6/23/25 Board Meeting

001[Music] Don't do [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Make that gavvel good. Doc say Dr. Napiger. Dr. Napsiger. I don't have that distinguish. Get your gavl up on. No. All right. Good evening and welcome to the Penn Manor Schoolboard meeting. Executive session was held prior to the committee of the whole meeting to rec uh to discuss personnel and a student matter. And I'll call to order. The next scheduled meeting of the Penman School Board will be held on Monday, July 21st, 2025 at 7 p.m. in the large group instruction room of the Penmanor High School. Please note that we are not meeting on the first Monday of July. We will only meet once for those of you who frequently attend. Um, and just as an announcement, we had an executive session prior to the

002committee of the whole for the purpose of discussing personnel and student matter detailed above. Mrs. Rhodess, can we have a roll call, please? Sure. Mr. Beaks here. Mr. Her here. Mr. Lombardo here. Mr. Straw here. Uh, Mr. Swagger is absent right now. Miss W here. Mrs. Naviger here. Dr. Bullet here. Seven board members present. Thank you, Mrs. Rhodess. Can we have an a motion for approval of the minutes of the June 9th meeting? So moved. Second. Either one. All right. Any discussion? All right. All those in favor for a minute votes. Mr. Straw. Yeah, Miss uh Dr. Fullerton. Yes. Seven. Okay. Board development and opportunities. Does anybody have anything to share since our last meeting? Uh Mr. Stro, do you have anything? Yes. Yeah. say briefly that thank you uh to to Matt for filling

003in this this coming Thursday this week uh for the TTC meeting. So So Matt will be doing that and uh and I thank him greatly uh for that. Awesome. Um the facilities committee did meet um last week um and we met with Hi who gave us some figures and some possibilities regarding the development of what some of us would call the Armstrong property and Dr. Gail also gave us just an update on our uh facilities plan. Um and so in July we will have a presentation on some recommendations and a path forward for some of our facilities. Uh does anybody have anything to add from that meeting? Okay. And not much on the front of upcoming dates. So um August 18th is opening day and uh PSBA will be October 19th through 21st at Kalahari

004if anybody's interested in attending. Anything else? Any other opportunities? Okay. So, moving on to item one um to the new school board director recommendation. Um Dr. Gail, thank you for consulting our general counsel, Jeff Litz, regarding the appointment for the current board vacancy. On June 9th, Dr. Fullerton shared the process for appointment. As a review, Pennsylvania's school code requires the current school board directors to appoint an individual to the vacant seat until the next election, at which time the seat will be chosen by the people. As recommended by our legal council, considering the vacancy occurred within close proximity to an election, this board has determined to follow the democratic process and appoint the person who received the highest number of votes, excuse me, in the May election to fill the vacancy for the next five

005and a half months. Can I please have a motion to place uh the appointment of Eric G. Warfl on tonight's voting agenda? So move. We have a first and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Five affirmative votes? Mr. Straw? Yes. Dr. Fullerton? Dr. Polerton here. Okay. Seven affirmative votes. Okay. Moving on to item number two. Dr. Gail and Mr. Dasi. Yep. I introduce Mr. Tossy, our athletic director. Uh this is the uh supposed to be his quiet time, but I don't know if it really is. Uh seeing how we're already ramping up for next year, but it's at this meeting that uh Mr. Tacsi usually provides us with an update, a review of our past year and I would congratulate him as well as all of our athletes and coaches on a fine

006year uh for the 2425 sports seasons uh and uh continue to appreciate the work that Mr. Tasi does not only with our athletes and coaches on the field or uh in the stands but also the work that he does in preparing our our athletes and coaches uh you know on the mental side of things but also in terms of the leadership aspects and uh it's something that Mr. Tossi has certainly brought and has benefited our uh our athletes and and overall our school in general. So uh tonight uh turn it over to Mr. Tossy so he can chair and uh he has some guests that we'll be uh looking forward to meeting. So, all right. Thank you, Dr. Gail, and thank you to the board for having me come speak again. This is something I

007look forward to each year because it's a chance for me to brag about our student athletes and all the great things they're doing, not only from a competitive standpoint, but more importantly on the academic side, community side, and just in the league as a whole. And before I get started, I really wanted to make a point here to bring up something. When I got hired here, I had a really big goal. One of them was I really wanted to see Penn Manor win the league sportsmanship award. Sportsmanship is something that's extremely important to me. I come from a very highly competitive family. I have a competitive background, but one thing we've always stressed is the importance of winning and winning right. And I think this year was just phenomenal in that out of the 20

008sports that do a sportsmanship award, eight of our sports won it individually, which is pretty incredible. And when you think about that, one of the teams was the section champions in softball. Boys lacrosse won it. We're in the league finals. Track won it with multiple state medalist. Our other sports that won, girls volleyball, boys tennis, which which had a phenomenal season this year, boys volleyball, which were in the district playoffs, girls basketball, which had an amazing turnaround season, and they were in the district playoffs. I mentioned already boys lacrosse, boys soccer who made the quarterfinals of districts for the first time since 1991. And then obviously I mentioned already softball. So just to be able to win that in eight sports is something that I think we're all really proud of. And what was even

009more amazing was that we won the spring sportsmanship award by winning five of the seven sports. So the league athletic directors all vote on who would win those season champion. uh season sportsmanship award and we won it for the spring sports. Then what they did was they take the three winners and then they are voted on by the entire league athletic directors for the overall sportsmanship award for the entire league and I'm proud to say that Pen Manor won this year. So I think that's something to be really proud of. You know I know it's something I'm really proud of. I hope our coaches are and our student athletes and I have a number of our student athletes here from the eight sports. So, I'm going to let them come up and introduce themselves and

010tell you what sport they're involved with. Yep. Do you want to show the So, it's a nice banner that we'll be able to hang up in our gym. [Music] I'm Elijah Hes. I'm on the track team in Manor and uh I was the state medalist at states. Um I'm a senior. I play for the boys lacrosse team. My name is Charlie Wood. My name is Ethan Clman. I'm on the track and field team. I'm Leah Swanson. and I'm part of the girls basketball team. Hi, I'm Zuzu Hardy and I do softball, volleyball, and swimming. Hi, I'm Haley Fry and I'm with the Penar girls volleyball team. Hi, I'm Abby Andrew. I play for girls volleyball. Hi, I'm Hannah Marx. I'm a junior and I'm representing girls volleyball and swim. Hello, I'm Dennis Dunl. I'm the

011head coach for the boys tennis team. Hi, I'm Sarah Foreman. I'm the assistant coach for the boys tennis team and head coach for the girls. Mike Glacken, girls basketball coach. Hi, Tim Joyce. I coach the girls volleyball team. I'm also an English teacher at high school. Again, I really want to thank our athletes and our coaches for doing things the right way. I think it's just again something really phenomenal, not only to be a winning on the competition, courts or fields or arena, but then also winning that sportsmanship award. And the sportsmanship award for each team is actually voted on either by officials or by the opposing coaches. So that shows that you're doing things the right way. And again, great job to all of you and thank you for coming out tonight to be

012recognized. [Applause] Yeah. Uh, Mr. Tossy, thanks for starting off your presentation with that piece of uh, recognition and and to our athletes, thank you for uh, the way you've represented Pen Manor. Uh, it's something that I think all of us in this room feel strongly about when you put that Pen Manor uniform on. Uh, we want you to win obviously uh, but we also want you to do it in the right way. uh and the way that you continue to demonstrate good sportsmanship, leadership, and obviously uh quality athletics uh and you know and your abilities, we greatly appreciate it and we know it's not easy especially when you're trying to be a leader of your peers that can be challenging. So, we appreciate how you have done that and how you've also been able to

013excel. And to our coaches that are here tonight, congratulations on the on the spring season and back in the fall uh for receiving that award again. I think it's part of your leadership uh of why we receive this. Obviously, as you lead our teams, it's important that we're instilling those things of competitiveness, but also competitiveness done with the right way. So, we appreciate the extra work that you do in that. So, thank you uh coaches and and to our athletes for for representing Pen Manor in a in a very strong fashion. Thank you, Dr. Gail. Before I get started in my presentation, I just want to quickly make recognition. It's it's in my presentation a little bit later, but again, Elijah Hess and Ethan Kloppman who are both just came up before and introduced themselves.

014Just want to congratulate both of them for earning state medals this year. Elijah in the javelin and Ethan in the high jump. And they'll be back next year searching for a gold medal. So, congratulations to both of them. All right. Well, I'll get started now on my presentation. Again, I just want to give an overview of what the season was like. I felt like this year was a really good season for us, both from a competition wise, but also the things like I mentioned earlier that we're doing off the fields. Um, our participation numbers have increased again this year. We are up to 751 athletes. Uh, total athletes. That's a 15 and a.5% increase since 2022. So we are seeing a nice increase at that. Our number of unique student athletes, those would be athletes

015that are just counted one time regardless if they were a multisport athlete was at 563. That was a slight decline from last year. We are seeing more and more of that sport specialization. I think this senior class we did not have one three sport athlete. So now the good news is we have a junior class and we have a sophomore class that we have a number of three sport athletes. Obviously Zuzu Hardy who was just up here before is one of those three sport athletes. So we are seeing some but that's just something I think all of us around the league we talk about you're seeing it statewide is that multisport athlete. We're seeing more and more of the sports specialization. Just quickly at our junior high level we had 200 I should say middle

016school. This was seventh and eighth graders. we had um 274 unique athletes for a total of 367 for the year. So that number was slightly up as well from last year. So some good news with our participation numbers. One of the things that I like to look at, top two make it to the league playoffs, but top three where are we at? How are our teams doing this year? We were again we were at that 39% of the teams that for that have a league playoff were in the top three of their section. Those teams were as you can see there were field hockey, girls tennis, softball, bowling, girls lacrosse, boys lacrosse, boys wrestling, and boys basketball. So we were very very close in a couple of those sports of being in the top two,

017but close is good, but it's just not quite enough. But I think something we're seeing a good trend there. We were very young in a lot of these sports as well. So I am excited to see where we go, you know, next year. Again, looking at our teams qualifying for team districts. This is just a metric I like to look at. How are we doing? Are our teams getting into the team districts? Um, we were down slightly. Last year we had 11 of our teams were in. This year we had nine for a slight decrease. Um, boys wrestling was at the 17th spot and I think we had one other sport that was one spot out as well. So, not bad. You know, obviously we want to see that trend keep going up. So, anytime

018I see a little bit of a dip, uncompetitive, I don't like it, but I think we're on a good trend. It's definitely better than where we were in 2022 when we only had 40%. So, we are moving in the right direction. I think some things that were really nice this year, you saw a sport like girls basketball who had only won seven I think games in the two previous years making the district playoffs as a I think they were a 12th or 13th seed. So, we are seeing some good things. Um, you know, you saw boys soccer making back-to-back playoffs for the first time in like over 40 years. So, we're see um some real good positives. Girls tennis was actually one of my biggest surprise sports for this year. They just had a awesome

019season. They came down to the last match of the year and with a win would have made the district playoffs. I think I told our coach that and she was like, "What? Really?" I'm like, "Yeah." Unfortunately, they lost that match to a really good opponent, but pretty cool to see them in that until the very end. Here's what I just try to look at again. We looking at here a number of teams with a 500 or o 500 or better record that have a district three championships and then all of our sports um with what their records are. So all the sports could mean something like swimming or track and field cross country where there's not like a throughout your season you don't have a district you're not getting ranking points to be able to

020make it to the districts. So, these were um it's more of those individual sports. Uh we did take a bit of a dip on that with all varsity team sports down to 53%. But I don't think it was as bad like I think that stat looks worse than what it really is. Um a lot of again those teams were in that 40 45%. Um one thing that we did do this year when I came in and I think our goal is that we want to try to win district titles. we want to try to get to the state championships. And so, one of the things we had to look at doing was some stuff with our our schedules. So, what we did do a little bit of an upgrade on our schedules. A lot of

021our teams had much tougher schedules, which definitely helped a lot with where we fell in the district power rankings. But I also think with some young teams that hurt a little bit as well. So, it's the right way to go. But I just think that's why we might have seen a little bit of a dip as on that with the 500. As I mentioned, we had a lot of great team success this year. I felt um you can see our teams that were in the district championships. Boy soccer, I mean, again, they won the first time they won a district playoff game in over 40 years. And it was only the second time in program history that we've ever won a playoff game in districts for boys soccer. pretty pretty crazy to think about that.

022Um and again they made it backtoback years. Um we had bowling. I made the mistake at the senior awards saying Chris made it for 20 straight years of in the league championships for bowling when he corrected me to make sure it's 21 straight years. To think about that being in the top two in section for 21 straight years. I mean it's incredible. Boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse both making it to the league finals together for the first time ever in program history. Boys were in the first ever finals. Girls had won the championship previously. Um, boys basketball, I forget what again it was 30 plus years I think for them to be in the league playoffs for backtoback years and softball which started the season I think 0 and5 or 0 and6 and they went on

023a tear and ended up winning the section. They were co- champions with Warwick in the section one championship with an extremely young program. So pretty phenomenal year for them. And then obviously our PA state qualifiers field hockey and then boys lacrosse. Uh boys lacrosse again first time ever in program history. And what's really nice there again both of those programs are very young and I think you can see them make some deep runs for next year along with a few of our other teams. Not going to go over all the individualist success, but as you can see, we had quite a bit. I think state medalists, we had um three come from the track and field. Uh Kate Harish, Elijah Hess, Ethan Kloppman, and then Trevor Olsen. He was a swimmer that was part of

024our co-op with the Stone School. came in and was a state runner up in both the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle and kind of took the whole league by tear with how good of a season that he had and just a phenomenal young man as well and just so appreciative of the opportunity to be a part of our program. I know I got a really nice email from his mom just speaking about how great he was welcomed by the coaching staff, the team and the school and how much they really appreciate it. They said it far exceeded the expectations when they came in. Um, we had district champions again, three of them, Elijah, Trevor Olsson again, and Drew Landis. Uh, Drew's just been on a tear since she's come in as a freshman. She's only

025a sophomore and continues to just set new standards for swimming. And with our league champions, it was those three. And then plus also Ethan Kloppman and um, Kate Harish. So, really good years. I also saw that Grant Bradburn just got named by USA Lacrosse as an all-American. So, phenomenal. um accomplishment for him. I also can tell you that we had probably I think it was over 50 student athletes who had earned either league medals or section allstars. I don't have the exact number but it was over 50. So really good year for us. Well, I think we had a lot of great success uh competition wise. I think we did some really cool things again from a non-competition. We already talked about the overall winner of the LL sportsmanship award which I was just extremely

026proud of. But one of the other events that I think has just been a phenomenal event that's growing is our girls in women's and sports day. Uh this year we had almost 100 attendees take part in this and we had um I just drew a mic on her name to speak. Um one of our former student athletes spoke to all the student young students there. What was really cool about this is all of our sports teams, female girls teams, set up interactive booths. So, people were able to come in, be able to learn about their sport, meet our current student athletes, and get to play games for about 2 hours. Then, we had a guest speaker. We were able to get a sponsor that bought shirts for all the pre-registration uh students that took part

027in it. Um, the previous year, I think we had about 25 this year, so to go up to a hundred, which is great. And I just think this was something that was just great. Um, our field hockey coach, Rachel Sudter, really is the one that spearheaded this project and did a phenomenal job with it. I'm just I'm excited to see where this continues to go and continue to grow. Um, I'm going to talk a little bit more about the student leadership club in a moment. A couple other things that we did that were pretty nice. We did two really good events that I just thought were outstanding. U we did the Harry Fry gym dedication. Um unfortunately um Coach Fry passed away several days after this ceremony was not be able to be there but

028just a such a great night and we had Wally Walker Dr. Gail both spoke at this event and the feedback I got even from the Wesboro people was just phenomenal. They just said just what a great night. We had a great night to promote Penmanor athletics, um, Coach Fry and the basketball program. And then also during the girls basketball season, we were able to recognize Brooke and Emma Deerdine for being Olympians. And again, I think a nice event, set up an autograph session out in the gym for them afterwards. So, those are a couple of things that we did that I was really excited about. A couple other things that you'll see that non-competition wise that I think are pretty good. We've um you're going to start seeing a lot more banners are up promoting

029our success in sports. I think it's nice when you can go somewhere and you see that history. I think it's important for our current student athletes to know, hey, we've been pretty good at these a lot of these sports and I want to see our team on that those banners. So, we've had them up at Comet till the wind got it and blew it down. So, I have to get a new one up there. Uh but we have one over at the tennis courts. We have one over at the track that just needs to go back up. So, some really good stuff. And if anyone's been in the Harry Fry gym, you can see all the banners that are hung up there. So, our student leadership experience, this is something I've been really spending a

030lot of time on. And this year, I was able to set up a club during the school day um that was meeting twice a month to talk about student leadership. And we talked a lot about just different issues, how to be better leaders. But during this, we also had some guest speakers be able to come in and speak. And we had Sarah Hild Debrandt, who was an Olympic gold medalist, who has an incredible story, especially after what happened to her in Tokyo, to talk about her story. Uh we had Cliff Crosby, who was a Super Bowl champion who came from Eerie. Um really good talking about his background. Um Dr. Sean Zeppelin who's the Duke athletic sports psychologist who works with the basketball team and lacrosse teams and all the top athletes at Duke and

031then we had the Karen organization also come in to do some u presentations as well. So we had about 25 to 30 students in this u something we're going to keep doing. I think it was really well received. Our class we did our senior signing day. I think we do a better job than anyone in the league on this and I've been seeing quite a few of them with how we do it and we had 18 students this year take part in that. Again, I think all of our teams do a great job of putting a lot of work into not only um again athletics and academics, but also trying to do things back to the community service, a lot of projects with the loft, toys for tots, you know, we had the coaches for

032cancer, um the food drive, pink nights. So, a lot of different things were involved with in those areas. Again, these were our senior sports award winners. We had a really good group again once again this year. You can see who they are. Our senior sports awards is a nice event and continues to, you know, we're always trying to kind of refine that each year, but thought we had a really good group. Next year's class is going to be really good, too. So, we have a lot of great juniors coming up. These numbers here on our Title N reporting pretty similar to what I just talked about earlier in the presentation. This is our breakdown of where we are at. So, uh, 48, you know, 304 unique males, 2599 unique females. Uh, actually our female numbers

033were up some this year compared to last year. And our male numbers were down a little bit. And again, it's about 30% of the school, our athletes are taking part in sports. So, pretty good. I think that's a pretty good number. These were just some of the goals that I put together for last year that I presented when I was here. You can kind of see where I'm at with that. We um still working on like a new coach handbook. It's one of those ones. It's like 90% done. I got to just get that last 10% done. We did a new parent handbook that's really good. It really outlines everything a parent needs to know. Um we did get new Huddle cameras. So, we did make a change in our way we were doing things

034with Huddle and VO and now that's going to allow us to start streaming up there, but we kind of got a late start with when the cameras came in, but excited with the new Huddle cameras are phenomenal for up there. They've been huge asset. Uh we talked about the student leadership council group. We did our student salute to Olympians. Continue to work with our local youth leagues. Um, looking again always at the coaching evaluation process. Is there ways to make it better? And then this last one, I think it might seem like a silly one, but this one was a really big one for me. We developed worked with the IT department and found a software to be able to better manage all of our facilities. And when we start breaking it out with all

035the different groups and everyone that's using something with athletics, I think we have 44 different calendars. So when you think about that across all of our facilities and everywhere we're at, we needed something that was a little bit more manageable and this has made it has been great. So that's been a really one thing that I've been really excited about. Um just again some strengths and weaknesses and opportunities for us in athletic department. Again, I think our strengths a lot of these are what I just kind of went over last year. We have great support through the board, administration, community. We have a lot of tools and resources to be successful such as we're talking about Huddle, we're talking about different like online tools that we can use. Um, and our high school facilities. I

036think every time we have an event here, everyone talks about how amazing the facilities are. They're like, "This is a mini college campus." So, really phenomenal some of the things that we can do with events from an athletic standpoint. Um, some of the weaknesses again, our facilities at Common Field are a challenge, especially the fieldhouse when you have a fall and we have the number of athletes we have and the limited space we have. So, we're always trying to figure out how we can best modify and make that work. One thing that we're working on a lot is, I think, is this mental toughness, the belief to be in the top tier. And so, we're looking at one of the big goals for next year is how do we do some things better to help

037our athletes improve there. uh talked about the multisports. Um and then just again opportunities. We do provide a lot of allse training. We do provide a lot of technology to improve and then just coaches buying in. Our coaches do want to buy in which is really nice. The measures of success I think you can click on that you can look at. I don't know why I can't get to it right now, but that's just a kind of a summary of how we look at all of our sports from GPA to code of conduct, winning record in the league, uh, who was state qualifiers, student athlete evaluations, coaches evaluation, and I took some numbers there. Again, I don't know why I can't I'm afraid to click too many buttons here. So, um, you can take a

038look at that. Again, we're always looking at that ways to make is there ways to make it better or is there different things that we can do? Um, here's some things that I would just look at and say if we're looking at our measures of success from all of our teams, you know, we have won the team sportsmanship award. We had eight teams winning individually. We had five teams in the LL playoffs, nine teams in district playoffs with two state qualifiers. Our overall participation numbers are up. Our discipline issues for athletes was way down this year. Our average GPA of all athletes with a 3.45, which is really nice. I think that's really impressive. Uh, our teams are getting involved within the community. They're involved in clubs. They're involved in different things. So, they're not

039just being athletes, they're really being that true definition of a true student athlete. And our student athlete surveys are very positive. Yes, we have a couple that there's areas that need some improvement, but I think all in all, this was probably the best year we had for our student athlete surveys. Um, some improvement areas. Again, I think we all like to win. We all want to win. Uh, we haven't won a league championship since 2022 when soccer um since field hockey won in 2022. And then in 2021, soccer and field hockey both won and softball. So, definitely we have some teams next year that can do that and hopefully break that drought. Um, again talking about nice to have teams in league playoffs, but again only softball and field hockey in the last three years

040have won a section title and softball won it with a co- championship this year. Um, one area that we really want to get more improvement on because I think it's a direct correlation to success on the fields or as a competitor and that's in the weight room. So we provide a lot of opportunities for the weight room and we want to really increase that engagement. And then again just that multisport athletes like colleges like multisport athletes. Look at the top college athletes are multisport athletes. Uh student athlete surveys. I know we get asked about these a lot. I think again these are really good because they give athletes a voice. We can see trends. Allows somebody to be able to talk about something. One thing with student athlete surveys that I really try to stress

041is that they are anonymous. But we do give an opportunity to say if you want to talk in person, click this button and then they can put their name and then we can set up a meeting with them. But if they don't want to do that, we don't and I don't know who they are. I I don't know who turns the surveys in. Sorry. Uh, I think the cons again as I've always said, context sometimes is missing. And then sometimes the return rate isn't always the best, especially when you sometimes you get into the spring, they're ready for summer and to get out of there. And if there's no issues on the team and things are going really well, that number is usually really even lower. Just some department goals for next year. Um, one

042of the things we're looking at, I've been working with Charlie and I team on is a new app for communication for all of our teams called Sports U. So, everybody's on band or Remind or one of those crazy ones. There's so many different ones, but trying to get everyone using the same system. I think parents will be very happy about that as well, so they're not having 12 different apps on their phone. Um, again, this area of working with teams on mental preparation, this is just an area that we really want to put some focus on because I think that's an area we can make big gains for our student athletes. Uh, we talked about trying to digitize our team awards so there we can use more of those video boards out there. We're doing

043some changes to our website and then just continuing always looking to continue ways to enhance the game experience for spectators. We're doing a lot more things with music, an announcer at most games. So, we're doing some good things, but always to do things even better. Just some long-term planning. Uh, a lot of these again I brought up last year. Uh, we are again one of the only schools that does not have a 12-mon secretary. Um, we are the only 6A school that does not have one. I actually put on this next one fall 2025. I actually meant fall of 2026 for boys and girls. Junior high volleyball that is a league sport now. So the new cycle is coming up in 2026. So that's why we would be looking to try to start potentially start

044that then. Not that I'm looking to start girls flag football, but that is out there and it's just something we need to be aware of because it is getting it is growing. But it's growing from the Philly area and the Pittsburgh area and coming towards the center. I think you're going to see this area probably the last to get it. Um, but I could be wrong. Um, our scoreboard sometimes it's always kind of hit or miss. Sometimes we're always a little worried it's going to start up at Comet because it's been there for quite a while. And then just a um, and I've talked on this one, just the lack of space up at Comet Field. That's just a challenge in the fall. We're always trying to figure out ways to make things work and

045no matter what decision I make, somebody's unhappy. So I just kind of spreading it around now to see who which team gets to be unhappy with me for that coming year. It's a good problem to have with the number of student athletes in all those sports, but it's just a challenge. And then last thing I would just ask, um, this was just something that last year we were able to get a stipen for an assistant girls tennis coach and this year we was just looking for one for our assistant for our boys tennis coach. Sarah and Denny were great together. Knock on wood, they stayed working together. But this past year, um, Sarah did it when she was just served as a volunteer assistant for Denny, but she does a phenomenal amount of work and

046just a great coach. Any questions for me? I know I threw a lot of information out there. I have a question and a comment. My question, the leadership experience, can any of the athletes attend that or is that strictly for the leadership council? Uh, it's that's one I kind of use two different words. It's really one. It's a leadership club. So, what I try to do is I try to talk to our coaches and say who of your team could be good leaders and get them involved. And that's that's who goes to that experience where you had all those speakers. Yes. Yep. They were a part of that. Okay. Yeah. And one of the things that was really cool out of this that I didn't actually mention was we had one of our student athletes

047who was in our leadership club, Allison Provenzo. I mean, she did such an phenomenal job. she applied for a leadership um for the National High School Federation Leadership Summit through the PIAA and she was selected by the PIA being one of the um I think it's um 20 student athletes in the state of Pennsylvania to represent Pennsylvania at the National Leadership Summit. And when they do that with the PIA actually pays for their airfare, their hotel and everything. So, but where that came from was her and our leadership group and just what a phenomenal job, you know, she did. And one of the things we try to do with that leadership group too with that club is I like to have freshman and sophomores because we need to start growing their leadership skills now versus

048being a senior. So, the more that we can do things working with them early, the better. Are most all the sports teams represented on that or not necessarily? 70%. Okay. Okay. And when I say 70%, we have a lot of cross athletes. So you could take like a Zuzu again who was here. She can represent. She's across three different sports. I have Joel Croen. She's across three different sports. So when we look across Elijah, he's two sports. So when you kind of look at it, we probably hit every sport. Okay. Right. Then my comment is I think I need to correct one of the statements that we made. You said that you think that everyone should be proud of the sportsmanship award. I don't think there I don't think that there would be a person

049in the district that would not be proud. Um I think it speaks volumes of your leadership, the type of coaches that you have and that you're working with. I think we would be proud when we win and we have in the past won one sportsmanship award or two or three. But to win that many is not accidental. you're obviously making it a priority. And then to look at the wins that we've had athletically and then to have GPA averages of 3.45 speaks volumes of a very wellbalanced athletic program. But the sportsmanship awards just puts it over the top. Thank you. Yeah, I think it's I mean it's pretty awesome. Yeah, just well said. I was going to say something similar is not as well. 80 words. That's just so so how do you how do

050you do it? You don't have it through the coaches or the parents. I mean that's amazing. I think we have some really good coaches right now who are putting a focus on that and doing things the right way. It really it's intentional and I think our coaches are doing a good job of that. Yeah. Congratulations. Appreciate that. Any other questions? I just want to say, Pat, that um as a a parent of two former athletes, um like our athletic program should always be more than about wins and losses. Um and that's one of the things I've always instilled in my own kids. And so to see this presentation today, um to know that that is really what we believe at Pen Manor, that um athletics, it's a lot of fun to win and it's not

051a lot of fun to lose. Um but that we're here to build future leaders and strong individuals that when they leave Penner that they go out into their communities and they do amazing things. And I think that being a part of a team is what helps prepare you for that. um in addition to what happens in academics and that's why athletics are important in education. So, I just thank you for championing that. Um I thank you for having coaches that champion that and I I think that you're just, you know, showing everyone what it means to be a comet. So, I appreciate that and just challenge you to keep up the good work and, you know, it'll be hard to top this year. Um but we hope when I we see you next year that

052those numbers keep climbing. So, that's the goal. Yeah. So, absolutely. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Tas. Thank you all and have a great evening. All right, Mr. Fory. Good evening. Exciting part next couple finance presentations. So, the first one we'll look at because there's a number of uh actions that come with our board approve our budget approval tonight. And the first one is the act one property tax. Uh where are we at? What's happening there? And so as we look at that and we try to support the mission of the district, couple uh facts just to sort of point out. So we have seen um some pretty significant uh increases. So you can see here over the last 10 years, you know, early on it was really close to that 1.3 million. Um and then

053the last three years has taken some steps up each of those years. Uh so you can see that we're almost at 2 uh three million. So almost a million dollar increase over that last 5year time frame. Along with that, our number of homesteads has actually dropped. And so um not because homes disappeared, right? Um, but it could be if you remember some of the qualifications of a homestead is you have to to own the home but also be living in the home. So there may be some that that have transition into a rental or some other type situation. And so that's why we've seen some decline in our homesteads. Additionally, with our farmsteads, we've seen a drop there over the last number of years. And uh similarly with a farmstead, if a farmer owns more

054than one farm, only the farm that they live on is eligible for the farmstead. So, you know, if a smaller farm got sold out that may have been on here previously, uh the farm's still there. It's just that now the person isn't qualified for the uh for the rebate. So, um, so the combination of the higher, uh, amount that's in and the lower amount that it's being split, uh, we did see, I had talked previously that I expected about a $29. You can see it's almost a $30 increase, uh, from last year. Uh, and so each of the homesteads will be eligible for that amount. The farmstead is eligible for that amount. If a farm is a farmstead and a homestead, then it's eligible for both of those amounts. So that's what that looks like.

055Uh you know, the looking across the state, it varies pretty significantly. Um because the state allocation and then actually who you have qualified can vary pretty significantly. So there's some that are well under $100 and then there are some that that are two or three times ours depending upon the number of potential properties out there. So uh for this evening you'll see that there are a number of board resolutions. Um you are required to approve the farmstead homestead exclusions. Uh you'll also see and what what that means is is that any anyone who qualifies then gets an $11,71 reduction to their assessed property. That's how it works. That's what the credit comes back in. And then that you'll see that amount deducted from their bill. And so we do have a number of properties that

056are below the 11,000 711. So theirs essentially gets wiped out and then whatever is not used from those properties is distributed amongst the others as well. So that's the Farmstead Homestead tax question. So yes, um I don't want to steal your thunder from a like a latter um presentation. Will you be addressing how this affects any tax increase that we Yes. Okay. Then I will not I will reserve that question. Okay. Thank you. Anybody else have any questions for Mr. Fory? All right. Can we have a motion to place this on the agenda voting agenda for this evening? So move and a second. Second. Any discussion? Right. All those in favor? Five affirmative votes. Mr. Straw. Yeah. Dr. Fullerton, yes. Seven affirmative votes. All right, motion carries. Back to you, Mr. Fory. Okay, next presentation.

057So, we talked uh at the last meeting about our fund balances. Uh what we have done historically is we've looked at our fund balances uh twice a year. Once in the November time frame in our audit process, once during the budget removal so before we tie out the year um one of the things that is a requirement by the state is that we have to um assign commit uh anything above 8% of our expenditures. And we'll look at that in a second. And so, uh, really trying to look at how does that come in place. Um, at this point, we're going to make some, uh, commitments based upon where I think we're going to be. Um, and then obviously in November, we'll see where the that that point the audit comes in, all the expenses

058and revenues come in, and we'll we'll go that through that process. So, um, historically, we've done it every six months. Last time that we committed, it was November of 2024. So um for this evening trying to look at you know what do we project where do we see our fund balances at um so later uh in the next presentation we'll talk about our budgeted expenses uh for next year you'll see that that does include that budgetary reserve um and so and also I expect some increase uh to our um fund balance and so looking at what potentially Our fund balance looks like you can see that we're about 20.4%. Um, our non-committed portion, uh, I did raise that a little bit, but our percentage dropped. Um, I think it's a good place to stay just

059as as we finalize revenues and expenditures. It may be a little higher till we get to November to see that, but I think it puts us in a good position. Um and then we'll look at and as we talk similar similar categories with regard to this committed portion the $16 million was a little over $16 million but just to uh to raise the non-committed a little bit for next year because of the increase of expenditures. So you can see historically right so our fund balance has increased uh you know throughout the last number of years. Um, one of the challenges that you also see is that as our expenditures have gone up, our rising of our expenditures has outpaced our growth of our fund balance. So, um, we are uh, you know, still in the

060the plus 20% area, but you can see it is a smaller portion um, than we've had historically. So, a recommendation, I talked briefly about it two weeks ago. um couple things that we would uh the board would commit. Um essentially, and what this says is that this is potential uses this money. Uh this is what you as the board see we could use it as in the future. It doesn't mean that we're doing any of those right now, but what would what potentially could it be used for? So, uh potentially right now we had in November, and I would stay this way with a million dollars towards capital reserve. We talked about that um last week about last meeting about where we are that that's pretty low right now. Uh we've talked and um we

061have another week uh two weeks of healthcare expenses in the year. Um I'll just leave it there. Uh so that's cuz I'm not going to jinx myself. Uh so we do have recommend a million dollars there because we do have some ups and downs and we did see last year was much higher than we anticipated. so that we have some funds there. Uh $14 million for those future projects. And that could be a combination of things that could be used um at cash at the time that we go into those. It could be used to offset the increases as we ramp into that. Right? So, there's a number of different ways. Some of you remember when the high school project was built, um it was a $und00 million project, but at that point in time

062in building the capacity, the board had $20 million of cash on hand. And so the board only borrowed $80 million to do a $100 million project. And that's sort of where we're at today. So like I said, it's it's there. It's committed there. That that just leaves the possibilities open in the future. Okay. So the recommendation out of this is that we would um place on tonight's a resolution which is attached to the voting item as to commit the fund balances as recommended. questions. Anybody have questions for Mr. 40? Okay, seeing none, do we have a motion? So move. And a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor? Four per minute votes. Mr. Straw no Dr. Fullerton and then as guest yeah any against and one guess so six affirmative one oppose motion carries

063Mr. for. Yes. So, just a quick overview of the budget that is on the agenda later this evening to give you some highlights of of where we are. Um, I think one of the things that's important and I I like this slide. Um, I'm sure that Mr. Risinger doesn't like the slide cuz it's very busy and I'm not going to go through all of it, but I think it's important to sit back and reflect over the year and realize that that we talked about we looked at where we were at last year, what was happening this year, how that impacted next year multiple times throughout the year, right? As we had data, as things came available, Raymond James was in for a presentation. So, you see that although there's a vote tonight and this is

064a very short presentation, the reality is it's a really a year-long process. Um, you know, where are we at? How are things coming together? What does it look like? What do we know when we know it? Um, and so that's just sort of tonight's the highlight of of all that discussion and work. Um there are a couple things here with regard to the um slight change. I talked about it last meeting a little bit. Uh there's a slight increase in the revenues and expenditures. Uh most of that was related to the last um assessed property value that we got from the county. And then as I explained, we did see with the finalization of the IU special ed contract, uh that is higher than we had initially projected. So that gets those adjustments in there.

065Um you do see right around $740,000 of a funding gap and remember that $750 of that is due to the uh the contingency that emergency fund that's there. So it's not planned uh expenditures, but it's in there from a budgetary standpoint. um if if we would have those unknowns if something would happen on the healthcare side or somewhere else along the line that's there. So what's in the budget right big picture uh we talked about there's $750,000 in the expenditures that is that budgetary reserve that emergency contingency. So the the blue the 114 uh 543962 is the expected um uh expenditures. You see that's very closely matched with our revenues. Uh we did add two teaching positions. Uh we are uh transferring uh 2.115 million to future projects. Um we are making a larger investment

066in the capital reserve of $1.25 25 million in capital reserve, right? Versus the 500,000 we've had in the past. Talked about the budgetary reserve and it does have a 3.5 uh% tax increases was passed previously in the proposed final budget. So, there is a resolution on there this evening. I did pull out because I don't have it in the slide. Um, Mrs. Nasser asked. So when we looked at it two weeks ago with the $29 credit, it was going to be an average increase to the median home of about $90 with that. Now it's 30. So that means $89 to the median home. Um so that is what that the impact of that 3.5% tax increase. And there is a motion uh on the agenda this evening for the budget. um the taxes, the millage,

067the due dates, all those other things. Does anybody any questions for Mr. Cory? It's a quiet group tonight. All right. Can I have a motion to place this on the agenda? But this one doesn't need it. Oh, it doesn't motion. Okay. All right. Well, then moving right along. We are cruising. Okay. So, I thought that the next one was Mr. flaggers to give but he's not here so I'll try and pitch in for it. So you'll see and if you remember there is um the the district decided many years ago when they entered into the contract with market sports uh sponsorship proceeds from those uh venues go to the uh an organization PMC3 was started. It is a standalone um nonprofit organization. I I attend and uh uh usually Mr. Swagert attends sometimes Mr. Tossy.

068We are non voting members. Um they try to work with our teams, our arts um and and uh district folks uh to really use that money that all the 100% comes from the district um and just to uh to really add to those experiences. So you can see uh the other thing that they normally do they submit um they submit proposals requests they have everything and then what the PMC3 has historically tried to do is say hey we'll we will support a part of it um and we'd like your booster club or whatever else to also have some involvement in that. So, um this these are their recommendations um and they will uh be on the agenda for later this evening. Okay. I can try to answer any questions otherwise I'll just defer to Mr.

069Swag. Well, this this is a little bit different uh for board directors. Uh so this is actual district funds. So we do need to approve this and the expenditures in this fashion versus uh when we have uh ed foundation venture grants because that is actually gifts to the district from the from the ed foundation. So this does need to be approved. But if you look at this chart along the right hand side, what PMC3 is recommending is the amount column all the way on the right hand side of those amounts given to each of the co-curricular activities that did submit a request for them. So they would be funding basically it's $24,15 in that fashion. So what we would what what is being asked is that uh the board approve those uh that funding in

070those for those grants. So we would need a motion to accept that and a second approval. So so quick is this coming like what fund is this coming from? This comes from all of our different sponsors. Oh, okay. So, the different athletic venues, the different places where we've received a business or an organization acting as a sponsorship. Okay. So, we take that money and put that into that pool and then the PMC3, they administer two times a year, right? Two times a year, uh, these grants. Okay. In total, we're receiving close to 50, it's a little bit over $50,000 a year. So, as you can see, about half of is being expended now. Any other questions? Can I have a motion for placement on tonight's voting agenda? And a second. Second. Any other further discussion?

071All right. All those in favor? Five affirmative votes. Mr. Straw, yes. Dr. Fullerton, yes. Is Mr. Swigert on now? Yes. Yes, you're on. And are you voting? Yes. Yes. Eight affirmative votes. Okay. Anything else for the committee of the whole not? will adjourn and move into our voting agenda. We'll call to order. Have a moment of silence. 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 Penman School Board will be held on Monday, July 21st, 2025 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 personnel and a student matter as detailed

072on the committee of the whole agenda. Mrs. Rhodess, can we have a roll call, please? Sure. Mr. Beige, here. Mr. Her here. Mr. Lombardo, here. Mr. Mr. St here. Mr. Swigert here. Miss Wart here. Mrs. Naviger here. Dr. Fullerton here. Eight board members present. Okay. Now comes the first time in our meeting for citizens comments. These comments are reserved for items that are on our voting agenda. Just as a reminder, you'll have 5 minutes and we ask that you give us your name and municipality and I will set a timer. You give me a minute. That's normally Dr. Ferton's job. And so, go ahead. Hi, I'm Tim Guy. I live in Mayor Township. As many of you know, I'm a middle school teacher. Uh, if any of you have ever either taught middle school or

073had a middle schooler, didn't mean a lot. Um, I have actually recently been mentoring a lot of teachers that come to our building. Uh, and one of the things I warned them about ahead of time is that you have to have procedures in place. Otherwise, there's going to be chaos. Um, you may think something is is kind of small and no big deal. But if you let it go, what ends up happening is that the kids will take advantage or look into whatever situation and take it to the worst extreme whether you meant it to or not. And what ends up happening is that you kind of lose your relationship with your students and it's very slow process but ends up happening and especially if you're not showing them why you're doing what you're doing

074and you kind of lose your authority in that way and I feel like that's sort of what's happening a little bit with this board process in terms of choosing a new uh board member to come onto the the uh board here. Um I don't think that we're doing best practices like we would ask our teachers to do. Um the criteria for how we chose a new board member was not known at least not until an hour ago uh when it was first said uh in a in a primary vote in Pennsylvania independents are not allowed to vote. There are no independents who are voting. So we're looking at a very small subsection of the people that live in Pen Manor and they didn't even know that their decision was going to affect what was going

075on. Um, and I really think that what needs to happen is the board needs to have a set policy that says what's going to happen whenever there is a vacancy on the board and what the process looks like to replace somebody on the board. I know other districts around here have rubrics that they use. They have set board policies that are set forth so that anytime there's a vacancy, there's no question about how somebody is chosen and it's not doesn't feel like a surprise day before. Hey, by the way, here's who we're picking and here's the reason why and nobody knew ahead of time what was going on. Uh that transparency, I think, is important to our community to make sure that they know what's happening and make sure that people who are pro- education

076and want to be on the school board have a chance to at least be heard out and have their policies stated publicly for people to know. Thank you. My name is Jody Staer and I live in Pekway in Mardik Township and I totally agree the process the past process has always been for the school board to take applications and interview and then make a choice. This is not precedent what you're doing. I'm going to speak about the person that you're choosing. I know Eric Warful better than anybody else. How do I know Eric Warville? Because he's my brother. Eric is not the person you think he is, that many of you think he is. He has a facade that he uses with people so that they believe things about him that just aren't true. I

077don't want to be standing here talking about my brother and sharing his truth with you. I don't want to be doing that. But I feel I have to for the community, for our students, that you need to know who you're appointing to this school board. You must know these things before you vote for him. Miss Stalker, I'm just going to stop you for a minute. I just want to make sure you're aware and I paused it so you can regain your time. Board policy for comment does state that um your statements cannot be defamatory towards any. They're factual. I just want to make sure that you're aware of that and that if it does continue off I will have to okay stop your time. I am a loyal Pen Manor alumni and my children have

078both gone to Pen Manor and they are alumni. I have worked in education for 20 years. My brother has worked in the financial world for 20 years and he has used tactics that can be deemed as manipulative and deceiving and these are wellknown and if you feel that this is inflammatory I ask you to ask him why he has been removed from many of his job positions. why he has been asked to leave. Ask him why he was removed from Metro Bank. Ask him these questions and find out what the truth is in regards to that. That is not inflammatory. These are honest things that have happened. He uses tactics that take advantage of other people to make money. This is well known. It's in the Langster newspaper. It is in other articles that his

079manipulative tactics have been used to take money from other people who are in a weakened state. One of those is I lost my place in my thing here. Sorry. Um, EastPwatchdog.com wrote an article about Daryl Heler and Eric Warfl of Deerfield LLC. He very spec they very very specifically stated, quote, "Maybe this wasn't a bad loan. Maybe it was the perfect loan for the guy who wrote it. I smell blood." End quote. Daryl Heler is a scam artist. It's well known now. But Eric took advantage of him when he was spiraling out of control by continuously offering him one loan after another loan so that Eric when he knew that this man was going to default on his loans, Eric could then take over his assets. Some of those assets that Eric is looking to

080get are a restaurant, a jet, a marijuana grow operation. He's not trying to help Mr. Heler by bailing him out and giving him loans. He was just trying to benefit from a man who made a lot of mistakes. I'm not a pro Daryl Heler fan either, but I know that this is what happened. It was in the newspaper. Eric used to state to us as children, it's funny and no, not inflammatory, totally true. and I quote, "Nobody ever wanted to play games with him because his quote to us when we played Monopoly was, "This game isn't over until I own you." That's not a competitive child. That is somebody who wants to be in control. That is somebody who does not make decisions for our district based on our students, based on any love for

081our community. When I ask him why he was running for school board, your time is up. Thank you. Good evening. My name is John Matilio. Live in Peekway Township. I'm sorry, sir. I missed your last name. It's Matilio. M A T T I L I O. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you for the opportunity to speak this evening. I've known Eric since he was a teenager and I knew his I've known his uh first wife, Christa Cox. She's been my sister-in-law for 35 years and I wouldn't be here if I wasn't here trying to protect my family. 3 years ago, I understand he came before Eric came before this board and made many negative comments about Christa. that was the time she was to be appointed uh to her present position. I did not attend

082that meeting. I was told that. So then I'm going to remind you that you may not make defamation statements. Okay? If you weren't here, you didn't hear it for yourself. That's not factual. Please resume. I appreciate that. Uh my I do not question Eric's character or his intelligence. Someone may question his motivation. uh if that was something that happened. Again, I was not there. I was told that uh I just wanted this board to know and Eric to know. Sir, you you're addressing the board. Nobody else tonight. Thank you. Thank you for that. That the community is watching what he does. If he is on this board, we will be listening to what he says. We will be watching what he does. And I just wanted you to be aware of that. I do have

083great respect for this board, how you conduct your business. I've been a resident of this school district for almost 25 years. So, I thank you. Thank you. Hi, Maren Hridge. First name? Meen. M A U R E N. Hridge. Manor Township. Hi, I'm speaking tonight as a concerned member of the Pen Manor community. I want to express serious concern about the recent appointment process used to fill the vacant board seat. The community was not given an opportunity to participate, observe, or even know who was under consideration. Despite the fact that multiple individuals ran in the primary and are on the ballot for November general election, none of them appear to have been interviewed or considered aside from Mr. Warfl. Instead, Eric G. Warful was recommended and and advanced without public examination, sorry, public explanation, vetting,

084or input. That lack of transparency undermines trust in the board and the democratic process it claims to uphold. Even more troubling is the concern that Mr. Riffle's background and affiliations may not reflect the inclusive values many of our students in our district expect. While I respect an individual's right to religious or personal beliefs, I question whether he will serve all students equitably, including LGBTQIA plus students, students of minority faiths, neurode divergent learners, and other students who rely on our public schools to be safe, inclusive spaces. We need board members who reflect the full diversity of Penn Manor, whose value broad ba who value broad-based public input and who are committed to transparency and evidence-based policym. I respectfully request that this board delay the vote on Eric G. Warful's appointment until a transparent public vetting process

085of all interest and eligible candidates can be conducted. Revisit the appointment process and allow public interviews or input when filing future filling future vacancies. Clarifying the decision-making process besi behind Mr. Warful's appointment and commit to equity and inclusion as guiding values in both current and future board actions. Thank you. Thank you. Hi, Leah Bacon, Manor Township. Um, so Eric Warful is on the agenda or on the uh the ballot for school board this fall and I am as well. I wanted to make full disclosure. Uh, I am running for school board this year and um it seems to me that Eric Warfl and I have certain differences in the way that we see the role of the school board and what we believe um it should do and and perhaps our motives for uh for

086being on it. Um so I wanted to talk about that a little bit. Uh, first I do want to echo the concerns that this has not been an open and transparent process for nomination such as it has been before including interviews. um the process you were going to use if ultimately you mentioned uh votes in the the primary whatever the process was going to be should have at least been discussed at the June 9th meeting or a special meeting thereabouts that time so that there would be some opportunity for uh others to apply or for public to give feedback on the lack of that open process this time. Um, when it comes to er your recommendation of Eric Warful specifically this time, I want to say that I struggled a little bit deciding what to

087say here because because to me it does come down to what I perceive as the differences um in what I want to see a board member be and what I think that um that Eric's perspectives are. Uh but I it's as little personal as it can be when we're opponents. Um Eric Warfl was uh once my son's uh basketball wreck coach and I was quite happy with that. Um was a good season and a good a good relationship in that sense. But um but I do believe that the most fit candidate for the board needs to be a very strong supporter of public education. And I do question um whether Eric Warl is fully committed to public education uh in terms of making that a great place with adequate resources for all students. um he

088has absolutely sent sent his kids to public school and he has also chosen including currently to send some of his kids to private school and while private schools have their their selling points they pick and choose their students and our public schools don't they don't have that luxury and um so the perspective is different on what the priorities need to be and then the second thing that I want to say um as a difference is that an an excellent candidate needs to support all students and the financial health of the school and Eric Warl's expressed support for the Independence Law Center uh in alignment with many currently on the board um and the discriminatory policies of the Independence Law Center puts LGBTQ students at risk and puts the district at risk from lawsuits. So, I

089firmly believe we need to cancel Pen Manor's agreement with the Independence Law Center and not reinforce it. Thank you. Shauna Chanelli Konos Stoa. Um, I also uh would like to talk on uh Eric Warful being appointed. Um I first um while I do like open procedures and policies um I also think it's very wise of the current council um I think you mentioned Jefflet um had advised you that during because we were so close to an election time um that because your role was simply to appoint somebody that you could go based on based on our the democratic process we already have in which is a policy or procedure in itself um for primary elections. Um seeing that Eric was at the top of that list, it it only makes sense um and that he

090was going to be considered anyway in November, I think that it makes sense to whoever that is, not just Eric, to put that person in place um for the time being. So I personally uh think that was a wise move for this time. Um, so I do um thank council and you for going that route. Um, I also want to speak personally to Eric. Um, I met Eric and his wife through school board in the past few years. Um, I did not know them prior to that. Um, my experience with um, Eric uh, since then has only been um, one of he is a kind and generous and giving person. He has helped my family personally um like with my two sons. Um offered uh to help our family when I I didn't ask for

091help. Um and so I've only seen those things from him. Um and I think to judge motives because that's what it is. It's judging when you're talking about motives. Unless somebody has directly said something to you about their motivations, I think that that's that's judging and that's unfair to go by. Um, I'm happy that he has a strong financial background. Um, I'm happy that he's served the community um on various um boards uh in the past. Um, he's participated in those kinds of things and um so I just want to say that I do support him um and your vote for him to be appointed. Thank you. Hi, Stephanie K, Commander Township. Um, I was not expecting to speak, but um, I feel strongly that there's negativity that's being targeted towards Eric, and I think

092that it's important that the positive side um, also be represented. So, um, what I know of Eric is through the Penman Education Foundation. That's how I got to know the Warfuls. He has been kind, generous, unassuming, patient, all of those things that you would want to see in a schoolboard member. Um, I also think it's important to note that he has two children who graduated from the district. He has a daughter who is in the special education program in the district. He's very passionate about special education. So, I think that's an important perspective that he would bring. As well as having two children outside of the district in a private school isn't a bad thing. It's another perspective. It's something else to bring to the table so that there's diversity in thought amongst the folks

093that are sitting here. So, um I just want to say I support the decision. I support Eric. Um and I think he's a good person. So, thank you. Good evening. Bob Ellis, Peekway Township. Um, section 315 of the PA public school code provides that when a vacancy occurs due due to a school director's death resignation moving out of the district or of the election region or other reasons. The remaining members of the school board, if still con cons constituting a majority of the statutory membership, must approve approved the qualified person to fill a vacancy within 30 days when the vacancy occurred. Excuse me. I don't think you need a policy. I think the uh section 315 does a good job and um I have served alongside of Eric and uh I think he's certainly a

094good candidate for the for the job. Um I encourage you to vote yes. Thank you. Hi, my name is Becky Speci and I'm with Manor Township. I just wanted to echo a few comments that were um made concerning um the democratic process in which you took to select Eric um for the board position and I appreciate all the time you took and as well as going to council for that. Um, as far as Eric's character, I've known Eric for many, many years, going back to before he met his wife, I believe, and serve with him on boards and um can say that I've never had any doubt about his character and his integrity and respect his knowledge, especially um on the financial side. He has attended many of the meetings here and has conducted himself

095in a very professional fashion and um I would support his um appointment tonight. Thank you. Any other comments before we move along with the meeting? Okay. We have a motion to approve the minutes of the June 9th, 2025 meeting, please. So second. Any further discussion? All those in favor? Five affirmative votes. Mr. Stro, yes. Mr. Swagger, yes. Dr. Fullerton, affirmative votes. Okay, Dr. Gail, Superintendent Report. Thank you, Mrs. Napsinger. Uh, if there ever is a quiet time for schools and administrators, it's the last two weeks of June. So, we're kind of enjoying this time period right now. Uh, as we wrap up the 2024-25 school year and begin preparing for the 2526 school year. Now, don't get concerned. We are still working. Uh, as we talked a little bit about earlier, uh, we continue with

096our hiring process and I'd like to thank Dr. Egan and the administrators uh, for for for filling the majority of our vacancies. Uh, Dr. Cox has had a number of groups of teachers in to work on curriculum uh in various areas and our custodial staff is busy cleaning the buildings uh and our maintenance and grounds crews are taking care of the outside as well as some much needed repairs for some of our schools. So people are working uh but yet at the same time it is a nice time to begin to reflect and strategically think and develop our plan for the upcoming year. And one of those times that we utilize the time for is our administrative team retreat on June 12th. All of our admin administrators throughout the district were together and we did

097two things in the morning. We divided into four groups and we went into each group went into one of four places in Lancaster County to see how that organization has worked to evolve and meet the demands of our current world. I would like to thank folks at Brock Litz uh Messics as well as LG Health that have partnered together to have a uh health clinic there at Messics uh Thaddius Stevens College of Technology and then the Roar Family Dairy for hosting us at each location. The group received a tour of the facility but then more importantly heard about what steps each organization is taking to move forward. Uh, and there were many different things that were shared, a lot of reflection from our administrators, and it was vital for us not only to see how

098an organization moves forward, but what four organizations in our in our community, greater community of Langster County are working and in some cases preparing for some of our students uh, as they leave. Uh in the afternoon we spent time celebrating what was accomplished this year and identifying three areas that we will focus on systematically across the district in the upcoming year. The first area fits in with the proposed goal of working on our district attendance uh to see that improvement. The second area is further increasing the consistency in which we are functioning across the district with 10 schools, seven elementary schools, two middle schools. uh we are looking to increase that consistency while yet still maintaining building autonomy uh and really specifically looking at curriculum student activities and then the sharing of resource. And then

099the final one is how do we further engage our community to continue to provide our students with learning opportunities outside of the classroom but also as we are able to bring community into the classroom. uh we will be further defining each of these areas and how we will be approaching each area uh throughout the course of this year. So there'll be more to come from that. Overall, it was a it was a it was a quality day where we got to spend time to see and then to reflect and then to plan. And as I'm sure you all can figure out, there is one group of of of our students who is not taking the summer off and that's our Manner FFA members. uh 26 members of our Mannor FFAS participate in the Pennsylvania FFA

100state activities during the week of June 10th through the 12th that is held at Penn State each year and they had a fantastic week and I'd like to congratulate uh many of our teams uh for how they did. Our veterinary science career development event uh team was the state runner up and they will be going to the Eastern States Expo in September up in Massachusetts at the Big E. Our poultry evaluation state champs or state champs. Uh they earned a spot in the national competition at the National FFA convention in October. So congratulations to that team. Our forestry team placed fourth. Our environmental and natural resource team placed 13th. And then our dairy management and evaluation or state champs. So again, they will be going to the national competition at the national FFA uh convention

101in October. Our aronomy uh team was state runner up. And then our aggra science uh aggracience fair team was the state winner. So continue to represent pen manor very well. And our chapter delegate was Devin Nisley uh who represented Manor FFA during the convention. So, uh, congratulations to our students, uh, in our manner FFA and we will certainly have some opportunities to celebrate their success in the upcoming months as they finish up their competitions in September and October. Anybody have any questions for Dr. Gail? Sounds like a a busy slow time, Dr. Gail. It's all good. All right. Uh, Mr. Corey, our treasures report. Yes. So, our treasures report as of uh for May 2025, the balance sheet as of May 31st, 2025 shows total assets of $36,983,72258. [Music] And tonight, there are May bills

102that are awaiting ratification as presented. Okay. Do we have a motion? So, second. Any discussion or questions for Mr. Fory? Okay. All those in favor? Five affirmative votes. Mr. Straw, yes. Mr. Swagger, yes. Dr. Fullerton, yes. Eight affirmative votes. Okay. Item one of the board voting agenda is election of the new board director. Do I have a motion? I proudly nominate Eric G. Work for two. Uh, excuse me. Okay. Do we have a second? Second. Any further discussion amongst the board? Yes. Um, I've known Eric for many, many years. I played Monopoly with Eric growing up and he was one of the few people that we trusted to be the banker during Monopoly. So, his honesty and integrity is is topn. Any other comments? Okay. All those in favor? Five affirmative votes. Mr. Stro. Mr.

103Stro. Keith. I think I lost him. Yeah. Mr. Swagurn, are you there? I'm guessing Dr. Fullerton's not there either. Okay, we go. There's nothing on. Hang up the file back is Mitchell. I'm not I don't have anybody on here. Technology so close. 142 All right. 4 02 28. [Music] One of these days we'll get good at. You're joining a call with four other people. Just check to see if they're all there. Okay, Mr. Stro. Mr. Okay, so we're Could you hear the vote? No. Okay, so we're voting on item one, election of new board director for Eric Warful. And and there was a motion and a second. Yes, there was. Yes. Okay. Mr. Swagert. No. Dr. Fullerton, are you still there? Yes. Can you hear me? Now I can. Yes, you're there. And what is

104your vote? Yeah. Okay. Seven affirmative votes, one opposed. Motion carried. So, he needs to come up. Uh, oh, your emails are up. Oh, thank you, Mr. Guy. Feel free to answer any that you like. Mr. Warl, if you could please come forward. Okay, I'm going to read the oath of office. If you'd raise your right hand. I state your name. I, Eric Warl, do solemnly swear that I will support, obey, and defend. And I, Eric War, support, do solemnly swear, do solemnly swear and support, obey, and defend and defend the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of United States and the con and Constitution of this Commonwealth and the Constitution of this Commonwealth. And that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity. and I will discharge the duties of my office

105with fidelity. Congratulations. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Welcome Mr. Warple. Thank you. Okay. So, we will be doing a new roll call. Mrs. Rhodess, when you get a chance, one sec. Let her sign her Jane hand over there. [Applause] Okay, new roll call. Mr. Beige here. Mr. Her here. Mr. Lombardo here. Mr. Stro here. Mr. Swagger here. Mr. Warfl here. Miss Wart here. Mrs. Nassiger here. Dr. Fullerton here. Nine board members present. Okay. Moving along to reviewing of the schoolboard meeting agenda. Item 3 A through E. I'd like to pull 3A. You'd like to have it separated? Okay. Anything else for for item 3 A through E? Okay. Item 4 A through G. Any questions, concerns? 5 A through G to keep scrolling. L. [Applause] Any questions or concerns? Okay. So we will start with item

1063A. Need a motion to adopt the budget item 3A. So move. Do we have a second? Second. Okay. Any further discussion from amongst the board? Yes. Okay. just uh we had asked for opportunities to see where there's potential cuts. We didn't really get much of that as we were looking to increase the board or the administration's recommendation was for four position at 3%. Um they now have two positions at 3.5%. Um we I know we have a lot of things that are coming down the pike as far as buildings. I do think we as a also as a board need to update our township on that our cost per student is not going to be 175 as it is today that it's going to be significantly higher. Um and I know this is all part

107of the budget but I you know we got a lot coming down the pike but I still think we need to protect our taxpayers as best we can while also providing the high quality education we're known for. Um, I just think we need to really really dive into both budget and also let let the township know that the numbers that they were given are nowhere near what they're going to be at the end of the developments. So, any other comments or questions for the administration? Uh my only comment would be that as we uh you know we are locked in by a timeline that is not our own. Um which gives us many variables when the folks in Harrisburg have yet to pass their budget. Um and so we're left to pass a budget and

108levy taxes against our taxpayers without really knowing what the input from the state of Pennsylvania is going to be and um quite frankly unfair um or the administration for school districts. Um, but what I would ask for us to do as because we are locked into that timeline and we are here today and we have to vote. Um, is that as we look to next year, we really take a deep dive into what what do we need, what do we want, and what can we afford. Um, and I would like us to take that approach as we look at our budgeting um, for the next year. So, any other comments? Okay. So, uh, those Do you want to do a call vote? We can. Sure. Yes. Go ahead. Yep. Go ahead. Okay. Uh, Mr. Beaks.

109No. Mr. Her? Yes. Mr. Lombardo? No. Mr. Strad? Yes. Mr. Swiger? Yes. Mr. Warfl? Yes, Ms. Wart. Yes, Mrs. Massiger. No, Dr. Fullerton. Yeah. Six affirmative votes and four opposed. Three opposed. I'm adding board members. I was going to say we like Yeah. Motion carries. Okay. Thank you. All right. Moving along to items 3 B through E. Can I have a motion? So move. Second. Any discussion? Okay. All those in favor? Six affirmative votes. Mr. Straw. Yes. Mr. Swagger. Yes. Dr. Fullerton. Yeah. Nine affirmative votes. Item 4 A through G. We have a motion. I make a motion. Okay. Second. Okay. Any further discussion? All right. All those in favor? Six affirmative votes. Mr. Straw. Yes. Mr. Swiger. Yes. Dr. Fullerton. Yes. Nine affirmative votes. Okay. And item 5 A through L. So move and

110a second. Second. Any further dis any further discussion? I don't know who was Mr. Straw. Did you have any discussion? Oh, okay. All right. No further discussion. All those in favor? Six affirmative votes. Mr. Straw. Yes. Mr. Swiger. Yes. Dr. Fullerton. Yeah. Nine affirmative votes. Okay. Um this is the time in the evening where we have our last uh portion of citizens comments. As a reminder, um, as per board policy, you cannot speak on the same item twice, but you are more than welcome to speak on a different item if you would have something else you'd like to address with the board or if you haven't spoken yet, and it can be on any item pertaining to district business. [Applause] Good evening. My name is John Leon, Manor Township. I'm sorry, I missed the last

111name. Leon, L E O N. Thank you. I'm bringing forth a petition to add to our technology use policy of normal wear and tear clause. As a parent in the Penman School District, I have witnessed firsthand how families are unexpectedly burdened with financial expenses due to the district's lack of a normal wear and tear clause and its technology use policy. My own experience speaks directly to this issue. When my child received their district issue laptop, it was evident that any device used daily by students would endure natural aging and deterioration over time. Let us ease the financial burden on families and ensure that every child can access the technology they need free from fear of incurring cost due to ordinary everyday use. the the the petition I brought forth um with that I have at

112least 50 people that signed up supports a fairer and more balanced policy today. Examples of normal wear and tear include faded keyboard, minor scratches or scuffs to the laptop, reduced battery capacity, worn track trackpad or palm rest, loosening of hinges, slightly discoloration from skin contact, dust accumulation, fray charging cables, and slightly loose headphones or USB ports. These are all predictable outcomes from responsible everyday usage, not from neglect or abuse. Yet when such issues arise, families are often held financially responsible for repairs or replacements even when the damage clearly fails falls within the scope of ordinary use. This creates a significant and unnecessary financial strain for many households. Pen Manor School District prides itself on its commitment to providing cuttingedge technology to enhance learning. However, this commitment should not come at the expense of families who

113are already navigating the complexities of daily life. Implementing a normal wear and tear clause in the district's technology policy would offer much needed relief. Such a clause would ensure that devices showing typical signs of use are maintained or replaced by the school rather than by the families. This adjustment adjustment would acknowledge the limitations of technology and create a more equitable learning environment for all students. Numerous other school districts have adopted similar policies regarding that devices much like textbooks, desks, and other classroom tools are subject to deterioration from routine use. By implementing this clause, Penman School District will demonstrate a compassionate and fiscally responsible approach aligning with the values it upholds. Families would feel supported knowing that the school recognizes the normal effects of regular device usage. Um, one of, um, I think we should implement,

114we should allow parents to have the option to purchase insurance. Um, I know one school district in Laner County already does that. That's Eleno School District. Um, for one student, the insurance costs $30. Two or more students, it's $45. It covers accidental damages, crack screens, chargers, damages to loaner device. Um, and deductions are reasonable. First claim is $0. Second claim is 15. And then the third claim would be full price of the computer. Another school district um in Pennsylvania would be comparable would be Central Dolphin School District. For the Chromebooks, the insurance is $25 a school year. For window laptops, $40. It covers replacement parts, screens, and accident and accidental damages. Um thank you for your time. Thank you. Moren Helfridge, Manor Township. I am speaking today as a concerned resident and advocate for equitable

115equitable public education in the Pen Manor community. It is my understanding that Pen Manor High School has recently removed its general civics course, making it available only to students in advanced placement government classes. If this is the case, I believe this decision is shortsighted, inequitable, and contrary to the mission of public education in a democratic society. Let's be clear, civics education is not optional. It's not enrichment. It's foundational. Public schools were created not only to prepare workers, but to prepare citizens. That means citizens must graduate with a clear understanding of how local, state, and federal government works. How laws are made and challenged, the protections and responsibilities outlined in the US and Pennsylvania constitutions, the structure of judicial systems, and how justice operates, civil rights, voting rights, and the history of civic participation in this

116country. How to analyze media and misinformation. The importance of protest, service, and democratic participation. These are not only topics for AP students. These are the rights and responsibilities every graduate should understand regardless of GPA, test scores, or college plans. Pennsylvania's chapter 4 education regulation, specifically 4.12 and 4.21 mandate that school districts provide instruction aligned to the standards aligned system or SAS. The system explicitly includes civics and government as part of the required social studies curriculum for high school. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, high school students must be taught US and Pennsylvania government, the Constitution, law, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship, political parties, elections, and civic participation. If these standards are not only being t if these standards are only being taught in AP courses, then the district is effectively denying a standardsbased education

117to any student that is not on that track. This may not just be an issue of equity. It may also be a compliance issue. Removing civics from the general education curriculum also reinforces inequity. It assumes that only students deemed high achieving deserve the access to knowledge of how their government works. But every student, especially those mar most marginalized by the system, need this knowledge the most. If we want informed, engaged voters, we want young people to know their rights and participate in the community, then we must teach them how in school in every track without exception. Pen Manor School Board, restore the general civics course for that for all students who do not enroll in AP government. Ensure that the course fully aligns with the Pennsylvania's SAS standards for civics and government. Publicly explain how

118the district is meeting Chapter 4 instructional obligations in social studies. Reaffirm the district's commitment to equitable, inclusive education that prepares every student, not just some, for active citizenship. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Dr. G. Has there been a change to our our curriculum at the high school as far as not following state standards? I mean, you haven't there hasn't been a presentation, so I'm assuming not. Okay, we'll check on that. Okay, thank you. Any other comments? This is comments for this evening. Anything else from the board? Real quick, did we have that uh concern from the address at next meeting? And unless I did, I hear about the change. Was it? Was it not? Right. The Yeah. Can we have the social studies curriculum? Yeah. For next for our next meeting for this.

119Anything else from the board? All right. We will adjourn the meeting. Have a great night, everyone. We'll see you in July. No. Oh, does somebody else have something to say? Sorry. Thank you. Say good night. I appreciate you say good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Thank you. Yes. Good night. Good night.