001to order. Please stand for the flag to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God indivisible indivisible with liberty and justice for all. At this time, I'd like to call for a check of directors. >> Miss Good here. Mrs. Alio >> here, Mr. Koba >> here. Dr. Kaufman >> here. >> Mr. Frank >> here. >> Mrs. Hanley >> here. Mrs. Lowry >> here. Mr. McCertie >> here. >> Miss Kem >> here. Thank you. At this time, I would like to make a motion um to amend the agenda. We would like to change um item 10 G1 to vendor from contract to vendor and remove 10 G3 which is finance. We also want to remove both 12 G and 12 J number three. That's
002Are there any other um additions to the agenda at this time? >> I'd like to make So I made the motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed? Motion carries. Executive session was held on June 2nd, 2026 from 6:15 to 6:30 to discuss personnel. Executive session was held tonight from 6:19 to 6:30 to discuss personnel. I'd like to make a motion to approve the minutes. Do I have a second? >> Second. Any questions on the motion? All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> All opposed. >> Motion carries. >> Mrs. Petroski, could you please review the board's goals? >> Sure. RD will provide learning opportunities to meet the needs of a diverse population and a dynamic workforce. RSD will continue to build transparent and trusted
003relationships with all stakeholders. RSD will continue to build a culture of safety and support for all students, staff, families, and the community. >> Thank you, Mrs. Petraki. At this time, we'll have public comment. The purpose of public comment is not to debate with the board, but rather an opportunity to address the board on matters of concern, official action, or deliberation which are or may be before the board. The board requires that public participants be residents, including pupils of this district or taxpayers of this district. Those wishing to address the board must state their name and address when recognized by the president of the board. Each individual will have three minutes to address the board. Um, at this time, I'd like to call Olivia France. if you'd like to just come up to the microphone so
004that everybody can hear. >> My name is Olivia France and I live at 114 Depot Street. I am currently an upcoming senior at Ridgeway High School and have been a cheerleader since I was a freshman. Today I'm here to talk about my coach, Anna Rouge, and her position as a middle and high school cheerleading coach. It was very recently brought to my attention that her job was posted and I feel as though it is appropriate for me to speak on her and my squad's behalf. Since the very first practice I attended, Anna has been kind, welcoming, and sincere. At practices, we work hard practicing stunts, cheers, formations, and movements. When our stunts drop, we talk it through. She gives us pointers and continues to help us walk us through the process of hitting the stunt.
005She makes sure all our cheers, chance, and stunts are crisp and clean, helping to keep our school be viewed as elite. At games, she keeps our morale up even if our teams are losing. She helps captains choose what cheers to call, and she is very patient with us if we don't exactly hit in front of the public eye. To the cheerleaders, she is a second mother. At long practices, she makes sure we are fed, even those of us that didn't bring food. She wraps our wrists so we don't injure ourselves. She helps us do our hair before games and she prioritizes us over almost everything else in her life. She's a very dedicated coach, buying us bows, stickers, face paint, and temporary tattoos with her own money for us to for us throughout the cheer
006seasons to help us fit teams and show our school pride and spending much of her free time researching ways to improve our squad. As someone who has played a variety of sports, Anarushi is the best coach I've had in my life. Currently, the only sport I do is cheerleading. And this is because every other sport that I have found a love for, I ended up quitting because the coaches pick favorites and make the athletes they don't like feel much feel terrible and don't play them as much. Coach Anna is not like this. She lifts us up and never puts us down. She cares for us equally. She ensures we all get time to stunt if we want to and never does anything to make us feel as though we don't belong. The reality is that
007if Anna is not my coach next year, then I will not be rejoining cheer my senior year. And this is how the rest of my squad feels as well. We do not want to face another coach who is aloof, dismissive, and deceptive. And you may be wondering why the rest of our squad isn't here. And that's because this was a semilaste decision to come and speak before you this evening. But just know they're supporting me and Anna tonight and always. In addition to this, Anna has already pre-planned stuff for us to do over the summer. We have been planning on starting to utilize the sports complex to help us gain more muscle and ensure us hitting our stunts. We want to have more practices and have other opportunities for us to get better at the
008sport we love. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Olivia. At this time, I'd like to call Anna Rug Rene. Sorry. >> My name is Ann Rouie and I live at 5325 Grant Road. Mine's not going to be anything compared to that. Um, I was brought to my attention recently that the job was going to be posted and when I had asked the question why, nobody had asked or had the answer for that question. and I had been all I was told was that I could go and reapply for the position that it was a yearly contract, which I'm aware that all of the athletic coaches have a yearly contract, but I've been the coach since 2019 and I've built the program since 2019. I started with five girls and it has grown every year
009and it's just I have not I I'm to my college. I've not done anything to deserve to have had to reapply for the position. I'm thankful that I got a somebody reached out to me today that I have an interview on Thursday for the position. I don't really know what else does it. That was just my I didn't understand what was going on and I didn't know when I brought it to attention to a couple other people. It was not a known thing that this was going on. But like I said, I just I I was I'm unsure of the whole situation. >> All right. Thank you, Anna. At this time, I'd like to call Jessica Wonderly. Um, so, uh, I'm Jessica Wonderly, uh, 217 Little Avenue in the burrow. Um, I am, uh, here
010today, uh, representing the best interest of our student athletes in the future of our girls basketball program. Um, first I want to clarify a critical data point from your community basketball meeting. It was stated that that we only had seven girls on our varsity roster, but that number is incorrect. We have eight dedicated athletes that were ready to step on the court. While eight is a lean roster, basketball is fundamentally different from other sports. While programs like football or softball and baseball need or significantly more players to function, basketball only requires five on the court and a few reliable substitutes. Eight players is a completely manageable and viable roster for a varsity team. Furthermore, we must look at the correct data. Between Ridgeway and Johnsonberg, there are already over 25 girls signed up to play
011basketball. 16 girls have signed up to play for Ridgeway alone. Forcing a co-op on a group of 25 plus a athletes will oversaturate a single team. It will lead to severely restricted playing time, frustration, and ultimately cause young women to quit the sport entirely. In reality, both schools independently have more than enough numbers to field both the JV and varsity team without merging. To my knowledge, this past year was the first year we operated without a GV team. Jumping straight into a co-op after only one year of what the board is labeling no low numbers is a massive overreaction. It is simply too soon. We also face a logistical reality unique to the winter season. The school districts already co-op in the spring and fall. During those months, travel between the towns is safe, but
012winter weather changes rapidly in our region, and sending students out on dangerous, icy roads from practices and games poses an unnecessary safety risk to our kids. What our program needs right now isn't a co-op. It is stability. We need a better, more rigorous hiring process for our coaching staff. For too long, we have seen a revolving door of coaches who stay for two years and leave. We need to hire a builder, a coach who is committed to coming here, staying here, and investing the time required to build the varsity program up from the youth levels. Just like the historically successful Elker JB and varsity programs of our past, I respectfully ask that this board reconsiders the co-op program. Let's focus our energy on hiring a high-quality coach who will make the Lady Elkers a proud,
013independent, and successful basketball team once again. Your district, your school district motto is Elkers lead, others follow. Let's stand by those words tonight. Let's lead by protecting our community's identity and let's allow these girls to honor to simply be elders. Jody Ryder, please. Um, I don't have uh my name is Jody Ryder uh 213 Maryland Street. I do not have a speech prepared, but I uh do not agree with co-oping with Johnsonberg at the high school level as it will lessen a opportunities for our athletes. So, I am opposed to the co-op, please. Hi, I am Julie Papa. I live at 431 Miller Street and I am opposed to the co-op with Johnsonburg. >> Travis Cla to follow. I guess my name is Travis Papa with 431 Miller Street. So I'm also opposed to co-op
014with Johnson. The Ridgeway Lady Elk Basketball Program was established in the mid 1970s for nearly 50 years. Generations of young women worn a Lady Elker's uniform of pride, dedication, and determination. Throughout those decades, every team has faced challenges and celebrated successes. Players, coaches, and circum circumstances have changed, but the spirit of Lady Elers has remained constant. There were undoubtedly seasons when participation numbers were low and obstacles seemed overwhelming. Yet, the Lady Elkers supported by their community persevered. They did not give up when times were difficult. Instead, they continue building a legacy that has inspired countless student athletes and created memories that lasted a lifetime. I asked board members to carefully consider the following questions of voting. is one difficult year worth sacrificing nearly 50 years of tradition, memories, opportunities, and hope for the current and
015future gener generations of Lady Alpers. Will you ask the Ridgeway administration why a challenge that may be temporary is being being allowed to impact so many students, families, and future athletes? As board members, can you confidently make a decision tonight knowing that years from now, you will not regret the impact it may have on the lives of these young women and on a program that has meant so much to this community. The Lady Alpers are more than a basketball team. They are a tradition. They are a source of pride and a symbol of perseverance. Their story deserves the opportunity to continue. I guess you know from my perspective you know this one year we are just going to go ahead and hand the wheel over to Johnsonburg and just say hey take the wheel you
016guys are you guys can have it I don't understand that you know it's I think uh keeping in the program way will changed the lives of at least one young girl if not many. This is I don't know I think a source of pride in the community. I think we should discuss with at least these young girls how they feel about this opportunity. >> Thank you Megan Dickerson. My name is Megan Dickson and my address is 797 Mount Ry Road. First, I'd like to thank you guys for taking the opportunity to listen to us this evening. Um, again, I feel that we are losing sight of what is important and that is our student athletes. Um, I feel that we are not listening to their voices and what they want. I don't have a well-prepared
017speech like them. I just have some bullet points I want to point out. I feel like the last time we met, um, that there was a misunderstanding of what that meeting truly was. I think that people thought that it was going to be more of a collaboration discussion. Um, I feel that many parents sent emails and don't feel that their questions were answered at all. I feel that a statement was made um that our superintendent reached out with the um thought of, you know, like entertaining the thought of a co-op, but I feel that our numbers speak differently and I think it's premature. Um the boys a few seasons ago had eight players as well and we did not jump to trying to co-op. So, I ask that you please look at these girls that
018have showed up. There's some that are not here tonight, but they don't want this. And many said that they will not play if it does happen and a co-op is supposed to build and give more opportunities and I feel that it'll take it away. Um, if you vote yes, I just want to let you know that there is no July meeting scheduled in Johnsonburg at this time. So that means it will be tabled until August 6th if they do not call an emergency meeting. Um, you consider this and they then agree, it then has to go to the PIAA algora and they do not meet to the fall and then if they would agree and proceed, it then has to go to the D9. This is not um a process that is just quick. We
019are going to affect this these girls season. They're going to miss out on summer leagues with a head coach that is invested and involved in them. we haven't even posted a job for them. >> I have a statement that my husband will be reading later from the Johnsonberg coach um on his thoughts because nobody is listening to the people that this is affecting most and are going to have to take the impact of that. Um what else do I want to say? Um, this is going to limit playing time and push players away, decrease opportunities and um, I had suggested that you guys speak with the players and ask them what their thoughts were. Um, and if they would play if it was and none of that was done. Um, I feel like we're trying
020trying to quiet their voice rather than giving them strength and pride in the elders. Um, many Johnson Bird families, as I spoke um of this before, are against this. So, even Can I say one final thing? I just want to let you know that the deadline for a co-op um to go to the PIAA was June 1st. And if you would say yes to this, our girls are not able to go to playoffs. >> Thank you, Maggie. Jason Dickson. Jason Dickinson, 797 Monty Road. Um, I obtained this information earlier today and I'm going to read it for you. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts regarding the proposed girls basketball cooperative or cooperative agreement between Ridgeway and Johnsburg. As a head girls basketball coach, my primary responsibility is to advocate that the student
021athletes in the program and to promote opportunities that support their growth both on and off the court. With this responsibility in mind, I have concerns with entering into a cooperative agreement at this time. The propose of a co-op is to provide enough numbers to support the athletic program. The Ridgeway have have up to 16 girls and Johnsburg have up to 14. This could give us possible 30 girls 9th through 12th grade. Instead including these girls, I feel there will be girls excluded. Just the thought of running practice with that many kids is mindblowing. Uh eventually girls will quit because there's not enough playing time and not being developed. This will exclude kids instead of including them. Our basketball program provides more than competition. It offers leadership opportunity, school pride, community involvement, and a sense of
022identity for our student athletes. Maintaining the independent program allows our players to represent our school development, relations, and teammates they have growing up with the and take pride in wearing their own school colors. I am also concerned about the potential impact on participation of the player development. Combining two programs will reduce roster opportunities, playing time in the leadership roles of some of the other students. Young players who may have developed into future contributors can become discouraged if opportunities become limited. In addition, our community has investment invested significant time and effort into supporting the girls basketball throughout the youth programs, fundraising, booster activities, and voluntary involvement. These efforts are intended to strengthen and sustain our own program. Before considering a co-op agreement, I believe that every effort should be made to ident uh identify the ways
023to increase participation, promote the sport, and address any challenges within existing the program structure. I respectfully asked the board to carefully evaluate whether a co-op agreement truly necessary and whether all alternatives have been explored. decisions. >> Just so you guys have that, this is her coach. Do cherry. At this time, I'd like to call JC Ryder. Jason Ryder, 213 Maryland Street. Aside from being a resident and taxpayer in the burrow, I'm a proud parent whose daughter is currently part of the Ridgeway Girls elementary basketball program. And I'm speaking tonight to ask the board to vote no on the possible girls basketball co-op at Johnsburg. As an elementary basketball parent, my perspective is focused directly on the future of this program. When our young girls lace up their sneakers, they look up to the varsity and
024JV players. They dream of wearing maroon and white and representing the Lady Alpers. Merging our program with Johnson erases that dream and dilutes school pride before these younger girls even reach high school. Furthermore, a co-op will severely limit future opportunities. Combining rosters inevitably shrinks the numbers of number of available roster spots and cuts down on valuable playing time. I'm deeply concerned that by the time my daughter and her teammates reach the high school level, they will be forced to compete for limited spots on a combined team, risking diminished playing time or being benched entirely. I think we as a school and as a town should focus on building the girls basketball program up and keeping it in Ridgeway so that it may flourish once again. So, please preserve the future of our program and protect
025our daughter's opportunities and vote no on his co-op. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jason. At this time, Ron Chappelle My name is Ronald Chapel. My address is 289 School Drive. I'm here to talk about concerns of the close silver project. My concerns include the possible locations of the said panels, although I'm sure that the final location has not been determined yet. Worried about the effects on the landscape of the area and also the effects of the wildlife. I attended the township meeting concerning this and it was obvious that there was not yet any compliance at all with the uh local ordinances that are already in place. And one of my bigger concerns is is this school going to outlast the lifespan of these solar panels? As we know in these small rural comm unities across
026the state. More and more school districts are combining. Um it's an unfortunate occurrence, but it is happening. And I'm not sure how long that we're going to be able to we're going to be able not to succumb to the same re uh reality of these occurrences. And furthermore, I oppose the co-op with Johnson. Thank you. >> Thank you. At this time, we um are complete with public comments. There is no information um for the board of your staff board business um at this time. Donna, did you want to talk about the solar for Noel? >> Okay. So the old business is the solar um RMP evaluation. >> Yeah. So that um mentioned that the solar is on the agenda for tonight's meeting. Um I want to say that our committee, the board committee was very
027very gracious to attend three face-toface meetings with our vendors. two took place last Thursday and one took place on Monday. Um, and I think there was some some impressive presentations that were were given to us as a group. Uh, I think the the committee has a recommendation uh for the board for tonight as far as who they would who they would be happy selecting as a vendor. And I did put together the packet regarding the evaluation of the RFPs which we sent out earlier today to the board. It is attached and you have a paper copy in front of you tonight. Um some of the highlights just to go over a few points. Um the savings the 20-year savings in these proposals to us ranged from three and a half million to $3.9 million. Obviously,
028um the project costs are the second most important item and they range from 3.1 million to $5.2 million total. Um each of these proposals would guarantee the district above 100% 100% baseline coverage which means we would actually be generating enough capacity to supply our entire district. So it would include the elementary campus, the middle high school campus, the sports complex, the fieldhouse, as well as our little maintenance building out here. So it would cover 100% of that uh that total usage which which was the ultimate goal of this project was to be able to cover uh uh 100% of the district the district capacity um that amounts to approximately 160 to $170,000 a year for the district. Our our outlay for electricity per year ranges between 160 and $175,000. We've been in a long-term contract
029for our electric generation for the last nine years and our price is locked in at seven sorry 72 cents per kilowatt which is very low. So we know that in 2027 that contract expires. So, we are in the process of looking at options and we know currently that our options available to us are going to push that price up to at least minimum 12 cents per kW. So, we're going to take a significant hit if in fact we have to renew with our vendor for supply. Um, so that was one of the things that kind of fueled this process. The other thing that fueled the process was the availability of grant funding from the state of Pennsylvania. Um, our region was eligible, every school district in our region was eligible to apply for solar grant
030money up to $480,000 to offset a solar installation. So, we took that initiative and we said, "Hey, we're going to we're going to do this." So, we we jumped through the steps to be able to apply for that grant. and we were lucky enough to be selected and and awarded that grant. Um so it is sitting there waiting for us to act on at the point we are able to. The other thing that's a significant driver in this project is the incentives that the federal government is currently offering will offset 50% of the cost of this system. So there's a significant benefit in incentives to this district to be able to take advantage of this uh option. The the difficult piece of that is um there is a deadline of July 3rd, 2026. If we
031do not enter into a contract and commit to the project and and conduct what they call safe harbor by July 3rd, those incentives are gone. They are not available to the district nor anybody else because the federal subsidies are being sunset by the administration. So, this is a this is kind of a unique opportunity to us and it's a very a very good opportunity for the district to take advantage in my opinion. Um, so that kind of gives you a history of of how we got to tonight. Um, again, the three vendors pre presented and I think one of those vendors stood out pretty well um with quality uh and economics for the committee. So, I'm going to I'm going to hold back on that. I'm going to allow the committee to to give their
032recommendation to the board, but I did do an outline of costs. Uh Mr. McCertie had asked me to put together some numbers. And if you look at the first page of your evaluation packet at the bottom um in the in the block, uh costs are listed for this system, 3.5 million less the federal incentives, less the solar for schools grant. Um if we enter into a 20-year service contract, which is what what the board had recommended, meaning we would have we would have um a service contract on the system. So, someone would be monitoring and maintaining that system over the next 20 years. Uh, and then also there's also a maintenance factor that comes in at the 15-year mark, I believe, for replacement inverters. That's the maintenance piece that I've factored in there as well.
033Um, six-year debt service costs. It's going to take us it's going to require us to borrow some money for this project. Um, and the borrowing of that money is going to come at a cost. and I have listed that as well. Um, so the total cost of the project less the incentives in the grant is $1.9 million roughly. The benefits of this program are listed below. 20-year reduced power consumption is $3.8 million. passive income from the life of the project, which is what they call solar um solar residential energy credits, which is the money that the state will pay you for your solar generation because our grid is not I don't want to say it's not healthy, but it is not sufficient at times to cover the need of all the the draw on the
034system. Pennsylvania has a unique a unique program where they will pay you to generate solar to help support their grid. So for every KW produced, they pay you $20. For our district, that passive income for 20 years is $640,000. And then the electric accelerator avoidance, which is what I was talking about at the beginning. So, we're going to avoid hopefully potentially that huge increase for next year as well as the next 20 years to 30, possibly even 40 years. I factored in 20 in the SEC calculation and that's about $151,000 total. So, the total benefits of the package is roughly $4.5 million. So, if you offset the costs with the total benefits, you're at a net savings to the district over a 20-year period of 2.6 million, which equates to about a 28.02 real estate
035mill offset. So, it would allow us to potentially not have to increase taxes on a regular basis knowing that we're going to have some of that income coming back into the district that we can continue to fund and feed our budget with that versus a tax increase. Um, looking out for obviously the stakeholders of our district. Um, there is a the next page is a more detailed explanation and and the board if you have questions for that, I'd be happy to answer it. It's in it's specific to the borrowing. Um, what I'm going to ask the board to do um is the the price tag of the system is 3.5 million. the um incentives obviously are roughly $2.1 million that is going to come back to the district. So that being said, in order to
036get the project launched and meet that safe harbor date, I would like to use 1.5 million from our reserve funding to allow us to get the safe harbor secured. And once that once those rebates and that grant funding start to come back, we will flush that money back into reserves to build that 1.5 back to to status quo. That would allow us to look at borrowing um sorry um that would look that would allow us to look at borrowing $2 million which is what we had discussed earlier with the payment structure. Virginia. I know you would ask about that. So that would secure our payment structure at the exact same moment that it was previously because we wouldn't be borrowing any additional money. It would be the 2 million. The 1.5 would make up the
037rest. Once those incentives and the grant flows, that fund balance gets built back up with those funds and we continue to pay down that loan. My calculations for payown of that loan is about five and a half to six years. So in the in the term of this of this borrowing, we would borrow that money in roughly six years. It would be paid back. We would we would then have a debt-free project and that income would be 100% district savings if you will. Um and that is outlined on this sheet for for your review. Um there is a resolution on the agenda tonight that would allow us to um pull from reserves if if if and when that project took place. So that that gives me the ability to spend those reserves because the board
038has to authorize that. Um the next page of the presentation is a map layout. Um, so I do want to point out and as part of the obviously some of the public comment tonight, this is an alternate location compared to what we had originally looked at. This location is going to be hopefully um up in this area. So we have a wreck soccer field that sits up here. You can't see it from here, but it sits up over the hill here. And right next to that there is another section that was that was leveled in the uh hopes that another rec soccerer field would go in. However, they ran out of money and could not finish it. It is district property. Um it's a vacant lot and that's the anticipated site for this installation and
039um just point of interest that that particular site meets all of the required setbacks of the municipality. So that's the alternate location that is being developed for us. Um and then if you keep flipping there is another page that kind of shows the solar array in that footprint. Um which again sits up on this this hillside next to that next to that recreation field. Um there are some more detailed pages on the back from uh a specific vendor. It kind of gives the graphs and the maps of the system. And if you flip back almost to the end, Paul, there is also a construction cost breakdown. So it shows you each of the facets of the system and what they what their uh associated costs are, how they come up with that $ three.5 million.
040And the last two pages are the vendor's cash flow uh proposals to us which are slightly different than mine because they're not looking at that accelerator that I use for electric electricity pricing. Um and one of those has the inclusion of O andM operation maintenance and one does not. So there is a variance there. Um, so that's that's my uh presentation and I want to turn it over to whomever's going to speak. >> Hey Don, I have one question. >> Sorry. >> Uh, the electric lines to go to there. Is that going to come off uh this road up here? >> So, well, they're they're going to tell you about the >> I didn't know that. >> So, it's going to be trenching. they're going to actually bury the wire from the array to the
041to the transformer. So there it won't involve that actual power line up there. It's going to actually come to the facility. So we had um the committee reviewed three different vendors. um EIS, which is a company that makes solar panels, um they gave us a presentation and they came up with 109% um of electric that they could produce for us in that site with a project cost of 3.1 about um they were not aware aware of the concern of how we were going to connect and they didn't have a plan for how that grid would connect. Most of their projects are done in um very urban areas where it's a direct connect because they're installed right on site without the distance that we have here. Mccclure was our second vendor and um they were actually
042the vendor that found this site for us and identified it. Their project cost came in at 5.2 mills. Um and McLaren is a very good company. They gave a very thorough presentation. Um their plan was to connect um with applying to West Pennch to get two additional polls put in. Um that would put this project on Penelc's timeline. um because that project would then have to go into their pipeline for them to install those poles as a way for us to connect and that could cause a delay in um the project getting online and receiving the electric savings from the solar power. >> What's that? >> Two years. >> Possibly two years. Yes. Um Mink was the third vendor. Um and they've done considerable number of projects in um Ohio, Indiana, New York, and Pennsylvania.
043They um they are a groundup company who specializes only in solar versus mcclur is a very generalized construction firm that does solar as part of a whole repertoire of other construction projects. Melink only does solar. They've been doing solar for quite some time. Um, and they uh their cost was 3.5 mills and they plan to bury the wire um between here. So there will be no visible um wires for connecting and it'll connect directly to the school. So that was one of one of the selling points. for me when we were looking at them because that piece for the connectivity with first energy for the first the EIS and Mccclure they were only guessing at the number of what it was going to cost and how long it was going to take for that to
044happen. Malink was much more concise what they said they knew what they had to do. They were going to run it and again um their cost to do that was built into their cost. It wasn't a guess. this is what it will look like. Um the other thing the committee explored in great detail was um the best options because the um soccer this um area right outside the school does not meet any of the setback requirements. um and the amount of um panels that we could put in the roof would be substantially lower um which would not provide the district with any sizable savings. The other um option I that we discussed with most of these vendors was the um I people favor uh parking areas being covered, but in this particular instance, the cost
045of the steel to put that structure in would again not um allow us to receive any substantial savings uh in the project. So the project location that is out of view from the public um is is the one that we went with with all three vendors and explored in great detail with all three vendors because it is isolated. Um it's unfortunate, but any energy that is received, whether it's gas, oil, coal, they all have um environmental impacts that can't be avoided. We might not see them right here, but oftentimes we do because this area has a lot of coal, natural gas, and oil production. And um and so we do see that in our area. We're trying to look at the long-term financial um feasibility of the district to provide um provide the best. We've
046also reached out to several school districts. Some of the school districts started a solar project, had it online, and have gone back to um put more solar in because it's been so successful at their district, and the savings has been very beneficial. Um most of the districts are doing it just as we are doing it. Um where we're contracting, we're buying the system. So, and we are contracting a maintenance agreement. Um, there were a few districts that put it in a tertiary. They hired a tertiary company to control the system, put the system in, manage all the maintenance, and give us some of that electricity, but we would not receive the full financial benefit of having it done that way. Um, and I think the one district that we saw that did that went back
047to buy um their own system and put more solar in and manage it themselves. So um so those are all the different things that we looked at as a committee. I um if any of the other committee members want to add anything to to this, feel free to do so. >> Well, one thing that we talked to them about was the educational component of it and the SNLink that we would like to recommend has a they already have um this system uh that they bring into the schools on a cart and they have this big educational program to teach uh where we can use it to teach the kids about the solar energy. Um, so that was another positive for this company because they had this uh really great uh program already in place. So,
048and as far as the environmental impacts go, um they were looking at the magnetic pole of the of the system and um the guy was out looking and he's like, "These numbers are off the chart. What I don't know what is going on out here at this solar array system." And the um the guy at the office who was one of the people that presented to us said, "Well, put your cell phone in the car." He put his cell phone in the car. The number dropped to almost um nothing. So, I mean, everybody's carrying a cell phone around and we don't equate that with being a high impact harmful thing. It may well be, but we're all using it. So, this system has fewer um impacts than carrying your cell phone around in your pocket.
049>> The only other thing I can add is just the benefit of taking care of of this building. Um it was brought up by a stakeholder that um you know, maybe this building wouldn't be around. Um uh I I Googled it really quickly. Since 1970, there are 500 school districts in Pennsylvania. There's only been two school districts that combined in that time. So, we investing in this building, investing in the future of the the building, the campuses that we have um is really where the recommendation of the committee is is coming from here. We want to make sure that we're looking forward and um you know, it's it's not going to take that long to pay for until this starts to pay us back. Even with that point in mind, even with possible merger 15
050or 20 years down the road, um it would be unlikely that we would lose the elementary building and we received tax credits for anything that would that we wouldn't use. So that would still be a net savings whatever form the district took. and we wouldn't be losing anything and it wouldn't be for nothing. It would still be um a value to the school district in whatever form it took. But you're right, Matt. I and I also looked up um the mergers do cost more because it's not as simple as just taking out one superintendent. um to merge curriculum, graduation requirements, those are all very costly and time consuming things. So, it takes over 10 years um before a merger um shows any financial benefit. And within those 10 years, it actually costs more to try
051to merge. We're not against merging. We're always looking for opportunities to co-op at every opportunity. Um, but that isn't always what our taxpayers want us to do either, as we've heard tonight. So, um, we can't use that as a as a factor in making this decision. We have to look at what's going to best benefit our taxpayers and to try to provide for the future, knowing that even If the building changed the the district that remains will still receive tax credits and still receive financial benefit. >> Is there any other questions? >> Yeah, it's I think it's the least invasive spot. Um I know we have like the top premier cross country route. Does this affect the trail at all? >> No. Any other questions or concerns? Okay. Um, under new business, we'll we'll be
052transitioning transitioning to Keystone agenda um with the PSBA policy portal and um we're still waiting to get >> so we we did we all did a training today and they said that we could probably have loginins by the middle of the month. Um they so that's where they're at. So they hold they've extracted all of the data from board docs and have inserted the upload into uh the agenda. So and there they today's meeting was just about the policy portal. So not it will be you know obviously the public view where we can see the policies but more about how we will continue to edit and upload and um and um revise our policies within the system. So, um, should we expect to use it starting in August? >> August one, right? Just board docks
053will be done. >> Thank you. >> The intermediate unit report, a meeting was held May 18th. Um, the minutes were approved for the March 16th meeting and those meeting minutes are attached for your review. At this time, I'd like to call on um the principles for the principal report. Um Mr. Heindel. >> Thank you, Miss Kem. Um just some highlights for a wild and exciting end of the year at FSG. Um on Monday the 19th, we excuse me, Tuesday the 19th, we had kindergarten graduation with 71 members of the class of 2038 uh was honored with a graduation ceremony and a performance of pajama party. Our senior walk uh was held the Tuesday after Memorial Day where the class of 2026 walked through the hallways with the class of 2038. Uh they had a barbecue
054outside. I think the seniors were more excited about playing at the playground than what the kindergarten students were. Um field day was a huge uh success that week. Um thanks to Mrs. Morali, uh the FSG staff, the PTO, and the fire department. I apologize to all the parents. Uh, a lot of kids went home because of our slip and slide, but it was probably one of the best field days that we've had of all time. So much. >> Uh, and a credit to Mrs. Petroski and Dr. Grandinetti. Uh, we brought back an old tradition of the superintendent Sunday. We had the big pools out there of ice cream. I actually sent Dr. Grandetti some pictures today. He was very excited to see those. Um, and just me personally, I'd like to thank the board for
055your trust uh, and patience in my first year. It was quite the transition coming from the middle high for 25 years to deal with kindergarteners. Um, but it was a great move. I had a ball and you have some great people in this district and I just want to thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Hendle. Mr. Kowski, >> uh, kind of like Mr. Heindel said like the end of the year was was wild. There was a lot of things happening from the principal awards, the senior pinning, the bachelorette, the senior banquet, senior walk that happened here at the elementary school. um prom um and ending of the extracurricular activities. There's just a lot lot that happened. Um graduation went off really well. I kept my fingers crossed for about two months hoping that we would
056have nice weather so we could have it on the football field. Um but next year I'm going to hope that it's nice weather and not windy. Um because our papers kept flying everywhere during the ceremony, but it was still really nice. Um and it was it's always enjoyable to be outside for that. Um our facilities like the rejuvenation of the the front office has begun. I know that that was a grant that we got um that really made it so that we can have um more secure a more secure secure building um for when people come to the office. Uh something that we're excited about as well. Um just making sure that you know people aren't walking throughout the building and you know it's always nice to get something new. Uh we've already started planning
057for the upcoming school year with the scheduling. Uh I will say that having to do with the new schedules for next year has been a challenge for our guidance counselors trying to schedule everything. But um as of today there's there's been a lot of progress that has uh has been nice to see. Um, I know one thing that Prime Minister Petroski will talk about, which is the the cell phone ban possibly for next, not this upcoming school year, for the next school year, I think is what it's going to be. We started discussions on how that might look and things that we would do here um to make sure that we follow that. And in closing, just like Mr. Hindle, I thank you for your support for this school year. I know that I made
0584,776 mistakes. Um, and I hope that next year I'll have less of them. But, um, it's been very nice to be a part of a a community that supports one another. And as as a principal, I can say the same thing that I I was lucky to work with the people I worked with this year. And, um, it's been a really enjoyable experience and I feel that, you know, hopefully each year we'll get better and better with the things that we do. And, um, it all comes from from your support. So, thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Padski. This time, I'd like to call on the Office of Student Services, Mrs. Tangle. >> Thank you. As always, my information isn't as fun as these two boys over here, but I'll try my best. Um,
059so coming up this summer, I have the extended school year program being held here at FSG in the month of July. Um, extended school year is specialized instruction for students that qualify um via their IEP. They will come in for approximately but for 12 days. Um we have 42 students that the district deemed eligible through their IEP team. We have 30 that are registered to come. Um we have five pair educators that'll be working during that time as well as two teachers that will be alternating 4 hours a piece. Um as part of the kindergarten transition process, we do our early intervention screenings. I've talked about them a couple times of our total number. what um the number of students that ended up actually qualifying. There was 12 students that are going to be incoming
060with an IEP. One qualified for 504 services. One chose to go to St. Leo's and one did not qualify. So, those are all done and those numbers will be reflected in my August numbers. Um in June, we have a lot of reporting that has to be done through my office. Um most recently, we worked on our table 9A. It's our discipline data. Um, I want to thank my secretary, Mrs. Callen, Mrs. Petroski, and the building principles. They all collaborate to get all of our um, safe schools reporting to match our suspension of special education students. Um, for this school year, there were 18 special ed students for tw a total of 27 incidents who received disciplinary consequences for either out of school or in school suspension. And that has to be reported every June on
061what's called table 9A to the state. Um, graduation for special education students is an exit of service. It's a legal I have to issue a NORC for the parents to legally sign to say that their student is going to be graduating and exiting out of special education. Um, this year we had seven students exit IEP services, seven exited 504 services, and we had one that exited gifted services. So, that was that's 15 total students. That will help reduce my numbers a little bit next year. That's one of the bigger graduating classes that that I've had in in the last 10 years. Um for PAR educators, it wasn't in my board report, but I'm just going to bring it up because I know there's been a lot of talk about um our different hires. There are
062the two hires in our um agenda for you guys to approve tonight. And just when I had 18 out of 18, I there's also a retirement in here tonight. So, back to the drawing boards for the PAR educators. Um, some final numbers for my department for the evaluations. This year, despite not having a full-time site, we completed 54 reevals, 17 initial evaluations for a total of 74 evaluations along with eight re-evaluation waiverss. We also did three gifted evals, and eight 504 initial evaluations. Final numbers for the school year, special education students, there's 173 K to2 in the district. For 504 students, there are a total of 35 students K to2. For gifted students, there's a total of 16 K to 12. We ended with 34 students that were homeless. We have three students that received
063foster care within the district. Um, our student that we were servicing at the prison graduated. And I think that's all I have for tonight. Again, another great school year. >> Thank you, Mrs. At this time I call on Mrs. Sidinger for the business manager report. Thank thank you Miss Kimmick. Um my report is attached. Uh there are some details in there. Obviously we have the uh year end coming up and our our auditors have already reached out to schedule uh to begin the audit. So that's on the agenda to start working at as well. Um just a couple of highlights. The middle high vestible project is in full swing. Uh they are uh this week was abatement week. So they are uh removing the asbestous in that area. Um but they are moving along very
064very well. So that project is in full swing. We are also um installing a new cooler freezer here in the elementary cafeteria. Uh they began work on that Monday. Um and it is also progressing nicely. They are moving right along with that. So that's exciting. And um summer parks is in full swing. Last week was the first week and the numbers are tremendous. They have been getting very very good attendance at both sites. Um we did have a request from the middle guidance counselor about earlier prior to school leaving out whether or not we could feed other children in the community outside of the students attending summer parks. Um we were not sure if we could do that. However, we reached out to um child nutrition as well as our group, our nutrition group to
065say, "Hey, are we permitted to send home food with students as long as they register for for meals?" And they said, "Absolutely. That's considered non- congregate feeding, which we do." Um all they have to do is complete a form. Once they complete that form, it goes to nutrition. they can bag the meals and parents can pick them up on Thursdays at West End Park and that seems to be gaining traction and doing pretty well also. So, we are probably going to feed a lot of kids over the summer through the parks program. It will end when the parks program ends, but um very popular program. It's going very well. >> That's all I have. Thank you very much. At this time, I call Mrs. Petroski for the superintendent report. My report is attached. Also, just
066a couple of highlights. Um, obviously, as everyone has said, it's summer planning, so we'll be getting all of our summer safety things getting ready for next school year. Um, we have an admin retreat on June 23rd through the 25th where we will do a lot of the planning for next school year. Um we have added um with act 27 we had to do a new addendum with our umou with our law enforcement and that has been done and accepted by the state as well as we're finishing up all of the observations and evaluations for this school year. Um and our PSSA data will be available on Friday. So we're hoping to to see how that works out. Just a couple legislative things. Um I did include the cell phone did pass the house so it's
067at the Senate and it actually if it passes it will start next it will start in August so we will have to we will have to um make some plans on that. Um it's probably looking like it will. So, um, we we've already been in discussions about that, how that will look. And then, um, just, uh, that the PIAA playoffs, they're still working on that boundary now boundaries for private schools, non-private schools to see if there will be two different playoff systems for that. So, that's that's really a hot um topic right now. So, those are just two things to kind of keep your eye on as we end the the school year. That's all I have. >> Thank you very much, Mrs. This time I call on Mr. McCertie for building and grounds. Well,
068actually there's nothing for you to report. >> Nothing to report. Thank you. >> Um Mrs. Hanley for finance. Okay. Um, I move that the Ridge Area School Board approve the finance items 10A through 10F as listed. >> A second. >> We have a motion and a second. Roll call vote, please. M. Good. >> Yes. Mrs. Alio, >> yes. >> Mr. Koba, >> yes. >> Dr. Kaufman, >> yes. >> Mr. Frank, >> yes. Mrs. Hanley, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lowry, >> yes. >> Mr. McCertie, >> yes. >> Miss Kem, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> The second motion uh is I move that the Bridgeway Area School Board approve the finance items 10, the item 10G as amended. So, >> we have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Is there any further
069discussion on the motion? So we have to um as the committee made the recommendation for mailing. So that would be who we would be voting on unless um anybody objective. So I just want to make sure everybody was clear that that is part of the motion that we would be awarding it to. Roll call vote, please. Mrs. Alio, >> yes. >> Mr. Kobach, >> yes. >> Dr. Kaufman, >> yes. >> Mr. Frank, >> yes. >> Mrs. Hanley, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lowry, >> yes. >> Mr. Mccur, >> yes. >> Miss Good, >> yes. >> Miss Kemick, >> yes. Motion carries. >> Thank you. um policy. Um Lowry, >> I move that the Ridgeway Area School Board approved the policy item 11A as listed. >> Second. We have a motion and a second. Are there any
070questions on the motion? Roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Kob, >> yes. >> Dr. Kaufman. Dr. Coffman. >> Yes. >> Mr. Frank. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hanley. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lowry. >> Yes. >> Mr. McCertie. >> Yes. >> Miss Good. >> Yes. Mrs. Alio. >> Yes. >> Miss Kem. >> Yes. Motion carries. Um, next up is personnel. I'll have Mrs. Good since Mr. Dr. Hoffman is removed. >> So I may have the Ridgeway area school board approve the personnel items 12 A to 12 F 12 H to 12 J. Yes. Second. We have a motion and a second. Is there any questions on the motion? Roll call vote, please. Dr. Kaufman, >> yes. >> Mr. Frank, >> yes. >> Mrs. Hanley, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lowry, >> yes. >> Mr. McCertie, >> yes. >>
071Miss Good, >> yes. >> Mrs. Alio, >> yes. >> Mr. Kov, >> yes. >> Mr. Yes. Motion carries. At this time, >> I move that the Ridgewood Area School Board approve the extracurricular item 13A as listed. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Are there any questions on the motion? Roll call vote, please. Mr. Frank, >> yes. >> Mrs. Hanley, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lowry, >> yes. >> Mr. McCertie, >> yes. >> Mrs. Good. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Alio, >> yes. >> Mr. Kov, >> yes. >> Dr. Kaufman, >> yes. >> Miss Kem, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Um, you can make the motion. I move that the Ridge Area School Board approve the extracurricular item 13B as listed. >> Um, is there a second for the motion? And I
072just have to give one more opportunity for a second for the motion. If there is no second for the motion, the motion dies. That motion dies and is off the agenda. Um, I just wanted to say on behalf of the board that we do try to listen to our stakeholders and we do um appreciate all the um effort that everybody put into this. Um, our committee did do a really thorough job in looking at the girls basketball program and um, our committee did initially recommend approving that program. There is an attachment to the um agenda that will be open for the public to view tomorrow that if you wanted to read through it. But the committee really and truly was looking at the longevity of the program and providing the most opportunity for our students
073here. Um we did consistently only have um between 12 and between like 12 and 14 girls >> maximum and the last two years we did not have a JB program. We just um as part of the discussion we also considered the fact that right now there were no coaches on either school and that would have been an opportunity for somebody to take over the program and really build it from the ground up for both districts. But um that motion did die. So um that will not happen this school year. At this time, um, we will be having a special board meeting on June 17th, and the time is to be announced. That will be to, uh, vote on the solar contract and financing. And, um, also, if there is a music teacher that is available,
074that would also be at that special board meeting since um, we didn't have a candidate for tonight. Um I I skipped over um other matters that may come before the board. Yeah. I just wanted to give um a brief update on the foundation. Um the Ridgeway School Board or the Ridgeway School District foundation board has been meeting. Um I do not have official minutes. I we have a meeting this week. So, I should have the official minutes that we can put in give a um an official update uh in August. Um but I just wanted to say they're basically are to the point where they have rolled out. You all should have gotten in the mail. Um they're uh I guess looking for donors for uh the program so that we can fund the foundation.
075Um, the foundation is to create opportunities for our staff, for the school district, for them to support us financially in extra projects and things that, um, the board may not have the finances for. So, um, just kind of getting it out there that if you did receive it, um, that's what where we're at in the process with the foundation. We are also finalizing our grant narrative for um updating our elementary gymnasium. So, uh we will have uh an have a longer um update for you in August on where we're at with that since we have our meeting this week. >> Thank you very much. This is good. We truly appreciate the work that you are doing on the foundation. Mrs. Kroski and all the other volunteers on the foundation. Thank you so much. Um at
076this time, do I have a motion to adjourn? >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> All opposed? >> Motion carries. Thank you very much. The starting