guide district decision-making. [snorts] This slide includes information for the PACE junior which are for students in Slington and fourth grade. As you can see on the left, 119 fourth grade students participated in the pay junior survey with most students between n ages 9 and 10 and the gender distribution was 53% female and 40% 7% male. Overall, the data shows strong protective factors at home and positive school relationships. 68% of students reported caregivers always know where they are. 67% always enjoy time with their caregiver and 48% are always told their parents are proud of them. At schools, 73% of students reported they always or often feel they belong. 69% said adults at schools always care about them and 62% said adults always treat them with respect. Areas to continue monitoring include
031school engagement and enjoyment. 44% of students reported they are sometimes or never interested in school work and 45% said they sometimes or never enjoy school while only 18% reported they are always interested in school work 115 sixth grade students participated in the per in the pay survey with the age and gender demographics listed in the blue on the left overall the results were very positive regarding substance use prevention nearing Nearly all students reported no marijuana or vape use. 88% said they have never tried alcohol and most students also viewed marijuana, cigarettes, and alcohol as very wrong. Areas we will continue to monitor include alcohol attitudes and student engagement. 12% of students reported trying alcohol and 44% said they are sometimes or never interested in school work. These results help guide our prevention and student support
032efforts moving forward. Now we move into the middle school for eighth grade. 114 eighth grade students participated in the pay survey. Again, age and demographics are listed in the blue column. Overall, the stu the results showed positive trends in substance use prevention with 96% reporting no marijuana use, 92% reporting no vaping, and 78 report reporting no alcohol use. In addition, 70% of students reported feeling connected and a sense of belonging at school. Areas we will continue to monitor include attitudes towards school and student engagement. 43% of students do not view alcohol as very wrong. 26% said alcohol is easy to access and 23% reported using alcohol. The survey also showed that 44% of students are sometimes or never interested in school work. This slide shows combined 10th and 12th grade students. 165 high school students
033in 10th and 12th grade combined participated in the pay survey. Again, the age and gender demographics are listed in the blue column on the left. Overall, the data showed positive trends related to substance use prevention. 92% of 10th graders and 88% of 12th graders reported no vape use, while 91% reported no marijuana use. In addition, 76% said they have not used alcohol. Areas we will continue to monitor include student attitudes towards alcohol and accessibility. 58% of 10th graders and 64% of 12th graders said alcohol use is not considered very wrong. 40% reported alcohol is easy to obtain and 28% said they have tried alcohol. And next, we are reviewing data from the national from the Northern Lee High School District Police Department, which provides an overview of reported incidents across the district and helps us
034monitor trends related to student behavior, safety, and overall school climate. Here we are reviewing data from the Northern Lee High School District Police Department showing incident trends over the past four school years from 2023, 2022,223 through the 2526 school year. Overall, we continue to see a downward trend in total incidents, decreasing from 125 in 2022 23 to 82 in 202526 to date. Several categories have declined over time including truency which decreased from 68 to 26 and disorderly conduct which has generally trended downward overall. Tobacco related incidents have also decreased from a high of 36 to 17. Some categories remain relatively low and stable, such as harassment, theft, alcohol-related incidents, and weapons related incidents, while others such as assault and drugs show some year-to-year variation that we will continue to monitor. Additionally, 14 incidents were referred
035to impact, reflecting targeted intervention efforts to support students through appropriate behavioral and restorative responses. Overall, this data reflects a continued decrease in total incidents and supports our ongoing focus on prevention, intervention, and positive school climate while also recognizing in some areas we have seen some growth as well. The focus remains on prevention to get for the total trend uh to continue to decrease. [snorts] a great question. >> Here we're reviewing our safe to say something tip data over the past four school years. Overall total dips decreased from 57 in 2022, 2023 to 40 in both 2023 and 2024, 2024, and 2025 with a slight increase to 46 in 25 26 to date. The most frequently reported categories continue to include bullying and cyber bullying, student mental health concerns such as suicidal ideiation, and general student
036concerns. Bullying related tips increased this year to 13, and suicide or suicidal suicidal ideiation related tips increased slightly to five. Most other categories remain low or stable, including drugs, harassment, and weapons related reports, which remain minimal across all years. It's also important to note that other tips continue to reflect a wide range of concerns, including items such as pet related concerns, possible eating disorder concerns, dress code issues, and questions regarding appropriateness in yearbook content. Overall, this data reflects consistent reporting trends through safe to say, supporting early identification of concerns and timely intervention for students. Next, we'll look at our bus patrol data. Bus patrol is a school bus safety monitoring system that uses camera technology on buses to support both student safety and traffic enforcement around school buses. In addition to tracking student behavior, it
037also captures violations such as vehicles illegally passing a stop school bus when the red lights are activated. To date this year, there have been there have been 151 citations issued. These citations help reinforce traffic laws designed to protect students during loading and unloading and support overall bus and roadway safety in the district. Turn it over to Dr. Stoker. >> Thank you, Dr. Link. Uh, Title 4 is designated for student support and academic enrichment. Each year, as part of our federal title programs, we are required to establish measurable goals and evaluate our progress towards meeting those goals. A portion of our Title 4 funding helps support the partial salary and benefits of our school police officers or SPOS's. Because of this, we distribute annual surveys to students and secondary staff, sorry, to secondary students and staff
038to measure the effectiveness and impact of our SPOS. Um, there is a question that we ask which is having SPOS's in Northern Lehigh School District and in our schools make me feel safer and more secure. 78 secondary students responded to the survey and of those 96.15% said that they have that having SPOS's in northern Lehigh schools makes them feel safer and more secure. This is up about 1% from last year which was 95.3. Some of the comments that were written are, "Even though it's your job, thank you. You're very important to the community and our school. They are very well-mannered and know how to deal with students. They provide comforting feelings in the school. 127 faculty across the district and staff responded to the survey as well. Of those, 97.64% say that having SPOS's in
039Northern Lehigh School District make them feel safer and more secure. This is near this is around the same as last year. A comment that was written is I feel our SPOS's do a great job and are a valuable resource to our schools and district. That's our report for this evening. Thank you. Do any of the board members have any questions? >> That's my report for this evening, Mr. Green. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Um I think we're down to the business manager reports. >> Mr. Green, we have two community members that would like to comment on the budget. Would you like them to comment at this time? If you want to comment now, I I I'll allow you if you want to wait till it's over or >> Mr. Horn. >> When it's
040over, comment. >> When it's over. Okay. And who was the other one? >> Uh Mrs. Frank. >> Mrs. Frank. Do you want to you want to wait? Okay. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> Uh, bear with me one second here. Okay, this evening, uh, Mrs. Molator and I will present a, uh, budget presentation focused on deficit reduction. Uh, so we will begin with, uh, Mrs. Moltter will talk about district expenses and revenues. >> So, our district expenses and our revenues. our expenses went down slightly since um the budget proposal. Um it was originally at um4 million um $218,800. Um it went down by about $24,000. We had a permanent sub who as of May 1st, she was still um she elected to have individual coverage, but we had her in the budget as family coverage
041because we didn't know what she was going to choose. um that per employee chose uh single coverage. So I was able to back out that. So um with making that adjustment that I knew would be the adjustment going forward. Um and then the total revenues which are 43064613. Again that does include um right now the pre um preliminary budget had a 4.8% tax increase. So that dollar amount is in there. So the budget shortfall right now is 1,ion130. Again, the other week when we were here, it was 1,ion154. So that's the $24,000 that it dropped because of that that insurance. [clears throat] >> Okay. The next two slides, we're going to talk about areas where the school board can look for budget reductions. Uh so we're going to provide you with a number of options.
042Please know that all of these options will have some sort of impact either on education or operations within the school district. The first option would be to not fill uh the recommended high school business teacher position. This would have impacts on um our business career pathway as well as scheduling and course loading for next school year. However, this would be a staffing position that could not be added back into the budget. Uh resulting in $122,000 plus dollars in savings. Um and no one in this particular recommendation uh there's no recommendation for anybody any current person to lose a position because there's nobody currently in that position. Another opportunity through attrition would be for our secondary music teacher/band instructor. Uh the person currently in that position has attended their resignation and that's an an area through
043attrition where we could look to reduce the budget deficit as well as well as two special education pareducators. That would be done through we currently have two students that are aging out, one in the summer and one in the fall. What we would recommend is as those students age out, the people in those positions go to um fill two current vacancies in that staffing in that department. So, they would slide over into positions that we have not been able to fill and then those vacancies that are currently on the books would just fall off. we would no longer pursue uh those vacancies filling them through attrition. Additionally, recommending to remove com Chromebooks and projectors in the proposed budget for uh grades K to2 at Peters Elementary School and to adjust the lease cycle K to3.
044So, get a better understanding of what this actually looks like. I'm going to ask Mr. Hill um to give us an explanation, a deeper explanation of the numbers that you see on this slide. So, Mr. Hill, if you could just kind of step forward, please. >> Yep. Um, yeah, these numbers that you're looking at, uh, this would be proposed, uh, by reconfiguring how we, uh, provide technology to Peters Elementary. So, essentially remove the one to one at Peters Elementary and then going to, uh, one cart per grade level uh, for their technology use. So, that would be one way to initially uh, lower the budget. You're lowering the number of Chromebooks that you would be purchasing. And the second thing that you see there is um we would then go to a uh different lease
045cycle. Uh currently we're on a four-year cycle where we replace Chromebooks. Uh we would then go from uh third grade to 12th grade and go to a 5year cycle. So what you're seeing there is the savings this year would be approximately uh $70,000. And but what you would see here is uh it actually increases the next couple years. Uh so this is actually a multi-year approach um should we go with that technology option. >> Thank you Mr. Hill. Picking back up on this slide here. Uh the next is a series of deductions in either departments or buildings. Uh we are recommending that the Northern Lehigh Police Department uh decreases the proposed budget by $5,000. And then then each school building uh if you recall has not had a budgetary increase for the last two years
046now. >> Correct. >> Uh we're recommending that they reduce their budgets by 2% each. Recommend superintendent's budget, my budget be reduced by $5,000 as well as professional development budget be reduced by $10,000. The board budget be reduced by $5,000. Reduce our uh budgeting for legal fees by $5,000. and then reduce a permanent subs by one position through attrition. So if we were to have a permanent sub um move on to a different role that we would remove one permanent sub position from the budget for next school year or whenever that happens. Next we're going to talk a little bit about scheduling at Peters Elementary School. So I'm going to hand it off to Mr. Schneider right to explain that, but then I'm going to connect it to how there's some uh potential savings there in
047the budget. >> Thank you, Dr. Link. Good evening, everyone. Um I I worked with actually uh Mr. Briner on a potential new schedule at Peters Elementary School that would have basically a 10minute change in the school day um but not impact any monetary things within it. Uh basically right now at 8:50 a.m. the bell rings and then at 9:05 uh a.m. the bell rings to close the doors um so that our school day starts. Uh the proposal at the beginning of the day would be basically from 8:50 to 9:00 a 10-minute uh time frame for the students to enter into the building. Uh that's consistent with Slington Elementary School and what they do now. And speaking through our transportation department, Mr. lawnmaker. Um, you know, there should be no impact at all on busing, although
048potentially a savings. Um, at the end of the school day, we typically, um, have our school day end with a little bit of a buffer, um, of additional 5 minutes to allow for transitions. And the proposal I have, uh, the proposed schedule I have has it now, um, basically backing up closer to that bus dismissal time, giving us an extra 5 minutes of instructional time at the end. So, you might say, "What's the 5 minutes and 5 minutes, 10 minutes? What can you do?" Um, that allows for a lot of flexibility within that scheduling time. Um, and again with a 10-minute increase in instructional time for students each day. >> Thank you, Mr. Schneider. I So, if the board would want to do this, it would require reapproval of our calendar for next school year.
049And here's why. because we are required to put the number of hours of instruction per year for each building on that calendar. If we were to do this, it would actually add up to an additional 4 days of instruction hours, instructional hours into the schedule at Peter's Elementary School. So, that does two things. First of all, it increases instructional time for our youngest learners. Second of all, if we were to um have to use weather days or close the school for some reason where we could not have alternate instruction, it gives us more of a buffer before we drop below 900 hours at the elementary school because remember you got to do 180 days or 900 hours at the elementary school. This would actually build back in about four instructional days worth of hours, giving
050us a little bit more of of a of a buffer. Additionally, it would reduce downtime from when we drop our students off here at Peters Elementary School and go to get I'm sorry, Slington and go to pickup students to take them to Peters. That then reduces the amount of time for the total run and any overages that would occur, right? Because it wouldn't we wouldn't have buses waiting to go to pick up students. they would drop off here and immediately go out to pick up their children to get them to Peters a little bit earlier. That equates to um conservatively uh $11,000 in savings on overages that could occur likely would occur um for the transportation budget. [clears throat] So, instructional impact, increased instructional hours, um as well as potentially, uh a budget deficit reduction,
051special education budget, um looking at reducing that by $5,000, transportation budget by $51,387 through a various numbers of kind of reconfigurations there. Canvas at Peters Elementary School. We could remove that if the board um supports removing the Chromebooks. That would be a reduction of almost $1,700. We could potentially consider not giving the annual $5,000 donation to the Slington Public Library. And sometime later this week, we are looking at a work. We are being told right now by our insurance carrier that we're looking at our our worker workers compensation insurance carrier um a reduction. Uh yet we probably won't have those numbers until maybe Wednesday or Thursday of this week. We're hopeful to have them. Um but all indicators are that that's also going to be another area that we could reduce um because of how
052um we haven't really had to uh access workers compensation over it's not trending up how many times we have to access it. All those things with the workers compensation yet to be determined come to a little over a half a million dollars in budget deficit reduction or $515,418. Mr. [clears throat] Hill talked about this slide. This slide goes into more detail of um the elimination of the Chromebooks at Peters Elementary School as well as increasing um to a 5-year cycle for uh student laptops, four-year cycle for staff laptops. Overall, by 2031 2032, that cumulative savings would be $710,000. You can see it broken out by year in the second to last column there. We're also looking at ways to preserve the fund balance uh for for future needs. And one of the ways that we
053could do that is not not replace the water softener and filtration at the high school next year. Uh we're estimating that to be fund balance preservation of $75,000. We could also forego replacing additional furniture at Slington Elementary School in Northern Lehigh High School to a combined total of $100,000. Here are the tax revenue projections, Mrs. Molar. >> Y um [clears throat] so again, right now in the budget is uh the 4.8 8 or the blended 4.32, which is $858,546 in additional revenue, tax revenue. For um if you jump down to a 4.25% blended, you're looking at $845,000 in um revenue. Um and for each quarter of a percent you jump down from there, you're losing anywhere from 49 to 50ome,000. So, if the board decided to go to a 3.5 um that's $697,000 um in
054additional revenue. However, what's in the budget is $858,000. So, you would have to add um almost $200,000 in um that we're short in the budget yet. So that 1,ion130 would become 1,ion330 cuz you're losing $200,000 worth of revenue um on the revenue side. So here is what we're kind of focusing on these two slides. Uh together we're looking at about a $515,000 deficit reduction. uh and then that coupled with whatever um tax increase the school board would support and then also looking at uh ways to preserve the fund balance which doesn't adjust these numbers here. Alls it does is preserve fund balance down the road. Um so at this point uh we will I can open it up to Mr. Green. I'll take your lead if you want to open it up to the board
055for questions or comments or if you want to have our community our two community members comment. >> We'll wait till I'll wait till the end. >> Okay. >> I would like to address >> if you're looking at the board you want to comment at all at this point. if we can go back. >> Hold on, Gary. Sorry. Do you want to comment at this point or you want to or you want to wait? [clears throat] >> Um, I don't know. >> Okay. Let Let her comment, Gary, then I'm sorry to interrupt. >> That's okay. Yeah. Thank you. >> Okay. [clears throat] Um, so I stand here representing NLEA, but my voice likely extends to every employee of the Northern High School District. Everyone working in education already carries an immense weight beyond the walls of
056our schools. We navigate student mental health crisis, secondary trauma, um increasing academic and behavioral demands, public scrutiny, rising cost of living, and the emotional labor of supporting children and families through challenges that extend far beyond the classroom. Given all these external pressures, the district we work we work for should be a source of stability and support, not another um source of strength. Schools cannot function effectively when the very people holding them together are overwhelmed, undervalued, or pushed past reasonable limit. I want to be clear that if the only way to balance the district budget is by overworking, underpaying, or otherwise mistreating staff, then that is a prime example of irresponsible leadership. by both excuse me by both the board and our administration and neither is appropriate or sustainable. Balancing a budget should never come at
057the expense of the people who keep our schools running. Cost cutting that relies on pushing employees beyond reasonable limits or disregarding their well-being is not acceptable. The people who work in our schools are not expendable line items. We are the foundation of this district. Buildings should not have to create a hierarchy of importance when looking at staffing. Every employee makes an impact. Our work environment is our students learning environment. Decisions that save money by causing burnout, fear, or harm to employees ultimately hurt students and the entire community. Fiscal responsibility must include respect, fair treatment, and appropriate working conditions for the people doing the work. We cannot champion each other or our students without the supportive environment fostering integrity, trust, and positive connections. [clears throat] Addressing these challenges requires intentional and transparent decisions from leadership and
058a commitment to solutions that prioritize staff and students alongside finances, trusting educators as professionals, and streamlining expectations, allowing staff to focus their time and energy where it matters most, on students. system should be focused on support and growth rather than excessive monitoring or checks for compliance. Investing in retention through competitive compensation, adequate staffing, reasonable expectations and access to supports that are needed is not an added expense. It is a long-term cost cost-saving strategy. When these supports are in place, we can retain experienced, dedicated employees and ensure that longtime staff and alumni who once dreamed of serving their alma mater are not pushed out of the profession. When those working in education are supported, schools are more stable, student outcomes improve, and the district avoids the far greater cost of turnover, vacancies, and loss of trust.
059Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Now, we will open up to the board. Mr. to chair. I apologize for interrupting. >> Okay. No, I I I appreciate the comments. Uh I'd like to start with the a business teacher. Uh again, I'm not recommending anything right now, but I do need to have some clarification not filling that position and we have students who want to pursue that part of the their curriculum. What's going to happen to those students? I I realize cutting the budget by that is going to help us, but it's going to hurt our students possibly. So, I just need to know what ramifications that will have. >> So, I'll I'll frame that answer and then I will also look to our high school principal, Dr. Bali. Uh, it will limit the number of
060options for students that want to pursue either a degree in business or even potentially go into their own business right after graduation. It's going to limit options. is available in the business uh business pathway as we've been trying to make our pathways to graduation uh and uh career pathways more robust. It will impact that uh will also impact scheduling for next school year as the students that list that are requesting classes [clears throat] that would have been associated with the teacher in that position um will either have to go to their second or third choice or we may have to consider online options for them. but also know if we were to do online options for them, there is a cost associated with that, but the cost doesn't rise to the total cost of that
061teacher. Um, so there are there is there are impacts if that is removed, [clears throat] but it's not currently a position that's in the budget. So nobody would lose their job if that position is not included. Um, Dr. By, anything you would like to add to that? >> I think you said it perfectly. I mean, and to I appreciate that question, Mr. Georgia. I mean, you know, we've worked hard over this past year to create robust business pathway. Um, and just as Dr. Link said, we would be very limited because currently we we share a business person with the middle school. So, in essence, we have them half of the time. Um, so our business our current business options are very limited. Um so what we did was we we created new electives things like
062business law sports management things that are up and coming. Um if you remember 30% of our student population um is interested in the business entrepreneurship pathway. Um so it would have some some serious implications and again those those students would have to choose other electives um you know which would you know raise those class sizes but you know again it wouldn't be the option that they first would choose um they would have to choose something else >> with hearing that I um my qu my question still is basically [snorts] or not my question is I think the answer is that no matter what we do with this position and I'm not making any recommendations at at this point, but it is going to hurt our students and our education, and I believe that's what we're
063here for. With that said, I'd like if there's any other comment, I'll like to go on, but that's >> Can I just ask a question um regarding um the criteria that was put forth about the credits for the um financial uh literacy? Who who would be taking care of that at that point if we didn't hire? Is it the middle school and the shared what you're saying? That's all I have. Thank you. >> Uh the [snorts] secondary music teacher band instructor. What we're saying is we're not going to hire one. We have one retiring. Does that mean we're not replacing them? >> So, um resigning the the teacher that's currently in that position has made a decision to resign. And then we could through attrition not fill that position. And >> again, what happens to
064our students that want a music program? Do we now cut cut music from our budget? >> It will undo all the work that we've last done for for the last two to three years to build back up the numbers in our band and students participating in music coursework um at the middle school and high school. >> Again, cutting programs for our students and hurting students. Uh okay. Anybody else on that one? I'm go on. Otherwise, uh the special education par professionals um we're cutting them from the budget now, which because you said the students that were in those programs are graduating out or whatever else. I understand that. But we have no idea what tomorrow is going to bring. And even though we pass a budget without them, we may need to look at funding
065for special ed in the future. Uh I just want to be cautionist on that uh point. I don't as again I'm not recommending cutting anything. I'm not recommending keeping anything. I just need some clarification on things. This the other one is the Chromebooks. Um I heard the statements and I heard the savings over the years. Will we be at any point that we will not be able to give students Chromebooks in two or three years or does that really not >> built in but it would be we would be extending the cycle to a fiveyear cycle >> instead of a four-year cycle. So students will receive new Chromebooks every five years rather than four years. >> So it's not really going to harm >> or take away [snorts] a student having Chromebooks in their career.
066K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K to second it would at Peters Elementary. >> Okay. >> Because we would be removing them there and only having limited limited access to them at K kindergarten through 2 grade. >> Okay. >> Would you be doing computer labs there, they would have a room where rather than take them home or have them >> would like it would likely be a cart situation where they would be in a cart where they could be mobile and bring them into the classrooms. That that's what we were thinking of doing. So [clears throat] they wouldn't be losing access
067to Chromebooks. >> They would they would still have access. It would just be more >> would be constant. >> Yes. Yes. And then we would have a longer cycle. Um >> they don't need it. >> So it' be we're not going to have quite as many spares as we have now. So it may be a little more challenging at times. Um I know our staff we probably would have uh you know you have to now have devices. You have to support them for a longer period of time. So that's going to be a little tougher on our staff as well. So there's definitely going to be, you know, when you make these decisions, nothing's easy. Um, but it it's something that we can do. So yeah, there will be more limitations there with the Chromebooks.
068>> Again, could could impact on students. >> Okay, that's that's all I have on that page. I just have a comment on the other one. Um, and I guess this is a selfish one on my part, but the donations we do to the public library. My concern with that is if every organization or any community uh decides to pull their funding from the library, I do not see our library being open next year >> right now. And I I I look also to uh my other cohort over there who may want to say something also. Our our library is really funded through donations of of the public. We get very little from the state. Every year it's cut more and more by the feds and the state. Uh again, that library is used by our
069community every day. Uh and also by some of our students doing some other work. So that is an important integral part of our community. And I do say and again I'm not recommending to remove it or or or not remove it. I'm just saying we need to be I I feel we need to be alert to the fact that if we if we and other communities uh remove their funding from the library, we will not have a library in Slington next year. >> A lot of the students go there after school, spend time, use the computers and use that access to research there. Now that is a very important part of the library. >> Mr. Thank you for listening to me. >> You're through Mr. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Mr. Thompson, you want anything
070else while you have the floor that you want to talk about or >> it it's it's very hard to do something like this because we don't want to affect our students and our faculty, our teachers, our administrators. But it's important that somewhere, as I was saying earlier tonight, that you don't want to start nickel and dimming things or pennies, you know, to take things away, but then you can't do major takeaways either. So, we have to be very careful and try and balance out what we're doing. Thank you. >> Comment. So, you're leading forward. >> First, I I'd like to uh thank uh Mr. Link and the rest of the administration for going through and doing this. >> Um I I will say I'm still a little disappointed though because I had asked to have
071them come back with a prioritized list that would get us down to zero deficit. This uh knocks off was it $515,418 which still leaves us with a $665,521 deficit. Um I I had said last Monday [cough and clears throat] that we need to make tough decisions and I think we need to go back and look and see what other tough decisions we need to make. Um, I do have a question about the the school budgets, the knocking off 2% at each of the buildings. I I know being a teacher in the district that I believe, this is my personal opinion, that the school budgets are already very tight as they are. The school budgets are used for for many things that sometimes I don't think they should have to pay for. Um, And maybe I'd
072like to hear from some of the principles uh how is this going to impact your buildings um and be honest um by cutting this amount from your school budget. Nobody [snorts] wants to talk. >> You want to put them on the spot at this point that >> I will leave it if any building principal would like to comment. That's very appropriate >> and and that's fine. I'm sure they I don't want to put them on the spot. Um, but I do commend some of the things that you've come up with. I think we need to go back and dig deeper though. >> I agree. I think we need to dig deeper. >> We skipped over to any administrators want to speak. If you you're not no one's forcing you to. If you want to make
073a comment, fine. If not, we'll we're not we're not putting you on the spot. I'm not seeing anyone jumping up. So, we'll just kind of pass on that for the moment. And uh Mr. Bryer, looks like you gonna say >> sure. I mean I I will comment. Um you know certainly making cuts is anytime you make cuts is difficult and um uh you know we I think collectively uh when we we're talking looking at our budgets um will it be a hardship? Yes. Uh but we're all in this together and that's part of what we need to do as well. So just as you're you know recommending going back and looking and digging deep and that's what we're going to we're willing to do and have done and will continue to do um to help
074fix this issue. >> Thank you sir. you know, >> so I guess what I whether it's a recommendation is taken or not, I I would recommend that administration go back and and dig deeper, look to see where else I know it's going to hurt, but where else can we cut? >> Are you are you comfortable with the cuts this far that you've seen or [clears throat] >> I comfortable? No, but has to be done possibly. I mean, we we need to spend within our means. >> Okay. Anyone else on the board? >> I think there's some other options as we kind of go down and say dig deeper. What does that look like? And what are those those items? Um, I I'm the first one to say that our extracurricular and sports and things like
075that are are just as important as the education to our students, but maybe even looking at the middle school and providing those as um inter mural versus actual sporting events where they are on a bus or going with uniforms or things like that. Again, I'm the first one to say that I think sports are are a fantastic area, but um when we're starting to talk about what's truly important, I think when we start to look at that, um also looking at just the general sports budget at the high school, taking a look at that. Um, a large portion, we're going to be voting on it coming up, is um our diesel and um gasoline and fuel type things. Looking at general um what is our transportation requirements? Maybe middle school and high school or one
076of them. those get cut in a in a dollar budget. Also to look at as we start to look at things that we're still educating our students in a respectful way and getting them the appropriate level of education. Um a shared benefit of that. If we look at transportation um there there is something as a community member that it's my responsibility that my my child is at school. Um, we're trying to do this in a shared way. So maybe that's an option. Um, just to see what those numbers look like, not in favor of [snorts] much of anything of this, but at the same time, really hard decisions have to be have to be made and have to be looked at and kind of playing with where to go. So maybe if we can just
077at least see some of those numbers, maybe it would be helpful. Do you know if they're right? Any comments? >> Unfortunately, I think that no matter what we do, somebody's going to be impacted and unfortunately like the library, but then you know, we're also cutting the police department or we're cutting so everybody is on their own has their own feelings towards one part of this. And I think that he said it best is we're all trying to like give a little to get a lot and unfortunately cuts, but we got ourselves into this situation and it's not fair to continually ask taxpayers for these tax increases without us making some difficult decisions. So I think going back um going over some of the items that were given um by the board to go back and
078look at those further. Um there I know there was some personnel um issues or things that could have been also um brought up. So I think that we definitely need to go back and see where other cuts can be made. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> I guess one comment I would make I and and I think it's ironic that we're currently a little over $600,000 short. And and if we add up our increases in fuel from last year, we're looking at almost $150,000 right right there. And if we look at our retirement and medical, if if I'm not incorrect, uh that that was something like 450 470,000. And I don't I don't remember the exact number, but if you add up just those two items, like there's a shortage. You know, if someone can
079figure out a way to to drop the fuel costs and drop the retirement medical cost, we we got it made. You know, unfortunately, I don't think that's going to happen. So, yes, there are some tough decisions. Uh, one comment I would make and and I was looking at the budget progress report. I was looking at last year's budget and it seemed to me that we have been consistently collecting at or maybe a t above the amount of money that we have allocated for local funds. Uh I don't know, Mrs. Molator, if we could look at that and and and possibly put a few more dollars in that. Uh I think we're at like what 96% this year and the year's not over yet. I realize we're not going to collect a lot, but you know,
080I think you budgeted like 94.7%. You know, I I I don't know. Could we go to 95? Could we go to 90? You know, >> so this year, just so you know, it was currently I do 94.75% for real estate tax collection. That number that I provided you today was actually the real estate collection rate. So, I overbudgeted by $3,000. >> Not Not by much. That was pretty close. So that was pretty much right on the target of what we had in our budget and what we actually collected. >> So you're not comfortable adding anything extra in that in that area? >> I would I would not feel comfortable only because it's that close and it's probably somebody who um obviously went in for a tax appeal and we had to give a refund um
081because those do happen. >> If I would pay my if I would pay my taxes, you'd have 100%. Yeah. Uh so okay >> yeah I wouldn't I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. It's we >> the other the other question I would ask was what what about state allocations and and again we we know we're probably going to get more than they've allocated but we don't know how much and I know >> I have $115,000 that has not been budgeted yet because I don't know where the budget's going to come in. >> So that's the extra cushion there that we could have if it fruition and they give us it all. >> Wonderful. [snorts] will have $115,000 to add into it. But if they don't, >> I guess >> I'm praying they give us what we
082what I put in. [laughter] >> Good luck. Yeah. I I guess I'm looking at this budget in the past. I've looked at budget and said if there's a little extra, I'm okay with that because we do have future that we need to look at. We have repairs. We have we have things that are escalating and and I would be willing to maybe say, "Okay, put a little slack in there. Maybe increase our uh our fund ballots." And and I know we have increased that over the years. this year. I'm saying maybe it's not time to do that. Maybe it's time to just stay where we are. Let's not say we have an extra couple bucks. Let's put it away. Uh let let's kind of get a little bit closer to the bone. And maybe we
083need to add that 115. And if it doesn't come in, uh well, it's going to come out of fund balance anyways. So, you know, it could it could at least cut down that deficit. But, you know, fuel, uh, retirement and medical. There's there's big items right there, you know. So, and we're not talking salary increases or anything like that. We're just talking retirement and medical. >> That's never going to go down. >> Oh, I I actually feas did come down there one year, but it it's gone back up again. Yeah. So, yeah, social security isn't going to come down. I understand that. I'm just saying if if from the public you look at why are you increasing taxes right there is $600,000 on on just those two items. So that's the only comments that I
084would make. I would like to see us stay a little closer to the bone this year than then maybe we have in some years in the past and if we don't increase our fund balance I'm okay with that. You know I can I can live with that for [clears throat] a year. So >> anyone else comments at this time? No. >> Yes. You're pointing u Mrs. Mrs. Williams, are you able to hear the discussion and is there anything that you would like to add? >> Uh, yes, I heard the discussion and I'm not going to comment at this time. >> Okay. Thank you. I just wanted to make sure you were able to follow along. >> Yep. Yep. I have it. >> Any [snorts] other comments for the board at this time? I'm looking right.
085No, looking left. We're all okay. We said what we need to say. Uh, we can open to the public comments. Uh, I think it was >> Mr. Horn. >> You You already commented, so Mr. Horn. Yes, please. All right, I'm I'm going to jump around here. Some of the things I might hurt some feelings possibly, maybe not. I should just be. Um, but first of all, I like the positive attitude from over here about being able to work with whatever is presented to them with the school and how they can make it work. I love hearing that rather than, oh, we can't, we can't, we can't. Something positive. I also like what Tim presented here. a lot of stuff was covered that really I'm happy to hear what you are working on and uh it's
086like every year we get a tax increase every year all of us and for once it would be nice to get like none. Is that ever possible? Probably not. But Mr. Link, you'd be on the top of everybody's A1 list if that would ever happen. Mr. greens also. But with the downsizing stuff like do we need a lot of teachers aids? Do we need I'm going to say teachers aids. I don't know the proper terms you were using there that but like the gy gym instructor aid this aid that aid that I mean is all that necessary? I remember when I graduated here, there wasn't there wasn't as many students either, I'm sure, but we didn't have all this aids for this, aids for that, and so on and so forth. Um, another thing I
087like to talk about is like the charter stuff. I don't really have a good understanding of it. I asked a couple people, they think they know, [laughter] and all it does is mix me up. I mean, what something I I have to do more homework on it, but is it really necessary that we have to get involved with the charter school stuff or is that like a state law or is that, you know, is that really enforced on us taxpayers to take care of that? I mean, that's >> I can answer that when unfortunately the state says this is what you're going to pay period in a conversation and you send them a check. You have you have no right to appeal or anything. Doesn't matter if it's brick and mortar, charter, [snorts] here's the
088number. Thank you very much. >> The state has provided us with some relief in that area, but not enough. >> That would go bigger. >> Yeah, thank you. They have affected >> unless you can bring the students back, >> right? You have trying to bring them back to the district is the goal really to decrease that. But you can't always do that. >> Some of the people I talked to said they get better last year, >> charter schools. >> I feel I had good schooling here. >> Gentleman on the end, I forget your name. Yeah, >> with the and with the business end of things like when I was in here with LRYC auto body repair so I wasn't no big scholar student or nothing like that but I had general business class that taught
089me how to do income tax taught me how to handle money taught me how to not spend money if you don't have it don't use a car that one I would like to see stay the sec the music the secondary music teacher You need two m music teachers. I don't, you know, music's always a good one. Also, math, music. I always tell the grandkids those two. Stay with that. Um, special ed, that's a whole different department there. That's too many vaccines the kids have to have. And look at what we end up with now. Do your homework on that. You'll know what I'm talking about. The Chromebooks, I'm not a big fan of of that stuff. at least not in the elementary kindergarten stuff. And I guess if we if you can keep nipping at
090it and keep this a 4.8% tax increase is like crazy. That's I want a fixed income now as anybody retired. And yeah, we get a raise every year or so, but then taxes go up and what do you really end up with? Nothing. And then in regards to the gas stuff, hopefully the gas prices will come down soon enough when this whole crap with Iran gets taken care of. But that's all I got to say. That's thank you for at least trying to fight for the public to knock this down. >> Thank you, Mr. Mark. >> Thank you. Obviously, some difficult decisions. So, uh, anyone on the board? I'll open up one more time. Looking right. Any anyone? Any anything? Any looking left? >> Ask what? >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yeah. Can I ask
091who dictates the stipens for uh coaches? >> That is contractual. >> There's something called um I believe schedule E it's called. Uh so that's been agreed upon through the term of the current contract. >> Okay. And that goes through till when? uh 2027. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> January 27. >> Okay. >> All good. >> Everybody good? >> Okay. Uh we'll probably pick up some more discussion at the committee meeting on the first month and and hopefully we'll have some more information by then. Uh I would ask anyone who has any other ideas, please bring them up and and we can take a look at them. Okay. All right. Uh we're done with the business manager report. I think we have the superintendent report assistant. Uh we did have an executive session at 6:15 this
092evening. We we talked about some legal items. Uh mostly legal items I think is where it would be. So uh that started at 6:15 not at 6:00. Okay. We are going to move into personnel. And while we do that, I would suggest that we are going to have a motion to approve items all the items except for I. Item I on page four, the head girl basketball coach will not be part of the motion. So is there a motion to approve all the other items under personnel, please? >> Second. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you, Natalie and and Tim. Uh any questions or discussion on that hearing? None. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Those opposed? No. >> And you got we got an I from Thank you. >> Okay. Then we have
093motion is approved. We have the other item for the head basketball coach. Is there a motion to approve the head basketball coach? >> We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> No. >> Those opposed? No. No. >> No. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Billy. No. >> Mr. Fedorcha. >> Yes. >> Miss Husach. >> No. >> Miss Culp. >> Yes. >> Miss Snider? >> No. >> Miss Thompson? >> Yes. >> Mr. Weber? >> No. >> Miss Williams? >> No. >> Mr. Green? >> Yes. >> Motion does not pass. Five nos, four yeses. >> Okay. So that is defeated. Uh for yes, five no. We will refer that back to administration for their future recommendation. Okay. Uh I think we're at policy. >> We got co-curricular. We're down
094to policy, I think. Is that correct? Yeah. Thank you very much for the help. Is there a motion to approve the policy items, please? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Thank you. Questions on policy hearing? None. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppos? No. >> I. >> You got an I there. [laughter] Thank you, Angela. Okay. And policy is therefore approved. Conferences. We have what? Couple of conferences A and B. Is there a motion to approve the conferences? >> Motion. >> Second. >> There's a motion down there. >> Okay. We're we're we're giving it to the left to the ladies on the left. So Oh, the ladies on the left. Sorry. They they feed you. You got to be quicker. Come on, move it up. Thank you. Uh, any discussion or
095questions? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> And so ordered. Uh, curriculum and instruction. Uh, we have three items. Is there a motion to approve curriculum and instruction? >> So move. >> Second. >> Thank you. Questions, discussion? Anyone? No. Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Oppos? Well, and so ordered. Uh, I have nothing under old business. Under new business, I have the motion to approve the agreement with Dr. Link. Is there a motion to approve the agreement? >> So move. >> Second. >> Motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Post. No. >> I. >> Motion approved. Uh, moving on to financial, we have a whole bunch of items here all the way down
096through fuel oil. I hate to say that, but it's there. Is there a motion to approve the items under financial with the exception of the election of a treasur? >> So move. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any questions? >> Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppos? No. Okay. Then we have the financial election of the treasurer for next upcoming year. Are there any nominations for treasur? >> I I would like to nominate Mrs. Pul for reelection. >> Mrs. Culp has been nominated for treasure. >> Second. >> Okay. Uh are there any other nominations for treasure? Mrs. Culp has been nominated. Are there any other nominations for treasur hearing? None. Is there a motion to close nominations? >> Second. Thank you. All those in favor of closing nominations, please
097signify by saying I. >> I. >> And congratulations, Mr. Cul. You are the treasurer for the upcoming year. >> Thank you. >> Hope that doesn't wear you down too hard doing that, but you know, so um >> where are We're at legal the [snorts] expulsion hearing waiver. Is there a motion to approve the waiver? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Thank you. Uh I don't think we can have any legal discussion on that. So all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I oppos. No. >> I >> thank you. And so ordered. I have nothing under correspondence. Got a couple of information items, minutes of some meetings. Uh I don't think there are any other guests who wanted to speak. Uh, none that indicated that they would like to speak. >> None [snorts] that indicated
098that they would like to speak. [clears throat] So, if there are no guests that would like to speak, is there a motion to adjourn? So, move second. >> Thank you. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. >> Oppos? No. And we're done.