001Next, please rise for our Pledge of Allegiance. 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. Roll call. Okay, Mrs. Essing. >> Here. Dr. Klein. Present. Mr. Catches. Here. Dr. Koshko. Mr. Leonard. Mr. Madarazzo. Mr. Nemeth. >> Here. Mr. Otto. >> Here. Mr. Petrucci. >> Here. Mr. President, we have a quorum. Thank you. Uh Dr. Harris, information. Thank you. Uh we're going to start off with our student representative. This might be her last month. Maya Cantastic. She's a senior. If you want to come up. >> Um >> [snorts] >> Good evening. As this school year comes to an end, so does my role as the student school board representative. I am incredibly thankful
002for this opportunity. Not only did I have the privilege of representing the students at Penn-Trafford, but I also found and strengthened my own voice along the way. Over the past year, I've had the chance >> [snorts] >> to listen to students and better understand what matters most to them. What I've learned is that students want to be better understood, heard, respected, and included in the decisions that shape their daily lives. This position has shown me the utter importance of representation and leadership in the community. Thank you to the board for welcoming student input and giving me a seat at the table. It truly makes difference. I'm grateful for this experience and I hope future student representatives continue to speak up, share [snorts] their perspectives, and make an impact. Thank you. Thank you, Eden. This being
003your last meeting, where are you off to next year? I'm going to Bethany College. >> Bethany College? That's excellent. And what are you going to major in? International Relations. Are you going to have any extra activities there or anything? I'll be playing volleyball there. Very good. Very proud of you. Thanks for all you've done this whole year. And is it You're taking your dad with you? Yeah, I might have to. >> [laughter] >> Thank you so much. Does anyone have any questions? You did a good job this year. And that's not cuz I'm your dad, but I've seen a lot of student representatives and you've [clears throat] done very well. Mhm. I'm proud of you. Thank you. >> She's a good kid. I do appreciate you coming cuz sometimes people sign up and I I
004love all my students for signing up, but then I don't see them until sometimes the last meeting, but if you sign up, you come. That's what I Just show up. Be dedicated. That's If you commit, commit. So, Celia, I think she's taking your place next year? I think so, yes. Yeah, we see her a lot in our house for tutoring. She's such an very smart girl, very smart girl. Just got to What's it put it over the top? Very nice girl. So, we'll look forward to seeing her and we'll miss you. Thank you. Have a good night. >> [snorts] [applause] >> We're very lucky to have our students of the month and then for the high school, I know we're we're doing the We're going to do the last of the high school. We have
005a lot of students of the month because of our voluntary presentation. But we're going to start off with our elementary, which is from the Kala and Dr. Corner. We'll let you go first. Thank you, Dr. Harris. I'm going to start [clears throat] with the elementary district notes. Um organized by the PTO, McCalla held a Kids of Steel running club this spring. We had over 50 students involved, but there were running clubs in most of the other elementary schools as well. They had the option to run the Pittsburgh Kids Marathon on May 2nd. Um PT also held its own race day. That was organized by some staff at Harrison Park and that was in April. Uh the incoming kindergarten will have their second event, kindergarten screening, the last week of May. This will be the second
006event where students will be able to be in their new buildings before fall. We are done with state testing. Yay! We want to thank all the families, staff, and students for their support and understanding. It's a very stressful time and we appreciate everyone's kindness. Um we have been celebrating the end of the year with a lot of field trips. Uh track and field day is this week and reward celebrations for the students during May. Last week was staff appreciation week. I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the McCalla staff and also all the PT staff that worked tirelessly for students and families. The district-wide elementary band concert is tomorrow night, May 12th. They actually have rehearsal tonight as well in the Performing Arts Center. And the fifth
007grade chorus concert was last Friday, May 8th. Both groups have worked all year for these performances. And then we have the fifth grade career discovery day on May 15th. That trip is organized by the People Credit Union and we just want to specially thank them because they are very involved in the school district. And those are my notes for the district. And now I get to do the most favorite part, which is the student of the month. And so I would like to welcome Anastasia Sakulic to come on up. >> [applause] >> On the green There you go. Okay. Anastasia is an 11-year-old fifth grade student at McCalla Elementary School. She is joined today by her parents, Ron and Jessica. Anastasia is an only child. She is a fabulous choice for our May student of
008the month. I appreciate her kind, incredibly hard-working, [snorts] polite, gracious, and humble personality. The teachers all state how sweet she is at school. When interviewing Anna, she mentioned that her favorite parts of the school day are math and recess. She loves doing things with numbers. It just comes naturally to her. She also loves recess because she enjoys hanging out with her friends. Anna spends time outside of school doing several different things. She twirls baton with a group called Just Catch It Sapphire. >> [snorts] >> And she competes at different school districts with her baton team. Anna also enjoys playing her flute. She will have her fifth grade band concert tomorrow night here at the high school. She plans to continue playing with the middle school band, which is one part of middle school that she
009is most excited about. Anna also loves art. She has a special art room in her home where all of her art supplies are located. She loves to sculpt with clay and paint with acrylics. She is most proud of a plate she made at home that was created out of paper and had a sushi in the center of the plate also made out of paper. Anna loves to read. Her favorite author is R.L. Stine, who wrote the Goosebumps series. Right now, her future interests are either to be a librarian or a first grade teacher. This is because she loves to read so much and because if she taught first grade, she would get to teach all the subjects, which she feels she would enjoy. Three of Anna's teachers shared some thoughts with me. Mrs. Jasuitz, Anna's
010reading and social studies teacher, stated, "It has been a pleasure to be Anna's fifth grade ELA teacher this year. Although she has a very quiet presence in the classroom, she consistently lets her actions and achievements speak volumes. Anna always goes above and beyond to produce quality work with careful attention to detail. She is proof that success comes from steady effort and a positive attitude. I wish her very best during her middle school years." Mr. McClintock, Anna's homeroom teacher, social sciences, and math teacher mentioned, "Anna is an outstanding student who consistently demonstrates kindness, responsibility, and a positive attitude each day. She works hard in all of her subject areas and always gives her best effort. In the classroom, Anna is respectful to both classmates and teachers and is always willing to help others when needed. She
011sets a great example for her peers and contributes positively to our classroom every day. She is confident in her abilities and even has played her instrument by herself for our class on numerous occasions. I'm so proud that Anna is our student of the month." And finally, Ms. Powell, Anna's music teacher shared, "Anna is an outstanding flute player and a musician that was selected to participate in both county band and county chorus this year. She is also an incredibly kind, mature, and poised individual. Anna is well deserving of this award and embodies the traits we look for in a student when selecting our student of the month. We are honored to have Anna represent McCullough as the May Elementary Student of the Month. Congratulations, Anna." >> [applause] >> All right. Thank you. Um next we have
012Mr. Solomon for Penn Middle School. Thank you, Dr. Harris. Um before I start, I just uh hope um all of our moms had a happy Mother's Day yesterday. So, at Penn Middle School, uh we're uh involved in a lot of end-of-the-year activities, as you heard, PSSAs are done, but we're still giving the uh Algebra Keystones, uh which uh are given to eighth grade students who are taking Algebra in eighth grade. Uh, we're planning our eighth grade farewell, um uh as well as our uh when we pass out yearbooks and our yearbook dance. Um planning on collecting our Chromebooks, grades six through eight, uh get those iPads next year. Um we had a wonderful teacher appreciation uh week. Uh the PTO and a a lot of other uh families um in the community um treated our
013our staff. It was a a really great week, so we're we're uh finishing up uh strong and looking forward to uh some year-end activities. And you're student of the month? Absolutely. It's my pleasure to introduce you Will Wysocki. >> [applause] >> Will is uh an excellent student and a great young man, and and typically I get some comments, and I have them from our teachers. Um I also ask the students, you know, "Tell me some some tidbits about you that we might not know outside of school." And um so, I'm going to change it up a little bit, cuz he wrote me something uh that I was impressed by. So, um with his permission, of course, I I am I'm just simply going to read it, and I hope you enjoy it as well. So,
014some some fun facts about me are that I am one of five children, which brings a chaotic, yet fun environment with my siblings. I love fishing, especially fly fishing and fly tying. Another fact about me is that I am passionate about writing, especially poetry. I also play lots of sports. This year for the middle school I ran cross country, played basketball for the first time, tried volleyball. Currently, I played AAU basketball as a point guard, but also a shooting guard. But I think it's very important to focus on grades and working hard in the classroom just like I do in my sports. I'm involved in my church, St. Barbara's, and have been an altar server since the second grade. For the first time I attended the Kentucky Project, an organization in my church, that helps
015Kentucky families find hope, joy, and Christ in the dark times of poverty. I got to share my thoughts about my trip to my church in the bulletin. And this is how I viewed my trip. My family has been donating to the Kentucky Project for over 10 years, but this past weekend we finally made the trip to participate in the celebration of the Penn-tucky reunion. These last few days have shifted my perspective on how I see the world today. The reunion what has opened my eyes to poverty, taught me many lessons, and introduced me to people from my parish that I will never forget. Driving through Kentucky and the poverty of Beattyville forced me to confront the reality I had never really understood. As I would pass the trailer homes and look at the small broken-down
016houses, I realized that behind those doors are people who need to be cared for and loved. I got the privilege to learn from the stories and experiences, which enlightened me to new perspectives. I spent time joking with them, learning from them, and spreading positivity to the families, creating connections that made the entire experience even more meaningful. As dinner started, the Kentucky families started to enter. I saw our two communities come together, share meals, and find moments of happiness despite their struggles. In that moment, it became clear that the Penn Tucker reunion isn't just about providing food and supplies for families, about restoring love, deepening relationship, and reminding people that they matter. This is our young man in ninth grade at Penn Middle School. I think that says a lot about who he is and what
017he brings not only to the school, but to our community and our lives. So, we all couldn't be more prouder than you. You're lucky he's coming up here next. >> [laughter] >> Congratulations. >> [applause] [applause] >> I'm Dr. What's happening at the high school? What's not happening at the high So, I'll start with that. We had a successful prom at the Courtyard Event Center. We had about 620 people in attendance from PT and other schools. Keystone testing started today. I think it went off without a hitch, which is fantastic. So, that's good. Um we are going to wrap up AP testing towards the end of this week. Our e-sports team unfortunately lost um the Division 1 Valorant championship to McDowell. So, they came in second place over the weekend. Our PTTV students Zach Conti, Aiden
018DeRiggi, and Luke Champlain won a National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences NATAS award for the category of video essay for their piece on Toys for Tots. Uh we had an successful scholarship night. Penn-Trafford students were awarded approximately $250,000 in scholarships this year. We're extremely [snorts] proud of those students. One of them is going to be recognized here in a little bit for their full academic scholarship to Pitt through the JROTC program. We had a great top 20 luncheon today at Nicassio Fields uh where students were honored over their last 4 years successes and we're currently preparing for graduations to take place next Thursday. For for athletics, we have three section champions, baseball, softball, and boys volleyball. Uh we have five playoff events tomorrow, so it's going to be a busy day at the high
019school. So, if you're looking for parking, uh don't. Uh baseball >> three elementary school concerts which were planned like 6 months ago tomorrow night. Yes. In addition to all of that, so So, baseball will face off against Fox Chapel at Plum on tomorrow. Boys will play or face Fox Chapel here. Girls softball's at Norwin against Connellsville. Lacrosse, boys and girls will play here. So, it'll be a busy day. Busy but fun. So, we'll move on to the part that I know everybody looks forward to. Normally, it's one, but I have 10 students tonight. So, we'll start with the American Legion awards. Um is Weston Johnson present? >> [snorts] >> You can come on up, bud. >> [applause] >> So, at this point, uh I'm not going to steal the thunder of the gentleman from the
020American Legion, so I'll have them come up to the podium. Good evening. My name is Jim Drabish. With me is Jim Fife. We are legionnaires at Trafford American Legion, Post 331. So, we're not give you a mic, we are being taped from home. They got taped from home, so they they need to hear what you're what you're saying I'll have to say all that again? >> [laughter] >> You just keep going. Okay, and again, we're pleased and honored to attend the school board meeting to present the American Legion school award. Now, one of the programs under the American Legion is children and youth. So, in addition to Legion baseball and shooting sports, uh the American Legion school award is part of Americanism and children and youth. Every year we give an award to eighth grade
021students and seniors in high school, one boy and one girl, who display the characteristics of courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship, and service. And they will be presented with a medallion. On one side of the medallion is the American Legion emblem, and on the other side of the emblem is are the attributes that I just stated. Courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship, and service. It also states that on this certificate that I will be awarding Weston. As you can see, the certificate is a framed certificate, and it is our honor to present this to you, Weston, as the American Legion school award winner young man. So, congratulations. >> [applause] >> Uh McKenzie, are you here? She didn't make She did make it. So, I'll still miss her, Sullivan's. So, my fear is she she was playing softball,
022so we weren't we were afraid she wouldn't make it. Did you win? Uh we just had practice today. Oh, okay. Getting ready for the big game tomorrow. And the young lady, American Legion School Award winner, is McKenzie Cox. Congratulations, McKenzie. >> [applause] >> We also present the American Legion Certificate of Military Commitment. There were nine students who are committed to be a part of our armed forces. And as I call your name, if you're here, please come up and accept your award. You want to grab grab those and show show everybody. And this is the award, military commitment certificate, presented by the American Legion. So, going into the Army National Guard, Avery Broker. You here? Deacon Jankowski. Johnathan Clem. >> [applause] >> Ooh. Thank you. Johnathan, um can you just one second? When do you
023leave? Uh August 24th. August 24th, and where are you going? Uh Fort Benning, Georgia. Fort Benning, Georgia. Uh we're We're very proud of everyone who's going, and that's why we like to recognize you, and it's it's an honor that you're doing this on for your community and everything, so we're very proud of you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> And also Army National Guard, Camden Ramirez Baker. >> [applause] >> And when are you leaving? Uh July 1st. July 1st? And where are you going to? Uh Fort Benning, Georgia. Fort Benning, okay, the same. Okay, I figured, but you never know, that's good. And you were part of the JROTC through the Norman program? Uh yes, freshman and sophomore year. Freshman and sophomore. Okay. Are you going to go in a different pay grade because of that?
024Uh yes, I am. I'm getting paid as an My referral bonus How much difference in pay? I hate to ask you, and I know it's kind of private, but I like to promote it. I'm not entirely sure. A couple dollars. A couple dollars. >> [laughter] >> A lot of dollars. I I tell all the kids when they're going through the JROTC program it does benefit you go in the next step and you go into service, you actually go in a different pay grade, so I just like to ask if you verify that. I just try to promote that for other kids who may consider military but aren't sure about going to um JROTC through the Norman program, which they accept our kids through. Yep. All right. Thank you. Okay. There you go. Thank you. Thank
025you so much and good luck. We're very proud. Very proud. >> Thanks. >> [applause] >> And soon to be serving in the United States Army, Abigail McQueen. Congratulations. And when do you leave? Uh July 15th. July 15th. And I take it you're going to Georgia, as well? No, I'm going to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Fort Jackson, South Carolina. You excited? Yep. Yep. We're [laughter] very proud. I love your outfit. That was very nice. And nice accessories. We're very proud and we wish you the best. Thank you for doing this. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Also enlisted in the United States Army, Holden Wright. Enlisting in the United States Air Force, Santino Moio. >> [applause] >> I'm Moio. Moio. Okay. Congratulations. Thanks. And Santino, when do you leave? Uh my date's still being determined right now.
026Still being determined. Do you know your location? San Antonio. San Antonio. Oh, we're very proud of you and I'm sure dad is very proud of you, too. And then we have one of our teachers over there. Go ahead and go make us proud. of you. find out when you're going, just let us know and maybe that would tell me as well. Thank you. Good luck. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, Logan Moran. >> [applause] >> And Logan, as you know, we have You probably know this, but John is a former How long were you in the Marines for? 4 years. 4 years? Okay. We have that. We're very proud of you. When do you leave? July 21st. July 21st. And where are you going to? Paris Island, South Carolina.
027>> [laughter] >> That's excellent. And we're very proud of you. Were you in the JROTC? Yeah, I did it in ninth grade. Yeah. And then do you get the benefit from that year? I think you had to be 2 years. Okay. But at least you have some prior knowledge. Yes. And then you can be better suited when you go into it. So, we wish you a lot of luck and we have nothing but great respect for you. Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Enrolled in the Junior ROTC program, Jackson Bossett Cario Beloy. >> [applause] >> Okay, Jackson, I just got your name tonight. I'm going to drop yours off at the school tomorrow. Okay. Okay. I apologize, Jackson. You were a late add. I found out late. And Jackson was part of our top
02820 luncheon today. Did we even pronounce your name right today? Yes. We did. Okay. Actually, I was We were We We were practicing and practicing and I kept saying I I can't I can't and I can't hear some of the best the endings. So, I am so grateful. And you're going to go as part of your That's what you kind of mentioned was interested in today when he was going to school. I'm going to do that. And what is your interest with the DAR SPC? Um I'm going to That's what I'll major in, political science. Perfect. Excellent. That's wonderful. We're very proud of you. >> [applause] >> Are we missing anybody? Finally, it seemed like we have a big audience, but do we miss anybody? Thank you very much. Thank you. It's a pleasure. Thank
029you for always coming every year. We appreciate it. You do a lot for our community and for our kids, and it means a lot. And they love seeing you come um here and as well as the middle school. I I think I I absolutely. We're very honored. >> [applause] >> We also want to do the first of all the students of the month for um the middle school and elementary, then right afterwards I'd like to do two things with everyone. I'd like to do two of them first, and our definitely our winners for the American Legion awards. So, we have a couple of things we want to take for this That's all I just bear with us. >> Mhm. >> That's what I was thinking. People are very kind-hearted. I think most of people are
030very kind-hearted. I think most people are very kind. I like the blue bell. This is not your handle. No. Let me know what the district policy is and I I thought that was the district policy. I will let you know. Mhm. Please do. Do you need to speak for a minute? >> I'm at waiting for the next part I just wanted to say during the top 20 luncheon one of our alumni Andrea Alonzo Porter she got to speak um for us today and then one thing she did do and she did get an autograph um book from Earl Hodge and his all the his um challenges and everything he went through through life and he actually signed a book for everybody in the top 20 and they were presented with that today so I thought
031that was a very nice of our speaker and our alumni and she does a lot for the school district she's um the founder of all this he he he gives back shout out to one of our alumni Andrea Alonzo Porter for doing going the extra mile he even gave me I thought I'd share that with everybody and that's all the information I have thank you Catherine and then the you know I know where's I know that we didn't have any uh I'll ask the board in general Mr. Barniak would like to uh speak to the board he didn't sign up does anybody have any problem with him speaking his mind I guess not >> Mr. you have the I don't have the >> it's 3 minutes I don't have the things that I'm supposed to
032that's okay it's um oh you know what the floor is yours, 3 minutes. Okay, I just have a short uh I've been in the township since 1970. Just tell us your name and your address. State your name and your address. Where do I got to turn it on or No, it's already on. Am I on? You're on. Okay. I've been in the township since 1970. I've seen a lot of changes, a lot of things that happened in this township. I can never say anything bad about this school. And both my children went to Entrappe schools. Excellent school system. I have no problem with that. But I have an issue tax wise. I would like to see the board and I know the board has the authority to do this because George Donmore told me they
033can't do it on a state level. Each school board can do it independently. If you have the ability to raise taxes on individuals in the township, you should be able to for the seniors in the township, 65 and older, grandfather them from the date our youngest child graduated from school. So in other words, my daughter, she graduated in uh in 2000. And from that grandfather grandfather date, at the rate I was paying, I was still willing to pay taxes for the children. People can't say you don't want to pay. But I I You know, that's that a burden. Uh just like I saw the paper, $200 worth, $200 family. Most most folks who have a mortgage, that's included in on their escrow account. When you pay your house off, 200 bucks is 200 bucks. So,
034what I'd like to say here, nobody ever talks about reducing. And and you hear about it, a raise of four four four four mills because they may have to cut programs or they may have to do other things. But, times are times are tough. And money only comes in certain ways certain ways in this township. We don't have our commissioners and I don't know if the school board gets involved at all. But, we have to grow the tax body as far as commercial taxes. You can't rely strictly on individual taxes. >> [snorts] >> That's that's the only thing I can, you know, I would just like to you to consider some type of program where you can cap taxes on an individual 65 and older from the day their youngest child graduated from school. And
035you can do it. We will look into that. >> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Good to see you again. Yeah, nice seeing you. And I'd like to respond to that. Pardon? I'd like to respond. Go ahead. Mr. Barney, I think you represent a group of people that each and every one of us in this room and on this board specifically would like to offer help to. It seems as though every idea that we come up with to try to help senior citizens and people that have been paying for school taxes their entire lives Uh it it just it seems like every idea that we come up with is is shot down. So, I don't I don't know if what you say is true, whether we do have the opportunity to do that or we don't. This
036person says yes, that person says no. So, that would certainly be a good question to have answered. Yeah. Because all of us are concerned about the group of people that you are here representing and speaking for today. Yeah, they they I went to George Dunbar because I I heard from an individual on on eastern part of the state that they cap school taxes for for seniors. George says he George Dunbar at the time when he was in office told me they can't do it. Each individual school board Yeah. has the power to raise taxes. And they we're not we're we're not saying reduce taxes. >> Right. We're saying cap a tax. You know, you have somebody 90 in a township. Their kids graduated in in six in in 80. What you're saying is at some
037point in time, let's agree on a place to freeze that. Yeah. So, that you're still paying, just not the Yeah. Yeah. You know, because the first thing, you know, years ago people people say, "Well, I'm older. I shouldn't have to pay school taxes." And then the comeback was, "You don't care about the children." What I'm saying is we you still care about the kids. But if you want to put in if you want to hire 20 new teachers, I I just saw I just saw on television that they put in a calming room in a school in one of the schools. >> [snorts] >> What is a calming room? And and you know, so if people start seeing that kind of stuff, and then they then they see the taxes going up. So, you know,
038Keep in mind and and I think we're getting beyond the three minutes. >> I know. I know. One of the problems that that creates is who makes up the difference that your freeze exists or or that your freeze produces. Because the bill still stays the same, but Mr. Barniak's frozen at 1975 levels. So, who covers the difference? But you do represent a group of people that every one of us in this room are concerned about. Yeah, I know that. Yeah. Yeah. Some of us are included in that group. Some of us are part of the group. Some of us aren't. Finish here. Thank you, Mr. Barniak. Thank you, board members. Mr. Barniak can speak. Under new old business, there is none. We did have an executive session at 5:45 and we received information on personnel
039issues and warranties for current roofs. Okay, consent agenda motions. Motion, does anybody board member wish to remove any items from the consent agenda? Give me a second to look through it. All right, anybody? I will make a motion to approve the consent agenda. Yeah, yeah, make a Sorry. May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda items as submitted under one motion? I will second that. Question. Question being called for. This will be roll call vote. All in favor of the motion say I. I. Opposed? All right, motion carried. All right, may I have a motion to approve the consent agenda items including letters that are under one motion. Budget and finance. Who is the vice president of the budget and finance committee? Mr. Leonard is not here. He's the chair. I'm the chair.
040Yeah, I just want to kind of discuss. Remember, today we're adopting of preliminary This doesn't mean this is the budget you're agreeing upon for taxes. This is actually what you're agreeing on as far as today. Uh >> [clears throat] >> I know if there was something that anyone is interested in me researching more or looking into, please let me know at this time. Is there something that you feel like um is necessary for school or if you would like to see cuts made, let me know and I would actually do the research for you. I have made um several cuts prior to doing the budget. I looked at it and did the good index down. We took off a few things that were at the index right now. And although we're not asking you to
041approve the index index tonight, this is just a preliminary budget. If there is something that you would like to see me give you more information about in the next upcoming month, I will gladly do that. Does anybody have a suggestion or something you want me to look more into? Well, I just want to make sure you guys go back through the figures as presented and make sure they're correct. Um I believe uh you guys will be checking bus routes. Um I would also like to to see how much overtime was paid last year. Um Any other suggestions? I have a couple things that I >> [clears throat] >> would like to consider. Excuse me. Um Firstly, start with a question. Then the admin building. Do we pay anyone for uh services there as cleaning or
042We do for cleaning. We clean our own with our own custodians? We do um the company cleaning. Could we then what also I'm assuming mowing the grass and plowing the parking lot? >> We take care of the Do we outsource it? We outsource it. We outsource it. If you would like us to look into getting Well, if there's a cost difference or that there. Um another item. What do we spend on the warrior receptions at the football games? Um, I think the five of them together comes to about 7,500 last year. Okay, well, that's just another item I was looking at. Um, executive session meals that we all enjoy. Probably maybe $100 a a month. Per per meal? Yeah. Okay. Some months we have two, some months remember we have two meetings a month. >>
043[clears throat] >> Maybe three months out of the year and then the rest and one one month which is July we don't have any. So, we're looking at about $1,200. Okay, and last one, um, I believe Brian was working on getting a uniform service for custodians and or have have we done that already or I know we used to buy the uniforms. And I I don't know what the cost difference would be versus buying them or um, you getting a uniform service. I'm not sure. Um, thank you. We'll look into that probably. I I did look into that. Oh, I didn't know that. >> We're we're in month 22 of a 60-month agreement. And currently we spend about $700. We can ask them. Per year? And how many do you have? 38. What what did
044it cost for when we purchased the uniforms for them? Per employee? I've never done that. I could run those numbers. Okay, yeah, I know it's it's it's small change, but that's all we got to grab it. >> it's a happy That's 28,000 a year. Yeah. We didn't do the math. But it's not a I I That's a good point. That's all I have. I appreciate it, Mr. Neman. Anybody else? Dr. Harris, if we could take a look at if it's not if it's too late to do it this year, if we could take a look at it and do it next year, early retirement incentives for teachers. What type of cost savings that that would provided. Thank you. And Becky, oh, I'm sorry. >> I Listen, I just I Of all cuts, I just want
045to celebrate that this is Penn-Trafford. We have been cutting for years. We've been asking our staff members to do more with less. We've been telling our teachers no. At some point in time, we have to identify the problem. And the problem is not Penn-Trafford schools. We have continuously done more with less. We do nothing to excess here in Penn-Trafford except take care of our kids and educate our kids. Every month, this room is full of kids that are doing great things. Staff members that are heading clubs and organizations that are doing great things. Our teachers produce smart kids with great numbers. We do a lot of good things here, and I think sometimes we need to remember, number one, education is not cheap. But number two, the real problem is the funding coming out of
046Harrisburg. We used to get a 50/50 split, and now it's probably down to 60/40. Close to 60/40. And that imbalance is millions and millions of dollars. So, to those people at home, including people like myself last year at this time, that think Penn-Trafford are are are crazy spending, that's just not what it is. The problem is in Harrisburg. Pick up the phone and call whomever in Harrisburg, your state representative, your state senator, and make some noise at the state level because we are not a fat district. We do not spend. We ask our teachers and our staff members to do more with less all of the time. Yet, here we are continuously sitting around these tables looking to cut three and five and $10,000 in cuts that really aren't there. So, to the people that
047that live, work, and play in this district, I say thank you for doing more with less, and we certainly appreciate the work that you do. And at some point in time, we have to get this district to the size that we want it and then fund it and go to the people that aren't funding it appropriately and make some noise. And a lot of that passed down from Harrisburg comes in unfunded mandates. Yeah, Mac, can you give an example of some unfunded mandates? I was going to say the same thing. >> the added handwritings to curriculum, so that was um and we invested in the handwriting new curriculum. I mean, we do teach handwriting, but not to the extent that we had to. So, we're doing a whole new series, which is about How much
048did we spend on that back then? That Thanks to the good work of Amy Cavalier. It's like $5,000, but again, that's minimal. Yeah. I mean, cuz we she cut it down to bare >> bones. We changed our whole reading series um because they are adapt changing the reading curriculum and the standards for that. So, we actually had to invest in a whole reading program and a new one. Amy worked on that, Tiffany? So, other districts will buy the whole series over a year. At Hempfield Area we had to fund it at a 0% over 5 years. Um which is like what? $125,000 $120,000 $120,000 a year we're spending on a reading program. Um computer science for next year. We um Dr. Harris was able to find a grant to find out, but if we didn't,
049that would have been another $70,000 into the budget. Well, you all do a great job looking for grants and trying to cover the gap financially, but still the state gives us unfound funded mandates that we have to either beg, borrow, or steal from to get them covered. Charter schools are a good one. Charter schools are an excellent one. Yeah, at least I know that year they were working on the formula and although we got 68,000 in savings, that's not what we was expecting. We was expecting more more higher. It's not that we were unappreciative of the 68,000 in savings. When you're expecting 3 to 400, it's kind of disappointing. Do you want to see that? Another shout out, when you say about grants, my teachers also bring in about two 200 250,000 grants as well
050for kind of like different things they need in their classrooms. That helps us and I appreciate them for doing that. And just just um um reiterate, we do have a foundation. Mhm. And that foundation does put money back in 100%. uh into the classroom. Through EITC, through donors, we do you know what >> we make a lot of cuts, but the money does go back in for for special projects. >> 125,000 a year. Yeah. And you and I both both have been founding members. >> [clears throat] >> Just to let you guys know that it's not all taken out. There are some stuff put back in. We like the top 20 luncheon today. Mhm. That's funded by our sponsors. Mhm. We get sponsors for it on these kids. >> Right. Science, just to warn you,
051we have to completely redo science not next year but the year after. Um and it's unfunded. It's It's mandated. It's unfunded and that's going to be a ginormous expense and that's it Next year at this time we'll be discussing that. That's something I've been talking about for four years is charter schools. So Mr. Otto, you want to tell people to contact their their representatives in Harrisburg a Kaplan charter school tuition is something that needs to be talked about. And cyber charter cyber? Mhm. Yeah. It makes no sense to me that if I want to take my child out of Penn-Trafford schools and put them in Greensburg Central Catholic, I pay tuition completely to Greensburg Central Catholic. But if I want to take my child out of here and put them in a cyber school, the
052taxpayers of Penn-Trafford have have for that cyber school. That is completely wrong and people like Mr. Barnyak are paying a price for that and that's the kind of nonsense that aggravates them and to be honest with you, it should. Mhm. 100%. What happened to >> have our own cyber program. We ought to have something that if you have your own cyber, that's where you got to do it. You can't How much cheaper is our own our cyber from like >> is 7,000. versus 16, right? Uh That's what we need to document and then There's a There's a lot of reform that needs to take place in the Commonwealth Pennsylvania Mhm. and I'm not saying that we're not going to Look, I I think folks know this. I think the way we've educated and funded education
053in Penn-Trafford worked for the 70s, 80s, and 90s. It does not and will not work for the 20s, the 30s, and the 40s. So, we have to put our heads together and we have to come up with a plan on how we are going to take this school district to a size and scope that we want and then fund it. And if we need help from the municipalities that we serve, let's talk to them. If we need help from Harrisburg, let's talk to them. But fairly folks like Mr. Barnyak >> [snorts] >> are telling us we just cannot continue to raise to the index to the index to the index and expect different results. And I am one for appropriately funding a school district that does great things. I'm not looking to cut, nickel and
054dime. I'm looking to figure out how we do this long-term in the future and whose help we need. And if it involves difficult decisions that not everybody's going to like, so be it. Um But that that's what we're up against in the next couple of weeks, couple of years. >> look at this list and I have to give it everyone credit because I'm looking at um double-checking figures, pastoral health every time, in-house cleaning, receptions, food and savings. No one chose a curriculum thing to cut, and I appreciate that because we work very hard with sometimes very little, but we we make a difference, and we we do well, and I like to thank no one had on there about cutting educational programs. No. That means a lot to me. I think we could all agree
055that it's not one of our priorities to cut the curriculum and educational programs. I like hearing that. And thank you. And I'll look on this list, and I'll keep you updated. But tonight, when you're passing this, it's the preliminary budget, and it's more of a maybe not committing procedure. You're not committing any bills to it tonight, so yeah. I do have one more question for Becky before. Um on the the revenue side for the budget, >> Mhm. local revenue, you're budgeting 239,000 less than what was budgeted last year. Yeah, so we moved $240,000 to the 9,000 category, which is where the admin building uh lease revenue is coming in. We had to code it to there. So that we moved 240 was subtracted out of that line item and moved to the 9,000. >> the
056the rent for the first. Okay, thank you. >> 280,000 in that function code because that's the estimated that we should get this year. Rebecca, I I just uh remind the audience what uh what the index is this year. The index is uh 4.12 mills. And I assume the 4.12 mills is included in the $79,932,909 that's uh on the uh motion. The expenses equal the 799329. >> on the raising taxes to the millage? Well, that's more than the mills currently. I mean, to the index, excuse me. Mhm. It is based on raising to the index. Yes, but it's more than the index currently. So, we're working on the cuts that he identified. That's the number from last Monday. No, no, I understand, but you know, just just just want the board and and the audience to
057know that this the 71 million dollars includes raising to the index. Yes. Now, having said that, I think everybody here has already stated it multiple times. This is a preliminary This This does not mean it's a final. So, 30 days from now, on the 15th of June, is when we'll adopt the final budget. Which hopefully will include some better numbers and we may be able to uh uh look at that uh And remember, we're still waiting for Brian Rossiter to confirm the 397,000 from the state. And we'll continue to refine the revenues and expenses and look up all these this information as well. Mhm. What other positive changes can we hope for? Um hopefully more local revenue with the assessed value, with what I'm putting into the state system, based on the formula that it
058gives us. So, while this information for the 397,000 was committed, but we're not It's not final yet. Yeah, when it's final, that's where the problem lies, isn't it? >> That's where the problem lies and they don't do it to us after we're done. I know. backwards. What number did you use for the state? For the state, I used um our base funding that we got this year and I increased our basic ed and special ed subsidy funding about half of the new proposed amount based on the historical data. >> that could change. That could come in higher. Yeah, about 47,000 if it all came in till they pass the budget. Yeah, typically that is when? July, Yeah, August, September. November last year. That's November last year and we didn't get all the money and interest
059which we lost because it wasn't passed. Yeah, it's And then don't get me started on the interest though. It's not that. Go ahead. Sorry, Brian. Okay, I can so this is just I'm going to be voting for the preliminary budget this evening, but you know, you know, I look forward to seeing what else you guys can come up with you know at your level, but this gentleman we had here speak tonight is one of the reasons why I can't vote for the the four to the index um at our next meeting. So, but I will be voting for the preliminary budget um and waiting for any savings additional savings you come up with. Becky, will you explain what the index exactly is to the people who don't know? So, it's the index the state sets
060based on our assessed value, property value, stub market value, proportionate. It's from the state and it's the maximum you can raise taxes. It's kind of the uh setting capstone for this is your local effort and what the state says that your local effort should be based on that formula. So, and it's our job to you know, manage that and when we don't go to the index or half the index or a quarter of the index for multiple years in a row, you're leaving that revenue on the table and once you do, it's really hard to tax your way out of it. And each school district has their own index every year. Correct. Mhm. Yep. So, that's specific to us and to our formula and our numbers. All right, any other comments on the uh preliminary
061budget? If not, Mr. Nemeth, may I ask you to read the motion? Thank you, Mr. President. Move [clears throat] to tentatively adopt the preliminary budget for the Penn Trafford School District for the 2026 to 2027 school year in the total amount of 71,932,909 as presented at the May 4th, 2026 meeting for advertisement and publication in accordance with district policy and the school laws of Pennsylvania. I'll second that. Question. All right. Question being called for, this will be a roll call vote. All in favor of the motion. Well, Rebecca, would you please poll the board? Mhm. >> [clears throat] >> Sorry. Oh, there's no problem. I had to curveball you there. That's okay. Okay, Mrs. Issing. Yes. Dr. Klein. Yes. Mr. Kuchta. >> Yes. Dr. Kochka was absent. Mr. Leonard is absent. Mr. Matarazzo is absent.
062Mr. Niemiec. >> Yes. Mr. Otto. >> Yes. Mr. Petrucci. Yes. Motion passes. Six yes and three absent. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you, Mr. Niemiec. >> That's all I have, thank you. Personnel curriculum, Mr. Otto. Yes, move to employ the following personnel. New employment is contingent upon receipt of all necessary documentation, which includes Act 34, 151, 114, and 1.6 clearances from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Jacqueline Monroe is a lunchroom aide at Trafford Elementary and Trafford Middle. Haley Dunaway is a superstar at McCullough. Julie Keenan, a custodian at High school. At high school. Uh Leah Fertal, curriculum lead at Harrison Park. And Tori Simpson, a curriculum lead at McCollum. Second. Question. Question being called for. It's a roll call vote. All in favor of the motion say I. I. Opposed? Motion carried. Thank you, Mr. Otto.
063Policy, public relations, legislative, title two. Mr. Petrucci. Move to approve this the list of 303 graduating class of 2026 as submitted by Mr. Tony Aquilio, principal Penn-Trafford High School. Pending satisfactory completion of all requirements for the graduation as prescribed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Penn-Trafford School District. A copy of this list will be found in official minutes of this meeting. Second. Question. Question being called for. It's a roll call vote. All in favor of the motion say I. I. Opposed? Motion carried. Congratulations >> That's all I have, Mr. President. Congratulations to the class of 2026. All right. And may I have a motion to adjourn the meeting? Just a reminder that next month we're actually moving the meeting from June 1st to the end of June 8th and June 15th. I'm sorry. May
064I have a motion to close the meeting? So moved. Do I have a second? Second. All right. At 8:06 p.m. this meeting is closed. Motion carried.