001He still keeps in contact with he took videos. Oh, really? Like to call to order the penford regular board meeting Monday, June 9th at 7:08. We'll start with my allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands one indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Mr. Lego. Yes, sir. Mr. President, Mrs. here. Dr. Klein presass here here Mr. Leonard here Mr. Matarazzo here Mr. Ne here Mr. Trusy here Mr. Stovar here you have corn Mr. President thank you Mr. Lego information Dr. Harris please absolutely um the first one is coming from Mr. Benton and he's actually recording the meeting now. He he does all the recording even though he's not in the room. He does it actually from his house but it's being recorded. He wants to remind that um
002we are proud to announce that PTTV has won the NATS Mid-Atlantic Student Production Award for best new cast newscast and for light news. This is the sixth time in the last eight years PT video has won the award for newscast. Julianne Fontano, Ala Malloy, and Brian Urban run for Lake News for the news package on WTAE in the broadcast industry. We are very proud of our programs and we appreciate all the support for the video um classes that you offer and we also appreciate Mr. Venton for all that he does for our video kids. In addition, we have some great news this afternoon. As you know, our softball was still in the state competition and they won um their game. They're going to the finals on Friday. So, they might be bringing back another state
003title. So, Tony's going up to the game. It's at Penn State. So, a couple other people might be going up. And it's I still remember what I think 2019 when they won the last one. What a great day it was and a great opportunity. And of course, I have a college visitation on that day for my own son. It just doesn't come on the right day. But I'm happy for the kids and I I wish them well. And that is all we have for information. Thank you, Dr. Harris. Uh we've come to the portion of the meeting providing an opportunity for public comment. The board will follow the procedures established in policy 9003, public comment in board meetings, which is accessible through the district's website. This time is designated for the district residents and taxpayers
004to comment on the items listed for action or deliberation on tonight's agenda or that may come before the board for action or deliberation at tonight's meeting. All individuals wishing to comment this evening must have registered their intent with the board secretary by 12:00 p.m. noon, one business day prior to the meeting. Each statement made by a commentator will be limited to three minutes. Individuals will be notified by the timekeeping mechanism when their time allotted for public comment has expired. Comments by public participants are their own and should not be assumed to be the statements of the school district or any of its directors, agents, employees, or representatives. Uh, first resident Brad Fardi and he is not here tonight. So, we're just going to go to Mr. Number two, Dan Saraki. Is that correct? Close enough.
005Okay. Thank you. From Trafford Burough Taxpayer. Uh so uh thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. Um I'd like to discuss the uh the events of May 19th, the so-called senior prank day uh in which a teacher was hospitalized, school pro property was van vandalized uh putting the maintenance staff at risk uh and an unsupervised hotel was held on school property all during the final day of state assessments the Keystone exams. So first a teacher was hospitalized for two days from this prank. Um students filled the entryway with latex balloons. Latex is a known arogen uh that can cause instant der dermal blistering uh and can trigger an anaphilaxis in individuals who are sensitive to it. Um that is exactly what occurred to the te teacher in question because the entryway was filled with
006balloons. The teacher who o opened the door got a lung full of the dust from the balloons uh and triggered uh the event. So, the only reason we're not talking about an accidental death tonight um is because an EpiPen was administered on time and the EMS arrived quickly. This alleged prank could have killed someone uh just out of sheer ne negligence and it's a miracle that it was limited to just one person. Um second, the students had o o overturned a lot of desks uh and placed some on top of the cabinets. They also hung toilet to toilet paper from the ceiling. Uh, and this all had to be fixed by the maintenance department here prior to the start of the school day. Um, and from the hundreds of desks that were turned up uh
007upside down, this presents a repetitive stress in in injury risk to the maintenance staff. Uh, as as well as if they have to go around and remove streamers from the ceilings, they might have to get on step stools or ladders causing risks of fall. This is a lot of risk that you're getting just for a small prank. Uh and it's unknown how how how much of the teacher's pro property could have been damaged from their desks being flipped. Additionally, I don't really have time to fully list why an unsupervised cookout, power tool use, uh staging a bouncy castle on the grounds, a slip and slide or risks to the students and a liability for the district. But I hope that that is just clear from what they are. Um the risks associated with the actions
008of students are enormous and yet the administration is aware. Um from a social media post by the students um you can see in a video uh an administrator do Dr. Healey uh w watching the students hang the paper and inflate the balloons. Um so this suggests how the students gained access to the building before the start of school day. I'm sorry. I guess I'm out of time. Um, but I feel that it's a lot of risk. Do you want to give me Do you want to give me the letter and I can then copy it for everybody? Uh, yes, I can. I appreciate that. Yeah, I appreciate I'll make sure everyone get Did you bring your concerns to the principal? Uh, I have not. This is the first public venue I've had the opportunity to
009um bring this forth. And do I'm just trying to do you I appreciate you coming and and and bringing this to our attention. Do you have a a student in in the school? Uh, no. I'm I I I'm uh related to the teachers that Well, thank you. I Okay. Well, I appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Uh, moving on. Old business. There are no items under old business. Um, today we held an executive session starting at 5:15 where we discussed personnel. Okay, we will now move on to the consent agenda. Does the board wish to remove any items from the consent agenda? No. Okay. May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda items as submitted under one motion? Motion. Second. Question. Motion made. Second
010be called for question being called for. This will be a roll call vote. All in favor of the motion say I. All post say no. Page 23 of uh budget and finance. Uh Mr. Stovar. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh I have I believe it's one item today and that's to adopt the school district budget. Um so uh move to recommend that the that the uh 2526 school district budget and schedules in the total amount of 69,954 uh $693 properly advertised in accordance with the school laws of Pennsylvania be adopted and filed in the official board minutes to include the following taxes as shown in the budget. real estate tax at a rate of 93.25 mills. Uh the real estate tax rate for Alageney uh Alageney County portion of the Trafford Burough is 14.32 mills per
011capita um is at a rate of $5 on each eligible eligible re resident and the ACT 511 taxes are $10 per capita tax. I believe the budget breakdown is is available on on the website with uh with these minutes that add up to the total budget that I mentioned at the beginning. And I believe uh this would represent a 3 mil increase. Actually, does this represent a 3 mil increase, Brett? This is a this is a 2 and a half mil increase. I know the preliminary was a three and I'm very caut I mean I'm very worried by seeing the 2.5 bill increase because I believe a um you're using some fund balance money to pay for um some of the cuts or some of the different things that I need and b um I'm
012worried about using the fund balance. I'm also worried about losing some of our staffing and personnel if we go with the 2.5. Can you do you want to revise your motion motion? Additional question too, Mr. Lego if I if you don't mind. Uh this is just in general uh if uh anybody from the administration team wants to uh to answer the question. Um prior to uh the preliminary budget uh in May, how much uh money was uh cut? Uh give me a number uh out of the budget. Um, even prior for us doing this, I actually have that information for you that I presented in public before. This just as a reminder, we had we'd already cut about $500,000. If I actually go through, you know, actually, to be honest, it's actually more. I don't
013have the total on the list. All right. So, but I can tell you what we cut. We cut No, you don't have to go through the list. I just want a general number. Uh and this again another question for the admin. Um what is the recommendation uh from the we know the recommendation from the superintendent. What is the recommendation from the assistant superintendent and what is the recommendation from the business manager? Well, I will say that uh I prepared this uh final budget with a 2 and a half mil increase because I thought it was reasonable and it was um sufficient without significantly harming the fund balance. But I would defer to Dr. Harris. You know, he's the CEO of this organization and and if he feels strongly about three mills, then I think the
014board should consider that. Brett, um before Tiffany answers it, I just want one question for clarity. The at a 2 and a half mil perspective, what portion of the fund balance would be needed to sort of around around $250,000. And if we would do the three um obviously that goes away, correct? Well, it it would be it would be closer to uh $100,000. And do you think with the real estate taxes that that 100,000 gap would be offset? Most likely. Most likely it it should be. Uh, you know, every year with the development we're seeing, revenue typically comes over in over what it would sit at, you know, year to year. Year to year. Um, I, you know, looking around the the community and you see the housing development still going up. I expect that
015to uh to continue. and our fund balance just from a historical perspective. Um, ideally you like to sit between the five and 8%, right? 25 and 8% is the state recommended amount. And we're sitting around 5%. We'll be at around 5% at the end of this year, between five and 6%. Yes. Right. And for money that's currently in the budget that would go into the fund balance, the roughly half million, I believe it was said at one um discussion point, typically goes to capital improvements on our buildings. Correct. Correct. Every roughly I mean $580,000 gets transferred into the uh capital improvements fund every year. Yes. And outside of that funding, is there any other money going into the reserve? uh annualized that would stay there that's not earmarked already. Not currently. And um with the
016building that we had purchased and the rent associated with that, if that um if we're currently at three mills versus two and a half, does that rent money get allocated then to the fund balance? in theory, in theory, it would be going into the fund balance sheet or capital improvements, whether whether it's whatever the board decides, but it it would be a a dedicated revenue stream that is outside of of you know what we currently plan, right? We just we just started receiving based on the agreement we reached with them, they didn't start paying rent until April of this year. So, we'll have three months of rent for this year and then a whole year next year, approximately uh $20,000 a month. So, outside of the the capital money that's coming up for building improvements,
017this would be the only thing in theory going in to build our reserve back up to the six or seven or eight% if we stay at 3 mills and not go to two and a half mills. If we stay at two and a half mills, basically that would would go toward preserving the fund balance. Yes. And not building it but preserving it. Yes. Right. Sorry, Tiffany. I didn't mean to. I just wanted some clarity before uh all three of you got a chance to speak. So, thank for your patience. Go. Your turn. Okay. Thank you. I um am also going to support Dr. Harris on this with the 3% for two reasons. Well, first let me say it's not because I want to tax the citizens of Pentrafford. That that is not the reason why
018I'm supporting 3%. No one likes for a tax increase, including myself. But as a school district and as the assistant superintendent, I think our top two priorities every day is one education and two safety. Perhaps one is safety and two is education. And even decreasing by half a mill would decrease programming to both education and safety. And long-term I worry about what that would look like. So because of that, I support Dr. Harris with the three the three mil increase. Brett, I have a question. Um, I believe you I asked you to cover this and you did your preliminary budget presentation. Um, for this 2025 to 2026 budget, could you remind this board what we're going to spend on cyber charter schools? Cyber charter schools is close to $2 million a year. Thank you. You're
019welcome. Um, we look today we had 101 students in attendance. So, and what's that considered, Mr. Lego? an unfunded funded mandate. It is from our friends in Harrisburg. And I would say our friends in Harrisburg need to get to work on that issue. Well, can I I know you had a question, Mr. Leonard, but can I piggy back on I did on uh Dr. Klein's question to Brett. Brad, can you remind uh everybody uh attending and those who are listening what percentage increase we had from the state from last year in our budget? Uh last year or for the current year? The upcoming year. Yeah. For the upcoming year, what what is our increase? How much percent? I if I'm remembering correct, it's less than 1%. I think it's 6%. Okay. It's it's really unbelievable.
020And then one final question for me. I believe when I got on the board many moons ago, um, we were closer to the, you know, I don't know if I'm Christine, if I'm if I'm not quoting this correctly, but I was given back then a number of 50/50. 50% of the budget for the school districts came from the uh, state and 50% came from the local tax base. 5.4%. Is that correct? It's probably a dick question. Yeah, I haven't seen any of that. Typically, when they show the expenditures, the it's so high for personnel. When we look at the how where you get your money, it's very low ferally and then it's more majority of your money comes from the local tax sources. I understand it. But is there any sort of state law that
021Oh, the 50. Yes. No, there there was a case a case that sued the department Pennsylvania to u meet the constitutional requirement of Pennsylvania of funding education, but they they still haven't come to what that formula is going to be. So, they won their lawsuit, but they're still in talks of how exactly that funding is supposed to work. Well, let me I think I can add a little more insight. There is a component of the subsidy funding now that is to address the adequacy um situation. So any of the new money that goes into basic ed flows through this new formula, this new adequacy formula. So it's a small percentage but it is being addressed. Thank you. Under that formula we fare very poorly. So, were some other districts based on the factors that were
022included um poverty, English language learners, uh title, couple other things. We don't do well. That's why we're at 6%. When you look around some of the other districts, they're getting three and 4%. It's because they benefit from the formula and we don't. And that's been traditional around here is every time they tweak the formula, it seems like uh we do not benefit from it. Um, Phil, when you and I started, you know, 20ome years ago, it was close to 5050 funding split between the state and uh, the local. Now, I think we're at closer to 55 local and 45 state. It's funny, you must have read my mind because I was just going to ask you that question. You did come on at the same time and it just it's been a slow decline from
023the money we get from the state every single year and it's it's a travesty as far as I'm concerned concerned. we're high performing, low low cost spending and yet we're penalized for that. So just just just putting it out there forformational purposes. Thank you everybody who answered the questions. So following up on um Dr. Klein's question about how much we spend on cyber schools. Isn't that doesn't that come out to like six plus mills? Am I do I have that math right? Six and a quart mill. It's it's around six mills. the $2 million that might include some some other expenses outside of just cyber charters because if we're at 101 cyber charter bill part of that would be 1.5 million basically. Um but still 1.5 million you're you're talking 5 mill basically. Yes. Right.
024Okay. And again, when when charter schools were first approved almost 20 years ago, school districts were reimbursed a small percentage of those expenditures. After about four or five years, that went away because the state philosophy was, well, you've already accounted in your budget for those kids not being there, so we don't need to give you any more money for them. But they continue again to take this these massive amounts of money from us year after year. Well, in fairness then, it should be you only reimburse the amount of money you spend on your own students. Well, I mean, in theory, that's what they're charging us is what we what we So, we do much better quite honestly than a lot of other districts under this formula because we are low spending district. So, what we
025send at the charter schools is a lot less than say a Woodland Hills that has a much higher per pupil cost than we do. But, you know, I can't understand the logic. I mean, it costs the charter school the same to educate a kid from Woodland Hills as it does a kid from Pentraford. So, why we're paying less, it it just it doesn't make any sense whatsoever, and it never has. Okay. I have one further question. I asked this before and I missed the meeting. This is a little bit of a stale question, but I asked um about the tax deferral situation in the industrial park. It's it's um the new one. It it's a a deferment of a number of years. I think it's five. And it's supposed to be 20% reduction per year
026till they reach full tax rate. Has anybody checked to make sure that's being tracked? I haven't yet had an opportunity to do that, Mr. Leonard. I have not. Okay. Because I mean, I don't say that it isn't. Whenever I still work, I could have, but I I don't work. I'm not working here anymore. That would be a substantial pocket of money because that place is building like crazy and it would be some of them would be up to 100% now some would be at 80 some would be at 60 and the last few that were built would be a much lower rate but I would like if there's any way Mr. Can I ask a question to you on that question on what you asked? If an agreement was made locally, wouldn't that be uh
027a copy of that agreement been sent to the uh local tax collector, whoever the tax collector is? They have to know that to be able to send the tax bill out. That would be a good good um assumption. I would hope that that did happen. I'm just asking, you know, because to me, if if I was the uh corporation or whatever that got the tax break, I would surely want to know that, you know, when I'm getting my tax bill that it's to the agreement that was made. So, I I don't think if we were get doing to the agreement, the t the people who were paying the taxes would be in here complaining that it's not what they agreed to. Keep in mind also that, you know, both the the the township and the
028county participate in that program. So, you know, those notices were all approved and went to the county tax assessment office. So, I mean, I I feel pretty comfortable that the tax assessment office is on top of it, but I will double check. Thank you, Mr. Yeah. The re the reason I'd say I'd have any doubt is because there's been multiple changes in in the tax office, local county, and I'm not saying it isn't happening. Might be a simple phone call to to find out. If we could do that, I'd appreciate it because Phil, I don't think there was an agreement like you. It wasn't I never saw an actual agreement. Oh, just a question that I had. It was done by resolution and or ordinance. So, it was I I never saw an agreement. Well,
029that's what I'm referring to when I say in agreement. I The taxing bodies agreed to those resolutions. Yes. I Mr. Petrusy, did you have something Did you have something to add before? No, I um to answer what what semi answer u what Mr. Leonard brought up that um I'm going way back now to the mid 80s and on the other side of Melon Road is an industrial park that we gave three years tax exoneration and it was automatically rolled over and that park is still doing very well. We could then what he mentioned about this new industrial park he's right is booming. I wish we had about a dozen of them located around here but it is doing great. It's close to route 22 but is our property of course that's where we have our
030administration building but um the tax on to my knowledge is automatically rolled over after it expires and uh what how many years is it five years is that five years on taxes honoration for the newcomer our administration five years 20 20% every year okay yeah that's about right there y okay Dr. Harris, I wanted to ask a question. The comments that you made, we're a high performing lowcost school district. Can you add some figures to that? Sure. Actually, we have been um top performing school in West Point County um for the last several years. Um and we've also been top five top five% of the state for the last several years as well. I would say when I say several, I mean at least a dozen or more. So, um and we're also lowcost spending,
031which we have been ever since I've been here. What statistics do you have with the low cost spending? The last um stats that I looked at was last year Pittsburgh Business Times when we were 97 out of 99 um for spending and then we were top 10 or 11 in that last year. I can't remember because Pittsburgh business times does something a little bit different than school digger which some does something different than the other. Everyone has a little bit different measurements in place but we are high performing. Yeah. In low cost. A couple years ago, we were ranked ninth out of 17 in District Mill. Mr. Lang, do you know where we rank right now? I I haven't looked at it. We're still somewhere in the middle of the pack. Yeah. And also if
032and I'm very strongly for three the three mil increase. Um for a taxpayer 3 mil increase the average taxpayer, what would that impact them? You gave us a figure last last week. Do the math. The taxpayer that goes on assessed value, not the actual property value, your assessation on the floor. Yeah, we did talk about this in public and I don't want to misquote the amount. It's about $84 a year on the um average assessed home. So $84 a year would break down to $7 a month. How much? Seven. $7 for three meals. That's for three meals. So $7 not for three meals. And uh Dr. Nicks, academically, you've already shared the 2.5 to three mills. The three mills does make an academic difference to keep us high performing. Correct. I mean, one would assume
033because Yeah, I'm I'm assuming you're educated. Yes. Because when we don't have the money, we don't have the resources which include human resources. So, you know, based on the support that we have for both our students and teachers, based on our educational knowledge, we would we would likely assume that those test scores could decline. For example, based on statistics and probability. Now, our students are successful and our teachers are fantastic teachers. They would do everything they could without those resources to get those students to achieve, right? But it would take what support do we provide because we been low cost. What additional support do we have that others may not be using? Would you like to use one? Sure. We have student learning assistance. We also have some fellows who are in the audience tonight
034and we have um tutors and different things like that. Um the student learning assistance I would be worried because when I gave a list of potential cuts that we would have to make I ranked everything in certain orders and based on if we got four mills if we got three mills if we got two um the difference between three and 2.5 mills is three SLAs's. So I would have to lose three um SLAs's um for next school year. And I get worried because the SLAs's do a lot of our um working with students for students who have learning needs, students who are also advanced and need extra enrichment. Um students who might not get special ed service or get your reading service, but they still need services. So it's kind of involved students of all
035different ranges. One of our goals next year and we even have an for the MTSS um goal is to making sure we reach all students and if we do not have three in place it's going to be very hard to reach that goal. It would tax our teachers more with time and our students wouldn't get that small group instruction or the small group remediation that they need. talking with Denise, we've also had our numbers of um special education students reach the 15% mark. We're at 548 students um who actually are eligible for special education. So those numbers have risen the last couple years as well. How many SLAs do we have? Um we actually have 16 throughout the whole entire district. We did on the 13th. On the 13th. At one time we had 20
036something. That's what I have. Um last year we've taken um some away. Remember we we had some remember we raised one mill so I had to eliminate some positions then. And when I say 16 I already took out two because um by not going to four mills we had to eliminate all of our tutors and two SLAs's. So that's already cut. So I don't want to take three more SLAs's away um because we already took away two. So, we would be losing five if we don't go to three mills from 2.5. And Brett, another question you might want to ask. I know they asked you how many dollars three mills was, but what's the difference between 2.5 and three mills? Like how many dollars is that as it cost? It be $70 a year. So
037about $6 a month. It would be $6 a month versus the seven. Is that correct? Yeah. basically. So if you're looking at saying I don't want to do 2.5 because I'm worried about the tax and honestly we gave everyone a 1% and a 0%. We really maintained not going above ever about 2% to one. So you're talking about a dollar difference per month to keep our SLAs's when I already gave up two SLAs's. And I know Phil asked us about this before. I didn't have the total when you asked me what else did I give up before I even came to the budget. We gave up educational program totals of 169,000. We didn't replace two classroom teachers. We didn't replace um we are changing our SRO officers at the high school. We had lost five
038pair of professionals just due to the nature of the kids. Two custodians have lost the precision. We decreased the athletic budget by 50. We decreased the maintenance budget by 100,000. uh we had to use the fund balance for our weapon detectors. We did two bus routes and since we're not going to four mills, we've losing five tutors. We're losing two SLAs's and we're also losing our compare analytical um products that we use in the business office. So, we are making um setbacks like I didn't come to you and saying we need all this. I took those cuts and I made them myself. That was even before I approached you. When I approached you for the four mills, it was basically to keep the tutors. I understand that we can't get to the four mills, but
039I do not understand why we have to go from three mills to 2.5. I will respect it and like Dr. Nick said, we will make it work that it will be harder on the teacher. And I'm telling you, as you're academic leader and your CEO technically, as Fred always refers to it, but the district, this is what we need. Okay, I we have a motion on the floor uh with the budget as read and it would include a 2.5 mil increase. Do I have a second? Two and a half mills. I'm Yeah. No second. I'll make a second. Then we'll put it to a vote and see what the majority wants. I have a second. Uh question being called for question. Okay. Uh, Mr. Leo, could you roll call? Yes. Mr. Zissing. Um, no. Dr.
040Klein, no. Mr. Kachassic, no. Dr. Kosjo. Uh, I am a no. After the information that you shared today regarding the fund balance, Mr. Leonard, no. Mr. Matarazzo, no. Mr. Neik, no. Mr. Patrusi, no. Mr. Stovar, no. Motion fails. Okay. Um, do we have another recommendation for a millillage increase? A budget with a millage increase. I have a question because under number further on in number eight, it does talk about set millage rate. We do that twice. I mean, if we do it here, then we don't need number eight. Am I right? No, you you need two separate motions. Do you have a separate motion? Y. Okay. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't redundant. Okay. Then I I would move for the budget using a 3 mil increase. Marty, can you calculate that figure
041quickly? I got it. B that usually gives us that number. 9375. I have a motion for the the budget. 9375. Brett. And what's the other? Uh the other is 14 39. Okay. So, uh we I I move to recommend the same amount for the uh total budget of 69,954,693, but we will move the real estate tax at a at a rate of 93.75 mills. uh a real estate tax for the rate for Alageney County portion located in Trafford Burough would move to 14.39 mills and Brett nothing would change on the per capita of the act. No, the only other number that would change is on page 24 budgeted revenues would go to 69,8701 195. I'll have to confirm that when I run it through the system, but that's what it should be 6987. So that'll
042that'll if we approve this that'll be adjusted. It'll be adjusted. Minutes would be adjusted. Is is the mills correct though for the mill should be correct because that's what it was in the preliminary budget. Okay. 14. I'll adjust that. Same total budget mill is up to represent a 3 point or 3 mil increase. And uh the only other change would be the total revenue number would go up based on that mill increase. I have a question. Maybe I'm slow. on me up the cake here. You said your motion would be to increase you you were okay with the budget number, but you said then that would bring it to a 93. What did you say the millage motion? 93.75 is what? Okay. The mil the current mill is 93.25. That's the proposed the two and
043a half. Okay. So, so this 93.75 does reflect a three mill. Yes. Right. Those two numbers I changed would bring the overall way I'm a little slow with the uptake. Okay. And the overall budget will be massaged if it's the overall revenue number will increase. The expenditure number won't change the revenue number will. Right. Okay. Do we have a second on this motion? Second. Uh question. Question. Question being called for. Mr. Lego, could you pull a board, please? I certainly will. Mrs. Yes. Mh. Dr. Klein, no. Mr. Kachassic, yes. Dr. Kosjo, yes. Mr. Leonard, yes. Mr. Matarazzo, yes. Mr. Neik, yes. Mr. Petrusi, yes. Mr. Stovar, yes. Motion carries. 8 to All right. Thank you everybody. Mr. Neik, if I could say something from the onset of this, you know, budget process, you know, I
044had set in my mind that I couldn't support more than a one mil increase. You know, with that being said that, you know, I understand the price of everything's going up, you know, but, you know, with, you know, there's two reasons I couldn't vote for the 3M increase. You know, the first is that our Pent Trafford residents are still feeling the effects of the historic 32.5% tax increase that our, uh, county commissioners did last year. And the second reason is that, you know, cyber charter reform. You know, I think that's the answer to this. I challenge the governor, uh, the Pennsylvania Senate, and the Pennsylvania House to get to work on that. Thank you. Not a good guess. I have nothing else. Uh, Mr. President, thank you, Mr. Stoart. Uh, next would be personnel and
045curriculum. Mr. Patassic. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, move to employ the following personnel. New employment is continued upon the receipt of all necessary documentation and the acceptance of act 34, 151, and 114 waiverss from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within 30 days. Joseph Vakati, a custodian at uh to be determined at uh we don't know where that person is going to be yet unless you guys want to chime in on where um Katie Aick a PCA to be determined and Christine Kitchen a PCA to be determined. Do I have a second? Question. I'm sorry. Second question. Question being called for. This will be a roll call vote. All in favor of motion say I opposed. No. Motion carried. And I appreciate that. Two of our fellows who are here tonight, I guess their names would be
046on that list. Do you want to just come up briefly and just introduce yourself? Are you working on a class at this time as well? Just can briefly just say where you are. I know you've been here last year and you're coming back and you're both from they're from St. Vincent. Hi, I'm Andrew Schwagger. I'm a fellow from St. Vincent. Um I work at McCull Elementary. I'm a support um kind of like a support teacher as a fellow there. Uh we are both in a family and collaboration class right now for our masters at St. Vincent. Um we're here to just kind of uh look at and review what a school board meeting is like. Um we are both uh just trying to figure out and understand what the topics are and how uh the
047whole entire thing was works. I do have a question if you don't mind me asking. Uh what is mill or mill that you all keep refer to? The bill is the tax rate. Okay. That's when we're talking about what taxes we're going to increase. We increase it a mill. And every a mill is worth 314,000 for our school district. And every school district, they would have a different value for their mill. So for another school district, they may have another amount, but that's based on um their school district. So Gotcha. Okay. Thank you so much. Can I ask where you from? You uh yeah, Northfield. briefly come uh curriculum instruction. Oh, what are you guys here? And you're at Trafford Middle, but where do you I'm uh Aiden Province. I work at Trafford Middle School.
048Uh doing my masters, same thing as him, curriculum and instruction. Um and he about, you know, answered everything as to why I'm here. So, what's your major? You're actually going to be what for teaching which grade level? Uh secondary, so 7 through 12. And I'm an English major. So, nice to see you. English teacher. You always need English teachers. Question for both of you. Where did you um earn your bachelor's degree at David? Nice to have my favorite in the back there. I want to introduce you to I'm sorry again. Phil, I'm sorry. Oh, no. No apology needed. Move to accept the following retirement resignation. Patty Gatson, a custodian at Pensford High School. Second. Second. Question called for. question. This will be a roll call vote. All in favor of the motion say I. I
049oppose. No. I'm very happy for Patty. We're very sorry to see her go. I love her to death. She was very dedicated. She she took care of the nighttime school from 3 to 11. Always happy. Always loved her job and it was always nice to talk to. So I know and I we want the schools every night. She is such a pleasant person and been here like 20 plus years. She takes a lot of overtime that people didn't want to take. She's working 12-hour shifts, etc. So, a very fine young lady, very committed. She works very hard. Always working. That is all I have, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. Kassich. Uh, next up is taxes, insurance, and census. Mr. Matarazz, please. Uh, thank you, Mr. President. I move that the board of school directors adopt
050the following resolution. be it resolved and it is hereby resolved by the board of school directors of the Pen Township School District. There is hereby assessed, levied, and imposed for the fiscal fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2025 ending June 30th, 2026. Tax on all real estate in the district subject to taxation at the rate of 93.75 assessed valuation of taxable property. Real estate tax rate for the Alageney County portion located in Trafford Bureau is 14.39. Mr. Lego. Doesn't that number change though with that is the change? That's the change. That is the change. Yeah. I have a motion. I have a second. Second. Question. Question been called for. This is a roll call vote. All in favor of the motion say I. I. Opposed? No. No. Um, would you I got it. You good? Yeah,
051I'm good. Okay. Thank you, Mr. President. That's all. Thank you. Uh, now do I have a motion for journal? And before you before you do, I want to thank everyone for a great school year. I think we had another fine academic performance. We had a lot of sports and our fine arts and musical performance. This has been another top year. Um, it was a full year with Dr. Nicks here as the assistant superintendent, which was actually great. So, thank you. I would like to thank my staff, Mr. McCracken, Mr. at Lego and all the other the principles at the buildings, Denise Kuba stack and all the teachers. We had a great school year. Of course, I forgot Tiffany. I thought I thanked her first. Oh, okay. I'm not I was like, "Oh my goodness, in
052my mind, did I thank Tiffany?" Thank everyone and the school board. And I know sometimes it's not easy um for, you know, raising taxes and everything. So, I do appreciate it on behalf of the schools and the school children. So, thank you and I appreciate it. And I know I don't like to make a longer meeting, so I'll stop thanking you. Okay. Do I have a motion for journ motion? All in favor say I. Opposed. Meeting adjourned. Everybody enjoy your summer.