001Start with the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic which stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Apologize for being a few minutes late. Mr. Lego, could you please take roll call? Yes, sir. Mr. present sir. Uh Mr. Siss here. Dr. Klein present. Mr. Chass here. Dr. Costro here. Mr. Leonard here. Mr. Matarazzo here. Mr. Neik here. Mr. Petrusi is absent. Mr. Stovart here. You have a quorum, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. Lego. You're welcome. Uh turning, you know, meeting over to Dr. Harris for information. Thank you, Mr. Neem. We're going to start the meeting off with honoring some of our students and lot they're all pretty much make up the whole audience tonight um for the students of the month.
002Every month we do this at every meeting. I pretty much say the same thing. By the end of the year we might have 27 students total. And when you think about it, we have 3,800 students in the district. So to get one of those 27 spots, you must have done something amazing. And when you hear what the principles read about each one, you're going to understand what they do, not only as a student, but as a child, as a friend, as a brother, as a sister, as a whole person. And it is amazing. And I'm going to start off by turning it over to Karen Corner, Dr. Corner from Makulla. Thank you, Dr. Harris. I'm going to start with some elementary district notes and updates. Uh first thing is uh organized by our PTO McCulla
003held a kids of steel running club this spring that had many students involved. And the reason why I bring that up is I believe there were three other elementary schools that also had a running club participated in this Kids of Steel event in the Pittsburgh Kids Marathon that was just on May 3rd. The incoming kindergarten will have their second big event, the kindergarten screening at the end of May, the last week of May. This will be the second event where students will be in their new building before fall. Uh we are done with state testing. Sorry, high school. We want to thank all the families, staff, and students for their support and understanding this year. It's pretty stressful for everyone involved, and we appreciated everyone's kindness. Uh we have been celebrating the end of the
004year with multiple field trips, track and field days this week, um reward celebrations for the students during the month of May. It's very busy month. Last week was staff appreciation week. We I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for all the hard work and dedication of the McCulla staff, the PT staff, and everyone else that works tirelessly for the students and the families. The district-wide elementary band concert is tomorrow night. They are practicing tonight in the high school performing arts center. And the fifth grade chorus concert was last Friday, May 9th. Both groups worked all year for both of these performances. We also have the fifth grade career discovery day on May 16th, this Friday. And this trip is organized by FEP, the FELE credit union. We're very grateful for their connection with the
005school district. That's all of my updates. So, most importantly is celebrating the student of the month. So, would Miss Callie Dempsey come on up to the front? [Applause] You can face your big crowd. A friendly crowd. No, you can stand over there so that you're not in front of the podium. There you go. Right there. Perfect. Okay. So, Miss Callie Dempsey is a 12-year-old fifth grade student at McCulla Elementary School. She's joined today by her family. Her parents are Kyle and Lindsay. Callie is the oldest of four Dempsey children, one sister and two brothers. Payton is in fourth grade, Ethan is in first grade. They're both at McCulla, and she also has a younger brother, Logan, who will be starting kindergarten in the fall. Callie and Logan happen to have the same birthday. Callie is
006a fabulous choice for our May student of the month, and I appreciate her kind, incredibly hard-working, polite, gracious, and humble personality. She is the sweetest student and friend. When I interviewed Callie, she mentioned that it can be very hard being the oldest of four. She puts a lot of pressure on herself to be a great mo role model for her younger siblings and she is learning and doing everything first for her family. She was so humble when she was sharing this with me. Callie also told me that her favorite subjects are art and social studies. Art was her number one choice because Callie loves to draw. She mentioned that it is really special to her and how much it helps her with her emotions. She currently is taking an online watercolor art class outside of
007school. She really enjoys it. Callie mentioned that she likes social studies because she enjoys learning about people. In the past, Callie has played ice hockey and soccer, but she doesn't have any interest right now in being on a team. She just likes to do ice hockey for fun. Callie mentioned how she likes to rollerblade near her house. Callie loves to read. Her favorite genre is mystery and she loves Nancy Drew books. Callie sometimes hangs out with her siblings, usually to play hockey outside. When asked about her future loves and plans, Callie really wants to be an artist when she gets older. Her favorite style of art is pencil. She loves colored pencils. In December of this year, Callie participated in an online art gallery. She hung art from her school projects and those she completed
008at home in her house and submitted pictures of her art to her online art teacher. She won first place. Callie also mentioned that she loves to do hair and since her father is in construction, she thought it would be awesome if he built her her very own hair salon. So, a few of Callie's teachers shared some thoughts with me. Mrs. Psimpoo who is here in the front row. Callie's reading and social studies teacher stated that Callie is an extremely hard and conscientious worker. Callie treats her teachers and classmates with continued patience and respect. She expresses gratitude for the help that she is given. Calie listens actively in class and asks clarifying questions so that she will be able to complete assignments to the best of her ability. Calie is kind to others and a great
009example. It has been a pleasure to have been her teacher this year. Mr. Mcccleintok, Callie's home room science and math teacher, mentioned that Cali Dempsey is a pleasure to teach in class every day. She is hardworking and conscientious in all her assignments. Cali is determined to do her best each day. She is not discouraged when things get difficult and has the stamina to work until her tasks are completed. In addition to her work in class, Kelly is also a kind and positive friend and classmate. Cali demonstrates kindness, perseverance, and responsibility to all of her classmates. I am so proud that Callie is our student of the month. And lastly, Callie's art teacher, Mrs. Cardamone, also wanted to share that Callie is very deser deserving of student of the month. She is hardworking, kind, helpful, and
010a very determined individual. No matter how difficult something seems to her, she absolutely does not give up. Callie tells me often how she aspires to become an artist someday. Although to me she already is an artist. Callie has so much ambition and passion when creating art. She puts her entire heart into her ideas and often brainstorms with me to make sure her ideas are successful. She is careful and meticulous and has so many out ofthe-box ideas of how she approaches each art assignment. I am always excited to see how she adds her own unique twist to each project. She is an incredible young lady. Callie is welld deserving of this award and she embodies the traits we look for in a student when selecting our student of the month. We are honored to have Cali
011represent McCulla as the May Elementary student of the month. [Applause] Yeah, it's time. When we're all When we are all done with elementary, middle, and high school, we're going to do a group. We're going to do different pictures. So, please stay for the um um photo op at the end. Now, we're going to ask Mr. Simpson from Pen Middle School. Thank you, Dr. Harris. Um talking about Pen Middle School events, uh like Dr. corner said we just finished our uh ELA science and math PSAS last few weeks. Those went off well. Uh we have Keystone algebra coming up. Last week we had teacher appreciation week and um staff enjoyed a uh woodfire pizza from Dawn's Pizzeria on Friday with multiple gifts from the PTO during the week. Uh like Dr. corner said, uh, I don't
012think anyone really knows unless you've taught what teachers do each and every day and staff and and PCA's. It's amazing what we do and and all the mo moving parts. I'm so appreciative of my staff. Um, wonderful, wonderful people. So, kudos to them. Uh, I want to thank the board. On, uh, la couple Thursdays ago on May 1st, the eighth graders left at 5:00 a.m. Uh, went to Gettysburg toward the battlefield um, and came back at 9:00 p.m. Um, like I always say, it is a wonderful, wonderful event for our eighth graders. Uh that's a critical part of our eighth grade social studies curriculum uh revolution to reconstruction and uh Gettysburg other than Independence Hall might be one of the best places to visit in terms of history in Pennsylvania. Also on that day, the
013seventh graders visited uh the tech center to get a look at uh what's offered there. It was a great field trip. Uh what else do we have coming up? This Friday is the eighth grade farewell. Uh the following Tuesday is our 5K uh the Landram 5K in honor of Jackie Landram. And the following Thursday is our yearbook dance. The next day that's that's it. So that's all we have at Pen Middle School. Sounds a lot of fun. Thank you. Okay. Uh let me call Caitlyn up. Caitlyn Doy, please come on up. [Applause] Kevin Dolai is our eighth grade student uh is an eighth grade at Pen Middle School. She's our student of the month for May. Um she is the daughter of Kevin and Heather Dolphi Dohi of Harrison City. They share that she's in
014they are incredibly proud of their daughter. She uh for being named student of the month. Her talent and dedication continue to amaze them. She's a remarkably gifted artist whose talent is far beyond her years. This school year alone, she's completed a stunning mural for Pen Middle School and is already hard at work on a second. She also had the incredible honor of getting her class art featured in an international exhibit. I don't know if anyone saw that. It was in the Tribune Review. Uh it was unbelievable. But beyond her artistic achievements, Caitlyn is smart, determined, kind, witty, witty, and a loyal friend. Someone who brightens every room she walks into. She's an exceptional young woman and we couldn't be more thrilled to see her recognized for all that she brings to our school. I spoke
015to her brother, Jacob. He's a fifth grader at Harrison Park. He says that Caitlyn is welld deserving of this award. He said it very uh sincerely. She is mostly nice to him and he another sincere comment, he wouldn't trade her for any other sister, which I thought was really nice. Um, and he likes to play outside with her and take walks. So, um, you know, words don't do it enough. All the board members, I put a picture on on your desk. So, the top one, and it it really doesn't do it justice how wonderful it is. If you've been by 214 and pen Middle, the top one, that is a 10 by 20 foot mural that Caitlyn did re recently finished. on the bottom. I got her working in action. She was in on what?
016Sat last Saturday I took that picture. Thursday was the dance. Okay. So, instead of going to the dance, she she was working on a mural that's in our social studies area. That is a mural that again I talked about u uh revolution reconstruction depicts all the uh important parts of our eighth grade curriculum. So, she's working on that. Just a words can't can't describe and how talent talented she is. Before I get to the teachers, I do want to say something about Caitlyn. We have a program. It's called U mentor buddies, and we have eighth graders work with sixth graders who are struggling socially. Um, you know, it middle school is not easy to come and work with other kids. And so I talked to the teachers and, you know, I asked for students who
017would be good at mentoring other sixth graders. Again, Kaitlin Doha, Kaitlin Doha, Kaitlyn Gill. So, but she's so working so hard on murals. I had to find a couple other kids. But she's not just a great artist. She's a great all-around person. I'm I'm so proud of her. Uh teacher say incredibly artistic, kind, talented young lady. She's creativity shines through in everything she does, whether it's the classroom or through artistic expression. Not only smart, but insightful and thoughtful and compassionate towards others. It has been a joy to watch her grow into a confident and expressive young person over the past three years. Her positive presence makes a lasting impact on those around her. She takes great pride in her work and always strives to do her best. Her unbelievable artist is li is with limitless
018talent but hard work also that stands out to me the most. She's welld deserving. Demonstrates remarkable maturity, a strong work ethic, genuine passion for the arts. Uh her art teacher shares that she's not only a talented artist but also a kind, thoughtful individual who leads by example. She has witnessed this through her efforts collaborating on projects and encouraging others in the classroom. Caitlyn exhibits leadership and integrity in everything she does. She takes initiative and shows deep respect for both the creative process and the people around her. We're so proud to recognize Kaitlyn Dohai as the May student of the month. Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Um, Mr. Venton, he's actually filming us, not in this room. He just reminded us if you when you speak to microwave microphone, make sure it's turned on. So, just so
019he can pick up the audio because he actually um records not from this area. So, it's watching and taping. Um, finally from the high school, Mr. Healey, Dr. Healey. Uh, so I'll start with the update. Um, we had a successful prom at the core event center. We had approximately 650 students from PT and other schools in attendance. Um, we started our Keystone testing today and that will continue through the end of the year. Um, we're currently in the midst of AP testing which ends Friday. We have a few stragglers who may have missed for athletics or um, multiple tests. They'll test on the makeup window. Um, our mock trial team competed in the state playoffs representing all of West Morland County. Um, they entered a semifinals with third overall seed. I'm unfortunately losing in a
020close match in the semis. Um, we had a successful scholarship night where Penn Trafford students were awarded $362,150 in scholarships total. Um, we're extremely proud of them. Uh we just enjoyed a great uh top 20 lunchon today at Nicasio Fields um where they uh top 20 students were honored for their academic success over the last four years. Um great lunch. It was made possible through the generous donations of the local businesses. We thank them for that. Um and then we're currently preparing for graduation to take place next Thursday. Uh hoping it doesn't rain. So, um, with athletics, um, the unified track and field teams finishing up their first season. Um, they had three meets. Uh, the home meet was last week. Uh, they came in second place all the meets out of four teams. Um,
021one meet left and then a playoffs. Uh, we've qualified along with Baldwin, Bell Vernon, Canon McMillan, and Hem, and Mount Pleasant, Norwin. Um, this will take place at Baldwin High School on May 19th. Uh we currently have quite a few teams in the playoffs as well. Um and I was actually getting text messages from Mr. Hetrick regarding the uh softball. So I don't know if anybody else is getting them too. I I got one and they won. They won five to three. They won the section. So it's nice to see them go. I I love the end of the school year but and it always gets extended because all of our kids do so well which is a great problem to have in all their sports and it's a blessing. So thank you. Yes. So,
022uh, baseball currently will face off on Wednesday at 4:00 at Norwin High School. Um, boys volleyball will host Peters Township tomorrow night. Gates open at 6 for a 7 o'clock game. And then we'll host a playoff double header for lacrosse tomorrow. Uh, starting with the girls hosting Butler and the boys hosting Shaylor. So, in the high school, um, we're more unique for the last uh, student of the month. Uh we nominate or we ex uh look at students who excel um for different reasons. Um specifically for students who uh decide to go into the military or decide to give for service that goes above and beyond what's expected. It's voluntary. Uh so we have four students who are confirmed and listed in enrollments. Uh one in ROC. I'm going to start by honoring them. And
023then we have an American Legion school award which I'm going to honor two students as well. Uh so uh what'll happen is we can have Emma Harris come up. Is Emma in [Applause] attendance? So I know the recruiter is Mr. Wood, correct? Okay. Is Mr. Wood in attendance? If you can come up and give a couple words. I just like I just like to have the recruiters come up and give a couple words about the person um that they kind of talked through during the recruiting process just because it shows a lot of character. If you could please if you could do the mic because we're also being watched that from Oh yeah. All right. So I didn't uh prepare anything. Sorry. I apologize, but um future sailor Emma Harris is joining the Navy as
024a cryptologic technician. One of the highest uh um welldeserving jobs hard to qualify for. Um and I think she's going to do great things in the United States Navy, the greatest Navy in the world. Thank you. Come here. Sorry. This is my first time doing one of these this way. It's normally just one student shaking up. Congratulations. Thank you. Emma, when do you leave? July 15th. July 15th. Good luck to you. I'm very proud of you. Next up, we have uh Mason Moore uh who is currently going active duty into the army. You can come on up. Then do I have Staff Sergeant Parish or Wheeler? They didn't show up. Okay. So, uh, I I I have one experience that, uh, in my short time being a principal at high school that kind of exemplifies
025the person that Mason is. Um, and this is just kind of off the cuff because I didn't have anything prepared because I know the military tends to have, but this shows his true character. Um, we had a situation. I know what you're going I know you know exactly what I'm talking about. So, we had a situation in the cafeteria lunchroom where a student was going through breakfast time. um student didn't have enough money to buy what they were seeking for breakfast. So, as I'm reviewing the security camera footage, I noticed a young man entering his pin to purchase food for this student. That student was Mason. So, he without his, you know, on his own accord decided to spend his own money to help a student in need. So, that just kind of shows the
026character that Mason has. And I know the army will be very grateful to have that. What MOS are you going into? Combat engineer. Combat engineer. Okay. So, what exactly does that do? Basically, you work with bombs and you clear roads. Okay. Goodness. So, thank you. I know we're all very appreciative for your service. Thank you, Mason. [Applause] And Mason, when do you go? July 27th. July 27th. Good luck. Very proud of you. Okay, next up I have Ella Mallaloy. Uh Ella is going to be going into the merchant marines. Um she received a full scholarship into it. Is Mr. lit run in the house. Thank you. Um, last Wednesday I had the honor of presenting this fine young lady a um appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Um, as principal said, it is
027a equivalent to a $300,000 education. That's an investment that's being made by the United States government in Ella. uh she will be uh serving for five to eight years as either the merchant marine or in any branch of the United States service as a military officer. Now the merchant marine academy is one of the five federalmies. I feel obligated to tell this story because in 1980 Newsweek magazine wrote an article about the least known federal academy being the Coast Guard. Merchant Marine Academy is the fifth federal academy. Please though, congratulations to Ella. Um along with Annapolis, West Point Air Force Academy and Coast Guard, United States Merchant Marine Academy. Um as with the othermies, it requires a com congressional nomination and a rigorous 17step application process. It's an intensive 4-year regimenal and academic curriculum. It
028will lead to a bachelor of science degree, a US merchant marine officer's license, and an enson commission in the navy reserve. A unique feature about the merchant marine academy is that Ella will be able to serve in any branch of the service. This is a very unique aspect of the merchant marine academy. who can serve in the United States Navy as an enson, the Marines, the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, US Space Force, or the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and going in as a commissioned officer in any branch of those services. However, we are hoping that Ella will strongly consider sailing in the Merchant Marine. I don't know if many of you know much about the merger marine, but in time of peace, it is a series of privatelyowned companies that own ships that
029transport goods all over the world. And it's taken for granted. And in time of war, those ships then become part of the military and it's called the fifth branch of the military. Ella will be receiving a Navy commission because end time of war, these merchant ships must sail with the Navy ships in convoys. Now, if we say it's an honor to be an officer in the military branch, but right now the United States Merchant Marine needs officers. As a quick story, right now, China has 5,500 vessels capable of carrying troops, munitions, and military equipment. If anyone could guess how many US equivalent ships there are in service, 70 70 of which are going to be decommissioned because of lack of officers and personnel to man them. So that's why we need people like Ellen Malloy
030that's going to be able to save our merchant marine. The United States government has just made a proclamation that they are going to invest $1.1 billion dollars in rebuilding the infrastructure of the Merchant Marine Academy and 100 billion dollars in re resurrecting the ship building capabilities of the United States and building the merchant fleet up. So congratulations to Ella for an accomplishment that is just beyond consideration, beyond words and God bless you. Pleasant sailing, fair seas. [Applause] I might have missed the date. What date are you doing? July 3rd. July 3rd. Good luck. You're going to make us all very proud. Thank you. [Applause] And then the last uh military uh student I have is Elias. I'm going to try to pronounce this correctly and not butcher it. Habira. Habira. Elias. Habira. So Elias um
031is a fantastic student. I and throughout the course of the day I tend to deal with students who kind of cause trouble and Elias is not one of them. So, so he's a he is a fantastic young man. Um, always challenging himself with uh high level classes, multiport athlete. Hopefully he's going to bring us home a lacrosse one here later this week. I hear he's a fantastic uh lacrosse player. Um, I know Dr. Kosko kind of helped in the process as well. Um, he's he's going to go to Penn State is it Penn State Maine? he's going to go to Penn State Maine and be involved in the NOTC. So, can you kind of describe what that is for the people in the audience? Yeah. So, um is the Naval Rivers officer. So, basically it's
032just kind of likeies but basically just college and they train one of the officers. Perfect. And then um so when you get out just from my understanding when you get out if when you go through the program you will be a commissioned officer correct? Yes sir. Okay. So for that we thank you. I know it'll be very challenging and we're just very thankful. [Applause] I apologize my list is long today. So I have two more people. Um this is the American Legion uh s or school award. Um this is given based on six criteria. Conor or honor, courage, leadership, patriotism, scholarship, and service. Um so in the in the audience tonight, I know I invited I don't know if they all made it. Um there was a female recipient and male recipient and then a
033female and male uh second place honorable mention. Uh first I'm going to call up Khloe Walton. So I'm going to say a couple words and I'll have the gentleman from the American Legion come up and kind of do a little bit as well. So in Khloe's time at the high school, um I know you're going to Barton College play soccer, correct? Yeah. Um, and you are a fantastic athlete, but that doesn't that's not kind of the big thing. You were one of the biggest organizers supporting our big friends day, which I was privileged to see some of the kids my son play hockey with come up. They were excited to see me. They didn't realize I worked here. It was a great day. So, for that, we're thankful. Um, at this point, I'll have the
034gentleman from the American Legion come on up and say a few kind words. Thank you. Uh, my name is Jim Dernovich. I am accompanied by Mr. Jim Fe. We belong to Trafford American Legion. And the American Legion recognizes the importance of our youth. I'm here tonight to present two awards. One is the American Legion School Award to one graduating boy and one graduating girl. The boy has not been called yet, so I'll wait for you, sir. And the attributes and qualities of this individual are courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship, and service. Now I'm going to present Khloe with the American Legion certificate stating what I had just stated and Mr. Fe is going to show you the medallion, the American Legion medallion that we'll also present to Khloe. On one side there's the American Legion
035emblem that states for God and country and on the other side of the coin the attributes courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service. So Chloe, congratulations. [Applause] And then second uh for the male recipient is uh Mr. Nicholas Trusel. [Applause] Nicholas, congratulations. And I'm not going to read uh that over again. Uh, but I'm happy to present you on behalf of the American Legion, the American Legion School Award, and also the Medallion. I want to congratulate you as the recipient. I have some military certificates also. present those if you want to. Now I almost forgot the honorable mention American Legion school. Uh Brooklyn is Brooklyn here. Okay. How about Jared Miller? Honorable mention American Collegian School Award presented to Jared Miller. Congratulations and the milit American Legion military commitment certificate of commendation. One to Emma
036Harris. Sam, if you'd come up again. [Applause] Congratulations, Mason Moore. Mason, I was a 12 brother. So, I'll see you after the [Applause] meeting. Ella, Ella Malloy. [Applause] and Elias, Sister Abira, Congratulations. Thank you for the opportunity. I appreciate all that you do for 10 10 Traford and the school district and I appreciate every year you come. It really means a lot to myself, the staff and the kids. So, thank and the families. So, thank you so much for showing up. We're really enjoying it. Thank you. We love having you. At this time, we're going to take a picture with the students of the month, the children military, as well as the winners of the American Legion Award. So, you can come up and the co winners. It's all He should do American. more than
037welcome to stay for the rest of the meeting. No one has ever stayed or you can go now. It is up to you. We're not offended either way. So, thank you so much for coming. September 21. My [Music] brothers here. [Music] bigger and bigger as big as she wants. did a good job. And like I said, um, thanks for everybody coming. and Mr. Katastic and Dr. Healey and Mr. Matarazzo, if you can come back to your seats. All right, Dr. Healey. Dr. Healey and Mr. Katastic. [Music] All right. Unless she's here for something else. Do you want me to bring the book? She just All right. And thank you, board. We do have a foundation meeting right after this meeting. So, we're almost finished, but we just need to get through a few more things.
038All right. Thank you. And I'm going to turn it back over to Mr. Neck for recognition of visitors. And we do have Dr. Harris, before building announcements, what's going on? Did you say anything about uh the students going to the elementary buildings? I haven't, but if you want to bring that up, that's fine. That's up to you. We will have the um 12th graders next week. They get to attend the elementary school. That was last year was or the two years ago was the very first year they started that. Um last year they carry that on the opportunity and this year they're going to do it as well. Next week's a fun week for the seniors especially. We have the senior walk. Um I'm sorry, the senior parade where they started that was during co.
039That's one of the things we've always kept. Of course, there's graduation and of course they also get to go back to their elementary school which they all enjoy and actually the elementary school students as well as the teachers and principles enjoy it as well. Yes. And they're going to have the principal that they had when they were in school. Correct. That's exciting time. Yeah, absolutely. Anything else you want to share, Mr. President? Well, just the thing about the uh the senior parade, people are welcome to come to it. It's great because the kids dress up. They have their cars decorated. I think the township I think there'll be some fire trucks and who knows what else. And I think Last year there were food trucks here. There was food trucks. I'm not sure. Dr. Hilly,
040are they still doing the food trucks for the senior the senior sunset in the back? Dr. That I think they we might I think I'm just not sure if we're finalizing details. I know that's something Mr. Quillio's kind of taking the lead on. Um so unfortunately I can text them but unfortunately I don't have an answer for that. Last year was the very first year and I think they enjoyed that. They enjoyed it and I believe all the kids came back and I I didn't have a senior. I left after the food truck. the kids stayed and um I believe they played a giant kickball game. I believe so too for one last time which I thought was nice. And what time does the parade start if people want to come? About 6:30. 6:30. It's
041something here at the high school. We will have it advertised in the um we will send out something and we will send out something to all the parents. Yeah. And Mr. Vinton, he he last year I think he used the drones. They they start up at St. Barbers's where they line up and I think he had drones up there showing how many people and then they come down through municipal and up into here. It's a it's a community event. So strongly encourage people to come out and enjoy it. Absolutely. And actually Dr. Hor was instrumental in starting in that senior parade. Thank you. And that's now officially that's all I have. All right. Thank you Dr. Harris. We've come to the portion now for recognition of the visitors. Some the rules that are stated. Um
042yeah. 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 district residents and taxpayers to 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 noon one business day in advance of 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,
043agents, employees or representatives. Uh we have one visitor signed up tonight, Corey Gross. Uh thank you. My name is Corey Gross. I I feel like I've been a parent in this district for about a million years. Um, but I do have my last child that's an upcoming senior at at Pent Trafford this year. Um, I'm here to discuss the new college and work release requirements for seniors that I just found out about. This was not commun communicated well by the district and students and parents have been left scrambling. The principal sent out an email in Jan January about scheduling. In that email, there was only one major change described and it was not the change to the college and work release program. The PT high school student handbook has no information about the changes or
044the details about the policy. I asked about why these changes were made and apparently there was an advisory board including members of the school board um led by and I'm not sure if this information is correct or not but led by Mr. and Glaze who were concerned about the lack of accountability for seniors. I wish that actual senior parents had been asked to advise. These new updates are quite frankly outrageous of a program that was not broken. Seniors used to be able to do school release with one college course or 20 hours of work throughout the 7-day week. Now the requirement is 20 hours of work, not including the weekend or two college courses. I don't think the board realizes how much they're asking of our already spread thin seniors. Seniors are required to stay
045in school for a minimum of four classes. For some students like my daughter who are involved with the arts, they are there for an additional hour for the fifth period 60-minute chorus chorus class. This leaves three to four hours of dismissal time in the afternoon for students for a total of 15 to 20 hours out of the classroom per week. Many of these students participate in sports, community service, CAP, other extracurricular activities like drama, art, band, mock, trial, etc. 20 hours of work for work release is quite frankly too high. Finding an employer to fit these demands is very difficult. That is, every hour, not including travel time of their school hour release if they don't do chorus. The average three credit online college course requires about 18 hours of work a week and the
046school is requiring two of these. These classes do not count towards their GPA or towards graduation. Where are these kids supposed to find the time to do this? as many of them also have jobs. You're really hurting the kids that are depending on also having a job to help pay for college or even support their families, something many of our privileged families in our district wouldn't understand. It was suggested to me that my daughter stay in school and take the dual enrollment courses offered at the high school. But did you know that most of these courses are two to four times more expensive than many of the online dual enrollment courses that are offered from home? Seniors at home have plenty to fill their time with searching for colleges applying for scholarships. You're adding stress
047to an already stressfilled year for these seniors. You're punishing good kids that need this program because of a few bad apples that may have slipped through the system. The board is supposed to be finding ways to cut the budget. Rather than doing that, the board is causing an administrative headache and taxing our guidance counselors who are already spread thin. Additionally, the way the program existed before allowed for less students in the building, less classes and teachers, which helps the school budget. The new stricter guidelines are going to stretch the high school's resources and require more classes and teachers. I'm just asking for reconsideration of this policy. It's unnecessary and burdensome and to the students and to the staff. Please consider an alternative like giving credit for athletics or rigorous extracurriculars like drama band and mock
048trial. Thank you. Sorry I went over. Thank you Miss Gross. Uh that is all we have under um visitors. Visitors I'm sorry. Um prior to there there is no old business tonight. Prior to tonight's meeting, we held an executive session where we talked about collective bar bargaining personnel, attorney litigation matters, and the board received information on the status of PTAR. We now come to the portion of the meeting where we do our consent agenda. Does the board wish to remove any item from the consent agenda? Okay. May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda items as submitted under one motion? Motion. We have a second. Second question. Question. Question being called for. This will be a roll call vote. All in favor of the motion say I. I. All opposed? No. Motion carried.
049You flip back to page 11 I believe. Excuse me. So I can ask one question. One of the parents had asked uh is this being uh recorded if they were see the parents over there. Is this meeting being recorded? I know they got it. Absolutely. They can get it if they want to see when their kids are. Yeah. If you just look on um after the meeting, you just have to watch and it's everything we have here tonight is posted on our um PT Warrior um web web page. Schoolboard meetings. And actually they stay up there for I don't know how long they stay a year. A couple years if you want to go back and look at it. So thank you. You're welcome. Um athletics and extracurricular Dr. Kosko. Thank you Mr. President. We
050do have one item tonight. Motion to approve the following athletic personnel. Salaries are determined in accordance with the negotiated agreement. New employment is contingent upon receipt of all necessary documentation and acceptance of the act 34, act 151, and act 114 waiver from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania within 30 days. Charles Font Fontana, girls varsity basketball coach, effective for the 2025 2026 season. Olivia Rizzo, girls assistant basketball coach districtwide, effective for the 2025 2026 season. Second. Second being called for. Do I have question? Question. A question being called for. All in favor of motion say I. I. All oppose. No. Motion carried. That would be all, Mr. President. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Costco. Employer relations, negotiations, transportation. Mrs. Izing. Move to approve the FCIU contract effective July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2030 as presented to
051the board. Second. Second by Phil. Question. Question. Question being called for. This will be a roll call vote. All in favor of the motion say I. I. All oppose? No. No. I abstain. Mr. Lego, could you pull the board? I certainly will. Give me a second here. Okay. Mrs. Yes. Dr. Klein, yes. Mr. Kassic, yes. Dr. Kosjo, yes. Mr. Leonard, abstain. Mr. Matarazzo, voting no. Mason, because of the PCAs I feel are unfairly treated. Mr. Mr. Neik. Yes. Mr. Petrus is absent. Mr. Stovore. Yes. Uh you have six positive, one against and one abstained and one absent. So the motion carries. Motion carry. And I appreciate u Mrs. Izing and I know the committee that you worked a long time and Mr. Patrusi and was on a committee and Mr. Neck was on the committee
052as well as some of the administrators. So, we kind of started, we were thinking about starting early this year and then ended tonight. So, it was easy. Then this is um for our paras, our custodians, and our secretaries. They're collectively in one um agreement known as the SEIU, and it's a contract, and it's for five more years. So, I do appreciate all the work that you put into it and all the time everyone. Thanks, T. That's all, Mr. President. Okay. Uh personnel and curriculum, Mr. Foster. That's me. Uh, Mr. President, uh, move to employ the following personnel. New employment is continued upon the receipt of all necessary documentation that will include clearances act 34, Act 151, Act 114 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within 30 days. Jeremy Height, a custodian at Pentford High School. Uh,
053Kelly Dixon, a custodian at Trafford Elementary. Adam Lent, a custodian at Sunrise. and Victoria Anderson uh fellow at to be determined. Second second by Dr. Kosko question question question being called for this is we have a roll call vote all in favor of the motion say I I all oppose no one more Mr. President uh move to accept the following retirement resignation. Ronald Lochner, maintenance technician. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Dr. Kosko. Question. Question. Question being called for. Um all in favor of the motion say I. I. All oppose say no. Motion carried. And I want to I'm going to say Ron is going to be very well missed. His skills are absolutely amazing. He keeps the buildings in shape. He's always here early. He always stays late. Anytime there's an emergency
054on the weekends, holidays, I call him and he has no problem coming in very well versed and knowledge. And that's the kind of knowledge and loyalty that I've appreciated all these years and we were very lucky. Everything behind the scenes he takes care of. So, thank you. Do it. Okay. Uh, policy, public relations, legislative, title two. Mr. Kassich, I'm not for sure. back up. I don't want to step on anybody's toes. Is that you? It's Mr. Matarazzo. Oh, I'm sorry. No, I didn't know. I didn't know. Mr. Volunteering. I just We asked to approve the list of graduates of the class of 2025. Motion to approve the following items of the class of 2025 as submitted by Mr. Tony Aquilio as principal of Pen Trafford High School pending satisfactory completion of all requirements for graduation
055as prescribed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pen Trafford School District. Copy of the list will be filed with the official minutes of this meeting. Second by Mr. Leonard. Question question being called for. This will be a roll call vote. All in favor of the motion say I. I oppose. No. Motion carried. I have a question to ask Dr. Harris. this class of 30 306. How does that compare with other classes? It's been very similar. I know when I first got here, we had classes probably about 350 or or above. Um that was maybe 18 years ago. 17 18, you know, comes goes, but 306 is a shock number. It is. It is. And also over 300. Is that anything over 300? Anything over 300. But could you also share there are some students
056that were could graduate, aren't sure about graduation? What have you and administrative staff done with some of these kids? Made it personal. Um, some students who are struggling this last nine weeks. We just kind of met with them and I know Dr. Lee and myself and the guidance office and I know Dr. Hur and I started that a couple years ago um with students with just coming up with a plan all year um to make sure that more students graduate. And not only do they graduate, do they have plans because sometimes that's another biggest issue is um they're not sure what they're going to do next. And that's actually very scary for us that we're having someone leave without knowing what to do. So, we always try to come up with a plan and we
057work on that as well. So, it's been pretty successful. I appreciate that's not something all schools do, but you're taking personal time with some of these students that just need a little bit of uh encouragement, advice, counsel. So, thank you for that. I I hope we we helped some and unfortunately some students and it might not have helped as much but I can't I can't say we helped everybody but would you try we try our best. Okay. Do I have a motion for adjournment? Motion. Second. Motion journed at 804. And we're going to stay here for the Pent Trafford Community Edition if you are a member of that and