001trying to catch up. So, >> he did a wonderful job. He did do good. [laughter] He did. >> Are we on? >> All right. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and please accept our apologies for starting late. I'd like to call to order the Monday, April 20th, Penmanor School Board Directors Committee. the whole meeting. The next scheduled meeting of Pen Manor School Board will be held on Monday, May 4th, 2026 at 7 p.m. in a large group instruction room of Penmanor High School. An executive session was held prior to the committee of the whole meeting for the purpose of discussing real estate and personnel as detailed above. Mrs. Rhodess, may we have a roll call, please? >> Sure. Mr. Beaks, >> here. >> Mr. Her, >> here. >> Mrs. Toe >> here. >> Mrs. Kek >>
002here. >> Mr. Lombardo is absent. Mr. Warfl >> here. >> Ms. Wart >> here. >> Mrs. Napsiger >> here. Dr. Fullerton >> here. >> Eight board members present. >> Thank you very much. Mrs. Rhodess. May I have a motion to approve the minutes of our April 7th, 2026 committee of the whole meeting? >> So moved. >> Thank you and second. Thank you very much. Any further comment or question? All those in favor? >> Eight affirmative votes. >> Board development opportunities and reports. Do we have any board reports for tonight? >> None. Matt? No. Nikki? No. Okay. Seeing none, Mrs. Napsinger, the board opportunities. >> Sure. So, nothing new from last week, but just as a or two weeks ago, just as a reminder, Friday, May 1st, we have the alumni distinguished wall of honor assembly
003at 10:30 followed by lunch here at the high school. And I believe today is the deadline to RSVP to Mrs. Rhodess. So, if you have not done so, please do so before you leave this evening. Also, Wednesday, May 6th is the PMEF retirement breakfast at 8:30 in the morning. also here. Um, you should have received your invitation at the last meeting, so respond accordingly. And then Thursday, we'll go, we'll just keep going. Thursday, May 7th, we have a busy day with board breakfast at Pekway and the district art show. >> Okay. Thank you, Mrs. Navinger. >> You are welcome. >> Now, let's get into the the meat of our meeting. Item one, parameters resolution for refunding 2018 2019A 2019B general obligation bonds and new funds to finance future projects. Dr. Gail, you want to introduce
004our guests here? >> Yeah. U welcome Miss Lord from Saxon Stump uh to share to review the the general obligations uh the parameters I'm sorry for that and then Mr. Phelps uh he has anything had regarding the the financing. So, thank you, Miss Rhonda or Miss Lur, for being here. [laughter] Mhm. Sorry. >> I believe two weeks ago, Lauren Stole was here from Raymond James and went over the potential financings with you. Um, we're discussing a new money portion for about $15 million to get started on the middle school and other projects and then three potential refundings. one of the 2018 bonds, one of the 2019 A bonds, and of the 2019 Bonds. Uh, for those of you who are new to the board and haven't been through a financing, anytime you want to issue
005debt, we need to file debt proceedings with the Department of Community and Economic Development. And part of those proceedings are this resolution that's in front of you tonight. Um, the resolution has very specific requirements that must be in it under the debt act. So, I will go over some of the highlights. I'm not going to read it in great detail for you because I'll bore you to death. But, um, I'll just kind of go over the the basic idea of the resolution. If you look at the first two pages, it's the purpose of the resolution. And the first uh section is about the $15 million of new money for the middle school project and other projects of the school district. Um, the second page starts with the 2018 bonds. You currently have about 36 million
006of those outstanding and they are subject to redemption on September 1 of 2026. And then you have the 2019 A bonds which are currently outstanding in the amount of about 35 million and the 2019 Bonds which are outstanding in the amount of about 9 million. And those are both subject to redemption next September of 2027. So then if you skip ahead to the actual substance which begins on page four of the resolution, it sets forth that you are proposing to adopt a maximum amount of $105 million and that is for all four of those projects. Section four sets forth that the refunding will um result in debt saving debt service savings to the school district. Sections six and seven determined to sell the bonds by private sale by negotiation to Raymond James in accordance with
007the uh purchase contract which is attached to the resolution as exhibit B. And it also refers to the amortization schedule which is attached as exhibit A to the resolution. And again these are just maximum amounts at this point. Um the the numbers that we file with DCD will be reflected in this amount. But once we actually issue the debt, we will go back to DCD and give them the corrected and updated numbers so that they have the actual money that you've borrowed. The section 7 also set forth that before you issue any bonds, u Mr. Fry will be responsible for accepting an addendum to the bond purchase contract. So he will have to approve the final numbers and the final debt service schedule and interest rates and everything for each particular bond issue. Section nine
008sets forth that the bonds will be general obligation bonds. Section 10 is your budget covenant um committing to put enough bud money in your budget each year to pay the principal and interest on the bonds. Section 11 sets forth that the maximum interest rate for the bonds will be 5 a.5%. Again, that is just a max number. We don't anticipate that it will be that high, but it just gives them flexibility in pricing. So, we will again update that number with DCED as well. Section 15 establishes a syncing fund for payment of principal and interest on the bonds. And section 17 determines to enter into an agreement with Fulton Bank to act as your syncing fund depository. Section 21 is your tax covenant that you will um not do anything to cause the bonds to
009be taxable arbitrage bonds. And finally, section 28 is your uh covenant to comply with the rules of the continuing of continuing disclosure and provide updated information each year for the benefit of the bond holders. So that is the main substance of the resolution. If you approve this tonight, we will um do an advertisement with the local newspaper and then file this with DCEED so that you're in a position. It takes them 20 days to get approval. Um, but once we get that approval back, we'll be in a position to uh be ready to price the bonds and close on those in a quick fashion. So, I'm happy to answer any questions anyone has. >> Why would the maximum interest rate in section 11 be 5 a.5%. >> It gives them flexibility in pricing. Sometimes um
010they want to issue premium bonds. So, people will pay more to pay get a premium on the bonds. And if you don't have that higher rate, you wouldn't be able to do that. The o the the key part is the overall yield will be much lower than that. But it just gives some flexibility in pricing. Um I don't know if Mr. Phillips wants to >> with with our with our credit rating, wouldn't 5% be a premium bond? With our credit rating, wouldn't 5% be a premium bond? >> Uh yes. Um, more than likely the bonds will be issued with 5% coupons in today's market. As Mr. Lord said, it's really a flexibility thing. Um, we used to use 10%. Um, it's a filing. It's a filing uh with the with DCED. It just gives us
011the flexibility that if we needed to do five and a quarters or five and a halfs, we could do that. But you're absolutely correct. There'll be premium bonds more than likely at a five level, five or four. It feels generous to me. Five and a half%. >> And again, nothing will be final until Mr. Fory signs off on everything. So that the the day of the pricing, um, you know, he'll get a proposed schedule and they will be in touch with him and he will have to approve of any final pricing. Any other questions? >> Would I mean would we be able to have it not be approved above five even though the contract but could we put a stipulation with Mr. for you that it wouldn't >> I know with board approval would take
012you know time to come back and >> the interest rate the yield will be far less than that again this is strictly a filing mechanism that you use on parameters more than likely the yield's going to be in the threes and fours okay it is strictly a filing thing guarant I will guarantee you it's not going to be five and a half >> can we have that in right Okay. >> It's It's on YouTube. We don't have >> It's on YouTube for the next 12 months. [laughter] >> Mr. Phillips guarantee. >> If not, we can raise your taxes, right? >> That's You can do whatever you want to do. >> Yeah, >> absolutely. >> It's really a paper shelf filing just like corporations do. Same thing. >> But it it would give you legally the
013flexibility to do the bonds at 5 and a half%. >> Right. But if we do the bonds at 5 and a half% the premium is going to be significantly higher. It's not going to impact your yield. So if the premium's higher then we reduce the size of the bond issue, >> right? >> Okay. To get you the, you know, money that you would like. You also have to remember for a funding there has to be debt service savings. So, if it's going to be more than five and a half percent, you're likely not going to have that debt service savings in any event. >> Well, not to belabor this, but isn't that what the last exhibit shows the annual debt payments are? If we go back to the previous presentation, you're going to show that
014that's >> right. >> Debt service savings at You're going to show us that we have debt service savings at 5 and a half%. >> At Oh, so this is the Raymond James present. >> You mean from April 7th, Mr. Warfl? Yes. >> Yeah. We had savings uh at the meeting with Lauren was here. The savings at that point in time were uh a little over $3 million. The cash flow savings. Your yield was about a 352 from the meeting on April 7th. >> Right. >> Are you looking at the exhibit with page on Mrs. Ward's presentation page 13? Is that what you're talking about? Eric, >> go back to No, this I think he's talking about the Raymond James presentation. >> Raymond James presentation >> on April 7th. >> Gotcha. >> Yeah. >> And that
015and that changed by about a million dollars >> from when we were here in January of February. >> Yes. Yeah. And that's because interest rates I believe Mr. Stel shared with you what it what's [clears throat] gone on with rates. [snorts] um showed you interest rate shorts uh in that presentation uh especially with what has transpired since you know the actions overseas what we've seen in terms of rates. >> So what would be the benefits or the risk or risk and benefits if because we don't have to do this right now. What would be the risks and the benefits of either doing this now or not doing this now? >> Um I think I think a good a good thing to look at is what happened between January and today when we were here in
016January I think we had the same type of question because we were looking at if you believe the tea leaves and and what the Fed was saying that we were going to see rate cuts right two to three rate cuts maybe this year. Now they're actually talking no rate cuts and the move could actually be higher. Okay, we never profess to predict the market. So really, you take a look at what level of savings is meaningful and we always like to word it because it's meaningful. What may be meaningful for you could be meaningful, you know, for somebody else totally different. But you're talking over 8% of savings. Okay. If we were able to do the refunding back in January, savings were were over $4 million. But legally, we could not do it. >> So
017the action that we, you know, the discussions and the timeline that we discussed with you is in essence this timeline. You can't do anything until a resolution is adopted that Mrs. Lord has, you know, talked about. >> Uh we have the rating call set up with standard pores next Thursday, the 30th, right, Mr. Fory? um Mr. Fory and his office have put together the materials that we need for that and that then puts us in a position once we have that rating that we could be in the market sometime in May settle in June which is 90 days prior to September 1st which is the call. Okay. Um so we can have a discussion on the level of savings and again we don't do anything as Mr. Lord said until this gentleman signs off on
018the addendum. >> Understand? Part of the benefit of doing this now is just getting it approval from DCED, which that whole process with advertising and the filing, it can take 30 days. So, if you get that approval in place with these parameters numbers, then you're ready to move when if the interest rates get lower, um, then we're ready to move quickly. We don't have to wait and do this all again in 30 days. And that's why we kind of put these numbers in place and rely on Mr. Fory to make the final decision as to what you're willing to to accept. Aren't aren't a couple of these bonds that were in this resolution not actually callable until 2027? September 2018 bonds are >> I'd have to go back and look, but >> the 2000 both
019the 2019 A and B bonds are not callable till September 1st of 2027. So nothing will happen with those until next summer. It would be the earliest you could actually fund a [clears throat] refunding for those. it has to be within 90 days of that call date. So this just gets again it's getting everything in place to do that um instead of coming back to you with another resolution at that time. >> So So the way Yeah. Again, the way that this works is we said in January if we did it be 4 million a year in savings. Last month I believe it was 3 million. We're authorizing this now for 18 months from today to go up to 5 a.5%. And if interest rates move against us, there may be no savings. I mean,
020we're authorizing it for no savings. >> Well, you you can't do a refunding under the debt act. There has to be savings. That's what we said. >> So, how much savings is there at 5 a.5%. >> Well, if five and a half, if the yield was 5 and a half%, there'd be no savings. We wouldn't be doing >> So, >> we would not be doing the refunding. >> Okay. The reason the five and a half% is in there >> is more than likely the couponing could be 5%. >> Okay. >> The numbers that Lauren shared with you last couple weeks ago had 5% coupons. The yield though was 352 when you look at page seven. So, the reason we're throwing in the the next year's refunding now is because based off of the study that
021you were looking at for financing your projects, there's no there's there's no anticipated funding of new money next year. So, instead of coming back for another resolution, another advertising cost, etc., it's saving you money to put it in now. If rates are high and we can't do the refunding, those savings went from one and a half million in January, I think when we were here, to 500 plus thousand two weeks ago. Okay. So to the extent there is no savings on that refunding, we would not we would not be doing anything. Not until we have sufficient savings, meaningful savings to you. >> And these parameters resolutions don't die with DCD. It's as long as until we tell them that we'd want to take it off the table, it is outstanding so that if anytime the
022interest rates would get low enough, you could do the refunding in in a quick fashion. But if you would decide at some point you just don't want to do the refunding, we would let DC do know that as well. I mean, it's it's generous year and a half, five and a half%. Which >> I mean, I know the five and a half is in there, but I what I'm hearing is that that's just a placeholder and it we're not going to do anything for five. >> So, yeah, I guess I'm I just struggle. Why would we have a placeholder that's higher than we could actually do? Because at 5 1.5% we would not actually have savings >> at five at 5 and a half% yield. You would not have savings at a 5 12% coupon.
023You could have savings. The rate of 5.5% is the coupon rate, the stated rate on the bond. For example, let's say someone is going to pay you a$125 instead of a dollar for the bond because they're getting a 5% coupon. Their yield may only be 352 because they're paying you more. That's the essence of the premium, you know, structure. >> Okay. Again, the five and a half is only there for the ability for us to issue a five and a half percent coupon, but the yield would be sufficiently less to achieve savings. That's the that's that's the only reason it's there. If you want it to be 5%, we'll make it 5%. Now, you're then handcuffing us in the event that the market's dictating five and a quarter or five and a half. That's all
024at 5 and a half% yield. You're absolutely correct. There is no savings to any of these refundings. But it is strictly used for filing purposes at the state. That's all it is. Any any other questions? Matt, I can see one coming. [laughter] >> And I know it cost a little bit more, but a year and a half from now, if we say five tonight, year and a half from now, the market's saying we need five and a quarter, five and a half at that point, we could just issue another resolution. Is that correct? I mean, yes, we'd have the filing fees. We'd have the, you know, take it off, redo, refile. I I get all that. >> Yeah. >> But that would be a business decision at that point as to what makes the most
025sense. >> Mhm. >> Regardless, we have to do that regardless. >> If you you cannot adopt this resolution tonight though with five and a half%. Um because all the schedules are attached and all of this needs to be filed as a whole with DCED. So we would need to come back again with a different schedule for that. >> I mean you could certainly give direction to Mr. for that he's not signing anything um above 5% if that's the number but you couldn't adopt this resolution and just change that one number because everything that's entwined in that >> I understand I mean it would be another month till we >> yeah no that's yeah I just didn't want you to think you could just change that 5% in that one paragraph and >> I no I
026I understand >> y >> thank you >> so this is on our voting agenda for this evening as presented So, if you have a question, now is the time. I'm seeing none. Ken Rhonda, thank you so much for being here. >> Appreciate it. Um, thank you for Thank you for the questions to our board members. So with that we move right into item two and that is a budget update. >> Can you >> what is our yield on our budget? >> Not enough. I know. [laughter] >> Not enough. Good evening. We're going to take a look at the 2627 budget this evening. Um maybe there we go. Um, [clears throat] I think really as we start to get into the budget, as we start to wrap up the next couple meetings, it's really key and
027and always stepping back and understanding what are we doing and and what is our mission and how are we funding that and what does that look like? Um, and we'll talk a little bit more later about the multi-year approach and how does [clears throat] it come together. [snorts] So, clearly as we look at that tonight, uh, we need to always, uh, keep our mission in check. So, a couple things to look at. [clears throat] After tonight, we will have four more meetings um until the final budget will be approved. Um tonight, we're going to look at at where we are uh with 2627 and what we know and then what decisions we've made over the last the board's made over the last uh number of months and and where does that place us at. Um
028in two weeks, we'll have a follow-up meeting. uh we can discuss any questions that come up from tonight, but I will need guidance at the end of May 4th uh as to what to put into the proposed final budget. Um for those of you who've been there before, uh there is a specific form that I need to upload data into for that budget. So, I need to know what the tax increase and those things look like. Um we can change and alter it later. Uh but we'll need definitely decisions by the next meeting. Um and then you can see that we have another opportunity for discussion at the 8th of June with the final budget. Um and along with the final budget comes the tax rate, the farmstead homestead approvals, um and the budget approvals.
029So they all come together with regard to that. Oops. So, right now, where are we at with it with 2627 expenses that I have this evening are just over $123 million. Um, and let's take a look at what makes that up. So, one of the things I think important to look at is, you know, what led to the increase from the current budget uh to this $123 million. And you'll see um although there are thousands of line items in the budget, the top three categories that we look at tonight, our salary increases, our benefit increases, uh some of those associated with the salary increases, and our student services needs. Those three categories drive 98% of the increase from last year's budget. Um we've talked about some of those things. We've talked about the new positions
030for the autistic support. Uh we understand that there's outside contracts associated with uh special ed services. And so that is the the vast majority of the increase budgetto budget. Uh when you look at some of the other things that contributed we've been talking about is future debt service, right? How do we uh follow some of the plan that that our consultants from Raymond James laid out to be ready to borrow the money when the projects come? I remember we talked a few months ago about some changes in the athletic department, some of the things that we're offering a team. Um, and then uh we talked uh and I think Mr. Risinger was there the other day. We talked about the fact that it's the schedule now to replace and refresh the teacher laptops and the
031importance of doing that together. So those lower three and everything else that changed in the budget accounts for 2% increase from last year's budget. What's the other side? Where are the revenues at right now? And so you see the revenues are right at 12 um 3 million. Uh they are a little less. They're about $38,000 less than expenses. Um but we'll look at those and we'll continue to refine and we'll talk about what we have over the next couple weeks still coming in. So on the revenue side, um about half of the revenue comes locally. Uh there has to be a starting point. We've talked about it. I've shown it in presentations throughout the year here. Um at this point, that $123 million number is based on a 3% 3.5% property tax increase. Um if
032you remember, we talked two weeks ago, uh we're seeing great recovery on the transfer, interim, and delinquent tax rates. And so that uh we expect increased revenue there. And then we continue to see earned income tax go. So those three things uh lead to uh 49% of the increased revenue. The governor's proposal for ready to learn uh accounts for 32% of the increased revenue. Um you we talked about that the last two years that has been a $2.7 million annual increase. Um so that's a pretty big chunk of the predicted revenue increase. And then lastly, it's the other state funding. So, as you uh may remember, the state pays half of peasers, half of FICA. Uh, and so because our salaries go up, those go up and therefore the state's match goes up. And then
033also a minor increase in basic ed and special ed ed funding. So, that makes up 19% of the change. >> I would just interject at this point, too. When we talk about the the state funding based off the governor's proposal, we we have not heard direction one way or another and we continue to wait, but I think at this point the secret whispers are that it looks strong for educational funding. Uh now those are secret whispers, but when Mr. Fory and I were talking about >> Not anymore. [laughter] >> I didn't say what they were, but who said, but as [clears throat] Mr. for and I were talking about it's a great place for us, you know, over the next four weeks, hopefully we get some clarity in or the four meetings we get some
034clarity in that, but for right now, this is kind of what we need to uh need to be putting in this in this placement based off of the last two years. You know, we do feel pretty good about the ready to learn, but the question is going to become moving forward, will that continue? That's what we'll have to wrestle with in future years. last time. Has there been any move movement on the uh legislation for funding that is already guaranteed to schools to come out earlier? There's nothing that's still just kind of >> That has stalled. Thank you. [snorts] Mhm. [clears throat] >> And most of the energy at this point is really to getting to a budget and so um >> yeah, >> I think a bill left the House to go to the
035Senate. Um and that's where they start their negotiations. >> But I do to Dr. Gail's point, I am definitely more comfortable in the governor's proposed budget this year than I was last year and things came through. So, I think we're So, how does this all come together? And we've talked about it and we've looked at the board budget. Um, and it's really uh recognizing that although in June you will pass a budget for next year, it's critical that we understand what does that do to the future? How does that set us up? Where does it uh come along? And so, if you remember uh part of the budget goals and Dr. Gale covered in in February. Uh it really is creating that multi-year that three-year strategic guide so that we make sure that we have
036the funding available to do these construction projects to have the resources to have the staffing. Um and so we're really uh are always trying to look into the future not just in the current year and how do we get that balanced. So going back to a slide that we uh covered in in the superintendent's update, you know, a couple things to recognize and understand here. Um the act one index, right, that we've talked about is calculated based on the district's need to sustain operations. That's what they look at. What does that district need to sustain its operations? And so right now for 2627 the statewide index is 3.5%. They've done the calculations. They believe that across the across the state 3.5 is needed to sustain operations. Um we have a factor uh based on our
037personal income and our uh property value where our need to sustain operations is calculated by the state is 4.5%. And so that's why there's the difference there and what it looks like. Um we did talk about you know looking at the last time we ramped up to a project. Uh we the board had the opportunity at that time to use exceptions. If you remember, I talked a few months ago, one of the things that cleared up in the legislation with the large amount of ready toearn money, that is no longer an option. If you seek the exception, you have to give back all your ready toearn money. Well, the ready to learn money far exceeds anything we could get exemption. So, that doesn't make any sense to do that. Um, as we looked at it,
038as I put the budget together, one of the things that we see is that opportunity between that three and a half and four and a half really is going to dictate how much we can put to the future projects in the next year, right? Where can we do it? What can we set aside? Uh, if you remember, the layout was that it's going to take eight years at 1% uh to do that. And so if we can pull some of that forward, then it allows us if there's a challenging year um to to maybe pull less there or to pull it front. So what does 3.5 do for us? It balances the budget as you saw. Uh it covers the increase for salary and benefits. It covers the new autistic support classes and our special
039education costs. It covers all the inflationary increases across supplies, maintenance, utilities. um it assumes that the governor's budget uh is, you know, p patched somewhere near there than its pros and it does allow us to take 1% of the t property tax and put it strictly towards future bond debt. Um on the flip side, what does 4.5 do? It does all of those things that 35 did, but now it allows us to take 2% of the tax and put it right to the future debt. Um it allows us to get ahead of those projects. It it builds that in there and gives us flexibility um depending on what happens in those future years when we look at how long we have to raise and what we may have to raise in the future. So tonight
040we're starting the final five meetings. Um that's a picture of where we're at. Um I sent out an email. There's a lot of specific documentation in the board folder. Um Dr. Gail and I are both very willing if somebody you know has questions about that that they want to see in two weeks or you'd like to talk about so that you better understand on your own. I will be more than happy to make time to do that. Um but at this point I'd take questions as to what we talked about tonight and um also if there are specific things that you would like to see in two weeks. Self admittedly, I did not get a chance to review your materials just yet, but do you have or have you included in there a prediction of
041what the future act one index could possibly be? >> Yes. So there I did put the last Raymond James presentation in there and and they laid out a page of the factors and what it looks like >> because it's going to continue to go down. >> Go down. Yes, >> it is predicted to go down and and there's some there's definitely accuracy for the next years because it's a three-year average. They know what's coming up, but it is predicted to to continue down. >> So, the projection for next year, the base index would be 3.2%. >> Okay. >> And then 33 33 31. So, it's going to it's going to drop some kind of level out. That does not include the adjusted index, but that's our base. That's the base index across the state. I
042don't know if Mr. Phillips if you have any insights into that or anything else with the adjusted index what we're looking at. >> Now page nine of of the April 7th presentation quoted the numbers that you had. So your your adjusted index would be probably in the low fours maybe somewhere. You're currently at four and a half this year. So probably somewhere in the low fours. Um, and again, I mean, a lot of that depends on inflation and everything else. So, you know, these could change. These could change. >> Any other questions from Mr. Fory? And thank you uh for putting together those resources. >> I I would just mention a couple other resources that are in the in the board information folder. I think one of the things that we typically ask like what's
043the difference between you know a 3.5 and a 4.5 what's the difference in the amount what's the difference uh the impact of it so there is a sheet there that does give out the 3.5% increase and then the 4.5% increase um that can help with with looking at the difference of that what comes in from those two percentages >> next next meeting is when we have to give you not a firm percentage but a >> you have to give me a firm enough one that I can put it in so that you can vote for it on the 22nd. So if you give me a number and I put it in on the 22nd and then you vote down the proposed final budget, then we'll have to have another meeting so that I can put
044another set of paperwork together to approve the proposed final budget. >> Right. You can adjust it afterwards in the next meeting, >> but that first one in June, but >> correct. >> Whatever we decide in May, >> whatever you decide in May 8th is going to be on May 22nd. And unless you want to schedule another meeting, we'll [snorts] you'll need to approve that May, >> but then on >> but we can change it between May 22nd and the June meeting. >> Okay. I'm just want to make sure I'm comprehending. Okay. I've been here for a while, so a lot of numbers tonight. >> Okay. Thanks. >> So, whatever you know, I would encourage us all to look at that folder and come with a number we are comfortable with. Um, so we're not having
045a Memorial Day picnic. >> You can all have a Memorial Day picnic. I won't be here >> because we can't have the meeting in Delaware. >> Correct. I mean you can we can do it there but I'm not >> we can't legally have the meeting. Any other questions for Mr. Fory? >> Thank you Mr. Fory. >> Okay great. And then item three. Let's talk a little policy. Dr. >> G. Thank you Dr. Forson. Uh tonight we have our first read of a policy uh that I think um we've we've talked about a little bit uh but also at the same time it's coming out of the concerns as we look at people who are coming into schools. Uh now that uh we have multiple facets for that to take place it's a good time to
046give some guidelines to what our presenters would be uh required of them to do. So policy 109.1 uh is a is outlines what we as a district are procedures for selecting and managing instructional presenters uh and outline some of the or I'll cover some of the things that does outline as as it pertains to um how presenters are chosen but then also more importantly what we are asking the presenters to do when they are talking with our students. Uh there is the guidelines here that talks about the selection process. Um you coming from a certified teacher or a counselor or you know one of our professional staff they would be making a recommendation. Uh that recommendation would then go to the building principal for his or her approval. Once that presenter is is approved then
047we would be expecting that person when they are presenting to follow the guidelines and these are set forward. Uh really kind of when we put it in in the plain uh discussion really what we're asking them to do is follow the school rules expectations you know that we would ask of our students in terms of appropriate behavior use of of appropriate language and of course dress and grooming. We don't want to have to dress code them when they come in. And then also respect for students and staff. And when we talk about respect, we're also referring to beliefs and uh understandings. And then one of the aspects that is included into this and this is the same that holds true for all of our employees is that when the presenter is talking to our students
048that they are not engaging in political activities, they're not collecting or soliciting campaign funds or campaign workers. They're not using students or staff for writing, addressing, or distributing uh partisan political materials. Obviously, politics is part of our curriculum. So, if they are speaking to a class that is about politics or a club that is about politics or a government class, then that's applicable because it's curriculum appropriate andor club appropriate. uh and the unless they are also helping with any type of student elections uh that is connected with an activity that we might have going on. Some schools will have a an election that they pick the best uh I saw it out here food from the cafeteria which by the way I was surprised popcorn chicken didn't wen't >> we're digressing. Uh so uh and
049then there is a process for if there is a challenge of a presenter what would happen in that process that would be worked through. So that's our first read. Uh if there's any questions or comments please share those with me. Um I think what we're trying to do is outline what what we are expecting those who are coming in the school uh to to abide by. [snorts] Is this intended to include um presenters at the scholarship night? >> I don't read it that way. >> This would be for in school like when when they're before students. >> Okay, got it. >> Any type of school sponsored activity that is before students. >> So, Dr. Gail, we had discussed having something that was applicable to all school like activities. So, what are we doing to cover
050anything that's sponsored by the like any district sponsored event? Mhm. >> So this covers that. So not just in school like it would be correct. Any any district where where >> So it does cover scholarship night. >> Yeah. The presentation is before students when students are present and it's a school sponsored activity. >> Okay. And so [snorts] what about presenters that come in to speak with like teachers on opening on opening day or in an inservice? Is there any stipulation? >> Yeah. School sponsored activities. >> Okay. So any school sponsored activities, not just students. Yeah. Okay. I just wanted to make sure I was I know that's what we talked about and then Okay. >> So I I mean I can't help but think about scholarships because I'm involved in that and this seems very
051rigorous, time consuming, >> not a practical necessarily. >> Well, the expectation the expectation is being set. >> Okay. >> And then they either abide by it or they don't. And if they don't then we challenge that present presenter and in the future they would not be able to present. >> Okay. So they don't have to they don't need to do all of this before presenting. >> No. >> Okay. Thank you for that clarification. >> Now, if it's a if it's a classroom teacher or something like that that's saying, I want to have this speaker, then there is that process that would be >> perfect. Thank you. I'm confused. Wouldn't they have to provide it before presenting? >> That's the [clears throat] whole point, right? >> So the >> Sorry, I'm you I'm just going by
052off of what you said. That sounded the opposite of what I thought. >> Yes. So the policy would be for anybody who is presenting before students or staff. Okay. In a school sponsored activity. That's the expectation. >> The expectation is that we have this information prior. Is there a time frame? I missed it. >> No, it doesn't step it doesn't specify a time frame. We could we could put one in there if that's what you're looking for like two weeks ahead or week ahead or whatever it would be. >> So, what I I guess I'm looking at the following procedures and I see one, two, and then the A through G. Is that what you're referencing, Steph? >> Yes. But yes, but then number four says occurring on an annual basis will be vetted once
053every four years unless there's a change in the previously approved presentation. >> So it doesn't have to be done every time >> if it's the same presentation. >> Mhm. >> Right. >> But if it's a different presentation, >> that's what I was asking. >> But yeah, I don't I don't see I mean I guess I'm looking at a form that has the name of presenter, title of presentation, the organization. That's stuff that any presenter should have readily available anyways if they're coming in to speak >> and if they're presenting for scholarship thing, >> right? >> Well, Joe Fullerton uh company XYZ um title presentation is the Matt Beaks uh scholarship fund. You know that again that's all. >> Yeah, there's no way that this could be done before this year though. the timing would I
054mean it I just don't see that it wouldn't be approved necessarily anyway but I'm just thinking >> when uh when's the scholarship >> the 21st something like that 20th 21st right >> yeah it's like the Thursday before Memorial Day >> going back to what I'm trying to say like type of presentation like linked presentation materials like yeah I would I personally would expect that we would have that within a certain period of time before whatever is being presented I don't think we should be receiving it five minutes before they present it. >> How does that give us any due diligence to verify what is being presented? >> I would I would say minimum a week. >> So, is that something that would be an administrative guidelines, Phil? >> Yeah. So, uh to the committee, I
055did send the an attachment which is the admin rags and it is the form that teacher or the >> the person who is making the request for the presenter would complete. Like one of the questions is have you viewed have you read viewed or listened to the presenter's material in its entirety? >> So I think maybe [clears throat] Steph is your question like practically for an event like scholarship night what does that practically look like and how is it imple implemented? Yeah, you know, 70 presenters, >> we'd say to the presenters in general, you know, this is what we're expecting from you. Yeah, >> this is our policy. >> Are you asking Steph like if we need to submit people's speeches ahead of time? Like their 30 seconds of like is that what I'm just
056want to make? >> Yeah, I'm asking if they're going to if every scholarship presenter is going to need to complete one of these forms a week prior to the scholarship event for this year or for any year. the the presenter itself would not it would be >> the foundation >> Jan but so with a policy being present let's take let's take the senior awards night out and then we'll come back >> perfect >> so how I envision is teacher I'm looking at having this presenter come in I look at all I bet their process I fill out the form I submit that to the principal principal signs off on it we bring them in >> okay >> and then we go from there >> uh for something of what we're talking about, we would we
057would like with the senior awards. I mean, there is the blurb that is written. We would we would have those [clears throat] submitted. >> Okay. >> I'm not saying it's a problem. It's just a change that would have no you raised a good question. I'm working through it in my mind as well. >> Yeah, because we're not talking about a small number of people [clears throat] and >> Yeah, that and certainly anything can be done if that's what needs to happen. But we just have to figure out practically how we do that. >> Most of those are rewritten each year. >> Correct. >> Change name. >> Yeah, it's not too difficult. It could be. Yeah. >> Any other questions for Dr. Gail? >> Again, first read. So, if you have any questions or any suggested
058comments, uh, if anything needs to be strengthened, please let me know. Be glad to. >> Perfect. So, with that being said, may I have a motion to put this on our May 4th voting agenda. >> So moved. >> And a second. Thank you. Any further comment or question? All those in favor? >> Eight affirmative votes. >> Okay. >> Oh, Anthony. Anything else for the good of the committee of the whole? Just want to note we started 20 some minutes behind and we only finished 10 minutes by the proposed schedule. Very good. With that, I'll adjourn the committee of the whole and we'll move right into the school board meeting. So, I'd like to call that to order for Monday, April 20th, the Pen Manor School District School Board Directors Board Meeting. Would you join me
059in a moment of silence and the flag salute? >> Thank you. I pledge 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. The next scheduled meeting of the Pen Manor School Board will be held on Monday, May 4th, 2026, following the committee of the whole meeting. An executive session was held prior to the committee of the whole meeting for the purpose of discussing real estate and personnel as detailed on the committee of the whole agenda. Mrs. Rhodess, may we have a roll call, please? >> Sure. Mr. Beaks, >> here. >> Mr. Her >> here. >> Mrs. Hope, >> here. >> Mrs. Kek, >> here. Mr. Lombardo is absent. Mr. Warfl >> here. >> Ms. Wart
060>> here. >> Mrs. Napsiger >> here. >> Dr. Fullerton >> here. >> Eight board members present. >> At each of our board meetings, we offer our citizens two opportunities to uh address the board. The first opportunity has arrived and it is for matters on the board voting agenda only. Do we have any citizens who wish to comment on board matters? Seeing none, we'll be happy to entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the April 7th, 2026 school board meeting. >> So moved. >> Thank you. A second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any further comment or question? >> All those in favor? >> Eight affirmative votes. Dr. Gail, superintendent report. >> Thank you, Dr. Forson. Uh we are nearing the end of April in the home stretch of our school year and uh number of
061things that we are taking that are taking place this week and next week uh include the administration of the PSSA testing in our elementary and middle school levels. Uh this week is ELA, next week is math and science. uh so our students have the opportunity to demonstrate their growth and their achievement uh this year uh through this process. We also are beginning our celebrations of different things that have that we have accomplished this year and uh we look forward to our board meeting on May 18th because that night we will be recognizing our retirees as well as our employee of the year. This year it is Deb Gerlock, our Leort cafeteria manager. Our elementary educator of the year, Danielle Gwyn, who is a fourth grade teacher at Letor, and our secondary educator of the year,
062Dave, who's our f phys teacher here at the high school. Uh, prior to our May 18th, there will be a light reception. So, uh, more details will come, uh, to all board members, uh, in the next couple of weeks. We do have a problem though because Deb Gerlock's not going to be able to do that reception. So, we'll have to figure something out with that. [laughter] Um, in addition to celebrations, uh, this week, uh, we have 32 seniors who will be taking part in our athletic senior signing day, uh, Thursday at 1:45 in the auditorium. Uh, these seniors are indicating where they can plan to continue their education as well as their, uh, athletic career. So, if you're able to, please feel free to stop out and and see that uh momentous event for our
063seniors. And then I am pleased to share that uh through conversations with one of the builders that is working in our community, uh Garmin Builders has committed to make a one-time uh $10,000 direct contribution to this district's STEM program. and that with the flexibility for the district to allocate the funds uh where we feel that it will be the greatest impact. We're looking at purchasing in uh equipment such as 3D printers um the possibility of drones, classroom touchcreens as well as a laser cutter, track saw or other potential investment in AI based initiatives. appreciate the generous donation from Garmin and we'll continue to work through that and have that come to the board for final approval before we would be receiving the donation. >> Uh that's all I have Dr. Fton. Thank you. >> Thank
064you, Dr. Gail. Any questions for Dr. Gail? [clears throat] Okay, seeing none, let's review our agenda. Item two, letters A through C. >> Dr. Fullerton, we need >> Treasures report. I didn't feel like paying the bills this month. We'll get we'll catch you later. >> Last time you gave him a hard time, we had issues. >> Just we did have a little hiccup last time after you made that comment. So I asked >> Oh, there was a hiccup. >> Uhhuh. >> Oh, then I apologize. >> We'll pay our bills. >> Okay. Excellent. Thanks. >> So tell us talk to us about >> We're not going to let him run the meeting every other meeting. [laughter] >> Okay. So the treasur report for this evening uh is that for March 2026 uh the balance sheet as
065of March 31st 2026 [snorts] shows total assets of 54,238,22261 [cough] and there are March bills awaiting ratification this evening >> of which I will accept a motion to pay our bills. >> So move second. Go ahead, Fred. >> Any further comment or question? All those in favor. >> Eight affirmative votes. >> Thank you and my apologies. >> Okay. [snorts] So, back to item two, A through C. >> I'd like to pull 2 C. >> 2 C. Thank you. Item three, A and A and B. And item four, A through G. Okay. May I have a motion to approve items 2 A and B? >> So moved. >> Thank you. A second. Second. Any further comment or questions? [clears throat] >> All those in favor? >> Eight affirmative votes. >> May I have a motion to
066approve item 2 C? >> So moved. >> And a second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any further comment or question? >> All those in favor? Five affirmative votes and >> six I'm sorry >> six affirmative votes. >> Sorry, one hand went down too quick. Got it. >> Okay. Opposed >> and two opposed. >> Motion carries. Item three. May I have a motion to approve A and B. >> So moved >> and a second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any further comment or question? All those in favor? >> Eight affirmative votes. >> And item four, A through G. >> So move >> and a second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any further comment or question? All those in favor? >> Eight affirmative votes. Okay, thank you. We have now reached the second opportunity for our citizens
067to uh make comments. This comment could be on anything related to the district. Do we have any citizens comments this evening? Seeing none, anything else for the good of the board? Okay. Thank you. We'll see you in two weeks on May 4th.