001To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Yes, sir. Mr. President, second. Okay. Mrs. You on the line? Hello. Okay. Uh, Mrs. Dr. Klein, present. Mr. Ch here. Dr. Costjo here. Mr. Leonard is absent. Mr. Matarazzo here. Mr. Neik here. Mr. Petrusi here. Mr. Stovar here. You have a qu Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. You're welcome. Turn it over to Dr. Harris for information. All right. Absolutely. Our favorite time of the month is when we do our students of the month. And today we have students from Sunrise Middle and the high school. And as I say, I say it's every month, but you know, it is so hard. We have almost we have 3,868 students. And every year we choose less
002than 20 to be students the month. So, it is extremely hard to get this honor, but when you hear about why the students were chosen and when principles read it, you're going to realize that they're really exceptionally well above average kids who do something extra and they really should make their parents proud. So, I already say remember your kids when they go to school, they can do anything they want when they get there, but when they get there, they do the right thing because no one's watching them. That's always the best time to um see what the kids do when no one is around and you should be very proud. So I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Datholi. Okay. Yep. Thanks, Dr. Harris. Yep. All right. For Sunrise Elementary, Eli, come on up
003back there. Try to talk loud for everyone to hear me. What's up, my man? All right. So, we have Eli Catel. Sunrise Elementary is excited to introduce Eli Catel as the student of the month. Eli is a second grade student at Sunrise. He is the son of Frank and Nicole who are here with us tonight as well as the younger brother to Isaac. Isaac is a fifth grade student who is uh an outstanding person as well. Welcome, Isaac. Uh Eli is an exceptional student and is the kind of kid who puts a smile on your face. Mrs. Gutwald, who is over here with us, who has been at the high school here lately with all the musical going on. Um Mrs. Gutwald. Eli's second grade teacher says Eli works very hard in second grade. He's
004the kind he is kind and considerate to all his classmates. He is a leader in the classroom, respected by his peers, and always willing to help. Eli always puts forth uh consistent effort in anything that he's learning, especially math, which Eli told me that is his favorite subject. And in uh also learning cursive handwriting, which is uh good to hear. It's almost a lost art. As we move on outside of school, Eli enjoys being with his family, which also includes his three dogs, Honey, Arlo, and Gus. Uh he especially likes when they get together with his cousins, and he says they always have a great time together. He's looking forward to the summer. Eli enjoys playing baseball. Uh he's looking forward to an exciting uh season this year, uh hanging out at the baseball field
005with his friends and as well as his whole family. as of right now. I asked Eli what his future plans hold. He's uh really couldn't give me an answer and I just uh kind of said he he enjoys being in Mrs. Gutwell's second grade class right now. Eli, there's nothing wrong with that. Sunrise is proud of who you are and excited about what the future holds for you, Eli. You're only in second grade, my man, but you're you're doing pretty well. Keep doing what you're doing and congratulations on the student of the month. And we're done with all three students. We're going to take a picture for the um press. Um so if you just wait a few minutes, Mr. Denaf, is there anything going on at the elementary school you want to share? Yeah,
006right now uh Sunrise just recently started our uh steel ste still running program. ments are after school on Mondays and Wednesdays uh where we have a group of kids right now I believe we have almost between 65 to 80 students um after school um they run through we have a little um course for them to run um this Wednesday all the elementary schools we have our kindergarten kickoff uh Wednesday evening uh the elementary schools are in the midst of visiting the high school musical preview sunrise and I believe Makulla go this Friday and the other three schools went this uh this past Friday. Um, and as we know, uh, after the holidays, uh, coming up here, we got the state test which, uh, everyone's focused on that. And then from there on, head to the
007end of May. So, everything's everything's looking good. Everything's wrapping up. Absolutely. Thank you so much. Yep. Um, next for the student of the month, we have a student from Trapper Middle School. So, Mr. Sullivan, can you please? Yes. I'd like to introduce Cammy Milky. I'd also like to welcome her family is over here. Her brother's already been wanting to come back to Trafford Middle School, right? So, Gammy is an eighth grade student who who excels in all of her classes and has ever since she's been in middle school. It's interesting. Uh the eighth grade teachers wrote this so uh beautifully. I'm just going to read it. says, "Cammy is a young learner who is intensely focused when she is in her zone. Her expression is unique and has a quality about it that leads leads
008one on a journey." Candi's ability to write and express herself is commendable. When working, she's willing willingly includes her peers and those around her. Her work ethic, originality, and friendliness make her a wonderful candidate for student of the month of Trafford Middle School. She is kind, responsible, and respectful. She definitely goes above and beyond. While some may become complacent when our grades are good, she takes the extra time each week and comes to afterchool tutoring to keep her grades strong and work on uh things that she feels she needs work on. She has a positive attitude and is enthusiastic about learning. Uh she's a huge music fan and is learning to play guitar. She also has been using Dualingo outside of the classroom to enrich her French skills. Her hobbies and interests are sketching and
009painting, playing the guitar and piano, writing, making jewelry, reading, and baking. And I thought it was interesting to note that u she plans on going to WCTC to get certified in either automotive collision repair or graphic design. And that smile you see there is is how she is all the time. Uh Gammy, you're a joy to have. We're so proud of you. Congratulations. [Applause] And Mr. S, what's going on to middle school? Well, this week, uh, we're we're going to have our chorus concerts at 6:30 at in the auditorium at Trafford Middle School, getting ready for our annual Spring Fling dance. uh towards the end of the month uh May 1st, the eighth grade goes to Gettysburg and the seventh grade goes to WCTC on the same day. Uh and uh our middle school will
010be getting ready for our 5K which we're we're running on campus and then our band concert is uh May 15th. And as Mr. Dapoli noted, we're gearing up for those great PSAs. coming before you know it. I have to compliment you. They did an excellent job for musical and down to see the musical. Uh the the kids and and Miss Ruof, they do a great job. They work all year long and uh put a ton of time in was was very good. And I was impressed that you said about the CTC and I'm glad that you're taking the seventh graders down to see it. So you got to visit it already and so this something you're interested in doing? Uh yeah. Yeah. I like that between like three careers right now. Well, you can't go
011wrong with CTC. I'm the biggest supporter and we promote it. Um, definitely. We're very happy because I know you're going to be talking about so I won't steal your thunder because we have some we have some good excitement for us. So, I'm going to just stop. All right. Anything else, Mr. Sol? No, sir. All right. Jump in. Dr. Cap from the high school. Sure. I'd like to introduce Ashley Yugus. Please come forward. Ashley is accompanied uh tonight by her mom, dad, and sister. Ashley is a 12th grader with a 3.9 GPA. She's involved in Warriors for Christ, member of the National Honor Society, a member of the Community Action Plan Program and and is an active member of the Christian Life Church in Trafford. Most important though, she is enrolled at the West Morland County
012Career Technical Center in the Aspiring Educational Program. If you're not sure what that is, it's a program geared towards students interested in becoming educators, preparing them for a career in secondary or elementary building level. So, half the day she leaves here and goes over to an elementary school and works there for half a day. Her college plans, she plans to attend Geneva College and focus on uh childlife specialist at the aspiring ed program. This year she has gained 12 credits through the CWCTC and she has obtained 18 credits through dual re dual enrollment credits here at the high school. So she's going off to college with 30 credits and they are accepting all of them which is wonderful. And they're also accepting accepting them as core credits. So they're just not gened classes. And after
013you get 30 when you're in college next year, you can come back and sub for us in the summer. You get 60 and we need subs. So just keep that in mind. Yeah. Yeah. So that's a lot of credits in one year through the SE WCTC for sure. So I had you know asked some of her teachers on how she's doing in the classroom and her guidance counselor and Mrs. Sherman stated Ashley is an acceptable exceptional student friend and sister. She plans to pursue pursue a career in childlife specialist an individual who helps educate patients and families about their experiences and feelings that may occur before during and after a hospital stay. So that will be her major. Mrs. Burch states, "Ashley Yugas is an exceptional young woman who constantly goes above and beyond to
014help her others. Her kindness and generosity shine through in everything she does. Whether she is working with her school clubs or organizing community service projects with a deep curiosity about the world, she loves learning and traveling, always asking thoughtful questions and seeking new ways to grow." Mr. Fox Ashley Yugus is a phenomenal person who puts her all into everything she endeavors to accomplish. She is dedicated, selfless, reliable, responsible, kind, and a natural leader. Ashley is a glowing example of what makes Pen Trafford such an incredible place. Mrs. Henny Ashley is dedicated and hardworking student who constantly puts an effort to achieve her best. She approaches every assignment with focus and determination, always striving for excellence. And finally, Mrs. Cacerio, your teacher over at the CWTC. Beyond her academic achievements, Ashley is known for her strong
015character. She is kind, respectful, and always willing to help others. Her positive attitude and integrity make her a valued member of our class, and she sets a great examples example for her peers. Congratulations, Ashley Yugus, for being Pennard High School student of the month. And what has gone on the high school before you were a photo? Sure. So, uh, you know, the students went, uh, applied to the CWCTC and we I surprising the most since I've been here, 68 students were accepted to the CWCTC for next year. So, they need to let us know here by the end of the month if they will be going over there next year. And six of those 68 are new aspiring ed students. They only take about 12 total through all the school districts and we have half
016of them. Wow. So that's it's exceptional. They they love our students over there and they do very well. So there was an interview process. Yeah. Proud to hear that interview process and they came out and talked to all the students. They didn't fill all this paperwork out but they took all of them. So it says a lot about our students. The unified track and uh field club team has 18 students. There is a meet on the 23rd of April and here one here at home on May 5th. So that's the unified track and field prom coming up quickly. It is May 2nd. Uh it's on sale currently and the last day to buy tickets is April 16th. Uh the mock trial they made to states went to Harrisburg 15 students. It is the first time
017in six years. So that's exceptional. The quiz team um on May 2nd they go to states. Uh we were number one in the county and six students will be attending that. And currently running is Charlie in a Chocolate Factory and the last three days it ran and will also run next weekend. And finally, uh, the high school high school indoor color guard are in fourth place, uh, at the Scholastical Regional Class A at Three Rivers Winter Ensemble. And the high school concert percussion ensemble will be competing in the Winterguard International World Championship in Dayton, Ohio on April 9th through the 12th. Lot going on. I saw the musical and Carrie, I know Carrie's out there in the audience. It was great. I loved it. It was Sunday. It was a nice and it was packed.
018Oh, 700 tickets. maybe 700. Friday and Saturday we average about 415 people. Um Sunday we had 620 620 break. Next Friday, Saturday and Sunday I'll be there next Sunday again. So to see the other cast. All right. At this time we're going to take a picture for our use. I'm sorry. And that's all I have under information. Okay. So, I turn it back over and Mr. Benner is not here for special reports, Mr. Okay. Okay. Thank you Dr. Harris. You're welcome. Now we will go to the portion of the meeting where we do a visitor res recognition. We have come to the portion of 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 this district's website. This time
019is 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 noon one day one business day in advance of the meeting. Each statement made by a com commenter 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 of their own and should not be assumed to be the statements of the school district or any of its directors, agents, employees and representatives. Uh the first uh person to speak would be Amelia Steel. and good evening members of the school board.
020Thank you for taking time to hear my proposal tonight. I'm here to several children in the district as well as an advocate for transitioning our middle school swim team from a club to a fully funded district sport. This step will allow the team to grow appropriately. continue to foster diversity and inclusion. And compared to other middle school sports, it's a minimal investment. As you know, we already have an established middle school swim team, and our students have been dedicated to training and competing for the past few years. Presently, costs such as coaching, swim gear, and transportation are covered by our students, their families, and PETA. These costs are not just a barrier to entry for some families, but also cause a barrier to potential growth for the program. The families took the first step to
021build the program. Now the program is viable and these same families are asking the district to support help it grow. Diversity and inclusion can be difficult in middle school extracurriculars. Unlike many other sports, swimming is an inclusive activity that welcomes students of varying abilities and backgrounds. It provides a space for students who may not be interested in traditional team sports to thrive and find their passion. The discipline and time management skills swimmers gain through practice and competition are invaluable. And these students are showing higher levels of responsibility, commitment, and academic performance. By funding the middle school swim team, the district will be reinforcing its commitment to covering diverse extracurricular opportunities. Participation in sports like swimming can improve student outcomes from increased academic success to better mental health. Offering middle school swim as an official sport
022will also send the message that we are prioritizing student wellness and providing every opportunity for students to succeed both in the classroom and in life. Finally, the costs associated with fully funding middle school swim program are relatively modest compared to other high-profile sports. Given that we already have a pool, the main costs associated are coaching, transportation, caps, and suits. These expenses are minimal and should be within the district's budget and would be a wise investment in our students future. The benefits of this program extend far beyond the pool life lessons in discipline, perseverance, and goal setting that will stay with them long after they graduate. In conclusion, I respectfully ask the board to approve funding, amend the union contract, and transition our middle school swim program from a club to a district funded contract sport.
023Our swimmers have demonstrated their dedication and success over the past few years, and it's time for the district to provide the necessary resources for the program's long-term success. In doing so, you will be investing in health, well-being, and the future of our students. Thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you, Amelia. Mrs. We heard you here, but could you put the microphone on because we're also recorded outside and that's why he text me. I didn't want to interrupt you. She started speaking and Where is Roger? So, red button, I believe. Yeah. Thank you. I want the next speaker to be a We're usually have the videotape papers in here, but they're off they're remote, so he's he text me that he just needed to hear. You want that copy? Yeah, please do. And I'll
024make a copy for the board as well. Thank you so much. Oh, I appreciate that. Thank you so much. [Music] Thanks, Mr. Apply. Okay. Our next speaker would be Abby Owok, if that's the way I say it. Yep, that's correct. Thank you, Abby Owok. Um, Manor Burough representing the middle school swim board and high school swimming boosters. Thank you for this opportunity to speak to you today to ask for your consideration and support to make middle school swimming a school sponsored sport. Three years ago, we started a middle school swim team. Pen Trafford had has always been very strong in swimming over 50 years in fact, but is the only sport with that sort of history that did not have a middle school opportunity. We were seeing kids drop off in the sixth to 8th
025grade range after aqua club because there wasn't an opportunity for them to swim competitively at school. A middle school swim team was desperately needed to feed our high school team. And I'm proud to say we have had great success in the three years of this middle school team. We have had large teams each season. Our first was 28 swimmers, then 33, and 29 swimmers this past season. We have progressively performed better each year in the middle school champs with the results this year of the boys taking third and the girls fourth overall. Consequently, we have increased the number of students feeding the high school team. Our first year, eight students went on to the Water Warriors high school team, following with 14 the next year, and we anticipate over 14 rising freshman swimmers for the
026high school team next year. In terms of the value, funding one middle school team serves both boys and girls. And unlike so many of the other sports, swimming is relatively inexpensive, as a cap and a swimsuit are all that's needed. The swim team is also one of the few sports that comes with complete acceptance. Being able to swim, of course, is a prerequisite, but other than that, allows every student to be able to participate. There are no cuts. All swimmers come to the meets, even track and field cuts for the away meets. So, this sport allows for any PT student, regardless of their background or ability, to be part of a team. And what a team it is. Your hearts would swell with pride when you see these swimmers sportsmanship cheering on those who were
027succeeding, breaking pool records or personal bests, fistbumping sw fellow swimmers at the end of their races, regardless of who places first. But most of all, it's the support of the least among us that is the real source of pride. Waiting in that pool for the last swimmer to come in. Everybody cheering and clapping. It might be somebody who is just learning to swim or developing a new stroke or somebody who has special needs and hasn't been able to find their place where they belong. Desperate to be part of a team and they finally found it in this pool. Our swimmers show tremendous sportsmanship and represent the best of Pen Trafford. We're not only developing great student athletes, but great people, and that should make us all proud. So, my request is to petition the board
028today to add this topic to your next agenda and bring it to a vote to support the middle school swim team. Thank you. Thank you, Abby. Okay. Um, before tonight's meeting, we held an executive session where we discussed personnel and uh collective bargaining negotiations. I now move on to the consent agenda. I miss something there. Old business. There is no old business. Correct. Thank you. Does the board wish to remove any item from the consent agenda? Yes, Mr. uh President. I'd like to uh table uh policy, public relations, and legislative title two until uh May. That's page 13. What is that? It's this whole thing. Oh, the whole thing. The whole policy. Okay. Okay. So, that's P. The whole thing. We need a second, Rich. Okay. Can I have a second on Phil's motion to
029pull that the policy section? I'll second it. I think obviously you need some more information be asking. There's something that needs corrected question. Question being called for. This will be a roll call vote. All in favor of the motion say I. I. All oppose say no. Motion carried. Okay. Um may I have a motion to approve the revised consent agenda items? Exceling letters P letters P motion. I have a motion. Do I have a second P or up to Q? You sorry P. Just remove P. I'll second question. Question being called for this will be a roll call vote. All in favor of motion say I. I. All oppose. No. Motion carried. And I'll flip back to page 14. Okay. Personnel and curriculum. Mr. Kassic, please. Thank you, Mr. President. To move to employ the
030following personnel. New employment is contingent upon the receipt of all necessary documentation that will include clearances act 34, act 151, act 114 from the comwalth of Pennsylvania within 30 days. Brian Richards, uh, director of facilities and grounds districtwide at an annual rate of 105,000 effective May 5th, 2025. and Max Haberberger, a super subtutor at Level Green Elementary School, effective February 24th, 2025 through May 24th, uh, 2025 at the rate of 150 per day. Do I have a second? Second. Uh, question. Question being called for, this will be a roll call vote. All in favor of the motion say I. I. All oppose? No. That's all I have, Mr. President. Thank you. Um, do we have a motion for adjournment? Motion. Second.