2025-07-28 Scranton SD Board Meeting, Work Session & Athletics Committee Meeting

001[Music] stands one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Roll call. >> Here's present. Mr. >> President, >> presy >> present. >> Mrs. Yanni >> present. >> Mr. Holmes, >> present. >> Seven present, two absent. >> I will now turn the meeting over to the chair of the athletics and student activities committee. Director Yanni. >> Thank you, President Helms. Uh, number one on our agenda is a discussion of the feasibility studies for the West Scranton High School Gymnasium. Um, Director Stle and I had the opportunity to go in and talk with Dr. Keing about best options for a path forward here. So I'm going to turn that over to Dr. Keading to share. >> Thanks Director Yani. Um it's my recommendation that the board uh look to engage either one of the

002two firms or honestly engage both firms. Um we cannot make a true cost estimate of if we can afford this without having these designs done. I think the best pathway forward is to engage both firms for designs at both sites. It would be $4,000 cost to the district to have those four designs done. Through the creativity of those firms who both gave very highly qualified presentations, you would be able to look to see who comes in with the most coste effective and creative solution. And at that time, you would be able to make a determination if with the other capital projects and other um issues such as enrollment that are taking place, we could afford this at this time or if it's something we'd have to look to in the future. So that would be

003my recommendation. >> And I I think at the operations committee meeting, if I'm correct, all directors received um the documents from both of the firms. >> Correct. >> So everybody should have that. And you're saying it's it would be 4,000 total or 4,000 each? >> 4,000 total? >> Total. >> Okay. >> So that's my recommendation. >> Do you recommend them that we take some time review those proposals? >> Correct. >> And then we discussed it at the uh August work session to move it forward for a vote at the voting meeting. >> Correct. >> Okay. Yep. But I really think if you look to have both firms do designs, you may have I mean when you look through what they came up with, both had some really creative things. You may come back with an

004option that is affordable. Or very honestly and transparently, I may have to say to you with everything else, folks, and the budget situation we're in, we can't afford this at this time. We have to look at this at a later date. >> Question about West Gym in general, since they're using scrands. I know this has been brought up. I received some emails over the weekend um or last week. Can we are we still looking at options of how to make that more welcoming for them? Like I know we talked I was in athletic or I know that there was conversations had um regarding you know putting like things that project pictures on the wall u maybe some more west banners or stuff. >> So the most creative thing that somebody gave to me as an

005option especially with the concept of a possible gym in the future um and I I may get this wrong. I think it's called a BOGO, but you can mount to the to the walls um these lighting systems that would project the West emblem, the West symbols, whatever we want it on the floor, on the walls. In addition, during games, we could have areas where you could hang things up to make it more welcoming. But the light option is actually, and it was not my idea, extremely creative and a way to bring those emblems onto the floor without permanently putting them there because you don't know what the future is. So, if we get more suggestions or we come up on our own like for ideas for that, could we send them to you guys? >>

006Absolutely. We'll look into them and cost them out. >> Awesome. Thank you. And I think one other thing that got brought up too and I guess I'll just bring up here because we're talking about athletics. Um I know they're looking at possibly doing uh season passes for tickets. >> I know that we that's got to be probably board approved. >> Um I'm not sure. I'm not I'm not actually sure if it would have to be board approved because I don't have that policy in front of me. I will tell you as a high school principal in a different district that we had a season pass where you essentially got all of the games for the price of one game less and it was extremely successful when we used it in that district and we did

007it for both football and basketball. >> Okay. And then something else I got brought up um veterans especially at Memorial Stadium getting in free 65 and older. >> That would be something that would need to be approved. >> Okay. Can we look at maybe see if other districts do that and do something ourselves? >> I'll put it in the board packet. So, I will put a board packet together on if I'm saying it wrong and Mr. Suma is not here. Cody or Todd? Is it a bo gobo? >> Bogo. >> Gobo. Is that what it's a gobo? That would be able to the cost of what that would be. I will also get um what a season pass would be if it has to be board approved and what we would need to do for

008veterans. And I'll put that in the board pack. >> Do 65 and older too if possible. >> 65 and older. Look at that as well. >> 65 and older as well. So, let me get all that information. Mr. Jenna has and I we have a staff meeting tomorrow. We'll work it out and it'll be in the board packet this week. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Uhhuh. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Works for me. Unless anybody has any other questions. Okay. And we'll move on to number two. Um I'm probably going to turn this right back to you, but we're going to have an update on the mixed martial arts program for our middle school students that's sponsored through the Lacawana County District Attorney's Office. >> So, um last summer, uh District Attorney Gallagher and the state

009police and a man by the name of Jimmy Simmerroll came in to propose to Mr. Duke and I um an opportunity to bring mixed martial arts. It was based off a program in the Philadelphia school system called Guns to Gloves, which is a boxing program um to our school. We pilot it and Rob, please comment if you'd like. We pilot it at Northeast Intermediate School last year. It was extremely successful. We're going to branch it out this year to South Scranton Intermediate, West Scranton Intermediate, and keep it at Northeast. Each school would have one day per week. Um, I spoke with DA Gallagher and he has the funding to carry it through the end of this year. He's looking into additional funding and so am I so that after January 1st we can continue it.

010But Rob, the feedback was extremely positive on this and and the work Mr. Simmer did with the kids was really well received. >> Just talking to Dr. Bristol this year and we started very slowly kids at the end of the year we had 20 consistent kids every day. But more importantly, one of our guidance also and then they did the other. So it wasn't just >> Yeah, I heard a lot of good feedback in the community about it. How some like students who might, you know, used to get in trouble now don't you know are definitely trying not to get in trouble so they don't get kicked out of the program or anything like that. So that's the good positive feedback we need to hear and if we can grow it, I think that'd be

011excellent. >> Erin, at the September meeting, maybe what we could do is uh have Mr. Seal come in along with district attorney Gallagher and uh have certificates of appreciation done and make sure they get in the newspaper. Uh, the one thing that I learned in my short time or long time at Marwood College in a PR course was it's doing good things and letting people know about them. And I think this is an excellent thing that we could do, but we have to let the people know that we're doing it. And it's an excellent program and I think we should start doing more of this. Thank you. Uh, >> Robbie, you work with Sydney on arranging that. Thank you. Okay. Yeah. No, I agree. If if there's anything we can do with that after school

012programming, I know there was funds, maybe we could look at that to continue it. So, any options I think we should definitely explore. >> Okay. Uh, next we will have an update on the outreach and after school programs to tie that in. >> So, um, one of the things that that is my personal goal is to truly build after school programming out for the intermediate schools. There's been programs at some schools and not other schools, but to consistently start to build opportunities for that five to eight group and and I have a soft spot there because I was a middle school teacher. That's where my roots are. I started as a seventh and eighth grade language arts teacher and often those are the kids, you know, high school has a lot, elementary has a lot,

013and those middle school kids kind of don't have it. So, Lori Chaffers, who's the executive director of outreach, Liz Hempill and I met um last week, and Liz, you had an opportunity to go up and see the program in Sky View. uh they have individuals who are coming out to work with um to work with kids and do STEMbased and other arts and and um engaging projects with the kids and um outreach is looking to partner with us to try to build that out maybe in the later part of this year um to be able to bring more opportunities to our middle schools. >> That's great question. >> Good news. Okay. and some more good news, an update on our marching bands and the positions that have been filled. >> So, last spring I came

014to you asking, can we hire an assistant band director and band front advisors? Both schools are interviewing for those jobs and we're going to be looking to offer those positions. So, we are going to be expanding the staffing to properly staff our marching bands, which is a real positive step forward for those folks um who've kind of been doing it on their own for a long time. So, on behalf of them, thank you to the whole board. I know we talked about some other positions like um another track coach for both teams just because the numbers are keep growing. Is there any updates on that possibly? >> So I can director can I jump to 406? Absolutely. >> Okay. So I I'm going to combine these together. Um let me start with I had on

015Friday late Friday afternoon I went to Director Yanni and President Holmes to ask if this could be added late. I'm going to be asking for consensus from the board. I had the ads reach out to me asking can we look to start an inter mural soccer program which would encompass grades six, seven, and eight co-ed six weeks. Um they would be able to practice three days a week. Um the fields have been designated where they could practice with Sunday games. Um for the three schools it would be an estimated cost of $15,000 and I did break that down for all of you. Um, we are one of the few schools that do not have a junior high soccer program as a feeder into our high schools. So, that is an area I'm going to ask

016for consensus for if we can do that tonight. There are certain sports, track is one of them. Um, people have approached me at this time. I'm trying to gather a little more information on if it's a safety concern. If it's a safety concern, I'll be coming to you asking you at that point if we need to add on because the numbers and track have been growing. We do know that with track specifically, we've had some issues at the high school where we've had to put additional security on. So, we may need to look at staffing as well, but I don't have that worked out to give you an estimate or or or specific. So, you've got to give me a little time to put that in the package. Do >> you have a rough idea

017of when you might have that information? >> I have not I have a meeting tomorrow with the senior staff, so it's on my agenda for tomorrow. >> Okay. I've heard safety concerns from parents. Um I mean, track there's so many different events. um coordinating that with coaches can be tedious. So if if we're It sounds like a very similar issue to what was going on with the marching band. Um and much like all of our emphasis on after school programs, like if we can if we can help, I have no problem doing that. >> But I don't have numbers or costs like I do for junior high soccer. So I I I would like to get that into a memo to the board packet so you can review that before I bring that to the

018floor. >> Thank you. If if we were to give you consensus, could you then move forward? Let these programs get because they probably need to get started right away. >> Right. If you give me consensus tonight, I can meet with the ads tomorrow and I could get this moving and then we would formally ratify it on September 2nd. >> Can you specifically spell out so we can take consensus right now exactly what you're asking for? >> Sure. Consensus. >> Sure. As per the board memo that I sent, we would be looking at a six-w weekek 6th through 8th grade co-ed inter mural soccer program at an estimated cost of $15,000 with an estimated participation of 150 students per the three middle schools over the course of the three middle schools. Um so for staffing, t-shirts,

019equipment, um refs, everything that was there, it was about $15,000. What was not included there and was sent to me at a later moment would be if we had any overtime for maintenance for fields and stuff like that. So that would be an additional cost incurred beyond the estimated 15,000 but would be looking at beginning that this fall for six weeks all three of those. >> Right there will make a motion consensus Bob. >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. I will talk to um Teddy Anderson and Rob Bucket tomorrow and we will get that moving forward. Thank you very much because that's a great opportunity for kids. >> Great. Okay. So that leaves us with one item just an update uh from Dr. Heading on the right center athletic physicals for the 2526 school year. >>

020Sure. So there is a change to this process. I had a long meeting with one of the ads last week because there is now a billable portion to this with giving your insurance and and and qualifying for um these exams. how it works and Mr. Geneala has put together anformational flyer that we're going to put out is that if your child participates in um PIAA sponsored athletics if you have a physical after May 1st it counts for the full year. Um so we're going to put that out to parents who have a primary care physician pediatrician so that they know when you schedule well visits make sure you have the form as long as it's after May 1st it'll cover them for the whole next year. Um, for kids who are going through their fiscals

021this year, we've also created a form that and with board support. Thank you all very much. Anyone who has a charge that they're unable to pay the charge or is concerns about this charge, they may submit them and the district will help them and assist them through this process this year. The only students that require physicals are athletes and then the students who have mandatory grade physicals. So, we're working with a limited number of students, but we want to make sure that we're there to support our parents as we make this transition. Um the long-term plan to work with the right center is for our students who are uninsured and underinsured um and maybe don't have a pediatrician to get them long-term medical care um to build a strong partnership, but we're going to help

022anybody out who has any issues or concerns with this first year. So, I just wanted to make sure that's clear. We will be putting that information out through the three intermediate schools and the two high schools. Um so, just look look forward to that and the form if anybody needs to submit it. Okay, >> Erin, on a similar note, but it's not dealing but it's dealing with medical. Um, couple weeks ago, uh Tom Borthwick, myself, Dr. uh Keading um met with uh the people from Harrisburg, Governor Shapiro's group and the whole idea was uh the Medicaid idea that I brought back from the Washington conference that I attended in December. It seems as if the uh uh governor's office is very very interested in this and they want to talk to us more and if

023we're able to get their blessing, it'll be a statewide program that will save districts a lot of money throughout the state. Uh but they wanted some information from us. Do you know if we've given them that information as of uh today? We were still gathering some of that information. So, we have intense descendants. So, just to kind of catch everyone up, when the governor was here in this room, Director Casey, you had approached the governor's staff and asked for that meeting. Um, we had met with the team after director Casey's request to have that meeting about what he learned. And the Department of Health and Human Services is working on that. I was on a I was on a call. I wasn't really I was kind of in and out of that phone call. I'm

024just making sure I have that right. So it is something director Casey that you had mentioned that they were in the works of but they were looking for additional information from us. Um so we are still gathering that. We will get that to Drew Popish. So he has it. >> Could you ask them this one question and it was a question nobody seemed to have the answer to. uh to change the policy, I guess. And what the policy is now for our school district and all school districts in Pennsylvania is the only way that we're able to charge for Medicaid uh for our students is if they have an IEP. There's 25 other states like us. There's 25 other states that does it for the whole district. We need to know whether or not this

025could be done by a stroke of a pen by the governor or does it have to be passed by the legislature. But it's uh it's something that I really don't want to fall by the wayside because a lot of these students who are now getting their uh um uh physicals instead of the district if they don't have an IEP, Medicaid would be paying for it and would uh this is only one example of how this program would work. if they went to see a school nurse. Uh we could bill uh part of our budget for uh nursing, for physical therapy, for addiction. Um I it it just opens up a whole new world that really I don't think anybody really thought about it. It was like, well, that's the way it is. Why challenge it?

026And when I heard about this and I heard that it's a state uh mandate who who can and cannot uh receive this program, I said we have to get on top of this uh because first of all, it really won't cost the district any money, but it'll also create a new revenue uh stream that um our local taxpayers and state taxpayers won't be paying for and um I think it's something that we need to be on the forefront and I think we need to be on them every day of the week. And Dr. Sailor, I know you have some um connections down in Harrisburg. Uh possibly if you could follow up and be a uh an advocate for this program. Thank you. >> Thank you, Bob, for your hard work with that approaching the governor's

027office to have those conversations. I was actually surprised when they congratulated me for going to a conference. They said we should do it more. >> Matter of fact, they did. They recommended that all board members should be attending conferences. And um the way they basically put it was the world doesn't stop outside of Pennsylvania. Uh there's a lot of great ideas that we take for granted. Uh one of the ideas that uh I learned that doesn't relate to this part but in Michigan uh right now if uh we have charter uh schools for our kids uh according to state law or state policy we have to pay for busing for them out in Michigan. Their rule is if you want to go to a charter school fine but that's up to you. We're not paying

028for it. And I mean, I think if we looked and saw how much money we would be saving on transportation for just some of these things that we're we take for granted that, well, we can't change it. Well, guess what? Maybe we can change it. And maybe that's why all nine of us are here to make change. Thank you. >> That's all I had. President Holmes, I don't know if anybody from the administration has any. >> Nope. Real excited. >> Two weeks back. >> Motion to adjourn the committee meeting. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> call to order the work session meeting for July 28th. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Borthwick >> here. >> Mr. Casey >> here. >> Mrs. Chzik here. >> Miss Fox. Mr. Mckender >> present. >> Miss Merkel

029>> here. >> Mr. Zleki >> here. >> Mrs. Yianni >> present. >> Mr. Holmes >> present. >> Eight present one absent. >> Budget and finance. >> Uh we'll have a presentation motion to approve the preliminary 2026 general fund budget. Pep you should each have a copy of the presentation again on the district website form which will also be attached to the motion this evening. But I'm running with this evening is our presentation as well as there's copies for the public in attendance and trying to broadcast up here on the screen as well. But I'm going to be brief because um you know just be conscientious of time. But if you jump to page three of of the presentation um we're just going to look at a high level overview of revenues and expenses at the

030function level. So what we're proposing as a preliminary budget again I just want to emphasize that this is in in accordance with the act one timeline. this anything that we approved this evening can be amended, can be changed as we move into a proposed final and an actual final budget. So, we're not committing to any expenses at this time. It's more of a snapshot of where we are with our funding and our expenses with what we know at this time or what we assume to know at this time. Okay? So, there will be changes as we approach a final. But the first uh the first area is our total revenue. And again, this does not include a tax increase. Um we're proposing revenues of 239,241,000. Okay. With expenditures of $239,241,000 inclusive of a $7.3 million

031budgetary reserve. So our actual expenditures that we're estimated to spend at this time would be approximately $231,890,000. Okay. So for the last this would be the last three fiscal years budget years, we've been budgeting uh with budgetary reserves that we're able to pull into fund balance if they don't get utilized. So that that's a positive thing. You'll notice that we are estimating our fund balance to be over $32 million as of the 2024 unudited results. Okay, that consists of 27.4 million of unassigned fund balance or 11.4% and $5 million that the board has already committed for capital improvements. Okay. So per per the state law that PD has right now with an unbal an unassigned fund balance over 8% it actually prohibit us from raising real estate taxes at this point even if we wanted

032to now the board could commit additional funds obviously we know that we do have the resource we do have the needs to support that to lower that for specific purposes like we have done in the past which is capital improvement with the presentation of this budget we do comply with two initiatives of the recovery plan obviously is structurally balanced budget and it also establishes sufficient budgetary reserves. We need to maintain a fund balance of at least 5%. Okay, so you'll see just some of our historic fund balance growth on page four. Page five here again just gives you a fiveyear snapshot of where our expenses and revenues have grown from over the last few years, both audited and un audited and budgeted. Okay, moving into page six. Okay, so as I noted, this does not

033include a tax increase for 2026. So that's a that's good news. We do have, as you'll see down in the middle of the page there, our act one index limits. If we were to commit funds to lower our fund balance below 8%, we would have the ability to raise our taxes by 6.1% without going to voter referendum or applying to exceptions to the act one. That's the equivalent of 9.2 2 mills or approximately $2.9 million of revenue at our current collection rates. All right, so we are and this is very preliminary because as you know we are going through a reassessment. However, I don't have those figures at this point that separate taxable versus non-t taxable. So we've kept we kept it consistent with last year's total assessed value for taxable purposes. Okay. I want

034to note too that you'll notice that we saw a $600,000 increase to to $7,65,224 for state property tax reduction to return to those eligible properties for homestead farmstead. Okay. So, that's additional money that will be credited off those eligible properties tax bill moving into 2026 when we apply those funds. All other local taxes outlined below remain the same. Okay. moving into our state revenue. As we know, we do not have a state budget yet at this time. However, for this purpose, we have used what they've proposed in February to um to estimate what we believe our biggest sources of state revenue will be, which is our basic education being the largest. Obviously, special education being another large u large amount. We are not assuming any additional um I'm sorry, excuse me. We are assuming the

035that in 2627 cuz we need a budget for two state budgets. At this point we don't have one but we have to make assumptions for two cuz 6 months and 6 months for our calendar year we are assuming the same $75 million he's proposed for 2526 to be in with 2627 and then moving into special education same thing 37 million for 2526 37 million.4 before for 26 to 27. All right. So, we we're seeing some increases related to BEF and special education based off of what he's proposed for 2526. The new funding also proposed another round of $9.2 million. This is the big one, the $9.2 million in the ready tolearn block grant from the foundation, the adequacy and the tax supplement. So last year the district received approximately 8.5 million of adequacy funds and

036about 700,000 800,000 excuse me of tax equity sub supplements. We've we've continued that in 2627 but we did not anticipate another round of it although that is what the basic education funding commission is calling for. Okay. So we're conservative on it in terms of that um that note. Um, moving on to page eight just gives a breakout of title of of our title funds. Um, we as of the time of when this was posted for the Aklan timeline, we had not received our 2526 allocations for titles 2, three, and four. They were frozen. We've been hearing that those funds have been unfrozen for 2526. We've not received official word from PTE, but we've assumed that they would be unfrozen in this scenario. But then in 2627, we've been hearing rumors of possibly a 10% reduction

037in title one and the elimination of titles two, three, and four. So, so that is included in this. So, 2627, we would see that's when we would start seeing those reductions in those allocations. So, you would notice that some of our federal revenues would be um would be dipping at this time. >> Yeah, that's the skinny budget that President Trump has proposed. Okay. So, moving on to page um I guess it's page nine. It's hard to see, but it's a list of all of our all of our revenues. Just a couple highlighted ones that we did not talk about. Uh in the local side, 6151 current year income tax revenue. We're bumping that budget up about $600,000. Has been a very wellperforming uh revenue source for us to 15.25. the payroll preparation tax 6159 and

0386459. It's a delinquent part of that. Um we're budgeting approximately $8 million uh for those um for that new tax that we levied in 2023 when we moved away from the uh the business privilege mercantile. Uh just another item to point out in the state side, obviously some of our largest state subsidies are related to reimbursement, I'm sorry, excuse me, reimbursements for social security and uh retirement, but we did include a $300,000 prek counts grant that we're optimistic to add for um for two classrooms in the 2526 school year. And again, federal revenues have been pretty consistent with the exception of the fact that we've eliminated title 2, three, and four in 2627. Okay, so that's the detail of the of the revenues that you I'd be happy to go through in more detail at

039at another meeting. Moving on to page 11 is just a summary of our expenditures by major object. >> Before we move on to that, I just have uh two questions actually on revenues. Have we heard anything about the hospitals? Okay. So, I've not heard anything at this time. However, I will note that, and I should have highlighted that, Director Casey, the assessed value that I'm basing this off of is a $12 million reduction of assessed value, approximately $1.8 million of tax revenue that we assumed in the 2025 budget when we thought the hospital was going to be sold. >> So, you're taking that into effect? >> Yes. Yeah. >> Okay. and uh seen that we don't have a state budget as of yet. A couple years ago, I believe they didn't have a state budget

040until October, November. >> It was Yeah, I think it was actually it was 2015 could have been as late as December, I believe. >> Well, the bottom line is they went into late late fall >> and for some school districts that's the middle of their budget. For us, it's the end of our budget. uh are we looking at any contingency plans in case we go that long so that we can actually pay our employees probably for the last month of the year. >> So yeah, we are we are like I think Dr. Keading had put out even in her weekly uh update that we are scrutinizing any expenditures at at this point. We're prioritizing expenses that need to uh have us open school uh come August uh late August, early September. Um, you know, fortunately

041on page one, you know, we we do have a a a significant fund balance at this point that that can carry us for a little while. That won't last forever. Uh, Dr. Sailor and I were actually just talking about that this uh this uh this afternoon. How long can that like at what point do are we going to start to uh run out of cash? Uh >> well, I just want you to start thinking about >> November and December. >> Yep. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, in 2015, we had to take out a second tan to continue to make payroll. >> Well, as long as you have somewhat of a contingency, I wanted a lease on the table so that we'd be aware that, hey, >> we may have a problem come Christmas, there may not

042be enough money for bikes. >> Yeah. No, we are we are well aware of that and keeping an eye on it. And it's Thank you for bringing it up. And um again at the at this point we've only missed one subsidy payment um at at the end of the well actually at the end of this week. Um however as more subsidy payments they're they're very large you know don't continue to come in it will obviously have an impact on our cash flow. >> Thank you. >> Okay just picking up where we were at. Uh page 11 um is our expenses by object function. Uh you you'll see that on the next page we're going to go into in certain categories. Um categories 100s and 200s your salary and benefits. Your three to four your 300s

043to 400s are your purchase services of various kinds. 600s and 700s are your supplies and equipment and your 800 and 900s are mainly your debt service payments. So moving on to page 12 um you'll see again I won't read this word for word but um you know salaries are up about 7.4 salary and benefits excuse me are up about 7.4 4 million primarily due to contractual salary increases. We've restored the middle school schedule. We're bringing we're starting to bring back some pre-k programs with with head starts. And obviously, it's been updated for what of our staffing needs are at this point for the 2526 school year. Healthcare, uh we increase our healthcare budget by about 850,000 based off of our claims through June of 2025, what we've been experiencing. And there's also some additional positions

044included. They are listed here. I won't read them through, but you'll notice a lot of them are vacant from from 2025. So, you know, Director Casey, just to hit on what you said before, we had assumed some new positions in 2025, and we didn't want to pursue those until we knew we had the state funding. So, these are one of the areas that we're we're holding on, but these are listed here. So, you'll you you can see that we do have some plans um with the obviously with board approval, but we're not moving on anything until we're our funding is is secure. you mentioned and I don't mean to keep interrupting and I apologize um but I got to mention it when it comes to my mind um you mentioned healthc care. We presently have

045a bonus program for Blue Cross Blue Shield that if an employee has health care from their spouse or from another source, we will give them a bonus of $1,500. Am I correct on that? >> It's medical. Yeah, it's a medical incentive waiver. Correct. >> And the reason why I know that this is becoming pretty much out of date is because on my former tour on the board, this was my idea. And we used $1,500 as the bonus mark. But then when we looked at what we're paying in Blue Cross Blue Shield, we're only paying maybe four or $5,000. So we were making say maybe 23,000. But over the course of the years, our cost of health care has gone up and the bonus hasn't and inflation and everything else where some of our employees are

046now saying it's only $1,500. Maybe if we look at a more generous increasing the bonus, we may be able to get some more people to take advantage of it, which may cause may cut down on our health care cost. Yeah, that's a I it's a that's a great idea and you're right. I think that number's been held flat for quite some time. Um we we are working with a new healthcare consultant that you know Mr. Wolf and I can uh see if they can run some scenarios or some models based off of our staffing our our our staffing demographic to see who could we likely >> put the SFT on it too because I know it's contractual contractual. >> Sorry. >> No, you're good. All right. So, purchase services. Again, those are your 300s, your

047400, your 500 objects. Um, you know, some of the big ones in here are your uh your cyber charter tuition, uh your uh your student transportation services, um and a lot of your special ed contractual services. We we are up 2.8 million from the overall budget in last year. Again, those are the primary drivers was this the cyber charter, the transportation, and our need our special ed needs and contractual needs. contractor services needs have increased significantly. Um to in the last year's budget we increased our estimated students enrolled in an outside charter from I believe 980 to 10 uh 1,030. We've bumped that this year to,080. We're experiencing about a 50 student uh growth on an annual basis. So that's all factored into that as well. >> Yeah. >> I know there's been some talk

048about charter reform. Where do you know where that is at the moment? Unless we heard it was >> the cap. Yeah. >> Yeah. It's part of the budget. It's part of the state budget negotiations >> that would significantly probably help. >> It would. I mean, there's certain like they're talking about a flat cap of $8,000 per student. They're talking about if a district runs their own in-house cyber program like the Scranton School District does, only paying the rate that the district does their in-house program. Both of which would would benefit our district. Yeah. >> But that has not been incorporated into this. That's the status quo. Okay. Next area, supplies, uh books and equipment. um 600s and 700s modest increase of 315,000 um the primary reason for that is you know technology replacements and curriculum

049replacements we utilize er dollars for last school year um and we got our equip our excuse me our tech our curriculum on a replacement cycle that we will have to address in future budget years like in 2026 and 2027 but as of now it's a modest increase um and it also includes obviously all the uh the supplies for our buildings, all supply line items were increased by 3.5%. Any any new supplies for the middle school schedule as well as our steel standards, we're budgeting an additional $450,000 to continue the implementation of the state required steel standards into next year. Debt service uh moving into the last category here is up $415,000. Obviously between um the 2025 budget now uh we issued $10 million of uh debt in the end of 2024 an additional 20 million

050in 2025. Uh that's the direct impact of that. Obviously that debt is utilized for capital improvements. And as I open the meeting with um the 239,000 proposed for this evening does include a $7.3 million budgetary reserve. Um, you know, you've seen some budget transfers on bill on, excuse me, on agendas before where when unforeseen expenses or decreases in revenues occur, we pull and we transfer from that. We've been able to mitigate that, you know, I mean, we're still ending years and bringing budgetary reserve into surplus into fund balance, but that's where we are right now. In prior years, you know, like uh we've transferred budgetary surpluses out into capital improvements for safety and security upgrades like the cameras. Those are all discussions that we can have as we prepare our proposed final uh you know

051sometime in October and November. >> So in addition to the 27 million on assigned fund balance, the 5 million for capital improvement, you're saying we have 7 million and change in a budgetary reserve. >> Yeah. If everything came in as perfect as this, you'd have a $7 million additional surplus added to that. >> Lovely. >> All right. Um again, the next pages of 15 through 16 17 through 18 are your expenses. We just reviewed them in object level. Now they're broken out by function and object. Okay, you can see a fiveyear a five-year trend there. Um the the last page is just uh you know Dr. Keing and I met before we released this. Again, this this budget assumes that we will receive the state funding that they proposed in in February. You know you

052know Dr. asked possibly what's the worst case scenario and I said well flat funding at 2425 and the loss of of the title as as we've heard so you know if we were to be flatunded at 2425 and we were to lose the title funds as we anticipated earlier um and we saw some reductions in some IDEIDA and Medicaid access reimbursements due to some of the federal cuts you know you're looking at instead of a $7 million surplus you're possibly at a $6 million deficit So, there's that swing. You know, it's like a $13 million swing. Um, you know, you heard me earlier say, uh, you know, we hope that's certainly not not the case, but that's, you know, that's how much we rely on our state and federal funding. Um, if if that scenario

053did occur and we had to try to cover that expenses, you couldn't do it even with the levy to the act one index. As I started stated earlier, uh, 6.1% um would only generate 2.9 mills. you'd be looking at balancing a budget with utilizing your fund balance essentially. >> And I I asked Pat to please do that because I think that in the uncertainty of what's happening at the federal level um and and just being at the point we are without a state budget, I think we always need to know what that worst case scenario is so that we have that in the back of our mind as we're making decisions. Um, it's why we've been as conservative as we are with not hiring positions and with really taking essential things to make sure everybody

054has what they need to open school and the meetings we need to open school. But there is still uncertainty that exists and and even though there has been um information shared with us that the federal government has released released a freeze on the title funds, no communication has come to us yet formally from the Department of Education. So, you know, my fingers are crossed, but I'm still waiting to see how that's trickling down, what our numbers are. So, there there's just a lot of moving pieces here right now as we're in the proposed preliminary stages. >> You know, all these re excuse me, all these resources are on the district's website on on the business office page. Again, the presentation itself and our and the official PTE form, okay, can be can be viewed and

055obtained there. Okay. Any questions? >> Oh, great job, Matt. >> Thanks. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you. It's nice when we hear no tax increase. >> Yeah, >> good work. >> All right. Uh on the consent agenda, there'll be uh motions to approve the bill list and exception bill list, delinquent tax reports, treasurers reports, repository sales, budget transfers, disposal of assets, budgeted purchases, and there'll be a motion to approve PA water or PA water sewer easements. Who's tackling that discussion? >> Uh yes. Uh so uh the city of Scranton and the Scranton sewer authority have approached the district asking for a deed easement for seven uh properties for sewer lines that I guess cross over the the district property. I did provide this information to the board in the weekly packet. Um there is

056a draft deed uh that um attorney G, excuse me, attorney Durkin um has prepared uh and we would I drafted the motion so that if the board wanted to take action on I know solicitor Moran probably needs a few more minutes to look at that spec specific language, but it's you know to approve it subject to approval of the district solicitor. >> This is probably one of those things that we'll have to talk about in executive session, right? Well, >> It's on for vote tonight. So, if >> listeners here, >> yeah, you have any questions? I think that's my wife. >> Well, my question is more for our position because in Greenidge in particular, you had a lot of residents who said, you know, you got to settle for this. So, they went to court

057against PA America water to say you need to pay if you want these easements. So, is that's probably a discussion we should have. I would say >> there there is a request on a personnel issue to adjourn between work session and the board meeting. That might be a time to discuss >> that. If you have a question to ask at that time, would you mute as Miranda? >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Any anything else on that? >> Uh, go next. >> Am I allowed to ask this question? >> Do we get paid on it? >> Not right now. >> At the at the current proposal, no. >> Yeah. What's the cut off date? I mean, when do we have to have this approved by what's the current date? >> Attorney Durkin, is there is

058this time sensitive? tomorrow, a week from now, a month. We've been talking for a while about this and uh the >> we've been talking we've been talking uh for a while about this um and uh it was reviewed by your by your prior council, I believe. Um so but in answer to your question there's not a specific deadline. The the issue is for the city is that until um the sewer authority which really now is just a legal entity. There's no picks or shovels anywhere. It's just uh the sewer authority exists solely for the purposes of requiring these old easement or old easements on sewer lines that have existed for many many years but were never put in the chain of title. So there's nothing new here. That's not, you know, with the reference to

059PA water. This is not PA water money. This is Scranton money. Um that's uh contingent upon the completion um of this of this task. So you know, we would like to get it done sooner than later. I know the city is asking um uh the board to grant the easements without um consideration. Other entities have done that. The Bureau of Dunore has done that. Um, PPNL is is doing that. Um, there had been uh, you know, a long period of time where uh, the sewer authority had gone out and had there was a class action lawsuit where a lot of them were settled and it kind of varies depending on where where they are on the property. How much ultimately it's a question of how much impact does the existence of the easement and the

060chain of title affect the value of the property. So, you know, these are not these are not like the items we just all heard in in your prior presentation. You know, these are not high dollar items. You know, and the vast majority of them, I think, the school district are on the peripheries of of the properties that we're we're talking about. So, um, but this is city city city money that that's held up until until this is, uh, completed. So, we're trying to complete it as best we can. >> Similar to our permit, we need to take a permit, >> right? Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, the city's asking from, you know, from a cooperation aspect, you know, for uh the assistance of the board uh with this. So, Attorney Durkin, I

061think uh the decision was made or the request was made and we're going to huddle briefly in executive session before the voting meeting. We're in our work session right now. Sure. We're going to have a brief pause uh before there's action taken. If you don't mind today, I can get back to you in the morning or Pac-Man. But um does anybody have any questions for the student authorities listener decided to leave before we take our consensus? >> Okay. So, I think just to summarize, I think he he answered what I what I was wondering about. Uh there is no independent revenue source from the grand sewer authority. The money that would be paid to us as consideration for these easements would be coming from the city bank account city general fun. Well, it's coming from

062there was a pool of money left over from the sale that until this is completed is held is held. So, it's city money, >> but it's held in escrow until this task is completed. And we've are we've been tasked with mopping this up, you know, basically to get it to the to the finish line and the school district's one of the one of the entities on the list. >> How many requesting in the school district? Seven. >> Seven, I believe. Seven. >> And I have the map the maps are somewhere in the the package. All right. Any other any other questions? >> Thank you very much. >> Next up is a discussion Oh, I'm sorry. Anybody else? Okay. Next up is a discussion motion for real estate assessment approvals, if any. >> Uh, yes. In

063this week's packet, you received a resolution um and a brief narrative on I believe it's six different parcels uh all related to uh one owner uh that is was worked on with our previous solicitor uh King Sprite. So, it'll be there for your consideration. All all information was provided in the packet. >> Okay. And the information on our contracts update. >> Yes, we have a few. Uh again, it started the school year. So again, the these are contracts that have been approved. They're one-year contracts. They're underneath the state established bid threshold of $23,900, I believe, and it's per policy 611. Um we have we approved our Raptor visitor management system for 2526 at an amount of $1,120. Uh the funding source for that is budgeted through our school building budgets. Um, link it is another

064program. Uh, it's $8,000. Uh, it's utilized for act 158 tracking student data performance. Believe that's out of the guidance budget is 10212329. Uh, we approved a contract for Huddle $8,700. It's student activity and sport related streaming services. That comes out of the athletic budget. Uh, edu link uh, $23,732. Again, it's a 2526 uh PA EP teacher evaluation model module, excuse me, uh coming out of your elementary and your secondary budgets. And then we have securely uh for 14,900. That's our e-haul pass uh program for the 2526 school year coming out of your secondary uh your secondary education budget. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Back to you. >> Community relations. >> First, we have a discussion which is a continued discussion on streaming meetings on ECTV. >> So, it' been requested by a board

065member to look at streaming on ECTV. Um, there is a cost um associated with this and at this time um while we don't have a state budget and we're still trying to wade through all the federal issues, it's my recommendation that we hold this and bring it back when we have better numbers and we know where everything's going to land. >> I completely agree with you. Number one, adding additional cost when we already have it streamed on YouTube and saved. Essentially, they do the work for us at no cost. I don't understand why we would need to incur additional cost and more work for people who are already doing enough. >> Agreed. And then on the consent agenda, we'll have a motion to approve donations. Um, adopt a classroom seal fund grant to McNichols Plaza.

066Kades and Margalla's $1,000 grant to McNichols Plaza. Pete's garage transportation cost Armstrong Field Day classrooms counts to West Grant Intermediate and net credit to McNichols for transportation costs. Those are all just standard >> education. >> Um, >> yeah, >> thank you. >> Um, just I'll I'll read through these and you can just stop me if there's something that you want to talk about. Okay. So, we'll have a motion to approve permissions to attend meetings and conferences. A motion to approve K through 12 music. A motion to approve fifth and sixth grade health. Motion to approve MAG MAGMA Math. A motion to approve SSD course reference guide. A motion to approve CSI, ATSI, TSI school plans. A motion to approve student handbooks, including district policies and sections A, B, C, and D. A motion to approve

067the STEM handbook. A motion to approve the Scranton cyber academy handbook. A motion to approve the gifted handbook. A motion to approve the steels K through8 curriculum kits agreement. A motion to approve the Steel's K through8 print agreement. A motion to approve West High School trip to Washington DC. A motion to approve dual enrollment agreement with Johnson College. A motion to approve the dual enrollment agreement with Keystone College. And a motion to approve Steel's K through8 training contract. We'll also have a discussion regarding the Scranton High School grade level reconfiguration. >> I would like to speak on that. So, a while back, the board had asked questions about reconfiguring Scranton High School from a 712 building to a 912 building where seventh and eighth grade STEM would be considered a program and that program would

068have the scores going back to their home schools for state testing. Um, there have been board memos put out to all of you that that is possible. I want to also highlight some of the things that could come about from this. So number one, we have contacted the National Junior Honor Society, but we do not know is if as a program we will be able to maintain the charter for seventh and eighth grade National Junior Honor Society. So we're working through that and I don't have that answer for you yet. Number two, um there is budgetary funds that the principal of Scranton High School has used on the STEM program because it was a 712 building that we would need to make budget adjustments to put in the STEM budget because it would no longer

069be Scranton High School. It would be the STEM program. So, we would need to do some a little bit of shuffling in the budget. Um though STEM would still have their awards day, the concept of class rank would go back to the intermediate schools. I was not here at that time. However, I guess there were complaints lodged on both sides about those kids being infiltr integrated into the class rank systems of their home schools. However, as a program, that would happen. Um, the other one that could come up from this would just be um, what am I missing here, Pat? >> Nope. Sports is fine because you still would pick that as it's written in the handbook going into your junior year. Extra your freshman year extracurriculars would be the same way. But those were

070the concerns that were brought up to me. Um, that could also be a problem with this. The final thing though is we did a building reconfiguration because of our prek programs. Technically that window closes on the 31st of July. Mr. Aenza has emailed and called the state multiple times asking for that window to be reopened for us. Bert, as of now, no response. Correct. I did get an uh text from our contract from last week that it's better that they schedule. >> Okay. So, we just have to make sure that they open that window and we can do this because if the state wouldn't play nice with us, then even if you approve it, it could take time until the window reopens for us to do that. And I just wanted to be transparent because

071when Bert and I talked Thursday, the state still wasn't speaking to us. So, possible. Yes. all the fallout. I just wanted to give you as well. >> So, um I'm going to speak to this in in general. This wouldn't be an issue if we had created the STEM program as as an equitable entity across each of our buildings. And and I'm just saying saying that for the record that I believe that that would have been fair way to do it in the past. But secondly, um we you know we have CSI, ATSI, and TSI plans for these schools. By pulling the top kids from all of these schools, you've done two the district has done two important things. You've taken the best kids who get the best scores and and you've crushed the scores of

072these middle schools because of it because they're gone. And then the other thing is you're looking at your role model children, your exemplary children and they're all gone. So it becomes a disciplinary issue and and and actually if it just from over the years the data that you look at, you know, you saw in increases in disciplinary instances once we pulled all these kids from these buildings. So you're changing the culture of buildings by taking these people out um these kids who would otherwise be role models to everybody to their peers. Um, you know, and I think back, you always knew who the overperformers were when you were in middle school and in high school. You know, they were the ones on the announcements. They were the ones who whose names come up all the

073time. And and that's something to aspire to. So, I I I know that we can't fix this immediately. Um, but I think that the STEM program absolutely deserves a look to make it equitable across the districts. And I'm going to I don't mean to speak for anybody, but I would bet you that each of the um intermediate principles would love to see their scores go up. and this would be a way to fairly uh engage in that. >> Erin, I could speak a little bit from experience in this district what Tom is speaking about when you pull the children with high high levels. Um I forget what year I mean dementia sets in every now and then. Um but we did that. We had an we had someone who represented the district speak publicly uh

074on the tech centuation and they basically said at tech we get all the the poor kids and really knocking the hell out of Scranton Tech. Well, over the next couple years, all the kids from the good families, and I don't want to say good, bad, but the higher achiever students, their parents all took them out of tech and put them into Central. Well, first of all, some of these kids didn't belong in Central. And second of all, uh, tech basically became a concrete jungle. And um that sort of led to the demise of both high schools before these comments were made. Uh when they put in the SAT scores, Scranton Prep was always number one. Well, you'd expect that because they could pick and choose. Central before was number two in Lacawana County because of

075this move and because of the exorcis to Central with a lot of kids who didn't belong at Central. Central was a preparatory school. These kids no more had any intention of going to college, but the parents didn't want them at Tech. All of a sudden, the SATs, we went from number two in SA SAT scores in the county to third in the bottom, and I believe one school district didn't report, and it's my own opinion only because I sat through it and I saw it. It It basically ruined one of our fine high schools. And I just want to be aware what could happen on the negative side >> there. The PSA scores, PSSAs and Keystone scores do have a plethora of low basic, basic, proficient, and advanced. Um, all scores obviously we return to

076their home schools. Again, is it possible to do? Yes. I just wanted to make sure that I I cocked through all of the concerns that have also been raised to me about this change so that if a parent gets angry or you receive a phone call, I was completely transparent with you. >> Have you had an opportunity to get any feedback from our middle school principles or maybe the guidance counselors or the people who handle the different testing? And >> I I didn't directly reach out to them. I'd heard a lot of comments at different points kind of off the record of, oh, I want my scores back, stuff like that. I didn't get anything directly in writing. My big thing when that was asked of me was reaching out to the state to determine

077if it was possible and through and attorney was on all those correspondences. Um, so I wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing. Everything is possible. Um, and they can be attributed back to home schools. They would still attend Scrant High School. transportation would still remain the same. Their end of school activities would still remain the same. But there are concerns with National Junior Honor Society class rank and the budget because obviously now that would be John Coil's 912 building, not a 712 building. >> Why why not pull the it directly affects the intermediates. Why why not pull the principles? >> I'm just being honest. I did not do that. I I got the information that it can be done. I could go get that information, but we would miss the window to

078reconfigure the window. the text message you just showed >> August 8th. >> So, so we only have until August 8th to make this decision. >> The window opens annually, but you only have the window once a year to reconfigure. So, we're at the when that came up, I believe it came up because the other reconfiguration, the question was asked, the information was given. We didn't have a meeting between then and now. Now, we have a meeting. Is it possible? Yes, it is possible. So would it would it make sense if we then gave you that grace period of a year to really get those concrete answers? I mean for me I would I would like to take the time and either do it the right way. I would never want to jeopardize honor society. I

079would never want to jeopardize the funding situation. So, I mean, if if it's that tight of a window, I would rather give you and your administration that time to come up with the answers and then if it's something that the board wanted to entertain, we could we could have that prepared and set that for the following year. >> B, when does the annual reconfiguration window open? >> I know it closes July 31st of every year. I did this obviously probably August 1st. Um, I'm not week start research. When I did the prek for attitude plaza, I just thought myself I go in a third school because we only get one submit. We never did two and I just found myself for me as a director also like just like you, I heard different things through

080the community. I I haven't actually had that feedback from our principles or from our our counselors who handle that. So, if we were to take that take that year and get that feedback, get all of your answers, then maybe that's something we could consider for the following year based on that information. >> If you guys I mean I I just don't want to not meet an expectation. We can move now if you want me to. If you want me to gather information, I will absolutely do that. >> Russian right now, correct? >> Rushing right now. Well, I I gave you the I gave you the things that have been brought up to me that could be concerns. Honor Society CAT is the biggest one. They have not gotten back to you. Correct. >> I sent

081those answers not respond. >> So, we could be making decisions in the blind right now is what I'm asking. Until we have all the answers, obviously you going forward without not knowing concrete answers is irresponsible. As you said, given the authority now, you have me here to do that. There should be no questions left unanswered. Correct. You have time. >> Yeah. I mean, obviously I can gather more information for you. I just wanted to tell you that in doing this from per what was that on the June agenda for prek? >> Yeah. >> From where that started, I know there's been board memos put in the packet working with the state. I was able to secure the answer that yes, it can be done. When we met as a staff last week, those were the

082questions that were still lingering. Obviously, the budget's easy. Pat, you can make those changes. The class rank questions, the honor society questions, those I didn't have an easy answer to and we were still working through them. And Cat has been actively engaged with the National Junior Honor Society, but you're waiting for the other person to respond. That's where I am. So, is the motion on the >> It is on to reconfigure into it to a 912 building. >> So, when we get to that point, if we were if we decided to vote no at that time, then that we could vote no giving you the directive to to gather that information. >> The board can do that. >> So, we can decide at that point, >> but it is again >> or we could table

083it, but we can table it. Okay. Okay. >> I I'm at a loss. You can't pull your administrators by the ETH. You would need to take consensus then. >> Yeah. No, I get that. But I mean that's >> you need about a day to do this. You said it's pretty it's methodical. >> I get that all the enrollments that are going into next year and the numbers. >> So yes, I can pull the administration by the end of this week too and put that in the board packet and take consensus as well. >> Okay. Thank you. Why don't you take time, get it done, then get back to us instead of, as Tai said, we're shooting in the dark here. My concern and I understand we could potentially get done in the eighth. Um, anything

084could get done. What happens sometimes when you're on the short suspense? Do things get missed? Those things getting missed, do they potentially hurt our kids? So, I I understand if you're telling me convincingly you can get it done by the 8th, not missing it, then great. But my concern always is, do we potentially have a chance to miss any? >> Mr. Duca, do you want to come to the microphone? >> Sure. Uh, I've had lengthy discussions with all three middle school principles. I text them again. They're all for it. >> Thank you. >> That was that was quicker than the eighth. >> So, I'm sorry. Are we going to pull this? We're going to keep the motion there and people based off all the information I gave you, you still know the lingering questions that

085are there. The administrators are in favor of it. Are >> are not in favor of it? >> They are fully supported. >> Wait, wait. The not this admin these administrators. >> These the three middle school principles are fully in >> understand that the principles are definitely in favor of it. Correct. >> But we still have I mean it's not that I'm not in favor of it because I am. But I'm I'm also concerned as Mr. Director or President Holmes said, I am concerned about the the lingering issues that you have that we don't have those answers. So >> the budget is easy. The biggest thing is National Junior Honor Society. Correct, Cat? That's the one that's still lingering. Can they keep their own charter? Now, can they belong to their home school? Yes. But my

086I was not here, so I'm speaking from the rumor mill. My understanding is people were not happy when they had to go back to their home school for National Junior Honor Society. They like it being at Scranton High School where their kids attend. Again, I have to give you that information just because we've been actively trying to work on it and we can't get an answer. >> Right. Right. So, I mean that that might be something where I I I hate to ask for more data, but again, I I would probably want to know from just say our students now, how many of them would say they wanted to stay at Scranton when you're telling me they if we did this, they would have to go back to do it >> for honor society. If

087they can't c, can you come up to the microphone? Sorry. You have your own charter for National Junior Honor Society. >> That's correct. We are attempting to keep that charter for National Junior Honor Society. >> Yes. >> However, National Junior Honor Society has not given us an answer if we can do that as a program. If the student belongs to their home school, just like they play basketball at West Intermediate or Northeast Intermediate, they can belong to the National Junior Honor Society there. I was not here. They did not like that. >> No. So um for having three different national junior honor societies, the top five students are selected and then participate in that ceremony. So whether my students became one of those top five from that building or whether they didn't, it affected each

088of those individual ceremonies. Um the group wasn't together. So a lot of them who had become friends throughout the year then didn't get to be with their friends for that ceremony. um as the years went on, as they became more and more removed from that building, then you had students who come in that may have been, you know, number one, three, and four. And so now you have three of the five kids who run that ceremony that weren't in that building who don't know the people who haven't been in there. Um and so, you know, the parents come into Scranton High for the entire year and are doing all our events and then they had to go back um to a building to do it there. So just from like a parent student perspective plus

089with all the practices I had to get transportation and busing and you know South Grant you know went 8 to 4 on this day for practice and then Northeast did this one and so they the educational wise in our building it was kind of chaos with sending you know essentially three groups of students all over different times different um uh practices just and then the ceremonies were all at different times as well. Um so coordinating that and getting the information out to parents um that first year was a struggle. Um and so they had just it was um all parents had requested I did put out a survey um at the end of that school year and 100% of parents at that time had asked if we could charter our own and have our own

090and that included end of the year all end of the year activities. >> You will still hold your own end of the year activities regardless. Yeah, the only one that comes into question right now is National Junior Honor Society to just make sure we can hold the charter. >> Correct. So, that that's really the big thing that now you have the data from the principles. They are 100% in favor of it. Um the budget can be adjusted, but just so you know, there will be budget adjustments because of that. She will still hold her own awards ceremony, but you could get push back on National Junior Honor Society. >> Okay. So, President Holmes, then we're going to just move forward that with leaving that motion on for the voting meeting. Is that correct? >> Correct.

091>> Okay. All right. Um, was there any other discussion on that? >> Okay. Then we will also have a motion to approve the special education settlements. >> Correct. Can I just comment on two things in the yellow? >> Sure. >> Okay. So, just so everyone knows, the CSI, ATSI, TSI plans have been on the website on public review for a month. Um, just like the state budget, our budget has to be on that. may have been there. If anyone wants to go to them, they can review them. The handbooks will all be posted there. Um, so that will all be done. And then the magma map was at a request, just so you know, because it's an unbudgeted expense. There's been memos in the packet at the head at the math department chairman's request. They

092believe this is extremely beneficial. So, I like that we're bringing forward something that the teachers themselves are are saying is something that's necessary. And I don't know if you all saw, but there was a lot of questions on the steels standards. So last week I had with working with um Katana and with an Grievec put together a myth versus fact on the steels implementation and I sent it out to the whole district. Um so we're trying to ease some of those anxieties and worries as we're moving forward. So, if anybody has questions and they haven't checked their email, please make sure you do because it really does spell everything out for you on how we're going to move forward with this deals implementation. Still keep traditional teaching but have these exploratory exercises. >> Before we

093move on, can we circle back to So, I know we talked about this last year, but students um perhaps relax at the high school level. more this year and then also considering lower levels. Um obviously I just wanted to know like where we are with considering that for the future. >> So we are Oh, I'm sorry. >> Oh, just one more question also. Um have we ever considered like relaxing the dress code for the staff as well? >> So the dress code committee, Mr. Gentle, is still meeting and we're still exploring all that. There are no changes to the dress code for this year, but we will continue to meet and gather information on that over the course of this year. Okay. Thank you. >> Operations. >> All right. So, first we have a discussion

094uh information motion about the Whittier playground parking lot. >> So, we are getting a playground at Whittier. Just we are getting a playground at Whittier, but we have to make a decision um that came on us a little more timely than we thought because of money right now from the city that that's going to be awarded to us. So, we originally looked at using the opportunity to get a playground to move the playground to the existing parking lot location and make a bigger parking lot in the current playground location. Um, we know parking at a lot of our schools is an issue. It's a about a $500,000 price tag to do that. In light of the fact that we don't have a state budget and we're just at an a level of uncertainty with the

095federal government, um we really kind of need to keep things where they are, keep the playground where it's always been, keep the parking lot where it's always been, and move forward with getting these kids a new playground. I would love to have the discretionary funds to spend, but it's just it's bad time right now. Okay. Anybody else? All right. We're also going to have a motion to approve change order GCCO001. Cost $30,522.15 building permits for elevator replacements at um West Grand High School, Northeast Intermediate, and South Grand Intermed. >> Pat, these types of um permit change orders are pretty much budgeted for. We've had that discussion a couple times. I just want to state that >> the preliminary budget that is developed before going out and bid permits are included in >> Thank you. >>

096And we pay for them. Correct. >> What was the question? We pay for the uh permits. We do pay the permits, sir. >> All right. Next one. We have a motion to approve change order GCC00002. Cost 42 or $43,298.60. Disrequired exterior door upgrades. >> I couldn't find any explanations in the packet about what this particular one is for. >> They're all permits. >> Oh, okay. Does >> everything is a There's nothing on here that's not a permit. Correct, Sean? >> Correct. >> Oh, okay. They're not written that way, though. >> Yeah. Yeah, they're all building permits. >> Okay, >> sorry about that. That's >> And there is going to be a full update on the exterior door replacement in this week's packet. I'm working with Sean on that. Lead times have been a huge issue

097which are kind of out of all of our hands. And I'm I I put in my weekly update. I'm frustrated that I thought lead times we'd be over by CO from CO, but we're still dealing with things. >> Just just real quick on the permits. Can you remind me again, did we I know we reached out to the city. Did they give us some sort of a a discount with those permits? I can't remember. >> Yeah, I'd have to go back. >> It was so long ago that we asked. I know you you reached out a couple times. >> Yeah, it was so long ago. I >> I don't want to say yes or no at this point, but I it's been a topic of conversation a few times. I know that they were possibly

098in the process of modifying their permit process. >> That's what I remember. >> Yeah. So, allow me to to circle back on that. >> Just follow up on that. Thank you. We'll put a memo in the packet on the permits. Update you that way. >> Thanks. >> They say no, keep asking. >> Yep. Great. >> Actually, you say yes. >> All right. Next one. Motion to approve change order GCC00001. Cost $5,86711 for South and West High South Intermediate and West High School fire alarm system replacement and environmental maintenance building permits. All right. Okay. And we have change over ECO00001 cost $6,451.36 for contract A South media fire alarm system abatement. And finally motion to approve um change order ECC00001 cost $8,79148 for contract fee West Grant High School fire alarm and abatement permits >> personnel.

099Under personnel, we will have a motion to approve the personnel report. Motion to approve uncompensated leave of absence number 1267. Motion to approve uncompensated leave of absence number 2040. And a motion to approve termination of employee number 4220. >> And President Holmes, we will recess for a quick executive session um between this meeting and um the regular voting meeting. your permission. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Policy. >> We will have a motion to approve second read revisions update policy 317 conduct disciplinary procedures. 317.1 educated misconduct 320 freedom of speech by employees 718 service animals in schools. We will also have motions to approve first read of two 210.2 to medical marijuana in school. 626 Federal District Compliance 626.1 Travel University Federal Programs 827 Conflict of Interest 8:15.1 Use of General Artificial Intelligence and

100Education >> questions >> vendor relations. >> I'll take probably just ask me to take care of that's no problem. I got it. Um, so motion to approve, they'll be on the consent agenda. Motion to approve the 2526 regular education transportation drivers. Motion to approve 2526 regular education transportation routes. Motion to approve the 2526 Bethl AM parking lease. >> There is an uprecrease in that. Just so everybody knows that the request on Bethl AM >> significant or reasonable. >> Modest $5 per spot per month. >> Okay, that's Yeah, that's fine. Uh motion to approve the following agreements. uh approve interim LPN contract myel children's service center partial hospitalization and therapeutic educational program agreements any NEIU19 intergovernmental agreement Mari KBS agreement stepping stones Graham Academy Scrant Counseling SAP agreement new story proare blazer works deep school position

101services right center DHH de heart of hearing agreement with Lazern IU number 18 U link agreement for the 2526 school year and incident reporting software just a quick note Oh, um I've asked about the lease at the right center. Have we made any progress on that? >> Asking they don't have a copy of >> We should probably engage one just for our own. >> Okay. >> One thing too on the vendors, I know one of our vendors, was it Pet Garage? They gave us uh the rebate for the the gas that we get every year. Correct. Around $27,000. >> Yes. >> So it exceeded what we were expecting. Correct. >> Uh I believe it's the highest. I believe it's the highest rebate that we've received thus far. Yeah. Per per the contract. Correct. >> That's

102great to them for getting that to us. >> We have anformational update on budget advocacy. >> We've kind of talked about this already, but just so everyone knows um if you've watched the national forecast, you national news, you've seen that they released the federal funds, the title funds, the federal dollars. However, no official correspondence has come through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. When I have that, I will share that with everyone, but we have not received anything official yet. There is no state budget. So, as of the 31st of this month, we will miss our first subsidy payment. >> I don't know Pat if you want to add anything. >> No, I think I I can concur with that. And again, I think we've given the update through the budget presentation. Correct. >> I will

103continue to send the board anything that I receive as I have been so that you can be updated as I am in real time. And again, an organization I belong to, Paso, gives daily updates as well on any legislative updates out of Harrisburg. >> Okay. When we adjourn, we will adjourn for a short executive session and then return. So >> the library >> library motion to adjurnn. >> Yes. >> Second Bay. >> Hi. We'll be right back. July 28th. Roll call. >> Uh, Mr. Borthwick >> here. >> Mr. Casey. >> Yeah, I'm here. >> Mrs. Chzik, >> present. >> Miss Fox, >> present. >> Mr. McCandrew, >> present. >> Miss Merkel, >> present. >> Mr. Mr. Leky >> present. >> Mrs. Yanni >> present. >> Mr. Holmes >> present. >> Okay. Um, communications to the

104board. An executive session was held on July 17, 2025 uh to discuss litigation and this evening uh to discuss personnel litigation, real estate negotiations. >> Anything that I miss? >> Okay. solicitor's report. Uh nothing for the public superintendent's report. >> Thank you, President Holmes. Uh it's been an incredibly busy summer. Our central administration team and our building principles have been very busy preparing for the 2526 school year. Um I would like to first address uh the situation at Weston High School where we had a water pipe burst. Saturday, July 12th, a main water pipe did burst in the basement of West Grant High School. Um there was water in some areas that was chest deep um in the boiler room and throughout the basement. Uh we did work with obviously our insurance and with um

105a company that comes in and is specialized in mitigation mitigating these kind of issues. Um everything has been dried out at this point. As of right now, the basement is dry. Um, and we're in the remediation process. Based off what we're seeing at present, we do not believe we're going to be able to access the basement at the beginning of the school year. However, the the upper floors at this point are fine. I've expressed to the board many times, our main concerns are the mechanicals. Um, but the actual damage from the water, we did bring a company in that mitigated that, cleaned it. We will do all necessary environmental testing to ensure that everything is safe for our students and our staff to return. But the basement will not be accessible at the beginning of

106the year. And I'll keep updating everyone along with Dr. Stevens um on that. Um, I'm really really excited to share with everyone that this Granton School District was awarded the school-based healthc care network grant that will fully fund intermediate school social workers at Northeast Intermediate, South Scranton Intermediate, and West Scranton Intermediate School for 5 years. In addition to this, each school received $25,000 mental health stipen. This grant was written by Liz Hempill and Maggie Murphy. They did an outstanding job. One of our teachers, Patty Hine, brought this forward to us. We saw it as an opportunity and seized on it. And this is just a tremendous resource for our three intermediate schools. And I'm really proud that we were able to achieve and receive this grant. PSSA's Keystone exams, AP, ACT, and SAT preliminary result

107reports have arrived and have been shared with the staff. The first official day for practice for the 25 fall sports season is August 11th, right around the corner. The opening year immunization clinic will be held at Scranton High School on August 23rd and September 13th from 10 to 1. The Scranton School District is hosting a registration meeting. Um the first one was held in July. We were able to register 20 new students and provide resources. The next will be held on Tuesday, August 6th at McNichols Plaza from 4 to 7. New teacher orientation will be held on August 22nd. Board members are welcome to attend. We are so excited to welcome all of our new teachers and staff to the Scranton School District for the 2526 school year. Curriculum alignment work will be held on

108August 26 for grades 3 through 8. The curriculum writing committees will work to review pacing guides and make adjustments where needed. Five of our central administration staff as well as six principles and uh six the six principles, three elementary school and all three intermediate principles attended the University of Virginia's partners for leaders in education retreat with Dr. Sailor. Um I believe she'll be commenting on that tonight. We're very proud of that work. In our human resource office, I'm happy to report that teacher recruitment and hiring has gone exceptionally well thanks to the hard work of our principles in our special education department. The district has filled over 99% of our open vacancies and in a teacher shortage. That is extremely impressive. Mr. Wolf would like to thank his entire human resource team for their hard

109work. 2526 school year, we'll be opening 155 special education classrooms for a total of 2,190 special education students. Um, we in the operations committee, I went over with you that we're just seeing increased numbers in our exceptional students. Um, and I will continue to update everyone on those numbers as we move through the year. uh an Janette um in addition to Sandy Lmana will be doing a presentation for you at the August 25th board meeting to give you more specific information about where we are right now with enrollment numbers and with the um numbers of our uh full-time specialized classrooms like emotional support, autistic support um and life skills at the beginning of the 2526 school year. Thank you, President Holmes. >> Thank you. Dr. Sailor, do you have anything? >> Yes. Thank you, President

110Holmes. Uh, tagging on with what Director Casey said, we need to advertise when Grand School District is doing something wonderful. And I've got three things I'd like to share. Um, those of you who have participated in our advisory committee meetings this past year know that Dr. Kading structured them around updates on specific parts of our recovery plan. PTE was so impressed with that format that they've been sharing that with other school districts as a recommended format for the advisory committee. Um, Mr. Wolf and Mr. Laffy have been asked have gone to another district who is in recovery to share their process for connecting HR and payroll. So kudos to them for having a process that's being copied throughout the state. And Dr. Dr. Kinging mentioned I was very privileged to go with 11 of your

111staff members to the University of Virginia for their principal leadership program. If you have not investigated it, it's the one program in the United States that's researchbased and has been in operation for 15 years. The principles who have gone through the program have on average shown doubledigit improvement in student achievement. I have had four different groups of administrators there. I will tell you no group has worked harder and accomplished more in that week that lasts forever. It goes from Sunday to Saturday, from 7:30 in the morning until 5:30 at night. They did an amazing job. I know they've asked education committee for time to share with you what they've done. You will be impressed and they get to go to a second session later in sometime in the winter and take three teachers from their

112building with them and that will be specifically on using their data. So kudos to them and thank you for allowing me to be part of that. That's all I have. President Holmes, >> thank you very much. Fantastic job, everyone. PSBA report. >> Nothing today. Okay. >> At this time, the board welcomes public comment. Each speaker will be allowed three minutes to speak. You hearing officials will be allowed four minutes. And when your time is up, you may not pass it on to the next speaker. When the sound buzzer goes off, please finish your sentence. If you have more information to share, you can always email us. Thank you. At this time, Mark, I can't I don't even want to butcher your name, Mark. >> Mark, >> how do you say it? >> Mark. >> I

113would have gotten that wrong. >> All right. >> Sorry. >> I check you every day. >> Hold on one second. It's a weather guy. Of >> course, I bumped the button coming up here. Give me one second. >> You're speak also speaking to the mic. >> Yes, I'm sorry. Okay, there we go. >> Here, please. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, everyone. Uh, my name is Mark Margaravage. I'm a proud proud parent of three children. two of which graduated from West in both 2022 and 2025 and the youngest to be a junior. Uh they all started in Charles Summer preschool with Miss Anne and Miss Pus which was a great head start for them and attended West all throughout. I come in front of you today to bring the idea of starting a finance finance

114club with trading options as the main focus. Uh the goal is to get our youth to start investing at an early age and show them yes they can do it. Uh, some of you may have heard of options and may say that they are risky. And I agree they can be if not done properly, but much like driving reckless, that too could be risky. Um, if you ever have driven behind me, first I apologize in advance if I held you up. I just want to say I trade like I drive, managing risk. Since 2020, I've had mostly good experiences. Uh, I started trading in 2020 when I was at home with CO. Um, but in the beginning, I got very lucky. I didn't understand how to properly manage risk and was very fortunate I didn't

115learn the hard way. Uh I definitely ran before I crawled. But since 2021, I averaged 22% while the S&P yielded around 13 in those same years. Year to date in 2025, I am up 33% while the market is up around eight. Uh what I'd like to do is ask everyone up here to participate. Um there's two approaches you could take when trading options and um I'll read them both twice and if you could please raise your hand if number one or put your hand down if number two. So I'll read them twice. The first choice is you could take unlimited risk with limited gain or the second choice is limited risk with unlimited gain. So hands up for unlimited risk with limited gain or hands down for limited risk with unlimited gain. What do you

116think I do driving so slow? >> So, hands up if you think I risk >> limited risk. >> Hands up if if it's unlimited risk, the first one. Or hands down if it's limited. >> Well, you're all wrong. Can you believe I'm such a slow driver yet put on positions with unlimited risk? It's true. Now, I want to ask you all this. If you had the opportunity to keep all the insurance premiums from a company like Allstate or pay your premium from home and auto insurance to All State, which would you choose? I am essentially an insurance company selling premium in the stock and futures market. Um, so I won't take too much more time up, but um I didn't want to go too uh far into options. Uh this isn't to to try to

117educate anyone on it because that's just way too much time. But um you know, I'd be honored if you guys would consider this. Um it's a rare opportunity. Uh many have not even heard of options and those who do know very little about them. Um oh, I'm sorry. Um I'd like to offer this to both uh West and Scranton. Um I did send an email to uh just about everyone up on on stage here, so you probably have some idea uh a few months back. Um but that's it. Thank you for your time. If you have any questions, I could stick around at the end. Or if you want to ask, >> could you please reach out to our superintendent and so she can she can have a conference with you. >> Sure. >> So

118if you don't mind, I'll give you >> just email me. Aaron. Kading. >> Okay. >> It's on the web page. Okay. >> And then we can set something up. >> Sounds good. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Chris Gatos. Good evening, guys. I don't know what to say. >> Just tip it up for you, Chris. >> Good evening. Um, I'm just here to touch on a benefit that's coming up the end of August. Um, many of you up here already sponsored or gave. Um, Frank Burke used to work in the Scranton School District. He works as an employee over at South Intermediate. Um they're having bogeies for Berky coming up August 31st. Um we're looking for sponsorships. Um this year it not only goes to local Make a Wish Foundation, it also goes to the

119students at Southeast Media where he'd love to work. So if anybody would like to sponsor a whole I have forms here. Um the deadline to get it in is August 8th. >> We did publish it out through um you sent that to me through the whole district as well. Okay. >> Can I have the one right? >> Yeah. Thank you. I'll take one too. There's no shot button. You walk. We won't. I promise. >> Chris, >> thank you. >> I heard. >> Does anybody else do anything? >> I have it. >> Yeah, we have it. >> Thank you, Chris. >> Thank you for your time. >> Thanks, Mike. >> Ken Norton. I used to be a ser. >> Hey folks, uh >> welcome. Welcome back. >> Um I have a couple of things that I'd

120like you to consider. One is at the middle school. You'll see West Grant Middle School. You seem to be finishing up the project and it looks like you're paving the parking lot where the uh trailers used to be. Uh, what I'm asking is, can you please continue the sidewalk up to the end of the property and do a crosswalk where they can go down the opposite side towards the high school because most of the kids that the local kids that exit that way that are going over the hill, they tend to walk in the road because there is no sidewalks. So, I'm asking for that. Uh number two is when you go during football season when the stadium is busy, when you come around that turn, it is a very dark turn. And what I'm

121asking is if you can get some of the low density lighting like you would see at the courthouse, decorative lighting, whatever. You know, there used to be an old saying at work is you don't need to read the kid's t-shirt to know it's a kid. So, if you can get some low density lighting there that'll actually go ahead and reflect the walkway, the people walking so folks could see it. And uh that was number two. And just a bit of information for you folks. Um during CO of uh 20, my grandkids and I went ahead and we started growing some oak trees. going to sound a little odd, but the oak trees that you have, there's two oak trees on this Scranton property right by the entrance wall that were actually grown by my grandkids

122and they are from seedlings from Independence Hall. So, just wanted to go ahead and say that. >> Thank you, Pat. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, m Mr. Dr. Norton, I just wanted to give an update because Director Casey has brought this up a few times related to Providence Road and some lighting and safety concerns. And I'm happy to report that we've recently been informed that the transportation alternative set aside program through PENDOT has been opened, specifically the inclusiveness of the safe routes to school program. I have the city I have a meeting with scheduled with the city on August 4th uh to look at that grant opportunity. >> Oh, great. Great. Thank you. That that that's always been one of those scary turns when you're watch >> I agree with you. Somebody is going to

123get killed there someday. >> Well, the kids are wearing dark clothes. >> Well, you have the kids, you have elder uh um adults, and to top it all off, there's a high population of homeless people. >> Yeah. >> And somebody down there is going to get killed. >> Yeah. Well, I'm glad something's being done. Yeah, draft draft application. >> You could get the sidewalk out west extended and that would be great. >> The application the draft applications are due. >> Mr. Norton, I'm sorry. He makes a good point with that that sidewalk there because they do live right there and I see the kids. They do walk right out into the road, but we coming to school and then there's traffic arriving. So, >> you do have the parent that's always antsy on getting through

124too. And you know, it's like come on guys once in a while. But Mr. Thanks for all you do for the community. >> Chuck, thank you. >> Could we also look at the crosswalks and like any cross? Is there any crosswalk that needs to be updated in any of our schools? >> I know they did that last year. >> The county helped us with that last year. >> All right. Can I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Second. >> Final question. >> This is for the agenda, right? >> Yes. Okay. Can we call uh B1? [Applause] B is a problem boy. Correct. >> B is in Bob. >> Thank you. >> Motion to approve the consent agenda with the removal of B1. >> So move. >> Second. >> On the question. >>

125Roll call. >> Mr. Borswick. Yes, >> Mr. Casey. >> Yes. >> Oops. >> Sorry. Mrs. Chzik. >> Yes. >> Miss Fox. >> Yes. >> Mr. McCandrew. >> Yes. >> Miss Merkel. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Leki. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yiani. >> Yes. >> Mr. Holmes. >> Yes. >> Night. Affirmative. >> Budget and finance. B1. >> All right. So, B1. Um, it is the exception of the bill list. Do I read all of these or does it matter? >> Oh, it's consent agenda. Not not budget and finance. >> It was pulled from consent. >> Now we need to accept the motion. >> I No. No. I I misunderstood. I I went to budget and finance. Never mind. Go ahead. >> That's you. Budget finance B1. >> Oh, okay. All right. >> All right. So, um it

126just says exception of the bill list. I'm asking should I read all the payments? >> Make a motion to accept week by week by week. Does he need to read a motion to accept? >> Okay. Uh motion to accept the exception bill. So move >> as presented >> on the question. >> Uh yes on the question. So on the question of B1, right? >> B1. >> Okay. Um just very quick we um I think um Mr. Ran and I were going to have a conversation at a different point in time. So can you just simple yes or no? Is the retainer itemized for the bill that we received recently? >> Oh, is this about me? >> Yes, sir. Sorry. So what's your original? >> My question was just it's a retainer with it. We have

127I have >> it was prospective. >> What? >> It's prospective. >> Okay. >> The other bill is that you get a retroactive meaning we we we sent a bill by the 15th of the month with work that we did the previous month. So we're able to itemize everything that we did. The retainer bill is forwardlooking. So we started May 1st. We sent the retainer May 1st. We're all phone calls, emails, weekly legal meetings, attendance at public meetings. And I can't predict the beginning of the month how long those meetings are going to last, how many calls I'm going to get, how many emails we're going to get to be able to give you that level of detail. I think that's what you're asking for. So the level of detail that shows up on our other

128bills are there because it's retroactive. We're able to keep our time, book that time, send you a bill that breaks everything down. Now on our full bill, we we identify phone calls, emails, the attendance is not billable. So, if you want to cross reference the retainer with our monthly bill, you can you you can see what you're getting for it. But the actual retainer invoice goes out the first week of the month for that ensuing month. So, it's perspective, meaning I don't know how long we're going to be on the phone. >> So, if I So, I um looked through them for a few minutes, not in depth. So, if I look at the legal bills that we received, would some of that say not build from the >> It should be Yeah. Anything that's

129uncovered by the retainer is not billable. That's how it gets coded in our building software. >> Right. So, so if I go back and look at the current labels that we just got, I should find things on there that said not billable in the last >> I think. So, yeah, I mean I I haven't looked at it that way, but yeah, that's how it should be. >> But yeah, the answer to your question is no. The retainer bill is not itemized at the level of detail as our other hourly invoices because the retainer bill is prospective. Roll call. >> Mr. Casey, >> yes. >> Mrs. Chzik, >> yes. >> Miss Fox, >> no. >> Mr. McCandrew, >> yes. >> Miss Merkel, >> yes. >> Mr. Zleki, >> yes. >> Mrs. Yanni, >> yes. >> Mr.

130Borthwick, >> yes. >> Mr. Holmes, >> yes. >> Eight affirmative, one negative. Motion passes. >> Uh, we'll have uh agenda item B10. Uh it's a motion to approve the 2026 preliminary general fund budget financial impact revenues and expenditures totaling 239,241,768 inclusive of a budgetary reserve of 7,352,241 details attached uh prepared by Laffy assistant the superintendent. So moved. >> Second on the question. >> Just want to say great job Pat. Um super happy that there's no tax increase. Um hopefully the funding comes through and it can stay that way going forward. >> Thank you. And we'll continue to work on this and be prepared to bring it to the uh the proposed final for the board in the fall. Thank you. >> Absolutely. I want to echo that. You you do a tremendous job and have

131for for my duration for four years and um I don't think you get enough credit for all the work that you do, but we do appreciate all the incredible hard work that you and your team do day in and day out that that does not go unnoticed by us. So we appreciate everything you do. >> Thank you. It's certainly a team effort. So thank you. We appreciate it. >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Chzik, >> yes. >> Miss Fox, >> yes. >> Mr. McCandrew, >> yes. >> Miss Merkel, >> yes. >> Mr. Zleki, >> yes. >> Mrs. Yanni, >> yes. >> Mr. Borswick, >> yes. >> Mr. Casey, >> yes. >> Mr. Holmes, >> yes. >> Nine. >> Affirmative. Um, I have a motion to approve sewer easements with the Scrant sewer authority and PA water

132as for the property pins listed below and per attached maps. Approval is contingent upon Scranton School District solicitor review and approval of the deed of easement and the right of way respectfully submitted. >> Second >> on the question. >> Roll call. >> Miss Fox. >> Yes. >> Mr. McCander. >> Yes. >> Miss Merkel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Leky? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yanni? >> Yes. >> Mr. Borthwick? >> Yes. >> Mr. Casey? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Chzik? >> Yes. >> Mr. Holmes? >> Yes. >> Nine affirmative. I have a motion to approve real estate tax settlements for the properties described below and as per court order. So moved. >> Second. >> Any question? >> Roll call. >> Mr. McAndrew. >> Yes. >> Miss Merkel. >> Yes. >> Mleki. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yianni. >> Yes.

133>> Mr. Bwick. >> Yes. >> Mr. Casey. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Chzik. >> Yes. >> Miss Fox. >> Yes. >> Mr. Holmes. >> Yes. Nine. >> Affirmative. >> Education. We'll have a motion to approve a grade reconfiguration from 7 through 12 to 9 through 12 for the 2025 26 school year for Scranton High School. >> Second >> on the question. >> Roll call. >> Miss Merkel? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lucky? >> No. >> Mrs. Yanni? >> Yes. >> Mr. Borthwick? >> No. >> Mr. Mr. Casey, >> no. >> Mrs. Chzik, >> yes. >> Miss Fox, >> yes. >> Mr. McCandrew, >> no. >> Mr. Holmes, >> yes. >> Five affirmative for negative. Motion passes. >> Goes back. We will um have a motion to approve special education settlement agreements following legal review and negotiation. Settlement

134summaries previously provided to the board to review 2700179 and 3000507 LC. >> Second >> on the question. >> Roll call. >> Mlei. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yiani. >> Yes. >> Mr. Borthwick. >> Yes. Mr. Casey, >> yes. >> Mrs. Chzik, >> yes. >> Miss Fox, >> yes. >> Mr. McAndrew, >> yes. >> Miss Merkel, >> yes. >> Mr. Holmes, >> yes. >> Nine. Affirmative >> operations. >> All right. We have E1. Motion to approve the relocation of Woodyear playground at an estimated project budget of $45,92. >> Second. >> On the question. >> Um, as for the discussion that we had, um, Dr. Dr. King, would you just recommend a motion to table until we have a better financial picture based on what's going on or do you want an up or down vote? >> You

135can vote it down >> and then we can bring it back where it is. We're still getting >> Okay, understood. >> Yeah, I just said I think tableabling is this is timesensitive because the funding partners that we have for the project need to begin design >> because their timeline is grant funded as well. >> Voting it down and table doesn't >> voting it down means that the playground stays where it is. Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. So, so just to be clear that that's your recommendation at this time. >> Vote it down. >> Roll call. >> Uh Mrs. Johnny. >> No. >> Mr. Borwick? >> No. >> Mr. Casey? >> No. >> Mrs. Chzik? >> No. >> Miss Fox? >> No. >> Mr. McCandrew? >> No. >> Miss Merkel? >> No. >> Mr.

136Dleky? >> No. >> Mr. Holmes? >> No. >> Nine negative motion failed. >> All right. Just want everyone to know I I wish we were in a better budget condition. >> Okay. Uh motion E2. Motion to approve change order GCC00001. Cost $3,5225 with the general construction contract for building premise project 03303 elevator replacements for West Grand High School Northeast Intermediate and South Grand Intermed, 5521. Second >> one question. >> Why are we just getting these change orders now that these projects have been done for a while? >> Sean, I can't tell them why they just came in. >> Bob Sean is here. >> I thought you were trying to No, no. I apologize. Sean McName is here. >> Um, how you doing? Uh this is Sean McNamer. Uh he is our new representative from uh

137CHA. So I just wanted to present him out to the board. Uh one of the reason that you were seeing these now is it just took them that long to give them to us. >> Yeah. I I think this this came up during our integration team meeting. We asked like the same question again. The the first one we're reading is the elevator replacements which is a completed project. I asked the same question, Director Casey. So again, it literally is that answer. It took them that long to submit them to us for approval. The other ones that you are approving that or you will be approving are more current and active projects. Again, I think the question is on the first one, the elevator project. >> The elevator that we just received them. >> Y there's

138been a change shot at the new roll call. >> Uh Mr. Borthwick, >> yes. >> Mr. Casey, >> no. >> Mrs. Chzik, >> yes. >> Miss Fox, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. McCandrew, >> yes. >> Miss Merkel, >> yes. >> Mr. Zky, >> yes. >> Mrs. Yanni, >> yes. >> Mr. Holmes, >> yes. >> Eight affirmative, one negative. Motion passes. >> All right. E3. Motion to approve change order GCC00002. Cost $43,290.60 to the general construction contract for project 03305. Districtwide exterior door upgrades. Financial impact $43,290.60. >> Second. on the question. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Casey, >> no. >> Mrs. Chzik, >> yes. >> Miss Fox, >> yes. >> Mr. McCandrew, >> yes. >> Miss Merkel, >> yes. >> Mr. Zleky, >> yes. >> Mrs. Yanni, >> yes. >> Mr. Borthwick, >> yes. >> Mr.

139Holmes, >> yes. >> Eight affirmative, one negative. Motion passes. >> All right, we have E4. Motion to approve change order GCC00001 cost $5,86711 to the general construction contract for project 033038 South Grant Intermediate West Scranton High School fire alarm system replacement and environmental abatement project financial impact $5,86711. >> Second >> on the question. >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Chzik, >> yes. >> Miss Fox, >> yes. >> Mr. McCandrew, >> yes. Miss Merkel, >> yes. >> Mr. Zleki, >> yes. >> Mrs. Johnny, >> yes. >> Mr. Borthwick, >> yes. >> Mr. Casey, >> no. >> Mr. Holmes, >> yes. >> Eight. Affirmative. One negative. Motion passes. >> All right. Number five. E5. Motion to approve change order ECC00001 cost $6,451.36. The electrical construction contract for project 033038 South Grant Intermediate Contract A Fire alarm system replacement

140and environmental banking project. Financial impact $6,451.36. >> Second. >> On the question. >> Roll call. >> Miss. Fox. >> Yes. >> Mr. McCandrew. >> Yes. >> Miss Merkel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zky? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yianni? >> Yes. >> Mr. Borthwick? >> Yes. >> Mr. Casey? >> No. >> Mrs. Chzik? >> Yes. >> Mr. Holmes? >> Yes. >> Eight. Affirmative, one negative. Motion passes. >> All right. And finally, E6. Motion to approve change orders ECC00001 cost $8,79148 to the electrical con construction contract for project 033038 West High School contract B fire alarm system replacement and environmental maintenance project financial impact $8,79148 >> second on the question >> roll call >> Mr. McCandrew >> yes >> Miss Merkel >> yes >> Mr. Zleki >> yes >> Mrs. Yianni >> yes >> Mr. Mr. Borthwick, >>

141yes. >> Mr. Casey, >> no. >> Mrs. Chzik, >> yes. >> Miss Fox, >> yes. >> Mr. Holmes, >> yes. >> Eight affirmative, one negative. Motion passes. >> Personnel. >> Okay. Um F1 motion to approve personnel report as attached. All hires are contingent upon all background checks and clearances. >> Second question. >> Roll call. >> Miss Merkel? >> Yes. >> Mr. Leki? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yanni? >> Yes. >> Mr. Borswick? >> Yes. >> Mr. Casey, >> yes. >> Mrs. Chzik, >> yes. >> Miss Fox, >> yes. >> Mr. McCandrew, >> yes. >> Mr. Holmes, >> yes. >> Affirmative. >> F2, approve uncompensated leave of absence teacher request for employee number 2040 for the 2025 2026 school year pursuant to board policy 339. >> Second on the question. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Leki? >>

142Yes. >> Mrs. Yanni? >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Bourdick. >> Yes. >> Mr. Casey, >> yes. >> Mrs. Chzik, >> yes. >> Miss Fox, >> yes. >> Mr. McCanner, >> yes. >> Miss Merkel, >> yes. >> Mr. Holmes, >> yes. >> Nine. Affirmative. >> F3. Approve uncompensated leave of absence teacher request for employee number 1267 for the 2025 2026 school year pursuant to board policy 339. >> Second. >> On the question. >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Yanni. >> Yes. >> Mr. Borswick. Yes, >> Mr. Casey. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Chzik. >> Yes, >> Miss Fox. >> Yes, >> Mr. McCandrew. >> Yes, >> Miss Merkel. >> Yes, >> Mr. Drisleki. >> Yes, >> Mr. Holmes. >> Yes. >> Nine. Affirmative. >> Okay. And then F4, motion to approve, excuse me, motion to approve employee number

1434220, termination of employment effective 729 2025. >> Second. >> One question. >> Roll call. Sorry. Mr. Borthwick, >> yes. >> Mr. Casey, >> yes. >> Mrs. Chzik, >> yes. >> Miss Fox, >> yes. >> Mr. McCandrew, >> yes. >> Miss Merkel, >> yes. >> Mr. Leky, >> yes. >> Mrs. Yanni, >> yes. >> Mr. Holmes, >> yes. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> So, second. >> All in favor? I >> believe