001stand of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mrs. Good here. Mrs. Alio >> here. Mr. Kova >> here. >> Dr. Coffman >> here. >> Mrs. Hanley here. Miss >> here. Mrs. Lowry >> here. >> Mr. McCur >> here. >> Miss Kelly >> here. Okay. >> At this time, are there any additions to the agenda? >> I hear none. So, could I have um a motion to approve? >> A second. >> All in favor by signify by saying I. >> I. >> All oppose. >> Motion carries. >> My mommy needs to We had um no executive session on March 3rd. We had executive session tonight from 6:00 p.m. till 6:37 p.m. to discuss personnel. I would like to
002make a motion to approve the minutes. >> I have a second. Are there any questions on the motion? All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> All opposed. Motion carries. >> This time um I call Mrs. Petraki, our superintendent, to review the board. RD will provide learning opportunities to meet the needs of a diverse population in a dynamic workforce. RSD will continue to build transparent and trusted relationships with all stakeholders. And RSD will continue to build a culture of safety and support for all students, staff, families, and the community. Thank you, Mr. Trustee. >> At this time, we have public comment. The purpose of public comment is not to debate the board, but rather an opportunity to address the board on matters of concern, official action, or deliberation which are or may be
003before the board. The board requires that public 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 have three minutes to address the board. At this time, I'd like to call on Jeannie Alenhoff. Genie Alibaba, 4775 Grant Road, Ridgeway Township. Been here a while. Um, I told Noel I was coming up and she thought, "Oh, so this is it. I am so happy when I read in the paper that you guys are going to go back to the eight the nine period day." And my rule of happiness in that is that whenever they put the every other day in, my husband always got 3x5 cards, you know, he every
004day, day 55, this is where I was at last year. Am I there this year? He was 30 days behind. So math is a you have to do it every day. It's you know, as my one professor said, if you don't do math every day, math is not working. So, I am so happy that you guys are going to do that and that I'm going to leave early. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Mrs. >> We certainly appreciate you bringing us good news. >> Mr. At this time, um, we'll do our student of the month for March and we can start with, um, FSG, Mr. Hindel. >> Thanks, Miss Kev. Uh, it's my pleasure tonight to introduce Miss Lena Batwing for those sisters that are excited, too. >> So, this lady here was nominated
005by Mrs. Frank. Mrs. Frank says, "Lena brings joy and enthusiasm to the classroom, brightens each day with her positive attitude. She consistently completes assignments on time and demonstrates a strong work ethic at all tasks." Okay. She shows kindness and is an excellent manner, serving as a positive role model for her classmates. Are you nice to your brother and sister? >> Are you nice to your cousin Kevin? Her confidence, perseverance, and cheerful spirit makes learning fun earned her student of the month recognition. When I had a chance to interview Miss Faculty last week, she said her favorite subject, of course, was recess, and she can make a lot of friends. What she likes most about school is she likes time to read. She showns kindness by helping people to get up when they fall. Her advice
006for other students who want to be student of the month are follow directions and always be good. Her school inspiration is Valentina because every time she is sad, she always cheers her up. Her idea improved the school is to read more books which is a very good answer. Okay. Her future goal is to be a hairdresser and her favorite memory this year is that every day when she comes to school, she is able to learn new things. Miss Lena back. >> We have Mrs. >> Our second student of the month also has Mrs. Frank, which would be Mr. Spencer Carlson. That little guy just got over the flu, so we're gonna be all right. Mrs. Frank says, "Spencer consistently demonstrates kindness, compassion, and respect, serving as a positive role model for classmates and teachers. He
007completes assignments carefully at odd time, showing strong effort, and responsibility in all tasks. Spencer exhibits leadership and initiative actively contributing to group work in class discussions. His motivation, enthusiasm, and positive attitude make him a pleasure to have in the classroom and earned him a student of the month recognition. When I had the opportunity to interview him on Friday, his favorite subject was math and he loves to learn his timestamps. What he likes most about school, go figure, recess. He shows kindness by helping others when they fall. His advice for other students is to always be good and always try hard. His school inspiration is his friend Cash as he always helps them when needed. His idea to improve the school is obviously longer recess. Okay. His future goal is to be a firefighter and his
008favorite memory so far this year is sled riding and cookie decorating. Mr. Spencer calls Look at this. You guys can come up better. All right. Now we have um March extraordinary elers from the middle and high school. >> Um so uh we have videos like always. And before we get started, I'd like to say that I definitely enjoy seeing the elementary uh kids here cuz it it's hard to not get a big smile on your face. Um it's pretty pretty awesome. Um, our uh, first extraordinary outer was Axel Keart. Um, and before we get going on his, um, I just wanted to share like a personal shout out to Axel. Uh, Axel, uh, is someone is very involved in band and with the transition of not having a band director at the moment. Um, I
009had to cover band a few days and Axel was like the one that stood up and said he wanted to kind of be the conductor and he brought the kids and did all the lessons with him being the conductor. So, it was pretty fitting that he is this month's extraordinary young son of Paul and Chelsea and he was nominated for having school. So, how do you feel when everything I should turn the Hi, I'm here with Axel Pepper. He is the middle school extraordinary person. He is the son of Paul and Chelsea and he was nominated for helping with middle school. So, how did you feel whenever you found out your day? >> I feel very biased and thought I was getting in trouble. >> Um, so can you tell us about some of the
010activities that you do? >> Um, I am currently tell your favorite and why. helped me a lot throughout my life and really >> and what are some of your accomplishments? accomplishments. I went to I9 for two years now. This is my third year. Um I learned many things accomplish that and so what are some changes that you like? I would like there, but what are your like I go up. I can promise you the the sound works. >> Maybe just hold the microphone. >> I think he's soft spoken. Yeah, he's very soft spoken. >> Yeah. >> I didn't know Yeah. That's what it was before. So, just slide that thing up. We don't have to start all the way over. >> Hi, I'm here with Axel Kepler. He is the middle school extraordinaire up for
011this month. He's the son of Paul and Chelsea and he was nominated for helping middle school band. So, how did you feel about >> I felt very surprised and I personally thought I was going to get in trouble when I was called down. >> But you did So that's great. Um, so can you tell us about some of the activities that you do? >> Um, I am in a middle school band at Middle School Choir and I do theater and I am currently a part of the spring musical Hades Town, which you should probably go see. >> That's great. Um, can you tell us about your favorite teachers and why? >> My favorite teacher is Mr. Fibs. He helped me a lot throughout my life and he's made me really inspired to be a music
012teacher and be on Broadway and yeah. >> And what are some of your accomplishments so far? >> Accomplishments, I went to IUI for three years now. This is my third year. Um, I learned many things in the years. I learned many instruments and I'm very accomplished for that >> and I'm pretty sure that's all for you got some time to do some more. Um, so what are some changes that you like if you had to make one change to middle or high school? >> I would like there be like more opportunities for middle schoolers like sports trips like etc. Like maybe like try out more maybe like give more middle schoolers try out. Um, and I don't know this, but what are your like plans so far? >> Um, well, music teacher going on Broadway,
013but if those don't work, I also want to try being a lawyer and I want to try going into law. >> Thank you. >> Okay, that was Axel for the second time. Um, and our high school extraordinary algar is Kira Kennedy. um teachers had nothing but great things to say about her and so it'll come out in in the video muted Christine Kennedy. Hi, I'm Sarah Zowski. I'm here with this month's um outer Kira Kennedy. She's the daughter of Christine Kennedy. Um she was nominated by her peer tutor teacher. She pitched her sixth grade ELA. Um she was just nominated because she did outstanding work. She was a great role model, a great leader. She had a lot of patience and kindness when working with these kids. Um and so how did it feel whenever
014we found out that you were teaching? Well, I was called down to the office one day and I got the paper and I was like, what the heck is going on? It was really out of the blue, but it felt really nice to see that my note work was noticed amongst other people besides myself. >> That was great. Congratulations to you. Can you tell me about some of the activities that you've been? >> Uh, some of the activities that I've been doing have just with the peer tutoring kids, it's really been work with their ELA as you said and their end of the project stuff really. >> Um, and then who's your favorite teacher and why are they your favorite? Arsha is my favorite teacher. She's really pushed me to do more than what I
015thought I could do initially and I just wouldn't be as far as I am without her. >> That's great. Um, can you tell me about some of your achievements throughout your high school career? >> Um, throughout my high school career, I have been able to like maintain a steady high honor role pretty much. Uh, I was able to get a piece of poetry published in the Watershed Journal and I was able to get a short story published in the Fright Club's USA young writers. That's cool. Um, what about your future plans? >> My future plans include um going to Bradford for four years for forensics science. >> Nice. Well, with that, um, one last question. How have you stayed motivated throughout your high school career? >> I have a lot of people that are looking
016to me to hopefully be able to push myself forward to get ahead in a lot of things. >> Thank you. >> Um, one of the funny things I do with the kids is when they get the extraordinary upgrades, you can tell they thought they were in trouble. Both of both of these kids when they came down, I basically said, "So, you going to tell me what you did?" you know, I kind of act like they're in trouble, but then I turn into like this really cool celebration withism. So, it's been it's been an enjoyable experience. >> You got anybody to admit anything yet? >> No. >> Thank you very much. >> At this time, um, I'd like to call on Mr. Elias, director of building and grounds. Um uh well let's start off with uh
017the main drive of RSD building a grounds department is to ensure a clean city contracted well-maintained and efficiently functioning facility that enhances the learning environment along with the school spirit of the elders. Throughout the year personnel complete many different tasks and repair requests along with any emergencies that may arise. Other services include, but are not limited to, management, maintenance of buildings, maintenance of utility and energy management systems such as our havoc systems, monitoring of environmental issues such as air, water quality as well as all types of repairs due to unforeseen circumstances, trash removal, snow removal, building and site security, primary maintenance checks and services of all equipment, safety, maintenance, inspections, planning, scheduling, new construction, and summer projects. warehousing, inventory, emergency, disaster planning, maintaining, fire protection systems, and pest control. The school year has been going
018pretty well for our group, but it has challenged us as well. We fixed the awning lights at the middle high entrance along with blue lights on the flag poles. A new card reader was put in place at the sports conference. We remodeled the boys basketball conference room along with the entrance way to the elementary gymnasium. We also replaced light bulbs at the gymnasium. We had a leaky drain pipe in the crawl space of the new school that was repaired and is now working in order. Cleaning of the schools has kept our entire crew very busy at this this past winter. It seems as if we had to remove snow every other day this past winter. We started resurfacing the practice field this past fall and failing to recede the field this spring. Summer is soon
019to be here and with that we have a very busy summer coming. We will begin prepping for the renovation of the middle high entrance way and the new freezer and cooler at the elementary school. New hot water system was just installed today at the fieldhouse. We plan on painting room in white around the fifth grade hallway entrance or fifth grade hall back here around the gymnasium and maintain the grass on sports fields. to move into top priority along with painting, curb repair, all winter equipment will be maintained and ready for the next upcoming winter. The maintenance custodial department take pride in their work efforts ensuring a safe, clean, wellmaintained facility. We have a great staff here and they are proud of the efforts to support the district's pursuit of a quality education. >> Thank you.
020Does anybody have any questions? I I have a question. Where is the boys basketball conference room? >> It is down below the gymnasium. They have a room >> in the high school or in the >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> Yeah. It's uh in the locker room. There's another room off of the locker room where they go and watch gay tape and >> go over plays it. >> And so what was done to renovate that? Um, we had a TV donated. We had uh a lot of water damage to the bottom of the wall that hadn't been repaired. So, uh, we fix up the wall and on the TV straighten out the room pretty well. >> Thank you. >> One additional question. What do you do in your spare time? >> That's quite a list.
021>> Do Do we check the basement for radon by any chance? I don't believe so. I can write that down. >> Just if there's something significant about time down there just to make sure. >> Thank you. test a radon pump. >> Well, both buildings don't build their whole test every year. >> Okay. But in the basement specifically though, because >> they do what they do is they do sample testing. So they'll do uh like this wing, this wing, and and the same at the high school. So they'll they'll test each wing, >> right? Um, but the basement that's where the locker room >> wherever that conference room. >> Oh, that's in the locker room. >> It's not really the basement. It's just below the gymnasium. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure cuz basements
022are where >> that collect and they do test. >> Great. Thank you. Um, yeah. I don't think I've ever been in that close to the boys locker room. I would imagine you were. >> So, that's why I was just like, um, all right. At this time, um, we have, uh, just the old business that's on our agenda. There's no update to the cell phone. We're just waiting for the um it for the government for the state to give us direction at this point. Um new business. Uh we have the extracurricular committee. Um if we could just get together very briefly and come up with a a date to meet um for the first meeting. >> I I did reach out to the superintendent and like I I was requested. Do you want me to give
023a quick report on that? >> Yes. >> Um okay. So I I emailed Rockway St. Mary's Johnsonberg um and Kane. Um St. Mary's is definitely on board. Kane um Janine Clauss the superintendent called me yesterday and said that um she had spoken to her board. Her board um asked her to participate and then if there was anything that they need to participate in, she would refer to them. So she's willing to she's willing to um come. Um, she said her board doesn't really like to do a whole lot of extra meetings. Um, but I have not heard from Johnsburg and I have not heard from Brockway, but there's two of us, two of her four. Do we want to just go ahead and set up a meeting with at least the two um or do
024a second reach out? >> I will reach out again and get them >> and then um and then set up something at least with St. Mary's and Okay. Um and uh we have the financial responsibility of uh national competitions which we discussed at length at the last um meeting and um I I reached I reached out to the superintendents of of the IU and everyone had respond on like we were in our in our usual Wednesday meeting and they extend to that they supply for um support is they pay for the registrations for the students and that is it. None of the other schools pay anything but the registrations um and then the clubs are responsible for all of the the um financials that follow that. So they would pay for the students registration for
025the conference. They'd pay for the teachers registration for the conference. And that would be >> pay for the substitutes. >> And the substitutes. Yes. I'm sorry. The substitutes also. >> Okay. So um do we have a motion for that or we're going to do that next month? >> We'll bring a new I'll bring a new um >> a new registrations. So, did we have guidance on because did we pay registration in the past? >> The only piece we've ever paid in the past was the um teacher piece. So, it would have included whatever travel arrangements were most. So, if you could just bring us maybe a breakdown of what the registration cost would be and then what the cost would be for the teacher piece. >> Yeah, it's it is Yeah, I didn't know that.
026>> I don't remember. >> It was about $2,900 for the for the board and all of that for the teacher. But that didn't include the student, >> right? >> I mean, oh, >> so the but other boards only pay just the student registration. >> Just the student. Oh, okay. I thought the teacher registration. >> Oh, yeah. But not their Yes. But not their room and board and travel. Everything else was picked up by the just the registrations. >> Student and teacher registrations. >> Just student and teacher registration was paid for. NS >> and that's what we've done in the past. >> We've never paid the student registration. They've always raised that fund raise that money for DECA. We've always they've always paid the the teacher piece but nothing for the students. That's how we've always
027treated that. >> Hotel all of that. We've always done all of that for the teacher. And I'm not going to say we've always done all of that. 30 years years ago when it first started, we didn't pay anything. We called fundraised at all. And then it started with as it got approved by the principal. Yes. >> I had a question. The in the breakdown that you sent in the email, the ban cost 432 is under the teacher. Would that not be distributed among the kids, too? Wouldn't they be in the van? >> So, the van cost that they put in she put in was because she was had to drive out to get them in in New Jersey. So, potentially it could be. I don't It wasn't in her breakdown. >> And you you had
028shared that other percentage piece, right? >> I shared the percentage last week. >> Yeah. Yes. Okay. put them all together. So since in the past we have only ever paid >> for what again? >> The teacher to go. >> So we paid the teacher's transportation registration. So the reason we paid for the teacher was because the district did not feel it was fair for students to fund raise to pay for the teacher to go. They shouldn't have to fund raise for that to pay for that chat room to be there. Right. Right. >> So they fund raise their total amount pay for everything. We pay for the the chaperone or whatever you call to the to go up. >> Yes. >> So that would be the amount that was 2900. >> Yes. So that'll be
029on the agenda for next month. >> We can discuss it at workshop and we'll discuss we'll pull it all together for workshop. >> Okay. and just the IU9 minutes um were approved and attached for December 15th and we have meeting on February 16th. >> All right, administrative reports, Mr. Heindel. >> Thank you, Miss Ke. Um in addition to my board report, u just a couple notes. Um and in spite of the groundhog, uh we had a very successful day three of virtual. Um day one was 87% participation. Day two was 90 and this pass we just had last Tuesday was 88% which is still very high. And again I attribute that to our consistent communication with our teachers uh with the parents. Our elk recovered uh that Pete Balmer put together up here for us.
030Uh we went from 40 students back in November. As of today, we're up to 53 students that are utilizing that, which is awesome. Um, the one that I'm the most proud of tonight is our Dr. Seuss ReadAcross America week. Uh, last week was huge for us. Grades K 1 and two read a total of 2,98 books. Grades 3, four, and five read a total of 2,188 chapters. Uh, overall, FSG read over 10,496,800 words in the past 11 days. And the top two home rooms were Mrs. Peterson with 529 books and Miss Vote with 636 chapters that were read and that's huge. Uh especially compared to where we've been at in the past. Um I have an additional part that goes along with the schedule. I didn't know if you wanted me to wait until we
031get to that portion. U Mrs. Petroski email me. There were some questions about the FSG schedule. Um I could address those now or I can wait. >> We can wait and just do it all at once. >> Sounds good. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Fowski. >> Um, I just wanted to highlight a few things that I put on the the board report. Um, one of those is uh we're excited about our eighth grade transition meeting that we're having with the students and parents on on Thursday at 6. Uh, it's exciting time for kids to hear um opportunities they have in the high schools compared to the middle school. Um, so that you that is always a a fun night um to be a part of. Uh, couple winter sports things to give shout
032outs for. Uh, gymnastics are in second place at states. Um, they lost by onetenth of a point. Um, we had a state champion and all-around broads. Uh, Sophia Rupre, uh, Delaney Dunworth took fifth and Alexis Pacetti took 11th on vault. um in the in gold division in the gold division and six on the beam. Um our play is coming up soon. Uh and it's been uh quite an undertaking for everyone involved. Um there's been strong student involvement. Um the stage is is completely getting revamped and there's a lot of things that uh we've had to practice and make sure that they're going to work for the play. And I want to thank uh Joe Elias for helping us with that. Um there were some little hiccups we had to fix so that would be everyone
033would be safe on the stage. Um and then the other thing I was just going to talk about was the schedule, but I guess is that something we should talk about in a little bit? I guess >> we'll just keep it all together. >> Okay, sounds good. >> Thank you very much. Um Mrs. Hindel, >> thanks Mik. So, um, as you saw in my board report, um, March is the time that we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. Um, something that my department likes to do, and I give the credit to my teachers here, usually I have a group of them, um, that will sponsor each one of these events and get them going. And this year, um, Miss Britney Thorart and one of our new teachers, Miss Maline Nukem, they came to me with a
034t-shirt design. Um, and that link was included, but it's not like they just got it off of Amazon or they had somebody design it. Our um, older life skill kids who have Down syndrome in our district actually drew the middle portion of the back of the t-shirt. And then all of the kids that are in the district that have Down syndrome, it's their handprints that are around the t-shirt. So, it was a very personalized t-shirt that they were all very proud of. Um, so that is why I included in that in here. period is always March 21st, which is a Saturday. So, we'll be celebrating it on the on the 20th here. Um, so I did want to make note of that. Um, for the special ed plan, as I shared the last time, um,
035next month it'll be coming through. Will that be in my report or do you have to put that? >> We'll just post it in. >> Okay. Um, next, um, month you will be approving the plan. Um, Miss Kemick will have to sign it along with Noel and I'll have to submit it to the state. Um, today Mr. Um, Rhymer posted it for me on our website. So, our 28 day process is ticking um for in preparation for the April 14th schoolboard meeting. Um, so that's in process. Um, yesterday opened our pass window for our significant special education students. That's the Pennsylvania alternative state assessment. Um, it is our it is our most neediest kids in the district. the state we can only have 1% of kids. We are always over 1%. We're usually like a
0361.4 1.6. I I don't know with our population of kids that we have K to 12 that I will ever be under one. Um but we're still in a good place. They I can't go over two. I just stay under one. Um we have eight students that are participating in that. The testing window is until May 1st. It's it's just a test that's done within their classroom. So it's not like they go to a different room or there's any set days. It's a very big large testing window. So that is going on. um for early intervention. Last time I shared that we have 17 students coming in um on Thursday, April 2nd, there's about 12 staff members that are going to do our early intervention students with their kindergarten screenings. And their parents will come
037in and we'll take the kids and do some different activities so that we can start to prepare um for their meetings that I have to have in May to help support them when they transition here. Um, and then just to my my numbers, um, I try to gate keep these numbers. Um, we've had some moveins that have had services. Um, we've had a couple speech dismissals that have helped us out. Um, but for special ed numbers, I am at 175. I did something a little bit different um, in the change from February that we do have some students from special education that are at Jefftech or some different placements. So, I kind of note not noted that in that column just um as an FYI um because those are not students. They're students that count
038in my numbers. I participate in all of their meetings, but they're not kids that are actually instructed here at Ridgeway. Um for the 504 chapter 15 students, that number just went up um just I think by went down by one and the chapter 16 students are gifted stayed the same. Um just an area of concern with my numbers that I that I do have is my speech with Mrs. Fernand. Um we have like six speech kits that we are in the process of dismissing and a lot of the moveins that we've had all of them have had speech. She can only as a max number have 65 students and I just know that a lot of our early intervention students have speech. So I'm I'm really trying to watch that. Usually we keep dismissing kids
039out and then we add the kindergarten kids and all as well. Um the numbers have fluctuated a little bit in the wrong directions lately. So I will be keeping an eye on that. If it was to go over 65, I would have to reach out to the state and just ask for a little lenency there with the numbers. But we'll see what magic we can work. But that's it for special ed tonight. You guys have any questions? >> Yeah. You talk about these numbers and percentages of students who fit in different categories. >> Yep. >> How can somebody determine that? Isn't that something you measure and it's like absolute? >> It's in an it's the school site. That's the role of the school site. They do an evaluation report and collect compile all the information.
040>> But if you have a district who doesn't fit their profile, >> what can you do about that? Do you really want me to answer that? >> I do. >> So they they have to follow the different guidelines that that they have to determine eligibility for services. And if if they don't meet those eligibility for services, then then we do not qualify them. They have to have a disability. It has to they have to to be in need. And there there has to be supports that can be provided. And if they have that, regardless whether we're 2% or >> Oh, I guess. Oh, yeah. We would be in big trouble for that, Mr. McCertie. If they would qualify, I have to service them. No matter how many members, >> you have to service them. >>
041Mhm. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, they don't say, "Oh, that's what we take." >> No. No. But there are guidelines and and they have max case loads. That's kind of last year when I explained when we brought Nikki Kulic back to special ed from regular ed. I had I had too many kids and their classrooms can only have a max of eight kids. So we can have we have to support them but we have to find a way to to make it work within the legal boundaries. >> Yep. >> Thank you, Mrs. Well, on to the business manager reporting. Just want to um all of the information I am presenting is attached. Um give you a kind of a brief overview of what's in there. Cash flow is in line with budget. Um continuing
042to monitor cyber spending and outside placements. Uh there is an additional area of concern and that is legal fees. um with with the uh concerns that are happening currently, this number is going to exceed budget. So, I just want to make you aware of that. Um the monthly budget to actual is attached for February 2026 and we will have our ad hoc budget meeting immediately following this meeting. Um we had our I9 consortia meeting on February 19th for health insurance for 2627. Um, this is the month that we set rates for the the following school year. Our increase for 26 27 came in at 7.6%. That's compared to a budgeted increase of 5% which is what I had budgeted for. It's going to result in additional f uh sorry 58,000 increase in our medical side.
043Um total increase for 2627 will be $170,000 up from 2526. Our dental rates have dropped since 2019. However, our claims ran high last year. Um, so we are going to see an increase of 6.4% on dental, which is about $3,200. Um, those increases are uh a factor of a couple of different things. Increases in GP1 usage and the elimination of federal subsidies for insurance is driving costs upward for everyone. Uh we have begun the process of applying for the solar for schools schools grant. Um there is a resolution on the agenda tonight to apply for the $480,000 grant. Um that resolution is required to be submitted with the application. Uh Westpen Power is um going to provide a will serve letter which just simply states that we are eligible for um connectivity with them with
044a solar system if that's where we go. And the application for the township permitting was submitted and we are waiting on a zoning board hearing date uh from them. Um I also have the numbers for uh nutrition P&L for January. We are at a positive operating balance of 43,000 and the numbers for average breakfast, average lunch, cyber enrollments, rockets placements and Jeff Tech are all attached. Um we did also have initial job conference for the U middle high vested bill project on February 18th. at 10 a.m. the engineering firm and all the contractors were present for the meeting. It went very well. No concerns with the project start week of June 1st and completion by August 14th, 2026. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Mrs. Sadler. Does anybody have any questions? >> All
045right. Thank you, Mrs. Petroski, superintendent. >> Thank you. Um I just a couple things I want to talk about. One of the things that we have been doing as we have our um bimonthly or bi-weekly um leadership meetings. One of the big things that we're going we'll be working on this summer is we're digitizing our handbook. So on our on our um page there will no longer be a PDF link. There will be a total digitized handbook for students. And then we're going to we're working on doing the faculty handbook and the pair professional handbook too. So, those will all be available and easy to access on our web page um through a digitization part. I did want to talk a little bit about the cell phone survey. So, um I did put some of
046the I did link the whole results, but I just wanted to talk about a couple of highlights that um that were on there. So, the primary use of cell phones and that's only when the staff determines that they are usable um or during lunch. That's the primary time that the kids use it. Um, and then how does this the school restrict the use? 63% of the people responded that if they're out of sight, that's that's how they would like them to be restricted. Um, and the other point, there's some other things there. The other one I wanted to talk about is it was a 50/50 on whether we need a cell phone change or not. But I I take that with remember this is middle school and high school um responding to the survey and
047middle school has a no cell phone piece. So I always like hesitate to say just be aware that that could be skewed a little bit the 50/50 because the middle school is probably very happy with their cell phone policy because they don't have cell phones and the high school is a little probably would like something a little more strict. So I just wanted to again the whole um survey is linked there so you can see all of the results. Um something for you all we begin the comprehensive plan process. So, our plan process usually begins April 1 um because it will be due one year from March 31st. So, it usually takes about a year to pull the comprehensive plan together. Um our old one hasn't been approved yet by the state, but that's just
048a steering committee piece. So, that one I'm sure will will get approved um in the next submission. But what I need from you is many members of the steering committee have to be board appointed. And so I have linked a document on my report um that I would like you to nominate people to be on the steering committee. Um and then I listed in my report the people we need. I need members of the community, parents to be on the committee, local business representatives, and community representatives. So, those all need to be appointed by the board. So, if you have anybody in mind, if you could click on the document that's in my um board report and put names in there, I'll reach out to them. I won't put you on the spot, but I
049I just would like you to um appoint anybody that you feel would need that you would want to see on the comprehensive planning committee today. >> Go ahead. Can a board member um be on it as like a local business so that they would not be representing the board? Just >> correct. >> Okay. >> But I do need a board representative. >> Yes, I know you do. But I just didn't know if if a board member could be a parent or a business. Yeah. And I've been reaching out to people as I see them seeing if they would be interested. So I'm going to put some names on there of people that I have spoken to that are um willing to to be on the the committee. This morning in leadership um we shared the
050roles of there's about there's four major points of the comprehensive plan. One of them is in the induction plan that needs to be done. Which plan? >> The induction plan. >> Induction. This is a plan for all new employees, all new teacher employees. It's a three-year plan on um how you support them in their first three years. So, um our principles um will be responsible to work on that portion of the plan. Um Mrs. Heindel will be working on the special education and the gifted services part of the plan. I'm going to pull in and take care of the professional development and also the data analysis and the um district goals and those kinds of things and I'll take care of those two committees. Um but we're hoping to get those we're I want to
051kick it off at the end of some point in April or May with an overall kickoff and then we'll start the committees in the fall. Um, but I just that way we'll bring everybody together at once and then we'll have people sign up for what committee as part of the plan that you would like to be a member of. So everybody doesn't have to go to everything, but choose where your interest lies. So, um, I haven't scheduled that meeting yet. Um, I was kind of waiting until I get some people to invite on this document so I know who to invite. Um, so please, um, add some names for me. >> I did about the Um I there's also um some clarification on this. These are the legislative updates. Act 47 is going to be
052something you're going to hear a whole lot about for the next three years. Um there's a lot of training that our teachers are going to have to do in relationship to Act 47. There's a whole different parts of it. Most of this is about structured literacy. So, I just kind of put a little layout in there so you could see what we need to do and where we stand. We did this year have the IU come down and train all of our um elementary teachers, reading specialists, and >> special education teachers in structured literacy. But they told me that that training was done because we had to fulfill a requirement for act 35 and now we have to fill a requirement for act 47 and they don't overlap. So, we're going to have to re
053redo it again. And this time it's 10 hours. So, it's it's just a continuing piece there. So, um that's one of the things we're going to do in the summer. Other legislative updates, cursive handwriting, it's it's back. It had to start. So, um and I think Mr. Heindel said that they've already started it. So, that is that is back. Um, and then there's a couple other pieces of legislation that I just put in there for you to review. Does anybody have any questions? >> I'm just handing this back. >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Mrs. Time. I'd like to call on Mr. Nothing to report on building and ground. I've got the best one. >> Area school boards 10 as Thank you very much. Are there any questions? >> I
054just wanted to um make mention for that we discussed this in workshop and the application for the solar grant does not permit us to anything. So we have a motion and a second. Roll call vote, please. >> Oh, did we get a second? No. >> I'll second it. >> Thank you. >> Now roll. >> Mrs. Alio, >> yes. >> Mr. Gow, >> yes. >> Dr. Kaufman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hanley, >> yes. >> Miss Holtz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lowry, >> yes. >> Mr. Mccur, >> yes. >> Mrs. Good. >> Yes. >> And Miss K. >> Yes. >> Uh, policy. Mrs. Lowry. >> Yes. Um, I move that the Ridgeway Area School Board approve the policy item 11A as listed. We have a motion in a second. Um, any questions on the motion? >> Roll
055call vote, please. >> Mr. Boon, >> yes. >> Dr. Kaufman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Hanley, >> yes. >> Miss Holtz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lowry, >> yes. >> Mr. McCertie, >> yes. >> Miss Good, >> yes. >> Mrs. Alio, >> yes. Miss Kenny personnel. Dr. Kaufman. >> I move that the Ridgeway Area School Board approve personnel items 12A through 12 cheating as listed. >> You have a motion in a second. Any questions on the motion? >> You had a question? >> Yeah. in here. >> Yes, the schedules are in here. So, um, yes. Did you want to update us? >> Do you have the question? Do you need the questions? >> So, I have the ones from FSG if you want me to go off of there. Um, there was a question on who would
056be the fourth grade uh the third teacher in the fourth grade because right now it's currently uh Mr. Fipps. Uh, the other fourth grade teacher would be one of the special teachers whether it be from technology or Mr. FIPS if he's not in both buildings, but we already do have that taken care of. Um, there was a question about specials time. Uh, special time will increase dramatically. Um, going from a 6 day rotation down to a 5-day rotation. Um, it's going to go from right now they currently meet seven times in a nine weeks for 210 minutes. Now they're going to meet nine times in a nine weeks for 405 minutes, which is a huge increase for that. Um, there was questions on whether the quarter day or excuse me, the quarter or for nine
057weeks or a half a year. And again, that will all tie into what Mr. Ferdosk's schedule is of where they need to fit um the art department. If we can have the art teacher up here full-time, that would be fantastic. Um, if we can't, we got to fit it in to where they would be at down in that building. >> So, that's where it says like replace music. >> Yeah. So, we're bringing back some guidance courses. Uh, Bington's guidance right now currently in fifth grade. We think or we thought it was important to bring those back, especially for kindergarteners to learn about and then gradually work them through. And but art is a big one, especially for their kindergarten. Um, the cut and pace with the peer tutors was huge this year. Um, unfortunately, I
058don't know if we're going to be able to carry that on next year because of the peer tutoring program. Um, so the art is going to be huge to maintain especially for kindergarten and first grade and those specials will be earlier in the morning and that will work out for them. So long it's just a shorter so getting your >> and right now they're here from almost 65 minutes because of the to and from now when you cut the periods down it wouldn't make sense to bring them up here for 20 minutes. >> They are a huge >> Yeah. There's always a 100%. So it could be a double if they only did it for half a year. So that's something they could do. It couldn't be a double for a whole year because they
059would do it one period all year long. But if they did semester back to back it could be a double but they could only do that for a semester. >> Do you have any more questions for me? >> Is the the uh length of the day changing at all? No. like the time of arrival. >> Nope, we tried to keep all that consistent with the bus schedule now. Um, plus the kids are already used to the time frame. Um, so I think the more that we can keep consistent there, it will be huge. >> I think you got online. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Um, I can speak for the middle high school. Um, and I know some of the questions here were uh about middle school lunch starting at 9:48 and middle school lunch
060will be starting at uh it says 10:08. Um, right now sixth grade lunch starts at 10:20. So it's a 12 a 12 minute um difference um from where it was before. Uh and um the end of the day is at 2:15. Our usual end of the day like right now is at 211. So that is a a 4m minute difference. Um I didn't think it would be much difference with the bus things um with that. Um another question I had about clubs. Um, you know, again, as we talk about positives and negatives, like with not having like the high school remediation, um, as being only 12 minutes, um, because that will be done within their lunch time. Uh, there is still 12 minutes of of time for that. Um, in the middle school, the middle
061school clubs will still be able to carry on as they do uh with this year because the lunch time for middle schools between periods four and five. Um, so it's like basically a double period. So they they have a uh 54 minutes of remediation. Um, so that will give them ample time to to run their clubs within that time frame. Um the credits, there was a discussion about maybe lowering it to 21. Um and we wanted to keep it at 24. Um and so uh that way then we could have the personal finances a part of that and um keeping the rigor um more consistent with the other schools in the area. um 21. Like I said, the last time last month, St. Mary's went to 21 and they didn't think it was rigorous enough
062and so they're bumping theirs back up to 24. Um and they did it because of the the COVID world that we were in. Um so, uh that's what they're proposing this school year. Um so that's kind of why we wanted to keep it at 24. that way then we were kind of at par or pretty much with what the other um districts have done. Um with that I have gone through and come up with and it's not attached on here yet but like the different delay schedules um and so uh I have that ready to be put onto this whenever if this ends up getting approved and all other stuff. So, um, something I would like to try is a to put in the schedule is an activity period. Um, because a lot of times
063when we have assemblies and stuff, you end up missing a class. And I thought it would be nice instead of just always having a same class missing um, or something of that nature, we would have classes a little bit shorter, but then everyone still has the opportunity to meet the kids. So, that's one of the things I want to add to the to the um extra delay schedule. And I was very happy to hear a positive comment today um about uh looking at changing the schedule cuz change is hard. And um as I talked to the faculty in the last two days um I told them that we took as many of their we took all their things down that they brought to us and we're trying to use use their input while making this.
064I just said I didn't plan on doing this as a first year principal here but at the same time I think um once we get the everything worked out I think it's going to be really great for the kids to have those classes on a daily basis. Is there any other questions? >> I appreciate all the time that you guys put into this. I have had to work with these schedules in the past, so I know how difficult it can be. >> Yeah, it's >> it can be >> definitely gave me a couple extra gray hairs. Um, but it's been a lot and it's been nice because we've all worked together on it. Um, and uh, I fel I felt like there wasn't one point where um, it was just one person working on the
065schedule. Everyone kind of we all kind of work together on it. Eric always gave us some good advice on maybe what the times could be um, to meet the the requirements of the special ed and things like that. So um, it's been a real joint effort by everyone. >> Great. Well, thank you very much for all the work as well. Do we have any other questions? We have a motion in a second. We'll call a vote. >> Dr. Kaufman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Hanley, >> yes. >> Miss Holtz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lowry, >> yes. >> Mr. McCertie, >> yes. >> Mrs. Good. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Alio, >> yes. >> Mr. Ka, >> yes. >> Miss Kemp, >> yes. Motion carries extracurricular Melio. Um it looks like the spring sports numbers are in there
066for information only and there's no motion. Mr. Alio, are there any questions on the numbers? All right, we have um our next work session is in April on the 7th and we have an ad hoc budget meeting immediately following this and then on the same next month following the board meeting. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? Second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> All opposed. Motion carries.